What Hauraki’s 2026/7 Annual Plan funds and why

Clean water, safe roads, footpaths people can actually walk on. That's what we're planning for in Hauraki. The 2026/27 Annual Plan, adopted in April, sets out how we keep that future on track this year while being straight about what things cost.

The average residential rates bill increases by $210, or 58 cents a day from 1 July 2026. For those connected to both water and wastewater, the average water bill increases by $364, or $1 a day.

Nobody wanted to land here. These figures reflect what it costs to keep the district running in 2026/27.

Roads

The biggest shift in this year's plan is roading. HDC's roads were revalued in 2024, and the real cost of renewing them is higher than previously accounted for. Roading depreciation increases from $5.3 million to $9.7 million. This isn't new spending. It's a more accurate picture of what our roads cost to maintain. Council is spreading that adjustment over three years to keep the impact manageable.

Footpaths

HDC is accelerating footpath repairs across Paeroa, Waihī, and the Plains. The district has more than 117 kilometres of footpaths and these were deteriorating. Council is targeting the areas that need it most so people can move around safely.

Water and wastewater

Central government has lifted the standards water and wastewater systems must meet across the country. The Paeroa wastewater treatment plant, the district's largest infrastructure project, is nearing completion, delivering modern, reliable wastewater treatment for the district.

This is the last water and wastewater increase HDC sets. From 1 July 2027, those services move to Waikato Waters Limited, an organisation owned by six Waikato councils including HDC. From that point, Waikato Waters sets its own charges once its water services plan is in place.

Borrowing

Council can borrow up to $173 million to fund the work ahead. That's $5 million more than last year's forecast, and it means council can get on with the projects communities need without borrowing beyond what's responsible.

Mayor Toby Adams says the plan reflects careful decision-making in a difficult environment.

"Hauraki is a place people are proud to call home. We've stuck to the basics, cut back where we can, and focused on the services people rely on every day. The cost of living is tight and that's been front of mind the whole way through this plan."

The full Annual Plan will be available on the HDC website from 8 May 2026. For questions, contact HDC at info@hauraki-dc.govt.nz or visit any service centre in Paeroa, Waihī, or Ngātea.