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Our proposed changes: Weather event recovery rate

Severe weather in June and July 2025 caused significant damage across parts of the District. The Council has been running an extensive response and recovery programme, which is still underway. The current estimated net recovery cost is approximately $14.6m, although this figure is not yet final.

Non-rates funding sources for the 2025 weather events recovery have now been exhausted and the Council must recover its share of the remaining costs through rates.

We have shortlisted four options, and you can read all the details here. These are called a targeted rate, as they are for a specific purpose. The rate is proposed to apply district-wide, so it will be paid by all ratepayers.

The first option is Council's current preferred option.

Which option do you support?

This poll has concluded.

  • 1. Targeted District-wide Recovery Rate for five years to repay the costs of the 2025 weather events only, charged at a uniform amount ($125).
    36% (124 votes)
  • 2. Targeted District-wide Recovery Rate for five years to repay the costs of the 2025 weather events only, charged by capital value.
    24% (83 votes)
  • 3. Targeted District-wide Recovery and Emergency Event Financial Resilience Rate – ongoing to repay the costs of the weather events initially and then be used to build a fund to respond to future natural hazard events charged at a uniform amount.
    21% (73 votes)
  • 4. Targeted District-wide Recovery and Emergency Event Financial Resilience Rate – ongoing to repay the costs of the weather events initially and then be used to build a fund to respond to future natural hazard events charged by capital value.
    19% (66 votes)
Total Votes: 346

More about the options at a glance

Option Benefits and weaknesses of this option:
Option One - Council's preferred option.
Targeted District-wide Recovery Rate for five years to repay the costs of the 2025 weather events only, charged at a uniform amount ($125).
  • Transparency: Simple to understand and ensures funds are used solely for recovery.
  • Fairness: All ratepayers contribute evenly, weather events are district-wide risks.
  • Equity: Residents in the most affected areas will not pay more than others, supporting community wellbeing.
  • Affordability: High-value property owners do not face disproportionately higher rates. Lower-value property owners may have less ability to pay the new rate but face the same level of rates as other property owners.
  • Time limited impact: Rates will increase from 2026/2027, but the rate will end after five years once the recovery costs are fully repaid.
Option Two - Targeted District-wide Recovery Rate for five years to repay the costs of the 2025 weather events only, charged by capital value.
  • The transparency, equity and time limited benefits and weaknesses are similar to Option 1.
  • Fairness: All ratepayers contribute, recognising that weather events are district wide risks. But ratepayers contribute in proportion to the capital value of their property.
  • Affordability: High-value property owners, who may have more ability to pay the new rate, face higher rates. Lower-value property owners, who may have less ability to pay the new rate, pay at lower levels.
Option Three - Targeted District-wide Recovery and Emergency Event Financial Resilience Rate – ongoing to repay the costs of the weather events initially and then be used to build a fund to respond to future natural hazard events charged at a uniform amount.
  • The transparency, fairness, equity and affordability benefits and weaknesses are similar to Option 1.
  • Ongoing impact: Rates will increase from 2026/2027 and the new level will be ongoing. After the first five years the revenue will be used to create a fund for recovery from future natural hazard events.
Option Four - Targeted District-wide Recovery and Emergency Event Financial Resilience Rate – ongoing to repay the costs of the weather events initially and then be used to build a fund to respond to future natural hazard events charged by capital value.
  • The transparency, fairness, equity and affordability benefits and weaknesses are similar to Option 2.
  • Ongoing impact: Rates will increase from 2026/2027 and the new level will be ongoing. After the first five years the revenue will be used to create a fund for recovery from future natural hazard events.

The following material about the proposed 2025 Weather Events Recovery has been prepared to support this consultation:

Previous polls

Our proposed changes: The three community facilities projects

Progressing three community facilities projects was planned and budgeted for in Year 3 of Tasman’s 10-Year Plan 2024 – 2034, as well as the current financial year (2025/2026). The Council has considered the next steps for each project, the rating impacts and its preferences.

We are seeking feedback on progressing or pausing these projects.

Should we continue the project as planned, OR pause and defer to Tasman’s 10-Year Plan 2027 – 2037 discussions?

This poll has concluded.

  • Continue with the Tapawera Community Hub
    22% (140 votes)
  • Pause the Tapawera Community Hub
    78% (490 votes)
Total Votes: 630

Waimea South Facilities

This includes the proposed Wakefield Hub and the Brightwater Facilities upgrade.

The Council's proposal is to continue these projects.

2026/2027 rating impact: 0.03% or $45k.

Potential annual operating costs for the Wakefield Hub: $408k*

Proposed Wakefield Hub

Should we continue the project as planned, OR pause and defer to Tasman’s 10-Year Plan 2027 – 2037, with further investigation to support discussions?

This poll has concluded.

  • Continue with the Wakefield Hub
    53% (509 votes)
  • Pause the Wakefield Hub
    47% (444 votes)
Total Votes: 953

Brightwater facilities upgrades

Should we continue the project as planned, OR undertake some weatherproofing work this financial year then pause and defer to Tasman’s 10-Year Plan 2027 – 2037 discussions?

This poll has concluded.

  • Continue with the Brightwater facilities upgrade
    27% (151 votes)
  • Pause the Brightwater facilities upgrade
    73% (408 votes)
Total Votes: 559

Motueka Pool

The Council’s proposal is to continue this project.

2026/2027 rating impact: 0.16% or $204k

Potential ongoing operational costs: $862k*

Should we continue the project as planned, progressing through the design stage, OR pause and defer to Tasman’s 10 Year Plan 2027 – 2037 discussions?

This poll has concluded.

  • Continue with the Motueka Pool
    58% (574 votes)
  • Pause the Motueka Pool
    42% (416 votes)
Total Votes: 990

*The operating costs provided are indicative estimates and subject to change following future council decisions on individual projects. They are included to show the potential ongoing annual costs of each facility.