Deputy Chair Cr Kevin Malcolm says the plan ensures a strong Council work plan, finds operational efficiencies, and recognises the current cost pressures on our ratepayers.
“We’ve been able to deliver an overall zero rates increase, meaning the total amount of rates we collect hasn’t changed from last year - This is a significant decrease from the 8.7% increase forecast during the Long Term Plan process.”
The average residential property in Dunedin, Clutha, Waitaki and Central Otago will see rates drop slightly, but this varies for each property depending on things like location and the services provided. Some ratepayers in these areas will see a change in their rates.
Generally, in Queenstown properties that pay a public transport rate will see an increase due to the cost of extra services such as the new Arrowtown to Jacks Point bus service and increased frequency of services on other bus routes.
2026/27 residential rates examples
|
District |
Median CV |
Rates 2025/26 |
Rates 2026/27 |
$ change |
% change |
|
Central Otago |
$740,000 |
$340.94 |
$338.60 |
-$2.34 |
-0.69% |
|
Clutha |
$370,000 |
$296.01 |
$293.58 |
-$2.43 |
-0.82% |
|
Dunedin |
$590,000 |
$436.41 |
$426.98 |
-$9.43 |
-2.16% |
|
Queenstown Lakes |
$1,475,000 |
$642.18 |
$665.53 |
$23.35 |
3.64% |
|
Queenstown Lakes |
$1,475,000 |
$518.69 |
$513.44 |
-$5.25 |
-1.01% |
|
Waitaki |
$430,000 |
$383.27 |
$375.22 |
-$8.05 |
-2.10% |
This table shows the estimated rates for the median residential property in different areas of Otago for 2026-27.
Measures to achieve an overall zero rates increase include cost savings and efficiencies in work programmes, extended timeframes for some work and finding alternative revenue sources. The government directive to pause planning work meant ORC will spend less than budgeted in 2025-26 and will end up with a surplus. Some of this will be used to deliver work in 2026-27.
Councillor Malcolm says, “With no significant changes to ORC’s work programmes or the overall cost, we can approve the Annual Plan earlier than usual. This provides certainty for ratepayers about likely costs and the work we’ll do, important in this time of uncertainty. It also means we can start preparing for the Long-Term Plan sooner – the work ORC will do in the years ahead.”
“While reform is proposed in the local government sector, we still need to plan for the future of Otago, with important work to do in providing public transport, monitoring our environment, compliance enforcement, river management, managing flood and drainage schemes, harbourmaster functions and emergency management response.”
The Annual Plan 2026/27 has now been approved and the rates resolution for the 2026-27 year will be presented to Council for approval in June 2026.
More information can be found on the ORC website at orc.govt.nz/ap2026.
