Consultation is now open and runs until 11.59pm Friday, 11 September 2026.

The proposed changes are intended to strike a balance between fairness, transparency and making targeted rates for flood and drainage schemes easier to understand.

Under the proposal, flood protection and drainage costs would be assessed separately.

Flood protection costs would be shared based on the level of flood protection benefit a property receives, while drainage costs would be based on the land area that receives that service, land use, and the relative demand different land uses place on the drainage network.

The review also proposes changes to some scheme boundaries, based on updated flood modelling and technical assessments. This means some properties could see a change in their targeted rates or whether they are included in a scheme.

ORC General Manager Science and Resilience, Tom Dyer, says it is important property owners take the opportunity to understand the proposal and provide feedback.

“These schemes provide important protection for people, property, businesses, and productive land, as well as drainage that supports farming and other land uses.

“We want to hear from the people who are affected by these schemes. Whether you support the proposed changes, have concerns, or think something should be done differently, we encourage you to make a submission.”

People can use the online rates estimator to compare current and proposed targeted rates, view an interactive map of current and proposed scheme boundaries, attend community drop-in sessions, and make a submission online or in writing.

The consultation information, rates estimator, map, submission form, and details of community drop-in sessions are available at orc.govt.nz/schemerates

Consultation closes at 11.59pm Friday, 11 September 2026.

Council will consider all submissions before making any final decisions on the proposed rating approach.