Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) draft annual plan delivers an overall zero rates increase in 2026-27 - a significant drop on the 8.7 percent increase forecast during the Long Term Plan process.

Councillors sought to keep rates as low as possible, ORC chairperson Hilary Calvert said.

“We’re confident we can deliver for Otago’s people and environment within the zero-budget increase proposed,” she said.

Factors helping to reduce rates include “cost savings and efficiencies in work programmes, extended timeframes for some work and finding alternative revenue sources”.

While the draft annual plan has no increase in the value of the overall rates amount collected, rates for each property varies depending on things like location and the services provided. 

For the median-value residential property within Queenstown Lakes (ones which are not subject to a public transport surcharge, like some in Queenstown), rates will drop by 1.01 percent.

A rates estimator will be added to the ORC website by mid-March so people can look up their estimated rates.

As no significant changes have been made to what was consulted on in the Long Term Plan for the 2026/27 year, councillors have chosen not to go to the expense of formally consulting with the community on the draft annual plan.

It will go to council for adoption in late April 2026.

Hilary noted that the government is proposing significant reform in the local government sector, but any changes will take some time to happen.

“In the meantime, it’s important that we continue to work hard for Otago, including providing public transport, monitoring Otago’s air, land, waterways and natural hazards, compliance monitoring and enforcement, river management, flood and drainage schemes, harbourmaster functions and emergency management response,” she said. 

PHOTO: Wānaka App