Bay of Plenty Regional Council has adopted its 2026/2027 draft Annual Plan and a proposed amendment to the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan for community consultation.

Regional Council chairwoman Matemoana McDonald said this year’s consultation was one of the most significant in recent years, as the council seeks community direction during a time of uncertainty and reform.

“The Bay of Plenty is built on relationships – between people, places, and the environment,” she said. “In this period of national change, those relationships guide the decisions we make. This consultation is about ensuring our communities are at the heart of the choices that will shape our region’s future.”

Across Aotearoa, local government is undergoing major review, with proposed legislative changes that could reshape the role and responsibilities of regional councils.

At the same time, councils were managing rising costs, infrastructure pressures, and increasing expectations for clear value for ratepayer investment.

Careful, focused planning

McDonald said this environment required careful, future-focused planning.

“We’re working in an uncertain environment, and we need to safeguard the long‑term wellbeing of our region. That means making disciplined decisions now, so that future generations benefit from the work we do today.

“Our communities have consistently told us they want efficient, visible delivery and long‑term value. This consultation is an opportunity to check that we’re heading in the right direction and to make adjustments together.”

The council’s consultation invited feedback on both the 2026/2027 draft Annual Plan and a proposed amendment to the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan.

An amendment to the current Long Term Plan (LTP) was required because the council considered significant changes to the structure of its more than $3 billion investment portfolio.

The proposal was a continuation of decisions made through the LTP 2024-2034, including the managed partial sell‑down of the Port of Tauranga shareholding to diversify the portfolio and reduce risk.

Significant

McDonald said this next step was significant because it explored how the council could optimise returns on behalf of the community, while preserving and protecting assets for future generations.

“These investments are intergenerational. They represent decades of effort and foresight. Any changes must be made openly, carefully, and with the clear support of the people they belong to – the people of the Bay of Plenty.”

Alongside the proposed LTP Amendment, the council was consulting on its draft 2026/2027 Annual Plan, with a focus on two key topics.

The first explored whether to establish a fund to support organisations and local councils to deliver regional infrastructure projects that enable broad economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits across the Bay of Plenty.

The second asked whether the council should invest less, the same, or more in protecting and enhancing indigenous biodiversity as it develops a Regional Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy.

General rates up $4%

The Annual Plan consultation also invited feedback on the wider proposed work programme and budgets. Following a comprehensive budget review, the council had identified savings, refined project timing and prioritised core work, resulting in a projected general rates increase of 4%, down from a forecast 8.2% that was signalled in the LTP 2024-2034.

McDonald said this consultation provided an important opportunity for communities to contribute to decisions affecting the 2026/2027 financial year and beyond, including major investment changes, core service delivery, funding and fees.

“We know affordability is front of mind for many households. That’s why we’ve taken a hard look at our budgets and found ways to minimise the rates impact while still protecting essential work.

“But we need our communities to tell us whether we’ve got the balance right. Your feedback really does influence the decisions we make.”

Submit feedback

Consultation is open until April 2. There are several ways for the community to have their say, including online and at in‑person events.

Full details are available at: www.boprc.govt.nz/consultation2026, or by emailing: LTPAnnualPlan@boprc.govt.nz or phone 0800 884 880.