When it comes to deciding what mahi (work) we’ll carry out in each year, we take account of the six strategic priorities that form part of our strategic direction – Takatū Waikato | Making a Stand for the Waikato. A focus on wellbeing and how we respond to climate change is woven through all our work.
This year, we’ll spend around $202 million to help build a healthy environment, vibrant communities and strong economy.
Of that spend, around $130.3 million is funded by you, our ratepayers – the rest comes from fees and charges, government grants and investment income.
It’s your Waikato and we want you to be informed on how that money is spent. So let's take a look at the type of work we do under each of these areas and some of the key projects we'll be working on over the 2023/24 year.
Where we will spend our funds 2023/24
Regional transport connections
$56.6 million
We oversee our regional transport network and plan its future including preparing the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP). These blueprints coordinate Waikato’s transport network across district and city boundaries and secure critical funding from central government for the whole region. With key partners, we provide public transport services so Waikato residents and visitors can access education, employment, healthcare and social opportunities. We also help reduce emissions and shape the future of our towns and city by developing mass transit solutions and reducing reliance on low-occupancy vehicles. Most rates funding in this area is targeted so what you pay reflects the transport services in your area, for example, only Hamilton residents pay the urban public transport rate. A significant amount of our transport funding comes from central government through the RLTP process, which you can read more about below.
Science, policy and information
$38.3 million
Our team collects, manages and shares environmental, social, economic and geospatial data and information for the Waikato. We monitor key indicators like air and water quality and maintain regional state of the environment information for the public to use. Our work ensures that we can all access high-quality, consistent information that shows how the environment is changing over time. All this information informs the way we manage natural resources and create regional policy. We develop and implement the Waikato Regional Policy Statement facilitating regional spatial thinking and urban growth management, and we coordinate responses to resource management system reform. This area is mostly funded through general rates.
Integrated catchment management
$37.6 million
Catchments are areas of land that drain rainfall, surface and ground water into a common water system, such as a river or stream. Our team oversees and protects the complex ecosystems within our regional catchments, which includes restoring and maintaining indigenous biodiversity and managing plant and animal pests. We promote, plan and implement priority restoration projects to control weeds and pests, and fence and plant key areas of land. This improves catchment and river stability, enhances water quality and protects soils. We also support iwi, landowners and community groups with funding and technical advice to support voluntary initiatives that improve environmental outcomes. This area is funded through both general and targeted rates. For example, the biosecurity rate on your assessment notice depends on where you live and the pest control and biosecurity needs in your area. Council staff also work to secure government funding in this area for activities like planting and erosion control.
Flood protection and control works
$28.3 million
Our flood schemes protect 3000 km2 of land from flooding, including $19 billion of property that supports agricultural and economic activity worth around $2.2 billion a year. We provide communities with an agreed level of protection from floods by operating, maintaining and renewing flood protection assets, including stopbanks, floodgates and pump stations. This work reduces risk to life and property, supports economic productivity and improves the resilience of the region’s essential services. We also manage river systems by clearing obstructions and controlling erosion, and our 92 land drainage schemes support pastoral farming in areas all over the region. Targeted rates provide most of the funding in this area. Your rates assessment notice may name catchment scheme, such as Waikato-Waipā, Waihou or Piako River, that supports your area and all of this rate goes towards that scheme.
Resource use
$23.4 million
We are responsible for processing, issuing and monitoring resource consents under the Resource Management Act, and consents under the Building Act for large dams. We proactively monitor several higher priority Regional Plan permitted activity rules. We investigate serious breaches of environmental and maritime regulations and seek to resolve non-compliance. We receive and respond 24/7 to calls from the community reporting environmental incidents. Our maritime services team is responsible for managing coastal and inland water safety, by maintaining navigable waterways, promoting safe boating practice and monitoring adherence to our Navigation Safety Bylaw. We support the rural sector with a particular focus on implementation of freshwater farm plan regulations. We also deliver education services, primarily focused on waste prevention, Enviroschools, Kura Waitī ki Kura Waitā and a youth and secondary programme. This area is funded through general and targeted rates as well as consent fees and charges paid by consent applicants and consent holders.
Customer, community and services
$8.9 million
Councils are democratic institutions. Our people work to ensure our council procedures function by the law and Waikato ratepayers can engage fully and fairly in our decision-making processes. We are building our customer service capability, so our customers find us welcoming, responsive and connected, and we are working to attract and retain great staff and improve our workforce capability. Waikato is the fourth largest region in the country (25,000 km2), so we maintain offices in Hamilton, Whitianga, Paeroa and Taupō and a network of depots near remote locations where our operational work is needed. Internally, we continue to enhance our information and financial systems, manage our risk profile and improve our fleet and property management so our far-reaching organisation operates efficiently and effectively. This area is mostly funded by general rates.
Regional hazards and emergency response
$2.5 million
We’re responsible for ensuring we have arrangements, standards and processes for emergency response and that emergency management staff have the capability and resources to respond to an emergency event and ensure the best outcomes for the community. We identify at-risk areas provide strategic information and advice to district councils, Waikato Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group and landowners. This helps the region prepare for and avoid hazards and minimise risk and damage when they occur. We’re also working to understand the projected impacts of climate change and help people make informed decisions about land use in hazard-prone areas. Work in this area is mostly funded through general rates.
Waikato Civil Defence and emergency management
$3.6 million
Waikato Regional Council collects the rates that fund the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (WCDEMG). To prepare for significant or complex emergencies, WCDEMG supports and coordinates all local authorities in the Waikato region, along with the emergency services and other key partners, to ensure those organisations and our communities have the capacity and capability to respond to and recover from those events. This includes identifying and assessing risks and where appropriate, supporting agencies to reduce those risks. WCDEMG also supports partners through increasing consistency in training, systems and processes, and supporting our communities through clear and consistent public information and public education. During significant or complex emergencies, the WCDEMG leads, coordinates or supports the operational responses and subsequent recovery activities. This area is funded by the Civil Defence and Emergency Management targeted rate. Everyone pays the same amount, which goes directly to the WCDEMG.
So as you can see, there are lots of exciting things planned for 2023/24. But we can’t make them happen on our own. We look forward to working together with you.
If you want to know more about different types of rates and how they are applied, visit our rates general information and FAQs page.
To ask for help or report a problem, contact us
Tell us how we can improve the information on this page. (optional)