Westland District Council has concluded deliberations on its Draft Annual Plan 2026/2027, following strong community engagement that saw 81 submissions received and seven members of the public speaking directly to Council during hearings.
Chief Executive Barbara Phillips said the Annual Plan consultation had reinforced the need for Council to improve how it communicates and engages with the community on major issues and future planning.
“We’ve heard clearly from the community that people want more information earlier, better explanations around complex issues such as rates and infrastructure, and more opportunity to understand the wider picture before decisions are made,” Ms Phillips said.
The Long Term Plan is where we consider the bigger strategic changes and longer-term direction for the district. Unlike previous LTP processes I want to approach that differently, with earlier engagement, clearer information, and a suite of discussion papers on key topics so the community can be fully informed before consultation formally opens.”
Ms Phillips said areas likely to form part of those discussions include the Councils building such as the Pakiwaitawa building and the future tourism experience across the district, and long-term district priorities.
The swimming pool generated some of the strongest feedback through the consultation process, with many submitters highlighting its importance for water safety, recreation, wellbeing, and accessibility for families, rural communities, schools, and organised user groups.
She also expressed her thanks to all submitters and presenters for their time and effort to be engaged in the process. She believed the submissions reflected their concerns in a thoughtful and pragmatic way.
During deliberations, Council confirmed a number of decisions for the coming year, including:
- Council will no longer remits (refunds) interest charges on overdue rate demands, with reminder notices to be issued earlier to support ratepayers.
- Council will continue to allow use of the pool outside standard operating hours.
- Museum opening hours will reduce operating hours to better align with seasonal visitor demand. Operating hours would change as follows:
Summer: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10.00am to 3.00pm
Winter: Saturday 10.00am to 3.00pm
Winter: Closed Sunday and Monday
Weekday operating hours would remain unchanged. - Library Hours would reduce to align to usage, operating hours would change as follows:
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm
Closed Sunday - Isite hours would reduce hours to prioritise cost savings, operating hours would change as follows:
Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm
Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm (year-round)
Winter: Closed Sundays - Council will not fund depreciation for the Library reserve for this year.
- Council will no longer fund the depreciation on Heritage Park buildings and releases funds already held in reserve.
The council committed to further analysis regarding the community facility operations to inform the long term plan discussions.
Council also acknowledged several wider strategic matters raised through submissions, including Jackson Bay, infrastructure priorities, visitor services, affordability pressures, and practical community safety improvements.
The Long Term Plan process will begin in July, with Council intending to provide a longer lead-in period and earlier public access to information and discussion material ahead of formal consultation.
Mayor Helen Lash said the deliberations highlighted the importance the community places on balancing affordability with maintaining valued local services and facilities.
“Our communities understand the financial pressures facing councils, but they also told us very clearly that local facilities, visitor services, and community wellbeing matter. The challenge for Council is getting that balance right,” Mayor Lash said.