What you need to know
Every three years, Council has to prepare a Long-term Plan (LTP) – setting out what we’re going to spend and deliver over the next 10 years with a sharp focus on years 1–3. Importantly, the LTP also sets out the likely impact on your rates.
It's the tool that enables the delivery of our people, place and partnership community outcomes.
Have your say
- Early engagement: Feedback opens Monday 22 June closes Midnight, Sunday 26 July
- Formal consultation: February–March 2027
- Final adoption: June 2027
Councillor-led focus groups
We’ve begun by establishing three councillor-led focus groups to help guide the LTP programme of work. The focus groups are not decision-making bodies. Their recommendations will be taken to Council for consideration and approval.
Finance Focus Group
This group will review all financial inputs into the LTP such as our
- rating system review
- Infometrics Rates Affordability Report [PDF 2.3 MB]
- financial strategy
- significant forecasting assumptions
- and operational and capital budgets.
Engagement Focus Group
This group will review our significance and engagement policy and provide genuine opportunities for our community to help shape the future of Kāpiti.
LTP and Consultation Document Focus Group
This group will work through consultation topics and review the Consultation Document and Long-term Plan 2027-37.
It’s not business as usual
We know that times are tough, costs and inflationary pressures are real and we’re all feeling it strongly in our back pocket right now. Councillors agree, rates must be affordable. That’s why we’re taking a practical, no-frills approach to our next LTP.
Our LTP won’t propose to do everything at once – that wouldn’t be realistic or affordable. Instead, we want to take steady steps forward, year by year, focusing on the things that will make the biggest difference and deliver the best results for Kāpiti.
We also need to make sure the plan is financially responsible. That means not simply pushing problems, costs or infrastructure needs into the future, where they can become harder and more expensive to address.
We know every budget decision affects people differently. That’s why Council’s priorities need to be informed by our community.
Help inform our next 10 years
Our elected members want to hear what you think Council should prioritise. We also want to know what you think about our four planning principles that will help guide future investment decisions.
This pre-LTP engagement will help guide our initial decision making and the drafting of the LTP, which we’ll formally consult with you on in early 2027.
From 22 June to 26 July 2026, we’ll be asking for your thoughts on the proposed priorities and planning principles. Have we got them right?
There’ll be a number of ways to have your say – online, in hard copy, and in person. Our elected members will be out in our communities ready to listen.
Pre-LTP-engagement events will be held across the district, giving you the chance to learn more, ask questions, and share your views.
Dates and locations for events near you are coming soon. Keep an eye on this page, our social media and our weekly newsletter Everything Kāpiti for updates.
Changes to local government
Local government is going through a period of sustained change, with central government looking at how councils plan, fund, and deliver services. These changes are aimed at easing pressure on rates, improving transparency, and making sure councils stay focused on the services communities rely on most.
There are several reform streams currently being worked on:
Refocussing councils on core services, cost‑effective delivery, and clearer accountability.
Explores placing limits on annual rates increases from 2029.
Signals changes to how councils are structured and how they work together regionally. Have your say on whether Kāpiti should merge with other Councils.
New Natural Environment and Planning legislation is being developed to replace the current resource management system, with the aim of making planning simpler and more efficient over time.
There’s a fair bit of uncertainty for all councils right now, but whatever legislative or structural changes come, we have a responsibility to keep planning for the Kāpiti Coast’s future and build on the momentum our district has created in recent years.
A change to how our three waters services are managed
Kāpiti has built strong, reliable water services through good management and ongoing investment. What’s changing now is not the services you receive, but how those services are managed behind the scenes.
As a result of Local Water Done Well, the Government’s plan to address Aotearoa New Zealand's long-standing water infrastructure challenges, we’re establishing a new in-house business unit to deliver our district’s stormwater, wastewater and drinking water (three waters) services. This change will take effect on 1 July 2027.
Day-to-day, our community will notice very little change. What we’re doing is “ring-fencing” our three waters services into a dedicated and transparent business unit, as required by the Water Services Act.
Our LTP will look slightly different. It will clearly show water services as a separate business unit, and we’ll also develop a standalone Water Services Strategy to sit alongside the LTP.
As this work progresses, we will share more information.
Long-term plan timeline
June/July 2026
Pre-LTP engagement and conversations with the community – getting an understanding of the priorities for our communities right now.
September–December 2026
Data from pre-LTP engagement is used to help Council make decisions about spending and services over the next 10 years. A Consultation Document is prepared for public consultation.
February/March 2027
Council will adopt the LTP 2027-37 Consultation Document (along with all supporting information such as policies, budgets, and strategies) and start public consultation - a more focused conversation about the key change proposals and looking at all the options.
April/May 2027
Hearings – consultation submissions will be heard by Council.
Decision-making - Council will consider submissions and make amendments to elements of the draft Long-term Plan.
Late June 2027
Council adopts the final Long-term Plan 2027-2037. The plan and all supporting documents are loaded to the council's website.