Balancing costs and essential services

Published on May 26, 2026

Many of us have noticed it lately. Power bills are up. Fuel costs more. Everyday spending is tighter. We’re feeling it too. 

At the same time, big changes are happening. There’s new Government direction. Infrastructure costs are rising. Water services are changing. And there’s pressure to keep rates affordable. All of this is happening at once.

Councils don’t have the same flexibility as some providers to pass costs on when they rise. That puts us in a tough spot. We need to keep essential services running while also keeping things affordable for our community.

For Horowhenua District Council, higher fuel alone could add between $50,000 to $80,000 a month to our costs, once contractor impacts are taken into account. That is a big increase. Running a district takes vehicles, equipment, and people on the ground every day. There’s no way around that.

Our fleet uses, on average, around 133 litres of diesel and 65 litres of petrol each day. Even small price changes add up quickly and a noticeable increase between February and March made things harder again.

Like households, we’re taking a close look at how we spend. But we also need to keep essential services going. Roads still need maintenance. Parks still need care. Rubbish still needs to be collected. 

Our core financial goal is to manage growth while living within our means, ensuring essential services continue to be delivered sustainably. To do that, we’re making practical changes.  

We’re working with contractors to reduce mowing where we can, including introducing no‑mow days when growth slows. In some areas, we’ve slightly adjusted the frequency of mowing and rubbish collection. Staff are sharing vehicles more and using online meetings instead of driving.

We’re also making small, everyday changes. Driving a bit smarter, cutting down on idling, planning trips better and choosing to walk short distances instead of driving.

These steps may seem small on their own. Together, they make a real difference.

Looking ahead, Council will consider whether any adjustments are needed to the 2026/27 budget to reflect ongoing fuel cost pressures. This is part of longer-term planning, including how contracts and services may need to adapt in the future.

This isn’t about cutting services for the sake of it. It’s about making careful choices now and planning ahead so we can keep delivering what matters most, while minimising pressure on ratepayers.

We know many people in our community are doing the same - adjusting, prioritising, making things work. We’re right alongside you in that.

We’ll keep a close eye on costs and keep you informed as things change. Being open and responsible matters, especially when money is tight.

We’re all feeling it. And we’re all working through it together.

Mayor Bernie Wanden