Council hits major milestone in balancing the books
Published on October 29, 2026
Horowhenua District Council has reached a major financial milestone in its work to balance the books, meeting its balanced-budget benchmark for the first time in five years. An accomplishment in its own right, is that Council's revenue was positioned to cover the overall operating expense.
The results are outlined in Council's Annual Report 2025/26, adopted on Wednesday 28 October. The report also shows improved service performance, with Council achieving 68% of its service targets, up from 57% in 2024/25.
Mayor Bernie Wanden says the results reflect Council's commitment to listening to its communities, working hard and delivering progress.
"There are plenty of numbers and words in an Annual Report. In fact, the whole document is over 250 pages, but the message is straightforward, we've made real progress. Since becoming Mayor, one of my strongest priorities has been ensuring financial sustainability and discipline sit at the heart of Council's decision making. Alongside Going for Growth and building a Future Fit Council, it is one of the three key priorities we have consistently focused on. These results show what can be achieved when there is a clear plan, disciplined decision making and a willingness to make some difficult choices.
"For the first time in five years, Council has met its balanced-budget benchmark while continuing to invest in the infrastructure, services, and growth opportunities our communities need. This isn't about celebrating a single financial result. It's about creating a stronger foundation for the future of Horowhenua. Strong financial management gives us greater capacity to respond to challenges, invest where it matters most and deliver better outcomes for our communities over the long term. While there is still more work to do, this result demonstrates that we are heading in the right direction."
Council reported a surplus of $3.4 million, compared with a budgeted deficit of $3 million. While much of the improvement reflects accounting adjustments and timing differences rather than extra cash in the bank, the result was significantly stronger than originally forecast.
Council set itself a $1 million savings target during the year and achieved that target, while also identifying further savings to help absorb unexpected costs, including storm damage and higher fuel prices. Cost savings, alongside higher-than-budgeted rates revenue, contributed to meeting the balanced-budget benchmark.
Horowhenua District Council Chief Executive Monique Davidson says careful spending remains essential.
"The result reflects a deliberate organisation-wide focus on delivering Council's plans while continuously looking for smarter and more efficient ways to operate. This has been the result of a significant effort right across the organisation. Every rates dollar matters, and our communities expect us to challenge costs and make the best use of the money available. Our teams have remained focused on delivering the commitments made through the Long Term Plan while actively identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs wherever possible.
"Achieving stronger financial and service performance outcomes at the same time is not something that happens by accident. It requires clear priorities, disciplined decision making and a commitment from staff to continually challenge how we work. The result recognises what can be achieved when an organisation is aligned behind a common goal. We have strengthened our financial position, improved performance and continued investing in the foundations needed to support Horowhenua's future."
An Annual Report also measures our performance. Council met more of the targets we use to assess how well we deliver services such as road maintenance, water supply and community facilities. It achieved 68% of these targets in 2025/26, up from 57% the previous year, an improvement of approximately 11 percentage points. Of the 47 targets, 32 were met, 12 were not met and three did not apply during the year. Three previously unmet Land Transport targets were achieved, covering road resurfacing, footpath condition and responses to customer service requests. Water Supply achieved its water loss target, while Stormwater, Community Facilities, and Representation and Community Leadership met all their applicable targets.
Some of this year's delivery programme included:
- Investing $28.9 million in infrastructure and community assets across the district.
- Rebuilding 3.4 kilometres of road and resurfacing a further 22.8 kilometres, alongside improvements to footpaths, drainage, street lighting and road safety.
- Progressing major wastewater upgrades in Levin and Shannon, improving water treatment infrastructure and continuing the districtwide water metering programme.
- Preparing for future growth through Tara-Ika, the Tararua Road Master Plan, the Levin Town Centre Transformation and wider infrastructure planning.
- Supporting community wellbeing through local, regional and national sporting events, environmental restoration projects, and community programmes including the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs, which supported 31 employment placements during the year.
- Responding to severe weather events in December 2025 and February 2026, staff, emergency services, contractors, volunteers and community organisations working together to support affected communities, restore access and repair damage. A Mayoral Relief Fund was established to assist impacted households.
The Audit Office confirmed Council was in a position to adopt the Annual Report and acknowledged the smooth audit process and the support provided by Council staff and the Audit and Risk Committee.
The Annual Report reflects the second year of the Long Term Plan 2024–2044, Challenging Times, Challenging Choices, and delivery against the Annual Plan 2025/26. It demonstrates progress across Council's priorities of Going for Growth, Financial Discipline and Future Fit HDC.
"The Annual Report is a reflection on the work of our Elected Members, Council Staff and partners who help us deliver for Horowhenua," says Monique. "Our focus will remain building on that progress, financial discipline, reliable core services and a district that is ready for the future."
The Annual Report and a summary will be available on Council's website from 27 November, with printed copies available shortly afterwards at the Civic Building, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, and Shannon Library.