A time of change

The Bay of Plenty is a region built on relationships – between people, communities, and the environment we all share. Those relationships guide everything we do. And, right now, they are guiding us through a time of significant change.

Across Aotearoa New Zealand, the role of local government is under review and regional councils are part of that conversation. Major legislative reforms, including changes to the Resource Management Act and the Local Government Act, are expected to significantly reshape how we work.

Focus on delivery and affordability

Alongside national reforms, communities are increasingly calling for delivery that is efficient, visible, and provides clear value. We heard this strongly through our Long Term Plan 2024-2034 process, and we continue to hear it today.

At the same time, councils face rising costs, infrastructure demands, and the need to maintain affordability for ratepayers. This environment requires careful planning, disciplined investment, and decisions that balance immediate needs with long-term outcomes.

As our sector evolves, it is vital that the decisions we make today strengthen the future of our region. Our focus remains clear: Protecting and enhancing the environment, delivering value for our communities, and making informed, future-focused decisions that protect essential regional functions and build resilience. That’s why this year’s Annual Plan consultation is different. In addition to consulting on our Annual Plan 2026/27, we are also proposing an amendment to our Long Term Plan 2024-2034.

Long Term Plan Amendment: Optimising regional benefits from Council Investments

The Long Term Plan Amendment proposal set out in this consultation document proposes a restructure of the Regional Council’s investment portfolio, currently valued at more than $3 billion. The purpose is to strengthen and preserve the long-term intergenerational benefit of the investments, to optimise benefit for the Bay of Plenty region and its people. This continues the work and thinking that went into our Long Term Plan 2024- 2034 when the Regional Council enabled a managed, partial sell-down of the Port of Tauranga shareholding to diversify our investment portfolio and reduce portfolio risk.

The proposal looks at how we can keep delivering for our communities while managing financial pressures in a way that is fair and sustainable. Our goal is to make decisions that protect what matters most, invest where it counts and keep rates as low as possible.

This proposal is about more than numbers; it’s about trust and partnership. It reflects our role and commitment to act in the best interests of the Bay of Plenty, to be transparent, and to make choices that support the long-term wellbeing of our people and our environment. We are focused on balancing the need for progress with the realities of affordability, ensuring that our investments deliver real value for the region.

Annual Plan 2026/27

Alongside the proposed amendment, we are also consulting on our Annual Plan. This allows us to check in with our communities on key decisions for the year ahead, and ensure that our work continues to reflect regional needs and priorities.

This year’s Annual Plan consultation includes two specific topics:

• Supporting regional infrastructure development: We want your views on how we can best support the development of critical regional infrastructure, and the role the Regional Council should play in enabling long-term, resilient, community-focused investment.
• Biodiversity and its value to the region: We are asking for feedback on how we invest in biodiversity, including the protection and enhancement of the natural taonga that underpin the wellbeing of our people, economy, and environment.

And, finally, you can provide feedback on our wider Annual Plan work and the associated budgets. In a challenging economic climate, we remain committed to delivering essential services while keeping costs to local communities as affordable as possible.

Through a comprehensive budget review, we have identified savings, refined project timing, and prioritised work programmes to ensure that every dollar is used effectively.

As a result, the projected general rates increase for 2026/27 has been reduced to 4%, down from the 8.2% forecast in the Long Term Plan, with a 1% decrease in total targeted rates.

Your voice matters

Your voice is essential in this process. Regional decisions are strongest when they are shaped by local perspectives. By sharing your views, you help ensure that the path we take reflects the priorities and aspirations of the communities we serve. This is your opportunity to influence the decisions that will guide our region for years to come.

Our strength lies in our relationships and, by working together, we can ensure that the Bay of Plenty remains a place where people and te taiao (the environment) flourish side by side.

Matemoana McDonald – Chair
Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive

Long term Plan Amendment

Consultation Topic 1 - Optimising regional benefits from Council investments

This topic outlines a proposal to restructure the Regional Council’s more than $3 billion investment portfolio to ensure that the returns received by the Regional Council better serve the people and environment of the Bay of Plenty.

If implemented, this proposal would have intergenerational impacts for the Bay of Plenty, so we need to make sure we have heard and considered all community views before making a decision on the best option to achieve our objectives.

As part of the consultation on this topic we are also consulting on:

• The proposal to establish one or two new Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) (dependant on which restructure option is adopted).
• Amendments to the Regional Council’s Financial Strategy to reflect the proposed change in investment structure.
• Amendments to the Regional Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. This is a result of the proposed changes to the description of the Regional Council’s strategic assets, to reflect the potential changes to the investment portfolio structure

Annual Plan 2026/27

Consultation Topic 2 - Investing in regional benefit

This topic explores how the Regional Council can support requests from other councils and organisations to help fund infrastructure that benefits all Bay of Plenty residents and ratepayers. We would like to know if you support establishing a fund for investing in regional infrastructure projects for 2026/27.

Consultation Topic 3 - Investing in indigenous biodiversity

This topic explores the level of support we currently provide to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity (the different living things in nature that make up an ecosystem). It asks if we should be doing less, the same or more, as part of our work to develop a Regional Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy.

General

Other policies for consultation and general feedback on anything else that the Regional Council does or funds

Alongside the Annual Plan 2026/27 consultation, we are reviewing our Fees and Charges Policy. There is a separate statement of proposal for this, which can be found on our website www.participate.boprc.govt.nz/Fees-and-Charges2026 or from one of our three offices.

You can also make a submission on anything else that the Regional Council does or funds.

Coming Soon
An online rates calculator will be available soon to help users to look up the 2026/27 rates changes by property based on the draft Long Term Plan amendment and Annual Plan 2026/27.