55793 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

55793 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What actions, if any, will the regulator or the Department of Internal Affairs be empowered to take if a council proposes a rates increase below the lower bound of the target range, such as 0–1 percent, during either the transition period or once the full model is in place?

Hon Simon Watts: All councils will have to operate within the band unless they seek, and are granted, an exemption. Compliance will be enforced through increased transparency and reporting requirements as set out in the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill, and a regulatory framework to be established in 2029. Further detail on the regulatory framework will be available next year. During the transition period (2026-2029), the Department of Internal Affairs will monitor and issue guidance until the regulator is fully operational to ensure councils are not underinvesting in essential maintenance or asset management.