55797 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

55797 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: Under the proposed rates-cap framework, will councils retain the discretion to set rates increases below the lower bound of the target range if their financial position, service needs, or community preference supports a smaller increase?

Hon Simon Watts: Departure from the target band can be permitted only with the regulator's approval.