Tapawera and Districts Community Council Meeting Update – April 2026
- Annual Plan
- River Recovery
- Water Updates
- Pest Plants
- Anzac Day Services
- Household Chemicals
- Farm Rubbish Practices
- Public Forums
- Water Leaks
Your thoughts sought on Annual Plan
We are consulting on our draft Annual Plan 2026/2027 from 2 April until 3 May. The Plan proposes an average rates revenue increase of 9.9%, while maintaining our current service levels and day-to-day operations.
The proposed rates revenue increase has been set in time of significant change for local government. Across the country, councils are responding to new expectations, major sector reforms, and growing financial pressures. In Tasman, we are facing rising costs from interest rates, depreciation requirements following updated asset valuations, insurance costs, the impacts of the 2025 weather events, Government-mandated compliance changes for water supply and resource management, and increased costs to maintain our waters, roading networks, parks and reserves. Without any changes, these pressures would have resulted in an 11.2% rates revenue increase.
In response, The Mayor and Councillors worked closely with staff to review the work programmes and budgets for 2026/2027 and identify ways to reduce costs where possible and limit the impact on ratepayers resulting in the proposed 9.9% rates revenue increase.
Councils are now providing two rates figures – ‘Three Waters’ and ‘Rest of Council Business’ – to reflect the changes to water delivery services and this year we’re including a third figure to reflect the cost of recovery from last year’s weather events. A breakdown of the 9.9% figure is 2.3% dedicated to storm recovery, then Three Waters at 5.3% and the rest of business 2.3%. This rates increase is consistent with the Government’s proposed rate cap, which would apply to non-water rates.
In shaping this year’s Annual Plan, we have focused on managing the immediate pressures and adapting our plans and budgets accordingly. We are proposing a new rate to recover the costs of the 2025 weather events, adjusting operating budgets, rephasing parts of the capital work programme, slowing the planned funding of deprecation for our roading assets and increasing most fees and charges by 7%.
Formal consultation on the draft Annual Plan 2026-2027 is open until 03 May. We look forward to your contribution. Have your say at shape.tasman.govt.nz/annual-plan. Copies of the consultation document and draft fees and charges are also available at our service centres and libraries.
River recovery programme established
We have been hard at work on Tasman’s rivers since the June-July 2025 major flood events, and we have now established a programme of work covering the next 20 months that will progressively address flood-damaged areas. Work is grouped into three broad categories of channel shaping, rock works (repairing and installing rock structures), and willow planting.
The programme is well underway, with a significant portion of early works already complete or in progress. Broadly, the programme is scheduled in several major phases:
- July 2025 to late 2025: Major river realignments and gravel relocation, and the first phase of rock work across most rivers.
- Summer and autumn 2026 (current focus): The peak period of physical works – rock repairs, new rock structures, and continued shaping – is happening now across many rivers.
- Winter 2026: Significant willow plantings in flood-damaged areas, and maintenance of existing willows to encourage new growth.
- Spring 2026 to Autumn 2027: Continuing with physical bank protection work in damaged areas – rock repairs and new rock structures.
- Winter to Spring 2027: Another major willow planting and maintenance programme over the winter months, with the main river recovery programme winding down in spring with completion of rock works on the more complex rivers (Motupiko, Tadmor, Upper and Lower Motueka, Wai-iti).
The specific areas we are working on include complex programmes at Dove River and the aforementioned larger rivers. Smaller, targeted works are also planned for Tākaka, Moutere, Sherry, Wairoa and Waingaro Rivers – right down to limited intervention work at Pigeon Valley Stream.
Check out an overview of the plan, including a river-by-river summary, at tasman.govt.nz/river-recovery.
Water interesting summer we’ve had
Summer has been a game of two halves in Tasman, but as the District starts to dry out, there should be minimal disruption to water users. Rainfall for February was a mixed bag, with many sites receiving less than half of their average rainfall for the month and other sites – particularly in the Riuwaka and lower Motueka catchments – exceeding their average for the month.
Frequent wet weather in recent months has enabled us to keep the Waimea and Wai-iti dams full. The Cobb Dam at Upper Tākaka is 75% full, generating power at regular intervals while also keeping flushes going down the Tākaka River. Regular flows down the Tākaka River have the added benefit of increasing the flow at Te Waikoropupū Springs.
We have moved into a drier spell of weather, and the weather forecast models are suggesting that this will be the dominant weather pattern through to April. Fortunately, the harvesting of fruit and hops has started, so water demand in some areas will decline. River flow levels at the Wai-iti have been dropping slowly but are now at a level where we have begun water releases from the Wai-iti Dam to supplement the flow.
Tasman’s Dry Weather Taskforce has also implemented water restrictions for the first time this summer in February, affecting consent holders in the Motupiko and the Rainy water management zones. Water restrictions have also been extended to Waimea Dam unaffiliated consent holders. However, we have been able to avoid restrictions for urban water users on a council water supply and affiliated Waimea Dam consent holders because of the Waimea Dam water releases.
Check out groundwater and river flow data at tasman.govt.nz/environmental-data-portal.
Flooding spreads pest plants across Tasman
The June/July floods last year have led to a significant increase in the spread of pest plants throughout the District. As floodwaters moved across properties and river margins, they carried fertile plant fragments, seeds and bulbs into new areas. We are now seeing the aftermath, with numerous pest species establishing in new places.
New infestations include high-priority eradication species such as Asian knotweed and Himalayan balsam, both listed in our Regional Pest Management Plan. Other pest plants now appearing more widely include Jerusalem artichoke, montbretia, blackberry, convolvulus, old man’s beard, barberry, hawthorn, horehound, Californian stinkweed, broom and gorse.
Unfortunately, we do not have enough resources to control all these flood-spread weeds, and we must focus our efforts on eradication species in our Pest Management Plan, where we can make a real difference and stop these plants from establishing in Tasman. Asian knotweed remains a key focus. A member of the dock family, it develops an extensive underground root system that can extend for metres in mature plants. These roots are powerful enough to damage concrete foundations and infrastructure. Infestations are currently known from the Wangapeka, Wai-iti, Motueka and Riuwaka river systems.
We ask you to keep an eye out for Asian knotweed and let us know if you come across it anywhere in Tasman. Quick reporting allows our Biosecurity team to respond before plants become established and spread further. If you want advice on how to take care of pest plants on your property, check out the helpful guides at tasman.govt.nz/pests-and-weeds.
Get in touch with our Biosecurity team at biosecurity@tasman.govt.nz or call 03 543 8400.
Anzac Day services and parades
Here is the full list of services and parades will be held around the District on Friday 25 April:
Brightwater
- 9.00 am: Wreath Laying Service at ANZAC Memorial Gates, Brightwater Domain, Lord Rutherford Road.
Collingwood
- 6.30 am: Dawn Service at the Cenotaph.
- 11.30 am: Civic Service at the Collingwood Memorial Hall.
Lake Rotoiti
- 10.00 am: Flag Ceremony at Community Hall car park.
- 10.15 am: Service at the Lake Rotoiti Community Hall, 22 Main Road St Arnaud.
Māpua
- 10.30 am: Parade by the tennis courts.
- 10.45 am: Service at Māpua RSA Memorial Library.
Road closure: 10:30 am-11:30 am Aranui Road, Māpua – from Higgs Road to the tennis courts.
Motueka
- 6.00 am: Parade from the Motueka Bowling Club Carpark, Pā Street.
- 6.15 am: Service at the Memorial Cenotaph.
Road closure: 6.00 am -7:30 am Pā Street, Motueka – from Bennett St north to Countdown carpark & from Talbot St north to Countdown Carpark exit.
Murchison
- 6.30 am: Laying of poppies at Murchison Cemetery.
- 11.00 am: Civic service at War Memorial.
Ngātimoti
- 10.30 am: Laying of Wreath and Service at St James Church, Waiwhero Road.
Richmond
- 10.45 am: Parade from Sundial Square.
- 11.00 am: Service at War Memorial Gardens, Cambridge Street.
Road closures: 10.00 am – 12.30 pm Queen Street (Sundial Sq to McIndoe Pl), Cambridge Street (Oxford St to Queen St), Oxford Street (38 Oxford St to Gladstone Rd SH6).Bus: Temporary stop on Talbot St outside PAK’nSAVE.Special access: Disabled/aged persons via Oxford St.
Riwaka
- 9.00 am: Service at the Memorial Gates, intersection of School Road & SH60.
Road closure: 8.45 am – 9.30 am School Road, Riwaka – from SH6 intersection to 12 School Road.
Tākaka
- 6.30 am: Dawn Service at the Tākaka Memorial Reserve.
- 8.45 am: Parade departs Golden Bay Pharmacy.
- 9.00 am: Civic Service at Tākaka Memorial Reserve.
Road closure: 8:30 am-10:30 am Commercial Street, Tākaka (from #19 to #81). Alternate route: Motupipi St, Junction St, Reilly St.
Tapawera
- 9.00 am: Service at the Tapawera Memorial Hall, Main Road.
Tasman Village & Upper Moutere
- 10.00 am: Service at Tasman Village Memorial.
- 10.00 am: Service at Upper Moutere Memorial.
Wakefield
- 10.00 am: Service at the Wakefield Cenotaph, Whitby Way (Wakefield Village Hall if wet).
Road closure: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm Whitby Way, Wakefield – from Edward/Arrow St intersection to Whitby Rd (SH6) and car park entrance.
Household chemicals now accepted
We’re now offering options for disposal of household hazardous waste at all our Resource Recovery Centres. Commonly, these materials are things like old garden sprays, household cleaners, paint, glues, or chemicals used in hobbies.
Putting these chemicals out with general household rubbish can do a lot of damage. If the packaging is old and deteriorating, the contents can present a hazard to kerbside waste collection staff. For the safe disposal of household hazardous waste, we now offer drop-off services at our Resource Recovery Centres.
We remain legally responsible for the waste we accept, so it’s necessary to provide us with full details prior to using the service to ensure everything is done safely. You can download and fill in the acceptance form from our website and take it with you, or fill out a form once you get to the Recovery Centre.
For transport, make sure the household hazardous wastes are safely wrapped and contained, preferably in their original containers and include all labelling and other information. The packaged waste should not be able to leak or mix with other packaged waste. We can’t accept commercial hazardous waste, demolition wastes like asbestos, agricultural and horticultural hazardous waste, explosives, and fumigants.
If you have any questions, give us a call on 03 543 8400.
Bad farm rubbish practice – it’s the pits!
If you live on a rural property, the idea of having a rubbish pit to dispose of farm or household waste might seem to be a convenient way of tidying up. However, when it comes to dumping or even burning large quantities, we’re encouraging everyone to consider how they can reduce the amount and subsequent effect of what goes in the hole.
We recommend using a skip or taking rubbish to the nearest Resource Recovery Centre. However, if you do have an on-farm dump, here are some points to ponder:
- Ensure your farm dump is not in a gully, is at least 50m from a surface waterbody or a domestic water supply bore, and at least 1m above the average winter level of groundwater.
- If your farm dump contains hazardous material, it will be added to the Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL) register and may require sampling, remediation and management.
- Separating rubbish items into recyclable, hazardous or green/organic material will help identify any potential issues.
- Many items can be disposed of or recycled at no cost. Our Resource Recovery Centres take most batteries (no EV or leaking ones), as well as paint and e-waste. Clean tyres can also be recycled for free.
- Externally, agrichemical waste and containers can be recycled via Agrecovery, while balege, silage wrap and similar items can be recycled via Plasback. Scrap metal can be recycled through a local dealer – you might even make some money from it!
- If you do burn rubbish, please don’t burn any municipal, domestic, industrial or trade waste, plastics, treated timber, rubber, waste oils and asbestos.
Further information can be found at tasman.govt.nz/recycling-and-rubbish.
Public forum – your place at the table
While there have been some recent changes to the makeup of our standing committees, one thing that hasn’t changed is your opportunity to speak in public forum. At the start of ordinary meetings (Full Council, Strategy Finance and Performance, Environment Regulatory and Operations, and Information Forum as well as the Motueka and Golden Bay Community Board meetings), up to 30 minutes is set aside for public forum.
Individuals speaking on behalf of themselves have five minutes, while up to two people representing a group or organisation have 10 minutes. Presenters can speak in person or online if they prefer. You can speak on any item within the delegations of that meeting, so long as you avoid being repetitious, disrespectful or offensive in your allocated time.
With the permission of the chair, committee members may ask questions to obtain information or clarification of matters raised by the person speaking. Members can’t engage in debate or make decisions about matters raised. Any matters requiring further investigation may be referred to staff by the chair.
Before the meeting starts, you can provide handouts or table additional material. If you have provided a PowerPoint presentation, this will be displayed on the screens and shared with those watching online. Petitions are normally taken during the public forum part of a meeting. Anyone wishing to speak at a public forum is requested to give prior notice, at least one working day before the meeting.
A full run-down of speaking at meetings, including the form to request to speak, can be found at tasman.govt.nz/speaking-and-presenting-at-meetings.
Don’t let a drip cost you
Have you looked at your latest water bill and thought, “That’s much higher than the last one”? It may be pointing to a problem. There’s a chance you may have a water leak somewhere on your property, and if that’s the case, we may be able to assist with a rebate under our Water Rates Remission Policy.
Water rates remissions apply to residential and non-residential customers who discover leaks anywhere on their property. This application needs to be submitted within six weeks from the date of your current invoice and actioned on the first high water account. Don’t wait for a further high account to apply for a remission.
There are a couple of conditions, like all leak repairs must be carried out by a registered plumber or certified by a registered plumber if the repair is done by the property landowner (the only exemption is Murchison).
To apply for a water remission, please fill out the Water Rates Remission application form on our website. Remember, leaks are not always visible on the surface. We have helpful tips on how to find water leaks and how to avoid them on our website. Visit tasman.govt.nz/water-meters.
