Rates are one of the biggest concerns for Porirua residents, and with increases continuing across the region, the question on everyone’s mind is why they’re rising and what can be done about it. Porirua News asked all council candidates to explain what’s driving rate hikes and how they plan to get them under control. Here’s what they said, in their own words.
Anita Baker – Mayor of Porirua
Rising costs across the board construction, materials, wages along with years of underinvestment in essential infrastructure, have pushed up rates nationwide. While Porirua’s increase was the lowest in the region this year, the next Council must continue finding savings and efficiencies, make clear spending priorities, and plan responsibly for the long term.
Geoff Hayward – Onepoto General Ward
Rates are rising because costs are rising everywhere: materials, infrastructure, insurance, and government mandates all add pressure. My focus is on smarter spending, investing in core services and improving local procurement and long-term planning. We can’t fix rates overnight, but we can be honest, transparent, and disciplined about every dollar. I don’t promise low rates just to get votes; I promise responsible, realistic management that delivers for our community.
Kathleen Filo – Mayoral Candidate & Onepoto General Ward
Costs are rising and rates are part of that, but we need stronger accountability and transparency around spending. My plan is to carry out a full review so ratepayers can be confident they are getting real value for every dollar they pay. Check out my plan here; https://www.kathleenfilo.com/value-for-money-mayoral-approach.
Moira Lawler – Pāuatahanui General Ward
First, to put in the time and effort to fully understand what is driving Council’s budget. Secondly, to require full monitoring and reporting to Council on the scoping, development, costing, and implementation of capital projects. Thirdly, to advocate for a discussion with residents about what services they’re prepared to see less of or manage themselves in order to reduce costs.
Ross Leggett – Pāuatahanui General Ward
Years of underinvestment in core infrastructure have been a key driver of significant rate increases across the country. Rate increases in Porirua are not sustainable and Council must continue to review all its priorities and costs to become more efficient and make savings. Our spending priorities should be clear to ratepayers and give them choices. The pressure on costs passed on from the new water entity (despite being more efficient) will also need to be watched carefully.
Chris Ellis – Onepoto General Ward
If you look at Porirua’s 10-year plan you’ll see rates rose 17.5% last year and are forecast to rise 14% next year, a total of around 50% by 2030. The 6.39% increase this election year was pure optics. What’s driving this? Water reforms, borrowing, and council priorities that aren’t fully transparent. What ratepayers need now are sharp eyes around the table and councillors with the average ratepayer’s interests at heart. My legal training will serve you well in that process.
Rawinia Rimene – Parirua Māori Ward
Rates are rising because of decades of underinvestment, inflation, and poor procurement. My plan includes auditing council spending, leveraging central government partnerships, and designing kaupapa Māori procurement models that deliver better ROI and community outcomes.
Nathan Waddle – Pāuatahanui General Ward
Underinvestment in the past means we’re now playing catch-up, and we can’t fix that overnight. Cutting levels of service and trimming wasteful spending are our real levers to control increases. We need stable rates for our ratepayers to be confident in where their money’s going.
Phill Houlihan – Pāuatahanui General Ward
Rates are rising because Council has lost focus. I intend to focus Council on the basics, core infrastructure, not vanity projects and luxuries, to reduce rates. Even if I’m not your number one vote, having me around the council table will mean a strong voice against wasteful spending and for lower rates.
Brent Ching – Pāuatahanui General Ward
Capping rates to inflation will require the Council to be razor-focused on key infrastructure expenditure. Only through community referendum should an increase be sought. Porirua has experienced a cumulative increase of 33.45% over the last three years, it’s just not sustainable.
Kylie Wihapi – Parirua Māori Ward
Many reasons why rates are rising, increased operating costs, investment in infrastructure, and low income from revenue streams are some of the challenges. We need a good line-by-line review and to look at a wider range of savings across the business. We also need the Government to step up.
Josh Trlin – Pāuatahanui General Ward
Rates rises are driven by difficult economic conditions, record inflation, and central government’s decision to cancel the Affordable Water Reforms, pushing huge unplanned costs onto Council. Our approach at PCC has been a line-by-line review to find efficiencies and re-prioritise spending — bringing Porirua’s rates increase down from 15% to 6.39%, the lowest in the region. I won’t promise to cut rates, but I’ll maintain discipline, transparency, and strong services.
Ura Wilson-Pokoati – Mayoral Candidate (or Onepoto Ward)
Rates are rising, and residents are rightly frustrated. While Reserve Bank policy and global inflation trends play a role, the real issue is local transparency and accountability. Ratepayers deserve to know why decisions are made, where money is going, and who is responsible when things go wrong. My plan includes innovative revenue streams, government advocacy for infrastructure funding, and a “Ratepayers’ Pledge” to restore trust. Let’s stop passing the buck and start building smarter.
Moze Galo – Onepoto General Ward
Rates are going up because of inflation, ageing infrastructure, and higher expectations on councils to deliver more. My focus is to spend wisely, stay focused on essentials, and make sure we get value for money. We cannot promise to stop rates rising, but we can make sure every dollar is well spent and clearly explained.
Angel Domingos – Onepoto General Ward
Rates are rising due to councils catching up on years of underinvestment in water and infrastructure. At the same time, costs for materials, labour, and maintenance have also gone up. We need to be very methodical and make wise decisions around investment and spending moving forward.