Future options for several Council facilities will be presented as part of Napier City Council’s forthcoming Annual Plan consultation.

Perhaps most dramatic is the proposal to close the Aquarium, demolish the building and construct a new, cheaper to run building in its place. The option retains a “visitor attraction with a nature and conservation educational focus” that Council hopes “would bring in revenue and support Napier as a tourist town”.

Council is proposing that a third-party operates Napier isite in an alternative visitor location. The current isite building on Marine Parade would be commercially leased to a third party for another purpose. And Par 2 Mini Golf next door would be leased to the same entity that leases the isite building.

The Faraday Museum of Technology is proposed to be placed into a charitable entity. The charity would run the Faraday, with a one-off capital grant and ongoing yearly operational grants to help the museum cover its costs.

The consultation will include an update on the exploration of commercial leasing arrangements for Kennedy Park Resort and Ocean Spa.

“All of these proposals for our facilities mean long term rates reductions for our community,” says Acting Mayor Annette Brosnan.

As for 2025/26 rates, NCC will consult on a proposed 7.9% increase covering inflation-related increases to do with projects, fees and contracts, electricity, gas and insurance costs.

“Like everyone, inflation affects Councils too. The proposed rates increase covers the increasing costs to do the basics that people expect of us, such as roads, parks, and waste management,” says Brosnan.

She added: “Rates increases are never easy for the community. Neither are discussions on changing the services we deliver. However people told us we need to cut costs and get back to basics, and our response to their feedback is to make changes that will set us up for lower rates in the long term.”

Also proposed is the temporary closure of Napier Library from 1 July, ahead of the city’s new library opening in mid-2027. Taradale Library would remain open and the mobile library’s hours and services would be extended. 

NCC’s Annual Plan consultation opens on 31 March.

Down in CHB …

The current average rating increase reported to Councillors while down from the 14.9% projected in the recent 3-Year Plan, now sits at 10.9%. The drivers of the increase include investment in core services, in three waters activities, and the economic impacts on activities such as consenting where building and development volumes are significantly lower than forecast only 12 months ago.

“We’ll continue to refine the budget over the coming weeks. Although over 87 per cent of our total operating budget is already focussed on core services, our three waters and recovery priorities, there is little room to move and not much more to give up, without eroding levels of service to community,” said CHB chief executive Doug Tate.