However some provisions are to be withdrawn as per Minister Christopher Bishop’s decision on Council’s Plan Stop exemption application to the Ministry for the Environment.

Proposed Plan Change 6A seeks to rezone 22ha of land on the northwest of Levin from Deferred Residential (Future Residential) to Residential. This land is one of Council’s identified urban growth areas – known as Levin North West 1 (LNW1). If approved, the rezoning will allow urban-scale subdivision to happen, enabling 400 to 500 dwellings on a range of section sizes.

Minister Christopher Bishop has advised that he considered Council’s application and was satisfied that Proposed Plan Change 6A met the criteria under the RMA for an exemption and could proceed in part. However, some provisions were identified as not appropriate to continue and must now be withdrawn.

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the decision gives clarity about what happens next.

“Proposed Plan Change 6A is an important part of planning for Horowhenua’s future growth, and this decision gives us a clear way forward,” says Mayor Bernie.

“It means the plan change can keep moving, while also making it clear which parts will continue and which parts have been withdrawn.”

“While we are disappointed that the removal of some provisions means work Council and Muaūpoko Tribal Authority put into shaping this plan change will not move forward as originally proposed, we remain focused on the parts that can still proceed and on planning well for our growing community.”

The provisions being withdrawn include three policies, six permitted activity conditions and one rule.

Mayor Bernie says it is important that the community understands both the decision and the next step in the process.

“We know submitters and residents want to understand what this means, and we will continue to keep people informed as the process moves ahead.”

The remainder of Proposed Plan Change 6A will now proceed to a public hearing. The hearing date will be advised in due course through a public notice and webpage update. Submitters who asked to speak at the hearing will also be advised directly.

For more information, visit letskorero.horowhenua.govt.nz/PPC6A

On Friday the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti and Johnsonville lines will be running with increased capacity added after the game and there will be extra services on these lines before and after Saturday’s match.

The Wairarapa Line will be running on its usual timetable – with Friday’s last service leaving Wellington Station at 10.25pm and Saturday’s last service at 6.55pm.

Core bus routes will have increased capacity, and the East-by-West ferry will be running at standard operating times. 

Metlink recommends using a Snapper card to tag on and off, instead of cash, to access discounted fares.  

Plan ahead and travel early on game day using the latest travel information on the Metlink app, website, or by calling 0800 801 700.    

While to the south, Wellington Water continues to self-destruct, the model is far more hopeful for Central Districts Water which is a jointly owned water services council controlled organisation (WS-CCO)  that will begin operating from 1 July 2027.

While each council will retain ownership of its water assets, the Shareholders’ Committee provides a formal mechanism for shared oversight and local input as the new entity is established and transitions into operation. 

In December 2025, the three councils agreed that the Shareholders’ Committee would be made up of the Mayor of each Council, an elected member (and an alternative) from each council, and the committee will have three iwi representatives. 

The collective iwi across the three council regions have formed a Roopu (working group), called Nga Tapuwae o Hau, to represent them.  The three iwi nominations to the Committee were made through Nga Tapuwae o Hau for the three councils to approve.

Horowhenua District Council is represented by Mayor Bernie Wanden, Councillor Sam Jennings, with Councillor Mike Barker as the alternate.

Palmerston North City Council is represented by Mayor Grant Smith, Councillor Kaydee Zabelin, with Councillor Brent Barrett as alternate

Rangitikei District Council is represented by Mayor Andy Watson, Deputy Mayor Dave Wilson, with Councillor Fiona Dalgety as alternate. 

The iwi representatives will be Hayden Turoa of the Tainui Confederation with Tiwana Tibble as his alternate, Danielle Harris of the Kura hau po Confederation, with Di Rump as her alternate, and Marj Heeney representing the Greater Rangitikei region, with Suze Hepi as her alternate.

The Mayor of Horowhenua District Council, Bernie Wanden says the appointments reinforce to our communities the importance of local voice and partnership in shaping the future of water services.

“This committee brings together councils and iwi to ensure decisions are grounded in local knowledge, local priorities, and long-term care for our communities and environment. Strong local representation and shared oversight are critical as Central Districts Water is established.”

The committee’s first task will be to oversee the shortlisting of over 60 applicants who have put their names forward for the Central Districts Water board.

Palmerston North City Mayor Grant Smith says the strong interest in board roles reflects the importance of getting the foundations right.

“We’ve seen a high calibre field of applicants, with experience across governance, infrastructure, finance and community leadership. It’s a positive signal for our region, and it means we can take the time to appoint a board with the skills needed to set Central Districts Water up well from the start.”

Rangitikei Mayor Andy Watson says the Shareholders’ Committee will meet for the first time this week, with board appointments a key priority.

“Our focus now is on making sure the right governance is in place so the new organisation can be ready to deliver from day one. This is an important milestone, and we’ll continue to keep our communities informed as the next steps progress.”

Fish & Game made a submission on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill which sets out the specific changes needed to ensure the new laws work as intended — protecting the habitats, waterways, and public access that anglers and hunters rely on.

“We support replacing the RMA and we want this reform to succeed,” Chief Executive Corina Jordan says.

“But the Bills as drafted make it much harder for trout, salmon, and other valued introduced species to be protected. They define ecosystem health solely around indigenous species, which means environmental limits can’t be set with trout and salmon habitat in mind.

“While Fish & Game has been advocating for a reduction in bureaucracy and costs when restoring wetlands, we are concerned that the ability to protect wetlands has been reduced in the bills. We want to see a definition of wetlands and clear mechanisms to protect them – we’ve already lost more than 90 percent of what we once had,” says Ms Jordan.

“Access is a priority for our licence holders, losing access to a river is losing something we all have a right to enjoy. Access needs to be protected and improved.

“Ultimately, these proposed reforms as they currently stand mean an uncertain future for anglers and hunters.”

Fish & Game’s detailed submission on the reforms is available here.

The submission sets out the specific changes needed to ensure the new laws work as intended – protecting the habitats, waterways, and public access that anglers and hunters rely on.

Fish & Game’s submission calls for amendments to ensure:

• The goals framework explicitly includes recreation, fishing, hunting, public access, and habitat for trout, salmon, and game birds
• The ecosystem health definition is expanded to include valued introduced species so environmental limits can protect trout and salmon habitat
• Wetlands are clearly defined and explicitly protected, while restoration pathways are enabled
• Esplanade reserve provisions are strengthened and the 20-metre minimum width retained
• Water Conservation Orders and Sports Fish and Game Management Plans are recognised in planning and consenting decisions

Recreational fishing and game bird hunting contribute to regional economies and are a cornerstone of recreation, wellbeing, and connection to place for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.

“This submission reflects three decades of clear mandate from our licence holders: habitat, water quality, and access are what matter most. We are asking Parliament to listen to them.”

About Fish & Game New Zealand

Fish & Game New Zealand is the statutory manager for sports fish and game birds, established under the Conservation Act 1987. It manages trout, salmon, and game birds and advocates for the freshwater habitats they depend on, on behalf of 175,000 licence holders. Fish & Game is entirely user-funded.

This much-loved triathlon series brings together tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau for two fun-filled days of movement, energy and community connection. Held in Shannon and Levin, both events feature run, cycle and swim legs designed for tamariki aged three and up, with caregivers encouraged to take part too.

“This is a brilliant way for whānau to get active together in a supportive, feel-good environment,” says Mayor Bernie Wanden. “It is not about competition. It is about building confidence, having fun and spending time together. We encourage everyone to come along and be part of the action. Keep an eye on our social media for updates.”

Event details

Shannon: Friday 20 February from 5pm to 7pm at Shannon School, $2 entry
Levin: Sunday 22 February from 10am to 2pm at Levin Aquatic Centre, $5 entry
Foxton: The previously advertised Foxton event will not proceed due to very low registrations.

What to expect

• Age group categories for 3 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 10, and 11 and over
• Run, cycle and swim courses suited to all levels
• Sausage sizzles, goodie bags and spot prizes
• Caregivers welcome to join in
• On site photographers capturing the fun

The Let’s Move Together Triathlon series aligns with Council’s priority to enhance health and wellbeing initiatives, as outlined in the Community Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2027. By hosting regular events and programmes, the series actively promotes community health and wellbeing.

Register now

Register online at aquatics.horowhenua.govt.nz
On the day registrations are also available at the Shannon event.

Every year, Council faces a balancing act, making sure the services our community relies on are delivered, while doing everything possible to keep rates and costs affordable for households and businesses.  

At its meeting this week, Horowhenua District Council endorsed the budget for its proposed Annual Plan for 2026/27. The Annual Plan will be formally adopted later this year. Rates for individual properties for 2026/27 will be set in June.

The 2026/27 Annual Plan is being shaped in a particularly challenging environment, with significant central government reforms and cost pressures affecting councils and communities  across the country.

Mayor Bernie Wanden says councillors know many people are feeling the pressure and have worked carefully through the budget with that in mind.

“We know times are tough for many households, and councillors don’t lose sight of that,” Mayor Bernie explains. “That’s why we’ve taken a careful look at every dollar, found savings where we can, and reduced the rates increase from an earlier forecast of around 11.6% to 5.8%, while still protecting the essential services our community relies on.”

“Councillors worked through a wide range of options, looking closely at where costs could be reduced or changes could be made,” Mayor Bernie says. “We were very mindful of avoiding decisions that would create unnecessary disruption for our community, while also managing the real cost and capacity pressures councils are facing as a result of wider reforms, and keeping affordability front of mind.”

The lower-than-forecast rates increase was achieved through detailed budget reviews and identifying efficiencies across Council operations, including delaying or rephasing some non-critical spending, without proposing cuts to core services. Council also negotiated well on behalf of our community and were able to significantly reduce some contracted costs.

This confirms a number of budget decisions, including investment in new technology such as automatic licence plate recognition to support parking services. It also includes not progressing a new community plan in 2027/28, reducing climate change funding, and exploring the removal of formal i-SITE accreditation at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō and Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom.  

It also endorses Council’s direction of travel in continuing to find ways to work differently and deliver affordable services to our community. For example, we’ll keep asking people to sign up for email rates invoices where possible to reduce printing and postage costs.  These small changes all add up.

Mayor Bernie says the Annual Plan approach reflects a clear and practical focus on what matters most to the community in the year ahead. 

“Our focus is on the basics, keeping core services running well, maintaining and renewing important infrastructure like roads and water, looking after the community facilities people use every day, and managing growth in a sensible and affordable way, even in a period of significant reform and rising costs. It’s about making careful choices now, while making sure we’re in a good position to take a fresh look at priorities through next year’s Long Term Plan.”

Because the Annual Plan does not propose any significant or material changes, formal public consultation is not required under legislation. Council will still keep the community informed and explain what the plan means as it moves through to adoption.  Council will also begin early conversations with the community later this year as part of developing the next Long Term Plan, which will provide further opportunities for people to have their say on Council’s future priorities and direction.

Alongside the Annual Plan, Council endorsed proposed fees and charges for 2026/27. Fees and charges help ensure costs are shared fairly between those who use specific services and the wider community, while supporting access to essential facilities and services. 

Council is required to consult on the changes to Resource Management fees. Consultation on them will open from 16 February to 16 March 2026. Council will continue to keep the community informed as the Annual Plan and Fees and Charges progress, including information about any consultation required.

Support is available to help ratepayers who may find rates increases difficult to manage, including through rates rebates and payment plan options.

If you need help or want to see what support is available, visit our Rating Information page or call Council on 06 366 0999.

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the priorities reflect those strategic enablers which will define this term of Council. “Our community have given us mandate, mandate to be bold in our leadership approach, and courageous in our decision making. The challenges facing local government are like never before, but the opportunities facing this District have never been so exciting.”

The Direction Setting framework focuses on three key priorities shaped by community voices and local aspirations.

Priority 1: Going for Growth

What this means: We see the opportunities that come with growth and want to ensure a return on investment that contributes to Horowhenua’s liveability and prosperity.

What good looks like:

• Integrated growth planning informs infrastructure investment and key moves
• Levin Town Centre transformation acts as a catalyst
• Using Growth to position the District as a place to be and invest in
• Ōtaki to North Levin Expressway anchors our leadership and advocacy as we secure a fair revocation deal
• Growth delivers essential services communities can rely on and afford

Priority 2: Future Fit Horowhenua District Council (HDC)

What this means: We will foster an agile, high-performing Council ready to meet future challenges of government reform while delivering fit-for-purpose services to our community.

What good looks like:

• Adapt to legislative and structural changes that redefine Council’s role, scope, and size across reforms (Local Water, Resource Management, Simpler Local Government, Rates Capping, System Improvement)
• Position HDC as a leader in reform opportunities for funding and collaboration
• Ensure governance and decision-making frameworks remain robust and future-proof to support community voice.

Priority 3: Financial Discipline

What this means: We will manage rates and funding wisely to keep services affordable and investments sustainable.

What good looks like:

• Strict budget monitoring and compliance with financial strategy, and balanced budget goals
• Review funding policies and settings to consider if rates and user fees and charges could be shared differently
• Advocacy for fair funding models and external investment opportunities
• Chase external funding opportunities

Mayor Bernie Wanden says these priorities give Council a shared focus as it begins the new triennium. “After the election, we took time to reflect on the issues and opportunities ahead for Horowhenua. These priorities set a clear path for how we will work together and what we will concentrate on. Our aim is to make decisions that reflect community voice and deliver outcomes that matter to the people who live here.”

This focus on growth, reform and financial discipline forms the foundation for Council’s work over the coming term.

Committee appointments

Council also confirmed its committee structure and appointments for the next 2025 to 2028 triennium. These committees support good governance, help spread leadership across the Council table, and ensure elected members can work closely with the community on the issues that matter most.

Councillors have been appointed for an initial 18 month period to allow for rotation and to make the best use of skills and experience across the Council table.

Chief Executive Performance and Employment Committee

Chair: Mayor Bernie Wanden

Members: Deputy Mayor David Allan, Cr Clint Grimstone, Cr Sam Jennings, Cr Jo Mason, Cr Paul Olsen.

Risk and Assurance Committee

Chair: Cr Sam Jennings

Members: Cr Mike Barker, Cr Nola Fox, Cr Morgan Gray, Cr Alan Young.

Community Funding and Recognition Committee

Chair: Cr Nina Hori Te Pa

Members: Mayor Bernie Wanden, Deputy Mayor David Allan, Cr Jo Mason.

Community Wellbeing Committee

Chair: Cr Jo Mason

Member: Cr Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab

Hearings and Regulatory Committee

Chair: Cr Clint Grimstone

Members: Deputy Mayor David Allan, Cr Mike Barker, Cr Sam Jennings, Cr Lani Te Raukura Ketu.

Procurement Review Group

Chaired by the Chief Executive

Members: Cr Sam Jennings, Cr Paul Olsen.

Te Awahou Foxton Community Board appointment

Appointed Councillor: Deputy Mayor David Allan.

His Worship the Mayor is a member of each committee, as per Section 41A (5) of the Local Government Act 2002.

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the committee structure supports the priorities that were adopted yesterday.

“We have a passionate and capable group of elected members who genuinely care about this district. Our committee structure allows us to bring those strengths together, focus on the right things and continue working with our community to deliver outcomes that matter.”

Committee teams will begin their work in early 2026, supported by a full schedule of meetings adopted at the Council meeting.

“Setting our direction is just the first step. The real work happens alongside our community, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we achieve together,” Mayor Bernie ends.

Guy, who served 15 years as MP for Ōtaki, including a ministerial role as Agriculture Minister says he’s excited about his new role.

In a recent interview with Rural News Guy said his first task is to listen to what exporters have to say and get a full appreciation of their needs.

He said while he has a good understanding of the major exporters such as those involved in meat, dairy and the big horticulture crops, he wants to connect with new and smaller exporters as well.

Guy says he’ll get briefings from MFAT and other agencies in the coming weeks and from there will work out a travel plan. He says being a former minister means he still has good international connections.

Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says Guy’s background promoting NZ’s producers, both as a Minister and as a farmer, means that he is uniquely well placed to tell the story of our primary production sector to the world.

The position reports directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but Guy will obviously work closely with Minister McClay and other government agencies such as MPI.

McClay says the position supports key government objectives, including ensuring that our trading partners understand our approach to agriculture and primary production.

“The role also focuses on raising the performance of NZ’s agricultural and primary sector exports to the Government’s goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years. Nathan Guy’s immediate priorities will be to advocate for New Zealand’s primary production interests from the perspective of a practising farmer,” he says.

McClay says he’s asked Guy to show particular focus on India and GCC markets, to leverage the opportunities that trade agreements with these countries would present.

Guy adds that an important part of his role is to connect back to farmers and growers and share insights from his overseas connections.

Now operating from Oxford Street, with a dedicated training centre opening in February, AllTrain’s move reflects both confidence in the district’s growth and a long-standing commitment to supporting local industry with practical, high-quality training.

Founded in 2014, AllTrain has built a strong reputation across the lower North Island as specialists in vehicle training and machine operator training. Their courses include WorkSafe forklift training, heavy truck (HT), dangerous goods (DG), elevated work platforms (EWP), working at Heights (WAH) and a wide range of industrial certifications delivered with flexibility at the core.

AllTrain director Maria Bayley says “We’ve been working with Horowhenua businesses for some time. Either clients came to us in Palmerston North, or we travelled to them to deliver courses on site. Establishing a base in Levin is a natural progression, it’s another branch for us and a district where we already have strong relationships.”

Responding to Opportunity and Infrastructure Growth

Maria, who has a background in hospitality, customer service roles and sales before owning Alltrain, saw clear opportunity in Horowhenua. New roads, infrastructure investment and business growth are creating demand for skilled operators and for training providers who can respond quickly.

“We see a gap in the market,” she explains. “What sets us apart is how flexible we are, and courses run around our clients’ needs, not the other way around. Whether it’s tailored packages, large groups, or accelerated programmes, we design training that works in the real world.”

AllTrain also maintains a training database that proactively notifies businesses when staff certifications are due for renewal, helping employers stay compliant without the administrative burden.

Deep Community and Industry Connections

Community engagement has been a cornerstone of AllTrain’s approach. The business works collaboratively with organisations such as Talent Central, Best Care (Whakapai Hauora) Charitable Trust and supports re-training initiatives through the Ministry of Social Development.

They are also active participants in industry networks including the Driver Change Network and the Crane Association, ensuring their training remains aligned with industry needs and best practice.

These connections reflect a strong service ethos and one that extends beyond compliance training to genuinely supporting people into work and progression.

Investing in People, Skills and Confidence

AllTrain’s courses are hands-on, practical and outcomes-focused, with a strong emphasis on employability. From driver training to heavy truck licences, programmes are designed to accelerate skills development and open doors to work.

“We’re passionate about upskilling people,” says Maria. “Training isn’t just about licences, it’s about confidence, capability and giving people real pathways into employment.”

That people-first focus was reinforced through Maria’s participation in the Sally Duxfield Women in Business retreat in October 2025, where she connected with other local business owners and gained clarity around AllTrain’s growth goals in Horowhenua.

“It gave me next-level clarity,” she says. “The connections and insight helped confirm that Horowhenua is where we need to be. I highly recommend her coaching”

 Looking Ahead in Horowhenua

As AllTrain opens its Levin training centre, the business is focused on becoming a long-term partner to local employers, supporting workforce development, safety and productivity across the district.

“We’re service-driven and excited about the opportunity to be here,” Maria says. “Horowhenua has momentum, and we’re here to support the community and industry as it grows.”

AllTrain is located on Oxford Street, Levin, with training commencing from February.

For more information, visit www.alltrain.co.nz

The new rating valuations have been prepared for 19,440 properties on behalf of the Horowhenua District Council by Quotable Value (QV).  

Rating valuations are usually carried out on all New Zealand properties every three years to help local councils set rates for the following three-year period. They reflect the likely selling price of a property (excluding chattels) at the effective revaluation date, which is 1 August 2025. 

On average, residential property values in the Horowhenua District have decreased by 12.1% over the three years since the previous effective revaluation date of 1 August 2022. The average home value is now $568,000, while the associated land value has also decreased 17.2% to $270,000. 

QV Consultant Jason Hockly said, “While the new rating valuations show a decrease in property values over the past three years, most of this decline occurred in 2022 and early 2023 after the post-Covid peak of late 2021- early 2022. Since mid-2023, values in the district have been relatively stable.”  

“Residential markets throughout the district have shown variable value changes since 2022.  Capital Values (CVs) have decreased by between 5% to 20% depending on type and location, and land values have also seen variable decreases, with most on average down between 5% to 25%.” 

“The commercial and industrial markets have been mostly stable since 2022, with any upward or downward variations being property specific.” 

Hockly added, “Overall, commercial properties have decreased in capital value (CV) by 4.0%, and industrial properties have increased by 2.0%.”  

In the rural sector, values have mostly remained steady across the district; however, there has been an average decrease of 20% for hill country land values. 

District-wide averages show that dairy farms have decreased in capital value by 0.8%, with pastoral properties decreasing 2.6%. Horticultural properties have decreased by 4.0%, and forestry properties have decreased 2.4%. 

Overall, the lifestyle category has decreased 13.8% on capital value (CV) and 12.6% on land value (LV). 

What does this mean for you?

A change in your property’s value does not automatically mean your rates will go up or down. 

The revaluation does not change the total amount of rates Council collects. Instead, it helps determine how that total is shared between properties. Whether your rates increase, decrease, or stay similar will depend on how your property’s value has changed compared with others across the district. 

• If your value has dropped more than the district average, you may pay a slightly smaller share of rates. 
• If your value has dropped less than average, your share may increase slightly. 
• If your value has changed in line with the district average, your share is likely to stay similar. 

Some parts of your rates are charged as a fixed amount per property, while others are linked directly to land value or capital value, which is why a change in valuation can affect properties differently. 

New rating values can be viewed online at www.horowhenua.govt.nz/Revaluations and will be posted to property owners from 17 December 2025. If owners do not agree with their rating valuation, they have the right to object by 5 February 2026.   

New values apply from 1 July 2026 for the 2026/27 rating year. 

How does Horowhenua compare with the rest of New Zealand?

The changes in our District are broadly in line with trends across many parts of Aotearoa where property markets have softened following the post-COVID peak. Many Councils are experiencing flat or declining values, particularly in land values. 

Rating revaluations are not the same as market valuations

The effective rating revaluation date of 1 August 2025 has now passed, and any changes in the market since then will not be included in the new rating valuations. In many cases, this means a sale price achieved in the market today may differ from the new rating valuation set as at 1 August 2025. 

The updated rating valuations are independently audited by the Office of the Valuer-General and must meet rigorous quality standards before the new rating valuations are certified. They are not designed to be used as market valuations for raising finance with banks or as insurance valuations. 

For more information on rating valuations, visit www.qv.co.nz/about/about-rating-valuations or, to object to a new rating valuation, visit www.qv.co.nz/services/rating-valuations/object-rating/