Impacts of proposals on Selwyn residents

Young Rolleston family
At 5.4% rates increase

Tane and Victoria moved to Rolleston eight years ago and have since welcomed son, Oliver, daughter, Sophie, and a dog called Schnitzel. The couple love being part of the Rolleston community and enjoy taking the children to many local events, such as Kite Day, the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, and Music in the Park. They have made some great friends in their neighbourhood and don’t see themselves moving anytime soon but are concerned about the impact rates increases could have on the monthly household budget. Tane’s parents are also contemplating escaping the hustle and bustle of Auckland and making the move to Waikirikiri Selwyn to build their dream retirement home.

If rates are increased by 5.4%, Tane and Victoria’s rates bill won’t be as high as earlier predicted but they will need to pay more for the services and facilities they use. For example, they will need to pay an extra $8 in the 2026/27 year to register their dog.

Victoria’s Bodybalance classes at Selwyn Sports Centre will increase to $12, and some of the events that the whole family enjoys will be scaled back or not held in the next 12 months.

Tane and Victoria have been planning for several years to start their own business in Rolleston and are looking forward to tapping into local business initiatives.

They are keen to access any opportunities that might be delivered through the Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy. Without the Business Support Service, they are unlikely to have a single point of contact to help them navigate Council processes and set up in Waikirikiri Selwyn.

In addition to their rates bill, Tane and Victoria will need to pay Selwyn Water charges for drinking water and wastewater services. With a proposed 18% increase in water charges from last year, they will pay on average an additional $280. This will be less if they are careful with their water use.

Their predicted rates for 2026/27

Horticultural farmer from Southbridge
At 5.4% rates increase

Belinda is a horticultural farmer in her 40s living in the Southbridge area. She loves getting out on her property each day, enjoying the wide open spaces, and working her land. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Waikirikiri Selwyn is home.

Belinda understands her rates increase will be lower than predicted this year. Living rurally, she doesn’t access many of the Council services and events that people in urban centres regularly use.

She operates an approximately 145 hectare farm valued at $7.6 million, and would pay $15, 278.00 in rates in the next financial year, which would include Council water race charges. Belinda has her own bore for drinking water and her own septic tank.

Selwyn District Council’s increased focus on user pays charges will however mean a $8 per dog increase in the registration fees she has to pay for her dogs. She is also hoping to upgrade one of her outbuildings this year to use it as short term accommodation. With the increase in building consent fees, this will cost her a little more than expected.

Belinda welcomes the work planned for the Leeston Medical Centre in 2026/27 and ongoing road maintenance around her area. She also enjoys attending the District’s annual ANZAC Day events with her family.

Her predicted rates for 2026/27

Retired Darfield couple
At 5.4% rates increase

Pam and Bill are a retired couple in their 70s who love the country lifestyle in Darfield. They enjoy regularly walking into town to browse the local shops and taking their grandchildren through the Magical Fairy Door Walk in McHughs Forest Park. Once a week they go on an outing to Darfield Pool for a morning Aqua Fitness class, followed by lunch at their favourite café.

As retirees, their income is fixed and carefully budgeted each fortnight, so they are glad the Council is working to reduce the rates increase this year. An increase in the price of the classes at the pool will however need to be factored into their weekly spending.

Pam and Bill are big history buffs, having both been secondary school teachers. They spend a lot of time in the Darfield Library and Service Centre reading and doing research, alongside volunteering work in the community. A reduction in community grants funding may have an impact on the groups they volunteer for, requiring them to have a greater focus on fundraising. Fewer Council run library programmes may also impact their weekly activities.

In the past, they have enjoyed taking their grandchildren to several family-focused events in Rolleston. In 2026/27 there will be less to choose from. Pam and Bill have owned their three bedroom home for more than 20 years. They have their own septic tank. The property is valued at $550,000. If the rates increase was 5.4% they would pay $2702.00 in rates in the 2026/27 year and an average of $879 for their water bill through Selwyn Water, or less with lower water use.

Their predicted rates for 2026/27