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Napier's Long Term Plan

Hey Napier. It's been a tough year all round and we all deserve some time out. While you’re relaxing this summer, we’d love you to share your thoughts on the future of our city. We’re working on our Long Term Plan for 2021 to 2031 and your feedback will help guide this plan. So put your feet up, consider the options and let us know what’s important to you.

What is a Long Term Plan?

The Long Term Plan (LTP) is our vision for Napier's future. Essentially, it's a budget that sets out the projects and activities that we'll focus on over the coming ten years, and shows how they'll be paid for. 

Typically, before we start finalising the contents of the LTP, we go through a pre-engagement process with the community. This means that we ask our residents and ratepayers what they think Napier’s priorities should be. This feedback helps to inform what we include in the LTP.

Once written, it goes back to the community for formal consultation. People can tell us what they think through the consultation’s submissions process. After this, and taking into account the community’s views, the LTP is formally adopted by Council.

2020 was not a typical year

The events of 2020 have hit us particularly hard. Council recorded a deficit for the first time in decades, with the pandemic being the most significant reason for this. Our income-earning tourism facilities were either closed or continued to be negatively affected as the country moved between pandemic alert levels.

The November flood placed further financial pressure on us:
  • Remissions (discounts) for flood-affected ratepayers will impact on our expected rates take. 
  • Our Kennedy Park Resort is being used as temporary accommodation for residents made homeless by the floods. This negatively affects Council income from this facility. 
  • Damaged streets, footpaths and other public amenities all contributed to unexpected costs for Council.
We will continue to listen to our community’s expectations and priorities whilst working to balance the books, which has been made even more difficult with the pandemic and flood.

What you’ve told us so far

In August we asked the community what they think is important for Napier. You told us what you wanted in your city:

  • Clean drinking water, with many wanting the water to be chlorine free
  • Cleaner waterways, and also more water based recreational areas, including pools, splash pads and a sandy beach
  • More recreational areas, and entertainment for all ages, with the potential for the CBD to become car-free
  • A child and family-friendly city that’s safe and easy to get around
  • A place where everyone feels included, accepted and connected within the community, with places to gather, connect and celebrate
  • Clean, green open spaces, with more planted trees and gardens that can be accessed from where you live or work
  • A fun and vibrant city that has more art and murals, more pop-up markets and more events that bring the city alive in the evening
  • You value local areas, with more local facilities and amenities, to ensure your community stays strong.

Strengthening our foundations

There is currently a real likelihood of rates increasing as we look to deliver our services and planned capital works programme. Council will review all of our current activities and projects, alongside considering a Long Term Plan that is focused on strengthening our foundations, above and below the ground.
Below the ground: getting the basics right by improving our three waters infrastructure.
Above the ground: a safe and vibrant city for our community to enjoy.

Tell us what you think

Do you want to hear from us more often and have your say on other Napier projects?

Join our People's Panel

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