Tararua District Council has officially adopted its Annual Report for the 2023-24 financial year following a successful audit from Audit NZ. This important document is now available online at www.tararuadc.govt.nz. Printed copies are on the way and will be available to view at Council service centres and libraries across the district in the New Year. We encourage everyone to take a look and see how your Council has been working for you.

The Annual Report provides a detailed overview of Council’s activities and performance over the past year. It compares what we set out to achieve with what we delivered, and promotes accountability to our community by showcasing how decisions made throughout the year have shaped our progress.

In comparison to the previous financial year, our teams have significantly increased the amount of external subsidies secured. We have progressed from nearly $33 million in external subsidies in 2022/23 to over $54 million in the current financial year. The ability to obtain government and other subsidies is a specialised skill, and this achievement reflects the dedication and effort of our teams. The $54 million obtained has been reinvested into various projects throughout the district.

Chief Executive Bryan Nicholson shares his enthusiasm for this year’s report: “Our Annual Report features engaging infographics that clearly summarise what we provide, maintain, protect, and manage. These visuals, found on pages 11-18, make it easy to see how much we’ve achieved across all the activities we’re responsible for. We really encourage everyone to explore it.”

The Chief Executive also highlighted an alternative for those who prefer a more concise overview: “We’ve prepared an Annual Report Summary document for people who want to quickly engage with our key achievements without going through the full 256-page report and this is available on our website.”

Mayor Tracey Collis reflects on the importance of the Annual Report for guiding future decisions: “This report tells the story of what Council has carried out over the past year and outlines our performance from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. It explains how we have used funds, celebrates our successes, and acknowledges areas where we need to improve. It’s a valuable tool for shaping our future planning.”

Mayor Collis also acknowledged the collaborative efforts behind these accomplishments: “Over the past twelve months, we’ve faced a mix of opportunities and challenges. From aging water infrastructure to recovery efforts following Cyclone Gabrielle, there’s been much to navigate. Nonetheless, we’ve achieved a great deal thanks to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful community, elected members, and staff. We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s contributions this year.”

The Annual Report highlights key milestones and challenges, including:

• Significant progress on upgrading aging water infrastructure to better serve our communities.
• Ongoing recovery efforts following the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.
• Development of the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan to guide the district’s future.

We invite you to explore the full report and discover how your Council has been working hard for the Tararua District. For any enquiries, please contact us at info@tararuadc.govt.nz or give the team a call on 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110.

View the Annual Report 2023-24