Pre-election report
About this report
If you are standing or preparing to vote for the next local government elections, the Pre-election Report is an essential guide to understand our district's key issues, financial position, and major projects planned over the coming years.
Its purpose is to promote informed public discussion in the lead up to the local government elections that are to be held from September 9 to October 11, 2025. This report is prepared by the Chief Executive in accordance with section 99A of the Local Government Act 2002.
Challenges
Looking ahead, Waipā District Council faces a number of big challenges and decisions.
- Water: Keeping water services safe, reliable and affordable as we transition to a new way to deliver water services in response to the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation.
- Pressure on local infrastructure and budgets: With our population expected to grow in the coming years, our infrastructure must keep up with demand along with ability to fund it. We have a clear set of prioritising principles to guide infrastructure decisions, ensuring we spend wisely while still working toward the long-term outcomes our community values.
- Ongoing reform from Central Government: Central Government reforms remain a challenge, especially when they come unexpectedly. We’re committed to staying flexible and adaptable while continuing to deliver on what matters most to our community.
- Supporting our environment and responding to climate change: Council is focused on protecting our environment and responding to the impacts of climate change on our roads, infrastructure, economy, environment, and ultimately, the wellbeing of our communities. We're working to finalise and implement our Climate Change Strategy, progress the community climate change risk assessment, and continue reducing Council’s own emissions.
- Strong partnerships with mana whenua and iwi: Strengthening connections with mana whenua and ensuring Māori voices are actively included in decision making that shapes the future of our district.
Key projects
The next few years is all about maintenance, nothing too flashy, making sure we keep providing quality spaces for people to live, work, play and invest.
| What | Why |
|---|---|
| Cambridge connections: moving forward together A 30-year transport plan, developed in conjunction with the community, that sets out what transport services and infrastructure will be needed for Cambridge over the short, medium and long-term. | So transport activities happen in a coordinated way to make sure that people and freight can move around easily, even as Cambridge and the rest of the district grows significantly. |
| Building Waipā’s economic wellbeing We have set aside 130 hectares of land for industrial and commercial development in Cambridge and Te Awamutu, with more planned for a hub at Hautapu. | Waipā is growing fast. We are planning ahead to meet the economic, social, cultural and environmental needs of the community. |
| Maintaining roads, footpaths and bike lanes We’ll be spending $89.2 million in capital costs on renewing our roads and nearly $17.2 million on maintaining footpaths and cycleways. | To provide Waipā with multi-modes of transport and effective connections to the places you need to go. |
| Maintaining council owned buildings Around $7.6 million will be spent on maintaining our buildings. | We need to make sure that the buildings remain maintained and serviced in our portfolio of council, community, and commercial properties. This includes 102 pensioner housing units. |
| Maintaining council owned playgrounds, parks and libraries We are expecting to spend $2.1 million to maintain playgrounds across the district. | Making sure our tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren) and maybe even the pakeke (adults) have safe spaces to play and learn. |
| Community services and facilities We are planning to spend $148.2 million in capital on community services and facilities in the next nine years. | Providing open spaces and waterway restoration for the wellbeing of Waipā’s community and environment. The needs of our communities wellbeing after death is also being taken care of with new cemeteries and cemetery expansions. And don’t forget your furry friends – we have budgeted for a new dog pound in Cambridge to meet health and safety requirements, animal welfare standards, and the increasing numbers of animals being impounded. |
Who should read this report?
Voters
Provides a clear view of the challenges and opportunities ahead for our district, and how Council is planning for the future. It covers key services, decisions, and our financial position to help you make an informed vote.
Candidates
Highlights the key challenges, priorities, and projects facing the next Council. It outlines our financial position and what the incoming Council will need to navigate, helping you make an informed decision about standing.
