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NEXT EVENT - RMA PANEL |TUESDAY 17th MARCH 2026 | 6.00PM START | BARRACKS AMMO MEETING ROOM | 170 ST HILL STREET
CALENDAR
CALENDAR
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
Meeting Information and Procedures
Meeting Information and Procedures
All financial members are welcome to contribute during the membership meetings which provides the opportunity for members to present items or raise any issues.
During Public meetings the preference is for questions to be submitted ahead of time with a short window for Q & A being available at the end of the session.
Open Forum guide
Whanganui Resident & Ratepayers Association (WRRA) hold both public and membership meetings.
Only financial members can attend Special General Meetings (SGM) and Annual General Meetings (AGM). Financial members will be provided a copy of all meeting minutes.
Notice of any intention to speak in any Open Forum is a requirement to ensure adequate time allowance is made
The normal maximum speaking time is 3 minutes unless the committee approves otherwise
Attendees may ask questions at the conclusion of any presentation
No resolution will normally be made at the time of the presentation, but committee members may be asked to follow up the presentation with further investigation. This will come back to a subsequent meeting
Non-financial members will be requested to make a donation to help contribute to costs
Open Forum discussions are to follow meeting rules of conduct:
RMA PANEL - PUBLIC MEETING
RMA PANEL - PUBLIC MEETING
RMA Reforms – What Do They Mean for You?
RMA Reforms – What Do They Mean for You?
New Zealand is changing its main planning law, the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). This law controls what can be built, where houses go, how land is used and how water and the environment are managed.
The Government says the current system is too slow and too costly. The reforms aim to simplify rules and speed things up. That sounds positive - but major changes like this can still affect homeowners in unexpected ways.
Why Pay Attention?
The RMA affects everyday activities such as:
Building or renovating
Adding extensions
Subdividing land
Developing near waterways or coastal areas
Local infrastructure projects
When rules change, costs and requirements can change too.
What About the “Water Tax”?
What About the “Water Tax”?
Federated Farmers have raised concerns that draft legislation could allow future governments to charge for water use. The Government says it does not plan to introduce a water tax.
However, the bigger issue is how environmental management will be funded. If councils must meet stricter standards or increase monitoring, those costs may be recovered through rates, targeted charges or higher consent fees.
Where Could Homeowners Feel the Impact?
1. Higher Consent Costs
Stricter rules around stormwater, flooding, or water quality could mean more reports, engineering input and conditions -increasing project costs and delays.
2. Rates and Local Charges
Councils may raise rates or introduce targeted charges to fund new environmental requirements.
3. Development Limits
Tighter environmental limits could restrict subdivision or development in some areas, affecting property value and future plans.
4. Ongoing Uncertainty
As the system transitions over several years, planning delays and unclear rules may affect building and investment decisions.
Why It Matters
These reforms are one of the biggest planning changes in decades. The real question for homeowners is not just whether the system becomes simpler - but who pays for the changes and how they affect what you can do with your property.
Staying informed now helps ensure local voices are heard before decisions are finalised.
This meeting is open to:
Property owners; Renters; Landlords; Community groups interested in social housing; Anyone concerned about housing, rates and property rights....basically all of us.
Questions are being invited ahead of the meeting to ensure the most pressing local issues are addressed.
Informed communities make better decisions.
This is your opportunity to understand what’s changing - and what it means for Whanganui.
🗓️ Tuesday 24th February
🏠 Barracks Ammo meeting room | 170 St Hill street | Whanganui
⏰ 5:45pm doors open. Meeting to begin 6:00pm
PAST EVENTS
PAST EVENTS
Whanganui Residents and Ratepayers Association (WRRA) has held several public meetings and events focused on local governance, council accountability and major policy reforms:
5 November 2025 - Councillor Forum: This forum provided an open dialogue between residents and several elected councillors regarding council debt and future priorities.
24 October 2025 - Housing and Rates Meeting: A meeting on to discuss housing solutions in Whanganui and their impact on ratepayers.
9 September 2025 - Meet the Candidates (Mayoral & Māori Ward): A second session on featuring Mayoral, Māori Ward, and Horizons Regional Council candidates.
3 September 2025 - Meet the Candidates (General Ward): A public session on at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre for the 10 general ward seats on the Whanganui District Council.
24 June 2025 - Local Water Done Well Meeting: A public session on where Mayor Andrew Tripe and councillors answered questions regarding the government's water service legislation.
8 April 2025 - Local Water Done Well Guest speaker Presentation: Expert Insight: A presentation by former water asset manager
2 April 2025 - Whanganui Bus Network Review Meeting: Discussion on the regional bus network review. Representatives attended from Whanganui and Horizons councils.
PRESENTATIONS
PRESENTATIONS
Local Water Done Well
Local Water Done Well
Public meeting held with Guest Speaker
Expert Insight: A presentation by former water asset manager.
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