Canterbury’s regional council is looking to keep its average rates rise under 10% - but that more like 17% in parts of Mid Canterbury.

Environment Canterbury adopted its draft 2025/26 annual plan last week proposing an average rates rise of 9.9%.

Councillors voted by 15-1 in favour of adopting the draft annual plan, with only Mid Canterbury councillor Ian Mackenzie voting against it.

Mackenzie said there is a “disproportionate effect” underlying the 9.9% average.

“Although the headline number is now just below 10%, that only applies to certain parts of the Canterbury region.

“The rate rise for the larger areas of Canterbury outside greater Christchurch is still well over 10% - and I find that unacceptable.”

He noted the variations in average rate increases across the region, with Ashburton ratepayers facing an average rates rise of 17% and most of Selwyn District is over 12% - depending on which public transport option they chose.

Mackenzie was disappointed councillors didn’t have the opportunity to discuss other options on deferring more projects and programmes to further reduce the rate rise.

“It should have happened.”

Chairperson Craig Pauling said the council was forced to rethink its investment in public transport due to reduced funding from central Government.

‘‘I think it is important to note that things are still going ahead in public transport, river resilience and biodiversity, but we’ve had to make changes particularly around public transport.

"Our goal of providing a modern public transport service is unchanged, but this will take time and money, and we are now aware that the central Government grants will not be available to support certain programmes.’’

Mid Canterbury doesn’t have public transport so are unaffected by those changes.

Consultation on the draft annual plan is open until April 3, with hearings to be held in May.

By David Hill