Words from the Western Bay Mayor with James Denyer

From everyday services our communities rely on to major infrastructure projects and decisions for the future, our council’s latest annual report captures a significant year for the Western Bay.

The 2025/2026 Annual Report, covering July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, is Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s way of showing how we performed against our plans, where rates were invested, what went well and where there is more work to do.

The year was shaped not only by what council delivered, but by significant events and decisions that will influence the Western Bay for years to come.

These included severe weather events, signing the Western Bay Regional Deal and progressing the establishment of a joint water organisation with Tauranga City Council.

This was a year of defining moments for our district. Some tested our resilience, while others asked us to make important decisions about the future.

I want to pay tribute to the resilience shown by the community, and the dedication of our staff who went the extra mile in responding to severe weather events, and ensuring the everyday work of council across roads, parks and reserves, community facilities and other services continued.

Investment in infrastructure needed for a growing district also remained a significant focus, with council investing $128.42 million in assets and infrastructure. This included progressing construction of the $98 million Te Puke Wastewater Treatment Plant, council’s largest ever capital project.

Community connection was another strong theme. Libraries and service centres recorded 302,804 visits, customer satisfaction remained at 97%, and more than 22,000 pieces of feedback helped shape planning for the district’s future.

Financially, council recorded $196.2 million in revenue, $157.3 million in operating expenditure and a $38.9 million surplus, compared with the $34.9 million budgeted. Net debt was $242.33 million at June 30, 2026.

Much of the year was also about preparing the district for what comes next.

We are one of New Zealand’s faster-growing areas, and that means the decisions we make today need to stand up for decades.

We progressed our spatial plans, signed the Western Bay Regional Deal, continued major infrastructure investment and progressed establishment of a joint water organisation with Tauranga City Council.

These are long-term pieces of work. They don’t mean everything happens tomorrow, but they give us a clearer direction for where our communities could grow, what infrastructure they will need and what needs to happen to get there.

Read the full Annual Report at: https://tinyurl.com/mr6ndhe4

Watch the adoption of the Annual Report at council’s October 22 meeting at: https://tinyurl.com/4zkpuffn