Fees and Charges Consultation 2025/26

Each year, the council reviews its fees and charges to ensure they remain fair and reflect the actual cost of providing services to users. For 2025/26, we propose an overall increase of 2.6 per cent in line with inflation, along with several targeted amendments to better align fees with costs. Not all fees and charges will increase, and some will increase by less than 2.6 per cent.

Consultation is now open, and we welcome feedback on the proposed changes.

Key fee or wording changes include:

• Animal control: Adjustments to dog impounding and daily handling fees.
• Building consents: Updates to Certificate of Title request fees, field advice notice removals, swimming pool inspections (now charged at actual cost), and additional staff rates.
• Vehicle crossings: Minor wording amendments.
• Bylaw enforcement: New fees for the return of seized noise equipment and Licence to Occupy applications.
• Health licenses: Additional wording for clarification.
• Leases and licenses: Introduction of new fees for occupying road reserves.
• Libraries: Removal of faxing fees.
• Property file requests / LIM applications: Adjustments to reflect increased staff processing times.
• Resource consents: Reinstatement of the Objection to Council (Section 357, 357A) fixed fee, new hourly rates for senior planning and engineering roles, and updates to pre-application and concept meeting fees. Some engineering plan approval fees will decrease, and travel cost wording has been clarified.
Please read the full Statement of Proposal and proposed schedule of fees and charges 2025/26 for more detail on the fees mentioned above.

We know that any increase in fees affects our community, but these adjustments are necessary to cover rising costs and ensure services remain sustainable.

How can I have a say?

Share your feedback by completing the online submission form here

You can also send us a written submission:

• By email: submissions@fndc.govt.nz
• By mail: Strategy and Policy Team, Far North District Council, Private Bag 752, Kaikohe 0440
• In person: Drop your submission at any Far North District Council Service Centre.

Alternatively, you can request to share your feedback verbally by emailing us at submissions@fndc.govt.nz or by phone on 0800 920 029.

We must receive your feedback by Tuesday 15 April 2025.

Note: Anyone is invited to submit feedback on this consultation, whether as an individual or on behalf of an organisation, however, any submissions that are out of scope, offensive, inappropriate, or late may not be accepted by the council. You will be notified if your decision is not accepted and, where appropriate, invited to resubmit.

Any submissions that are made will become part of the public consultation process. The collection and use of personal information by the Far North District Council is regulated by the Privacy Act 2020. Please note that your submission or a summary of your submission will be treated as public information and may be published on the council's website and made available to elected members and members of the public as part of the consultation process. Your name and contact details (address, phone number, email) will only be used for administrative purposes - such as the council contacting you to update you on the outcome of this consultation and letting you know about future consultations

.