Mayor's Message
Council last week adopted its Annual Report for 2025/26. It shows what we delivered, where we spent the $118 million collected in rates and the state of Council’s finances.
Council’s most important role is core infrastructure. We spent $44.2m on transport, $27.5m on stormwater and flood protection, $29.2m on wastewater and $20.8m on water supply with much of those totals on maintenance and renewals. Major projects advanced include the Maitai Flood Protection, Bridge to Better and St Vincent Street infrastructure upgrade funded by rates, loans and government grants.
A key priority is revitalising the city and attracting new private sector investment. We concluded deals with Safari Group for an eight-storey hotel and apartment complex in Bridge St and with Connings for a new food market on Achilles Ave. We have also helped facilitate the Morrison Square redevelopment.
A key milestone for our city was completing the new Bus Hub in Millers Acre. It’s helped us further grow the use of our eBus service to 954,495 passenger journeys – up 36,102 on the previous year. Good public transport is a hallmark of a successful city.
We made two important community investments during the year to support sports and the arts in securing ownership of the central 7.1ha area of Saxton Field from Radio NZ and completing Tāwera, the new arts hub at Millers Acre.
Our economic development goals include Nelson being the go-to place for repair and maintenance of vessels. Progress was achieved with the opening of the Blue House, promoting our marine industries and the new 550-tonne and 110-tonne travel lifts at the port and marina.
We made practical progress for our environment. Solar panels were installed on council and community buildings with battery storage systems to provide backup power for their use during civil defence emergencies. Council planted 118,000 trees in the year, a record number, to stabilise hillsides, improve water quality and support biodiversity.
Council is also improving its customer services. A good example is in the timely processing of resource consents, with 87.3% on time in 25/26 compared with 76.6% in 24/25, 62% in 23/24 and 57% in 22/23.
These are difficult economic times with the cost of living, including rates, putting everyone under financial pressure. We welcome scrutiny of this report, available on our website and at our libraries, as we work to keep rates affordable, improve our city’s infrastructure and invest in our city’s future.
