Financial statements and disclosures | He pūroko tahua, tūhurataka

1. Statement of accounting policies

Reporting Entity

Dunedin City Council (the Council) is a territorial local authority established under the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA) and is domiciled and operates in New Zealand. The relevant legislation governing the Council's operations includes the LGA and the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. These prospective financial statements are for the Dunedin City Council as a separate legal entity. Consolidated prospective financial statements comprising the Council and its subsidiaries have not been prepared as the services which Council provides to the City are fully reflected within the Council’s financial statements.The Council provides local infrastructure, local public services, and performs regulatory functions to the community. The Council does not operate to make a financial return. Therefore, the Council has designated itself as a public benefit entity (PBE).The registered address of the Council is 50 The Octagon, Dunedin.

Basis of Preparation

Statement of compliance

These prospective financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002, which includes the requirement to comply with New Zealand Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The prospective financial statements have been prepared to comply with PBE Standards for a Tier 1 entity, including compliance with PBE FRS 42.

Prospective financial statements

The prospective financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, and the accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year.

These prospective financial statements comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002, Part 6 Section 95 and Part 2 of Schedule 10 which includes the requirement to comply with New Zealand Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (NZ GAAP) with the exception of the Funding Impact Statements (FIS).

In preparing these prospective statements, estimates and assumptions have been made concerning the future.

The prospective financial statements were issued by Council on 25 June 2026. The Council is responsible for the prospective financial statements including the appropriateness of assumptions underlying the prospective financial statements and all other disclosures. The prospective financial statements are calculated using forecast results for the 2026 financial year. There is no intention to update the prospective financial statement after the issue date.

Presentation currency and rounding

The financial statements are presented in New Zealand dollars because that is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Council operates. All values are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars ($000).

Standards issued and not yet effective that have been early adopted

There were no standards issued and not yet effective that have been early adopted.

Other changes in accounting policies

There have been no changes in accounting policy in the current year.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Significant accounting policies are included in the notes to which they relate. Significant accounting policies that do not relate to a specific note are outlined below.

Foreign currency transactions

The individual financial statements of Council are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (its functional currency).  For the purpose of the financial statements the results and financial position are expressed in New Zealand dollars, which is the functional currency of the Council.

Transactions in currencies other than New Zealand dollars are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions.  At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date.  The Council does not hold non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.

Goods and services tax

Items in the financial statements are stated exclusive of GST, except for receivables and payables which are presented on a GST-inclusive basis. Where GST is not recoverable as input tax, it is recognised as part of the related asset or expense.

The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the IRD is included as part of receivables or payables in the statement of financial position.

The net GST paid to, or received from, the IRD, including the GST relating to investing and financing activities, is classified as an operating cash flow in the statement of cash flows.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions

The Council makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future.  The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.  The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and  liabilities within the next financial year include:

• landfill provision;
• valuation of property, plant and equipment and investment properties;
• valuation of employee entitlements.

2. Rates Revenue

Rating base information - As at June 2026

Relevant significant accounting policies

Rates are set annually by resolution from Council and relate to a financial year. All ratepayers are invoiced within the financial year to which the rates have been set. Rates revenue is recognised when payable.

Revenue from water rates by meter is recognised on an accrual basis based on usage. Unbilled usage, as a result of unread meters at year-end, is accrued on an average usage basis.

Revenue from rates penalties is recognised when the penalty is imposed.

Rates remissions are recognised as a reduction of rates revenue when the Council has received an application that satisfies its rates remission policy.

3. Development and financial contributions

Relevant significant accounting policies

Development and financial contributions are recognised as revenue when the Council provides, or is able to provide, the services for which the contribution was charged. Otherwise, development and financial contributions are recognised as liabilities until such time as the Council provides, or is able to provide, the service.

4. Subsidies and grants

Relevant significant accounting policies

The Council receives funding assistance from the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, which subsidises part of the costs of maintenance and capital expenditure on the local roading infrastructure. The subsidies are recognised as revenue upon entitlement, as conditions pertaining to eligible expenditure have been fulfilled.

Other grants received are recognised as revenue when they become receivable unless there is an obligation in substance to return funds if conditions of the grant are not met. If there is such an obligation, the grants are initially recorded as grants received in advance and recognised as revenue when conditions of the grant are satisfied.

5. Financial revenue

Relevant significant accounting policies

Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount.

Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders’ rights to receive payment have been established.

6. Other revenue

Relevant significant accounting policies

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts and GST.

The specific policies for significant revenue items included in other revenue are explained below:

Rental from investment and community housing properties

Lease rentals (net of any incentives given) are recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Commercial and domestic waste disposal charges

Fees for disposing of waste at the Council's landfill are recognised as waste is disposed by users.

Regulatory services rendered

Fees and charges for building and resource consent services are recognised on a percentage completion basis with reference to the recoverable costs incurred at balance date.

Vested assets

For assets received for no or nominal consideration, the asset is recognised at its fair value when the Council obtains control of the asset. The fair value of the asset is recognised as revenue, unless there is a use or return condition attached to the asset.

Gain on fair value of investment property

Investment properties are held primarily to earn lease revenue and/or for capital growth. All investment properties are measured at fair value, determined annually by an independent registered valuer. Any gain or loss arising is recognised in the surplus or deficit for the period in which the gain or loss arises. Investment properties are not depreciated.

Other fees and charges

Entrance fees are charged to users of the Council's local facilities, such as pools, museum exhibitions and Dunedin Chinese Garden. Revenue from entrance fees is recognised upon entry to such facilities.

Infringement fees and fines which mostly relate to traffic and parking infringements, are recognised when the infringement notice is issued or when the fines/penalties are otherwise imposed.

Rental income from operating leases, such as community housing, is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when significant risks and rewards of owning the goods are transferred to the buyer, when the revenue can be measured reliably and when management effectively ceases involvement or control.

Revenue from other services rendered is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity. The stage of completion at balance date is assessed based on the value of services performed to date as a percentage of the total services to be performed

7. Other expenses

Relevant significant accounting policies

General grants

Non-discretionary grants are grants that awarded if the grant application meets the specified criteria and are recognised as expenditure when an application that meets the specified criteria for the grant has been received.

Discretionary grants are grants where the Council has no obligation to award on receipt of the grant application and are recognised as expenditure when approved by the Council and the approval has been communicated to the applicant.

Operating lease expenses

An operating lease is a lease that does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset. Lease payments under an operating lease are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives received are recognised in the surplus or deficit as a reduction of rental expense over the lease term.

Research and development

Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

Finance leases

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee whether or not title is eventually transferred.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at their fair value or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments, each determined at the inception of the lease. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between finance

charges and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

8.  Personnel expenses

Relevant significant accounting policies

Salaries and wages are recognised as an expense as employees provide services.

9. Audit fees

10. Financial expenses

Relevant significant accounting policies

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

All other borrowing costs are recognised as an expense in the financial year in which they are incurred.

11. Depreciation and amortisation

12. Total group expenditure

13. Equity

Equity is the community's interest in the Council and is measured as the difference between total assets and total liabilities. Equity is disaggregated and classified into components. The components are accumulated funds, revaluation reserves and restricted reserves.

Relevant significant accounting policies

Restricted reserves are a component of equity generally representing a particular use to which various parts of equity have been assigned. Reserves may be legally restricted or created by the Council.

Restricted reserves include those subject to specific conditions accepted as binding by the Council and which may not be revised by the Council without reference to the Courts or a third party. Transfers from these reserves may be made only for certain specified purposes or when certain specified conditions are met.

Also included in restricted reserves are reserves restricted by Council decision. The Council may alter them without reference to any third party or the Courts. Transfers to and from these reserves are at the discretion of the Council.

14. Cash and cash equivalents

Relevant significant accounting policies

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities in the statement of financial position.

15. Trade and other receivables and term receivables

Relevant significant accounting policies

Trade and other receivables are stated at cost less any allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts. The carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.

Normally no interest is charged on the accounts receivable although in specific instances interest may be charged.

The Dunedin City Council does not provide for any impairment on rates receivable as it has various powers under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 to recover any outstanding debts. These powers allow the Council to commence legal proceedings to recover any rates that remain unpaid four months after the due date for payment. If payment has not been made within three months of the Court's judgement, then the Council can apply to the Registrar of the High Court to have the judgement enforced by sale or lease of the rating unit.

Rates are ""written-off":

• when remitted in accordance with the Council's rates and remission policy; and
• in accordance with the write-off criteria of sections 90A (where rates cannot be reasonably recovered) and 90B (in relation to Māori freehold land) of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

Other receivables are written-off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery.

16. Other financial assets

Relevant significant accounting policies

Investments are recognised and derecognised on a trade date where a purchase or sale of an investment is under a contract whose terms require delivery of the investment within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially measured at cost, including transaction costs.

Investments in debt and equity securities are financial instruments classified as held for trading and are measured at fair value in the surplus or deficit at balance date. Any resultant gains or losses are recognised in the surplus or deficit for the period.

Loans and advances are financial instruments that are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. This type of financial instrument includes deposits, term deposits, inter company loans, community loans and mortgages.

17. Accounts payable, accrued expenditure and employee entitlements

Relevant significant accounting policies

Trade and other payables are stated at cost.

Current portion employee entitlements

Employee benefits that are expected to be settled wholly before twelve months after the reporting period in which the employees render the related service are measured based on accrued entitlements at current rates of pay. These include salaries and wages accrued up to balance date and annual leave earned to but not yet taken at balance date.

The Council recognises a liability for sick leave to the extent that absences in the coming year are expected to be greater than the sick leave entitlements earned in the coming year.

The current portion of the retirement gratuities provision has been calculated on an actuarial basis and is based on the reasonable likelihood that it will be earned by employees and paid by the Council.

Non-current portion employee entitlements

Employee benefits that are not expected to be settled wholly before twelve months after the end of the reporting period in which the employees render the related service, such as long service leave and retirement gratuities, have been calculated on an actuarial basis. The calculations are based on:

• Likely future entitlements accruing to employees, based on years of service, years to entitlement, the likelihood that employees will reach the point of entitlement, and contractual entitlement information; and
• The present value of the estimated future cash flows.

Entitlements to the non-current portion of accrued long service leave and retirement gratuities are calculated on an actuarial basis and are based on the reasonable likelihood that they will be earned by employees and paid by the Council.

18. Term loans

Relevant significant accounting policies

Borrowings are initially recorded net of directly attributable transaction costs. Finance charges, premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct costs are accounted for on an accrual basis to the surplus or deficit using the effective interest method.

19. Provisions

Relevant significant accounting policies

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Council has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation.

Provisions for restructuring costs are recognised when the Council has a detailed formal plan for the restructuring that has been communicated to affected parties.

20. Property, plant and equipment

Relevant significant accounting policies

Property, plant and equipment are those assets held by the Council for the purpose of carrying on its business activities on an ongoing basis.

Operational assets

These include land, buildings, improvements, library books, plant and equipment, and motor vehicles.

Land and buildings

Land and buildings are stated at revalued amounts being fair value at date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. The revaluations are performed by an independent valuer on a three yearly cycle.

Fixed plant and equipment

Fixed plant and equipment is stated at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Vehicles, mobile plant

Motor vehicles and other mobile plant and equipment are stated at cost less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Office equipment

Office equipment and fittings are stated at cost less any subsequent accumulated depreciation less any accumulated impairment losses.

Library collection

Library collections are stated at cost less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses.

Infrastructural assets

Infrastructure assets are the fixed utility systems owned by the Council. Each asset type includes all items that are required for the network to function; for example, sewer reticulation includes reticulation piping and sewer pump stations.

Land is stated at revalued amounts being fair value at date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated impairment losses. The revaluations are performed by an independent valuer on a three yearly cycle.

Landfill assets being earthworks, plant and machinery and the estimate of site restoration, are stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Roadways and bridges have been stated at their revalued amounts being fair value based on depreciated replacement cost as at the date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Roadways and bridges are valued annually by an independent valuer.

Plant and facilities have been stated at their revalued amounts being fair value based on depreciated replacement cost as at the date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Plant and facilities are valued annually by an independent valuer. Additions are recorded at cost and depreciated.

Reticulation assets, being the reticulation system and networks of water and drainage, have been stated at their revalued amounts being fair value based on depreciated replacement cost as at the date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Reticulation assets are valued annually by an independent valuer.

Restricted assets

Restricted assets are parks and reserves owned by the Council which cannot be disposed of because of legal or other restrictions, and provide a benefit or service to the community.

Land, buildings and structures are stated at revalued amounts being fair value at date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. The revaluations are performed by an independent valuer on a three yearly cycle.

Hard surfaces and reticulation systems are stated at revalued amounts being fair value at date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. The revaluations are performed by an independent valuer on a three yearly cycle.

Road reserve land is stated at revalued amounts being fair value at date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Revaluations are performed by an independent valuer on a three yearly cycle.

Playground and soft-fall areas are stated at revalued amounts being fair value at date of valuation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Revaluations are performed by an independent valuer on a three yearly cycle.

Fixed plant and equipment has been stated at their deemed cost being fair value at the date of valuation based on depreciated replacement cost less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Additions are recorded at cost and depreciated.

Heritage assets

Heritage assets include, but are not limited to, assets held by the Council subject to deeds of agreement, terms and conditions of bequests, donations, trusts or other restrictive legal covenants. The Council’s control of these assets is restricted to a management/custodial role.

Heritage assets included are the Art Gallery Collection at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, the Theomin Collection at Olveston, the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and the monuments, statues and outdoor art as well as land and buildings of the railway station and Olveston.

Except land and buildings, all other heritage assets are stated at cost less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Vested assets

Vested assets are fixed assets given to the Council by a third party and could typically include water, drainage and roading assets created in the event of a subdivision. Vested assets also occur in the event of the donation of heritage or art assets by third parties. The value of assets vested are recorded at fair value which could include as sale or acquisition the cost price to the third party to create or purchase that asset and equates to its fair value at the date of acquisition. Vested assets, other than those pertaining to collections, are subsequently depreciated.

Revaluations

Revaluations are performed with sufficient regularity such that the carrying amount does not differ materially from that which would be determined using fair values at the balance sheet date.

Revaluation increases and decreases relating to individual assets within a class of assets are offset. Revaluation increases and decreases in respect of assets in different classes are not offset.

Where the carrying amount of a class of assets is increased as a result of a revaluation, the net revaluation increase is credited to the revaluation reserve. The net revaluation increase shall be recognised in the surplus or deficit to the extent that it reverses a net revaluation decrease of the same class of assets previously recognised in the surplus or deficit. A net revaluation decrease for a class of assets is recognised in the surplus or deficit, except to the extent it reverses a revaluation increase previously recognised in the revaluation reserve to the extent of any credit balance existing in the revaluation reserve in respect of the same class of asset.

Derecognition

Items of property, plant and equipment are derecognised upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of the asset.

Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the item) is included in the surplus or deficit in the year the item is derecognised.

Depreciation

Depreciation has been charged so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets, other than land, properties under construction and capital work in progress, on the straight line basis (SL).  Rates used have been calculated to allocate the asset’s cost or valuation less estimated residual value over their estimated remaining useful lives.

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation commences when the assets are ready for their intended use.

Depreciation on revalued assets, excluding land, is charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense.  On the subsequent sale or retirement of a revalued asset, the attributable revaluation surplus remaining in the appropriate property revaluation reserve is transferred directly to retained earnings.

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets, or where shorter, over the term of the relevant lease.

21. Investment property

Relevant significant accounting policies

Investment property is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation.  All investment properties are stated at fair value, as determined annually by independent valuers at the balance sheet date.

Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of investment properties are recognised in the surplus or deficit for the period in which the gain or loss arises.

22. Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the statement of financial position when the Council becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Council after deducting all of its liabilities.

Under PBE IPSAS 41, all the financial assets and liabilities are measured at amortised cost, fair value through profit or loss, or fair value through other comprehensive income on the basis of the Council’s business model for managing the financial instrument and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial instrument.

The Council enters into derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate risks.  Interest rate swap contracts are used to hedge these exposures. Interest rate swaps are fair valued using forward interest rates extracted from observable yield curves.

LGFA Borrower Notes are measured at amortised cost in accordance with PBE IPSAS 41.

The Council does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. However, any derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting, under the specific NZ IFRS rules, would be accounted for as trading instruments with fair value gains/losses being taken directly to the Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised at fair value on the date the derivative is entered into and are subsequently re-measured to their fair value. The fair value on initial recognition is the transaction price. Subsequent fair values are based on independent prices quoted in active markets.

The accounting for subsequent changes in fair value depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged.  The Council designates certain derivatives as either:

• hedges of the fair value of recognised assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedges), or
• hedges of a particular risk associated with the cash flows of recognised assets and liabilities and highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedges).

The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated based on pricing using independent data. Those quotes are tested for reasonableness by discounting estimated future cash flows based on the terms and maturity of each contract and using market interest rates for a similar instrument at the measurement date.

The gain or loss from re-measuring the hedging instrument at fair value, along with the changes in the fair value on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, is recognised in the surplus or loss. Fair value hedge accounting is applied only for hedging fixed interest risk on borrowings.

If the hedge relationship no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the adjustment to the carrying amount of a hedged item for which the effective interest method is used is amortised to the surplus or loss over the period to maturity.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as hedges of future cash flows are recognised directly in equity with any ineffective portion recognised immediately in the Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense. If the cash flow hedge of a firm commitment or forecasted transaction results in the recognition of an asset or a liability, then, at the time the asset or liability is recognised, the associated gains or losses on the derivative that had previously been recognised in equity are included in the initial measurement of the asset or liability.

For hedges that do not result in the recognition of an asset or a liability, amounts deferred in equity are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense in the same period in which the hedged item affects net surplus or loss.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense as they arise.  Derivatives not designated into an effective hedge relationship are classified as current assets or liabilities.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is retained in equity until the forecast transaction occurs.

If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is transferred to the income statement for the period.

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of host contracts and the host contracts are not carried at fair value with unrealised gains or losses reported in the income statement.

For an effective hedge of an exposure to changes in the fair value, the hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the risk being hedged with the corresponding entry in the Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense via other comprehensive income.  Gains or losses from re-measuring the derivative, or for non-derivatives the foreign currency component of its carrying amount, are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense via other comprehensive income.

The fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability if the remaining maturity of the hedge relationship is more than twelve months and as a current liability if the remaining maturity of the hedge relationship is less than twelve months.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Revenue and Expense as they arise.  Derivatives not designated into an effective hedge relationship are classified as current assets or liabilities.

What is the purpose of this Statement?

The purpose of this statement is to disclose the Council’s planned financial performance in relation to various benchmarks to enable the assessment of whether the Council is prudently managing its revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, and general financial dealings.

The Council is required to include this statement in its annual plan in accordance with the Local Government (Financial Reporting and Prudence) Regulations 2014 (the regulations). Refer to the regulations for more information, including definitions of some of the terms used in this statement.

Notes

1. Rates Affordability Benchmark
   1. For this benchmark —
      1. the Council’s planned rates income for the year is compared with a quantified limit on rates contained in the financial strategy included in the Council’s long– term plan; and
      2. the Council’s planned rates increases for the year are compared with a quantified limit on rates increases for the year contained in the financial strategy included in the Council’s long–term plan.
   2. The Council meets the rates affordability benchmark if —
      1. its planned rates income for the year equals or is less than each quantified limit on rates; and
      2. its planned rates increases for the year equal or are less than each quantified limit on rates increases.
      3. Debt Affordability Benchmark
         1. For this benchmark, the Council’s planned borrowing is compared with a quantified limit on borrowing contained in the financial strategy included in the Council’s long–term plan.
         2. The Council meets the debt affordability benchmark if its planned borrowing is within each quantified limit on borrowing.
      4. Balanced Budget Benchmark
         1. For this benchmark, the Council’s planned revenue (excluding development contributions, vested assets, financial contributions, gains on derivative financial instruments, and revaluations of property, plant, or equipment) is presented as a proportion of its planned operating expenses (excluding losses on derivative financial instruments and revaluations of property, plant, or equipment).
         2. The Council meets the balanced budget benchmark if its revenue equals or is greater than its operating expenses.
      5. Essential Services Benchmark
         1. For this benchmark, the Council’s planned capital expenditure on network services is presented as a proportion of expected depreciation on network services.
         2. The Council meets the essential services benchmark if its planned capital expenditure on network services equals or is greater than expected depreciation on network services.
      6. Debt Servicing Benchmark
         1. For this benchmark, the Council’s planned borrowing costs are presented as a proportion of planned revenue (excluding development contributions, financial contributions, vested assets, gains on derivative financial instruments, and revaluations of property, plant, or equipment).
         2. Because Statistics New Zealand projects that the Council’s population will grow slower than the national population growth rate, it meets the debt servicing benchmark if its planned borrowing costs equal or are less than 10% of its planned revenue.