Local Government Elected Members (2025/26) Amendment Determination 2026
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2026/34
Local Government Elected Members (2025/26) Amendment Determination 2026
This determination is made by the Remuneration Authority under the Remuneration Authority Act 1977 and clause 6 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, after having regard to the matters specified in clause 7 of that schedule.
Determination
1 Title
This determination is the Local Government Elected Members (2025/26) Amendment Determination 2026.
2 Commencement
(1)
This determination is deemed to have come into force on 12 October 2025.
(2)
However, clause 4(7) comes into force on the earlier of the following:
(a)
the day after the date on which the official result of the 2026 election of members of the Papatoetoe subdivision of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board is declared:
(b)
the day after the date on which the Auckland High Court delivers a decision with the effect of reinstating the previously disqualified members of the Papatoetoe subdivision of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board.
3 Principal determination
This determination amends the Local Government Elected Members (2025/26) Determination 2025.
4 Schedule 3 amended
(1)
In Schedule 3, Part 1, item relating to Canterbury Regional Council, after the item relating to Regional Council Chairperson, insert:
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 86,284 | 17 October 2025 |
(2)
In Schedule 3, Part 1, item relating to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, after the item relating to Regional Council Chairperson, insert:
| Regional Council Deputy Chairperson | 79,455 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Chair, Regional Transport Committee | 79,455 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Chair, Environment Committee | 79,455 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Chair, Investment Strategy Committee | 79,455 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Co-Chair, Regional Planning Committee | 79,455 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 67,000 | 18 October 2025 |
(3)
In Schedule 3, Part 1, item relating to Southland Regional Council, after the item relating to Regional Council Chairperson, insert:
| Regional Council Deputy Chairperson and Chair of Regional Transport Committee | 66,313 | 29 October 2025 | ||
| Chair Strategy and Policy Committee | 61,576 | 21 November 2025 | ||
| Chair Integrated Catchment Management Committee | 61,576 | 21 November 2025 | ||
| Chair Regulatory Committee | 56,840 | 21 November 2025 | ||
| Chair Finance and Performance Committee | 56,840 | 21 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 47,367 | 17 October 2025 |
(4)
In Schedule 3, Part 1, item relating to Taranaki Regional Council, after the item relating to Regional Council Chairperson, insert:
| Regional Council Deputy Chairperson and Policy and Planning Chairperson | 68,669 | 5 November 2025 | ||
| Executive, Audit and Risk Chairperson | 68,669 | 5 November 2025 | ||
| Operations and Regulatory Chairperson | 68,669 | 5 November 2025 | ||
| Regional Transport Committee Chairperson | 52,300 | 5 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 40,357 | 18 October 2025 |
(5)
In Schedule 3, Part 1, item relating to Waikato Regional Council, after the item relating to Regional Council Chairperson, insert:
| Regional Council Deputy Chairperson | 83,618 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| High Complexity Leadership (2) | 80,273 | 19 December 2025 | ||
| Multiple Leadership (3) | 76,929 | 19 December 2025 | ||
| Single Major Chair (2) | 76,929 | 19 December 2025 | ||
| Standard Chair/Co-Chair (2) | 73,584 | 19 December 2025 | ||
| Single Deputy Chair (3) | 70,239 | 19 December 2025 |
(6)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Auckland Council, item relating to Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board, after the item relating to Deputy Chairperson, insert:
| Lead Member—Governance and Co-ordination | 84,900 | 21 January 2026 | ||
| Enhanced Member Role—Additional Representative Responsibilities (2) | 75,800 | 21 January 2026 |
(7)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Auckland Council, item relating to Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board, revoke the items relating to Lead Member—Governance and Co-ordination and Enhanced Member Role—Additional Representative Responsibilities (2).
(8)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Buller District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Community Committee | 48,402 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Chair of Regulatory Hearings Committee | 37,000 | 18 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 34,750 | 16 October 2025 |
(9)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 54,626 | 29 October 2025 | ||
| Councillors with Committee Chair responsibilities (2) | 51,211 | 12 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with Committee Deputy Chair responsibilities | 40,969 | 12 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with Subcommittee Chair responsibilities | 40,969 | 12 December 2025 | ||
| Councillors with 2 Deputy Chair responsibilities | 42,676 | 12 December 2025 | ||
| Councillors with 2 committee responsibilities | 37,555 | 12 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with a committee responsibility | 35,848 | 12 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 34,141 | 17 October 2025 |
(10)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Chatham Islands Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 30,678 | 6 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 20,500 | 30 October 2025 |
(11)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Christchurch City Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 145,631 | 31 October 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 126,636 | 17 October 2025 |
(12)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Far North District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 160,007 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Commitee Chairperson (4) | 110,005 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 85,700 | 18 October 2025 |
(13)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Gisborne District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 76,525 | 31 October 2025 | ||
| Chair Environment and Communities Committee | 65,593 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Chair Local Transport Committee | 60,126 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Chair Regional Transport Committee | 60,126 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Chair Bylaw Submissions Hearing Panel | 60,126 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Chair Wastewater Management Committee | 60,126 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 54,660 | 18 October 2025 |
(14)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Grey District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 53,036 | 15 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 45,015 | 17 October 2025 |
(15)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Hastings District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor and Chair of Committee (whole Council) | 100,016 | 12 November 2025 | ||
| Chair of Committee (whole Council) | 80,137 | 3 December 2025 | ||
| Deputy Chair of Committee (whole Council) (2) | 68,334 | 3 December 2025 | ||
| Chair of Subcommittee (2) | 72,062 | 3 December 2025 | ||
| Deputy Chair of Risk and Assurance | 65,228 | 3 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 62,122 | 17 October 2025 |
(16)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Horowhenua District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 66,288 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Chair of Risk and Assurance Committee | 56,540 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Chair of Hearings and Regulatory Committee | 52,641 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Chair of Community Wellbeing Committee | 52,641 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Chair of Community Funding and Recognition Committee | 48,742 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Member—Chief Executive Employment and Performance Committee and Procurement Review Group (not otherwise Chair of Committee) | 46,792 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 38,993 | 17 October 2025 |
(17)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Kaipara District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 79,516 | 13 November 2026 | ||
| Councillors (7) | 59,516 | 13 November 2026 |
(18)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Mackenzie District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 42,816 | 26 November 2026 | ||
| Councillors (6) | 30,000 | 26 November 2026 |
(19)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to New Plymouth District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 89,424 | 7 November 2025 | ||
| Standing Committee Chairperson (2) | 89,424 | 7 November 2025 | ||
| Standing Committee Deputy Chairperson (3) | 74,006 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Councillors appointed to community boards (5) | 64,756 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 61,672 | 18 October 2025 |
(20)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Ōpōtiki District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 56,533 | 29 October 2025 | ||
| Chair, Ōpōtiki Harbour Management Committee | 50,500 | 19 November 2025 | ||
| Chair, Performance and Delivery Committee | 50,500 | 19 November 2025 | ||
| Chair, Coast Community Board | 50,500 | 19 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 44,500 | 18 October 2025 |
(21)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Porirua City Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 93,555 | 26 November 2025 | ||
| Chair, Te Puna Kōrero (2) | 85,759 | 12 December 2025 | ||
| Chair, CE Employment | 77,963 | 12 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 72,765 | 17 October 2025 |
(22)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Queenstown–Lakes District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 77,516 | 31 October 2025 | ||
| Committee Chair (6) | 69,000 | 28 November 2025 | ||
| Committee Deputy Chair (4) | 60,800 | 28 November 2025 |
(23)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Rangitikei District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor/Chair Assets/Infrastructure | 49,585 | 24 October 2025 | ||
| Chair of Finance/Performance Committee | 42,589 | 28 November 2025 | ||
| Chair of Policy/Planning Committee | 42,589 | 28 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 34,585 | 17 October 2025 |
(24)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Rotorua District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor—Deputy Chairperson Council, Deputy Chairperson Audit and Risk Committee | 155,254 | 27 November 2025 | ||
| Chairperson Infrastructure Committee | 110,250 | 27 November 2025 | ||
| Deputy Chairperson Infrastructure Committee | 110,250 | 27 November 2025 | ||
| Chairperson Te Arawa Vision 2050 Committee | 88,500 | 27 November 2025 | ||
| Deputy Chairperson Te Arawa Vision 2050 Committee | 88,500 | 27 November 2025 | ||
| Cultural Ambassador | 90,000 | 27 November 2025 | ||
| Community Ambassador | 90,000 | 27 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 84,000 | 17 October 2025 |
(25)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Selwyn District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 86,515 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Chairperson of Finance and Performance Committee | 79,151 | 13 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 73,628 | 17 October 2025 |
(26)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to South Taranaki District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 60,203 | 24 October 2025 | ||
| Risk and Assurance Committee Member (3) | 42,943 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Water Services Committee Chairperson | 42,553 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Water Services Committee Member (2) | 40,600 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 39,039 | 18 October 2025 |
(27)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Taupo District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor and Deputy Chairperson Water Services Committee | 69,321 | 1 November 2025 | ||
| Chairperson Regulatory Committee | 51,991 | 26 November 2025 | ||
| Chairperson Chief Executive Review Committee | 51,991 | 26 November 2025 | ||
| Deputy Chairperson Risk and Assurance Committee | 49,825 | 17 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 43,326 | 18 October 2025 |
(28)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Thames–Coromandel District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 85,227 | 1 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 53,000 | 18 October 2025 |
(29)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Upper Hutt City Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 68,854 | 31 October 2025 | ||
| Chair of City Planning, Infrastructure and Environment | 62,886 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Chair of Community and Economy | 61,050 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Chair of Regulatory Processes | 52,789 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Chair of Hutt Valley Services (Joint) Committee | 52,789 | 11 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 45,902 | 17 October 2025 |
(30)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Waimakariri District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 91,271 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Councillor with responsibilities (9) | 71,026 | 5 November 2025 |
(31)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Waipa District Council, item relating to Deputy Chair Audit and Risk Committee, replace “Audit and Risk”
with “Risk and Assurance”
.
(32)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Wairoa District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 90,243 | 30 October 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 59,140 | 18 October 2025 |
(33)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Waitaki District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 55,597 | 5 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor and Committee Chair (5) | 47,655 | 10 December 2025 | ||
| Councillor and Committee Member or Portfolio Holder (4) | 43,683 | 10 December 2025 |
(34)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Waitomo District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 83,930 | 29 October 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 55,953 | 17 October 2025 |
(35)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Western Bay of Plenty District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor | 100,000 | 6 November 2025 | ||
| Committee Chairperson (2) | 85,000 | 26 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 76,233 | 17 October 2025 |
(36)
In Schedule 3, Part 2, item relating to Whanganui District Council, after the item relating to Mayor, insert:
| Deputy Mayor and Deputy Chair—Council Controlled Organisation and Economic Growth | 77,082 | 20 November 2025 | ||
| Chair—Strategy and Policy and Chair—CE Performance | 66,070 | 20 November 2025 | ||
| Chair—Operations and Performance | 66,070 | 20 November 2025 | ||
| Chair Mentor | 61,941 | 20 November 2025 | ||
| Chair—Regulatory and Chair—Portfolios | 61,941 | 20 November 2025 | ||
| Deputy Chair—Strategy and Policy | 61,941 | 26 November 2025 | ||
| Deputy Co-Chair—Operations and Performance and Deputy Chair—Regulatory | 61,941 | 26 November 2025 | ||
| Deputy Co-Chair—Operations and Performance | 61,941 | 26 November 2025 | ||
| Deputy Chair—Risk and Assurance | 60,564 | 26 November 2025 | ||
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 55,058 | 17 October 2025 |
Dated at Wellington this 24th day of February 2026.
Geoff Summers,
Chairperson.
Dallas Welch,
Member.
Vern Walsh,
Member.
Explanatory memorandum
This memorandum is not part of the determination but is intended to indicate its general effect.
This determination is deemed to have come into force on 12 October 2025, which was the day after the date of the close of polling for the 2025 local elections, except for clause 4(7), which comes into force later. This determination amends the Local Government Elected Members (2025/26) Determination 2025 (the principal determination), which covers the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
After the 2025 local elections, each council was required to provide the Remuneration Authority (the Authority) with a proposal on how its governance remuneration pool, which must be fully allocated, should be distributed among its councillors (excluding the mayor or regional council chairperson). The proposal includes the council’s recommended remuneration rates for their councillors who hold positions with additional responsibilities (such as deputy mayor, committee chairperson, portfolio leader, etc) and for their councillors with no additional responsibilities.
The Authority considered the proposal received from each council before determining the remuneration payable to their individual councillors.
The Authority’s decisions are backdated as follows:
the remuneration for councillors with no additional responsibilities takes effect on and from the day after the date of the official result of the 2025 local elections was declared under section 86 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 for their council; and
the remuneration for councillors who hold positions with additional responsibilities takes effect,—
in the case of a mayor using their powers under section 41A(3) of the Local Government Act 2002, on and from the day after the date on which the mayor appointed the deputy mayor and chair(s) of each council committee; or
on and from the day after the date on which the council resolved or agreed their proposal for submitting to the Authority.
Those effective dates are set out in the third column of Schedule 3 of the principal determination.
This determination implements the Authority’s decisions for those councils that were unable to submit their proposals to the Authority in time to be considered and included in the Local Government Elected Members (2025/26) Amendment Determination (No 2) 2025, which was made on 17 December 2025.
In addition, this determination applies a small number of amendments, which were made at the request of individual local authorities, to the principal determination.
Of note, Auckland Council requested that the Authority consider making an interim remuneration determination under clause 6 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, in respect of the remaining 3 members of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board (the Board). This request arises from genuinely exceptional and temporary circumstances following a District Court’s decision in December 2025 to void the election result for the Papatoetoe subdivision of the Board. This has reduced the number of members on the Board from 7 to 3 members until a new local election is held in 2026.
The Board is now in an inquorate state and without the ability to elect a chairperson or deputy chairperson. As a result, the remaining members are carrying responsibilities that are materially different from, and substantially greater than, those ordinarily associated with the role of a local board member. The Authority has recognised this and has determined remuneration for the Board’s interim positions of Lead Member—Governance and Co-ordination and Enhanced Member Role—Additional Representative Responsibilities.
The remuneration for those roles applies from 21 January 2026 (see clause 4(6)) and will end (see clauses 2(2) and 4(7)) on the earliest of the day after the date on which either:
the official result for the Papatoetoe Subdivision of the Board’s election is declared; or
the Auckland High Court delivers a decision with the effect of reinstating the previously disqualified members for the Papatoetoe Subdivision of the Board.
Date of notification in Gazette: 26 February 2026.
Versions
Local Government Elected Members (2025/26) Amendment Determination 2026
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