Consultation closes on Regional Council’s Annual Plan 2026/27 and Long Term Plan Amendment

Consultation on Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Annual Plan 2026/27 and Long Term Plan Amendment has now closed, with public hearings happening next week.

The Regional Council has received 277 submissions. Regional Council Chair Matemoana McDonald says the level and quality of engagement demonstrates the significance of the issues being considered and the importance people place on the region’s future.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to have their say. The submissions we received were thoughtful, considered, and showed a real willingness to engage in robust discussion about what is best for the Bay of Plenty, both now and for future generations.

“Strong community participation is essential to good decision making, and we are pleased with the level of interest and engagement through this consultation process.”

Consultation was held from 25 February to 2 April and included a variety of ways for submissions to be completed. There was also an independent Friend of the Submitter service, provided to help individuals and groups communicate their views clearly and effectively without influence.

Through this process, the Regional Council invited feedback on its draft Annual Plan 2026/27 and a proposed amendment to the Long Term Plan 2024-2034. The amendment is required as the Regional Council considers significant changes to the structure of its more than $3 billion investment portfolio.

Alongside the proposed amendment, consultation on the draft Annual Plan focused on two key topics: Whether to establish a fund to support organisations and local councils to deliver regionally significant infrastructure projects, and the level of future investment in protecting and enhancing indigenous biodiversity.

Chair McDonald says the questions in the consultation, particularly around the Long Term Plan Amendment, reflect a continuation of work that was started by the previous council through the Long Term Plan consultation in 2024.

“This is another step in carefully considering how our financial investments are structured and managed, to support regional resilience and long-term benefits for future generations.”

All submissions have been collated by staff and provided to Councillors for consideration. Submissions are publicly available for the community to read on our website.

Next week, Councillors will hear directly from those who said they wished to present their submissions in person, when hearings are held across the region. These meetings will be open to the public and live streamed.

Councillors will then carry out deliberations in May 2026, which will also be publicly accessible and live streamed.

Final decisions on the Annual Plan 2026/27 and Long Term Plan Amendment are expected to be adopted in June 2026.

“We will continue to keep the community informed as we move through hearings, deliberations and final decisions,” says Chair McDonald.

For more information about the consultation, visit Your Voice, Your Future | Participate BOPRC

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair Matemoana McDonald and Chief Executive Fiona McTavish with the consultation document for the Annual Plan 2026/27 and Long Term Plan Amendment.