August 04, 2026Tasman ratepayers are cutting back on heating and food as the latest rates hike left many furious. Updated rates bills were sent out last week after the council’s annual plan forecast a 9.9% increase in its rates revenue. Because of the district’s wide range of targeted rates, rates increases land differently depending on which services a property used. About 54% of the district’s 26,660 rateable units saw their rates increase by above 9.9%, with the rest seeing increases below that level. Rates increased 9.9% for the current 2026/27 financial year, 8.9% for 2025/26, 11.1% for 2024/25, and 8.6% for 2023/24.