Development contributions start today

Are you planning to build? Perhaps you’re applying for a building or resource consent?

As of today (1 July), the council's Utu Whakawhanake Development Contributions Policy 2025 comes into effect. This introduces development contributions (DCs) for the first time since 2015.

DCs help to fund the infrastructure needed to support growth in the district. This ensures the cost is shared fairly by those creating additional demand.

Do these charges apply to you?

To make sure you’re prepared, you can use this interactive map to check whether these charges apply to your project.

Currently, DCs only apply to the catchment areas of Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward, Kerikeri, Kawakawa/Moerewa and Kaikohe. If your property is in one of these areas, just enter the address to see an estimate.

What to expect

Any charges you see outlined in the map are estimates only. The council assesses your actual DC payments when it considers your consent application.

If relevant, you will receive a DC Notice explaining why the charges apply and how the amount was calculated.

What happens next?

If you don’t agree with the notice, you can ask the council for a free reconsideration within 10 working days of receiving it.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of a DC Notice, or a reconsideration process, you have 15 working days to lodge a formal objection. At this point, you pay for an independent commissioner to hear your objection under the Local Government Act.

When your project is complete, and before the council issues final sign-off documents or certificates, an invoice for DCs will be issued for immediate payment.

Need to know more?

See the council’s policy for information on how it calculates DC charges, along with the grounds and deadlines for requesting reconsiderations and objections.

Please email us at DCFSupport@fndc.govt.nz with further questions.