ENM provided a response to the 2026-27 PNCC Annual Budget consultation in April 2026. A summary of our response is provided below, and our full response can be accessed through our website here. There is also a link to the Council meeting which can be viewed here.

Climate resilience and mitigation is crucial for a future-ready and economically stable city. When examining the annual budget, we focused our response on our four pou, our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and to recognising and supporting Rangitaane as mana whenua in Pāmutana/ Palmerston North.

Areas of the budget strongly supported by ENM:

• Community Sector Support – ENM appreciates the continued support provided to community groups by PNCC and urge city councillors to recognise the importance and value of this work, and to protect and grow this funding.
• The establishment of Te Motu o Poutoa – ENM are strong supporters of the aspirations of Rangitaane o Manawatū, and their shared plan with Council for a civic marae and cultural centre to be built at Te Motu o Poutoa.
• Climate Action and Sustainability – The current rate of 0.94% spending on climate action and sustainability is very low considering the significant integrated risks presented by climate change, and the geo-political landscape on the city’s ability to be future-ready and economically stable.
• Resource Recovery – We are pleased to see the local soft plastic recycling initiative is being launched in July.
• Active and public transport – It is concerning to see the loss of funding for transport initiatives due to ongoing government cuts through NZTA Wake Kotahi and we support PNCC in finding other ways to develop this work.
• Local water done well – Central Districts Water is a crucial area of development for Council in partnership with other Councils in our region. We are encouraged to know that Central Districts Water cannot be sold, will not contract out the services required, and is progressing well for a 2027 start.
• Biodiversity and The Manawatū River – We support plans by Central Districts Water to redirect wastewater for irrigation use and plans for wetlands development and protection.
• Natural Burial – Developing the natural burial option as approved for Ashurst Domain and beyond is an important part of a sustainability city and biodiversity building initiatives.

Areas of concern in the proposed budget:

• Reductions in active and public transport – The defunding of shared pathways and cycle networks due to loss of Waka Kotahi government funding is disappointing, but we urge PNCC to be brave, following the example of Christchurch council which continues to increase their active transport spending and infrastructure, reaping the benefits of this creating a great city to live and work.
• Food scrap collection – We are concerned that the food scrap collection plans are under review and spending has been deferred.
• Low spending on Climate Action and Sustainability – As discussed earlier, this important and interconnected area needs to be understood as the priority underneath which everything else sits.