Planning for our district’s future

We’re developing Ōtorohanga District Council’s next Long Term Plan (LTP), which will set the direction for our district for the next 10 years.

The Long Term Plan is one of Council’s most important planning documents. It sets out what we plan to deliver for our communities, the projects and services we will invest in, how these will be funded, and what this means for rates.

Developing the plan involves looking carefully at the challenges and opportunities facing our district, the condition and future needs of our infrastructure, the services our communities rely on, and what is affordable and achievable over the coming years.

Our proposed Community Outcomes

Community outcomes describe what we want our district to look and feel like in the future. They help guide Council's decisions, priorities and investment through our Long Term Plan, making sure we're working towards what matters most to our communities.

Where are we now?

We’re currently in the development phase of the Long Term Plan.

Over the coming months, elected members and Council staff will work through priorities, budgets, levels of service and the key choices facing our district. This work will inform the draft plan and the options we bring to our community for feedback.

No final decisions have been made. There will be an opportunity for our community to have their say before the Long Term Plan is finalised.

High-level timeline

Now - early 2027 | Developing the plan
We’re working through Council’s priorities, projects, services, infrastructure needs and budgets, and considering the key issues and choices for the next 10 years.

February - March 2027 | Preparing the draft
Council will develop and review the draft Long Term Plan and supporting information, including the key options we want community feedback on.

30 March 2027 | Consultation document adopted
Council is scheduled to adopt the Consultation Document and supporting information, ready to go out to the community.

1 - 30 April 2027 | Have your say
Formal consultation is planned for April. This will be your opportunity to tell us what you think about the key issues, options and proposals being considered. Submissions are scheduled to close on 30 April.

May 2027 | Hearings and decisions
Council will hear from submitters who wish to speak to their submission and consider all feedback received before making decisions on the final plan. Hearings are currently scheduled for 18–20 May, followed by Council deliberations on 25 May.

June 2027 | Final Long Term Plan adopted
Following consideration of community feedback and completion of the audit process, Council is scheduled to adopt the final Long Term Plan on 29 June 2027.

Have your say

Community input is an important part of developing our Long Term Plan.

Formal consultation is planned for April 2027, when we’ll share more information about the key choices facing our district and ask for your feedback.

Keep an eye on this page, our social media channels, Antenno and Āmio for updates and opportunities to get involved.

More information and consultation material will be added here as the Long Term Plan develops.