Adoption of Annual Report for 2024/25

The Annual Report is a reflection on the past financial year, the projects, the finances, and the work of Manawatū District Council. “It’s the story document about what Council has achieved over the last 12 months” MDC’s Chief Financial Officer, Amanda Calman explained. The Annual Report compares Council’s annual performance against the Long-Term Plan, the 10-year vision of our District, and the work that has been completed thus far.  The report is externally audited and is a great resource to see where funds collected from ratepayers, residents, financial institutions and government agencies has been spent, through operating and capital expenditures.

Painting a picture of all the different departments' contributions within Council, the report details their work and its impacts on the Manawatū District. Ranging from roads, parks, reserves, to waste management and community facilities, it’s been a busy year keeping the Manawatū District ticking. Council improved and upgraded parks and playgrounds, refurbished public toilets, inspected 78 food premises, resurfaced 42.4km of chip seal across the District, and completed the Stanway-Halcombe reservoir. Key milestones include the opening of the redeveloped Manawatū Community Hub Libraries Te Āhuru Mōwai in 2024 and record-breaking usage of the Makino Aquatic Centre, with 142,226 visitors which surpasses pre-covid numbers. The year has seen 506 building consents received, 476 potholes filled, 73,650 native plants dispatched from MDC’s Kawakawa Nursery, 2,024 tonnes of recycling processed, 1,123 animal control issues and enquiries and 23,535 calls answered by customer service – just to list a few statistics.

All Elected Members moved in favour of the report, sharing a round of applause for Audit NZ and MDC’s Finance team who managed the project. “A great amount of work has gone into this document; it’s a very important part of Council processes” Mayor Michael Ford said. The adoption of the Annual Report signals the early support of the new Council, as Elected Members spoke around the table, acknowledging the milestone, and the continually improving results within the Annual Report year on year.

The Annual Report will be published on MDC’s website in one month’s time.