Responses to Policy.NZ Questionnaire

Your climate change and resilience policies

This topic is about preparing for climate change and natural disasters. Common policies for this topic are about:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 

• Adapting to climate change 

• Civil defence

• Earthquake strengthening.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Commit to council being carbon neutral by 2030.

My First policy:

Engage with locals who know our coast to shape practical, affordable resilience plans for sea-level rise and coastal hazards.

My Second policy:

Strengthen civil defence readiness by supporting local volunteers and ensuring our community can respond quickly to disasters.

My Third policy:

Cut emissions through efficiency in Council buildings, transport, and planning—saving money while protecting our environment.

Your environment policies

This topic is about protecting the environment. Common policies for this topic are about:

• Water quality and preservation

• Biodiversity and pest control

• Waste minimisation and management.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Create a new wildlife reserve to better protect local birdlife.

My First policy:

Protect waterways by improving stormwater, and restoring healthy rivers, streams, and coasts.

My Second policy:

Support local Predator Free groups with pest control and planting projects that restore native habitats.

My Third policy:

Reduce waste to landfill by strengthening recycling, reuse, and local waste minimisation initiatives.

Your housing and planning policies

This topic is about the council's housing and spatial planning activities. Common policies for this topic are about:

• Building consents

• Land supply and zoning

• Urban spaces and streetscapes 

• Council housing

• Renting

• Homelessness

• Housing quality, such as weathertightness

• Housing affordability.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Rezone the suburbs to encourage higher density housing development.

My First policy:

Support balanced land use by ensuring zoning enables growth while protecting green spaces and community character.

My Second policy:

Improve housing affordability by working with government and community providers on quality, sustainable, and accessible housing options.

My Third policy:

Streamline building consents to reduce delays, cut costs, and make it easier for families and businesses to build responsibly.

Your jobs and economy policies

This topic is about supporting the local economy.

Be mindful that different local government bodies have different responsibilities when it comes to the economy. For example, regional council involvement in economic development varies throughout the country. We recommend reading your council’s pre-election report to inform your answers.

Common policies for this topic are about: 

• Local business

• Youth employment 

• Important infrastructure

• Local industries, such as tourism.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Work with local businesses to encourage Friday night shopping on Main Street.

My First policy:

Support local business by cutting red tape and making it more straightforward to start, grow, and operate in Paraparaumu.

My Second policy:

Promote youth employment by partnering with schools, training providers, and local employers to create pathways to work.

My Third policy:

Invest in key infrastructure that enables growth — transport, digital connectivity, and town centres that support local jobs.

Your local democracy policies

This topic is about how the council is run and what it does to engage with the local community. Common policies for this topic are about:

• Public engagement

• Māori representation and engagement

• Ethnic communities representation and engagement

• Reforms to the size and role of council

• Internal operations

• Council employee wages and working conditions.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Start a monthly survey to get residents' feedback on council services.

My First policy:

Improve community engagement by consulting early, reporting back clearly, and ensuring residents’ voices shape decisions.

My Second policy:

Increase transparency by making Council spending, reports, and decisions more open and accessible to the public.

My Third policy:

Strengthen accountability by ensuring elected members challenge staff advice, push for savings, and represent community priorities.

Your recreation and culture policies

This topic is about supporting arts, culture, sports and recreation. Common policies for this topic are about:

• Public facilities like parks, pools, museums, libraries and community halls

• Community events like festivals 

• Sporting facilities

• Liquor licensing.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Replace the town hall to bring the city into the 21st Century.

My First policy:

Maintain and improve parks, pools, and libraries so they remain accessible, affordable, and welcoming for all ages.

My Second policy:

Support local sports and arts groups with facilities and spaces that strengthen community wellbeing and connection.

My Third policy:

Encourage community events and festivals that celebrate local culture, bring people together, and boost our town centres.

Your rates and revenue policies

This topic is about how the council will pay for its activities and manage its finances. Common policies for this topic are about:

• Rates

• Financial management

• Council investments

• Fees and charges

• Council debt.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Introduce a new levy on developers to fund infrastructure in new suburbs.

My First policy:

Keep rates affordable by prioritising core services, cutting unnecessary spending, and delivering real value for money.

My Second policy:

Strengthen financial discipline with transparent reporting, better cost controls, and elected members pushing back on overspending.

My Third policy:

Manage council debt responsibly by limiting borrowing to essential infrastructure.

Your transport policies

This topic is about facilitating transport. Common policies for this topic are about:

• Public transport

• Walking and cycling

• Transport infrastructure like roads, bridges, car parks and footpaths

• Traffic congestion

• Road safety

• Share bikes and e-scooters 

• Airports

• Maritime transport.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Work with central government to build a new cycle lane to the airport.

My First policy:

Maintain and improve roads and footpaths to keep our community safe, accessible, and connected.

My Second policy:

Support public transport options that are reliable, affordable, and meet the real needs of Kapiti residents.

My Third policy:

Promote walking and cycling with safe, practical infrastructure that complements existing transport networks.

Your utilities and services policies

This topic is about services for businesses and residents. Common policies for this topic are about: 

• Rubbish and recycling

• Drinking water supply, wastewater and sewerage (sometimes called ‘three waters’)

• Animal control and dog licensing

• Street cleaning.

Begin each policy with a verb. For example: Introduce rates-funded rubbish collection.

My First policy:

Protect safe drinking water and ensure reliable wastewater and stormwater systems through cost-effective investment.

My Second policy:

Strengthen rubbish and recycling services with practical initiatives that reduce waste to landfill and support cleaner streets.

My Third policy:

Maintain effective animal control to keep people, pets, and public spaces safe while supporting responsible dog ownership.