Nine To Noon Local govt financing tool for households
Mar 24, 2026
Scott Necklin, chief executive of Local Government New Zealand who is leading a proposed Ratepayer Assistance Scheme. He explains a plan to let homeowners spread costs over long terms. Talks cover financing solar and electrification, keeping borrowing off council books, development levies turned into long-term levies, and how the scheme could help struggling households and speed up housing growth.
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Low Cost Long Term Financing For Rates And Home Upgrades
- The Ratepayer Assistance Scheme gives property owners a low-cost financing option about 2% below standard mortgage rates for rates and eligible capital works.
- LGNZ plans to keep lending off council balance sheets via a council-controlled organisation that raises cheap bond finance and passes savings to households.
Electrification And Resilience Are First Priorities
- The scheme initially targets solar panels, batteries and hot water electrification to remove financing barriers to electrification.
- LGNZ expects to expand later to water capture, fencing and other resilience investments once the system is proven.
Set Up A CCO To Protect Council Balance Sheets
- Use a council-controlled organisation (CCO) owned by councils and central government to access high credit ratings and the bond market.
- That structure keeps debt off individual councils' books while leveraging public-sector proximity to lower borrowing costs.