Government budget and revenue in Christchurch, New Zealand: official figures
In the year ended June 2025, Christchurch City Council had operating income of NZ$1.1 billion and operating expenditure of NZ$1.1 billion, an operating deficit of NZ$34.68 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$2,695 of operating spending per resident. That is 4th lowest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
How much does Christchurch City Council collect in rates?
Christchurch City Council collected NZ$761.89 million in rates in the year ended June 2025 (+11.9% on the year before), which is NZ$1,817 per resident and 69.6% of operating income. That is 3rd highest rates per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much debt does Christchurch City Council have?
The debt of Christchurch City Council (term debt plus current debt) at 30 June 2025 was NZ$2.8 billion, or NZ$6,786 per resident, against total assets of NZ$21.7 billion and total equity of NZ$18.7 billion. That is 4th highest debt per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much does Christchurch City Council spend on capital projects?
Christchurch City Council spent NZ$536.73 million on additions to fixed assets (buildings, roads, pipes and other capital works) in the year ended June 2025, which is NZ$1,280 per resident. That is 4th lowest capital spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much does Christchurch City Council spend on staff?
Employee costs came to NZ$256.89 million (23% of operating expenditure) for Christchurch City Council in the year ended June 2025. That is 4th lowest staff cost per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat does Christchurch City Council spend money on?
The council activities with the highest operating expenditure in the year ended June 2025 were wastewater (NZ$204.18 million), roading (NZ$154.27 million), recreation and sport (NZ$148.26 million), water supply (NZ$98.92 million) (Christchurch City Council).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much does Christchurch City Council spend on water and wastewater?
Christchurch City Council spent NZ$303.11 million operating its water supply and wastewater services in the year ended June 2025 (water supply NZ$98.92 million, wastewater NZ$204.18 million).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Christchurch compares with other cities in New Zealand
Council operating spending per resident (Year ended June 2025)
Christchurch ranks 6 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Council operating spending per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Dunedin | NZ$2,876 |
| 4 | Lower Hutt | NZ$2,853 |
| 5 | Napier-Hastings | NZ$2,846 |
| 6 | Christchurch | NZ$2,695 |
| 7 | Hamilton | NZ$2,359 |
| 8 | Whangarei District | NZ$2,311 |
| 9 | Auckland | NZ$1,943 |
Rates per resident (Year ended June 2025)
Christchurch ranks 3 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Rates per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellington | NZ$2,554 |
| 2 | Tauranga | NZ$1,896 |
| 3 | Christchurch | NZ$1,817 |
| 4 | Dunedin | NZ$1,806 |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | NZ$1,657 |
| 6 | Hamilton | NZ$1,588 |
| 7 | Auckland | NZ$1,536 |
Council debt per resident (30 June 2025)
Christchurch ranks 4 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Council debt per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellington | NZ$9,269 |
| 2 | Tauranga | NZ$8,744 |
| 3 | Auckland | NZ$7,966 |
| 4 | Christchurch | NZ$6,786 |
| 5 | Hamilton | NZ$6,148 |
| 6 | Lower Hutt | NZ$5,006 |
| 7 | Dunedin | NZ$4,947 |
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Sources
- Stats NZ: Local authority financial statistics: Year ended June 2025 (CSV), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b12af625c966…)
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