Government budget and revenue in Dunedin, New Zealand: official figures
In the year ended June 2025, Dunedin City Council had operating income of NZ$348.41 million and operating expenditure of NZ$381.97 million, an operating deficit of NZ$33.56 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$2,876 of operating spending per resident. That is 3rd highest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
How much does Dunedin City Council collect in rates?
Dunedin City Council collected NZ$239.80 million in rates in the year ended June 2025 (+17.6% on the year before), which is NZ$1,806 per resident and 68.8% of operating income. That is 4th highest rates per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much debt does Dunedin City Council have?
The debt of Dunedin City Council (term debt plus current debt) at 30 June 2025 was NZ$656.94 million, or NZ$4,947 per resident, against total assets of NZ$5.4 billion and total equity of NZ$4.7 billion. That is 3rd lowest debt per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much does Dunedin City Council spend on capital projects?
Dunedin City Council spent NZ$287.81 million on additions to fixed assets (buildings, roads, pipes and other capital works) in the year ended June 2025, which is NZ$2,167 per resident. That is 4th highest capital spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much does Dunedin City Council spend on staff?
Employee costs came to NZ$85.25 million (22% of operating expenditure) for Dunedin City Council in the year ended June 2025. That is 5th highest staff cost per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat does Dunedin City Council spend money on?
The council activities with the highest operating expenditure in the year ended June 2025 were water supply (NZ$69.99 million), roading (NZ$64.03 million), property (NZ$45.34 million), recreation and sport (NZ$39.26 million) (Dunedin City Council).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much does Dunedin City Council spend on water and wastewater?
Dunedin City Council spent NZ$102.17 million operating its water supply and wastewater services in the year ended June 2025 (water supply NZ$69.99 million, wastewater NZ$32.18 million).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Dunedin compares with other cities in New Zealand
Council operating spending per resident (Year ended June 2025)
Dunedin ranks 3 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Council operating spending per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellington | NZ$4,382 |
| 2 | Tauranga | NZ$3,290 |
| 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 |
Rates per resident (Year ended June 2025)
Dunedin ranks 4 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)
Dunedin ranks 7 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Council debt per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 8 | Napier-Hastings | NZ$3,476 |
| 9 | Whangarei District | NZ$2,932 |
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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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