Christchurch City Council staff have found a way to keep rates rises to 6 per cent, then 5 per cent, then 4 per cent over the first three years of the next Long Term Plan without cutting services, Mayor Phil Mauger said.

He told chrislynchmedia.com the challenge now sat with councillors, who must resist adding extra spending that would push the first year above 6 per cent.

“If you want to do something in your area, you’ve got to be prepared to flog something off someone else’s area to make it right.”

The targets apply from 2027/28. This year’s average rates rise is 7.83 per cent.

Councillors voted on the targets earlier this year and sent staff away to find a way to meet them, Mauger said.

He said that was a change from how rates were usually set. Councillors would start with a figure such as 8 per cent in mind, staff would come back with their wish lists, and the starting point could reach 22 per cent before it was argued down.

“This time we’ve gone out, and it’s been very good. We’ve said to staff, ‘This is what we want. Don’t come back to us with any more.’”

Staff had done exactly what was asked, and it was now up to councillors to stick to the plan, he said.

“Because if we don’t start on the 654, we’ll never get to the end of it.”

With advance voting in the general election opening in less than two weeks, Mauger said his main request of the next government was to deliver National’s promise to share the international visitor levy with councils.

Under the policy, Christchurch would receive an estimated $36.9 million over four years from July 2027, or about $9 million a year. Each council’s share would be based on its portion of international visitor nights, and the city attracts just under 10 per cent.

“$9 million is $9 million we never had, and it’s better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick.”

The money would have to be spent on tourism, Mauger said, and the city’s share would grow if it attracted more visitors.

“Now the race is on. If we increase from 9.8 per cent of people coming in to 13 per cent, we’ll get 13 per cent of the money, so it’s good incentive.”

Mauger also spoke about the recent homicides in Christchurch, which have left three people dead in less than a month, calling it a very unfortunate state of affairs that he hoped was a blip.

“The police are doing a fantastic job, and I’m sure people can feel safe in the city because the police will look after them. But it is certainly not a very nice couple of weeks.”

Summer roadworks are also getting underway, with the council aiming to resurface 116.5 kilometres of road, about 5 per cent of the city’s network.

Mauger said he wanted asphalt smoothing used wherever the ground underneath could take it, rather than chip seal laid over bumpy roads.

“I liken it to if you’ve got a dented car and you paint it with new paint, you’ve still got a dented car.”

Memorial Avenue and Main North Road through Belfast were among the main routes due to be smoothed, he said.

Gloucester Street outside the Christchurch Art Gallery had already been resurfaced overnight, and Mauger was happy with the result.

“Let’s do it once, do it right, because you don’t get any trust and confidence from anyone if you’re doing it two or three times.”