What does this event cover
As always, the Forum is an exciting blend of theoretical and practical presentations that mix the policy and practice of funding and rating.
The Forum is an exciting blend of theoretical and practical presentations that mix the policy and practice of funding and rating, with a strong emphasis on local government reform and its implications for funding and rating professionals.
This year’s Forum includes the following hot topics:
- getting ready for rate-capping
- rating of whenua Māori – how might councils’ approach Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their funding and financial policies (including the s102 obligations to support the principles in the preamble of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act)
- amalgamation and rates – learning from the Auckland amalgamations (this will be particularly helpful for those supporting the Head Start proposals)
- one council’s approach to assessing affordability
- funding of water services
- local government, funding and the 2026 general election.
Together with the annual updates from the rating valuations industry, statute and case law, and Taituarā.
Note: Claiming CPD Credits
Delegates at this Forum who are members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) may be able to claim credits towards meeting their Continuing Professional Development requirements.
Delegates wishing to pursue this should provide CA ANZ with the forum’s outline and confirmation of their attendance (which we can supply).
We reserve the right to advise CA ANZ of a delegate’s early departure, as this is relevant to the credit the delegate may receive.
Note: The programme below reflects what was confirmed by Taituarā at the time of writing (July 2026). We make every effort but cannot guarantee that the programme advertised below will be the same as what is delivered ‘on the day’ due to factors outside our control. We also reserve the right to amend the programme if changing circumstances require it.
Where is this event
Programme overview
Wed 21 Oct 2026 9:00 am - Day one
9.15am Mihi Whakatau
Representatives of Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whānui
The mihi whakatau will be followed by kai.
10.00am Introduction from the Chair
Sarah Matthews, Group Manager Organisational Performance, Taupō District Council and member of the Taituarā Financial Management Reference Group.
10.05am Getting Ready for Rate-capping
Jonathan Salter, Simpson Grierson and Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
We open this year’s event with a session focusing on the rate-capping legislation as introduced into Parliament. Where are the fishhooks? What might policymakers have missed? And what should finance and revenue managers be doing to get ready?
11.05am A Word from Our Sponsors: QV Rating
11.35am What’s Happening with the Tax Base?
An annual update on developments in the rating valuations industry, together with current trends and issues in rating valuations.
Neil Sullivan, Valuer-General, Land Information New Zealand
Note: Mr Sullivan’s presentation will be pre-recorded.
12.30pm Lunch
1.20pm A Word from Our Sponsor: Payble
1.50pm Rating of Whenua Māori
Scott Summerfield, Director, Hononga
This is a session focussing on the principles in the preamble to Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. Scott will provide his insights on how councils can support owners of whenua Māori to achieve their aspirations for the whenua through the use of funding policies and rating tools and how councils across the sector have approached the different funding and rating tools included in the Amendment Act over the last five years.
3.20pm Afternoon Tea
3.50pm Design Your Own Forum: Session One
Tailor your forum experience to your own needs and interests by choosing from these three sessions:
A. Funding, local government and the 2026 elections
Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
Raymond’s been looking at the manifestos of the six parties represented in the current Parliament and a seventh polling near the magic five percent, what they say about local government in general, and funding in particular.
B. AI and Rates
Michelle McCormick, Senior Rates Officer, Christchurch City Council
A breakout for Rates and Finance staff to discuss how we’re using AI in our work, share practical examples, explore challenges, and celebrate wins. Come along to exchange ideas, learn from colleagues, and discuss how these tools are changing the way we navigate our day-to-day work.
C. Valuation and Land Information Issues
Jim Taylor, Manager Rating Policy and Revenue, Tauranga City Council
4.40pm Design Your Own Forum: Session Two
An opportunity to another session of those listed from “Design your own forum: Session One”.
Choose another session from:
A. Funding, local government and the 2026 elections
Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
Raymond’s been looking at the manifestos of the six parties represented in the current Parliament and a seventh polling near the magic five percent, what they say about local government in general, and funding in particular.
B. AI and Rates
Michelle McCormick, Senior Rates Officer, Christchurch City Council
A breakout for Rates and Finance staff to discuss how we’re using AI in our work, share practical examples, explore challenges, and celebrate wins. Come along to exchange ideas, learn from colleagues, and discuss how these tools are changing the way we navigate our day-to-day work.
C. Valuation and Land Information Issues
Jim Taylor, Manager Rating Policy and Revenue, Tauranga City Council
5.30pm A Word from Our Sponsor: LGFA
5.35pm End of Day One
5.40pm Networking Drinks
Thu 22 Oct 2026 8:30 am - Day two
8.30am Welcome to Day Two
Sarah Matthews, Group Manager Organisational Performance, Taupō District Council and member of the Taituarā Financial Management Reference Group.
8.35am Local government amalgamation and rates
Andrew Duncan, Auckland Council
The formation of Auckland Council represents the last successful amalgamation of local authorities. The complexities of bringing together eight very different rating systems (including three different bases for the general rate) and managing the transition required a great deal of careful thought and legislative intervention.
This session is an opportunity to hear from two people “who were there” providing some things to think about as you develop the more detailed Head Start proposals in advance in 2027.
9.25am A Word from Our Sponsor: Ibis Information Systems
9.55am Morning Tea
10.20am Legal Update
Mike Wakefield, Partner, Simpson Grierson
The latest developments in statute and case law with an emphasis on matters related to the funding and rating functions.
11.10am Design Your Own Forum: Session Three
Tailor your forum experience to your own needs and interests by choosing from these three sessions:
A. Funding, Rating and Head Start
Session led by Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
A further opportunity to discuss the funding and rating issues that councils are, or should be, thinking about as develop their detailed Head Start.
B. Funding of Water Services (NB – this session will only run once)
Session led by Mike Wakefield, Partner Simpson Grierson
A chance to further discuss the different streams charging for water services
C. Differential and Targeted Rates Issues
Session led by Sandy Hogg, Chief Financial Officer, Mackenzie District Council
An information sharing/problem solving session – come prepared with all of those gnarly issues about setting differentials, classifying rating units for differential rating purposes, amending differential systems, creating targeted rates and defining ‘who pays’
12.00pm Design Your Own Forum: Session Four
Tailor your forum experience to your own needs and interests by choosing from these three sessions:
A. Funding, Rating and Head Start
Session led by Raymond Horan, Chief Advisor, Taituarā
A further opportunity to discuss the funding and rating issues that councils are, or should be, thinking about as develop their detailed Head Start.
B. Funding of Water Services (NB – this session will only run once)
Session led by Mike Wakefield, Partner Simpson Grierson
A chance to further discuss the different streams charging for water services
C. Differential and Targeted Rates Issues
Session led by Sandy Hogg, Chief Financial Officer, Mackenzie District Council
An information sharing/problem solving session – come prepared with all of those gnarly issues about setting differentials, classifying rating units for differential rating purposes, amending differential systems, creating targeted rates and defining ‘who pays’
12.55pm Lunch
1.40pm Taituara Update
Mereana Beconcini, Chief Operating Officer, Taituarā, and Joy Doran, Manager Workforce Development, Taituarā
The annual update on Taituara and its work on behalf of the sector.
2.10pm Rates Affordability
Raina Kereama, Manager Financial Planning and Partnering, Wellington City Council
And to finish this year’s event, a case study from a council that’s undertaken an assessment of the current and future affordability of their rating needs and a comparison with ten other New Zealand cities.
3.00pm Summing Up and announcement of venue for 2027
Sarah Matthews, Group Manager Organisational Performance, Taupō District Council and member of the Taituarā Financial Management Reference Group.
3.10pm Close of event
With support from
Your facilitators and guest speakers
Scott Summerfield
He mokopuna au o Te Waipounamu, ko Tangata Tiriti ahau. E noho ana au ki te Wairarapa īnaianei.
My current work is focused on supporting councils to understand and take action on their Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities. This mahi is built on a platform of experience working across Treaty settlement negotiations, local government Te Tiriti partnerships, systems and policy development, as well as central government Te Tiriti partnership management. My passion for supporting improvement in the exercise of kāwanatanga and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi has also extending into academic areas, and I hold a Masters in Māori Studies.
I’m an unashamed fan of the impact and potential of local government with over a decade of experience working across a wide range of councils across the motu. This experience has also shown me the significant challenges facing councils, and the humble and dedicated efforts of kaimahi across the sector to address these challenges on behalf of their communities.
I’m really pleased to be able to partner with Taituarā on this programme to support local government Te Tiriti practice that is specific to the challenges, opportunities and aspirations currently facing local government. It’s also a time of great disruption in this space – and how councils navigate changes in their governing and legislative arrangements while upholding and growing their relationships with mana whenua really matters.
I live in eastern Wairarapa with my husband and badly behaved dog. We spend our time gardening, growing excessive amounts of fruit and vegetables (there’s a chance workshops held in harvest months will be beneficiaries of this mahi), and a long-term wetland restoration project.
Raymond Horan
Raymond re-joined Taituarā in June 2014 as Sector Improvement Manager, before commencing his current role as Chief Advisor at Taituarā. He has spent most of the last 20 years in local government related roles, most recently with the Department of Internal Affairs.
He describes his job as two-thirds providing assistance to the local government sector and one-third providing advice to central government on local government matters. His ambition is to help develop a Local Government Act that doesn’t require changes every 18 months. He asks that you wish him well with this task.
Mike Wakefield
Mike is a partner in Simpson Grierson’s environment and planning group, based in Wellington. He specialises in local government and environmental law, with a particular focus on the regulatory functions and processes of local government (including under the RMA), and decision-making and governance obligations and requirements. He regularly represents local authorities in relation to RMA matters (including before the higher courts) and has appeared before many other specialist tribunals and council hearings on specific strategic and regulatory matters.
Mereana Beconcini
Mereana Beconcini brings over two decades of experience in sales, marketing, advertising, branding, L&D and communications to her role as COO at Taituarā. As a seasoned leader, Mereana has guided teams and organisations through strategic initiatives that drive growth and foster meaningful connections with clients and stakeholders. Her expertise spans across various sectors, with a particular focus on digital solutions, learning and development, advertising, and integrating Te Ao Māori into her work.
At Taituarā, Mereana is excited to contribute to the organisation’s mission of supporting and enhancing local government in Aotearoa. Her commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi aligns with Taituarā’s values, and she is passionate about ensuring that the organisation’s efforts authentically uplift Māori.
Her recent roles at Springload and Special Group have seen her at the forefront of impactful projects, including award-winning campaigns and successful new business ventures.
Outside of work, Mereana enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and two young children and she is passionate about learning te reo Māori and volunteering at her kids Kura.
