Gisborne’s Kiwa Pools are seeing their entry prices rise following public consultation in favor of higher rates

Pool users will face higher fees to take a dip at Kiwa Pools in Gisborne this summer as the council tries to boost its income.

Gisborne district councilors voted for adult pool prices to rise by $1 in December, bringing the cost to $6.80. By the end of 2025, the price will rise to $7.50, resulting in a total increase of $1.70.

Entrance fees for children, pensioners and Community Service Card holders will rise by 80 cents to $4.80 next month, and to $5.50 in 2025/2026.

These prices will remain in effect until June 2026.

The council consulted with the public about higher entrance fees as the facility was under pressure from higher energy bills and lower than expected revenues.

Just over half (53%) of respondents preferred higher user rates and lower general rates to cover pool operating costs.

The consultation asked whether fees should be increased through inflation, with the pool funded 33% by pool visitors, or a plan where activities would be funded 40% by the user and 60% by fees.

From the 123 submissions received, there was a slight preference for the option that was more expensive for the pool user.

At a meeting last week, council members discussed the narrow margin in public opinion.

Councilors Tony Robinson and Debbie Gregory pushed for the more affordable option.

Both noted that the council should respect the preference of Ngā Tāwhiri, a primary hapū of the local iwi Rongowhakaata and a participant of the Kiwa Pools Advisory Group.

The advisory group will assist the council in discussions about how the pools can best reflect and promote the interests of tangata Whenua.

According to the report, Ngā Tāwhiri recognized taxpayers should continue to bear the bulk of entrance fees.

However, “increasing the water safety skills of tamariki is a priority for the community and requires keeping access costs as low as possible”.

Kiwa Pools opened in September last year and was benchmarked with around 200,000 visitors, with estimated revenue between $6.80 and $10 per user.

Pool attendance exceeded this number, but average revenue per customer was only $3.17 due to high child admission rates.

Robinson said the group’s evidence showed the need to tackle child-focused water safety issues, with disproportionate drowning rates among non-Pākehā.

“We have a very water-oriented district.”

The price difference between the two options was 75 cents for adult admission and 50 cents for children.

With both options, the rate contributions for the municipality’s three-year plan remain unchanged.

Rates contributions to the pools this year amounted to $1.6 million and will increase to $2.6 million by 2026/2027.

Council chief advisor for community assets and partnerships Chris Visser said this would cover depreciation costs.

Power for the pools is expected to be approximately $300,000 per year, including a complex water heating footprint and savings from the solar panels.

However, according to the report, the cost of the energy unit is as much as 40% higher than expected, with a shortfall of approximately $120,000-180,000 in a year of operation.

The potential for higher user fees results in a $1 million contribution to the pool, which is still lower than the pool’s entry fee budget of $1.07 million.

“As the pool expands its operations and fees increase in line with benchmarks, the shortfall will be repaid. This reduces the need to increase additional rates during this period,” the report said.

In the meantime, the deficit will be covered by an internal loan, according to Visser.

Councilor Teddy Thomspon told staff he would like to see a sustainable business model that doesn’t rely on borrowing money.

Visser said she understood the concerns.

“You don’t want to have a location where you don’t have the resources when it comes to replacement.”

However, there would always be an assumption that the council would need external funds to do that work, she said.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz acknowledged there was room for the business model to grow, but noted the pools were for public use.

“Like every other council in New Zealand, the rates go towards supporting these facilities,” she said.

Gisborne deputy mayor Josh Wharehinga, who supported the cheaper option, said the council should commit to funding the depreciation every year.

The council did not want to find itself in the same situation as in 2019/2020 regarding the previous Gisborne Olympic Pool, he said: “The option was to put ourselves in debt forever or close the pool.”

“We got a Hail Mary pass from the central government to build this pool,” Wharehinga said.

“We must take into account compensation that fits the socio-economic needs of the region.”