Council’s AA- credit rating remains stable

For the sixth year running Waipā District Council has retained its AA- credit rating.

Sydney-based analysts, Fitch Ratings, have confirmed a continued rating of AA- for Waipā in their annual review released on Friday.

Ken Morris

An AA- rating is a reflection of the strength of Council’s capacity to meet financial commitments. It is also a reflection of confidence in Council’s financial management policies and practice.

Council has retained the AA- credit profile since 2017 and the ’stable outlook’ also confirmed by Fitch Ratings, confirms that it is not anticipated there will be any changes to the credit rating in the foreseeable future.

Waipā’s chief financial officer, Ken Morris, said credit ratings were important to Council’s business to bring down the cost of borrowing.

“A positive re-rating is a great outcome as it minimises borrowing costs for Council.

It means that when Council needs to take on new debt to fund things like major infrastructure, we’ll be able to borrow at lower cost – saving ratepayers tens of thousands of dollars in borrowing costs over the financial year.”

Waipā’s next annual credit review is scheduled for May 2024.

More Recent News

More election hopefuls talk

New Zealand First and ACT have named their candidates to contest the Taranaki-King Country seat at the general election on November 7. Bridalwear retailer Lee Smith becomes the NZ First candidate to stand in the…

Dam story tops stats

A feature story on Arapuni Dam’s hidden past was the most read post on the Te Awamutu News website last month. College students bringing the story of racial integration in the 1960s came in second…

Bringing home the bacon

Waipā butchery Expleo picked up two medals at the national bacon and ham awards in Auckland last week. The judging process spanned three days the panel evaluated 233 entries crafted using New Zealand pork. Products…

News in brief

School hit Te Awamutu Primary School has again been the victims of a burglary. The caretaker’s shed has been broken into. The school posted details on social media on Monday asking if anyone saw people…