The Tararua District Council is in a very strong position, with low debt and a low rates increase of 1.7 per cent.
Raj Suppiah, the council's chief financial officer, said this was the lowest rate increase for a long time.
"The major concern, is this too low?" he asked district councillors in presenting his draft annual plan report.
"[But], we're looking at a financial bottom line which is really good," he said.
Emphasis on economic development had seen visitor numbers in Tararua increase and while in the previous year there had been 163 new residents to the district, in the past year this had risen to 432.
"It's very pleasing," Mr Suppiah said.
Taking their forestry business in house had resulted in an $888,000 cash reserve from that activity, with harvesting operations in Kaiparoro during the coming summer expected to increase the amount.
In the coming year, the council would need more focus in building resilience in roading and water, Mr Suppiah said. And next year the council faced a need to improve compliance in drinking and wastewater standards.
Meanwhile, progress is being made with rating debtors and while high-risk debtor numbers remained the same, council staff were making sure they didn't increase.
"Half of our abandoned land has been advertised and we are now able to take it to court," Mr Suppiah said.
"We are now working on the second half."
The council has had to bring the abandoned land cases to court in order to obtain a judgment, before the cases come back to councillors to see what they want to do.
"We are focused on this and getting positive results," Mr Suppiah said.
"Debtors we feel are being difficult we push to Debt Management Central, but for those genuinely struggling, council is working with them."
Questioned by councillor Andy Thompson about the percentage of total rates which were overdue, Mr Suppiah said it was 15 per cent, including principal and penalties.
"Of these 1637 (15 per cent), 1489 owe current 2016/17 rates only, with 591 ratepayers having less than $100 owing," Mr Suppiah said.
"The remaining 148 owe both arrears and current 2016/17 rates."
Councillor Jim Crispin congratulated Mr Suppiah and his finance team on the report.
"This has been a superb effort by you all in a difficult year," he said.
"The low rates set recognises the pain our ratepayers are experiencing, well done. And the relationship with swaps and finance management deserves accolades.
"You are operating very well and our district is benefiting."
Mr Suppiah also credited council's management team who had been "trying very hard".
Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis also acknowledged the finance team, which had been doing great work.