Wellington city councillors face a gruelling day, thrashing out the final details of their 10-year-budget

The capital's facing a host of cost pressures including ageing water pipes, insurance hikes, seismic issues, transport plans and its social housing portfolio.

Mayor Andy Foster has called the Long Term Plan, the resilience and infrastructure budget.

And the cost isn't pretty - the recommended rates rise is nearly 16 percent.

That's up from the 13.5 percent increase that was consulted on.

The meeting starts at 9.30.