Online Rating Information Database
Do you have an online Rating Information Database? Yes, please click on this link to access the online Rating Information Database
Councils rating year runs from July 1 until June 30, with rates instalments due on 21 August, 21 November, 21 February and 21 May each year. If this falls on a non-working day, it is transferred to the next working day.
What do I get from my rates?
Rates income allows for the development and maintenance of infrastructure across the whole District. Roads and footpaths, parks and recreation services, cemeteries, Civil Defence, Rural Fire Service, building control and urban planning, animal control and the management of the District’s environmental assets are all funded from rates.
Rates income is used for the maintenance and development of the whole District and it would be impractical to try and match each individuals rates to the benefits they receive, just as it would be for income tax.
The roading rate, for example, may not be used to fix a specific ratepayer’s roads, but it is used to maintain all the roads in Waipa, which they use as they travel around the District.
What options do I have for rate payments?
Council offers Direct Debit, Credit Card, EFTPOS, telebanking and internet banking options. Council encourages payment by direct debit, and has weekly, fortnightly and monthly options available.
Does Council offer discounts/rebates on rates for pensioners or beneficiaries?
The Department of Internal Affairs has a Rates Rebate Scheme that is administered by Council and provides a rebate of up to $570 for low income earners who were paying rates for the home in which they were living on 1 July each year. This includes regional council rates and metered water if applicable. Your rebate is calculated based on income, rates, and number of dependants.
Application forms will be mailed directly to you in the second week in September if you received a rebate in previous years and if you did not qualify for the 09/10 rebate.
For new applicants, forms will be available at either council office from 13 September, or by clicking on this link http://www.ratesrebates.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Rates-Rebate-Scheme-Index?OpenDocument. Please allow approximately 6 weeks from time of application to completion of the process.
Can the final payment date for rates or water be extended on request, if extra time is required?
Unfortunately not. Council sets the dates by which rates must be paid, and a time extension will only be given where the receipt of the account has been delayed by Council. It would be unfair on other ratepayers to allow some people additional time to pay and not others. Legislation requires that the rates invoice be delivered at least 14 days before the due date.