Rating Information

Rates are an essential source of income - they help meet the cost of all the services and facilities provided by the Waitomo District Council.

Whilst rates are essentially a tax, wherever possible Council aligns its rating system with those that benefit from the services provided to the Waitomo District Community. To better understand Council's rating system it is important to read Council's Revenue and Financing Policy which explains how and why each activity of Council is funded. The Revenue and Financing Policy is published every year with the Annual Plan or the Long Term Plan.

Rates Instalments

The Rates are set and charged annually at 1 July every year and are invoiced in four (4) instalments plus GST at the prevailing rate.

Installment	Date	Due Date
1	1 August 2011	31 Aug 2011
2	1 November 2011	30 Nov 2011
3	1 February 2012	28 Feb 2012
4	1 May 2012	31 May 2012

Rating Information Database (RID)

As a property owner your details (your name and postal address) are made public on Council’s rating information database. You have the right to request that this information is treated as confidential and withheld. To do this you must give notice in writing and your details will be withheld.

The Rating Information Database also contains details about your property that Council uses to set and levy rates. Information such as the number of separately used or inhabited parts of each property influences the rates levied. It is important that this information is correct. If you believe that the information Council has about your property is incorrect it is important to notify Council in writing so it can be investigated. The RID is available for public inspection at the Waitomo District Council Office, Queen Street Te Kuiti, between the hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Rates Rebate Scheme

The Rates Rebate Scheme benefits ratepayers who are on low incomes and pay rates for the home in which they live.

The amount of rebate depends on a combination of your income, the amount of rates you are charged and the number of dependents you have.

The maximum rebate is $580.00. If homeowners meet additional criteria, they can apply for the new rebate from 1 July 2011 for the 2011/12 rating year. The closing date for application is 30 June 2012.

How to Apply

Ratepayers apply to Council for a rates rebate. You can print and complete the application form (PDF, 117 Kb) to apply. However, please wait until you get your 2011/12 rates invoice before you see Council about a rebate.

Rates Remission Policy

This Policy has been developed because Council would like to ensure that certain land use situations that fall outside of what is defined in the Local Government Rating Act are eligible for remissions. The owner or occupier of the rating unit(s) now has the facility to access the rate remission arrangements by way of an annual application to Council.

Applications must be in by 30 April 2012 for the 2011/2012 rating year.

Note the different requirement for Maori Freehold Land applications. Remission can be sought under the headings as listed below.

• Remission of Penalties

• Remission of Rates for New Residential Subdivision

• Remission of UAGC – where two or more rating units are held in common ownership

• Remissions for Community Organisations

• Remission for Organisations Providing Care for the Elderly

• Remission for Land Owned by Clubs and Societies

• Remission of Rates on Maori Freehold Land

• Remission of Rates - Genuine Financial Hardship

Application forms for these Remissions can be found on the Applications Forms page of this website.

For a full copy of the Rates Remission Policy refer to the current years Annual Plan or contact our customer services team for a paper copy to be sent. Please be aware that all rates must be paid by the due date regardless of the status of your rates remission application.

Penalty for overdue rates

Any rates remaining unpaid at 5pm on the final day for payment will attract a 10% penalty. A further 10% penalty will be added on 1 July in each year to any unpaid rates from the previous year. If you think you will have problems paying your rates by the due dates please contact a member of our Customer Services Team to discuss how we might assist you with a solution.

How to pay

There are various options available to you, in order to make it efficient to pay your rates. Your choices are: Easy Pay, Direct Credit, Automatic payment, Cash, Cheque, Eftpos, Post dated cheques, Credit Card, or at the Council Office. The Easy Pay Direct Debit form is found on the quicklinks on this page.

General Enquiries

For all rating enquiries phone our Customer Services Centre on (07) 878 0800 or Freephone 0800 932 4357.