Rates Rebate Scheme

The Government Rates Rebate is increasing to a maximum of $830 in 2026/27. It is available if you pay rates on the property that you live in and you were resident at that property on 1 July 2026.

The level of rebate depends on your gross household income and the amount of rates that you pay. Check your eligibility on the Rates Rebate Calculator.

There are two levels of eligibility, one for Super Gold Card holders, and one for other applicants.

Partial rebates are available to ratepayers that do not qualify for the full amount.

You have until 30 June 2027 to claim a rates rebate for this rating year.

Application forms will be posted to ratepayers during July. Completed forms should be delivered to a Council service centre. Please fill in all details required and if you have a Super Gold Card bring it with you.

You are still welcome to make an appointment for a rebate by phoning us on 0800 965 468.

2025 Rating revaluation

Rating valuations over the District were reviewed on 1 June 2025 and the 2026/27 rates have been assessed using the new values.

While the overall average increase in capital value at the revaluation was 1.8%, various property categories experienced different levels of increase. For example the capital value of residential property moved by an average of around -0.5% with lifestyle properties experiencing a similar increase. Industrial and some farming property valuation increases were higher.

Generally, if a property capital value increased by more than the District average of 1.8%, the rates assessed on that property by capital value would be expected to increase. If a capital value increased by less than the average, the rates assessed on capital value would be expected to reduce, although the level of any change would be influenced by the 4.99% rates increase in 2026/27 and the value of new improvements added to the property since last year.

Email delivery of rates

Get your rates delivered quickly and securely – directly to your inbox. Email rates@wmk.govt.nz from the email address that you would like your rates delivered to and confirm the rates assessment numbers that you would like to have emailed. Once you are set up, remember to tell us if your email address changes.

Sign up for payment by direct debit

Direct debit allows you to pay your rates at a frequency you choose from the options provided without having to worry about due dates. Payments are spread across the full 12 months of the rating year and provided payments are kept up to date there will be no penalty charges. The final direct debit for the year will differ slightly from earlier payment amounts due to rounding, this will only be a few cents up or down.

Help with payment plans

We are happy to work with you to design a payment plan to catch up rates arrears or spread the current rates evenly over the year. Talk to us soon so we can get something in place to clear the rates and avoid future penalties. Email us at rates@wmk.govt.nz or phone 0800 965 468.

Online services and payments

It’s getting easier to do business with the Council 24/7. Try our online Customer Portal when you make your next rates payment. This tool provides an efficient and easy way to ensure payments are made correctly.

Visit the payments and online services page where you can pay online.

If you decide to stay with internet banking you must ensure that your payment reference is the same as the reference on the invoice or notice that you are paying.

The needs of our customers who prefer not to do business online also remains important to us. If you prefer the personal touch our Customer Services Team are ready to help on 0800 965 468.

References for internet and phone banking

Reference numbers for payments to the Council change depending on what you are paying for. Your rates payment will have a different account number than a dog registration or licence payment. Having the correct payment reference details are essential for making sure internet and phone payments are applied to the correct accounts.

You can find the correct reference number on our invoices and notices. Remember, if you move to a new property, you will need to change the reference details for your rates payment. More information on payment details is available on our Paying Your Rates page.

Do we have your correct contact details?

Please let us know if you have recently changed your contact details. Occasionally we may need to be in touch urgently with public information and safety messages, like service outages or road closures. The quickest and most efficient way to do this is by email or text.

If we don’t have your current mobile and email contact details it could take longer to get in touch with you. If you don’t have a mobile phone, or email address, please ensure your other contact details are up to date.

You can update your contact information here.

Stay up to date with Council news

Subscribing to the Council’s e–news is one of the easiest ways to stay up–to–date with what is happening around Waimakariri. You can choose what topics you’re interested in, so only relevant news arrives in your inbox.

To get started, visit waimakariri.govt.nz/subscribe