Rates Payment Options

A discount for early payment of the total year’s rates will no longer be available for the 2025/26 rating year. Ending the discount enabled the Council to reallocate the $195,000 set aside for this purpose to other projects.

Annual payment is still welcomed from those who wish to clear their rates in one payment, please do this before 27 August.

If you have previously paid your rates in one annual payment there are other options for you to consider. We recommend direct debit as an efficient means to keep rates payments current. Weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly and annual payment options are available.

Cash and Eftpos payments are also welcomed at our service centres in Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Oxford and you can pay online.

If you wish to pay by internet banking, please use the valuation reference number for your property as the reference, this is shown on your rates assessment and invoice. Remember to change this reference if you move house.

Changes to the Rates Rebate scheme

The Government Rates Rebate is increasing to a maximum of $805 in 2025/26. It is available if you pay rates on the property that you live in and you were resident at that property on 1 July 2025.

From 1 July a new income threshold of $45,000 is being introduced for Super Gold Card Holders. The income threshold for households without a Super Gold Card is $32,210. You may still qualify for a rebate if your earnings exceed these amounts.

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

You have until 30 June 2026 to claim a rates rebate for this rating year.

Visit online services for the bookings calendar to secure a rates rebate appointment. You will need the valuation reference number from our rates invoice to complete an online booking. Alternatively you can make an appointment at the service centre that you usually visit to receive your rates rebate on the number listed below.

If you’d prefer to fill in the application form yourself you will find the forms online at here or at www.govt.nz (search rates rebate). Fill in all the required details and drop the completed application form at any Council service centre.

Rangiora	Kaiapoi	Oxford
0800 965 468	03 266 9358	03 261 0015

Do we have your correct contact details?

Please let us know if you have recently changed your contact details. Occasionally we may need to contact you 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.

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.

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.

It is always easier to set up a payment arrangement when the account first goes into arrears, than when there are a few instalments overdue.

2025 District Rating Revaluation

The rating valuations for all property in the District will be reassessed in 2025. Property owners will be advised of their new rating valuations towards the end of the year.

This work will be carried out by the Council’s Valuation Service Provider, Quotable Value.

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

Have Your Say on Council projects

We want to work with our community to make Waimakariri a great place to be. Have you checked out our Let’s Talk site where residents can have a say and influence the direction of Council projects?

Visit waimakariri.govt.nz/letstalk to view our current consultations and share your thoughts.