Rates

A relief package to ease the way for hard-hit Kaikōura ratepayers as a result of the COVID-19 crisis has been approved by Kaikōura District Council.

All rate payers (both residential and commercial) that have been affected by the pandemic may apply to have until 30 June 2021 to pay all rates from 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 without incurring any further penalties. To be eligible for this rates relief package, ratepayers must provide evidence that they have lost their job, or in the case of a business a 30% reduction in revenue and received a COVID-19 Government Support Package or qualified for a mortgage ‘holiday’ from their bank.

Applications must be received by 31 August 2020 and all successful applicants will be required to enter an agreed payment plan (requiring a minimum of 3 payments with the first on or before 20 December 2020).

Download an Application Form Here or visit the Council offices for a paper copy.

For more information email rates@kaikoura.govt.nz 

Lookup your rates online using the property address or VG number

The Rating Information Database contains a record of all information required for setting and assessing rates. The database for the Kaikōura District Council and Environment Canterbury (Kaikōura District properties only) may be inspected without fee at the Council’s reception, Level 2, 96 West End, Kaikōura between the hours of 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Rating Areas

Kaikoura has three rating areas; urban, semi-rural and rural. Properties are allocated to an area based on how close they are to urban services  Commercial properties (those used exclusively or primarily for business purposes) also pay specific rates.

• Download a map of the Urban Area (properties within Kaikoura Township, storm water management area and incorporating properties in the Seaview and Ocean Ridge subdivision areas and the Kaikoura Peninsula.)
• Download a map of the Semi-Rural Area (all properties within a 10 kilometre radius of the town centre including Peketa and Hapuku villages, Inland Road up to but not including Kowleigh, and the Kaikoura Flats, but excluding all property within the urban area.) 
• Download a map of the Rural Area (all property outside the urban and semi-rural areas.) 

Different types of rates

There are rules around setting rates which Council must follow. These are set out in the Local Government Act and the Local Government (Rating) Act.

All Councils set their rates differently depending on the wants and needs of the communities within the district or city. This makes comparing rates between districts very difficult.

As well as rates, Council seeks income from other sources such as fees, user charges and subsidies or grants from central government or other funding partners.

The Uniform Annual Charge – a fixed amount charged to all rating units (or separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit). This is not affected by the capital value of a property. This ‘flat fee’ covers things Council believes all ratepayers benefit from equally such as the general operations of Council including governance (Mayor and Councillors), library services, sports fields, playgrounds, cemetery, walkways, public halls, civil defence and waste management.

General Rate – an amount you pay based on cents in the dollar of the rateable capital value of your property that pays for the general operations of Council. The rate includes a differential, so that rural and semi-rural ratepayers pay slightly less than urban. This includes community services, environmental planning, planning, building control, dog control, community facilities, general parks and reserves, a portion of public toilets and traffic control.

Targeted rates - rates that are charged to pay for specific things.  These are often charged to a selection of properties and the amount charged will vary depending on the rating area, location and other aspects of the property. (Sewerage and water are good examples).

Differentials –a way of splitting the cost of some of our rates/charges across our rating areas to make sure that different areas pay different amounts. For example for a differential of 1 urban:0.5 semi-rural : 0.25 rural, urban properties pay twice as much per dollar of capital value than semi-rural properties do, and four times as much per dollar of capital value than rural properties do. 

Most properties also pay water charges - you can find out more about these here 

For the following rates, different rating areas pay a different amount. Generally, those benefiting most from the service provided pay more, with people living further away benefiting a little less and therefore paying less.

Rates are broken down into four equal installments and invoiced quarterly. The last day for payment of each installment is shown below;

• Instalment 1: 20 September
• Instalment 2: 20 December
• Instalment 3: 20 March
• Instalment 4: 20 June

If you don’t pay your rates installment on time you will receive a penalty of 10%. To help avoid penalties we recommend setting up a direct debit or automatic payment for your rates. There are several payment options including fortnightly or monthly - see 'Pay your rates' below for more information.

Although the rates invoices are sent quarterly, you are welcome to pay fortnightly or monthly if that works better for you. You can choose from the following payment options:

• Online using your credit card.
• Via direct debit. To help avoid penalties we recommend setting up a direct debit or automatic payment for your rates, you can set this weekly, fortnightly, monthly or at other times that work for you. Bank fees may apply, please contact your bank for further information on their fees and charges.
• To set up a direct debit download the form.
  Then email it to rates@kaikoura.govt.nz or post it to
  PO Box 6 
  96 West End
  Kaikōura 7300
• By EFTpos (internet banking). Our bank account details are:
  Kaikōura District Council
  02-0856-0011698-000.
  
  Please use your Rates Valuation Reference Number found on the front of your rates invoice under the address line eg: 21070/11124
• In the office - just come in and see us.

What is it?

To assist people on low incomes with housing costs, central government offers rates rebates if you meet certain requirements. The paperwork is done by Council and central government pays the money onto the rate account, Council then deducts the amount of your rebate from your rates bill. You must apply before June 30.

How much you can claim depends on: how much your rates are — this includes local, regional and water rates, your income, and, whether you have any dependants, such as children, living with you.

If your gross (before tax) income is $25,000 or less you can often claim the full amount The most you can get is $640 for the current year. If your income is higher you may still be able to get all or part of the rebate depending on: how much your rates are, and how many children or other dependants are in your household.

If you have dependants, your income can be $500 more for each one. For example, if you have 2 children, then you would still be able to get the full rebate of $640 if your income is less than or equal to $26,000.

You can read more about the rebates, and find an application form here.

How to apply

1. Download the Rates Rebate Form - you can also ask for a paper copy of this at the front desk of Council.
2. Fill it out with all the correct information
3. Call 03 319 5026 for an appointment to get the application form signed by an authorised Council Officer

Council has a Rates Remission Policy which reduces the rates bill for properties in certain situations including;

• where a ratepayer is facing a significant rate increase in the capital value rates due to the 2018 revaluation
• where late payment was beyond the ratepayers control
• land protected for natural, or historical or cultural purposes
• following a Civil Defence Emergency
• Maori Freehold Land

Contact us to apply