FAQs - Rates

Rates are a tax on property and form the major component of funding available for local authorities to finance their activities. Rates are assessed on properties within the provisions of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

Horowhenua District Council sets two sorts of rates: targeted rates, which fund specific activities, and general rates, which fund everything else.

For more information please visit the how rates are calculated section of our website.

For more information please visit the rating information section of our website, or call 063660999 or email enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz.

To request a final meter read, please contact council's Customer Services Team on 06 366 0999. Final meter reads should be requested at least 5 working days before the vacate date.

There is a fee for the final metre read, please refer to the water fees and charges section of our website for more information.

When the property changes ownership, council will record the new owner as the customer and will address any future correspondence to the new owner from then on.

Enter a Street Address or VG Number to search the Horowhenua District Council Rating Information Database for property rates.
For more information please contact the Customer Services Team on (06) 366 0999 or email enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz

Council is only able to process a property owner name change if the name has been legally changed on the property Title. If the property owner name has not been changed on the Title through the Land Registry Office, Council suggests you contact a Solicitor for guidance as Council cannot make any amendments.

Once a name change is completed on the property title, a copy must be provided to Council for verification and actioning.

If you require any further assistance with this matter please contact a Customer Service Representative on (06) 366 0999 or email us at enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz or over the counter at any of our Customer Service Centres.

Council suggests you set up a direct debit payment arrangement. This will ensure your rates are paid on time, avoiding any unnecessary penalties.

Other methods are; Automatic Payment, Internet Banking or paying the next quarterly payment in full. Payment can also be made at any New Zealand Post Shop.

Please contact the Customer Services Team on (06) 366 0999 or email us enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz to obtain the necessary forms or over the counter at any of our Customer Services Centres.

Any amount of rates may be paid at any time. Payment may be made through:

• Internet Banking (including POLi)
• Credit or Debit Card Payment
• Direct Debit
• Mail
• Council Offices
• Post Shop

More information about internet banking can be viewed on our Internet Banking Payments page. Please visit the how to pay your rates section of the website for more information and to download a rates direct debit form.

For more information please visit the rating information section of our website, or call the customer services team on (06) 366 0999 or email enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz.

The Rates Rebate Scheme was established by the Government through the Rates Rebate Act 1973 and the criteria given affect to by the Rates Rebate Order 2006 and the Rates Rebate (Specified Amounts) Order 2008.

The scheme is administered by Horowhenua District Council on behalf of the Department of Internal Affairs. The scheme's purpose is to provide a subsidy to low-income homeowners and ratepayers on the cost of their rates. The level of your rates, income and whether you have any dependents will all have a bearing on whether you qualify for a rebate or not.

For more information please visit the rates rebate section of our website, or call the customer services team on (06) 366 0999 or email enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz or over the counter at any of our Customer Service Centres.

The yearly rates are broken down into four equal instalments, due on the following dates:

• First instalment 15 September
• Second instalment 15 December
• Third instalment 15 March
• Fourth instalment 15 June

Water rates for metered water consumption are payable by the 20th of the month following the invoice date.

For more information please visit the rating information section of our website, or call the customer services team on (06) 366 0999 or enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz or over the counter at any of our Customer Services Centres.

To find your legal description enter a Street Address or VG (Valuation) Number to search the Horowhenua District Council Rating Information Database for property rates and legal descriptions.
For more information please contact the Customer Services Team on (06) 366 0999 or email enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz

The due dates listed above under 'Instalment Dates' are the last dates on which payment can be made without the imposition of a penalty. A first penalty of 10% shall be added to the any part of an instalment that remains unpaid at due date.

A second penalty of 10% will be added to any and all rates and penalties remaining unpaid as at the following 1 July.

Further penalties of 10% will be added to any rates and penalties for previous years remaining unpaid as at the following 1 January and 1 July.

(Penalties are not charged on water rates invoiced by way of quarterly accounts for metered water consumption.)
For more information please visit the rating information section of our website, or call 063660999 or email enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz