There are a number of different methods to pay your rates:
- Online (with your credit or debit card) >>
- Automatic Payments and Internet Banking:
- Council’s bank account number is: 02-0348-0014307-000. To enable Council to identify your payments please include two of the following three references (Owner’s Surname, Property Location and/or Valuation Number).
- Please Note: For multiple properties it is essential that a separate payment is set up for each property as your references are unique to each property. If you sell your property or purchase a new one, your references need to be updated to ensure payment is receipted to your new property.
- EFTPOS or cash at the District Office, Ranfurly Court, Kawerau.
Automatic Payments
To work out your payment, take the instalment (example instalment = $525.00) and divide by:
| Weekly | 13 (weeks | $40.38 |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnightly | 6 (fortnights) | $87.50 |
| Monthly | 3 (months) | $175.00 |
Council recommend for ease of remembering the amount to pay that you round up the payments, e.g. $45.00, $90.00 (weekly or fortnightly).
Council recommends ratepayers review their payment levels each year when they receive Instalment 1 of 4 (July). A one-off payment may be necessary to make the account balance to zero on the due date.
It is the owner's responsibility to ensure the full amount of the instalment is paid by the due date.
If you sell and purchase a new property, the references of your automatic payment need to be updated to ensure that your payments are allocated to the correct property.
Due Dates
The rates are due on the Friday that falls on the 20th or directly after the 20th, in August, November, February and May each year. If you will be making monthly payment, it is advisable to set up the payments so that they are received by Council between the 18th and 20th of each month
The rates are generally sent out approximately 1 month before the due date.
Ratepayers outside New Zealand
Customers outside of New Zealand with an overseas bank account, will need to use the Council's bank account number (above) and you will also need a Swift Code: BKNZNZ22 Please ensure that payments are received by New Zealand's close of business on the due date. Alternatively you may wish to pay online using your credit card here via online payment
Direct Debit
Direct Debit is an easy and convenient way to pay your rates. Council processes Direct Debits quarterly on the Wednesday before the due date of the instalment. The balance of the rates outstanding will be debited from you nominated account.
Once a Direct Debit is set up, you will just need to ensure your nominated account has sufficient funds to cover the payment on the specified date. No yearly adjustment is required, this is done automatically.
The Direct Debit form needs to be printed, completed and then returned to Council, along with confirmation of your bank account number.
To allow adequate time for processing, the completed form needs to be received by Council 5 working days prior to the 1st deduction (Wednesday before the due date).
When moving addresses please inform Council that you need to change your Direct Debit Authority.
Direct Debits do not automatically transfer between properties. A new Authority is required to for each property.
Rates Penalties
An instalment penalty of 5% will be charged on the next working day after the due date on any balance of the current instalment which has not been paid by close of business on the due date.
Council will impose a 3% penalty on any previous year's rates that remain outstanding on 5 July 2023 (to be added 6 July 2023), and a further 3% penalty on any portion of the amount still outstanding (including any previous arrears penalties) on 6 January 2024 (to be added 8 January 2024).
Refund of Overpaid Rates
If you have overpaid your rates, you may request a refund of the overpaid amount. The Rates Refund Form should be downloaded, completed and brought into the Council Offices along with suitable ID to start the process.
Please note: Council only refunds by direct credit into bank accounts. Payments will be made into the same bank account from which the payments are received, unless otherwise notified. If you wish to have the refund paid into an alternative bank account, please bring confirmation of the account with you.
