Discount for prompt payment
A discount, at a rate set annually, is allowed to any ratepayer who pays the total rates, charges, and levies as specified on the rates assessment (excluding targeted rates for metered water supply charged quarterly), by the due date for the first instalment. The discount for 2024/25 is 2.0%.
Penalties on unpaid rates
If you do not pay your rates by the due date, you will incur penalties.
Current overdue rates instalments
- A penalty will be added to any part of an instalment that remains unpaid after the due date for payment of the instalment on the penalty dates above.
- The penalty will be 10% of the unpaid instalment.
Arrears of rates (including past instalments)
- A further penalty of 10% will be added on 5 July 2024 to rates assessed in any previous financial year and which remain unpaid on 30 June 2023.
- A further penalty of 10% will be added on 10 January 2025 to rates assessed in any previous financial year, plus any previous further penalty, and which remain unpaid on 31 December 2024.
Penalty exemptions
Penalties will not be applied to rating units approved by the Chief Financial Officer in cases where:
- Applying penalties would serve to be detrimental to the collection of all or part of the balance of the outstanding rates; or
- Applying penalties would only add to what is deemed to be an uncollectable debt; or
- There is a Direct Debit authority to pay the full amount of rates owing by regular payments within the current rating year, and any default is promptly rectified.
- Land is designated Maori Freehold land title; and
- Is under multiple ownership; and
- Is unoccupied.
