This page contains information about general and targeted rates, and how your rates are calculated.
Updated:
24/04/2012 12:36 p.m.
Consultation on rating policies
We are proposing changes to our rates remission and postponement policies and have consulted on the changes in conjunction with consultation on our 2012 - 2022 Long Term Plan.
Summary of key changes
The majority of policies have had background notes added. Some of the policies are generally unchanged and have only had minor wording changes to ensure clarity.
The full set of policies, incorporating the proposed changes, are detailed in the Statement of Proposal.
Viewing the documents
Select from the links below to view an extended summary of the proposed policy and the Statement of Proposal, which incorporates the full version of the policy.
Printed copies are also available for inspection at our Service Centres at Forum North and Ruakaka, at Whangarei Central Library and its branches at Onerahi, Kamo and Tikipunga.
What are rates?
Rates are a charge against a property (rating unit) and set by your local and regional councils. For the Whangarei District area, this is Whangarei District Council and Northland Regional Council.
Rates are based on what a property is used for (land use) and the rateable land value of the property.
Quotable Value New Zealand is the agency contracted by Council to assess property values, and it reviews these valuations every 3 years
Rates are set annually by a resolution from Council and are charged each financial year (1 July to 30 June).
We generally set rates by the following methods:
General rates
General rates are charged on all rateable properties.
The general rate is used to fund any activities that provide benefit to the whole community or where it is impracticable to fully recover costs through direct user charges. The level of general rates is based on the funding required to provide agreed Council activities after identifying all other available income sources.
General rates are charged to owners of property in the district and are calculated and apportioned based on land value. Each property is classified into a category based on land use.
A uniform annual general charge is also applied to each separately used or inhabited part of each rating unit in the district. This is used to fund any activity of Council with district-wide benefits where a fixed charge is considered more appropriate than one based on property values.
To view information about the different rating categories, follow the link below.
Rating System
Targeted rates
Targeted rates may be levied to provide funds for a specific service or activity.
Targeted rates can also be charged, if Council considers it appropriate, to fund either operating expenses and/or capital expenditure, including repayment of debt.
Water rates
Water rates are paid by ratepayers whose properties are connected to the water supply network, majority of these properties by a meter.
What are rates used for?
On Essential Services:
Maintaining and improving roads, footpaths, bridges, the water and wastewater treatment plants and the district's reticulation systems for water, stormwater and sewerage. Waste (refuse) collection and disposal and recycling and composting operations which minimise household and industrial waste. Traffic safety, food safety, noise and pest control.
On the Community:
Parks and reserves, sports fields, libraries, playgrounds, swimming pools, arts and cultural activities, civic and street garden displays. Community houses, halls, public toilets, cemetery and crematorium.
On Your Future:
Planning and development, strategic and district plans, transportation, leisure and park management plans.
Council collects rates on behalf of the Northland Regional Council and these are detailed on your rates notices. These rates are set by Northland Regional Council.
Northland Regional Council rates (Northland Regional Council website) Opens in a new window.
Calculating your rates
Council keeps a detailed record of rating information for both Whangarei District and Northland Regional Councils.
You can use our Rates Property Information Search to find:
- property details – valuation number, property address, land area.
- rates details – your account number, annual rates, previous years rates.
- valuation details – the date rates take effect, land value and capital value.
You can do a rates search on this website, or at any of our Customer Service Centres. Follow this link to our Online database search.
Rates Database Search
Paying your rates
Council's rating year begins on 1 July and ends on 30 June. With your first invoice for the year, you will receive a ‘Rates Assessment Notice’. It tells you the total amount you will pay for the entire year to both Whangarei District and Northland Regional Councils.
Ratepayers have several payment options available and the link below provides full details or you may wish to contact us directly.
Paying Your Bills
Pay rates by instalments
The rating year is divided into four equal instalments, each invoiced separately.
Throughout the year, you will receive four rates invoices, one every three months. They arrive about one month before the due date, which may vary to coincide with the nearest working day.
To avoid penalties, you must pay each instalment in full by the due date:
- 20 August (first instalment)
- 20 November (second instalment)
- 20 February (third instalment)
- 20 May (fourth instalment)
If the 20th falls on a weekend the due date is the next working day.
Pay rates in full
Ratepayers are welcome to pay their full year's rates in one lump sum and receive 5% discount.
The amount due for this option is detailed on the first instalment invoice as the balance to clear to 30 June (this includes any outstanding rates and penalties).
Penalties
- a 10% penalty will be added to any amount of the current instalment remaining unpaid after the due date.
- an additional charge of 10% will be added on 1 September each year to any unpaid rates from previous years.
Change of Address
If you have recently changed your postal address, email us at or complete the back of the rates remittance slip and post it to us so that we can update our rates database.
Alternatively you can call in to any of our Customer Service Centres.
Contact us
Council Offices - locations and hours of opening