Rates Relief Policies

We’re required to review our rates relief policies at least once every six years.

The following 10 rates relief policies are open for your feedback on the proposed changes:

• Rates remission on Māori freehold land
• Discount for early payment of rates in current financial year
• Rates postponement for homeowners aged over 65 years
• Rates remission for covenanted land
• Rates remission for contiguous land
• Rates remission for land used for sport and games
• Rates remission for re-zoned land
• Rates remissions for natural disasters and emergencies
• Remission of rates penalties
• Rates postponement for financial hardship

The key changes proposed are to the Rates remission on Māori Freehold Land Policy, the majority of which are a result of recent changes made by the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Act 2021

These include:

1. Unused Māori Freehold Land will now be non-rateable (except for any service rates i.e., for water supply and use)
2. Rates that the CEO considers not reasonably recoverable must be written off
3. Upon request, separate rating areas can be created on Māori Freehold Land and rated separately if there are dwellings

Other changes that Council is proposing to include in the draft policy:

1. Remission for Māori Freehold Land under development considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. Māori Freehold Land valued to exclude any potential subdivision or development potential that is unlikely to happen under Māori ownership.

Following review through the Annual Plan 2016/2017, Council believes that the remainder of the rates relief policies are still fit for purpose and are in line with current legislation.

How to share your thoughts

We want to make it easy for you to share your ideas and thoughts with a number of options:.

• Explore this online hub where you can read the proposed changes and complete our online survey form.
• Post your feedback to Rates Relief Policies, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Private Bag 12803, Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga 3143.
• Drop your feedback off at any of our Library and Service Centres in Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa, Te Puke or to the main Council Office at Barkes Corner.
• Email your feedback to haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz

You can provide feedback on any, or all of the 10 policies until 5pm Thursday 21 April 2022.