Council charges rates in 4 equal instalments. You should receive your rates invoice 2 weeks before the due date. Key dates for the instalments are:
| Instalment 1 |
1 July - 30 September 2008 |
| Due date |
11 August 2008 |
| Penalty date |
22 August 2008 |
|
Instalment 2 |
1 October - 31 December 2008 |
| Due date |
10 November 2008 |
| Penalty date |
21 November 2008 |
| Instalment 3 |
1 January - 31 March 2009 |
| Due date |
9 February 2009 |
| Penalty date |
20 February 2009 |
| Instalment 4 |
1 April - 30 June 2009 |
| Due date |
11 May 2009 |
| Penalty date |
22 May 2009 |
Post a cheque
You can write a cheque for the amount owing and post it with the remittance slip. Make your cheque out to Gisborne District Council. If you need a receipt, return the entire account and we will return the top portion back to you with a receipt.
To avoid a penalty, make sure you post your cheque before the penalty date on the invoice.
Pay in Person
You can make payments at the customer services centre, during normal business hours at Fitzherbert St or Te Puia Springs.
Automatic Payment
You just need your property assessment number, this is on your rates account.
Please make sure your payments are enough to clear the instalment amount by the penalty date. You can contact customer services to calculate it for you.
Direct Debit
You can set up a direct debit by contacting customer services. We will calculate the amount to be deducted from your bank account. You can either pay monthly, on the 20th of each month or quarterly on the rate instalment penalty day, before a penalty is added.
For more information and to get a form, see Rates Direct Debit
Council has established some policies which, in specific cases, may reduce or remit all or part of your rates. For example, if you farm two 10 ha blocks which are in close proximity, part of uniform charges can be reduced. These reductions are "rate remissions". You can obtain a copy of all rates remissions policies in volume III of the Long Term Council and Community Plan (LTCCP) or contact customer services
A summary brochure of the Rates Policy (120kb PDF)
- If you are unable to pay your rates through hardship, you may be able to have your rates postponed.
- If you are over 65, you can have your rates postponed irrespective of hardship. Rates postponement means you still owe the rates, but payment is postponed until your property is sold.
- For further information, contact customer services
The Department of Internal Affairs operates a rates rebate scheme. This scheme gives low income ratepayers up to a $530 reduction of their rates.
- Maximum rebate is $530
- Income threshold is $21,180
- Additional income allowance for dependants is $500 per dependant.
For further information, to use the calculator or download a form, see the Internal Affairs website or contact customer services
- You must apply each year for a rates rebate.
- Applications can be made from 1 August to 30 June each year.
Rating Valuations
Council uses Rating Values for the setting of rates. For a more detailed description of valuation issues, see our Valuation Questions and Answers page.
Change your contact details
It is important that we have your correct contact details. If you change your address, please let us know.
If you change your surname due to marriage, and you own a property, we can only change your name on the rates when you provide a Certificate of Title showing the name change.
You can contact customer services to change your address or download the form.
Please post the form to:
Gisborne District Council
PO Box 747
Gisborne
or drop it into our Fitzherbert St office.
Rates are a property tax. Rates are made up of part uniform or fixed charges for the property, and part as a rate in the dollar, based on the value of your property. The more valuable your property is, the more rates you will pay.