Ngā hua o ō rēti

What your rates pay for

Rates are a property tax that 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.

Changes for 2023/24 rates year

This year Council will collect $86.6m in rates. How much you pay depends on:

  1. The valuation of the property.
  2. The number of separate parts on a property such as multiple dwellings.
  3. The number of service connections for wastewater, water and refuse.
  4. Increases in some fixed service related targeted rates that apply to some properties.
  5. Eligibility for rate relief/ remissions.

There are increases in fixed rates for the Uniform annual general charge (UAGC) and services such as reticulation of wastewater and water supply. The targeted rating system means those that receive a service can expect to pay more. City residents have more reticulated services than elsewhere in the community.

In rural areas increase in rates have been driven mostly by unsubsidised roading and resource consents.

What your rates pay for

On the back of your instalment 1 rates notice is your property's rates assessment. This show details of each activity.  The activities that you contribute to will vary depending where your property is in the district.

These are charged in proportion to the capital value of your property. General rates are paid by all ratepayers.

Environmental policy

The cost of advising the public on how regulatory requirements affect them and their proposals for the use of the land. The cost of the District Plan and other planning projects and reserve management plans. Also includes the cost of resource consent monitoring and RMA enforcement.

Rivers and coastal management

The cost of monitoring rivers and surface water on land and the provision of flood control works by control of vegetation on river channels, Wainui Beach erosion management scheme maintenance and preventative maintenance over the whole district.

Stormwater drainage

Contributes towards the cost of collection and disposal of rainwater. The majority of stormwater costs are paid by targeted rates in Gisborne city and rural towns. Previously 20% of the activity was funded in the general rates. This has reduced to 10% bringing it in line with wastewater and water (3 waters infrastructure).

Treasury

The cost of administering our bank accounts, loans and investments and district loan expenses.  Councils have always funded some capital works by loan and this item covers the interest charges.

Economic development and tourism

Funds a portion of the economic development activity including tourism.

Planning

The cost to comply with statutory provisions of the LGA 2002, Resource Management Act 1991 and Reserves Management Act 1997. Also includes the cost of preparing, maintaining and implementing strategies, policies and plans to promote sustainable management of natural and physical resources.

Animal and plant pest management

A regional council responsibility to keep nuisance pests and noxious plants under control. All properties contribute 60% of this cost.

Waste management and waste minimisation

For solid waste legacy debt and after care provisions and waste minimisation encourages waste reduction.

Water supply

10% of the water activity is collected in the general rates as there is a wider benefit provided to the whole community by the delivery of water infrastructure. These benefits relate to improving and maintaining water quality, protecting waterbodies and coastal waters that have important ecosystem, recreational and cultural values and moving toward more efficient and sustainable use of freshwater. Most of the water activity is paid in targeted rates by users connected to the reticulation network.

Wastewater

10% of the wastewater activity is collected across the district in the general rate. There's a wider benefit provided to the whole community by the delivery of the wastewater infrastructure. These benefits relate to improving and maintaining water quality, protecting waterbodies and coastal waters that have important ecosystem, recreational and cultural values and moving toward more efficient and sustainable use of freshwater. Most of the wastewater activity is paid in targeted rates by users connected to the reticulation network.

These are charges for services or facilities which you are invoiced only if you live in the area where these rates apply or you receive benefit.  These are paid by a specific group of ratepayers who receive or benefit from a specific service or activity.

Aquatic and recreation facilities

These are district facilities. The rates contribute to the cost of maintaining the Kiwa Pools complex and our recreational facilities. Kiwa Pools also receives fee income from pool entry and other activities at the complex. The theatres and halls are available to encourage and enable the public to experience the performing and visuals arts and provide venues suitable for national events, seminars, weddings and other community activities. These rates are based on the capital value of your property. Properties in the Inner Zone contribute at a weighting of 1.0 and the Outer Zone contribute less with a weighting of 0.3.

Building services

The cost of providing advice to the public on regulatory requirements with the Building Act and also cost of resolving complaints about building related issues including stormwater on private property. Residential and lifestyle properties in Gisborne city and on the Poverty Bay Flats contribute 85%. The remaining 15% is paid by rural properties.

Business area patrols (CBD)

Based on capital value, the cost of providing security in the CBD and includes the full cost of providing the City Watch service in the CBD area of Gisborne city and CCTV security cameras.

Commercial recycling

A targeted rate on non-residential properties within Gisborne city which elect to receive the recycling collection service.

Animal control

The cost of responding to complaints about nuisance caused by stray dogs in urban areas and stock on roads. This rate is targeted to residential properties only. Dog registration fees are used to cover most of this service.

Drainage

Cost of providing land drainage in the designated areas of benefit. There are 2 groups - direct beneficiaries and contributors. Both rates are based on the area of land.

Economic development and tourism

Covers the costs of preparing for and supporting economic and tourism activity throughout the district. This rate is payable by all industrial and commercial properties over the whole district based on capital value.

Flood control schemes

The contribution based on capital value for the cost of operating flood protection works. This activity is partially funded by the general rates (60%) and the remainder is targeted collection.

  • Waipaoa there are 6 classes from A-F
  • Te Karaka – split between residential and non-residential properties
Noise control

Cost of responding to noise complaints. This is targeted to residential properties in Gisborne city, Makaraka, Wainui and lifestyle properties on the Poverty Bay Flats.

Passenger transport

The cost of providing a subsidised passenger transport service payable by all residents living in Gisborne city.

Parks and reserves

Based on the Inner Zone (85%) and Outer Zone (15%) per rating unit the cost of maintaining all the parks, reserves, playing fields, beach access points, etc.

Theatres

The cost of maintaining theatres in the district. Some costs are part funded by fees and charges, and part funded by a targeted rate.

Animal and plant pests

A regional council responsibility to keep nuisance pests and noxious plants under control. All properties contribute, but farms pay a larger contribution. This is rated on land value.

Resource consents

Based on land value. To provide assistance to the public and where possible clarify the problem. The focus is to allocate the use of natural resources to consent holders and to protect the quality of the natural and physical environment.

Roading flood damage and emergency works and subsidised local roads

Partly fund by the NZTA. The targeted portion is based on capital value and is split into differential rating groups based on land use that are weighted as follows: Residential 1.0; Horticulture and Pastoral farming 1.5; Industrial and Commercial 2.0; Forestry 12.5.

  • Residential lifestyle and other properties – this is a general sector that includes residential, lifestyle, arable, utilities network and other properties that do not fall into the horticulture, pastoral, commercial, industrial and forestry sectors. A horticultural or pastoral that is less than 5ha is rated in this sector.
  • Horticulture properties - have a category of H and are 5 ha or greater in area.
  • Pastoral properties - have a category of P and are 5ha or greater in area. Where 20ha or more of the property is planted in forestry, that portion will be rated with the weighting for forestry for subsidised and non-subsidised roading rates.
  • Forestry properties - have a category of FE (Forestry Exotic) where 20ha or more of the property is pastoral, that portion will be rated with the weighting for pastoral for subsidised and non-subsidised roading rates.
  • Commercial and Industrial properties - have a category of C and I and U other than where it is a utilities network.
  • Flood damage and emergency works - covers approximately 25% of cost of repairs to roading network from an adverse event. The remaining balance is funded by a NZTA subsidy.
  • Subsidised local roads - this charge is not just for the road outside your property, but for the total district-wide roading network. This is funded by NZTA subsidies, approx 76% and the remaining 24% by UAGC over the whole district.
  • Non-subsidised roads - this is the cost of non-subsidised road works in the district. This is a differential targeted rate on the Inner zone and Outer zone based on capital value.
Rural transfer stations

Partially covers the cost of operating 8 transfer stations at Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Te Puia Springs, Tikitiki, Waiapu, Te Karaka, Whatatutu and Matawai. Includes the cost of cartage to Waiapu Landfill or Gisborne city. Residential properties within a 15km radius of a rural transfer station have been targeted for this rate. If you have multiple dwellings you will be charged per dwelling. Refuse stickers are issued to use when taking refuse to a transfer station. Ruatoria township have both kerbside collection and the use of the transfer station. A charge is payable for each service.

Soil conservation

Advocacy and land use – based on land value by Differential Rating Area. This is a regional council function concerned with erosion, land stabilisation and the effective use of land and the advice, communication and enforcement of this legislation.

Stormwater and drains

Cost of stormwater reticulation to dispose of rainwater and maintain assets in Gisborne city and rural townships. Funded by a charge per separately used or inhabitated part payable by residents living in Gisborne city, Wainui, Okitu and rural towns including Patutahi and Manutuke.
The basis for stormwater and drains on commercial properties is capital value.

Water conservation

Based on land value in each DRA. This is a regional council function payable by all ratepayers in the district and is the cost of monitoring the quality and volume of natural water, and ensuring that we are using these water resources wisely.

Waiapu River erosion control scheme

Covers the operating costs and loan repayments of protection works on the river. This activity is partially funded by the general rate with the balance split between

  • Direct beneficiaries in Ruatoria Township and around the river pay 60% of the cost of the activity balance on capital value.
  • Indirect beneficiaries inside the catchment area pay 15% of the cost of the activity balance on capital value.
  • Contributors at the edges of the catchment pay 15% of the activity balance based on land area.
Wastewater

Ten percent of costs are funded in the general rate with the balance paid by a pan charge to connected users.

Wastewater (pan charge) - a usage charge based on the number of toilet pans connected. A residential dwelling pays only one pan charge, no matter how many toilet pans are installed. All other properties pay one pan charge for each toilet pan or urinal installed and connected.

Waste management charge – solid waste / household refuse collection including the cost of recycling where the service is provided throughout the district.

Water

Uniform water charge is the cost of delivering drinking water to each separately used or inhabited part of a property throughout the district where the service is provided payable per separately used or inhabited part of a property, for example if there are 3 flats on the property there will be 3 water charges.

Availability charge - the charge if you are in an area where water service is available, but the property is not connected.

Fixed water by meter charge per cubic metre to properties identified as an extra-ordinary use and some rural domestic users. Metered domestic users receive a free of charge allowance of 300 cubic metres.

This is a fixed charge per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (SUIP). The UAGC covers rates on activities that benefit the community equally. If you have 2 flats or dwellings on your property, you will pay 2 UAGCs.

The UAGC is $914.43 GST inclusive, and is made up of the following rates:

Cemeteries$23.38a large proportion of the costs of running the main cemeteries are covered by burial fees.  This rate covers the shortfall which cannot be recovered
Civil Defence$45.39a statutory requirement which applies equally to all parts of the district.
District civil and corporate expenses$23.18funds scholarships, awards, grants, civic functions, naval visits, Anzac day, citizenship ceremonies. Corporate expenses include the costs of membership of Local Government New Zealand, NZ sister cities.
Economic development and tourism$4.08covers the costs of preparing for and supporting economic and tourism activity throughout the district. This is partially funded by a targeted rate.
Environmental and public health protection$85.31the cost of monitoring environmental health and all other legislative activities delegated to council by central government
Library$119.68HB Williams Memorial Library and all the rural and mobile libraries throughout the district
Litterbins and cleaning public areas$9.97 
Managing solid waste and transfer stations$112.30the cost of operating district transfer stations and landfills, and the cost of transportation of solid waste out of the district.
Mayor and councillor representation costs$140.97democratic process, the cost of the mayor and councillors who meet and represent the people.  It also includes an allocation of the salary costs of those staff that support the council meetings.
Public toilets$97.27cost of cleaning and maintaining 70 public toilets throughout the district.
Roading$130.32contribution for maintenance and repairs to district-wide local roads.
Strategic planning and engagement$82.24to facilitate liaison activities throughout the district including consultation specific to Treaty and Resource Management Act issues. To provide community consultation in compliance with the Local Government Act 2002. Provision of policy development as required by legislation.
Tairāwhiti museum$40.35grant funding to Tairāwhiti museum
$914.43

A separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit includes any portion inhabited or used by (the owner/ a person other than the owner), and who has the right to use or inhabit that portion by virtue of a tenancy, lease, licence, or other agreement.

This definition includes separately used parts, whether or not actually occupied at any particular time, which are provided by the owner for rental (or other form of occupation) on an occasional or long term basis by someone other than the owner.

Interpretation rules

The rule will apply to properties identified as 'flats' on the valuation record administered by Council's value. Sleep-outs and granny flats will generally be identified as 'sleep-out' on the valuation record and will not normally quality for additional UAGCs.

If a property is identified on the valuation record as having flats, but these flats in fact are used only for family members or for others for very short periods, then the additional UAGCs may be remitted on Council receiving proof of their use, including a signed declaration from the property owner, see remissions policies. A property owner who actively advertises the flats for accommodation will not qualify for the remission.

  1. Each separate shop or business activity on a rating unit is a separate use, for which a separate UAGC is payable. (See Guidance Note 1.)
  2. Each dwelling, flat, or additional rentable unit (attached or not attached) on a residential property which is let for a substantial part of the year to persons other than immediate family members is a separately inhabited part of a property, and separate UAGCs are payable. (See Guidance Note 2.)
  3. Each residential rating unit which has, in addition to a family dwelling unit, one or more non­ residential uses (ie home occupation units) will be charged an extra UAGC for each additional use. (See Guidance Note 3.)
  4. Each non-residential activity which has, in addition to its business or commercial function, co-sited residential units which are not a prerequisite part of the business or commercial function, will pay additional UAGCs for each residential unit. (See Guidance Note 4.)
  5. Individually tenanted flats, including retirement units, apartments and town houses (attached or not attached) or multiple dwellings on Māori freehold land are separately inhabited parts, and will each pay a separate UAGC. (See Note 5.)
  6. Each title on a multiple-managed forestry holding (that is, where the forest is broken into several individual small titles) is a separately used part except when one or more titles are adjacent and under the same ownership, in which case the rules of contiguity apply.
  7. Each block of land for which a separate title has been issued is liable to pay a UAGC, even if that land is vacant. NOTE: for the purpose of this definition, vacant land and vacant premises offered or intended for use or habitation by a person other than the owner and usually used as such are defined as used. Two or more adjacent blocks of vacant land are not eligible for Remission under "Contiguity" (S.20 of LG(R)A 02) because they are not "used for the same purpose" (i.e. they are not used at all).
  8. Each dwelling, flat, or additional rentable unit (attached or not attached) on a pastoral, horticultural or forestry property which is let for a substantial part of the year to persons other than immediate family members is a separately inhabited part of a property, and separate UAGCs are payable.
  9. For the avoidance of doubt, a rating unit that has a single use or occupation is treated as having one separately used or inhabited part.
  10. A substantial part of the year is considered to be three months or more (this total period may be fragmented, and may occur at any part of the rating year).

Guidance notes

The following notes are not rules, but are intended to aid officers in the interpretation of the rules.

Commercial properties
  • A single building on one title with 24 separate shops would pay 24 UAGCs.
  • A motel with an attached dwelling would pay only one UAGC, because the attached dwelling is essential to the running of the motel. (See rule D above).
  • A motel with an attached restaurant which is available to the wider public has two separately used parts, and would pay two UAGCs. Likewise, a motel with an attached Conference Facility would pay an additional UAGC.
  • A business which makes part of its income through the leasing of part of its space to semi-passive uses such as billboards, or money machines, is not regarded as having a separately used or inhabited part, and would not be charged a separate UAGC.
  • For the avoidance of doubt, an apartment block in which each apartment is on a separately owned title is merely a series of co-sited Rating Units, and each will pay a UAGC.
  • If, however, in the above example a management company leases the individual titles for 10 years or more, and those leases are registered on the titles, and the leases stipulate that the management company is responsible for paying the rates, and if the management company then operates the apartments as a single business operation, that business operation may be considered for a remission under Council's remission policies and have all but one UAGC remitted.
  • An apartment block with separate laundry, or restaurant, which are available to the general population as a separate business enterprise, would pay an additional UAGC for each of these functions as separately used parts.
Residential properties
  • The rule will apply to properties identified as "flats" on the valuation record, administered by Council's valuer. Sleep-outs and granny flats will generally be identified as "sleep-out" on the valuation record and will not normally qualify for additional UAGCs.
  • If a property is identified on the valuation record as having flats, but these in fact are used only for family members or for others for very short periods, then the additional UAGCs may be remitted on Council receiving proof of their use, including a signed declaration from the property owner (see remission policies). A property owner who actively advertises the flats for accommodation will not qualify for the remission.

Estimated cost of activities per day

Cost per day