Hawke’s Bay Regional Council launches consultation about how it sets rates

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will be seeking public feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy from Friday, 1 December 2023.

The Revenue and Financing Policy sets out how Regional Council will fund its activities.  This includes rates, fees and user-charges that are invoiced to residential, rural, industrial, commercial, and other property owners across Hawke’s Bay.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby, says the review was signaled during the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan consultation.

“The Revenue and Finance Policy has had several amendments over the past 12 years, but hasn’t had a fulsome ‘first principles’ review of all our rating mechanisms.”

“Now completed, the review has proposed lots of improvements that ensure rates are easier to understand and to implement.”

A consultation document – Your Community Your Rates - has been prepared to highlight the major changes alongside supporting information to enable people to provide informed feedback.  The draft Revenue and Financing Policy in its entirety is also available for feedback.

One of the proposed changes is moving from land value to capital value for the general rate. This will see Hawke’s Bay aligned with most other regional councils across New Zealand.

Overall, the proposed changes won’t increase the amount of revenue gathered.

The impacts on ratepayers will vary across the region and there will be a range of sample properties available so people can get a feel for how these changes may impact them.

Regional Council is seeking feedback:

• Online from Friday 1 December via  www.hbrc.govt.nz search: #haveyoursay
• Or you can receive the documents by phoning customer service on 06 835 9200 or email info@hbrc.govt.nz.

Submissions close 8pm Sunday 28 January 2024.

The feedback gathered during the consultation period will be considered and used to inform the final version of the Revenue and Financing Policy that will go to the Regional Council for adoption on 28 February 2024.

29 November 2023

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