How to pay your rates
Take our ratepayer survey - tell us how you would like rates spent.
HBRC aims to make it easy for you to pay your rates by the due date using a method that best suits your needs. There are a number of ways to pay your rates to suit your needs and budgeting, some you can arrange, others you can organise through HBRC rates staff.
Information on Rates Penalties and Rates Rebates is also on this page.
Important: When making a payment online and through your bank account, it is important that you use the correct reference details, so that we can assign the payment to you – see the Make a Payment page.
Direct Debit
Direct Debit is the easiest way to set up your payments as you don’t need to adjust your payment amounts each year. We can now arrange a Direct Debit option to spread your rates payment with 3 equal monthly payments at the end of November, December and January. Or you can pay a single amount at the end of January. Please complete the direct debit form (Under Related Documents below) and return no later than 20 November each year. Please ensure you complete a separate form for each property.
Automatic Payment
You can arrange with us to pay rates, Clean Heat or leasehold installments fortnightly or monthly. More details on the Make a Payment page.
Credit Card
Credit card payments are currently limited to Visa or MasterCard and can be made through our website. More details on the Make a Payment page.
Internet/telephone banking
You can organise this through your bank. More details on the Make a Payment page.
Post
Please make sure all cheques are payable to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, and return along with remittances for each property. Place all required information in an envelope with payment and send to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Private Bag 6006, Napier 4142.
In Person
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s accounts desk is open between 8am – 5pm to pay by cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS. If you are paying rates near the last day of payment (31st January) please expect queues and delays. Rates payments can also be made at any BNZ -ensure you take your rates assessment with you.
Rates Penalties
Please pay your rates on time to avoid penalty rates. Rates are due on 1st October. However HBRC gives you until 31 January for final payment after which a 10% penalty is charged.
Any misaddressed payments are not the responsibility of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.
Remissions and Postponements
HBRC has policies for rates remission in special circumstances, postponement in cases of financial hardship or natural disaster, and remission/postponement for Māori freehold land.
Refer to our policy on remissions on penalties in the Long Term Plan.
We are happy to help you solve any payment difficulties and discuss payment options, but you need to contact us before the penalty date. Contact HBRC Rates staff on +64 6 835 2955 or 0800 108 838.
Refund policy
At any stage a ratepayer is in credit with their rates, they are entitled to a refund, unless their credit is a result of a clean heat loan repayment. Simply apply in writing to HBRC for the refund of the whole or a part of credited rates. Please include your valuation roll number and property address in the application (which can be by emailed to rates@hbrc.govt.nz). HBRC must pay the refund as soon as practicable after receiving your application.
