Rate Charge Explanation
This page provides a short explanation on each type of rate and what the current charges are.
Please note - where it is specified that a rate is charged per rating unit or per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit, this means that, if there is more than one dwelling on a property, then each dwelling will be charged on the Rates Assessment for the specified rate - except where any property is granted a remission under a council policy.
This summary should be read in conjunction with the full rating information provided in the Rating Policy Section of the Far North Future Plan
General Rates
The General Rates are made up of two items:
- The General Rate and
- The Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC)
The General Rate is assessed as a rate in the dollar on land value. It is also assessed on a differential basis - Commercial or General - and is charged on all rating units in the district.
The Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC) is assessed on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit in the district, at a fixed charge.
Both of these General Rate Charges fund a number of activities including roading, stormwater, the democratic process, public safety, forward planning, some environmental service and licensing costs.
Value| Rate | Rating Base | |
|---|---|---|
| General Rate - General Differential | Per $ of Land Value | 0.0027495 |
| General Rate - Commercial Differential | Per $ of Land Value | 0.0082484 |
| Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC) | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $470.00 |
Ward Service Rate
The Ward Services rate is set as a fixed charge (set differentially by Ward) on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit.
The Ward Service Rate funds public toilets, cemeteries, halls, footpaths, carparks/service lanes, reserves, town maintenance, community centres, museums, swimming pools.
Value| Rate | Rating Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Ward | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $206.50 |
| Northern Ward | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $218.60 |
| Western Ward | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $219.20 |
Water Rates
There are a number of water rates set by Council:
Firstly - Metered Water Rate - Every rating unit or part of a rating unit, that receives a Council water supply through a water meter (either directly or indirectly), pays this fixed charge rate, whether it receives potable or non-potable water. The Metered Water Rate funds the maintenance and capital costs of providing potable and non-potable water supply to the water schemes throughout the district.
Secondly - Water Non-metered Rate - Every rating unit or part of a rating unit, that receives a Council water supply not through a water meter (either directly or indirectly), pays this fixed charge rate. This is generally only in the case of small rural supplies or where people are connected to a raw water main or where metering is not practical. It funds the operating and capital costs of water schemes through the district.
The charge is based on an annual consuption of 250 cubic meters at the Water by Meter Rate together with the annual charge Metered Water Rate charge.
Thirdly - Water Availability Rate - This charge is levied on every rating unit or part of a rating unit, not connected to the water supply but that is within 100 meters of any part of the treated water supply line and the Counci is willing to provide a supply to the rating unit. The charge is the same throughout the district. It funds the availability of the supply to the landowner and like the other water charges, contributes to the operating and capital costs of the schemes.
Fourthly - Water by Meter Rate - The Water by Meter Rate is charged separately to land rates, on a six monthly cycle and is due on the 20th of the month following the invoice date. This rate is based on consumption of water used by the rating unit (measured through a water meter) and is charged by every cubic metre of water supplied.
Value| Rate | Rating Base | |
|---|---|---|
|
Metered Water Rate |
Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $200.00 |
| Water Non-Metered Rate (potable) | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $872.00 |
| Water Non-Metered Rate (non-potable) | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $637.00 |
| Water Availability Rate | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit |
$200.00 |
| Water by Meter Rate (potable) | Per cubic metre of water consumed | $2.69 |
| Water by Meter Rate (non-potable) | Per cubic metre of water consumed | $1.75 |
Sewerage Rates
There are a number of sewerage rates set by Council:
Firstly - Connected Sewerage Rate - is charged to every rating unit or part of a rating unit that is connected (either directly or indirectly) to a reticulated sewerage scheme. This charge will permit the connection of up to two pans (toilets/urinals) without further charge. This rate contributes to the operating and capital costs of sewage disposal.
Secondly - Sewerage Availability Rate - is charged on every rating unit or part of a rating unit not connected to the reticulated sewerage system but is within 30 metres of any part of reticulation and the Council is willing to provide a connection to the rating unit. The charge is the same throughout the district. This rate funds the availability of the supply to the landowner and like the other sewerage charges, contributes to the operating and capital costs of the schemes.
Thirdly - Sewerage Subsequent Pan Charge - this rate is to fund the additional costs associated with those rating units or separately used or inhabited parts of rating units that have multiple pans (toilets/urinals). Every non residential rating unit that contains more that two pans pays a further charge for the third pan and every subsequent pan.
Value| Rate | Rating Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Connected Sewerage Rate | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $701.50 |
| Sewerage Availability Rate | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $420.90 |
| Sewerage Subsequent Pan Rate | Per pan for the 3rd and subsequent pan/s |
$420.90 |
Drainage Rates
Drainage Rates are levied on all rateable properties within the four respective drainage districts. Draingage Rates are set on a rate in the dollar of the area of land within the drainage rating areas. The rate in the dollar charge is set differentially to the drainage rating areas. This rate funds maintenance and capital costs related to several drainage districts in the Northern Community.
Value| Rate | Rating Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Kaitaia Drainage Area | Per hectare or land area | $6.75 |
| Kaikino Drainage Area - Differential A | Per hectare or land area | $9.21 |
| Kaikino Drainage Area - Differential B | Per hectare or land area | $4.61 |
| Kaikino Drainage Area - Differential C | Per hectare or land area | $1.54 |
| Motutangi Drainage Area - Differential A | Per hectare or land area | $19.65 |
| Motutangi Drainage Area - Differential B | Per hectare or land area | $9.83 |
| Motutangi Drainage Area - Differential C | Per hectare or land area | $3.28 |
| Waiharara Drainage Area - Differential A | Per hectare or land area | $13.34 |
| Waiharara Drainage Area - Differential B | Per hectare or land area | $6.67 |
| Waiharara Drainage Area - Differential C | Per hectare or land area | $2.23 |
| Hikurangi Drainage Area - Differential C | Per hectare or land area | $43.19 |
| Hikurangi Drainage Area - Differential D | Per hectare or land area | $6.18 |
| Hikurangi Drainage Area - Differential E | Per hectare or land area | $3.11 |
| Hikurangi Drainage Area - Differential F | Per hectare or land area | $1.24 |
Stormwater Rates
The Stormwater Rate is a rate that is charged over all of the urban communities across the Far North District. It is charged on a differential basis with commercial properties paying a rate twice the level of the general properties. Its purpose is to fund specific new capital development and is in addition to the stormwater funding that comes from the general rate.
Value| Rate | Rating Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Stormwater Rate - General | Per rating unit within the rating area | $25.25 |
| Stormwater Rate - Commercial | Per rating unit within the rating area | $50.50 |
Kerikeri Main Street Rate
Every rating unit or part of a rating unit within a defined area of the Eastern ward, pay this rate. The rate was introduced in 2003/2004 at the request of the Kerikeri/Paihia Community Board to fund the Kerikeri Main Street project. Council was of the view that the rate should not be charged over Paihia, Haruru Falls and the Puketona area as this area was outside the area that benefited from this project.
The rate has been set on a differential basis with the commercial properties in the Kerikeri Township paying three times the general differential. This recognises the additional benefit that these commercial properties receive from this project.
Value| Rate | Rating Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Kerikeri Main Street Rate - General | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $9.00 |
| Kerikeri Main Street Rate - Commerical | Per rating unit or separate part of a rating unit | $27.00 |
Northland Regional Council Rates
The Far North District Council (FNDC) collects rates for the Northland Regional Council (NRC) which funds works and services provided by that council. The NRC rates are set either as a rate in the dollar on land area, or land valuation, or as a charge on the rating unit over a defined area. Contact the Northland Regional Council for more information on their rates or the works and services that they provide. http://www.nrc.govt.nz/Contact/
Due Dates
With the exception of water by meter charges, the rates for the 2009/10 year, are charged by way of four instalments. Each instalment must be paid on or before the due dates set out below. Any rates paid after the due date will become liable for the penalties as set out below in additional charges.
Due Date| Instalment | |
|---|---|
| First | 20 August 2009 |
| Second | 20 November 2009 |
| Third | 20 February 2010 |
| Fourth | 20 May 2010 |
Discount Information
Rates - following consultation in the 2008/09 Annual Plan, Council has cancelled the provision of the discount for the early payment of rates.
Water Rates - Council has cancelled the provision of discount for the early payment of water rates.
Penalties
Section 57 and 58 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 empowers councils to charge penalties on the late payment of rates exclusive of charges for water by meter.
Pursuant to section 57 and 58 of the Act, Council may impose the following penalties:
1st Additional Charges
A ten percent (10%) penalty may be charged on any portion of each instalment of rates assessed in the 2009/10 financial year that is not paid on or before the due date for payment.
2nd Additional Charges
A further ten percent (10%) penalty may be charged on any rates assessed in any financial year prior to 1 July 2009 that are unpaid on 1 September 2009.
3rd Additional Charges
A further ten percent 10% penalty may be charged on any rates to which a penalty has been added (under 2nd additional charge) that are unpaid on 2 March 2010.
Water Penalties for Late Payment
A ten percent (%) penalty on any protion of the charge for the supply of water, as separately invoiced, that is not paid on or by the due date for payment as set out on the invoice.
Page created/updated: 17 February 2010 at 1:32 pm
