Council will soon be writing to more than 1000 households in the district, inviting them to apply for a rates rebate.

The rebate scheme is run by Government and administered by Council – it is a partial discount on a rates bill.

Acting CE Neil McCann said 1150 rebate applications were received in the 2024-25 financial year.

“In August we’ll send application forms to all those households who received those rebates and remind them the rebate is not automatic and they need to apply annually. The new financial year has just begun and residents will be receiving their first quarterly rates invoice at the end of July.”

You can use a rates rebate calculator online to check if you qualify, or you can ask our Customer Services team. You will need proof of your total household income before tax for 1 April 2024-31 March 2025 as part of the application process.

Mr McCann said Council staff would be visiting Methven and Rakaia in October to talk to rural residents about the rates rebate scheme.

“We’ll be advertising these events well in advance and people can come along for a face-to-face chat.

“The rebate is calculated on household income, the amount of rates you pay, if you have dependants living with you and if you have a SuperGold card. Often people don’t realise they qualify for a rebate, so we encourage people to use the online calculator to check if they meet the threshold or give us a call.”

The maximum rebate you can get is $805 and people may be eligible for all or only part of this amount.

Eligible households can have income up to $32,210; but households getting more than this may still get a rebate, but maybe not the full amount – for example if your annual rates are $3000 and you have no dependants, your income can be up to $40,900 and you will still get a rebate.

This year for the first time, SuperGold cardholders and their households can have income up to $45,000 (or higher, depending on the amount of rates they pay). SuperGold cards will need to be presented at the time of submitting your rates rebate application.

Council's Rates page has more information about rates remission and postponement schemes.