Council’s Customer Service team is heading to Methven and Rakaia in September and October to help residents with their rates rebate applications.

The rebate clinics will be at the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall on 10 September, from 10am-12pm, and at the Rakaia Library on 1 October, from 10am-1pm.

Group Manager of Business Support Helen Barnes said residents who received rebates last year would have received a letter from Council in the post, along with a new application form for the 2025-26 rating year.

“People can fill in the form and bring their supporting documents along to an appointment at one of our sessions at Methven or Rakaia, or they can make an appointment at Council’s office in Ashburton. There have been changes to the rebate scheme this year and many more households will be eligible for some, if not all of the maximum rebate of $805.”

Residents wanting to make appointments at the Methven or Rakaia sessions, or in Ashburton, should ring Council’s offices on 307 7700.

The Government has made changes to the Rates Rebate Scheme this year and the threshold to be eligible for the maximum rebate for SuperGold Cardholders and their households was lifted from $31,510 to $45,000 – about the rate for a couple receiving superannuation.

It means that every SuperGold Cardholder earning only NZ Superannuation, with rates higher than $2000, will be eligible for the full rebate. SuperGold Cardholders earning more than $45,000 may also be entitled to a smaller rebate.

Ms Barnes said residents could check their household income online to see if they qualified.

“And then they fill in the rebate form and bring in their supporting documents and our Customer Service team will help them.”

In order to process the application, the following paperwork is also needed:

• The August 2025 rates invoice for this current rates year
• Any statements or end-of-year tax summaries showing the grow income received for the year ended 31 March 2025
• Confirmation of annual income from the IRD

Superannuants should bring their SuperGold card.