How rates work

Local councils carry out a range of activities for their communities. These include maintaining our water supply and roads and providing community facilities such as libraries and museums. Council activities are mainly funded through rates.

Other sources of funding include grants, user fees, investment income and development contributions.

The following information explains how rates are calculated in Whanganui, how property valuations affect rates and how rates are allocated to individual properties. 

How rates are set

The amount of rates the Council collects each year is determined through the Long-Term Plan and the Annual Plan process.

These plans establish the Council’s work programme for a range of activities, such as roading or stormwater. The cost of delivering and funding each programme is calculated, and the amount of rates that needs be collected is then worked out. The Council consults with the community before adopting these plans.

How your rates are calculated

Once the Council calculates the total amount it needs to collect from rates to fund its activities, rates are charged to individual properties. Rates are usually based on either the property’s land value, capital value or a fixed charge applied to each separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (SUIP).

You can use the Property Rates Search to calculate the rates for a specific property.

What is a SUIP (separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit)?

In most cases one household or business is based at a property and the property is classified as one SUIP. However, some properties have several users, and these properties are called 'multiple SUIPs'. An example of a multiple SUIP would be a house with a 'granny flat', or a property where several businesses operate. 

 For a legal definition of a SUIP refer to the Council’s Funding Impact Statement contained in the latest Long-Term Plan or Annual Plan.     

Differential rating system

Under Whanganui's differential rating system, properties are categorised as either residential, commercial or farming. Rates vary for each category of property, based on the perceived level of service and benefit that category of property receives.

Types of rates

Whanganui's rates can be broken down into three main types - uniform annual general charge, general rate and targeted rates. 

Uniform annual general charge (UAGC)

A uniform annual general charge is a fixed charge for each SUIP of a property, regardless of the value of the property. It’s used to pay for general Council services. 

The purpose of a uniform annual general charge is to make sure all property owners or ratepayers make a minimum contribution to services that benefit Whanganui.

General rate

 As a rule, if a service benefits the entire community it will be funded from general rates. General rates are calculated by looking at the land value of a property.

Both the uniform annual general charge and the general rate are used to fund services such as:

  • libraries, museums and galleries
  • animal management
  • parks and recreation
  • cemeteries
  • port and river.

Targeted rates

If a service benefits only a specific group of ratepayers, it will be funded from a targeted rate. For example, only those connected to the Council’s wastewater system are charged rates for maintaining the wastewater system.

The targeted rates apply to:

  • kerbside recycling
  • water supply
  • stormwater drainage
  • waterways and natural drainage
  • wastewater
  • roads
  • earthquake strengthening
  • Central Business District services.

How property values affect rates

When a property’s value changes this can affect the share of total rates the property pays, as some of our rates are based on a property’s land or capital value.

Generally speaking:

  • if your property value increases by about the average amount, you’ll have an average rates increase
  • if your property value increases more than the average, you’ll have a greater-than-average rates increase
  • if your property value increases by less than the average, you’ll have a lower-than-average rates increase.

Regional Council rates

Horizons Regional Council rates are billed and paid for separately and are not connected to Whanganui District Council rates. You can call Horizons’ Rates Department on 0508 800 800.

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