Rates postponements

Published on 29 July 2020

Whanganui District Council has adopted a Rates Postponement Policy that allows individuals and businesses who are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 some additional flexibility to make payments over a longer period as recovery allows cashflows to improve.

Those who meet the policy’s criteria will be able to postpone the 2019/20 fourth-quarter rates due on 27 May 2020 to 25 November 2020 (ie: postponed for up to six months).

All 2020/21 rates will also be able to be postponed to 30 June 2021, allowing ratepayers the full year to pay their 2020/21 rates. Any amount up to the total value of rates payable can be postponed as long as an agreed direct debit is place to ensure that the rates are fully paid by the date they have been postponed to. There is no charge for postponing 2019/20 fourth-quarter rates.

A postponement fee will apply to 2020/21 rates based on the amount being postponed. To apply, you must be the ratepayer of the property as per the Rating Information Database (RID) or their authorised agent. Applications can be made online.

To apply online, visit:

For further assistance, call (06) 349 0001 or email the Council.