Rates Information 2026 - 2027

When Council sets rates, the total average for the District is calculated to a percentage.

This year that figure is 16.9%, however the amount that individual ratepayers will pay varies.

Variations are based on ward charges for each area, targeted rates, hall charges and water infrastructure work that has been completed (and is paid off through rates).

However, the total calculated increase in rates income of $8.5 million, from $50.0 million to $58.5 million, for the entire Waitaki District amounts to a 16.9% increase.

The breakdown of the rates can be found here item 5.2 of the 9 July Council Meeting – Resolution to Set the Rates for the 2026-27 Rating Year.(PDF, 263KB) This was approved by Council on 9 July 2026.

You can see how this applies to properties in the Waitaki District by going to the Property and rates search | Waitaki District Council.

It will also be shown on your invoice.

The first quarterly payment date is on 25 August 2026. This will be notified in your invoice.

For those paying by Direct Debit the first payment date for the new amount for fortnightly payments will be 13 August 2026. For monthly payments the first payment date will be 20 August 2026.

Invoices are being sent out from 24 July 2026 and ratepayers should receive them either by email or post in the next week.

The first payment is due on 25 August 2026.

However, if you have a Direct Debit set up, the first fortnightly payment at the new amount will be on 13 August 2026 or for monthly payments 20 August 2026.

Please note, Council can only issue a rates invoice or instalment via email if the ratepayer has given consent to do so.

Contact us if you would prefer to be sent these by email.

If you pay your rates by Direct Debit, you will receive a letter notifying you of the planned change in the amount you pay in the next week. This will be a separate letter to your rates invoice.

For fortnightly payments, the first payment date for the new amount will be 13 August 2026.

For monthly payments, the first payment date for the new amount will be 20 August 2026.

The letter will provide you with information on how to contact Council if you need to.

If you pay into your rates account by scheduled bank payment, please use your invoice to calculate a change in payments, or contact Council for support or advice.

If you have previously received a Rates Rebate.

You will receive a Rates Rebate form with your Rates Invoice for 2026-27. Please fill out the form and return it to Council.

If you have not previously applied for a Rates Rebate.

First check your eligibility for the scheme at the Government's website: Rates rebate calculator | New Zealand Government

Then you can request a Rates Rebate form be sent to you by emailing service@waitaki.govt.nz, or picking one up from Council HQ, the Oamaru or Waihemo Library and Service Centre, the Waitaki Aquatic Centre or the Network Waitaki Event Centre.

Water charges rose an average of 43% this year, which again will vary between individual properties. Council’s been transparent about the amount of water infrastructure work that needs to be done in the next year, and the next decade after that.

Water income is ring-fenced, so the water charges you pay on your rates is for operating, maintaining and upgrading the water infrastructure that you use.

From 1 July 2027 water services will transfer to Southern Waters and will be charged for separately like other utilities like power or phone/internet services.

This year’s rates have been set using the valuation of property undertaken in 2023.

Council is legally required by the Rating Valuations Act (1998) to review valuations every three years.

The independent valuer assesses residential, lifestyle, rural, commercial, and industrial property. They assess Land Value (how much the land is worth), the Improvement Value (how much the property or improvements on that land is worth) and combine them to create the Capital Value.

This valuation is audited and approved by the Office of the Valuer General.

Once that’s done, the valuer send ratepayers a letter explaining their new Capital Value with a breakdown into Land Value and Improvement Value. Ratepayers have the opportunity to contest or object to the valuation before they are finalised.

Valuation based ratings make up under one-third of your overall rates bill. However, valuation determines the proportional contribution of properties. If Council has a required rates income of $50,000,000, then the valuation-based part of that rates income will be proportionate to the valuation.

A change in property value does not change the total required rates income Council requires – it simply changes the share of the required rates income for each property.

New valuations of the Waitaki District’s property are currently underway. Ratepayers will receive a letter regarding the new values for their property later in the year. While the new values will apply from 1 July 2026, they will not affect the rates due for this financial year.