Rating information | he pūroko rēti

A general rate based on the capital value of each rating unit in the district.

The general rate will be set on a differential basis based on land use (the categories are “residential”, “lifestyle”, “commercial”, “farmland”, “residential heritage bed and breakfasts” and “stadium: 10,000+ seat capacity”).

The rates (in cents per dollar of capital value) for the 2025/26 year are:

Table 1: General Rates

The objective of the differential rate is to provide a mechanism to charge general rates to the six differential categories in a way that best achieves the 11 funding principles provided at the end of this section.

The Council uses the ‘factor method’ of setting the general rate differential. Under this method, a general rate factor is established which is simply the degree to which the rate (the cents in the dollar) on each category of property is higher or lower than residential property.  In other words, the Council determines the degree to which the rate on a category of property is higher or lower than residential property.

The practical effect of the differential is that commercial properties pay more rates than would be expected under a “pure, undifferentiated” capital value (CV) system, and lifestyle, farmland and residential property owners pay less.

In the 2023 year a review was undertaken which compared the General Rate differential with other metropolitan and provincial councils. It also considered the ongoing need for the Tourism/Economic Development targeted rate introduced in 2010 and concluded that there were no identified benefits in keeping this rate. In January 2025, Council resolved to combine the Tourism/Economic Development targeted rate into the Commercial General Rate and maintain all other current General Rate differentials.

The Council will not be using a Uniform Annual General Charge.

Community Services

A targeted rate for community services of $121.00. This rate will be set on a differential basis based on land use (the categories are “residential, residential heritage bed and breakfasts, lifestyle and farmland” and “commercial and stadium: 10,000+ seat capacity”). The rate will be charged on the following basis:

Table 2: Targeted Rate – Community Services

The community services targeted rate will be used to fund part of the Parks and Reserves activity and the Botanic Garden.

Kerbside Recycling Collection

A targeted rate for a kerbside waste collection service. This rate will be set on a differential basis based on land use (the categories are “residential, residential heritage bed and breakfasts, lifestyle and farmland” and “commercial”). This rate applies to all separately used or inhabited parts of a rating unit or rating units that receive a kerbside waste collection service. The rate for the 2025/26 year is:

Table 3: Targeted Rate – Kerbside Recycling Collection

Drainage

A targeted rate for drainage.  Drainage is a combined targeted rate for sewage disposal and stormwater. Sewage disposal makes up 78% of the drainage rate, and stormwater makes up 22%. This rate will be set on a differential basis based on the provision of service (with the categories being “connected” and “serviceable”) and on land use (with the categories being “residential, residential heritage bed and breakfasts, lifestyle and farmland”, “commercial, residential institutions, schools and stadium: 10,000+ seat capacity” and “churches”). The rate will be charged on the following basis:

Table 4: Targeted Rate – Drainage Categories

The rates for the 2025/26 year are:

Table 5: Targeted Rate – Drainage Rates

Non–rateable land will not be liable for the stormwater component of the drainage targeted rate.  Rates demands for the drainage targeted rate for non–rateable land will therefore be charged at 78%.

Rating units which are not connected to the scheme, and which are not serviceable, will not be liable for this rate.

Commercial Drainage – Capital Value

In addition, a capital value–based targeted rate for drainage on a differential basis based on land use (the categories are “commercial and residential institutions”, “schools” and “stadium: 10,000+ seat capacity”) and the provision of services (the categories being “connected” and “serviceable”). This rate shall not apply to properties in Karitane, Middlemarch, Seacliff, Waikouaiti and Warrington.

This rate shall not apply to churches.

The rates for the 2025/26 year are:

Table 6: Targeted Rate – Commercial Drainage Rates

Non–rateable land will not be liable for the stormwater component of the drainage targeted rate. Rates demands for the drainage targeted rate for non–rateable land will therefore be charged at 78%.

Water

A targeted rate for water supply per separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit on all property either connected, or for which connection is available, to receive an ordinary supply of water within the meaning of the Dunedin City bylaws, excepting properties in Karitane, Merton, Rocklands/Pukerangi, Seacliff, Waitati, Warrington, East Taieri, West Taieri and North Taieri. This rate will be set on a differential basis based on the availability of service (the categories are “connected” and “serviceable”).

Rating units which are not connected to the scheme, and which are not serviceable, will not be liable for this rate.

The rates for the 2025/26 year are:

Table 7: Targeted Rate – Water (Ordinary)

Table 8: Targeted Rate – Water (Volume of Water)

Fire Protection

A targeted rate for rating units that receive a water supply for the provision of a fire protection service.  The rate will be set on a differential basis based on land use on certain categories of property (“commercial”, “residential institutions” and “stadium: 10,000+ seat capacity”).

This rate will be based on capital value. This rate shall not apply to churches.

The rates for the 2025/26 year are:

Table 9: Targeted Rate – Fire Protection Capital Value

A targeted rate for water supply for the provision of a fire protection service for each separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit within the “residential, residential heritage bed and breakfasts, lifestyle and farmland” categories that are not receiving an ordinary supply of water within the meaning of the Dunedin City bylaws.

The rate for the 2025/26 year is:

Table 10: Targeted Rate – Fire Protection

Water – Quantity of Water

A targeted rate for the quantity of water provided, reconnection fee and special reading fee, to any rating unit fitted with a water meter, being an extraordinary supply of water within the meaning of the Dunedin City bylaws, according to the following scale of charges

Table: 11: Targeted Rate – Quantity of Water

Where the supply of a quantity of water is subject to this Quantity of Water Targeted Rate, the rating unit will not be liable for any other targeted rate for the supply of the same water.

Allanton Drainage

A targeted rate for rating units within the Allanton area that are paying the capital contribution towards the Allanton Wastewater Collection System, as a targeted rate over 20 years. Liability for the rate is on the basis of the provision of service to each rating unit.

The rate for the 2025/26 year is:

The Allanton area is shown in the map below:

Blanket Bay Drainage

A targeted rate for rating units within the Blanket Bay area that are paying the capital contribution towards the Blanket Bay Drainage system, as a targeted rate over 20 years. Liability for the rate is on the basis of the provision of the service to each rating unit.

The rate for the 2025/26 year is:

The Blanket Bay area is shown in the map below:

Curles Point Drainage

A targeted rate for rating units within the Curles Point area that are paying the capital contribution towards the Curles Point Drainage System, as a targeted rate over 20 years. Liability for the rate is on the basis of the provision of the service to each rating unit.

The rate for the 2025/26 year is:

The Curles Point area is shown in the map below:

Warm Dunedin Targeted Rate Scheme

A targeted rate for each rating unit in the Warm Dunedin Targeted Rate Scheme. The revenue sought from this targeted rate is $298,000.  The targeted rate scheme provides a way for homeowners to install insulation and/or clean heating.  The targeted rate covers the cost and an annual interest rate.  The interest rates have been and will be:

• Rates commencing 1 July 2013 and 1 July 2014 8%.
• Rates commencing 1 July 2015 and 1 July 2016 8.3%.
• Rates commencing 1 July 2017 7.8%.
• Rates commencing 1 July 2018 7.2%.
• Rates commencing 1 July 2019 6.8%.
• Rates commencing 1 July 2020 5.7%.
• Rates commencing 1 July 2021 4.4%.

Table 13: Targeted Rate – Warm Dunedin Targeted Rate Scheme

Private Street Lighting

A targeted rate for street lighting in the private streets to which the Council supplies a private street lighting service.  The targeted rate will be set on a differential basis based on land use (the categories are “residential”, “lifestyle” and “commercial”).

The rate for the 2025/26 year will be charged on the following basis:

Table 14: Targeted Rate – Private Street Lighting

Private Street Lighting Addresses ( opens in new window)

Where councils assess rates on a differential basis, the definition of differential categories is limited to the list of matters specified in Schedule 2 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. The Council is required to state which matters will be used for definition of the categories, and the category or categories of any differentials.

The differential categories are determined in accordance with the Council’s land use codes and the provision or availability of services. The land use code for each property is available from the Council’s Customer Services Agency and on the website (on a property by property basis) at www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/rates-information.

The Council’s land use codes are based on the land use codes set under the Rating Valuation Rules 2008, which are set out below:

In addition to the categories set out above, the Council has established categories for residential institutions, residential heritage bed and breakfasts, the stadium: 10,000+ seat capacity, churches, and schools.

1  Differentials based on land use

The Council uses this matter to:

• differentiate the General Rate
• differentiate the Community Services Rate
• differentiate the Kerbside Recycling Collection Rate
• differentiate the Private Street Lighting Rate
• differentiate the Tourism/Economic Development Rate
• differentiate the Fire Protection Rate.

The differential categories based on land use are:

Residential – includes all rating units used for residential purposes including single residential, multi–unit residential, multi–use residential, residential special accommodation, residential communal residence dependent on other use, residential bach/cribs, residential carparking and residential vacant land.

Lifestyle – includes all rating units with Council land use codes 2, 20, 21, 22 and 29.

Commercial – includes all rating units with land uses not otherwise categorised as Residential, Lifestyle, Farmland, Stadium: 10,000+ Seat Capacity or Residential Heritage Bed and Breakfasts.

Farmland – includes all rating units used solely or principally for agricultural or horticultural or pastoral purposes.

Residential Heritage Bed and Breakfasts – includes all rating units meeting the following description:

1. Bed and breakfast establishments; and
2. Classified as commercial for rating purposes due to the number of bedrooms (greater than 4); and
3. Either:
   • the majority of the establishment is at least 80 years old; or
   • the establishment has Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Registration; or
   • the establishment is a Dunedin City Council Protected Heritage Building, as identified in the District Plan; and
4. The bed and breakfast owner lives at the facility.

Stadium: 10,000+ Seat Capacity – this includes land at 130 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, Assessment 4026695, Valuation reference 27190–01403.

2 Differentials based on land use and provision or availability of service

The Council uses these matters to differentiate the drainage rate and commercial drainage rate.

The differential categories based on land use are:

Residential – includes all rating units used for residential purposes including single residential, multi–unit residential, multi–use residential, residential special accommodation, residential communal residence dependent on other use, residential bach/cribs, residential carparking and residential vacant land.

Lifestyle – includes all rating units with Council land use codes 2, 20, 21, 22 and 29.

Farmland – includes all rating units used solely or principally for agricultural or horticultural or pastoral purposes.

Commercial – includes all rating units with land uses not otherwise categorised as Residential, Lifestyle, Farmland, Stadium: 10,000+ Seat Capacity, Residential Heritage, Bed and Breakfasts, Residential Institutions, Churches or Schools.

Stadium: 10,000+ Seat Capacity – this includes land at 130 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin, Assessment 4026695, Valuation reference 27190–01403.

Residential Heritage Bed and Breakfasts – includes all rating units meeting the following description:

1. Bed and breakfast establishments; and
2. Classified as commercial for rating purposes due to the number of bedrooms (greater than 4); and
3. Either:
   • the majority of the establishment is at least 80 years old; or
   • the establishment has Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Registration; or
   • the establishment is a Dunedin City Council Protected Heritage Building, as identified in the District Plan; and
4. The bed and breakfast owner lives at the facility.

Residential Institutions – includes only rating units with Council land use codes 95 and 96.

Churches – includes all rating units used solely or principally as places of religious worship.

Schools – includes only rating units used for schools that do not operate for profit.

The differential categories based on provision or availability of service are:

Connected – any rating unit that is connected to a public sewerage drain.

Serviceable – any rating unit that is not connected to a public sewerage drain but is capable of being connected to the sewerage system (being a property situated within 30 metres of a public drain).

3 Differentials based on provision or availability of service

The Council uses these matters to differentiate the water rates.

The differential categories based on provision or availability of service are:

Connected – any rating unit that is supplied by the water supply system

Serviceable – any rating unit that is not supplied but is capable of being supplied by the water supply system (being a rating unit situated within 100 metres of the nearest water supply).

Minimum rates

Where the total amount of rates payable in respect of any rating unit is less than $5.00, the rates payable in respect of the rating unit shall be such amount as the Council determines, but not exceeding $5.00

Low value rating units

Rating units with a capital value of $6,000 or less will only be charged the general rate.

A separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit includes any portion inhabited or used by the owner/a person other than the owner, and who has the right to use or inhabit that portion by virtue of a tenancy, lease, licence, or other agreement.

This definition includes separately used parts, whether or not actually occupied at any particular time, which are provided by the owner for rental (or other form of occupation) on an occasional or long term basis by someone other than the owner.

For the purpose of this definition, vacant land and vacant premises offered or intended for use or habitation by a person other than the owner and usually used as such are defined as ‘used’.

For the avoidance of doubt, a rating unit that has a single use or occupation is treated as having one separately used or inhabited part.

No lump sum contributions will be sought for any targeted rate.

All rates to be collected by the Council will be payable by four instalments according to the following schedule.

The City is divided into four areas based on Valuation Roll Numbers, as set out below:

Table 15: Rating Areas

Area 4 comprises ratepayers with multiple assessments who pay on a schedule.

All rates, with the exception of water rates which are charged based on water meter consumption, will be payable in four instalments, due on the dates shown below:

Table 16: Due Dates

Water meter invoices are sent separately from other rates.  Where water rates are charged based on metered consumption using a meter other than a Smart Water Meter, invoices are sent on a quarterly or monthly basis and the due date for payment shall be on the 20th of the month following the date of the invoice as set out in the table below:

Where water rates are charged based on consumption calculated using a Smart Water Meter, invoices will be sent out on a monthly basis, with the due date for payment being on the 20th of the month.

Definitions

Mode – this is the most frequently occurring capital value.

Median – this capital value is the one in the middle of the list of individual capital values.  Half of the values are above this amount, and half below.

Average – this is the capital value calculated if the whole value in each category was divided by the number of properties in each category.

Example – these properties provide additional example rate accounts.

The following funding mechanisms are applied to the Council’s group activities. All mechanisms that have been used are in accordance with the Revenue and Financing Policy.

Mix of funding mechanisms by group activity ) opens in new window)

The Dunedin City Council, in adopting the rating method, takes into consideration the following funding principles:

1. That, in so far as possible, the rating method should be simple, efficient and understandable.
2. People who benefit (including secondary beneficiaries) should contribute to costs.
3. Capital value is the primary method of determining the rating method. Capital value is based on market value and reflects the property valuation.
4. Property rates are a mechanism, which contains principles of public benefit taxation. Rates are not a user–pays mechanism.
5. The application of funding mechanisms should not distort markets.
6. The funding of activities and services should have regard to the interests of residents and ratepayers, including future ratepayers.
7. The funding of services and activities should not make these unaffordable.
8. People who pollute or damage the environment should bear the cost of redress.
9. To promote fairness and equity in rating, fixed charges may be used.
10. Where changes are contemplated to the rating method, transition arrangements may be used.
11. Specific rating areas may be considered on a case–by– case basis.