Rates rebates

A rates rebate is a discount on your rates bill. If you live in your own home and are on a low income, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $790. The amount depends on your income, number of dependants and how much your rates are.

The Rates Rebate Scheme is paid for by central government, and is aimed at giving low-income households a hand to pay council rates.

The scheme was set up by the Department of Internal Affairs, who set the eligibility criteria and the amount of the rebate. It is administered by local councils, who assess and approve applications on behalf of central government.

Last financial year, nearly $1 million was returned to Waipā ratepayers from 1353 households eligible under this scheme.

You need to reapply each year – it is not given automatically to people who have received it in the past. Your application will be fully assessed each time you apply. As long as you are eligible, apply before the deadline and include all the information required, you should get a rebate.

If you have already paid your rates and your application is approved, the rebate amount will be refunded.

How do you qualify?

The rates reduction (rebate) for the 2024-25 financial year is set at a maximum of $790.

The current household income threshold is $48,000 but if you earn above that amount you may still qualify for a partial rebate, depending on your living circumstances. Check if you are eligible before you decide to apply.

To be eligible:

The property you pay rates for must be your usual home. It’s okay to have a short stay away, such as a holiday or hospital visit. But you cannot get a rebate if you do not usually live at your property
You must be listed as the property’s ratepayer on the Waipā District Council’s rating information database (RID)
If you live in a retirement village, including under a ‘licence to occupy’ agreement, you need to fill out an extra form, signed by the village operator
If you live in an owner-occupier or company-share flat, you need to fill out an extra form, signed by the named ratepayer for the whole property
If you live in a trust-owned property, you need to be a named trustee and listed in the rating information database.

You are not eligible to apply for a rebate for a property if:

You do not usually live there
You use your property mainly for commercial activities, such as farming, a rental property or holiday home
You own more than one property – you cannot claim for other properties even if they are in a different council area.

To read the full eligibility criteria, visit the NZ Government Rates Rebate Webpage.

If you think you meet the criteria and would like to check if you are eligible, use this rates rebate calculator.

How to apply

1. Application details

Application details are available on the NZ Government webpage. You can also download their Rates Rebate Application Form or collect a hard copy form a Waipā District Council office.

Our staff are happy to assist you with any further queries you may have or you can use the online tools available on the NZ Government website.

When you apply for a rates rebate, you must provide the following:

Accurate information about your income (and that of any spouse/partner or joint home owner who lives with you) for the tax year
Your Waipā rates notice, your water rates notice and your Waikato Regional rates notice.

Please wait until you get your first annual rates invoice before applying for a rebate.

Applications close on 30 June 2025 and cannot be accepted after this date for a rebate from the 2024/25 financial year.

If you’re not sure if you’ve already applied for a rebate, please contact our team on 0800 WAIPADC (924 723) or by emailing rates@waipadc.govt.nz, and we can check for you.

2. Before you apply:

Work out the total rates you pay.

This total may be a combination of your Waipā District Council rates, your water rates, and your Waikato Regional Council rates.

Calculate how many dependants were living with you on 1 July 2024.

These can include children and other relatives who live with you, if you (and your spouse or partner) care and provide for them.

Relatives living with you are dependents if they get a WINZ benefit, but not New Zealand Superannuation.

Work out your total household income before tax.

This is all the money you earned from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Summaries from Inland Revenue call this your ‘gross amount’. If you live with a joint homeowner, partner or spouse, include their income during the same period.

Do not include their income if they do not live with you, and do not include dependants’ income.

Your household income might come from wages, salary, Government benefits and payments, pensions, self-employed income, interest or dividends.

The rates rebate application form lists more income sources that you need to consider.

Download rates rebate form 2024/25

Rebate FAQ

Are rates rebates only for people on the super?

No, any home owner on a low income can apply.

How will I know if I qualify?

You can check your eligibility by using the rates rebates calculator. Or, you can contact the rates team on 0800 WAIPADC (924 723) or by emailing rates@waipadc.govt.nz. Or call into one of our council offices and the staff will be happy to help you.

Do I have to pay my rates in full before I get a rebate?

No. If you have any rates outstanding, the rebate will be credited to your account. If you have a direct debit, your deductions will be paused to cover the amount of the rebate. If you have already paid your rates in full and your application is approved, you will be refunded the rebate amount.

If I earn more than the income threshold, can I still qualify?

Yes, depending on your circumstances, including your total rates bill and the dependents living with you. Check out the rates rebates calculator to work out what could be your rebate.

What if I was declined last year – can I still apply?

Yes, financial circumstances change from year to year so you will be fully reassessed each year you apply. We send out application forms to everyone who applied in a previous year, whether or not they were approved. Remember, you must apply by 30 June 2025.