Installment due dates
The Council's financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June, and rates are charged in four equal instalments. Invoices are posted out approximately 4-5 weeks before the due date.
| Instalment | Due date | Last date for payment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 September | 22 September |
| 2 | 20 December | 22 December |
| 3 | 20 March | 22 March |
| 4 | 20 June | 22 June |
Penalty charge for late payment
Under sections 57 and 58 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, the Council can prescribe penalties to be added to unpaid rates.
- A 10% penalty is added to any part of an installment which remains unpaid after the last date for payment as shown above.
- A further 10% penalty will be added to unpaid rates from previous financial years unpaid on the later of 5 working days after the date of resolution.
- A further 10% penalty will be added to unpaid rates from previous financial years that remain unpaid after 6 months.
Payment methods
The following methods of payments are accepted:
Cash and eftpos (excluding credit cards)
Payments may be made at the Fairlie and Twizel offices.
Internet or phone banking transfer
Installment payments or a regular amount may be transferred to the Council through phone or internet banking. The bank account for phone/internet payments is:
Account number: 03 0887 0226851 02.
Please fill in the online banking reference sections as follows:
Particulars: Your surname
Code: Rates
Reference: Your valuation number (you will find this on your rates invoice)
Direct debit (Rates Easypay)
Options available for payment by direct debit quarterly (installment due date). You complete and sign a direct debit application form (also available from all service centres) and we advise the amount of each payment on the Installment invoice, and the dates that payments will be debited. If you want to stop or change a direct debit, call the Council to advise or request a new Form.
Automatic payment
Ratepayers may direct credit a regular amount from their bank account into the Council's account. To avoid penalties, automatic payments should be set to clear each instalment by the due date. Council staff can help you to calculate this amount.
Online credit card payment
Secure online credit card payments using Visa or MasterCard can be made through the Rates Payment page.
A convenience fee applies for all payments made using this method - Mackenzie District Council does not receive any of this fee. Please have your Valuation Number handy (on your Rates bill) and your credit card number.
Worried about paying your rates?
It's important to contact our rating team as soon as possible if you are having issues paying your rates or have any questions. You can phone 0800 685 8514 or emailm rates@mackenzie.govt.nz .
Unfortunately, bills do get overlooked sometimes. If you do not pay your rates by the date each instalment is due, there will be a 10% penalty added to that instalment.
A further 10% penalty is added to any unpaid rates on 1 July, following the due date. An additional 10% will be incurred every six months thereafter.
Overdue accounts
Collection of rates from the mortgagee
Following the end of each financial year, the Council may notify a mortgagee of rates owing on any property that a bank or finance company holds a mortgage over.
Three months after this advice, the Council can demand payment of rates arrears from the mortgagee.
If you have a mortgage on your property it is in your interests to contact the Council before an approach is made to the mortgagee. Once a demand for payment has been made to a mortgagee, there is no further opportunity for the ratepayer to make a payment arrangement with the Council for the payment of the arrears.
Court proceedings
Where there is no mortgage on a property, the Council will begin proceedings in the District Court to recover unpaid rates. The cost of taking court action is generally added to the debt.
Court action can result in the property being sold with the proceeds being used to clear unpaid rates.