Financial assistance available for ratepayers
In the current period of uncertainty, we appreciate that many Aucklanders are facing financial hardship. The following information outlines some of the financial assistance measures that are available to help ratepayers.
Deferment of rates payment without penalties
======================================
Under normal circumstances if your recent rates invoice was not paid in full by 28 May 2020 a penalty payment would be applied to any outstanding balance. However, if you are experiencing financial difficulties, contact the council to arrange payment by smaller installments, or defer payment of the full amount, until 31 August 2020 without attracting penalties. All registered ratepayers who require financial assistance and support at this time may apply. Here are some examples of how you can demonstrate that you are experiencing financial hardship:
Business ratepayers
=================
In receipt of government wage subsidy
In receipt of government-guaranteed business loan
Tax payments deferred by IRD
Residential ratepayers
==================
Is a participant of the mortgage repayment holiday scheme
Has lost their job or had a substantial reduction in income
To apply please go online here or call us on 09 301 0101.
You will need your name, full address of the property for which you are applying and your rates assessment number.
You will not need to upload evidence of your financial hardship in order to apply, but we may request this from you at a later date.
If you pay your rates by direct debit, you can apply to suspend your payments until 31 August 2020.
Please note this deferment scheme:
=============================
is in addition to existing payment plans already offered to ratepayers.
does not include any outstanding payments and penalties incurred prior to 25 March 2020. In addition, the following support is available for residential ratepayers:
Rates postponement policy
=======================
The council has a rates remission and postponement policy allowing residential ratepayers who meet certain criteria to postpone payment of their rates until a specified event such as the sale of their property. Detail on eligibility and conditions available in this document.
Rates rebate scheme
==================
Rates relief of up to $640 is available for those on incomes below a specified level through the government’s rates rebates scheme. Go here for details of eligibility and conditions.
Accommodation Supplement
========================
The Accommodation Supplement is the Government’s primary assistance for accommodation costs, including for homeowners seeking help with their rates payments. People do not need to receive a main benefit to be eligible for the accommodation supplement. For information on eligibility and to apply for the accommodation supplement you can contact Work and Income either its website at or call 0800 559 009.
More information
==============
If you are facing difficulties paying your rates, call us on 09 301 0101 and staff will be happy to provide further information on these options.
=========================================================
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
-
58.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
-
26.1% No, individuals should take responsibility
-
15% ... It is complicated
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Even Australians get it - so why not Kiwis???
“Ten years ago, if a heatwave as intense as last week’s record-breaker had hit the east coast, Australia’s power supply may well have buckled. But this time, the system largely operated as we needed, despite some outages.
On Australia’s main grid last quarter, renewables and energy storage contributed more than 50% of supplied electricity for the first time, while wholesale power prices were more than 40% lower than a year earlier.
[…] shifting demand from gas and coal for power and petrol for cars is likely to deliver significantly lower energy bills for households.
Last quarter, wind generation was up almost 30%, grid solar 15% and grid-scale batteries almost tripled their output. Gas generation fell 27% to its lowest level for a quarter century, while coal fell 4.6% to its lowest quarterly level ever.
Gas has long been the most expensive way to produce power. Gas peaking plants tend to fire up only when supply struggles to meet demand and power prices soar. Less demand for gas has flowed through to lower wholesale prices.”
Full article: www.theguardian.com...
If even Australians see the benefit of solar - then why is NZ actively boycotting solar uptake? The increased line rental for electricity was done to make solar less competitive and prevent cost per kWh to rise even more than it did - and electricity costs are expected to rise even more. Especially as National favours gas - which is the most expensive form of generating electricity. Which in turn will accelerate Climate Change, as if New Zealand didn’t have enough problems with droughts, floods, slips, etc. already.
Loading…
