Rates rebates

Established by the Third Labour Government in 1973, the Rates Rebate Scheme provides a rates subsidy to low-income homeowners. The amount of the rebate depends on a combination of your income, how much your rates are and the number of dependents you have. Your income is based on the tax year ending 31 March - and it includes your spouse's income. You can make one application per household.

What were the changes?

The following changes came into effect on 1 July 2019:

• The maximum rebate increased to $640.
• The income threshold increased to $25,660 a year for the year ended 31 March 2019.
• If you have dependents, your income can be $500 more for each dependent.

Are you eligible?

Use the rates rebate calculator and rebate eligibility information on the Department of Internal Affairs' website to see if you meet the criteria.

If you are granted a rebate we will reduce your rates by the amount of the rebate, or you can request a refund if you have already paid your current instalment.

You can apply for a rates rebate at any time during the rating year you are applying for, but the rebate can’t be back-dated for previous rating years.

Retirement Villages

Good news - from August 2018 residents of registered retirement villages also became eligible for a rates rebate.

How to apply

You can apply for a rebate using the form at the bottom of this page or by trying out our new online application form.

You will need to provide the following:

• Information on your income (before tax) for the previous tax year (ending 31 March).
• Information on your partner’s/joint homeowner's income for the previous tax year if they lived with you on the 1st of July.
• Spplicants from registered retirement villages will also need to supply their declaration of contribution from their retirement village operator, and a personal bank account number. Once processed the rates rebate will be refunded directly into the applicant’s bank account.

Getting your application witnessed 

You need to confirm on the form that the information you've provided is true by signing it in front of an authorised witness. People who can verify your signature include authorised Council officers (including our library staff), Justices of the Peace (JPs), chartered accountants, barrister/solicitors, ministers of religion and Members of Parliament (MPs). See the full list on the DIA website.

If you’re using the online application form, you'll need to come into our Customer Service Centre at 215 Hastings Street and have one of our team witness your application. Your other option is to take it to a Justice of the Peace (who are at CAB Napier each day), and then post your witnessed application to us at:

Napier City Council
Private Bag 6010
Napier 4142
New Zealand