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.

Penalty charge for late payment

A 10% penalty is added to any part of an installment which remains unpaid after the last date for payment shown above.

Penalty charge on rates arrears

A penalty charge amounting to 10% of the amount of unpaid rates from previous financial years, including any penalty charge imposed before 30 June in the previous financial year, will be added after July and January each year.

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.

Direct Debit 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.

If you are not able to pay your rates we encourage you to talk to the Rates Team as soon as possible so we can help you set up a payment plan that will bring the account up to date before any collection action is taken. Email rates@mackenzie.govt.nz.

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.