Rates - General information and frequently asked questions

This rates fund the council’s contribution to the capital construction of the theatre.

This rate is set on capital value, on a differential basis using projected values and the location of the land within the Waikato region. The council believes this is an appropriate system because it reflects the region-wide community benefits that pest control produces.  Ultimately, what is most important in terms of equitable funding is why we manage pests, not where we manage them.

Most of the benefits from the pest control work we do are not linked to where you live. Controlling pests to protect biodiversity benefits everyone who values the survival of native birds and other species. Similarly, controlling agricultural pests benefits our entire regional economy.

For example, we have found alligator weed - a very serious pest plant - in urban gardens, in maize fields and in several lakes. Any outbreak of alligator weed is a major potential problem for the whole region.

• Find out more about our biosecurity work and programmes.

This scheme provides flood protection, soil conservation and river management on the Coromandel Peninsula.

The rates are set on a benefit/contributor classification using capital value, land area, uniform charge and direct benefit. Every property in the scheme is charged a catchment rate based on capital value to fund 50 per cent of the catchment funding, and 50 per cent funded on a per property basis. Land may be charged a direct benefit differential based on an area, capital value or uniform charge based on the level of benefit it receives.

This scheme provides flood protection, river management, land drainage and soil conservation in the Piako River valley. The scheme is funded by targeted rates (85 per cent) and the general rate (15 per cent).

The rate is set on benefit classification basis using land area and capital value. Land within the scheme is assigned to a layer - tidal flooding, river flooding, drainage, residential, industrial or commercial. Within each layer there are several classifications representing differential levels of benefit.

This scheme provides flood protection, river management, land drainage and soil conservation to the Waikato-Waipā River Catchment. The catchment includes the Waikato and Waipā rivers and the areas of land that drain into them.

The targeted rate is set on a benefit/contributor classification basis using capital value, land value, land area and direct benefit.

Each property is charged:

• a catchment differential based on capital value
• a contributor differential based on land value (except for hydro properties, which are based on capital value)
• a management zone differential based on capital value depending on which management zone the property falls into – Lower Waikato, Middle Waikato, Upper Waikato, Waipā, or Lake Taupō.
• if within a direct benefit area, a differential based on area or capital value based on the level of benefit it receives.

This is a single catchment rate for community good (indirect) benefits and community responsibility (contributor). It is applied on a differential basis to reflect the different levels of catchment benefits within the area. It is funded on a capital value basis to best reflect the value of the catchment benefits derived from the Piako River and Waihou Valley schemes.

This scheme provides flood protection, river management, land drainage and soil conservation in the Waihou River valley. The scheme is funded by targeted rates (85 per cent) and the general rate (15 per cent).

The rate is set on a benefit classification basis using land value. Land within the scheme is given a 'classification' corresponding to the level of benefit it receives from the scheme. These classifications are A-E Rural, G Non-rateable, and U1-U4 Urban.

This scheme provides integrated river and catchment work and services for the west coast.

Every property in the scheme is charged a catchment rate based on capital value to fund 50 per cent of expenditure, and 50 per cent on a per property basis.

This rate funds the region's civil defence and emergency management services. It is applied on a uniform basis to every rating unit in the region.

• Find out more about Waikato Civil Defence.
• Find out more about our regional hazards and emergency work and programmes.

The drainage rates provide land drainage in the specific areas we manage and service. These rates are set on a benefit classification basis using land area, and depend on where the land is situated and the level of protection received.

• Find out more about our drainage services and programmes.

This rate provides for protecting natural heritage areas within the region. These are the special, ecologically significant places in our region that people want to preserve for current and future generations. The rate is set on a uniform basis and is applied to every rateable property within the region.

Activities funded include partnerships with district councils, central government, iwi and the public. The funds help secure permanent public interest in areas through leases, covenants and purchases, help the community enhance the value of the land, and assist private landowners to protect special areas of significance.

• Find out more about our biodiversity and natural heritage work.

This rate provides financial assistance to identifed emergency services operating in the Waikato region, including surf life saving, coastguards and rescue helicopter services.

• Surf Life Saving New Zealand
• Coastguard New Zealand
• Rescue helicopters

This rate funds the construction and maintenance of stock truck effluent stations across the region.  It is applied on a capital value basis on rating units with an area of 2 hectares or greater.

This rate funds part of the cost of the Hamilton city urban public transport service and transport planning to avoid and reduce the serious congestion problems that occur in other cities. Having an efficient public transportation system in Hamilton benefits everyone. Traffic congestion costs time and money, and contributes to our air pollution problems. 

The rate is set on differential basis using capital value on all properties within the Hamilton City Council boundary, with rating units which are within 800m of public transport contributing through a direct rate differential.

• Find out more about our transport work and services.

Some frequent comments and questions we receive about public transport rates

I pay a passenger transport rate - I should be able to use the buses for free

The cost of running the bus is paid from three areas - central government, the ratepayer, and the user of the bus. If one of the contributions reduces, for example through the provision of free buses, then the other two contributors would have to pay more for the service.

I don't have a bus service close to me but I still have to pay a rate

While you may not have a bus service close enough to use, you do still benefit from the city having an effective bus service. The urban public transport targeted rate is assessed on all Hamilton City rating units.  Those rating units which are close to a service - within 800m of public transport  - also contribute through an additional direct rate.

All the buses I see are driving around empty - why don't we have smaller buses?

A major part of the cost of operating a bus service is the capital cost of a bus. New buses cost in excess of $300,000. Any savings by buying a smaller bus to operate in quiet times do not compensate for the capital costs of buying a bus.

I use the bus and need a bus shelter

While the Waikato Regional Council looks after the buses, infrastructure including the placement of bus stops and providing bus shelters is provided by the territorial authority. Any request for bus shelters or moving bus stops needs to be made to your local city or district council.