Rates season is upon property-owners

While Quotable Value (QV) will release its review of all South Wairarapa property valuations mid-month, the local body rate-setting season is open nation-wide.

Two local rating bodies have already made their opening bids, and ratepayers are saying “too much,” “unaffordable,” and “irresponsible.”

The bad news so far for South Wairarapa property-owners? 

Greater Wellington Regional Council has proposed a 19.8 percent rates increase for the 2024-25 year, a rise which affects all South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton ratepayers. 

Estimates are that urban Wairarapa ratepayers will face an extra $3.50-odd a week ($185.00 a year)  bill from Greater Wellington. 

Business owners will be hit for an extra $7.00 a week ($364.00 a year) and rural ratepayers some $2.50 a week ($130.00 extra a year). 

Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter told the Times Age newspaper that inflation, insurance premiums, interest rates, and operating costs have risen significantly since the regional Long Term Plan was last reviewed in 2021. Projects already in place or that have committed funding have also caused the rates hike. 

“This includes vital flood defence upgrades in the Hutt Valley and the design and planning of two storage lakes for bulk water supply,” he added.

Masterton is proposing a rate bill hike of a “low” 10.6 percent for the coming year, a move Mayor Gary Caffell says has been the outcome of “a damned difficult process,” and may see Masterton with “the lowest rate increase in the lower North Island.” 

President of Masterton Ratepayers and Residents Association Lynn Riley has labelled the proposed increase as “unaffordable for many” and showing “a complete lack of responsibility from council.”

Currently top of the pops is Buller District Council, where rates are to rise 31.8 percent for 2024-25.

Next in line is Napier, up 23.7 percent, followed by Hamilton at 19.9 percent.

Historic rates rise averages reflect how much the latest increases are changing the traditional pattern: a report for Local Government New Zealand shows the average rates rise in the 20 years to 2022 was 5.7 percent per year. Not 12%, 19.8% or 31.8%.

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