Find out when your rates are due and what happens if you don't pay on time.
When to pay your rates
We send your rates bill in four instalments each year.
You can make regular payments across the year and the best way to ensure you’ve paid the corrrect amount is to set up a flexible payment schedule through Payble. There's no extra charge, you choose how often to pay, and can make changes any time. Find out more.
It’s important that the full amount is paid by the due date to avoid an overdue penalty, so please take care if you're calculating payments to make yourself. Council staff are unable to assist with manual calculations.
To see what your rates are for 2026-27, see our calculators.
| Instalments 2026-27 | Invoice date | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 August | 1 September |
| 2 | 1 November | 1 December |
| 3 | 1 February | 1 March |
| 4 | 1 May | 1 June |
Frequently Asked Questions
We moved from sending invoices six times a year to four, to save money and reduce waste. Printing and mailing invoices costs a lot, and postage prices keep rising.
If you’re currently set up on a direct debit plan, there is so much more available on the new online payment platform Payble. It’s simple to switch over and unlock the benefits, including much more visibility and control over your payments. Once you sign up in Payble, we’ll take care of sorting your old direct debit payments to ensure a smooth transition.
If you’re currently paying your rates by automatic payment (you’re putting money into our bank account), you’ll need to cancel any upcoming payments and then sign up in Payble.
Yes! You don’t have to pay everything at once. You can pay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly if that suits you better.
Setting up a personalised payment schedule in Payble is the easiest way to do this.
Yes, but we encourage you to switch to email invoices. It’s faster, cheaper and helps the environment. Right now, almost half of all ratepayers receive their invoices by email. Register to get your bill by email here.
- A penalty of 10% will be added to any unpaid instalment amount after the due date.
- A further 10% is charged every six months on any rates still owing from previous rating years.
- If you pay by direct debit, you'll always pay the correct amount and won't be charged any penalties.
- If you have overdue rates, please contact us to make arrangements for payment.
Our team is happy to help! Call us at 04 570 6666 or email rates@huttcity.govt.nz.