Find out when your rates are due and what happens if you don't pay on time.
When to pay your rates
To save ratepayers $50,000 a year in postage, paper and processing time, we'll be sending four invoices a year instead of six, starting from 1 July 2025. This change only affects how often you receive invoices, not the overall rates you're charged.
You can still pay in instalments 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 2025-26, enter your address in the search bar here.
| Instalments 2025-26 | 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’re making this change to save money and reduce waste. Printing and mailing invoices costs a lot, and postage prices keep rising. By sending fewer invoices, we will save $50,000 a year. It’s also better for the environment!
Most councils in New Zealand send invoices four times a year, and we are now doing the same.
No, your total rates bill stays the same. You will just get fewer invoices.
Yes, your direct debit payments will now be made on the new due dates. You don’t need to do anything—we will automatically update your direct debit to match the new four-instalment schedule, and your invoice will let you know the amount that will be debited.
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.
The system is not able to run two separate invoicing cycles so everyone will receive four invoices a year. You can set up a direct debit to continue paying on a two-monthly cycle if you're used to paying when each invoice was due on the old invoicing schedule. You can also pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly by direct debit.
- 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.