How are council rates worked out in New Zealand?

Rates are largely based on a property's rateable or capital value multiplied by a rate set by the council, plus fixed charges. Because each council sets its own rate, the cost on a similar property varies a lot from region to region.

Why do rates differ so much by region?

Councils have different costs, services and property values, so they set different rates in the dollar and different fixed charges. A home of the same value can cost very different amounts in rates depending on where it is.

How do I compare rates between regions?

Enter a property value and each region's rate in the dollar, plus any fixed charge, and the calculator shows the yearly and weekly cost side by side, so you can compare what a similar home would cost in rates in each place.

Rates by Region Calculator

This New Zealand calculator compares council rates on a similar property across regions. Because each council sets its own rate in the dollar and its own fixed charges, a home of the same value can cost very different amounts in rates depending on where it is. You enter a property value and each region's rate and fixed charge, and the tool shows the yearly and weekly cost side by side, useful when weighing up a move.

Property capital value

Regions to compare (rate in the dollar, e.g. 0.0035, plus any fixed charge)

Region name

Rate in the dollar

Fixed charge

Region name

Rate in the dollar

Fixed charge

Region name

Rate in the dollar

Fixed charge

Region	Rates per year	Per week

A simplified model: capital value times the rate in the dollar, plus the fixed charge. Real rates bills include targeted rates and vary by property type; check each council's current figures. Estimate only.

How it works

For each region, the calculator multiplies the property's capital value by that region's rate in the dollar and adds the fixed charge, to estimate the yearly rates bill, then shows it per week. Putting the regions side by side reveals how much the same home would cost in rates in each place, which can be a meaningful difference when you are comparing where to live or invest.

Worked example

On an $800,000 home, a rate of 0.0035 in the dollar plus a $600 fixed charge is about $3,400 a year, while 0.0042 plus $450 is about $3,810, and 0.0028 plus $800 is about $3,040. The same house, three quite different rates bills, depending on the council.

Related calculators

Property Rates Calculator: rates on one home.
Moving Cities Cost Calculator: the cost of moving.
Cost of Living Calculator: living costs.
Home Running Cost Calculator: running a home.

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