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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

Council seeks feedback on updated whenua Maaori rates policy

We are inviting public feedback on our draft Whenua Maaori Rates and Remission Policy, which has been updated to better align to changes required under national legislation.

The revised policy is part of a wider review Council is undertaking that follows the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Act 2021, which requires councils to update how they rate Maaori freehold land. The law aims to reduce barriers to the use and development of whenua Maaori, including housing.

Previously, provisions for remissions and postponement for Maaori freehold land sat within Council’s wider Rates Remission and Postponement Policy. Bringing them into one standalone policy makes them easier to understand and access.

Tai Raro Maaori Ward Councillor Endine Dixon-Harris says the policy recognises the unique legal and cultural characteristics of whenua Maaori, and that it is governed under a different legal framework from general land title.

“We want to ensure our rating system of Maaori freehold land is compliant with the law and reflects the realities of how different land is held and used. It is about applying the right legislative settings in a fair and practical way – not creating special advantage.”  

Rates relief for hardship, and remission for community, sporting and other organisations on general title land, is still included in Council’s Rates Remission and Postponement Policy says Cr Dixon-Harris. This standalone policy provides a clearer pathway for matters specific to Maaori freehold land. 

“We acknowledge that there are sometimes complexities when it comes to whenua Maaori, and so it’s important that we hear from our communities. I strongly encourage whaanau to share their whaakaro and feedback about this very important kaupapa.”

The policy does not apply automatically. Requests for rates relief will be considered against clear criteria to determine whether remission is appropriate for whenua Maaori including:

  • remission for partially unused and inaccessible land 
  • remission while land is being developed 
  • recognition of non-commercial community benefit uses 
  • a pathway to clear historic arrears after sustained on-time payment 
  • a consistent approach for papakaainga on general title land.

Consultation is open from Friday 10 April until 5pm Friday 8 May. Feedback on the policy can be provided online, in writing, or at targeted hui (date TBC).

Check out Shape Waikato to make an online submission: https://shape.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/whenua-maaori-rates-and-remission-policy

Click here for more information about rating of whenua Maaori 
For more information about rates remission please click here.


 



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