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Development contributions estimator tool

Development contributions is a levy on new developments collected under the Local Government Act 2002 to ensure that any development that creates additional demand on Council infrastructure contributes to the extra cost that they impose on the community.

Development contributions are usually paid for residential development (new houses), non-residential development (commercial, industrial or retail), subdivisions, and for certain changes of land use.

The Development Contributions Estimator Tool will help you to understand the potential cost of the DCs associated with your proposal.

This tool will allow you to look at different variations to your development proposal to understand what the contributions for each option could look like.

The contributions are calculated on the anticipated demand that the development will impose on infrastructure, and the costs of providing that infrastructure. The amounts will vary from place to place as it depends on the catchment and the level of growth and infrastructure that is required to accommodate the development.

The Waikato district has been divided into a number of catchment areas. Each catchment area has a different range of projects which will require a development contribution to be paid and different rates are applied. For example, a one lot subdivision in the Tamahere area will attract, among other contributions, a specific water contribution, while in Pokeno the infrastructure requirements and therefore the contribution, will be different.

Development contributions can be charged for roads and transport, stormwater, wastewater and water, depending on the catchment area. Development contributions for reserves, community facilities and roading are charged on a district wide basis and apply in conjunction with the development contributions for specific catchment areas.

Subdivision Consents

For a residential subdivision consent, reserves, community facilities, roading and roads & transport are calculated at the rate of one household equivalent unit (HEU) per additional lot being created. Water, wastewater, and stormwater are calculated at a rate of one HEU for each lot being connected to the service. The total payable varies and is dependent upon location and what catchments apply.

For a non-residential subdivision consent, roading and roads & transport are calculated at the rate of one hundred metres squared of gross floor area (100m2 GFA) per additional lot being created. Water and wastewater are calculated at a rate of one 100m2 GFA for each lot being connected to the service. Stormwater is calculated at a rate of one 100m2 of impervious surface area (ISA) of the site. The total payable varies and is dependent upon location and what catchments apply.

Building Consents

For a residential building consent a credit of one HEU applies for the development contributions that were paid at the time of subdivision. Additional development contributions may be required where new or extended catchments have been implemented since the subdivision was undertaken for example there is now a wastewater catchment and development contribution in Ngaruawahia that may be charged on building consents. Additional development contributions will also be required where a building consent is for more than one HEU on a title. See the FAQ for more information on additional dwellings or independent living areas.

For a non-residential building consent a credit of one 100m2 applies for the development contributions that were paid at the time of subdivision. Additional development contributions will be required on the building consent for the additional GFA and ISA proposed.

For information on what development contributions may apply to your development email  info@waidc.govt.nz supplying the property address and information about what you are intending to build.

Development Contributions are usually paid for residential development (new houses), non-residential development (commercial, industrial, or retail), subdivisions, new connections, and for certain changes of land use.

Applications for resource consent, building consent or service connection trigger the requirement to pay development contributions. The due date for payment will be:

  • For subdivision resource consents: prior to issue of the section 224c certificate.
  • For other resource consents: prior to the commencement of consent.
  • For building consents: prior to Code Compliance Certificate.
  • For service connections: prior to connection.
  • For certificates of acceptance:  prior to issue.    

Development Contributions are increased by the Producers Price Index (PPI) - Outputs for Construction provided by Statistics New Zealand annually on the first of July.

If you want to avoid annual increases, you can always make payment earlier than the due date.

Contributions are used for providing new or expanded infrastructure. The contributions are not used for maintenance and are only used for the purpose for which they were taken. For example, a roading contribution will only be used for constructing new roads and intersection improvements.

Confused about development contributions? Our FAQ page may answer some of your questions.


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Last updated 19 May 2025, 11:02 am

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