Councils
Ratepayers will be given the option to switch to receiving rates notices by email instead of by post, beginning later this week.
Council rates notices are traditionally sent out quarterly via post but now Council is giving ratepayers the opportunity to have their rates notices emailed directly to them via a secure online portal.
Acting Group Manager Finance and Assurance Patricia Christie said using the system was swift, simple and safe and once people opted in, their next rates invoice would be delivered by email, not by post.
“Having rates notices made available via email is a far easier, more convenient, sustainable and economical for our community who have been asking for this for some time,” Christie said.
April’s fourth rates instalment, which will hit mailboxes over the next two weeks, will include everything people will need to sign up for the new service, with a unique code sent to each property owner to ensure details are correct.
“It’s a very simple, secure online portal and people shouldn’t have any trouble signing in,” she said.
This service is completely opt-in, so people can choose to continue to receive their notices via post. They can change their minds at any time to sign up or to go back to the postal system, and payment is acceptable by direct debit, bank transfer, online or in-person no matter how they receive their bill, she said.
Ratepayers who sign up will be able to access all rates invoices dating back to July 2022, meaning people will be able to see all their information together without having to keep old rates notices.
“It makes so much sense for us to be able to provide invoices in this way. It will also cost ratepayers far less in the long run by removing the cost of printing and postage.”
Ratepayers signed up prior to 31 May would also go in the draw to win an iPad, Christie said.
“We really want everyone to get as excited as we are about this new service,” she said.
The Council rates team will be running a community drop-in session to help people with signing up. The drop-in session will be held at Te Hīnaki Civic Building at 101 Esk St on Tuesday, May 9 from 10-11.30am, she said.
Customer Services and Libraries staff will also be able to assist ratepayers with signing up.
Interim Group Manager Customer, Communications and People Jo Hutton said staff were trained and available to help people with the service at any time.
“This is such an excellent option for people and we’re always happy to help people understand how it all works,” Hutton said.
To learn more and to register visit icc.govt.nz/rates