To be eligible for a rates rebate:

• the property you pay rates for must be your usual place of residence
• you must be living in your own home on 1 July 2026
• you’re listed as your property’s ratepayer on our Rating Information Database (RID) — or one of the other types of property ownership and living situations applies to you.

Please note: It’s okay to have a short stay away, such as a holiday or hospital visit. But you cannot get a rates rebate if you do not usually live at your property.

When working out if you’re eligible for a rates rebate, your local council will check your income, how many dependants you have, and how much your annual rates bill is.

Even if you can only meet some of the requirements, you may still be eligible for a rebate.

Eligible households can have income up to $33,210 and get the maximum rebate amount ($830). Households getting more than this may still get a rebate, but it will be less than the full amount. 

SuperGold cardholders and their households can have income up to $46,400 and get the maximum rebate amount ($830). A couple who only get NZ superannuation earn around this amount.

This is the first time SuperGold cardholders have a different income limit for the rates rebate.

Cardholders with households whose income is more than $46,400 may still get a rebate but it will be less than the full amount.

You need a copy of your signed SuperGold card with your application.

Learn more about SuperGold cards here.

• a copy of your 2026/27 Matamata-Piako District Council rates account (available from August 2026)
• a copy of your 2026/27 Waikato Regional Council rates account (available from September 2026). Alternatively you can visit the Waikato Regional Council Website or call 0800 800 401 
• proof of income certificates for the 2025/2026 year from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 for yourself and any spouse/partner or joint home owner who lives in the dwelling with you:
  • from Inland Revenue. You can get an income summary by logging into Inland Revenue (IR).

    You can also contact IR’s self-service number (NZ only). 

  • from Work and Income. You can ask your case manager to give you a letter showing your income. Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 (NZ only).
  • if you're self-employed you'll need to provide a copy of your complete set of financial accounts - IR3B or IR10. These forms can be found on the Inland Revenue website.
• a copy of any certificates stating interest earned on investments to 31 March 2026
• if you have withdrawn any funds from your Kiwisaver/PIE between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 any interest received must be declared. (Your Kiwisaver provider can provide you with details of interest earned)
• retirement villages – please ask your village to fill in and sign the declaration certificate
• your SuperGold card (if applicable).

Most retirement village residents, including people who live under a ‘licence to occupy’ (LTO) agreement, can apply for a rates rebate.

If you live in a retirement village, your village manager must complete and sign a declaration certificate.

If your name is not on the rates bill but you live in an ‘owner-occupier’ flat, such as a company-share flat or apartment, you may still be able to get a rebate.

Complete and include this form with your rates rebate application: Company-share apartment rates rebate declaration (PDF 121KB).

You need to be a named trustee and listed in the council’s Rating Information Database (RID) to be able to get a rebate. We can check for you if you're unsure.

You cannot get a rebate for your property if you:

• do not usually live there
• use your property mainly for commercial activities — for example, farming or business, or as a rental property or holiday home
• own more than one property — you cannot claim for other properties even if they’re in a different council area.