Return to home page

Rates Rebates

The Rates Rebate Scheme was established by the Government in 1973 to provide a subsidy on rates for low income earners. Your rebate will be calculated based on your income, rates and how many dependants you have. The Government, following a review of the scheme, has further increased the rates rebate thresholds for the 2024/2025 rating year.

The following changes came into effect on 1 July 2024

  • Maximum allowable rates rebate has increased to $790
  • The additional income allowance for dependents is $500 per dependent

Retirement villages

Residents of retirement villages can also apply for a rates rebate. If you live in a retirement village, your village manager must complete and sign a declaration form.

When applying for a rates rebate please bring with you
  • a copy of your 2023/24 Matamata-Piako District Council rates account (available from August 2024)
  • a copy of your 2023/24 Waikato Regional Council rates account (available from September 2024) Alternatively you can visit the Waikato Regional Council Website or call 0800 800 401
  • a copy of your Income Certificate from Inland Revenue for the 2023/2024 year from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Please supply certificates for any spouse/partner or joint home owner who lives in the dwelling with you. Contact Inland Revenue on 0800 257 777.
  • a copy of any certificates stating interest earned on investments to 31 March 2024
  • if you have withdrawn any funds from your Kiwisaver/PIE between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 any interest received must be declared.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

Appointments for 2023/24 will be available in September 2024. The last day to apply for 2024/25 will be 30 June 2023. 

For further information on the Rates Rebate scheme and to calculate what you might get as a rates rebate, check out the Rates Rebate calculator.