Valuation notices this week

Many Far North property owners and ratepayers are reacting to their revised property valuations with surprise or shock as their Quotable Value property valuations arrive in their mail boxes this week.


Far North District Council Revenue and Policy Manager Chris Ellington says there has been a dramatic reversal in the District’s revaluation trends with the most significant increases in and around Kaikohe, the Hokianga, the very Far North and Whangaroa; and comparatively static revaluations in and around Kerikeri, Kawakawa and the Bay of Islands.


Kaikohe leads the field with a median revaluation of 295 per cent, well above the district-wide median of 135 per cent. Hokianga comes in at 174 per cent, and the very Far North and Whangaroa have medians of 157 per cent and 156 per cent respectively.


At the other end of the scale, the Kerikeri/Paihia median is 61 per cent compared with the district-wide’s 135 per cent, while the Kawakawa/Russell median is 117 per cent.


“Put simply, this means that it’s catch-up time for the Far North’s traditionally slower growing communities,” he said. “The balance has shifted with the result that rates will rise for most ratepayers in these communities, while some property owners in and around the Bay of Islands can expect to pay less rates next year.”


Mr Ellington stressed that the exact level of increase or decrease could not be calculated at this time because the council had not yet set its rates for the coming financial year.


“The council recognises that this is a matter of great importance to its ratepayers and has provided a list of frequently asked questions and answers on its website www.fndc.govt.nz,” he said.


“However, people who require additional information will need to go through Quotable Value who provide council with the revaluation figures.”


Quotable Value has revised the Far North’s rolls as at September 1 this year and they are now available for inspection, free of charge, at Far North District Council service centres throughout the district.


The centres are open from 8am to 5pm at Memorial Avenue, Kaikohe; Redan Road, Kaitaia; and the Procter Library, Cobham Road, Kerikeri; from 8am to 4.30pm at Gillies Street, Kawakawa, and from 8am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 4.30pm at Keigh Street, Kaeo and Parnell Street, Rawene.


Objections to revised valuations can be lodged in writing or on-line at www.qv.co.nz no later than 22 February, 2008.


Objection forms are available from Far North District Council or Quotable Value Ltd and should be posted to:

QV Rating

PO Box 5019

Wellington.