City's Rating Review Enters Next Phase

Hamilton City Council’s Rating Review is moving to a pre-consultation phase after Councillors opted to further explore a Capital Value (CV) rating system.

Council staff will now speak with a number of key stakeholders in the city to get their input into the Rating Review.

Council is undertaking the review as part of the Long Term Plan process, mapping out Council’s focus for the next 10 years.

One of the aims is to achieve a more fair and equitable rating system, and more even alignment between who benefits from rates expenditure, and who pays.

A change from the current Land Value (LV) based system would have an impact on the amount different ratepayers pay.

One of the main changes could be a shift in the rates burden from the commercial to residential sector.

While the rating review is in its early stages, issues to consider include:

- Moving to a CV system
- Introducing targeted rates for water and refuse which could lead to full user pays
- Phasing any changes over a period of time; eg 3 years or 5 years
- Reducing or removing some differentials

Council will now speak with stakeholders on options for changing to an alternative rating system.

Mayor Julie Hardaker said rating was a complex issue, and it was important for people affected to be able to have a say.

“We want to get a feel for what people are thinking, and what we are seeking is people’s views on possible options” Mayor Hardaker said.

The stakeholder groups include:

- Citizens Panel
- Hamilton Central Business Association
- Westfield
- Kiwi Income Property Trust
- Property Council
- EMA
- Tainui Group Holdings
- Council of Elders
- REINZ
- Ratepayers Association
- Waikato Chamber of Commerce
- Opportunity Hamilton
- Hamilton MPs
- Federated Farmers
- Motel Association
- CTU
- Housing New Zealand
- Maori Womens Welfare League
- Youth Council
- Budget Advisory Services