Revenue and Financing Policy

Our Revenue and Financing Policy sets out how we determine rates and user charges for residential, rural, industrial and commercial property owners across Hawke’s Bay. In one way or another, it affects everyone in our community.

Our current policy has evolved over at last four long term plan cycles with amendments made to parts of the policy, but without a review of all parts as a whole. In our last Long Term Plan 2021-2031, we signaled we would complete a ‘first principles’ review prior to our next Long Term Plan.

Our aim is to make sure our Revenue and Financing Policy follows good practice as well as making it simpler to understand and to implement.

With rating changes affecting the whole community, we have compiled information and supporting documents to ensure people understand what we are proposing. 

We’re seeking feedback from the public and invite you to have your say.

Key proposed changes

Our key proposed changes are:

• Moving from land value to capital value for the general rate
• How the Regional Economic Development rate is allocated
• How we rate our flood protection and drainage schemes
• How we rate our passenger transport
• Freshwater Science changes, including a new targeted rate
• Simplifying sustainable land management, biodiversity and biosecurity rates
• Improvements and additions to our rates remission and postponement policies

Please see our consultation document which provides a detailed overview of the changes we are proposing.

Supporting documents

Our Consultation Documents refers to the following supporting information and draft Policy documents: