Your rates explained 2024

As your regional council, our role differs from that of the city and district councils. We’re responsible for managing the region’s land, air and water resources on behalf of the communities we serve. We also manage pest plants and animals, enhance biodiversity, contract passenger transport services, plan regional transport, work to mitigate the risk and impact of flooding, undertake science and monitoring, and lead the planning for and response to natural disasters to help keep people and property safe.

Funding and costs

Each property will have different rates depending on where you live and the services you receive. Your rates invoice is made up of individual rates, common rates and general rates.
 
Individual rates are the ones that relate to certain work being undertaken in your area, but not somewhere else. For example:

• Horowhenua - work to support restoration of Punanau Lake Horowhenua including lake weed harvesting.
• Manawatū - activity as a part of the Manawatü River Leaders Accord including stream fencing and planting.
• Palmerston North - a new public transport network that includes greater frequency and a fully electric fleet.
• Rangītīkei - control of the invasive pest plant 
Old Man's Beard which smothers native forest.
• Ruapehu - animal pest control as part of the Kia Whārite project which aims to protect North Island brown kiwi and whio (blue ducks)
• Tararua - funding for a district-wide river management scheme.
• Whanganui - Te Pūwaha. the port revitalisation project that includes river control structures.

• The Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) which improves water quality and flood protection for the whole region.
• Environmental initiatives which part-fund biodiversity and biosecurity.

Finally, general rates are also applied to all properties but are calculated off capital value.

Horizons receives its income from a number of sources including grants and subsidies, investment income. User fees and charges, loans and reserves, and rates. We use this income for:
 

Want to know more?

Head back to the Property & Rates page to find out key dates, ways to pay your rates, see what the rates for your property will be, and frequently asked questions.