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Payment options

You can pay your rates online, by direct debit, internet or telephone banking, or in person.

Direct debit

You can set up a direct debit from your bank account to pay your rates and water – choose from either weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly instalments. If your rates amounts change, they will be adjusted automatically.

When there is a change in property ownership – such as selling your house – you must cancel your existing direct debit. To get a direct debit cancelled, call us on 04 499 4444 or email rates@wcc.govt.nz.

If you then buy a new property, you need to set up a new direct debit. A direct debit is an agreement on the property (not the person), so this will not be transferred when you sell and buy a house.

Use our online form to:

  • set up a new direct debit
  • change the account for an existing direct debt by setting up a new one.

Set up rates direct debit

When changing the account your rates are paid from, the new direct debit will automatically cancel the previous one.

Online payment

  • Account number - You will need your rates account number from your quarterly rates invoice.
  • Online surcharge - A surcharge of 1.27% per transaction is charged for this service. Wellington City Council does not receive any part of this fee.
  • Processing time - To ensure your rates are paid on time, you need to make your payment by 10.30pm on the instalment due date. Payments won't appear in your rates account for 3–5 days; however the payment date will be recorded as the date you made the payment.
  • Terms and conditions - By paying your rates online you accept and agree to be bound by the online transactions terms and conditions. 

Pay your rates online

You can pay online with your Visa or MasterCard – from the dropdown, select 'Rates, including metered water rates'.

Internet or telephone banking

You can use internet or telephone banking to pay your rates. To make arrangements for either of these options:

  • identify "Wellington City Council" as the creditor
  • specify your rates account number (seven-digit number shown on the bottom left corner of your rates invoice).

Wellington City Council should already be set up as a bill payee with your bank. You do not need to quote our bank account number just quote “Wellington City Council”. When prompted to add a reference / account number please show “RT” followed by your seven digit rates account number (this number can be located on your rates assessment notice, rates invoice or from the rates property search).

If you sell your property and purchase another, you will need to change the reference used to that of your new rates account number.

In person

New Zealand Post

You can pay your rates in person with cash or EFTPOS at selected New Zealand Post outlets.

Use the PostShop locator to find your nearest branch, details of opening hours and services offered.

PostShop locator - New Zealand Post

Council service desks

You can pay your rates in person with a debit card at one of our Council service desks.

Council service desks

Pay rates in full

Ratepayers are welcome to pay their full year's rates in one lump sum. The amount due for this option is detailed on the invoice as the balance to 30 June (includes any outstanding rates and penalties).

Penalties

A 10% penalty will be added to any amount of the current instalment remaining unpaid after the due date.

An additional charge of 10% will be added on 1 July and 1 January to rates that remain unpaid from previous years.

Change of address

If your postal address has changed, please update your contact details.

Contact us

Rates and Billing Services team

Phone: 04 499 4444

Email: rates@wcc.govt.nz

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