Find out how your rates bill has changed this year.
In 2026/2027, the Council set rates to collect $905.6 million (excluding GST).
This year, rates rose on average 7.83% for existing ratepayers, excluding the forecast remitted portion of the new City Vacant general rate differential, since those remissions are returned directly to the ratepayers who paid the rates.
A typical ratepayer owning an average-sized house, with a rating value of $845,000, will pay $87 per week in rates, including GST.
The actual increase in rates for individual properties varies depending on factors such as:
- A property’s rating value.
- Whether it is classed as residential, business, remote rural or city vacant.
- How many separately used or inhabited parts (SUIPs) the property has. Fixed rates are paid based on the number of SUIPs. For example, a property with two flats will pay two fixed charges. Most residential properties have only one SUIP.
- The extent to which the property’s capital value has increased in the 2025 revaluation relative to other properties.
Our rates for 2026/2027 are shown in the table below. A ratepayer typically pays some but not all of these. The rules for each rate are set out in the Council's Funding Impact Statement [PDF, 3.7 MB].
As an illustration, the table shows the amount that is typically paid for each rate for an average house with a capital value (CV) of $845,000.
Please note: We also collect rates on behalf of Environment Canterbury(external link), which sets its own rates. They are not included in these figures but will appear on your rates invoice.
| Rate name | Rate | Units | Rate paid for an average house, incl GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Rate: Standard | 0.277262 | cents per $ CV | $2,342.86 |
| General Rate: Business | 0.554524 | cents per $ CV | $0 |
| General Rate: Remote Rural | 0.207947 | cents per $ CV | $0 |
| General Rate: City Vacant | 1.129843 | cents per $ CV | $0 |
| Uniform Annual General Charge | 213.00 | $ per SUIP* | $213.00 |
| Water Connected | 0.073559 | cents per $ CV | $621.57 |
| Water not Connected | 0.036780 | cents per $ CV | $0 |
| Land Drainage | 0.046442 | cents per $ CV | $392.43 |
| Sewerage | 0.092390 | cents per $ CV | $780.69 |
| Waste Minimisation | 170.18 | $ per SUIP* | $170.18 |
| Waste Minimisation (Part) | 127.63 | $ per SUIP* | $0 |
| Restricted Water Supply | 419.00 | $ per SLOS** | $0 |
| Fire Connections | 140.00 | $ per connection | $0 |
| Active Travel | 20.00 | $ per SUIP* | $20.00 |
| Central City Business Association | 627.27 | $ per rating unit | $0 |
| Heritage (Arts Centre) | 0.000263 | cents per $ CV | $2.22 |
| Total | $4,542.96 |
* SUIP: This means a Separately Used or Inhabited Part of a rating unit.
**SLOS: The restricted water supply rate paid for each Standard Level of Service (SLOS) received by a rating unit.
