Greater Wellington — Application for rates remissions of Māori freehold land

Māori freehold land is defined in the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 as land whose beneficial ownership has been determined by the Māori Land Court by freehold order. Only land that is subject to such an order may qualify for remission or postponement under this policy.

Objectives  

To recognise that certain Māori owned land may have particular conditions, features, ownership structures, or other circumstances that make it appropriate to provide for relief from rates. 
To recognise that Greater Wellington Regional Council and the community benefit through the efficient collection of rates that are properly payable and the removal of rating debt that is considered non-collectable.
To meet the requirements of section 102 of the Local Government Act 2002 to have a policy on the remission and postponement of rates on Māori freehold land.

Criteria and conditions  

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Greater Wellington will consider each application on its merit. Remission or postponement may be granted (in full or partial) where it is considered that the application meets the following criteria and conditions.

Support the use of the land by owners for traditional purposes.
Support the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands. 
Avoid further alienation of Māori freehold land.
Facilitate any wish of the owners to develop the land for economic use. 
Recognise and take account of the presence of waahi tapu that may affect the use of the land for other purposes.
Recognise and take account of the importance of the land in providing economic and infrastructure support for marae and associated papakainga housing (whether on the land or elsewhere).
Recognise and take account of the importance of the land for community goals relating to:  
1. The preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment 
2. The protection of outstanding natural features  
3. The protection of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna 
Recognise the level of community services provided to the land and its occupiers.
Recognise matters related to the physical accessibility of the land.
Provide for an efficient collection of rates and the removal of rating debt.

Conditions  

Application for a remission or postponement under this policy must be made in writing and should be made prior to the commencement of the rating year. Applications made after the commencement of the rating year may be accepted at the discretion of Greater Wellington. A separate application must be made for each rating year.
Owners or trustees making applications should include the following information in their applications: 
1. Details of the rating unit or units involved. 
2. Documentation that shows that the land qualifies as land whose beneficial ownership has been determined by a freehold order issued by the Māori Land Court.
3. Supporting information to demonstrate that the remission or postponement will help achieve the criteria set out in the above section. 
Greater Wellington may of its own volition investigate and grant remission or postponement of all or part of the rates (including penalties for unpaid rates) on any Māori freehold land in the region.
Relief, and the extent thereof, is at the sole discretion of Greater Wellington and may be cancelled and reduced at any time. 
The applicant may choose to remit or postpone the payment of a lesser amount of rates than the full amount owing.

Rates Remission and Postponement Policies

Rates remission and postponement policies outlines when Greater Wellington will consider remitting or postponing rates, including on Maori freehold land or special circumstances. Read more here

Published 29 Jun 2022

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Contact information

Name:*

Postal address:*

Physical address (if different to the postal address):

Phone number:*

Email address:*

Please provide

Evidence that the land is classified as Māori freehold title:*

Only files with extensions txt | doc | docx | xls | xlsx | pdf | csv | jpg | jpeg | gif | png can be uploaded.

What portion of the land is to be used by the occupier? (square metres):*

Copy of photo identification (occupier):*

Only files with extensions txt | doc | docx | xls | xlsx | pdf | csv | jpg | jpeg | gif | png can be uploaded.

Photographic evidence, map/aerial view of land block indicating the portion of land to be used by the owner/trustee/agent:*

Only files with extensions txt | doc | docx | xls | xlsx | pdf | csv | jpg | jpeg | gif | png can be uploaded.

Other supporting information you may have:

Only files with extensions txt | doc | docx | xls | xlsx | pdf | csv | jpg | jpeg | gif | png can be uploaded.

Please confirm how rates remission or postponement will contribute to achieving the criteria set out in Greater Wellington’s policy:*

What percentage of total Greater Wellington rates applicable on the land are requested to be remitted or postponed?*

Please describe any current use of the land (including traditional uses, residential, or commercial use):*

Confirmation

I confirm the information I have provided in this form is correct.*

Name:*

Date:*

Your information will be held and protected by Greater Wellington Regional Council in accordance with our privacy policy and with the Privacy Act 2020. Our privacy policy explains how we may use and share your personal information in relation to any interaction you have with the council, and how you can access and correct that information.

Next steps

Greater Wellington endeavours to acknowledge your application within ten working days. Upon acknowledgement of your application, we will confirm the process and general timeframes.

Updated November 11, 2024 at 10:51 AM

Get in touch

Phone:: 0800 496 734
Email:: info@gw.govt.nz