This consultation has closed
Council will be making a final decision on the policy changes by the end of June. This website will be updated after that with the new policy.

Greater Wellington Regional Council (Greater Wellington) proposes to make changes to the Rates Remissions and Postponements on Māori Freehold Land Policy. This will become known as the Rates Remissions on Māori Land Policy.
Greater Wellington is reviewing the policy following changes to the Local Government Act 2002 and Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 that took effect in July 2021, which included significant changes to the rating of whenua Māori. The proposed changes to the policy will ensure it is up to date and compliant with the legislation for rating of whenua Māori and the principles of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, and offer wider support to owners of whenua Māori to look after the whenua for current and future generations.
While this policy particularly affects Māori landowners in the Wellington region, everyone in our community may have an interest and is invited to provide a submission on the proposed changes to the policy. To make a submission on the policy, please visit our Have Your Say page.
The consultation document can be downloaded here:
Rates Remissions on Māori Land Consultation document.pdf

Greater Wellington Regional Council (Greater Wellington) proposes to make changes to the Rates Remissions and Postponements on Māori Freehold Land Policy. This will become known as the Rates Remissions on… Read more here

date_range Published 21 Mar 2022
Download now (PDF 472 KB) get_appThe draft policy can be downloaded here:
Remission of rates on Māori land | Whakaitinga Rēti mō te whenua Māori (English)

Greater Wellington must1 adopt a policy on the remission and postponement of rates on Māori freehold land2. Greater Wellington has also elected to consider applications for remission of rates on… Read more here

date_range Published 18 Mar 2022
Download now (PDF 46 KB) get_appRemission of rates on Māori land | Whakaitinga Rēti mō te whenua Māori (te Reo)

Me whakatutuki i a Te Pane Matua Taiao1 tētehi kaupapa here mō te whakaitinga me te whakatārewa o ngā rēti whenua Māori herekore2. Kua whakaaetia hoki e Te Pane Matua… Read more here

date_range Published 18 Mar 2022
Download now (PDF 45 KB) get_appGreater Wellington will be hosting online drop-in sessions during the consultation period to answer any questions the public may have. The schedule for these sessions is below. Please click on the link to enter the meeting.
Please check you have a stable internet connection before joining the meeting, and join the meeting with your microphone off.
Drop in session time |
Link to online meeting |
Tuesday 22 March, 6-7pm |
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Thursday 24 March, 12-1pm |
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Tuesday 5 April, 6-7pm |
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Thursday 7 April, 12-1pm |
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Tuesday 26 April, 6-7pm |
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Thursday 28 April, 12-1pm |
A brief description of our rating policies
Remission of penalties
We may remit a penalty where we consider that it is fair and equitable to do so, upon receipt of an application from a ratepayer.
Rates postponement
We will postpone regional council rates where:
- a ratepayer has applied in writing and
- can demonstrate they are experiencing extreme financial circumstances which affects their ability to pay rates and
- the ratepayer has had rates postponed in part or full by a territorial authority in the greater Wellington region.
If granted, the annual rates will be postponed for a period of one year. The postponement must be reapplied for annually.
Remission of rates in special circumstances
Greater Wellington Regional Council may remit some or all of the regional council rates in special circumstances where it considers it just and equitable to do so. Applications need to be made in writing and contain supporting information.
Remission and postponement of rates on Māori freehold land
We may grant an application for a remission or postponement on all or some of the rates on Māori freehold land provided that the land is the subject of a Māori Land Court order stating that the rating unit is Māori freehold land. These applications must be made in writing and be received by Council prior to the commencement of the rating year.
Get in touch
- Phone:
- 0800496734
- Email:
- info@gw.govt.nz