KDC says more rates paid in full

An increasing number of Kaipara district property owners are up-to-date on their rates payments according to Kaipara District Council figures released last week. 

Figures from the end of December show that more than 88 percent of Kaipara district property owners have eaither fully paid or part-paid their 2012/2013 rates invoices. 

Of those, 74.6 percent had paid in full, up from 73 percent in October. 

An additional 13.9 percent had made part payments. 

Across the district there were 11.5 percent (1,599) of properties for which no 2012/2013 rates had yet been paid. 

This was down from around 14 percent in October last year. 

In Mangawhai, 62.4 percent of ratepayers had paid their rates in full and a further 16.4 percent had made part payments. 

There were 21.2 percent (821) of Mangawhai properties for which no 2012/2013 rates had yet been paid. 

Chair of commissioners, John Robertson, said some people had genuine reasons for not paying or only part paying their rates and council staff were working alongside them to assist. 

He said it was pleasing that a number of property owners who had previously withheld rates had now paid. 

“It doesn’t sit well with many people that some people are contributing to the running of the district and to essential services and that some aren’t,” he said. 

Mr Robertson said it was important rates were paid on time if property owners were to avoid paying penalties. 

The next rates instalment will arrive in mailboxes in February.