The council’s Annual Plan 2026/2027 includes a confirmed rates increase of 7.9 per cent for the average value residential property ($1.28 million).
This year’s rates
What is in the annual plan regarding next year’s rates?
Each annual plan sets out key activities and plans for the year, including rates and the changes ratepayers can expect. A 7.9 per cent rates increase for the average value residential property ($1.28 million) has been confirmed for 2026/2027 .
Will all ratepayers have an extra 7.9 per cent to pay?
Our estimates show that from July, the vast majority of unchanged residential properties (around 94 per cent) will receive a rates increase within 1 per cent of the 7.9 per cent average.
7.9 per cent is the increase for the average residential property ($1.28 million). Rates will vary based on the capital value of each property. Individual properties might also be subject to changes to specific targeted rates which might impact their overall rates change.
Will we see large residential rates increases – over 10 per cent?
No unchanged residential properties will have a rates increase over 10 per cent this year (the exceptions are properties with changes to them, such as development of new houses, addition of a rubbish bin or a change in land use).
Around 2.5 per cent of residential properties will have an increase below 6.9 per cent.
About 4 per cent of residential properties will have an increase between 8.9-10 per cent.
The vast majority of these are:
- properties that aren’t receiving some or all of our waste management services and therefore don’t benefit from the overall 2.1 per cent reduction in waste management targeted rates, most of which are decreasing next year (e.g. vacant land, carparks or apartments)
- properties receiving a full year of waste collection if they’d have had a part charge for 2025/26.
What is the average cost of rates?
For the average household, annual rates are proposed to increase by around $321 next year – from $4057 in 2025/2026 to $4378 in 2026/2027. This is a total weekly rates cost of around $84, or $6.16 more a week.
This includes all regionally applied rates and the Waste Management Targeted Rate charges for standard services:
- Value based general rates
- UAGC (Uniform Annual General Charge)
- Water Quality Targeted Rate (WQTR)
- Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR)
- Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate (CATTR)
- Waste Management Targeted Rate minimum base charge
- Waste Management Targeted Rate standard recycling charge
- Waste Management Targeted Rate standard refuse charge
- Waste Management Targeted Rate food scraps charge.
These figures are based on an average $1.28 million capital value (CV) residential property. Capital values help us share rates fairly across all property owners, and are only for setting rates.
Other rates changes – business, farm and lifestyle
Are there changes to any other targeted rates?
Targeted rates contribute to specific services or projects and are generally set across all ratepayers, or to specific ratepayers in certain areas.
Individual properties may see some changes to other targeted rates.
Changes include:
- a reduction to the area of the Onehunga Business Improvement District (BID) and changes to the BID targeted rate
- an expansion of the Kingsland BID and changes to the BID targeted rate
- a 50 per cent reduction in the Rodney Drainage District targeted rate for properties in the Te Arai Drainage District
- Adjustments for cost inflation to the City Centre Targeted Rate, Franklin Local Board Paths Targeted Rate, Mangere-Otahuhu and Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Pool Entry Targeted Rates, and Swimming/spa Pool Compliance Targeted Rate.
What about business rates?
Under the rates policy, businesses contribute 31 per cent of the rates revenue raised from the general rates, WQTR, NETR and the CATTR. In 2026/2027, the rates for an average value business property ($3.869 million) will increase by 10.47 per cent. Individual business properties might also be subject to specific targeted rates which might impact the rates change.
What about farm and lifestyle rates?
The rates for an average value farm/ lifestyle property ($2.277 million) will increase by 8.36 per cent in 2026/2027. Individual farm/lifestyle properties might also be subject to specific targeted rates which might impact the rates change.
Ratepayer assistance
Assistance is available for paying rates
Anyone concerned about paying their rates is encouraged to get in touch as we have a range of assistance available. These include:
- a government-funded rates rebate scheme
- a rates postponement scheme for residential properties
- flexible payment options, such as direct debits offering weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, and annual payment.
The rates rebate threshold for SuperGold card holders increased from $31,510 to $45,000 on 1 July 2025. This made more ratepayers who receive NZ superannuation eligible for a rates rebate.
Information on the options can be found on the Auckland Council website and our rates invoices also detail the support available. We encourage ratepayers to consider the options.
If these options are not available to you, contact us on 09 301 0101 and ask to speak with our credit control team, to discuss an arrangement to pay all outstanding property rates.
Rates notices
How can ratepayers see what rates they will pay next year?
Rates notices for 2026/27 will be released to all ratepayers in August 2026.
How are rates calculated?
Rates are how we share the cost of council services across the region, between property owners. Rates depend on a property’s valuation and any rates increase by the council. Every property has a Uniform Annual General Charge (fixed amount), a general rate (based on capital value) and targeted rates, for specific local and regional services.
Find out more about how your property rates bill is made up.
What is contained in a rates bill?
The general rate funds council services –libraries, pools, parks, public transport, roads and footpaths, stormwater. The general rate has two parts: the uniform annual general charge, UAGC, and the value based general rate.
The UAGC is a fixed charge every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit pays. Most houses only have one separately used part and pay one UAGC. Some properties have more than one like those with an attached granny flat.
The value based general rate is based on a property’s capital value and property type (like if it’s a residential home, a business, a farm, or if it is used for short-term accommodation).
Targeted rates contribute to specific services or projects. These can be applied for a single service or project for all ratepayers. Or they can be set just for specific ratepayers in specific areas.
Most ratepayers will see targeted rates for the natural environment, water quality and waste management on your bill - funding things like kauri dieback programmes; predator and weed control; projects that improve waterways; and targeted funding to collect rubbish, recycling, food scraps and inorganics.
Some businesses contribute to Business Improvement District rates which help grow local business, increase investment in their local area and improve town centre streetscapes.
Value for rates
What’s the rates increase delivering?
Rates make up around 40 per cent of council income but contribute significantly to the quality of life Aucklanders’ have.
A major highlight this year is the expected start of the City Rail Link (CRL), which will transform Auckland’s public transport. The CRL is a key investment for Auckland and is bringing a range of benefits to Auckland.
2026/2027 will see the council invest $3.9 billion into new capital infrastructure projects across Auckland – helping deliver a region with the physical assets it needs to thrive and grow. We will also invest $5.3 billion into continuing essential services Aucklanders rely on (operating costs). Read more information on highlighted projects for 2026-2027.
What is Auckland Council doing to cut costs?
Auckland Council is focused on delivering value for money and continues to forecast some of the lowest rates increases in New Zealand.
While the overall rates rise is higher than the council would like – we have delivered savings and increased efficiency across the council that have helped reduce what could have been an even higher rates rise.
For 2026-2027, we have set a savings target of $106 million, which includes an additional $20 million in annual savings as part of our ongoing commitment to financial sustainability. The $106 million equates to around 3.5 per cent of our rates revenues.
In addition to savings, the council utilises value for money reviews, a Better Value Projects approach, a focus on non-rates revenue, sales of under-utilised assets and an ongoing focus on driving value for every dollar to manage new priorities and changing demands for the future.