Your feedback

About the Māori Land Rates Remission and Postponement Policy

We recognise that land is a taonga tuku iho of special significance to Māori people. One of the ways that we seek to support Māori landowners is by providing assistance with rates through our Māori Land Rates Remission and Postponement Policy. The objectives of our Māori Land Rates Remission and Postponement Policy are to:

•    support the principles set out in the Preamble to Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 by supporting Māori ownership and use of Māori land

•    support achievement of Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau (Māori Outcomes Framework) objectives

•    provide equity in rating by recognising limitations on the use, development and sale of Māori freehold land (MFL) compared to other land.

The Māori Land Rates Remission and Postponement Policy provides support to owners of Māori freehold land. Remissions for Māori owned general title land are only available in very limited circumstances (such as land returned for cultural redress). Currently, land that has been returned for commercial redress or which has been purchased by iwi is not generally eligible for remissions.  

What we need your feedback on

We propose to amend the Māori Land Rates Remission and Postponement Policy to provide a partial remission of rates to general title papakāinga, where that land is:

•    protected from being sold out of Māori ownership 

•    for the sole use of hapū/iwi. 

We are proposing this remission to recognise the similarities between such properties, and papakāinga on Māori freehold land. The proposed remission would apply a discount similar to what is applied to Māori freehold land (up to 10 per cent of the rateable land value).