Christchurch City Council’s Annual Plan or Long Term Plan lays out work for the year ahead, how much this will cost, and the total amount of rates needed to pay for it.

Most rates are based on the rating value of the property. Some are charged as a fixed dollar amount to all properties, such as the general rate referred to as the Uniform Annual General Charge. 

The types of rates charged to an individual property will depend on its use and its geographical location relative to council infrastructure networks and rubbish collection area.

The Council collects several different types of rates.

General rates fund the cost of all other Council operations.

General rates pay for all Council spending that is not funded from any other source. 

Council charges a relatively small fixed charge per property (the Uniform Annual General Charge), plus a larger amount based on the property's Capital Value.  This ensures that rates are collected broadly in proportion to property values, while ensuring that all properties pay a minimum amount towards the running of the city.

In 2020/21, the Uniform Annual General Charge is set at $132 and the standard value-based general rate at 0.298677 cents per dollar of Capital Value.

The value-based general rate is charged differently to business and some farming properties, because businesses are considered to put greater pressure on Council spending and remote rural properties less pressure. 

These general rate differentials are set so that business properties pay a value-based general rate which is 169.7% of the standard value-based general rate. Remote rural properties pay a value-based general rate which is 75% of the standard value-based general rate.

The criteria for the business and remote rural differentials are set out in the Council's Rating Policy.

Further operational guidelines for the remote rural differential are available here: Remote Rural Guidelines [PDF, 578 KB]

Targeted rates recover the cost of specific council services, such as water.

Christchurch properties receiving, or capable of receiving, certain council services are charged the following targeted rates:

  • Water, sewerage and land drainage rates are based on how much these services cost and the capital value of the property.
  • Waste minimisation rates are charged as a uniform charge for most properties in the city, and for those areas of Banks Peninsula with a depot service only.
  • Active travel, special heritage (Cathedral), and Akaroa Health Centre targeted rates.
  • All properties within the serviced area are charged rates for water and sewerage. If you have an empty section, or use your own septic tank, these charges are still applied as the water and sewerage facilities continue to be made available to your property.

Water supply targeted rate – full charge and half charge

This rate recovers the net operating cost of water supply. It is assessed as a number of cents in the dollar of capital value on every separately rated property to which water is supplied through the on-demand water reticulation system. The half charge is assessed on rating units which are serviceable, i.e. situated within 100 metres of any part of the on-demand water reticulation system, but which are not connected to that system.

In 2020/21, the targeted rate for water supply is 0.064691 cents per dollar of Capital Value.

Restricted water supply targeted rate

This rate recovers the net operating cost of water supplied through restricted water supply systems. A Restricted Water Supply Targeted Rate is assessed on every rating unit receiving the standard level of service as defined by the City Water and Waste Unit Manager. Where a rating unit receives multiple levels of service, it will be assessed multiple Restricted Water Supply Targeted Rates.

Water supply fire connection rate

The purpose of the Water Supply Fire Connection Rate is to recover the costs of water supply fire connection on a per-connection basis. It is assessed on a uniform basis to the rating units serviced.

Excess water supply targeted rate

This rate recovers water-supply costs beyond those included in the water-supply rates. It is only charged to properties identified in the Water Supply, Wastewater, and Stormwater Bylaw 2014 that consume a larger volume of water than they effectively pay for through their normal water rates.

In 2020/21, the targeted rate for excess water supply is a volumetric amount of $1.05 per cubic-metre of excess water supplied. This amount is invoiced separately from other rates, as it is based on water meter readings.

Land drainage targeted rate

The purpose of this rate is to recover the net operating cost of waterways and land drainage. It is assessed as a number of cents in the dollar of capital value on every separately rated property which is within the serviced area.

In 2020/21, the targeted rate for land drainage is 0.039739 cents per dollar of Capital Value.

Sewerage targeted rate

This rate recovers the net operating cost of wastewater collection, treatment and disposal. It is assessed as a number of cents in the dollar of capital value on every separately rated property which is in the serviced area.

In 2020/21, the targeted rate for sewerage is 0.084493 cents per dollar of Capital Value.

Waste minimisation targeted rate

The purpose of this rate is to recover the net operating cost of the collection and disposal of recycling and organic waste (ie. our yellow and green bins - red rubbish bins are paid for by the General Rate).

The Full Charge is assessed on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit, as defined by the UAGC definition, in the serviced area. The charge is also made to non-rateable rating units where the service is provided.

For rating units outside the kerbside collection area, where a limited depot collection service is available, a uniform targeted rate of 75 per cent of the full rate will be made.

In 2020/21, the targeted rate for waste minimisation is a fixed amount of $203.85.

Active travel targeted rate

This rate contributes to the Active Travel Programme and specifically funds the cycleway projects. It is assessed on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (as defined by the UAGC definition) within the serviced area.

In 2020/21, the targeted rate for active travel is a fixed amount of $20.00.

Special heritage (Cathedral) targeted rate

This is a temporary rate (until June 2028) to fund Council's $10 million heritage grant towards the restoration of the Christ church Cathedral. It will be assessed on every separately used or inhabited part of a rating unit (as defined by the UAGC definition) in the District.

In 2020/21, the Special Heritage (Cathedral) targeted rate is a fixed amount of $6.52.

The Council collects several different types of rates.

The types of rates charged to an individual property will depend on its use and its geographical location relative to Council infrastructure networks and rubbish collection area.

Here is an explanation of each of these charges, who they are collected for, and a more details explanation about the charge.

Charge Collected For Explanation
General Rate Council Charged as a percentage of each property's Rating Value.  Business properties pay a 69.7% premium, and Remote Rural properties receive a 25% discount.
Land Drainage Council We charge for land drainage as a percentage of a property's capital value. It is charged to all properties in an area benefitting from our stormwater and flood protection work.
Sewerage Council Charged as a percentage of Rating Value to all properties located within our sewer network area (even if the property is not actually connected).
Water Supply Council

Charged as a percentage of Rating Value to all properties located within our water supply net area.  Unconnected properties are charged at a lower rate. We also charge separately for:

  • Restricted supply (a fixed charge per unit supplied).
  • Fire Connection (a fixed charge for connected properties).
  • Excess supply (a volumetric charge for excess use by properties identified as potential high users).
Waste Minimisation Charge Council We charge the Waste Minimisation Rate as a fixed dollar charge per SUIP, on a similar basis to the UAGC. Properties located outside the kerbside collection area are charged at a lower rate. Central City properties do not pay this rate since they have a separate waste regime.  
Active Travel Council A fixed dollar charge to help pay for cycleway projects.
Special Heritage (Cathedral) Rate Council The Special Heritage (Cathedral) rate is a temporary rate used to fund the Council's contribution to the Christchurch Cathedral restoration.  This is charged as a fixed dollar charge of $6.52 (per year) per rateable property the same way as the UAGC.  This will cease from 1 July 2028.
Parks, Open Spaces & Waterways Activity Council The Council maintains regional and neighbourhood parks, gardens and sports areas, as well as managing our stormwater drains, waterways and harbour facilities, and the rural fire fighting service.
Streets and Transport Council The Council plans, builds, operates and maintains Christchurch streets and parking and transport systems. The maintenance of this including road network, active travel, parking and public transport infrastructure.
Democracy and Governance Council Includes city governance and decision making, and public participation in democratic processes.
Regulatory Services Council The Council's regulatory services make sure we follow all the laws and rules that apply in the city to keep our residents healthy and safe. This includes enforcement and inspection activities, and regulatory approvals.
General Rate (ECan) ECan ​Services for natural and physical resource management including planning, investigations, monitoring and communicating as well as general administrative functions
​UAGC (Uniform Annual General Change) ECan ​Democratic and ratepayer servicing works in Regional Leadership, Recreational Boating education and regional air quality initiatives
​Catchment Works & Services ECan ​District share of river control and flood protection works
​Catchment Works ECan ​Local share in river control and flood protection work
​Rabbit Control ECan ​Control of rabbits
​Pest Management ECan ​Inspection, advice, education, monitoring, investigation and control of animal and plant pests
​Pest Free Banks Peninsula ECan ​Environment Canterbury contribution to Pest Free Banks Peninsula
​Clean Heat Loan ECan ​Repayment of loan for a Clean Heat appliance installation
​Air Quality ECan ​Implementation of air plan and facilitation of new home heating technology
​Civil Defence Emergency Management ECan ​Services for civil defence emergency management
​Regional Parks ECan ​Establishment, development and maintenance of regional parks
​Public Transport ECan ​Services for public transport including administration and planning
​Healthier Homes Canterbury ECan ​Repayment of loan for a Clean Heat appliance and/or insulation installation.