The IT system we use to manage land rates is changing from 1 July 2025. Find out what will change for you and what you need to do.
Temporary unavailability of some online forms
We’re making changes to our IT systems to improve our customers’ experience and save on processing time. As part of our system upgrade, several online forms and services on www.tauranga.govt.nz will be temporarily unavailable from 5pm, Friday 27 June to 8am, Monday 30 June.
The following online services will be unavailable:
- Direct debit applications
- Order a LIM or Property File
- View rates/water rates account balance
- Online payments for rates
We are changing our IT systems to increase automation and make your interactions with us smoother and more efficient. We will be able to offer improved payment options and a new online self-service portal, with more to come in the future.
These changes are designed to offer you better control over your data, whilst saving processing time in the background at our end.
What will change for you? There will be new customer numbers and new reference numbers on your land rates invoices, but no changes for water rates, dog registrations or consents.
What do you need to do? If you pay your land rates via internet banking, you’ll need to update your reference number, and monthly direct debit customers will need to plan for new payment dates.
What you need to know
New customer numbers
Shifting to the new system will involve introducing new customer numbers for land rates, from 1 July. This includes creating new ‘group customer numbers’ for ratepayers who own their property with someone else. The group customer number is associated to the property, as opposed to an individual person, and is in addition to your individual customer number. Use the customer number on your land rates invoice for rates-related enquiries, or to request any changes with your kerbside bins.
This will be a progressive shift over the next few years, so your existing customer number will continue to be used for some of our services like water rates, consents and dog registrations.
| |
Existing customer number |
New customer number |
| |
|
Individual |
Group |
| Used for |
- On your water rates invoice
- On your dog registration application
- On your consent documentation*
- Updating your contact details online
*Consent numbers and dog numbers are not changing
|
- If you own property by yourself:
- Land rates
- Waste management (e.g. when you order a new bin)
- Updating your contact details online
|
- If you co-own a property:
- Land rates
- Waste management (e.g when you order a new bin)
|
| Format |
6 numeric digits |
7 numeric digits |
7 numeric digits |
| Where you'll find it |
- On your water rates invoice
|
- On your land rates invoice if you own property alone
- In your welcome pack when you buy your house after 30 June 2025
|
- On your land rates invoice if you co-own property
- In your welcome pack when you buy your house after 30 June 2025
|
If in doubt, call our friendly contact centre advisors on 075777000 and they will look it up for you.
New payment reference numbers
We are shifting to new reference numbers – this will mean that payments will be verified and allocated automatically to your account.
You can find this number is on your next rates invoice (August 2025). You can refer to this reference when dealing with payment enquiries.
No changes for water rates
Your customer number for water rates stays the same for the moment. Council is currently working on future options for water service delivery (Local Water Done Well), so we don’t want to invest in new systems for this part of the business if we’re going to change them soon. You’ll find your customer number for water rates on your water rates invoices.
What you need to do
Update the reference number in your online payments
Our payment references are changing. This will mean that payments will be verified and allocated automatically to your account.
If you pay your land rates via automatic payments/internet banking, you’ll need to change your payment reference to the new number – which you will find on your next land rates invoice (August 2025).
Alternatively, you can create a new payee. Tauranga City Council is listed as a payee with most major banks in New Zealand. Your banking provider will be able to step you through the set-up, including what references to use.
Ensure sufficient funds for monthly direct debit on 20th of each month
We are changing the date that monthly direct debit payments are taken out of bank accounts. From July 2025 they will be taken out on the 20th of each month, instead of the last day of the month. Please ensure you have enough funds in your bank account on 20 July 2025, and on the 20th of each month from then on to avoid any dishonour fees from your bank. Your planned payment amounts will not change in June, July or August. You will receive your updated payment schedule for the 2025/2026 financial year with your new rates notice in August.
If you prefer, you can easily change the frequency of your rates payments, with new online forms available for land rates and water rates direct debit payments. You can choose between weekly, fortnightly, monthly, six-monthly (on due date) or annual payments.
From 1 July, direct debit weekly/fortnightly customers will have the new option for payments to come out on a Tuesday as well as a Thursday.