E-billing for your rates

From City Scene, published on 26 July, 2009.

Rates payments made even easier: Cr. Douglas Armstrong talking about the new E-rates registration cards.

To make it easier for ratepayers, as well as saving time and reducing waste, Auckland City Council ratepayers will soon be able to receive their rates bill by email, along with email reminders of when payments are due.

E-rates registration cards are being delivered to ratepayers with the rates packs between 28 and 30 July. These cards are pre-populated with specific ratepayer information - all you have to do is add your email address, sign it, fold it up and pop it in the post. If you register for this option, you will no longer receive a bill through the post, but instead, straight to your inbox.

You can also arrange to receive other information from the council - for example on events, community facilities or transport, or at times, to give the council the chance to gather your opinion on some of the big issues that are facing the city and the council in coming months.

Councillor Douglas Armstrong, chairperson of the Finance and Strategy Committee, says, "We are always looking for ways to make rates payments easier for people across Auckland, whether that is payment by direct debit or telephone banking, or paying in instalments.

"This new service is another example of our drive to increase efficiency of paying your rates but also cutting down on paperwork here at the council.

"People can also register to receive information from the council on other services, including events, footpaths, what's going on in their local area - anything they want to know or ask about the council.

"We are also interested in gathering your details to sound you out on a few major issues from time to time - gathering your thoughts as we start our work on projects."

If you don't receive an e-rates registration card in your rates pack please call 379 2025.

Also see Your rates: what you need to know.