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Direct Debits

Signing up to pay your rates by direct debit

Direct debits mean you can pay your rates the secure and easy way. A direct debit arrangement also means that you can spread the cost across the whole rating year through to June, rather than needing to pay in full by 20 October.

Set up a direct debit  

Setting up a direct debit online is both simple and quick.  Simply follow the three easy steps to set up a direct debit. 

Sign up to pay by direct debit

If you have a direct debit set up already but want to change your bank account details, click on the link below. 

Amend your direct debit bank account details

Use our payment calculator to give you an idea of how much your direct debit may be.

If you do not have sole authority or would prefer to complete a hardcopy Direct Debit Authorisation Form please download and complete the paper version of this form  and return it to us using the details on the form.  

You can find out your rates for 2025-2026 using our rating information database.

Properties not showing in search results

Your property valuation reference will return the most accurate search results, you can find this on the top of your rates invoice. If the address search does not find your property please try a different format, for example 4 10 Smith Street rather than 10/4 Smith Street.  

Important direct debit information

  • A direct debit arrangement means payments will be calculated to be spread across the rates year, and you won’t get charged a late payment penalty.  
  • You can choose one of the following options to pay by direct debit: weekly or fortnightly on a Tuesday or Thursday, or monthly (on the 20th), or annually. Please note if the 20th of the month falls on a weekend or public holiday your direct debit will still operate. 

Direct debit means you can pay your rates invoice in regular instalments (weekly, fortnightly, monthly), spread over the rates year or annually on the due date. This is handy for budgeting and means you don’t have to worry about remembering to make a payment. It also means that you won’t get charged a penalty on any amount that is still owing after the due date for the current rates year.  

Once you sign up, we’ll take the advised regular payments from your bank account. If the payment amount changes, we’ll always let you know before taking the funds from your account. 

You can cancel the direct debit at any time by contacting us. You should allow at least two days before your payment is due. A penalty may apply if your rates have not been paid in full at the time of the cancellation.

An automatic payment is a regular payment that is set up and controlled by the customer, whereas a direct debit is a payment plan that has been agreed between the customer and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.  

Automatic payments are typically set up via online banking, and you’ll need to manually change the payment amount yourself from year to year. Direct debits are different from automatic payments as they are set up with your bank by Bay of Plenty Regional Council after you have agreed to the payment plan. Council adjusts the payment for you each year, and notifies you at least 10 working days before the amount changes. 

It’s important to note that when paying your rates by automatic payment, you must pay the full amount by the due date stated on your invoice to avoid penalties.   

Bay of Plenty Regional Council and your local council are two separate entities and therefore you will need a separate direct debit for each council when paying your rates.

To suspend your direct debit complete the online form.
To cancel your direct debit complete the online form.

If one of your direct debit payment happens to dishonour (for example, there isn't enough funds to cover the direct debit amount), this amount will be added back to your rates account. We will recalculate your direct debit arrangement amount to make sure that your rates account is cleared by the end of the rating year, 30 June. If your direct debit dishonours four times in a twelve-month period, your arrangement will be cancelled, and any outstanding balance is required to be paid within 14 days. 

Still have questions? Visit our rates information hub.