Find the latest water flows and levels on our Environmental Data Portal
View river flow and levels infoFind the latest water flows and levels on our Environmental Data Portal
As an Otago Regional Council ratepayer, your contribution plays a vital role in making this region a great place to live, work and visit.
ORC is responsible for promoting the economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of the region. Our focus is on the environment and Otago’s natural resources. The rates you pay directly help ORC’s work to protect Otago’s natural resources — water, land and air on behalf of the community.
Our work includes flood protection, natural hazard adaptation, public bus services, a ferry service in Queenstown, compliance and a regional response to natural disasters when needed. All of this helps to address regional issues and keep people and properties safe.
Get a better understanding on how ORC spends the funding we receive from different sources - including rates.
Less than half of ORC’s funding comes from rates. Ratepayers pay a mix of general, which every property pays, and targeted, which is set for properties that are in areas most benefited by an activity.
ORC rates are set by a Rates Resolution passed annually by Council. The 24-25 ORC rates were passed in the Council Meeting held on 26 June 2024.
ORC’s budget and rates come from the work identified in our Long-Term Plan.
Every three years a Long-Term Plan is developed with the community to set out the work we will do in the years ahead. In the years between, we use an annual plan to do this. These plans help to informs the work we do as well as the budgets and rates required to do it.
Did you know that less than half of the Otago Regional Council’s funding will come from rates payments? The rest comes from:
June 2023
ISBN 978-0-908324-86-6
PDF | 1 MB
This Annual Plan 2023-2024 (AP) reflects the results of a process that has decided required adjustments to the adopted Otago Regional Council Long-term Plan 2021-31 (LTP).
July 2021
ISBN 978-0-908324-72-9
PDF | 16 MB
The due date for all current year rates is 31 October.
All rates unpaid on 1 November will have a 10% penalty applied.
A further 10% penalty will be applied to all rates from previous financial years which remain unpaid on 1 May. Further penalties will continue to be applied in accordance with Council resolutions.
Make sure your details are up to date. Late arrival of your payment due to incorrect addressing, postal service timing or any other reason is not the responsibility of Otago Regional Council (ORC). You can also choose to receive your rates invoice via email.
Don’t wait until the penalty date before raising inquiries; get in touch because we’re here to help. Be sure to have your rates assessment number handy.
The rates assessment number is at the top of your rates invoice.
Find your property's rates using our property search.
Less than half of ORC’s funding comes from rates. Ratepayers pay a mix of general, which every property pays, and targeted, which is set for properties that are in areas most benefited by an activity.
Get a better understanding on how ORC spends the funding we receive from different sources - including rates.
Learn more about ORC's environmental work.
Contact our team by phone, email, social media or visit in person.