February 12, 2016
Rates sweetener to land reform package
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says allowing councils the ability to remove rates arrears on unoccupied and unused Maori land will make it easier to develop and boost some key regional economies.
News that a review of rating and valuation is now part of the rewrite of Maori land law is one of the big talking points among people attending information hui about Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill.
Mr Flavell says Cabinet has agreed councils can wipe the outstanding rates when there is a demonstrable commitment to use or occupy land, or conversely when there is little prospect of the land ever being used or occupied.
Last year’s consultation hui on the bill identified rates arrears as one of the major barriers to Maori land use.
He says the majority of unused Maori land is in the rural areas of Northland, East Coast and the Central North Island, and bringing it into production would boost the local economy in what are high priority regions identified by the Government for economic development.
A new approach to the valuation of Maori land for rating purposes will also be developed.
The changes will be made through Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill, which should be introduced early this year, and in amendments to the Local Government (Rating) Act, the Local Government Act, and the Rating Valuation Act.
All marae and urupa will be exempt from rates, not just those under two hectares, and Maori land under Nga Whenua Rahui conservation covenants will not be rated.
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