Rating Revaluations
Councils across the country have a three yearly process of updating property rating valuations. Rating valuations are a factor that councils use to allocate rates. They reflect the likely selling price of a property at the effective revaluation date.
Third party valuers may be seeking information from you about your orchards. It’s common for them to try and understand the activities on primary sector land.
You may receive a communication from a valuer eg QV, asking for information about your orchard. We’ve put together some FAQ to help you decide whether to respond to information requests:
1. Who are QV and why are they asking for information?
QV is an independent valuer that carries out property valuations on behalf of councils. The information they are collecting, how it will be used, and their authority to request the information should be stated in the communication. Essentially, any information you provide may be used to assess your property value.
2. Am I obliged to respond to the survey?
No, responding is optional.
3. Why are kiwifruit licences included in property valuations now?
It’s the law. There is more information about available on our website here. In 2020 the valuers for Gisborne District Council recommended that gold kiwifruit licences would be included as improvements in a capital value. NZKGI and a grower challenged this all the way to the Court of Appeal. Unfortunately, we lost. Kiwifruit licences will be included in valuations going forward.
4. Where can I find more information about the valuation process?
The valuer should have information and a process on their website. During the 2023 revaluation process, NZKGI asked QV a set of questions to provide more detail about the valuation process for kiwifruit orchards. The QV response is available here. Any questions about rates should be directed to the relevant council.