Update 25 October 2022

What is the Navigator?
We continue to look at the best way we can support residents through the recovery process after their homes and land have sustained damage due to the August weather event. With that in mind, we have recently started a people-centred navigator role, which gives you a single contact point for all your questions.

The navigator’s role is to support you to access the right services, at the right time, through connection with appropriate wrap-around recovery support agencies. These agencies are all working with the same goal in mind – to allow access to homes when it is safe to do so.

The service is designed to empower individuals and whānau to help increase resilience and self-reliance so you can get through this and move forward with your lives. To get in touch with the navigator phone customer service on 03 546 0200 or email navigator@ncc.govt.nz

QV revaluations:  
You may have had a visit from Quotable Value (QV) recently, or will have one in the future, and have some questions as to why they are revaluing properties at this time and whether this is linked to rates remissions. We’d like to clear up any confusion and are here to answer any questions you may have. 

QV is required by law under the Rating Valuations Act 1998 and in accordance with the Rating Valuation Rules, to review the rating valuations of properties that have been physically affected by the August weather event. These revaluations are not commissioned by Nelson City Council. 

When a property’s value has been reviewed by QV, its team of independent valuers may add a note that the property will require an additional inspection to check for remediation at a later date. This has happened before in Nelson, with QV also undertaking this process following the 2011 rain event. Updated values will then take remediation work into account upon its completion.  

As Nelson City Council rates are assessed on land value only, ratepayers with a temporarily reduced land value from QV when rates are set for the next year beginning 1 July 2023 may find that the portion of their rates derived from land value is reduced until such time that remediation has been completed.  

Rates remissions: 
Nelson City Council’s rates remissions policy provides a mechanism for Council to give rates relief on a case-by-case basis. This is entirely separate from the QV revaluation progress. Property owners with red and yellow placards that have been unable to access their homes for 30 days or more as a result of the August weather event can apply for rates relief.  

Ratepayers who qualify will receive remissions for services that cannot be used while a property is unable to be occupied – water, wastewater, flood protection, and stormwater. A conservative estimate of the maximum rates remission for 2022/23 is $1,240 per household including GST. 

Remissions will apply as needed for up to five years after the commencement date, or the date that the land or buildings are deemed inhabitable by Council. 

All eligible property owners have been notified and provided with an application form. Council will be following up in November with property owners who have not submitted their applications.  

Mayoral Relief Fund:
While there is no remission on general rates, as these fund services that are not specific to individual properties and are still able to be accessed (such as roads, libraries, parks, and community facilities), the Nelson Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund remains open for applications for those in financial hardship.  

This includes people who will be affected by the upcoming Waka Kotahi SH6 road closure between Hira and Rai Valley, which is estimated will take seven weeks to complete between 1 November and 18 December 2022.  

Even if you don’t have all the details required at the time of application or are still not sure of all of your losses and insurance coverage, you are still encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and we will come back to you for the missing information.  

Applications can be made in person with our team at the Customer Service Centre (110 Trafalgar Street), or online at shape.nelson.govt.nz/mayor-relief-fund  

Ngā mihi,
 
Nelson Tasman Recovery Team