From 1 December 2025, Hauraki District ratepayers and residents can receive a discount on the Standard Gate Fees and Charges at the Council’s Refuse Transfer Stations (RTS) by registering their vehicle number plate with HDC ‘Fair Deals for Local Wheels’ initiative.
“Signing up is easy-as – if you want the discounted Gate Fees and Charges, register your vehicle’s number plate with HDC online and from 1 December 2025, you’ll benefit from the discounted charges”, said Mayor Toby Adams.
Local ratepayers partially fund the council’s RTS, but many users are from outside the district, which means they don’t contribute equally to operating costs.
“Standard Gate charges help cover those costs fairly and ensure Hauraki District residents and ratepayers aren’t subsidising others”, said Mayor Adams.
A 12-month investigation into the origin of waste received at the Waihī RTS found that around 55 per cent of users live outside the Hauraki District. This is largely due to limited waste disposal options in neighbouring areas and the convenient location of the Waihī facility for nearby communities.
As a result, many out-of-district users use the Council’s transfer stations without contributing to the operational costs that Hauraki District ratepayers already support through their rates.
To address this, in September 2025, Council approved a fairer system that applies a standard Gate Fees and Charges for all users and introduces discounted Gate Fees and Charges for registered Hauraki District residents and ratepayers.
“Once your vehicle is registered, from 1st December, the weighbridge system will automatically recognise your number plate as a local vehicle and apply the correct Gate Fees and Charges”, said Mayor Adams.
The data is recorded and used for waste management purposes only, in line with the Privacy Act 2020.
The new technology builds on recent improvements already made at the Paeroa and Waihī RTS, where weighbridges have been installed to ensure customers are charged accurately based on the actual weight of their waste.
“We encourage all Hauraki District residents and ratepayers to register for ‘Fair Deals for Local Wheels’ – it’s not often we offer a discount with standard Gate Fees and Charges and with increases from 1 December 2025, due in part to government-imposed Waste Levy and Emissions Trading Scheme Charges, this is one way we can help” said Mayor Adams.
How and when to register your numberplate
Residents and ratepayers are encouraged to register online from 22 October, or, if after 1 December, at least three working days before visiting your local RTS, as digital records take 48 hours to update.
Registration is voluntary, free and quick to complete. From 22 October onwards, register online at https://www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/vehicle-registration-rts
Between 22 October and 1 December 2025, you can get help with registration by calling 07 862 5030 or by visiting one of HDC’s pop-up sessions in Paeroa, Waihī, and Ngātea (dates will be advertised in advance).
From 1 December, you can register in person at your local Hauraki District Council Service Centre or by calling 07 862 8609 or freephone 0800 734 834. To learn more, visit www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz
