Council updates  |  7 Jan 2021

Christchurch City Council is stopping cheques as a payment option.

Residents will no longer be able to make cheque payments from 30 April 2021, due to the three major New Zealand banks phasing them out in May, June and July of this year.

Acting Finance and Commercial General Manager Diane Brandish says discontinuing cheques shows the effect that technology has had on banking.

“The number of cheques being used to pay for our services has been steadily dropping in recent years. This phasing out of cheques has also been signalled by banks for some months and the public have several alternative methods they can use to pay for the Council’s services instead.”

Other payment options include direct debit, internet banking, telephone banking, automatic payment, credit card or in person with cash and Eftpos at any Council service centre.

The Council is encouraging ratepayers to consider direct debits, particularly for paying rates.

“Direct debit is a cheap, reliable and convenient way to pay monthly or quarterly. The advantage of a direct debit compared to an automatic payment is that the amount being paid doesn’t need to be adjusted every new rating year. Direct debits always take the exact amount being asked for on the rates demand.”

People can call 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 to be sent a direct debit form, or they can pick one up at the Hereford Street Civic Offices or one of the other service centres.

Property owners in the city and Banks Peninsula also have the choice of receiving their quarterly rates invoice and assessment notice by email, instead of through the post, by registering at ccc.govt.nz/ratesinvoice.