Online payment platform

Setting up your payments is easy. Your rates invoice has a personalised QR code – scan it to easily set up and manage your rates payments on your phone or computer. We’ll ask you for your mobile number so we can send text confirmations and ensure your payment is allocated to your property correctly.

Once your mobile number is confirmed you can:

• Choose how to pay by selecting one of three options (one-off payment, autopay or flexible payment).
• If you select flexible payment, choose a schedule that works for you (weekly, fortnightly or monthly).
• Enter your payment details.
• All done! You’ll get a text to confirm your payment schedule and when there are changes to your account

Setting up your payment schedule is easy, even if you don't have your QR code handy.

First, check the property search to find your rates assessment number.

Head to our payment page and enter your rates assessment number and your mobile number or email to begin setting up your account.

Setting up your fortnightly payments means you’re all sorted. You won’t be penalised when it comes to the end of November. Those fortnightly payments will be calculated so that they go through until the end of June and will mean your rates account will be paid in full at that date.

All payment and personal information are stored safely and meet the highest requirements for data security. Read Environment Southland’s privacy policy here.

Payble is an Australian company that helps local government organisations improve customer payment experiences. Payble is safe and secure with PCI-DSS, ISO27001 and SOC2 certifications. Read the terms and conditions here.

Users are always prompted to log in using either their mobile number or email address with a One Time Password.

No, you don’t need to cancel your current direct debit payment. When you set up a payment plan in the Payble platform, we’ll update your preferences on our end and cancel your current direct debit plan. This may take up to 24 hours, so make sure you swap over with enough time to avoid double payments. If you decide to make a one-off payment instead, remember to adjust any payment amounts currently set up. We also have a refund policy.

Contact rates@es.govt.nz or call 0800 377 2837 if you have any questions.

Updating a payment method is quick and easy. In the online payment platform, on the home screen, click on the ‘Menu’ Button and go to ‘Payment Methods’. Here you can remove a payment method if you don’t have an active plan or click ‘Options’ to add a new payment method.

If you already have multiple payment methods and want to change a pre-existing plan to a different payment method, simply find your plan on the home page, click into it, click on ‘Options’ and select your preferred payment method.

Yes, in the online payment platform, your existing plans will show on the home screen. If you want to change your payment schedule from monthly to fortnightly for example, you’ll need to cancel the current plan and set up a new one. Please note, if you cancel an existing plan without setting up a new plan, penalties may apply if your rates have not been paid in full by the due date.

You can have multiple properties under one account. Multiple properties can be linked to your mobile phone number. You can add as many properties as you need.

Yes, you can turn off non-critical text notifications. On the homepage, select ‘Options’ then ‘Manage notifications’ and make any adjustments.

Yes. If you have set up a flexible payment schedule, you can skip a payment. Click on your payment plan and select ‘Skip next payment’ from the option menu. That one payment will then be split across the remaining payments for the rest of the instalment. You cannot skip payments if you have chosen the ‘Autopay’ payment type. If you have registered for Autopay, you automatically pay the total amount due on the due date.

Scheduled payments can be skipped twice on a flexible payment plan. The skipped payment amount is then spread across the remaining plan payments. You can’t skip the final payment of a flexible payment plan. It is important to know that if your payment schedule is cancelled because of continued failed payments, then rates penalties may apply.

Yes, you can make additional payments. Depending on your type of payment plan, future scheduled payments can be adjusted.

We'll notify you by text or email if your direct debit or credit card payment was unsuccessful. If the payment was part of a recurrent payment schedule, we’ll reattempt to process the payment after two days, and we will text you when this occurs. You can also update your payment methods or skip this payment by logging into your account.

Yes, you need to cancel your payment plan for that property through your account. Please don’t cancel directly with your bank as this will cancel all and future direct debits you might have with Environment Southland. If you forget to cancel your plan, you will receive a text once we have been notified of the ownership change.

Yes, you can. If your account specifically requires more than one person to authorise any payments, then you will need to complete a Rates direct debit authority form and return it to us. This is part of our bank’s requirement. Ensure the form is signed by the nominated signatories, include the mobile number for the person acting on your behalf, and we will set up your payment plan, and send you confirmation to let you know when it’s done.

No not at present. We will be updating this for the future. Click here for other payment types.

No, you can still pay in person or by internet banking. This online payment platform makes paying rates easier, gives you more control and provides more flexible options. Other payment options are available – click here to find out more. If you are on an existing direct debit plan, this will still be available for payments for the current 25/26 rating period.

If you receive a notification indicating that Payble has been updated, please click the Refresh button to apply the latest changes. Once refreshed, it should function as expected.

No, Environment Southland doesn't charge extra fees.