Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/33737-lgoima-request-commission-earnings-court-costs-and-default-ratepayers-in-debt-collection-services-mwlass-dmc on February 16, 2026 14:34

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LGOIMA Request – Commission Earnings, Court Costs, and Default Ratepayers in Debt Collection Services MWLASS/DMC

clampett trust made this Official Information request to Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council

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From: clampett trust

Dear Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council, MWLASS and DMC managers,
To: Martyn Lindsay Boyce (CEO)
Manawatū-Whanganui LASS Limited
PO Box 7187
Palmerston North 4443
CC: Horizons Regional Council Information Officer – as principal shareholder
Date: 15 February 2026

Dear Mr Boyce / MWLASS Information Officer for DMC

Request Under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987

I am writing to make a formal request for official information held by Manawatū-Whanganui LASS Limited (MWLASS) in relation to your debt collection and rates recovery services provided to member councils in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.

This request is made pursuant to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA), as MWLASS is a council-controlled organisation subject to the Act.
The information is relevant to public transparency on rates collection practices and costs, particularly in light of the High Court proceeding CIV-2024-454-000074 (inLandsAirWater Counsel v Manawatū-Whanganui LASS Limited), where debt collection activities (including referrals to Debt Management Central Ltd, or DMC) are referenced.

MWLASS is an exempted CCO but not exempt from answering an OIA under the legislation.

Please provide the following information for the last 5 financial years (2020/21 to 2024/25, or the most recent available):

1. Commission Earnings from Debt Collection:
The total amount earned by MWLASS in commissions from debt collection services (including rates recovery) across all member councils.
Confirmation of whether MWLASS receives commission payments from DMC or directly from councils for these services, and if so:
The commission rate(s) applied (e.g., percentage of recovered amounts).
How the commission is calculated (e.g., tiered by debt age, fixed fee per account, or other formula).

2. Court Costs and Percentage Retained:
When ratepayers are taken to court for debt recovery (and costs are awarded to DMC/MWLASS), the total amount of such court-awarded costs received in the period.
The percentage or amount of those court-awarded costs retained by MWLASS (after any payments to DMC or other parties).

How these costs are allocated or shared between MWLASS, DMC, and member councils.

3. Ratepayers in Default and Pursued:
The total number of ratepayers across all member councils who were in default on rates/debts and referred to DMC or pursued by MWLASS for recovery during the period.
Breakdown by year, if available (e.g., number of accounts referred, number resolved via court action).

Please provide this information in electronic format (e.g., spreadsheet or PDF) where possible, including any relevant policies, contracts, or reports that explain the commission/costs structure (redacted for commercial sensitivity if required under LGOIMA s 7).

I understand that under LGOIMA s 13, you must respond to this request as soon as reasonably practicable and not later than 20 working days after receipt. If any information is withheld, please provide reasons under s 7 and consider the public interest in disclosure.

If the request requires clarification or incurs substantial costs for search/copying, please contact me to discuss.

Thank you for your assistance in promoting transparency.

Clampett Trust
in good faith

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From: Help
Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council

Thank you for contacting the Help Enquiry Portal  
  
Your enquiry regarding "Official Information request - LGOIMA Request –
Commission Earnings, Court Costs, and Default Ratepayers in Debt
Collection Services MWLASS/DMC" has been received and will be assigned
to the appropriate Horizons Staff Member.

The Enquiry Portal is not monitored outside of business hours (Monday -
Friday, 0800 - 1700, excluding Public Holidays).  If this enquiry is
urgent, please call 0508-800800 to speak to the after-hours operator.
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Thanks

Help Team

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From: LGOIMA Requests
Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council

Attachment 273867 Transfer to Clampett Trust 20260216.pdf
107K Download View as HTML

Hi,
Please see attached transfer documentation for your request.
Kind Regards
LGOIMA Admin
Dear Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council, MWLASS and DMC managers,
To: Martyn Lindsay Boyce (CEO)
Manawatū-Whanganui LASS Limited
PO Box 7187
Palmerston North 4443
CC: Horizons Regional Council Information Officer – as principal
shareholder
Date: 15 February 2026
Dear Mr Boyce / MWLASS Information Officer for DMC
Request Under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act
1987
I am writing to make a formal request for official information held by
Manawatū-Whanganui LASS Limited (MWLASS) in relation to your debt
collection and rates recovery services provided to member councils in the
Manawatū-Whanganui region.
This request is made pursuant to the Local Government Official Information
and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA), as MWLASS is a council-controlled
organisation subject to the Act.
The information is relevant to public transparency on rates collection
practices and costs, particularly in light of the High Court proceeding
CIV-2024-454-000074 (inLandsAirWater Counsel v Manawatū-Whanganui LASS
Limited), where debt collection activities (including referrals to Debt
Management Central Ltd, or DMC) are referenced.
MWLASS is an exempted CCO but not exempt from answering an OIA under the
legislation.
Please provide the following information for the last 5 financial years
(2020/21 to 2024/25, or the most recent available):
1. Commission Earnings from Debt Collection:
The total amount earned by MWLASS in commissions from debt collection
services (including rates recovery) across all member councils.
Confirmation of whether MWLASS receives commission payments from DMC or
directly from councils for these services, and if so:
The commission rate(s) applied (e.g., percentage of recovered amounts).
How the commission is calculated (e.g., tiered by debt age, fixed fee per
account, or other formula).
2. Court Costs and Percentage Retained:
When ratepayers are taken to court for debt recovery (and costs are
awarded to DMC/MWLASS), the total amount of such court-awarded costs
received in the period.
The percentage or amount of those court-awarded costs retained by MWLASS
(after any payments to DMC or other parties).
How these costs are allocated or shared between MWLASS, DMC, and member
councils.
3. Ratepayers in Default and Pursued:
The total number of ratepayers across all member councils who were in
default on rates/debts and referred to DMC or pursued by MWLASS for
recovery during the period.
Breakdown by year, if available (e.g., number of accounts referred, number
resolved via court action).
Please provide this information in electronic format (e.g., spreadsheet or
PDF) where possible, including any relevant policies, contracts, or
reports that explain the commission/costs structure (redacted for
commercial sensitivity if required under LGOIMA s 7).
I understand that under LGOIMA s 13, you must respond to this request as
soon as reasonably practicable and not later than 20 working days after
receipt. If any information is withheld, please provide reasons under s 7
and consider the public interest in disclosure.
If the request requires clarification or incurs substantial costs for
search/copying, please contact me to discuss.
Thank you for your assistance in promoting transparency.
Clampett Trust
in good faith
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