Rapid/Urban Numbers

If you would like to apply for a RAPID number please use this PDF form.

'RAPID' stands for Rural Address Property Identification. Council is responsible for maintaining a database of these numbers, each of which identifies the physical location of a rural property based on its distance from a crossing, intersection or other similar starting point on the road. The starting point is the centre of the parent road from which the road being numbered adjoins. This is known as the datum point.

The datum point for address numbering should be at the commencement of the road from where the access to that road is the most common, or is planned to occur. For major roads, the datum point should commence at the major city or town end and should be consistent throughout a locality.

The primary site number in a rural area shall be determined by dividing the distance (in metres) from the datum point to the access point by 10, then rounding to the nearest odd number on the left side of the road, or even number on the right side. As well as providing a hub for keeping your property records in good order, RAPID numbers help emergency services and New Zealand Post to locate a property. They are also used for voting purposes to ensure you are placed in the correct electorate.

Any rural property that either has a dwelling, business or community centre requires a RAPID number. Council allocates and issues the rapid number plates which are white reflective numbers on a blue background. This will be posted to you so that you can fix it to a fence post or letterbox at your gate in an easily visible location.