Around 2600 Far North ratepayers will receive a total of about $136,000 in rates refunds due to a mapping error - an average of just over $50 each.
An early version of a map excluding them from a transport rate zone was incorrectly published in Northland Regional Council annual plans.
An investigation showed the error, which came to light after an inquiry from a Kerikeri ratepayer group last year, occurred after an earlier version of a map outlining a Mid-North transport rate was used in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 annual plan documents and associated rate-setting resolutions.
NRC CEO Malcolm Nicolson has apologised for the mistake, which he described as "essentially human error". The processes and procedures leading up to it had been
reviewed to prevent a repeat.
"A more rigorous regime is being developed, and will be in place for the council's new long-term plan and subsequent document production," he said.