Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting - Thursday, 13 March 2025

Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes

13 March 2025

MINUTES OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Council Meeting
HELD AT THE Council Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Thursday, 13 March 2025 AT 10:00 AM

PRESENT: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, Cr Ann Court, Cr Felicity Foy, Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Cr Babe Kapa, Cr Penetaui Kleskovic, Cr Steve McNally, Cr Mate Radich (virtual), Cr Tāmati Rākena

IN ATTENDANCE: Adele Gardner (Chairperson - Te Hiku Community Board), Belinda Ward (Chairperson - Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board), Chicky Rudkin (Chairperson - Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board), AJ Rakete-Tane (Kaiwhakawhiti Reo – Language Interpreter)

STAFF PRESENT: Aisha Huriwai (Manager – Democracy Services), Maria Bullen (Democracy Advisor), Jacine Warmington (Group Manager – Strategic Relationships), Lawrence Wharerau (Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori), Trent Blakeman (Group Manager – Delivery and Operations), Jaye Michalick (Team Leader – Growth Planning and Placemaking), Emma Healy (Executive Officer), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure), Tammy Wooster (Manager – Integrated Planning), Casey Gannon (Civic Engagement and Education), Guy Holroyd (Chief Executive Officer), Emma Healy (Chief of Staff), Charlie Billington (Group Manager – Corporate Services), Roger Ackers (Group Manager – Planning and Policy), Llani Harding (Pouhautu – Te Hono), Carla Ditchfield (Manager – Legal Services), Ruben Garcia (Group Manager – Community and Engagement), Sue Fox (Senior Financial Accountant).

1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer

At 10:00am, Kahika/Mayor Moko Tepania commenced the meeting with a prayer.

2 NGā WHAKAPāHA ME NGā PāNGA MEMA / Apologies and Declarations of Interest

Apology

Resolution 2025/13

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena

That the apology received from Cr John Vujcich be accepted and leave of absence granted and that the apology received from Cr Penetaui Kleskovic for lateness be accepted.

3 ngā tono kōrero / Deputation

· Whatititiri Te Wake representing Ngāti Rēhia, Jo Civil and Rio Greening speaking to Te Pātukurea – Item 6.2.

· Susan and Liz from Pioneer Village - presenting an overview of the Pioneer Village status, business development, community engagement and future strategy.

· Dave Davies-Colley from Northland Basketball - presenting to Council why an indoor sports stadium is the best future use of the Old Warehouse Building.

· Jo Civil on behalf of Ngāti Hineira – Rangitane Maritime Development.

· Michael Grant - establishing a strategy for ensuring Kaitāia Airport delivers the maximum benefits for the people of Te Hiku o Te Ika in particular but Te Tai Tokerau and all of Aotearoa in general.

· Dallas King speaking on behalf of Ngāti Kaharau & Ngāti Hau Hapū, as a member of Te Māhurehure & Te Hikutu Hapū, & as the convenor of Te Mauri o te Wai with regard to Waste Water Treatment Systems that discharge into the Hokianga Harbour and the Rawene WWTP at Te Raupo.

DePUTATION DOCUMENTS tabled at meeting

1 Pioneer Village Presentation

2 Dave Davies-Colley - Deputation Letter

3 Dave Davies-Colley - Kaitāia Map

4 Jo Civil - Deputation Photos

5 Jo Civil - Letter of Support - Parawhenua Marae

6 Michael Grant - Kaitāia Airport - Participant Engagement Model (Level 1) v2

7 Michael Grant - Kaitāia Community Response Team - Presentation

4 NGĀ KŌRERO A TE kahika / MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

· Acknowledged and welcomed AJ Rakete-Tane as the stand-in Kaiwhakawhiti Reo – Language Interpreter for this council meeting. AJ is a former student at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe and is now working for Te Hono team.

· Public Excluded Supplementary item 8.1 Rangitane Maritime Development deferred to an extraordinary meeting, to be held Wednesday 19 March 2025 at FNDC Kaikohe Council Chambers.

· Issued a formal apology to the people in Kaitāia and Awanui for the lack of communication and engagement with the community, regarding the Quarry Road bridge closure and road detour.

· Acknowledged the recent Council social media posts that have received racial and derogatory comments. Council staff are preparing a press release to reiterate councils values. Link to article: FNDC condemns online racism | Far North District Council

· 200 year commemorations of Te-Ika-ā-Ranganui on Saturday 15 March 2025. To be held in Kaiwaka and hosted by Ngāti Whātua, in recognition of the battle that took place two centuries ago. Link to event information: 200-year Commemoration of Te-Ika-ā-Ranganui. — Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua

· Festival for Te Āhuareka o Ngāti Hine to be held 28-30 March 2025 at Otiria Marae, Moerewa. Link to event information: HOME | Te Ahuareka o Ngati Hine

· Acknowledged the birthdays of Crs Kleskovic and Rākena.

· Acknowledged the four groups who represented Te Tai Tokerau at Te Matatini 2025. Te Uri o Manumanu (Kaipara), Hātea Kapa Haka, Te Puu Ao (Whangārei) and Muriwhenua (Far North).

· Maramataka today is Ōturu – a high energy day.

At 11:24 the meeting adjourned and resumed at 11:39am.

5 Te Whakaaetanga o Ngā Meneti o Mua / Confirmation of Previous Minutes

5.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes

Agenda item 5.1 document number A5056463, pages 6 - 14 refers

Resolution 2025/14

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Felicity Foy

That Council confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held 13 February 2025 are a true and correct record.

6 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

6.1 Adoption of Statement of Proposal for Fees & Charges for 2025/26

Agenda item 6.1 document number A5086583, pages 15 - 49 refers

Resolution 2025/15

Moved: Cr Ann Court

Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

That Council:

a) adopt the Statement of Proposal to consult on the Schedule of Fees and Charges for 2025/26.

6.2 To Undertake Public Consultation on The Draft Version of Te Pātukurea Kerikeri Waipapa Spatial Plan

Agenda item 6.2 document number A5090250, pages 50 – 57 refers

Resolution 2025/16

Moved: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

Seconded: Cr Ann Court

That Council approve:

a) the draft Te Pātukurea Kerikeri-Waipapa Spatial Plan, detailed in Attachments 1 & 2 for public consultation using the Special Consultative Procedure to take place between 20 March and 22 April.

b) any grammatical or other immaterial corrections to the draft spatial plan may be approved in writing by either the Chief Executive or Mayor, prior to publication of the draft on 20 March.

Attachments tabled at meeting

1 Draft Te Pātukurea Document

6.1 Local Waters Done Well

Supplementary Agenda item 6.1 document number A5101937, pages 4 - 12 refers

Resolution 2025/17

Moved: Cr Ann Court

Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

That Council:

a) confirm the water service delivery options to be consulted on are:

Internal Business Unit (“status quo”);

Multi-Council CCO water organisation; and

b) direct the Chief Executive Officer to prepare a Statement of Intent by 31 March 2025 to enter into a Heads of Agreement with Whangārei District Council and Kaipara District Council for the potential future formation of a Multi-Council CCO Water Organisation.

6.1 Local Waters Done Well

Supplementary Agenda item 6.1 document number A5101937, pages 4 - 12 refers

Resolution 2025/18

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council:

Identifies the Internal Business Unit as the current preferred option.

In Favour: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, Crs Ann Court, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Babe Kapa and Steve McNally

Against: Crs Felicity Foy and Penetaui Kleskovic

Abstained: Crs Mate Radich and Tāmati Rākena

6.3 Committee Recommendations and Resolutions - February 2025

Agenda item 6.3 document number A5105849, pages 58 - 76 refers

Resolution 2025/19

Moved: Cr Penetaui Kleskovic

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council:

Direct the CE before 1 April 2025 to dedicate at least 2 new FTE’s in Te Hono to ensure:

a. Development of Whenua Māori and

b. Streamlining and expediting the consenting process and facilitation between landowners and relevant stakeholders.

In Favour: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Crs Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Babe Kapa, Penetaui Kleskovic, Steve McNally and Tāmati Rākena

Against: Crs Ann Court and Mate Radich

Abstained: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

carried

c. allocate a budget of $700k per annum.

In Favour: Crs Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Penetaui Kleskovic and Tāmati Rākena

Against: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Crs Ann Court, Felicity Foy, Steve McNally and Mate Radich

Abstained: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford and Cr Babe Kapa

lost

d) that Te Hono have their own General Manager at Senior Leadership Level.

In Favour: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Crs Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Babe Kapa, Penetaui Kleskovic, Steve McNally, Mate Radich and Tāmati Rākena

Against: Cr Ann Court

Abstained: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

carried

e) that Council make submissions to Central Government to support the removal of regulatory barriers to the cost of consenting and development of Whenua Māori.

In Favour: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Crs Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Babe Kapa, Penetaui Kleskovic, Steve McNally, Mate Radich and Tāmati Rākena

Against: Cr Ann Court

Abstained: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

carried

At 3:55pm, the meeting was adjourned and resumed at 4:05pm.

At 4:10pm, Kōwhai-Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford left the meeting.

At 4:15pm, Kōwhai-Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford returned to the meeting.

At 4:17pm, Kōwhai-Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford left the meeting.

At 4:20pm, Kōwhai-Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford returned to the meeting.

Motion

Resolution 2025/20

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Babe Kapa

That Council resolve to continue the meeting in accordance with Standing Orders 4.2 Meeting Duration.

Carried

6.3 Committee Recommendations and Resolutions - February 2025

Agenda item 6.3 document number A5105849, pages 58 - 76 refers

Resolution 2025/21

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Steve McNally

That Council:

a) approve the transfer of the FNDC Local Share from NZTA Activity class Local Road Pothole Prevention category 212 to 111 to advance the final phase of the 2024-25 sealed pavement maintenance programme and that;

b) Any final accounting variation be addressed by way of a minor amendment to the funding impact statement 2024-25.

6.4 Te Kuaka Terms of Reference Update

Agenda item 6.4 document number A5098522, pages 77 - 83 refers

Resolution 2025/22

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena

That Council adopt the following changes to the Terms of Reference:

a) Add that the Committee must appoint an iwi/hapu member as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

b) to add a seat at the table for a hapu representative with a signed Memorandum of Understanding with Council.

6.5 2025 Triennial Elections - Order of Candidate Names on Voting Documents

Agenda item 6.5 document number A5102426, pages 84 - 99 refers

Resolution 2025/23

Moved: Cr Felicity Foy

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council adopt the alphabetical order of candidate names, as permitted under Regulation 31 of the Local Electoral Regulations 2001, for the 2025 triennial elections.

6.6 Insulation requirements in housing and other buildings - Letter to Hon Chris Penk

Agenda item 6.6 document number A5104708, pages 100 - 106 refers

Resolution 2025/24

Moved: Cr Felicity Foy

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council approve the letter from the Mayor and reform portfolio holders to Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction.

Abstained: Cr Mate Radich

At 12:55pm, the meeting was adjourned and resumed at 1:55pm.

7 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports

7.1 Community Board Minutes - February 2025

Agenda item 7.1 document number A5070102, pages 107 - 128 refers

Resolution 2025/25

Moved: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

That Council note the following Community Board minutes:

· 18 February 2025 Te Hiku Community Board.

· 20 February 2025 Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board;

· 21 February 2025 Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board;

7.2 Mayor and Councillor's Reports

Agenda item 7.2 document number A5056539, pages 129 - 161 refers

Resolution 2025/26

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Ann Court

That Council note the reports submitted by Kahika Moko Tepania, Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford and Councillors Babe Kapa, Ann Court, John Vujcich, Steve McNally and Hilda Halkyard-Harawira.

Note: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania requested a formalised memorandum of understanding with Waitangi National Trust.

Attachments tabled at meeting

1 Member Report - Cr Rākena

At 2:16 pm, Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania left the meeting and returned at 2:17pm.

7.3 Draft Community Adaptation Programme Plan - Part 1

Agenda item 7.3 document number A5093712, pages 163 - 165 refers

Resolution 2025/27

Moved: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

That the Council receive the report Draft Community Adaptation Programme Plan - Part 1.

7.4 Council Open Resolutions Update March 2025

Agenda item 7.4 document number A5056501, pages 183 - 183 refers

Resolution 2025/28

Moved: Cr Ann Court

Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

That Council receive the report Council Open Resolution Update March 2025.

Note: A request from Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania to staff to tidy up open resolutions and/or close off actions where appropriate.

7.5 Local Authority Elections 2025 Guidelines for Elected Members

Agenda item 7.5 document number A5104198, pages 201 - 202 refers

Resolution 2025/29

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena

That the Council receive the report Local Authority Elections 2025 Guidelines for Elected Members.

8 te wāhanga tūmataiti / Public Excluded

RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC

Resolution 2025/30

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting.

The general subject matter of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

General subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Ground(s) under section 48 for the passing of this resolution
5.1 - Confirmation of Previous Minutes - Public Excluded	s7(2)(a) - the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(h) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities s7(2)(i) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations)	s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
5.2 - Community Board Public Excluded Minutes - February 2025	s48(2)(a)(i) - the exclusion of the public from the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting is necessary to enable the Council to deliberate in private on its decision or recommendation where a right of appeal lies to any court or tribunal against the final decision of the Council in these proceedings	s48(2)(a)(i) - the exclusion of the public from the part of the meeting is necessary to enable the local authority to deliberate in private on its decision or recommendation
5.3 - Road Maintenance and Renewals Contracts - Separable Portion 4 for North and South Area	s7(2)(b)(ii) - the withholding of the information is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information	s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
5.4 - Council Public Excluded Open Resolutions Update March 2025	s7(2)(g) - the withholding of the information is necessary to maintain legal professional privilege s7(2)(i) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations)	s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
5.5 - General Employment Matter	s7(2)(a) - the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(i) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations)	s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7

9 Karakia Whakamutunga / Closing Prayer

At 5:03pm, Kahika/Mayor Moko Tepania closed the meeting with a karakia.

7 Meeting Close

The meeting closed at 5:03pm

The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 10 April 2025.

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CHAIRPERSON