Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting - Thursday, 31 July 2025

UNCONFIRMED

Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes

31 July 2025

MINUTES OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Council Meeting
HELD AT THE Council Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Thursday, 31 July 2025 AT 10:01 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 Steve McNally (online), Cr Mate Radich (online), Cr Tāmati Rākena, Cr John Vujcich

IN ATTENDANCE: Adele Gardner (Te Hiku Community Board Chair), Belinda Ward (Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Chair), Chicky Rudkin (Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Chair), Kawiti Waetford (Kaiwhakawhiti Reo – Language Interpreter)(online).

STAFF PRESENT: Guy Holroyd (Chief Executive Officer), Carla Ditchfield (Manager – Legal Services), Ken MacDonald (Chief Financial Officer), Ken Lewis (Manager – Communications & Engagement), Tammy Wooster (Manager – Integrated Planner), Jacine Warmington (Group Manager – Strategic Relationships), Nicola Smith (Acting Group Manager – Community & Engagement), Trish Routley (Acting Group Manager – Delivery & Operations), Emma Manning (Senior Strategic Planner), Roger Ackers (Gorup Manager – Planning & Policy), Charlie Billington (Gorup Manager – Corporate Services), Emma Healy (Chief of Staff), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure), Natasha Rmandic (Democracy Advisor), Aisha Huriwai (Manager – Democracy Services), Marysa Maheno (Democracy Advisor), Piripi Rākena (Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori), Scott Smith (Manager – Waters), Andy Dowdle (Change Specialist), Nadine Hopkins (Manager – Executive Projects), Virginia Smith (Policy Advisor), Llani Harding (Pouhautu Te Hono – Manager Te Hono).

1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer

Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania commenced the meeting with a karakia at 10:01 AM.

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

Apology

Resolution 2025/79

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That the apology received from Cr Penetaui Kleskovic accepted and leave of absence granted and lateness from Cr Steve McNally.

Note: Cr Mate Radich will also be on and off during the meeting for another hui.

Carried

3 NGĀ KŌRERO A TE kahika / MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

· Wished a massive hari huri tau to Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Member Tyler Bamber!

· Highlighted Te Taitokerau Secondary Kapa Haka Competition is this weekend at Papa Hawaiki in Kaikohe.

· Acknowledged two deferred deputations:

- Fiona King deputation to item 6.3, Land Drainage Bylaws was deferred to request a verbal submission during the consultation process for the Land Drainage Bylaws.

- John Tetley who is looking to aquire land neighbouring Te Puāwaitanga to build a Mens Shed has been deferred to the August Te Koukou – Transport and Infrastructure Committee meeting.

· Noted that two items were deferred to the August Council meeting:

- Notice of Motion – Appointment of Directors to Far North Holdings.

- Review of Appointment of Directors to for Council Organisations Policies. (the report was intended to be tabled during the meeting today however, has been deferred).

Stated that following deputations, we will go to item 6.1 – The Strand, Kororāreka Russell Traffic Trial Report. We will then go into Public Excluded to consider all PX reports and then come back in to public meeting to consider the rest of the ordinary agenda as well as the supplementary agenda.

· Welcomed former Papakura Mayor David Hawkins and Far North District Councils, Department of Internal Affairs partnerships Director Vanessa Blakelock.

· Acknowledged Julia Crane, Manager of Visitor for her 20 year service to Council who is retiring.

· Kahika – Mayor Moko also noted that he will be stepping out at 10:40 AM for a meeting with Minister Tama Potaka.

· Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford acknowledged the 20^th anniversary of the Turner Centre.

· Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira acknowldged three 75^th huritau in Pawarenga today. Hari huritau Esther Proctor, Tony Rudolph and his twin sister Liza.

4 ngā tono kōrero / Deputation

Deputations for item 6.1 - The Strand, Kororāreka Russell Traffic Trial:

· Bernard Woodcock and Hugh Blomfield

· Shane Maddren

Attachments tabled at meeting

1 Deputation - Shane Maddren

· Emily Rust

· Jane Hindle (Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Member)

At 10:32 AM Cr Steve McNally joined the meeting.

At 10:40 AM Kahika – Mayor Moko Tepania left the room.

5 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

5.1 The Strand, Kororāreka Russell Traffic Trial

Agenda item 6.1 document number A5236605, pages 26 - 52 refers.

Resolution 2025/80

Moved: Cr Ann Court

Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

That the Council:

a) As the Road Controlling Authority under the Land Transport Rule: Streets Layout 2023 (Rule) change:

I. from mid-block Cass Street to the boat ramp at the northern end of The Strand to a shared space,

II. the southern end of The Strand to pedestrian priority with access for essential vehicles, and

III. the layout of Cass Street to make the trial permanent, and

b) Approve the features installed temporarily in Cass Street during the trial be retained in its current form until an updated design is created by Roading Working Group and Council’s Transport group, consistent with the objectives of the Kororāreka Russell Historic Township Overlay and presented to the community for feedback;

c) Approve the planters and barrel adjacent to Russell Fresh to be moved back to improve access and egress from the disability park opposite, with clear signage delimiting the loading zone area; and

d) Approve that funding for implementation will be considered by the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board via the unconfirmed $42,157 of Eastern Town Beautifications carry forward budget.

Carried

7 ngā tono kōrero / Deputation (CONTINUED)

Dallas King, representing Ngāti Kaharau and Ngāti Hau Hapū o Ōmanaia and Te Mauri o Te Wai in support of item 8.5 - Rāwene Land Purchase.

Kahika – Mayor Moko Tepania returned at 11:08 AM.

The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM and resumed at 11:25 AM.

8 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports (CONTINUED)

8.1 Te Rūnanga ā Iwi o Ngāpuhi Mana Whakahono ā Rohe

Agenda item 6.2 document number A5249186, pages 53 - 78 refers.

Resolution 2025/81

Moved: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

Seconded: Cr Babe Kapa

That Council approve the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe Agreement and the development of a work programme that gives effect to the Agreement, alongside Te Rūnanga ā Iwi ō Ngāpuhi.

Carried

At 11:49 AM Cr Steve McNally left the meeting.

9 He Pānui Whakamōtini / Notice of Motion

9.1 Notice of Motion - Elected Members Expenses Policy

Supplementary agenda item S.1 document number A5290792, pages 4 - 7 refers.

Resolution 2025/82

Moved: Cr Tāmati Rākena

Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

That Council:

a) Amend the Elected Members’ Expenses Policy to reflect the provisions of the Local Government Members (2025/26) Determination 2025, including but not limited to entitlements relating to the reimbursement and/or direct payment of security systems installed at a location of the elected member’s choosing.

b) Direct the Chief Executive to ensure all necessary templates, processes, and administrative supports are in place to enable elected members to access the entitlements set out in the 2025 Determination, including:

i. Pre-approved templates for claims;

ii. Clear guidance and point-of-contact for elected members;

iii. A streamlined process that enables forward payment of security system invoices or quotes on behalf of members;

iv. Dedicated staff assistance to ensure timely processing and support;

v. Incorporation of any new or additional entitlements introduced in the Determination.

c) Require full implementation of the above by Monday, 13 October 2025.

d) Direct the Chief Executive to deliver a workshop for elected members outlining the changes introduced in the Local Government Members (2025/26) Determination 2025, including clear explanation, guidance, and practical application of the updated entitlements.

Carried

10 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports (CONTINUED)

10.1 Far North District Council Committee Amendments

Supplementary agenda item 6.10 document number A5288323, pages 32 - 38 refers.

Resolution 2025/83

Moved: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

That Council resolve to approve the proposed Terms of Reference for the renamed Te Koekoeā Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) Committee as outlined in Option 1. for adoption.

Carried

Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford left the room at 11:59 PM and returned at 12:02 PM.

10.2 Local Water Done Well - Selection of Water Services Delivery Model

Supplementary agenda item 6.9 document number A5251683, pages 8 - 34 refers.

Resolution 2025/84

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That Council:

1. Subject to the same confirmation from the Kaipara and Whangārei District Councils, approve to work with the other district councils of Northland to create a joint Water Services Delivery Plan with Kaipara and Whangārei councils where:

a. Water and Wastewater services are delivered by a Regional Asset owning CCO

b. Stormwater services are delivered through an in-house business unit of council

c. The Far North works with Kaipara and Whangārei to develop opportunities for Government funding to support critical projects.

2. Approve entering into a Commitment Agreement (Heads of Terms) with Whangārei and Kaipara District Councils to establish a CCO by 1 July 2027

3. Note the formation of a regional waters CCO will be based on an initial set of principles

a) That Initially Financials are to be ring-fenced to each council

b) That Initially Water charges are not harmonized across the three founding council areas

c) The CCO will review ring-fencing of finances and harmonising charges within 3 years from its commencement date

d) A shareholder council be formed that includes two representatives from each founding Council, of which at least one must be an elected member.

e) When scheduling growth projects, the CCO is aligned with each council’s growth strategies.

In Favour: Kahika – Mayor Moko Tepania, Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, Crs Ann Court, Felicity Foy, Babe Kapa, Steve McNally, Mate Radich and John Vujcich.

Abstained: Crs Hilda Halkyard-Harawira and Tāmati Rākena.

carried

11 te wāhanga tūmataiti / Public Excluded

11.1 RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC

Resolution 2025/85

Moved: Cr Tāmati Rākena

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

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
7.1 - 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
7.2 - Public Excluded Committee Minutes July 2025	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
7.3 - Council Public Excluded Open Resolutions and Actions Update July 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
7.4 - Kaikohe Library and Civic Hub - Approval of Construction and Civil Contract	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 s7(2)(h) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities	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
7.5 - Rāwene Land Purchase	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

and that the Community Board Chairs and Kawiti Waetford, Kaiwhakawhiti Reo – Language Interpreter remain in the public excluded part of the meeting.

Carried

Decisions and Information to be Released in Public:

Council resolved that the decisions of the items listed below will be released with figures redacted once negotiations and signing of contracts have been complete.

· 7.4 – Kaikohe Library and Civic Hub – Approval of Construction and Civil Contract

· 7.5 – Rāwene Land Purchase

The meeting adjourned at 1:08 PM and resumed at 1:53 PM.

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

12.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes

Agenda item 5.1 document number A5056478, pages 5 - 25 refers

Resolution 2025/86

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That Council confirm the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held 25 June and the Council meeting held 3 July 2025 are a true and correct record.

Carried

13 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports

13.1 Community Board Minutes - July 2025

Agenda item 7.1 document number A5070115, pages 398 - 419 refers

Resolution 2025/87

Moved: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

Seconded: Cr Felicity Foy

That Council note the following Community Board minutes:

· 8 July 2025 Te Hiku Community Board.

· 27 June and 10 July 2025 Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board;

· 11 July 2025 Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board;

Carried

13.2 Committee Minutes July 2025

Agenda item 7.2 document number A5277911, pages 420 - 428 refers.

Resolution 2025/88

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That Council receive the minutes from Te Koukou – Transport & Infrastructure Committee 22 July 2025.

Carried

13.3 Council Open Resolutions and Actions Update July 2025

Agenda item 7.3 document number A5056524, pages 429 - 454 refers.

Resolution 2025/89

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council receive the report Council Open Resolution and Actions Update July 2025.

Carried

13.4 Joint Committee Minutes - July 2025

Agenda item 7.4 document number A5280620, pages 455 - 456 refers.

Resolution 2025/90

Moved: Cr John Vujcich

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council note the report Joint Committee Minutes – July 2025.

Carried

14 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

14.1 Land Drainage Bylaw - Approval of Amended Land Drainage Bylaw for Public Consultation

Agenda item 6.3 document number A5245766, pages 79 - 161 refers.

Resolution 2025/91

Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

That Council:

a) approve the proposal for an amended Land Drainage Bylaw (Attachment 4), to be released for public consultation to meet the requirements of section 156 of the Local Government Act 2002.

b) approve a minimum four-week period for making written submissions on the proposal in Attachment 4.

c) approve hearing any oral submissions and agree to delegate to the Mayor, the power to arrange and/or change the date of the oral presentations of submissions.

d) direct Council staff to make all necessary logistical arrangements for oral submitters to be heard in person in the council Chambers or online via Microsoft Teams.

e) authorise the Chief Executive to make minor changes to the proposal for the amended Land Drainage Bylaw to correct grammatical or spelling errors.

f) ensure correct mapping is included in the Land Drainage Bylaw consultation.

Abstained: Cr Felicity Foy

Carried

14.2 Housing for the Elderly Review of Rent Settings and Options for Public Consultation

Agenda item 6.4 document number A5261722, pages 162 - 208 refers.

Resolution 2025/92

Moved: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

Seconded: Cr Ann Court

That Council:

a) Adopt the Proposal in Attachment 3 to be released for public consultation to meet the requirements of section 82 of the Local Government Act 2002.

b) Approve that the period for making written submissions on the proposal will be a minimum of 4 weeks.

c) Delegate authority to the Mayor to decide on the date of oral presentation/s of submissions.

d) Authorise the Chief Executive to make any necessary minor drafting or presentation amendments to the Proposal to correct errors or omissions, or to reflect the decisions made by the Council prior to final publication and public release.

Carried

At 2:46 PM Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford left the meeting and returned at 2:51 PM.

At 2:53 PM Cr Tāmati Rākena left the meeting.

14.3 Governance of Te Puāwaitanga

Agenda item 6.5 document number A5261974, pages 209 - 303 refers.

Resolution 2025/93

Moved: Cr Ann Court

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council:

a) Request Sport Northland establish an appointments panel to commence the establishment of a group to oversee the administration of the existing Te Puāwaitanga Sports Complex by initially appointing;

i) three community representatives

ii) three sports representatives

iii) a chair from one of the above six appointee representatives.

b) Request that the appointments panel consists of representatives from;

i) Sport Northland

ii) Ngāti Rēhia

iii) The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board

iv) An Elected Member of the Far North District Council and

v) A Sport Northland nominated independent with sports complex administration experience.

c) Request that Sport Northland convene the first meeting of the group of appointed representatives plus one hapū appointed representative and one appointed Council representative where the group will;

i) Commence the preparation for an application to become an incorporated society, including refinement of any necessary founding or governance documents for an incorporated society. These documents should reflect the expectations in the draft constitution attached to this report.

d) Request that the process to establish a right to lease or use to occupy of Te Puāwaitanga between Council as the landowner and the incorporated society is commenced once the incorporated society for Te Puāwaitanga is registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.

e) Grant the Te Puāwaitanga incorporated society $15,000 for each of the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years to cover establishment and initial administration costs associated with the commencement of the trust.

f) Adopt the draft Letter of Expectation.

Note: Elected members raised concerns regarding some wording in the draft Letter of Expectation. The feedback has been noted and will be included in the final Letter of Expectation.

Carried

Attachments tabled at meeting

1 Letter of Expectation

The meeting adjourned at 3:03 PM and resumed 3:13 PM.

14.4 Development Contributions Policy Statement of Proposal

Agenda item 6.6 document number A5270575, pages 304 - 389 refers.

Resolution 2025/94

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council:

a) Adopt the Statement of Proposal as provided in Attachment 1 of this report for public consultation on the new draft new draft Utu Whakawhanake – Development Contributions Policy 2025.

b) Approve that the period for making written submissions on the proposal will be for a minimum of one month.

c) Approves to delegate to the Mayor, the power to change the date of the verbal submissions.

d) Authorise the Chief Executive to make any necessary minor drafting or presentation amendments to the Statement of Proposal to correct errors or omissions, or to reflect the decisions made by the Council prior to final publication.

Carried

14.5 Road Rename: Te Ara Tika, Kaikohe

Agenda item 6.7 document number A5279685, pages 390 - 394 refers.

Resolution 2025/95

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

That Council, pursuant to its Road Naming Policy, approve the renaming of a right of way that is currently addressed at Te Ara Tika, Kaikohe to “Te Ara ki Te Atua”

Abstained: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

carried

14.6 Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai Levies

Agenda item 6.8 document number A5280287, pages 395 - 397 refers.

Resolution 2025/96

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council approve unbudgeted expenditure to the value of $295,519 being the total FY26 levy charged by the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai and payable in quarterly instalments.

Abstained: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

Carried

Meeting Duration

Resolution 2025/97

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That Council agrees that the meeting continue beyond the six hour duration in Standing Order 4.2 - Meeting Duration, to discuss the remaining items left on the agenda.

Carried

15 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports

9.5 Mayor and Councillor's Reports

Agenda item 7.5 document number A5056553, pages 457 - 571 refers.

Resolution 2025/98

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford

That Council:

a) note the reports submitted by Kahika Moko Tepania, Cr Ann Court, Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Cr John Vujcich, and

b) table the member report submitted by Cr Tāmati Rākena.

Carried

Attachments tabled at meeting