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Ordinary Te Kuaka - Te Ao Māori Committee Meeting Minutes |
23 September 2025 |
MINUTES
OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Te Kuaka - Te
Ao Māori Committee Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chambers, Memorial Avenue, Kaikohe
ON Tuesday, 23
September 2025 AT 10:20am
PRESENT: Co-chair Pita Tipene (Te Kahu o Taonui), Co-Chair Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, Cr Felicity Foy (online), Cr Babe Kapa, Cr Steve McNally, Cr Mate Radich, Cr Tāmati Rākena, Cr John Vujcich, Wallace Rivers (Te Kahu o Taonui)
IN ATTENDANCE: Belinda Ward (Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Chair), Kiri Sloane-Hobson (Te Kahu o Taonui), Phil Grimshaw (Te Kahu o Taonui),
ONLINE: Chicky Rudkin (Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Chair).
STAFF PRESENT: Guy Holroyd (Chief Executive), Jacine Warmington (GM – Strategic Relationships), Roger Ackers (GM – Planning and Policy), Ruben Garcia (GM – Delivery & Operations), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure), Llani Harding (Pouhautu – Te Hono), Jude Campbell (Principle Advisor – Te Hono) Lawrence Wharerau (Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori – Te Hono), Piripi Rākena (Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori – Te Hono), Jess Hallam (Team Leader – Library Services & Programmes), Stephen Fitzherbert (Community Board Coordinator), Aisha Huriwai (Manager – Democracy Services), Marlema Baker (Democracy Advisor).
STAFF ONLINE: Emma Healy (Chief of Staff), Eli Smith (Kaiwhakangungu Reo – Te Reo Trainer), Casey Gannon (Manager – Civic Engagement & Education), Natasha Rmandic (Democracy Advisor),
1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer
Kahika/Mayor Moko Tepania commenced the meeting and opened with the Council karakia/prayer.
2 NGā WHAKAPāHA ME NGā PāNGA MEMA / Apologies and Declarations of Interest
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Resolution 2025/36 Moved: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr Babe Kapa That the apologies received from Cr Ann Court, and Te Kahu o Taonui representatives Katie Murray, Toa Faneva, Mane Tahere and Moana Tuwhare be accepted and leave of absence granted. |
3 ngā tono kōrero / Deputation
Ngātikawa Taituha - representing Ngāti Kawa, Ngāti Rāhiri and Te Matarahurahu speaking to the Tauranga Kōtuku Rerenga Tahi – Oromahoe Waitangi Kāinga Climate Adaptation Plan.
(Deputation delivered pre-meeting during handover of Climate Adaption Plan).
April Sherman, Charlie Sherman & Jacqueline Rewha-Clendon – representing Te Rūnanga o Patukeha speaking to Te Patukeha Iwi - Hapū Environmental Management Plan.
Mutunga Rameka – representing Te Matarahurahu Hapū speaking to the notable Puriri tree located near The Warehouse in Kaikohe.
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3.1 Notable Tree located near The Warehouse - Te Matarahurahu |
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Resolution 2025/37 Moved: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira That Te Kuaka Te Ao Māori Committee; a) formally acknowledges the Puriri tree located near the Kaikohe Warehouse as a rākau taonga, b) resolve that the Chief Executive urgently carry out the legal process to action a private covenant of the rākau taonga in collaboration with Te Matarahurahu Hapū and the landowner, and c) ensure Council staff immediately facilitate conversations between Hapū and the landowner to seek an agreement, and d) and ensure staff work with Te Matarahurahu Hapū on a Iwi/Hapū Environmental Management plan, and e) that an update on parts a) and b) be provided to Council in the new triennium. |
4 NGĀ KŌRERO A TE kahika / Chairs ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pānui Mate – Acknowledging the passing of:
- Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tukino VIII – Te Ariki o Tuwharetoa,
- David Senior – former Chair of the Accessibility Access Group,
- Louise Albert – kaiako at Rangaunu Kōhanga Reo,
- Brian Joyce – kaumatua of Papakura Marae,
- Joe Rakich – league player from Ahipara,
- Anthony Smith – mokopuna of Akinihi (Aggie) Smith,
- Grant Hawke – older brother of Joe Hawke (Bastion Point),
- Dame Alice Joan Metge - New Zealand social anthropologist, educator, lecturer and writer,
- Puhiwahine Witehira – Karani māmā (grandmother) of Cr Rākena and Piripi Rākena.
Pita Tipene – Acknowledging that he was fortunate to be present at the coronation of Ngawai hono i te po.
Hilda Halkyard-Harawira – requests a verbal update on Te Pae o Uta during item 6.5 from Te Hono.
5 Te Whakaaetanga o Ngā Meneti o Mua / Confirmation of Previous Minutes
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5.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes Agenda item 4.1 document number A5262658, pages 8 - 15 refers |
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Resolution 2025/38 Moved: Cr Tāmati Rākena Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee confirm the minutes of the meeting held 19 June 2025 as a true and correct. |
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6.1 Te Patukeha Iwi - Hapū Environmental Management Plan Agenda item 5.1 document number A5314356, pages 16 - 141 refers |
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Resolution 2025/39 Moved: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Te Kuaka Te Ao Māori Committee; a) receive the report Te Patukeha Iwi Hapū Environmental Management Plan on behalf of Council; and b) recommend that Council support Te Patukeha Iwi Hapu Environmental Management Plan. |
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6.2 Te Kuaka Te Ao Māori Committee Strategic Intent - Te Pae ki Tawhiti 2040 Agenda item 5.2 document number A5322151, pages 142 - 148 refers |
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Resolution 2025/40 Moved: Member Pita Tipene Seconded: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Te Kuaka Te Ao Māori Committee receive and endorse the draft Te Kuaka Te Pae Ki Tawhiti 2040 Strategic Intent as the long-term strategic direction for Te Kuaka. |
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6.3 Te Reo Māori name for Far North District Libraries Agenda item 5.3 document number A5210003, pages 149 - 158 refers |
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Resolution 2025/41 Moved: Cr John Vujcich Seconded: Cr Babe Kapa That Te Kuaka Te Ao Māori Committee; a) approve the transition to a bilingual name for Far North District Libraries, and b) recommend that Council approve the proposed name ‘He Puna Mārama, Far North District Libraries’. |
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Agenda item 5.4 document number A5272278, pages 159 - 219 refers |
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Resolution 2025/42 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee: a) receive the report Far North Towns and Names and recommend that Council approve the towns and place names for adoption by the New Zealand Geographic Board. b) and include Taipā and Mōtatau with the macronised spelling. |
Notes: Where korero tukuiho gives multiple versions of the name – what happens there? (patai for the NZ Geographic Board).
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6.5 Far North District Council Cultural Audit Report Agenda item 5.5 document number A5209933, pages 220 - 239 refers |
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Resolution 2025/43 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira That Te Kuaka Te Ao Māori Committee recommend that Council approve the final recommendations contained in the Far North District Council Cultural Audit report 2025. |
NOTE: That this forms part of the Induction/Onboarding for the new Council.
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6.6 Te Kiri Waiwai o Papatūānuku - Whenua Māori Strategy Agenda item 5.6 document number A5196515, pages 240 - 278 refers |
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Resolution 2025/44 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr Babe Kapa That Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee: a) add Te Kuaka Te Pae Ki Tawhiti 2040 Strategic Intent to Te Kiri Waiwai o Papatūānuku – Whenua Māori Strategy. b) recommend to Council to approve Te Kiri Waiwai o Papatūānuku - Whenua Māori Strategy. c) delegate authority to the Chief Executive to make minor editorial corrections. |
Chairs Pita Tipene & Hilda Halkyard-Harawira granted Green Party MP Huhana Lyndon – opportunity to speak during the meeting;
· Acknowledged Te Kuaka Committee and encourages any current Elected Members that might return in the new triennium to support the continuation of Te Kuaka Committee along with its workplans, strategies and including financial support.
· Acknowledged the awesome work done by the Committee.
7 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports
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7.1 Te Kahu o Taonui Taiao Portal Progress Report Agenda item 6.1 document number A5345378, pages 279 - 285 refers |
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Resolution 2025/45 Moved: Cr John Vujcich Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena That Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee receive the report Te Kahu o Taonui Taiao Portal Progress Report. |
Note: Website will go live in October 2025.
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7.2 Civic Engagement and Education Update Agenda item 6.2 document number A5345970, pages 286 - 290 refers |
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Resolution 2025/46 Moved: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena That Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee receive the report Civic Engagement and Education Update. |
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7.3 Te Rauora - Reorua Annual Review Agenda item 6.3 document number A5262643, pages 291 - 302 refers |
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Resolution 2025/47 Moved: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee receive the report Te Rauora - Reorua Annual Review. |
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7.4 Whenua Māori - Freehold Land Rating Relief Agenda item 6.4 document number A5295524, pages 303 - 306 refers |
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Resolution 2025/48 Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That the Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee receive the report Whenua Māori - Freehold Land Rating Relief. |
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7.5 Ngā Kaupapa Māori / Matters of Importance to Māori 2024-2025 Annual Report Agenda item 6.5 document number A5262612, pages 307 - 311 refers |
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Resolution 2025/49 Moved: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena That the Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee receive the report Ngā Kaupapa Māori / Matters of Importance to Māori 2024-2025 Annual Report. |
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7.6 Open Resolutions and Actions Update - September 2025. Agenda item 6.6 document number A5345481, pages 312 - 318 refers |
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Resolution 2025/50 Moved: Cr John Vujcich Seconded: Cr Babe Kapa That Te Kuaka – Te Māori Committee a) receive the Open Resolutions and Actions Update – September 2025 report. b) receive the verbal update on Te Pae o Uta Annual Review from Te Hono ahead of the report being tabled at the extraordinary Council meeting 7 October 2025. |
The meeting closed at 1:35pm.
The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Te Kuaka - Te Ao Māori Committee Meeting held at a date to be confirmed.
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CHAIRPERSON