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Extraordinary Council Meeting Minutes |
10 February 2026 |
MINUTES
OF Far North District Council
Extraordinary Council
Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Tuesday, 10
February 2026 AT 10:03 am
PRESENT: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Cr Arohanui Allen (online), Cr Felicity Foy (online), Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Cr Tāmati Rākena, Cr Davina Smolders, Cr Kelly Stratford, Cr John Vujcich
IN ATTENDANCE: Chair Belinda Ward (Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board) (online) , Kawiti Waetford (Kaiwhakawhiti Reo Language Interpreter), Kyla Carlier (Northland Regional Councli)
STAFF PRESENT: Guy Holroyd (Chief Executive Officer), Roger Ackers (GM – Policy & Planning) Jacine Warmington (GM – Strategic Relationships), Ruben Garcia (GM – Community and Engagement), Hillary Sumpter (GM – Delivery and Operations), Charlie Billington (GM – Corporate Services), Tanya Proctor( GM – Infrastructure)Emma Healy (Chief of Staff), Rebecca Rowsell (Senior Solicitor), Briar Macken (Manager – Strategy & Policy), Lucian Plaumann (Senior Policy Advisor), Tammy Wooster (Manager – Integrated Planning), Llani Harding (Pouhautu – Te Hono), Ken Macdonald (Chief Financial Officer) Ken Lewis (Manager – Communications & Engagement), Aisha Huriwai (Manager – Democracy Services), Amber Wihongi-Alderton (Democracy Advisor)
1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer
Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania commenced the meeting with a karakia at 10.03 am
2 Ngā Whakapāha Me Ngā Pānga Mema / Apologies and Declarations of Interest
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Resolution 2026/1 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That the apology received from Cr Court and Cr Bauke be accepted and leave of absence granted. |
It was noted that Cr Court and Cr Bauke were attending regional transport meetings for Council in Whangarei, and apologies were noted for Community Board Chairs Bill Subritzky and Jessie McVeagh.
3 Ngā Tono Kōrero / Deputation
There were no deputations at this meeting.
4 Ngā Kōrero a Te Kahika / Mayoral Announcements
· Maramataka: high‑energy phase, tangaroa-roto.
· Waitangi week celebrations: marking the 186th year since the signing of Te Tiriti and council’s role in hosting national events.
· Upcoming events: Māngungu day on 12 February.
· Staff updates: changes within the democracy services team.
· Work undertaken on council’s submission for simplifying local government, due 20 February. It was noted that the submission has been workshopped and will be presented to the Te Kūkupa committee for strategy, policy and regulation.
5 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports
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5.1 Draft Triennial Agreement 2025 - 2028 Agenda item 5.1 document number A5547315, pages 6 - 23 refers |
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Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania That Council: a) Approves the Triennial Agreement 2025–2028 between Far North District Council, Kaipara District Council, Whangārei District Council, and Northland Regional Council, as required under section 15 of the Local Government Act 2002; and b) Authorises the Mayor and Chief Executive to sign the Triennial Agreement on behalf of Far North District Council.
AMENDMENT Moved: Cr Davina Smolders Seconded: John Vujcich That Council: 1. Insert under Communication and Collaboration: “Nothing in this Agreement requires Councils to adopt or promote a consensus position where doing so would limit open debate, independent decision-making, or the ability of elected members to represent local community interests.” 2. Insert under Framework for Regional Leadership: “All advisory, partnership, and representative forums referenced in this Agreement operate in an advisory capacity only and do not exercise decision-making authority. All material recommendations must be considered and approved by Councils through formal public resolutions.” 3. Insert under Communication and Collaboration: “Agendas, minutes, and key outcomes of regional forums will be publicly released in a timely manner, except where lawful grounds for withholding apply.” LOST 1/8
The original motion became the substantive motion Resolution 2026/2 Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania That Council: a) Approves the Triennial Agreement 2025–2028 between Far North District Council, Kaipara District Council, Whangārei District Council, and Northland Regional Council, as required under section 15 of the Local Government Act 2002; and b) Authorises the Mayor and Chief Executive to sign the Triennial Agreement on behalf of Far North District Council. In Favour: Crs Moko Tepania, Chicky Rudkin, Arohanui Allen, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich Against: Cr Davina Smolders
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5.2 Submission on Planning and Natural Environment Bills Agenda item 5.2 document number A5556538, pages 24 - 41 refers |
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Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin That Council: a) approve the submission on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill in Attachment 01. b) Authorise the Chief Executive to make necessary minor amendments to the attached submission to correct errors or omissions prior to submission. AMENDMENT Moved: Cr Davina Smolders Seconded: Cr Kelly Stratford That Council: 1. Insert into the Introduction: “Far North District Council supports the Government’s objective of replacing the Resource Management Act with a clearer, more consistent, and more efficient planning and environmental framework that enables housing and infrastructure delivery.” 2. Insert under National Direction: “The Council supports stronger national direction and consistent standards to reduce regulatory fragmentation and improve predictability for applicants.” 3. Insert under Regulatory Impact: “Planning and environmental controls should remain proportionate, necessary, and cost-effective, and avoid imposing unnecessary barriers to development.” 4. Insert under Implementation: “The Council is committed to disciplined and timely implementation of the reforms in partnership with central government.” 5. Insert under Outcomes: “The Council emphasises the importance of enabling increased housing supply and infrastructure investment to support affordability and growth.” Against: Crs Moko Tepania, Chicky Rudkin, Arohanui Allen, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Cr Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich LOST AMENDMENT Moved: Cr Davina Smolders That Council: 6. Insert under Governance: “All major planning and environmental decisions should remain subject to transparent democratic oversight by elected members.” LOST – LACK OF SECONDER AMENDMENT Moved: Cr Davina Smolders
That Council:
7. Replace expanded engagement sections with: “Engagement processes should be meaningful, proportionate, and workable within statutory timeframes.” LOST – LACK OF SECONDER The original motion became the substantive motion Resolution 2026/3 Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin a) That Council approve the submission on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill in Attachment 01. b) Authorises the Chief Executive to make necessary minor amendments to the attached submission to correct errors or omissions prior to submission. Against: Cr Smolders |
6 Te Wāhanga Tūmataiti / Public Excluded
RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC
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Resolution 2026/4 Moved: Cr John Vujcich Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania 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:
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Confirmation of Information and Decisions to be released in Public |
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That Council confirms the information and decisions contained in the part of the meeting held with public excluded remain in public excluded pending finalisation of the appointment process. |
7 Karakia Whakamutunga / Closing Prayer
Delivered by Kahika – Mayor Moko Tepania.
The meeting closed at 11.30am.
The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Council Meeting held on 5 March 2026.
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CHAIRPERSON