Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting - Thursday, 5 March 2026

UNCONFIRMED

Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes

5 March 2026

MINUTES OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Council Meeting
HELD AT THE Council Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Thursday, 5 March 2026 AT 10:00 AM

PRESENT: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Cr Arohanui Allen, Cr Rachel Baucke, Cr Ann Court, Cr Felicity Foy, Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Cr Tāmati Rākena, Cr Davina Smolders, Cr Kelly Stratford, Cr John Vujcich

IN ATTENDANCE: Jessie McVeagh (Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Chairperson), Belinda

Ward (Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Chairperson, Bill Subritzky (Te Hiku Community Board Chairperson), Kawiti Waetford – Kaiwhakawhiti Reo – Language Translator

STAFF PRESENT: Guy Holroyd (CEO), Emma Healy (Chief of Staff), Charlie Billington (GM Corporate Services), Ruben Garcia (GM Community and Engagement), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure), Jacine Warmington (GM Strategic Relationships), Rebecca Rowsell (Senior Solicitor), Hilary Sumpter (GM Delivery and Operations), Rachel Smith (Executive Officer), Myjanne Jensen (Communications Advisor), Aisha Huriwai (Democracy Services Manager), Natasha Rmandic (Democracy Advisor).

1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer

Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania commenced the meeting with a prayer.

2 Ngā Whakapāha Me Ngā Pānga Mema / Apologies and Declarations of Interest

2.1 apology

Resolution 2026/4

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That the Far North District Council accepts apologies from Cr Foy and Te Hiku Community Board Chairperson Subritzky.

Carried

3 Ngā Tono Kōrero / Deputation

· Tyrone Biddle – Petition to address roaming and dangerous dogs in Ahipara (Agenda item 8.1 refers)

· Carbon Neutral Trust (Rolf Mueller-Glode and Inge Bremer) – Greenhouse gas emissions reduction options (agenda item 7.3 refers)

Cr Foy joined the meeting at 10.08 am.

Chair Bill Subritzky 10.12 am joined the meeting (online)

4 Ngā Kōrero a Te Kahika / Mayoral Announcements

Acknowledging the newly appointed externals to Committees:

· Graeme McGlinn – confirmed as Te Miromiro Committee for Assurance, Risk and Finance Chairperson;

· Graham Naylor – confirmed as a second, independent member for Te Miromiro Committee for Assurance, Risk and Finance;

· Gordon Shaw – Deputy Chairperson of Te Koekoeā Committee for External Appointments;

Waitai Petera – Te Aupouri rangatira – sat on Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē on behalf of Te Aupouri;

Mayor and Councillor reports published online;

State of the Far North was held 26 February, a recording published today for public viewing;

Maramataka – Rākau Matohi.

8.1 petition - protect our community and tamariki: address roaming and dangerous dogs in ahipara

Resolution 2026/6

Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That Far North District Council:

a) formally receive the petition “Protect Our Community and Tamariki: Address Roaming and Dangerous Dogs in Ahipara Petition” on behalf of the residents of Ahipara.

Amendment

Moved: Cr Rachel Baucke

Seconded: Cr Felicity Foy

b) request Chief Executive prepare a report outlining options to address roaming and dangerous dogs in Ahipara, including enforcement tools, resources required, and measures to improve community safety.

Carried

The amendment then became the substantive motion.

Resolution 2026/7

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Kelly Stratford

That Far North District Council:

a) formally receive the petition “Protect Our Community and Tamariki: Address Roaming and Dangerous Dogs in Ahipara Petition” on behalf of the residents of Ahipara.

Carried

7.3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Options

Agenda item 7.3 document number A5595398, pages 41 - 50 refers.

Motion

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Ann Court

That Council adopts :

a) Option 3 - emissions reduction is discontinued & investigate redirecting funding towards adaptation.

In Favour: Cr Davina Smolders

Against: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin, Crs Arohanui Allen, Rachel Baucke, Ann Court, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich

lost 1/10

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Ann Court

b) Develop rates reduction policy for areas of indigenous biodiversity that are carbon sinks- such as indigenous bush and wetlands be created for inclusion in the long term plan; and

In Favour: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin, Crs Arohanui Allen, Rachel Baucke, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich

Against: Crs Ann Court and Davina Smolders

carried 9/2

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Ann Court

c) Investigate the investment in solar infrastructure for our offices and other buildings to enable sustainable power generation and also overall cost savings, as part of this.

In Favour: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin, Crs Arohanui Allen, Rachel Baucke, Ann Court, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Davina Smolders, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich

Against: Nil

carried

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Ann Court

d) Endorse Option 1, the adoption of science-aligned emissions reduction targets to support progress toward the net zero target for FNDC, and

e) Recommend the inclusion of resources and funding for emissions reduction actions within the Long-Term Plan for public consultation.

In Favour: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin, Crs Arohanui Allen, Rachel Baucke, Ann Court, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich

Against: Davina Smolders

carried

Note: Councillors requested the visibility of costs throughout this process.

5 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

He Pānui Whakamōtini / Notice of Motion

5.1 Notice of Motion - External Review of Recruitment and Appointment Process for Positions within the Mayor’s Office

Agenda item 5.1 document number A5554846, pages 6 - 12 refers.

Motion

Moved: Cr Davina Smolders

Seconded: Cr Rachel Baucke

That the Far North District Council:

1. Notes the recently advertised recruitment for three positions within the Mayor’s Office.

2. Requests that an independent external review of the recruitment, shortlisting, and appointment process be commissioned prior to final appointment decisions being confirmed.

3. Directs that the review assess:

· Whether the recruitment and selection processes are robust, transparent and impartial

· Whether the process reflects widely accepted standards of merit-based appointment

· Whether steps have been taken to manage potential conflicts of interest, perceived or actual

· Whether the process aligns with Council policies, Human Resources best practice, and public expectations for positions funded by ratepayers

4. Requests that the findings of the independent review be reported to the full Council and made publicly available, subject to lawful privacy requirements.

5. Requests that no appointment be finalised until the review findings have been presented to Council.

6. Requests that, where practicable, Council pause final appointments until the review findings are received.

7. If the appointments are made prior to this Notice of Motion being heard or resolved, requires that the external review still proceed and examine the full process retrospectively, with recommendations for improvement (if any) reported to Council.

In Favour: Crs Rachel Baucke, Ann Court and Davina Smolders

Against: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin, Crs Arohanui Allen, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich

lost

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

6.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes

Agenda item 6.1 document number A5526510, pages 13 - 14 refers.

Resolution 2026/8

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That Council confirm:

a) The minutes of the meeting held 11 December 2025 as a true and correct record;

b) The minutes of the extraordinary meeting held 10 February 2026 as a true and correct record.

Carried

Secretarial note: It was noted that Cr Kelly Stratford’s name was highlighted in the minutes and needed to be un-highlighted.

7 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

7.1 Committee Terms of Reference Membership Updates

Agenda item 7.1 document number A5525608, pages 35 - 40 refers.

Resolution 2026/9

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena

That Council approve the following updates to the relevant Committee Terms of Reference and external appointments:

a) That Councillor Davina Smolders be appointed to Te Kuaka Committee for Strategic Māori Relationships.

In Favour: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin, Crs Rachel Baucke, Ann Court, Davina Smolders and John Vujcich

Against: Crs Arohanui Allen, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena and Kelly Stratford

carried

RESOLUTION

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena

b) That Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin and Arohanui Allen be appointed to Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation, and

c) That the Terms of Reference for Te Huia Executive Review Committee be updated to reflect Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin as Chairperson & Kahika Moko Tepania as deputy Chairperson.

d) That Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin be appointed as Council’s representative with the Lake Ōmāpere Trust.

e) That Councillor Kelly Stratford be appointed as Council’s representative on the Mangawhai ki Putataua Māori Reserve, Matauri Bay.

f) That Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin be added to Te Koukou Committee for Transport and Infrastructure.

g) That Councillor Kelly Stratford be added to Te Koekoea Committee for Council Controlled Organisations

In Favour: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin, Crs Arohanui Allen, Rachel Baucke, Ann Court, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich

Against: Davina Smolders

Carried

7.2 Speed Limit Changes at Schools - Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024

Agenda item 7.2 document number A5523245, pages 4 - 7 of the supplementary agenda refers.

RESOLUTION 2026/10

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That Council:

a) Seek approval of the Director of Land Transport for speed limit changes at 32 schools across the district as described in the table ‘FNDC 2025/26 Speed Limits Table’ attached to this report (A5484687), and

b) delegate authority to the Chief Executive to accept and incorporate any amendments required by the Director of Land Transport as part of the approval process, provided such amendments remain consistent with the intent of the 2024 Setting of Speed Limits Rule.

In Favour: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Crs Arohanui Allen, Rachel Baucke, Felicity Foy, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Davina Smolders, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich

Against: Nil

Abstained: Cr Ann Court

Carried

Note: Cr Halkyard-Harawira asked that staff investigate if visits have been made to a number of schools in Te Hiku area during the assessment.

The meeting adjourned at 1:10 pm and reconvened at 1:51 pm part way through debate on this item.

8 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports

8.3 Committee and Joint Committee Minutes - January and February 2026

Agenda item 8.3 document number A5561024, pages 76 - 77 refers.

Resolution 2026/11

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Kelly Stratford

That Council receive the report Committee and Joint Committee Minutes.

Carried

Note: Members noted that there were broken hyperlinks within the report. Members expressed frustration regarding the sound quality for meetings held offsite and asked that this be addressed for future meetings.

8.4 Annual Report on Dog Control 2024/2025 - Section 10A Dog Control Act 1996

Agenda item 8.4 document number A5579424, pages 78 - 86 refers.

Resolution 2026/12

Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That the Council receive the report Annual Report on Dog Control 2024/2025 - Section 10A Dog Control Act 1996.

Carried

8.2 Community Board Minutes

Agenda item 8.2 document number A5560830, pages 60 - 60 refers.

Kahika-Mayor invited each of the Chairpersons to address Council on behalf of their Community Board.

Resolution 2026/13

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr John Vujcich

That Council note the minutes from the following Community Board meetings:

a) Te Hiku Community Board Meeting held 09 February 2026;

b) Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Meeting 12 February 2026;

c) Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Meeting held on 11 February 2026.

Carried

8.5 Public excluded

Resolution 2026/14

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Cr Felicity Foy

That Council moves out of Ordinary (meeting) and into Public Excluded meeting.

a) 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
8.1 - 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
Roading Maintenance and Renewals Contract Award	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
Contract Extension	s6(a) the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial 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)(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

That Community Board Chairs be permitted to remain at this meeting, after the public has been excluded, because as local leaders elected by their communities they may have local experience that may help inform the council discussions, which will be of assistance in relation to the matter to be discussed.

And that Kaiwhakawhiti Reo remain to continue providing interpretation services.

Carried

9 Meeting Close

The meeting closed at 4.20 pm.

The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 1 April 2026.

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CHAIRPERSON