Agenda of Extraordinary Council Meeting - Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Extraordinary Council Meeting Agenda

15 April 2026

5 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

5.1 External Appointments to Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships

File Number: A5664706

Author: Marlema Baker, Te Kuaka Committee Coordinator

Authoriser: Aaron Taikato, Manuhautū Te Hono – Group Manager Te Hono

Take Pūrongo / Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is to amend the terms of reference for Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships (“Te Kuaka”) to confirm representation from Te Kahu o Taonui and Hapū with memorandum of understanding.

WhakarĀpopoto matua / Executive Summary

· Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships was established to provide Te Tiriti based leadership and partnership between Far North District Council (Council) and Iwi/Hapū across Te Tai Tokerau. The Committee’s effectiveness relies on the direct participation of Iwi and Hapū leadership, appointed through their own democratic and tikanga based processes.

· At its meeting of 1 April 2026, Council resolved to adopt amendments to the Appointment of Non-Elected Members (Appointed Members) to Committees of Council Policy. Those amendments expressly recognise the democratic mandate conferred through Iwi and Hapū election and nomination processes and confirm that Iwi/Hapū nominees to Te Kuaka Committee are not required to participate in FNDC internal suitability or assessment processes, while still requiring formal appointment by Council resolution to comply with clause 31, Schedule 7, LGA 2002.

· This report gives effect to that amended policy position and to the intent of Te Kuaka Committee’s Terms of Reference by making the following recommendation to Council.

tŪtohunga / Recommendation

That Council

1. confirms the following appointments to Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships:

i) Mane Tahere, representing Te Kahu o Taonui,

ii) Wallace Rivers, representing Te Kahu o Taonui

iii) one (1) representative nominated by each of the following Hapū/Iwi entities holding signed MOUs with Council, should they choose to appoint a representative:

1. Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa

2. Te Rūnanga a Iwi o Ngāpuhi

3. Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa

4. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine

5. Ngāti Rēhia

6. Ngā Manga Atawhai – Te Roroa

7. Whanaungatanga ki Taurangi (representing: Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri, Ngāi Takoto, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Whaingaroa, Ngāti Whātua)

8. Te Whiu Hapū

2. confirm that all appointed Hapū/Iwi members shall be appointed by formal Council resolution in accordance with clause 31, Schedule 7, Local Government Act 2002, with full speaking and voting rights as provided for in the Te Kuaka Committee Terms of Reference.

1) TĀhuhu kŌrero / Background

Council has established Te Kuaka Committee as a standing committee of Council to provide leadership, advice, and decision‑making grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership. The Committee’s Terms of Reference expressly contemplate the appointment of non‑elected Iwi and Hapū representatives to ensure authentic Māori participation in Council governance.

The Local Government Act 2002 provides statutory authority for local authorities to appoint non‑elected members to committees, including granting those members full speaking and voting rights:

· Clause 30, Schedule 7, LGA 2002 – enables a local authority to appoint committees.

· Clause 31, Schedule 7, LGA 2002 – provides that a committee may include persons who are not members of the local authority, provided they are appointed by resolution.

· Section 81, LGA 2002 – requires local authorities to establish and maintain processes to provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to decision‑making.

Council already applies this legislative framework across a number of Standing and Joint Committees that include non‑elected members appointed by Council resolution, including (but not limited to):

· Joint Committees with Iwi and other partners.

· Specialist advisory committees where external expertise or representation is required.

At its meeting on 1 April 2026, Council resolved to adopt amendments to the Appointment of Non‑Elected Members to Committees of Council Policy. The amendments identified that the Policy required updating to clearly recognise the democratic mandate conferred through Iwi and Hapū election and nomination processes. The amended policy now explicitly excludes Iwi/Hapū nominees to Te Kuaka Committee from the internal FNDC suitability or assessment processes, while retaining the requirement for formal appointment by Council resolution.

2) matapaki me NgĀ KŌwhiringa / Discussion and Options

Option 1 – Approve the appointment of non‑elected Hapū and Iwi members (Recommended)

Council approves the appointment of TKOT nominees and hapū nominees with signed MOUs, subject to formal Council resolution.

Advantages:

· Gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership and section 81 LGA 2002 obligations.

· Aligns with Te Kuaka Committee Terms of Reference and the amended Appointed Members Policy.

· Recognises and respects Iwi/Hapū democratic and tikanga‑based nomination processes.

· Strengthens Māori leadership, legitimacy, and decision‑making capability of Te Kuaka Committee.

Disadvantages:

· Increases committee membership, which may require careful meeting management.

Option 2 – Defer appointments until a later Council meeting

Council delays appointments pending further information or confirmation of nominees.

Advantages:

· Allows additional time for administrative confirmation.

Disadvantages:

· Undermines timely Iwi/Hapū participation.

· Risks damaging relationships with Iwi/Hapū partners.

· Delays implementation of Council’s amended policy intent.

Option 3 – Decline to appoint non‑elected members

Council decides not to appoint non‑elected members at this time.

Advantages:

· No immediate administrative change.

Disadvantages:

· Inconsistent with Te Kuaka Committee’s purpose and Terms of Reference.

· Inconsistent with Council’s policy adopted on 1 April 2026.

· Fails to meet Te Tiriti‑based partnership expectations and section 81 LGA 2002 obligations.

TAKE TŪTOHUNGA / REASON FOR THE RECOMMENDATION

Option 1 is recommended as it best maintains and gives effect to the intent of Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships, ensuring genuine Te Tiriti based partnership, shared leadership, and meaningful Māori participation in Council governance.

If Council approves the recommendations in this report:

Hapū with signed MOUs will be invited to confirm whether they wish to appoint a representative and to provide nominee details.

A further administrative update will be completed to record appointed members and update the Te Kuaka Committee membership schedule.

3) PĀnga PŪtea me ngĀ wĀhanga tahua / Financial Implications and Budgetary Provision

External members are entitled to meeting fees and reimbursements in accordance with Council policy. These costs are provided for within existing Democracy Services and governance budget

Āpitihanga / Attachments

1. Terms of Reference / Delegations - Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships - A5443633 ⇩

Hōtaka Take Ōkawa / Compliance Schedule:

Full consideration has been given to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 S77 in relation to decision making, in particular:

1. A Local authority must, in the course of the decision-making process,

a) Seek to identify all reasonably practicable options for the achievement of the objective of a decision; and

b) Assess the options in terms of their advantages and disadvantages; and

c) If any of the options identified under paragraph (a) involves a significant decision in relation to land or a body of water, take into account the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land, water sites, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna and other taonga.

2. This section is subject to Section 79 - Compliance with procedures in relation to decisions.

He Take Ōkawa / Compliance Requirement	Aromatawai Kaimahi / Staff Assessment
State the level of significance (high or low) of the issue or proposal as determined by the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy	Low – Governance appointments are consistent with existing policy and practice
State the relevant Council policies (external or internal), legislation, and/or community outcomes (as stated in the LTP) that relate to this decision.	- Local Government Act 2002 (Clause 30, Schedule 7, Clause 31, Schedule 7, Section 81). - Te Kuaka Committee Terms of Reference. - Appointment of Non-Elected Members Policy (amended 1April 2026)
State whether this issue or proposal has a District wide relevance and, if not, the ways in which the appropriate Community Board’s views have been sought.	The views of the Community Boards have not been sought as this is a Council/Governance decision. Yes, this has Districtwide relevance in relation to Governance and Māori strategic relationships across the District
State the possible implications for Māori and how Māori have been provided with an opportunity to contribute to decision making if this decision is significant and relates to land and/or any body of water. State the possible implications and how this report aligns with Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi.	Directly supports Te Tiriti-based partnership, Māori participation, and leadership in decision-making.
Identify persons likely to be affected by or have an interest in the matter, and how you have given consideration to their views or preferences (for example – youth, the aged and those with disabilities).	Iwi and Hapū partners engaged through their own representative nominations processes
State the financial implications and where budgetary provisions have been made to support this decision.	No additional cost beyond existing budgets
Chief Financial Officer review.	This report has not been reviewed by the Chief Financial Officer as costs are captured within existing financial budgets.