Minutes of Extraordinary Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships Meeting

Extraordinary Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships Meeting Minutes - UNCONFIRMED

20 April 2026

MINUTES OF Far North District Council
Extraordinary Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships Meeting
HELD AT THE Council Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Monday, 20 April 2026 AT 10:02 AM

PRESENT: Heamana Tāmati Rākena, Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Cr Arohanui Allen (online), Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Cr Davina Smolders, Mane Tahere (Te Kahu o Taonui), Wallace Rivers (Te Kahu o Taonui), Kahika-Mayor Moko Tepania (Ex-officio Member),

IN ATTENDANCE: Kipa Munro (Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia), Mike Te Wake (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa), Kiri Sloane-Hobson (Te Kahu o Taonui), Phillip Grimshaw (Te Kahu o Taonui),

ONLINE: Nyze Manuel (Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa), Rukuwai Allen (Te Whiu Hapū), Kawiti Waetford (Kaiwhakawhiti Roe – Language Translator)

STAFF PRESENT: Aaron Taikato (GM – Te Hono), Kate Ivicheva (GM – Planning & Policy), , Charlie Billington (GM – Corporate Services), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure), Llani Harding (Pouhautu – Te Hono) , Dena-Maree Hemara (Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori), Lawrence Wharerau (Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori), Rachel Smith (Executive Officer), Ken Lewis (Manager – Communications & Engagement) Sarah Peri (Kaupapa Māori Lead), Myjanne Jensen (Communications Advisor), Tammy Wooster (Manager – Integrated Planning), Zena Tango (Team Leader – Transactional Services), Andy Dowdle (Change Specialist), Juvarn Gray-Nikora (Cadet – Te Hono), Marlema Baker (Te Kuaka Coordinator)

1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer

Heamana Tāmati Rākena commenced the meeting with an opening karakia and mihimihi.

This was followed by mihi whakahokia by Mike Te Wake (Chairman - Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa).

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

Apology

Resolution 2026/1

Moved: Heamana (Chairperson) Tāmati Rākena

Seconded: Kahika-Mayor Moko Tepania

That the apology received from Cr Kelly Stratford and CEO Guy Holroyd, be accepted and leave of absence granted.

Carried

3 Ngā Kōrero a Te Heamana / Chairs Announcements

× Welcome Councillors, Iwi, Hapū and whanau to the meeting.

× Note that representatives from Ngā Hapū o Ahipara are present for their deputation regarding report 4.2: Kaitiaki Agreement – Moringaehe Reserve.

× Kaiwhakawhiti Reo Māori Language Translator today is Kawiti Waetford.

× Headsets have been provided for live translations if members need them.

× The meeting is being recorded and will be uploaded to the FNDC YouTube channel.

× Reminder to everyone that the microphones in chambers will pick up all sounds so to keep side chats and paper shuffling to a minimum.

× Public Agenda available on the FNDC Website.

× ANZAC Day 27 April 2028 – Lest We Forget

× Te Hiku Te Tiriti Signing Kaitaia 28 April 2026

× Acknowledged Lani Daniels – three-weight world champion winning the IBF and WBO world super middleweight belts at Madison Square Garden.

× Acknowledged the Tainui Kapa Haka Regionals and the successful kapa teams heading to Matatini 2027: Te Pou o Mangatāwhiri, Te Iti Kahurangi, Te Kapa Haka o Aawhina i Te Kaupapa, Te Haona Kaha, Mōtai Tangata Rau, and Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Pua o Te Kōwhara.

4 Ngā Tono Kōrero / Deputation

Rueben Taipari representing Ngā Hapū o Ahipara in relations to Report 4.2 Kaitiaki Agreement – Moringaehe Reserve.

3 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

4.1 Appointment of Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships Deputy Chairperson

Agenda item 4.1 document number A5674693, pages 8 - 11 refers

Resolution 2026/2

Moved: Kohepu- Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

Seconded: Wallace Rivers – Te Kahu o Taonui

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships:

a) use System B as the preferred voting system to elect a Deputy Chairperson.

b) Elects external member Mane Tahere as Deputy Chairperson of the Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships, in accordance with Standing Orders and clause 25, Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002; and

c) Notes that the appointment gives effect to the Committee’s revised Terms of Reference (adopted 5 March 2026).

In Favour: (Heamana) Tāmati Rākena, Crs Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Arohanui Allen, Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Kahika-Mayor Moko Tepania and Wallace Rivers - Te Kahu o Taonui.

Against: Nil

Abstained: Crs Davina Smolders, Mane Tahere – Te Kahu o Taonui

Carried

4.2 Kaitiaki Agreement - Moringaehe Reserve

Agenda item 4.2 document number A5629604, pages 12 - 17 refers

Resolution 2026/3

Moved: Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

Seconded: Wallace Rivers – Te Kahu o Taonui

That Te Kuaka Committee for Strategic Māori Relationships;

a) approve the draft Kaitiaki Agreement – Moringaehe Reserve between Ngā Hapū o Ahipara and the Far North District Council; and

b) approve the formal establishment of the Moringaehe Reserve Working Group; and

c) appoint Councillor Cr Halkyard-Harawira as Council’s representative on the Moringaehe Reserve Working Group.

In Favour: (Heamana) Tāmati Rākena, Crs Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Arohanui Allen, Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Kahika-Mayor Moko Tepania and Mane Tahere and Wallace Rivers - Te Kahu o Taonui.

Against: Cr Davina Smolders

Carried

At 11:17 am meeting adjourned and resumed at 11:32am

4.3 District Wide Spatial Strategy Project and District Wide Kaupapa Steering Rōpū

Agenda item 4.3 document number A5675236, pages 31 - 40 refers

Resolution 2026/4

Moved: Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

Seconded: Heamana Tāmati Rākena

That Te Kuaka Committee for Strategic Māori Relationships:

a) Receive the report on the District Wide Spatial Strategy project; and

b) Confirm that the Kaupapa Steering Rōpū is the preferred forum for the District-Wide Spatial Strategy (DWSS) project; and

c) Confirm that the Kaupapa Steering Rōpū is to be re-convened, in line with the District Wide Kaupapa Framework; and

d) Endorse the updated Kaupapa Steering Rōpū Terms of Reference (Attachment 3); and

e) Endorse the removal of the Open Spaces Strategy project from Kaupapa Steering Group oversight.

In Favour: (Heamana) Tāmati Rākena, (Heamana Tuarua) Mane Tahere, Crs Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Arohanui Allen, Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Kahika-Mayor Moko Tepania and Wallace Rivers - Te Kahu o Taonui.

Against: Cr Davina Smolders

Carried

4 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports

5.1 Whenua Māori - Freehold Land Rating Relief Update

Agenda item 5.1 document number A5629589, pages 70 - 73 refers

Resolution 2026/5

Moved: Heamana Tāmati Rākena

Seconded: Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships for Strategic Māori Relationships receive the report Whenua Māori - Freehold Land Rating Relief Update.

Against: Nil

Abstained: Cr Davina Smolders

Carried

5.2 Ngā Kaupapa Māori / Matters of Importance to Māori

Agenda item 5.2 document number A5629595, pages 74 - 83 refers

Resolution 2026/6

Moved: Heamana Tuarua Mane Tahere

Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Ngā Kaupapa Māori / Matters of Importance to Māori.

Against: Cr Davina Smolders

Carried

5.3 Te Reo and Tikanga Māori Policy Report

Agenda item 5.3 document number A5630796, pages 84 - 87 refers

Resolution 2026/7

Moved: Heamana Tuarua Mane Tahere

Seconded: Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Te Reo and Tikanga Māori Policy Report.

Carried

5.4 Te Pae o Uta Te Ao Māori Framework Update

Agenda item 5.4 document number A5629557, pages 197 - 201 refers

Resolution 2026/8

Moved: Cr Davina Smolders

Seconded: Cr Arohanui Allen

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the Te Pae o Uta Te Ao Māori Framework Update Report.

Carried

5.5 Status Update on He Ara Ki Tua | Tangata Whenua Climate Adaptation Planning and Ngā Kete Tautoko | Tools, Resources and Templates

Agenda item 5.5 document number A5629652, pages 224 - 226 refers

Resolution 2026/9

Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

Seconded: Heamana Tāmati Rākena

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Status Update on He Ara Ki Tua | Tangata Whenua Climate Adaptation Planning and Ngā Kete Tautoko | Tools, Resources and Templates.

Against: Cr Davina Smolders

Carried

5.6 Local Water Done Well – Update and FNDC Positioning

Agenda item 5.6 document number A5629636, pages 227 - 229 refers

Resolution 2026/10

Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded: Heamana Tuarua Mane Tahere

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Local Water Done Well – Update and FNDC Positioning.

Carried

12:58 pm – Chair Tāmati Rākena left the room. Deputy Chair Mane Tahere assumed the Chair.

1:00pm - Chair Rākena returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair role.

5.7 Update on Local Government Reforms

Agenda item 5.7 document number A5630756, pages 230 - 2 refers

Resolution 2026/11

Moved: Heamana Tāmati Rākena

Seconded: Kohepu-Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the outdated report Update on Local Government Reforms.

Carried

5.8 Standing Agenda Item - Te Kahu o Taonui and Hapū Verbal Reports to Te Kuaka Committee Meetings

Agenda item 5.8 document number A5669640, pages 251 - 252 refers

Resolution 2026/12

Moved: Mema (Member) Hilda Halkyard-Harawira

Seconded: Heamana (Chairperson) Tāmati Rākena

That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Standing Agenda Item - Te Kahu o Taonui and Hapū Verbal Reports to Te Kuaka Committee Meetings.

Secretarial Note:

× Deputy Chair Mane Tahere gave a verbal report on behalf of Te Kahu o Taonui and will submit a hardcopy via email to Democracy Services after this meeting.

× Kahika – joint workshops for EOC will be set up to work collaboratively. This will enable live-date to be captured to evolve and learn how to better respond to emergencies.

× Nyze Manuel – acknowledged Marae and Community Hubs that stood up and opened their doors during recent adverse weather events.

× Carried

5 Meeting Close

The meeting closed at 1:23 pm with a karakia .

The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Extraordinary Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships Meeting held on 19 May 2026.

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CHAIRPERSON