|
Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes |
28 May 2026 |
MINUTES
OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Council
Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Thursday, 28 May
2026 AT 10:02
AM
PRESENT: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Cr Arohanui Allen (VC), Cr Rachel Baucke, Cr Ann Court, Cr Felicity Foy, Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira (VC), Cr Tāmati Rākena, Cr Davina Smolders, Cr Kelly Stratford, Cr John Vujcich
IN ATTENDANCE: Bill Subritzky (Te Hiku Community Board Chairperson), Jessie McVeagh (Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Chairperson), Belinda Ward (Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Chairperson)
STAFF PRESENT: Emma Healy (Acting Chief Executive Officer), Hillary Sumpter (Group Manager – Delivery and Operations), Jacine Warmington (Group Manager – Strategic Relationships), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure VC), Aaron Taikato (Group Manager - Te Hono), Ruben Garcia (Group Manager – Communications and Engagement VC), Kate Ivicheva (Group Manager – Planning and Policy), Roger Ackers (Head of Strategic Reform Initiatives), Briar Macken (Manager – Strategy and Policy), Donald Sheppard (Policy Advisor), Virginia Smith – (Policy Advisor), Ken Lewis (Manager – Communication and Engagement), Rebecca Rowsell (Senior Solicitor), Rachel Smith (Executive Officer) Ken Macdonald (Chief Financial Officer), Imrie Dunn (Democracy Advisor), Aisha Huriwai (Manager-Democracy Services)
1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer
At 10:02 am, Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania commenced the meeting with a prayer.
2 Ngā Kōrero a Te Kahika / Mayoral Announcements
· Māramataka today is Hotu high energy, leading up to full moon.
· Kahika welcomed those attending in person, those joining online, and those watching the livestream.
· The Chief Executive was on leave and Emma, Chief of Staff, was attending as Acting Chief Executive.
· An update was provided on local government reform, that the public survey on proposed structural change for Northland was open and due to close on Sunday, with more than 400 responses received to date.
· Kahika noted attendance at the first shareholder representative group meeting for Northland Water Services, advising that the company had now been incorporated and that Kahika and Cr John Vujcich were Council’s shareholder representatives.
· Members were advised of an upcoming community event in July, Rumble in Russell, involving rugby and netball representatives.
· Acknowledgement was given to the district’s business associations for their work on a community safety initiative, including funding secured for a CCTV gaps analysis.
· Kahika advised that District Plan hearings panel recommendations were now available online for members to consider ahead of the Council’s deliberations.
· Kaipara District Council was welcomed to the Local Government Reform Steering Group.
· Acknowledgement was given to all those who participated in Youth Week activities across the Far North.
· Members were advised that a documentary film crew was present in the room and footage would be taken during the meeting, except during deputations.
3 Ngā Whakapāha Me Ngā Pānga Mema / Apologies and Declarations of Interest
Nil
4 Ngā Tono Kōrero / Deputation
· Moana Eruera representing Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services in relation to a proposal for the current Kaikohe Library site
· Mel Rameka spoke as the pārirau‑kaitiaki taitamariki team leader in support of Moana Eruera’s deputation, identifying trusted adult support and appropriate home, space, location, and surroundings as key needs for rangatahi.
|
1 NISS Proposal for Kaikohe Library Building Document ID A5797638 refers. |
5 He Pānui Whakamōtini / Notice of Motion
|
5.1 Notice of Motion - LGOIMA Compliance Reporting and Accountability 5 May 2026 Agenda item 5.1 document number A5764216, pages 7 - 9 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/19 Moved: Cr Davina Smolders Seconded: Cr Rachel Baucke That Council: a) Direct the Chief Executive to provide a LGOIMA performance report to be tabled at each ordinary Te Miromiro Committee for Assurance, Risk and Finance; b) Require that the report includes, for the preceding reporting period: i. Total number of LGOIMA requests receive ii. Number of requests responded to within the 20 working day statutory timeframe iii. Number of requests where an extension was notified within the statutory timeframe iv. Number of responses provided within the extended deadline v. Number of requests where statutory timeframes (including extensions) were not complied with c) Request that the above information is also provided for the previous 12-month period to establish a baseline for performance monitoring. d) Request advice from the Chief Executive on: i. Systems and processes currently in place to ensure compliance with the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 ii. Any identified resourcing or system constraints impacting timeliness iii. Actions being taken, or proposed, to improve compliance where required e) Direct that LGOIMA performance reporting forms part of Council’s ongoing governance and transparency framework. |
At 10:49 am, meeting was adjourned and resumed at 10:55 am.
6 Te Whakaaetanga o Ngā Meneti o Mua / Confirmation of Previous Minutes
|
6.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes Agenda item 6.1 document number A5791632, pages 10 - 30 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/21 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Council confirm the minutes of the following meetings as a true and correct record: a) Council 29 April 2026 Meeting b) Council 1 May 2026 Extraordinary Meeting c) Extraordinary Council meeting held on 20 May 2026, subject to the following minor amendments to the recorded voting for Resolution 2026/16: i. in minute item 5.1b, amend the recorded vote from abstained to against for Crs Ann Court, Rachel Baucke, and Davina Smolders; ii. in minute item 5.1c, amend the recorded abstention from Cr Rachel Baucke to Cr Ann Court. |
7 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports
|
7.1 Community Board Minutes Agenda item 8.1 document number A5759885, pages 245 - 263 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/22 Moved: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin Seconded: Cr Felicity Foy That Council note the minutes from the following Community Board meetings: a) Te Hiku Community Board Meeting held 4 May 2026; b) Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Meeting held 6 May 2026; c) Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Meeting held 7 May 2026.
|
Secretarial Note: Board Chairs provided updates on key matters in their areas, including local industry and flooding issues in Te Hiku, community engagement and infrastructure progress in Kaikohe-Hokianga, and steering group representation, Taupō Bay access, and coastal erosion matters in Bay of Islands-Whangaroa.
|
8.1 Council Participation in the Joint Northland Resource Management Reform Programme Agenda item 7.1 document number A5723959, pages 31 - 40 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/23 Moved: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Council: a) Approve the establishment of the Northland joint Resource Management Reform Work Programme as set out in this report. b) Approve the proposed governance and programme delivery structure, including the establishment of a Resource Management Joint Committee. c) Approve the Draft Terms of Reference for the Resource Management Joint Committee (attachment 1). d) Nominate Cr Felicity Foy and Kohepu Chicky Rudkin as members of the Local Resource Management Joint Committee. e) Approve its quarter share of funding for the establishment and delivery of the programme, being an indicative contribution of $15,000 in 2025/26 and $125,000 in 2026/27. $15,000 in 2025/26 funded from the existing Policy and Planning budget $100,000 identified in the draft Annual Plan for 2026-27 f) Approve Northland Regional Council acting as the sponsoring and host council for the RM Reform Work Programme on behalf of participating councils. Note: Cr Kelly Stratford nominated Cr Felicity Foy and Kohepu Chicky Rudkin |
|
8.2 Appointment of FNDC representative to the Te Puāwaitanga - Bay of Islands Sports Hub governance group Agenda item 7.2 document number A5777812, pages 41 - 44 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/24 Moved: Cr John Vujcich Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena That Council a) appoint Cr Kelly Stratford as the Far North District Council representative on the Te Puāwaitanga – Bay of Islands Sports Hub governance group and b) appoint Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Member Tyler Bamber as the Community Board Representative subject to the constitution change Abstained: Cr Kelly Stratford
|
Secretarial Note: Councillors noted the Governance Group had requested Community Board Deputy Chairperson Tyler Bamber to be appointed as a Community Board representative. The Chairperson of the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board, and Councillors supported it being included in this decision subject to formal changes to enable formal appointment.
At 11:40 am, meeting was adjourned, and resumed at 11:47 am.
|
8.3 Formal Approval of the Moringaehe Kaitiaki Agreement for the Management of Moringaehe Reserve. Agenda item 7.3 document number A5782337, pages 45 - 61 refers. |
|
Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira Seconded: Cr Davina Smolders That Council; a. approve the Kaitiaki Agreement for the management of Moringaehe Reserve and b. authorise the Chief Executive to execute the agreement on behalf of Council. Moved: Cr Felicity Foy Seconded: Kohepu Chicky Rudkin c) That 1 and 3 Whāro way be mowed 12 times a year by CityCare Amendment was withdrawn. Resolution 2026/25 Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira Seconded: Cr Davina Smolders That Council; a. approve the Kaitiaki Agreement for the management of Moringaehe Reserve and b. authorise the Chief Executive to execute the agreement on behalf of Council. Against: Crs Ann Court and Davina Smolders Abstained: Cr Rachel Baucke carried |
At 12:12 pm, meeting was adjourned, and resumed at 1:01 pm.
|
8.4 Updating Alcohol Control Areas Agenda item 7.4 document number A5540434, pages 62 - 99 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/26 Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr Ann Court That Council, under section 147b of the Local Government Act 2002, and in accordance with clauses 6.1 and 7.1 of the Alcohol Control Bylaw 2018: a) Declare two new permanent Alcohol Control Areas that will apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round: i) Waitangi - as shown in Attachment 3, map 25 ii) Lake Ngātu - as shown in Attachment 3, map 11. b) Amend five current permanent Alcohol Control Areas that will continue to apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round: i) Kaitāia - as shown in Attachment 3, map 7 ii) Kerikeri - as shown in Attachment 3, map 9 iii) Waipapa - as shown in Attachment 3, map 24 iv) Paihia - as shown in Attachment 3, map 17 v) Kaikohe as shown in Attachment 3, map 6. c) Agree that the resolutions in a) and b) above will come into effect on 01 August 2026. d) Approve amending the Register of Resolutions and other relevant Additional Information in the Alcohol Control Bylaw 2018 as per Attachment Three. e) Authorise the Chief Executive to make any necessary minor edits or amendments to the Register of Resolutions and other Additional Information in the Alcohol Control Bylaw 2018 to correct spelling or typographical errors or to reflect decisions made by the Council at its meeting on 28 May 2026. Against: Cr Davina Smolders |
|
8.5 Review of Dog Management Bylaw and Policy Agenda item 7.5 document number A5778307, pages 100 - 159 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/27 Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr Felicity Foy That Council: a) determines, under section 155(1) of the Local Government Act 2002, that a bylaw is still the most appropriate way of addressing dog-related problems in the Far North District; b) determines, under section 155(2) of the Local Government Act 2002, that the current form of the Dog Management Bylaw 2018 is not the most appropriate form; c) determines, under section 155(3) of the Local Government Act 2002, that the current Dog Management Bylaw 2018 gives rise to implications under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 that are justified as reasonable limitations on these rights; d) agrees that the statutory review of the Dog Management Bylaw 2018 has been completed by making the determinations in a) to c) above; e) approves the Dog Management Bylaw 2018 continuing with amendment; f) determines that the current form of the Dog Management Policy 2018 is not the most appropriate form; g) approves the Dog Management Policy 2018 continuing with amendment. |
Secretarial Note: Discussion noted that the dog bylaw review is being progressed to meet statutory requirements, with further amendments to be developed through community engagement. It was also noted that future changes may be influenced by anticipated central government review of the Dog Control Act, and that the review presents an opportunity to consider broader issues, including the relationship between district plan zoning and dog ownership, and the effects of multiple dogs in commercial areas on surrounding activities and businesses.
|
8.6 Broadway Kaikohe Placemaking Plan Agenda item 7.6 document number A5779852, pages 160 - 244 refers. |
|
Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Council endorse the Broadway Kaikohe Placemaking Plan. Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconder: Kohepu Chicky Rudkin That Council : a) endorse the Broadway Kaikohe Placemaking Plan; b) direct the Chief Executive to work with community, hapū, government agencies, private sector partners and other stakeholders to pursue funding and implementation opportunities (subject to reporting back to Council) for priority projects identified in the plan; and c) report back to the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board and Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation on progress on a six-monthly basis. carried The amendment became the substantive motion. Resolution 2026/29 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr Kelly Stratford That Council : a) endorse the Broadway Kaikohe Placemaking Plan; b) direct the Chief Executive to work with community, hapū, government agencies, private sector partners and other stakeholders to pursue funding and implementation opportunities (subject to reporting back to Council) for priority projects identified in the plan; and c) report back to the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board and Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation on progress on a six-monthly basis.
Against: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira carried |
At 1:58 pm, meeting was adjourned and resumed at 2:08 pm
7 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports Contiuned
|
7.2 Update on Council Closed Landfills Agenda item 8.2 document number A5677651, pages 264 - 268 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/30 Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Council receive the report Update on Council Closed Landfills. |
|
7.3 Confirmation of Committee and Joint Committee Minutes - May 2026 Agenda item 8.3 document number A5729663, pages 269 - 270 refers. |
|
Resolution 2026/31 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr Tāmati Rākena That Council receive the report Committee and Joint Committee Minutes May 2026
Abstained: Cr Ann Court |
9 Te Wāhanga Tūmataiti / Public Excluded
RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC
|
Resolution 2026/32 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr Felicity Foy 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:
Note: Kahika has mentioned that for item 9.5- Appointment of Adjudication Panel, Community Board Chairs will need to leave the room and only relevant staff to the report will remain in the room. |
|
9.7 Confirmation of Information and Decisions to be Released in Public |
|
Resolution 2026/30 Moved: Cr Felicity Foy Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania That Council confirm the information and decisions contained in the part of the meeting held with public excluded remain in public exclusion other than the decision that item 9.5 Appointment of Adjudication Panel was left to lie. Carried |
10 Karakia Whakamutunga / Closing Prayer
At 3:53 pm, Kahika Moko Tepania closed the meeting with a karakia.
The meeting closed at 3:53 pm.
The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 25 June 2026.
...................................................
CHAIRPERSON