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Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes |
25 June 2026 |
MINUTES
OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Council
Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Thursday, 25 June
2026 AT 10:01
AM
PRESENT: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Cr Arohanui Allen, Cr Rachel Baucke, Cr Ann Court, Cr Felicity Foy (VC), Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira (VC), Cr Tāmati Rākena, Cr Davina Smolders, Cr Kelly Stratford (VC), Cr John Vujcich
IN ATTENDANCE: Belinda Ward (Chairperson, Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board), Jessie McVeagh (Chairperson, Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board), Bill Subritzky (Chairperson, Te Hiku Community Board)
STAFF PRESENT: Guy Holroyd (Chief Executive Officer), Emma Healy (Chief of Staff), Hillary Sumpter (Group Manager – Delivery and Operations), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure) (VC), Aaron Taikato (Group Manager – Te Hono), Ruben Garcia (Group Manager – Communications and Engagement), Kate Ivicheva (Group Manager – Planning and Policy), Kylie Harris (Stellar Projects Ltd Contractor), Ken Macdonald (Chief Financial Officer), Zakeeda Khan (Senior Corporate Financial Planner), Rebecca Rowsell (Senior Solicitor), Matt Richardson (Manager - Infrastructure Delivery, Infrastructure Delivery), Casey Gannon (Manager - Civic Engagement & Education), Rachel Smith (Executive Assistant), Aisha Huriwai (Manager – Democracy Services), Imrie Dunn (Democracy Advisor)
1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer
At 10:01 am, Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania commenced the meeting with a karakia.
2 Ngā Tono Kōrero / Deputation
There were no deputations.
3 Ngā Kōrero a Te Kahika / Mayoral Announcements
· Welcome Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs, the Tuia Rangatahi Leadership Programme - Noah McBirney Warnes
· Maramataka today is Ari
· Shape Northland’s Future – local government surveys have now closed as of 5pm yesterday, Wednesday 24 June
· Hapu and wider community engagement hui on the Head Start reform process were held earlier this week (Monday–Wednesday), providing an opportunity for direct input into the future of local governance in Te Tai Tokerau
· Acknowledge the strong level of community engagement and feedback received across the region during this time
· Northland councils continue to work together on a “by Northland, for Northland” proposal, with an outline required to be submitted to Government by August
· Council has recently launched a new online “What’s On” events page, making it easier for residents and visitors to find community events across the district
· Acknowledge recent national recognition of two Far North District Council initiatives, including a mobile voting service that contributed to the highest voter turnout in 30 years, and work strengthening Te Ao Māori capability within the organisation
· A new community governance board has been appointed for Te Puāwaitanga – Bay of Islands Sports Hub to guide the next stage of this important regional facility
· Ongoing infrastructure and service delivery work continues across the district, including road maintenance, bridge repairs, and water upgrades in Kaikohe and surrounding areas
· Council is also continuing its work on environmental responsibility, including addressing illegal dumping and promoting better waste practices across the Far North.
· Acknowledgements were given to Kohepu Chicky Rudkin for stepping up in Kahika absent.
4 Ngā Whakapāha Me Ngā Pānga Mema / Apologies and Declarations of Interest
Nil
5 He Pānui Whakamōtini / Notice of Motion
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Agenda item 5.1 document number A5827986, pages 7 - 10 refers. |
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Moved: Cr Davina Smolders Seconded: Cr Ann Court That the Council: a) Directs the Chief Executive to amend the standard staff report template used for all Standing Committees, Community Boards, and full Council meetings, to be implemented no later than August 2026. b) Requires the amended template to include the following mandatory, isolated headings immediately following the Executive Summary: i. Direct Ratepayer Financial Impact: Detailing exact costings, identified funding sources, and all multi-year compliance, operational, or maintenance costs. ii. Opportunity Cost: Identifying which specific projects, services, or budget lines will be impacted, delayed, or defunded in order to execute the recommended option. iii. Discarded Alternatives: A summary of all reasonably practicable options considered by staff but rejected prior to drafting the recommendation, including the specific financial or operational reasons for their rejection. iv. Author’s Professional Assessment & S.E.P. Application: This section must state the primary author’s professional role/expertise. It must contain their unvarnished, original assessment of the decision's significance, explicitly referencing the specific criteria and Schedules within the Council's Significance and Engagement Policy. This assessment cannot be altered by subsequent internal review. v. LTP / Annual Plan Compliance & Executive Sign-Off: An explicit statement confirming whether the recommendation is fully funded within the current Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan. If the recommendation requires unbudgeted expenditure or is materially inconsistent with existing plans, the report must include explicit written sign-off from the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive (CE) acknowledging the financial variance before being placed on the agenda. vi. Internal Advisory & Consultation Record: A transparent record detailing the feedback, pushbacks, and advice provided by internal advisory departments (special advisory, Legal, and Finance) during the drafting process. This section must explicitly document how the proposal was evaluated from a Te Ao Māori perspective, record any objections raised internally against the primary author's S.E.P. or technical assessment, and note how the original draft was amended to reach the final recommendation. c) Directs that the use of "Not Applicable" (N/A) or blank responses under any of the aforementioned headings is not permitted for any substantive decision without a detailed written justification explaining why the section legally or operationally does not apply. In Favour: Crs Rachel Baucke, Ann Court, Felicity Foy and Davina Smolders Against: Kahika Moko Tepania, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin and Crs Arohanui Allen, Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Tāmati Rākena, Kelly Stratford and John Vujcich lost 4/7 |
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1 CE Response NoM Report template June 2026 |
6 Te Whakaaetanga o Ngā Meneti o Mua / Confirmation of Previous Minutes
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6.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes Agenda item 6.1 document number A5817750, pages 11 - 29 refers. |
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Resolution 2026/32 Moved: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Council confirm the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 28 May 2026 and the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 11 June 2026 as a true and correct record, subject to the following amendments:
· Amendment to 11 June Extraordinary Council Minutes, page 26 (top of page), to replace the secretarial note to read as follows: Cr Smolders: I believe the Commissioners' process was robust and thorough, and I support their recommendations in principle. While there may be limited circumstances where amendments are justified, nonetheless I do not support cherry-picking of recommendations by Councillors, nor do I have confidence in selectively overriding the Commissioners' conclusions without compelling evidence to do so. · Add Cr Kelly Stratford’s 32AA report as a minute attachment to the 11 June Extraordinary Council Meeting · 11 June Extraordinary Council minutes change amount on page 25 from 6.5 million to 26.5 million.
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At 10:52 am, meeting was adjourned and resumed at 11:09 am.
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7.1 Adoption of Fees and Charges for 2026/27 Agenda item 7.1 document number A5796883, pages 30 - 56 refers. |
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Resolution 2026/33 Moved: Cr Ann Court Seconded: Cr Kelly Stratford That Council: a) adopt the Schedule of Fees and Charges for 2026/27, and b)delegate the Chief Executive Officer authority to make any final minor edits to the fees and charges prior to publication. |
At 12:58 pm, meeting was adjourned and resumed at 1:39 pm.
Secretarial note:
· Staff noted that references to Northland Inc should be updated to reflect the organisation’s current name.
· A question was raised about how property revaluation would affect rates. Staff advised that the rates increase is applied across ratepayers in the Far North, while individual impacts may vary depending on rating factors.
· A question was raised regarding subsidy funding for the Kerikeri CBD bypass road project.
· A question was raised about how Council would communicate rates information to ratepayers and communities in plain language, including how whānau would be supported to understand the information.
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7.3 Setting of Rates, Due Dates and Penalties for 2026-2027 Agenda item 7.3 document number A5736187, pages 160 - 179 refers. |
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Resolution 2026/35 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr John Vujcich
That, pursuant to Section 23 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 (the Act), Council sets the rates as described below for the year commencing 1st July 2026 and concluding 30th June 2027;
All rates are shown inclusive of GST
GENERAL RATE
General Rate Differentiated on the basis of land use set on all rateable rating units
Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC): A UAGC of $450.00 per Separately Used or Inhabited Part (SUIP) on every rateable rating unit
Definition of a SUIP: · Any part of a rating unit that is used or occupied by any person, other than the ratepayer, having a right to use or inhabit that part by virtue of a tenancy, lease, licence, or other agreement · Any part or parts of a rating unit that is used or occupied by the ratepayer for more than one single use. The following are considered to be separately used parts of a rating unit: · individual flats or apartments · separately leased commercial areas which are leased on a rating unit basis · vacant rating units · Single rating units which contain multiple uses such as a shop with a dwelling · A residential building or part of a residential building that is used or can be used as an independent residence. An independent residence is defined as having a separate entrance, separate cooking facilities, e.g. cooking stove, range, kitchen sink etc. together with living and toilet/bathroom facilities. · The following are not considered to be separately used or inhabited parts of a rating unit: · A residential sleep-out or granny flat that does not meet the definition of an independent residence · A hotel room with or without kitchen facilities · A motel room with or without kitchen facilities · Individual offices or premises of business partners TARGETED RATES
ROADING RATES Uniform Roading Rate A Uniform Targeted Rate of $100 per SUIP on every rateable rating unit.
Differential Roading Rate Differentiated on the basis of land use set on all rateable rating units.
Ward Services Rate Differentiated on the basis of location set on all rateable rating units in the identified wards
STORMWATER RATES Stormwater Public Good Rate is set on a uniform basis for every rateable rating unit in the district.
Fixed rate set on differential categories for all rateable rating units identified in the rating area maps for the listed urban communities:
DEVELOPMENT RATES
Paihia CBD Development Rate Differentiated on the basis of land use set on all rateable rating units identified in the rating area maps
Kaitāia BID Rate
BOI Recreation Centre Rate
SEWERAGE RATES Separate sewerage rates are set for each sewerage scheme on every rating unit that is connected to each scheme or to which the scheme is “available”, that is where a rating unit is capable of being connected to a public reticulated wastewater disposal system.
The additional pan rate is set on the basis of the third and every subsequent water closet or urinal per SUIP. A rating unit or SUIP used primarily as the residence for one household will be treated as having not more than one toilet or urinal.
Ahipara Sewerage Capital Rate
East Coast* Sewerage Capital Rate
Hihi Sewerage Capital Rate
Kāeo Sewerage Capital Rate
Kaikohe Sewerage Capital Rate
Kaitāia and Awanui Sewerage Capital Rate
Kawakawa Sewerage Capital Rate
Kerikeri Sewerage Capital Rate
Kohukohu Sewerage Capital Rate
Ōpononi Sewerage Capital Rate
Paihia Sewerage Capital Rate
Rangiputa Sewerage Capital Rate
Rāwene Sewerage Capital Rate
Russell Sewerage Capital Rate
Whangaroa Sewerage Capital Rate
Whatuwhiwhi Sewerage Capital Rate
*East Coast includes Taipa, Cable Bay, Coopers Beach, Mangonui. This is a change in name from Taipa to East Coast and not a new rate.
Sewerage Public Good Rate is set on a uniform basis for every rateable rating unit in the district
District Wide Sewerage Operating Rate is set on every rateable rating unit connected to a sewerage scheme
WATER RATES Separate water rates are set for each water supply scheme differentiated on the basis of supply or availability of supply to each scheme, that is, capable of being connected to a public reticulated water supply system.
Kaikohe Water Capital Rate
Kaitāia Water Capital Rate
Kawakawa Water Capital Rate
Kerikeri Water Capital Rate
Ōkaihau Water Capital Rate
Ōmāpere/Ōpononi Water Capital Rate
Paihia Water Capital Rate
Rāwene Water Capital Rate
Water Public Good Rate is set on a uniform basis for every rateable rating unit in the district.
District Wide Water Operating Rates The District wide operating rates are assessed on the basis of the quantity of water supplied as recorded by meter, or for a non-metered supply, per SUIP.
Metered Supply rate (all schemes)
Non-Metered Water Supply Rate (Includes 250 M3 Supply)
DRAINAGE RATES are set on all rateable land in the relevant drainage area
And that, pursuant to Section 24 of the Act and with the exception of the targeted rates set for the supply of water pursuant to Section 19 of the Act, Council charges the rates for the 2025-2026 rating year by way of four equal instalments. Each instalment to be paid on or before the due dates set out below;
And that, pursuant to Sections 57 and 58 of the Act and with the exception of the targeted rates set for the supply of water pursuant to Section 19 of the Act, Council imposes the following penalties:
A ten percent (10%) penalty on any portion of any instalment of rates assessed in the 2025-2026 financial year that is not paid on or by the due date for payment as detailed above. This penalty will be added on the penalty dates detailed above;
And that the water meters be read and invoiced on a six-month cycle, or more often if required, and the subsequent invoices become due for payment on the dates in the table below.
And that, pursuant to Sections 57 and 58 of the Act, Council imposes the following penalties in respect of targeted rates set for the supply of water pursuant to Section 19 of the Act:
A ten percent (10%) penalty on any portion of the rate for the supply of water charged pursuant to Section 19 of the Act, as separately invoiced, that is not paid on or by the due date for payment as set out below;
And that, pursuant to Section 88 of the Act, Council sets Postponement Fees as provided for in the relevant Rates Postponement Policies;
POSTPONEMENT FEE IN RESPECT OF POSTPONED RATES Pursuant to Section 88 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, Council will charge a postponement fee on all rates that are postponed under any of its postponement policies.
The Postponement fee is made up of the following administrative and financial costs: · Application Fee: $315 · Administration Fee: $52 per year · Financing Fee on all Postponements: Currently set at 4.27% pa but may vary to match Council’s average cost of funds. At Council’s discretion all these fees may be added to the total postponement balance.
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At 2:02 pm, Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira left the meeting.
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7.5 Staged Road Closure to enable Kaitaia Stormwater Drainage Upgrade Supplementary Agenda item 7.5 document number A5833979, pages 4 - 7 refers. |
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Resolution 2026/37 Moved: Cr John Vujcich Seconded: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania That pursuant to the Local Government Act 1974, section 342 and schedule 10 clause 11(e), Council approves the temporary closure of Taaffe Street and West Lane to enable the safe operation of the Staged Kaitaia Stormwater Upgrade beginning 9 July 2026 until the work is completed. |
At 2:38 pm, Cr Kelly Stratford left the meeting.
Secretarial Note: Kahika acknowledged the Community Board Chairs, noting that while there were no Community Board minutes presented for this meeting, their work was appreciated.
The meeting closed at 2:43 pm.
The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 22 July 2026.
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CHAIRPERSON