Ordinary Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation  Meeting Minutes

8 July 2026

 

   MINUTES OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation  Meeting HELD AT THE Council Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON
Wednesday, 8 July 2026 AT 10:00 am

 

PRESENT:                  Chairperson Kelly Stratford, Deputy Chairperson Ann Court, Cr Felicity Foy (VC), Cr Davina Smolders, Cr Arohanui Allen, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin

IN ATTENDANCE:     Cr Tāmati Rākena (VC), Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Chairperson Jessie McVeagh

STAFF PRESENT:     Guy Holroyd (Chief Executive Officer), Kate Ivicheva (Group Manager – Planning & Policy), Hilary Sumpter (Group Manager – Delivery & Operations), Aaron Taikato (Group Manager – Te Hono), Jacine Warmington (Group Manager – Strategic Relationships), Emma Healy (Chief of Staff), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure Strategy), Shayne Storey (Team Leader – Policy & Bylaws), Ken Lewis (Manager – Communications & Engagement), Briar Macken (Manager – Strategy & Policy), Virginia Smith (Policy Advisor), Esther Powell (Manager - Climate Action & Resilience), Marlema Baker (Te Kuaka Coordinator),  Trish Routley (Manager – Resource Consents), Katy Simon (Adaptation Programme Lead), Imrie Dunn (Democracy Advisor).

 

1          Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer

At 10:00 am, Chairperson Kelly Stratford opened the meeting with a karakia.

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

Apology

Resolution  2026/24

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Cr Chicky Rudkin

That the apology received from Kahika Moko Tepania Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira and Cr Rachel Baucke be accepted and leave of absence granted.

Carried

Note: Apology received from the Bay of Island-Whangaroa Community Board Chairperson Belinda Ward.

 

Secretarial note: Chairperson Kelly Stratford anounced that she will be giving speaking rights to Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Chairperson Jessie McVeagh.

 

3          Ngā Tono Kōrero / Deputation

There were no deputations.

 

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

4.1         Confirmation of Previous Minutes

Agenda item 4.1 document number A5791972, pages 14 - 19 refers.

Resolution  2026/25

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Cr Davina Smolders

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation confirm the minutes of the meeting held 13 May 2026 are true and correct.  

Carried

5          Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

5.1         Utu Whakawhanake Development Contributions Policy 2025 Amendments - Submission Analysis and Adoption report

Agenda item 5.1 document number A5762138, pages 20 - 157 refers.

Resolution     2026/26

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Cr Arohanui Allen

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation recommend that Council:

a)      Receive the Utu Whakawhanake Development Contributions Policy 2025 Amendments – Submissions Analysis Report in Attachment 1.

b)      Adopt the proposed amendments to the Utu Whakawhanake Development Contributions Policy 2025 in Attachment 2

c)      Resolves to commence the amended Utu Whakawhanake Development Contributions Policy 2025 on 27 July 2026.

d)      Delegates to the Chief Executive the selection of the membership of the reconsideration panel, from suitably delegated officers, for the purposes of clause 28 of the amended Utu Whakawhanake Development Contributions Policy 2025.

e)      Authorise the Chief Executive to make any necessary minor drafting or presentations to the Utu Whakawhanake Development Contributions Policy 2025 to correct any errors or omissions, or to reflect the decisions made by Council.

Against:           Cr Davina Smolders

carried

Secretarial note: The meeting discussed the proposed reconsideration panel process, including transparency around how panel members would be selected and how outcomes would be reported back to Council. Staff advised that a briefing paper on the selection process could be provided, and that reports on reconsideration matters would come back to Council as required.

5.2         Draft Scoping Report - Stage One Community Adaptation Planning

Agenda item 5.2 document number A5798123, pages 158 - 215 refers.

Motion

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Deputy Chairperson Ann Court

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy Policy and Regulation:

a)      Receive the draft scoping report for Stage One Community Adaptation Planning under Te Hōtaka Urutau Hapori | Community Adaptation Programme.

b)      Endorse the draft scoping report for Stage One Community Adaptation Planning under Te Hōtaka Urutau Hapori | Community Adaptation Programme, and

c)      Note that minor changes for grammar or clarity may be made by the project team before seeking adoption from Council.

Amendment

Moved:       Cr Felicity Foy

Seconded:  Cr Davina Smolders

That agenda item 5.2 Draft Scoping Report - Stage One Community Adaptation Planning lay on the table until the new planning legislation has been enacted by central government.

 

In Favour:       Crs Felicity Foy and Davina Smolders

Against:           Chairperson Kelly Stratford, Deputy Chairperson Ann Court, Kohepu Chicky Rudkin and Cr Arohanui Allen

lost 2/4

Resolution     2026/27

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Deputy Chairperson Ann Court

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy Policy and Regulation:

a)      Receive the draft scoping report for Stage One Community Adaptation Planning under Te Hōtaka Urutau Hapori | Community Adaptation Programme.

b)      Endorse the draft scoping report for Stage One Community Adaptation Planning under Te Hōtaka Urutau Hapori | Community Adaptation Programme, and

c)      Note that minor changes for grammar or clarity may be made by the project team before seeking adoption from Council.

Against:           Crs Felicity Foy and Davina Smolders

carried

At 11:16 am meeting was adjourned, and resumed at 11:28 am.

 

Secretarial note: The amendment sought to lay item 5.2 on the table until new planning legislation had been enacted by central government. The meeting briefly discussed whether the item should be delayed due to pending legislative reform, regional alignment and climate scenario assumptions. Staff advised that the project remained aligned with current legislative and policy requirements, that future legislative changes could be considered through later project phases, and that delaying the item may impact project timing and community engagement.


At 11:51 am, meeting was adjourned, and resumed at 12:24 pm.

At 12:26 pm, Cr Arohanui Allen left the meeting, and returned at 12:28 pm.

6          Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports

6.1         Strategy implementation report

Agenda item 6.1 document number A5773753, pages 216 - 226 refers.

Resolution  2026/28

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Cr Arohanui Allen

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation receive the report Strategy implementation report.

Carried

Secretarial note:

·        The meeting discussed the Regional Economic Development Strategy and the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure regional economic and infrastructure planning matters are brought back through appropriate Council or regional forums. It was noted that the matter could be brought back through Northland Forward Together, as the strategy work originated through that forum.

·        The meeting noted the importance of keeping strategy work practical, financially viable and focused on core priorities, particularly where proposed initiatives may have operational or budget implications for Council.

At 12:48 pm, Deputy Chairperson Ann Court left the meeting and returned at 12:51 pm.

6.2         Bylaw Review Programme - Annual Status Report

Agenda item 6.2 document number A5779165, pages 227 - 230 refers.

Resolution  2026/29

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation receive the report Bylaw Review Programme - Annual Status Report.

Carried

 


 

6.3         Six Monthly Governance Oversight of Regulatory System Performance - Delivery & Operations

Agenda item 6.3 document number A5839926, pages 231 - 239 refers.

Resolution  2026/30

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Cr Davina Smolders

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation receive the report Six Monthly Governance Oversight of Regulatory System Performance - Delivery & Operations.

Carried

 

7          Meeting Close

The meeting closed at 1:02 pm.

The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation  Meeting held on 12 August 2026.

 

...................................................

CHAIRPERSON