UNCONFIRMED

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

12 August 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, 12 August 2026 AT 10:02 am

 

PRESENT:              Chairperson Kelly Stratford, Deputy Chairperson Arohanui Allen (VC), Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Cr Rachel Baucke, Cr Felicity Foy (VC), Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira (VC), Cr Davina Smolders, (Ex-officio Member) Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

IN ATTENDANCE: Cr Ann Court (VC), Cr John Vujcich (VC)

STAFF PRESENT:Kate Ivicheva (Group Manager Planning & Policy), Guy Holroyd (Chief Executive Officer), Hillary Sumpter (Group Manager Delivery and Operations), Aaron Taikato (Group Manager Te Hono), Emma Healy (Chief of Staff), Briar Macken (Manager – Strategy & Policy), Virginia Smith (Policy Advisor), Esther Powell (Manager - Climate Action & Resilience), Aya Morris (Net Zero & Sustainability Programme Lead), Dan Bowmar (Policy Advisor), Shayne Storey (Team Leader - Policy & Bylaws), Imrie Dunn (Democracy Advisor)

 

1            Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer

At 10:02 am, Chairperson Kelly Stratford opened the meeting with a karakia.

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

Apology

Resolution  2026/31

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That the apology received from Cr Davina Smolders be accepted and leave of absence granted.

Carried

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 A5886149, pages 14 - 20 refers.

Resolution  2026/32

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation confirm the minutes of the meeting held 8 July 2026 are true and correct.

Carried

 

At 10:05 am, Cr Rachel Baucke joined the meeting.

5            Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

5.1         Appointment of Deputy Chairperson for Te Kūkupa Committee

Agenda item 5.1 document number A5865133, pages 21 - 27 refers.

Resolution  2026/33

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation:

a)      appoint Cr Arohanui Allen as Deputy Chairperson; and

b)      update the Terms of Reference to reflect the appointment

Carried

 

5.2         Kaupapa Here Hiranga me te Hononga / Significance and Engagement Policy 2024 Review

Agenda item 5.2 document number A5855963, pages 28 - 51 refers.

Resolution  2026/34

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  (Ex-officio Member) Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

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

a)      agree the Kaupapa Here Hiranga me te Hononga / Significance and Engagement Policy has been reviewed; and

b)      agree the Kaupapa Here Hiranga me te Hononga / Significance and Engagement Policy should continue with amendment

Carried

 

Secretarial Note:

·         Members discussed the policy thresholds, triggers and the need for consistent application.

·         The Committee noted that engagement costs would need to be considered where unplanned matters trigger the policy.

·         A workshop was supported to allow further consideration before a draft policy returns to elected members.

5.3         Proposed Strategic Parking Policy - Te Rautaki Tūnga Waka o Te Hiku o te Ika - Right Space, Right Place.

Agenda item 5.3 document number A5445322, pages 52 - 93 refers.

Resolution  2026/35

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  (Ex-officio Member) Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

That Te Kūkupa recommends that Council adopts Te Rautaki Tūnga Waka o Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o Te Ika - Right Space, Right Place Strategic Parking Policy (attachment 1)

Carried

Secretarial Note: Members acknowledged the development of the Strategic Parking Policy and the engagement undertaken with Community Boards and elected members.

At 10:35 am, Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira joined the meeting.

 

5.4         Vehicle Crossings Bylaw Review

Agenda item 5.4 document number A5819230, pages 94 - 116 refers.

Resolution  2026/36

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

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

a)      agree, under section 155(1) of the Local Government Act 2002, that a Bylaw is the most appropriate way of addressing problems related to Vehicle Crossings

b)      agree, under section 155(2) of the Local Government Act 2002, that the current Vehicle Crossings Bylaw is not the most appropriate form because:

i)   it is not consistent with relevant legislation, codes and guides

ii)  it is not certain

c)      agree, the Vehicle Crossings Bylaw should continue with an amendment to:

i)   ensure consistency with relevant codes/guides

ii)   improve certainty

d)      agree, to progress amalgamating the vehicle crossing bylaw provisions into the Road Use Bylaw 

e)      note, under section 155(2) of the Local Government Act 2002, a full analysis of any       implications regarding the Vehicle Crossings Bylaw under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 cannot be completed until the amendments to the bylaw have been drafted

f)       note, a full analysis of any inconsistencies regarding the Vehicle Crossings Bylaw under the Regulatory Standards Act 2025 cannot be completed until the amendments to the bylaw have been drafted.

Carried

Secretarial Note: The Committee noted that the bylaw review will provide further opportunity to clarify responsibilities for vehicle crossings, driveways and associated culverts, including where Council or contractor works may affect private infrastructure. Members supported clear drafting on landowner responsibilities, alignment with engineering standards, climate change resilience, and a communications approach to help residents understand their obligations.

6            Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports

6.1         Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2024-2025

Agenda item 6.1 document number A5861246, pages 117 - 121 refers.

Resolution  2026/37

Moved:       Chairperson Kelly Stratford

Seconded:  Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin

That Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation receive the report Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2024-2025.

Carried

 

Secretarial Note:

·         Members discussed alignment of Council’s emissions targets with Government requirements, science-aligned targets and sustainable lending criteria.

·         Questions were raised about infrastructure-related emissions, including the impact of recent severe weather events.

·         The Committee discussed future emissions reporting expectations for Council-controlled organisations, including potential implications for Northland Waters.

·         Further information was requested on programme costs, benefits and implementation planning to support transparent reporting to elected members and the public.

7            Ngā Kōrero a Te Heamana / Chairperson Announcements

Chairperson Kelly Stratford acknowledged Te Pātukurea – Kerikeri-Waipapa Spatial Plan and noted its recent recognition in the local government sector, including coverage of the award-winning spatial plan in Local Government Magazine.

8            Meeting Close

The meeting closed at 11:01 am.

The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Te Kūkupa Committee for Strategy, Policy and Regulation  Meeting held on 9 September 2026.

 

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

CHAIRPERSON