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Ordinary Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships Meeting Minutes |
15 September 2026 |
MINUTES OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Te Kuaka
Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Tuesday, 15
September 2026 AT 10:00AM
PRESENT: Heamana Tāmati Rākena, Kahika-Mayor Moko Tepania (Ex-Officio), Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin, Kipa Munro - Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia.
ONLINE: Cr Kelly Stratford, Cr Arohanui Allen, Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Nyze Manuel - Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa, Cr Davina Smolders.
IN ATTENDANCE: Nicole Anderson – Far North Holdings Ltd (online).
STAFF PRESENT: Guy Holroyd (CEO), Aaron Taikato (Manuhautu – GM Te Hono), Kate Ivicheva (GM Policy & Planning), Llani Harding (Pouhautu – Te Hono), Tammy Wooster (Manager – Integrated Planning), Ken Lewis (Manager – Communications & Engagement), Kieran Morrison (Principal Advisor - Te Hono), Shayne Storey (Team Leader – Policy & Bylaws), Jaye Michalick (Team Leader – Growth, Planning & Placemaking), Donald Sheppard (Policy Advisor), Stephen Fitzherbert (Senior Strategic Planner), Karen Shepherd (Communications & Engagement Advisor), Lawrence Wharerau (Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori – Whangaroa ki Te Pēowhairangi), Piripi Rākena (Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori – Kaikohekohe ki Hokianga), Juvarn Gray-Nikora (Support Officer – Te Hono), Marlema Baker (Kairuruku Komiti o Te Kuaka).
STAFF ONLINE: Jacine Warmington (GM – Strategic Relationships), Ruben Garcia (GM – Community & Engagement), Ken MacDonald (Chief Financial Officer), Peggy Veen (Principal Advisor), Imrie Dunn (Kaitohutohu Manapori), Natasha Rmandic (Kaitohutohu Manapori).
1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer
Heamana Tāmati Rākena commenced the meeting with a karakia and mihi whakatau.
2 Ngā Whakapāha Me Ngā Pānga Mema / Apologies and Declarations of Interest
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Resolution 2026/29 Moved: Heamana Tāmati Rākena Seconded: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the apologies from Heamana Tuarua Mane Tahere and Members Wallace Rivers, Rukuwai Tipene-Allen, Mike Te Wake and Hohipere Williams, and grant them leave of absence. |
3 Ngā Kōrero a Te heamana me ngā mema / Chair’s and Members’ Announcements
- Te Heamana acknowledged Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and the many events being held locally and across Te Tai Tokerau. He also acknowledged the upcoming Ngā Whakataetae mō ngā Manu Kōrero o te Motu National Secondary Schools Speech Competitions, being held in Kaikohekohe from 21 September 2026, and included a summary of upcoming events.
- Te Heamana also invited committee members to present their announcements and updates.
4 Te Whakaaetanga o Ngā Meneti o Mua / Confirmation of Previous Minutes
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4.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes Agenda item 4.1 document number A5871313, pages 8 - 14 refers |
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Resolution 2026/30 Moved: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin Seconded: Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Kipa Munro Carried Secretarial Note: Staff member Llani Harding (Pouhautu Te Hono) was present at the previous meeting and asked that the minutes reflect that. |
5 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports
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5.1 Whenua Māori - Freehold Land Rating Debt Update Agenda item 5.1 document number A5950110, pages 15 - 19 refers |
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Resolution 2026/31 Moved: Heamana Tāmati Rākena Seconded: Cr Kelly Stratford That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Whenua Māori - Freehold Land Rating Debt Update. Secretarial Notes: - The Chair requested future reporting distinguish collectable debt versus debt likely requiring remission/write-off and historical debt versus current debt. - The Committee discussed challenges associated with succession processes, deceased owners, multiple ownership structures and landlocked and undeveloped whenua. - Members emphasised the need for simple and accessible communication channels, including social media and website information for whānau unable to attend roadshows. - Te Hono advised succession planning was underway to build additional Māori freehold land capability beyond a single subject matter expert. |
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5.2 Development of a Local Alcohol Policy Agenda item 5.2 document number A5941430, pages 20 - 42 refers |
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Resolution 2026/32 Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Kipa Munro That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Development of a Local Alcohol Policy. Secretarial Notes: - Members discussed alcohol-related harm in Māori communities, the relationship between alcohol harm and broader social issues including methamphetamine use and community engagement pathways for licence applications. - Staff highlighted the online engagement platform established for sharing evidence, discussing alcohol and other drug impacts and monitoring licensing activity. - Cr Stratford noted consultation would help determine whether the draft policy achieves the appropriate balance between public health, community wellbeing, and responsible access to alcohol. |
The meeting adjourned for 10 minutes from 11:25 am and returned at 11:35 am.
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5.3 District Wide Spatial Strategy Update: Vision, Principles and Objectives and Kaupapa Steering Rōpū Agenda item 5.3 document number A5952270, pages 43 - 139 refers |
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Resolution 2026/33 Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira Seconded: Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Kipa Munro That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report District Wide Spatial Strategy Update: Vision, Principles and Objectives and Kaupapa Steering Rōpū. Secretarial Notes: - Staff outlined the overall programme phases and intent that the District Wide Spatial Strategy informs future Regional Spatial Planning. - Committee members emphasised broad hapū and iwi representation, the importance of the Vision, Principles and Objectives (VPOs), and ensuring clear explanation of planning terminology and acronyms. - Members acknowledged extensive engagement undertaken to date. |
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Agenda item 5.4 document number A5938156, pages 140 - 148 refers |
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Resolution 2026/34 Moved: Heamana Tāmati Rākena Seconded: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Ngā Kaupapa Māori Report – July to August 2026. Secretarial Notes: Bilingual Signage: - Discussion was more extensive than reflected in the current draft. Key points included the Chair requesting a written copy of the bilingual signage process, and concerns that some signage is not fully bilingual despite process improvements. Lake Ngātu signage was used as an example where information is only partially available in Te Reo Māori. - Members questioned who checks translations, who undertakes final quality assurance, and how local dialects and mita will be respected. - Ngāti Rēhia indicated a desire to participate in reviewing signage affecting their rohe. Ahipara Wastewater Treatment Plant: - Cr Arohanui Allen advised that the Ahipara Wastewater Treatment Plant project is being considered for an award. Recognition was sought for participating community representatives and staff. Ngāpuhi Settlement Preparation: - The Chair queried whether FNDC is preparing organisationally for future Ngāpuhi settlement outcomes. Te Hono advised that no formal preparation is underway at present and that future planning may need to be considered. |
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5.5 Te Pae o Uta Te Ao Māori Framework Update Agenda item 5.5 document number A5940408, pages 149 - 162 refers |
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Resolution 2026/35 Moved: Cr Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr Arohanui Allen That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Te Pae o Uta Te Ao Māori Framework Update. Secretarial Notes: Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Hīkoi: - The Chair expressed concern that staff support for the Kaikohekohe Hīkoi relied on annual leave or discretionary arrangements and that Council participation was not well planned, given the event aligns strongly with Council strategic objectives. - Staff acknowledged better organisational planning is required and greater awareness and leadership discussion is needed. Reo Rua Strategy: - Discussion occurred regarding the Kaikohe Reo Rua aspirations, the availability of DIA funding, and the process for progressing future bilingual town initiatives. Community-Based Hīkoi: - Suggestion raised that future Te Wiki o te Reo Māori activities could occur across multiple towns and rohe to maximise local participation. Māori Education Achievement: - Cr Halkyard-Harawira highlighted strong participation in Māori-medium education within Te Hiku compared with national averages.
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5.6 Current and Previous Open Resolutions - Actions Sept 2026 Agenda item 5.6 document number A5925059, pages 163 - 169 refers |
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Resolution 2026/36 Moved: Heamana Tāmati Rākena Seconded: Kohepu - Deputy Mayor Chicky Rudkin That Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships receive the report Current and Previous Open Resolutions - Actions Sept 2026. Secretarial Notes: Te Patukeha Environmental Management Plan - Staff advised that endorsement was inadvertently not presented to Council previously and that the report will be presented to Council on 24 September 2026. Moringaehe Management Agreement - The staff update provided that the Terms of Reference are drafted, further hui are required with partners, the Cultural and Heritage Management Plan development remains the next major milestone, and a work programme is expected to be long-term and potentially span several years. Previous Resolution Updates - Staff to remove the Te Kiriwaiwai resolution as it is completed. Retain Te Matarahurahu-related actions. Update: Te Patukeha Environmental Management Plan remains active until Council endorsement is completed. |
The meeting closed at 12:37 pm with karakia.
The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships Meeting held on 11 November 2026.
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CHAIRPERSON