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Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes |
3 July 2025 |
MINUTES
OF Far North District Council
Ordinary Council
Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chamber, Memorial Ave, Kaikohe
ON Thursday, 3 July
2025 AT 10:03
AM
PRESENT: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, Cr Ann Court (online), Cr Felicity Foy (online), Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Cr Babe Kapa (online), Cr Penetaui Kleskovic (online 10am and then in person at 11:15am), Cr Steve McNally, Cr Mate Radich (online), Cr Tāmati Rākena (online), Cr John Vujcich.
IN ATTENDANCE: Adele Gardner (Chair – Te Hiku Community Board), Chicky Rudkin (Chair – Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board), Belinda Ward (Chair – Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board).
STAFF PRESENT:Guy Holroyd (Chief Executive), Jacine Warmington (GM – Strategic Relationships), Kayla Jonas (Acting Chief of Staff), Charlie Billington (GM – Corporate Services), Tanya Proctor (Head of Infrastructure), Nicola Smith (Acting GM – Community & Engagement), Ruben Garcia (Acting GM – Delivery & Operations), Roger Ackers (GM – Planning & Policy), Carla Ditchfield (Manager – Legal Services), Ken Lewis (Manager – Communications & Engagement), Aisha Huriwai (Manager – Democracy Services), Marlema Baker (Te Kuaka Te Ao Māori Coordinator).
1 Karakia Timatanga / Opening Prayer
Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania commenced the meeting and opened with the council karakia.
2 NGā WHAKAPāHA ME NGā PāNGA MEMA / Apologies and Declarations of Interest
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Resolution 2025/63 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Council receive apologies from Crs Court and Foy for early departure to attend a meeting with Minister Chris Penk, and note an apology from Cr Rākena who is travelling and may loose reception/coverage. |
Cr Radich joined the meeting online at 10:22 AM.
3 ngā tono kōrero / Deputation
Nick & Julie Du Pain & Matt King – regarding flooding at the Pukepoto Road Bridge in Ōkaihau.
(Tabled documents: Objective ID A5272690 and A5272686 refers)
David Senior – Disability Action Group (DAG) Chairperson: Item 6.1 refers.
4 NGĀ KŌRERO A TE kahika / MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Reminder that the meeting is being recorded and livestreamed on FNDC’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
· Maramataka Māori – today is Tamatea Kai Ariki
· Acknowledgement of the passing of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Kemp on 26 June 2025. Her burial was Tuesday 1 July.
· Acknowledgement of the passing of Hugh Te Kiri Richard Rihari on 27 June 2025. Who among other Council projects was heavily involved in Te Pātukurea Hāpu Rōpu.
· Northland Rugby visiting Kaikohe this morning (3 July around 9.30 am).
· Nominations for this year’s local government election open Friday. Nomination forms will be available and can be lodged from Friday 4 July. Forms can be lodged online or in person.
· Battle of Ōhaeawai commemorations Sunday June 7, 2025. 9:00 am St Michael's Church Ōhaeawai followed by kai hākari at Ngāwhā school.
· Invite all deputations/speakers, to approach the podium, speak loud and clear for recording purposes.
5 Te Whakaaetanga o Ngā Meneti o Mua / Confirmation of Previous Minutes
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6.1 From Disability to Accessibility: A Strategic Shift Agenda item 6.1 document number A5196846, pages 25 - 34 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/64 Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Council: a) approve renaming the Disability Action Group to the Accessibility Action Group. b) adopt the updated Terms of Reference for the Accessibility Action Group. |
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5.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes Agenda item 5.1 document number A5056474, pages 6 - 24 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/65 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Council confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held 5 June 2025 and Extraordinary Council Meeting held 18 June 2025 are a true and correct record. Secretarial note: While a resolution passed at the previous meeting with public excluded was not restated in public it was confirmed later during this meeting that it can be released to public and has been under item 8 of these minutes. |
6 Ngā Pūrongo / Reports
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6.1 Community Board Minutes - June 2025 Agenda item 7.2 document number A5070113, pages 387- 401 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/66 Moved: Cr John Vujcich Seconded: Cr Steve McNally That Council note the following Community Board minutes: · 10 June 2025 Te Hiku Community Board. · 11 June 2025 Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board; · 23 June 2025 Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Extraordinary meeting. |
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6.2 Road Rename: Pateretere Place, Kāeo. Agenda item 6.2 document number A5236126, pages 35 - 41 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/67 Moved: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Council approve to rename a private road “Roto Place” that is currently addressed at Pateretere Place, Kāeo. |
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6.3 2025 Local Government New Zealand Annual General Meeting Remits Agenda item 6.3 document number A5212477, pages 42 - 260 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/68 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Council support the following remits: a) Improving Joint Management Agreements b) Alcohol Licensing Fees c) Aligning Public and School Bus Services d) Review of Local Government Arrangements to Achieve Better Balance e) Rates Capping Annual General Meeting (AGM) Paper Mayoral Note: In their AGM Agenda LGNZ recognises Cr Ann Court for long service to Local Government. |
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6.4 Far North District Council Committee Amendments Agenda item 6.4 document number A5231048, pages 261 - 263 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/69 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Council resolve to: a) reduce the quorum for the following Council Committees to 4: 1. Te Koukou – Transport and Infrastructure Committee 2. Te Kuaka – Te Ao Māori Committee 3. Te Huia – Executive Review Committee b) appoint Kahika-Mayor Moko Tepania to Te Koekoeā as a replacement to Cr McNally. c) that Te Koekoea Committee Terms of Reference be expanded to manage the relationships with all Council Controlled Organisations (CCO’s) in addition to being the Committee to consider director appointments to Council Controlled Organisations (CCO’s). |
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 am and resumed at 11:17 am
Cr Foy left the meeting. 11:10 am
Cr Kleskovic arrived in person at 11:15 am
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6.5 Review of Appointment of Directors for Council Organisations Policies. Agenda item 6.5 document number A5243246, pages 264 – 287 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/70 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira That Council: a) revoke the Appointment of Elected Members as Directors of Council Organisations Policy (#2123); and In Favour: Kahika – Mayor Moko Tepania, Crs Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, Babe Kapa, Penetaui Kleskovic and Tāmati Rākena Against: Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, Crs Ann Court, Mate Radich and John Vujcich Abstained: Cr Steve McNally carried 5/4 b) approve the amendments made to the Appointment and Remuneration of Directors for Council Organisations Policy (#2117) as in attachment 3. In Favour: Kahika – Mayor Moko Tepania, Kōwhai – Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford and Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira Against: Crs Ann Court, Babe Kapa, Penetaui Kleskovic, Mate Radich, Tāmati Rākena and John Vujcich Abstained: Cr Steve McNally lost 3/6 Secretarial note 1: Cr Court stated her reasoning for her vote via the online chat and this was recorded during voting. Secretarial note 2: Elected Members request a workshop regarding the drafting of an “Appointment of Elected Members as Directors of Council Organisations” Policy. |
Cr Court left the meeting 11:55 AM.
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6.6 Amended Rating Relief Policy Draft - Proposal for Public Consultation Agenda item 6.6 document number A5246888, pages 288 - 346 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/71 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr John Vujcich a) adopt the proposal in attachment 2 to be released for public consultation to meet the requirements of section 82 of the Local Government Act 2002. b) approve, the period for making written submissions on the proposal will be a minimum of 4 weeks. c) delegate authority to the Mayor to decide on the date of oral presentation/s of submissions. d) authorise the Chief Executive to make any necessary minor drafting or presentation amendments to the proposal to correct errors or omissions, or to reflect the decisions made by the Council prior to final publication and public release. |
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6.7 Committee Recommendations and Resolutions - as at 3 July 2025 Agenda item 6.7 document number A5246842, pages 347 - 361 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/72 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Cr John Vujcich That Council receive the minutes from Te Koukou – Transport & Infrastructure Committee held 17 June 2025 and Te Kuaka Te Ao Māori Committee held 19 June 2025. |
7 Ngā Pūrongo Taipitopito / Information Reports
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7.4 Joint Committee Minutes - July 2025 Agenda item 7.4 document number A5248545, pages 481 - 493 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/73 Moved: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford Seconded: Cr Penetaui Kleskovic That Council note the following minutes: a) Civil Defence Emergency Management Group - 3 June 2025. b) Regional Transport Committee - 10 June 2025. |
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7.1 Mayor and Councillor's Reports Agenda item 7.1 document number A5056551, pages 362 - 388 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/74 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Council; a) note the June reports submitted by Kahika-Mayor Moko Tepania, Kōwhai-Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, Cr Babe Kapa, and Cr John Vujcich, and b) note the May report submitted by Councillor Hilda Halkyard-Harawira which was received in time but was omitted from the 5 June 2025 Council agenda. Secretarial Note: In her members report Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford mentioned Hihitahi Rise Road which is slipping and caused a power trip and fire, as well as Motutara Road slip leading to Rangiputa Road and the potential risks to life and property. |
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7.3 Update on a Regional Deals for Northland Agenda item 7.3 document number A5246798, pages 402 – 480 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/75 Moved: Cr John Vujcich Seconded: Cr Penetaui Kleskovic That Council form a working group to advance Te Tai Tokerau economic priorities and relationships through Regional Deals. |
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7.5 Council Open Resolutions Update July 2025 Agenda item 7.5 document number A5056520, pages 494 - 552 refers. |
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Resolution 2025/76 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Council receive the report Council Open Resolution Update July 2025. |
8 te wāhanga tūmataiti / Public Excluded
RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC
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Resolution 2025/77 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford 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:
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At the conclusion of the Public Excluded part of the meeting Council resolved as follows:
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8.5 Confirmation of Information and Decisions to be Released in Public |
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Resolution 2025/78 Moved: Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania Seconded: Kōwhai - Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford That Council confirms the information and decisions contained in the part of the meeting held with public excluded related to the following items not be restated in public: - 8.1 Confirmation of Previous Minutes - Public Excluded - 8.2 Community Board Public Excluded Minutes - 8.3 Committee Recommendations and Resolutions - July 2025 - 8.4 Council Public Excluded Open Resolutions Update July 2025
And that the public excluded resolution 2025/62, Item 9.9 Extension of Appointments for Far North Holdings LTD, made by Council on 5 June 2025 be restated in public meeting as follows: That Council c) Resolve, as shareholder of FNHL, to amend the constitution of the Company (FNHL) by special resolution under section 32(2), 106 122,of the Companies Act 1993 to: i. Increase the maximum number of Directors on the Board of Far North Holdings Ltd from five (5) to eight (8): and ii. Remove the age limit of a director and in implementing a) and b) alterations iii. Authorise the CE to act as authorised signatory, for and on behalf of FNDC as sole shareholder of the company, in the formal notice of alteration of constitution in accordance with the Companies Act 1993 Regulations 1994.
Carried |
9 Karakia Whakamutunga / Closing Prayer
Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania closed the meeting with a karakia.
The meeting closed at 12:19 PM.
The minutes of this meeting will be confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 31 July 2025.
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CHAIRPERSON