Have your Say

Development Contributions Policy review

Council continued to  review its current Development Contributions Policy and sought further feedback on proposed changes. The Policy sets the fees developers are charged to contribute to infrastructure including parks and reserves, transport and roading, wastewater services and water supplies.

The initial draft Policy was publicly consulted during June 2025, and changes to the proposed Policy have been made based on feedback received.

Minor wording changes have been made as well as changes to the project list – which resulted in significant changes to the proposed Development Contribution fees. A further consultation period and call for submissions was held from 18 to 31 August.

Hearings (if any) will be held on Thursday 4 September followed by deliberations on Tuesday 09 September.

Read more about the Development Contributions Policy review.

Private Plan Change 85 - Mangawhai East

Private Plan Change 85 - Mangawhai East - proposes to rezone 95 hectares (approximately) of rural zoned land to a mix of residential and commercial in Mangawhai. The proposed plan change was open for submissions until 18 August 2025.

Read more about the proposed private plan change.

Proposed Kaipara District Plan

A District Plan sets out the rules and policies for how land can be used and developed across Kaipara. It covers important issues like housing, business development, natural environment protection and cultural heritage.

This is a major opportunity to help shape the future of our district. Your feedback will help ensure the Kaipara District Plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities. 

The feedback period was open from Monday 28 April to Monday 30 June 2025. 

Read the Proposed District Plan and find more information.

Development Contributions Policy review

Council is proposing to replace its current Development Contributions Policy. The Policy sets the fees developers are charged to contribute to infrastructure including parks and reserves, transport and roading, wastewater services and water supplies.

The feedback period was open from Tuesday 3 June through to 11.59pm, on Monday 23 June. Hearings will be held on 3 July, followed by deliberations by Council on 23 July with a decision to be decided in August/September.

Find out more about the Development Contributions Policy Review.

Our Water Our Way - Local Water Done Well

Under the Local Water Done Well legislation, all councils around New Zealand have been tasked by the current Government to consider how they can best provide water services in the future, by joining up with others or on their own. Regardless of what service delivery model is chosen, councils need to meet new economic, environmental, and water quality regulatory requirements. 

We investigated several options and evaluated three water service delivery models in more detail to determine how well they align with Kaipara District Council’s goals for providing water services, and to ensure they comply with the Local Water Done Well reform. 

The feedback period was open for one month from Monday 7 April until 11.59pm Wednesday 7 May 2025. Find out more about Local Water Done Well here.

Museums Targeted Rate Annual Plan 2025/2026

Before we adopted the Annual Plan for 2025/2026, we asked for your feedback about a targeted rate collected on behalf of three of the district’s museums – Mangawhai Museum, Kauri Museum and Dargaville Museum. Any targeted rate for these museums would be in addition to our average 8.9% rates increase for the coming year and would mean an update to our Revenue and Financing Policy.

A consultation document was prepared with a feedback period open for one month from Monday 7 April until 11.59pm Wednesday 7 May 2025. While 36% of respondents supported no targeted rate, approximately two-thirds expressed support for a targeted rate in some form. After much discussion, elected members approved to set a targeted rate at $185,000 across the district—equating to $14 for each rateable property paying the Uniform Annual General Charge (UAGC).

Read more about Annual Plans and Long Term Plans here.

Fees and Charges for 2025/2026

Every year Kaipara District Council reviews its fees and charges. Fees and charges are used to support the operation and maintenance of a variety of services provided to the community. They are set on a user-pays basis to ensure that rate increases are kept to a minimum where possible. 

The feedback period was open for one month from Monday 7 April until 11.59pm Wednesday 7 May 2025. Information on the proposed Fees and Charges can be found here.

Mangawhai Reserve Concept Plan

Earlier this year we asked what you love about the Mangawhai Heads Reserve area and what improvements you would like to see. Using your feedback and other supporting information we prepared a Draft Reserve Concept Plan for Mangawhai Heads Reserve. The consultation period for feedback on this draft plan ran from 03 December 2024 through to 02 February 2025. Information regarding both the concept plan and the proposed lease to the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Surf Lifesaving Club is available here.

Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Surf Lifesaving Club - new lease

Council is proposing to grant a new lease to the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service Incorporated with consultation being open from 03 December 2024 through to Sunday 02 February 2025.

Revenue and Financing Policy review
The Revenue and Financing Policy sets out how each council activity is funded and why. Consultation on the proposed changes to the Revenue and Financing Policy were open from Wednesday 6 November through to Sunday 15 December 2024. Submission hearings were held on 12 February 2025 followed by deliberations on 26 February 2025. Further information on Council’s decision can be found here: Council agrees a further look at rating | Kaipara District | New Zealand.

Welcoming Plan for Kaipara
After many months of research, surveys and conversations with newcomers and communities in Kaipara, a draft Welcoming Plan was ready for review. The Welcoming Plan outlines our vision and strategies for making Kaipara a more welcoming place for everyone. Feedback closed Friday 1 November 2024.

Welcoming Communities is an externally funded, three-year initiative led by MBIE and Immigration New Zealand. Over 35 councils across New Zealand are part of this project, which is designed to help people settle into their new communities, and help communities become even more welcoming. By fostering a sense of belonging, we’re working together to create stronger, more resilient communities. You can find more information on the Welcoming Communities website.

2024 Representation Review
Kaipara District Council prepared an initial proposal for future representation arrangements and asked the community to have their say. Feedback closed at 5pm, 2 October 2024.
Any agreed changes will be put in place for at least the 2025 triennial elections. 

What's next for Mangawhai Heads Reserve
Council is working on a new Reserve Concept Plan for improvements to the Mangawhai Heads Reserve. We want to hear how the community want the reserve to be developed before drafting the concept plan. Feedback closed at 5pm, 1 September 2024.