I said in my last message that I would be checking my bike and getting ready for the opening of the Mangawhai boardwalk soon. And true to my word, I did! 

I love hosting people in our beautiful district and I had the recent pleasure of welcoming the other Northland mayors down to Mangawhai for the Forward Together Forum (work programme for all four Northland Councils working together).

At the June Council Meeting the Annual Plan for 2023-204 was unanimously adopted, agreeing to an average general rates rise of 4.96 percent.

Firstly, a hearty warm welcome to our recently anointed citizens. I was proud to be part of the ceremony in Dargaville celebrating and recognising fourteen Kaipara residents of different nationalities.

We are on the tail end of what has been yet another significant weather event. We have seen a huge amount of rain again, soaking ground that is already saturated and filling rivers already high.

Plenty happening around the Council table. A Notice of Motion raised by Deputy Mayor Larsen to investigate options for a waste to energy plant was supported by Council

Already it is mid-April. Our delayed summer weather has brought a rush of visitors to the district recently, and we expect even more during this school holiday period. Welcome to you all.