I am often asked about whether there is a disparity between what we spend in Dargaville and Mangawhai, our two largest towns in Kaipara. Earlier this month I met with a group of Dargaville business owners and we talked about that.

A key focus of conversations around the council table recently has been the review of our Revenue and Financing Policy. 

Every day, as I pass, I look to see what progress has been made on the shared path and the new wooden bridge. I like to check it out and see how it’s taking shape.

Last month we adopted the Long Term Plan (LTP), and it is now up on the council website (printed copies available soon). If you haven’t had a chance to have a read yet, head along to www.kaipara.govt.nz/ltp and check it out. The LTP outlines our plans for the next three years, the services we will provide, the projects we will undertake, the cost of doing this work and how it will be paid for.

The Kaipara roading network has always been a hot topic of mine. It is a core council service and recently we have taken a magnifying glass to it so we can improve how we deliver it for Kaipara.

The blanket power cuts for Northland at the end of last week were a good reminder to check our household supplies and make sure we were all well prepared for events like these.