A summer like no other: procurement opportunity for Kai Iwi Lakes campground services

Kaipara District Council has appointed a new District Licensing Committee, following completion of the previous committee’s five year term.

Northland's four councils last week took another significant step in the region’s local government reorganisation.

A special citizenship ceremony was held overlooking the Northern Wairoa River.

Only two more weeks to apply for funding from the Creative Communities Scheme

Kaipara District Council has decided not to support the Northland Elected Member Steering Group's recommendation to develop a Head Start proposal.

Visitors to Taharoa Domain are set to benefit from improved campground facilities, with a major wastewater infrastructure project now complete.

A steering group of elected members from across all four Northland councils has recommended a preferred option.

More than 2,300 survey responses were received across all four Northland councils in May and June.

Kaipara District Council has unanimously adopted its Annual Plan for 2026/2027, confirming an average rates increase of 3.9% after growth.

A pōwhiri held at Otamatea marae has formally welcomed Kaipara District Council’s new chief executive, Jazz Singh.

Northland communities are being invited to have their say on a once in a generation change to local government, as surveys go live across all four councils.

From this week, you’ll start to see new signs going up outside schools across the district as safer speed limits are rolled out. 

With reseals and rehabilitations programmed for the 2025/2026 year completed by the end of April, in May the roading teams focussed on routine maintenance and getting a head start on next year’s programme of works.  

Kaipara District Council has agreed to reduce the proposed rates increase for the upcoming year, easing pressure on households facing ongoing cost-of-living challenges.

Work is progressing well at Taharoa Domain to upgrade the wastewater system and improve campground facilities.

Kaipara District Council will join the Local Government Reform Elected Member Steering Group, confirming its participation in a regional response to local government reforms. 

Council has agreed to join a Northland-wide Local Government Reform Elected Member Steering Group to help shape the future of local government in the region.

Kaipara District Council has announced the appointment of Jazz Singh as its new chief executive.

Road rehabilitations were completed for Victoria Street in Dargaville and Lawrence / Valley Road Intersection in Mangawhai this month, marking the end of two significant pieces of rehabilitation work for the roading teams. With these projects complete, investigation and testing for design of the upcoming financial year’s rehabilitation sites begins. 

Northland councils have acknowledged the government’s announcement giving regions a three‑month window to put forward proposals to simplify and strengthen local government. 

Know someone who deserves a bit of recognition for their work in the community?

Rehabilitations were in full swing throughout March, with significant progress being made on Victoria Street in Dargaville and at the Lawrence Road / Valley Road intersection in Mangawhai. 

Kaipara has officially welcomed 29 new citizens from across the globe, following a citizenship ceremony at Mangawhai Golf Club on Wednesday 15 April.

Whangārei, Kaipara and Far North district councils have reaffirmed their shared commitment to establishing a Northland-wide council-controlled organisation (CCO) to deliver drinking water and wastewater services for the region from July 2027.

Kaipara District Council is asking the community for feedback on its proposed fees and charges for the coming year (2026/2027).

By the end of February 2026, 160,000m2 (53%) of the 300,000m2 of road resealing planned for the 2025/2026 financial year had been completed. The remainder is programmed during April 2026.

Ever wanted to know more about your family history? Well, with Kaipara Libraries brand new digital resource you can do just that!

Kaipara District Council has reduced rates below its Long Term Plan budgets while continuing to prioritise dependable roading.

4pm update We still have a number of roads that remain flooded and impacted round the district. Please take extra care if you are out on the roads, and do not drive through floodwaters.

Northland’s councils are making strong progress toward establishing the region’s new water services council controlled organisation (CCO).

Kaipara District Council has announced Bruce Robertson as the new chair of its Audit, Risk and Finance Committee. 

The multi-year, multi-million-dollar Kaipara slip remediation programme has continued in full swing over the last twelve months.  

Kaipara District Council is calling on the community to help celebrate the district’s everyday heroes, with nominations open for its 2026 Citizens Awards.

Apply now for Creative Communities funding. 

Michael Day has been appointed as interim chief executive of Kaipara District Council, following a council decision on Thursday 19 February. 

Over the summer period, our roading teams have been focussed on delivering this year’s reseal programme. 

Northland’s four councils are working hand in hand to present a shared vision for the future of the region to central government.

The Red Severe Weather Warning for Northland is now lifted. The worst of the storm has passed, and the forecast is westerly winds and showers for the next few days. 

MetService New Zealand has lifted Northland's Red Heavy Rain Warning. 

The sealing season which commenced in October is well underway, with pre-seal repairs required to enable the 2025/2026 reseal programme progressing well. 

Communities across Kaipara are now home to 28 new official New Zealand citizens. 

Summer holidays are fast approaching! During this time critical council services continue, with some changes due to staff availability. 

Last month, civil defence-trained KDC staff joined a region-wide exercise, simulating a tsunami scenario.

Northland’s Mayoral Forum acknowledges central government plans for a major review of the way the nation’s local government is structured – but says any eventual outcome must have what is best for Taitokerau at its heart.

October kicked off sealing season with pre-seals completed on West Coast Road, Pouto Road, Baylys Coast Road and Colville Road, and reseals on Kai Iwi Lakes Road are underway.

Kaipara District’s new Council has officially taken office.

Join us as we welcome the newly elected Council for Kaipara at the official swearing-in ceremony and inaugural meeting. 

Aranga Beach is more ready than it’s ever been to welcome visitors this summer, with new and brightly coloured public toilets installed and open for use.   

Official results for Kaipara District Council are now available.  

The preliminary results for Kaipara are now available.

The progress results for Kaipara are now available.

In September, we kicked off pre-seals in preparation for the upcoming re-seal programme.

The adoption marks a significant step toward establishing a regionally controlled water services entity.

The roading team have completed 20 slips over the last nine months. Pahi Road (pictured) is well underway.

We have some major works happening on roads around the district this month.

The Government has established a new council performance measurement framework to give communities greater visibility of the performance of their local council. 

Kaipara District Council has adopted a new document that explains local government legal obligations to Māori.

A total of 32 candidates are confirmed for Kaipara District Council’s local elections on 11 October.

The council controlled organisation will deliver drinking water and wastewater services from July 2027.

Complaints about wandering dogs fell by 65% and dog attacks are also down 43% over the same period.

More than $33,000 has been allocated through the Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund and Creative Communities Scheme – Arts Funding.

The Report offers residents an overview of the challenges, opportunities, and priorities facing the district ahead of the local elections.

Nominations for candidates seeking election to the Kaipara District Council open Friday, 4 July.

The platform is designed as a central hub, positioning the district as an ideal place to visit, live, work, and invest.

Exceptional individuals and organisations have been honoured at the Citizens and Environmental Awards

Whangarei, Kaipara and Far North district councils have agreed to establish a Northland-wide council-controlled organisation (CCO) to deliver drinking water and wastewater services from July 2027.  

Did you know that a whopping 55% of journeys take place on just 16% of the KDC road network?

Council has adopted new Fees and Charges for the 2025/2026 year at its May meeting.

Kaipara District Council has reviewed its Development Contributions Policy and is seeking feedback on the proposed changes.

Update Friday 18 April, 8:57am

Two of Northland’s most iconic campgrounds at Kai Iwi Lakes could be under new management in 2025 if Kaipara District Council’s Request for Expressions of Interest bears fruit.

Kaipara District Council has secured new managers for Glinks Gully and Kellys Bay campgrounds ahead of the next summer season.

Taharoa Domain campgrounds may be under new management this summer after Kaipara District Council Elected Members agreed to seek Expressions of Interest for its operation.  

State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills is now closed for crucial recovery works. Detour routes through the Kaipara district are open and operating.

A nationwide campaign to promote Northland during the Brynderwyn Hills closure is just kicking off and will run throughout the period of the closure.

New facilities are on the cards for Pine Beach campground at Taharoa Domain. 

Please note: as of August 2024 the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association manages both Glinks Gully and Kellys Bay recreation reserves.

Freedom camping at these sites is prohibited. Further info and booking is available on the NZMCA website at Pouto Camping - Glinks Gully & Kellys Bay

Education and monitoring will be the main focus to stop freshwater gold clams from establishing in Kaipara District’s Taharoa Domain and Kai Iwi Lakes.  

Sand, surf and sun are the stuff of classic Kiwi holidays and many memories have been made at beach campgrounds.

That beach lifestyle could be yours.

Upgrading the Taharoa Domain day visitor toilet facilities, improving drainage in Mangawhai Community Park, and completing the award-winning Baylys Beach boardwalk are all on the cards for Kaipara District Council’s (KDC) work programme thanks to a cash injection from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF).

With daylight savings upon us and sunny hours on the up across Te Tai Tokerau, visitors are also on the increase at Kai Iwi Lakes, Taharoa Domain.

The rainy weather persisted through July, resulting in 949 new pothole reports. To tackle the pothole issue, we introduced an additional pothole truck to speed up repairs.

February’s extreme weather events have impacted roads across Kaipara. Our roading network has suffered significant long-lasting damage, and many issues will not be a simple fix. 

Council has pressed pause on any changes to Kaipara’s waste and recycling services while a new waste strategy from central Government is assessed.

After February's extreme weather events, you or someone you know, may be feeling upset, exhausted, overwhelmed or uncertain. You don’t have to manage this on your own, there are free resources available to support you during this time.

A number of our staff have been diverted to emergency services relating to Cyclone Gabrielle. Council services will continue but some with limited capacity so please be patient. We will continue to keep you updated.

This article with be updated as information on Kaipara's roading network is available. 

Kaipara communities will soon see officers regularly patrolling freedom camping hot spots, offering education and increasing awareness of proposed new national freedom camping rules.

Kaipara’s population is expected to explode during the summer break, with people enjoying the district’s beaches, lakes, and vibrant communities. 

Security improvements at Taharoa Domain are now complete, enhancing the safety of campers, day trippers and Domain staff. 

Summer holidays are fast approaching! During this time critical Council services continue, with some changes due to staff availability.

Consultation is now open on a proposal for new speed limits in Kaipara’s Poutō Peninsula and West Coast catchment areas. You now have until Monday 5 December to give your feedback.

You can soon give your feedback on proposed speed limits changes to Poutō Peninsula and West Coast roads. 

A new fees structure for Taharoa Domain was confirmed at Kaipara’s August Council Meeting.

The fungal disease Myrtle Rust has been discovered within the boundaries of the Taharoa Domain.

The Kaipara Kai Hub team have been in the news a lot recently with all their peanut trial mahi!

A friendly reminder to take only photos and leave only footprints at the Taharoa Domain when exploring the wonderful jewel of Kaipara.