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- January 19, 2021
Ratepayer Newsletter - January 2021
‘Water’ will be a word to watch in 2021, as far as Kaipara District Council is concerned. To start with,
low river flows mean water restrictions are in place for our largest reticulated town supply to Dargaville
and Baylys Beach. Across the District, low household water tanks keep water carriers busy, delivering
drought-defying supplies one house at a time. Council has secured funding for a new tanker filling
station in Maungaturoto, to improve speed of delivery and increase efficiency of water carriers servicing
large parts of Kaipara District. The best tip for now is to conserve water, keep your gutterings clean and
to be water-wise through the summer. Expect to see dusty cars, one of the hallmarks of summer here.
Before Easter Council is expecting to be told what the central government proposals for Three Waters
Reform will mean for Kaipara District. This is about drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets,
three core parts of Council business. Far-reaching in scope and scale, early indications are that these
proposals will signal significant change ahead for ownership and management of these assets, and
therefore change for local government across New Zealand.
At the same time throughout February and March, public consultation will be taking place on the
proposed Kaipara District Council Long Term Plan 2021-2031. This is your chance to tell us how you would
like your rates spent over the next 10 years. Council has been advised by central government to proceed
with this key future planning document as if no changes to the Three Waters had been proposed. We are
getting on with business, planning now for the future needs of the community, including water.
Longer term prospects from dams of the Tai Tokerau Water Trust, proposed in the west of the district,
would mean large-scale water storage capacity, and a secure water supply, which Kaipara has never had
before. Alongside the Trust, Council through its Kaipara Kai and Kaipara Water projects, which includes
the Kaipara Kai Hub, has encouraged water use and horticulture irrigation systems. The first irrigator
in Kaipara District has been installed to help show new ways with water, and a trial is underway for
irrigation from small water supplies, the results of which will be applicable across Kaipara. Being water-wise for future horticulture and use of Kaipara’s great soils is important too.
The 30-year future vision for Kaipara District’s growth and development was adopted by Council
in December 2020, after months of consultation with the community. The Kaipara District Spatial
Plan 2050 – Ngā Wawata 2050 – Our Aspirations is the first time future growth expectations and
aspirations for Kaipara District have been brought together, charting a vision and a direction for every
community and settlement in the entire place. It will be a ‘living document’ – which means it is built
to be updated with future information such as climate change or sea level rise. It can be found at
www.kaipara.govt.nz/spatial.
Love them or loathe them, the gravel roads of Kaipara District remain a key feature of the place.
Remember this summer season to keep your following distances safe, keep your windows clean and
keep speeds down on loose gravel. Grading of the roads doesn’t start again until the autumn. Go safely,
and well in 2021.
Related stories
Out and about at Kaipara community markets
- May 10, 2023
Over the next month, Elected Members and Council staff are attending community markets around Kaipara District.
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Permanent upgrade of Wood Street to start next year
- May 08, 2023
Construction of the permanent upgrade for Wood Street will take place next year, after Council has signalled prioritising emergency works over planned projects for the upcoming Annual Plan 2023/2024.
Read moreKaipara District Council sets vision and community outcomes for Long Term Plan 2024/2034
- April 27, 2023
A healthy environment, prosperous economy and dependable roading are included in the community outcomes Kaipara District Council has set for the next few years.
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Message from Mayor Craig Jepson - Dargaville flooding
- February 14, 2023
In the early hours of this morning Awakino River on the northern outskirts of Dargaville breached its banks.
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- December 15, 2022
Summer is here and so are all our visitors. It’s the busiest time of the year for the Taharoa Domain, and we need you to help us look after this beautiful gem.
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Poutō wharf takes shape
- December 09, 2022
The construction of Poutō wharf has really been trucking along recently, with another dozen piles driven in the ground last week.
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- September 30, 2022
A first-ever Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy will provide a much-needed boost to the arts sector in Kaipara.
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Sunflowers and squash to brighten Kaipara Water demonstration sites
- September 15, 2022
Kaipara District Council has confirmed sunflowers and squash for the second growing season of the Kaipara Water demonstration sites.
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- September 02, 2022
The Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) Trust will soon start work on a new Flow Bowl and Street Skateboarding Plaza, following a grant from Kaipara District Council.
Read moreBetter off with funding for community hubs
- September 01, 2022
Two new community hubs move a step closer with Kaipara District Council opting to apply for the Three Waters Better Off Funding Package, provided by Central Government, to help fund them
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Blessing event heralds completion of first phase
- August 31, 2022
A blessing event carried out with Te Uri o Hau iwi representatives earlier this week signalled the completion of the first phase of the Mangawhai shared path works.
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Council improves system resilience
- August 23, 2022
The first part of a multi-phase project to manage Council’s water and wastewater asset network more efficiently and improve its resilience is complete.
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Mangawhai balance tank takes shape
- August 08, 2022
Last week saw the first of the pre-cast concrete slabs for Mangawhai’s new wastewater balance tank carefully craned into place.
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- August 02, 2022
If you are passionate about Ruawai and its future, the newly created Ruawai Adaptive Pathways Community Panel is looking for members just like you!
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Three waters explained
- July 20, 2022
Government sources estimate that between $120 and $185 billion dollars of investment in three waters (drinking water, waste water and storm water) infrastructure will be needed over the next 30 years to improve the quality of our drinking water and wastewater and stormwater management, across New Zealand.
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Planting pōhutukawa, nīkau along the shared path
- June 08, 2022
With the courtesy crossings for phase one now complete, the Mangawhai shared path team and contractors got the spades and mulch out and ticked off the planting, getting the final shrubs and trees in the ground last week.
Read more- May 25, 2022
Council staff brought the final draft of the Annual Plan to a briefing earlier this month, presenting recent financial statements alongside a rates increase averaging 4.86 percent.
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Balance tank build begins
- May 11, 2022
A new balance tank for Mangawhai's wastewater treatment plant is one step closer to completion, with the first pre-cast concrete slabs poured for the tank structure.
Read more- May 10, 2022
Kaipara District Council has voted unanimously to adopt a ten year library strategy, paving the way forward for an equitable, modern library service.
Read more
- March 18, 2022
We are aware some Maungaturoto residents have recently experienced events of low pressure or in some instances disrupted water supply to their properties.
Read moreHarvest begins across demonstration sites
- March 16, 2022
Harvesting is underway across the Kaipara Water demonstration sites.
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- March 07, 2022
At a recent Council meeting, staff gave an update on Gumdiggers Track and the work happening behind the scenes.
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Indicative general rates rise in line with Long Term Plan
- March 04, 2022
At a recent briefing Council staff presented the preliminary financial statements for the upcoming Annual Plan (2022-2023).
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Kaipara District Council unanimously approves way forward for a modern waste minimisation strategy
- February 24, 2022
Recent Council approval to extend existing waste management contracts ensures service continuity for the district, while staff prepare for the first phase of the overhaul of waste services.
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- February 11, 2022
The council is upgrading wastewater systems and is asking people to flush responsibly.
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Smart water use supports growth across diverse crops
- February 08, 2022
Growth is the word of the day when it comes to the Kaipara Water demonstration sites. The summer months have seen the former grassed paddocks turn into a jungle of green activity on both sites.
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- February 04, 2022
The Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has released the $3.5M needed to protect existing stopbanks against flooding, along the western side of Wairoa River between Dargaville and Te Kopuru.
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Two thirds of Maungaturoto raw watermain renewal work completed
- February 02, 2022
Work is progressing well on the raw watermain renewals in Maungaturoto.
Read more- January 28, 2022
Although recent rain has been welcomed by landowners, it is causing headaches for Kaipara District Council’s Raupo stopbank improvement project, in Ruawai.
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- January 26, 2022
Representatives of the Pahi community met with Council at the wharf last week to work out where a new toilet block could go.
Read more- December 15, 2021
A new balance tank and inlet works are to be installed at the Mangawhai wastewater treatment plant to expand the existing hydraulic capacity during the peak summer periods.
Read moreSeeds sown for Kaipara Water demonstration sites
- December 03, 2021
Visitors to the Kaipara Water demonstration sites will spot the beginnings of green growth starting to peek through the soil.
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Employment opportunities for Kaiwaka locals
- December 01, 2021
Work to install the Kaiwaka footbridges will start in early January and continue for around seven weeks. With it comes some great employment opportunities for local contractors.
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Work starting on Maungaturoto's raw watermain pipes
- October 22, 2021
Over the next few months, our team and contractors will replace approximately 3,000m of ageing raw watermain pipes.
Read moreBaylys Beach access closed while remediation works underway
- October 13, 2021
Earlier this month an extreme rain event at Baylys Beach, followed by periods of further wet weather, saw signifcant damage inflicted on the beach access.
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- October 06, 2021
If you’re connected to Council’s treated water supply system, your most recent water invoice may have shown an increase in the cost for your first cubic meter of water.
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Letter from KDC to Hon Nanaia Mahuta
- September 30, 2021
Considerations from Kaipara District about the Three Waters Reforms.
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- September 23, 2021
It’s ‘steady as she goes’ for Kaipara District Council after Deloitte reported their 2021-2031 Long Term Plan (LTP) provides a ‘reasonable basis for accountability to the community’.
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New Chair for Kaipara District Council Audit, Risk and Finance Committee
- September 23, 2021
Kaipara District Council has welcomed Philip Jones as the independent chair of their Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.
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- September 22, 2021
Ngā mihi mō au korero whakahoki!
Thank you for your feedback. We had a fantastic response to our recent survey asking for help to select one of the trial crops for Kaipara Water demo site two. The winner by community vote was kaanga ma.
Read more
- August 24, 2021
The Council has awarded the contract to design and build the two Kaiwaka footbridges to Bridge It NZ.
Read more
- July 09, 2021
Kaipara District Council voted to become a shareholder of Northland Inc. at their meeting on 26 May.
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Council responds to community submissions in Long Term Plan decisions
- June 30, 2021
Kaipara District Council today endorsed a future-focused Long Term Plan (LTP) which aims to respond to a growing population while caring for the environment and keeping rates increases low.
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Infrastructure renewal projects roll out across the District
- May 19, 2021
Nine infrastructure renewal projects are being rolled out across Kaipara District this year.
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- April 13, 2021
In the first few months of 2021 there’s been a trickle of new information which has led to a substantial update on the long-running story of the debt levels of Kaipara District Council’s Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme.
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- April 07, 2021
Kaipara District Council has published a report about the outstanding historic debt and capacity of the Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme (MWWS).
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New library for Mangawhai?
- February 24, 2021
The Council will be consulting on a proposal to secure land for a future new library in Mangawhai as part of their long-term planning. Towards a Better Kaipara, the Council’s Long Term Plan 2021-2031 will determine where the Council focuses over the next 10 years.
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Talk with Elected Members about future plans
- February 24, 2021
Kaipara District Council is consulting on their proposed plan for the next ten years and Elected Members will be on hand to talk about it and answer questions.
Read moreImproving civic facilities in Dargaville
- February 16, 2021
Kaipara District Council will soon be seeking feedback on their proposal to develop a revitalised Dargaville civic precinct as part of their Long Term Plan consultation.
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Plan to grow a better Kaipara shaping up
- February 10, 2021
Kaipara District Council has laid out its vision for the next decade of development in its Long Term Plan (LTP) and is asking the community if they agree.
Read more
Recycling crates reduce waste
- January 27, 2021
Kaipara has a poor track record for recycling. In summer 2020, a snapshot audit of rubbish bags found 860kgs of 3196kg could have been recycled. That’s 27% of the rubbish we send to landfill.
Read more
- January 25, 2021
If you're out and about around Lorne, Pirika, and Haimona Street, you may spot our team and contractors undertaking work on the Dargaville water mains.
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Long Term Plan Consultation
- January 13, 2021
We will soon be consulting on our Long Term Plan 2021 – 2031, which will guide where we focus over the next ten years.
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Long Term Plan 2021/2031 update
- December 02, 2020
See the results from surveys and events we've undertaken recently as part of our Long Term Plan.
Read more
Looking after the humble swale
- November 23, 2020
Have you ever looked at a verge or berm around your area and wondered why it has a dip in its centre? That subtle depression is doing an incredibly important job – it’s called a swale and they're an essential part of our stormwater services.
Read more
KickStart Water demonstration sites approved by Kaipara District Council
- November 18, 2020
Two proposed demonstration sites for the Kaipara Water project have been given the green light from Council, which will serve as real-life working examples of the best ways to irrigate high value horticultural crops.
Read more
- November 16, 2020
Ruawai Water treatment plant played host to a number of local school kids as part of the EnviroSchools Water for Life
programme last week. The programme is a Northland Regional Council initiative.

- November 04, 2020
The beautiful stretch of weather we’ve been enjoying is great for the beach, but not for water supplies. Being wise with water at the beginning of the season can ease the pressures later on. Let’s streeeeeeech the supply as far as we can.
Read more