Every drop counts: understanding the water supply in Kaipara

Better roads, thriving communities and a strong local economy are at the heart of the council's vision for the next decade.

Northland councils have acknowledged the Government’s announcement yesterday to defer decisions on council amalgamation proposals.

Public art is bringing community spaces to life.

Kaipara water supplies meet all standards.

Kaipara residents are being encouraged to prepare early for a dry summer. 

Our regular update on roading maintenance activities across Kaipara District.

Eleven exceptional Kaipara citizens have been recognised for their dedication and service to the community at the 2026 Citizens Awards.

A three unitary authority model for Northland has been put forward by Kaipara District Council as an alternative approach for local government reform.

An outline proposal for the future of Northland's local government has been submitted to the Government. 

Council will submit an alternative to central government ahead of the 9 August deadline.

Kaiwaka’s wastewater treatment plant is now using innovative New Zealand-developed technology. 

The Northland Elected Member Steering Group met this week and agreed to recommend a proposal for the future of local government in the region to Whangarei District Council, Far North District Council and Northland Regional Council.

Safer, more resilient roads are now in place across Kaipara as the district's largest-ever slip repair programme nears completion.

Pipes that help deliver drinking water to homes and businesses across Dargaville are getting a major upgrade.

Every summer, thousands of people make memories at Kai Iwi Lakes – swimming, camping and enjoying one of Northland's most spectacular natural destinations. Behind the scenes, a dedicated campground manager helps make that experience possible.

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.

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.

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.

District councillors from Far North, Whangārei and Kaipara have approved key governance and transfer agreements, marking a significant milestone as the Northland Waters establishment programme moves into its next phase.  

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 establishing a new working group to actively advocate for the health and functionality of Mangawhai Harbour and its tributaries.

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. 

Major upgrades on two of the district’s floodgates have been completed recently, strengthening the resilience of our local waterways and reducing flood risk for nearby homes, farmland, and roads.

Council’s planned programme of water infrastructure renewals rolls on this month, with $3.6 million of new watermains for Dargaville and Maungatūroto.

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. 

An Establishment Advisory Group has been appointed to serve as an interim advisory for Northland's new water organisation.

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. 

UPDATE 9pm: The repair has been completed and we've got water flowing into the treatment plant.

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.

Regional leadership confirmed for the establishment of Northland’s new water organisation.

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.

Northland’s three district councils are making progress in the establishment of a new council controlled water organisation.

A partnership agreement between Kaipara District Council and the Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust (the Trust) delivering a major infrastructure package for Dargaville and the Northern Wairoa Agricultural Delta has been signed.

We understand how important safe, clean drinking water is to our communities in Kaipara. That’s why we want to reassure you that the water we supply is and always has been safe to drink.

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.

Two major improvement projects wrapped up this month will futureproof the Maungatūroto water supply for years to come.

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.  

Dargaville residents were asked to urgently conserve water ahead of the Kings Birthday weekend, when reservoir levels started to drop due to a break along the town's raw water pipeline. The event prompted emergency repairs for this first and three subsequent leaks, round the clock water deliveries from Kaipara and neighbouring districts and a coordinated response.

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.

Success! The last houses around upper Hokianga Road are now getting water, thanks to the dedicated work of the crews to get the booster pumps on Sunday.

Kaipara District Council has completed its deliberations on the future delivery model for water services.

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

Kaipara District Council has lifted water restrictions for Baylys Beach and Dargaville properties on town water supply.

The announcement of a boost for water projects in Northland will provide a resilient water supply for Dargaville’s future generations. 

The community of Kaipara will soon be asked for feedback on a way forward for the district’s water services.

Dargaville and Baylys Beach residents have taken the level 4 water restrictions in their stride with daily water usage decreasing further.

Those on town supply in Baylys Beach and Dargaville are now in level 4 water restrictions – essential use only. Water can only be used for drinking, cooking, washing clothes and showering. 

Lower than expected rainfall and extremely low river flows are edging Kaipara District closer to drought conditions.

Council is asking residents in Dargaville and Baylys Beach to reduce their water use immediately to protect the water supply.

Residents in Baylys Beach and Dargaville on town water supply are asked to conserve water use as we enter level 2 water restrictions.

A major upgrade to the Raupō drainage system to protect highly productive fertile land has made significant progress.

More than $3.2million of external funding will be redirected into Kaipara District’s waters infrastructure budget after Council deciding to redirect existing uncommitted Better Off and Transition Support funding.

Water restrictions have been lifted for properties on town supply in Dargaville and Baylys Beach.

Dargaville and Baylys Beach residents have responded to the call to preserve water under Level 3 water restrictions.

Residents in Dargaville and Baylys Beach are urged to reduce water use after use has risen slightly since Level 3 water restrictions came into force on 12 February.

Water restrictions have been introduced for Dargaville and surrounds, with residents across the entire Kaipara district being urged to use the precious resource wisely.

Our district is buzzing with summer. Everywhere I go in Kaipara our communities and our many visitors can be seen making the most of these sunshine hours.

A number of infrastructure renewals and upgrades completed in recent years have strengthened water security in Kaipara.

Summer is on its way and it’s time to start preparing for a drought. Meteorologists are predicting a dry windy summer.

An update from Kaipara District Council and Northland Regional Council.

Work to improve the resilience of Maungaturoto’s water network is almost complete.  

What do you want to see on the water tank at Moir Street?

Works to further improve Maungaturoto’s water network kick off next week.

Late last month a warm Kaipara sun shone on a group of farmers and growers keen to hear about a season of growing squash in Maunganui Bluff, north of Dargaville.  

In the early hours of this morning Awakino River on the northern outskirts of Dargaville breached its banks. 

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.

Kaipara District Council has confirmed sunflowers and squash for the second growing season of the Kaipara Water demonstration sites.

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.

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.

Kaipara District Council’s operations and maintenance switches over to a new contractor next month.

Complex problems for councils seldom come as neatly packaged as the “Better Off” funding which is part of the Three Waters Reforms.

We are aware some Maungaturoto residents have recently experienced events of low pressure or in some instances disrupted water supply to their properties.

Harvesting is underway across the Kaipara Water demonstration sites. 

At a recent briefing Council staff presented the preliminary financial statements for the upcoming Annual Plan (2022-2023).

The Waiatua Dam (on Opanake Road) may be the solution to end the Dargaville and Baylys Beach water shortages, according to a preliminary investigation, commissioned by Kaipara District Council. 

The council is upgrading wastewater systems and is asking people to flush responsibly.

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.

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.

Work is progressing well on the raw watermain renewals in Maungaturoto.

Although recent rain has been welcomed by landowners, it is causing headaches for Kaipara District Council’s Raupo stopbank improvement project, in Ruawai.

Visitors to the Kaipara Water demonstration sites will spot the beginnings of green growth starting to peek through the soil.

Over the next few months, our team and contractors will replace approximately 3,000m of ageing raw watermain pipes.

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.

Considerations from Kaipara District about the Three Waters Reforms.

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.

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. 

Nine infrastructure renewal projects are being rolled out across Kaipara District this year. 

Some of the works happening around the District. 

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. 

Kaipara District Council has published a report about the outstanding historic debt and capacity of the Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme (MWWS). 

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.

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. 

‘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.

See the results from surveys and events we've undertaken recently as part of our Long Term Plan. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Kaipara District Council Elected Members opted in to the first part of a reform of the three waters system when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the end of August.