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Kia ora,
Fast-paced times for Kaipara District Council will be the flavour of the period ahead. Changes being put on us by Government are rolling and clear to see: the Three Waters Reforms are now a subject of open discussion, there is an exposure draft of the first part of the proposed replacement for the Resource Management Act, there’s a new focus on indigenous biodiversity and Significant Natural Areas (SNAs). I’ll repeat what I’ve said before – it’ll pay to keep up.
The Government’s Three Waters Reforms as proposed for Kaipara District are challenging and we have many questions that haven’t yet been answered by Government. We know these things:
- There is a proposed combined water entity for Kaipara District’s waters assets along with those of Auckland, Far North District and Whangarei District.
- Whangarei has provisionally opted-out of the reforms and Auckland Council is critical of the proposed governance arrangements.
- The information Government has released so far about Kaipara District is incorrect and calculations are unreliable. They’ve confirmed they won’t be correcting that information.
- Kaipara District Council would be voiceless in the proposed entity – the weight of numbers mean that assets of 1.5million Aucklanders swamp those of the 25,000 Kaiparitians. Loss of local voice resulting from these reforms is a big concern for the Kaipara.
- We await detailed information from Government about what would happen to waters-related debt of the Council, which may all be transferred with assets to the new entity.
- We also look forward to knowing what would happen to Kaipara’s 29 Drainage Districts including the Raupo Drainage District of Ruawai, the largest engineered stormwater network in Kaipara.
- There’s also a big question about whether we will be allowed to opt-out, as there are rumblings these reforms may be forced on us all.
In any case, we are looking forward to receiving better, robust Kaipara-specific information that can be relied upon for evidence-based decision-making.
Meanwhile, at pace we are reviewing our District Plan. We are doing it within an accelerated time frame and will be asking for community support to get it through. We must review our District Plan every 10 years and the current plan is due for review in 2023. At the same time, as mentioned above the Resource Management Act legislation is under review, and its three proposed parts may take some years to finalise. If KDC does not have an up-to-date District Plan when we transition, we may have to retain our out-of-date provisions during these changes, which will not produce good planning outcomes for our District or communities.
There’s no time to be lost here. We’re starting with a series of discussion documents asking for high level feedback from our communities about where our focus should be for the District Plan. Please keep an eye out for these and have your say as they’ll be important for keeping the local voice loud and clear. Go well as you go.
Ngā mihi
Mayor Jake
Dr Jason Smith, Mayor of Kaipara District
- September 23, 2024
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.
Read more- August 26, 2024
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.
Read more- July 22, 2024
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.
Read more- June 24, 2024
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.
Read more- May 20, 2024
I am the proud patron of The Daring Trophy. The trophy is awarded to children who each year achieve noteworthy restoration of a sailing craft.
Read more- March 26, 2024
First of all I want to acknowledge the deeply sad news that one of our Council roading contractors was fatally injured in an accident whilst working last week. My thoughts are with their family, their work colleagues, and their friends.
Read more- February 27, 2024
I have to say, February has been a bonanza of celebrations and I have been attending all I can.
Read more- February 09, 2024
Last Tuesday I attended celebrations at Waitangi. It is some years since I have attended and it was good to reconnect with the events of the day.
Read more- December 18, 2023
The end of the year is certainly a time for reflection, and I have been doing plenty of that as we approach the summer break. It’s been a huge year for the Council and for all of us here in Kaipara District.
Read more- November 20, 2023
It’s been fantastic to have so many locals engaging with Elected Members and Council staff at the recent market events. In the last month we’ve had stands at Mangawhai Tavern Market, Dargaville Community Market, and Maungaturoto Night Market. We also hosted a Dargaville Business Meet and Mingle in partnership with Dargaville Community Development Board.
Read more- October 10, 2023
This month I have been really enjoying this drier sunnier weather and the promise it’s bringing of a classic Northland summer. You can feel it in the air. Out and about, it’s been a month full of happenings.
Read more- September 04, 2023
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!
Read more- August 07, 2023
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).
Read more- July 11, 2023
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.
Read more- June 06, 2023
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.
Read more- May 09, 2023
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.
Read more- May 08, 2023
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
Read more- April 11, 2023
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.
Read more- March 14, 2023
There’s not much to say about the extreme weather events of last month that hasn’t already been said, so I’ll keep it short.
Read moreMessage from the Mayor - one step back, two steps forward
- February 27, 2023
I am not sure anyone would have believed me had I said we would have to contend with another extreme weather event during the on-going aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Read moreMessage from Mayor Craig Jepson: Starting recovery
- February 15, 2023
When you see the sun come out and the wind has dropped, it could be difficult to believe what we have experienced in the last few days.
Read moreMessage 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.
Read more- February 13, 2023
This is the second State of Emergency for Northland in two weeks. Again, as a precautionary measure, the State of Emergency was called early so we could be well prepared for Cyclone Gabrielle before it hits.
Read more- February 06, 2023
It’s been a wild ride with the weather, with rain, rain and more rain. Kaipara is still feeling effects from the Auckland Anniversary weekend weather event.
Read more- January 16, 2023
As I write this, bouts of wind and rain are lashing the district. The La Nina weather pattern is certainly delivering a wet summer.
Read more- December 20, 2022
It’s been a busy month as the new Council gets its feet under the table. In November we agreed on the committee structures for the next three years, many of which remain the same from the previous triennium.
Read more- November 08, 2022
This is my first message as your Mayor. It is very humbling to be asked to represent you all. It’s a deep responsibility that I take seriously.
Read more- September 27, 2022
What a journey it’s been since I was elected to serve the people of Kaipara in 2018. Thank you to everyone who supported my vision for this place.
Read more- September 13, 2022
The long shadow of debt for Kaipara District Council has been a defining characteristic of the last decade. As at 30 June 2012 Council had internal loans of $83.4 million with the Mangawhai Community Wastewater Scheme component of that internal debt at $58.5 million.
Read more- August 30, 2022
Trustworthiness is at the heart of Kaipara District Council, which aims to be “a trusted Council”. It’s been a long journey back from the edge of local democracy and the Kaipara Commission during which time there were appointed Commissioners rather than locally-elected Councillors and a Mayor.
Read more- August 16, 2022
Busy times in recent weeks marked by exceptional moments have kept me well-occupied.
Read more- August 02, 2022
Success has come for Kaipara District Council at the recent AGM of Local Government New Zealand where our remit to limit and better regulate vape stores was voted upon
Read more- July 19, 2022
Nominations are now open for the election process for Mayor and Councillors of the next Kaipara District Council. I am keen for Kaipara people to have many great candidates from whom to choose our next Council.
Read more- July 05, 2022
Big news in Kaipara is that Deputy Mayor Anna Curnow will not be seeking re-election at the upcoming Council elections.
Read more- June 21, 2022
Matariki marks the start of the new year on the Māori calendar, when the constellation of stars with that name appears in the sky and the new planting and growing season begins.
Read more- June 07, 2022
At the 25 May Kaipara District Council meeting the Exposure Draft of the Kaipara District Plan was discussed and a decision made to hold back on the official release and consultation of that “rule book” document.
Read more- May 09, 2022
Slashing next year’s rates by 2.27% looks to be on the cards for Kaipara District Council, following a Council Briefing last week where staff updated elected members on progress with the draft Annual Plan.
Read more- April 26, 2022
Complex problems for councils seldom come as neatly packaged as the “Better Off” funding which is part of the Three Waters Reforms.
Read more- April 11, 2022
Knocking off the big things as the season turns, daylight savings ends and the autumn equinox has passed, Kaipara District Council has just had confirmation the Mangawhai Central Private Plan Change has been resolved by all the concerned parties without the need for a costly Environment Court hearing.
Read more- March 28, 2022
Even lower expectations for KDC rates in the 2022-23 Annual Plan year, commencing 1 July, are now firmly on the cards as Council gets closer to its June finalisation of what will be in the Annual Plan.
Read more- March 14, 2022
Getting clear results is a good thing, but when they’re excellent as well as clear then that’s simply great!
Read more- February 22, 2022
Future-focused energies for the finish of February are helping set up Kaipara District Council for a busy time ahead.
Read more- February 15, 2022
Covid Omicron case numbers are increasing across New Zealand and in other parts of Northland but not in Kaipara District.
Read more- February 01, 2022
Two years ago last week the Government started its rollout of the first responses to the Covid-19 coronavirus. We’ve been living in a pandemic since then.
Read more- January 18, 2022
Standing at the gate of the year, as I look ahead I see a colourful year for Kaipara District Council.
Read more- December 21, 2021
Taking a moment to reflect on the positive things from the year that’s coming to its end soon is my best advice for right now. Well, it’s what’s helping me get through.
Read more- December 07, 2021
Resilience and taking some time to breath easily are important for us all in the busiest few weeks of the year, starting now.
Read more- November 30, 2021
As November turns into December the pace of things quickens around the Kaipara.
Read more- November 16, 2021
As already reported, Government has mandated the Three Waters Reforms and there’s no way to wriggle off the hook.
Read more- November 16, 2021
As already reported, Government has mandated the Three Waters Reforms and there’s no way to wriggle off the hook.
Read more- November 02, 2021
In a flash the Three Waters Reforms have gone from looking reasonable to being radical reform, with Mayors across the country panning the announcement by Minister Mahuta that Government will, after all, be compelling all Councils across New Zealand to surrender their drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets to be reorganised into mega-entities.
Read more- October 18, 2021
Congratulations to people in Kaipara District who’ve responded to the Kaipara Call To Arms and have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated in the last two weeks.
Read more- October 04, 2021
Local Councils across New Zealand have been heavily focused in recent weeks on the Government’s Three Waters Reform program and what it may mean for us all.
Read more- August 23, 2021
At the time of writing, we have just entered our first Level 4 lockdown since March of last year.
Read more- June 21, 2021
Keeping connected with friends and family is important for each of us, it’s part of what keeps us healthy, resilient and having an enjoyable life. Connections for small Kaipara District Council are likewise important.
Read more- May 25, 2021
Records have been tumbling at Kaipara District Council and I expect a new level has just been set for the longest single-day Council Meeting
Read more- April 26, 2021
Roads are the most significant part of the business of Council, and something about which locals are justifiably passionate.
Read more- March 22, 2021
A surprise season of tsunami sirens is upon us. A real evacuation-level alert, a false alarm and then a scheduled test all within one month – that’s a bit to get your head around! On 5 March there was a legitimate tsunami evacuation for communities of Mangawhai and Ruawai.
Read more- February 22, 2021
In the last month the COVID-19 pandemic has directly impacted Kaipara District twice – once with the 'Northland case' who visited tourism hotspots from Mangawhai to Matakohe and then with the 14/15 Feb checkpoint/boundary confusion which affected large numbers of Kaipara people and for a day effectively cut Kaipara District in half.
Read more- January 21, 2021
Happy new year greetings to you as we roar on further into the Twenties. Already it’s lining up to be a cracker of a year for Kaipara District Council, and our summer season is well underway.
Read more- September 17, 2020
“Kaipara’s getting hotter” is a perfect phrase for the season – winter is now over but, also, the attractiveness of Kaipara for new residents is reaching new levels of popularity.
Read more- July 15, 2020
The darkest part of winter is here and yet there is so much light in Kaipara District
Read more- May 22, 2020
High and dry times continue across Kaipara District, as the worst-in-70-years drought rolls on.
Read more- January 24, 2020
Parched soils, hot temperatures and dry days make it clear summer’s here in Kaipara.
Read more