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

Each rateable property within the drainage district is eligible to vote

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.

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.

A temporary health warning is in place for Kaiwaka and Otamatea rivers and the Kaipara Harbour by the Tinopai wharf after this week’s rains caused a wastewater spill from the Kaiwaka Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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.

If you pay your council bills online, things will look a little different, don’t worry - it’s all part of the upgrade.

A major upgrade has been completed on a Ruawai stopbank.

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. 

Elected members have agreed to undertake further community consultation regarding a potential move to base its general rates on capital value.

At the February council meeting, elected members approved up to $1.2 million in additional funds for the Mangawhai pensioner housing upgrade, to be drawn from depreciation reserves.

Council kaimahi (staff) and elected members will be at the Field Days.

Two stormwater projects improving drainage and reducing future flood risks have recently been completed in Mangawhai. 

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.

The report was unanimously adopted by elected members in the 27 November meeting.

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

We’re asking for feedback from residents and ratepayers on a number of changes to our Revenue and Financing Policy.

A joint paper on the suite of upgrades for the Mangawhai wastewater treatment plant has won the prestigious Paper of the Year award at the Water NZ conference.

Kaipara District Council is asking for feedback from residents and ratepayers on changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy.

Kaipara District Council is reviewing its Revenue and Financing Policy and will soon be consulting with residents and ratepayers on the proposed changes.

Dog-related complaints to Kaipara District Council (KDC) have increased by 13 percent over the last year, according to the annual Animal Management Report presented to Council last week.

The relationship agreements Kaipara District Council holds with Te Roroa and Te Uri o Hau were terminated by the Council at its September meeting, with a view to start afresh with new agreements.

A suite of recovery and resilience projects underway in Kaipara District is set to benefit from more than half a million dollars in central government funds.

Kaipara District Council has formally adopted its Long Term Plan (LTP) for the next three years, in a council meeting held at Tangiteroria Sports Complex on 31 July 2024.

Kaipara District Council has resolved to disestablish its Māori ward, Te Moananui o Kaipara, in an extraordinary council meeting held 7 August.

Kaipara District Council and the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service have agreed a way forward to kickstart remediation and repair of the slip and surf club building.

A new group of roading services contractors has been put in place to deliver road maintenance for Kaipara District Council. 

Council has approved a procurement plan to appoint a contractor for the Dargaville Town Hall Project. Keen contractors will soon be able to register Expressions of Interest.

Kaipara District Council is not progressing any further investigations into a waste to energy plant in the district, concluding at their June meeting that it would be the responsibility of the private sector.

A decision to adopt the recommendations of a Hearing Panel by Elected Members of Kaipara District Council moves Private Plan Change 83 (Cove Road North Precinct) a step closer.

Additional adjustments to budgets for the Long Term Plan 2024–2027 have further smoothed the projected rates impact to an estimated 8.9% for each of the three years.

A new delivery model for transportation services and roading construction across Northland has been confirmed following decisions made by Far North, Kaipara, and Whangarei District and Northland Regional Councils.

Kaipara District Council activated their Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) as a precautionary measure yesterday, after a Transpower tower fell near Glorit and blanket power cuts rolled across most of Northland, with no initial confirmation of when they could end.

Earlier projections of a 15.1 percent average rates increase for 2024/2025 have dropped following Kaipara District Council Long Term Plan (LTP) deliberations.

Rates for 2024/2025 rating year are on track to be confirmed one month later than usual at the end of July.

Stage one of a plan to expand Mangawhai’s wastewater capacity is complete, and stage two is well underway, catering for projected community growth to at least 2030. 

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.

Council adopted new Fees and Charges for the coming 2024-2025 year at the May Council Meeting. 

New toilets are on the way for Baylys Beach, to provide safe and accessible facilities for the community and visitors. 

Long term plan hearings this week have given community members an opportunity to get up front and face to face with Kaipara District Council elected members.

Consultation for the Kaipara District Council Long Term Plan 2024 – 2027 closed Saturday 4 May.

Commemorative ceremonies took place across Kaipara District on Wednesday in observance of ANZAC day.

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

Proceeds from sale of a house in Ruawai are to be used to reduce debt after elected members rescinded a decision they made in December to use the money for capital projects within the Raupo drainage scheme. 

Kaipara District Council elected members adopted the Long Term Plan 2024 – 2027 consultation document in the council meeting on Wednesday, kickstarting the feedback period opening today.

Kaipara District Council is asking the community for feedback on proposed fees and charges for the coming 2024/2025 year. 

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.

Our Planners will be on hand to answer your questions general questions about development or subdividing, or talk to your Elected Members about what’s important to you.

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

Look out for the new Rating Valuation for your property in the mail.  

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.

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

Replacement of Dargaville’s Northern Wairoa War Memorial Hall Annex after its demolished is to get a hurry-along with an Elected Member working group established to give the project more focus.

A motion moved by Kaipara District Council Mayor Jepson has paused the Ruawai Adaptive Pathways programme until the public has had their say through the next Long Term Plan consultation.

We have now finalised the design for Wood Street. A huge thanks to everyone who has been involved over the years and through the design trials to get to this permanent design.

Designs for two community hubs will proceed as originally planned after a motion agreed by Council to reallocate the funding did not receive iwi support.

Over the next two weekends, Kaipara District Council Elected Members and Council staff will be out and about attending markets around the district.

Kaipara District Council Elected Members supported a motion by Mayor Craig Jepson regarding the Ruawai Adaptive Pathways pilot programme.

Kaipara District Council has adopted their Annual Report for 2022/2023. The report was unanimously adopted in the 25 October meeting.

Elected Members agreed to commence the first two stages of a multi-year project to increase the capacity of the Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme.

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

A recent decision by Kaipara District Council has given Fagan Place community housing tenants assurance on a way forward for new warm, dry, modern and healthy homes. 

Kaipara is set to benefit from $2.6 million recently announced by the Government to boost resilience and reduce the risk of major flood damage.

A Notice of Motion put forward by Deputy Mayor Jonathan Larsen to discontinue Kaipara District Council’s climate policy and cancel its emission accounting contract was approved at the September Council meeting.

A new working party, made up of elected members, Kaipara District Council (KDC) staff and input from external expert advice has been appointed to work on the new Engineering Standards for the district.

A shortened Long Term Plan with a focus on recovery was approved by Kaipara District Council earlier this week.

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).

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.  

Kaipara District Council Elected Members have adopted the Annual Plan 2023-2024, with an average rates rise of 4.96 percent (excluding water charges).

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

Over the next month, Elected Members and Council staff are attending community markets around Kaipara District.

At the April Council meeting Kaipara District Council staff presented the latest financial statements for the draft Annual Plan 2023/2024, alongside a projected rates increase averaging 4.98 percent across the district.

A healthy environment, prosperous economy and dependable roading are included in the community outcomes Kaipara District Council has set for the next few years.

The Dargaville Town Hall will be closed from Monday 24 April in the interest of public safety following damage sustained during Cyclone Gabrielle.

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.  

Kaipara District Council is asking the community for feedback on proposed fees and charges for the 2023/2024 year.

Kaipara District Council has confirmed the governance membership for the Harding Park Committee, and appointments to the Pou Tu o Te Rangi Joint Management Committee.

Mayor Craig Jepson has announced that Jason Marris will be the next Chief Executive for Kaipara District Council.

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.

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

A precautionary state of emergency has been declared for Northland as at 4.30pm Sunday 12 February, for an initial period of seven days, as part of the regional response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Kaipara District Council is asking residents to mow their own roadside berms to keep Kaipara neighbourhoods tidy. 

Look after your loo and Kaipara's wastewater network this summer by reminding your household members and visitors what not to flush.

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.

Opening of Meetings

There have been many reports in the mainstream media and social media that show a misunderstanding of the legal obligations of the Kaipara District Council and its elected members in respect of this issue.

An open and frank discussion took place today (7 December) between the Mayor of Kaipara District and the eight Councillors present.

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

Kaipara District Council’s committee structure, the committee membership and chairs, and the external appointments for the new triennium have been confirmed. 

The newly elected mayor and councillors of Kaipara District were officially sworn into office in Dargaville at 1pm on Wednesday 26 October.

Kaipara’s newly elected Council will be sworn in at 1pm on Wednesday 26 October at the Lighthouse Function Centre, Pou Tu o Te Rangi Harding Park.   

Kaipara District Council has adopted their Annual Report for 2021/2022. The report was unanimously adopted in the September meeting, the last meeting of the term for the current Council.

Kaipara District Council staff are asking Mangawhai house owners and residents on the wastewater system to flush water through their drains, toilets and showers and prevent gases from backing up into their homes.

Following the recent announcement that current Chief Executive Louise Miller will be stepping down, Kaipara District Council has appointed Jason Marris as interim Chief Executive, while an external recruitment firm undertakes the search for a permanent appointment.

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

A Mangawhai Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Group (MAG) is helping to guide a future strategy for the growing town’s wastewater disposal.

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

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.

Last week saw the first of the pre-cast concrete slabs for Mangawhai’s new wastewater balance tank carefully craned into place.

Kaipara District Council has released its Pre-Election Report for 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.

Louise Miller, has advised today that she will step down from her role as Chief Executive of Kaipara District Council on 28 October, after the new Council is sworn in.

Kaipara District Council Elected Members have unanimously adopted the Annual Plan 2022-2023, with an average general rates rise of 4.86 percent (excluding water charges, and allowing for 1 percent growth).

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

In the bowels of Kaipara’s wastewater networks, rag monsters and fatbergs are causing havoc and costing ratepayers' money.

New Fees and Charges for the coming 2022-2023 year were adopted at the May Council meeting.

Work to improve the wastewater network in Kaiwaka is scheduled to begin on 23 May 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.

Projects to install new toilets in Mangawhai and Maungaturoto reached milestones recently, as the new facilities were delivered to their sites.

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

Works to improve the sewer pipe network in Dargaville is scheduled to begin on 19 April 2022.  

The Environment Court has given the green light to Mangawhai Central’s Private Plan Change 78 (PPC 78) to the Kaipara District Plan.

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.

The Council is about to start constructing a balance tank, to increase the capacity of the Mangawhai Community Wastewater Scheme.

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

Representatives of the Pahi community met with Council at the wharf last week to work out where a new toilet block could go.

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.

Iwi Liaison Manager Jack Rudolph and Māori Advisor Missy Hokai joined the Council on 1 November, to strengthen a Te Ao Māori capability and viewpoint across the organisation.

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

A tomo (sinkhole) recently appeared on Gordon Street in Dargaville.

After considering submissions, Kaipara district elected members today confirmed a proposal for council’s representation arrangements ahead of the 2022/2025 local body elections.

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

As part of our Long Term Plan, we undertook to explore options to expand the capacity of the Mangawhai Wastewater Scheme to accommodate growth in the area and summer peak flows.

Findings of the latest LittaTrap audit found an increase of rubbish captured. LittaTraps (a simple, cost-effective net that sits inside a stormwater grate) have been installed around Northland through a multi-agency initiative.

Earlier this month an extreme rain event at Baylys Beach, followed by periods of further wet weather, saw significant damage inflicted on the beach access.

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.

Kaipara District Council adopted its Annual Report for 2020/201 at the September meeting, showcasing a year of challenges amidst lockdowns, boundary closures and forthcoming significant change.

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’.

Kaipara District Council has welcomed Philip Jones as the independent chair of their Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

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 (KDC) began consultation today on a proposed model of representation.

A reminder to Have Your Say on our Discussion Documents, and some changes to our plans because of COVID-19.

At the time of writing, we have just entered our first Level 4 lockdown since March of last year.

Council has decided to make a stand by voting to oppose the recently granted Dome Valley Landfill resource consent, at the June council meeting.

Kaipara District Council voted to become a shareholder of Northland Inc. at their meeting on 26 May.

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. 

Announcing the appointment of Geoff Copstick as the independent chair of Kaipara District Council’s Audit, Risk & Finance subcommittee, replacing Stana Pezic who finished up in December after 3 years as independent chair.

New Fees and Charges for the coming 2021-2022 year were adopted at the May Council meeting.

We are stoked to be part of an excellent collaborative project, trapping and assessing rubbish before it finds its way into our waterways and out to sea.

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

Every year the Council surveys residents to see how we are tracking. 

Some of the works happening around the District. 

Kaipara District Council has accepted the recommendation from the Hearings Panel to approve Private Plan Change 78. 

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. 

The Council will be reviewing its representation arrangements later this year and is calling for community feedback now before formulating any specific proposals.

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

Kaipara District Council has begun a review of local electoral boundaries to ensure our rapid growth is reflected in our elected representation and to accommodate a new Māori ward.

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.

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.

Look out for the new Government Valuation for your property in the mail from 04 February.

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. 

Some Council services and offices will be closed over December/January.

The Private Plan Change is currently adjourned at the direction of the commissioners. 

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 has voted to establish a new Māori ward to improve opportunities for Māori to contribute to local Government decision-making. 

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.

Business and community groups affected by Covid-19 lockdown are benefitting from support offered by Kaipara District Council.

The newly elected mayor and councillors of Kaipara District were officially sworn into office in Dargaville at 1pm on Wednesday 26 October.