Long Term Plan 2021/2031 update

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

Kaipara District Council has unanimously adopted its Annual Plan for 2025/2026, with an average rates rise of 8.3% after growth.

We’re looking for fresh talent to bring colour and creativity in the form of a mural for Jaycee Park toilets in Dargaville.

Join us for a Candidate Information Evening co-hosted by KDC and NRC

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.

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

A new targeted rate will be collected to support three of the district’s museums.

Significant strides have been made to repair hundreds of slips and restore the Kaipara roading network.

The dry season came to an abrupt end in April with the arrival of ex-tropical Cyclone Tam.

Progress update 16 May

Twenty-one people from across the globe were officially welcomed as New Zealand citizens on Monday 5 May.

The Mangawhai Heads Reserve Concept Plan has been officially adopted, setting a vision for the reserve's future development.

Come and have a kōrero (talk) over a cuppa and gain a better understanding of what being an elected member means for you and your community. 

The wheels on the Mangawhai free summer bus recorded 6,286 individual trips this summer – the biggest season yet.

Commemorative ceremonies took place around Kaipara District on Friday in observance of ANZAC day.

Replacement corridor for the Brynderwyn Hills section of State Highway 1, announced. 

Northland experienced an exceptionally dry March, which brought grading work across the district to a halt. 

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. 

Kaipara District Council will soon be asking the community for feedback on proposed fees and charges for the coming year

At the 26 March 2025 council meeting, elected members approved the Proposed Kaipara District Plan, paving the way for it to proceed to public notification in late April.

The Kauri Coast Community Pool will receive funding from Kaipara District Council for another year, while staff investigate ownership options for the future.

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

A dry February has put the brakes on unsealed road maintenance, shifting our focus to wet roll grades.

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

Just weeks after the last citizenship ceremony, another 24 people from across the globe proudly became New Zealanders.

Work is underway to seal sections of Devich Road, Settlement Road, Cames Road and Black Swamp Road. 

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.

Work across the 1126km unsealed network will pick back up in late March, having slowed down during the dry season. 

Further work on externally funded community hubs has paused following the council briefing.

Whakapirau, Paparoa, Ruawai, Arapohue, Maungatūroto are just a few of the places now home to 27 official New Zealand citizens.

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

The past few weeks have been tough for many in our community.

Over the weekend a team of Taskforce Kiwi deployed two field teams to support the Mangawhai tornado recovery.

The works include sealing the carpark and pathway connections, as well as a concrete ramp providing safe access to the beach, along with associated kerb and channel works.

The new year is here, and so is your chance to celebrate the amazing people who make Kaipara such a special place.

Council staff and elected members will be at Paparoa A&P Show on Saturday 1 February, 9am to 2pm.

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.

Pre-seal repairs progressed well in November, with 71% of sites finished.

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.

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

In October, Kaipara's roading team powered through 55% of necessary pre-seal works, in preparation for re-seals next year.

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

A new Master Plan for the Mangawhai Community Park will guide future use and development of the popular public space.

What does play look like for your whānau? Play Week Aotearoa is running from 26 October to 1 November.

Kaipara District Council has allocated over $50,000 through the Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund and Creative Communities Scheme – Arts Funding, benefiting 33 successful applicants in 2024.

Fourteen Kaipara residents marked a momentous occasion on Thursday 17 October, officially becoming New Zealand citizens in a special ceremony.

A draft Welcoming Plan for Kaipara is now open for community feedback until 1 November, 2024. 

Kaipara’s roading services were transferred to Downer Ltd on 1 July and the team have been busy recruiting, assessing the network and planning their works programme.

Kaipara District Council has awarded more than $480,000 to 32 local organisations through its 2024 Community Grant and Reserve Contributions Fund.

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

Shade sails are back up just in time for summer at parks across Kaipara! Every year, these sails are removed before winter for cleaning, maintenance, and storage, ensuring they’re in top shape for the warmer months.

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 new strategy developed by Northland’s four local authorities looks to improve accessibility across the region, which has the country’s second highest rate of disabilities and impairments.

It’s Welcoming Week, an opportunity to make our communities more welcoming to all those who choose to call Aotearoa New Zealand home.

It’s official – starting Tuesday 20 August Mangawhai Library will provide the same professional, modern standard of services as the Dargaville Library.

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.

Our roading team and contractors are carrying out slip repair work on Paparoa-Oakleigh Road (near Wairere Road), Mon 29 July to Fri 2 August.

It’s kick off time for the new loos at Pahi!

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

We made the most of June’s relatively dry weather, carrying out culvert placements and water tabling across the district.

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.

Kaipara District Council and Whangarei District Council are developing a joint panel of contractors to complete the remaining emergency recovery repairs, helping to save money and time for both councils.

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.

From 1 July Molesworth Drive southbound traffic will be diverted around Moir Point Road/Seabreeze Road for approximately three weeks.

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.

Close to 100 people came together at the southern tip of the Pouto Peninsula to celebrate the opening of a new wharf in Kaipara.

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

Teams are in full swing across both unsealed and sealed networks, preparing for the upcoming winter 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.  

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

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. 

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.

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.

Kaipara District Council staff are calling on the community to support them to promote respect and inclusion this Pink Shirt Day – and beyond. 

Molesworth Drive has been a hive of activity, with crew working on the third phase of the shared path spread across different zones.

Roading teams made the most of April’s dry weather, resurfacing 129,042m2 across the network and carrying out culvert replacements and water tabling.

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

Kaipara District Council contractors Ventia have completed another significant road repair, this time in Maungaturoto.

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

Relatively dry weather in March enabled our roading team to push through our drainage maintenance and renewals.

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. 

A new online mapping tool developed by Northland’s three district councils shows the latest repair plans for the remaining slips still affecting district roads following severe weather events that hit the region during 2022-23.

We're ready to welcome visitors during the Easter break.  People from near and far will be enjoying Kaipara district's beaches, lakes and vibrant communities.

Kaipara District Council has gone to the open market for a new roading contractor as the current contract with Ventia comes to a close. 

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

Our team made the most of February’s mixed bag of weather.

Up to $10,000 is up for grabs in round one of Kaipara’s Rural Travel Fund for 2024. 

Kaipara District Council is grappling with compounding inflation and recovery costs.

Consultation for Kaipara District Council’s Long Term Plan 2024 – 2027 is scheduled for 4 April – 4 May 2024. In the lead up to the consultation period, Mayor Craig Jepson is encouraging everyone to get involved.

In 2023, we asked the community for feedback on the Master Plan for Mangawhai Community Park. The Mangawhai Community Park Governance Committee used that feedback to prepare a draft master plan.

Devich Road bridge will close again from next week while contractors carry out final repairs.

January saw our teams commence routine spraying rounds, pavement repairs are full steam ahead and preseals and reseals are underway across the district.

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

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.

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

Four Kaipara citizens have been recognised for their services to the community at the annual Kaipara Citizen’s Awards. 

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.

Two bridges in Tangiteroria will undergo essential works this year to improve safety and restore full vehicle access, resulting in temporary closures on Omana Road and Pukehuia Road.

Our roading teams worked hard throughout December to prepare our roads for a surge in traffic over the summer.

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

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has confirmed detour routes and dates ahead of the upcoming closure of State Highway 1 (SH1) Brynderwyn Hills for critical restoration work.

Hundreds of people descended on Taha Awa Riverside Gardens on Tuesday 6 February to mark Waitangi Day with music, cultural performances, activities, kai, and community vibes at Waitangi ki Kaipara.

Aerosol cans and aluminium foil or foil trays are no longer on the list for kerbside recycling collections in Kaipara district.

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

With the Brynderwyn closure fast approaching, we’ve been busy preparing detour routes for additional traffic.

Roading crews have made strong progress improving and stabilising the local alternative routes around the Brynderwyn Hills in anticipation of additional traffic due to the upcoming closure of SH1 Brynderwyn Hills. 

Visiting Kaipara’s hot spots this summer? Please park considerately or risk taking an infringement (fine) home with you. 

We are now into the final stretch of 2023 and are pushing hard to complete outstanding work before the end of the year.

An update on the Kaipara Cycle Network Connections project from Kaipara District Council Chief Executive, Jason Marris.

Are you a local food vendor, business owner, artist or creative? Come and be part of a community event to celebrate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi!

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

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

Despite the unexpected interruption from Cyclone Lola,October was a very productive month on roads across Kaipara.

Downer, our contractors, along with community volunteers (including Friends of Mangawhai Community Park) will be knocking back pest plants in Mangawhai Community Park.

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.

More than half of the 71 slips still impacting Kaipara roads in the wake of multiple severe weather events that hit Northland earlier this year should be repaired by the middle of next year.

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

Repairs on Devich Road bridge are set to start next week.

More than 250 Ripiro Beach visitors stopped to chat with representatives from Council, local authorities, and the community over Labour Weekend.

UPDATED: 9.30am Tuesday 31 October 2023.

Your chances of surviving a heart attack are improved by as much as 45% - 50% if a defibrillator (AED) is used within the first 3 – 5 minutes.

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.

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

We are only just on the other side of Winter and are already feeling the benefits of warmer and drier weather.

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. 

We’ve been working with Mangawhai Surf Club on temporary lifeguard facilities.

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.

The end of another winter gave us some much-needed sunshine and blue skies. Now with Spring upon us and the days getting longer, our focus moves to pavement works.

Twenty-one Kaipara residents were welcomed as new citizens at a ceremony in Dargaville. 

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.

Soon, Dargaville and Te Kopuru locals will see little libraries popping up around the community.

We received 320 submissions from the community on proposed connectivity improvements between residential Dargaville and the town centre.

Northland’s three District Council roading teams are gearing up for a major resurfacing and road repair programme in the hope wet weather is set to ease.

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

More than 900 voices from the east and west of Kaipara celebrated te reo Māori with waiata as the clock struck 12pm on Rāpare 14 o Hepetema (Thursday 14 September). 

The ‘Trifecta Development Area’ planned on the outskirts of Dargaville moved to the next phase after Kaipara District Council accepted the recommendations of the Hearings Panel on 30 August 2023.

A new collaborative project has arisen from the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, which aims to build Northland’s resilience to future adverse weather events by tackling the problem of fallen and at-risk trees.

Kaipara District Council is updating its draft Waste Minimisation and Management Plan (WMMP) and is asking the community for feedback.

If you’re driving along the beach, keep to the harder sand below the high tide mark.

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.

Council staff and contractors have been working on solutions to repair or replace Devich Road bridge, which was damaged in the 24 February extreme weather event.

Be a considerate neighbour and think about how your noise might affect those around you.

An update from Kaipara District Council and Northland Regional Council.

Work to repair a slip on Glinks Road is scheduled from mid-September to mid-December 2023. 

Tell us what you think about proposed connectivity improvements for Dargaville.

The unsealed network has remained a significant point of focus throughout this traditionally rainy month.

Please do your part to help make our communities safe and accessible by parking in the right spot when you’re out and about

From 1 July 2023, popular and new fiction books can be borrowed rent free through Kaipara Libraries.

The Kaipara District Mayoral Relief Fund gave out a total of $532,443.94 to residents and ratepayers in the Kaipara district.

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).

It’s been nearly six months since Cyclone Gabrielle, however we are still actively repairing damages and working through a substantial backlog.

Rubbish and recycling collection day is changing for some rural properties in Ruawai and Matakohe.

Kaipara District Council Parks and Open Spaces team manage six of the district’s cemeteries and recently funded community-led work to repair the gates to their former glory.

The need to focus on continuing urgent road repairs due to ongoing wet weather and storm damage is delaying some routine maintenance on Northland’s council-owned roading networks.

Friends and family of the late Sibyl Canning gathered at the Moir Street Reserve to plant a kowhai in memory of Sibyl and her contribution to Mangawhai.

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

Do you live in or love visiting Baylys Beach? Tell us what you think about a new playground for the settlement. 

Dargaville’s ANZAC Cinema is set to reopen on 1 July, in time for the start of the school holidays.

A huge shoutout to the Paparoa Cyclone Response Fundraiser Committee for their generous donation towards the Kaipara District Mayoral Relief Fund.

A new addition to Kaipara District library’s TUTU collection has arrived just in time for winter. The Home Energy Audit Toolkit (HEAT) helps assess energy efficiency and find ways to keep your home warmer, drier and cheaper to run.

This month, we have been primarily focused on clearing slips, performing tree and drainage works, and continuing with the unsealed rehabs program.

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

There are a number of roads impacted after heavy rainfall throughout the district on Tuesday 9 May 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.

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. 

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.

Staff will explore options for a waste to energy plant after Elected Members supported a Notice of Motion at today’s Council Meeting.

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.

Our roading team were kept busy all summer, responding to urgent roading issues following the extreme weather events we’ve had.

A number of agencies are offering support for those affected by February's extreme weather events.

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

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Information in this article is no longer current. Please see above for updated info. 

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

If you’re looking for some activities for your kiddies in the holidays there are exciting things happening at Kaipara Libraries for the April school holidays.

The demolition of the Dargaville Town Hall (Northern Wairoa War Memorial Hall) annex may be brought forward, after recent weather events caused further damage.

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.

The Mangawhai Surf Club and surrounding area remains off limits to the public due to a significant landslide behind the clubhouse.

With Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Road reopening this week we’ve extended the free drop-off for this weekend, 18 and 19 March at Hakaru refuse station.

The Ruawai Adaptive Pathways Community Panel is inviting the Ruawai community to help shape their planning by sharing local knowledge through an online survey or at a community drop-in session.  

If your home was damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle and you need support to find temporary accommodation, the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) can help you.

In a controlled opening, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will re-open SH1 at the Brynderwyn Hills for northbound vehicles only from 8am tomorrow morning (Wednesday 1 March).

Contractors working on the Lang’s Beach bridge on Cove Road have encountered further challenges, delaying the reopening of the bridge until Wednesday morning.

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.

Authorities in Northland are advising travellers to stay up-to-date and amend their plans if necessary as key local roads damaged in Friday’s heavy rain around Mangawhai and surrounding areas will remain closed until midweek and in some cases, longer.

Everyone has now left the overnight accommodation centres at Campbell Park Christian Camp, Moir Point Christian Camp and the community-led centre at St John's Hall in Kaiwaka.

UPDATED: 2.18PM Thursday 02 March 2023

Kaipara District continues to respond to the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Kaipara District Mayor Craig Jepson has established a Mayoral Relief Fund to help support those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

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 Kaipara homeowners have had their houses stickered in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Media release from Northland Civil Defence.

Yesterday I was able to witness first hand some of the hard work that has been happening across the district to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Our Rapid Response teams made good ground yesterday, conducting welfare checks on our isolated and hard-to-reach Kaipara communities, many of which are still without power.

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

After having no occupants overnight we have closed the Civil Defence Evacuation Centre at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church and relocated the team to other areas of the response.

UPDATED: 2.17PM Thursday 02 March 2023

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.

You now have until Friday 03 March to dispose of flood-damaged green waste and items free of charge at Dargaville and Hakaru transfer stations. Both transfer stations are operating normal hours during this time.  

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. 

It’s been a tough day, especially for parts of Dargaville, with Awakino River and some of Ruawai now being evacuated. By 7pm, high tide, we expect to have evacuated everyone from areas we think are vulnerable.

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.

Now that the weather conditions have improved and we have passed the last couple of high tides we feel it is safe for those who have been evacuated to return home.

This article will be updated with information on Kaipara District Council services during Cyclone Gabrielle. 

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. 

The recent weather events have caused a significant landslip behind the Mangawhai Heads Surf Club.

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.

Our team worked hard throughout December, preparing our roads for the expected influx of summer traffic. 

Improvements to the Poutō Point carpark area can progress in 2023 thanks to further funding from Kaipara District Council.

On the final stretch of 2022, the team have been pushing hard to complete outstanding work before the end of the year. Work continues on both the unsealed and sealed networks in anticipation of the summer rush and the expected increase in traffic. 

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.

Northland motorists are being asked to be patient this summer as the Northland Transportation Alliance battles relentless wet weather while attempting roading repairs.

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

The four councils in our region are working together on a plan to make our communities more accessible to live, work, play and visit.

The popular free Mangawhai bus service is back for summer!  

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.

The construction of Poutō wharf has really been trucking along recently, with another dozen piles driven in the ground last week.

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

Paparoa Village Green users can now picnic and play under brightly-coloured shade sails thanks to a collaborative effort between the Paparoa community and Kaipara District Council.

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

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is encouraging people in Dargaville to get on their bikes with a Transport Choice programme grant of approximately $8,000,000 to be provided to Kaipara District Council, announced on 4 December 2022.

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

The Ruawai Community Panel gathered for the second time this year to take a guided tour of the Raupo Drainage Scheme.

Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback on the Exposure Draft District Plan. A summary of the feedback received is now available to view.

Sea, sand, and Aotearoa New Zealand’s rarest bird were all on hand for the opening of Kaipara’s newest loos.

With the continued improvements in weather, we are now full swing into unsealed and sealed pavement works. We have approximately 50kms of road to reseal in the 2022/23 season.

Kaipara District Council staff are working to install vehicle barriers at the end of Raymond Bull Road to prevent vehicles driving through wetland habitat to the protected coastline.

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.

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

When you’re out and about this summer remember that all Council land and Council buildings are smokefree and Vapefree.

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.   

Our roading team made the most of the warmer, drier weather that came our way in September.

The preliminary results for Kaipara District Council elections are now available.

Progress results for Kaipara’s local government elections are now available.

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.

A first-ever Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy will provide a much-needed boost to the arts sector in Kaipara.

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

Dargaville Library will undergo a colourful makeover during the school holidays, thanks to local artist Micaela van den Berg. 

A new vision for Pou Tu o Te Rangi and Harding Park was confirmed this week, with the updated Reserve Management Plan adopted by Kaipara District Council.

Five Kaipara residents officially became New Zealanders at a Citizenship Ceremony held in Dargaville on Friday 16 September.

A chainsaw course for Dargaville High School students saw wattle and other pest plants removed from Old Mt Wesley cemetery.  

From today, voting packs for local elections begin rolling out to letterboxes across Kaipara.

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.

August brought a welcome reprieve from the wild weather and storm events of July. A total of 3,100 individual work items were completed throughout August.

An update on the Kaihu Valley Trail including fencing progress, funding and latest finds along the trail.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Wild, wet and windy weather kept crews busy in July. A total of 3,358 individual work items were completed throughout the month. 

Thirty candidates are confirmed for Kaipara District Council’s local elections on 8 October.

Candidate nominations for Kaipara District Council have now closed.

Kaipara District Council is considering purchasing land in Mangawhai for future use as public sporting and recreational facilities and wants to hear what the community thinks.

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

If you are passionate about Ruawai and its future, the newly created Ruawai Adaptive Pathways Community Panel is looking for members just like you!

Council staff are asking the Kaipara community to report any antisocial behaviour around public facilities after a recent run of vandalism.

Kaipara District Council has released its Pre-Election Report for 2022.

Kaipara District Council has approved the Exposure Draft District Plan for release, inviting the public to provide feedback. 

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.

Seven Kaipara residents have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the district’s citizens and environment at an award ceremony held in Dargaville. 

Around 30 people turned out to a meeting at the Lighthouse Function Centre in Dargaville to discuss the Draft Management Plan for Pou Tu o Te Rangi/Harding Park.

Maintenance activities have been widespread in June. During this typically wet period, there has been a focus on potholing, running metal and completing grading work.

Twenty-two community organisations have been awarded a share of $100,000.00 in the latest Kaipara District Council Community Grant.

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 Libraries will no longer charge fines on overdue items.

Visitors to Ruawai got a blast from the past at a four-day interactive expo that explored the landscape, people and traditions that have shaped the current community.

In May, we saw some great progress happening across the district. Sealed pavement rehabs are now complete, and the unsealed network has received the last of the PGF/IRG funding. 

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

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.

Artists, Sean Duffell and Thijs de Koning, spent three days at the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) in Mangawhai Community Park last week, adding a splash of colour and creativity to the space.  

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.

A new Reserve Management Plan has been drafted for Pou Tu o Te Rangi, Harding Park and Old Mount Wesley Cemetery, which overlook Dargaville and the Northern Wairoa River.

The Ruawai-Raupō community adaptation planning project is underway and the project team from Kaipara District Council is organising the first community event in Ruawai.

Amendments to Kaipara District’s Speed Limits Bylaw were unanimously passed at the May Council Meeting, resulting in new speed limits in the Mangawhai – Kaiwaka (including Hakaru) and Kaiwaka West (including Oneriri Road and Oruawharo Road) areas. 

Down the road from the mighty Tāne Mahuta, a road-carpet was rolled out and lights set to green as the newly sealed 1.5km stretch of Waipoua River Road was opened for traffic.

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.

Te Tai Tokerau councils celebrated a unique milestone in April after the adoption of New Zealand’s first region-wide climate adaptation strategy.

April’s relatively calm weather meant that Kaipara’s roading team could focus on jobs carrying over from previous months, and complete work on this year’s sealed pavement rehabs, unsealed heavy metal sites, and footpath kerb and channel renewals before the wet winter weather sets in.

Kaipara District Council has voted unanimously to adopt a ten year library strategy, paving the way forward for an equitable, modern library service.

Work is underway to implement new speed limits in the Mangawhai – Kaiwaka (including Hakaru) and Kaiwaka West (including Oneriri Road and Oruawharu Road) areas.

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

Check out the latest happenings on the Kaihu Valley Trail progress, including the discovery of some railway artefacts.

There was a real sense of Groundhog Day in March, following on from Cyclone Dovi in February when the district was hit with a significant rain event. For Kaipara’s roading team, it was all hands-on deck with the clean-up.

On Monday 28 March, Mangawhai Community Park’s new toilets were formally opened with a blessing at the Historic Village.

Kaipara District Council is extending a stern warning to people who are parking illegally around schools and making it unsafe for young children.

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 Council meeting, staff gave an update on Gumdiggers Track and the work happening behind the scenes.

Work to build two new footbridges in Kaiwaka is entering its final stages. The footbridges provide a safer link for pedestrians to cross the river, improving connectivity for the Kaiwaka community.

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

A small number of people parking badly at schools around the district are making the area unsafe and obstructing lines of sight for other drivers.

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. 

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.

Locals and visitors with their boogie boards, beach bags, skateboards and shopping bags piled on board the Mangawhai Village to Beach bus over summer, turning out in even greater numbers than previous years of the trial service.

At yesterday's Council meeting, the Kaipara District Council approved paying the forecasted $487,000 sealing project shortfall to complete Pouto Road Phase 1, from its retained earnings.

Kaipara roading teams have been putting their time to good use during the dry season, preparing for autumn when the damper conditions enable new road pavement to be properly compacted.

The truss is now up on the abutments at the north bridge, with physical construction of the boardwalk starting last week. 

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

Kaipara District Council’s recently approved new speed limits for the Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Hakaru areas, are expected to take effect within the next few months.

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.

The Northland Transportation Alliance’s (NTA) Unsealed Road Improvement Project remains on track to approved project milestones with 84.4 km’s of the network’s road pavement layering completed to date. 

Check it out! Our Mangawhai office now has a dedicated food scraps bin for the staff kitchen, thanks to Sustainable Kaipara and their Community Compost Collection Service.

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

Pouto Road phase one and Waipoua River Road will be completed in April, despite delays caused by wet weather in the Kaipara District post the Christmas break. 

Upgrades to numerous unsealed Northland roads are well underway, with a substantial amount of work to be completed by the end of June in the Kaipara District. 

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

The second season of road surfacing works commenced in the Kaipara District this month, after 14.4kms was completed in December 2021.

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