Storm update from Mayor Jonathan Larsen

MetService New Zealand has lifted Northland's Red Heavy Rain Warning. 

The sealing season which commenced in October is well underway, with pre-seal repairs required to enable the 2025/2026 reseal programme progressing well. 

Communities across Kaipara are now home to 28 new official New Zealand citizens. 

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

As Mayor, it is my absolute privilege to welcome you to Kaipara this summer. Our district is a place of wide horizons, sparkling harbours and lakes, rolling countryside, vibrant communities, buzzing towns and stunning natural beauty. We are proud to share it with you.

Last month, civil defence-trained KDC staff joined a region-wide exercise, simulating a tsunami scenario.

Northland’s Mayoral Forum acknowledges central government plans for a major review of the way the nation’s local government is structured – but says any eventual outcome must have what is best for Taitokerau at its heart.

Firstly a sincere thank you for electing me as your new Mayor. I look forward to serving you over the next three years.

October kicked off sealing season with pre-seals completed on West Coast Road, Pouto Road, Baylys Coast Road and Colville Road, and reseals on Kai Iwi Lakes Road are underway.

Kaipara District’s new Council has officially taken office.

Over Labour Weekend, KDC staff were deployed to Invercargill. 

Join us as we welcome the newly elected Council for Kaipara at the official swearing-in ceremony and inaugural meeting. 

Aranga Beach is more ready than it’s ever been to welcome visitors this summer, with new and brightly coloured public toilets installed and open for use.   

Official results for Kaipara District Council are now available.  

The preliminary results for Kaipara are now available.

The progress results for Kaipara are now available.

The adoption marks a significant step toward establishing a regionally controlled water services entity.

The roading team have completed 20 slips over the last nine months. Pahi Road (pictured) is well underway.

We have some major works happening on roads around the district this month.

The Government has established a new council performance measurement framework to give communities greater visibility of the performance of their local council. 

Kaipara District Council has adopted a new document that explains local government legal obligations to Māori.

A total of 32 candidates are confirmed for Kaipara District Council’s local elections on 11 October.

The council controlled organisation will deliver drinking water and wastewater services from July 2027.

Complaints about wandering dogs fell by 65% and dog attacks are also down 43% over the same period.

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

There’s never a dull moment in our district. The past few weeks have been a testament to our community’s growth and resilience.

Whangarei, Kaipara and Far North district councils have agreed to establish a Northland-wide council-controlled organisation (CCO) to deliver drinking water and wastewater services from July 2027.  

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

Did you know that a whopping 55% of journeys take place on just 16% of the KDC road network?

Council has adopted new Fees and Charges for the 2025/2026 year at its May meeting.

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

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

Waters infrastructure is critical for our district’s health, economy, and environment. It has been front of mind with consultation closing at the start of this month on our options under Local Water Done Well - central government’s latest approach to tackling New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges.

Community members in Dargaville are being told to prepare for further surface flooding in the township over the next couple days. 

Shaping the future of our district is both an honour and a shared responsibility. Our young people demonstrate this in many inspiring ways, as I recently saw through Rotary’s Learn to Sail programme.

Update Friday 18 April, 8:57am

I read with disappointment news of dog attacks in Northland recently, including the dog vs persons attack closer to home in Hakaru. Communities should be able to move around in safety and without fear.

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has confirmed it will contribute up to $435,000 to Kaipara District Council towards clean-up costs from the Mangawhai tornado.

I had the opportunity to visit Tina Johnson a week or so ago in Middlemore Hospital. Tina was seriously injured during the Mangawhai tornado. 

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.

A team from New Zealand Red Cross was on the streets of Mangawhai on Thursday and Friday visiting residents affected by Sunday’s tornado.

Residents can drop off tornado-damaged waste free of charge at the Hakaru Transfer Station this weekend - 1 and 2 February

Contractors are removing building debris and tornado damaged items piled on berms in the most affected areas of Mangawhai, as the cleanup from the tornado event continues. 

It’s been a rough couple of days for many in the Mangawhai community, and some may only be starting to feel the emotional impacts of Sunday’s tornado event now.

Kaipara Civil Defence Emergency Management continues to respond to the impacts of the Mangawhai tornado.

On New Year’s Day I woke to the terrific news that Mangawhai local Richard Marshall Lovelace Bull was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to conservation and the community. I know that all of Kaipara will be tremendously proud that Richard has been acknowledged on such a prestigious national platform. 

December has landed with a bang.  

I am often asked about whether there is a disparity between what we spend in Dargaville and Mangawhai, our two largest towns in Kaipara. Earlier this month I met with a group of Dargaville business owners and we talked about that.

A key focus of conversations around the council table recently has been the review of our Revenue and Financing Policy. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

I have to say, February has been a bonanza of celebrations and I have been attending all I can.

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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

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.

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! 

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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. 

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.

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

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.

In the leadup to the reopening of the eastern Brynderwyns detour route (Kaiwaka/Mangawhai/Waipu), authorities have confirmed that restrictions will again apply to truck and trailer units.

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.

It’s a relief to see river levels dropping with the steady fine weather. There is still some flooding in areas around the Northern Wairoa, which we are still monitoring. We expect these to return to normal by Tuesday.

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.

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.

As I write this, bouts of wind and rain are lashing the district. The La Nina weather pattern is certainly delivering a wet summer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Busy times in recent weeks marked by exceptional moments have kept me well-occupied.

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

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.

Big news in Kaipara is that Deputy Mayor Anna Curnow will not be seeking re-election at the upcoming Council elections.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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. 

Getting clear results is a good thing, but when they’re excellent as well as clear then that’s simply great!

Future-focused energies for the finish of February are helping set up Kaipara District Council for a busy time ahead.

Covid Omicron case numbers are increasing across New Zealand and in other parts of Northland but not in Kaipara District.

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.

Standing at the gate of the year, as I look ahead I see a colourful year for Kaipara District Council.

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.

Resilience and taking some time to breath easily are important for us all in the busiest few weeks of the year, starting now.

As November turns into December the pace of things quickens around the Kaipara.

As already reported, Government has mandated the Three Waters Reforms and there’s no way to wriggle off the hook.

As already reported, Government has mandated the Three Waters Reforms and there’s no way to wriggle off the hook.

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.

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.

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.

Current Covid Rules around Kaipara District Council

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

Fast-paced times for Kaipara District Council will be the flavour of the period ahead.

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.

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

Roads are the most significant part of the business of Council, and something about which locals are justifiably passionate.

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. 

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.

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.

Summer is now upon us, and the days are warmer and longer.

Spring is fully here, the kowhai has bloomed, daffodils are done

“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.

Lockdown #2 is literally at the doorstep of Kaipara District right now

The darkest part of winter is here and yet there is so much light in Kaipara District

At hand we have a story of a halving, a doubling and a balancing. 

High and dry times continue across Kaipara District, as the worst-in-70-years drought rolls on.

Alert Level 4 has been extraordinary

Unprecedented events are unfolding around us.

Drought concerns are high on everyone’s minds.

Parched soils, hot temperatures and dry days make it clear summer’s here in Kaipara.