| Image | Title | Summary | Publish date |
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Rangitane boat ramp upgrade welcomed |
Final concept plans for a $3.7 million upgrade and expansion of maritime facilities at Rangitane on the Kerikeri Inlet have won the support of local hapū Ngāti Rēhia. |
20 Jan 2021 |
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Gearing up for new speed limits |
New speed limits are coming into force on 62 roads in the Far North in a drive to improve safety. |
20 Jan 2021 |
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Feedback sought on the future of Far North history |
The home of an exceptional collection of taonga Māori and the oldest European artefact in New Zealand – the De Surville anchor – is seeking feedback on plans to improve the way people experience the Far North’s unique history. |
26 Jan 2021 |
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Low rainfall means Level 3 water restrictions for Kaitaia |
Sustained dry weather over Christmas and New Year has seen flows in Kaitaia’s main water supply, the Awanui River, drop to worrying levels, prompting the Council to apply Level 3 water restrictions to the town. |
28 Jan 2021 |
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Dry weather prompts new water restrictions |
Ongoing high temperatures coupled with very little rain forecast over coming weeks have prompted the Council to apply new or increased water restrictions to four Far North communities. |
29 Jan 2021 |
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Creating great places |
By Mayor John Carter
Anyone who has read the newsletters the Far North District Council publishes will be familiar with our mission: Creating great places, supporting our people. |
17 Feb 2021 |
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Future proofing transport links |
By Mayor John Carter
Many of you will have seen the great progress Waka Kotahi NZ Transit Agency is making on roundabout projects now underway in the Far North. These significant engineering projects to reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety are now nearing completion at Kawakawa, Puketona Junction and Waipapa. |
18 Feb 2021 |
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Navigating our course together |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court
Next week we launch one of the most ambitious public consultations undertaken by this Council. Ambitious because of the number and range of topics we are seeking feedback on, and because of the way we will be consulting. |
25 Feb 2021 |
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A lot happening in Te Hiku |
By Mayor John Carter
We are seeing unprecedented levels of infrastructure investment in the far Far North. Much of this is through the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund and COVID-19 economic recovery funding, with funding input from the Far North District Council as well. |
04 Mar 2021 |
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Water restrictions lifted for some communities |
Far North District Council will lift summer restrictions on four water supplies, but conservation measures will remain in place for Kaitaia and parts of the Hokianga. |
05 Mar 2021 |
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Level 3 water restrictions reduced |
Remaining Level 3 water restrictions applied to the Council’s Kaitaia and Kawakawa-Moerewa supplies will be reduced to Level 2 from today. |
05 Mar 2021 |
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Council cash boost for community group |
A $63,614 infrastructure grant from the Far North District Council has helped fit out a purpose-built facility for a local community group. |
08 Mar 2021 |
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$8 million for wellbeing infrastructure in Kerikeri |
An $8 million investment in recreational amenities at Kerikeri will make the district a better place to live in and visit, the Far North District Council says. |
11 Mar 2021 |
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Challenges and opportunities |
By Mayor John Carter
Kia ora koutou Northland Age readers. I hope you and your whanau had a safe and enjoyable summer break and 2021 is a prosperous year for you. |
11 Mar 2021 |
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Lessons from the tsunami |
By Mayor John Carter
It is almost a week since tsunami sirens sounded last Friday. It followed an 8.1 magnitude earthquake near the Kermadec Islands about 1000km north of us. This was a big quake with a real chance that a tsunami was on its way. |
11 Mar 2021 |
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Boil water notice for Waipapa households and businesses |
A boil water notice is in place for Waipapa households and businesses connected to the Far North District Council’s Kerikeri Water Supply. |
12 Mar 2021 |
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Proven public sector leader to join Far North District Council |
A proven leader with 30 years’ public sector experience in central and local government is joining the Far North District Council’s Strategic Leadership Team. |
18 Mar 2021 |
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New supply opening for Te Hiku bulk water carriers |
Te Hiku bulk water carriers will soon fill-up from their own temporary water supply as the Council moves to reduce pressure on Kaitaia’s primary water source, the Awanui River. |
24 Mar 2021 |
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Council and hapū to work on Taipā wastewater solution |
Far North District Council will work with Ngāti Kahu hapū and community representatives to find the best upgrade option for Taipā wastewater treatment plant, the Environment Court has confirmed. |
25 Mar 2021 |
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Infrastructure wins and challenges |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court
Occam’s razor is the problem-solving principle that holds that the simplest explanation is usually the right one.
Following public consultation and detailed engineering, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Kaeo bridge project scope has increased in size and cost. |
25 Mar 2021 |
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New animal shelter to open mid-year |
A new $1.5 million northern area animal shelter being built near Kaitaia is due for completion by June and will be open by July. |
25 Mar 2021 |
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Community BBQ to unveil Kerikeri Domain plans |
Plans to revitalise Kerikeri Domain will be unveiled at an informal community meeting and BBQ at the domain on Saturday 20 February. |
26 Mar 2021 |
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Final results confirm new Council line-up |
Final election results released by Election Services have confirmed the new line-up of the Far North District Council. |
26 Mar 2021 |
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Cash for heritage, sport and conservation projects |
Heritage, sport and conservation fundraising projects in the Te Hiku Ward will collectively receive about $50,000 in grants, thanks to Te Hiku Community Board. |
01 Apr 2021 |
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Tackling the housing crisis |
By Mayor John Carter
For a growing number of our people, owning or renting an affordable home is now an almost impossible dream. This is not just a Far North problem; the whole country is in the grip of a housing crisis. This has seen the cost for buyers and renters spiral ever upwards. In just the past year, the median house price in Northland has climbed from $560,000 to over $660,000. |
01 Apr 2021 |
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A lot at stake in three waters reform |
By Mayor John Carter
Anyone who has been following the Government’s Three Waters Reform Programme will have worked out that this represents the biggest change to local government in New Zealand since the amalgamation of councils in 1989. Currently, 67 councils own and operate most of the nation’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. Providing these services has become a financial bu |
08 Apr 2021 |
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Courses a step closer following Rawene campus lease |
Community plans to reopen the former Northtec campus in Rawene can now proceed following the signing of a five-year lease agreement between Far North District Council and Te Puna O Kupenuku on behalf of Hokianga communities. |
09 Apr 2021 |
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Remembering the Duke |
By Mayor John Carter
Early next Sunday morning New Zealand time, the funeral for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will be held in the grounds of Windsor Castle. It will be a relatively low-key ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions and, according to reports, the Prince’s own wishes. |
15 Apr 2021 |
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Council launches ambitious consultation |
Far North District Council will visit at least a dozen communities and public events this month, part of a four-week consultation on a range of issues including rates, development rules, climate change and whether the current mix of Councillors and Community Boards best represent Far North communities. |
22 Apr 2021 |
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Library fines scrapped for children and teens |
Far North children and teens no longer need to worry about fines for holding onto library books beyond the due date. From 1 July, overdue fines for child and young adult library card holders are being scrapped. |
22 Apr 2021 |
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Domain projects get go-ahead |
Work on several improvements to Kerikeri Domain will begin in the New Year using funding allocated by the Government to promote COVID-19 Response and Recovery projects. |
22 Apr 2021 |
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Major change to rating Māori land |
By Mayor John Carter
Last week, new legislation that supports the development of Māori land came into force. We supported the objectives of the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill and welcome Parliament’s move to modernise laws that have remained largely unchanged since 1924. |
22 Apr 2021 |
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Bay of Islands consents guided by RMA rules |
The Council is listening to resident concerns about two separate developments proposed for the Bay of Islands, but says it is bound by Resource Management Act rules when it assesses resource consents. |
23 Apr 2021 |
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Council delivering 99% of building consents on time |
International Accreditation New Zealand will renew the Council’s Building Consent Authority after staff successfully processed more than 99 per cent of consent applications in 20 days or less since 1 August. |
23 Apr 2021 |
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Improved consent processing pays off |
Updated processes, staff recruitment and a clearer focus on meeting deadlines have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of resource consents processed by the Council within statutory time frames. |
23 Apr 2021 |
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Call for young people to join Far North Youth Council |
The Far North Youth Council is seeking new members to give young people in the district a voice, both locally and nationally. |
23 Apr 2021 |
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CouncilMARK™ report tells a positive story |
The Far North District Council has improved its overall rating in a local government excellence programme that assesses the performance of local authorities across key areas. |
28 Apr 2021 |
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Wharf project to interrupt Pukenui fuel supplies |
Pukenui residents and businesses will temporarily be without local fuel supplies when work begins to replace the community’s 50-year-old wharf next week. |
29 Apr 2021 |
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Creating great places |
The Far North District Council and its commercial company, Far North Holdings Ltd, are progressing a substantial capital works programme to improve infrastructure in the district. Read our quarterly Creating Great Places newsletter to find out about our projects which include improvements to roads and recreational facilities, as well as upgrades to water and wastewater schemes. |
29 Apr 2021 |
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Far North electors to vote on Māori wards in 2022 |
Far North District Councillors have opted to ask electors at the 2022 local elections whether or not the Council should establish Māori wards. |
03 May 2021 |
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Significant Natural Areas identified in Far North |
The Council will be sending letters to approximately 8000 Far North property owners this week to highlight how they can help protect unique indigenous species and habitats on their land. |
05 May 2021 |
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Council adopts Māori wards |
Far North District Councillors have voted to establish Māori wards for the 2022 and 2025 local body elections following an extraordinary Council meeting on Tuesday. |
06 May 2021 |
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Hard work paying off |
By Mayor John Carter.
In this column in October 2017, I discussed how the Council had committed to opening up to outside scrutiny by asking independent assessors to examine how well we delivered key services. We were one of 18 New Zealand councils that had volunteered to become foundation members of the CouncilMARK™ local government excellence programme. |
06 May 2021 |
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Feedback sought on new Treated Water Supply Bylaw |
Far North District Council is asking for public feedback on a new Treated Water Supply Bylaw. |
11 May 2021 |
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Far North Mayor urges banks to open hubs |
Far North Mayor John Carter is calling on the nation’s banks to create banking hubs within the district to provide vital financial services to provincial towns hit by bank branch closures. |
12 May 2021 |
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Protecting Significant Natural Areas |
By Mayor John Carter
From this week, around 9000 Far North property owners with Significant Natural Areas on their land will receive a letter from the Council. A Significant Natural Area (SNA) has high ecological value due to the native plants and habitat there. |
13 May 2021 |
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Time has come for Māori wards |
By Mayor John Carter.
Last week, Councillors voted to establish Māori wards in the Far North for the 2022 and 2025 local body elections. This was a momentous decision and one I think is supported by many residents. |
13 May 2021 |
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Improving our maritime facilities |
The Far North District Council and its commercial company, Far North Holdings Ltd, own and manage an extensive network of recreational and commercial wharves, boat ramps, jetties and pontoons across the Far North District. |
14 May 2021 |
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Updating you on SNAs |
By Mayor John Carter.
Earlier this month, we sent letters to approximately 8000 landowners informing them about results of a regional Significant Natural Area (SNA) mapping project undertaken with Northland councils at the direction of Northland Regional Council and the Government. This was the first step in a discussion with landowners about SNAs identified on their properties. |
20 May 2021 |
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Significant Natural Areas feedback extended |
Far North District Council is extending its deadline for landowner feedback on Significant Natural Areas by three weeks. |
25 May 2021 |
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Recognising our firefighters |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court
Several events this month have reminded me about a very important group in our community. We all rely on these brave women and men, even though we hope we never need to call them. |
27 May 2021 |
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Council to address SNA concerns via live online forum |
Far North District Council will hold a live, online forum next week to address concerns and questions landowners have about Significant Natural Areas and their role in the draft District Plan. |
02 Jun 2021 |
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Industrial park investment pays off |
By Mayor John Carter.
In March 2018, a unanimous decision by councillors gave our commercial company, Far North Holdings Limited (FNHL), the go-ahead to create an industrial park near Kaikohe. Our goal was to create jobs and economic growth for the area. |
03 Jun 2021 |
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Council provides go ahead for critical Kaitaia Water Project |
Far North District Council has released a decision on accessing land owned by Elbury Holdings Limited that is required for a water pipeline to supply Kaitaia. |
09 Jun 2021 |
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Honouring our community advocates |
By Mayor John Carter.
While we all relish an extra day of rest and relaxation with friends and whanau, the Queen’s Birthday long weekend is also when the nation acknowledges the outstanding contributions New Zealanders make to our communities. |
10 Jun 2021 |
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Applications invited for events funding |
Funding is now available to support events that will boost visitor numbers and benefit the Far North. |
11 Jun 2021 |
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Improving our footpath network |
Footpaths are a vital part of our district’s transport infrastructure. They connect communities, provide opportunities for recreation and support the mobility needs of our youngest and oldest citizens.The Council maintains about 200 kms of footpath across the district and builds news footpaths each year under a works programme approved by the three Community Boards. |
16 Jun 2021 |
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Water restrictions relaxed for Paihia |
Level 4 water restrictions for the Far North District Council’s Paihia-Opua-Waitangi supply will be reduced to Level 3 from today. All other restrictions in the district remain unchanged. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Early water restrictions applied to Kaikohe |
A drier than usual winter has forced the Far North District Council to apply water conservation measures in Kaikohe well before the official arrival of summer. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Most Far North water restrictions remain for now |
A significant reduction in demand has prompted the Council to reduce Level 2 water restrictions at Paihia, Opua and Waitangi from today. However, restrictions applied to other water supplies will remain in place for now despite rainfall seen across the district this week. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Rawene and Omanaia water restrictions now Level 4 |
The Far North District Council will apply Level 4 water restrictions to its Omanaia-Rawene water supply in response to critically low flows recorded in the Petaka Stream. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Water restrictions reduced for two more Far North communities |
More stable flows in two waterways mean water restrictions can now be reduced for Kaikohe and Kerikeri, although Level 3 restrictions will remain in place for both Kawakawa-Moerewa and Kaitaia. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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New Level 4 water restrictions for Far North |
The ongoing drought means Level 4 water restrictions are now being applied to Council water supplies in Paihia-Opua-Waitangi and Kawakawa-Moerewa, restricting water use to drinking, cooking and washing. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Kaikohe-Ngawha and Kawakawa-Moerewa water restrictions reduced |
Level 3 water restrictions for Kaikohe-Ngawha and Kawakawa-Moerewa are being reduced to Level 2 from today. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Two of three remaining water restrictions removed |
Increased rainfall across much of the district means Level 2 water restrictions applied to the Council’s Kawakawa-Moerewa and Kaikohe-Ngawha water supplies can now be reduced, although restrictions will remain for Kaitaia. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Remaining Far North water restrictions lifted |
Significant recent rainfall has allowed Far North District Council to lift water restrictions applied to Kaitaia and parts of Hokianga. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Water restrictions begin for South Hokianga |
The Far North District Council is asking South Hokianga households and businesses connected to its Opononi-Omapere and Rawene-Omanaia water supplies to conserve water after an unusually dry winter. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Kaitaia water restrictions relaxed further |
Water restrictions in Kaitaia are being reduced from Level 3 to Level 2 today. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Waipapa boil water notice lifted |
A boil water notice has been lifted for Waipapa households and businesses connected to the Far North District Council’s Kerikeri Water Supply. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Remaining Far North water restrictions removed |
Remaining Level 2 water restrictions applied across the Far North are being removed.
The ban on automatic irrigation and sprinkler systems has remained in place for all eight Council water supplies much longer than normal due to fears the drought over summer could be repeated. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Water restrictions relaxed for Omanaia-Rawene |
Level 3 water restrictions for Omanaia and Rawene are being reduced to Level 2 after flows in the stream that supplies the two communities exceeded minimum consented flows for more than 10 days. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Water restrictions increased for Kaikohe |
The impact of drier than usual weather over winter and spring is being felt in Kaikohe as the town’s groundwater supply under Monument Hill continues to fall to concerning levels. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Level 4 water restrictions for Kaitaia |
Level 4 water restrictions have been implemented in Kaitaia, restricting water use to drinking, cooking and washing only. The restrictions are the highest that can be imposed. All outdoor water use is now banned. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Water restrictions for Kerikeri reduced |
Improved flows in the Puketotara Stream have prompted Far North District Council to reduce water restrictions for Kerikeri from Level 3 to Level 2. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Council increases water restrictions for Kerikeri |
Far North District Council is increasing water restrictions for Kerikeri and Waipapa due to significantly reduced levels in two raw water sources, the Waingaro Reservoir and Puketotara Stream. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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What next for SNAs? |
By Mayor John Carter.
Last Friday, an estimated 2000 people joined a hīkoi to Council headquarters in Kaikohe to deliver a very clear and emphatic objection to land being designated as Significant Natural Areas (SNAs). This protest was the largest seen in the Far North for many years and demonstrated the passion landowners feel. |
17 Jun 2021 |
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Community innovations aim for safer streets |
Improvements to road layouts in Kawakawa, Moerewa and Kaikohe will be installed this month to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. |
18 Jun 2021 |
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Creative Communities on the move |
Far North Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) assessment committee 'traveled away' from Council Chambers in Kaikohe for the first time on Tuesday 8 June to convene their second meeting of 2021 at Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia. |
23 Jun 2021 |
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Funding our provincial lifeline |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court.
You may have seen newspaper reports recently about the state of Northland roads. Drivers are sick of cracked windscreens, bent wheel rims and expensive repairs to their suspension. They want to know why Northland roads are so bad. |
24 Jun 2021 |
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WoF and rego ticketing trial to start in July |
Council parking wardens will begin checking that vehicles are warranted and registered from next month, part of a 12-month trial aimed at ensuring the vehicles driven on Far North roads are safe. |
29 Jun 2021 |
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Council to do due diligence on water reform proposal |
The Far North District Council will carefully consider a Government proposal to reorganise drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services in New Zealand under four publicly owned entities. |
30 Jun 2021 |
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Cash for community projects |
Far North community boards have shared more than $140,000 among community groups, sports organisations, animal welfare advocates, and youth since May. |
01 Jul 2021 |
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Planning for the next decade |
By Mayor John Carter.
Last week, the Council adopted the Long Term Plan 2021-31. This guides our activities over the next 10 years and includes detailed financial projections that will help us achieve our aspirations. The LTP is a significant piece of work undertaken every three years and that is finetuned each year through our Annual Plan. |
01 Jul 2021 |
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New Paihia EV charger to plug a gap |
Paihia will soon get a new 25kW DC electric vehicle (EV) charging station and two dedicated carparks close to the central business district, plugging a significant gap in charging options for locals and tourists. |
06 Jul 2021 |
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Council urges sensible water use this summer |
Despite average levels of rainfall predicted this summer, Far North District Council is urging all businesses and residents to prepare for the need to conserve water ahead of an anticipated influx of holiday visitors. |
08 Jul 2021 |
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The challenges of water reform |
By Mayor John Carter.
A year ago, the Government launched its Three Waters Reform Programme. This proposes reorganising the delivery of the nation’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services and was sparked by the waterborne outbreak of campylobacteriosis in Havelock North in 2016. |
08 Jul 2021 |
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Kerikeri Wastewater Project Newsletter December 2019 |
Read the latest news update for the Kerikeri Wastewater Project. |
13 Jul 2021 |
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New Kerikeri wastewater plant operational in 2020 |
Kerikeri households and businesses will be able to connect to the town’s new wastewater scheme by the end of July 2020, some months later than initially intended. |
13 Jul 2021 |
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Commissioning of Kerikeri wastewater plant underway |
Construction of Kerikeri’s much-anticipated new wastewater treatment plant is nearing completion with the inspection of mechanical and electrical components now underway. |
13 Jul 2021 |
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District’s biggest project reaches home straight |
A five-month process to switch Kerikeri homes and businesses over to the town’s new wastewater treatment plant will begin in December. |
13 Jul 2021 |
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Council launches second speed limit review |
The Council is seeking feedback on speed limit changes proposed for mostly rural roads around Kaitāia, Broadwood and Moerewa, as well as Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach. |
14 Jul 2021 |
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Setting the right road speeds |
By Mayor John Carter.
From this week, we are asking residents and road users around Kaitāia, Broadwood, Moerewa and Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach to provide us with feedback on new speed limits proposed for Council-administered roads in the district. |
15 Jul 2021 |
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Providing clarity on SNAs |
By Mayor John Carter.
Last month, I asked staff to pause mapping of Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) in the district in response to a very clear message from mana whenua and landowners who opposed this process. It was the right decision to make, but it left the Council in a regulatory limbo. |
22 Jul 2021 |
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Warmer and healthier homes for our elderly |
Council-owned pensioner units in the Far North are now warmer and healthier thanks to a $500,000 project to bring them up to standard. |
23 Jul 2021 |
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Welfare focus for new animal shelter |
Improving animal welfare was a key design focus for a new $1.5 million animal shelter the Far North District Council officially opened at Kaitāia on Friday. |
26 Jul 2021 |
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Doing it for ourselves |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court.
In my last column, I shared my disappointment that Government funding for maintenance of our roading network had again fallen well short of what we need in the Far North. The Council requested over $105 million for our local roads and $5.6 million for road safety promotion from the National Land Transport Programme over the next three years. |
29 Jul 2021 |
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Kaitāia water pipeline construction begins |
The second phase of a $14.3 million project to make Kaitāia’s water supply more drought resilient was launched today with a dawn blessing at Sweetwater 14 km north of the town. |
03 Aug 2021 |
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Investing where it counts |
By Mayor John Carter.
There was great news for Northland and the Far North last month. According to ASB bank’s Regional Economic Scoreboard, the Northland economy was New Zealand’s best performing for the third quarter in a row. |
05 Aug 2021 |
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Protecting our heritage |
By Mayor John Carter.
We are preparing to begin another round of community engagement about how to protect heritage values in the District in the lead up to notifying the Proposed District Plan later this year. |
12 Aug 2021 |
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Improving our unsealed roads |
Almost two-thirds of the Far North District’s 2508km road network is unsealed. The Council doesn’t have the funds to seal all unsealed roads, so we seal sections of a small number of our busiest roads each year. These are roads that link a high number of homes, schools, marae and other public facilities. |
13 Aug 2021 |
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Improving our unsealed roads |
Almost two-thirds of the Far North District’s 2508km road network is unsealed. The Council doesn’t have the funds to seal all unsealed roads, so we seal sections of a small number of our busiest roads each year. These are roads that link a high number of homes, schools, marae and other public facilities. Read our monthly Creating Great Places newsletter to find out more. |
13 Aug 2021 |
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Heroic efforts in fire and floods recognised at Council Bravery Awards |
Two dramatic events were in focus at a Council bravery awards ceremony – the Kohukohu Masonic Lodge fire and the rescue of three people during the Pawarenga Floods. |
13 Aug 2021 |
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New sports fields an option for Kerikeri |
Far North District Council is considering a range of options for the future provision of sports fields in Kerikeri following release of an assessment of sporting needs by consultants, Global Leisure Group (GLG). |
19 Aug 2021 |
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New sports fields for Kerikeri |
A lack of sports fields in Kerikeri can now be addressed following the Council’s purchase of land for a new sports development at Waipapa. |
19 Aug 2021 |
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Aiming for fair and effective representation |
Increasing the number of councillors from nine to ten and electing four of these from a district-wide Māori ward are among proposed changes to the Far North District Council’s governance structure. |
19 Aug 2021 |
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Representation changes ahead |
By Mayor John Carter.
Three months ago, the Far North District Council voted to establish Māori wards for the 2022 and 2025 local elections. Since then, we have been busy working out how to deliver Māori representation. |
23 Aug 2021 |
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Playground planned for Kerikeri Sports Complex |
A new playground planned for Kerikeri Sports Complex will help make weekend sports fun for all the whanau. |
27 Aug 2021 |
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Change is the only constant |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court.
I am not in the habit of quoting ancient Greek philosophers, but Heraclitus was onto something when he said that “change is the only constant in life”. This general truth about the laws of nature and the human condition seems particularly apt right now. |
30 Aug 2021 |
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Keeping it local |
By Mayor John Carter.
Last month the Council voted to provisionally opt out of the Government’s Three Waters Reform Programme. We made that decision because we could not be certain that the Far North would be better off under the reform proposal. It was not an easy decision to make. There are compelling reasons to improve the way our nation collects, distributes, and disposes of water. |
02 Sep 2021 |
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COVID delays engagement on heritage areas |
How best to manage the District’s heritage areas is the question the Far North District Council will ask affected communities in a new round of consultation on its Draft District Plan. |
07 Sep 2021 |
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14 Far North community groups funded |
The district’s three Community Boards have distributed nearly $50,000 in funding this year to Far North sporting, cultural and community groups. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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Community input sought on waterfront plans |
A working group is seeking community feedback on plans to redevelop Mangonui’s waterfront into a vibrant public space that connects the village with the harbour and supports a wider range of recreational activities. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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Distinguished UK local government leader joins Council |
A former UK local government chief executive with international management experience is joining the Far North District Council as its new General Manager – Corporate Services. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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Milestone for property file digitisation |
A major project to convert the district’s 51,104 paper-based property records into digital files has passed the halfway mark. This is part of a project to make the Council’s 6 million paper property documents accessible online. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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New technology could halve slip repair costs |
A construction method now being used to stabilise a significant slip on West Coast Road in the North Hokianga could halve the cost of similar repairs. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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New life for Hokianga community halls |
Kohukohu’s 114-year-old, heritage-listed hall is one of two important Hokianga community buildings due to reopen this month following significant refurbishment work. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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New dog impounding facilities under review |
Plans to build new dog shelters in the Far North are under review as the District Council looks at more affordable options for impounding dogs. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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Road closure to help save iconic Russell tree |
A section of The Strand on Russell’s foreshore will be closed to traffic while an arborist investigates how to save one of the historic town’s most iconic trees. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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Bridging the COVID divide |
By Mayor John Carter.
On Monday, Air New Zealand began direct flights between Bay of Islands Airport and Wellington. This return service is providing Northland with an air bridge to the rest of the country, leapfrogging Auckland while that city remains under alert level lockdown. |
16 Sep 2021 |
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Voting packs in the mail |
Far North residents and ratepayers enrolled to vote in the local body elections will begin receiving their voting packs in the mail from today. |
17 Sep 2021 |
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Far North election candidates confirmed |
Ninety candidates are now confirmed for the 2019 Far North local body elections with 11 nominees for Mayor. |
17 Sep 2021 |
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Community Board nomination forms corrected |
Far North District Council regrets an error in nomination paper guidance notes that may have influenced potential community board candidates not to stand. |
17 Sep 2021 |
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Candidates urged to complete nominations |
Potential candidates in October’s local body elections are being urged to complete their nominations ahead of Friday’s midday deadline |
17 Sep 2021 |
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Water bills delayed for Kerikeri |
Kerikeri households and businesses connected to Council water supplies will not receive their next water invoice in September after COVID-19 restrictions prevented meter readers from visiting properties. |
23 Sep 2021 |
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Clubbing together against COVID |
By Mayor John Carter.
Events this week in the Waikato have demonstrated very clearly the danger to public health posed by the Delta variant of COVID-19. Discovery of positive cases outside Auckland and revealed on Monday raised the very real possibility that Auckland would not only remain in Level 4 lockdown, but part of the Waikato might also join it. |
23 Sep 2021 |
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Community to have say on three waters reform proposal |
Far North residents have until 22 October to have their say on whether the Council should opt in or out of the Government’s Three Waters Reform Programme. |
30 Sep 2021 |
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Revitalisation work to start in Kerikeri Domain |
Demolition of Kerikeri Domain’s popular skate park and basketball court is due to begin, but fans of the amenities are being urged to be patient with new, much improved replacements due to be completed by February. |
30 Sep 2021 |
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Council provisionally opts out of Three Waters Reform Programme |
The Far North District Council has voted to provisionally opt out of the Three Waters Reform Programme. |
30 Sep 2021 |
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Leadership change at Council |
Far North District Council Chief Executive, Shaun Clarke, will leave the organisation at the end of March 2022 when his current contract expires. |
30 Sep 2021 |
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Council seeks feedback on three bylaws |
Far North residents are being asked for feedback on three new bylaws that will update and simplify existing rules for parking, roadside activities, and the maintenance of private wastewater systems. |
30 Sep 2021 |
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Council adopts two new bylaws |
Two new bylaws adopted by the Council last week will improve road safety in the district and clarify rules for customers around treated water supplies.
The Council adopted the new Treated Water Supply Bylaw and Vehicle Crossings Bylaw during its Thursday meeting last week. Both new bylaws came into effect on Saturday 25 September. |
30 Sep 2021 |
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Lessons from Waipapa roundabout |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court.
Tomorrow morning, the new roundabout at Waipapa will officially be opened. Many readers will already have used the roundabout when visiting Kerikeri or heading further south and may be surprised the opening ceremony is only now being held. |
30 Sep 2021 |
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Have your say on 3 waters reforms |
By Mayor John Carter.
Your council is currently grappling with one of the biggest decisions local government has faced in 30 years. What we decide in November will have a huge impact on how the Council operates and I am urging all residents to help us by sharing their views through an online survey we are running until 22 October. |
07 Oct 2021 |
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Council extends feedback on Heritage Areas |
The Council will extend the deadline for feedback on suggested changes to heritage areas by two weeks, giving tangata whenua, property owners and community groups more time to consider and prepare their input. |
11 Oct 2021 |
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Vaccination our best defence against COVID |
By Mayor John Carter.
Our district faces a challenge that will have very real consequences over coming weeks and months. Last Friday, we learned that someone who later tested positive for the extremely infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 had visited Whangārei, Paihia and Kawakawa. |
14 Oct 2021 |
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Feedback sought on Ōmāpere coastal erosion plans |
Ōmāpere residents and property owners are being asked for feedback on options to manage coastal erosion that has claimed approximately 9m of a beachfront reserve over the past decade. |
20 Oct 2021 |
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Closing our vaccination gap |
By Mayor John Carter.
Last Saturday, the nation stepped up and got vaccinated in record numbers. Around the country community groups, sporting organisations and local leaders rallied with District Health Boards to get Kiwis immunised against COVID-19. Their efforts paid off with the 100,000-jab target quickly surpassed before reaching a total of 130,002 vaccinations by the end of the day. |
21 Oct 2021 |
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Community Boards distribute cash to community groups |
The Far North’s three Community Boards have distributed almost $145,000 since July to sporting, cultural and community groups. |
22 Oct 2021 |
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Collective responsibility for road safety |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court.
Tomorrow I will attend a ceremony to launch construction of a new roundabout and two-lane bridge north of Kāeo. The bridge will replace an existing one-lane span over the Kāeo River that is part of State Highway 10 and is a major bottleneck. If you have ever driven this stretch of highway north, you will know how confusing it can be, especially for visitors. |
28 Oct 2021 |
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Far North voice must be heard on 3 waters |
By Mayor John Carter.
Last week, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced that the Government is pressing ahead with reform plans to amalgamate council-owned drinking, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure across New Zealand into four water services entities. |
04 Nov 2021 |
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Road seal for seven, high-priority roads |
Seven, high-priority roads across the Far North will be sealed over the next three years to combat dust on roads. |
10 Nov 2021 |
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New recycling centre for Waitangi |
Recycling glass, plastic and other waste will now be much easier at one of the district’s busiest tourist destinations, thanks to an agreement between the Council and Te Tii (Waitangi) B3 Trust. |
10 Nov 2021 |
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Job not over for reunited district |
By Mayor John Carter.
Tonight, the border that has bisected our district for over a week will be lifted. The alert level border that stretched from the Hokianga Harbour in the west to Kāeo Bridge and Whangaroa in the east was created after two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in our district. |
11 Nov 2021 |
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Mayors seek meeting with PM over three waters reforms |
Mayor John Carter has joined mayors from around the country in asking Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to pause the Government’s Three Waters Reform Programme and give them greater input into proposed changes. |
17 Nov 2021 |
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Competition-grade pump tracks opening in Te Hiku |
The first of two competition-level pumps tracks designed by a former Kiwi BMX professional will open this weekend in Te Hiku, part of Te Hiku’s revitalisation of Kaitāia, Awanui and Ahipara. |
19 Nov 2021 |
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Council striving to maintain excellence in its consenting performance |
Building consent processing times at the Far North District Council place it among the top-performing building consent authorities in New Zealand. |
23 Nov 2021 |
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Public notification for Ōpononi wastewater consent renewal |
Far North District Council is encouraging Hokianga residents and others to have their say on an application to renew its resource consent for the Ōpononi wastewater treatment plant. |
25 Nov 2021 |
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Protecting both lives and livelihoods |
By Deputy Mayor Ann Court.
From Wednesday 15 December, travel to and from Auckland and, by extension, the rest of the country will reopen for Northlanders. Before our border with Auckland opens, all of New Zealand will move to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework or ‘traffic light’ system at midnight 2 December. |
25 Nov 2021 |
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Plastic recycling options increase for Far North |
The types of plastic accepted for recycling at Council waste facilities and by kerbside collectors will be expanded from this week. |
03 Dec 2021 |
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Accessing Council services under the Red setting |
By Mayor John Carter.
Last Friday, we all woke to life under the Government’s new ‘traffic light’ COVID-19 Protection Framework. Like most other organisations, we have worked hard to understand exactly how the new Red setting will impact the way the Council does business and to ensure we can continue to deliver services to you. |
09 Dec 2021 |
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My Vaccine Passes required at some Council facilities |
My Vaccine Passes will be required at Far North District Council service centres, libraries and i-SITE Visitor Information Centres from 10 January 2022 and at Te Ahu in Kaitāia from tomorrow (3 December) when the Government’s new COVID-19 Protection Framework comes into effect. |
10 Dec 2021 |
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My Vaccine Passes under review |
My Vaccine Passes will not be required to access Far North District Council services at Te Ahu in Kaitāia from Monday 13 December. |
10 Dec 2021 |
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Information on Far North open spaces a team effort |
The local knowledge and experience of Far North community members has proved invaluable for a Council project to map the district’s open spaces. |
13 Dec 2021 |
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Online map reveals district’s public spaces |
The Far North District Council is mapping the district’s open spaces and sharing that information via a new online resource the public can use to explore parks, reserves and playgrounds in detail. |
13 Dec 2021 |
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Council water sources in good shape for summer |
All Council water sources are in a healthy state as the district heads into the holiday period. However, customers are being encouraged to use water sensibly over the summer months. |
14 Dec 2021 |
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Far North District Council appoints new CEO |
Far North District Council has selected the former head of Tararua District Council to become its new Chief Executive. |
16 Dec 2021 |
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Temporary, alternative route for Twin Coast Cycle Trail |
The Far North District Council will develop a temporary cycle trail along roadsides between Ōpua and Taumarere as an interim measure, while plans to develop a permanent cycle trail along the railway corridor are progressed as originally planned. |
17 Dec 2021 |
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Boardwalk project transforming famous Mangōnui waterfront |
Mangōnui’s waterfront is being transformed by a boardwalk extension project that will improve access to the popular Doubtless Bay destination, provide more parking and improve safety. |
17 Dec 2021 |
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Get your pukapuka (book) at Urupukapuka |
A pop-up library for holiday makers on Urupukapuka in the Bay of Islands is making a welcome return this summer.
The mini library will operate out of the Department of Conservation's Otehei Bay Visitors Centre providing free books to campers and other visitors to Urupukapuka Island. |
23 Dec 2021 |
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Praise for Kaimaumau firefighters and volunteers |
Far North District Council is paying tribute to Fire and Emergency NZ, police, civil defence, community groups and the many volunteers who helped ensure no lives or homes were lost during the massive fire at Kaimaumau this week. |
24 Dec 2021 |
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New waste contract boosts Russell sustainability |
Improved recycling and sorting facilities, community gardens and increased awareness about recycling are some of the changes residents will see at the Russell Landfill and Recycling Centre. |
24 Dec 2021 |
