Have your say on safer, healthier public spaces

We are currently reviewing where alcohol bans apply in public places, and we are also proposing a new smokefree and vapefree policy for council spaces and events.

Your feedback will help us make decisions that reflect what’s right for our communities.

Here’s what we are proposing / Anei tā mātou e whakatakoto nei

Following community feedback earlier this year and monitoring of problem areas, we are proposing to:

Create three new Alcohol Ban areas:

• Lake Ngātu (northwest of Awanui)
• Ōpua
• Waitangi.

Update five existing Alcohol Ban areas:

• Kaikohe
• Kaitāia
• Kerikeri
• Paihia
• Waipapa.

You can see an overview of the proposed Alcohol Ban areas by clicking this link, and if you want to see exactly which streets and carparks are included, you can open the detailed map here .

Read the full proposal to review these areas here.

What areas could be smokefree and vapefree?

The council is reviewing where smokefree and vapefree rules should apply to help reduce health impacts and litter caused by smoking and vaping. We’d like to hear your thoughts on whether council-owned or council-managed public spaces and council events should be smokefree and vapefree, and which spaces you think should be included.

Spaces being considered include:

• Parks, sports fields, skateparks, and playgrounds
• Public swimming pools
• Cemeteries
• Council carparks
• Entranceways and outdoor seating areas near council buildings
• Public beaches
• Council events or events held on council land.

How can I have a say / E whai wāhi ai koe ki ngā kōrero

Tell us what you think.

• Online submissions: Click here to have your say

• Email us: submissions@fndc.govt.nz

• In person: Drop off a submission form at any FNDC service centre or library. (Our friendly customer service team can also print it for you.)

• By mail: Far North District Council, Private Bag 752, Kaikohe 0440

Alternatively, you can request to share your feedback verbally by emailing us at submissions@fndc.govt.nz or by phone on 0800 920 029. Submissions are open until Monday 1 December 2025 – we’d love to hear from you!

Note: Anyone is invited to submit feedback on this consultation, whether as an individual or on behalf of an organisation, however, any submissions that are out of scope, offensive, inappropriate, or late may not be accepted by the council. You will be notified if your decision is not accepted and, where appropriate, invited to resubmit.

Any submissions that are made will become part of the public consultation process. The collection and use of personal information by the Far North District Council is regulated by the Privacy Act 2020. Please note that your submission or a summary of your submission will be treated as public information and may be published on the council's website and made available to elected members and members of the public as part of the consultation process. Your name and contact details (address, phone number, email) will only be used for administrative purposes - such as the council contacting you to update you on the outcome of this consultation and letting you know about future consultations