News stories

The perfect tonic for chasing the winter blues away arrives this weekend in the form of the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival. The festival represents a welcome economic boost and from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August, festival-goers have the pick of 34 gigs across six venues in Paihia and Russell.

Our district is growing to meet the needs of an increasing population, and our infrastructure needs to grow with it. To help meet the costs of growth, the council is proposing to reintroduce charges under a Utu Whakawhanake – Development Contributions Policy.

We visit TeTii Waitangi marae to provide information on the changes of the Whenua Māori Amendment Act and the rating relief policies we have available.

Completion of a $1.9 million stormwater project in Moerewa was celebrated last month with the unveiling a pou whenua (marker post) on the popular Pou Herenga Tai - Twin Cycle Trail.

Golden Bay Cement has agreed to take 88 tonnes of degraded coloured plastic from the council and will add it to its construction products, preventing it from going to landfill.

Sixty-six candidates will be vying for 30 roles in the Far North local body election this October the Electoral Officer confirmed today (Monday 4 August).

As the deadline arrived at midday today (Friday 1 August) for candidates to submit their nominations to stand in the local elections, 64 people had successfully registered their interest.

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) released new benchmarking data of councils’ performance across Aotearoa New Zealand yesterday (31 July), including FNDC.

As of 4pm Thursday 31 July, a rush of nominations has resulted in two candidates now vying to be mayor of the Far North, but with just hours left before nominations close two elected roles still have no candidates – both in local community boards.