News stories

The government has listened to calls from Far North District councillors to create common-sense insulation rules that will ease costs for Far North designers, builders and homeowners.

From next Monday (14 July) coloured 1 (PET) plastics will no longer be accepted for recycling at council waste transfer and recycling stations.

Far North District Council has adopted a 10.95 per cent rates increase for the 2025/26 financial year, the second time it has delivered increases below those originally forecast.

In this Karere Kahika update, Mayor Moko Tepania addresses this year's rates decision, and explains how the funds will be spent on critical infrastructure and services throughout the district.

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania welcomed 118 new citizens to Aotearoa New Zealand this week (Monday 30 June) during a ceremony he described as ‘the largest the region has ever seen’.

Potential candidates interested in standing in October’s local body elections have four weeks to submit a nomination form, starting from today (Friday 4 July).

Meeting in Kaitāia, the partners agreed to convene a monthly “Partnership Team” hui where design details, procurement steps and operational issues can be worked through face-to-face before they reach the wider stakeholder community.

Far North District Council acknowledges the passing of Hugh Rihari, a respected kaumātua and member of our Te Pātukurea Hapū Rōpū Group.

Time is running out to share your feedback on two major waste minimisation plans, due to close this Sunday 6 July. The plans cover everything from improving recycling and food scrap services, to reducing illegal dumping, investing in community-led circular economy initiatives, and cleaning up old landfill sites. Together, they form a roadmap and a foundation for a cleaner, fairer, low-waste future.