Kaipara Harbour Key to Kaipara's Future

At a special meeting of Kaipara District Council held on Wednesday 3 March 2010, Councillors unanimously voted to actively pursue the prospect of an enlarged district based around the Kaipara Harbour, possibly to include parts of Northern Rodney. Consequently the Kaipara District Council cannot support the McKinley Report and the process for handling reform recommended by the three Northland Mayors.


Kaipara District Council continues in its stance that the protection of the Kaipara Harbour is paramount and a governance structure based around the entire harbour is in the best interests of the regions people, its environment and its economy. To this end Council resolved that Mayor Neil Tiller, Councillor Richard Alspach (Deputy Mayor) and Council’s Chief Executive Jack McKerchar should appear in person before the Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee in Wellington to speak to its submission to the committee in relation to the Auckland Law Reform Bill. Council’s submission remains that an authority based around the Kaipara Harbour is the best option for the health and wellbeing of the District and it’s people.


Council unanimously agreed that the outcomes of the McKinley Report on local government options for Northland were not appropriate for Kaipara and the report‘s proposed options were rejected. Councillors determined the options presented no benefit for Kaipara’s community, it’s infrastructure, the well being of the District as a whole and the protection of our natural assets.


Councillor’s confirmed that Council was open to continued discussions with the region’s district councils and the Northland Regional Council in relation to reform of local government in Northland but reiterated that Council will act in the best interests of the Kaipara and Northland.