Kaipara Says No Way to Whangarei

“The best action for the Kaipara District is to grow as a strong and successful district in our own right, based around the entire Kaipara Harbour” says Mayor Neil Tiller.

Mayor Tiller says the best step forward for Kaipara is not a step into Whangarei. “There is nothing to be gained from joining with Whangarei. It will not provide better infrastructure, improved economy or better provisions for Kaipara’s communities or the Kaipara Harbour,” Mayor Tiller said.

Mayor Tiller and Kaipara District Councillors unanimously rejected the proposal of the McKinley Douglas Report at a meeting of Council on Wednesday 3 March 2010. Councillors determined the options within the report presented no benefit for Kaipara’s community, either now or in the future. Council unanimously voted to actively pursue the prospect of an enlarged district based around the Kaipara Harbour.

“We are working towards a better position for Kaipara and for Northland. An authority based around the Kaipara Harbour focused on enhanced management of the Harbour, the well being of the District as a whole and the protection of our natural assets will ensure that future generations will benefit from our actions now”.

Mayor Tiller said that Council’s attendance before the Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee on Friday 5 March to speak to its submission to the committee in relation to the Auckland Law Reform Bill had been well received.

“We presented to the Select Committee and I believe that our concerns and views were listened to. The Kaipara Harbour is too important a resource for everyone to have to fight our neighbours for resources and funding. It is imperative that the governance body for the Kaipara Harbour is established with the future of the Kaipara Harbour, its sustainability and the Harbour’s communities as its prime focus.”

“If there has to be a move, we’d rather join Auckland than Whangarei. That at least would provide the management and focus on the Kaipara Harbour and our community that joining with Whangarei could never achieve”.