Kaipara District Council

15/06/2026

We're stoked to see that 13 Kaipara-based projects have received funding as part of this year's Kai Ora Fund!

Congratulations to the following recipients:

Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae Society
Otamatea Community Services
Maungaturoto Residents' Association
Te Kopuru School
Aranga School
Whare Marama O Parirau Marae
Donnellys Crossing Community Group
Te Roroa Social Development
Te Uri o Hau Tangata Development Ltd
Dargaville Intermediate School
Kaihu Valley School
Wild Side Charitable Trust
Whakatō te Kākano

🍄🌿🫘🍠

Congratulations to the 44 community projects and initiatives receiving funding this year - we can't wait to see your ideas come alive and are excited to be part of this mahi.

14/06/2026

Congratulations to Downer NZ who took out the 2026 Civil Contractors New Zealand Northland Branch Asset Maintenance Award, for its work on the Kaipara Road Corridor Maintenance Contract 🦺👏🏼

The award recognised Downer for its demonstration of best practice in road network management through preventative maintenance techniques, use of alternative materials and positive partnerships with local council, suppliers and iwi.

Read more: civilcontractors.co.nz/news/10912/

12/06/2026

We’re reviewing Kaipara District Council’s Engineering Standards. These standards guide how infrastructure is designed and built across our district, and it’s time for an update (they were last refreshed in 2011).

The new standards will be flexible, facilitate growth and better align with council’s vision of 'Kaipara – the place to be'.

If you're involved in infrastructure design, construction, or simply interested in how our district develops, this is your opportunity to give us your feedback.

🗓 Consultation is open until 10 July 2026
👉 Find out more and share your thoughts: kaipara.govt.nz/es-review

11/06/2026

🚨 This coming Sunday 14 June, this year's Emergency Mobile Alert test is happening between... 6 and (approximately) 7pm.

Find out more at getready.govt.nz/ema 📲

10/06/2026

Central government is looking at changing how councils are set up across New Zealand, including the option of combining district and regional councils into single unitary authorities.

Councils can work together now on a regional proposal (through the Head Start pathway), or leave it to central government to decide later. Either way, it could change how services are delivered in our communities.

Kaipara District Council is taking a close look at what these changes could mean for our district. We’ve joined a Northland-wide Local Government Reform Elected Member Steering Group, and no decisions have been made yet. As part of the work, we want to hear from you. What matters most? What are you worried about? What should councils focus on?

📝 Take our short survey – it only takes a few minutes: https://kaipara.uq.nz/surveys/j29tqkxk3lz4y61h13hd5wlx58007p60t034t6lgjbl0kpjnyg791mpzj0c0

09/06/2026

A safer, more resilient Cames Road is here, with work to build resilience into the middle section of the road now complete 🚗✅

The project involved replacing the historic three metre wide, single-lane steep hill section with a new six metre concrete road across a 400 metre stretch.

Council included this project in the Long Term Plan 2024–2027 to solve long-standing concerns from residents about traffic, safety and access on the hill.

Kaipara District Council Mayor Jonathan Larsen said the upgrade is a credit to the contractor involved for delivering a cost-effective permanent solution for the community.

“We’ve replaced a difficult, under‑performing section of road with something that’s safer, more reliable, and fit for the way this area has been growing and continues to grow,” he said.

The new surface is designed to handle higher traffic volumes and provide a durable, dust-free road.

Mayor Larsen said the upgrade also improves resilience and day-to-day access for locals.

“This stretch of road has been a challenge for a long time. It’s great to have a solution in place that supports the people who use it every day.”

The project was delivered by local contractor Shane Cullen Contracting, working alongside Kaipara District Council’s roading team.

07/06/2026

🧐What are all those green boxes lined up in a row?

They’re wastewater treatment pods, working behind the scenes to power a new treatment system at Taharoa Domain.

Over recent weeks, contractor Innoflow has made excellent progress, with good settled weather helping to keep the project moving. The main tanks and equipment are now in place, and the team is installing electrical components and preparing the base for a new control shed. The dispersal field has been expanded to increase capacity and support the safe, natural return of treated water into a fenced off area of surrounding native scrub.

Plans are also underway to upgrade the existing toilet and shower block. This includes a full interior refresh, lots of water-saving features like new cisterns, and other improvements to make the facilities easier and more enjoyable to use.

Once complete, the new system will support both the campground and Pine Beach day-use area, improving capacity and reliability at one of our most-loved summer spots.

We're on track for the crew to begin testing the system later this month and be up and running in July 😎

05/06/2026

Got a four-legged friend? 🐕

Dog registration time is just around the corner (1 July), so now’s a great time to check your details are up to date 🐶

If anything’s changed recently, now’s the perfect time to let us know. This includes things like:
• a change of address
• a new owner
• or if your dog is no longer with you

Quick, easy, done ✅

04/06/2026

📜Council trims rates rise for coming year

Kaipara District Council has agreed to reduce the proposed rates increase for the upcoming year, easing pressure on households facing ongoing cost-of-living challenges.

The decision, made at an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday 4 June, lowers the projected average rates increase from 7.9% to 3.9% (after growth).

Kaipara District Council Mayor Jonathan Larsen said the move responds to the multiple financial pressures many Kaipara households are experiencing.

“I raised the notice of motion last week because we know many in our community are feeling the pinch with rising living costs. In recent times, increasing fuel prices have added to the load. This is about taking practical steps to provide some relief where we can,” he said.

To achieve the further reduction, elected members agreed to fund roading renewals of up to $2.45 million with debt instead of general rates.

Council noted the tight timeframe to finalise the Annual Plan for the year ahead and the additional work required of staff to implement the changes ahead of the statutory deadline.

“Having this raised so late in the process is unusual, and I want to acknowledge the extra work done to identify further savings,” said Mayor Larsen.

“We will look to utilise those surpluses staff have found to pay off the debt in future years.

“At the same time, the cost-of-living pressures our communities are facing are also out of the ordinary. We still need to invest in our district, but we must be realistic about what people can afford. This decision reflects that balance.”

Staff will now work to finalise the Annual Plan 2026/2027 based on today’s decisions, with adoption expected later in June.

30/05/2026

Updated 6.15 am, 2 June:

Mōrena Northland,

Just a quick update this morning to let you know that all watches and warnings for the region have now been lifted.

While some areas experienced periods of heavy rain and downpours, mainly in the northwest of the region, for most places the rainfall was not as intense as forecast.

As you head out this morning, please continue to drive carefully and watch for any lingering hazards. Happy Tuesday everyone 🙂

_____________________________________________

Updated 9 pm, 1 June:

Kia ora Northland,

This evening MetService New Zealand has updated the Heavy Rain Warning for our region.

While many areas have not yet seen significant rainfall today, heavy rain is still expected overnight, with the forecast now covering the period from 8pm tonight through to 6am Tuesday.

On top of what has already fallen, a further 50 to 90mm of rain is expected, with higher localised totals possible, especially in the north of the region.

Please check out the full warning and watch details here:
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

There remains a risk of intense downpours, with peak rates of 25 to 40mm/h, and possible thunderstorms.

Although total rainfall amounts have reduced slightly, the risk of localised heavy downpours and impacts remains.

Please continue to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and take extra care if travelling, especially overnight tonight and early tomorrow morning.

If you come across any storm-related damage or road issues, please report them to your local council, or NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for issues on state highways.

And remember, if at any time you feel you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk, please call emergency services on 111.

Our team will keep monitoring conditions and will share any further updates as needed.

____________________________________________

Updated 11 am, 1 June:

Mōrena Northland,

MetService New Zealand has updated the weather warning for our region this morning.

🟠 An Orange Heavy Rain Warning remains in place for Northland, as well as a Strong Wind Watch 🟡.

Early this morning we saw some heavy rain move across parts of the region, with Kaitaia recording around 30mm/hr at 5am. While rain has eased in many areas since then, MetService is advising that more heavy rain is expected.

The warning has been brought forward, with more heavy rain expected to redevelop later today, especially from Monday afternoon into the evening, with periods of intense rain and localised downpours likely. These downpours could be heavy and develop quickly in some areas.

A Strong Wind Watch is also in place, meaning damaging northeast winds are possible, particularly in exposed areas.

With these forecast conditions we could see:
• Rapid rises in streams and rivers
• Surface flooding and slips
• Hazardous driving conditions, especially later today and tonight
• Reduced visibility during downpours

If you’re travelling this afternoon or evening, plan ahead and be prepared for changing conditions.

✅ More key reminders and tips:
➡️ Take care on the roads – slow down and watch for surface flooding
➡️ Stay away from streams and rivers during heavy rain
➡️ Be aware of landslide risks, especially in areas prone to slips
➡️ Clear gutters and drains while conditions are quieter
➡️ Secure outdoor items in case winds strengthen
➡️ Be ready for possible power outages
➡️ If conditions worsen and you feel unsafe, be prepared to move to a safe place
➡️ If at any time you feel you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk, please call emergency services on 111

📲 Stay informed:
🔗 For the full weather warning details and to stay up to date with the latest conditions: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north
🚗 State highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/northland or follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Northland
For local road updates, check your council channels:
Far North District Council
Kaipara District Council
Whangārei District Council

Our duty team is continuing to monitor this system closely and we’ll share updates as things develop.

______________________________________________________________

Kia ora Northland,

This morning, MetService New Zealand has upgraded the earlier Heavy Rain Watch to an 🟠 Orange Heavy Rain Warning for all of Northland, starting tomorrow as we head into the end of the King’s Birthday long weekend.

After a stretch of settled weather, this system is expected to bring heavy rainfall across the region from midday Monday through to Tuesday morning.

If you’re planning to travel back to, or around, the region at the end of the long weekend, please take extra care. Conditions may become hazardous, particularly Monday evening and overnight, with heavy downpours and reduced visibility.

Please keep a close eye on conditions, especially if you’re in areas prone to flooding or slips.

Key reminders:
➡️ Take extra care on the roads – slow down and watch for surface flooding
➡️ Avoid streams and rivers; they can rise quickly during heavy rain
➡️ Check drains and gutters are clear ahead of the rain
➡️ Have supplies ready in case of power outages or road closures
➡️ Report fallen trees, debris, or blocked drains to your local council

Stay informed:
🔗 Weather warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north
🚗 State highway updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/northland or follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Northland

For local road information, check your council channels:
Kaipara District Council
Far North District Council
Whangarei District Council

Here are the full warning details:

🟠 Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Area: Northland
Period: 20hrs from 12pm Mon, 1 Jun – 8am Tue, 2 Jun
Forecast: Expect 80 to 130 mm of rain, with localised totals possibly reaching 150 to 200 mm. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h are expected Monday evening and night, with isolated downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact:Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.
Action: Clear drains and gutters, avoid low-lying areas, and drive cautiously.

Our duty team will continue to monitor the situation and will share updates if anything changes.