From a political perspective, this has been a year in which the groundwork has been done to set in train changes to the way in which local government is structured in the Far North. Our quest for a Unitary Authority for the district now rests with the Local Government Commission. Following a series of meetings with local communities the Commission now expects to make known its draft proposal for reorganisation after the local elections in  October. Irrespective of the outcome, the Commission has made it clear that any changes will not be implemented until the end of the next three-year term. There are also statutory processes to be followed during which the community and the Council will have ample opportunity to continue to press the case for a single Far North authority. 

On an operational front, the year in retrospect saw a major concentration on preparing options for a substantial expansion of wastewater services at Kerikeri and the redevelopment of treatment facilities in the Waitangi Forest. These options are now going through a discussion phase with the communities involved. 

As a result of further inroads made in reducing public debt, which is now less than $90 million, we can look forward with greater optimism to the funding of schemes such as this and to the construction of projects such as the alternate water supply for Kaitaia. 

Through the rating system we have been targeting road users seeking a more transparent contribution towards local roading costs. This policy will continue to be strengthened with the next stage to specifically target heavy traffic users through a charge based on truck movements. This will help to share the burden of ratepayer-funded road maintenance costs more fairly.  However, there will still be a catch-up required when and if there is a change in government policy to free up more subsidy funding for the local roading network.  

Major progress has been made on the Pou Herenga Tai –Twin Coast Cycle Trail with the co-operation of the majority of adjoining landowners. However there have been unresolved issues on sections of track which are subject to Waitangi Tribunal claims which we are still working to resolve. The council is still confident that the 84-kilometre trail, which has the potential to be a real fillip for the local economy, will be fully operational by the end of this year.  Progress on the Kawakawa-Opua section has largely been made possible by an agreement reached with the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust for a joint rail-cycle arrangement.

It has also been a year of quiet achievement for our trading company, Far North Holdings Ltd. The agreement on the cycle trail link was brokered by the company, as part of a new arrangement in which the company is expected to play an expanded role in the economic development, promotion and marketing of the district. It will be involved in the marketing of both the cycle trail, the Te Ahu centre at Kaitaia and the Turner Centre at Kerikeri.

The company has also been proactive in encouraging the restructuring of tourist development group Destination Northland.  Far North Holdings has also worked with the Council on several town centre regeneration initiatives and brokered an arrangement for the development of the former Kaitaia Service Centre as a tertiary education campus.  It is currently developing a number of new strategies to drive up visitor numbers in the Far North.

Bearing in mind the difficult economy in which we are all working, this has been a year of considerable achievement.

Former Mayor -  Wayne Brown