Far North District Council
Far North District Council Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Brand logo | |
| History | |
| Established | 1 November 1989; 36 years ago |
| Preceded by |
|
New session started | 19 October 2025 |
| Leadership | |
Moko Tepania, Ind. since 19 October 2025 | |
Deputy | Chicky Rudkin, Ind. since 24 October 2025 |
Guy Holroyd since 26 June 2023 | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 11 (including mayor) |
 | |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 3 years |
| Elections | |
| First-past-the-post | |
First election | 14 October 1989 |
Last election | 11 October 2025 |
Next election | 14 October 2028 |
| Meeting place | |
| Kaikohe Service Centre | |
| Website | |
| fndc | |
Far North District Council (abbr. FNDC; Māori: Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika) is the territorial authority for the Far North District of New Zealand. It serves as the district's local government alongside the Northland Regional Council as the regional council. The current entity has existed since 1989, prior to which local government in the area was split between six local authorities.
The governing body of the council has 11 councillors and is chaired by the mayor of the Far North (currently Moko Tepania since October 2022). There also three community boards.
History
The council was formed in 1989, replacing the Bay of Islands County Council, Kaikohe Borough Council (1947–1989), Kaitaia Borough Council (1922–1989), Hokianga County Council, Mangonui County Council and Whangaroa County Council (1876–1989).[1]
In 2020, the council had 384 staff, including 55 earning more than $100,000. According to the right-wing Taxpayers' Union think tank, residential rates averaged $2,428.[2]
Governing body
Mayor
One mayor is elected at-large; they chair meetings of the governing body and act as the head of local government in the district.
Current council
The current members of the governing body of council are:[3][4]
| Role | Portrait | Name | Affiliation | Ward | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | .jpg) |
Moko Tepania | Independent | Elected at-large | |
| Deputy mayor | Chicky Rudkin | Independent | Ngā Tai o Tokerau | ||
| Councillor | Arohanui Allen | Independent | Ngā Tai o Tokerau | ||
| Councillor | Hilda Halkyard-Harawira | Independent | Ngā Tai o Tokerau | ||
| Councillor | Tāmati Rākena | Independent | Ngā Tai o Tokerau | ||
| Councillor | Ann Court | Your Voice Our Community | Bay of Islands-Whangaroa | ||
| Councillor | Davina Smolders | ACT Local | Bay of Islands-Whangaroa | ||
| Councillor | Kelly Stratford | Independent | Bay of Islands-Whangaroa | ||
| Councillor | Rachel Baucke | Independent | Te Hiku | ||
| Councillor | Felicity Foy | Independent | Te Hiku | ||
| Councillor | John Vujcich | Independent | Kaikohe-Hokianga | ||
Community boards
The Far North District currently has 3 community boards, Bay of Islands-Whangaroa, Kaikohe-Hokianga and Te Hiku. Geographically they cover the entire district and are synonymous with the general ward boundaries.[5][6]
Bay of Islands-Whangaroa
The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board has seven members representing six subdivisions: Kawakawa-Moerewa (1 member), Kerikeri (2 members), Paihia (1 member), Russell-Ōpua (1 member), Waipapa (1 member), and Whangaroa (1 member).
Kaikohe-Hokianga
The Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board has 6 members representing 3 subdivisions: Kaikohe (3 members), North Hokianga (1 member), and South Hokianga (2 members).
Te Hiku
The Te Hiku Community Board has 6 members representing 4 subdivisions: Doubtless Bay (1 member), Kaitāia (3 members), North Cape (1 member), and Whatuwhiwhi (1 member).
Elections
List
Mayoral
Council
References
- ↑ Fraser, B (1986). The New Zealand Book of Events. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 978-0-474-00123-9.
- ↑ "Ratepayers Report". ratepayersreport.nz. Taxpayers' Union.
- ↑ "Mayor and Councillors". www.fndc.govt.nz. Far North District Council. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
- ↑ "Declaration of Results of Election and Poll" (PDF). Far North District Council. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ↑ "Governance". www.fndc.govt.nz. Far North District Council. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
- ↑ "FACT SHEET | 2025 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS" (PDF). www.fndc.govt.nz. Far North District Council. Retrieved 27 March 2026.