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Olsen Avenue stormwater upgrade

Earlier this week I visited the Olsen Ave Stormwater Network Renewals project at Mangawhai Heads to see how work is progressing. The project includes over 350 metres of new stormwater pipe, along with 10 new manholes and catchpits, helping to address long-standing stormwater issues in the area. At the eastern end of the road, a pilot hole is being drilled down the hill with a drilling head then being brought back up to make an underground hole for the new pipes. The current set up is a synthetic...

Whakapirau Road slip repair

It was great to catch up with the Huband Contractors crew on site today working on the Whakapirau Road slip repair. The job is well on its way to completion, as crews fix a significant underslip that first occurred during Cyclone Gabrielle and was worsened during later storm events. The slip caused a large section of the road to give way, creating a safety risk for travellers. By realigning the road away from the unstable slip area, this project will provide a safer, more resilient route.Work st...

Mangawhai Heads Surf Beach carpark upgrade completion

I joined the project crew from Wharehine Construction yesterday, along with council staff and elected members, to celebrate the completion of the Mangawhai Heads Surf Beach carpark upgrade.The work was funded using financial contributions collected from developments in the Mangawhai area and provides 67 new parking spaces including four additional accessible carparks, a dedicated bus drop-off area and an expanded bus park. There are now a total of 211 carparks.Mangawhai Heads surf beach is one o...

New Paparoa Fire Station blessing

I had the pleasure of attending the blessing for the amazing new Paparoa Fire Station this morning led by CFO Ken Ogilvy and Te Uri o Hau kaumatua Albert Shelford.The substantial building is going to be a real asset to the local area and future proofs a strong emergency services presence for many years to come.  Coomunity and volunteer spirit are essential to a vibrant Kaipara with its many small townships and settlements. Paparoa Fire Brigade along with the neighbouring Tinopai crew t...

Mangawhai Road slip repair completion

Mangawhai Road is officially open following one of the most significant slip repair projects ever undertaken in Kaipara.The full 24/7 closure between Coal Hill Road and Cames Road reflected the scale and complexity of the work required to restore this vital connection safely, after it suffered significant damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. We are grateful to NZTA for the Cyclone Gabrielle 92% funding assistance rate contributed towards this project (our normal subsidy rate is 62%).T...

Farnsworth Way unveiling

I had the privilege this morning to attend the unveiling of Mangawhai's new public road named Farnsworth Way. Council formally decided in July to name the new road as a lasting tribute respected Kaipara community leader Mark Farnsworth. The lane was created as part of the Wood Street and surrounds revitalisation and stormwater project in the Mangawhai Heads precinct.For more than 40 years, Mark has given his time, knowledge and leadership to Kaipara and Northland through local government, enviro...

A new playground for Te Kopuru

I had the pleasure of opening Te Kopuru's new playground this week, and it's safe to say it got a big tick of approval from the Te Kopuru School students.This is a fantastic community space and a real asset for Te Kopuru. The old playground had seen better days, so it's great to see it transformed into somewhere children get outside, burn off some energy and have fun. Alongside the playground, we've added new paths, native planting, fruit trees, and planter boxes full of vege plants. The team ha...

Maungatūroto wastewater renewal completion

I stopped by Maungaturoto today to check out the recently completed wastewater renewals project.More than 300 metres of ageing wastewater pipe have been replaced, helping make the network more reliable for local homes and businesses. There's not much disruption as the new PVC pipe is burst through the old asbestos cement pipes in situ underground - pretty smart technology.Thanks to our contractors TDG Environmental and everyone involved in getting the job done on time and under budget. Great to ...

Pine Beach ablution block upgrade

Stopped in at Pine Beach to see progress on the ablution block upgrade out at Taharoa Domain with Councillor Snow Tane.Kai Iwi Lakes is one of our district’s special places, and it's important we invest in the facilities that make it a great experience for locals and visitors alike.The upgrade includes a full refurbishment of the toilet and shower block, with new cubicles, water-saving fittings, LED lighting and more durable surfaces. The project also includes new water tanks at both Pine Beac...

Flying our Nation's flag

I noticed a while back the absence of a flag outside the Mangawhai office. I was pleased to put this right today by raising our brand-new New Zealand flag before today’s council meeting.For me the flag is a symbol of both civic and national pride. It provides a sense of belonging, and is a reminder of our loyalty and shared commitment to the communities we serve here in Kaipara, and our overarching unity as New Zealanders.Special thanks to the seagull perched at the top of the flagpole for pro...

India - New Zealand Business Evening

It was a privilege to cohost an India–New Zealand Trade & Investment Event in Dargaville last night, alongside the Consulate General of India in Auckland and our regional economic development agency Northland NZ.It was a fantastic evening, with local business representatives, economic development professionals and representatives from the Indian Consulate coming together to discuss how we can strengthen trade, investment and innovation links between India and Northland. It was encouraging ...

Mangawhai Community Park new directional signs

Photo: L to R Chairperson of the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) Committee Kate Arbuckle, KDC Manager Strategy and Engagement Jenny Rooney, Councillor Rachael Williams, Mayor Jonathan Larsen, Councillor Luke Canton....

Kaipara Citizens Awards

Yesterday I had the privilege of presenting the 2026 Kaipara Citizens Awards at the Dargaville Lighthouse Function Centre. We're lucky to have so many local people dedicating their time and energy to enrich our communities, and yesterday was an opportunity to recognise the achievements and contributions of 11 of them across three award categories.The 2026 award recipients were:Extraordinary Service by a Newcomer -Clive HebbenColin JacksonJemma O’DonnellLee GreerLong Term Extraordinary Ser...

Dargaville water main upgrades

Last week I attended the commencement of works for a major upgrade to Dargaville's drinking water mains.Approximately 4.3 kilometres of water mains will be replaced between the water treatment plant and Logan Street, via Station Road, Edward Street, Day Street, Beach Road and the Kaihu River bridge on State Highway 12.This is part of council's ongoing focus on delivering the essential services communities rely on every day, and providing safe and reliable drinking water is one of our core respon...

Kaiwaka wastewater treatment plant upgrade

Photo: Lance Wiggs explains the SCUV system...

Kaiwaka Primary School - opening of new library and general purpose room

Photo: L to R Mina Paikea, Principal Sharlene McCormick, Cathy Henderson, Kaumatua Ben Hita, former teacher (and my mother) Judith Cain, Chairman of the Board Phillip Wattam, MP for Northland Grant McCallum, Mayor Jonathan Larsen...

Local government reform

Here is my column on central government's amalgamation proposal -https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/kaipara-wants-evidence-based-approach-to-local-council-reform-jonathan-larsen/KWJDLQ3STVFZDJGLLO4BMTRRAE/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTlqltwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6pkdsXpfw0n8-chvAR_r2Y5lrESC5kwV66uRe6fhekrH88M5Z8QMX3fey8HA_aem_YGaM9WYr3bhPNT5PfQ_s9Q...

Insley Street / Black Swamp Road revetment

Photo: L to R Councillor Rachael Williams, Councillor Craig Jepson, KDC Roading Manager Varunesh Sinha, Mayor Jonathan Larsen...

Citizenship ceremony

Dargaville turned on a beautiful morning yesterday to welcome our newest Kaipara New Zealand citizens with a special citizenship ceremony overlooking the river at the Northern Wairoa Boating Club in Dargaville. New citizens hailing from 13 countries took the oath or affirmation of citizenship, marking the final step in their journey to becoming fully-fledged New Zealanders. Supporting the welcome in person were Deputy Mayor Gordon Lambeth, and Councillors Rachael Williams, Snow Tane, Joesephine ...

Dargaville wastewater treatment plant upgrades

Photo: In front of the new solids screenL to R Deputy Mayor Gordon Lambeth, Johan Guy KDC Manager, Operations (Water, waste and land drainage), Mayor Jonathan Larsen, Councillor Snow Tane...

Taharoa Domain's new wastewater treatment plant

I attended the completion event for the new Taharoa Domain wastewater treatment plant on a cold and rainy Thursday morning.The state of the art new system will allow for greater capacity and future proof the system in this sensitive environment for both the Taharoa Domain campground and the recently completed Pine Beach day visitor toilets.With a budget of just over $1 million the project was completed by Innoflow in collaboration with TrineKel, GWE engineering, Huband Contractors, and Laser Ele...

CE Powhiri

The Kaipara turned on a beautiful morning yesterday for the powhiri at Otamatea Marae to welcome our new Kaipara District Council Chief Executive Jazz Singh.We were welcomed into the wharenui Aotearoa by members of Otamatea Marae, Te Uri o Hau and Te Rununga o Ngati Whatua. We then moved to the wharekai for lunch. Thank you to everyone who hosted us today, and made our new CE Jazz so welcome. Special thanks to Te Rehia for the karanga and Tracey for the great lunch.Ma whero, ma pango k...

Pahi playground opening

Pahi turned on a beautiful winter's morning for the official opening of the new Pahi playground on Saturday.A great crowd of locals gathered to celebrate the completion with local kids enthusiastically testing out the new equipment.A big thank you to -Joanne McFarlane (KDC) who designed the concept and managed the project.Steve Sheriff and Jo Davies (Sheriff Building) who were involved in all aspects of the project including designing and building the bespoke play elements.Jason Searle and Aaron...

Dargaville Hospital 70th birthday celebration and open day

Dargaville turned on a beautiful Sunday morning to celebrate the 70th birthday of Dargaville Hospital.  By way of a very concise history, former Northland Hospital Board Chairman Melvin Williams laid the hospital's foundation brick in 1953.The official opening on February 25 1956 was attended by a large gathering of people all dressed in their Sunday best, for what was seen as an auspicious achievement for the area.The maternity annex opened in October 1971, Replacing the facility at T...

Minister Mike Butterick visits Kaipara

I had another busy weekend with a visit from Hon. Mike Butterick, who is the Associate Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Land Information.First stop was the Dargaville to Te Kopuru stopbank which is being strengthened and raised over 9.2km of its 11.7km length. The stopbank protects 1753 hectares of highly productive land. This work is being delivered in conjunction with the installation of the pipeline between the reservoir and Dargaville.  Next we headed to the amazing 3.3 mill...