http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz en-us Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:11:06 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/156151/new-kaipara-council-is-official/ I had the great pleasure of attending the new Council's inaugural meeting and swearing in ceremony today at Matakohe War Memorial Hall.The ceremony was opened by Pastor Tawhiri Littlejohn accompanied by his mother Mina Paikea. The Dargaville High School kapa haka group performed before the official swearing in and first items of Council business were transacted followed by the singing of the national anthem and afternoon tea.Thank you to everyone who came and joined us to make it such a special ... Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post156151 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/156150/aranga-beach-toilet-opening/ It was a beautiful sunny morning on Monday for the official opening of the new Aranga toilets.The project was built by Huband Contractors with project management by Hoskin Civil, with a final cost of $230,000 funded by depreciation reserves.The old toilets had failed and it was important to get new toilets in place.The opening was supported with a blessing from Te Roroa members, and attended by Aranga School staff and students. The students were involved in the painting of the mural which was le... Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post156150 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/156149/creating-strategic-networks-for-kaipara/ Had a great couple of days at "Mayors School" in the capital.This was a great opportunity to connect with most of the 66 Mayors from across New Zealand - 33 of whom were returning re-elected, and 33 new in the job.Lots of great information about how to run successful councils and time to catch up with key government ministers. I took the opportunity to talk Kaipara economic development with PM Rt. Hon. Christopher Luxon and thank him again for investment in Kaipara via the Te Tai Tokerau Water T... Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post156149 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/156148/northern-corridor-route-approved/ MAJOR NEWS FOR KAIPARA AND NORTHLANDAs announced today by the Transport Minister, Hon Chris Bishop, the NZTA Board has endorsed the Northland Corridor investment case for the 2 RoNS between Te Hana and Whangārei, Te Hana and Port Marsden Highway (including the Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills) and Port Marsden Highway and Whangārei.The investment case recommends moving to route protection in a staged approach for the full corridor between Te Hana and Whangārei and endorses the preferred ro... Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post156148 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/156146/jonathan-larsen--mayor-of-kaipara-district-council/ I received a phone call last night to inform me that I have been elected as the Mayor of Kaipara District.Thank you to everyone who has helped me throughout the campaign. The faith and support that voters across the district have provided has been very humbling.Most importantly thank you for electing an outstanding team of councillors - all courageous Kaipara people who are passionate about serving their district. A Mayor can only excel when surrounded by a talented team and that is what you hav... Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post156146 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/156147/kaiwaka-volunteer-fire-brigade-honours-night/ Had the pleasure of spending the first evening of my mayoralty at the Kaiwaka Volunteer Fire Brigade honours night. Kaipara District contains eight fire brigades - Mangawhai, Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto, Paparoa, Tinopai, Ruawai, Dargaville and Te Kopuru. The dedicated volunteers at all the brigades give their time to help the community when most in need.Thank you for your service.... Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post156147 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/152811/managing-growth-at-mangawhai/ Photo: Mangawhai Heads in 1962... Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:20:14 +1200 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post152811 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/156143/te-waihekeora-reservoir-official-opening/ Had the privilege of attending the opening of the Te Waihekeora water reservoir today by Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon. A major initiative of Hon Shane Jones the Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust reservoir provides opportunities for significant economic growth in Kaipara by allowing the development of high value horticulture.... Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post156143 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/152545/fixing-our-roads/ Roading is Council’s biggest asset and biggest spend of ratepayers money. Understandably the condition of our roads is one of the biggest concerns raised by ratepayers. With 1200km of our 1600km road network being unsealed it is a big area to maintain. At the start of this term our roading maintenance was not working. Maintenance had been run down during the commissioner era and the leadership of the previous council neglected maintenance in order to keep rates artificially low.... Mon, 22 Sep 2025 08:04:35 +1200 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post152545 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/post/151515/jonathan-larsen--mayor-for-all-of-kaipara/ I’m Jonathan Larsen and I am standing to be your new Mayor in the upcoming elections in October. I'm your current Deputy Mayor, and four term Councillor, I bring experience, stability, and strong leadership with a track record of delivering results for Kaipara’s ratepayers. Let's keep Kaipara moving forward together!... Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:55:00 +1200 http://www.jonathanlarsen.co.nz/blog/#post151515