Latest news with #JanetHolborow
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Long-Standing Mana Whenua And Kāpiti Coast District Council Partnership Renewed
Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki hāpū and whānau and Kāpiti Coast District Council renewed their Partnership Agreement at a Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti 30-year anniversary event, hosted by Raukawa Marae, Ōtaki on Friday 27 June 2025. The Agreement builds upon the foundations laid by the original Whakahoatanga Manatu, Memorandum of Partnership signed in 1994 - one of the longest standing partnerships between Mana Whenua and local government in Aotearoa New Zealand. Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow said Council recognises the important and unique roles both iwi and Council play in defining future-focused outcomes for the district. 'The new Partnership Agreement reaffirms Council's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our partnership with Mana Whenua Iwi, while recognising Council's responsibilities under the Local Government Act,' said Mayor Holborow. 'Forged from the call to recognise wāhi tapu in Council's district planning 30 years ago, today the taiao and aspirations and priorities of Mana Whenua are an important part of Council's decision-making. Our renewed partnership will contribute to continuous improvement in this area. 'Like our mutual trust and respect, our partnership has deepened over time. 'Together, we navigate Government reform, ensuring as land use rules change and our district grows, we continue to put our people, place, and partnership first.' Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti Chair Kim Tahiwi says the Agreement is a living document grounded in Te Tiriti and shaped by tikanga and guided by shared values. 'The Agreement introduces the mātāpono (principles) of Kotahitanga (collective leadership), Rangatiratanga (self-determined leadership), Whanaungatanga (sustaining relationships) and Manaakitanga (upholding mana) as a guiding framework,' said Ms Tahiwi. 'It reflects our intent to lead together with integrity, relate to one another, respond to challenges, and carry out our responsibilities across time, projects and governance changes. 'This in turn builds strong foundations for our mokopuna and upholds the mana of our respective roles and communities. 'The Agreement is not just a piece of paper; it's the weight of those who came before us and the responsibility of those who will follow. It is another step in the right direction, but the momentum needs to carry on.' In his addressing speech Rupene Waaka, MC of the event, gave the whakapapa of the naming of Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti. 'The use of 'Whakaminenga' should not be missed as it was the cornerstone of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Niu Tireni, the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand signed in 1835,' said Mr Waaka. 'The signing by Council and hāpu and whānau is not just a procedural milestone, it's a reaffirmation of our commitment to partnership, to equity, and to honouring the mana of all those who came before us. 'It is also a challenge – to ensure that future generations inherit not just the documents we sign, but the values we uphold.' The passing of Te Rakauoteora Te Maipi, Koro Don Te Maipi was acknowledged on the day. A taonga, a humble leader, whānau member and friend, Koro Don was an integral part of connecting iwi and Council's kaupapa for more than 25 years. He embodied the partnership agreement principles, especially Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga – caring for others and the value of family. Editor's notes: The 1994 Whakahoatanga Manatu Memorandum of Partnership was signed by the late Te Pehi Parata, and Rupene Waaka, John Barrett, Miria Pomare, Councillor Harold Thomas, and the late Mayor Brett Ambler. In 1995, Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti, a forum created for decision making and collaborative engagement on mutually agreed priorities, was established. More recently, one representative from each Mana Whenua partner with full voting rights was appointed to Council committees and a seat at all Council meetings was extended to iwi representatives to ensure their important perspectives are included in decision making. Council has also reaffirmed its decision to establish the Kapiti Coast Māori ward, which is in place for this year's local elections.
Scoop
7 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Council Decides Road Names For Old SH1 Through Kāpiti
Kāpiti Coast District Council has agreed the names it wants for five sections of the old State Highway 1 in Kāpiti following its revocation to a local road. Mayor Janet Holborow said Council took on board strong community feedback in favour of staying with names that have been in local usage for many decades, though some names are still subject to approval from Land Information New Zealand. "Local residents were firm in their view that some of the names are in common use, and in their opposition to any change," says Mayor Holborow. "After further conversations with mana whenua and feedback from residents, we recognised that a lot had changed since the original offering of historic Māori names." From Poplar Avenue to Kāpiti Road, Council are proposing Main Road South. Main Road North was agreed from the end of Rimutaka Street to the Waikanae River. Names such as 'Main Road', or variations of it, are not generally acceptable under the naming conventions used by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), the agency responsible for gazetting road names. "For these two stretches of road, the names may not be acceptable to LINZ. Should they not be approved by LINZ, Council has approved the names Hokowhitu and Southward Drive as alternatives," says Mayor Holborow. The name 'Hokowhitu' honours the local men who served in the Māori Pioneer Battalion, Te Hokowhitu a Tū, in World War One. 'Southward Drive' recognises the contribution of Len Southward to the community and was put forward by the Southward family during the initial consultation, with strong community support. The road through Waikanae town will remain Main Road, with Council proposing extending the road name north to Peka Peka. Main Road is the existing gazetted name through Waikanae, so isn't subject to LINZ approval, but the extension will require confirmation by them. Main Road was the preferred option from the Community Board and wider community. The Hadfield Road connection will become Horrobin Road after one of the early farming families in the district. This was the name favoured by the Community Board, and Horrobin descendants presented in favour of the name to both to the Waikanae Community Board and Council. The renaming process began in 2016 and despite extensive community consultation at the time, no decision was made. A working group consisting of mana whenua and local historians had suggested names honouring Māori individuals and history for each of the old state highway sections in 2016. Mayor Holborow thanked the group for offering 'beautiful names that honoured tipuna (ancestors) and the history of the land'. She said the process following the offer of the names was unacceptable and must not happen again. "I'm still very saddened by how our process got us to this place, but we will continue to look at ways of honouring these tipuna in our district.' The Council also approved a motion for council officers to review its road naming and renaming policy in consultation with mana whenua. 'This has been difficult to navigate but we needed to make a decision and move forward,' Mayor Holborow said. For renaming, the road was divided into sections as it allows most properties to keep the same street numbers. 'If we adopted one name for the entire length of the road, almost everyone living along it would have had to renumber their property,' Mayor Holborow said. The original section 1 (Paekākāriki to MacKay's Crossing) is staying part of the state highway. This means it continues to be managed by NZTA and doesn't need renaming. Section 7 from Peka Peka to Ōtaki is still being upgraded and will be renamed when it too is handed over to the Council to manage as a local road. Mayor Holborow said NZTA covered most of the costs associated with renaming the road as part of the revocation agreement. Council will now publicly notify its intention to rename the roads and will work with LINZ, affected property owners, and emergency services to ensure there is a smooth transition to the gazetted road names, Mayor Holborow said.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Council Backs Push For Better Access To Local Health Services
Kāpiti Coast District Council has formally endorsed the work of the Kāpiti Health Advisory Group's (KHAG) for its efforts to secure better access to health services for the local community. Mayor Janet Holborow acknowledged that while Council is not directly responsible for delivering health services, it plays a key role in advocating for improved health outcomes. 'Through our Vision Kāpiti conversations last year, our community made it clear that better access to health services is a top priority,' said Mayor Holborow. 'Kāpiti is a growing district with a large population of over 65s and an increasing number of young families. We must ensure the health needs of our residents are not overlooked by central government. 'We're currently developing a draft Health Strategy and greatly value the tireless advocacy of the Kāpiti Health Advisory Group in pushing for solutions that meet the needs of our people.' Mayor Holborow said a proposed Polyclinic for the district could be a 'game changer.' 'If funding can be secured, a Polyclinic would provide essential services locally, easing pressure on other regional facilities and ensuring our residents can access care close to home.' While the Council is not in a position to allocate ratepayer funding to the project, it will continue to support efforts to improve local health infrastructure. 'We will be writing to Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, local MPs, and the Minister of Health, seeking a clear commitment to progressively expand services at the Kāpiti Health Centre,' said Mayor Holborow. 'This is one of several initiatives Council is working on, and we acknowledge the particular need for access to health services in Ōtaki. 'Council will also continue to work alongside KHAG and our Social Sustainability Committee to champion better health outcomes for our community.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Building A Resilient Future For Kāpiti: Annual Plan Adopted And Rates Set For 2025/26 Year
Press Release – Kapiti Coast District Council Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whet, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Kāpiti Coast District Council has adopted its annual plan and set rates for the coming year, with a focus on sticking to the long-term objective of building a resilient future for the Kāpiti Coast. The Annual Plan 2025/26 is an update to year two of the Long-term Plan 2024/34 (LTP), which outlines the projects and services to be delivered over 10 years. It was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 May. Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whetū, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Council is also progressing its financial strategy to reduce debt by a total of $153 million by 2034, building capacity to respond to natural disasters and maximise growth opportunities. To do the mahi (work) outlined in the plan and reduce Council's debt levels, rates revenue will rise by 6.9 percent after growth for the year – within the 7 percent limit set in the LTP. Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says the Annual Plan sets Kāpiti up for future challenges. 'We've stuck to what we agreed with the community last year, with some minor amendments made to accommodate rising costs,' Mayor Holborow says. 'Everything we're doing is about making sure Kāpiti is well-placed for whatever the future brings, because based on our recent experience and the predictions we can draw from we know there will be unexpected challenges ahead. 'This is why we're continuing to invest in our core water infrastructure, which is among the best in New Zealand, and our other essential services. 'It's why we're reducing our debt, so that we can respond to potential natural disasters and growth opportunities strongly. 'We're also balancing this future focus with the current pressures we all face – no one wants to see high rates rises. 'We have worked hard to find significant operational savings, so we can keep rates as affordable as we can.' Mayor Holborow says the bulk of Council's rates-funded operational spending for the year ($114m) will be on core services like water management, roading and transport, and pools, parks and playgrounds. 'We'll be spending $34.1m of ratepayer money on our wastewater, storm water and drinking water services, $17m on our transport network, and $10.1m on our parks and open spaces. 'These and our other services all play important parts in making Kāpiti such a great place to live and do business in, and it's important we make sure we continue to invest in what we've got.' The final 2025/26 Annual Plan will be available to read at in the coming days. Fees and charges adopted At the same meeting Council also adopted the fees and charges used to cover some of the costs of facilities and services for the 2025/26 year. Most fees and charges increases have been held at the 3.2 percent inflation factor used by local government. There are some exceptions where fees and charges have risen. These include: Building Consent Fees: Fees for code compliance certificates and some LIMs will go up. Online consent application fees will also increase due to changes by our online system vendor. Domestic Food Business Levy: A new levy set by MPI will be introduced. The Council will charge a small fee to cover the cost of collecting this revenue for the Government. Hall Hire Fees: These will increase by 10% to cover higher costs. Learn to Swim Programme: Minor changes include more convenient payment options, flexibility for school participation, and a small regular charge for students to access the pool outside of lessons. Access and Transport: Corridor access request fees for project works will increase beyond inflation to cover higher costs. Wastewater Fees: Septage disposal and trade waste discharge fees will rise beyond inflation. A new fee for wastewater connection inspections will be introduced. Potable Water Fees: Adjustments will be made to fees for water meter special readings, filling point access cards, and water volume charges at Council filling points. Waikanae Pop-up Fees: New fees will be established to help cover the costs of the Waikanae Pop-up for start-up businesses in the short term. The full register of proposed fees and charges can be found at
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Building A Resilient Future For Kāpiti: Annual Plan Adopted And Rates Set For 2025/26 Year
Kāpiti Coast District Council has adopted its annual plan and set rates for the coming year, with a focus on sticking to the long-term objective of building a resilient future for the Kāpiti Coast. The Annual Plan 2025/26 is an update to year two of the Long-term Plan 2024/34 (LTP), which outlines the projects and services to be delivered over 10 years. It was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 May. Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whetū, the new library and community hub in Waikanae. Council is also progressing its financial strategy to reduce debt by a total of $153 million by 2034, building capacity to respond to natural disasters and maximise growth opportunities. To do the mahi (work) outlined in the plan and reduce Council's debt levels, rates revenue will rise by 6.9 percent after growth for the year – within the 7 percent limit set in the LTP. Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says the Annual Plan sets Kāpiti up for future challenges. 'We've stuck to what we agreed with the community last year, with some minor amendments made to accommodate rising costs,' Mayor Holborow says. 'Everything we're doing is about making sure Kāpiti is well-placed for whatever the future brings, because based on our recent experience and the predictions we can draw from we know there will be unexpected challenges ahead. 'This is why we're continuing to invest in our core water infrastructure, which is among the best in New Zealand, and our other essential services. 'It's why we're reducing our debt, so that we can respond to potential natural disasters and growth opportunities strongly. 'We're also balancing this future focus with the current pressures we all face – no one wants to see high rates rises. 'We have worked hard to find significant operational savings, so we can keep rates as affordable as we can.' Mayor Holborow says the bulk of Council's rates-funded operational spending for the year ($114m) will be on core services like water management, roading and transport, and pools, parks and playgrounds. 'We'll be spending $34.1m of ratepayer money on our wastewater, storm water and drinking water services, $17m on our transport network, and $10.1m on our parks and open spaces. 'These and our other services all play important parts in making Kāpiti such a great place to live and do business in, and it's important we make sure we continue to invest in what we've got.' The final 2025/26 Annual Plan will be available to read at in the coming days. Fees and charges adopted At the same meeting Council also adopted the fees and charges used to cover some of the costs of facilities and services for the 2025/26 year. Most fees and charges increases have been held at the 3.2 percent inflation factor used by local government. There are some exceptions where fees and charges have risen. These include: Building Consent Fees: Fees for code compliance certificates and some LIMs will go up. Online consent application fees will also increase due to changes by our online system vendor. Domestic Food Business Levy: A new levy set by MPI will be introduced. The Council will charge a small fee to cover the cost of collecting this revenue for the Government. Hall Hire Fees: These will increase by 10% to cover higher costs. Learn to Swim Programme: Minor changes include more convenient payment options, flexibility for school participation, and a small regular charge for students to access the pool outside of lessons. Access and Transport: Corridor access request fees for project works will increase beyond inflation to cover higher costs. Wastewater Fees: Septage disposal and trade waste discharge fees will rise beyond inflation. A new fee for wastewater connection inspections will be introduced. Potable Water Fees: Adjustments will be made to fees for water meter special readings, filling point access cards, and water volume charges at Council filling points. Waikanae Pop-up Fees: New fees will be established to help cover the costs of the Waikanae Pop-up for start-up businesses in the short term. The full register of proposed fees and charges can be found at
