Council's State of the Far North presentation goes online
- Focus Paihia Team
- Mar 18
- 1 min read
The Far North District Council has made its annual State of the Far North address available online, giving all residents access to the district's progress report and plans ahead.
The presentation, themed Shifting Gears – The Road Ahead, covered key areas including roading, water, growth, waste management, housing and financial sustainability, marking a shift from reactive responses to long-term planning. Video updates featured major projects such as the Kaitāia water supply, the Kaikohe Library and Civic Hub construction, and regional water reform work.
"The State of the Far North is about transparency and connection," said Ruben Garcia, group manager of community and engagement at Far North District Council. "We want our communities to see not just what council is delivering, but why certain decisions are made and how it all fits together."
Garcia noted that making the address available online allows residents to watch it in their own time, revisit key sections and share it with whānau, colleagues and community networks. He added that the event continues to set a benchmark nationally for how councils engage directly with their communities.
"This is about lifting the curtain on council operations, the successes, the challenges, and the trade-offs," Garcia added. "When people understand the full picture, it builds trust and enables better conversations about the future of our district."
The address was attended by community, business, iwi, hapū and government representatives, who heard directly from Mayor Moko Tepania and elected members.
Click below to watch the presentation: