A plan to redirect housing and commercial growth to the centres of Kerikeri and Waipapa, protect the rural environment and increase employment opportunities is now open for feedback.
The Far North District Council is seeking public submissions on its draft spatial plan – Te Pātukurea – which will shape how these areas grow over the next 30+ years, setting the direction for everything from housing choices and infrastructure investment to the protection of the natural environment.
Council Planning and Policy Group Manager, Roger Ackers says the draft plan has been developed over the past three years together with Hapū Rōpū partners and following extensive engagement with stakeholders and the wider community.
“Last year, we sought feedback on a series of growth options for Kerikeri and Waipapa. In total, we received more than 700 pieces of feedback which we have used to develop the draft plan,” said Mr Ackers.
“Now we are coming back to our communities to make sure we’ve got it right.”
The draft plan would provide for more than 4,000 new homes, including townhouses, duplexes and small apartments, in the centres of Kerikeri and Waipapa as well as 18 hectares of new commercial land.
In addition, it also priorities new infrastructure and waters connection and proposes improvements to the health of waterways and biodiversity, opportunities for new parks, green spaces and investment in recreational and community facilities.
Mr Ackers says the Council wants to know whether residents support the plan, if any changes need to be made, and whether they agree with how the council plans to implement it.
“I would strongly encourage each and every person who calls Kerikeri and Waipapa home or spends time here to have their say on this plan. It will shape not only our future, but that of generations to come,” he said.
“We’ll use the feedback we receive on the draft plan to update and refine Te Pātukurea. It will then be finalised and presented to councillors for adoption in mid-2025. Once adopted, Te Pātukurea will inform our district-wide spatial plan.
“This blueprint is not just about Kerikeri and Waipapa— the future district-wide spatial plan will help guide the future growth of other fast-growing towns in the Far North, such as Kaikohe and Kaitaia, ensuring they also benefit from well-planned development.”
The draft spatial plan can be viewed online at www.fndc.govt.nz/spatialplan.
Submissions are open from 20 March to 22 April 2025.
