Mayors Memo

 

Kia ora,

Bursting into full summertime fun, the summer holiday period sees Kaipara’s population nearly double – family and friends come to stay, baches which have lain quiet for months become busy, lawns are covered with tents.

Sharing our special place is the spirit of the season and brings good times and things to watch too. Keep watch on your water supplies. Also, watch out as our Kaipara roads become busier with drivers unfamiliar with our local conditions.

Please consider other drivers, be patient if they’re taking their time looking at the spectacular scenery and open spaces that are everyday to us, encourage everyone to drive with caution particularly on the unsealed roads. We’re familiar with having a road network that’s challenging for drivers (and windscreens, shock-absorbers and tyres), but visitors may not be. Remember to watch the road, keep safe behind the wheel and don’t drink and drive.

Recent Alcohol By-law Review 2018 means changes to what having a drink in Kaipara public places including at the beach will be like. The largest changes are in Mangawhai and at Tinopai. Check out www.kaipara.govt.nz for detailed information about how we’re all trying to keep our places safe.

Taking place this summer is Taharoa Domain Bylaw Review. If you get to the Kai Iwi Lakes before February 2019 please have your say on site. Ensuring future generations can enjoy this pristine jewel of the Kaipara is the ongoing focus, with its crystal-clear fresh water, safe swimming and popular campground. Busy official campgrounds and also Freedom Campers will be across Kaipara District this summer, which is a perfect cue to ask our People’s Panel about its first subject – Freedom Camping in Kaipara.

eople’s Panel members will be asked for their views in a short survey in late December, and we’ll share the results in the new year.

If you haven’t joined yet feel free to sign up now at www. kaipara.govt.nz/panel. I’ve joined, and my family’s signed up too. The more the merrier.

Merry Christmas to everyone. This is my first Christmas as Mayor of Kaipara District and I thank you for electing me in February to serve this community. It's bben a great year and I'm looking forward to 2019 with greater things in store for Kaipara. In the meantime, for a few days I'm going to take off my worn-out watch, let time slip away and head to the beach. Pick a beach, any Kaipara beach. Come on in, the water's fine.

Meri Kerihimete and Happy New Year.

Jason Smith