Shared Opportunities Meeting Monday 12 February 2024 at 11.30am
Venue: Ric’s Café, Tara Iti, Mangawhai
Attendees:
Kaipara District
Mayor Craig Jepson
Deputy Mayor Jonathan Larsen
Cr Mike Howard
Cr Rachel Williams
CE Jason Marris
Economic Development Lead Paul Thompson
Infrastructure GM Anin Nama
Scribe: Debbie Taylor
Auckland Council
Mayor Wayne Brown
Parul Sood
Cr Greg Sayers
Angie Burn
Rodney Local Board
Colin Smith
Michelle Carmichael
Tim Holdgate
Tara Iti and Te Arai Links
Brian Spicer
Matt Guzik
Greg Kenward
Stan Semenoff
Apologies
Jim Rohrstaff
Phil Wilson
Dean Kimpton
Ivan Wagstaff
Item
Comment / Action / Decision
1.
Welcome and introduction
Mayor Craig Jepson welcomed all to the meeting and thanked everyone for taking the time to attend. A
round table introduction for all attendees occurred.
Craig then introduced Greg Kenward Director Tara Iti Holdings NZ. Greg gave an introduction of Te
Arai Links and Tara Iti
• 290 staff between the two clubs
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• More than 200 contracted caddies
• Estimated 93% of staff live in Northland, although all employed in Auckland
• Estimated to be circa 25% of Mangawhai GDP
• Around 1000 rounds per week at TAL. 50% are guests. Significant portion at this time of year are
internationals
• TI is a low impact private club. Significant GDP benefits to Mangawhai
• TAL is a tourism asset, with both members and public welcome. F&B, retail sales and
accommodation match dues and green fees. Big attraction for inbound golf tourism which historically
skipped Auckland. TI ranked 2 in the world outside US. TAL South 85 in world.
• TAL and TI have 85 consented worker accommodation rooms – staff accommodation is an issue
• Between the two precincts, over 300 contractors on site every day – 50:50 Auckland-Northland
• 138 rateable properties in Auckland, 29 in Kaipara, including the hotel operations. Total 130 rooms
accommodation, with another 10 rooms coming on stream end of this year. Looking to add a
conference facility at TAL.
• Roading also major issue, especially Atkins and Ocean View (which you will have experienced
today). Have provided all requested information to AT and awaiting response
• Excellent relationship by both clubs with Auckland Parks and Reserves. Still need to finalise a couple
of small boundary adjustments
• As discussed with Mayor Brown last year, potential to further enhance TAS precinct as significant
excess land, and demand. Still 500 hectares of undeveloped forest land at TI and TAL. Significant
interaction with Iwi – TUOH and NM
• Both Precincts provide own services, own internal roads and have very little impact on wider off-site
infrastructure.
2.
Dome Valley Landfill
Mayor Jepson handed out copies of a Waste to Energy powerpoint
presentation. Copy attached to minutes.
There was a general question and answer session regarding Waste to Energy
plants. Mayor Jepson answered given his international experience with such
plants.
Mayor Jepson was clear that a possible plant in Northland would not be a
council project, however, council would play a regulatory and possible
advocacy role due to the economic development possibilities.
Mayor Brown advised that he was happy to support investigations into a
Waste to energy initiative in principle, noting that Auckland Council has little
direct control over 80% of waste in Auckland, and much of its waste is
particularly construction, demolition and commercial waste. Mayor Brown also
advised that council collected residual residential waste destined for landfill
can be diverted to such a facility (if this was available) provided it made
economic sense for Aucklanders and demonstrated an improvement in
sustainable environmental outcomes, particularly in reducing carbon
emissions. There is no contract that would prevent Auckland from diverting
waste to such a facility.
Discussion around the Dome Valley Landfill proposal which is currently under
appeal and general waste disposal occurred.
All in attendance at the meeting agreed to support KDCs investigation of waste
to energy in principle. Auckland Council emphasised that it would not take a
lead role this initiative but will cooperate and remains interested in
understanding new technologies and ideas to manage its waste.
3.
Transport/roading
Conversation occurred on the situation with roading and transport in the
various districts.
There was discussion on various roading aspects such as Atkins Road,
including topics such as using oil as a dust suppression and the issues with
that method, including looking into unsealed maintenance programmes in the
Kaipara and Auckland.
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The group will continue to work together on this these issues and report back
with information and suggested joint actions.
Rodney Local Board member Colin Smith tabled documents (attached) Rural
Roading Dust Suppression Trial, Roading Maintenance and Drainage, AT
Unsealed Roading Network Tech Report, Acrylamide toxicity.
Agreement from meeting attendees on a need for KDC and Auckland Council
to work together given the shared interests and across boundaries. There was
discussion about a possible communications piece around road maintenance
that there was and the need to get back to basics to ensure better value for
money through contracts and to seek efficiencies in how rural roads are
maintained.
4.
Tourism
It was identified by the group that tourism is an increasingly important aspect
of both Auckland and the Kaipara, and that there are shared opportunities. A
good example of this is the Tara Iti golf courses.
It was identified that Mangawhai needs a modern motel and a conference
centre.
Mayor Jepson mentioned that KDC was currently in the middle of their District
Plan review with the aim of allowing more growth in the district.
Councillor Mike Howard working with a group on a Northland Golf Tourism
Strategy.
It was identified that the north island region needs to work together to take
advantage of its regional assets and what there is to offer for tourism. An
example of upgrading North Port was used to advance economic development
in the region.
5.
Future of Lake Road
Kaipara District lost a local supply of metal with the closure of the Lake Road
Quarry
Quarry. There was support from attendees on the benefits of having local
quarries and using material locally.
In the current regulatory regime, it is sometimes difficult to expand operations
due to environmental constraints and incompatible neighbouring land uses to
allow for growth, and to complete infrastructure efficiently and effectively.
This issue needs to be raised with Central Government through discussion all
attendees would be having in the future.
6.
Shared Opportunities
Marsden Point Refinery – general discussion on the impacts of closing the
refinery was held, and the opportunities that this presented.
7.
Wrap up
Mayor Jepson thanked everyone for attending. Special thank you to team at Tara Iti and Ric’s Café for
use of their facilities for the meeting.
Mayor Brown to chair and organise next meeting–Suggested a venue in Warkworth.
All agree, this forum is beneficial for sharing of inter-regional and local knowledge and issues. and are
supporting of regular meet ups in 3–4-month intervals as required.
All, to follow up with contacts on specific topics and issues, and to keep the collaborative dialogue
going.
