News stories

**UPDATE – 7AM SATURDAY 12 JULY**

The front has largely moved across the Northland region. Although there is still some surface flooding, damage to some roads, and slips and trees down in some areas of the district, no significant issues have been reported as of midnight.

The collection of kerbside recycling in and around the Bay of Islands will end on Thursday 31 July, the company responsible for the service has confirmed. The council does not and has never run kerbside collections for either rubbish or recycling.

For over 25 years, the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs has helped rangatahi all over New Zealand prepare for, and secure jobs in a wide range of industries.

Rates are essential for funding the services we all rely on. However sometimes, certain properties or households face challenges that make paying them difficult or unfair.

An animated video about voting in the Māori Ward Poll – which is part of the Local Elections this year – has been created in-house at the council and goes live on social media on Wednesday 9 July.

The government has listened to calls from Far North District councillors to create common-sense insulation rules that will ease costs for Far North designers, builders and homeowners.

Far North District Council has adopted a 10.95 per cent rates increase for the 2025/26 financial year, the second time it has delivered increases below those originally forecast.

From next Monday (14 July) coloured 1 (PET) plastics will no longer be accepted for recycling at council waste transfer and recycling stations.

In this Karere Kahika update, Mayor Moko Tepania addresses this year's rates decision, and explains how the funds will be spent on critical infrastructure and services throughout the district.