Save the date to ‘shift gears’ for next State of the Far North

The hugely successful State of the Far North is back, so mark your calendars. A district-wide ‘Save the date’ notice was issued on Friday 12 December so leaders in Te Ao Māori, business, politics, and all interested residents can plan ahead to attend this milestone event.

This early announcement ensures everyone has the chance to prepare for what has become one of the Far North’s most anticipated opportunities to connect and hear directly from the council.

Post-event surveys from last year’s State of the Far North showed overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 82 percent of attendees rating the event favourably. Media coverage also reinforced its impact, with Radio NZ describing it as “a groundbreaking approach to local government transparency”. Building on that recognition, the event was celebrated as the first of its kind in New Zealand local government, introducing the Road to Recovery theme and setting a new benchmark for how councils share their vision for the district.

This year’s theme, Shifting Gears – The Road Ahead, builds on the foundation set at last year’s inaugural address, where Mayor Kahika Moko Tepania and other elected members outlined the significant challenges facing our district.  By confronting those issues openly, the council was able to shift the organisation out of a stalled position and move into forward gear. The 2026 event will continue that momentum by highlighting the progress made and the direction we are now confidently heading.

The first step towards attending the exclusive event on Thursday 26 February 2026 is to ‘save the date’, with more details, including RSVP instructions, to follow in the weeks ahead. The weeknight evening event will be held at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri.

Expect the same transparency again as this latest address showcases the innovative strategies and initiatives of our newly elected council. Those wanting a refresher on last year’s event can revisit the full presentation on the council’s YouTube channel. Exciting announcements and updates on major projects will also be on the agenda of this not-to-be-missed event.

Stay tuned for more details to come!