Statement from Mayor Moko Tepania

Tēnā koutou e te whānau,

Thank you for your patience regarding my response to an interview undertaken by Councillor Davina Smolders on the Duncan Garner Editor in Chief podcast on 8 April 2026.

Firstly, I acknowledge the level of community interest this has generated, as well as the hurt, confusion, and division it has caused. Our people deserve clarity, respect, and truth. Division grows when it is fed, so let us re-ground ourselves in what matters: kindness, respect, and community.

We are stronger together as Te Hiku o te Ika, as the Far North. The purpose of this statement is to address the concerns raised and to correct misinformation that has been presented as fact. I take my role as Mayor, and as a leader and representative of this district, very seriously. I always strive to lead with integrity, honesty, and transparency.

I also wish to acknowledge and apologise for my own conduct in responding to a request from the podcast host using inappropriate language. That response reflected a lapse in judgement, and I take full responsibility for it. I accept it did not meet the standard expected of me. I apologise to those I have disappointed.

However, it is equally important to address the substance of the claims made in the interview.

Many of the statements presented were false, misleading, and unfounded. These include allegations relating to governance processes, decision‑making authority, and the role of iwi and hapū representatives within council structures. Such claims do not reflect the legal or operational reality of how this council functions.

• Committees, including Te Kuaka, generally do not hold final decision‑making authority. With some limited exceptions, their role is to provide advice and recommendations to full council.
• In particular, the Te Kuaka Committee for Māori Strategic Relationships acts in an advisory capacity, providing strategic leadership and guidance on Te Ao Māori perspectives to inform council decision‑making.
• All key decisions- financial, statutory, and strategic- are made by full council.
• Māori participation in council processes is explicitly supported by legislation, including the Local Government Act 2002, and reflects both our legal obligations and the demographic reality of our district.
• All governance arrangements, terms of reference, agendas, and decisions are publicly available and made through transparent, formal processes.

There are no hidden agendas, and there is no basis to claims that decision‑making has been compromised or transferred to unelected parties.

I also wish to address claims made regarding alleged bullying behaviour by myself and others at the council. I take any such claims seriously. While I cannot speak to how an individual may feel, claims must be supported by evidence, and inferences only add to unnecessary harm and division. Council has fair processes to deal with the behaviours of elected members.

There has also been speculation about Ministerial intervention. The Minister for Local Government has confirmed that the Far North District Council is functioning as required, and the threshold for a Crown Observer has not been met. The Minister has indicated he will continue to take an interest in council matters as is appropriate. Council is in close communication with Local Government New Zealand and the Department of Internal Affairs for ongoing support.

We welcome scrutiny, questions, and engagement from our community. However, there must also be a line. The statements made in this podcast go beyond political disagreement. They are serious public allegations presented as fact, with the potential to mislead our community, damage reputations, undermine confidence in our institutions, and create division where unity is most needed.

This situation has had a real impact, not only on elected members and staff, but on the wider community. The volume of ongoing challenges, including excessive information requests, has placed significant strain on council resources and staff wellbeing, diverting attention from the work that matters most: serving our people. That is not acceptable.

My commitment, and the commitment of this council, is to move forward with integrity, lawful decision‑making, and respect for all communities. While iwi and hapū representatives contribute valuable insight and perspective, accountability and final decision‑making authority remain solely with your elected Council.

We will not allow misinformation to define our district or distract us from the work ahead. Our focus remains firmly on our communities on rebuilding, restoring confidence, and delivering for the people we serve.

It is time to move forward together and get back to the mahi.

Be calm. Be kind. Look after yourselves and those around you, we are stronger together as the Far North.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Mayor Moko Tepania

Watch the statement from Mayor Moko Tepania below.

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