Council confirms governance priorities, community projects and forward work programme

Westland District Council confirmed a range of governance, operational and community matters at its Ordinary Council Meeting held on Thursday 29 January.

Ahead of the meeting, a briefing was held to help inform councillors on a range of areas.

As part of its governance programme, the Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) Oversight Committee met on Thursday 28 January, confirming its meeting schedule for the year ahead and receiving its Terms of Reference. This provides a clear framework for oversight and accountability across Council’s CCOs.

At the Council meeting, elected members considered a full agenda of staff reports, including the Chief Executive’s Quarterly Report and the Financial Performance Report, providing updates on organisational performance, service delivery and Council’s financial position. The report received comment from Kw Paul Madgwick requesting information around staffing numbers referencing a previous LGOIMA request. There was discussion between councillors resulted that FTE would be included along with other statistics going forward.

Council also considered the Easter Sunday Trading Policy, which sets out the framework for Easter Sunday shop trading within the district in line with legislative requirements.

Progress updates were received on a number of community and infrastructure initiatives, including the Cass Square half court basketball project, which will provide an additional recreational facility for the Hokitika community. Congratulations to the fundraising undertaken which raised $68k, a major component of the cost.

During the Public Forum, Council heard from members of the public on matters including chlorination of the Haast water supply which received mixed views from around the Council Chamber’s and Councillor Mackenzie highlighting the liability and risk to council.

A petition seeking the full widening of Waitaha Road, was heard and received and the council bringing information on this back to councillors in the near future.

Deputy Mayor Reilly Burden said the meeting reflected Council’s focus on sound governance, forward planning and balanced decision-making.

“These discussions are about making sure Council is clear on its priorities, progressing important infrastructure and community projects, and taking a measured approach to long-term decisions that matter to Westland,” the Deputy Mayor said.

The next Ordinary Council Meeting will be held on 26 February 2026.

Doggone

In July 2025, Westland District Council launched Doggone’s Text Reunite service as part of dog registration — a free, fast, and simple way to get lost dogs home sooner.

If your dog is found wandering, Text Reunite allows the finder to contact you immediately. Only your chosen phone number is shared — no names, addresses, or personal details — making it a safe and secure way to reconnect. This quick, direct contact reduces stress for dogs and owners, supports safer communities, and gives finders an easy way to help.

The Doggone app also lets you add important information about your dog in the Owner Notes section, which is shared with the finder to help ensure your dog is cared for while waiting to be reunited.

This Text Reunite service, provided by Westland District Council in partnership with Doggone, gives your dog the best possible chance of a quick and safe return home if it ever strays.

Dog owners are encouraged to check they’ve opted in to this valuable service. To check or update your consent settings, contact Council on 0800 474 834.

Hokitika Swimming Pool

On Saturday 24^th January, we closed our cool little pool a little earlier to enable the pool team to meet, and to do some important training.

We understand that closing the pool early can be frustrating, and we try to minimise the inconvenience to all, by working around the times that the pool is busiest, to reduce the inconvenience.

This gave the team an important opportunity to work as a team, and to train as a team.

This is really important to ensure the team are all confident and capable should the time arise to help and protect you in our pool.

We will be training monthly and will ensure we provide notice on our website / socials to keep you, our community informed.

The photos show the team training on a spinal injury in the pool.

We will also be looking to post weekly updates about what’s going on in our pool, so you don’t miss out on what’s going on.

We would also love to hear from you about what you love about our pool and what you would like to see happening – for all ages.

Thank you all for your understanding for us closing early for the recent session and we will keep you updated on other training sessions moving forward.

Hokitika Racecourse Project Update

The work on the enabling infrastructure project at the Hokitika Racecourse has been completed. All the water projects have been connected into existing infrastructure. The contractor is currently busy getting all documentation ready for a handover, this includes all quality assurance inspections and as-build drawings. Once the handover has been completed, the final claim to the infrastructure acceleration fund will be processed.

Granny flats (Small stand alone dwellings – up to 70m2 – new rules from 15th January 2026

From Thursday 15 January 2026, homeowners across New Zealand, including in Westland, can build certain small standalone “granny flats” (minor dwellings) up to 70 m² without needing a building consent.

These new rules are designed to make it easier and more affordable to create extra housing for whānau, carers, or renters on existing properties, while still keeping important safety and planning protections in place.  We suggest you read the rules thoroughly BEFORE you begin and contact your bank and your insurance company for cover prior to starting work.  You must comply with all of the rules to use the exemption.  If in doubt, please check with your licenced practitioner or give our friendly team a call to discuss.

What You Can Build Without a Building Consent

Under the new national exemption, you may be able to build a granny flat without a building consent if it meets all of the following conditions:

• It is a new, standalone dwelling (not attached to your existing house)
• It is single-storey only
• The net floor area is 70 m² or less
• The floor level is no more than 1 metre above ground level
• The maximum height is no greater than 4 metres above the floor level
• It is at least 2 metres from any other structure or legal boundary
• It is classified as Housing – Detached Dwelling (as defined by Building Code Clause A1)
• The design is simple and complies with all relevant Building Code requirements
• Plumbing and drainage work is simple and designed in accordance with the Acceptable Solutions for the relevant Building Code clauses
• Interconnected smoke alarms are installed throughout
• Independent points of supply for electricity and gas (where applicable) are provided
• Level-entry showers are permitted only once a relevant licence class has been established
• The work is carried out or supervised by appropriately licensed building professionals

Even though a building consent is not needed, the granny flat must still fully comply with the Building Code for structure, fire safety, weathertightness, durability, insulation, plumbing, and sanitation.

What Still Needs Council Involvement

The exemption removes the need for a building consent, but it does not remove other legal requirements.

Before You Start:

• You must apply for a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) before commencing any building work
• Apply via the Objective Build Portal on Council’s website.
• Important: A PIM does not confirm compliance with the exemption criteria – you are responsible for ensuring all exemption requirements are met
• We recommend seeking professional advice if you are unsure whether your proposal qualifies under the exemption

During Your Build:

• Complete work within 2 years of the PIM being issued (you can apply for an extension if needed)
• If a Form 3A Development Contribution Notice is issued with your PIM, you must pay the development contributions within 20 working days of completion of the building work

After Completion:

• Notify the council within 20 working days of completion
• Submit all required documentation, including:
  • Form 2A: Memorandum from licensed building practitioner (record of design work)
  • Form 6A: Memorandum from licensed building practitioner (record of building work)
  • Record of work: sanitary plumbing and drain laying for non-consented small standalone dwelling
• Your Licensed Building Practitioner(s) are required to provide the Record of Work to both you and the council

You remain legally responsible for ensuring all work meets the Building Code, even without council inspections.

Development contributions and other council charges may still apply to help fund infrastructure such as water, wastewater, and transport networks.