LCANZI criticises Kaipara District Council's decision to cancel key climate policies

At a meeting on 27 September 2023, the Kaipara District Council made a decision requesting that the Chief Executive cancel the Kaipara District Council’s emission account contract and stop development of Kaipara’s climate policy.

The Chair of LCANZI’s Local Government Subcommittee, Dr Grant Hewison, has written to the Kaipara District Council and presented at the Public Forum at the Kaipara District Council’s meeting on 25 October 2023, outlining some issues we have with the decision.

As one of the regions most affected by Cyclone Gabrielle earlier in 2023, and likely to be significantly affected by the climate crisis over the next 100 years, the Council’s decision is surprising. This is particularly disappointing given the good work that the Council has done in the past few years on climate mitigation and adaptation.

We think there are issues with the way in which the decision was made. We are concerned that the decision is significantly inconsistent with the Kaipara District Council’s Long Term Plan and Annual Plan 2023/2024, both of which emphasised climate change as key priorities and challenges. The decision was also made without the required community consultation.

Now is not the time to step back on climate action. It is vital that our political leaders, both at a local and national level, continue to prioritise climate action and act in accordance with their legal obligations.

You can see the letter we have sent to the Kaipara District Council here.