Westland District Council met on Thursday 27 November for its second full Council meeting of the Triennium, progressing a wide range of governance and operational decisions ahead of the end of the year.
Committee Structure Confirmed
Council formally adopted its standing committee arrangements and associated terms of reference, confirming the continuation of:
·        Audit and Risk Committee
·        Council Controlled Organisation Oversight Committee
·        Chief Executive’s Review Committee
Two existing subcommittees were also confirmed:
·        Hokitika Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Oversight Subcommittee
·        Tenders Subcommittee
Council then appointed elected members to the confirmed committee positions.
Meeting Schedule Set
Council confirmed meeting dates for the remainder of 2025 and agreed the schedule for 2026.
The final Council meeting for 2025 will take place on Thursday 18 December.
Annual Report 2024/25 Adopted
Council adopted the Westland District Council Annual Report 2024/25, providing a formal account of service delivery and financial performance against commitments outlined in the Annual Plan and Long Term Plan.
Financial Performance Update
The Chief Financial Officer presented the first financial report for the 2025/26 financial year, covering the month to 31 October 2025. Monthly reporting will support Council oversight of current financial performance, with quarterly KPI monitoring undertaken by the Risk and Assurance Committee.
Lake Kaniere Development – Noting Paper
Council received a noting paper regarding residential development at Lake Kaniere, following concerns raised through the Long Term Plan process. The report confirms that existing planning frameworks, combined with the West Coast Regional Council’s monitoring and environmental oversight, provide strong safeguards to ensure development is appropriately managed and water quality is maintained.