Westland District Council concluded its final ordinary Council meeting for 2025 today, progressing a full agenda of governance, regulatory and community matters while marking the close of a highly active end-of-year period for the Mayor and Councillors.
The meeting considered monthly reporting, appointments to community committees and external organisations, adoption of updated terms of reference for Council committees and subcommittees, and received staff presentations on water treatment and the Westland Industrial Heritage Park.
Council advanced regulatory items designed to improve safety, compliance and responsible use of public spaces, including updates to the Responsible Freedom Camping Bylaw, consultation on the proposed Alcohol Restriction Bylaw 2026, and decisions relating to street naming at the Hokitika Racecourse development. Administrative resolutions were passed to ensure statutory delegations and enforcement functions remain current and effective.
Mayor Helen Lash said the meeting reflected Council’s ongoing focus on sound governance and delivery as the year draws to a close.
“This final meeting for 2025 brought together important decisions that strengthen how Council operates and how we support our communities, while ensuring we are well positioned heading into 2026.”
Rural connectivity advocacy delivers results
During the meeting, the Mayor updated Councillors and the public on a significant advocacy success for rural connectivity, with confirmation received from the Minister for Media and Communications, Hon Paul Goldsmith, that two new 5G mobile towers will be delivered in the district.
The confirmed towers will be located at:
- Hannahs Clearing; and
- Bald Hill, inland and south of Knights Point.
“For remote parts of Westland, mobile connectivity is about safety, resilience, business continuity and staying connected. These towers are a tangible outcome from sustained advocacy on behalf of our communities,” Mayor Lash said.
Targeted engagement focused on protecting ratepayer interests
The Mayor said recent engagement with Ministers, iwi and government agencies has been tightly focused on securing investment, reducing local cost pressures and ensuring national decisions reflect Westland’s realities.
“Our ratepayers expect Council to advocate strongly so that national funding and policy decisions don’t unfairly land costs on small communities. That has been the clear focus of our work over the past month.”
This engagement has included advocacy on transport and roading maintenance to minimise disruption to local businesses, work through the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs to support local employment and skills pathways, and collaboration with regional partners to ensure visitor-related infrastructure pressures are recognised at a national level.
Delivering community services and leadership
Alongside formal Council business, the Mayor undertook civic and community responsibilities including officiating a citizenship ceremony, opening new local businesses and facilities, presenting awards at school prizegivings, and representing the district at community events.
Council staff were acknowledged for their work delivering day-to-day services and programmes on behalf of ratepayers.
“Behind every report and resolution is a team delivering essential services. Recognising that work is part of ensuring a strong, accountable organisation,” Mayor Lash said.
Looking ahead
The meeting also noted ongoing technical and planning work for Franz Josef, including river management strategies, sediment and aggradation analysis, and preparatory work on wastewater and economic planning aimed at reducing long-term risk and future cost pressures.
The next ordinary meeting of Westland District Council will be held on 29 January 2026.