A spatial plan considers where and how we’ll live by taking a long-term view of wellbeing, infrastructure and growth.  It is a blueprint that sets the foundation for future planning and investment from the council.

We’re working in partnership with local hapū, as well as collaborating with key stakeholders and community groups to develop a spatial plan for Kerikeri-Waipapa called Te Pātukurea.

The name Te Pātukurea was gifted by local hapū.

Te Pātukurea will lay the foundation for our future together, helping to identify opportunities for growth as well as where and how we invest resources. It’ll take a 30 year-view that will provide greater certainty about:

• What Kerikeri-Waipapa will look and feel like.
• Where we can live, work and play – and how we’ll get there.
• What infrastructure we need – and how we’ll deliver it in the right place, at the right time.
• How we address climate change and care for our environment.

Back in 2007, the Kerikeri-Waipapa structure plan was developed to respond to population growth, changing demographics (such as an ageing population), increased demand for commercial development, and infrastructure nearing capacity. It set a high-level direction for the sustainable development of the area and what that meant for the community.

Some of the actions that were identified in the 2007 Kerikeri-Waipapa structure plan have been implemented, for example providing additional urban zoned land in Waipapa via the proposed district plan process. Some of the actions were investigated and altered to meet changing market conditions, for example expanding the Kerikeri wastewater scheme in place of building a larger scheme.

In 2021, the council identified the need to review the 2007 structure plan. This is when Te Pātukurea was kicked off.

We partnered with local hapū and engaged with stakeholders and community groups to understand the issues facing our district, our vision, and our aspirations for its future. We also continued to build our evidence, looking at a range of things like population projections, demographics, the skills and labour force, economics, and a range of data to help inform our decision-making,

In late-2022, the decision was made to put the project on hold while community consultation got underway on the Far North Proposed District Plan (PDP).

We’ll build on what we’ve heard during past consultations to make sure we’re creating the best plan possible.

Spatial plans take a long-term view. They consider a range of issues, ideas, and aspirations about how each district or community manages its own growth.

Te Pātukurea will guide projects contributing to the growth of the Kerikeri-Waipapa area, ensuring they align with what our partners, stakeholders, and the community tell us. It’s important you have your say to help us shape growth for years to come.

We know from other spatial plans nationally and around the world that they create long-term visions for communities, helping plan for how these places will grow.

Although spatial planning is still developing in Aotearoa New Zealand, there has been a range of spatial plans produced across the country. Some relevant examples include the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan, Ahu Ake Waipā Community Spatial Plan, and the Hamilton-Waikato Metro Spatial Plan.

It will depend on what kind of growth happens and what we plan for. It’s possible that in 30 years from now, town centres will look a lot different. This might increase or decrease housing prices, and it might change where people live, how they move around and what is around them.

The changes may look like new housing that’s higher density with more parks and recreational spaces, wetlands, or a mix of different types of development.

Once finalised, Te Pātukurea will be a strategy for how we manage land and development in the Kerikeri-Waipapa area. Here’s how we’ll get there:

Early Engagement

In partnership with local hapū and through consultation with stakeholders and community groups, we confirmed the vision for Kerikeri-Waipapa. We discussed key issues and aspirations for the future and conducted a gap analysis to determine the evidence needed to guide decision-making.

Engagement on Themes and Aspirations

In 2023, we tested these aspirations with the community to ensure they reflected the district’s needs and values. This feedback, supported by evidence, helped us refine and confirm our goals.

Engagement on Growth Scenarios (Current Stage)

We are currently developing several growth scenarios which explore different potential futures for Kerikeri-Waipapa. These scenarios visualise the evidence and align with the community's aspirations. We will seek community feedback on these growth scenarios to help shape the final plan.

Consultation on Draft Plan (2025)

In 2025, we will conduct a final round of consultation on the draft Te Pātukurea Spatial Plan, offering another opportunity for community input before the plan is finalised.

Adoption

Once consultation is complete, the Te Pātukurea Spatial Plan will be approved.