Council backs Kaikōura dark sky plan change
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura is one step closer to becoming an accredited dark sky site.
The Kaikōura District Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to adopt a private plan change request from the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust to strengthen lighting regulations in the District Plan.
The council will now take the lead, with the plan change to be notified and subject to public consultation.
Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust chairperson Nicky McArthur said it was ‘‘a fantastic outcome’’.
‘‘I am pleased the council has seen the benefits and has had the vision to pick it up and take the lead.’’
The trust will now finalise its application to Dark Sky International for international dark sky sanctuary status.
If successful, it would join dark sky sanctuaries at Aotea Great Barrier Island and Rakiura Stewart Island, and four other dark sky sites.
Mayor Craig Mackle said there were social, economic and environmental benefits for the community.
‘‘When you sit down and read the information you realise it is something we have to do.
‘‘On the environmental side, it is quite incredible the difference it makes and that’s just from turning your lights down.’’
Addressing the meeting, Huttons Shearwater Charitable Trust chairperson Ted Howard said the plan change would provide benefits to local wildlife, as well as humans.
The huttons shearwater (tītī) is a native bird which is endemic to Kaikōura and is endangered.
The birds regularly crash landed in the town because of the bright lights.
‘‘Our birds are in trouble so anything we can do to help them, we need to do it,’’ Howard said.
Strategy, policy and district plan manager Matt Hoggard said the benefit in the council taking the lead was it could speed up to the process.
‘‘Previous plan changes have been promoted by private developers, whereas this has come to us from the community.’’
He said if no hearing was required the cost to the council would be less than $10,000, and up to $50,000 if there were objections.
‘‘I guess it comes down to whether the council wants to be driving these things forward, or whether we leave it to the community.’’
Chief executive Will Doughty said the council had allocated some of its ‘‘Better Off’’ funding from central Government to help fund the plan change process, including engaging consultant Kahu Environmental.
While there were six accredited dark sky sites in New Zealand, there were a number of communities at various stages of exploring or developing applications.
Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust project co-ordinator Colette Doughty said New Zealand could one day become the world’s first dark sky nation.
‘‘As more and more places go through plan changes and get accredited, it makes it easier for other communities to get on board."
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura has been contacted for comment.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Kaikōura council makes key appointment, recruitment challenges remain
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Key appointments have been made at Kaikōura's council, but there are still gaps to fill as it struggles to find staff.
Staff recruitment has been a headache for the Kaikōura District Council in recent years, but chief executive Will Doughty says he has finally appointed a new building control manager.
The council has had vacancies in its building department for more than two years.
‘‘We are consistently chasing our tail looking to get some replacements and we have had good support from contractors and other councils in the building space.
‘‘But it is good to get a full-time role based here.’’
Doughty said other Canterbury councils have been providing support with building inspections and consenting over the last two years, particularly the Hurunui District Council.
Glen Vaughan will be moving from the Central Otago District Council to be the new building control manager in Kaikōura, starting on July 1.
A new building administrator and a new emergency management officer have also been appointed.
But the position of building control officer remains vacant after more than two years, while there is also a vacancy for a part-time customer services officer.
Despite the lack of permanent building staff based in Kaikōura, the council has received a favourable accreditation assessment from International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ).
‘‘It is a credit to the team that we have no significant non-compliances and seven general non-compliances,’’ Doughty said.
‘‘This is an outstanding result.’’
Should the council address the general non-compliance issues by July it will be classified as a ‘‘low risk’’ building control authority, with the next assessment due in 2026.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
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83.6% Yes
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14.2% No
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2.3% Other - I'll share below!
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