Protect Moringai

01/09/2026

Having come under attack recently for our successful co-governance model between Ahipara hapū and FNDC we need to hold councillors and all councils, boards and committies to account. Te Hiku ward has a 40 percent Maori population. We are unique that we are not a minority in our communities.

04/08/2026

The issue
In recent weeks, it has come to light that FNDC Councillor Davina Smothers has launched her 2026 general election campaign on the ACT party list. While pursuing her political aspirations is her right, it's critical that this pursuit does not come at the expense of our communities, particularly the rights of the Māori indigenous peoples.

Despite her role as a representative, Davina Smothers has consistently undermined Māori rights within the Far North District Council. Her engagement with council matters appears to be selectively focused on issues concerning Māori rights, only to oppose them. This is troubling, especially given that Māori make up over 40% of the region’s population. Her actions betray a disregard for the vital voices of hapū and iwi in council proceedings.

Moreover, Davina Smothers seems to be exploiting the very tactics she once condemned in others. Her lack of constructive contributions during her tenure as FNDC councillor exacerbates her disregard for Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) of 1840, which she has yet to uphold or defend actively. This treaty remains a cornerstone of New Zealand's constitutional framework and a crucial avenue for recognizing and empowering indigenous rights.

As a councillor, Davina Smothers has failed to champion the issues and needs unique to our region and has instead opted for a political strategy that marginalizes Māori voices. In doing so, she reduces the diversity and richness of opinions and solutions that could otherwise benefit our entire community.

We believe that the residents of the Far North District deserve leadership that actively supports and defends all our community members' rights, aligning their actions with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It is therefore with urgency that we call for Davina Smothers’ resignation.

Your support is needed to make our voices heard. Sign this petition to demand Davina Smothers step down from her role as FNDC councillor, and to ensure that our council is represented by individuals who truly prioritize and fight for the rights of all residents, especially the indigenous Māori community

Call for the resignation of FNDC Councillor Davina Smothers

01/08/2026

This complaint by this councillor who now wants to be a Member of Parliament has no real purpose except to waste council resources, time and cause racist discrimination amongst the Te Hiku ward constituents. This FNDC rates employed councillor is using Moringaihe as collateral damage to further her political career into central Govrrnment where she can cause more divisive damage on a national scale. She wants to use local Maori history as her platform for advancement in politics by attacking any maori rights. We call for her resignation.

Is this happening in your District too?

I've recently been looking into a situation here in the Far North that raises some important questions.

As I understand it:

• A privately owned beachfront property became the subject of a Hapū Occupation (Protestors) in Ahipara, Northland.
• The distraught owner was unable to use or sell his property, essentially being forced off his land.
• The Far North District Council then purchased the land using ratepayer funding, with the former owner accepting a lower price than what he had hoped for.
• Council has since entered into an arrangement placing the land under Hapū management - the same Hapu that occupied/protested on the land. (Agreement in Comments)
• However, the Council also remains responsible for ongoing maintenance costs. They are uncosted. Why are ratepayers paying two groups to do one job?

That led me to ask:

1) What role should local councils have in matters that many people would see as relating to Treaty settlements or historical claims?
2) Why are ratepayer funds being used to purchase land that wasn't identified as essential for council infrastructure?
3) Are ratepayers comfortable with council transferring management responsibilities while continuing to fund the ongoing upkeep?
4) Is this an isolated case, or could it become a model for future land arrangements - particularly private waterfront properties?
5) Is anything similar happening in other councils around New Zealand?

I'm genuinely interested in hearing from people around the country. If you've seen similar arrangements in your district, please let me know. The more we understand what's happening across New Zealand, the better informed this discussion can be.

15/07/2026

Manawatia Matariki mai Moringaehe ki nga Kura kaupapa me nga kohangareo i piritahi ratou ki Tatai Kura, Tatai whetu, Tatai arorangi.
Nau mai hoki mai whanau.
Matahi o te tau hou maori.

18/06/2026

Nau mai te iwi. An honour to host all our kura kaupapa maori to begin their annual celebration of Matariki - Puanga here in Ahipara!

07/05/2026

The signing of a co management agreement happened last week in Kaikohe. Ahipara hapu with still be active with the help of City care contractors in the upkeep of Moringaehe reserve.

A significant milestone has been reached with the signing of a co-management kaitiaki agreement between Far North District Council and Ngā Hapū o Ahiparapara for Moringaehe Reserve.