Kaitāia Warehouse building: Bid to stop demolition and open consultation

The old Warehouse site in Kaitāia. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya

The Far North District Council will face renewed pressure at the council meeting today, when locals and the Kaitāia Business Association present a petition calling for transparency and a halt to the demolition of the old Warehouse building.

For many residents and business owners, the building sits at the heart of the town centre, next to the Saturday Markets and key local businesses.

KBA chairman Josh Kirby and former FNDC councillor and resident Mate Radich will present the petition, which stands at just over 600 signatures.

The petition asks council to reverse its earlier decision, made under public exclusion, to demolish the building on Matthews Ave. It also asks that council commit to open consultation before any long-term decisions are made.

In an update, the KBA said that over the past couple of months, it has heard consistently from members, residents, and local businesses who were surprised and concerned by the council’s decision, made under public exclusion, to demolish the building without community consultation.

“This site has the potential to be one of the most significant commercial spaces in our town centre. Its future will shape how people live, shop, gather, and connect in Kaitāia for decades to come.”

At a public meeting held at Te Ahu, two locally driven proposals were presented.

“We acknowledge the hard work, heart, and vision behind those proposals, and we also acknowledge the many supporters who championed those ideas. Our role in leading this petition is not to prioritise one proposal over another. Our focus is simply to ensure the community is included and given the opportunity to provide feedback before irreversible decisions are made.”

In October, the Aupōuri Ngāti Kahu Te Rarawa Trust (ANT) shared plans for a modern hub that it hopes will revive the town centre.

Details of the trust’s proposal and the Far North District Council’s decision were shared with the Northland Age, after it was discussed by council under public exclusion.

The trust forwarded a proposal to turn part of the land into a development featuring social housing, private apartments, community services and commercial space.

The Te Pā Harakeke development would feature 36 social housing apartments, 24 private apartments, whānau services and retail space.

The KBA said it believes the community deserves a seat at the table when decisions are made about a key commercial site in the heart of Kaitāia.

“Pausing demolition protects the opportunity to explore all options and gives the community the chance to provide feedback on past, present, and future proposals. It also keeps open the opportunity to further investigate commercially led development that supports jobs, drives foot traffic, and improves long-term economic vitality for the CBD.”

Councillors will hear the deputation at today’s meeting.