Transfer of additional Council-owned properties to WDHL

Submissions close at 4:00pm on Friday 6 November 2026.

Help shape what's next for Council property

We are seeking feedback on whether we should consider the transfer of additional categories of Council-owned properties to Whangarei District Holdings Limited (WDHL).

WDHL is a Council-controlled organisation that is 100% owned by Council.

No decisions have been made about transferring any additional properties.

This consultation is seeking community feedback to help us decide whether further work should be undertaken on a number of property categories that may be considered for future transfer.

Read the consultation document for more information:

Transfer of Council property to WDHL – Proposal for public consultation(PDF, 2MB)

Make a submission

Please send us your submission by 4:00pm on Friday 6 November 2026.

By email

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

Transfer of additional Council-owned properties to WDHL submission form(PDF, 257KB)

Step 2: Email us

Attach the form to an email and send to:

PropertyConsult@wdc.govt.nz

By post

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

Transfer of additional Council-owned properties to WDHL submission form(PDF, 257KB)

Step 2: Post the completed form to:

Transfer of additional properties to WDHL submissions

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

In person

Step 1: Download the form, print and complete it by hand.

Transfer of additional Council-owned properties to WDHL submission form(PDF, 257KB)

Step 2: Bring the completed form into one of our Customer Service centres:

Te Iwitahi (civic centre)
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Frequently asked questions

What is Whangarei District Holdings Limited (WDHL)?

Whangarei District Holdings Limited (WDHL) is a council-controlled trading organisation (CCTO) that is 100% owned by Whangarei District Council.

It was established to provide a dedicated focus on the management and development of Council-owned property where there are commercial or strategic opportunities.

WDHL is governed by an independent board appointed by Council and is required to operate in line with Council's expectations and report regularly on its performance.

What is being proposed?

Council is consulting on a number of broad categories of properties, referred to as 'tranches'.

The consultation is not asking the community to comment on individual properties. Instead, it seeks feedback on whether Council should continue considering these broader categories of assets for possible future transfer to WDHL.

If Council decides to proceed after considering submissions, further assessment would still be required before any specific property could be considered for transfer. Not every property within a tranche would necessarily be suitable or eligible for transfer.

Why is Council considering this now?

We own a range of properties across the Whangārei District. Some of these properties are managed directly by Council, while others are in the process of being transferred to WDHL for future management.

We are now considering whether additional categories of properties should be considered for possible transfer in the future.

Before making any decisions, we want to understand community views, concerns and aspirations.

The feedback received through this consultation will help elected members decide whether further investigation of these property categories should continue. 

What happens if properties are transferred?

A transfer to WDHL would not automatically mean a property is sold, developed or redeveloped.

WDHL would be responsible for managing any transferred assets and assessing future opportunities, but any future proposals would still need to follow the appropriate governance and decision-making processes.

Existing legal obligations, including lease arrangements, would also need to be taken into account.

What would the financial impacts be?

Nearly all the properties being considered currently generate income that helps fund Council activities and services.

One of the key questions Council must consider is whether the long-term financial benefits of transferring properties to WDHL are likely to be greater than, or at least comparable to, the income Council currently receives from owning those properties directly.

Further analysis on this would be required before any future transfers are considered.

If Council decides to proceed, any future transfer decisions would be considered on a portfolio basis rather than property by property.

Council could also decide to keep some properties within a tranche rather than transfer them to WDHL.

What are the tax implications?

WDHL will need to pay tax on any taxable income (i.e. rent after cost) and gains on development.

Whangarei District Council does not pay tax on its property income.

What happens next?

Following the close of the consultation, we will review all submissions alongside financial, strategic, operational and legal considerations.

Community feedback will form part of the information considered by elected members before any decisions are made.

Council will most likely make the final decision on whether any additional properties should remain under consideration for future transfer to WDHL later in 2026.