Mayoral Inner City Taskforce established

Published on 01 April 2026

A vibrant celebration of Whangārei's diverse cultures, Taste Whangārei was held in the central city in March 2026.

A Mayoral Inner City Taskforce has been established by Council to bring together key agencies, community partners and business leaders to support a city centre that is safe and thriving socially, economically and aesthetically. 

Facilitated by Council and chaired by Mayor Ken Couper, the taskforce provides a coordinated forum for organisations already working in and around the city centre to align effort, reduce duplication and focus on practical actions that make a visible difference. 

Although Mayor Couper is joined on the taskforce by Councillors Brad Flower, Matt Yovich, Marie Olsen and Deputy Mayor Scott McKenzie, he is clear that no single organisation can address complex inner-city challenges alone. The answer lies in a community response. 

“This is about working together as a community. Everyone around the table has a role to play, and everyone is expected to contribute. Our focus is on practical action, early improvements and building momentum, while keeping a clear eye on longer-term outcomes,” says Couper. 

Focused, action-oriented approach

The taskforce is structured around six workstreams, each led by a senior representative with the authority to drive progress within their area and across organisations.

The agreed workstreams and leaders are: 

• Social Support and Community Services: Rena Hona – Regional Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development 
• Health, Mental Health and Addiction: Jensen Webber – CEO, Mahitahi Hauora 
• Community Safety, Policing and Regulatory: Inspector Maria Nordstrom – Area Commander New Zealand Police 
• Infrastructure, Lighting and Urban Environment: Scott McKenzie – Deputy Mayor, Whangarei District Council 
• Housing and Inner-City Living: Toa Faneva – Regional Director, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development 
• Business and Hospitality Sector: Tim Robinson – North Chamber / Business Owner and Julia Morrison – Branch President Northland, Hospitality NZ / Business Owner. 

Each workstream is expected to work collaboratively with others, recognising that issues such as safety, homelessness, parking and access to services cut across multiple areas. 

Agreed desired outcomes 

At the inaugural taskforce meeting, members jointly agreed a clear set of desired outcomes to guide the work: 

• a safe and welcoming CBD 
• clear, simple pathways to support services 
• aligned policing, bylaws and regulatory responses 
• suitable and well-maintained infrastructure and public spaces, including lighting and connections such as John Street 
• improved community safety response and escalation pathways
• a thriving hospitality and business sector 
• increased inner-city living and clear housing pathways 
• improved accessibility for everyone to enter and move around the city centre
• parking that supports accessibility and economic activity 
• clear measurement and reporting so progress can be tracked and shared. 

Next steps and engagement 

Workstreams are now confirming priorities, identifying early actions and quick wins, and agreeing how progress will be measured and reported back to the full taskforce. 

Mayor Couper says public interest in the taskforce is welcome and expected. 

“People care deeply about our city centre. We’ll continue to keep the community informed as the work progresses and look for opportunities to engage further, including through targeted surveys and community conversations,” says Couper.