Te Puna Kōrero is the main committee that makes decisions about the city’s strategic direction and framework. It is made up of the Mayor, all councillors and the Council Kaumātua.
Today, the committee heard two oral submissions on the future of the former Plunket building at Wairaka Park in Pukerua Bay. Public consultation happened in March and five submissions were received. Deliberation and a decision on the building’s future will be made at a Te Puna Kōrero meeting in July.
Next, the committee discussed the proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025. Council received 109 submissions on the proposed bylaw after consultation was carried out to test the appetite of residents for a change in the way freedom camping is managed in the city, and to get community insight on possible new sites.
After considering the submissions, which were largely in favour of keeping things as they are, the committee voted not to adopt the proposed bylaw and retain the status quo for freedom camping in Porirua. This means all current sites will be retained and there will be no new sites.
Up next on the agenda the committee received a progress report on the Vacant Land/Empty/Derelict Building commercial differential rate category. This was adopted in late 2023, allowing Council to charge higher rates on properties that fall under the category to incentivise the owners to improve them.
The committee agreed to add one property in Cannons Creek to this category for the 2025/26 year, until improvements are made.
Finally, the committee agreed to allow a minor amendment to the boundary of a designation covering land between Whitby, Waitangirua and Transmission Gully.
There were no speakers in the public forum.
Missed today’s meeting? You can watch it in full and read all the associated papers on the meetings page of our website. You can also see what meetings and workshops are coming up, with agendas posted a few days before each one.
The public is welcome to attend most Council meetings and workshops. They are also livestreamed on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@poriruacity
12 Jun 2025
