Your councillors

Regional councillors are your community voice

Members of the current council were elected in October 2025, and will remain in office for three years to represent the eight regional council constituencies in Northland: Bay of Islands-Whangaroa General; Coastal Central General; Coastal South General; Far North General; Kaipara General; Mid North General; Te Raki Māori; Whangārei Central General.

Although elected by individual constituencies, once sworn in, regional councillors are committed to representing the best interests of the whole of Te Taitokerau.

What constituency am I in?

Search for an address to find your constituency.

Pita Tipene (Chair)

Constituency | Te Raki Māori

E: Cr.Tipene@nrc.govt.nz | M: 027 457 2474

Memberships and portfolios

• Kaipara Moana Remediation Joint Committee
• Joint Regional Economic Development Committee
• Te Ruarangi Working Party
• Alternate - Regional Transport Committee (RTC)
• Co-Chair - Taumārere River Working Group

Ex officio

• Infrastructure Committee
• Investment Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party

Profile

Pita Tipene (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Te Tarawa) is chair of the Northland Regional Council and one of two representatives for the Te Raki Māori Constituency. 

Elected chair in November 2025, he brings decades of leadership across iwi, hapū, and community organisations in Taitokerau. 

Pita is widely recognised for his long service as former co‑chair of the council’s Te Ruarangi Māori council working party and as former chair of the Waitangi National Trust, where he played a central role in national‑level cultural stewardship. 

His governance background spans marae committees, Māori housing initiatives, and regional development advocacy.

As chair, Tipene is focused on strengthening environmental resilience, elevating Māori participation in decision‑making, and fostering collaborative relationships across Northland’s communities.

Jack Craw (Deputy Chair)

Constituency | Whangārei Central General

E: Cr.Craw@nrc.govt.nz | M: 027 243 1923

Memberships and portfolios

• Chair - Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party
• Kaipara Moana Remediation Joint Committee
• Infrastructure Committee
• Investment Committee
• Te Ruarangi Working Party
• WDC/NRC Whangārei Public Transport Working Party
• Chair - Urban Whangārei Working Group

Profile

Jack is currently Deputy Chair and serving his third term as a regional councillor.

He has a 40-year career in biosecurity management in both New Zealand and the Pacific. 

“This term my personal priorities are developing a flood protection plan for Whangarei, securing the Marsden Point rail spur, keeping new pests out and accelerating local government reform for Northland.”

Colin ‘Toss’ Kitchen MNZM 

Constituency | Bay of Islands-Whangaroa General

E: Cr.Kitchen@nrc.govt.nz | M: 027 263 1053 

Memberships and portfolios

• Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe-Board – Joint committee
• Civil Defence Emergency Management Committee (CDEM)
• Infrastructure Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Te Ruarangi Working Party
• Chair - Kāeo-Whangaroa River Working Group
• Alternate - Kerikeri-Waipapa River Working Group
• Alternate - Awanui River Working Group

Profile

Colin ‘Toss’ Kitchen MNZM served four terms with the Far North District Council and several terms on the Northland District Health Board.  He has served one previous term with NRC and is currently serving a second term.

Colin is married to Raina and they have two daughters and six grandchildren.  

He described himself as a ‘people’s person’ who cares about Northland and its multi-cultural communities and is very passionate when it comes to local government.

He is a volunteer firefighter, currently serving in Kaitaia where he has clocked up 58 years of service.  His Fire Service experience has been inspirational in him specialising in Emergency Management which in turn has set him up as the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Chairperson for over a decade. 

Amy Macdonald

Constituency | Coastal Central General

E: Cr.MacDonald@nrc.govt.nz | M: 027 347 6359

Memberships and portfolios

• Chair - WDC/NRC Whangārei Public Transport Working Party
• Te Ruarangi working party
• Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party
• Natural Resources Working Party
• Alternate - Urban Whangārei Working Group
• Alternate - Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee.

Profile

Amy is a lover of nature, with a keen interest in native species, ecosystems and science and lives at Pataua with her family.

She is a qualified freshwater ecologist with a professional background in freshwater conservation, threatened species monitoring, wetland protection, environmental education and project management

Amy is active in her local community and is involved in school and sports club governance.

In her spare time, Amy loves to have beach time with the kids, get out in nature, and read books.

John Hunt

Constituency | Coastal South General

E: Cr.Hunt@nrc.govt.nz | M: 027 332 5284

Memberships and portfolios

• Investment Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Te Ruarangi Working Party
• Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party
• Alternate - Joint Regional Economic Development Committee

Profile

John’s home is Mangawhai and he’s dedicated to helping our community thrive.
 
He graduated with a B.Com / LLB from Auckland University and spent the next 12 years in the finance industry in London, Auckland and Hong Kong.
 
His community experience includes 15 years as CEO of Harbour Basketball, NZ’s top basketball association, active involvement in the environmental protection of Bream Tail and treasurer of the Waipu Tennis Club.
 
John believes public bodies should be responsible with ratepayers’ money and his commitment is to ensure that the Northland Regional Council lives within its means.

“I bring enthusiasm, a strong commitment to protecting our environment, and sound financial management skills to the council.”

Joe Carr

Constituency | Far North General

E: Cr.Carr@nrc.govt.nz | M: 027 601 5448

Memberships and portfolios

• Chair - Regional Transport Committee (RTC)
• Deputy Chair - Infrastructure Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Te Ruarangi Working Party
• WDC/NRC Whangārei Public Transport Working Party
• Chair - Kerikeri-Waipapa River Working Group
• Chair - Awanui River Working Group
• Alternate - Kāeo-Whangaroa River Working Group
• Alternate - Kaihū River Working Group
• Alternate - Taumārere River Working Group

Profile

Joe brings extensive experience in both local governance and regional development.

He has previously served on community boards and the Far North District Council, reflecting a long-standing involvement in local decision‑making.

Joe currently serves as Chair of the Northland Regional Transport Committee, where he plays a key role in guiding strategic transport planning and oversight for the region.

In this role, he contributes to decisions on regional transport priorities, network resilience, and long‑term infrastructure needs, working alongside district councils and transport partners.

Joe is keen to improve State Highway conditions and safety and ensuring fit‑for‑purpose road networks and route security.

He has also played a significant and long‑standing role in flood protection efforts across the Far North and wider Taitokerau.

He was closely involved in the development and local implementation of the Awanui River Flood Management Scheme, a major, multi‑year project designed to reduce flood risk in and around Kaitaia.

Joe is also an advocate for sustainable economic development, especially in Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Hokianga, emphasising opportunities such as Ngāwhā energy to lift local employment and living standards.

John Blackwell

Constituency | Kaipara General

E: Cr.Blackwell@nrc.govt.nz | M: 027 295 3431

Memberships and portfolios

• Chair - Infrastructure Committee
• Deputy Chair - Regional Transport Committee (RTC)
• Kaipara Moana Remediation Joint Committee
• Investment Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Te Ruarangi Working Party
• Chair - Kaihū River Working Group

Profile

John was born, raised, and has worked in Kaipara his entire life, maintaining deep ties to the region and its rural communities.

He farms alongside his family on their 1850‑acre sheep and beef property, a longstanding operation that reflects his practical understanding of land management and primary industry challenges.

John brings extensive governance experience, having previously served as chair of Ruawai College, chair of the Northland Beef Council, and chair of the Beef & Lamb Northland Farmers Council.

His public service record also includes time as a Kaipara District Councillor and five years as president of Northland Federated Farmers, where he advocated strongly for farmers' interests across the region.

In addition, he has contributed to major regional events as treasurer of Northland Field Days.

Geoff Crawford

Constituency | Mid North General

E: Cr.Crawford@nrc.govt.nz | M: 021 921 494

Memberships and portfolios

• Joint Regional Economic Development Committee
• Infrastructure Committee
• Investment Committee
• Te Ruarangi Working Party
• Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party

Profile

Geoff is a former Northland rugby player and an avid spearfisherman.

Residing just north of Whangārei with his wife, Jo, he has built a successful farming business over the past 30 years, owning three dairy farms, along with two beef units.

Together the couple has received several environmental accolades, including being named as the WestpacTrust NZMP Farmer of the Year in 2002 and in 2022, they were named Regional Supreme Winners in the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. 

Geoff’s passionate about being a good custodian of the land - ensuring its health and productivity for future generations - and has started two predator free groups to help eradicate pests and allow kiwi to regenerate.

He is keen to see critical issues such as biosecurity, environmental protection, and sustainable development addressed.

Arama Morunga

Constituency | Te Raki Māori

E: Cr.Morunga@nrc.govt.nz | M: 027 307 4050

Memberships and portfolios

• Co-Chair - Te Ruarangi Working Party
• Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe-Board – Joint committee
• NRC Representative for Climate Change – Joint Committee
• Representative for Natural Resources Committee
• Alternate - Civil Defence Emergency Management Committee (CDEM)
• Urban Whangārei Working Group

Profile

Arama was elected in 2025 as one of council’s two Te Raki Māori Constituency representatives.
 
A proud son of Taitokerau, Arama brings a strong generational Māori voice to the council, championing environmental protection, mātauranga Māori, and future‑focused regional decision‑making. 

Before joining council, Arama was active in community-centred kaupapa, including work for the Ngātiwai Trust Board.  He supported whānau during severe weather events by coordinating supply deliveries and assisting marae across affected areas.
  
Arama is grateful for the trust placed in him by his community and continues to participate in important kaupapa across Taitokerau.  Engaging with local organisations, iwi and community groups to strengthen relationships and ensure Māori perspectives remain central in regional governance is a primary focus for him.
 
He is keen to uplift Māori voices, foster resilience, and work collaboratively toward long-term wellbeing for the region.

Councillors and constituencies map