At a council meeting held Thursday 02 May 2019 Kaipara District Council passed a resolution to sign the Local Government New Zealand Leaders’ Climate Change Declaration.

The declaration, facilitated by Local Government New Zealand, represents an aspirational call to action on behalf of regional and territorial authorities in the face of Climate Change.

With two harbours and a large coastline, Kaipara has significant exposure to predicted sea level rise, one big climate change risk.

The decision to sign was important for Kaipara District Council Mayor Dr Jason Smith “because Kaipara people are concerned and Council has a responsibility to show leadership here. KDC is already engaged actively in climate change work across many areas and this declaration sends a further clear signal that we’re taking this seriously. I’m proud Kaipara is standing up here, joining with others declaring climate change to be an issue we’re working on.”

At the same time as Kaipara District Council made its decision, on the other side of the world the UK Parliament in London, England, declared a Climate Emergency for the United Kingdom. “We’re not alone with our concerns, and the history books will show the timing of Kaipara’s aspirational declaration aligns with what’s going on in other places” says Mayor Smith.

The motion passed, and within a week Mayor Smith’s signature will join leaders of over 60 other Councils who have already signed the LGNZ Leaders’ Climate Change Declaration.

To read the declaration as it currently stand visit https://www.lgnz.co.nz/our-work/publications/local-government-leaders-climate-change-declaration-2017/ .

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