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Alert

Ohakune Water Outage - August 2026

Ohakune is currently without reticulated water due to air-locks in the raw water line preventing water reaching the Water Treatment Plant. Water supplies and port-a-loo toilets are at locations around Ohakune. Water is expected to be back on by 5pm Mon 10 Aug: Follow link for more information.

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Governance Structure

Council uses committees to make decisions more efficiently and to ensure the right people are considering the right issues. Each committee has specific responsibilities and the legal authority to make decisions within their area.

Following the November 2025 local elections, Council confirmed five committees for the 2025-2028 period;

  • Code of Conduct Panel
  • Grants Committee
  • Hearings Committee
  • Risk and Assurance Committee
  • Ruapehu District Māori Council

Council also has one joint standing committee with other councils, the Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Standing Committee.

Code of Conduct Panel

Membership His/Her Worship the Mayor (Chair)
Deputy Mayor
Ruapehu District Council Chief Executive
Independent Appointee from Simpson Grierson
When they meet As and when required
What they do Investigate complaints when someone believes an elected member has breached the Code of Conduct. The panel determines whether a breach occurred, how serious it is, and what action should be taken.

Grants Committee

Membership Full Council
When they meet ONCE (1) per year
What they do Decide which community groups and organisations receive grants from Council funds.

Hearings Committee

Membership His/Her Worship the Mayor (Chair)
Deputy Mayor
Three Elected Members
When they meet As and when required
What they do Hear and decide on applications that require regulatory approval. This includes resource consents, building matters, dog control issues, and similar applications where Council acts as the regulatory authority.
Legal authority Make decisions under the Resource Management Act 1991, Building Act, Dog Control Act 1996, and related legislation.

Risk and Assurance Committee

Membership Chair (Independent)
His/Her Worship the Mayor
Deputy Mayor
Two Elected Members
When they meet FOUR (4) times per year
What they do Ensure Council has sound financial management, risk management, and internal control systems. This committee oversees Council's financial reporting, manages relationships with auditors, and monitors how Council meets its legal obligations.
Key responsibilities

Review Council's financial and non-financial performance reports Oversees risk management and internal controls Maintains relationships with external auditors Monitors compliance with legal obligations

Ruapehu District Māori Council

Membership His/Her Worship the Mayor
Three Elected Members
Other Members to be confirmed following completion of scope and objectives review
When they meet As and when required (following completion of scope and objectives review)
Status Council resolved to retain this committee for the 2025-2028 period. Before meetings commence, Council will review the committee's scope and objectives to ensure it best serves its purpose.

Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Standing Committee

Membership Representatives from:
Ruapehu District Council
Horizons Regional Council
Whanganui District Council
Palmerston North City Council
Tararua District Council
Horowhenua District Council, and
Manawatū District Council
When they meet As and when required
What they do Set the strategic direction for civil defence and emergency management across the Manawatū-Whanganui region. The committee agrees on work programmes, monitors progress towards regional emergency management objectives, and appoints people with authority to declare local or group emergencies when needed.
Legal authority Required under section 13 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002

District Licensing Committee

Membership

Commissioners (permanent appointments):
Stuart Hylton (Commissioner and Chairperson, appointed until 28 February 2029)
Murray Clearwater (Commissioner, appointed until 28 February 2029)

Council's approved list (appointed to hearings as needed):
Deputy Mayor Brenda Ralph (five-year term from November 2025)
Councillor Robyn Gram (five-year term from November 2025)
Councillor Vivienne Hoeta (five-year term from November 2025)

When they meet As and when required
What they do Hear and decide on applications for alcohol licences in the Ruapehu district. This includes new licences, renewals, and variations for on-licences (bars, restaurants), off-licences (bottle stores), and club licences. The committee ensures licence holders meet legal requirements and considers community impacts.
Legal authority Appointed under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
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