Mayoral Diary June 2019 Tuesday Te Manawhenua Meeting 4 June Topics for discussion at this meeting included: Te Reo Maori Policy, Waitangi Day update, Volunteer Youth Ambassadors update, Youth Awards sponsorship, Road naming, Oranga Marae presentation, Footpaths and Mobility scooters in , Smoke free policy, Provincial growth fund update, Representation review update, Consultation update and District plan update

Wednesday Volunteer Youth Ambassadors meeting 5 June The annual youth awards are being held on Friday 5 July at Kaimai Cheese in , and the group is busy focusing on preparations for this.

VYA Chair Ruby Stevens is excited at the list of finalists and we are assured of a great night.

Council workshop Council staff presented information to Elected Members on Parking, Regional Speed Management Plan presentation, Footpath level of service, Morrinsville Stormwater, Skycity application from HCC, Earthquake, Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy and Water and Wastewater Project management

Thursday Rural and Provincial meeting 6 & Friday 7 At this quarters meeting in Wellington we had ministers and MP’s June present to discuss a range of topics, some of which were; disability issues, proposals to reforms in the building system, the 1 billion trees programme, the wellbeing’s budget, the defence portfolio, NZTA local government engagement, freshwater reform, responsible camping and Census 2018. Different ministers presented to our Rural representatives and we certainly gave feedback to Central Govt.

It was a full two days of informative presentations and networking.

Monday Mayoral Forum 10 June A summary of the mayoral forum meetings can be found on the Waikato Mayoral Forum website: http://waikatomayoralforum.org.nz/home/background/meetings/

This meeting had updates from the Upper North Island Strategic Alliance (UNISA), Hamilton to Auckland corridor, the Waikato Plan refresh, Regional Economic Development in the region, Moving Waikato, Essential Freshwater Programme, Three Waters review, Waikato regional heritage forum update, the Triennial agreement, and Elections cost,

Tuesday Hauraki Rail Trail newest addition 11 June The ‘grandaddy of all penny farthings’ is the latest addition to the to Matamata Hauraki Rail Trail extension. A large penny farthing, created by Te Aroha artist Adrian Worsley, has been placed at the Te Aroha Railway. Check it out! An awesome addition to Ars and the Rail Trail.

Adrian was commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Hauraki Rail Trail Charitable Trust and the Te Aroha Business Association to create two sculptures for the Te Aroha to Matamata extension, currently under construction.

And as the sculpture is made entirely of repurposed railway parts, Hauraki Rail Trail Trust CEO Diane Drummond says it’s the perfect showpiece for the trail.

“The sculpture at the train station is the first installation of this size along the network, and Adrian wanted it to have a strong cycling focus, so he made the granddaddy of all penny farthings.”

Diane said the Trust is looking for support to have many more of these wonderful creations from both Adrian and other artisans along the length of the entire trail.

The trike stands 2.2m high, 2.2m long and 2m wide and doubles as a bike rack. The second sculpture, currently under development, will be installed along the extension later in the year.

Best Start Childcare Te Aroha I was invited to call in to read a story to the children of Best Start in Te Aroha. What a friendly lovely bunch of children! The lovely thank you card with all of your artwork was just delightful! Aren’t we well served by business in our towns!

Executive Team meeting I met with Council’s Exec Team for a monthly update from an operational perspective.

Audit and Risk meeting The meeting chaired by John Luxton included topics on: KPMG External Audit Plan, Health and Safety – with consultant Mike Cosman in attendance, Building Control Authority – 2019 Assessment, Refuse bag sales and disposal tonnage report, Annual Insurance Programme review, Annual risk management framework/analysis, IT security Audit, KVS and KC regulatory risk, Accounting Policies, Sensitive Expenditure Policy, Draft Pre-election report, Quarterly Procurement report, Annual report 2018/19 – Audit NZ interim report review, Annual Plan project update

Meetings regarding Matamata Sports Stadium CEO Don McLeod and I met with representatives of Matamata Futures to discuss the proposed stadium. Afterwards there was a meeting with the same group of people and Sport Waikato. Our two representatives from Council on this new working part are Councillors Adrienne Wilcock and Kevin Tappin.

Wednesday NZ National Fieldays opening ceremony 12 June I attended the opening ceremony at the Village Green, opened by our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Jacinda spoke to three different functions that day; breakfast meeting, official opening and l luncheon of international guests.

The event held at Mystery Creek was another successful occasion with visitors attending from far and wide. Before the opening ceremony commenced I was able to visit some of our local business sites and see what they had to offer this year.

We are so well represented at Fieldays by our industries from MPDC.

Thursday Meeting with Mayor Jim Mylchreest 13 June I met with Mayor of Waipa District Jim Mylchreest to discuss Te Miro, which lies on the boarder of both of our districts. We discussed a partnership and support for more parking at Te Miro Bike Park.

Matamata Union Parish luncheon I was invited to attend the annual luncheon where I spoke on my role as Mayor and what being an elected member entails. Thank you ladies, such a strong resource in our community.

Friday Tasman Village opening 14 June Tasman Village is now 30 years old and to celebrate I was invited along with Deputy Mayor James Thomas, Councillors Neil Goodger and Donna Arnold to the opening of their fabulous new hall and lounge with supporting facilities. What a well-functioning retirement village we have in Tasman Village, a true asset in Morrinsville.

Monday Motorhome Association meeting 17 June I met with representatives of the NZ Motor Caravan Association to discuss how our district can partner with them to provide facilities for members of the association throughout our district. Motor home parks and dump stations were main topics.

Wintec Honorary Degree Ceremony I was invited to attend the evening event to honour Sir James Wallace and Dallas Fisher.

Sir James was awarded an honorary Master of Arts. He is the man behind one of New Zealand’s most important art collections. The Wallace Arts Trust Collection has more than 9,000 works by NZ artists. Sir James has a strong connection to the Waikato more particularly to our district through the Wallace Corporation based in , and of course the Wallace Gallery in Morrinsville.

Dallas Fisher was awarded an honorary Master of Applied Innovation. He is well known for his contribution to the community, particularly for innovation and progress across the business sector. Council engages with Dallas frequently in his role with the Waikato Economic Development agency and Te Waka.

I was honoured to be there to see these two men receive recognition for many years of hard work and dedication in their fields, and their connections to our region and particularly our town of Morrinsville.

Wednesday Central Government/Local Government Forum 19 June The annual forum between central and local government was held in Wellington at Premier House. There was good representation from both sides including the Prime Minister and Ministers, LGNZ National Council members, Central and Local government officials.

Our discussions centered around Climate change, Water, Regional Development and Housing.

I was able to chat one on one with our Prime Minister and even have a hold of Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford!

Thursday Volunteer Awards 20 June This year’s event was held at the Silver Fern Farms event centre in Te Aroha where volunteer groups were recognised for the outstanding service and part they play in our community. 75 people attended from many groups across the district.

Ten year old singer Jazz Vidamo provided entertainment performing two songs which was very well received!

Volunteer morning tea attendees Jan, Jazz and her parents

Volunteer Waikato Excellence Awards The Waikato awards were held at The Atrium with 230 guests in attendance and a total of 35 individuals and teams nominated over four categories

I has so proud when Mary Maxwell of Morrinsville received the main Volunteer of the Year award for her work with English Language Partners Waikato. Congratulations Mary for being recognised for the hard work and effort you contribute, you make us so proud!

Jan, Mary and Peter Maxwell

Nominated by the Matamata Lions Club, Dr Neil Algar received the award for Long Service, volunteer of the year.

Neil has been part of Lions for 60 years, was a foundation member and is still an active member today. He has also been a member of Senior Net, the New Zealand Historical Society Executive Committee (which he held the positon of president) and a member and president of the Matamata Historical Society.

Congratulations Neil on you too being recognised for your years of volunteer work to our district and Waikato community.

Dr Neil Algar and Jan

Matariki I was invited by Te Ao Marama Maaka to join Ngati Haua at the Matariki celebrations in Wellington.

Rex and I were so much part of the team/whanau celebrations. A kappa haka festival was held at Te Papa Wellington.

Ngati Haua you make us so proud!

Monday Provincial Growth Fund Governance Group meetings 24 June After our inaugural meeting at the end of May, the two groups for Te Aroha and Waharoa held separate meetings and site visits. Work is progressing well with our governance teams and contractors engaged to progress the stage.

Wednesday Corporate and Operations Meeting 26 June The beginning of the day started with a Council meeting for the adoption of the Annual Plan 2019/20 and setting of the Rates 2019/20

The COC meeting then opened and we worked through agenda items and workshop topics of Earthquake Prone, dangerous and insanitary building policy amendment, Election cost update, Provincial Growth Fund, Refuse Disposal Contract, Assistance from Heritage Buildings and protected trees fund to maintain protected tree, Hauraki Rail Trail Charitable trust six month report, Health and Safety report, CEO report, DOC presentation and walkthrough of the new online document system.

Sport Waikato Board meeting I attended the monthly board meeting to present on the recent visit to Japan where CEO Matthew Cooper was part of my delegation.

Thursday Meeting with BOT Chair 27 June I met with Craig Alexander who is the new chair of Matamata College Board of Trustees. We discussed Council’s support of our college and future leaders, and the proposed two court indoor facility.

Meeting with Matamata Race Club Councils Events and Promotions Coordinator, Rachael Singh, and I met with Sharleen and Graeme from the racing club to discuss an upcoming event where the Melbourne Cup trophy will be coming to Matamata. It is the Lexus Melbourne Cup Event to coincide with their race day on Wednesday 28 August and 100 years of Racing Matamata.

Watch this space for more information in the near future! Meeting with Open Country Dairy (OCD) I met with the executive of OCD (Steven and Riaan) to discuss how they can partner with the Waharoa community to strengthen resources and support for our people.

Ngati Haua Wintec Graduation Held at Te Whenua Tupu Ake o Hauā – Agritech Hub, on Tahuna-Morrinsville Rd I attended the graduation of the horticultural level 3 landscaping students. The course started at the beginning of the year and the first intake had a graduation ceremony with friends and family present. Great to note the progress at the centre, fruit trees planted and structures built.

Friday Meeting regarding Waharoa Aerodrome 28 June Community continue to have discussion on our airfield and ways to strengthen this resource.

Morrinsville Museum Open Day In 1967 the Cultural committee of the Morrinsville Borough Council called a meeting to form a Historical Society. From this the Morrinsville Historical Society Inc was formed and monthly meetings began.

The museum held an open day and morning tea and cake cutting was held to commemorate the occasion and I was delighted to join the current and past members for some celebratory cake!

Amy Adams function at Morrinsville Golf Club This event was hosted by Tim Van der Molen. Even though Amy has announced her retirement her words held weight within our community.

Kim Linklater meeting Wintec and our council continue to partner on projects going forward.

MPDC Staff retirement After 47 years, long serving staff member Tuk Sheehan has decided to call it a day. At the time of his retirement, Tuk was Councils Contracts Supervisor for Roading and held a number of roles in a roading capacity over the years. His expertise in our districts road network will be hard to beat. I wish Tuk and Leslie all the very best in his retirement, time to put your feet up and take time for yourself! Or is that farming job still calling!?

Sunday Rotary District Changeover 30 June Peter Maxwell from Morrinsville is taking over as District Governor for Rotary International covering all the clubs across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and part of Taranaki for the following 12 months.

This is the first time that someone from Morrinsville will have held this position. I was invited to attend the hand over luncheon and had the opportunity to address the Rotary attendees.

I wish Peter well for his year as governor.

50th Wedding Anniversary I was delighted to be invited to the Waihou Hall to celebrate 50 years of marriage for Ross and Jennifer Nickel. Well done Waihou community on a lovely afternoon.