your news, your views 2012 BEST ALL ROUND NEWSPAPER ews (Circulation up to 7500) ISSN 1170-1137 – (258) Thursday, September 13, 2012 Delivered FREE to households – extra copies 40c

UNDER REVIEW: Councils upbeat about In February, Ngati Rereahu affiliate Ed- ward Moana-Emery staged a “peaceful sharing some services protest” on a former Crafar-owned dairy farm east of Ben- Mayoral Forum members are opti- (Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Hamilton and all that neydale opposing mistic about prospects for shared services among area) under huge growth pressure. Other areas like its sale to Chinese member councils. Waitomo, South Waikato and Hauraki have declin- investors. The forum, which comprises all mayors of coun- ing populations and want to encourage growth. E and Te Hape cils in the Waikato region and Waikato Regional “No one answer will fit the whole Waikato.” B Trusts are continu- ing the fight by filing Council chairman Peter Buckley, has been meeting Mr Hanna advocates examining the dynamics an appeal last week for the past eight months. of planning for the region taking all contributing against the Court of Forum chairman Matamata-Piako mayor Hugh areas into account. Appeal ruling which Vercoe says: “Last week’s meeting strongly rein- And he’s well aware of strength in numbers. supports the sale. forced the importance of Waikato leaders working “We need to do this as a whole group, not as together, and speaking with one voice.” individual councils,” he says. North mayors Brian Hanna “When we need things from central Government (Waitomo) and Dale Williams () were we can go as a region with a plan and say: ‘Hey, we Trusts to continue fight for farms at the meeting. need your input here.’ “Although there is considerable interest in pos- “At present there is a city up the road with 1.7 MAORI trusts representing der Shanghai Pengxin did have the sible local government reforms, the region’s mayors million people who say this is what we need, and Ngati Rereahu are continuing to sufficient business experience and remain firmly focussed on identifying how we can they generally get it.” fight against the sale of 16 Crafar acumen to run the farms. work better together to improve services to our farms to Chinese company Shangai Mr Peni says if the Chinese bid communities,” says Mr Vercoe. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Pengxin. is successful the trusts would like The forum is assessing councils working to- Waikato’s mayors have good reason for their Last month, the Court of Appeal the opportunity to directly buy two gether on water and waste water services; road optimism from a collaborative approach. dismissed legal challenges from a farms in , considered maintenance; planning; economic development; Last week the Government announced the farmer group led by Sir Michael Fay ancestral land. governance and management arrangements for 2012-2015 National Land Transport Programme, and Te Kuiti-based Tiroa E and Te “Ultimately I would like our case any shared services. a partnership between local councils and the New Hape B Trusts to the long-running brought before the rightful people,” “When we look at planning, for example, we Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). attempt by Pengxin to buy the farms he says. see layers and overlap between central govern- The mayors say the Government’s investment which have been in receivership for “Preferably someone who is com- ment, regional and local government, but we lack in the region’s transport infrastructure is a vote of nearly three years. pletely independent who applies a strategy or spatial plan for the Waikato,” says confidence in the region as one of ’s Sir Michael walked away from the law according to how he reads Mr Vercoe. economic powerhouses. the fight after last month’s decision it without political persuasion or And that’s costly to councils and businesses. Mr Vercoe says the “package of investment” but that hasn’t deterred the trusts interference. “During the next three years, our councils need signals the importance of the Waikato to NZ’s from going it alone. “I’m not saying that the other to review and consult on more than 500 different economic growth. The trusts filed an appeal in the parties have done it through that policies, codes of practice, management plans and “We are very encouraged by the Government’s High Court last week avenue but I would like to be as- bylaws,” says Mr Vercoe. investment in transport infrastructure in the against the appeal court ruling sured that the integrity of the peo- “There are efficiencies to be gained from collabo- Waikato. This shows Prime Minister John Key, which supports the sale to Pengx- ple who make these decisions is ration among the member councils.” Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and the Cabi- in. paramount.” net place great emphasis on keeping the contribu- The trusts’ chairman Hardie Peni Mr Peni is unsure when a deci- TRANSPORT ROUTES tion we can make to economic growth.” says the Chinese have not met the sion will be made. Mr Hanna says a spatial plan looks at future The National Land Transport Programme an- business experience and acumen He says the ongoing legal costs transport routes and logistical aspects of regional nouncement includes allocations of $590 million to requirements to own sensitive farm are being covered by a third party planning. ongoing construction in the Waikato Expressway; land in New Zealand. not the trusts. Auckland and have spatial plans $485 million to maintenance, operation and renew- “On that basis we don’t believe “It’s just a matter of waiting for a but currently the Waikato doesn’t and having one al of the region’s road network; a $100-$150 mil- they’ve met the test and for that court fixture now but if the Chinese would be a “good move”,” he says. lion investment in new infrastructure to progress reason we are appealing the Court don’t come back to that table before “Two thirds of the traffic going through the state highway and NZTA-partnered projects across of Appeal’s decision. that, I won’t be losing any sleep. Waikato comes from Auckland travelling to some- the Waikato, including the Hamilton Ring Road; “The matter is now before the “I believe they’ll be feeling very where else. replacement of the Atiamuri Bridge on SH1; $25 court and is sub judice.” comfortable because they’ve already “You have a growing city wanting to expand million to the operation of the Waikato public trans- The appeal court last month ruled won it twice through court but we’ll but surrounded by rural councils with different port network; and delivery of the Safer Journeys the Crafar receivers’ preferred bid- just have to wait and see.” plans for expansion and the centre of the Waikato action plan as part of the development of SH2. TO P10

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Waikato statistics IN the Waikato DHB region which includes AND SHINE READY FOR supersonicdeal the King Country, more than 75% of all women RISE ! sat ! fri aged 25-69 had a cervical smear in the past three thur only years. This includes 58% Maori women, 61% Pacific Island women, 59% of Asian women and 82% of DAYLIGHT jim beam European/other ethnicity women. The National Cervical Screening Programme * is working towards a national target of 80% of 99 women having had a smear test in the past three $ 1125ml years by 2014. SAVINGS! 38 Women who are not sure when their smear is due, *OFFER VALID THURSDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER or who want to become part of the National Cervi- TO SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2012 ONLY. cal Screening Programme can ring the freephone LIMITS MAY APPLY. WHILE STOCKS LAST. number 0800 729 729 or visit the website – cervi- calscreening.govt.nz Councils upbeat about sharing CODY'S WOODSTOCK 18 X 250ML CANS 18 X 330ML BOTTLES 8% ALC/VOL 5% ALC/VOL $ 99 some services JOHNNIE each FROM P1 STOLICHNAYA GORDON'S JAMESON WALKER 30 VODKA GIN IRISH WHISKEY BLACK Mr Vercoe says the programme will deliver $ 99 $ 99 $ 99 $ 99 improved productivity and efficiencies throughout 33 1 litre 311 litre 451 litre 49700ml the Waikato. “A high percentage of NZ’s freight, including ex- port goods, passes through the Waikato, and these investments will enhance the region’s contribution to our country’s economy.” CANADIAN CLUB CORUBA 10 X 330ML BOTTLES 10 X 330ML BOTTLES 4.8% ALC/VOL 5% ALC/VOL WILLIAMS UNSURE $ 99 While Mr Williams sees the benefits of the each 23 Waikato Mayoral Forum for the region in looking for efficiencies through collaboration he remains EXPORT 33 OR DRY $ 99 TUI OR EXPORT GOLD $ 99 somewhat reticent. 12 X 330ML BOTTLES each 15 X 330ML BOTTLES each SPEIGHT’S, 19 21 SUMMIT, “We’re all collectively doing the responsible thing LION RED, but I still personally am struggling to see where WAIKATO 24 X 330ML Otorohanga district is likely to benefit.” BOTTLES STEINLAGER He says the Otorohanga council is as “efficient CLASSIC $ 99 and effective as anybody”, and questions why there 15 X 330ML BOTTLES 33 each is a rush to get bigger when ODC’s successes at $ 99 keeping debt and staff to a minimum are credited 23each to the fact of it being small. THESE “There seems to be no logic in that big discus- 99 sion. WINES $ each “There just seems to be an absolute frenzied SUPER DEAL ONLY 13 belief that putting everybody (councils) together free 4 pack of will be better.” LAKE CHALICE The result may vindicate this belief he says, but Schweppes lemon/ INCL PINOT NOIR lime/bitters 750ML he wants the homework to be done first. while stocks last. STONELEIGH “Once you de-construct a framework, if you 750ML look back in five years and say it was much better EL JIMADOR TEQUILA WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL before, you’ll never recreate it again.” EXCL PINOT NOIR $ 99 750ML He wants to ensure that only the things that 700ml Selection of range varies by location. need changing are changed. 38 “I guess the mood around the table is change is happening whether we like it or not and it’s 139 stores nationwide, 100% locally owned and operated. important as elected leaders of the region that we Find your local store at www.superliquor.co.nz or call 0800 SUPERL (0800 787 375) are leading that change.” Offer ends close of trade 16th September 2012, while stocks last. The Waikato Mayoral forum meets again in Limits may apply at participating outlets. Trade not supplied. mid-October. LSL1904_WN