Nov 2013 ISSUE 4

Welcome

to new COUNCIL MEETINGS • 12 November 2013 • 10 December 2013 Council • 11 February 2014 • 11 March 2014

• The new Wairoa District Council, led by Mayor Craig Little. COUNCIL FORUM • 26 November 2013 • 25 February 2014 A fresh perspective tempered has become well-versed in is acknowledged for his 28 • 25 March 2014 by voices of experience are the responsibilities of this years of commitment to the an apt description of the new- position over the past several Wairoa District Council, look Wairoa District Council. terms. including 12 years as Mayor. MAORI STANDING Craig Little took on the The pair are joined by new Mr Probert leaves behind COMMITTEE chains of Mayor during the Councillors Mike Bird, Hine a legacy of involvement in • 29 November 2013 inaugural meeting last month, Flood, and Chris Joblin, along successful projects, including having previously served one with experienced Councillors the formation of the popular term as a councillor. Benita Cairns and Min walkway/cycleway alongside Meetings and Forums His chosen Deputy is Denise Johansen. the Wairoa River, and his are held at the Queen Eaglesome-Karekare, who Former Mayor Les Probert advocacy for sealing SH38. Street office council chambers, and are open to the public Get on board for Kiwiana Christmas unless otherwise Polish up your jandals and slice the kiwifruit specified. - you don’t want to miss this year’s Kiwiana Christmas Lighthouse Festival. The big day is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 7, and will kick off with the annual ‘Run-a-muck’ walk/run. There’ll be plenty of time to grab some lunch before the Christmas Parade at 2pm, followed by a free family concert at 3.30pm. Dressing up for the theme could earn you some great spot prizes, so don’t be shy! Float registration forms can be picked up from the library, i-SITE or the Wairoa District Council. Wairoa District Council Keen performers for the concert can Queen St, Wairoa contact Layton Gemmell on 838 7328 or [email protected] [email protected]. www.wairoadc.govt.nz (06) 838 7309 ROAD DUST Tell us what you think

The fight against dust nuisance is continuing in earnest at The list identifies 57 sites, which will be treated with various Wairoa District Council, with a draft list of prioritised sites now methods as and when funds allow. available for viewing and comment. “It would be great to head out and take care of all the sites Engineers have taken into account submissions from the public at once, but the reality is that we have limited resources. to compile the list and are asking for opinions before moving However, we can use the register as a means of applying for forward. funding to get specific jobs done,” Mr Cox said. Other factors taken into consideration when putting the list The list can be viewed on-line at www.wairoadc.govt.nz under together include the number of houses on the road, distance ‘Our Community’, or call into council offices and pick up a from the road, speed, traffic volumes and environmental copy. exposure. People are encouraged to email [email protected], Engineering Manager Jamie Cox said the list was the result of complete the online form, phone 838 7309 or write a letter running each identified site through a series of criteria to make before Friday, August 2. sure limited resources were used in the right place. Wairoa District Council is responsible for the maintenance “It’s about fairly prioritising a community’s needs, with input of around 870km of roads around the district, not including from those affected. If we’re going to spend money, we have to State Highways, which are taken care of by the NZ Transport get it right,” he said. Agency. Around 50 percent of rates go towards roading.

YOUR SPOT Whakatauki/ PROVERB Work seems that much easier with a view like this. Whakapūpūtia mai ō Legacy Maru spent time tātou mānuka kia kore ai e helping out with a fencing whati. project in the Mahia hills Cluster together the during the school holidays. branches of our mānuka so that they will not break.

If you have a photo or artwork that reflects the Wairoa community, we’d love to print Wairoa District Council it. Email [email protected] or post to PO Box 54, Wairoa 4160 supports the goal of becoming an official bi-lingual district by 2040.

Wairoa District Council: Queen St, Wairoa • [email protected] • wairoadc.govt.nz • (06) 838 7309 Skaters assist staff with plans Wheels are well in motion for expanding the popular Alexandra Park skatebowl. A Wairoa College focus group have been working with council staff to come up with a design that will meet the needs of skatepark users without blowing the budget. Engineering Manager Jamie Cox said it had been a valuable experience The list identifies 57 sites, which will be treated with various working with the students, methods as and when funds allow. who were far more in touch “It would be great to head out and take care of all the sites about what was needed to at once, but the reality is that we have limited resources. create a great facility. However, we can use the register as a means of applying for “I’ve been impressed by funding to get specific jobs done,” Mr Cox said. how they’ve partnered up The list can be viewed on-line at www.wairoadc.govt.nz under for this project and made ‘Our Community’, or call into council offices and pick up a a realistic contribution. copy. They’ve understood the their skills and burn off advantages of encouraging People are encouraged to email [email protected], budget constraints and energy, whether it be on a a healthy activity for our complete the online form, phone 838 7309 or write a letter helped us to prioritise our skateboard, scooter or bike. youth. before Friday, August 2. design,” he said. It’s also served as a venue Mr Cox said the site lent Wairoa District Council is responsible for the maintenance A $100,000 spend is set for competitions and fun itself to expansion, and was of around 870km of roads around the district, not including aside for the project, which events. part of a larger vision to State Highways, which are taken care of by the NZ Transport will build on the existing create a wider recreational Agency. Around 50 percent of rates go towards roading. skatepark. area between the Wairoa In loving Additional concrete areas, “It’s a small project in Community Centre and the memory rails, steps, mini half pipe terms of spend, but it’s skatepark. and a jump are hoped to be very important for the “It’s prime river frontage Beautiful views from a well- included in the final design. community.” and we have a great crafted perch await those Jamie Cox Comfort features such as opportunity to make the who pay a visit to the new ENGINEERING MANAGER Whakatauki/ seating, a water fountain, most of it. This project ties seat on the river walkway/ PROVERB rubbish bin and a toilet in well with the swimming cycleway. have also been discussed Annual plan submissions pool extension. It’s a small Commissioned by Maureen Caswell in memory of her Whakapūpūtia mai ō as options. The focus group inspired the extension project in terms of spend, late husband, John Caswell, tātou mānuka kia kore ai e also felt having some kind of the existing bowl, but it’s very important for the seat was made by Geoff whati. of lighting in place would identifying the need for the community,” he said. also be of benefit. more space and challenges There was a possibility of Hole from locally-sourced eucalyptus. Cluster together the The current skatebowl to keep skaters entertained. installing barbeques and Stunning paua insets branches of our mānuka so was built as a result of a The enhancement of tables to create a family enhance the bench - a that they will not break. combined funding effort Wairoa’s park will serve to picnic area to link the two between council and encourage participation facilities. fitting memorial for the former military man and Wairoa District Council community groups. in this internationally The next step is to get the bridge builder. supports the goal of becoming Since then, it has become recognised activity, which is design finalised to fit within Stop by and see the seat an official bi-lingual district a popular place for people also a competitive sport. the budget, then move near the yacht club, on by 2040. of all ages to practice Added to this are the ahead with construction. Kopu Road.

Wairoa District Council: Queen St, Wairoa • [email protected] • wairoadc.govt.nz • (06) 838 7309 Māori Standing Census Population Data Committee People have been on the move. Data from the last Census show that Wairoa’s total population has decreased by 591 confirmed people since 2006, to 7890. Here’s a quick rundown of where people are living: A new Wairoa District Graeme Symes Council Māori Standing (Rakaipaaka takiwā) Tuai 219 Committee has been Paul Kelly (Wairoa Frasertown 252 confirmed to serve a Matangirau takiwā) Ruakituri-Morere 705 three year term. Each Esther Foster* (Wairoa Maungataniwha 318 representative was selected Hōnengenenge takiwā) Raupunga 627 by tangata whenua within Kiwa Hammond* (Wairoa Whakaki 732 eight takiwā (areas). Eight Hōpūpū takiwā) Nuhaka 261 representatives were Hereturikōkā Nissen Mahia 720 confirmed and a ninth (Ruakituri takiwā) Wairoa 4053 representative was selected Neuton Lambert Data as presented by Total 7890 Statistics New Zealand from the floor at a hui-a-iwi (Waikaremoana takiwā)

hosted at Takitimu Marae Gaye Hawkins* ( on Saturday, 19 October Pāhauwera takiwā) Learning on the land 2013. Sam Jury* (Wairoa Dirt has been flying as YROA YNOT participants set They are: Whānui) to work on a fencing project at Nukutaurua, Mahia. The Peter Whaanga* (Mahia *denotes new representative work is part of a larger goal to get youth out on the land, mai Tawhiti takiwā) taking a ‘hands-on’ approach to developing agricultural skills. Warmer weather will soon see a group begin work on an ocean research project, also based at Mahia. Time is already being spent at the Wairoa Community Centre pool to make sure diving skills are up to scratch.

Mahia Beach wastewater Staff profile Construction of property connections to the sewerage scheme is progressing steadily. This work will continue into early 2014. WDC thanks property owners for their patience as this lengthy task is undertaken.

Get consents/licences sorted If you are considering applying for a building or resource consent, the last date you can apply to ensure it is processed this year is November 22, which is 20 working days before Council offices close. You can still apply after that date but staff cannot guarantee the consent will be able to be processed. The same applies to liquor licences.

Sue Clough, Cashier/Creditors Clerk A clean set of wheels Planting season is causing some bumpy problems on local Time on the job: 26 years roads. WDC contractors have been busy clearing roads What she does: Takes payments over the counter and starts the process to get the bills paid. of large clods of dirt left behind by heavy machinery. A clean down before exiting paddocks would help with traffic Favourite place in the district: Lake Waikaremoana, although our whole area is a beautiful, wild place. safety and save on clean-up costs.

Wairoa District Council: Queen St, Wairoa • [email protected] • wairoadc.govt.nz • (06) 838 7309