1 MY SOUTHLAND STORY outhland District Council cost of living. We need to share Jubb will upload his first video to is joining forces with those stories.” YouTube, the mysouthlandstory videographer James Jubb to website, Facebook and Instagram. S Mr Jubb is well known as a stills share Southlanders’ stories with the world in an exciting new photographer through the business The videos will also be on Southland online series. he and his wife Mel run, Studio District Council’s website, Jubb, but in recent years he has also www.southlanddc.govt.nz, and its The My Southland Story project honed his videography skills to a Facebook page. aims to promote Southland by high level. showing the exceptional, exciting The first in the series is a feature on and innovative things being done by This year he has spent a lot of Tom O’Brien, who hand-carved the the people who live here. time getting to know ordinary Mountain Rock trail in the craggy Southlanders with extraordinary hills of his family’s farm at Garston. “It’s about telling our story to the stories and filming short Mr Jubb developed the concept rest of the world, to get people documentary-style videos of them. to really understand what it’s like for the series from the Southland to live here, to work here, to start The footage in each video is Regional Development Strategy to a business here, to be part of a beautifully shot, with Southland’s attract 10,000 people to Southland community group,’’ Mr Jubb says. unique landscapes setting a stunning by 2025. backdrop to each remarkable story. “We have these amazing He pitched it to Southland District opportunities because of our low On Sunday 2 December, Mr Council communications manager “There are some amazing people out there – the entrepreneurs, the community groups, the artists, the sporting heroes – everyday people who do amazing things but they don’t like to talk about it.” Cover photograph: Magazine design Produced by James Jubb at work during Gloria Eno Southland District Council communications team the Tour of Southland 2 Louise Pagan who “fell in love with the idea” and encouraged him to start filming. He’s thankful for Council’s MY SOUTHLAND STORY support in making the videos. Mr Jubb says Southlanders are “typically really bad” at telling their own stories. “We’re so humble – we get in there and get it done.” My Southland Story is about telling the stories of these people – “not the heavy hitters, the people who just get on and do their thing’’. Mr Jubb says he hopes the first videos will open the doors for other people’s stories to be told. “I want to see this project be long term. There Scenes from episode one of My Southland Story: Tom O’Brien rides Mountain Rock trail. Photos: are so many people out there doing JAMES JUBB/STUDIO JUBB cool stuff.’’ Mel and James Jubb, of Studio Jubb. » mysouthlandstory.com » facebook.com/southlanddistrictcouncil/ 3 MAYOR GARY TONG hat a massive year it’s been. As the year winds down, we await some key decisions from central government. The Local Government Commission At times it’s felt like a long year, (LGC) will be mulling over its decision on our Representation while at other times 2018 seems Review, and decisions on several applications to the Provincial to have flashed by in the blink of Growth Fund are pending. an eye. The reorganisation of Council’s representation structures – IW guess that’s a reflection of the opportunities and which are the subject of final hearings this month – has been a challenges we as a Council have explored and robust and transparent process. tackled in the past 12 months. It has wound its way through public meetings, submissions, Change is a constant in the modern world, and I’m hearings, many hours of passionate debate, and many more proud of the work our staff and Council has put into hours of deliberations. We listened to our communities’ views helping shape our District for the better, making our and amended our proposal accordingly. communities and District more resilient. The starting point for Council was recognising that more than Looking back on the year, the Representation 10,000 people in our District of nearly 30,000 people were not Review, Te Anau wastewater project, changes to currently represented by a community board or a community Council’s strategic direction, a host of other chunky development area subcommittee. projects, and the business-as-usual stuff have kept us flat to the boards. While the LGC will deliver the ultimate decision, I believe the new structure proposed will make us match-fit as a District. Business as usual is an interesting expression – and Defining who we are, and what our priorities are, will be vital to one that is arguably less relevant in a world where our future prospects. the way we do things is evolving constantly. The government is asking regions to stand up and advocate for More and more services are being offered online themselves, and I’m confident Southland District is doing this – – and so much of what we do can be done by the and that our voice will continue to be heard loud and clear at a little super-computers most of us carry around in national level. our back pockets. We need strong advocates in our communities who understand how to build support for the things that matter to them – whether it’s a local pool, a health service or improved amenities around a local attraction. The South Catlins Charitable Trust is an inspirational example of what is possible in a community, as is the Fiordland Trails Trust, and there are many more examples. Council will be there to support and advocate on behalf of the community organisations in Southland that will embody the ideals of localism. The changing roles of councils and communities means a period of adjustment for some in our District. I sympathise with these people, but we cannot stand still as the world changes. I’m excited and encouraged by the new ideas and energy generated by the likes of our Youth Council, and believe we need to embrace their thinking. They looked into youth awareness of local government, the barriers young people faced in becoming part of the conversation, and recreation and employment opportunities in Southland. I’ll be interested to learn more about their findings in a youth engagement plan that is being put together. As the end of the year approaches, I’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and hope you get a chance to put your feet up. I’m looking forward to a chance to reflect on what has been a busy year, and to recharge the batteries for what promises to be another cracker of a year in Southland in 2019. 4 Dear Diary Excerpts from Mayor Gary Tong’s busy schedule … Wow! What a way to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, Otautau. Hundreds of people turned out on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning to mark a century since the end of World War I and to remember those from the area who made the ultimate sacrifice. This superbly organised event It was a proud moment to hear really showed off the great community spirit in Otautau. that Koha Kai won the people I was proud to help Otautau RSA president Brian Drummond and capability award at the New carry the Otautau banner in the grand parade and to hear Zealand Maori Business of the Year Sadie Wech sing our national anthem. Awards. I wish I had been able to attend this event and share in this national recognition to Janice Lee and Koha Kai. I was lucky enough in October to be sponsored by the Chao Shan General Association of New Zealand on a second visit to China. This time I was able to meet Chinese local government leaders and speak with them on tourism opportunities in Southland. On the way I attended the opening ceremony of the Xiyangyang Lifestyle & Travel Expo in Auckland, an event aimed at the 170,000-strong Chinese community Wyndham wins living in New Zealand. 2019 is officially the China-New Zealand Year I was at Wyndham to take part in the of Tourism and this event was an festivities as the Wyndham and Districts opportunity to focus on the welcome Community Rest Home celebrated its 20th we are providing to our Chinese anniversary. It’s been a momentous year visitors and help foster stronger for the rest home, which won two awards relationships between our two at the New Zealand Aged Care Association countries. The importance of China Conference in Auckland in September – the to us should not be underestimated. Overall Excellence Aged Care Award and the The Ministry of Business, Innovation Small Operator Industry Award. They’ve and Employment has forecast China done amazing things in the 20 years since will overtake Australia as New the community bought the home, which was Zealand’s largest tourist market by in danger of being closed. Well done to spend, reaching just over $3 billion the governance and management team behind annually by 2024. this community-driven enterprise which is making a real difference. The Southland Chamber of Commerce’s annual TradQual recognition dinner was a great celebration of the achievements of the region’s trade apprentices. I was proud to help hand out certificates to some of the newly graduated tradies as they launch into their industry careers. They’ll be making a huge contribution to the region’s economy.