Candidate Briefing Stratford District Council Chief Executive December 2016 Contents Background 3 The Region 4 Getting there 4 Community overview/profile 5 Mayor and Councillors 6 The Council 7 Stratford District Council Background The Stratford District is situated in the heart of Central Taranaki, in the North Island of New Zealand. It has a varied and interesting history. Its location, coupled with climate and a hardworking ethic, has turned it into a vibrant farming community, with a focus on dairy farming. Stratford also boasts an oil and gas exploration industry which has become one of the main pillars to the local economy. Stratford District has a land area of 2170km2 which includes spectacular scenery and walks through the abundant rain forest to waterfalls, wetlands and excellent viewpoints. Mount Taranaki’s south- eastern face is located in the Stratford District, with the district offering some of the mountains best access points which is a key contributor to local tourism. Stratford has a plethora of attractions: attractive parks and gardens; New Zealand's only glockenspiel tower; great food and accommodation; top golf courses; and many leisure activities to suit those who enjoy outdoor pursuits. The district has a population of approximately 9,300 people which provides a warm and friendly atmosphere for families and people who enjoy a slower pace of life. The Region Stratford is located at the junction of State Highway 3 and State Highway 43. It lies beneath the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki/Egmont, approximately halfway between New Plymouth and Hawera, near the geographic centre of the Taranaki Region. It is the gateway to Mount Taranaki, the Egmont National Park, the Manganui Ski Field, Dawson Falls and the Forgotten World Highway (State Highway 43) which winds its way through east Taranaki to Taumaranui. National Parks - Stratford is the gateway to two National Parks - Egmont National Park to the west, and Whanganui National Park to the east, making it one of the more picturesque places in the country. Patea River runs for 105kms from the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki, passing east through Stratford before swinging south and reaching the South Taranaki Bight. The river is the only navigable river in South Taranaki and is a popular canoeing destination for both locals and tourist. Forgotten World Highway is a 150km long and highly memorable driving or cycling journey that explores the ever-changing landscape between Stratford and Taumaranui. This is one of the country's most secluded roads, New Zealand's first heritage trail, and explores a scenic route that winds over four mountain saddles alongside the spectacular Tangarakau Gorge and passes through the 180m long single-lane Moki Tunnel. Getting there Air • Daily flights from New Plymouth to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch Car • 30 min drive from New Plymouth • 1.5hr drive from Whanganui Bus • Intercity Buses and the Naked Bus Company run trips in and out of the district • Taranaki Regional Council runs the regional bus service which connects the entire Taranaki Region. On foot • Compact town centre which makes for easy access Community overview/profile Stratford residents enjoy a relaxed quality of life in an environment that is beautiful, with a strong focus on culture and family. In addition to its beauty, Stratford also thrives on a strong agricultural economy; its steady contours and fertile volcanic soils, coupled with its geographic location, makes it some of the best dairy country in New Zealand. Stratford also has a strong oil and gas industry which provides labour and resources for ongoing energy exploration and production. Schools Stratford contains numerous primary and state secondary schools including Stratford High School and St Mary's Diocesan School. St Mary's Diocesan School is a state integrated Anglican girls’ secondary school with a roll of 159, with the majority of students boarding at the school. There are also a number of primary schools in the wider Stratford District which service families that live outside of the main township. For tertiary education, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) has a campus in Stratford which was established in 1989. WITT has many NZQA accredited courses. Culture Stratford District prides itself on its cultural and artistic diversity. It was established on the Pātea River in 1877-78 and named after William Shakespeare’s birthplace Stratford-upon- Avon, commonly referred to as Stratford. All streets in Stratford are named after Shakespearean plays and characters, including Oberon, Cordelia, Titania, Juliet and Hamlet. Stratford's glockenspiel is unique to New Zealand and plays a delightfully romantic scene from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet four times daily. Mayor and Councillors The Stratford District Council is led by a mayor and ten councillors that were elected in October 2016. They will hold office for a three year term. Mayor Mayor Neil Volzke Mayor Neil Volzke is in his fourth term as Mayor of Stratford, after being elected unopposed at the recent elections in October 2016. Councillors Urban Ward Cr Peter Dalziel Cr Jono Erwood Cr Alan Jamieson Cr John Sanford Cr Kelvin Squire Cr Gloria Webby Rural Ward Cr Grant Boyde Cr Rick Coplestone Cr Graham Kelly Cr Keryn Walsh The Council Mission Statement To serve the District and its communities through advocacy, promotion, services, facilities and positive leadership. Our Vision A progressive, prosperous district where communities are celebrated. Key Metrics The council has total operating revenues of circa $14.5 million. For the year ended 30 June 2016, the Council reported an operating deficit of $1.1 million. With 45 FTE’s, the Council has a wide range of projects and initiatives for the diversity of the Stratford community. Other responsibilities include provision for community facilities and services, managing economic development activities and funding opportunities. Council Executive Management The Mayor and District Councillors employ the Chief Executive who, in turn, manages Council staff. The Chief Executive heads a team of Directors, each of whom manages key areas. Council staff provide the elected Council with policy advice and implement policies under the direction of the Chief Executive. The staff initiate methods and means of achieving the goals to implement the policies set down by Council. Director - Environmental Services Liam Dagg Areas: Civil Defence, Rural Fire, Planning, Resource Consents, Monitoring, Building Control, Environmental Health, Hazardous Substances, Liquor Licensing, Dog Control, General Inspections, Parking Control Director - Assets Sven Hanne Areas: Roading, Stormwater, Water Supply, Refuse Disposal, Sewerage, Parks and Reserves, Sports Fields, Swimming Pool, Holiday Park, Council Properties Director – Community Services Kate Whareaitu Areas: Community Development, Economic Development, Information Centre, Library, Promotions, Communication, Administration, Events Director – Corporate Services Mark Weidenbohm Areas: Rating, Accounting, Financial, Reporting, Treasury, Debt Collection, Records Management, Service Centre .