Taupō District Council
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Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas has appointed Taupō ward councillor Kevin Taylor as deputy mayor.
The appointment of Mr Taylor to the role is subject to confirmation at the first meeting of the new council, which will be held on Thursday 27 October.
Local body elections were held on … View moreTaupō District Mayor David Trewavas has appointed Taupō ward councillor Kevin Taylor as deputy mayor.
The appointment of Mr Taylor to the role is subject to confirmation at the first meeting of the new council, which will be held on Thursday 27 October.
Local body elections were held on Saturday 8 October, returning Mr Trewavas as mayor, along with seven sitting councillors and five new ones. The recommendation of deputy mayor is one which is traditionally made by the mayor.
Mr Trewavas said Mr Taylor, a second-term councillor and former high-ranking police officer, would be well suited to the role.
“Kevin’s attributes and skills, along with the support he has provided to Council in the last three years will stand him in good stead. I look forward to working with him going forward.”
Mr Taylor says he’s ready to take on the role of deputy mayor and do his best for the Taupō District.
“It’s not a role I was angling for, but I’m honoured to be considered and more than happy to fulfil it; and like I’ve done with other roles, I’ll give it all of my energy and attention.”
Mr Trewavas acknowledged the contribution and commitment of former deputy mayor Christine Rankin. He said he looked forward to working with the new and returning councillors and to a successful three years working together for the betterment of the Taupō District.
With all votes counted, the 2022 Taupō District Council election results have been finalised.
There are no changes to the make-up of the council from the progress results published on Saturday 8 October. Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas returns for a fourth term with a final count of 6601 … View moreWith all votes counted, the 2022 Taupō District Council election results have been finalised.
There are no changes to the make-up of the council from the progress results published on Saturday 8 October. Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas returns for a fourth term with a final count of 6601 votes.
The other two mayoral candidates, Christine Rankin and Sean Wakelin, finished on 4762 and 1205 votes respectively. Christine Rankin was re-elected as a councillor.
Mr Trewavas says he is looking forward to coming together as a team with the councillors.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to represent this wonderful district for another term,” he says.
“We have a great mix of experienced councillors and new faces. They come from all walks of life which helps ensure a balance of stability and fresh ideas.
“Just like in previous years, we won’t always agree on everything, but robust, respectful and constructive discussion is all part of the process.”
Mr Trewavas says he is looking forward to seeing the completion of several projects, including the Taupō Town Centre Transformation, the new Taupō Airport terminal and the Waiora House rebuild.
The seven successful candidates for the Taupō ward are Christine Rankin, Yvonne Westerman, Kevin Taylor, Anna Park, John Williamson, Rachel Shepherd and Duncan Campbell.
In the new Te Papamārearea Māori ward, Karam Fletcher and Danny Aperahama Loughlin are the successful candidates.
Kylie Leonard for the Taupō East Rural ward and Kirsty Trueman for the Mangakino-Pouakani ward were both re-elected unopposed.
The successful candidate for the Tūrangi-Tongariro ward is Sandra Greenslade.
New councillor Karam Fletcher is one of the first councillors elected to represent Te Papamārearea Māori ward.
“I’m incredibly humbled and I’m also mindful that this is my first time standing,” Mr Fletcher says. “To get in on the first go obviously means there is a wealth of support behind me and that definitely doesn’t go unnoticed. I’m excited about the prospect of working with the other successful candidates over the next three years.
“I’ve always said it’s important to have Māori representation at the decision-making table and the Māori ward is a step in allowing that to happen. I do believe as a council we are already moving forward with the likes of the co-governance agreement with Ngāti Tūrangitukua. Ultimately, it’s what is best for our community, ensuring everyone is represented.”
On receiving the news he had been elected, he says he had “prepared for the worst but hoped for the best”.
“I was really, really happy. My wife was ecstatic and we had a few friends and whānau around to celebrate what, for me, is an amazing achievement and I’m mindful that I wouldn’t be here without all of their support.”
Another new face at the council table is Rachel Shepherd who says she felt a mixture of emotions when she found out she had been elected.
“I was really excited but also a bit nervous as well because I take the position really seriously, the responsibility of it. It was nervous excitement.
“There are a lot of projects going on and where I fit in will be somewhat dependent on what I learn as I go through the induction process. My focus has always been around supporting local business, I’m a commercial property manager, but I’m also really heavily involved in our local volunteer groups and community organisations, so that’s where my focus will be.”
The elected members come into office tomorrow, Saturday 15 October, but cannot act until they make their formal declarations at the inaugural council meeting to be held on Thursday 27 October.
View the full election results at www.taupo.govt.nz....
New parking charges will come into effect when Taupō Airport’s new terminal opens; and reflect the growth of the airport and its surrounding business precinct.
The new charges will help to maintain the newly-constructed airport carpark and terminal, which is currently underway with a budget … View moreNew parking charges will come into effect when Taupō Airport’s new terminal opens; and reflect the growth of the airport and its surrounding business precinct.
The new charges will help to maintain the newly-constructed airport carpark and terminal, which is currently underway with a budget of $9.237 million. Of that, $3.367 million was allocated in Council’s Long Term Plan, along with a $5 million grant from the Crown’s Provincial Development Unit, and $870,000 from the Ministry of Transport. Work is scheduled for completion in December.
The development includes a new sealed carpark with more parking spaces and lighting to replace the old carpark which was unlit and grassed.
Taupō District Council deputy chief executive Julie Gardyne says the carpark charges reflect the council’s user-pays philosophy and will help reduce the financial impact on ratepayers.
“The new carpark is a huge improvement over the previous one, being much safer for winter use when flights are arriving in darkness, and a lot easier to navigate in the wet,” Ms Gardyne said.
“The intended charge structure, which is subject to Ministry of Transport approval, will see the first 30 minutes free, so people can do drop offs and picks up. Then fees of $2 per hour will apply up to a maximum of $14 for 24 hours. The best part is, the system is fully automated, with cameras registering vehicle registration numbers, and then users can pay at the barrier or at terminals in the carpark. We’ll also be looking at long-term concession rates if there is demand.”
Ms Gardyne said Taupō Airport was one of the few regional airports to still have unpaid parking.
“Its level of operations have increased considerably over the years, so we need to make sure that it is properly funded by those that use it most. The contributions from the parking will be invested back into running the airport and its infrastructure. Our airport is transitioning from a medium-sized regional airport to an important transport hub and business precinct that plays an important economic role for our entire district, and the charges we have settled on are very competitive, being lower than all other airports of comparable size. For example, Napier Airport charges $5 per hour and it is $4 per hour at Rotorua Airport.”
Taupō Airport Authority (TAA) chairman Chris Johnston said the new airport terminal was going to be a huge asset to the whole district as it welcomed visitors as well as offering a better travel experience for locals.
“The TAA has been working towards this day for nearly 10 years,” Mr Johnston said. “The new terminal looks very impressive and is going to be a world class facility, designed and built by Taupō locals.
“It is really exciting to see it now coming of age and opening up even more potential. Our passenger numbers have returned to 90 percent of their pre-Covid levels, which is fantastic. It’s important to remember that it takes a huge amount of work to keep an airport of this size functioning. Everything from staffing to wildlife control, runway maintenance and maintaining safety levels - and yes, car parks - has to be a part of a business model and the new parking charges are part of this.”
Nominations have closed for the 2022 local government elections to be held on Saturday, 8 October.
There are three candidates for the Taupō District mayoralty this year – Christine Rankin, David Trewavas and Sean Wakelin.
There are 19 candidates standing for the seven seats in the Taupō … View moreNominations have closed for the 2022 local government elections to be held on Saturday, 8 October.
There are three candidates for the Taupō District mayoralty this year – Christine Rankin, David Trewavas and Sean Wakelin.
There are 19 candidates standing for the seven seats in the Taupō ward, and four candidates for the single Tūrangi -Tongariro ward seat.
The new Te Papamārearea Māori ward has four candidates for voters on the Māori electoral roll to choose from, to fill two seats.
Two vacancies are to be filled automatically because the number of nominations received did not exceed the number of positions available.
These are the Mangakino-Pouakani ward vacancy where Kirsty Trueman will be elected unopposed and the Taupō East Rural ward vacancy where Kylie Leonard will also be elected unopposed.
Deputy electoral officer Shainey James says she is heartened by the number of candidates who have put their names forward this year.
“It’s encouraging to see how many people are invested in our district and want to contribute to their community by becoming a councillor.
“We are in for an exciting campaign period.”
Anyone who is currently enrolled can vote in the local government elections via postal vote. Voting papers will arrive in your mailbox between 16 to 21 September.
For those who have not yet enrolled, a special vote will need to be cast by contacting a Taupō District Council office for voting papers.
Voting papers need to be returned before voting closes at noon on 8 October.
A full list of candidates can be found at taupo.govt.nz/vote22
Key Election Dates:
- Friday 12 August - Nominations closed at 12 noon
- 16 to 21 September - Voting papers delivered
- Saturday 8 October - Election Day – voting closes 12 noon
- 13 to 19 October - Declaration of results
Locals and visitors alike have the chance to see an exhibit steeped in New Zealand art history at Taupō Museum.
The Blind Woman of Taupō by legendary New Zealand artist Charles Frederick Goldie is now on display in Te Aroha o Rongoheikume, the museum’s wharenui (meeting house), thanks to a … View moreLocals and visitors alike have the chance to see an exhibit steeped in New Zealand art history at Taupō Museum.
The Blind Woman of Taupō by legendary New Zealand artist Charles Frederick Goldie is now on display in Te Aroha o Rongoheikume, the museum’s wharenui (meeting house), thanks to a loan from an anonymous benefactor.
The incredible and absorbing painting, produced in 1934, has been loaned to the Taupō Museum for five years.
It sits next to portraits of Ngāti Tūwharetoa chiefs Te Werahiko (Haukino) and Rutene Te Uamairangi Rahui of Ōpepe, painted in 1908 by notable artist and Taupō identity Thomas Ryan, in an exhibit called Goldie and Ryan.
At the unveiling today (Thursday 11 August), the new display was blessed and officially opened to the public.
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