
Hurunui council backs community board concept, but split on representation
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A community board is being proposed for Hurunui’s south ward, including Amberley.
The Hurunui District Council accepted a proposal to create a South Ward Community Board as part of its representation review at a meeting on Tuesday, March 12.
It will now go out for public consultation on Monday, March 25.
The concept of a South Ward Community Board received unanimous support, but the late addition of splitting the south ward into two subdivisions created division and was supported by six councillors, with five opposed.
Governance team leader Michelle Stanley proposed community board membership comprising two members from the Amberley subdivision and three from the Kowai subdivision (the rest of the ward), as well as four councillors.
If successful, the community board would replace the existing south ward community committee, which comprises local appointees, for the 2025 and 2028 local government elections.
Councillor Pauline White, who represents the south ward, said she initially opposed the idea of a community board, but later changed her mind.
‘‘One of my initial fears was it could disempower the different voices we get at the community committee, but having the sub-divisions will help to overcome that.
‘‘If we put this out to our constituents they will submit and tell us whether this is the right thing.’’
Councillors Vanessa McPherson and Gary Jackson, who both serve the south ward, said they could not support splitting the ward.
Jackson said the south ward was ‘‘one community’’ and adding the subdivisions was ‘‘an added complication, which will confuse people’’.
McPherson said having the subdivisions would be ‘‘too limiting’’.
The Hurunui district already has one community board at Hanmer Springs and councillor Tom Davies, who lives in the village, said it worked well.
‘‘We all have slightly different interests and there is very strong debate at the meetings and outside of meetings.
‘‘In a small community differences tend to disappear and you come to a decision of what is best for the village.’’
Council staff estimated a South Ward Community Board would cost ratepayers around $50,000 a year, or about $25 per south ward ratepayer.
Councillors backed retaining the status quo of the mayor and 10 councillors representing the south, west and east wards, and the Hanmer Springs Community Board.
The remaining community committees in Amuri, Hurunui, Cheviot and Glenmark, will also be retained.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.


Poll: Is this the most Kiwiana pie you've heard of?
This Kiwiana pie consists of Watties spaghetti and colby cheese in pastry. Is this our most iconic 'Kiwi' pie?
Share your thoughts below!

-
12.9% Yes!
-
87.1% No, I can think of something else!

🎭 Riddle Me This… Can You Guess? 🎭
What time did the two cars crash?
Do you think you know the answer to our riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.


Casey
“I wasn't aware of it when I was going through it, or growing up in that environment, you just think it's your normal until you get out of it. Narcissistic abuse. Have you heard of it?
I was the black sheep. I left home real young, like, 17. I went to the Salvation Army, I was homeless. I went back to my parents thinking they'd changed, or, I don't know, something will be different, but it just wasn't. I had to come to terms with reality. Now I'm estranged, I'm doing my own thing. I've had no contact in ages, it is what it is.
I'm trying to get the skills, I want to pursue music as a full time job. Even if it just pays for the basics. That's what I really want to do with my life, I need to do it, it feeds my spirit.
I learned bass guitar, electric guitar. I learned how to rap, sing and a bit of metal growl. So like, you know, the heavy vocals. It's like an outlet, if I'm going through some real heavy duty stuff, I can just fall back on the music. I always feel better.
I saw someone had an advertisement for a band, so I got their number, gave them a ring. You never know what might happen. I used to be so insecure and shy, I hid away on purpose. But these days I want to be an open book, I'm more confident in my own skin.
I might be going back to the Salvation Army. It's better than being on the streets in the elements, cold, freezing. Yeah, you get a roof over your head three meals a day. It's better than being stranded.
I was born in Christchurch, been here my whole life. I also like getting out into nature. If I had money, I'd be a nomad, just travelling with a backpack. I do like it here, but it would be a good change to see the world. Yes, this is just a tiny little island, it's a big world out there.”
