Thank you for using Neighbourly
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Putting a stop to regional decline was a prevailing theme delivered by West Coast-Tasman’s hopeful candidates during an election debate.
Six candidates voiced their policies for a small crowd in Motueka on Friday, with the focus often turning to… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Putting a stop to regional decline was a prevailing theme delivered by West Coast-Tasman’s hopeful candidates during an election debate.
Six candidates voiced their policies for a small crowd in Motueka on Friday, with the focus often turning to national issues.
The first question posed to the candidates by Grey Power Motueka, who hosted the meeting, asked what the main challenge was for the region over the next three years.
Labour’s Damien O’Connor, the current MP for West Coast-Tasman, said the region needed further investment in housing, while also addressing inequality and healthcare issues and improving resilient infrastructure.
“If we don’t have that, then people feel very exposed and feel insecure, and that undermines the value of collectivity within our community. Generally, in small communities like this, we work really well, but we’re stretched for resources.”
He also asked voters to consider Labour’s performance in the region over the last six years rather than the messages coming from opposition parties.
“Please judge us and judge me on my record, not on the rhetoric that we have heard.”
Maureen Pugh, National’s challenger and a current list MP in parliament, said an exodus of young people was a driving factor for regional decline and without a strong economy, they would keep leaving.
“We need to focus on our young people, break that dependence on welfare support, get them into work training, upskilling, and get them into paid employment. There is ample opportunity in this area for young people to be working.”
Patrick Phelps, an independent candidate and current Westland District councillor, also highlighted the region’s decline as a critical issue but said that he could truly deliver as he wasn’t also beholden to a party.
“We’re in the fortunate position as an electorate where we’ve got two outstanding MPs in Damien O’Connor and Maureen Pugh who’ll both be in parliament after the election anyway because of the party list system,” he said.
“[West Coast-Tasman] needs independent representation in parliament where the person representing you, their loyalties lie only with you – the people living in the region.”
Inequality was Green Party candidate Steve Richard’s main concern for not only the region, but the country, and reiterated the Greens’ proposed wealth tax which he said would have flow-on effects to help address other issues like crime and homelessness.
“It all comes back to money, there’s plenty of it, if we can just share it more evenly.”
Outdoors and Freedom Party co-leader Sue Grey said the region needed to overcome divisive rhetoric and return to grassroots and local approaches to dealing with issues.
“We have to find ourselves again, and we can, we just need a change in leadership that gives us that inspiration.”
Richard Osmaston, leader of the Money Free Party, used the meeting to reiterate his position that money was the root of all troubles plaguing the country.
“We are never going to fix the multiple problems that we have today for all the time we have a monetary system.”
ACT’s Kelly Lilley, New Zealand First’s Jackie Farrelly, and New Zealand Loyal’s Sebastian Marinkovich were not able to attend.
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
A heart-healthy diet doesn't have to mean you give up dessert entirely. Our chocolate brownie is deliciously rich, easy to make and sure to be a hit for the entire whānau. Try it for yourself today!
Kia ora koutou, It’s Natalie here from Whakaata Māori (formerly Māori TV) and I’m excited to tell you about this fabulous new TV show called "West Coasters".
It's an intimate documentary series that gives us a peek into the lives of a Māori community here in the rugged Te… View moreKia ora koutou, It’s Natalie here from Whakaata Māori (formerly Māori TV) and I’m excited to tell you about this fabulous new TV show called "West Coasters".
It's an intimate documentary series that gives us a peek into the lives of a Māori community here in the rugged Te Tai ō Poutini region of the South Island. What sets it apart is its authenticity, showcasing their deep connection to the land and their dreams for the future. The Arahura River, flowing through their ancestral lands with its revered pounamu, plays a central role. It's a show that'll truly move you – don't miss it !
West Coasters – Mane Monday 7.30pm on Whakaata Māori or streaming on Māori+
Hi there,
We're compiling a travel piece on great honesty boxes and roadside stalls around NZ, and would love to hear your favourites. Is there somewhere you enjoy stopping off at for fresh fruit and vegetables, free-range eggs, flowers, or something else? It would be great if you could … View moreHi there,
We're compiling a travel piece on great honesty boxes and roadside stalls around NZ, and would love to hear your favourites. Is there somewhere you enjoy stopping off at for fresh fruit and vegetables, free-range eggs, flowers, or something else? It would be great if you could share it's location and what makes it a standout. Please put 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you don't want it or your name to appear in the article. You're also very welcome to email me at lorna.thornber@stuff.co.nz
Thank you for taking the time to share.
Final days to get your tickets for a chance to win this brand-new, fully furnished home in Glenbrook, Auckland. Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen plus walk-in pantry, two beautiful living rooms and is only a … View moreFinal days to get your tickets for a chance to win this brand-new, fully furnished home in Glenbrook, Auckland. Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen plus walk-in pantry, two beautiful living rooms and is only a short walk away from Glenbrook Beach with stunning views out to Āwhitu Peninsula.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today – only $15 each.
Congratulations to our $100 Mitre 10 prize winners this week:
Sonia Lewis of St Albans
Hinemoa Henderson of Taupo
Ryan Dunseath of Te Atatu Peninsula
Tāmātī Kaiwai of Clouston Park
Sarah Bullard of Nelson
Winners, you can claim your prize here before the 24th of October. Enjoy!
The Rugby World Cup is underway, are you a fan?
New Zealand's All Blacks have won the RWC three times - 1987, 2011 and 2015. Do you remember these? Whether you were in the grandstand or on the couch, tell us what you remember of these historic moments...
Can you build new roads if you want to reduce carbon emissions by 50%?
When it comes to candidates standing for election in West Coast-Tasman, it depends on who you ask.
That question, along with how climate issues sit alongside agriculture and economic policies were teased out by three … View moreCan you build new roads if you want to reduce carbon emissions by 50%?
When it comes to candidates standing for election in West Coast-Tasman, it depends on who you ask.
That question, along with how climate issues sit alongside agriculture and economic policies were teased out by three candidates vying for the seat in an online debate hosted by the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum and Tasman Environmental Trust on Wednesday night.
Read the full story from reporter Katie Townshend here.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The green light has been given to a raft of projects around the West Coast, including bridge protection work.
In August, the West Coast Regional Council granted 12 non-notified resource consent applications.
This included plans by Waka Kotahi NZ… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The green light has been given to a raft of projects around the West Coast, including bridge protection work.
In August, the West Coast Regional Council granted 12 non-notified resource consent applications.
This included plans by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to protect the State Highway 73 Otira River Bridge, west of the Otira Gorge.
The river will be temporarily diverted to build protection structures around the eastern bridge abutment and the central pier.
Down river, KiwiRail gained consents to undertake earthworks, remove gravel, and divert water courses on the Otira and Taramakau rivers, to maintain protection work for the Midland Railway, as far as Jacksons.
In Buller, NZTA gained consent to secure the lower Buller Gorge section of State Highway 6 near Westport, at Island Creek, to protect the eastern abutment of a bridge on the creek.
Also in the lower Buller Gorge, at White Cliffs, the agency will undertake protection work at Clearwater Creek, including installing a weir in the creek bed, underneath and downstream of the bridge.
Oceana Gold sought permission to discharge seepage and leachate mine water to a tributary of Progress Creek from a pond, part of the management system for the mothballed Globe Progress Mine, near Reefton.
Buller District Council gained consent to dispose solid waste in a landfill at Maruia, including leachate from a refuse landfill where it may enter water.
The regional council also granted five applications to change conditions on previously granted consents.
This included Westland Mineral Sands at Okari, Cape Foulwind, being allowed to do earthworks within 5m of a drain.
Others related to gravel extraction and an application to change a whitebait stand design on the Taramakau River.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A new civil defence centre to be built by the Westland District Council at the Hokitika Airport has raised questions about who will pay.
The West Coast Regional Council is charged with co-ordinating and funding the regional Civil Defence and … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A new civil defence centre to be built by the Westland District Council at the Hokitika Airport has raised questions about who will pay.
The West Coast Regional Council is charged with co-ordinating and funding the regional Civil Defence and Emergency Management function for the entire West Coast.
Each of the three district councils also retain their own civil defence functions with staff, but are co-ordinated under the umbrella of the wider regional CDEM group during a natural disaster.
The fact that Westland was planning to build an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Hokitika was raised by councillor Peter Ewen on September 12, and previously at the August meeting.
"I've never seen any paper come across this table," he said in reference to it.
Chairperson Peter Haddock said the matter was aired at a recent West Coast mayors and chairs forum and Westland had provided some clarity.
"Westland District Council are proposing that they build their own building up there - that they will be funding.
"It's something they're doing on their own bat but it was confirmed ... that they will not be using it as the main centre for the West Coast," Haddock said.
Chief executive Darryl Lew said the West Coast Emergency Control Centre remained in Greymouth.
But each of the districts were planning some form of EOC.
"There will be no call on this council's budget for the civil defence line on that," he said.
Ewen said as long as that cost fact was formalised he would be happy. He noted the prior experience of the regional council being billed by the district council for a share of the new Hokitika beach access cost, based on a verbal agreement.
"I'm reminded of the beach ramp problem. There needs to be paper work on that," Ewen said.
The regional council received an invoice from the district council for a share of the $90,000 plus cost of reinstating access to the Hokitika Beach.
It refused to pay when it emerged the bill was the result of a 'gentlemen's agreement' between staff on both sides, but with no formal documentation.
West Coast CDEM group manager Claire Brown recently said the move by Westland was strategic and would enable a physical separation between the business as usual functions at council's central Hokitika chambers and its civil defence function.
The move to establish a 'bricks and mortar' emergency operations centre near the Hokitika Airport was also regionally strategic.
Brown said it was a substantial piece of work but necessary in view of the "larger picture" overshadowing the region - namely an Alpine Fault rupture - and necessary to provide wider strategic resources for the region not just fixed to one location.
From tomorrow, 23 September, we will be offering 50% off adoption fees on canines in all of our centres nationwide - but only until 1 October!
If you've been thinking about adopting a puppy or dog from SPCA, now is the perfect time. We have hundreds of beautiful BFFs-to-be in our care right… View moreFrom tomorrow, 23 September, we will be offering 50% off adoption fees on canines in all of our centres nationwide - but only until 1 October!
If you've been thinking about adopting a puppy or dog from SPCA, now is the perfect time. We have hundreds of beautiful BFFs-to-be in our care right now, all patiently waiting for their forever home.
Start scrolling through all the adoption profiles on our website today and find the perfect fit for your family. Get 100% of the love, for 50% of the fee!
Lighten and brighten a dull, old wooden floor with Resene Colorwood Whitewash.
Find out how to get the whitewashed look in your home with this easy project.
Dear neighbours, we're looking forward to spring and summer, and strawberries! Well, right now particularly we are looking for strawberry recipes for the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by September 17, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the November issue of… View moreDear neighbours, we're looking forward to spring and summer, and strawberries! Well, right now particularly we are looking for strawberry recipes for the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by September 17, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the November issue of NZ Gardener.
We can all generally agree that noise from loud music or parties in the early hours of Sunday is a no-no. But when is it okay to fire up the power tools, leaf blower or lawn mower on a Sunday morning?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say… View moreWe can all generally agree that noise from loud music or parties in the early hours of Sunday is a no-no. But when is it okay to fire up the power tools, leaf blower or lawn mower on a Sunday morning?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Lower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.
We're asking for … View moreLower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.
We're asking for feedback on a Draft Safer Speed Plan which sets out a three-year implementation plan and 10-year vision for safe speed areas in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
To read the plan and give feedback by 25 October visit our website.
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
