662 days ago

Broad focus for Westland District byelection candidates

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

A $600,000 spend on a Hokitika playground and a lack of realism are common concerns among the six candidates vying for election to the Westland District Council's Northern Ward.

Voting is now open in the byelection, which comes just months after the three-yearly local body elections.

Asked what the issue of concern for voters was, most candidates preferred to talk more broadly about what the council should be focused on.

First timer Charley Cowie, of Stafford, noted the ward had about 50% of the rateable value for the whole district and it was clearly ''going ahead''.
A vote for him would help him ''represent everyone'' in the district and he was reluctant to pin down a common concern.

He cited the collective effort to restore the historic Stafford Cemetery as an example of what could be achieved by ''getting the community working better together''.

''At the end of the day, I'm not there to represent [only] the Northern Ward. At the end of the day, I don't need this job - if people think I will make a good councillor, good on them.''

Another first time candidate Patrick Phelps, a former journalist and now champion of the West Coast mineral industry, said council management and governance had got out of step with ratepayer expectations, while the rating burden burgeoned.

With a shortage of housing stock in Westland, relative to population size, the council seemed to be inhibiting supply rather than being an enabler.
Freeing up the council to get back to its core business would be his focus, including the council ''exiting a lot of the commercial enterprises it is involved in''.

''How long are you waiting for council to process a consent or whatever?'' Phelps asked.

While direct accountability for northern concerns was needed, ''I'm not a particularly parochial person''.

''I do think there is a case for wards - you could easily be forgiven if you are in Otira to think the council does not take account,'' he said.

Flow Ir Inn said they were looking at the macro picture and how the council operated for everyone, including the rates strike.

''To be honest, my main focus is to get costs down . . . We can't really spend more money until we get costs down.

''Anyone who lives on the Coast knows our council is spending lots of money on things that they don't need to be spending on.''

The $600,000 playground was a case in point, Flow Ir Inn said.

New Kaniere resident and first time candidate Euan Mackenzie said voter feedback suggested widespread worry about the council accessing funds for projects which were then ''frittered away''.

He preferred to see the council act as a positive facilitator of the local economy.

Its key responsibility was for citizens to access employment and the basic need for housing, education, health and youth services so they could get on with life, Mackenzie said.

Perennial candidate Jacquie Grant said a lot was at stake for the Northern Ward.

''As I've said on my election stuff, I'm there to represent the ward first and foremost,'' Grant said.

She cited community issues at both Ross and Kumara which had been festering and neglected by the council - and''Hokitika-centric'' spending.
Again, the $600,000 proposed spending on a new playground in Hokitika when the town was already rich with accessible facilities needed to be brought into line.

''We've got to get real,'' Grant said.

She also claimed some Northern Ward voters were ''incensed'' at a system where the next highest polling candidate last October - herself -was not brought up the list when the seat was vacated.

Nelson Lakes resident and Money Free Party advocate Richard Osmaston said after running for six mayoralties inthe South Island in October, as well as in the Hamilton West byelection, he did not have much in reserve this time.

However, the cost of living was probably the main issue in the Northern Ward ''keeping most people awake at night - the fact they are going backwards''.

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3 hours ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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6 days ago

Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

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When should the tree go up? 🎄
  • 4.7% Second half of November
    4.7% Complete
  • 43.6% 1st December
    43.6% Complete
  • 17.4% A week before Christmas
    17.4% Complete
  • 33.2% Whenever you wish
    33.2% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2322 votes
5 days ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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