Art project lights up Taupō as part of Road Safety Week 2021
The Taupō lakefront will light up next week to raise awareness of the importance of road safety in our district.
Run as part of Road Safety Week which kicks off on Monday 17 May, the community will be able to view a visual display projected onto the lake in remembrance of the six lives that were lost on the district’s roads last year.
‘The Ripple Effect’ creator and year 13 Tauhara College student Tommi Joyce designed it to be an entertaining display to watch and enjoy, while also sharing some key road safety messages with the public.
“At school I take digital technology and manage the student radio station, so when I heard the council were looking for people to do a digital display, it had my name written all over it.”
“As a volunteer firefighter with the Turangi Fire Brigade, road safety means a lot to me as it is the most common callout for us due to the Desert Road. Slow down and drive to the conditions!”
The community will also see the #LOVETAUPO light up yellow, aligning with other buildings, bridges and iconic locations around the country also turning yellow as part of Road Safety Week.
Taupō District Council road safety coordinator Sarah Wraight said the theme this year – speed – reminds us that speeding or driving too fast for the conditions is a major problem in Aotearoa.
“We lost six lives in the Taupō District in six crashes last year, speed was a factor in half of those fatalities,” said Ms Wraight.”
“Vehicle speed plays an important part in driving safely, the faster you're travelling, the longer it takes to stop and the bigger the forces involved in a crash. Please remember to drive at the correct speed for the conditions to minimise risks.”
The Ripple Effect will be on display on the lake from Monday May 17 to 23, 6pm to 9pm. The best viewing spot is from the platform opposite Rifle Range Road.
Road Safety Week runs May 17 to 23 and is promoted by road safety charity Brake and supported by Taupō District Council.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.4% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.3% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.3% ... It is complicated
Wild weather in the Waikato
The Waikato really copped it over the weekend, with wild weather leaving a hefty clean-up bill that may run into the millions.
While things are looking calmer in the days ahead, there are still plenty of slips and flooded roads across the district — so if you’re heading out, take it easy and stay alert.
We want to know: How did you and your whānau get on over the weekend?
Want to see what recovery will look like from here? The Waikato Times has the latest.
Ready to make the most of retirement?
From hobbies to adventures, there’s so much to enjoy!
- Explore new hobbies like gardening or painting
- Stay active with walking groups or cycling trails
- Learn something new with online courses or local classes
- Give back through volunteering or mentoring
Read the full article and take our fun quiz to find out which activities suit your personality best below!
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