Annual Plan Consultation to begin 15 May
Council is to ask the community if it agrees to a smaller rate increase than previously flagged and for a fund to be targeted at community support for a post-COVID-19 restart.
The proposal was debated at the first live-streamed Council meeting on Thursday (30 April) and forms the backbone of the 2020-21 Draft Annual Plan, which goes out for 3 weeks of public consultation, starting 15 May.
The Elected Council considered four different scenarios and looked at the sacrifices and benefits of each option over the short, medium and long term. The options included whether it was better to make no rates increase, which would see future ratepayers facing larger rates increases, or continue with the 4.2% rates increase that had been proposed for year three of our 2018-28 Long Term Plan.
Council decided to seek feedback on a reduced rate increase of 2.2% which will enable Council to continue providing and maintaining the services and assets we use daily.
Mayor Sheryl Mai says we need to factor in how different the global landscape was when the Long Term Plan was established after consultation in 2018, and how everything changed on 25 March.
“When we first prepared our budget and work programme for 2020-2021 the plan was to increase our revenue to continue building the assets our rapidly growing District needs, like roads, water and wastewater systems, and parks and reserves.
“COVID-19 changed that - we see the pain our community is experiencing. People need immediate help, but also assurance that life will go on, and improve after this crisis."
Council is committed to continuing capital works projects to help stimulate local businesses and create jobs as well as seeking potential government funding for projects that are ‘shovel ready’.
Whangarei Film Society - screenings for Thursday March 5th
Good People
We are glad to be back for 2026 and thrilled that the first WFS event for the year was so well attended. We had over 170 people see the brilliant documentary, Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke.
Our next film night is on Thursday 5th March in the Capitaine Bougainville Theatre at Forum North.
At 6pm, WFS will screen the Canadian documentary about the lives of artists in isolated regional areas etching out a career for themselves, RENDERING VISIONS.
Please note: This screening includes an interview with the film's director, Ms Ashley Laurenson, straight after the screening of the film, so don't miss it.
Our 8pm screening is the NZ documentary and tribute to a comedy legend, NOT ONLY FRED DAGG BUT ALSO JOHN CLARKE.
RENDERING VISIONS
Canada, Documentary 2025, 64 mins
Cast: Liana Wheeldon, Renee Manners
Director: Ashley Laurenson
Alberta Canada is home to Fort McMurray, a region rich in oil sands and it's a cornerstone of the nation's petroleum industry.
But for the creative community of Fort McMurray, the path is less clear.
So, through a series of interviews, local Director, Ashley Laurenson asks the question - “What do artists need to thrive in an isolated community?”
Laurenson explore the struggles, resiliency and creativity in the region as she compiles heartfelt stories from local artists, historical accounts from arts champions and messages of hope for future artists.
PLEASE NOTE: The screening on 5th March will include an interview with the director, Ashley Laurenson following the screening of the film.
Showing at Forum North, 7 Rust Ave Whangarei on Thursday, 5th March at 6pm (plus director interview) and Thursday, 12th March at 8pm (film only)
View the trailer at: www.youtube.com...
Tickets: Door sales only. $10 WFS members. Non-members pay $5 extra as an Associate Membership fee, per film. (Total of $15)
All welcome. Cash only please – no Eftpos available.
Like us on Facebook or visit whangareifilmsociety.org to sign up for free updates each week on the films we're screening.
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
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