A Word from the Mayor
As Mayor of the Hurunui District I attend on your behalf a range of regional meetings. The zone meeting for all Metro, Regional, Provincial and Rural councils across the South Island, the zone meeting was hosted last week by Tasman District Council in Richmond.
While in Richmond we had the opportunity to have a site visit to the Waimea Dam, this is a significant piece of infrastructure that is designed to recharge the aquifer and future proof water security for the district. Other keynote speakers included the Associate Minister for Local Government Hon Kieran McAnulty, Brad Olsen Principal Economist who suggested that the demand on energy prices will remain high with food costs reaching double digit pricing. Dr Tom Robinson from the University of Canterbury spoke of the AF8, this award winning programme is designed to build resilience for the next large Alpine Fault earthquake which includes scientific research and modelling, a co-ordinated response for planning and community engagement. Dr Tom’s message to all was “We can’t predict earthquake’s but we can prepare for them”.
On Tuesday I flew to Wellington to attend the Rural and Provincial Sector meeting, with elected members from across New Zealand. This is a wonderful opportunity to network and connect with Mayors and councillors. The Future for Local Government discussion followed the recent release of the “think tank” paper which states “that significant change is required to many aspects of the local government system to maximise the wellbeing and resilience of communities now and into the future and strengthen local democratic decision-making”. Submissions close on the findings in this document in February 2023 and it is the intention of our council to consider the context of the report and submit accordingly. The Minister Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health spoke to the forum in regard to Te Whatu ora NZ Health reform, when I took the opportunity to question him on the position of government to address the historically underfunded support for allied health as in my opinion the system is failing the strategy and desire to keep people safe and well in their homes for longer. His response was unable to convince me that he had a clear understanding of the issue particularly within the rural context.
I also took the opportunity to attend a session with CEO of Waka Kotahi Nicole Rosie and her team, she spoke of the investment profile of the National Land Transport Plan within Canterbury, which includes some early planning to replace the Conway River Bridge on the Inland Road which is reaching the end of its life.
The third sector meeting will take place this Thursday and Friday when I attend on behalf of the district the Regional Transport and Civil Defence Emergency Management meetings and the Canterbury Mayoral forum. The Canterbury Mayoral Forum is strategically poised for Mayors as leaders to consider how best we can leverage positive benefit for Canterbury as a whole.
Kia Kaha
Marie