Thank you so much! - Waitomo District Council

2 Waitomo News – Tuesday, November 1, 2011
November 2011
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Plenty of positive moves in Waitomo
WELL . . . does it feel like some normality
has resumed after an extraordinary six weeks
of rugby?
It was as if the nation gave a collective sigh
of relief as the All Blacks squeaked home in an
intense final.
Congratulations to all involved in promoting
their towns as places to visit during the RWC
– Waitomo district has performed out of all proportion
to its size.
Special mention to Benneydale (‘Rugbydale’),
who picked up the first runner-up prize in the
REAL New Zealand Festival’s Best Street in NZ
competition.
New initiatives
I have developed some new initiatives which,
with council’s support we will be consulting with
you on in the near future.
I have had much discussion with Dale (Williams)
in regard to the workings of the Otorohanga
District Development Board, with the intention of
setting up a similar entity, to promote economic development
here.
I am a real fan, as we have many talented people in our
community, who don’t ever want to be on council, but would
like to contribute through an entity such as this proposed
one.
Also with only seven of us around the council table, we are
very busy, and as such often economic development opportunities
are overlooked. Also, it removes short-term political
interference from long-term strategic decision making.
I am also working on a concept of starting an annual ‘Civic
Awards’ ceremony, where we recognise people who have made
major contributions to our district over many years.
These people are often unsung heroes in our community,
and I want to see us celebrate these people and recognise
them for what they have contributed.
I hope to have this in place by March.
Inaugural youth council
At present we are promoting nominations for our inaugural
Youth Council among our young people, with the aim of
having this up and running by early next year.
We have had plenty of enthusiasm shown by our young
people, and want to involve them as much as we can in this
new initiative.
Last month we hosted the launch of the Social Sector Youth
THE North King Country is now served by
five more Justices of the Peace.
The new JPs were sworn in by Judge Peter
Spiller in the Te Kuiti District Court recently.
This is the largest number of JPs to take the
Oath of Office on a single day.
The new JPs are Waitomo district mayor Brian
Hanna, former mayor Mark Ammon, Sport
Waikato Otorohanga co-ordinator Robbie Matthews,
Prescott Toyota director Paul Prescott
of Otorohanga and River Run Products director
Greta Withers, also of Otorohanga.
Chairman of the North King Country branch
of the Waikato Justices of the Peace Association
Murray Loewenthal says the new JPs have been
chosen because they are of good character, are
well-known, widely held in good regard and support
a number of community organisations.
“It is important we have JPs who are acces-
We’ve added
tasty new treats
to our all day menu!
HOMEMADE PIES
We still make your favourites and
have yummy new flavours.
NEW COFFEE CONCOCTIONS
FRIDAY is hot pork roll day
and now hot pork sandwiches
GIFT VOUCHERS NOW AVAILABLE
We do out-catering, so call in
to discuss your needs with us
6 King St East,
Te Kuiti
Ph 07 878 8030
Trials at the Waitomo Cultural & Arts Centre.
Te Kuiti is one of six towns in New Zealand
In My View that are part of a trial to achieve better youth
outcomes, with special focus on truancy, alcohol
and drug abuse, and reducing crime.
Hilary Karaitiana is the project’s co-coordinator,
and has put in a huge amount of work to
reach this stage.
The launch was a great success attended by
MPs Tariana Turia and MP Shane Arden.
We had a great turnout, and the governance
group was thrilled with the support of local
people, and our youth who turned up to support
what Hilary is doing.
The previous evening, Hilary organised an
‘Amazing Race’ which attracted more than 1000
By Waitomo Mayor participants, and was enjoyed by all.
Brian Hanna The governance group is now focused on the
hard work of putting the plan into action.
We are about to launch two initiatives to help
with youth employment.
Firstly, we have taken up an offer by Wintec to conduct a
survey of our businesses, to establish training and employment
needs, that they may need both in the present, and for
the future. This will be happening early this month.
Secondly, we are asking all businesses for any youth employment
opportunities, be it after school, of a temporary
nature, anything will be considered.
Having spent quite a bit of time with our youth recently,
the one common theme is jobs, whether they be permanent,
or after school help.
Velodrome decision
I want to support Mayor Dale’s comments about getting
in behind this decision now it has been made, and getting
the best out of it we can.
While we as a district may have not totally agreed with the
WRC’s decision, it has been made, so let’s move on.
I also echo Dale’s comments in regard to the performance
of our elected representatives on the Waikato Regional
Council. Councillor Stu Kneebone has been very active in
our district, attending many, many meetings and events, and
working very hard for his electorate, while councillor Russ
Rimmington has not attended any meetings in our area to
my knowledge, and certainly hasn’t met with our council.
We have had very good representation in the past, so it is
disappointing that this is now not the case.
Five new JPs for North King Country
sible to the public and who care
deeply about their communities,”
he says.
A Justice of the Peace is a voluntary
position.
They are appointed by the Government,
confirmed by the Governor-
General and trained in witnessing
signatures, certifying documents,
taking statutory declarations, affidavits
and affirmations.
Mr Loewenthal says the newlysworn
JPs have shown a genuine
desire to serve their communities,
understand others’ needs, are good
communicators, are able to make
sound judgments and are confident
dealing with all sectors of society.
“They have sworn to do right to
all manner of people after the laws
and usages of New Zealand without
fear or favour, affection or ill-will.
“JPs are not automatically appointed
as marriage celebrants,
though with further training they
may perform some court duties.”
There are now 38 JPs in the
North King Country.
Appealing sale
CHOPPER CHAPTER : Otorohanga Rotarians did a brisk trade at their annual secondhand
book sale last month to raise money for the region’s air ambulance. A total of $2100 was
donated to the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance’s chopper appeal. The sale, which is an
annual fundraising event, generated much interest from book lovers, with most people
buying at least one book. Rotarian Les Phillips (left) with Rotary exchange student Trini
Lavini, was grateful for the community’s support. “The Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance
is an important charity, and people were very generous with their donations.”
The air ambulance launched a $3.5 million public appeal in April, to replace its aging
Bell222B helicopter. To date, almost $1.6 million has been raised.