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SNAP SHOTS1425367108 911 12At the launch of this year’s Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular programme:131. Lisa Ekdahl, Festival Manager with Te Radar,guest speaker, and Cleo Wood of TAFT2. Ross Dunlop, Jenny and John Pease of Boxwood,and Jan Dunlop3. Barbara McKerrow, Council CE and LisaHaskell of TAFT4. Mike and Maria Ramsay5. Ian and Hilary Bennett with Te Radar6. Val and Karen Mekalick of Bohemian Embassy7. Te Radar with Harry Duynhoven8. Julie Rowlands, Gail Whitam &Rachel Church9. Therese Waghorn, Cheryl Talbot &Judith Mullin10. Tony Barnes of Ngamamaku and NaomiWilson of the Japanese Tea House Garden11. Mike and Suzanne Shaw12. Te Radar with Di Ford-Campbell of Ratanui13. Elaine Gill TAFT Trustee and SuzannePorter TAFT CEAt Boutique Mondo Travel’s recent cruise evening:1714 15 1614. Lisa from Mondo Travel Fitzroy with Val King15. Rosie from Insight Vacations with Lynand Brian Dombroski, Nicola from MondoTravel Fitzroy16. Allen and June Butt with Jackie Clarke17. Jackie Clarke with Lisa and Nicola from MondoTravel Fitzroy
A Call For Good GovernanceWords Steve WaiteIn 2010, ahead of the last Local Government elections I wrote an article on the leadership qualities I washoping the winner would bring to the New Plymouth mayoralty. Three years on and unfortunately I’vehad to lower my aspirations. I now desperately hope for some good, basic governance skills around thenext New Plymouth District Council table. Such skills and understanding have been woefully lacking inthis Council. You have to ask yourself “Why is that?” I’m sure these good, well meaning people didn’tturn up to the table hoping to do an appalling job. Yet month in - month out over the last few years, that’spretty much what they’ve collectively done.As a group I believe they lost theirway. They lost trust in the peopleof New Plymouth and lost faith intheir ability to lead them. The resulthas seen a siege mentality develop.The community is seen as merelyperipheral, if not an actual nuisance,and half-truth and deception ratherthan honesty and transparency havebecome the norm.Unfortunately for this group the airhas also been beating with the soundof wings as the chickens of previousCouncils’ decisions found their wayhome to roost. Before you feel too sorryfor them, remember that the core ofthis group also oversaw the investmentin Tasmanian farms and even the saleof the family silver with our Powercoshareholding.The operating arm of our Councilhas a proud history, built on astrong tradition of stewardship andprofessionalism. This ethic waschallenged by the previous CEOwho, give him his due, knew what hewanted and stamped his personalityon the organisation and the District.His excesses in some self seekingareas were countered by a strongdesire to keep the ratepayer firmlyin view. Unfortunately again, NPDChas lost its way. Lost focus on theratepayer and instead become a selfserving organisation whose sole goalis to achieve “good government” -the very epitome of a bureaucracy.“Accountability” has been distorted toa culture of blame where issues aretrivialised to the individual level andmeaningful, organisational learning isavoided.How can this be turned around? Goodgovernance.Council must re-establish its role asthe group responsible for setting thevision for the District and overseeingthe direction in how that vision is bestachieved. This is not about what hoursthe library opens or on what days andhow often our rubbish is collected. Itis about setting strategic priorities,operating within the District’sresources and holding the operatingarm to account.I wish the incoming Council goodluck. They will need it. They battlestrong head winds including a LocalGovernment Act that was reluctantlydragged into the 20th century only 24years ago. It’s time for new thinking, afresh look at what Local Governmentcan mean rather than what it hassunken to. The 21st century is one ofspecialisation and NPDC is still full ofgreat Taranaki people trying to do whatgreat Taranaki people do ... great work.However, to expect any organisation tovoluntarily control and limit itself is, atbest, naive. We all deserve better.Council can wipe the slate clean atthe next election. Integrity and goodgovernance can help turn the NPDCaround – but it’s not going to be easyor quick.Steve Waite is the Managing Principalat BDO Taranaki. His interests includeleadership and governanceand helping good Taranakibusinesses become great.Contact him atsteve.waite@bdo.co.nzwww.bdo.co.nz • Chartered Accountants & Advisers | Phone: 759 9034 or Email: info.npl@bdo.co.nzLIVE MAGAZINE I SPRING 2013 I 65
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ISSUE #96 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013
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Dear John, oh how I hate to write (
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“People often think we are a Euro
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DEBT up from $12mto $119.9m (2000 -
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Page 15 and 16: DUYNHOVENMargaret and I decided we
Page 17 and 18: sustainability of the fund and allo
Page 19 and 20: 2 National Awardsfor Taranaki FirmY
Page 21 and 22: Play Time at Rumpus RoomPlay is a h
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Page 27 and 28: ENTER YOUR TEAMAND TAKE UP THEFUN C
Page 29 and 30: Four new gardens in 2013 PowercoTar
Page 31 and 32: Where are those WanderingWillow Ele
Page 33 and 34: George Fullerand Joy Wray7 th N.Z.
Page 37 and 38: STIHL SHOP NEW PLYMOUTH50 Moleswort
Page 39 and 40: IN TUNE WITH NZThe All-New Ford Kug
Page 41 and 42: ‘Hideaway on the Highway’Sentry
Page 43 and 44: Drag out the company barbecue and c
Page 45 and 46: A valued feature of the design is t
Page 47 and 48: Ian Garnercraftsmanplumbergasfitter
Page 49 and 50: FASHIONTRelise cooperLittle Black D
Page 51 and 52: Ricochet:Riley Dress from Ricocheta
Page 53 and 54: 25YEARSCelebrating 25 Years in Busi
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Page 57 and 58: Kathryn Wilson shoe rangeavailable
Page 59 and 60: Photos © Brooke Lean,Tango Photogr
Page 61 and 62: 1MELODY GLASGOWBE BA BOTOP STYLING
Page 63: Christmas at ArborioIf it’s time
Page 67 and 68: With a brand new show-room,Kitchen
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