Minutes of a meeting of the Tararua District Council held in the Council
Chamber, 26 Gordon Street, Dannevirke on Wednesday 29
January 2020 commencing at 1.03pm.
1. Present
Her Worship the Mayor - Mrs T H Collis, Crs
E L Peeti-Webber (Deputy Mayor), A K Franklin, S A Hull,
C J Isaacson, P A Johns, K A Sutherland,
R A Treder and S M Wards.
In
Attendance
Mr B King - Chief
Executive
Mr R Taylor - Governance
Manager
Mr R Suppiah - Chief
Financial Officer
Mr C McKay - Finance
Manager
Mr M Thomas - Strategy
and Policy Adviser
Mrs S Walshe - Senior
Financial Accountant
Mr M Maxwell - Economic
Development and Communications Manager
Mr D Le Mar - Financial
Accountant
Ms A Yonge - Programme
and Projects Manager
Mr D Watson - Group
Manager Plant and Property
Mr P Wimsett - Manager
Strategy and District Development
Mr M Alben - Projects
Manager
Mr H Featonby - Alliance
Asset Manager
Ms E
Roberts
- Revenue Manager
Mr C Lunn - Manager
Regulatory Services
2. Council
Prayer
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2.1
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The Mayor opened
the meeting with the Council Prayer.
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3. Apologies
4. Public
Forum
5. Notification
of Items Not on the Agenda
6. Declarations
of Conflicts of Interest in Relation to this Meeting’s Items of Business
7. Personal
Matters
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7.1
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Condolences
are conveyed to Cr Isaacson on the passing of her brother.
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7.2
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Congratulations
are conveyed to Abby Treder on being selected for the Manawatu under 15 girls
cricket team, and having her leadership and ability recognised again in being
named as their captain.
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7.3
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Correspondence has been received from
Mary Thurston (New Zealand Embassy Warsaw Ambassador) conveying thanks for
the Mayor’s letter and book sent telling the story of the Pahiatua
children in English.
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8.
Confirmation of Minutes
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8.1
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That the minutes
of the Council meeting held on 11 December 2019 (as circulated) be confirmed
as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Crs Wards/Hull Carried
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9. Any Matters Arising from the Minutes not
otherwise dealt with in the Agenda
10.
Community Boards and
Community Committees Reports
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10.1
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Dannevirke
Community Board
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10.1.1
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That the report of the Dannevirke Community Board meeting held
on
2 December 2019 (as circulated) be received.
Crs Isaacson/Johns Carried
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10.2
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Eketahuna
Community Board
|
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10.2.1
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That the report of the Eketahuna Community Board meeting held on 9
December 2019 (as circulated) be received.
Crs Sutherland/Franklin Carried
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10.2.2
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Eketahuna Our Town Committee
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10.2.2.1
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Eketahuna Our Town Committee is congratulated on the new flag trax
system they installed in the town centre.
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10.3
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Woodville
Districts' Vision
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10.3.1
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That the report of the Woodville
Districts’ Vision meeting held on 3
December 2019 (as circulated) be received.
Crs Hull/Johns Carried
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10.4
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Pahiatua
On Track
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10.4.1
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That the report of the Pahiatua On Track meeting held on 4
December 2019 (as circulated) be
received.
Crs Franklin/Treder Carried
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11.
Reports
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11.1
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Woodville In Focus Incorporated Proposed
Sport and Recreation Hub Project
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11.1.1
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The Strategy and Policy Adviser outlined
new information received since his report was circulated which gave further
background about the Woodville Recreation Reserve Grounds and tennis courts
land history.
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11.1.2
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Archives Central found a gazette notice
from 1877 indicating the land area was originally designated for the purpose
of a gravel pit, and this may mean it is a local purpose reserve.
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11.1.3
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In 1885 the land designation changed
through a gazette notice by the New Zealand Governor to an endowment in aid
of Town Board funds.
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11.1.4
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The tennis courts land was owned by
Woodville Borough Council, and in 1922 they agreed with a community group to
partly fund building the courts.
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11.1.5
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In 1928 the land was handed over to a
tennis club for a considerable rental, and there is no mention of the land
ever having been designated as reserve land.
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11.1.6
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Further research and advice is required
to find more information about these matters to clarify the legal position
regarding this land, and it reinforces the need to carry out a Reserves Act
process relative to considering any future plans for a development of the
type proposed by Woodville In Focus Incorporated.
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11.1.7
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That the
report from the Strategy and Policy Adviser dated 22 January 2020 concerning
the Woodville In Focus Incorporated proposed Sport and Recreation Hub project
at Woodville Recreation Reserve Grounds (as circulated) be received, and
That Council
support Woodville Districts’ Vision in liaison with Woodville In Focus
Incorporated undertaking further investigation to progress the concept to
develop a Sport and Recreation Hub on the Woodville Recreation Reserve
Grounds, noting further information is necessary before a decision can be
made on this matter, and
That with regard to the
level of detail required to plan for this project and the long-term needs for
future recreational facilities development in the district Woodville
Districts’ Vision and Woodville In Focus Incorporated be advised to
progress that proposal the following information is required:
·
An assessment is carried out on the
future demand for community recreation land, including consultation and input
from the sporting clubs and Woodville Districts’ Vision as the
Community Committee recognised by Council to assist in the facilitation of
such dialogue in Woodville.
·
A business case is prepared that details
the costs of development, the funding sources and future maintenance and
renewal costs.
·
The agreement of Woodville Recreation
Trust is obtained on the proposed use of the Woodville Recreation Reserve
Grounds that surround the old rugby clubrooms occupied by them as situated on
this land.
·
Council would need to consider the
development of a Reserves Management Plan that follows the provisions of the
Reserves Act 1977, and
That Council note the development of a Reserves Management Plan to
use the Woodville Recreation Reserve Grounds land as proposed for the
location of a Sport and Recreation Hub is not a project currently included in
existing works programmes, and any such work should also include all other
reserves land in Woodville and the existing tennis courts, and
That the project proposed to work
jointly with Woodville Districts’ Vision in conjunction with Woodville
In Focus Incorporated is best considered through the 2021/2031 Long Term Plan
process, and they be asked to make further background information available
as outlined above to assist Council to consider their proposal and planning
for the future needs in developing recreational facilities within the
district.
Crs Hull/Sutherland Carried
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11.1.8
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Cr Johns requested
his dissenting vote be noted regarding the decision concerning this item of
business.
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11.2
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Triennial
Agreement for the Manawatu-Whanganui Region
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11.2.1
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That the report from the Governance Manager dated 22 January 2020
concerning the Triennial Agreement for the Manawatu-Whanganui Region (as
circulated) be received, and
That the Mayor is authorised to sign this
document on the Council’s behalf to confirm its acceptance of the draft
Triennial Agreement dated March 2020.
Crs Johns/Wards Carried
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11.3
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Policy
on Elected Members Allowances and the Recovery of Expenses
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11.3.1
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That the
report from the Governance Manager dated 22 January 2020 concerning the policy
on elected members allowances and the recovery of expenses (as circulated) be
received, and
That
the draft policy attached to this report which amends the existing policy to
include the option of paying an allowance to a Councillor towards childcare
expenses incurred while the member is engaged on local authority business be
approved, and
That the basis
of this provision is in accordance with the direction provided by the
Remuneration Authority as detailed in its gazetted determination for the
payment of local government elected members remuneration and allowances, and
That item 8 of
the expenses section of the policy be amended to read as follows:
“The
Council shall extend to the partners of the Council’s and Community
Board’s accredited representatives at the New Zealand Local Government
Conference and the Community Boards National Conference an invitation to this
event, and the associated costs shall be paid by the Council except for
any airfares involved”.
Crs Johns/Hull Carried
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11.4
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Road Closures Requested Under the Tenth Schedule of
the Local Government Act 1974
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11.4.1
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That the
report from the Alliance Asset Manager dated 22 January 2020 concerning a
road closures application under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government
Act 1974 (as circulated) be received, and
That pursuant to Section 342 (1)
(b) and the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974, Council closes
the following roads for the purpose of allowing Dannevirke Car Club to hold a
motorsport event.
Road name: Pahaheke Road
Date of closure: Saturday 22 February
2020
Period of closure: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Road name: Waituna Road
Date of closure: Saturday 22 February
2020
Period of closure: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Conditions
Applied to the Granting of these Road Closures
1.
That Tararua Alliance in
conjunction with the organiser will assess shortly prior to this event the
condition of the roads involved to determine their suitability for this
purpose.
2.
That if Tararua Alliance
identify any road or roads as being in an unsuitable condition arising from
this assessment then they have the discretion to request the organiser to
withdraw such road from the route of this event.
3.
That shortly after the event has
been held Tararua Alliance shall carry out a drive over of the roads that
were closed for this event to assess their condition.
Advisory
Note
That should Council incur any
additional maintenance costs as a consequence of the event then those
expenses shall be recovered from the event organiser.
Crs Johns/Sutherland Carried
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11.5
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Road Closure Requested Under the Tenth
Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974
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11.5.1
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That the
report from the Alliance Asset Manager dated 22 January 2020 concerning a
road closure application under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act
1974 (as circulated) be received, and
That pursuant
to Section 342 (1) (b) and the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act
1974, Council closes the following road for the purpose of allowing Bush
Cycle Tour to hold a cycle sports event.
Road
name: Kohinui Road
Date of
closure: Saturday 14 March 2020
Period of
closure: 9.00am to 2.00pm
Conditions
Applied to the Granting of this Road Closure
1. That Tararua Alliance in conjunction with the organiser will
assess shortly prior to this event the condition of the road involved to
determine its suitability for this purpose.
2. That if Tararua Alliance identify the road as being in an
unsuitable condition arising from this assessment then they have the
discretion to request the organiser to withdraw the road from the route of
this event.
3.
That shortly after the event has
been held Tararua Alliance shall carry out a drive over of the road that was
closed for this event to assess its condition.
Advisory Note
That should Council incur any additional maintenance costs as a
consequence of the event then those expenses shall be recovered from the
event organiser.
Crs Treder/Peeti-Webber Carried
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11.5.2
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It is noted the requirement in the road closures application form
for applicants to have insurance cover with regard to fundraising community
events may need to be reviewed in the future.
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11.6
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Staff
Report
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11.6.1
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Pahiatua Dissolved Air Flotation Plant
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11.6.1.1
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The pilot Pahiatua dissolved air
flotation plant at the wastewater treatment plant is producing very good results,
with a large increase in sludge removal from the system.
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11.6.1.2
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This is good news in the treatment
process, and presently extra tank storage is being set up to accumulate
sludge prior to transportation to Dannevirke wastewater treatment plant.
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11.6.2
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Dannevirke Transfer Station
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11.6.2.1
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Staff are having ongoing discussions
working with Smart Environmental’s Area Manager regarding the
untidiness and condition of Dannevirke transfer station, and the need to
remedy that situation.
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11.6.2.2
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Council will need to review through the
Long Term Plan process the level of service it provides regarding the type of
items it accepts for recycling, particularly some plastics where there is no
longer any market and many councils do not accept them for recycling.
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11.6.3
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Tararua Aquatic Community Trust
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11.6.3.1
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Congratulations are conveyed to the
trustees of the Tararua Aquatic Community Trust on increasing their turnover
and achieving a positive operating position, and making improvements to the
delivery of services.
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11.6.4
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Woodville Tree Sculpture
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11.6.4.1
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It is pleasing to note Tom Dodd (Site
Engineer) has started working with the Woodville community to assess options
for resurfacing the tree sculpture to ensure it will last well into the
future, and thanks are conveyed for the assistance he is providing to
determine suitable options to address that matter.
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11.6.5
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That the report from the Chief Executive dated 22 January 2020
concerning an update on key projects and items of interest to the Council (as
circulated) be received.
Crs Wards/Johns Carried
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12. Portfolio
Reports
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12.1
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Tararua Health and Wellbeing Group
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12.1.1
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Cr Franklin reported the Age on the Go
Tararua Expo will be held on 23
April 2020, and funding is being sought to assist cover the costs of around
$10,000 to arrange that event.
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12.2
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Pahiatua Main Street Upgrade Project
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12.2.1
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Cr Hull reported Pahiatua Main Street
upgrade project is progressing, and following the Christmas/New Year break
work on-site recommenced on 6 January 2020 and is moving towards stage 3
which is where the majority of the commercial activity occurs.
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12.3
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Events and Meetings
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12.3.1
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The Mayor and
Councillors reported on the following official events and meetings they had
attended:
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Cr Peeti-Webber
Deputy Mayor
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·
Meeting with Labour Party ministers at Brackenridge
in Martinborough (also attended by the Mayor)
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Cr Sutherland
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·
Forestry portfolio meeting (also attended by
the Mayor and Cr Johns)
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Cr Treder
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·
Meeting with Alfredton School principal and
Eketahuna Community Board chairperson
·
Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatu Tararua Highway
walk (also attended by the Mayor and Cr Hull)
·
Tararua College powhiri to welcome new
students and families (also attended by the Mayor)
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Cr Johns
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·
Meeting with Economic Development and
Communications Manager and club captains regarding the inaugural Tararua
golf open tournament
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Cr Wards
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·
Akitio Beach Community and Ratepayers
Association Annual General Meeting (also attended by the Mayor)
·
Pongaroa Rural Water Supply Incorporated
meeting
· Meeting with staff regarding Strategy and Policy Committee
arrangements
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Cr Isaacson
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·
New Zealand Show jumping Championships at
Dannevirke A and P showgrounds (also attended by the Mayor)
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13. Mayoral Matters
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13.1
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Land of Ranges
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13.1.1
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The Mayor
acknowledged the gift from Arapera Paewai and Cherry Peeti of the following
whakatauki for Council’s use:
“Let
the winds of the Ruahine and Tararua give you strength and may the waters of
the Manawatu nourish you, for we are pounamu of Te Tapere nui o Whatonga”.
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13.1.2
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These are powerful words and ones it is
hoped people can draw strength from, and recognise the significance of Te
Apiti - the Manawatu Gorge, its history and spirit as a special place that
lies between the district’s maunga the Ruahine and Tararua ranges.
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13.1.3
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The Mayor
spoke on 2020 as a significant year for the district with the start of the
new Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatu Tararua Highway, and the district’s identity
being recognised in that name.
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13.1.4
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The Mayor
conveyed her thoughts on 2020 being a year of growth throughout the district
for its population and businesses, and this leading into the health and
prosperity of the people and their communities and the creation of strength
in unity.
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14. Items Not
on the Agenda
There being no
further business the Mayor thanked those present for their attendance and
contributions, and declared the meeting closed at 2.55pm.
____________________________
Mayor