Key Achievements

Decisions and actions in Council are always made by the whole of Council, not by individual councillors alone.  To achieve effective progress, a well-balanced and strong governance team is critical, with each elected member playing their part.  Therefore credit for the achievements this Council has made must be collectively shared among all elected members.

 

We have done many things, much due to the success of receiving PGF funding.  For example, without PGF funding the roundabouts at Waipapa, Puketona and Kawakawa, the Kaikohe Sportsville Development, and various wharf upgrades would not have been achieved.

 

 

Key examples of achievements I have personally championed are:

 

  • Worked with Council, as spart of Sportsville Committee, to obtain funding for Papa Hawaiki, in a 9-year battle to obtain funding.  We were not to start until all funding including operational costs were covered.  More than 70% of the funding came from sources other than FNDC, saving rate payers significant costs.

  • The establishment of the sustainable/social procurement into all our procurement of contracted services.  Council’s procurement spending can have a significant impact on the local economy.  The formal adoption of the social procurement principles means that local businesses and people have an opportunity to benefit from Council procurement.

  • The Innovation and Enterprise park at Ngawha: Te Mahinga.  Over a decade ago some of us saw the opportunity and worked hard to bring the vision to fruition. It was vital to involve key personal, entrepreneurial partners, giving them the opportunity to be involved and the freedom to exercise their skills while being flexible and agile enough to take advantage of the opportunities as they come.  The same principles can be used to achieve positive results in other parts of our district.

  • Cycleway Trust. We protected the Great Rides classification of the Trail, even though Opua to Taumarere was cut off.  Secured funding through Nga Haerenga NZ Cycle Trails Trust for funding storm damage repairs: !00% funded - no ratepayer funding required.  Supported new business opportunities along the cycleway, for example helping keep Mangungu mission house on the Hokianga Harbour, site of the largest signing of Te Tiriti, open.  These all helped stimulate the local economy and create jobs.

  • Chaired the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee, JREDC, for the last 3 years.  Was the only person this term who was also on JREDC last term.  The Committee has two representatives from each Northland Council and provides governance oversight of Northland Inc.  JREDC appoints Northland Inc's directors from throughout the region.   JREDC oversaw the Regional Deals Light Touch application which was well received.  With the CE of Northland Inc managed to get Whangarei District Council to join JREDC.

  • North Hokianga Roading Working Group, chaired by Tamati Rakena, successfully established a trusted working group with local North Hokianga appointees.   For years locals have been upset as their roading was neglected.  Now there are regular meetings which have gone from a contentious confrontational attitude to one of working together in partnership.  Locals employed are experienced, know the area, and are able to be out in any emergency.  Slips occurred because firstly water tables and culverts were blocked and then also general maintenance was not happening. Now the culverts and drains are clear and major slips are being repaired.

  • On Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.  Deputy chair this term, as some of us wanted to see, in accordance with DIA recomendations, the appointment of an independent director as Chair to help improve overall risk and audit functiions.   This has been successful and created better risk management oversight.  In my view committees are there to enable governance decision making for Council.