First Northern Ward Committee Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Hutt City CEO Rick Hart. He advised that Tata Parata (Last NWC’s Chairman) had resigned from the Committee for personal reasons.

After the Statutory Declarations were completed it was time to elect a chairperson. Athol Greentree was nominated by Sylvia Stevenson but there was no seconder. More nominations were called for and Shayne McIntyre nominated Fred Allen, again there was no seconder. It was agreed that until a chairperson could be decided upon, Councillor Joy Baird would chair the meeting.

The mayor was then invited to make his address. He congratulated the committee members on their appointments. He also:

• said he was satisfied with the selection process,
• acknowledged that the Committee was short on experience,
• said that the Ward Committee model is the model for the future,
• stated that as Ward Committees are Committees of Council they are easier to work with than Boards who are elected,
• stated that Community Boards are separate from Council; Ward Committees aren’t,
• announced that workshops are to be set up for the Ward Committees to establish protocols.

Public Comment consisted of:

• Christopher Paul - General process of Ward Committee i.e. public criticism of the mayor
• Eamon Helferty - Spoke against Kea Crossings and claimed a lack of public consultation.
• Janet Te Huia - Allocation of discretionary funds was promised by the last Ward Committee but not delivered.
• David Owles - Eco-tourism: He wants to start a four-wheel drive tourism venture going through the fire breaks.
• Steve Ritchie - Speaking in favour of the naming Tom Jones Park.
• Cr Ray Wallace - congratulating the new Northern Ward Committee.
• Stan Foote, Principal of Taita Central School - Spoke in favour of Kea Crossings.
• Frank Tyson - Inorganic Rubbish collection will be looking for funds to promote the collection.
• Mrs Pohuria wanted judder bars to be put into Delaney Drive.
• Cr Julie Englebretsen talked about the Old Coach Road walkway and that the entrances to it aren’t well signed. The council has also been looking for a skate board site in the valley.
• Shayne McIntyre criticised the fact that there was no Ward Councillor on the Committee. She had been told by Dorothy Adams (LHCC Democratic Services Department) that she would be working with Angus Findleyson and Julie Englebretsen on the Committee.

Other Business

1. Kea Crossings were discussed at length for

Kairimu Street Kea Crossing
Churton Cres Kea Crossing

2. Reynolds Street No stopping and Warden crossing
3. Stokes Valley Road pedestrian crossing upgrade
4. Stokes Valley Road bus stop relocation
5. Tag War games proposal opposite Pomare Railway Station. The committee recommended a trial for 1 year.
6. License for firebreak use for Unimog Tours

For More on Northern Ward Issues, see our article entitled NW Chair Resigns.