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Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Meeting Attachments -
Minutes
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6 August 2020
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ATTACHMENTS
MINUTES
Bay
of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Meeting
6
August 2020
3.1 Attachments
Attachment
1 BWCB Healthy Families - Far North Presentation 06 Aug 2020................... 3
Attachment
1 BWCB 06-08 - Ranigtane Residents Association Presentation
and Resource Consent........................................................................................................ 14
4.1 Attachments
Attachment
1 BWCB - NZTA Deputation 2020 08 06 BOIWCB presentation................... 22
Attachment
2 BWCB 06-08 NZTA handout........................................................................ 31
Attachment
3 BWCB - NZTA Deputation hand out2 - 2020 07 SH10 Waipapa
Corridor Improvements information sheet FINAL...................................................... 33
7.1a Dave Hookway - Member Report
6h August
Attachment
1 Dave Hookway - Member Report 6 August 2020........................................ 35
Attachment
2 Oakridge Residents Association Letter - Petition........................................ 38
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Bay of
Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Meeting Attachments - Minutes
|
6 August 2020
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Member Dave
Hookway - Report to BOI-Whangaroa Community Board
6th
August 2020
Tena
koutou Katoa
Issues
and update:-
My
last report to this Community Board noted some of the challenges the Covid-19
pandemic had presented for our community. The on the ground work from
individuals, community groups and organisations during the lockdown no doubt
served to ease some of the devastating effects wrought by the closure of our
nation under Level 4. It also highlighted a hitherto largely unseen and
unacknowledged level of poverty throughout the Far North.
Now
we’re starting to see the impact of job losses, and a new ‘working
poor’ particularly in the areas of employment which previously relied
heavily on overseas tourism. Predictions of Maori unemployment reaching up to
30% are concerning for our district, given our high Maori population. It is
undeniable that much of the funding approved by the Coalition government under
funding schemes such as the Provincial Growth Fund, COVID-19 Workers and
Workplaces Assistance Fund, and broader Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund,
will have a positive benefit to our local communities and businesses.
However,
the rush to get ‘shovel ready’ projects approved has seen a number
of instances where community is in conflict over the outcome. In all of these,
it is apparent that the engagement with the local community has not
followed a process which leaves them feeling included in the decision-making.
This cuts to what I believe is the key reason Community Boards exist. It is
part of our job to provide input into local decision-making, but even in my
limited time on this Community Board it has become increasingly obvious that we
have been bypassed and our feedback not sought particularly in relation to some
of the PGF applications.
My
July report also highlighted the precaution around ‘business as
usual’, noting the very relevant report by Dr Moana Mitchell THE
ACTIVATING PRINCIPLE OF MAURI: A RESPONSE TO COVID-19. It is my
urgent recommendation both to this Community Board and to our Council that work
and decisions undertaken before the pandemic are re-evaluated in light of the
changing circumstances of our communities and business to ensure that current
needs will be priorities. This may mean putting on hold or rescheduling
initiatives which do not address the immediate wellbeing needs as expressed by
our people. I have met with staff from the Healthy Families Far North to
consider their feedback in dealing with the community needs they have
identified.
Two
examples of this clash involve the proposed Rangitane boat ramp development and
the Te Haa o te Ao ‘sculpture’ for the entranceway to
Kerikeri. Substantial feedback on social media shows genuine concerns for
these projects, highlighting that community sees other issues as being of
higher priority for spending in our Rohe. Indeed today we are considering
funding proposals to support a local foodbank, just one of the many initiatives
supporting such basic needs. So for those who are struggling to know where
their next meal is coming from, IF they will be able to afford to move
out of the shed or garage or overcrowded house to find long term warm and dry
housing, or what employment they might undertake now that their usual job has
vanished to our boarder closure – what comfort will they have out of
looking at a new sculpture or boat ramp?
In
respect of the Kerikeri sculpture, I have taken the time to meet with the board
members from Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia and quite
appreciate their investment – spiritually, culturally and financially in
this project over a number of years. That council chose to consider this
project in public exclusion is I believe inexcusable. I have raised my
concerns with the Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia directly and
questioned if this is the right time to undertake the project, as well noting
that the wider community were not brought along in supporting it as it has come
to recent attention. I also question the Council’s media release in
acknowledging Our Kerikeri as ‘partner’ in this, given that as was
explained to me by the Rūnanga members – it was their own
initiative. If Our Kerikeri believes it speaks with a voice for people in
Kerikeri, the vast number of social media posts against this project would
indicate otherwise. For the record, I support Te Rūnanga o
Ngāti Rēhia with this project and their continued efforts to see
their ‘DNA’ evident in projects as they evolve in Kerikeri and
their surrounding Rohe. I urge our Community Board to establish a relationship
with the Rūnanga directly and not through an intermediary such as
Our Kerikeri. I have agreed to commit my time to furthering this relationship.
In
respect of the Rangitane boat ramp, I recently met on site for 4 hours with
members from the Rangitane Residents Association, as well as some local
families. Their concerns with the needs and desires of a district being placed
over the needs of their local community highlight the real dilemma we
have as a Community Board – and our Council – for prioritising
genuine localism. This means we need to agree how we meet the needs and
aspirations of local communities ahead of those of the wider district. It is
also require a greater degree of transparency than that which is currently
being afforded by interested parties.
I
have also met with members from Our Kerikeri and Vision Kerikeri to discuss the
governance of the Domain and potential spending of the PGF money allocated for
that. I remind you of my earlier caution that we must out of necessity revisit
decisions made prior to the pandemic to ensure that current priorities are
maintained. Despite being told by the CEO that we must make decisions
within 2 months, rushing this process will only cause further disharmony in the
community.
Lastly,
I pick up on the another point I mentioned in my July report – that of
Kerikeri traffic. I present today, correspondence from the Oakridge
Residents Association further highlighting their concerns with the safety
of the pedestrian crossings in the town area of Kerikeri. This correspondence
is accompanied by a petition signed by 42 Oakridge residents requesting the
installation of controlled pedestrian crossing lights to address the life
threatening danger they experience daily – particularly outside Hunting
and Fishing on Kerikeri Rd and on Cobham Rd outside the Post Office. They have
expressed their frustration that their previous overtures to the Mayor in a
letter dated 2nd February 2020 were not acknowledged.
Pedestrians
must be prioritised in Kerikeri. The existing traffic ‘experiment’
has failed our community and is now endangering people. Speed limits are not
adhered to and cars take priority over people. Several incidents involving cars
and people have been reported to the Police and it is only a matter of when,
not if, someone is killed. Easy options are to officially convert all crossings
to pedestrian crossings and for the two previously mentioned to become
controlled as with the Paihia one. I urge us to prioritise work on this
important safety issue and invite discussion from my fellow Board members.
Nga
mihi dave hookway
