$25k Boost For Kaikōura Museum
The Kaikōura District Council voted to distribute up to $100,000 to local organisations from its discretionary grants fund at a council meeting on Wednesday, April 30.
Councillor Vicki Gulleford said the recipients were a mix of heritage, arts and culture, sports, environmental and community organisations.
''Our criteria is about supporting the community to connect and participate together and these organisations all achieve that in different ways.''
The discretionary grants fund was established in 2022 to provide a more transparent process for distributing grants to the community.
''We would get groups coming along during the annual plan process and asking for support, but it wasn't an open process, so we looked out how we could manage it better,'' Cr Gulleford said.
The Kaikōura Historical Society Incorporated is the largest recipient and is set to receive $25,000 to assist with the operational costs of the Kaikōura Museum.
She said the council had an obligation under the Local Government Act to support the preservation of local heritage.
''We have that obligation historically, so the museum was given funding prior to the discretionary grants process being created.
''Last year we had some discussion with the museum about whether we should have a targeted rate to fund it, but that will need to be looked at as part of the next Long Term Plan process.
''The museum is always diversifying and bringing in exhibitions and speakers, so it is important to support such key community facilities.''
The other major recipients are Te Hā o Mātauranga (Learning in Kaikōura), the Kaikōura Community Theatre Incorporated and Sport Tasman.
Like the museum, Sport Tasman has received council funding for a number of years to help with running community events and supporting local schools.
Discussions have also been held with the Kaikōura Community Theatre Inc, which runs the Mayfair Art and Culture Centre, about it how could be funded in future, Cr Gulleford said.
Mayor Craig Mackle said Te Hā o Mātauranga played an important role in improving educational outcomes and held the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs contract on behalf of the council.
The discretionary grants fund will be included in the council's 2025/26 annual plan, which will be adopted on June 26.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Local Government Amendment Bill Introduced To Remove Council Wellbeing Provisions
Article – RNZ Requirements on councils to prioritise core services will also be imposed. The local government Minister is introducing a bill to remove four wellbeing provisions from the Local Government Act to 'refocus' councils on their core functions. Minister Simon Watts said the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill would help restore discipline and transparency, and push councils to focus on things like roading, core infrastructure, water and rubbish. 'Kiwis are frustrated with rising rates, expanding bureaucracy, and poor value for money. This bill puts councils back to work on the basics, their core services, so ratepayers see real results for what they pay,' Watts said. The bill will remove four well-being provisions – social, economic, environmental and cultural – which were reintroduced by Labour in 2019 after being removed by the previous National government in 2012. It will also impose a requirement on councils to prioritise core services when managing finances and setting rates. Other reforms New financial performance measures for councils, with a requirement for regular public reporting. Mandatory disclosure of contractor and consultant spending. Stronger transparency and accountability requirements. Regulatory relief to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens. 'Local government has drifted from their core responsibilities. This bill draws a line in the sand – focus on the essentials and deliver value for your community,' Watts said. 'This refocusing of our councils will help to deliver better value for money, and ultimately help address the number one issue people are dealing with right now, which is cost of living.' Watts said the bill was a major milestone for local government reform.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Local Government Amendment Bill Introduced To Remove Council Wellbeing Provisions
The local government Minister is introducing a bill to remove four wellbeing provisions from the Local Government Act to "refocus" councils on their core functions. Minister Simon Watts said the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill would help restore discipline and transparency, and push councils to focus on things like roading, core infrastructure, water and rubbish. "Kiwis are frustrated with rising rates, expanding bureaucracy, and poor value for money. This bill puts councils back to work on the basics, their core services, so ratepayers see real results for what they pay," Watts said. The bill will remove four well-being provisions - social, economic, environmental and cultural - which were reintroduced by Labour in 2019 after being removed by the previous National government in 2012. It will also impose a requirement on councils to prioritise core services when managing finances and setting rates. Other reforms New financial performance measures for councils, with a requirement for regular public reporting. Mandatory disclosure of contractor and consultant spending. Stronger transparency and accountability requirements. Regulatory relief to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens. "Local government has drifted from their core responsibilities. This bill draws a line in the sand - focus on the essentials and deliver value for your community," Watts said. "This refocusing of our councils will help to deliver better value for money, and ultimately help address the number one issue people are dealing with right now, which is cost of living." Watts said the bill was a major milestone for local government reform.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
WW2-type bridge considered for flood-prone Canterbury stream
A bailey bridge is being considered for the Wharekiri Stream. Photo: Supplied by Shirley Millard A bailey bridge is one option being considered to give Clarence Valley residents more reliable road access. Developed during World War II, bailey bridges are commonly used as temporary structures or for emergency situations. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said a range of options are being considered, following Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's (NZTA) decision last month not to extend a sunset clause on funding for a replacement bridge on the Waiau Toa Clarence River, north of Kaikōura. Doughty said the council has previously considered a bailey bridge as a temporary solution, but the cost blew out to $2m when it became clear steel abutments would be needed. ''The stream has changed, so we will relook at that. The elected members are keen to see what is the best bang for buck.'' The Glen Alton bridge was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. The NZTA board approved emergency works funding of $12.6m from the National Land Transport Programme in 2019 to replace the bridge - a 95 percent subsidy. But the project has been beset by delays, leading to NZTA's funding being withdrawn and leaving landowners high and dry. The council has left the local share of $500,000 in the 2025/26 annual plan budget. The remains of the Glen Alton bridge in the Clarence Valley, north of Kaikoura. Photo: Supplied by Kaikōura District Council Doughty said property owners have not given up on the goal of a replacement bridge over the Waiau Toa Clarence River. The cost of the building a new bridge is now estimated to cost $16.5m and the council would need to acquire land for an access road and a resource consent from Environment Canterbury. The previous road access was taken out by the earthquake. ''The indications are a consent might only be valid for five years, so we would need to look at what is the likelihood of getting the funding within that timeframe,'' Doughty said. The Clarence Valley is home to several properties, including forestry blocks, large hill country properties and Department of Conservation land. For now access in and out is via Waipapa Road, Wharekiri Stream and a paper road through several properties. But the Wharekiri Stream is prone to flooding in heavy rain events and can be impassable for up to two weeks. Access is by four-wheel-drive only. Doughty said the cost of installing a bailey bridge on the Wharekiri Stream would depend on the size of the bridge and how long it was needed for. Bailey bridges were typically hired, rather than being a permanent structure, and could cost upwards of $30,000 a year for a single span bridge. It was unclear how any solution would be paid for or whether property owners would be asked to contribute. ''No conversations have been had with landowners about contributing,'' Doughty said. ''It is too early to say, but we've got to look at all options. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
