Latest news with #LongTermPlan
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Wellington City Councillors more complained about than elected officials in other main centres
The council confirmed the complaints relate to city councillors, not community board members. Wellington City Councillors meeting at their chambers on The Terrace. Photo / Mark Mitchell. The council said complaints are handled with 'strict confidentiality, ensuring that employees feel supported and empowered to raise concerns without fear of disclosure'. Further requests for more detail on the complaints, including the names of the councillors involved, was denied by the council because of privacy. While different authorities record complaints in different ways, Wellington councillors received twice as many complaints as their Christchurch counterparts, the council with the second highest number. None of the three complaints raised by council officials about elected members at Christchurch City Council this term was escalated further. Christchurch City Councillors meeting at their premises on Hereford St. Photo / George Heard 'All three of these complaints never made it past notification, with staff choosing not to continue with the formal complaint process before they could be formally investigated and the claims substantiated.' Christchurch City Council would not provide any detail on the nature of the complaints. Auckland Council recorded two official complaints initiated by staff, both against local board members. A complaint was laid against Rodney Local Board member Geoff Upson by an Auckland Transport staff member regarding alleged offensive comments made about staff online. The council said it was resolved through mediation and no breach of the council's code of conduct was recorded. Auckland Council. Photo / Newstalk ZB Matt Winiata, a Manurewa Local Board member also faced a complaint by a parks staff member regarding alleged 'offensive comments in correspondence to staff', Auckland Council said. 'One aspect of the complaint was upheld and determined to be a non-material breach of the Code.' Other elements were not upheld as Winiata had already apologised. 'The Conduct Commissioner's recommendation was directed to the Chief Executive and staff, and no further action was required from the member', the council said. Why is Wellington City Council the worst? Tensions at Wellington City Council reached boiling point last year during a controversial debate on the proposed sale of its 34% share in Wellington airport. Traditional party voting blocs were broken and the council ultimately voted against a sale – upending the Long Term Plan (LTP). The Long Term Plan process also saw tensions rise between councillors and staff, with some around the council table questioning the quality of advice supplied by officers. Former Local Government Minister Simeon Brown intervened with the appointment of Crown observer Lindsay McKenzie. Mayor Tory Whanau said the process had brought out the worst behaviour of council members. Since his appointment, McKenzie has noted tensions in the relationships between councillors and staff. Lindsay McKenzie. Photo / Supplied. In his first report in December last year McKenzie said some elected members were concerned about the quality and timeliness of information they received ahead of making decisions. He said a few were concerned about biases in officers' reports and advice. McKenzie noted the way the council provided information to elected members was 'as thorough as one could expect'. He said his own appointment as a Crown observer had 'moderated' much of the conduct that has called the council into question. Mayor Tory Whanau also said at the time McKenzie's presence had helped her colleagues work more collaboratively. Mayor Tory Whanau at a Wellington City Council meeting. Photo / Mark Mitchell. Responding to the fact her council has recorded the most complaints, Whanau acknowledged she had seen instances of poor conduct from councillors. 'There is no doubt that the conduct by some councillors this term has not been what Wellingtonians would expect. Both to each other and staff', Whanau said. Whanau would not say whether she was the subject of any staff complaints. Reports of anti-social behaviour towards the council's frontline staff increased by a reported 323% in the past five years, rising from around 400 reports each year pre-covid to almost 1000 annually, the council announced in May. Ethan Manera is a New Zealand Herald journalist based in Wellington. He joined NZME in 2023 as a broadcast journalist with Newstalk ZB and is interested in local issues, politics, and property in the capital. Ethan can be emailed at
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Far North council staff ‘thrown under the bus' with restructure, union says
PSA Te Tai Tokerau organiser Athol Ringrose said workers were made to feel the change was because of their underperformance, lack of technical capacity and an increase in complaints. But when the union asked for data about this alleged underperformance, the council pointed to a 2023 review of the NTA. Ringrose said the information not only did not answer the question, it was provided after the council's consultation period. Ringrose says this was in breach of the Employment Relations Act - Far North District Council chief executive Guy Holroyd says the council has adhered to all requirements of the act. Despite the union's protests, the council continued, giving a date of August 4 for implementation. The workers have been left feeling angry, he said. 'They're really upset at being thrown under the bus. They're being painted as ineffective and unmanageable.' Some of the workers at Far North District Council's roading department have been working in the district for 20 years. Photo / NZME A council worker and union representative, who asked not to be named, believes the council has no data to show the in-house team has been underperforming. The workers have not only responded to complaints, they have planned out work for the next two years of the council's roading-focused Long Term Plan, she said. Another worry was the council's initial proposal named an incumbent service supplier as the 'winner' of the new professional services contract, the representative said. After concerns were raised by both the union and NZ Transport Agency, the council moved to an open procurement process. However, workers were told there would not be any opportunities for them to work with the external provider, she said. The union representative likened the restructure to the Hunger Games and said workers were left feeling 'absolutely gutted'. 'They're extremely disappointed and angry.' The job losses will result in a loss of expertise, with some working with the council and NTA for 20 years, she said. Far North District Council chief executive Guy Holroyd says the Employment Relations Act requirements were followed with the moves to outsource the roading department. Ringrose said the PSA's lawyers are considering legal action. Change driven by operational needs and market, council says FNDC chief executive Guy Holroyd said outsourcing the roading department was needed to improve efficiency and gain expertise not available in-house. 'The change is part of efforts to streamline operations, improve efficiency and provide better roading services to the community. 'Outsourcing certain functions will allow us to leverage specialised expertise and resources not currently available in-house.' Holroyd said communities and ratepayers can expect to benefit from improved service quality and cost-effectiveness. 'By outsourcing to specialised providers, we will achieve enhanced efficiencies and innovative solutions that better meet the needs of the Far North.' The council has followed a comprehensive process, including stakeholder consultations and risk assessments, and adhered to all requirements of the Employment Relations Act, Holroyd said. 'The council recognises the impact this transition will have on staff and is committed to supporting affected employees through this period.' The timing of the change was driven by operational needs and market conditions, he said. 'While it has only been a year since NTA was disestablished, the council identified an opportunity to enhance service delivery and achieve cost efficiencies in what is our single biggest budget line.' Holroyd said the council has been working with NZTA to ensure a fair and transparent procurement process is in place for the new professional services contract. Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Growth In The District - What It Means For All Of Us
At Council, we often get asked about growth and what it means for us in the Horowhenua. Here's a breakdown of how we're growing, where it's coming from and what we're doing to plan for it. If you were to compare Horowhenua to a life stage, we would be that slightly awkward, pimply faced teen. We'd be trying out different hair colours, growing out of school uniforms, listening to angsty teen anthems and fuelled on bowls of Weetbix, frozen dumplings and endless packets of two-minute noodles. As a district, we're in between big and small. We have a beautiful mix of urban and rural, made up of towns and settlements that are home to close knit communities. But it won't be long before Levin (our biggest town) is on its way to becoming a city. It's hard to imagine what that change will look like for us, or what it will mean for our communities, houses, town centres, schools and businesses. Speak to one of the many 65+ year olds that call Horowhenua home and they will say it wasn't that long ago that St Annes Street in Levin backed onto paddocks filled with sheep and you could buy your first house for the same price as a ride on lawn mower in today's currency. So how fast are we actually growing? Up until about 2014, Horowhenua had almost no growth, according to Census data, between 1991 and 2013 our population grew by just 200. This began to change, when we saw our population jump by more than 3000 in 2018 – a trend that has continued in the 2023 Census when our population increased by another 4000. Growth forecasts have pulled back since 2021, lowering the population and household numbers originally forecast, but Horowhenua is predicted to continue as the fastest growing district in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, and to grow strongly alongside the greater Wellington region councils. Our district's population is projected to grow at a rate of 1.5% per annum from 2025 until 2030, increasing to 2.1% per annum until 2044. This means our population will increase to more than 54,000 by 2044 and more than 66,000 by 2054. According to the 95th growth rate, in the first 10 years of the Long Term Plan our population is expected to grow by 700 per year on average. Looking back over the last 10 or so years, our annual population growth has been (on average) 2013-2018 – 400 per year 2019-2023 – 800 per year From the 2023 Census to the 2024 population estimates, our population grew by 900 in that year alone. This all indicates that our real-world growth is tracking very close to what our population projections expected. We also regularly review these projections – however it is important to remember that short term shocks and year to year variation occurs – given the long range nature of our work, we need to plan for the trendline, not the headline. People are moving from places like Wellington, Kāpiti and Auckland due to rising house prices, congestion and a change in flexible/remote working arrangements. Domestic migrants are looking for affordable, lifestyle-focused alternatives. Our proximity to Wellington and the highway means we're appealing to these former city dwellers. We've noticed it in subdivision growth in Levin, Foxton Beach, Ōhau, and Waitārere Beach, and in an increase in residential building consents and infrastructure pressure in semi-urban and rural areas. Where are we growing and does this impact how we prioritise infrastructure investment? Census data tells us that our district had 36,696 residents across the district in March 2023. With Levin having more than half of the total district's population, we need to ensure water and wastewater service delivery is adequate and resilient for residents of today and into the future. Council has committed to spending $284m on water projects alone over the next 10 years, with a further $340m investment anticipated for the following 20 years. Significant projects include upgrades to the Levin Wastewater Treatment Plant and building a more resilient water supply for Levin and Ōhau, with major investment committed to projects across the district. Horowhenua District's Population as of 2023 Census data Levin – 19,539 Rural – 4,491 Foxton – 3,384 Waitārere-Waikawa-Hōkio - 3,342 Ōhau -Manakau** - 2,262 Foxton Beach – 2,130 Shannon – 1,548 TOTAL – 36,696 *Hokio Beach is split between Waitārere and Waikawa for SA2 (Census Unit) purposes, we have grouped into a single unit. **Ōhau-Manakau is a single SA2 (Census Unit) From 2018-2023 we've seen the biggest percentage change in the 15-29 year age group at 31%, 65+ age group at 28%, 30-64 age group at 19% and under 15's changed by 15%. Is it just population growth, or are we also seeing economic growth? The two go hand-in-hand. As a district we've experienced consistent growth in both new and existing businesses since 2018. This has been driven by a combination of entrepreneurship, infrastructure investment, industrial expansion, and coordinated support from Council and economic development agency The Horowhenua Company Limited. The district has benefited from diversification, modern business park development, and targeted efforts to build workforce capability and attract private investment. What's Council doing about growth? Council has prepared the Horowhenua Growth Strategy 2040, which sets out where we expect to grow over this period. It covers urban growth areas for both housing and business – but land needs to be rezoned under the District Plan before development can occur (e.g. change the zoning from Rural to Residential) – so the growth strategy is pretty high level. We have started rezoning land already, with Tara-Ika rezoned to allow development last year and a proposal to rezone land in the north-west Levin area currently underway. When planning urban growth areas, we consider things like infrastructure requirements, transport links, environmental suitability, and community amenities—doing our best to ensure growth is coordinated rather than reactive. Council is required by the National Policy Statement for Urban Development to provide sufficient zoned and serviced land to meet demand for housing and business land – the Growth Strategy, the District Plan, and other key Council documents like the Infrastructure Strategy and Long Term Plan help us to do this. We are aware the Government announced a 'stop work' notice on District Plan changes last week – with a few exemptions. This announcement does impact some of the growth-related plan changes we were intending to do and may impact our ability to enable development in the way needed to support growth. However, this announcement is very fresh and we are awaiting further details and direction to understand how this will impact our work, including whether the exemptions will apply to this work. We don't build houses, but we help create the conditions for housing supply to meet demand. This includes rezoning land to allow for housing or mixed use, working with developers and iwi/hapū to bring land to market, improving consent processes and development guidance, advocating for central government investment in housing and infrastructure, and planning and delivering infrastructure projects. We prioritise infrastructure investment through our Long Term Plan, with a focus on: Expanding and upgrading water and wastewater systems Strengthening transport networks and connectivity Future-proofing community facilities like libraries, pools, and recreation areas We may be in our awkward teenager phase, but Council doesn't prepare for growth alone. We engage with and listen to you, our community, to help guide our decision making. We work with government agencies like Waka Kotahi NZTA, Kāinga Ora and the Ministry for the Environment. We engage Iwi/hapū to ensure mana whenua aspirations are reflected in planning and we work with the likes of developers, schools, the Ministry of Health and community providers to align services and infrastructure with growth. What does growth mean for all of us? A growing district brings both pros and cons. The benefits include: A larger rating base As more homes are built, the total rates burden is shared by more ratepayers, which can help reduce the impact on existing households in the long run. A stronger local economy More people means more spending in local shops, cafes, and services—helping our businesses grow and supporting local jobs. Better infrastructure funding Growth unlocks access to central government and developer funding for key infrastructure projects—roads, pipes, parks, and community facilities—that might not otherwise be affordable – the more people per pipe to share the costs, the more affordable. We might also get improved services by other infrastructure providers – such as more schools, or a public transport system. More housing choice Growth encourages more housing supply, including smaller homes, retirement options, and rental choices—helping to ease pressure on the housing market over time. Vibrant communities New families, businesses, and community groups bring fresh energy and ideas, making Horowhenua an even more vibrant and connected place to live. The challenges of growth that need to be navigated are: Upfront infrastructure costs To prepare for more people, we often need to invest in roads, pipes, and services before the growth fully arrives. That can feel unfair if you're already paying rates and struggling with costs, but in Horowhenua we have development contributions, which means the 30% of total expenditure that relates to growth is paid for not by current ratepayers, but by developers and people subdividing or building new homes in the district who will benefit from the infrastructure that's required to support that growth. Pressure on services Rapid growth can strain existing services—like waste collection, libraries, roads, and stormwater—if we don't plan carefully. Changing character Growth can bring change to neighbourhoods, landscapes, and how places feel. That change can be exciting—or unsettling. Uncertainty It can be difficult to predict the exact when, where, and what type of growth – factors outside of Council's control (like market forces, interest rates, and central government policy) could cause growth to happen more quickly or more slowly than we expect, or limit the actions Council can take to keep up with growth. To counteract this, we regularly review growth projections and are improving monitoring of development uptake. This means we can adjust our approach if needed – such as speeding projects up or slowing them down. However, the Government's direction to 'stop work' on plan changes puts us at risk of being unable to keep up with demand for housing and business land. We are awaiting further detail from the Government about this. Have you noticed a change in traffic congestion, available GP appointments, the lead in time required to enrol the kids in a local school, or perhaps more options to eat out at night? Much like a caring parent, who's navigating the angsty teenage years, as kaitiaki we want to make sure that Horowhenua is not just prepared for growth and our next 'life stage', but that with clever strategic planning, collaborative partnerships and our community's best interests at heart, in years to come we will look back and be proud of the decisions we've made and the work we've done to shape our district. We'll be discussing growth among other things tonight in a Facebook Live session - feel free to join us and share any questions you may have, and we will do our best to answer them.
NZ Herald
17-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Whangārei house damaged by airborne car; owner urges council to install safety barriers
'The front of the house - the kitchen, lounge and dining room - were demolished. I'm thankful to be alive.' Beniston is concerned no one will ever want to buy his house, and wonders if he will continue to be able to get insurance. His neighbour Ruby doesn't feel safe in her home. She said the police told her the car was going at least 180km/h at the time of the crash. Jim Beniston with his neighbour Ruby Martin. Martin says she doesn't feel safe in her home. Photo / Supplied 'I was in bed when I heard this big rumbling noise, it felt like an earthquake. By the time I got out of bed and into the hall the guy had scarpered. I'm relieved Jim wasn't home, he usually sleeps in an armchair in the lounge,' Ruby said. What they didn't know Beniston was unaware that when he bought the house in 2019, the garage had been destroyed twice already. The Herald talked to Shane Forman, son of the previous owner, who told him cars had smashed into the garage on two separate occasions when his mother Grace lived there. The stolen car that became airborne and hit Jim Beniston's Whangārei home in May. Photo / Supplied. 'Thankfully the cars didn't get as far as the lounge [those first two times]. Mum was at home,' Foreman said. Requesting a crash barrier Beniston's partner Annette Moncur, 77, is urging the Whangārei District Council to install safety barriers to protect them. 'Council approved the development of these properties. With that comes a duty of care to ensure the safety of the residents. I'm worried someone will be killed,' Moncur said. Annette Moncur with her partner Jim Beniston who says no one will want to buy his house. Photo / Supplied 'We pay our rates and expect our councillors to do something.' Moncur told the Herald councillor Simon Reid visited the crash site and was visibly affected by the destruction. Reid told the Herald he sympathises with Beniston. 'It's not easy to just put up a crash railing with the recent law changes,' he said. 'It has to absorb some of the impact rather than stop it. In my opinion - and in this case - the person breaking the law is better looked after. Jim Beniston's house was damaged by a speeding airborne car. He wants the Council and police to take action before someone is hurt. Photo / Supplied 'It's about budget. Sometimes I feel like the Sheriff of Nottingham - you have to steal from one to give to another.' The Council responds An email obtained by the Herald from the Mayor's office on June 30 said: 'Staff are investigating options for installing a crash barrier. Currently this is not a funded project.' It went on to say a decision would be made in the next financial year or as part of the 2027 Long Term Plan. Whangarei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said he is waiting on advice from his roading team before deciding on safety barriers. Photo / Supplied Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo told the Herald protective barriers might not be the solution. 'The fact someone was speeding has nothing to do with the development of that piece of land,' he said. 'Hypothetically, if someone hits the barrier at high speed and it launches the car into the air and straight into a house, barriers aren't going to solve the problem. 'We are waiting for our roading team to see what can be done. They will present to the council and that's when we will make the decision to fund safety barriers - or it could be a complete re-design of that intersection which could take up to 2 years. 'It's a 50 kilometre area and someone was speeding so that's a police matter not a council one,' Cocurullo said. The alleged driver Senior Sergeant Rene Rakete, Whangārei Area Response Manager, said a 22-year-old Tikipunga man was arrested last weekend. In a statement, Rakete said: 'Police began an investigation after a crash was reported near the corner of Mill Road and Millers Lane. A stolen vehicle allegedly collided with a fence and went through the roof of a house at high speed. The vehicle and house sustained significant damage. 'The driver had fled the scene, a warrant in lieu of summons was sought last month for the offence of dangerous driving. The man has appeared in court and will reappear on 21 July. It is fortunate that the alleged actions of this man did not result in fatalities.' A 22 year-old man was arrested for stealing a car and charged for dangerous driving Photo / Supplied Meanwhile, Beniston's two-bedroom unit remains under wraps and it will be at least another six months before it's rebuilt and habitable. 'I am disappointed no one seems to be able to do anything,' he told the Herald. 'I am worried about going home. There is nothing to stop this from happening again. Will the insurance company pay for damages? I can't sell this place with the cloud we're under. What will it take - someone to die before anything is done?' Carolyne Meng-Yee is an Auckland-based investigative journalist who won Best Documentary at the Voyager Media Awards. Recently she was runner-up for Best Editorial Campaign and part of a team that won Best Coverage of a Major News Event: Philip Polkinghorne Murder Trial. She worked for the Herald on Sunday from 2007-2011 and rejoined the Herald in 2016 after working as an award-winning current affairs producer at TVNZ's 60 Minutes, 20/20 and Sunday.
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Ray Chung's 'vile' email condemned across the political spectrum
By Lillian Hanly of RNZ Both the prime minister and the opposition leader have given scathing rebukes of Wellington councillor Ray Chung's email about Mayor Tory Whanau, saying it is "absolutely disgusting" and calling it "vile and unacceptable." Whanau has rejected the contents of the email, saying it is false and contains "malicious and sexist" rumour. The email - seen by RNZ - was sent to three fellow councillors, recounting a story Chung had been told by his neighbour about the neighbour's son allegedly having a sexual encounter with the mayor. The mayor received an apology from Chung earlier today over the email claims, which he sent to other councillors in 2023, but surfaced last week. Asked about the email in today's post-cabinet media conference, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said first and foremost it was "unacceptable" and "really pretty vile" stuff. Luxon said he did not know Chung, and did not remember meeting him. "I wouldn't be able to tell you who he is or point out who he is." With the upcoming local body elections, Luxon said "you get what you deserve" if you don't show up and vote, and "get good candidates in races". Asked whether Chung should stand down, Luxon replied: "I think the email was entirely inappropriate and utterly unacceptable. "But ultimately, it's up to the fine people of Wellington, who I'm sure will work through who they would like to represent them in that role." Chris Hipkins also criticised the councillor, saying the email was "absolutely disgusting" and there was no place for that content in "good, civilised, democratic debate". "Critiquing an opponent is one thing - those kind of personal, abusive, denigratory messages are just totally unacceptable." Asked whether Chung should stand down, Hipkins said it was a matter for Chung. "But I just think that kind of language should be called out in the strongest possible terms. "It denigrates an opponent. It's undoubtedly sexist, if not misogynist, and I just think there's no place for that in a fair election competition." Strained council relationships could undermine the 'good work' - observer Meanwhile, Lindsay McKenzie, the Crown Observer assigned to Wellington City Council, said he had made his concerns about the events known to Local Government Minister Simeon Brown as well as Mayor Whanau, councillors and council chief executive Matt Prosser. He said it was likely that the community perceptions of elected members "will be further harmed by what has gone on and will adversely affect the organisation". McKenzie said the strained relationships could undermine the "good work" the council had achieved over the eight months since he was brought in. He said the council still had significant decisions to be made ahead of implementing the amendment to the Long Term Plan and submitting the quality water services delivery plan. "Despite their focus on the election ahead, candidates who are councillors have been reminded that they are still elected members, are still being remunerated and should be focused on the duties and obligations that go with that status. "I have sought reassurances that elected members will stay focused on the interests of the community they are there to serve," McKenzie said. McKenzie said his role with the council would finish at the end of this month and he had no part in the "the formal pre-election period or in relation to electioneering". "I do have a stake in seeing that the gains of the past seven months or so are not lost and Council successfully navigates its way to the end of this term of office," McKenzie said. Prosser confirmed "a number of complaints" had been made against Chung following the revelations. "A number of complaints against the elected member have been received, including some complaints under Wellington City Council's Code of Conduct. Those complaints are currently being reviewed," Prosser said.
