Latest news with #TePuna
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Rural community in Western Bay of Plenty ‘in shock' as industrial park greenlit
Priority Te Puna spokesperson Alison Cowley (inset) is against the industrial park on Te Puna Station Rd. Photo: LDR / John Borren ./ Alisha Evans A rural Western Bay of Plenty community is "in shock" as a controversial local industrial park is greenlit. Photo: Te Puna residents have been rallying against the development since 2021, as they say the culturally significant, flood-prone wetland is inappropriate for the business. Resource consents were granted for the industrial park by an independent commission whose decision was released last week. Te Puna Industrial Limited bought 12ha of industrial-zoned land at 297 Te Puna Station Rd for $4.7 million in 2021 and applied for consents from the Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Regional councils in 2022. The company is half-owned by shipping container company ContainerCo. ContainerCo managing director Ken Harris said they planned to build "very low-intensity, specialised businesses" at Te Puna Business Park. ContainerCo managing director Ken Harris. Photo: LDR / Supplied Plans included refrigeration engineering, workshop activities including container washing, and the company's sales office. The business park website said ContainerCo would hold a "small supply" of up to 300 containers at the site. Priority Te Puna spokesperson Alison Cowley said the community was "in shock and very depressed" about the decision. "People took the assumption that it was so ridiculous that it was never going to happen." There were safety concerns because of the increase in trucks and heavy vehicles on Te Puna Rd from the park, Cowley said. "We feel that the impact on Te Puna Village and the Te Puna Rd corridor has not been in any way considered." Alison Cowley is worried about having a higher number of trucks and heavy vehicles in the area. Photo: LDR / Alisha Evans Cowley said the consent conditions were "extremely stringent" so it was up to the council to ensure they were complied with. Concerned locals formed the incorporated society, Priority Te Puna in 2022. They intend holding a public meeting about the consent approval on 23 July at 7pm at the Te Puna Memorial Hall. Harris said there had been a "huge amount of misinformation" spread about the development, which was "disappointing". There were signs dotted around the settlement saying, "Container Terminal, Te Puna Says No" and "Wrong Business, Wrong Place, No Container Terminal". Signs are dotted around Te Puna opposing the industrial park on Te Puna Station Road. Photo: LDR / John Borren There was no intention to build a container terminal or a container park of any scale, he said. "This is a facility that will fit into the community and be good for the region." The consent process was "very thorough and rigorous", Harris said. The traffic plans were "carefully considered" by experts and if people were concerned, they could call the company, he said. "If traffic causes a problem people should talk to us and we will listen carefully and adjust plans as required." Once fully developed, the site would generate 774 vehicle movements per day, with a peak of 125 vehicles an hour, according to the commission's decision report. It also said Western Bay of Plenty District Council had committed to upgrading the Te Puna Station Rd/Te Puna Rd intersection, with works set to start in October and finish late January. Harris said they would also be establishing community and mana whenua liaison groups. The land is culturally significant to Pirirakau hapū, who occupied the Pukewhanake Pā at the headland of the Te Hakao valley, and the wetland was once an important food source for them. The consents went through a lengthy process, including public submissions in 2023. Of the 273 submissions 271 were opposed, one was neutral, and one did not clearly state a position. At hearings in July 2024, 17 submitters addressed the independent commission of Fraser Campbell, James Whetu, and chair Rob van Voorthuysen. Harris said work would begin at the site in October with landscaping and supporting infrastructure as well as wetland restoration. A 5.24ha area will be developed first and 2.21ha in the future. -LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
NZ Herald
09-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Bay of Plenty club rugby teams gear up for semifinals
Three Tauranga teams and one from Rotorua are preparing to go head-to-head in the Baywide Premier semifinals after dominating wins last weekend. Whakarewarewa finished top of the Baywide Premier regular season standings after they put Te Puna to the sword at Puarenga Park in Rotorua. The Rotorua representatives ran in
Scoop
28-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Digital Platform To Help Women Detect Breast Cancer Earlier
Minister of Health Around 135,000 women across New Zealand who are eligible but not currently enrolled for breast cancer screening will benefit from the successful national rollout of a new digital platform, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 'The launch of Te Puna across the country is a major step forward for delivering faster and smarter screening services,' Mr Brown says. 'Te Puna replaces an outdated legacy system with a modern, streamlined platform that makes it easier for women to enrol, book, and manage their breast screening appointments – helping more women get screened earlier.' The new system, which began rolling out in February, is now live nationwide. It introduces a more proactive approach to screening, with women now automatically identified when they become eligible and invited to book a mammogram – shifting from an opt-in to an opt-out model. 'This change will significantly boost participation and help close the gap for the 135,000 eligible women who aren't currently getting screened. 'Early detection through regular mammograms is critical. Women diagnosed through screening are about 34 per cent less likely to die from breast cancer. This new system will make it easier for more women to get the checks they need, when they need them.' Te Puna significantly enhances data tracking, accuracy, and reporting – helping providers identify and reach women who have never screened or don't screen regularly. It also improves convenience for patients, allowing women to book or change appointments using a secure personalised link or QR code sent via text, email, or letter. 'This Government is focused on lifting screening rates to save more lives and improve treatment outcomes. Te Puna will play a vital role in achieving that. 'We're also delivering on our commitment to extend breast screening to women aged 70 to 74, with rollout of the expansion beginning later this year. 'Every woman deserves the chance for early detection and timely treatment. Te Puna is about putting the right tools in place to deliver better care, faster – and ultimately, to save lives,' Mr Brown says.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
‘We just awhi them': Iwi-led initiative tackles school attendance crisis
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter The initiative helped to re-engage more than 250 children with education last year. An iwi entity leading a joint approach to tackle low school attendance in Whanganui and South Rangitīkei says the number of cases is sobering. But Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa, based in Marton, counts as 'a huge win' its success in re-engaging more than 250 children with education last year. The students, aged between six and 16, had not been attending school regularly. 'We just awhi them to try to remove any barrier,' Te Puna education, training and employability manager Shonee Cooper said. In 2024, after contracting to the Ministry of Education in 2023, the rūnanga's Te Puna team worked with Whanganui hauora Māori provider Te Oranganui and schools to close 494 cases. Of those, more than half (52 percent) were closed because the children were now enrolled and attending school or engaged in alternative education. This was achieved with a workforce of three: two working in the Te Puna team in Marton and one based with Te Oranganui in Whanganui. Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is determined to build on the success. Rūnanga general manager of operations Katarina Hina said the numbers were 'sobering' but the issues sitting behind non-enrolment and unexplained absences were complex. Intervention required a broader approach than focusing only on the individual student. 'Our approach is grounded in Whānau Ora. It's not just about the student, but the whole whānau,' Hina said. 'By understanding the wider social context, we have been able to walk alongside families to address the real barriers to attendance.' The iwi was well placed to offer this support and integrated responses that were proving effective, Hina said. This included services and programmes spanning education, training, employment, health, social services, clinical care, environmental services and research. 'This allows for true wraparound services, where we can refer whānau quickly across our internal teams and trusted external partners, ensuring all needs are met.' Cooper said whānau were mostly 'very supportive' of their children's education, but some needed help. 'There are always lots of external elements – the financial pressure of living, travel, even just understanding school and education policies. It can be really frightening for whānau,' Cooper told Local Democracy Reporting. 'To have 494 cases closed and 52 percent re-engaged in education in one year, that was a huge win for us. Our team is amazing and tracking well, and so are our whānau. 'We still have a long way to go but we're getting there and working really hard.' Cooper said for those aged under 16, cases were closed only when students were re-engaged in education. Some cases were closed when young people 'aged out' at 16. These rangatahi were encouraged to consider other education and training options. 'We inform them of what's available to them and try really hard to get them into something.' Good schooling was vital to many aspects of a child's wellbeing, and positive education outcomes helped set a strong foundation for their adult lives, Cooper said. 'We don't want to see any of our babies not fulfilling their education needs. 'A kura should be another arm of the whānau, another valuable community for our tamariki to be part of, one that opens up more opportunities for them.' But she said a one-size-fits-all approach did not work for every child. 'It's important that our kids are learning things that help them with their individual goals. Not all our kids are the same.' Cooper said there were flexible options for students who were not engaging with mainstream education, including hybrid learning arrangements where rangatahi spend part of their week with the iwi and the rest at school. The rūnanga also runs a rangatahi programme, which offers tailored support for young people from across Te Ranga Tupua (a regional tribal area encompassing Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and South Taranaki). Ten rangatahi took part in the first intake. Of those, four returned to secondary school and the remaining six transitioned into full-time training. Last year, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa hosted the first joint hui for schools across Whanganui and Rangitīkei, bringing together educational leaders, private training establishments, Sport Whanganui, and other partners to share solutions for improving school attendance.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
'We just awhi them': Iwi-led initiative tackles school attendance crisis
An iwi entity leading a joint approach to tackle low school attendance in Whanganui and South Rangitīkei says the number of cases is sobering. But Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa, based in Marton, counts as "a huge win" its success in re-engaging more than 250 children with education last year. The students, aged between six and 16, had not been attending school regularly. "We just awhi them to try to remove any barrier," Te Puna education, training and employability manager Shonee Cooper said. In 2024, after contracting to the Ministry of Education in 2023, the rūnanga's Te Puna team worked with Whanganui hauora Māori provider Te Oranganui and schools to close 494 cases. Of those, more than half (52 percent) were closed because the children were now enrolled and attending school or engaged in alternative education. This was achieved with a workforce of three: two working in the Te Puna team in Marton and one based with Te Oranganui in Whanganui. Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is determined to build on the success. Rūnanga general manager of operations Katarina Hina said the numbers were "sobering" but the issues sitting behind non-enrolment and unexplained absences were complex. Intervention required a broader approach than focusing only on the individual student. "Our approach is grounded in Whānau Ora. It's not just about the student, but the whole whānau," Hina said. "By understanding the wider social context, we have been able to walk alongside families to address the real barriers to attendance." The iwi was well placed to offer this support and integrated responses that were proving effective, Hina said. This included services and programmes spanning education, training, employment, health, social services, clinical care, environmental services and research. "This allows for true wraparound services, where we can refer whānau quickly across our internal teams and trusted external partners, ensuring all needs are met." Cooper said whānau were mostly "very supportive" of their children's education, but some needed help. "There are always lots of external elements - the financial pressure of living, travel, even just understanding school and education policies. It can be really frightening for whānau," Cooper told Local Democracy Reporting. "To have 494 cases closed and 52 percent re-engaged in education in one year, that was a huge win for us. Our team is amazing and tracking well, and so are our whānau. "We still have a long way to go but we're getting there and working really hard." Cooper said for those aged under 16, cases were closed only when students were re-engaged in education. Some cases were closed when young people "aged out" at 16. These rangatahi were encouraged to consider other education and training options. "We inform them of what's available to them and try really hard to get them into something." Good schooling was vital to many aspects of a child's wellbeing, and positive education outcomes helped set a strong foundation for their adult lives, Cooper said. "We don't want to see any of our babies not fulfilling their education needs. "A kura should be another arm of the whānau, another valuable community for our tamariki to be part of, one that opens up more opportunities for them." But she said a one-size-fits-all approach did not work for every child. "It's important that our kids are learning things that help them with their individual goals. Not all our kids are the same." Cooper said there were flexible options for students who were not engaging with mainstream education, including hybrid learning arrangements where rangatahi spend part of their week with the iwi and the rest at school. The rūnanga also runs a rangatahi programme, which offers tailored support for young people from across Te Ranga Tupua (a regional tribal area encompassing Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and South Taranaki). Ten rangatahi took part in the first intake. Of those, four returned to secondary school and the remaining six transitioned into full-time training. Last year, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa hosted the first joint hui for schools across Whanganui and Rangitīkei, bringing together educational leaders, private training establishments, Sport Whanganui, and other partners to share solutions for improving school attendance.
