Latest news with #ORC
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Hollyer's hoping for ORC seat
Queenstown's Matt Hollyer, who's seeking election for Otago Regional Council. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Queenstowner Matt Hollyer's hoping to enter politics. The 51-year-old, who's lived in the Whakatipu for the past 30-odd years, is announcing his run for Otago Regional Council (ORC), standing for one of four seats in the Dunstan regional constituency. While much of his background's in tourism, Hollyer's been more sharply focused on conservation over the past five or so years, and it's sparked his desire to help "on a larger scale". His experience includes management roles at Tourism Holdings Ltd, almost 15 years as Shotover Canyon Swing's general manager, and six years as Destination Queenstown's board chair. Since 2019, he's been AJ Hackett Bungy NZ project and innovation manager and, since 2020, ops manager for GSD Workforce, a subsidiary of Bungy, created during Covid to support community conservation groups through Jobs for Nature funding. He's also been ops manager for Southern Lakes Sanctuary since mid-'21 and has been working with ORC, including through the Catchment Action Plan (Cap). He also helped "get the ball rolling" for a targeted ORC rate to assist large-scale conservation projects throughout Otago. "I realised through Covid when we got involved in helping out community conservation groups there are awesome people that are making a great difference to the environment, but it's all boot strapping. "It's sausage sizzles and trying to keep themselves ... volunteering, but you really need to have scale ... to actually make a big difference." He believes there's huge opportunity for ORC to work more closely with community groups and businesses "for the good of everybody". "What I've seen with the people and the engagement they're trying to do through the [Cap], the connections they're making and wanting to [build] with the community, I think is really impressive. "Now it's about starting to deliver that stuff ... we can do better, we can make a difference, and if the community works together, that's possible." Hollyer also thinks should the regional deal eventuate, involving Queenstown and Central Otago district councils and ORC, it's important to have local voices around the ORC table. "I think I can bring a really good understanding of tourism, and what it takes to get conservation projects done." He notes, too, Queenstown, in particular, has a "big responsibility" as it pertains to the headwaters. "What we do up here, that goes into the water and ... goes into much of Otago. "We need to step up and acknowledge that, and get better connected with the whole region." Nominations trickle in As of yesterday afternoon, Glenorchy's John Glover remains the only official Queenstown mayoral candidate, while first-term councillor Melissa White's officially seeking re-election in her Arrowtown-Kawarau ward. Fellow first-termer Gavin Bartlett's again been nominated for the Queenstown-Whakatipu ward, as has local lawyer Stephen Brent, who's seeking election for the first time. Nominations close on August 1.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Oamaru Meeting For ORC Next Week
The public in North Otago are being encouraged to attend an Otago Regional Council meeting in Oamaru next week, on Wednesday 23 July. The meeting will be at Waitaki District Council, Council Chambers, 20 Thames St and is scheduled to run from 10am - 5pm. ORC Chair Gretchen Robertson says there will be a wide range of subjects being considered at Wednesday's meeting and is looking forward to members of the public attending. 'We like to take as many full Council meetings as possible around the regions each year, not only to reflect on work being done locally but to engage with communities in their home districts and better understand what is most important to them,' Cr Robertson says. Agenda items will include a recovery update from the floods of 2022, 2023 and 2024, an update on the South Dunedin Future programme, including community engagement results and also Remuneration Authority recommendations around pay rates for Councillors. 'Many of these topics will give people a good idea of the wide-ranging environmental work which ORC undertakes for communities around Otago,' she says. The main Council meeting will start with a public forum and Cr Robertson encourages anyone interested to call the ORC as soon as possible to secure a speaking time. So far those scheduled to make presentations include a representative from Extinction Rebellion and a ratepayer talking about waterways and river maintenance. The meeting's full Agenda will be available online from Monday morning.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Future of ORC now under scrutiny
The much maligned Otago Regional Council (and for justifiable reasons) has now attracted the attention of Shane Jones, the Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Resources, and for justifiable reasons. After 35 years of existence regional councils have not delivered the promise of balanced environmental and productive outcomes. One of the many problems is the institutionalisation of long-standing councillors which also needs the minister's attention but not through any internal local government review. Here's why a totally independent review is crucial. Please read on as here is yet another horror story about to unfold. During the 1930s at St Bathans, the Falls Dam was built to supply water for gold mining, irrigation and to supplement the Manuherikia River. Water races were built to bring water to Omakau and the parched land on the way to enable the growing of crops that could only grow in this area with the addition of water. The wise people in Wellington said, we will give you a right to take and use this captured water forever, so as to benefit us all by growing food. This was widely seen as a great idea at the time by the entire populous. Mercifully, environmentalists hadn't been invented at that time. Irrigatable land was allocated a certain amount of water and with a right to use. In times of drought , those with "prior right ranking" retained the right to take and use this captured water. It was widely reported that even back then, water for the river was always seen as a first priority. All was fine until the Resource Management Act (RMA ) came into being in 1989 and extinguished all water rights — even to this captured water. Regional councils had a 30-year lead-in period to prepare for this massive change. Meantime the Falls Dam structure — along with other dams in the area and built around the same time, were quietly sold to the water users by the government of the day for a peppercorn. The government clearly had reports on the deteriorating condition of the dams, so they knew the dams were a contingent liability. The dams would need replacing so they happily sold the dams to the water users but not necessarily with the water right to fill the dams. That would require a process led by the regional council, with its urban-based majority. The council then allowed a water "permit" to be issued to water users but with a renewal demand from the regional council every six years. Meantime the dam became increasingly in need of replacement and $100million to do so. The Dangerous Dams legislation was passed some years ago, which forces the dam owners and water users to replace the dam. So, where will the money come from? Question: who would invest one New Zealand dollar in this rebuild if the environmental lobby (who will contribute even less) can control the flows from the dam — as they do through an urban majority on the ORC? This is only one reason why Mr Jones is worthy of unstinted praise for his commentary on a failed system called regional councils. Regretfully, the ORC is controlled by a majority of councillors who still believe we can build hospitals without productivity in all its many forms. Recently, a staff report on the area to where the Macraes gold mine wishes to expand, identified a number of rare and or endangered invertebrates in the same area, so the competing interests are at loggerheads. The gold mine, of course, is a successful commercial enterprise offering 600 jobs and contributing to the wellbeing of our region and indeed New Zealand. The ORC is a not-for-profit organisation which feels compelled to save everything that crawls, hops, skips, flies and swims — albeit in smallish numbers — and which simply cannot be moved to a safer spot. We humans can easily be repatriated but apparently insects don't or can't — at least according to the ORC. There surely must be a tradeoff to be had. Now, the great irony is that there is increasing noise around the repatriation of the ORC itself — out of existence or to an area known as a unitary council. This has happened further north and with some success. A small complicating factor could be — what to do with the ORCs brand new $60-plus-million headquarters. One unkind thought would be to turn the building into a insectarium which is safe haven for any and all endangered species — excluding ORC councillors and staff. On second thoughts maybe a place could be found for them as well. ■Gerrard Eckhoff is a former Otago regional councillor and Act New Zealand MP.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Panels reflect ORC building's new name
A feature panel is now secured to the side of the Otago Regional Council's new premises, reflecting the building's new name — Aonui. PHOTOS: GERARD O'BRIEN Two feature panels being installed on the side of the Otago Regional Council building this week hold clues to the name of the new premises. The Maclaggan St building, owned by Port Otago and leased by the ORC, is to be called Aonui — a prestigious name that encapsulates Kāi Tahu identity throughout time. Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou ūpoko Edward Ellison said the name had "great mana and significance" in both te ao Māori and in Kāi Tahu tradition, and had the endorsement of mana whenua from across the region. "Given ORC's important role in achieving the sustainable use and management of our environment, and their commitment to partnering with mana whenua, we are delighted to share such a prestigious name for their building." Mr Ellison said Aonui related to the pursuit of knowledge in the natural world, and it was the son of Rehua in the celestial world — also known as Antares in Western astronomy. The waka Āraiteuru, which is synonymous with the Otago coast, had a crew member named Aonui, who sought fresh water and found it at Mata au (Clutha River), and is remembered by the tall basaltic pillar named Aonui (Cooks Head) just north of the Tokomairaro River on the Āraiteuru coastline. The name and panel designs were provided by mana whenua cultural experts Dr Megan Pōtiki, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Mr Ellison. The pūhoro patterns on the panels were created by Kāi Tahu artist Ephraim Russell, under the guidance of Aukaha's Mana Ahurea design team, and depict the rivers and streams that run through Dunedin — in particular, the awa Toitū that flows down MacLaggan St. Kāi Tahu shares a deep, cultural connection to fresh water, recognising its vital role in traditions, practices and its symbiotic relationship with the land. Fresh water holds importance as a taoka (precious resource), influencing traditional practices of mahika kai, and fostering a sense of respect, reciprocity and kaitiakitaka (stewardship). The location of the build is significant to mana whenua, with the Toitū awa (stream) next to the site of the building, as well as the location of the old Māori hostel nearby. Otago Regional Council chairwoman Gretchen Robertson said Aonui reflected the council's dedication to mana whenua and to the environment. "We are delighted that mana whenua have endorsed this prestigious name that is solidified in the Otago landscape and pulls together all aspects of the environment, from freshwater to salt water and to air. "It really highlights the importance council places on our relationship with mana whenua and our joint environmental priorities and aspirations." Other councillors' opinions were mixed. Cr Gary Kelliher denounced the whole $54.5million building as a "burden" on ratepayers. "This building continues to be a huge blight on the ratepayers and a huge cost to everyone except iwi, who get paid for their involvement and now get a mythical name that doesn't really resonate with the wider Otago community." Cr Tim Mepham described Cr Kelliher's comment as "a redneck rant". "Accepting the name Aonui, given by Ngai Tahu for the new building, reflects not only the maturing of relationship between Ngai Tahu and the council, but a growing acceptance within New Zealand that Maori and Pakeha are working together to create a positive future that will distinguish this country from the rest of the Western world." Cr Kelliher also criticised the decision to use synthetic carpet in the building instead of more environmentally friendly wool carpet, which he said was "one of the biggest kicks in the guts" for Otago farmers. "This building will burden Otago for generations, and is a prime example of why major changes are needed in regional government." Cr Michael Laws described the new headquarters as an official "up yours" to every ratepayer in the region. "It's a building in search of an empire." Cr Alexa Forbes and Cr Mepham said those who were concerned about the rates should have a close look at the funding mechanisms for the building — the sale of existing property, an existing building fund and what would normally be paid in rent. "The actual impact on ratepayers is minor," Cr Forbes said. Cr Kate Wilson, Cr Alan Somerville and Cr Forbes said they were all happy with the new name.
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
ORC reveals name of new building
Two feature panels being installed on the side of the Otago Regional Council building this week hold clues to the name of the new premises. The Maclaggan St building, owned by Port Otago and leased by the ORC, is to be called Aonui - a prestigious name that encapsulates Kāi Tahu identity throughout time. Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou ūpoko Edward Ellison said the name had ''great mana and significance'' in both te ao Māori and in Kāi Tahu tradition, and had the endorsement of mana whenua from across the region. ''Given ORC's important role in achieving the sustainable use and management of our environment, and their commitment to partnering with mana whenua, we are delighted to share such a prestigious name for their building.'' Mr Ellison said Aonui related to the pursuit of knowledge in the natural world, and it was the son of Rehua in the celestial world - also known as Antares in Western astronomy. The waka Āraiteuru , which is synonymous with the Otago coast, had a crew member named Aonui, who sought fresh water and found it at Mata au (Clutha River), and is remembered by the tall basaltic pillar named Aonui (Cooks Head) just north of the Tokomairaro River on the Āraiteuru coastline. The name and panel designs were provided by mana whenua cultural experts Dr Megan Pōtiki, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Mr Ellison. The pūhoro patterns on the panels were created by Kāi Tahu artist Ephraim Russell, under the guidance of Aukaha's Mana Ahurea design team, and depict the rivers and streams that run through Dunedin - in particular, the awa Toitū that flows down MacLaggan St. Kāi Tahu shares a deep, cultural connection to freshwater, recognising its vital role in traditions, practices and its symbiotic relationship with the land. Freshwater holds importance as a taoka (precious resource), influencing traditional practices of mahika kai, and fostering a sense of respect, reciprocity, and kaitiakitaka (stewardship). The location of the build is significant to mana whenua, with the Toitū awa (stream) adjacent to the site of the building, as well as the location of the old Māori hostel nearby. Otago Regional Council chairwoman Gretchen Robertson said Aonui reflected council's commitment to mana whenua and to the environment. ''We are delighted that mana whenua have endorsed this prestigious name that is solidified in the Otago landscape and pulls together all aspects of the environment, from freshwater to salt water and to air. ''It really highlights the importance council places on our relationship with mana whenua and our joint environmental priorities and aspirations.''
