Making An Entrance

If you haven’t been out of town lately you may not have seen the latest additions to the western entrance to our city.  These powerful artworks have created a dramatic statement about who we are as a people and the welcome we are extending to our guests and returning family and friends.

Three major state highways lead  into Rotorua and each offers a very different approach to the city.  From this month, State Highway 5  at Tarukenga boasts an impressive group of artworks.  These have been designed by three local artists who were commissioned to create works that welcomed visitors  and locals while telling a story about the land and local Iwi.

 

Lead artist Lewis Gardiner, carver Robert Shuster Rika and sculptor Jamie Pickernell were supported by Rotorua District Council’s Landscape Architect Joby Barham and Arts Officer Kiri Jarden.

 

The inward journey begins  adjacent to the Tarukenga Marae where there are two carvings by Robert Schuster Rika representing ancestors Ngati Tura and Ngati Ngakau.  These stand at the palisades followed by a series of pou by Lewis Gardiner, extending to the Tarukenga rest stop where a large cast aluminum statute by Lewis takes pride of place.  This striking piece was inspired by the Maori proverb – As man disappears from sight, the land remains.

Supporting this is an interpretation panel created by Jamie Pickernell offering a welcome from Te Arawa and from Ngati Tura and Te Ngakau. The artists’ message is to remind people of our connection to the land and that we have a responsibility to care for our environment now and into the future.

Please take the time to stop when you are next passing  and enjoy these latest additions to the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the place that we call home.

Election Year

I was asked to write an article for the Lake Rotoiti Community Association's July newsletter. Here's what I wrote:

Election Year rolls around again; so what's different this time?

The Annual Plan process is well behind us now with decisions made, rates struck and the inevitable gnashing of teeth about whether you think we could have done better. It is an interesting process as we have as many differing views as we do people who make them. This balancing act requires a broad perspective and a willingness to look at the whole picture over the long haul and not settle for a quick fix.

Fortunately Rotorua, like many smaller cities and districts is not controlled along party political lines and this I believe is our greatest strength. What has always struck me about local government is that the elected members really do represent a cross section of the community.

Up until recently the choice was four distinct wards with three councillors elected from each ward to give a total of 12 councillors for the district. Each ward is represented by the councillors they have voted for however, all councillors are sworn in to represent the whole district. With the establishment of the Rotorua Lakes Community Board in 2007 the lakeside communities have enjoyed additional representation. As one of two RDC representatives on this board, I am aware of the huge input from the community board. It is hard to imagine the Council being as well informed about issues in these communities without the advocacy of the community board.

After repeated calls from the community to abolish the ward system, the councillors voted to go district wide for the 2010 Elections. This October for the first time, the ward system will no longer apply and voters may select candidates from any part of the district.

How does that affect you?

As voters you have the opportunity to vote for up to 12 candidates. This offers you greater flexibility and choice over who you believe will best guide the city now and into the future. It allows you to choose a mix of candidates that best represents the direction you believe the council should be heading in. All candidates offer a mix of skills, experience and cultural diversity and as voters each one of you gets the chance to make your vote count.

At the last elections voter turnout in the Rotorua electorate was just 44%. It is vital that as many people as possible exercise their democratic right to vote. Your vote does count and does make a difference. At present Rotorua District Council comprises six men and six woman councillors plus the mayor, Kevin Winters. I believe women bring a different approach to governance and I hope that women will continue to be well represented on our council.

"And where are the women in local government? Following the 2007 elections, women made up 32% of all elected members, and 46% of District Health Board members. Three city councils and ten district councils have women mayors, and out of Local Government New Zealand's 15 National council members, five are women.'' Kerry Prendergast Vice-President Local Government NZ.

I urge anyone with a passion for our community to consider standing for council. Information is available from the RDC Electoral Officer, Mr Peter Christophers. I also encourage each of you to make your vote count.

Women's Business

After recognising that there was a need for focus on women in business, the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce  last month initiated monthly meetings for women in business.  It is difficult for many women to get to evening meetings, so every second meeting will be at lunchtime,  hopefully being manageable for women with family commitments.

Last week I was one of three women asked to speak at the inaugural lunchtime meeting.  The Chamber of Commerce posed us a series of questions around governance, past  work/life experiences, handling conflict and  juggling the competing needs of family and careers.  We were also asked to comment on the different decision-making styles of men and women.

As women we often need to juggle our work and home commitments and while our work is of equal importance to that of our partners, it is usually us that have to drop what we’re doing if disaster strikes or the kids get sick.

As women, I believe we have an enormous capacity for adapting to change, be it personal, physical or fiscal.  It is this ability that stands us in good stead in business, where common sense can be in short supply and a willingness to work with what you have got can lead to good decision making.

A further step for some women is a position of governance and while there are far fewer women at this level worldwide, the benefits to a company, organisation or government are real and quantifiable.

So girls, when you are ready, put yourselves forward for a position to effect change somewhere at a governance level.  To you men reading this, remember the huge range of skills and experience women can bring and support us in any way you can.

Women Matter (october 2007)

The "Women Matter" study aims at assessing the impact of gender diversity on companies' performance. It shows that the companies where women are most strongly represented at board or top-management level are also the companies that perform best, on both organizational and financial performance.

The Place Of Meetings

At a monthly breakfast meeting this morning  I was asked  about how many meetings councillors attend and where our responsibilities lie.

First and foremost, there are regular committee meetings on a six-weekly rotation that all councillors are expected to attend and these are listed on the RDC website.

Next, there are many other meetings, powhiri , openings, visiting delegations and other assorted social events that support and acknowledge the very different aspects that make up our community.  These are available for all councillors to attend.

Is it possible to attend all of these?  What value comes from these meetings and is it quantifiable? Is it about short term goals or long term relationships? 

The decision to attend these meetings is one each individual councillor makes dependent on any number of factors.  All councillors have a life outside of council and it is not a full time position.  Some weeks, the demands on our time can make it feel like one.

The ebb and flow of meetings means that there is usually time for other commitments and for some, this is in private business.  It is very difficult to have the flexibility required to attend council meetings if you are not your own boss.

A significant amount of extra time is spent in preparation for meetings and many councillors spend time researching various areas of interest.  The better prepared we are for meetings, the more interesting the debate. 

I believe that our community wants and deserves to see its councillors out and about in the community - be it at a formal event or community gathering.  They need to feel that they can approach us at any time.

Since being elected to the Council in 2007 I have made it a priority to attend as many meetings as I am able. If you want to see the how many meetings I have been to this year click this link.

Maybe I’ll see you at the next one….