Welcome!

As a council we are successfully lifting our city's reputation. We must continue to invest in city improvements, while sensibly monitoring our debt levels. Our portfolio structure allows us to communicate and listen to your views.

As your representative I am committed to all of these and passionate about cleaner lakes and inner city revitalisation. This includes safer cycling, city art and public-private partnerships with iwi investment.

Thursday 11 November 2010

Something To Celebrate


During the past two weeks I have had the pleasure of attending two events worthy of the community recognition they each received. Wednesday 3rd November marked the 20 year milestone of the LENZ Rotorua Young Achievers Awards.  These awards celebrate the many great achievements of our senior high school students as they prepare to embark on the next stage in their lives.

Without exception, the recipients are motivated students whose maturity and work ethic are already apparent.  To achieve at this level takes more than good luck and a supportive family.  Of course a supportive family is what makes the difference in the beginning, however it is the students themselves who put in the hard yards.  Their ability to focus on long term goals while not being too distracted by short term temptations will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

The Trustpower Spirit of Rotorua Awards were held on the 8th November.  These awards recognise and celebrate the volunteers in our community.  They showcase the many and varied ways people find to be of service and give back to the community they love.  What is especially heartening is that in our busy lives volunteering is not just for the retired or more senior members in our midst.  Awarded volunteers were people of all ages who recognise the enormous personal satisfaction that comes with service to others, being involved in something you love with others of like mind. 

I have no doubt many of the Young Achievers of today will be our volunteers of tomorrow.  Many of them already understand what a difference they can make in the lives of others.

Congratulations to all who were recognised in these events and congratulations also to the people and organisations who made these events a reality.  This is our community at work.

Monday 1 November 2010

All Sworn In

On Thursday 28th October the official swearing in ceremony for the new council was held at Rotorua District Council.  Friends and family gathered to share in this important occasion as we, the newly elected  Mayor and Councillors made our declarations about serving our community to the very best of our ability.  It is a reminder that our role is one of service and advocacy.  Our willingness to do what we believe is right and to stand up for what we believe is best for our community is the driving force for all those who stand for election.  I am looking forward to the next three years and hope by the next election we have a web cam installed as they do in the  council chamber in Taupo,  so more of the community can witness this important event.