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….

Tourism Board Gets A Shake Up

Tourism has always been big business for Rotorua and since 1992 the Tourism Advisory Board has been in place to help promote the business of tourism.  Recently this group of elected representatives from within the tourism industry and including three council representatives has recognised that it is time to update the boards structure.  Tourism is a fast changing industry and the demands and challenges of this market-place require a new way of  thinking.

A full independent review of the Destination  Rotorua Tourism Board has been completed  with presentations made to RDC Councillors, current Tourism Board members and others from within the industry. Feedback is now being sought in order to make a recommendation to council .

If you have an opinion on this issue , now is the time to have your say on the direction the board needs to take.  Please take the time to read the report get an idea of what others are doing around the country and help formulate a uniquely Rotorua model.

To make a submission on any of the recommendations please click here or visit the Have Your Say section of the Homepage of the RDC website www.rdc.govt.nz where you can complete an online submission form. 

Mobile Traders: Where And When?

Many of us have stopped at road-side stalls to buy items on offer,  especially seasonal produce in bulk supply. Think flowers, avocados and asparagus. Often these are spur of the moment decisions as opposed to a planned shopping trip.  An aspect of them being in the right place at the right time.

Itinerant traders or hawkers are a part of many communities, most often selling perishable goods out of a truck or similar vehicle.  These range from fruit and vegetables to flowers and fresh fish. In Rotorua the Council has allocated specific sites and an annual fee is payable for a license to operate. While the numbers are small, the Council has stipulations based on a number of issues about safety, speed of traffic and parking for example.

This can become a problem when a local rate-paying business notices that  a nearby mobile shop is in direct competition with them and is in effect able to undercut them due to fewer overheads.

This issue raises many questions for our community around how we define a mobile trader.  Is someone parking Monday to Friday 9-5 am itinerant, or are they taking unfair advantage of a policy that gives them access to a market without paying the usual business expenses of rent, wages and rates?

It is clear to me that margins are tight in retail and businesses are under constant pressure to make ends meet. I believe it is important that our policies support and protect our business ratepayers.

A review of this policy will be underway soon and I welcome your feedback on this issue.  

No Bins In Sight, More Of The Same Planned

The final debate was held today to determine what, if any changes are to be made towards reducing the amount of our waste that goes to landfill.

Yes you guessed it.  A vote of 7 to 5 has given us more of the same.

Sadly, the goal of decreasing the volume of domestic waste sent to landfill was over-shadowed by issues that other communities have managed to get their heads around. RDC will not be offering kerbside recycling to our community.

The in-town facility will be enlarged and a satellite station will be provided at Ngongotaha. Good news for Ngongotaha and Kaharoa residents. Not such good news for those that can’t or won’t go to either of these places.

While the  planned improvements should make my visits there more pleasant, I doubt it will encourage anyone who doesn’t already recycle to start now.

 I sincerely thank all of you for your submissions on this issue and I don’t for a minute believe this is the last time we will debate this in our community.

 

 

 

Community Restoration

Last night at Green Drinks a small crowd was updated on  the grass roots community gardens project led by Denise La Grouw.  Now Denise is quick to point out that she is just part of a team, however success stories like this always have someone with vision and passion driving them. After a number of years this group of dedicated volunteers has established the Hannah’s Bay Community Restoration Trust.  Their vision: building communities that work together holistically.

Already  through word of mouth a large number of schools have taken part, learning how to plant seeds, build gardens and work collectively. All of the gardens are made from recycled objects. From old tires to broken wooden pallets, discarded objects find a second and third use. Both local and regional councils have been helpful, as have the Periodic Detention crews assisting in the heavier work required.

The establishment of the trust has enabled the group to seek funding as the demand for community involvement in everyone's own neighborhood is increasing.  If you have not seen what is happening down there, take a walk around the Hannah's Bay Reserve and if you are interested in assisting or making a donation to the trust see contact details below.

Denise La Grouw

Coordinator
Hannah’s Bay Community Restoration Trust (charitable status)

34 Willow Avenue

Hannah's Bay

Rotorua

Ph (07) 345-5592

denisel@clear.net.nz

Bank account details:  Kiwibank 389010-034530-00

Quotes from Denise … what is important is that we develop caring communities – you only love what you know and you only protect what you love.  Kei te pai … all you can do is keep moving forward with a passion for engaging whole communities in feeling a sense of guardianship for the planet that we share – our home.