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Keeping You Informed If elected Mayor, I’ll reinstate monthly councillor reports so that every elected member has the opportunity to share the work they’ve been doing on behalf of our communities. It’s a simple but important step in building trust and ensuring we’re all accountable for the roles we take on. In the meantime, I’ve been posting monthly round-ups on Facebook throughout my term — not just at election time. You’ll find copies of those updates here, so you can see the work I’ve been doing to represent you. |
25 January 2024
I read with delight the article in this morning’s King Country News (25 Jan 24, page
 that Waitomo District Council has decided to give $30,000 to the Maru Energy Trust to help create drier warmer homes in the King Country.Sadly, that wasn’t the case – the funding was declined.
At the November Council meeting we heard that there was sufficient unallocated budget to grant $30,000 to Maru Energy Trust in the current financial year.
Deputy Mayor Alan Goddard tabled the resolution suggested in the meeting paper that “Council provide $30,000 of funding to the Maru Energy Trust in the current financial year to support the Trust in increasing the number of home insulations in the district”.
As a Maru Trustee I am required to declare a conflict of interest and am not allowed to speak in support or vote on the resolution. Councillors Tasker and Todd gave their views. Mayor Robertson and Councillor Manawaiti were silent on their views. Unfortunately, Councillor New was an apology at this meeting due to a bereavement.
The discussion on this item can be viewed at just before 40 minutes on this recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr5O8poB3JM
At 45 minutes on the recording, it can be seen that none of the other councillors in attendance or the mayor seconded the Deputy Mayor’s resolution so the resolution failed and funding was not granted.
This was probably the low light of my first year on Council – but that is democracy. As Councillors we are there to represent the views of the community.
Maru Energy Trust is very close to my heart. I am a voluntary trustee on this Trust appointed by Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (WESCT).
Maru Energy Trust is a registered charity that does great things for the most vulnerable in our community using 80 to 90% government funding which is provided by the Government’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)’s Warmer Kiwi Homes Project.
In my opinion this is such a great win when we can take $10 or $20 of local funding and leverage it to provide $100 worth of financial benefit at no further cost. The $30,000 of funding would pay for between $150,000 to $300,000 of insulation and/or heat pumps in the Waitomo District Council area.
There are 921 homes in the Waitomo District Council area that the government is willing to contribute 80 to 90% of insulation costs for. Maru Energy Trust provides the other 10 to 20% of funding for these homes in deprivation index areas 8, 9 and 10.
But it is not just the financial benefit – it is the social and health wellbeing that a healthy home provides. Living in an uninsulated home is miserable - I know this from many years of personal experience when I first moved to the King Country. Three or four layers of clothing every night, always, always a woollen hat inside and many, many nights not being able to get to sleep because I was so cold even with two duvets and a woollen blanket and wearing a hat in bed. It was bloody miserable.
Winters now are so different – I no longer dread them – we can get the house up to 21 degrees and we can be comfortable and do things in the evenings instead of going to bed early because we are so cold.
As a council we recognised the need for Healthy Homes in the Waitomo Housing Strategy that was signed off by Council in June 2023 – Objective 13 “Incentivise health homes. Investigate and secure funding to enable the implementation of a scheme(s) which incentivises and supports landlords and homeowners to improve the quality of their homes – particularly clean heat and insulation”. The timeline for this objective is within three years of June 2023.
Maru Energy Trust is only able to help homeowners (not landlords) but I did publicly ask several times for Maru Energy Trust to be included by name as an organisation that already has a track record of delivering on these goals in this district.
When Maru Energy Trust presented to Council at the September 2023 meeting, they had already successfully insulated 863 homes and installed 378 heat pumps in the King Country – all with 80 to 90% government funding.
In partnership with government MBEI SEEC funding, Maru Energy Trust also sponsored 1,138 free home energy assessments and an energy efficiency expo at the Les Munro centre in January 2022 where free energy saving LED light bulbs and shower heads were provided.
That is what I call a proven track record making a real difference in our community. The Lines Company, King Country Trust, Trust Waikato, Lottery Grants, Ōtorohanga Charitable Trust and Ōtorohanga District Council all agree and generously provide funding.
The government funding from EECA is set to continue for another three years. Government funding is not guaranteed after three years. It may or may not be available when Council come to look at “setting up a scheme(s)” under the Housing Strategy Objective 13 sometime in the next three years.
Maru Energy’s Trust’s current funding allows for approximately 130 insulation installs and 50 heat pump installs per year. Unfortunately, across the King Country there are still 2,588 eligible homes and this would take nearly 20 years to complete. 921 of these homes are in the Waitomo District Council area.
Maru Trust will be able to apply to Council’s contestable Multi-Year Community Partnership Fund in July 2024. This fund is usually oversubscribed. I will again have to declare a conflict of interest and not take part.
Based on calculations from an earlier community grant cancellation, the cost would be approximately $2 per ratepayer per year for this $30,000 grant. Over four years this would be approximately $8 per ratepayer for $600,000 to $1,200,000 of direct financial benefit to our community.
I am really interested to hear your views on community funding and what sort of activities you would like to see funded. What is your view on the role of Council in this area? What would you like to see more of? What would you like to see less of?
If you are a homeowner with an uninsulated home, please go to the Maru Energy Website to see if you are eligible for free home insulation thanks to our other sponsors. https://maruenergytrust.org.nz/
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7 February 2024 Consultation is now open (until 4 March 2024) on the Draft Waikato Regional Transport Plan.
This is a Waikato Regional Council plan developed by the Waikato Regional Transport Committee (which I sit on as the Waitomo District Council representative). The plan sets out the intentions of how Waikato’s regional land transport system will be developed over the next 30 years.
It also identifies proposed regional transport activities for investment by local and central government over the next six years.
The plan focuses on the region’s key transport problems and priorities over the next three years and explains how the region contributes to national objectives for a land transport system that is effective, efficient and in the public interest.
A copy of the draft plan along with a supplementary evidence document and the portal for submissions can be found at:
If you would like further information about the Regional Transport Committee including a list of members, agendas, minutes and recordings of quarterly meetings this can be found at https://waikatoregion.govt.nz/.../regional-transport.../
The committee meets four times a year with additional workshops as required. During 2023 we had an additional five workshops to develop the 2024-2054 Waikato Regional Land Transport Plan.
The vision of the plan is “An integrated, safe and resilient regional transport system that delivers on the well-beings of our diverse Waikato communities”.
The major problem categories from which targets and policies have been developed are:
Waka Kotahi are responsible for the maintenance and development of all State Highways – and major regional projects are outlined in this document.
Waka Kotahi also provide a 75% subsidy for general Waitomo District Council roading and up to 95% for qualifying storm damage repair.
If you have any questions please ask them and I'll do my best to answer.
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21 February 2024 Yesterday elected members and staff spent a very long day in a workshop on the Long-Term Plan. I’ve lost track of whether this was the 15th or the 16th workshop.
I promised to explain what a Long-Term Plan is and what an Annual Plan is and what an Annual Report is.
So here it is in pictures using the last Long-Term Plan which was completed in 2021.
The new 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan will be released for consultation on 16 April 2024. Watch this space and the Waitomo District Council website and have your say!
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24 February 2024
As your local rural councillor, I am here to represent your views and wishes. I really need to hear your views about the Hamilton Waikato Tourism organisation.
At the moment Waitomo District Council provide $72,000 a year in partnership funding for the work that Hamilton Waikato tourism does “to promote the Waikato region as an appealing destination to international and domestic visitors in order to deliver economic benefits to the region’s communities”.
Hamilton Waikato Tourism (HWT) report to council every six months and CEO Nicola Greenwell will be presenting this next Tuesday 27 February at 9am – a livestream (and later a link to the recording) can be found here https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/. Members of the public are also welcome to attend. The report is pages 1 to 13 of the File 1 document on the link above.
In her report Nicola outlines visitor spend in the Waitomo district for the year ending October 2023 was estimated at $101 million. Also outlined are some of the international and domestic marketing work they have done including training 1,300 travel agents and wholesalers in this last year.
Talking to industry operators yesterday I hear there are many more activities they undertake to support industry including operator events, symposiums and trade events. And looking on the industry part of their website there seem to be a lot of tools to support industry and of course the great Tiaki programme. https://www.waikatonz.com/industry/
The operators I spoke to told me that their businesses also contribute funding towards HWT and that as ratepayers they want to see the Council supporting our tourism industry and the benefits it provides the wider Waitomo District through economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits.
Their support of HWT was strong – pointing out that attending international trade events wouldn’t be possible for a single operator or council and that the HWT model of being funded by six councils as well as some government and industry funding is a good and affordable way of undertaking international promotion.
Please tell me what your view is of the value that the $72,000 a year provided to Hamilton Waikato Tourism from ratepayer funding provides so I can properly represent you.
Thank you in advance.
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 18 March 2024
 Reflecting on last Thursday's "Thriving Farming Women" event hosted by Beef and Lamb, I'm still buzzing with inspiration from the incredible stories shared by four remarkable rural women entrepreneurs: Suzie Denise of Hairy Feet Waitomo, Monique Neeson of Shear Warmth New Zealand Wool Blankets , Abbe Hoare of Mangamaire Sunflower Field, and Emily Scott of Wild Canvas.Their journeys are not just about personal success but about the profound impact they've had on countless other families in our community. As I listened, I couldn't help but marvel at how their businesses have become pillars of support, not just for their own households, but for suppliers, service providers, and even neighbouring businesses like my friend Natasha's Tanzanite Beauty
It's heartening to see how these ventures ripple through our local economy, creating jobs, fostering collaborations, and driving tourism. Every purchase, every visit, every recommendation from these women contributes to the vitality of our region.
Suzie's candid account of navigating the challenges of Covid struck a chord with me. Her resilience in the face of adversity, likening it to waking up to a devastating loss in the paddock, speaks volumes about the fortitude of our community.
In times of economic uncertainty, the ability to blend work with family and farming commitments is a lifeline for many. It's a reminder of the importance of supporting local enterprises, especially when our farming communities are grappling with unprecedented challenges.
As tourism gradually rebounds, let's rally behind our Waitomo District and its vibrant towns. Let's continue to showcase the beauty of our region, celebrate our unique offerings, and support each other as we navigate these uncertain times. Together, we can ensure that tourism remains a cornerstone of our economy and a source of pride for generations to come.
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 22 March 2024
 Welcoming our guests from Tatsuno! Six students and their teacher Yoshi are here to explore Waitomo District for six days. They were greeted with a Pōwhiri at Centennial Park School, marking the 29th year of our Sister City exchange. Covid delayed our last visit in 2019, but we're back to strengthen our ties. Founded in 1995 by former mayor Les Munro and Professor Kinase of Tatsuno, both distinguished fighter pilots in World War 2, the Waitomo Sister City group has been instrumental in fostering cultural understanding and friendship. Over nearly three decades, these exchanges have given both children and adults from our community the invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture and broaden their horizons. Did you know? Tatsuno and Waitomo share a unique connection through our enchanting Glow Worms and Tatsuno's mesmerising Fireflies. Every June, Tatsuno hosts a magical Firefly Festival to celebrate these luminous creatures. This year, Mayor Robertson proudly shares a stunning photograph of the fireflies, serving as the official gift from Tatsuno. Yesterday, our guests experienced the quintessential Kiwi activity of milking at the Bolger’s farm before being treated to a delightful Kiwiana Morning Tea, personally hosted by Mayor John Robertson, elected members, and council staff. Gifts were exchanged, laughter was shared, and friendships were strengthened. Then, it was off to the Kiwi House in Otorohanga to marvel at our unique flora and fauna. Over the next few days, our visitors will immerse themselves in even more Kiwi experiences – from a school day and traditional hangi at Benneydale school to a kiwi BBQ and backyard games, courtesy of Brian and Andrea Hanna. They'll also join in on the fun at Waitomo Sports Day, brave the Black Water Rafting, and experience life on a sheep and beef farm.  Don't miss the chance to bid our guests a fond farewell! Join us at Te Kuiti Pa at 9am on Tuesday, March 26th, for an official send-off. Everyone from our community is welcome to attend and share in the joy of this cultural exchange. Let's make these six days unforgettable for our guests from Tatsuno!
 They certainly looked after our students and adults in grand style when they visited Tatsuno last year! Let’s do the same! |
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26 April 2024 Earlier this week at a Long-Term Plan Consultation drop-in session the topic of council meetings came up and a concern was raised that the link to the livestream of meetings only came out on the morning of the meeting and often the meeting was over before people saw the post.
Unfortunately the livestream link can only be sent out once the meeting is live - HOWEVER – the link to the link will always be on the Waitomo District Council Meeting Page – the link to that page is here https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/ and once the meeting has finished a link to the recording of the meeting will be at the same place.
Or the same page can be found by going to the Waitomo District Council home page https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/ and then to “Our Council” and then “Council Meetings” and then “2024 Agenda & Minutes”.
Council meetings are generally held on the last Tuesday of the month from 9am and members of the public are welcome to attend in person (except for any publicly excluded items which will be heard at the end of the meeting). The link to the 2024 meeting schedule is here https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2024-meeting-schedule/
Waitomo District Council also has two committees whose meetings are also open to the public. Audit and Risk Committee meetings https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../audit-and-risk-committee/ and Te Raangai Whakakaupapa Koorero (Māori Relations Committee) meetings https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../te-raangai-whakakaupapa.../
Our next full council meeting is this coming Tuesday 30 April starting at 9am – the papers relating to this meeting are now available online at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/ - the Agenda Order Paper provides a list of the items for the meeting. The Agenda File 1 is the papers we will work through during the meeting.
There are also a number of other supporting documents such as the submissions received on both the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan and proposal to release Council Property in Eketone Street for housing development. In the submission booklet there is a reproduction of a report titled Sponge Cities – if the reproduced copy is too difficult to read the original report can be found here https://helenclark.foundation/publications.../sponge-cities/
At the start of this month’s meeting there will be a verbal submission on the Waitomo District Council draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan followed by an update on the Rangatahi Pathways Programme.
Later in the meeting topics include:
• Potential Release of Council Property for Housing Development – Eketone Street, Te Kuiti
• Submission on the Waikato Regional Council Long Term Plan 2024-2034
• Better Off Funding Projects – Financial Update and Funding Alternatives
• Update on Waikato Waters Done Well Project.
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23 May 2024
This coming Tuesday 28 May 2024 starting at 9am we have one of our most important council meetings of our three year term - where we get to hear submissions on the proposed Long Term Plan. A link to the agenda is here https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/
The meeting will also be live streamed - technology permitting.
We have received 131 submissions to date (late submissions are still being accepted) Councillors will read all written submissions then hear from those submitters who ticked that they wanted to also provide a verbal submission.
I am very much looking forward to listening to submitter’s views on Tuesday. The council will deliberate on all submissions at its next meeting on 4 June 2024.
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 3 June 2024
Roading and the proposed change in how forestry operations are rated for their use of local roads has been a dominant topic of both written and verbal Long Term Plan submissions.
The proposed cut in funding to Hamilton Waikato Tourism has also received a number of both verbal and written submissions requesting that the current funding level remains.
All 132 submissions can be found on the council website at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/ In the meeting pack for the 10.30am meeting there is document that groups the submissions into topic, summarises them and provides staff commentary.
Tomorrow morning (Tuesday 4 June) the council starts at 8.00am with a workshop the agenda order paper can be found here. https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2024-workshop-order-papers/ Please note that the first item is public excluded (see the agenda paper to explain why).
Then at 10.30am the full council meeting starts - the agenda can be found https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/ This meeting will also be livestreamed and recorded.
An important part of this meeting will be the deliberation on all the submissions to the Long Term Plan we have received. The views expressed need to be received with an open mind and given due consideration.
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7 August 2024 |
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10 August 2024 This coming week is a busy one for Waitomo District Council Meetings:
* On Tuesday 13th starting at 9.30 am is our Audit and Risk Committee Meeting - where we welcome new independent chair Jaydene Kana (Ngāti Mahuta). Jaydene also chairs the Matamata Piako District Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.
The agenda and meeting papers can be found here https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../audit-and-risk-committee/. The link to the livestream and then the recording will be at the same link.
I particularly like Jaydene’s Chair report which summarises and provides links to presentations from the Audit and Risk Chair Forum hosted by The Office of the Auditor-General that she regularly attends.
* Later on Tuesday after the Audit and Risk Meeting we have a Council Workshop. The agenda for this can be found at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2024-workshop-order-papers/. The first part of this workshop is also open to the public but it is not recorded.
* On Thursday the 15th our Te Raangai Whakakaupapa Koorero (Maaori Relations Committee) meets at 9am. The papers for this meeting can be found at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../te-raangai-whakakaupapa.../.
This committee is chaired by Councillor Eady Manawaiti with Councillor Dan Tasker and Mayor John Robertson being the other two members.
Of particular interest to me is the “Options for New Model of Maaori Representation” paper. This is the continuation of the conversation that started with our Maaori Representation Review last year. I will be either attending this meeting in person or watching with keen interest via livestream to hear what the options and recommendations are.
I also have a Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust meeting this week - so about 400 pages in total for me to read through. Hoping there are no unexpected visitors this weekend
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25 August 2024
The next Waitomo District Council meeting is this coming Tuesday 27 August starting at 9am. The agenda and meeting papers can be found at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/ The live streaming of the meeting (and later the recording) can be found at the same link. Members of the public are also welcome to attend this meeting.
Pages 37 to 88 of the Council Agenda File 1 document provides an update from the project team on Waikato Waters Done Well. It is a very comprehensive paper and report that councillors have already seen most of at the workshop held on 13 August. It is well worth a read if this is an area you are interested in.
Immediately following the council meeting we will be holding a workshop – the agenda can be found at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2024-workshop-order-papers/ The first item is a powerpoint presentation on Te Kuiti Stormwater Network Improvements – this will be open to the public.
At 1pm Sport Waikato will present the draft Waitomo District Play, Active Recreation and Sport Plan 2024-2034.
There is also a public excluded session in the workshop regarding the Les Munro Centre – this is an information only paper which will eventually come back to a council meeting.
Workshops are for discussion only - decisions are not made at workshops - only at council meetings.
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29 August 2025
Here is the notice proposing to close several local roads on Friday 25 October (the Friday of Labour Weekend).
The full notice should be available on the council website at this link in the next day or so https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../news.../public-notices/2024/
I will try and attach the full document in the comments.
Any person objecting to the proposal is called upon to lodge notice of objection and grounds thereof in writing, before September 18th 2024 at the office of Waitomo District Council, Queen Street, Te Kuiti.
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19 September 2024
Celebrating Suffrage Day – Honouring the Trailblazers
Today, we celebrate Suffrage Day, a moment to honour the courageous women and men who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Their perseverance and dedication laid the foundation for the freedoms we enjoy today.
As a rural community, we know the power of every voice, and the importance of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to shape our future. Let us remember those who came before us and continue to work toward a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Happy Suffrage Day! Here's to progress, equality, and the strength of our community!
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9 October 2024
The temporary road closures within the Waitomo District for the Targa Rally on Friday 25 October and Saturday 26 October 2024 have been declined and will not go ahead.
These proposed temporary road closures included the part of Harbour Road that is within the Waitomo District, Taharoa Road, Te Anga Road, Haurua Road, Waitomo Valley Road and Rangitoto Road.
If you made an objection you will have already received the following notification from Waitomo District Council.
After careful consideration, the decision was made to decline the application for a temporary road closure within the Waitomo District on behalf of the Targa Rally. This decision was based on the number of submissions received,the concerns raised within them, and the anticipated increased impact the road closure would have during the long weekend.
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6 November 2024
A quick round up of October before we move into the busy November month.
On Tuesday the 15th of October the Audit and Risk Committee met to consider the 2023 / 24 Annual report amongst other matters. The agenda and recording of this meeting can be found here. https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../audit-and-risk-committee/
The Audit and Risk Committee then recommended to the Council Meeting on 29 October that the draft annual report be adopted. The agenda and recording of that meeting can be found here. https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/ The draft annual report can also be found there and the final copy will be published on the council website shortly.
Reviewing council papers is no small task. Each meeting involves extensive reading, with hundreds of pages to consider. Well-prepared documents, typically with detailed risk analysis, options, and recommendations, allow councillors to absorb information and raise questions efficiently. This means the discussions in the meetings may seem very short and in no way reflect the considerable amount of work that staff have put into writing the papers and councillors into reading and absorbing them.
On the 16th along with Mayor John Robertson and Councillor Eady Manawaiti who is Chair of the Te Raangai Whakakaupapa Koorero (Māori Relations Committee) I attended a meeting held at Marokopa in relation to the campground and the adjacent land which the schoolhouse stood on until it was demolished recently. This meeting followed on from a presentation made to the committee by Mana Whenua o Marokopa at the 7 March 2024 Te Raangai Whakakaupapa Koorero committee meeting. The recording of that meeting can be found here https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../te-raangai-whakakaupapa.../
On Tuesday 22 October Mayor John Robertson, Deputy Mayor Allan Goddard, myself, Chief Executive Ben Smit, District Librarian Julie O’Toole, and Councillors Janene New and Eady Manawaiti travelled to Papakura on an educational trip visiting the wonderful Te Marae ō Papakura where we were made extremely welcome. It was wonderful to understand the connection with Dame Rangimarie Hetet – the carvings and tukutuku panels are just stunning. Another of the highlights of this visit was seeing the beautiful two-bedroom Kaumatua houses that have been built on Council reserve at the rear of the Marae. They are so well designed and nestled in the most beautiful plantings – very desirable and pleasant houses to live in with the added safety and company of being part of the Marae.
We also visited the Papakura Library followed by the Museum – both housed in rented space in a commercial multi-storey building in the centre of the township which opens directly out to the main street. Such lovely facilities.
Over lunch we met with members of the Papakura Business Association and at our table we had a long and interesting conversation about how successful monitored CCTV cameras have been to reduce crime in the area.
After lunch we headed to the Takaanini Library and Community Hub – this was quite different to any library I had seen before – more of a community hub with showers, kitchen facilities for the public, table tennis tables and even a slide for children (and adults).
As well as the formal council meetings I am also appointed by the Council to the Waitomo Caves Museum Society Board and also sit on the Waitomo Sister City Incorporated committee - both of which have monthly meetings.
On average I work on the basis of council work being around 20 hours a week – however October was definitely closer to the 100 hours for the month – as will be November but December and January will be less.
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15 November 2024
A great day of keeping up to date with the latest developments at the Local Government NZ Zone 2 meeting at Hamilton Gardens. Hope everyone is staying safe in this heavy rain. |
17 November 2024
Great community spirit in Waitomo Caves Village this morning for our Tere Waitomo working bee. A big thanks to John and Martha Ash for all they do for the community and to everyone who donated two hours of their Sunday morning. Thank you also Chris Kay for donating our village entrance sign which John is carefully sprucing up. |
23 November 2024
This coming Tuesday 26 November we have our final formal Council meeting of year starting at 9am.
Councillors have a number of workshops over the next few weeks but this is the last formal meeting of the year. The meeting pack and livestream (and later the recording) can be found at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/ In the public meeting pack there is a suite of papers regarding water options and in particular a copy of the Non Binding Heads of Agreement for Waikato Water Done Well aggregated water proposal. Well worth a read of the summary papers to give an overview of how this may work and to come up to speed with the latest legislation on waters.
With so much legislative change since the new Government the paper on Resource Management Reform is also highly recommended if you want a straightforward summary.
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25 November 2025
Proud to be a trustee on Maru Energy Trust who provide free insulation to eligible home owners.
Today we had our quarterly meeting following by a presentation and thank you lunch for stakeholders. Thank you to everyone involved with Maru - as the slide below shows - for every $1 raised and contributed by Maru Trust we attract $9 of government funding - however the community health benefits of warm dry homes has been calculated at four times that. So $1 contributed = $40 benefit for our community.
If your home needs insulation - please contact us at https://maruenergytrust.org.nz to see if we can help for free.
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28 November 2024
 Celebrating Conservation in Waitomo! A massive shoutout to Moira and Rick Haddrell for their incredible conservation efforts and inspiring vision to return kiwi to Waitomo!
It was an absolute privilege and pleasure to visit their stunning 470-hectare property, Mangatiti. Seeing the lush native plantings (an impressive 380,000 mānuka!) and hearing about their extraordinary pest control work over the past eight years was truly humbling. Their efforts include removing 1,700 stoats and weasels, 38 wild cats, 8 ferrets, 6,000 possums, and countless rats—remarkable numbers that are making a tangible difference!
The positive impact on the native bush is undeniable, with the vibrant health of the trees, especially the rātā, standing out. Moira and Rick are working towards creating a kiwi corridor from Pirongia to Waitomo Caves Village. They’re in the early stages of applying for a kiwi licence, and today’s open day was a wonderful opportunity to learn about their plans and rally community support.
A big thank you to local MP and Deputy Speaker Barbara Kuriger for taking the time to join us and showing her support. It was also great to share the day with my fellow councillor Janene New. While Deputy Mayor Allan Goddard couldn’t join us due to District Plan hearings, his support for this initiative is greatly appreciated.
This is long-term vision and commitment in action — true leadership in conservation. Having kiwi in Waitomo once again would be an incredible legacy, and I’m committed to supporting this initiative both as a councillor and as a neighbour.
Let’s get behind Moira and Rick and this inspiring project for the future of our community and our taonga!
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2 December 2024
Here is a summary of my activities on your behalf in November. November (along with May) is one of the busiest months.
Tuesday 5 November
Along with the Mayor John Robertson, Deputy Mayor Allan Goddard and Councillors Gavin Todd and Janene New and Council CE Ben Smit, I attended the Inframax Construction Annual General Meeting. The council is the 100% shareholder of Inframax and it is an important part of our community. The company is in good stead and now undertakes maintenance contracts for the entire King Country through Ruapehu, Waitomo and Otorohanga District Councils. Their annual report can be found at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../annual-reports-council...
Tuesday 12 November
Along with Mayor John, Deputy Mayor Allan and councillors Janene and Gavin, attended the Appointments and Chief Executive Relationship Committee Meeting where the main business was the Chief Executive’s six-monthly performance review.
Wednesday 13 November
Local Waters Done Well Working Group meeting to delve in detail into the Waikato Waters Done Well Heads of Agreement. This group is made up of myself, Mayor John, Deputy Mayor Allan and Chief Executive Ben Smit.
Thursday 14 November
With my Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (WESCT) hat on I attended the Energy Trusts New Zealand conference in Hamilton.
Friday 15 November
Attended Local Government New Zealand Zone Two meeting in Hamilton to stay up to date with current issues. Always glad to have the company of Otorohanga District Councillors and Chief Executive at these meetings as I am usually the only one from the Waitomo District.
Sunday 17 November
Spent most of the morning at the Tere Waitomo working bee at Waitomo Caves Village, then popped up to the Haggas lookout on Te Anga Road to see if the rubbish bins were coping and not overflowing.
Tuesday 19 November
Along with Councillor Janene New we had the Creative Communities Scheme Grant Allocation meeting in the afternoon followed by the Waitomo Sister City Incorporated AGM and monthly meeting in the evening.
Thursday 21 November
Attended the WESCT monthly meeting (not council related) but an important Trust as it retains community ownership of The Lines Company.
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24
Reading meeting papers for the upcoming Council meeting – it was a big pack this time with over 400 pages which took me over 15 hours of reading and taking notes.
Monday 25 November
Again, community rather than Council - Maru Energy Trust meeting followed by a stakeholders lunch. Maru is a charitable trust that helps get insulation into homes. The trust works with homeowners who are eligible for up to 90% funding through the government’s Warmer Kiwi Homes programme. Not only can they make the process easy, thanks to their generous funders the remaining 10% of cost will be covered – making the installation of insulation totally free for eligible homeowners. If you or someone you know needs insulation please get in touch with the team at
Tuesday 26 November
We had our monthly Waitomo District Council meeting – the papers and recording of the meeting can be found here. https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/ An historic moment in this meeting was the resolution to sign the non-binding Heads of Agreement for Waikato Waters Done Well. I’ll put up a separate post about this. There will be public consultation about this in the new year with the opportunity for everyone to provide feedback and suggestions.
Also, on the same day we had a NZ Police briefing from Inspector Will Loughrin who is the Area Commander – Waikato West and Sergeant Gary Anderson from the Te Kuiti Police Station. Deputy Mayor Allan, and councillors Gavin, Janene and myself were very grateful for these two busy officers taking the time to come and brief us and to hear our grass roots concerns and issues.
In the evening, I attended the Waitomo Caves Museum Society meeting as the Waitomo District Council representative.
Wednesday 27 November
Being that time of year - I attended the Waitomo Rugby Club AGM and carried on to a thank you dinner for sponsors and volunteers for the annual Waitomo Caves Sports Day. The next Sports Day will be Saturday 22 March 2025 (always the 4th Saturday in March).
Thursday 28 November was the absolute highlight of the month with an open day at Rick and Moira Haddrell’s property where they hope to bring Kiwi back to Waitomo (please see my separate post) – this is such a great project!!
Finally, Friday 29 November – thanks to Brenda at Waitomo District Council who acted quickly to get Inframax staff out to Te Anga Road to get warning signs up for a diesel spill that already caused several near misses. A huge thanks to the Inframax Staff who came out so quickly to prevent a serious accident happening – we really appreciate what you do for the community.
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15 December 2024
The final Waitomo District Council meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday 17 December starting at 8am.
The agenda and livestream (and later the recording) of the meeting can be found here. https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../coun.../2024-agenda-minutes/
There isn't normally a formal Council meeting in December but there are just a few items that need to be formally resolved before the end of the year.
After the formal meeting, councillors carry on into a workshop. https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2024-workshop-order-papers/
Getting to the last full working week before Christmas I have another two meetings to go to on Tuesday after the council meeting and workshop. And also guessing many farm driveways in the King Country are looking like ours with main shear in full swing. (Mental note take a change of shoes!!!).
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31 December 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.
A heartfelt thank you to all our first responders, line crews, and those who work tirelessly to maintain our roads, public facilities and electricity supply and those that respond when things go wrong. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
On a personal note, my husband Kim is scheduled for hip replacement surgery in early January, the final step in a journey that began after a wool bale accident in April. I’m immensely grateful that he is on the mend and hopeful he’ll return to farming and being able to drive himself by late February. A big thank you to our amazing part-time farm workers who’ve kept everything running smoothly in his absence—you’ve been incredible. Thank you also to friends and family who have shared the many long miles of driving to get him to all his appointments.
Over the holidays, I’ll be stepping back from public engagements to ensure Kim’s recovery has the best chance of success. We are now isolating to avoid colds or COVID ahead of his surgery and focusing on his rehabilitation through January, including trips to physio and other appointments.
Reflecting on the year, I’d like to take a moment to remember those we’ve lost to accidents or illness. My thoughts are with everyone who has experienced loss this year—my deepest sympathies to you and your loved ones.
Lastly, you’ll find a summary of my December council work below. While there are no council meetings in January, I’ll be catching up on council reading, tidying up last year’s work, and preparing for a busy year ahead, starting with an Audit and Risk meeting in February.
Thank you again for your support throughout 2024. Wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy start to 2025.
Here is a summary of my activities on your behalf in December 2024:
Thursday 5 December
Along with the Mayor John Robertson, Deputy Mayor Allan Goddard and Councillor Eady Manawaiti, attended a council workshop which included a presentation on the preliminary results of the Waitomo District General Revaluation, Development of the Draft Annual Plan 2025/26 and in public excluded a paper and discussion on Landfill Future Disposal Options and Wastewater Sludge.
Council workshops differ from council meetings in that they are less formal and provide an opportunity for input from staff and more informal questioning and exploring of ideas. Since May this year these workshops have become open to the public (which I strongly support). They are advertised ahead of time and the agendas can be found at https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2024-workshop-order-papers/ While they are open for the public to attend in person they are not livestreamed or recorded at this time.
Friday 6 December
Travelled to Hamilton for the Regional Transport Committee – this is a Waikato Regional Council Committee which comprises elected members from all of the territorial authorities. I am the member on behalf of Waitomo District Council and Mayor John Robertson is the alternate committee member. The committee meets quarterly, with additional workshops during the preparation of the Regional Land Transport Plan. For more information and recordings please see https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/.../regional-transport.../ One of the great outcomes from the December meeting was the Waikato Regional Council ensuring that the trial of the Te Kuiti Connector bus service will continue. I’ll post more about this in the new year.
Tuesday 10 December
Councillor Janene New and I had the pleasure of being mystery (or not so mystery) judges of the Waitomo District Council staff Christmas Decoration Competition. This was so much fun – the theme was Christmas Carols – there are some really creative people working at council and it was lovely to see Christmas decorations and creativity everywhere.
Thursday 12 December
Attended a delightful citizenship ceremony which was made extra special by welcoming whole families receiving their New Zealand Citizenship. Everyone was dressed in their best and most colourful outfits and the atmosphere was wonderful. For full details and photos see the Waitomo District Council Facebook post at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15VDbTe84i/
While not Council work, but still community work, in the afternoon as part of my role as a Trustee of Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (WESCT) attended, along with fellow trustees, an update on progress against strategy session with The Lines Company Board and Senior Leadership Team. Always enjoyable to hear positive progress from a great team of people. We are fortunate to have both board members and management of the high calibre that we have. Thank you for everything that you do.
Friday 13 December
On my way to the 8am prizegiving for the staff Christmas Decorations I had to drive under a tree that had just fallen through another one onto Te Anga Road and was still coming down. Realising it was on a blind corner at the end of the passing lane I matched my grinch dress with orange fluoro to warn oncoming traffic until Inframax could get there and put up warning signs. They were there in 15 minutes!!! Love your work Inframax!! It was a big job to clear the trees and make it safe – six hours of hard mahi – thank you Inframax!!
The prizegiving for the staff Christmas Decoration Competition is a highlight – Councillor Janene and myself worked hard to come up with humourous awards to match the good spirits of the decorations. Every decoration gets a laminated certificate and a small prize donated by the councillors.
Along with a fellow Waitomo Caves Museum Board member the afternoon was taken interviewing applicants for the role of Museum and Accounts Manager. I sit on this board as a Waitomo District Council appointee.
Then straight from there to being one of the three judges of floats at the Waitomo District Council Christmas Parade. This was such fun and again such creativity. Full photos can be found here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/13zAeoHu3U/
Tuesday 17 December
Along with Mayor John Robertson, Deputy Mayor Allan Goddard and Councillors Gavin Todd and Janene New attended an 8am Council meeting followed by a council workshop. The agenda, papers and recording of the meeting can be found here
Straight from this meeting to a full afternoon scheduled monthly meeting for Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (WESCT) – again – not related to Council but community owned – which is why those in the WESCT area received one of two annual discounts on their Lines Company Account in December. For more information on WESCT please see their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WaitomoEnergyServicesCustomerTrust or main website https://www.wesct.org.nz/ Please note there is a bi-annual election coming up for three of the six trustee positions – nominations open in mid-January – please keep an eye out for details.
The evening was spent at a very pleasant self-paid for dinner for committee members and partners of Waitomo Sister City Incorporated Committee. Lovely to have the chance to chat and connect – and surprising the connections that pop up – especially ones to Finnigan Freezing Works and Balclutha in South Otago where I was born.
Thursday 19 December
Spent the morning holding more interviews for the Waitomo Caves Museum position. With the interviews being held at the board room at the main Waitomo Caves (thank you THL for the use of this room). It was particularly special being there with a fellow board member who is part of the hapu who own the caves. I would love for fellow councillors to spend a few hours at the main caves just watching the number and diversity of manuhiri (guests/visitors) who come from all over the world to see the caves and their unique glow worms and to understand the deep connection to members of the Ruapuha and Uekaha Hapu.
While people living in Otorohanga tend to see the flow of tourists pass through those in Te Kuiti may not appreciate the numbers of people who come or the 200 people employed just at the THL run operations let alone the other cave operators, food and hospitality, accommodation and associated businesses.
If we could get just a small percentage of tourists to turn right at Hangatiki when they leave this could be a huge boost for retail and hospitality in Te Kuiti.
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