Message from the CE

Published on July 29, 2022

Message from the CE.

Kia ora e te whānau

I’ve recently attended the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference in Palmerston North. The theme of the conference was Te Wā Heka Mai – The Future, with more than 600 delegates confronting the biggest challenges for local government while discovering what the future for local government might look like and how we’ll get there. Hot topics were climate change and how to involve youth and embrace hapū and iwi. Local government is changing and, even more so, is ready for change.

The future as a sector is a little uncertain right now, but I know for sure that local government’s vision for 2040 is bright. If you care about decisions that affect our community, now is your opportunity to be part of governing our district and shape the future of Horowhenua. Why not stand for local elections.

Being a Horowhenua District Council elected member is an opportunity for you to make a difference in the community and be part of the change. Council’s work goes far beyond roads, rates and rubbish - we’re about people, place and partnership. Elected Members have an opportunity to lead intergenerational change.

Candidate nominations are open and close on Friday 12 August at noon. Empower yourself and join us at our candidate session on Wednesday 3 August 2022 from 6pm to 7pm in Council Chambers in Levin, and learn about the different roles you can be a candidate for, what the Council does and the services and facilities we look after, the key challenges facing our district and what to expect if you choose to stand for the elections.

Learn more about the issues affecting the rohe. Council’s Pre-Election Report is now online and hard copies are available at all Council service centres. Anyone 18 years and older can stand for election as long as they are a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the electoral roll.

Other highlights this past month were Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash's visit to Horowhenua to announce funding for Techlam, a Levin business that manufactures sustainable timber to boost sustainability.

Techlam will receive a cash injection of up to $1.7 million from the Government’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF). This investment will support innovation and sustainability for Horowhenua and boost our economy through job creation. Investing in environmentally friendly manufacturing processes is a step in the right direction as Aotearoa works towards a circular economy trying to find workable solutions to reduce waste to landfill.

Council also unanimously endorsed the Detailed Business Case prepared for Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency for the Ōtaki to North Levin/Taitoko (Ō2NL) project.

The new highway and shared path will make travel between Ōtaki and Levin safer and more reliable, increase transport choices and support economic growth in the wider Manawatū-Whanganui region.

We’re committed to working alongside Waka Kotahi and Iwi partners to implement the Ō2NL project. It aligns with and supports the vision for the Horowhenua community, with the Horowhenua Blueprint 2040, Growth Strategy and District Plan changes dependent on what will be the most transformational infrastructure project in Horowhenua’s history.

There is still work to be done to ensure local expertise is taken on board to resolve matters relating to Ō2NL that sit outside of the project.  Among these, revocation and the extent of transport network upgrades needed outside of the alignment.  We are absolutely focused on ensuring Horowhenua wins from this project!

Until next month,
Monique Davidson