The shape of things to come? - Tokotoko
There’s increasing debate over the future for local government in the region. We asked Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown about the Central New Zealand Summit and how councils could work more closely together.
LAST week I called a summit of the mayors and chairs of local government bodies from Taranaki to Hawke’s Bay, south to Marlborough and Tasman districts in the South Island. The Cook Strait should connect our thinking, not divide it.
The Central New Zealand Summit discussed a future for local government in the region, playing to our strengths, enhancing our connectivity, and maintaining each district’s or city’s independence. Different issues need cooperation at different scales; for example, Miramar Town Centre issues can be looked at within our city boundaries whereas coastal shipping needs our ports to cooperate and plan together.
The lower North Island and the upper South Island share common challenges and opportunities – the economy, transport, tourism and population changes to name a few. The aim of the Central New Zealand group is to boost value-added exports – whether food products or in the digital ‘weightless’ economy, both rural and city want greater diversification. We also want to attract skilled and talented people and business – Capital City jobs and the appeal of the Marlborough Sounds or the Wairarapa rural experience make for an attractive package.
Central Government has increasingly focussed on the ‘golden triangle’ comprising Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga as part of its growth agenda and there is an opportunity for leaders within Central New Zealand to work together to create something similar. We can work together, but we don’t need to be one entity.
Councils must also work with other agencies such as NZTA, the EPA and chambers of commerce as well as engaging with local communities.
Finally, are you enrolled to vote? You can still enrol up to this Friday, the day before the election. Check www.elections.org.nz for details. It’s your country, your democracy. Embrace it.
LAST week I called a summit of the mayors and chairs of local government bodies from Taranaki to Hawke’s Bay, south to Marlborough and Tasman districts in the South Island. The Cook Strait should connect our thinking, not divide it.
The Central New Zealand Summit discussed a future for local government in the region, playing to our strengths, enhancing our connectivity, and maintaining each district’s or city’s independence. Different issues need cooperation at different scales; for example, Miramar Town Centre issues can be looked at within our city boundaries whereas coastal shipping needs our ports to cooperate and plan together.
The lower North Island and the upper South Island share common challenges and opportunities – the economy, transport, tourism and population changes to name a few. The aim of the Central New Zealand group is to boost value-added exports – whether food products or in the digital ‘weightless’ economy, both rural and city want greater diversification. We also want to attract skilled and talented people and business – Capital City jobs and the appeal of the Marlborough Sounds or the Wairarapa rural experience make for an attractive package.
Central Government has increasingly focussed on the ‘golden triangle’ comprising Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga as part of its growth agenda and there is an opportunity for leaders within Central New Zealand to work together to create something similar. We can work together, but we don’t need to be one entity.
Councils must also work with other agencies such as NZTA, the EPA and chambers of commerce as well as engaging with local communities.
Finally, are you enrolled to vote? You can still enrol up to this Friday, the day before the election. Check www.elections.org.nz for details. It’s your country, your democracy. Embrace it.
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