Proudly Napier - August 2023

Word from our Mayor

Kirsten Wise

Kia

ora koutou.

We are moving towards the six-month mark in our post-cyclone recovery. There is still a lot to do although significant milestones have been reached. This includes the wastewater treatment plant coming back online with miliscreens and biological trickling filters now operational again. The devastation at the plant is hard to comprehend. When I visited a week or so ago and was reminded of the height floodwaters came to I was even more astounded by the work that’s been accomplished. Sometimes we do need to look back at what we’ve been through to realise how far we have come.

Senior council officers are currently working very hard on recovery work that involves complex negotiations with central government. Reminding ourselves regularly of what our community has been through since 14 February gives us the fortitude required to engage in these discussions with as much strength as we can. The stamina needed by our community to keep going inspires us daily to do our part with renewed vigour.

Cyclone Gabrielle

To view the latest updates on Napier's recovery visit napier.govt.nz/cyclone-gabrielle

Another major milestone for Napier, is the completion of the War Memorial restoration. The rededication of the site is open to the public and it’s fitting that it is truly a community event. It has certainly been a community endeavour to restore the memorial elements back to their rightful place in the centre of our city. As we celebrate its completion we must also look back over the work, frustrations, triumphs and achievements we’ve been through to get to this point. It has had its challenges but perhaps that makes its completion even more poignant.

The site is one of remembrance for the fallen but over the years I trust it will become a space our community can come to as a sanctuary. I hope our young people and future generations will appreciate it as much as those for whom it is imbued with meaning. The work we do now is not just for now. In all we do, we must remember we are contributing to the city, the places and spaces, the environment – built and natural – that our children and their children will call home.

At the core of Council work, and for many of us – officers and councillors – the reason we work for local government, is the drive to plan for and help deliver a city, district and region that fits the needs of the future, as well as the needs of today. To do that we need to take a look back, reflect on where we’ve come from, what’s important and the work required to move forward.

Pigs to fly again through Napier’s pipes

The annual winter pigging programme to scour Napier’s drinking water network pipes starts again soon.

The Napier depot team use foam swabs, called pigs, to rid the pipes of biofilm, over a six week period.

During ‘pigging’, a swab is popped in one hydrant, is forced through the water main pipe by water pressure, and exits at another hydrant. Staff shut valves to control what direction the pig will go. No chemicals are used in the process.

Pigging is usually carried out around this time of year to avoid the high demand (summer) season.

Households may experience some dirty water while their neighbourhood pipes are undergoing the cleaning.

Affected residents will be informed by letters prior to their streets’ pipes being cleaned, and through radio advertising.

Safer streets for cycling and walking

A major project to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety in Napier is now complete.

From Marine Parade and SH51, through to Alexander and Te Awa Parks, new separated cycleways/walkways and 13 new road crossing points are providing safer access for students and residents.

The changes to Te Awa Ave, Chambers St, Ellison St, Marine Parade, Creagh St and McGrath St encourage motorists to slow down, increasing the safety of all road users. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has funded this $2.7m project from the infrastructure targeted portion of the 2020 COVID Response & Recovery Fund.

Napier City Council also took the opportunity to replace some of the stormwater and wastewater pipes while the project was underway.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Update

Work to bring Napier’s Wastewater Treatment Plant back to pre-cyclone operational condition is well under way and progressing on schedule with both biological trickling filters (BTF) now up and running.

Flooding from Cyclone Gabrielle resulted in most of the treatment plant’s equipment being significantly damaged. Since April, the site has been treating wastewater using its miliscreen process rather than the full operation, which includes two biological trickling filters commissioned in 2014.

Russell Bond, Napier City Council’s Executive Director of Infrastructure, says bringing the BTFs back online has been a major focus.

“There’s a big team dedicated to making it happen. It’s rewarding to see them commissioned and put into operation again.”

Now the BTF is operating, it will take a few weeks for the bacteria inside the filters to regrow to its pre-cyclone levels. Odour beds that were damaged during the cyclone have been cleared and repaired and will soon receive new bark to ensure they can work in tandem with the BTFs. Other current work at the Wastewater Treatment Plant includes completion of the Power Distribution Centre refurbishment and ongoing silt removal.

Napier Libraries offer much more than books with many experiences to be had at their Taradale and Napier City branches. The team works hard on a year-round calendar of events and happenings including murder mystery nights and escape rooms, quiz nights and board game nights.

There’s also presentations and workshops, such as the very-popular pamper evening creating bath bombs.

The mobile library service is out and about bringing the library to the streets every week, and there are new delivery services meaning customers can collect reserves at different locations. The mobile library team also delivers digital literacy and tech help, at local events, schools and shopping centres.

As well as conventional books, the library is home to a huge array of e-books so whichever way you like to read the library team has a solution that fits your style!

Reading programmes and holiday activities are also a big part of library life. The current focus is on providing positive technology experiences that children may not otherwise have access to, including using Oculus VR headsets, coding and problem solving with Sphero and Dash robots, Green Screen adventures, and iMovie and Stop-Motion workshops.

Matariki in Napier

Napier celebrated Matariki with lights, fire and kai! The light show in town was a huge hit with the crowd and the beaches of Hawke’s Bay lit up the night sky.

Chorus Cabinet Art

Hundreds of Chorus cabinets have become bright artworks thanks to the Chorus cabinet art programme. Submissions are open until 5pm Thursday, 31 August. If you’d like to participate, visit: chorus.co.nz/community/cabinet-art-programme

Youth Grants

Applications for youth grants are now open to Napier residents aged 12 to 24. Apply by 11 August to help reach your big goal. Go to napier.govt.nz

Unity Pitch

The excitement of the FIFA Women’s World Cup came to Napier with the Unity Pitch. The vibrant artificial turf was in Napier before the Football Ferns’ match against Vietnam at McLean Park.

War Memorial Opening

The official rededication of the Napier War Memorial, including reinstatement of the Rolls of Honour plaques, Eternal Flame and Floral Clock is open to the public and will take place at 9am Sunday, 6 August.

Creative Communities Funding

Bringing a community arts project, festival, workshop or performance to life? Need financial help? Creative Communities funding can make it happen! Open now until 5pm Friday, 25 August. Apply at napier.govt.nz

We are pleased to announce three upcoming shows.

Book at napiermunicipaltheatre.co.nz or visit us at 119 Tennyson Street, Napier.

Wiggles: 21 August

This is your chance to see the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group live in concert. Hurry tickets will sell like… Hot Potatoes!

Celtica: 25 August

This high-octane modern Irish dance show will storm the stages of New Zealand on its national tour. Starring an elite troupe of dancers, including stars of Riverdance and Celtic Illusion, this is an Irish dancing stage event not to be missed.

Skulls & Crowns: 3 September

The Royal Family Dance Crew will be performing all their iconic sets from the last 13 years live on stage with choreography from The Palace Dance Studio in New Zealand. Get your tickets to see one of the world's most recognised and famous crews of street dance.

MTG SUNDAY CINEMA - 6 AUGUST 2023

Book your tickets at mtghawkesbay.com

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid | 2pm

Pat Garrett is hired as a lawman on behalf of a group of wealthy New Mexico cattle barons to bring down his old friend Billy the Kid.

Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary Edition | 4:15pm

After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.

A Clockwork Orange | 6:30pm

In the future, a sadistic gang leader is imprisoned and volunteers for a conduct-aversion experiment, but it doesn't go as planned.

HAWKES BAY

YOGA FESTIVAL

August 19th-20th

& info: yogafestival.co.nz

Cr Keith Price Ahuriri Ward

Cr Greg Mawson Nelson Park Ward

Cr Nigel Simpson Taradale Ward

Cr Graeme Taylor Taradale Ward

Cr Maxine Boag Nelson Park Ward

Cr Sally Crown Nelson Park Ward

Cr Juliet Greig Nelson Park Ward

Cr Chad Tareha Taradale Ward

Cr Ronda Chrystal Taradale Ward

Cr Hayley Browne Ahuriri Ward

Cr Richard McGrath Onekawa-Tamatea Ward

Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan Onekawa-Tamatea Ward

Mayor Kirsten Wise

Napier War Memorial Centre Tickets