Proudly Napier April 2023

Word from our Mayor Kirsten Wise

When the state of emergency was lifted on Friday 10 March, Hawke’s Bay began to transition to recovery. Our thinking about recovery started almost as soon as our response to the cyclone, but a month ago we began to really examine what recovery means for us, our built spaces, our environment, our economy and our people.

Recovery will look different for every affected household, every business, and every individual. And rather than being a ladder where one step neatly follows the one before, it will at times feel more like a jungle gym. There will be giant leaps forward, then steps back, moments of frustration and a need for patience, and times when advances seem accelerated.

For councils too, there will be a need for patience, a coordinated approach to ensure pace is set and maintained, and well-planned milestones that, when reached, give an opportunity to review, respond and recalibrate.

Across the board, there will be a need for collaboration, and an overarching view of the whole region as well as a nuanced approach to the needs of particular communities.

Napier is a geographically small but economically significant part of the Hawke’s Bay region. We’re a city built on triumph over adversity and the challenges that face us now give us an opportunity to invest in the future of our city and region. Out of the destruction dealt by the cyclone and subsequent flooding we must now build back better, safer and smarter. Whatever comes next must crucially be fit-for-purpose infrastructure and lifelines that address climate resilience and adaptation and build a stronger, productive economy.

As cyclone recovery work begins across the region, our own recovery structure is taking shape in the form of a dedicated Recovery Directorate. This group is in the process of determining its structure and accountabilities. Having a directorate structure in place will ensure we have the right staff and resources to manage our city’s recovery effectively without having to draw key people away from our existing work programme. The recovery programme will be intertwined with the Long Term Plan so we can tie together consultation processes and make it streamlined for people’s voices and ideas to be heard.

Front and centre in our thinking about recovery is ensuring the community is at the core of our decision-making. We must bring the whole community on the recovery journey with us to build a future where every household and every family is able to thrive.

The impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle came at us fast and in a way that was unprecedented and unexpected. Much of Napier's infrastructure, especially that built in the last five years, performed as it should and proved it was up to the task of protecting communities. Some older infrastructure though still needs work. Where our work intersects with our partners and providers we need to ensure we are all on the same page when it comes to where and how we build.

When we rebuild we need to take time to look far out into the future to ensure we are making a city that can withstand such events and keep our people and our places safe.

Our community, mana whenua and iwi, neighbouring councils, the Crown and the business sector all have roles and responsibilities in the recovery journey. In building our future, all voices must be heard, not as an adjunct to decision making, but as an essential influencer.

Kia ora koutou.

What are your priorities?

I want to establish a strong strategic view of what we want Napier City Council to be. I’d like to have some conversations with our community, alongside our elected members, to help us shape the next Long Term Plan. Our cyclone recovery is one part of that.

We need to create a resilient Napier. We need to build trust and confidence with our community and our staff. We need to be clear about where we’re at with strategic projects and recognise that we can’t fully deliver our current capital programme. We’ll need to rationalize our projects and have transparent reporting mechanisms so the community can see our progress.

What drew you to Napier?

Napier is such a beautiful location and has so many amazing opportunities ahead. I can see how we can continue to improve and I believe part of the key to our success will be to create trust and confidence, then we’ll be really flying.

What potential do you see for our city?

Within Council, there are amazing people who work here. One of the exciting things we can say is “what do we want to be as Napier”? What does that mean for Council, our ratepayers, our tourists and businesses?

We need to focus on what it means to be us, and not worry about what others are doing.

Were you previously familiar with Napier?

Yes, I’ve travelled here a few times with my two boys. As a council we’re really different to other places that I have worked and we have a range of amazing facilities that we run – it’s our point of difference compared to other councils around the country.

I love walking my dog along the beach by Marine Parade, the sunrises are outstanding. What we’ve got is amazing, and we need to focus on that.

Here's how you can join in:

As well as being Napier’s premiere holiday park for tourists, it’s played a crucial role in times of crisis since World War 2 – and Cyclone Gabrielle was no different.

Around 40 RVs from an international group were already staying at the resort on 13 February, and other freedom campers showed up to hunker down for the night. A few made it across the bridges in the early hours of 14 February, but some were turned back. Those who were stranded formed a friendly community for three or four days while riding out the power cut and road closures. Kennedy Park staff provided them with food parcels from the Centennial Events Centre for a couple nights. They used the BBQs for communal meals, including cooking for staff from time to time.

In the region’s recovery from the cyclone, Kennedy Park was the accommodation of choice for Civil Defence personnel with up to 65 personnel staying at any one time. The holiday park was also home to families displaced by flooding or slips, with a peak of around 10 families living there in late February.

With Easter now here, Kennedy Park Resort is fully booked. That’s no surprise, given that it provides an amazing choice of accommodation styles that suit all budgets and preferences. Fun activities are onsite for all ages, including a playground complete with jumping pillow, gym, sky theatre, entertainment room, onsite restaurant and free Wifi. There’s also a heated swimming pool and separate kids’ pool. If you know of people keen to visit the Bay, be sure to recommend they stay at Kennedy Park Resort.

• Dress in black and white on Thursday 6th April.

• Decorate the town in black and white - store windows, shop fronts, letterboxes, anywhere visible!

• Spread the word to your friends, family, colleagues, and customers so they can join in too.

Donations can be made to any of the regional cyclone related funds. You can find more info here: hastingsdc.govt.nz/cyclone-gabrielle/ donations.

You can also donate to the Hawke’s Bay Relief Trust by texting GIVE to 2923 to make an instant $3 donation.

Let's show our support for Hawke’s Bay and stand together during this challenging time.

Chief Executive of Kaipara District Council.

Kennedy Park Resort has been part of the fabric of Napier since 1937 and has recently played a crucial role in the cyclone recovery effort.

Project Updates

Civic Building

The Library and Civic project is on track. The demolition contractor’s large excavator was put to good use in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone by helping to plug the gap in a stop bank near Awatoto. Tidying up the demolition site and securing it with hoardings took place in late February and early March. Strategic Programmes Manager Darran Gillies says engaging an architect to complete the detailed design of the new building is the next step, and likely to be finalised very soon.

Napier War Memorial

The Napier War Memorial Project was delayed by a few weeks. Senior Project Manager Drew Brown says the site held up really well during the cyclone itself. The delays came about because work had to stop when the power was down. Also, building materials coming from overseas had to be redirected to other ports. Delivery of these materials and other items coming from outside of Napier were delayed by road closures. The delay means the Anzac Day function planned to be held on the site will no longer be able to take place. That said, further work has been completed in March, including pouring concrete for the upper ponds and preparing the surrounding area for the paving. All work is expected to be completed by July.

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Napier’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was significantly damaged by the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. To understand the complexities of fixing the plant, it’s helpful to understand a little about how it works. There are two main parts of the WWTP. The milliscreen separates large solids, materials and waste products. The biological trickling filter (BTF) is a biological environment –a culture of bacteria grown on plastic forms called petals – that breaks down bacteria. A complex electrical system runs the plant. This was particularly badly impacted by flooding.

Our first step was to make the site safe for our workers. Then the team did a detailed condition assessment of buildings, systems, services, equipment and the plant in general. Over 60% of the plant was damaged and in some places the damage was even worse, up to 80%.

After the cyclone, neither the milliscreen nor the BTF were working. In the BTF the bacteria culture had died and it now needs to be regrown. Each BTF is different but this can take many weeks. In our system we have two relatively new BTFs. Our WWTP can perform pretty well with just one but two gives us a more resilient, future-proofed system.

The milliscreen has now been fixed and this week we will start using it again. This will allow a basic level of filtering of wastewater before it enters the outfall pipe. We are shortcutting the process of regrowing the bacteria in the BTF by working in parallel so we can get the bacteria culture started before the WWTP is 100% ready. This will speed up the process.

The issues at the WWTP have been major and have affected all of Napier but we have a great team of smart minds working long hours on solutions. As we rebuild the WWTP we are also looking at ways we can make it more resilient and future-proof it so it can better withstand environmental impacts. Thanks for doing your bit by managing your household water use, and thanks for your patience.

Within the zone are industries using chemical processes, as well as the Napier wastewater treatment plant. Flooding up to two metres came through the industrial zone.

There was concern contaminants may have mixed together, and when the water subsided these contaminants could settle in the silt left behind. A cautious approach was taken and the industrial zone was cordoned off.

From there a multidiscipline team was put together to carry out testing and manage how the area could get back to business quickly, in the safest possible way. With industry also needing to ensure their own sites were tested and cleaned up, an industry working group was set up to help.

Testing on properties neighbouring the industrial zone was carried out and reports on the results from each property have been given to property owners.

There is no concern with chemical test results but microbial tests show high levels of e.coli in Awatoto silt. This will be treated with hydrated lime once silt has been moved to the holding site within the Awatoto Industrial Zone.

The impacts to Awatoto are within a small, contained area, which includes about 20 businesses and 34 properties. Although there was some flooding in nearby suburbs, there was no risk from contaminants coming from the industrial zone. Regular air and water monitoring confirms this. Across Hawke’s Bay it has always been the advice to wear PPE when handling silt and this continues to be the recommendation.

The Awatoto Industrial Zone was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Action April: 1-30 April

Visit the National Aquarium this April to learn how we can all work together to help the environment. Action April is all about having fun completing a range of interactive activities throughout the aquarium, as well as having the opportunity to attend various events and workshops throughout the month. You'll learn all about six 'R's - recycle, repair, reuse, rethink, refuse and reduce. Learn more and register for events at nationalaquarium.co.nz

Napier Libraries School

Holiday Programme:

8 – 23 April

Get creative and have an art-tastic time at Napier Libraries School Holiday Programme, which offers fun and free activities for the whole family. Check out everything they have on offer and reserve your spot now at napierlibrary.co.nz

Bay Hawks first home game: 15 April

Book it in your calendar now, Saturday 15 April, is the first home game for the Hawke’s Bay Hawks 2023 Sals NBL season. This season is set to be a big one – make sure you get in on the action and make the most of these thrilling home games. Visit hawks.org.nz for more information

One New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos: 27 May

Get set for one of Napier’s biggest sporting events! McLean Park will become the 10th stadium in New Zealand to stage a One New Zealand Warriors NRL match when they host the Brisbane Broncos in their round 13 home clash on Saturday, May 27. With tickets from just $16, don’t miss out on seeing all the big names and all the very best NRL action. Book at ticketek.co.nz

We are pleased to announce three upcoming shows.

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

50 Golden Years of Musicals: 13 April

Pioneers of the New Zealand entertainment industry, The Macphersons celebrate 50 golden years in 2023. To mark this milestone, they will present a show stopping journey through their greatest musical triumphs at Napier’s Municipal Theatre.

The Ten Tenors: 23 April

Don’t miss the return of The Ten Tenors this April! With over 2.8 million concert tickets sold, they have become renowned for their dynamic performances and skillful ability to seamlessly transition from operatic arias, to soulful ballads, right through to charttopping pop songs.

Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine: 26 April

From the trauma and heartbreak of war in their country, to the major cities of USA and Europe, and now New Zealand, the Kyiv Ballet remains the pride of Ukraine for over 75 years. Enjoy two sensational performances of 'Forest Song' and 'Don Quixote' for one magnificent evening.

Cr Keith Price

Cr Greg Mawson

Cr Nigel Simpson

Cr Graeme Taylor

Cr Maxine Boag

Cr Sally Crown Cr Juliet Greig

Cr Chad Tareha

Cr Ronda Chrystal

Cr Hayley Browne

Cr Richard McGrath

Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan Mayor Kirsten Wise