Proudly Napier April 2024

Word from our Mayor

Kirsten Wise

Kia ora koutou.

Our draft Three-Year Plan is now open for community consultation. Your voice is an important part of this process and I encourage everyone to give us their feedback. In the next month, people and organisations from all over Napier will share their views with us through their submissions to our draft plan.

There’s a lot of material available to help you understand what we are proposing, but in short, there are six questions we would like your feedback on. These questions sum up our key focus areas. You are welcome to submit on any part of the draft plan but it’s these questions where we’d specifically like your thoughts.

These are good conversation starters to discuss the draft plan with your friends and neighbours about Napier’s future. Through the Three-Year Plan process we are together creating a road map for our city, environs, people, places and spaces. We’ve had a difficult time over the last few years – as have other parts of the country – and this plan gives us a clear direction on which to build a sustainable future. Community consultation is an essential part of the conversation we have with you about what’s important to Napier, now and for the future. Go to sayitnapier.nz. This is the quickest and easiest way to have your say. Alternatively, pick up a hard copy at the Customer Service Centre and at the libraries in Taradale and Napier City.

There is also a summary going to all letterboxes explaining the main points. It’s important you read it, and I hope you’ll make a submission to share your thoughts with us.

1. Should we focus on retirement housing?

2. Should we set aside money to help improve our resilience?

3. Should we form a Council Controlled Trading Organisation to manage our investments?

4. Should we increase some of our fees and charges to reduce pressure on rates?

5. Shall we loan fund the losses of some of our facilities for a few years until they become selfsufficient businesses?

To find out more about these proposals and to have your say visit sayitnapier.nz

6. Shall we redevelop Council’s Library Tower on Dalton Street as office accommodation for council staff? Try

We want to hear from you

Visit sayitnapier.nz to read our Three-Year Plan proposals and fill in the online form to have your say.

Submissions close Friday 26 April at 5pm.

If you need assistance or would like a copy of the full document, pop in to see the friendly team at our Customer Service Centre, or at Napier or Taradale Libraries.

Come along to one of the following events:

Drop in sessions

National Aquarium of New Zealand

1pm-2 30pm, Sunday 7 April

Napier Urban Farmers Market

8.30am-12 30pm, Saturday 13 April

Taradale Library

10am-11am, Saturday 20 April

Public meeting

Napier War Memorial Centre

6pm-7 30pm, Wednesday 17 April

Property owners recently reviewed new valuations from QV

What’s the link between my rates and my property valuation?

Property revaluations are carried out every three years by QV, and don’t necessarily mean a rates increase. Council sets a budget for the upcoming year including the total amount of rates required to meet the budgeted expenses. Property valuations determine what share of rates a property pays relative to other properties. Therefore any increase in property value does not mean an increase in rates if all other properties increase by the same percentage. The Rateable Value is just used as a percentage marker in the calculation.

This analogy might help:

Total rates increase in the city determines the size of the cake. QV’s property valuations help us determine how to cut the cake. Revaluations don’t change the size of the cake, they just change how we cut the cake. Rates increases for the city (as set by Council) are what increases the size of the cake.

There’s a rates calculator on our website where you can check what the proposed rates for 2024/25 could be for your property. Here is a link to the calculator: napier.govt.nz/ratescalculator

What is a rates rebate and how to get one

If you are on a low or fixed income and you have not yet applied for this rating year, you may be eligible for a rates rebate of up to $750.

If you have paid your rates in full already, you can still apply for a rebate. Property rebate applications close for the current financial year on 30 June 2024.

Apply at napier.govt.nz keyword search #ratesrebate

New crossing for Carlyle Street

We’re trialling whether a raised crossing at the west end of Carlyle Street will make people feel safer on this busy stretch of road.

It is part of a suite of safety improvements being made to Carlyle Street as part of the NZTA Waka Kotahi Streets for People programme.

This is a new type of rubber raised crossing, the first of its type to be installed in New Zealand. It has a much more gentle gradient than usual, so it’ll be quieter and gentler for pedestrians and for vehicles to use. This section of Carlyle Street is very close to a kindergarten and it’s been a priority to make it safer and more enjoyable with lower speeds and traffic volumes.

If the trial is a success, the crossing can be replaced by a more permanent solution.

Heavy lifting

The new Marewa footbridge, over the Plantation Drain, near the Napier Baptist Church on Riverbend Road, had to be lifted into place by a crane.

The old footbridge, weighing more than eight tonnes, had to go for safety reasons. The footbridge provides a shortcut between Riverbend Road, Latham Street and Russell Road. It should be ready to use again by mid-April.

Gleeson Park Playground

Celebrate, play and check out the new features at the opening of Gleeson Park Playground, Wednesday 10 April from 3.30-4.30pm*.

A carousel, wheelchair friendly trampoline, seesaw and rope climb are just some of the fun pieces that will make up the new Gleeson Park playground. *This event will be cancelled if wet.

NOMINATE humble heroes

Celebrate our valuable volunteers

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding, unpaid dedication to the community?

The Napier Civic Awards return after a year’s absence. In 2023 we put them on hold and made it the year we recognised individuals and organisations who helped others during and after Cyclone Gabrielle.

The civic awards are an opportunity to recognise the mahi of the valuable volunteers, those humble heroes who help to keep our city running. The selfless sports coach, the kitchen cooks, the church bell ringer, and many more.

People are encouraged to nominate younger volunteers who demonstrate community spirit and service to Napier. It is usually older volunteers who have their names put forward, but the judging panel does not consider decades of service a compulsory part of the nomination criteria.

Nominations open on 8 April and close on 3 May. There are three categories:the Civic Award, Civic Award for Meritorious Contribution to the Community, and Freedom of the City.

For more information, visit napier.govt.nz #civicawards The nomination form will be available from 8 April.

Norovirus has been detected in mussels in some parts of Hawke Bay, meaning they are not safe to eat.

As a precaution, we advise the public not to collect filterfeeding shellfish, such as mussels and cockles, from the Bay until further notice. Testing has been carried out in conjunction with Hastings District Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, and New Zealand Food Safety.

If you are unsure if norovirus is present in an area where you collect shellfish, it is important to cook the shellfish thoroughly before it is eaten to lower the risk of getting sick.

Guidelines from New Zealand Food Safety state: Shellfish you collect must be cooked thoroughly. Internal temperature must reach 90°C for 90 seconds to kill the virus. Boil shellfish for 5 minutes (3 minutes if shelled). Lighter cooking, such as steaming or cooking just until shells open, may not kill the virus, and will not ensure that the food is safe to eat.

There is a lot of helpful information on MPI’s website: Food safety when fishing and gathering shellfish mpi.govt.nz Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora National Public Health Service Medical Officer of Health Dr Simon Baker says gastroenteritis (such as vomiting and diarrhoea) is a common side effect when consuming food where norovirus is present. Anyone who develops illness or is concerned for their health after consuming shellfish should phone Healthline on 0800 61 11 16.

Five Eg g-citing things to do this Easter!

Become an egg-splorer and go on an egg hunt around the Aquarium. Find all nine animals hiding in the eggs and be in to win prizes. This egg-citing adventure is on from 29 March to 30 April.

Find the best Hot Cross Bun! Who will take it out: Café Ahuriri? Baked by Central Fire Station? Picnic? Tamatea Pak n Save?

Bounce around the Bay visiting our newest playgrounds at Essex Street Reserve, Westshore, Riverside and Park Island. How many slides can you whizz down in one weekend?!

Take a trek up one of Napier's hills for a stunning view when you reach the top. Choose from Karitoke Gully, Bluff Hill lookout, Dolbel Reserve, Maggie’s Way, Sugar Loaf. What great spots for an egg hunt!

Explore our city by bike and check out the art in public places – we’ve got quite an eclectic collection!

Build your dream home in Parklands

We're thrilled to welcome offers for sections in Stages 9 & 10 of Parklands Residential Estate! Parklands is such a neat neighbourhood. Whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or someone savouring their golden years, Parklands offers the perfect opportunity to develop your dream home to suit your lifestyle.

Sections in Stages 9 & 10 of Parklands are available by negotiation. There are 29 property lots ranging in size from 308m2 to 908m2. The 224c certificate has been issued, with titles expected no later than the end of April 2024. If you missed out on Stage 8, don't worry, there are still limited sections available by negotiation. For more details on each property lot or to download a purchaser's pack visit parklandsnapier.co.nz

Your Council

Buenos Aires, Melbourne, Berlin, Liverpool, Napier!

Tom Jones' world-tour brings him to our seaside city.

An icon with a career that's spanned over six decades brings his soulful voice to headline a NZ-exclusive performance at Harvest Moon, McLean Park, Napier, Saturday, 6 April 2024

Joining Tom Jones on this momentous occasion, will be performances from Gin Wigmore and Kiwi supergroup

The Magnificent 7 featuring Peter Urlich, Jordan Luck and Eddie Rayner.

Don't miss your opportunity to be part of Napier's big night. Get your ticket today!

Visit Ticketmaster.co.nz

Tiny drops of frozen moisture have inspired Gabby O’Connor to create a multi-coloured geometric artwork that is giant by comparison.

All the Colours, All the Light, has transformed MTG Hawke’s Bay’s foyer into an immersive kaleidoscope, the hanging forms bathing the viewers in beautiful colours. O’Connor’s artwork, inspired by a natural process in the Antarctic, is a fun way to bring climate research to the community, says Toni MacKinnon, Art Curator. “Gabby has worked on many collaborative art-sci projects, connecting research with art audiences and the wider community.”

In Antarctica, moisture particles in the air can freeze and act as tiny prisms, reflecting a rainbow of light and twinkling clouds known as “diamond dust”. The colour configuration of the geometric panels, created from theatre lighting gels, change and shift as the audience moves.

Gabby O’Connor is holding an artist’s talk at MTG on Friday 26 April, and holding two workshops, one for 5-12-year-olds, and one for teens and adults, on Saturday 27 April. All the Colours, All the Light runs until 1 September.

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