Proudly Napier - March 2024

March 2024

Word from our Mayor Kirsten Wise

Kia ora koutou.

We are heading into a pivotal time in the council calendar. Like all councils around New Zealand, we are having big discussions about rates for the coming year. Costs across the board have ballooned in areas like labour, materials and insurance. Where we currently stand, we have brought the projected rates need down from above 40% to the low 20s. It’s meant tough decisions, and careful management of projects, expectations and resourcing. Throughout, we need to keep our community ‘front and centre’ in our thinking.

As much as we can do a lot of work with prioritising and planning, we need your voice to be heard in this process. We want your views, and we need to listen to what is important to you.

Getting involved in consultation can sound daunting. But it is an essential part of democracy. The process is actually fairly simple and I encourage you to be part of it.

Broken down to its smallest parts, it looks like this:

1. Soon a summary of the draft Three-Year Plan will arrive in your letterbox

2. You can ask us questions about the draft by coming along to our drop-in sessions

3. You can also attend our public meeting

4. You can ask questions of your ward councillor

5. Make your submission to the draft plan

6. In May, attend the ‘Hearings’ if you would like, either to hear submissions from others or speak in support of your own submission.

It can be tempting to use channels like Facebook and Letters to the Editor to give us your opinions. I keep abreast of what’s being said in the media and on social media, but views expressed there can’t be counted as official feedback and can’t be used in making decisions.

What counts are submissions and these can be done quickly and simply through SayitNapier.nz online. We also have hard-copies available at our libraries in Taradale and Napier City, and at the Customer Service Centre on Hastings Street in Napier CBD.

Every submission is read and every submission counts. Once you’ve submitted your thoughts you will have the opportunity to come and speak to the full Council. This part of the process is called Hearings. It is really helpful for us as elected representatives to hear directly from you, our community.

As we begin the Three-Year Plan process, please consider getting involved. We work for you, and to do our best work we rely on having your voice at the heart of decision making.

Napier's Three-Year Plan is currently being prepared. Formal feedback on the proposed plan takes place through community consultation from 25 March to 26 April on sayitnapier.nz. More details about the consultation and how you can have your say will be in the next issue of Proudly Napier. The Three-Year Plan 2024-27 will be formally adopted by Council no later than 30 June 2024.

SH OW & P L AY!

Newly-installed communication boards at Anderson Park playground give non-speaking children and their caregivers another way to express how they want to play.

In collaboration with Acorn Autism and Deaf Aotearoa, we’ve put in four communication boards, which contain simple, recognisable symbols and words that children can point to or touch, to share what they would like to do.

The intent of the boards supports one of the goals in our Napier Disability Strategy – ‘Having Fun’. The boards encourage all kids and families to make use of all that Anderson Park playground has to offer and to enjoy their experience while they’re there.

The communication boards show images of playground features, such as the swing, slide, and carousel, as well as images to make requests or express needs while at the playground, such as eat, drink, toilet, and home.

A QR code included on the boards links to Deaf Aotearoa’s online NZ Sign Language videos, which encourage people to learn NZSL for some of the icons used on the boards. People are encouraged to take photos of the boards to use at other playgrounds.

We’re looking at ways of building our city’s resilience against natural hazards, such as flooding, coastal erosion, inundation and liquefaction, in our Proposed District Plan.

You can find out more, view the options and give your feedback when consultation opens on Friday 1 March until Friday 29 March at sayitnapier.nz

A drop-in session for coastal residents potentially affected by future seawater flooding will be held from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on 6 March at East Pier Hotel.

Drop-in sessions have been held following the December publication of a report, Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Inundation, commissioned jointly by Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

The information in the report will help communities and councils build resilience and better prepare for the effects of climate change.

Art Deco Festival went off with a bang, a pop and a sizzle!

Fabulous flappers and dapper gents came out in style for a wonderful weekend. A big thank you to everyone involved, from the organisers to all those locals who got dressed up and took part in events from dancing in the Soundshell to the fashion parades and the soap-box derby. Thanks to those who managed traffic, handled tech, and provided food. Thanks to the street cleaners and the rubbish collectors. Thanks to the musicians and the dancers. Thanks to the vintage car owners and the Warbird pilots. Thanks to the Navy who stepped out in style. And thanks to you, the people of Napier, who showed once again that you know how to make people feel welcome. Here’s to doing it all again in 2025!

Park Island Playground

There are fun times to be had at Napier’s newest playground, located near the Napier Marist clubrooms at Park Island.

The kids can try out a carousel, climbing frames and more, or practice their prowess on wheels pootling around the mini bike pump track. Bring along a basketball too, for a different kind of fun, using the new hoop just a short hop, skip and jump from the playground.

Wonder wall

What’s 40m long, 8m high and well on the way to being completed? Hooker Ave’s retaining wall, at the northern end of Gleeson Park.

Groundworks continue nearby, in preparation for the redeveloped Gleeson Park playground. The playground design has been inspired by the name Mataruahou, the original name for Napier Hill. The name originally referring to the mirror images of faces in pools alongside the tracks on Mataruahou. The playground is due to open this autumn.

Pumped up!

A crane had to be used to lift one of the large Cross Country Drain pumps from its usual location, in preparation for it to be sent away for its regular maintenance check.

This hefty 5.1 tonne, 8.7 metre high machine is capable of pumping 3358 litres a second, a rate which would fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in under 13 minutes! Usually, these huge pumps run once or twice a year. However, last February after Cyclone Gabrielle they ran for a week, moving water from the drain to the sea. The photo above shows the old pump being removed and the refurbished pump in the foreground.

Taradale Library’s Creation Station is all about having hands-on experiences with various materials, technology and machinery like 3D printers, Cricuts and sewing machines. People wanting to learn a new skill, refresh old ones or simply have some fun are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the sessions, held on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Napier Libraries manager Nicola Saunders explains the sessions aim to educate and provide the community with access to skills and equipment they may not otherwise have.

“If someone wants to have a go, make something cool, fun, quirky or special, or even trial equipment before investing in their own, this is the perfect opportunity,” says Nicola. “It’s also a great way of bringing family together and making gifts for friends and whānau.” “We want to encourage the community to see libraries as more than just spaces for children and books. They can be a hub for all of us to enjoy creativity and invention as well”.

The introductory 101 sessions will run for 10 weeks during Term 1. Completing one of these will allow people to use the equipment during the drop in sessions, which will start in Term 2, from the end of April. There are currently still spaces in the Cricut, 3D Printing and Coding basics sessions. To learn more about ‘Creation Station’ sessions and to register, visit napierlibrary.co.nz

Kororā (little penguin) expert Dr John Cockrem will share his knowledge at the National Aquarium of New Zealand at 6pm on 5 March. The Royal Society Lecture is a Seaweek 2024 event, with entry a gold coin donation. Kororā populations are in decline and they have disappeared from many locations around New Zealand. Dr Cockrem, from Massey University, is one of New Zealand’s leading expert in little penguin and will give insights into what penguins are like, their biggest threats and what is being done to save them.

“Conservation is at the core of everything we do," explains Amy Stevens, Education Manager at the National Aquarium. “With many penguin habitats located across Hawke’s Bay, Dr Cockrem’s research will provide excellent insight for locals to understand the challenges kororā face in the wild.”

Seaweek, New Zealand’s annual national week celebrating the sea, runs from 2 March to 10 March. Visit nationalaquarium.co.nz for further details of other events.

NAPIER NIGHT

15 MAR

Clive Square 5:30 – 8:30pm

Thanks for coming out to this summer’s Napier Night Fiesta series, we’ve had a blast and we’ve got one more planned for Friday 15 March. It’s a great night out with a relaxed vibe and plenty of food trucks and live music, and a drinks tent for the grown-ups!

We are pleased to announce four upcoming shows. Book at napiermunicipaltheatre.co.nz or visit us at 119 Tennyson Street, Napier.

Madagascar the Musical: 20-21 April

Experience the vibrant, high-energy adventure of Madagascar The Musical on a 2024 national tour. Join the beloved characters for a heart-warming show!

The Fleetwood Mac Experience: Saturday 27 April

Relive the magic of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic ear with ‘The Fleetwood Mac Experience’ – a nostalgic journey through timeless classics and hits.

Leaving Jackson: Friday 10 May

Join Leaving Jackson in 2024 for an unforgettable night, celebrating the legendary Johnny Cash and June Carter with hits and stories.

Royal New Zealand Ballet, Swan Lake: 17-18 May

Experience the unparalleled beauty of Swan Lake with Tchaikovsky’s score, opulent designs and the brilliance of RNZB dancers in 2024.

Your Council

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