Proudly Napier July 2023

Word from our Mayor Kirsten Wise

Kia ora koutou.

This month, we’re helping warm up winter by hosting a Matariki lightshow similar to the one we ran last year. Matariki is a wonderful celebration that really resonates with us because it is uniquely New Zealand’s. It also echoes the time of year we’re currently in. The middle of winter is a great time to think about the year ahead, and what has gone before. It’s a time to reflect but also look forward. For many in our community this is particularly important this year.

Matariki is traditionally a time to honour those who have passed away in the year, but it is also a time of remembrance, joy, peace and spending time together as a family or with our friends.

There are groups all over Hawke’s Bay who are providing opportunities to get together and think about all that Matariki means. With our Matariki events, we play a part in bringing life to the middle of the city during winter in the form of a lightshow and storytelling. Many of our council facilities like the National Aquarium and the libraries are holding Matariki events too.

Cyclone Gabrielle

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

Coming into the city on a chilly winter’s evening brings its own magic. For a city as sunny as ours can be, it’s sometimes nice to view it in a different light. With the building façades lit up and festoon lighting outside bars and restaurants, it gives us a new experience of the city we love.

With Ocean Spa newly opened there’s another enticement into the city on a winter’s evening. Soaking in the steaming spa is good for the body and the soul, and set right beside the ocean it makes for a picturesque evening out.

Both MTG and the Municipal Theatre have evening events that bring people into town. Rugging up in winter woollies and taking in a show or a movie followed by a bite to eat gives a really warm winter feeling and keeps up those social connections that are so important for wellbeing.

Whether you’re attending Matariki events, spending time socialising in town, or staying tucked up at home, connecting with the people you love and care for is the most important part of this season.

MATARIKI, HERSCHELL

Project Updates

Steps & Ramps

Keep up to date with the latest on our projects at napier.govt.nz

Tennyson Street Wastewater Treatment Plant

A clever rethink of the road near Pandora Pond is set to create a new greenspace with areas to sit and space that accommodates people travelling by foot and by bike. We’re currently transforming a section of Pandora Road from the Humber Street roundabout to the bridge into a recreational reserve. As well as a shared pedestrian and cycling pathway, the new space will include picnic areas, shaded areas and landscaping.

This new addition to Napier’s recreational areas was first identified in the 2018 Ahuriri Masterplan. The first step was realignment of the road, which creates space for the new recreational area. New parking bays and traffic safety features are also being added to the ‘No Exit’ end of Humber Street.

Several sets of steps and ramps on Napier Hill are closed due to damage from weather-related erosion, including Cyclone Gabrielle. While we work to restore them, pedestrians heading up or down Napier Hill can take alternative routes suggested below. This information is also on signs at the entrances to these steps. Onslow Steps – take the ramp at the top of Brewster Street. Faraday Steps – an erosion mat has been installed to help stabilise the slip while a permanent drainage solution is worked on.

Fitzroy Steps – a temporary set of steps has been built around a slip. It is still safe to use. When it is closed for repairs, use Fitzroy Road and Shakespeare Road to walk up or down Napier Hill.

We’re looking forward to next summer when the youngest group of pohutukawa to be planted on Marine Parade will burst into bloom.

The 35 trees planted recently near the meandering pathway between the National Aquarium of New Zealand car park and the Bike Pump Track, are sure to add a bit of colour for Christmas.

We've partnered with the Rotary Clubs of Napier to beautify this strip of foreshore reserve and Rotary Walkway.

Trees are best planted in winter, as it’s less stressful for them and gives them a chance to get settled in before the spring growth.

Engagement has started with businesses on Tennyson Street ahead of changes to make the road safer for cyclists.

Safer cycling routes and reduced emissions is the aim of the Transport Choices programme, co-funded by Waka Kotahi NZTA. This supports councils to give people more travel options, moving towards a more climate resilient future.

The project incorporates 500 metres of Tennyson Street, from the end of Kennedy Road to Milton Road. It will be the first in Napier to use road space reallocation as an economical way to create new, separated cycling lanes. This section of road is seen as a key cycle route and will give safer options for cyclists and those on scooters coming into town.

Since the cyclone damaged our Wastewater Treatment Plant, we have been working hard to get the plant back to full working capacity. This includes the two Biological Trickling Filters (BTFs), which contain microbes that break down bacteria. We are currently undertaking commissioning for the first BTF and we are targeting late July for this to be running. The microbes improve over time through careful management of effluent flow, so it will take a couple of weeks for them to come up to their pre-cyclone levels. Work on getting the second BTF online will take place soon. The Wastewater Treatment Plant can operate at precyclone levels with only one BTF. The second helps with resilience.

OFFICIAL OPENING AND REDEDICATION

of the

NAPIER WAR MEMORIAL

BY HER WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF NAPIER CITY KIRSTEN WISE

You are warmly invited to attend the official opening of the Napier War Memorial at 9am, Sunday 6 August, 2023.

At the Napier War Memorial, we are counting down to the official opening. The 36 roll of honour plaques are now in storage nearby and will be moved on site very close to the opening day.

There has been lots of activity since the roof went on the main structure of the walkway: The ponds have been waterproofed, and plastering, paving, tiling and light installations are all nearing completion.

The placement of other elements including the Perpetual Flame, the Floral Clock, flagpoles, military crests, and AV screens will be next.

It’s a big cross-discipline team of Council staff, community and contractors working on this.

We wish them well for the final touches to a project that’s close to the heart for many.

Pandora Park

A MAGICAL

LIGHT SHO W

5.30-8.30pm

Friday 7 & Saturday 8 July

Herschell Street, Napier CBD

Westshore Playground

Napier is lighting up the middle of winter with a Matariki Light Show in the centre of the City.

Morehu Te Tomo, Napier City Council’s Pou Whakarae –Director Māori Partnership, explains Matariki has rich traditions that can be brought to life for everyone in the community with the help of storytelling, lights and music.

“Matariki is for everybody,” says Morehu. “It’s a time to remember our loved ones who have passed and think about what the next year will bring. It’s New Year’s in the Māori calendar, te maramataka, so it has a feeling of celebration, reverence and spending time as a whānau and as a community.

Ocean Spa

Ocean Spa is open to visitors again and people are loving being back at the pools. New decking, lighting, changing rooms and resurfacing have improved the experience for everyone.

We’ve recently completed a project to upgrade the playground at Westshore. It’s a popular spot and it’s benefitted from a bit of a facelift. It’s on a beach reserve that has great sea views so it’s perfect for a picnic.

As well as being something locals can take pride in, it’s an attractive destination for visitors from other neighbourhoods too. Families like to make a day of their trip to Westshore, so there are amenities that support a longer stay such as gull proof bins, seating and shade sails.

The Westshore Playground is also a great example of how a greenspace can respond to other community activities happening in the same area. The Westshore Surf Lifesaving Club and Westshore School are close by so the playground incorporates multi-age equipment that caters to the wants and needs of a range of ages. A flying fox is one of the special features of the newlook playground. It also has a basket swing, in-ground trampoline and sand pit. The popular and much-loved carousel has had a well-deserved makeover.

Moon

‘Moon’, the experience, is happening at the National Aquarium between 23 June and 31 July. It will take visitors on a journey through how the Moon influences Earth, the ocean, sea-life, plant-life and humans.

“Coming together in the heart of Napier is a wonderful way to do that.”

The Matariki Light Show event is free and all ages are welcome. During the evening, the Napier Library and MTG will be open and running activities.

This is one of a number of events happening in Napier and wider Hawke’s Bay to mark Matariki this year including the Whānau Marama Light Show at Ātea a Rangi, Waitangi Park in Awatoto on various dates through June and July, and Matariki Whangai i te Hautapu – Hau Ahi on 13 July, a dawn ceremony to remember loved ones, give thanks for the harvest and blessings for the future.

For more Matariki events and activities in Napier visit napier.govt.nz #matariki2023

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

Mayor Kirsten Wise CYCLONE

Who are our unsung

GABRIELLE RECOGNITION AWARDS