Membership of the Motueka community board is voted for by residents during the local government elections, held every three years. Motueka ward councillors are also part of the Motueka community board.
Contact details for the Motueka community board are as follows:
Email: mcb@tasman.govt.nz
| Name | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Terina Graham (Chairperson) | 027 483 7462 | terina.graham@tasman.govt.nz |
| Claire Hutt (Deputy Chair) | 027 659 1563 | claire.hutt@tasman.govt.nz |
| Nick Hughes | nick.hughes@tasman.govt.nz | |
| David Armstrong | 021 024 37008 | david.armstrong@tasman.govt.nz |
Motueka Ward Councillors |
||
| Cr Barry Dowler | 027 270 5036 | barry.dowler@tasman.govt.nz |
| Cr Brent Maru | 027 285 7075 | brent,maru@tasman.govt.nz |
| Cr Trindi Walker | 021 728 035 | Trindi.Walker@tasman.govt.nz |
The Board has had a full-on start to 2024. As well as two busy monthly meeting agendas dealing with a range of local matters, we’ve been involved in planning and developing positions on several key activities.
Our list of annual ‘Special Projects’ for developing local amenities was created, and last month voted on by our residents. Thanks for the massive amount of feedback we received on these. The results are being tallied and the successful projects will be confirmed by June.
We have created a new Code of Conduct for our Board Members, which reflects more accurately the roles and activities of a community board rather than of a larger regional council. We plan to formally adopt the code this month.
The Board has done a lot of work this year to encourage the Council to modify its regulations around people living in temporary, transportable accommodation such as caravans to ease some of our local problems around homelessness. This work is ongoing.
We have contributed ideas and local knowledge to the review and decision-making by the Council about the future use of the old library building area in Pah Street, results will be shared soon.
We supported activities that enabled our residents to feed back their opinions for the Council’s 10-Year Plan. We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to check out the options offered and provide your opinions on them by 28 April.
The Motueka Community Board has had a busy start to the year. The Board workshopped and completed a code of conduct which will be tabled for adoption.
We had a strategic planning session highlighting some areas of importance to our community and how the Board can help effect positive change.
The public forum covered topics from solutions for shower gutter build-up at the saltwater baths, an idea to introduce smart bins to accommodate increased use of bins at Decks Reserve, emergency pods, concerns with Council classifying people sovereign citizens and unreasonable complainants, aerodrome noise management, and a request for support on how best to address concerns with the Council.
If you wish to speak at a Council or Community Board public forum, pop into your local service centre or use the form on the this page to secure a five-minute speaking slot.
Deputy Chair Claire Hutt is managing our Special Projects – you can find details using the link at the top of this page. Feedback closes on 28 March.
There will be a drop-in session coming soon covering the swimming pool and 10-Year Plan.
2023 was a very busy and colourful year for the Motueka Community Board. With a significant increase in community attendance and engagement, we heard from 55 speakers at public forums, granted $6,400 of Discretionary Funding to local groups and initiatives, and contributed over $85,000 to Special Projects across the Motueka Ward.
We are preparing for the next round of Special Projects that the community will be able to vote on soon.
Our Board meets publicly from February to December on the third Tuesday of every month at Motueka Library. Meetings start at 4.00 pm with up to 30 minutes devoted to the public forum; this gives members of the Ward an opportunity to address the Community Board with any concerns, queries, or ideas. We hear a variety of things from poo in the park, aerodrome noise, street sign requests, and pitting of copper cylinders from chlorination to solar energy efficiencies. If you are interested in having a speaking slot, please register on the Council website, or inquire at the Motueka Service Centre.
In addition to our monthly meetings, Board members attend workshops, committee meetings and public engagements, review Council recommendations, write submissions, and most importantly listen to and advocate for the community.
Members of our Board are Chair – Terina Graham, Deputy Chair – Claire Hutt, Board members Nick Hughes and David Armstrong, and the three Motueka Ward Councillors, Trindi Walker, Brent Maru and Barry Dowler.
You can reach us individually (firstname.lastname@tasman.govt.nz) or as a group by emailing motuekacommunityboard@tasman.govt.nz. We are looking forward to a productive year ahead.
As we start a new year in 2024, I would like to congratulate Terina Graham on being elected as the Motueka Community Board Chair.
Being the Motueka Community Board Chair for six years between 2016 and 2022 was an honour and privilege for me.
When elected as a Councillor in 2022, I was reappointed to the Board as one of the three Motueka Ward Councillors, and then undertook the role of Chair again for about six months.
The Board has a key role in advocating to Council and to be both a Councillor and Board Chair brought conflicting challenges. In one case, seeking feedback from the Board as a Councillor, and in another case giving feedback to Council as the Board Chair.
Traditionally the role of Chair is held by one of the Community Board elected members and not a Councillor, and I can now see why this has been the case.
So please know that I continue to be on the Motueka Community Board as one of the Motueka Councillors, and will continue to be available for residents to contact me, but I will no longer chair the Motueka Community Board.
I know the headlines of “Community Board Chair resigns” didn’t capture the entire story, so I hope this reassures you that I remain committed to Motueka and the region of Tasman.
Councillor Brent Maru
At the Board’s October meeting, two speakers highlighted their concern about a recent fence that had been erected at the old Motueka Wharf in Motueka Quay. The Board was pleased to be informed that staff had approved the removal of this fence following considerable community feedback. A sign advising of the potential safety concerns would remain and discussions about a potential restoration project were being led by some members of the community.
The Transport Choices project team provided an update on the Motueka projects with a follow-up workshop with Board Members on the western side projects.
Two applications, Motueka Pony Club $513.13 and Seed Hunter Tribe $700 were granted through the Board’s Discretionary Grant funding. For any community organisations specifically targeting youth in Motueka, the Board currently has a balance of $4,825 for distribution. Grants are limited to $700 per application. Further information about the Board’s available grants can be found at tasman.govt.nz/grants.
Barry Johnson provided the Board with an update on the current Mountains to the Sea programme and how the Board and community could provide feedback via the Shape Tasman website. Find out more about this work in this issue of Newsline or visit shape.tasman.govt.nz/freshwater-outcomes.
It is pleasing to see the completion of a long-term project, the Motueka Skatepark. This was supported by the Board’s Special Projects Fund, external funding from Lottery Grants, Rātā Foundation and the New Zealand Community Trust through funding from Hotel Motueka. This has resulted in a significant upgrade to the skatepark, a truly valued and well-utilised community facility.
A question regarding playgrounds in Motueka was asked through the public forum, asking how playgrounds were assessed and maintained and how the benefit to the community was measured. Officers advised that external contractors assessed the safety of specific equipment against national safety standards and in any upgrade where equipment could be relocated and used, this was undertaken.
The Board has had both Thorp Bush and Decks Reserve as projects of focus. At the September meeting, the Board received a concept plan based on the Board’s and Motueka Youth Council’s desire to upgrade Decks Reserve to a more accessible playground as well as an option to host a 3-on-3 outdoor basketball court. The planning is in the early stages and will be dependent on available funding.
The agenda may have been slim at the Motueka Community Board August meeting, but the room was filled by members of the Motueka Community.
Whilst a large percentage were present to express concern regarding the Transport Choices projects in Motueka, other presenters also raised concern over the availability of Bee Cards for the new bus service and some early teething problems, that now look to be resolved.
The Board were also informed that a “repair café” was also in the planning for Motueka, and a renewed plea for a Motueka bypass and new bridge.
Public forum is available for Motueka residents to pre-register to provide the Board with up to a 5-minute presentation. A total of 30 minutes is currently available (in essence, up to six speakers), to address the Board monthly.
Recently, the Council adopted an amendment to Standing Orders, allowing up to 10 minutes if the presentation is from a group or organisation. Whilst this remains within the 30 minutes allocated, it does allow for a more in-depth presentation and the ability for questions from board members to occur.
The Board will have the opportunity to review Standing Orders and discuss any potential amendment to these.
To register to speak at the public forum, please contact the Board Secretary by using the contact form below or emailing emma.gee@tasman.govt.nz.
The Kiyosato Gardens are located in Decks Reserve, Motueka, and are named to celebrate the sister town relationship between Motueka and Kiyosato in Japan.
In September, Motueka will again welcome a 21-strong visiting group from our sister city, Kiyosato.
The Board acknowledges the work of the local organising committee that has enabled young people from both towns to immerse themselves into a new culture of their visiting towns. The exchanges have created lifelong intergenerational friendships, having formed a strong bond between our two towns.
Motueka High School is currently hosting a student from Kiyosato, and similarly, a student from Motueka High School is currently in Kiyosato, Japan.
In other happenings, the new Motueka Skatepark opening is scheduled for Saturday 2 September. The Board is excited to see this well-overdue upgrade of a popular recreational area.
Planning for the upgrade of the Decks Reserve playground is also underway. This upgrade will feature new accessible playground equipment. This is another project that was led by the Motueka Youth Council and is supported through the Board’s Special Projects Fund.
There have been some recent questions about how our community can engage with the Motueka Community Board, either formally or informally.
Formally, members of the community can request to speak at the Board’s monthly meeting by registering as a presenter at the public forum. This provides people with the opportunity to address the Board for up to five minutes on matters relevant to the Board’s delegations.
To register to speak at a Community Board meeting, please contact the Board Secretary: emma.gee@tasman.govt.nz.
Often individual Board members are contacted by residents, and we are happy to meet with you and utilise the small meeting space at the Motueka Library as a central meeting space.
The Board has a Discretionary Grant Fund available for projects within the Motueka Ward that demonstrate a clear benefit to the community, including addressing an identified community need.
There is a $700 maximum amount for applications for projects. Get more details and complete the online application form.
Through this month’s column, the Board wanted to focus on acknowledging the recent AF8 public meeting held in Motueka and reinforce the need for us all to have a plan.
Alpine Fault Magnitude 8 is a coordinated response planning and community engagement project that is designed to build resilience in preparation for the next Alpine Fault earthquake.
Whilst no one can predict when earthquakes will occur, scientific research indicates there is a 75% probability of an Alpine Fault earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, and that there is a 4 out of 5 chance that it will be magnitude 8+.
The presentation gave an overview of the science including historical events underlying the prediction, but of most importance was the message for communities to prepare. Preparation means preparing personally, having plans with family and friends, and linking within neighbourhoods to build a strong sense of community.
It is important to recognise in the worst-case scenarios, roading and power networks cannot be relied on and whilst help will be rallied, it is important that we all have plans to look after ourselves and others for a time.
There is a positive in having a plan in place should a significant earthquake occur, and that is this planning can be used for any other weather event or natural disaster.
For more information on AF8, visit af8.org.nz or for Civil Defence nelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz.
A presenter at the Motueka Community Board public forum provided the Board with some insight into her role as a Census collector and wanted to highlight the number of households visited that did not have access to online platforms.
The Library, Council Service Centre and contacting one of your elected Board Members are other options available to the community for providing feedback or seeking information.
An update was provided by the Transport Choices project team for enhanced cycling and walking paths throughout Motueka. This project is a result of the Walking and Cycling Strategy adopted in the last term of Council. Funding has since been provided by the Government.
Following the presentation, the Board has requested that the Council extend the consultation period to allow impacted residents and businesses throughout the High Street portion of this project (Wharf Road to Whakarewa Street) to have the opportunity to provide feedback.
The Motueka Swimming Pool Committee had a strong presence at the public forum, advocating strongly on behalf of the community for investment from the Council for an indoor heated pool. Their request was strongly endorsed by representatives from Motueka Rotary and Lions’ clubs. This will be a key project for the community to consider through the Long Term Plan process.
Our roles focus on ensuring local issues and opinions are known to Council staff, and advocating for actions or initiatives which will enhance the Motueka ward community.
Council plans and performs many tasks which affect us all, and the Community Board tries to influence them as best we can. But there are some areas where we can make our own decisions on behalf of our community.
Two such areas which we are currently deciding on are changes to our Discretionary Funding scheme and forming a policy on the replacement of problematic trees.
Our Discretionary Fund allows us to provide up to $500 to community groups for projects they are running, with applications made every three months. The Board have decided to increase the maximum amount to $700 and permit applications to be heard every month. We are working with the Council to finalise these changes.
The Board wants a policy written that would require replacements for any trees in the ward that are to be removed for safety or other reasons. The wording of the new policy is being drawn up which will include how many replacements, what type, located where, and who pays.
We had a meeting earlier this week and the next one is on Tuesday 16 May, 4.00 pm at the Motueka Library. All are welcome. The first half hour is dedicated to the public forum where anyone can speak for up to five minutes on a local issue that the Community Board may be able to help with.
The Motueka Community Board has sorted through more than 35 submitted suggestions for the use of its 2023 Special Projects Fund and has now agreed on a short list for our community to vote on in the coming fortnight.
This $55,000 fund is a special annual feature of the Board’s work, allowing projects to be undertaken which do not fit within the Council’s Annual Plan or budget.
We encourage people in the Motueka Ward to have their say by ranking their project preferences, either via the newspaper advert or our online survey which can be found at shape.tasman.govt.nz.
The Board have just held our March meeting, and our next one will be on Tuesday 18 April, starting at 4.00 pm in the Motueka Library. All are welcome. The agenda will be available on the Council’s website a few days earlier.
The first half hour of the meeting is dedicated to the public forum, when anyone can speak for up to five minutes on a local issue that the Community Board may be able to help with.
We encourage you to come along and have your say. To ensure a speaking spot, register at the Council Service Centre or email mcb@tasman.govt.nz before the meeting.
One other focus of our work at present is helping Council planners to gather information from as many people as possible about community priorities, as the first step in the renewal of the 10-Year Plan for the District. Watch out for events and online surveys on this theme over the next month.
Community boards are separately elected advisory bodies and are not Council committees. Their main role is to represent, and act as an advocate for the interests of their community.
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