Upcoming Council Meetings

22 November 2018:
Finance, Audit and Risk, and Ordinary Council

13 December 2018:
Finance, Audit and Risk, and Ordinary Council

Christmas hours

25 December 2018 – 2 January 2019:
Customer Services Closed

20 December 2018 – 10 January:
Building Consents and Planning Closed

What’s on in November and December:

Library Talk with Barbara Bull
Kia Orana – A Visual Arts Project
Wednesday 7th November, 5.30pm

Book Launch with Phil Walsh “Typical Coaster”
Saturday 17th November, 2.00 pm.

Christmas Celebration
Morning Tea and Christmas Storytime, including a visit from Santa
Thursday 13th December, from 10am

Christmas Opening Hours:

Tuesday 25 December: CLOSED

Wednesday 26 December: CLOSED

Thursday 27 December, Friday 28 December and Monday 31 December: Open 9.30am – 5.30pm

Saturday 29 December: Open 10.00am – 4.00pm

Tuesday 1 January 2019: CLOSED

Wednesday 2 January 2019: CLOSED

Normal hours resume Thursday 3 January 2019 at 9.30am

We have a great library!

“I am something of a library aficionado. In my travels I visit many. Hoki would probably be the best. Varied, well stocked and friendly staff. Just great. Enjoyed the I.T services too!”
Terry

Summer Opening Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 6.00am – 8.00pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 8.00am – 6.00pm

Christmas Hours:

• Monday 24 December: Open 8.00am – 6.00pm
• Tuesday 25 December: CLOSED
• Wednesday 26 December: CLOSED
• Thursday 26 December to Monday 31 December: Open 8.00am – 6.00pm
• Tuesday 1 January 2019: Open 12.00pm – 6.00pm
• Wednesday 2 January to Sunday 6 January: Open 8.00am – 6.00pm

No Aqua fitness classes during Christmas Hours
Please call Angie on 03 755 8119 for further information.

People love the pool!

“A wonderful young lady helped me and my friends, I was on crutches!! , wonderful service, a warm pool and a wonderful spa with a nice cup of water . Made my morning. Thank you Hokitika Pool”
Maree

Local Government allows decisions relevant to local communities to be made by the people who know their communities and region’s best. Local Government provides services and functions to the community in a transparent way.

The purpose of local government is:

• To enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities
• To meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses. (Local Government Act 2002, section 10 (1)).

Westland District Council is made up of a Mayor and eight Councillors – three Northern Ward, three Hokitika ward and two Southern ward. Two members of local Iwi, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio have full membership of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and non-voting membership of Council. Elections are held every three years. The next Council election is in October 2019. Everyone who is enrolled to vote can vote in their local council elections.

Westland District Council provides services such as local roads, sewerage systems, park maintenance, food and alcohol licencing, dog control, and assistance with local events.

To make decisions Council must consult with the public because Councillors are elected to represent the interests of the local community. Council must adopt a Long Term Plan every three years that covers a ten year period. In the years between new Long Term Plans, the Council adopts an Annual Plan that sets out what the council will do in the next 12 months. Councils must also produce an Annual Report that sets out their financial activity for the year and is independently audited.

Westland District Council works with Grey District Council, Buller District Council and the West Coast Regional Council to achieve common outcomes.

Most council funding comes from charging rates to property owners. This is a tax on the land that they own. Councils work hard to make rates reasonable. Other types of funding that councils receive are from petrol taxes, central government subsidies and grants, and fees and charges such as dog licencing.

If council receives an information request, under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 the council must respond to queries made within 20 working days of receipt. The council is entitled to charge for information in some circumstances.

See:
www.localcouncils.govt.nz
www.lgnz.co.nz
www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084
www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1987/0174
www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0006

Westland District Council congratulates the Westland finalists and winners at the 2018 Trustpower Community Awards held in Greymouth on 17 October 2018.

Winners of the Supreme Award for Westland was the Hokitika Lions who will now go to the National Awards in early 2019.

The Youth Community Spirit Award winner was Joe Glancy from South Westland Area School in Hari Hari.

Other Westland winners were:

• Westland Community Centre
• Franz Josef Community Council
• South Westland Netball Club
• MS West Coast

Further information can be found on the Trustpower website.

West Coast Civil Defence Emergency Operations training.

Early on Tuesday morning, 30 October 2018 the Alpine Fault ‘ruptured’. This scenario was developed to enable West Coast Civil Defence Emergency Management (WCCDEM), and National Urban Search and Rescue (NUSAR) to provide volunteer training on the West Coast (this included USAR staff from across the country). Some council staff members, local volunteers, first responders and USAR volunteers joined together at Westland District Council to practise how an emergency response would function during a major disaster.

The WCCDEM group spent the day working through the exercise over two shifts. This involved teams working in the different areas that make up an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) where the welfare of the community and communications are coordinated.

The USAR group were out and about for three days around the region practising the skills that will be needed in a real emergency.

Civil Defence is a great way to know that you can contribute to your community if a disaster does happen. Further information can be found here.

After the success of the inaugural 2017 Ride the Wilderness, the race returns on 17 November 2018 and will be even better than last year.

Entrants will ride the West Coast Wilderness Trial, a grade 2 rated track to Greymouth. The new Mahinapua trail will be open for race day and substitutes last year’s 2km highway road section with a 3.6km off-road ride through native bush.

With four different lengths of ride from 131km long to 26km long, the event caters to all ages and abilities. Race categories include children’s, Men’s and Women’s age categories, cancer survivors, and a Clydesdale category. There is also a non-competitive E-Bike category (pedal assisted only).

Sign up to challenge yourself, or get together a team, and enjoy the beautiful and diverse trail scenery. Entries are filling up fast!

The Hokitika RSA and the Hokitika Museum are bringing noise and colour to Westland to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the WWI Armistice on 11 November 2018.

A number of events are planned starting on the evening of Saturday 10 November with a light and video display, and an Anzac Biscuit competition and sing-a-long hosted by the Hokitika Museum. On Sunday 11 November RSA President, Jim Butzbach will unveil a Remembrance Panel at All Saints at 8.30am, followed by a re-enaction of the Roaring Chorus at 11am in Cass Square.

Citizens throughout New Zealand are encouraged to join in the Roaring Chorus. More information can be found here.