19 April 2021
| Meeting | Date | Time |
| Council | Thursday, 29 April | 1.00 pm |
| Capital Projects Committee | Tuesday, 4 May | 3.00 pm |
| Extraordinary Meeting to adopt the draft Long Term Plan 2021 – 2031 and draft Consultation Document | Friday, 7 May | 9.00 am |
| Audit and Risk Committee | Tuesday, 11 May | 1.00 pm |
| Economic Development Committee | Tuesday, 18 May | 3.00 pm |
| Council | Thursday, 27 May | 1.00 pm |
Photo Credit: John Stowell
19 April 2021
The Library has a range of fantastic events special and regular events. Check out our Facebook page and website for details of all our events and activities. Bookings can be made by contacting the library on library@westlib.co.nz or calling 03 755 6208.
| Special Events | Date | Time |
| Anzac Crafts
Registrations essential |
Monday 19 April – Friday 23 April | 10.30am – 11.30am |
| Library Talk: Ngā Kaikiaki o Tane
Join us to talk about planting to attract native birds and insects, endangered native plants and animals, rongoa Māori (traditional healing) and more. |
Wednesday, 21 April | 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm |
| Regular Events | ||
| Tea and Tales
Dementia friendly book group Registration required |
Mondays | 10.30 am |
| Wriggle and Rhyme Storytime
Wriggle and Rhyme promotes active movement for babies and toddlers. |
Tuesdays during the school term
|
10.30am – 11.00 am |
| STEAM Club
STEAM Club is a six-week programme for children 8 years and upwards. Registration required |
Tuesdays during the school term
|
3.30 pm – 4.30 pm |
| Monthly Wellbeing Conversation Group
Explore and share the many different ways to become and stay well, in body and mind. |
Wednesday
5 May and 2 June |
11.00 am – 12.00 pm |
| Justice of the Peace | Thursdays | 11.00 am – 1.00 pm |
| Children’s Book Club
A great opportunity for children to meet new people, listen to stories, talk about books and play games. |
Thursdays, fortnightly during the school term | 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm |
| Café Books | Saturdays | 10.30 am |
| Ngā Kaikiaki o Tane
Become a guardian of our native flora and fauna. Family friendly, all welcome |
Saturdays
1 May, 12 June, and 3 july |
2.00pm – 3.30pm |
For more information about the upcoming events, check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LibraryHokitika/events/?ref=page_internal
Okarito Community Highlight
19 April 2021
Congratulations to the Okarito community for their achievement in working together to make a difference to the environment that they are living and working in every day.
With about 90 unique voluteers from around NZ working through the week of 22 – 27 March, doing about 335 volunteer days contributed to the project, they have treated 19km of shoreline around the lagoon for gorse, weeds and rubbish, with a massive amount of additional hard work done in the saltmarsh, low wetland islands and creek delta’s of the lagoon, that offer great whitebait breeding grounds and bird habitat.
Organiser Barry Hughes, says:
“About 110kg of Picloram-based herbicide was used to paint the stumps of gorse plants through the week – manufacturer’s advice suggests this is enough to treat about 26,000 gorse trees with a 20mm diameter. Given that one tree cut had a diameter in excess of 400mm, we’ll maybe settle for claiming 25,950 gorse trees and one prehistoric monster.
Rubbish – but pleasingly, not a great deal – was also cleared from around the areas we worked; a couple of other invasive weeds or trees like Tutson or willows treated or identified to be dealt with later.
This project wouldn’t have been possible without the huge help we got from local bach owners and the Okarito community, who accommodated all the volunteers that gave up their time to travel here from all around the country and help out. The local families and farmers who provided food from both the pantry or paddock or Te Runanga o Makaawhio who supported the project from the start and provided kai. Organisations like DOC and DWC pulled every string they could to get news out there and supplies organised.
We’d like to thank the many West Coast businesses who gave generous support though goods and services.
The plan is to survey this area in November when any remaining gorse should be flowering, to easily identify what we’ve missed; we’ve got what we can but are realistic there’s more to do.”
They hope to be back next year to tackle this pest further so follow them on their Facebook page.
Photo Supply Credit – Barry Hughes, Okarito Gorsebusters
19 April 2021
It is with sadness that Westland District Council acknowledges the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
A public screening of the Memorial Service in Wellington will be held at Hokitika RSA, 22 Sewell Street, Hokitika on Wednesday 21 April at 3.00pm, with Tea and Coffee to follow.
The community is also invited to sign the condolence book, which is currently at Westland District Library in Hokitika and to leave floral tributes.
You can read more about Prince Philip, including his time spent in New Zealand, as well as other information including the messages of condolence from the Prime Minister and Governor-General, how to leave messages of condolence online and advice on half-masting of flags on the Governor General’s website:
https://gg.govt.nz/office-governorgeneral/death-hrh-prince-philip-duke-edinburgh
Photo Credit: The Royal Household
2021 - 2031 Long Term Plan
19 April 2021
Adoption of the draft Long Term Plan and Consultation Documents is scheduled for 7 May 2021.
Following the adoption of the documents, consultation will open to the public on 10 May and continue until midday on 11 June. The Consultation Document, draft LTP and other relevant supporting information will be available on our website.
The Consultation Document is a summary of the contents of the draft Long Term Plan and provides information about proposed rates and borrowing, the proposed capital plan for the next 10 years and the proposed strategy for funding Council’s work. Within it, Councillors are asking the community to consider three issues, and provide feedback on what decisions will be most beneficial to the community:
Councillors would also like to know the community’s thoughts on the proposed Rates Remission – Adverse Possession Policy.
Keep an eye on our website for the documents and how to make a submission.
19 April 2021
The Government is consulting on how to make freedom camping in New Zealand more sustainable.
A public meeting will be held in Hokitika on Tuesday 20 April, 10.30am – 12.30pm at the Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street Hokitika.
Responsible camping has a long history in Aotearoa New Zealand. Many New Zealanders enjoy travelling around the country, staying outside established campgrounds – and some see it as an important part of their birthright as New Zealanders to camp around New Zealand at low or no cost.
However, in recent years, the increasing number of freedom campers has raised concern from some communities around freedom campers’ cumulative impact on the environment, and the cost to host them. In particular, this concern has focused on the subset of freedom campers who stay in cars, or vans with sleeping platforms, that are not self-contained. This form of freedom camping is impacting on the social licence for tourism, and putting at risk New Zealand’s reputation as a destination that delivers a sustainable, high quality visitor experience.
The Government considers that while the borders are closed to international visitors, now is the time to address some of the systemic issues facing freedom camping.
This document presents four proposals for consideration:
Find out more and make your submission on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.
19 April 2021
New speed limits will be implemented around the Westland District in May, following the Council amending the Speed Limit Bylaw. Residents will soon see current signage replaced with the new speed limits. Some new signs will be erected in areas that do not have signs.
The new speed limit maps can be viewed on the Council’s website.
19 April 2021
Yearly maintenance of Cass Square is underway to keep the field in top condition following the sports and events season. Contractors Ground & Services Limited completed the work within two days, dethatching, aerating and spreading sand to prepare the turf for fertiliser. The fields are expected to recover well and sports and community groups should be able to use it again without too much delay.
19 April 2021
The construction of the Arahura water treatment plant is well underway with equipment currently being installed in its prefabricated building.
Process Flow Ltd are constructing the treatment plant at their Nelson based workshop and will transport the building to the Arahura site on completion. Civil work is expected to commence on the vehicle access track during April, which includes the building foundation and trenching for the water delivery pipework.
The project is on track for completion in July 2021.
Ngā Puninga Toi ā-Ahurea me ngā Kaupapa | Cultural Installations and Events
19 April 2021
Manatū Taonga is providing support to the cultural sector to develop and transform our landscape, bringing culture and creativity to people.
Funding is available to create installations and events. They must be free to experience and bring culture and creativity to people in our communities. They’ll need to be in easy to access spaces people regularly go or are easy to discover, such as community hubs, shopping malls, parks, beaches, marae, churches, reserves, or along a waterfront.
Applications are now open for between $1,000 and $20,000. There are two rounds of funding in 2021.
This funding aims to create employment and skill development opportunities for cultural practitioners and allow more people to participate in our cultural sector.
Round one opened on 9 April and closes on 7 May.
See the Ministry of Culture and Heritage for eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Photo Credit: Nicole Tai Photography
19 April 2021
Residents might be aware that banks in New Zealand will soon refuse cheque payments, and our local Westpac branch in Hokitika closed at the end of March.
If you have concerns about how to make payments to Council, please contact us so that we can help you with alternative arrangements.
You can make payments to us in the following ways:
Customer Service staff are happy to assist you to use our website to make a payment.
For more information about making payments, please contact Council on 0800 474 834.
Photo by rupixen.com on Unsplash
