Government reform and housing priorities for Waimakariri council
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Addressing government reform and housing are priorities for the Waimakariri council over the next three years.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon has created two new portfolios in government reform and housing, as the district faces a challenging three years.
Gordon will take the lead in tackling government reform, while Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson has taken on the housing portfolio.
The appointments were confirmed at the Waimakariri District Council’s first ordinary meeting on Tuesday, November 8.
With various reforms coming the council’s way, including Three Waters, the future of local government and the Resource Management Act,
Gordon says it is important the district has a strong voice.
Housing is becoming a significant issue in the district, with a growing population, rising prices, a low rental stock and a lack of affordable housing.
Gordon also announced appointments to various committees, with each councillor allocated portfolios and set to take a turn chairing a council committee over the next three years.
‘‘We have been running a portfolio system for a number of years,’’ he says.
‘‘When I first come on to the council there was effectively an A and B team, but I think this is a much fairer system and I note other councils, including Christchurch, are looking at it.’’
The appointment of former mayor David Ayers as the Waimakariri and Hurunui representative to the Canterbury Museum Trust Board was
also confirmed.
Ayers is the board chairperson and has an important role to play in the museum’s ongoing redevelopment, Gordon says.
Councillor remuneration for the coming year was also confirmed.
Mayor Gordon’s salary is $146,838, while there is a remuneration pool of $555,247 for the 10 councillors.
Deputy mayor Atkinson’s salary is $69,373 and the nine councillors will each receive $53,986.
■ Waimakariri District Council committees:
Hearings Committee: Cr Neville Atkinson, Cr Al Blackie, Cr Robbie Brine, Cr Brent Cairns, Cr Tim Fulton, Cr Jason Goldsworthy, Cr Niki
Mealings, Cr Philip Redmond, Cr Joan Ward and Cr Paul Williams.
Chief Executive Review Committee: Mayor Dan Gordon, Cr Atkinson, Cr Redmond and Cr Ward.
Mahi Tahi Joint Development Committee: Mr Gordon, Cr Atkinson and Cr Mealings.
Audit and Risk Committee: Cr Atkinson, Cr Fulton, Cr Goldsworthy, Cr Ward and Cr Williams.
Community and Recreation Committee: Cr Blackie, Cr Brine, Cr Cairns, Cr Mealings and Cr Redmond.
District Planning and Regulation Committee: Cr Atkinson, Cr Blackie, Cr Cairns, Cr Fulton and Cr Goldsworthy.
Utilities and Roading Committee: Cr Brine, Cr Mealings, Cr Redmond, Cr Ward and Cr Williams.
Appointments:
Greater Christchurch Partnership: Mr Gordon, Cr Atkinson and Cr Mealings.
Canterbury Museum Trust Board: David Ayers.
District Licencing Committee: Commissioners Cr Atkinson (Chair), Jim Gerard (Deputy Chair), Wendy Doody, Cr Redmond and Cr Williams until review in mid-2024
Mayor Gordon - Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (CDEM Group), Greater Christchurch Public Transport Joint Committee, Canterbury Regional Land Transport Committee, Enterprise North Canterbury Trust Board.
Cr Blackie - Te Kohaka o Tuhaitara Trust.
Cr Brine - Canterbury Waste Joint Committee, Canterbury Regional Landfill Joint Committee.
Cr Fulton - Waimakariri Water Zone Committee.
Portfolios:
Mayor Gordon - Iwi Relationships, Government Reform, Greater Christchurch Partnership, Transport.
Cr Atkinson - Property and Housing, International Relationships.
Cr Blackie - Arts and Culture, Greenspace (Parks, Reserves and Sports Grounds).
Cr Brine - Solid Waste, Community Facilities (including Aquatic Centres, Multi-use Sports Stadium, Libraries/Service Centres, Town Halls
and Museums).
Cr Cairns - Community Development and Wellbeing, Business, Promotion and Town Centres.
Cr Fulton - District Planning.
Cr Goldsworthy - Civil Defence and Regulation.
Cr Mealings - Climate Change and Sustainability.
Cr Redmond - Roading.
Cr Ward - Audit, Risk, Annual/Long Term Plans, Communications and Customer Service.
Cr Williams - Drainage and Stockwater and Three Waters (Drinking Water, Sewer and Stormwater).
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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