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Well, don't wait too long! This issue is packed with good reads and amazing offers from our friends and partners. We take a close look at urban farmer Freeman Farms, and visit an Auckland coastal garden that the owner waited three long decades to create as well as a Dunedin garden where … View moreWell, don't wait too long! This issue is packed with good reads and amazing offers from our friends and partners. We take a close look at urban farmer Freeman Farms, and visit an Auckland coastal garden that the owner waited three long decades to create as well as a Dunedin garden where they’ve grown flowers for nearly 50 years. We're still on the hunt for our Houseplant Hero, thanks to our friends at Yates and Kings Plant Barn. Nominations are now open for our 2020 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year too! There’s a feature on walnut growers in NZ, highlights of new roses coming out this year and of course, details on how to get yourself $20 worth of free bulbs from NZ Bulbs.
State Highway 1 has reopened after a two-truck crash which blocked it for more than an hour north of…
Painting services Wellington, Interior - Exterior, Quality guaranteed, free no obligation quotes.
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Imagine watching the Milky Way from an underwater hot spring hammock in the mountains. Read more on Stuff.co.nz by clicking the link below.
Many thought that the lack of international travellers would mean that Kiwi families would fill their shoes – at a fraction of the cost. But the reality is that it's still not that cheap. We have some ideas to get you started, read about them in our story below. Have you booked a getaway for… View moreMany thought that the lack of international travellers would mean that Kiwi families would fill their shoes – at a fraction of the cost. But the reality is that it's still not that cheap. We have some ideas to get you started, read about them in our story below. Have you booked a getaway for the school holidays? Where are you going? Did you find it was more affordable or not?
It’s Four Square’s 96th Birthday - but you get the birthday cards!
Spend $25 or more at your local Four Square and get one of three free collectable card games! Hurry instore before they’re gone! Offer ends July 12, while stocks last.
T&Cs apply.
Porirua City Council (PCC) is changing its District Plan to use a fast-track process for the Plimmerton Farm development, and is asking for the public to give their views on it. This is our only chance to influence the outcome of this development by persuading the Minister for the Environment (who … View morePorirua City Council (PCC) is changing its District Plan to use a fast-track process for the Plimmerton Farm development, and is asking for the public to give their views on it. This is our only chance to influence the outcome of this development by persuading the Minister for the Environment (who makes the final decision on the plan change) to protect the unique values of the Taupō Swamp and wetlands in the area. We will have to live with the decisions made now in perpetuity.
Exciting news! We've teamed up with NZ Gardener for the Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year 2020. This year, Kiwis can nominate and read nominations on Neighbourly.
Ryman Healthcare with NZ Gardener is on the hunt for green-fingered good sorts – individuals or groups who have used … View moreExciting news! We've teamed up with NZ Gardener for the Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year 2020. This year, Kiwis can nominate and read nominations on Neighbourly.
Ryman Healthcare with NZ Gardener is on the hunt for green-fingered good sorts – individuals or groups who have used their gardening skills to help other people.
There are some amazing prizes up for grabs so if you know a homegrown hero who is using their gardening skills for good, nominate them here now!
We’re celebrating the latest issue of The Forever Project magazine! It explores how New Zealand can bounce back from Covid-19 in a climate-friendly way. Find that content at foreverproject.co.nz.
For a sustainable future, join Stuff in The Forever Project. Sign up to our weekly newsletter and … View moreWe’re celebrating the latest issue of The Forever Project magazine! It explores how New Zealand can bounce back from Covid-19 in a climate-friendly way. Find that content at foreverproject.co.nz.
For a sustainable future, join Stuff in The Forever Project. Sign up to our weekly newsletter and be in to win one of 100 limited-edition reusable beeswax Honeywraps. Each wrap can save 75 metres of plastic going into our landfill or oceans.
Clean up around your place with your choice of a free Resene cleaning product when you spend $100 or more at your local Resene owned ColorShop until 27 July 2020. Plus get 10L of Resene Ceiling Paint white for $99. Tinting and PaintWise levy extra.
These offers are available to … View moreClean up around your place with your choice of a free Resene cleaning product when you spend $100 or more at your local Resene owned ColorShop until 27 July 2020. Plus get 10L of Resene Ceiling Paint white for $99. Tinting and PaintWise levy extra.
These offers are available to Resene cardholders – if you don’t have one you can sign up free when you’re in store.
At KCDC’s first meeting of the new triennium on 7 November 2019, significant changes to the Council’s governance framework were made with little to no explanation of the rationale behind the changes.
The Local Government Act provides for the Mayor to establish committees and appoint his … View moreAt KCDC’s first meeting of the new triennium on 7 November 2019, significant changes to the Council’s governance framework were made with little to no explanation of the rationale behind the changes.
The Local Government Act provides for the Mayor to establish committees and appoint his choice of elected members to serve on those committees. In this triennium, the Mayor disestablished the (previously separate) Operations and Finance Committee and Strategy and Policy Committees. Instead, it appears he amalgamated them into one ‘super’ Committee, now called the Strategy and Operations Committee.
Given KCDC is the second most indebted Council in the country, the absence of a finance-specific committee may serve to diminish specific focus and scrutiny of Council finances. Such a major change needs explanation and justification.
The second significant change to the governance framework was the introduction of portfolio management positions. The accompanying Officer’s Report explains that, “A portfolio approach enables individual councillors to be given responsibility for a particular focus and enables individual councillors to take an active leadership role within the community.”
The 14 portfolios identified in the report fall into 2 categories, A and B. Elected members holding portfolios in category A receive an additional $14,610 per annum in remuneration, and those holding portfolios in category B receive an additional $9,056 per annum in remuneration. The Officer’s Report provides no detail on how these portfolio holders will report back to the Council or the community. Nor does it detail how their roles will influence inputs to decision-making.
An Official Information Act request for all documents and correspondences relating to portfolio management since the commencement of the triennium, provided me with little written evidence that councillors are taking an “active leadership” role in those assigned areas.
The documents obtained indicate that initially, staff were assigned to be liaison officers to the portfolio holders, but that action seems to be as far as the implementation of the new governance framework has progressed. The scope of work specific to each portfolio and the public reporting requirements from portfolio holders is not defined. There are no ongoing meetings between portfolio holders and staff. Discussions with various councillors indicate they too are confused with respect to how to make substantive progress within these specific portfolio governance roles.
Some Councillors have more than one portfolio assigned, whereas Councillor Randall has no portfolio assignment at all. I understand he was never offered one.
This new governance framework was to be reviewed by Council three months from the commencement of the triennium. This has not happened. In an email dated 21 January 2020, the Mayor explains to councillors that, “…this is a new approach so there is a suck-it-and-see element”.
My investigation of the new governance framework suggests the implementation of portfolio management has been woeful. There is no accountability mechanism in place for the community to judge the effectiveness of councillors in these roles. The non-assignment of a portfolio to one councillor seems undemocratic for him and his constituents. And the single ‘super’ Committee structure is of concern for reasons that I will outline in a future column.
Hey neighbours, there are few Kiwis who haven't experienced cold or damp housing at some point in New Zealand, whatever part of the country you call home. So what's being done to change that for future generations?
Here's … View moreHey neighbours, there are few Kiwis who haven't experienced cold or damp housing at some point in New Zealand, whatever part of the country you call home. So what's being done to change that for future generations?
Here's how a passive revolution and building code changes could help our health - and the climate.
We found this photo in a retro booklet all about the Waterloo Pumping Station (now known as the Waterloo Water Treatment Plant) from 1981, and had to compare it to what it looks like now!
The station opened on 15 May 1981, and was designed to use the artesian underground water resource of the … View moreWe found this photo in a retro booklet all about the Waterloo Pumping Station (now known as the Waterloo Water Treatment Plant) from 1981, and had to compare it to what it looks like now!
The station opened on 15 May 1981, and was designed to use the artesian underground water resource of the Lower Hutt Valley to its maximum extent 💧
Eight wells supply water from the Waiwhetu aquifer to the Water Treatment Plant located right next to the Waterloo Train Station 🚉
Learn more about the treatment plant here: wellingtonwater.co.nz/your-water/drinking-water/
Over 70% off Crazy Deals, be quick. Floor stock deals, only while stocks last.
Are you spending a lot more time at home these days and constantly tired of freezing during winter? Let us help you make your home warmer, drier and healthier all year round with a tailored retrofit double glazing solution for your home. Get your free measure and quote here or call 0800 658 658.
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