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1663 days ago

Mayor Anita Baker

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

Mayor Anita Baker. Anita was elected last October after nine years on the Council, with a business-friendly, city growth agenda, but needless to say the pandemic and lockdown have derailed things for the moment.

Virtual meetings have taken the place of regular ones. Anita is attending up to five each day with various groups inside and outside the city. She has a key role in chairing the Wellington Mayors Emergency Management Group, normally a low-key job but now thrust into prominence. Porirua’s own emergency management office has sprung into action, working two shifts and dealing with all manner of issues, including food for the needy.

Looking to the future, the Mayor noted that Porirua had recorded the highest growth in the Wellington region in recent years but this had strained housing supply and infrastructure.

The City’s ability to withstand shocks is not strong, and risks needed to be carefully managed. In the present circumstances, the proposed rates increase of 4.9% would need to be reduced, so all expenditure was under review.

Three ‘shovel ready’ projects have been put to the Government for funding. Ministers have indicated they are sympathetic to projects which have a regional basis, so city amalgamation is back on the agenda, although Anita noted that some local mayors would fight it, as before.

She referred to the run-down look of the city centre, which needs revitalisation with decent restaurants and fewer empty shops. However, there are opportunities for new development where land and buildings are available, giving good reason for optimism.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Have you seen Graham?

The Team from Wellington District Police

The 77-year-old was last seen by family at the Colonial Knob walkway near Porirua, on ‘The Doctor’ track, around 5:45pm.
He is potentially suffering dementia, and has difficulty hearing.
Graham is around 165cm tall, of slight build, wearing a blue puffer jacket and brown corduroy pants.
Police are in the area searching, but if you have any information that may help, please call 111 and quote event number P060575913.

11 hours ago

Paint it orange with Resene for Arthritis NZ!

Resene

Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop in November and Resene will donate $1 to Arthritis NZ!

The more orange testpots you buy, the more will be donated.
Find out more

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11 hours ago

$100 Briscoes winners

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Congrats to our winners of the $100 Briscoes vouchers:

Miriam Comans from Hataitai

Tash Rawlinson from Beach Haven

Blair Mayston from Maryhill

David Tomlinson from Tauranga

If you're a winner, get in touch here before 20th November.

Not a winner this week? There's always next week!

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