Message from the Mayor

Published on March 01, 2024

Kia ora Horowhenua,

On Friday 15 March consultation for our Long Term Plan 2024-2044 (LTP) will open. The LTP sets our direction for the next 20 years, outlining our activities and providing a long term focus for decision making. Challenging times call for challenging choices. The cost of living continues to rise, and like many households, Council have some tough decisions to make.

In this difficult economic climate, maintaining status quo would see a 23.6% rates increase. After months of workshops, meetings and exploring options, Council have endorsed a draft LTP budget that proposes a rates increase of 17.4%. Council’s increased interest costs, depreciation, insurance and utilities alone, account for 14% of this proposed rates increase.

Our key financial goal is to manage growth while living within our means. The big questions we’ll explore is what services do we need for our community? How should we fund kerbside recycling? How should we share costs - who pays for what? Consultation will close on 15 April 2024 and we are keen for your feedback. There will be lots of different ways that you can provide your feedback, so keep an eye out for ways to learn more about these topics and how you can have your say on the future of our district. 

To build a stronger and more vibrant community, we’re also reaching out for valuable feedback through resident satisfaction surveys. They help us understand what we’re doing well and what needs to improve, so we can focus on our community aspirations and so we can better plan for the future.

Thank you to everyone who has already participated in our infrastructure surveys. We’re also interested in your thoughts on our Leadership & Engagement, and our Parks & Spaces. Links to the online surveys can be found on our How are we really doing page, and a large number of you will receive an email with more information. Each short survey only takes 1 to 2 minutes to complete and you have until Monday 11 March 2024 to complete them and be in the draw.

It’s been my honour to acknowledge special members of our community in the past two weeks. On Tuesday we welcomed 28 new friends in becoming New Zealanders during a Citizenship Ceremony in Council Chambers, and last Saturday I paid respect to the animals who, in both wartime and times of peace, have provided service, comfort and support to so many, during a Purple Poppy Day ceremony.

I’d also like to acknowledge the young people and their whānau who participated in the Let’s Move Together triathlon series last weekend. Not only was it a great way to be healthy and active and make new friends, it was a lot of fun.

I also congratulate the Shannon Progressive Association for another very successful Car Show two weekends ago. It was great to see so many people enjoying the array of different vehicles and supporting the Shannon Community.

It was also good to meet with a number of people at Catch Up with Mayor Bernie last week. I am in Foxton today and will be at Shannon Library on Friday 8 March at 10.30am and there will be more held later in the year. Please come and have a chat with me.

Ngā mihi

Mayor Bernie Wanden