Membership of the Motueka community board is voted for by residents during the local government elections, held every three years. Motueka ward councillors are also part of the Motueka community board.
Contact details for the Motueka community board are as follows:
Email: [email protected]
| Name | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Terina Graham (Chairperson) | 027 483 7462 | [email protected] |
| Claire Hutt (Deputy Chair) | 027 659 1563 | [email protected] |
| Nick Hughes | [email protected] | |
| Seat vacant | ||
Motueka Ward Councillors |
||
| Cr Barry Dowler | 027 270 5036 | [email protected] |
| Cr Brent Maru | 027 285 7075 | brent,[email protected] |
| Cr Trindi Walker | 021 728 035 | [email protected] |
On Friday 8 November, Board members joined a well-attended event to open the refurbished playground at Decks Reserve, which has been well-utilised since opening.
Many thanks to all those involved in this significant project that encourages exploration and is sure to bring joy to many in our community and visitors alike.
We acknowledge the history and people who connect to the area and appreciate the growth of relationships with every project between the Council, iwi, and community.
Collaboration with iwi representatives on the design depicts the movement of the river from the mountain to the moana. The native planting surrounds were specifically chosen to link to Te Maatu – the big forest.
Chair Terina Graham and Mayor Tim King planted a well-established Totara at the entrance to commemorate the event.
Some of the new items include basket swings, carousel, hardwood drums and a 3v3 basketball court with height adjustable hoop. We were fortunate to have former basketballer Tony Strange on the project adding valuable input into how these spaces will be utilised.
The Board remains focused on key issues facing our community, including housing concerns, and continues to be engaged in supporting solutions.
The Board wishes David Armstrong well in his retirement after he resigned at the start of this month. We would like to acknowledge his contribution over the years, not only on the Board, but also advocating for the best interests of the Motueka community.
After five years of service, David Armstrong decided to resign as a member of the Motueka Community Board, effective Friday November 1, 2024.
We would like to acknowledge his contribution over the years, not only for the Community Board across two terms, but also advocating for the best interests of the wider Motueka Community.
David has been an active member and executive of many Motueka community organisations, including Vision Motueka, Keep Motueka Beautiful, Kai Fest, the Motueka Online website, and Our Town Motueka, before being elected to the Board in 2019.
He served as deputy chair during that initial triennium, moving to chair in
2022 at the start of his second term. Last year, he stepped aside from the chair role but he has continued to be a visible presence around the table.
We wish David all the best as he embraces retirement and all his future endeavours.
David’s resignation doesn’t automatically trigger a by-election. However, the Board will decide at their upcoming meeting on 19 November whether his spot will be filled or will remain vacant for the rest of the triennium.
Whakapuāwai te kōrero, whakapuāwai te whakaaro. When speech blossoms, so does thought.
Every month we include a whakataukī Māori proverb in the Board report. October’s whakataukī emphasises how communication and conversation help ideas flourish, highlighting the connection between speaking openly and developing meaningful thoughts.
At our monthly meeting, the public can register and speak at public forum. At this meeting, one gentleman spoke about variances with berms being mowed by Council contractors, and another two gentlemen raised concern about abatement notices served on tiny home residents. They express the need for changes to allow for solutions.
Earlier this year, the Board put forward a resolution to the Council requesting a review and change to the eight-week rule which deems any structure lived in for more than two months as a ‘building’ thus requiring resource consent.
Board members will be attending a fourth workshop on this, given the Government’s proposed introduction of the ‘granny flat policy’ which currently doesn’t, but after feedback, may include tiny homes.
Other considerations include the Motueka Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is near capacity, and intended to be relocated within ten years. So in the interim, considerations of water access and ablution is an important aspect for balancing infrastructure requirements and housing needs.
The Board’s community wellbeing initiative focuses on homelessness and the housing crisis as well as youth engagement. We ask everyone to consider this with compassion and connect through open conversation.
You can contact the Board Chair at [email protected].
At our September Board meeting, we video-called Risaleaana “Risi” Pouri-Lane, local to Motueka, daughter of Kevin and Lealofi Pouri-Lane.
Risi attended Tasman Bay Christian School and Motueka High School, she trained at the local judo club amid a myriad of other sports. The Board wished to acknowledge Risi for her efforts and achievements as a second-time Olympic gold medallist for NZ women’s rugby sevens.
The intention is for the Board to host a special acknowledgement with the Mayor when Risi is back home. However, given her training regime and upcoming tournaments, it is not certain when that will be, so this virtual interaction was an interim acknowledgement and warm wishes.
A quick update on the Board’s community wellbeing solutions: Some of the ideas are gaining traction, such as youth work support, bringing others in to help leverage off what Motueka High School already has in place.
Board members Terina Graham, Claire Hutt, Nick Hughes, and Councillor Trindi Walker hosted a community engagement event in September the Museum on High Street. This gave the community an opportunity to connect directly with the Board, learn what their role is, what they have achieved, and their intended efforts for the rest of the term.
We also welcome feedback and ideas, especially regarding how as a community we can support those affected by homelessness, the housing crisis and youth engagement.
You are welcome to contact your Board Chair directly at [email protected].
There are many concerns impacting community wellbeing, which the Board sees as a priority to address.
With the intention to bring people together to work through challenges and find solutions, the Motueka Community Board are driving a community wellbeing initiative focused on: homelessness and housing crisis, and youth engagement and attendance.
A working group was formed, comprising of Cultural Advisor Sean Delany, MHS Principal John Prestidge, Councillor Trindi Walker and Motueka Community Board Chair Terina Graham.
On 17 May, the Board hosted a ‘Community Voice’ meeting with local representatives working in the community, with youth and housing to share their concerns and ideas.
On Wednesday 14 August, the Board hosted the ‘National Solutions Hui – from Motueka’ attended by our local MP Maureen Pugh, and sector representatives from education, health, social development, and housing.
Further information from youth, homeless and those working directly with vulnerable people is also being collated to formulate a broader engagement strategy.
The July Board meeting covered a range of topics, beginning with the public forum presentation by the Tasman Bay Blue Penguin Trust. The Trust is requesting the Council include more protective measures, through resource consent, bylaws, and rules to protect the habitat of native species in areas being heavily built up around the coastline.
The Board also discussed the NZTA installed road barriers from Dominion and Harley Roads, highlighting some feedback from community concerns of feeling less safe. Before the install, there were three fatalities and four serious crashes along that stretch since 2015. Since the install, there have been two known nonfatal incidents.
A unanimous decision was made to remove an Elm tree from a small cul-de-sac. The tree’s removal had been requested for many years by a neighbouring property due to its significant local impact. The Board agreed the Elm is beautiful but the developer’s choice of tree and planting location in the 1990s was better suited to a park. Instead, a native Kōwhai will take pride of place.
Informing its decision-making, the Board assesses every concern on a case-by-case. In this case, a site visit, discussions with affected owners and neighbours, and a historic investigation were carried out before the meeting.
To keep up to date with community input and Board business, our recorded meetings can be found on YouTube, and agendas and minutes at tasman.infocouncil.biz. Everyone is welcome to attend Board meetings on the third Tuesday of every month at 4.00 pm at the Motueka Library.
As we write this, it is the week of Matariki, a time to gather, share and reflect, signifying interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of family and community.
The Board continues to advocate and support community well-being initiatives from housing, communication, spaces, and connection. We have achieved a lot thus far and as our embers ignite, we continue to support our community in many ways.
Matariki week, the Nelson Tasman region hosted the secondary school kapa haka nationals at Trafalgar Centre – Te Huinga Whetū.
The competition ran from Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 June, with 42 groups performing over the week in celebration of young kapa haka performers.
These events are excellent, not only for our youth to embrace their culture and represent their schools with pride, but for our entire region to showcase our beautiful environment and hospitability to thousands of visitors.
It does raise the need for adequate accommodation, eateries, and activities to cater for such large numbers and the importance of a collaborative proactive approach for Councils, the business sector, and communities, to ensure we are remembered as five-star hosts!
Last year, the primary school kapa haka nationals were also held at the Trafalgar Centre with many groups having to book accommodation in Marlborough, Golden Bay, and Murchison and some having to fly in and out on the same day because our region could not appropriately cater.
Let’s ensure options are sorted and supported for 2027 when we will host the major event ‘Te Matatini’.
At the Board’s May meeting, we approved nine of the ten Special Projects.
These projects were submitted by public in the last round but did not make the final list for Board voting in 2023, but are now approved:
The following suggestions were put forward this year for community ranking with an option to add other suggestions. Items that were approved in order of public ranking:
The second highest ranked project, flush toilet at Riwaka Cemetery Grounds – $35,000, was left on the table to revisit later as Council staff could not include a new facility in the 2025 cleaning and maintenance schedule.
Other suggestions that came in from the public will be considered next year for Special Projects.
There was unanimous approval of our code of conduct at April’s meeting and we also passed the updated special projects policy. The four elected members agreed to the Boards submission for the 10-Year Plan which includes the following suggestions:
Our Chair spoke to the Board’s submission at a hearing on Friday 10 May.
This month, the Board will make decisions on Motueka Ward Special Projects. Five items were put out for public ranking in March and a further five that the public voted on last year but did not make the final list will also be reconsidered.
Motueka Ward covers Mārahau, Kaiteriteri, and Riwaka through Motueka to Braeburn up to Pangatōtara, Pukeone and back toward Tākaka Hill.
The Board has had a full-on start to 2024. As well as two busy monthly meeting agendas dealing with a range of local matters, we’ve been involved in planning and developing positions on several key activities.
Our list of annual ‘Special Projects’ for developing local amenities was created, and last month voted on by our residents. Thanks for the massive amount of feedback we received on these. The results are being tallied and the successful projects will be confirmed by June.
We have created a new Code of Conduct for our Board Members, which reflects more accurately the roles and activities of a community board rather than of a larger regional council. We plan to formally adopt the code this month.
The Board has done a lot of work this year to encourage the Council to modify its regulations around people living in temporary, transportable accommodation such as caravans to ease some of our local problems around homelessness. This work is ongoing.
We have contributed ideas and local knowledge to the review and decision-making by the Council about the future use of the old library building area in Pah Street, results will be shared soon.
We supported activities that enabled our residents to feed back their opinions for the Council’s 10-Year Plan. We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to check out the options offered and provide your opinions on them by 28 April.
The Motueka Community Board has had a busy start to the year. The Board workshopped and completed a code of conduct which will be tabled for adoption.
We had a strategic planning session highlighting some areas of importance to our community and how the Board can help effect positive change.
The public forum covered topics from solutions for shower gutter build-up at the saltwater baths, an idea to introduce smart bins to accommodate increased use of bins at Decks Reserve, emergency pods, concerns with Council classifying people sovereign citizens and unreasonable complainants, aerodrome noise management, and a request for support on how best to address concerns with the Council.
If you wish to speak at a Council or Community Board public forum, pop into your local service centre or use the form on the this page to secure a five-minute speaking slot.
Deputy Chair Claire Hutt is managing our Special Projects – you can find details using the link at the top of this page. Feedback closes on 28 March.
There will be a drop-in session coming soon covering the swimming pool and 10-Year Plan.
2023 was a very busy and colourful year for the Motueka Community Board. With a significant increase in community attendance and engagement, we heard from 55 speakers at public forums, granted $6,400 of Discretionary Funding to local groups and initiatives, and contributed over $85,000 to Special Projects across the Motueka Ward.
We are preparing for the next round of Special Projects that the community will be able to vote on soon.
Our Board meets publicly from February to December on the third Tuesday of every month at Motueka Library. Meetings start at 4.00 pm with up to 30 minutes devoted to the public forum; this gives members of the Ward an opportunity to address the Community Board with any concerns, queries, or ideas. We hear a variety of things from poo in the park, aerodrome noise, street sign requests, and pitting of copper cylinders from chlorination to solar energy efficiencies. If you are interested in having a speaking slot, please register on the Council website, or inquire at the Motueka Service Centre.
In addition to our monthly meetings, Board members attend workshops, committee meetings and public engagements, review Council recommendations, write submissions, and most importantly listen to and advocate for the community.
Members of our Board are Chair – Terina Graham, Deputy Chair – Claire Hutt, Board members Nick Hughes and David Armstrong, and the three Motueka Ward Councillors, Trindi Walker, Brent Maru and Barry Dowler.
You can reach us individually ([email protected]) or as a group by emailing [email protected]. We are looking forward to a productive year ahead.
As we start a new year in 2024, I would like to congratulate Terina Graham on being elected as the Motueka Community Board Chair.
Being the Motueka Community Board Chair for six years between 2016 and 2022 was an honour and privilege for me.
When elected as a Councillor in 2022, I was reappointed to the Board as one of the three Motueka Ward Councillors, and then undertook the role of Chair again for about six months.
The Board has a key role in advocating to Council and to be both a Councillor and Board Chair brought conflicting challenges. In one case, seeking feedback from the Board as a Councillor, and in another case giving feedback to Council as the Board Chair.
Traditionally the role of Chair is held by one of the Community Board elected members and not a Councillor, and I can now see why this has been the case.
So please know that I continue to be on the Motueka Community Board as one of the Motueka Councillors, and will continue to be available for residents to contact me, but I will no longer chair the Motueka Community Board.
I know the headlines of “Community Board Chair resigns” didn’t capture the entire story, so I hope this reassures you that I remain committed to Motueka and the region of Tasman.
Councillor Brent Maru
At the Board’s October meeting, two speakers highlighted their concern about a recent fence that had been erected at the old Motueka Wharf in Motueka Quay. The Board was pleased to be informed that staff had approved the removal of this fence following considerable community feedback. A sign advising of the potential safety concerns would remain and discussions about a potential restoration project were being led by some members of the community.
The Transport Choices project team provided an update on the Motueka projects with a follow-up workshop with Board Members on the western side projects.
Two applications, Motueka Pony Club $513.13 and Seed Hunter Tribe $700 were granted through the Board’s Discretionary Grant funding. For any community organisations specifically targeting youth in Motueka, the Board currently has a balance of $4,825 for distribution. Grants are limited to $700 per application. Further information about the Board’s available grants can be found at tasman.govt.nz/grants.
Barry Johnson provided the Board with an update on the current Mountains to the Sea programme and how the Board and community could provide feedback via the Shape Tasman website. Find out more about this work in this issue of Newsline or visit shape.tasman.govt.nz/freshwater-outcomes.
It is pleasing to see the completion of a long-term project, the Motueka Skatepark. This was supported by the Board’s Special Projects Fund, external funding from Lottery Grants, Rātā Foundation and the New Zealand Community Trust through funding from Hotel Motueka. This has resulted in a significant upgrade to the skatepark, a truly valued and well-utilised community facility.
A question regarding playgrounds in Motueka was asked through the public forum, asking how playgrounds were assessed and maintained and how the benefit to the community was measured. Officers advised that external contractors assessed the safety of specific equipment against national safety standards and in any upgrade where equipment could be relocated and used, this was undertaken.
The Board has had both Thorp Bush and Decks Reserve as projects of focus. At the September meeting, the Board received a concept plan based on the Board’s and Motueka Youth Council’s desire to upgrade Decks Reserve to a more accessible playground as well as an option to host a 3-on-3 outdoor basketball court. The planning is in the early stages and will be dependent on available funding.
The agenda may have been slim at the Motueka Community Board August meeting, but the room was filled by members of the Motueka Community.
Whilst a large percentage were present to express concern regarding the Transport Choices projects in Motueka, other presenters also raised concern over the availability of Bee Cards for the new bus service and some early teething problems, that now look to be resolved.
The Board were also informed that a “repair café” was also in the planning for Motueka, and a renewed plea for a Motueka bypass and new bridge.
Public forum is available for Motueka residents to pre-register to provide the Board with up to a 5-minute presentation. A total of 30 minutes is currently available (in essence, up to six speakers), to address the Board monthly.
Recently, the Council adopted an amendment to Standing Orders, allowing up to 10 minutes if the presentation is from a group or organisation. Whilst this remains within the 30 minutes allocated, it does allow for a more in-depth presentation and the ability for questions from board members to occur.
The Board will have the opportunity to review Standing Orders and discuss any potential amendment to these.
To register to speak at the public forum, please contact the Board Secretary by using the contact form below or emailing [email protected].
The Kiyosato Gardens are located in Decks Reserve, Motueka, and are named to celebrate the sister town relationship between Motueka and Kiyosato in Japan.
In September, Motueka will again welcome a 21-strong visiting group from our sister city, Kiyosato.
The Board acknowledges the work of the local organising committee that has enabled young people from both towns to immerse themselves into a new culture of their visiting towns. The exchanges have created lifelong intergenerational friendships, having formed a strong bond between our two towns.
Motueka High School is currently hosting a student from Kiyosato, and similarly, a student from Motueka High School is currently in Kiyosato, Japan.
In other happenings, the new Motueka Skatepark opening is scheduled for Saturday 2 September. The Board is excited to see this well-overdue upgrade of a popular recreational area.
Planning for the upgrade of the Decks Reserve playground is also underway. This upgrade will feature new accessible playground equipment. This is another project that was led by the Motueka Youth Council and is supported through the Board’s Special Projects Fund.
There have been some recent questions about how our community can engage with the Motueka Community Board, either formally or informally.
Formally, members of the community can request to speak at the Board’s monthly meeting by registering as a presenter at the public forum. This provides people with the opportunity to address the Board for up to five minutes on matters relevant to the Board’s delegations.
To register to speak at a Community Board meeting, please contact the Board Secretary: [email protected].
Often individual Board members are contacted by residents, and we are happy to meet with you and utilise the small meeting space at the Motueka Library as a central meeting space.
The Board has a Discretionary Grant Fund available for projects within the Motueka Ward that demonstrate a clear benefit to the community, including addressing an identified community need.
There is a $700 maximum amount for applications for projects. Get more details and complete the online application form.
Through this month’s column, the Board wanted to focus on acknowledging the recent AF8 public meeting held in Motueka and reinforce the need for us all to have a plan.
Alpine Fault Magnitude 8 is a coordinated response planning and community engagement project that is designed to build resilience in preparation for the next Alpine Fault earthquake.
Whilst no one can predict when earthquakes will occur, scientific research indicates there is a 75% probability of an Alpine Fault earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, and that there is a 4 out of 5 chance that it will be magnitude 8+.
The presentation gave an overview of the science including historical events underlying the prediction, but of most importance was the message for communities to prepare. Preparation means preparing personally, having plans with family and friends, and linking within neighbourhoods to build a strong sense of community.
It is important to recognise in the worst-case scenarios, roading and power networks cannot be relied on and whilst help will be rallied, it is important that we all have plans to look after ourselves and others for a time.
There is a positive in having a plan in place should a significant earthquake occur, and that is this planning can be used for any other weather event or natural disaster.
For more information on AF8, visit af8.org.nz or for Civil Defence nelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz.
A presenter at the Motueka Community Board public forum provided the Board with some insight into her role as a Census collector and wanted to highlight the number of households visited that did not have access to online platforms.
The Library, Council Service Centre and contacting one of your elected Board Members are other options available to the community for providing feedback or seeking information.
An update was provided by the Transport Choices project team for enhanced cycling and walking paths throughout Motueka. This project is a result of the Walking and Cycling Strategy adopted in the last term of Council. Funding has since been provided by the Government.
Following the presentation, the Board has requested that the Council extend the consultation period to allow impacted residents and businesses throughout the High Street portion of this project (Wharf Road to Whakarewa Street) to have the opportunity to provide feedback.
The Motueka Swimming Pool Committee had a strong presence at the public forum, advocating strongly on behalf of the community for investment from the Council for an indoor heated pool. Their request was strongly endorsed by representatives from Motueka Rotary and Lions’ clubs. This will be a key project for the community to consider through the Long Term Plan process.
Our roles focus on ensuring local issues and opinions are known to Council staff, and advocating for actions or initiatives which will enhance the Motueka ward community.
Council plans and performs many tasks which affect us all, and the Community Board tries to influence them as best we can. But there are some areas where we can make our own decisions on behalf of our community.
Two such areas which we are currently deciding on are changes to our Discretionary Funding scheme and forming a policy on the replacement of problematic trees.
Our Discretionary Fund allows us to provide up to $500 to community groups for projects they are running, with applications made every three months. The Board have decided to increase the maximum amount to $700 and permit applications to be heard every month. We are working with the Council to finalise these changes.
The Board wants a policy written that would require replacements for any trees in the ward that are to be removed for safety or other reasons. The wording of the new policy is being drawn up which will include how many replacements, what type, located where, and who pays.
We had a meeting earlier this week and the next one is on Tuesday 16 May, 4.00 pm at the Motueka Library. All are welcome. The first half hour is dedicated to the public forum where anyone can speak for up to five minutes on a local issue that the Community Board may be able to help with.
The Motueka Community Board has sorted through more than 35 submitted suggestions for the use of its 2023 Special Projects Fund and has now agreed on a short list for our community to vote on in the coming fortnight.
This $55,000 fund is a special annual feature of the Board’s work, allowing projects to be undertaken which do not fit within the Council’s Annual Plan or budget.
We encourage people in the Motueka Ward to have their say by ranking their project preferences, either via the newspaper advert or our online survey which can be found at shape.tasman.govt.nz.
The Board have just held our March meeting, and our next one will be on Tuesday 18 April, starting at 4.00 pm in the Motueka Library. All are welcome. The agenda will be available on the Council’s website a few days earlier.
The first half hour of the meeting is dedicated to the public forum, when anyone can speak for up to five minutes on a local issue that the Community Board may be able to help with.
We encourage you to come along and have your say. To ensure a speaking spot, register at the Council Service Centre or email [email protected] before the meeting.
One other focus of our work at present is helping Council planners to gather information from as many people as possible about community priorities, as the first step in the renewal of the 10-Year Plan for the District. Watch out for events and online surveys on this theme over the next month.
Community boards are separately elected advisory bodies and are not Council committees. Their main role is to represent, and act as an advocate for the interests of their community.
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