A new destination spa could sit within the Te Aroha Domain, after a council decision to develop the $18.9m complex as part of its long-term plan. After two days of public submissions and passionate deliberations, Matamata-Piako District councillors agreed with the 34 per cent of submitters who wanted to move ahead with the biggest proposal in its 2021-31 long-term plan. While the majority of submitters (41 per cent) preferred to only spend $5.3m on the complex, and 25 per cent didn’t want it to go ahead at all, councillors agreed that if it was to be done, it needed to be done properly.
Where, why and how? The Auckland port debate heats up
14 May, 2021 05:00 PM
9 minutes to read
Most of the operations of the Auckland port on the Waitemata will likely have to move eventually. Photo / File
Most of the operations of the Auckland port on the Waitemata will likely have to move eventually. Photo / File
On Monday Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff will join other guests at SkyCity Theatre in an NZ Herald Premium debate on the future of Auckland s port. Here s how that debate has been shaping up.
Sometime in the next few decades, most of the operations of the Auckland port on the Waitemata will have to move.
Budget 2021: Spend or Save? Finance Minister s dilemma
14 May, 2021 05:00 PM
9 minutes to read
Grant Robertson s Budget balancing act. Cartoon / Rod Emmerson Our expectations are low. And they ll be met, says Alan McDonald, head of advocacy and strategy at the Employers and Manufacturers Association. Grant [Robertson] seems to be signalling an austerity type Budget and where he is talking about spending money – which is education, health and beneficiaries – that s their core stuff, not ours.
It s a blunt but succinct preview of the 2021 Budget from a business leader under no pressure to be politically diplomatic.
Robertson, to be fair, completely rejects suggestions that this will be an austerity Budget.
$6m economic recovery project under way at Whanganui and South Taranaki marae
12 May, 2021 08:58 PM
4 minutes to read
Puawai Moore and her daughter Michelle Ryan at Mākaranui Marae between Raetihi and Ohakune, on land set aside by her grandfather for the people of Ngāti Tamakana. Photo / Moana Ellis
Puawai Moore and her daughter Michelle Ryan at Mākaranui Marae between Raetihi and Ohakune, on land set aside by her grandfather for the people of Ngāti Tamakana. Photo / Moana Ellis
Moana is a Local Democracy Reporter based in Whanganuimoana@awafm.co.nz
Work is under way on more than $6 million of upgrades for marae in the Whanganui and South Taranaki regions as part of a regional economic recovery drive.