Western Bay mayor labels Māori ward legislation unfair in submission
18 Feb, 2021 05:00 AM
4 minutes to read
Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber says he s fully supportive of plans to amend the Local Electoral Act. Photo / File
Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber says he s fully supportive of plans to amend the Local Electoral Act. Photo / File
A mayoral submission expressing strong support for proposed changes to legislation surrounding the matter of Māori wards in local government has been formally received by Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
But not without resistance.
Western Bay mayor Garry Webber presented his written submission in a Policy Committee meeting today, supporting the intent of the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill currently being reviewed by the Māori Affairs Select Committee.
There was a Best Dog at the Doggy Day Out in Katikati
13 Feb, 2021 11:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Emma dressed in cowgirl chic. Photo / Guy Rencher - @CoastalSurfImages
OPINION
The Bay of Plenty Times does not wish to court controversy, and nor does this author wish to invoke the ire of dozens of Western Bay dog owners. But it must be said, in the name of bold and unflinching journalism: There was a Best Dog at the Doggy Day Out in Katikati today.
There were a great many good dogs at the Uretara Domain for the social event put on annually by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
Commission for Tauranga City Council welcomed in pōwhiri
11 Feb, 2021 10:20 PM
2 minutes to read
Commissioners Shadrach Rolleston, Bill Wasley, Anne Tolley and Stephen Selwood at Hairini Marae. Photo / Supplied
The four commissioners appointed to lead Tauranga City Council last week were welcomed to their roles in a pōwhiri yesterday.
The commission - chairwoman Anne Tolley and fellow commissioners Bill Wasley, Stephen Selwood and Shadrach Rolleston - took up their roles on Tuesday having been appointed by Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
Tolley said the commissioners gathered for the first time as a group on Thursday morning. We were then welcomed to our new roles by tangata whenua at a pōwhiri hosted by Hairini Marae.
Liz Davies: The tide is turning for better understanding of te ao Māori
5 Feb, 2021 08:00 PM
4 minutes to read
OPINION
I am sensing an encouraging turning of the tide with regard to a better understanding and appreciation of te ao Māori. On what basis have I come to this conclusion? - The overwhelming support for the transfer of Panepane Point from Western Bay of Plenty District Council to the original owners of the land, the five local hapū of Matakana Island and the transfer of land on Mission St, Tauranga from Tauranga City Council to a local Māori land Trust.
Letters to the editor: Call for referendum on Tauranga rubbish collection
4 Feb, 2021 09:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Bay of Plenty Times
With regard to the Tauranga City Council s newly proposed rubbish collection system, I would like to make a suggestion that could perhaps prove a point to both the TCC and the ratepayers. While the TCC is maintaining that those against the new system are in the minority it appears that many ratepayers are actually objecting.
Here is what I suggest that may settle the matter: As there may be a referendum coming soon to decide on a Māori Ward at a cost of around $220,000 (BOP Times, January 30, $220K Ward Referendum).