Māori wards petition in Tauranga could be meaningless if law passes
1 Feb, 2021 06:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Multimedia journalist
A petition to hold a public referendum on the introduction of Māori wards just reached the numbers it needed but could now be meaningless if a new law is rushed in. Yesterday Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced a law that allows local referendum to veto decisions by councils to establish Māori wards would be abolished.
The announcement came just days after a petition aimed at overturning a decision to establish a Māori ward in Tauranga gained the numbers it needed.
$220k referendum on Māori wards likely as petition achieves numbers
29 Jan, 2021 02:10 AM
4 minutes to read
Concerned Citizens group member Ken Evans has been successful in gathering enough signatures to force a referendum on Māori wards. Photo / File
A petition aimed at overturning a decision to establish a Māori ward in Tauranga has gained the numbers it needs.
A referendum expected to cost ratepayers $220,000 is now expected to be held.
In August, Tauranga City Council voted 6-4 to establish a Māori ward before the next council election in 2022.
The petition sought to collect the support of 5 per cent of the 94,702 people on Tauranga s 2019 electoral roll to force a binding referendum on the issue, with the potential to overturn the council s decision.
Western Bay of Plenty councillor Christina Humphreys resigns after humiliating experience, prompts byelection
28 Jan, 2021 05:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Christina Humphreys has resigned from her role as a Western Bay of Plenty District councillor after a tumultuous year. Photo / George Novak
A Western Bay of Plenty byelection will now be held to fill the role of outgoing councillor Christina Humphreys who describes her past 15 months in the role as a humiliating and depressing experience . Humphreys resigned on Wednesday, stating her health had become negatively affected by the stresses of the position.
Humphreys was elected in October 2019 after receiving 1686 votes for the Katikati Waihi Beach ward. She was elected alongside fellow councillors James Denyer (2255 votes) and Anne Henry (1491 votes).
New Zealand s most overdue library books, 121 years late
27 Jan, 2021 07:28 PM
6 minutes to read
Digital producer, Christchurch, NZ Heralddevon.bolger@nzme.co.nz
We have all been guilty of forgetting to return a library book on time but what happens when you forget for 121 years? A Herald investigation reveals the country s most overdue library books. Every council in the country was contacted and asked about their most overdue book.
Children s books appear to be the most commonly overdue, making up about 35 per cent of the responses.
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Here is the list of the country s most overdue library books:
Number one:
Partial Te Puke road closure for pipeline work
14 Jan, 2021 06:05 PM
3 minutes to read
Pipe as part of the Waiāri Water Supply project pictured on the No 1 Rd last year. Photo / File
Pipe as part of the Waiāri Water Supply project pictured on the No 1 Rd last year. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty Times
Part of Te Puke s No 1 Rd will be reduced to one lane to enable trenching for the Waiāri main trunk water pipeline.
The one-lane closure will extend from the intersection with the Te Puke Highway to property number 31 on No 1 Rd from February 2 to March 8.