Councillor Connop

With all the issues we are having lately please find your way over to Neighbourhood Support Tai Tokerau. It is the best place to start to look after your own area.  A lot can be said for a supportive community. They are also holding community meetings over time to get people activated to working together. Please look into it and look out for one another. I am on the main committee and they are trying to encourage people to start their own street neighborhood watch, like they used to have. They are connected with the Police, Local Council and communities.  Some of the issues in a few nutshells... No matter how many police or security we have, they can't be everywhere and we need eyes out in the community looking out for one another.  The more we use spaces and inhabit them, the safer they become, more users means a safer space. The shared path for example, the more people use it, the safer it will be.  Community Facebook pages are fantastic for looking out for one ano...

COMING SOON! Whangārei District Council Representation review 2020 - 2021. The recent decision to bring in Māori wards has triggered a representation review. What does that mean? This review will allow the people have their say on their representation to ensure they are represented as equitably as possible over the whole District. There will be a minimum of 2 wards regardless of the way forward with Māori and General wards. Recently WDC also voted to stay with the First Past the Post election system over STV. This will not change, however feedback is always welcome. In essence we have the chance to have a 'clean slate' on how Local Government represents us here in Whangārei District. It includes a review with consultation to ask Whangārei:  How many Councillors you want,  How they are elected - Wards/District Wide/ Mixed,  Boundaries, Names, and number of councillors to each ward,  or even consider Community Boards.  This will then be able to then reflect the pe...

"Preliminary designs released for Whangārei’s Civic Centre Project  Preliminary designs of Whangārei’s new civic building have been released to the public, and while many design elements are still being worked through and finalised with input from local Hapu, Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai is delighted by the progress. “These designs show a wonderful symmetry with the Central Library,’ says Mayor Mai, ‘while connecting the surrounding green space of Cafler Park and Waiarohia Stream. Accessibility has always been at the top of the ‘needs’ list, and this preliminary design shows a welcoming, open entranceway with easy flow from the adjacent Shared Path, Central Business District, Library and Forum North, completing the new civic precinct.”  With all public services situated at ground level, the preliminary designs include a light-filled central atrium, a larger, more accessible customer-facing contact centre and ground-floor Council Chambers.  Along with the preliminary designs...

Today we had 28 E.N.F.O.R.C.E.E.R.S and collected approximately 800kg of trash, recycling and salvaged items.  Today was the first time we were able to get back out as a group! Covid19 threw us all a curve ball since March, and last month we were meant to do the Whangarei Falls,  but the torrential rain and floods kept us away.  Some of the trash we would have collected that day would have been found here in the mangroves.  We arrived at the site with a beautiful sunny day around us and volunteers appearing slowly from the shared pathway and through the long grass. Everyone signed in and we got underway.  Manue from Northtec was collecting plastic parking tickets for study information. We also had Greer from Tai Tokerau Time banking along to provide information on another service we are teaming up with. It is to  provide a type of payment for your time helping with the clean up. That you can use around Northland. Find out nore here: https://taitokerau.timeb...

Motion Passed on Complete streets master plan This morning in the Strategy,planning and development committee Councillors debated the possible future of the CBD streets and surrounds and potential options going forward. The proposed recommendation was put forward: A) Notes that the Whangarei complete streets master plan and streetscape design manual provides a 30-year vision that will respond to development and change. B) Supports the Whangarei complete streets master plan and design manual as a flexible framework for the revitalization of public streets and places in the Central City. C) Supports consideration of projects providing for cycling and walking connections, and potential improvements to John and James Street through the 2021- 2031 long-term plan process.    D) notes the public consultation will be undertaken on projects and funding prioritised for inclusion in the 2021 - 2031 long-term plan. Not all councillors supported the motion however it was passed. The Whanga...

A 3D printing service, Free Wi-Fi, or even Free online Movie Access.? The public library isn’t just books, magazines and newspapers. It is Free for a membership to the Whangarei District Library and you can get many benefits and educational resources. You get the benefit of the large selection of book within the library, genealogy resources, a Northland specific room, historical New Zealand books and maps. You can gain access to online movies, newspapers, apps and online resources. There are also computers, internet access, free Wi-Fi, printing, photocopying, and meeting rooms. But wait there’s more! There is and really you need to decide where to go first. There is a café, hang out or even space get lost in a new adventure. Last but certainly not least, you can choose from 4 awesome Library Cards featuring some of the awesome locations around Whangarei. I chose Ocean Beach. But there is also Mt Manaia, Te Matau a Pohe, and one of the waterfalls. The design itself is a pret...