Firstly, I must express our heartfelt gratitude for the work Don Cameron, our Recovery Manager, has carried out for the Tararua District in our time of need. Recovery is long and hard, and while we have achieved much on our roads and farms, there is still a long way to go.

We are reaching a point where it becomes more challenging as we face the prospect of moving from 100% funding assistance from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to a standard emergency works rate of 93%. However, we continue to advocate strongly for a higher funding rate due to the volume of repairs still needed and the financial challenges resulting from the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

We have established a strong relationship and high trust with NZTA, which is reflected in the Tararua Alliance being named as a finalist in the CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards. This is great national recognition of our systems, processes, and performance, and it is a huge achievement to make the finals.

Additionally, we wish our Asset Information Manager, Jordon Taylor, every success as a finalist in the National Association of Women in Construction Awards. Our thanks and praise for the work completed in our Cyclone-impacted areas were also acknowledged at last week’s Infrastructure Climate Change and Emergency Management meeting.

Our Waste Minimisation Plan is now out for consultation and is a key document for our aspirations to do more. Recent waste audits have shown little improvement in reducing items going to landfill. This plan outlines how we can improve in many areas. Minimising our waste, especially food waste, is one of the greatest actions we can all take to reduce our carbon emissions and combat climate change. We look forward to your involvement in this critical plan.

With the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle, less income and increased farming costs, we are also very aware our rural communities are hurting along with our local economy.

As tough as things are here, it has been difficult to watch the flooding impacts in Wairoa and the costs they are facing again. With that in mind, we are organising a fundraiser, “Aroha4Wairoa.” We will have collection buckets in various locations, including our council offices, where those who can spare a little can give to show our love and care for the families in Wairoa doing it tough.

We know how much it meant when support poured in for us, and now it’s our turn to return a little of the kindness. If you are part of a group or would like to lend a hand, please contact us.

To contribute directly go to the Wairoa District Council’s givealittle page. Your donation will go to the Wairoa District Council Mayoral Relief Fund.

Finally, a huge thank you to Dave Murdoch for his many years of dedication to the Bush Telegraph sharing the stories of our people and district with us all and we wish him all the very best for his retirement.