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July 29, 2010

Here’s a guest article from our regular weekend columnist, Andrew Frame. Apparently he’s so worked up about the Napier Council that he couldn’t wait till Saturday!

Tom

Pandaland or Wasteland?
By Andrew Frame

Max Patmoy’s idea to put Pandas in Marineland was out there.

Way out there, beyond optimal panda swimming depth. Realistically, it never had much of a chance to succeed. Even so, his idea did make it to national television on “Campbell Live”. While it looked like a “slow news day” item, it did show two things:

1. Marine Parade no longer has the number of family tourist attractions it used to; and,
2. Max has had at least one more idea than the current Napier City Council on the matter.

Mayor Barbara spoke briefly in the segment, giving a Council viewpoint on how they think: “We need another attraction along Marine Parade”. Then why has so little been done? In fact, over previous years, the number of things to see and do along Marine Parade has actually decreased.

The Highlights:

Ocean Spa. Built in 2003 it is a huge leap forward from the old Swann Memorial paddling pool it replaced at the northern end of the Parade. Heated pools and a gym provide locals and visitors a health sanctuary with a stunning sea view. The War Memorial Centre next door is also a great improvement from its old rotunda format and hosts a number of events and conferences each year.

The Aquarium. As a result of the recent closure of Marineland and the Can-am Cars/Bumper-boat attraction closing down many years go, the Aquarium is now essentially isolated at the southern end of Marine Parade. It does provide a highlight to the end of any tour of the parade. The long overdue upgrade brought it back into focus as a modern environmental attraction.

The Lowlights:

The Soundshell (in the “Campbell Live” segment, being used by Napier’s resident loudspeaker and bugle-toting evangelist) is massively under-utilised. Barring evangelism and the odd skate-boarding – or just plain bored – teenager, so little happens at this most central and scenic site. It was built for such a purpose, so why does it get ignored? This whole area could be absolutely pumping day and night with music, people and activities – our very own “Party Central” for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. But where are the events?

Only recently have the council considered re-surfacing the Soundshell/Sunbay’s forecourt at the behest of the Art Deco Trust (so now they MUST do it, I guess) to make it more level and return the paving shapes and colours to their former glory. I have seen a picture of my mother and her brother roller-skating there in the 1950’s, before cracking, movement and Norfolk Pine roots made skating (and walking, in some places) an issue best investigated by ACC.

Marineland is dead, long live Marineland! Napier’s previously premiere tourist attraction died on this council’s watch. It was losing money through dwindling visitor numbers, investment and attention, so it was closed to the public and now makes no money at all. I’m still unsure of this thought process, as I’m sure members of the public and visitors would be more than willing to part with their money (not the full former entry fee, necessarily) to see the remaining seals and penguins up close and learn about the wildlife recovery programmes Marineland still runs. It would at the very least help subsidise operations.

The Council has been mulling over possible uses for the remains of Napier’s king of family attractions for some time now without anything solid progressing. Max’s idea has been the only concept to get any major media airtime.

Grass! Between the playground and Danish Delight ice cream hut that neighbour Marineland, there is the millennial artwork that also featured in the “Campbell Live” item and then just … um… grass for half a kilometre. Usually green, sometimes yellow-brown and very occasionally hosting a gypsy fair or sideshow, the space is usually deserted … and not very appealing to tourists unless they’re a hirsute quadruped named Eunis who likes to say “Baa” a lot.

Before it became a touring sheep’s paradise, this space used to be the “Can-am Cars” go-cart track, bumper boats pool and a large dog-boned boating lake. This was a great summer oasis for families and very popular. But during the mid 90’s the site lost its popularity, fell into disrepair and the entire site was shut down.

The bumper-boat pool was used to house the larger fish during the Aquarium’s upgrade, after which, it and the boating lake were torn up and filled in. Nothing has replaced or has been planned for the site, except for an unrealised grand water feature to accompany the aquarium. The number of hotels/motels that sprung up in the meantime offering sea views would doubtlessly quash any opportunity to return this area to any major use.

The Indifferent:

The Pathway running between the parade and the sea does provide a wide, flat walking and cycling route with a nice view. Compared to the Marineland, which was in its last stages of decline while the pathway was under construction, it was lavished with council and media attention.

But who would come to Napier just to walk a fancy footpath? It’s hardly the Great Wall of China or Milford Track – more a reward for tourists and locals than a tourist attraction.

Iconic Napier:

The Tom Parker Fountain, Pania of the Reef, Flower Clock, Sun-dial and Sunken Gardens and Veronica Sun-bay remain as they always have – pretty, lasting and iconic Napier.

We’ll never see or expect a Disneyland or its like in Napier, as destinations as a whole become more of the focus. But isn’t it sad to see Napier’s tourist strip go largely ignored and regress? If it felt like the attractions there were stuck in the 80’s, its simply because that was the last time Marine Parade was given any major attention or fresh ideas.

Good on Max for coming up with something. It shows what a member of the public can do with initiative. Now if we could just get the Napier City Council to do the same, or listen to those who do.

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July 27, 2010

Last week, Chris Finlayson, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, made an announcement of crucial importance to Hawke’s Bay.

He announced that the Crown would work with the Regional Council and local iwi toward the establishment of a Regional Council Planning Committee. According to his statement, this mechanism “will allow iwi to effectively contribute towards planning for the use of natural resources and environmental outcomes through regional plans and regional policy statements.” Further …

“A single Planning Committee would allow iwi the participation they’ve been seeking, while fitting into existing Regional Council and resource management processes. This makes it an effective solution for the region and for iwi, and one that the Government will endorse in negotiations.”

The Regional Council has been working behind the scenes toward this outcome for about a year, holding confidential stakeholder briefings on the process back in November 2009. Here is the presentation made at the time, indicating the Council’s goals in trying to influence a process that is ultimately to be negotiated between the Crown and as many as nine Treaty Settlement Groups in Hawke’s Bay. In a worst case scenario, policy-making regarding management of the region’s natural resources could have been fragmented across  as many as seven “river boards” each dealing with several iwi.

Said HBRC Alan Dick of the announcement (download here in full, with Q&As): “The Crown’s proposal importantly recognises the care and governance of natural resources as a key issue for both claimant groups negotiating Treaty settlements and the wider region. The Council looks forward to working with the Treaty claimant groups so that we can arrive at the best possible outcome for our regional community.”

Now the Crown and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will discuss with iwi how the proposed Committee could work. It is expected that it will have equal representation of Regional Councillors and iwi representatives, and will develop and oversee policies and plans that the Council approves.

After these three-way discussions, the newly-elected Regional Council will receive a recommendation on the Joint Planning Committee in October.

As envisioned, the new policy body represents a major enhancement of the role of Maori in the region’s resource planning. Said Taro Waaka from Ngati Pahauwera: “This is an opportunity, a breakthrough whereby we can get some meaningful discussion, meaningful input by sitting beside councilors influencing things at a higher level.”

Here’s a bit more detail from last week’s announcement:

“The joint Regional Planning Committee would be charged with reviewing and making changes to the Regional Resource Management Plan. The Plan deals with regional issues such as water quality and quantity, air quality, coastal resources, indigenous vegetation and wetlands, gravel management and natural hazards.”

“The joint Regional Planning Committee would receive priorities for plan changes and any required technical information from the Council. The Committee would then work through the process of developing and consulting on a draft plan change, before refining it and referring the plan change back to the Regional Council for approval and public notification. All work of the Committee would be carried out in accordance with the Resource Management and Local Government Acts and maintain the rights of all parties to participate in the resource management process.”

“The joint Committee would not hear resource consent applications which would continue to be heard by specially appointed hearings panels.”

The Treaty of Waitangi guarantees the right of iwi to self-management of their resources in a context of partnership with the Crown. On a national scale, post Treaty Settlements, it is estimated that approximately 70% of NZ’s production forest land will be owned by iwi, and up to 30% of NZ agri-business will have an iwi dimension. Further, approximately 80% of iwi are dependent on the primary sector for their livelihood.

Of special interest here in Hawke’s Bay will be the evolution of water strategy within the framework of a Joint Regional Planning Committee.

As last year’s HBRC presentation notes, the Crown and National-led Government “acknowledges the need to dovetail Iwi partnerships alongside democratic governance.” If all goes to plan, “co-governance” is on the horizon. Clearly the days of cursory consultation with Maori are about to end.

Tom Belford

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July 26, 2010

Today I officially filed as a candidate for the Regional Council.

I am pleased to be nominated by Claire Vogtherr, local business, education and civic leader, and by Bruno Chambers, farmer, environmentalist and chairman of the Te Mata Park Trust.

I am standing because I regard the current Council as asleep at the wheel, falling behind over the last decade in both of its major functions — protecting our environment and promoting a more vibrant and diversified regional economy. These challenges require new ideas, more vigorous action, and fresh faces.

I am standing for one of the four Hastings ward seats on the Regional Council, currently occupied by Councillors von Dadelszen, Rose, McGregor and Remmerswaal.

Liz Remmerswaal is an ardent voice for the environment, and has my full support.

Of course BayBuzz will continue to publish through the election window, bringing issue analysis from me and the many other voices who publish in BayBuzz. Our newspaper and website are open to all candidates for advertising, and our website includes a section — Election 2010 — with links to other candidates’ online resources.

I look forward to a spirited campaign.

Tom Belford

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July 24, 2010

Bus-ted
By Andrew Frame

Put simply, Napier’s newest Inter-city bus stop is a disgrace.

Earlier this month Intercity moved its bus stop from the former railway station, to outside the Marineland site on Marine Parade. The new bus stop is just that, a bus stop. It doesn’t have booking facilities, shelter, a phone, or toilets, but you should see the size of the swimming pool out the back!

I remember when Civic Court, the current home of Tourism Hawke’s Bay, was Napier’s main bus station, a large portion of which was under cover. Then it moved to where Countdown now resides on Dickens Street, then in Station Street just down the road from the Police Station and finally the old railway station. All of which had seats, shelter, toilets and even the odd snack bar.

Unhappy (as well as cold, hungry and um, ‘highly pressurised’) travellers have started a petition to go to both Intercity Bus Lines and the Napier City Council who are still arguing over who is to blame for the new “facility”.

The Council claims it gave Intercity the choice of the Dalton Street covered bus stop (minor cover at least and more central, but nothing more) or the Marineland site, because it was close to two public toilets (classy!) and had space out front to park the busses (because its not like thousands of visitors can go there any more). If Intercity wanted to use part of the Marineland building as a ticketing office and rest / comfort stop, the bus company would have to pay for it. This facility would be primarily making money for Intercity after all. Otherwise, said NCC’s Neil Taylor “We’d have to raise rates to pay for that”.

Napier City Council continually champion the fact their annual rates increases are some of the lowest in the country, but there must come a time when money needs to be spent. “You have to spend money to make money.” “If we do what we’ve always done, we’ll get what we’ve always gotten.” “Inspirational third quote involving money” and all that.

This wouldn’t be a financial commitment to the level of Hastings’ Sports Park, Splash Planet, Nelson Park and other monetary black holes. It would be a reasonably small facility, but it would be somewhere passengers could at the very least escape the elements or make phone calls to arrange further transport or accommodation.

Until Napier Airport’s runway is extended and we are inundated with swarms of medium sized jet planes unloading thousands of tourists flying on highly discounted tickets (did you sense a hint of cynicism there? – Air NZ expressed some time ago that they were in no hurry to send jets here, runway extension or otherwise) buses are still the primary form of mass public transport bringing visitors to the region and Intercity is still one of the industry’s biggest players.

Aren’t the buses and their passengers worth far more than a stop outside a closed tourist attraction where the only shelter is a public toilet in a nearby car park? Napier says it prides itself on tourism, to any passenger arriving on an Intercity bus today it certainly wouldn’t look like it.

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July 23, 2010

Today Cranford Hospice has a brand new Board (see below) and Charter.

Naturally, those on the selection panel are pleased with their work (media release here) … and as best I can ascertain at this point, deservedly.

I sought reactions from three people I thought would offer the best judgment as to whether this new Board would nurture Cranford back to the kind of institution that the community wants.

The first two, probably more than anyone, are seen by the informed community as embodying the values and spirit most treasured by the families who have witnessed firsthand the care Cranford has provided in the past.

First, Dr Libby Smales, Cranford’s original guiding force: “It looks like a well put together board. Let’s hope they have the necessary energy and wisdom to get things up and running asap. Given the significant skill loss over the last 2-3 years, in the context of a national and international shortage of experienced hospice/palliative care staff, this will be a challenge. The community really needs to be reassured, to have a good hospice again, and feel safe; the hurt and harm done to too many people needs acknowledging and healing. For many reasons I care deeply about Cranford and am happy to help in any way I can.”

Second, Kerryn Lum, Libby’s successor as Medical Director of the Hospice: “I am encouraged by the breadth of skills and experience in the new Board, although I don’t know all of them personally. There is still a lot of damage to be repaired, both within Cranford and its team, and in the community. The new Board has a challenge ahead of them, and I wish them all the best.”

Given the draining battle these two have fought over the future of Cranford, I’d call their statements “encouraging optimism.”

And lastly, Kevin Atkinson. Of the elected officials on the selection committee (which included Mayors Yule and Arnott), Atkinson, as the former elected chairman of the DHB, has the most thorough understanding of the issues involved, including the philosophical, and how those link to effective governance. He is full of praise for the new Board members, considering them “all passionately committed” to the community’s ideal for Cranford. And he is particularly confident about the leadership the new chairman, Ken Gilligan, will provide.

On the strength of what these three say, I think the community can be reasonably confident of the direction Cranford Hospice will take when its in-patient service re-opens in a few months. If this were simply a re-arranging of the deck chairs, nothing would have been gained. The Board members selected seem to represent the perspective many in the community have hoped for.

What a struggle it has been to get to this point, as the comments of Libby Smales and Kerryn Lum indicate. Hats off to them for persisting in their cause.

Tom Belford

Here is the new Board:

Ken Gilligan – Chairman

Ken is currently a member of the Maritime New Zealand Authority. He was formerly general manager and managing director of the Port of Napier from 1982 to 1999. Prior to this, Ken was CEO of the New Zealand Ports Authority and had a 20-year career working in a number of government departments. Ken is currently a director of City Medical Limited (Napier) and a trustee of the Napier Family Centre Financial Trust. He recently completed a term as a Director of Unison Networks Ltd and 9 years as chair of the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers Trust. Ken also served 5 years as chair of the Energy Trusts of New Zealand Inc from 2003 to 2008.

Hayley Anderson

Hayley is the general manager of the Hastings Health Centre a role she has held since 2002. She carries out this role in conjunction with her own health consultancy she set up in April 2010.

Hayley has a wealth of knowledge in the health sector as well as a Masters of Management. She is currently contracted also to Telarc/Quality health as accreditation coordinator and lead auditor.  Hayley originally trained as a nurse and has acted as Director of Nursing for Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and was the manager of Heretaunga Health Village for many years. Hayley has led many health initiatives as well as being a board member of the Hawke’s Bay PHO until 2008.

Tim Bevin

A fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, with a post graduate certificate in Addiction Studies, Tim has been a Hawke’s Bay GP and part time medical officer for Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Addiction Services for 27 years. He is also medical advisor for Te Poutama Tautoko Addiction Programme, chairman of the directors of City Medical, and a director of the Hawke’s Bay PHO. Tim is also deputy chairman of Springhill Trust.

Judie Webster

Judie has been involved with Cranford Hospice since 1993 on the Cranford Committee, the Friends of Cranford Garden Group and for the past 14 years has been the chair of the Cranford Committee which promotes public awareness of the hospice and assists with fundraising. Judie trained as a teacher and also worked as a play therapist at Napier and Hastings Hospitals.

David Pearson

Managing partner of BDO Napier, David has been with BDO and other accountancy firms for 28 years. His expertise is in business advisory services, information technology and corporate restructuring. He is currently the chair of Eastern Institute of Technology Council, trustee of Sport Hawke’s Bay and chair of Otatara Trust.

He has held a number of public positions and is a former Hawke’s Bay cricket representative.

Michael Konig

Michael is currently the chair of Presbyterian Support Services and also manages his Hastings based business Sunshade. He has held a number of managerial CEO roles and was most recently chief executive of EnzaFoods New Zealand Limited.  He is actively involved in providing mentoring advice for young businesses. Michael is a member of Round Table and Rotary and is a member of the Village Baptist Church in Havelock North. He has been a board member of PSEC since 2003. He holds degrees in science and pharmacy as well as an MBA.

Frane Rosandich

Frane Rosandick is a family group care and protection co-coordinator for Child Youth and Family services. He was chairperson for Parentline HB Inc for the last seven years until it merged and became a division of Family Works PSEC. Frane has volunteered at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison within the ‘Whare Tirohanga Maori focus” unit for the past 10 years and he is currently a member of the PSEC board.

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July 21, 2010

On Wednesday, the HB Regional Council decided under duress to release much of the independent review of its hearings process and management thereof, mainly in respect to handling of water allocation consents.

The key word here is “much” — reportedly the so-called Cowie Report includes specific appraisals of how individual Councillors on the Hearings Committee handled their responsibilities. More on that another time. BayBuzz has made an Official Information Act request for the full report, for the reasons given in our post of July 19. We do not regard today’s partial disclosure as satisfying the public accountability to which the Council’s consent process should be held.

Here is the “abridged” report released by HBRC. And here is the Council’s media release assuring us that everything’s fixed, not to worry.

What is most assuredly not fixed is the Regional Council’s Resource Management Plan, which is faulted in the Cowie Report as follows:

“Existing minimum flows, and particularly allocatable volume provisions in the RRMP need to be reviewed urgently. If this is not resolved by the time the consents granted start to expire in 2013, the council will look incompetent and will face very strong criticism. Reviewing these provisions is a substantial undertaking for the council, and it may face Environment Court appeals. This work is provided for in the LTCCP, which is essential.”

I’ll say! This is just one more example of a Council that has been asleep at the wheel, and is now trying desperately to catch up.

After referring to the fact that science work to provide a “starting point” for revised minimum flows and allocation volumes is now underway — only as a result of recent public pressure, it should be noted — the report continues:

“It is very important that the science regarding flow requirements be used as a key input to decision making, but they certainly should not be the sole input. Section 5 of the RMA requires a balance be struck between environmental considerations, and the social and economic needs of the community. This is a political judgment the council will need to make taking account of all relevant considerations, not just what the science inputs recommend.”

And there the report is getting to the nub of the matter — the politics of “balancing” various interests under the RMA. Undoubtedly, where or how the balance should be struck will be a campaign issue for Regional Council candidates.

Tom Belford

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July 20, 2010

National is taking a hammering from various pundits for reversing field on the mining issue. Here’s just one example. Says Tim Watkin, writing on the Pundit website:

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