Napier Mail column 23 March 2009
Last Friday I held a public meeting to discuss the future of Napier Health facilities post the expiry of the current lease at Wellesley Road in December 2011. The meeting was well attended with many residents anxious due to a letter issued by the DHB cancelling the current lease. I was able to assure people, that regardless of this letter, the DHB is committed to the provision of a similar, if not better, level of services from Napier, post 2011, albeit potentially from a different premise. I also committed to ongoing consultation with Napier people, by way of further public meetings as progress is made towards finalising the provision of health services in Napier post 2011.
Over the weekend I took my family to the Horse of the Year Show at the A&P Show Grounds. What an amazing event. Kevin Hansen and his team of volunteers do an outstanding job in pulling together this multi-million dollar extravaganza. This year with teams from Australia, South Africa and Japan together with the largest prize purse in the Southern Hemisphere this was a truly International Event. The show is now a huge economic driver for the Bay helping to grow our own horse breeding industry. Well done to all those involved.
Speaking of growing the Bay I was pleased to see the proactive stance taken by the HBRC towards investing in the HB economy in the release of their 10 year plan. They have had what some have described as a lazy balance sheet, so it is great to see them taking a serious step towards increased invest in the infrastructure of our province. I think that the ideas around water storage have huge potential benefits for both industry and the environment. Great stuff.
And congratulations to the Wairoa Community Development Trust who were named Supreme Winner at the prestigious TrustPower National Community Awards. The award was won for their innovative “Cactus” program designed to focus on ‘prickly’ teenagers. Cactus is having huge success in Wairoa with a significant decline in Youth crime statistics. The eight week program aims to challenge young people and to help them achieve their potential through a series of physical and mental challenges. Congratulations to all those involved.
Last Friday I held a public meeting to discuss the future of Napier Health facilities post the expiry of the current lease at Wellesley Road in December 2011. The meeting was well attended with many residents anxious due to a letter issued by the DHB cancelling the current lease. I was able to assure people, that regardless of this letter, the DHB is committed to the provision of a similar, if not better, level of services from Napier, post 2011, albeit potentially from a different premise. I also committed to ongoing consultation with Napier people, by way of further public meetings as progress is made towards finalising the provision of health services in Napier post 2011.
Over the weekend I took my family to the Horse of the Year Show at the A&P Show Grounds. What an amazing event. Kevin Hansen and his team of volunteers do an outstanding job in pulling together this multi-million dollar extravaganza. This year with teams from Australia, South Africa and Japan together with the largest prize purse in the Southern Hemisphere this was a truly International Event. The show is now a huge economic driver for the Bay helping to grow our own horse breeding industry. Well done to all those involved.
Speaking of growing the Bay I was pleased to see the proactive stance taken by the HBRC towards investing in the HB economy in the release of their 10 year plan. They have had what some have described as a lazy balance sheet, so it is great to see them taking a serious step towards increased invest in the infrastructure of our province. I think that the ideas around water storage have huge potential benefits for both industry and the environment. Great stuff.
And congratulations to the Wairoa Community Development Trust who were named Supreme Winner at the prestigious TrustPower National Community Awards. The award was won for their innovative “Cactus” program designed to focus on ‘prickly’ teenagers. Cactus is having huge success in Wairoa with a significant decline in Youth crime statistics. The eight week program aims to challenge young people and to help them achieve their potential through a series of physical and mental challenges. Congratulations to all those involved.
