A Word from the Mayor

Hurunui District is about to submit on the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity to the Ministry for the Environment whilst we generally agree with the purpose of the National Policy statement, we agree that maintenance of Indigenous Biodiversity is an important goal for New Zealand and we also agree on the direction to clarify and standardise definitions, however we strongly disagree with the proposed way forward and the requirement to map significant natural area’s (SNA). It is understood that nationally 61% of councils currently map SNA’s yet biodiversity is still in decline, therefore the assumption for mapping to be compulsory does not line up with the change we are seeking.

We favour providing support for local initiatives that prove the “bottom up” approach to saving our Indigenous Biodiversity. Being able to support and encourage the promotion of these will urge much greater willingness to participate and turn the thinking that Indigenous Biodiversity is seen as an asset not a liability.

Hurunui Councillors joined with the four other contributing councils of Christchurch City, Selwyn, Waimakariri and Ashburton to visit Transwaste Canterbury site at Kate Valley. Not only were we able to see first-hand the precision and expertise in managing the site but also viewed Tiromoana Bush, a regenerating native forest with a restoration planting plan to increase the area of native forest and wetland vegetation, as well as providing nesting sites for food resources for native birds.

Councillors recently visited the Police and Emergency precinct to gain a greater insight into the emergency management systems, Ecosort to understand better what happens to our recycling. It was pleasing to hear that Hurunui has a very low contamination rate for recycling so my message to you all is to keep up the good work in this regard. Our final visit was to Canterbury Museum and have a behind the scene looks at the current storage of the vast array of exhibits not on display.

I hosted my first “Meet with Marie” session in Hanmer Springs – it was pleasing to have a number of residents come along for a chat. The next session will be at Waikari Kitchen on Wednesday 18th March 10-11am.

Marie Black

Mayor

“He waka eke noa – we are all in this boat together”