A word from the Mayor

Canterbury Mayoral Forum has recently taken the opportunity to meet with visiting Members of Parliament, Minister Mark Mitchell, Emergency Management and Recovery and Police, Minister Chris Bishop Infrastructure, Housing and RM reform, and this Friday Minister Simeon Brown minister for Local Government, Transport and energy. Mayoral colleagues Mayor Dan Gordon and Mayor Craig Mackle met with Minister Simeon Brown at Waimakariri Council Offices last Friday along with Minister Matt Doocey to demonstrate our shared support for the Woodend Bypass and matters of significance in regard to the water reform – Local water Done well. These opportunities provide a platform for us collectively to demonstrate the joined-up leadership for Canterbury, the country’s largest region and to highlight the concerns about the level of investment from central government for South Island projects.

Last weekend, we celebrated with our granddaughter Hazel at her 5th birthday party with all the joy that comes with watching a little person express so much delight and excitement for being a big girl and going to school. It certainly allowed me to think about all the committed educators who live and work within our Hurunui District.

I have the good fortune to be invited to some of our schools for a variety of celebrations and I am often left reflecting on the energy and optimism that is demonstrated by not only the educators but also the students.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all educators in our preschool’s where the teachers nurture the minds of our youngest to be curious and confident learners to primary and secondary students who are fortunate to have an opportunity to learn across a range of subjects and become competent to enter the world of tertiary education, trade or skilled based careers.

Given we are in week one of the July break, I want to acknowledge the work of our teachers, and recognise the contribution to our district, you inspire our students and help them find their preferred career path.

The Hurunui District Council through our community team are working closely with our schools to continue to provide some additional means to allow students to flourish, our team genuinely care and want to make a difference and continue to support young people on their journey to independence with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme.

We need to foster and continue to weave the connection to ensure we inspire our leaders of tomorrow.