A group of 16 Councils from Wairoa across to Taranaki and down to the Manawatu are called Zone 3 and meet 6 monthly. The usual agenda covers current issues, presentations from relative Agencies, an update by the President of Local Government, a tour of the district hosting the meeting, a meal shared, and the opportunity for each Mayor to give a 5 minute delivery of how each respective Council is faring.

Here is a summary of the latest Zone 3 meeting held in Hawera:

•   Voluntary amalgamation of rural fire services is to be encouraged
•   Energy Efficiency and the Conservation Authority is persuading Councils to be involved in the government’s insulation and heating retrofit programme and other energy efficiency measures
•   The NZ Utilities Advisory Group addressed us about the Infrastructure Bill currently before Parliament and emphasised the positives
•   The Education Review Office spoke about their role and offered to share information which would be useful to help local authorities partner with schools
•   Civic Assurance and Riskpool - update on current activities and future insurance costs for Councils.

So during this sojourn to Hawera and collegial networking, we’ve heard beneficial information about how to benefit our community, and also how this information reflects Central Government’s continued movements to gain efficiencies across all services. We gain much by sharing current key issues but also by viewing projects in place and how they are to be enhanced e.g. the Tawhiti Museum, and also by seeing new projects such as Hawera’s new $23 million Sports Stadium.

A well worthwhile meeting!