Latest news with #EmilyIreland
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Modern Vision For Masterton Library
Article – Emily Ireland – Local Democracy Reporter A statement from the council said the concept images showcased a modern, light-filled space that blends functionality with inspiration and that the upgrade would enhance the communitys use of the library. The ball is rolling on one of Masterton District Council's key Long-Term Plan projects: a fit-for purpose library. The council has released concept architectural images of its $10.75 million planned library refurbishment and extension, with construction set to begin at the end of the year or early 2026. A statement from the council said the concept images showcased 'a modern, light-filled space that blends functionality with inspiration' and that the upgrade would enhance the community's use of the library. Public consultation on the project was done last year as part of the council's 2024-34 Long-Term Plan. At the time, reports said the current building was no longer fit for purpose and that the current size and layout limited opportunities for the display of materials, places for study, and space for programmes and events. The library building also had a range of maintenance issues that needed to be addressed urgently. These included water damage, leaks in the building, mould in the basement, replacing the roof, heating and cooling system replacement, and improved accessibility at the front entrance to the library. The architectural concept images showed purpose-built areas for community programmes, events, and creative collaboration, and an accessibly layout offering many spaces to learn and connect. The enhanced library would feature a community classroom and lounge, meeting rooms, coffee kiosk, dedicated workroom, and a dynamic open-space office, transforming it from a traditional book repository into a community hub. Contractor procurement was planned to start in September with the project expected to be completed mid-to-late 2027. During the construction period, library services would continue at a temporary location to be confirmed by the council in coming weeks. The council was also collaborating with local iwi to create a facility that celebrated Masterton's cultural identity, including integration of te reo Māori throughout signage and navigation. Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell said the multimillion upgrade represented a major commitment to the district's cultural and educational future. 'The images we're releasing today represent more than just a building upgrade – they show our commitment to creating a vibrant hub with creativity, learning, and community connection at its heart,' Caffell said. 'While we understand the temporary move may require some adjustment for our regular library users, we're confident the end result will exceed expectations. 'This isn't just a library renovation – it's an investment in a vital community space where knowledge is shared, and the community thrives together.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Councillor Calls For Snap Election Over Pay Equity Changes
Article – Emily Ireland – Local Democracy Reporter Under the new legislation, 33 current claims would be stopped and would need to restart under the new threshold. South Wairarapa councillor Rebecca Gray has challenged the Government to call a snap election due to her concerns over the equal pay law change. Gray issued the challenge during the acknowledgements section of Thursday's Local Water Done Well deliberation meeting, the day after the Government passed the Pay Equity Amendment Bill under urgency. 'I would like to acknowledge the huge amount of work that has gone into the topic that we're about to discuss and I'd like to note that it followed a very rigorous consultation process where we engaged the community and we have followed all the legislation and we followed all the processes. 'I say that the day after central government passed the Pay Equity Amendment Bill not following the same set of processes and not allowing the community to get on board with all of this.' Gray looked directly at the livestream camera and called on the Government to initiate a snap election 'recognising the fact that they're not acting on behalf of the country's best interests'. The legislation raises the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued when making a pay equity claim. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the changes would make the process of raising and resolving pay equity claims more 'robust, workable and sustainable'. Opponents said it would make it harder for women in female dominated industries to make a claim. The changes to the legislation included raising the threshold of 'predominantly performed by female employees' from 60 percent to 70 percent and requiring that this has been the case for at least 10 consecutive years. There would also be a requirement for evidence that the work was historically and currently undervalued, and a framework to ensure employers were able to 'meet their pay equity obligations in a way that is sustainable for their business – for example through phasing of settlements'. The legislation would also give further guidance on the use of comparators in pay equity claims, with the Government saying the Act did not sufficiently set out the rules for comparators which had led to comparators being chosen even where the work was very different to the claimant. For example, health administration and clerical staff employed by district health boards used comparators of a fishery officer, customs officer, corrections officer, and mechanical engineer to support their pay equity claim. Midwifery comparators included detective senior sergeants and transport engineers and school administration comparatives included civil engineers, and senior fishery officers. Any comparison would now be between female employees and male employees at the same employer, or if that was not possible, then to other similar employers. Opponents to the amendment bill said because there were few comparable industries that reflected the same skill level, multifaceted work, and qualifications held by those working in predominantly female workforces, it would now be harder to gain pay equity. Under the new legislation, 33 current claims would be stopped and would need to restart under the new threshold. – LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Councillor Calls For Snap Election Over Pay Equity Changes
Article – Emily Ireland – Local Democracy Reporter Under the new legislation, 33 current claims would be stopped and would need to restart under the new threshold. South Wairarapa councillor Rebecca Gray has challenged the Government to call a snap election due to her concerns over the equal pay law change. Gray issued the challenge during the acknowledgements section of Thursday's Local Water Done Well deliberation meeting, the day after the Government passed the Pay Equity Amendment Bill under urgency. 'I would like to acknowledge the huge amount of work that has gone into the topic that we're about to discuss and I'd like to note that it followed a very rigorous consultation process where we engaged the community and we have followed all the legislation and we followed all the processes. 'I say that the day after central government passed the Pay Equity Amendment Bill not following the same set of processes and not allowing the community to get on board with all of this.' Gray looked directly at the livestream camera and called on the Government to initiate a snap election 'recognising the fact that they're not acting on behalf of the country's best interests'. The legislation raises the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued when making a pay equity claim. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the changes would make the process of raising and resolving pay equity claims more 'robust, workable and sustainable'. Opponents said it would make it harder for women in female dominated industries to make a claim. The changes to the legislation included raising the threshold of 'predominantly performed by female employees' from 60 percent to 70 percent and requiring that this has been the case for at least 10 consecutive years. There would also be a requirement for evidence that the work was historically and currently undervalued, and a framework to ensure employers were able to 'meet their pay equity obligations in a way that is sustainable for their business – for example through phasing of settlements'. The legislation would also give further guidance on the use of comparators in pay equity claims, with the Government saying the Act did not sufficiently set out the rules for comparators which had led to comparators being chosen even where the work was very different to the claimant. For example, health administration and clerical staff employed by district health boards used comparators of a fishery officer, customs officer, corrections officer, and mechanical engineer to support their pay equity claim. Midwifery comparators included detective senior sergeants and transport engineers and school administration comparatives included civil engineers, and senior fishery officers. Any comparison would now be between female employees and male employees at the same employer, or if that was not possible, then to other similar employers. Opponents to the amendment bill said because there were few comparable industries that reflected the same skill level, multifaceted work, and qualifications held by those working in predominantly female workforces, it would now be harder to gain pay equity. Under the new legislation, 33 current claims would be stopped and would need to restart under the new threshold. – LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Another Round Of Speed Consultation Up Ahead
Article – Emily Ireland – Local Democracy Reporter One of the big changes in the latest speed management plan, compared to what was previously consulted on, is that the roads surrounding Martinborough Square would remain 50kph. South Wairarapa District Council is gearing up to re-consult on speed limit changes after the Government's new Land Transport Rule voided its previous consultation. The draft Speed Management Plan said the plan focused on areas of high concern, including: peri-urban and urban areas with high cycling and pedestrian activity; rural areas with 'high exposure to infrastructure risks' such as drop-offs or narrow seal width; and unsealed roads. One of the big changes in the latest speed management plan, compared to what was previously consulted on, is that the roads surrounding Martinborough Square would remain 50kph. The council had wanted to reduce the speed to 30kph but the new rule doesn't allow this. Dozens of roads currently posted at 100kph were proposed to have speed reduced to 60kph including parts of Humphries Rd, Longwood East Rd, South Featherston Rd, and Underhill Rd. Some coastal roads would be reduced to 40kph in parts. A report to South Wairarapa District Council's Strategy Working Committee said the proposed timelines for the six-week consultation period was May to June. Following the hearings and deliberations, the final plan would be confirmed and submitted to the director of land transport by the end of September. New speeds would be implemented in the first six months of 2026. The plan preparation and implementation of the proposed Speed Setting Rule is subsidised by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) at a rate of 51%. South Wairarapa District Council has lodged a subsidised funding application for the sum of $435,500. Variable speed reductions outside schools would be implemented separately and were not required to be re-consulted on. – LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Landslide Approval Of Wairarapa Water Model
Article – Emily Ireland – Local Democracy Reporter The council asked for feedback on two options: a Wairarapa-Tararua asset-owning council-controlled organisation (CCO), or its existing approach — a non-asset owning CCO similar in structure and ownership to Wellington Water. Submitters to South Wairarapa's Local Water Done Well consultation have been largely in favour of joining forces with Carterton, Masterton, and Tararua to deliver water services. But some presenters at Wednesday's hearing were critical of the council only consulting on one 'viable' option. The council asked for feedback on two options: a Wairarapa-Tararua asset-owning council-controlled organisation (CCO), or its existing approach — a non-asset owning CCO similar in structure and ownership to Wellington Water. Of 134 written submissions, about 87% were in favour of the Wairarapa-Tararua model. Submitter Leah Hawkins said the Wairarapa-Tararua option was 'not just being presented as the preferred choice, but is the only viable choice'. She was concerned there was no backup plan if the model did not succeed. 'South Wairarapa should not be forced to adopt a model just because there are no other options on the table. 'It's policy by default and we must try to demand better.' The council's consultation document said the status quo approach would present significant financial challenges in delivering its planned water infrastructure programme. It said from around 2030 onwards, the council would no longer have the capacity to fund any further capital works through debt, 'severely limiting our ability to maintain and improve our water infrastructure'. Submitter Dean Di Bona said the government had delivered 'an absolute lemon of legislation that we have to work with'. He said the council's status quo approach had resulted in an adverse audit opinion in the council's draft long-term plan, which left only the Wairarapa-Tararua option as 'a contender'. 'This starkness has left us in the unenviable position where tunnel vision can take over and red flags are missed,' Di Bona said. He asked what would happen if one of the four councils did not join the Wairarapa-Tararua model, and expressed concerns about attracting expertise and resources when other CCOs would be getting set up at the same time. Submitter Adrienne Young-Cooper, who was previously the chair of the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy, supported the Wairarapa-Tararua model and believed it would 'create an entity of sufficient scale and financial clout and expertise to be able to do a great thing for all the councils'. She hoped the proposed Wairarapa-Tararua model would attract 'great people who are prepared to come and live in Wairarapa, grow their families here, and build their careers'. Submitter Shane Atkinson was also in favour of the Wairarapa-Tararua option but believed there would be no buy-in from other councils unless water charges were ringfenced by district. 'I can imagine the howling and snivelling from Masterton should there be any suggestion that they pay for or have higher costs as a result of taking on board some of the smaller entities,' he said. Submitter Bill Armstrong also supported the asset owning CCO option with neighbouring councils, but he wasn't supportive of Tararua being included. He said the inclusion of Tararua significantly increased the geographical area of the proposed CCO and was concerned it would increase costs and stretch resources thin. Submitter Sue Fox asked the council to pursue a status quo model with Wellington councils. 'Instead of the uncertainties and costs attached to forming a new CCO, let's stick with the devil we know,' she said. 'Having seen the attempts to get the Wairarapa councils to work together over the past three or four terms, I just cannot have confidence that the CCO body will be set up in a timely way and be ready to start operating within the proposed budget.' The council would deliberate on submissions on May 8.
