Latest news with #HuttValley
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Porirua residents to decide on super-council, Pacific leaders urge protection of local representation
As Wellington considers regional amalgamation, Pacific leaders caution against losing local voice in a larger system. Photo: Wellington City Council Porirua voters can express their opinion on the potential creation of a Wellington-wide super-council. But Pacific leaders have voiced concerns that the model could dilute local representation unless equity and cultural voices are prioritised. In this year's local elections, Porirua residents will be able to participate in a non-binding referendum that asks whether the city should investigate amalgamating with Wellington, the Hutt Valley, and the Wellington Regional Council into a single entity, while retaining local decision-making. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says the timing is right for this issue to be brought to voters, adding that the last formal proposal for amalgamation was in 2013 and that the local government landscape has changed significantly since then. Pacific leaders are worried that the move could weaken representation, especially if equity is not prioritised and voter turnout remains low. Councillor Izzy Ford, one of only three Pacific representatives on the Porirua Council, supports the initiative but emphasises the need to respond to community feedback to maintain trust, even though the referendum is non-binding. According to the council's official report, voter turnout in areas of Wellington City, including Mount Cook East, dropped below 30 percent in 2022. In Porirua, turnout was slightly higher at 37 percent. Ford hopes the referendum will provide clear guidance, but she stresses the importance of the council committing to listening to the community. Representation remains a major concern for Ford. She questioned how the council would ensure that all voices in Porirua, particularly those from underrepresented communities, are heard in this process. Ford hopes the referendum will lead to a definitive direction from the people of Porirua. "If they give us a total yes and we don't act on it, then that's going to build more mistrust," she says. "There's always that concern, because our people don't always turn out to vote. "That's a glaring concern, is the underrepresentation of Pasifika around the table." Engagement with Pasifika communities is important, according to Ford. "Having things translated into Pasifika languages, so that it's a bit easier for people to digest, and going into spaces like the churches, where a lot of our Pacific people are, and then it's non-threatening sort of spaces as well, and using our common faces in those common spaces, so that people can see them as non-threatening." Gabriel Tupou, Councillor for Hutt City, is concerned that the amalgamation could reduce Pacific representation. As the only Pasifika councillor in the Hutt Valley, Tupou says the issue must be openly discussed with communities. "In a super-city model, we risk less representation. Currently, we have 12 city councillors and the mayor. That will be greatly reduced. "With the large Pasifika demographic we have, they must have input, just like every other community." Tupou also raised concerns about the referendum regarding Māori ward running alongside the amalgamation question. Tupou highlighted that Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry plans to present a similar referendum proposal next month. "I think it's important to keep the Māori ward question clean and on its own." Tupou says that from a Pasifika perspective, the challenges of running for election are already significant, as candidates need to have broad appeal. He is also cautious about the financial implications. "We're looking at possibly a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars to carry out the amalgamation. "South Auckland enjoys a larger Pasifika community, and they're able to mobilise their voice and voting power to elect Pasifika councillors," Tupou says. "But we don't have those same concentrations here." Porirua councillors, led by Mayor Anita Baker, back a non-binding referendum asking residents whether to explore forming a super-council. Photo: Porirua City Council / supplied Auimatagai Ken Ah Kuoi, community leader and Kilbirnie-based lawyer, warns that centralising governance could reduce the influence of smaller communities like Porirua, which has a large Pacific population. He says regional solutions may overlook local contexts, adding that a unified council model could offer benefits, but emphasises the need for safeguards. "There's a risk Pacific voices could be diluted in a larger, more bureaucratic system," he says. "What works for Wellington might not suit Porirua or Wainuiomata. Pacific communities often have specific cultural needs that may get overlooked. "A unified council model could benefit Pacific people by improving access to resources and regional influence. But it also carries risks - disconnection, loss of local control, and inequity if not managed carefully. "To ensure Pacific communities benefit, any move toward amalgamation would need guaranteed local representation, strong community consultation, cultural competency across the new structure, and equity-focused service delivery." Petone Community Board member Semi Kuresa says fair representation must be a non-negotiable starting point. Kuresa says while Pasifika make up more than nine percent of Wellington's population, their enrolment and eligibility rates are much lower. He highlighted three key concerns: representation, cost, and the geographic boundaries of a new council. "While amalgamation might seem practical to some, it raises serious questions about representation, particularly for Pacific communities," he says. "The contribution of our Pacific community isn't something that should be reduced to slogans or soundbites. A strong Pacific voice at the table matters. "As someone intending to stand for Hutt City Council, I'm focused on ensuring communities too often overlooked are part of every stage of decision-making. We can't afford to dilute the voices we need to hear more of." Voting for the 2025 local elections in Porirua, Wellington, and the Hutt Valley will take place from 9 September to 11 October. Each council will have its own ballot papers. Porirua will include a non-binding referendum on amalgamation and a binding vote on whether to retain the city's Māori ward. Hutt City is expected to consider a similar referendum proposal in the coming weeks. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Public sector cuts put pressure on Hutt Valley social enterprise at Remakery
The Remakery is based inside a converted old plaster factory. Photo: Bella Craig/RNZ A Hutt Valley social enterprise says demand for basic needs has increased since the public sector cuts. Common Unity Project Aotearoa is based in a building called the 'The Remakery' - home to a koha cafe, community garden and textile workshop. The group has provided community support for more than 12 years, giving away fresh produce and clothing, and hosting training workshops, but as demand soars, they're after more donations to keep going. Based in an old plaster factory on Waiwhetū Road, the Common Unity project is a team of six part-time paid staff and a large group of volunteers, relying on community and business donations, as well as seasonal fruit and veges grown on its grounds. General manager Hannah Pilbrow said the project's core was the building it was housed in, which gave people a sense of belonging. Common Unity Project general manager Hannah Pilbrow (left) and cafe manager Michaela Taylor (right). Photo: Bella Craig/RNZ "We do huge amounts of community workshops and training," she said. "We have a big māra kai [garden] that's maintained by volunteers and we share that produce with the community. "We do a koha cafe using that produce and also [use] produce from our partnership with Kaibosh, which is rescued food. "We have a community compost scheme, where people can come and compost here, if they can't do that at home and in our local primary school, where [the] community began, we still teach gardening and cooking to the kids there." Only half the building is currently used, because the other half has been deemed an earthquake risk and cordonned off, while they fundraise to make structural improvements. Outside, The Remakery is home to gardens, where volunteers harvest produce to put on a 'sharing shelf', free to the community. Sew Good Collective manager Roberta Petit. Photo: Bella Craig/RNZ Pilbrow said demand for food and essential items had increased in Wellington, since the public sector cuts. "I think you know, in Wellington, especially in the past couple of years, we've really seen the effect of the public service cuts," she said. "People being out of work is very challenging financially." Last year, the project ran more than 250 events, supported 2000 people and grew more than 700kg of organic produce. Fruit and vegetables grown on site are also used at the koha cafe, where people can get a hot meal once a week. Manager Michaela Taylor said the model worked, because they focussed on seasonal food. "[It's] pay what you can afford, so when we have the cafe open, if they can afford $2 or $12, whatever they can afford. "It works, because we stick to locally grown and sustainable food sources [for] most of the food that we cook with. At the moment, the recipes tend to be courgettes, pumpkin or tomato based." The cafe also runs free barista courses for people looking to learn an extra skill. Sew Good Collective volunteers. Photo: Bella Craig/RNZ Taylor said The Remakery's sharing shelf was in high demand and refilled several times a day. "More people are coming to see the sharing shelf, so we've had to stagger during the day, when we put it out, so that it's not all consumed by the first wave. "We put it out in the afternoon as well for the mums or parents picking up [their children] from school." Roberta Petit runs the Sew Good Collective, another branch of the project, which runs workshops where people sew together recycled materials - free of charge. Items for sale from The Remakery, such as honey, chutney and eggs. Photo: Bella Craig/RNZ Clothing is donated to Hutt Hospital, Wellington City Mission and a refugee centre in the CBD. "All our machines and our textiles are donations from the community," Petit said. "What we offer is the opportunity to learn a new skill - a life skill - and the opportunity to open a new cycle of materials that otherwise will be thrown in the landfill." They also use donated clothes that are deemed faulty to be more sustainable and help curb overconsumption of fast fashion. Funding the project's services comes from a range of charities and community organisations, and through items made on site and sold in their shop. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Demand increases for Hutt Valley social enterprise
food life and society 39 minutes ago A social enterprise in the Hutt Valley said demand for basic essentials has increased since the public sector cuts. Common Unity Project Aotearoa is based in a building called the The Remakery - home to a koha cafe, community garden and textile workshop. It's been providing support to the community for over 12 years, by giving away fresh produce, clothing and and hosting training workshops. But as demand soars, so too does the need for more donations. Bella Craig reports.
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
First XV wrap: St Kentigern claim the lion's share against Grammar, Nelson surrender Trustbank Cup
Plenty to sleep on as St Kentigern claim the lion's share against Grammar; Hutt Valley's thorny player eligibility issues; Lindisfarne strike form in Central North Island; Nelson surrender Trustbank Cup; all the action nationwide ... St Kentigern have continued their winning start to the season in Auckland 1A First XV
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Free health checks in Upper Hutt on Saturday
Thirty healthcare agencies are offering free health checks in Upper Hutt on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski An Upper Hutt medical centre is holding a day of free health checkups in an effort to make healthcare more accessible to the Hutt Valley community. Gain Health Centre has partnered together with 29 healthcare agencies for its 'Wellness Day' on Saturday at Ōrongomai Marae. A GP would be at the event for consultations and general check-ups. Other providers will be available for specialist care, including cervical screenings, blood and glucose tests, and diabetes, heart and gout education. Scheduled and flu vaccines would also be free for all age groups. "There are thousands of patients without a GP in Hutt Valley and many of the practices' books are closed due to low resources," Gain Health Centre practice manager Anna Guest said. She said with after-hours health services and hospitals overloaded, the challenges in primary care were the worst they had been in 20 years. "There is a large barrier with access to healthcare in our community which means many people are not getting health screenings and access to services, like vaccinations, when they need them," Guest said. "These are essential for early detection, diagnosis and prevention." Gain Health Centre is part of the Doctors Medical Centres network and Green Cross Health. The Wellness Day started three years ago when Guest, alongside Gain Health Centre's nurse lead, Hannah Bradley, were inspired to start the initiative while at a Green Cross Health conference. Guest estimated that hundreds of people showed up to last year's Wellness Day, and she encouraged more people to come along to this year's event. "Just come along for the day and talk to any of the agencies," Guest said. Guest said while times could be tough for some, all agencies wanted to support and improve the health of the community. "We are extremely grateful for the support Ōrongomai Marae has given us and the hard work everyone has done to bring this event together." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
