Latest news with #MatthewRosenberg
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Move To Increase Te Reo Māori Street Names In Invercargill
Article – Matthew Rosenberg – Local Democracy Reporter Te reo Mori street names are on track for a boost in Invercargill as the council takes steps to ensure they are more readily available. Te reo Māori street names are on track for a boost in Invercargill as the council takes steps to ensure they are more readily available. In March, an Invercargill City Council meeting revealed confusion around its policy for street names, after a developer failed to bring a single te reo option for consideration. It was revealed that their inclusion was 'highly recommended' but not compulsory. On Tuesday, the council looked to fix that issue by suggesting an amendment to its policy meaning one of three names brought to the table would need to be in te reo Māori. The council's mana whenua representatives would also be involved in the process, ensuring the Whakapapa of an area was considered in naming. Council manager strategy, policy and engagement Rhiannon Suter said the process enabled the council to support developers by connecting them with mana whenua representatives for feedback. In the rare circumstance a Māori name could not be provided within 20 working days, three English names could be presented, she said. 'We've agreed that this pragmatic approach should result hopefully in the outcome that everybody is wanting to see. 'Certainly, that has been the steering provided to us from previous committees, that we would like to see more te reo Māori names ultimately utilised through the district.' The change in policy relates to new name applications and is being made under a scheduled review. It is yet to be approved at full council, with Tuesday's decision being a recommendation at committee level. A report prepared for the committee noted it was not appropriate to create a list of pre-selected names because Whakapapa meant the location needed to be considered.
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
More te reo Māori street names for Invercargill
The Invercargill City Council is updating its policy on the use of te reo Māori street names. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDR Te reo Māori street names are on track for a boost in Invercargill as the council takes steps to ensure they are more readily available. In March, an Invercargill City Council meeting revealed confusion around its policy for street names after a developer failed to bring a single te reo option for consideration. It was revealed that their inclusion was 'highly recommended' but not compulsory. On Tuesday, the council looked to fix that issue by suggesting an amendment to its policy, meaning one of three names brought to the table would need to be in te reo Māori. The council's mana whenua representatives would also be involved in the process, ensuring the whakapapa of an area was considered in naming. Council manager strategy, policy and engagement Rhiannon Suter said the process enabled the council to support developers by connecting them with mana whenua representatives for feedback. In the rare circumstance a Māori name could not be provided within 20 working days, three English names could be presented, she said. 'We've agreed that this pragmatic approach should result hopefully in the outcome that everybody is wanting to see. 'Certainly, that has been the steering provided to us from previous committees, that we would like to see more te reo Māori names ultimately utilised through the district.' The change in policy relates to new name applications and is being made under a scheduled review. It is yet to be approved at full council, with Tuesday's decision being a recommendation at committee level. A report prepared for the committee noted it was not appropriate to create a list of pre-selected names because Whakapapa meant the location needed to be considered. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Scoop
10-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
The Old School Building That A Community Tried To Sell On Facebook
Article – Matthew Rosenberg – Local Democracy Reporter The school closed in 1971 and its building hasnt been used since 2015 when a local playgroup moved to the nearby hall. An abandoned school building in rural Southland may finally face its fate after multiple failed attempts to get rid of it. There was a request to burn the building down in 2019, it was later pulled from a Facebook marketplace sale, and was almost sold for $5000 before the deal fell through. Now the Seaward Downs recreational reserve where the district council-owned building sits is tracking towards disposal — legitimately. The 1.5 hectare site, half an hour east of Invercargill, is also home to an empty swimming pool, changing rooms, and tennis court. The school closed in 1971 and its building hasn't been used since 2015 when a local playgroup moved to the nearby hall. District councillor Julie Keast, a member of the community board that oversees it, said it was possible the building's heritage value was not understood in time to make a difference. 'It needs a lot of maintenance and over time I suspect that it hasn't been done in what could be called a preferred way to maintain that heritage,' she told Local Democracy Reporting. A number of attempts have been made to get rid of the school building, which falls under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act because of its age. Details of those attempts were recorded in an April 29 report for a Waihopai Toetoe Community Board meeting. A request from a domain committee member in 2019 to dispose of the building by fire was deemed too expensive because of its classification under the Act. In 2022, members of the community placed the structure on Facebook Marketplace but a potential sale was stopped due to it being council property. The council decided it could be sold later that year, and a price of $5000 was reached with a potential buyer. But the sale never happened because the purchaser could not be contacted. The local board has now recommended to council that it request staff to begin a disposal process for the property. Reserve status would need to be revoked, which would return both the land and buildings to the Crown — in this case the Department of Conservation. If the site is sold by DOC, the council can request a share of the proceeds. The council understands the building was constructed at another site in 1891 before being transported to the reserve in 1954. Its compliance team is investigating whether the structure is sanitary, and further work could be required if it is deemed not up to scratch. The land has an expired licence to graze which is 'rolling over'.
Otago Daily Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Council rejects wish of rūnanga to obtain land
Omaui is a coastal settlement south of Invercargill with views of a beach and estuary. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDR A piece of land with special significance to Māori will not be returned after Invercargill councillors voted to retain the status quo. Mokomoko Reserve in Omaui - 25 minutes from Invercargill - was identified for potential disposal in August 2023. The triangular-shaped section covers almost 5000 square metres and is grazed by way of an informal relationship with a neighbouring farmer. Te Rūnanga o Awarua submitted to the council in October 2023 highlighting the significance of Omaui and desire to have a place for reconnecting with the land. The area was known as a place of burial, and caution needed to be taken in changing land use due to the possibility of desecrating unknown urupā, former rūnanga kaiwhakahaere Dean Whaanga wrote at the time. Whaanga also presented on Tuesday, reiterating it was a great opportunity for the council to offer the land as a place to camp or gather kai. But the council's consultation also saw a number of residents object to revocation, with retention of the view a key concern. The settlement is home to a small number of houses, a camp and walking options. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDR Council mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook supported disposing of the land and said the issue was being left for a future council, even though there had been an indication it was trying to reduce its number of non-useful reserves. 'And this is one that some people would like to have... as a low-key, low impact use, and I'm a little sad that we're not actually looking at that potential," she said. Mana whenua representative Pania Coote agreed, saying the council was not thinking ahead. 'This land is not fit for purpose for the council, so there's an opportunity here to actually put it where it's best needed and I think where it's best needed is to go back to the people.' Ultimately, Cook and Coote were the only members to vote against revoking reserve status and disposing of the land. Whaanga - who is now a trustee of the rūnanga - told Local Democracy Reporting he was disappointed by the outcome. But he looked forward to working with the council on projects important to iwi and the community, as well as understanding how the council would make sure reserve land was managed well for future generations. Other options available to the council following potential revocation were to sell the land on the open market or to a neighbour. The land in question is landlocked with no accessway. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Scoop
Southland Farming Company Slapped With Hefty Fine
Article – Matthew Rosenberg – Local Democracy Reporter The judgement said although it was not necessary to prove the contaminant had entered or impacted the waterway, there was sufficient evidence to show it had.A large-scale Southland farming company has been fined $82,500 for discharging effluent in a manner which could have entered waterways. Gladvale Farms Ltd committed the offending on two occasions in October 2019 at an Oreti Plains farm, north of Invercargill. The company was sentenced on Monday after being found guilty in February following an August 2024 judge-alone trial. Legal action against the company began when Environment Southland alleged the Resource Management Act had been breached through effluent discharge on or into land which could have resulted in the contaminant entering water. It was alleged the defendant irrigated at night without monitoring due to employees being off duty. The judgement said although it was not necessary to prove the contaminant had entered or impacted the waterway, there was sufficient evidence to show it had. Steps taken to mitigate against the discharge were not sufficient, including using a digger to move effluent further into a paddock. Appearing by video feed from Christchurch, Judge Steven told the court that 90 percent of the fine would go to the council. Gladvale Farms Ltd operates five dairy farms in Southland with 3700 cows across 3300 acres, according to its website. Stuff has previously reported fines against the company of $27,000 in 2018/19, and $18,750 in 2017.
