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A gift with heart St John celebrates upgrade Hato Hone St John is pleased to announce that there is a significant new expansion to the ambulance …
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p Brothers Kevin and Ross Simpkin delivered a brand new defibrillator to the Dargaville ambulance station, where Hato Hone St John’s Louise Collings and Steph Frost gratefully received the emergency device. Kevin served as a cadet with St John in Dargaville, when he was only 10 years old, and this sparked a lifelong association with the ambulance service for him. He and Ross wanted to give back to their community with a lifesaving gift.
Planting future shade Mangawhai Hills College students have taken the old adage about wise people planting trees so that future generations can enjoy their shade …
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New councillors speak Themes of united service across all wards, fiscal integrity and measured growth were at the forefront of maiden speeches delivered by new …
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Regional governance restructure proposed u by Andy Bryenton
In a series of reform proposals touted as ‘simpler more cost-effective local government’, parliamentarians Chris Bishop and Simon Watts announced the possible end of the Northland Regional Council, as we know it, last week. The coalition government released information about proposals that could potentially see local mayors take over regional council powers and responsibilities. “Councils and their elected members shape the places we live, the local services we rely on, and make decisions that affect our everyday lives,” said Mr Bishop. He noted the reforms, if adopted, would be the biggest change to civic governance since 1989. “Local government is meant to serve communities, not confuse them. However, right now, the system is tangled in
CREATING A CLEANER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD
duplication, disagreements and decisions that defy common sense. The government does not think local government is serving New Zealanders well, and the time has come for reform.” Core to the proposed changes appears to be the RMA reform package, set to be introduced to parliament before Christmas. With fewer plans, consenting categories and consents overall, regional councils will have less to take care of, meaning the abolition of regional councillors is an idea Mr Bishop and Mr Watts are ready to discuss. Elected regional councils would be replaced by Tractors Cars Trucks Batteries
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a Combined Territories Board under the new proposals; a coalition of mayors empowered to work together for their wider region. Voting in such a system is the key to how this might work. Population-based voting was mentioned by the ministers, which in a Northland example could give added weight to the authority of the mayor of Whangārei. Voting based on land area would conversely favour Kaipara. “By removing regional councils, we can cut duplication, reduce costs and streamline decision-making,” Bishop said. ¢ Transformers Radiators Car/Truck Rims Aluminium
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