July 22 2014
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Kaipara
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Council CEO leaving by Paul Campbell
Kaipara District Council CEO Steve Ruru has resigned to take up the equivalent position with the Southland District Council. He leaves in October after three years at the helm.
DLT from strength to strength
Dargaville Little Theatre is now a month into rehearsals for Footloose — one of its biggest productions to date …
P4
Recycling helps the community
When we put out our blue rubbish bags each week, most of us also have the chance to recycle …
P6
Dargaville MX triumphs
Dargaville Motocross Club triumphed over incessant rain …
P11
Mr Ruru was appointed in 2011, nine months prior to the KDC coming under the governance of commissioners who were appointed in the wake of the Mangawhai sewerage debacle. “I am sad to be leaving, as we have dealt with some tough issues in the Kaipara. But we have rebuilt and council is now moving forward and well on the pathway,” he said. His departure comes as the Local Government Commission considers a proposal to combine the region’s local authorities — including Kaipara — into one Northland council. A final proposal was expected last month, but was deferred until after
the September 20 general election. The Far North District Council has deferred a permanent appointment to its top job and appointed Kaipara commissioner Colin Dale on an interim basis until its future is decided. Kaipara chief commissioner John Robertson says a similar approach is possible in the replacement of Mr Ruru, as uncertainty could deter qualified applicants for the job. Mr Ruru said he was looking forward to his new role. “With family in the region, I have always had a special attachment to Southland, its stunning physical environment and the very many special
Steve Ruru is leaving Kaipara District Council after three years as its chief executive
places that make this a truly unique part of New Zealand.” He replaces CEO David Adamson, who has moved to become Christchurch City Council director of facilities and infrastructure rebuild.
Agreement secures health facility Dargaville and the wider Kaipara community have the assurance of the continuation of dedicated health services for the next 15 years, under a new agreement signed between the Kaipara Community Health Trust and the Northland District Health Board. The original agreement with the board was signed in 1999, after passionate work by a number of locals to save the hospital from being shut down. At that time there was a significant shift in health care nationally to main population centres and the Dargaville Hospital was to be closed.
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“The new 15-year deal is a continuation of the original agreement, which was the result of a packed Town Hall meeting, Save The Hospital Committee, and then the formation of the Kaipara Community Health Trust which secured a government grant of $1.9 million to purchase a 46 percent share in the hospital site,” said trust CEO, Debbie Evans.
NDHB CEO Nick Chamberlain, KCHT CEO Debbie Evans and trustees Rev George Patuawa Nathan and Alistair Hammond sign the new 15 year agreement continued on page 3 …
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