November 29 2022
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Holiday cheer for volunteers Surf life savers have heart and history After a disruptive two seasons due to Covid-19 changing the plans of holidaymakers and locals alike …
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Whānau fun in the sun
Silver Fern Farms Community Whānau Day makes a return this December, providing the perfect follow-up …
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p Dargaville’s Hospice volunteers gathered to celebrate the season, and present long service accolades to those in their number who have reached milestones of service last week. In a tradition lasting for more than a decade, the contingent of support workers who make it possible for Dargaville Hospice to help families in their time of greatest need meets each Christmas to receive some well-earned praise. With volunteers working to raise funds, in chaplaincy roles, offering family support and in many more capacities, this get-together provides a rare chance to gather in one place and reflect on a busy year of service.
Voting age drop for local elections u by Andy Bryenton
The prime minister has promised to draft new electoral laws giving the vote to 16-year-olds.
Tip decision a year away
The Environment Court appeal hearing against the proposed mega-dump for Auckland’s rubbish in the Dome …
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Jacinda Ardern indicated that the first tranche of voting law changes would likely be to local government elections, marrying up with the findings of the panel drafting new rules for local authorities. We asked a veteran of several local body elections, Jason Marris, his opinion on the topic, not in his role as interim
Kaipara District Council chief executive, but as a person engaged professionally in the mechanisms of governance. “I think this is a good try based on best intentions, but statistics show that those most engaged with local government elections are those who have a stake in the district; business and homeowners,
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for example,” says Mr Marris. He added that any kind of positive move to counteract voter apathy is a good thing for a robust democracy. Opponents of the move, however, are vocal in their rejection of its principle that younger teenagers should have the vote by right. continued on page 6 …