Community connections - building stronger communities together

Ko Erana Peeti-Webber tōku ingoa. I am very privileged to have been selected to chair the Tararua District Council’s Community Connections Committee. Alongside this role, I also hold the portfolios for Marae, Kura Kaupapa Māori and Kōhanga Reo and I represent the Weber/Herbertville area - a place close to my heart, as my whānau had a bach there when I was growing up.

I am extremely passionate about the Community Connections Committee, as this kaupapa is a big part of why I put my name forward for council in the first place. I saw limited opportunities to keep our youth in the district, and many of our recreation areas and community facilities were looking tired and in need of care and investment.

The Community Connections Committee provides oversight of community facilities, parks and reserves, libraries, customer services and wider community initiatives. We focus on strengthening connections with community organisations and ensuring council services are accessible, responsive, and aligned with the needs of our people. While the committee has powers of recommendation only, our role is important in shaping informed decision-making at council.

My key focus as chair is transparency and communication. I want our communities to better understand council-owned facilities - what they cost the ratepayer, how they are used, cost versus utilisation and who is or isn’t paying rates and why. I am particularly interested in how we can keep hire costs affordable without placing additional pressure on ratepayers, so more people can make use of these spaces.

I am also keen to strengthen council processes around community funding and to improve how we recognise and support the volunteers who give so much of their time and energy to our district.

I’m pleased to be working alongside Deputy Chair Cr Elisabeth Kennedy, committee members Crs Keshaan Te Waaka, Crs Alison Amboy and Chris Corlett, and Mayor Scott. I’m also excited to work with Māori ward councillor Cr Keshaan Te Waaka, who also holds the Māori portfolio.

Our meetings are held quarterly, with our first meeting scheduled for Wednesday 18 February at 9.30am in the Dannevirke Chambers. I look forward to working with our communities to build stronger connections across Tararua.

Ngā mihi nui, many thanks.