“Councillor Corner”

December 2017

We have been an elected Council now for a year and have learned a lot about local government and in particular the workings of our own Council. It has been a steep learning curve as local government is a very different sort of governance, and the responsibilities of Council are large. Deputy Mayor Peter Wethey has now taken over the reigns after the resignation of Mayor Greg Gent, which has made for a smooth transition. Nominations for this role close on December 22 and voting will occur from 26 January until 17 February 2018.

We continue to meet regularly to develop the draft Long Term Plan, which will be out for formal consultation in February. We are reviewing all the activity profiles of the different areas of council business, such as roading, flood protection, storm water, waste water, community, emergency management, district leadership, solid waste, planning and regulatory, to determine the level of service we are able to deliver, and where the priorities are for the next three years.

It has been great to be able to approve grants to some organisations through the Community Assistance Grants and the Mangawhai Endowment Land Grants. These are a way that Council can support the work of local groups, so that together we achieve more for our communities. These grants will come available again next June, and I recommend that community groups check out the criteria to see if you are eligible, and if so plan your application for next year.

I attended the Kaipara Sports Awards in Maungaturoto last month, which was a great showcase of the talent and hard work that our local sportspeople put in to achieve their dreams. It was especially good to see the Masters awards, and show that age is not a barrier for having fun and succeeding in your sport. Congratulations to the winners and nominees. I am now looking forward to the Northland sports awards.

November 2017 (NDHB)

One of my roles on the Northland District Health Board (NDHB ) is chair of the Community, Public Health and Disability Advisory Committee. This committee includes several external members who along with the board members provide advice to the rest of the board on community, public health and disability issues.

This year our focus has been on older people and those with a disability in Northland, and we have been looking at how NDHB works to deliver services to these groups. Northland’s population is ageing and there are a number of growing challenges facing Northland in this area. Many of us are staying well and active for longer, but due to our longer lives there is also an increased rate of dementia, increased number of hospital admissions at late stages of life, ongoing chronic health issues such as diabetes and heart disease, and stress on carers who may also be elderly.

The government has recently updated both the NZ Disability Strategy and the Healthy Ageing Strategy. It is good to see a shift away from looking at these areas as medical problems to solve, towards a more holistic view of people as a whole and a focus on prevention, wellness and support for independence. The priority for the ageing strategy is adding “life to years” rather than “years to life”.

Northland District Health Board has a great website and Facebook page with updates on services and activities throughout the district – check them out.

I was privileged to go to the launch of Te Ara Oranga – Meth Free Northland recently, which is a two year (at this stage) joint initiative between NZ Police and NDHB funded by the proceeds of crime. There is some great information about this on the Facebook page too, including an explanation about the cycle of meth use, which is very informative.

Noho ora mai ra – Stay well

October 2017

Council met at Paparoa recently and had very good presentations from Progressive Paparoa, Paparoa Community Charitable Trust and Paparoa Medical Society. There is a lot happening in our area and it was a good opportunity to share our part of Kaipara with the Council. Thanks to all those who attended on behalf of these groups.

The Citizen Awards ceremony was also held in Paparoa. Those who were acknowledged were impressive in their commitment to serving their communities and making our district a better place to live.

Most Councillors recently attended a very worthwhile joint planning meeting of all four Northland councils, where we looked at ways we could collaborate and work together on important Northland issues and identify areas where we could share information or our ways of working.

The council website has had a bit of a facelift and hopefully is easier for you to find what you are looking for. Roading slip updates and meeting dates can all be found there. Check it out.

The Council continue to have briefings, which the public are welcome to attend, on all the activities of council in preparation for the new Long Term Plan, which will be in place by July 2018. If you have ideas for our area we will soon be formally asking for your views. In the meantime send your thoughts through to haveyoursay@kaipara.govt.nz or check out KDC Facebook.

Our interim CEO Peter Tynan is in place and has his feet well under the table. He is working in the role while we undertake the process of recruitment for a permanent CEO.

September 2017

The Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy has been adopted by Council which outlines the framework to increase both walking and cycling in our district. It aims to promote walking and cycling for residents as well as visitors to our area. The long term strategy aligns with a number of related Northland regional and national action plans – tourism, economic development and transport plans, which gives us the opportunity to apply for other funding to assist with their development.

The Community Grants policy has been fully reviewed and now includes all the ways that Council can offer help and support to community groups who meet the criteria. This includes contestable community grants, contracts for services and assistance and fees reduction for resource or building consents. This policy is in line with Council’s Community Outcome of “A district with welcoming and strong communities.”

Over the last few years some community halls have had their insurance premiums paid for by Kaipara District Council. This year half of the costs will be paid and in the future no halls will receive this automatic grant. To receive assistance they will need to apply under this policy for whatever costs would be most useful to them which could be insurance costs or may be capital items or repairs and maintenance.

The Walking and Cycling Strategy and the Community Grants Policy can be found on Kaipara District Council website. http://www.kaipara.govt.nz/Our+District/Grants+and+Funds.html

August 2017

The roads, particularly the unsealed roads have taken a more than normal hammering, with the wet winter weather. Thanks to all who attended the roading meetings across the district, and well done to our area, with Maungaturoto having the most attendees. Feedback has indicated they were useful to all parties. Council is setting up several roading groups to develop closer links to residents, to help make decisions together on priorities and to keep the lines of communication open. If you haven’t put your name forward but have an interest, contact Sean Mahoney at smahoney@kaipara.govt.nz

Council’s next long term plan will be in place from July 2018. This is our opportunity for a comprehensive review of where we are heading and what our priorities will be for the next 10 years through to 2028, with particular focus on the next three years. Council has adopted our new vision, which is “Thriving Communities Working Together.” Over the next few months Council will be disseminating information about the process for the long term plan, and finding opportunities to engage with communities to get their views on the future direction. Councillors are having numerous briefings on all the aspects of the long-term plan, which the public are more than welcome to attend. These will be advertised, or contact me if you have an interest in a particular area. The main formal consultation will occur early next year once draft documents have been drawn up.

I was really pleased to be amongst 90 others at the Gala dinner in Paparoa for the Paparoa Community Charitable Trust Lifestyle Village. It was a great night where the committee took the opportunity to tell the community a bit more about where the project is at, to raise a few dollars and have an enjoyable night. This project is a great opportunity for Paparoa and I am excited to support the committee’s vision.

Quote for the month – Challenges are what makes life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful – Joshua J. Maine

July 2017

The issue of speed past Otamatea High School on Bickerstaffe Road was raised this month by a local resident and again by the high school. Due to the increased traffic using the road, changes to visibility and the number of students crossing the road, it is believed that the speed restriction of 70km is unsafe.

As a result of this approach KDC have commenced a Speed Review, which will also look at other safety improvements in the road in front of the school. Such speed reviews are planned for all schools in Kaipara, as a result of changes in NZTA policy, and it is pleasing that OHS is now in process. The speed along Judd Road has also been mentioned as a problem for walkers who walk the loop. If you have any thoughts or feedback on these issues contact OHS who are providing information directly to KDC to be considered as part of the Speed Review.

The public forum at the start of Council meetings is a chance for individuals or groups to briefly present an issue or concern to the full Council. We have had some interesting representations from, for example, Federated Farmers, community planning group, residents with local issues and Friends of Kai Iwi Lakes. As always concerns or questions in the first instance should be directed to Council staff by phone or email so it can be allocated to the right team to deal with it. The KDC website also provides information regarding council business, so the answer may be there.

Working together with other Northland Councils is something we all see as beneficial. This is becoming well established with the Northland Transport Alliance, which consists of all three Northland district councils, Northland Regional Council and NZTA working together on roading, where they share ideas and skills and save money and resources.

Thought for the month: Do what you can with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

June 2017

If you are a volunteer in your community, then Volunteer Week in the middle of June was a time for us all to say thanks and to celebrate your efforts. Volunteers in Kaipara are numerous and make a huge difference in many different organisations, groups, events and projects across the whole district. As volunteers you benefit too, through an increased sense of achievement and social connections, but that doesn’t detract from the awesome job done across the district by volunteers to make it our communities stronger and more vibrant.

Volunteering Northland is a Whangarei based organisation dedicated to matching volunteers and organisations, promoting volunteers and supporting organisations to work well with volunteers. I am on their governance board as a representative of the Kaipara district. If you are an organisation looking for volunteers, or are looking for a volunteer role that suits your passions, get in touch with them. They have voluntary positions in Kaipara listed on their website www.volunteeringnorthland.nz

Another organisation I have the privilege to be on their board, in this case as an appointment from Kaipara District Council, is Sport Northland. Having councillors from the four Northland councils helps to ensure equity across the district and brings a local voice to the Sport Northland board table. In our district we have a number of events and activities run by Sport Northland – Project Energise, Watersafe and Kiwisport funding in schools, Active Workplaces, Green Prescription to support individuals to become more active, as well as our Community Connector Roxanne Kelly. Promoting active lifestyles and being involved in sport and recreation in any role and at any age, is something I strongly support.

Thought for the month – It always seems impossible until it is done

Volunteering Northland newsletter article – What is your WHY?

I am fortunate to be a trustee on the Volunteering Northland board. I say fortunate as it gives me an opportunity to be with like-minded people, and use my skills and experiences to work towards creating stronger communities across Northland. This gives me great satisfaction, as well as increasing my knowledge and networks, which then benefits other groups and organisations that I am involved with. Volunteering is a mutual exchange, not only does the organisation benefit, but so does the volunteer.

What creates a good fit between volunteer and an organisation or role? While the task matching and suitability around time required, location and so on are important in determining this, the purpose match is also essential. When you understand better your beliefs, values and purpose for volunteering “Your Why,” and the Why or purpose of an organisation, it helps to find the right organisation to be involved in.

My Why or purpose for volunteering is to assist in improving people’s lives, especially those who are disadvantaged, and seeing individuals, groups and communities achieve their goals and improve their circumstances. Hence Volunteering Northland’s purpose in helping communities become stronger through supporting volunteers and organisations is a good match for me.

Once we are clear about what motivates us and why we do what we do, it helps us to know where we want to put our energies, in our paid work and volunteer time. Simon Sinek and other writers on this topic are worth checking out to help determine your own Why.

“Community Matters” Articles published in local papers

Volunteering –

A survey, published to coincide with National Volunteer Week in June 2015, known as the New Zealand General Social Survey asked people whether they had undertaken any volunteering work for a charity or organisation in the four weeks prior to the survey. It found that 30.6% of all those surveyed volunteered during this time, with slightly more women than men volunteering. Those not in paid work volunteered more than those in paid work. Older people also volunteered more often, with 37.7% of 65-74 year olds volunteering, and the least often with 24.8%, were those aged between 25-34 years.

Communities rely on volunteering, or people helping out and our area is no exception. We are fortunate to have so many groups and organisations with people who put up their hands to help in a huge variety of ways. If that is you, Thank You, you add a great deal to our communities and to the people who benefit.

Rather than seeing volunteering as doing something to help others, it can be seen as an exchange. While you are helping others using your skills or time, having volunteers throughout our communities means that you or your family members can also be recipients. You may help with your children’s school or sports teams fundraising, while you are being helped through neighbourhood watch, being taken in an ambulance by volunteers, or by having lovely gardens in the township to enjoy.

Volunteering – What’s In It For YOU?

Helping others increases happiness, as many studies have shown. A 2014 Harvard Health report “Simple Changes Big Rewards” showed that people who volunteered monthly were significantly happier than those who had never volunteered. Those who volunteered fortnightly or weekly were even happier.

Volunteering for an organisation or community group can connect you to others and your community, help you make friends, meet people when moving into a new area, find work, learn new skills, have new experiences, develop new interests, feel a sense of achievement, and benefit your mental and physical health.

Being a volunteer gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.

Volunteers, when asked why they do it, often express a sense of achievement and motivation, which comes from their desire and enthusiasm to help. While it is true that you cannot help with everything, what you can do is make your little corner of the world just that little bit better.

It has also been found that employers are much more likely to employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without, and nearly all volunteers who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted.

So that has to be good for YOU!

How do we look after our Volunteers?

People volunteer or help out with groups or organisations for many different reasons. As an organisation do you know why your volunteers are there, and do you create an environment that values them and encourages them to participate in the way that best suits them?

Organisations often rely on the goodwill of volunteers, without consideration of the value they bring to the organisation. Volunteers need to know their involvement is making a genuine difference and that their contribution is both recognised and appreciated.

Good volunteer management creates a win-win situation for the volunteers and the organisation. A bit of planning and the right person leading the team can make all the difference to volunteers’ motivation to stay involved.

Looking after volunteers

• Effectively respond to enquiries and create a welcoming environment
• Find out what motivates your volunteers so you can keep them interested, it will be different for each person
• Match volunteers to the roles available in the organisation
• Share the workload
• Provide orientation and training where needed
• Invest time and money into practices such as expense reimbursement and role expectations
• Have a mentor or someone available for new volunteers to call with queries

Keeping volunteers

• Understand there are many factors that contribute towards volunteers staying in an organisation, including personal e.g. motivation, life stage, and available time, as well as organisational e.g. length and usefulness of meetings, good leadership and communication
• Ensure cost is not a barrier to volunteers’ involvement
• Have an organisational culture that welcomes, values and respects volunteers
• Ensure you communicate with volunteers and keep them up to date
• Recognise, appreciate and thank your volunteers and supporters regularly and genuinely – take the time to ask them how they might like to be recognised and rewarded/thanked
• Have fun
• Have well run effective meetings – but that is a topic for another day!

Working Together –

Community organisations and groups, while working in the same community, can often work in isolation from each other. Time, volunteers and resources are usually limited, and it may seem that there is little chance to stop and reflect on where the group is heading, and what could help them to get there. Some organisations have field workers who are out and about meeting with clients or spreading a message, others are based from home or other offices. In rural or small communities these groups and individuals can be quite spread out. So the opportunity to get together to share with others may be seen as a luxury. Working in isolation and getting on with the job has its benefits – more work can get done with less down time, there is less need to communicate with others before making decisions etc. It also has its down sides – workers and volunteers can get overloaded, become stressed and burnt out. They may not be keeping up with changes in the community, in funding provider’s requirements, and other members of the group can feel left out and lose interest. We are social beings and the opportunity to meet with others doing similar roles can be refreshing and recharging.

Community agency meetings are run in many areas for this very purpose. They are for community agencies to keep each other informed and share ideas and concerns. Many funders, especially government funders, want to see organisations working together and collaborating on projects or sharing their efforts. It is not always possible to do this, and the effort of getting two or more groups together to apply for funds can seem more effort than it is worth. It can however be useful to talk with other similar or complementary groups, so as not to be in competition with each other for funding. It may be that rather than putting together joint proposals, you can at least agree that one group will apply to local funders this month and another organisation will apply next month. The limited pool of money can then be spread across the community. That is a good start at co-operation, and you never know where it may take you.