Latest news from the Taranaki Regional Council.
Talking Taranaki is Taranaki Regional Council's bimonthly newsletter.
In this issue
We discuss efforts to secure a future that works for Taranaki, we reveal a Pukeiti secret, and we explain why Opunake can look forward to a drier future.
Chairman's chat
A future that works for Taranaki
David MacLeod
Kia ora tātou katoa, greetings to you all. One of the many great things about Taranaki is the way our people can put differences aside and work together to achieve common goals. The latest example is Tapuae Roa – Make Way for Taranaki, which brings together councils, iwi, business and central government to focus on unlocking the best opportunities for regional growth and success.
The initiative has gained greater urgency with a recent Government announcement leaving a big question mark over the future of the oil and gas sector, one of the region’s key industries. On the plus side, however, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones was in town a few weeks ago promising $20 million of investment in key projects identified in Tapuae Roa’s new Action Plan.
The projects are in four streams – energy, food, the Māori economy and the visitor sector – and range from the Taranaki Crossing to a New Energy Development Centre, from restoring the Taranaki Cathedral to upgrading the Forgotten World Highway.
Given the regional uncertainties arising from the Government’s energy policy, it will be vital for the Minister to make good on his promises. For example, we hope that by announcing a $400,000 study to ‘put the focus on the Forgotten World Highway’, Minister Jones is sending a clear signal that it won’t be too long before this route is completely sealed and made safe and reliable.
And the success of the Taranaki Crossing relies on the Government pulling its weight in Egmont National Park, so we’re eager for early signs that it shares our vision of developing world-class attractions to bring tourists to the region.
In the meantime, the wider Taranaki Crossing project is a key element in the regional Long-Term Plan this Council has been putting together for the coming decade. Thank you to all those who’ve made useful comments and submissions on the proposal to make Pukeiti a pivotal point in the new route. Your views will be considered carefully before final decisions are made in the coming weeks, so watch this space. - David MacLeod, Chairman
Tapuae Roa Action Plan [PDF, 6.7 MB]
Improving lifestyles
A Pukeiti secret revealed
Greg Rine talks about his favourite aspect of Pukeiti.
What’s the best thing about Pukeiti? Regional Gardens Manager Greg Rine needs only one word to describe his favourite aspect of the iconic rainforest rhododendron garden. Watch this video to find out what it is.
Greg also notes in the video that Pukeiti looks good all year round, and the new Rainforest Centre means it is an all-weather destination. And more good news: The café is open until the end of May – check out its cosy autumn menu.
Founders Café menu [PDF, 235 KB]
Greg’s video is part of a series of short clips in which current and former Pukeiti staff talk about different aspects of the property. These will be available for viewing in the new Pukeiti Lodge after it opens in September.
All three of the Council’s gardens – Pukeiti, Tūpare and Hollard Gardens – are open all day, every day, and each is the venue for mostly free public events that continue through the year. Coming up soon are a tour and talk on Tūpare’s stunning maple collection as it puts on a spectacular autumn display (20 May), a Hollard Gardens workshop on chickens in the garden (27 May), Pukeiti’s annual bird survey (3 June) and a nature photography exhibition at Tūpare (9 and 10 June).
For more information on events, see the gardens events section of this website and for more information about each of the gardens, see this website's sections for Pukeiti, Tūpare and Hollard Gardens.
Supporting livelihoods
Keeping Opunake in the dry
The Hihiwera Stream floods an Opunake property in 2015.
The flooding threat posed to Opunake by the Hihiwera Stream has been addressed in a joint Taranaki Regional Council-South Taranaki District Council project that is nearing completion.
The stream and a small tributary burst their banks and flooded properties in the township in August 2015, prompting investigations into the best way to reduce flood flows through the town.
The flood diversion project was designed and approved in 2017 after the Taranaki Regional Council and South Taranaki District Council had studied the options and gained agreement from owners of land on which some of the work would need to be carried out.
The project has involved:
- New channels, drains and culverts upstream of the township to divert floodwater away from the Hihiwera Stream and tributaries, to the Otahi Stream to the north (Stage 1) and to the Waiaua River to the south (Stage 2).
- With pressure on the Hihiwera’s capacity eased by the first two stages, constructing a channel within the township to divert flood flows from the small tributary on Allison St directly into the stream itself (Stage 3).
“The major works have been completed and all that remains is a bit of tidying up within the town boundaries,” says the Taranaki Regional Council’s Rivers Manager, Daniel Harrison.
“It’s pleasing that it’s come in on time and on budget. The scheme is designed to cope with a one-in-100-year flood, so we believe Opunake can be a lot more confident about the future.”
Around & about the region
Web users, what do you think?
Users of this website are invited to complete a quick, anonymous survey about how they use the site and whether it meets their needs. “We're always looking at ways to improve the website, and this feedback will give us valuable guidance,” says the Director-Corporate Services, Mike Nield. “The survey consists of just a few questions, and there’s also space for users to suggest any improvements they'd like to see."
THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED
Rural wisdom from JK
JK on the way.
The region’s rural-dwellers have an opportunity to hear Sir John Kirwan speak at forums organised by the Taranaki Rural Support Trust and Westpac. The rugby great will share his experiences and anecdotes, focusing on resilience and courage in the rural community, at two sessions on Thursday 10 May – at The Hub, Hawera (2pm-3.30pm) and at Sandford Events Centre, Opunake (7pm-8.30pm). Refreshments will be offered and the events are free. But seats are limited, so it’s essential to RSVP to julie.mitchell@westpac.co.nz, stating location and any dietary requirements.
Digital aid for farmers
The Taranaki Regional Council will lead the development of a simple digital tool to help the region's hillcountry farmers assess the viabilty of planting trees on their properties. The Government's Provincial Growth Fund will allocate $250,000 for the project, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. It could lead to jobs and environmental and social benefits, Mr Jones said.
MINISTER'S ANNOUNCEMENT(external link)