NO CIRCULARS

A Parua Bay resident has asked us not to distribute the LETTERBOX to them, and politely stated that they are “not our target audience”.

I explained that while we write LETTERBOX, as a citizens' press, anyone is free to distribute it as they wish. I pointed out that, as a courtesy, we do ask those who distribute it to respect “no circulars” notices. They replied that they don't have such a notice on their letterbox.

I think it is useful to outline what is common practice regarding the delivery of flyers.

Download Letterbox - ready to home-print

Click... print... and distribute to letterboxes near you! 

Ready to home-print. The latest and previous issues of LETTERBOX. 

(Reminder - When distributing, please respect "no circular notices")

Welly watch - New NZ First MP

The resignation of a NZ First MP, Tanya Unkovich, has opened the doors of Parliament to a new list MP with strong connections to Northland.

David Wilson (#9 on the NZ First party list) was the CEO of the economic development agency Northland Inc from 2013 to 2019. He stood as a candidate for NZ First in 2017, 2020 and 2023.

He stood as the NZ First candidate in the 2020 election on a “getting things done” platform. He said, "There is no reason why Whangārei – or Northland in that sense – can't be one of the most prosperous regions in New Zealand".

I am sure there will be many who will be asking for him to lobby hard to achieve exactly that.

Wilson has a Master's in Public Policy and a PhD in Governance and Regional Economic Development. David currently lives in Kumeu. His term started on 30 June. 

[Photo credit: NZ Herald]

1News story, HERE >>>

Q & A with Urban Ward candidate Crichton Christie

 We continue our series of articles featuring candidates standing in the October local body elections.

One of Whangarei’s longest-serving local body councillors has announced he will be standing for election for the WDC Urban Ward.

Crichton Christie has extensive experience as a WDC councillor in the Denby Ward (Kamo), which is now part of the enlarged Urban Ward.  While a councillor, he held various senior roles, including the chairmanship of the planning, infrastructure and finance committees.  

We had a coffee with Crichton to find out why he had decided to stand again after a six-year break. 

Fluoride-free water tap

The WDC has approved the installation of two fluoride-free water taps for public use, one at Maungatapere and one at Maungakaramea. The installation cost would be around $10,000. These locations were among a number of options put to councillors in an expert report commissioned by the council.

While the cost is not significant, the question is:  Why? Will fluoride-free water seekers drive to Maungatapere or Maungakaramea to fill up their water bottles, when they could “harvest” fluoride-free rainwater from their roof?

Fluoride fight costs

The WDC spent $156,788 (excluding staff time) on the challenge to the Ministry of Health's order to fluoridate the town water supply. The details are: $18,200 to survey 500 residents, legal costs of $132,738 and $5,850 for an expert report about the options to install a fluoride-free tap.

The annual operating cost of the fluoridation is estimated at $100,000. 

Mayor Jepson changes seats

 Kaipara Mayor, Craig Jepson, will not be contesting the Mayoralty in the forthcoming elections but will instead stand for the Mangawhai ward as a councillor. Jepson said the move would allow him to focus on local issues in his ward.

He is endorsing his deputy mayor, Jonathan Larsen, for the mayoralty. He said Larsen is the perfect person to build on the solid base that has been established during his term as Mayor.   

Larsen is standing on a platform of “Stability – Unity -  Leadership”.  He has been on the council for 12 years, the last 3 as the deputy Mayor. 

[Photo credit: NZ Herald]

NZ Herald article: Here >>>

Plan B?

 According to the Advocate, the number of cruise ships visiting the north is set to plummet.

The report says, bookings for the 2025/26 cruise season have almost halved from their peak two years ago.

That’s not good news for the Hundertwasser. The plan to turn around the loss-making tourist attraction had relied on more cruise ships providing more paying visitors through the gates. It’s now pretty clear that’s a strategy that will not deliver the numbers to turn around the $700k annual operating loss.   

So what’s Plan B? Is there a Plan B? If there is, then let’s hear it.

Various reasons for the dramatic downturn in cruise ship visits have been given, but the main ones are higher operating costs and port fees, and more stringent “clean hull" regulations.

Readers write - junket

 

“It's a bit on the nose for them to send two staff members and the mayor for an all expenses paid trip to French Polynesia for a twin city cultural agreement. They just put up rates claiming they have no budgets etc, yet they find money for this nonsense, and send staff from the Maori Outcomes department. Council has many cultures working for it, yet they decided to only send and highlight the Maori Outcomes staff.  But either way, no council staff or member should be being sent on a fancy holiday on ratepayer money when they just put rates up, and many rate payers can't afford this increase, let alone a holiday.”

WDC junket

Whangarei Mayor Vince Cocurullo will lead a delegation to French Polynesia from 25 July to 1 August. 

The cultural exchange follows the signing of a sister city relationship between the WDC and the municipalities of Ra‘iātea, at the Terenga Parāoa Marae in March 2024. Its purpose was to “strengthen relationships across the Polynesian Triangle and restore ancestral connections through contemporary civic and cultural exchanges.”

Rates the #1 election issue

Feedback from LETTERBOX readers shows rates will be the #1 issue for this local body election.

It seems ratepayers have had enough and are demanding the council prioritise essential services over niceties.

Here are some finance facts.

Over the last three years, a typical house in urban Whangarei has had a total rate increase of 27%. This includes a 25% increase by the Whangarei District Council (WDC) and a whopping 36.2% by the Northland Regional Council (NRC). These increases are more than 2 and 3 times the rate of inflation, respectively.

The WDC will increase rates by another 9.8% this year, and the NRC by 3.6%.

Can the WDC save $10m a year?

 

The New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) achieved savings of $10 million in annual spending through a comprehensive restructuring and operational efficiency program. Can the Whangarei District Council do the same?

The NPDC savings were part of a broader "transformation" initiative aimed at reducing operational costs while maintaining service delivery. Here’s how they did it: