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Friday 23 August 2024
MP visits "slice of paradise"
Jan Tinetti with Te Waka Kura O Mohua/Golden Bay High School staff member Anaru Mikaere and principal Jono Hay. Photo: Supplied. JO RICHARDS
Labour’s spokesperson for Education and Women, Hon Jan Tinetti MP, visited Golden Bay recently to see the upgrades of Te Waka Kura o Mohua/Golden Bay High School (GBHS), Collingwood Area School (CAS) and meet people in the front line of the community’s social services. The schools rebuilding projects were undertaken during her time as Education Minister in the former Labour Government. On the first stop on the tour, at GBHS, Jan was shown around the by principal Jono Hay and teacher Anaru Mikaere. "It was a pleasure to host Jan Tinetti on a tour of the school,” said Jono. “We are very thankful for the role that she played as Minister for Education in approving funding for our property redevelopment. Jan was impressed with the design of the learning spaces, the way that the cultural narrative is deeply embedded into the
buildings and imagery and also the high level of engagement in learning that she observed from our students in their classrooms." Jan then visited CAS where deputy principal Melissa Dixon, who accompanied Jan on her tour of the school, said it was “a pleasure” to host the MP. “We had the opportunity to showcase how effectively the teaching and learning spaces are being utilised and meeting the needs of our ākonga... She appreciated how our unique local environment influenced our planning, and she acknowledged the significant role that Manawhenua ki Mohua played in embedding our cultural narrative into the design of our new spaces.” Jan, who welcomed feedback from staff and students during her visit, said, “It was wonderful to see them for myself and hear from the staff and students what a difference the upgrades have made for their lives at
school. As a former teacher, I know what a difference a good classroom environment can make for teachers and students. I was very impressed with the beautiful new teaching and resource spaces, offering greater flexibility and improved learning environments.” She noted the students appreciated the practical, as well as the pedagogical, benefits of the new building. “In the words of one of the pupils in the junior classes at Collingwood, ‘It’s great we don’t get wet going to the library now’.” Jan also met staff at Mohua Social Services (MSS) and the Golden Bay Workcentre Trust (GBWT) in Tākaka. MSS service manager Premal Gauntlett said she was pleased to have the opportunity to talk directly with the MP. “She was very informed and interested to hear some of the current issues we are facing in our community. Continued on page 2
TDC Residents Survey JO RICHARDS
The results of Tasman District Council (TDC’s) recent survey show that resident satisfaction remains similar to last year while pointing to a number of areas for improvement. Tasman District Council (TDC)’s Residents Satisfaction Survey is an annual exercise designed to gather public feedback on what the Council is doing well and where it can improve its services. The survey measures community use and satisfaction across a range of Council services and facilities including transportation, three water infrastructure, waste management, communication, and customer service. Between 1 May and 11 June, market research company Research First called 197 landlines and 203 cell phones, selected at random to provide a representative sample of Tasman residents. A quota system was used to ensure the sample included a range of respondents based on age, location, and gender, representative of the District’s population. Survey questions were based on 21 performance measures relating to levels of service and targets from Tasman’s 10-Year Plan 2021–2031. Responses from survey participants showed that of these 21 performance measures, 15 achieved their target and six did not. TDC chief executive Leonie Rae said the value of a regular survey offered mutual benefit to council staff and its residents – through identifying and appraising how well Council services are being delivered. “Having this kind of measurable data available to us is extremely important in maintaining the high standard we aim to provide our residents – thanks to everyone who participated in the survey.” Notable results: • 71% of respondents were satisfied with the Council’s performance overall (compared to 73% in 2023 and 64% in 2022); • 69% of respondents felt the Council’s reputation was good/ver y good (compared to 72% in 2023 and 66% in 2022); • There was a high satisfaction with our recreational facilities, libraries, storm/ waste/drinking water and kerbside recycling, which all had over 85% satisfaction. • However, residents noted they felt significantly less safe when cycling (41%) as opposed to driving (85%) or walking (73%). Continued on page 3
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