Proudly Napier April-May 2014

Dr Ci Na Su aft Aty C pie m n ou r m nu nc ar a il yi lP ns la id n e

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Proudly

THIS ISSUE

Coffee with a Councillor MTG Happenings

What’s New? Projects

Word from the Mayor

Community News Aquarium News

Events

April/May 2014

Bill Dalton

Coffee with a Councillor

Annette Brosnan

Your favourite meal to cook...

Thai yellow chicken curry. It is a friend’s recipe and I’ve been cooking it for a couple of years now.

What’s your coffee order?

I don’t have a coffee order! I drink instant coffee at home before work and if I’m at a café I order a smoothie or milkshake. If I was to order a coffee at a café – on the rare occasion – I would order a mocha.

Favourite holiday destination...

Home! There’s nothing like spending time at home during winter. We usually go overseas once a year, or go camping, but my favourite would definitely be home.

In the weekend I… Garden, bake, do housework and see family.

One of my goals for the next 12 months is…

Work to build community networks, work on the development of Trinity Crescent Park and also work more with business developments in Tamatea.

Napier City Council Councillor Annette Brosnan Image: Kirsten Simcox

What’s New?

www.napier.govt.nz/our-council/mayor-and-councillors/councillors

Maraenui Skate Park

The kids of Maraenui are spending less time on the couch and more time outside thanks to a revamp of their local skate park.

Thanks to Napier City Council and the Eastern and Central Community Trust, the skate park has been given a $80,000 makeover – and judging by the flurry of activity – it’s a winner with users.

But it’s not just budding young skaters who are enjoying the transformation – two new playgrounds, toilet facilities and a community stage were also created for all to enjoy.

The revitalisation project, which came about as part of a plan to foster safer and healthier communities, will be officially opened by Napier Mayor Bill Dalton in May. www.napier.govt.nz/napier/community-development

Community News

Seven-year-old Rage Keefe makes full use of the new skate park Image: Kirsten Simcox

Tamatea Mural

A new, colourful mural in Tamatea gets the big tick from community constable, Mike Burne – but that’s probably not surprising given it was his idea in the first place.

When the Tamatea Police Station opened, the large blank space on the side of the building bugged Constable Burne - he thought it needed a bit of colour. So, after talking to a few people, including Napier City Council, the mural project kicked off. Tamatea High School art teacher, Graeme Lister, took on the challenge with the help of his students and now the once plain wall outside the Durham Avenue station features a vibrant, colourful depiction of the Tamatea community.

Measuring 6m wide and 2.4m high, the mural reflects the positive features of Tamatea, both past and present – from the rebuild after the 1931 earthquake to the area’s links with Maori. www.napier.govt.nz/our-council/news/latest-news/article/21

Robyn Smith and Constable Mike Burne with the Tamatea mural image Image: Kirsten Simcox

MTG Happenings

New to See

If you haven’t yet visited the new Museum Theatre Gallery (MTG) in Napier, the recent opening of a new range of exhibitions makes it the perfect time for a dose of culture.

A book, Mudlark, accompanies the exhibition. Produced by MTG, the impressive coffee table-style book is available from the MTG shop.

The largest of the new exhibitions is a survey show featuring the work of leading ceramicist Bronwynne Cornish. Entitled Mudlark, it features the whimsical, mystical creatures she has become so well-known for.

In conjunction with Mudlark, two smaller exhibitions have also opened. The Transmogrifier Machine – where contemporary furniture designer Katy Wallace turns ordinary furniture into extraordinary pieces – and Landmarks, two large-scale sculptures from the Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust collection.

Auckland-based Cornish spent much of her childhood in Napier and MTG director Douglas Lloyd-Jenkins says the show feels like a home-coming of sorts.

The three exhibitions are on display until 24 August 2014. www.mtghawkesbay.com

The show, which looks at Cornish’s work from 1982 to today has been curated by MTG and has already garnered interest from galleries around New Zealand.

“It’s great to have Bronwynne’s work showcased at MTG,” Douglas Lloyd-Jenkins says. “Our upper galleries have been transformed into a ceramic zoo as Bronwynne’s wonderful works come to life.”

Cornish, who first started working with clay in the 1960s, has worked closely with MTG staff in the staging of the exhibition.

The result sees the Arnott Gallery painted a vibrant lapis-blue and filled with temple references, stunning lighting and graphic effects.

Browynne Cornish, Standing Figures (detail), Image: David Frost, MTG Hawkes Bay

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Projects While wastewater treatment might not be the most glamorous subject, it’s an essential part of city services and Napier’s new treatment plant is set to start operating in Spring.

The $32.7 million Biological Trickling Filter (BTF) plant, being built next to the existing milliscreening plant in Awatoto, is part of the Council’s commitment to providing advanced sewage treatment for the city.

“It is one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by the Napier City Council,” BTF Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Manager, Jayne Perrin says. “We are really pleased that a project of this size is going relatively smoothly. The site has been very busy lately with dedicated contractors working long hours to meet construction and commissioning commitments.”

The different structures around the plant have been designed with operation, maintenance and durability in mind. The main pump station and the two 26 metre diameter tanks have been constructed. Gemco Construction and Mackersey Construction are building the remaining two structures.

Tenders to build a bio filter and air extraction system, which will treat air and ensure no odours escape into surrounding areas, will be advertised soon. This will complete the project which has been largely funded via wastewater levies over several years. www.napier.govt.nz/napier/projects

Project Manager: Jayne Perrin, Napier City Council CE: Wayne Jack and Works Asset Manager: Bill McWatt Image: Kirsten Simcox

Aquarium News

Seahorse Tank

Known for being one of the most graceful sea creatures in the world, the National Aquarium of New Zealand’s seahorse family will soon be getting some fancy new digs to perform their balletic moves in.

A new, two metre long seahorse tank is currently being built and will eventually house up to 300 seahorses.

Over recent months, Aquarium staff have been running a breeding programme to help fill the large new space – which for the seahorses will be like moving from a small flat to a large mansion!

Seahorses are quite unusual because it’s the males who take on the caregiver role – incubating and carrying the baby seahorses in their pouches. However, the babies sometimes prove to be a little too irresistible to other adults who are known to eat them – which isn’t very helpful when you are trying to increase numbers! So not long after the babies hatch, Aquarium staff are on hand to scoop them out and store them in a separate tank until it is safe to reintroduce them to their relatives.

“If we didn’t take the babies away they would become ‘dinner’ for the adult seahorses,” National Aquarium Manager, Rob Yarrall says.

The Pot Belly seahorses on display at the Aquarium are one of the world’s largest seahorse species - reaching up to 30 cm in length.

Make sure you ‘like’ the National Aquarium of New Zealand’s Facebook page for more updates on when the new seahorse tank will be officially opened. www.nationalaquarium.co.nz

Events

What’s On

The Big Easy

What’s on at The Napier Municipal Theatre

Back for the second year in a row, The Big Easy is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy Hawke’s Bay’s spectacular bike trails.

Held on Saturday 19 April – Easter Weekend, it’s not your average cycling event. Rather than push themselves, participants are encouraged to take it slow and enjoy the local food and wine on offer along the 45km trip.

The Big Easy begins at the Havelock North Domain and finishes with a concert at Church Road Winery in Taradale.

Transport is available at the start and end of the day too, so you don’t have to worry about getting to and from venues.

Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children, which includes a t-shirt, concert entry and access to the Big Easy deals on the route so you can stop, sip and eat your way along the ride.

For those looking for a more challenging ride there’s a range of ‘Not So Easy’ cycle events planned throughout the weekend too.

The nights might be getting cooler – but there’s no excuse to stay at home with all the great events going on in Napier.

Paul Potts: One Chance, 22 April People are probably quite familiar with the name ‘Paul Potts’.

His first audition for Britain’s Got Talent is one of the most viewed videos on You Tube and it’s easy to see why. Touring New Zealand during April as part of his One Chance tour, Paul is accompanied by an orchestra, and New Zealandbased soprano Anna Hawkins.

Royal New Zealand Ballet: Coppélia, 16 & 17 May Be prepared for laughter, mystery, romance and the finest classical ballet in the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s performance of Coppélia. The three-act ballet is unique to the RNZB and told for 21st century audiences. Don’t miss this special occasion for all ages.

Also on at the Municipal Theatre: 7 May An Evening with Kris Kristofferson 8 May Heath Franklin’s Chopper – Repeat Offender 21 May 2Degrees Comedy Convoy 23 May NZSO 2014: Russian Fire www.napiermunicipaltheatre.co.nz/whats-on

Visit www.thebigeasy.co.nz for all you need to know.

Mayor Bill Dalton

Deputy Mayor Faye White

Councillor Mark Herbert

Councillor Graeme Taylor

Councillor Maxine Boag

Councillor Rob Lutter

Councillor Michelle Pyke

Councillor Roy Sye

Councillor Annette Brosnan

Councillor Tony Jeffery

Councillor Kirsten Wise

Councillor Keith Price

Napier City Council www.napier.govt.nz 06 835 7579 info@napier.govt.nz www.facebook.com/NapierCityCouncil 231 Hastings Street, Napier 4110 Private Bag 6010, Napier 4142

Councillor Mark Hamilton