People need to make submissions

By Frank Neill

Local people need to make submissions to the council when it calls for them, and they need to do so in large numbers, the Chair of the Karori Residents Association, Andrea Skews, says.

People need to submit so that the council knows what they would like to see happen.

And the council will listen, Ms Skews says.

“This [current] council is the most engaging group I have seen in my time as Chair.

“They are listening.

“But if people do not submit, they will not be heard,” she says.

Council is currently submitting on its 2024-34 long term plan. This plan will set the direction for the city for the next 10 years, outlining what the council will be investing in, how much it all costs, and how this will be funded.

“We will need to make some hard decisions, balancing investment with affordability, and ensuring we keep up our momentum by focusing on what is most important to Wellingtonians,” the council says.

“We want to plan this with you – what should your city look like in 2034 and what should the council be doing?”

The first phase of the consultation process was a series of public workshops. The last workshop in the northern and western suburbs was held in Karori yesterday, 3 May.

The second stage is on online survey the council is conducting, where the council is asking people what is important to them.

The survey is available on the council’s website under “consultations and engagements”.

The survey closes on 21 May.

The council will also be consulting people on the Karori cycle network.

This work is scheduled for mid 2024.

The council’s engagement team will be carrying out a baseline survey and also dropping off letters about the cycle network.

By Frank Neill

Well known Karori resident William James Dexter (Bill) Guest has died following a short illness.

The 75 year old was active in the Karori community, particularly as a member of the Karori Residents Association (KRA).

He has lived in Karori for the past 29 years and, in his retirement, he has brought his engineer’s perspective to issues the community has faced.

Born and brought up in Dunedin, Bill studied civil engineering at Canterbury University.

He then worked for the New Zealand Railways for more than 20 years before continuing his career in roles related to transport and safety.

“Bill Guest was our beloved friend, mentor, committee member and senior advisor,” says the Chair of the Karori Residents’ Association, Andrea Skews.

“Bill was such a pivotal member of our association and treasure in our community.

“His tireless work on transport, infrastructure, water and parks will be heralded for many generations to come.

“Bill’s senior civil engineer qualifications meant his knowledge was unsurpassed in everything he tackled.

“We are heartbroken to lose his friendship, commitment and brilliant wit.” Ms Skews says.

Bill is survived by his wife Sue and was father and fatherin-law of Morris and Jen, and Jonathan; and grandfather of Henry and Clara.

Wellington City Council approved the city’s first Zero Waste strategy at its meeting on 27 April.

He anamata para kore mō Pōneke – a Zero Waste Future for Wellington, outlines the work the council is undertaking to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by half by 2030, and to continue to divert waste from the landfill beyond that.

The strategy sets a blueprint for intergenerational sustainability in the city, outlining how a circular economy can design out waste and pollution, keep resources in use for as long as possible and safely manage the waste that can’t be reused or recycled.

Zero waste Think Kind contest

This year’s Think Kind Student Competition, where students from years 0 to 13 can submit a project about being kind to animals and the planet has been launched by the New Zealand Vegetarian Society.

The winner of the competition will receive $1,000 for their school, sponsored by Cookie Time. Every entrant will receive a certificate and a Hell Pizza voucher. Entries, which close on 13 August, can range from artwork, literature, film, music and anything in between.

NZVS judges will select the top 10 projects which will be presented for public voting from 1 October and the winner will be announced on 1 November.