The bulk of a councillor’s work takes place outside of the topics that become ‘election issues’. It is the small decisions, the avoided disasters, the persuasive nudges, where the most important work takes place.
Below are a few examples of how I’ve used my voice to guide us towards a better outcome.
A destination playground in the city
The biggest frustration I heard from Nelson families when I was elected in 2022 was the long promised but never delivered destination playground in the city. After multiple delays, and a diversion of funding towards an inner-city plaza-type space replacing the bus depot, the project needed to be brought back on track.
We established and I chaired the City Centre Playspace Taskforce to guide this project, confirming Rutherford Park as the perfect site - open space, connected to the city, ample parking, public transport and cycling connections. We managed to lock-in the uncertain central government funding ($2.5m) and have appointed contractors, with design work underway.
The project will be completed in 2026 and, better yet - the previous valuable inner-city site is earmarked for something even more exciting.
Supporting our most vulnerable
One of the most vivid memories from the 2022 election campaign were the August floods. These floods devastated our wider community, destroying people’s homes and causing over $80m of damage to council assets.
During this time, through my church connections, I became involved with a pop-up shelter to support Nelson’s most vulnerable, those sleeping rough on the streets. This came together in a hurry - within hours - and was an effective response to a pressing need. However, bringing about such a rapid response also comes with risks, particularly when working with such a complex group of people.
Relying on volunteers, luck, and generosity is not a good long-term plan. In this term of council, we have developed a more cohesive plan to support our vulnerable community members during similar emergency events, with trained volunteers, facilities, and resources on standby.
Delivering community housing
In 2020 Nelson City Council sold it’s pensioner housing units to Kāinga Ora and used the proceeds to establish a $12m housing reserve. The intention was for the housing reserve to be distributed as grants to local community housing providers to enable the development of new social and affordable housing. This community housing was (and still is) urgently needed.
By the time I was elected in 2022, only two grants had been allocated, and many were noticing the opportunity cost of having these funds sitting unallocated. I campaigned on rapidly distributing the housing reserve to our trusted community housing providers.
Council established the Community Housing Acceleration Taskforce, and during this term we have fully allocated the funds from the housing reserve, enabling the development of over 100 homes that will remain in local community ownership in perpetuity.
A voice of reason
When I first stood for council, I assumed the bulk of the role would consist of advancing the priorities that I campaigned on in the election. What I didn’t realise was how much time would be spent guiding council away from making mistakes, or from wasting our staff’s time and resource on political activism and virtue signalling.
One example of this was the relentless pursuit of region-wide speed reduction (such as 30km/h on most roads that are currently 50km/h) despite the knowledge that the incoming government (in 2023) would likely undo that work. I pushed back against a fast-tracked consultation period and am glad that this was extended, as prior to us implementing any change, the government passed legislation that would have undone these speed reductions anyway.
Another example occurred with the international cricket games that are now a regular summer fixture. After many years with a world-class venue (the Saxton oval) but no international games, Nelson had the opportunity to secure three games over the summer. The games were booked, tickets sold, and accommodation for many visitors organised.
A concern came to council after discovering a little-known clause in the Saxton Reserve Management Plan that disallowed alcohol advertising. The games were only financially viable due to alcohol sponsorship, so council officer’s recommended that we allow an exemption. As a social worker, I am well aware of the damage of alcohol harm - but I can also weigh this up against the tremendous benefits, both social and economic, of such significant games taking place in our region.
Council initially voted down the exemption, before realising how damaging this would have been both to local businesses and to our regional reputation, and re-voted to allow the games to go ahead.
Keep it 60, Atawhai
Despite pushing back on region-wide speed limit reductions, I am not ‘pro’ or ‘anti’ speed limit changes in any way. I value a balanced approach that is mindful of the many different needs of the surrounding community and users of the road.
When the previous government signalled that they would ‘undo’ any speed limit reductions that occurred post 2020, an Atawhai local quickly alerted me to one area that would cause some concern. SH6 through Marybank was subject to a decade-long discussion that ultimately led to the speed limit being reduced to 60km/h - primarily because this narrow stretch of highway has a shared path adjacent to it that is frequently used by children and families, with no alternative route available.
This was due to be undone without any public consultation. I quickly wrote to the Minister of Transport and connected with the many concerned parents and community members who began to make some noise about their concerns. After discussing this further with the Minister on his visit to Nelson in February, he later that day announced that consultation would take place. Following the overwhelming public support for 60 km/h, the government has decided to retain this speed limit.
Community development
Nelson’s charitable organisations underpin the wellbeing of our community and deliver hundreds of millions of dollars of skills, volunteers, and expertise that council will never be able to deliver on its own. However, as a holder of broad community knowledge, council does have a key role to play in the charitable sector.
One aspect of this role is through the provision of our Community Investment Fund. Council could never afford to fully-fund the charitable sector, but we are able to provide seed and targeted funding to maximise the impact of smaller grass-roots initiatives solving challenges unique to Nelson. In this term of council, I advocated and supported the increase of our Community Investment Fund from $340k per year to $500k per year.
Another way that we can support charitable organisations is through sector-wide co-ordination, reducing duplication, and supporting charities in their establishment. A group of community members saw an opportunity to establish a regional community development agency, and I saw that there could be immense value in this.
I used my council and community knowledge to support the establishment group to set up what is now known as the Te Tau Ihu Community Development Agency.