Mayor Michael Laws is encouraging the whole community to turn out to support Wanganui rugby at Saturday's Meads Cup semi-final match between Wanganui and Poverty Bay.

Last Saturday's match was a great success with Wanganui defeating Poverty Bay by 56 to nil. This means that the televised home semi-final will now be held here in Wanganui.

Mayor Laws, who has sponsored the team the past four years, says that "rugby matters in terms of promoting a positive profile of a city or region. Hosting the Meads Cup semi-final will generate significant revenue for the Wanganui district".

Mayor Laws also said that the District Council staff will be wearing Wanganui rugby jerseys in support of the team this week and he expected that Wanganui businesses and the community would similarly swing behind the team to encourage and support them.

A bronze, larger-than-life statue of former New Zealand Premier John Ballance was publicly unveiled outside the offices of the Wanganui District Council on Monday, October 19.

A plaster/concrete version had been sited at Moutoa Gardens but Maori protesters beheaded the statue during the 1995 occupation. The District Council commissioned an improved, bronze replacement and this was unveiled by Mayor Michael Laws on Monday.

"John Ballance is one of Wanganui's most famous sons. The former newspaper editor and Premier of New Zealand is finally coming home. The new siting gives him even more prominence in our city, and has him overlooking one of the major intersections adjacent to the seat of local government," said Mayor Laws.

"If the protesters of 1995 had actually read a little more history, they would realise that Ballance was an outstanding political leader and became a strong protector of Maori land in his time as Native Affairs minister. He was also a supporter of giving the vote to women."

John Ballance was Premier of New Zealand from 1891-93 and formed the country's first Liberal government. He was previously the MP for Rangitikei and Wanganui.

Forget the expense, dangers and hassles of fireworks at home and bring the whole family to enjoy the spectacular entertainment and pyrotechnics extravaganza at Cooks Gardens on Saturday, November 7.

The Skyshow returns to Cooks Gardens with the promise of a night of spectacular entertainment, including fireworks, Army display, radio controlled helicopters, gymnastic display, bands, merry-go-round, giant slide, air worm, jousting, mini train rides, Life Education classroom, face painting, balloons, food stalls and more. Plus a magnificent fireworks display to light up the night.

Gates open at 6.30pm. Tickets are $8 for adults, children under 14 years free admission if accompanied by an adult.

Buy your tickets now at the Royal Wanganui Opera House to avoid delays at the gate. Gate sales will be available.

With summer approaching more people will take advantage of the longer daylight hours. Unfortunately their activities often result in an increase in noise complaints.

Apart from the cost to Council (and in turn that means a cost to you) there is the added inconvenience to others.

The rules state that there is to be no excessive noise — this includes night and day!

The term 'Excessive Noise' means:

Noise that is under human control and is of such a nature as to unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort and convenience of any person (other than a person in or at the place from which the noise is being emitted), but does not include any planes, trains or vehicles being driven on the road.

If you are having problems with noise please contact us: Phone (06) 349 0001 (24 hours / 7 days).

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Senior Wastewater Engineer
Applications close 23 October 2009

Arts Coordinator
Applications close 30 October 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, October 28 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)
- Rural Roads Draft Strategic Plan Review; Wanganui District Bylaw Part 4 – Animal Control Review; Forestry Study – Effects on Local Roads; Community Views Survey; Economic Development Research – Rural Sector; Proposed Changes for Rural Fire; Rural Broadband Initiative Submission.

Council – Friday, October 30
- Adoption of 2009 Annual Report

Youth – Monday, November 2 (4.00pm)

Community Development – Tuesday, November 3

Finance & Infrastructure - Tuesday, November 10

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.