Town Hall Meeting - Council Chamber
Midday, Monday, November 28

You are invited to attend the Mayor's Town Hall Meeting on Monday, November 28, to get the latest Council information and see the refurbished Council Chamber.

Mayor Michael Laws and Councillors will speak about current issues and there will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions.

It's also your opportunity to check out the new-look Council Chamber.

"The chamber has been transformed from a drab and soulless meeting room into an outstanding civic forum and reception area," says Mayor Laws. "It is not only available for council use but for other groups with a civic focus."

Changes made include:

• establishing a photographic record of all the town, city and district mayors stretching from 1862 to the present;
• introducing Wanganui-themed art works from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries;
• commissioning a set of magnificent rimu tables for formal council meetings;
• removing the stage and introducing a moveable podium;
• upgrading the room's timber veneers, fixtures and fittings;
• laying new carpet;
• establishing an 'honours board';
• establishing a formal flag display.

Mr Laws said that there were still two projects to complete - a carved Maori entranceway into the chambers "to recognise the invitation our local iwi gave to settlers to share this region" - and stained glass surrounds that will tell the story of Wanganui. Both will be privately funded.

"At last we have a Council Chambers that belongs to all of Wanganui, that celebrates our heritage and of which we can all be proud," he said.

So come along to the Town Hall Meeting, see the revamped Council Chamber and hear from the Mayor and Councillors.

When: 12noon-1.30pm on Monday, November 28
Where: Council Chamber, First Floor, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street

Wanganui accountant Matthew Doyle is being proposed as the new Chairman of Wanganui District Council Holdings (WDCH) Ltd.

This week the Council's Finance and Administration (F&A) Committee recommended that Mr Doyle (pictured) be appointed as Chairman.

Current Board Chairman David Warburton is relinquishing the position due to his appointment as the Council's Chief Executive. Mr Doyle is currently a Director of the holding company.

"As well as recommending that Matthew Doyle be appointed Chairman, the F&A Committee also recommended that Michael Eden be appointed as a Director of WDCH," David Warburton says.

"A number of candidates were considered to fill the vacancy on the Board and the selection criteria has focused on balancing the existing skill set while ensuring the candidate has a strong Wanganui focus".

Mr Eden founded GDM Group in 1978 and this year received the Supreme Business of the Year Award at the ABN AMBRO Craig's Wanganui Business Awards.

Other board members are Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon, Matt Edmonds and Harvey Green.

The Finance and Administration Committee also considered a proposal from economic development agency Wanganui Inc (WINC) to fill a vacancy on its Board, created by the resignation of former Cr Graeme Taylor who has moved to Auckland.

The Committee has recommended that Lesley Jones be appointed as a Director of the Board and that Niko Tangaroa be co-opted to the Board, or appointed an alternate Director, depending on which option the Board prefers.

Mrs Jones has specialist skills in brand development and image marketing. Mr Tangaroa has expertise in tourism, especially relating to the Whanganui River.

The other directors of Wanganui Inc are Ron Janes (chair), Mayor Michael Laws, Nygllhuw Morris, Bruce Nicholson and Cr Rangi Wills.

The recommendations will be considered at the Council meeting on December 12.

World Jetsprinting Championship Final Round
Upokongaro - November 27

The action will be fast and furious when Wanganui hosts the final round of the Parker ENZED 2005 UIM World Jetsprinting Championship on Sunday, November 27.

New Zealand's newest and most challenging track, the Shelter View Jetsprint Track, is located 2km north of Upokongaro, State Highway 4.

The world championship will include the best racers from New Zealand, Australia and USA. These spectacular boats accelerate from 20 to 120km in two seconds! To win, competitors must clock the fastest time through three qualifying rounds and then it is a "sudden death" competition where only the quickest run will win.

Practice starts at 9am on Sunday, with racing from midday.