Mayor Michael Laws welcomed 22 Wanganui residents as new citizens at a citizenship ceremony in the Council Chamber on Friday, September 5.

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Coming from seven different countries, Mayor Laws told the new citizens, "This is quite an outstanding representation of united nations for us, and this is a particularly emotional occasion for you. You have gone and left your country of birth, but now you're committing yourself emotionally and legally to New Zealand".

Each new citizen received a certificate of New Zealand citizenship and a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. Rick Barker. They were also presented with a gift pack containing a Wanganui badge, a pen, a copy of the New Zealand national anthem, a book of photographs of Wanganui and a personal gift from the Mayor – an All Blacks scarf for the adults and an All Blacks mini rugby ball for the children.

Acting Chief Executive Kevin Ross assisted Mayor Laws with the proceedings. The ceremony was followed by an afternoon tea for the new citizens and their guests.

The new citizens and their original nationalities are:
Ms Sarah Ann Green (British), Mrs Krishna Chouhan (Indian), Miss Lakshita Chouhan (Indian), Mr Alexander Charles Drover (British), Mrs Ilaben Govind (Indian), Mr David Paul Green (British), Mr Simplisio Hove (Zimbabwean), Mrs Kudzai Hove (Zimbabwean), Mr Kelvin Tapiwa Hove (Zimbabwean), Mr Raymond Tavonga Hove (Zimbabwean), Mr Takudzwa Jephias Hove (Zimbabwean), Mr Falelima Perofeta (Samoan), Miss Muriel Munatsireyi Rusike (Zimbabwean), Mrs Natalia Egorovna Stewart (Russian), Master Stefan Alek Grobecker (British), Mrs Keri-Ann Lawler (South African), Ms Cheryl Elizabeth Linge (British), Mr Runesu Tawanda Masaisai (Zimbabwean), Mrs Dora Jean McCormick (American), Mrs Susan Simonson (British), Dr Mark Hugo Stegmann (South African), Mrs Jill Stegmann (South African).

At a recent meeting of the Community Development Committee, a number of Community Contracts were awarded for 2008/09, totalling $80,000.

Cr Ray Stevens, Chair of Community Development Committee, recognises that the Community Contracts are an excellent way for service delivery, by combining the Council's resources with those in the community.

"It's great for services to be delivered at a 'grass roots' level and all of the programmes will benefit Wanganui people. We have also got some extra funding available for 'family friendly' initiatives, supporting the Council's vision for a family friendly Wanganui."

The following organisations were awarded Community Contracts for 2008/09:

Athletics Wanganui
Citizens Advice Bureau
Cooks Gardens Trust Board
Junior Farmer Competition
Mainstreet Wanganui
Sea Cadets Association – T.S. Calliope
Sport Wanganui
Sustainable Whanganui Trust
Wanganui Amateur Roller Skating Club
Wanganui Area Neighbourhood Support Groups
Wanganui Beach Society
Wanganui Community Education Services
Wanganui Opera Week
Victim Support
Whanganui Arts Marketing & Development Trust
Whanganui Disability Resources Centre
Whanganui Peoples Centre
Youth Services Trust

Wanganui's eDay 2008 will be held on Saturday, October 4. Volunteers are needed to work three-hour shifts during the day, unloading computer equipment from cars, directing traffic and conducting surveys of the people using the drop-off.

This is a great chance to contribute to an important event for Wanganui and make a difference by keeping Wanganui free from eWaste.

• Visit the website for more information about eDay and eWaste www.eday.org.nz.
• Call the Wanganui eDay 2008 co-coordinator Alistair Fraser on (06) 348 9504 to learn more and become involved.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Chief Executive Vacancy

Wanganui District Council is searching for a new Chief Executive. The role is challenging and rewarding, with no two days the same. It offers the right candidate the opportunity to play a key role in making Wanganui New Zealand’s most family-friendly city.

If you have the exceptional skills and qualities we are looking for, the ability to lead staff and support a progressive team of Councillors, then we would like to hear from you.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Monday, September 22 (2.00pm)
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in August and September.

Submissions Hearings Subcommittee – Tuesday, September 23 (Committee Room 2)
- The Submissions Hearings Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Community Development Committee, will hear submissions to the Council's Draft Arts Policy and the Sarjeant Gallery Collections Policy.

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.