Inauguration speech - 29/10/2007

Michael Laws
Mayor

Wanganui District Council

(The Inauguration Address by Mayor Michael Laws delivered after his swearing-in as Mayor at the Council Chambers, Guyton Street, Wanganui)

Councillors, Rural Board Members, Ladies & Gentlemen:

The inauguration of new councils is always an important event in the public life of a city and community.

It is a dedication of service by those who have been elected – but it is also a celebration of those chosen by their community to play a leadership role over the next three years.

Especially to those new councillors – Danny Jonas and RanaWaitai– but also to those new rural community board members … we pay you a special welcome today. We are delighted that your families and friends can be here to share this significant occasion.

Your election, and now inception, is a big deal.

The electors of Wanganui have entrusted you with significant responsibility.

In effect, they are saying that they entrust you to represent their best interests. And to create a better Wanganui for both them and their family.

And they do trust you. You would not be here otherwise. And the bond between an elected representative – and the people – is both an historic and sacred trust. It is not a power bestowed lightly … and it is not one to be undertaken lightly.

From henceforth … if anything does go wrong … it is your fault!

Lesson of 2007 Elections

Three years ago, this was a very different inauguration.

The people of Wanganui had voted not simply for reform, but for something that approached a democratic revolution. They elected a new mayor … 8 new councillors … and 4 new rural community board members.

This most recent 2007 election was different.

This was an election in which the citizens of Wanganui demonstrated a real confidence in their chosen representatives.

For the first time in 9 years, the mayor will enjoy a substantial majority of voter support.

For the first time in almost two decades, there has only been one councillor who has not been re-elected.

In essence, the result confirms the council’s own survey in May of this year. That Wanganui likes what this council has done … and – this is the important part – wants to keep it carrying on with that progress.

Certainly, this is no time to have a cup of tea.

We must carry on with the forward momentum.

We must;

• keep running an efficient council that ensures rates are low and affordable;
• keep developing civic amenities that all the community can enjoy;
• continue our direct democracy partnership – where Wanganui citizens choose the priorities for capital spending;
• keep creating a family-friendly Wanganui that improves the quality of life for every citizen;
• keep getting involved in the great social issues of our time, and of direct relevance to our community.

At this point – I want to pause – to thank those who allowed this momentum to happen – and who are not now part of our team.

To Crs Murray Hughes, Sue Reynolds and Graeme Taylor – councillors who were an integral part of the reform of our council – I pay public tribute and thanks.

To Cr Don McGregor – re-elected – but, sadly, unable to join us on the next part of this journey … I speak on behalf of us all when I say … we wish Joy and especially yourself every strength over the next few weeks and months.

Don’s civic contribution was, simply, outstanding. There is a gap: he will be missed. There can be no higher tribute.

To our former rural community board members – chairman Steve Anstis and Sara Ross – again, our grateful thanks. The rural community board really did play a role in the last council. Steve’s leadership was a significant reason as to why.

The next 3 years:

 I have already alluded to the council policies that, I believe, must be maintained over the next three years.

But now I would like to explain just a little more as to the mayoral vision over the next three years.

Concisely, it is to create the most family-friendly city and district in New Zealand.

To arrest our downward population decline by ensuring that every person, every family that lives here … believes or comes to believe that nowhere else in New Zealand offers the same opportunity or quality of lifestyle.

I want Wanganui people to be proud that they live here.

I want Wanganui people to regard Wanganui as not only their home – but the home that will always be.

I want Wanganui people to know that we offer their kids and themselves a range of modern, up-to-date amenities that are free, inviting and fun.

I want Wanganui people to feel safe, and know that their health and welfare can be catered for no better than here.

That means – in my view – doing the following;

• Extending the riverfront walkway and developing the riverfront as the city’s premier entertainment and recreational area;
• Reviving Kowhai Park so that we return it to being the best and most inviting children’s playground in New Zealand;
• Getting involved in all the social issues that blight our community – gangs, graffiti, littering, stray dogs, declining health services – and playing a positive and proactive role;
• Sprucing up and reviving the entranceways to our city – our best daily advertisement as to who we are and to what we aspire – We are starting with the airport terminal upgrade this Wednesday … but the Marybank straight, the SH3/Cobham Bridge entrance, and the SH4 Parapara entranceway … all require significant, inviting and attractive plantings, design and welcome features;
• Making the best of our current jewels – Virginia Lake, the Bason Botanic Reserve, our Twin Towers (Durie and Bastia) … not simply restoring them but developing them into places that are both tourism spots and family destinations.

This is, by no means, an extensive list.

But I use it to illustrate my purpose over the next three years.

To retain families – and to attract new ones – by improving the quality of life for all our citizens.

We must not be satisfied with second-best.

We must not contemplate the status quo.

We must not surrender to mediocrity.

We must lead.

That is my overriding, over-arching commitment for these next three years.

And I believe that Wanganui has delivered the mayor, the council and the elected representatives to do so.