Issue No. 192 - 5 February 2005

2005 New Zealand Masters Games

Wanganui welcomes participants and supporters to the 2005 New Zealand Masters Games (February 5-13).

The opening ceremony will be held at the Powerco Games Village, Springvale Park, at 5pm on Saturday, February 5, with a welcome, official opening, arrival of the Games torch, lighting of the flame and entertainment.

First held in 1989, this year the Games is hosting a record 67 sports and has attracted participants fromthroughout New Zealand and from 11 other countries. New sports introduced this year are euchre, golf croquet, fresh water angling, waka ama (outrigger canoeing) and ridge (hill) running.

The Masters Games has broad appeal, catering for serious and recreational sports participation, with the age groups for most sports starting at about the 30 years mark.

As well as nine days of sport, there is a busy social programme with most social activities based at "the tent" at the Games Village. There will be daily entertainment with keynote speakers, live bands, exhibitions, tourist activities and displays. Other services include photography, merchandise, results, visitor information, food court, ACC sports injury clinic and sports information.

We hope that our visitors will take the opportunity to visit Wanganui's attractions while they are here. If you're looking for information about what to do, pay a visit to the team at the i-SITE Visitor Centre stand in the Games Village.

Wanganui will be buzzing during the Masters Games - try to get along to some of the Games venues to support the participants and enjoy the social atmosphere.

Waitangi '05 - Sunday, February 6
Celebrating our community

Waitangi Day will be celebrated with a range of events at the War Memorial Hall on Sunday, February 6.

Organised by Taumata Hauora Trust Community Development Unit, the celebrations are being supported by Te Runanga O Tupoho, Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority and the Wanganui District Council.

The programme is:

4am Dawn Ceremony
Conducted by John Maihi at Moutoa Gardens/Pakaitore followed by breakfast at the Memorial Hall.

7am-4pm Kai-Fest
A range of food available from the various cultures in our community.

10am-4pm Waitangi Day Idol
Compete for the title and the prize pool of $1000 plus. Open section, Tamariki section. No entry fee.

Treaty of Waitangi Workshop
Educate yourself about what this day in our history means.

Mayor Michael Laws will be speaking about 10am.

Physical activities and health promotion will be provided by mainstream and Iwi providers for children and the whole family. There will also be a skateboarding competition with a focus on board safety and skills. And there will be a wall for budding young artists to test their graffiti art skills.

"The main objective for the day is for our community to bask in the talent that we have and overall have a fun and enjoyable time as a community," say the organisers. It is also an opportunity to learn more about this important day and what it represents.
Petition on police numbers

The Council is currently distributing a petition seeking increased police numbers in the Wanganui District.

The petition says:

"Wanganui District residents respectfully request that the House of Representatives urge the Government to increase policing numbers at a national level so that the policing numbers in the Wanganui District can be restored to at least those of June 2001, which will mean at least six more sworn police officers."

The petition will be available in dairies, petrol stations, takeaway shops and other retail establishments. It is also available at the Council's Customer Services Desk and the District Library.

The aim is to get 10,000 people to sign the petition between now and the beginning of April. A barometer showing progress will be set up in Majestic Square.

If you would like a copy of the petition, please contact Irene Pearson at the Council, phone 349 0001.

Vacancy

Maori Services Manager, Library
Applications close 11 February 2005
Castlecliff Domain -
Entrance Feature Sculpture Competition

7pm on Wednesday, 9 February 2005
Duncan Pavilion, Rangiora Street, Wanganui

The evening will start with a brief introduction about the Domain landscaping.

The three semifinalists in the Castlecliff Domain Entrance Feature Competition will then have 20 minutes each present their proposal to the audience, which will comprise the competition judges and members of the Castlecliff Linking Group.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Judges will then have one week to make their selection.

Upcoming Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings.

Economic - Tuesday, February 8
- Items on the agenda include glass cluster initiative, nil rates increase, Tourism Major Regional Initiative, River Queen promotional opportunities, Wanganui Film Festival, the Wanganui Mayoral Mile event, Council's quarterly report.

Works and Transport (Harbour) - Wednesday, February 9
- Agenda items include closing of Andrews Place Walkway to Braves Softball Park, Give Way control on Spurdle Street, speed limit bylaw, State Highway 10-year plan, water softening.

Harbour - Wednesday, February 9
- Port of Wanganui Ltd Business Plan.

Strategy - Thursday, February 10
- Agenda items include 2007 local authority triennial election - review of Maori representation, prayer at Council meetings, Masterfoods - District Plan change, capital works referendum process.

Environment (District Plan Hearing) - Tuesday, February 15 (2pm)

Council - Monday, February 21 (4pm Pioneer Room, Memorial Hall)
- The Council will consider the reports from all the Committee meetings held during January and February.

Unless otherwise noted all meetings are held at 4.00pm in Committee Room 2, 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.
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