Council Fronts to Hataitai Residents' Questions

An impressive number of Hataitai residents turned out in for the “Mayor in the Chair” gathering at the Hataitai Bowling Club last night (Tuesday, 16th October) which provided residents the opportunity to have their say, ask questions, voice concerns and engage with Wellington City Council about issues affecting their suburb.

Mayor Justin Lester made quite an impression, answering questions about the proposed Hataitai Village traffic lights, a second tunnel through Mt Vic, cycle routes around Evans Bay to Oriental Bay, parking in the suburb, funding of Community Centres and sports activities.

Vigorous audience clapping followed Lester’s statement that he personally didn’t want traffic lights at the Village Centre explaining that no decision had been made and that further engagement with the community would be necessary. Councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman provided more information about NZTA’s role in the process.

The Mayor fully explained the processes involved in large city projects such as the second tunnel through Mt Vic, which he believes will be a five year process. His knowledge and ease of explanation hit a chord with the audience.

Accompanied by Councillors Sarah Free, Chris Calvi-Freeman, Simon Marsh, Diane Calvert, Peter Gilberd, Jill Day and Michael Romanos, the Mayor talked about Shelly Bay, runway extension plans, building within the suburb and civil defence. Chatting with members of the audience afterward, there was a general impression of respect and acknowledgement of the depth of Council work.

Justin Lester advised residents to get in touch with one of their ward Councillors if there were issues he should know about.  Our Councillors also have specific responsibilities on the WCC as follows:

Chris Calvi-Freeman               Transport

Sarah Day                               Footpaths

Simon Marsh                          New business

Changing the face of Hataitai

Fifth year students from Victoria University School of Architecture and practicing artists from around Wellington gave Hataitai residents an idea of a "new look" Hataitai, on Friday 20th July.

The exhibition at the Hataitai Bowling Clubrooms, included maps, structures, paintings and drawings of places in Hataitai.

Hataitai resident and student tutor, Sam Kebbell was thanked for the excellent work provided by his students.

Hataitai Management Committee Appoints New Chair

Hataitai resident Barbara Benson was elected last week as the first chairperson of the newly formed Joint Management Committee, which will manage the former bowling club and the Hataitai Community House.

Her Appointment follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between two organisations, the Hataitai Community Recreation Trust and the Hataitai Community House, transitioning them under one management system.

"It is an exciting time for Hataitai and its residents. We have a Feasibility Study in progress in the suburb to find out how residents see the bowling club and its services developing in the future," says Barbara.

She spent 34 years in Dunedin where she led teams of people throughout her working life as a secondary school science and biology teacher and teacher educator.

In 2008 she moved to Wellington to the national position of Manager Teacher Education at the New Zealand Teachers Council (now the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand).

Barbara's voluntary work over 40 years included being the Chief Judge of the National Science and Technology Fair and latterly she was the chair of its advisory board.