MINUTES OF A meeting of the
Maniototo Community Board
HELD IN THE
Ranfurly Service Centre, 15 Pery Street, Ranfurly
AND LIVE STREAMED VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS ON
Thursday, 7 August 2025 commencing AT 2.00 pm

 

PRESENT:              Mr R Hazlett (Chair), Mr M Harris, Cr S Duncan, Mr D Helm,

IN ATTENDANCE: T Alley (Mayor) via Microsoft Teams, P Kelly (Chief Executive Officer),                                   S Righarts (Group Manager - Governance and Business Services),                 D Scoones (Group Manager - Community Experience), D McKewen (Systems and Corporate Accountant), G Bailey (Parks and Recreation Manager),           S Reynolds (Governance Support Officer)

 

1              ApologiES

Committee Resolution 

Moved:              Duncan

Seconded:      Harris

That apologies from Ms R McAuley be received and accepted.

Carried

 

2              public forum

 

There were no speakers for public forum.

 

3              Condolences

The chair referred to the deaths of Valerie Steele and Michael Dowling. Members stood for a moment’s silence as a mark of respect.

 

4              Confirmation of Minutes

Committee Resolution 

Moved:                Harris

Seconded:          Helm

That the public minutes of the Maniototo Community Board Meeting held on 8 May 2025 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

 

5              Declarations of Interest

Members were reminded of their obligations in respect of declaring any interests. There were no further declarations of interest.

6              Reports

25.3.2         Naseby Cemetery Extension Update

To receive the updated proposed plan for the expansion of the Naseby Cemetery to accommodate future burial requirements.

It was noted that these improvements would form part of a longer plan to improve the cemetery and that these works were scheduled to begin in the new financial year.

Committee Resolution 

Moved:                Duncan

Seconded:          Harris

That the report be received.

Carried

 

 

25.3.3         Maniototo Financial Report for the Period Ending 31 March 2025

To consider the financial performance overview as at 31 March 2025.

It was noted that some expenditure is on hold while the divestment of some venues is worked through. Assets identified for divestment would be considered and next steps would be brought back to the Board for approval prior to disposal.  

Committee Resolution 

Moved:                Duncan

Seconded:          Helm

That the report be received.

Carried

 

25.3.4         Interim Maniototo Financial Report for the Period Ending 30 June 2025

To consider the financial performance overview as at 30 June 2025.

It was noted that staffing costs were unfavourable due to extended summer pool hours, resulting in increased personnel expenses.

Committee Resolution 

Moved:                Harris

Seconded:          Helm

That the report be received.

Carried

 

Note: By permission of the meeting item 25.3.6 and 25.3.7 were heard first.

 

7                      Chair's Report

25.3.6         Chair's Report

The Chair gave an update on activities and issues since the last meeting.

·       Gave an overview of the work done at the Oturehua Domain,  stating that trees had been removed and the area is looking good.

·       Discussed the removal of the trees at the rugby grounds, noting some minor complaints received; however, said the removal allows more sunshine, helps clear frost earlier, and has reduced ground damage.

·       Noted the number of roaming dogs in the town, and requested that dog control be more present to visit and check this issue.

·       Said the rabbit poisoning in the cemetery seemed to have been successful and queried whether a tally of rabbits is recorded.

·       Once again spoke about the broom control that he raised at the June Council. Noted that regrowth is now significantly worse and requested that the roading team follow up before spring.  

·       Noted the interest in the Local Government Elections and spoke positively of the  engagement and number of candidates standing for the roles.

·       Requested an update on the Solar Farm consent and the hearing process.  

·       Acknowledged Mike Dowling for his involvement in the area and role in many local clubs, particularly the rugby club, and stated that he would be very much missed by the local community.

Committee Resolution 

Moved:                Hazlett

Seconded:          Duncan

That the report be received.

Carried

 

8              Members' Reports

25.3.7         Members' Reports

Members gave an update on activities and issues since the last meeting.

Mr Harris reported on the following

·       Noted there had been some issues with flooding on the Maniototo Road but that the new ditch should help alleviate this issue.

·       Also noted the discussions on the elections and strong number of candidates for Local Government Elections.

Mr Helm reported in the following:

·       Concurred with the chair about the widespread issue of broom.

·       Noted the intersection of Barneys Lane and Maniototo Road was dangerous due to a lack of vision and requested that the road be surveyed by roading staff.

·       Wished everyone good luck for the elections and spoke positively about the contest.

Cr Duncan reported on the following

·       Noted the Local Government Elections, and commented on the good engagement, but also that the prospect of losing experienced members was a concern.

·       Gave an update on the latest negotiations around the prospective gold mine.

·       Discussed the airport viability plan that had recently been made public and the work underway to progress Regional Deals.

·       Noted some issues with GPS taking visitors along unsuitable roads, and particularly causing issues for larger vehicles who might breach bridge postings restrictions.

·       Gave a update on areas of the roading network that need attention.

·       Acknowledged his friend and colleague Mike Dowling, thanked him for his support over the years, and noted that Mike’s belief that we need to look after the young and the old, and the rest will look after themselves, was in line with his own values.

 

Committee Resolution 

Moved:                Hazlett

Seconded:          Duncan

That the report be received.

Carried

 

9              Mayor’s Report

25.3.5         Mayor's Report

Her Worship the Mayor reported on the following:

·       Had been to the Infrastructure NZ conference attended by Minister Watts, where it was noted that the majority of councils are voluntarily forming regional groups, with strong support expressed for councils working collaboratively. The Minister indicated that intervention would occur promptly if collaboration was not evident. Her worship also acknowledged an interesting talk given by Sir Brian Roche, the Public Service Commissioner who spoke about returning power to communities.

·       Her Worship noted that Maniototo had once again been featured in the latest Kia Ora magazine and commented that it was pleasing to see the district highlighted.

 

Committee Resolution 

Moved:                Harris

Seconded:          Duncan

That the Maniototo Community Board receives the report.

Carried

 

10            Status Reports

25.3.8         August 2025 Governance Report

To report on items of general interest, receive minutes and updates from key organisations and consider the status report updates.

Committee Resolution 

Moved:                Hazlett

Seconded:          Harris

That the report be received.

Carried

 

11            Date of the Next Meeting

The date of the next scheduled meeting is 18 September 2025.

 

The meeting closed at 2.47 pm

 

 

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                                                                                   CHAIR      /        /