It’s time to take a stand
Justin Tamihana is standing for both the Horowhenua Ma¯ ori Ward and the Te Awahou Foxton Community Board.
“I’ve considered this for some time now and with the support of my wife, wha¯nau and many others decided to take a stand. I have been involved in governance boards and trusts over the last 20 years and many community committees and large infrastructure projects.
“I have a good grasp of what good governance looks like and how policies will help to inform and guide our community to be able to make great decisions. Of course the opportunity to represent in the Māori Ward and Te Awahou Foxton Community Board is a little daunting, but I’m definitely up for doing my best for those I represent.
“Regarding HDC retaining the Three Waters, it’s a little premature for me to comment when I don’t entirely understand the total commitment required by council or whether it’s fiscally viable to our ratepayers but I do support a full overhaul of our current activities around all water management. I’m all for closing the Levin landfill, I’m just not into shipping our rubbish to another person’s backyard. If there is a solution to support waste minimisation, then I’m all for it. Seeing our local wha¯ nau and community fighting and crying for better solutions is heartbreaking. Waste is here forever, and we need to invest in technologies and people that are willing to effect real change. We need a district overhaul and the largest contributors of waste need to be contributing to the solutions.
“Recycling is important if you know where it goes and how its used, or not? Horowhenua requires a strategy that is practical and costeffective. That genuinely connects products to where they are best utilised, and the bi-products dealt with locally too.
“In the eyes of the community there are no affordable housing solutions. Housing development is streaking ahead in the district, but locals are still finding it unaffordable and unattainable. The only council responsibility I see, is to ensure there is appropriate infrastructure that can support what’s already here let alone what’s planned.
“While I’m sure the council supports the need for more GPs and access to better health services, there are many government entities and district health facilitators whose their primary function is to deliver these services. The council should do their best to contribute where they can.
“While we have seen many attempts to improve public transport, it seems that the community hasn’t been that supportive. We need a targeted audience that genuinely wants public transport and look at joint ventures with similar operators to deliver to what is actually required. Even subsidising local operators to assist more cost effective options for users but with environmental considerations. Having worked on the Whirokino Project, Te Ahu a Turanga Project and now the O¯ 2NL Project I can confirm I support investing in better long-term infrastructure and especially roading as the connector of our communities across the district. Built and designed with the landscape, enhancing our environment and creating new opportunities and benefits locally and nationally.
“I think the council has already proven to the community that they are able to act quickly and effectively in times of the pandemic and other civil emergencies. Having excellent procedures and networks to connect the dots in times of need. Maintaining those connections and great communication is critical to assisting at these times.”