Message from the Mayor
Happy 2024 Horowhenua! This is the first Community Connection of the New Year, and I wish you all a fantastic 2024. It’s been a joyous start to the year with lots to celebrate. On Tuesday 23 January we opened the revamped Foxton Pools, marking the occasion with a karakia in the morning followed by a party at 11am. More than 700 people flowed through the doors for the party as the refreshed facility opened its doors to our community for the first time. A special thanks to pool specialist Apollo Projects Ltd and sub-contractors for their mahi bringing the vision of a year-round aquatic facility for Foxton to life. It seems the weather has been celebrating with us, with stunning summer days drawing many people to our district, particularly our beautiful beaches. The Royal AP&I show also attracted large numbers to Horowhenua. It was a huge success and I send congratulations to all involved.
The upcoming Medieval Market on Saturday 10 February, run by a group of dedicated and hardworking volunteers, will no doubt relish similar success and I look forward to seeing you all there.
Waitangi Day, Tuesday 6 February, will provide other opportunities for our community to connect. Head down to Donnelly Park, Levin between 10am and 3pm, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom between 11am and 2pm or Hyde Park, Shannon between 5pm and 7pm to celebrate the special day alongside Iwi and Hapu across the district.
As we enjoy fun in the sun, it is important to be mindful of our water use. Little things can make a big difference, and this is especially true when it comes to water conservation. Thank you to everyone saving water, especially during the hot weather we have been experiencing.
The Long Term Plan (LTP) will be an important focus for Council for the first half of the year and we encourage your feedback so we can make plans for the future of our district together. Keep an eye out for ways to share your thoughts on key topics in upcoming Community Connections, on letskorero.horowhenua.govt.nz and on our social media channels.
Until next time.
Mayor Bernie Wanden