Local government comes to city

Palmerston North has been chosen to host the Local Government New Zealand conference in July next year.

Organisation chairman Stuart Crosby said Palmerston North was seen as a perfect place to bring about 600 leaders from around New Zealand together for sharing ideas and responding to challenges.

Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said he was looking forward to showing local government colleagues what the city was doing.

Rangita¯ne, Massey University and Toyota NZ would partner with the council to welcome delegates to the conference at the newly updated Central Energy Trust Arena.

Smith said delegates would be interested to see the work the city council had done at the Arena and at the Papaioea Place social housing complex. ‘‘We’re also thrilled to showcase our Manawatu¯ River framework, which recognises the importance of our awa.’’

The central feature of the river project, the He Ara Kotahi cycle and pedestrian bridge and pathway, was highly commended in the 2021 Local Government New Zealand excellence awards announced on Friday night.

The judges said it was a beautiful bridge that had been embraced by the community and connected its people.