COUNCILLOR kōrero

START YOUR ENGINES! The 2024 ITM Taupō Super400 drivers will soon be on their way and it’s not long before our district will be full to the brim with Supercars fans and visitors.

We can expect them to begin arriving on Monday 15 April onwards. The peak days will be the three days of racing from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 April. Things will probably start to quieten down again from Monday 22 April. Expect more traffic in Taupō, like the Christmas and New Year holidays, and allow yourself extra travel time.

There will be some roads closed in Taupō, around Te Ātea/Tapuaeharuru Reserve on Roberts Street; and traffic management out by Taupō International Motorsport Park. It will be busy, town will be full, shops will be full, car parks will be full, eateries and motels will be full – let’s enjoy this event and welcome all our visitors in the spirit our fabulous district is known for!

On a more serious note, while you are trying to balance the household books and work through the ongoing squeeze of budgets, it’s easy to forget that the Taupō District Council staff working tirelessly in the background are also people who live here and are part of our amazing community. They’re your neighbours, part of your clubs and sports teams, they shop in the same supermarkets, and drop their kids to the same schools. They are working hard to find ways to lower the rates for us all wherever they can, while continuing to prioritise essential infrastructure like our water networks, waste management and roads. Unfortunately they are being given a hard time from some members of our community over decisions which are completely out of their control.

We know there’s a current cost of living crisis and people have concerns and want to have their say but please do so appropriately. We’re in this together and we know it’s not easy, not least because a lot of the council spending in upcoming years is being driven by central government mandates. Your input is essential and we will soon be asking for your thoughts on our draft Long-term Plan, which sets out what we plan to do during the next decade.

More information will follow on how to have your say once the draft Long-term Plan is available to view.

• Pokaka Cresent, from Heeni Street to Kohatu Parade.

• Teti Street, from Heeni Street to Kohatu Parade.

• Stanley Street, from Logan Avenue to Wharewaka Point.

• Logan Avenue, from Wharewaka Road to Stanley Street.

Please follow the directions of course marshals while in the area.

With the chance to see future Olympic stars right here in Taupō, get along to support them if you can.

Thanks for your understanding everybody and best of luck to all competitors!