Home’s where the two tides meet
Nick Leggett is chief executive of Infrastructure New Zealand, and was previously mayor of Porirua City and head of Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand. After long days in the political furnace of Wellington, Leggett explains why he always returns to Paremata. Where do you live?
I grew up in Paremata, went to the school here and still live here. I’ve moved in the area but over the years, we've come back because this is the place that feels like home. We say Porirua but it’s actually Pari-rua, which means ‘the place where the two tides meet’, which is just behind me. So when I’m here, I know I'm home.
How do you feel the area has changed since Transmission Gully bypassed Paremata?
There's definitely fewer cars and it's definitely quieter but it’s still bustling. And, on a day like today, it’s a hub for people to come and swim and enjoy.
How do you think Paremata relates to Wellington?
I still call myself a Wellingtonian, I go into the city for work most days and I identify with the city as well. But if you're in the city all day or you're busy travelling like I do quite a lot, Paremata is a really nice place to come and feel as though you're out of it and you can relax.
What is the biggest issue in your community?
I think the health of our harbour is really critical. I think most people who live here connect to the harbour, but the human impact over the last 80 years has been significant and we've got to invest in decent public infrastructure to improve that.
Have you been impacted by the ongoing water issues?
Yes, absolutely. I’ve even reported leaks on my street.
What needs to be done to tackle them?
We really have to look at water meters as a way of changing our individual household mindsets about how much water we use. It’s not something that's free and just keeps coming forever and ever.
Forty per cent of the water that’s treated now doesn't even get to people's taps. I think that that's appalling and I think there’s a strong feeling from people across the Wellington region that they are really concerned about it.
What’s your favourite spot to go to eat around the area?
The Abandoned Brewery in Parumoana St, Porirua, is good, T Bay Cafe is a good local cafe that’s a bit of a favourite of mine. For a nice dinner, that’s usually in town at Ortega Fish Shack or WBC.
How do you get to work in Wellington?
I catch the train. This area has the highest rate of train usage in the country so while a lot of people choose to drive, the train is very popular.
If you had to sum up Wellington to someone who’d never been, what would you say?
I would say it's a friendly, compact city that you can get around easily. If you just like the city and the harbour, it’s great. But there’s a lot more behind the veil.