Face to face again: Tararua Mayor's message of thanks

Tararua District Councillors and staff gather in the council chamber for their first face-to-face meeting since the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo / Dave Murdoch

Tararua district councillors have held their first face-to-face meeting since February.

The previous month's meeting was held via audio-visual link and no meetings were held in March.

Mayor Tracey Collis said she was proud of the way the district's people and agencies had worked together to ensure the needs of all in each community were met during the Covid-19 lockdown in both alert levels 3 and 4.

"A special thanks to both our iwi Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui a Rua and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tamaki nui-a-Rua for the outstanding resource, care and commitment in looking after our people."

Collis said the team at the council had worked extremely hard through three crises almost simultaneously with the water shortage, declared drought and Covid-19.

"Our chief executive and Blair King had huge roles throughout all three crises and his expertise in overseeing these was very much appreciated within council and the community."

Collis said the council used many of its existing networks and relationships and formed new ones which would strengthen the district further.

"One of the most challenging aspects for me was knowing how brown and dry we were at lockdown, having rain but being unable to visually see how that was making a difference in our rural communities.

"As mayor, it is tough to now your district is hurting and be operating in a reduced capacity to assist."

Collis thanked the Rural Support Trust and Federated Farmers for working with the council to assist the rural community.

"While managing two crises together, we also had a recovery team dedicated to our way forward. #LoveLocalTararua was launched and has been well received to support our businesses and the wider economy."

Collis acknowledged that many people were experiencing increased anxiety, loneliness, stress and hardship.

"We are reconsidering our Annual Plan and rates increase, looking at ways we can assist."

Collis thanked the team at the council who worked through alert level 4 to provide the essential services to keep the Tararua district safe and everything running smoothly.

"I would also like to acknowledge and thank their families as it was a stressful time knowing your loved one was potentially putting themselves at daily risk."

Essential workers throughout Tararua had made such a difference in people's lives, Collis said.

"There are too many local heroes to name individually but some of these stories should be acknowledged and shared because they are stories of humanity and the reason Tararua and New Zealand have done so well in the fight against Covid-19."