Ngaire Newland to step down from Foxton Community Board mid-term

Ngaire Newland.

Foxton Community Board member Ngaire Newland has resigned.

Newland, 70, will officially step down from the board on October 15, two years into the current term and one year out from the next local body election.

Work commitments had seen Newland and her husband Dave move to Whanganui, she employed by the Whanganui District Health Board and he as managing director of Trelleborg/TRS Tyre and Wheel Ltd based in Whanganui.

After commuting from Whanganui to Foxton for a time, Newland came to realise the importance of living within the community to serve.

Ngaire Newland.

"I am leaving the Foxton Community Board but the move is the main reason because I am no longer living day to day in the board area and I believe you need to be," she said.

"The reason you get involved is to serve the community and to help and do something for the community. The community board is about people, it's about listening to what local people want and advocating for them.

"And to be honest I think it needs young blood. You need young ones in there, some go-getters to get people visiting Foxton and looking at the town in a positive way."

The move also saw Newland resign as secretary of the Foxton Tourist & Development Association.

"It is heartening to see the Foxton War Memorial Hall committee is making progress with their mission to retain the hall. Hopefully all the locals will get on board with that project and it will be successful," she said.

Foxton at night during recent Matariki celebrations.

She was delighted to see the work done on the River Loop area of Foxton recently as it was a huge asset to the town.

"We have retained a holiday home at Foxton Beach and we will continue to visit my home town often."