Ensuring residents continue to have running water, safe roads and recycling services during the nationwide lockdown is top of mind for Waipā District Council's essential workers.
Nearly a third of Council's 310 staff hold roles that are critical to the wellbeing of Waipā households.
These include essential water and parks services, animal control, recycling collection, maintaining roads, cemetery duties, urgent building compliance work and supporting customers.
Waipā District Council chief executive Garry Dyet said residents might not realise how much work went on in the background to provide services that sustain the district.
![Waipā District Council parks and reserve supervisors, Craig McCurdy and Stephen Bagnall. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/BFMH6PYZT26JAPRVNZ34IJWMAU.jpg?auth=5d55b827c33a359bbc4fb5c616975790c68e86a46a691a0452db4c29b7532e95&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
"These staff are carrying out vital duties, without which, life in Waipā might be much harder for everyone. The work they do in the background isn't often noticed but could cripple the district if it wasn't being done," says Garry.
"Unlike most of us, they are having to leave their homes, their families and their bubbles and go out into the field to do their jobs. We are very lucky to have such committed people in these roles."