Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington was our speaker, and she gave a speech on her vision for the next two year. Tory Whanau’s vision for a city she cares about is to have a creative capital city where people thrive.
First up Tory acknowledged the awesome mahi Rotary provides to our city and thanked us for our contribution to the city. Tory explained her first year as mayor has been exciting and a real learning curve explaining that local government is very different to her previous role at parliament. Tory noted there have been lots of challenges including rising construction costs, the economic downturn, and surprises like falling streetlamps. However, she is proud of: Tākina Convention Centre
Planting over 100,000 trees
Opening NZ’s first wet house - Alcohol harm centre - NZ’s first alcohol and drug rehab centre here in Wellington
New bus lanes and cycleways
Hosting the FIFA World Cup
The road ahead includes a long-term plan. The next 10 year plan is to be presented to the community and the council are setting up a citizens assembly to help with plans as the council want to be engaged with the citizens of our city to firm up on the long term priorities. If you receive a letter inviting you to take part please give it a go. Tory would like to see the following as part of the Long-Term Plan:
Reducing emissions and developing infrastructure and transportation options that consider the impact of climate change.
Tory has been a supporter of light rail as it can result in improved housing on its route and access to work/workplaces with the expected increase in residents at 20,000 people.
More affordable homes as part of the district plan – an example being the Kainga Ora development in Mt Cook as this will provide quality warm dry homes for up to 350 people.
Medium sized venue for community events and to plant one million more trees.
Have a vibrant inner city that includes culture and art which will be achieved by working with business and community groups, it is expected revitalising the Golden Mile will bring in more people and become a hospitality and retail destination.
These are all big issues, and they won’t be easy to find solutions for but if our CBD thrives then our whole city thrives. Clearly this means there will be some disruption and construction remain a challenge, but we need to adapt to whatever comes our way. Tory rounded off her speech with an event she feels is a real honour - welcoming new citizens to NZ as it keeps us diverse. It reminds her that despite all the challenges we face this is and always will be a great place to live. Most of all the city has people like us (Port Nich Rotary) who care about our community and work hard to make it better. It is that energy and commitment that makes our city strong and get us through anything the next few years will throw at us.