In celebration of Puanga, the Māori New Year, Stratford District Council (SDC) and Ngāruahine Iwi Health Services are pleased to announce A Starry Night will return to Whakaahurangi, Stratford on Thursday 27 June at the Stratford War Memorial Centre, .
Chirssy Darth, co-owner of Brian Darth Funeral Services, described that as quite an increase and said the costs would be “significant for low-income families”. Volzke said he was not disagreeing, but explained how this was an effort to save water, with the hope that peole would be more conservative. The mayor said it would be similar to a power line charge, with a cost on top. Lovey Read, of the marae, said she was also concerned about the cost that would fall on them as they often hold hui (meetings) and other events with large numbers of people. Councillor Jono Erwood asked the mayor if the marae could apply for a rates remission.
In the last 12 months, New Plymouth and South Taranaki district councils, and the Taranaki Regional Council, have all voted for Māori representation. One of the country’s smallest districts with a population of just under 10,000, of whom 14 per cent identify as Māori, councillors had the opportunity to green light the establishment of a Māori ward in Stratford in August last year. But they unanimously voted against it, opting to begin the process in 2024, so they had time to consult with their community.
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Stratford deputy mayor Alan Jamieson said what happened to Judd in New Plymouth had worried councillors when they made their first ward decision last year. (File photo)