29 January 2019

Media: Maori Television

Topic: Provincial Growth Fund funding

Enquiry

I would like to request an interview with mayor Steve Chadwick and perhaps councillor Trevor Maxwell, about the $27.4 million dollar funding the council received from the provincial growth fund from the government. I see that $20m of that will go to developing the Lake Front, and I just wanted to get those two from the council talking about the benefits that will come from that development.

Response

Mayor Chadwick was unable to accommodate the request today. An offer was made to speak with the mayor tomorrow but the reporter indicated the story would be running today. The reporter made direct contact with Cr Trevor Maxwell who covered off the following points in his interview:

Council has matched provincial growth funding ($20m)

Acknowledgement of Regional Development Minister support

During his political career, Council has tried three times on developing a lakefront plan

Developing the lakefront is positive and has been influenced by the likes of the Ōhinemutu Working Party

As part of the development, it's proposed to move the Te Arawa Waka near the soundshell which is near the entrance to Ōhinemutu

There is a lot of activity expected for the area which also includes the Ngāti Whakaue Waiariki Spa initiative

Council also provided the reporter with information about the series of children's workshops that were held to design a play space at the lakefront.