News in Brief

The first four classes in the series of workshops, Creative Writing for Beginners, is to help budding writers find their writing voice, develop the power of words and explore the fast-changing world of publishing, Thomas says.

“We have a vibrant hub in Moir Street with the library for readers and the gallery for artists, so what better way to encourage new writers than to come together at the Mangawhai Arts Workspace.”

Creative Writing for Beginners begins on Thursday April 7 and runs for four weekly sessions. To enrol or for further information, email judy@silvereyepress.co.nz.

Electorates under review in Kaipara
Kaipara District Council has begun a review of local electoral boundaries to ensure the district’s rapid growth is reflected in its elected representation and to accommodate a new Maori ward.

Councils are required to review electoral boundaries every six years, however, district growth means representation arrangements need to be reconsidered now.

The decision by Elected Members in November 2020 to introduce a Maori ward also triggers a representation review.

Each Elected Member should represent about the same number of people, plus or minus 10 percent. Using updated population data, the current Kaiwaka/Mangawhai and Dargaville Wards are well outside the limits and the remaining West Coast/Central and Otamatea Wards are very close to the limit. This will be redressed through the review.

The review will confirm new electorate boundaries, their names and the number of representatives for each electorate and if community boards, should be within the governance arrangements. It will be based on the latest population statistics, which were not available at the time of the last review in 2018.

The Council will seek feedback from communities in April to guide Elected Members in their planning. Formal consultation is planned for the end of August and people will have opportunity to speak to their submission at hearings in October. Council’s final proposal will be notified by the end of October 2021, followed by an appeal period, and finalised in early 2022.

New wards will apply for the next elections, to be held in October 2022.