Agenda

Previous Minutes

Draft Minutes MDCA AGM 11 Aug 2025

Correspondence

Reports

“Our Māpua; our Ethos…what do our younger residents really want here? “

 A panel from the Māpua School  Whānau of :

• 2 Year 8 students – Polly Hyde & Bethany Tate ( who included comments from Year 5-8 students)
• a teacher – Bridget Chalmers and
• 3 parents – Taryn & Shaun McFadden

addressed this kaupapa at the  monthly meeting – informing , entertaining and challenging those attending ( see photo)

The theme of what we want from future development and growth was continued with a presentation on “Future growth in the community” by Jan Heijs – an engineer/ infrastructure planner /consultant for local and regional councils

 Recordings of both full presentations & the following open forum are accessible on MDCA’s Facebook Page which also includes links to Jan’s  supporting power-point slides .

1. Māpua School Panel members commented on :

What’s good about living here?

• A safe welcoming community  where you meet neighbours and know everyone; everything is close and there is “ freedom to be children”
• Lots on offer and to do for children and families – the Māpua Youth club
• Wharf Jumping –a strong culture and “the place to be” in the warmer weather

What would we like to see more of / developed?

• A playground and activities with “ older kids’ things” eg confidence course; maze; big swings ; school pool becoming a community pool
• skate park updated to include different areas/activities for novices/ learners and experienced riders
• More interactive activities for children at the wharf –“more could happen down there” including family festivals such as “New Year’s Eve..”; children’s art around the area
• More preschool activities on at the Hall and safer fencing around the playground ( note that MDCA agreed later in the meeting to support the school in any application for such fencing)
• A big asphalt area for young children learning to ride bikes [ noted that Four Square was considering supporting such a project after feedback from the police]
• A safe off-lead area for dogs and their owners
• More events for children and more markets/ food-trucks with affordable kai
• Keeping college students years 9 &10 age –group involved in local community once attending schools “outside the village” so they keep the connections

How to keep in touch ?

• Everyone present noted their appreciation of this opportunity to hear from and work with our younger residents and their families/ educators
• It was noted that the most appropriate media for this age is Instagram ; the school agreed would transmit confirmed

2.  Jan Heijs

• noted that “a lot of future growth” is planned with 100s of houses and new residents
• feared that council “not looking after local community housing needs” and that the current focus on “big houses on big lots” was not reflective of our community and character”
• concerned that with “business as usual”; if residents want to downsize they have to leave the community and that lots of families cannot afford housing in Māpua”

 

Suggesting that TDC

• has a choice on where / how to grow and could have a maximum rather than minimum size
• encourages community involvement in future development strategy
• reviews its development strategy to also support small affordable social housing ; rent-to-own houses

The presentation closed with a series of photographs of examples of social housing/smaller affordable communities; shared parking and green spaces

Jan was thanked for his humanity and courage to present alternative viewpoints

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

“Māpua Liveability Working Group  “ – . Paul McIntosh

• expressed agreement that there should be a choice of land/living styles in the district
• aims to seek common themes and purposes as “ we want to come to TDC with suggestions and solutions “

• plan to share views with other community organizations so can ensure that “ we are all pulling in the same direction”

Reserve  re-classification 

Marion ( as Chair) thanked the councillors for the re-classification of Dominion Flats and Aranui Park as reserves

Cr MacKenzie noted the importance of providing “good background information” and that this was       “ a good lesson on how to produce good submissions- quality not quantity”

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

1. Māpua Willing Wheels –(MWW) – increased numbers of passengers over last month – working on establishing route for planned Motueka Community Bus including stops in Māpua
2. Community Hub– local community directory now  entered on the MDCA Website page with instructions for access on the Facebook page and a request for all organizations to visit and  either check  the accuracy of their entry or make contact to be included ( see separate article in this edition)

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

• MDCA Facebook engagements – 250 on “Good Sorts” nomination for Kai Collective ; 78 on “Deferred Residential Zone” presentation by TDC at May 21 MDCA meeting
• Coastal News nominated as community “Good Sorts” for this month

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

For the July 21  meeting – Forum on Alcohol and Drugs ( from medical/police perspectives)

 

Submitted by:  Elena Meredith

 

“We want communities [to be ] involved and informed” [Ward Cr Christeen MacKenzie at MDCA May meeting]

This headline quote is a succinct summary of both MDCA’s primary kaupapa and the focus of May’s monthly meeting . The theme of future development plans was continued with the particular focus being on Residential Zoning. Once again this “hot topic” attracted over 80 residents and the discussion was led by TDC staff members Barry Johnson (Planning) & Dwayne Fletcher (Engineering)

A recording of this full presentation & the following open forum is accessible on MDCA’s Facebook Page which includes a link to the supporting power-point slides .

Issues raised for discussion and response by those attending included:
Zoning land
• is “a front-load process with collaborative community consultation …to minimize the legal  process” and takes 6-9months
• “When classification of land changes to residential ,rates rise…the purpose of rezoning  land is eventually getting it to be developed[providing housing”]
• Deferred zones –deferral lifted when services are available Rate changes recognize the potential of the land’s capital value- the “uplift occurs when buildings and development happens”
• Local community associations are contacted & informed “but there is no scope for change”
• “not much scope for rezoning in Māpua – the potential for increased density “ needs detailed scrutiny”
• Key messages for future development is “out and up” (60%) which is a change from past patterns of “big –lots and big houses “- “you can apply for resource consent for anything-
• Consider “who does rezoning benefit- developers or the existing community ?”
• Confirmed that FDS (Future Development Strategy) definition of intensification “would not include rezoning any ‘green field’ developments….could include high density if rules change…”
• “village area not included for intensification…will reconsider this in July – can submit suggesting for example “granny flats”….small/tiny houses”
Water & waste-water
• Storm water plan is in place but not formally adopted –from August 1st the moratorium re servicing further development will be removed –
• Agreed on need to consult landowners as potential stakeholders
• Not planning on increasing road capacity “ this is NZTA/ Waka Kotahi responsibility”
• “more interested in exploring safety rather than capacity”
Marion ( Chairperson) reminded meeting that “all processes are public…TDC consults with & informs Community Associations – MDCA’s “ Māpua Liveability Sub-Committee” focuses on these issues so all present encouraged to join the Association and strengthen its voice

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Dominion Flats
Public planting held -29/30 May with 2,000 plants bedded in . For more information contact Helen Bibby. Cr MacKenzie noted, from a recent walk-through, “it’s amazing what volunteers have achieved”

“Māpua Liveability Working Group “ – . Paul McIntosh
• noted that “all topics presented at this meeting are concerns for this sub-committee”
• Theme is “keeping live consultation with TDC about what we want to happen.. past simply making submissions”
• Focus not “anti-development” ; more on “making it more sustainable” and “resident friendly”
• Important to ensure that new acts replacing the RMA enable this focus- “create more access ways rather than roads”….been asked to identify “active transport options” that will work best including linking up green-space areas
• Anna McKenzie noted that a “Landscape & Coastal Environments “Category planned – meeting 3 June at Bowling Club 10am-3pm to discuss what this practically means – MDCA encouraged to “be proactive in preparing for this; ”do a mini presentation next meeting

Roads & Cycle-Ways
• Response from NZTA to concerns raised re potential issues for vehicles turning from Coastal High-way across traffic into Māpua Drive –acknowledging the increased congestion and indicating that area identified as requiring safety work .
• Planned for 2024 and will undertake extensive community consultation

COMMUNITY WELLBEING
1. Māpua Willing Wheels –(MWW) – working on formalizing operational documents such as a Risk Management and Business . Exploring access to funding for a dedicated vehicle for the planned Motueka Community Coastal Bus service
2. Community Hub- Information from local community survey now collated and is in the process of being formatted as a local community directory and entered on the MDCA Website page with instructions for access on the Facebook page

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
• MDCA Facebook engagements – 400+ on Ngaio Reserve development & 100+ on Long Term Plan
• Kai with Love Collective nominated as community “Good Sorts” for this month

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

For the June meeting – “Living in Māpua as a young person /with young people”
1. How do they see Māpua ?
2. What would they like to see happen ?
Presented by a panel including people with young families and students

Submitted by: Elena Meredith

“Developing & supporting a thriving community where we can support our children/grandchildren “

  [ quote from Cr Christeen MacKenzie at MDCA April 21 meeting ]

 

      May  2021 issue

 

Being informed and having an input into our district’s future were once again the main foci  of the Māpua & Districts Community Association’s May 2021 meeting. This attracted nearly 100 residents and the discussion was led by Mayor Tim King supported by a team of TDC Councillors and staff . The primary focus was on the TDC Long-Term Plan (2021-2031  (noting that submissions for this  closed on April 21)

A recording of this full presentation & the following open forum is accessible on MDCA’s Facebook Page which includes a link to the supporting power-point slides .

 

Councillor Christeen McKenzie’s headline quote related to this process and she also noted that the LTP is the result of 18 months’ work with more than  3,000 supporting documents

 

Issues raised for discussion and response by those attending included:

• Zoning { to be the “Hot Topic” for the May MDCA Meeting }- all maps relating to “top of the South” will be posted on MDCA Website under “community planning”
• Development charges on individual property owners
• “3 Waters” scheme
• the Waimea Dam & its increasing costs – “robust discussions” ensued
• Public transport serving the needs of the range of ages of residents in our community
• Status of community housing
• Māpua Boat Ramp- its status & future development
• Riparian planting

 

“Hot Topic” for the May 21  meeting  is to be  “Deferred Residential Zoning in and around Māpua”

1. What prompts the lifting of the “deferment?” ?
2. What will Māpua and Districts look like after the lifting of such a zone ?

To be presented by Dwayne Fletcher & Barry Johnson TDC

Those present at the April meeting encouraged to also attend this meeting as it will cover a number of community queries & concerns

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Dominion Flats

Noted that “ the tracks are finished (“Yahoo”!) and the surprise that after only 10years planting some growth was already needing to be trimmed back.

Public planting –29/30 May – “ bring your own tools” ; morning tea supplied. For more information  contact Helen Bibby

 

“Māpua Liveability Working Group  “

• TDC Strategic Planning Meeting . Paul McIntosh & Marion Satherley re- presented the power-point presentation ( from the April MDCA meeting ) “to enable engagement with senior staff”- requested & arranged by Cr Christeen MacKenzie
• Plan Change 73 – noted that submission not accepted .Paul noted “ I’m not disappointed….we just need to keep flogging away to keep the issues on TDC Radar”

Lifting Deferred Residential Zonings  – Hot Topic for MDCA May meeting “ so come along to our next meeting…”

 

Parks & Reserves–

Review will include Dominion Flats & Aranui Parks so Marion & Wayne to attend on behalf of MDCA

 

District Community Association Chairs ‘Meeting – Marion attended for MDCA & noted how many of the same concerns Associations were dealing with such as housing

 

Roads & Cycle-Ways

• The issues /problems related to cyclists accessing the cycleway from the roundabout at Higgs Road have been followed up  with Jamie  McPherson ( TDC) who has indicated that shared pathway signage is planned for Māpua Drive/Higgs Road
• Potential issues for vehicles turning from Coastal Highway across traffic into Māpua Drive –the meeting agreed to a motion that both TDC Regional Transport Committee &  Waka Kotahi would be emailed foreshadowing concerns relating to this potential problem
• Māpua Waterfront Working Group – will follow up with Jamie McPherson to ensure that (with the agreed changes to the Rimu Bar outside area,) there is clearly defined pedestrian access to the Wharf & that  pedestrian access to the whole waterfront area is managed

 

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

1. Māpua Willing Wheels –(MWW) noted that there has been an increase in passengers with the security of the service continuing . Work is ongoing to ensure that costs and resources can be shared with the planned Motueka Coastal Community Bus service.. Local businesses /organizations encouraged to offer sponsorship to support the scheme’s administrative costs – any amount will be appreciated
2. Community Hub– see separate newsletter article elsewhere in this issue with details of projects and progress. The data collection project is now completed and the information will be used as part of the required supporting data for the planned feasibility study for a potential Community Hub. There is also the possibility of this being used as the basis of an online community directory, Working group members visited Victory Community Centre; Habitat for Humanity Hub in Tahunanui and the Motueka Community House to gather some more ideas for our potential resource and also to extend/ create links for a  potential establishment of a Community and Whānau Group in this district for sharing information and identifying potential shared  community concerns/projects

 

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

May – Deferred residential zoning in and around Māpua – Dwayne Fletcher & Barry Johnson TDC

 

2021 months – a list of possible Hot topics  for the rest of 2021 is posted on  MDCA’s Facebook  Page – if you have any other suggestions of topics please send them to info@ourmapua.org  as soon as possible so they can be considered for the calendar.

 

Submitted by:  Elena Meredith

Continuing  Consultations & Community Concerns  over “ Māpua Livability”

Māpua & Districts Community Association’s March  2021 meeting again  focused on both:

• Being informed :  about the wide range of current consultation processes going on – Public Transport Plans; TDC Long Term Plan (LTP) Government’s “3 waters” proposal and reform of the Resource Management Act( RMA)
• Having input into : all of the above

Draft Nelson Tasman Public Transport Plan (2021 – 2029) & Draft Regional Land Transport Plan for Te Tau Ihu 2021-2031:

Drew Bryant (TDC Activity Planning Advisor Transportation & Clare Scott ( TDC Transport Planner)

Spoke to and elaborated on the main points of each of these plans  in a power-point presentation – links to both the slides and the speakers’  recorded presentations are on  the MDCA Facebook page

 

TDC Mayor – Tim King           

noted that “ lots of consultation processes are going on at present and encouraged all residents to be aware of these and to take the opportunity to comment  :

• Regionally
• TDC Long Term Plan (LTP) – noting the “immense range of topics and details”;urging us all to “please consider the range …” and commenting that “it is costly to provide services across a region of such diverse communities “ . There is a one month consultation period for this plan ( MDCA April Meeting will focus on the Plan’s content and the process for submissions)
• Nationally
• “ Three Waters” current proposal
• Resource Management Act( RMA) reform proposing 3 new pieces of legislation with the aim of speeding up the process . Mayor King noted that this would have “ a major impact on local regional development” and the role of local authorities

A link to the recording of his presentation can also be found on the MDCA Facebook page

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

1. “Māpua Liveability Working Group ( was “ Intensification in Māpua )

• This working group ( 3 MDCA Exec members ;3 local residents & chaired by Paul McIntosh) held their inaugural meeting  and identified their main focus as being – improving relationships with TDC Councillors/staff .Paul  noted that the main problems were not with administration but “how the rule fits within the overall strategy/plan
• Common themes were identified with the umbrella theme being “ Liveability” –leading to the re-naming. Key community concerns are currently how to ensure that :
• walk and cycle way links go into the developers’ plans and
• ample opportunity is provided for “lots of input from the community” on any aspects of development :-loss of trees, walk/cycleway links, open spaces etc

Links to the recording and related slides are on the MDCA Facebook page

• Cr Christeen McKenzie -suggested that this “visionary presentation” be repeated at a TDC Strategic Planning Meeting so that there can “be engagement with the senior leadership of TDC “. She will “ let us know”…………
• Cr Anne Turley – responding to the query as to whether group members were able to meet with developers ,suggested that they check with TDC Customer Services as to who most appropriate to follow this up with
• noted that the “TDC Committees were now charged to gather information from a range of sources “
• Cr David Oglivy – stressed the importance of ensuring that input into working group presentations matched the long term plans enabling connectivity between the Māpua Working Group and the rest of TDC
• Marion Satherley ( MDCA Chair)
• noted a planned meeting of all District Community Association Chair-people April 9^th which would include input on conflict management
• identified concerns at “the disconnect between the information provided at TDC meetings and the resulting plans provided to the community which didn’t include the vision…”

She asked Councillors to clarify :

• whether there are any more deferred residential zones and
• what triggers the lifting of a zone

Christeen undertook to report back on these queries at the April Meeting

2. Roads & Cycle-Ways

Wayne Chisnall has :

• followed up the issues /problems related to cyclists accessing the cycleway from the roundabout at Higgs Road with Jamie  McPherson ( TDC) who has indicated that shared pathway signage is planned for Māpua Drive/Higgs Road  –
• undertaken to raise with Jamie the community’s concern that the re-developed pathway between the Māpua School street frontage and the new raised traffic islands could be seen as part of the road as it is now wide enough for cars to travel on

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

1. Māpua Willing Wheels –(MWW) noted with delight and relief that we have received confirmation of ongoing funding from the Rata Foundation and the Lotteries Commission for the co-ordination and administration of this project for the rest of 2021.. Local businesses /organizations encouraged to offer sponsorship to support the scheme’s administrative costs – any amount will be appreciated
2. Motueka Coastal Corridor Community Bus Route (Motueka through Tasman/Māpua to Richmond) Rachel Mason has begun her (currently ) 6 month contract for establishing this new extended service which  will pass through Tasman and Māpua
3. Community Hub– see separate newsletter article elsewhere in this issue with details of projects and progress. The data collection project is now being collated ready for release with significant interest shown in accessing the future resource. A fruitful meeting was held with the Māpua Library Committee Members to discuss how the two facilities can co-operate especially in terms of information and resource sharing. The committee members expressed support for suggestions of both an online community directory and also the potential establishment of a Community and Whānau Group in this district for sharing information and identifying potential shared concerns/projects

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

April –   Long Term Plan – outline and input

2021 months – a list of possible Hot topics  for the rest of 2021 is posted on  MDCA’s Facebook  Page – if you have any other suggestions of topics please send them to info@ourmapua.org  as soon as possible so they can be considered for the calendar.

Submitted by:  Elena Meredith

MDCA Future/s of Māpua & Districts?

Information, Consultations & Submissions:  Being informed and having our say !!

Māpua & Districts Community Association’s February 2021 meeting focused on both:

• Being informed :  about progress on water issues; playground developments ; what the various categories of “Land Use” relate to
• Having input :into current issues & potential future developments  – with an emphasis on intensification of housing and future transport options & becoming involved early on in planning processes

Current state of upgrade of water distribution and storage facilities

Rob O’Grady (TDC) MDCA

Updated  on the various aspects of this process . This was done on a ZOOM platform and the set of slides he spoke to plus his notes as text, are available on MDCA Facebook Page

• The main aspects he commented on were:
  Māpua Water Treatment Plant- upgrade by Oct 21 to meet higher drinking water standards & seismic requirements
• Pomona Road Reservoir- temporary tank to be demolished & replaced by concrete tank
• Stormwater discharge from Broadsea Ave- 2 Flood gates are to be  bigger ; land at Chaytor Reserve to be regraded to allow water to flow out
• Resurfacing Aranui Road “ next summer”
• Channel from Apple Shed to Rabbit Island -2037!!

Vaughan Cerfontaine  (Project  Manager  Luke Donaldson’s) reported on progress on pipe and pump upgrades:

• Mains- live from wharf to tennis courts
• Waste water- live from Higgs Rd to Wharf
• Warren Place to Pinehill Road – live on left hand side; right hand side – putting in pipe lines
• Waste Water – Ruby Bay Tait St to Pomona Road
• Now working on Aranui Road back to the school (new lines by April 21)
• New Reservoir Tank being built near top of Pomona Road because of  problems with existing Reservoir namely low capacity and leakage
• Pipe to Pump Station not yet replaced

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Intensification in Māpua – noted that MDCA has set up a new working group to address these issues – chaired by Bruce Gilkinson – met near the end of February Noted that MDCA had “been a bit late” in relation to input on developments of local subdivisions and that we want good connections so that we can be involved and engaged earlier [“ahead of the ball”] in the decisions and processes rather than “always playing catch-up” behind the developers.

Issues relating to approval for new subdivisions

• Problems were identified  relating to lack of response to requests made to TDC for earlier notification    before new subdivisions approved as well as community consultation being sought in December/January
• Members identified “a hole in the system” in terms of “ how this is being managed” with not enough time allowed for residents to gain understanding of the issues ( including why the changes are being made before engaging in the process of making a submission ( see Aranui as Case Study)  and asked for Ward Councillors’ assistance . Cr Christeen  Mackenzie suggested a meeting with TDC’s CEO and described this as “ another example in different communities of how current regulations are being interpreted by planners and others……….”
• Cr Anne Turley suggested asking the CEO to halt the process until the contradictions in classifications/re-zoning are clarified ,noting their  impact on future processes in terms of zoning and land –usage

Access to Cycle-Ways

Issues /problems related to cyclists accessing the cycleway from the roundabout at Higgs Road were raised – Wayne Chisnall will follow this up with the Project Manager checking if the project is actually  completed

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

1. Māpua Willing Wheels –(MWW) noted that we are still waiting for confirmation of ongoing funding for this project for the rest of 2021. Many of the team of  volunteer  drivers indicated their ongoing availability  as “ Willing Wheels” for the coming year . Local businesses /organizations encouraged to offer sponsorship to support the scheme’s administrative costs – any amount will be appreciated
2. Motueka Coastal Corridor Community Bus Route (Motueka through Tasman/Māpua to Richmond) Rachel Mason has been contracted to set up  a 6 month trial of this new extended service. This service will pass through Tasman and Māpua and is seen as complementary to MWW (which Rachel also co-ordinates)
3. Community Hub– see separate newsletter article elsewhere in this issue with details of projects and progress. The data collection project came to a close at the end of February with interest shown by many organizations; groups and businesses in accessing the future resource. A fruitful meeting was held with the Māpua Community Hall Committee Members to discuss how the two facilities can complement each others’ service and work in co-operation/ not competition

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

March “Hot Topic”: Nelson –Tasman Public Transport Plan (Draft) 2021-2031.  Presentation by TDC staff with chance for question

2021 months – a list of possible Hot topics  for the rest of 2021 was presented to the meeting and is posted on  MDCA’s Facebook  Page – if you have any other suggestions of topics that you believe will be of particular interest to the community, please send them to info@ourmapua.org  as soon as possible so they can be considered for the calendar.

 Submitted by:  Elena Meredith

 

MDCA : Looking back over 2020 &  keeping on moving forward into 2021   February 2021 issue

Māpua & Districts Community Association’s December 2020 meeting focused on both:

• looking back: summarizing developments in projects and foci over the past year as well as honouring the contributions of individual members and also
• keeping on moving forward: with an emphasis on becoming involved in planning processes  (particularly in relating to the development of sub-divisions ) at an earlier stage as well signaling planned changes; projects  and developments on MDCA’s 2021 agenda

Life Membership of MDCA for Helen Bibby

Helen was honoured for her many years of involvement in and contributions to the community ( often in partnership with her husband Neville) – from 2006 to the present day. During this time Helen  officially chaired the Association for 3 years and “ unofficially” ( as vice-chairperson) for another 2 years – is this a record we wondered?!

Her involvements and projects include

1          Dominion Flats regeneration and replanting project – first planting in 2013 and now thousands of hours and dollars and plants and hundreds of volunteers; school pupils; TDC Staff and DOC employees later, we have an ever-growing minor marvellous miracle – a beautiful gateway to our local community as well as a national template for how to “ save wetlands”

2          Waimea Inlet -kaitiakitanga/guardianship

3          Spring Fling- organizing this annually

4          NBS ATM on the Community Hall

5          Community seating project

6          Civil Defence System of local welfare centre & volunteers

7          Response to 2018 Fehi Cyclone Flooding – feeding volunteers; helping residents to clean up & sharing in organization of the Community BBQ

8          Māpua Community Choir & Māpua Art Society – actively involved as singer/artist and organizer

It was acknowledged that this was not just about how Helen contributed but also how she did so accompanying actions with food; flowers; kind encouraging words and her ever-present cheerful smile

All of this is encompassed in the  whakatauki [Māoriproverb)

‘Nau te rourou, naku te rourou, ka ora te manuhiri.- With your basket ( contribution) and our basket (contribution); the people will be sustained and live well

Those present at the MDCA hui endorsed this presentation to Helen with the waiata Te Aroha

 

MDCA “ Good Sort “ for the month

January 2021:    Pat Russell was nominated for this month as a modern-day  “eco-warrior” who has recently secured QEII National Trust “life of the tree” preservation status for15 Native Trees on her boundary. This has been achieved as part of a 6 year long process of highlighting and challenging the damaging impact the development of the Māpua Rise subdivision has had on her own health and wellbeing as well as on the local environment. It takes a particular brand of courage to constantly challenge using your own personal experiences and MDCA honours & thanks Pat for her many years of persistence which have, at times, left her feeling unsupported, discouraged and exhausted.

Pat personifies the poster quote:  All progress has resulted from those who took unpopular positions.

It was agreed to ask Pat to write up this process with QEII so that others could also access this for preserving “significant trees” in the future

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Noted that MDCA had “ been a bit late” in relation to input on developments of local subdivisions and that want good connections so that can  be involved  and engaged earlier [“ahead of the ball”] in the decisions and processes rather than “ always playing catch-up” behind the developers .

Suggestions for future approaches :

Cr David Oglivie- – suggesting ;

• keeping in constant touch with Dennis Bush-King & Phil Doole
• asking that MDCA be informed of planned consents ; keep pressure on TDC[ Environment Court]
• Writing to Rob Smith ( TDC) checking what is the position in relation to HAIL sites; ’is the owner doing what they are allowed to do on their own land when does HAIL apply?”

Paul McIntyre- clarify & emphasize that we “ don’t want to be treated as an urban area” in these processes

• effort equally needed to focus on the policy makers/TRMP; assessors and creators

Cr Dean McNamara-“  submit back what you want- over and over”

Reserves – discussion on what this classification entails/excludes ; Cr David Oglivie noted that the “ Tenths Promises” in relation to the original land purchases in the district by the NZ Company( Wakefield et al) were never honoured

David Mitchell thanked MDCA for all the work on Aranui Park & asked if TDC had been in touch re discussions about potential future development

Cr McKenzie noted that “if the community wants to influence creation of open-spaces/ walkways etc, then they need to engage directly and have a say with developers ; TRMP is still in place and the process is not occurring within a vacuum :

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

1. Māpua Willing Wheels – noted that funding for this trial project finished at the end of December and that the service would take a break over January . Dropping the “ membership sub” did seem to increase interest in take-up of the service – through the 5month period 17 booked rides were actually completed by the volunteer drivers although many more were discussed and even booked. It is hoped that a submitted application for funding for the full 2021 year will enable the service to continue and become an embedded part of the district’s infrastructure. Special mention was made of the wonderful work the co-ordinator (Rachel Mason) had done in setting up; promoting and running the service with the dedicated team of willing voluntary drivers – noted how fortunate we are to have such passionate supporters of community projects in the district
2. A Coastal Corridor Route ( Motueka through Tasman/Māpua to Richmond) funding has been accessed to support a co-ordinator for  6month trial of this new extended service. The position has been widely advertised and the contract will begin at the start of February.
3. Community Hub– see separate newsletter article elsewhere in this issue with details of projects and progress . It was agreed that MDCA would support the data collection project for potential Hub users by holding the funding awarded by the Māpua and Ruby Bay Community Trust and paying this out in 3 monthly payments to Connie Sherlock as the contracted researcher
4. Māpua Memories – those involved in the process of setting up the interviews for this project will meet together to advance the process ready for interviewing in early 2021

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

February –   “ Hot Topic” :  Māpua and Ruby Bay water and wastewater upgrades : Rob Grady (TDC) on the latest with Jack Cerfontaine who is project manager for the upgrade of the water treatment plant upgrade at the end of Lower Queen St, which supplies Māpua and Ruby Bay.

2021 months – members were asked to submit suggested future “ Hot Topics “ for future meetings

Submitted by:  Elena Meredith

MDCA works closely with TDC to ensure our community functions in a way that suits the majority of our residents. To have a vote that counts, become a financial member of MDCA by simply paying a $10 membership fee to our NBS account 03-1354-0356471-00 with your name & phone number as a reference.           

MDCA : Varieties of planning- Advanced Care & TRMP

(Tasman Resource Management Plan)

 

Māpua & Districts Community Association’s November meeting provided a significant time-slot for  members to brainstorm  together in groups considering  :

• What is special about Māpua as it is now?
• What aspects do we want to see retained ?
• What changes/ new developments would we like to see in future ?

A summary of these thoughts and suggestions  is provided  elsewhere in this edition and will also be posted on MDCA’s Facebook

 

Hot topic for the Month – Advanced Care Planning (ACP)

This kaupapa was introduced by Carla Arkless -Advance Care Planning Facilitator, Nelson Tasman who holds the responsibility  in the District for ensuring that :

• people are aware of & encouraged to engage in the process of developing an ACP &
• doctors and nurses are encouraged and helped to have conversations with their patients about the process

Carla stressed that creating and ACP was appropriate for people to address and complete at any age ; ‘” anyone could contract pneumonia tomorrow” ….and stressed the importance and value of people :

1. considering how they do/don’t want to be treated if/when they are no longer able to communicate this to professionals and
2. having conversations with family and “ significant others” about their wishes on treatments/arrangements and any advance directives

Process of creating ACP

Plans accessible on line or available from health/medical centres

1. Discuss with family/carers the most important things you want them to know about in terms of your wishes . Focus on “ what matters most to me while I am living “ Especially important to ensure have set up Enduring Power of Attorney ( which ensures that ACP cannot be over-ridden)
2. Fill in as much of the plan as possible then ask for an ACP appointment
3. Discuss plan at this meeting ; especially S6 relating to Advance Directives – professional will ensure that you understand your choices and their consequences
4. When finalized ,sign and medical professional will also sign
5. Plan then uploaded to digital NHS Record which is then accessible to all levels of Emergency Services ( Ambulance etc) as well as hospital /respite/palliative care records in the South Island

Suggestions for publicizing; Accessing & Updating ACP

• Orange fridge magnets available to indicate have such a plan
• Keep a copy in the car and always take a copy with you when away from home
• Review annually – is a living document which can be updated at any time ; may not have thought of current circumstances when making the original decisions
• Consider having doctors/nurses assisting in such a review
• Changes in paper copy will result in changes made to uploaded digital copy

Some MDCA members present at the meeting who had ACPs, confirmed what a positive process thinking/talking  through this process had been and encouraged everyone to address this for themselves.

 

A video broadcast of this full presentation is available on MDCA Website

 

MDCA “ Good Sort “ for the month

November Noted that the nomination of David Mitchell as the November “Good Sorts” had attracted the highest number of “ hits” on Facebook for the month as well as posts noting many other ways in which he had contributed to the community.

December : Jan Patterson nominated a group of GOOD SORTS  whose combined work means that Māpua School now provides an exciting and colourful entrance to our beautiful seaside village. This wonderful masterpiece Toi Whakaira Pou Whenua – is a gathering  of prominent posts, created through the art of wood carving, to show/mark possession of an area and our school is the first in Aotearoa/NZ to have provided such a taonga. As this was the work of not one, but several the group of Good Sorts includes

• Gordon Toi, a local artist and parent, renowned as a ta moko artist and master carver.
• Sarah Trolle, teacher at Mapua School, who applied for funding through an MOE ‘Creatives in Schools Project’ to partner a local artist with students and teachers in a significant art project.
• Kerry Rivers, a local sculptor who created two significant metal sculptures to enhance the pou.
• The pupils of Māpua School who were involved in all stages of the planning and creating of these colourful Pou. They walked and explored -to the shore and estuaries, to the Wharf and Grossi Point, along pathways and tracks – and they sketched and painted. Then they spent time in Gordon’s back yard and at school putting together all they had discovered

For more information about  the elements and meanings of Toi Whakaira Pou Whenua –see information on MDCA Facebook and elsewhere in this edition

Also in relation to Māpua School , Esme Palliser noted that Mike Turnbull’s photo collection of living with COVID was being sold @ $10 per copy as a fundraiser for the School – in lieu of funding usually raised from the Easter Fair ( not held this year due to COVID lockdown)

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Heritage  trees –noted that  a get together will be  organized to focus on how significant trees can be retained and developed .Noted that “ protected tree” applications need to come from the landowner with approval from neighbours ; process of assessment and achieving a successful application takes 2 years

Housing intensification & further developments

CAN ( Citizens’ Action Nelson) presentation on housing intensification by Barry Johnston & Jacqui Deans  was reported on by Bridget Castle noting that:

• All the initiatives referred to required changes to RMA ( due to be repealed in 90 days)
• TDC can only act in response to what hears back from the communities – important when considering what residents see/ wish for as the unique identity of Māpua

Impressions were that :

• TDC concepts are broad – Developers see their land & what they want to do – Residents  are in between with no say – need some way of communicating directly with the developers
• Cr Anne Turley confirmed that if the community wants to influence creation of open-spaces/ walkways etc, then they need to engage directly and have a say with developers ; TRMP is still in place and the process is not occurring within a vacuum

 

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

1. Māpua Willing Wheels has only 1 month left in the trial period, -Māpua and Ruby Bay Community Trust have allocated funding to cover the last month of operation . In relation to researching possible reasons for the current low number of recorded rides, the current membership sub will be dropped to see if this makes a difference . Grant applications will be made for supporting the service into next year in anticipation of passenger uptake increasing
2. A Coastal Corridor Route ( Motueka through Tasman/Māpua to Richmond) will be addressed and researched next year. A TDC Community Services Grant will provide funding for a co-ordinator for 3 months to confirm demand; research possible vehicles; routes and timetables
3. Community Hub– see separate newsletter article elsewhere in this issue with details of projects and progress

 

 COMMENTS FROM WARD COUNCILLORS

Cr Christeen McKenzie noted that :
1     MDCA needs to make a formal submission to TDC re the classification of Aranui Park and Dominion Flats Reserve as scenic reserves

2     Councillors had been told that no workshop on development of a Boat Ramp would be held until the New Year

Cr Anne Turley noted that

• In relation to developing allotments,
• Richard Hilton had not been part of this conversation ;
• no suitable land was available for growing vegetables
• if such land were identified, it would need water and safety resources

2     that if the community wants to influence creation of open-spaces/ walkways etc, then they need to engage directly and have a say with developers ; TRMP is still in place and the process is not occurring within a vacuum

 

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

December –   “ Hot Topic” :celebrating the year past & choosing topics for the year ahead

Share food and meet others

January  –      no meeting

 

Be sure to attend/ join in our next monthly meeting:  Monday, 14 December  at 7 PM (content & format to be confirmed on MDCA Facebook & Mailchimp mailout )

MDCA works closely with TDC to ensure our community functions in a way that suits the majority of our residents. To have a vote that counts, become a financial member of MDCA by simply paying a $10 membership fee to our NBS account 03-1354-0356471-00 with your name & phone number as a reference.                                                        

Submitted by:  Elena Meredith

MDCA :   Tasman Resource Management Plan(TRMP)      –November   2020 

Māpua & Districts Community Association’s October meeting  was held immediately following the TDC drop-in session for community input on TRMP and primarily focused on the issues raised and processes to be followed . For those interested in more detail,   please note that a full recording of the presentation is available on MDCA Facebook Page while the video and power-point slides are posted on the MDCA Webpage

Kathy Fletcher ( (TDC Principal planner) noted that :

• the title and theme of the Draft plan is Aorere ki uta; Aorere ki tai – Tasman area from the mountains to the sea which recognizes all living things and how they can co-exist and interact .
• there were 7 waahi ( districts) in the region and 9 iwi holding mana whenua status which means that consultation and input process takes time and covers a wide range of issues and opportunities for change. The focus would be on developing partnerships “ by the community; for the community” as “we need to get it right”

Residents were thanked for the issues raised & ideas suggested at the drop-in session prior to the MDCA meeting. Local input & engagement is recognized as being essential in terms of how to meet and balance these needs while also looking to the future and ensuring a balance . Information and input would be gathered from each district and co-ordinated into a whole regional plan in which local issues would be addressed and plans for regional development would be set.

The TRMP will set broad policies ( guidance ) as well as include regulations ( the rule book) –  “we need a pause in paddling to ensure that we are all travelling in the same direction”

 

Jeremy  Butler (TDC Team Leader for Urban & Rural development)  

explained the purpose of the plan in relation to Resource Management Act ( RMA) & TDC’s Long term Plan ( LTP) which is to combine all of these into  a “user friendly plan” which is why “a ground-up  community consultation process  is essential .”

It was noted that “ planning is a slow process” & that if there are pressing issues, these need to be addressed in other forums noting the role of elected members [Ward Councillors] here

Māpua & Districts was described as  a:

• “ sensitive cultural area”
• “ hot-spot for future growth”

recognizing the   importance of identifying where future commercial growth should be . This means an in-depth investigation of future development plans . The character of amenities of this area have not previously been defined

 

Issues raised by those attending related to :

• Zoning- seen as a primary issue – a reminder that all maps relating to “top of the South” will be posted on MDCA Website [under “ community planning”]
• Indicative roads
• Development/ felling trees / identifying & saving “ significant trees”
• Retaining diversity in the area
• Addressing & engaging with climate change issues
• Possibility of plan changes between now &end of planning period [this takes up to 2 years.] Jeremy noted that  organizations such as MDCA can use TEP for a private plan change { this needs to be paid for)  but that  “ if you continue to do rolling time changes we won’t get anywhere.”

 

The TDC Timeline :

• 2020- meeting with communities
• options with solutions ; “ discussions with elected members”
• 2021- come back to communities with draft plan ( engagement round 2)
• 2022- future unclear with abolition of RMA ( engagement round 3)
• Presentation finished with their reassurance that “we are committed to coming back to you and keeping you updated: – thankyou let’s do this together”
• Residents were urged to get involved and “help us[TDC] plan how to look after our district for generations to come” through :

Web: environmentplan.tasman.govt Email:  environmentplan@tasman.govt   Phone: 03 543 8400

Chair Marion Satherley thanked presenters  for their time and engagement – “ your job has been done”

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Dominion Flats –attention was directed to 2 photographs of the same area 2014/2020 noting the

significant difference over the years. These can be seen on MDCA Website

Heritage  trees –noted that identifying and listing these was a project the community could undertake with MDCA co-ordination – Ward Councillors will locate & forward information on the process

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

1. Community volunteer drivers’ service –   Māpua Willing Wheels is now up and rolling – with only 2months left in the trial period, it is vital that the service is well used –“ use it or lose it”-please spread the word!!
2. Community Hub– see separate newsletter article elsewhere in this issue with details of projects and progress

Projects

Community Seating  noted these should be ready for public use by the end of November

SOCIAL MEDIA

Noted high levels of engagement with postings on live presentations from September monthly meeting and “indicative roads” posting.

 

 COMMENTS FROM WARD COUNCILLORS

Cr Christeen McKenzie noted that :
1     TDC was working on the 3 year review of the LTP   ( Long tem Plan ) and

2      she will locate and send the A4 sized diagram showing how all TDC’s different documents are named and interact with each other

Cr Anne Turley reassured members that in relation to Councillors’ level of  involvement with issues of climate change :

1. all TDC reports included the implications of climate change
2. tTwo TDC staff & councillors attend the regional Climate Change Forum meetings

 

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

November –  Advanced Care Planning – what is it & why is it important ?

December –   celebrating the year past & planning for the year ahead J

 

Be sure to attend/ join in our next monthly meeting:  Monday, 9 November  at 7 PM (content & format on MDCA Facebook & Mailchimp mailout)                                                    

Submitted by:  Elena Meredith

Significant Trees and  preparing for TRMP     –October   2020 issue

 

Māpua & Districts Community Association’s September meeting  was held at the start of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and the mana of this taonga was acknowledged with  a plea that the “ week” be extended into months and years so that our tamariki experience a bi-lingual living and learning environment as “ the norm”

The primary focus of the meeting was preparing members and the community to be fully informed for the coming consultation with TDC on the Tasman Resources Management Plan (TRMP) to be held in October This would ensure that the focus of the consultation would be on “what the community wants”

Different speakers explored ways of ensuring that members and the wider community were “ informed so we can influence {TDC} at a high level” with a particular focus on trees/ green & recreational spaces as well as ways of moving around the district – roads; walkways and cycle trails.

Comments along this line included :

• “is impossible really impossible or just a problem waiting to be solved “
• “the time has come for us to have some influence here “
• “We need to understand the process so that we know if we can change the process in order for the community to be involved earlier and have input into such processes as non-notifiable consents “
• “ we need to be starting the conversation before consultation with TDC “
• “ look at the process so we know what is going on” –
• we need a “planning for dummies” training session for TDC staff

Cr David Ogilvie provided a broader framework to the korero considering   :

• The estimated population growth in the next 8-10 years is from 2,000-4,000 residents which will result in a likely increase in traffic from intersecting roads onto already very busy roads ( Aranui & Higgs)
• How close to the coast do we develop ?
• How much input did MDCA have on past developments in the area?
• A process of information gathering and involvement could be

1. Is the information useful ? if yes- can it be made available?
2. How can we engage more effectively with TDC in terms of focus/ “lines in the sand”?
3. How can we most effectively engage and become informed ?

 

Note: Three speakers addressed areas of concern and focus – a link to a video of their full presentations as well as  their accompanying power-point slides is available on the Māpua Community Association Facebook Page

This article will simply outline the main points raised by each

Paul McIntosh: – Planning Overview

• Maps indicated planned areas of future development and indicative roads planned for next 12-15years
• Avoid narrow focus on the roads alone- look at exits existing roads and potential “ choke points”
• Binary nature of access to village- only 2 main roads with impact on safety; noise; accessibility
• Need to focus on what community wants

Dave Briggs – Significance of Trees  – “ all trees matter”

for fuller text , separate article in this edition

• Main message is that this is “ a very small part of a much greater problem in Tasman”
• Our area is “ devoid of any significant trees” & what we have needs protecting so “please don’t chop your own trees down”
• We need to lobby for protection of current green areas and trees and for any sort of policy relating to tree-protection and planting
• Noted that national Carbon Neutral Policy is to be carbon neutral by 2050 – TDC has the responsibility to adapt and adhere to this requirement

 

Bruce Gilkinson { speaking for David Mitchell) – Significant trees in relation to 160 Māpua Drive

• Noted that there had been 8 significant 100 year old trees planted by a member of the Wells family who donated their land ( Aranui Park) initially to Lands & Survey – passed onto TDC
• Contractor stopped cutting once these were evident ( 2 destroyed)
• No protocol /requirements for consent or for trees to remain once land zoned “ residential “
• MDCA passed motion urging that Aranui Park and Dominion Flats be reclassified as scenic reserves to provide this protection
• Photos of damage by vandals driving through the park – suggestion that these be passed to police and that there be “ a beef up of protection for Aranui Park to stop “hoons” getting in in the first place”
• Issue of use of uncleaned contaminated soil (with potential levels of lead and arsenic) to build up the bank

Association agreed to send email to Dennis Bush-King asking “what is the current set of rules relating to the usage and remediation of contaminated soils ?” and asking to see data on the levels of toxicity in the soils being used

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Dominion Flats – noted that planting for the season has finished –includes clematis and mamakū

2021 planting –grants applied for “ trees to bring in the birds”

Back to weekly weeding ; Tuesdays 9am with a “ leisurely morning tea”

Concern was expressed about regulations relating to developers’ rights and responsibilities in relation to

Native Bush Corridor on Mamakū Drive– TACA meeting focused on plan to plant  natives roadside between Mapua and Tasman with turn-offs into a native bush corridor

 

ROADS & PATHWAYS-

Wayne noted that work on the Māpua Drive – Dominion Flats footpath was due to begin in September

 

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

1. Community volunteer drivers’ service –   Māpua Willing Wheels has 12 willing volunteer drivers and is beginning to receive membership subs from prospective passengers. Leaflets have been distributed throughout the district and to all local businesses . Everyone was urged to inform prospective passengers about the service and to ensure that it is well used –“ use it or lose it”
2. Community Hub– noted significant progress on establishing the basis of a legal financial basis for the project in terms of a Trust ( see separate article in this issue) Work continuing on prioritizing building requirements and renovations to create a safe warm fit for purpose facility

 

Projects

       Community Seating  A group of local men have offered to dig out the foundations while at cost concreting has been arranged by Mike Kininmonth . MDCA will supply bolts and safety railing

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Noted high levels of engagement with postings on:

1. Application for Liquor Licence corner of Aranui Road and Māpua Drive ( 345 )

Most comments from people stating that there was previously a pub in that location.

One of the store owners objected to the graphic we posted so this was removed.

2. Margaret Cotter TDC services award 176 engagements as well as 107 comments and reactions

(all “thumbs up.”)

3. Decided we could post the police reports as long as members agreed not to take the report and

re-post it on Social media.  If that happened we would be prevented from putting further police reports on our web site.

 

 COMMENTS FROM WARD COUNCILLORS

Cr Christeen McKenzie :

• apologized had been unable to attend TDC Community Services Award Ceremony and congratulated Margaret Cotter on her receiving an award
• noted that under the 3 Waters Reform $3.7 million was allocated for signing up and engaging – mostly to be spent on fresh drinking water

Cr David Oglivie :

Could David Briggs’ presentation be made to full TDC Council – “ it will have far more impact than councillors’ reporting back”……….supported by Cr McKenzie – to negotiate with Dave

 

FUTURE HOT TOPICS:

October –       community consultation on TRMP- – first chance for input; Open Afternoon at Bowling Club 4-7pm followed by presentation /discussion at MDCA meeting

November –  Advanced Care Planning – what is it & why is it important ?

December –   celebrating the year J

 

Be sure to attend/ join in our next monthly meeting:  Monday, 12 October   at 7 PM ( content & format to be confirmed on MDCA Facebook & Mailchimp mailout )

MDCA works closely with TDC to ensure our community functions in a way that suits the majority of our residents. To have a vote that counts, become a financial member of MDCA by simply paying a $10 membership fee to our NBS account 03-1354-0356471-00 with your name & phone number as a reference.