1st September at the Senior Citizens’ Hall
Introduced by Steve Sangster.
Winston Peters: Overview of Kaikohe, provinces suffering. Need a united voice. Rail to North Port. Certain things we MUST argue for – rail, roading 20%’ increase in funding false. Northland most neglected province. Would like to see Government promise to spend billions in this province. Broadband, Cell towers. Post-secondary school tech utility here would massively change Kaikohe. Educational tourism facility.
Steve Sangster responded – trying to make town look more attractive. Submissions to FNDC to comply with motorhome friendly legislation by changing bylaw. Also cycle trail, want it to bring tourists into town. Look to make a positive out of 30% under 15 in our population via perhaps the Industrial Park. Northland College rebuild, Top Energy geothermal expansion proposal and Industrial Park, but then need decent transport, could establish inland port. NZTA today: Mangakahia Road as State Highway, possibly by July 2016. Trying to protect retailers re MSD as a retailer. Suggest to Government when it sets up another entity, then set up support services rurally. Small communities entirely dependent on one or two industries. Need investors who need money – ask Government to supply funds at good rate. Love to see Mr Peters and Government support for integrated transport strategy. Legacy on poor roads, failing because of agricultural, horticultural, forestry growth – need to lift roads standards as fit for purpose. Infrastructure - struggle to support small communities with limited rating base for good clean water and proper sewage services – appreciate subsidy lobby.
Winston Peters: Cannot accept second best – be assertive/ aggressive. Safety issue with cycle trail – funding for urban areas only, yet per capita in small towns have far more cyclists. Education; make our school leavers employable – new secondary school not the answer – please keep in touch with Minister of Education.
Question from the floor re planning ahead and living locally: Yes and yes. NorthPort must be properly developed. Bill to stop Auckland’s development. Join main railway, fix it and maintain it properly. Would like to ensure 5 things sorted and use political muscle to get change. Govt can borrow lots of money for productive purposes such as roads.
Winton Peters: Be squeaky wheel!!! Un-numb ourselves.
Question from the floor: Why is WP not supporting RMA changes? Never seen. Counter that changes are apparently readily available. What are the changes that the country should be backing? Govt going to a re-draft after the 2014 election? Told to ask MP’s and Michelle Boag what changes they want Winston to support.
Suggestion to use Ngawha Power for Electric rail from Auckland to Hamilton? What about in Northland?? Logging trucks destroying roads. Need national road/rail/ sea transport plan.
Refugees/ illegal immigrants – reduce to nil? Net 60,000 immigrants to NZ? Refugee family reunification not supported by Winston Peters which brings 2500 rather than 750 a year. 91,000 international students with working visas using NZ jobs.
Debt mediation bill: in the ballot, but should be set up. Agrees would force banks to play the game.
Can Fonterra handle the problem? Price stabilisation in US – why not here? Could reinstitute the dairy reserve payout scheme. Why do we not trade with Russia – second largest dairy importer in the world? No justification for unofficial sanctions.
Office in Kerikeri, 3 Homestead Road, behind the Mexican restaurant.
Question from the floor: What is the Wellington agenda in terms of amalgamating the northland Councils? WP against it for Northland and Wairarapa. A referendum would have lost the proposal.
NZ First for the present flag from 1902- opposed to flag change
TPPA – no one has seen what the terms or proviso of it – some extreme dubious – all to be hidden for four years after it must be very odd. If we don’t get what we want as NZ farmers, then TPPA will be a disaster.
Meeting closed at 7:10pm
Next general meeting: October 13th 2015 5:40pm at the Senior Citizen’s Hall on Tawanui Road.