Awesome to be re-elected - Thank you!
It has been an amazing experience to be re-elected for a second term!
It takes a full term to learn the job and I'm feeling confident to hit the ground running and take the initiative head on in many situations. All support is so appreciated!
Refresh of the WRC Strategy
We have a new Council and are refreshing the WRC Strategy to bring it up to date and reflect our new mix of voices. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this will land early next year. Feedback is very welcome.
Refresh of the WRC Committee Structure
We have a similar structure to last triennium as per WRC website.
I have the following memberships/appointments to represent you at:
Risk & Assurance Committee
Waikato Plan Leadership Committee
Strategy & Policy Committee and it's Submissions Subcommittee
Waikato Raupatu River Trust & WRC Co-Governance Committee
Wharekawa Coast 2120 Joint Working Party
Alternate member for WRC on the Hauraki Gulf Forum
Climate Action, which I'll chair with Cr Tipa Mahuta as deputy
Climate Action Continues...
I'm very grateful to my colleagues (new and returning) for unanimous support to trust me with the role of chairperson of the Climate Action Committee again, and this time Cr Tipa Mahuta is our deputy chair.
We have already recently met up with key staff to give direction and I'll be spending the first few weeks in January setting clear goals to work towards. Focus is key to getting outcomes.
In the meantime, other good progress is happening out there, things like:
Wellington achieving a drop in transport emissions - well done!
WRC approved an increased wage for contracted bus drivers - a crucial step to resolve staff shortages that have held back progress
Hamilton City receiving $43 million in new transport funding
Interest in renewable energy generation is big in the Waikato following our focus on this last triennium, with a big west-coast off-shore wind farm proposed and several solar farm projects
NZ's agricultural emissions pricing is progressing as market demands, border taxes and other meat & milk industries evolve.
COP27 established the 'loss and damage' fund which squarely acknowledges high-emitters should support low-emitters
I'm also doubling down on my efforts to get Councillors from across the region and nationwide talking to each other on this topic to gain more efficiency and effectiveness of approaches and provide general support. Most hui are online but an in-person one is planned for February 2023!
Connecting hands-on with the Waikato River
Being one of the manu taki on the Waikato Wellbeing Project I was invited to a waka trip on the Waikato River in early December. Great day with awesome people enjoying nature.
Policy Signals Newsletter
WRC creates and distributes a regular newsletter of various happenings in the Policy space. It's an undervalued resource so read & sign up!
Local discussions on the Future for Local Government are happening in early February 2023
A Hamilton community group is organizing Panel discussions which include well-known local researchers and experts in order to promote community involvement and discussion on the Future for Local Government review that is underway. Dates will likely be 2nd, 7th and 8th of February and more details will be shared via social media.
Aotearoa Bike Challenge is on in February 2023
Have you registered for the Aotearoa Bike Challenge yet? I have.
It’s New Zealand’s biggest bike event and it runs through the whole of February. Regular riders and new riders alike are invited to join in.
Sustainable Development Summit - February 2023
The 4th Annual Aotearoa Sustainable Development Summit is happening on 9-10th February in Hamilton and I plan to attend most of it.
Happy Holidays
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
I'll be celebrating on Christmas eve 'german style' and spending many days exploring nature close to home with family and friends, and the garden is going to get lots of attention.
Best wishes,
Jen
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