Looking after your rates
“We have too much infrastructure and not enough ratepayers” – that is the core reason why Tasman’s rates keep going up. I will focus my efforts on improving this ratio, to utilise our existing infrastructure more efficiently, and provide better oversight for Council spending to bring costs down for every one of us. Here’s my […]
Key actions for stronger towns and villages
To utilise our existing infrastructure more efficiently, we need to drive the intensification of our existing urban areas – but to be successful, this has to be well-designed and attractive. Here is my plan: 1. Adaptation planning first To be smart with infrastructure, we need to be clear about risk. I’ll lead an honest, […]
Clearing Land for Richmond South — At What Cost?
In a Facebook post this morning, Tasman District Council proudly declared that “wine makes way for water”, revealing that 10 hectares of productive vineyard land in Appleby have been cleared for a future stormwater detention area — part of the Richmond South Stormwater Programme, one of the region’s largest planned infrastructure projects over the next […]
Waimea Dam
$198 Million Later — And Still No Plan A recent Stuff article by Catherine Hubbard revealed the latest twist in the Waimea Dam saga: irrigators and the Tasman District Council are now seeking a government bailout to cover a massive financial shortfall. The dam’s total cost has blown out to $198 million — nearly double […]
Young people
I met with Nate Wilbourne, 2025 Young New Zealander of the Year semi-finalist and a passionate advocate for youth voice in politics. We talked about something that should concern every young person in Tasman. In the 2022 local elections:Only 55% of 18–24 year olds in Tasman were even enrolled to vote — just 2,231 people.Meanwhile, […]
Rivers and flood management
When you realise that you are losing a war, rather than sending all your remaining resources into a losing battle, sometimes it makes more sense to retreat, regroup and focus on defending your most valuable assets – and maybe this leads to a ceasefire and finding a peaceful arrangement. We have waged war on nature […]
Nate Wilbourne
2025 Young New Zealander of the Year Semi-Finalist, Founder of Gen-Z Aotearoa, Conservation & Climate Advocate, Brightwater
Rates caps
Would rates caps fix the problem? Simply capping future rates rises seems an easy, straightforward solution to an escalating problem – but one with unintended consequences, I fear, as promoting rates caps is essentially promoting “corner cutting” and short term solutions. The fiscal problems that most local governments face in New Zealand are structural – […]
Council finances
Why we should be concerned about Tasman District Council’s finances The Balance Sheet The Council’s primary costs lie in providing and maintaining the infrastructure that supports our district. These include capital expenses (CAPEX) — one-off costs for assets like roads or underground pipes that deliver long-term benefits — and operational expenses (OPEX) for the […]
Regulatory Standards Bill
Subject: Opposition to the Regulatory Standards Bill – Undermining Community and Environmental Values Dear Members of the Select Committee, I write to express strong opposition to the Regulatory Standards Bill (2023/24). As an urban designer and mayoral candidate for Tasman District, I am committed to building inclusive, sustainable, and resilient communities. This Bill undermines those goals by […]