The new Tamahere Community Committee (TCC) was officially sworn in last night, ushering in another three-year term with a clear focus on roading, community infrastructure, and long-term planning. The atmosphere was one of confidence and cooperation, a “strong, stable and visionary” start to a fresh chapter of local representation.
Mayor Aksel Bech and Ward Councillors Crystal Beavis and Mike Keir joined residents to celebrate the occasion. Mayor Bech spoke about empowering communities to take a more active role in decision-making, announcing a $50,000 local-spend allocation that will allow smaller projects to be managed directly by the community, without the usual layers of council process.
The new committee, pictured above, brings together a blend of experience and fresh energy:
Back row: Sue Robertson (secretarial duties shared with returning member Lynn Harris, absent), Anne Cao-Oulton, Peter Mayall, Peter Nation, Lauren McLean, Mark Manson, Jane Manson (St Stephen’s Church rep), and Geoff King (WDC liaison).
Front row: Cr Crystal Beavis, Mayor Aksel Bech, TCC Chair Charles Fletcher, WDC CEO Craig Hobbs, and Cr Mike Keir.
Five new committee members were elected along with 4 incumbants, and others may be co-opted as needed. The team now turns its attention to key local issues, from the ongoing development of Tamahere Reserve (Crawfords Quarry) and the Southern Links roading project, to the Matangi/Morrinsville “peanut” roundabout, protection of country-living zones, and local bus services.
The first full meeting of the new committee will be held on Tuesday 2 December — marking the beginning of what promises to be a proactive and community-driven term.
The ward councilors report for November can be downloaded below.
