A simple piece of local teamwork has saved Tamahere ratepayers more than $38,500, after damaged fencing around the flax copse at Tamahere Park was repaired for under $500. The issue was first raised through the Tamahere Community Committee (TCC), which identified several fence panels had been ripped from their fixings by people collecting flax, even though an existing access gate sits just behind the planting. When the matter was escalated to Council staff, the initial response was to seek a full replacement cost for the entire fence line, triggering concern from TCC members who knew a lighter-touch solution was possible.
The WDC was quoted $39,000 to build an entirely new fence !!!
Newly elected Waikato District Councillor Mike Keir visited the park within hours of taking office to see the damage firsthand. His assessment matched the TCC’s view that the structure was sound, the frame did not need replacing, and the vandalised panels could simply be re-secured. “A complete rebuild was absolutely not required,” he said. Cr Keir instructed Council to carry out a targeted repair using stronger bolts and hardware, a fast, practical fix avoiding an unnecessary capital works quote.
TCC members welcomed the outcome, noting it reflected exactly how the community and elected representatives can work together to deliver smarter, more efficient results. The Committee’s early identification of the issue, combined with Cr Keir’s quick intervention at Council level, meant the problem was resolved within days rather than months and at a tiny fraction of the proposed cost. “This is a classic example of how the community can effect a repair solution quickly and entirely more cost effectively,” Cr Keir said.
The experience also reinforces the value of the more devolved, locally empowered approach signaled by Mayor Aksel Bech, who has suggested giving Community Committees authority over simple repairs and maintenance up to $50,000. In this case, the TCC’s local knowledge and Cr Keir’s direct oversight combined to prevent waste, protect rates, and keep Tamahere Park looking its best, a model that may soon become the norm across the district.
