Bill DaltonWord from the Mayor

Sea Walls March2016

THISISSUE

Social Media Specialist

Napier Now Competition What’s On?

Projects

I hope everyone has had a lovely Easter - it seems autumn is now well and truly here.

The days may be noticeably shorter, and the temperatures topsy turvy, but I feel the past month has brought a fitting end to summer.

March began with Horse of the Year, rolled into Seaweek, and then Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans which has transformed some areas of the Napier CBD and Ahuriri in a positive way. If you haven’t had a chance to do so yet, take a stroll or drive around our city to see the fabulous works of art these 29 environmentally aware artists have left as a permanent reminder of their visit.

An event I’m looking forward to is the Festival of Hockey, which begins this Saturday, and runs through to the 10th of April. With 40-plus teams from 16 countries, including our own renowned Black Sticks, and many school teams, this is a special event which I hope many of you will support.

There are also ANZAC Day commemorations in a little over three weeks’ time; 6am dawn services at Lone Pine cemetery and the Soundshell, 9am at Taradale’s Town Clock, and 11am at the Memorial Square Cenotaph.

Last but not least, next month the Consultation Document for the 2016/17 Annual Plan is released. It will be distributed with this publication, and will be available to view online. Submissions open on Monday 11th April, and close at 12 noon on Friday 13 May. We look forward to your feedback.

The National Aquarium of New Zealand’s new Seawall mural

Lee/Meeanee roads intersection upgradeDue to increased delays and queues during peak periods at the Lee and Meeanee Road intersection in Taradale, a major upgrade of the area is underway.

On completion the intersection upgrade will:

• Provide additional approach and exit lanes for traffic on Lee Road

• Provide marked cycle lanes on all four approaches

• Provide a free left turn lane for traffic turning left to go south down Lee Road

• Relocate the bus stop to existing reserve area south of the intersection

• Widen the road on the eastern side of Lee Road

The upgrade will also see installation of the latest traffic signal software and signal phasing, which will improve the operating efficiency and reduce queue lengths. After all, there are about 18,000 vehicle movements through the intersection during a typical day!

Traffic delays are expected during the construction period, but the disruption will be kept as minimal as possible.

Steps and ramps upgradeDid you know there are 28 sets of steps and ramps on Napier Hill? Who’d have known!

Some are hard to find due to overgrown shrubs from nearby properties and some are just too steep or rough to attempt. That’s why Napier City Council has embarked on a “Steps and Ramps” project that will see the historic pathways given a new lease of life.

The aim of the “steps and ramps” project is to repair each pathway individually, considering its gradient, geometry and surface. Some will include handrails, signage and lighting for night time guidance.

Social Media and Website Content Specialist Monique Jeffares

Monique Jeffares is Napier City Council’s face behind Facebook. In fact she’s the face behind all our social media and website content.

Born and raised in Napier, Monique is passionate about her home town and has a good knowledge of the area and Council. She says it all helps when social media never sleeps and prompt responses are expected.

“Social media is a very effective way of getting Council information out to people, anytime, anywhere,” Monique says.

“It also provides a more relaxed platform for people to share their thoughts and ideas with us, and ask questions too.”

As well as ensuring Napier City Council has a strong online presence in the social media world, Monique also manages content on the website, which she relishes as an extension to her journalism experience.

Monique began her journalism career as a young and “naïve” reporter at one of the local community newspapers. She says she learnt so much there, “not only about reporting but life and the world in general”, which prepared her for her OE to London.

“I worked for TNT Magazine, a travel publication for Antipodeans. I then returned after my two-year stint to the same paper, but this time as a sub-editor.”

Fast forward to 2016 and Monique has worked at Council for nine years – in four different departments!

“I’m really happy where I am so don’t plan on moving any time soon! I love being part of the communications and marketing team. They’re a compassionate, creative bunch with a fabulous sense of humour.”

And what does Monique do in her spare time?

“I don’t have much spare time these days with two young boys, but when I do get time I like to get out cycling.

“My dad and uncle were competitive cyclists and represented Hawke’s Bay in their younger days. Although I’m definitely not competitive, it’s certainly in my blood. I hope it continues through to my boys too.”

Projects update

Website and Social Media content specialist, Monique Jeffares

New ramps and steps at Tiffen Park, Napier

A total of 29 internationally renowned artists from the US, Canada, South Africa, Hawaii, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have just spent an action packed 10 days in Napier transforming blank walls with colourful murals.

Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans was brought to Napier by PangeaSeed Foundation, with the support of the Napier City Council.

This is the first time PangeaSeed has brought a Sea Walls festival to New Zealand, after producing Sea Walls festivals in Los Angeles, Vietnam, Mexico and Sri Lanka.

PangeaSeed Foundation’s New Zealand coordinator Cinzah Merkens says the theme of Sea Walls is to raise awareness about the plight of the ocean.

“The end result is an eclectic collection of world-class, diverse and thought-provoking public artworks, which aim to inspire the community to be better stewards of the sea, that can be appreciated by anyone who walks along Napier’s streets.”

To do your own tour of these amazing marine themed murals, visit www.napier.govt.nz, keyword #muralsforoceans

Sea Walls Murals

Napier City Council is testing its public alert sirens for approximately five minutes at 11.50am on Sunday, April 3 and we are keen to hear from as many residents as possible to see how effective it was.

“It allows us to know how well the public alert sirens worked, and if there are any areas that need working on,” Napier City Council Emergency Management Officer Marcus Hayes-Jones says.

There are two ways to fill in the survey;

1. An online survey at www.napier.govt.nz keyword #alert. The survey will close at 12 noon Friday 15 April.

2. Printed in local community newspapers on Wednesday 6 April for residents who would like to fill in a paper version.

Complete a survey by 12 noon Friday 15 April and go in the draw to win a great prize!

For more information, contact the Emergency Management Officer 6-8357579 or civildefence@napier.govt.nz. For help to prepare for emergencies, go to www.getthru.govt.nz

Are you embracing Napier and all it has to offer?

We want you take a photo of you or your friends enjoying Napier and share it with the Napier Now community. Keep an eye out on the Napier Now Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages to see what the latest competition is and how to enter.

The current competition is #experienceNapierNOW. All you have to do is tag your photo that shows you experiencing the many awesome things in Napier and tag it with #experienceNapierNOW

The best photo will win a $100 Ticketek voucher to use at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

Entries close Sunday 3 April.

Civil Defence Siren Test

This is a test onlyATTENTION

SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 - 11.50 AM

NAPIER CIVIL DEFENCE SIREN TEST

Napier Now Competition

Jelly Fish Seawall Mural by visiting artist Carley Ealey

MayorBill Dalton

Deputy MayorFaye White

CouncillorMark Herbert

CouncillorGraeme Taylor

CouncillorMaxine Boag

CouncillorMichelle Pyke

CouncillorAnnette Brosnan

CouncillorTony Jeffery

CouncillorRoy Sye

CouncillorKirsten Wise

CouncillorKeith Price

CouncillorMark Hamilton

Napier City Councilwww.napier.govt.nz 06 835 7579 info@napier.govt.nz www.facebook.com/NapierCityCouncil231 Hastings Street, Napier 4110 Private Bag 6010, Napier 4142

CouncillorRichard McGrath

What’s On

Indigo Hawks, AprilCatch one of the home games of our very own Indigo Hawks basketball team at Pettigrew Green Arena. Thanks to the recent sponsorship of Taylor Corporation, entry for all home games is just a gold coin donation. Check out the home game programme at www.hawks.org.nz

Festival of Hockey, 2-10 AprilA great chance to watch hockey competitions at all levels. Don’t miss out on seeing our own Black Sticks women take on some of the world’s best teams in The Hawke’s Bay Cup as they prepare for the Rio Olympics at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park. The Affiliates Tournament is happening at Park Island and also The Furnware Cup is a 1st

XI School Girls tournament where eight high schools compete. For full details visit www.hockeyfestival.nz

Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon, Sat 14 MayJoin in this new running festival incorporating 42km, 21km, 10km and 3km kids’ run options. Take in the best highlights of the region, with flat easy running through local cycle trails, vineyards, olive groves, quiet country roads - all finishing at the impressive Sileni Estates Winery. Online entries close midnight Friday 22 April 2016 www.airnzhbmarathon.nz

ANZAC DayNext month we remember those who fought in world wars and conflicts, and their families. In Napier, there are several events to choose from, if you wish to be involved or support commemorations.Poppy Day is on Friday 15th April. This year, because ANZAC Day falls during the school

holidays, the Taradale RSA is holding an 11am service on 15th April at the Clock Tower, Taradale, run by school pupils and members of the RSA’s Remembrance sub-committee.

Napier RSA marks its centenary this year, and with HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Endeavour berthed at Napier Port over ANZAC weekend, crew members from both ships are expected to take part in commemorations.ANZAC Day:• 6am dawn services, Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier,

and Lone Pine Cemetery, Puketapu Road, Taradale• 9am memorial service & wreath laying ceremony, Clock

Tower, Taradale• 11am Memorial Square Cenotaph, Clive Square, Napier CBD