Wairoa District Council elected members compared notes around climatic challenges with US Ambassador Tom Udall, who visited town this week.

Ambassador Udall acknowledged the weather events and flooding that Wairoa has been through.

With more than 30 years of experience as an elected official, he also acknowledged the work of Wairoa Mayor Craig Little, who he described as “sticking up for everybody”. 

Talks centred around worldwide climatic challenges, mitigation, and the United States' response to investing in domestic energy production while promoting clean energy.

Ambassador Udall said in America, there is a national push towards renewable energy and reduced emissions around transport, methane and agriculture. This is also occurring at a State level with renewable standards around solar, wind and geothermal energy.

He said the United States is New Zealand’s number two trade partner with close to $11 billion in wine exported to the States and an increase of around 16% in beef and lamb exports.

Ambassador Udall was also taken on a visit around Wairoa, highlighting areas impacted by flooding and the recovery to date.,

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little thanked Ambassador Udall and his advisor, Steve Cutting, for taking the time to visit Wairoa and share experiences.

Caption: US Ambassador Tom Udall, pictured centre, with Wairoa District Council elected members, from left, Melissa Kaimoana, Chaans Tumataroa-Clarke, Mayor Craig Little, Jeremy Harker, Deputy Mayor Denise Eaglesome-Karekare, Roz Thomas and Benita Cairns.

25 September 2024

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