Wairoa Mayor Craig Little is making no apologies for being a squeaky wheel when it comes to Wairoa’s needs.

On Saturday, Minister for Local Government and Transport Simeon Brown made his second visit to Wairoa within a week.

Mr Little said Saturday’s visit, along with the previous visit from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, and Mr Brown, demonstrates that Wairoa is on their radar.

“Our roading connectivity issues are significant.We can no longer live on the edge of vulnerability every time it rains and our State Highways close.

“I conveyed to the Minister that moving forward with the required NZTA urgent roading repair work, that I hope we have the most cost-effective framework in place so that we don’t have another level of bureaucracy and duplicate what is already in place. We need a can-do attitude rather than stifling progress with unnecessary compliance.

“Through our direct dealings with the Government, they understand the enormous pressure of constant State Highway closures across all roads into and out of the Wairoa district.

“Lack of connectivity causes substantial financial and productivity losses for Wairoa and the rest of New Zealand. People become isolated, cannot access health services, stock and other freight services are effectively shut down, and there is a significant inconvenience on people’s lives. We need long-term resilient solutions, and we need them urgently. It is reassuring that the government also recognises this.

“We also spoke about this government’s promise regarding repealing the Three Waters Reform. Unfortunately, the way the previous government conducted the Three Waters Reform created a situation that was not fit for purpose and cost our country millions. We congratulate the new Government on its 100-day plan which includes Three Waters.”

Caption: Wairoa Mayor Craig Little (centre) met with Napier/Wairoa MP Katie Nimon and Minister for Local Government and Transport Simeon Brown on Saturday to further push Wairoa’s roading connectivity issues.

19 December 2023

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