Hukaroa

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 234, 8 March 1988, Page 6

Hukaroa

The following is a press realease from Hukaroa ward candidate Noel Akapita: Ete iwi tena koutou, tena koutou me o tatou mate. E nga mate haere. I have lived in Ohakune all my life, apart from a few years in Wanganui and Wellington. I have seen the Waimarino move from being a district based on farming, market gardening and timber, to a district based more on tourism. I have been part of these changes. Thus m y situation is rooted in the past and tied to the future. My reason for standing for council is simple. Most of the people in the new district are affected by the changing world. New technology has seen a decline in job opportunities in agriculture, Railways. The timber industry is declining. The Waimarino district has therefore been forced to look to outdoors tourism as the new employment area. This change has happened quickly, probably too quickly for previous councils to keep up with. For instance, if we accept that a community is the people within it and that a healthy community consists of people who feel at ease with all the changes going on then many people in this town are apprehensive. Take a couple whose children moved to Auckland eight years ago and now want to return home. Employment opportunities are limited & they cannot buy a home due to high land prices. I do not deny that we need the tourist dollar to function, but I believe that due to the speed of change, previous councils have been unable to balance the needs of the skier and young married or elderly couples. Thus, my main aim is to work to have cheaper housing available for young and elderly couples. I want to see the district council have an aim regarding development, not moving from one issue to another without end. My aim in all that I will do will be to ensure that the Waimarino District Council guides a stable and spread community. Noreira ete iwi tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.