24 February 2023
Media: Sunday Star Times
Topic: Challenges facing NZ and infrastructure
Enquiry
Sunday Star Times requested a contribution from Mayor Tapsell for a feature they are running re how NZ is going to deal with the big challenges we face as a country, seeking the Mayor’s thoughts on infrastructure and what’s needed for the recovery.
The feature will preview next week’s 2023 NZ Economic Forum, hosted by the University of Waikato’s Management School, which Mayor Tapsell is taking part in.
Response
Mayor Tapsell provided the following:
We’ll fix our big challenges by keeping a local voice in decision making. If you want to make something work, ask the people who will be on the ground doing it.
To ensure solutions are successful they need to suit each of New Zealand’s unique communities. Because let’s face it, what works for Auckland and Wellington won’t work for communities like Rotorua or Queenstown.
Councils play a crucial role in local leadership to plan for and deliver infrastructure for their neighbourhoods. As we build our way out of the housing and environmental crisis this voice will become even more important.