Draft Minutes TDCC meeting, 15th Sept 2026, 7pm @ the Rugby Clubrooms

Protocol:

Reminder: No video/audio recordings. No accusatory or inflammatory commentary/questions.

Tribute, given by Roy:

TDCC acknowledge the passing of Dinkie Phillips, who, over the years, undertook a significant amount of work in the community, and on TDCC. Dinkie got things done. She is a loss to this community, being renowned as a mover and shaker, with a reputation for being straight to the point. Dinkie particularly excelled in dealing with TDC and Government bodies. We are richer for having had Dinkie in the district, involved in a variety of facets of community life, with many learning a lot from her. We extend our sincere condolences to Peter and the family.

Matters Arising:

1/ Facilitated meetings with Tapawera Connect (TC):

Whilst TC signed the draft Joint statement, we have not. The meetings had achieved some clarity regarding mistakes and blurring of the lines made in the past regarding roles, but we had decided to take a pause while TC consult with their Trustees, thinking that it may be the case that we wait to see the new understandings in action. However, recent emails suggest that there is pushback from TC.

Roy and Trish have been involved in six meetings; the first was with the facilitator, without TC, followed by a second involving the facilitator, two reps from TC, and we two. Then we had 4 at St Peter’s church which were just the two reps from each group. The TC reps have been friendly and welcoming, and have appeared to be coming from a place of goodwill.

The meetings were developing some good understandings, but as the Facilitator said, the test is when something harder comes up. Disappointingly, we feel we’ve gone back to the start as the road block came when defining roles. The two TC reps are paid staff, a situation which inevitably created conflicts of interest. We will go back to the Facilitator and ask again to meet with the volunteer Trustees; those who guide TC’s policies. This request is partly driven by the situation where we got agreement from those we met, only to have the Trustees veto what had been agreed.

It’s important that each group is respected for the role it plays in the community. We have asked TC to properly inform the community of their structure and funding model, and to be clear and transparent in all published material, so that the community understands their form and function. We also asked TC, via the reps, to correct their website, particularly in regard to how statistics are presented, but despite verbal agreement, the corrections have not occurred.

Another issue is the use of the term ‘Community-led’ … the TC reps confirmed that folk can’t just rock up to their meetings, nor vote on whether the community want any particular project. The community cannot choose to become a member of TC, nor vote on who is on their committee. The term continues to cause us some concern, as we struggle to see how the community is leading any aspect of their work i.e. how are the community able to raise ideas or have input into the programmes, and how does the community say no to an idea? TC has supported, and continues to support, a lot of worthwhile ventures i.e. youth programmes, community gardens, Shedwood Bush predator control, etc., and we value that part of their efforts for this community.

2/ Community-led Development plan meeting:

Roy and Geoff attended the last meeting, but it appears that the ensuing minutes were not correct nor reflective of discussions, which creates an ethical issue for TDCC. Can we be actively involved in a group whose minutes are not a true and accurate record? The meetings appear to be operational rather than community-led. For these reasons, TDCC will not be attending these meetings for the foreseeable future.

3/ Re In-committee item from 28th April minutes:

Table until Oct meeting. A letter has been sent advising that a lack of response may mean the Committee making a decision in the absence of their response, which would not be our preferred choice.

4/ Hub:

We have asked TDC for the process to get the previously-proposed Hub off the LTP. We understood that we had agreement from TC regarding scrapping the proposed hub, based on written material from them, and the fact that TC has not objected to relevant statements in our previous minutes etc., but after the release of the agenda for this meeting TC Trustees, and one of the TC reps acting in a personal capacity, have asked why we are doing this and where the mandate came from. We note that we’ve only asked TDC about the process, as part of being fully informed, given TC’s willingness to support looking again at this community’s actual needs.

In response to a query from the floor regarding processes, we wish to be very clear that TDCC’s role and voice means that any project, proposal or issue involving local infrastructure, public services, and public areas comes through TDCC so we can ensure the community has input and is consulted. Our mandate does not include private activity on private land. For locals with an issue involving infrastructure/public space etc., the resident must try TDC processes first, and if that fails then bring the issue to TDCC, complete with TDC service number.

5/ Existing public facilities:

We have now received a document purporting to be the promised list from TC regarding which services are currently using and/or looking for space within Tapawera. Unfortunately the list provided appears to be an uplift from the Hub proposal from some years ago, with the first item being our own Op Shop, which is clearly incorrect.

We have begun the work on identifying what is actually required, and if there is a current solution available for any group not satisfactorily housed. We have yet to receive the custodians information from the Tapawera Memorial Hall, who’s committee apparently voted to not fill out the form. We are now writing to TDC as the building/land owners to obtain the information. We are in no way doubting the Hall committee’s work, but believe the community has the right to know how the Hall is administered, how to contact the committee, and the Hall’s availability.

We are also looking to put a list on the website of spaces available for community use, along with contact/booking details. As this won’t be confined to the village area, we will be looking to the valleys for their public/hire-able spaces also.

From the floor: The Domain Board has asked that the container holding equipment for the annual show be removed from the Domain, for Health and Safety reasons. An alternate site has been found.
Response: We query what the H&S issue could be, and are aware of the extra work this creates for show organisers in carting equipment to the grounds when required.

From the floor: Concern raised that the Domain gates are locked during daylight hours.
Response: We suggest that, in the first instance, the issue be raised with the Domain committee, and TDC.

NB: John Gully (Ward Councillor) arrived during item 5’s discussion, at 7.35pm.

6/ Op Shop project:

So close! We are looking at opening early October! The goods are clean and shiny, the rooms are about to be furnished, and the paperwork is virtually ready. Opening hours are expected to be three days a week, within school hours, with possibly opening for Market Days also.

Sadly, one of our volunteers, who has contributed hugely to the preparation work, is leaving the area, so we are needing a couple more volunteers. Hopefully there will be a pool so that each person can do as much or little as they are able, from just a couple of hours a week, through to a whole day. We would also like a couple of folk to be available for sick-leave cover. If you, or anyone you know, is interested, please let Kieri or Trish know. We will also place an advert in the Informer.

A community First Aid course is set down for Saturday 24th Oct (thanks to TC and Jan Barker); We plan to cover up to five Op Shop volunteer’s course fees.

7/ Sealing in front of Community Centre:

John Ridd (TDC manager) suggested that the sealing may come under the beautification funding, but if not, he would look into other budgets it may be slotted into. We need to double-check that the seal will not be black.

8/ Dart Ford, Forestry trees, Tadmor gravel issue etc:

Roy and Trish met with John Ridd (TDC Manager) and John Gully (Ward councillor) on 21st August. We drove around much of the draw area, including Dart Ford, stopping at strategic spots to point out issues. Now John Ridd has an extensive list of items which require a response/action, and he is working through them.

Two immediate results were that all TDC managers have been advised that the proper lines of communication regarding anything which affects Tapawera & districts is through TDCC, and we’ve seen this bear fruit already. The reason this is essential is so that the community can comment on proposals and also so you are well-informed of upcoming works.

From the floor: The new Tadmor culvert had no water running through it in the 63mm weather event last week.
From the floor: El Nino is forecast to bring high winds; this heightens the risk of tree-fall at Kohatu blocking the road. This also applies to the other areas we’ve been highlighting to council.

9/ Cycle trails:

Roy and Trish met with Belinda Crisp from Heart of Biking, to share info re the hiccups with the cycle trail. We did a site visit to both ends of the village, and the upshot is that she is going to ask their contractor to look at the feasibility of grading a gravel path along the southern side of Tadmor road from the camp end to the bridge so that there is a safe off-the-road pathway. It may include some boardwalk in the narrow spots.

Regarding the other end of the village, if TDC end up having to go to the Environment Court to attain the land required there will be a fairly intensive financial hit, but if the outcome is favourable it would smooth the path for other similar situations and therefore save council money in the long run. The landowners are likely to incur similar costs. It is hoped that a solution can be found before that step begins, saving all parties from large financial outlay, and protecting the kids at the same time.

Regarding the current closure of the Wakefield to Wai-iti section, Tapawera is missing out as cyclists are not coming through. This particularly affects local businesses. We wrote to Tim King, TDC Mayor, asking that the issues be resolved as quickly as possible.

10/ Constitution:

The draft constitution has gone out to members with this agenda, and feedback is due back by 25th September please. It will also be available on our website. We are hoping that if all goes well, it will be able to be adopted at the AGM, thus saving members an extra meeting.

There is an alteration to the draft which members need to be aware of, regarding age of members. We had dropped it to 16 to cater for a youth member on the committee, but will be reverting the age requirement to 18. In order for a youth rep to be co-opted onto the committee in future, with full speaking and voting rights, there will be a specific paragraph detailing how this can occur. The minimum age for that rep will be 16.

11/ Agreement for mobile vendors:

Roy reported that all parties are working quietly towards full compliance and agreement.

12/ Light up Tapawera for Christmas:

Including a competition for best decorated letterbox. We are still waiting for confirmation of plans, organising committee etc. from TC. If nothing is in place by 30th Sept, we will look to running this event ourselves.

13/ Pathway fence-line:

The on-site meeting with John Ridd (TDC) brought about an offer from him to look into whether the pathway does qualify for fencing assistance.

From the floor: Tapawera footpaths are becoming increasingly difficult and unsafe, particularly for those with mobility challenges. The resident will raise the matter with TDC, then refer to TDCC if needed.

14/ Noticeboards and map:

We have not yet seen the new proposed noticeboard maps, but did remind TC that the Kohatu map needs doing also. Trish will contact Mark Soper about this directly.

15/ Shedwood Bush Access:

The issues around access continue. John Gully and Roy will be having a discussion about this within the next few days, to try to get appropriate action.

16/ Iwi and TDCC meeting:

John Gully provided us with the contact details for Iwi Liaison, which we will follow up.

17/ Memorial Hall bookings:

Members have advised that it’s very difficult to make bookings. However, we understand that the Memorial Hall committee are going to put the relevant information into the Informer and phone book.

18/ Youth Council:

The Tasman Youth Council is a great chance for young people to get involved in local decision-making, and is very active across the region. Activities are co-ordinated through the Youth Hub, and members can attend specific TDC committee meetings with speaking rights. The Youth Council is seen as a real asset for both youth and TDC alike. John Gully is working on getting active engagement from this area through the school.

19/ Locky dock proposal:

Further inquiries has led to some concerns regarding this proposal. For instance, there appears to be no way to make these chargers user-pays. Also, at no stage have existing businesses in our area been asked how the charging station may affect them, nor if they had plans to build a charger such as Flat Rock Cafe offers. Whilst we fully support providing opportunity for cyclists to charge their bikes, we do not believe that ratepayers should foot the bill as they will be in other TDC sites. There is more work to be done before we can endorse this particular scheme.

20/ Emergency planning group:

With the valley meetings completed, we understand the group will be issuing a full report and plans for consultation sometime soon. We understand the community get-togethers were well attended in the valleys, but not so many in the village. Richmond is getting an emergency management caravan which provides a well set up transportable facility as headquarters. We would like to know if it would be possible to have such a resource located on this side of Spooner’s.

From the floor: Would we be able to have one on display at the Spring Show? (Be a good way to have it learn the way.) Geoff is going to follow up on this.

21/ Tiny Gallery:

Six artists will be displaying miniature versions of their work in the gallery. Of the two sites offered, the one closest to the Museum is preferred. Menzshed will be installing it this weekend. The gallery hopes to be open by the Market Day at the end of the month. We need to write a letter of support to the organiser, giving approval for the site.

Correspondence (as attached):

Financial Report (as attached):

Click here (PDF)

A member reported an error in last months Financial report. As Gill was away for much of the month, and the error appears to be administrative, we have deferred asking her about the matter until after this meeting.

The Audited accounts: Are becoming urgent, as they are required for the AGM. Roy and Gill are following up with the Auditor.

Ward Councillor Report: (John Gully)

Councillors have spent the last few weeks workshopping on where and what can be cut from budgets as council needs to pare back $12 million. It’s been a sobering task, and many savings are in small increments rather than large chucks.

Query from the floor: Are staff salaries being looked at?
Response: The issue is that TDC has to meet the market. Good quality staff will go elsewhere if its more lucrative. Also, John said, regarding staff, he believes we get good bang for our buck.

Chair comment: The recent photo of reps at TDC shows that our area is not represented to anything like the levels of other wards, even taking into account population numbers. For instance, Golden Bay has two elected members, but also have representatives who have speaking etc. rights at some meetings.
Response: Not all the folk in those photos are paid for their time, but are volunteers.

Committee member comment: Richmond four Councillors can bike to TDC and constituents: how is it equitable to have just one representative covering all of Lakes/Murchison with the time and distances involved?

Roy, as Chair, will be attending the TDC Chairs meeting in October. He will be raising the issues of roads, rivers, representation, and TDC communication, on our behalf.

General Business:

1/ Water treatment plant:

The water treatment plant project will begin it’s next stage in October. The wells were completed earlier this year. We are assured that there will be no traffic management requirement, and the water supply will not be affected.

2/ East bank cycleway:

Ngatimoti residents have been calling for the cycleway to link to Motueka via the east bank, and planning work had started on this. All the landowners agreed, but then one withdrew their support, rendering the project impossible. We believe that such a link would also draw folk from Motueka up to Tapawera for day trips, just as the Wakefield side brought Nelsonians out, and thus assisting the local economy. And who knows, some local folk may have found it useful for biking to town!
We have written a letter of support based on these factors.

3/ Factually incorrect letter:

A member wrote a letter to the TDC Mayor, DIA, MBIE, and Maureen Pugh MP, regarding TDCC and the documents signed by 224 residents which we received earlier in the year. Unfortunately the member’s letter is factually incorrect.

We will also advise him that the matter of the document presented to us in April by Gary Polwart is now closed.

4/ Shedwood Hall fundraiser:

The advertising flier went out to members with the agenda for this meeting.

5/ Sponsorship of Rivers Magazine for TAS ($250 plus GST):

6/ Dog Park:

We have asked TDC for the process for identifying a site and creating a suitable space.
Query: Would the advent of a dog park invite extra rules on folk walking their dogs in other areas?
Response: We will need to check on that, but it doesn’t appear to have, in other areas.

7/ Drinking fountain and water bottle refill:

TDC advised it’s $7k to install from new. We would like to think that it could be achieved considerably cheaper, with fittings added to the existing tap outside the toilet block, or nearby. All village water on TDC supply is potable.

8/ Date for AGM:

To be advised.

9/ Toilet signage:

We will write to TDC requesting a blue roadside sign showing where the public toilets are on the Main road.

10/ ‘No entry’ signage:

The ‘No entry’ signage is not working outside the shops in the village. We will ask TDC to review them.

11/ Query from the floor:

Is there anything TDC are working on that we need to know?
Response: John Gully undertook to continue keeping us informed.

12/ Community Centre:

Losing Chris Penk as Minister means that the Building/earthquake Bill hasn’t gone through Parliament yet, and probably won’t until next year, so we have to be patient.

Meeting closed 9.10pm, followed by a lovely supper and networking/social time.

Correspondence list 18th Aug 2026 to 15th Sept 2026 TDCC

Inwards:

• Aug: Request for dog park and a drinking fountain in Tapawera
• 18th Aug: D Luxford copy of her letter to J Gully re bridge abutments risk
• 19th Aug: J Leyland re Ward representation in future, asking TDCC to lobby for a 2nd councillor
• 20th Aug: S Elkington (TDC) re sealing in front of Community Centre
  D Luxford query re steering committee and hub
• 21st Aug: K Russell re CLDP minutes
  D Luxford query re steering committee and hub
  T O’Connell (TDC) invite to Community Chairs meeting
• 22nd Aug: M Drake re Financial report
  I & K Breed re transparency concerns re facilitated meetings & joint statement
• 24th Aug: R Moffitt re Locky Docks update-able
  R Moffitt TC re Users list
• 26th Aug: B Crisp (Heart of biking) re cycle trail x 2
  S Fenemor (TAS) re supporting school annual ‘Rivers’ magazine
• 31st Aug: K Russell (TC) with revised CLDP minutes
  R Moffitt re Locky Docks x 2
• 1st Sept: TDC Adopted Annual Plan 2026/2027
• 2nd Sept: T Fifield (TDC) requesting list of outstanding issues for J Ridd
  M Regan re date for Op Shop opening
• 3rd Sept: R Moffitt re Locky Docks update
  J Ridd (TDC) re outstanding issues list
  T Higgins (Shedwood hall) with flier copy re phone book fundraiser
  B Crisp (Heart of biking) re East Bank contact
• 7th Sept: T King (Mayor TDC) re cycle trail
  S Anderson re East bank cycle trail
  TDC re Information request re Water treatment plant
• 8th Sept: TDC re Water treatment plant
  TDC with monthly newsletter (circulated)
• 9th Sept: S Anderson re East bank cycle trail
• 13th Sept: Member resignation due to moving away
• 14th Sept: K Russell TC re agenda item
  R Moffitt re Light up Tapawera
  M Drake letter re ‘survey’
  R Moffitt re apology & queries re agenda
  K Russell TC confirming agenda query was from TC Trustees
• 15th Sept: M Drake
  S Elkington re resealing in front of Community Centre

Outwards:

• 19th Aug & 21st Aug: TC re CLDP minutes
• 20th Aug: S Elkington (TDC) agreeing in principle to sealing project
• 21st Aug/22nd Aug: D Luxford re steering committee/hub query
• 23rd Aug: D Luxford re steering committee wording
  I & K Breed re TDCC activity
• 26th Aug: TC re Locky Dock funding
• 3rd Sept: J Ridd (TDC) list of outstanding issues
• 7th Sept: Mayor TDC re Wakefield section of cycle trail
  T Higgins (Shedwood) re phone book fundraiser
  TDC re Tapawera water treatment project
  S Anderson re East bank cycle link (& two later emails)
• 8th Sept: S Fenemor advising earliest approval date 15th Sept
• 11th Sept: Member re outstanding In-committee matter, requesting response by 1st October
  R Moffitt (TC) re Light up Tapawera project
• 14th Sept: R Moffitt TC re Light up Tapawera
  K Russell TC asking clarification on who was asking re item 4 in Matters Arising
  Tapawera Rugby Club letter of supported
  Belinda Crisp re East Bank bike trail