Contents
Antenno knows the go
Planning reforms explained
Wanted: Input into the Council’s Community Outcomes
Bin there, fund that
Working together for healthier waterways
Water reports make things clear
Representation review begins
Antenno knows the go
Our key channel for notifying you of anything important and time-sensitive is the Antenno mobile app.[cite: 1]
We use this app to let you know about weather warnings, water breaks and planned water shutdowns, road accidents and scheduled road closures, plus we’ll also send you reminders when it’s your recycling day.[cite: 1]
Antenno is an easy way to get notifications straight to your phone about things affecting areas you’re concerned about.[cite: 1] You can choose the places you want to be alerted about, so you’re not being notified about things that don’t affect you.[cite: 1]
You can save multiple areas, such as your home, work and school – you just need to add in the specific locations you want to know about.[cite: 1] For example, add 189 Queen Street Richmond rather than just Richmond to ensure you get the correct recycling day and water shutdown notifications.[cite: 1]
Nelson City and Marlborough District Councils also use Antenno, so you can get notified about different areas across Te Tauihu.[cite: 1]
You can also use Antenno to send us a quick and easy report of issues you spot around the District.[cite: 1] It conveniently adds the location to a photo so we can log the problem, including a description and your contact details.[cite: 1] It’s an easy way to get in touch with us.[cite: 1]
Antenno is free, easy to use, and no personal information or log-on details are required.[cite: 1] Download Antenno from the app store on your mobile phone.[cite: 1]
Planning reforms explained
We have a new Regional Spatial Plan web page explaining the changes to New Zealand’s planning system.[cite: 1]
The aim is to help our residents understand the Government’s proposed replacement of the Resource Management Act and what it could mean for Tasman’s future.[cite: 1]
It provides an overview of Regional Spatial Planning and how it could help guide decisions about growth, infrastructure, environmental management and economic development over the next 30 years.[cite: 1]
The reforms are still being developed by central government, but they represent one of the biggest changes to New Zealand’s planning system in more than three decades.[cite: 1]
A Regional Spatial Plan is expected to become a key part of the new planning system.[cite: 1] Rather than focusing on individual projects, it will provide a long-term framework to help coordinate where future growth occurs, identify infrastructure priorities, protect environmental values, and support economic development across the region.[cite: 1]
As we prepare for regional spatial planning, we are beginning with early community conversations in the Motueka Ward to seek connection and help build a shared understanding of the Ward’s past and lived experiences, present opportunities and challenges, and develop a shared vision to inform future planning processes.[cite: 1] See the Motueka Ward engagement article to the right for more on this.[cite: 1]
The web page also explains how the new planning system is expected to work and how communities, iwi, stakeholders and agencies are likely to be involved as planning progresses.[cite: 1]
The Regional Spatial Planning web page at tasman.govt.nz/spatial-plan will be updated as more information becomes available from central government.[cite: 1]
Wanted: Input into the Council’s Community Outcomes
As part of the initial stages of putting together our 10-Year Plan, we have been out engaging with community associations throughout the District.[cite: 1]
These meetings are just the first stage of ongoing engagement with Tasman residents around what we are planning to deliver and where the value lies now and in the future.[cite: 1]
The current subject is the proposed Community Outcomes.[cite: 1] These are important as they set the framework for decision-making over the next 10 years.[cite: 1] They are the touchstone by which intergenerational decisions are framed.[cite: 1]
In managing the current round of engagement, the question has been raised – how do we discuss these and other issues with Richmond residents?[cite: 1] Despite being the largest population centre in Tasman, unlike every other settlement in the District, there is no representative body such as a community association.[cite: 1]
Let’s Talk Tasman, a feature of our Shape Tasman website, is an opportunity for all residents to have their say on any number of issues.[cite: 1] To provide an avenue for Richmond residents specifically, there is a button on the page that enables us to capture what those residents wish to say.[cite: 1]
Through Let’s Talk Tasman, residents are welcome to either ask questions or respond to feature engagement opportunities that will arise from time to time.[cite: 1] Some of these opportunities may be official (i.e. legislated), others may be simply seeking opinion.[cite: 1]
Take a look and share your thoughts at shape.tasman.govt.nz/lets-talk-tasman.[cite: 1]
Bin there, fund that
Got an idea that could reduce waste in Tasman?[cite: 1] Our Waste Minimisation Projects Grant could help bring it to life.[cite: 1]
The grant supports projects that reduce waste, recover valuable resources, and create lasting benefits for our environment and our communities.[cite: 1] If you’ve got an innovative idea that could make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.[cite: 1]
Projects Grants are designed for larger initiatives, with funding typically around $5,000 or more per application.[cite: 1] Funding can be used for a wide range of costs, including project set-up, equipment and tools, day-to-day operating expenses, wages, and monitoring the amount of waste being diverted from landfill.[cite: 1]
A great example is a recent grant awarded to the Cawthron Institute for its project turning shellfish waste into fertiliser.[cite: 1]
It’s already delivering measurable results by giving a waste product a valuable new purpose instead of sending it to landfill.[cite: 1]
Whether you’re a community group, business or organisation, if your project can make a genuine and measurable impact on reducing waste in Tasman, we’d encourage you to apply.[cite: 1]
To find out more, including the funding criteria and application form, visit tasman.govt.nz/waste-minimisation-projects-grant.[cite: 1] Applications for the next funding round close on Sunday 27 September.[cite: 1]
Working together for healthier waterways
A collaborative planting project on the Waimea Plains shows how productive farming and environmental care can go hand in hand.[cite: 1]
Our Catchment team has been working alongside Appleby Fresh Ltd, a local commercial vegetable grower, to enhance a waterway that flows through their property.[cite: 1] The grower has already introduced a range of land management practices to help protect the underlying groundwater aquifer, and this project builds on that commitment.[cite: 1]
Working with our Ecologist and Titoki Nursery, the team developed a planting plan that reflects the Waimea Plains Ecological District while also following Horticulture New Zealand’s lighter touch planting approach.[cite: 1]
The carefully selected mix of native plants will do much more than look good – they’ll boost biodiversity, provide habitat for beneficial insects that naturally help control crop pests, support several at-risk native plant species, and create a buffer to help reduce sediment entering waterways that eventually flow into the Waimea River.[cite: 1]
It’s a great example of how practical environmental improvements can also support the production of healthy, high-quality food in a sustainable way.[cite: 1] By bringing together the grower’s local knowledge and Council expertise, the project is delivering benefits for both the land and the wider community.[cite: 1]
The grower’s team of 12 staff rolled up their sleeves on planting day, bringing plenty of experience and enthusiasm.[cite: 1] Their hands-on contribution and on-going care will help make the project a success and reflects a strong commitment to caring for the environment for future generations.[cite: 1]
Water reports make things clear
When it comes to our council water services, you don’t have the option of choosing a different provider.[cite: 1] That’s why there are national rules to make sure councils and water organisations are open and transparent about how these essential services are delivered.[cite: 1]
The Commerce Commission requires us to regularly publish information about our drinking water and wastewater services, including what we spend, what we charge, how the services are performing, and how communities across the District receive their drinking water.[cite: 1] Having everyone report in the same way makes it easier to compare performance across the country and track improvements over time.[cite: 1]
The Commission also publishes its own summaries and analysis, giving you an independent view of how we’re performing.[cite: 1]
At this stage, these reporting requirements apply to drinking water and wastewater only.[cite: 1] Stormwater isn’t included, even though we manage it alongside our other water services.[cite: 1]
You’ll find all our reports on the water section of our website – visit tasman.govt.nz and search “water reports”.[cite: 1] We will keep them available for at least seven years, so you can look back at previous reports as well as the latest updates.[cite: 1] New reports are added as they’re released.[cite: 1]
It’s all part of making sure you have easy access to information about the services you rely on every day and can see how we’re performing on your behalf.[cite: 1]
Representation review begins
Every six years, councils across New Zealand review how communities are represented around the council table.[cite: 1] It’s our chance to make sure representation continues to reflect the needs of our growing and changing District.[cite: 1]
However, a binding poll held during the 2025 elections resulted in the removal of the Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward.[cite: 1] This means we need to review our representation arrangements again ahead of the 2028 local elections because Māori roll voters will no longer be counted separately to vote in the Māori Ward and will instead be counted with the general roll voters.[cite: 1]
This new review will also look at questions like whether Tasman should continue to have wards, how many there should be, where the boundaries should sit and what they should be called.[cite: 1] We’ll also consider how many councillors the District should have and whether they should all be elected by ward, or if some should also be elected by the District as a whole.[cite: 1]
As part of the review, we’ll also consider whether we should continue to have community boards in Motueka and Golden Bay and if others are required.[cite: 1]
Earlier this year, Elected Members confirmed that the First Past the Post voting system will continue to be used for the 2028 and 2031 local elections.[cite: 1]
We’re keen to hear what matters most to you and we have begun early engagement on Shape Tasman – visit shape.tasman.govt.nz/2026-review.[cite: 1] Your feedback will help shape fair and effective representation for years to come.[cite: 1]
