Gisborne District Council

Tairāwhiti Māori Ward
The Gisborne District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also passes local regulations and makes decisions about infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage, and about the region’s resources, including water, soil and the coastline. The council is made up of 13 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). Five councillors will be elected from the Tairāwhiti Māori ward. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Gisborne District Council election.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change poses a huge challenge for communities as more frequent extreme weather events require us to rethink how we live and where. Local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to respond, with responsibilities for environmental planning and regulation, as well as civil defence. Many councils have plans to reduce emissions in their area and are working to help their communities adapt to a warming world.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change poses a huge challenge for communities as more frequent extreme weather events require us to rethink how we live and where. Local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to respond, with responsibilities for environmental planning and regulation, as well as civil defence. Many councils have plans to reduce emissions in their area and are working to help their communities adapt to a warming world.

  • Commit to development of a regional climate adaptation plan by end of year 2023 informed by communities most at risk in the region.

    Ensure that communities are adequately equipped for any civil defence emergency in the next 12 months.

  • Commit to immediate action around the areas which are predicted to be adversely effected by coastal erosion due to climate change.

    Commit to feasibility study for low emissions rail to service Tairāwhiti for haulage of goods as well as passengers.

    Commit to bio-diverse water collection and storage solutions to aid each of our communities in times of drought due to climate change.

  • Prevent forestry slash on land, in rivers the sea and foreshore. Those that create damage should remedy it.

    Enable areas of native forest in Tairāwhiti to be confirmed a taonga, placed in protection with rates exemption for the area.

    Implement flood and erosion prevention measures with council and community in partnership over identified risk areas.

  • Commit to planting all riparian areas in perpetual forest under the Emissions Trading Scheme.

    Eventually move away from forestry industry whereby harvesting causes catastrophic downstream effects.

    Plan for sea level rise in all communities adjacent to the sea. No more development of coastal properties.

  • Seek solutions from across all sectors of our communities; to develop and implement carbon neutral initiatives and plans.

    Develop an intergenerational Tairāwhiti 150 year Climate Change Policy, with immediate support to Mataitai and Whenua Rahui projects

    High level response planning and prevention for our coastal communities that are continually hit by extreme weather events.

  • Green house climate change – we need to look from a Te Ao Māori view.

    Support – engagement with communities is key. Communities know what's best for them and how to be resourced.

    Earthquake strengthening – support establishing a plan that the people contribute to.

  • I'd like to see council support community resilience through training, resources, and planning around civil defence.

    Council to commit to exploring the impact of climate change and practical solutions to support whānau now and plan for the future.

  • Commit to development of a regional climate adaptation plan by end of year 2023 informed by communities most at risk in the region.

    Ensure that communities are adequately equipped for any civil defence emergency in the next 12 months.

  • Commit to immediate action around the areas which are predicted to be adversely effected by coastal erosion due to climate change.

    Commit to feasibility study for low emissions rail to service Tairāwhiti for haulage of goods as well as passengers.

    Commit to bio-diverse water collection and storage solutions to aid each of our communities in times of drought due to climate change.

  • Prevent forestry slash on land, in rivers the sea and foreshore. Those that create damage should remedy it.

    Enable areas of native forest in Tairāwhiti to be confirmed a taonga, placed in protection with rates exemption for the area.

    Implement flood and erosion prevention measures with council and community in partnership over identified risk areas.

  • Commit to planting all riparian areas in perpetual forest under the Emissions Trading Scheme.

    Eventually move away from forestry industry whereby harvesting causes catastrophic downstream effects.

    Plan for sea level rise in all communities adjacent to the sea. No more development of coastal properties.

  • Seek solutions from across all sectors of our communities; to develop and implement carbon neutral initiatives and plans.

    Develop an intergenerational Tairāwhiti 150 year Climate Change Policy, with immediate support to Mataitai and Whenua Rahui projects

    High level response planning and prevention for our coastal communities that are continually hit by extreme weather events.

  • Green house climate change – we need to look from a Te Ao Māori view.

    Support – engagement with communities is key. Communities know what's best for them and how to be resourced.

    Earthquake strengthening – support establishing a plan that the people contribute to.

  • I'd like to see council support community resilience through training, resources, and planning around civil defence.

    Council to commit to exploring the impact of climate change and practical solutions to support whānau now and plan for the future.