Latest news with #BernieWanden
1News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- 1News
After public outcry, NZTA reinstates features to Ō2NL Highway
After extensive public concern over proposed design changes to the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway, the NZTA Board has confirmed it will reinstate several critical features to the project. Last month, 1News reported the Horowhenua community said it had been "blindsided" by the changes to the expressway project to cut costs, which included scaling back the planned interchange to a roundabout. 'This is a significant and very welcome moment for Horowhenua,' Mayor Bernie Wanden said today. 'We've done it,' Ōtaki MP Tim Costley said. Additional funding has been confirmed for Tararua Rd in Levin to be a grade-separated interchange. ADVERTISEMENT The southern connection, near Taylors Rd, would include a southbound onramp, allowing vehicles travelling south on the current SH1 to join the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway north of Ōtaki. The local road at Manakau Heights would be connected across the new highway via a bridge. 'It's not just a good outcome; it's the right outcome,' Wanden said. By 2040, Horowhenua was expected to have an additional 16,000 people living in the district, and more than 760,000 people living within an hour's drive. 'We understand people were frustrated, even disillusioned at times, but this outcome shows what's possible when a community comes together and speaks with clarity and conviction. "It's a win not just for us, but for future generations who will benefit from this safer, more resilient corridor,' Wanden said. The Ōtaki to north of Levin project has been coming for a decade and locals want the road they were promised. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT NZTA chief executive Brett Gliddon said the agency considered value for money options — and listened to community feedback. The Ō2NL project was part of the Government's Roads of National Significance, and construction was set to begin later this year, with the road scheduled to open in 2029. 'Together we have secured the road we wanted,' Costley said. 'This decision shows the value in have strong local advocacy, and strong representatives fighting our local cause in Wellington and across the region.' The construction and operation of the road wouldl have a range of economic benefits associated with population and urban growth, employment, and economic activity. NZTA documents showed that the overall net GDP impact of the project was estimated at between $1.157 billion and $1.258 billion.
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Council Teams Up With Palmerston North And Rangitikei To Deliver Water Services
Horowhenua District Council will join Palmerston North City Council and Rangitikei District Council to deliver water services and recognises Whanganui District Council and Ruapehu District Council as potential willing partners. Today's decision is projected to save the average Horowhenua household between $195 and $300 per year by 2027/28. The Government's Local Water Done Well policy requires all councils to decide how they will continue to deliver safe, reliable water services sustainably into the future, either alone or in partnership with other councils. Taking into account feedback from public consultation, elected members unanimously voted today to form a Joint Water Services Organisation with the two other councils, and leave the door open for Whanganui and Ruapehu to join if their respective councils vote in favour of this option. The Water Services Organisation will manage resources across councils, enabling lower operating costs and improved efficiency which will generate the estimated annual savings. It will also be able to borrow up to five times the amount it generates from water services charges through the Local Government Funding Agency, which is almost twice as much as Council can currently borrow. This means that the cost of increased investment in water infrastructure can be spread across the lifetime of the assets. 'Scale does matter and I am confident we have made the right decision. It's important we take a long-term view of water services delivery and while I acknowledge while this is a crucial milestone, it is only the start of a challenging journey ahead,' says Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden. 'I know some councils including Kāpiti and Manawatū have decided to go it alone rather than join forces with their neighbours. 'But our analysis – which was rigorous –convinced us that we can provide more sustainable water services by teaming up with other councils. 'And in the long term it will be cheaper for ratepayers too.' The next step is for the councils to work together to produce a Water Services Delivery Plan, which must be submitted to the Government by 3 September 2025. 'I'd like to acknowledge our hard-working Local Waters team, which just celebrated its first six months operating and maintaining our water assets and services,' says Chief Executive Monique Davidson. 'They are doing an excellent job for the community and will continue to do so as we work through the many decisions, we need to make about how the new water services organisation will work. In other words, for now it is business as usual.' Ruapehu District Council and Whanganui District Council will decide on their preferred Water Services Delivery Model at their respective Council Meetings on 25 and 26 June. Modelling suggests that if all five councils formed a Water Services Organisation, savings of over $300m could be achieved over 30 years.
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Scoop
Councils Condemn Overnight Disruption And Thank Police For Strong Response
Horowhenua District Council and Palmerston North City Council are thanking Police and emergency services for their strong, coordinated response to unlawful gatherings in the region overnight, and are condemning the dangerous behaviour that put the safety of residents at risk. The gatherings involved a large convoy of vehicles and over 1,000 individuals. This follows similar illegal activity in Levin last year that saw State Highway 1 barricaded and weapons reportedly present. This year, Police acted early — deploying teams including Riot Police, Armed Offenders Squad and the Eagle helicopter, implementing a visible and proactive presence across the region. While their efforts successfully prevented major disruption in Levin, the group dispersed north along Tavistock Road and State Highway 57, State Highway 56 and Palmerston North before coming back to Levin. One bystander was taken to hospital with moderate injuries after an incident on SH57, with Police reporting further incidents with other bystanders and vehicles on SH56. No police are reported to be injured despite, having a vehicle deliberately rammed, Police car tyres slashed and fireworks being aimed at officers. 10 arrests have been made so far, with more to come as Police investigate footage from the evening. Mayor Bernie Wanden said the behaviour witnessed last night is disgraceful. 'This activity isn't just reckless — it's dangerous. People have been hurt. Most of the individuals involved are not from Horowhenua, yet it's our community that bears the burden. I commend Police and emergency services for their quick and decisive actions. Their efforts have helped to keep our residents safe and prevent further harm.' Mayor Grant Smith says street racing is completely unacceptable. 'It was great to see the significant police presence in Horowhenua and Palmerston North overnight to help demonstrate that street racing is not welcome in our city or our wider region. While those involved may think it's just a bit of fun, it is intimidating behaviour for communities. In past events, these incidents have also passed on large costs to ratepayers to repair damaged roads and clean up broken glass and car parts. We understand from the Police that a number of youths were involved in what occurred last night. We encourage parents to chat to their young people about the dangers of street racing and encourage them to ask questions when their teens are going out late at night about their plans. I want to thank the Police for their efforts last night and hope those involved get the message that street racing is simply not welcome in our region' Both Councils are continuing to liaise with Police to monitor the situation and support any required responses. Our thoughts are also with those injured last night, and their loved ones.
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Police were ready for 'senseless and mindless' people on anniversary of Levin violence
Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver [xlert]Hundreds of people and cars descended on Levin overnight, driving recklessly and disrupting the community - mayor Hundreds of people and cars descended on Levin overnight, driving recklessly and disrupting the community, the Horowhenua District Mayor says. Mayor Bernie Wanden said Friday night was the anniversary of an illegal gathering that turned violent a year ago , and there had been rumours a crowd would return. He said a large contingent turned up in Levin on Friday evening . "Estimated to be over 1000 people. It turned a little ugly, they deliberately tried to incite and taunt police, tried to provoke them by running into one of their vehicles, setting off fireworks and things like that," he said. "Police were able to break up that gathering, but they had been there for a while - you could hear it throughout the town. They then broke up and went out into different parts of the region and into Palmerston North, before returning to Levin in the early morning and finally breaking up about three o'clock. "Quite a long night for police and emergency people that had to deal with a number of senseless and mindless people who were just there to create as much mayhem as they could." Wanden said police were aware of the gathering and had prepared for it. "We had drones and the Eagle helicopter was deployed around the town, [police] were well supported by that back-up and their ability to be able to break up and then move accordingly was really helpful. "While there were no serious incidents, I do believe some bystanders had been injured through the night, which is really unfortunate, but fortunately no police injuries or anything like that." A video posted to social media showed police standing in formation with shields and body armour, across the highway at the central Queen Street and Oxford Street shops, with multiple sirens heard and many thick dark tyre skid marks seen in circles on the intersection in front of them. On 1 June, 2024, a gathering of more than 200 people and cars in Levin turned violent, with a crowd blocking the town's main street and officers reporting projectiles thrown at them. RNZ has approached police for comment. Earlier this month, the government announced stiffer punishments for those convicted of offences related to boy-racing, and for drivers who fail to stop for police. Those caught doing burnouts or taking part in unauthorised street racing or intimidating convoys faced vehicle destruction as a presumptive sentence, while fines for making excess noise from a vehicle were also raised. At the time of the announcement, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said New Zealanders were sick and tired of seeing "idiot drivers" put the community at risk. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Police out in force in Levin, one year on from boy racer conflict
Events a year ago this weekend turned violent, with confrontations between a large crowd and police in Levin. Photo: NZ Police / Supplied Levin residents say police and hoons are already out in force on the anniversary of earlier conflict. Last year, a gathering of more than 200 people and cars in Levin turned violent on Saturday 1 June, with a crowd blocking the town's main street, and officers reporting projectiles thrown at them. On Friday night, posts on Levin social media groups said at least one police helicopter was circling the town, with commenters reporting the helicopters were tracking boy racers. "Sounds are going hard now, from police sirens to choppers, to burn outs, to police chases ... quite uneasy for Levin locals," one person said on a local forum, shortly before 11pm, Friday. "[We] will see if this current government puts its 2025 boy racer legislation where it's mouth is," another commenter said. Stuff reported a large gathering of boy racers were expected in the town for King's Birthday Weekend, but were not wanted. Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden told Stuff the town has "had a gutsful", and did not want hoons coming back and causing "mayhem". Police were aware of the event and had plans and resources to respond, he said. Police did not immediately respond to RNZ's requests for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
