Otorohanga
Tori Muller has spoken of the difficulties attending community board meetings and workshops when you have a family and a job.
Tori Muller
Muller, who has started a full-time job after working part time, told fellow board members attending the last meeting of last triennium last week that she had taken her hat out of the ring because of her other commitments.
“I have been mindful of the question put to me around how do we get young people to stand in Ōtorohanga,” Muller said.
The board meets monthly on a Monday at 4pm, and members are also invited to one or two workshops a month, she said.
“It can be difficult to attend workshops and meetings if you are not a business owner, or do not have the leave to cover absence from work. From experience, I found this especially challenging because taking leave without pay meant sacrifices…
“Having a young family, it can be difficult to juggle commitments with school picks ups. You’ve all seen me leave meetings, bring my daughter to meetings, and miss them due to her being sick.
“This is the reality for a lot of people in Ōtorohanga. These are the voices we need.”
Muller appealed to fellow board members to encourage other young people to stand at the next election in three years.
“If you have these voices in these businesses and in your lives, think about ways we can band around together and support because our town would thrive.”
She promised to stand again in 20 years.
The new community board comprises Ōtorohanga Ward councillors alongside Leanne Massey, Brendon McNeil, Craig Thomas and Bronwyn Tubman.
Geoff Good
The board’s chair will be paid $17,152 per annum while members received $8576.
Kāwhia Community Board chair Geoff Good was elected unopposed to the Aotea Community Subdivision, while Richard Harpur, Annie Mahara, and Hinga Whiu were elected unopposed in the Kāwhia Community Subdivision.
The Kāwhia Community Board chair will receive $4793 per annum, while board members receive $2397.
Community boards have input into council decision making at a grassroots level.
