Te Kūiti decrepit – mayor

Waitomo District Council’s discussion about repainting Te Kūiti main street businesses has turned from attacking the “decrepit” state of some Rora St buildings, to the role and function of Legendary Te Kūiti and the North King Country Development Trust.

Discussion of Mayor John Robertson’s report at the council meeting was sparked by his criticism of the state of the town’s commercial precinct, and his complaint Te Kūiti lacked a business association to push a painting project.

“In other towns, business associations exist, work with council, work with landlords and try to get that lift-up.

“It’s not easy at times, but that’s where it can work, so I do ask the question,” he said.

“Cr [Janene]New I think chairs legendary Te Kūiti and I think Cr [Dan] Tasker is on the committee as well, so it’s perhaps a discussion to be had at another time, but if Legendary Te Kūiti is in that space then we need to engage in that way as a business association. But it may not wish to be in that space.”

Janene and Dan were absent from the meeting.

“I’m just encouraging local councillors, especially urban councillors, to knock on the doors of landlords down the street and talk about that and see if we can get more upgrades of buildings.”

Replying to a question from Cr Janette Osborne, John said he was aware of the paint the town project in Ōtorohanga, but did not know how it was funded.

“I take a position, if you own a building in town, the general ratepayers shouldn’t be painting up your building, you should be doing it yourself. But they have a different approach; I’m not sure how they do the funding,” he said.

Janette said the North King Country Development Trust could have a role to play in a Te Kūiti painting project.

She explained how the Ōtorohanga project was picked up by the Ōtorohanga District Development Board, which enlisted the enthusiasm and sponsorship from the community before approaching the council.

The Ōtorohanga project also had assistance from a Waitomo business, Les Te Kanawa at 1st Scaffolding, Janette said.

“Could we bring together community groups and do something as a council?” she said.

“The paintings and facades are one thing, but we have got some buildings that are really decrepit – and so it’s definitely a landlord decision as to whether they invest there.” John said.

Janette questioned whether North King Country Development Trust would have potentially have a role to play.

“I was just thinking that council could bring Legendary Te Kūiti and North King Country Development Trust, some members of the community and The Lines Company together and we would have a role as a facilitator for that.”

This could be part of a discussion at a community meeting, because it was part of community pride and beautifying the town, she said.

John said he was just “opening up” the conversation.

“I think we can do things; as a mayor [I] can engage with landlords and test things out … In Te Kūiti there’s been no formal business association and so it’s a question of whether Te Kūiti retail businesses want to come together in some way.”

CEO Ben Smit said he planned to talk with Janene about the ongoing action and function of Legendary Te  Kūiti.