There are only so many hours in a day and although this site has been an old friend for many years, it is time to put it to bed and let it lie. For some strange reason, people were reading these posts when I was a city councillor. Those days have gone and so has interest in this site. I am spending my time now on open source software and no longer have time to keep posting here.

The site will remain up for now, but I will no longer be posting.

PNCC Press Release - Jaycee Trust

An overseas trip, a chance to study and an opportunity to give something back to the community through their profession, trade or calling.

That’s what a Travelling Fellowship scheme administered by the City Council is offering New Zealand citizens under the age of 40 and who live in Palmerston North or the Manawatu.

Applications for the Jaycee Trust Travelling Fellowship Scheme are now open and people have until Wednesday, August 8, to respond.

The cost of the City Council’s recycling collection and rubbish disposal is reflected in an increase in the price of rubbish bags.

From August 1 the cost of a bag will rise from $1.00 ($10 for a pack of 10 – GST inclusive) to $1.25 ($12.50 for a pack of 10). The increase was confirmed in the City Council’s Annual Plan which is year two of its 10 Year Plan.

The Council’s Water and Waste Services Manager, Chris Pepper, says the Council is progressively moving towards a full user pays policy for its kerbside rubbish collection.

From PNCC Press Release:

Champion athlete and Olympic gold medallist, Peter Snell, is returning to where it all began in Palmerston North this afternoon.

In March 1959 a relatively unknown Peter Snell won his first New Zealand track titles at the national championships at Memorial Park. The following year he was a gold medallist at the Rome Olympics.

The double that Peter achieved in Palmerston North (880 yards and the mile) was repeated twice more in his illustrious career – at the Commonwealth Games in Perth (1962) and the Olympic Games in Tokyo (1964).

This video was created as a fundraiser for Age Concern in the UK. I just love it! If you do too, please consider making a donation to Age Concern here in Palmerston North. They do amazing work in our community and rely heavily on donations to enable them to provide services to the older folk in our city and surrounding areas. You can find Age Concern, Manawatu at the Broadtop Shopping Centre. Their phone number is (06) 355-2832.

Ethel, Edna, and all the team at Age Concern - here’s to you, I hope you enjoy it.

Two distinctive playgrounds will be installed in Palmerston North from early April following valuable feedback from surrounding neighbours.

The junior playgrounds for children up to eight years of age will be erected in Hokowhitu Domain and Farnham Reserve, Takaro and will be completed by the end of the financial year (June 30).

When the Council approved their installation to replace existing playgrounds, staff consulted residents in the immediate vicinity through personal visits and a leaflet drop.

In all 190 leaflets were distributed around Farnham Reserve and 110 around Hokowhitu Domain and recommendations from people were incorporated into the final design.

Organizers for the Student City Day Concert featuring the Black Seeds and Hollie Smith are expecting a huge crowd to the Square this Saturday evening. With good weather forecasted and the Hurricanes in town on the same day last years total of 5000 attendants looks sure to be topped. The concert which is sponsored by PNCC, Massey, UCOL, AS@U, MUSA, ZM and @ the Hub is the highlight of O week and brings Orientation to a close with a huge bang this Saturday evening.

Last night I had the privilege of opening a new exhibition at the Taylor-Jensen Fine Arts gallery in George Street. Called Brushstrokes from the East, this is the first solo exhibition in New Zealand of paintings by Chinese artist Wu Wei of Guangzhou, China.

The exhibition consists of approximately 15 to 20 paintings in both traditional Chinese calligraphic style as well as works in more Western mode. Wu Wei was born in China in 1960. He is a graduate of the Tsinghua University College of Fine Arts (now the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing). He has worked in a number of art and design environments but his real love is painting. His paintings are highly regarded in China and many have been exhibited in prestigious museums and art galleries.

Every two years, hundreds of polished performers and thousands of very vocal supporters flock to Te Matatini - New Zealand’s national Māori performing arts competition.

The festival was named Te Matatini by highly regarded Māori academic Professor Wharehuia Milroy and literally means ‘the many faces’.

‘Māori performing arts bring together people of all ages, all backgrounds, all beliefs, Māori and non Māori alike, participants and observers. When I look at those performing I see many faces, young and old - Te Matatini’ explains Professor Milroy.

Summer Concerts in the Park
This Sunday, Feb 18th
4-7pm at the Fitzherbert Park

PNCC proudly presents Six Chairs Missing, Hendrix Warren, and The Feelers this Sunday in Fitzherbert park. Itâ??s a free event for all ages, and sure to be a hit! Gates will open to the public at 2pm with parking in Manawora Park, and disabled parking in the Hockey parking area. There will be food and cold drinks and coffee for to purchase, and picnics are also encouraged.

Usually we hold these concerts at the Esplanade, but because of anticipated crowd sizes, we have needed to move it to Fitzherbert. Be sure to get there early to get a good spot!