Mayor’s column: Progress in tough times

The year 2024 has been difficult for our city. The NZ economy has struggled but Nelson has had it tougher than anywhere, according to last week’s ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard. Despite these challenges, Council has got good stuff done.

We have broken the back of the repair work from the August 2022 storm. We’ve fixed roads such as Cable Bay Rd and replaced a bridge over the Maitai. We have stabilised nine of the 18 landslides and settled all but one of 17 unfixable homes. Other successes include reopening the Elma Turner Library, lighting the Railway Reserve, completing the Saxton and Rutherford stormwater upgrades, removing the contaminated sawdust at Tāhunanui Beach and installing aerators in the Maitai Dam to improve the river’s health.

Council adopted the Long Term Plan 2024-34 unanimously. We’ve started our work to revitalise the city with the Connings Pop-Up store, the Bridge to Better project and attracting new events such as The Spectacle. We’ve dealt with many contentious issues such as international cricket and alcohol sponsorship, fluoridation, phasing out Council’s commercial forestry, sandwich boards, sanctions over the conflict in Israel/Palestine, housing development in the Maitai Valley and the new Cat Management Bylaw. Our last difficult decision of the year will be made this week on the airport runway extension.

Last Saturday night when returning to my car in the city after The Spectacle, a young graduate from NMIT stopped me and complemented me on my work. After thanking him and saying farewell, I found a handwritten note on my windscreen from someone else with the words: “Your evil ways will be dealt with!” It was a sharp reminder as Mayor that you please some and upset others.

I’m exhausted as we approach the year’s end. My thanks to the many kind Nelsonians who support and encourage me in my work. A special thank-you to all those who help us celebrate the festive season with events like the Santa Parade, the Cathedral’s 50+ Christmas tree display, carols on Christmas Eve, the Mayor’s Christmas Lunch and the New Year’s Eve party in upper Trafalgar Street.

My very best wishes to all for Christmas, the holiday break and 2025.