Kia ora and hello!
I am sure that you are looking forward to a few well-deserved days off over summer.
It has been a huge year for so many of us and I feel we all need a little family fun, sun and a great kiwi holiday season to celebrate.
We need to have some time to focus on what matters, which is our family, friends and those we love and all those jobs, gardening, hobbies and sports we love.
We need to be able to recoup and gather our energies so we can focus on our upcoming year with a renewed vitality for our future.
I feel honoured and privileged to have been recently elected in as Mayor of Waikato district.
I am really enjoying working with all the councillors and staff to lead this Council forward and into the future.
We have already started our work and planning together and navigating the many opportunities, reforms and issues that make up our wonderfully vibrant district.
Suffice to say we have you always at the top of our minds in the work we do.
This is essential to ensure we represent your interests and community aspirations equitably, as efficiently as possible with integrity.
It’s a major factor in continuing to plan and deliver our vision of Liveable, Thriving and Connected Communities to the very best of our abilities.
I ask you to keep talking with us so we can, together, evolve our mighty Waikato district - the beating heart of the golden triangle of Aotearoa, New Zealand, for the betterment of us all.
I have added a Sustainability and Wellbeing Committee to our governance structure to reflect the changing nature of local government that is focusing more on the four well-beings of social, economic, environmental and cultural priorities.
It means we will continue to put more emphasis on climate, on resilience as well as our very important rural businesses, farming and lifestyles.
We are also creating various working groups to progress our direction.
One of the first to be created is the Rural Advisory Forum working group to identify our very important and key rural sector stakeholders.
We want to enhance their voice in our district and to build strong relationship bonds with our rural communities, rural innovation and technology, which benefits us all.
But we all need a break, and this holiday season feels as though it’s been a long time coming.
I’ll be enjoying a break at home with family and friends.
I do hope you are able to spend some quality time with your loved ones these holidays.
To those of you who have to work through, you have our thanks for all that you do.
I look forward to seeing you in the new year and enjoy a happy and safe festive season.
Warmest regards,
Mayor Jacqui
