With 165 active cases of Covid-19 in our community, Whāingaroa is starting to see the impacts of the outbreak with Raglan Area School moving to a partial closure of the kura as students and staff are required to isolate or look after whānau members.
(listen to the full interview here:)
That RAT pre-order system was rolled out nationwide on Wednesday with some minor teething issues locally as the DHB teams caught up to the system.
“The Raglan Whāingaroa Community Response Group are working with the DHB to organise a RAT collection site run by the response group to ease demand on DHB staff,” says Lisa.
She hopes that handing over the process to the local response group will mean a smoother process and make the process more accessible to community members.
She also mentions that the local covid-19 support number is operational and a Marae Collective has also been set up to support the marae whānau in the rohe.
“It’s challenging times but it’s great to have people coming together to provide these services and it will be great to see these extend beyond covid,” says Lisa.
She credits members of our community for being able to respond to the needs of the community with collaboration happening across the board with medical professionals, marae representatives, volunteers and other community members stepping up.
- Make sure that you pre-order your test online at https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz or free call at 0800 222 478 option 3. This will help speed up the process. To make a request via the website, you will need to have access to a mobile phone to validate the order. RATs can be requested on behalf of someone else.
- The DHB RAT test collection site will be operating every day from 9.30am to 11.30am at the Raglan Rugby Grounds. Keep an eye on our social media page for updates to testing information and schedule.
- An additional testing and vaccination pop up will be operating this Saturday 5th March at Poihakena Marae - Nga Miro Health Drive Through Testing and Vaccination 10 - 4pm.
- Need support with kai while isolating or have another question? Call 0800 RAGLAN (0800 724526)- this phone number will be operational from Thursday 3rd March between 10am - 2pm seven days a week.You can also email: raglancovid@gmail.com.
Places for People: It has been eight months since the parklets were installed on Bow St and the Community Board are now seeking feedback on the project.
The parklets are part of a project funded by the government during the first round of Covid with the aim to create safer, healthier and more people-friendly towns and cities.
The feedback can be completed by clicking this link or you can pick up hard copies of the form from the Raglan Library, Orca or Trade Aid.
The angle parking and roundabout are not part of this consultation.
Local ElectionsMayor Allan Sanson has announced that he will not be seeking re-election at this year’s local elections. Current Deputy Mayor Aksel Bech however has expressed his intention to run for the position of Mayor later this year.
While Lisa has no intention of running for mayor, she has intentions to seek re-election for another term as Raglan Ward Councilor.
Speed Limit Bylaw Review:
Hearings for the Speed Limit Bylaw were held on the 17th of February. Speed limit changes locally are:
- Riria Kereopa Memorial Drive lowered to 20km/h
- SH23 Greenslade to Hills Road area lowered to 60km/h
- Permanent lowering of speed to 40km/h around urban school zones
Dog Control BylawAfter hearing impassioned submissions over a two-day period the council will deliberate on the 22nd of March.
Raglan Airfield
The Airfield has been reopened and has been operating as normal since Wednesday 2nd March. The council is working with hapū and iwi to return the land to the owners.
Papahua Holiday Camp is also considering opening up access at one side of the airfield for staff parking purposes.
Footpaths
Work on footpaths will continue as work begins connecting and widening pathways from Raglan West through to Wainui Reserve Bush Park. This is the last stage of the path connecting the town to Wainui Reserve and will provide access for those that are walking or cycling.