The NZ Transport Agency is to fund a pedestrian and cycle underpass of Airport Rd/SH21 – one of several safety black spots in Tamahere.

The action comes after unprecedented protests in Tamahere, including a packed public meeting, and a call to the agency by Associate Transport Minister for safer connectivity for the area.

Tamahere Community Committee chair Sue Robertson welcomed confirmation of the funding for the underpass but said it was just a start.

New Waikato district deputy mayor, Tamahere councillor Aksel Bech, aims to develop a council response to climate change “with priority and urgency”.

The new Waikato District Council was sworn in at a ceremony today following elections earlier this month.

Re-elected mayor, Allan Sanson, and thirteen councillors will represent the district across 10 wards for the next three years.

Waikato, one of the country’s fastest growing districts, is forecast to jump from its current 29,000 households and 77,000 people to around 41,000 households and 102,000 people by 2040.

The Waikato District Council is preparing for a long period of growth and change and has been working hard on major initiatives in the past year that will be crucial to creating liveable communities for the future, it says.

The annual meeting and elections for a new Tamahere Community Committee are on this Wednesday, October 23 at 7.30pm.

Nominations can be made from the floor on the night for the committee, which is the guardian and watchdog for the Tamahere community.

Committee members are community-minded residents who want to help shape the style and nature of their area and its services and facilities.

Allan Sanson is back for a fourth term as Waikato District mayor, polling more than six thousand votes ahead of his nearest rival.

In the Waikato constituency of the Waikato Regional Council, Fred Lichtwark is back for a second term and is joined by Pamela Storey.

Rob McGuire was returned in the Eureka Ward of the district council where Tamahere Ward councillor Aksel Bech was also returned (unopposed).

Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has given her backing for safer footpaths and cycleways for Tamahere.

In Tamahere today, Genter said she had let the NZ Transport Agency know of her expectations for safe connectivity for Tamahere, which is bisected by the State Highway 1 Waikato Expressway.

A lack of safe walking and biking routes has become a hot button issue for Tamahere people who turned out in unprecedented numbers to a recent public meeting on the issue.

What are the views of Waikato Regional Council candidates on the environment, sustainability and more?

Tamahere Forum put questions to the Waikato constituency candidates and has drawn together other online information to bring you a picture of the council hopefuls.

This is the question we put to the four candidates:

What are the views of Waikato district mayoral candidates of themselves, the environment and sustainability and more?

Tamahere Forum put questions to the three mayoral candidates and has drawn together online information to bring you a picture of the hopefuls.

This is the question we put to the three candidates.

Environment issues are top of mind for many people and as local government voting papers are expected in the mail this week Tamahere Forum canvassed the views of election candidates.

Waikato District Council Tamahere Ward councillor Aksel Bech has been re-elected unopposed but his views were sought as the person working locally for Tamahere.

This is what we asked Cr Bech:

Local government voters will be able to cast their votes in the 2019 Waikato District and Waikato Regional Council elections from today.

Voting papers are in the mail and expected to be delivered by Wednesday, September 25.

People who have not received their papers by then should contact Waikato District Council Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske on 0800 922 822 or visit one of the council offices.