We can also add "under time" and "under budget" to the list, and those words are music to my ears.
It was great to attend the opening of Kakanui’s new bridge last week.
The new bridge has connected the beach and school side of the town with the store, fire brigade and other services.
The Kakanui community has been rejoined and it’s a tribute to all who have worked on this project that it was completed under time and under budget.
Minister of Building and Construction Chris Penk was also at the opening and congratulated the Waitaki District Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi teams who made this project happen.
Mr Penk and I also attended the re-opening of the Waitaki Boys’ High School Hall of Memories.
The hall is a treasure of North Otago and its restoration means a great deal to not only the school itself, but to all who have served our country.
Mr Penk is also Minister for Veterans, so being present at this ceremony held particular significance.
The craftsmanship, organisation and community spirit behind this restoration is a credit to the North Otago community.
Adding to the satisfaction, the restoration also came in under time and under budget.
This week, I attended the opening of Forrester Gallery — Mahika Kai Mahika Toi, in the former Bank of New South Wales building.
The extension was majority funded by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, which provided $6.5 million in funding, with the remainder coming from grant funding, fundraising by the Friends of the Forrester Gallery, bequests, donations and sponsorship.
This project has been decades in the making and once again I’m immensely proud to be part of a community that works together to provide important additions to our town.
On another positive note for the Waitaki, the government has announced rule changes freeing up high-country farmers to make the most of their land to unlock economic opportunities, support job creation and strengthen regional economies.
The government will introduce a Bill that will give Crown pastoral land leaseholders more flexibility to expand and diversify.
Changes will allow a wider range of complementary activities on Crown pastoral land alongside pastoral farming, including growing crops and horticulture, running small farm shops, hospitality ventures and renewable energy projects.
As the economic productivity of this Crown-owned land increases, so too does the return for New Zealand taxpayers over time, through higher-value lease arrangements that bring in revenue for the government, supporting investment in public services and infrastructure.
Adding activities like horticulture and bee-keeping alongside traditional farming, along with selling fresh produce on site, gives farmers more ways to earn from their land and grow their operations.
We know this land and its environment are deeply valued in the South Island and these changes make the rules clearer and simpler, while maintaining strong protections for the high country’s environment and ensuring pastoral farming remains the primary land use.
