Hamilton councillor says Tainui ‘slow off the mark’

Tainui are slow off the mark when it comes to tourism opportunities on the Waikato River, according to a Hamilton city councillor.

Although Geoff Taylor acknowledged Tainui was heavily involved in the river clean-up, he believes the iwi could do more for Waikato tourism.

“I can’t help feeling that Tainui could do so much more,” Taylor said.

Work that had been done so far on developing the river around the city has been in partnership with Tainui, but Taylor said doing more for tourism on the river is a “no brainer”.

“I don’t know why we’re not doing that or why Tainui is not doing that, [they are] very slow off the mark,” said Taylor.

“Why they don’t make more of it in terms of tourism opportunities? Is there nothing that can be done?”

Taylor views the river as a prime opportunity which could encourage tourists to come to Waikato for a taste of New Zealand culture, rather than heading to Rotorua.

He suggested one option could be a waka ride from Ngāruawāhia, home of the Māori King Tuheitia, to Hamilton and then a hāngi.  

“Imagine people going home to Europe and telling their families how they did that,” said Taylor.

Taylor said he would push hard to develop the river in Hamilton, including the Ferrybank area, and thinks a targeted rate may be required.

The council will meet tomorrow to discuss the cost of the river development.

Taylor is confident of making progress despite Mayor Andrew King’s lack of support.

Taylor thinks King could be isolated on the issue in council.

“As a council I think we need to be strong, I’m going to be very vocal about it.”

He compares it to the Southbank in Brisbane, a popular destination,

“That’s a dirty brown river, it’s not the most beautiful river you’re ever seen. But it’s still a place you want to go.”

Hamilton City Council currently contributes $500,000 a year towards the river development, which Taylor called “peanuts”.

He had hoped to find funding for the Ferrybank plan out of general rates, but if that proves impossible is suggesting a targeted rate similar to that used to develop Hamilton Gardens.

That rate is set to finish by 2018-19, and Taylor thinks it may be possible to transfer it to the river.

The targeted rate is currently $10 plus GST per property, per year for four years, which generates $605,000 per annum.

The 30-year plan for Ferrybank can be viewed on the council’s website.