Taihape Blog

Working for the town of  Taihape is great but it is sometimes hard to make everyone happy……so we thought it would be a good idea to write a blog post where you can comment of everything and anything in Taihape.

It would be fantastic to get some feedback on what the people of Taihape want for Taihape so please feel welcome to leave any comments here. How can we make Taihape better than it already is now? What do the community want?

Some examples:
Are there some needs not being met in Taihape?
Do we have enough community events?
Did you think Gumboot day was a success? If not how could we improve it?
Do you think the town needs to spruce up its main street?

Hello all,

Everybody from Taihape who pays for power should read this and have their say!!

Powerco is the electricity distribution provider for the Rangitikei. The Transpower site at Mataroa which supplies electricity to Taihape from the National Grid only has a single transformer. As a result, there is an annual 8-10 hour electricity outage in Taihape when the transformer is shut down for maintenance. Transpower strongly recommends installing a second Transformer at Mataroa. This would improve Taihape’s security of supply from the National Grid. A second transformer would mean the annual planned shutdown could be reduced from 8-10 hours to approximately 3-4 hours with more flexibility around the timing. In addition, a second transformer would reduce the risk of longer, unscheduled blackouts for a potential failure of the existing transformer.

However the Taihape Community needs to meet the cost of the new transformer in the form of an increase in the transmission component of their individual electricity bills. It is up to the Taihape Community to decide whether you would like this improvement in the security of your electricity supply. This project will not go ahead without a consensus approval from the Taihape Community.

As business owners you will have different electricity needs to, residential consumers. As part of the consultation process they need to understand the impact to you of the current situation and the annual outage.

Powerco strongly encourages you to participate in this consultation process to ensure your voice is heard.

So what do you think Taihape?
Should the residents and businesses of Taihape have to pay for this new transformer?
Do you think we need it?
Can you afford to pay more on your power bill?

Leave us your comments

Hello all,

I thought I would come here to dispel come myths about the Otaihape Clubs involvement in the Leisure Hub Project at Memorial Park.

Yes the Otaihape Club has pledged $500,000 towards this project (subject to there being sufficient funding available for the project to start).
So what does the Otaihape Club want for their $500,000 you ask?
Well not alot really, all they really want is a place to drink, room for their 3 snooker tables and to still be part of the Clubs NZ Society. The Otaihape Club had a membership of 221 last year, it was a small membership compared to the previous years but many of them would still like to have a place to go to for a drink with friends and a place to hold functions etc.

The new Leisure Centre will not be an Otaihape Club No. 2. The new Leisure centre will include the membership of the Otaihape but apart from that there will be no more similarities.

The Otaihape Club has no hidden agenda here, they are in it for the community! They will have no extra say over what happens in this project. Whether a club has pledged $4000 or $500,000 it makes no difference at all! No rules will be enforced by one club alone, this new facility is for the whole community – not just a small proportion of people in town.

Get it out of your heads that this is an Otaihape Club takeover, its not and never has been.

The Taihape Grandstand at Memorial park

So what does the Taihape Community think about the old grandstand coming down to make way for this new Leisure Centre?

A few people in the community have suggested that the old Grandstand should be and kept and repaired. Do you think this is viable especially as it has been reported that it would cost more to repair and bring up to current standards than it would be to build new. What do you think?

Kiora everyone,

Welcome to the Taihape blog! This is the place where you can tell us all your thoughts about what is happening in and around Taihape. We welcome all feedback.

Taihape is buzzing at the moment, we have a brand new multi-million dollar school (T.A.S) that has just opened up, Subway is here, McDonalds is opening in August (this could be viewed by some as bad? What do you think?) and businesses in Taihape are doing well, pretty good considering there is a recession on!

The Taihape Community Development Trust with help from many volunteers in the community are in the process of trying to get funding together for a new Multi Purpose Sports and Leisure Centre at Memorial Park. This facility will bring most Sports Clubs together in one complex, this will mean costs can be shared between all clubs i.e. subscriptions, utilities, admin expenses, maintenance, Insurance, fundraising etc. It will also mean that the commmunty can all meet in one place together during sporting events and events, this will encourage people to try out different sports/hobbies and meet new friends.

At the moment we have draft site plans drawn up – the playing fields will stay as they are but the Grandstand will go. This will be demolished to give room for a new 2 storey high complex approximately 2 times bigger than the current grandstand.

The ground level will house 3 squash courts with moveable walls, a reception area/offices and approximately 6 changing rooms of varying sizes. A new grandstand will be on the East side of the Centre facing the fields and this will seat 300 people. The first floor will be made up of mainly lounge/bar area which will be able to cater to at least 200 people and looks over the playing fields, the grandstand can be entered from here as well. The whole lounge area can be split up into 2- 3 rooms so that several functions can be run at once. It is planned that this centre will open 7 days per week for Sports Clubs/hobby groups/families. Bar meals will be available 7 days a week and it will be great cosy friendly place to go for a casual drink with friends.

The Trust has support for this project from several clubs including Netball, Squash, Otaihape Club, Tennis, Rugby. What do think of this idea?? Do you support it?

We need a name for the Facility, do you have any suggestions?
So far we have:
‘Taihape Leisure Centre’ TLC
‘Taihape Hub Centre’ – THC

Let us know your thoughts