Visionary group plans for progressive Motueka

August 9th, 2012

A new group of citizens has begun work that they hope will help Motueka to become a better, more progressive town for all our citizens, and for our children and future generations.

Vision Motueka was formed early this year by a group of residents with varied backgrounds in local leadership including business, the environment and social agencies.

Their goal, developed over several months this year into a public statement of objectives, is to identify and promote ways of making Motueka more vibrant, progressive, sustainable, healthy and resilient into the long-term future, and particularly for our children.

Vision Motueka is coordinated by David Armstrong and has a core group (they call the "Seed group") of eight people who are planning and developing projects. They are Marion Edwin, Kahu Geor, Linda Glew, Liz Salt, Rudy Tetteroo, Gabrielle Thorpe and Linda Woodgate.

As well the group has over 30 well-known town leaders, business people and residents from across all sectors who are providing endorsement and support, including the Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne.

Vision Motueka's objectives do not include doing any of the work that existing community groups or council are doing so well, but rather to strategically seed, plan and promote activities that have the potential to lift the town as a whole. Most of its projects will be broadly focussed and often lie outside the specialist spheres of interest of other groups.

The "seed group" generally intends to seed and plant ideas, see which ones have the potential to grow, and then work with other people and community organisations to develop those ideas to full fruition.

The group's supporters include people who are also involved in the community board, Our Town Motueka, Tasman Bays Promotions, Department of Conservation, Te Awhine Marae, Keep Motueka Beautiful and churches. Vision Motueka aims to work in partnership with these groups and with the Tasman District Council.

For more information about Vision Motueka, its objectives and plans, see www.visionmotueka.org.nz. Vision Motueka is effectively a sponsor of Motueka Online, which is seen as an asset working for a more progressive and resilient town without the need for help from council or other existing bodies.

Anyone whose philosophy of strong communities fits with Vision Motueka's is welcome to become a supporter (public or private) by receiving progress emails and, if they wish, attending seed group meetings. To register your support, go to this website and fill in the online form, or phone David at .

Community hub
Two projects are already under way. The first is to investigate ways of planning and developing a major central community hub that would be the focus of meeting, activities and information for residents and tourists alike. The hub would include many of the town's major civic and community facilities in one space.

A feasibility study is being prepared to identify several options, and the opinions and ideas of potential major stakeholders are being sought. During the next few weeks a forum will be organised at which anyone in the community can suggest ideas for what a great community hub could look like and be located, prior to some concept plans being developed.

Motueka murals
The second Vision Motueka project under way was triggered by Motueka youth worker Paul Johnson in this article on Motueka Online, who put up a proposal that aims to see murals painted on more Motueka commercial building walls.

The Vision Motueka team agreed that high-quality murals will help showcase the town and its surrounding environment to visitors, as well as lift the spirits and pride of residents. Under the plan, murals will be designed by local artists and painted by community groups and individuals who want to be part of the project.

Funds for paints and artists' fees will be sought through donations from businesses and grants available from several organisations for urban beautification and creative arts.

Commissioned artists will be encouraged to create designs that reflect the local environment, the nearby national parks, local flora and fauna, local iwi, and what Motueka people feel about themselves and their favourite town. The project may extend to other unique art works in town.

Vision Motueka is also working on the details of a few other projects which will focus more on helping community groups to be more effective.

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