Council Obligations:
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Councillor Dana Wensley has been appointed to the following key positions:
Committees/Subcommittees
Other Appointments / Portfolios
Councillor Wensley is also the Council liaison person for several community organisations.
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Councillor Dana Wensley: Deputy Chair, Community Development
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Your TDC...Attend Meetings:
The public are welcome to attend our public council meetings. We have a public seating area at the back of Council Chambers where you can observe what is discussed. Speak at Meetings: If you want to speak at public forum, then at the beginning of each meeting with a public forum 30 minutes is put aside to hear your views. Each speaker has 5 minutes. To find out which meetings have a public forum follow this link. Sustainability Issues
For those interested in how we can help business achieve while maintaining a sustainable future for our children, have a look at the website- 'Sustainability Matters'. Based in Auckland, 'Sustainability Matters' covers New Zealand and global issues. You can find book reviews, interest groups, and a monthly newsletter telling you what you need to know to improve business while maintaining an eye on the future. click here
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Your News... |
Interviews
- Click here to read outgoing councillor Judene Edgar's comments about Dana Wensley and her bid for council.
- Click here for a Fresh FM broadcast with Dana Wensley.
- Click here for a Nelson Mail interview with Dana Wensley on Tasman's aging demographic and what that means for our future planning.
- Click here for a Fresh FM interview with Dana Wensley on environmental concerns with our estuaries. Featured on "Fresh Start Monday" with Richard Hicks.
About Dana Wensley
- Strong background in governance at a local and national level
- Born and raised in Motueka
- From 2013 -1016 served on the Hospital Advisory Committee (NMDHB) where she advocated for the community, elderly (and their carers) and families
- Appointed (expertise law) on the National Ethics Advisory Committee (appointed by the Minister of Health) More
- Graduated LLB (Hons) University of Auckland (1995)
- Ph.D. in Medical Law and Ethics from King's College, London
- Director, Copyright Licensing Board (2015) More
- 100% committed to work hard for Tasman.
- Passionate about promoting balanced communities.
- Volunteers on committees for arts and environmental groups.
Question and Answer with Dana Wensley
Question: Why did you run for Council?
Answer: I was born and raised in Motueka. I attended schooling in Motueka and at Waimea College. I am passionate about bringing a change in culture at Tasman District Council.
Question: What experience do you bring to Council?
Answer: I have board expertise at a national and local level. I am used to advocating for the community and asking the hard questions. Prior to raising my family I worked as a commercial lawyer at Kensington Swan in Auckland. I have a Ph.D. in Medical Law and Ethics from King’s College London, and I am very interested in promoting health and wellbeing and a closer relationship with the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
Question: Why is it important to promote closer ties with the District Health Board?
Answer: The health of its community should always be on the council agenda. What happens in the community affects how efficiently the hospital board operates, and vice versa.
Question: What experience of politics do you bring?
Answer: I was brought up with the philosophy that if you don’t like something you get involved and try and bring about a change. My father served on the Tasman District Power Board, and my great grandfather was twice elected Mayor of Invercargill, and represented the Invercargill electorate in Parliament. When I lived in Canada I wrote a newspaper column on issues of politics and society, and in New Zealand I have written for the Herald, the Otago Daily Times, and the Nelson Mail.
Question: How do issues of cost effectiveness and rates affect local government decision-making?
Answer: Section 10 of the Local Government Act expressly states that Council obligations are required 'to be performed in a way that is cost-effective for households and business'. Tasman District Council ratepayers are still paying high rates when compared with other areas of equal size and population. With an ageing community and many low income areas of Tasman this high debt level is still unacceptable. Keeping rates at an affordable level is an ongoing challenge with strong leadership required. At the moment TDC's Financial Strategy incorporates a limit on total rates income increases. The limit is set at a maximum of 3% per annum, with an 'allowance for annual growth' in rateable properties.
Question: What do you mean when you say you will 'prioritise core council services?'
Answer: I believe that council should focus on what it is established to do. Core services are clearly stated in the Local Government Act.
Question: Can you tell us what core services are?
Answer: Yes. Councils are required to have particular regard for the following: network infrastructure; public transport services; solid waste collection and disposal; the avoidance or mitigation of natural hazards; and libraries, museums, reserves, and other recreational facilities and community amenities.
Question: You are the freedom of speech spokesperson for New Zealand. What can you tell us about the obligations of local government?
Answer: Section 14 of the Local Government Act expressly states that a local authority must 'conduct its business in an open, transparent, and democratically accountable manner'. It's hard to do this when there are constraints on what Councillor's can do or say. Some councils in NZ have policies that effectively 'gag' their elected members from expressing an opinion. Tasman District Council is better than most. It allows elected members to express their personal views on an issue, so long as they don't imply they are the views of council, disclose confidential information, or compromise the integrity of staff.
Question: You say you support an age-friendly community. What do you mean?
Answer: Tasman is an ageing population. Promoting an age-friendly community is great for people. Good for business. It creates jobs and a vibrant engaged community that meets the needs of its citizens. There's a great video explaining what I mean. Sit down with a cup of coffee and look at this video.
Question: What obligations do you think the Tasman District Council has in relation to protecting and promoting the environment?
Answer: I believe that New Zealand (and Tasman in particular) is a jewel that we need to protect for ourselves and the generations to come. I would like to see the council be proactive in relation to the obligations under section 14 of the Local Government Act which obliges Local Authorities to take a 'sustainable development approach', taking into account (among other things) the need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment; and the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations.
Question: Where can we find out more about your involvement with environmental concerns?
Answer: If you want to find out more about my involvement with protecting the environment you can listen to Fresh Start Monday on Fresh FM (Monday 12th September) which includes an interview with me in my capacity as spokesperson for Friends of the Motueka Estuaries. I talk about the godwit festival and the ecological and cultural importance of protecting our estuaries and waterways. Click here for a link to the podcast.
Answer: I was born and raised in Motueka. I attended schooling in Motueka and at Waimea College. I am passionate about bringing a change in culture at Tasman District Council.
Question: What experience do you bring to Council?
Answer: I have board expertise at a national and local level. I am used to advocating for the community and asking the hard questions. Prior to raising my family I worked as a commercial lawyer at Kensington Swan in Auckland. I have a Ph.D. in Medical Law and Ethics from King’s College London, and I am very interested in promoting health and wellbeing and a closer relationship with the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
Question: Why is it important to promote closer ties with the District Health Board?
Answer: The health of its community should always be on the council agenda. What happens in the community affects how efficiently the hospital board operates, and vice versa.
Question: What experience of politics do you bring?
Answer: I was brought up with the philosophy that if you don’t like something you get involved and try and bring about a change. My father served on the Tasman District Power Board, and my great grandfather was twice elected Mayor of Invercargill, and represented the Invercargill electorate in Parliament. When I lived in Canada I wrote a newspaper column on issues of politics and society, and in New Zealand I have written for the Herald, the Otago Daily Times, and the Nelson Mail.
Question: How do issues of cost effectiveness and rates affect local government decision-making?
Answer: Section 10 of the Local Government Act expressly states that Council obligations are required 'to be performed in a way that is cost-effective for households and business'. Tasman District Council ratepayers are still paying high rates when compared with other areas of equal size and population. With an ageing community and many low income areas of Tasman this high debt level is still unacceptable. Keeping rates at an affordable level is an ongoing challenge with strong leadership required. At the moment TDC's Financial Strategy incorporates a limit on total rates income increases. The limit is set at a maximum of 3% per annum, with an 'allowance for annual growth' in rateable properties.
Question: What do you mean when you say you will 'prioritise core council services?'
Answer: I believe that council should focus on what it is established to do. Core services are clearly stated in the Local Government Act.
Question: Can you tell us what core services are?
Answer: Yes. Councils are required to have particular regard for the following: network infrastructure; public transport services; solid waste collection and disposal; the avoidance or mitigation of natural hazards; and libraries, museums, reserves, and other recreational facilities and community amenities.
Question: You are the freedom of speech spokesperson for New Zealand. What can you tell us about the obligations of local government?
Answer: Section 14 of the Local Government Act expressly states that a local authority must 'conduct its business in an open, transparent, and democratically accountable manner'. It's hard to do this when there are constraints on what Councillor's can do or say. Some councils in NZ have policies that effectively 'gag' their elected members from expressing an opinion. Tasman District Council is better than most. It allows elected members to express their personal views on an issue, so long as they don't imply they are the views of council, disclose confidential information, or compromise the integrity of staff.
Question: You say you support an age-friendly community. What do you mean?
Answer: Tasman is an ageing population. Promoting an age-friendly community is great for people. Good for business. It creates jobs and a vibrant engaged community that meets the needs of its citizens. There's a great video explaining what I mean. Sit down with a cup of coffee and look at this video.
Question: What obligations do you think the Tasman District Council has in relation to protecting and promoting the environment?
Answer: I believe that New Zealand (and Tasman in particular) is a jewel that we need to protect for ourselves and the generations to come. I would like to see the council be proactive in relation to the obligations under section 14 of the Local Government Act which obliges Local Authorities to take a 'sustainable development approach', taking into account (among other things) the need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment; and the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations.
Question: Where can we find out more about your involvement with environmental concerns?
Answer: If you want to find out more about my involvement with protecting the environment you can listen to Fresh Start Monday on Fresh FM (Monday 12th September) which includes an interview with me in my capacity as spokesperson for Friends of the Motueka Estuaries. I talk about the godwit festival and the ecological and cultural importance of protecting our estuaries and waterways. Click here for a link to the podcast.
Find out more about Dana Wensley at danawensley.com
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Authorised by Dana Wensley