The South Wairarapa District Council’s new Climate Change and Environment committee will hold its first meeting in Martinborough on Wednesday, 1 March.

This newly created committee will look more closely at the matters that we need to see through the lens of climate change – mitigating its effects where we can, and adapting to what we are less likely to change.

Committee chair Councillor Rebecca Gray said: “Our previous Council has laid the groundwork for us to understand our carbon impacts, and now we get the opportunity to meaningfully build on this, to help steer policy across the board, and to work towards future proofing for our communities.

“I feel very grateful that our Mayor has had the foresight to appoint a Council with a specific focus on climate change, and I hope to make the most of this opportunity to make a real impact for our communities and environment.

“There is a lot of mahi to do in the environmental space and we’re not shy about asking big questions from our Council as to how this could be made to happen.

“Luckily, our Council staff are passionate about working hard and getting things right, so I feel that we can achieve some great things over this triennium.”

Items for the first meeting include a Ruamāhanga Strategy update by the Council’s new climate change adviser, Sky Halford.

Another report the committee will consider is on the climate change considerations for Wairarapa Combined District Plan and Featherston Master Plan.

The meeting will be held on 1 March in the Supper Room, Waihinga Centre, Martinborough at 10am. The agenda is at https://swdc.govt.nz/meetings/