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National Geographic 50 Greatest Photographs 28 October 2018 28 Oct 2018 Puke Ariki 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic showcases some of the most engaging photographs spanning the magazine’s 130-year history. From Steve McCurry’s iconic Afghan Girl to Michael “Nick” Nichols’s photograph of Jane Goodall and a chimpanzee, this exhibition will captivate and transport visitors of all ages. Experience a different view on some of the photos with the inclusion of the ‘near frames’. These are the images made in the field before and after the perfect shot. The exhibition also includes videos with behind-the-scenes stories and interviews. Visitors will hear first-hand accounts from photographers of the places they travel to, and the remarkable people they meet around the world.

Sound Financial Management Helps Us Achieve Surplus 10 October 2018 We have achieved a general rates operating surplus of more than $320,000 while our Perpetual Investment Fund made a return of $21 million (more than $13 million over budget) in the 2017/2018 financial year, according to our latest Annual Report. “It’s a pleasing result. The fact we were able to absorb some unexpected costs (February storm damage and Yarrow Stadium operational remediation) and still finish the year under budget shows we have a firm focus on cost control. Evidence of Council’s sound financial management was recognised in November when international credit agency Standard and Poor’s reconfirmed NPDC’s financial rating as ‘AA/A-1’,” says NPDC Chief Executive Craig Stevenson. We managed assets valued at about $2.6 billion, had a yearly operating budget of $135 million, and are putting a renewed focus on investing in core infrastructure after talking to residents about what we should be doing in the next decade. “There was an incredible response to our 10-Year Plan public conversation with more than 4,000 submissions on what we should be focussed on, a record for a non-metropolitan council,” says Mayor of the New Plymouth District, Neil Holdom. “It’s clear our residents want us to invest more in our three waters infrastructure – drinking, waste and storm water. We’ve responded by allocating more than $44 million over the next decade for water resilience and more than $21 million towards Zero Waste 2040,” the Mayor says. Another highlight from the 10-Year Plan conversation, was agreeing to extend the Coastal Walkway from Bell Block to Waitara, creating a pedestrian and cycle link that promotes connectivity and well-being to the district’s two main population centres. Other milestones over the past year include: In a major step towards unlocking the region’s potential for economic growth, we worked with the other Taranaki councils, Nga Iwi O Taranaki and the business community on Tapuae Roa. The TSB Festival of Lights saw a 20% rise in visitors to nearly 9,600 over the 2017/2018 summer. The value added to the regional economy jumped from $4.6million to $5million. Yusuf/Cat Stevens played to a packed out (capacity approximately 15,000) TSB Bowl of Brooklands in December while Bryan Adams rocked the venue in January. We won two major awards after it became the first New Zealand local authority to create a fully digital Draft District Plan. Pukekura Park was awarded the Green Flag international mark of a quality park or green space for the fifth year running. Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs helped Puke Ariki set new visitor records including the most visitors in a single day (1,920) and the most visitors to an exhibition at the museum (75,000).

Taranaki Aims to Become a Renewable Energy Hub 12 October 2018 We are playing a pivotal role in a team that has met world-leading renewable energy experts and discussed how our region can become a leading centre for hydrogen energy, an industry that is already worth billions around the globe. H2 Taranaki is a working group set up to encourage the growth and uptake of hydrogen projects in the region. Our Councillor Stacey Hitchcock and one of our Senior Infrastructure Planner have gone to Europe with the team to glean the latest global thinking and examine how Taranaki can become the energy hub of the Southern Hemisphere. “Taranaki is the perfect region to not only embrace the ‘Just Transition’ to a lower carbon future but to lead it from the front,” says Cr Hitchcock. “Thanks to our history with the energy industry, we’re a region with extensive knowledge, skills and an expert workforce. Together with our natural resources, established infrastructure and international port, we’re perfectly set up to embrace a number of more sustainable energy alternatives. “This project is just one of many strategic opportunities identified in our Tapuae Roa Action plan launched earlier this year and will help us develop a hydrogen roadmap specifically for the Taranaki region.” The team are attending several major energy conferences and discussions in Aberdeen, the Orkney Islands, England and the Netherlands. The research investigation has also included exploring a MOU with Aberdeen, a key energy centre in the Northern Hemisphere, examining opportunities to become a World Cities Energy partner and a chance to connect with other governments around the world who are transitioning to a lower carbon future.

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