Advisor roles may be permanent

 

Corren Ngerengere (left) and Gina Scott

Wāipa District Council is hoping to make the two community advisor roles, which were established last year as part of a Covid recovery package, a more permanent arrangement.

Gina Scott and Corren Ngerengere started in November and in more recent times have worked closely with Waikato District Health Board to support their vaccination efforts in the district’s hard to reach areas.
Council Strategic Partnerships manager Gary Knighton told the Cambridge Community Board the council was looking to extend the 18-month fixed-term roles which are funded from a $795,000 recovery package.

“We see a lot of value in those positions and we’re in the process of making those a permanent role so that would be based on the Covid funding they were initially funded on. We are moving to make those roles permanent,” he told board members.

Their work with the DHB was critical, he said.

“It’s about utilising those contacts that they’ve built up and trying to drill into those harder to reach areas.”

Board member Elise Badger welcomed the work done by the community advisors.

“I think it would be great to see local council really supporting that vaccination drive. I think it’s in the best interests of our community that we can be unlocking and be prepared for whatever this pandemic brings.”

More Recent News

Council ratings discussed

10am, 10 September 2025 The annual Waipā residents’ survey for the year ended June 30, which provides the council with a guide on what residents think of its performance, has been released to The News…

Liz Stolwyk – Waikato Regional Council

Liz Stolwyk – Waikato Regional Council See: Candidates in their own words Do you support the use of 1080 to combat pests? (50 words) and what is the biggest threat to our native flora and…

Waikato candidates – in their own words

*Updated to include Mark Manson, Jacqui Church and Anne Cao-Oulton The News asked Waikato District Council candidates to provide us with no more than 30 words on why they were standing for public office and…

Garry Reymer – Waikato Regional Council

Garry Reymer – Waikato Regional Council See: Candidates in their own words Do you support the use of 1080 to combat pests? (50 words) and what is the biggest threat to our native flora and…