Gerda Venter – 2025
Gerda Venter – Cambridge Community Board
1. Should councillors sit on the two community boards or should it be just those elected to the board by the public for that specific role? (50 words)
Community boards are there to advocate for the local community. Councillors on the board should be there only to communicate and explain the Council’s position. In any other way, it can be a conflict of interest, and it can dilute the independence of the Community Boards.
2. Would you support a Māori ward seat on the community boards? (50 words)
No, adding Māori seats could complicate small community boards and create questions about the balance of power. Community boards are representative of ALL ratepayers.
3. Should the central business district be the main hub for retail and business or should the 15 minute neighbourhood strategy in Ahu Ake be adopted? (50 words)
Absolutely not. It will kill the central hub, we will lose the vibrancy, and the risk is very real that resources will be diluted between CBD and local centres
4. Community board chairs sat in on annual plan, long term plan and other council business during this term. Is that a good thing or it doesn’t go far enough? Te Kanohi representatives have speaking and voting rights at committee meetings, should community board chairs be allowed to have that also? (50 words)
Yes, this will ensure that local perspectives are voiced directly at the committee table and voting rights give genuine influence on community board chairs, not just a token voice. It also recognises the democratic legitimacy of boards
5. In the case of the Blue Blob in Cambridge and the Kihikihi Cycleway, the community boards weren’t consulted before it was too late. Should community boards be more involved at an earlier stage? (50 words)
Yes, early involvement ensures community perspectives are built into the design and not bolted on at the end. It will prevent a lot of tension, as the Board is more aware of local impacts that may not surface in high-level reports
6. A member of the Cambridge Community Board was on the earlier Cambridge Connections project group but was sworn to secrecy and unable to report back to the board. Was that fair? (50 words)
No, the default principle should be openness. They are bound by the Code of Conduct, which covers already confidentiality. Overuse of secrecy erodes trust and undermines the role of the Board member.
7. Community advisors were appointed during Covid and the position still exists today. Should they report more regularly through to community boards? (50 words)
They are duplicating what community boards are elected to do, especially with the budget pressures at hand. Community advisors should be disbanded.
8. What sort of decisions could community boards be involved with to take away pressure on councillors? More delegated authority? (50 words)
Managing halls, libraries, parks, cemeteries, town beautification projects, leading consultation on council projects, community events, and street activities
9. Should community boards have more funding available for discretionary grants? (50 words)
Yes, it will create flexibility to serve local needs. Quick decisions can be made without Council bureaucracy, and it will free up the Council agenda for more pressing matters
10. Do you believe Waipā District Council should continue to have community boards? (50 words)
Yes, Waipa covers multiple distinct communities, and these areas then have a direct voice beyond Ward Councillors. They should be strengthened with clear delegations, real budgets and formal reporting links.
See: Cambridge Community Board candidates – in their own words
