Council Talks With Whitireia Over Performing Arts

Porirua City Council needs to properly involve the Council of the Whitireia Community Polytechnic in its plans, said Councillor Robert Shaw.

Cr Shaw said that whilst there have been officer contacts, the council has never had any specific proposal, or endorsement, from the Whitireia Council.

Cr Shaw said that he was not surprised that the chairperson of the Whitireia Board had not been kept in the loop because roles are very confused at the moment in the Porirua Council.

With such a large project one would expect the Council be involved at an early stage, he said.

"It is important that the Mayor and the Chief Executive direct themselves at the appropriate people and separate their roles."

"To much is going on that is informal and behind closed doors."

"Council should invite a representative of the Whitireia Council to address the Porirua Councillors and to put everything on the table.

"The plan to have the Tertiary Education Commission fund the performing arts centre has a long way to go.

"The Commission could fund Porirua under their Partnerships for Excellence scheme, but it would depend on Whitireia being a national centre for performance. At this moment, we were told by council officers, they only have about 40 performing arts students although there have been some great successes" Cr Shaw added.

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