James Barron - 45O1

10/09/2025

Whanganui Residents & Ratepayers Association did another great job running the Council candidates events last Tuesday and again last night. With a bit of notice this time I managed a better job on the smartphone (tho I've no claim to being videographer). Also big thanks to Tina for jumping in with the livestream on Wanganui News and Events this time around.

The videos are available on a YouTube if you missed the events or want to catchup.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZwpGatSeRHWMWxrMhyTh0LIFNt2QB6xI&si=EdI_4-kw9siHb_0v

It's great having events like this - independent of Council and giving the public the chance to hear candidates speak live and unrehearsed. Whanganui Residents & Ratepayers Association doesn't get funding so relies on memberships and donations to put this kind of event on - they have a stall at the markets so join or give a koha if you can.

02/09/2025

Inform your vote!

Meet the People Who Want to Represent You!

Do you want to know who’s really ready to represent Whanganui? Come to the Whanganui Residents & Ratepayers Association "Meet the Candidates" sessions and learn about the candidates’ backgrounds, experience and decide for yourself if they are going to get your vote!

📅 Session 1 – Council (General Roll)
📍 Whanganui War Memorial Concert Chamber
🕠 Wednesday 3rd September | 5:30pm – 8:30pm (6.00pm start)

📅 Session 2 – Mayor, Māori Ward & Horizons
📍 War Memorial Concert Chamber
🕠 Tuesday 9th September | 5:30pm – 8:30pm (6.00pm start)

‼️Submit your questions in advance! The questions submitted will be pulled from a hat on the night.

✅ Make your vote count — know who you’re voting for!

02/09/2025

Good news for Air Chathams on One News this evening 🙂🛫✈️🛬
Was that a classic Convair 580 spotted in the stock footage?

25/08/2025

A headline to celebrate!
Add to this listing the last year's success in attracting almost 3x more new bookings and that Whanganui District Council has signed an agreement for Progress Castlecliff to run the Pavilion for the next 15 years and the future is looking UP for this iconic and historic venue!
Over the next 18 months Progress Castlecliff will be drawing on the our charitable status plus the goodwill of the public and local businesses and leveraging revenue from increased bookings to give the Pavilion a long due renovation in time for The William McAlpine Duncan Pavilion - 60th Birthday in March 2027!
We wish to thank
- The WM (Bill) Duncan Trust for having the vision to fund the Pavilion (and the War Memorial Centre and much much more)
- The Duncan Family for their support.
- Castlecliff locals &supporters plus members, board members, booking officers and chairs of Progress Castlecliff past and present who've worked and fought for The Pavilion
- Whanganui District Council for having the vision to create locally led change that saw the Wanganui Beach Society build the Pavilion in 1966/7 and for understanding in in 2025 why local vision is the way foward for community building.
- and last but not least all the people who by making The Pavilion the venue for their celebrations and events have contributed to keeping it as an iconic (and undoubtedly historic) jewel of a building working for Whanganui!

How can you help?
#1 book your event!
whanganui.link/dp
#2 Join us - Progress Castlecliff AGM

Questions - James 02041586042

Dodecagon pavilion gets top heritage status
Coastal hall now a landmark of significance
Mike Tweed · Aug 26, 2025

A12-sided hall on Whanganui’s Castlecliff Beach has been granted Class A heritage status, adding a layer of protection from potential demolition.
The William McAlpine Duncan Pavilion was given the listing as part of Plan Change 63 – Heritage, which reviewed and amended parts of the Whanganui District Plan.
Progress Castlecliff chairman James Barron told the Chronicle the pavilion, built in 1966, was not listed as a heritage building before the plan change.
“Around 18 months ago, [Progress Castlecliff] thought we’d go for a Blue Plaque, just to emphasise that it is a historic building, not just any old hall,” he said.
“Then I saw the plan change coming up, so I elected to engage with that process instead.”
Whanganui District Council heritage adviser Scott Flutey recommended the A listing.
His assessment of the pavilion, submitted during the plan change process, said it had architectural value, contributed to a sense of contextual heritage significance at Castlecliff Beach, and held social and historical significance.
“In the last decade, the pavilion has gained further social significance for New Zealand’s punk community, playing host to annual Neil Roberts Day music events,” it said.
“The Duncan Pavilion is one of three documented dodecagon [12-sided] buildings in the country.”
A council report last year said demolition of the pavilion was estimated to cost $20,000, with removal and relocation about $150,000.
At the time, Barron said the community needed a hub and the resources it provided.
“Losing it would leave a gap and that’s really not okay, in what is still a relatively remote and emerging, regenerating community.”
As a Class A-listed building, demolition of the pavilion is now a noncomplying activity under the district plan.
Barron said this week that the architect behind the pavilion, Eddie Belchambers, was responsible for other projects around Whanganui, including the council chambers on Guyton St.
The pavilion was built in 1966 by the Wanganui Beach Society and formally opened the following year. “That society was basically a quango of the council at the time,” Barron said.
“I always thought it was really busy when it first opened but, going through the history of it, I think the longest operator there lasted about four years.
“In 1990, it was given back to council and, a year later, it was actually boarded up because of smashed windows. There were 17 in one year.”
The pavilion is a council venue but Progress Castlecliff has formally operated it since 1997.
Barron said the organisation decided last year to put more funding into advertising it and upgrading its booking system.
“We went live last year through SpaceToCo [online booking system], which is basically Airbnb for halls.
“That has worked really well. It makes it easy and new, different people are booking it.”
There were just under 300 bookings at the pavilion for the last financial year, with 65% from people outside Castlecliff, Barron said.
“I think we’ve got the message across that the building is going nowhere.
“We’ve signed a memorandum of understanding with the council that Progress Castlecliff will operate it through to June 2040.”

https://www.spacetoco.com/space/duncan-pavilion

23/08/2025

14/08/2025

Yep having been on the receiving end of coward punch resulting (in part due to medical incompetence) in broken jaw, trauma & 4 operations I can witness that this form of assault is not treated with the seriousness needed by police & justice systems.

"Flip of the coin really, it could've gone either way, and I'm definitely lucky. And it's a few things that are keeping me positive, and that's one of them, that I'm still here."

Full story ⬇️

13/08/2025

Prefer to measure the increase in the pride people have in calling Castlecliff home - but 10 years of change are pretty evident in house prices too!

https://www.oneroof.co.nz/news/former-gang-town-is-nzs-hottest-suburb-why-house-prices-shot-up-in-castlecliff-47988?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=former_gang_townzh&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMIBB9jbGNrAwf8vWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEePpfLB8CMkSRLCcgwkQtYHjDrcZtNtZcXCuu4Aa5uBflzSeJdKy8O8YISEps_aem_XkjcZydPQN04J3NLlo6GIw

13/08/2025

This time yesterday Whanganui District Council voted 12-0 to list The Duncan Pavilion as a category A historic building for Whanganui!

As noted in the meeting papers this puts and end to the option of demolition and commits Council to the buildings preservation.

As well as obtaining this listing to recognise the heritage value of The Duncan Pavilion James & Progress Castlecliff have in the last 18 months...

1. invested considerable time and effort into making booking and using The Duncan Pavilion much easier. This has resulted in approx. 3x the number of people/groups booking the Pavilion. As well as proving the need (The Pavilion had more bookings 2025/25 than all other WDC Venues combined) the income from bookings now more than covers Progress Castlecliff's costs - creating surplus that will go back into improvements!
(Thanks to Loulou Krebs)

2. Obtained the written support of the Trustees of the William McAlpine Duncan Estate (who funded the Pavilion) and descendants of the Duncan family (who met with the community 5 July 2025
https://www.facebook.com/events/714381887615007)

3. continued working with hapu to realise Rangi Tukutuku (a Kapehū Whetū or Star Compass) nearby and The Duncan Pavilion's place in that vision (more on this to come)

4. extensively engaged with Whanganui Council who now accept that the building is in good structural condition and should be maintained and improved NOT demolished. Demolition has been regularly brought up by Council throughout the 35 years Progress Castlecliff have managed the Pavilion for Council and the Whanganui community, most recently in mid 2024
https://www.whanganui.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/1/projects/point-of-entry-business-cases/duncan-pavillion.pdf
Those ideas are now past and Progress Castlecliff partnered with Council to assure and build The Duncan Pavilion's future (including working with Council on related opportunities like Freedom Camping and Castlecliff beach & domain improvements)

5. Renewed the Memorandum of Understanding with Whanganui Council under which Progress Castlecliff will continue the last 35 years of care for The Duncan Pavilion, operating The Pavilion for the next 15 years (thru to June 2040)

Going forward...

- Progress Castlecliff will seek listing with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

- Progress Castlecliff will engage with community and Council, leveraging our status as a longstanding Registered Charity, the now assured future of The Duncan Pavilion inder community (Progress Castlecliff) management, the clear and heritage and comminity value of the Pavilion, funds from hires and relationships with local business, and (now acheivable) external funding restore and improve the Pavilion to serve Te Kaihau-o-Kupe & Whanganui for the next 60 years

- Progress Castlecliff will be working hard to see The Duncan Pavilion in top condition not only for for it's 60th birthday on 5th March 2027 but for the it's next 60 years serving and being loved by the Castlecliff and wider Whanganui community.

12/08/2025

Reminder Whanganui Port dredging work starts today
Te Pūwaha https://www.whanganuiport.co.nz/2025/08/07/temporary-wharf-street-boat-ramp-closure-for-key-dredging-works/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMIR55jbGNrAwhHjWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeI9-28L8zH5w4gNJ7zg-9rLIp1bgbKCufgXpK-xmtt55ZNBJF9eR_w2GcLsU_aem_cpkSySPIzHh5nmPX86JQ2Q

Port dredging to start Wednesday
Wharf St boat ramp will be closed until the end of month as work goes on
Mike Tweed · Aug 11, 2025

Whanganui’s Wharf St boat ramp will be closed for two weeks, with a 55m vessel travelling from Westport to undertake dredging work at the city’s port.
Port general manager Geoff Evans said the Kawatiri, owned by Buller District Council, was expected to arrive in Whanganui on Wednesday. It was built in 1979 in Whangārei. “Basically, it’s a big hopper barge, but we’ll be using it differently from its original configuration,” he said.
“In our case, there is a cutter [rotating cutting tool] suction head, similar to the machine in use at the port, and it’s mounted to the bow.
“It will dig its way in and move the material through a pipe out to the awa.”
Sediment would be disposed of at the current discharge site adjacent to the Te Anau wreck in the river wall, he said.
“The disposal location is an area where sediment naturally flows, ensuring minimal disruption to the river’s natural processes and respecting the health of Te Awa Tupua.”
Evans said closing the ramp was necessary to allow widening of the port channel before the whitebait season from September 1 until the end of October.
In a statement, the port said the ramp would be closed from midAugust until August 31.
“Weather and conditions permitting, dredging will take place seven days a week, during daylight hours.
“The ramp will be closed for the duration to ensure public safety and allow uninterrupted access and movement for the Kawatiri.
“If boat operators wish to access the awa during the ramp closure period, they can do so from the Pū tiki boat ramp.”
A 40-tonne amphibious excavator, which began operating at the port in January, will work alongside the Kawatiri.
Wanganui Manawatū Sea Fishing Club Commodore Jamie Newell said while the boat ramp closure was a short-term inconvenience, the longterm benefits made up for it.
Newell said the club looked forward to greater access in and out of the port basin in the future.
Emergency access for Coastguard Whanganui would be maintained throughout the closure, the port said.
“A Whanganui Port representative will continue to be on-site during dredging hours to support safety and answer community queries.”
Evans said bringing the Kawatiri to Whanganui did not mean increasing existing dredging budgets.
“We were always looking at the Kawatiri as an option, and it just aligned.
“There is an area we need to dredge pretty quickly, and they were able to mobilise and slot us in.
“They have only recently added the cutter suction assembly on the front of the ship, so it’s a trial for them as much as us in terms of proving the concept.”
The port said work continued towards a long-term dredging consent, which would cover a focused working area, rather than the full basin.
“This targeted approach balances cost, environmental considerations and the need for a functional and sustainable port.”
Kahurangi Simon, representative of Te Mata Pū au (the hapū collective steering the project), said the proposed long-term dredging consent application upheld the values of Te Awa Tupua and “our shared obligations to protect the health and mouri of the river”.
“We are incredibly proud of the work that has been undertaken to get to this point and look forward to sharing our plans with the wider community in the coming weeks.”
Work to renew Wharf 3 at the port, budgeted at $11 million, began in June. It involves demolishing the existing wharf, installing new piling and a rock revetment and building a reinforced concrete wharf structure.
Port work, undertaken by Whanganui District Council, is part of the Te Pūwaha partnership, which brings together the council, iwi, Horizons Regional Council, Q-West Boat Builders and Whanganui District Employment Training Trust.

01/08/2025

Hmmm

In a beautiful move towards sustainability and community welfare, cities in New Zealand are planting fruit trees along public sidewalks. These trees are free for anyone to pick from — offering apples, plums, feijoas, and more. 🌳🍎

01/08/2025

The list of candidates for Whanganui District Council Mayor and Councillor positions is now out along with Whanganui candidates for Horizons Regional Council ...

Mayoralty - (1 Vacancy
CHANDULAL-MACKAY, Josh (A New Generation of Leadership)
MCPHEE, Gregory
OSKAM, Peter (Community before Coin)
TRIPE, Andrew (Let’s keep Whanganui moving forward)

Whanganui General Ward - (10 Vacancies)
BAKER-HOGAN, Philippa (Affiliation Pending Approval)
BARDELL, Jason (Back to Basics)
BROWN, Glenda (Independent)
CHANDULAL-MACKAY, Josh (A New Generation of Leadership)
EMMETT, Julian
FALLEN, Ross (Independent)
HAENGA, Awhi
HOS, Mike (A voice for our city’s future)
JARMAN, Tracey (Rates & Community Focused)
JOBLIN, Kate (Independent)
KYLE, Sandra Isobel (Animal Justice Party of Aotearoa NZ)
LAW, Michael (Affiliation Pending Approval)
MCPHEE, Gregory
MELSER, Charlotte (Independent)
ORGAN, Michael (Affiliation Pending Approval)
OSCROFT, Rob (Focus Whanganui)
OSKAM, Peter (Community before Coin)
PHILLIPS, Scott (Affiliation Pending Approval)
REREKURA, Jay
SUNDMAN, Tony
VINSEN, Rob (Ratepayer Focused)
WESTLEY, Robin (Independent)
Z., Azian (Real Solutions for Whanganui)

Whanganui Māori Ward - (2 Vacancies)
FIRMIN, Kiritahi
HEREWINI, Julie
HIPANGO, Geoff
POTAKA, Hayden (Independent)
REWETI (BEAR), Phil T

Whanganui Community Subdivision - (2 Vacancies)
FIRMIN, Kiritahi
TE UAMAIRANGI, Daryn
WELLS, David
Kai Iwi Community Subdivision - (3 Vacancies)
BULLOCK, Jack (Rural Action)
DOUGHTY, Brian
HANDLEY, Quentin
Kaitoke Community Subdivision - (2 Vacancies)
ANDERSON, Charlie (Independent)
ASHWORTH, Bill (Independent)

Horizons Regional Council - Whanganui Regional Constituency - (2 Vacancies)
FRASER, Ben
HAYNES, Phill (Independent)
TAYLOR, Alan
VISSER, Martin

I wish those who put their names well. Be nice or at least be truthful and elected or not enjoy the electoral experience!

For those who haven't asked who are surprised my names not there pls read post below with reasons.
For those who asked me, got an answer but still expected to see my name...
NO MEANS NO!! ;-)

Personal reasons for not running
The short answer hasn't changed since October 2022...
NO
My longer answer is
NO - because "I asked and voters said no" is an excellent and final riposte to both my own and others expectations of me that I should/must use my skills as WDC Councillor
NO - because I prefer to set my own agenda and focus
NO - because my marriage, mental health, and happiness is better off Council
NO - because serving in the public arena seems more toxic post COVID
NO - because being violently and seriously assaulted (and hospitalised for operations for the first time in my life) changed my outlook on some things - starting with how precious life is
NO - because putting your name forward and losing an election is hard
NO - and I've been saying NO since minutes after not being elected by a tight margin of 66 votes (which, against advice, I declined to recount)
NO - because Councillor is not exactly the biggest or best job title I've had nor is being a public figure something I seek or need for my ego/identity
NO - I love a new challenge and learned a lot in three years on Council - ranging from making contacts (and enduring friendships) to how systems work to formal qualifications like study of Governance and membership of the Institute of Directors (I have no regrets). While there was much more to learn and grow into the challenge of the new & unknown just isn't there to run again and I've nothing I need to to prove.
NO - because my consulting skills combined with all I learned when on Council has proved to be more effectively applied when off Council.
NO - because when on Council you're expected to play the game. Off Council I'm free to choose what I care about and don't have to soft pedal when blunt truth is called for (eg parking polite but unsubtle "Hey Horizons where's Whanganui?" signs outside Horizons Regional Council in support of the blunt message being given inside)
NO - to those who suggested I'd have won if I'd been less "out" and "rainbow" (you're right - it is a problem some voters have - however it's their problem not mine. I don't care to tolerate or pander to prejudice
NO - because I've got other business and interests that got neglected when I gave being a Councillor the full time attention and focus I think it needs
NO - because (despite being 10-15 years younger than most Councillors when I was elected) I'd rather support younger and fresher candidates than myself
NO - because I've said NO and I don't respect politicians who declare their disinterest (or even retirement) only to popup every three years to inflict themselves on voters term after term.
NO - because I selfishly like having the having leisure time I worked hard for to do the things I like (finishing "Air Congo" aka CiA - Castlecliff International Artport and reading books among them)
NO - because acheiving Progress on the things I most care about (starting with Castlecliff) has proven to be exponentially better and easier as a private citizen
NO - because in truth the only thing regularly I miss about being a District Councillor is having a good, (short) answer to "What do you do?"

Summary: NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!

Now that's just my answer, for me, about me running for WDC.
I don't intend however to give anything but credit to those who will run for Whanganui District Council for the right reasons
Whanganui is an amazing place with untapped potential that needs and deserves to be represented by people bringing fresh energy and passion to the job.