Horowhenua District Council is assuring the community that council’s essential services will continue during the
COVID-19 lockdown period.
The country entered into Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Wednesday night, meaning only essential services could continue to
operate with the rest of New Zealand being urged to stay home in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said following the advice provided by the government council now had a clearer idea of
what could continue as an essential service.
“Services such as three waters, emergency management and rubbish collection remain operating as well as other activities
which have been identified as part of council’s business continuity planning” he said.
(See full list below)
Horowhenua District Council Chief Executive David Clapperton said much of the organisation was able to continue working
from home.
“Our officers are used to and excel at maintaining customer service during challenging circumstances; it is why we
provide our community the local Civil Defence service. While some activities are not identified as essential services by
the government, we do have capacity to support and continue to progress work from home” he said.
Councillors were urging the community to adhere to the government’s advice and stay at home.
“Horowhenua is made of tight knit communities and while we can continue to look out for one another let’s do it over the
phone, fence and internet to ensure we get through this as quickly and safely as possible” Mayor Bernie said.Customer service contact centresAlthough our customer service centres are closed to walk-ins, you can still contact us by email at enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz or by phone on 06 366 0999. We also have lots of services and information on our website, www.horowhenua.govt.nzRubbish and recycling services
All kerbside rubbish collections will continue.
Contractors will no longer be picking up separate recycling. Recycling should be put into general waste until further
notice.
If you do not have a kerbside rubbish and recycling collection service, please contact our Customer Experience team for
advice about your area.
Foxton Transfer Station: Closed to the public
Shannon Transfer Station: Closed to the public
Levin Transfer and Recycling Station: Closed to the public
Static recycling stations: These will be closed or removed.
You can buy Council rubbish bags from the supermarket. Rubbish bags are being made available through the Four Square for
those in Shannon.Water supply, wastewater and stormwater servicesThese services will continue.Civil defence and emergency managementThese services will continue.Parks, reserves, cemeteries, playgrounds and public toilets
Parks, reserves and cemeteries remain open, but playgrounds and public toilets are closed.
Mowing and general maintenance have ceased, except where there are safety concerns. Litter bins will continue to be
emptied.Library services
Although our physical libraries are closed, we have a world of e-books, e-audio books, and fascinating databases for you
to discover with Your Library online. If you’re not a Libraries Horowhenua cardholder, you can sign up for e-membership
online. Visit tetakere.org.nz/Your-Library to explore what’s on offer.
We’ve extended loans on all books, magazines, DVDs and jigsaws, so please keep any items you have on loan at home. There
will be no fines for any items returned late while our community centres are closed due to COVID-19.Swimming pools
Levin Aquatic Centre and Foxton Heated Pools are closed. As Foxton Heated Pools is close to the end of its open season,
it will be closed until September.
We will contact people who have booked swimming lessons with Streamline Swim School directly.Community centresTe Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, and Shannon Library are closed.Animal controlAnimal control will respond to priority calls. The dog pound remains open.Planning (resource) consentsWe are continuing to process resource consents where possible. Site visits are not taking place.Building consentsWe are continuing to process building consents where possible. No building inspections are taking place.Noise controlWe are continuing to receive noise control complaints 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Roading services
We will continue to carry out urgent essential maintenance and respond to emergency call-outs.
However, routine road maintenance and roading projects have stopped, including works on the Queen Street/Cambridge
Street roundabout. We have made the site as safe as possible.ParkingParking services have stopped.Strategic planningYou can still contact us by email or phone to discuss our draft Annual Plan, Community Plans, and Master Plans.FinanceYou can still contact us to discuss any enquiries you have about rates, payments, invoices and other Council financial
matters.Community developmentCommunity support is continuing. Network meetings are not taking place, and we are reviewing community grants affected
by COVID-19.