Summer with the Mayors: Campbell Barry

Just north-east of the capital, and part of the Greater Wellington region, Hutt City hosts quiet cafes, galleries and museums. 

And, if you venture out just a little, the area also offers plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. 

Campbell Barry has been Hutt City Council Mayor since 2019 and joins Tim Beveridge on Summer Breakfast to discuss the town’s summer events and best secret local spots. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from Newstalk ZEDB. Follow this
and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio. What's
happening in your neck of the woods summer?

Speaker 2 (00:20):
We're the Mares, Yes, and just northeast of the capital
and part of the Greater Wellington region is where we're
making our first stop for summer with the mayors. Hut
City is largely known as a suburban area, but venture
out a bit and you'll find plenty of outdoor activities
to keep you busy or back in town. Enjoy a
quiet cafe, galleries and museum. So, as I say, first

(00:41):
cab off the rank is Campbell Barry, who is Hut
City Council mayor, and Campbell joins me. Now, good morning, hey,
So actually, how long have you been mayor of Hut
City four Now?

Speaker 3 (00:53):
Oh gosh, it's just been over five years. So twenty
nineteen I was elected first mayor and it's gone very quickly.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah. Well, I was wondering how much things have changed
in those five years for you since you first put
your feet under the desk.

Speaker 3 (01:06):
Yeah, quite a bit. Actually, I think the biggest one
for us with the opening of the new ten nine
I pool and fitness has been pretty special. So seeing
the transformation of Nine Eye as a suburb with that
new pool being opened. It was closed in April twenty nineteen,
and now it's an incredible asset for not just Nine
Eye but the entire region. And we have new community

(01:27):
center out there, We've got new businesses popping up and
taking interest in some of the older buildings and yeah,
it's just great to see the revitalization of that area
when things were pretty glub five years ago. So a
few good examples like that.

Speaker 2 (01:42):
How's the vibe I guess in Hut City in terms
of the progression for businesses getting back on their feet
and getting busier. How things going?

Speaker 1 (01:52):
It is?

Speaker 3 (01:54):
It is challenging, no question around sort of the macro
environment that they're operating them as a businesses up and
down New Zealand. But there's a lot of optimism. We
have RiverLink which will be you know, which will be
well underway pretty sh shortly. That's a one point five
or so billion dollar investment n RCBD area primarily around infrastructure, roading,

(02:17):
rail and flood protection. But the potential from that around
our city edge and redeveloping alongside the river is huge.
And I think there's a lot of excitement around that.
It's the biggest project we're going to have in the
Wellington region since Transmission Gully. So a lot happening out
our way, which I think has been a bit of
a boost and pretty sort of tougher times, I suppose.

Speaker 2 (02:39):
Yeah, what sort of events have you got going and
going on over summer?

Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah? So there is a Juicy Fest which is returning,
which will be at Hut Park and I know that
that during quite a big crowd, so we're expecting to
see you know that, there are a number of sort
of community let events over the summer. We have our
call as Summer Drink Challenge, which a number of our

(03:05):
local businesses jump into and that's always really popular. So
basically you can go around to different cafes or bars
in the Hut and they'll have some funky different drinks
on offer and you can submit on which one's your favorite.
That it's great wa be able to support them and
also a bit of an attraction for people to come
out this space in.

Speaker 2 (03:25):
Terms of attractions of the Hut City area. If people
are visiting, where would you what are the recommendations you'd make?

Speaker 3 (03:33):
Yeah, so I always say, if you know, especially if
you if you don't mind jumping on a bike or
you can walk it as well. But down the Pink
Arrow Coast is absolutely stunning, you know, on a on
a sunny still day, and it can get a little
bit windy and rug it down there, I must admit,
but that's also part of the charm going around to
the Seal Colony, you know, as a bit of a
hidden gym, you know, So I really encourage anyone to

(03:55):
go check that out if you're if you are a
real keen cyclist, you can in facts right all the
way around on the rim Attacker Trail and over to
the whited Upper so you can make a real day
trip of it as well. We've got a great business
down that way which can assist with different e bikes
and mountain bikes as well at the end of Eastbourne,

(04:17):
so that would be one the outdoor one who marta
swimming pool is an incredible asset. With the hydro slide,
there always a great day out to take the family.
And I suppose it's just really all of the tracks
and bushwalks I think that we have and that the
Pity Riser is studying and really encourage people to just
just check out sort of what different parks have to

(04:40):
have to offer on that front.

Speaker 2 (04:41):
What are the things that you're looking to take off
on your to do list for twenty twenty five in
terms of council and meroral business.

Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, so some big ones for us we want to
finish off in the first couple of months the new
Mouder Library redevelopment, which is tracking really well, so let's
all go. I'm really keen to get well into Riverlinks,
so that will be the start of that major project.
While it's only starting it, it's a big milestone to
get the contract finally signed and everyone agreed to what

(05:11):
they're going to do. So that's certainly on our list
to get rolling. And I think really for me, it's
just sort of continuing the really positive momentum of development
and interest in the city and also talking with on
the sort of edges of RiverLink to some new developers
who maybe haven't looked to invest in Lower Hut before,

(05:32):
but having the wider region and seeing if we can
get them here as well. So yeah, so quite a
bit to do, but we're really excited to get stuck in.

Speaker 2 (05:39):
And what about you over summer. Are you sticking around
or are you sneaking away somewhere for a few days off.

Speaker 3 (05:45):
The best thing about the huss and the Wellington region
is that summer period. I've got to say, Christmas break
into the New Year. I know it's always a pretty
quiet time for the area and it's a great opportunity
to be able to hang around. And I've got twelve
acres at home which has a big long list which
I am working through, or we'll be working through, so

(06:07):
I'm looking for to just getting stuck in on that excellent.

Speaker 2 (06:10):
Oh well, crack on. Hey, hey, thanks for your time, Campbell. Well,
have a great summer and we'll aokford to talking to
you again sometime.

Speaker 3 (06:17):
Sounds good.

Speaker 1 (06:17):
Thanks for more from News Talks ed B Listen live
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