NAVY AND NORTH SHORE CITY COUNCIL JOIN FORCES
3 August, 2005
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed between the North Shore City Council and the Royal New Zealand Navy on Thursday, 4 August 2005. The MOU will be signed by Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, and His Worship the Mayor of North Shore City, Mr George Wood, at 2pm in the Leander Lounge, HMNZS PHILOMEL. The MOU further cements the developing partnership between the two organisations, builds on existing joint projects and provides greater focus on issues of mutual interest.
Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson says “The home of the Navy is at Devonport in North Shore City. This is why we have on the main gate to the Naval Base ‘Te Kainga o Te Taua Moana’. So it is not surprising that one of our most important community relationships is with the people of the North Shore and with the North Shore City Council.
The special relationship the Navy has with ‘the Shore community’ stretches back over many years. While it has had its ups and downs, its enduring characteristic has been our ability to get along together – in part because we have to, but in larger measure because we want to.
And this document we are signing today gives effect to the ‘we want to move together into the future together’ element of our relationship. It reflects, too, the reality that the future of the North Shore and of the Navy are inextricably linked.
From the Navy’s perspective, the precise meaning of its words are not as important as the clear and public signal it sends about our commitment to work together with the Council, not only to the benefit of each of us, but to the benefit of the community, here on the North Shore, in which the Navy works and in which so many of our Sailors live”.
His Worship the Mayor of North Shore City, Mr George Wood, says ““North Shore City is growing and thriving and one of our great assets is the Naval Base at Devonport. The RNZN has been part of the North Shore community for well over 100 years and has contributed an immeasurable amount to the social, cultural and economic fabric of the City. We have always had a good and respectful working relationship with the Navy and this cements our commitment to an even closer relationship in the future for the benefit of our communities and the progress of our City. As two of the biggest employers here this is a significant and extremely positive development.”
Invitation to the Media
Media are invited to attend the signing to be held at 2 pm in the Leander Lounge, HMNZS PHILOMEL Wardroom– access via the Calliope Road Gate. If you wish to attend please inform Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin. Photographic ID is required for entry to the Naval Base.
Ends
For further information and requests for interviews please contact the following:
For Navy - Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin, Public Relations Manager (09) 4455002 or Mob: 021-2440638
For North Shore City – Sara Van Den Bergh (09) 4868455
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