Neighbourhood park in Papanui may be named Withers Park Reserve

The Environment and Infrastructure Committee has recommended to Council the neighbourhood park at 5 Vagues Road be named Withers Park Reserve.

Aaron Keown, deputy chair of the Committee explained the Shirley/Papanui Community Board wanted to acknowledge the contribution the Withers family have made to Papanui.

“Norm Withers was on the Shirley/Papanui Community Board from 2001 to 2010, having been nominated as a result of his stance as a "justice campaigner" . His mother, Nan, was savagely assaulted in their menswear shop,” he says.

“Norm presented 380,000 signatures to Parliament which exceeded the required number of registered electors to force a referendum on the issues regarding violent crime penalties, victim consideration and the justice system reform. The referendum in 1999 was supported by 92 percent of the electorate. “ he says.

Mr Withers was Deputy Mayor from 2007 - 2010. While in office he received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and the community.  His daughter, Katrina was a Black Ferns cricketer and was a member of the team that won the world cup.

The Committee also recommended that if Withers Park Reserve is approved by Council, an interpretive panel be incorporated within the concept plan for the park to show the family connection.