Chair's monthly report November 2016

This is my first report as Chair of the Waitematā Local Board. I was honoured to be elected Chair at the Board’s inaugural meeting on 27 October.

My Chairperson’s address is available here in which I acknowledge the contribution of Shale Chambers as inaugural Chair for 2 terms, thank previous board members for their work, welcome the new team and look ahead to what we wish to achieve over the next three years.

Project Highlights

In the next month we will be celebrating the opening of projects delivered under the previous board:

Weona – Westmere Walkway (photo right)
New playground at Western Park
New playground at Grey Lynn Park

Events and activities

Events and activities continued for the board throughout the election period and into the early days of the new term. Here are a few of the highlights in photos.

Final board meeting of the 2013-2016 on 13 September and the retirement of board members Christopher Dempsey and Deborah Yates.

Suffrage Day celebrations and the blessing of Te Hā o Hine Place

Festival Italiano in Newmarket on 25th September hosted by Dante Alighieri Society to lunch on the day.

Citizenship Ceremony on 21st September at the Town Hall welcoming new citizens including Sibyl Mandow from the Local Board Team

Opening of the Auckland Heritage Festival at Allendale House on 21st September. In the photo with Beverley Rogers, Civic Events Team leader who retired a few weeks later after over 30 years of service to local government

Opening of the new Auckland Theatre Company Waterfront Theatre on 23rd September and invitation to attend the opening night of Billy Elliott the musical. With former Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.

Art Week Opening at Silo Park and Art Week events 7 – 16 October. Photo: Peter Roche’s Asylum installation in Silo 6.

Pollinator Path party on 1 October turning a section of Hakanoa Reserve into a pollinator park. A project designed and led by Andrea Reid with the support of a community grant from the Waitematā Local Board.

Tactical Urbanism – spot the new yellow lines at the exit of the Hakanoa Reserve greenway route providing a safe crossing point

International Day of Older People at the Auckland Town Hall on 30th September. New board member Richard Northey, Sandy Richie from Splice and Jean Wong, Auckland Chinese Presbyterian Church

Opening of the Diwali Festival on 15 October. Phil Goff’s first official engagement as Mayor.

Waitematā Local Board funded Parnell Festival of Roses on 13 November.

Skypath has crossed a major hurdle with the Environment Court’s decision on 3rd November to grant consent (still to be confirmed in writing).

I received a last minute call up to talk about this exciting project with Paul Henry on breakfast TV the next day.

Exhibition of proposals for 254 Ponsonby Road “Dreaming a Park” by Auckland University, School of Architecture students work. In the photo left talking with Bruce Hucker who played a lead role in Auckland City Council purchasing the Nosh site for a civic space. (photo credit: Jennifer Ward)

Other Events:

Auckland Museum Medal awards at Auckland Museum on 19 October
Parnell Trust AGM on 20 October
Grey Lynn Farmers Market AGM on 30 October
Albert-Eden inaugural meeting on 31 October
Low carbon Network Meeting on 2 November
Grey Lynn Business Association AGM on 3 November
Dutch Cycling Embassy presentation hosted by Auckland Transport
St Marys Bay Association AGM on 9 November
Armistice Day commemoration at Auckland Museum on 11 November
Powhiri and Governance Symposium for all Auckland Council elected representatives on 24 October and a range of workshops and meetings associated with getting to grips with chair and governance responsibilities.

Thanks to the crew led by Amy (photo above) who put on a fantastic Parnell Festival of Roses this year. Big crowds, delicious range of food, lots of community stands and entertainment, great atmosphere and blooming marvellous roses.

Declared gifts

Tickets to the Show me Shorts Film Festival
Tickets to Billy Elliott the Musical at the invitation of ATC
Tickets to Perplex at the invitation of Silo Theatre
Invitation to attend the Be Accessible gala dinner at AUT
Tickets to Flare NZ Trio at Q Theatre
Westpac Auckland Business Awards gala dinner at the invitation of ATEED