This report covers the period 13 September 2018 until 9 October 2018.
Summary
Completed projects
The new stairs with an improved handrail between Hopetoun Street and Western Park are now open.
A constituent wrote to say “I have just discovered the new stairs to Western Park off Hopetoun. This is amazing and within metres it’s hard to believe you are not in the Waitakeres. Congratulations. You have created a wonderful place for those of us in the inner city”
Poynton Terrace connection between St Kevin’s Arcade and Myers Park (funded from the City Centre Targeted rate). A safety audit is still to be completed on the design.
An interpretation sign in Te Hā o Hine place has been installed. It explains the background to the Women’s suffrage memorial commissioned in 1993 for the suffrage centennial.
New Trees
10 elm trees at Grey Lynn Park’s Schofield Street entrance were removed because of Dutch elm disease. They have now been replaced by a mix of tanekaha and puriri.
Representation Review
Every six years a review of Auckland Council representation arrangements is required including whether the wards properly reflect their populations. The outcome of the review applies at the next local body election (2019).
The Auckland Council review of the ratio of population to number of elected members showed four wards did not comply with the 10 per cent (more or less than the average) guideline. The Waitematā and Gulf Ward population differs from the average per member by 43 per cent. The submission I gave at the Representation Review hearings (photo right) on behalf of Waitematā Local Board focused on the proposed Waitematā 
and Gulf ward boundary change (attached as an agenda item).
Following the hearings the council’s joint governance working party responded to submissions on the council’s proposal and decided to recommend changes to the council’s initial proposal.
The changes include retaining all of Grey Lynn and Westmere in the Waitematā and Gulf Ward. This was in response to submissions and public concern from the Grey Lynn area.
The working party also recommended to the council’s governing body that an area of Grafton should become part of the Ōrākei Ward in addition to the proposal for Newmarket and Parnell to become part of the Ōrākei Ward. (the recommendations were to be considered at a governing body meeting on 18 October)
The review does not impact the Local Board boundaries. Working party recommendations to the governing body meeting 18 October.
Auckland Domain Committee
At the Auckland Domain Committee meeting on 30 August 2018 a working group was set up to review the Accessibility Improvement Review Programme and its long-term implications.
The working group met on 14 September 2018 agreeing to a range of proposals to improve walking connections and parking management. The working group’s recommendations will be referred to the Domain Committee meeting to be held on 29 November.
At the same time the Local Board is progressing options for funding improved paths in the Domain. At our September Business Meeting we requested Auckland Transport prepare rough order of costs for the following walking and/or cycling connections in the Auckland Domain as identified in the Auckland Domain Masterplan and/or Waitematā Greenways Plan and work with Community Facilities to identify the renewals budget available for each project:
- Titoki Street carpark to Football Road from Parnell Train Station through the woodchip yard to meet the track leading to Lovers Lane
- loop around Watsons Bequest, including path on north side of Domain Drive
- upper connections to Kari Street Commons
- Centennial Path to Grafton Mews
- Park Road entrance to Grandstand Road South
- path on The Crescent to connect the Wintergarden to the Auckland
- Museum
- path extension on east side of Domain Drive off Parnell Road to meet
- Lower Domain Drive
- path on east side of Domain Drive to meet Lower Domain Drive – not costed – part of Greenway and Auckland Domain Masterplan for cycling
Local Government New Zealand
As the LGNZ national council member representing local boards I attended the LGNZ strategy meeting on 4 October in Wellington. LGNZ is focused on four priority areas – water, housing, climate change and localism. Minister Mahuta attended the meeting to discuss the three waters review and water regulation.
Minster Phil Twyford attended the National council meeting on 5 October to provide an update on the new Urban Development Authority.
Helen Clark Room at Ellen Melville Centre
To coincide with the one-year celebration for the revamped Ellen Melville Centre, former prime minister Helen Clark was welcomed at an event hosted by the Local Board and the Auckland Branch of National Council of Women held in the room named in her honour. (Our Auckland story). Photo right: With Helen Clark and Auckland’s National Council of Women chair Carol Beaumont
125 Suffrage Day celebration
The National Council of Women – Auckland Branch, Auckland Council and Auckland Live hosted a Sunrise celebration to mark 125 years since New Zealand became the first country where women were able to vote in a general election. The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led a parade from Te Hā o Hine Place to Aotea Square (photo right) for speeches and performances by Annie Crummer and New Zealand Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh MC’ed by Jennifer Ward-Lealand. It was a very special morning to honour the fight for gender equality in Aotearoa.
I reported on why I am grateful for all the women who fought vigorously for the right to vote and for the right to stand for public office in my latest Ponsonby News update.
Meetings and workshops 13 September until 9 October
- Monthly comms meeting on 13 September
- Domain Committee working group meeting at Auckland Museum on 14 September
- Presented an ADO lunchtime learning talk “Auckland as a Cycling City: Dare to compare – Learnings from Velo-City Conference in Rio de Janeiro” at Auckland Central City Library on 14 September at the invitation of Darren Davis
- Catch up with Cr Darby
- Meeting with Big Street Bikers to discuss their Ebike network strategy on 14 September
- Weekly chair’s catch up held on 17, 24 September, 1, 8 October
- Regional Cluster Workshop for local board elected members on 17 September
- NZTA road show discussion on the new National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) at the end of August that gives effect to the new Government Policy Statement (GPS). This NLTP helps create a transport system that is safer, more accessible, better protects the environment and delivers value for money transport solutions for all New Zealand. The Transport Agency invites you to a conversation with our new Board Chair Michael Stiassny, Board representatives, Chief Executive Fergus Gammie and Director of Regional Relationships Steve Mutton to hear about how we’re partnering with local government to deliver on this new direction for transport. It’s all about enabling our economy to prosper and helping people get the most out of life. By working together, we will create liveable cities, thriving regions, stronger communities and achieve the best outcomes for New Zealand by giving people choice on how they move about
- Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 18 September
- Meeting with Housing NZ representations on 19 September regarding the HNZ development at 139 Greys Avenue discussion prior to lodging Resource consent
- Attended the Parnell Trust board meeting on 19 September
- Catch up with K’rd Business Association GM on 20 September
- Presented to the Joint Governance Working Party on the Waitemata Local Board’s submission on the representation review (attached as a report item on the October business meeting agenda)
Tour for members of the Western Springs Lakeside Park rock forest with Elizabeth Walker and Sel Arbuckle from STEPs – St Lukes Environmental Protection Society Inc on 21 September (photo right)- Waitematā Local Board workshops on 25 September and 9 October (the board had a recess week so no workshop was held on 2 October)
- Central City Community Network meeting on 27 September hosted by Central City Library and guided tour of the Wahine take action Suffrage exhibition
- Housing NZ bi-monthly meeting
- Monthly catch up with the Board’s relationship manager
- Meeting with the GM of the Newmarket Business Association and representatives of Newmarket Pool on 28 September
- LGNZ strategy meeting in Wellington on 4 September
- LGNZ National Council meeting on 5 October in Wellington
- Monthly Chairs Forum on 8 October
- Parnell Plan Working Group meeting on 8 October
- Ponsonby Business Association monthly meeting on 9 October
Events attended 13 September until 9 October
- Morning tea in honour of the Rt Hon Helen Clark in the Helen Clark room at Ellen Melville Centre on 13 September (one year anniversary of the opening of the Ellen Melville Centre)
- Hīkoia te Kōrero: a parade in celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori at Aotea Square
- GLBA networking drinks held at Malt to discuss the West Lynn upgrade proposals
- Opening night of Mr Burns at the invitation of Silo Theatre on 14 September
Auckland Pestival 2018 held at Aotea Centre on Saturday 15 September Pest Free Auckland is a community-led conservation programme, facilitated by Auckland Council, to eradicate pests (pest plants, animals and pathogens) and concurrently restore the region’s native ecosystems. Partnerships with mana whenua, community groups, landowners, schools, the Department of Conservation, and the private and philanthropic sectors are key to the success of this programme. As part of the Pest Free Auckland programme, Auckland Council hosted the annual Auckland Pestival to showcase community-led conservation, provide a networking opportunity and seek feedback on initial plans to support expanded delivery funded by the natural environment targeted rate- Launch of Mātātuhi Foundation on 17 September by the Writers Festival Trust at Auckland Central City Library – a new initiative to support the literary landscape of New Zealand
- Sunrise Celebration with the PM on-Suffrage Day 2018
- Opening night of Rendered on 20 September at the invitation of the Auckland Theatre Company
World Park(ing) day installations on Tyler Street and High Street as part of the Festival of Architecture (photo right)- Bad Jelly the Witch gala opening at the invitation of Tim Bray Productions on 22 September
- Heritage Festival Opening on 26 September at Ellen Melville Centre
- Auckland Boat Show on 29 September at the invitation of ATEED
- Foreshore Heritage Walk guided by member Vernon Tava on 30 September for the Auckland Heritage Festival (photo below)
- Hosted a significant birthday morning tea for board members and local board services team on 2 October
- Beauty and the Beast at TAPAC at the invitation of TAPAC (four tickets) on 2 October
- Late Night Art event on 9 October for Art Week
- Biondi Brunialti duo concert at St Matthew in the City on 9 October at the invitation of the Italian Ambassador
