Tag: Waitemata Local Board

Chair’s monthly report June 2017

Report covering the period 4 May – 9 June 2017.

Summary

Opening of the Grey Lynn Greenway
  • Presented to the Finance and Performance Committee on our Local Board priorities for 17/18 as part of the Annual Budget (presentation Attachment A). Approved the Local Board Agreement and work programmes 2017/18 at an extraordinary meeting on 6 June.
  • At our May business meeting we acknowledged the passing on 29 April 2017 of Ken Havill, inspirational and highly respected principal of Ngā Puna o Waiorea Western Springs College for 19 years until 2016, and extended our sincere condolences to Mr Havill’s family and the school community.
  • Opened the Grey Lynn Greenway with Mayor Phil Goff on 2 June (My speech on behalf of the Board and Auckland Transport media release Attachment B). The Grey Lynn pump track informally opened on 24 May.
  • Met with the 254 Ponsonby Road facilitation group and relevant Council officers to progress the community-led design for Ponsonby Park
  • Consultation on the draft Waitematā Local Board Plan got underway on 22 May.  Have your say events held in Parnell, Grey Lynn and at the board office.  Information sessions held at libraries and farmers’ markets.   Consultation closes on 30 June.
  • Followed up a number of transport issues including:
    • Resurfacing on Ponsonby Road between Williamson Ave and Hopetoun Street without any safety improvements
    • Pedestrian safety and footpath clutter at the intersection of Carlton Gore Road and Davies Crescent
    • Leaf collection and maintenance of street trees by Auckland Transport contractors
    • Parking in Arch Hill and rollout of the Ponsonby Residential parking zone
    • Final Grosvenor Street cycleway design removing a large number of car parks and failure by AT to install crossing points along greenway route at the intersection of Grosvenor and Crummer Rd
    • Safety issues with car transporters using bus stops and the flush medium for unloading on Great North Road
    • Parking on the grass in the Domain (enforcement issues are being addressed through the Domain Committee)
  • Provided feedback to Auckland Transport on behalf of the Board on the Pt Chev to Westmere cycle improvements (Refer Auckland Transport monthly report)
  • Traffic calming polka dots installed on Shortland Street (following pedestrian safety concerns raised by the Local Board. Attachment C).
  • Construction got underway on Teed Street,  Nelson Street cycleway stage 2 and continued on the Ponsonby Road Pedestrian Improvement Project (photo right)
  • Community Reference Group established by Auckland Transport to progress the design of the Gladstone Road cycleway.
  • Media coverage included Local Board reports in Ponsonby News (Attachment D) and the Hobson (Attachments E)
  • Attended an event to mark Word Fair Trade Day at Albert Park organised by a student Christine Zhang (Photo right with Christine and Julie Anne Genter MP).  Auckland became a Fairtrade Region in 2012.

Meetings and workshops attended:

  • Weekly Chair’s meeting every Monday morning
  • Ponsonby Business Association monthly board meetings on 4 May and 8 June
  • Uptown Business Association presentation to the Local Board to discuss BID obligations on 4 May
  • Site visits to Wood Street and Hakanoa Street to discuss constituent issues on 5 May
  • Panuku discussion with local board members regarding urban development tools on 8 May
  • Local Board Chairs’ Forum on 8 May
  • Waitematā Local Board workshops on 9, 23, 30 May and 6 June
  • 2017/2018 Annual Budget Waitemata Local Board advocacy. Presentation to the Finance and Performance Committee on 9 May (Photo right. Presentation Attachment A)
  • Franklin Road community reference group meeting on 10 May
  • Meeting to discuss support for the Santa Parade with representatives of the Council family on 11 May
  • Meeting to discuss the Franklin Road lights on 11 May
  • Meeting with Business Lab to discuss the City Fringe Economic Development Action plan refresh on 11 May and 1 June
  • Meeting on 15 May to discuss partnership opportunities with Western Springs College arising from the school rebuild
  • Local Boards sub-regional workshop on 15 May
  • Pre- agenda briefing for the Domain Committee
  • Meeting with AT’s parking manager on 16 May
  • Meeting to discuss Western Springs Precinct with Regional Facilities
  • Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 16 May and extraordinary meeting on 6 June
  • Transport portfolio catch up on 17 May
  • NZTA strategic direction presentation to invited stakeholders on 17 May
  • Meeting to discuss the development of Council’s homelessness policy
  • Monthly Local Finance Advisor catch up on 23 May
  • Auckland Domain committee workshop and business meeting on 24 May
  • Attended the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board meeting on 24 May (as alternate)
  • Community Reference Group for the Parnell cycle route workshop organised by Auckland Transport on 31 May
  • Chair’s recommendations run through meeting on 11 and 31 May
  • Meola Reef Reserve development plan site visit with mana whenua on 31 May (photo right)
  • Tour on 1 June of the Central Library planned refurbishment
  • Meeting on 2 June with Christina Sayers-Wickstead to discuss the NZ Suffrage Museum project
  • Phone interview as part of research looking at road user pricing
  • Workshop with the 254 Ponsonby Road facilitation group on 7 June
  • Agenda run-through meeting on 7 June
  • Spoke at the Economic Development workshop with city fringe business representatives to assist with the refresh of the ED plan held at ATEED on 8 June
  • One-day workshop on 9 June for Chairs developed by the Institute of Directors

Events and functions attended:

  • Opening night of Amadeus at ASB Waterfront Theatre at the invitation of Auckland Theatre Company
  • Community planting day at Hakanoa pollinator Park (Photo right with Bike Grey Lynn volunteers) and the Grey Lynn Pump Track on 6 May
  • Farewell to Carla van Zon, Auckland Festival director
  • Spoke on the IAP2 Australasia 2017 Engagement Symposium K’rd Walking Tour about Myers Park consultation on 12 May  (photo right)
  • Fairtrade Festival in Albert Park on 13 May
  • NZ Book Awards on 16 May
  • Writers Festival Gala Opening night on 18 May
  • NZ Trio at Q Theatre 21 May
  • Auckland Conversations on 23 May: Manhattan to Manukau – Lessons from New York
  • Innovators in discussion at MOTAT on 25 May
  • Autumn Biking bee adventure on 27 May
  • John Macdonald’s Induction as Methodist Mission Northern Head of Mission on 30 May
  • Grey Lynn Greenway opening on 2 June (Attachment B)
  • Presided at the Central Citizenship Ceremony on 6 June (photo right)

 

 

 

Draft Local Board Plan consultation events:

  • Have your say events in Parnell, Grey Lynn and at the Local Board Office
  • Information sessions held at Parnell Farmers Market, Grey Lynn Farmers Market and at Libraries (photo below with members Richard Northey and Adriana Christie at Parnell Library)

Grey Lynn Greenway opening

On 2 June we opened the Grey Lynn Greenway with the Mayor Phil Goff and Auckland Transport.  Wayne Donnelly,  Deputy Chair of the AT Board was MC for the speeches.  Here is my speech on behalf of the Waitematā Local Board

Tēnā koutou huihui mai nei

Talofa lava

Warm greetings to everyone gathered here

As the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau we’re really fortunate to attend and host many openings of new and upgraded community assets.  The Grey Lynn Greenway is one that I have been especially looking forward to and feel very fortunate to be opening as Chair of the Local Board.  Thank you to everyone who has come along this afternoon.  I’m joined by my local board colleagues Adriana Christie, Rob Thomas and Shale Chambers . We’re fortunate Mayor Phil has had a lot of practice lately for opening new pathways and is able to join us.     I’d especially like to acknowledge former board member Christopher Dempsey who is here to celebrate with us (Tricia Reade sends her apologies).

When I am out and about one of the positive comments I hear the most from locals is how much they enjoying the walking and cycling improvements in our area.  There is a tremendous desire to be able to jump on bikes at any age for local trips or recreational rides.

When I moved into this area over 10 years ago with my partner Paul (here with Bike Grey Lynn) we bought bikes to get around.  Like most people cycling back then we were shocked at the hostile road environment and the lack of cycling facilities.  At the same time there seemed to be some really obvious “quick wins” to make walking and cycling far more pleasant.  Paul first suggested to me the idea of a “Greenlink” connecting Grey Lynn Park with Coxs Bay. This was on a wave of hearing about Bicycle boulevards and greenways transforming neighbourhoods overseas.   I am sure many people had similar ideas at the time as an extension to the existing walking connection established by the Western Bays Community Board  (Graeme Easte just called from Whangerei to give his apologies – probably just as well he is not here as I’m sure he’d tell me I have the history of this route wrong!)

The super city finally provided the opportunity to tackle some of those so called quick wins in Waitematā.  The Greenlink idea was embraced by the first Waitematā Local Board supporting a network connections linking our green spaces and reserves that then became a real project with a Waitematā Greenways Plan approved in 2013  – the second local board to complete a plan after Puketāpapa.

The Grey Lynn Greenway has been built in stages as funds have allowed.  The boardwalk in Coxs Bay was rebuilt and paths widenedin 2014 .  Widened paths in Hakanoa Reserve and Grey Lynn Park were completed last year.  The on road sections finally got the green light with a funding contribution from the Urban Cycling Investment fund.   We now have a complete, attractive off road route from West End Road to Williamson Ave through our beautiful parks.   It opens up connections to sports facilities, schools, local shops and will link into the network of safe routes about to get underway on Great North Road, Richmond Road and Surrey Cres.   And of course a connection to the new Grey Lynn pump track  (great to see Scott here who has been instrumental in that project). We fortunate that the community has got behind the Grey Lynn pump track and the pollinator path planting that will further enhance to the greenway.  We’re already hearing about the wider mobility and accessibility benefits of the Greenway.  A bike school bus has started from Grey Lynn School and wheelchair users are able to easily cross Richmond Road for the first time on the new crossing.

There are still things to get right and we’ve heard AT acknowledge the design and consultation issues on one section.  Auckland Council also has a path section in Coxs Bay to finish off that got held up by the  resource consent.  I’m confident that we’ll work through these issues with AT and the community so that everyone can enjoy and benefit from a new community asset.

We’re also looking forward to working with AT on our next Greenway project to open up the old Parnell train tunnel – but more of that another day!

I’d like to end with the many thanks in order.

Members of the project team with Mayor Phil Goff
  • To the community for all the support for the Greenway and for your patience with the construction.
  • To the volunteers and guardians of the park we look forward to continuing to work with you into the future to further enhance the greenway.
  • To the advocates for who have been unwavering in the task of making Auckland a great place to get around.
  • Thanks to the designers, planners, engineers, technical and support people who all do the hard work behind the scenes.  The thanks on this goes back over many years to David Little and Lynda Lucas who worked on the Greenways plan.
  • The many parks people who worked on the off road sections – too many to name today.
  • The AT team who have worked on the project including Priscilla and Ben (the former and current local board liaison manager)  – the quiet operators who know how to bang heads together to achieve results for local boards
  • And thanks to all those involved in the AT part of the project from Auckland Transport, MR Cagney, MWH and TSL including
    • AT – Ken Lee Jones (Project sponsor) Paul Buckle (W&C client), Ameer Bahho (Project Manager)
    • MWH – Sagar Kariya (Designer)
    • MRCagney – Abby Granbery (Peer Review lead)
    • TSL – Ikram Patel (Contractors Rep)  Mohammed Buksh (Site Engineer)

I hope you will all join me for a ride over once we’ve finished the formalities.

After the ribbon cutting the Mayor jumped on a bike for a ride to the Grey Lynn Pump Track 

Further reading

Grey Lynn walking and bike path opens.  Auckland Transport media release

Mayor Phil Goff at the Grey Lynn Pump Track

 

Chair’s monthly report: May 2017

Report covering the period 15 March – 3 May 2017 (The full report is available on the May 2017 business meeting agenda of the Waitematā Local Board)

Highlights:

  • Housing First pilot project launched (Attachment A)
  • Consultation closed on the Annual Budget 2017/18.  With Richard Northey, I attended the handing over of submissions by the Living Wage campaign on 27 March
  • Hosted the Inner City Network Meeting discussion on the draft Local Board Plan.
  • The Ponsonby Park at 245 Ponsonby Road proposed community-led design announced on 24 March following a public vote on 11 options.
  • Attended the first Local Government New Zealand Governance and Strategy Advisory Group meeting in Wellington (Refer terms of reference below).
  • Attended a number of events including the Pasifika Festival walkabout with the Mayor on 24 March, Westpac Business Awards, the Autumn Festival at Kelmarna Gardens
  • Received the Bring back the monkey bars petition at Grey Lynn School (photo right)
  • Construction continued on the Grey Lynn Pump Track (a community-led project), Grey Lynn Greenways route connecting Coxs Bay to Grey Lynn Park and on the Ponsonby Road Pedestrian Improvement Project (works on MacKelvie St due to be completed by 5 May). Auckland Transport’s works started on the Franklin Road project following a dawn blessing
  • Gave an address on behalf of the Waitematā Local Board at the Anzac eve Illumination for Remembrance at St David’s Memorial Church (Attachment B) and at the Grey Lynn RSC Anzac day service on behalf of the Board (Attachment C)
  • Board agreed the Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) Operational budget, key advocacy areas and response to the regional policy issues for the Annual Budget 2017/18 at an extraordinary meeting on 2 May
  • Approved the draft Waitematā Local Board Plan at an extraordinary board meeting on 20 May and finalised the summary of the draft. Consultation due to start on 22 May.
  • A small win. There is a long history of women in particular feeling deterred from visiting the city centre because of the lack of public loos. It took a while but following our request signs have now been updated to make it clear the high quality toilets in the Aotea Centre are in fact public (photo right). We’re now working on mapping all the facilities online.
  • Followed up a number of transport issues including:
    •  Pedestrian safety at the car park exit of the new Bunnings on Great North Road and Countdown on Williamson Ave
    • Final Grosvenor Street cycleway design removing a large number of car parks and failure by AT to install crossing points along greenway route at the intersection of Grosvenor and Crummer Rd
    • Safety issues with car transporters using bus stops and the flush medium for unloading on Great North Road
    • Design of a new speed bump on Hakanoa Street
    • Traffic management issues associated with board funded works on MacKelvie Street
  • Provided feedback to Auckland Transport on behalf of the Board on the Westhaven to City Centre cycle route proposal (Refer Auckland Transport monthly report)
  • Media coverage included columns in Ponsonby News (April and May columns Attachments D & E)

Meetings and workshops: 15 March until 3 May 2017

  • Wynyard Quarter Transportation Management Association public meeting at Waterfront Theatre on 15 March
  • Meeting with Community Facilities regarding Maintenance Contracts for Parks, Building and Open Space (Project 17) on 15 March
  • Meeting with Auckland Transport to discuss proposal for Westhaven to the City cycleway on 15 March
  • GPS Submission – Political Reference Group meeting on 15 March
  • Agenda run-throughs on 15 March, 6 April and 3 May
  • Local Boards sub-regional workshops on 20 March and 10 April
  • Meeting on MacKelvie Street with Chris Cherry to discuss pedestrian improvement project works
  • Waitematā Local Board business meetings on 21 March and 11 April and extraordinary meetings on 20 April and 2 May (Photo right- receiving the Bring Back the Monkey Bars petition at the Board’s meeting on 11 April)
  • Monthly comms update on 22 March and 19 April
  • Attended the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board meetings on 29 March and 19 April (as alternate)
  • Auckland Transport briefing for elected members on 22 March
  • Meeting to discuss support for the Auckland Santa Parade on 23 March
  • Woodpecker Hill and Parnell Business Association presentation on proposed improvements to Heard Park
  • Inner City Network Meeting with presentations on ideas for the Local Board plan 2017
  • Meeting on 25 March to discuss the draft Local Board Plan
  • Lunchtime meeting and presentation by University of Auckland on 29 March
  • Meeting on 30 March to discuss election issues feedback
  • Auckland’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management environment: what you need to know and Integrity and Conflicts of Interest sessions on 30 March (part of the Kura Kawana elected member development programme)
  • Meeting to with the Urban Forest Alliance to discuss maintenance of street trees and the urban forest strategy
  • Site meeting on 31 March with Council and AT officers to discuss compliance sign off for the Countdown development (including issues associated with the supermarket car park exit)
  • LGNZ Governance and Strategy Advisory Group meeting in Wellington on 3 April
  • Local Board Chairs’ Forum on 10 April
  • Waitematā Local Board workshops 28 March, 4, 21, 27, April and 2 May
  • Meola Reef Reserve development plan meeting on 5 April
  • PBA board meeting on 6 April
  • Planning Committee Auckland Plan Refresh Workshop on 6 April
  • Newmarket Business Association presentation by Mark Knoff-Thomas to discuss BID obligations on 6 April
  • Chair’s Forum on 10 April
  • Mayor & Local Board Chairs – Auckland’s Governance and Future discussion on 10 April
  • Meeting with Wynyard Quarter Traffic Management Association coordinator on 11 April
  • Presentation by Panuku on the City Centre and Waterfront work programme on 12 April
  • Domain Committee workshop and public meeting on 12 April
  • Joint Planning Committee and Local Board chairs Planning Committee Briefing on 13 April –  How decisions were made around light rail and heavy rail to the airport
  • Meeting with St Marys Bay Association and Herne Bay Residents Association representatives on 19 April
  • Transport portfolio catch up on 26 April
  • Meeting on 26 April with Mayor’s advisor for the Million Trees Project
  • Elected Member Communications & Engagement reference group meeting on 28 April
  • Meeting with Panuku and Councillors Hills and Darby to discuss the future of the Eastern Viaduct carpark
  • Weekly Chair’s meeting every Monday morning
  • Meeting with ATEED representative on 3 May to discuss planning for a Local Economic Development masterclass on 12 July and invite to open the workshop
  • Meeting to discuss the Project 17 asset list with Community Facilities
  • Parnell cycle route workshop organised by Auckland Transport on 3 May

Events and functions:  15 March until 3 May 2017

  • Opening of the Journey of a Million Miles – Following Steps’ exhibition at the Maritime Museum on 15 March
  • “A Plan 4 Youth” Local Board plan consultation organised by the Waitematā Youth Collective on 16 March (photo right)
  • Local Board Plans – central mana whenua engagement hui at the Fickling Centre on 17 March
  • Auckland Art Gallery Opening – The Body Laid Bare: Masterpieces from Tate on 17 March
  • Westpac business awards on 23 March at the invitation of ATEED
  • Auckland Conversations: Homelessness in Auckland (attachment A)
  • The Bone Feeder at Waterfront Theatre on 24 March (at the invitation of the Auckland Arts Festival)
  • Attended the Grey Lynn school assembly on 25 March to receive the Bring Back the Monkey Bars petition
  • Opening of the new NCBT city campus by Mayor Phil Goff
  • Mayoral walkabout at Pasifika Festival on 26 March (photo right)
  • Ponsonby Park announcement of design selected after public vote (photos below)
  • Kelmarna Autumn Festival on 27 March
  • Presentation of Living Wage submissions at the Town Hall on 28 March (photo right)
  • Tyler Street Fashion Show at the invitation of Heart of the City
  • Women in Politics AGM at the Town Hall on 31 March
  • Jam on Toast at the Grey Lynn Community Centre on 2 April
  • Opening of the Mason Brothers building by the Mayor on 3 April
  • Low Carbon Pecha Kutcha – Style Networking night at Studio One on 5 April
  • Illumination of Remembrance at St David’s Church on 24 April (Attachment B)
  • Anzac Day Dawn Service at Auckland Museum and the Grey Lynn RSC parade and service (Attachment C)
  • Opening night of the Comedy Festival (at the invitation of ATEED) on 27 April
  • Attended the dawn blessing on 28 April for the start of Auckland Transport works on Franklin Road
  • Grey Lynn Street Carnival on 29 April organised by the Grey Lynn Business Association
  • Meola Reef Development Plan drop in session at the Westerns Springs Football clubrooms on 2 May

 

 

Anzac day speech: Grey Lynn RSC parade and service

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e nga tamatoa, rau rangatira mā
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

Greetings to everyone gathered here this morning.

It is a great honour to be invited to speak today on behalf of the Waitematā Local Board. I’m joined by board member Adriana Christie who is experiencing her first ANZAC day commemoration in Grey Lynn.

I’d like to acknowledge everyone who contributes to this occasion which is a uniquely Grey Lynn commemoration – president Rocky, the club committee, veterans, Rev Mua, service people, merchant seamen, the military re-enactment society and distinguished guests.  We gather here as a community of family, friends and neighbours to mark the 102nd anniversary of the landings by ANZAC troops at Gallipoli in 1915.

As a migrant to NZ I don’t personally have a family connection to Gallipoli or any NZ’s military heritage.  But I give thanks to the Grey Lynn RSC for uniting us all on ANZAC day regardless of nationality, ethnicity, background, religion or political beliefs.

We have all come together, not to glorify war, but to commemorate New Zealanders, Australians and Pacific peoples who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations and share the sorrow at the loss and suffering of so many lives in war including those opposing war.

The campaign at Gallipoli was brutal, bloody and entirely futile.  We make a commitment each year that we will not forget, that we will not repeat the mistakes of the past but sadly on-going conflicts around the world show that history continues to repeat itself. We look to our leaders to find peaceful solutions in the face of escalating conflict and sabre rattling.

Gallipoli marked the dawn of nationhood for NZ and Australia.  I give thanks for the ANZAC spirit of sacrifice, courage, commitment and giving which has seen NZ cope through natural disasters and rise to the challenges of our time.

Young people are central to ANZAC commemorations across the country no where more so than in Grey Lynn.  A special kia ora to all the tamariki here today commemorating in your own way but also enjoying the freedom of being out in the street surrounded and protected by your community.

We remember and reflect on ANZAC day together and work to ensure future generations do not face the horror of war. As we remember those who sacrificed their lives and honour those who served we recommit to the importance of peace, independence, fairness and freedom.

Kei wareware tatou

Lest We Forget

No reira

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

Chair’s monthly report March 2017

Report covering the period 10 February until 13 March 2017.

Highlights

  • Following the extreme weather event in March Aucklanders are being urged to reduce water use for several weeks to avoid the need to boil water due to the amount of silt that has entered the treatment plant
  • Consultation got underway on the Annual Budget 2017/18.  The Waitematā Local Board held a Have your Say hearing style event on 8 March attended by Mayor Goff and Councillors Mike Lee, Daniel Newman and Desley Simpson (Photo right). Feedback is open until 27 March
  • Guest speaker at an International Women’s Day morning tea hosted by Panuku Development Auckland
  • Auckland Arts Festival 2017 started on 8 March
  • Beating the Bounds triennial event on 4 March in partnership with Walk Auckland. A walk of the Waitemata Local Board boundary from Meola Reef to Pt Resolution
  • Construction has started on the Grey Lynn Pump Track (a community-led project), Grey Lynn Greenways route connecting Coxs Bay to Grey Lynn Park and on the Ponsonby Road Pedestrian Improvement Project
  • Waitemata Youth Collective at Myers Park Medley

    Myers Park Medley successfully held on 26 February (photo right with members of the Waitemata Youth Collective at their engagement stand)

  • Myers Park Splash pad opened (photo below)
  • 245 Ponsonby Road community-led design exhibition and voting on the preferred concept (underway until 19 March)
  • Opening of the Parnell Train Station on 13 March (Attachment A)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meetings and workshops: 11 February until 14 March 2017

  • Local Board Chairs’ Forum on 13 February and 13 March
  • Waitematā Local Board workshops 14, 23, 28 February and 1, 7, 14 March
  • Professional development sessions (Kura Kawana): Engaging with Maori and Wellbeing & Resilience
  • Meeting with Panuku to discuss St Mary’s Bay Water quality project
  • Domain Committee Chair introductory meeting on 15 February with Rod Sheridan, Community Facilities Manager to discuss proposed maintenance approach in the Auckland Domain
  • Wai O Rea Central Community Recovery Centre Project Design Workshop Workshop with Albert-Eden and Puketapapa Local Boards on 16 February
  • Domain Committee agenda run through on 17 February
  • Meeting to discuss Poynton Terrace Streetscape upgrade
  • Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 21 February
  • Elected Member Communications & Engagement reference group meeting on 22 February
  • Briefing by Auckland Transport on CRL development, Albert Street design
  • Auckland City Centre Advisory Board meeting (as alternate)
  • Site visit to Hopetoun Street to meet with residents concerned about a number of safety and street maintenance issues
  • Briefing from the Auckland Museum on 23 February
  • Inner City Network Monthly Meeting on 23 February
  • Waitemata Youth Collective meeting with the Board on 23 February
  • ‘Delivering for Auckland Symposium’ for all elected members on 24 February
  • Monthly regional workshop for elected members on 27 February
  • Auckland Domain Committee Workshop and Meeting on 28 February
  • Weekly Chair’s meeting every Monday morning
  • Agenda run-through with the Deputy Chair on 8 March
  • Transport portfolio catch up on 1 March
  • Meeting to discuss Italian Festival 2017 with the Events portfolio and Festival organiser on 2 March
  • Introduction meeting with Auckland Police Commander Matt Srhoj
  • Regular catch up meeting with Newmarket Business Association General Manager
  • Meeting with Chair, Friends of Symonds St cemetery on 3 March
  • Meeting to discuss transport outcome for the draft Local Board Plan 2017
  • Western Bays Community Group AGM and presentation on the Annual Budget 1207/18
  • PBA board meeting on 9 March
  • Meeting with Auckland Design Office regarding traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements on Shortland Street
  • Presentation by Heart of the City to the Board and discussion on City Centre issues on 9 March
  • Joint planning Committee and Local Board workshop: City Centre and Waterfront work programme (City Building: Auckland Transport’s “expectations” should not dictate our planning Attachment C)

Events and functions:  10 February until 14 March 2017

  • Rainbow Youth Open Day and exhibition (sponsored by the Waitemata Local Board) on 11 February (photo right)
  • Big Gay Out at Coyle Park on 12 February
  • Revolt. She said. Revolt again at Basement Theatre on 16 February at the invitation of Silo Theatre
  • T20 NZ v SA at Eden Park at the invitation of Auckland Cricket
  • Moa Periscope Launch on 20 February: Child Friendly Development Response in Freyberg Place
  • Launch of the Auckland Fringe Festival on 21 February in Aotea Square
  • Sea Change, Wet Hot Beauties performance at Parnell Baths (at the invitation of Wet Hot Beauties)
  • Attended the Grey Lynn 2030 Repair Cafe on 18 February
  • Watched the Pride Parade in the grandstand on 25 February at the invitation of ATEED (photo right with Brett O’Reilly, ATEED CEO, Stephen Town Auckland Council CEO and Lexie Matheson, Pride Trustee )
  • Opening of Japan Day at the Cloud
  • Myers Park Medley on 26 February
  • Bike Breakfast at Scarecrow Café on 1 March
  • Patrons night at Basement Theatre on 1 March
  • Beating the Bounds on 4 March
  • Ponsonby Park concept designs exhibition on 5 March
  • Stepping up our Climate Game Auckland Conversations on 8 March
  • Opening of the Auckland Arts Festival on 8 March
  • Revolutions: Auckland Art Festival
  • Opening ceremony for Parnell Train Station 13 March (Attachment A)

Gift Declarations

  • Tickets to the T20 NZ v SA at Eden Park at the invitation of Auckland Cricket
  • Tickets to the Auckland Art Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The End: Pt Resolution Bridge

 

 

Opening of the new Parnell Train Station

Opening of the new Parnell Train Station
Cutting the ribbon at the Parnell Station opening with Cr Mike Lee, Mayor Phil Goff and Auckland Transport Chair, Lester Levy

Speech on behalf of the Waitematā Local Board at the Parnell Station Opening ceremony held on 13 March 2017

It is a great honour to represent the Waitematā Local Board and to have the opportunity to speak in front of such a distinguished gathering at a truly momentous occasion for Auckland.  The opening of Parnell station is a significant milestone in the ongoing renaissance of Auckland’s rapid transit network.

I’m also fortunate to be speaking last  – not because I put value in getting the last word but because although there have been many thank yous and tributes there are still important acknowledgements to be made from the Board’s perspective.

I would first like to acknowledge this place. Parnell station is located in the historic Waipapa valley , a site of significance to mana whenua back into time and the early settlers of Auckland who coveted the strategic location and pure waters of Waipapa Stream.

The fact the station is located in the Waipapa valley is thanks in large part to many people gathered here today who fought for the valley’s heritiage to be recognised,  the day lighting of the Waipapa stream, regeneration of the stream banks and to maintain public access to Parnell and the Domain. There is no time to traverse the history now but the Board is looking forward to documenting it with the community and finding ways we can include story telling in the valley and at the station.

I know there is a long roll call of people who played a role – let me acknowledge former Auckland City Councillors Richard Simpson (attending today all the way from Brisbane), Christine Caughey (well ahead of their colleagues at the time in valuing public transport over motorway building madness);  members of Parnell Heritage, Parnell Community Committee Luke Niue, Jennie Goulding, Mary Barry,  Rendell Macintosh, Roger Cole-Bake; Debbie Harkness former Parnell Mainstreet Manager was a strong supporter back in 2008, and more recently Cheryl Adamson and the Parnell Business association all who have helped keep the focus on Parnell as a destination.

Before I turn to the man who deserves recognition as the driving force behind Parnell Station. I’d like to acknowledge those who did the work behind the scenes and deserve to feel very proud today in particular Nick Seymour, who worked on the project for AT from 2008 until September 2016. The early work led by Nick and his team involved preparing the construction of new platforms and station building. That early enabling work involved a monumental earth moving effort without which the station would not likely have been built.

Giving wind to the workers and politicians I acknowledge all the public transport advocates who campaigned for a rail station over the years.

The Waitematā Local Board has supported the Parnell Station project since day one. This is of course down to Councillor Mike Lee.  There has rarely been a local board meeting since 2010 at which Mike hasn’t updated the board on the progress of the Station.  He has fought long and hard for a station in this location starting back in 2007.  As Chairman of the ARC he was also instrumental in saving the critical element of the heritage station.

Thank you Councillor Mike Lee.  A proud day for many people here but particularly you Mike.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge my fellow board members – Shale, Richard, Adriana, Vernon, here today  who led by Shale last term supported the Board funding, from our transport capex fund, the path connection from the platform through the Domain to Carlaw Park.   Thank goodness we do have some skin in the game to justify a spot on the run sheet with the opportunity to give our acknowledgments today!

We look forward to the restoration of the station building; realizing the benefits for Parnell and the expansion of services as the station comes into its own– which is certainly guaranteed once 600 apartments are built right here for gold card users and the connections to the university and Domain are complete.  Thanks to all those who had the vision to see the project through in this location.

Next we’re determined to open up the old Parnell rail tunnel (in better condition than the new tunnel I might add)  to create a unique greenway walking and cycling path from the Strand to Newmarket via Parnell Station. A project we think is worthy of government funding.

Thank you once again for this opportunity to speak today and to acknowledge everyone involved

Related reading

Parnell Station is open, Our Auckland 

Parnell rail station opens with heritage building sporting original colours, NZ Herald

 

Chair’s monthly report February 2017

This is my first report for 2017 covering the period 14 December 2016 until 10 February.  I will be reporting each month with updates relevant to my portfolios (Transport and Infrastructure & Environment) and my activities as Board Chair.

Summary

  • Weona Westmere walkway ribbon cutting by Shale Chambers and local Sandra Anderson

    Pollution of the Waitemata Harbour due to the combined wastewater network in the older parts of Auckland is a key issue for the Board.  Over summer the NZ Herald ran a very good series on the topic following the concerns raised about the impact of new development. ( Refer Attachment A for the Auckland Council response and Attachment B for the Board’s resolution regarding the wastewater impact of the Kelmarna Ave development)

  • Attended the Alcohol Hearing Appeal in the matter of 527 Great North Road on behalf of the Board (refer Attachment D)
  • Opening of the Weona-Westmere Walkway and the Spark “The Underpass” basketball court at Victoria Park (photo below)
  • New playground equipment installed at Tirotai Reserve, Westmere (see photo right)
  • Auckland Transport completed public consultation on the Parnell cycleway and residential parking zone and Herne Bay walking and cycling improvements at the end of 2016.  The Board has received a briefing on the feedback analysis and is in the process of finalising the Board’s input
  • Board updates from the Chair in Ponsonby News and The Hobson
  • Waitematā hosted a wide variety events over the summer.  I especially enjoyed all the events on for Auckland anniversary weekend

 Meetings and workshops: 14 December until 10 February

  • Auckland Domain Committee Meeting on 14 December (I am Deputy Chair of the Committee)
  • PBA Board Christmas breakfast meeting on 15 December hosted at the Ponsonby Art Hotel
  • Meeting with PBA, PBA members and the Pride Parade co-producer on 15 December
  • Meeting with Tennis Auckland on 17 December to discuss plans for the redevelopment of ASB Tennis Arena
  • Briefing on CRL development, Albert Street design on 19 December
  • Weekly Chair’s meeting on 19 December
  • Meeting to discuss the process for appointing a new Youth Advisory Panel member Monthly meeting with the Local Board comms adviser on 21 December
  • Tour of the Maori Hall with community reps, board members and officers on 21 December
  • Ports of Auckland reference group meeting on 21 December
  • Waitematā Local Board final workshop of 2016 on 20 December and first workshop of 2017 on 7 February
  • Site visit on 13 January at the Domain with a resident concerned about the maintenance of trees
  • Appeared on behalf of the Board at the Alcohol Hearing Appeal 527 Great North Road at the Auckland District Court on 16 January
  • Grey Lynn community meeting on 23 January to discuss the Alcohol Hearing Appeal
  • Infrastructure & Environment Portfolio meeting catch up
  • Lunch time meeting on 25 January with the Deputy Chair and Jenny Dixon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Engagement) and Amy Malcolm, Manager Strategic Relations
  • Transport portfolio catch up on 25 January
  • Site visit with residents concerned about the Surrey Cres cycleway
  • Site visit on 26 January with Manager Walking & Cycling regarding safety concerns on Williamson Ave
  • PBA board meeting on 9 February
  • Inaugural ASB Lantern Forum on 9 February at the invitation of ATEED.  The Forum is a new annual initiative, which we hope will inform and inspire new thinking, knowledge, connection and business between Auckland, New Zealand and China.
  • CCO briefings for Local Board members on 10 February (the session includes presentations by senior leaders from Pānuku Development Auckland, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Auckland Transport)

Events and functions:  14 December until 10 February

  • Ribbon cutting for the Spark “The Overpass” basketball court at Victoria Park on 16 December
  • Christmas lunch at Kelmarna Gardens on 16 December
  • Opening of the Weona-Westmere walkway on 18 December
  • ASB Classic Women’s Tennis Tournament on 4 January at the invitation of Tennis Auckland
  • Farewell to Robert Hewson, Te Waka Angamua, Auckland Council on 13 January
  • Studio One Toi Tu summer programme opening on 18 January
  • Women’s March on Washington – Auckland on 21 January
  • Opening of the Church of Scientology building on 21 January
  • Grey Lynn 2030 Trust AGM on 22 January
  • Opening of the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival at the Auckland Art Gallery on 26 January
  • United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day event at Auckland War Memorial Museum
  • Unveiling of The Uptown Mural “Magma” on 27 January at the invitation of the Uptown Business Association
  • Opening of the Buskers Festival on  28 January at Viaduct Harbour at the invitation of Crakerjack Productions
  • Buskers Festival 2017

    Over Anniversary weekend I enjoyed the SeePort, Ports of Auckland Festival, Buskers Festival , Play Streets at Wynyard Quarter and the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival

  • Welcome breakfast for the NRL Nines at Sky City on 5 February
  • NRL Nines at Eden Park at the invitation of ATEED
  • Waitangi Day Festival at Okahu Bay (para kore/zero waste volunteer)
  • Citizenship ceremony on 7 February at Auckland Town Hall
  • Go by Bike day pit stop on 8 February
  • Opening of the Lantern Festival at Auckland Domain on 9 February
  • Unveiling of the Lighthouse at the Cloud on 9 February at the invitation of Barfoot and Thomson
  • Opening of the Being Chinese in Aotearoa exhibition at the Auckland Museum on 10 February

Grey Lynn Westmere native bush and coastal walk

Weona Westmere Walkway mapThe Weona-Westmere walkway opened just before Christmas 2016 on a beautiful summer’s day. Over the holiday break many people have told me how much they’ve enjoyed the new walk and the opportunity to explore along previously inaccessible coastline.

I now have a new favourite loop walk that includes the Weona-Westmere walkway and connects up with local paths through regenerating native bush.

On a google map of the route I’ve included details about how to access the walk, places of interest, photos along the way and pits stops (including toilets and drinking fountains).

 

 

Weona-Westmere Coastal Walkway open

Weona-Westmere Coastal walkway opening
Weona-Westmere Coastal walkway opening

[updated]

The origins of the walkway begin with the subdivision of Westmere in the 1920’s. In 1926 the subdivision promotional material showed a strip of public reserve along the eastern banks of Motions Creek from Meola Road to the mouth of the creek.

“thus ensuring equal access to the whole of the sand beaches to every section holder and preserving to the public the fine old Christmas trees, the golden kowhais and the other native flora which so lavishly adorns the waterfront.”

Originally the reserve would have been a fringe of coastal open space with the neighbours able to wander around the coast but over time it became over grown, encroached on and lost as public land. The estuary across to Meola Reef was also long neglected by Council and used as a dump. Over the last couple of decades there have been various attempts to open up a coastal walkway connecting accessible pockets of the reserve from Meola Road around to Garnet Road.

I first heard about the reserve land and the “Weona-Lemington Coastal Forest” at one of the last Western Bays Community Board meetings in 2010 when two Westmere locals, Sandra Anderson and Jeanette Budget gave a presentation asking Council support to establish a coastal track and put in place a management plan to reinstate the ecological values of the coastal fringe.  

Ribbon cutting by Shale Chambers and local Sandra Anderson
Ribbon cutting by Shale Chambers and local Sandra Anderson

With community support the Weona-Westmere walkway became a Waitemata Local Board funded project in 2011 led by the City Vision members. Since then Shale Chambers has been the Board’s champion keeping the project on track through the very heated public meetings, the resource consent appeals and extensive construction challenges. The project has also been supported by volunteers who have planted a lot of the regenerating bush over the last couple of years.

Finally on Saturday 17th December 2016 the Westmere- Weona walkway was officially opened.  It was a proud moment for all involved to see the coastal fringe once again accessible to the public.  I think locals and visitors are going to be blown away to discover this 1.4km coastal path in native bush and on boardwalks with views of the harbour.

How to access the walkway

Weona Westmere Walkway map
Weona Westmere Walkway map

The walkway can be accessed from Lemington Reserve at the southern end (path entrances from Meola Road by the Scout Hall,  at 42 Lemington Road or between 44 and 46 Westmere Cres).

There are also entrances off Weona Place and Westmere Park Ave (down a path with steps between numbers 20 and 22). At low tide it is possible to walk from or to Westmere Beach accessible at the end of Westmere Park Ave or Garnet Rd.

All the entrances to the coastal walk are within easy walking distance from the Westmere shops and bus stops (for the Outer Link) on Garnet Road.

Map and description of the walk

Map of a 2 hour loop walk of native bush and coast including the Weona-Westmere walkway

Further reading

Project details on the Auckland Council website

Opening up our coast- weona walkway hearing gets underway. August 2013

Monthly Board report December 2016

This is my final report for 2016.  In it I focus on the transport issues I have continued dealing with in the transitional period between the end of last term and before board responsibilities are confirmed at the December board meeting.

I also highlight end of year activities and events as a busy year comes to a close.

Many thanks to everyone who works to support the board over the year.  A special shout out to all those who take the time to read monthly reports!

Season’s greetings and best wishes for 2017.

Transport Porfolio

Feedback to Auckland Transport

I responded on behalf of the Board to the following consultations. The feedback is available on the Auckland Transport Update – December 2016 attached to the Board’s agenda:

  • Bullock Track intersection improvements
  • Grey Lynn cycleway consultations that went out for public feedback in September
  • Great North Rd, King St and Dean St roading changes

Parnell Rise buildout

Parnell Rise build outAn issue has been dragging on for some time regarding the greening of a pedestrian buildout on Parnell Road/Parnell Rise installed by Auckland Transport in 2015.  Auckland Transport, at the request of the community, agreed to add greenery to the buildout. A tree pit in this location is not possible due to underground utilities however Auckland Transport has refused to go ahead with raised planters until Auckland Council agrees to fund the consequential opex.

The attached photo provided by the Parnell Community Committee shows why greenery in this location is needed to improve the amenity of the street environment and stop illegal parking.

We are working to resolve this issue in Parnell and at other locations and as a result are also proposing to add the following advocacy item to our Local Board Agreement 17/18 (to be consulted on in February).

Street trees and greenery – Auckland Transport to provide opportunities for greenery in every streetscape improvement and renewal and Auckland Council to meet the consequential operational expenditure for maintenance.

wilson-car-parkingPonsonby Car park

Wilson’s parking has installed signage at the Auckland Transport controlled car park on Pompallier Terrace that is deceptive as it gives the impression the area allocated to P60 parking is pay and display. I was alerted to this issue by a constituent who observed drivers feeding Wilson’s parking meter to park in the free parking spots. The Auckland Transport parking team are currently investigating.

Ponsonby Residential Parking Scheme update

Now that the Freemans Bay Residential Parking zone is in operation Ponsonby residents have complained to me about the difficulty of finding parking and have requested that the Ponsonby scheme, consulted on earlier in the year, get underway.  Auckland Transport parking team recently provided the following update:

AT is aware that the effect of parking displacement would be likely and has tried to minimise the period of time between the Freemans Bay parking zone going live and being able to install the proposed Ponsonby parking zone.

 There are however considerable pieces of work which have to be completed before a parking zone can be implemented and have endeavoured to proceed as quickly as we can using our available resources.

 AT will send a letter out in the week commencing 5th December inviting permit applications. This will provide details of this process and when the application window closes.

 We expect the residential parking zone to go live by end of February 2017.

Countdown Development on Williamson Ave

Williamson Ave new tree pits
Williamson Ave new tree pits

I have raised with Auckland Transport a number of issues regarding the safety and amenity of the street environment surrounding the Countdown development on Williamson Ave.  The developers have complied with their resource consent requirements so it is now for Auckland Transport to resolve issues that have come to light since completion.

The response I have received from Auckland Transport is attached.

I also secured three new tree pits on the kerb extension between Williamson Ave and Rose Road.  Two of the new tree pits have been planted but one remains empty due to drainage issues that are being followed up.

Berm Planting

Berm garden Freemans Bay
Berm garden Freemans Bay

There is a great deal of community interest in gardening on the grass verge.  We have been waiting for some time now for Auckland Transport to confirm the rules that apply.

The Board passed a resolution in December 2014 supporting the development of guidelines. Local Boards gave feedback in September 2015 to Auckland Transport rejecting the first draft. We have been waiting since then for an updated version to comment on. We’ve been told the guidelines are now ” imminent”.

AT has found themselves in an unnecessary pickle over the whole issue. If AT had just recognised Local Board’s place making role in the first place and involved boards in the drafting of guidelines we could have had this all sorted ages ago. The most recent article to appear on this issue is below (Central Leader, 2 December):

Central Leader berm article Gardening on the wild side

Meetings and workshops: 14 November until 13 December

  • Local Board Chair’s Forum on 14 November
  • Waitematā Local Board workshops on 15, 29, 6 December (final workshop scheduled for 20 December)
  • Weekly Chair’s meeting
  • Meetings with board members to discuss portfolio roles
  • Monthly meeting with the Local Board comms adviser
  • Meetings to finalise the Annual Plan consultation material
  • Meetings with Business Association representatives from Parnell, Newmarket and K’rd to discuss the new board
  • Governing Body & Local Board Chairs Joint Meeting on 17 November
  • LGNZ Zone 1 meeting in Whangarei on 21 November
  • Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 22 November
  • Health, Safety and Wellbeing learning session for elected members on 24 November
  • Meeting to discuss the format of the Citizenship ceremony
  • Domain Committee site visit on 1 December for the WWI Centenary Memorial (I was appointed Deputy Chair of the Committee at our November business meeting)
  • Walk through of the draft findings from the Facility Partnerships Policy research discovery phase.
  • Community Recycling Centre briefing with all three local boards to provide an update with progress that has occurred over the last few months.
  • Catch up with the Auckland Council COO (Dean Kimpton plans to meet all board chairs at least once a year)
  • Auckland City Centre Advisory Board meeting
  • Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting
  • Stakeholder Engagement Workshop for Ellen Melville Centre & Freyberg Place on 7 December
  • Meeting to discuss development of ASB Tennis Arena
  • Chair’s Forum on 12 December
  • Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 13 December

Events and functions:  15 November until 13 December

  • Myers kindergarten centenary with Mayor Phil GoffAuckland Conversations  –  Living by the Water at Shed 10 on 15 November
  • Herne Bay Residents AGM on 16 November
  • Opening of Taste Auckland at the invitation of ATEED on 17 November
  • Western Springs Community Recycling centre Open Day on 19 November
  • Richmond Rd School Gala Day on 19 November
  • Joined the Auckland Kindergarten Association in celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Myers Park Kindergarten on 20 November (photo right with Mayor Phil Goff)
  • Civic Trust AGM on 20 November
  • Grey Lynn Park playgroundSite visit to St David’s Church for local board members at the invitation of Paul Baragawanath
  • Consular Corps Flag raising event celebrating the 35th Anniversary on 25 November
  • Opening of the Lego Christmas Tree in Aotea Square on 25 November
  • Opening of the Grey Lynn Park playground on 26 November (photo with board members only)
  • Grey Lynn Park Festival on 26 November
  • Bike Auckland final meeting of the year on 28 November
  • Launch of Silo Theatre’s 2017 season at Q Theatre on 29 November
  • Griffiths Garden opening on 30 November
  • Western Park Playground opening Opening of the upgraded Western Park playground on 30 November
  • Grey Lynn Residents Association AGM on 1 December
  • First Thursdays on K’rd on 1 December
  • Franklin Road lights light up on 1 December
  • Lightpath Te ara i whiti  1st birthday celebrations on 1 December
  • Opening of the Silo season at the invitation of Fresh Concept
  • Ponsonby Market Day on 3 December
  • Welcome for the new Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Marcelli at the invitation of Bernadette Luciano, Honorary Consul at Ferndale House on 4 December
  • Lightpath 1st birthday celebrationsOutlook for Someday Awards 8 December (I also attended my last meeting as Trustee of Connected Media in November)
  • Opening of Stage One Glenn Innes to Tamaki Drive cycleway on 9 December
  • Splice Christmas picnic on 10 December
  • Summer Reception at Auckland Museum & farewell to Roy Clare on 12 December

 

griffith-garden-opening
Griffith Garden opening

Griffiths Garden opening: A pop up garden featuring seating, picnic tables and play equipment, garden shed for gardening tools and bike repair gear. Also a community fridge, sponsored by the Love Food Hate Waste project. Donors will be able to leave unwanted food items for others to make use of. The community fridge pilot will be in place until Christmas.

Griffith Garden will also become a central teaching hub for the city bee collaboration project, ‘For the love of bees’ in 2017. The Garden is the brainchild of the Auckland Design Office and is funded from the City Centre Targeted rate.

I spoke at the opening to acknowledge all the people making cool, innovative, creative things happen in the city centre.

Pop up Griffith Garden

 

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.

weona- westmere walkwayProject 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.

Skypath on Paul Henry

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.

 

 

254-ponsonby-rd-open-dayExhibition 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)

254 Ponsonby Road exhibition
254 Ponsonby Road exhibition

 

 

 

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

 

Chairperson address to the Waitematā Local Board 2016-19 inaugural meeting

Making the Chair's declaration with friends and family in support
Making the Chair’s declaration with friends and family in support

Kia ora huihui mai tātau

E te iwi tēnā koutou, mihi mai,  

E ngā mana, e ngā reo e ngā hau e whā

E te rangatira o Ngāti Whātua o Orākei, tēnā koe

E te iwi o Tāmaki Makau rau tēnā koutou katoa

E te whare, tēnā koe,

E te hapori kua tai mai  tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

Nau mai piki mai, haere mai

inaugural-meeting-mike-lee-and-shale-chambers
With Cr Mike Lee and Deputy Chair, Shale Chambers

On behalf of the board I would like to welcome all our distinguished guests including family and friends who have come along in support. Thank you Matt Maihi and Aunty Margaret from Ngāti Whātua o Orākei for your mihi whakatau and Otene Reweti for responding on our behalf.

Thank you Barry Potter for officiating and our local board services team for their work supporting the inaugural meeting.

Greetings and welcome to Councillor Mike Lee who has been returned for the third time as representative for Waitematā and Gulf ward.  We’re very fortunate to have you here as a strong advocate for the community and look forward to working with you.

The new Mayor Phil Goff gives his apologies but has our full support as he works to build trust and confidence in Council, and tackles the huge challenges facing Auckland. Greetings also to Richard Hills newly elected Councillor for the North Shore Ward who will be working with Mayor Phil to take the city forward.

I’d like to start by acknowledging the founders, all those who have come before us to create and build Tāmaki Makarau and more recently the people who took on the daunting task of establishing the super city and making it work.  An incredible amount has happened over the last 6 years so that, despite many challenges,  Auckland is undoubtedly a better place.

One of the people who has played a significant role over that time has been the inaugural chair of the Waitematā Local Board, Shale Chambers. He has done an outstanding job setting a strong foundation not just for our board but for the governance of Auckland. I’d like to acknowledge his tireless work for the Board in steering a progressive agenda that has achieved results. There is a great deal that Shale can be very proud of making happen with the support of the board including some significant projects like the extensive Myers Park upgrade, securing the funding for the complete refurbishment of the Ellen Melville Centre that is going to create a much needed community hub for the city centre,  and securing resource consent for the Weona-Westmere coastal walkway. He has also been instrument behind the scenes on making things happen. For example securing a venue for the successful Pop Up Globe  and gaining support for a major upgrade of Karanagahape Road from the city centre targeted rate.  In the best tradition of Ken Livingstone he has no wish to ever ride a bicycle but he gets why Auckland should be a bike friendly city.  

He has also been amazingly courageous at times in knowing the time to act and not take the easy path.  I feel particularly proud of the support he gave to the name change of lower Khartoum Place to Te Hā o Hine Place in honour of the suffrage memorial.

I thank him for the opportunity to now lead the board.  It is a huge privilege and I acknowledge the trust, responsibilities and confidence that is being placed in me.  I’ve committed to being collaborative, transparent and to continuing building on the relationships across the community, with our iwi partners and at all levels of the Auckland Council whanau. 

Together with all other previous board members  I’m proud of our many achievements and also to have been part of a Waitematā Local Board that has stood up for social justice, adopted the Living wage, committed to being accessible to everyone, stood up for public transport, for environmental and heritage protection, for public ownership of strategic assets, and for local communities to have a real say.  I’d like to acknowledge all the board members who have previously served for their significant contribution in particular Deborah and Christopher who retired at the end of last term and Greg Moyle for his service to local government. 

Shale, me and Rob are now officially the old timers of the board returned for our third terms.  It is a shock to me to realise that I am now in the senior section of the board!  

I am really delighted that Vernon has been returned for his second term and that we are joined by experienced government veteran Richard Northey, dynamic social entrepreneur and lecturer Adriana Avendano Christie  and planner and business owner Mark Davey.  They, together with the old timers, make up an impressive, talented team who I look forward to working with. We are all committed to working together with effective governance and responsible financial management for the good of Waitematā.

Looking ahead we have much to do over the next three years. We have community assets to enhance and services to maintain including our precious libraries, playgrounds to upgrade, we’re committed to the goals of a smoke free and zero waste Auckland with the establishment of a community resource recovery centre in conjunction with the Puketāpapa and Albert-Eden Local Boards.

We wish to continue the upgrade of Symonds Street cemetery, plant street trees, and the ecological restoration of our native bush and historic streams.  We recognise our role as place makers who can contribute to local economic development in partnership with our 7 business associations.  We value & support the arts, events and culture. We’re determined to connect with our North shore neighbours by finally getting Skypath built (something Shale committed to in his inaugural speech in 2010!)

We also recognise our role to contribute to the wider well-being of  all Aucklanders in creating opportunities for everyone, ending homelessness, providing families with access to quality affordable housing and delivering on real transport choices.

We know that the only way Auckland will truly be the best place in the world to live and a leading international city is if we take care of our people and environment.  We wish to be an age friendly and child friendly local board area that takes local action to meet one of the biggest challenges of our time by becoming a low carbon community.

In thinking about our role as local board members there is one particular aspect I wish to highlight by quoting Jeff Speck the author of Walkable Cities and a supporter of 8-80 cities

The healthiest, wealthiest, most sustainable and vibrant communities in cities around the world are unique in many ways. But there is one factor above all others that these communities have in common: they are, nearly without fail, highly walkable places.

This requires a commitment to slower speeds, people friendly infrastructure, public transport, bikeable streets and public spaces – all very achievable in compact Waitematā with the right political support.  

In finishing I reflect on what it means to serve our citizens and to provide leadership that achieves the aspirations of the community.  I’m committed to celebrating and embracing diversity and providing space for creative innovation and design thinking.   This requires new ways of operating by the Board and Council so all the people of Waitematā (including the growing inner city population) feel that local government matters and that they wish to participate. I look forward to putting this into action with a fantastic team of board members and officers as we start on the term ahead.

So behalf of the Board I’d like  thank everyone for attending today and sharing in the spirit of this very special occasion.  We are committed to working with you to create a strong, enriching, diverse, healthy, safe Waitematā in the beating heart of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Nō reira

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, rau rangatira mā

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa