Media Releases - July 2002

25 July
Flexibility for the future

23 July
Massey wins top NZ art award

18 July
Council sets rates

16 July
Waitakere City commercial wins Cannes advertising award

15 July
Community funding available for non-profit groups

9 July
Sport funding changes get quick response from Council

3 July
Eco city buoyed by support
Council gets down to business

2 July
Mayor Harvey wins Montana book prize
Two Waitakere divers going to Commonwealth Games

25 July

Flexibility for the future

Three of Auckland's local authorities who share a common interest in the future of UnitedNetworks Ltd (UNL) have, over recent days, moved to protect and maximise their ratepayers' investment in the utility company.

Waitakere City, North Shore City, and Rodney District Councils are due to obtain a combined 10.7 per cent shareholding in the company in July 2004. Currently these shares are held through the Waitemata Electricity Trust which is administered on the communities' behalf by the UnitedNetworks Shareholders' Society as the trustee.

After learning of the intentions of Aquila Inc, the American company looking to sell its majority 70.2 per cent shareholding in UNL, the neighbouring councils sought expert advice on how to deal with the unexpected situation facing them all.

Speaking on behalf of the three councils, Waitakere City Mayor, Bob Harvey, says they have decided to work with the trustee and UNL towards amending the trust deed to ensure they have the flexibility to consider all options regarding the future of their 16.2 million shares in UNL.

"This is a sensible move to ensure that the trustee could sell the shares if that is the wish of all of the councils after working through the options," Mr Harvey says.

This avoids the threat that our shares become devalued in the event that we're left as a minority shareholder in UNL following a takeover of the company or a sale of all its assets. It also presents us with the opportunity to maximise our investment should we choose to cash in on a bidding war.

""We'll keep the public informed on this matter but there's a lot of work to be done and numbers to be crunched before we have the information to make a final decision."

23 July

Massey wins top NZ art award

The Massey Leisure Centre and Library has won the premier award at the NZ Creative Places Awards for 2002.

The award for the Massey Leisure Centre and Library was presented to Mayor Bob Harvey at the Local Government Conference in Rotorua on Tuesday 30 July.

The Massey Centre features more than 15 different art projects which have been interwoven into the building and landscape through a variety of mediums. These include a number of functional items ranging from door handles, carpets and cushions to shelving designed by artists specifically for the centre.

The same project also won the Enhancing the Built Environment category. Judges for the awards said the project is a model of how to do things right.

"The collaboration and thought that has gone into the project permeates the whole centre and its vibrant artworks," they said.

Waitakere City Council's approach to urban design gives artists equal status with planners, architects, landscape designers and engineers. In fact, it is now a Council requirement that a 'lead artist' be contracted onto the design team at the very beginning of all new building projects.

Artists involved included the internationally renowned Jeff Thomson, local school students and iwi. Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says the centre is a fusion of creativity, design and knowledge.

Other Waitakere Arts: Design Projects

These sites demonstrate the collaboration between art and architecture:

Te Atatu Park, Te Atatu Peninsula
McLeod's Crossing, Falls Park, Henderson
New Lynn Community Centre, Totara Avenue, New Lynn
Rewarewa Footbridge, Hugh Brown Drive, New Lynn

Photos of these projects are available from Waitakere City Council - Phone: 836 8000 ext 8550 for further information.

Currently in development is an upgrade of the Waitakere City Aquatic Centre which also embraces the Council's Arts: Design vision.

18 July

Council sets rates

Waitakere City Council has finished its Annual Plan (budget) deliberations for 2002/03.

The Council had signalled a 9.19% rates rise in its Draft Annual Plan.

However, that figure made no provision for any increase in the Auckland Regional Council levy, which proved to be just over $500,000 (adding another 0.61%).

The Council managed to absorb almost all of the increased ARC levy through further budget reductions, while also adding additional items as a result of public submissions. These included $95,000 for art and community events and $94,500 for safety and community projects.

The final rates increase is, therefore, 9.62% (or around $2.30 per week for the average residential household). This is made up of:

Depreciation Funding 8.01%
External levies that Council has no control over 0.83%
Council's own costs 0.78%

Funding for depreciation is a legal requirement and this year the total depreciation is more than $23 million. Previously only part (approximately $17 million) of this was funded as the Council intended to use future share sales to cover any shortfall.

External levies include the Auckland Regional Council, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Zoo, MOTAT, and Watercare Services Ltd.

More than 730 public submissions were made on the Draft Annual Plan.

Over the past month Council held hearings for members of the public who wished to present their thoughts in person.

Only a small number of those public submissions (about 3%) related directly to the proposed rates increase - and of those roughly two-thirds accepted or supported the decision to fund depreciation with a rates rise.

Janet Clews, chairperson of the Annual Plan Special Committee, says the feedback from the public was excellent this year.

"We have received far more input than last year and that certainly helped Councillors to re-set or confirm priorities," she says.

"We worked hard to keep the Council's own internal costs down to well below the rate of inflation, so ratepayers can be happy that their services are being delivered by a lean and efficient organisation."

Mrs Clews says that Councillors were also unanimous in their desire to tackle depreciation once and for all.

"That one issue makes up the bulk of our costs, but it simply was not good management to continue to use 'financial mirrors' as was done in the past," she says.

"We are of the clear view that not fully funding (depreciation) in an effort to keep rates artificially low is just not smart. We have faced up to the financial facts now, rather than push the problem out into the future and Audit NZ applauds this view."

The Council's total rates take (including external levies) for 2002/03 will be $91.262 million.

The major area of expenditure (around 26%) will be on wastewater (disposing of sewerage etc), followed by roading and footpaths (around 14.5%) and parks (some 13.5%).

Key features of the budget include:

An extra $195,000 on library books ($1.112 million in total)
Construction of the new sports complex in Central Park Dr, Henderson
A 7% increase in funding for the mowing of parks and other public areas
$450,000 for new footpaths
Continued "revitalization" of the Ranui and Swanson town centres
$100,000 for stage 1 of the Glen Eden town centre plan (this will include signage, planting and a heritage trail)
A once a year inorganic rubbish collection (instead of twice a year) - estimated to save $125,000
Detailed planning for a new library in Henderson
No increase in water charges
New libraries for Glen Eden and New Lynn
A start on physical work on the "People's Park" in Te Atatu

For further information contact Cr. Janet Clews.

16 July

Waitakere City commercial wins Cannes advertising award

Waitakere City Council billboard and television advertisements are attracting attention - and international awards.

The powerful 15-second seatbelt safety advertisement focuses on seatbelt safety. The ad, which shows a backseat passenger not wearing a seatbelt and hitting his head on a windscreen, beat more than 5050 other commercials from around the world to win a Bronze Lion award in the prestigious Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in France.

Also part of the campaign was a billboard message, located on the high profile Great North Rd site outside Kelston Girls High School. The billboard was a finalist in the prestigious British Design and Art Direction Awards and won a merit award at its American equivalent - the One Show festival.

Both advertisements were created by Auckland advertising agency Young & Rubicam.Thinking, who were approached by the Council's Road Safety Coordinator, Kitch Cuthbert, for assistance with promoting the seatbelt message.

The company was very keen to support the Council's safety campaign, as were local film companies Mopix and Flying Start, who also came on board to produce the 'hard-hitting' advertisement, despite a lean budget.

"We sensed an opportunity to create great ads and save lives in the process. Nothing like it had been done before," says Dan Moth of Young & Rubicam.

"It's not just the people of Waitakere who've responded to the ads. Thanks to the swag of international awards, it is now this year's most widely awarded New Zealand campaign."

Ms Cuthbert says the Council is very grateful to the Land Transport Safety Authority for the $2000 it contributed to the advertising and to the companies for all the hard work they put in for minimal financial reward.

"We received fabulous advertisements to help promote a key road safety message, that we couldn't have dreamed of paying for ourselves, and the companies received international acclaim for their creativity, so it was a win-win situation for us all," she says.

15 July

Community funding available for non-profit groups

More than $150,000 is up for grabs in Waitakere City through three community-funding schemes.

Applications for financial assistance are currently being called for under:

All three schemes aim to assist non-profit organisations with funding their community initiatives. Funds are allocated by Waitakere City Council.

The Community Sport Fund has money available as a subsidy (or loan) with the main focus being for the development of junior sport, fitness and physical activity. Subsidies are available for coach or volunteer training and/or project costs.
Applications close 30 August.

The Creative Communities Scheme aims to increase participation in community-based arts and cultural activities and to increase the range and diversity of arts available in the community.
Applications close 20 September.

Applications are also being called for the Council's 2002/03 Community Wellbeing Fund, which supports local social service and community activities that are not eligible for funding through the Community Sport Fund (sports and physical activity) or the Creative Communities Scheme (arts and culture). A maximum grant of $5000 is available. Funding usually covers running costs, research, a community project or events or small-scale equipment.
Applications close 30 September.

Download application forms from this site or contact us for a copy.
Contact us for further information on community funding.

9 July

Sport funding changes get quick response from Council

Waitakere City Council will work closely with local sports and recreational groups to secure future funding.

This follows a government announcement that it is making significant changes to the way it funds sport development and physical recreation in New Zealand.

The decision will affect the City's many sport and recreational groups who rely on financial assistance through the Community Sport Fund each year.

The government's new agency for sport and recreation, Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) has announced that it will not be contributing to the Community Sport Fund from July 2003.

SPARC says its funding focus is now more on "investment", rather than "allocation" and has announced a Priority Sports Strategy that targets sports it believes need the most strategic or resource support over the next four years.

However, the new body - which replaces the Hillary Commission, the Sports Foundation and the sports policy arm of the Office of Tourism and Sport - says it is keen to work with councils such as Waitakere, with its proven track record of community and government partnerships, to maximise sporting opportunities for its residents.

"While we were aware of the impending changes, we were not expecting such a sudden announcement," says Councillor Brenda Brady, chair of the Council's Community Sport Fund Allocation Subcommittee.

"The decision has the potential to impact heavily on local groups, so the Council took the lead and organised an urgent meeting with Mark France, SPARC's General Manager.

"The key message from that meeting was that support for local sport and recreational groups would continue, although not in the same form, and that councils and regional sports trusts would still be key partners. Mr France says the government is seeking the broadening of 'partnership relationships'. Waitakere City prides itself on building partnerships within the community. We have particular strength in that area."

At the meeting, Mr France also gave undertakings that SPARC will:

support Waitakere City in the strategic direction of looking at opportunities to cluster sport and recreation organisations within Waitakere City.
continue to work with other sports organisations, not just those on the prioritised list
support development of 'best practice' in club and facility development

The second round of Community Sport Fund for 2002 will proceed as normal and a report detailing options for the 2003-year will be presented to the Council for discussion later this year.

"We will be proactively liasing with SPARC to maximise the opportunities for Waitakere City to become the most active city in New Zealand, with a diverse range of sport and recreation opportunities and strong sustainable sports organisations," Cr Brady says.

For more information contact us.

3 July 2002

Eco city buoyed by support

The Eco City has welcomed the stance of leading New Zealanders opposed to genetic modification.

Yesterday the Sustainability Council - whose members include actor Sam Neill and sports star Susan Devoy - called on the government to extend the moratorium on releasing genetically modified crops and animals for five years.

Waitakere- dubbed the "Eco City" because of its reputation in environmental protection and sustainability- expressed its opposition to GM earlier this year by declaring the city: "GE Free in field and food".

"Basically the Sustainability Council is echoing our concerns," says Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey. "We don't oppose GM for research purposes. But like so many New Zealanders were have a real fear of what is basically the unknown".

"After all, just a few years ago DDT, arsenic and other deadly chemicals were considered 100% safe and were merrily sprayed over farms and orchards up and down the country."

Mayor Harvey says that even the government commission which looked into the GM issue recommended a conservative approach. "And that's what we and the Sustainability Council are advocating too."

Apart from basic health concerns, Waitakere also has a strong and rapidly expanding organics industry. "And we don't want to see that jeopardised in any way," Mayor Harvey says.

"There are real risks, as has been shown overseas, that genetically modified organisms can spread by accident. And as they say, once you've let the gene out of the bottle you can't put the cork in again."

Do you think Waitakere City should be GE free in field and food? Take part in the Mayor's opinion poll.

For more information contact us.

3 July 2002

Council gets down to business

Waitakere City Council begins the final stage of its Annual Plan (budget) deliberations.

The Council has signalled a 9.19% rates rise. Almost all of the proposed increase (8%) is made up of depreciation on assets such as roads, pipes and playgrounds, which the Council legally has to fund. External levies (such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Zoo, MOTAT, and Watercare Services Ltd) account for 0.22% of the planned increase while the Council's own costs have risen just 0.97%.

More than 730 public submissions were made on the draft plan and over the past fortnight Council has been holding hearings for members of the public who wished to present their thoughts in person.

On Friday, and through the following week, the Council will make its final decisions on the budget. Janet Clews, chairman of the Annual Plan Special Committee, says the feedback from the public has been excellent this year.

"We have received far more input than we have in previous years and that will certainly help Councillors to re-set or confirm priorities," she says. "We have worked hard to keep the Council's own internal costs down and at the same time I'm pleased that we are continuing to deliver on key projects in key areas."

Features of the proposed budget include:

An extra $195,000 on library books ($1.112 million in total)
Construction of the new sports complex in Central Park Dr, Henderson
A 7% increase in funding for the mowing of parks and other public areas
$450,000 for new footpaths
Continued "revitalization" of the Ranui and Swanson town centres
$100,000 for stage 1 of the Glen Eden town centre plan (this will include signage, planting and a heritage trail)
Detailed planning for a new library in Henderson
No increase in water charges
New libraries for Glen Eden and New Lynn
A start on physical work on the "People's Park" in Te Atatu

For more information contact us.

2 July 2002

Mayor Harvey wins Montana book prize

Mayor of Waitakere Bob Harvey says that he is "thrilled" that his book Rolling Thunder; the Spirit of Karekare has won the Environment Category for the Montana Book Awards.

The carefully woven tapestry of human and natural history enchanted the judges. They commented, "He writes with the intimacy that only a local can share and the stories are expertly crafted into a clever design that makes the most of the varied and relevant illustrations."

Mayor Harvey will receive a prize of $5,000. This category triumph means that he is a finalist in the Montana Medal for Non Fiction, which will be announced on July 20th and has a grand prize of $10,000.

Mayor Harvey says: "This book has been twenty years in the making, but really it's been many hundreds of years. What I did was collect some of the greatest stories that surround this magical beach, so really the whole work is a tribute to all of the contributors who lent me their lives, and to all the hundreds of people who lent me photographs and checked my facts."

Rolling Thunder The Spirit of Karekare was published by Exisle Publishing in October 2001. "Completing it", comments Mr Harvey, "was a total mission, and I want to thank my family and the Council for supporting me through to its completion."

Mr Harvey's earlier book on the West Coast (called The Untamed Coast) was a Montana Book finalist in 1999.

Another literary effort in the 1980s (Hey Dad!, written in association with satirist Tom Scott) was also a best seller.

2 July 2002

Two Waitakere divers going to Commonwealth Games

Two athletes from Diving Waitakere have been selected to represent New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, this year.

They are Anna Thomas (18) and Charlotte Glynan (25).

Thomas (formerly of Dunedin) and Glynan (formerly of Wellington) both moved to Auckland to be closer to the Waitakere City Aquatic Centre - which is widely recognised as the centre of excellence for diving in New Zealand. They are trained at the centre by internationally renowned diving coach, Steven Zhu.

Waitakere was unlucky not to have a third athlete at the Games. 16-year-old Shaye Boddington (formerly of Zimbabwe) had also qualified for a spot on the games team, but the British Olympic and Commonwealth Games committees ruled her out because she falls short of the residency requirement.

However, Boddington will represent New Zealand in the World Junior Championships in Germany next month, alongside other Diving Waitakere members Anna Thomas, Tony Donaldson (14) and Kaitlyn White (14).

Meanwhile, the divers will be involved in an intense three-day camp at the Waitakere City Aquatic Centre during the second week of the school holidays, followed by a competition in Te Rapa. This will be the final New Zealand-based training.

The divers leave for a pre-games camp in Britain the following day.

Coach Steven Zhu says while there is always room for improvement in a perfectionist sport like springboard and platform diving, he is very satisfied with his divers' progress and is confident they will perform to New Zealand's credit.