Media Releases

January 2003

Waitakere City Council exploring its legal options in respect of aerial spraying
31 January

Mayors Unite for Second Airport
21 January

West Wave re-opens
15 January

31 January

Waitakere City Council exploring its legal options in respect of aerial spraying

Waitakere City Council is exploring its legal options in respect of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s aerial spraying to eradicate the Painted Apple Moth, says Councillor Penny Hulse, chair of the Council’s Environmental Management Committee. 

Sir Geoffrey Palmer - a leading constitutional lawyer - has said that the Council might have the right - or even an obligation - to legally contest the spraying, under the Health Act.

“Our own legal advisers have been looking at exactly the same issues and agree with Sir Geoffrey, but having a course of action open to you is not the same thing as having a case that will be successful,” says Councillor Hulse. 

“So, we’re in the process of gathering evidence and if we find a sufficient body  of evidence that we believe will stand up in court, we will undoubtedly exercise our regulatory duty to require MAF to abate the nuisance.”

Councillor Hulse said that the Council was simultaneously, continuing the initiatives it started last year to get MAF to provide a better health service and develop alternative ways to eradicate the moth.

For regular updates on the aerial spraying operation see the Painted Apple Moth page.

21 January

Mayors Unite for Second Airport

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, North Shore City Mayor George Wood, Cabinet Minister John Tamihere and George Gair (a former Mayor of North Shore and cabinet minister), all favour a second commercial airport in Auckland, based at Whenuapai.

The government has announced the closure of the military airbase at Whenuapai and Mr Harvey and his Council are leading the campaign for a commercial airport to be established.

Mr Harvey says that the region as a whole cannot afford to lose tens of millions of dollars generated by the airbase without it being replaced. “While the eventual departure of the air force is a significant loss to the economy, it also represents a great opportunity to bring new life into the area,” he says.“The development of a commercial airport at Whenuapai makes sense at so many levels, and Waitakere City looks forward to pursuing this option with both regional and central government support.

From left: Mayor Bob Harvey, former North Shore City Mayor George Gair, MP John Tamihere, and North Shore City Mayor George Wood, at Whenuapai airbase.

“It is good to have the support of John Tamihere, as it shows that central government is taking a real interest in the option of a commercial airport at Whenuapai.”

“Many Aucklanders have had the frustration of having to leave home for any flight from Mangere hours and hours before the actual departure time, simply because there is so much traffic congestion on the road slowing us all up. 

“A potential new second airport at Whenuapai will allow domestic and Pacific region travellers to have a faster alternative.

Mayor Harvey also noted that the proposed new motorway construction across the north west of his City will also have a beneficial impact on development of the airport option at Whenuapai.

“With the completion of highways 16 and 18 from Waitakere to the North Shore right past Whenuapai (planned to be completed by 2006/7), we will have world class infrastructure ready to cope with the traffic demand from any upgrade to the airport. It makes sense to kick-start the economy of the north-west by establishing a powerful economic centre using facilities that are already available.”

Mayor Harvey also commented on the recent announcement by Virgin Blue of air fleet upgrades: ”Virgin Blue has announced a massive fleet upgrade, and I have been in talks with them for some time about using Whenuapai as their New Zealand centre of operations. 

“Several other airline operators have already expressed strong interest in landing there as well,” he says.

15 January 2003

West Wave has re-opened

Waitakere City’s new West Wave aquatic development has re-opened.

The new leisure area - which consists of a wave pool, hydroslide, lazy river, spa pools and toddlers’ pools – has been closed since November, following a chlorine gas leak.

Investigations identified public tampering with the emergency stop switch on the family spa pool as the trigger for the leak. 

A number of other factors also contributed to the incident. A Council spokesperson says part of the operating system was out for repair and set up in manual mode, which resulted in an override of some of the system’s safety procedures after the tampering occurred.

Other contributing factors included pool overcrowding due to the popularity of the newly opened complex, and staff being diverted from their primary duties to deal with customer queries.

Since the accident, modifications have been made to the pool operating systems and they have been rigorously tested and retested. Three independent technical and safety reviews and intensive staff training have also been undertaken.

To further ensure safety is not compromised, from Thursday, West Wave will be running morning, afternoon and evening sessions with limited swimmer numbers (until the end of the school holidays).

The times for the sessions are as follows:

For more information on entry conditions and prices, people can phone the West Wave information line on (09) 838 3706 or click here.