Media Releases - July 2003

30 July

West Wave a winner

The West Wave Aquatic Centre and Waitakere City Council has won a Creative Places Award 2003, announced this morning at the Local Government New Zealand Conference in Queenstown.

The Creative Places Award, presented annually by Creative New Zealand, celebrates the vital role that local authorities play in the arts of their communities. 

Waitakere City won the Built Environment: City Councils Category for the West Wave Aquatic Centre.

The aquatic centre was originally built for the 1990 Commonwealth Games, but underwent a major $14 million redevelopment last year. A new wing was added for leisure use and the complex was renamed the West Wave Aquatic Centre.

In line with Waitakere City's practice of giving artists equal status with other design professionals when creating public buildings and spaces, sculptor Virginia King was hired to work with the architects from Creative Spaces on the overall concept.


West Wave has already won a number of other awards for its sustainable building techniques which include solar heating and the use of renewable timbers.

Waitakere City, (as well as the seven other winning councils outlined below) received as a prize a work by leading ceramic artist Merilyn Wiseman and a certificate. 

"The Creative Places Award celebrates the wonderful and innovative arts projects happening in communities throughout New Zealand," says Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand. "It helps us profile this outstanding work beyond the communities in which it was created.

"All these projects are inspirational because they demonstrate the positive impact that creative places and spaces have on the wellbeing of New Zealand's diverse communities." 

Creative New Zealand established the annual Creative Places Award in 1999 with the endorsement of Local Government New Zealand to acknowledge the key role that local authorities  play in the arts.

"Creative New Zealand values its partnership with local government and this award acknowledges its huge investment and commitment to the arts of this country," Miss Kerr said. "This is the fifth year of the Award and it is gratifying to see it attracting such strong entries."

This year, the Creative Places Award was restructured to better profile the work of District as well as City Councils. Both were eligible for an award in each of the following five categories: Arts Provision, Built Environment Initiatives, Celebrating Cultural Diversity, Strategic Arts Initiatives and Youth Initiatives. The winner of the Premier Creative Places Award was then chosen from the District and City Council winners in these five categories.

This year's judging panel was Frana Cardno, Mayor of Southland District, Kate Wells, a textile artist and arts consultant, and Bernard Makoare, a Ngati Whatua artist and a former local government manager.

The eight category winners were as follows:

1. Built Environment: City Councils Category Winner 2003
Winning Project: West Wave Aquatic Centre
Winning City Council: Waitakere City

2. Built Environment: District Councils Category Winner 2003
Winning Project: Hastings CBD revitalisation
Winning District Council: Hastings District

3. Arts Provision: District Councils Category Winner 2003
Winning Project: Rotorua Arts Village Experience, RAVE
Winning District Council: Rotorua District

4. Arts Provision: City Councils Category Winner 2003
Winning Project: Dance Your Socks Off!
Winning City Council: Wellington City

5. Celebrating Cultural Diversity: City Councils Category Winner 2003
Winning Project: Asia 2000 Diwali Festival of Lights
Winning City Council: Wellington City 

6. Youth Initiatives: City Councils Category Winner 2003
Winning Project: RESPECT 2003
Winning City Council: Hutt City

7. Strategic Arts Initiatives: City Councils Category Winner 2003
Winning Project: Heritage Trails
Winning City Council: North Shore City

8. Strategic Arts Initiatives: District Councils Category Winner 2003
Winning Project: Puke Ariki 
Winning District Council: New Plymouth District

Premier Creative Places Awards winner
Puke Ariki and was the judges' unanimous choice to win the Premier Award, the prize for which is a substantial contribution from Creative New Zealand towards the commissioning of a new public artwork to be chosen by the winner. 

This announcement was also made at the Local Government New Zealand conference where Elizabeth Kerr presented the Award to the Mayor of New Plymouth, Peter Tennent.

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17 August

Council commits further to film studio at Auckland film summit

Mayor Bob Harvey announced today that Waitakere City Council is spending $880,000 to soundproof and improve the Henderson Valley Film Studios this year. 

Speaking in Henderson at the opening of the inaugural Auckland Regional Film Summit, Mayor Harvey said: "With this major move we are taking Auckland's leadership in film and television production to the next level, allowing the region to pitch for more and more work." 

Waitakere City Council, through its property development arm Waitakere Properties, bought a block of old apple packing sheds in Henderson Valley, and in 2002 converted them into a film studio. 

Mayor Harvey is pleased with the results, saying: "The studios have been fully booked since their purchase, so clearly commercial spaces capable of taking medium-sized film and television projects are in high demand. The Council's investment takes the facility into a new level of capacity and competitiveness in the Auckland region. After the upgrade, there will really be nothing to match it for size and facility in the top half of the North Island.

"Investing in the studios has already proved worthwhile - in just the nine months we have had it, we have seen Lucy, a telemovie about the life story of Lucille Ball produced for CBS, and aired in the US to an audience of 13.5 million people, so it is clear we are delivering to a standard that achieved the highest global standards. The facilities and support we give to the medium-sized productions are helping to form a sustainable economic sector in the Auckland region. 

"Currently underway is another major production called Boogeyman, and we have bookings for the facilities well into the future," Mayor Harvey said.

15 July

Chief Executive re-appointed

Waitakere City Council Chief Executive, Harry O'Rourke, has been re-appointed for a further two years.

The Council's Performance Review Committee unanimously agreed to exercise its option to extend Mr O'Rourke's contract.

Waitakere Mayor, Bob Harvey, said the decision was "a clear endorsement of Mr O'Rourke and the direction in which he is taking the organisation."

During his term as Chief Executive, Mr O'Rourke has been a champion of organisational excellence, driving a comprehensive review of the Council's structure and strategic direction and a programme of staff empowerment.

Mr O'Rourke has a long history of local government service to the City, having first joined the Waitemata County Council in 1972. He was managing the Council's Works and Parks departments by 1984, became Town Clerk in 1985 and was Chief Executive of the Waitemata City Council in 1988. 

When Waitemata and other local boroughs amalgamated to form Waitakere City Council in 1989, Mr O'Rourke took the position of General Manager - Finance and Administration. He became General Manager - Corporate Services in 1994 and was appointed Acting Chief Executive in 2000 and Chief Executive in 2001. 

Mr O'Rourke is also president of the Commonwealth Judo Association and the NZ Judo Federation and was awarded a Queen's New Zealand medal in 1990 for service to sport.

9 July

Upgrade of Huia water treatment plant preferred option

The Council's Environmental Management Committee yesterday supported an upgrade of the Huia Village Water Treatment Plant by Watercare Services Limited, saying it is the best option for ensuring that the area's water supply achieves an 'A' grading under new national drinking water standards.

The Committee also authorised the Huia/Cornwallis Local Water Agenda Group to carry out a survey of local residents and ratepayers whose properties are supplied by the treatment plant to ascertain whether or not they want the water supply to be fluoridated.

Huia Village residents are currently supplied with water treated by Watercare at a small local water treatment plant, built in 1971.

The New Zealand Drinking Water Standards 2000 introduced new standards for water treatment, which must be complied with by 1 January 2005 if the Huia treatment plant is to maintain its 'A' grading with the Ministry of Health. Without an upgrade, the treatment plant would achieve only a 'D' grading.

A recent survey and open day asked local residents for their views on three possible water supply options. They include: supplying Huia Village with water treated at the Huia Filter Station (on Woodlands Park Rd) via a new pipeline from Parau, upgrading the existing local plant at Huia Village or replacing the reticulated supply with individual water tanks.

Almost 90% of the 32 participants said they preferred an upgrade of the treatment plant. Twelve people specifically mentioned fluoride treatment as the reason for their choice.

The Huia/Cornwallis Local Water Agenda Group met to discuss the results and unanimously agreed to recommend to the Council that the Huia plant be upgraded and that the group be able to conduct a second survey on the fluoridation issue.

Upgrading of the Huia plant will be fully funded by Watercare.

9 July

Two finalist spots for Waitakere City Council

Waitakere City Council was a finalist in two national awards recently - one for its Annual Report and the other for environmental reporting.

The Council was named as a finalist in the Ministry for the Environment's 2003 Green Ribbon Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to sustaining, protecting and enhancing New Zealand's natural environment.

It entered the local government category for state of the environment reporting, which could include formal 'state of the environment' reports, triple bottom line reports, media releases, displays or newsletters. 

Nominated by Keep Waitakere Beautiful, the Council's entry focussed on promotions and publicity that encouraged residents to take action to protect the environment and how they can go about it. The nomination also included a copy of the special Waitakere City News' supplement (April) that included a free packet of eco-sourced seeds.

Minister for the Environment, Marian Hobbs, said although the Council didn't win the category (it went to Rotorua District Council), it was an admirable achievement to earn a finalist spot and she applauded the organisation's "valuable contribution to the environment". 

The Council was also a finalist in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand's (ICANZ) 2003 Annual Report Awards. The prestigious awards recognise those organisations which have achieved excellence in annual reporting - presenting a true and fair account of the year's activities.

Waitakere is a consistent performer in the area of annual reporting, receiving a Highly Commended in the 2001 ICANZ awards and a finalist placing in 2002.

7 July

Outstanding local women honoured on walkway

Two outstanding local women have been honoured at a 'Walkway of Fame' unveiling in Waitakere City.

The achievements of world champion athlete Beatrice Faumuina and tireless community worker and former national sportswoman June Mariu were celebrated with the laying of granite plaques bearing their handprints.

The plaques were inlaid on Catherine Mall in Henderson (off Great North Road, outside the Westfield Shopping Town), alongside other Walkway of Fame inductees - rugby legend Michael Jones, decathlete Roy Williams, writer Maurice Shadbolt, musician Neil Finn, Maori educationalist Dr Pita Sharples and former mayor and councillor Assid Corban. 

Both June and Beatrice spoke of their love for Waitakere City and its people and said they were humbled to receive local acknowledgement of their achievements.

From Te Atatu, June has represented the country in basketball and netball. Her induction is also recognition of years of community work. She is a member of the Aotearoa Fisheries Commission, national president of the Maori Women's Welfare League and a former chairperson of the Henderson-based Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust.

Beatrice, of Glendene, is a world champion thrower who has won Commonwealth gold. In 2002 she was named overall Sportsperson of the Year at the National Samoan Sports Awards.

The Walkway of Fame was instituted by Waitakere City Council three years ago.

7 July

Maori name chosen for Harbourview Park

Orangihina - the wife of the great Te Kawerau a Maki warrior, Te Au O Te Whenua - is the name that will be used alongside Harbourview to describe the coastal park at Te Atatu Peninsula.

The name was first put forward by Te Kawerau a Maki, acknowledged as the tangata whenua of Waitakere City, at a meeting of the Harbourview Park Working Party earlier this year. Ngati Whatua also submitted the name 'Kuaka' (meaning bar-tailed godwit) for consideration. 

However, the final decision was made by the Council's City Development Committee, which recommended 'Orangihina' be used, based on the Working Party's preference for that name.

The park naming process was followed in accordance with the Council's Parks Naming Policy, which states that it be named after an important historical use or person associated with the City, a significant natural feature, landscape, vegetation or fauna of the City, or a significant event in the life of the City.

4 July

Shaw appointed Deputy

The Henderson Community Board last night appointed Barry Shaw as deputy chairperson, replacing Wayne Davis.

From Ranui, Mr Shaw is serving his third term on the community board.

He is a former journalist and also served on the old Waitemata County Council, from 1967-1970.

4 July

$45,000 fine handed down to Columbus Academy for RMA and Building Act breaches

The now defunct Columbus Academy (NZ) Ltd of West Harbour and one of its directors, Katsuo Kanamori, were today fined $45,000 in the Auckland District Court on charges related to overcrowding, insanitary living conditions and fire danger.

The fine could have been higher, but was substantially reduced due to Mr Kanamori's early guilty pleas.

The prosecution was brought by the Waitakere City Council for breaches of both the RMA and the Building Act 1991 in relation to insufficient sanitary facilities, overcrowding and lack of any fire prevention or safety measures.

Judge McElrea accepted that a fire at the academy could have had catastrophic consequences and said the potential for harm was "very great". He considered the significant fine was in keeping with the serious safety risk posed to those living at the academy.

The Columbus Academy came to national prominence in January when a youth living at the Academy was allegedly beaten to death. Police have laid charges against other youths living at the Academy. 

After this incident, the Council (which had several times previously investigated the Academy in relation to District Plan compliance) and the NZ Fire Service launched a new investigation into claims of overcrowding and fire risk. It was this investigation that led to the prosecution against Mr Kanamori and the Columbus Academy. 

The Academy is now closed.

3 July

Trash to Fashion® attracts American interest

Registrations for New Zealand's premier recycled fashion event, Trash to Fashion®, are coming from as far away as the United States. 

Argentinian-born Aidana Baldassarre, of Boston, Massachussetts, found out about the annual Waitakere City event while surfing the Internet for recycling innovations.

The 35-year-old public health researcher says she is a strong supporter of the 'reduce-reuse-recycle' message and has a passion for transforming rubbish into works of art. She jumped at the opportunity to participate, even though she cannot afford to fly to Waitakere to see her garment on the catwalk. She is entering a dress in the glamorous and theatrical Club Trashedelic category.

"I do not believe in consumerism, so I do recycle almost everything I have, like clothing and furniture," she says.

"I think I learnt that from my mother back in Argentina. She is a great artist and has been working with paper mache, creating all kinds of sculptures. My house is full of art made out of things that other people consider trash. I love the challenge of transforming it, like an alchemist, into something useable or an art piece."

Registrations for the popular event close on 11 July. Garments are due in by 27 September. Entries are received from throughout the country.

This year's show is themed around a journey through "the eight wonders of an eco-city" - allowing plenty of scope for wild and imaginative garments to be created from the rubbish we find around us.

Presented by Waitakere City Council in partnership with the originators, Keep Waitakere Beautiful, Trash to Fashion® attracts entries from a variety of age groups, cultures and abilities, including emerging and established designers and school students.

Project Director, Amanda Wright, says the event is a positive and effective vehicle for raising awareness about the serious amount of rubbish we produce as a consumer culture.

"The show uses art, fashion and entertainment to deliver its 'reduce-reuse-recycle' message in a fun and festive way."

For a registration form see Trash to Fashion® 2003 or contact us to receive a registration form by post.

People wanting help with designing and creating a garment for this year's Trash to Fashion® Awards, can join one of three workshops at the Corban Estate Arts Centre.

2 July

"Rigorous debate" reduces Waitakere rates increase by $1.15million

After a month of intense work and "rigorous debate", Waitakere City Council has adopted an Annual Plan that will reduce its proposed rates rise by 1.8% or over $1.15 million. 

This will translate into a rate rise for the average property, of just $1.71 a week.

The draft plan published in April, had proposed a 5.8% average residential rates rise plus external levies for next year, for a total rise of 6.48%.

However, after receiving 2400 submissions and reviewing budgets, Councillors insisted that the figure could be reduced. As a result, the Council today adopted an Annual Plan for 2003/04 in which the increase is just 4% before levies - saving 1.8%. 

This figure increases to 4.8% with levies added and will see the average residential rate increase by $89 for the year. 

These levies, which are outside of the Council's control, include those for Auckland War Memorial Museum, MOTAT and Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd.

While there is a small rise, on average, in the Council costs and regional levies component of the rates bill, the total bill for the average Waitakere property should show a small decrease compared with last year. This is because it will not include Auckland Regional Council rates which are now collected by the ARC itself. The impact of this change, however, will vary.

The Council will collect $89.9 million in rates for 2003/04. 

The Annual Plan (budget) 2003/04 forms part of the Council's inaugural Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) which outlines the City's priorities for growth and development for 10 years ahead and how that should be paid for. 

The LTCCP is developed in consultation with the community and endeavours to bring certainty about the city's future direction. This will also give a measure of predictability to each Annual Plan and budget from this year onwards.

Under new local government legislation, Councils are required to prepare an LTCCP by 30 June 2004. Waitakere is one of the few Councils in the country, however, to complete a long term plan now - most others have opted for transitional plans which look only at the next financial year.

About 1500 of the 1942 public submissions to the plan, were delivered by the Citizens Against Privatisation group, which, among other things, supports the Council's position not to commercialise water services.

Key features of the budget for next year are:

• major expenditure on library books ($1.05 million)
• $7.5 million towards the Civic Centre and Waitakere City Library projects in Henderson
• $7.33 million on stormwater infrastructure
• $887,000 to renovate the "Henderson Valley Studios" (film studios) 
• $1.1 million on new footpaths and footpath repairs.
• $4.13 million on parks (paths, drainage, toilets etc).
• The Uniform Annual Charge for rubbish will be reduced
• Other new roading projects - $4.46 million 

Among the projects pruned from the budgets was planning for development in the north west of the City.

Two key decisions were around rubbish and water. The Council has reduced the solid waste uniform annual charge (UAC) paid by all properties and increased the price of the official Council rubbish bags by 20 cents, to $1.20. 

The final calculation of the decrease in the UAC has not been completed at this time. The increase in the bag costs is to offset increased landfill disposal costs. Because the $1.20 is a user-pays charge, however, residents can control the amount that rubbish costs them. The UAC, meanwhile, will continue to pay for inorganic and recycling collections. 

The costs of rubbish bags in Waitakere is still lower than those in neighbouring North Shore ($1.30) and Rodney (up to $1.95). 

The Council also decided to stay with its present system of charging for water (which is funded through user charges) until a full assessment of water services (which is required by law) is undertaken in 2006.

In the meantime, water conservation programmes will continue and the Council will also look at issues such as subsidies, rates remissions or other assistance for those on low incomes.

The 4% rates rise for 2003/04 for Council costs compares well with others in the Auckland region. North Shore's average increase is 4.65% and Manukau City rates will increase 5.6%. Auckland's average rate rise (residential and commercial) is 2.5% and its residential rate will increase 5.4%.

Councillor Janet Clews was chair of the special committee which reviewed the plan. She says some hard decisions had to be made and there was rigorous debate.

"Unfortunately we can't do everything that we would like, or that the community is asking for," she says. 

"We have to balance the needs and wants of the community against the huge costs of depreciation (around $27.5 million for 2003/04) and the general costs of building new roads, footpaths and community facilities in a rapidly growing City."

"But overall we have a sensible, affordable, programme of work that will deliver on-the-ground projects for our citizens- and that's what we were aiming for."  Cr Clews is also pleased that the Council's own internal costs have been kept to an absolute minimum. 

"Staff responded to Councillors' demands to reduce the projected rate rise and worked extremely hard to get the Council's own costs down," Mrs Clews says. "At the same time I'm pleased that we are continuing with many important projects in key areas." 

*The average residential rate in Waitakere City is currently $1293 a year (or $25 per week).