Media Releases

The new motorway between the North Shore and Waitakere City, could be named for the late Chris Timms, Olympic double medallist, sports benefactor, businessman and flyer, if a Waitakere City Council suggestion is adopted.

The Council's March meeting, tonight, endorsed a suggestion from the Mayor, to advance the name Chris Timms Memorial Highway for consideration by Transit New Zealand.

When completed, the new motorway will link Waitakere City and North Shore City and incorporate the new upper harbour bridge that is currently being built.

Transit New Zealand has asked the Council for naming suggestions and the Council's Massey Community Board will consider contenders at its next meeting.

However, the Council decided to offer the Chris Timms Memorial Highway as its own suggestion, to go forward with any nominations from the community board.

Both Mayor Bob Harvey and Councillor Ross Dallow paid fulsome tributes to the late Olympic yachtsman who died in a plane crash this month, while practising for the Taupo air show.

Timms won gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, with Rex Sellars in the Tornado class, and the pair won silver four years later at Seoul.

Mr Timms was a founding member Waitakere Regional Sports Trust (Sport Waitakere) and served a three year term as chairman. He was also a founding member of the Don Oliver Youth Sports Foundation which is focussed on promoting young sporting talent in the Waitakere region. He took a very active role on the Stadium Development Board that is building The Trusts Stadium, in Central Park Drive, Henderson.

Chris was an expert rhododendron grower and in recent years he had taken up flying and become a member of the Warbirds organisation. He was rehearsing for a Warbirds airshow when his aircraft malfunctioned.

31 March

Mayor to present bravery awards

Two Auckland Regional Council rangers involved in daring rescues are to receive bravery awards from Waitakere City Council.

Mayor Bob Harvey will present local rangers Andy Pedersen and Brian Chamberlain with certificates of bravery at tonight's Council meeting.

Mr Pedersen's award recognises a solo rescue attempt at Karekare Beach, where he saved three women from drowning in the rugged west coast surf.

Although he called through to the Arataki Visitor Centre asking for assistance from the Westpac rescue helicopter, the Piha man realised the distressed women may not survive until help arrived. He stripped off his uniform and swam out to the women, bringing them back to shore, one by one, through the breakers. By the time the helicopter arrived, all three women were safe on the beach.

Mr Chamberlain's award recognises the time he spent with a car crash victim, whose vehicle had gone over a bank on Huia Road.

Despite the presence of smoke and discovering a fuel can on the back seat, Mr Chamberlain stayed with the badly injured driver for almost an hour until emergency services arrived to cut her free from the wreckage.

"These men selflessly risked their own lives in order to help others in trouble and the City is taking the opportunity to officially recognise that bravery," says Mayor Harvey.

30 March

ANZAC show goes on - no worries

Waitakere City's ANZAC Day parades will go ahead as planned, despite fears that more stringent safety enforcement might prevent the annual commemorative marches.

Council staff reassured RSA members at a meeting today, that while a traffic management plan was now required because of a recent successful prosecution it would not be an obstacle to the parades.

The Council has offered to help the RSA at no cost to them, to prepare the plans which they will be able to use in future years.

Traffic management procedures have been tightened, following the death of a woman at the 2001 Christchurch to Akaroa cycling event and the race organiser's subsequent conviction.

In the aftermath of reports suggesting that the parades were in jeopardy, Waitakere Council spokesperson, Dai Bindoff, says there was never any risk that the parades would be cancelled.

ANZAC Parade organisers have always needed permits to close the road, but this year the Council sent a letter advising the RSA advising them to get a professional traffic management plan.

"It was a suggestion to get in touch so we can help them through the process. The Christchurch prosecution has focused councils on ensuring the regulations are observed to the letter. We were simply trying to help and protect the parade organisers," says Mr Bindoff.

Mr Bindoff also points out that Auckland City Council - and others around the country - have required traffic management plans for a number of years.

"From our point of view it was no big deal. Everyone is now aware of their obligations and the parades and commemorations can go ahead without any problems."

29 March

Multi-layered approach to at-risk age group

Waitakere City is spearheading a multi-layered approach to deal with drug-related risk-taking behaviour by the 16-20 age group.

Mayor Bob Harvey, MP Lynne Pillay and Wai Health drug counsellor Russell Phillips will address the inaugural summit meeting on Friday (April 2) of 'Community Action on Youth and Drugs' (CAYAD), a Ministry of Health funded project.

The at-risk youth initiative is one of 20 similar schemes through the country aimed at raising community awareness and capacity in dealing with youth and drug-related problems. Waitakere City is one of few territorial authorities to undertake this programme.

A steering group of key community stakeholders, including the police, CADS (Community Alcohol and Drug Services), Te Whanau Waipareira Trust and Hoani Waititi Marae, is guiding the project.

The two-year programme aims to raise community awareness and increase community capacity to cope with the issues of at-risk youth.

Waitakere City's representative Councillor Greg Presland says there needs to be better coordination between community groups to help at-risk youth from falling down the cracks. He says the key issue is not just about methamphetamine, cannabis and other drug misuse issues.

"It is about young people in transition, earning real money for the first time, making lifestyle choices. This age group is associated with most risk taking behaviour around sex, alcohol and drugs. This behaviour can be life threatening, like getting into cars with a drunk driver," he says.

A background study released this month to develop strategies for the CAYAD project identifies areas of need and priority in Waitakere City. The assessment included issues of youth, parenting, role models, generational substance abuse and drug and alcohol education in schools.

The report suggests a multi-layered approach to address the various issues of need. It also acknowledging that young people both influence, and are influenced by, their environment.

"To be effective in addressing these issues, the community needs to look at the issue of supply as well as demand," says Councillor Presland.

26 March

Graham Gordon sentenced to 320 hours Community Service; Warned that further breaches could mean jail

Waitakere man, Mr Graham Gordon, of Shaw Road, Titirangi has been sentenced to 320 hours of community work, for failing to comply with a court imposed Enforcement order and breaching the Waitakere City District Plan; both being breaches of the Resource Management Act.

Mr Gordon had been found guilty in an Environment Court jury trial in November, 2003, on charges relating to the storage of car wrecks and unauthorised dwelling units at on 184 Shaw Road and the presence of unauthorised dwelling units on the adjacent property, 202 Shaw Road .

Judge Fred McElrea adjourned sentencing until March 22 to give Mr Gordon the opportunity to clean up his property and improve his position before sentencing. Sentencing was completed on 23 March 2004 with Mr Gordon being sentenced to 320 hours of Community Work.

The Court also ordered Mr Gordon to pay $5,000 towards the costs of prosecution and made new enforcement orders requiring the removal of remaining unauthorised dwelling units and car wrecks and prohibiting new unauthorised dwelling units being established and car wrecks being brought onto the property.

In sentencing Mr Gordon, Judge McElrea stated that Mr Gordon had been extremely close to receiving a prison sentence. Judge McElrea recorded that he was giving Mr Gordon a final warning in relation to imprisonment, warning Mr Gordon that, if he were convicted for breaches of Enforcement Orders again, he could expect to go to prison for a significant period of time.

Judge McElrea indicated that because Mr Gordon had not removed all of the offending items from the property the amount of Community Work imposed was higher than it could have been had he completed the work.

The sentencing is the latest step in a saga that started in 1993 when Enforcement Orders were made by the then Planning Tribunal (the predecessor to the Environment Court).

The Council issued new proceedings on separate charges in 2001 and the prosecutions were finally dealt with in November last year.

24 March

It's Official: Breakers Waitakere Bound

The $26million Trusts Stadium in Henderson is the new home of the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers.

The announcement was made at a press conference today (March 24, 2004).

Breakers chairman, Dallas Fisher, said while the club had taken its time to commit to Waitakere it was a decision he believed would shape the future of the franchise.

"I know of 10 NBL clubs in Australia who would die for the same opportunity to have been presented to them," he said.

"The Trusts stadium will be a showcase for basketball not only in Auckland, but for the entire country. We are delighted that the stadium's management worked with us to get a deal done."

While Waitakere will be the Breakers administrative and home court base, the Breakers will also play a five-game series at the North Shore Events Centre next season, complementing the 11 games at Waitakere.

It means the Breakers will play their entire season in Auckland unlike their first year when they ventured to Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington for games.

The new Trusts Stadium- which Waitakere City Council as a major funder- increases the crowd capacity for Breakers games to more than 5000 and a 500-capacity hospitality lounge overlooking the court also brings with it new and exciting marketing opportunities for the Breakers.

"When you look at it we couldn't have designed it any better ourselves," Fisher said. "From kiosk, parking, seating to merchandising facilities, Waitakere shapes up as first class."

"Some stadiums you go to provide seating so far away from the action that you need binoculars. That's not the case here as every one of the 5000 seats offers a great view.

"The size of the corporate lounge also gives us some great pre-game hospitality opportunities.

"It even means we can now host an after-match meet the players and best and fairest presentation to which we can invite everyone.

"It will provide fans with the perfect chance to get that prized autograph or to take a picture shaking hands with one of their heroes. All in all it's a wonderful opportunity that we would have been crazy to turn down," Fisher said.

Chairman of the Waitakere Regional Sports Trust, Ross Dallow, said the project is the culmination of years of intensive investigation and planning.

"We have created the country's leading example of an indoor sports stadium. I don't believe there is another facility that can continue to operate as a community sports centre, while at the same time hold a large corporate function and a major event," Mr Dallow said.

"We are excited about our partnership with the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers who are the leading indoor sports team in this country and they have obviously recognised the value presented by the stadium."

Waitakere City Mayor, Bob Harvey, said the presence of the Breakers will be a fantastic draw card for the city.

"Basketball is a major sport in this city, particularly among young people," Mayor Harvey said.

"Now, thanks to the Breakers, fans will be able to see their heroes up close and live in our new stadium."

"Better still is that this is a long-term deal which signifies our commitment and that of the Breakers to grow the game even more," Mayor Harvey said.

The Breakers are already working on their season ticket offers for the 2004/2005 Australian NBL season.

At this stage there will be two packages, one featuring the 11-game Waitakere season and the other the five-game Pak 'n Save series at the NSEC.

Those purchasing a season ticket for Waitakere will be given a free voucher to attend an NSEC match and vice versa.

The Trusts Stadium forms the major part of a comprehensive sporting precinct incorporating two new sports fields, an all weather athletics track around the current Waitakere Stadium Douglas Field and a parkland setting for community use.

Funding for the project has come from the Waitakere City Council, ASB Charitable Trust, Waitakere Licensing Trust, Portage Licensing Trust, Lion Foundation, Douglas Pharmaceutical, Century Foundation, Genesis Energy, Wattyl Paints, Perry Foundation, Waitakere Regional Sports Trust and Bryan Heron, a long time philanthropist of sport in Waitakere City.

22 March

What's In a Name

What's it to be?

The new $95 million road linking Waitakere and North Shore cities is well underway, but it still has no name.

So Transit New Zealand is asking both Councils for suggestions.

The 15km stretch of road between Hobsonville and Greenhithe is an extension of State Highway 18. Up until now the working title for the project has been "Upper Harbour Motorway".

But Transit New Zealand wants local input before it makes a final decision.

The Massey Community Board is meeting in early May to consider its preferences. But before then it wants to hear from residents and has set up an on-line poll.

Names suggested by Transit so far include:

North-Eastern Motorway
Altoma (Albany to Massey)
Sunderland Motorway (reference to a local bay and the old flying boats used by the RNZAF)
Upper Harbour Motorway
Whenuapai Motorway
Waipareira Motorway (the original Maori name for the area)

North Shore City Council is also being asked its views.

Massey Community Board chairperson Bob Jessop says any name needs to be relatively simple and clear. "For example, anything long-winded may not fit on signage," he says.

"Ultimately transit NZ will make the decision, but this is a great opportunity for residents to put in their ideas."

Vote for a particular preference, or to suggest an alternative.

The four-lane motorway extension is due for completion in 2007.

12 March

Waitakere welcomes new powers to decide speed limits

New government legislation to allow local councils to decide on residential speed limits in their area is being welcomed by Waitakere City Council.

That power will be handed to councils next month, where currently it rests with the Land Transport Safety Authority.

The Council's Environmental Management Committee chair, Penny Hulse, says the first step will be to work with rural schools that have already expressed concerns about the speed of passing vehicles and look at introducing 40km per hour speed zones in those areas.

Through Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone, Waitakere City had previously lobbied Local Government New Zealand to give councils the ability to set the 40kmh speed zones in school areas.

Cr Hulse says the Council will also be looking to address the concerns of residents, particularly those in rural communities, who have petitioned the Council to lower the speed limit in their area.

"Until now, speed limits were set by a single national formula, according to factors like housing density and proximity to schools, so we were almost powerless to effect any change," she says.

"The national formula also meant other factors that make driving at 100kmh dangerous, like the curvature or narrowness of a road or natural hazards, weren't taken into consideration. Consequently, we've had terrible crashes on some of our rural roads, such as Candia Rd in Swanson, which just aren't suited to 100kmh speeds.

"As a council, we really welcome this as a way to work more closely with our communities to make our increasingly busy roads safer. We believe they are best able to judge what speed limits are the most appropriate for their area."

12 March

Draft Plan Agreed

Waitakere City Council yesterday completed the first stage of deliberations on its Annual Plan (budget) for 2004/2005.

The draft plan shows an increase in Council costs of 3.97%, most of which is made up of costs of rapid growth and the provision of associated community facilities.

The Council will collect $93.51 million in rates for 2004/2005. The rates rise equates to $45 a year (or less than $1 a week) for the average residential property valued at $90,000.

Major expenditure will be on new facilities, including:

A start on the new Central library in Henderson ($5.9 million next year)
Construction will also begin on the new "Waitakere Central" transport and city centre development in the heart of Henderson. A budget of $18.7 million has been provided (Note: actual costs will be dependent on tender prices and contract negotiations)
Traditional areas of expenditure, such as roading ($11.9million), parks ($10.6million) and stormwater ($3.1million) continue to get attention.

Under the Council's Long Term Council Community Plan, a 9.33% rates rise had been signalled for 2004/2005 but this has been reduced by a combination of a stringent budgeting process and the delay of some capital works.

Chairperson of the Long Term Council Community Plan and Annual Plan Special Committee, Janet Clews, describes it as a "nuts and bolts" budget.

"We have managed to trim expenditure back and still maintain our core assets and functions," she says.

"Perhaps the most pleasing aspect is that we are either starting or completing some major facilities which our communities have been waiting years for."

"It's a simple fact of life that we can't do everything that we would like, or that the community wants," she says. "But overall we've managed to keep costs to an absolute minimum and produce a sensible, affordable, programme of work."

The plan is open for public submissions, from April 13-May 13, after which hearings will be held. Then the revised budgets will be adopted, before the end of June.

Key issues for consultation during the submission period include:

Whether to include $210,000 as a share towards purchasing Kaikoura Island in the Hauraki Gulf as a nature reserve -there is no funding in the draft budget currently
Whether to provide financial or other assistance to local iwi (Te Kawerau A Maki) for the establishment of a marae in the City -there is no funding in the draft budget currently
Whether or not to relocate the Civil Defence headquarters from Te Atatu South
A Heritage Strategy and action plan
A new business incentives package ($170,000 currently in the draft plan)
A City Image/Marketing programme, aimed at business ($130,000 is allocated in the draft)

8 March

Morrison takes message to JAFAs

Wellington businessman Lloyd Morrison has taken his flag campaign to Auckland.

And, tongue in cheek, when Morrison presented his alternative NZ flag to Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, he declared that JAFA wasn't necessarily a derogatory term: "It stands for Just Another Flag Afterall."

Waitakere City is thought to be the first public building in the country to fly the proposed alternative.

Lloyd Morrison (right) presents his alternative NZ flag to Mayor Bob Harvey.

Says Mayor Harvey:

"As a nation, we're growing up fast. And maybe a tangible expression of that might be the adoption of a new flag. I am in no way denigrating the current flag and all it stands for. After all, men and woman have died protecting our country and our freedoms under the banner of the Southern Cross.

"But, flags should be highly visible symbols of a nation's presence. Because the current Union Jack-based flag does not resonate with New Zealanders, it is infrequently flown. The New Zealand flag needs to have emotional and symbolic potency in order for it to be embraced and used by New Zealanders."

Mayor Harvey says the aim of flying the alternative flag is to raise debate and to see what people think.

He has set up an on-line poll for people to provide feedback, or for further information, go to www.nzflag.com.

6 March

Have your say on draft gambling venue policy

The Council's new draft Gambling Venue Policy - proposing a city-wide "cap" on the number of existing gaming machine and venue numbers - is now open for public consultation.

If adopted, the proposed cap would mean that additional machines or gambling venues would only be allowed in Waitakere if an existing venue closed. Venues that have been licensed since October 2001 will be able to keep operating with their current number of machines, but will need to apply to the Council for consent.

Under the policy, all gambling venues (except stand-alone TABs) will be required to hold a liquor license and the development of host responsibility practices will be encouraged.

The Council will also be looking at developing systems that support the responsible operation of gambling venues as part of a Citywide Alcohol Strategy to be developed this year.

"Gambling is seen by many people as a legitimate way to have fun, but it can have a downside and problem gambling has negative social impacts," says Councillor Penny Hulse, chair of the Council's Environmental Management Committee.

"We want to support a responsible attitude to gambling by those in the industry and to listen to our community's call to reduce harm in our city."

The policy, required under the new Gambling Act 2003, gives councils more control over the growth of gambling machine numbers and venues.

Consultation on the draft policy will continue until mid-April. Submissions are invited from interest groups and members of the public. For more information contact us.

5 March

Newest arts bridge a step closer to being named

Waitakere City's newest "arts bridge" is a step closer to being officially named, with the approval, in principle, of "Opanuku Footbridge" by the Henderson Community Board last night.

The suggested name, which recognises an important ancestor of local iwi, Te Kawerau a Maki, will now go to the Council's Maori standing committee (Te Taumata Runanga) and Henderson High School students for their feedback. After that, the community board will make a final decision.

Opened at the end of last year, the distinctive bridge links the Corban Winery Estate to Henderson Park, situated near Henderson High.

Designed by artist Neil Miller and made by local company Parks and Maintenance Services Ltd, the steel pedestrian bridge continues the City's tradition of building artistic bridges and signifies the transition through railway land, the Opanuku Stream, Corban Estate and Henderson Park.

The bridge was constructed as part of the upgrade of the Corban Estate and will improve pedestrian access to Henderson Park, the surrounding residential area, Great North Road and the Henderson town centre.

5 March

Waitakere City generosity helps Niue cyclone relief effort

The generosity of Waitakere residents and businesses has seen a shipping container filled to the brim with goods to help victims of cyclone-ravaged Niue.

Over the past month, goods have been turning up at Henderson's Corban Estate - a venue offered by Waitakere City as a collection point for donations.

The Council also organised for a call centre (manned by community volunteers) to be set up in its Civil Defence headquarters so that residents could make donations and is supporting the Sir Howard Morrison 'Project Aroha' fundraising concerts.

Community volunteers have worked tirelessly for weeks, some turning up on almost a daily basis to sort the donations and load them into the container or to take phone calls.

Volunteers load the last of the goods into the container for Niue cyclone victims

The last donations were loaded into the container yesterday - and it is due to be collected today for shipping.

A vast array of goods were dropped off at the warehouse, including equipment, products and furniture for Niue's hospital, a truckload of toilet rolls from the local Carter Holt Harvey plant, and a variety of household items from towels and plastic containers to mini gas cookers and clothes lines.

For more information, phone local Niuean spokesperson, Tapu Vaha on (09) 416 7224.

4 March

Henderson Creek projects to benefit from funding change

Money originally allocated to building a new footbridge over Henderson Creek is now going to be used to reinstate an historic Henderson jetty and build another.

Tui Glen will get a new 'heritage' jetty in the same location at its original - which featured in many old photos of Henderson residents and visitors.

A new jetty and launch ramp will also be built behind the Trusts Stadium complex, providing another access to the Henderson Creek. Award-winning artist Virginia King (who designed New Lynn's Rewarewa Footbridge and components of Waitakere's West Wave Aquatic Centre) will be working with the Council to add an exciting arts component to the jetty design.

However, the Council will be holding onto Virginia's stunning design for the proposed Henderson Creek suspension bridge, which was to link the new Trusts Stadium to the Henderson Creek Walkway at Te Atatu South.

While the estimated $300,000 increase in project costs and a re-think on the appropriateness of its location has led to the cancellation of the bridge project, the Council may look at building it at a later date, when a more suitable location and extra funding are found and the construction market isn't so heated.

"The increased costs means the project just isn't viable at the present time," says Henderson Ward Councillor, Brenda Brady.

"We also felt it would be wrong to build such a beautiful bridge in a place where it would only be enjoyed by a fraction of our population. It's a bridge that needs to be seen and it deserves a more prominent location that will make the most of its design and enable more people to enjoy it," she says.

"However, the construction market is overheated at present, pushing prices up and making it difficult for us to find contractors for all of our capital works projects. But while the footbridge project has been cancelled at this time, residents can take heart that the reallocation of funds means other important works are still being carried out in the community."

3 March

Councils approve new chairman for Techscape board

Waitakere and North Shore City Councils have appointed a new chairman to the board of their jointly-owned company, Techscape Limited.

Techscape director Nelson Cull replaces the current chairman, Ross Jewell, who is retiring on March 31 after almost four years on the company's independent board of directors.

Mr Cull brings more than three decades of management experience, having worked for a number of petroleum companies in New Zealand, Australia and London.

In recent years he has held the positions of General Manager (Retail) at Contact Energy and Chief Operating Officer at Works Infrastructure. He is currently the director of three companies - Kerifresh Ltd, Harbourside Group Holdings Ltd and Netball New Zealand.

Also retiring, as part of the board's rotation policy is long-standing member Bruce Connor. He will not be replaced at this stage.

A council-controlled trading organisation, Techscape specialises in maintenance, contracting and asset management, primarily in greenscape areas, water and wastewater.

Both Councils took the opportunity to thank Mr Connor and in particular Mr Jewell for the effort he has made on behalf of Techscape during the period of his chairmanship.

2 March

Contract to 'power up' community on drug issues

Local communities will be better able to tackle drug issues head on as the result of a new contract between Waitakere City Council and the Ministry of Health.

The focus of the 'Community Action on Youth and Drugs' project is on increasing the community's ability to address the social and family harm associated with the misuse and abuse of drugs. The project will be publicly launched at a "Community Summit on Drugs" in the Waitakere City Council chambers (9am-1pm) on April 2.

The Council's role is one of facilitator - providing the means for community stakeholders to get together to debate and confirm the issues, needs and priorities and to agree on and develop appropriate strategies and action plans.

It is one of 15 such projects funded by the Ministry of Health and in Waitakere's case, the Ministry took into account the Council's proactive stance with respect to drug issues under Mayor Bob Harvey's leadership and its long history of working collaboratively to achieve community wellbeing outcomes.

Mayor Harvey says the contract gives Waitakere City a timely opportunity to significantly "power-up" its community awareness of, and responsiveness to, drug issues.

"It's an absolute priority that we meet this challenge of drugs in our community. I view P as an absolute evil in Waitakere and that is why I support this project 100 percent. It is about reducing the supply of drugs to our young people, supporting our young people and strengthening the community to keep our kids safe."

A steering group of key community stakeholders has been established, with Councillor Greg Presland as the Council's representative.

"While the Council and Safe Waitakere are providing the initial impetus for the project, it will essentially be a community-owned project," he says.