Media Releases

February 2005
 

25 February

Road safety prayers win national award

Preaching the road safety message has helped a New Lynn church win the country's top Community Road Safety Innovation Award this week.

The Tongan Methodist Church's programme Safe in His Hands promotes road safety awareness in its congregation and wider community.

The church jointly won this year's Premier Award for best overall road safety innovation.

Church members burst into the Buckle Up song when the top community award was announced and sang a Tongan song for the innovation prize. The ceremony was attended by Waitakere's CEO Harry O'Rourke and Councillors Ewen Gilmour and Peter Chan.

Several church members were part of the inter-agency group which planned the programme with Waitakere City Council Road Safety Co-ordinators, Waitakere ACC Injury Prevention Co-ordinator, Plunket, NZ Police and Waitakere Education Association.

Statistics show that Pacific children are more likely than other children to be injured as vehicle passengers. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of accidental death for Pacific people in Waitakere, accounting for just over 40 percent of injury-related deaths.

The programme aimed to reach the Tongan church's 400 members through separate but linked initiatives with three groups: pre-school children and their parents (focus on child restraints), a women's group (driver licensing) and a youth group (alcohol/speed/driver licensing).

It was found that cost was a major barrier to keeping children safe. This was addressed by the seat restraint/booster scheme, which continues to be run by the church. Unlicensed drivers were provided with the means to acquire a license and the opportunity to learn about safer driver and road rules.

Road Safety Innovation Awards' Chief Judge Dr Carolyn Coggan says the project was an excellent example of communicating to people in a place and way that was most effective.

"This innovative project was developed by and for Tongan people. Messages were translated into Tongan, Tongan people undertook much of the training, and the venue was Tongan. Church members assumed leadership of the project.

"Safe in His Hands is an innovative and exciting road safety project that we hope will be used in other churches and community groups to communicate road safety messages."

The church receives $2000 for the top community award and will share the $3000 innovation award with an Auckland company.

One positive outcome for the project is that the church has asked the Council to put speed humps on Margan Avenue or a pedestrian crossing outside the church.
 

22 February

Council considers budget

The Waitakere City Council today began the first stage of deliberations on its Annual Plan (budget) for 2005/2006.  Councillors will consider draft budgets over the next week before the plan is put out for public submission.

The draft budgets, at this stage, show an increase in Council controlled costs of 6.45% most of which is made up of the costs of rapid growth (for example the provision and maintenance of community facilities infrastructure such as parks, roading, footpaths etc).

The indicative rates rise equates to around $87 a year (around $1.70 a week) for the average residential property valued at $150,000. Regional levies outside of the City Council's control (Watercare, Auckland War Memorial Museum and MOTAT) take the overall figure to 7.2%. Traditional areas of expenditure such as roading ($13 million), parks ($12.9 million), Wastewater ($20.2 million) and stormwater ($3.1 million) continue to get major attention.

Chairperson of the Council's Long Term Council Community Plan and Annual Plan Special Committee, Janet Clews, says Councillors will now sift through the budgets looking at both expenditure and levels of service provision.

"Of course you can slash and burn any budget," she says. "But we have to balance that against the levels of service that people are entitled to expect. We could, for example, save money on maintenance but people may not be happy with having the local rugby field mowed once or twice a year."

"Councillors must also be mindful of ratepayers' ability to pay and it is very difficult to weigh that against the demands of a growing City and of increased legislative requirements."

"During the submissions period we hope to hear more from the community about what they want to see next year."

Submissions open on 4 April and close on 4 May. After that, hearings will be held and the final budget adopted by 28 June.

21 February

Seniors handle 9.8 gradient

"Senior trials" of Waitakere City's new recycling bins show that the bins are a lot lighter and easier to manoeuvre than some residents have feared.

Waitakere-based members of Greypower New Zealand agreed to test the bins on one of the city's steepest slopes - a 70 metre long driveway on the Scenic Drive with a gradient of 9.8 degrees.

Albert Struthers (73) of Glendene manoeuvres the 140 litre bin with ease.

Don Chapman of Waiatarua said he did not find going downhill with the bin at all difficult. He says he would probably tow it back up a 9.8 slope.

Mr Chapman is currently National Vice-President of Grey Power New Zealand and a former city councillor. The recipient of a quadruple by-pass operation, he and wife Natalie work hard to keep fit

"I saw these bins in Australia in the early 80s and they are standard practice in Canada. This is an innovation. Anything that will reduce costs to ratepayers is a good thing. The average person doesn't appreciate how much rubbish a city generates," he says.

"We used to have glass bottles, now we have plastic bottles. They should be banned. We have industry dictating the terms," says Mr Chapman.

All four Greypower members who tried the bin on the slope were surprised by the lightness of the new 140 litre bin, due to be delivered to Waitakere residents in May and June.

"It's a lot better than carrying one of those crates downhill," says triple by-pass recipient Albert Struthers (73)

"Most of our members live on flatter areas than this. For the older person, this bin is easy to handle," he says.

The Scenic Drive test site is in one of the city's steepest areas, with a higher gradient than Waikumete Hill. The test bin contained the equivalent of two weeks' recycling.

Councillor Janet Clews says that "wheelie bins" have been used in Auckland City for many years without difficulty.

"Obviously, there are differences in the geography of the two cities, but many parts of Auckland, such as Parnell, Remuera, St Mary's Bay have steep and winding roads without verges and also have problems with high speed traffic.

"Areas such as Balclutha, Timaru and Hawera, have similar circumstances to the more rural parts of the city, and have used wheelie bins successfully for many years."

21 February

Sir Tom Clark awarded key to Waitakere City

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey last night honoured former Crown Lynn Pottery head, sailing stalwart and local icon Sir Tom Clark with the Key to the City at a Civic Reception in New Lynn.

More than 100 former Crown Lynn employees have been invited to join Sir Tom in a celebratory Civic Reception and reunion at the New Lynn Community Centre.

The Clark family dates back to the founding of the first brick and tile kilns on the Waitemata. Tom began working at the former Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Company Limited at the age of 14.

Some years later, and aware of the need to diversity to avoid the company's vulnerability should there be another Depression, he convinced the company's board there was value in experimenting with ceramics. With a grant of $5000 Tom set up the Specials Department. One of its first crockery contracts was for New Zealand Rail and those mugs which have become so famous and sought after.

In 1948 the Specials Department became a separate company, Crown Lynn, and under Tom's leadership quality and experimentation became the focus. From this extraordinary and visionary industry would come just about every cup, plate and saucer in the country, as well as industrial pots and glazes. It was from Crown Lynn that the 'Buy New Zealand' campaign took flight.

A keen sailor, Tom commissioned and raced two boats, Infidel and Buccaneer. When he retired from active racing he became a major force behind the scenes.

In a Sunday morning meeting of the men who were to become the trustees of Ceramco New Zealand Tom made an on the spot commitment that Ceramco would back the campaign. He later told his chairman what he had done causing great consternation. Tom's famous response was "if you don't like it fire me". They didn't and the Ceramco New Zealand campaign became a significant cornerstone in the rise of New Zealand sailing.

It was here Tom, now a Huapai resident, became a great friend and mentor of Sir Peter Blake. Their paths continued to cross as he went on to back Steinlager 11 and later become a trustee of New Zealand.

Mayor Harvey says Sir Tom, who features in his latest book Westies: Up Front and Out There, changed the face of New Zealand's ceramics and sail racing industries.

"Sir Tom was a giant in New Zealand business and a spokesman for industry, one of the last of the great business entrepreneurs in the same mould as Sir James Fletcher and Sir James Wattie.

"He was one of the visionaries who believed in a New Zealand that was sustainable and which could create products for export to world markets.

"It is an honour to be able to give him the Key to the City and it is an accolade that, as a treasure of the west and of New Zealand, Sir Tom truly deserves."

17 February

Council agrees on new remuneration pool

Waitakere City Council has recommended how a new salary package of $1,026,872 - set by the Remuneration Authority - should be distributed among elected members. The recommendation will now be sent to the Authority for final approval.

The Authority sets the salary packages available to all councils and councils recommend how their package should be distributed.

In Waitakere's case the Authority set the Mayor's total remuneration at $126,457 including a motor vehicle. This is an increase of $6,312. The Deputy Mayor's remuneration, however, has been reduced by $2,089 - from $71,640 to $69,551- because she no longer chairs the City Development Committee in addition to to her deputy mayoral duties.

If the new package is adopted, Standing committee chairs will receive $66,390 and the chairs of Hearings, the Projects Special and the Arts and Events Special Committees, $56,431. Other councillors receive $45,689 , community board chairs $21,498 and community board members, $11,065.

The salary package is effective from 1 July 2005.

17 February

Council seeks prosecution in mini-horse attack

Waitakere City Council is seeking a prosecution through the Courts following a "particularly severe" dog attack on two miniature horses at Swanson.

One horse was dead when an Animal Welfare Officer arrived at the scene. The other horse sustained moderate injuries.

"This is a particularly nasty, severe and dangerous attack a breach of the Dog Control Act 1996," says Councillor Vanessa Neeson, chair of the Planning and Regulatory Committee.

"I am very thankful that children weren't hurt in this attack. These were family pets We really feel for the family," she says

The attack, on 8 January 2005, involved two pit-bull terriers. A member of the public called Waitakere Animal Welfare Services saying that the unsupervised dogs had attacked two miniature horses on their property.

One of the dogs was shot on sight by the owner of the miniature horses and the other dog involved was located and impounded by an Animal Welfare Officer. This dog was subsequently euthanised.

"The family are devastated at the loss of their much-loved miniature horse. The children had spend a lot of time training the horses to pull carts and perform various other tricks.

"The owner of the miniature horses urges all dog owners to take responsibility for their animals and to ensure that their dogs are under proper control at all times," says Councillor Neeson.

16 February

Legislation to protect Ranges and Foothills a step closer

Waitakere City Council today voted for further consultation on legislation to better protect the Waitakere Ranges and Foothills.

This follows the Auckland Regional Council's decision yesterday to support legislation covering 25,500 hectares and comprising places such as Piha, Bethells, Huia, Titirangi, Laingholm, Oratia, Henderson Valley and the Swanson foothills.

A draft Bill - (the Waitakere Ranges National Heritage Area Bill) - has been prepared and Waitakere City will now follow up with individual landowners and government agencies on the contents of that over the next three months. The Council will then make a final decision on whether to submit a Bill to Parliament.

At a Special meeting today, the results of the latest round of community consultation were reported to Councillors. The Council received more than 3500 written responses, which show majority support for legislation to be pursued (71%). The Council also heard that independent research (telephone surveys conducted for both Waitakere City and the ARC) supports legislation.

Any legislation would be part of a "package" of measures to better protect the area, which could include rates relief (rebates) for some properties, and extra Council funding for weed and pest management.

"There is no doubt that the majority of people in the affected area, across the City as a whole and indeed across the Auckland region, see the Ranges and foothills as an icon to be protected from further development", says Mayor Bob Harvey.

"No one wants to see the Ranges and foothills looking like suburbia."

"During consultation the main concern people expressed was that they want to see and analyse the actual draft (legislation) before they form a final view. We need to ensure that legislation does not have any unintentional effects on private property rights, so we need owners to be involved."

Some 17,600 people currently live in the Ranges and foothills areas.

"Now we are getting down to the nitty gritty and we want land owners in particular to have input into what legislation might finally look like," says Mayor Harvey.

If a Local Bill is pursued, Parliament will refer it to a Select Committee where there will be further opportunities for the public to make submissions.

Third EcoDay takes place during Ecoshow

Five thousand locals attended last year's EcoDay and while this Waitakere City event is taking place for the third time this year it is now part of a much bigger Ecoshow, which is being held for the second year running. The EcoDay section of the Ecoshow will take place on Sunday only and entry to that part of the show will be free.

Twin Streams, Green Network, recycling, sustainable building and environmental community groups will feature prominently at the EcoDay, organised by Waitakere City Council staff, which takes place all day on Sunday 6 March. A myriad of activities takes place during EcoDay including road safety for children, vehicle air emissions testing, weaving demonstrations, examples of sustainable living, courses and a small exhibition of Trash to Fashion garments.

EcoDay is a celebration of what it means to be an Eco-City and it supports eco-friendly groups in their activities.

The city's Sustainable Living Centre will hold workshops about worm composting, rainwater harvesting, how to retrofit a house and will promote its sustainable households programme, which will begin a few weeks later.

A very special feature of the EcoDay are tours to a number of sustainable homes and housing developments a round Waitakere City.

15 February

City kennels open again

The public is again able to adopt dogs at Waitakere Animal Welfare Centre.

Last week, extra strict hygiene rules were imposed at the City's kennels to deal with several strains of parvovirus.

The spell of hot weather caused an increase in the incidence of parvovirus in the City's wandering dog population.

Staff are closely monitoring incoming dogs and puppies for evidence of parvovirus.

14 February

Community forum on youth, alcohol and drugs

People of all ages with concerns about the safety of young people are invited to attend the Waitakere City Community Expo on 24 March 2005.

The expo aims to inform the community to deal more effectively with youth substance abuse.

"Our purpose is to let people know there are a considerable number of agencies to help. No situation is so hopeless, that it can't be bettered," says Councillor Ewen Gilmour, spokesperson on Youth.

"Solutions can come through raised awareness of the impact drugs have on youth, whänau and community.

"This expo is about becoming better informed about the resources available for young people who are trapped in unhealthy situations.

"The community is part of the solution," he says.

Equipping the community with information is the aim of facilitators CAYAD (Community Action on Youth and Drugs) Waitakere City Council and social service providers.

"The forum is an opportunity for people to take part in a process that will in turn reap positive results for Waitakere youth. We want public input and feedback as a vital part of the our collaboration process," says Councillor Gilmour.

There will be presentations from Hoani Waititi Marae, Police Youth Aid, Wai Health Addictions, Mental Health Foundation, Pasifica Health Care.

10 February

Heat on at City's kennels

The continuing spell of hot weather has caused an increase in the incidence of parvovirus at Waitakere's Animal Welfare Centre.

The City's wandering dog population is at the heart of the problem.

"When these dogs are collected, many of them have not been inoculated against parvovirus. Kennel staff are dealing with several strains at the moment and are observing extra strict hygiene rules," says Councillor Vanessa Neeson, Chair of the Planning and Regulatory Committee.

"Because of this, we are restricting public access to the kennels for a week or two to minimise the spread of the disease between the community and the Animal Welfare Centre.

"When the public visit to look for an impounded or lost dog, customer services staff will check to see if they have a match and the dog will be shown to them away from the kennels," she says.

Dogs from the centre will not be able to be adopted while parvovirus is still a risk.

"We are suggesting that people try the SPCA, if they want to adopt a dog," says Councillor Neeson.

9 February

Council contractors to remove house trucks and shacks from Gordon property in Titirangi

Council contractors are today carrying out an Environment Court order to remove a number of house trucks and temporary dwellings from the property of Mr Graham Gordon at Shaw Road, Titirangi.

This will bring the final curtain down on a saga that started in November, 2003, when Mr Gordon was found guilty in an Environment Court jury trial, on charges relating to the storage of car wrecks and having unauthorised dwelling units on his properties.

In 2004, Judge Fred McElrea ordered Mr Gordon to remove the car wrecks and dwellings and gave the Council permission to do the job itself, if Mr Gordon did not comply. The Council was told to apply for costs after it had carried out the work.

The Council removed the car wrecks and some 2,000 tyres, last year. It also gave the residents of the house-trucks and shacks several months notice that they would have to leave. However, it deferred taking action until after Christmas. It is not aware of anybody still living in the illegal dwellings.

The Council has so far spent about $10,000 on removing car wrecks and tyres and expects the removal of the illegal dwellings to cost about the same again. It will be applying to the court to recover these costs.

Councillor Vanessa Neeson, Chair of Waitakere City Council's Planning and Regulatory Committee, says she hopes the issue is now at an end.

"In general terms, the Council doesn't want to decide how people should live, but these sheds and house-trucks did not have consent and the Court ordered their removal.

" Mr Gordon has not complied with the court orders and it has been very costly for him. Judge McElrea told him he was lucky not to go to jail, he's been sentenced to 320 hours of community work, been ordered to pay $5,000 in costs already and faces another $20,000," she says.

"We didn't want any of that and it would all have been so much easier if Mr Gordon had chosen to work within the rules in the first place. We can only hope that other people at least, will learn that lesson," she says.

Footnote: This is a separate issue from court orders that were issued at Christmas, after a fire at the Gordon property. On that occasion, the court ordered people living in workshops on the property, to be evicted after the fire service condemned the fire-damaged buildings as unsafe.

9 February

Bogus collector nabs bins

A bogus collector has been seen stealing Waitakere City's familiar green 45 litre recycling bins in Henderson.

"It seems someone has heard about Waitakere City's new recycling service which starts in July and has decided to cash in," says Henderson Councillor Ross Dallow.

The bin collector drives a vehicle similar to a flat deck ute.

"The Council isn't collecting 45 litre bins at the moment and it won't be until after July 1 and then, only on request.

"Any unauthorised collection of crates is clearly theft. So we ask that if anyone sees any for sale that they phone the police or the Council's Call Centre. There is a possibility that these 45 litre crates will end up in flea markets. Anyone who buys them is buying stolen property," says Councillor Dallow, a former police officer.

The Council's logo is clearly stamped on the bins.

A similar situation happened in Thames, Coromandel when their new recycling service started and the bins were being delivered. A truck followed behind the contractor's vehicle, collecting them as they were delivered to each house.

New 140-litre mobile recycling (wheelie) bins, navy blue with yellow lids, will be delivered to Waitakere residents before July 1, as part of an initiative designed to encourage householders and businesses to minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill.

More information on the new service starting on July 1 will be provided to the residents over the next few months.

8 February

Books ahoy docks at prize giving

The Books Ahoy summer reading programme has finished its voyage for this year, with stunning results.

The free programme run by Waitakere Libraries encourages children to develop an interest in reading outside of the school environment and to also to keep up the progress made at school during the year.

Run by library staff with children's reading monitored four times over the summer period, over 85% of those registered completed the course.

The libraries with the largest turnouts were Henderson, Glen Eden and Titirangi, all with 86 children registered and over 20 on a waiting list each.

Waitakere Libraries Kidz Team are already in the process of organising next year's 10th anniversary programme, for which the theme is undecided as yet.

8 February

Council stands by LIM notations

Waitakere Council's Planning and Regulatory Committee today affirmed an earlier decision to place notations of possible chemical contamination on its Land Information Memorandum (LIM).

"This is a difficult balancing act," says Councillor Vanessa Neeson, chair of the Committee.

"Landowners want it removed; prospective purchasers don't. However, if we are working in open and transparent government, we need to guarantee information to ratepayers," she says.

The issue of contamination of former horticultural and agricultural sites came to a head with the release of a report commissioned by the ARC in 2001.

Mrs Neeson says some councils, including Auckland City, have decided to leave notations off their LIM reports.

"For Waitakere this is not a political decision. We have a statutory duty to make known any and all information we have whether it is a prospective motorway, a wind or geotechnical hazard or an earthquake risk," she says.

At today's meeting councillors also voted to press for a review of Ministry for the Environment guidelines in this area and to challenge the science behind the levels of potential contamination found in soil.

The issue of whether to "tag" a LIM report has put Council "between a rock and a hard place", says Mrs Neeson.

"Disclosing what we know should not disadvantage property owners. On the other hand, most LIM reports issued by this Council are to prospective buyers. We are not saying there is a problem. It's up to buyers to check.

"We also need to consider that if we do not disclose the information and contamination is found later, the Council may be sued at a cost to ratepayers," she says.

Background

Following a 2001 ARC report by Sally Gow investigating whether trace chemicals remain in horticultural soils in the Auckland Region, Waitakere undertook an assessment of aerial photographs (dating back to 1940) to ascertain the location of horticultural uses.

Much of the land in Waitakere City has been previously used for orchards, vineyards, glass houses and market gardens. Since 2002, site history and soil tests have been required when subdivision and/or development occurs in the city.

Council sought legal advice on the approach to take in terms of informing the public if their property has previously been used for horticultural purposes. WCC has placed a statement on all relevant LIM reports under Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

The Council provides this information at no cost over the counter and via telephone.

The following is the statement attached to properties which have been identified as being on former horticultural/agricultural sites:

"In 2001 the Auckland Regional Council and the Auckland District Health Board commissioned a report to identify properties previously used for horticultural purposes, as a starting point to establish the extent or otherwise of residual pesticide contamination of soils arising from those former horticultural uses. A copy of that report (Pesticide Residues Horticultural Soils in the Auckland Region, Working Report No, 96) can be obtained from the Auckland Regional Council. This property has been identified by this Council as a site which may previously have been used for horticultural purposes.

The Council stresses that there is no evidence that this property is, or is not, contaminated as a result of any former horticultural use. However, this Council may require soil testing if it is proposed to subdivide the property, establish new activities, or to extend existing activities on the site, depending on the nature and scale of those activities.

This information is provided pursuant to s.44A(3) of the Local Government Official Information Meetings Act 1987."

7 February

Members of the public were picked to join in the Cook Island dancing group.

Hoani Waititi Marae hosts public on Waitangi Day

Waitakere City Council and Hoani Waititi Marae hosted over 500 people to celebrate Waitangi Day yesterday.

The open day at the Glen Eden Marae included a formal powhiri (welcome), cultural performances from the Cook Islands, Somalia and Thailand and a shared meal. Rangeview Intermediate Maori Culture Group also provided performances throughout the day.

Leading Maori educationalist Dr Pita Sharples formally welcomed visitors to the marae and explained the intricacies of Maori protocol and the history of the marae.

Dr Pita Sharples welcomes guests to Hoani Waititi Marae in Glen Eden

Dr Sharples was to attend celebrations at Waitangi but chose to be in Waitakere celebrating with the local community instead.

Mayor Bob Harvey acknowledged Dr Sharples and the work of the marae. "This marae has done a tremendous amount. You cannot underestimate what Pita Sharples has done. He could be somewhere else, but he is here with us today, in the sweltering sun with our new migrant friends. I feel enriched by you all," he said.

The day finished with the public dancing to Somali music inside, after rain dampened the afternoon but not the spirits of those in attendance. 20 people attended a smaller ceremony held at 9.30am in Waikumete Cemetery for Charles Oliver Davis (aka Hare Rewiti), an official translator for the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1842.

7 February

Ranges' submissions reach 3200

Over 1000 submissions poured into Waitakere City Council in the last few days before last Friday's deadline on the long term protection of the Waitakere Ranges and Foothills.

The consultation focused on the possibility of legislation to protect the Waitakere Ranges and Foothills from urban development.

The unofficial total of submissions stands at around 3200.

A range of responses is being analysed and the results will be discussed at a special Council meeting on Wednesday 16 February.

Mayor Bob Harvey says it is too early to comment on trends, apart from what appears to be a number of submissions orchestrated by lobby groups.

"This is quite normal. In many cases, there are clear and reasoned arguments offered," he says.

The project was initiated in response to concerns expressed by local residents, local Members of Parliament, lobby groups and Parliament Commissioner for the Environment and concerns expressed in the West Coast Plan.

Late last year, the Government invited the Auckland Regional Council and Waitakere City Council to draft legislation for this purpose.

Legislation specific to this area could:

• Provide certainty that councils will be required to protect the ranges and foothills long term (currently, the District Plan, for example, is reviewed every ten years)
• Set specific objectives for managing this area.
• Ensure consistent application of the objectives to resource consent processes
• Provide national recognition of the significance f the area
• Ensure activities of councils and government agencies support protection measures

If legislation is pursued, the earliest timetable would be:

4 February

Jetty named for top yachtsman

A famous son of Waitakere City has been confirmed as the "name" of a soon-to-be-built Waitakere Sports Complex Jetty.

Olympic yachtsman Chris Timms, tragically killed in an air crash last year, was confirmed as the Council's choice for the future jetty, in recognition of his contribution to the City and as a tribute to his achievements.

"Chris was an extraordinary character whose energy and enthusiasm for life was infectious.

"Apart from his sporting prowess, he was a highly successful businessman, a community board member, an aviator and a renowned rhododendron specialist," says Councillor Ross Dallow.

3 February

Methamphetamine education expands in Waitakere City

Hoani Waititi Marae's successful Methamphetamine Education Programme will be extended to local communities throughout Waitakere City, as a result of a newly-forged partnership between marae and council.

The Council, through the Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) project, has entered a contract with the marae to take the programme to Waitakere youth and to train community workers and police to more effectively deal with young people affected by the drug, known as 'crystal', 'pure' or 'P'.

The programme has been going at Hoani Waititi for 18 months with input from local community leaders and drug and alcohol service providers. The marae works with CAYAD staff and community partners to tailor presentations to individual ages and ethnicities.

"The marae's education programme's collaborative approach has a proven high strike rate, showing progress in even the most challenging cases," says Waitakere City Advocate for Children and Youth Councillor Ewen Gilmour.

"The fact that Hoani Waititi has already made strides in this direction is a huge plus. Now we are taking the programme further into the community, where there are many families in distress, because of amphetamine use," he says.

The Methamphetamine Education Programme was initiated by education specialist Dr Pita Sharples of Hoani Waititi Marae in conjunction with the NZ Police.

Last year 80 police and community workers were trained in the practice model, says Presenter Shane White.

To make enquiries about presentations in your community, please contact Shane White on (09) 818 2323 or 021-6884289, Colin Nathan or contact us.

1 February

Waitakere City copes well with dry spell

Waitakere City is coping well despite high water usage during the dry spell.

There has been some concern following media advertisements asking that Rodney District Council customers to reduce water use.

"Some people may think that there is a wider regional issue, but this is not so," says Councillor Janet Clews, chair of the Finance and Operational Performance Committee.
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"The reason for the shortage in Rodney District is due to very high water usage at present and limited water storage reservoir capacity, but it is not due to a regional shortage.

"The only area in Waitakere that has had any restrictions is around Sunnyvale-Redhills Roads at Massey. The rest of the city is coping well at present," says Councillor Clews.

Yesterday, at Sunnyvale Road, there was a pressure drop due to high water usage. About 20 properties were affected on the Waitakere side of the road and 20 on the Rodney side. A further 10 properties on Redhills Rd have been affected. Engineers are working to boost the pressure.

1 February

Comments sought on prostitution strategy

Waitakere City's first public consultation process on the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 begins today.

During the feedback period the Council wants to engage residents, including iwi and the Maori community, migrants and refugees, community groups and local businesses.

Key stakeholders such as the local police, the New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective, Auckland Regional Public Health Service, the District Court, clients of community sex services, and Community Boards will be invited to comment on the draft policy statement.

The Council is developing a strategy to provide policy and a framework for the local sex industry as required under the Act.

The Council's role is to manage potential negative impacts of prostitution says Councillor Vanessa Neeson, chair of the Planning and Regulatory Committee.

"It is not the council's role to get into a debate on the morality of prostitution but we recognise that it's a sensitive issue. We are very aware of community concerns and this will be reflected through the consultation.

"This is a complex set of issues for urban and residential ratepayers of Waitakere," she says.

Six options have been provisionally selected for the strategy which applies to all commercial sex activities.

These include:

• A bylaw would impose restrictions on content, form and amount of signage. This would prevent signs from being incompatible to the amenity values and character of an area.
• Control of environmental effects and potential nuisance is a key concern of Council:
  A specified distance between brothels is proposed. This can be most effectively achieved through a new City Wide rule in the District Plan to control the location of all commercial sex activities, not just brothels.
• Hygiene controls would involve updating the Massage Facilities Bylaw in light of the Prostitution Reform Act. The Council's environmental health officers currently inspect premises every year to ensure that health standards are met.
• Non-regulatory options include guidelines on design issues, monitoring the commercial sex industry and contributing to a regional approach.

The closing date for submissions is 5 pm, Monday 14 March 2005. A formal consultation process on the strategy will follow in July and August.

For more information contact us.