Media Releases

September 2005

 

30 September

Mayors unite for action

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard announced today an agreement to work on major projects of joint interest such as the State Highway 20 Western Ring Route and waste.

The milestone agreement takes the form of an innovative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which the two Mayors signed today at the Auckland Town Hall.

Projects that the two cities will work on together include:

• joint advocacy to central government and other funding agencies on the electrification of the rail system
• progressing the extension of State Highway 20, including agreeing on a preferred route
• developing a cycleway along the new double tracked section of the railway line which runs through both cities, from Britomart to Henderson
• the establishment of recycling centres in both cities
• implementing the Regional Growth Strategy
• identifying sustainable building standards for public buildings.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Harvey said the MoU recognises that the people of both cities share common issues and that with a strategic, joint approach and close partnership, there are common solutions.

"Today we have agreed to agree on some of the largest problems that face the region."

The Mayors said that thanks to the very good relationship they have developed over the past year, the two cities have been able to move forward to the MoU, which offers Aucklanders a strategic approach to some of the more complex problems the region faces.

"Issues such as traffic congestion, improved passenger transport and better road networks have to be addressed on a region-wide basis otherwise the region will choke both economically and socially," Mr Harvey says. "Traffic congestion doesn't recognise city boundaries and in this agreement neither do we."

The Mayor of Auckland City Dick Hubbard said each party to the MoU had much to gain from the other's experience in complementary areas.

"The MoU moves us from being neighbours to being members of the same family. We will maintain our own individual character but will operate within the same rules that bind families together," he said.

"Co-operation between councils has been a little sporadic but from now on it will be much closer. Fragmentation is Auckland's Achilles' heel," he said.

The agreement will see councillors from both cities meeting periodically to agree and monitor progress on joint projects. The meetings will take the form of an Elected Member Forum.

The MoU also recognises that other councils may wish to participate and contribute to its objectives and may also enter into the agreement.

29 September

Quick thinking saves life at West Wave

Members of the public and lifeguards have been acknowledged for their quick thinking efforts that saved a woman's life.

Heart attack survivor Pat Lascelles thanked her rescuers at a gathering of the Mayor and associated people at the complex where it all began last week.

Mrs Lascelles, 76, had a heart attack while doing aquaerobics at the West Wave aquatic centre.

Class participants Denise Cousins, Graeme Wright and Brian Neal came to the rescue of Mrs Lascelles after she slid under the water during the class. While the three, along with class instructor Mandy Wilson, started to perform CPR poolside, West Wave lifeguard Dion Sheppard radioed for an ambulance. Lifeguards Kaspar Ni and Aaron Wakeline continued the CPR until a St John's ambulance arrived to prepare Pat for the hospital trip.

Mrs Lascelles says the aquaerobics at West Wave is the best thing she's ever done and she appreciates the great friends she's made with other members of the class over the 15 years she's been going.

Patsy Carlyle of The Order of St John commends the quick thinking and first aid training of members of the public that saves lives, particularly in this instance where the CPR administered poolside was crucial.

Mrs Lascelles regular exercise has faired well for Pat, whose doctor says she probably would've had the same attack six years earlier, had it not been for her partaking in the water based exercise.

29 September

Dramatic artworks to feature at New Lynn

A 33m concrete bas relief wall will be one of the outstanding artworks at Waitakere's New Lynn War Memorial Library which will open on October 18.  The wall is part of 330 square metres of art wall integrated into the design. Other features include a "poppy seat" and nine metre tall textural wall by Te Kawerau a Maki, the tangata whenua of the city.

Titirangi artist Iona Matheson was the lead artist who chose various artworks to be individually created by local artists.

Glen Eden artist Sue Bridges designed the bas relief wall on the southern side of the library and also "the poppy seat."  The overall theme of community in the bas relief wall is represented through the native flowers of the different ethnicities in New Lynn, such as the poppy, hibiscus and lotus. "Sue also had the Crown Lynn history of the area in mind," says Ms Matheson.

"It is in a neutral colour, to allow the light to play with the shadows. It will be quite dramatic - even at night," she says.  The "poppy seat" in Memorial Square is a memorial to fallen servicemen and women.  Tailored for children, a six metre long stained glass, featuring local native flora and fauna, will be inserted in the library's western wall. Ms Matheson says the incorporation of flora and fauna by artists Phillipa Crane and Danny Rowlandson, helps direct attention to the Waitakere Ranges beyond the library.
Ms Matheson's own direct contribution is a "flock" of seven kauri-leaf and paper-clay birds suspended from the ceiling. "These three dimensional sculpted birds will navigate children into their area of the library. They will be different heights and angles and will include native birds," she says.

New Lynn Library is the second of Waitakere's new libraries to be opened in just over a year.

Iona Matheson: profile

Ms Matheson has previously assisted lead artists Kate Wells and Deborah Bustin on the Massey Library moa and the Taniwha of a thousand hands but the opportunity to find artworks for the library in New Lynn's Memorial Square is her first lead artist project. Originally from Wellington, she moved to Titirangi when her degree in craft design led her to Unitec.

13 September

National Recognition for Regional Contract Stream

Councils across the Auckland region have been commended for a new standardised approach to contracts in the New Zealand Post Management Awards announced yesterday.

The project, which took fourteen months to complete, resulted in a standard template, plus guidelines, to be used for the procurement of professional consulting services for example engineering, planning, and architectural. Previously all eight councils had their own set of conditions.

The template referred to as the Auckland Region Standard Conditions of Contract for Consultancy Services (ARCCCS) streamlines contract clauses with particular attention to standardising indemnity, liability, minimum insurance requirements and intellectual property
Chairperson of the Auckland Region CEO Forum and sponsor of the project Colin Dale is delighted it has been recognised. He says "All eight councils in the Auckland region now use the contract standard. Consultants can now expect greater consistency between all local authorities and many of their private sector clients, not only across the region, but nationally."

The Association of Consulting Engineers of New Zealand (ACENZ) collaborated on the project. Chief Executive of ACENZ Mike Connolly is pleased with the outcome. "The template has led to improved project management for both councils and engineers, resulting in cost and time savings for both parties.
"We firmly believe this cooperative approach has led to a more durable and widely acceptable set of standard contract conditions. This is a great outcome for local government in New Zealand" says Mr Connolly.

The document was a joint effort by the Papakura, Franklin and Rodney District Councils, Auckland Regional Council and Auckland, North Shore, Waitakere and Manukau City Councils. The document can be downloaded from www.acenz.org.nz.

21 September

Click on image to view larger picture

New Lynn gets its library

The New Lynn War Memorial Library will open with a seven day a week service on October 18 at 12 noon.

Architects Craig Craig Moller have described the new facility as "a social and cultural storehouse" incorporating a Citizens Advice Bureau, Council service centre and the existing Memorial Square.

At 1000 square metres, the new library is twice the size of the existing library and fronts onto Memorial Square with a large veranda and entry.

Divided into several sections, the adult section includes reference shelves opening onto informal reading bays with views to the external landscaping. A flock of kauri leaf and paper clay birds suspended from the ceiling by artist Iona Matheson will direct children to their area of the library. Children's and teen's librarians will be running story times and co-ordinating school visits during the opening weeks.

A learning centre, research and reference material will be conveniently clustered on a mezzanine overlooking both the library and Memorial Square. A suite of computers will provide free internet access and computer courses while a full-time co-ordinator can help with job hunting and children's homework. Reference librarians are available to assist with research projects, along with a full range of multicultural resources.

The existing New Lynn Service Centre facilities have been integrated into the library to allow for Council bill payments and enquiries. Payments can be made by cheque or eftpos only. Cash payments can be made at any ANZ bank with the presentation of the Council payment slip.

The Citizens Advice Bureau fronts onto the square close to the main entry and also has a public meeting room available for hire.

In keeping with recent civic building design and council policy, the building design incorporates generous natural lighting, environmentally friendly air control, and sustainable design elements in all areas.

The building represents a strong social and cultural identity, and presents a friendly face to all aspects of the complex and to the urban fabric of New Lynn.

Memorial Square will be landscaped to include planting, paving and a unique "poppy seat" by local artist Sue Bridges.

21 September

Name Supported

Waitakere Central it is.

Today the Waitakere City Council formally resolved to call the new transport interchange in Henderson "Waitakere Central".

The decision will now be forwarded to the New Zealand Geographic Board which will make a final determination.

To avoid confusion, the Council also decided that the existing Waitakere Rail Station (near Taupaki) should be called "Waitakere Village".

Mayor Bob Harvey says the name is important in defining the area as the "heart" of the City.

"This isn't about re-branding or changing Henderson at all," he says. "It is simply recognising that this is a regionally important complex. Much as people recognise and identify with 'Britomart', they will see Waitakere Central as being at the heart of our City."

20 September

Prime Minister Helen Clark dots the eyes of the lion at the official opening ceremony of the 2005 Waitakere Moon Festival.

Festival attracts thousands despite Election Day

Thousands of people came out to celebrate - and to vote - at the New Lynn Community Centre last weekend, for the third annual Waitakere Moon Festival.

The event was opened by the Prime Minister on election eve and quickly became an explosion of colour, music, dance, drumming, food, art, fun and games, that lasted into Friday night and all day Saturday.

The opening was also attended by a range of MPs, Councillors, Community Board Members and the consul generals of the People's Republic of China, Japan and Korea. It began with a traditional Maori welcome and concluded with the Prime Minister and the Consul General of China, Mr Ma Chong Ren "dotting the eyes of the Lion" and Councillor Judy Lawley, "crowning the Lion."

Saturday's crowds took advantage of having a multi-ethnic polling booth operating at one end of the community centre - allowing them to celebrate and vote all in the one place.

The Moon Festival is a mid-autumn harvest festival celebrated throughout Asia. Waitakere's event has been a success since the inaugural festival in 2003.

A full house on both days saw martial art displays, gorgeous flower angel dances and the exquisite divas of the Cantonese Opera Society. Friday night's programme finished with the explosive Auckland Mai Taiko drummers. Also on show were traditional Chinese folk music, orchestral music, modern Chinese-pop fusion, hip-hop and even ballroom dancing.

The diverse crowds enjoyed also food and shopping in the marquee at the back of the centre, and bonsai, Chinese art and mah-jong in the second hall.

The third year of the Moon Festival follows in the tradition of previous years, with large crowds from around the Auckland region attending the event.

The Waitakere Moon Festival would like to thank its sponsors Asia New Zealand, The Tofu Shop, China Travel Service, Chinese Express and Asian Voice and was delivered in partnership with the Waitakere City Council.

13 September

Ewen Gilmour light on his feet at Festival Comedy Night

Comedian Ewen Gilmour takes the lead at the Going West Books and Writers Festival's first ever comedy night Just for Laughs on September 24 from 7.30 pm at the Glen Eden Intermediate School Auditorium.

Gilmour's special brand of westie humour has not been dulled by sitting through endless meetings as a Waitakere City Councillor.

"One thing I've learned while at Council," he quips "is to say 'with all due respect' before I take the piss."

Three other comics join Gilmour for an evening of riotous post-election fun. Promising newcomer to the comedy scene Nathan Matthews used to be the class clown. Now he tells gags for a living. The sassy Michele A Court has been around for a while winning awards for her outrageous, often libellous stand-up routines. Justin Hansen, better known as Gish has turned his song writing talents to making people laugh. His songs The Joint, Stink Bro and Nothing Better to Do have all held top spots in the NZ Comedy Charts on MP 3.

The organisers of the Going West Books and Writers Festival wanted to acknowledge the creative word-power in stand-up comedy by including this night as part of the month-long festival programme. So whether to celebrate the election result or commiserate - Just for Laughs will be excellent light relief from political seriousness.

13 September

New Lynn Electoral Office provides polling booth at festival
 

12 September

Mary applies technology to tivaevae design
 

Mary Ama at Corban Estate Arts Centre by Otiz Frizzell's Pacifica mural.

Instead of labouring for months and years to produce a single quilt to give as a gift of love and friendship, designer Mary Ama has produced a range of tivaevae much more speedily, at the Corban Estate Arts Centre.

"In these designs, the traditional and the contemporary meet half way - the embroidery machine can do things overnight that used to take a very long time," says Mary.

Mary Ama's designs will be showcased at the Auckland Home Show from 14 - 18 September 2005.

Waitakere City's Pacific Island Advisory Board Co-ordinator and tivaevae (textile arts) teacher Mary says the traditionally hand-worked Cook Island needlework quilts have great intrinsic value and are treasured as family heirlooms.

"It is my ultimate goal to give back what I have learned, by taking tivaevae to the world from the daily life of Cook Islands women where it has been practised for generations.

Details of tivaevae

"Normally, tivaevae is not easy to come by because it is done by hand and given as a sign of affection. That's why I decided to make a range of cushions so that more people can share in the art," she says.

Mary and the team still work in the traditional communal way on designs of large colourful cushions on which frangipani, breadfruit, hibiscus, roses, orchids and water lilies feature strongly.

Mary is one of five Pacific designers showcased by The Pacific Arts Development Centre at the Home Show. Tahitian/Fijian/kiwi furniture designer Fletcher Vaughan, , Niuean weaver Matafetu Smith, Samoan/Danish contemporary visual artist Sheyne Tuffery and Tongan tapa designer/ architect Tomui Kaloni present authentic, high quality Pacific designs and artworks.
 

9 September

Maurice Gee leaves lasting impression on west

The author of the book that shaped the Going West Books and Writers' Festival Maurice Gee, will be honoured at this year's 10th annual festival.

After reading passages from his iconic work at the Going West Steam Train literary day out on September 25, there will be an "unveiling" ceremony where Mr Gee will be presented with a granite slab etched with his handprint.

Mr Gee's reading will take place at the New Lynn Community Centre.

His slab and bronze plaque will be stored before being placed alongside other recipients of the Walkway of Fame at the new Civic Centre when it opens in June 2006.

Past recipients, who include rugby legend Michael Jones, author Maurice Shadbolt and world champion athlete Beatrice Faumuina, come from a cross section of the arts, sport, politics, Maoridom and the community.

Inductees must be nationally or internationally recognised and have been born, lived, or have worked in the Waitakere area.
 

7 September

Edible organic gardens in every school

The Organic Gardens in Schools programme aims to provide practical support to establish an organic garden in every Waitakere school.

From left back row: Fardeen Saghar, Bonnie Garton Stack, Czarlee Jade Paniora-Prescott and Daniel Park, Front row: Councillor Penny Hulse, Principal Michelle Bacon, Jane Henley of the Sustainable Business Network and Chris Morrison of Phoenix Organics.

The programme is the fruit of a community-business partnership between Waitakere City Council, the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and Phoenix Organics.

"It's fantastic that businesses want to help their communities but they say they need well managed ways to do that which is where partnerships like these are keys to help implement gardens that will be sustainable for the long term. We are confident that this project has the right framework for success," says Councillor Penny Hulse.

Rutherford Primary is the first school in Waitakere to become involved in the Organic Gardens in Schools community-business relationship. Principal Michelle Bacon says that having organic gardening on the environmental education curriculum "with the help of Enviroschools and the Organic Garden Programme, we have a long term vision that our school will look amazing and produce fruit and vegetables that we can enjoy," she says

Sustainable Business Network project manager Jane Henley says that "business wants to be involved in developing healthy sustainable communities beyond sponsoring the local sports team.

"The level of involvement is up to each business. By becoming involved in this project, businesses directly support the schools in their area to start the programme and the establishment of a long term edible organic garden in the school grounds. The brokering of these relationships is managed by the Sustainable Business Network. Also, we want to encourage businesses to get active and involved.

"Some schools plan to invite the businesses to share a lunch with them when products of their efforts are ready to be eaten," says Ms Henley.

Founding supporter of the programme Chris Morrison of Phoenix Organics says "once the children learn how to do this at school I hope they then go home and start their own gardens."

2 September

Bryan Taylor

Bryan Taylor joins Waitakere Properties Board

Bryan Taylor, former Chief Executive of Auckland City Council, has been appointed as a director of Waitakere Properties Ltd (WPL).

Waitakere Properties is Waitakere City Council's property development company and the appointment was made at the Council's 31 August meeting.

"Mr Taylor brings a thorough knowledge of governance and an excellent track record in senior management," says Councillor Janet Clews, chair of the Council's Finance and Operational Committee.

"Waitakere City is developing momentum and the Council believes the time is right to push for greater development in the city. It has charged the Waitakere Properties Board with expanding its property portfolio and Mr Taylor has the right blend of skills to assist in ensuring this happens successfully," she says.

Mr Taylor agrees that a new surge in development is possible and says that the WPL board wants to drive things along.

Waitakere Properties has a number of commercial development projects underway including an A grade regional office park at Waitakere Central, alongside the new Civic Centre in Henderson and residential projects in the New Lynn town centre. In addition, the company manages the Henderson Valley Film Studios. These have been a major success since they first opened several years ago and became the base for Disney's "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" which opens in cinemas this year.

WPL is now seeking $10 million in private investment is being sought to build a new international quality film studio at the complex.

Mr Taylor joins current directors Ross Jewell (chairman), Rob Noakes and Ann Magee on the WPL board.

1 September

Mayor urges people to get involved in democracy as Council stays with First Past the Post voting system for 2007 elections

Waitakere City Council this week voted to stay with the traditional First Past the Post voting system, for its 2007 elections and Mayor Bob Harvey has urged Waitakere residents to get out and vote in elections.

"Democracy is something that millions in the world don't have and yet here in New Zealand, a lot of people don't just take it for granted - they don't even seem to care at all," the Mayor says.

The Council made the decision as part of its is review of the city's electoral system, which includes choosing between the traditional First Past the Post (FPP) voting system or the Single Transferable Vote system (STV).

Under First Past the Post, candidates who have the most votes when all votes have been counted, become elected Councillors or Community Board Members.

Under STV, voters are asked to list all the candidates in order of preference - with their favourite candidate at the top of the list and their least favourite at the bottom. Under this system, the winning candidates must win a quota of the votes. There is a number of vote counts and in each one, the lowest polling candidates are eliminated and the votes they received are shared out between the remaining candidates. This process is repeated until enough candidates have enough votes to win a seat.

Waitakere City Electoral Officer Darryl Griffin says District Health Boards must use STV for their elections (which happen at the same time as Council elections) but Councils may choose whether to use FPP or STV.

The Council will soon lodge a public notice advertising its decision to stay with First Past the Post.

Mr Griffin says that the law requires the Council to review its election system.

"Another thing that has to be decided is whether to stay with the ward system, in which Councillors are elected to represent a ward of the city, with the Mayor elected city-wide," Mr Griffin says.

"The other options are to do away with the ward system and have all councillors elected city-wide, like the mayor or; to have a mix in which some councillors are elected by ward and others city-wide," he says.

Mr Griffin says that if the Council decides to keep the ward system, it will have to decide whether to keep the present four wards or change the number.

"If they keep the present wards, changes will have to be made to them. Since the last elections, the law has been changed and now the ratio of residents to elected members may not vary by more than 10%, from ward to ward. This means that in order to keep the same four wards with the same numbers of councillors in each one, we will have to adjust the boundaries.

"But that is only one option. The Council could change the number of wards. That would be quite a complex task, deciding how many wards there should be, where to put the boundaries and the reasons for doing so - and so on. This is the discussion we will be having with Councillors in the coming weeks and months," Mr Griffin says.

The next step in the review process could be a decision on whether to introduce separate Maori wards. Once again, recent changes to the law, requires Councils to consider this option and Waitakere City Council is awaiting a report from its Te Taumata Runanga Committee, following consultation with the Maori community.

"That report is expected this month and we anticipate the Council will want to discuss the report and possibly make a decision, at its September meeting," Mr Griffin says.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bob Harvey has, expressed disappointment at the level of public interest in the issue of how the city runs its elections. The Council held five public meetings, workshops and focus group meetings on the issue, but a total of just 52 people attended.

"Over a number of years the voter turnout at local elections has been poor (as low as 36% in some cases)," he says. "A number of different systems have been tried, but nothing seems to fire people up."

"I think there is just a general apathy. People are too busy getting on with their lives to worry about their local community and some of them think that their vote just doesn't count. That's sad.

Mr Griffin agrees and says that there will be public consultation on the various issues and he is examining ways to engage the public effectively.