Media Releases

August 2007

 

30 August

New deputy chair appointed to Arts, Events and Culture special committee

Linda Cooper has been appointed deputy chair of the Arts, Events and Culture special committee at Waitakere City Council.

She replaces Councillor Ewen Gilmour, who recently resigned from the Council due to personal and business commitments.

A Massey ward Councillor, Mrs Cooper has been on the committee since its inception three years ago.

29 August

Fathering Week events

A strong programme of events for Fathering Week in Waitakere, got underway on Tuesday August 28, with forum to affirm the essential role that an engaged dad can play in their child's development

The forum on Supporting New Fathers was led by Frank Hayes from New Born Fathers, Chris Davidson from Man Alive, and Joe Waru from Te Matua.

Mr Hayes told the audience that there are three important questions most new dads want answered:

1. How can I be a great dad - beyond my own experience of being fathered?
2. What kind of changes might happen to my life and to my relationship?
3. And what practical strategies are there for fathering (i.e. how to manage being around a baby).

Mr Davidson said that having special dad and child times was important.

He related how his wife did paid work on Saturday morning and that enabled him to have an adventure with his daughter - they'd go somewhere for a walk or to the zoo.

On a trip to the bush - his young daughter was walking independently for the first time - when she fell and got covered in mud.

"I wiped her hands and told her it was okay - then a little later I slipped over - I expected my daughter to be worried but she stood there laughing."

Mr Waru spoke about being a man when the baby is crying at 4am - if the baby's not wet, not hungry and keeps crying it can unravel your sense of being the man - so it's about learning to communicate with your child and really listening to what they're saying, it's about taking that time to listen and comforting the child.

Lots of fathers have registered for this dad's play event.

The Active Movement and Games event on Thursday 30th August 7-9pm at the Trusts Stadium has proved popular with a large number of dad's registering for the chance to look at activities and games they can play with their pre-schoolers.

This is being organised by Sport Waitakere.

On Saturday 1st September 7-8: 30pm Playback Theatre is staging the Joy of Fathering at Unitec's Waitakere City campus (Trading Place entrance - gold coin donation at door).

This is billed as being an event for ages eight and older.

Come and join in with some local drummers beforehand, between 6-7pm outside the Waitakere Library - Unitec in Ratanui Street, Henderson.

29 August

Country's largest film sound studio opens in Waitakere

The Prime Minister the Rt Hon Helen Clark and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey today opened the country's largest film sound studio in Henderson, Waitakere.

The 2000sq m studio has enough clear space to the ceiling to create sets the size of a double storey building as well as separate production offices.

Prime West Limited has been formed to own the $7 million studio and surrounding land and other studios.

The shareholders in this company are Waitakere City and the Tony Tay Group, who developed the studio.

Tony Tay is selling its interest in Prime West Ltd to the Dynasty Group, a company with relationships with the Chinese film industry and a private investor, Martin Lyttelton.

About 200 guests from the film industry and local community walked the red carpet to the opening celebrations organised by Film Auckland, Waitakere City and Waitakere Properties which saw Ms Clark use a film clapper board to declare the studio officially open.

Production is already underway in the studio and Mayor Harvey says the opening of the massive state-of-the-art studio will boost Waitakere's movie capacity even further.

Mayor Harvey, a former deputy chairman of the New Zealand Film Commission, said there was something tremendously special and exciting about the film industry in Waitakere.

"In a strategic sense the film sound studio diversifies the film production capacity in that it provides facilities that would be suited to large film productions but it also increases capacity for television and commercial products," he said.

"It's as gigantic as the impact the film industry has had in Waitakere. Film is incredibly important to this city and this city's economy."

After extensive liaison with the local industry Mayor Harvey discovered film's financial contribution to Waitakere is around $100 million annually, rivalling the tourism and wine industries.

He said the film sound studio is as good as anything in the world and means we will be even more attractive to major overseas filmmakers, a comment previously echoed by ex-pat Kiwi film producer and director Roger Donaldson.

Waitakere Properties chair Ross Jewell said the new film sound stage was a core piece of screen industry infrastructure.

"Combined with proximity to diverse locations and a growing network of studios, production houses and other industry support services the sound stage gives real force to Waitakere's drive as the film capital of New Zealand."

Numerous New Zealand and international feature films, television programmes and advertisements have been filmed at the Henderson Valley Studios complex including big budget movies The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and 30 Days of Night.

Following the Waitakere studio opening the Prime Minister and Mayor Harvey attended the glamour premiere of Robin Scholes and Peter Burger's The Tattooist.

29 August

Waitakere CEO awarded local government's highest honour

Waitakere City Council's Chief Executive Officer, Harry O'Rourke, has been awarded the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers highest honour, the Distinguished Management Award. He is one of only seven people who have been presented with this Award.

Mr O'Rourke, who is one of the country's longest serving local government officers was recognised at the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) annual conference in Wellington on Monday, 27 August 2007, for 40 years of outstanding service to the sector.

He retires in March next year after 36 years with Waitakere City Council - six of them as Chief Executive Officer.

Receiving his award from the new SOLGM President, Steve Parry, Mr O'Rourke predictably gave the credit for his achievements to the people he had worked with.

"I have always believed that people who work for Local Government go to work to make a positive difference in people's lives and that is a very worthwhile way to spend your own life", he said.

Mr O'Rourke began his career as a Committee Secretary with the Mt Roskill Borough Council in 1967. In 1972, he joined Waitemata County Council as a Planning Committee Secretary and rose to become the City Secretary of Waitemata City Council in 1979 and later Town Clerk/Chief Executive Officer which he was at amalgamation in 1989.

When Waitemata was merged with New Lynn, Glen Eden and Henderson Boroughs in 1989, Mr O'Rourke joined the new Waitakere City Council as General Manager - Finance and Administration.

He became the Chief Executive Officer in March 2001 and initiated the building of Waitakere Central and the Ratanui Street complex which includes the new central library, car park building and Unitec extensions.

The library is a New Zealand first - possibly world first joint venture between a local authority and a tertiary institution to share library facilities. He has the Massey, Glen Eden and New Lynn libraries to his credit. The undergrounding of the rail in New Lynn was one of his initiatives.

In addition to his administrative duties, Mr O'Rourke has been a senior national figure in the Civil Defence organisation in New Zealand.

Mr O'Rourke is a senior international official in the sport of Judo, being himself a Black Belt, 6th Dan.

29 August

Netball World Championship final to be held in Waitakere

Mayor Bob Harvey is delighted at the announcement that the full programme for the New World Netball World Championships is to be held at Trusts Stadium in Waitakere.

The championship organisers had been considering moving the finals day to Vector Arena.

Mayor Harvey says his City is now ready to turn on the best World Championship event ever.

"We've got a world class facility, netball have a world class events team - and this City is just netball crazy," he says.

"We've got all the ingredients to make this the best world champs ever."

Mayor Harvey adds that the Silver Ferns have never lost a test match at the Trusts Stadium.

"That's a record that we will all be working hard to ensure stays in place."

27 August

Waitakere Central wins premier management award

The Waitakere City Council has scooped another award " this time for the way it managed the relocation and restructuring of the organisation as it created Waitakere Central.

Waitakere won the supreme award last night at the New Zealand Post Management Excellence Awards in Wellington which were held at the opening of the Society of Local Government Managers conference.

In 2006 the council centralised its offices, which were previously spread across nine different sites throughout Waitakere, in the heart of Henderson - Waitakere Central.

New Zealand Post manager of local government relations Don Day said it was the way that council managed the relocation and the way in which it kept key stakeholders informed that impressed the judging panel.

"With an increasing importance placed on corporate responsibility these days Waitakere did a great job of meeting the environmental, economic, cultural and social challenges of such a large undertaking," Mr Day said.

The judges believed that the project delivered a "smart civic space on time and on budget".

They were also impressed that such a large project was managed with such "transparency of process and decision-making while avoiding unnecessary complexity".

The council collected a trophy, a framed certificate and $5000 prize money for its win.

Waitakere Central was officially opened in September, 2006 by Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Waitakere Central has brought more than 700 fulltime staff and its 50,000 annual visitors within walking distance of the main business area of Henderson.

The New Zealand Post supreme management award follows hot on the heels of other awards directly related to Waitakere Central " including an award for its strategic location at the New Zealand Property Council, the premier creative places award recognising the way art is integrated into the city by Creative New Zealand, and a structural engineering award at the 2007 Association of Consulting Engineering New Zealand (ACENZ) Awards.

24 August

Waitakere election candidates announced

Time's up and 127 people have thrown their hats in the ring as Waitakere City candidates in the upcoming local government elections to be held on Saturday, 13 October 2007.

When the deadline for nominations passed at midday today there were 127 candidates as follows:

• 6 nominations for Mayor
• 63 nominations to stand as a Councillor
• 39 nominations for Community Boards
• 19 nominations for the Waitakere Licensing Trust

Darryl Griffin says he is pleased with the level of interest from the community.

A comparison with the 2004 elections shows a total of 117 candidates as follows:

• 3 nominations for Mayor
• 47 nominations for Councillors
• 49 nominations for Community Boards
• 18 Nominations for Waitakere Licensing Trust

24 August

Waitakere events up with best in the world

Following a string of recent arts, building and environmental accolades, Waitakere has been announced as an award-winning finalist in a prestigious international event management award.

Waitakere's iconic Trash to Fashion event and the popular Moon Festival were both entered in a number of categories in the 2007 International Festival and Events Association (IFEA) Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards " a global competition that recognises the highest degree of excellence in festival and event creation, promotion and management.

Selected as an award finalist from over 1,500 organisations worldwide, Waitakere is in the running for the IFEA's supreme prize - the Grand Pinnacle Award " as well as individual category wins.

Results will be announced next month at the IFEA annual conference in Atlanta, USA.

"Being a winner in these awards proves that Waitakere has every right to be proud of its events and festivals, which have been recognised internationally as being of world-class standard," says Councillor Judy Lawley, chair of the Council's Culture, Arts and Events Committee.

The Council has already won a number of prestigious awards this year, including the Award of Merit in the Innovative New Zealand Association of Consulting Engineering New Zealand (ACENZ) Awards, a highly commended in the Sustainable Urban Communities category at the Auckland Regional Council's Sustainable Environment Awards for Project Twin Streams and the Premier Creative Places Award for integrated arts design in the Civic Centre in Henderson.

24 August

Submissions close on Waitemata Harbour Foreshore Reserves Management Plan

Submissions have closed on the draft Waitemata Harbour Foreshore Reserves Management Plan.

Nearly 50 public submissions were received during the two consultation periods and they covered a diverse range of issues - from people wanting more walking tracks in the city's reserves, to calls for off-leash exercise areas for dogs, to people wanting car parking issues resolved.

The Waitemata Harbour Foreshore Reserves Management Plan combines all local reserves that lie adjacent to the Waitemata Harbour, that are managed by the Waitakere City Council.

These reserves are important public spaces, not only do they cater for many different users but they often also play host to native vegetation and wildlife " reserve management plans are designed to enhance and protect the ecological and community values of these areas.

There is a scheduled hearing which is open to the public on September 4, 5pm at the Waitemata Room at Waitakere Central " where those who have submitted are invited to speak to their submissions.

The plan is expected to be adopted by October.

23 August

Project Twin Streams Punters Put 58,340 Plants In The Ground

21 August

Yes you can vote while you are overseas or elsewhere
 

17 August

Waitakere Central wins structural engineering award

Waitakere Central - the new Civic Centre for Waitakere - has won another prestigious award for innovation and leadership.

The award - for dampening vibrations from the next-door railway - opens up possibilities for more intensive use of land close to railways throughout the country.

The world leading anti-vibration system has won an award of merit at the Innovative New Zealand 2007 Association of Consulting Engineering New Zealand (ACENZ) Awards, for Alan Reay Consultants, structural engineers .

It is the fourth award in quick succession for the environmentally world class building since its opening a year ago.

Others have included two excellence awards at the 2007 Property Council awards and the 2007 Creative New Zealand premier creative places award.

Alan Reay Consultants were faced with ensuring the council building functioned as a comfortable and efficient workplace for 700 fulltime staff, while being located beside an increasingly busy commuter railway line just metres from the site.

So Alan Reay developed what ACENZ describes as "an innovative foundation isolation system for the complex, which is believed to be unique in the world".

And the unique methods and techniques employed in the building's design by Alan Reay Consultants resulted in ACENZ labelling Waitakere Central's creation and design an "outstanding project".

"The solution centres around piles isolated from the ground and on the ground floor slab by bentonite or polystyrene, depending on the location - subsequent testing revealed the vibration level was well within acceptable levels," ACENZ says.

"Not only does the building meet the client's requirements for energy efficiency, but the selection of methods and materials were cost effective."

17 August

Waitakere Mayor Appointed Peace Foundation President

Waitakere Mayor and lifelong peace campaigner Bob Harvey has been elected president of the New Zealand Peace Foundation.

A United Nations recognised Global Mayor for Peace, Mayor Harvey was elected at last night's annual meeting of the foundation in Auckland.

"It is a great honour for me to be elected president of the New Zealand Peace Foundation and I feel very privileged," says Mayor Harvey.

"The organisation has a proud history and I look forward to upholding and continuing the dedication to peace and its enriched agenda that now encompasses social change and challenges in this country."

The election of Mayor Harvey as president comes just weeks before Waitakere's official City for Peace initiative launch and just weeks after the first meeting of the mayor's Mayoral Taskforce Against Family Violence which Mayor Harvey co-chairs with local kaumatua and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples.

"I have been working towards peace for a very long time and it feels now the time is right for another surge forward in this regard," says Mayor Harvey. "We need to get peace firmly back on the agenda of this country's young people and I think the New Zealand Peace Foundation can do that."

In his presidential address to the meeting Mayor Harvey, who campaigned against the Vietnam War and for New Zealand to become nuclear free, posed a number of questions and challenges.

"Is the quest for peace still about the proliferation of nuclear weapons? Do we focus on peace being the opposite of terrorism? How does this country view our place? These are the questions we need to be asking ourselves because ours is a role of leadership and wisdom."

16 August

Time running out for candidates in local elections

With nominations trickling in for the local elections Darryl Griffin is reminding people they only have until midday on Friday 24 August to get their nominations in.

Although over 200 packs have been sent out to interested people the Council has only received:

• 1 nomination for Mayor
• 8 nominations to stand as a Councillor
• 6 nomination for community boards
• 1 nomination for the Waitakere Licensing Trust

Council has also received the following on behalf of other Electoral Officers:

• 0 nominations for the Auckland Regional Council
• 0 nominations for the Waitemata District Health Board
• 2 nominations for the Portage Licensing Trust.

Darryl Griffin says that if you're a New Zealand citizen, over 18 years of age and you're on the electoral roll you can stand as a candidate.

"All you need is the desire to represent your community and make a difference to Waitakere."

Anyone wishing to stand as an elected member must be nominated by two people enrolled in the district or ward you are standing in, and pay a deposit of $200. Nominations close at noon on Friday 24 August.

Darryl Griffin urges people not to wait until the last minute to get nominations in. "If you do leave it until the last minute and there is something wrong with, or missing from, your application there will not be any extensions of time."

16 August

Eel appeal for Piha's new bridge

click on image to enlarge

Waitakere is New Zealand's city of artistic bridges - and the latest addition is a new eel-themed footbridge at Piha .

The design by local artist Mandy Patmore was one of three put up for public vote last year .   It also won approval from Piha residents.

The new bridge is likely to replace Piha's old footbridge early next year.

 "It was really important to me to have something that was relevant to the area and I find it fascinating that the Piha Stream is a migratory route for the eel, which travels here from Tonga on a 10-month-long journey," she says.

 "I have used the eel as the basis of my bridge design, creating a serene, flowing form that blends into its surroundings. It will also be more practical than the existing bridge, being wide enough for strollers and to allow people to stop in the centre to talk and admire the view."

The design includes a pre-cast concrete slab floor inlaid with images of the life-cycle of the eel, a rounded underbelly made from glass reinforced concrete that uses indentations to create shadow effects, stainless steel railings forged to replicate wetland plant life and wooden hand rails running along the top.

The bridge entrances will also have striking visual markers - branches made out of stainless steel.

 "I'm really honoured that something I have had a hand in creating will be used and enjoyed by so many people for many years to come," says Mandy, who juggles work at the Corban Estate Arts Centre with painting, running art programmes in local schools and bringing up her two children.

"I feel really proud of my bridge and I hope people will think it's a beautiful thing that adds to the environment in a subtle way, creates a quiet, contemplative space and provides an interesting journey from one shore to another."

16 August

Show us your dad!

Photos of local dads are wanted for a large public display to mark Waitakere's first Focus on Fathering Week.

Held from Monday 27 August to Sunday 2 September, Focus on Fathering Week celebrates the essential role of fathers in our community. As part of those celebrations, Waitakere City Council is hosting a special photo exhibition of local dads on the Waitakere Central airbridge, Railside Ave, Henderson.

Photographs need to be submitted by Thursday 23 August to be included in the display, which is designed to be a fun and informative snapshot of life as a father in Waitakere.

"Fathering is one of the most important activities in our community," says Waitakere Mayor, Bob Harvey, himself a father of five.

"This week is all about celebrating men in this role, offering them support in the essential job they take on, making sure that they have good back-up when the times get tough and reminding them about how enjoyable fathering can be."

Focus on Fathering Week offers a number of fun and informative activities, such as a play day for dads and kids at the Trust Stadiums and fathering tips for new fathers from dads themselves and various social agencies and self-help groups.

A men's health-check bus is also offering free check-ups for men aged between 35 and 75 years of age.

Photographs for the display can be submitted in a number of ways.

16 August

Project Twin Streams highly commended at the Sustainable Environment Awards

The Project Twin Streams Community contract organisations were highly commended in the Sustainable Urban Communities category at the ARC's Sustainable Environment Awards, last week.

Winners in this category were Friends of Oakley Creek, Te Auaunga, while environmental pioneer Jack Harper took away the Supreme Winner award for a lifetime of environmental work on the Awhitu Peninsula

Other Waitakere groups commended in the Sustainable Urban Communities category were the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society and EcoMatters Environment Trust.

Councillor Penny Hulse, Chairman of Waitakere City Council's City Development Committee, congratulates the winners and says "We are delighted Project Twin Streams received recognition by the judges. All those involved should feel very proud."

"For the Waitakere the eco city that has done so much to get the environment to the top of the agenda, It is very encouraging that such meaningful work to protect the environment and address climate change, is being carried out right around our region," she says.

The Auckland Regional Council received more than 260 award applications from groups, individuals and organisations who are doing their bit for the environment. The biennial awards, which began in 2000, recognise and celebrate outstanding environmental achievement in the Auckland region.

Project Twin Streams is an innovative partnership between the Waitakere City Council and the local community to restore 55 kilometres of streambank in the Henderson and Huruhuru catchments. The aim of the project is to achieve better stormwater management, improve water quality, help restore the natural environment, and work with other parts of the council to help create different ways to live, work, play and travel.

The work is being shared by community groups and this is also building stronger communities with a commitment to each other as people and to the neighbourhoods where they live.

9 August

$2 million funding boost

The development of a marine precinct and super-yacht industry hub at Hobsonville today received a $2m boost.

Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard announced the funding will come from the government's Major Regional Initiative fund. The money is tagged to infrastructure which will allow easy access for large boats to deep water.

Waitakere City Council is leading the overall development along with key partners such as the Marine Industry Association and Auckland Plus. Chairperson of Waitakere City Council's City Development Committee, Penny Hulse, says that today's announcement is an example of local, regional, and central governments working together.

"When the Government announced the closure of the Hobsonville airbase Waitakere (City Council) saw a unique opportunity to create jobs and training in the boat building industry, which is very definitely one of the country's leading exporters. It has taken some time to develop the concept but now all systems are go and we expect building to begin in 2008."

Councillor Hulse says that since Waitakere City announced it was purchasing 15 hectares of land at the former airbase for the marine precinct development there have been weekly expressions of interest from industry players.

"The Government's commitment will ensure that things go ahead even more quickly than we had hoped," she says.

7 August

Poetry celebration to become annual event

Performance poetry with John Goudge and Melinda Phillips

Waitakere City's inaugural poetry week celebration is now set to become an annual event.

'Celebrate Poetry in Waitakere', held in the last week of July, saw around 180 poems submitted for public display or recital by more than 70 local poets. A class from Henderson's Holy Cross School also submitted haiku.

The inaugural celebration centred around two events: an evening of performance poetry at Waitakere Central Library, at which the public could listen to guest poets and enjoy wine and cheese, and soapbox performances at New Lynn and Waitakere Central libraries, allowing people to recite their own poetry to a lunchtime audience.

Organiser Julie Nash says both events were well received and many local businesses were keen to display local poetry during the week.

"Overall it was a fantastic response for the inaugural event and it looks like it will be an annual event from now on," she says.

Celebrate Poetry in Waitakere was sponsored by Waitakere City Council, Montana and Booksellers NZ.

7 August

The Big Picture

Thousands of jobs and an industry worth millions of dollars a year is in jeopardy if severe restrictions are placed on film activities.

That's the warning from Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey whose Council today made a presentation to the Parks and Heritage sub -committee of the Auckland Regional Council (ARC).

The ARC is considering restricting film and television activity in key locations such as Piha, Karekare and Anawhata beaches. It also intends restricting activities such as weddings and sports events.

Today, ARC Councillors were told that in the past decade Waitakere City has carved itself a niche as "The Hollywood of the South Pacific".

Literally thousands of feature films, television shows and commercials have been shot in and around the City.

"The Auckland region and in particular Waitakere is home to around 70 percent of New Zealand's screen production activity. To place severe controls on that level of activity is just crazy," Mayor Harvey says.

Later this month the country's largest film studio and sound stage will open in Henderson, said Mayor Harvey. At a cost of $7 million it will employ around 250 people.

"So on one hand the private sector is pouring millions of dollars into developing infrastructure, and on the other they are being told they aren't wanted."

Mr Harvey says that as the ARC's proposals stand, gatherings of more than 50 people could be restricted. "That means things like school trips to the coast could be jeopardized. I can't imagine that is what the ARC intends but it does show what a blunt tool these sorts of restrictions are."

"Everybody acknowledges how special and sensitive the Ranges are," says Mayor Harvey. "But we have to balance good stewardship with commonsense."

He adds that nationally film and television make a significant contribution to New Zealand's economy and export earnings. Statistics New Zealand's first Screen Industry in New Zealand survey (published in November last year) showed a gross revenue of $2.6 billion in the 2005 financial year - comparable to those of the forestry and logging and the horticulture and fruit growing industries ($2.8 billion).

"This is big business. It's a serious business," says Mayor Harvey. "And the ARC simply has to show some leadership and common-sense to nurture and grow it."

Waitakere City's economic development agency (Waitakere Enterprise) also made a submission at the ARC hearing today.

6 August

Te Taumata Runanga undergoes review

Te Taumata Runanga is a standing committee of Waitakere City Council, providing advice and guidance regarding Maori aspirations in the city. The committee has been in operation for over fifteen years, and was one of the first such structures in the country.

Key achievements of the Taumata over this time include the establishment of a Marae Support Policy, the setting aside of an Urupa at Waikumete Cemetery, and advocacy for delivery of a wide range of services to Maori.

The Taumata is undergoing a review to look at ways in which it can become a more effective voice for Maori in Waitakere.

Chairman, Te Warena Taua, says "Te Taumata Runanga has been a leading model of Maori participation in Local Government for many years.

However, to remain so we must move with the times, and continue to ask how we can enhance the way we operate.

The member organisations of the Taumata are all committed to the wellbeing of Maori communities in different ways.

We are also committed to lifting the Taumata to new heights through this review."

Current member organisations of Te Taumata Runanga are Kawerau a Maki, Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua, Hoani Waititi Marae, Te Piringatahi o Te Maungarongo Marae, Kakariki Marae, Te Ropu Wahine Maori Toko I Te Ora, Te Whanau o Waipareira, Te Roopu Kaumatua o Waipareira, Te Atatu and Te Roopu Puawai o Waitakere.

A Hui-a-Iwi will be hosted to invite input from the Maori community to the review.

The Hui will be held at Kotuku Marae, Rutherford High School on Saturday 11 August, beginning at 12.30pm.

Mr. Taua adds, "the Taumata is a platform for Maori within the Council.

For us to be effective, we need to hear from the Maori community."

6 August

Waitakere City Councillor Ewen Gilmour has resigned

"I have enjoyed my time on the council immensely and have not ruled out a return to local body politics in the future," he says.

"To be honest I really didn't know what I was getting into but it has been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling time".

"It's very easy for people to criticise their local council but I cannot fault the commitment of everyone I have worked with in my time at Waitakere. 

Anybody who stands for local government has a real passion and dedication for their community."

Asked to single out one significant achievement, Cr Gilmour points at proposed improvements to pedestrian access across the north western motorway at Massey.

"That came about after a young person was hit and killed by a car while running across the motorway and it was a huge tragedy, one I didn't want to see happen again."

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says he is very sorry to see Cr Gilmour go but completely understands the reasons.

"Ewen has been a very hard working councillor and leaves us as a great friend indeed. Everyone here wishes him all the very best for the future."

3 August

Coronation Bridge to be repaired

Repair work will soon begin on the historic Coronation Bridge over the Opanuku Stream, from Henderson Valley Road to the Corban Estate carpark.

The Council's Tenders Sub-committee today approved a tender to carry out protective works budgeted at $500,000, subject to certain conditions being met.

This will include under-pinning the bridge foundations - which do not presently go down to bed rock - and also installing a wall to deflect the stream-flow away from the bridge piers (pillars).

Work will begin on 1 September and is scheduled to take three months.

The bridge was built as a road bridge in 1913 and was named in honour of the coronation of King George V.

It has been used solely for pedestrians since 1947 and the present bridge was completed in 1948.

Coronation Bridge was closed in 2005 after a flood scoured the foundations to the point where it was considered that the bridge had become dangerous.

The Council has used traffic barriers on the road bridge to provide a safe footpath area, these will be removed when the footbridge re-opens.

"The foundations had probably been progressively eroding since the bridge was built. However the flood revealed the full extent and the bridge was closed as a precaution," says Council Public Affairs Manager, Dai Bindoff.

2 August

The future of Te Pai Park

Henderson's Te Pai Park plays host to over 10,000 netballers each week during the winter, hundreds of tennis players in the summer and skateboarders all year round.

And this pivotal Waitakere recreational park could soon be in for a makeover depending on the outcome of the Draft Te Pai Reserve Management Plan - which opens for public submissions this month.

Among the suggestions in the draft plan is one from Netball Waitakere, which is seeking an expansion of its existing court area and also a covered court section.

Netball Waitakere marketing and sponsorship manager Sheryl Hyndman, who presented to this week's City Development Committee, says the covered court area would help prevent wet weather cancellations during the netball season.

This will make the courts day/night and all weather facilities, helping significantly to meet the growing demand for court space.

Not only that but having more flexible playing hours will help many women stay in the sport longer.

"Further, the covered area would be available for other sports to use as well as possibly community fairs and market days," she says.

The Te Pai Park Tennis Club also believes that covered courts would greatly benefit the existing facilities.

Meanwhile, local skaters requested that a 'vert ramp' be installed.

Chairman of the City Development Committee Penny Hulse says that the draft management plans are just that, drafts, and that while many of the proposals sound exciting the council will wait to consider the public submissions before any decisions are made.

"If you have ideas or thoughts on the future of Te Pai Park we would love to hear them - please make a submission on this draft plan," she says.

Public submissions will remain open for two months, hard copies are available from the council by contacting us, or at public open days which will be advertised at a later date.

1 August

World Junior Champs - Team Entries

Twenty-six countries entered  the "Waitakere World Junior Badminton Championships 2007".  The entries have closed for the Team's section of the Waitakere World Junior Badminton Championships 2007 being held at The Trusts Stadium in Waitakere City, from October 25 to November 4.

Twenty-six countries registered at the time of closure and this includes entries from all five of the Badminton World Federation's member Confederations. Included amongst the entries are the Asian powerhouses of China, Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Team's competition is to be held from Thursday, 25 October to Sunday, 28 October 2007.  

The individual entries close on 25 September and it is anticipated that, in addition to countries and players entered in the teams section, another 10-12 countries will be represented. The individual competitions, across the five disciplines of men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles will be held from Tuesday, 30 October to Sunday, 4 November.

Badminton New Zealand Executive Director, Peter Dunne said "We are delighted with the team entries to date and this is shaping to be a real showcase for the sport of badminton in New Zealand".

There is no question that the players on show will include Olympic medallists in the future." Dunne went on to say, "One of our key drivers in Badminton New Zealand hosting the tournament has been the opportunity to showcase world class badminton within our nation.

Badminton is truly a sport of passion for many of New Zealand's Asian communities so the hosting of the World Junior Championships allows us to be inclusive of their sporting requirements and consequently feel more a part of our society." Dunne said "Our key partners, the Badminton World Federation, Waitakere City,  SPARC and the Kuala Lumpur Racket Club have been hugely supportive of these key drivers and the tournament itself".

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey said : "Events are not only a great way to promote sport and healthy lifestyles but they also promote a region in terms of tourism and investment. And of course they also bring hard, cold, cash into the City. An event on this scale will bring Waitakere, and New Zealand, to literally millions of people around the world.

Mayor Harvey added : "The World Junior Badminton Championships are the latest in a string of international events the City has hosted including the likes of the Commonwealth Judo Champs, the Oceania Basketball Champs as well as the upcoming Netball World Championships."

"We now have a reputation as a premier host City and with Badminton New Zealand as our partners we are going to produce another world-class event."


 

1 August

Director appointed to North West Auckland Airport Ltd

Mike Williams holds various directorships and other positions including being the president of the New Zealand Labour Party and a member of the Waitakere Enterprise Board.

Mr Williams was nominated for the board by Waitakere City Council and the appointment is for an 18 month period.

North West Auckland Airport Ltd - formed by Waitakere City Council, North Shore City Council and Rodney District Council along with listed infrastructure company Infratil will promote the use of Whenuapai Airport for commercial purposes and seek support amongst key Government Ministers for a positive decision on the future of the airbase.

The Waitakere, North Shore and Rodney District Councils each appoint one director to the board, while Infratil Ltd has three directors.

1 August

Slowing down near Waitakere's schools

Motorists are exercising greater caution outside another Waitakere school this week as the city's third 40km/ph school speed zone is introduced.

Henderson Valley Primary School students will now be able to arrive at and leave school with passing vehicles travelling 30km/ph slower than they were previously required to under the law.

Waitakere City Council road safety coordinator Kitch Cuthbert says Henderson Valley Primary is in a unique situation as it is the first school in Waitakere in a 70km/ph zone to have the school speed restrictions introduced.

"This is going to make a massive difference in terms of road safety for the children who attend this school," she says, "vehicles are now required to drive at nearly half the speed they were formerly travelling at.";

"At 40km/ph motorists will have a much greater chance of being able to stop or avoid the types of incidents that occur with school children who simply don't have the same road safety comprehension as adults," she says.

Deputy mayor Carolynne Stone and Councillor Penny Hulse attended the opening of the new school speed zone and told students that the Waitakere City Council hopes it can shortly introduce a bylaw that will restrict motorists to 40km/ph outside all of Waitakere's schools.

The school speed reduction limits are in place from 8.30-9am and again in the afternoon from 2.55-3.15.

Speed restrictions are also in place outside Oratia and Waitakere Primary Schools and a fourth will be in place shortly at Woodlands Primary School.

1 August

District Plan Change Decisions Released

Newly adopted changes to the City's District Plan in New Lynn, Westgate and Hobsonville will lead to the creation of 19,000 new jobs and 8700 new homes by 2020.

These new opportunities come after 15 years work by the City Council to create a compact, efficient, sustainable City where the need to travel is reduced and greater lifestyle choices are offered..

This new phase of growth has arisen from changes to planning rules announced by Waitakere City Council and the Auckland Regional Council.

The changes allow for further development close to New Lynn's centre and the opening up of new land for development in the Westgate and Hobsonville areas. New planning rules are being introduced to ensure high quality urban design. These changes will help to protect the Waitakere Ranges and the countryside from urban sprawl by directing and managing growth.

A key to this has been changes to the district and regional plans, including a move of the Metropolitan Urban Limit (MUL) in the Westgate and Hobsonville areas. The MUL is a planning tool used by the Auckland Regional Council to control the outward spread of the urban area.

Mayor Bob Harvey says the provision of new land for employment is a milestone in the history of the city.

"It's fantastic news. Years of planning and hard work are coming together. We've taken actions to preserve the Ranges, our streams and coasts and now we've got everything in place for a sustainable urban city. This is our best opportunity yet for Waitakere's economy to thrive, and find solutions to deal with the city's rapid growth," he says.