Media Releases

December 2007
 

21 December

Eco-City shows the way in saving the planet

Waitakere is doing its bit to green New Zealand, and the planet.

Known as the "Eco-City", Waitakere has planted almost 200,000 trees this year- a staggering 196,124 in fact. The bulk of these were native trees.

This is part of a general planting programme in parks, stream corridors and road reserves etc, and Waitakere is also part of the United Nations sponsored programme Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign.

The campaign aimed to plant a billion trees around the world this year- one million of those in New Zealand.

Waitakere deputy mayor Penny Hulse is delighted that her Council's pledge to plant trees for that campaign contributed so significantly to the national total.

"Even more pleasing is that tens of thousands of trees in Waitakere were planted by community groups and volunteers. People here truly care for the environment and take real ownership of our streams, parks and even their own backyards. They rolled up their sleeves and got the job done."

Several years ago Waitakere City Council distributed a million eco-sourced native seeds to residents who propagated and planted their own flaxes and grasses. Another initiative is the annual "Trees For Babies" planting days, where parents of newborns plant a tree in a local park in honour of their child.

"Global warming and climate change is a reality," says Mrs Hulse. "When you have ice-bergs off the coast of Dunedin as we did in 2006 you know the planet is in real trouble. By planting trees and taking other measures such as reducing rubbish and car travel people can make a difference, it's as simple as that."

Mrs Hulse adds that trees and shrubs not only absorb carbon, but also play a vital role in controlling soil erosion and improving water quality and stream flows. "Tree plantings also create new habitats and increase biodiversity- and more trees create better looking towns and neighbourhoods," she says.

The global Billion Tree Campaign was inspired by Professor Wangari Maathai, Africa's foremost environmental campaigner and a 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner. Professor Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya and is responsible for planting more than 30 million trees throughout Africa.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, in announcing the success of the Billion Tree Campaign says: "There had been a few cynical smiles and shaking of heads when the Campaign was launched. But citizen after citizen, community after community and country after country, have proved the doubters wrong and demonstrated an abiding truth in 2007."

20 December

Bringing Waitakere's property records into the 21st Century

Digitalising the old paper records of every property in Waitakere is a truly colossal job and the city council has now scanned nearly two million pages of documents - or the records of 20,000 homes.

The digitalisation process will make the city's property reports easier for the public to access and will also make the process of acquiring or reading them much faster.

Councillor Ross Clow, chairman of the Finance and Operational Performance Committee, says the digitalisation process means the council will be able to quickly refer to, or produce on request, property records, rather than having to manually look up files and read them on microfiche as is the current practice.

"The council's information team is processing about 100 properties a day and in the past eight months has scanned close to two million pages," Cr Clow says.

"Digitalising our records means the council can make the information available to the public through a number of channels."

Cr Clow says that while the information management team has scanned a huge number of documents it still has millions to go.

"The information team believes it will take another three years to complete the job - or to put it another way, if it laid them out, there would still be three kilometres of property records to scan," he says.

The council is investigating user-pays kiosks being installed at Waitakere Central and it is possible that once completed, the public will be able to pay to access property records online.

20 December

Waitakere determined to find global solution to end whaling

New Zealand Peace Foundation President and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey is determined to enlist the help of former Hiroshima Mayor Mr Takashi Hiraoka to find a global solution to end whaling.

Mr Harvey will meet Mr Hiraoka on Sunday (December 23) when he arrives in Auckland on the Peace Boat.

Peace Boat is a Japan based international non-governmental and non-profit organisation that works to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment.

"This visit by the Peace Boat and Mr Hiraoka is the ideal opportunity to let Japan know the world is outraged by its barbaric slaughter of whales and that the violence and killing must end," says Mr Harvey.

"I will be vigorously lobbying Mr Hiraoka - verbally and through a letter - for his support and indeed urgent action in this regard.

I have repeatedly let our sister city in Japan, Kakogawa, know our position and this meeting is one more opportunity to spread the word."

Mr Harvey is also urging the New Zealand Government to get in behind any Australian Federal Government options, one of which is understood to be taking Japan before the International Court of Justice.

Such action would be based on the argument that its intended slaughter of more than a thousand whales this summer contravenes the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.

Resort to the international court could be either with Japan voluntarily agreeing to accept its jurisdiction or by seeking a ruling if Japan was not willing to cooperate.

"The Japanese hunt and harpooning is totally unacceptable," says Mr Harvey.

"It was heartening to see the Prime Minister's support of the Wellington campaign and I think together as a nation we should do everything in our power to make it stop."

19 December

Survey shows most on North Shore support Whenuapai Airport

Claims by some North Shore City councillors that they have a mandate to oppose the development of commercial air services at Whenuapai are refuted by market research conducted since the local body elections.

The research, carried out by professional pollsters TNS, measured the opinions of a random sample of 1100 North Shore residents. The survey was conducted on behalf of the Waitakere and Rodney Councils who form part of the North West Auckland Airport company (along with North Shore City Council and private investor Infratil Ltd).

The survey found that -

• 66% of North Shore residents think the concept of a small regional airport at Whenuapai is worth exploring further, so that the benefits and drawbacks can be assessed before a decision is made.
• 68% of North Shore residents believe the Council should remain a shareholder of North West Auckland Airport Ltd while the concept of commercial flights at Whenuapai is evaluated.
• 73% support Waitakere City Council's proposed plan change to preserve Whenuapai as an airfield.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says claims by new North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams that the Council has a mandate to withdraw support for the airport and to withdraw as a shareholder in North West Auckland Airport Ltd are clearly wrong.

"Two thirds of eligible voters on the North Shore did not cast a vote. Now they have spoken.

 "If North Shore City truly wants to act in accordance with its residents' wishes it will remain actively involved in the airport company and participate in the continuing evaluation of a concept which has the potential to offer many benefits to the North West of the Auckland region."

Mr Harvey said it seemed that a pressure group opposed to commercial flights at Whenuapai had motivated some voters to oppose the concept by distributing inaccurate and alarmist information about flight paths and noise levels.

In a separate poll (also with a margin of error of 3%), TNS measured the views of a random sample of a further 554 North Shore residents who had voted in the local body elections.

When the airport was described as a small regional airport with similar flight paths and noise levels as at present, more than half those who voted were in support of Whenuapai (with 54% supporting the concept, 36% opposed and 10% undecided).

The poll also showed that North Shore voters were motivated by issues other than Whenuapai. Rates, transport and congestion, and a general desire for change all figured prominently.

"No doubt some voters were confused about where Mr Williams stood on the issue, as he had previously championed a commercial airport at Whenuapai," said Mr Harvey.

 "The research shows majority support on the North Shore for commercial flights at Whenuapai, just as they have in every professional poll since 2003.There is no evidence that this support has reversed, despite a vigorous and often misleading opposition campaign, and North Shore City Council certainly cannot claim it has a mandate to withdraw from the project."

"Successive business seminars in the North West have also demonstrated strong support for commercial flights at Whenuapai, recognising the many benefits it would bring to this fast growing part of the Auckland region," said Mr Harvey. "In fact I am yet to meet anyone from a business on the North Shore who does not favour civil use at Whenuapai. Everyone recognizes that with planes come jobs."

"No commercial flights can commence at Whenuapai until the Government is prepared to make the airfield available, and until all of the necessary consents have been obtained, including a rigorous examination of noise levels and related issues. Surely North Shore (City) would like to be in that tent."

19 December

Waitakere says no to Easter trading

Waitakere City Council is opposed to any law change which will allow retail shops to open on Easter Sunday.

The Council has decided to make a submission to parliament after the government called for views on whether retail shops should be allowed to open on Easter Sunday.

Tonight Waitakere City Councillors unanimously endorsed the status quo, which sees stores (with certain exemptions, such as pharmacies and souvenir shops) closed on Easter Sunday.

Councillor Warren Flaunty said that for the sake of both shoppers, retailers, and their staff there should be no change to the existing law.

Mr Flaunty said that days such as Easter Sunday without the "enticement of the malls" allow more time to be spent with family.

"I owned a retail business for 35 years and know the pressures that seven day trading can place on those owners, their staff and their families," he said.

"Having one or two days off a year is just so valuable to them. Surely we can have one or two days a year that are free from rampant commercialism."

19 December

Nominations now open for local government candidates

Nominations for candidates wishing to stand in the New Lynn Community Board by-election open tomorrow.

Darryl Griffin, the electoral officer for Waitakere City Council, says anyone wishing to stand as a candidate for the vacant position on the New Lynn Community Board should get their nominations in now.

Nominations close on Thursday 17 January 2008.

"We are encouraging anyone who wants to make a difference in the New Lynn community to stand. After all, local government and local democracy are fundamental to our society, giving the opportunity for everyone's voice to be heard. Community Board members take on a leadership role in Waitakere, representing the views of their community.

"Anyone aged 18 years or over can stand for election as long as they are a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the electoral roll." Candidates will need two enrolled voters from the ward concerned to nominate them on the form. Nomination papers are available from the Electoral Officer.

For further information on standing as a candidate contact Darryl Griffin - Electoral Officer at Waitakere Central 836 8000 ext 8263
 

Get into it not out of it "Slowing at a bar near you"
 

• Have something to eat to help absorb the alcohol, (Licensed premises are required by law to have food available at all times they are open for the sale of liquor. This must be more substantial than potato chips and peanuts).
   
• Have regular glasses of water throughout the night. (Alcohol is a diuretic ie causes dehydration and is the primary cause of "hangovers" the following day.)
   
• Organise to have a sober driver or an alternative transport option to get you home.
   
• Drink in moderation and enjoy the whole night.
   
• Keep yourself safe. Never leave your drink unattended
   

14 December

Teen literacy trial a success out west

More than 200 Year 9 and 10 students from Waitakere secondary schools participated in the ground-breaking teen literacy programme, Books in the Wild.

The innovative book-sharing initiative, run by Waitakere Library & Information Services, involved the release of eight specially-selected teen titles into local secondary schools in July. The challenge was then for students to hunt down and read the titles, register their book's unique identifying number and their own details online to win prizes and then release the book back into "the wild" for others to read.

The titles included contemporary and classic novels, as well as non-fiction, and half were written by New Zealand authors.

Registration details show that all Waitakere secondary schools had students participating in the trial. Kelston Girls College had the highest participation rate with 64 students, winning a $500 Whitcoulls voucher for student and teacher resources. They were followed by St Dominic's College with 40 students participating and Rutherford College with 27.

Books were found in a number of 'wild' places, from parks and public transport to school grounds and far-flung bus-stops. The most-captured title was Silverfin by Charles Higson - an action-adventure based on the character of James Bond as a boy. Silverfin also rated as the most popular read, along with Raven's Gate by Anthony Horowitz - a science-fantasy thriller.

Of the 180 books released, most were registered two or three times, with the exception of a dozen individual books that were captured between seven and 13 times.

Brogan Powlesland of Massey High School has won the main prize draw of a Playstation Portable pack for his registration of the book Buddy, by V.M Jones. The prize of a 30GB Apple iPod for the participant who registered the highest number of books has been won by Abdul Syed of Rutherford College.

Children's and Teens' Services Librarian, Adrienne Hannan, says the positive reaction to the Books in the Wild initiative means that it will definitely be run again next year, with more books and prizes.

"We feel Books in the Wild went well for its trial year, with a number of schools really promoting it to their students," she says.

"The main aim of an initiative like this is to inspire the hard-to-reach teen market to become more engaged in literature. The online element also raises awareness of the many resources that the modern library offers."
 

14 December

Parks staff transform garden on Lincoln road

Christmas in Waitakere

Waitakere City Council's parks staff are at it again.

After planting out a massive "Go NZ!!" in the gardens on Lincoln Rd during the recent World Netball Champs, they have turned their green fingers to a Christmas message.

The new garden design is a sprightly green Christmas tree complete with silver stars.

The base of the tree is Pyrethrum Golden Moss while yellow and red Marigolds have been used as the lights within the tree.

The accompanying stars are Cineraria Silver Dust and the bulk red planting around the Christmas tree is Begonia semperflorens - which has the green leaf and red flower.

12 December

Mayor Congratulates New Zealander of the Year - Environment

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says he is delighted EcoMatters Environmental Trust chief executive Gretchen Schubeck has been named North and South Magazine's New Zealander of the Year - Environment.

Waitakere City Council is a key partner and major funder of the New Lynn-based trust which employs 21 people and advises people on environmental and household-sustainability efforts.

Schubeck became the CEO in 2003 and, in announcing her the category winner, the magazine paid tribute to her clear, commanding presentations of the organisation's capabilities and aims, her innovative projects and her attempts to extend EcoMatters' efforts to other Auckland cities.

"They are an invaluable partner and I am absolutely delighted Gretchen has received this accolade."

EcoMatters and the Waitakere City Council signed a partnership statement in October.

12 December

Community Outcomes

Pete Dixon, one of many local 'faces' for Waitakere

Pete Dixon is the face of Waitakere.

In fact, Mr Dixon from Henderson's Ivory Coast Picture Framing, is one of many local "faces" who have agreed to be photographed as part of a wide-ranging community consultation exercise being undertaken by the city council.

Photographer Liz March, from Bethells Beach, was engaged to take a series of Faces Out West to celebrate a new Community Outcomes publication, due for release in January.

Those photographed also gave the council suggestions and comments on their vision for how the city should take shape in coming years.

Those comments and suggestions are then incorporated into the council's long-term planning.

Waitakere Libraries provided space to set up a photographic booth inside three of its bigger libraries - in Henderson, Massey and Glen Eden yesterday.

Around 100 people took part, including students, a man on his mobility scooter, and parents with children.

As word got around, workers from local businesses came in to these libraries for their free photograph.

Mark Allen, the council's strategic advisor for community outcomes, says the innovative project was aimed at engaging as many people as possible.

"People nowadays are busy with their own lives and their own families," he says.

"So we have to be creative about how we can engage them into talking to us about the future. The feedback we received was wonderful."

Community outcomes were originally developed by the community through a series of public workshops and focus groups held in 2005 and published the following year.

The Waitakere Community Outcomes Progress Report 2007, will show progress and contributing activities being made by the council and other agencies to achieve the community outcomes.

12 December

Waitakere's stance on Painted Apple Moth spraying vindicated

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey has welcomed the Ombudsman's report which says officials in charge of the aerial spraying of the city, did not pay enough attention to the effect on public health - and it vindicates Waitakere's stance on the issue.

In his report Mel Smith found shortcomings in the actions of both the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health that he said needed to be recognised so they were not repeated.

"From the moment this campaign was mooted, we as a council and our community were opposed to it, from a public health point of view and regarded MAF's attitude as violating human rights," said Mayor Harvey.

And guess what? We were right. The Ombudsman's report clearly vindicates our stance."

"Getting information or honesty out of the Ministry Agriculture and Fisheries was an absolute nightmare.  We pushed and we pushed to find out what was in the spray but commercial sensitivity was cited as to why we couldn't get that vital information.

"How utterly ridiculous. Commercial sensitivity taking precedence over the health and well being of human beings? Outrageous."

Mayor Harvey, who said he commended the Ombudsman's report, and his council opposed the spray campaign from the outset and supported a People's Inquiry.

"Let's just hope the government departments involved have learnt their lesson in this regard. You cannot dump undisclosed 'poison' on people. It's totally unacceptable.

"And in moving past this report I would like to know who is looking out for the people who were affected by the spray.  Who is looking after their ongoing health concerns?"

For further information visit  www.peoplesinquiry.co.nz

10 December

Top Rating For Waitakere

Waitakere City Council has had its financial position re-affirmed by the international credit agency Standard & Poor's.

The agency has assigned the Council it's A+ long-term and A-1 short term ratings, which it held over the past 12 months.

The internationally recognised ratings give the Council access to a wider number of investors, and more competitive interest rates, potentially saving ratepayers thousands of dollars a year.

Ross Clow, chairperson of the Council's Finance and Operational Performance Committee says the rating sends a strong message about the City's financial position.

"Standard and Poor's have gone through the books and told us that things are very solid. The rating is an affirmation of the direction the City is heading in and an endorsement of its financial management," he says.

Only a handful of New Zealand cities and districts hold a credit rating from the likes of Standard & Poor's. Waitakere's ratings put it on a par with the likes of Tauranga City.

About Standard & Poor's

Standard & Poor's is the world's foremost provider of independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research, data and valuations. With 5000 employees located in 20 countries, Standard & Poor's is an essential part of the world's financial infrastructure and provides investors with the independent benchmarks they need to feel more confident about their investment and financial decisions.

10 December

Waitakere pushes anti-violence message at Christmas

Waitakere City has shunned pretty pohutukawa trees and beach scenes as the theme for its 2007 Christmas card in favour of a hard hitting one confronting the family violence issue.

The front of Mayor Bob Harvey's card features the Family Violence - IT's NOT OK in Waitakere billboard photograph of him, former All Black Va'aiga 'Inga' Tuigamala and actor Robyn Malcolm.

The billboard was created as part of Waitakere's local version of the government's national campaign for action against family violence.

The billboards were placed around the city along with newspaper advertisements and funding help from the Trusts.

On the inside of the mayor's card the message reads: In Waitakere we are working to rid the city of family violence.

This wish mightn't come in a Christmas stocking or a letter to Santa but it is something we should be thinking about in this land of plenty. Wishing you a safe and peaceful Christmas.

The mayor says the billboard picture and its sentiment was a tough Christmas card choice but he wanted the shock factor because family violence escalates at Christmas and therefore many families will be suffering.

"I want those receiving my card to be really aware of that and to be compelled to be part of the action.

Family violence has got to stop in Waitakere and it's got to stop around the country."

Next year the Waitakere campaign will feature the It's Not OK logo on city rubbish trucks and bags and further billboards and advertisements with three new high profile 'westies'.

"We are just not going to let this drop," says Mayor Harvey.

"Many people are working on this issue in Waitakere and that's fantastic but we've got to do more."

As well as instigating a local campaign Mayor Harvey and Dr Pita Sharples are co-chairing a Mayoral Taskforce against Family Violence.

The government's Campaign for Action on Family Violence is being led by the Ministry of Social Development and the Families Commission.

7 December

Te Taumata Runanga

The Waitakere City Council's unique Te Taumata Runanga Committee has elected Warahi Paki as its chairman at its first meeting of the new political term.

Mr Paki is the former manager of Maori Issues for the council and currently represents Hoani Waititi Marae on Te Taumata Runanga.

The committee is designed to ensure that Maori values are considered in the council's decision making while simultaneously helping council meet its obligations to the Tangata Whenua.

Te Taumata Runanga, established in 1991, is deemed to have the status of a Standing Committee of the council, and reports to it.

It helps provide the council with a structure to facilitate input into the council's decisions that have cultural significance to Maori people.

Mihi Te Huia was elected the Te Taumata Runanga deputy chair.

7 December

Agencies join forces to combat car crime

Speedos might be synonymous with fashion crime - but in the case of 'Operation Speedo', it's all about reducing crime of the vehicular kind.

Operation Speedo is a multi-agency approach to reducing crimes in the carparks of Waitakere's popular beaches, dams and bush tracks over the Christmas holiday period.

The initiative will see police and more than 200 community agency volunteers patrolling carpark areas from 17 December to 20 January in a bid to minimise car thefts and break-ins and provide security advice and reassurance to visitors. It was first trialled last summer, when reported car crimes in Waitakere beach carparks dropped by more than half on the year before.

Operation Speedo is being coordinated by Safe Waitakere's Vehicle Crime Action Group and involves Police, Waitakere City Council parking enforcement and civil defence officers, Auckland Regional Council park rangers, Watercare Services, Arataki Visitor Centre staff, west coast lifeguards, ICON Security personnel and members of the Piha, Bethells, Karekare and Waitakere rural fire services. Those on patrol will remain in radio contact with each other and report any suspicious or criminal activity to police.

Councillor Vanessa Neeson, chair of the council's Planning & Regulatory Committee, says Operation Speedo is a great example of Waitakere people working together to reduce crime at a local level.

"There is always an increase in car thefts and break-ins over the summer holiday period, predominantly in our beach carparks," she says. "By providing a visible presence in popular recreation spots, Operation Speedo volunteers will be helping to keep visitors safe from crime and ensure they take away happy memories from their day out.

"In the summer of 2005/06, 20 vehicle offences from our beach carparks were reported to the Police, but we know there were many unreported cases, usually because people felt their insurance excess was higher than the value of what was stolen or damaged. However, after the Operation Speedo patrols in the 2006/07 season, the number of reported offences dropped to seven, which has encouraged the Vehicle Crime Action Group to continue its work this summer."

Cr Neeson also urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to police.

"We don't want anybody's beach outing or bush walk to be tarnished by a vehicle break-in. We can all play our part in reducing car crime, starting with our own vehicles. Be sure to lock all doors and never leave personal items of value in view," she says.

7 December

Decision reserved on Piha cafe‚ proposal

Three days of a hearing into a proposed cafe‚ at Piha, have concluded with the commissioners reserving their decision.

It is expected that the decision will be released in the New Year.

A public hearing was held to examine a proposal by Preserve Piha Ltd to develop the cafe‚ at 20 Seaview Road on a residential zoned site currently occupied by the old telephone exchange and the post office.

The Post Office building would be removed and the telephone exchange converted to a cafe‚ with 10 onsite carparking spaces provided.

Resource Consents are required from both Waitakere City Council and the Auckland Regional Council for the proposal to go ahead. The councils decided to hold a joint hearing to consider the applications.

The commissioners were Messrs Ken Graham (chair) and Ian Gunn for the ARC and Cr Derek Battersby and Cr Vanessa Neeson for Waitakere City Council.

The proposal attracted 199 submissions from the public, both in support and opposition.

6 December

Waitakere welcomes affordable housing initiative but believes it should be mandatory

5 December

New Lynn gears up for a by-election

Residents of the New Lynn electoral ward will need to put their thoughts into elections mode once again.

Kelly Schwalger submitted her resignation from the New Lynn Community Board on Thursday, 29 November 2007 and the Electoral Officer has put the electoral process in motion.

Electors are reminded to enrol now, consider standing as a candidate, and to vote.

"Even though it's so close to the last local government elections we are required by the Local Electoral Act 2001, to have a by-election if a community board member resigns unless that resignation occurs within 12 months of the next triennial election. We take it back to the people to decide who they want to represent them," says Darryl Griffin - Electoral Officer.

Nominations open Thursday, 20 December 2007 for candidates who wish to represent New Lynn on the New Lynn Community Board. Nominations close on Thursday, 17 January 2008.

Voting papers will be delivered to electors in the New Lynn ward Thursday, 14 February - Wednesday, 20 February 2008 and voting closes at 12 noon, Friday, 7 March 2008.

Those eligible to vote who did not vote in October's elections are requested to check that they are enrolled. Those who have moved house recently need to ensure that the Electoral Enrolment Centre (0800 36 76 56) has their new address details or they will not be entitled to vote.

By law, electors are removed from the electoral rolls if their enrolment update packs get returned as undeliverable because the person has shifted. They will not get their voting packs for the community board election in the mail unless they re-enrol by Thursday, 17 January 2008.