Media Releases

July 2007

30 July

Industrialist McConnell takes Eisenhower Fellowship

Committee for Auckland director and managing director of McConnell Limited, David McConnell has been chosen as New Zealand's top emerging leader with his acceptance into the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship in 2008.

Considered to be one of the world's most sought after endorsements, the Eisenhower Fellowship is headed by former US Secretary of State General Colin Powell and was founded in 1953 as a tribute to Dwight Eisenhower.

The fellowship annually identifies 25 emerging leaders from around the world and brings them to America for two months to meet with the cream of leaders in their respective fields.

Mr McConnell was selected from a large number of applications from people with exemplary leadership.

A former Mighty River Power director and TelstraClear Pacific trustee, Mr McConnell has a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours) from Canterbury University, an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Chicago and has been a recipient of the Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award.

McConnell is a leading construction and property development group whose subsidiaries include Hawkins Construction, McConnell Property and Steelpipe.

"The calibre of this year's applicants was truly outstanding and it was a difficult decision but David is a very worthy recipient," says Eisenhower Fellowship selection panel member and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.

"David's CV is particularly impressive and he also demonstrated the energy and motivation to be committed to return to New Zealand to share his new found knowledge and experience. He will undoubtedly be dedicated to this country's leadership."

Others on the selection panel included businessman Mark Sainsbury (chair and a former Eisenhower Fellow), former Attorney General Paul East QC, Julian Miles QC, Gavin Cormack (Beca's chair) and ASB Trust chief executive Jennifer Gill.

The fellowships foster international understanding and progress through the exchange of information, ideas and perspectives among emerging leaders throughout the world.

Mr McConnell will travel to America early next year and will visit 12 cities and attend between 60 and 80 meetings with various leaders.

The selection panel also selected Jon King and Peter Dowling as first and second alternates respectively.

27 July

Piha Technology Day

Technology Open Day - something for everyone

A fun family festival being held in November will have information of great interest to property owners with onsite wastewater systems.

The festival, known as the Technology Open Day, will focus on water conservation and wastewater management issues, giving new ideas for people to try out.

The day will be held on the Domain at Piha on Saturday 10 November.

The open day aims to show people the seriousness of rural water quality issues to ensure the future health and safety of the environment are not compromised.

"We have a great environment and now we need to seriously start looking after it," says Simon Brown from the Piha-Karekare Water Agenda Group.

"There are more than 5,000 onsite wastewater systems throughout Waitakere City so this will be an ideal opportunity for everyone to learn about and understand the water quality challenges we face."

As well as numerous trade displays of onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems, the 'West Coast Event' will include fun and games for the whole family including face painting, a bouncy castle, music, local art and community group displays, food and refreshments.

Anyone interested in having a trade display or participating in any other way on the day, should contact the event organiser, Moira Kennedy on 021 723 153 or moira@kennedy-mayne.co.nz

The event is part of the Waitakere City Council's long-term programme to improve water quality and is held in conjunction with the Piha Ratepayers and Residents Association and the Karekare Ratepayers and Residents Association.

Connecting the Community

Anyone who is interested in helping to find the most effective solution to Massey's pedestrian problem is invited to a public meeting this weekend.

The Waitakere City Council is holding a consultation meeting at the Moire Road Community Hall from 10.30am until 12.30pm, this Saturday, July 28, and Councillor Ewen Gilmour says the council wants to present a range of options to the public and hear their feedback on them.

"For a number of years pedestrians in the Massey area have been taking unacceptable risks crossing this section of motorway in order to avoid the time-consuming longer route," Councillor Gilmour says.

"This weekend's meeting aims to engage the local community and see which option they feel best addresses this problem."

The options range from pedestrian footbridges to standard fencing, to a cycleway.

"The meeting is designed to be a comprehensive look at the best and safest ways to get local people around Massey," Councillor Gilmour says.

26 July

Nominations now open for local government candidates

Nominations for candidates wishing to stand in this year's local authority elections open tomorrow.

Darryl Griffin, the electoral officer for Waitakere City Council, says anyone wishing to stand as a candidate for Waitakere City Council, Auckland Regional Council, Waitemata District Health Board, Portage Licensing Trust, Waitakere Licensing Trust or a Community Board in Waitakere City should get their nominations in now.

Nominations close on Friday 24 August.

"We are encouraging anyone who wants to make a difference in the local 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. The Mayor, Councillors and other elected members take on a leadership role in Waitakere, representing the views of the community.

"We need a range of elected members of different ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to represent the diversity of our 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.

20 July

Election information evening for ethnic communities announced

Keen to find out how to maximise your opportunities to have your say in the future of Waitakere City? Then why not find out more about voting in October or standing as a candidate to become a Community Board Member, Councillor, Auckland Regional Council Member, Elected Member of the Portage Licensing Trust or Waitakere Licensing Trust, Waitemata District Health Board Member or even Mayor?

Waitakere Ethnic Board and Waitakere City Council will be facilitating an Election Information Workshop on Tuesday, 31 July, from 6.30 pm - 9 pm, in the Waitemata Room, Waitakere Central.

"This is an opportunity for new citizens interested in making their vote count or standing in the 2007 elections to learn more about the nomination and election processes and the roles of councils and elected members. It's a chance to find out what's involved and a chance to have any questions answered by our Electoral Officer," says Monica Sharma, Partnerships & Advocacy Leader: New Migrants, for Waitakere City.

"We are saying make a difference by getting involved. Having a voice and an equal opportunity to influence policy decisions and directions in our city that meet their particular needs is the right and responsibility of all new migrants. They can do this by ensuring they are on the electoral roll, maybe considering standing as a candidate, and making sure their voting papers are filled out clearly and fully and then posted in." says Monica Sharma.

Any New Zealand citizens aged 18 years of age or older, or those who have been living as a permanent resident for one year can vote or stand for election in local authority elections, as long as they are enrolled on the Parliamentary Electoral Rolls.

The venue is the Waitemata Room, Level 2, Civic Centre, Waitakere Central, 6 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson. All are welcome.

19 July

Waitakere City Council has announced the appointment of a new chief executive

Introduction from Mayor Bob Harvey

For some time the Council has been going through the process of appointment of a Chief Executive. This was required by law, under the Local Government Act.

Today we will be announcing that Harry O'Rourke is retiring (next year) and that we have therefore appointed a new CEO.

A media release on the announcement is below - however I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Harry and pay a tribute to the wonderful working relationship that we have built up.

Quite simply, a lot of what Waitakere City has achieved would not have been possible without his leadership.

Waitakere City CEO

Waitakere City Council has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive.

She is the current chief executive of Rodney District, Vijaya Vaidyanath.

Mrs Vaidyanath takes over from long-serving CEO Harry O'Rourke, who retires in March 2008.

In making the announcement today, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey paid tribute to Mr O'Rourke, describing him as the epitome of the public service ethos:

"Harry has made a magnificent contribution over many years, first to the former Waitemata City and more latterly Waitakere. He has shown a keen sense of operational expertise, married with strategic thinking, that has helped this City move forward dramatically."

Mr Harvey also took the opportunity to welcome Mrs Vaidyanath.

"After a nation-wide search and sifting through many quality candidates we were pleased to be able to offer her the job, and just as pleased that she was willing to accept and step up to the challenge.

"Vijaya is one of the most respected officers in local government with impressive credentials and a truly visionary approach."

Vijaya Vaidyanath has an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and is a Senior Executive Fellow of Harvard University.

She is current chair of the Auckland CEO's Forum, and has worked previously with the South Taranaki District Council and Palmerston North City Council.

Rodney's mayor, John Law, says that Mrs Vaidyanath's decision was accepted "only with reluctance" and with sincere regret.

He says that councillors and council staff were united in wishing her well and understood fully her desire to pursue new challenges.

"Waitakere is getting a superb CEO, who will contribute greatly to its future."

Rodney District Council will be recruiting a new chief executive, with an appointment to be made after the October local body elections.

 18 July

Wizards held spellbound at New Lynn Library

New Lynn Library was recently overrun by more than 40 wizards with treasure maps and magic potions!

But there's no cause for alarm.

They were in fact Waitakere children having some spell-binding fun at this month's Harry Potter-themed 'Library Lockdown'.

The popular after-hours event was held as part of Waitakere Libraries' Magical Madness Month to celebrate the release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book by author J.K Rowling.

The children, aged 8 to 12, participated in a number of fun activities, fashioning wizard costumes from newspaper and bulldog clips, making secret maps with invisible ink and dye, creating slimy potions with washing powder, PVA glue and food colouring, learning magic tricks, looking for answers to a Harry Potter quiz and listening to excerpts from the sixth Harry Potter book.

Following the success of the latest library lockdown, plans are now being made for a similar event during National Library Week in mid-October.

Next on the Magical Madness Month agenda is two mass readings of the newly-released book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

These will be held simultaneously at Waitakere Central and New Lynn libraries on Sunday 22nd July at 11.01am - exactly 24 hours after the official release of the new book.

Come along in magical-themed costumes and if you have been lucky enough to get your hands on a copy of the book, bring it along and follow the story with our guest readers. New Lynn's story reader is MP David Cunliffe, while Waitakere's popular children's librarian Elaine Baldwin reads at Central Library.

There will be three 10-minute reading sessions with five minutes in-between for spot prizes and Harry Potter trivia questions.

The event will finish at approximately 11.45am.

Throughout the month of July, young visitors to Waitakere libraries and learning centres can also enjoy Harry Potter-themed displays and competitions. Competitions include a library-based treasure hunt for 7 to 13-year-olds, with one winner drawn per branch from the correct entries, and a paper-based quiz based on Harry Potter books for those up to the age of 18, with an overall winner drawn from the correct entries.

16 July

Waitakere poets put pen to paper

Since Waitakere City Council put out a call to residents to put pen to paper for its inaugural Celebrate Poetry in Waitakere week this month, it has been deluged by a literary flood!

More than 120 original poems from local residents have already been submitted by local residents to be recited, printed and displayed around the city during Poetry in the City week from July 23 to 30 - and many more are expected to arrive over the next week or so.

Celebrate Poetry in Waitakere coincides with the national Montana Poetry Day on July 27 and those who love to write, recite or hear poetry are encouraged to come together to enjoy poetry events scheduled around the city.

The first event - a free wine and cheese evening with performance poetry - will be held on Thursday 26 July, 6-7pm, at Waitakere Central Library in Henderson. Guest poets will be performing, but members of the public are also invited to submit their own poems for recital.

Poems (whether for print, recital, or both) should be emailed with name and contact details to the council's Community Arts Coordinator, Julie Nash, at Julie.Nash@waitakere.govt.nz. Poems should be original works not exceeding 30 lines.

On Poetry Day itself (July 27), lunchtime soapbox performances will be hosted outside Waitakere Central and New Lynn libraries between 12 and 2pm. Anyone keen to recite their poems to a lunchtime audience are encouraged to participate. And, of course, other poetry-loving residents are urged to come along to show their support and appreciation. In the event of wet weather, poetry readings will be held inside the library.

Also being held on July 27 is poetry reading at the Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson, from 11.30am-2pm ($2 entry), and an improvised night of poetry reading and jazz with a selection of performers at Lopdell House Gallery, Titirangi, from 7pm ($5 entry).

16 July

Waitakere City Council Wins Premier Creative Places Award 2007

These sculptures by Adam Ellis double as public seating and wind-breaks in the main street of Henderson. At night they provide lighting through solar panels.

The entrance to Waitakere's civic centre is enhanced by carvings from local iwi Te Kawerau A Maki and a series of relief panels (at bottom left) by artist Louise Purvis.

Waitakere City Council's commitment to ensuring vibrant public spaces and an arts-rich city was recognised today when it won the Premier Creative Places Award (2007), presented by Creative New Zealand at the Local Government New Zealand Conference in Dunedin.

Waitakere City Council was also one of the category winners of the Creative Places Awards 2007 for the way in which it integrated its Arts: Design collaboration policy into the development of a new city centre for Henderson.

Waitakere City's entry encompassed the new Civic Centre (opened almost a year ago) and the new Central Library in Ratanui St, Henderson

Creative New Zealand presents the annual Creative Places Awards to recognise local government's vital investment in the arts of New Zealand. Stephen Wainwright, Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand, says the awards showcase exciting, innovative arts projects happening in rural and urban communities throughout New Zealand with local government support.

 "The awards celebrate people and organisations working collaboratively to provide creative places, spaces and activities for their communities," Mr Wainwright says. "Waitakere City's belief in the importance of artists in creating a vibrant, arts-rich landscape for its citizens is commendable."

A panel of five judges with arts and local government expertise assessed this year's entries. They were Hilary Sumpter, Director of the Arts Promotion Trust in Whangarei; Tanya Wilkinson, an Auckland curator; Paul Matheson, the Mayor of Nelson; Ali Bramwell, Dunedin artist and curator; and Deidre Brown, senior lecturer in architecture at Auckland University.

The judges described Waitakere City Council's Arts: Design collaboration policy and its integration into the development of a new city centre as a best practice model. "In presenting the Premier Award to Waitakere City, we are also acknowledging the scale of this project, the high level of consultation and the involvement of many local artists."

The prize for the Premier Creative Places Award is a $10,000 contribution from Creative New Zealand towards the commissioning of a new public artwork, to be chosen by the winner. The Premier Award was chosen from the district and city council winners in the following categories:

• Arts Provision
• Cultural Festivals and Arts Events
• Built Environment.

Waitakere City Council also won the Built Environment: City or Regional Councils Category.

Four other district or city councils won category awards for their projects. They are Auckland City Council, New Plymouth District Council, Grey District Council and Kaikoura District Council. Whangarei District Council and Porirua City Council were also acknowledged with Judges' Citations. 

The Creative Places Awards also recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the arts within the local government environment. This year, the Outstanding Individual Contribution Award was presented to Te Warihi Kokowai Hetaraka (Ngati Wai, Tainui, Ngapuhi) of Whangarei.

Te Warihi Hetaraka is one of New Zealand's pre-eminent tohunga whakairo - master carvers - with an international reputation. He is also widely respected for his profound knowledge of tikanga Maori, and his role as teacher and mentor.

16 July

Slow Down Near Schools

School starts again this week and motorists need to be extra vigilant.

Waitakere Councillor and youth advocate Linda Cooper wants to remind motorists to keep their speed down around the city's schools and children.

Councillor Cooper hopes all motorists would be willing, in the interests of our children, to adopt a voluntary speed limit of 40km/ph when driving near schools.

"We, as a community, need to get into the mindset of keeping our speed down near schools - we need to work together to keep our road toll down and our kids safe," Councillor Cooper says.

"Slowing down near a school may make your overall trip 30 seconds longer but it may save a child's life, and save you a lifetime's worth of guilt and regret," she says.

Police in Waitakere will also be conducting extra patrols around schools next week and anyone travelling five kilometres per hour over the speed limit within a school zone will be fined, in a move the police say is designed to "reduce road trauma involving Waitakere's vulnerable road users and the speeding motorists".

Waitakere road safety coordinator Kitch Cuthbert says that while the police are increasing their surveillance and lowering their tolerance of speeding near schools there is simply no need for anyone to be ticketed.

"It's simple; speed kills kids - so just keep your speed down."

13 July

Mayoral Support On Picket Line

Hospital workers on a picket line in Waitakere City today received support from Mayor Bob Harvey.

As the largest lock-out in the history of the public health system entered its second day Mayor Harvey spent half an hour outside Waitakere Hospital with the workers.

"I grew up in what could be called a very working class household and I've been a lifelong supporter of workers rights and the trade union movement. So I just wanted to show some solidarity with them," he says.

"Whatever the ins and outs of the dispute, it is important for workers to see that their right to protest and seek settlement on grievances is legitimate."

Mayor Harvey was also pleased to see the level of support shown by motorists passing the picket line on the busy Lincoln Road.

"It seemed that every car, truck and van tooted and people were waving and shouting their support which gave the workers a real lift," he says.

13 July

High Interest In Elections

Interest in local body elections in Waitakere is high.

More than 40 prospective candidates attended an information evening at Waitakere City Council- the first in a series of meetings designed to create awareness of the upcoming elections (to be held in September/October).

Waitakere's electoral officer Darryl Griffin says that apart from the numbers attending, the most pleasing aspect was the level of engagement by those present.

"People didn't just sit there - they asked questions and showed a real passion for the City, which is exactly what is needed in any elected member," he says.

Mr Griffin's presentation to the meeting covered Waitakere City Council (Council and Community Boards), the Waitemata District Health Board, local Licensing Trusts and the Auckland Regional Council.

The next candidate information evening is on Tuesday (July 17th, at 6.30pm). That will be held at Te Piringatahi o te Maungarongo Marae in West Harbour (Luckens Rd). A focus of the evening will be engaging with the Maori community, but it is open to all.

Candidate nominations open on July 27 and close on August 24.

12 July

Litterbugs up for $400 fine

In a move designed to stamp out littering in Waitakere the Waitakere City Council has increased its fine for littering from $100 to $400.

Planning and Regulatory Committee chairman Vanessa Neeson says the fine increase will send a strong message to the small minority in the community who believe it is acceptable to dump their rubbish in public.

"First and foremost Waitakere is an Eco City and this increase in the fine for littering is designed to make people stop and think about the consequences before they litter," Councillor Neeson says.

"While those who dump rubbish in Waitakere may think their actions are relatively innocuous, the reality is the majority of that rubbish ends up in the city's waterways and other natural ecosystems," she says.

Councillor Neeson says nearly all Waitakere residents make an effort to place their rubbish where it belongs - in the bin - and that this fine increase only targets those who continue to let the team down.

"What the council is hoping is that the publicity surrounding this fine increase will make people make an extra effort to be tidy kiwis," she says.

The council is also installing additional ashtrays throughout Waitakere's main town centres so that smokers can dispose of their cigarettes.

It is the first time in 20 years that the fine for littering has been increased.

5 July

Twin Streams chosen in International Thiess Riverprize

A groundbreaking Waitakere river management project has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious AUD$300,000 International Thiess Riverprize - the world's largest prize in its field.

Project Twin Streams, initiated by the Waitakere City Council, was chosen as a finalist for successfully addressing environmental issues through Community-Council partnerships.

The winners of the International Thiess Riverprize will be announced at a special ceremony on Tuesday 4 September 2007 during the 10th International Riversymposium and Environmental Flows Conference in the city of Brisbane, Australia.

The International Thiess Riverprize is a partnership between the International Riverfoundation (IRF) and Riverfestival.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says the Project Twin Streams urban sustainability program was undertaken to reinstate streams at the heart of the City's communities.

"Over time rapid urbanisation of Waitakere put pressure on natural resources and created conflict over changing land use in rural, coastal and wilderness areas. The quality of water in the City's streams and harbours was affected by unrestricted stock access, pollution, removal of riparian vegetation and increased surface runoff," Mr Harvey says.

"Launched in 2002, Project Twin Streams is the largest water management scheme undertaken by a local government in New Zealand. It has huge significance in terms of its demographic impact not only on the people living directly in the catchment but also on 1.2 million Aucklanders receiving their reticulated water supply from Waitakere," he said.

"After raising awareness of stream degradation, the multi-faceted project facilitated changes in residents' attitudes and behaviour to achieve sustainable water management practices. The Project integrated stormwater management with the restoration of 125 km of stream banks and the establishment of new cycle paths and walkways.

"As New Zealand's first formal eco city, Waitakere is absolutely thrilled to be chosen as an International Thiess Riverprize finalist which is recognition for all the hard work put in by Council and the community."

Riversymposium Chair Professor Paul Greenfield says the Waitakere project exemplifies the spirit of the International Thiess Riverprize.

"Many countries are facing a water crisis and now more than ever it is important for the International Thiess Riverprize to reward and promote best practice water management. All people involved in Project Twin Streams should feel proud their efforts have been recognised in this way."

Three other government and community groups from Austria, China and Canada received recognition as finalists for the Australian prize for their work in tackling pollution, water quality, erosion and flooding.

More information on the International Thiess Riverprize can be found at www.riversymposium.com.

4 July

Local election hui announced

Keen to find out how to maximise opportunities for Maori to have their say in the future of Waitakere City?

Then why not find out more about voting in October or standing as a candidate to become a Community Board Member, Councillor, Auckland Regional Council Member, Elected Member of the Portage Licensing Trust or Waitakere Licensing Trust, Waitemata District Health Board Member or even Mayor?

Waitakere City Council will be facilitating a hui at Te Piringatahi o te Maungarongo Marae 17 July at 6.30pm.

"This is an opportunity for Maori interested in making their vote count or standing in the 2007 elections to learn more about the nomination and election processes and the roles of councils and elected members. It's a chance to find out what's involved and a chance to have any questions answered," says Wayne Knox, Maori Relationships Manager for Waitakere City.

"We are saying make a difference by getting involved. Having a voice and an equal opportunity to influence policy decisions and directions in our city is the right and responsibility of all Maori by ensuring they are on the electoral roll, maybe considering standing as a candidate, and making sure their voting papers are filled out clearly and fully and then posted in." says Wayne Knox.

Any New Zealand Maori aged 18 years of age or older can vote or stand for election in local authority elections, as long as they are enrolled on either the Maori or General Electoral Rolls.

Te Piringatahi o te Maungrongo Marae is located at 7-10 Luckens Road, West Harbour and all are welcome.

 

4 July

Thumbs up for 80% on time

Waitakere City Council has delivered 80% of building consents on time for over a month.

This reflects the upgrading of the Building Consent team's day to day functioning in the run-up to the city's accreditation as a Building Consent Authority (November 2007).

The 80% delivery compares favourably with a level of 23% earlier this year.

"The Building Consent team has focused on improving statutory time-frame performance and we are very proud of the fact that we have managed to achieve, and sustain over the past month, this 80% performance," says Grant Gillard, group manager, regulatory.

"A number of initiatives around performance improvement have been put into place and these have shown a steady increase in service delivery over the past three months; a trend that we expect to continue and will work on as we progress towards our accreditation.

"We are conscious that an improvement in statutory time-frame must also be balanced against delivering a quality of service. Neither of these components will be compromised within our processing, and customer service, functions," says Mr Gillard.

The project to attain accreditation as a Building Consent Authority (BCA) began in March 2007.

Last month the city formally applied for BCA accreditation from International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) acting for the Department of Building and Housing.

Feedback from a preliminary audit has been very encouraging says Mr Gillard."

"We have had an excellent response from IANZ to our original application. The team has been absolutely delighted that such a large quantity of work has been graded as having only a very few minor adjustments that need to be made."

Now the council's BCA team is preparing for an on-site assessment of the technical competency of Waitakere's Building Consent systems, processes and people, relating to tighter building regulations.

"The challenge is to prove our competency, keeping in mind that, as a council, we are preparing a guide for the building industry to adhere to in the future. By 2010, all players in the building game must be accredited.

"While some clients are questioning the additional rigour applied to their applications the majority of customers I've spoken to are increasingly pleased with Waitakere's consent performance," says Mr Gillard.

3 July

Mayor delighted at award win

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey is delighted his council has won an excellence award at the recent 2007 Property Council of New Zealand Awards for its Waitakere Central complex.

Waitakere Central

"We took a risk with our new building, albeit for very good reason, and initially many people doubted the project and queried its cost", Mayor Harvey says.

 "But this award, which not only recognises the eco-friendly principles incorporated into the design of this building but also the crucial flow-on economic benefits of centralising council in Henderson, goes a long way to proving we made the right decision,"

Since it was officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark in September 2006, Waitakere Central has brought more than 700 fulltime staff, and its 50,000 annual visitors, into walking distance of the main business area of Henderson.

Indeed, when the council decided to relocate its premises it did so because it believed that centralising its nine separate offices would give Waitakere's main CBD an unprecedented shot in the arm.

"The council has brought new business, life and heart to Waitakere CBD of Henderson," Mayor Harvey says.

"The Property Council is on the money when it says Waitakere Central acts as 'a catalyst for the redevelopment' of the surrounding area."

The Property Council attributed the win to Waitakere Central's strategic position, - "it demonstrates a potential to stimulate town centre urban design initiatives beyond its immediate site" -  the cultural heritage it embraces and also its green design.

Waitakere Central is connected by a link bridge to a public transport interchange incorporating the western railway line and a bus interchange.

Not only did the Property Council say Waitakere Central "showcases" the city's commitment to environmentally sustainable design but also that the "building was completed on budget and represents exceptionally good value for the expenditure of public funds".

Waitakere Central is also a finalist in the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ (ACENZ) annual awards of excellence which are to be announced in Napier next month.

Books in the Wild

Josh relaxes while reading books in the wild.

The wild west is set to take on a new twist with the launch of a ground-breaking teen literacy programme in Waitakere City.

In a New Zealand first, the city's Year 9 and 10 students will have the opportunity to participate in 'Books in the Wild' - an innovative book-sharing initiative involving the release of popular teen titles into "wild" places around the city.

Waitakere Library & Information Services is kicking off the trial programme with the launch of eight specially selected teen titles into the city's secondary schools on the week of July 16th. The challenge for the students is to hunt down and read the titles, register them online and release them back into the wild for others to read.

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

There are a number of great prizes up for grabs for both individuals and participating schools, including a Playstation Portable and games, 30Gb iPod, Vodafone phones and airtime and Whitcoulls vouchers, as well as virtual library vouchers that can be redeemed in Waitakere City libraries for games, DVDs and CDs. Each book contains a unique identifying number, which allows the holder to register online, comment on the book they've found and enter the prize draw.

A digital photo competition is also being run alongside the programme - the challenge being to take a photo of one of the eight books in a 'wild' place. The winning photograph will be made into a new library card for 2008.

Children's and Teens' Services Librarian, Adrienne Hannan, says it is hoped that the Books in the Wild initiative will inspire the hard-to-reach teen market to become more engaged in literature.

"If we are going to grow the future capability of Waitakere City, we need initiatives like this that will help to grow its levels of literacy," she says.

"It also helps them to see that the library is not just about print resources any more. The modern library is more like the 'living room' of the city, with computers, games, DVDs and CDs in addition to books, magazines, reference material and study guides. If we can raise that awareness through initiatives like this, particularly with young people who may not have been brought up as library users or given books in the home, then we stand to create a new generation of library users."

If the 14-week trial is successful, Waitakere Library and Information Services will look to extend the programme to other age groups.

For more information, visit www.booksinthewild.co.nz

2 July

Waitakere residents snap up digital photo challenges

Waitakere City's newest digital photography competition got its residents snapping, voting and searching!

Run by Waitakere City Libraries and Learning Centres in conjunction with their free digital photography workshops, the Wacky Waitakere Photo Competition asked residents to take digital images of unusual and artistic places around the city. Judges selected the top 10 finalists, which were then voted on by the public. The top 10 images were also used for the 'Where in Waitakere?' Treasure Hunt Competition, challenging the public to identify the locations of the landmarks shown in the photographs.

A stunning photo of Piha Beach taken by Henderson's Peter Borman beat 60 other entries to win the city's inaugural photography competition. Peter won a Hewlett Packard photo printer for his efforts and his photo will be made into a new Waitakere City library card for all to enjoy.

Prize Winning Finalists

A close runner-up was Leah Wilson of Titirangi for her photo of Cornwallis Wharf. The other prize-winning finalists were Frenie Perlas of Henderson, Lisa Holliday of Te Atatu Peninsula, Zhanna Boyd of Henderson, Maurice van Liempd of Titirangi, Moonshine Winddancer of Henderson, Olivia Garelja of Oratia, Shona Colebrook of Massey and Shilah Wijlens of Ranui. Tyler Harris of Ranui won the treasure hunt competition and the prize of a new digital camera.

Competition organiser Kerry Peakall, Learning Centre Coordinator at Glen Eden Library, says she was thrilled by the number and standard of entries received in the competition's first year.

"Waitakere City residents really got into the spirit of the competitions, whether they were actually taking photos, voting for their favourites or going out and about to find out where the shots were taken," she says.

"We were very impressed by the high standard of photographs. People really took the concept on board and were innovative and artistic in what they produced."

A number of local businesses also supported the photo competition and prizegiving, including Hewlett Packard, Framze 'n' Things, Whitcoulls, Noel Leeming (Westgate), Kelston Digital Photos, Hill and Stewart (West City) and InkTec.