Media Releases

March 2007

30 March

It's the community!

Some 56 Commonwealth mayors and dignitaries visited Waitakere this week to be briefed on Project Twin Streams and learned to their considerable envy - in some cases - that the key to such a massive project is the community.

The leaders who were attending the Commonwealth Local Government Leaders Conference in Auckland, had chosen to visit Waitakere to see the Project Twin Streams in action.

Many commended the commitment Waitakere has to its partnership with Maori and a number were envious at the city's ability to bring all sectors of the community together in safety and harmony to achieve environmental and social outcomes.

Sustainable engineering manager Lawrence Butcher told the group that a key to Project Twin Streams - managing and protecting kilometres of streams and rivers that run through the city - is changing people's behaviours; and stream planting gives people a chance to get involved.

"When you involve the entire community they become part of the solution," says Mr Butcher.

"Together we create a pathway forward."

In particular, we must get young people on side, they are our future," he says."

Not only are schools heavily involved in planting and caring for Waitakere's waterways so too are residents and ratepayers' groups, clubs and organisations, neighbourhood groups, community volunteers, people fulfilling their community service obligations, and increasingly, corporate teams.

This message was not lost on the Commonwealth delegates - who were drawn from countries as diverse as Britain, Canada, Sierra Leone and South Africa.

Several delegates pointed out that New Zealand and Waitakere are fortunate to be able to take their democracy for granted and harness people power on constructive works.

They contrasted this with Commonwealth nations where poverty, corruption, state terrorism, civil war and lack of established government make protecting the environment difficult if not impossible.

And, as one Canadian local government delegate said the population of the metropolitan area he looks after is larger than New Zealand.

29 March

Pes Fa'aui, received his New Zealand Bravery Decoration

Parking warden receives New Zealand Bravery Decoration

New Zealand's bravest parking warden, Pes Fa'aui, received his New Zealand Bravery Decoration at Government House today in recognition of his heroic 2005 efforts in subduing a knife-wielding man in Henderson.

Below is the press release the Waitakere City Council issued at the time Mr Fa'aui learned he was to receive the award.

13 October, 2006
Bravery Award for Waitakere Warden

Waitakere City Council parking warden Pes Fa'aui has received one of this country's highest bravery awards.

Mr Fa'aui receives the New Zealand Bravery Decoration. He is among just five people nationwide to receive the Decoration, announced in today's Special Royal Honours list by the Governor-General.

The honour is in recognition of his efforts in subduing a knife-wielding man in Railside Ave, Henderson, in late 2005.

The man had attacked and seriously wounded a store owner before fatally stabbing a 65-year old shopper. He was advancing on a police officer when Mr Fa'aui, who was on duty at the time, wrestled him to the ground.

The NZBD citation says: "Mr Fa'aui's act of exceptional bravery led to the arrest of a dangerous offender and possibly saved a police office from serious injury. Mr Fa'aui's action prevented any further possibility of injury or death to others in the vicinity, including the police officer who had originally confronted the offender as well as the offender himself."

Mr Fa'aui (36) himself received cuts and stitches in the struggle but was back on the job within days of the incident.

Soon afterwards Mr Fa'aui- a quietly spoken father of six - also received a special citation from Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, on behalf of the City.

In accepting the latest honour Mr Fa'aui acknowledges the victim of the knife attack (65-year-old Kevan Newman). "He was an innocent old gentleman and while I am deeply honoured and humbled by the award I can't help but think of him and what his family has gone through."

"I have been labelled a 'hero' since the incident. But that term is not for me. The real heroes in our community are those men and women in our armed forces and those who fought for this country- and especially those that died in the process. And also our emergency services- the fire, ambulance, police, and hospital staff who deal with major incidents, every day, that we never see or hear about."

"They are potentially at risk every day and often they are taken for granted by the wider community- until we need them," says Mr Fa'aui.

It was not the first time that Mr Fa'aui has displayed bravery above and beyond the call of duty. In 1997, also whilst on duty as a parking officer, he chased and caught a couple who had stolen jewellery from a store in a suburban shopping area. With the help of a fellow officer, Mr Fa'aui tried to remove the keys from the ignition before leaping into the backseat of the get-a-way car. The delay gave police enough time to get to the scene and arrest the pair.

Mayor Harvey describes the Council employee as "an exceptional bloke".

"Pes clearly puts others before himself, even in the most dangerous of situations and we are all just so pleased that such a humble, down to earth, person is being honoured like this."

28 March

Mayor Farewells Troops

From left Privates Daryll Savage, Sam Carswell, Dan Moyle, David Brunton, Kyle Campbell and Patrick Crawley with 3-year-old daughter Kara and Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, today farewelled a large contingent of territorial soldiers off to serve in the Solomon Islands.

The group of around 30 flew out from the Whenuapai Air Base, which is in Waitakere City.

Their duties include assisting police in the capital Honiara and being involved with security at Rove Prison in the Solomons, which has been racked with civil unrest recently.

Mayor Harvey says that he was honoured to be asked to farewell the troops, particularly those from his own City.

"Make no mistake, these young men and women are going to a very dangerous place. But they are superbly trained and well equipped and I know they will do themselves, their families, and this country proud."

Mayor Harvey adds that the contingent continues New Zealand's fine tradition of bringing peace and democracy to people in the wider Pacific Region.

"ANZAC Day is coming up and that is a time when we remember the sacrifices of wars past," he says. "But we also must remember and acknowledge those, like this group, who are on active duty and who put their lives on the line every day in the name of democracy and a better world."

Mayor Harvey was joined at the Whenuapai farewell by Sir Barry Curtis, the Mayor of Manukau, and George Wood, Mayor of North Shore City.

The (Really) Big Picture

Waitakere's movie studios are already bustling with world famous productions and a massive new state-of-the-art studio sound stage will soon boost our capacity further.

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

More and more large scale productions are heading out west - Narnia, In My Father's Den, 30 Days of Night to name a few.

Currently there are more than 300 people are working at the Henderson Valley Road movie studios in the new Narnia film - Prince Caspian.

The Henderson Valley Road site will soon house a new 20,000 sq foot studio will make it the second biggest in New Zealand and the technology it harbours will make Waitakere even more sought after by large productions.

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

The studio - due to be opened in September - "is as gigantic as the impact the film industry has had in Waitakere," he says.

"Film is incredibly important to this city and this city's economy and I am delighted the new studio is underway because it's a real, commercial and tangible economic package with the Tay Group."

After extensive liaising with the local industry Mayor Harvey says that film's financial contribution to Waitakere could be in the vicinity of $100 million annually - rivalling the tourism and wine industries.

Mayor Harvey says there are also companies like Studio West in Glen Eden.

"The privately owned Studio West in Glen Eden has been fully booked with Power Rangers for the past five years and turns away two requests a week which, if the requests pertained to 'movies of the week' would be worth approximately $40,000 to $50,000," the Mayor says.

"Studio West says Glen Eden township has never been busier."

27 March

Submissions open on Draft Annual Plan

Public submissions are now open on Waitakere's Draft Annual Plan for 2007/2008.

The Draft Annual Plan sets projects and budgets for the next financial year and is part of the Long Term Council Community plan (2006-20016), which outlines priorities for the next 10 years.

The draft budget for the next financial year shows the bulk of the rates money collected by Waitakere City Council (82%) being spent on what Mayor Bob Harvey describes as "the basics" - things like stormwater, wastewater, parks, leisure facilities, libraries, and roading.

Some features of the Draft Annual Plan include:

• The next stage of work at Douglas Track & Field in Henderson (new lights & grandstand) - $2.058 million.
• Green Bay Community House upgrade ($180,000)
• $54.2 million for new roads and footpaths
• Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre and Library - planning for redevelopment ($100,000). Physical work will start in 2008-2009.
• Lopdell House art gallery redevelopment ($1.029 million)
• Ranui Library extension ($617,000)
• Ongoing support for Sport Waitakere ($105,000)

The Draft Annual Plan shows an indicative rates rise of 6.69%, which is lower than an earlier Long Term Council Community Plan prediction of 7.87%.

This will add about $2 week to the average residential property with a land value of $150,000.

The Draft Annual Plan is open for public submissions until April 27. After that, hearings will be conducted and the final Annual Plan adopted in June.

Submissions can be made on-line and submission forms are also available at city libraries, community centres and service centres.

A special edition of the Council's newsletter, to be delivered to homes and businesses in early April, will also contain more information and a submission form.

23 March

Peter Sellers addressing Mayor Harvey and Waitakere's arts laureates.

Art for Thought

21 March

Mayor Bob Harvey and Buddhists coming down escalator at opening ceremony

Waitakere's bus/rail interchange officially opened

14 March

Waitakere City Council fined over failure to acquire building consents

12 March

Micheline Néperon at work in Noumea.

New Caledonians make their 'mark' at Auckland 07

New Caledonian artists and carvers are visiting New Zealand this week for Auckland Festival 07.

Among them are Ito Waia and Micheline Néperon who will be welcomed by The Trusts and Pacifica Arts Group "The Mamas" on Sunday March 11. The Pacific Arts Centre at Corban Estate will host the welcome where the visiting artists will meet local art leaders, artists and community leaders as well as representatives from Henderson High School. Workshops at Corban Estate will be open to the public on Monday March 12 and Tuesday March 13.

Fatu Feu'u, an established artist in Waitakere, and other local artists will be working closely with both artists to share and learn specific carving skills.

Kanak artist Micheline Néporon lives and works in Noumea. She focuses on reconciling indigenous customs with western culture. Scenes of men and women dancing in traditional dress are combined with tokens of modernity such as cellphones. Micheline works across various media including bamboo engravings, acrylic, wood and ink and has also written a large number of poems. Her work is exhibited widely throughout Australia, France and New Caledonia.

This visit to Auckland by New Caledonian artists is supported by Waitakere City Council.

9 March

Massey Community Board member Andrew Good resigns

8 March

Waitakere declares itself a city for peace

Waitakere City Council today voted to declare itself a City for Peace, building on its eco and safe city agendas and joining the increasing number of Peace Cities around the world.

"The key to the City for Peace idea and what makes it an important part of smart city management is that a focus on positives, on solutions, on non-violent methods of solving conflict is very effective in reducing violence," says Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey who first mooted the idea after a trip to a conference in Hiroshima in August 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on that city.

"Too many New Zealand cities are becoming more dangerous and unsafe and here in Waitakere we are prepared to do something about it. We've already nailed graffiti and we will continue to work hard to eliminate other signals of a non peaceful society. We are sending a very positive message to youth and that's important given Waitakere is one of the youngest cities in the country. As a council we are acting as the 'glue' for a peaceful future for our younger generation. A Peace City is a safe city."

While Mayor Harvey acknowledges the City for Peace declaration could be perceived as merely words he stresses they are definitely not hollow ones and that all successful causes start with a vision and an invitation to other people to share it.

"Our next step is to create in conjunction with our community a programme and action plan of practical ways to make this vision a reality starting with a commitment to build on the many initiatives already underway in Waitakere."

At the meeting Mayor Harvey tabled dozens of letters from mayors and others around the world supporting the Waitakere initiative which he said was a vision for a better New Zealand and which added to Waitakere's mantle of worth.

"This is about hope for the future and we can wear this with enormous pride because it will be a great benefit to this city and it's about making a positive affirmation we can make a difference. I am delighted the concept was passed unanimously and that my council colleagues feel as passionately about this as I and the community do."

Following the meeting, attended by several representatives from Waitakere's peace community who were very pleased with the council's resolution, Mayor Harvey sent a letter to the mayors of Auckland's other three cities asking them to consider a similar declaration.

The official launch of Waitakere City for Peace will take place in June to coincide with the 20th anniversary of New Zealand becoming nuclear free.

8 March

Independent adjudicator awards lease of Laingholm reserve to Muddy Creek Riders

A two year dispute between two rival riding clubs in Waitakere has led to a leading barrister deciding that one of them, the Muddy Creek Riders, will have the lease of Owens Green Reserve, in Laingholm.

After two years of failed attempts to resolve the differences between the feuding clubs, the council believed it was in an impossible position.

Accordingly, in November 2006, it commissioned a senior legal counsel, Matthew Casey, to conduct an impartial investigation into which club should have use of the Reserve.

Mr Casey has recommended that the Muddy Creek Riders should be given the lease.

It had been held by the Laingholm Riding Club from 1992 until it expired in 2006.

The Muddy Creek Riders was formed in 2005 by former members of the Laingholm Riding Club - citing differences with the club that could not be resolved.

The two clubs came into dispute over which of them should have the lease to Owens Green Reserve and were supported by different members of the local community.

As a result, the council, in the best interests of the community, undertook a two year resolution process, seeking a win-win outcome for both clubs.

This ultimately failed when one of the clubs refused to accept mediation.

Given this background and the bitterness of the divisions, the council felt that it could not arrive at a decision that would be seen as impartial, and retained Mr Casey.

Mr Casey designed and conducted a public submission and hearings process to enable the clubs and the public to state their cases.

He has now issued a 22 page report of those proceedings.

In the report he says that the structure of the Muddy Creek Riders Club was more "democratic" than that of the Laingholm Riding Club and therefore, it was in a better position to achieve 'the best community outcome' criterion required under the Reserves Act 1977.

He was also more impressed with the Muddy Creek Riders' future management plan for the reserve.

His decision was that the lease shall be given to the Muddy Creek Riders.

He recommended that the decision not be implemented for three months to give both groups time to make new arrangements.

"This was a pretty emotive local issue, particularly for the members of each club," says Christine Shepherd, chairperson of the Waitakere Community Board.

"But we had to take the heat, the personalities and the emotion out of the dispute. Mr Casey is an expert in the law and has many years experience in evaluating evidence to arrive at a decision which is based on the facts and not on emotion," Mrs Shepherd says.

"It is most unfortunate, however, that this issue could not have been resolved amicably. That would have been preferable, there would have been an agreed outcome. As it is we have a decision but it may take some time to heal the wounds."

8 March

Whenuapai Submissions Close

Public submissions have closed on a proposed change to Waitakere City's District Plan (known as Plan Change 22).

The proposed plan change would establish an Airport Special Area at Whenuapai Airbase.

In recognising the importance of the proposed Change, the Council had doubled the statutory submission period (to 40 days). Approximately 2000 submissions were received. They will be collated and analysed over the coming weeks before a summary of the submissions is produced by Council staff. The public will then have an additional month to make further comment on issues raised in the submissions before hearings are held and a final decision is expected around late August.

The proposed policies to support a new Special Area Rule reflect the Council's long term goal to preserve the opportunity for land currently used by the NZ Defence Force at Whenuapai to be used as a commercial airport.

"It is important to note that a Plan Change by itself will not create a commercial airport at Whenuapai," says Penny Hulse, chairperson of the Council's City Development Committee. "

If passed, the plan change simply means that the land is protected from being cut up or used for any other purpose until all aviation options have been exhausted. "The changes we are proposing will simply protect an existing piece of infrastructure for the future. It is no different to earmarking farmland for future use as a park," says Cr Hulse.

"Even if the Plan Change goes through commercial flights cannot happen without Government approval, and without having to obtain all the consents needed under the RMA (Resource Management Act)."

6 March

Court dismisses appeal against Marae Special Area at Waitakere's Harbourview/Orangihina Park

An Environment Court ruling has dismissed the Te Atatu Residents and Ratepayers Association appeal against the council's decision to create a Marae Special Area at Harbourview/Orangihina (The People's Park).

Judge C J Thompson has handed down a 12 page decision in which he examines each of the grounds of appeal offered by the Residents and Ratepayers' group (TARRA) before dismissing them all.

Mayor Bob Harvey says the decision is a great one for Waitakere.

"Harbourview is a huge area and we felt it was only right and appropriate to take one very small part of it and set it aside for a marae that is for all people. We were deeply disappointed when TARRA appealed against the proposal. It has set progress back by over a year so the Judge's decision to dismiss the appeal on all its points, is extremely welcome," Mayor Harvey says.

"The decision is a victory for the people of Waitakere and the Auckland region," he says.

TARRA appealed in December 2005, against the council's decision adopt District Plan Change 2 which creates a 2.5 hectare Special Marae Area within the Harbourview -Orangihina Park.

TARRA claimed that the marae would be an inappropriate development.

At the same time the council was also proposing to implement Plan Change 12 which would include new and amended policies or rules applying to all city parks and reserves.

The court decided it would be better to wait until Plan Change 12 was completed before making a decision on Plan Change 2.

In coming to his decisions the Judge directed Waitakere to clarify some policies, rules and assessments in order to give greater clarity to the Special Marae Area.

This work is now underway.

5 March

Draft Annual Plan 2007/2008 adopted - public consultation begins soon

Waitakere City Councillors have completed deliberations on the Draft Annual Plan 2007/2008.

The Draft Annual Plan sets projects and budgets for the next financial year and is part of the Long Term Council Community Plan 2006 - 2016 (LTCCP), which outlines priorities for the next 10 years.

In the next financial year the Council will spend the bulk of its rates money (82%) on "basics" such as stormwater, wastewater, parks, leisure, libraries, city development and roading.

Some features of the Draft Annual Plan include:

• The next stage of work at Douglas Track & Field in Henderson (new lights & grandstand) - $2.058 million.
• Green Bay Community House upgrade ($180,000)
• $54.2 million for new roads and footpaths
• Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre and Library - planning for redevelopment ($100,000). Physical work will start in 2008-2009.
• Lopdell House art gallery redevelopment ($1.029 million)
• Ranui Library extension ($617,000)
• Ongoing support for Sport Waitakere ($105,000)

The Draft Annual Plan shows an indicative rates rise of 6.69%, which is lower than the LTCCP prediction of 7.87%.

This will add about $2 week to the average residential property with a land value of $150,000.

The Draft Annual Plan is open for public submissions from March 26 - April 27. After that, hearings will be conducted and the final Annual Plan adopted in June.

Information on making a submission and the draft plan itself will be available on our website soon.

2 March

Henderson makeover on the way

The streets of Henderson will get a major overhaul during 2007 and early 2008, to continue the work of building the Central Business District, promoting public transport, walking and cycling and easing traffic flows.

With the new bus and taxi terminal now operating in Railside Avenue, the long awaited bus/rail interchange is finally completed and making a difference.

Just as the creation of the new railway station and double tracking has bought better faster train services - and more customers to use them, now the buses and taxis can pull in conveniently beside the rail to further improve public transport.

More and better bus services are also coming.

To further assist the process, work in Great North Road will also give bus priority at the Great North Road, Edmonton Road/Edsel Road intersection.

Better lane layout through the town centre will also assist the bus services.

A principal aim of these works is to make bus access to the town centre better and more convenient and to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and enjoy a modern bustling town centre where the car is not king.

The footpaths in both Railside Avenue and Great North Road will also be significantly upgraded to further promote walking and cycling.

Alderman Drive will be significantly upgraded in early 2008 and at the same time a new art bridge will be built linking Trading Place to the Edmonton/Alderman intersection.

These and other projects are part of a packed programme of works that will be open to inspection at public open days, to be held in a special marquee, beside the Falls Hotel on Friday 9 March and Saturday 10 March.