Media Releases

Writing about her 40 year quest to grow the perfect tree tomato has earned Annemarie Endt-Ferwerda the supreme award at this year's JT Diamond Essay competition.

The Tree Tomato Saga at Landsendt tells the story of the ongoing battle by the author and her husband Dick to grow a successful tree tomato (tamarillo) crop at their orchard, Landsendt, in Oratia.

"They are very difficult to grow and very susceptible and can die just like that," she recalls.

"There was a lot of drama that went along with those attempts, including trips to South America to look at different varieties."

Annemarie was awarded the Franich Diamond Prize - a piece of diamond jewellery from Franich Jewellers in Henderson - for her winning entry.

Run by the Library & Information Services and the West Auckland Historical Society, the annual competition is open to adults and students aged 10 to 18 years of age and this year attracted 42 entries across two categories; Memories and Research.

Memories could be the writer's own or other people's recollections from letters, diaries or interviews, while the the research category required the essay writer to conduct original research. The competition is designed to capture the important and interesting life stories, events, places and buildings of Waitakere.

The competition honours the work of local historian, the late John Thomas (Jack) Diamond, whose extensive collection of photographs and journals were gifted to Waitakere Library & Information Services by his family. These now form the backbone of the local history collection at Waitakere Central Library in Henderson.

Winners:

Adult Historical Research
1st Rae Atkins for Fagan the Bullocky
2nd Patricia Earl for Hetana Hamlet
3rd No third place winner
Highly Commended Paul Thurston for A Snapshot of NZ. Tramping in the 1940s - The Waitakere Tramping Club.

Student Historical Research
1st equal Emily Reece for Titirangi Soldier's Memorial Church
1st equal Conor Doran and Molly O'Connor for Peter Maddison - Entomologist of the West
2nd equal Imani Kerr for Paper Bags, Nails and Coffee - The Story of the Hardware Caf‚
2nd equal Jack Queenin for Hooked Since 1952 - A story of the Laingholm Fishing Club
3rd equal Caitlin Ashcroft for The Story Behind the Green Sign
3rd equal Chloe McLeod for The Laingholm Volunteer Fire Brigade - The heart of our community
3rd equal Jacob Morris for From Rob to Bob

Highly Commended:
Alexander Laing for The Old New Lynn Hotel
Brooke Rose Goodison for Historical Hideaway
Rowan Hart for A Huia Icon - History of the Huia Store
Niko Notman for The Lovely Life Living in Laingholm
Adam Dewar for The Dream that Wasn't - The settlers of Cornwallis
Rize Michau for Prehistoric Animals and Bones Found in West Auckland
Elliot Crossan for Whenuapai - Dead or Alive
Kieran Mudgway for The Life of a Racing Legend
Ayrton Sheach for A Brief History of Karekare Surf Life Saving Club
Mia-Sophie Kober for St Ninian's Presbyterian Church - A mystery unsolved

Adult Memories Category
1st Annemarie Endt-Ferwerda for The Tree Tomato Saga at Landsendt
2nd Justine Fry for One Man's Dream
3rd Olivia Jansen for The Bach at Huia

Student Memories Category
1st Porschia Kirkconnel-Kawana for Tina Gouch - Here at Home in West Auckland
2nd Bridget Hollings for Otawewe - The Cottage of Content
3rd Sophie Cooper for A Huia Legend - The story of a Waitakere Ranger

Highly Commended
Rachel Burden for Memories of Massey Library

Waitakere City Mayor's Prize
Jordynn Brokken for The Story of Piha Surf Club

West Auckland Historical Society Prize
Richard A. Findlay for 5 State Houses in Rata St. 1946-57

Bullock Trophy (for the school which contributes most to the competition)
Henderson Valley School

Overall Winner: Franich Diamond Prize
Annemarie Endt-Ferwerda for The Tree Tomato Saga at Landsendt

November 26

New lights and ramp signals for Te Atatu Interchange

Click to download larger PDF version

Waitakere motorists will soon have an improved motorway interchange at Te Atatu Road on the Northwestern Motorway as the NZ Transport Agency progresses with work to install two sets of ramp signals, a new priority lane, new traffic lights and widening of on and off-ramps to improve capacity and traffic flow.

Ramp signals - traffic lights at on-ramps that manage the rate at which vehicles move down the ramp and onto the motorway - help improve traffic flows and safety on the motorway, while enabling more consistent speeds, safer merging and more predictable travel times. The signals operate only when needed during busy periods and remain off at all other times.

Ramp signals were recently commissioned on the Te Atatu Road westbound on-ramp to SH16. Installation of new ramp signals and widening of the on-ramp to two lanes is underway on the citybound ramps from Te Atatu South and the Peninsula. The work at the interchange is scheduled to be completed in February 2009.

A new priority lane on the city-bound on-ramp from the Peninsula will give a quicker trip for trucks, buses and car-pool vehicles. Priority vehicles can access the lane from Te Atatu South by turning right from a new slip lane.

NZTA and Waitakere City Council are jointly installing a new path across the Peninsula eastbound on-ramp that will provide access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Creating a priority lane for carpool vehicles, trucks and buses will give faster access to the motorway. The lane will move more people rather than more cars to benefit those commuters who car-pool or use buses.

Priority lanes also make a big difference to the freight industry giving truck operators more reliable travel times on the motorway.

The westbound off-ramp from Auckland City is being widened to accommodate two left-turn lanes. The lanes will end at new traffic lights with Te Atatu Road so that motorists can join both lanes on Te Atatu Road. This will help relieve the congestion that often builds on the off-ramp and along the motorway during afternoon
peak periods.

New traffic lights will control entry to the citybound on-ramp and exit from the eastbound off-ramp. The existing free left turn will remain from the eastbound off-ramp to the peninsula.

NZTA acting regional manager Tommy Parker says that the ramp signals and associated improvements will bring some relief to Waitakere motorists who have had a partially signalised interchange for years.

"The addition of traffic lights and widening of the westbound off-ramp to Te Atatu Road will help alleviate the queues that form during peak periods."

Ramp signals at Lincoln Road and Royal Road will be completed and commissioned over the next few months.

The ramp signals will improve a number of capacity and safety issues on the Northwestern Motorway and are also being co-ordinated with Waitakere City's planned improvements to Lincoln Road and Te Atatu Road. A priority lane will also be installed on the Lincoln Road citybound on-ramp.

There are now five ramp signals operating on the Northwestern Motorway at the St Lukes Road, Newton Road, Great North Road, Patiki Road and Te Atatu Road westbound on-ramps. The Great North Road on-ramp includes a priority lane.

Operators have a range of cameras giving a real time view of traffic operations throughout the area. At the same time, the NZTA is working closely with Auckland and Waitakere City Councils to manage and assist traffic flows on the local approaches to the on-ramps.

The operations at ramps on the Southern Motorway since last year have been successful. The operation of these ramp signals has seen a 15 percent improvement in travel speeds and a 5 to 15 percent increase in throughput of vehicles.

For more information visit www.nzta.govt.nz/rampsignalling/

November 26

Jandal Day supports New Zealand surf lifeguards

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Karekare Surf Club member Shawn Wanden-Hannay with his children Ben (2) and Jessika (5), relax in their jandals in preparation for National Jandal Day.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Karekare Surf Club member Shawn Wanden-Hannay with his children Ben (2) and Jessika (5), relax in their jandals in preparation for National Jandal Day.

It's as Kiwi as Hokey Pokey ice cream and now the humble jandal is playing its part in keeping New Zealand lifeguards afloat this summer.

National Jandal Day on December 5 is a call to 'feet' in support of Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey - a lifeguard at Karekare Beach for more than 50 year - is calling on the public to support the innovative fundraiser.

"Lifeguards do a fantastic job protecting our beaches and wearing jandals for a day is a fun way for people to show their support for this vital service," he says.

National Jandal Day encourages people to wear their jandals and pledge a donation to support safer summers on New Zealand beaches.

More than 80 percent of New Zealanders claim to own a pair of jandals and more than 60 percent admit to having more than one pair.

Schools, workplaces and youth and community groups can also go online to register an event on the day and to become a collector. Alternatively people can contact their local surf club or in Auckland, the Surf Life Saving Northern Region main office.

Proceeds from the event will help local surf lifesaving clubs, like Karekare, Piha and Bethells, carry out their work over the summer. As well as patrolling beaches, clubs have to keep equipment maintained and run public education programmes.

The first National Jandal Day in 2007 raised $260,000 for Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

New Zealand has just over 15,000km of coastline and last year 1680 lives were saved by surf lifeguards.

What: National Jandal Day
When: December 5, 2008

To register an event or to be a collector:
Go to www.nationaljandalday.co.nz OR contact your local surf life saving club.

25 November

Waitakere marches against family violence

Click image to enlarge

Prior to leaving on the march, participants held up white cards to form the shape of a white ribbon

More than 1000 people took to the streets in Waitakere today to call for an end to family violence.

The third annual White Ribbon March saw people marching under the banner, Family Violence - It's Not Okay in Waitakere and was led by Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.

Mayor Harvey, along with Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, established the Mayoral Taskforce on Family Violence with the aim of ridding this city of the scourge of family violence.

Today he delighted in those prepared to join in the campaign.

"When I started this several years ago I didn't know if we could do this and today I look at all the people who have turned out and I can say, to use Barack Obama's tagline 'yes we can'.

"We can call a halt to violence in our city because it just does not need to happen."

Mayor Harvey asked the community not to shy away from helping someone in need.

"It's not okay to not tell the many support groups, such as police, if you know something going on next door.

"Give them the mercy of your support and compassion. Don't let there be another Nia Glassie," Mayor Harvey said.

In Waitakere, police respond to around 350 domestic call-outs each month.

Click image to enlarge

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey led from the front in today's march.

Today's march attracted people from all ages, cultures and backgrounds. Many marched with hand painted banners with slogans including "Speak Out", "You Can Make a Difference" and "You Can Help".

Sandra Alofivae of the Families Commission in Auckland praised Waitakere for doing things "your own way out west".

She said each year the White Ribbon campaign grows in New Zealand with around half a million white ribbons requested by event organisers throughout the country, including 65,000 for Waitakere.

"You as a community are standing in a gap, you are saying no more to violence and we hear your voices."

A poignant reminder of what the march is all about came from Vic Tamati and Jude Simpson, a perpetrator and a survivor of family violence.

Vic is one of the faces of the national It's Not OK! Campaign and challenged men to stand up and put their hands up to lead the way and stop the violence going on in their families.

Today's event was organised by Waitakere City Council in association with Waitemata District Health Board, the Police and the Waitakere Anti-Violence Essential Services (WAVES) family violence network.

The Mayoral Taskforce has also developed a Waitakere version of the national It's Not OK! campaign through a series of billboards. Initially the billboards featured well known Waitakere residents including Mayor Bob Harvey, Michael Jones, Va'aiga "Inga" Tuigamala, Robyn Malcolm and Pio Terei.

A new billboard featuring local residents went up earlier this month and can be viewed on Railside Ave, Henderson and on Great North Rd in New Lynn and Great North Rd in Kelston.

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19 November

Historic chapel back in council hands

The Chapel of Faith in the Oaks is now back in council ownership

Structural restoration work will be needed on the historical Chapel of Faith in the Oaks which has been returned to Waitakere City Council ownership.

The chapel in Waikumete Cemetery has been leased by the Waikumete Chapel Restoration Board Trust for many years with the view of restoring the site for religious services.

However the trust has decided the scope and cost of work needed is beyond its resources and has now disbanded.

Built in 1886 as a mortuary chapel, the building is one of the few of its era and design left in the Auckland region. It has a category one heritage listing with Waitakere City Council and a category two with the New Zealand Places Trust.

"This building has immense cultural value and its retention and restoration is important to allow future generations to enjoy a building still in its original context and setting," says former Waikumete Chapel Restoration Board Trust member and Waitakere City Councillor Janet Clews.

The chapel fell in to a state of disrepair in the 1960s and was saved by a group of local residents in the 1970s that went on to form the trust. It was restored and eventually re-opened in 1986, an event officiated by Cr Clews, who was mayor of Glen Eden at the time.

She says more serious structural problems with the building came to light in recent years.

In 2005 the trust approached the council for professional advice on the extent of the building's problems, which included cracking and structural issues. The council commissioned a report, which provided two remedial options and then helped the trust apply for resource consent. The cost of the work was estimated to be around $125,000.

Since those initial investigations it has become clear there is more work required, including earthwork strengthening and more structural repairs.

The estimated cost of these additional works range from $601,000 to $886,000 and the council has been advised that work should commence within the next 12 months to ensure the building does not deteriorate further.

One option to off-set the restoration costs involves using any profit made from the redevelopment of the former New Lynn Hotel site. However, this would only be possible if the Bartulovich Estate, which previously owned the site, does not wish to purchase the property during the offer-back period.

The council has also discussed the possibility of redeveloping the adjacent Sexton's House for use as a reception area to create an historic precinct.

Given the chapel's heritage significance, the council's Culture and Community Committee agreed in principle that the council should complete the restoration work. However, it has asked that a breakdown of costs be reported back to the Long Term Council Community Plan Committee before a final decision is made.

19 November

Civil Defence HQ win architecture awards

Waitakere’s sustainable Civil Defence headquarters

Waitakere's sustainable Civil Defence headquarters in Glendene scooped two awards at the 2008 Auckland Architecture Awards announced last night.

Judges described the building, which won awards in the public and sustainable architecture categories, as "highly functioning and extremely elegant" and "a bench mark for sustainable architecture".

"These awards not only recognise an impressive and functional building but also our core principles of innovation and commitment to be leaders in terms sustainable development," says chairman of Waitakere City Council's Emergency Services Special Committee Derek Battersby.

Designed to operate under extreme emergency conditions, the building features robust and low maintenance building materials, a rain water collection facility and photovoltaic cells to power the building and provide hot water. It can function separately from the national grid for up to five days.

Judges also described it as an "intriguing hybrid building that resolves the unique challenge of creating an emergency communications centre within an architectural form but that relates sympathetically to its residential neighbours.

"The orderly interior layout is focused around a double height open-plan meeting room with flexible partitions. Robust construction methods and highly specialised servicing requirements have been combined with design flair to create a solution that is both highly functioning and extremely elegant," the judges said.

The building in Elcoat Avenue was designed by Architectus Auckland and officially opened in September 2007.

Another local building, the Colin McCahon Cottage in French Bay, was recognised at the awards, winning a heritage award and the Resene Colour Award.

The judges described the project as an inspired combination of conservation, restoration and interpretive installation that gives a powerful insight into the life of Colin McCahon at French Bay and said that the work was an example of "subtle innovation, intelligence and respect."

The colours of the cottage were recreated to match the original paintwork by the artist and are described as "a master class in colour".

The Auckland Architecture Awards are run by the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

The winning projects are eligible for consideration for a New Zealand Architecture Award, which is decided by a national jury in early 2009.

14 November

Ambitious plan to retrofit 20,000 Waitakere homes

Retrofitting Waitkere houses would ensure residents live in dry, warm and healthy homes.

Retrofitting Waitakere houses would ensure residents live in dry, warm and healthy homes.

Ensuring Waitakere residents live in dry, warm and healthy homes is the aim of an ambitious plan to "retrofit" 20,000 homes in the city over the next 10 years.

Waitakere City Council's Policy and Strategy Committee has recommended that the council's Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) and Annual Plan Committee consider including the proposal in the 2009-2019 budgets.

Work could include roof and under floor insulation, dual flush toilets, water tanks, water-saving showerheads, solar water heating, insulating hot water cylinders, energy-saving light bulbs and worm farms (to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills).

Policy and Strategy Committee chairperson Penny Hulse says the proposal is an opportunity to take the concept of retrofitting to the next level and put the council in the driver's seat by ensuring the best outcomes for the whole city.

"This project has the potential to save both households and the city millions of dollars a year and is an investment for our future."

The measures will result in a high-quality retrofits that would make a substantial improvement to people's quality of life and home running costs. It would also save the city money on water infrastructure investment, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It is proposed that a citywide project be carried out on a neighbourhood by neighbourhood basis and made available to all residents, including landlords, irrespective of income or age of property.

Funding options would be worked out depending on the applicant's circumstances and could be in the form of a loan, with the council and its funding partners paying the interest.

Councillor Hulse noted that Environment Canterbury has operated a loan scheme for many years, which had proven very successful.

The programme would be an alliance between the council and a range of other agencies sharing the costs, possibly including the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and other central government agencies and the district health board.

Of the 66,000 homes in Waitakere, just under half were built prior to 1978 when the legal requirement for insulation came into force.

The Waitemata District Health Board has identified that around 10,000 of these homes are in areas of high deprivation, where people are experiencing health problems, low incomes and poor quality housing.

"Many of our people continue to live in sub-standard homes that are expensive to keep warm and dry, and which make them lose time at school and work through preventable illness," says Cr Hulse.

"This is a drain on all taxpayers and a small investment could save us all money."

The council has already been a partner in several community-based projects, including part funding EcoWise West, a programme delivered by the EcoMatters Environment Trust, which has retrofitted 1275 homes in five years.

13 November

Festival celebrates cultural diversity

A young Holy Cross student enjoys the moment

There were plenty of big smiles, hip shaking and tongue poking at the Corban Estate Arts Centre this week as hundreds of school children entertained audiences at the Waitakere Pacifica Living Arts Festival.

The Schools Multicultural Festival was just one of the many events incorporated into the festival, which is organised by the Waitakere Pacific Arts & Culture Centre with support from Waitakere City Council.

The children presented performances from a range of Pacific cultures, as well as Asian and African - reflecting Waitakere's multi-cultural community.

The festival also featured workshops that introduced children to traditional Pacific arts, crafts and storytelling.

The Waitakere Pacifica Living Arts Festival continues today and tomorrow (November 13 and 14).

12 November

Number of registered dogs increase

A recently adopted dog from Animal Welfare

An increase in the number of registered dogs in Waitakere is just one of the highlights of a busy year for Animal Welfare Waitakere.

In the last financial year, the unit has processed 13,603 dog registrations, an increase of 60 on the previous year.

Animal Welfare Waitakere manager Neil Wells says the increase is a direct result of its efforts to educate people on the importance of registering their dogs.

"One of our approaches is going door to door and we tend to find that the word goes out that we're in the neighbourhood and we get a flood of registrations from people in that area," he says.

"However, random checks in the past year have found that in some streets there are up to 15 percent of dogs that are unknown to Animal Welfare Waitakere and are therefore unregistered. Eighty percent of dogs impounded by the service are unregistered.

Any dog owner found with an unregistered dog is liable to an infringement fine of $300.

Mr Wells says the unit's adoption and re-homing programme has had particularly good results this year, with more than 75 percent of animals being returned to their owners or adopted to new homes.

"We do extraordinary well in that regard and we have also built up good relationships with a range of organisations, such as Mobility Dogs, who adopt the dogs to use in their service," says Mr Wells.

Animal Welfare Waitakere is also focussed on educating the community on responsible ownership, conducting education and licensing sessions on becoming responsible dog owners. Its officers are also giving talks to school children on animal awareness, including how to behave around dogs to protect themselves from harm and how to care for domestic pets.

Mr Wells says this is an important part of their work and is working on introducing an animal awareness programme in every Year 1 class in Waitakere.

12 November

Join the march against family violence

White Ribbon Day March
Tuesday 25 November

Waitakere residents are being asked to put their best feet forward in the fight against family violence by participating in the annual White Ribbon March to raise awareness of the issues on November 25.

Waitakere City Council joins Waitemata District Health Board, the Police and the Waitakere Anti-Violence Essential Services (WAVES) family violence network in organising this event, which will march under the banner "Family Violence - It's Not OK in Waitakere".

This is the third year the event has been held in Waitakere, with last year's march attracting more than 1000 people. The march will be led by Mayor Bob Harvey and Maori Party MP Pita Sharples, co-chairs of the Mayoral Taskforce on Family Violence.

"We take family violence very seriously in Waitakere because it needs to be taken very seriously," says Mayor Harvey.

"This march is one way we, as a community, can show a united front against the scourge of violence in our city."

In Waitakere, police respond to around 350 domestic call-outs each month.

Entertainer Pio Terei, who has previously appeared on one of Waitakere's It's Not OK! billboards, will join White Ribbon Day in Waitakere.

Marchers can also voice their opinions at a banner-making workshop at Corban Estate Arts Centre on November 23 (10.00am - 4.00pm). Some paints and materials will be supplied but participants are asked to also bring fabric and paint.

There will be a White Ribbon Day display at Westfield West City on November 22 and 23, between 10am and 4pm.

The White Ribbon campaign is the international movement for the elimination of violence. It was established by men and is now recognised in more than 55 countries.

The objective of the march is to show community solidarity and promote key information to the public about taking appropriate action to prevent family violence.

What:	White Ribbon Day March
When:	Tuesday, November 25, 10.15am
Where:	March starts - Waitakere Hospital, Snelgar Building car park, Lincoln Rd, Henderson
March ends - Waitakere City Council civic square

11 November

Bob Harvey honoured with international award for environmental leadership

Mayor Bob Harvey

Bob Harvey has been recognised as one of the world's leading environmentalists.

Overnight the Waitakere mayor and life-long campaigner for projects ranging from environmental protection to peace and anti-nuclear issues received the LivCom Personal Award for best practise in the management of the environment.

Endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme, the LivCom Awards recognise individuals, groups and cities who are improving the lives of ordinary citizens through the creation of "liveable communities". More than 50 countries were represented at this year's LivCom conference and awards, held in Dongguang, China.

A love for the environment and other social issues has been a part of Mayor Harvey's life for as long as he can remember. As a young man in the 1960s he campaigned for peace and against nuclear weapons. In the 1970s, the advertising man and political campaign strategist was at the forefront of the Save The Manapouri campaign and helped Labour leader Norman Kirk to show New Zealanders that they needed to sit up and take notice of the rapid depletion of the country's natural resources.

"In the 1970s, New Zealand hit rock bottom environmentally with carnage in forest and coastal settlements as they were cut up by developers," he says. "There was greed as the new money began to take hold. You could see the parallel with the rise of capitalism and the disregard for the environment."

At a local level, Harvey remained dedicated to protecting the Waitakere Ranges. He lived in both Waiatarua and Titirangi before settling in the foothills of Glen Eden and has volunteered over 40 years to the local Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club. It was this sort of dedication and a drive to make a difference that saw him claim the mayoralty of Waitakere City in 1992 and his vision and leadership have seen him re-elected for an unprecedented six consecutive terms.

He counts this year's passing of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Act through Parliament as a highlight. "That is a ground-breaking piece of legislation that comes after 40 years of negotiation, heartache and downright hard work by many, many people," he says. "It is a demonstration that caring for our environment for future generations is now core business for both local and central government." The law now informs resource consent processes and holds government agencies and councils accountable for supporting protection measures.

In receiving the LivCom Award, Harvey acknowledged the support of successive councils he has led, as well as a team of dedicated and "highly talented" staff. "And, of course, the community at large. I have often said that New Zealanders will do anything if you ask them but nothing if you tell them. So it has been important that every step of the way we have consulted and taken the community with us."

Inspired by the Earth Summit held in Rio in the early 1990s, Harvey's vision for an environmentally-focussed city led to the 1993 establishment of Waitakere as New Zealand's first "eco city" and the official adoption of Agenda 21 as a way of addressing environmental issues and social inequities through community-council partnerships. Agenda 21 is now fully integrated in Waitakere through established planning procedures and democratic processes. The 'Quadruple Bottom Line' is the planning framework for assessing relative social, environmental, cultural and economic impacts, enabling more effective decision-making and ensuring a strong and workable sustainability focus.

"The eco city was a bold idea and we had to do it strategically and wrap it around council decision making. To be successful, it required an absolute commitment and the triumph is that we've held that true for 16 years," he says. "Everything I do is tied to those eco city principles and our 'First Call for Children' agenda. Everything is interrelated, whether it's cleaning up our city, reducing crime or reducing stress in people's lives. One benefits the other."

Harvey's eco city vision and leadership has gained him an international reputation as a speaker on environmental issues and helped put Waitakere City on the world map. An executive member of the global Mayors for Peace organisation, president of the New Zealand Peace Foundation and a member of the Australasian Mayors for Climate Change organisation, he was the keynote speaker at the Eco City Summit in Washington DC this year, where he was labelled "New Zealand's Al Gore".

Harvey was also the keynote speaker at the Mayor's for Peace Conference in Hiroshima during the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Hiroshima bombing. He received a UNESCO International Peace Prize in 1998. Rolling Stone magazine once cited Bob as the 25th "coolest person" on the planet and in 1996 Metro Magazine named him as one of the 25 notable people who have indelibly shaped Auckland during its 166-year-long history.

LivCom chief executive Alan Smith says Harvey's contribution has embraced all of its award criteria:

"From the outset of taking office, Bob Harvey has actively sought ways of embracing the community in the strategic direction of the city," he said. "A successful system of community meetings has been introduced that have led to greater social ownership of major policy schemes, with the city becoming more of a facilitator than a top down governing body. Bob Harvey has led the introduction of numerous policies and facilities aiming to improve both the physical and mental health within the community and remains committed to the ongoing social development of the City of Waitakere.

On the back of its mayor's drive for a sustainable future, Waitakere City has won numerous awards and accolades for its community partnership programmes, such as Project Twin Streams, and for sustainable building projects, such as its new Waitakere Central civic and administration building and city libraries and community centres.

"It's never been about tree-hugging. It's been about smart, sustainable, thinking and being focussed on the outcome and delivery. That's been very personal to me," he says. "No council in New Zealand has a stronger social agenda than us and I'm very proud of that."

Harvey believes he has largely achieved what he set out to do when he took on the Waitakere mayoralty - create a more successful and sustainable city for the 21st century. It's also why he isn't too worried about how people will remember him when he's gone.

"I don't care. I'm leaving that to history," he says. "I'd be happy if my tombstone simply read: 'He helped save the Ranges. He was a good man'."

10 November 2008

Huia Road closure needed to remove overhanging rock

On Wednesday 12 November, from 10am to 12 noon, a portion of Huia Road (outside number 1106), one kilometre east of the Huia township, will be closed to traffic to enable contractors to remove a large overhanging rock that has been exposed by recent slips.

The road will be closed to ensure public safety while the work is being undertaken and to accommodate the large machinery required for the job.

As there are no alternative traffic routes available, the council is asking residents and visitors to avoid travelling along Huia Road during that time and to alter their travel plans accordingly.

For more information, phone the council's 24-hour call centre on (09) 839 0400.

10 November

Infrastructure a major focus

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse

The new government's focus on infrastructure development will be a huge boost for Waitakere, the country's fifth largest City.

Speaking at a Council meeting today on National's policy direction, deputy mayor Penny Hulse said that in these harsh economic times partnerships between local and central government and the private sector were more important than ever.

She points to the $290 million redevelopment of rail links and a transport interchange at New Lynn, and the planned development of a super-yacht building base at Hobsonville as projects that can deliver real economic growth.

"The Hobsonville marine cluster, State Highway 18/16 and development of the Westgate area are the biggest infrastructure projects this country will see in the next three years," she says. "And they are all in the new Prime Minister's electorate, so I imagine there will be a real focus on how those sorts of projects drive economic development in the Auckland region."

"None of these things are possible without the commitment and goodwill of all parties," she says. "And we welcome the new government's commitment to things like improved public transport and other infrastructure."

Another major issue in Waitakere is the proposed re-location of the Whenuapai Airbase to Ohakea.

"National has signalled that the airforce will stay, which is fantastic news for this City and indeed the region," says Councillor Hulse. "This Council has always supported the retention of the airforce, but the move to Ohakea was going to gut this community both economically and socially," she says.

"A major strategic public asset like Whenuapai should be maximised so that it becomes a real hub of economic activity. Perhaps Whenuapai could become a model of public-private partnership to maximise that asset and minimise cost to the taxpayer."

7 November

Waitakere seeks views on proposed parking changes

Waitakere City Council is seeking community views on proposed changes to parking.

Waitakere City Council is seeking community views on proposed changes to parking in town centres and some of the main road corridors.

The initial consultation on these changes is occurring over November and December with a range of stakeholders, including businesses, developers and some town centre residents. In addition to stakeholder meetings, feedback on the options is also encouraged via the council's website or call centre or by post. Further consultation with the general public will take place early next year.

The proposed changes affect New Lynn, Henderson, Glen Eden, Te Atatu Peninsula, Ranui and Swanson, along with the Lincoln Road and Hobsonville Road growth corridors.

Three options have been developed for public comment:

The first retains the existing minimum parking requirements for new developments but would give the council more flexibility to allow less parking than prescribed.

A second option would introduce parking maximum requirements for new developments, set at around the current minimum number of parks allowed. This option offers flexibility to grant an exception by allowing more parks if they can be justified by the developer and if it supports the town centre goals. Some businesses that may require parking in excess of the maximum, e.g. supermarkets, malls and bulk retail stores. This is currently council's preferred option. District Plan Changes introducing parking maximums for Westgate have already been proposed.

The third but more restrictive option is to introduce maximum parking requirements for new developments, which over time would reduce the number of car parks that could be provided on a particular site. This would only apply to areas where high levels of public transport services are available. This is the option proposed in the Auckland Regional Council's Draft Regional Parking Strategy.

Detailed information and the feedback form is available online at http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/HavSay/parking.asp, or from the council's 24-hour call centre on 839 0400. The deadline for providing feedback to the council is 5pm on 10 December 2008.

"As the number of people living and working in Waitakere grows, we need to ensure that improved approaches to the management of parking are incorporated into the long-term planning for the city," says Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.

"We need to find ways of making best use of the limited available land in our town centres and growth corridors in order to encourage the level of development that will increase local employment opportunities."

Following the initial consultation process, a draft Waitakere City Parking Plan and draft Town Centre Parking Management Plans (PMPs) will be drawn up for New Lynn, Henderson and Westgate-Massey North and prepared for formal consultation (which will include hearings) with the public and interested community groups early next year. At that point, the council will consider the feedback on the draft plans and make appropriate changes before the plans are finalised. The council will consider these plans for adoption by September 2009.

Note: Submissions on the Proposed Parking Changes closed 24 December 2008. See Draft Policies and Plans for more information.

7 November

New Central Park Drive decision a win-win for cyclists and local business

Win-win decision for cyclists and local business

A Waitakere City Council decision to increase car parking provision on Central Park Drive alongside the introduction of a new cycleway offers the best solution for both cyclists and local business, it says.

The council's Infrastructure and Works Committee this week agreed to allow detailed design work to begin on a cycleway project for Central Park Drive with an additional recommendation to remove No Stopping At All Times parking restrictions on Central Park Drive between the Universal Drive extension and Te Pai Place.

This will enable the creation of 10 additional on-street car parks for the area.

The decision was made in response to concerns raised by local business owners that the cycleway would reduce the amount of on-street parking available to their customers.

"We have listened to what the businesses had to say and reassessed the options to come up with a solution that best meets the city's need for dedicated cycling infrastructure while also addressing business parking concerns," says Infrastructure and Works Committee chairman, Councillor Derek Battersby.

The cycleway project for the area involves a combination of on-road cycle lanes and off-road shared (pedestrian and cycle) paths. These will be introduced in 2009.

On-road cycle lanes will be on the southern side of Central Park Drive between Lincoln Road and the north-western cycle link and on one side of Central Park Drive between Henderson Creek Bridge and Te Pai Place.

Off-road shared paths will run from Lincoln Road on the northern side of Central Park Drive to the north-western cycle link as well as between Henderson Creek Bridge and Te Pai Place and in front of The Trusts Stadium from Te Pai Place to the Universal Drive extension.

The cycleways plan provides for 20 recessed car parking bays on the south side of Central Park Drive between Collard Place and Lincoln Road, which will be restricted to 180 minutes during business hours and a flush median from Universal Drive Extension to Collard Place to allow for a safe movement of traffic.

6 November

Staff needed to consider the logistics of responding to a tsunami threat during Exercise Surf's Up.

Exercise Surf's Up

How to respond to the threat of tsunami was the focus for Waitakere City Council civil defence volunteer staff who recently took part in Exercise Surf's Up.

The two, two hour sessions at Civil Defence headquarters in Henderson was based on a major earthquake occurring in the Solomon Islands and an ensuing tsunami that would affect both the east and west coasts of the North Island.

"It was not your normal type of exercise where we receive lots of messages and information but more of a team consideration of what we would need to do in the period leading up to the arrival of the tsunami," says the emergency management manager Bill Morley.

"It was also an excellent opportunity for staff to gain a better understating of the national and regional warning procedures for such an event and to test our operating procedures developed specifically for the activation of our tsunami siren alerting system."

Mr Morely was impressed with the way staff participated in the exercise and believes everyone gained from the experience.

"If we had to do this for real in the future, we would have around 40 staff right now who are much more aware of what is required than we had before the exercise."

The exercise also highlighted how effective the new tsunami siren system could be in a real tsunami threat environment.

"With two signals to either alert the public or to evacuate coastal areas at risk, it is an excellent public warning tool that can be activated by computer, cellphone or radio at a minutes notice," Mr Morley says.

"This is particularly so for an event that might occur at night where the current national warning system relies on media broadcasts to warn the public."

The siren system is installed at 13 coastal locations on Waitakere's east and west coasts and was formally commissioned to service in April this year.

5 November

Council launches scholarship scheme to attract best and brightest

A Waitakere Grad - The sustainable career choice

A Waitakere Grad - The sustainable career choice

Supporting the city's best and brightest to reach their educational goals and work in Waitakere are the aims behind a new scholarship scheme launched by Waitakere City Council.

The council is offering a four-year tertiary scholarship for Waitakere secondary school students to participate in tertiary education and a one year graduate scholarship for those in the final year of a planning or engineering degree.

The tertiary scholarship is worth $5000 a year for up to four years and can be used for course fees and material costs. Ideally the recipients will be interested in a career in Waitakere in the planning or engineering fields. Depending on the quality of applicants, several or no scholarships can be awarded.

The graduate scholarship is worth $5000 for a maximum of one year.

In both cases, the council provides work during tertiary holidays for the length of the scholarship and full-time employment in a role matching their qualifications and experience once their studies have been completed.

The council is working to develop itself as an employer of choice, particularly among Waitakere residents, and to fulfil its commitment to creating a sustainable society where local people have local employment opportunities.

In this way, the council hopes that the scholarship scheme will attract qualified local people to work for it in the fields of planning and engineering, into which it is typically difficult to recruit. In the future, the graduate scholarship may also be offered to students in other disciplines, depending on recruitment needs.

Bronwyn Cambridge has worked as a resource planner at Waitakere City Council since last November, starting not long after graduating from the University of Auckland.

She says those looking for a career in planning or engineering should give serious consideration to working in local government.

"I'd always considered working for a council because I figured it would be a good way give me exposure to a wide variety of projects I may not necessarily get in the private sector.

"That has certainly turned out to be the case at Waitakere. And I get to go to some fantastic locations in the course of my job with Waitakere being close to the Waitakere Ranges and home to some great coastal locations," she says

Having spent the first 10 years of her life in Waitakere, Bronwyn was familiar with life out west and says having easy access to public transport and driving against traffic is another bonus of working in Waitakere.

Applications are now open for both scholarships and must be received by December 31, 2008.

Application forms and further information on the scholarships and eligibility criteria can be found on the council's website at www.waitakere.govt.nz/careers

3 November

Council recognises Maori wardens' role in community safety

Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse with executive chairman of the Waitemata Maori Warden Trust Jack Taumaunu.

Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse with executive chairman of the Waitemata Maori Warden Trust Jack Taumaunu.

Waitakere City Council has recognised the contribution Maori wardens play in community safety with the official launch of a year-long contract with them to patrol the city's town centres.

Yesterday's launch, where deputy mayor Penny Hulse presented a certificate of appreciation to trust executive chairman Jack Taumaunu in recognition of its contribution to the community, coincided with a Maori Warden training at the council. It was run by the council's Safe Waitakere unit and Waitakere Police.

The presentation was attended by newly-appointed Waitemata Police District Commander Superintendent Bill Searle and Acting Area Commander for Waitakere, Inspector Scott Webb.

The council allocated $100,000 in its 2008/09 Annual Plan for the contract with the Waitemata Maori Wardens Trust.

The contract agreement builds on an already strong relationship between the council and the trust. Maori wardens were previously involved in Project Respect, a six-month project jointly funded by the council and the Ministry of Justice which saw wardens patrolling the street, primarily to interact with a particular focus on Maori and Pacific Island youth.

"The Maori wardens are an invaluable community resource that provide a calming and positive effect on our streets,"says Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.

"The work they do complements other initiatives being carried out to promote public safety in the city and the council is delighted to be continuing its strong relationship and to recognise the great work they do."

At the training session, wardens heard about local crime prevention strategies and how they can best play a part in increasing public safety in key town centre locations.

Safe Waitakere Crime Prevention Project Leader Michael Alofa says wardens take their ambassadorial role very seriously and are aware of the need to report any environment issues to council, such as broken lights, which may impact on public safety.

"We are fortunate to be working with such a community-minded group dedicated to keeping our town centres safe."

The contract will see six wardens on patrol five hours a day, five days a week.

3 November

'Ordinary' People Faces Of New Billboard

Click image for large version

Family Violence - IT'S NOT OK billboard image

Just days after her birthday, Waitakere teenager Christine Finlay is giving a gift back to the city with her involvement in the latest anti family violence billboard campaign.

The secondary school student turned 17 on Friday and is included on a billboard featuring a group of 'not so famous' Westies that were installed throughout the city this weekend.

Christine joins Michael Alofa, his wife police Sergeant Kelly Farrant-Alofa, Ngareta Renata and Fiona Cunningham as the new faces of the, family violence is "Not OK in Waitakere campaign, which has previously featured high profile Waitakere residents such as, sportsmen Michael Jones and Va'aiga 'Inga' Tuigamala, actor Robyn Malcolm, Mayor Bob Harvey, actor Tammy Davis and entertainer Pio Terei.

The billboards are a local version of a national campaign and were first launched by Mayor Harvey in 2006 when he established a Mayoral Taskforce Against Family Violence, along with Maori Party co-leader and local kaumätua Dr Pita Sharples.

Two years on and for Mayor Harvey, who announced details of the new billboard at the Police Association annual conference earlier this week, the commitment to rid the city of the "scourge of family violence" is as strong as ever.

"Family violence in this country continues on a daily basis with all too often fatal consequences and while many great things are happening in our community we cannot let up for a second. It has to stop and we have to be part of the solution."

Meanwhile, Christine has applauded the decision to feature "ordinary Waitakere residents" in the promotion and hopes to add a youthful perspective to the campaign.

"I think it brings a more realistic approach the issue of family violence and by raising it as an issue on such a large scale, will help people be more familiar with it."

She says family violence affects people of all ages and she hopes that through her involvement she can generate interest in the campaign among her peers.

The new billboard campaign is once again designed to raise awareness of family violence and help change attitudes and behaviour. While a bit daunted about having their faces on a large billboard the new "stars" say their appearance is testament to how strong they personally feel about the project.

"I just look at our daughter and how precious she is to us and know that if having my face on a billboard can make a difference and bring home the message that violence is not okay, then overcoming a bit of shyness is worth it," says Michael Alofa, a resident in Henderson.

Wife Kelly is in charge of the family violence team at Henderson Police and also features on the billboard.

For Ngareta Renata, the concept of featuring people from different walks of society was a major factor in becoming involved with the campaign.

"I view husbands or wives and their children as pillars in family life. They are so much more important than a big house, a new car or even a job, they should be the rocks in ones life, something to cherish."

Fiona Cunningham has worked in the mayor's office at Waitakere City Council for more than four years and helped Mayor Harvey set up the Mayoral Taskforce.

The billboards will be in Railside Ave, Henderson and on Great North Rd in New Lynn and Great North Rd in Kelston from this weekend to December 31.