Media Releases

August 2009

31 August

	Going West Books and Writers Festival 2009

Books and Poetry Slam at Going West

Books of all sizes, age and condition come to the fore at the Going West Book Market this Saturday, part of the month-long Going West Books and Writers Festival 2009, celebrating the best in New Zealand writing and ideas.

Be the first to delve among the wares from the best second-hand and rare booksellers in the region, from 9am-2pm, September 5 at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall..

The Book Market is more than just a book sale - you can enjoy displays, great local music, snacks, espresso and on-the-spot market valuations. New for 2009 is the Going West Book Auction in association with Bethunes@Webbs. Register for the auction with Murray Gray on (09) 817-3236 or murray@gonewestbooks.com.

Later on the same day at Titirangi War Memorial Hall is the sixth annual Going West Poetry Slam, where participants compete to be the best in performance poet. With a first prize of $500, the event draws poets from around the country to put their rhyme on the line and slam with the best.

If you're too shy to take to the stage, cheer on the contestants. The action gets underway at 7pm and entry is just $10 on the door.

This year marks 14 years of the Going West Books and Writers Festival 2009. This year's festival started with a sold-out season of Krishnan's Dairy, and has included exhibitions, workshops and a writers in schools programme.

The highlight of the festival is the Literary Weekend 'By Buy Bye The Book' at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall on September 11-13 which features leading contemporary New Zealand writers and wordsmiths as well as the world premiere of new poetry/music production North:South and a one night only performance of the award-winning Te Radar's Eating The Dog.

The festival ends with Storyfest - a free family event at Kelston Community Centre on Saturday 26 September.

For the full programme and details on Going West Books and Writers Festival 2009, visit www.goingwest.co.nz.

26 August

Transforming trash into fashion highlights beauty of our world

Click to enlarge

Budding fashion designers will showcase their talents at this year's Schools Trash to Fashion® awards.

26 August

Maori left reeling at official exclusion

Te Taumata Runanga chairman Warahi Paki

Future generations of New Zealanders will look back with feelings of great shame and embarrassment at the Government's decision to exclude Maori seats from the Auckland Council.

That is the prediction of the Waitakere City Council's Te Taumata Runanga Committee which says the move is a giant setback for race relations in Auckland and New Zealand as a whole.

"The Government's decision to not allow Maori seats on the new Auckland Council has pre-empted the findings of the select committee," Te Taumata Runanga chairman Warahi Paki says.

"It's an affront to the democratic process and has left Maori feeling gutted.

"Effectively this means the entire select committee process, which the general public and Maori were lead to believe would be carried out in good faith, has been nothing but a Government-led sham.

"It was never anything more than a political sideshow and has been a complete waste of time," he says.

Mr Paki believes the decision to exclude Maori seats on the council is a travesty considering that much of Auckland's land was gifted by Maori to Europeans in the spirit of friendship.

"This decision clearly contravenes the Treaty of Waitangi as it excludes New Zealand's indigenous people from having an active role in determining their future," Mr Paki says.

Mr Paki says Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide is a national disgrace and has called on him to resign.

25 August

No vision in Maori seats decision

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says the Government's decision not to include Maori seats is a missed opportunity of a lifetime.

Waitakere City's deputy mayor says the Government has let a "once in decades" opportunity slide by in opting not to include Maori seats on the new Auckland Council.

Penny Hulse says that Waitakere City Council supported Maori representation on Auckland Council but in its submission to the select committee it said the Government should decide how it could be implemented.

"I guess they have taken that decision. It was their call, but it is a huge disappointment that they have not been bold and visionary and given Maori a seat at the table," she says.

"I personally think this is a missed opportunity that will not come around again for a long, long time."

"Waitakere has built strong partnerships with Maori. If the super city is to thrive then it needs to continue those special relationships."

A recent poll of 400 Waitakere residents showed a close split of 42% in favour and 44% opposed to separate mäori representation.

"I think that demonstrates that it was not a particularly contentious political issue. This decision has been made by the Government based on ideology rather than weighing up the true pros and cons. That is very disappointing," she says.

Mrs Hulse adds that Rodney Hide's recent pronouncement that he would resign if Maori seats were proposed by the Government "must have" played a part in the decision.

"It is strange when a minor party with less than one percent public support can hold not only this region, but the Government, to ransom," she says.

"This may be a decision that the Government comes to regret."

24 August

First two Local Area Plans for Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area go out for consultation

Consultation begins this month on the first two Waitakere Ranges Local Area Plans for Oratia and Waiatarua

24 August

Join in the fun of Fathering Week

Focus on Fathering Week 2009 - 31 August to 6 September

Waitakere celebrates the role of fathering next week with a host of fun activities and informative workshops and seminars.

The third annual Focus on Fathering Week takes place 31 August to 6 September. The event has increased in popularity since it was launched by Violence Free Waitakere three years ago.

"This week is about letting men know that their role as fathers is valued and important - not just to their children but the whole community," says Focus on Fathering Week coordinator Chris Mullins.

"While there are plenty of fun activities for men to enjoy with the children in their lives, we also wanted to have a selection of interesting speakers that can talk about the issues fathers face every day, and tips to help them cope."

Waitakere City Council is among a host of local organisations and social agencies supporting this event which kicks off with a function in the council chambers on August 31.

Mayor Bob Harvey, author of Hey Dad! - A New Zealand Father's Guide to Survival, is a long time supporter of the event and the important role fathers play in the community.

"We need dads to be role models and mentors. To be the one that helps a son to stay calm when he feels like lashing out. To be the voice that tells a daughter she is beautiful when the world tells her otherwise. To be there when their children have nowhere else to turn."

The week of events include:

• A photo display taken by local school children of men in fathering roles, at WestCity Mall from September 1-5.
• September 1, 3 and 4, free health checks at the WOW Health Bus which will be located on Railside Avenue between 10.00am and 4.30pm each day.
• September 3, 7.30pm, Henderson High School. Learn the art of fathering teens from Rex McCann and Warwick Pudney.
• September 4 and 5, screening of the movie Men's Group at Unitec's Waitakere Campus, Ratanui Street, Henderson. 7.30pm.
• September 6, 9:30am-2.00pm, Tui Glen Park. Big Clean Up and Dad's Day Out. Fun day for the whole family with kayaks on the stream, pony rides, face painting, live multi-cultural music, information displays and activities on the cycleway.
• September 6, 3.00pm, West Auckland Hospice Father's Day remembrance service.
• No sweat parenting seminars - Building Awesome Families with Pio Terei, September 1 at Massey Rugby club, September 2 at Ranui Baptist Church, September 9 at Hoani Waititi Marae.

Unitec is also offering a series of informative lunchtime seminars at Waitakere Central Library from September 1- 4, 12pm-1pm.

September 1: Father and Child Trust national coordinator Harald Breiding-Buss talks on how to effectively communicate with children and the role that emotional literacy, clear boundaries and a life guided by a sense of purpose plays.

September 2: Dr Geoff Bridgman (Unitec) looks at what fathers should be discussing with their sons around the subject of internet pornography and how it challenges gender understanding and impacts on sexual and emotional relationships.

September 3: Lecturer in early childhood education Alex Williams presents an informative and interactive session which will look at the factors contributing to the gender imbalance of the profession, the challenges male ECE teachers face and ways to encourage them to enter teaching.

September 4: Unitec lecturer in social practice David Kenkel and Ian Hyslop from the Office of the Commissioner for Children explore words and ideas not often enough associated with male parenting: love and tenderness.

A full calendar of events at www.dad4life.co.nz

21 August

Residents in the Ranui-Swanson may notice their water has a milky appearance but it's still safe to drink.

Milky-looking water in Ranui-Swanson is safe to drink

20 August

Massey Ward residents urged to have say on proposed bus service changes

The creators of Outrageous Fortune, provide insight in to one of New Zealand's favourite television shows at the the Going West Literary Weekend.

Literary Weekend promises cultural feast

World firsts, book launches, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes stories from a top television show are part of the programme for this year's Going West Literary weekend.

The signature event of the Going West Books and Writers Festival 2009, the literary weekend 'By Buy Bye The Book' (11-13 September) is on at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall and promises to be a memorable event.

Some of the feature events of the literary weekend:

• North:South: Friday. September 11, 8.30pm. World premier - inspired by Glen Colquhoun's epic poetry of the same name and featuring music from Richard Nunns (taonga puoro) and Celtic musician Bob Bickerton;
  
  
• Westside Forever - Free Afternoon
  Saturday, 12 September 2pm - 7pm
  Celebrating Waitakere Writing
  Featuring a discussion with the authors of  WEST - the History of Waitakere; Sandra Coney's Piha - Guardians of the Iron Sands; Titirangi authors Lyn Loates (Butterscotch) and Michele Powles (Weathered Bones); and from 4.30-5.30pm.
  "The slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune" - a behind-the-scenes look at Outrageous Fortune with writers James Griffin and Rachel Lang together with Robyn Malcolm (Cheryl) and Simon Prast.
  Finally at 5.30pm - the launch of The Ironbound Coast - Karekare in the Early Years, edited by Mayor Bob Harvey and published by West Auckland's publishing company, Oratia Media.
  
  
•  Te Radar's Eating the Dog: Saturday, 12 September, 8.00pm: a comedy about misfits, failures and those who died trying. Tickets $20 from www.eventfinder.co.nz
  
  
•  Panther Rapp: Sunday, 13 September, 4.00pm-5.00pm: Polynesian Panther Party members Will 'Ilolahia and Dr Melani Anae are joined by Emory Douglas from the United States based Black Panther Party.
  
  
•  Give Peace a Chance: Sunday, 13 September, 6.00pm: A celebration of New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance with Phil Dadson of From Scratch and the screening of Gregory Nicholas' award-winning film Pacific 321 Zero.
  

Get a sneak preview of Dame Anne Salmond's new book Aphrodite's Island, meet Kate De Goldi author of the award-winning The 10pm Question and enjoy a tasty treat with chef Richard Till who will champion the food we grew up on and rustle up something to eat.

19 August

Where are the millions Rodney?

14 August

Mayor backs Fai inquest findings

Mayor Bob Harvey is backing calls for improved safety at Bethells Beach.

Mayor Bob Harvey is supporting calls for improved safety at Bethells Beach following the death of Warriors league player Sonny Fai.

Chief Coroner Neil MacLean recommended an emergency landline phone at the remote beach after an inquest into the 20-year-old's drowning.

Mr Harvey, a veteran surf lifesaver, says the phone would be a safety boost.

Telephone coverage in the area is patchy and many nearby houses do not get regular reception, he says.

"Getting quick help in the surf can be the difference between life and death. As a surf lifesaver of 50 years I know that when you're in trouble in the water, minutes count.

"An emergency phone could stop more tragedies like this."

Twenty two people have drowned on West Coast beaches in the last decade, including four in 2008.

Waitakere City Council will work with Telecom, Auckland Regional Council (ARC) and the community to establish the emergency phone at Bethells Beach.

It has long worked with the ARC and community groups to improve safety on the coast.

Signage was put up on every West Coast beach in 2005, warning of the danger in the notorious surf.

Angel rings, or lifebuoys, were installed at rock fishing spots on beaches including Bethells, Whatipu, Muriwai and Piha in 2008.

"People should be able to enjoy the beauty of our wild West Coast," says Mayor Harvey.

"We are doing our best to make sure it's safe."

13 August

Waitakere supports heritage projects

The fund helps to preserve heritage sites like St Michael's Church in Henderson.

Researching the history of taonga in a marae and repainting an old church are among projects to receive a boost from the Waitakere City Council Heritage Fund.

Seven applicants have been successful in the 2008/09 funding round with the value of works totalling $32,382.70.

The fund has a pool of $50,000 to assist local museums, owners of heritage buildings, archaeological sites and heritage trees and marae to carry out heritage-related projects with grants of up to $4,000.

The money can be used education programmes, physical works, refunding building consent fees and specialist care of artefacts.

The recipients of the 2008/09 Waitakere City Council Heritage Fund are:

• Huia Settlers Museum Inc ($2,750) - to assist with concept plans and drawings to extend the museum building;
• Lisa Smith ($4,610) - to research and write an information brochure on the history and taonga in Te Mahanahana Marae in Massey;
• The Falls Preservation Trust ($3,526.80) - to assist with extending The Falls Hotel to enable it to host larger functions;
• St Mark's Anglican Church ($4,693.50) - to repaint exterior of the church and replace windows;
• C E Hebben ($5,050) to paint a historically-significant Glen Eden house. The Category II listed home was built by William Levy, an early settler in Glen Eden who planted many of the established avenue trees at Waikumete Cemetery.
• West Auckland Historical Society ($4,000) - to erect a series of murals on parking retaining wall depicting historic sites of the West to attract interest in the 160 year old Mill Cottage. Other scenes could acknowledge the historical industries of Waitakere including timber milling, brick making, gum digging and wineries.
• Henderson Heritage Trust ($7752.40) - to cover consent costs related to restoration of St Michael's Old Church.

Chair of the council's Heritage Fund Allocation Sub-Committee, Councillor Judy Lawley says been surprised by the low number of applications to the fund last year.

"The previous $4,000 cap may stopped some groups even applying because the cost of their particular project exceeded that amount."

In July the council's Culture and Community Committee agreed to amend the policy and guidelines to immediately remove the cap for applications to the 2008/09 round apply it to all future applications to the fund.

"This fund is just one way the council is fulfilling its heritage strategy and action plan which is to enable residents to value heritage features and to preserve them for future generations to enjoy," says Cr Lawley.

13 August

Neighbourhood Support Waitakere approved for longer term funding

Cr Janet Clew says Neighbourhood Support plays a pivotal role in promoting and supporting local safety initiatives.

Neighbourhood Support Waitakere has been awarded a two-year funding agreement by Waitakere City Council in recognition of its valuable contribution to community safety.

The $35,000 agreement will run until 30 June 2011, subject to the negotiation of a service agreement and associated work programme with the council.

Neighbourhood Support Waitakere funding was previously allocated on an annual basis, which hampered its ability to make long-term plans and reduced opportunities to secure additional funding from other sources.

Established in July 2007 with council funding assistance, Neighbourhood Support Waitakere is a not-for-profit organisation that encourages neighbours to connect with each other to improve community safety and grow community responsibility and pride. It has approximately 4,000 members citywide and works closely with a number of council departments, as well as community organisations such as the EcoMatters Environment Trust and Waitakere Tag Out Trust.

It recently completed a 12-month graffiti education programme in Massey and Ranui primary schools, funded by the Ministry of Justice.

LTCCP and Annual Plan Committee chair, Councillor Janet Clews, says Neighbourhood Support Waitakere was a prime candidate for long term funding approval.

"Neighbourhood Support plays a pivotal role in connecting with community groups across Waitakere and promoting and supporting local safety initiatives," she says.

"Longer term funding will now help them to spend more time on future planning and delivering services that benefit the community."

Chair of Neighbourhood Support Waitakere, Georgia Ball, says the group is grateful for the funding approval and the council's faith in its ability to deliver for local residents.

"Funding will see sustainability built into the organisation so that it can continue to bring the community of Waitakere together," she says.

If you are considering becoming a member of Neighbourhood Support Waitakere or you are an existing member who has yet to make contact with the city coordinator, please call (09) 834 5815 or e-mail neighbourhoodsupportwaitakere@gmail.com.

13 August

Waitakere delivers employment and economic growth

Waitakere Business and Economy 2008 outlines 10 years of growth and development in the West.

Waitakere businesses contributed an estimated $4.2 billion to the Auckland economy in 2008 - 6.6 percent of the region's total gross domestic product (GDP).

The findings, which also indicate steady growth in local employment, are among details released this week in Waitakere City Council's economic performance report, Waitakere Business and Economy 2008.

It also shows that employment opportunities in Waitakere have steadily grown in the past decade with an average annual increase of two percent.

There are now 15,500 businesses providing around 49,100 full time equivalent employment (FTE) positions in the city - equating to 7.7 % of positions in the Auckland region. This represents a 20% increase in jobs since 1998 when Waitakere provided 40,476 FTEs.

The report outlines the city's economic performance over the past decade and its story is one of contrasts.

"In the 10 years to 2008, the city's overall economic performance outpaced its population growth, which rose at an annual rate of 1.8% a year," says Deputy Mayor Cr Penny Hulse.

The value of local production (local GDP) grew by an average of 2.5 percent a year and business unit growth of an average of 3.1 percent annually.

The retail and distribution, social and business service sectors have led the way in employment opportunities and local production in the past decade with 27 percent of the people employed in Waitakere businesses working in the retail and distribution sector.

In 2008, FTE opportunities rose in the social and recreation services and distribution sectors while the primary, construction, business services and manufacturing sectors all experienced downturns.

However like the rest of the world, the economic fortunes of Waitakere have fluctuated in recent years.

The city's economy slowed down in 2008, partly reflecting the effects of the global recession currently affecting the whole country.

The report notes that business growth in Waitakere has often been constrained by the shortage of land suitable for relatively large businesses but over the past decade the council has taken the initiative to address this issue.

"Planned changes to the Metropolitan Urban Limit will add approximately 200 hectares of greenfield business land in strategic growth areas between Westgate and Hobsonville, which once developed, will provided significant employment and business opportunities for the region in years to come," says Cr Hulse.

The council plays a major role in promoting economic activity and development in the city through its support of the economic development agency Waitakere Enterprise and in the areas of business partnership, advocacy, community development and investing in infrastructure.

"There are several projects underway in this city that will have a significant impact on the economic viability of the west and the entire Auckland region," says Cr Hulse.

She says the revitalisation of New Lynn town centre, which includes creating a new integrated transport hub, will create thousands of jobs in the future.

Background:
Waitakere is the fifth largest city in New Zealand in terms of population, now estimated at 192,300. This represents 13.4 % of the population in the Auckland region and 4.7% of the whole country.

11 August

Te Radar will be at Te Atatu Library on Wednesday 12 August

Stars at Waitakere libraries for New Zealand's Biggest Storytime

Kiwi funnyman Te Radar and Shortland Street actress Alison Quigan will be at Te Atatu Peninsula and Henderson libraries this Wednesday (August 12), reading to local school children as part of Library Week

From 10.30am Te Radar, the talented satirist, documentary maker, writer, stage and screen director will read Melanie Drewery's book, Itiiti's Gift at Te Atatu Peninsula library while Alison Quigan, who plays Yvonne Jeffries on the popular soap will read the same book at Waitakere Centrral Library in Henderson.

It's an event taking part at libraries across New Zealand participating in the simultaneous reading of the book for New Zealand's Biggest Storytime.

New Zealand's Biggest Storytime is also being held at Waitakere Central Library in Henderson.

Library Week runs August 10-16 and encourages people to escape in to a world of discovery at their local library.

In Waitakere people can take a behind the scenes tour of Waitakere Central Library, learn about the art of floral arranging, how to book a holiday online and attend workshops or talks on a range of subjects including publishing, books for boys and the clay industry of the West.

WHAT: New Zealand's Biggest Storytime
WHEN: 10.30am, Wednesday, August 12
WHERE: Te Atatu Peninsula Library (with Te Radar) - 595 Te Atatu Rd, Te Atatu Peninsula
Waitakere Central Library (with Alison Quigan of Shortland Street) - 3 Ratanui St, Henderson

 10 August

No Sweat Parenting with Pio Terei comes to Waitakere

Pio Terei puts the fun in to parenting while offering some great tips.

"You'll go home with your head full of good ideas and your face tired from grinning so much," says Pio Terei of the No Sweat Parenting/ Manaki Whanau Korero seminars being held in Waitakere next month.

The popular entertainer and proud father of three boys will present seminars, Building Awesome Families, with plenty of practical advice and humour.

"It'll be great fun, with lots of humour, lots of good stories and mixed in will be some fantastic ideas on how to make some great changes in the way you bring up your kids."

And he's promising people won't be bored.

"We all know that being a good mum and dad is so important, but we don't want to be bored to death learning how to do it."

No Sweat Parenting/Manaki Whanau is a programme put together for Maori but which has been popular among parents from a range of cultures.

"We presented 43 of them last year, all over the country from Hikurangi in the North to Milton in the South," says Terei.

"All were popular because as well offering great parenting ideas this programme offers the whole package. It's a blast from start to finish.

He acknowledged most people would "rather have their teeth drilled than go to a parenting event".

"But this is different. People come away feeling they have had a great night's entertainment but they also take away a stack of practical skills they are itching to try when they get home, and a dose of hope that they can make it as a parent."

No matter what your situation, he says the seminars will have something to offer for those wanting to build awesome families.

"We've presented to everyone from kindy mums to gang members, good parents and not-so-good parents and all of them get something worthwhile out of it."

Waitakere City Council and Violence Free Waitakere are working with Ranui Action Project, Massey Matters and Hoani Waititi Marae to make these events relevant and accessible to families who may not have had an opportunity to participate in parenting events before.

No Sweat Parenting/ Manaki Whanau is a division of Parents Inc (www.theparentingplace.com) and aims to strengthen families by giving parents simple strategies and inspiring them to create happy and fun homes.

What: Building Awesome Families, presented by Pio Terei.
When: Tuesday, September 1, 7.00pm: Ranui Baptist Church, 464 Swanson Road.
Wednesday, September 2, 7.00pm: Massey Rugby Club, Moire Park, 23 Granville Drive, Massey.
Thursday, September 9, 7.00pm: Hoani Waititi Marae, 451 West Coast Road, Glen Eden.
Cost: Seminars are free but fill up fast so it pays to get there early.

These events are part of the Focus on Fathering Week running across Waitakere from August 31 to September 6.

7 August

Waitakere Online can help you

Want a website but don't know where to start? Help is at hand.  Click to view website.

Want a website but don't know where to start? Help is at hand.

The Waitakere Online Community Project offers free web hosting for small businesses, community and not-for-profit groups based in Waitakere.

Whether the local rugby club, parents group or coffee shop, you could be missing out on important business or memberships by not being online.

The Waitakere Online Project is part-funded by Waitakere City Council, which is committed to fostering a progressive and sustainable business community as well as supporting community groups and organisations.

"The biggest barriers to people using technology are cost and lack of knowledge," says Councillor Linda Cooper, who sits on Waitakere Online's committee.

"This project helps businesses and organisations break through those barriers and will lead to an informed community capable of being involved in e-business."

Waitakere Online helps to get people started by providing website templates and giving site owners administration rights to maintain content.

It also hosts the site on its OurWaitakere (www.ourwaitakere.co.nz) page which means no internet service provider costs or technical hosting agreements.

People can also get free lessons through Waitakere Learning Centres at Waitakere libraries and have access to online tutorial information to help learn the necessary skills required to maintain their site. They can also ask fellow users for advice as part of the online forum.

"Setting up a website can seem scary but Waitakere Online is a great way to ease people on to the world wide web," says Cr Cooper.

"Establishing Waitakere as a vibrant online community with wired businesses is a key initiative in the drive to ongoing economic sustainability and social growth for Waitakere".

Those already using the service have given it the thumbs up.

"I found the whole process user-friendly and was able to load images very quickly. In fact, it's so easy that anybody can do it," says Kathryn of Esquires Coffee Houses in Henderson.

"From start to finish it only took a few hours to build my website and I tend to do all of my maintenance on the site at home and have found it extremely easy to do," she says.

"After a bit of help, including attending the free workshops, it didn't take long to figure out how the templates worked and I felt a lot more confident."

The service is only available to Waitakere residents, community organisations and businesses.

For more information visit www.ourwaitakere.co.nz

6 August

Feedback wanted on Sturges Road level raising

Infrastructure and Works Committee chair Cr Derek Battersby

5 August

Council turns down option to buy MacAndrew hall

Waitakere City Council will not be taking up an offer to buy MacAndrew Hall in Titirangi.

The Titirangi Women's Institute (TWI) has put the 74-year-old building on the market as it can no longer maintain or manage the facility.

TWI committee members had approached the council about the possibility of purchasing the facility for community use.

Last week councillors Janet Clews and Ross Clow and community board chairs Gayle Marshall (New Lynn) and Kubi Witten-Hannah (Waitakere) joined council staff on a visit to the Titirangi Road property.

The group has concluded that the hall is not considered a strategic asset by the council.

"It's always sad when a building the community has grown up with has to be sold, but we have to be fiscally responsible in the current economic climate," says chair of the council's Finance and Operational Performance Committee, Ross Clow.

He says the council can't justify spending money on a facility which is already underused.

"Only three community groups use the hall each week and a tremendous amount of money would be required not only to purchase it but to bring the ageing building up to standard," says Cr Clow.

"Titirangi already has several quality facilities - the War Memorial Hall, Titirangi Community House, Lopdell House and Paturoa Bay Hall - so the council does not wish to buy more facilities in Titirangi when other areas in the city have a greater need."

An investigation by council engineers last year also found it would be difficult to create more parking at the venue.

The council owns or leases more than 80 community, cultural and recreational assets across the city, including community centres, community houses, halls, Citizen Advice Bureaux and libraries.

Over the next decade there are plans to spend approximately $20m on developing community and recreation facilities in areas of high need throughout Waitakere. This money has been included in the council's 10 Year Plan (2009-2019), approved earlier this year.

Titirangi Women's Institute secretary Betty Carter says they are now looking for a buyer.

"We hope whoever purchases it will retain the building in its present form for use as a community facility."

Editor's note:

The hall was gifted to the Titirangi Women's Institute in 1935 by Jenny and Arthur MacAndrew.

Mrs MacAndrew purchased the land in 1935 to be used by Titirangi Women's Institute (WI) and her husband had the hall built, which was officially opened in October 1935. Constructed during the depression the council contracted local unemployed people to level the site before the hall was built.

The building and stage were extended between 1942 and 1945. From September 6, 1946 it became known as MacAndrew Hall at the suggestion of other institute members to celebrate Mrs MacAndrew's 80th birthday.

The couple performed on stage at the hall for many years and along with the WI inspired many Titirangi locals to use it for musical and dramatic performances.

It has been home to the Titirangi Drama Group since the beginning, and other drama groups have used it over the years since the 1970s.

5 August

Waitakere welcomes world surfing champions

Waitakere welcomes world surfing champions

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey is welcoming the world's best young surfers to the home of Kiwi surfing.

Iconic West Coast beach Piha has been confirmed as the venue for the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

Its strong surfing history makes it an ideal venue for the eight day event, says Mayor Harvey.

"Piha is the birthplace of surfing in New Zealand. The first waves ever surfed in this country were ridden at Piha (by visiting American lifeguards Rick Stoner and Bing Copeland in the 1950s). So the era of New Zealand surfing was born here.

"Fifty years on, it is an honour to welcome the world's best young surfers back to the home of surfing.

"The wild west coast is the perfect place for a new generation of surfers to test themselves against the best competition and the best waves the world has to offer."

Waitakere City Council played a key role, along with Surfing New Zealand, in bidding for the event.

The surfing championship will be held from January 20 to 28.

It is expected to involve more than 250 competitors from 30 countries.

4 August

Owners advised to keep dogs off beaches

Owners advised to keep dogs off beaches

4 August

Light up your life this August

Switch to energy efficient lightbulbs

You can save money and do your bit for the environment simply by switching to energy-efficient lights such as the Ecobulb®.

The council and EnergyMad are working together to promote the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), including a voucher in the August issue of the council's newsletter, Waitakere News.

The voucher can be redeemed via Pak 'n Save supermarkets between 17 August and September 13, the bearer entitled to claim five Ecobulbs for $10 (while stocks last). Each Ecobulb® normally costs about $4.

Save on carbon emissions 'a flick at a time' by replacing your old energy-hungry bulbs.

Replacing five of your 100 watt incandescent bulbs with an Ecobulb® could save you could up to $880* worth of power over the bulbs' lifetime. They last 10 times longer and save 80 percent more electricity than a standard bulb. They come in curly, conventional and halogen configurations.

In June this year, Consumer tested 17 energy-efficient lightbulbs and the top four compact fluorescent lamps (including Ecobulb®) were all rated at least 20 percent brighter than the equivalent 100w incandescent. Read more at: http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/energy-efficient-lighting

Waitakere City Council supports initiatives to promote sustainable living, particularly in the areas of water, energy and transport.

And while these bulbs have one of the lowest mercury contents of any energy-saving light bulbs but the council does urge to dispose of these bulbs carefully. Wrap them up and take to the the council's Refuse Transfer Station, 50 The Concourse, Henderson (maximum of five bulbs only) for disposal. Please don't put them out with your household rubbish.

*Savings based on replacing five 100w incandescent bulbs with 20W Ecobulb® bulbs, using electricity priced at 22 cents per unit, with the bulbs used for an average of three hours per day.

Win a copy of West: The History of Waitakere

Win a copy of West: The History of Waitakere