There is still time to nominate local “unsung heroes” for a 2009
Waitakere Community Boards Unsung Hero Award.
Nominations for the awards, which provide an opportunity for local
people to celebrate and honour community volunteers at a grassroots
level, close on 8 May.
Nominees can be individuals or small informal groups who have got
together to achieve something worthwhile - but not formal societies
or clubs.
In about 250 words, tell us about the person or group you are
nominating, what they have done, the length of time they have worked
in the community and the impact their work has had.
Be sure to include your own contact details and those of the person
or group you are nominating.
Send your nominations to:
Waitakere City Council
Waitakere Community Boards Unsung Hero Awards
Private Bag 93 109, Henderson
Waitakere City
Attn: Barbara Cade
An awards evening will be held on June 19, with five awards
presented for each of the Henderson, Massey, New Lynn and Waitakere
wards.
30 April
Waitakere kids booked for library art contest
Henderson Intermediate's 2008 winning entry based on the book Dead Dan's Dee, set in post-war New Zealand
A total of 70 classes from 14 Waitakere primary and intermediate
schools are combining their literary knowledge and artistic skill
for the second annual Library Letterbox Lineup competition.
Run by Waitakere Library and Information Services, the
literary-based art contest challenges children to design letterboxes
for their school libraries, based on the 15 books short-listed in
the Junior Fiction, Picture Book and Non-Fiction categories of this
year’s New Zealand Post Book Awards.
Contestants are encouraged to choose a book that inspires them and
to design a letterbox that builds on ideas from the story. They must
also write about their reasons for selecting their particular
finalist, how the design of their letterbox relates to the ideas or
themes from their chosen book and what materials they have used in
their creation.
The best letterboxes from each age category will be on display in
the WestCity shopping mall on Friday 15 May, ahead of a prize-giving
and magic show event at the mall at 7.00pm that night.
The winning classes will be awarded books and vouchers for their
school library.
Participating schools include: Arahoe School, Don Buck Primary,
Edmonton School, Freyberg School, Glen Eden Primary, Green Bay
School, Henderson Intermediate, Kaurilands School, Laingholm
Primary, Lincoln Heights School, Oratia Primary, Peninsula Primary,
Te Atatu Intermediate and Te Kura Kaupapa.
The announcement of the New Zealand Post Book Award winners will
take place at a ceremony at the Auckland Museum on 20 May.
For a full list of finalist books across all four categories in the
New Zealand Post Book Awards, visit
www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz.
28 April
Discover the nature in your neighbourhood
Learn more about eradicating weeds from stream banks and
improving habitat for native fish at this year's
Nature in your
Neighbourhood series of workshops starting later this month.
Native fish expert Paul Woodard enthralled with his knowledge
Waitakere City Council has again partnered with Rutherford College
Community Education to deliver the programme which runs 19 May 19 to
5 July.
Through the course, people can find out how to develop native
plantings besides their neighbourhood streams that improve the
in-stream habitat for native fish like eels, bullies and banded
kokopu.
The programme draws on a variety of experts and you can meet other
like-minded "stream neighbours". The sessions are fortnightly and
involve evening workshops with hands-on skills sessions at the
weekends. People can attend all or just one of the four parts.
"If our natural habitats are to survive and thrive, the community
needs to be involved in that process, and programmes like this are
good way to give people the tools to do that," says
Policy and
Strategy Committee chairman
Penny Hulse.
Henderson Valley resident Ron Watson says the programme gives people
a good grounding on what to do on their own property and how to go
about getting the neighbourhood involved.
Henderson Valley Residents now hold an annual "Life in the Valley"
event when local environment initiatives and neighbourhood groups
get to interact with local residents.
For Ron the programme provided him with a few unexpected surprises.
"I found the sessions with native fish expert Paul Woodard and Matt
Baber who spoke about native frogs around the world provided some
unexpected insights about my own backyard. I'd never realised such a
variety of native fish and other wildlife was living right here in
the Waitakere streams and surrounding bush."
Avid gardener and Piha resident Bobbie Carroll "absolutely loved"
the Nature in your Neighbourhood programme she attended in 2007.
"I'd gone along because I have a stream running along two boundaries
of my property and had pulled out some of the weeds running
alongside it but didn't know what to do next."
She finished the course inspired to get her whole community doing
their bit to improve the nature in their neighbourhood.
The result is the Beach Valley Road Project - a partnership between
residents and the council which has seen streams on private
properties streams cleared, new plantings and pedestrian and vehicle
access on public roads improved by overgrown vegetation being cut
back.
Sessions are: Part 1 - How it all fits together
(Part A 19 May and Part B 24 May)
Investigating Waitakere streams and their native fish, the Green
Network and Northwest Wildlink. Why your property is important.
Discover how riverbanks on your property affect waterway health.
Part 2 - How it works (Part A 2 June and Part B
7 June)
Discovering what lives in Waitakere streams and gardens, finding out
about these native plants and animals and about eco-sourcing plants
for different places.
Part 3 - The life within (16 June and
21 June)
Learning how to look closely at the living things in Waitakere
backyards and exploring tools to help our native animals survive at
your place.
Part 4 - Movement for change (
30 June and 5 July)
Sharing this knowledge with your friends and neighbours and
developing a local nature-zone.
To register for the programme, call Rutherford Community Education
on 09 834 4099. Cost is $10 per session, $30 for 4 or $60 to attend all
eight.
28 April
10 year plan submissions due Friday
Have your say. Submissions on Waitakere's 10 year plan
close soon.
People have until 5pm, Friday 1 May to have their say on the
plan, also known as the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP). It
sets out the council's key priorities and projects over the next 10
years, and their estimated costs.
Best of the West - Waitakere's Draft 10 Year Plan (2009/19) also
identifies the main issues the community is encouraged to consider
when making a submission, and asks specific questions on each of
these.
The plan poses questions on several important issues including:
the potential disposal of surplus land,
the refurbishment of Wilsher Village - a retirement home in
Henderson,
the council's contribution to Rugby World Cup 2011,
possible change to the mobile library service,
a plan to retrofit the city - insulating 20,000 homes by
2020 to ensure houses are warmer and dryer and provide a
healthier environment for people.
Making a submission is easy.
Download a submission form or
make a submission online from
this website.
Around 3,000 people flocked to the ANZAC Day dawn ceremony at
Waikumete Cemetery on Saturday to remember those who lost their
lives in the service of their country.
Before dawn, people gathered around the cenotaph and war graves and
along the cemetery roads, many carrying candles and lights.
The ceremony began at 6am with the parade of returned service
personnel, who marched to the front of the cenotaph to the sound of
the Waitakere City Trusts' Brass Band and the applause of the crowd.
The parade also included family representatives of those who served
(many of them with war medals pinned on their chests) and members of
the New Zealand armed forces and police and community organisations
such as Scouts and Guides.
Distinguished guests at the ceremony were Waitakere
Mayor Bob Harvey
and his wife Barbara, the Australian Consul Glenn Paterson and
Members of Parliament Paula Bennett, Pita Sharples, Tim Groser,
David Cunliffe, Chris Carter and Lynne Pillay.
Led by Te Atatu South singer Rachel Alexander, the crowd sang God
Save The Queen, the hymns All People That On Earth Do Dwell, Abide
With Me and the New Zealand National Anthem. Mayor Harvey read the
ANZAC dedication and Reverend Judy Cooper led the gathering in
prayer, while Glen Eden Returned Services Association president Earl
Boyce-Bacon and Parade Commander Phil Paki gave the Act of
Remembrance in English and Maori respectively.
Wreaths of remembrance were laid by representatives of the Waitakere
City Council, the New Zealand Government, New Zealand Armed Forces,
New Zealand Police and Returned Services Association.
After the ceremony, many people moved towards the cenotaph, placing
their candles next to the wreaths and taking photos in front of the
memorial.
A second ceremony, attended by several hundred people, was hosted at
Waikumete Cemetery at 11am by the Glen Eden RSA. Eight other ANZAC
services were hosted around Waitakere City by local RSAs.
"Make no mistake, the people of Auckland are waking up to exactly
what this means. And they don't like it.
“Last week over 1000 people marched through our streets and now
these results should sound a real warning to the Minister and the
Government.”
The poll results also found an overwhelming 72% of John Key’s
electorate of Helensville and 67% of Waitakere electorate (Paula
Bennett) support the six-city model as recommended by the Royal
Commission, but rejected by the Government. Only 16% of
Waitakere residents and 19% of Helensville residents favour the
Government-proposed ‘local boards’.
The poll was conducted by Phoenix Research Limited between 17 and 20
April 2009 as a telephone survey of 401 Waitakere City
residents aged 18 and over, including 222 in the Waitakere
electorate and 100 in Helensville.
“Overseas experience in places like Brisbane and Toronto shows that
public opposition to mega-amalgamations increases with time.
In fact after a decade, people in Toronto are still protesting,”
said Penny Hulse.
“The Royal Commission spent 18 months and millions of dollars coming
up with its recommendations. These were rejected within
days by Rodney Hide (Local Government Minister).”
“We'd like to see his analysis for how 20-30 powerless little boards
could work and deliver better democracy, and better services than
the six or 11 council model."
Super City Preferences Survey
Topline Results
In favour of government decision for new Auckland council
Total Waitakere
Waitakere Electorate
Helensville Electorate
401
222
100
In favour
34%
33%
34%
Not in favour
47%
49%
48%
No opinion
15%
15%
7%
** Not sure/don't know **
4%
3%
12%
TOTAL
100%
100%
100%
Almost half (47%) of Waitakere residents and 49% of Waitakere
Electorate residents are not in favour of the Government proposal.
About one-third of residents (34%) and the same proportion of
Waitakere Electorate residents (33%) are in favour of the Government
proposal.
Helensville Electorate residents show the same levels of preference
as Waitakere Electorate residents, and indeed, Waitakere City
residents as a whole.
In favour of local boards or local councils
Total Waitakere
Waitakere Electorate
Helensville Electorate
401
222
100
20 to 30 local boards
16%
16%
19%
6 local councils, including Waitakere
66%
67%
72%
Have no opinion
12%
12%
4%
** Not sure/don't know **
5%
6%
5%
TOTAL
100%
100%
100%
The difference is sharper.
Two-thirds of Waitakere residents (66%) and the same level of
Waitakere Electorate residents favour local councils.
Only one-in-seven Waitakere residents and Waitakere Electorate
residents (16%) favour local boards.
Helensville electorate residents appear firmer in their opinions,
but the difference is not statistically significant from Waitakere
residents.
They are no different from Waitakere residents in their preferences.
Preference for the Government proposal is not unqualified. For
Waitakere residents in favour, 57% prefer 6 local councils, compared
with 32% in favour of community boards. Helensville residents in
favour show similar levels of preference.
Waitakere City Residents
Total Waitakere
In favour of Government
proposal
401
137
20 to 30 local boards
16%
32%
6 local councils, including Waitakere
66%
57%
Have no opinion
12%
8%
** Not sure/don't know **
5%
3%
TOTAL
100%
100%
Helensville Electorate Residents
Total
Helensville Electorate
In favour of Government
proposal
100
33
20 to 30 local boards
19%
30%
6 local councils, including Waitakere
72%
55%
Have no opinion
4%
9%
** Not sure/don't know **
5%
7%
TOTAL
100%
100%
24 April
Henderson showcases Kiwi music
Some of the country's top bands are heading out west next month
for a free concert showcasing Kiwi music.
On 2 May Goodnight Nurse, Midnight Youth, Luger Boa, Clap Clap Riot
and Kings Would Rise are performing at Henderson's youth facility,
Global Cafe.
Presented by Waitakere City Council and The Edge 94.2FM, the gig
also coincides with the start of New Zealand Music Month.
"It's great to have bands of this calibre under the one roof and out
west," says event organiser Richard Attwood of Waitakere City
Council.
"No matter what your music tastes, this line up has something for
everyone."
Concert goers are advised to be early as the capacity is limited.
Doors open at 7.00pm
Global Cafe, which is for 13-25 year olds, is on Alderman Drive,
Henderson.
Background:
Goodnight Nurse
With six Top 40 singles to their name Goodnight Nurse is one of New
Zealand's most successful bands.
Their debut album Always and Never entered the New Zealand album
charts at number five and went gold within its first week, featuring
the hit singles Loner, My Only, Death Goes To Disco, Our Song and
All For You.
The follow-up album Keep Me On Your Side, debuted at number five
with the single The Night spending three months in the NZ Top 40.
They won the MTV Australia Video Music Award for NZ Viewers' Choice
in 2007 and were nominated again in 2009.
Clap Clap Riot
With a ferocious mix of duelling guitars, solid thumping drums, edgy
guitar tones and wild vocals, this four piece act produces a high
energy live show. They have been compared to bands like The Small
Faces and The Easybeats and received praise from New Zealand media
for their searing live shows.
Winners of the MTV Kickstart 2008 competition, the band has
completed extensive production work with Jimmy Christmas (The D4)
and played shows alongside The Datsuns, Cut off your Hhands and The
Checks. They've also performed at the Big Day Out, Rhythm and Vines
and two Southern Amp festivals.
Midnight Youth
Their first single The Letter, from their debut album The Brave
Don't Run, was released in April 2008.
The Letter was the most played New Zealand song on radio and the
music video and simultaneously hit number one on two major music
television networks. The track was in the Top 10 for more than 15
weeks in the Radioscope Top 100.
Midnight Youth supported Australian rock legends INXS during their
New Zealand tour.
Luger Boa
Featuring former D4 vocalist Jimmy Christmas, Luger Boa played
support to Kings of Leon for their recent New Zealand tour.
Kings Would Rise
Formed in Christchurch in 2006, Kings Would Rise was founded on
premise that it might be possible to bring rock music back to their
home town Christchurch, New Zealand. With help from bands such as
Clap Clap Riot, sunSwitch, Redline, and Falter, Kings Would Rise has
been able to get their music heard live and loud.
23 April
Hundreds marched through Henderson this week to protest
over the government's plans for Auckland governance.
Community and council combine to oppose Government
proposals
Waitakere community groups and Waitakere City Council have vowed
to work closely together to put the local back into local
government.
On Wednesday, Waitakere Mayor
Bob Harvey and fellow
councillors
joined up to 1000 people who marched through Henderson in protest at
the lack of community consultation on the Government's revised plan
for Auckland governance.
"What a fantastic turnout. Democracy for the people, by the people -
and the people have spoken today," Mayor Harvey said.
"Waitakere people already understand the fundamental impact these
proposals will have on the lives of ordinary people out West.
It's now time Auckland MPs and the Government took notice too."
The march came less than a week after more than 300 people crammed
into the council's chamber for an
extraordinary
meeting called to provide an update on a meeting between the
local government minister and Auckland local government
representatives.
Mayor Bob Harvey, who is on the Minister of Local Government's
working group, welcomed the growing groundswell of community
support.
"This is a battle and it's a battle that needs to be taken to the
streets of Waitakere and I salute you for doing that," he told last
week's meeting.
"Democracy is at stake here."
A group of community organisations, called the
Community Coalition
for Auckland - Voices of Tamaki Makaurau, says the government's
preferred model of one Auckland council and up to 30 local boards
will see the demise of a city people have spent years building.
"We didn't work for 20 years for the gains of the eco city to be
stolen away from our communities," said Tony Mayow, chair of the
Community Waitakere and co-spokesperson for the coalition.
"After only three weeks, we now have over 70 organisations in our
coalition - with over 30 others from across the region.
"We are not going away. We embrace meaningful change and that's why
the Royal Commission was formed. In fact we demand that the Royal
Commission report be used as the basis for discussions at select
committee."
23 April
ANZAC Day Services in Waitakere
ANZAC Day is a time to reflect
Saturday, 25 April is a chance for you to remember and pay
tribute to those soldiers who went to battle, by attending one of the
many ANZAC Day services throughout Waitakere.
The city's main commemoration is the dawn service at
Waikumete Cemetery at
6am (assemble at 5.45am).
But if that's too early, local RSAs are holding services and
parades are being held in the following areas:
Swanson parade and service: 9am. Parade assembles at 8.45am
from Swanson Primary School.
New Lynn service: 9.30am at Memorial Square.
Te Atatu Peninsula parade at service: 10am. Parade starts in
Hereford St at 9.45am.
Titirangi parade and service: 10.30am, War Memorial Hall.
Laingholm parade and service: 10.30am, Laingholm Hall.
Henderson parade and service: 10.30am. Parade leaves from
fire station in Railside Ave at 10.25am.
Hobsonville parade and service: 11am. Parade assembles at
Hobsonville School at 10.15am.
Glen Eden parade and service: 11am, cenotaph at Waikumete
Cemetery.
Waitakere parade and service: 11am, Waitakere RSA clubrooms,
Township Rd.
Piha parade and service: 2pm. Parade assembles at Piha RSA
at 1.45pm.
Lynne Brown and Dorothy Mangnall cut the jubilee
cake
Volunteers who built and maintained the Glen Eden Community and
Recreation gathered last week to celebrate 25 years of a community
working together.
"We remember the debt we owe to the past and treasure that awareness
of community spirit," says
Councillor Janet Clews, who officially opened the building at
Harold Moody Park in April 1984, in her capacity as Glen Eden's
Mayor.
"The way the facility is run preserves that. Long may it last!" she
says.
The event on Saturday featured static displays by the many user
groups, some historical information prepared by the Glen Eden
Protection Society and a programme of entertainment for guests and
visitors.
Councillor Clews says the front part the centre was actually opened
in 1955 as the Glen Eden War Memorial Hall but by the early 1980s,
it was far too small for a rapidly growing community.
"One of the regular hirers, then as now, the Glen Eden Senior
Citizens' Association led by its president, the late Fred Mangnall
and his wife Dorothy, had the dream of enlarging the facility.
"With the backing of his fellow councillors and the then Mayor,
Brian Berg, Fred drove the re-development. There was a huge
voluntary input of labour by local tradesmen with support from Glen
Eden businesses and funding agencies, including the Portage
Licensing Trust. The work took almost three years from conception
and was completed at no cost to ratepayers," says Councillor Clews.
Long serving secretary, Lynne Brown, spoke about the building's
history, introduced Councillor Janet Clews, representing
Mayor Harvey, and then
invited Dorothy Mangnall to cut the jubilee cake donated by Topwell
Bakery. Many other businesses donated items for the raffles
organised by the Senior Citizens' Association and were all
acknowledged on the day.
Gayle Marshall arranged a full afternoon's entertainment including
fine singing by the Kelston LMS youth group choir, soloists, dancers
and country and western musicians.
The centre continues to be run by a management committee of
representatives from user groups and a council representative. While
it was built with community labour, the council paid for a facelift
and paint job a few years ago and is responsible for the exterior
maintenance.
21 April
10 Year Plan submission deadline looming
Have your say. Submissions on Waitakere's 10 year plan
close soon.
The plan, also known as the
Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP), sets out the council's
key priorities and projects over the next 10 years, and their
estimated costs.
Best of the West - Waitakere's Draft 10 Year Plan (2009/19) also
identifies the main issues the community is encouraged to consider
when making a submission, and asks specific questions on each of
these.
"The fact is that we need to continue to provide the expected
council services as well as make progress on major urban development
projects for the long term benefit of the people of Waitakere and
the Auckland region."
The plan poses questions on several important issues including:
the potential disposal of surplus land,
the refurbishment of Wilsher Village - a retirement home in
Henderson,
the council's contribution to Rugby World Cup 2011,
a plan to retrofit the city - insulating 20,000 homes by 2020 to
ensure houses are warmer and dryer and provide a healthier
environment for people.
The council is hosting a meeting this Wednesday evening for
community groups to assist them as they finalise their submissions
on the draft plan. The meeting is being held in the
council chambers
from 6pm.
Making a submission is easy.
Download a submission form or
make
a submission online.
Use the reply paid submission form in the special edition of the
council's newsletter, Waitakere News.
WCC deputy director
of city services, Tony Miguel and Councillor Linda Cooper
with some of the new Water Ambassadors Kids Club
members.
Waitakere's new
Water Ambassadors Kids Club is making a big
splash with more than 220 youngsters already signed up.
Launched by Waitakere City Council last month, the club is aimed at
environmentally-minded five to 10 year-olds interested in preserving
the precious water resource many of us take for granted.
A group of the new ambassadors recently joined
Waitakere City
councillor Linda Cooper and the council's deputy director of city
services, Tony Miguel, for afternoon tea to recognise their
inclusion in the club. The children also provided input into future
club content.
"It's great to see such a positive response to the club," says Cr
Cooper.
"By appreciating our natural resources these young people will
become powerful advocates, and are encouraged to share their
sustainability enthusiasm with their peers and parents."
Rather than being simply an environmental site, the Water
Ambassadors Kids Club encourages feedback and participation from
members on matters relating to water demand management. It also
operates as a true club where members will have opportunities
throughout the year to physically meet each other and interact.
New members receive a welcome pack full of information they need to
encourage them, their family and peers to become more
water-efficient.
The site also features club updates, news, activities and
competitions as well as information on local events with a water
focus that will be fun for all the family.
17 April
Mayor congratulates Foodstuffs on new plastic bag charge
Waitakere is keen to wipe out the environmental pollution of
plastic shopping bags.
Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey
congratulates Foodstuffs on its announcement to become New Zealand's first supermarket group to
introduce a five cent charge on its plastic bags.
Mayor Harvey, who is spearheading a campaign to halve the
consumption of plastic shopping bags in Waitakere City within five
years, says the major retailer is to be commended for its commitment
to reducing the environmental impact of plastic bags.
"Plastic bags are increasingly being recognised around the world as
an environmental disaster," he says.
"Countries like India, China, Ireland and Australia have already
taken major steps to reduce the number of plastic bags they use, in
some cases banning them outright, so it's heartening to see some of
our largest retailers, like Foodstuffs and The Warehouse, taking the
lead in New Zealand.
"The charge for plastic bags will certainly make shoppers think
twice and I believe the majority of them will support the
environmental reasons for introducing it.
"Foodstuffs' commitment will help enormously to change New
Zealanders' attitudes and habits in regard to plastic shopping bag
usage and I think that's fantastic."
Last month Mayor Harvey hosted a forum in Waitakere, attended by
around 50 retailers, to discuss ways of reducing plastic bag
consumption locally. Businesses of all sizes, from retail giants to
corner stores, attended the forum and agreed to work together to
investigate solutions to the over-use of plastic bags.
Mayor Harvey came away from the forum feeling positive that the time
is now right for both residents and businesses to work together to
address the issue. This is backed up by a recent survey in
Waitakere, New Zealand's first 'eco city', that shows 80% of
respondents firmly support his council's plan to work with retailers
to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags.
17 April
Temporary closure for Titirangi Library
Titirangi Library
The Titirangi
Library will be closed for refurbishment for approximately two
months from July.
However, the result will be a much improved facility for the local
community.
A small extension to the side of the existing building will allow
for the addition of a new learning centre offering more computers
for public Internet access. It will also allow for an enlarged and
relocated children's area and extra floor space for collection and
materials, while letting in more natural light and providing a
better view of the Manukau Harbour for visitors to enjoy.
The refurbishment includes new carpet, a full re-paint of the
interior and the upgrading of all services to reduce ongoing
operating, maintenance and repair costs.
During the closure period, the external returns slot will remain
open for the easy return of borrowed items.
"Titirangi Library has always been popular since it opened in 1965
and the continuing growth of the community has meant that a number
of alterations have had to be made over the years," she says.
"But while these latest alterations mean a temporary loss of
service, the short-term inconvenience will be outweighed by the
longer-term benefits to the community of having an improved and more
attractive library to enjoy."
The exact dates for the closure and re-opening of the Titirangi
Library will be advertised once they have been confirmed.
17 April
Community and council combine to oppose Government proposals
Mayor Bob Harvey
Waitakere community groups and Waitakere City Council have vowed
to work closely together to put the local back into local
government.
More than 300 people crammed into the council's chamber on
Firday night (17 April) for an
extraordinary meeting called to provide an update on a meeting
held on 16 April between the local government minister and Auckland
local government representatives.
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, who is on
the Minister of Local Government's working group, welcomed the
growing groundswell of community support.
"This is a battle and it's a battle that needs to be taken to the
streets of Waitakere and I salute you for doing that," he told the
meeting.
"Democracy is at stake here."
A group of community organisations, called the Community Coalition
for Auckland - Voices of Tamaki Makaurau, says the government's
preferred model of one Auckland council and up to 30 local boards
will see the demise of a city people have spent years building.
"We didn't work for 20 years for the gains of the eco city to be
stolen away from our communities," said Tony Mayow, chair of the
Community Waitakere and co-spokesperson for the coalition.
"After only three weeks, we now have over 70 organisations in our
coalition - with over 30 others from across the region.
"We are not going away. We embrace meaningful change and that's why
the Royal Commission was formed. In fact we demand that the Royal
Commission report be used as the basis for discussions at select
committee."
The coalition has organised a rally and march in Waitakere on 22 April and councillors have vowed to join them. Meet at 3pm at the
Corban Estate Arts
Centre.
Representatives from all community agencies are invited to a special
meeting Wednesday 22 April at 6pm to discuss
Waitakere's 10 year plan
and implications of the move to the Auckland Council.
Note: You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader
installed on your computer in order to view and print this document. For
help opening PDF files or tips on copying information see Helpful
Tips.
An upgraded auditorium at Green Bay High School is a step closer
thanks to a $160,000 grant from Waitakere City Council.
The project was one of three to receive money from the council's
Leisure Facility Partnership Fund (2008/09) with Marina View Primary
School receiving $120,000 for a new gymnasium and $48,000 to
Waitakere College for installation of floodlights at a training
facility.
All three applicants had previously received support from the fund
to the tune of $250,000 but due to circumstances beyond their
control, all faced a funding shortfall that was delaying the
project.
In 2008/2009 the fund had $528,000 available but only one applicant,
Sunnyvale Primary School which received $200,000, satisfactorily met
the criteria.
The council's Culture and Community Committee agreed that rather
than carrying the $328,000 balance forward or using it as savings,
it would grant the funds to existing fund projects to ensure they
could progress.
"For a relatively small injection of money by the council, the
applicant achieves a facility that the whole community can use,"
says committee chairperson Judy Lawley.
"In this partnership scheme the council supports organisations to
develop top facilities - through the design and construction process
to the continuing operations and ensuring the community has good
access."
Applicants have to fund the majority of the projects themselves,
either from their own coffers or from external charitable trusts.
This latest cash injection is expected to allow construction on all
three projects to begin later this year.
17 April
Kapa haka champs say family violence - "It's not OK"
Click to enlarge
The Wehi whanau appear on a new billboard going up in Henderson this weekend
The family behind New Zealand's premier kapa haka group Te Waka Huia
is laying down a new challenge with its support of of
Waitakere's campaign to stamp out family violence.
Several generations of the Wehi whanau appear on a new billboard
being unveiled in Henderson later this week, the fourth in a series
that has featured Waitakere faces as part of the national
Family
Violence It's Not OK campaign.
"This is an issue that's really important to us as a family and a
message we have been talking about through our performances for some
time," says Henderson resident Ngapo Wehi who along with wife Pimia,
are the leaders of Te Waka Huia.
"We also want to send a strong message to our people that it is okay
to ask for help. Don't sit and suffer or watch someone else suffer.
Do something, tell someone and ask for help."
At this year's Te Matatini Festival in Tauranga, where the group won
the national title, Te Waka Huia agreed to promote the 'It's OK to
ask for help' message by performing a haka that put the spotlight on
the fathers of this country and wearing special t-shirts to help
take the issue a step further.
Nga Reanga Kore Papa (The Fatherless Generation) discussed the
plight of serious youth offenders with the majority coming from
homes with little positive contact with their biological fathers.
"Te Waka Huia challenge Maori men to address the problem ourselves
rather than blame a government, a failing education or social
services system," says Mr Wehi.
The billboards are part of the national campaign launched by
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey in 2007 with the Mayoral Taskforce on
Family Violence, which he co-chairs with Maori Party MP and local kaumatua
Dr Pita Sharples.
Previous billboards have featured 'famous Westies' such as Michael
Jones, Va'aiga "Inga" Tuigamala, Robyn Malcolm, Pio Terei and Mayor
Harvey as well as 'ordinary' Waitakere residents.
Mayor Harvey is delighted to have the Wehis on board.
"This whole issue is about families, making sure families are
healthy and safe. The Wehis represent a strong, united family
sending a strong message to their people that family violence is not
okay.
"We've had a lot of successes, got people talking about family
violence and that it is not okay, no matter what the circumstances,
but we still have a lot of work to do," says Mayor Harvey.
"In tough economic times when people are losing their jobs and are
struggling to pay the bills and feed their kids, we know that
incidents of family violence go up, so don't turn a blind eye to
what's happening next door."
The billboard is in Railside Ave in Henderson from the weekend and
will be unveiled just days before Mayor Harvey and
Deputy Mayor
Penny Hulse host a national forum on family violence prevention for
local government.
The April 22 forum at Waitakere City Council is for mayors,
councillors, council chief executives and council staff developing
family violence prevention initiatives in their city or region.
The forum is a chance to share ideas and will also look at
developing community action plans, resourcing family violence
prevention activities and highlighting some of the projects already
underway. Around 65 delegates from across New Zealand are expected
at the inaugural forum.
14 April
What's wrong with Auckland?
Councillor Janet Clews
This opinion piece on regional governance and the proposed 'super city' is by
Councillor Janet Clews, who was mayor of Glen Eden Borough during the 1989 reforms in Auckland. She has over 40 years experience in local government.
What's wrong with Auckland? It has two major problems on which everyone seems to agree:
firstly the need to clear up confusion on regional issues and,
secondly, the need for additional money to make up for years of underfunding the region's infrastructure.
A unitary authority as proposed by the Royal Commission on
Governance with the special purpose bodies suggested might solve the
first problem if it were elected democratically, but not "at large."
It must also have mandated linkages to the boards which are its
subsidiaries. Funding to support ratepayer investment can only come
from, or by the grace of, Central Government, so that is a matter
for continuing dialogue.
When he says that Auckland is dysfunctional, the Minister of Local
Government has been fed only one side of the story. There are many
proven examples of huge cooperative initiatives which committed
council representatives have worked hard to complete only to have
them torpedoed by others who arrive or return to the scene and
refuse to accept the agreed position. It is patently obvious that it
is the behaviour and opinion of a very few who have misled him.
These are the ones who refuse to work in a cooperative way, who set
up separate offices away from their colleagues and senior staff, and
who profess to be accessible to the public yet prevent anyone from
even climbing the stairs without an appointment.
The Royal Commission spent $3.5m, 18 months of work and dealt with
3500 submissions to come up with a plan which delivered a solution
for the wider regional matters, yet recognised the need for a
subsidiary group of six reasonably sized councils. The number of
submissions received represents less than 0.3% of the population of
the region. Even Waitakere's last long term plan drew five times
that interest from its community.
The Commission rejected the suggestion of 20-30 community boards
with good reason. It said it would be harder to implement. It chose
the 6 council model because "the departure from existing boundaries
was not so marked, and natural features such as the coastline and
Waitakere Ranges would potentially have been better managed within
fewer entities. There would also have been fewer new offices and
service centres required and less disruption to existing
communities."
That last point is a telling one. Local government should be about
serving people not alienating them.
It is critical that the second tier councils have sufficient scale
to actually be able to achieve things for their communities with the
help of the unitary authority. They should continue to have a role
in place-shaping through working with those communities.
The Ministers' decision to have 20-30 community boards flies in the
face of the Royal Commission report, and is a case of back to the
future, providing the worst of all worlds. It is a perfect
demonstration of divide and rule. At least the 27 cities and
boroughs which existed at the time of the 1989 amalgamation had real
autonomy. What is proposed now is nothing but a sop to Cerberus. It
also confuses representation with empowerment.
Those who worked through the 1989 reorganisation know that it took
years to recover from those changes. Many of us have spent 20 years
or more serving our communities and building cities as prescribed by
a previous government. Now, we ask for what reason and at what cost?
Yes there were efficiencies, better qualified staff and greater
substance but no savings to the ratepayer because the region is
growing and the work prescribed in legislation has grown. There will
be no substantial savings this time round either - only an unhealthy
concentration of power which is remote from the people. It may be
good for the bureaucracy but it is not good for the man in the
street.
While efficiencies, excellence and service must always be striven
for at all levels in a business- like way, we must also work
cooperatively with integrity and honesty. So I plead with the Prime
Minister and the Minister of Local Government to think again before
destroying the benefits of the past 20 years. Here is an opportunity
to do better and we must do it together.
Twenty to thirty community boards across the region will not provide
any more effective community engagement than the six local council
model proposed by the Royal Commission. To be effective there has to
be funding, delegation and a real willingness to listen. Community
engagement does not just happen. It must be encouraged, worked at
and respected. This applies to all levels of government. It must be
said that there has actually been no real community engagement by
the Government on this suggested return to the past.
These comments have nothing to do with patch protection or
safeguarding my job, because my days are nearly over. They are all
about my despair at yet another attempt to rip the heart out of
communities at great cost but for little purpose. This time, the
hearts are bigger but just as vulnerable. They have been built up
through community organisations coming together with the support of
the existing larger authorities to serve their distinct areas
better. It would be a tragedy if all that cooperation were now lost.
And to rub salt into the wound, the ratepayers of these communities
must pay for their own execution!
Meantime, it must be business as usual; yet elected members and
senior staff will be diverted to assist the formation of the new
entities. I remember the feeling from 1989 of treading water in that
period of change while trying to keep services running, being honest
in not spending excessively in the dying days and trying to obtain
the best deal for our ratepayers. They will expect nothing less this
time round.
The timing of all this could hardly be worse. We are in a period of
recession yet are intent upon causing huge uncertainty to a large
professional work force. They are expected to deliver to the
community at a high level while they are fearful of the future. Even
the most loyal workers, the keepers of vast institutional knowledge,
cannot help but question why they find themselves in this position.
We should question it too.
14 April
Right hand turn ban to tackle congestion
Extension of a right hand turn ban in to Royal View Road aims to ease congestion
Relief is in sight for motorists battling peak hour traffic on Te
Atatu Road with Waitakere City Council extending a ban on turning
right on to Royal View Road.
Southbound vehicles are currently prohibited from turning right onto
Royal View Road on weekdays between 4.00pm and 6.00pm weekdays, but
the Henderson Community Board has resolved to:
Extend the restricted period to between 3.00pm and 7.00pm; and
Introduce a new ban between 7.00am and 9.00am on weekdays.
The signs featuring the new hours are expected to be
installed by the end of this month.
Board chairman
Elizabeth Grimmer says the move follows requests from
residents to look at ways to relieve congestion at the busy
intersection.
"The traffic is building up a lot earlier, from about 3.00pm as
schools let out, which is the main reason for starting the ban at an
earlier time in the afternoon," says Mrs Grimmer.
"The recent introduction of a second lane from the motorway onto Te
Atatu Road has just compounded the problem," she says.
The introduction of the morning restriction is also aimed at
improving traffic movement.
The New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) had also requested that
the afternoon ban be extended as the current situation was impacting
on the performance of its new signalised intersection and limiting
effort to reduce queues on the motorway in the afternoon peak travel
period.
The council is also talking to NZTA about improving road markings on
the westbound off ramp encouraging motorists to equally use the left
and central lanes to avoid delays.
Te Atatu Road is a regional arterial road and carries about 45,000
vehicles a day. Royal View Road is a local road carrying about 3,000
vehicles a day.
An investigation by the council in December showed that while
relatively minor numbers of vehicles wanted to turn right in to
Royal View Road in the morning peak period (about 30 an hour); this
action was still causing delays for south bound Te Atatu Road
traffic.
Queues formed behind these cars and some south-bound vehicles were
seen swerving around stationary cars in order to avoid being
delayed.
As an alternative, these vehicles can turn right at the Vera Road/Te
Atatu Road traffic signals which are about 0.4 kilometres to the
south.
14 April
Out of the
ashes: free talk on McCormick's Cottage
A public lunchtime talk focusing on the archaeological investigation
of a West Auckland landmark will take place on April 17 to mark the
International Day for Monuments and Sites (also known as World
Heritage Day).
Archaeologist Dr Matthew Felgate will look at some of the processes
and methods he and his team used when investigating McCormick's
Cottage on the Te Atatu Peninsula after it burned down in 2007.
"As well as talking about our processes, I'll be looking at the sort
of analysis that can be applied to materials recovered from sites -
including some of the results we obtained from the McCormick's
Cottage excavation," says Dr Felgate.
"When a historic building cannot be conserved for future
generations, investigation of the fabric of the building using
archaeological techniques can offer new insights into the history
and use of a place - and that was certainly the case with this
building," he says.
Close investigation of the remains of the house confirmed what some
people had long suspected - that elements of the 19th century bach
had been built from timber salvaged from an early New Zealand
vessel.
"It was certainly fascinating to unpick the layers of construction
of this house - and a great example of how this particular branch of
archaeology can uncover so much information about the building, the
people who lived there, and the times in which they were living."
The International Day for Monuments and Sites is a celebration
supported by ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and
Sites) and UNESCO.
The theme of this year's World Heritage Day, appropriately enough,
is Heritage and Science - and Dr Felgate believes the archaeological
investigation of McCormick's Cottage was an effective blend of both.
"The investigation was a joint initiative between the New Zealand
Historic Places Trust and Waitakere City Council, and incorporated
information supplied by many individuals and groups in the
community," says Dr Felgate.
"With this support we were able to employ scientific and
investigative methods that shed new light on the construction and
history of this building, and also allowed us to accurately record
it for future generations."
This event is being organized by the NZHPT, Auckland Regional
Council and Waitakere City Council.
Waikumete is New Zealand's largest cemetry but is starting to run out of space.
Waitakere City Council will look at ways it can extend the life of
Waikumete Cemetery until 2055 as burial space becomes a premium.
The council's
Infrastructure and Works Committee has given the green
light to a programme that allows officers to start looking at
options to extend the life of one of Auckland's most historically
significant cemeteries.
Just 8.6 hectares of the 108ha Waikumete site is available for
future internments and if nothing is done, the cemetery would reach
its capacity of new interments in about 2021. There currently are
more than 80,000 gravesites at Waikumete.
Currently 56.8ha of land is taken up by existing graves and
infrastructure (road, buildings etc) and a further 42.7ha is
protected under the district plan.
"The only other public cemetery in the city is at Swanson, which is
considerably smaller than Waikumete, already in high demand and
nearing capacity with less than one hectare of available space
left," says Infrastructure and Works Committee chairman
Derek Battersby.
"There aren't any other suitable sites within the existing
Metropolitan Urban Limit for a new cemetery so seeing if we can
extend the life of Waikumete is necessary."
One way to open up more land would be to follow Resource Management
Act process to allow land with lower ecological values to be
developed.
The council will also look in to new burial technologies to make the
best use of land available. These could include above ground vaults
and mausoleums for public burials.
Waikumete Cemetery manager Daniel Sales says new burial technologies
are used extensively overseas to ensure most efficient use of land.
Officers are expected to report back to the Infrastructure and Works
and Planning and Regulatory committees in December 2009 following
further studies into new burial technologies and preliminary
consultation with the Waikumete Cemetery advisory group and key
stakeholders.
Public notification of proposed changes are expected to occur in
February next year.
7 April
Governance changes concentrate power at the top
Government’s announcement on the re-structuring of local government in Auckland.
Waitakere City Council today expressed alarm at the Government’s
announcement on the re-structuring of local government in Auckland.
Speaking just minutes after a briefing where Local Government
Minister Rodney Hide briefed council representatives,
Waitakere
Mayor Bob Harvey said:
“It concentrates too much power in the hands of too few.”
Mayor Harvey says that Aucklanders don’t realise that under the new
structure rates raised locally will not be spent locally. “All the
money will be funnelled into the Auckland Council and we will be
begging for scraps from the table.”
“Residents in outlying areas will subsidise grandiose schemes like
the Viaduct and waterfront development. Newmarket will be paved with
gold - but how far down the list do you think places like Te Atatu,
Glenfield or Papatoetoe will be?”
Waitakere’s Deputy Mayor, Penny Hulse, says the model is not seen
anywhere else in the world. “And there is a reason for that - it’s
not going to work. Local councils have been reduced to talk-shops.
They don’t have any funding - they are not masters of their own
destiny. They can listen to their communities but they can’t do
anything.”
She adds that local councils are also major employers and are one of
the biggest contributors to the local economy. “So without the
ability to make funding decisions it is the small contractors,
retailers and local suppliers who will be really hurt by this.”
Waitakere is also concerned that there is no Maori representation
within the new structure.
The Royal Commission into Auckland Governance rejected a 20 Council
model, saying it would be too expensive and unwieldy.
“They spent 18 months and millions of dollars coming to that logical
conclusion. The Government has taken less than 18 days to reject
their recommendations outright. Clearly this exercise has been
driven by ideology rather than clear, rational thinking, from the
very start.”
Waitakere estimates that property rates will go up by at least $550
to fund the costs of the changes.
Mayor Harvey says the Royal Commission into Auckland Governance
delivered some positive suggestions in areas like transport and
water/wastewater, a common rates system and one District Plan across
the region.
“But what was announced today is overkill. It is a fundamental
change to Local Government in this country.”
Waitakere residents enjoy high quality of life in national survey
The majority of Waitakere residents (91 percent) rate their quality
of life as "good" or "extremely good" in a quality of life survey.
The survey's results show that over 80 percent of Waitakere
residents take part in regular physical exercise and 88 percent of
residents find it easy to use a local park.
The survey was a joint effort between the Ministry of Social
Development and the twelve Quality of Life Project cities and is
part of an ongoing series of research exploring quality of life and
well-being issues in cities throughout New Zealand. The twelve
cities include North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton,
Tauranga, Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin and
Rodney.
Survey interviews were conducted over the telephone with over 500
Waitakere residents from July to October 2008.
The study has identified common issues facing urban communities with
the objective of central government, community organisations,
businesses and residents working closer together to improve the
lives of people living in New Zealand cities.
Survey results for Waitakere City of interest are:
The majority (91%) of Waitakere City residents rated their quality
of life as "good" or "extremely good".
Over half (85%) of Waitakere City residents rated their overall
health as "excellent", "good" or "very good".
The majority (82%) of Waitakere City Residents say they
participate in some form of physical activity at least once a week,
with 31% participating in some form of physical activity everyday.
84.5% of Waitakere City residents are satisfied with their life in
general.
47% of Waitakere City residents have confidence that the decision
that Council makes is in the best interest of their city.
Of Waitakere City residents (51%) feel safe walking alone in their
neighbourhood after dark and (44%) feel safe from crime in their
city centre after dark.
66%, of residents agree or strongly agree it is important to feel
a sense of community within their local neighbourhood.
The survey also highlighted areas of concern for residents.
Residents lack of a perception of safety, particularly in the city
centre, remains low as does improving the sense of community people
fell in their local neighbourhoods.
However the overall trend seems to be of improvement. For example
the percentage of residents who reported feeling a sense of
community in the local neighbourhood increased from 50% in 2007 to
55.8% in 2008. The percentage of residents who reported that people
can be trusted increased from 66% to 74%.
Mayor Harvey says: "Waitakere residents love this city and the
results show the council needs to remain focussed on delivering good
services for the people and businesses of the city."
This survey follows a recent Waitakere City Council one which showed
79 percent of residents agreed with the council's eco city approach,
and two thirds felt a sense of pride in living here.
6 April
Waitakere residents pride in 'Eco City'
Residents proud to live in a eco city, which protects the environment.
Waitakere's status as New Zealand's leading
eco city is a tag its
residents take a lot of pride in.
A survey undertaken by Waitakere City Council to identify public
attitudes to the eco city approach showed that 79 percent of
residents agreed with the approach and two thirds felt a sense of
pride in living in an eco city.
Conducted earlier this year, the telephone survey saw a random
sample of 300 residents interviewed on a range of topics including
what they thought should council be doing to work towards an eco
city, what residents can do and whether they agree with some of the
initiatives council has undertaken.
The council's plan to work with retailers to eliminate plastic
shopping bags was a winner with 80 percent of respondents indicating
firm support for this initiative.
A forum hosted by the council last month and attended by local
retailers saw strong support to work towards reducing plastic
shopping bags in Waitakere.
Other initiatives that also got the thumbs up were:
Providing off-road cycleways that could be used for walkways (86
%)
Subsidising rainwater tanks (81%)
Subsidising solar heating (76%)
When asked what the public could do to foster the eco city approach
the most common response was to recycle (32%). Other responses
included:
Using cloth supermarket bags (21%)
Composting (17%)
Not littering and picking up litter (14 %)
Conserving water (11%)
Waitakere declared itself an eco city in 1993 with a vision to work
towards better social, cultural and economic outcomes for the city.
It's a vision which guides all council's decisions, policies and
activities.
"I'm delighted that people have recognised the importance of the
work we are doing and that the initiatives we have developed are of
real value and something Waitakere people can be proud of.
The survey results will help the council assess how well its
approach is aligned with public opinion and expectation and identify
areas it needs to prioritise.
3 April
New road open for business
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse and Councillor Mike Jolley open the Universal Drive extension
The final phase in a project to unlock valuable business land and
generate new jobs is complete with the opening of a new road central
Henderson.
Traffic began flowing on the new Universal Drive extension last
night (April 2). The stretch, linking Lincoln Road and Central Park
Drive, took two years and $4.6 million to construct.
It is the final phase in a project which will unlock valuable
business land and generate new jobs is complete with the opening of
a new road in central Henderson.
But Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says it is more than just a road.
"It will open up opportunities in one of our premier business areas
to new developments which will in turn create hundreds of jobs," she
says.
"It will also improve access for businesses already on Central Park
Drive and in surrounding areas."
"This is about business and getting things moving so we just went
out there and did the job."
The Universal Drive extension project took place over two stages
with stage one (from Central Park Drive to Soljan Drive) completed
in March last year. This was done to allow Morrison's Funeral Home
to move to a new site on the road.
The project has resulted in 7.8 hectares of land being made
available for development with the potential of 600 new jobs.
This is in addition to the first phase of the project which started
with the Paramount Drive extension, which unlocked 3.3ha and
produced more than 300 jobs and was completed in 2005.
