Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council has released its Māori Outcomes Report for 2023/2024, celebrating significant achievements while outlining the council’s ongoing commitment to fostering and supporting Māori identity, culture, and wellbeing throughout Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Cr Kerrin Leoni, Māori Outcomes Portfolio Lead emphasises the importance of this report and celebrates the successes while acknowledging the challenges we faced.

“This year, we successfully secured an additional $21M for Māori outcomes over the next decade, starting in mid-2027. This funding will support crucial projects that significantly impact our Māori communities, from environmental initiatives to empowering grassroots Māori businesses and groups. The Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grants programme has been particularly impactful over the past 12 months – with community-led projects benefiting Māori receiving 32 per cent of the funding in the latest round,” says Cr Leoni.

“While we celebrate these achievements, we must acknowledge that there are challenges that remain. However, despite some setbacks, I hold a strong sense of hope for the future of Tāmaki Makaurau. Our journey towards a more inclusive society demands that we break down barriers and foster genuine collaboration across the organisation and with Māori throughout the region.”

Cr Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee emphasises the importance of this report, and the positive impact our collective efforts have had on promoting Māori identity and wellbeing.

“The report offers valuable insights into Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council’s commitments to enhancing Māori outcomes, especially for our tamariki and ensuring they see themselves as part of our city.  We’ve seen some great successes, like the $150M Māori Outcomes Fund, which has enabled us to support key projects that are transformative for Māori communities including enhancing marae infrastructure and backing Māori-led environmental initiatives,” says Cr Hills.

“There’s more work to be done but by acknowledging the unique needs and aspirations of iwi, hapū, and mātaawaka group, we can continue to work together to shape a Tāmaki Makaurau that we can all be proud of and move forward with determination and unity.”

This year’s report highlights the progress made under the council’s strategic framework, Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, which prioritises ten key mana outcomes vital to Māori in Auckland.

Key highlights:

• Increased Funding for Māori Outcomes: In the 2024 Long-term Plan, Auckland Council secured an additional $21 million for Māori outcomes, ensuring the growth of projects that support environmental restoration, cultural revitalisation and economic empowerment.
   
• Success across the Māori Outcomes Fund: The central Māori Outcomes Fund has supported a range of impactful projects, including enhancements to marae infrastructure, initiatives to encourage Māori businesses and youth-focused programmes that promote cultural identity and language revitalisation. Notably, the Marae Infrastructure Programme has provided critical support, enhancing these vital community spaces as hubs for Māori and the wider community.
   
• Strengthening Partnerships and Decision Making: Auckland Council continues to work closely with mana whenua and mātaawaka to include and embed Māori perspectives at all levels of decision-making. The ongoing development of robust and inclusive partnerships and approaches to decision making ensure that Māori voices can provide a guide to the future of Tāmaki Makaurau’s natural and built environments, for the betterment of all of our communities.
   
• Promoting Te Reo Māori and Cultural Capability: The council continues to deliver a wide range of initiatives to ensure that Te Reo Māori, is seen, spoken and heard throughout the region. Initiatives include Te Kete Rukuruku  – a programme to ensure Māori names and stories are featured in our many parks and green spaces and a te reo Māori virtual reality experience in libraries. This coupled with a targeted cultural capability programme to enhance cultural competency at the right levels of staff within the council and ensure the visibility and use of te reo Māori across council activities.
   
• Supporting Community Resilience: The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office has collaborated with mana whenua to support communities affected by the 2023 storms. A newly implemented navigator service, in partnership with iwi and community organisations, connects affected whānau with essential resources, ensuring Māori communities can effectively navigate recovery processes. 

Looking forward

Auckland Council remains committed to working alongside Māori communities and stakeholders, with plans to refine the Māori Outcomes Fund and the Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau framework to better meet the needs of the growing Māori population in Auckland.

Tumuaki Huanga Māori Nick Turoa, who leads the council’s Ngā Mātārae (Māori Outcomes) directorate, expressed optimism, noting that continued collaboration will help shape an Auckland that honours Māori heritage and supports inclusive prosperity.

“We’re inspired by the positive impact that our collective efforts are having, and we look forward to driving further innovations in Māori outcomes, with the goal of creating a thriving Tāmaki Makaurau for all,” he says.

About the report

The Māori Outcomes Report 2023/2024 is the sixth in an annual series that tracks Auckland Council’s progress in achieving Māori outcomes, wellbeing and cultural aspirations across the region. With a focus on transparency and accountability, each report offers insights into the council’s achievements, challenges and future directions.

Read the full report: Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024: Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report.

Source: Auckland Council

The Te Wero Wynyard Crossing Bridge has been closed since March 2024 to undergo a significant programme of preventative maintenance works.

Work on the bridge is making good progress, with a return to full service in December 2024 on track.

Stay connected and informed. Sign up for our Wynyard Crossing Bridge maintenance newsletter to receive updates on bridge maintenance, special announcements, and exclusive insights by email. Click here to sign up.

What is happening in November 2024?

Almost all the disassembled bridge parts have now been returned for reinstallation as the final stages of the Wynyard Crossing Bridge preventative maintenance works are underway. 

Visitors to Wynyard Quarter will have noticed main contractor, HEB Construction, has had their jack-up barge (JUB) in the Viaduct Harbour doing the heavy lifting as the two enormous spans, back spans and engine rooms have been reassembled over the past few weeks, and the bridge starts to look like its old self again. 

The mechanical and electrical assembly has also been underway, with as much completed as possible in the individual pieces before their return. However, it’s only once the final structural pieces are in place the intricate job of connecting and commissioning can begin.

This final step is the most crucial with more than half a kilometre of cabling and wiring to connect, over one hundred light fittings to install and more than 60 sensors which ensure the safe and reliable operation of the bridge.  So, it’s not a simple job.  While testing and quality control work has been ongoing as part of the refit during the maintenance works processes, it’s only once everything is back in place that the team are able to run checks and processes to ensure everything is running as it should be.

During the next few weeks while the commissioning takes place the bridge will look, for all intents and purposes, like it’s ready for people to walk, scoot and cycle across.  However, it will remain closed to the public until the commissioning period has been completed and is fully signed off for public operation.  People may notice the spans lifting and closing as part of the commissioning which is a normal part of this type of work.

While no opening date has yet been set, Eke Panuku is hoping to be able to release this in the next few weeks. In the meantime, the popular Hogwash ferry, which has clocked more than 100,000 passengers since it began operations, will continue to run between the Viaduct Events Centre and the Maritime Museum seven days a week. 

As well as being a handy way to get across from the Maritime Museum to the Viaduct Events Centre, Hogwash also offers those interested a great view and perspective of the team working on the refit. Santa’s Elves will be providing some weekend fun for passengers leading up until Christmas.

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Background

The Te Wero Wynyard Crossing Bridge, an important link between Auckland City Centre and the Wynyard Quarter, has been closed to the public since March 2024 to undergo a significant programme of preventative maintenance works.

This includes a full overhaul of old mechanical and electrical parts, sand-blasting and remedying steelwork and applying new protective coatings. At the completion of the physical works, a thorough commissioning process and acceptance tests will be conducted to ensure the bridge is reliable and safe for public use.

While the works are carried out, the bridge will remain closed to pedestrians. When the spans are in place, but the bridge is out of operation, the spans legally have to remain upright to allow free access to marine traffic, a condition of the bridge’s resource consent.

Because of the complexity of this project and the nature of the works, a date for the bridge to reopen to the public is still to be confirmed. As the project team get further through the programme and gain more certainty around remaining tasks, they will be able to more accurately specify a completion date.

There are two work programmes underway – structural, i.e. the physical bridge itself, and mechanical and engineering (M&E), i.e. everything needed to operate the bridge.

These programmes have been running concurrently and will soon start integrating fully as we enter the final phases of this large, complex project and the bridge is reinstalled in Wynyard Quarter.

The return of the physical structures, including the spans and engine rooms, will allow specialist technicians to begin the works to reanimate the bridge. So while it might look like it’s back and should be open, there will be a lot going on behind the scenes for the recommissioning in December to ensure long-term durability and reliability.

Source: Auckland Council

After a three-year hiatus, New Zealand’s most popular outdoor art event – Sculpture in the Gardens – returns to the Auckland Botanic Gardens with a spectacular display of works from artists across the motu, opening on 16 November.

Sculpture in the Gardens is a free event running for three months. The 2021 exhibition attracted more than 350,000 visitors.

Chris Moore’s Bubblegum artwork.

Auckland Council Policy and Planning Committee chair Councillor Richard Hills says he is delighted to welcome the return of Sculpture in the Gardens.

“Auckland Botanic Gardens is a space where all Aucklanders can freely enjoy Auckland’s natural environment, incredible curated gardens, and an array of events and artworks. We’re so excited to be bringing Sculpture in the Gardens back. We love hosting the exhibition and public feedback is always overwhelmingly positive. Gardening is an artistic expression, and combining these two artforms creates a memorable experience for our visitors.

“The exhibition curators have done a great job of putting together a balanced selection of superb artworks that will be thoughtfully placed in our beautiful garden settings,” he says.

The event’s curators Linda Tyler, Terry Urbahn and Catherine Hamilton say visitors to the exhibition will be delighted, inspired and intrigued by the selected artworks.

“We were blown away by the talent and creativity of the artists who submitted works to the exhibition. Narrowing it down to just 16 works was really difficult.

“The selected artworks are simply incredible. They were carefully chosen for their playfulness, the strength of the messages they carry, and for the skills demonstrated by the artists working in a variety of materials.

“Head along to see quirky and thought-provoking works, soaring monumental sculptures, and sound and light art works, each thoughtfully placed for maximum effect in the stunning Auckland Botanic Gardens,” says lead curator Linda Tyler.

Visitors will be treated to a visual feast of artworks including a steel and glass work by multi-award-winning artist Emma Camden (Whanganui); multi-metre high corten steel flower buds by popular sculptor Jane Downes (Banks Peninsula); a major interactive sound installation in wood and steel by artist, academic and curator Gina Ferguson and audio artist Dale Cotton (Avondale, Auckland); and a powerful ode to nature in wood and resin by internationally renowned artists Brit Bunkley and Andrea Gardner.

Emma Camden’s Shadow House artwork.

A series of patchwork globes made from recycled gallon drums representing Mother Earth by colour-loving sculptors Metal Metcalfe (Hawke’s Bay) will stop visitors in their tracks. Well known Wellington artist Paul Forrest draws attention to New Zealand’s disappearing butterflies with his colourful red admiral kaleidoscope series.

Glen Eden, Auckland designer and artist Chris Moore’s bright pink kinetic work is inspired by New Zealand Bubble Gum coral. At over five-metres high, it will be seen from most vantage points at the gardens. You’ll need to look up to spot Mangere, Auckland photographer and artist Chester Nicholls’ resin and glass fibre work rippling out from its chosen tree. Keep looking through the trees to catch Nicholls’ second work, a colourful burnt orange pod installation wrapped around a trunk, symbolising new life.

Award-winning Cromwell-based marble sculptor Josh Olley’s large and smooth singular hand offers a moving message from a father to his children.

Josh Olley’s ‘Hands Down’ sculpture.

Rotorua Artist and sculptor Jamie Pickernell has created a fun, fairy tale-like sculpture featuring a cow and a bird-like creature, inviting us to consider what animals might wander around the Botanic Gardens millions of years from now. Multi-media artist Greg Piper (Northcote, Auckland) has created an arresting 3.25-metre-high sculpture as a lament for the huia, intended to help us question our responsibilities to creatures that still survive.

Taranaki-based stone and steel artist Oriah Rapley’s artwork is inspired by the pohutukawa at Cape Reinga. Her seemingly delicate work made of Taranaki andesite and corten steel invites us to consider the idea of ‘going home.’ Well-known sculptor Greg Tuthill (Palmerston North) has created a many-sided acorn in corten steel, which explores the relationship between geometry and the plant world. Watch out for the slithering sliding long fin eels created by sculptor James Wright (Clevedon) that symbolise the importance of clean creeks in our ecosystems.  Wright’s artist son Jorge Wright (Clevedon) also offers a tribute to nature with a playful impressionist suite of trees in corten steel that seem to blow in the wind.

Dr Tyler says many of this year’s artists are well known and award-winning, while others are earlier in their careers.

“There’s a terrific mix of crowd favourites who have exhibited at previous events, and others offering fresh and exciting new perspectives,” she says.

Three awards will be announced at the exhibition: The Supreme Award, The Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens Acquisition and the People’s Choice Award.

There will also be an indoor exhibition featuring hundreds of smaller sculptural works and domestic ware in a range of price points for visitors to enjoy or purchase.

The biennial exhibition was established in 2007.

Sculpture in the Gardens is grateful for the support of Auckland Council, Friends of the Botanic Gardens and for the generosity of its sponsors and patrons.

Photo credit: Chester Nicholls

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council has exceeded its annual operating savings target, with $60.2 million saved in the 2023/24 financial year.

This surpasses its annual $50 million savings target and contributes to $337 million in savings over the last three years.

Presented at yesterday’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, chair Maurice Williamson said it is pleasing to see such strong results that show council is on track.

“The savings targets are an ongoing initiative to look closely at the business and where added cost efficiencies can be delivered. This year, we’ve overshot the target and gathered an additional $10.2 million in savings, demonstrating discipline through a line-by-line approach to our spending,” said Cr Williamson.

“This is a good result for our ratepayers – in particular because the savings are not reinvested, but that $337 million is directly used to keep rates and debt lower than they otherwise would be.

“This is a fantastic result and I’m convinced we can deliver even more savings, as they continue to be a focus.”

This year’s savings were delivered through a wide range of initiatives across the council.

These include a focus on reducing the corporate property footprint, minor changes to services, centralising and reducing council support functions (such as software purchasing), maintenance optimisation and integrating service centres into libraries.

There has also been an increased focus to identify opportunities to increase non-rates revenue (user charges), in order to better recover the costs of those services.

The $10.2 million in additional savings above the target means lower net debt for the end of the council’s financial year (30 June 2024) and a favourable starting position for the new financial year (2024/2025).

Mayor Wayne Brown said the savings achieved are the result of a sustained effort to ensure efficiencies are being achieved on behalf of Aucklanders.

“We must make savings and cut costs for Aucklanders. This is more evidence the ship is turning. I’m pleased particular attention is being given to value for money and careful investment across council business,” said Mayor Brown.

“These savings results bode well for the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, which includes an additional savings target of $28 million this year, rising to $67 million for 2026/27. This is over and above the existing $50 million annual savings targets.”

Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson said it is pleasing to see such strong results.  

“These savings are the result of a lot of hard work and consciously building a culture of efficiency in the organisation – something our refreshed leadership team is very focused on,” said Mr Wilson.

“It’s important council respects every dollar contributed by our community and uses it to greatest effect – ultimately that is how we create value for money, and build trust and confidence with ratepayers.”

The savings results will be formally reported as part of this year’s annual results, released as part of the Annual Report in late September.

Source: Auckland Council

Nearly 50 per cent of Auckland Council’s savings for this year have been achieved, as it works toward its $66 million savings target.

Auckland Council’s annual savings are an ongoing initiative to ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money across all activities. For 2024/2025, the council has already achieved $31.9 million (48 per cent) of its $66 million goal.

Presented to this week’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee, chair Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says council savings reduce rates rises, which is why they’re so important.

“These savings are directly used to keep rates and debt down. In total, $66 million saved represents 2.5 per cent of rates rises that have been avoided,” says Cr Simpson. “The savings to date this year are excellent news for our ratepayers and shows the council’s focus on delivering increased efficiency and maximising every ratepayer dollar.

“We want rates to remain affordable, particularly when the cost of living is so high for Aucklanders.”

Savings in the last quarter were achieved across a range of areas, including detailed budget reviews, reductions in staffing, consultancy and general promotional activity.

Auckland Council has exceeded its substantial savings targets over recent years, with many of the initiatives implemented continuing to bring benefits every year.  

For 2024/2025, the $66 million savings target builds on top of ongoing savings of $90 million per year which have already been achieved and locked into the council’s budget.

The $337 million of savings achieved over the past three years is forecast to grow to just under half a billion dollars by the end of the 2024/2025 year.

“The results so far speak volumes for how closely the council is monitoring its costs and enhancing its revenue,” says Cr Simpson.

“While we’re off to a promising start this year, continuing to find savings across the business is a challenge. But we continue to focus on delivering value for money, because it’s vital work to keep rates as affordable for Aucklanders as possible.”

For 2025/2026, the council aims to save an additional $19 million per year and in 2026/2027 a further $20 million per year.

For every $25 million of planned savings in the council’s budget, a rates rise of around 1 per cent is avoided.  

Source: Auckland Council

Aucklanders are encouraged to provide feedback on a new development contributions policy that influences how the cost of Auckland’s growth is shared.

The new development contributions policy proposes fees the council will charge developers to help fund the cost of growth in Tāmaki Makaurau. The consultation closes on Friday, November 15.

Auckland Council manager of financial policy, Andrew Duncan, said the policy helps fund new assets such as roads, pipes and public amenities that enable homes or business properties to be developed.

“We encourage all Aucklanders to get involved with this consultation – it will influence the infrastructure for our new developments in future, and how well they support growth in the region,” said Mr Duncan.

“That’s roads, footpaths, stormwater and drainage systems, community facilities, libraries and parks that go on to form the basis of our communities, their day-to-day quality of living and resilience to weather events.”

Auckland’s population is expected to grow by approximately 600,000 people over the next 30 years.

Development contributions see the costs of infrastructure fairly shared between developers, ratepayers, and the government.

Over the 10 years to 2034, the council is investing around $39.3 billion in its capital investment programme, including $10.3 billion of projects with a growth component.

Mr Duncan says the proposed policy changes to reflect this investment will increase the average development contribution fee from $21,000 to $30,000 per household unit equivalent.

From 2034 to 2054, $10.9 billion will also be invested in the Investment Priority Areas at Drury, the inner northwest (Redhills, Westgate, and Whenuapai), and the Auckland Housing Programme areas at Tāmaki, Mt Roskill, and Māngere. These areas are joint priority areas with the government and are key locations for the council to focus its limited resources.

“The council has looked at what is required across those areas and, to ensure our priority developments are adequately established, we have proposed price changes.”

The council has reviewed Drury’s stormwater infrastructure needs and the level of investment required over the next 30 years. As a result, the average development contribution in Drury will rise from $70,000 to $83,000.

The council’s current assessment of the long-term infrastructure requirements for the inner northwest and Tāmaki, Māngere and Mt Roskill proposes an additional $8.9 billion of investment over 30 years.

This brings proposed development contributions costs to $98,000 for the inner northwest (up from $25,000); $29,000 in Māngere (was $18,000); $52,000 in Mt Roskill (up from $20,000) and $119,000 in Tāmaki (was $31,000).

The proposed higher development contributions reflect the value of the infrastructure required to support development.

“These fees flow onto the quality of services and infrastructure in these new developments. The council’s aim is to ensure these communities have what they need for decades to come, for those families and owners who live in them,” says Mr Duncan.

The council’s economic analysis shows that higher development contributions do not generally lead to higher house prices. The price of housing is determined by supply and demand for houses, not the cost of land and building.

The consultation closes on Friday 15 November 2024 and all Aucklanders are encouraged to have their say, on what their future neighbourhoods need.

Visit council’s Have Your Say webpage to provide feedback.

Source: Auckland Council

On November 10 Piper (a tunnel-boring machine) completed the final leg of her journey to install a five-kilometre-long pipeline to transport wastewater from Warkworth to the Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

The new pipeline is part of a broader programme of work by Watercare to improve the performance of the local wastewater network and support growth in Warkworth, Snells Beach and Algies Bay.

Watercare is investing over $300 million, which includes building a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant at Snells Beach.

Watercare project manager Dirk Du Plessis says the pipeline was tunnelled in three stages, with the last stage being the shortest and easiest for Piper to complete. 

“On her final leg, Piper went headfirst, mostly downhill, to tunnel through consistent but hard ground.

“Unlike the other two legs, her third leg had no curves on it – making things a bit easier and faster.

“Throughout her journey, Piper used her face to devour a smorgasbord of various soft and hard ground that were transported out of the tunnel and separated from the water at a dedicated separation plant at the launchpad. 

“At the separation plant, the ground material is separated and water is pumped back to Piper to transport much-needed bentonite for lubrication and for pumping tailings back to the surface.

“Since September of last year, Piper has been installing the pipeline at a rate of about 36 meters per day.”

Watercare senior project engineer AJ Jaafar says despite Piper breaking down twice on her 14-month journey, the installation of the pipeline has gone rather smoothly. 

“Between each leg, a dedicated McConnell Dowell crew would spend two to three months getting her ready to go.

“During this time, the crew would give her a good pampering: washing and checking her hydraulics, motors, and navigation systems, as well as replacing worn-out seals and mechanical parts or broken equipment damaged from her last leg.

“Plus, it also gave the crew time to set up the equipment at each new launch site and do final checks and balances before starting each leg.  

“Once she’s tunnelling up to 50 metres underground, it’s almost impossible to get her out for repairs without causing damage and delays to the project.

Jaafar says once Piper completes this final leg, she will undergo a full maintenance check. 

“After Piper gets a clean bill of health, she will move onto her next job with her own dedicated drive crew. 

“Our next major milestone for the project is to backfill the drive sites and to connect the pipeline into the Lucy Moore Wastewater Pump Station and Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant.   

“After that, this pipeline will be brought into service at the same time as the pump station and treatment plant, which is scheduled to be in service by mid to late 2025.”  

Update on the Snells Wastewater Treatment Plant 

More than 120 workers are diligently working to complete the mechanical and electrical installation at the Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

Watercare project manager Casper Kruger says the crews have livened the motor control centre recently, permanently connecting the plant to the local power network. 

“Achieving this required a coordinated effort between the contractor, power supplier, and electrical inspector following months of preparation and planning.” 

Kruger says the teams focus is on completing key elements of the plant in preparation for commissioning in 2025.

In the coming weeks, our crews will be finishing up the installation of the outfall tanks and UV systems, as well as having the process water in place for the cold commissioning start in early 2025. 

“The completion of our control building is another key element of the plant that will shortly be fitted out to enable the cold commissioning to begin.” 

Kruger says cold commissioning is a crucial step to ensure the plant operates smoothly and safely. 

“This process involves testing and verifying the plant’s electrical and mechanical equipment, as well as treatment systems, without introducing wastewater into the system.

“This phase is essential for identifying and rectifying potential problems early, reducing the risk of operational failures, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

“The Snells Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant is on track to be brought back into service by mid to late 2025.”

Currently, the two wastewater treatment plants at Warkworth and Snells Beach serve a population of around 8,500 people. The new plant will be able to serve 18,000 people initially and will undergo staged upgrades as required to serve up to 35,000 people. 

Source: Auckland Council

The ambitious endeavor to restore Kawau Island’s biodiversity has gained support from the New Zealand Nature Fund, marking a pivotal moment in conservation efforts within the Tīkapa Moana/Te Moananui-ā-Toi/ Hauraki Gulf.

Led by Auckland Council in partnership with Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust, Predator Free 2050 Limited and the Department of Conservation, and in collaboration with the Kawau Island community, the project aims to initially eradicate introduced browsing pests (wallabies and possums). Discussions with the Kawau Island community are underway regarding the potential future eradication of invasive predators (stoats and rats), on the journey towards a pest-free Kawau Island.

Kawau Island, known for its diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity, has faced ecological challenges due to the presence of browsing pests such as wallabies and possums. These invasive species have threatened native flora and fauna, hindering the island’s natural regeneration processes.

The NZ Nature Fund was established in 2000 to raise funds from donors for projects that halt the decline of endangered species, protect and restore Aotearoa New Zealand’s wild places. In the past 12 months NZNF has raised over $1.8 million from private donors for more than 14 conservation projects. 

Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee Councilor Richard Hills says enabling the public to donate to the project through the NZ Nature Fund is a crucial step towards realising the vision of a pest-free Kawau Island.

“The support from the New Zealand Nature Fund underscores our commitment to protecting Auckland’s natural heritage and enhancing the resilience of our ecosystems.”

Significant funding contributions to the project have been secured from Predator Free 2050 Limited, Auckland Council, and the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme. To further support the delivery costs of the project, the New Zealand Nature Fund has set a fundraising target of $2 million, with local landowners kick-starting the fund by generously contributing over $500,000 to date.

“We are proud to be an anchor funder and supporting this large, complex landscape scale project which will contribute to a growing national and international body of knowledge around predator and pest eradications,” says Brett Butland, Landscape Director for Predator Free 2050 Ltd. “At 2058 hectares, Kawau Island could be poised to become one of New Zealand’s largest inhabited pest-free islands and is therefore a significant milestone on the national journey towards a predator free New Zealand by 2050.”

Auckland Council’s Project Lead Lisa Tolich emphasised a project of this scale demands a collaborative approach.

“We are grateful for the support from our partners and the local community to date, including the Pohutukawa Trust, whose involvement has been instrumental in advancing our shared conservation goals.”

Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust’s Ayla Walker says that as kaitiaki they are committed to preserving and enhancing the natural environment in Tīkapa Moana/Te Moananui-ā-Toi/ Hauraki Gulf through sustainable management and community engagement.

“When we work together as partners to protect and enhance biodiversity, we are working together to create a better future for tamariki, mokopuna and generations to come. If we protect and restore the whenua (the land), if we protect and restore the moana (the ocean), then all people will thrive.”

With the removal of browsing pests, nationally and regionally threatened plant and animal species are expected to increase in abundance. Weed management efforts will also support the native seedbank to naturally restore.

Further discussions will continue with the community as the project looks ahead to planning and delivering the next stage of removing invasive predator species, following confirmation of the successful eradication of the browsing species.

The eradication of invasive species from Kawau Island is expected to yield numerous benefits, including extending a vital predator-free corridor linking mainland Tāwharanui Regional Park to Kawau Island and nearby pest-free sanctuaries in the Hauraki Gulf. The project also hopes to see the restoration of native vegetation, enhanced habitat for endemic species like kiwi and pāteke, and increased resilience of marine ecosystems in the Hauraki Gulf.

 “This project underlines what can be achieved and sets a high bar for private donations from a local community, for conservation initiatives. It is a fantastic demonstration of how communities and organisations can work together to achieve ambitious environmental goals,” noted Denis Marshall of the New Zealand Nature Fund.

For more information on the Kawau Island restoration project and to support ongoing conservation efforts, please visit New Zealand Nature Fund.

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Source: Auckland Council

Te Komititanga, Auckland’s premier public square in lower Queen Street, will host the spectacular debut of a magical new Christmas tree Te Manaaki this festive season.

Standing at a majestic 18.4 metres high and decorated with over 10,000 individual led lights, 4,000 vibrant pōhutukawa flowers and over 200 giant baubles, Te Manaaki marks the start of a new festive tradition for Auckland in quintessentially Kiwi style.

Giant baubles will return to Te Komititanga. Photo Gino Demeer.

A gift for the city through a partnership between Heart of the City and Precinct Properties with support from Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate, Te Manaaki will bring festive magic for all to enjoy. Read more here.

Jenny Larking, Auckland Council Head of City Centre Programmes, is delighted to see a full series of festive activations coming to many of our city centre streets and squares this Christmas.  

“We are thrilled to be able to support the Farmers Santa Parade, The Pav coming to Aotea Square, vibrant Queen Street festive activations and also Te Manaaki, a spectacular addition to Auckland’s festive celebrations.

“Our partners in the city centre have been calling for collaboration between Auckland Council and local business associations, to significantly increase the number of events and promotions in the city centre, to bring joy, vibrancy and much needed foot traffic to the area after a tough few years.

“The city centre targeted rate, contributed by city centre businesses and residents, funds a comprehensive programme of events and promotions throughout the year. Funding Te Manaaki through the city centre targeted rate means that the resources provided by city centre businesses and residents are reinvested to benefit the same community.

Shopping in Galway Street. Photo Jay Farnworth

“Auckland’s city centre has the best hospitality and entertainment offerings in the city. By investing in Te Manaaki, Auckland Council is helping ensure it can put on a festive season for the whole region to enjoy and bring vital pre-Christmas trading into the city centre,” says Jenny Larking.

Te Manaaki is a significant investment, for the city that will be enjoyed for many years to come. Heart of the City and Precinct Properties have made equal contributions.

Auckland Council’s contribution, via the city centre targeted rate, of $800,000 provides $400,000 (roughly one-third) towards the purchase cost, and $400,000 towards operational funding over the next few years to bring this festive experience to Te Komititanga.

It is expected Heart of the City and Precinct Properties will bring in private investment to contribute to displaying Te Manaaki over future festive seasons. 

Read more about the city centre targeted rate here. 

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council’s Animal Management team have reported a successful response to the recent reminder notices issued to dog owners who had not yet registered their pets for the current year, seeing the number of registered dogs increase by 4407 within the two-week period.

A total of 22,929 pre-infringement reminder notices were sent out to owners of 26,614 unregistered dogs across Auckland. The response has been both encouraging and impactful, growing registrations as well as giving Auckland Council more accurate data on the number of dogs currently residing in the Auckland region.

Prior to the notices being sent, a total of 132,574 dogs were recorded in the Council’s database. However, responses to the notices indicate that 2,337 previously unregistered dogs were either deceased, sold, or had moved out of Auckland, bringing the current number down to 130,237 dogs.

Animal Management Manager, Elly Waitoa, praised the swift response from dog owners.

“The response has been staggering and very positive. The number of unregistered dogs in Auckland has reduced by 6,744 to 21,411. This has not only updated our records but also contributed significant revenue to support essential animal management services for the community.”

The registration drive generated $767,349 in revenue in the first two weeks of responses – a critical contribution to Auckland Council’s budget for maintaining public safety and managing animal welfare.

“It is clear dog owners are taking more responsibility and responding positively to the notices. This is money previously outstanding to the council, and we are pleased to see such a great response. Our goal is for all dog owners to register their pets, rather than face a $300 fine as the next enforcement step.”

Chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee Councillor Josephine Bartley says this initiative underscores the council’s commitment to responsible dog ownership across Auckland, and aims to ensure all pets are registered and accounted for.

“We want to thank the dog owners who took action on these notices and remind them that continuing compliance helps maintain a safe and enjoyable community for everyone,” Cr Bartley says.

The council observed the highest response rates from the northern and southern regions of Auckland.