Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

After a tough year for Tāmaki Makaurau, beginning with the devastating floods and cyclone, Aucklanders are looking forward to a happy and festive Christmas, but not everyone can afford to provide Christmas cheer for themselves and their whānau. 

That’s why Auckland Council is throwing its support behind the Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai Auckland Angels appeal, to help ensure Aucklanders in greatest need can celebrate Christmas too. 

With the ongoing high cost of living, many Aucklanders are doing it tough financially. Without help, those in greatest need aren’t able to have a special Christmas or provide presents for their tamariki to enjoy. 

Auckland Council is asking for unwrapped gift donations from the public to help ensure that those in need don’t miss out and can have a happy Christmas. 

Collection points for food and gift donations are in place at all Auckland Council libraries, pools and recreation centres.  

Donations close on 5 December, allowing the Auckland City Mission team enough time to sort and pack donations, and get them to whānau in time for Christmas.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he’s proud Auckland Council is getting behind the appeal once again. 

“Christmas is a time to be giving, to give thanks, and to think of others. Some Aucklanders are doing it tough. I urge Aucklanders who can afford to, to dip into their pockets and give to Auckland City Mission’s Auckland Angels appeal.

“Make this your generous action this Christmas. It doesn’t have to be big; give what you can, and it will make a huge difference to Christmas for many, including children, who could otherwise miss out.

Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson said many Aucklanders continue to struggle to make ends meet and there’s a real need for the community to gather around and support those people, particularly at Christmas. 

“I’d like to thank Auckland Council for once again supporting us at Christmas, by ensuring that Aucklanders are able to easily donate wherever they are in the region.

“I know this year has been another tough year for many, so I encourage Aucklanders to give what they can. No matter how small your donation, it will help make a big difference to someone’s Christmas whether they be an adult or a child.”

How to donate 

• You can leave your food or gift donation at a collection point at one of the council’s libraries, pools or recreation centres.

• Order a gift online and have it delivered directly to the Auckland City Mission – 140 Hobson Street (HomeGround), Auckland 1010. Please mark all gifts for the attention of Auckland’s Angels. 

• Drop off your gift at the Mission’s HomeGround, 140 Hobson Street, Auckland Central – 20 November to 22 December Monday – Friday 9am – 3pm.

What is needed? 

Food Parcel Items: below is a list of non-perishable items that go into Mission food parcels at Christmas time: 

• Christmas treats

• Tinned vegetables, such as tomatoes, corn, peas or beans

• Tinned soup

• Baked beans and tinned spaghetti

• Tinned fruit

• Tinned meat and fish

• Pasta sauce, pasta and rice

• Breakfast cereal and muesli bars

• Spreads, such as jam, peanut butter or honey

• Flour and sugar

• Bay food

• Nappies

• Toilet rolls

• Soap and shampoo

• Feminine hygiene products

• Deodorant

Gift Ideas 

Donations of new, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers are hugely appreciated. Please do not gift clothes as it is difficult to allocate sizes, or toys with batteries. Here are a few popular gift ideas: 

• Infants: rattles, night lights, bath toys, teething rings

• Toddlers: bath toys, puzzles, soft toys, Duplo, pull-along toys

• Primary school: puzzles, dress-ups, dolls/action figures, Lego, craft kits, toy cars, animal figurines 

• Teenagers: sports ball, scarfs, hats, beach towels, toiletries, gift voucher or Prezzy card

• Family/all ages: board games, books, stationery, reusable drink bottles, toiletries, gift voucher or Prezzy card.

For further information about Auckland Angels, visit the Auckland City Mission’s website.  

Source: Auckland Council

Want to travel to one of the world’s coolest streets without leaving Tāmaki Makaurau? It’s easy – last year, global magazine Time Out named our own Karangahape Road the sixth coolest street in the world.

It’s a neighbourhood humming with life and colour – an inimitable blend of history, art, culture, unique shopping and dining are reflected along this 1km stretch in central Auckland.

Known as the street that never sleeps, Karangahape Road comes alive in the evenings, when foodies dine along the recently widened footpaths and party people hit the bars, nightclubs and underground music venues. Watch out for First Thursdays – held on the first Thursday of each month – for live music and performances, markets and special events run by local galleries, shops, bars and restaurants. 

 But you don’t have to wait until dark to soak up the bohemian atmosphere – nor is it only found in eateries, bars and clubs. Long before Karangahape Road was known for these, it was a significant arterial route for Māori. Homage to this heritage is seen in its contemporary bus stops layered with colour to symbolise pāua shells, tukutuku panels on the Karangahape overbridge, and steel engraved discs in the footpaths which represent shells that reflected moonlight enabling night-time travellers to find their way. Learn more here.

Colour continues courtesy of the many murals and public artworks dotted around the area. Take yourself on a self-guided walking tour – see karangahaperoad.com/street-art-guide to discover more than 50 works by well-known artists.

Located near St Kevins Arcade are two small bronze sculptures by Tanja McMillan (aka Misery) and John Oz, which reference lesser-known aspects of Karangahape Road’s lively history. Twist, a little girl dancing with a tiny elephant, refers to the days when the Ridgeway Circus used to come to town and set up on the roof of the former George Courts department store (they got the elephant up there using a service elevator).

A companion piece, Thief, is located across the street and depicts a boy and piglet fighting over a turnip. This work was inspired by the time when fruit and vegetable shops lined the street, packed with produce from surrounding fields and farms.

Buildings are a mixture of architectural styles, from Neoclassical, Greek and Georgian through to modernist and cutting-edge contemporary, showing how Aucklanders lived, played, shopped and worshipped through time.

Pasifika history is also reflected in buildings around Karangahape Road, with Samoa House including the first fale built outside of Samoa, and the Pacific Island Presbyterian Church on Edinburgh Street, New Zealand’s first Pacific Island church, founded in 1947.

As an integral part of Karangahape Road’s history and present-day personality, the LGBTQIA+ community is celebrated through two rainbow street crossings as well as the inclusive vibe imbued by decades of newcomers creating a veritable cultural kaleidoscope for all of us to enjoy.

Step down the St Kevins steps and discover Myers Park, an oasis of green between Karangahape Road and Mayoral Drive. It’s the unofficial front lawn of a growing number of midtown residents. Learn more about 15 fun free family events coming to Myers Park this summer and autumn here.

Source: Auckland Council

The legacy of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will live on in Manurewa through a partnership between FIFA and Auckland Council which will see a brand-new half football pitch installed at the suburb’s netball centre. The pitch is a replica of the Unity Pitch that football fans used at The Cloud in the central city during the tournament. 

The partnership saw Auckland Council receive the new pitch to become an anchor feature in the south Auckland community for residents – particularly the young – to enjoy and play sport on. 

Mayor Wayne Brown said the Unity Pitch is a great example of a partnership which leaves a legacy for Aucklanders. 

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup was a showcase for Auckland. Beyond the tournament itself, we have been able to reinvest into many of our clubs and community facilities, which will be a legacy for a generation to follow.” 

The new pitch for Netball Manurewa was brokered by Matt Winiata, the Deputy Chairperson of the Manurewa Local Board.  

“I congratulate FIFA not only on the tournament but also on its promise to struggling and marginalised communities around the globe in providing inspiration and exposure to the sport. 

“The pitch will be a colourful and vibrant asset to Manurewa and will not only be enjoyed by those who already love the beautiful game but will inspire thousands more to get active and try out football and futsal,” Mr Winiata says. 

“I’m grateful that FIFA provided the opportunity for Manurewa to be home to this amazing legacy item from the Women’s World Cup.” 

Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Daniel Newman, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Wiri Licensing Trust, said the cost of installing and maintaining the pitch at Netball Manurewa will not fall to either the council or Netball Manurewa. 

“The Unity Pitch has an asset life of approximately seven years. What we have done, in partnership with a third-party funder, is meet the cost of the Unity Pitch so it can be enjoyed by Aucklanders but at no cost to our ratepayers.

“I am very pleased with this outcome, it is a great legacy for lovers of the beautiful game and an example of collaboration between FIFA, the council, Netball Manurewa and the Wiri Licensing Trust.” 

Left to right: Councillor Daniel Newman, Briar Martindale, Manurewa Local Board Chair Glen Murphy, Manurewa Local Board Deputy Chair Matt Winiata.

Briar Martindale, General Manager of Manurewa Netball says she’s thrilled with the new pitch. 

“The Unity Pitch is a welcome and exiting addition to the Manurewa Netball Community & Events Centre. It will provide more opportunities for local rangatahi to be active, get involved in sport and participate in community football activities. 

“We really appreciate the hard work of all the parties involved in securing the Unity Pitch for the South Auckland community, particularly Manurewa Local Board deputy chair Matt Winiata, Councillor Daniel Newman, Alex Overwater-Davis from Auckland Council, Brian Blake from Venue Solutions and the awesome team at Trillian Trust.”  

FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer New Zealand Jane Patterson said she’s pleased the new pitch will be enjoyed by the Manurewa community.

“Tens of thousands of footballers of all ages have enjoyed the Unity Pitch during its travels around Aotearoa New Zealand and we are excited that girls and boys in Manurewa will have a football pitch to enjoy for many years to come.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has been an overwhelming success and the Unity Pitch played a major role in bringing the event to the community. We are pleased that the legacy of this tournament will be visible and accessible every day in Manurewa.”

Another Auckland community also has a legacy to enjoy from the FIFA World Cup, with the original Unity Pitch, being gifted to Beach Haven Primary School. 

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council has won a successful prosecution against developer DDL Homes Limited for repeated breaches of conditions of their resource consent and the Resource Management Act 1991.

The seven breaches, between 19 October 2020 and 5 August 2021, relate to earthworks undertaken without adequate or effective erosion and sediment control and contrary to the approved sediment and erosion control plan and include charges for contravention of an enforcement order issued by the Court.

In the Auckland District Court, the company was fined $60,000 for failing to comply with those conditions while completing a development in Hera Street, Flat Bush.

Auckland Council Team Leader Investigations David Pawson welcomed the outcome and the seriousness with which the Court treated the breaches.

“We expect developers to meet high standards; the company knew the rules and could have prevented the incidents if they had had adequate processes in place.

“This was not a one-off breach; council inspections identified offences on 26 different occasions.

“We will continue to enforce companies’ environmental and consent responsibilities to send a clear message that we are serious about violations and will do what we need to prevent future breaches.”

In his judgement, Judge Jeff Smith said he considered the repeated breaches of the enforcement orders to be particularly serious given they were consented and agreed to by the defendants. He noted the adverse effects of sediment discharge on the environment and to water, including the direct impact on waterways and organisms’ living environments.

His Honour considered the final penalty of $60,000 would have a deterrent effect on offending, as the financial circumstances of the company and its directors meant this was not a situation where there was a “shelf company” that could pay the fine while the directors took the profit.

Judge Smith considered the company had taken a ‘head in the sand’ approach when facing financial trouble, putting off compliance with the enforcement order in the hope their financial situation would change, when they should have engaged with council to avoid more serious consequences.

Manager Environmental Monitoring Rob Laulala says council compliance teams continue to focus efforts on preventing sediment entering our waterways and holding polluters to account when they fail to protect the environment.

“Our compliance monitoring officers ensure that activities involving earthworks do not have a negative impact on the environment or put people’s health at risk. We continue to do this through site inspections, education, enforcement and working with industry to achieve shared environmental goals.”

In a second case, Judge Melinda Dickey found Opal & Joe Trustees Limited and Reco Construction Limited “highly careless” in the management of their construction site at 15A Hapua Street, Remuera.

Erosion and sediment controls at the site were inadequate, and remained so, even after an abatement notice was issued requiring improvement. As a result, several significant sediment discharge incidents occurred.

Judge Dickey said the large volume of earth moved around the property was barely constrained by the silt fences and was an “accident waiting to happen.”

The judge concluded both defendants could not be unaware of their responsibilities under the Resource Management Act and fined Opal & Jo Trustee Limited $29,250 and Reco Construction $16,250.

Each year council compliance officers, funded through the Water Quality Targeted Rate, visit thousands of sites across the region to ensure appropriate controls are in place to reduce poor practice in the industry. Since the work began, compliance rates have significantly increased from as low as 10 per cent up to around 90 per cent.

Source: Auckland Council

It’s time to hone your basketball skills and shoot some hoops at the newly opened Archibald Park basketball court in Kelston. 

Whau Local Board officially opened the court in early November with a blessing and light refreshments for the community. 

Located adjacent to the existing Archibald Park playground, the new court is equipped with two back-to-back half courts and high five seats for the community to enjoy the increasingly popular sport. 

Whau Local Board chair Kay Thomas is delighted to see the completion of the court and proud for the board to be able to deliver it for the community.  

“Everyone on the board is thrilled to see the much-anticipated basketball court ready ahead of the summer holiday season. We believe this facility will be much loved by the locals, as our young Kelstonians have already been using the court before the official opening. 

“We knew there was a real gap in provision of a basketball court in the area and we have been pleased to deliver it, so our kids can play in their own neighbourhood.

“Personally, because of the time I spent teaching at Kelston Girls’ Colleague up until four years ago, Kelston is an area dear to my heart,” says Kay. 

The existing playground at Archibald Park was opened in 2020.

Kay also thanks council staff and community groups for their help with the basketball court.

“I’d like to give a shout-out to our Parks and Community Facilities team for their hard work. The wet weather conditions early this year created a lot of challenges, leading to the redesign of the court to ensure better on-site drainage. 

“Our community groups, including Kelston Community Hub, New Windsor Community Hub, Sport Waitākere, and our local board staff, also contributed significantly. Without their help, we wouldn’t have been able to host such a lovely event,” Kay adds.  

As part of Auckland Council’s and Whau Local Board’s commitment to Kelston, the existing Archibald Park playground was opened in 2020. At the opening event some members of the public approached Chair Kay Thomas about the need for a basketball court.   

Whau Local Board then worked with council staff and board members were advised two half courts would be of more use than one full court. They asked the half courts to be designed and built with the potential to convert them in the future to full courts. 

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Source: Auckland Council

From Karangahape Road to Te Wānanga on Quay Street, Tessa Harris (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki) walks around Auckland and sees an increasing amount of her own art and that of fellow Māori artists embedded in the city’s architecture and prominent places.

“It’s great to be able to feel us in spaces that show we belong,” says Tessa. “I see it as a positive self-affirming thing and I’m proud to be able to give expression to our stories. I think it’s great that there is a place and space for Māori to connect in the central city – it’s an opportunity to show ourselves and our stories.”

Tessa’s most prominent works of art tell stories of Tāmaki Makaurau. These include the tukutuku panels behind pāua shell-coloured bus shelters on Karangahape Road, pavers on Lower Queen Street’s public square Te Komititanga, the Te Nukuao shelter structure in Silo Park, and the woven installation Kōrimurimu on the downtown waterfront.

Tessa and her mokopuna (grandchildren) atop Kōrimurimu

As a weaver and multi-disciplinary artist who works with materials like stone, glass, wood and natural fibres, collaboration is integral to Tessa’s creative work. Looking for collaborators means seeking artists and makers with a connection to a project – maybe through whakapapa, their knowledge base or someone who is genuinely interested. She joined forces with students from Auckland Girls’ Grammar School to work on the Karangahape Road tukutuku panels.

“Sometimes the right person turns up at the right time,” Tessa says. “It’s always a team of people on projects and everyone contributes. It’s all valued.”

Tukutuku panels on Karangahape Road.

Tessa pays tribute to her early kaiako (teachers) Joy Wikitera, Judy Robson-Deane and Kahutoi Te Kanawa and her weaving group Te Rā Ringa Raupā. The group has recreated Te Rā, the only known Māori sail in existence, which will be on display at Auckland Museum from 18 November.

“I love working with natural materials,” Tessa says, “but as much as I like to work with natural fibres and materials, our elements don’t allow for that in some instances, so I’m happy to work in any medium that suits the job. Quite often that’s contemporary. I am sure our tūpuna would be innovative with whatever is available and suitable for the best outcome.”

“I like to tutu or play around and experiment with everything,” she explains. “I’m open to all materials and having skills or understanding in various mediums helps you to create concepts and ideas based on all that knowledge and understanding.”

Stone, for example, weathers well in all elements, is durable and holds mauri (energy). While it’s harder and slower to work with, Tessa describes it as “extremely satisfying”.

Tessa’s work will be incorporated into the new stairway handrail in Myers Park.

“Toi Māori is what makes us unique here in Aotearoa, let’s celebrate it everywhere. Involve Māori in all projects – when I say involve us, I mean truly involve us. Value the knowledge we share and the skills we have, treat us as an expert in our field, as you would any other expert. Together we can make magic!”

Source: Auckland Council

The council will be better equipped to educate the public on rules around freedom camping this summer, thanks to a funding boost secured through the Ministry of Business, Employment and Innovation’s (MBIE) Freedom Camping Transition Fund.  

Auckland Council successfully secured $256,000 of the government’s nationwide package, which offered $10 million over two years to help councils manage the transition to new freedom camping rules.  

Auckland Council’s Compliance Manager, Adrian Wilson, said the funding would assist the compliance unit with ensuring Aucklanders and visitors to the region are aware of the rules around freedom camping, and complying with them.  

“Callouts related to nuisance caused by freedom campers place high pressure on the team over the summer period, and with drier weather predicted this year we are gearing up for another busy season.  

“This funding will allow us to increase the number of staff carrying out proactive monitoring and patrols at prohibited and restricted sites, as well as hot spot areas for anti-social behaviour.”  

From early December until late February, a team of dedicated ambassadors and compliance officers will start visiting the region’s popular summer spots to educate visitors on the rules around freedom camping and camping in vehicles.   

They will also carry out evening patrols of areas identified in previous years as being hotspots for anti-social behaviour, providing public reassurance and education for rule-breakers. Ambassadors will be supported by a team of security officers and NZ Police where necessary. 

“Our approach will be to provide education first, which could mean reminding campers of the rules around waste-disposal, ensuring people aren’t staying more than the maximum two nights in the same area, or reminding people of the many other campsites and holiday parks where they can legally stay,” says Adrian.  

“We do have the option to issue trespass notices and infringement fines if required, however we hope people will be compliant with the rules once made aware of them. We want people to be able to enjoy holidaying in our beautiful region, but to do so in a way that doesn’t impact negatively on others or the environment.”  

MBIE Tourism Investment and Performance Manager David Talbot said the cost to resolve freedom camper issues has historically fallen on our local ratepayers and taxpayers.  Funding has been provided to help educate travellers and support councils to transition to the new Freedom Camping rules, which aim to better manage freedom camping in our local communities.  

“Freedom camping is important to Aotearoa New Zealand, to our people and our international visitors. This funding is to support councils to transition to the new freedom camping rules and better manage freedom camping in their area,” says David Talbot. 

Guidelines for freedom camping 

To freedom camp in Auckland, you must: 

• use a certified self-contained vehicle 
• stay a maximum of two nights in the same road or off-road parking area  
• vacate your parking space by 9am on the day you leave 
• not return to stay in the same road or off-road parking area within a two-week period, which starts from 9am on the day of departure 
• comply with special rules for freedom camping on Waiheke Island 
• not stay in any area where freedom camping is prohibited 
• comply with any special rules for freedom camping in restricted areas 
• comply with other rules about disposal of waste and responsible freedom camping. 

Find more information about freedom camping on our website.

Source: Auckland Council

In Tāmaki Makaurau, we’ve seen our relationship with water challenged. Two years of drought followed by a year of record rainfall has reminded Aucklanders that we must protect and enhance the quality of our water.

Targeted rates are ring-fenced for the purpose they are collected and Auckland Council’s Water Quality Targeted Rate offers a dedicated programme to protect Auckland’s waterways.  

“It’s fantastic to see how our targeted rate investment continued to improve water quality throughout 2022/2023, despite the challenges caused by the severe flooding events we experienced this year,” says Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.

“We know Aucklanders place a high value on our waterways which is why, through this targeted rate, we have committed $452 million on water infrastructure to clean up our beaches, harbours and waterways, from large infrastructure projects to operational programmes like Safe Networks, it’s all making a difference.

“Additional funding from the Recovery Budget 2021-2031 has allowed us to start work on two new programmes which will help to resolve long-term water quality issues in the Eastern Isthmus and Manukau Harbour.”

Another very recent example of the vulnerability of our networks – but also where planned improvements funded through the water quality targeted rate will offer mitigation – is the sinkhole that developed in Parnell and the major impacts that followed. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei placed a rāhui over the Waitematā Harbour and Watercare activated  black pins on Safeswim when the Ōrākei main sewer blocked and significant discharges affected the harbour on 27 September.

Since then, Watercare has built a bypass pipe and pump station to divert flows around the blockage. Auckland Council continue to test the water quality to ensure this taonga is protected and restored.

Key highlights and successes for 2022/2023, for this targeted rate as well as the natural environment targeted rate, were recently presented to the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.

“We’re now in year five of the water quality targeted rate and we’ve seen some real progress on major projects this past year, demonstrating the impact of targeted rates,” says Councillor Angela Dalton, Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.

“We began working on extending the Central Interceptor tunnel from Grey Lynn to Pt Erin Park, adding a further 1.4km to the 14.7km tunnel, which will substantially improve water quality for Herne Bay, St Marys Bay, and our northern beaches.

“We also continued our focus on improving the recreational and swimming environment for Aucklanders, with investigations for drainage issues reaching over 8,000 properties, including the testing of 130 stormwater outlets across 25 beaches.”

Water quality targeted rate

Water quality across Auckland has been affected by storm events through 2023, most significantly by wastewater overflows caused by flooding and debris being washed into waterways. The work delivered by the water quality targeted rate (WQTR) programmes so far has given us the tools and knowledge to support this recovery for stream rehabilitation and will be an ongoing focus in future work programmes.

Key highlights and successes for 2022/2023

The water quality targeted rate provides increased investment for projects that will result in cleaner harbours, beaches, and streams. Our key priorities are to reduce public health risks from wastewater and to improve the health of our waterways. Through several key work programmes, our team is working hard to achieve these outcomes.

What has been achieved with the water quality targeted rate?

Western isthmus water quality improvement programme

We’re building major infrastructure to reduce public health risk in this $680 million programme, which is jointly funded by the targeted rate and Watercare.

It fast-tracks major infrastructure upgrades to significantly reduce wastewater overflows into the Waitematā Harbour and reduce stormwater entering the wastewater network. The project will stop wet weather wastewater overflows during most normal rainfall events and make all beaches from Pt Chevalier to St Marys Bay swimmable under most conditions.

A key outcome for 2022/2023 was the decision to extend the Central Interceptor tunnel from Grey Lynn to Pt Erin Park as well as the associated design and consenting work that was undertaken.

Safe Networks

This programme investigates and fixes drainage network issues that contribute to poor water quality and pose a risk to public health at our beaches and waterways. Where contaminants are found, indicating the presence of wastewater, our teams will investigate, track and monitor discharges to their point of origin through water quality sampling, CCTV, and smoke and dye testing. Once the source is identified, we will either mitigate the discharge or develop solutions if the problem is more complex.

This year, our teams tested 130 stormwater outlets across 25 beaches and began a further 14 network investigations, as well as inspected private property drainage at over 8,000 properties. 

Safe septic

Regular maintenance of the region’s 45,000 private onsite wastewater systems is essential for reducing faecal contaminants entering our waterways and beaches.

We are implementing a region-wide compliance system requiring property owners with onsite wastewater systems to provide regular maintenance records showing their systems are in good working condition.

Urban and rural stream rehabilitation

This programme’s key objective is to improve the ecological health of our streams and rivers. This involves managing streambank erosion, as well as working with the community to replant and revive our streams.

Contaminant reduction

We are improving the ecological health of waterways – both in urban and rural areas.

Urban areas contribute contaminants from transport, industrial use, litter, and construction to our waterways. Stormwater networks in older parts of Tāmaki Makaurau were previously mostly designed to move rather than treat water. Our targeted retrofit programme identifies opportunities to improve water quality treatment in our existing stormwater networks.

In rural areas, our support of the Kaipara Moana Remediation programme enables coordinated planning and problem solving to deliver large-scale projects that restore the health and mauri of the Kaipara Moana by reducing sediment contamination.

Eastern isthmus water quality improvement

Following the progress made in the western isthmus programme, the council has invested $174 million in this programme within the current 10-year budget. The eastern isthmus has significant water quality issues affecting coastal environments from the central city to the Tāmaki Estuary. Like the Western Isthmus programme, investment in stormwater infrastructure is necessary to complement Watercare’s investment in the wastewater network to reduce overflows and pollution. This involves building stormwater infrastructure to enable sewer separation and stormwater treatment.

Southern catchment alignment

This new programme was introduced in the 10-year Budget 2021-2031 to improve water quality in the Manukau Harbour by aligning the timing of stormwater improvements with other major infrastructure projects.

As significant work is expected to begin from 2026, this past year we focussed on identifying opportunities for projects where we could implement water quality improvements alongside scheduled infrastructure improvements. This is so we could minimise disruptions, maximise efficiencies and achieve better water quality outcomes.

Source: Auckland Council

Freshwater rules are changing in Tāmaki Makaurau and it’s time for Aucklanders to have their say on how to improve the region’s rivers, lakes and streams.

Auckland Council wants to check back in with the community on what it thinks of proposed measures to protect, use, and allocate freshwater.

Councillor Richard Hills chairs the working group developing the council’s implementation of Auckland’s freshwater policy.

“The healthy state of our freshwater is essential to all of us. It will get worse if we don’t commit to improve our rivers, lakes and streams using the new measures that will sit behind our plan of action,” says Councillor Hills.

“We want to hear from every Aucklander with an interest in our freshwater future. Te Mauri o te Wai is about the life-sustaining capacity of water, putting freshwater first so we can improve our natural environment, keep people healthy and provide for all other uses,” he adds.

The details are included in a discussion document called Setting our Direction for improving freshwater in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland available at the council’s AkHaveYourSay.NZ online portal.

This work is driven by the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) which will affect how Aucklanders manage their land and water use.

The NPS-FM applies to rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, aquifers (groundwater) and springs. It is a government policy that requires councils to put the health of freshwater first, then consider the needs of people and other demands for water use. The council must notify changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan by 31 December 2024 and must also prepare action plans to support stakeholders and community groups to improve our freshwater resources as soon as practicable.

This consultation on freshwater opens on Friday 3 November and runs over four weeks until Monday 4 December 2023.

The council’s lead water scientist, Dr Coral Grant, understands the benefits to the region’s environment, communities and economy that will come from using new rules and tools as levers to protect and improve water quality.

“This complex work on freshwater and the valuable input already contributed by the community is helping us immensely. One example is in setting baseline states, by that I mean a starting point for us to measure the health of our rivers and lakes, and to assess our improvements over time. We’re checking back in with Aucklanders now on some of the key levers we plan to use, so we can be sure we’re moving in the right direction.”

“We’ll mull over the community’s feedback as we finalise our draft freshwater plan and yes there are a lot of technical decisions involved, such as to what degree we should better manage the trace levels of zinc and copper in our urban streams, travelling in stormwater from carparks, roads, some industry and construction activities.”

Go to AkHaveYourSay.NZ and give your feedback to put the health of Auckland’s freshwater first, and to access the link to an information webinar on the night of Wednesday 15 November.

Māu e kī, Tāmaki

More information

The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM) is a government policy to guide how freshwater should be managed across New Zealand. It is based on the concept of Te Mana o te Wai – putting the health of freshwater first. It also includes how freshwater affects coastal waters – such as sensitive coastal areas like estuaries – and considers the impacts of climate change.

Auckland Council has a plan to implement the NPS-FM in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The council last engaged with the wider community in July 2022 when it asked for feedback to develop a vision and values for freshwater.

The feedback received by the council from this informal round of consultation will be further considered by the working group ahead of preparing the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) Plan Change that is due for release in 2024. This will include a formal process in which the community can make final submissions next year.

At this point, the community is being asked for feedback on a wide range of topics that include the long-term vision for freshwater, values and outcomes, how to deal with the ‘outstanding’ waterbodies that need special management, how to protect and improve habitats, and how to manage the increasing demand for water.

Vision

The overarching vision is: To protect and enhance Te Mauri o te Wai – the life-sustaining capacity of water. Draft vison statements have also been developed for each of the three identified Freshwater Management Units (FMU), being Kaipara, Manukau and Hauraki.

Values and environmental outcomes

The council proposes to adopt 12 of the 13 national values, which are ecosystem health, mahinga kai, threatened species, human contact, natural form and character, drinking water supply, transport and tauranga waka, fishing, animal drinking water, irrigation, cultivation and production of food and beverages, and commercial and industrial use.

Hydroelectric power generation has been excluded due to being irrelevant to the Auckland region.

The council also proposes to add two new values, resilience, and amenity – which is enjoying being near rivers, lakes and waterfalls without necessarily going into the water. 

Outstanding waterbodies and primary contact sites

Relevant criteria have been developed for the outstanding waterbodies in Tāmaki Makaurau and assessing available information relating to Māori cultural values, ecological, landscape and recreational values.

The council also proposes to add more sites to Auckland’s Safeswim programme which currently includes beaches and nine freshwater sites. Another 14 freshwater sites are being considered for inclusion and the council may need to introduce stricter standards to reduce sources of contamination in those catchments.

Achieving the vision and environmental outcomes

The NPS-FM requires the council to set a baseline state for freshwater improvements, so the community is being asked for feedback on the baseline health of rivers, streams and lakes in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The council is asking if it should include and manage copper and zinc in this plan change as a way to improve urban streams. The inclusion and management of temperature is also introduced as a new attribute for all rivers across the region.

Setting ambitious but achievable targets is proposed to improve the health of waterbodies where they are poor, and at least maintain the state of waterbodies where they are already good.

Feedback is also sought on the environmental outcomes identified for the Pukekohe Specified Vegetable Growing Area, the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area and the Hunua Ranges.

Habitat protection and improvement

The council seeks feedback on its proposal to prioritise catchments in the region for fish passage remediation, and whether it should retain its existing regional standards for works affecting wetlands and streams where they are higher than national requirements.

Water quantity

The council asks how to fairly reduce water allocations to existing consent holders where that is considered necessary, and how to prioritise allocation where or when water is scarce.

Source: Auckland Council

We know Aucklanders love our natural environment. From our beaches to our regional parks, they want to ensure it is being cared for and protected for years to come.

Targeted rates are ring-fenced for the purpose they are collected and the Natural Environment Targeted Rate is one of the ways we protect our environment.

“With strong support from Aucklanders, Auckland Council, through the 10-year Budget 2018-2028 approved $311 million for a natural environment targeted rate for council and community-led action to protect and restore priority native ecosystems and threatened species,” says Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.

“To lock in environmental gains, the targeted rate was extended another three years in the 2021-2031 10-year budget.

“A huge thanks and acknowledgement must be extended to our communities, mana whenua, local organisations, and volunteers – I thank them for the amazing mahi they have contributed this year to achieving our environmental aspirations.”

Key highlights and successes for 2022/2023, for this targeted rate as well as the water quality targeted rate, were recently presented to the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.

“Over the last year we’ve seen some truly great outcomes that demonstrate our targeted rates working to protect the environment,” says Councillor Angela Dalton, Deputy Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.

“There’s been 4.7km of track upgraded in local parks, 12.1km of track upgraded in regional parks and 12 new kauri dieback hygiene stations were installed in our local parks.

“Two million dollars has been provided to community groups to support 457 community-led conservation initiatives, and many more eradication initiatives are underway, including eight pest detection dogs and their handlers working to target pest species – Argentine ants, rodents, stoats and kauri dieback.”

Natural environment targeted rate

The natural environment targeted rate (NETR) provides substantial additional investment, along with business-as-usual funding from general rates, to protect and enhance our natural environment. This funding enables us to deliver on our Regional Pest Management Plan, the council’s Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy, and our responsibilities under the Biosecurity Act, Local Government Act and other legislation, plans and strategies.

Some of the work enabled by the NETR includes:

• Significantly increasing weed and pest animal control in and around local and regional parks to enable indigenous species to thrive.
• Reducing the spread of kauri dieback disease and other plant pathogens.
• Providing greater protection for indigenous ecosystems and species, including on the mainland, on islands and in marine and freshwater environments.
• Developing better systems and support to empower community-led stewardship of the natural environment.

Key highlights and successes for 2022/2023

What has been achieved with the natural environment targeted rate?

This year, key programmes included a baseline survey of kauri health in Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hunua Ranges, controlling mammalian pests and pest plants across the region, protecting our pest free islands, supporting new marine biosecurity activities, deepening our understanding of threatened species in the region and enabling and partnering with mana whenua and communities on survey and biodiversity management activities.