Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

We’re inviting Aucklanders to have their say on the council’s proposed Dam Safety Policy, which sets out the council’s approach and priorities to protect people, property and the environment from the potential impacts of a dam failure. 

The draft policy has been developed to meet the requirements of central government’s Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022, which will come into effect in May 2024 and will establish consistent minimum safety standards for dams across New Zealand. 

Under the new regulations, owners of dams over a certain height or storage capacity will need to confirm the potential risk their dam would pose in the event of failure, put in place dam safety plans and undertake regular dam inspections.  

General Manager of Building Consents, Ian McCormick, says the new regulations will allow councils to better manage and minimise risks posed to the community by dangerous dams.  

“Flooding events earlier this year have highlighted the need for improved dam safety in Tāmaki Makaurau. By requiring dam owners to regularly monitor the safety of their dams and report risks to councils, we will have a much better chance of preventing a dam failure before it occurs.” 

The Government’s regulations will apply to all ‘classifiable’ dams, which are dams that: 

• have a height of four or more metres and store 20,000 or more cubic metres of water or other fluid 
• have a height of one or more metres and store 40,000 or more cubic metres of water or other fluid. 

From May 13 2024, owners of all classifiable dams will have three months to register their dam details with us.  

What can Aucklanders have their say on?  

The council’s draft Dam Safety Policy has been developed alongside other regional councils around New Zealand and sets out what Auckland Council will do if we are notified of a dangerous, earthquake-prone or flood-prone dam in the Tāmaki Makaurau region. It covers our regulatory and legislative responsibilities, our priorities when performing these functions, and how the policy will apply to heritage dams.    

Chair of the Rural Advisory Panel and ward councillor for Franklin, Andy Baker, says its important those impacted understand the new regulations and have an opportunity to have their say.  

“The regulations set by Government will come into effect next year and cannot be altered, but there is still an opportunity to give feedback on how the council classifies dangerous dams and prioritises those with the most risk.  

“There are an estimated 1,100 dams in the Auckland region, and I would encourage all dam-owners, as well as those affected such as landowners downstream of dams, to read the policy, attend a webinar or event and provide feedback.” 

Aucklanders have between now and 3 December to provide feedback in one of the following ways: 

The Dam Safety Team
Building Capability, Building Consents department
Auckland Council
Private Bag 92300
Victoria Street West
Auckland, 1142 

More information, including details of drop-in sessions, how to sign up for a webinar and consultation materials are available at akhaveyoursay. 

Source: Auckland Council

Based in storm affected communities across Tāmaki Makaurau, Storm Recovery Navigators (Navigators) from Auckland Council’s Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office (Recovery Office) have hit the ground running and are here to help you!

Our Navigators are your first port of call if you’ve been impacted by the storms in any way. Whether you have questions about decisions being made about your home, your insurance situation, accessing financial assistance, or need support to deal with the emotional and mental toll, our Navigators are here to connect you to the resources and information you need to navigate your way through the coming months and beyond.

To get in touch with a Navigator, please see the contact details at the bottom of this story.

While most of Auckland has moved on from the storms earlier this year, many impacted people are still struggling. That’s why the Recovery Office has launched the Storm Recovery Navigation Service to walk alongside impacted individuals, whānau and families to help them access the information, services and support they need to plan their recovery.

Navigators are like a one-stop-shop. They provide people with holistic wrap-around support while connecting them to wider programmes and services.

“Working as a storm recovery navigator is both rewarding and humbling. The satisfaction comes from knowing that we are directly assisting individuals and communities in their time of need, helping them as best we can to rebuild their lives after the storm events earlier in the year.

Many of the people we work with are often overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. Our guidance and support can make a tangible difference. It’s a good feeling to work alongside people and help ease some of the pressure they’re feeling,” says Storm Recovery Navigator Annabel.

This isn’t the first time Navigators have been used in a disaster recovery. The service has proven a huge help for individuals and communities in recent recoveries across Aotearoa, like the Ōtautahi Christchurch and Canterbury earthquakes and the 2017 flooding in Whakatāne.

Storm Recovery Navigation Service Manager Manu Joyce says: “What excites me most about our service is we’ve got a group of skilled, talented and caring people who will walk alongside individuals, whānau and families to connect them to the right services in the ‘moments that matter’. Whether that’s your health and wellbeing, insurance, or navigating government processes which we know can be really challenging and frustrating at times, we’re here to help!”                         

Our awesome Navigators

The Recovery Office wants to give a huge shout-out to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). Thanks to their generous support, we will have another 20 Navigators joining us in the coming months, adding to our current team of 17!. They will be based in our partner community organisations, which have been on the ground supporting impacted whānau and families from day one. We want to get in behind them to enable them to continue doing their wonderful mahi.                                      

Contact a Navigator

You can contact us in the following ways:

The Navigators are out in the community so can visit you at home or a place that works for you too.

More information about how a Navigator can help you

Navigators provide a free and confidential wrap-around service to:

1. Provide one-on-one support and assistance

2. Make sure you have the most up-to date-information, while connecting you to other support agencies like Work and Income, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS)

3. Help you to gain access to specialist services like insurance, legal and budget advice

4. Update you on grant applications/financial assistance available

5. Support you with Housing/tenancy issues/temporary accommodation/resettlement

6. Help you access other social and health services like counselling services and GP services

Upcoming drop-ins with a Navigator near you

To find upcoming drop-ins near you, please find this information on OurAuckland.

Source: Auckland Council

Kaipātiki locals are getting access to knowledge and resources to safely help the area recover from slip damage thanks to workshops and resources developed by Pest Free Kaipātiki (PFK) with support from the local board.

Over 115 people have attended the workshops this year which were created to meet demand from Kaipātiki community members keen to help repair the extensive slip and track damage that hit the area during the early 2023 storms.

Local board chair John Gillon says the board has been impressed by the keenness of Kaipātiki locals to help the area recover.

“Kaipātiki volunteers have been amazing this year and the board is happy to help support PFK in the work they do to help community members make a positive impact on our environment.”

PFK Senior Restoration Advisor, Fiona Smal explains that through the workshops, attendees have received in-person support and advice on what they can do to remediate slip damage once essential geotechnical and stormwater reports are completed.

A show of hands for those who had experienced slips at PFK’s first slip workshop on 31 March 2023.

The team has created a step-by-step resource available on the PFK website that includes detailed planting lists and information about weed control and seed scattering for helping slip restoration.

“The idea with the resource is for people to get the right information all in one place, as slip-specific information is difficult to come by for the average homeowner or volunteer. It also gave us another chance to reiterate that people need to prioritise Geotechnical advice before they took any steps,” Smal explains.

In the coming months, PFK will be working with the community to plant and document demonstration sites to display techniques, growth characteristics and track progress so everyone can learn.

Follow PFK on Facebook for updates.

Stay up to date

Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area? Sign up for the Kaipātiki Local Board E-News. and get the latest direct to your inbox each month.

Source: Auckland Council

October 20 UPDATE: Latest tests return negative for Leptospira

Following a positive result for Leptospira bacteria in Lake Wainamu last month, the council’s Research and Evaluation Unit (RIMU) conducted follow-up sampling (taken on October 10 and 11) at Lake Wainamu, Waitī stream and Bethells lagoon.

The results became available today, and all samples have tested negative for Leptospira.

Public health warnings at the lake and on Safeswim will now be removed, however we ask the public to use caution as they would with any freshwater body after heavy rainfall events which can cause contaminated run-off from farmland.

We would like to remind the public that Lake Wainamu remains closed to the public following storm events earlier this year, as well as Lake Wainamu carpark and Lake Wainamu and Te Henga walkways.

October 6

Recent water testing by Auckland Council’s Research and Evaluation (RIMU) returned positive for leptospira (the bacteria that causes leptospirosis) at Lake Wainamu and we’re asking the public to avoid direct contact with the lake and the stream while further testing is carried out.

Our teams are working closely with Auckland Regional Public Health Service to monitor the contamination and determine the level of risk.

If you have been in or near the lake or the stream, that flows from the lake to Te Henga / Bethells Beach, and become unwell, we advise you to immediately see your GP and mention the possibility of leptospirosis.

As soon as the Safeswim team was made aware of the leptospira reading, ‘high-risk’ flags were issued for water quality concerns (swimming not advised) and safety warning (toxic bacteria leptospira) alerts against Lake Wainamu. 

We have also installed physical signs at the head of the public access track in the car park. The lake has been closed to the public since the storm events of early 2023 (and remains closed). Additionally, as part of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, dogs are not permitted in or near Lake Wainamu.

Additional testing is being considered for the lake, and particularly the stream which flows through the Te Henga / Bethells Beach settlement.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is an acute illness caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cough and red eye, and people affected often need hospital treatment.

It is not uncommon to see leptospira in rural waterways where feral animals are present and it can persist for a long time in freshwater bodies such as lakes and streams. (Source and for more: Auckland Regional Public Health Service website)

Where is Lake Wainamu?

Lake Wainamu is approximately two kilometres inland from Te Henga / Bethells Beach. The lake is within Lake Wainamu Scenic Reserve and administered by Auckland Council as part of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. A small portion of the lake edge and buffering vegetation is on private property.

How did Auckland Council become aware of this?

Auckland Council was recently contacted by a member of the local community and alerted to a case of leptospirosis. Subsequent testing of the water in the lake (conducted by Massey University) came back positive for leptospira.

Source: Auckland Council

Kaipātiki is another step closer to gaining a new multi-purpose community hub in the heart of Northcote thanks to a recent decision by the local board.

At their 18 October Business Meeting the board approved a design brief from Eke Panuku for a proposed 1,500 square metre hub that will be a refurbishment and extension of the existing Mitchell Building (Northcote library) at 5 Ernie Mays Street near Cadness Reserve.

As well as improving existing library services for the area, the hub will provide future-proofed new homes for Northcote’s Citizens Advice Bureau, Plunket, Hearts and Minds, and North Art gallery space, all under one roof.

Kaipātiki Local Board Deputy Chair and Northcote Unlock lead Danielle Grant is excited to see work on developing the hub move forward.

“This is great news for Northcote. The board’s worked hard to make sure that this community gets a first-class, fit-for-purpose facility that truly meets the needs of this growing community, for now and the future, and I’m thrilled to see this project take shape.”

Kaipātiki Local Board Chair John Gillon adds: “I’m pleased that we’ve ensured that the community hub will provide a home for our valuable community groups who will play an invaluable part in the new Northcote town centre. We’re also providing a brand new library for the people of Northcote, along with meeting rooms and spaces for gathering.”

Development of the hub, which is a key part of a larger project to rejuvenate Northcote, was informed by feedback from over 700 community members in a 2020 consultation. The board then confirmed the location of a proposed hub at the existing Northcote Library Building in October 2021.

Eke Panuku hopes to start work on construction of the hub in 2025 with a planned completion date of 2027.

For updates on this project, including concept designs and community consultations, follow the Kaipātiki Local Board and Eke Panuku on Facebook.

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Source: Auckland Council

Two species of exotic caulerpa seaweed (Caulerpa brachypus and Caulerpa parvifolia) have been found in the North of New Zealand, including in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This invasive marine pest has the potential to seriously harm and transform our coastal environments.

It is critical that all Aucklanders, from boat users to beach goers, understand how to recognise exotic caulerpa, avoid places where we know it’s there and know what action to take if it’s seen somewhere else.

What does exotic caulerpa look like?

It’s important to know what exotic caulerpa looks like so you can recognise it. If you think you see exotic caulerpa, note the location, take a photo and report it to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz.

Exotic caulerpa underwater, 2021. (Photo credit NIWA)

Blind Bay beach cast.

Where should I avoid going?

As of October 2023, exotic caulerpa has been found in these Hauraki Gulf Marine Park locations:

• Aotea Great Barrier Island: Blind Bay, Whangaparapara Harbour, Tryphena Harbour and southern Port Fitzroy
• Ahuahu Great Mercury Island: between Ahikopua Point and Maunganui Point
• Kawau Island: Iris Shoal
• Waiheke Island: Onetangi Bay and around Thompsons Point

If you are boating, there is no anchoring and fishing in these areas. In the Auckland region, a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) is in place at Aotea Great Barrier Island, legally restricting some boating and fishing activities. Mana whenua have imposed rāhui in Aotea Great Barrier Island​ and Waiheke Island with similar restrictions.

If you are out walking on the beach or out on the water, please be vigilant and if you think you see exotic caulerpa, note the location, take a photo and report it to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz

What is a rāhui and what does it mean?

A rāhui is a Māori principle that restricts or prohibits access to an area or resource to protect the future well-being of the people and natural resources such as the ocean.

In addition to the legal Controlled Area Notices (CANs) in place at Aotea Great Barrier Island and Ahuahu Great Mercury Island, mana whenua have also imposed rāhui in these same areas with the same restrictions.

Ngāti Paoa has imposed a rāhui at Waiheke Island on disturbing the seabed or anchoring within 1 nautical mile (1.8 kilometres) of Thompson’s Point or Onetangi Bay.

Please respect and observe the rāhui.

About the incursions

Map of exotic caulerpa locations in the Auckland region.

Aotea Great Barrier 

• Exotic caulerpa was first detected in New Zealand at Okupe/Blind Bay by a visiting fisherman and ecologist in 2021. There is an extensive area of exotic caulerpa that extends from Tryphena, into Okupe/Blind Bay and Whangaparapara, and through to the entrance of Port Fitzroy. 
• A technique called suction dredging (using a large vacuum cleaner-like machine) to remove the caulerpa was recently trialled at Tryphena and on the smaller incursion at Port Fitzroy. The treated areas will be monitored in the coming months to help understand the effectiveness of the method.

Ahuahu Great Mercury Island

• A smaller area of exotic caulerpa has been found at Ahuahu Great Mercury Island. It does not appear to have spread to the level it has at Aotea Great Barrier.

Iris Shoal, Kawau Island

• Exotic caulerpa was discovered during surveying near Kawau Island in 2023. This is patchy coverage across an 18 hectare area. Hand removal has been attempted by NIWA divers but more investigation is ongoing.

Waiheke Island 

• There is an established population, first detected at Onetangi Beach, Waiheke Island, in 2023. This is a popular boating location and a rāhui is in place. Further surveys and control efforts are underway. Like at Aotea Great Barrier Island, iwi and community groups are strongly engaged.

If you find exotic caulerpa outside of these locations – note the location, take a photo and please report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz.

In response to this threat

The Ministry for Primary Industries is leading the response to exotic caulerpa, working closely with iwi, community groups and Auckland Council’s marine biosecurity team in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The elements of the response are:

Surveillance

• Understanding how far exotic caulerpa has spread and detecting new incursions quickly.

Response

• Developing a toolbox to combat exotic caulerpa. This can could include hand removal by qualified divers and for larger incursions, a combination of tools such as suction dredging, benthic mats (mats made from jute, hessian or plastic on the bottom of the seafloor) and treatment using chlorine or salt is possible. Research into the effectiveness of these control methods is ongoing.

Learning

• We have heard from experts in countries that have dealt with exotic caulerpa incursions. Mātauranga Māori is intertwined in this response.
• As we learn more about how to manage exotic caulerpa, it is hoped that we can slow or stop the spread.
• Our goal is to protect our moana while further science and technology solutions are developed and scaled up.

Visit Biosecurity New Zealand for more information.

Source: Auckland Council

Waiheke’s birdlife will be flying high this summer following the un-leashing of a plan to create a bird friendly beach zone thanks to Waiheke’s local board.  

Dogs must now be on a leash on the west end of Onetangi beach – an important roosting and breeding site for the northern New Zealand dotterel, tūturiwhatu and the variable oystercatcher tōrea pangoa, following a request by the board.  
 
Auckland Council’s environmental services team approved the request to change the Dog Management Bylaw 2019 on 12 October to the delight of the board and chair Cath Handley. 

“We love dogs here on the motu but it’s important that native bird species have an opportunity to thrive, especially in the case of threatened species like the dotterel who raise their chicks in this spot over the summer months,” Handley says.  

It means dogs now must be always on leash in an area of Onetangi Beach west of Seventh Avenue until 24 March 2024. This adjoins an existing area further west on the beach where dogs are permanently prohibited (see map below for details).

The area in red shows where dogs must be on leash until march 24. Dogs are permanently prohibited from the area in white further west.

The decision by the board follows requests by community volunteer group the Waiheke Dotterel Guardians, who started watching over a pair of dotterels and their chick in the area last December.

The group plans to continue their work watching over breeding pairs of dotterels on Onetangi beach this summer.   

Council staff will set up signage in the area alerting the public to the change in the leash rules this October.   

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Source: Auckland Council

Some of us have money in the bank – Glasgow Contractors has concrete, sandbags made from leftover FIFA Women’s World Cup, materials, sugar cane pegs and a host of other carbon-saving initiatives.

The Albany company is restoring a natural waterway to the Blackgate Reserve in Manurewa in an environmentally friendly way.

The 1600-hundred tonnes of concrete it’s removing from the reserve’s man-made channels goes to a facility in Wiri to be crushed at no cost to Auckland Council for use in future building projects, reducing their carbon footprints.

Glasgow director Ollie Ferrick says it’s all about building in a more sustainable way.

“If we didn’t have a relationship with that company it would be difficult to make carbon savings because we’d have to truck the concrete too far.”

Glasgow is so committed to reducing waste, it doesn’t even have skips, which it says encourage people to throw things away.

“All the pegs we are using are made from biodegradable sugarcane, logs we’ll use on the banks to create micro-climates come from storm-damage, and we’ve even worked with businesses near the site that can provide food in recyclable containers.

“And since our depot is 60kms away, we’ve worked with the Manurewa Leisure Centre, which will provide parking for our trucks, so we aren’t burning fuel making unnecessary trips up and down the motorway.”

They are all moves Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Daniel Newman says will see the return of a natural waterway that will filter rainwater destined for the Manukau Harbour and return bird and aquatic life to the area.

“It’s a fantastic project with great ecological outcomes that support the natural environment as part of the larger Puhinui Stream regeneration programme.

“The stream runs from Totara Park through Wiri and Manukau and on to the Harbour.

“Access tracks are being created along either side of the stream and more planting will take place to create an improved natural environment.”

Trees brought down in this year’s cyclone are being put to use to create living environments, rather than being dumped, chipped or turned into firewood.

Newman says it will be fantastic to return an environment that benefits fish and animal life.

“The naturalised stream will create micro-environments to benefit tuna (eels), aquatic life and native birds. The area will be more usable, all with built-in erosion and sediment control.”

He says Haumanu, which acts as a stream biodiversity offset bank where developers can use credits to offset their environmental impacts, is the way of the future.

“It’s a significant change and companies like Glasgow should be commended,” he says.

The programme calculates how many credits a developer needs to meet offset requirements, and trades them, with the income used to fund stream enhancement projects across the city.

Healthy Waters Haumanu spokesman Shaun McAuley says developers can use the programme if they have already tried to mitigate any adverse environmental effects from their projects.

“The resource consent process can require developers to provide offsets or compensation for their projects, and that can be quite hard for developers at their own properties, especially in built-up urban areas.”

Healthy Waters calculates credits using a system based around stream ecological values, and projected improvement values enabling Healthy Waters to fund stream enhancement projects that would not otherwise be funded.

“Our scheme allows developers to tap into a database of potential projects and use our knowledge of how to deliver stream offset projects.”

Ferrick says it’s much simpler than it sounds. “It’s about doing the right thing. Projects like Blackgate will always have an impact, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do everything practical to minimise that.

“The environment and the community both win using that approach.”

More about the Haumanu programme here.

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council has farewelled one of its council-controlled organisations, Te Hononga Akoranga COMET, as it embarks on a new chapter as a standalone organisation.

Mayor Wayne Brown commended Te Hononga Akoranga COMET for stepping away from the council and ‘going out into the real world’.

“I am impressed with how you have taken serious steps and become self-reliant. This shows your value and all the hard work you have put in over the years. I’m very happy to join in celebrating your long history and wish you well in your brave new world,” says the Mayor.

Te Hononga Akoranga COMET is an organisation which promotes educational outcomes in Auckland, with a focus on areas of greatest need. It was formed 24 years ago by the then Manukau City Council and has operated as a council-controlled organisation (CCO).

The council’s Governing Body, in September, agreed to changes to the Te Hononga Akoranga COMET trust deed which will allow Te Hononga Akoranga COMET to become a fully independent charitable trust, which would end its status as a CCO.

Councillor Alf Filipaina, a long-time supporter of Te Hononga Akoranga COMET and its outcomes, says this change will allow Te Hononga Akoranga COMET to achieve its long-term vision effectively, while its objective of improving educational outcomes will remain the same.

“This is not goodbye,” says Cr Filipaina. “We are celebrating 24 fantastic years with te kaunihera and the mahi that Te Hononga Akoranga COMET is going to continue to do, not only in Tāmaki Makaurau but across Aotearoa, is exciting.”

Cr Filipaina also acknowledged Sir Barry Curtis, former mayor of Manukau City Council and his determination to create the organisation in the late 1990s.

“Sir Barry recently reminded me that Te Hononga Akoranga COMET was formed because it was important that our community was looked after – our mokopuna, our tamariki and our rangatahi.

“We acknowledge the founding chief executive Bernadine Vester, current chief executive Susan Warren, chair Tracy Massam and everyone who has served as a trustee, and all of the Te Hononga Akoranga COMET staff who have worked tirelessly for our community for the last 24 years,” says Cr Filipaina.

Te Hononga Akoranga COMET Chief Executive Susan Warren said the organisation wouldn’t exist without the support and long-term partnerships with Manukau and Auckland councils, and she expects the relationship to continue.

“We believe that becoming an independent organisation will allow us to better serve our communities and achieve our vision and mission.

“We are committed to working with Auckland Council and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them into the future. Just because we’re no longer a CCO doesn’t mean we can’t contribute to and be part of the council’s collective efforts,” she says.

“Once you’re part of Te Hononga Akoranga COMET, you’re always part of Te Hononga Akoranga COMET!”

Auckland Council Acting Chief Executive Phil Wilson was involved in the inception of Te Hononga Akoranga COMET during his tenure at Manukau City Council.

“It’s lovely to reflect back after 24 years: that Te Hononga Akoranga COMET is still going, still purposeful and doing important things for a very good reason.

“The fact is, not everyone has the advantage of education to the extent that gives them a great start in life. Therefore, creating Te Hononga Akoranga COMET took leadership and insight to acknowledge what was needed. It recognised challenges with access to education, quality of the educational experience for our rangitahi and the sense we weren’t doing justice to our community.

“Slightly unusually, the council wanted to step into that space – whether or not it was right for a council to do so. The results speak for themselves and at amalgamation (the formation of Auckland Council) we talked not about whether Te Hononga Akoranga COMET was no longer relevant but whether it might become more regionally focussed,” he says.

Te Hononga Akoranga COMET achievements – 1999-2023

Te Hononga Akoranga COMET contributes to the council’s strategic goals and to the wellbeing of Aucklanders. Over the past 24 years this has included:

• strengthening the skills pipeline in Auckland, mobilising Auckland employers, researchers and young people towards common goals
• trialling innovative learning, education and skills initiatives, preparing them to succeed on their own
• creating authentic opportunities, inside and outside classrooms, so learners of all ages can gain the skills they need to succeed.

Specific projects and numbers include:

• 4,600 young people supported in the transition to work through their Youth Employability Programme: Licence to Work. The programme is now nationally available through Youthtown (since 2013).
• 7,900 children and young people engaged in real-world STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) projects, investigating issues relevant to their community (since 2015), a focus on South and West Auckland.
• 500 educators and community leaders have shared effective practice for Māori learners (since 2012).
• 403 whānau have strengthened their babies’ brain development in the first 1,000 days through Talking Matters (since 2017), it is now a stand-alone trust.
• education and skills data snapshots that are nationally recognised, setting the benchmark for data-driven decision making.

Future funding

Te Hononga Akoranga COMET has requested that its ratepayer funding continues to reduce incrementally for the next two years ($250,000 for 2024/25 and $150,000 for 2025/26), this is reflected in the council’s current budgets. No funding is allocated after 2025/2026. This is in recognition that Te Hononga Akoranga COMET will transition away from being a CCO.

Source: Auckland Council

The sound of saws and electric drills accompanied children’s laughter at Pakuranga Heights School as the students swapped the classroom for hands-on learning recently.

Bunnings Warehouse support centre team members left the meetings and spreadsheets behind to become teachers as they joined Garden to Table and Auckland Council Sustainable Schools members to build 10 new raised garden beds.

The home improvement and lifestyle retailer is providing timber for garden beds and compost bins, materials for creating outdoor classrooms like those at Pakuranga Heights, and has already supplied plenty of other materials.

Sustainable Schools advisor Cate Jessep says the company’s support is creating a new generation of practical youngsters.

“It isn’t just about building gardens and compost bins, it’s about partnering with groups like ours and Garden to Table to help the students understand about the environment, where food comes from, recycling, composting and much more.

“Everyone worked with purpose. Senior students were lifting compost and potting mix with enthusiasm, while younger ones were filling the beds with veges and strawberries.” 

Many hands make light work, and that was certainly the case at Pakuranga Heights.

Bunnings national activities co-ordinator Sarah Wardle says the group has nominated nine schools as recipients of ‘team day’ activities that see team members on site helping students set up gardens, greenhouses, orchards or whatever else is needed.

“Supporting our community with hands-on projects is something our team gets involved with throughout the year. It was great to leave the office behind and connect with the school and enjoy how enthusiastic the students were to help set up the garden beds with us.

“This project was a special one because the students were just so keen to learn, to get their hands dirty and to start growing their own food.”

While Bunnings’ staff were teaching the children about the wisdom of ‘measuring twice and cutting once’, Pakuranga is only one of the schools it’s helping.

Ambury, Hunua, Bayfield, The Gardens, Wesley, Silverdale, Pukekohe Intermediate and Titirangi School are all being helped, and the scheme will soon reach out to Aotea Great Barrier where Kaitoke and Mulberry Grove will be helped.

That support comes on top of ongoing work alongside Sustainable Schools experience centres at Ambury Farm, the Arataki Centre, Zero Waste Zone and the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

Garden to Table’s Candace Weir earned a sit down after working with Pakuranga Heights School pupils and Bunnings corporate staff to build new gardens at the school.

Howick Local Board chair Damian Light says Sustainable Schools does amazing work across the area and wider Auckland.

“We’re proud to be involved with the teams that support early childhood centres and schools to foster sustainability. It’s such a good way to spread the word and have young ones engage in actions that are important to them and their communities.

“The work is ultimately about learning from nature and the curriculum-based programmes are really well led, so much so that much of the time the children aren’t even aware just how much they are learning as they participate.”

Garden to Table supports schools to take learning into the garden and on into the kitchen, encouraging children to develop practical skills while raising their awareness of the environment.

The children cook from scratch, using food they’ve grown themselves, and learning kitchen skills, before sitting down together to eat.

There’s more about Council’s learning outside the classroom programme here, Sustainable Schools here, and Garden to Table here.