Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

The designs for slip repairs on Karekare Road are completed and construction is scheduled to start on Monday 9 October and are expected to continue through to February 2024.

Access to the Karekare Valley will be via Lone Kauri Road. Lone Kauri Road will be available to residents and service vehicles only for this period. Once this work is finished, works will begin on Lone Kauri Road. 

Auckland Transport and its contractor, Fulton Hogan, are working hard to restore the access roads for the Karekare community and safety is a priority. With this in mind, AT asks that everyone uses the alternative routes and stays clear of the works and machinery over this period.

AT and Fulton Hogan will continue to liaise with neighbours and those affected by the planned road closure and construction works. In the meantime, if you have any queries or concerns, please email ATengagement@at.govt.nz.

Source: Auckland Council

New Zealand’s highest performing 4.3 square kilometres is seeing a return to form, with data showing growth in employment and GDP in Auckland’s city centre tracking faster than New Zealand as a whole (see data below).

The numbers provide a fitting backdrop as Auckland Council publishes the 2022 / 23 City Centre Targeted Rate (CCTR) report, outlining how the rate was invested and the momentum of change it has helped the city centre achieve in the 2022 / 23 financial year.

The full CCTR report can be found here.

The CCTR is paid by city centre ratepayers – owners of commercial and residential land within the city centre – enabling the delivery of vibrant public spaces, activations and events that are enjoyed by all Aucklanders.

Auckland Council Head of City Centre Programmes Jenny Larking says the CCTR enhances the role of the city centre as the region’s economic heart and a vital cultural hub.

“The city centre contributes to the prosperity of the Auckland region and to the whole of New Zealand. The CCTR is currently confirmed in Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan until 2031, playing a key role in ensuring the city centre continues to be a vibrant, prosperous place into the next decade,” she says.

Auckland Council collects approximately $26 million each year from the CCTR.

“With the support of the CCTR this year we have delivered an upgraded Queen Street, Federal Street (southern end) and Galway Street (western end). We’ve delivered activations and placemaking in our public spaces to ensure the city centre is lively and inviting, and to enhance Auckland’s reputation. We’ve also supported businesses impacted during construction,” Larking says.

Looking back to prior years, the Auckland Council group’s transformation of the downtown waterfront area, Karangahape Road, Te Komititanga, Freyberg Place, Albert Street and earlier sections of Galway Street are among projects supported by the CCTR.

Queen Street

Auckland Council’s guiding document for the city centre is the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP), setting the strategic direction for the next 20 years.

It outlines ‘Green Links’ as a focus, connecting the city centre’s green spaces and responding to climate change. These elements will be evident when the upgrade of the northern end of Myers Park opens later this year, and are visible in increased planting and tree canopy cover supporting sustainable development of the city centre. Read more here.

‘Waihorotiu / Queen Street valley’ and ’Transit oriented development’ are other focuses for the CCMP. Significant development is underway around Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape City Rail Link stations – creating pedestrian-priority streets, improving public spaces, providing safe access around the stations and supporting growth.

Investment of the CCTR in 2022 / 23 was concentrated in the Waihorotiu Queen Street valley, reinforcing the city’s premier street as Auckland’s cultural, commercial and retail heart, and also in the Midtown Regeneration programme with construction of Te Hā Noa in Victoria Street and other midtown projects gathering momentum.

Vibrancy in the city centre

In addition to upgrading public spaces, the CCTR also supports a range of activation, placemaking, festivals, events and promotional activities that contribute to the energy of the city centre.

Highlights of the CCTR-funded activation and placemaking programme in 2022 / 23 include Matariki ki te Manawa, Christmas in the City Centre featuring the popular Christmas pavilion in Te Komititanga, Christmas on Queen Street and Lego in the Square at Aotea Square.

Tūrama in Queen Street for Matariki

The CCTR has supported expanded programming in other festivals too – the Auckland Pride Festival, Art in the City, Africa Month, and the Korean Culture Festival (KCAKL).

Read more here: Matariki ki te Manawa, KCAKL and the upcoming Midtown Street Party.

The CCTR also delivered development response measures, supporting business and residential neighbourhoods during construction. Read about the range of support here.

Fiesta in Freyberg Place

The economics

Auckland Council Chief Economist Gary Blick gives four compelling reasons a thriving city centre is important:

• The city centre is the most accessible part of Auckland, and this will increase with completion of the City Rail Link.

• It is the largest employment centre with 146,000 jobs in the year to March 2022, many in service industries that support the region and the country.

• The city centre generates 20% of Auckland’s GDP; within 4.3 square kilometres.

• Home to around 36,000 people, the city centre is also a place where Auckland residents and visitors come to enjoy events, hospitality, entertainment and shopping.

Infometrics Regional Economic Profile, Auckland City Centre, measured GDP in the city centre at $26,686 million in the year to March 2022, up 8.2% from a year earlier. New Zealand’s GDP increased by 5.3% over the same period.

The report averaged economic growth in the city centre at 4.4%pa over the last 10 years compared with 3.0%pa in the national economy across the same decade, while employment in Auckland’s city centre was up 6.6% in the year to March 2022 compared with New Zealand’s equivalent increase of 3.0%, year on year.

Quay Street

Source: Auckland Council

Linda Greenalgh leads the Community and Social Recovery programme within the Recovery Office. Having played a pivotal role in the storm response and seeing the devastating effects of the storms on whānau, Linda is a passionate advocate for supporting the holistic recovery of people in storm-affected communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.

1. Tell us about yourself and your team?

I’m a proud Westie and mam to 6-year-old Áine and 10-year-old Darragh as well as Cooper Sausage, the retired racing Greyhound. After starting out in youth work, I found myself at Waitākere City Council, surrounded by incredible, values-led and ambitious wāhine toa—this experience continues to shape my mahi today. Over the last 20 years I’ve worked across the public sector in policy, operational and emergency management roles.

The impacts of this years’ weather events will be profound, long lasting and for some, life changing. My team focuses on working with individuals, whānau and communities to come to terms with what’s happened and managing the disruptions and changes caused.

We’re responsible for coordinating efforts to ensure that people have their immediate needs met, as well as supporting individuals, whānau and communities to shape their own futures. A lot of our mahi is about advocating for the needs of affected whānau and ensuring people have access to the things they need to recover well. We spend a lot of time out in communities to understand what’s going on and to see where there are unmet needs.

We’ve also just stood up our Navigator service, which provides individualised support for people who need assistance, particularly those dealing with the complexity and uncertainty of property categorisation.

2. Who are some of the groups you’re working with, and how do you work together?

Recovery really is an exercise in relationships and coordination! We work with residents’ groups, ratepayers’ associations, community organisations, NGOs, marae and government agencies.

How we work together depends on the needs of that community. For some, it’s about making sure they have a point of contact into the team, for others, it’s about advocating alongside them for changes they are seeking. As we move through recovery the focus of our relationships will change and it might be about working together on local planning or funding groups to run events or other things that support their recoveries. And we’re really excited to explore what opportunities there are for partnership with mana whenua!

A homeowner recently gave us some positive feedback and I thought her reflection on the benefits of working together summed up really well what we’re trying to achieve:

As a conscious observer last night, the AC team did extremely well with taking the community through complex and (emotionally) hard stuff. It felt like there was real trust from both sides and I really hope we can foster that and help each other through the ‘uncharted’ waters ahead. A bit like the covid crisis – I think when we don’t keep ‘sides’ at arm’s length, break down the barriers and genuinely co-design (what we can) we get a better outcome for all and the future. Because we all don’t know what we don’t know. We get to walk in each other’s shoes. Understand the constraints, challenges and navigate round them.

3. To close, what would you say to people reading this who are really struggling right now with uncertainty about what the future holds, and who should they contact for help?

What I would say is, it’s normal for you and your whānau to feel upset and physically drained right now. While we work to create the certainty that you need, there are things you can do to feel better.

We have people ready to provide support to you and your whānau and we want to hear from you, even if it’s just for a rant or a download. Our team of Navigators walk alongside whānau to help them access the information, services and support they need to plan their recoveries. This could be anything from helping to explain aspects of the property categorisation process and helping people to complete the online form, through to connecting individuals with mental health services. Email us at navigators@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and we’ll get back to you within a few days.

You can also free text or phone 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor.

It’s been a privilege meeting many of you out and about and online at various community events, and I’m looking forward to meeting many more of you in the coming weeks and months—maybe even with Cooper Sausage in tow!

Cooper Sausage

Source: Auckland Council

Tāmaki Makaurau has a wealth of historic heritage places which is beloved by Aucklanders.  

Auckland Council has opened funding applications through the Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme for the preservation and enhancement of these taonga to ensure they can be enjoyed by future generations.  

Individuals, iwi or Māori groups, community groups and trusts can apply for up to $50,000 for the preservation of heritage places. 

“Auckland’s heritage places are part of what gives the city its unique identity and illuminates the rich past of Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Councillor Richard Hills, the council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee Chair. 

“The grant programme is a great way for communities to restore, preserve and enhance heritage sites for the use and enjoyment of Aucklanders now and in years to come.” 

“This year we’re really keen on supporting the kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage places. There are hundreds of these sites across Tāmaki Makaurau and we want to enhance and protect these precious taonga as they’re a vitally important part of the city’s history.” 

Applications for this year’s Regional Historic Heritage Grant Programme (RHHGP) funding round are open from 5 October until 10 November. 

The funding priorities include: 

• Conservation of regionally significant historic heritage places, including places within a historic heritage area. 

• Conservation of at-risk historic heritage places, including initiatives which address the impacts of climate change. 

• Supporting kaitiakitanga of Māori cultural heritage places. 

St Stephen’s Chapel and Garden Cemetery.

Success story: St Stephen’s cemetery, Parnell 

Through the Regional Historic Heritage Grant’s last round, Friends of St Stephen’s Garden Cemetery in Parnell received a grant for the restoration of graves. The current chapel on the site was commissioned by Bishop Selwyn (Church of England) and completed in 1856, after the first chapel constructed on the site was destroyed in a storm in 1847.  The earliest recorded grave in the cemetery is 22 November 1844. Graves in the cemetery include those of missionary James Kemp and Emma and Ida Campbell (wife and daughter of Sir John Logan Campbell, an Auckland leader in the second half of the 19th century).   

With support from the grant, 17 headstones have been restored.  Sympathetic conservation techniques were used to ensure the original fabric and materials used in the graves and surrounds were carefully treated. A descendent of one of those buried at the cemetery was moved to tears seeing a previously broken gravestone repaired. This work would not have been possible without the generous grant from Auckland Council. 

Learn how to apply through a workshop 

You can learn more about these grants and the application process at an online workshop.  

Date: Thursday 12 October 2023  

Time: 12.15pm to 1.15pm 

Please RSVP by emailing communityfunding@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for the calendar invite. 

More information about the Regional Historic Heritage Grants Programme, as well as a link to apply can be found here. 

Source: Auckland Council

Recovery office case managers are bringing good news to hundreds of households across Auckland with 1,396 placards (or ‘stickers’) removed since February 2023.

“It’s a great feeling enabling storm damaged households to move on with their life. The number of placards being removed has ramped up and our team is really busy right now supporting these homeowners through the process,” says Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office Group Manager Mat Tucker.

A placard is removed when a property owner provides evidence that storm damage has been fixed and their home is safe again. The type of evidence required will vary depending on the situation. It could be a geotechnical engineer report, a structural engineering report or proof that a builder has rectified the problem.

All case managers have a digital dashboard that is updated in real time when the status of a placard changes. The team has removed 333 red and 1063 yellow placards across the region since February 2023. The number of placards remaining on Auckland properties are 277 red, 1155 yellow*.

“We want whānau back in their homes as quickly as possible. Many residents have fixed their property but are forgetting to contact us again to close the loop with placard removal. We urge people to provide documents to their case manager or

rbacomms@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to start the de-placarding process,” says Tucker.

When a placard is removed the recovery office will send a letter to confirm the change of status and the property file or LIM is updated to ‘placard closed’.

*Data from 27 September 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between placards and property categorisation?

Placards are issued after a Rapid Building Assessment (RBA) to assess immediate risk in an emergency response situation. Property categorisation considers the future, long-term risk to life if another weather event occurs.

What efforts are council going to make to ensure that repairs to land and buildings will be prioritised (in the consent process) and fast-tracked so our lives and homes can return to normal?

We recognise that getting repairs made as quickly as possible is a priority for all storm affected people right across Auckland. A fast-track process is already in place for building consent and resource consent applications for properties that need repairs due to flood and cyclone damage. This process is available to both insured and uninsured property owners.

You can either speak with your allocated case manager or email regionalplanninghelpdesk@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to discuss your application with our planning team. Please include the word ‘cyclone’ in the subject line and include your property address and placard details too. It’s important to note that the fast-track process doesn’t relax consenting requirements, all repairs will be subject to relevant building code and resource management requirements.

Will council inspect my property when I provide evidence of my repairs?

We’ll review the documentation you’ve supplied along with your placard status and determine whether we need to visit the property again. A visit from council inspectors is not always required – it will vary from property to property.

What does it mean for a placard to be downgraded?

A re-assessment has been completed in person and finds that a placard can be lowered, or the owner has completed work to reduce the risk. When the owner of a property provides geotechnical engineering report or structural engineering report that shows that the danger has been removed or that the information provided proves that the risk is lower than originally determined.

Is there any support for homeowners with storm damaged properties?

Visit the support page on Our Auckland to discover what is available to you. Email navigators@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you’re a storm affected property owner and want to discuss support options for mental health, finance, insurance or accommodation.

More information

If you’ve still got questions about storm damaged properties, the information below will point you in the right direction.

Read our frequently asked questions document. This is a good place to start as it includes answers to our most common queries relating to remediation, buyouts, placards, property categorisation and more. If you want to understand how property categorisation works, we’ve got a handy video and article that explains it all.

If you have a property that you believe needs to be categorised as part of the assessment process, and you haven’t already completed the flooding and landslide registration form, go online here.

If you have questions relating to a particular address for a storm damaged property, email them to propertycategory@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

If you have a question about red, white or yellow placards (‘stickers’) then email your case manager or email rbacomms@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

If you have questions about rates relief, they may be answered by reading the Our Auckland rates relief article – note there is a Q&A section at the end. If your question isn’t covered here, then email ratesrelief@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

If your storm damaged property question doesn’t fit into any of the scenarios above, then email your question to recoveryoffice@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Source: Auckland Council

Unfortunately, the much-loved Maukatia Gannet Track and access to the Takapu Refuge / Gannet Colony at Ōtakamiro Point at the popular Muriwai Regional Park will remain closed over the summer season.

There is no access from either the top (southern) or bottom (northern) ends of the Maukatia Gannet Track, which also prevents access to the Fisherman’s Rock.

The geotechnical report for this area has found that land is still unstable and significant remedial work will be required prior to reopening. Initial remedial work has begun, but ongoing monitoring of the ground movement in the area is required before any further remedial work can take place. More information on the report’s findings and next steps can be found at the bottom of this story.

We don’t take the decision to keep the track closed lightly, however our primary focus in on keeping everyone safe. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your ongoing patience as we continue to work as quickly as we can to restore safe access to this track.

We ask everyone to respect the barriers and restrictions to this track, as these are here to keep you and others safe.

If you plan on viewing the gannets with friends and whānau, you can do this from the safety of either the Maukatia carpark or the beach at Maukatia/Māori Bay. We strongly urge visitors to always stay ten metres away from the cliffs.

There are still other wonderful recreational options you can do with friends and whānau in Muriwai, including the ever-popular activity of walking on Muriwai Beach, or the Links Track around the Muriwai Golf Course, which starts at the carpark near Jack Butt Lane the surf tower.

Maukatia Gannet Track Geotechnical report findings

The geotechnical report has identified the following key risks, which need to be monitored and addressed before we can reopen the track.

• Three significant slips have been identified along the northern portion of walkway.

• The section leading to the Fisherman’s Rock has been undermined and destroyed.

• The track and handrail above the Muriwai Beach cave are at risk of further slips.

• Two significant slips have been identified along the southern portion of the walkway.

• A portion of a slip extends below the gannet colony viewing platform, undermining some of the piled foundations. The remainder of the structure’s foundations are at risk of further slippage.

• The concrete pathway has dropped from its original levels, with numerous tension cracks and soil pulling away from the slab evident along much of the southern walkway. The most notable movement is along the eastern extent.

Next steps

We have begun initial remedial efforts to stabilise compromised parts of the Maukatia Gannet Track. Following this, we will conduct a more comprehensive site assessment, incorporating survey data and subsurface investigations (data collection for geotechnical findings) to develop ground models (a map of the ground’s character).

This will help us determine whether specific parts of the tracks are experiencing movement as part of more high-risk landslides (broader, deep-seated landslides). The insights gained from this assessment will provide us with valuable evidence for making decisions about future remedial work.

Source: Auckland Council

Henderson and Manukau service centres will integrate with Auckland Libraries into one-stop Auckland Council community hubs from 30 September. This follows the same successful integration of four service centres and libraries in June this year.    

  

Two more Auckland Council service centres will operate from within Auckland Council Libraries from next month, completing a successful integration programme and boosting service options for Aucklanders. 

The Henderson and Manukau service centres will close on 30 September and services will be transferred to Waitākere Central Library (Henderson) and Manukau Library, respectively.   

Earlier this year, Ōrewa, Warkworth, Bledisloe House and Waiheke service centres closed and services were successfully transferred to the Ōrewa Library, Warkworth Library, Central City Library and Waiheke Library, respectively.   

Over the past few years, we have seen a significant change in the way our customers interact with Auckland Council and our services.   

More and more people are choosing to engage with us digitally through our online services, which means we’re seeing less in-person demand at our existing service centres.  

A work programme started in 2020 that saw 18 of our 24 service centres across Auckland successfully integrated into community hubs at Auckland Libraries, to respond to changing needs and create a more sustainable model of service delivery.  

A full list of locations that provide council services can be found here. 

Improved convenience and increased hours of access   

“The integration of service centres into community hubs means people can come together in one place to interact, socialise, and access all the services they need, including free WiFi and computer access,” says Mirla Edmundson, Auckland Council’s General Manager of Connected Communities.  

“For customers, this makes it more convenient for them as they will be able to do things like borrow books, pay their rates and get support around using our online services all in one place. 

“Customers are benefitting from longer opening hours as library hours are often longer than service centre opening hours and many open on weekends.

“No council services are being stopped but rather, the location of where those services can be

“No council services are being stopped but rather, the location of where those services can be accessed is changing – from a stand-alone service centre to a community hub within a library.  

“By integrating more of our services, we are creating a more seamless and connected customer experience – for both those who prefer online services and those who still wish to interact with us face-to-face or pay for their council services in person.” 

The recent integrations are in-line with the Annual Budget 2023/2024 and are part of the council’s cost reductions to mitigate budget challenges and improve efficiencies. 

“As the needs and preferences of our customers change, the way we deliver our services needs to change too,” says Jon Andrews, Auckland Council’s General Manager of Digital and Customer Services. 

“Customers are increasingly expecting services to be delivered quickly and efficiently, and we want to make sure no matter what their preferred channel is – whether that’s face-to-face support from our staff or our online services – we are delivering a positive customer experience that meets them where they are.” 

Cashless policy 

The new community hubs will not be accepting cash payments for council services, to respond to the changing needs of our customers.

Many of our services can be paid online or by direct debit. For more information on the different ways you can pay online, please visit the Auckland Council website.

If customers still prefer to pay things by cash they can take their rates bills or dog registrations along with their invoice to NZ POST. You can find your closest post shop on the NZ Post website.

We are reviewing and assessing our cash transactions at our remaining facilities, which may result in further transitioning to cashless transactions in the future.

Other ways to access Auckland Council services  

Other ways you can access services offered by Auckland Council include:   

• Visit us online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz   
• Call our 24-hour contact centre on 09 301 0101  

Source: Auckland Council

Cats are contributing to the deaths of critically endangered Māui dolphins.

With numbers thought to be as low as 100, Manukau Harbour Forum members have heard a plea from marine activist Paul Arthur for more protection for a species revered by Māori and present in the harbour.

Declared nationally critical in 2009, Arthur says Māui dolphin are present in Waikato and Manukau waterways, up to about 10kms offshore, and records indicate two recent deaths have been caused by toxoplasmosis – making it vital to reduce the presence of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite in our waterways.

He says cats are the main host of the parasite, with all outdoor cats picking up the parasite at a young age, so stopping their waste entering the harbour is important, although there will be different ways of tackling that for owned and unowned cats. 

“Newly infected cats can shed millions and millions of oocysts (egg-like structures), which are then washed into waterways and out to sea when it rains.

“The oocysts are hardy and can survive in salt water, where it takes a single oocyst to infect a dolphin.”

Two recent Māui dolphin deaths have been caused by toxoplasmosis – cats are the main host of the parasite.

Manukau Harbour Forum chair Jon Turner says an education campaign is needed. “We have all heard about cats and the risk they pose to birdlife, but few of us would realise that they can be a danger to marine life.

“There are simple things residents along the harbour can do to help prevent the parasite from reaching Māui dolphins, such as keeping cats indoors and disposing of their poo in the landfill rubbish, desexing cats, never dumping or feeding wild ones, and supporting wetland conservation efforts to help stop eggs reaching the water.

“And flushing cat faeces in the toilet just can’t happen. Māui dolphin are a precious taonga and we need to do everything we can to ensure they survive. Once they are gone, they will be gone forever.”

“Including green spaces in garden design and our backyards to help filter rainwater and reduce stormwater run-off would be a great start too. And those using barn cats need to stop and instead use conventional trapping.

With large tracts of farmland bordering the harbour, barn cats – typically introduced to manage vermin in farm sheds, can be a problem. “We need to act now. Farmers can help by keeping on top of rat and unowned cat populations on their properties,” Arthur told the Forum.

Nine local boards – Franklin, Papakura, Manurewa, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Puketāpapa, Albert-Eden, Waitakere Ranges and Whau fund the forum.

You can read a comprehensive report on the state of the harbour here, and find out more about the forum here.

Source: Auckland Council

If there’s one word you wouldn’t use to describe Tāmaki Makaurau, it’s flat. With its 53 volcanoes (admittedly a few of those are flat), the Waitākere Ranges to the west and the Hunua Ranges to the south, our region is famous for its humps, bumps and special places to take in incredible views.

Hill walks are an impactful way to boost your fitness levels, burn calories and increase muscle strength. And even if it’s a slog and you have to walk backwards for a while or have a rest on the way up, knowing that you have the reward of a magnificent view waiting for you at the summit will motivate you to keep going. So push it to the limit with these awesome cardio climbs across the Auckland region.

Ōwairaka / Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura / Mt Albert

Challenge yourself to brand new staircase climbs at Ōwairaka / Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura / Mt Albert. As part of ongoing construction work to protect important archaeological sites on the maunga, new tracks have been built. The existing track from the carpark at 27 Summit Drive has been upgraded with box steps and a new aggregate pathway. Or take freshly built steps extending from Mt Royal Avenue and Toroa Terrace straight up to the tihi / summit.

Maungawhau / Mt Eden

We couldn’t really talk about cardio climbs without mentioning Auckland’s highest natural point. Head up Maungawhau / Mt Eden at sunset on a fine day and you’re in for a communal viewing experience as locals and tourists gather to watch the sky turn pink and gold. From the long boardwalk around the tihi / summit, you can look out to other maunga and the Waitematā Harbour.

You can also gaze down into the iconic 50m crater or at the tūāpapa / terraces where the houses and gardens of the pā once stood, alongside the rua / food storage pits. Note that the main entrance closes at 8.30pm in summer and 7pm in winter. Pedestrians can access the maunga at all times using one of four paths.

Be rewarded with a magnificent sunset after climbing Maungawhau, the highest natural point in Auckland, on a fine day.

Point View Reserve, East Tāmaki

If you’ve never been to Point View Lookout in East Tāmaki, you’re in for a truly panoramic experience. Gaze out at Rangitoto and the beaches of Waitākere through to Manukau Heads, then turn around and check out views of the East Auckland beaches.

With 29-hectares to explore, Point View Reserve offers a range of bush paths and a open countryside. If it’s a hot day, stay cool walking up and down the stairs of the shady Point View Bush Path tracks. Established native forest, including majestic nīkau, mean there’s a good chance you’ll hear namesake birds on the Tūī and Riroriro tracks.

If you’re looking for a cardio climb that you can do with a pushchair, the reserve’s Point View Lookout track will get you puffing. The gravel path starts at 71 Coachman Drive, Flatbush, and takes you up to the trig point.

Point View Reserve in East Tamaki has panoramic views across the region.

Hunua Ranges Regional Park

Combine forest bathing with fitness at our region’s largest forested area, which is also home to the beautiful Hunua Falls and one of the only places you might see a kōkako in Auckland. The park boasts a range of tramping tracks that will get your heartrate up but if you’re looking for a decent half-day walk, the Cossey Massey Loop is 8.3km and takes around three hours.

From the carpark at Hunua Falls, this loop walk ascends 380m, during which time you’ll pass kauri, cross a stream and take in some stunning views of the Hunua Ranges and Cossey Dam, one of the five dams in the Hunua Ranges that supplies Aucklanders with water.

The shorter Suspension Bridge Loop track will still work your waewae / legs. The 3.9km loop takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes – it begins with a suspension bridge and leads you to a lookout platform above the Wairoa Reservoir.

Leigh Coastal Path

If you want a coastal path with a range of terrain to keep things interesting, the Leigh Coastal Path has it all: stairs, gravel, paving, boardwalks, grass and even rocky sections. It runs from 41 Lax Crescent to Cotterell Street and takes around an hour.

On the way you’ll be treated to views over Tāwharanui, Omaha, Goat Island and Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island. And if you’re super lucky, you might even spot dolphins and whales.

Wenderholm Perimeter Path

If you’re up for a physical challenge, you’ll enjoy this tramp over the Maungatauhoro Headland between the Waiwera and Puhoi Rivers in Wenderholm Regional Park.

As well as having steep sections there are some unformed tramping tracks on the Waiwera Estuary side of the headland, so be sure to wear good walking shoes.

The track, which takes around 90 minutes, leads up the headland, Maungatauhoro, a wāhi tapu / sacred place due to battles and burials that happened there.

Beautiful views of the Puhoi River, Te Akeake sand spit and islands in the Mahurangi Harbour will boost your spirits.

Finish up with a picnic under the pōhutukawa on the beach or even a swim.

Source: Auckland Council

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland is a world class city with plenty of natural wonders, vibrant venues and fascinating landmarks to visit. While many Aucklanders love to travel and explore the world, sometimes the best adventures are found right in our own backyard.

For World Tourism Day 2023, we encourage you to take time out to explore what our region has to offer. Here are 10 must-visit places for those looking to rediscover Tāmaki Makaurau and its surrounding wonders.

1. Visit Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is a vibrant venue which provides a variety of cultural exhibitions, community events /performances and workshops to get involved with. Since first opening in 1888, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki has welcomed thousands of visitors through its doors (both local and international) and offers experiences that strengthen and enriches our communities.

Why not pay a visit to the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and experience the Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia exhibition, on until Sunday 29 October, which showcases the struggles of the First Peoples of Australia through expressive artwork.

Whichever you decide, the art gallery has plenty to offer for the whole whānau.

2. Climb Maungawhau / Mount Eden

At 196m tall, Maungawhau / Mount Eden is the highest volcanic mountain in Auckland. From the summit, you can enjoy spectacular views of the city and its harbours.

As part of the Auckland region’s 14 recognised Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains), Maungawhau holds great significance for mana whenua (people of the land) from the Central Auckland area.

For Aucklanders, Maungawhau is a great destination to take the family for a picnic, enjoy a lovely sunrise or sunset with a loved one, or for our fitness fanatics you can burn off those calories running up the steep slope of the mountain.

Enjoy the views from the summit and don’t forget to bring your water bottle if you’re walking to the top.

3. See the animals at Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo, a world-renowned conservation organisation and multi award-winner for its animal habitats and visitor experience, is a must-visit for everyone who loves wildlife and connecting in nature.

A stand-out for both local and overseas visitors is the Aotearoa New Zealand Track ‘Te Wao Nui’- home to more than 50 unique native wildlife species living within six stunning ecological environments.

Be sure to also explore the recently completed South East Asia Jungle Track, the biggest development in the Zoo’s 100-year history. This highly immersive experience features orangutans and siamangs, Sumatran tigers and otters, and in a lush swamp forest habitat created within a climate-controlled tropical dome – Sunda gharial crocodiles and a rich diversity of fish.

Architecturally award-winning café, Te Puna, located on the edge of the lake in the heart of this track is the perfect place to stop for lunch!

4. Explore the revitalised Auckland City Centre

Auckland City Centre has recently seen several notable upgrades take place to revive the area as a cultural and economic centrepiece of the region.

Visitors are now welcome to go see Te Wharekura, a revitalisation of a 108-year-old heritage kiosk next to the Tāmaki Makaurau Downtown Ferry Terminal which has been repurposed into a cultural and marine education space to create a new public waterfront destination in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Please note that Te Wharekura is only open from Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Take a stroll along the waterfront and find Te Wānanga on the seaward side of Quay Street. It’s a cool architectural take on a rocky tidal shelf, with openings like rock pools and steel balustrades like giant kina shells. Its organic shape was inspired by the sandstone headlands of the Waitematā Harbour. Walk through a coastal grove of pōhutukawa and spot rongoa (medicine) species and harakeke (flax) in the gardens.

The City Centre has many fantastic places to visit and activities to get involved with, don’t delay and come visit soon.

5. Enjoy nature at Auckland Botanic Gardens

Auckland Botanic Gardens is a stunning 64-hectare oasis of horticultural beauty and diversity.

Visitors can stroll through a variety of garden spaces, from the tranquil beauty of the Camellia Garden to the vibrant colours of the Herb Garden. Rare and threatened native plants, beautiful magnolia, stunning African plants, and native forest bring all-year interest and delight to every visit.

The Gardens provide a feast for the eyes and a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in the botanical world. Talks, guided walks, garden advice, events, weekly plant sales, summer music, and more enrich the experience.

Auckland Botanic Gardens is the perfect place to recharge and relax among nature’s botanical wonder.

6. Become an innovator at MOTAT

Since opening almost 60 years ago, MOTAT’s collection has grown to more than 300,000 items highlighting innovation and ingenuity in Aotearoa. The Museum has been explored and enjoyed by millions of local, national, and international visitors.

For locals, MOTAT is your science and technology playground with special event days and plenty of hands-on experiences. Take a look at past innovation from the historic Pumphouse and steam-powered trains to a huge range of aircraft, including flying boats.

Enjoy a ride on one of MOTAT’s heritage trams around Te Wai Ōrea / Western Springs to get between the two museum locations – the Aviation Hall at Motions Road and MOTAT Great North Road where you can explore Telecommunications, Accelerate and Get Smart exhibitions and more.

There’s always something happening at MOTAT. Come and explore!

7. Experience a piece of history at Howick Historical Village

Howick Historical Village is a living history museum on 7 acres of grounds and heritage gardens. The museum depicts a settlement in the period from 1840 to 1880 and offers visitors an immersive historical experience. 

Come along and experience life during the colonial years of New Zealand through an immersive re-creation of an 1800s settlement in Auckland.

Visit the gift store for souvenirs or grab a bite at the local café and check out some of the events which are taking place at the village.

8. See a show at The Civic

Arguably the grandest venue in Auckland, The Civic is a much-loved Auckland landmark and entertainment venue. Audiences have been wowed and entertained by performances at this ‘atmospheric cinema’ since 1929.

Movie premiers, concerts and theatre performances are just some of the spectacles that Aucklanders can enjoy at The Civic. Under its famous ceiling, The Civic provides audiences with a collection of famed stars and cloud effects that is a recreation of the Southern Hemisphere night sky.

While the performances are captivating enough, getting a private tour of The Civic brings a new appreciation for this historic landmark.

Book in a tour, take in a show and let The Civic host you for a great night out.

9. Get your sea legs at the Maritime Museum

The New Zealand Maritime Museum is the place where the stories of people and the sea are preserved, shared, and explored with visitors.

Whether learning of the ancient sea-faring Polynesian voyagers that first came to Aotearoa from the Pacific, or seeing replicas of the grand European vessels of old the Maritime Museum has a vast collection of canoes, yachts, waka, vessels parts and steam engines.

Aucklanders can enjoy the collection of sea-faring vessels the museum has and sail around the Waitematā harbour on one of the Maritime Museum’s ships all at the Museum.

Check out this exhibition ‘Always Song in the Water’ on at the Maritime Museum showcasing Moana Oceania through the work of renowned artists. 

10. Time out at Tāwharanui

Tāwharanui Regional Park boasts some of our region’s most beautiful white sand beaches, rolling pastures, shingled bays, native coastal forests, and regenerating wetlands.

Tāwharanui has several great spots for picnics, and water access points at the local bays for swimming, diving, and kayaking.

Take a scenic stroll through one of the tracks in the park and through the paddocks where you might be lucky enough to see some lambs

Dogs and all other pets are prohibited in the Regional Park at all times.