Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

Exercise. We know it’s good for us, but sometimes it’s just so hard to prioritise it. ‘Tomorrow I’ll start,’ we say. Well, spring – with its increasingly warmer, longer days and (fingers crossed) blue skies – is here to give you that burst of motivation you need to put on your trainers and get out the door. Here are some low-cost and free ideas to help you stay active this season.

Get organised, start small

Creating a new habit is much easier when you start small. Instead of setting yourself an overly ambitious goal of running a marathon in six months’ time, give yourself the best chance by committing to a smaller, more realistic challenge – even if it’s as simple as walking around the block during your lunch hour every day. The following week you can increase it to two blocks.

If you’re planning to exercise first thing in the morning, make it easy for yourself by laying out your gear the night before so you can get up and go, rather than heading back under the covers to catch some more z’s because you’re too sleepy to find the trainers at the back of your wardrobe.

External accountability is also a great motivator. If you’ve made a plan to exercise with a friend, you’re much more likely to stick to it than be a no-show. Plus, exercising with friends is a great way to keep fit while catching up. You can encourage each other by setting fitness goals together.

Become a gym bunny

Auckland Council has more than pool and leisure centre facilities across the region where you can become a member or pay per hour or per class. While each centre is different, most of them have gym equipment for strength training and cardio fitness.

If group fitness is more your jam, many offer exercise classes, such as Energy HIIT (high-intensity interval training), Zumba and yoga. Centres with pools also offer aqua group fitness classes such as AquaPOWER, which is great if you’re looking for a low-weight-bearing exercise.

Certain Auckland Council operated centres offer free one week trials to new potential members, during which time you can try out the facilities and classes. Visit https://aucklandleisure.co.nz/free-trial-form/ to fill out a free trial form, https://www.aucklandleisure.co.nz/locations to find a pool and/or leisure centre near you and go to https://aucklandleisure.co.nz/prices-and-membership/ for membership and casual prices.

Please note also that Auckland Council Pools and Leisure memberships are now starting at $9.95 per week for the first 12 weeks and there is no joining fee.

Visit https://www.aucklandleisure.co.nz/offer/ to learn more. 

Use free exercise equipment

Fresh air is free and so is the outdoor exercise equipment at 80 parks across the region. A list of parks with outdoor exercise gear – including the types of equipment on offer and location in the park – can be found at https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/get-outdoors/staying-active/Pages/fitness-equipment.aspx.

Let team spirit motivate you 

If group sports motivate you, take advantage of one of the outdoor courts across the region such as the volleyball court at Milford Reserve.

Some of us are naturally competitive, so if team sports get you off the couch, why not get a group of friends together and head to a basketball or volleyball court at a park or reserve? There are a whopping 204 full and half basketball courts, 22 sand or concrete volleyball courts, 64 tennis courts at parks, reserves and leisure centres across Auckland. Most are free, or you can book courts at some leisure centres for a small fee. Or if you fall in love tennis then join one of the clubs that use our courts.

I want to ride my bicycle

There are bike tracks and shared paths all over Tāmaki Makaurau where you can embrace your best freewheeling self. Whether you want to bike through the bush or are looking for a flat path with heritage features, tailor a bike ride to suit your needs by using the filters on Auckland Council’s Akl Paths page.

If you want to explore outside your local neighbourhood, don’t forget you can take your bike on trains and most ferries (with a few exceptions) without paying an extra fare, and providing there is space. However, only compact folding bikes are allowed on buses.

Source: Auckland Council

Dave Tucker reckons that if libraries were given an alternative name it would be ‘the place that does everything’.

“I think before starting in libraries I was guilty of thinking that libraries mean just books, but the library is literally the help zone for its community,” he says.

Dave, who is Senior Librarian Children and Youth Services at Mt Albert Library, says on a regular day the staff will do everything from help a family sign up to Skinny Jump (which provides low-cost internet at home), make book recommendations, provide computer support, facilitate knitting groups or even help people find the nearest pizzeria.

“You name it, libraries are either doing it or thinking of trying it,” says Dave.

Libraries have always been that ‘third place’ between school or work and then home, but with the cost of living crisis ramping up, Dave has noticed that more people are coming into the library, staying longer and using the range of free services that libraries provide.

“There are cases where a mum, dad or a granddad with a bunch of kids from an extended family come into the library,” says Dave. “Often we’ll provide colouring-in or read to the kids so that the adult can get jobs done. Sometimes you can see people really struggling to get through the next hour with kids. We can see where help is needed.”

Auckland Council Libraries are also increasingly providing alternatives to paid family entertainment activities. Mt Albert Library is just across the road from Westfield St Lukes, which has a massive cinema but is unaffordable for many.

“We’ve run free movies here with popcorn that have been attended by 50 families. You wouldn’t do that if you had money to go to the mall.”

It’s not just lower-income families using the libraries more either. Dave says he’s noticed an increased uptake of library services from middle-income families.

“The squeeze is across many sectors of society and we’re seeing it.”

The role of libraries in providing a warm place without judgement for homeless or transient people cannot be underestimated either.

“Even though a smile, a glass of water, an ear for someone to listen to, or some sort of support is not really in the job description, it’s what we do,” says Dave.

“It comes under social support and economic support, and if you come into the library space, you know that we care. There’s no time restriction and you don’t have to buy anything. Whereas, if you go to a cafe you’re required to buya muffin or a coffee, or you might not be wearing the right clothes or haven’t showered. By its very nature, a library provides an environment where you can just be.”

Dave has also seen people choosing to work in the libraries instead of from home, and says you’ll often see customers having a Zoom session with colleagues.

Siobhan Hope uses the library as her workspace.

Siobhan Hope prefers to work at the library because she loves the community vibe and the helpful librarians.

“It’s like an office away from home for me. I can use my son’s computer at home, but I love the sense of community here,” she says.

Retiree Patricia Lustl also thinks of the libraries as a place of kinship. “They’re the hub of the community. If you’ve got a question, the librarians will help you.”

Patricia, whose book-fiend husband devours three library books a week that she borrows for him, talks of missing the librarians at Point Chevalier Library, which is currently closed and operating from a smaller pop-up library at 18 Huia Road.

Mt Albert Library manager Kala Bhana talks books with customer Patricia Lustl.

“I’d known them for 10-15 years. We’d all become family. One librarian, who now works here, her son and my son were sick at the same time, so we still touch base to check how our kids are getting on.”

Customer Monika Patel has a goal to read her one-year-old son Ivaan 100 books a year. Thanks to the library, they’re almost halfway there. Ivaan is a big fan, says his mum.  

“He knows where to go as soon as we enter – turn left to the kids’ area.”

Her family are regular attendees at the free Wriggle and Rhyme sessions for babies and toddlers. During the week Monika takes half an hour off work so she can attend with him and they also go to the Saturday sessions.

Mt Albert Library’s Wriggle and Rhyme sessions are so popular that they run two sessions every Thursday morning.

“It’s the best place to meet new parents, I spend time with Ivaan, sing along with others and relive my childhood.”

Dave, who used to work in the music industry, says that assisting his community is what makes the job so rewarding.

“Everyone is welcome to come and everyone needs help. I really get a sense of having provided that with my wonderful colleagues every single day, which is magic.”

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council has confirmed the sale (partial sell-down) of Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) shares, as signalled in its Annual Budget 2023/2024.

The sale of seven per cent of its shares, at an average share price of $8.11 per share, has returned $833 million, which will be used to reduce council debt.

Auckland Council Chief Executive Phil Wilson says this is a positive outcome for the council and for the residents and ratepayers of Tāmaki Makaurau.

“When faced with an even greater budget gap as a result of three successive years of financial challenges brought about by the pandemic, flood and cyclone recovery, and inflation and interest rate hikes, the Governing Body agreed to sell-down a portion of the council’s shareholding in AIAL.

“It set council staff firm guidance to achieve the best possible outcome, including offering the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau the opportunity to participate in the sale.

“We are advised that it is the only share sale of its size in New Zealand to be sold at a premium to the market traded price, and a testament to the process initiated by the council and its advisors.

“The result is a significant return that will offset our existing debt profile and lower future interest costs,” says Mr Wilson.

Auckland Council’s remaining shareholding of 11.08 per cent provides ongoing exposure to the future growth and value of AIAL.

Budget decision to sell shares

Auckland Council’s Governing Body made the decision on 9 June 2023 to amend the council’s Long-term Plan to enable a partial sell-down of the council’s 18.08 per cent shareholding in AIAL. The formal adoption of the Annual Budget 2023/2024 on 29 June 2023 incorporated the AIAL sell-down with proceeds to be applied against debt retirement.

Group Chief Financial Officer Peter Gudsell says in implementing the sell-down and considering its timing, the council, with professional advice, took into consideration a range of matters to comply with the Governing Body resolution.

“A structured process to manage the sale, which balanced the council’s objectives of maximising the sale value with an appropriate timeframe, was put in place.

“We also monitored market conditions, including the timing of company, Commerce Commission and macro-economic information releases.

“Executing the sale after the release of AIAL’s latest annual results on 24 August also allowed for a fully informed market prior to the council’s sale and ensured we were engaging with the broadest pool of potential buyers.

“We have been advised that the shares were widely distributed to domestic and international wholesale investors and New Zealand retail investors via the broker network,” he says.

About the share sale

• Auckland Council was advised by Flagstaff Partners, UBS and Simpson Grierson.
• Successful completion of the sale process achieving a weighted average sale price of $8.11, realising a 3.8 per cent premium to the last NZX market traded closing price of $7.81 on 31 August 2023.
• The sale price is $833 million, net of any fees.
• Broker fees were at the low end of responses received by brokers.

Source: Auckland Council

Little penguins/Kororā are being given every chance of thriving on the iconic west coast beach thanks to the combined conservation efforts of the Piha community and Auckland Council.

Twenty roost/nest boxes have been installed along North Piha beach area in the hope that this taonga (treasure) may find a place to be able to safely roost and potentially breed in.

The boxes paid through the Natural Environment Targeted Rate, were painted by the Piha Community Pre-school before being installed, and Council’s Regional Parks team assisted in transporting the boxes along the beach to their designated sites.

While the national population of little penguins is declining, they appear to be gradually recovering along some areas of Auckland’s west coast. This encouraging trend was noticed by the Piha NZ Dotterel Minders and Council environmental contractors, who have observed more penguin signs including footprints while conducting pest control and other conservation related activities there for NZ Dotterels.

Waitākere Ward Councillor Shane Henderson says, “I’m pleased to see more penguin activity in our neighbourhood and this is a reminder that we need to better protect them from predators.

“We’re proud to support this community-driven project with more and more people coming on board.”

Little penguin, the world’s smallest penguin species, measures just over 25 cm in height and weighs about 1 kg.

This project was a collaboration between Auckland Council, Forest and Bird, Piha NZ Dotterel Minders and Piha Community Preschool.

Why they come ashore

Adult little penguins come ashore between May and June to prepare nests. They may waddle up to 1.5 km from the sea and climb 300 m to find their chosen nest site.

Traditional nests are usually in underground burrows, under dense vegetation, in natural root/rock crevices, between rocky stacks or even in caves. Since people came onto the coastal scene, little penguins have also taken to nesting under houses and boat sheds, in stormwater pipes, and stacks of timber etc.

A little penguin (kororā) on Maud Island. Credit: Kimberley Collins Creative Commons

Adults also come ashore to shed their feathers and grow a new waterproof coat. This is known as the moult period which lasts about two weeks between November and March. The penguins are especially vulnerable at this time as they cannot swim and don’t venture out from land to sea until they have moulted and are waterproof again.

Keep our penguins safe

• Follow local beach bylaws, particularly those pertaining to dogs.
• Leave little penguins alone. Usually, any scruffy birds encountered are simply moulting.
• Keep your dog on a leash or preferably away when around known penguin areas.
• Keep your dog away from nests, penguins or any encountered wildlife.

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Source: Auckland Council

Auckland boaters are being asked to stay away from areas of the Waiheke coastline following the discovery of invasive seaweed exotic caulerpa. Local iwi Ngāti Paoa has now placed a rāhui (prohibition) within a nautical mile (1.8 kilometres) of Thompson’s Point and Onetangi bay, where exotic caulerpa has been found.

Waiheke Local Board Chair Cath Handley says the board supports the call by Ngāti Paoa that asks boaters to take steps to stop the spread of the seaweed which can have devastating consequences on native marine ecosystems.

“Ngāti Paoa and the many other groups involved in deterring the spread of exotic caulerpa in the Hauraki Gulf are asking boaters in Waiheke waters to please avoid these areas if possible, and certainly not to anchor or carry out any activity that disturbs the seabed, like fishing or diving while they figure out exactly where the borders of the current infestation are,” Handley says.

Exotic caulerpa seaweed on the seafloor near Aotea Great Barrier Island. Photo from the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Even tiny pieces of exotic caulerpa transferred on anchors, chains, fishing lines and diving gear can spread the infestation to other areas and people are being asked to check gear for signs of the seaweed. Any disruption of the seabed where matts of exotic caulerpa are present can also further the spread to other areas of the Hauraki Gulf by releasing fragments into ocean currents.

The board is being kept up to date with developments on the caulerpa infestation by a Waiheke response group coordinated by the Ministry for Primary Industries that includes NIWA, Auckland Council, Ngāti Paoa and the Waiheke Marine Project.

You can find more information on exotic caulerpa at the Ministry for Primary Industries’ website.
For updates on exotic caulerpa on Waiheke go to the Waiheke Marines Project’s monitoring page.

Source: Auckland Council

The new $81m Papakura Water Treatment Plant will help boost Auckland’s water supply by 12 million litres a day when it goes into service on Thursday 31 August, 2023.

The construction of the treatment plant to reinstate Hays Creek Dam, which had been out of service for 15 years, was fast-tracked by Watercare as part of its drought response back in 2020.

Watercare chief infrastructure officer Steve Webster says the project was split into two stages to ensure the benefit of the extra water could be delivered while Auckland was recovering from drought.

Watercare chief infrastructure officer Steve Webster

“The temporary water treatment plant – and a new watermain to carry the water from the dam – was completed incredibly quickly and in February 2021 gave us a much-needed boost of six million litres of water a day.

“Then, after our new Waikato treatment plant was completed in winter 2021, we were able to start deconstructing the temporary Papakura plant and get cracking on with the permanent treatment plant.”

Webster says Auckland’s water supply is now in a very different position than it was when the project began.

“It’s not lost on us that a project we started during a drought, when dam levels were only about half full, and is finishing in what could shape up to be the wettest year in recent history and dams today at a little over 98% full.

“But what this plant gives Auckland is even more resilience in our water network. The January floods were a reminder that even too much rain can cause problems for our water sources. It caused huge landslips into our western dams, which meant our Huia Water Treatment Plant was operating at reduced capacity for a while there.

“A 12-million-litre boost gives us added water security, which is particularly important as we head into the summer months. To put it in perspective, 12 million litres is enough water for roughly 24,000 Auckland households.”

Watercare project manager Stephan Morkel says the temporary plant built for stage one was mostly built in containers, which worked well on a tight site with limited access.

“The smart Lego-like modular design of the temporary plant meant that it could be easily relocated.

“So things like tanks, vessels, pumps and equipment became part of the new plant to minimise waste and keep the overall project costs down.”

He says the sophisticated new plant will help Watercare to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 27 tonnes a year.

“The permanent water treatment plant contains a mounted solar array made of 296 panels – each 460W – to help make the plant more energy efficient.

“Our operations team has undergone additional training to operate and monitor this plant, as it’s one of the most advanced water treatment plants in the country.

“Along with the equipment from the temporary plant, it contains four membrane trains, dual flocculation clarifiers, solar panels and advanced UV and oxidation treatment systems that treat and keep Auckland’s water safe.

“The materials we didn’t use to build and run the permanent plant are now part of our mobile water treatment system to support temporary works for infrastructure delivery projects or to be used as temporary treatment solutions for our operations team.”

Morkel says the plant was designed with health and safety in mind, with most of the critical infrastructure like cabling and pipes at ground level – reducing the need for people to work at height and spend time on site.

He describes the build as a feat of teamwork: “Everyone went above and beyond to meet the brief.

“I’m proud of this project as it demonstrates technical excellence, collaboration, innovation and exceptional health and safety standards – while bringing tangible relief to the Auckland community.”

Before construction began, it was important for Watercare and its contractor Brian Perry Civil to operate as ‘good neighbours’ with residents, mana whenua (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Te Ākitai Waiōhua, Ngāti Te Ata), and the local community.

“Great effort was put in to establish positive relationships with all stakeholders, who were included and informed on all significant milestones of the project,” Morkel says.

“Our project team also worked hard to minimise disruptions for neighbours, by providing off-site carparking for contractors, keeping to our specified work hours and managing the upkeep of the site and access ways provided by our neighbours.

“Through this process, we’ve also established a design that can be replicated for future projects – reducing design cost and removing other barriers to innovation and action.

“We wouldn’t have been able to deliver this core infrastructure without the teamwork between our people, the Brian Perry Civil team and the crews on the ground – so a huge thank you goes to everyone involved.”

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says any decision about the future of the Regional Fuel Tax (RFT) needs to be made with Auckland Council.

Reacting to the National Party’s announcement that they will scrap the RFT if elected, the Mayor said he supported its removal, but only as part of a plan to replace the revenue with time of use charging.

“Auckland Council relies on the Regional Fuel Tax to deliver sensible transport improvements for Auckland, beyond road maintenance and operating public transport.

“We are using the funding for the Eastern Busway, as well as planned upgrades like Lake Road, Lincoln Road and Glendvar Road. These are at risk if the RFT is dropped without a replacement.

“It will mean more delays to sensible projects to optimise our road network and more potholes,” says Mayor Brown.

If the RFT is removed without replacement, it could leave close to a $2 billion gap in the council’s budget.

“It is time that both major parties learned that they need to work with Auckland on transport and stop dictating to us.

“I look forward to sitting down with the Government soon after the election so we can work on an Integrated Transport Plan for Auckland, which will include consideration of how transport projects in Auckland are funded,” says Mayor Brown.

Source: Auckland Council

Various community and wellbeing support is available to you, including free help with processing home insurance claims, rates relief, temporary accommodation assistance, and wider financial and mental health support.

Free support for processing home insurance claims

If you would like support and advice on your residential home insurance claim, the New Zealand Claims Resolutions Service (NZCRS) can help.  

The NZCRS is a free and independent service that provides residential homeowners with advice, case management support where appropriate and access to legal, technical and wellbeing services to help them achieve timely, fair and enduring resolution of their residential insurance claims resulting from natural disasters.   

They are there to help whether you’re unsure of what your insurer is telling you or have specific questions about either your insurance policy or the process that will be followed to settle your claim.

Do your homework before accepting a settlement.

NZCRS Director, Darren Wright says they are starting to see a flow of settlements being presented to homeowners by insurers, and that it’s important for homeowners to understand their rights and obligations. He says homeowners should ask their insurer who will manage the repair – will your insurer arrange for the repair work to be done, or will you be responsible?

“If you receive a scope of work and payment from your insurer, it’s important to understand this is the insurer’s assessment and an interim payment based on what they believe the repair cost and strategy should be. The homeowner needs to engage their own builder to assess the scope and provide a quote for the repair costs. 

“If your builder’s scope is different from the insurer’s assessment, or the money paid by the insurer is not enough to cover your builder’s quote, then get in touch with your insurer. You should clearly set out what is different and what costs are not included. 

“It’s critically important you don’t incur any costs or agree with your builder on any contract until the insurer has accepted the changes and/or the cost variations. If the insurer is going to carry out the repair, it’s still important to check the scope to make sure you agree with it.”

You can contact NZCRS on 0508 624 327, email contact@nzcrs.govt.nz or visit nzcrs.govt.nz

2023/2024 rates relief – how to apply

Auckland Council recently announced it will be giving a 100 per cent rates relief to all households that are uninhabitable as a result of extreme weather events in the first half of 2023.

We hope this support helps to ease the financial burden for those most severely impacted.

If your house was red placarded as at 30 June 2023, you will receive a 100 per cent rates relief for the full 2023/2024 rating year. A credit will be automatically applied to rates invoices, so you don’t need to do anything. 

Every property has a unique situation, and some yellow and white placarded homes are habitable while others are not. If you believe your home is uninhabitable, then please apply for rates relief using this online form. We’ll assess each application based on your personal circumstances. Please apply by 1 December 2023.

Insurance payments for rental accommodation about to run out?

If you were displaced from your home by the extreme weather events earlier this year, you may be eligible to receive interim financial support if your insurance payments for rental accommodation runs out. 

The payments will commence from 4 September 2023, but those eligible can receive a lump sum payment covering them from as early as 1 June 2023.

If you would like to apply, there are a few steps you need to complete before you can claim the financial support. This includes registering with Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) and putting in an application with Work and Income (WINZ) which opened on Monday 21 August.

To find out how to apply and for more information including about criteria, visit WINZ. You can also read the government’s 19 July announcement on the Beehive website.

Source: Auckland Council

A temporary change to the dog walking rules at the northern end of Snells Beach will help endangered shorebirds roost and breed in safety.

Snells Beach is a hotspot for threatened and at-risk shorebirds and to protect them, Auckland Council’s dog walking rules are changing from 1 September 2023 to 25 March 2024.

During this time dogs are:

• prohibited from all beach and intertidal areas, north of the Sunburst Avenue boat ramp
• permitted on leash on all reserves, north of the Sunburst Avenue boat ramp.

The beach’s northern area is an important habitat for many native shorebird species which include tūturiwhatu/ NZ dotterel, tōrea/variable oystercatchers and kuaka/ bar tailed godwits. New Zealand’s most endangered bird, tara iti or New Zealand fairy tern has also visited over the past five years.

Auckland Council’s Natural Environment Team Manager Andrew Nelson says that local volunteers with support from council staff are working hard to manage threats to these special shorebirds.

“Volunteers spend many hours preparing for the shorebirds’ arrival, safeguarding their habitat and planting wetland and dune areas.

“Every year our most common Artic migrants, the kuaka, fly non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand. After their incredible 11,000 kilometres flight, they roost at high tide marks on the beach’s northern end.

“Our beaches are busy over summer and kuaka are wary and easily spooked by people and dogs. If the birds are disturbed, they fly away but often they don’t have anywhere else to go. It’s that constant interruption which affects their health and ability to rest and feed.”

Signs reminding people of the temporary rule change will be installed along the beach and on adjacent reserves.

Rodney Local Board Chair Brent Bailey says that for the most part, the need for this temporary change to the dog rules is respected by the community.

“When people walk their dogs elsewhere, they don’t disturb the shorebirds, and they support our local volunteers’ conservation efforts.”

Nearby places for dog walking are:

• South of the Sunburst Reserve boat ramp until 30 November, and from 1 December to 1 March before 10am or after 5 pm
• Goodall Reserve (behind Mahurangi East Library)
• Te Whau Esplanade Reserve (Dawson Road end)
• Dawson Road Reserve.

Dog access rules for all other beach and reserve areas south of the Sunburst Avenue Boat ramp are unchanged. These rules can be found in the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2019 document available on the council website.

Any enquiries regarding the temporary change to dog access rules, should be emailed to biodiversity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

How you can help

• Always give shorebirds plenty of space. Make it a habit to walk on the wet sand to avoid disturbing shorebirds and possibly crushing camouflaged nests and eggs.
• Dog owners are expected to know and follow the rules for the areas where they walk their dogs. This information is available on the council website.
• Cat owners are asked to keep cats at home and inside at night to protect the natural environment.
• Volunteer with a local community conservation group or at your local park and for details, visit tiakitamakimakaurau.nz

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Source: Auckland Council

A new project is underway to grow and restore tree canopy, food forests and gardens for a greener future across Mangere.

The Mangere Ngahere Demonstration Project is a Kāinga Ora initiative and aligns with Auckland’s Urban Ngahere Strategy to increase canopy cover to at least 15 per cent in every local board area.

Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board is supportive of the project and provided funding to develop an analysis of tree cover in the area, which spans about 5,200 hectares and is dominated by Te Pane-o-Mataoho (Māngere Mountain), the Manukau Harbour and Tāmaki Estuary.

Chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says, “Given what our community has gone through with the floods and the ongoing changes to the climate this piece of work is very much welcomed by many.” 

As part of the Maangere Ngahere Project, Kāinga Ora partnered with mana whenua, ME Family Services and Uru Whakaaro to create the Nga Hau o Maangere Ngahere Planting Guide.

The recently launched guide will help contribute to increasing environmental and cultural outcomes for the communities of Mangere — connecting nature, people, and place.

Jenny Chilcott, Ngahere Lead for Kāinga Ora says, “We were so pleased to have been guided by the expertise of both Te Ahiwaru and Te Aakatai in shaping this document.”

“The aim is to understand, restore and enrich ngahere in Ngaa Hau o Maangere, connecting taangata (people), whenua (land), wai (water) and te taiao (environment), and recognising the interconnection of health and wellbeing of all.”

ME Family Services Taiao Team Manager Justine Skilling adds, “It’s so amazing to have such a beautiful book that focuses on the taiao of Maangere. We’re so privileged to be part of this project and see this guide as a way that all of us in Maangere can contribute to the maunga to moana regeneration of our ngahere.”

According to Te Ao Māori values and principles, the guide walks the reader through a decision-making process for choosing the right tree for the right spot.

It aspires to be a readily available tool utilised by everyone engaged in efforts to preserve, revitalise, and regenerate ngahere throughout the many landscapes of Ngaa Hau o Maangere.

Officially launched in June 2023, around 60 representatives from the community and contributing organisations came together for kōrero and kai to celebrate the new guide.

The intention is that the guide will be used alongside Auckland Council, the community and key build and alliance partners to benefit Maangere for years to come.

As part of the larger Maangere Ngahere Demonstration Project, Kāinga Ora is developing frameworks, policies, ways of working and tools for how it can contribute to protecting and enhancing ngahere on all Kāinga Ora properties and the communities it works with.

Ngahere in the Maangere-Otahuhu Local Board Area:

• About 14 per cent of the local board area is public parkland with significant sports parks, including Māngere Centre, Moyle, Walter Massey, Sturges and Seaside parks.

• Large passive reserves include Māngere Domain, celebrated green flag holder Ambury Farm Regional Park and Ōtuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve, which contains pockets of remnant rock forest with karaka, pūriri and tītoki.

• Key biodiversity sites include Ōtuataua, Ambury Farm, Portage Road Reserve, Puketutu Island, and Pūkaki Lagoon.

Map is from the Nga Hau o Maangere Ngahere Guidelines

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