Category: Local Government

Source: Auckland Council

With summer fast approaching, warmer temperatures can bring an increase to pests and odours in the home.

Separating food scraps to put out for kerbside collection or for home composting can seem a bit more challenging, but there are easy ways to beat the summer heat and keep pests and odours at bay.

Prevent pests and odours at home in warmer weather by trying one or more of these tried-and-true tips:

• Pour boiling water over banana skins in the kitchen sink straight after peeling them to kill fruit fly eggs that have hitched a ride.

• Keep vegetable peelings dry. The less moisture the less likely they are to smell and attract flies.

• Throw a handful of baking soda or bokashi zing/bran on top of food scraps.

• Put food scraps in the fridge or freezer (an ice cream container with a lid is the perfect size for this).

If using the kitchen caddy supplied by Auckland Council or another food scraps container for the kitchen, remember to:

• Line the kitchen caddy with Auckland Council pink compostable bin liners – available from retailers and made entirely of cornstarch so safe for home compost.

• Change the bin liners regularly to avoid spills and reduce food odours.

• Empty the kitchen caddy more frequently into the food scraps bin and lock the lid in place.

• Wipe tea tree oil around the lids of the kitchen caddy and food scraps bin to repel flies and other insects.

• Clean the kitchen caddy and food scraps bin regularly – use anti-bacterial spray or dishwashing liquid with water and dry before use.

• Place the food scraps bin in a shady spot – not in direct sunlight.

• Food scraps can be put directly into the food scraps bin, but the liners will help keep pests away if tied up.

Remember to put the food scraps bin out weekly and help continue transforming rukenga kai into renewable energy and fertiliser to grow more kai.

Together, let’s help Auckland reach its goal of being zero waste by 2040.

Source: Auckland Council

Two symbolic characters at the centre of Auckland’s historic Farmers Santa Parade are turning out for the 91^st time, delighting families who will fill the footpaths on Sunday 24 November (rain day 1 December).

The parade may have become bigger and brighter in 91 years, but the philosophy introduced by Farmers founder Robert Laidlaw in 1933 remains the same – a gift of fantasy and fanfare for the children of Auckland.

The star of the show is always Santa himself, but Queen Street has also been a constant presence throughout 91 years in the life of this legendary parade, believed to be one of the most enduring in the southern hemisphere.

Santa and his reindeer.

Queen Street has evolved over the decades. Once it was a four-lane street with narrow footpaths on either side. Now it is a two-lane, plant-filled boulevard hosting a more intimate festive parade.

But the character expected to rival even the longest-serving players is favourite television pup Bluey, who is joining Auckland’s Farmers Santa Parade for the first time. Fans will see the much-adored Bluey in person on her own float in the parade. Bluey and Bingo will later bring their live interactive experience to Santa’s Party at the close of the parade.

Bluey and Bingo on stage.

Deputy Mayor of Auckland, Desley Simpson, will also participate in the parade.

“Every year, the Farmers Santa Parade brings the centre of Auckland to life, filling our city with joy, wonder, and community spirit. It’s a time for families, friends and whānau to come together and welcome the magic of the season.

“This parade is more than an event; it’s a beautiful reminder of the unity and vibrancy that define our Auckland community,” Councillor Simpson says.

A new entrant in the parade this year will be the city centre’s newest elves – a team of community wardens who cast a watchful eye over city centre streets and spaces every day and night. The wardens are from the Auckland Council Community Safety Team, New Zealand Police, Māori wardens, Community Patrols NZ and Auckland Transport.

They will decorate their uniforms with Christmas tinsel for the occasion and walk with their families, accompanying Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson who graces the parade every year waving to the crowds from a vintage car.

After representing New Zealand at the 2024 Olympics, gold medal winning high jumper Hamish Kerr will open the parade as this year’s official grand marshal, leading the vibrant and colourful procession of festive floats.

One float will be constructed entirely of LEGO®, another inspired by K-pop in the shape of a giant pink guitar, and crowds will also witness a Kiwiana caravan float that encapsulates the essence of a Kiwi summer.

Additional funds have been made available this year from Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate, helping bring the delight of the Farmers Santa Parade to the city centre.

Key moments to plan for:

The Farmers Santa Parade attracts around 150,000 spectators, 4,000 participants and over 200 items of Christmas magic over a 1.6km route.

Learn more about the 2024 parade here.

Transport options will be available additionally here. 

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Source: Auckland Council

The Pest-Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society (Pest Free Kaipātiki) is working with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office, helping local communities plan for their recovery. This is part of a series of partnerships in heavily- impacted communities across Auckland. Communities will be supported to develop practical plans, which will include activities and priorities that can be delivered to improve wellbeing and flourishing as they recover. 

More than 230 homes in Beach Haven, Northcote Point and Birkenhead were affected by landslips or flooding last year, with 118 of them having serious access issues.  

While most locals have moved on with their lives, the road to recovery continues for others: some of these homes will never be safe to live in again. 

As affected residents work toward their recovery, Pest Free Kaipātiki has partnered with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office to help coordinate a wider recovery plan for these communities. 

Pest Free Kaipātiki started out from a collection of localised community reserve groups wanting to make a more united impact in restoring and protecting their special places. It is now providing support to 55 reserve and cluster groups in the Kaipātiki area with anything from pest control advice/equipment to guidance on planting natives that reduce landslide risk.  

You might wonder what a pest-free group is doing leading a community conversation about storm recovery.  

“The social and natural environment are both our kaupapa,” says Annie Dignan, Pest Free Kaipātiki’s General Manager. 

“The way we look after the land and water around us has a direct impact on flooding and landslips, and vice versa. And our neighbourhoods really felt the impact of last year’s storms.” 

Healing and resilience through nature  

“I had barely finished mopping out the bottom of my place when we decided to set up a get together for locals at our hub. I will always remember sitting here and seeing people crying and still in shock,” Annie tears up describing the moment.  

“It was a loss on a number of levels – their land, their homes, and the experience they had just had. There is also a big fear of when this will happen again.  

“We knew we had to do something practical. So, we pulled together a taskforce to focus our efforts on remediating one reserve as a start. The turnout was great, and you could see the emotion and processing that was taking place in how hard people were working.  

“Then we started reaching out to a range of other experts and pulled together information relevant to our area about planting for slip stabilisation. We know ground and tree cover is so important.  

“From there we created a guide so that people could plant natives at home to reduce their own landslide risk. We even helped people provide feedback on plans for how council will be responding to coastal hazards and climate change.

“People realised it wasn’t a hopeless situation, that there are things they can do to make a difference the next time a storm comes around.”

Pest Free Kaipātiki’s planting for slip stabilisation guide

Planning a way forward 

Working with the Recovery Office, Pest Free Kaipātiki has been engaging with these communities to help them plan for their recovery. 

“The key question we want people to think about is what the community needs to feel like they are moving forward and flourishing. It’s up to people to shape the outcomes, so the results could be anything really – from physical things and places, to programmes and events.  

“We’ve done a series of in-person events and there will be more opportunities for people to engage and contribute to the recovery plan for their neighbourhoods, including individual and group interviews, workshops, library displays, and online polls. There will even be Mandarin events to engage our growing Chinese community.” 

“So you can participate in whatever way makes sense for you!” 

Engagement for Beach Haven, Northcote Point and Birkenhead recovery plans will continue with Pest Free Kaipātiki’s support until mid-2025. 

Visit Pest Free Kaipātiki’s website to find out how to participate. 

Community recovery planning session in Kaipātiki

Source: Auckland Council

Every year, we send more than 1.6 million tonnes of waste to landfill in Auckland, that’s more than a tonne per person. Of this 30% to 40% is construction and demolition waste, making this our largest waste-stream and therefore our biggest target if we want to reduce waste. By comparison, household waste is only 13% of total waste to landfill.

Auckland has a goal to be zero-waste by 2040. There is much we can do to help us achieve that goal. 

This is one of the reasons Eke Panuku is taking a more sustainable approach to building and development in neighbourhoods where we undertake urban regeneration. This more sustainable approach means we are choosing to deconstruct buildings with the intention of diverting or reducing the waste that goes to landfills. Rather than simply demolishing buildings which are at the end of their lives or no longer needed, we take them apart and reuse and recycle the construction material where possible.

As we do our best work through smart strategic partnerships, our approach requires that our contractors and development partners use specific deconstruction methods for any structures being removed from our development sites. While this requires a bit more planning, it allows us to repurpose a greater amount of material, significantly reducing the waste sent to landfill.

It is sometimes assumed this approach would take more time and would be more expensive. It turns out it’s not.

Auckland Council’s Research and Evaluation Unit (RIMU) undertook a financial cost benefit analysis to test the potential benefits of waste diversion in development projects. After considering a whole raft of factors, such as recouping costs from selling materials from deconstruction sites; avoiding landfill expenses and transportation (of waste materials) costs; avoiding having to purchase new materials for a site (if recycling and reusing), the analysis found that deconstruction essentially breaks even from a cost perspective compared to traditional demolition.

And this doesn’t yet take into account the significantly greater economic, societal and environmental benefits that come from diverting more waste from landfills. The waste diversion options that RIMU analysed showed a likely benefit-cost ratio (BCR) between 2.2 and 2.8, which means for every $1 invested, we get between $2.2 and $2.8 in wider benefits.

A major reason for choosing deconstruction is its reduced environmental impact. The production of new materials and the extraction of raw resources for construction significantly contribute to climate change. By reusing or repurposing materials from deconstructed sites, we embrace a circular economy approach that helps minimise resource use, waste, and emissions.

Over the next six months, Eke Panuku is deconstructing a number of buildings across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to make way for much-needed new development of homes, offices and shops.  

Below is a snapshot of some of these projects. Have a listen to this podcast also for more information.

Northcote

We have started the staged redevelopment of Northcote town centre. To prepare for this, we are working with TROW Group to take apart old buildings that need to make way for the new development. Along with TROW Group, we have teamed up with Wairau Zero Waste Hub and Awataha Marae to re-use deconstruction materials.

Before deconstruction started, reusable items were identified from the old buildings. Some of these materials were then provided to the Zero Waste Hub to sell to the community at reasonable prices. Some other items are finding a new life in community projects – both locally and in the Pacific Islands.

Besides the reusing of material, there is also some great community learning going on too. TROW has a job experience programme, and educational initiatives centred around material reuse, and together with Localised, they invited Awataha Marae to collaborate on the deconstruction trial too. The recycled materials will be used by Awataha Marae’s educational programme to build prefab sleepouts, demonstrating the practical application of sustainability principles in construction and design.

For more information on the award-winning Northcote master plan and how it will shape the future of the town centre, click here.

Northcote deconstruction.

Avondale

We have deconstructed the former Kāinga Ora homes at 10 Racecourse Parade to enable more housing options in Avondale. The Auckland Council group has established a panel of deconstruction companies with a focus on collaboration, bringing larger contractors together with smaller ones.

Green Way Ltd has teamed up with Onehunga Community Recycling Centre (a social enterprise and the first Pasifika / Māori-led community recycling centre in the region) as subcontractors, providing valuable hands-on experience in sustainable practices as they work together to increase waste diversion.

Items such as vehicle shelters, washing lines, fencing and framing timber are being repurposed locally through the recycling centre. Other items such as doors, windows and guttering are also being repurposed. This not only reduces waste but also supports the local economy and fosters a culture of sustainability within the community.

Our commitment to sustainability extends to supporting charities such as PAWS Restart Animal Rescue, based in west Auckland. Garden sheds, pavers, and metal gates from the Avondale deconstruction are being repurposed to create additional dog runs, providing much-needed space for the increasing number of abandoned dogs seeking new homes (over the past year they have rehomed 190 dogs). Additionally, six bathtubs have been donated for use as water troughs and playful splash areas, enhancing the quality of life for the animals in PAWS’ care.

In another example of helping to create a circular economy, we are reusing granite cladding removed from the exterior of the 135 Albert Street Auckland Council office building and turning them into terrazzo pavers. Some of these pavers, which have been stored in the Rosedale waste yards for more than five years, will be used in the upgraded town square outside Te Hono, Avondale’s new library and community hub.

These efforts are part of the wider Eke Panuku regeneration plans to revitalise Avondale through investment to deliver improvements that will serve the community in the future. Click here for more information on our work in Avondale.

Westhaven

Eke Panuku is recycling and reusing materials wherever possible during the upgrade of the Westhaven Marina seawall. The seawall project is being undertaken to protect people, infrastructure and assets from coastal flooding – as experienced during recent weather events in 2023 – but it also offered a great opportunity to repurpose construction material, diverting it from landfill.   

For example, basalt pavers have been repurposed as tree pit edges and integrated into concrete channels. The old timber boardwalk was also removed and sent to the Onehunga Community Recycling Centre. These old timber boards have now been repurposed into a deck!

For more information on our work around Westhaven, click here.

Westhaven Marina seawall deconstruction.

Source: Auckland Council

The city centre’s first regular ReUse Market in 40 years is attracting people from all over Auckland as buyers and sellers.

On the second Sunday of each month, the ground floor of the Victoria Street Carpark becomes a different hive of activity when a diverse group of Aucklanders of all ages and backgrounds come together to sell and swap preloved items.

“The ReUse Market brings together people who are at a stage when they are downsizing or wanting to pass on items they no longer use, young people who love thrifting and everyone in-between,” says ReUse Market organiser Suzanne Kendrick.

Organiser Suzanne Kendrick and fairy helper Phoebe.

“Shoppers range from city centre residents to tourists. We also get a lot of curious people who park their cars in the building on their way to a city event and are pleasantly surprised to discover the market,” she says.

“People love a bargain, but they also love coming across retro things that remind them of their childhood, iconic toys like the Buzzy Bee.”

Vivien, a resident in the city, says she was passing when she saw the bright orange signs for the Reuse Market. She remembers frequent visits to flea markets with her aunts many years ago.

Now with her own extended family, including plenty of grandchildren, Vivien keeps an eye out for toys and bric-a-brac to use as prizes for the games they play at family get-togethers.

“With a large family there are birthdays every month and we like to play games for entertainment. Markets are perfect places to pick up toys and prizes,” Vivien says.

First-time stall holders Jo and Nodoka sell clothes and a wide range of items from their homes.  “We saw spaces to sell from the Reuse Market advertised on social media and decided to give it a try. It’s fun!” says Nodoka.

Like Jo and Nodoka, most stall holders come in from the suburbs to sell or give away second-hand items.  

Jo and Nodoka say selling at the market is fun.

Some, like Lyn, a long-time car-booter, sell items that have been passed onto them. Lyn specialises in preloved, quality linen, clothing, jewellery and homewares.

“I love the affordability and how reuse is catching on, especially amongst young people,” says Lyn.

When ReUse Market organiser Suzanne Kendrick was looking for a space for a central city flea market, her wish list included a space big enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to sell or buy preloved goods, protection from the weather, and ample parking.  It seemed like a tall order, but Auckland Council’s City Centre Place Activation principal Barbara Holloway knew the perfect spot – the ground level of the Victoria Street Carpark.

“We’re continuing to support initiatives like the ReUse Market that bring people into the city centre; it gives people a new reason to come and enjoy this exciting part of town, wander the lanes and rediscover midtown,” says Barbara. 

With support from the city centre targeted rate, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport, the ReUse Market, which launched in March 2024, is now thriving.

And with Christmas around the corner Suzanne wants to see Aucklanders try the latest social trend of ‘buy nothing new’ – at least for some of their gifts. 

“If you’ve got something to sell or give away, or you’re after Christmas gifts, you can make some money, save some money and help the environment,” says Suzanne.

City centre resident Vivien searching for gift prizes.

Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says the ReUse Market is an important initiative for the council to support to help achieve our environmental goals for Auckland.

“The ReUse Market keeps valuable resources out of landfill and aligns with our Zero Waste strategy as we enable Aucklanders to reconsider what they see as waste towards more reuse, repair and repurposing.  

“It’s a great to have a ReUse Market in the city centre, joining the many new and established markets around the region,” she says.

For more information on the ReUse Market events at the Victoria Street Carpark visit ReUse Market.

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Transport and Auckland Council are working together to merge the region’s traffic bylaws into one.

Andrew McGill, Group Manager for Transport Network Planning and Policy at Auckland Transport says there will be no changes to existing traffic rules as a result of this review. The proposal being consulted on is to consolidate the existing rules into one bylaw that covers all traffic issues, to be more efficient, effective and easier to work with.

“The aim is to have all of Auckland’s traffic-related rules in one place instead of spread across three different bylaws.”

“It won’t change how you can currently drive, park and move around Auckland, but it will help make the rules clearer and easier to follow.”

“As with all bylaw reviews, we want to hear from Aucklanders on this proposal and encourage you to give us your feedback.”

The proposal will see the rules in Auckland Transport’s Traffic Bylaw 2012, Auckland Council’s Traffic Bylaw 2015 and traffic rules from the Auckland Council Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw 2013 absorbed into a single new Vehicle Use and Parking Bylaw.

Will this change anything?

This will not change how you can drive, park and move around Auckland.

However, there will be some changes to more easily address issues, such as unpermitted vehicles on beaches and heavy vehicles such as trucks where they are parked unsafely.

This will also allow Auckland Transport to respond more quickly when issues are raised with parking, such as where this causes safety concerns or damages utilities under a berm.

Finally, reviewing the bylaws is an opportunity to remove rules that are no longer needed or that can no longer be enforced by us, such as setting new speed limits which is now controlled by central government’s Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024.

What is a bylaw?

Louise Mason, General Manager for Policy at Auckland Council, explains bylaws are designed to respond to issues that affect local residents.

“Different cities and regions often face issues unique to their local areas. Bylaws are local rules designed to respond to local issues and to reflect the views of the region’s communities.”

“Councils and council-controlled organisations, such as Auckland Transport, create and implement bylaws, but they need input from the public, councillors and local boards to do so. The council’s elected governing body gives the final sign-off on changes to bylaws, which can then be enforced by the police, councils and council-controlled organisations.”

Have your say

You can find out more and have your say on the proposed changes on Auckland Transport’s Have Your Say page from Monday 4 November to Wednesday 4 December 2024. If you’d like to give feedback in person, you can find details of drop-in events here.

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council has appointed Dale Dillicar as a director of Auckland Transport.

This appointment brings the Auckland Transport board to its full complement of eight voting members appointed by Auckland Council. Mrs Dillicar will chair the board’s Finance and Assurance committee.

Councillor Christine Fletcher chaired the selection panel and welcomes Mrs Dillicar to the Auckland Transport board.

“I am delighted to welcome Dale to the board of Auckland Transport. She brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of financial experience that will add a valuable dimension to our board, complementing the talents of our existing members as we continue to deliver long term value for Auckland,” says Cr Fletcher.

The appointment was approved by the Performance and Appointments Committee on 22 October. The committee is responsible for all appointments to the boards of council-controlled organisations, in accordance with the council’s Appointment and Remuneration Policy for Board Members and the Local Government Act.

About Dale Dillicar

Dale is a senior finance executive with over 25 years’ experience across global industries, specialising in financial management, risk governance and operational oversight. She spent 12 years in the UK, where she led senior finance roles that enhanced her expertise in financial operations, treasury management and strategic risk management.

For the past decade, Dale has been with Fonterra, currently serving as General Manager Risk Assurance for Fonterra’s operating office. Previously she was General Manager for Commercial, Category and Innovation where she successfully drove financial performance and cultivated a high-performing team culture.

As a Chartered Accountant and qualified Treasurer, Dale offers deep expertise in governance, financial oversight and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on aligning practices with organisational goals to deliver long-term value.

A born and bred Aucklander, Dale is committed to Auckland Transport’s purpose of a safe, integrated and efficient transport network for the people of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Source: Auckland Council

Ōrākei residents are being asked to give feedback to Auckland Council on its plans to manage risk from coastal hazards and climate change.

The community can help shape these plans by giving feedback on what they value about their coastline, how they use these coastal areas, and what they think should be done to preserve them.

“With our beachside villages, precious wetlands and coastal inlets like Ōrākei Basin and Pourewa Creek, this consultation is extremely important for our local community,” says Ōrākei Local Board chair Scott Milne.

“I encourage you to take a look at the strategies being proposed and take this opportunity to give feedback on the future of our shorelines which are a key aspect of the natural environment in Ōrākei.”

Shoreline Adaptation Plans (SAPs) are documents that cover the ways that Auckland Council manages its coastal land and assets including reserves, coastal defence structures and public facilities over the next 100 years.

The areas covered by the strategy for Ōrākei to Karaka Bay include Ōrākei Basin, Pourewa Creek, and all the bays and beaches from Judges Bay in Parnell to Karaka Bay Beach in Glendowie.

There are 20 SAPs across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland being developed in partnership with mana whenua and guidance from infrastructure providers, technical experts and coastal communities. 

The Draft Adaptation Strategy Report for Ōrākei to Karaka Bay consultation is open now until 18 December 2024. 

How to have your say 

Shoreline Adaptation Plans 

Freepost number 232621 

Private Bag 92300 

Victoria Street West 

Auckland 1142

Saturday 9 November  
Pop-up Session: Mission Bay 

2 – 4pm, Selwyn Reserve, Tamaki Drive

Saturday 9 November  
Pacific Climate Warriors Event: Bridgebuilders Trust   

12:30-3:30pm, St Lukes Church, 130 Remuera Road

Sunday 17 November

Drop-In Session: Auckland Eastern Market 

7am – 1pm, Auckland Netball Centre, 7 Allison Ferguson Drive, St Johns

Friday 22 November  

Drop-In Session: Remuera Library 

10am – 12pm, Somervell Presbyterian Church, 497 Remuera Road

Tuesday 10 December  

Drop-In Session: St Heliers Library 

10am – 12pm, 32 St Heliers Bay Road

For more information on Shoreline Adaptation Plans, check out the council’s website.  

Source: Auckland Council

More than $500,000 has been committed to ecological projects by the Upper Harbour Local Board.

The funding covers a cross-section of projects ranging from community-led ecological projects, construction waste education to industrial pollution prevention and the Waiarohia Stream restoration.

Chair Anna Atkinson says funding to provide an increased level of service in the Albany Library which isn’t needed this financial year has been reallocated to other projects.

“We are fortunate to have a community that is passionate about the environment – enhancing and protecting it, and we can work alongside them to safeguard our special areas,” she says.

“Much of what we have funded is designed to take action this financial year and we remain committed to helping our volunteers lead restoration and conservation efforts in their own communities.”

The Upper Harbour Local Board Local Environmental Work Programme includes:

• Upper Harbour Ecological Initiatives – $264,806

• Waiarohia Stream restoration – $93,500

• Industry Pollution Prevention Programme – $65,115

• Construction Waste Education and Leadership – $41,000

• Local Streams (Sustainable Schools) – $32,000

• Īnanga spawning habitat restoration – $26,000

• Te Ao Māori and community-led conservation – $5,000

Funding for Upper Harbour Ecological Initiatives enables multiple ecological projects to be delivered by the community including pest animal and plant control, implementing the pest management strategy, biodiversity monitoring, and restoration planting on private land which are high value ecological sites.

Local schools can continue the planting programme at Waiarohia Stream which began three years ago. It’s a massive undertaking creating a plant corridor for native birds and insects between Hobsonville and Whenuapai.

Atkinson says, “The plants are doing well but only nine per of the stream edge is planted. This is a long-term commitment, and we have doubled our investment in this project which is going to be great for Whenuapai which has very little tree cover and the goal is 30 per cent tree cover across Auckland.” 

Businesses are being helped to reduce industrial pollution risks to waterways and the Waitematā Harbour. One hundred businesses will be visited in Rosedale and the new industrial area on Hobsonville Road is also part of the programme.

“There are site inspections and practical recommendations for the businesses involved and they also understand what they must do if something goes wrong,” says Atkinson.

With construction and demolition waste the single biggest contributor of waste in Auckland, and the scale of development in Hobsonville, the programme focusses on this area. The construction and demolition waste advisor works with builders and developers to improve site practices and compliance including the installation of silt and security fences.

Read the full report in the Upper Harbour Local Board Meeting agenda on 24 October 2024 at infocouncil.govt.nz (item 12)

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