Category: Local Government

Source: Auckland Council

A significant milestone has been reached as Auckland’s major cultural organisations join forces to tackle long–standing challenges and enhance collaboration. 

The Auckland War Memorial Museum, MOTAT, and Stardome, each operate independently under different outdated laws. These individual arrangements have not encouraged collaboration within the sector or enabled Auckland Council to specify and monitor outcomes to make the most of available funding. 

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Desley Simpson, who has led a political working group to come up with this solution, says agreement has now been reached on how to address these concerns.   

“For years, the council has acknowledged our cultural institutions were set up to work separately and we invested significantly on reports and reviews to try and fix that,” Cr Simpson says. 

“Now, after a lot of time, effort, debate and discussion, we have delivered a way forward. Most importantly, we’ve found an approach that is supported by our wonderful cultural institutions themselves who have been an integral part of this journey.”

The working group’s two-stage solution will address issues identified in external reviews dating back to 2015. Previous discussions have not led to tangible changes to address these, until now.  

Phase one will focus on achieving better outcomes through collaboration, and a newly formed alliance will play a key role in this effort. The new alliance will bring together the Auckland War Memorial Museum, MOTAT, Stardome, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, which owns and operates Auckland Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum and Auckland Zoo, to leverage shared resources and talent. This collaboration will lead to more efficient promotion and programming, coordinated advertising and marketing, and the ability to tell a culturally cohesive Auckland story. 

Phase two will involve updating outdated laws to better support this collaboration and enhance outcomes relative to the council’s funding. 

Cr Simpson says she’s pleased that all her fellow councillors have chosen to support a more sustainable and effective path forward for each of these key cultural institutions that are unique, valued and much loved.  

The council’s Governing Body unanimously agreed to progress the recommendations at its meeting on 26 September 2024.  

Read more about the recommendations here.

Source: Auckland Council

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority will be closing Auckland’s ancestral maunga (mountains) during Guy Fawkes from Saturday 2 November to Tuesday 5 November 2024 to protect them from fires. This will be the sixth consecutive year the Authority has closed the Maunga.

The closures come after a history of devastating fires caused by fireworks on Maungarei / Mt Wellington, Maungawhau / Mt Eden and Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain.

Despite the successful closures in recent years, we continue to identify concerning incidents involving the dangerous use of fireworks and have seen suspicious fires requiring emergency services.

Authority Chair, Paul Majurey explains the need for these measures: “The Tūpuna Maunga are of immense cultural, historical, and spiritual importance, and we have a duty to protect them. The continued threat posed by fireworks is serious, and these closures significantly reduce the risk of fire-related damage during Guy Fawkes”.

The Authority will have security teams patrolling the Maunga throughout the closure period and signage to remind the public of the restrictions.

All Tūpuna Maunga, listed below, will be closed from Saturday 2 to Tuesday 5 November 2024, from 6 pm through to the usual gate opening times.

• Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill

• Maungarei / Mount Wellington

• Maungawhau / Mount Eden

• Maungauika / North Head

• Ōwairaka / Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura / Mount Albert

• Ōhinerau / Mount Hobson

• Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain

• Ōtāhuhu / Mount Richmond

• Pukewīwī / Puketāpapa / Mount Roskill

• Te Kōpuke / Tītīkōpuke / Mount St John

• Takarunga / Mount Victoria

• Te Pane o Mataaho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain

• Te Tātua a Riukiuta / Big King

• Matukutūruru / Wiri Mountain

The Authority will also have security teams located on the Maunga Wednesday 6 November to Sunday 10 November.

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority continues to urge the Government to ban public sales of fireworks.

Paul Majurey says, “As long as fireworks remain available to the public, we have no option but to restrict access to the Maunga to prevent destructive fires and the extensive damage they cause. The Authority, alongside Auckland Council, the SPCA, and numerous other organizations across the country, will keep pressing the Government to tighten restrictions on the public sale of fireworks.

It’s crucial that fireworks are only used in controlled environments, allowing people to enjoy them safely through organized public displays, while reducing the risk to people, property, and our sacred Maunga.”

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council has appointed Brett Ellison and Aaron Hockly as directors of Eke Panuku Development Auckland.

The council sought candidates with experience in the property industry relevant to the governance of Eke Panuku, experience in driving outcomes from board level and the ability to work in regulatory frameworks. Council also sought candidates who would bring expertise in iwi relationships, understanding of Te Ao Māori and tikanga Māori, legal expertise and experience of health and safety.

Councillor Greg Sayers chaired the selection panel and welcomes the appointments.

“I am pleased to welcome Mr Ellison and Mr Hockly to the Auckland Council whanau as two seasoned property professionals with the leadership skills and experience to provide real strength to the Eke Panuku board. They each bring a set of skills that will complement the existing board members and support the good governance of this organisation, with Mr Ellison providing the board with a strong Māori perspective and Mr Hockly bringing legal expertise,” says Cr Sayers.

The appointment was approved by the Performance and Appointments Committee on 24 September. 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 Brett Ellison

Brett is an experienced executive across the iwi commercial sector, having spent over 10 years in senior roles across the Ngāi Tahu Holdings Group and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu – focusing on their seafood and property sector, and Crown relationships and Settlement rights. He was formerly the GM for Business Development at Ngāi Tahu Property which has played a key role in the urban development of Christchurch.

Brett is an Investment Manager with Koau Capital Partners and supports the property activity of various iwi, and acts as investment manager for the Hāpai property collective – an iwi owned and governed property vehicle with a focus across the commercial, development and housing sectors.

Born and bred at Ōtākou, and a graduate (BA, MA) of the University of Otago, Brett has been a director on Rangitāne Holdings, and chairs Te Rūnaka Ōtākou Ltd.

About Aaron Hockly

Aaron Hockly has over 20 years’ experience in financial services, property and law and currently heads up the NZX-listed, Vital Healthcare Property Trust, which owns hospitals and other healthcare facilities across New Zealand and Australia valued at ~$3.2 billion. Originally from New Zealand, Aaron spent 17 years in the UK and Australia until returning in 2018. He was Chief Operating Officer for a large ASX listed property group for ~10 years where he was responsible for strategy, major transactions and investor relations.

Among other qualifications, Aaron has a Masters in Applied Finance and a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland. He is a Fellow of both Governance New Zealand and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors (NZ) and a member of INFINZ.

Aaron has served on the boards of several charities in both New Zealand and Australia and is currently a member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel.

Source: Auckland Council

Protection of a vulnerable stretch of popular Ōrewa Beach is underway with construction due to start soon on an erosion-preventing seawall and walkway. 

Auckland Council is pleased to announce that the contract has been awarded for the construction of the Ōrewa walkway and seawall to JFC Limited as our construction contractors.

The Ōrewa walkway and seawall is a 600m-long seawall and shared path in Ōrewa, between Marine View and Kohu Street as well as a shared space at Kinloch Reserve.

Through value engineering (a thorough process that ensures value for money without compromising on function) and robust negotiation, the tender has been awarded for approximately $12.5M – which is under the estimated cost to construct and within the council’s allocated budget.

Ward Councillor John Watson emphasises the importance of Ōrewa beach not only to the local community but also to the wider region.

“Ōrewa Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the entire Auckland region. Its year-round attraction means it’s always in high use by the community. It’s one of the jewels in the crown of the Hibiscus Coast.

“The Ōrewa walkway and seawall is a multi-million-dollar investment into managing the impacts of coastal erosion to a much-loved area. I’m pleased that we’re in a position to move forward with this next phase and the steps that were taken to deliver the project under budget without compromising on essential aspects.”

Along with the seawall and shared pathway, the project includes planting along the walkway and in Kinloch and Kohu Street Reserves, inground lighting, three ramps and five sets of stairs to improve access to the beach. The design has also sought to minimise impact to trees and protect the pōhutukawa trees near the marine reserve.

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chairperson Alexis Poppelbaum says that the local board is pleased that construction of the seawall is about to begin.

“We have supported the seawall project for a very long time, and it’s been through quite a process, going all the way up to Environment Court. Ōrewa Beach faces several challenging erosion issues with this narrow section of the beach which is at the highest risk of progressive erosion.

“Our community and visitors need access to the beach and the shared walkway will improve access for a range of people wanting to enjoy the beach,” says Chairperson Poppelbaum.

About the Ōrewa walkway and seawall

Ōrewa Beach has several challenging erosion issues. It is one of Auckland’s highest priority at-risk coastal areas. The aim of the Ōrewa seawall is to manage the impacts of erosion, while maintaining access along and onto the beachfront.

The Environment Court granted resource consent for the seawall in August 2020. This was achieved with funding from Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s One Local Initiative. Construction was delayed due to COVID-19 and funding challenges.

“It’s great to be at this point and awarding the contract for what will be a monumental project for Ōrewa,” says Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council General Manager Parks and Community Facilities.

“Over the last few months, we have been discussing aspects of the design with JFC Limited (JFC), negotiating the tender price, agreeing the programme and staging of work. Our thanks to the community for their patience as we’ve gone through this necessary process.

“Thanks to value engineering and negotiations, procurement will be within the budget approved through the Long-term Plan as demonstrated by the final tender amount. Despite delays, we are still planning to complete the project before the end of 2025 as originally planned.”

“We acknowledge and appreciate the involvement of Ngāti Manuhiri in the project. We’re excited to be finalising the design of mahi toi elements including stencils etched into the concrete walkway.”

Our contractors, consultants and council staff will also attend a cultural induction led by Ngāti Manuhiri, prior to construction starting.

Next steps

Construction will begin in October 2024 on the stage between Kohu Street and Kinloch Reserve. Work will stop prior to Christmas and recommence in March 2025 to avoid construction activity on the beach and in front of properties over the Christmas and summer holiday period.

Extent of the works – courtesy Tonkin & Taylor

In the next couple of months, you can expect to see our contractors establishing their site compound on Kinloch Reserve and installing fencing.

While part of Kohu Street will also be fenced during the construction period, there’ll still be access to residential properties and the beach.

Keep in touch

Quarterly project updates are planned as the walkway and seawall project progresses. If you would like to receive the project newsletter, please email: orewaseawall@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

For further information about the project and to view previous editions of the newsletter, please visit our website.

Source: Auckland Council

A promising discovery has been made in a forested area of Auckland’s Puketāpapa – in the form of a “significant” population of ornate skinks. 

As ornate skinks are highly vulnerable to rat and hedgehog predation, their survival in Puketāpapa is in part thanks to years of pest control work from Auckland Council and volunteers. 

Throughout 2023 and 2024 an Auckland Council contractor carried out a survey of the skink and gecko populations across the Manukau coastal reserves network in the Puketāpapa Local Board area, for Auckland Council. 

The survey found that the reserves have a “significant” population of ornate skinks (Oligosoma ornatum). The survey also found the reserves potentially hold a “locally, if not regionally, significant population” of the rare species of indigenous skink. 

The Puketāpapa Local Board have played an important role in this success story – fully funding the survey and pest control work. 

Local Board Chair Ella Kumar says she’s thrilled with the discovery of the ornate skink population. 

“It’s extremely heartening to know that a significant population of ornate skink has been found in Puketāpapa, especially as the species is classified as At Risk – Regionally Declining. 

“It’s great to see the conservation efforts paying off for a forested area much loved by the local community. 

“This area is one of the largest pockets of bush in the Auckland isthmus, so it’s important that we look after it and try and preserve and enhance its biodiversity.” 

The coastal reserves provide a connected forested corridor along the Manukau foreshore from the Waitākere Ranges to State Highway 20 and are likely to form an important corridor for fauna species, such as the ornate skink. 

The significance of the ornate skink population was based on comparisons with other known populations in Auckland. 

Taryn Crewe, General Manager Parks and Community Facilities, praised the conservation efforts of those involved. 

“Protecting and helping boost endangered species is essential for healthy biodiversity across Auckland Council’s parks and reserves. 

“Pest management initiatives across the region, such as this, play a critical role in conservation efforts in Tāmaki Makaurau. 

“The discovery of a significant population of ornate skinks is testament to the mahi put into pest control by volunteers from the community and council staff.” 

Reptiles are declining in New Zealand. They play an important part in the natural ecosystem in terms of pollination, seed dispersal and to fulfil their roles as prey and predator in the food web. 

Keeping your cat well fed and indoors at night can help limit their impact on local skink and bird populations. Selecting breeds of companion cats that are happier indoors, such as rag doll breeds, can also help protect native species.  

Ornate skinks can be identified by a white or yellowish teardrop shaped markings edged with black, below each eye. 

If you see a lizard, you can report it to the Department of Conservation’s Amphibian and Reptile Distribution Scheme (ARDS).   

There will be more survey work across the same reserves network that will improve knowledge of the area’s lizard populations and inform ongoing conservation work. 

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council has a strong message for Aucklanders as the latest Animal Management Annual Report figures are revealed: if you can’t commit to caring for a dog properly, please do not get one.

The appeal comes as new data shows Animal Management staff responded to a staggering 37,558 requests for service in FY23/24 – the highest number to date and a 13 per cent increase on the previous year.

The report also shows rises in dog-related incidents across the board, including a 19 per cent increase in roaming complaints, a 14 per cent increase in dog attacks on people and a 19 per cent increase in attacks on other animals. Worryingly, welfare-related complaints saw an 80 per cent increase on the previous year.  

Animal Management Manager, Elly Waitoa, says it’s clear that many people are struggling to look after their dogs properly.

“What we have seen over the past year is that fewer Aucklanders are getting their dogs desexed or registered, they’re not socialising them properly and not keeping them contained to their properties. As a result, we’re seeing higher numbers of aggressive dogs out roami­­ng the streets and putting the public, other animals and themselves at risk.

“Our plea to Aucklanders is that if you are thinking of getting a dog, please carefully consider whether you are ready for this responsibility. A dog can be a wonderful companion, but love alone is not enough to keep a dog happy, healthy and out of trouble.”­­

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More dogs impounded, fewer collected

There were 8306 dogs impounded across the council’s three animal shelters in FY23/24 – an increase of 26 per cent on the previous year, when shelters were already operating near capacity.

In the same period, the rate of impounded dogs claimed by their owners within the seven-day holding period hit a 10-year low at just 43 per cent.

“Shelter staff work hard to find homes for unclaimed dogs that pass temperament tests, but a high number of dogs coming through our shelters have behaviour issues that mean they are not safe for rehoming,” says Elly.

“This, combined with the sheer number of dogs going unclaimed has sadly meant more dogs have been euthanised than in previous years.”

Proactive response

Despite the challenges, Animal Management continue to do all they can to keep Aucklanders safe from dog-related harm.

As well as responding to hundreds of complaints every day, the unit created a new proactive team last year which carries out daily patrols around schools and other high-risk areas. The proactive team also has a strong focus on education, regularly giving presentations around dog safety and responsible dog ownership at schools, libraries and community events.

To help promote the adoption of unclaimed dogs and ease capacity pressure on the three current shelters, work to open an additional shelter in early 2025 is underway. 

Elly says that while Animal Management is working hard to stay on top of rising dog-related issues, they need all Aucklanders to start being part of the solution.

“It’s not just dog owners, but non-dog owners as well. If you see that your neighbour or whānau member is letting their dog out to roam, or they’re not supervising it around young children, call them out on it. If you witness a dog attacking a person or other animal, report it to the council before it happens again. It’s only when we all come together that we’re going to be able to turn this trend around.”

Councillor thanks staff

Chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, Josephine Bartley, says Animal Management staff deserve praise from Aucklanders for their dedication to an incredibly tough job.

“The role of keeping Aucklanders safe from harm is getting harder every year for our Animal Management officers and shelter staff. Not only are they under huge pressure to respond to complaints and find room in our shelters, but they are often abused by the public for carrying out their work.

“Despite the challenges, they remain committed to their job and are always looking at new ways they can help to address Auckland’s dog problems. I would like to commend and thank all Animal Management staff members for their efforts.”

Read the full Animal Management Annual Report 2023-2024. 

Source: Auckland Council

The Te Wero Wynyard Crossing Bridge has been closed since March 2024 to undergo a significant programme of preventative maintenance works.

Work on the bridge is making good progress, with a return to full service on track for December 2024.

Stay connected and informed. Sign up for our Wynyard Crossing Bridge maintenance newsletter to receive updates on bridge maintenance, special announcements, and exclusive insights by email. Click here to sign up.

What is happening in October 2024?

Throughout October the project team’s focus will be on the massive job of reassembling and reinstating the disassembled bridge parts.

The engine rooms, lifting spans and back spans, which were relocated to a work-site on Wynyard Wharf, have been refurbished and are almost ready to be reinstalled. High-pressure water and abrasive blasting revealed the full extent of the corrosion, and extensive repairs along with new protective coatings are almost complete and will ensure the structural reliability of the bridge into the future.

Additionally, works have been underway on the steel structural parts of the bridge located in the harbour that couldn’t be removed, with the team working around the tides and wind conditions to access these areas to make any necessary repairs and apply a new protective coating.

The main contractor HEB Construction will be redeploying their jack-up barge (JUB) in and around Viaduct Marina at various times through October as these parts are returned. It’s expected it will take around five weeks before all the steel parts that form the ‘skeleton’ of the bridge are back in place, ready for the next stage as the bridge is prepared to return to service in December 2024.

Once these pieces are secured, the bridge spans will be winched to an upright position in line with the resource consent to allow free passage for marine traffic while it’s being recommissioned.

Where possible, the mechanical and electrical works required to return the bridge to service have been underway. However, it’s important to note that while the bridge will, from a visual perspective, look like it’s ready for public use again once the structural parts are back in place, there is still a considerable amount of on-site mechanical and electrical work to be completed and tested as part of the commissioning.

Most of this work will happen in November. We’ll have more updates on that and other activity at the beginning of next month. In the meantime, the popular ‘Red Boats‘ ferry service will continue to operate seven days a week and as well as being a handy way to get across from the Maritime Museum to the Viaduct Events Centre, will also offer those interested a great view and perspective of the team working on the structural refit.

Background

The Te Wero Wynyard Crossing Bridge, an important link between Auckland City Centre and the Wynyard Quarter, has been closed to the public since March 2024 to undergo a significant programme of preventative maintenance works.

This includes a full overhaul of old mechanical and electrical parts, sand-blasting and remedying steelwork and applying new protective coatings. At the completion of the physical works, a thorough commissioning process and acceptance tests will be conducted to ensure the bridge is reliable and safe for public use.

While the works are carried out, the bridge will remain closed to pedestrians. When the spans are in place, but the bridge is out of operation, the spans legally have to remain upright to allow free access to marine traffic, a condition of the bridge’s resource consent.

Because of the complexity of this project and the nature of the works, a date for the bridge to reopen to the public is still to be confirmed. As the project team get further through the programme and gain more certainty around remaining tasks, they will be able to more accurately specify a completion date.

There are two work programmes underway – structural, i.e. the physical bridge itself, and mechanical and engineering (M&E), i.e. everything needed to operate the bridge.

These programmes have been running concurrently and will soon start integrating fully as we enter the final phases of this large, complex project and the bridge is reinstalled in Wynyard Quarter.

The return of the physical structures, including the spans and engine rooms, will allow specialist technicians to begin the works to reanimate the bridge. So while it might look like it’s back and should be open, there will be a lot going on behind the scenes for the recommissioning in December to ensure long-term durability and reliability.