Category: Local Government

Source: Auckland Council

Aucklanders have had their say on the 2025/2026 Annual Plan, with more than 13,000 pieces of feedback received during the recent consultation, and council hearing from individual Aucklanders, groups and organisations.

This continues a trend of increased engagement with Auckland Council plans in recent years, with the latest feedback coming from a wide range of Aucklanders by age, ethnic group and parts of the region.

The consultation, held in March, invited all Aucklanders to share their views on Auckland Council’s proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026.

The draft plan focuses on delivering the second year of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 and included an opportunity to consider the funding of events and destination marketing, and the priorities of local boards.

The feedback shows support for the overall plan, including the bed night visitor levy concept and extending the refuse targeted rate to Franklin and Rodney areas. Feedback on each local board’s priorities will also be shared with those boards.

Mayor Wayne Brown said submissions showed a majority support for the overall direction of the council’s annual plan.

“This tells me that we’re on track with delivering what we said we would in the LTP. We are investing in every area we said we would while keeping rates as low as possible. In fact, the lowest for any metropolitan city in New Zealand.”

Overall, the Annual Plan 2025-2026 consultation showed – of those individuals who addressed the plan overall – that 27 per cent support all of the proposed plan; 45 per cent support most of the plan; 15 per cent did not support most of it; 7 per cent do not support any of the plan and 6 per cent don’t know.

A possible bed night visitor levy to help fund destination marketing and events was supported by 60 per cent of individuals who responded on the issue; 27 per cent did not support it; and 13 per cent submitted ‘other’ or ‘don’t know’.

The majority of organisations and Māori which responded on the bed night visitor levy also supported it.

Budget Committee chair Greg Sayers says it is great to see such a wide range of Aucklanders getting involved in giving feedback.

“It’s positive to see Aucklanders taking the time to read our plans and give feedback on the aspects that are important to them. That can now be included in the decision-making process,” said Mr Sayers.

“The feedback is a good representation of our communities – participation was spread across our local board areas and demographics, such as age and ethnicity.

“While the Annual Plan 2025/2026 is all about delivering on the second year of our long-term plan, with no significant changes to investment or services, we wanted to check in with all Aucklanders to ensure the plan and priorities are on the right track.

“We had 13,000 pieces of feedback, which is our second highest for an annual plan and the highest ever for the first year after a long-term plan. It’s the equivalent population of Oamaru or Te Awamutu having their say.”

General feedback provided

Many Aucklanders also took the opportunity to provide general feedback on other issues on their minds.

Extending the refuse targeted rate to Franklin and Rodney saw 57 per cent of individuals who responded on this issue supporting it, 21 per cent not in support and 22 per cent submitting ‘other’ or don’t know.  The rate funds waste collection in most local boards.

Many individual submitters in support of the overall plan offered additional feedback. Of those, 24 per cent of those individuals who submitted in favour of the overall plan and provided a comment cited the need for improved public transport and its funding; 19 per cent shared concerns on rates increases; and another 19 per cent highlighted the need to invest in core infrastructure.

Organisations emphasised fairer community funding (including support for the fairer funding model for local boards and concerns about its redistributive effects), investment in infrastructure, and suggested greater community involvement in planning for the annual plan.

So what’s in the proposed annual plan?

The plan sets out the council’s proposed services and investments for the 2025/2026 year and how Auckland Council intends to pay for these, including a 5.8 per cent rates increase for the average value residential property, which is in line with the long-term plan.

Feedback was also sought on major events and destination marketing for the region. To help cover a shortfall in funding that was outlined in the long-term plan, the council has been seeking a bed night visitor levy.  The levy would meet the shortfall and fund even more destination management, marketing and major events activities in Auckland.

A fairer funding approach will begin to be phased in for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 to enable local boards to better respond to their communities, by addressing funding imbalances between the 21 local boards. Each local board’s priorities for the year were included in the Consultation Document.

Proposed changes to targeted rates, fees and charges were set out in the consultation. This included extending the targeted rate for refuse to Franklin and Rodney. There are also some changes for fees relating to additional council services, such as dog adoption, cemetery and cremation, and bach fees.

Information on the Annual Plan 2025/2026 is available at akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan.

The council’s Budget Committee and Governing Body will consider the Annual Plan in May and June, with the plan to be implemented for the financial year beginning July 1.

Consultation feedback

Summary of statistics:

• 13,016 pieces of feedback:

  • 3001 at in-person events
  • 222 organisations
  • 13 mana whenua
  • 9 other Maori entities.

• 9006 individual responses on the overall plan:

  • 27% support all of the proposed plan
  • 45% support most of the plan
  • 15% do not support most of the plan
  • 7% don’t support any of the plan
  • 6% don’t know.

• 131 organisation responses on the overall plan:

  • 15% support all of the proposed plan
  • 66% support most of the plan
  • 12% do not support most of the plan
  • 2% don’t support any of the plan
  • 5% don’t know.

• 13 mana whenua responses on the overall plan:

  • 2 support all of the proposed plan
  • 3 support most of the plan
  • 2 did not support most of the plan
  • 6 did not provide a clear stance on the plan overall.

• 9 Maori organisations’ responses on the overall plan:

• 6 support all of the proposed plan
• 3 support most of the plan
• 3 did not provide a clear stance on the plan overall.

Source: Auckland Council

From late April to December 2025, parts of Hayman Park in Manukau will be temporarily closed for work to further enhance its green spaces.

This will finish the full upgrade of the park and go well with the much-loved playground, which was upgraded in 2023.

Upgraded Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park playground, completed in 2023. Image: Eke Panuku.

Once a thriving wetland that filtered water before it reached Waipuhinui (Puhinui Stream), and the Manukau Harbour, Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park was a vital hub for native fish, birds, insects, and plants.

Working alongside Te Ākitai Waiohua, Ngaati Tamaoho, and Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters and flood resilience teams, the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and Eke Panuku Development Auckland are bringing this natural taonga (treasure) back to life. Rejuvenating the land and its ecosystems, preserving it as a thriving, living space for future generations.

The Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park Wetland project is a part of the Puhinui Regeneration Strategy, this project is led by Eke Panuku and proudly supported by the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.

Manukau Ward Councillor Lotu Fuli says, “This incredible project, over a decade in the making, would not be possible without the hard work of our Mana Whenua, Eke Panuku, Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience, the design team, and the wider Auckland Council whānau. A special thanks to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board for their ongoing advocacy and leadership. As we restore the land to its original wetland form, we ask for the community’s patience and understanding. Some areas of the park will be closed, so please respect the barriers for safety during this important work.”

Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park Repo (wetlands) project will rejuvenate the land and its ecosystems – keeping Manukau’s green heart healthy for future generations. Image: Eke Panuku.

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia adds, “Currently there is a stagnant dead pond located on the park. It serves no purpose. Under this project, the wetlands will be revived, and we hope a habitat for our flora and fauna to live and thrive in. This is whakaoranga – bringing back to life.”

A whakaawatea karakia (blessing) in action. Image: Eke Panuku.

Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park holds deep cultural significance, particularly for local iwi Te Ākitai o Waiohua, Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, and Ngaati Tamaoho.

A stunning shot of the whakaawatea karakia (blessing). Image: Eke Panuku.

Richard Davison, Priority Location Director at Eke Panuku says “This project has been a long time in the making, and it’s incredibly special to see it come to life. Hayman Park has always been the green jewel at the heart of Manukau, and now we’re helping it shine even brighter.”

From the park to the Auckland Botanic Gardens and beyond, new walking and cycling connections are being strengthened, along with deeper ties to nature.

Artist impression of the revived wetlands at Manu-kau Noa Iho. Image: Eke Panuku.

Why does this work need to be done?

Manu-kau Noa Iho / Hayman Park’s stormwater ponds were originally built in 1975 as part of the former Manukau City Council’s development of the city centre.

Over time, issues with sediment build-up, bank stability and litter have begun to cause problems with the ponds. It was agreed that a natural treatment process in the form of a wetland and installing a litter-capturing device would deliver the most effective solution for a cleaner, healthier environment.

What features are planned?

• A new repo (wetland) filled with native planting and rich in wildlife habitat that will improve water quality before it flows into Te Puhinui and the Manukau Harbour

• Replacing the existing ornamental pond with a new grass area for people to rest, enjoy or that can be activated through small events

• Build wider footpaths, boardwalks, and viewing platforms to help people reconnect with nature.

These features will help to clean stormwater before it flows into the Puhinui Stream and Manukau Harbour.

A nice view of the park featuring a calm pond area. Image: Eke Panuku.

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Source: Auckland Council

Advocates for living roofs, those lush, plant-covered patches of green on our city buildings, have long championed these slices of eco-paradise in our urban jungle. Now, thanks to a pioneering project between Auckland Council and the University of Auckland, we have the data to prove their value.

The Living Roof Monitoring project was launched to assess how well these verdant rooftops perform compared to conventional ones. After months of careful monitoring, the results highlight their effectiveness as a sustainable urban solution.

Stormwater superstars

Auckland Council’s Senior Healthy Waters Specialist Rachel Devine highlights the global success of integrating nature into urban infrastructure. She explains that planting vegetation on rooftops is one of the ways that cities can effectively absorb rainfall, reduce flooding and mitigate the stormwater network from becoming overwhelmed.

“But now, having the local data to back this up gives us context that is relevant to Auckland’s climate and environment,” Ms Devine says.

University of Auckland Professor Asaad Shamseldin who leads the research with Dr Kilisimasi Latu and Dr Conrad Zorn, is pleased with the robust dataset collected by the team’s PhD students Aung Naing Soe and Sihui Dong, which focuses on assessing the benefits of plants over conventional coverings on rooftops.

Their findings show living roofs significantly reduce stormwater runoff, with some substrate types retaining nearly 80 per cent of rainfall, even during heavy downpours. And that almost every drop is retained in light rainfall, demonstrating the excellent absorption potential of these gardens.

Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee Councillor Richard Hills says the findings of this research are very promising for roof gardens, helping to prevent flooding and water pollution in built-up urban areas like the inner city. 

“This preliminary research indicates that if we could retrofit roof gardens all over Auckland’s city centre it would not only enhance our place as a clean green city on the global stage but would also be a viable aid in reducing heat and help prevent or reduce flooding in parts of the city centre.

“It would also make the city look more beautiful for residents in high rise apartments, staying in hotels or working in offices and provide tangible environmental benefits, including providing habitats for native plants and birds.

“Stormwater run-off in the city centre also contributes to the pollution of the Waitematā and the Hauraki Gulf, and these findings point to roof gardens curtailing much of this run-off into our precious oceans and harbours.

Nature’s air conditioner: cooling our concrete jungles

Professor Shamseldin adds it is important to remember living roofs aren’t just about stormwater management; they are also very effective at keeping things cool.

“When urban temperatures rise, green roofs act like nature’s air conditioners,” says Professor Shamseldin.

In Auckland’s hottest months, when temperatures can exceed 25°C, the data shows living roofs lower rooftop surface temperatures by an impressive 32 per to 56 per cent. The research even uncovered a surprising ally in urban cooling: the wind.

“During the day, sea breezes help cool green roofs and delay peak temperatures, while at night, city-to-sea winds help reduce the temperature difference between green and conventional rooftops,” explains Associate Professor Shamseldin.

This translates to tangible energy savings for buildings and a potential reduction in the Urban Heat Island effect – truly, a breath of fresh air from above.

A living legacy: onshore islands

The pilot study was inspired by Auckland’s Central City Library living roof, a project developed in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei that was launched five years ago.

Featuring over 2,000 hardy native plants, the roof reflects a shared commitment to enhance urban biodiversity and live in harmony with te taiao (the natural world).

Native grasses flourishing in the Auckland Central Library living roof.

“Kaupapa like this green roof are examples of cultural infrastructure, they integrate nature into our cities and allow us to actively elevate the mauri of our taiao,” says Etienne Neho of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

Greener cities, smarter cities: a vision for the future

This collaboration already has the potential to influence Auckland’s future. By providing policymakers and urban planners with data, the project can inform smarter, greener development decisions that enhance urban environments.

“If we want to create a sustainable, healthy city, one that future generations can enjoy – working with nature is a must,” adds Ms. Devine.

“These results prove what we’ve long suspected: nature-based solutions can help our journey towards becoming a more sustainable and resilient city.”

The research team continues to monitor additional biodiversity benefits, and more updates will follow as the data flourishes. Although urbanisation and climate change present numerous challenges, one thing is certain, working with nature is a positive step towards a healthier urban environment.

Source: Auckland Council

After 48 years and many career highlights, Auckland Council’s Manager of Auckland Botanic Gardens Jack Hobbs is stepping down.   

Jack’s connection to the gardens goes right back to its beginning when, as a young recruit, he helped shape the Manurewa grounds into a public botanical garden for its official opening in 1982.

Director of Community Rachel Kelleher says that while many Aucklanders will certainly be sad to see Jack go, he has achieved the extraordinary vision of helping transform what was originally farmland into the beautiful gardens and thriving visitor attraction that it is today.

“Under Jack’s leadership, the gardens have grown into a world-leading showcase where the focus is not only on plants but also people, with its exceptional collections attracting more than 1 million visitors of all ages each year,” Rachel says.

“Jack is unique in his approach to horticulture because of his ability to connect with people and inspire them to learn more about why plants are so important. For as long as I can remember, he has worked hard to welcome new visitors into the gardens by making their experience more meaningful,” she says.

Manager of Visitor Services, Micheline Newton, says Jack’s departure will leave large shoes to fill for the Gardens’ team and for supporters like the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens.  

“Nobody knows the gardens as well as Jack does, and his vision and leadership are evident everywhere you go. We are all proud to have worked alongside him and learnt so much,” says Micheline.

“Though we can never replace the depth and breadth of Jack’s 48 years of experience, he leaves behind a team of passionate and skilled people who will continue his legacy and vision to connect Aucklanders to the wonderful world of plants.”

Mid-way through his career, Jack made the bold move of establishing sustainable horticultural practices at the gardens that reduced the need for spraying. This represented a major shift in direction at the time and kept the wellbeing of visitors and staff as a priority.

“I am proud of the work we achieved to stop the use of pesticides on our plants. It was controversial 25 years ago but thanks to the team’s commitment, it has now become almost mainstream,” Jack says.

A few years later, Jack advocated for an education centre to be built and fought hard to get the Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre and café across the line, which has become an incredibly popular destination for people to connect.

Similarly, he pushed to get the Potter Children’s Garden established, which now provides thousands of students with the opportunity to learn how humans, plants, animals and insects are inter-connected in our environment. 

Jack says the decision to leave a job he loves so much has been tough, but the timing feels right following another two major highlights of his career.

“It’s been such a privilege to be involved in the opportunity to acquire the Nathan property adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, followed by Rosemary Platt’s offer to donate her 14 acres of land in Greenhithe complete with the most significant collection of trees I have encountered,” he says.

Over the years, Jack has earned huge respect as a horticulturist internationally and won multiple awards for plant breeding, with his star performers from the Wiri species now established around the world.

He’s starred in various television gardening programmes and published books, sharing his extensive knowledge far and wide. He developed a pivotal connection with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens and ensured this relationship was prioritised by all staff.

In keeping with this approach, Jack is quick to acknowledge the many talented staff who have supported along the way.

“Most of all I am proud of the passionate and dedicated teams we have at the Botanic Gardens and the Domain who have a common vision to connect people with plants, and who work so hard to deliver great experiences for our visitors,” Jack says. “I feel privileged to have been part of such a great bunch.”

Source: Auckland Council

Sometimes to uncover Auckland’s past, you need to dig deep. Just ask Chris Mallows, Team Leader Cultural Heritage Implementation in Auckland Council’s Heritage Unit. He’s part of a team of archaeologists unearthing the fascinating history of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Auckland’s rich and varied landscape – encompassing coastland, forest, wetlands, maunga and volcanic fields – mirrors the diverse heritage of the people who have settled here since around the 14th century. With Archaeology Week running from 3-11 May, it’s the perfect time to acknowledge the groundbreaking work of archaeologists who help further our knowledge of our region’s past.

Archaeology is the study of past human societies through the analysis of material culture, including artefacts or the remains of buildings.

“Archaeologists look at the physical evidence that’s left behind and interpret how people lived and worked in the past,” explains Chris.

In Tāmaki Makaurau, archaeological work could involve everything from protecting maunga and Māori pā settlement sites, preservation of the Wilson Cement Works in Warkworth or uncovering artefacts from the former Queen Street Gaol that was on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets from 1841-1865.

“During an archaeological excavation, we’re always finding something new and expanding our understanding of how people lived in that specific area,” says Chris.

Auckland Council’s archaeologists work on a range of projects including preservation work, providing advice on heritage sites and as well as reviewing on resource consent applications around areas with scheduled heritage sites.

While fictional archaeologist Indiana Jones’ favourite tool was his whip, in reality archaeologists are more likely to be armed with a trowel. Excavating can be physically demanding and painstaking work, as archaeologists work carefully to uncover artefacts without damaging anything in the process. The sharp edge of the trowel is used to meticulously unearth fragile items, such as ceramics, from the earth.

“Buying your first trowel is a bit like a rite of passage”, says Chris, who still has his first William Hunt and Sons trowel he received as a fledgling archaeologist in the UK.

Archaeologists use trowels to carefully unearth artefacts without damaging any fragile parts. Chris Mallows still has his WHS trowel from his first excavation in the UK.

“When you’re a field archaeologist, a trowel is the first tool you’ll ever get. It helps you excavate the small features in a controlled manner. For example, if you’re on a European-era site in Auckland dating from the 1860s or 1870s, you may use a trowel to find glass, ceramics, animal bones or other remnants that people were eating.”

Other tools include sieves for sorting very small remnants, measurement tools for mapping out a site and a “good old fashioned spade and shovel”, Chris adds.

While traditional excavation tools are still part of the work of an archaeologist, there have been a number of digital advances that make this work a little easier. Auckland Council’s archaeologists have access to LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. This technology uses laser light pulses emitted from a drone or plane to create three-dimensional maps of the environment.

“LiDAR uncovers things that were previously hidden by the landscape. For example, on farmland, LiDAR has uncovered pits hidden by long grass which were later revealed to be kūmara pits (rua),” says Chris.

Another modern tool is photogrammetry, a process of creating a 3D model of an artefact or structure using a series of overlapping photographs.

Chris uses photographic scales to measure the site.

“Photogrammetry is a great tool and allows our communities to see artefacts and heritage sites really easily,” says Chris. “Even if you can’t physically gain access to the artefacts – they may be a museum, for example, or you may not be able to travel to these sites – having photogrammetry allows anyone to look at them. It’s a really good tool for the future.”

There have been a number of notable archaeological discoveries in Auckland, but one that sticks out to Chris is the Sunde Site on Motutapu Island. In 1958, archaeologist Rudy Sunde discovered what has since been spoken of as ‘New Zealand’s Pompeii’ when he found artefacts from a pre-European kainga (village).

Later, in 1981, University of Auckland archaeologist Reg Nicol uncovered footprints of eight people and one dog beneath a layer of ash from Rangitoto Island. This is evidence that mana whenua living on or near Motutapu witnessed the eruption of Rangitoto in around 1400 CE.

“What I find fascinating about this site is you have evidence of somebody going about everyday life and then you’ve got a volcanic eruption happening, and we can only wonder what that experience was like,” says Chris. “There’s a clear timeline of the eruption and you can see the people adapting to the changing climate because of the natural disaster.”

Through archaeology, we can learn from the past and see how people adapted to change and use this to understand how we adapt to change in the future.”

“Recent damage to an Auckland park by treasure hunters highlights why our heritage needs protecting”, says Chris.

Mary Barrett Glade near Ngataringa Park in Devonport is a scheduled heritage place on Department of Conservation (DOC) land, and was unfortunately recently targeted by vandals looking to dig up vintage bottles. Auckland Council archaeologists are supporting DOC in the protection and restoration of the area.

The site is the former location of Duder’s Brickworks, which operated between 1875 and 1942. The factory used clay from Ngataringa Bay to make ordinary and decorative bricks as well as sanitary pipes and chimney heads, and employed many Devonport locals up until the 1920s. The factory supplied clay bricks for many of the Edwardian buildings in Devonport including the pumphouse (now the PumpHouse Theatre).

The PumpHouse Theatre is built with bricks from Duder’s Brickworks.

Following a fire on Victoria Road in 1888, the Devonport Borough Council made a rule that buildings in the main shopping area were to be constructed from bricks only, and the bricks are part of the suburb’s its distinctive look.

“The brickworks are part of Devonport’s industrial heritage and character. You never know what’s around the corner, so we do need to be vigilant in protecting our history. As archaeologists, we are the kaitiaki (guardians) of our heritage sites, preserving them for our future generations.”

For more information about Archaeology Week and to see what events are on, head to the New Zealand Archaeological Association website.

Source: Auckland Council

After last week’s dose of wet and windy weather, Aucklanders are getting a bit of a reprieve for Anzac Day but may see rain over the weekend, most likely Sunday. We’re reminding people to check drains and gutters again; plan travel carefully and stay up to date with weather forecasts.

Auckland Emergency Management General Manager Adam Maggs says Aucklanders did a great job preparing for the impacts of ex-tropical Cyclone Tam and responding to the weather conditions over the Easter weekend.

“Aucklanders across the region experienced heavy rain, strong winds and flooding in places just days ago, over the Easter long weekend.

“While there’s still a high degree of uncertainty, we could see some wet weather in parts of Tāmaki Makaurau over the Anzac long weekend.

“We understand Aucklanders may be sick of hearing about the weather, but it doesn’t take long to do a few important things – a quick check of gutters and drains on your property, and a regular update on the weather forecast over the weekend,” says Adam.

Keep up to date with the weather forecast

MetService has not issued any current weather watches or warnings for the weekend as it’s too early to predict how the weekend weather will pan out. A top tip is to download the MetService app from the App Store or Google Play and sign up for push notifications to your phone.

“At this stage, it looks like we’re in for rain overnight on Saturday and into Sunday morning – right about the time when people may start heading home from school holidays or long weekend breaks.

“There is still uncertainty about when and where bad weather will hit, so make sure you check the forecast when planning any weekend travel or activities and check it again for any changes before you go out. Don’t forget, if you’re heading to another region, check the weather there too.

“With soil saturation levels now very high, there is always the possibility of flooding if heavy rain eventuates.

“If you’re on the roads, drive to the conditions, take care and give yourself plenty of time,” he says.

Add property prep to your weekend checklist

Taking half an hour to make sure your home and property are prepared for bad weather could prevent unnecessary damage and disruption.

“Securing or storing outdoor furniture and umbrellas ahead of bad weather doesn’t take much time and could stop these items from getting damaged or damaging your property.

“If we get gusty winds, these can easily pick up small or loose items, flip trampolines or lightweight outdoor furniture and play equipment,” says Adam.

Checking drains, gutters and trees or plants on your property that can lose branches or clog drains is a good idea at this time of year.

“Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters team has again been out this week checking hot spots and clearing drains. It’s important that residents do this too.

“Anything on your property that may wash into the stormwater system and cause blockages should be removed. Clearing gutters and drains on your property will also help prevent damage, leaks and flooding. 

“It’s always a good time to check your emergency readiness supplies – in the unlikely event the power goes out or, for those in more remote parts of the region, you get temporarily cut off.

“Visit our website (aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz) or getready.govt.nz for good advice on getting your household prepared for an emergency,” says Adam.

Always in the know: top tips for wild weather

• Follow weather forecasts for regular updates – forecasts can change.
• Plan your travel carefully and never drive through floodwater.
• If life or property is at risk, phone 111.
• If you live somewhere prone to flooding, slips or power outages, ensure you have a supply of food and provisions in case you become isolated.
• Treat power lines as live at all times.
• Report flooding and blocked stormwater drains to Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.
• Visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and click “Report a problem” to report trees down on public land.
• If your property is damaged, take photographs for your insurer as early as possible.

Source: Auckland Council

An established writer with an affinity for the ocean is thrilled to have the opportunity to live at the idyllic seaside Barr Cottage in Huia, as Auckland Council’s regional parks’ artist in residence for 2025. 

Michelle Elvy’s preoccupation with the sea and coastal places is clear in both her fiction and non-fiction writing. Author Witi Ihimaera considers her a “creature of the sea… a blue-water person” and indeed, her focus on exploring the sea, harbours and shorelines has taken her on long sailing journeys across oceans before landing in New Zealand by sailboat in 2008.  

Michelle says the opportunity to live right on the southern coastline of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park for the eight weeks of her residency aligns perfectly with her interests, instincts and goals.  

“For me, the close view of nature afforded by this residency is a special opportunity. My project is focused on the intersection of what is naturally here, what we create from it, and how we preserve it,” she says. “I am grateful for the chance to work and produce new creative material about the park.”

From October 2025, Michelle will move into Barr Cottage to start writing from a desk overlooking the everchanging seascape. She says she can’t wait to immerse herself in the Little Huia lifestyle and small coastal community. 

Regional Parks Manager Scott De Silva says the residency programme gives Aucklanders the chance to view specific regional parks through a creative lens.

“Our artists experience and reveal aspects of our parks that are unique. The works that have emerged from each park stay provide a rich and valued tapestry of perceptions on nature that visitors can enjoy for years to come. I look forward to reading Michelle’s wordsmithing once she’s completed her stay,” says Scott.

Michelle has already written work about a sea-facing place in the South Island and hopes during this residency to write a companion story, showcasing the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park cottage and its outlook over the Manukau Harbour.  

She’s particularly interested in the juxtaposition of a park as a wild place, yet a space which is managed and has maintained edges; ‘a place that holds nature at its centre, yet a place that is curated, a place for community’.

Aucklanders will be able to read her poetry at Barr Cottage during the Waitākere Open Studios event in November 2025, and later at Arataki Visitor Centre.

To celebrate the natural beauty of Auckland’s expansive regional parks, the council has been offering the Artist in Residence programme to one lucky artist each year since 2008.  

If you would like to learn more…

• See what previous artists in residence have created during their park stays
• Read Michelle Elvy’s published books and poetry, like the other side of better, or the everrumble.

Source: Auckland Council

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving Auckland City, Waitematā and Counties-Manukau Districts back to an open fire season from 8am on Wednesday 23 April, until further notice.

An open fire season means people planning to light fires outdoors no longer need to apply to Fire and Emergency for authorised permits.

The exceptions are the Hauraki Gulf Islands – populated islands will move to a restricted fire season, with permits needed from Fire and Emergency before lighting outdoor fires, and Department of Conservation islands remain in a prohibited fire season, with all outdoor fires banned.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Te Hiku Region Manager Ron Devlin says a steady amount of rain across the Auckland region in the last few days and continued cooler forecasts have triggered the fire season changes.

“The damper autumn conditions means there is now less of a fire risk throughout Tāmaki Makaurau,” he says.

“However, we do still ask people to take care when lighting any fires, and to check the requirements for your location on checkitsalright.nz.

“Make sure your fires are fully extinguished and keep checking for reignition in the following days and weeks.”

Northland District changed to an open fire season last Friday.