Category: Local Government

Source: Auckland Council

More than 30,000 tonnes of food scraps contributed by Aucklanders since the food scraps collections began in April last year have been used to produce renewable energy and fertiliser. 

Auckland’s food scraps have created enough energy to provide renewable gas to 300,000 homes for a month.

As of this month, this renewable energy is now being fed into the national gas pipeline for the first time in New Zealand, with Auckland’s food scraps generating enough renewable gas to regularly supply 18,000 homes.

Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, says reaching the 30,000 tonnes milestone is one Aucklanders can feel proud of.

“Thank you to every Aucklander who is helping to keep food scraps out of landfill so they can be transformed into resources. In participating in the food scraps service, you are reducing our environmental impact and contributing to a sustainable future.”

Auckland’s diverted food scraps have also created enough liquid fertiliser to be spread on nearly 100 km2 of productive land; that’s the equivalent land size of 13,500 rugby fields.

By participating in the food scraps service, Aucklanders have saved the equivalent of 19,600 tonnes of harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfill. The effect is similar to taking approximately 6,000 cars off Auckland’s roads, or the equivalent of planting half a million trees.

The food scraps are processed at New Zealand’s only anaerobic digestion facility, run by locally owned company Ecogas, which converts the food scraps into biogas, electricity, heat and liquid fertiliser used by farmers and growers in the North Island.

Over 465,000 food scraps bins were delivered to Auckland homes, in the largest rollout of a collection service in Australasia.

Tips for summer

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

Eke Panuku Development Auckland is set to take over management of Auckland Council’s ‘Own Your Own Home’ (OYOH) scheme, while it looks to sell individual villages in the scheme over the coming years.

In the interim period before individual villages are sold, the council-owned, currently vacant units in the villages will be refurbished to bring them up to ‘healthy homes’ standard and rented to tenants that are compatible with existing homeowners.

This will ensure there are more people in the villages, which has been a cause of concern from a safety and ‘village atmosphere’ perspective. The sale of a fully vacant village site in Panmure will provide initial funding for improvements with the rental income also helping to pay for the refurbishment and ongoing buy-back of units, making the process cost-neutral for council.

This new approach follows the unsuccessful conclusion of a lengthy process to find a purchaser for council’s full interest in the scheme earlier in 2024. The scheme consists of 150 units in 14 villages, with council’s interest consisting of the ownership of 78 currently vacant units and the buy-back right on the remaining 72 privately owned units.

Villages will only be sold once there are only council-owned units left in them. In other words, it’s only after all the current private homeowners in a village have sold their units back to council that the whole village will be sold.

Eke Panuku General Manager Assets & Delivery Marian Webb says it is satisfying to have certainty on the way forward, especially for homeowners.

“Most of all, we’re pleased to be able to give homeowners a clear answer on the next steps. They have been very patient and understanding, given the challenges of this very complex process.”

In addition to delivering Auckland Council’s urban regeneration programmes, Eke Panuku also manages its non-service property portfolio and provides property-related advice and services. This makes it well positioned to take over management of the scheme and manage the sales process for the villages once they are fully owned by council.

“Our dedicated property management team has the experience and expertise to manage the scheme to a high standard and form strong relationships with existing homeowners. We already manage a significant number of residential tenancies on behalf of council. Crucially, it provides homeowners a single point of contact for resolving issues,” said Mrs. Webb.

“As private homeowners, this new approach does not have any impact on the ownership of their homes. As they are the legal owners, they can remain in them as long as they want, with no pressure on them to sell.”

Auckland Council’s Finance and Performance Committee agreed to sell council’s interest in the scheme in 2022, after a review found it was no longer fit for purpose. Interest in the scheme had consistently declined as the ongoing growth of retirement villages meant prospective buyers were finding them more appealing as they are generally more affordable and provided additional quality-of-life benefits.

In summary, Eke Panuku will:

• Sell the one fully vacant, council-owned OYOH village at 19 Tripoli Road, Panmure and using the proceeds from the sale to begin refurbishing vacant units across the scheme

• Rent the refurbished vacant units to tenants that are compatible with existing homeowners, e.g. similar demographic profile, generating revenue that can be used to help fund refurbishments and the ongoing buy-back of units

• Take over management of the OYOH portfolio

• Dedicate an Eke Panuku property manager responsible for the rental properties, as well as the relationship with the existing homeowners and overall management of the scheme

• Progressively selling entire villages (not individual units) once all the units in them are owned by council. This will be achieved when all existing homeowners in a village have sold their units back to council and only vacant or rental units remain

• Continuing this process until all the villages in the scheme have been sold and the scheme is wound down

High-level timeline of next steps

• December 2024 – demolition of 19 Tripoli Road, Panmure village

• Early 2025 – take 19 Tripoli Road, Panmure to market

• Early 2025 – start refurbishing vacant units across the scheme

• Mid-2025 – start renting vacant units as they become available

Background to the scheme

The OYOH scheme is a home ownership scheme for older people (aged over 65) established in the 1970s by legacy Auckland councils, prior to their amalgamation into Auckland Council.

The scheme is not social housing but provided a means for private home ownership for a segment of older Aucklanders at a time when there were few other options available for people interested in downsizing or moving into more suitable housing for their life stage, without sacrificing their independence. This was before retirement villages became more widely available.

The scheme allowed eligible persons to buy a residential unit from council, at a discounted rate of its market value, after which they became full owners of the units. If the homeowners (or their estate) choose to sell their unit, the scheme requires them to offer those units back to Auckland Council in the first instance, at the same discounted rate of the then current market value.

When homeowners sell their units back to council, the sale proceeds would be re-invested in the scheme and vacant units, before being on-sold again. The scheme was thus intended to be self-funding and cost-neutral to council.

The full scheme is made up of 150 units (mix of 1 and 2-bedroom units) located in 14 villages across the Auckland region, which are all held in a cross-lease structure. The villages span six local board areas and 5 council wards.

Source: Auckland Council

With the warmer season upon us, how about planning a little holiday escape prior to the summer break? Whangateau Holiday Park is an ideal paradise spot close to Auckland for families and friends, large groups and small for your next getaway. 

Just an hour’s drive from Auckland’s city centre, you’ll find this hidden gem of a waterfront holiday park on Whangateau Harbour between Matakana and Leigh. Immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings and make yourself at home in a comfy cabin, a powered site for tents or by camping right on the water’s edge.

There are also retro caravans available for hire for those who prefer a more vintage feel and some of the comforts of home. With excellent amenities, including play areas, barbecues and cooking facilities – your perfect holiday escape awaits.  

A few of the many activities to enjoy during your stay include swimming, pontoon access, fishing or exploring the tidal harbour; pedal carts, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards available for hire; playground and next-door sports fields, outdoor chess set; barbecue area, picnic tables and a recreation room with the all-important air hockey table! Even some spectacular snorkelling can be found right out front, 45 minutes either side of high tide.

As an Auckland Council holiday park, you can book a wide range of accommodation options and facilities to suit your needs, including waterfront powered sites, family cabins, budget to self-contained units and beachside caravans. While there’s plenty within the holiday park to keep everyone entertained, the surrounding areas are also great to check out, either on the way or as a day’s excursion – from walks, waters sports, food and drink or a little something extra. 

Walks 

Rock pools at Tāwharanui Beach

For those looking to stay active, there’s some epic walks around the area that will surely get the blood pumping, from bushwalks like the Tāwharanui Ecology Trail to coastal walks such as the Leigh Coastal Path, Goat Island Coastal Walkway or a leisurely stroll of Omaha Beach which overlooks Whangateau Harbour.

If you’re keen to take on a bit more of a challenge, there’s Mount Tamahunga Walkway. And while there’s a song out there telling us to not chase waterfalls, we recommend you do, and in these parts particularly, check out the Kohuroa Stream Waterfalls, found along the Matheson Bay bush walk. 

Water sports 

Snorkeling at Goat Island

Speaking of waterfalls, what about water sports? We’ve got you covered too! While there’s plenty on offer within the Whangateau Holiday Park, it’s good to be aware of the vast array of options in the surrounding areas like New Zealand’s first marine reserve Goat Island.

Boasting 518 hectares of protected land, this piece of paradise is a must for leisure visitors looking to enjoy an epic day out in nature. Just over the hill you’ll find Mathesons Bay, another go-to in the area for swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking. Or perhaps a surf or boogie boarding in Tāwharanui – here you’ll find beautiful white sand beaches, rolling pastures, native coastal forest and regenerating wetlands. 

Food and drink 

Omaha Beach – the perfect spot for a quintessential summer picnic

You’ll have built up quite the appetite after a walk or a swim, and there’s plenty to choose from. Matakana is a quaint little spot that’s perfect for any foodie, known for its weekend farmers markets, artisan food, boutique shops and vineyards. Just a ten-minute drive away you’ll find Leigh, a small coastal town with heaps to explore and discover, including eateries and bars. And right across from Whangateau Holiday Park, you’ll find Omaha – a welcoming beach community where the quintessential Kiwi summer experience awaits you.

As an added bonus, for the history buffs, there’s also Warkworth Museum nearby where you can learn about the history of the area. Or check out Perry Kauri Park which has recently been updated and now offers a sturdy boardwalk pathway as you walk amongst the giants in the kauri forest.  

Whether you’re after a relaxing getaway, an active holiday full of walks and water sports, or you’re a foodie who enjoys nature and great eateries nearby, there’s something for everyone in these parts. So don’t delay any further, discover the holiday in Whangateau Holiday Park and unwind in a way that suits you best. 

Book your stay today on the Auckland Council website. 

Source: Auckland Council

Over the past year, Auckland Council has engaged over 74,000 Aucklanders in leading climate action. Through grants, education and advocacy programmes, over 61 community groups have been empowered to take action and build their resilience to the impacts of climate disruption. Collectively, Aucklanders have reduced 6,600 tonnes of carbon pollution. That’s the equivalent to removing 3,400 cars from the roads for a year. 

Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, says bringing communities’ experiences, actions and strengths to the climate challenges we face in Tāmaki Makaurau is a wise approach to create a future where all people thrive. 

“By harnessing the collective wisdom and ingenuity of iwi and communities, we are supporting and enabling bold, community-led climate action,” says Cr Hills. 

“As well as financial support, we’re providing community leaders with the resources and connections they need to understand the impacts of different climate solutions and equipping them to leave a positive legacy for future generations.”  

Through working closely with communities, the council has: 

• Allocated 20 per cent of grant funding to support Māori, Pasifika, Asian and youth-led climate projects  

Spongy Schools, Spongy Cities programme 

The Spongy Schools, Spongy Cities programme at the Auckland Botanic Gardens Experience Centre has been funded by the Storm Response Fund since early 2024. Students learn hands-on about building flood resilience to heavy rainfall events.

To date, over 520 people from five schools have explored how nature-based solutions can prevent flooding, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity. The programme also funds students to take follow up action back in their schools, motivating wider collective action on climate disruption.  

Susie Bettany, Auckland Council Senior Sustainable Schools Advisor, sees this programme as vital for community planning to climate disruption. 

“As we experience more extreme weather events due to climate disruption, communities in Auckland are experiencing repeated flooding and damage to the places they care for.  

“Due to the disruption to our climate, experts predict that 20 to 30 per cent more rain will fall in short timeframes during weather events with nowhere for the water to soak into,” Ms Bettany says. 

“We’re supporting schools to become more spongy and soak up this extra water. It’s a great opportunity for students to learn and be empowered to make a difference in their communities,” says Ms Bettany. 

Check out the video about Spongy Schools, Spongy Cities, here. 

Māra kai and food resilience programmes 

Through Mana Ora: Students Decarbonising Schools and Mātātahi Taiao, Auckland Council is supporting the development of māra kai (food gardens) and food resilience programmes in kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori.

With combined funding from Auckland Council, the Westpac NZ Government Innovation Fund, and the Ministry for the Environment five kura kaupapa and kōhanga reo have been supported to establish food gardens to grow kai and provide storage for ongoing food security and resilience. 

Auckland Council Senior Māori Advisor, Erana Whaiapu, says the māra kai serve as learning hubs for the whole community. 

“The aim is to protect future generations by fostering intergenerational learning with whānau in the community. By drawing on traditional Māori knowledge systems of our ancestors, we’re taking climate action through a Māori worldview,” says Ms Whaiapu. 

“The council is providing resources, tools, and support to empower communities to not only understand their local challenges, including water and flooding risks, but also to take action.  

“For example in our neighbouring region, Kaipara, we’ve seen recent storms disrupt the supply of kūmara, driving up the prices. As these events become more frequent, it’s essential that communities have the skills and resource to grow their own food – iti noa, he pito mata, a small seed can support many.” 

One māra kai project enabled students to learn how to grow kūmara and saw 135kgs of produce harvested and distributed to kura whānau last year. The remaining kūmara were used as seed for the following harvest to create a circular economy, reducing waste and carbon pollution. 

Find out more about the community climate action projects delivered in the last year. 

Schools or teachers interested in Spongy Schools, Spongy Cities can find out more info here. 

Source: Auckland Council

Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council has released its Māori Outcomes Report for 2023/2024, celebrating significant achievements while outlining the council’s ongoing commitment to fostering and supporting Māori identity, culture, and wellbeing throughout Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Cr Kerrin Leoni, Māori Outcomes Portfolio Lead emphasises the importance of this report and celebrates the successes while acknowledging the challenges we faced.

“This year, we successfully secured an additional $21M for Māori outcomes over the next decade, starting in mid-2027. This funding will support crucial projects that significantly impact our Māori communities, from environmental initiatives to empowering grassroots Māori businesses and groups. The Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grants programme has been particularly impactful over the past 12 months – with community-led projects benefiting Māori receiving 32 per cent of the funding in the latest round,” says Cr Leoni.

“While we celebrate these achievements, we must acknowledge that there are challenges that remain. However, despite some setbacks, I hold a strong sense of hope for the future of Tāmaki Makaurau. Our journey towards a more inclusive society demands that we break down barriers and foster genuine collaboration across the organisation and with Māori throughout the region.”

Cr Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee emphasises the importance of this report, and the positive impact our collective efforts have had on promoting Māori identity and wellbeing.

“The report offers valuable insights into Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council’s commitments to enhancing Māori outcomes, especially for our tamariki and ensuring they see themselves as part of our city.  We’ve seen some great successes, like the $150M Māori Outcomes Fund, which has enabled us to support key projects that are transformative for Māori communities including enhancing marae infrastructure and backing Māori-led environmental initiatives,” says Cr Hills.

“There’s more work to be done but by acknowledging the unique needs and aspirations of iwi, hapū, and mātaawaka group, we can continue to work together to shape a Tāmaki Makaurau that we can all be proud of and move forward with determination and unity.”

This year’s report highlights the progress made under the council’s strategic framework, Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, which prioritises ten key mana outcomes vital to Māori in Auckland.

Key highlights:

• Increased Funding for Māori Outcomes: In the 2024 Long-term Plan, Auckland Council secured an additional $21 million for Māori outcomes, ensuring the growth of projects that support environmental restoration, cultural revitalisation and economic empowerment.
   
• Success across the Māori Outcomes Fund: The central Māori Outcomes Fund has supported a range of impactful projects, including enhancements to marae infrastructure, initiatives to encourage Māori businesses and youth-focused programmes that promote cultural identity and language revitalisation. Notably, the Marae Infrastructure Programme has provided critical support, enhancing these vital community spaces as hubs for Māori and the wider community.
   
• Strengthening Partnerships and Decision Making: Auckland Council continues to work closely with mana whenua and mātaawaka to include and embed Māori perspectives at all levels of decision-making. The ongoing development of robust and inclusive partnerships and approaches to decision making ensure that Māori voices can provide a guide to the future of Tāmaki Makaurau’s natural and built environments, for the betterment of all of our communities.
   
• Promoting Te Reo Māori and Cultural Capability: The council continues to deliver a wide range of initiatives to ensure that Te Reo Māori, is seen, spoken and heard throughout the region. Initiatives include Te Kete Rukuruku  – a programme to ensure Māori names and stories are featured in our many parks and green spaces and a te reo Māori virtual reality experience in libraries. This coupled with a targeted cultural capability programme to enhance cultural competency at the right levels of staff within the council and ensure the visibility and use of te reo Māori across council activities.
   
• Supporting Community Resilience: The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office has collaborated with mana whenua to support communities affected by the 2023 storms. A newly implemented navigator service, in partnership with iwi and community organisations, connects affected whānau with essential resources, ensuring Māori communities can effectively navigate recovery processes. 

Looking forward

Auckland Council remains committed to working alongside Māori communities and stakeholders, with plans to refine the Māori Outcomes Fund and the Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau framework to better meet the needs of the growing Māori population in Auckland.

Tumuaki Huanga Māori Nick Turoa, who leads the council’s Ngā Mātārae (Māori Outcomes) directorate, expressed optimism, noting that continued collaboration will help shape an Auckland that honours Māori heritage and supports inclusive prosperity.

“We’re inspired by the positive impact that our collective efforts are having, and we look forward to driving further innovations in Māori outcomes, with the goal of creating a thriving Tāmaki Makaurau for all,” he says.

About the report

The Māori Outcomes Report 2023/2024 is the sixth in an annual series that tracks Auckland Council’s progress in achieving Māori outcomes, wellbeing and cultural aspirations across the region. With a focus on transparency and accountability, each report offers insights into the council’s achievements, challenges and future directions.

Read the full report: Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024: Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report.

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 in December 2024 on track.

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 November 2024?

Almost all the disassembled bridge parts have now been returned for reinstallation as the final stages of the Wynyard Crossing Bridge preventative maintenance works are underway. 

Visitors to Wynyard Quarter will have noticed main contractor, HEB Construction, has had their jack-up barge (JUB) in the Viaduct Harbour doing the heavy lifting as the two enormous spans, back spans and engine rooms have been reassembled over the past few weeks, and the bridge starts to look like its old self again. 

The mechanical and electrical assembly has also been underway, with as much completed as possible in the individual pieces before their return. However, it’s only once the final structural pieces are in place the intricate job of connecting and commissioning can begin.

This final step is the most crucial with more than half a kilometre of cabling and wiring to connect, over one hundred light fittings to install and more than 60 sensors which ensure the safe and reliable operation of the bridge.  So, it’s not a simple job.  While testing and quality control work has been ongoing as part of the refit during the maintenance works processes, it’s only once everything is back in place that the team are able to run checks and processes to ensure everything is running as it should be.

During the next few weeks while the commissioning takes place the bridge will look, for all intents and purposes, like it’s ready for people to walk, scoot and cycle across.  However, it will remain closed to the public until the commissioning period has been completed and is fully signed off for public operation.  People may notice the spans lifting and closing as part of the commissioning which is a normal part of this type of work.

While no opening date has yet been set, Eke Panuku is hoping to be able to release this in the next few weeks. In the meantime, the popular Hogwash ferry, which has clocked more than 100,000 passengers since it began operations, will continue to run between the Viaduct Events Centre and the Maritime Museum seven days a week. 

As well as being a handy way to get across from the Maritime Museum to the Viaduct Events Centre, Hogwash also offers those interested a great view and perspective of the team working on the refit. Santa’s Elves will be providing some weekend fun for passengers leading up until Christmas.

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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.

Source: Auckland Council

After a three-year hiatus, New Zealand’s most popular outdoor art event – Sculpture in the Gardens – returns to the Auckland Botanic Gardens with a spectacular display of works from artists across the motu, opening on 16 November.

Sculpture in the Gardens is a free event running for three months. The 2021 exhibition attracted more than 350,000 visitors.

Chris Moore’s Bubblegum artwork.

Auckland Council Policy and Planning Committee chair Councillor Richard Hills says he is delighted to welcome the return of Sculpture in the Gardens.

“Auckland Botanic Gardens is a space where all Aucklanders can freely enjoy Auckland’s natural environment, incredible curated gardens, and an array of events and artworks. We’re so excited to be bringing Sculpture in the Gardens back. We love hosting the exhibition and public feedback is always overwhelmingly positive. Gardening is an artistic expression, and combining these two artforms creates a memorable experience for our visitors.

“The exhibition curators have done a great job of putting together a balanced selection of superb artworks that will be thoughtfully placed in our beautiful garden settings,” he says.

The event’s curators Linda Tyler, Terry Urbahn and Catherine Hamilton say visitors to the exhibition will be delighted, inspired and intrigued by the selected artworks.

“We were blown away by the talent and creativity of the artists who submitted works to the exhibition. Narrowing it down to just 16 works was really difficult.

“The selected artworks are simply incredible. They were carefully chosen for their playfulness, the strength of the messages they carry, and for the skills demonstrated by the artists working in a variety of materials.

“Head along to see quirky and thought-provoking works, soaring monumental sculptures, and sound and light art works, each thoughtfully placed for maximum effect in the stunning Auckland Botanic Gardens,” says lead curator Linda Tyler.

Visitors will be treated to a visual feast of artworks including a steel and glass work by multi-award-winning artist Emma Camden (Whanganui); multi-metre high corten steel flower buds by popular sculptor Jane Downes (Banks Peninsula); a major interactive sound installation in wood and steel by artist, academic and curator Gina Ferguson and audio artist Dale Cotton (Avondale, Auckland); and a powerful ode to nature in wood and resin by internationally renowned artists Brit Bunkley and Andrea Gardner.

Emma Camden’s Shadow House artwork.

A series of patchwork globes made from recycled gallon drums representing Mother Earth by colour-loving sculptors Metal Metcalfe (Hawke’s Bay) will stop visitors in their tracks. Well known Wellington artist Paul Forrest draws attention to New Zealand’s disappearing butterflies with his colourful red admiral kaleidoscope series.

Glen Eden, Auckland designer and artist Chris Moore’s bright pink kinetic work is inspired by New Zealand Bubble Gum coral. At over five-metres high, it will be seen from most vantage points at the gardens. You’ll need to look up to spot Mangere, Auckland photographer and artist Chester Nicholls’ resin and glass fibre work rippling out from its chosen tree. Keep looking through the trees to catch Nicholls’ second work, a colourful burnt orange pod installation wrapped around a trunk, symbolising new life.

Award-winning Cromwell-based marble sculptor Josh Olley’s large and smooth singular hand offers a moving message from a father to his children.

Josh Olley’s ‘Hands Down’ sculpture.

Rotorua Artist and sculptor Jamie Pickernell has created a fun, fairy tale-like sculpture featuring a cow and a bird-like creature, inviting us to consider what animals might wander around the Botanic Gardens millions of years from now. Multi-media artist Greg Piper (Northcote, Auckland) has created an arresting 3.25-metre-high sculpture as a lament for the huia, intended to help us question our responsibilities to creatures that still survive.

Taranaki-based stone and steel artist Oriah Rapley’s artwork is inspired by the pohutukawa at Cape Reinga. Her seemingly delicate work made of Taranaki andesite and corten steel invites us to consider the idea of ‘going home.’ Well-known sculptor Greg Tuthill (Palmerston North) has created a many-sided acorn in corten steel, which explores the relationship between geometry and the plant world. Watch out for the slithering sliding long fin eels created by sculptor James Wright (Clevedon) that symbolise the importance of clean creeks in our ecosystems.  Wright’s artist son Jorge Wright (Clevedon) also offers a tribute to nature with a playful impressionist suite of trees in corten steel that seem to blow in the wind.

Dr Tyler says many of this year’s artists are well known and award-winning, while others are earlier in their careers.

“There’s a terrific mix of crowd favourites who have exhibited at previous events, and others offering fresh and exciting new perspectives,” she says.

Three awards will be announced at the exhibition: The Supreme Award, The Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens Acquisition and the People’s Choice Award.

There will also be an indoor exhibition featuring hundreds of smaller sculptural works and domestic ware in a range of price points for visitors to enjoy or purchase.

The biennial exhibition was established in 2007.

Sculpture in the Gardens is grateful for the support of Auckland Council, Friends of the Botanic Gardens and for the generosity of its sponsors and patrons.

Photo credit: Chester Nicholls