- By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
On Thursday, June 27, the Howick Local Board approved our work programme for the coming year, beginning delivery of our new strategic three-year Local Board Plan.
Here’s some highlights for each of the five categories.
Ō Tātou Tāngata / Our people
We’re empowering people to actively contribute with our generous Community Grants programme, and Event Partnership Fund. We’re proud to support the Howick Volunteer Coastguard important work with operational funding.
We are supporting local arts, culture, and music activities with operational funding for Uxbridge Arts and Culture, Arts Out East, and local bands.
We want rangatahi (youth) to have a voice and contribute so we continue to support the work of the Howick Youth Council.
Tō Tātou Taiao / Our environment
We’re empowering the community to take environmental action with continued funding for Pest Free Howick Ward, as well EnviroSchools which provides opportunities to lead sustainability projects in local schools.
We’re protecting the mauri (lifeforce) of our awa (waterways) with our ongoing stream improvement programme plus new targeted funding for the Botany and Pakuranga Creeks.
We’ve also renewed our pollution prevention programmes where specialists work with local commercial, industrial and construction companies to educate where possible and enforce where necessary.
Tō Tātou Hapori / Our community
We want local sports and recreational opportunities respond to the needs of our communities so we’re delivering free activities in your local park, as well as funding to increase participation. And we’ll celebrate our local sports heroes with the annual Sports Awards.
Unfortunately, our Celebrating Cultures event won’t run in 2025 to allow time to consider how we can make this more effective.
Ō Tātou Wāhi / Our places
We want our town centres to be vibrant, so we’re supporting the Howick Village Association with a potential expansion.
We’re pleased to continue funding for Te Taiwhanga Taiohi Youth Space in Botany which opened earlier in 2024.
Tā Tātou Ōhanga / Our economy
We’re supporting East Auckland Tourism to increase the number of visitors to the area as well as operational funding for one of our key tourist attractions, the Howick Historical Village.
Find out more and stay in touch
Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/howick
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HowickLB
Monthly eNewsletter: https://bit.ly/42kdAlK
- Disclosure: Howick Local Board deputy chairperson Bo Burns is the owner of the Times.
