Tag: Auckland Council
New Howick Police station opens its doors
The new Howick Police station has officially opened its doors to the public after a 10-month wait.
Police were forced to move from their previous...
Parents fight to save their beloved Kauri Kids centre
Local parents are nervous about a proposal to potentially shut or sell a chain of highly-valued early childhood centres.
Auckland Council has publicly released staff...
Beachlands plan change open for submission
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
A private plan change that would allow a 3000-dwelling development in Beachlands is...
Cleaner “verbally abused” at council building
The ongoing friction over use of the Howick War Memorial Hall may be worsening with a cleaner allegedly having been "verbally abused" while recently...
Government announces major crime-prevention package
The Labour Government has announced a multi-million dollar package designed to reduce retail crime and re-offending.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Police Minister Chris Hipkins...
Council sport investment fund opens
Auckland Council has launched its latest contestable funding round for sport and recreation facilities across the city.
Its Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund for...
Former library building finally sold
The former Howick Library building has been sold to a property developer.
Auckland Council owned the large and derelict building in Fencible Drive which has...
Residents celebrate victory in fight to save public reserve
A passionate east Auckland community has come together to celebrate winning the fight to maintain public ownership of its much-loved local reserve.
About 100 people...
More than 269,000 bus trips cancelled in Auckland
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is calling out the Labour Government over what he says is its inaction to address Auckland’s ongoing public transport crisis.
Brown,...
Supporting struggling families this Christmas
Auckland Council is supporting the Auckland City Mission's work to bring Christmas joy to people in need.
The mission's annual Auckland's Angels appeal provides festive...
Councillors and mayor sworn in
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
Councillors and the mayor have been sworn in at the first meeting of...
Howick schools win biosecurity award
Howick Ward schools have won the New Zealand Biosecurity Kura (School) Award.
Auckland has the unenviable reputation of being the "weediest city in the world".
Four...
Bus trips suspended from timetables
Auckland Transport (AT) says bus service trips that are being regularly cancelled due to a driver shortage will be temporarily suspended from timetables from...
Simeon Brown confirmed as general election candidate
The National Party has re-selected incumbent Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown as its candidate for the electorate at next year's general election.
Brown was first elected...
Number of classified dog owners approaches triple digits
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
Across the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of dog owners' classifications from Auckland Council...
COMMENT: New leadership for Auckland
By Simeon Brown
Auckland has a new mayor, Wayne Brown, and a new majority centre-right council following the recent local elections, the first time Auckland...
Recycling facility upgrade helps minimise waste
East Aucklanders are being encouraged to do their part to help minimise the amount of rubbish set to landfill in the city each year.
The...
Annual staff costs hit $1b for Auckland Council group
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
The number of big Auckland Council salaries are rising and new mayor Wayne Brown...
Survey highlights the big concerns for Aucklanders
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
Congestion, crime and the cost of living have been highlighted as the big issues...
Auckland Council looks to crack down on illegal dumping
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
Auckland Council is calling on Aucklanders to report illegal dumping with hopes of cracking...
New councillor wants to stop reserve sales
Incoming Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson is strongly criticising efforts by Auckland Council to sell several local public reserves.
Williamson was elected to the role...
Work continues to renew our community
Kia ora!
We have been busy preparing for summer.
At the pools
The Lloyd Elsmore Pools Splash Pad surface protection has worn down to bare concrete in...
Regional parks management plan passes with applause
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
The regional parks management plan passed with full support around the table at Auckland...
Councillors look forward to ‘fixing Auckland’
Sharon Stewart and Maurice Williamson say they're looking forward to working with new Auckland mayor Wayne Brown to tackle the city's major challenges.
The two...
Voting closes in local elections – the race is on!
East Auckland residents will soon have an idea who’s going to serve as the city’s next mayor as well as represent the Howick ward...
Housing planned for former police station site
Land previously occupied by the Howick Police station will one day contain dozens of brand new townhouses.
The section at 34 Moore Street is among...
Effort to resolve War Memorial Hall’s management fails
A last-minute attempt to resolve the ongoing saga of management of the Howick War Memorial Hall before this year’s local elections has failed.
The Picton...
Candidate advocates for changes to local issues
Billy Davis, Howick Local Board candidate, Pakuranga subdivision
I am standing for a seat on the Howick Local Board for the following reasons:
To...
Ethnic local election candidates hit hard by defaced billboards
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, Funded By New Zealand on Air
Billboard vandalism "hits hard" for ethnic candidates in this year's local election,...
Ex-engineer seeking to be next mayor
Craig Lord is standing to become Auckland’s next mayor because he wants to make the bad things about the city good and the good...
Candidate “furious” over booklet error
Candidate profile booklets sent to local voters in this year's Auckland Council elections contain an error that was not corrected prior to them being...
Draft golf plan goes for further consultation despite challenge
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, Funded by New Zealand on Air
Auckland Council’s draft golf investment plan is pushing forward with another round...
Dog attacks hit five-year high
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, Funded by New Zealand on Air
A five-year high in dog attacks, animal shelters bursting at the seams...
Burns keen to bring energy and vision to local board
Bo Burns, Howick Local Board candidate, Howick subdivision
Bo Burns is a current member of the Howick Local Board and is campaigning for re-election...
Wichman calls time on local board role
Howick Local Board member Bob Wichman is not seeking re-election to the board at this year’s Auckland Council elections after three terms in the...
Light slams delays on new library
Flat Bush deserves the library and community centre it's been promised for almost two decades.
That's the view of Damian Light, who's standing as an...
Your 2022 local elections candidates
East Auckland locals will soon have the chance to vote for candidates at this year's Auckland Council elections.
There are hopefuls in the race to...
Duo campaigning on platform of change
Vinson Yu and Nichola Painter, Howick Local Board candidates, Pakuranga subdivision
Vinson Yu and Nichola Painter are standing together in the Pakuranga subdivision of...
‘Jumping the gun’ proves pricey for construction company
A construction company which was building homes in Flat Bush has been fined $32,500 for beginning work without building consents.
Platform Homes (PHL) started work...
‘Fishing is killing shags’
East Auckland resident Corina Hooper has seen first-hand the devastating impact that fishing has had on the pied shag population within the Tamaki Estuary.
Pied...
Candidates vow to tackle crime
Two local Auckland Council candidates have created an action plan to tackle rising crime rates and improve community safety across the city.
Howick Local Board...
‘Jumping the gun’ proves pricey for construction company
A construction company which was building homes in Flat Bush has been fined $32,500 for beginning work without building consents.
Platform Homes (PHL) started work...
Advice for election candidates
People who get elected onto the Howick Local Board need to know their way around a laptop computer, be open-minded and a good listener,...
Auckland Council rejects Three Waters governance model
Auckland Council opposes the proposed Three Waters governance model which it maintains lacks accountability.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore and Regulatory Committee...
Candidates seeking to move community forward
There’s a new local-body political ticket in east Auckland and it’s standing a swath of fresh faces at this year’s Auckland Council elections.
Howick Local...
Council tries to limit intensification in Beachlands
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
In an eleventh-hour change to intensification plans, Auckland Council is attempting to limit...
Soiled adult nappies found on beach
Of all the things someone wouldn't want to come across while walking on a local beach, soiled adult nappies would be near the top...
Pak’n’Save Highland Park in the pipeline
Is glacial progress still progress?
In February 2018, Foodstuffs North Island heralded the purchase of Highland Park Shopping Centre and its intention to bring a...
Residents group being resurrected
Keen locals are needed to help breathe new life into a once active east Auckland community group that's been dormant for several years.
Steve Udy...
Mayoral candidates battle for votes
Five of the candidates hoping to replace outgoing Auckland mayor Phil Goff have spoken of their personal stories and detailed their visions for the...
‘Dog didn’t need to die’
An east Aucklander who found and rescued a lost pitbull that was later euthanised is calling for more awareness surrounding Breed-Specific legislation (BSL).
Whitford resident...
Fight to protect aquatic life
Work is under way to prevent the ecological damage that's contributed to the deaths of aquatic life in east Auckland's waterways.
About 30 eels were...
Children flock to revamped playground in Cockle Bay
It's taken many months and almost $250,000 but a colourful and newly revamped children's playground in east Auckland is finally open to the public.
As...
Light speaks out against busway’s path
A local candidate in this year's Auckland Council elections has come out swinging against the latest decision regarding the route of the Eastern Busway.
Damian...
Graffiti removal leads to brighter village
By Georgia Whitehead, AUT University Journalism Student
Howick Village is looking tidier and more welcoming after the Beautification Trust removed almost 200 incidents of...
Dog park plan draws criticism
Opponents of a plan to construct a dog park in east Auckland say the site chosen is inappropriate and the process was rushed and...
Vote moves public reserves closer to sale
By Chris Harrowell and Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, Funded by New Zealand on Air
Auckland Council has moved one step closer to being...
Howick 175 Update
Celebrating Together 1847-2022 / Whakanui Tahi Ana
175 chairman, Rev Dr Richard Waugh QSM provides an exclusive update to Times newspaper readers
2022 is a very...
Illegal rubbish dumping still an eyesore
People living in a rapidly developing part of east Auckland are still being plagued by the ugly sight of piles of illegally dumped rubbish.
Elevation...
Wednesday Weed Whacking
With their boots planted in the dirt every Wednesday morning, the expert weed whacking volunteers are intent on eradicating harmful invaders from Mangemangeroa Reserve.
Led...
Tāmaki Estuary seagrass returns
Tamaki Estuary is slowly showing signs of ecological recovery after several decades of poor health.
One of most encouraging signs appears to be the gradual...
Nervous wait for reserve sale opponents
People campaigning to stop the potential sale of multiple east Auckland public reserves will soon find out if their efforts have paid off.
Auckland Council...
Beach users say dogs causing problems
The Howick Local Board has been asked to be "very careful" with the rules relating to dogs on beaches.
Local residents Catherine Priscott and her...
Dispute over building’s use continues
It appears unlikely an east Auckland community facility will have its full potential utilised any time soon as a standoff over its management drags...
Have your say on new housing rules proposed for Auckland
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
Following legislation passed by Parliament, Auckland Council is currently seeking submissions on their proposal to change the rules...
We need your feedback
By Adele White, chairperson Howick Local Board
Kia ora!
The Howick Local Board continues to hold workshops and business meetings online with a view to...
Residents stepping up to shape their community
Reducing crime, stopping illegal rubbish dumping, and getting people to work together to solve local problems are the focus of a newly formed community...
Buildings of six storeys and taller get green light
An east Auckland suburb may soon be home to buildings six storeys high and taller as a result of changes the Government has made...
$1.5m cover for bowling club’s greens
People who love the sport of bowls can look forward to being able to play it year-round and in all weather conditions at an...
Pine Harbour ferry trial picks up pace
Auckland Transport (AT) has launched its new weekend ferry service trial between Pine Harbour Marina and Downtown Auckland.
The trial will run until Monday April...
Help shape Auckland’s future
Attending meetings, voting on budgets, debating issues, advocating for the local community, and responding to numerous phone calls and emails about a variety of...
‘A disaster waiting to happen’
Urgent action is needed to address the threat of flooding in preparation for future severe weather events striking east Auckland.
That's the view of Howick...
34 per cent increase in Auckland property values
Auckland Council's latest property valuations released today show significant movements across the region, with an average value increase of 34 per cent.
The updated values...
Scallop populations diminish by more than 90 per cent
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air.
A comparison of scallop surveys between last year and 2012 has found that...
Climate package to boost public transport
Bus users are set to benefit if Auckland Council's proposed climate action package receives support as part of this year's annual budget.
In the Howick...
The war on weeds
A recent report has indicated that New Zealand's battle against harmful weeds falls short in a national-level plan or strategy.
Simon Upton, the Parliamentary Commissioner...
Commissioners hear opposition to reserves’ sale
Dozens of people who oppose revoking the reserve status of three east Auckland public parks so they can be sold have finally had the...
‘This is supposed to be a democracy’
Howick Local Board member Bob Wichman is accusing Auckland Council of misrepresenting the facts over the use of his council email account.
But the council...
Rubbish dumped in polluted pond
The sight of rubbish floating on the surface of an east Auckland pond visited by families and children is being labelled "absolutely disgusting".
That's the...
Skaters need new location
The driving force behind the promotion of wheeled sports in east Auckland wants to hear from anyone who can offer local riders a safe...
Police station closed with blessing
The Howick Police station has been formally closed before being shipped off to its new home.
The building sits on land in Moore Street owned...
Campaigners fume over change to hearings
People fighting the proposed sale of east Auckland public reserves are angry they now won't be able to express their view over a key...
Sea slugs wash ashore on Mellons Bay
A warning has been sounded by locals after sea slugs washed up on an east Auckland beach.
A woman on a popular social media group...
Call out for election candidates
People considering standing as candidates in this year's Auckland Council elections should start preparing.
The elections for positions on the council and Howick Local Board...
$120k to tackle deadly tree disease
More than $100,000 will be spent to tackle an incurable tree disease that's kept a popular east Auckland walking track closed for more than...
Have your say on coastal management plans
Auckland Council is calling for local communities to share their input and thoughts on Auckland's eastern coastal areas for their shoreline adaptation plans.
Shoreline Adaptation...
Council prepares for Omicron
Like many other organisations, Auckland Council is preparing for how widespread community transmission of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 might affect its services, service...
Memorial cross removed
A family is appealing for information and witnesses after a memorial cross and all its sentimental items were stolen from Maraetai.
On Friday January 14...
Local hero retires after 30 years of service to community
A long-standing local is retiring this month after nearly 30 years of service to the community.
Cherry Tawhai started working as Te Tuhi's centre administrator...
Waterworld comes to Maraetai
Waterworld Aquapark is making a splash in Maraetai/Ohinerangi this summer.
The massive inflatable water course will be coasting the shores of Maraetai and surrounding beaches...
Luxon vows to keep fighting for Botany
He became the National Party's leader after just a year in politics and now Botany MP Christopher Luxon is vowing he won't forget about...
Pools and leisure centres to reopen
Auckland Council’s pools and leisure centres will require vaccination passports for the eligible population under the traffic light framework.
Gyms, group fitness and recreation centres...
Roadside fishing draws criticism
Concerns are being raised about safety issues for pedestrians and motorists caused by people fishing from an east Auckland roadside.
Bucklands Beach resident Glenn Cochrane...
Doing what we love this summer
By Naisi Chen, Labour List MP based in Botany
Let's not mince words - it's been a tough couple of months for east Auckland....
New name and pilot for coastal management plans
Auckland Council's second Shoreline Adaptation Plan (SAP) pilot - which targets Beachlands and the eastern coast - has been launched with a focus on...
Remaining water restrictions lifted in Auckland
Water restrictions have ended in Auckland.
Auckland Council’s governing body unanimously agreed to lift the region’s remaining outdoor water restrictions following a report from Watercare.
Remaining...
Covid puts brakes on reserves’ sale
The Government’s yo-yoing in and out of Covid-19 lockdowns is delaying the process required for the proposed revocation of reserve status of five public...
Police searching for new base
East Auckland residents concerned they may lose a long-standing police presence in the community can rest easy.
Plans are advancing to sell the Auckland Council-owned...
Mayor blasts rubbish dumpers
Auckland mayor Phil Goff is adding his voice to the growing criticism of people who feel entitled to illegally dump their rubbish in east...
Calls for service coming in
By Adele White, Howick Local Board chairperson
Kia ora!
This Covid-19 lockdown seems to have lasted forever!
It has, however, been heartening to see our...
