The opening night of Elton John’s biopic ‘Rocketman’ was a sell out at Monterey cinema in Howick – and all for a very good cause.
Campaigners fighting to save Stockade Hill views held a fundraiser to help them pay their legal bills and continue their battle with Auckland Council.
“It was an amazing turn out – we sold out not one but two theatres!” said Brooke Williams of the action group, the Defencibles.
The enthusiastic crowd came dressed for the show with sequins, feathers and typically Elton John glasses.
“Such a fun night and great to have so many supporters. We are definitely growing in numbers – if the Council thinks this issue is just going to fizzle out they might need to think again,” said Williams.
Stockade Hill Views are under threat from building height regulation changes following the introduction of the Unitary Plan.
Williams said the next step in the process is for Howick Local Board to commission an Independent Planning Review into this issue to decide whether a further plan change could resolve this issue that has caused significant public outrage. Campaigners are eager to get the review started and have complained about the painfully slow progress.
“We just don’t understand what the blockage is – who or what is holding this up?”
