- By Adele White, chairperson Howick Local Board
Kia ora!
Every three years the Howick Local Board refreshes its focus so we can continue to make our area an even better place to live, work and play.
The feedback you’ve provided contributes to our Local Board Plan.
You’ve told us it’s important our natural environment is protected, restored and enhanced and our amazing community walks the talk.
Over the last few months many residents have taken action and joined in local environmental projects and street and beach clean-ups.
Tree planting
In May, Howick College students and teachers combined forces with Auckland Council contractors to plant trees with Trees for Survival.
It was a massive effort contributing to increase the urban ngahere (forest) with more than 700 trees planted.
The Flat Bush Ratepayer and Resident Association collaborated with the Otara Waterways and Lakes Trust and local schools for another successful tree planting event on May 28.
On June 18, a huge gathering of locals planted a record 1920 trees in Mangemangeroa Reserve.
Flat Bush street clean-ups
Residents of the new Flat Bush residential area worked together recently to clean up their neighbourhood.
Tired of rubbish dumping and residue from building sites, a group led by members of the Flat Bush Ratepayers and Residents Association gave their streets a well needed spruce up.
Cascades Stream working bee
After a local board member reported the Cascades Stream between Highland Park and Lloyd Elsmore Park was choked up with rubbish the Howick Local Board worked with Pest Free Howick and the Tamaki Estuary Environmental forum to organise a stream clean up.
Forty enthusiastic volunteers removed 20 shopping trolleys, a bike, two chairs, a streetlight, four road cones and many other items including bottles, balls, plastic, wheels, a car battery and more.
Pest Free Howick
This dedicated group continues to lead hugely productive initiatives which contribute to making Howick ward a pest-free environment.
From the hugely successful moth plant pod competition working with local children, through to rat, possum, and mustelid trapping programmes, they provide many opportunities to involve our residents in caring for our natural environment.
Pest Free Howick, local iwi Ngai Tai ki Tamaki, Howick Local Board, Auckland Council and MPI are working toward restoration of Te Naupata Reserve near Bucklands Beach.
There will be four native tree planting days at the reserve from July 20-24.
More details and sign-up process are on the Howick Local Board Facebook page.
