Tag: Howick Local Board
What’s On in east Auckland this festive season
Christmas Light Show
Eastgate Christian Centre, 5 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga
December 1-24, 8.30pm-10pm
Witness the wonder of Christmas come alive as thousands of LED lights transform the...
Celebration as ‘road to nowhere’ finally opens
It’s taken longer than expected but a previously closed road leading to a busy east Auckland shopping precinct has finally opened to traffic.
Large concrete...
Skating advocate unhappy with lack of progress
East Skate Club founder and chairperson Aaron Martin is calling out the Howick Local Board for failing to deliver for east Auckland’s skating community.
Martin...
It’s beginning to look like Christmas!
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
Like the rest of the community, we were disappointed when our beloved Stockade Hill Christmas Tree Lighting...
Take part in Howick Village’s Christmas Shop and Win
By Katie Treneman, Village Manager, Howick Village Association
Despite the torrential weather during the day thankfully the rain lifted for our annual Christmas Fair.
This...
Shaping the future of playgrounds
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
The Howick Local Board oversees and maintains more than 70 playgrounds in the area, but rising costs...
Parade organisers value community support
The 71st Howick Santa Parade is held this Sunday and it would not be possible to stage without the help and efforts of many...
Howick Local Board weighs in on mayor’s proposals
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter funded by New Zealand on Air
Howick Local Board members have called for urgent action on Tāmaki Estuary...
Countdown to Howick’s biggest Santa Parade
There’s only just over a week before the biggest Howick Santa Parade yet and the excitement is quickly building.
The 71st edition of the always...
Police hail large drop in vehicle crime
Police in east Auckland have seen a massive drop in the number of vehicles being broken into and stolen from local streets.
The latest statistics...
Cost savings from Howick Local Board office exit
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
The Howick Local Board office in Pakūranga will close at the end of November, enabling council to...
Village upskills in digitally recording treasures
A treasured heritage museum dedicated to preserving east Auckland’s historical artefacts is learning a new system for recording exactly what it has.
Tasked with documenting...
New Botany bus station and road opens
One more job on the long list of them making up the giant Eastern Busway transport project can be ticked off, with the opening...
Artists serving up conversation and coffee
People have the chance to enjoy a chat and a coffee with talented artists at locations around east Auckland.
Back for its third year, the...
Festive season starts with Howick Village Christmas Fair
Yuletide season is officially underway today in east Auckland with the annual shopping and entertainment extravaganza the Christmas Fair in Howick Village.
The Howick Local...
What’s On: Community activities
Artist talks
Five artists are giving talks on their work at locations around east Auckland as part of the Art of Conversation project, funded by...
New hub for young people in Botany
This is a shared arts column space put together by the Howick Historical Village, Te Tuhi, and Uxbridge Arts and Culture.
Since opening its doors...
Celebrating 33 years of community service
An east Auckland community organisation is turning 33 years old this year and it’s throwing a party to celebrate.
The Inner Wheel Club of Howick...
Letters to the Editor: Elected members; RSA operations; cheap fares
Elected members
There are far too many people on the Howick Local Board.
That said, most local boards in Auckland seem to be getting more people...
Would you like to help lead your local community?
Community-minded east Auckland residents are being urged to consider standing as candidates at next year’s local elections.
Up for grabs will be two seats representing...
Year-end excitement is palpable
By KATIE TRENEMAN, Interim Village Manager, Howick Village Association
We’d like to congratulate Julie and Emma from Brave and Be and welcome their new...
Debate as board votes to open workshops
Despite strong opposition from several of its members the Howick Local Board has voted to open its currently confidential workshops to the public from...
Celebrating our diversity together
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
Throughout the year we’re fortunate to have so many wonderful opportunities to share and celebrate our cultural...
Open workshops increase transparency
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
In our representative democracy it’s vital that the public have trust in those making the decisions on...
Extravaganza ushers in Art Salon
When visiting the magnificent spiritually enlightening Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, a peaceful tranquillity embraces.
Even though it’s surrounded by Flat Bush’s bustling suburbia, once...
CAB Botany marks 15 years of committed public service
All types of questions pop up for Citizens Advice Bureau staff and volunteers to answer when responding to inquiries from the public.
They’re usually of...
All go for rebuild of Barry Curtis playground
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
The Howick Local Board looks after 70 playgrounds across Howick, Pakuranga, Botany and Flat Bush.
These range from...
Resident fires up over safety improvements
The Howick Local Board is being accused of failing to carry out sufficient public consultation before investing more than $280,000 on safety improvements in...
Cheerleader Collings flies flag for Pakuranga Plaza
When you’re the “cheerleader” for Pakuranga as well as its town centre, the role is to accentuate the positives.
And while David Collings is looking...
MP slams proposal to increase size of Howick Local Board
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is publicly criticising the Howick Local Board for proposing to increase its size from its current nine elected members to...
Attempt to shrink Howick Local Board fails
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, and Chris Harrowell, partially funded by New Zealand on Air
Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson has failed in...
East Auckland is not your rubbish dump
The views from brand new million-dollar homes in a rapidly developing part of east Auckland are being spoiled by the disgusting sight of large...
Environmental art contest’s People’s Choice winner announced
Auckland artist Kate Parker has earned the People’s Choice Prize at this year’s Estuary Art and Ecology Awards.
The awards competition and its associated exhibition...
East Auckland backs representation review proposal
Proposed changes for fairer representation and a Flat Bush subdivision for the Howick Local Board have received overwhelming support with 86 per cent of...
Caring is sharing for community helpers
Did you know there’s an organisation that can help if you feel you’ve been overcharged by a utility services provider?
Or that if you’re a...
$287,000 spent to reduce speed and save lives
The Howick Local Board is investing $287,000 to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian and traffic safety in a popular part of a scenic local...
Celebrating our local sporting heroes
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
The Howick Local Board has an aspiration that our sports and recreational opportunities respond to the changing...
Thieves steal plaque that replaced stolen plaque
It’s happened again.
A plaque installed in Howick’s Fencible Walk Park to replace a bronze plaque stolen from the same spot in March has itself...
“Appalling acts of vandalism” – another significant object stolen
At this rate there soon won’t be much left in Howick to steal.
First, a bronze plaque installed in Fencible Walk Park in Picton Street...
Town Crier opposes Māori naming of community assets
A story the Times published on August 23 (War of words over Māori names for public places - Times) about the debate over giving...
Advocating for infrastructure before intensification
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
We recently learned the outcome of the long-running application to build a significant development in Cockle Bay.
No...
Rugby club progresses $9m expansion plan
A major east Auckland sports club has the green light to continue a multi-million-dollar plan to expand its facilities.
Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC) wants...
War of words over Maori names for public places
A heated war of words has broken out over whether Maori names should be given to numerous public places in the local community as...
Goodbye ‘Reeves Road Flyover’, hello ‘Rā Hihi’
Construction of one of the country’s biggest transport projects is continuing at pace.
The Eastern Busway section from Pakūranga to Botany will deliver 5km of...
Councillor pleased to see community events axed
Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson says he's pleased the Howick Local Board has voted to axe funding for two community events in east Auckland.
Williamson...
Exhibition celebrates the contribution of women
By Sally French
Ten of our local community’s most well-known women are being celebrated in Arts Out East’s latest exhibition, Tales of our Wāhine.
Through...
“I think it would be a tragedy” – heated debate as...
Two key community events in east Auckland won’t be going ahead with the Howick Local Board voting to scrap their funding.
The issue arose at...
Board to vote on rugby club’s expansion plans
The Howick Local Board is set to finally resolve an ongoing issue involving a Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC) plan to offer more activities...
Our representative democracy must adapt to growing population
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
Auckland has a unique local government, created after Parliament passed special legislation back in 2009.
As a result,...
Let’s save innocent animals from rats!
The Times is publishing stories in our digital publication and on our website that are written by local youngsters in our Junior Journalist initiative. Here’s a...
Funding approved to turn our strategy into action
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
On Thursday, June 27, the Howick Local Board approved our work programme for the coming year, beginning...
Rubbish piling up as residents plead for bins’ return
East Auckland residents are pleading for rubbish bins removed from the community as part of a $10 million cost-cutting exercise to be returned.
But before...
Eel conservation inspires top art prize winner
By Carlos Norton, AUT Journalism Student
This year’s Estuary Art and Ecology Awards has embraced its ecological theme more than ever, with Matthew Dowman’s...
Debate growing over size of Howick Local Board
By Chris Harrowell and Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, Funded by New Zealand on Air
Local community leaders disagree over whether the number of...
How we serve our diverse local community
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
Auckland is unique with our Super-City structure – we have the governing body, made up of the...
Consultation on reducing Howick Local Board fails
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter - Funded by New Zealand on Air
A proposal by Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson to consult the public...
Frustration over closure of road to town centre
Questions are being asked as to why large concrete blocks are impeding vehicle access between a growing residential community and an east Auckland shopping...
Estuary Art and Ecology Awards finalists revealed
The finalists in the prestigious Estuary Art and Ecology Awards for 2024 have been announced.
They are Hannah Arnold, Alexander Bailey, Ngahina Belton-Bodsworth, Cathy Carter,...
Empowering local action to protect and restore the environment
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
Moth Plant Competition another huge success!
Last Wednesday, June 5, was World Environment Day and we celebrated this...
A new era begins for the Times
East Aucklanders turned out in their droves to celebrate the launch of the Times’ new digital publication under the leadership of the company’s new...
East Tamaki is full of successful, innovative businesses
The Times is partnering with members of our local business community to give them a platform to communicate with our readers about matters of...
Matariki flags flying to celebrate Maori New Year
Arts Out East is proud to this year be working with the Howick Village Association to celebrate Matariki, the Maori New Year.
A large-scale community...
We’re listening, working, and taking action
By Damian Light, Howick Local Board chairperson
Welcome back to the Times! We’re pleased to see this vital community service continuing as an important...
Spoilt for choice with arts, culture and heritage
By Lexie Palmer-Gapper, General Manager, Howick Historical Village
Just 10km as the crow flies: within that area are three remarkable institutions celebrating contemporary art,...
Board concerned over speed of Fast-Track Approvals Bill
The Howick Local Board is concerned at the speed with which the Government is moving its Fast-Track Approvals Bill through Parliament.
The Bill will enable...
Environmental champion Jim Duckworth acknowledged
A local environmental champion has been publicly recognised for his efforts in the community.
Jim Duckworth, one of the founding members of the Friends of...
Dedicated community servant and advocate remembered
East Auckland has lost a dedicated and passionate community servant and advocate with the passing of Shirley Warren QSM.
A funeral notice for her states...
Democracy or dysfunction? Decision finally made on Howick War Memorial Hall
It took just one year and 45 days to construct the world-famous Empire State Building in New York City.
But, staggeringly, it took the Howick...
Get your entries in for this year’s Estuary Art and Ecology...
People wanting to enter the 18th Estuary Art and Ecology Awards have just two weeks left to submit their entry.
The prestigious awards are staged...
AT explains decision to have Eastern Busway run through Burswood
Auckland Transport (AT) is pushing back against reporting by the Times that it says doesn’t explain why it decided to have the Eastern Busway run...
Decision imminent on future of Howick War Memorial Hall
Resolution may finally be at hand in the ongoing saga of the management of the Howick War Memorial Hall.
The Howick Local Board is set...
Kauri Kids Howick receives four-month lifeline to keep operating
Agreement has been reached for the Kauri Kids Howick early childhood centre to stay in operation until September 30 while negotiations continue with third-party...
Auckland Transport reveals design of Eastern Busway through Burswood
The Howick Local Board has again voiced its opposition to Auckland Transport’s (AT) plan to divert the Eastern Busway through Burswood.
Its members discussed the...
Howick Local Board approves $160k funding for community groups
The Howick Local Board has voted to provide funding of more than $160,000 to numerous community organisations, groups and sports clubs across east Auckland...
Bo Burns takes the reins of the Times
East Auckland's leading community news provider - the Times - is back!
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the long-standing local news provider has...
Public places to receive Maori names
Nineteen public places in east Auckland will receive Maori names as part of a commitment for te reo to be "seen, heard, spoken, and...
Plenty of smiles and sore legs at Howick Fun Walk &...
Following a poor weather start to the weekend, it was a relief for all when Sunday, March 24, turned into a lovely day for...
All welcome at Easter Sunrise Service on Stockade Hill
Local churches are preparing for the annual East Auckland Easter Sunrise Service at Stockade Hill on Sunday, March 31.
This Easter several church leaders will...
‘Eventually there’s going to be more rubbish than grass’
The amount of rubbish Dave Upfold removed from a short stretch of an east Auckland road in just 60 seconds is staggering.
To highlight a...
Kay to deliver guitar pop-ups
Local guitarist Dylan Kay has been awarded an Arts Out East grant for his One Finger Guitarist project.
The project will see Kay performing a...
Howick Local Board is working for our community
By Damian Light, chair of the Howick Local Board
We hope everyone had a relaxing and restful break as we've got another big year...
Lower speed limits will make city ‘grind to standstill’
A firmer commitment to traffic speed limit enforcement in east Auckland, including the use of speed cameras and fines, is being called for in...
The new year is already looking rosier
Happy New Year and I hope you had a wonderful break with family and friends.
Hopefully the turn-around in the weather from 12 months ago...
Debate over management of public facility heats up
The Howick Local Board is again going into a new year without having resolved the contentious long-standing debate over management of a public facility.
Conflict...
Rubbish bins being removed to save $10 million
Backlash is growing against efforts to remove more than 150 rubbish bins from public parks and reserves in the local community in an effort...
Local board dispenses $32k of funding
The Howick Local Board has voted to provide more than $30,000 of funding to community organisations in east Auckland.
At its final business meeting of...
Local board to canvas public support for ‘dump station’
The Howick Local Board will next year consider if it's got money in its budget to fund an east Auckland facility provided to motor...
Naval rig flagpole has new home
A very special flagpole has been relocated to Stevenson Reserve on Cook Street in Howick.
Howick Local Board chair Damian Light said, "The new site...
Howick Santa Parade draws the crowds
The 70th Howick Santa Parade was a remarkable success, drawing unprecedented crowds to the Howick main street.
This year's parade, a significant milestone, was met...
South African expat issues public warning over crime
A well-known east Auckland resident is publicly issuing a warning about New Zealand’s escalating crime situation, which he says reminds him of the troubled...
Raised crossing proposed due to ‘high crash risk’
Another of east Auckland's busiest roads may soon get a raised pedestrian crossing in an ongoing effort to slow traffic down and prevent crashes.
As...
Funds found to back youth zone for Howick
More than $100,000 has been reallocated from two projects to support the Howick Youth Facility and Programmes budget line.
Howick Local Board chair Damian Light...
Marina closes ‘dump station’ due to costly vandalism
An east Auckland facility used by motorhome and caravan users has been so badly damaged by vandals that the people who operate it have...
Bishop blesses St Paul’s build site
The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, the Right Reverend Ross Bay, has blessed the build site of a new east Auckland church.
The ceremony at St...
CCTV cameras help identify suspected keg thief
Empty beer kegs may sound like an unlikely target for theft but that's what allegedly proved too tempting for a man arrested and charged...
Christmas in Howick Village offers fun for all ages
By Ken Scott, Chair Howick Village Association
Yes, for those who hadn't noticed, it is a mere 54 days or seven-and-a-half weeks until Christmas...
Public demands new library and community centre
One of the themes of the feedback about what people want to see happen in east Auckland in the coming years is the need...
Hundreds provide feedback to Howick Local Board’s draft plan
Several hundred people have provided detailed feedback about what they want to see happen in the community over the next three years.
The Howick Local...
Burns campaigning to help change the Government
A local first-time general election candidate says she's focused on helping her political party double its current number of MPs.
Howick Local Board deputy chairperson...
Government obtains land for new primary school
A new primary school is set to be built in east Auckland to cater to the area's growing population.
The Ministry of Education has acquired...
