Allan Riley is a highly-respected member of the Howick community, not only for his more than 20 years of dedication and work for the Mangemangeroa Reserves, but also for his membership of the Howick Presbyterian Church and the Howick Rotary Club, where he has been a member of both for 40 years (secretary of Rotary for some of that time).
In 1995, Riley was asked to become a Trustee of the Tom Brydon Trust founded in 1980 by a former Howick Rotarian to become a major support to refugee families on their arrival in New Zealand and to also support the community projects undertaken by Howick Rotary.
In 2009 Riley was appointed chairman of this trust and has since continued in this position.
In 2003 Rotary International awarded Riley the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for his involvement in the many community activities of the Rotary Club of Howick.
Some years ago, it was mooted in the community to construct a new wharf at Howick Beach. Many were opposed to this development and Riley took the lead from an environmental perspective.
Riley has chaired the CC Society Incorporated and committee unopposed since its inception in 2002.
Since then he has liaised with councils, Rotary clubs, schools, South Auckland Forest and Bird, local Chinese and Indian communities and other community conservation groups including Whitford Estuary Conservation Society, Friends of Lot 29 Estuary Views, Pest Free Howick of which he is an establishing member plus neighbouring property owners, and he achieved the aim of setting up a network of plant nurseries at schools and residential properties.
More than 100,000 trees have now been eco-sourced and raised in these nurseries to be planted on the 41 hectares of the combined estuary reserves over the past 20 years.
He and the committee have redeveloped the entire plan for restoration and planting, extending the walkways through to Hayley Lane and Point View Drive.
Riley, along with other founding members, provided the impetus for installation of the extensive system of board walks insisting that management, development and restoration must be kept active through the FOM Partnership Agreement with Auckland Council and the Howick Local Board with the most recent versions having been extensively revised in 2019, accessible on the Auckland Council website.
Riley was the driving force in coordinating the various parties involved in creating these comprehensive plans.
Originally, council leased cattle grazing to keep down grass in the unplanted areas, but this grazing created slips and unstable gullies.
Further large areas covered in gorse and degraded bush have been transformed by planting with scrupulously eco-sourced native vegetation developing into natural coastal forest, home to thriving native bird life.
This recovery would not have been possible without Riley’s unwavering support, dedicated efforts and leadership.
While local schools at all levels have always used the reserve as an outdoor classroom, Riley continues to advocate for the building of an environmental education centre on the reserve.
This would be a multi-purpose building with a café, nursery area and outdoor teaching spaces included. This has led to the formation, led by a committee member, of a separate trust being established with plans having been drawn up and sitting currently with Auckland Council.
All the time and effort Riley has contributed has been voluntary and although the Friends of Mangemangeroa Society has a strong support base, he has been the main driving force behind its success.
His skills in diplomacy, his drive in encouraging and bringing together the various forces and groups has been noteworthy representing the Friends at Local Board hearings and refusing to be deterred by setbacks.
Riley has always been actively involved in the planting and organising of the community planting days until very recently when serious health concerns and current hospitalisation have impelled him to retire as chairman of The Friends of Mangemangeroa Society this year. It will be extremely difficult to replace such a modest and self-effacing leader.
The Friends of Mangemangeroa Society Inc
