Whilst its February and the calendar year is well underway, it not too late to say Happy Chinese New Year (Xīn nián kuài lè) – The Year of the Snake.
Our city is jampacked with many Chinese New Year events including the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival (Feb 13-16) on for the second year at the Manukau Sports Bowl.
January saw a number of hugely successful large events including Sail GP and international country music star Luke Combs headlining at Eden Park and there is more to come! Moana Auckland, showcasing our ocean, is still on until 9 March and includes the likes of Splash Landing 15-16 February, Pic Harbour classic 28 February -1 March and the Auckland Boat Show on 6-9 March. It is fantastic that in Auckland we have access to world class exhibitions, can attend concerts and festivals headlined by global superstars as well as supporting local talent at free events like Opera in Park.
2025 is a period of potential change in the local government cycle in Auckland with elections at the end of the year. There has been some media speculation about what my plans are. If there is news, I will let you know. I do want to stress though, having a successful Auckland is not just about who becomes the next mayor but about your local representation, from local boards members through to ward councillors. My next newsletter will concentrate more on that.
But first let’s look at some current updates.
Public Transport
After a planned rail network shutdown over the Christmas/ school holiday period, trains are back and running. The next proposed rail shutdown will be 12 – 27 April 2025 to coincide with the Easter holidays.
If you’re not a regular public transport user, you may not know Auckland Transport have amended their fares as of 2 February. Check here to update yourself on those changes https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/fares-discounts/public-transport-fare-changes Remember you can always use your eftpos card or visa card to use any bus /train and most ferries. However, for concessions, such as SuperGold, students etc… you need to use your AT HOP card to access the discount.
More locally, several Selwyn College parents have come to me regarding some concerns with bus overcrowding, particularly in the afternoons. I have spoken to Auckland Transport and updated in more detail on my Facebook page, but in short AT are definitely looking at how another bus (or a larger bus) can be made available to support the afternoon service. Will keep you posted.
Infrastructure
Watercare works Judges Bay
As you know the 2023 severe weather events caused the wastewater pipe 18 metres beneath the Parnell Rose Gardens to break. Since then, there has been a temporary above ground solution that worked but was not ideal. I am beyond thrilled that a new underground wastewater pump station is now in place and Watercare is making significant progress towards lifting the long term Safeswim black pin status at Judges Bay. https://safeswim.org.nz/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAh6y9BhBREiwApBLHCxZ0SecOaoeHhKISMmb3o1xw-rAH6pK99TLtz6Ab6iSH_Yx16IFefxoCc-kQAvD_BwE
Works will continue by the pump station to finish this, including plantings in the garden bed to screen the control units from the road. The pump station is anticipated to be up and running by May 2025. Until then, the current traffic management set-up at Cleveland Rd will remain in place through to March when traffic control will be implemented at lower Cleveland Rd and St Georges Bay Rd from March to early April 2025.
The installation of the pump station is a key local achievement for our area with Watercare investing $13.2 million in the project which along with the new pump station, includes the installation of two new wastewater pipelines: one on Judges Bay Road and the other on Cleveland Road.
Together, these infrastructure upgrades will increase the capacity in the local wastewater network and reduce the frequency of wet weather overflows at Judges Bay.
Ōrākei Main Sewer
Another local wastewater investment to future proof our local network is the Ōrākei Main Sewer’s rehabilitation, with stage two now underway.
Watercare have had some issues during the excavation of the shaft in Alberon Reserve, primarily due to the ground being much harder than expected, however excavation is now down to over 11 metres with only a couple more metres to go before they reach the sewer pipe itself.
Watercare will start relining the pipe in May. This will enable the Ōrākei main sewer to continue in service for another 100 years.
Kepa road/ Kupe Street intersection works
This intersection upgrade is being undertaken by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to improve the neighbourhood and enhance safety for the community as well as to support the future growth in the community. There is a lot of development planned for the Ōrākei area, including homes being built and the plan is to ensure the road network can manage the increase in people living in the area. Installing traffic lights will make it easier for drivers to safely turn out of Kupe Street and make it easier and safer for people to walk and bike in the area.
This is not a council project.
The project is part-funded by the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF). In June 2021, the New Zealand Government announced the IAF initiative, designed to allocate funding to new or upgraded infrastructure, such as transport, water, and flood management infrastructure, in order to unlock housing developments and enable a meaningful contribution to housing outcomes in areas of need.
If you have any queries about this project please contact:
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei: Clare Mandeno
Phone: 09 972 2363 (Press 3 for property &
development)
E-mail: ClareM@ngatiwhatuaorakei.com
https://www.ngatiwhatuaorakeiwhairawa.com/papa-k%C4%81inga/kepakupe-intersection/
Consultations
Dog policy, bylaw and regional and local park access rules
I am aware that some locals have raised their concerns about the proposals. As the consultation is currently open, please share your views through the consultation channel so that all feedback can be taken into consideration.
The changes being proposed by Council are part of a regular review of Auckland's dog policy, Dog Management Bylaw and local dog access rules. For example:
· dog access rules (where dogs can go off a leash, on a leash, or are not allowed) at 14 regional parks and 64 places in local parks and beaches across the region.
· New off-leash areas are recommended, as well as changes to keep dogs out of places with vulnerable wildlife, and to provide some places for the public to visit that are dog-free.
· Under the proposed changes, people can walk a maximum of six dogs at once and only three of those dogs can be off a leash. This means you could walk three dogs off a leash at once, or three dogs off a leash and an additional three dogs on a leash, or six dogs on a leash.
The 5-week consultation period closes on Sunday 23 February so please have your say. Local input is important. Further information can be found: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dog-policy-bylaw-and-access-rules
Final Decision on these rules is made by two different parts of Council.
The overarching policy and by-law which includes access to regional parks is made by the mayor and councillors (Governing Body) and rules around dog access rules on local parks (like Madills Farm and Glover Park) is made by the Local Board in charge of those local parks/reserves.
Local News
The big yellow structure you may have noticed by Mission Bay beach (Selwyn Reserve) is a rainbow machine. Part of Auckland Councils Art Collection, it travels around the region and will stay at Selwyn Reserve until the end of the month.
So how does it work?
You create your own unique rainbow by harnessing natural light. The joy of the experience is that no two rainbows are the same. You pivot the cone towards the sun, using two geared wheels (large and small). When the optimum angle is struck, natural light is passed through a series of prisms and mirrors at the top of the cone, refracting the light to produce a rainbow. Kids especially love it.
Upcoming events
13-16 February, BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival at the Manukau Sports Bowl. Celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake. More than 500 handcrafted lanterns will be on display at this family-friendly event. The event is free but you do require tickets so numbers can be managed. https://www.universe.com/events/bnz-auckland-lantern-festival-tickets-5M7GJK
15-16 February pencil in your diary so you can attend Splash Landing (8-10 Tamaki Drive) a FREE family friendly event at the Landing. Bring your towel and togs and have a go at a range of activities from sailing to dragon boating on the water to skateboarding and bouncy castles on land. There will also be live music and food trucks. This is hosted by Akarana Marine Sports Charitable Trust & Ōrākei Local Board and part of Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival.
15 February – Another FREE event, the world-famous Red Bull Trolley Grand Prix at the Domain on Saturday. An event not to be missed. Racing will start at 1pm and be over around 5.30pm. The most fearless, fun-loving and ingenious teams will design and build creative, non-motorised trolleys to race through the Auckland Domain. I am sure they will appreciate your encouragement!https://www.redbull.com/nz-en/events/red-bull-trolley-grand-prix-new-zealand-2025
26 February 2 March – International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation 2025 University Worlds on at the Ōrākei Basin. With participants from 14 countries (and counting), you can support your favourite teams and athletes over an action-packed 6-day waterski tournament Basin. https://awsc.co.nz/uniworlds/#
Talking of the Orakei Basin, investigation is underway as to why a number of dead eels have been found in the basin. At time of writing Healthy Waters had not finished their investigation but it is in process. I’ll update when I have more information.
Finally, Valentines Day is this Friday, 14 February, in and amongst whatever you have planned on that day, maybe take time to appreciate something you love about the great city we all live in.
Desley