Chair of Finance- end of term address Sept 15, 2022

Today I chaired our last Finance and Performance Committee meeting for the term, and what a challenging term it has been.

In my final words I noted that over the past three years, we have put in over 268 hours of workshops and 118 hours of meetings, making key decisions on all things finance.

We have had to respond to the challenges associated with an international pandemic and the consequences of subsequent lockdowns, one of the most significant droughts in Auckland’s history, the urgent need for climate action, rampant inflation, and increased interest rates . We have also had to adjust to working on our own from home, making decisions on online platforms for months at a time.

Throughout, we have continued to focus on financial prudence and providing value for money to Aucklanders, the people we represent.

Having said that though, I first acknowledged Team Auckland ( that’s local board members and councillors)

I genuinely thank you for joining us through many hours of discussion at workshops and coming willingly to the table to help us navigate significant challenges. I speak for all my colleagues when I express our collective gratitude to you all for your contributions over the past three years – it has been invaluable.

We all know council isn’t perfect, however I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight some of our achievements:

·         We’ve produced not three, but four budgets to adjust to the financial pressures that came our way and still managed to stimulate economic recovery.

·         Our decision making has always reflected the majority of feedback we’ve received from Aucklanders through consultation.

·         We’ve delivered capital investment programmes of more than $6 billion.

·         Council has made savings of $2.4 billion to date, achieving operational savings and efficiency achievements in excess of $260 million).

·         We’ve achieved group procurement savings of just under $150 million.

·         We’ve raised $2 billion in green bonds – the first organisation in New Zealand to raise money this way.

·         We’ve saved in excess of $12m in IT services and acknowledge the role Mark Denvir had in this – thank you and RIP Mark.

·         Our value for money achievements have totalled in excess of $528 million this term.

·         We’ve been able to widely use debt to fund growth, while keeping our debt-debt-to-revenue ratio well within the group’s 290 per cent policy limit.  Noting our debt is currently 16% of our assets and now well below pre covid levels of 270.

·         As for our rates, we have never had the highest average general percentage increase of any council in NZ – Currently we are 4th (after Tauranga, Wellington and Dunedin).

·         We’ve maintained investor confidence as reflected in our credit ratings with S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investor Services of AA and Aa2 respectively, both with a “stable” outlook.

I am sure there’s plenty more I could mention like record delivery of infrastructure programmes across Auckland in response to the growth of our city’s population, or our focus on climate action and environmental protection. There’s a lot to reflect on, and a lot to be proud of as you know.

Finally, I want to wish you all the best for the weeks ahead and hope we see each other again soon.

In the spirit of this week’s Maori Language week - Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori, I will sign-off with an apt whakataukī (proverb).

Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua - those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead.

Desley

Planning Committee 4 August

General Comments about the National Policy Statement on Urban Development and Medium Density Residential Standards.

• Well, here we are. Nearly two years of NPS UD work and 9 months after the RMA amendment introducing the Medium Density Residential Standards. Work that central government has imposed on the people of Auckland. Work frankly I do not think was needed and at great expense which also wasn’t needed .

• I strongly believe that we need to build a lot more houses our failure to do that over the last 30 years has created enormous problems. In my opinion,the housing crisis is driven by interest rates, borrowing restrictions, housing material availability, housing material inflation and labour shortages. All of which are outside of council control. Yes we could consent faster but that’s not the issue we are dealing with today

• I fundamentally disagree with the governments approach and direction for Auckland, Respectfully I believe they should concentrate on delivering their core business without interfering in ours

• However, they have set this direction and imposed intensification including the those in established suburbs such as those within the Orakei Ward and other areas that are already struggling with capacity constraints.

• And that’s not nimbyism. The AUP already allows for managed and sensible growth that is in keeping with the area. This NPSUD /MDRS ‘one size’ does not fit all. Auckland is of a scale that is different and should have been treated differently.

• The current AUP delivers enough housing to satisfy Auckland’s residential and business growth for the next 30 years.

• I have fought to minimise the impact of this bad piece of government legislation. Sadly for me, I haven’t won every fight but we are probably in a  slightly better position from where we started, and I acknowledge staff who have reacted to feedback from Auckland

Special character areas.

• The intention of the NPSUD is to release as much development potential as possible and the government expects council to remove significant areas of Special Character.

• But, Special Character Areas are an important part of a well-functioning urban environment and are valued by Aucklanders

• And boy did we hear from our community, Aucklander’s overwhelming supported the retention most or all our special character areas.

• In response, with others,  I fought hard to keep as much of the special character areas as we could.

• My first resolution was to keep all our special character areas- that was lost that is, not supported by the majority around the table . Then  I wanted to keep the 4s, again I lost my resolution to support that . But  we did secure further work from staff reviewing submissions and responding to more supporting information.

• We see the results of that work today, and it is good to see that more properties are now included in those special character areas alongside better spatial cohesion.

• And I see this as a win with supportable evidence. We could have lost a  lot more but with help from a passionate community , we have saved more properties for future generations. I  do want to specifically thank the Character Coalition and my OLB who have been leaders in this space

• So whilst I don’t specifically like where we have landed,I do believe special character areas are in better shape than when we went out with our preliminary view. So I want to give confidence to Aucklanders that we have listened and we have made real changes.

• From my two local board areas Orakei and Waitemata- In Orakei 26 properties were deleted  and 136 added and In Waitemata 73 deleted and 195 added -

• It’s important to note , it's not the end of the road for Special character areas. The public will still have an opportunity to have their say when this opens for public consultation.

Walkable catchments

• I still felt 1200 is quite significant considering we have an aging population in Auckland. And we asked staff to continue to refine those distances in response to the public feedback.

• Staff have responded and in some areas such as Parnell staff have reconsidered and have revised in the distance in some parts down to 800m. Again, we have responded to our community concerns.

Electricity Resolution

• We all received a letter from Vector highlighting their concerns about the potential risks of buildings of higher heights being enabled closer to Vector assets.

• I want to thank staff who have listened to those concerns and assisted me in amending the original resolutions

• What this amendment does is give staff more time to work with Vector in assessing those concerns and provide clarification on the council’s regulatory responsibilities

Final comments

• So In conclusion, In voting for these resolutions I do so not because I agree with this legislation nor do I particularly  like where this has landed, but

• To all Aucklanders, my challenge to you, please use the submissions process to continue the fight. The way Auckland looks and feels in the future is too important to say nothing

Newsletter - 1 July 2022 (Budget update)

On Wednesday, the mayor and councillors agreed to our Annual Budget for the 2022/23 financial year. Our budgets this political term have all been challenging, and sadly this one is no different. Our finance staff have repeatedly talked about ‘financial head winds’ but what we are facing now is more like a financial cyclone. This budget will allow us to put our sandbags in place and move to higher ground, and make sure we are as resilient as possible, for there are still many unknowns. Some of the pressures we are facing will be temporary, but some may stick around for a while yet. The ongoing budget gap Auckland Council faces could be between $90 million and $150 million, depending on how this financial storm develops. That is a big gap, and a lot of unknowns.

The draft Mayoral Proposal went out for consultation in March and has now been refined as a result of updated financial projections and the feedback we received from Aucklanders.
I wanted to share my thoughts on where we’ve landed. This is a long update, so maybe save it for when you have a moment to read through to the end.

First, the Climate Action Targeted Rate. I don’t believe this should be based on the capital value of your home, nor do I personally believe the sequencing and prioritization of projects association with that spend are the best they could be. However, we asked Aucklanders what they thought, noted how it was to be funded, and the feedback was pretty clear. It had support across the region, both through our consultation process and the independent Kantar poll. It had support from the majority of our local boards, including the Waitemata and Orakei local boards. I was glad to see some flexibility around budget allocation and the option for reprioritization as required. I absolutely support the careful monitoring of this rate spend, as we do with all our targeted rates, and I will be talking to every mayoral hopeful as to their thoughts on this going forward.

I was supportive of the grant to Coastguard. We are a region bordered by water and the work they do is critical for the safety of our communities here in Orakei and around the region.

As for the government’s Better Off Funding grant of $127 million, this grant does not in any way alter my view that the government’s direction on Three Waters is not good for Auckland. We know Aucklanders do not agree with the Three Waters Reform proposal, because they told us in no uncertain terms. Council’s recommendations on Three Waters are on record as being against, and the mayor has consistently and publicly been opposed to the reforms. But if the government is handing out a grant with no strings attached and we never have to pay it back, I’ll take it, especially in this challenging financial environment. I also want to state that this grant (which we applied for) is NOT payment for our $10 BILLION worth of water assets. They are being taken as a result of central government legislation.

The savings and efficiencies Auckland Council has achieved this political term have been the largest of any term to date. They currently total almost $230 million. However, my personal belief is there are always more savings and efficiencies to be found. To that end, as chair of the Value for Money Committee, I will lead the work to look at further savings opportunities across the group and further scoping of strategic opportunities for cost reductions. The Value for Money work programme is critical and to date this term has delivered $447.7 million worth of efficiencies.

On debt… whilst eye wateringly large, Auckland Council’s debt is just under 18% of its assets. I’m sure many wouldn’t mind their mortgage being 18%! This is supported in part by an average general rate increase of 3.5%. I think it’s important to note that this council term we have consistently ensured that our rates take from Aucklanders remains less than 40% of our income, and this budget keeps to that figure, coming in at 37%. Our debt to revenue will be well below our limit of 290% and the projections in our 10-year budget, and our credit rating agencies Standard & Poors and Moody’s have supported us with AA and A2 ratings, respectively.

I am challenged to support some of the deferral of capital expenditure over the next three years but know we have to make some decisions now to support ongoing prudence, and also know that the final timing of projects will be reviewed by the next council.

So, looking at the whole package, the new CATR alongside the other targeted rates, waste charges, the whole lot, we remain focused on what this means for Aucklanders, especially noting this budget includes the delayed revaluations. Across all of Auckland, the total increases on average are at just under $200 for the residential ratepayer. We know that the impacts of rates increases are not uniform across the region. There are some areas that will feel this harder than others and I have looked to my colleagues, especially those in the south and west, for guidance as per their thoughts on affordability. In every single local board area, there will be a number of residential ratepayers whose rates go down next year by over $1,000.

That said, we are all in very challenging financial both as a region and as a country. The combined rates rises proposed by the mayor are in line with many other metropolitan councils across the country who are settling on rates increases of 5-6%. I note that Wellington is proposing 8.9% and Tauranga 13.7% But again, we know it’s tough out there for everyone. I’ll be watching carefully to see if there are any increases in ratepayers struggling to pay their rates on time as we start quarter one of the new year next month. Again, this will be something all prospective mayors need to keep an eye on too.

So, is this budget prudent? Whilst this budget was proposed by the mayor and supported by our finance team, it also was independently assessed by our Audit and Risk committee which has three members who are professionals and independent of Council. The committee has advised the Governing Body that an appropriate approach is being taken to manage the key financial risks associated with the Annual Budget 2022/23. We know that this financial storm we find ourselves in is presenting significant risks to our financial position, but our Finance team, our rating agencies and our Audit and Risk Committee all agree that we are meeting those challenges with a strong commitment to sustainable and prudent financial management.

I want to highlight some of the regional investment this budget will enable in our Orakei Ward, (noting the Orakei Local Board will have other projects, too), as we are very lucky to be getting significant investment in our area. In terms of transport, we can look forward to a new southern link (the Gowing Drive connection) to the fantastic new section 2 of the shared path which goes from St Heliers Bay Rd through to the Orakei Basin. Along with this we will see continued works on the last final link to Tamaki Drive (section 4). This budget also completes the Mission Bay works supported by the Mission Bay/Kohimarama Residents Association and the Orakei Local Board. The Tamaki Drive footpath will be upgraded between Solent St and Ngapipi Rd and include upgrades to the railing along Tamaki Drive. Having been delayed for a few years, we will finally see the raising of lower Portland Road, which has been prone to flooding well before I was even born!

In the environment and water quality space, the Portland Road Reserve project is certainly worth noting. I recently did a site visit and they are making some great progress. By using the silt to create land features within the reserve, instead of loading it all onto trucks to go to landfill, the environmental impact of the project has been significantly reduced, and we’ve saved $1 million in transport and dumping fees. You can also expect to see investment at Waiatarua Wetland, Tahuna Torea, and Pourewa Valley. There are ongoing water quality improvements in Hobson Bay and the team are currently focused on Newmarket’s Khyber separation project. It’s worth noting that much of our water quality issues arise from old non-separated pipes. That investment is critical and for too long has been left out of budgets and workstreams. Wave barrier gates are in the works for Kohimarama, as well as seawall improvements at Cliff Road in St Heliers. There is ongoing Kauri Dieback prevention work taking place at Dingle Dell.

In terms of our community facilities, there are new sports fields and upgrades being completed at Shore Road Reserve in Remuera, two sand-carpeted fields and lighting for five fields at Colin Maiden Park in St Johns. The wintergardens at the Domain in Parnell are currently getting a significant upgrade, and our two heritage libraries, St Heliers and Remuera, are getting seismic upgrades.

So what will all this cost us? Knowing we have both $2 million homes and $20 plus million homes in our ward, on average, the Orakei Ward residential rates rise will be $198 (inclusive of everything). Interestingly, over 670 residential ratepayers will have their rates go down by more than $1000. In fact over 11,000 residential ratepayers will see a decrease in their rates with another 7,000 plus seeing an increase between $0 and $200. So, approximately 60% of our residential ratepayers have a decrease or an increase of less than $200. Business rates for the Orakei Ward go down by an average of 3.47%, or $561, which I’m sure will be welcome relief for our local business owners.

In conclusion, like most Council budgets, it’s not perfect, but my vote was based on your feedback (always has been) and I’m more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Newsletter - 20th June

Last week, the Value for Money Committee (which I chair) reported some really positive results by way of savings and efficiencies.

Section 17a of the Local Government Act requires all local authorities to periodically review the cost-effectiveness of their services. A value for money review encourages efficiency gains and is also an opportunity to reassess and improve the delivery of services to our communities and residents. Through our Value for Money Committee work programme, we have well and truly exceeded the expectations of that review and delivered some tangible results for Aucklanders.

Saving money each year isn’t new. Since amalgamation, Auckland Council has accomplished cumulative operating savings of $2.4 billion!

That said, the Value for Money Committee is a new committee that was established for the first time at the start of this political term, back in 2019. Its objective is simply to look for money saving opportunities and to consider the cost effectiveness of the governance, funding and delivery of Council. In this term, the committee has achieved over $447 million of financial benefits, including operating savings and efficiency achievements of $259.7 million, and group procurement savings of $96 million. Our asset recycling programme has achieved $92 million and also ensures that Council is efficiently using its capital and prioritizing funds to achieve our planned activities and projects. It’s all about ensuring we are spending responsibly.

Following on from last year where we exceeded our record high target of $120 million of savings (coming in at $126 million), we look to exceed our target again. As of 31 May, Auckland Council had achieved 100.8% of the $90 million savings target that had been set as part of our Recovery Budget, with a month still left in the financial year. Over half of that is enduring savings which means we have made a good start towards next year’s savings target.

Achieving savings and efficiencies was already well underway when the pandemic emerged in early 2020, but being faced with a crisis has certainly sharpened our thinking and focus in this space, as it has done for many other organisations throughout New Zealand and around the world. Our annual budget for the 2022/2023 year, which we will formally adopt shortly, has identified an ongoing budget gap of between $90 million and $150 million, so we know that we have some way to go, and more savings and efficiencies to find.

I look forward to sharing the projects planned for our ward as part of our Annual Budget 2022/23 with you once its been formally adopted on 29 June.

Budget speech for 2022/23

Our budgets this term have all been challenging, and sadly this one is no different. In our finance meetings and workshops over the past couple of years our Finance team have repeatedly talked to us about ‘financial head winds’ but we know what we’re facing now is a more like a financial cyclone. This budget is us putting our sandbags in place, moving to higher ground, and making sure we are as resilient as possible for there are still many unknowns. We know that some of the pressures we’re facing are temporary, but some may stick around for a while yet. The ongoing budget gap we face could be between $90 million and $150 million, depending on how the storm develops. That’s a big gap and a lot of unknown!

Following the draft mayoral proposal which went out for consultation in March, the mayor has now refined his original proposal based on feedback and updated financial projections. 

My thoughts on that are as follows:

First - the Climate Action Targeted rate. I don’t believe this should be based on the capital value of your home, nor do I personally believe the sequencing and prioritisation ofprojects associated with that spend are the best they could be. But we asked Aucklanders what they thought, noted the projects in that documentation, and the feedback was pretty clear. It had support. It had support across the region throughout  our consultation process, it had support from the majority oflocal boards including the two in my ward, and it had support from the independent Kantar poll. I absolutely support the careful monitoring of this rate spend, as we do with all our targeted rates, and I will be talking to every mayoral hopeful as to their thoughts on this going forward.

I am supportive of the grant to Coastguard. We are a region bordered by water and the work they do is critical for the safety of our communities. 

As for the government’s Better off Funding grant of $127 million - this grant does not in any way alter my view that the government’s direction on Three Waters is not good for Auckland. We know   Aucklanders do not agree with the Three Waters proposal, because they told us. Council’s recommendations on Three Waters are on record as being against, and the mayor has consistently and publicly been opposed to the reforms. But if the government is handing out a grant with no strings attached and we never have to pay it back, I’ll take it, especially in this challenging financial environment.

I think we should all be confident that the savings and efficiencies we have achieved this term have been the largest of any Auckland Council term to date. They currently total almost $230 million.  However, my personal belief is there are more to find. So to that end, I fully support looking at further savings opportunities across the group and further scoping of strategic opportunities for cost reductions as part of the Value for Money committee I chair, with Cr Mulholland as my deputy chair. The Value for Money work programme is critical

On debt… whilst eye wateringly large, it is only 18% of our assets… (I’m sure many wouldn’t mind their mortgage being 18%). This is supported in part by an average general rate of 3.5%. I note that this council term we have consistently ensured that our rates take from Aucklanders remains less than 40% of our income and this budget keeps to that figure coming in at 37%. Our debt to revenue will be well below our limit of 290% and the projections in our Recovery Budget, and our credit rating agencies Standard & Poors and Moodyshave supported us with AA and A2 ratings, respectively.

I’m challenged to support some of the deferral of capital expenditure over the next three years but know we have to make some decisions now to support ongoing prudence and also know that the final timing of projects will be reviewed by the next council. 

So, looking at the whole package, the new CATR, the other targeted rates, increases to rubbish – the whole lot - we remain focussed on what this means for Aucklanders, especially noting this budget includes the delayed revaluations. Across all of Auckland the total increases on average are at just under $200 for the residential ratepayer. We know that the impacts of rates increases are not uniform across the region. There are some areas that will feel this harder than others and I have looked to my colleagues, especially those in the south and west, for guidance as per their thoughts on affordability. I know that the average increase for the residential ratepayers in the Orakei Ward is $210. I also know that in every single local board area there will be a number of residential ratepayers whose rates go down next year by over $1,000 - OLB has about 540 of those . That said, we are all in very challenging financial times both as a region and as a country. The combined rates rises proposed by the mayor are in line with many other metropolitan councils across the country who are settling on rates increases of 5-6%. I note that Wellington is proposing 8.9% and Tauranga 13.7% But again, we know it’s tough out there for everyone. I’ll be watching carefully to see if there are any increases in ratepayers struggling to pay their rates on time as we start quarter one of the new year next month. Again, this will be something all prospective mayors need to keep an eye on too.  

So, is this budget prudent? Whilst this budget was proposed by the mayor and supported by our finance team, it also was independently assessed by our Audit and Risk committee which has three members who are professionals and independent of Council. The committee has advised the Governing Body that an appropriate approach is being taken to manage the key financial risks associated with the Annual Budget 2022/23, provided that the Governing Body is able to reach agreement on a budget that addresses the financial pressures in a sustainable and financially prudent manner – that is, the budget package before us here today. We know that this financial storm we find ourselves in is presenting significant risks to our financial position, but our Finance team, our rating agencies and our Audit and Risk Committee all agree that we are meeting those challenges with a strong commitment to sustainable and prudent financial management.

Finally, to our local boards, IMSB and CCO’s, once again, thank you for being part of the journey, and for your willingness to engage with us on the issues and to be part of the solution. We have a shared governance framework and ithas definitely played out in our budget planning. So, Team Auckland, again, thank you. To my deputy, Cr Henderson,thank you for your support, it’s been a rough year. In concluding my comments today, I wish to thank our Finance staff. Peter, you and your team have had a huge workload over the past few months, and I know I speak on behalf of all around this table when I say we are eternally grateful for your professionalism. Whilst we will land the 22/23 annual budget soon, your work continues, planning for the unknowns ahead, keeping us financially stable and maintaining our high credit ratings. It is a challenge I have every confidence you and your team will help us navigate.

ANZAC Day Speech

E nga mana, e nga reo, e rau rangatira ma [All peoples, all speakers, all chiefly people]

Tenei te mihi nui ki a koutou [My sincere thanks to you all]

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa. [Greetings to you all]

Greetings to all of our veterans, our active duty military, their families and friends, and to all community members who have come to pay respects.

We gather here today at the Newmarket War Memorial, in front of some 200 names inscribed in stone, names of those from this wonderful community who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We gather to remember them and all those who have served in war.

While COVID-19 has again seen many Anzac Day services disrupted, I am grateful that our community in Newmarket can gather here in person today and honour tradition. Thank you to Mark Knoff-Thomas and his team at the NBA for making today possible.

This year, the distressing events in Ukraine are at the forefront of our attention, with daily reports of death and suffering reminding us of the horror and tragedy of war. It is now as important as ever to use Anzac day  not just to reflect on the sacrifices of all those who have served New Zealand but to all those suffering the impact of war throughout the world.

To help us acknowledge Anzac day we have a few traditions. The parade is celebrated, a moment of silence is observed, the last post is read, ANZAC biscuits are baked and eaten, and of course we have the red poppy. Worn on kiwi lapels, up and down the nation, the red poppy salutes the sacrifices made, so that we might live in a free country.

2022 marks 100 years of the RSA's Poppy Appeal. This centennial gives us an opportunity to reflect on the red poppy’s history as an international symbol of war remembrance. The red or ‘Flanders’ poppy was one of the first flowers to grow in the mud and soil of the Western Front. This same poppy still flowers in Turkey in early spring - as it did in April 1915 when the ANZACs fatefully landed at Gallipoli. In the awful landscape of blood and destruction, the red poppy became a symbol of regeneration and growth.

In 1921, New Zealand took what was originally a French idea to wear poppies for remembrance. The idea of selling artificial poppies to raise funds for veterans’ organisations was conceived by a French woman, Madame E. Guerin. Through her organisation, widows and orphans in France manufactured artificial poppies to be sold for the benefit of veterans and children in poverty.

In September that year, the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association placed an order for over 360,000 silk poppies with Madame Guerin’s French Children’s League. Due to shipping delays, (a concept familiar to us in 2022), the poppies arrived too late for Armistice Day 1921, so the NZRSA decided to hold their appeal on the day before Anzac Day in 1922.

1922 was also the first year Anzac Day was recognised as a public holiday. Today, 100 years later, I am moved when I think of the spirit of that year’s commemorations. So great had been the loss of life, so devastating had been the destruction, it is no wonder people hoped the Great War they had just endured would be the last - “The war to end all wars”. But it was not to be. Two decades after the First World War ended, the world was plunged into a second global conflict.  Anzac Day was transformed into a commemoration of all the overseas wars in which New Zealanders had taken part. The day became both inter-generational and inter-cultural, emulating the ideal of New Zealand as a united community.

Throughout Anzac Day’s history, the poppy - small, light and artificial - has remained constant as a symbol of the very heavy, very real toll of war. I have an abiding love for nature, and it is poignant to me how the meaning of this one little flower has taken root across the world.  We are compelled by the story of shells and shrapnel stirring up the earth, exposing poppy seeds to the light they need to bloom. It is a story that has survived for over a century because it was created to be worn by the living, close to our hearts.

We wear this emblem, this poppy,  to honour our commonality between nations and remind us of our collective heritage.

We wear this emblem, this poppy, to honour Service men and women who protect, preserve and carry our role as the guardian of the Pacific.

We wear this emblem, this poppy to honour the dead, and help the living come to terms with their loss.

While today we commemorate a day of sorrow, the poppy is our essential reminder that, in the face of destruction, there is always hope and beauty.

And with this symbol of hope on our chests, we proudly pay tribute to the values of the original Anzacs – loyalty, selflessness, courage – and the ways in which later generations have measured our own achievements against theirs.

We think today with the poppy on our chest of our fellow Nzrs  experiencing fear and heartache for their families and friends affected by current conflicts around the world 

Today, as every year, we particularly remember what happened at Gallipoli, but also pay tribute to  all those who have served, and pledge our commitment, no matter how hard to strive for a world in which we, our children and all people live free from the threat of violence, suffering and war.

Lest we forget.

Newsletter - 16th March

As you will hopefully be aware, Council’s Annual Plan 2022/23 is out for consultation and closes on 28 March.

This newsletter seeks to give you some further information as to what is in the draft budget for our local area and if everything in the draft budget went ahead, what it would cost the Orakei and Waitemata ratepayers (noting parts of these two local boards make up the Orakei Ward)

Background
The mayor has proposed what we now know will be his last budget as Mayor of Auckland. The proposal includes 3.5% average general rates increase, a $3 billion infrastructure investment package, cost savings of $90 million and a new Climate Action Targeted Rate for the 2022/23 financial year.
As far as investment back into our Orakei Ward goes, there are two workstreams
1. that which is regionally funded (decided by the mayor and councillors) and
2.that which is funded within the Orakei Local Board funding envelope and the Waitemata Local Board envelope.

I’m going to focus on the regional funding (because that’s what I’m mainly responsible for )
There are a number of regionally funded projects included in the proposed budget for the Orakei Ward, some of which have long been advocated for. The list includes, but is not limited to the following;

In the parks space, Colin Maiden Park is planned to receive a $2 million dollar upgrade, including lighting for five fields, upgrades to three fields and the development of two sand carpeted fields. There is also planned investment for Churchill Park and Crossfield Reserve. The Tupuna Maunga Authority Draft Plan for 2022/23 - 2024/25 is also open for consultation until 28 March. This budget includes some further investment on Ohinerau/Mt Hobson by the Tupuna Maunga Authority for next year. There is scoping for a new track around the peripheral of the maunga assisting with community recreational benefit. Following a $3million grant from the Department of Conservation there will be increased staff to assist with an increased weed and pest control programme. Interestingly there have been no rabbits sighted on Ohinerau/Mt Hobson since August last year. We are all hopeful we may be rabbit free. The ‘house’ at the top of Mt Hobson Lane will also be scoped up for an upgrade and the WW2 Daffodil memorial will be maintained as part of their regular work programme. It needs to be noted that the work programme has NO planned removal of exotic trees on Ohinerau/Mt Hobson. In fact, the only trees removed have been those which have succumbed to Dutch Elm disease, keeping other trees free from that disease is a key regional objective. In the past though, trees have also been removed due to health and safety issues including a large pine next to the track in 2019.

Included in next years proposed budget are seismic upgrades for our local heritage classified libraries. Work starts at St Heliers library in June continuing through to the next financial year and the Remuera library upgrades which will follow this, are currently in the design phase.

The Auckland Domain is also getting significant investment, including the final stage of the Wintergardens renewals, and an upgrade of the Mirror Pond. Design work will also commence for the renewal of the heritage grandstand building.

From an environmental perspective, funding has been allocated for investment in Tahuna Torea, as well as the Waiatarua Wetland. Included in the draft budget is also investment to further expand and deliver environmental programmes at our much-loved Pourewa Valley. The Natural Environment Targeted Rate funding will go towards pest control programmes in our area and Kauri dieback prevention work in the likes of Dingle Dell, as well as grants for local environmental groups to assist them with the wonderful work they do supporting our ward.

Improving our water quality remains a key focus area. The draft budget plans to continue delivering the Eastern Isthmus programme, a joint initiative between Auckland Council and Watercare that is dramatically reducing wastewater overflows to beaches and streams from Parnell to the Tamaki River. The Lower Khyber Separation Project will provide the key connection point for new separate stormwater networks to be built in this area that currently has only combined stormwater and wastewater networks. There are also plans to continue to invest in the Central Interceptor, which will take pressure off our Orakei wastewater line and significantly increase our local capacity and increase resilience of central Auckland’s storm and wastewater networks so that wastewater overflows are much less frequent.

On transport, detailed design work to raise Portland Road from Ingram Road to Shore Road and stop long term flooding there is currently underway. The draft plan looks to have capacity to move this into construction and delivery in the 22/23 year. Tamaki Drive’s footpath next to the recently sea-side completed separated cycle lane is planned to be resealed from Solent Street to Ngapipi, and the heritage railing along Tamaki Drive repaired (currently you can see the orange temporary barriers where connections have corroded away) . Significant safety improvements in the Mission Bay Town Centre, including new speed tables, intersection upgrades, and footpath and cycle lane upgrades are in the draft budget too. This work is supported by the Mission Bay/Kohimarama Residents Association, and the Orakei Local Board.

With the John Rymer link to the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path section two almost completed, the draft annual plan then looks to the other side and sees the Gowing Drive link to the shared path included, as part of the Meadowbank-Kohimarama connectivity project, and the widening of Ngapipi Bridge. The final Stage 4 section of the Shared path from Orakei bay Village to Tamaki Drive is currently awaiting resource consent and when that has been granted will commence construction.

Over and above this regional investment, there are also a number of projects directly funded by both local boards ( hopefully you get their newsletters too)

The way we collect our rubbish is a key question for this budget but one that doesn’t see much change for us, as our area will continue to receive rates funded rubbish collection once a week and recycling once a fortnight, albeit with a small cost increase. There will also be the option for ratepayers to opt for a larger or smaller bin if required.

So, what is Auckland Council doing about saving money? From amalgamation, Council has saved over $2 billion, with over $300 million annual savings locked in. Despite some serious Covid impacts on our income, we still saved in excess of $120 million last year and are over 70% on our way to saving $90 million this year. This budget proposes maintaining the $90 million savings target.

What are the rates increases planned? The draft plan has average general rates increase of 3.5% and maintaining the existing targeted rates for water quality and natural environment investment.

On top of that, the mayor has proposed a new Climate Action Targeted Rate. This is ring-fenced funding to address climate issues and reduce carbon emissions faster than the work we are doing in this space from the general rate. Our area is already reasonably well served by public transport, but other areas aren’t so lucky. This rate would go towards improving public transport, replacing ageing diesel ferries (which contribute to 21% of public transport emissions), ten new frequent bus routes (one of which is in our area) , 79 additional electric or hydrogen buses, new cycle lanes along with 15,000 native tree planting in streets, parks, playgrounds. I am also exploring the opportunity to see if this funding could contribute to Kohimarama Forrest purchase. The annual cost of this rate would be $58 for the year for the median urban residential property.

If you agreed to everything in the draft budget (including the new climate change targeted rate) what would it cost? If you live in the Orakei Local Board area, on average, in total, your residential rates would go up by $237 on this year. Interestingly, just under nine thousand residential ratepayers would have their rates go down, and a further seven thousand plus residential ratepayers would have an annual increase less than the regional average increase of $187. That said, over eight thousand households would have their rates go up between $187 and $500 and just over six thousand by more than $500.

Overall Orakei local board residential ratepayers would get the 3rd lowest percentage rates rise in the region

If you live in the Waitemata Local Board area, on average, in total, your residential rates would go up by $47.

But 27,044 of residential ratepayers in the WLB would see their rates go down on this year. 6,873 would go up less than the regional increase of $187 and 10,047 above that.

Overall Waitemata local board residential ratepayers would get the 2nd lowest percentage residential rates rises in the region

So how do you have your say? . You can read through the consultation material and make a submission online on the AK Have Your Say website.

Once you submit what happens next? Once the budget submission process has closed and responses have been collated, the local boards will discuss and form a view which they will officially resolve upon and then feed back to the mayor and councillors who will then vote and the budget and rates will be set for the year beginning 1 July, 2022. Until that time, I keep an open mind, so please HAVE YOUR SAY.

Newsletter - 19th January

Happy new year! I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer break and that you’re feeling refreshed and ready to tackle 2022. I spent my break with my wonderful family, including my four gorgeous grandchildren, relaxing, laughing and creating some special holiday memories. 

The summer isn’t over just yet though, and I hope you’ll have a chance to make the most of some of the fantastic events taking place in our area over the next few weeks. 

The ever-popular Waterworld floating waterpark will be at Mission Bay from this Wednesday until Monday 24 January. If you saw it at St Heliers but didn’t get to try it, you might want to get in quick because they are operating at reduced capacity and sell out fast. 

Opera in the Park is taking place at Glover Park on Saturday 29 January, 6-8pm. This event moved from Dingle Dell due to capacity issues and now there is plenty of space to enjoy this musical showcase. NZ Opera has curated some of the best-loved pieces from opera and musicals for this very popular event, featuring Bryony Williams, Catrin Johansson, James Harrison, Tayla Alexander and Sid Chand. Admission is free! Pack a picnic and a blanket and find a great place to sit back and listen to some of our finest up and coming opera talent.

The Mission Bay Craft Market is on again at Selwyn Reserve this Auckland Anniversary Day, 31 January. It’s been running for 23 years, and never disappoints. There are around 200 stalls, selling a variety of art, crafts and gourmet food products. Definitely worth stopping by. 

On 27 January, The Creative Kids Collective (supported by our Orakei Local Board) are putting on a Giant Mud Pie Extravaganza at Crossfield Reserve. It’s a free event, perfect for kids between 3 and 12 years.

There’s plenty on for Anniversary weekend in the city centre, too. There’s the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta and SeePort Festival at the waterfront, the Auckland International Buskers Festival, and Auckland Live’s Summer in the Square programme kicks off with Jazz Weekend at Aotea Square.

After a last-minute cancellation in 2021 due to Covid, Round the Bays is celebrating 50 years this year and is taking place on Sunday 6 March. It’s always a great event, and you can still get ‘early bird’ rates until 20 January. 

As wonderful as it has been to have some freedom this summer, the risk of Covid has not gone away. Omicron is at our doorstep, and it’s important that we are all as well-protected as possible when it inevitably makes its way into our communities. You are eligible for a booster 4 months after your second dose, and as of this week kids aged 5-11 can get their first dose of the paediatric formulation of the vaccine. Now is a great time to get it done before they head back to school. Many of our local medical centres and pharmacies are offering the vaccine, and there are plenty of slots available. You can book online at https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz and walk-ins are available at some locations. 

2022 is certainly going to be a busy year at Council. I’m really keen to hear your views on what is being proposed for our Annual Budget 2022/23 when we go out for consultation in mid-February. We also have some big decisions to make in response to several major central government reforms, but more on that later.

For now, keep making the most of what Auckland has to offer this summer, support local, and keep safe. 

Desley  

Newsletter - 21st December

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I hope you’ve been able to make the most of the freedoms at ‘red’ over the past few weeks, and that you’re looking forward to a bit of a break as much as I am.
There’s no denying that 2021 has been a really tough year. It wasn’t all bad though, so to wrap up for the year, I thought I’d give you a ’12 Days of Christmas’ summary of some of the things that made 2021 great.

TWELVE months of prudent financial management and delivering for Orakei
Our 10-year budget, signed off in June, saw some great wins for the Orakei ward. Some of the highlights include nearly $3 million for upgrades at Colin Maiden Park, funding for the north-south links of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path (finally!), and a $3 million budget for the Orakei Local Board to fund local transport improvements.

Our 2020/21 financial year saw Watercare deliver $1 billion of new water infrastructure, and AT delivered $1.1 billion in new roads and public transport infrastructure. We had a record level of savings ($126 million in just one year), and we continue to seek efficiencies. We have locked in a further $90 million of ongoing savings each year for the next ten years. Raising in excess of $1 billion in green bonds was also a major milestone.

Then came our longest ever Alert Level 4 lockdown, followed by an even longer stretch at Level 3, and the financial impacts have certainly been deep, wide, and ongoing. This may well be our most difficult phase yet, with some tough decisions to be made in the new year, but I know that the prudent decisions we made for our Emergency Budget in 2020 meant that we’ve been able to weather the storm so far and will continue to do so. I hope you’ll make a submission and have your say when our 2022/23 budget goes out for consultation in the new year.

ELEVEN percent reduction in AT’s greenhouse gas emissions
Last month, we bought 152 electric buses to replace some of the older buses in our fleet. This is expected to reduce Auckland Transport’s greenhouse gas emissions by 11% each year. Transport emissions are a big part of our reduction targets, so this is a big win. 

TEN Auckland dams, full!
As of this week, our dams are sitting at 99%. It wasn’t all that long ago that we were at 43% after a long drought, so this is really wonderful news. Watercare has done lot of work to ensure Auckland’s water supply is resilient going forward, and all restrictions were lifted back in October. Water use has increased, but by less than expected for this time of year, which suggests that Aucklanders are maintaining some of the water saving habits we picked up during the drought.

The lifting of restrictions of course also meant our iconic Mission Bay Fountain could be switched back on, and it’s been great seeing it ‘playing’ again.

NINE speeches
The last few months in lockdown made for a quieter year on the events front, but I still managed to fit in nine speeches at various events ranging from a CAANZ (chartered accountants) event in Parnell, to various local AGMs and meetings of our local service clubs. Seeing what our wonderful local community groups have been up to is one of my favourite parts of my role as ward councillor. We have so many amazing people in Orakei who are committed to serving our community and making a difference, and despite all the challenges, this year has been no exception.

EIGHT months not in lockdown
There’s no denying that the past four months have been overshadowed by lockdown, but it’s also important to reflect on that blissful time we had at Alert Level 1! Who could forget the America’s Cup? Not to mention the historic Six60 concert at Eden Park back in April, Jersey Boys at the Civic and Lion King at Spark Arena.

It has been fantastic seeing our hospitality sector open back up these last few weeks, and here’s hoping that our arts and culture sector can thrive again in 2022. Be sure to register for Auckland Unlimited’s Explore Tamaki Makaurau voucher programme (central government funded) for the chance to receive a $50 (individual) or $100 (family) voucher to experience the best of what Auckland has to offer this summer.

SEVEN kilometers of shared path
The much-anticipated Glenn Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path has been progressing well, and we’re very much looking forward to opening Section 2 in the new year. This path is such an important link in our growing network of active transport connections throughout the city.

The rail bridge, gully bridge and boardwalks through Pourewa Valley and Tahapa Reserve are now largely completed, and when work starts up again in the new year, the team will be installing handrails, lighting on the bridge structures and boardwalks, and completing the concrete path from the gully bridge to Kohimarama Road. It will also be full steam ahead on the John Rymer Place connection. Waka Kotahi have put together a great progress video here. It’s definitely worth having a look – it’s been quite the transformation!  

SIX mussel beds in Okahu Bay
Last month, 60 tonnes of mussels were deposited into Okahu Bay, across 6 different beds (3 shell and 3 sediment) as part of the Okahu Bay Restoration Project, led in partnership with Ngati Whatua Orakei. They are working to build back biodiversity and improve the water quality in the bay. 

This follows the completion of the Okahu Bay stormwater network separation project back in September, which has significantly reduced wet weather wastewater overflows into the bay. It was a $16 million investment in partnership with Ngati Whatua Orakei, resulting in 200 private properties having their drainage systems separated to connect 3.4km of newly installed public stormwater pipeline. We have a long way to go with water quality in the Eastern Bays, but this was certainly a success worth celebrating.

FIFTH best Christmas display in the world 
Auckland’s very own Smith & Caughey’s Christmas window display in Queen Street was rated fifth best in the world this year, right up there with Macy’s in New York City and Selfridges in London. I’ve always loved the Smith & Caughey’s displays, but this year’s display is truly something special. Based on The Fairies Night Before Christmas, a Kiwi take on The Night Before Christmas, the displays depict a forest fairy community working together under the shade of Pohutukawa trees. Definitely worth stopping by if you haven’t had a chance yet.

FOUR City Rail Link stations
The City Rail Link is Auckland’s first underground rail line and the largest transport infrastructure project ever to be undertaken in New Zealand. The CRL team celebrated the connection of the new Aotea Station to tunnels running from Britomart just earlier this month, and at the southern end of the station, final preparations are underway to welcome the project’s Tunnel Boring Machine which started its journey at the Mt Eden site back in May.

As with everything else, Covid has had a significant impact on the project, but it is forecasted to be completed in late 2024.

The Western line will be closed from Boxing Day through to 23 January, allowing for accelerated work at the Mt Eden site with additional work hours including weekends, public holidays and nights.

THREE DHBs at 90%
We know that vaccinations play a very important role in our road out of lockdowns, and in our recovery from this pandemic. On 3 December, Auckland hit a very significant milestone when all three of our Auckland DBHs were at least 90% vaccinated. Ngati Whatua Orakei put in a huge effort with their vaccination buses, alongside many of our local pharmacies and GP clinics. High vaccination rates mean a bit more freedom this summer, and some much-needed support for our hospitality sector!

Many of us will be eligible for a booster dose soon (6 months after your second dose), so make sure to schedule that into your summer plans.

TWO top cops
I wanted to acknowledge two of our special community policemen, Tony and Alfred, who have worked tirelessly alongside our Maori and Pacific wardens for our community, in some particularly challenging times which have included dairy ramraids.  They are always willing to talk through community concerns and work with me and the Local Board to improve community safety. We are hugely grateful for the wonderful work all our police force does.

And a bellbird in a Waiatarua Reserve tree!
Finally, perhaps the highlight of a very challenging year, was the sighting of a bellbird in Remuera’s Waiatarua Reserve for the first time in over 100 years. Our community groups have been working so hard to restore our native bush and bring birdsong back to the Eastern Bays. An extra special yippee for no sale of the Melanesian Trust’s landownership of part of Kohimarama Forrest but more on that next year.

On the other side of Remuera, our contractors have been hard at work completing the environmental enhancements at Portland Road. The project is on track for completion by July 2022, and 15,000 native plants will be planted throughout April and May. I hope there are many more bellbirds on the way.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022.

Have a wonderful summer break.

Desley 
_________________________

The Council offices are closed for the holidays from 24 December and will reopen on 10 January. Here’s a quick guide for who to call if anything comes up during that time:

• For any problems at our parks, community facilities, beaches, maunga, roadsides or public spaces, call the Auckland Council call centre on 09 301 0101 or log the issue online here

• For transport related issues where there is a safety risk, you can contact Auckland Transport on 09 355 3553. Maintenance issues can be logged here

• For urgent water and wastewater faults, call 09 442 2222 or log it on the Watercare website

The most common question over the holidays is always about rubbish collection days. You can check your dates on the Auckland Council website, here. 
 

Newsletter - 2nd December

It’s been a very, very long 107 days, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. Many of you have written to me saying the traffic light system is confusing, so I thought I’d give a quick summary of what ‘Red’ means. For Council, it means that this Friday our Council gyms, group fitness classes and recreation centres will be back up and running, open to those with COVID Vaccination Passes. Our pools need a few more days to be recommissioned and for the summer lifeguards to be inducted, so they won’t open until 6 December. Beyond Council services, hospitality will open up on Friday, with vaccine passes, 1m distancing and capacity limits in place. I’ve booked in for dinner at a local restaurant on Friday night and can’t wait! Faith-based gatherings, club functions and sports can also go ahead at Red, also. For many of these activities however, vaccinations play an essential role in keeping everyone safe. Without a vaccine pass, you are much more limited. Please check the Covid website if you are unsure about any specific ‘rule’. If it’s been 6 months or more since you’ve had your second jab, you can have a booster shot. These will be available at many locations, but I know there will be a vaccination bus operating up at the Ngāti Whātua Marae on Kupe St 8.30am and 3pm this Saturday, 4 December.  

In other major news, Auckland Council will be consulting with Aucklanders on Three Waters Reform from 3 to 19 December and asking for feedback on the governance, representative and accountability arrangements of the new entities. You’ll recall from previous newsletters that I made a commitment to ensure consultation was included in our approach when we finalized our feedback to central government back in September, and I am delivering on that. Not only do I want to hear your views on Three Waters, but understanding the views of Aucklanders will be critical in informing the Mayor’s input, on behalf of Auckland Council, into the working group that will be addressing some of the issues that have been raised by councils around the country. You can register for one of the webinars and read all the detail on the Have Your Say website.

In local news, the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path has been progressing well over the past couple of months and I’m looking forward to celebrating the opening of Section 2 in the new year. The largest boardwalk through the Pourewa Valley is 90% complete, and as are the two smaller ones at Tahapa Reserve East and West. The concrete path near the Meadowbank Train Station is also nearing completion. Coming up, the team will be doing the finishing touches on the rail and gully bridge and the boardwalks, and the section from the gully bridge to Kohimarama Road will be the main focus in the coming months. Waka Kotahi have made a great flyover video of the progress available to view here.

Meanwhile, AT are consulting on the links to the Glen Innes cycleways. They are seeking your feedback on proposed layout changes at Line Road, Stonefields Ave, Morrin Rd, Taniwha Street and Merton Road. It’s really important that they get this right, so be sure to have a look at what they are proposing and have your say before 30 January. All the details are available here.

Finally, there’s a free e-waste drop off in Penrose this Saturday, from 9am to 3pm. If you’ve been doing a bit of a clear out at home over lockdown, this is a great opportunity to get rid of your unwanted electronic products. To keep the team safe, they’ll be running it as a drive-through event. Remember to wear a mask and be sure to sign in with your COVID scanner app when you arrive.

I hope you’ll support our local Orakei businesses as much as possible when you’re out doing your Christmas shopping over the next few weeks, they’ve been doing it tough.

As always, stay cautious and keep safe.

Desley