All power to super central Auckland?

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey’s comments that a super-city will favour central Auckland are being backed by some of those in the urban development industry.
Director of Planning Consultants Jan Crawford says the proposed new structure will give power to those already in power.
“The way the Government reacted, it’s really concentrating power to the Auckland City [...]

By the people for the people – campaigns call for referenda

Two Mt Albert by-election candidates from parties claiming to representi “the people” are demanding citizen-initiated referenda.
The People’s Choice Party candidate Rusty Kane is pushing for a citizen-initiated referendum on the controversial Waterview motorway.
Meamnwhile, People Before Profit candidate Malcolm France is promoting a citizen-initiated referendum calling for the minimum wage to be raised to $15 [...]

Politics at the plaza

Nearly all the candidates running in the Mt Albert by-election spoke at an AUT candidates meeting held in a rather empty Hikuwai Plaza on June 4.
Kiwi Party candidate Simonne Dyer says: “It is difficult. A lot of students just do not care about politics and maybe because it is only a by-election.”
Arguably the most [...]

Three Kings Quarry – a huge hole to fill

To fill or not to fill? That is the question.
Winstone, owner of the 15ha Three Kings quarry, has applied for resource consent to fill it in but many residents are concerned at the scale of the project and how it may affect them.
Three Kings United spokesperson Austen Bell says the community group is against the [...]

Christian band rock their way to a Tui nomination

A Christian indie-pop band have been nominated for a Tui award at this year’s Vodafone music awards, continuing their success over the past year.
Primalband is nominated in the best gospel/Christian album category for their CD Your Way, which was released last year.
The band is a part of Primal Youth, a Christian group that helps young [...]

Sandringham residents oppose ‘Goliath’s’ expansion plans

Sandringham residents are preparing for a David and Goliath battle against the proposed Westfield St Luke’s expansion.
The proposed expansion will see double the number of shops and offices, as well as connecting Exeter St to Aroha Ave, a move residents are against.
The St Lukes Community Association (SLCA) has re-formed to help fight Westfield’s plans.
Association member [...]

Planting a sustainable future

Turning sheep paddocks back into native bush was the goal of about 30 volunteer tree-planters last Sunday at Orere Point’s Tapapakanga Regional Park.

The volunteer tree planting day was part of an Auckland Regional Council programme to restore the region’s parks to how they once looked and functioned.

Mags Ramsey, ARC park ranger [...]

Citizens ready to take action against super city

About 40 people met with community groups and MPs to discuss the super city proposal and its implications for Waitakere City on Monday night at the Kelston Community Hall.

The meeting was called by Grassroots Action Group (GAG), a West Auckland group formed to enable ordinary people to understand and have their say on the [...]

Auckland’s screen production industry on a high

Auckland’s screen production industry appears to have bucked the current economic downturn, showing a significant rise in revenue over the last financial year.
The 2008 Statistics New Zealand Screen Industry Survey has shown the trend is a national development, with Auckland taking the biggest chunk of the profits.
Screen production companies in the Auckland area had [...]

Auckland governance – hear ye, hear ye. Or not.

The proposed restructuring of Auckland’s local government has divided public opinion and sparked a great deal of outcry. Some worry their rural area will become slave to city interests while others fear restructuring is merely the first step towards privatising Auckland’s assets, worth $28 billion. Underlying much resistance is concern over lack of representation in [...]