Auckland Lantern Festival
Huitanguru February 2017 | 66
CHECK OUT OUR NEW DESIGN Make the most of
SummerLate nights at the zoo How your council works Message from the mayor THIS MONTH IN BRIEF Kia ora, Welcome to 2017. I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season with your friends, family and loved ones. Local news p4-5 Holiday rubbish collections We started the year with the ASB Classic tennis tournament, which Due to the Auckland Anniversary attracted some of the best tennis talent from around the world. How your council works p6-7 Day and Waitangi Day holidays, In February, we have the NRL Auckland Nines and the Auckland Late nights at the zoo p8 rubbish and recycling collections will be one day later for the Lantern Festival to celebrate. These big events are on top of the usual Gem of the month p11 weeks starting Monday 30 summer activities you and your family can enjoy around the region. January and Monday 6 February. Last year was busy and eventful in terms of Auckland Council Events — back section Normal collections will resume activities and 2017 looks like it will be equally busy. In February, on Monday 13 February. Visit Auckland Council will kick off the process of public consultation on - Pride Festival makethemostofwaste.co.nz for more details. the Annual Budget 2017/2018. It will be a great chance for you to get - Movies & Music in Parks involved and have a say on how your city is run. - Lantern Festival OurAuckland’s new look I look forward to working hard with Auckland Council this year We’ve changed OurAuckland’s on the issues that matter to you. - Waitangi Day layout to make it easier for you Kind regards, to find the news and events Cover: Aucklanders Rachael and Zias out and about on the Beachlands - Maraetai Coastal Walkway. information you’re interested See page 11. in. Email ourauckland@ Right: Miss Ribena opens the Auckland Pride Parade aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to tell Phil Goff 2016. Susan Blick Photography us what you think about our new Mayor of Auckland layout – we’re always keen to hear from you.
Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana is an annual week of events and activities Auckland Council Council meetings focusing on our ocean. This year’s aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Auckland Council’s governing body and theme is ‘Toiora te Moana, Toiora 09 301 0101 (24/7) local boards hold monthly meetings that [email protected] you can attend. Visit our website or call te Tangata – Healthy Seas, Healthy Auckland Council, Private Bag 92300, 09 301 0101 for details. Some meetings are People’. It runs from 25 February Auckland 1142 streamed live online. Visit aucklandcouncil. to 5 March at locations across facebook.com/aklcouncil govt.nz/councillive for more information. Auckland. Visit seaweek.org.nz for twitter.com/aklcouncil Rubbish and recycling, rates information, Auckland Transport more information. local board enquiries, noise control, dog AT.govt.nz ownership, graffiti removal and much more. 09 355 3553 (24/7) Roads, footpaths, public transport, parking Visit us and parking tickets, traffic signals and street We have more than 25 customer service lights. centres throughout the Auckland region. 09 366 6400 The race to save Motutapu Island Services vary between branches, so visit our Public transport queries. Participants in the Partners Life This is the largest community-led on the biggest day of the year, with website or call us to check. Watercare DUAL race on 25 March are walking, conservation project on a pest- thousands coming out and enjoying OurAuckland watercare.co.nz running, swimming or biking to help free island in the country. Kiwi and a taste of the islands. OurAuckland keeps you up to date with 09 442 2222 (24/7) council services, projects and events, and Water and wastewater services. restore Motutapu Island. takahē now thrive in the habitat With seven events there is helps to fulfil our legislative obligations to If you have problems with your street Every competitor equals four created by volunteers. Every year, something for everyone, from keep Aucklanders informed. We conduct drain, please phone the council. regular research to ensure OurAuckland is more trees on the island. Aucklanders in their thousands a 6km walk, to mountain-biking an efficient way of doing this. Auckland Libraries Motutapu Restoration Trust volunteer to plant, weed and or a full marathon. aucklandlibraries.govt.nz [email protected] 09 301 0101 (24/7) has recently won an award for work in the nursery. This is your only chance to restoration excellence from the DUAL participants contribute mountain-bike on these islands, OurAuckland is printed on sustainably Auckland Leisure sourced paper. Society for Ecological Restoration directly to this restoration, while as it is usually prohibited. aucklandleisure.co.nz Australasia. enjoying Motutapu and Rangitoto Visit thedual.co.nz to register.
2 | CONTENTS ourauckland.nz NEWS | 3 Children taking part in a Love Your Bike workshop.
Work on the Mt Albert town centre upgrade is now underway.
Mt Albert upgrade kicks off The Mt Albert town centre upgrade Auckland Council and Auckland “We’ve already seen the Get on your bikes and ride is underway. Enabling works are in Transport. positive difference the pedestrian West Auckland cyclists have a Environment Trust, with funding skills and maintenance workshops. progress and the main construction Board chair Peter Haynes is pleased link bridge has had on the area, new place to go to get their bike from Whau Local Board. The hub is looking for volunteers works will start soon. that construction is starting soon. and once the overall project is repaired or take part in cycling The hub will offer basic bike to help out, and EcoMatters Albert-Eden Local Board is “Mt Albert residents are long complete, residents will get to workshops. maintenance at a low cost. would love bike-related groups investing $6.5 million into the overdue an upgrade to their town enjoy the many benefits of the The Love Your Bike hub is It will also fix broken bikes and businesses to get involved. upgrade. The board is working with centre,” he says. improved town centre.” located at 1 Olympic Place, for those in need, and has the It will look at membership options New Lynn, beside the EcoMatters beginnings of a bike library. later this year. visitor centre and next to The first kids’ workshops have Visit ecomatters.org.nz or email Te Whau Pathway. been held. Courses for adults are on [email protected] for more Enjoy Pāhurehure Inlet this summer It is the creation of EcoMatters the way, and will include free cycle information or to volunteer. The restoration and upgrade of the instability and erosion problems. place for locals, so this project Pāhurehure Inlet walkway is now Papakura Local Board Chair Brent definitely ticks that box,” he says. complete. Catchpole says it’s fantastic to see “This area is much loved by the Explore the Waikōwhai Coast The walkway was closed for people using the facilities after so community, which is also very The beaches and coastline around Hillsborough will “This new $1.1 million boardwalk will fill an important several years after coastal erosion many years. protective of its future, so it’s great be even easier to explore with the opening of Stage 1 gap in the network.” caused parts of the inlet esplanade “One of the board’s priorities over to have this work completed.” of the Waikōwhai Coastal Boardwalk this summer. Construction of the second stage of the boardwalk, to collapse. recent years has been to make the Papakura Local Board contributed The 2.5-metre-wide boardwalk will link Taumanu to Taylors Bay, is expected to start later this year. There is now a 360m concrete inlet an attractive and welcoming towards the cost of the walkway. Reserve in Onehunga to Bamfield Reserve in Visit facebook.com/puketapapa for updates on footpath and a 300m timber Hillsborough. the boardwalk’s expected opening date. walkway, so you can get out and Puketāpapa Local Board Chair Harry Doig says the enjoy the views over the inlet. boardwalk was designed to create a safe, flat, off-road A device has been installed to route for people to walk and cycle between Onehunga reduce the amount of stormwater and Hillsborough. entering the harbour, and eco- “As there was no safe, easily accessible route even at sourced plants have been planted low tide, these two communities were cut off from one on the esplanade. Run-off and lack another by hills and busy roads,” he says. of vegetation were considered “The board wants to provide a connected coastal The first stage of the Waikōwhai Coastal Boardwalk. major contributors to the land’s walkway that links Blockhouse Bay to Onehunga.
4 | NEWS ourauckland.nz NEWS | 5 How your Your elected representatives
The mayor The governing body Local boards council works • promotes a vision for Auckland • develops regional strategies • maintain and upgrade local • provides leadership to achieve and plans, such as the Auckland parks, sports fields and this vision Plan and the unitary plan recreational facilities • leads the development of • sets budgets and decides • support local arts, culture region-wide plans, policies rates levels and events Auckland Council was Mayor and councillors Local boards and budgets • sets regional bylaws to help • support community formed in 2010 when Auckland is divided into 13 areas There are 21 local boards, each with • ensures the council engages manage things like food groups through grants and effectively with Aucklanders safety, dogs, public safety, and community-development the region’s previous city called wards, and 21 separate areas between five and nine members. • appoints the deputy mayor and environmental protection programmes and district councils were called local boards. Local boards are elected by the Each ward has one or two people who live in their areas. They establishes committees. • reviews the performance of • advocate for new or upgraded combined. This unique councillors, elected by the people make decisions about things that Auckland Council and council- facilities, including libraries governance structure can who live in their ward. There are affect their area – for example controlled organisations. • support local environmental be hard to understand, 20 councillors in total. local parks and events. They’re also and heritage activities. so here’s a quick guide The mayor is elected ‘at large’. strong representatives for their Visit ourauckland.nz to find out more to how it all works. This means that everyone in communities. There are 149 local Auckland votes for the one person board members in total. about how Auckland Council works. they think will best represent the Together, the governing body and whole region. the local boards make up Auckland The mayor and the 20 councillors Council. They each make decisions form the governing body. to do with their own areas of Come along to a council meeting! This is the group that makes governance, and it is important ‘big-picture’ decisions that affect that they work together to ensure Auckland Council’s governing body Visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz the entire region. everything runs smoothly. and other committees make decisions for meeting agendas and minutes, on some of the biggest issues and or go to aucklandcouncil.govt. opportunities Auckland faces. nz/councillive to watch meetings You are welcome to attend online. open meetings and watch local democracy in action.
6 | HOW YOUR COUNCIL WORKS ourauckland.nz | 7 and zookeepers offering a great Long or strong? Get gone Enjoy late programme of special animal encounters, Auckland Zoo is the perfect place to dine out or picnic nights at and get back to nature with family or friends. the zoo Tickets are just $12 per person Auckland Zoo is offering locals and and can be purchased from visitors to the city the opportunity Eventfinda or at Auckland Zoo to make the most of the warm on the night. summer evenings with late-night ‘Summer Lates’ will run on 2, 9, openings every Thursday from 2 16, and 23 February, and on 2 and February until 9 March (5pm-8pm). 9 March. Visit aucklandzoo.co.nz to find With many of the animals still If you are near the coast and feel an Natural warning signs ground, or as far inland as you can. out more. awake, the zoo’s cafes open, earthquake that is long or strong, • a strong earthquake that Walk or bike if possible. don’t wait for official advice – you makes it hard to stand, or a Don’t wait for official advice. need to get gone, says Auckland weak rolling earthquake that A local-source tsunami could Civil Defence and Emergency lasts a minute or more arrive in minutes, meaning there Management. • a sudden rise or fall in sea level wouldn’t be time for an official A tsunami is a series of waves • loud and unusual noises from warning. caused by large earthquakes, which the sea. It is important to recognise the can grow into a fast-moving wall If you’re at the coast and natural signs and act quickly. of water. All of New Zealand’s experience any of these, move Visit civildefence.govt.nz for coastline is at risk of tsunami. immediately to the nearest high more information.
Music in Parks band profile Say g’day to our new Aussie mates Bakers Eddy Discover some of Australia’s frogs, fish, and a host of vibrant and fish, the Australia precinct will Hailing from Wellington, Bakers How did you get your name? weirdest and most wonderful and often noisy Australian birds. be home to more than 23 species Eddy is a quartet fast making We’d been through seven other wildlife species at Auckland The development connects to and about 1200 animals. a name on New Zealand’s band names before settling on Zoo’s stunning new $3.2 million the zoo’s Aussie Walkabout (home Strangely Beautiful Australia rock scene. Their music is this one. Our singer misread development, Strangely Beautiful to emu, wallaby and birds) and the is the second project to be characterised by gravity- the place name ‘Barker’s Eddy’ Australia. Tasmanian devil exhibit. completed as part of the defying crescendos, in To Kill a Mockingbird, and The new area in the zoo’s In the near future, it will also zoo’s $120 million, 10-year frenetic riffs and thought it sounded mean. Australia precinct showcases connect to a new brolga enclosure, redevelopment programme, rambunctious choruses. Describe your sound. forked-tongued monitor lizards, making the Australia precinct the which is being funded through Catch Bakers Eddy at In your face, high energy Australia’s heaviest stick insect, zoo’s most species-rich area. Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan. Demon Energy Rock the and bold. snake-necked turtles, redback and Including mammals, reptiles, Park, kicking off at 2pm What can fans expect from huntsman spiders, water dragons, birds, invertebrates, amphibians on Saturday 11 February at your show? Grey Lynn Park. We’re engaging and like to get the It is proudly presented by crowd involved! Auckland Council Music in Parks For the full line-up go to musicinparks.co.nz and The Rock. and visit ourauckland.nz to read the full interview.
8 | NEWS ourauckland.nz NEWS | 9 Join the war on weeds Wild ginger The yellow flowers of wild ginger will stick their heads up this month – the perfect time to cut them down. Also known as kahili ginger, the weed forms dense colonies, smothering native plants and preventing regeneration. It has large, shiny leaves, tall yellow flowers with red stamens, and large rhizomes (thick stems) that form a dense layer underground. It is spread by its rhizomes or by birds eating the seeds.
“Hand-pull small plants, removing all rhizome parts, and cut OF THE MONTH larger plants above the pink ‘collar’ at the base and treat the stump with herbicide,” says Holly Cox, Auckland Council Senior The Beachlands - Maraetai Coastal Walkway Biosecurity Advisor. This 6km coastal walkway and Maraetai, Te Pene and Ōmana It should take someone with a “Leaves can be composted or mulched, while rhizomes cycle path winds along Auckland’s Esplanade Reserve. moderate level of fitness about should go to landfill. You can also put the rhizomes in a plastic, southeast coast. It connects the The area has a rich Māori and 90 minutes to complete one way. water-filled barrel for several months, and use the resulting settlements of Beachlands and European history, and is home to an Dogs are either on-lead or off- sludge as fertiliser.” Maraetai and offers views of the array of coastal plants and animals. lead (but under control) most of the Visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plantsearch for more Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island and The walkway is wheelchair walkway – please refer to posted information. the Coromandel Peninsula. accessible and suitable for prams signage. Dogs are prohibited from Auckland Council is also joining the Northland campaign to Other highlights include the but there are unsealed sections in Ōmana Regional Park, except for fight this pest plant. Visitstopwildginger.co.nz to find out more. beautiful east coast beaches of some parts. around the perimeter walk.
Paddle safely this summer The December–January edition an appropriate leg or waist rope. of OurAuckland featured a photo Use a quick-release waist leash in of stand-up paddleboarders on fast-flowing water or a straight leg the cover. The paddlers were not rope in surf conditions. Either type Each month we highlight the various services your rates help pay for. following current safety rules, and is appropriate for other conditions. we apologise for any confusion You should also: You’ll then get a personalised Watercare is a council-controlled caused. Thank you to NZ Stand Up • check the weather forecast Free water report outlining the best ways for organisation wholly owned by Paddling Inc for bringing this to our before heading out audits your household to save water. Auckland Council. Every day, it attention. • take care with offshore winds, Over the following 12 months, supplies 326 million litres of water If you are paddling this summer, which can make it difficult to Reducing the amount of water you one of Watercare’s partners, the to Auckland and treats 378 million make sure you follow the get back to shore use saves money and is good for the EcoMatters Environment Trust, will litres of wastewater. Navigation Safety Bylaw 2014 by • check how the currents and environment. To help, Watercare track your water consumption and always wearing a lifejacket that tides will affect the location offers a free water audit service. update you on your progress. complies with NZ Maritime Law, you’re paddling in All you need to do is spend about Phone 09 442 2222 or email unless you are actively surfing • paddle with a friend. 30 minutes on the phone with a [email protected] to sign up. breaking waves. Visit AT.govt.nz/harbourmaster Watercare representative, and Visit watercare.co.nz to get We also strongly recommend to read the Navigation Safety explain to them how your family more information. that stand-up paddleboarders use Bylaw 2014 in full. uses water.
10 | NEWS ourauckland.nz NEWS | 11 Auckland Lantern Festival Chinese New Year 9-12 Feb 28 Jan - 12 Feb Waitangi Day celebrations at Thu 7pm-10.30pm (lantern-only night), Parnell Rooster Exhibition Takaparawhau / Bastion Point in 2015. Fri-Sun 4pm-10.30pm Rooster artworks in celebration Auckland Domain, Parnell of the Year of the Rooster Experience the best of Chinese culture with music, dance, Parnell galleries & retailers theatre, martial arts, food and craft stalls, hundreds of lanterns 9 Feb and a spectacular fireworks finale. Proudly supported by ASB Howick Chinese New Year and brought to you by the Asia New Zealand Foundation and Lanterns, performances, food & craft stalls Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development, on behalf Thu 5pm-9pm | Pakuranga Plaza of Auckland Council. 10 Feb Chinese New Year in Remuera Lanterns, arts & crafts, family activities & music Celebrate Waitangi Day Fri 6pm-9pm | Remuera village Waitangi Day on 6 February marks the signing of representatives of the Crown signed Māori language 11 & 12 Feb Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. versions of the treaty at Karaka Bay (in what is now the Special Late Opening Representatives of the British Crown and more east Auckland suburb of Glendowie), Manukau, Awhitū at Auckland Museum than 500 Māori chiefs signed the treaty, which is and Waikato Heads between March and July 1840. Music, storytelling now considered to be Aotearoa New Zealand’s This year, Waitangi Day celebrations will be held at & the new exhibition Being Chinese in Aotearoa: founding document. several locations across Auckland. They will feature live A Photographic Journey Treaty signings were held at four locations in and music and performance, food, arts, crafts and fun for Sat & Sun 10am-8.30pm around Tāmaki Makaurau in the months following the whole family. See below for full details of
Auckland Museum Nelson Provincial Appo Hocton, 1876. Nov Collection W E Brown Museum, the first signing at Waitangi. Chiefs of local iwi and these events.
Sat 4 & Sun 5 Feb Eden Park, Kingsland Two-day tickets: Adult from $69, child $39 Be part of ‘The Greatest Weekend’ with sensational Mon 6 Feb, 9.30am-5pm | Hoani Waititi Marae, Glen Eden on-field action and an amazing This fun-filled whānau (family) day has rides, displays, kai (food) crowd atmosphere. This knock- New Zealand Opera stalls and a talent quest, plus entertainment from BlackSlate out tournament has 288+ star (UK), Katchafire, Aaradhna, Kings, Moana & The Tribe, Royal players in 31 action-packed presents The Mikado Family Dance Crew and more.* games with nine-minute halves 14-19 Feb | ASB Waterfront Theatre and nine players per team, so there’s more speed, more tries From $50 (+ fees) and more fun! Beautifully executed comedy… This production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s opera Mon 6 Feb, 9.30am-5pm transports us to modern-day Japan, where Hayman Park, Manukau Harajuku fashion and Hello Kitty rule. Mon 6 Feb, 10am-3pm Fan Day This family-friendly event features kapa haka, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, Okahu Bay, Ōrākei Fri 3 Feb, 10am-4pm WIN with OurAuckland food stalls, and music from top Māori Celebrate the spirit of the Aotea Square OurAuckland has a family pass (4 tickets) artists including Ardijah, Rob Ruha, Troy Treaty of Waitangi with live music, to give away for the show at 2pm on Kingi, Adam Whauwhau, Ora Taukamo, Auckland’s favourite food trucks, arts and Welcome the players back to Sat 18 Feb. Visit ourauckland.nz/win Josie Clarke and DJ Manchoo.* crafts, a Treaty exhibition and kids’ activities.* Auckland in a day packed with to enter by noon on Tue 7 Feb 2017. free, family-friendly activities. Terms & conditions apply. *These Waitangi Day events are all smoke-free, drug-free and alcohol-free. Visit ourauckland.nz/events for more info, hundreds more events February 2017 and to sign up for our weekly e-news.
10-26 Feb | Region wide | Prices vary – some free events 18 Feb 18 & 19 Feb 26 Feb Tāmaki River Festival Heroic Garden Festival Onetangi Beach Races More than 80 events including theatre, exhibitions, concerts, Sailing, kayaking, bouncy castles, See 22 prestigious private gardens Family fun day with races, films, sports and parties. Highlights include the parade (below) entertainment, food stalls & more Sat & Sun 10am-5pm kids’ activities, stalls & more and Big Gay Out (Sun 12 Feb at Coyle Park, Pt Chevalier). Sat 11am-3pm Central & north Auckland Sun 10.30am-3.30pm | Waiheke Island Bramley Drive Reserve, Pakuranga All gardens $50, individual gardens $10 Auckland Pride Parade 24-26 Feb Sat 25 Feb, 7.30pm-9.30pm | Ponsonby Rd Flicks + Fun
Family movies, food trucks, markets Photo: Peter Rees Aotearoa’s largest and loudest carnival of change and Susan Blick Photography & live music diversity will be packed full of love, light and colour Fri 5pm - Sun 9pm | Browns Bay Beach 25 & 26 Feb with more than 60 fabulous floats. Steam & Vintage 27 Jan - 19 Feb | Waiheke Island 14 Feb - 11 Mar 26 Feb Country Festival Auckland Outdoor Summer Myers Park Medley Steam train & steam *Donations appreciated Shakespeare Festival Family festival with boat rides, live music, kids’ entertainment, Experience the power of contemporary art As You Like It, Merry Wives of Windsor music, art, food food & more at NZ’s premier outdoor sculpture exhibition & Summer Sonnets & craft stalls Sat & Sun 9am-4pm with more than 30 artworks along a The University of Auckland | From $12 Sun 12pm-5pm
Glenbrook Vintage Railway spectacular 2km coastal walk. Image: Tiffany Singh Myers Park, CBD 26 Feb Adult $10, child free (rides cost extra) Japan Day 26 Feb 11 Feb Entertainment, food stalls & more Stadium Stomp Eden Park Boulevard Arts Fiesta Auckland Fringe Festival Sun 10am-6pm Charity stair-climbing challenge Market stalls, art sale, food trucks, 21 Feb - 12 Mar | Region wide | Prices vary The Cloud entertainment & amusement rides & Shed 10, Sun from 9am | Eden Park, Kingsland Exciting, outrageous and unique events Sat 1pm-8pm | Orewa Queens Wharf From $55 at venues across Auckland ranging 17-19 Feb 12 Feb 17 Feb from living rooms to beaches to Splore Music & Arts Festival Folk in the Park BLACKCAPS v South Africa – urban squares and theatres. Music, performance, art & more Live music, food stalls & play zone ANZ T20 Fri 8am - Sun 5pm Sun 1pm-4pm Be part of the excitement at the ANZ International Series Tapapakanga Regional Park, Orere Windsor Reserve, Devonport Fri 7pm | Eden Park Adult $275, youth $125, child free 18 & 19 Feb Adult $45, concession $30, junior $5 Auckland Begonia Festival & Show Displays, sales, trading tables & expert advice Sat 9.30am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa Until 26 Mar | Region wide Until 31 Mar | Region wide 23 Feb - 14 May 26 Feb Gather with friends outdoors to hear the best live music Bring the family to see free blockbuster movies under Pop-up Globe Volume Sunday Session in Aotearoa. February’s line-up includes Iva Lamkum, the stars this February, including Inside Out, Hunt for Much Ado About Nothing, Iva Lamkum, Seth Hapu & Alae perform in conjunction Clap Clap Riot, Tunes of I and Soul Samba Circus. the Wilderpeople and The Secret Life of Pets. Henry V, Othello & As You Like It with the Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa exhibition musicinparks.co.nz moviesinparks.co.nz Ellerslie Racecourse | From $15 Sun 12pm-2pm | Auckland Museum facebook.co.nz/musicinparks facebook.co.nz/moviesinparks @musicinparks @moviesinparks EVENTS CALENDAR Cover image: Bertha Ofa Nation at Pride Parade 2016. Susan Blick Photography Huitanguru February 2017 | 66
CHECK OUT OUR NEW DESIGN
Pride Parade Lantern Festival Waitangi Day NRL Auckland Nines