It has been five years since the formation of Auckland Council and, with that, Auckland’s 21 local boards. Orākei Local Board is the only part of Auckland Council to celebrate the five-year milestone with all of its original members.
The only local board to be fully re-elected for a second term, Orākei’s focus continues to be on investing in high-quality projects and advocating strongly on the community’s behalf.
“We are fortunate to serve a highly engaged community and, within our limited budget, deliver on the things that matter to our residents,” says board chair Desley Simpson.
"Improving our parks and sports fields and creating new assets such as the Hobson Bay and Orākei Basin walkways have been strongly requested by our ratepayers via our Orākei Local Board Plan.
“Providing value for money for our community is also a strong focus for the board. We are proud to have led the partnership with Oceania Football Confederation which, at no cost to the ratepayer, will see great sports facilities available to the Orākei ward community and beyond at Ngahue Reserve.
“We will also continue to move forward to deliver objectives from larger plans such as the Tāmaki Drive master plan and the redevelopment of Colin Maiden Park, while supporting and delivering smaller community projects and events.”
Major achievements:
- Hobson Bay walkway
- Orākei Basin walkway
- Undertaking 15 sports field upgrades
- Successfully advocating for the purchase of Colin Maiden Park
- Adoption of the Crossfield Reserve, Glover Park and Madills Farm master plan
- Winter Splash
- Carols on the Green
- Adoption of the Tāmaki Drive master plan
- Playground renewals, including Shore Road Reserve, Roberta Reserve and Patterson Avenue Reserve
- Michaels Avenue Reserve artificial pitch, including world-leading research on the potential environmental and health impacts of the materials used in the artificial surface
- Formation and support of residents’ associations covering all 10 ward suburbs
- Adoption of The Landing concept plan
- Adoption of the Hobson Bay Action Plan
- Working with Oceania Football on the redevelopment of Ngahue Reserve
- Creation of Wilsons Beach
- World War I Roll of Honour for Orākei
- Development of a local Orākei Ward visitor strategy
- Local transport projects including school traffic safety, a roundabout at Victoria Avenue/Shore Rd, portable speed warning signs in Omahu Road and other streets, Mission Bay local centre enhancement and the installation of a greenways path at Liston park
- Installing a sign to officially recognise Biddick’s Bay
