Transport connectivity, climate action and an improved environment, investment to secure business opportunities and a commitment to strengthening ties with Māori are all features of the Howick Local Board 2023 plan, which has now been formally adopted.
Community feedback has been used to shape the plan.
The city’s 21 local boards are required by law to produce a plan every three years, and the plan adopted is the first for the board elected last year.
It sets out the board’s priorities for the remainder of its term:
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Māori outcomes
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Climate action
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Our people
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Our environment
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Our community
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Our places
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Our economy.
Board chair Damian Light says the community remains at the heart of all the board’s work.
“We recognise the importance of strong relationships with mana whenua, and we are committed to strengthening our ties with Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki, as the pre-eminent mana whenua of our rohe.
“All opportunities to enhancing Māori identity and culture will be welcomed.
“In the climate and environment area, we believe boards have an important role to play in leading Auckland’s climate response, and our focus in the area clearly reflects the strong views the community presented during consultations,” he says.
Howick’s people remain a strong plan focus. “We will continue to support people to be resilient, inclusive and healthy, and allow them to participate in activities at quality facilities that make our area the wonderful place to live, work and play in that it is.”
Light says it’s critical residents have access to good facilities and that they are maintained well to provide the maximum benefit to the area.
“That includes working for better transport facilities and doing everything possible to back our town and business centres.
“Our economy needs to be strong to support jobs and serve the community. We’ll promote local businesses, Business Improvement Districts, facilitate local youth employment and look for tourism tourism opportunities.”
Light says with the boartd having recently passed the one-year in office mark, adopting the plan is a significant milestone.
“It sends a strong signal that we take our decision-making seriously, with aspirational and practical goals that will continue to challenge us to work innovatively and do more with less.
“We will use the plan as the basis for our work programmes and annual budgets – turning the strategy it lists into action."
The plan is here.
