Protecting the environment, supporting local businesses and arts community, and a commitment to strengthening ties with Te Kawerau ā Maki are all features of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Plan 2023, which has now been finalised.
Following the extensive engagement during the public consultation with the community in July and August, the official plan is the key document guiding the board’s decision-making for the next three years.
Local environment
Board chair Greg Presland says: “The final plan is a reflection of what we’ve heard from our community, which is overwhelmingly about the storm recovery in our area.
“Earlier this year we had two one-in-250-year storms, and the consequences are still clear and painful for many of us. The next three years will be part of a major rebuild and we’ll work together with our community to protect our environment and build a more resilient future.
“Roads are a critical lifeline for all of us living in our local area. As a board we’ll keep advocating for transport assets to be managed and maintained so that we are able to face future challenges.
Local businesses and arts community
“We’ll continue to support local businesses and arts community. Arts, culture and creativity are a celebrated part of living in our local area. We’re very proud of our tradition of being a home for creative people and will keep championing our creative sector.
“Local businesses are an integral part of our everyday life. We want to support sustainable economic activities including working with our Glen Eden Business Improvement District and community stakeholders to promote the vibrancy of our town centre and exploring economic and other opportunities of becoming a dark sky place,” adds Greg.
Relationship with Te Kawerau ā Maki
Māori outcomes is another important feature of the plan.
Greg stresses that the board is dedicated to acknowledging the particular historical, traditional, cultural, or spiritual relationship to the heritage area, through a Deed of Acknowledgement with Te Kawerau ā Maki and Ngāti Whātua, the mana whenua in the Waitākere Ranges area.
“Our board will support Te Kawerau ā Maki in re-establishing a marae and papakāinga (housing on ancestral Māori land) in Te Henga. The establishment of the marae was a commitment made by the Waitākere City Council back in 1992 and we have always supported this commitment,” Greg says.
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.
The Waitākere Ranges Local Board Plan 2023 covers two overarching priorities including Māori outcomes and Climate action, and five key priority areas:
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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.
You can find the plan here.
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