At just over half-way through the current three-year term, Waitematā Local Board looks back at a few of the things it has accomplished for our community so far.
A key part of the board’s responsibilities is looking after parks and community facilities. In the past 18 months playgrounds in Arch Hill Scenic Reserve, Pt Erin Pools and Gladstone Park have been upgraded.
“The board is committed to providing functional outdoor spaces which benefit our community in a range of different ways,” says local board chair Genevieve Sage.
“What we have achieved so far this term reflects that commitment.”
A new pathway in Pukekawa / Auckland Domain was finished in mid-2023 to create a more direct route through to Parnell Train Station for students, commuters, museum-goers and people visiting the domain.
An additional track in Te Wai Ōrea Western Springs Park has also been completed to add to the array of recreational walking tracks in our area.
This year the board approved the detailed design for a long-awaited civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road, and the project has started with the demolition of a building previously on the site.
Giving the community more chances to come together and enjoy our parks, two of the board’s signature events have taken place twice each in the last year and a half: Parnell Festival of Roses in Dove-Myer Robinson Park and Play Festival in Tuna Mau / Western Park.
The inaugural Play Festival was held in April 2023 attracting 5,000 attendees. The second Play Festival was held this April, seeing nearly 7,000 festivalgoers enjoy cultural games and entertainment.
Environmental issues are important to locals, and the board has invested in stream restoration for Newmarket/Middleton Stream and Waipapa Stream.
Waitematā has a climate action work programme which includes funding for a Climate Action Activator role. The activator has helped facilitate webinars for local businesses on climate resilience and worked with Grey Lynn 2030 on a stall with guest speakers at Grey Lynn Festival among other initiatives.
“Some issues that matter to our community are outside of the board’s decision-making remit, but the board is able to play a role in advocating for things locals value or are concerned about,” explains Genevieve.
“After listening to what our community is passionate about, a couple of focus areas the board has had in the advocacy space in the last 18 months include city centre safety and heritage.”
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