After years of dedicated service to the Waiheke Local Board, members Cath Handley and Robin Tucker are stepping down, leaving behind a legacy of passionate community action and advocacy for the motu.
Cath served three terms with the board from April 2016 to 2025 and was the chairperson from April 2018. She was also Deputy Chair of the Joint Governance Working Party and a member of the Hauraki Gulf Island Forum.
Robin joined the board in 2018, serving two terms as a member, where she was the board’s main lead for resource consents.
"It’s been such an honour to serve Waiheke and Rakino for nine years," Cath says.
"People have been kind and supportive. I’m hoping the new board continues to build on the board's reputation for being active, honourable and responsive in its relationships internally and externally. Now it’s time to kick up my heels."
A voice for Waiheke commuters
Together, Cath and Robin have been a consistent voice calling for fair, reliable and affordable ferry services for Waiheke commuters, including:
- developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Auckland Transport in 2019 to guide collaboration and ways of working, leading to the first-of-its-kind Waiheke 10-year Transport Plan.
- advocacy to the government, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to review Waiheke ferry services to include them within the Public Transport Operating Model.
- successfully negotiating with Fullers 360 and Auckland Transport to introduce improvements for Waiheke ferry users, including implementation of a resident’s lane, waiting area improvements, and monitoring of service via a Quality Service Agreement.
They have also been enthusiastic advocates for tighter rules around helipad consents in the Hauraki Gulf with the introduction of the NZ Coastal Policy Statement into the Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan.
Planning for the future
During her time as chair, Cath has put countless hours into spearheading plans and strategies that prioritise the wellbeing of Waiheke’s people and environment for the benefit of current and future generations, including:
- Waiheke Area Plan
- Waiheke Local Parks Management Plan
- Rangihoua Reserve Onetangi Sports Park Management Plan
- Waiheke Destination Management Plan
- Waiheke Housing Strategy
Cath has also advocated successfully for:
- decision-making over the Matiatia Harbourmaster building
- funding and support for the Te Werowero sculpture at Matiatia
- greater investment in stormwater projects for Moa Ave and the Tahi catchment.
Cath has also been a vocal supporter for the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust to lead the response to Exotic Caulerpa in partnership with NIWA, MPI and other agencies.
An emergency plan that works for Waiheke
Since the weather events of February 2023, Robin has worked closely with resident groups and Auckland Emergency Management to create an emergency plan that fits the unique needs of this island community, culminating in the creation of the Waiheke Response Team.
Cleaning up our beaches and bays
Another passion project for Robin has been the clean-up of our some of the motu’s most popular coastal aeras working closely with council staff and the harbourmasters office to actions the clean-up and removal of 14 derelict boats around the causeway, Anzac and Putiki Bay and the Blackpool Beach/Huruhi Bay area.
You can find more stories on local board members who have left council at Our Auckland.
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