The mighty pou gazing across the Henderson Civic Chamber, Te Ipu Kura a Maki, seemed a fitting presence as West Auckland locals gathered to farewell and celebrate the local government career of Waitākere Ranges Local Board Member Sandra Coney.
Sandra Coney—Queen’s Service Order recipient, feminist, environmentalist, women’s health advocate—is stepping down after 24 years of public service.
Sandra might be a familiar name, even if you haven’t met her in person. Year after year, she has scrutinised, challenged, and interrogated council advice and proposals—and the depth of her knowledge and questioning has always been impressive.
By contrast, she’s also remembered as the “naughty girl” of Piha who was restrained by her mother to stop her jumping into the sea, hiding behind rocks, and leaving a surf club scrambling to find her.
If it’s today, we might call that child “fearless”.
A keen environmentalist
That unstoppable love of nature carried through into her years on the Auckland Regional Council (ARC). Sandra represented Waitākere on the ARC from 2001 to 2010, serving as Chair of the Parks and Heritage Committee from 2004 to 2010.
On Facebook, she fondly wrote: “great to share my last meeting in Auckland Council with my old ARC mates, Paul and Mike, and to reminisce about what we achieved, including over 1500 ha regional parks, Wynyard Quarter, Queens Wharf, stopped privatising of ports, electrification and double tracking west rail line, opened Onehunga branch line. All this in 6 years.”
She was also an early champion of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act.
“Along with Paul Walbran, Sandra guided the Auckland Regional Council into an early decision to advance the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act. She has consistently been a supporter of the Act and of the Heritage Area and reminded us regularly of the importance of the Act and the importance of protecting the Ranges,” said Waitākere Ranges Local Board chair Greg Presland at her farewell.
Championing arts and heritage
During her time as chair of the local board, she discovered that land intended for giving to Te Kawerau ā Maki had not yet been handed over. She set the process in motion through the board, and today the iwi owns the land and has plans to build their own marae there.
“I’m very proud that the iwi will in time have their marae and have more of their mana restored on this coast,” she says.
The development of the Maurice Shadbolt House in Titirangi also received her advocacy. The house, where the iconic Kiwi writer Maurice Shadbolt lived for 40 years and wrote many of his books, is being developed by the Going West Trust as a writers’ residence.
She was also instrumental in making Rose Hellaby House on Scenic Drive available through the council for the Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance. This lovely house is on the cusp of welcoming in the Alliance as their headquarters. Sandra joined others for regular working bees to tidy the gardens.
“We’re not quite in there yet, but that’s going to be their headquarters—the Alliance will have meeting rooms and offices. And we’re also restoring the gardens. Seeing that evolve is really enjoyable.”
The Ranges, the Ranges
When asked about her expectations of the incoming board, Sandra says that looking after the environment can never be over-emphasised.
“I do sometimes feel desperate about the kinds of threats to the beautiful forest out here. To be looking after the forest and the creatures in it, holding the weeds at bay, and keeping it wild out here is so important.
“The emphasis on caring for the environment is crucial to me, and it’s wonderful to see seabirds returning and penguins nesting again.
“People always want a whole lot of urban comforts in these places and it has to be resisted. The more developed our own country and rest of the world, the more unique this kind of place becomes.
“And it’s vital for people to be amongst nature, to blow away the cobwebs, and to have that experience.
“I’ve just been out with my grandchildren pulling lupins from the dunes. We’ve had that programme in Piha for some years. Getting young people involved in environmental work matters—they get it very quickly. It’s important that we bring them in.”
She will still be championing the Ranges, even in retirement.
No wonder her mate, former Waitākere City Mayor Bob Harvey, says:
“She has been a champion beyond champions. That’s Sandra.”
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