It’s been really pleasing to see a number of projects completed in 2025. These have been years in the making and involved different sets of local boards, many staff, contractors and members of the community and it is glorious to celebrate them and acknowledge the work put in.
Te Rimutahi, the new civic space on Ponsonby Road is now open. Thanks are due to the Western Bays Community Board and Auckland Council, who found the money 20 years ago to get the project started, and to all those who have helped realise the community-led vision since. Due to Covid impacts, budgets halved for the project, so we adapted and focused on the outdoor space. This is looking more beautiful every day as the plants curl themselves up and around the structures and as it comes to life with activities and performances.
The Heard Park upgrade also went back to the drawing board to fully realise the wishes of locals and the Heard family to create a playground that told the story of the confectionary company and be full of surprise and delight. With giant lollipops, climbing structures, magical speaking tubes and an open space that lends itself to events, the upgrade has proved a hit. We are also trialling a bit of European style al fresco dining and refreshments on the edge of the park.
Meanwhile, across Waitematā, public spaces have been activated with play and events. The libraries have started to loan out board games. The Parnell Festival of Roses has focused on plants and playful activities, including colouring, crafting, clay and competition – namely the highly competitive upcycling garden design challenge. The response was fantastic. We have also supported the Franklin Road Lights, Santa Parade and the Grey Lynn Festival among other events.
Youth wellbeing continues to be a focus. A few years ago, we involved young people in a deliberative democracy project to consider how we might better deliver services for them. Two key themes emerged: a lot of kids wanted things that already exist and, secondly, they wanted a youth-focused space. We have developed strategies to spread the word better about what resources are available, from dance and music, to sport and counselling, and we have seen the launch this year of two youth spaces, one off Karangahape Road (with a focus on music and socialising), and an indoor skateboard park, The House of TWLV, in Newmarket. We are also working with community partners to support kids with more acute needs.
Reducing transport emissions and making it easier for younger, older and less well-off residents to get about safely and independently is a priority for the board, and to that end we celebrate the completion of the Meola Road upgrades. This will better cope with heavier bus schedules, while the cycleway linking Point Chevalier, Western Springs and Westmere allows kids to get to school, sport, and their friends (in real life). We have also begun to join up stretches of cycleway cost-effectively as part of our local active modes plan.
With the risk of storms still in mind, restoring streams and making space for water is key, as a buffer in flooding events and as an opportunity to increase biodiversity. The whole length of Meola-Waititiko Stream is now planted up.
Meanwhile, visitor numbers to the libraries have increased, the parks are activated with sports and events and it feels like summer has started early. There has been good progress on local board projects this year, but we also acknowledge that this has been a hard year for some individuals, families and businesses. We hope next year will be easier, and we will do what we can to support.
From all of us on the board, Peter Elliott, Kara Kennedy, Greg Moyle, Anahera Rawiri, Sarah Trotman, Caitlin Wilson and me, we wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Kia pai ngā hararei! Ngā mihi o te tau hou.
Alex Bonham, Waitematā Local Board chair