A keen walker who loved the outdoors has bequeathed her estate to the Ōrākei Local Board to be used for the development and maintenance of walkways and pathways.
In 2022, the then-chair of Ōrākei Local Board Scott Milne, was introduced to Wendy who was living within the board area. When he first met Wendy, they chatted for an hour about her life and what she did.
“Then she told me that she didn’t have any dependents and no family, and as a result of our discussion she wanted to leave a bequest to the Ōrākei Local Board, because it was her neighbourhood where she grew up and where she lived,” says Scott.
“And so we talked about that and her express wish was that her bequest would be used to develop walkways, pathways and access to wider parts of the precinct.”
Wendy’s will was drawn up by her lawyer to reflect this, and Scott stayed in touch with her.
Last year, Scott got the call to say that Wendy had passed away.
One of Wendy’s close friends describes her as being a straight-forward, down to earth person who loved the outdoors.
They first met walking their dogs, and spent lots of time walking in Waiatarua and around the Hobson Bay walkway over the years.
“The walkways were her love. When the one was built across the Ōrākei Basin, Wendy thought that was absolutely marvellous.
“I couldn’t keep up with her. We’d meet at Mission Bay to walk the waterfront and then she’d walk to Kohi and back again. When she was fit, she was really fit. When energy was failing her a bit, she did the walkway to Ōrākei Bay village.
“She’d be more than happy to know that [the effects of her bequest] are ongoing and that something’s going to be done to improve the area.”
Ōrākei Local Board is looking into a potential option to use some of Wendy’s bequest – keep an eye out for an announcement.
Auckland Council has processes in place to receive bequests and to ensure that any specified purposes are respected and carried out. We encourage anyone wishing to make a bequest to seek independent legal advice.
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