Weekly Wrap Up: 4 May 2026
Each week I’m providing a quick summary of the meetings and events I’ve attended as a member of the Howick Local Board (HLB). This is my report for last week, starting Monday 4 May.
On Thursday we had our HLB workshop (https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeting/12276)
Annual Planning Workshop 6 - Finalise Local Board Work Programme (Opex) – we reviewed our draft operational programme for the upcoming year (July 2026-June 2026) with a focus on fitting within our constrained budget. With significant investment into the Flat Bush Library ($1.1M) and, very limited new funding, we were $700k over before we started. We have to cover the $200k increase in our maintenance contracts which we didn’t sign nor have any visibility over which I don’t believe is fair. Final decisions are made in June.
Annual Planning Workshop 7 - Finalise Local Board Work Programme (Capex) – we reviewed our draft capital works programme. I was pleased to see the return of the public toilets project (deferred to pay for the Howick Library roof). Final decisions are made in June.
Community lease items for FY 2026/2027 – reviewed the draft plan for the upcoming year for our community leases. With 70 to manage and only sufficient resources for 12 per year, we have to prioritise which I know is frustrating.
Later that afternoon I attended the Road Safety Conversation Event hosted by Brake as part of Road Safety Week. I joined Dr Ingrid Johnston, (CEO of the Australasian College of Road Safety) and Councillor Richard Hills on a panel about safety leadership.
On Friday I attended 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple. Thank you to the Venerable Abbess Manshin and her team (especially the volunteers) who make this happen year after year. See more here.
On Saturday, I attended the opening of the Howick Art Group exhibition at the Howick Historical Village. A wonderful collaboration leading to some beautiful artworks. See more here.
This week:
Thu 14 May: HLB workshop (https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeting/12277)
Fri 15 May: Howick Local Board Members and Councillors Catch-up Meeting
Sat 16 May: Dragon Boat Festival hosted by Botany Chinese Association
Sat 16 May: 147th Fiji Girmit Commemoration event