Weekly Wrap Up: 15 June 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 15 June.
On Wednesday I attended the Business East Tāmaki Committee meeting. I have the pleasure of being one of two HLB representatives to this business association covering one of the largest employment hubs in Auckland (over 40k employees).
Later in the day, Deputy Kai Zeng and I went to Sunnyhills School to talk to some of the students about our draft Local Board Plan 2026 and get their feedback on priorities. We received lots of great ideas and have extended the invitation to all schools in the area. You can find out more about our draft plan and how to have your say from 23 June to 23 July here: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/local-board-plans-2026/howick-local-board-plan-2026
On Thursday we had our HLB workshop (https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeting/12282):
💰Community Grants Quick Respond Round 2 – closed workshop as we discussed the applications. The decisions will be made on Thursday 25 June.
👥Introduction to Community Wellbeing Team – opportunity to meet our Community Wellbeing Team (including libraries, community broker, places and partner specialists) - “our people people” Auckland Council is moving away from trying to be the expert in community, and focus more on enabling people and organisations to achieve their goals using targeted approaches (not one size-fits-all).
We had a special Elected Member briefing on Plan Change 120: housing intensification on Friday where we had our first look at the new maps and an opportunity to ask questions. See this post for more information.
On Saturday I attended the Cockle Bay Residents and Ratepayers AGM, along with Chair Bruce Kendall, Deputy Kai Zeng, and Members Adele White, Jack Collins, John Spiller, and Luke Collings. I’ve always found the CBRRA to be a highly engaged and constructive group to work with – congratulations to the Committee and Laurie on their re-election. It was good to see strong attendance from locals (I counted over 120 people), many who were keen to hear from Councillor Maurice Williamson on Plan Change 120 and a senior member of the Auckland Council Healthy Waters team.
Then in the evening I attended the Howick Historical Village Winter Lights Festival. Love to see the village lit up and great turnout! See my photos here.
Meetings/activities planned for this week:
📅 Thu 25 June: HLB meeting (https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeting/12500)
📅 Fri 26 June: Good Governance for Local Boards
📅 Sat 27 June: Have Your Say public consultation event for the draft Howick Local Board Plan 2026 at the Flat Bush Library (https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/local-board-plans-2026/howick-local-board-plan-2026/)