Weekly Wrap Up: 3 August 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 3 August.
On Thursday we had our workshop (https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeting/12289)
🏠Kāinga Ora Update: closed and confidential session so I can’t discuss further.
🚦Pakuranga Road, Hutchinsons Road and Aberfeldy Avenue intersection – 7th highest risk intersection in Auckland, AT have proposed traffic lights. Public consultation received 654 submissions (20% support / 29% mixed / 51% opposed). Strongest themes were the impact on Pakūranga Road (77%), proximity to existing lights (48%), and improved safety (38%). AT will seek formal feedback from HLB at next business meeting (possibly August).
🚌Eastern Busway resolution – AT briefed us on the requirement to formally designate the Eastern Busway to control who has access with proposal to require permit, open to all bus operators. Emergency vehicles also allowed. Public notification and consultation to occur in late August.
🅿️Proposed changes to Yellow Lines in Flat Bush – developer incorrectly added no parking (broken yellow lines) on all sides of Grand Ridge Avenue, Southridge Road and Ridgehill Rise. AT is proposing to reduce to the original plan, removing some broken yellow lines to provide on street parking.
🚍Eastern Busway update – deferred due to time constraints (new date to be confirmed)
🤾Howick Play Plan 2025 Implementation – HLB funds Howick Play Plan ($15k) which enables less formal play opportunities. Reviewed last year’s projects (Junky Monkeys loose parts play at Barry Curtis Park in October and Cultural play festival in Anchorage Park School, in Pakūranga in February). This year looking to partner with Te Tahawai Marae and New Settlers and Family Community Trust.
🚘Transport Transition - Establishing and Enabling the new governance model: with Auckland Transport largely disestablished in October (retaining only public transport operations), council is working through the new governance and decision-making arrangements. With unknown (but likely to be significant) workload being added to local boards, there will be some need for delegation to staff without losing democratic oversight and accountability – getting the balance right is critical. Formal decisions will be made in our August business meeting.
On Saturday, I attended the launch of Te Tuhi’s 50th Anniversary Book ‘They covered the house in stories’, along with Chair Bruce Kendall and Member Jack Collins. With over 1,000 creatives contributing to over 700 exhibitions since 1975, there’s an incredibly rich history of story telling captured in this beautiful book. See more here.
On Saturday evening I attended celebrations marking the 15th Anniversary of the Howick Youth Council. With a third of our local population (170k residents) under the age of 25, HYC is a vital part of ensuring that rangatahi have a voice, are valued, and can contribute. See more here.
Meetings/activities planned for this week:
📅 Thu 13 August: HLB workshop (https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeting/12298/)
📅 Fri 14 Aug: Quarterly Howick Local Board Members and Councillors Catch-up
📅 Sat 15 Aug: Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Art Salon at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FRBxBpG5G/)
📅 Sat 15 Aug: East After Dark (concert) organised by Howick Youth Council