Weekly Wrap Up: 31 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 31 August.
On Thursday we had our workshop (https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeting/12293):
📑Draft Local Board Plan feedback: earlier this year we asked for feedback on our draft 3year strategy and received 685 submissions (including 281 online, 45 paper forms, and 73 from Buzzly). With strong representation from Flat Bush (56% of submissions) it’s clear that we need to deliver the promised on community facilities faster as well as improve transport, reduce illegal dumping, and deal with growth.
🚧Auckland Transport Footpaths: in response to my request, AT explained we have 548km of footpaths, with 24.9km (4.5%) in poor or very poor condition. We also have 54.6km of missing footpaths which is 10% of the network. Funding is a major problem, limiting their ability to proactively repair damage beyond asphalt patches. With these assets transitioning to us on 1 October, I’m deeply concerned about the burden we’re facing.
🚸Auckland Transport Meadowland Drive Crossing: AT have proposed shifting the pedestrian crossing on Meadowland Drive near Meadowland Park (home to Howick Squash and Cockle Bay Tennis Club) and Sommerville Intermediate slightly north and replacing it with a signalised (non-raised) crossing.
💰Local Board funding review: before the Mayor proposes his plan for the next 10 years in the upcoming long-term plan (LTP), staff briefed us on some options for local board funding. These include funding growing with population and inflation, and a regionally funding for some assets. The options include taking pools and leisure centres off local boards which would leave us $1.2M worse off. We provide our feedback on Thurs 17 Sept.
On Saturday I attended the opening of Spring Art Show, organised by the Howick Art Group. The exhibition runs until Sunday 13 September at the Howick Bowling Club 10am-4pm daily. See more here.
Meetings/activities planned for this week:
📅Mon 7 Sep: Senior Citizens’ Meeting hosted by Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust
📅Mon 7 Sep: Pest Free Howick Ward Community Advisory Group
📅Wed 9 Sep: ‘No Place to Go – The Human Reality of Homelessness in Our City’ panel on homelessness (https://events.humanitix.com/no-place-to-go-auckland)
📅Thu 10 Sep: HLB workshop (https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeting/12294)
📅Sat 12 Sep: Opening of the Lloyd Elsmore Skatepark (https://www.facebook.com/events/1451694957014203)
📅Sun 13 Sep: Community Welcome Day at Flat Bush (temporary) Library (https://www.facebook.com/events/28066543279636018)