Quiz night to support the Howick Santa Parade
Awesome night at the Santa Quiz, fund raising for the Howick Santa Parade. Very competitive teams but thanks to the incredible knowledge of my friends we managed to place second!
Our council needs to listen so I'm here to hear your questions and concerns
We deserve a council that listens to the people, so as a candidate I'm making sure I'm available to hear your concerns and dreams for our city.
Cockle Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association planning another busy year
Residents associations play a really important role in ensuring that locals are informed and have a voice. The Cockle Bay Residents and Rate Payers Association have had a very busy year which they celebrated their AGM on Saturday 27 July and I was pleased to attend.
Thefts from vehicles still on the increase
Last night was a wild and windy night for Botany Crime Watch Patrol. I saw this story in the Times just before we went out to help the police and our community.
Howick Youth Council continues to show leadership and action
Howick Youth Council recently held their annual youth summit, bringing over a hundred young people from 9 schools together to understand the issues that are important to them.
Localism the council's greatest weakness
Last night I attended the Howick Local Board meeting and Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore was present to provide an update on regional issues, starting off by noting that localism was the council's greatest weakness. This sums up a lot of the issues that we heard last night but also throughout the city.
Ormiston Town Centre is coming (soon)!
We've all seen the residental developments around Ormiston and Flat Bush but it's exciting to see the long awaited town centre happening.
Lloyd Elsmore Skate Park in desperate need of upgrade
Lloyd Elsmore has a skate park but its in desperate need of attention. A small group of us caught up this afternoon to see what can be done.
It doesn't take an expert to see that the skate park is tired. There's big cracks and splits in the concrete, the rails are worn and the surface is rough which wears down tires (and riders if they fall off).
Ending domestic violence will take a community approach
Domestic violence is a terrible scourge on our communities and families. We've all heard the news, seen the statistics but its ruining lives, destroying futures.
David White is one such person - he lost his daughter, murdered by her husband. Instead of retiring, his wife and him have been raising his grandchildren, dealing with the aftermath.
Cockle Bay Domain restored by community
On Saturday the weather was perfect for community planting day at Cockle Bay Domain as volunteers planted around 300 natives.
Local Board Meetings great opportunity to hear from community
I make an effort to attend every Local Board meeting. It's a great opportunity to hear from locals, on their concerns and ideas for our community. And tonight was no different.
Auckland needs a bold vision for stadiums
I don't for a moment think that stadiums are our most pressing issue but leaving issues till we're desperate isn't how we should be running our city (despite our track record).
Point View Drive clean up a community effort
On Friday I wore my new gumboots to help fundraise for youth mental health. Today I wore them as part of a community effort to clean up Point View Drive.
Let's all try to be more like John
Howick locals came together to acknowledge John Sato, a local who has become an inspiration to many. At 95 he caught multiple buses to be at the anti-racism march, setting an amazing example for us all.
Celebrating Buddha's Day
Very peaceful time at the Fo Guang Shan Temple to celebrate Buddha's Day.
Kia kaha Christchurch...
Our little country rocked by terrorism and hatred, it's difficult to think of the words to describe how it feels.
Stockade Hill too important to lose
Having spaces to remember and reflect on those we've lost is an important part of community. Stockade Hill is that place for Howick and surrounding area, serving as a gathering place for locals.
Tarnica Park issues go deeper than just anti-social behaviour
There are serious concerns about safety in Tarnica Park with reports of anti-social behaviour, fighting and even a stabbing not long ago.
Macleans Park has new friends
Great first meeting of the Friends of Macleans Park, a new community group to reduce the pests and weeds in the park while replanting and improving the natural environment.
Women's safety is everyone's concern
I’m struggling with the Grace Millane story. What happened is awful and wrong, and my heart goes out to her family and friends.