“We are all part of one family – the human family. Let’s not forget that we do care for each other.”

WWII veteran John Sato was the centre of attention during Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s visit to Howick in April 2019 specifically to meet him. Also pictured is Howick businesswoman Bo Burns who organised that visit. Photo: Wayne Martin, Times Newspaper

“One of his favourite sayings was ‘Bear the unbearable with patience and dignity’. This is a Japanese motto that he lived by. I will continue to share this in honour of John. Rest in peace my friend. You will be missed around east Auckland by many people you became friends with.”

-Bo Burns

Beautiful tribute to John Sato in the Times this week, truly an amazing man who's legacy is his wise words and kindness. In my interactions with John, his humbleness and gentleness shone through. And his sense of humour!

He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Read the full tribute online: https://www.times.co.nz/news/john-sato-an-inspiration/

NZ lost $156-293m on the America's Cup and now we lost the event

While I'm sure some will be disappointed to see the America's Cup head to Spain, this event has never returned on the investment.

In fact, New Zealand made a loss of $156-293m million on the last America's Cup despite promises and the event being the most watched in history.

"The cost-benefit analysis (CBA) for Auckland has identified a benefit-cost ratio of 0.85. In other words, for every dollar put in Auckland got 85 cents back," it said.

"When considering financial returns only, Auckland got 72 cents back for every dollar put in.

"The analysis showed Auckland lost a total of $91.6m when intangibles like social, cultural and environmental costs and benefits were factored in, and lost $145.8m from a purely financial standpoint."

20 July 2021, RNZ

I should note that some of the investment made was accelerated (rather than new spend) so we got some infrastructure earlier. But shifting focus has been a distraction we didn't need.

Apparently there are now contractual challenges in removing Team NZ from their base in the Viaduct so we're stuck funding them even after they've abandoned us.

If the government wants to fund sports - there's plenty of need locally. Sports clubs across our city and country are struggling to make ends meet.

Access for all must be core to council planning & design

“True accessibility is about not having those barriers in place, not having to do all the thinking to be able to visit somewhere and alert someone to the fact you’re there. Just being able to do things as everyone visiting that place is.”

- Disabled Persons Assembly of New Zealand chief executive Prudence Walker

Not Built For Me: Auckland mum's sadness as disabled son excluded from society

Stuff is running a series on how people with disabilities are forced to navigate a world that is often not built to suit their needs.

This one in particular struck me, especially since Auckland Council has just recently opened a brand new swimming facility in Albany, which has no dedicated changing area for disabled patrons. There are pool ramps for water wheelchairs and pool hoists which is great but the lack of space to get changed is a pretty obvious gap. This is being addressed, but will cost about $205,000. Estimates suggest that providing for these sorts of facilities during the design and construction reduces the cost ten-fold.

While it’s good that we’re fixing the gap, we must make sure we don’t repeat these mistakes. There are plans to build a new aquatic centre in Ormiston and we must take this opportunity to build a world class facility not just for some, but one that's accessible to all.

If we get this right, it will be the first of it’s type in the upper North Island, going a long way to closing a pretty significant gap in access to something that most kiwis would consider a fundamental part of living in NZ - swimming.

Access for all must be core to the design, not an afterthought or retrofitted.

Full article is here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300468379/not-built-for-me-auckland-mums-sadness-as-disabled-son-excluded-from-society

Submission on the Auckland Council 2022/2023 Annual Budget

Auckland Council has proposed their budget for 2022/2023, which includes a new targeted rate to deliver almost a billion dollars in Climate Action.

The budget consultation will close at 5pm on Monday 28 March 2022 so make sure you have your say by going to http://akhaveyoursay.nz/budget

The below is my submission. I appreciate it’s a little long, so here’s the TLDR (too long, didn’t read) version:

• Support the investment into public transport and active modes - we need to urgently shift transport modes to reduce emissions.

• Question the lack of specific emission reductions and also vague cycle and walking plans.

• Endorse the ongoing savings and productivity improvements, but challenge the sale of local parks and encourage council to look after it’s investments better.

• Support standardised approach to waste collection, challenge to inorganic collection process and encourage increase in education around waste management.

• Support Howick Local Board initiatives, especially better maintenance of assets and building a fit-for-purpose skatepark in Lloyd Elsmore Park.

• Support moves to further empower Local Boards to make decisions around delivery of local community services.

Question 1 - Climate action targeted rate
What do you think of this proposal to introduce a climate action targeted rate?

Support

I support the intent of the new targeted rate - we need more climate action now. Under Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan, the goal is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. With less than 8 years left, the strong focus on public transport and active modes is what our city needs. The funding must be matched with an organisational wide shift to focus on climate change - emissions reduction and climate adaptation must be primary factors in all decision making, not just those enabled by this rate.

I question the lack of emission reduction targets - how do we hope to achieve our ambitious targets if we’re not even estimating the impact of decisions being made. Given the massive amounts of data that Auckland Transport has thanks to the integrated ticketing system, they must be able to model the potential outcomes of improved public transport. Some indication of the potential range of reductions must be possible and is essential for measuring the success of these initiatives.

I’m concerned about the delivery of these projects, especially the walking and cycling programmes which have very vague deliverables. Auckland Council has recently admitted that it had spent little of the $150m climate actions promised in last year's budget and, while some of the delays are understandably COVID related, this isn’t a new issue. Auckland Transport has not been able to meet its targets for newly constructed cycleways since 2017, even though the targets have decreased in subsequent years. Auckland Council must provide strong oversight to ensure that we get what we’re paying for and enable the urgent reduction in emissions. Front load the infrastructure build using cost effective and tactical implementations to build a network that will attract and support the mode shift we desperately need now.

Question 2 - Managing on-going budget pressures

What do you think of this proposal to manage our on-going budget pressures?

Other.

I endorse the need for ongoing process improvement and implementation of cost efficiencies. The proposed prioritisation framework is sensible and should provide assurance that the right decisions are being made.

I continue to challenge the sale of local parks and reserves, especially after COVID-19 has reminded everyone how important outdoor recreational space is. As our housing intensifies, these green spaces become increasingly valuable, far exceeding the short term cash from selling them off.

While I support retaining shares in Auckland International Airport Limited, Auckland Council must make sure this strategic asset is managed properly. Passive ownership has proven to be a costly and ineffective approach and I encourage council to take a more active role in the governance of this strategic asset. 

Question 3 - Prioritising operating spending

What do you think about how we propose to choose which services to reduce, stop or change?

Support.

I appreciate the complex and emerging environment that council must operate in and support the need for a pragmatic approach to prioritisation. I endorse the need for ongoing process improvement and implementation of cost efficiencies.

I encourage council to take a partnership approach to delivering services, working with community organisations and local businesses where appropriate. Critical to this is reducing barriers and cost to organisations, including streamlining the grant application and reporting processes.

I encourage council to consider how it will effectively communicate the prioritisation discussion and decisions, noting that there is a wide range of what people consider core services.

Question 4 - Standardising waste management

Question 4A - What do you think about our proposal to move from a planned region-wide PAYT system to a region-wide rates-funded refuse collection system?

Support.

I support the move towards a standardised waste management system. The ability to customise the size of bins acknowledges that not every household has the same waste requirements, yet retains some consistency. The change must be communicated to residents and should not assume that people understand the current systems, including what can and cannot be recycled.

I challenge council to revisit the inorganic collection process. While the previous system was not ideal, the new system has other gaps. Anecdotally we’ve seen a significant increase in illegally dumped rubbish since the change which I suggest is a result of the perceived increased difficulty and cost of the new system. Providing each household with a prepaid FlexiBin (or similar) may be a far more cost effective method while reducing the visual and environmental damage from roadside dumping.

Question 4B

What do you think about the proposals to standardise these waste services and charges?

Standardise the opt-out rules for residential multi-unit developments (10 or more units):

Support

Standardise the opt-out rules for residential and lifestyle properties with between two and nine units:

Support.

Standardise the opt-out rules for non-residential properties:

Support.

Apply a minimum base charge to every separately used or inhabited part of a property:

Support

Question 5 - Local board priorities

Tell us your thoughts on our proposed priorities for the local board area in 2022/2023 – have we got it right?

Support.

I support the priorities identified by the Howick Local Board, in particular the greater focus on renewal and maintenance of assets, and investigation of the skatepark and other wheeled play at Lloyd Elsmore Park. I acknowledge the minor refurbishment that the HLB delivered which has improved the safety of the park. However, it’s still very small and outdated with a practical capacity of as little as ten children. It also lacks basic facilities like toilets, water and shade. There is no pedestrian access, forcing kids to walk on the road which is unbelievably unsafe. In its current form it is in no way fit-for-purpose.

COVID has reminded us how important it is to have outdoor recreational options in our neighbourhoods. There are some amazing skateparks around, the success of the skatepark in Sir Barry Curtis Park is proof enough. If we create good spaces for our tamariki they will attract not just locals, but also people from all across the city. A decent skatepark will not just help locals, but also encourage people to visit East Auckland, bringing visitors and much needed revenue to our local businesses. In order to be successful, the planning and design must include the users. This will take time so the sooner we start the better.

While I support further investigation of dog parks in the local board area, I would not consider this to be the highest priority.

Question 6 - What is important to you? Is there anything further you would like to give feedback on?

I support the moves to empower Local Boards on delivery of local community services. Greater localisation of these decisions should see a more responsive council, that is able to adapt to the varying and diverse needs of our communities. This will require additional training and support for local board members and a robust communication campaign to educate residents.

Congratulations to the entrants, finalists & winners of the 2021 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards

Congratulations to all the entrants, finalists & winners of the 2021 New Zealand #BiosecurityAwards.

We all have a part to play in protecting the incredible biodiversity of our country and these awards recognise the champions who are leading the way.

Special Congratulations to Peter Wilkins for his Minister’s Biosecurity Award for outstanding contribution to NZ biosecurity. I've had the pleasure of working with this living legend, so can vouch for his incredible knowledge and passion.

Also (this is my local pride showing) but amazing representation here from East Auckland:

Pest Free Howick Ward – finalist in BioHeritage Challenge Community category

Howick Schools Moth Plant Competition – finalist in Kura (School) category

Ethan McCormick (Pest Free Howick Ward & Friends of Mangemangeroa) – finalist in AsureQuality Emerging Leader category.

 See the full list and more details here: https://www.thisisus.nz/news-events/biosecurity-awards/winners-and-finalists/2021-winners-and-finalists/

March Newsletter

I can't believe March is flying by already and we're nearly a quarter through the year! This month has reminded us that, while we must remember and acknowledge what has come before, we must also act.

My newsletter for March is out, with a quick summary of what I've been up to and thinking about.

I try deliver these each month - available here or delivered to your inbox (sign up here)

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I can't believe March is flying by already and we're nearly a quarter through the year! This month has reminded us that while we must remember and acknowledge what has come before us, we must also act.

On 8 March we celebrated International Women's Day, with a focus on breaking the bias. It's good to stop and reflect but we should acknowledge the sacrifices, battles and accomplishments of all wāhine across the globe everyday.

A week later marked the third year anniversary of the awful terrorist attack in Christchurch. We still have a long way to go to heal the wounds and respect those that were lost by taking real action to prevent another tragedy.

Unfortunately the road toll in Auckland has continued to climb, with another life lost in recent weeks. Auckland Transport has been big on promises for road safety, but their record shows otherwise. Four years after the tragic loss of life in an intersection in East Tamaki, there is still no sign of action from Auckland Transport despite a coroner's ruling that the road layout was the primary cause of death. What will it take for Auckland Transport and Auckland Council to act?

This week the government announced a reduction in public transport fares and fuel prices. While I suspect it was driven by pragmatic political factors, any action on transport poverty is welcomed. However, I still have questions over how this will be delivered and it doesn't address the long term issues.

On the topic of long term issues - Auckland Council is currently consulting on their proposed climate action package as part of the budget for 2022/2023 and I strongly encourage everyone to have their say. I spoke to the Howick Local Board last night to provide some of my feedback and my full submission will be ready in a few days. Check below for more details or head to akhaveyoursay.nz/budget

I'll do my best to keep you up to date through my monthly newsletters. In between, stay up to date via my website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. As always, if there's something you want to hear about or know more, let me know.

Warm regards,

Damian Light

We don’t need any more empty platitudes of sorrow on this anniversary. We need firm action and strong resolve. Across the board.

-Anjum Rahman

This month we remember the painful events of 15 March 2019, when 51 people were brutally murdered in Christchurch while peacefully practicing their faith.

I strongly encourage you to read this thoughtful piece by Anjum Rahman which explains the need for more action.

Consultation on Auckland Council Budget 2022/2023

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has a lot of climate action to get done by 2030 so council is proposing a special targeted rate to help fund it. The targeted rate will cost the average household $1.33 a week and deliver$1 Billion dollarsin extra investment over the next 10 years:

• $627m for buses

• $122m for Ferries

• $144 for Cycling

• $84m for walking

• $13.3m for urban ngahere (forests)

• $39m for depreciation

• $16m for administration / delivery ($9m for Council and $7m for AT)

The proposal is for rates to rise at an average of 3.5% (as per last year's 10 year budget) and also to (finally) standardise the waste collection services across Auckland.

The budget consultation will close at 5pm on Monday 28 March 2022. Details on the proposal and ways to have your say can be found at akhaveyoursay.nz/budget

I spoke to the Howick Local Board to provide some of my feedback and my full submission will be ready in a few days.

Eastern Busway feedback shows Burswood diversion unpopular with locals

Auckland Transport have released the response to the December consultation on the Pakuranga to Botany leg of the Eastern Busway.

There's a bit to work through, but it's clear the Burswood diversion created a stir (which is no surprise given the shock it was to locals). I still question some of the info they've presented and it feels very much like they're pushing a solution that the community doesn't want or need.

I fully support the Eastern Busway and want it delivered sooner. However driving a diversion through Burswood at the cost of many homes is unjustified. I applaud the response from local residents who have organised to oppose this bizarre proposal. My submission is available here.

Auckland Council Budget 2022/2023 consultation feedback to Howick Local Board

As part of the Auckland Council budget consultation, the Howick Local Board hosted an online public forum. The following is a rough transcript of what I said in my 3 minutes:

Kia ora.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak, I will do my best to stay on topic and on time. Given the short window, I’ll focus on one regional and two linked local priorities.

Firstly I’m encouraged by the increased focus on climate action. As noted earlier, our goal is to reduce our emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. With less than 8 years left to deliver this massive change, we need to significantly increase action.

It’s good to see that we’re getting some improvements to the East Auckland public transport services, including more frequent services through Ormiston and Flat Bush.

The Budget proposes $144m for Cycling and $84m for walking which is great but is very light on the details of where this will happen. I understand that Auckland Transport is still finalising the plan for both active modes and I encourage the Howick Local Board to make sure that our area does not miss out on these opportunities.

Like one of the previous speakers, I have questioned the lack of carbon reduction targets or estimates - $1 Billion dollars is a lot of money to invest without knowing the impact. I’m not suggesting it’s too much, in fact I suspect it won’t be near enough to undo the damage that we continue to do to our environment. But the proposal represents a massive increase on previous funding and by ring fencing it we can have more confidence that it will deliver so I support it.

Onto the local priorities and I wanted to speak to both the greater focus on renewal and maintenance of assets and the need for the skatepark and other wheeled play at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

As some of you are aware, I’m involved with East Skate Club. While I’m not here formally speaking on their behalf, I do want to take this opportunity to endorse the need for a proper skatepark facility for our community. 

I acknowledge the minor refurbishment that the HLB delivered which has improved the safety of the park. However, it’s still very small and outdated - ten kids and it’s full. It lacks basic facilities like toilets, water and shade. There is no pedestrian access, forcing kids to walk on the road which is unbelievably unsafe. In its current form it is in no way fit-for-purpose.

COVID has reminded us how important it is to have outdoor recreational options in our neighbourhoods. There are some amazing skateparks around, the success of the skatepark in Sir Barry Curtis Park is proof enough. If we create good spaces for our tamariki they will attract not just locals, but also people from all across the city. A decent skatepark will not just help locals, but also encourage people to visit East Auckland, bringing visitors and much needed revenue to our local businesses.

In order to be successful, the planning and design must include the users - skaters, kids of all ages. This will take time so the sooner we start the better. Thank you for including this as a priority.

Thank you.

I’m still working through the formal consultation process and will post a copy of my submission in the next few days.

The budget consultation will close at 5pm on Monday 28 March 2022. Details on the proposal and ways to have your say can be found at akhaveyoursay.nz/budget

Remembering 15 March 2019 isn't enough

Looking back to the days after the March 15 attacks, it seems our country was changed forever. There was self-reflection, an inner resolve. It seemed, for a too-brief moment in time, that we would come together to push back on the hate we had witnessed. People wondered how this could happen here, and what we might do to make sure that it never happened again.

-Anjum Rahman

Today we remember the painful events of 15 March 2019, when 51 people were brutally murdered in Christchurch while peacefully practicing their faith.

Three years on A lot has changed but not enough - I strongly encourage you to read this thoughtful piece by Anjum Rahman which explains the need for more action.

We don’t need any more empty platitudes of sorrow on this anniversary. We need firm action and strong resolve. Across the board.

The following is a short list of practical suggestions that we can all consider, originally posted by Muzhgan Samarqandi on Twitter (link to original thread here)

Islamophobia exists & it kills. Everyone must tackle it. We owe it to the 51 shuhada of Christchurch. There are simple things you can do. Make choices about what you watch, the language you use, & the assumptions you rely on. My suggestions as a Muslim in Aotearoa NZ.

Stop watching TV & film that portrays Muslim men as terrorists or misogynists, & Muslim women as mindless accomplices or helpless victims. If you’re surprised how much content this cuts out & need a recommendation, watch ‘We Are Lady Parts’. Seriously brilliant & refreshing.

Stop referring to terrorists as ‘Muslim terrorists’. There is nothing Muslim about an act of terror, or a person who commits it. In fact, the majority of VICTIMS of terrorism are Muslim (up to 97%). We don’t need to be victims of Islamophobia on top of this.

Stop making assumptions about why people dress the way they do, or how they should look. Many women choose to wear a hijab or headscarf as an expression of their faith & culture & find it empowering to do so. EVERYONE should be accepted & celebrated for who they are.

Stop telling Muslim (& other) immigrants & refugees they are lucky to be here, & stop suggesting it must have been awful where they come from. Instead, welcome them, ask about their experience here & be open to who they are. Maybe you will find you are lucky to have them.

Start saying salaam as a greeting (but not instead of te reo, can’t have enough of that). Salaam literally means peace. Language is a window into culture, & solidarity of language builds connection & understanding. Islam is about peace. Our task is to build it together.

Reducing fuel prices and public transport fares welcomed but needs long term solutions

It's great that the government has announced a reduction in public transport fares, given how critical mode shift is for addressing climate emissions, congestion & road safety.

While I suspect it was driven by pragmatic political factors, any action on transport poverty is welcomed.

Fuel taxes will be slashed by 25 cents a litre for the next three months at the cost of $350m. Public transport fares will be halved costing $25-40m.

I have questions about how this will happen practically and would like assurances that this will not negatively impact projects (funded by fuel taxes or not). I would like to think that the government will simply make more funds available, but so often the devil is in the detail.

It does raise the important question as to why it's taken so long for this to happen, especially given the relatively low cost. While price isn't the only factor, it does make a difference.

The bonus side effect of this is a wider understanding of how little it would actually cost to 100% fund public transport. The other side of this coin is the massive cost of continuing to over-subsidize private vehicle use. The fact that so many kiwis are hurting from rising fuel prices is a reflection of our poor transport options.

In the absence of a realistic alternative, people are forced to drive.

Reducing the cost of fuel is a relatively quick way to reduce pressure on household budgets and I expect most people will (understandably) welcome this. But unless we fix the underlying issues, it's still broken. I also worry how this will impact people when the cuts are removed and the prices go up again.

Also we must not lose sight of the bigger picture. This is only temporary - we still need to reform how we fund and manage public transport so that it can be affordable, accessible and reliable. The current model is clearly unfit for purpose and needs more than short term fixes.

Eastern Busway feedback shows Burswood diversion unpopular with locals

Auckland Transport have released the response to the December consultation on the Pakuranga to Botany leg of the Eastern Busway.

There's a bit to work through, but it's clear the Burswood diversion created a stir (which is no surprise given the shock it was to locals). I still question some of the info they've presented here and it feels very much like they're pushing a solution that the community doesn't want or need.

I fully support the Busway and want it delivered sooner. However driving a diversion through Burswood at the cost of many homes is unjustified. I applaud the response from local residents who have organised to oppose this bizarre proposal. My submission is available here.

Apparently AT have confirmed the proposed design for Pakuranga to Botany, although it's pretty light on details.

More consultations due later in the year, although it does feel like the decision has been made (using cost as the excuse).

Documents are available online - https://at.govt.nz/.../eastern-busway/pakuranga-to-botany/

Also interesting to note that the diversion has had mixed response from the Howick Local Board

A plan that would see the next stage of the Eastern Busway public transport project dissect a residential community has sparked heated debate between members of the Howick Local Board.

See the full article in https://www.times.co.nz/news/board-members-clash-over-busway/

International Women's Day 2022

Happy International Women's Day to everyone, but especially the incredible women in my life. You're awesome, thank you for everything you do.

We should acknowledge the sacrifices, battles and accomplishments of all wāhine across the globe everyday.

This year's theme is break the bias:

Imagine a gender equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women's equality.

Collectively we can Break the Bias.

First thoughts on Auckland Council's 2022 Budget

First thoughts on the Auckland Council draft budget - better than the previous attempts but still not great. Given that this will probably be Goff's last, I thought he might try for something bigger, bolder - apparently I was too optimistic.

I want to be excited about extra funding for climate action, but it's 3 years since they voted to declare a climate emergency with little action since.

I do acknowledge and thank those councillors who've been fighting hard for more action, appreciate everything you do. But overall the response by the governing body is weak. If the entirety of council hasn't been refocused to deliver climate action, then I don't understand what council thinks an emergency means. Same goes for AT's approach to Vision Zero - either everyone is delivering to this strategy or it'll never happen.

We need to reduce our climate emissions and for Auckland the largest contributor is transport. Most of this is private vehicle use, which will not be fixed by electric vehicles (will take decades, too expensive and congestion remains). We need systemic mode shift to public transport & active modes. Now.

Predictable yet still disappointing response from one of my local councillors who, despite being one of the longest serving members, still seems to have little grasp of how transport funding works or how desperate we are for investment in East Auckland.

As always, talk of "average rates rise" is misleading, since the actual impact varies significantly. I'm sure this will be the focus for many, but there's far more to a budget than just the average rates. More broadly endless rates rises are unsustainable - we desperately need reform of local govt funding to incentivise the right outcomes.

All that said, the devil is always in the detail and I look forward to the release of the public consultation documents on Feb 28 (let's hope we get the information we need to make informed decisions).

February Newsletter

My newsletter for February is out, with a quick summary of what I've been up to and thinking about.

I try deliver these each month - available here or delivered to your inbox (sign up here)

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I hope my first newsletter for 2022 finds you well and that you've had a good break over summer.

I had a few weeks off, spending my time in East Auckland enjoying the amazing weather we've had. So much to do and enjoy in our neighbourhood, we're so lucky! If you're looking for ideas, check out www.eastauckland.co.nz for itineraries and much more.

Last year was (much like the year before) a bit of a blur - like most of us, I spent most of it working from home which used to be a novelty. We briefly returned to the office before we went into Red - short lived but it was nice to see everyone in person. I have a new role at work, which is more senior and focused on turning strategy into action. It's a great opportunity and I'm enjoying the challenge, leveraging my experience with business improvement while learning new skills.

This year will be a busy one, even without the pandemic continuing to make life more complex than we'd like. I've got a fait bit I want to achieve at work and with the community groups I work with plus it's council elections later in the year (watch this space).

I'll do my best to keep you up to date through my monthly newsletters. In between, stay up to date via my website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. As always, if there's something you want to hear about or know more, let me know.

Warm regards,

Damian Light

Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate it.

Wishing you prosperity, health and happiness in the Year of the Tiger.

While I'm disappointed we won't be celebrating with the Auckland Lantern Festival (sadly cancelled again this year), we'll have to make it up next year with extra dumplings! In the meantime, checkout some of the ideas for celebrating at home including crafts, recipes and videos.

Who will lead Auckland?

It's council election year again and the Auckland Mayoral race is already starting to heat up, even before Goff has announced his intentions. While it's still early days, it's good to see that we may have some decent candidates this year - we really need a mayor who will lead this city with some passion and vision.

On a related note, I'm considering standing for council again. It's not something I take lightly, so I'm working it through with my family, friends and employer.

Auckland Council finances still don't add up

Major transport projects like the Eastern Busway have been delayed because Auckland Council told us they didn't have the money to fund it. Yet the NZ Herald has revealed that council is sitting on $285 million of unspent regional fuel tax earmarked for transport.

Meanwhile this very same council is busy selling off our parks and community centres using the excuse they don't have enough money. The hearings for the East Auckland parks (Golflands Park, Fortyfoot Park, and Aberfeldy Park) have been delayed again and again, but council are determined to sell them. Even before the pandemic is was clear we needed more public space and it's even more important now.

Auckland Council finances still don't add up

Major transport projects like the Eastern Busway have been delayed because Auckland Council told us they didn't have the money to fund it. Yet the NZ Herald has revealed that council is sitting on $285 million of unspent regional fuel tax earmarked for transport.

“Auckland Council is sitting on a $285 million goldmine, after it failed to spend nearly half the money it raked in thanks to the regional fuel tax.

In 2018, the Government introduced an additional tax on fuel sold in Auckland of 10c a litre (with GST taking the figure to 11.5c) to help the council fund transport projects in the city.

But according to data from the council, as of December 2021, less than half of the $515 million raked in by the tax has actually been spent, leaving the council with a $285m tax surplus.”

— NZ Herald 26 Jan 2022

Meanwhile this very same council is busy selling off our parks and community centres using the excuse they don't have enough money. The hearings for the East Auckland parks (Golflands Park, Fortyfoot Park, and Aberfeldy Park) have been delayed again and again, but council are still determined to sell them.

Even before the pandemic is was clear we needed more public space and it's even more important now.

Happy Lunar New Year

Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate it.

Wishing you prosperity, health and happiness in the Year of the Tiger.

While I'm disappointed we won't be celebrating with the Auckland Lantern Festival (sadly cancelled again this year), we'll have to make it up next year with extra dumplings! In the meantime, checkout some of the ideas for celebrating at home including crafts, recipes and videos.

Submission on Eastern Busway consultation (Pakuranga to Botany)

My submission to Auckland Transport on their proposal for the Pakuranga to Botany section of the Eastern Busway.

What do you think about the current station locations?

The locations of the Pakuranga, Edgewater and Gossamer Stations look good.

However Burswood Station isn't on the main road which reduces it's availability for the Greater East Tamaki Business District to the south of Ti Rakau Drive. This also means that the busway and walking and cycling routes are now less direct than originally planned. I would like to see  the Burswood Station moved back to Ti Rakau Drive.

Botany Station is also further down Ti Irirangi Dr than originally planned and the new route is missing the corner of Ti Rakau and Ti Irirangi Drives - this intersection has three significant retail centres, two major entertainment centres and close proximity to the wider Botany suburb. By moving the route through Guys Reserve these locations are no longer in the direct catchment area, reducing the usability.

The busway stations will have signalised and safe pedestrian crossing points,

seating, and bike and scooter parking facilities. What station facilities are

important to you?

Great to see the pedestrian connections and also bike/scooter parking. First and last mile is always the trickier part and it’s positive to see this has been considered.

Protection from weather is important (Auckland being Auckland) - not just rain, but also wind and sun. Commuting to/from work is more enjoyable if it can be done comfortably.

It’s critical that the stations and surrounding areas are made accessible and safe - no one should be prevented from using public transport because of poor accessibility.

Walking and cycling facilities have been included in the project and connect destinations such as parks and schools. Which destinations are important for you to reach by walking and/or cycling?
Retail, entertainment and community centres along the route. Public transport and walking are my primary mode of transport so connecting as many hubs together would be ideal.

What do you think about the proposed walking and cycling facilities along the route?

Great to see the inclusion of safe, separated walking and cycling in this project - essential that this new route feeds into the wider Howick Cycling Network that is planned for construction. Especially for schools.

Not sure why these routes don’t follow the same route as the busway through Burswood or into Botany. The Burswood diversion has created a gap in the route along Ti Rakau which needs addressing, especially connecting to the Greater East Tamaki business district (south of Burswood) which is a massive employment hub for the region.

The draft design creates a new connection to Burswood. It provides access for more people, improves safety, efficiency and journey time reliability and attracts investment and urban development. Tell us what this new connection means for you.

I strongly oppose the Burswood diversion - there is no justification for the change in route and the new route diminishes the outcomes of improved transport options. There is no justification for this change in any of the documentation made available to the public.

Along the Burswood route, Ti Rakau Drive is a six lane road with a median strip and wide berms - one of the widest parts of the road at any point. It is my understanding that this road was designed wider than required in order to accommodate a future transit lane.

Auckland Transport’s insistence that there are five major intersections along this route is a mischaracterisation of the route and suggests that the project team are not familiar with the route at all. There are three intersections (two for Burswood Drive and one for Harris Road) controlled by traffic lights and which could easily accommodate a busway. Torrens Road is a small side road that only has a single give way lane onto Ti Rakau - if the busway continued down the middle of Ti Rakau as originally planned, Torrens Road would not be impacted.

Access to commercial properties along Ti Rakau would not be impacted if the busway continued down the middle of the roadway, as was originally planned.

Shifting the busway through Burswood will create two additional intersections, making this area more complex to navigate for people and vehicles. There must also be an increase in maintenance and upkeep as a result as well as an increase in risk of injuries or deaths.

There must also be additional time for the buses and the detour will make the walking and cycling routes longer than necessary.

In addition, there is a significant impact on the Burswood community with an estimated 40 houses along the proposed route that will need to be demolished. The notification and communication process around this has been extremely disappointing. Locals are understandably upset and frustrated after being blindsided during an extremely tough lockdown.

Construction of significant infrastructure in an urban environment can create disruption and change. What is important to you that should be maintained or improved while the Eastern Busway is built?

While construction is underway we are likely to see restrictions to the roadway. I know the team will work to ensure the disruption is minimised but the nature of the project means there will be an impact. Priority should be given to the modes that will move the most people in the most efficient way i.e. public transport. 

I liked the approach taken during the Panmure to Pakuranga construction to encourage people to alter their transport patterns, although I believe this needs stronger local leadership. I would suggest engaging local champions to speak to their communities and encourage the wider efforts to reduce the impact of traffic congestion during construction.

If you have general feedback you would like to let us know, please provide it here.

I strongly support the construction and completion of the Eastern Busway - it’s a critical project for Auckland and essential for East Auckland.

I strongly oppose the proposal to divert the route through Burswood. Not only is there no justification, there are real concerns that it will diminish the outcomes while having a significant impact on the local community. We need people to mode shift onto public transport - the negative impact of this unnecessary diversion will only deter people from engaging with public transport and further reduce the public support for the project. The way this change was notified to the community has been devastating for many and has seriously harmed the reputation of Auckland Transport and the Eastern Busway project in East Auckland.

I also question the decision to divert the busway before the Ti Rakau / Ti Irirangi Drives intersection. Moving this route away from the major intersection in Botany reduces the transport benefits and catchment area of this critical infrastructure. I would also like to understand the environmental impact of the busway going through Guys Reserve.

Labour and National team up on housing - but will it be effective?

Yesterday saw a massive announcement on housing - a rare show of bipartisan support with Labour and National announcing an end to single house zones in the largest cities in New Zealand. Minister of Housing Megan Woods and Minister for the Environment David Parker held a joint press conference in the beehive theatrette with Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins and Opposition Housing Spokesperson Nicola Willis. Beehive

Approximate of new zone allowing 3 stories (Source)

Effectively it forces councils to allow up to 3 homes of up to 3 storeys on most sites in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, and Christchurch without the need for a resource consent. There are other changes to the minimum rules with increased building height to 11m and height in relation to the boundary now 6m + 60 degrees. I’ve seen estimates that this will affect 92% of Auckland’s residential area which is massive. 

After years of politicians blaming each other for the housing crisis, it was refreshing to see them actually do something about it. Cross party support is more than just good PR, it creates certainty. Our construction industry has been calling for greater clarity on long term demand which this should help provide.

Unfortunately this seems to be as inclusive as it’s going to get, with other political parties (including Labour’s political ally the Greens) not involved. And most critically the councils weren’t consulted, despite asking to be involved. It’s a stark reminder of the dysfunctional relationship between central and local government, the same misalignment that continues to play out in infuriating delays to projects like the Eastern Busway. Given this, it wasn’t surprising to see councils respond negatively to the announcement.

“If they want to make a big dent in Auckland [housing supply], then the problems are skills shortages, supply chain problems, material costs due to a duopoly of suppliers, and the funding of infrastructure to support big developments,”

- Chris Darby, Auckland Councillor and Chair of the Auckland Council Planning Committee via Stuff

Some argue that councils have failed and the government is being forced to step in. There is definitely some truth to this - councils have been extremely slow to respond to growing populations and progress has often been held hostage by a noisy, privileged few. However these criticisms (and a lot more) can also be made of government. And it’s also worth remembering that the structure, funding and very existence of councils is controlled by the government - while we all wish that Auckland Council would get those pesky CCO’s under control, there are limits that were put in place by an Act of Parliament. Critically, government needs councils to buy into this change, not fight it.

How could councils cause trouble? While the proposal will force councils to intensify in most residential areas, there is an exception for heritage protection. Minister Phil Twyford (former Minister for Housing and Urban Development) said on Twitter last night that “Character overlays precluded. Councils can protect individual buildings or clusters, as with NPS-UD, but that requires site analysis & justification.” (Twitter)

When I asked who would be making those decisions, I was told “Protection is Council's.” . It’s good to see that there will still be some local input and it will be interesting to see how heritage is interpreted and implemented. I’m a passionate supporter of respecting our history but it’s open to abuse as we've seen. Tywford agreed about the risks of misuse and noted “its something we're working on for the new planning system.” This will be a critical detail and may make or break this policy. In particular I’m interested to see how these changes will impact other rules such as the limited view protection that we have on Stockade Hill, secured after a long, bitter and expensive battle in the media and courts. On the other end of the spectrum is Wellington, who’s extremely broad interpretation of character has led to some feisty exchanges. 

Judith Collins had some pretty direct words on heritage protection:

"To those... I say this: Our communities lose their character when people can't afford to own their own home.

"Stronger communities are formed when families can own their home and it is in the interests of all Kiwis to live in a property-owning community, where people put down anchors in their community and have a stake in local affairs; where kids get to stay at the same school; where the politics of envy aren't fuelled by rapidly rising house prices; where our children can afford to buy a home and start a family and growing up in a property-owning democracy."

The announcement also included bringing the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) forward by a year, meaning councils need to notify plan changes by August 2022. It’ll be a busy year for councils as they adapt to these changes, untangling the current rules and applying the new ones. There is also some risk of throwing out what we've got, broken as it may be. The Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) was made operative in 2019 and while it’s still undergoing changes, it’s largely done. It’s far from perfect (too much to cover here) but it has delivered more consents with nearly 20,000 being issued the last year, up from 3,600 in 2012.

The government estimates the changes will mean another 27,900-53,700 houses consented in Auckland over the next 5-8 years which isn’t a small number. But you can’t live in a consent - someone still has to fund, build and own these houses. There is some hope that the additional scale will bring efficiencies, but I wouldn’t be holding my breath for affordable housing. The significant increase we’ve seen under the AUP hasn’t had any measurable impact because supply is only one part of the equation. 

Critically we need more funding and commitment to infrastructure, especially transport and water. Announcements like this are important but ultimately the budget is where we see the real priorities. The $3.8 b Housing Acceleration Fund is a good start but a tiny drop in a massive ocean. We also need to deal with our inequitable tax system and the massive wealth transfer that continues to undermine our economy and the future of our country.

In summary:

• Great to see cross party policy.

• Not engaging councils was a mistake.

• Enables more intensification which should mean more housing.

• Still need significant systematic change to address the root causes + wider issues.

• Heritage protection will be the key battleground.

The right to self determination is one of the most fundamental human rights.

Submission on Inquiry into Supplementary Order Paper 59 on the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill

Kia ora koutou,

My name is Damian Light, I was born in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and have lived here my entire life. I work fulltime in business improvement and volunteer in my local community through a number of charitable organisations.

I support the proposal to make it easier for all New Zealanders to correct their records. The gender and sex marker should be self-identified and a painless process to update.

The current process is complicated, expensive and at times traumatic for those involved. Unnecessarily involving the Family Court or medical professionals does not enhance the process, it just makes it less accessible for those that need to use it. While the majority of New Zealanders will notice little change, making this process easier will make a huge difference for those that do need to utilise it.

It’s essential that the changes made by this SOP and Bill are focused on improving the process to streamline it as much as possible. Therefore there is no reason why correcting records on gender identity should require surgical procedures - surgery isn’t always suitable or desired and there is still a lack of access for many. 

The Bill is written to exclude those born overseas which  does not resolve issues with self-identification for permanent residents born overseas, migrants and refugees. The Bill should include a simple administrative process that every New Zealander can access, regardless of their place of birth.

It has been frustrating to see this small, but significant improvement take so long due to unwanted political interference and campaigns of misinformation based on bigotry and fear. I implore the committee to ensure that submissions are considered based on their relevance to this SOP and Bill.

Ngā mihi nui,

Damian

Harmful conversion practices should be banned

My submission on the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill:

Kia ora koutou, 

My name is Damian Light, I was born in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland and have lived here my entire life. I work fulltime in business improvement and volunteer in my local community through a number of charitable organisations.

I wholeheartedly support a ban on conversion practices. As a queer person, I am appalled that this has been allowed to continue. I was born a few years before the homosexual law reform of 1986 - while I was too young to remember the debate, I have lived the change that it brought. We recently celebrated the 35 year anniversary, yet many queer people in New Zealand continue to face discrimination and bigotry. Despite our progress, too many queer people, especially our youth, are harmed by hatred. The awful conversion practices that this law is intended to combat, are part of this harm and must end. There is no justification for the damage they cause and there is no place for them in New Zealand.

I was raised as a Catholic and, while I no longer practice, many of my whanau still do. We are fortunate to live in a country where people can follow the religion or belief system that works for them. The diversity of our country is one it’s great strengths and we need to acknowledge and celebrate it. Those religious freedoms should not be used as a weapon to hurt others - there is no excuse for the hatred that drives these awful conversion practices.

These practices continue to hurt people and must end now.

Howick Local Board meeting for July 2021

Monday night was the Howick Local Board meeting for July with discussions on bikes, dogs and bylaws. I always try to attend to see what’s happening in the community and at Council.

There were three members of the public speaking - local BMX Club Mountain Raiders are asking for an asphalt pump track (similar to what was built in Grey Lynn a few years ago).

There were two separate speakers on dog parks - one asking for an off-lead area in Mangemangeroa and another speaking against the proposed off-lead park in Macleans Park (public consultation closes 25 July)

Councillor Paul Young provided an update on the governing body (Councillor Sharon Stewart wasn't available) with a focus on the Eastern Busway. He said he and Sharon were both surprised by the delays and continued to work to bring the project forward (although I'm unsure how this would be possible now). Paul also noted that while Auckland Council broadly supported the need for reform of water infrastructure (especially funding), there was concern that the government's proposed solution would mean less accountability.

It was interesting to see that Auckland Transport had a monthly report again - these had stopped while they reviewed the reporting process, apparently they're resuming them while the review continues. Unfortunately the AT representative was sick and unable to present anyway which was a shame because I'm sure the local board would have wanted to ask about the delays to the Eastern Busway.

Auckland Council is proposing a new sign bylaw and the local board provided their feedback, generally supporting the document. They asked for greater enforcement of the rules. The Board also asked for consideration of a cap on the number of signs per candidate or party in each ward to help reduce the clutter and even the playing field. This wasn't supported by all members and only passed 6 to 3 with Members Spiller, Turinsky and Bungard voting against it. One of those opposed noted that they weren't sure that a limit was possible under freedom of expression laws and we'll have to wait and see how far this goes within council.

The Board also supplied input into Auckland Council's submission on the government's planned RMA reform. The Board asked to ensure that the public would still be consulted on consents in their area and there was concerns that the new legislation would make it more difficult for the public to have their say. There seems to be agreement from most political parties that there should be some reform although with a majority, Labour won't need consensus to pass their bills through Parliament. The draft legislation isn't due until early 2022 so we will have to wait and see what they propose.

Full agenda for the meeting is available online and the minutes are normally up within a week or two (although they only capture the resolutions, not the discussion).