Business East Tāmaki transport breakfast

Howick Local Board Member Peter Young, me, and Deputy Bo Burns

Thank you Business East Tāmaki for hosting another fantastic breakfast meeting this morning. I attended along with Howick Local Board Deputy Bo Burns and Member Peter Young.

It was great opportunity with Hon Chris Bishop Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and RMA Reform (among others) speaking about the challenges and opportunities that Auckland faces. While none of it will be easy, he was optimistic about the future for Auckland.

This was followed up by Auckland Transport CEO Dean Kimpton who has done a great job leading the organisation over the past few years, transforming the organisation to be more community led.

And finally we heard from Matt Zame from Eastern Busway. Perfect timing as the flyover opened this morning to traffic, give months ahead of schedule and under budget. There's more work to do, which will help support the local economy with less congestion and more transport choices.

Thank you to RSM for sponsoring the breakfast.

New plan for housing intensification

Last week the Governing Body of Auckland Council (Mayor and Councillors) voted to approve the replacement plan for intensification.

The old version (Plan Change 78) was required by central government legislation. By law, it could not reduce building in high-risk hazard areas or opt out of blanket rules allowing three-storey homes across Auckland – including areas with limited transport connections.

It's replacement, Plan Change 120, will:

• introduce stronger planning rules in high-risk flood and natural hazard areas, reducing future risk to people and property.

• remove blanket three-storey housing rules (known as the Medium Density Residential Standards) across almost every residential area across Auckland.

• focus new homes around the city centre, town centres, rapid transit stops such as train stations, Northern/Eastern Busways, and frequent bus routes..

• meet government directions for increased building heights around five key Western Line stations: 15 storeys at Maungawhau, Kingsland and Morningside; and 10 storeys at Baldwin Avenue and Mt Albert stations.

• give infrastructure providers a clearer picture of where growth is expected, compared to Plan Change 78.

While not everything in Plan Change 120 is good, it's fixing much of the problems with Plan Change 78. The biggest challenge is the legally mandated requirement to one for 2million homes (up from the 900k in the original Auckland Unitary Plan). I'm pleased to see that the Governing Body included this in their resolution:

"note Auckland Council’s firm position that the outcomes for Aucklanders are more important than meeting a theoretical housing capacity target and that the Independent Hearing Panel and Auckland Council (as final decision maker) must be able to focus on achieving the best outcomes for Auckland through the final form of plan-enabled housing capacity."

By 10 October 2025 council will write to the Minister for the Environment seeking approval to notify the new replacement plan change.

Public notification is expected by the end of October (subject to the minister’s agreement) with public submissions are expected to open from 3 November to 19 December 2025 (subject to the minister’s agreement). Following submissions, public hearings will be held by an Independent Hearings Panel.

Read more here: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/09/new-plan-approved-for-auckland-s-future/

More safety improvements coming for The Parade, Bucklands Beach

The Howick Local Board (HLB) has been working with Auckland Transport (AT) on safety improvements for The Parade, Bucklands Beach.

Stage 2 proposed changes to six sites identified as needing attention by the public, local board, and/or traffic survey.

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This went out for public consultation in July with over 500 letters delivered and social media adverts. 24 responses were received with 50% (12 responses) in support, 33% (8 responses) against and 17% (4 responses) neutral.

Based on public feedback, AT have made some changes to the proposal:
Site 2 (23/24 The Parade): don't install yellow lines (as these might be confusing)
Site 6 (Laings Road): remove side island, add additional road markings and high friction surface

On Thursday 18 September, the HLB was asked for approval to construct the project. After a robust discussion, the Board agreed to proceed with four sites:
🚧 Site 1 (Devon Road): new pedestrian side islands
🚧 Site 3 (41 The Parade): new side islands
🚧 Site 4 (Wharf Road): zebra painted on existing raised platform, new streetlighting
🚧 Site 6 (Laings Road): intersection upgrade (including high-friction surfacing)

While the following two sites have been deferred, pending further discussions between the HLB and AT:
🚧 Site 2 (23/24 The Parade): New pedestrian refuge and side islands
🚧 Site 5 (55 The Parade): New pedestrian side islands

Next steps: construction dates will be confirmed and communicated once they are known.

👉My opinion: I felt that we should have proceeded with all six sites and proposed this, but an amendment to defer two was successful. The funding for this needs to be spent before June 2026 and Auckland Transport did warn us that deferring parts of the project may incur extra cost and/or end up with the deferred portions not being delivered.

Our full minutes are available here: https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2025/09/20250918_HW_MIN_11596_WEB.htm

The full recording of the meeting is available here (this item starts at 1hr 12min): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNiuqKCzobSzQ05kCv2JI2iefmDp2_tEh

Rā Hihi flyover officially opened

As the sun rose over Pakūranga, we walked over Rā Hihi in preparation for its opening.

This special dawn blessing was led by Ngai Tai ki Tamaki, with attendance from Eastern Busway, Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, Howick Local Board, and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

Mana whenua have contributed much to the wider Eastern Busway project including advocating for better environmental and community outcomes, designing the mahi toi (artwork), and gifting of names for the stations and structures. This has enabled the return of the full name of Pakūranga Rā Hihi (Battle of the Sun's Rays) to the area.

It was wonderful to be there to celebrate, especially with the planning, design and construction crews who have worked so hard to deliver this incredible piece of infrastructure five months early and under budget.

Later in the morning we returned for the formal opening, with mana whenua, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Ministers Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop, Mayor Wayne Brown cutting the ribbon.

The flyover opens from 1 October for city bound traffic with Howick bound lanes opening later in October.

Funding secured to progress Ostrich Farm sports fields in Flat Bush

“The Howick Local Board is pleased to see this funding for this critical project that will provide vital sports field capacity for South East Auckland. We've got massive and growing demand for sports fields, and this funding allows us to deliver this project sooner and better.”

We're desperately short on sports fields in East Auckland so when there was an opportunity to secure some of the proceeds from the airport share sales, this was our candidate project.

With 14 projects worth $57.3M asking for their share of the $20M it was always going to be a tough competition. While we didn't get as much as we'd hoped, this contribution will help us deliver this project that has been delayed due to a lack of funding.

Read more online: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/09/ostrich-farm-sports-fields-gain-ground/

Auckland East Chinese Society Alliance Election Forum

Thank you to the Auckland East Chinese Society Alliance for organising Monday’s election forum at the Pakūranga Community Hall.

With over 27% of our local 160k residents identified as Chinese in the last Census, we're fortunate to have several amazing local community groups supporting and celebrating their Chinese culture and heritage. This alliance of four local groups offered candidates for Howick Local Board, Auckland Council, and Mayor an opportunity to speak to locals about their vision and priorities. And the event was finished off with wonderful performances!

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a wonderfully diverse city but we need to do more to embrace and empower our communities. Low voter turnout is a symptom of a wider problem. Too often language, terminology, and systems are a barrier to participation and engagement with council. Locally we've worked with groups to educate and empower them to be more involved in decisions that impact them, but we need to scale this up across the city.

Candidate event organised by Korean Positive Ageing Charitable Trust

Last week Korean Positive Ageing Charitable Trust hosted a community meeting, providing locals an opportunity to hear from those standing in the upcoming election.

With a large number of candidates standing for councillor and local board, everyone was provided a fair opportunity to speak. Each candidate was given a minute to introduce themselves and their vision, and answer questions on embracing diversity and ensuring a fair share of rates.

Well done to YongRahn for organising such a great event.

Fewer lanes on Pakūranga Road to enable flyover

Rā Hihi – the flyover above Reeves Road - will open to vehicles in October, five months ahead of schedule. But to enable that to happen, major work is needed on Pakūranga Road to build the access to the structure.

The Eastern Busway project team is working round the clock to get the job done and improve travel times for east Aucklanders.

There will be fewer lanes on Pakūranga Road from Saturday 20 September to Friday 24 October. The road layouts on Pakūranga Road will change to allow the teams to build the new connection.

I've attached the maps showing the different stages over the next few weeks - they will vary. Please pay extra attention while travelling through this area. Efforts are being made to maintain as many lanes in the main direction of travel but there will be some impacts.

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Expect significant congestion and delays, and plan ahead to avoid travelling at peak times, and use alternative routes/modes. Visit AT.govt.nz/journeyplanner to plan your journey.

To find out more, visit www.easternbusway.nz

Voting underway!

I dropped off my voting papers at my local library this afternoon. It's full circle as Botany Library is the same place I dropped off my nomination forms.

Local government elections are still old school, relying on postal voting. I'd prefer we move to the same system we use for general (Parliamentary) elections but until then, postal it is.

For Auckland, voting closes at 12 noon Saturday 11 October 2025. If you haven't voted yet, please do! If you have voted, please encourage your whānau and friends to have their say.

You can return your vote by:
✉️ posting it in any NZ Post box before Tuesday 7 October 2025.
🟧 dropping it in one of the orange vote boxes before 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025. These are available in all council libraries and selected supermarkets, retailers and transport stations.

If you do not receive voting papers by 22 September, you can:
✅ cast a special vote at selected libraries (including Botany)
✅ visit the Electoral Office (167 Victoria Street West, Auckland Central) to drop off your vote or cast a special vote.
✅ visit a Vote-on-the-Go event, where you can enrol, vote and cast a special vote — all in one place.

Find out more: https://voteauckland.co.nz/en/information-for-voters/where-to-vote.html

Ko tēnei te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Ake Ake Ake!

Kia ora! Ko tēnei te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Ake Ake Ake!

It’s Māori Language Week and, to celebrate 50 years, the theme is Ake Ake Ake.

"Ake Ake Ake means 'forever and ever' or 'everlasting'. It represents the endurance of our language, the ability of our language and its speakers to adapt to their conditions, and the commitment of communities around Aotearoa for te reo Māori."

There's heaps of great resources available so take this opportunity to challenge yourself to learn some new words and phrases.

https://www.reomaori.co.nz/

New leaders for Flat Bush from October 2025

Flat Bush is a significant and growing community that deserves good representation. Until now, they've been represented by the Botany subdivision of the Howick Local Board which included 70,000 residents from Northpark to Clover Park.

As one of the representatives for Botany and Flat Bush, it was a privilege to serve this amazing community. Facing budget challenges, we’ve worked hard to address the gaps in services and facilities like Te Taiwhanga Taiohi Youth Space (opened April 2024), Barry Curtis destination playground (due later this year), and the Ormiston Pop Up Library (due January 2026). We’ve secured funding for the long-awaited Flat Bush facilities (Library\Community Centre, and Pool\Leisure Centre) while bringing the locals together with funding for Neighbourhood Support and community-led Celebrating Cultures.

But with such a large, diverse community it’s a big task for three representatives. I am proud to be involved in the decision-making that led to the creation of the Flat Bush subdivision. Backed by 86% of locals, the change means better representation for both Botany and Flat Bush.

Next Saturday there's a community-led public meeting for candidates standing for this new position, a great opportunity for locals to come along and learn more about their options for voting.

• Saturday 20 September 10:30am to 12noon

• Ormiston Senior College, 275 Ormiston Road

For more information on the elections, including candidates, check out the Auckland Council www.voteauckland.co.nz

A+ for climate justice

Thank you Generation Zero for the A+ rating for my positions on climate justice.

You can find out more including seeing how I stand up against the other candidates at: https://localelections.nz/

I’m standing for my community

I'm standing for both the Howick Local Board and Auckland Council.

I love the the work on the local board - we're responsible for parks, libraries, and community centres. We fund local organisations and provide local advice and support through the to Auckland Council.

It's challenging but also very rewarding.

However we keep running into problems that can only be solved by Auckland Council so I'm standing to change how our city is run. Councillors determine the budgets for local boards (and every part of council) and make regional decisions that effect the whole city. We need councillors who will work with our local boards, putting aside politics to deliver more for residents.

If I'm elected to the Howick Local Board AND Auckland Council, then I'll automatically vacate the local board position and the next highest candidate for Botany is elected in my place.

Voters papers are arriving in letter boxes now so look out for the orange letters! They also contain a booklet with candidates statements and return envelope. Get them into the post before Tuesday 7 October or in one of the orange boxes at your local library or supermarket.

To find out more about your candidates, check out: https://voteauckland.co.nz/en/information-for-voters/candidates.html

Howick Local Board feedback on draft intensification

Government (aka Parliament) has instructed Auckland Council that we must provide for more housing intensification - by law we have no choice but to allocate capacity for 2 million new dwellings (read more about this here).

And they've set incredibly tight timeframes to make the decision on which plan to use. Auckland must choose either:

1. Plan Change 78 which couldn't downzone high risk locations, had to allow 3 houses up to 3 storeys on almost every property (MDRS), and was notified in 2022.
   OR

2. replacement plan change that has intensification more focused, reducing intensification in the highest risk areas, but draft maps have only just be released.

   Last week the Howick Local Board held an additional meeting to formalise our feedback into the process. We did our best in the short timeframe to make our community aware and 75 people turned up to our meeting (setting new record). We’re doing everything we can to ensure that our community’s voice is heard so we held a public forum with 13 people/groups speaking to us (another new record). Plus countless emails, phone calls, social media replies and more.
   
   We took nearly four hours to listen, consider, and formulate our feedback. Given the tight timeframes and complex issues, it wasn't easy and we're grateful to the public and staff for their input and support. In the end we:
   ❎ opposed both plan changes and requested more realistic timeframes to do this properly
   ✅ supported improvements to focus intensification, return single house zones, and better controls to avoid natural hazards.
   ❎ opposed Howick Village upzoning and asked for stronger protections for Stockade Hill
   ❎ opposed upzoning through Cockle Bay transport corridor on basis of poor infrastructure, huge impact, and marginal evidence
   ℹ️ provided alternatives for upzoning, closer to existing infrastructure and other intensification
   
   Next step is for the Governing Body (Mayor and Councillors) to consider the feedback of all 21 local boards, mana whenua, nearby councils, and government ministries. They will then make their decision in late September.
   
   You can find our full feedback in our minutes available here: https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2025/08/20250828_HW_MIN_13699_WEB.htm
   
   And a recording of our meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNiuqKCzobSzQ05kCv2JI2iefmDp2_tEh

Draft intensification plans released

The Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) is our city's zoning planning rule book. It's governed by the Resource Management Act (RMA) and allowed for approximately 900k new homes.

Under the previous government, the council was required to make widespread changes to the AUP to enable even greater levels of intensification. The resulting changes to the AUP were included in Proposed Plan Change 78: Intensification (PC78) notified in August 2022.

The very recently enacted Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act enables the council, if it chooses, to withdraw in part, PC78, provided the council notifies a replacement plan change that satisfies new requirements. The council had previously been unable to withdraw PC78 (in whole or in part).

On 21 August 2025 the Policy and Planning Committee endorsed a draft replacement plan change to enable staff to consult on it with iwi authorities, government ministries and adjoining councils, and to request local board views on the draft replacement plan change and a corresponding withdrawal in part of PC78.

Due to the timeframes set by central government in the Act, the council will need to decide in September 2025 whether or not to withdraw from PC78 and, if so, to proceed with a replacement plan change.

What does this mean for East Auckland? Because of the short time frames, we have limited information available to us. Staff have prepared maps that show the new zoning that is proposed and I've taken the current AUP zones, PC78, and the replacement maps to compare them. These are subject to change, but hopefully this helps show the differences between the three plans. In PC78 intensification is spread across the area, while in the replacement plan, intensification is being focused around town centres and transit routes.

The choice before council is PC78 or the replacement. Local Boards are not the decision-makers but we do have an opportunity to provide input.

The Howick Local Board is meeting on Thursday 28 August 2025 at 1pm to consider our feedback. While there is no formal public consultation prior to notification, we've agreed to accept public input at this meeting so we can better convey what the community thinks. People or groups wanting to speak are encouraged to register via howicklocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

You can find more in our agenda published here:
https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2025/08/20250828_HW_AGN_13699_WEB.htm

Opportunity to take back (some) control of intensification

Parliament has just passed legislation that gives Auckland an opportunity to take back some control of housing intensification. But there are still challenges ahead and there are limitations on what can be done next.

In 2021, the National and Labour parties joined forces to increase housing intensification. This included requiring large cities across NZ to upzone for 30 years of growth. Included in these changes was the Medium Density Residential Standard (MDRS) which allows three homes of up to three storeys high to be built on most residential sites in urban Auckland without a resource consent. While councils may not have agreed with this change, Parliament makes the law - there were special requirements in the legislation that required councils to comply. It also denied councils the ability to downzone anything until the changes were made. In response, Auckland created Plan Change 78 (PC78) which was notified in 2022 with feedback and hearings.

When the storms hit on Auckland Anniversary 2023, Auckland Council asked the Government of the day for permission to halt intensification. The Minister agreed to an extension until March 2024 to allow council to investigate natural hazards and flooding. In October 2023 another Government was sworn in and the same conversations were had, and another extension was granted (until March 2025). Replacement legislation was introduced in December 2024, with another extension while it went through parliament. However the city centre was excluded from the extension and as a result, the city centre parts of PC78 were made operative in June 2025.

The legislation passed allows Auckland to withdraw PC78, subject to conditions. One of these is that withdrawal requires council to replace it with another plan change that provides the same or more housing capacity. In essence, Auckland will be able to determine where, but not if, we intensify. There is also a requirement to notify the new plan before 10 October (literally the day before election). And it's a one-time opportunity - withdraw PC78 now or continue and it becomes operative.

The decision to withdraw isn't automatic and will be made by the Governing Body (Mayor and Councillors), probably at the Policy and Planning Committee on Thursday 21 August. Given the extraordinary tight timeframes, we understand that there won't be public consultation before this decision.

While we've been waiting for Parliament, Auckland Council has been preparing. Workshops have been held with the Governing Body (Mayor and Councillors) to create a draft proposal that meets the Government's requirements (as best we could understand them before the bill passed). While Local Boards have been provided some updates, we're not responsible for the decisions or the direction of the plan and we've had no input (zoning sits with the Governing Body). The Howick Local Board is expecting to have an opportunity to provide feedback and we’ll be arranging an additional meeting on Thursday 28 August to fit into the timelines.

While I'm pleased that Auckland is getting some control back, it comes with significant conditions and an extraordinarily tight timeframe. I strongly support quality intensification in the right places (over unsustainable urban sprawl), but this rushed process is unlikely to lead to the best outcomes.

As more information become available, I’ll make sure we share what we can.

Transparency is vital to our democracy

Being an elected member for Auckland Council is a privilege. But it also comes with responsibilities and we're remunerated for our time. We're not volunteers and it's reasonable to expect that we turn up to do our job.

As part of providing transparency, Auckland Council publishes the attendance for elected members at business meetings and workshops. For Local Boards, these are published every quarter and available online for the whole term.

For some reason, Auckland Council reports and publishes this information differently for the Governing Body (Mayor and Councillor) with only the past 3 months showing. There also appears to be some gaps in the data, so I've asked for the information for the full term.

In the meantime, I've collated the Howick Local Board data for the last term (January 2023 to June 2025). Over this period we had a total of 36 business meetings and 92 workshops.

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Absences may be due to leave, illness, bereavement or attending other council business - we don't record the reasons for members being away, you'd need to ask them. We also don't record any difference between online or in-person attendance - I've asked staff if we can do this but I'm told it's not current practice.

You'll note I was absent for two workshops - for one (May 2023) I was on leave (for my partners significant birthday) and another I was at the Governing Body trying to advocate for our community. I also attended one workshop online as I was sick, and we've had two workshops entirely online due to technology issues. Otherwise I have been present in the room for every workshop and business meeting this term.

You can see more (including the source data, other local boards and councillors) on the Auckland Council website: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/performance-transparency/Pages/attendance-governing-body-meetings.aspx

Consultation on Kerrykeel Drive, Flat Bush

Ormiston Primary School, along with residents, parents and the wider Flat Bush community, has raised concerns about pedestrian safety and high traffic speeds in the vicinity of the school.

In response, the Howick Local Board asked Auckland Transport to investigate improvements to make the roads safer and easier to navigate for everyone, especially for tamariki using Kerrykeel Drive.

The proposed changes are:
1️⃣At the Kerrykeel Drive/Arranmore Drive roundabout:
🚧two road-level zebra crossings on the eastern and western sides of the roundabout (replacing refuge islands)
🚧 new pedestrian refuge island crossing on Arranmore Drive

Eleven on-street parking spaces near the crossings will be reprioritised as “no stopping at all times” zones and marked with broken yellow lines to improve visibility near pedestrian crossings.

2️⃣On Kerrykeel Drive (near Springside Drive)
🚧 Upgrade the existing pedestrian refuge island crossing to a school patrolled road level zebra crossing.
🚧 installing high friction surfacing on the approaches to the zebra crossing to make it easier for drivers to stop more quickly and safely when approaching a pedestrian crossing
🚧 New cycle ramps and widened footpath on the northern side of the crossing to assist with cyclist movements

Public consultation is open until 6 August. You can find out more, including how to have your say, here: https://haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/kerrykeel-drive-arranmore-drive-roundabout

Consultation on Sunnyview Ave

In response to community concerns about the lack of crossing facilities on Sunnyview Avenue, the Howick Local Board asked Auckland Transport to investigate options to make it safer for children and families to get to Shelly Park Primary School.

The proposal is to:
🚧 install a new zebra crossing on Sunnyview Avenue, monitored by school patrols
🚧 install new pram crossings and street lighting on either side of the crossing
🚧 replace 5 kerbside parking spaces between the school bus stop and the new crossing with broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times).

Shelly Park Primary School and the community dental clinic will be more accessible. It will be easier for tamariki and whānau to walk, bike or scoot to school. Road markings and parking changes will make it easier to see pedestrians. This will make them safer.

If you have questions or feedback you can phone 09 355 3553 or email atengagement@at.govt.nz with the subject line ‘Shelly Park Primary School crossing’.

Before construction begins, Auckland Transport will contact residents directly affected by the works.

Consultation on Stage 2, The Parade Bucklands Beach

The Parade on Bucklands Beach is a popular destination for families and local residents. After years of complaints and concerns from local residents about unsafe driving, the Howick Local Board asked Auckland Transport to improve safety through speed calming.

In October 2024, construction was completed on Stage One of the improvements which (based on public consultation) included one raised crossing and three speed bumps.

Phase two will continue at five locations chosen based on pedestrian demand, traffic surveys, and safety analysis.

Site 1: Devon Road and 23 The Parade
🚧 install a new pram crossing with kerb buildouts on Devon Road
🚧 install new side islands and refuge island outside 23 The Parade

Site 2: 41 The Parade
🚧 install new side islands with pram crossings

Site 3: Wharf Road intersection
🚧 install additional zebra crossings along The Parade at existing raised intersection
🚧 install new lighting

Site 4: 55 The Parade
🚧 install new side islands with pram crossings
🚧 install small section of footpath to connect to Grangers Point

Site 5: Laings Road
🚧 install splitter island and formalise Give-Way control at carpark
extend broken yellow lines around the bends to ensure the required sight line is maintained

As with Stage One, public feedback is helpful for us to understand what you think will work and what needs to change. We made significant changes to Stage One based on public feedback, delivering a more cost effective and safer road for everyone.

Public consultation closes on Friday 8 August. You can find out more, including how to have your say, here: https://haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/the-parade-bucklands-beach-pedestrian-improvements-stage-2