It’s been a busy year and end of 2025 is approaching fast. Last week we had our last workshop for the year and our local staff are taking well earned leave until 5 January. As always, make sure you log any issues with Auckland Council (09 301 0101 or www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-it).

"Today’s decision by Manukau District Court Judge RJ McIlraith voiding the election of the Papatoetoe subdivision of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board means that a new election for the subdivision will need to be completed by 9 April 2026." ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/12...

This one’s important e hoa mā - a few of our orgs are collaborating on this fund to ensure that no trans young person in Aotearoa misses out on lifesaving care. Alternative treatment pathways exist but are expensive and we need your help. givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...

⚠️ Public submissions on proposed Plan Change 120: Housing Intensification and Resilience closes this Friday 19 December at 5pm. You can find out more, including how to have your say here: akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/aucklands-fu...

🚌Eastern Busway update for December 2025: 🚧 Summer work on Tī Rākau Drive from 27 Dec to mid Jan 🚦 Pakūranga Road / Rā Hihi – flyover intersection 🌏 Reducing carbon emissions 🎥 Rā Hihi – flyover videos 📅 2025 in review. e.at.govt.nz/mail/view/s2...

Auckland Transport is proposing upgrades to the Golfland Drive and Botany Road intersection. This project was initiated in response to feedback from residents and businesses about safety concerns related to informal and unsafe pedestrian crossings in the area.

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 8 December and will be my last for 2025 as we wrap up.

Very disappointed to see that the Government has blocked the long awaited and urgently needed tree protections for Auckland. 174 new individual trees and 29 new groups of trees were due to be added to the list of protected trees.

📚 Flat Bush Pop-up Library coming soon! In our Howick Local Board open workshop today, staff presented an update on temporary library. Community has waited a long time for library & while this isn't permanent & still work to be done, thrilled to see that we're closer than ever.

Auckland Council is proposing changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan – the city’s rulebook for where new homes and businesses can be built. These proposed changes - respond to govt direction for more housing & strengthen natural hazard rules. akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/aucklands-fu...

Reminder this event is on tonight

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 1 December.

This Thursday is our last Howick Local Board workshop for the year. 📅 Thursday 11 December 2025 11:00-4:30pm (closed 12:30-12:45pm) 🏢 Howick Local Board Meeting Room, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga See the open agenda and attachments here: aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...

This great little play is fun, but not very realistic. Many renters have no idea who their landlord even is — they deal with some corporate property management company.

Plan Change 120 updates the rules for where homes can go and how we manage risks like flooding. Join Council's in-person info session to learn more and ask questions. 📆Tues 9 Dec, 6:30pm ⛪St Columba Presbyterian Church, 480 Ti Rakau Dr, Botany To attend, please register: tinyurl.com/yh5ut67f

Rates capping is a bad idea - it's an overly simplistic answer to complex problem. If the Government was serious about reducing the burden of rates, they'd give councils more options to generate revenue - like returning GST on rates (approx $317m) or paying rates on Government properties.

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 24 November.

This Thursday is the first Howick Local Board business meeting of the term. 🕰12:00pm Thursday 4 December 2025 🏢Howick Local Board Meeting Room, Pakūranga Library Complex, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga Full agenda is available online: aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...

Fantastic morning as the new destination playground in Barry Curtis Park was opened for the community! Special thank you to Ngai Tai ki Tamaki for partnering with Howick Local Board to develop a playground that responded, respected and reflected the history of the area.

Auckland Council is proposing changes to the city’s rulebook for where new homes and businesses can be built. Plan Change 120 responds to central government direction for more housing and allows council to strengthen its natural hazard rules. akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/aucklands-fu...

🚌 Eastern Busway update - the project team has provided the following update regarding traffic congestion and other issues around Pakūranga Road and Rā Hihi. Note: I've edited slightly where necessary to make it fit character limits.

Each week I’ll provide 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 17 November - please let me know if this is helpful.

This Thursday is our next Howick Local Board workshop (note new timing). 📅 Thursday 27 November 2025 11:00-4:30pm (closed except 1:30-2pm) 🏢 Howick Local Board Meeting Room, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga See open agenda and attachments here: aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to remember those trans people we have lost to violence, discrimination, and bigotry. It forms part of Trans Awareness Week, which is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty, resilience, and courage of the trans community.

This Thursday is our next Howick Local Board workshop. Timing has been shifted as a trial to see if this works better for members and staff. 📅 Thursday 20 November 2025 11:00-4pm (closed except 11:45-12:45pm) 🏢 Howick Local Board Meeting Room, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga

Excited to see our upgraded destination playground opening! Bit later than originally planned (due to weather impacting construction) but still in time for Summer. 📍 Barry Curtis Park, 58 Stancombe Road, Flat Bush 🕕 Saturday 29 November 10am - 12pm

❓What's important to you? We are starting early to shape the next Howick Local Board Plan 2026 – and we want your feedback. This is your chance to tell us what matters most for you, for your whānau and your community. akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/local-board-...

Awesome opportunity to explore Murphys Bush - one of the most significant ecological areas in the Howick Local Board rohe (area). 📅 Sat 22 Nov 8am 🌱 Mandarin translation available 🔗 RSVP required – scan the QR code or visit pfhw.org.nz

UPDATE: Due to an urgent briefing on Plan Change 120 Intensification, our workshop has been shifted to start at 10:45am. It also appears that one of the open items has been shifted to closed, details below.

This Thursday is our next Howick Local Board workshop, the first open for this term. 📅 Thursday 13 November 2025 10:00-2:30pm (closed 10-12noon) 🏢 Howick Local Board Meeting Room, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga See full agenda and attachments here: aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...

Auckland Council is currently consulting on Plan Change 120: Housing Intensification and Resilience. Submissions close 5pm, Friday 19 December 2025. Read more: ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/11...

“I declare that I will faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill and judgement, execute and perform, in the best interests of the Howick area…” Last Thursday evening, Howick Local Board held our inaugural meeting.

Charities providing food for homeless Aucklanders are struggling to meet demand

Today marks the 190th anniversary of the signing of He Whakaputanga, along with being Te Pūtake o te Riri/He Rā Maumahara, the national day of commemoration for the NZ Wars. buttondown.com/unsettling/a...

With Rā Hihi flyover open, Eastern Busway are continuing to build the busway along Ti Rakau Dr through to Botany. To enable this, changes will be in place on Tī Rākau Dr in both directions between Pakūranga Rd and William Roberts Rd from Fri 24 October to Sat 27 December.

Stunning photo of red lightning captured together with the Milky Way over the Ōmārama Clay cliffs (South Island, NZ) www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...

To everyone celebrating Diwali, I hope it brings you happiness and prosperity. May the lights of Diwali illuminate the next chapter in your life!

The official results from the election has been released and for East Auckland it's a blend of returning and new elected members: Howick Ward Councillor (1 returning, 1 new) 👤Bo Burns (new) 👤Maurice Williamson (returning) voteauckland.co.nz/results2025

🚗 Get ready East Auckland! The Pakūranga flyover (Rā Hihi) opens in both directions this weekend — Saturday 18 October!

🗑 Aucklanders send ~1.5m tonnes of rubbish to landfill every year – enough to fill Eden Park every week. Much of it could be recycled or repurposed. Auckland Council is keen for feedback on potential pilot of fortnightly rubbish collection. akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/proposed-for...

Thank you Botany! ❤️ Progress results show that I've been returned to the Howick Local Board as one of the two representatives for Botany. Thank you to locals for your vote of confidence in me.

With the election tomorrow, time is running out to vote. If you haven't had your say, make sure you get your vote into one of the orange boxes at your local library, supermarket or transport station before Midday.

Tomorrow is the The Howick Village Hop! Head along to enjoy food, entertainment and classic cars. Check out the Howick Village Market in the morning for even more food and shopping.

🎅“The lighting of the tree is special to this community, and they really turn out for it. It signals the start of the festive season in Howick, so come be part of the celebration!” Sunday 30 November 6-9pm Stockade Hill, Howick (Ridge Road) ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/10...

📣 Voting closes at Midday this Saturday 11 October 2025! Drop your completed voting forms into the orange boxes at your local library, supermarket or transport station. To find out more about candidates, voting, and where to drop off your forms, check out www.voteauckland.co.nz

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.

Very sad to learn this update today - not only a tragic loss of life, but that Police have now confirmed that "the fire was intentional, and this is now a double homicide." www.police.govt.nz/news/release...

With 3 days to go, 211,275 votes have been received from across Auckland making up 17.7% of eligible voters. For the Howick Local Board / Howick Ward, the turnout varies with Howick and Pakūranga both above the regional average, Botany the same, and Flat Bush below it.

Voting for Auckland Council elections closes at midday Saturday 11 October! It's vital that everyone has their say so please make sure you vote. If you've already voted, please encourage your friends and whānau to vote.