The new Waitematā Local Board, including its five energetic new members, has got down to positive work.
At that meeting we also delegated important role to all the Board members, who you are welcome to contact in their areas of responsibility.
Alex Bonham leads the Planning and Heritage Portfolio and has Arts, Culture and Events as her co-portfolio. She is on the Karangahape Road Business Association and our link to the Herne Bay Residents’ Association.
Adriana Avendaño Christie holds the Parks, Sport and Recreation portfolio and is co-holder of Local Economic Development. She is Board rep on the Ponsonby Business Association, the Grey Lynn Community Centre and Deputy for the Ponsonby Park Project Group. She liaises with the St Mary’s Bay Residents’ Association.
Graeme Gunthorp is our Transport lead and co-portfolio holder for Planning and Heritage. He represents the Board on the Newmarket Business Association and on the Ponsonby Park Steering group and is our liaison person with the Freemans Bay Residents’ Association.
Deputy-Chair Kerrin Leoni holds the Arts, Culture and Events Portfolio with a co-portfolio of Environment and Infrastructure. She is our rep on the Uptown Business Association and liaison person with the Grafton Residents Association.
Julie Sandilands holds the Environment and Infrastructure Portfolio and co-portfolio holder for Transport. She is on the Grey Lynn Business Association and liaison person with the Grey Lynn Residents’ Association.
Sarah Trotman has the Local Economic Development Portfolio and is co-holder of the Community Development Portfolio. She represents us on the Parnell Business Association and liaises with Parnell organisations.
I now hold the Community Development Portfolio and am co-holder of Parks, Sport and Recreation. I was appointed to the Heart of the City Board, the Ponsonby Community Centre and am on the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board and the National Council of Local Government New Zealand. I liaise with the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux and the City Centre Residents’ Association.
On the afternoon of Sunday 16 February, from noon to 4pm, the Waitematā Local Board hosts the Myers Park Medley, a major public event for us. Myers Park will have exciting music groups, community group and food stalls, and a range of participatory activities for children and families. This annual event is great fun for Waitematā Local Board residents of all ages, abilities and interests.
Diary it now and come along on 16 February. Also the community organised and Waitemata Board sponsored Franklin Road lights were as spectacular as ever and I was privileged to help Jennifer Ward-Lealand turn them on on 1 December.
I was as surprised and saddened as you were to hear of the closure of the Leys Institute because experts have found it is no longer safe for the public or staff for even a day longer. The iconic Leys Institute has served Ponsonby and Herne Bay wonderfully for a century.
I am pleased that the Board has acted to pass an emergency resolution to ensure library services will soon be provided at 14 Jervois Road for at least the next three years and that the jobs of all library staff are safe. We will work with you on how best to provide quality library and other services located in this area long-term. (Richard Northey)