On Super Saturday Vaccination Day, I spent some time with the Mayor at the Central Auckland vaccination centre at 35 Graham Street and at the pop-up drive through centre in the Sky City carpark.
I was deeply impressed by the care and commitment shown by health staff and volunteers supporting people through the Covid-19 vaccination process. Empathy and kindness was shown to those finally overcoming their hesitancy and nervousness about the vaccination. A local mosque and a church provided good food and support outside and some of my friends helped guide the traffic in the Sky City carpark.
I had my two Covid-19 vaccinations in June and July. I was, and remain, very keen to do all I can, including by being fully vaccinated, to ensure that I won’t spread the virus to anyone I come into contact with, in my family life, my recreation, or my work. I appeal to all of you to get double vaccinated as soon as possible.
We all need to keep building on that Saturday’s effort to overcome the threat that Covid-19 clearly poses to our health, our jobs and our businesses. Please get everyone you know to get both of their jabs. Once we get enough people fully vaccinated the number of infected sick and potentially dying people will drop right down. Only then will we be safe to be able to reopen our businesses, resume our recreational activities and meet up with friends and family again.
As well as vaccination we all need to follow fully the rules set out by the doctors and health specialists who have the knowledge to make sure we don’t inadvertently spread the virus, and that we don’t have to remain locked down over Christmas and the New Year.
Those rules about keeping two metres apart and wearing your mask when you are away from home; no indoor gatherings with people outside your bubble and with no more than 10 people outdoors; and thoroughly washing your hands every time you leave or return home are all needed to get out of lockdown.
I know how frustrating and boring it is to be locked down all the time, but if we don’t follow the rules, it will not only mean we remain locked down for much longer but also we might make those nearest and dearest to us get very sick.
The Auckland Council and the Waitematā Local Board are starting to develop ideas for our Work Programme for the next financial year. We welcome hearing your views. Both the Mayor and the Waitematā Local Board want to take more effective action to combat climate change and would welcome your support.
Unfortunately, the future of public events is very uncertain. We have had to cancel the Parnell Festival of Roses and the Grey Lynn Festival is likely to follow; the Festival Italiano has been postponed until March 2022.
At our 19 October Waitematā Local Board meeting, held entirely by Skype, the board formally acknowledged Sarah Trotman’s resignation from the board and thanked her for her two years of service.
As Economic Development portfolio holder, during the first Covid-19 lockdown she helped organise support, mentoring and training for local businesses that would have suffered considerably more from the lockdown.
We respect Sarah’s decision to resign from the board and wish her well in her future endeavours.
Because Sarah’s resignation was within 12 months of a scheduled election, a by-election was not required. The Local Government Act allowed the board to appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term, or to operate with a vacancy.
At our October meeting, the board appointed Glenda Fryer, the top polling unsuccessful election candidate last time, who has a wealth of Auckland Council and governance experience as a councillor and local board member and lives in St Mary’s Bay, to fill the board vacancy and help with our work until the next elections.
At our October meeting, the board also decided to apply to Auckland Transport under its Regional Streets for People programme to upgrade the Rose Road Plaza. Work also continues on the design for the restoration and redevelopment of the Leys Institute buildings for a public library, gymnasium and meeting rooms. I will keep you informed and involved as this exciting restoration develops.
The board members held a community clinic virtually on 13 October for those individuals and organisations who wanted to discuss a proposal or concern with us.
Please contact the Waitematā Local Board at waitematalocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
if you want to book in a time to meet us next time from 7pm on 8 December. (RICHARD NORTHEY)
I can be contacted at richard.northey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or 021 534 546.
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Published 5 November 2021