Kia ora koutou,
I was in away for much of July, and had the sadness to be outside Nice when a nutter ploughed through the crowds at the 14th of July fireworks display. Aside from the pain of family, friends and community, the increased militarisation of civic society, greater intervention in the Middle East and greater intolerance, are some of the side effects we’ll continue to live with. Thank goodness for the melting pot of education and my lovely students at AUT who understand the importance of diversity and respect, and are working towards creating a more positive and tolerant world.
Economic Development and Tourism
A new room has been created at Adult Learning which will give two separate classroom spaces and will allow them to offer more programmes comfortably. ATEED are running a Start it Right business course and business development clinics there at the end of the month. Contact adult learning about this and other courses.
We’re following up with ATEED, the Tourism Forum, AT and the tour operators on things that can be done to smooth the effects of the coming Summer – the Backpackers, tour bus stopping areas, safety, the key hole, signage, public toilets. With little budget and lots of fingers in the pie, it’s a slow process but it’s important to keep advocating for things we need.
This Summer will likely turn into a continued busy Winter and another busy Summer as a result of the Lions tour and the Masters Games. We are looking to get some input into these events and how Waiheke can be involved.
Transport
The new AT Hop zoning means that Waiheke is on a $1.80 fare for travel on the island. While this has gone up, it allows for four hours of travel. Other Auckland concessions are more difficult to access but AT are working on this. For more information on child fares and how the concession works in town, see the Transport Blog http://transportblog.co.nz/2016/07/22/auckland-pt-fares-to-get-a-whole-lot-better/
Aside from the above, there is some interest both from community lobby groups, AT and Council to get more security around levels of service, pricing and boat standards on the Waiheke ferry run. These discussions are in progress. See this video on the public meeting that was held. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrapEjWkdwA&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop
Environment
Lovely to see lots of fruit-tree and native tree planting around the island and the food to soil collection trial is starting in Surfdale this week – contact homegrownwaiheke@gmail.com to find out about getting your food scraps collected. We’re still working on outcomes for Kauri dieback and how that is to be managed. The Halo Project got off to a great start in Onetangi, with about 60 houses taking up the offer of bait to create a pest free Onetangi Reserve. Contact onetangihalo@gmail.com for more information.
Arts and Culture
June was very exciting, with the Tuwhera at Piritahi Marae, but also the Matariki event at the Pou at Artworks, and the cultural events at the Art Gallery and in the wharenui at Piritahi and the school. It really felt like the island was coming together in celebration and thanks to Auckland Council events for really supporting our local events.
Grants
Lots of interesting funding opportunities in the environment and other sectors. Check out the Waiheke Local Board page or look at the following links. Funding North has an event on the 14th of September for environmental projects in the Hauraki Gulf https://www.foundationnorth.org.nz/news-reports/2016/8/foundation-north-creates-5-million-hauraki-gulf-fund/and there are Smartygrants https://aucklandcouncil.smartygrants.com.au/
Nga mihi nui
Shirin