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Five ways the Waiheke Local Board protects our environment

Source: Auckland Council

Across Waiheke, locals are taking action – trapping pests, restoring wetlands, reducing waste and protecting marine life.  

Backed by the Waiheke Local Board, these community-led efforts are helping safeguard the island’s environment and the wider Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana.  

1. Restoring wetlands and native habitats 

Wetlands across Waiheke are being restored through large-scale native planting and volunteer effort. These ecosystems play a vital role in filtering water, improving biodiversity and creating habitats for native birds, insects and freshwater life. 

With support from the Waiheke Local Board, Love Our Wetlands Waiheke, led by the Waiheke Resources Trust, has planted tens of thousands of eco-sourced native plants while bringing together hundreds of volunteers to restore key wetland areas across Waiheke Island. 

2. Keeping waterways and the marine environment healthy 

Protecting the waters surrounding Waiheke Island is another key focus for local environmental work. 

The Waiheke Marine Project brings the community together to restore marine habitats and monitor ecosystem health. Activities such as snorkel surveys, pipi monitoring and beach clean-ups help locals learn more about marine life while contributing to the restoration of Waiheke’s coastal ecosystems and the wider Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana. 

3. Supporting pest control and wildlife monitoring 

Community pest-control programmes are helping protect Waiheke’s native birds and wildlife. 

Through grants from the Waiheke Local Board, groups such as Te Korowai o Waiheke Trust carry out stoat detection and predator monitoring programmes to protect vulnerable species and support the island’s long-term ecological restoration goals. 

Volunteers also play an important role through networks coordinated by the Waiheke Collective, including initiatives such as Ratbusters Waiheke and other predator monitoring groups. 

Many of these initiatives are supported through the board’s environmental grants programme, helping community groups carry out restoration and biodiversity projects across the island. 

4. Reducing waste and building sustainable habits 

Workshops and community initiatives are helping Waiheke residents reduce waste and live more sustainably. 

Organisations such as the Waiheke Resources Trust and Sustainability Centre run regular workshops on composting, food growing, reuse and waste-wise living, making it easier for the island community to adopt greener habits. 

Many of these programmes are supported through the board’s community and environmental grants programme. 

5. Planning for climate resilience and sustainable transport

Encouraging active transport and reducing emissions is another way the island community is working toward a more sustainable future. 

The Waiheke Local Board supports initiatives like Bikehub Waiheke, a community bike repair and education space run by Cycle Action Waiheke. The hub helps keep bikes on the road, diverts gear from the waste stream and encourages more people to cycle instead of driving around Waiheke Island. 

Many of these projects are powered by volunteers and community groups. If you’d like to help restore wetlands, protect wildlife or support environmental initiatives, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved across Waiheke. 

 

Stay up to date 

Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area? 

Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest direct to your inbox each month. 

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Person stabbed then run over in Hastings

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / REECE BAKER

A person was stabbed and then became the victim of a hit-and-run in Hastings on Monday night, but the incidents appear unrelated, police say.

Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley said police were called to a hit-and-run on Heretaunga Street West, between Stortford Street and Davis Street, about 9.30pm.

They checked on the victim and realised they had also suffered “stab-like wounds” during an assault before the crash.

The victim was seriously injured and is now in a stable condition in hospital, police said.

They believed the driver of the vehicle did not check on the victim and instead drove off towards Maraekakaho Road.

“While our investigation into the circumstances of the incidents continue, police believe the two incidents are unrelated,” Kemsley said, urging anyone who knew anything about either incident to come forward.

“Police would now like to hear from anyone who may have information in relation to the two incidents, including any CCTV, dashcam, or video footage.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Government reduces housing intensification rules for Auckland – again

Source: Radio New Zealand

Housing Minister Chris Bishop. RNZ/Marika Khabazi

The government has made yet another change to legislation setting out the plan to accommodate new homes in Auckland in the coming decades.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop said the government will reduce the minimum housing capacity required for Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120 to 1.4 million, after already revising the figure in February.

Auckland Council had been progressing a new plan to accommodate up to 2 million homes in the coming decades.

The council opted out of medium-density rules that apply to most major cities on the proviso it set up zoning for 30 years of growth.

The council’s Plan Change 120 set out the process for doing this, but the government had come under pressure from proponents of heritage homes who raised concerns about further intensification in character areas that were already seeing major development.

On Tuesday, it was announced the government agreed to revise the minimum housing capacity required by Plan Change 120, with Bishop saying Aucklanders had been clear they want housing growth, “so long as it happens in the right places and where infrastructure can support it.”

“Our expectation is that this revised capacity number finally brings consensus on this important issue. Aucklanders deserve certainty on this city-shaping plan change,” said Bishop.

He said advice from officials estimate the capacity enabled by PC120 was “still likely to be around 1.6 million homes” once mandatory requirements under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development and upzoning around the City Rail Link were taken into account.

Auckland Council will still need to provide for significant housing growth, Bishop said.

The latest change also addressed a “transitional issue” affecting developers and property owners after the withdrawal of an earlier plan change – those who had started projects under the Medium Density Residential Standards and were “left in limbo” when those rules were withdrawn, Bishop said.

Projects can continue if approvals were already in place or they were partway through the consent process.

Bishop also planned to investigate planning provisions that “may be holding back Auckland’s city centre”.

Guiding principles set by Auckland Council for how it will change PC120 in response to the new minimum housing capacity include:

  • downzoning in areas where homes are more susceptible to natural hazards such as flooding
  • enabling intensification in mandatory areas including around stations benefiting from investment in the City Rail Link
  • reducing housing capacity in areas more than ten kilometres from the city centre as a starting point
  • and reassessing requirements in places that are less well-served by public transport

Bishop indicated the legislation would be progressed quickly to minimise disruption to the existing PC120 process.

Once the new capacity requirement was in place, the council would decide which parts of the plan to withdraw or amend. Where parts of the plan are withdrawn, the existing Auckland Unitary Plan zoning will remain in place.

There will also be further opportunities to provide feedback.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Celine Dion is returning to the stage

Source: Radio New Zealand

Celine Dion, who was previously sidelined from performing due to a rare neurological disorder, has announced a series of concerts that will bring her back to the stage.

Making good on rampant speculation, Dion is set to perform ten concerts in Paris, according to an announcement shared Monday on social media in honour of her birthday. The shows will take place in September and October.

“This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life,” she said in a video posted to her verified Instagram account.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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KMD Brands raises funds to help recapitalise business

Source: Radio New Zealand

KMD Brands owns Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz footwear brands. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

  • KMD Brands raises $65m in deeply discounted offer
  • Posts $13.1m loss in six months to January
  • Sales up but margins down
  • Chair David Kirk to step down

Outdoor retail company KMD Brands is raising funds to help recapitalise the business as it reports a first half loss of $13.1 million.

The NZX and ASX-listed owner of Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz footwear brands saw group sales grow 7.3 percent to just over $505m in the six months ended January.

However, gross margins fell while operating expenses were up 2.4 percent to $223.8m.

“We’re particularly encouraged by the improved performance of Kathmandu, which has delivered double-digit same store sales growth for the first time in over two years,” chief executive Brent Scrimshaw said.

In need of more capital to continue its brand turnaround strategy, the company launched a $65.3m equity raising, underwritten by Goldman Sachs and Forsyth Barr.

The new shares are being sold at six cents each, a 69.2 percent discount to KMD Brands’ last traded price of 19.5 cents a share. Institutional shareholders are being offered shareholder $6.8m worth of shares, with existing shareholders being offered the balance of $58.5m.

The capital raising is part of the deal the company has made to refinance debt, securing a $205m multi-year facility. KMD Brands had a net debt position of $94m at the end of the first half.

“The refinanced facility provides KMD with a stable, long-term capital structure that, in combination with the proceeds from the equity raising, is expected to provide sufficient liquidity to execute on the Next Level transformation and fund working capital requirements,” the company said in its market statement.

KMD Brands remained in a voluntary trading suspension after it delayed its results announcement last week and hinted at plans for the capital raising.

Chairman steps down

KMD Brands chairman and long-time board member David Kirk has announced he will step down in the coming months.

It was not clear from the company’s statement whether he will remain on the board.

“With the balance sheet now strengthened through the debt refinancing and the launch of the equity raise, KMD Brands is well positioned to continue executing its Next Level strategy,” he says.

“Having worked closely with the board and management through this critical phase, and been on the board for 13 years, I believe this is the right time to signal my intention to step down as chairman in the coming months.”

The board said it has begun the process of finding a successor.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Police staffer claimed nearly $30,000 for overtime hours they didn’t work, watchdog reveals

Source: Radio New Zealand

123rf.com

A police staffer claimed nearly $30,000 for overtime hours they did not work, the police watchdog has revealed.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a summary of the investigation into the staffer on Tuesday.

The IPCA said it oversaw the police investigation into an allegation that an authorised officer had “submitted timesheets for extra hours and shifts they had not worked”.

“The sergeant in charge of checking the timesheets was unaware the dates had not been worked, until they became suspicious of the volume of overtime claimed.

“Police investigated and found sufficient evidence that the authorised officer had not worked the hours claimed in approximately 40 submitted timesheets.”

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

The staffer was prosecuted for obtaining by deception and was awaiting sentence.

“They resigned before police commenced an employment process.

“Police also investigated the process for approving timesheets and identified general process issues with how timesheets were reviewed and approved. Police have made several adjustments to procedures and staffing levels to reduce the risk of this happening again.”

The IPCA said it was “satisfied with the thorough police investigations” and agreed with the outcomes.

Police have been approached for comment.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Ministers seek ‘urgent advice’ to ease fuel price pain for support workers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Health Minister Simeon Brown. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Ministers have sought “urgent advice” about how best to ease the pain of rising fuel prices for in-home care workers and other public servants who might be in a similar plight.

Support workers, who often earn little more than minimum wage, were not fully reimbursed for their transport costs despite having to visit injured, disabled or elderly people in their homes.

Soaring fuel prices have exacerbated the problem, prompting the Public Service Association and E tū to file an Employment Relations Authority claim against Health NZ.

Speaking at Parliament on Tuesday, Health Minister Simeon Brown said the government was “acutely aware” of the challenge and was exploring solutions “as quickly as possible”.

“These are incredibly valuable New Zealanders who play an important role caring for many thousands of New Zealanders, elderly, disabled, those on ACC.

“We greatly value the work that our home and care support workers do, and we hope to resolve this very soon.”

Brown indicated relief could be offered by boosting the existing mileage allowance which workers received. That rate had not been increased in four years.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis said ministers had received some preliminary advice on long-standing issues in the sector and were now awaiting further advice on more specific support options.

“We’re not going to have time to solve all of the underlying issues that are there – the claims which are made on both sides of the debate, both the contractor and the workers – but we can do something temporary, targeted and timely.”

Willis said officials were also investigating whether other public servants might be under similar pressure due to travel requirements.

“We need to be aware of the impact that fuel costs are having on those workforces where they have to travel between clients for their job,” she said.

“We have sought advice on where else that might be an issue in government. And in the first instance, we will be asking agencies to ensure those costs are met from within their own baselines. But we are looking to understand what those pressures could look like now and in the weeks and months ahead.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Police investigating man’s injuries after assault and being hit by car in Hastings

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley,

Police are investigating an incident that has left a man with injuries in Hastings last night.

At around 9.30pm, Police were called to Heretaunga Street West after a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian between Stortford Street and Davis Street.

It is reported the driver of the vehicle has failed to check on the victim and has fled the area, travelling towards Maraekakaha Road.

Upon arrival, Police’s initial enquiries determined the victim had also received stab-like wounds during an assault that occurred before the crash.

The victim was transported to hospital with serious injuries and is now in a stable condition.

While our investigation into the circumstances of the incidents continue, Police believe the two incidents are unrelated.

Cordons were in place while Police were in attendance, however the road is now clear.

Police would now like to hear from anyone who may have information in relation to the two incidents, including any CCTV, dashcam, or video footage.

We are working to determine what has exactly occurred, however we would like to speak with anyone who has information that can assist in our enquiries.

Information can be provided online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105.

Please use the reference number 260331/8124.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Big telecommunication companies complete 3G mobile network shutdown

Source: Radio New Zealand

Jae Park/ Unsplash

The big telecommunication companies have completed the shutdown of the 3G mobile phone network, though some devices were still connected.

Spark said 1.41 percent of devices, including those operating on the Internet of Things, were still connected to the 3G network, when it was shut down this morning.

Spark customer director Greg Clark said the shutdown followed years of preparation to ensure customers could move to faster, more reliable 4G and 5G technologies.

“Our teams have been working for several years to prepare for this change.

“We’ve upgraded all 3G-only cell towers to 4G or 5G, built over 120 new towers since announcing our shutdown date in June last year, and sent more than 4 million notifications to customers.”

While some 3G devices may continue to work, many will no longer able to receive texts, calls or mobile data.

Spark said many 3G device users said they were waiting until after the shutdown to upgrade.

Those affected can find support on Spark’s website, visiting a store, or calling Spark’s dedicated 3G customer service.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Legislation gives more flex for Auckland’s PC120

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government will today introduce legislation to amend the Resource Management Act and reduce the minimum housing capacity required for Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120, Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Housing growth in Auckland is critical to fixing our housing crisis, driving growth and raising living standards for New Zealanders,” Mr Bishop says.

“Aucklanders have been clear that they want housing growth, so long as it happens in the right places and where infrastructure can support it.

“Cabinet has agreed to revise the minimum housing capacity required by Plan Change 120 down from 2 million to 1.4 million homes.

“Our expectation is that this revised capacity number finally brings consensus on this important issue. Aucklanders deserve certainty on this city-shaping plan change.

“Advice from officials estimates that capacity enabled by PC120 is still likely to be around 1.6 million homes once mandatory requirements under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development and upzoning around the City Rail Link are taken into account.

“This means Auckland Council will still need to provide for significant housing growth, including upzoning around key transit corridors and town centres.

“The legislation also addresses a transitional issue affecting approximately 400 developers and property owners following the withdrawal of an earlier plan change in 2025.

“Some people had already started projects under the Medium Density Residential Standards and were left in limbo when those rules were withdrawn.

“This legislation provides certainty. Where approvals were already in place or projects were partway through the building consent process, those projects can continue.

“Alongside PC120, I intend to investigate planning provisions that may be holding back Auckland’s city centre, with a view to making regulations under the RMA if the statutory criteria are met. If further opportunities for housing development are enabled through this work, they will count toward PC120’s revised capacity requirement.”

Auckland Council’s Guiding Principles

“Auckland Council has set guiding principles for how it will change the plan in response the new minimum housing capacity,” Mr Bishop says. 

“The guiding principles include: downzoning in areas where homes are more susceptible to natural hazards such as flooding; enabling intensification in mandatory areas including around stations benefiting from investment in the City Rail Link; reducing housing capacity in areas more than ten kilometres from the city centre as a starting point; and reassessing requirements in places that are less well-served by public transport.”

Next steps 

The legislation will be progressed quickly to minimise disruption to the existing Plan Change 120 process.

“Plan Change 120 has already received more than 10,000 submissions. Those submissions remain valid,” Mr Bishop says.

“Once the new capacity requirement is in place, Auckland Council will decide which parts of the plan change to withdraw or amend.

“If parts are withdrawn, the existing Auckland Unitary Plan zoning will remain in place.

“For parts that continue, updated provisions and maps will be made publicly available, and Aucklanders will have further opportunities to provide feedback.”

“This process will be transparent, and Aucklanders will be able to have their say.

The independent hearings panel will then consider submissions and make recommendations before Auckland Council makes final decisions on Plan Change 120.”