ONEHUNGA FESTIVAL 2010
The Onehunga Bay Festival returns on Saturday the 20th of March, bigger and better than ever. A raft of sponsors have been brought together, ensuring that this annual event will continue the tradition of providing free, family friendly fun to all comers. The huge waterslide, rock climbing, waka paddling, bouncy castle and the kiddie train are all scheduled to make a return appearance and will be joined by some new attractions, entertainers and the customary extensive range of food and beverages. Bring a picnic and your extended family and friends and make the most of this vibrant celebration of our community.
While a headline act is yet to be signed up, a number of entertainers from the community and local schools are keen to take part. The atmosphere is always enhanced by having a range of interesting stalls to browse, if you are interested in taking a stall contact at the Onehunga Business Association - phone 636-8535.
Our fabulous festival would not be possible without the generosity of a number of supporters. Sponsors of the Onehunga Bay Festival for 2010 so far are Auckland City Council, BNZ, Holcim, the Maungakiekie Community Board, Mayne Automotive, the Onehunga Business Association, Onehunga Community News, Parkinson and Bouskill Ltd, Manukau Harbour Crossing Alliance and Ports of Auckland.
A GRIM OUTLOOK FOR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
One of the saddest issues since the first local body amalgamation of 1989 is that the ordinary person no longer understands how local body government works. If every citizen in the region fully understood what was happening to their democratic rights there would be a revolution and this new structure would not happen.
Firstly the level of elected representation has gone down to the lowest possible level. This is going to be the biggest local body organisation in New Zealand, but it will have the least elected representation for the ratepayers and the general public will have less input into the running of their region than any other area in New Zealand.
Secondly the Council Controlled Organisations (CCO), appear to be taking away from the elected representatives the work that they are elected to do. These CCOs are directed by unelected people who have no onus to report to the council, the Local Boards or to the public who will be funding them. There is no onus on them to provide agendas or minutes to the public, far less provide a Public Forum section of their meetings, so where is the local input?
Thirdly, the signs are that the elected part of the structure will be hierarchical. This is alarming as the Transition Authority can set the duties and delegations for the Local Boards, but these can be changed at the whim of the Auckland Council. Given Auckland City's track record in this area things do not look good for Local Boards or the members of the public who wanted more governance over such things as roading, public amenities such as swimming pools and libraries, events, local business associations and mainstreet organisations, etc. at the local level.
Fourthly, central party politics will become even more dominant than what they are already. The super structure will mean the end for independents, and the end for the small local team. In the Maungakiekie ward our team has served the ward faithfully for over a decade. We have a local reputation for community first at all times. We have always had huge community involvement, and have persistently and patiently fought at every opportunity for the best outcomes for our community. Intelligent debate is encouraged at our meetings and no one has ever been told which way to vote. Our historical knowledge of the ward is second to none. But none of this matters any more; it will be a central party allegiance that now takes first place.
In this new structure the democratic rights of the citizens of the region are seriously eroded. The size of the wards, similar communities of interest separated or dissimilar communities of interest joined, the lack of representation, a continued hierarchical system, CCOs taking over the duties of the elected representatives with no accountability whatever, the great difficulties for the independent candidate or the small local party to stand, the mighty influence of central party politics, and add to all of this the enormous set-up and ongoing costs borne by the long suffering residents of the region. This is not a good outlook for anyone who has ever taken an interest in local body governance.
In fact what input are Aucklanders having about the whole thing? None at all. We have a structure imposed by central government, boundaries set by the Local Government Commission, the organisation and delegations set by a Transition Authority set by Wellington We can, and the elected members do, write submissions to commissioners, select committee members etc., the list is endless, but writing your comments in a submission is not the same as actually helping to shape the structure. The second biggest Local Body reform in New Zealand's history, affecting a major proportion of the population of New Zealand is being done in the shortest possible time, resulting in a great reduction in democratic rights.
Is this yet another thing that has to be in place by the Rugby World Cup?
It is so sad to watch all of this and realise that because people do not understand it will more than likely happen.
Bridget Graham, Chairman Maungakiekie Community Board
LABOUR SEES RED AT PROPOSED GST RISE
Left to right, Ross Robertson, Rajen Prasad, Carol Beaumont, Carmel Sepuloni, Christine O Brien
Under a sunny, crystal blue sky the New Zealand Labour party launched their Axe the Tax campaign against National's proposed 15% GST rate on Sunday the 28th of February at Auckland's Avondale market.
A big red bus emblazoned with white text 'AXE THE TAX' carried Maungakiekie's Labour List MP Carol Beaumont and colleagues from there to three destinations within the Onehunga area; One Tree Hill, Onehunga Dress-Smart and Mangere Bridge Village. Moving on through Auckland the bus will visit over 30 North Island towns and cities in one week then cross Cook Straight for another 21 in the South.
"No one voted for a rise in GST" says Carol "No one wants to spend more on bread, milk and other necessities. It's the people struggling the most to afford them that will be hardest hit by the increase. Those at the other end of the financial spectrum will only benefit."
Hoping to halt the suggested rise that could result in 20% more tax on these products plus rates and electricity, the central message of the campaign is that the government's proposed tax changes are just not fair
ONEHUNGA HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM DO IT AGAIN
On Saturday 27th February, Onehunga High School Robotics team culminated a wonderful season of robotics scrimmages, where they won seven out of eight Auckland events, by winning the Upper North Island Regional Vex Competition. They have once again qualified to represent New Zealand at the World Vex Robotics Competition, which is being held in Dallas, Texas on the 20th of April 2010.
Last season in their rookie year at the World Championships the team performed magnificently and made it to the semi-finals. This year they have high hopes of making it all the way to the finals.
The National Vex Competition is going to be held at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre on the 26th to the 28th of March and the public are welcome to come and support the team. If you would like to help Symbiohsis in their quest to get to Dallas please contact Doug Bryan at Onehunga High School on 636-6006.
NEW STATION FOR ONEHUNGA
Maungakiekie MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is pleased the Government and Auckland Regional Council have agreed to jointly fund the new railway station at Onehunga. "I've been working hard to help the community, council and Government to find a solution," the National MP said. The Government through the New Zealand Transport Agency will contribute 60 per cent to the cost of the project. "I am pleased that progress can now be made on this public transport project for Onehunga, while also sparing our community 9.5 cents a litre price increase for their petrol," Mr Lotu-Iiga said. "This is part of a wider initiative to improve Auckland's rail system through electrification which we are committed to and is funded by central government."
HOP ABOARD A FREE SHUTTLE TO DRESS-SMART
Auckland’s premier
outlet shopping centre, Dress-Smart in Onehunga is pleased to
announce that bargain hunters can now take advantage of a free
shuttle service to and from the central city.
The shuttle service will
make five return trips to Dress-Smart in Onehunga each week
day. There are nine pick up points in the city, including
major central city hotels: Langham Hotel; Carlton Hotel;
Heritage Hotel; Copthorne Hotel; Mercure Hotel; Hyatt Hotel;
and the Auckland Central Backpackers.
Dress-Smart Centre
Manager, Gaylene Powell says the service is being provided for
both Aucklanders and tourists alike.
Visitors to Auckland
often include Dress-Smart on their ‘must do’ lists. However,
if they don’t have their own vehicle, it can be difficult to
navigate the public transport system. And, we’re also aware
that plenty of locals would venture out this way more
frequently if they could find an easy transport option. So
we’ve come up with a solution to make shopping in Onehunga a
breeze for everyone!” Gaylene said.
The Onehunga Business
Association (OBA) also supports the service.
OBA Town Manager, Amanda
Kinzett believes the free shuttle service will further enhance
Onehunga’s growing reputation as an exciting and adventurous
shopping destination.
Onehunga is a vibrant
and diverse suburb with plenty to offer shoppers and day
trippers. We hope people will take advantage of this free
shuttle service and come and discover Onehunga’s charms for
themselves,” she said.
The free shuttle service
commences operation on Monday 21 August 2006. For further
information and to obtain the shuttle timetable, please visit
the Dress-Smart website at www.dress-smart.co.nz or phone
the information line on (09) 622 2400. Dress-Smart Onehunga is open seven days
from 10am to 5pm.
REPORT GRAFFITI - ONLINE
Graffiti not only affects
you, but the whole community. Graffiti is a sign which, if not
treated, can lead to rundown buildings, abandoned cars and
urban decay. Neighbourhoods become less desirable to live in
and property values fall. It costs thousands of dollars
annually to repair the physical damage. It is also stressful
to those who are victims.
Auckland City now offers
a new way of reporting graffiti damage – an online service.
The electronic form is on the website, www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/services/graffiti/. This form is self-explanatory and easy to fill out.
The information provided will assist Auckland City with
existing community initiatives such as eradication, prevention
and education, which are proven methods to combating graffiti
crime.
Photos can be emailed to
notags@cityparks.co.nz which
are added to the graffiti tracker database to record evidence
and monitor trends in graffiti type, frequency and
location.
Councillor Graeme
Mulholland, chairperson of the Public Safety and Community
Order Committee says, “We don’t see graffiti as an art form.
We see it as wilful damage and therefore a crime. We want the
community’s assistance to keep to our goal of zero
tolerance.
People can still request
removal through the Auckland City call centre on 379-2020. The
new online resource provides an extension to the existing free
graffiti removal service offered to private properties with
immediate street frontage.
The more quickly graffiti
is erased the less incentive vandals have to practice tagging.
WEB SUCCESS
Following the launch of
our website on the 3rd of June 2006, we are delighted to
report over 149,000 hits and climbing. With this stunning
initial success, now is the right time for you to consider all
the ways that utilising the website could help you.
If you run a business this site is for you as well! For a small investment, you can reach a much wider audience for your trade, service or employment advertisements
The website
is an ongoing investment in our community by The Auckland
NewsLetter Company, owners of the Onehunga Community News. It
will be regularly updated with all the local happenings that
are of interest to us all, and will be enhanced by your
participation.
