Below is a list of some of the things I’ve achieved in my time on the local board over the last six years.

I was elected in 2019, and there were a number of really exciting projects about to start – like expanding the Waikōwhai boardwalk. Unfortunately, Covid hit, budgets got cut, and we all know how the next few years went. I was re-elected in 2022, and then in January 2023 we were hit with widespread flooding in our area. Despite these challenges, I am happy to look back on some of the things I have managed to make happen.

Community Facilities

Fought for and secured funding to make the old Roskill Tennis Club hall a venue-for-hire, alongside the removal of the old tennis courts in Arthur Faulkner and building of flood protection.

Worked with Kainga Ora and the rest of the board to ensure the Freeland Reserve redevelopment included good pedestrian access, drinking fountains, and a BBQ.

Advocated for and secured new public toilets in Turner’s Reserve and Molley Green Reserve . The latter was paid for by Kainga Ora as part of the redevelopment.

Bought a Notice of Motion requesting that Community Facilities prioritise the Waikowhai Coastal walkway track rebuild following 2023 storms – still a work in progress.

Supported and secured the construction of shade shelters at Keith Hay and Fearon Park.

Secured the funding for new drinking fountains in seven parks across the board area.

Secured better maintenance of plants along connecting walkways – when transferred from AT a number of these ‘fell off’ the maintenance schedule but are now on Council’s watchlist.

Supported Bobby Shen in his advocacy to Vector to secure the undergrounding of power lines on Parau Street, making the footpath useable for people in wheelchairs and with prams.

Worked alongside mana whenua and members of the Albert-Eden Local board to develop the Integrated Area Plan which guides and support development in our region over a 30-year scale.

Transport

Secured funding for school bike train pilots from Auckland Transport – I wrote the funding application for this with Richard Barter and Kat Teirney. This has seen bike trains at multiple schools in our area, and the model has been replicated in other Local Board areas.

Secured a substantial investment from NZTA to fund safety improvements on the Hendry Avenue cycleway and surrounding streets out of the “Transport Choices” programme.

Ramped up AT’s programme of bus shelters and finally got them installed on RIchardson Road by the Roskill South Shops.

Worked with Auckland Transport and community members to ensure the 68 bus connected New Lynn and Onehunga with a service every 15 minutes.

Supported the creation of the 67 regular bus service as another cross town route.

Advocated for the retention of the 252 and 253 bus and continue to work for expanding the hours of this service.

Ensured that safe crossings outside of Waikowhai Intermediate and Primary School were built, as well as a crossing closer to Glass Road at the entrance to Keith Hay Park.

Additional parking installed in Lynfield Reserve, Waikōwhai Park, Roskill South Shops.

Completion of a safe walking and cycling route between Roskill Schools and Monte Cecilia Park, including footpath widening on Frost Road.

Lots of advocacy for the Avondale-Southdown route to be built. This went from being described as ‘not happening’ during the Light Rail discussions to now being on a priority list of projects.

Secured the installation of some ‘wayfinding’ for walking and cycling in our area, but waiting for more.

Initiated an investigation into a pedestrian crossing on Dominion Road outside La Voie Francais – a super high pedestrian area which has seen an alarming number of crashes in the last 5 years.

Environment

Over my time on the local board we have seen a massive increase in funding for Environmental work, with a million dollars being spent in the 25/26 financial year on environmental projects across the board’s work programme.

I have adovacted for and secured continued support for Wairaki Stream restoration, including funding for the Wairaki catchment plan development and implentation.

We completed the Urban Ngahere plan and funded hundreds of new street and park trees.
Our board piloted the Conservation Migrant volunteer programme, which works to bring members of our community who may not traditionally engage with environmental restoration into our parks.

Secured the funding for the first Herpetofauna survey in the region, which found copper and ornate skinks along the Manukau coastline.

Getting the Pōhutukawa that line Mt Albert and Mt Eden Roads around the Three Kings precinct scheduled as notable trees – protecting them in perpetuity.

Substantial funding for community groups doing restoration work, including Friends of Oakley Creek, Friends of Wairaki Stream, Friends of Belfast Reserve and many other eco-neighborhood groups.

Advocated for and secured the establishment of a “friends” group for Waikōwhai Park.

Secured funding to re-cap the closed landfill in Waikōwhai Park and ensure the landfill won’t enter the ocean.

Manukau Harbour Forum mahi:

Elected Chair in 2020. Since then:

State of the Harbour environmental reporting 

Hydrodynamic model finished

Commitment from Governing Body to create co-governance model with mana whenua

Youth Leadership Sustainability

Re-establishing connection with mana whenua (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Assisting investigation into substantial environmental damage along the Waikaraka cycleway

Read more at my report here