Draft intensification plans released
On 21 August 2025 the Policy and Planning Committee endorsed a draft replacement plan change to enable staff to consult on it with iwi authorities, government ministries and adjoining councils, and to request local board views on the draft replacement plan change and a corresponding withdrawal in part of PC78.
Transparency is vital to our democracy
As part of providing transparency, Auckland Council publishes the attendance for elected members at business meetings and workshops. For Local Boards, these are published every quarter and available online for the whole term.
Fixing funding of local boards
At our workshop last week, the Howick Local Board received an update about our asset portfolio and it was pretty confronting.
Howick Local Board attendance at meetings April to June 2025.
As part of providing transparency, Auckland Council publishes the attendance for elected members at business meetings and workshops. Here is the Howick Local Board result for April to June 2025.
Fairer and more effective representation for Flat Bush!
I’m really happy to see that the Local Government Commission has approved the proposed changes for the Howick Local Board.
Annual declaration for 2024
Transparency is critical to a functioning democracy. Our democracy is representative, meaning we elect representatives to make decisions on our behalf.
Local Government Reform cannot forget localism!
Yesterday the government announced their plans for local government reform, including the removal (again) of the four wellbeings.
Should we continue to rely on postal voting?
It's no secret that the turnout for local government elections is low and continues to drop. With a heavy reliance on postal services (which are declining), we must do something to address the gaps.
Fair and effective representation for Botany and Flat Bush
Based on recent population growth, the Howick Local Board needs more elected members to ensure we maintain fair and effective representation.
Meri Kirihimete / Merry Christmas!
As we wrap up for the holidays, we wanted to take a moment to thank our community for their continued support throughout the year.
Auckland Council decision to ignore STV
I am disappointed to see that the Governing Body of Auckland Council today yet again decided to not shift our city to Single Transferable Vote (also known as ranked voting) for the next election.
East Auckland Tourism celebrates successes despite challenging year
Monday night was the AGM and networking event for East Auckland Tourism - one of the local community organisations I volunteer my governance skills and experience.
Upskilling my governance with Company Directors Course
I’ve spent the last week on a professional training course for Company Directors. Run by the NZ Institute of Directors, the course covered best practice corporate governance, including strategy, finance, risk and culture.
Auckland's outdated election system hurts our democracy
Leaving oversight of elections to those the current, flawed system put into power is significant conflict of interest. Out sourcing the operations to commercial businesses is hardly better.
We can all do more to support our local not-for-profit
We should do more to support our not-for-profits - they represent a massive part of our communities and they need our support.
Howick Councillors change of heart on park sales too late to save Fortyfoot
While it’s good to see our councillors accept they had previously made the wrong decision and try to save Fortyfoot Park it has been too late. I welcome their recent efforts but today's outcome is the unfortunate but inevitable result of poor decisions they made two years ago.
Council's failure to manage commercial assets costs Aucklanders again and again
Repeated failures by Auckland Council and our elected representatives to manage commercial assets on our behalf costs us again and again.
Delivering transparency safely - my submission on Local Electoral (Advertising) Amendment Bill
The Local Electoral (Advertising) Amendment Bill “would amend the Local Electoral Act 2001 to address concerns around candidate safety by loosening the requirement that candidates attach either their residential or business address to electoral advertising. It would allow email addresses, PO box or phone numbers, or links to an internet page to be used instead.“