August is my favourite winter month, because it’s the last one of the year! Winter has whipped by quickly with gloriously sunny days starting crisply. Early morning beach walks with our schnoodle Scout have been a joy and a warm reminder of why we live in this beautiful patch of the country. The wet misery of 2023 feels like old news, so easily forgotten for most. That’s not true though for many households in our local board area. Many who were badly impacted by the flooding are still waiting for property categorisation and this uncertainty is taking a toll. It’s important to remember that there are still folk out there experiencing significant hardship from last year’s weather events and the recovery is far from over. 

By the end of July, 2,985 properties across Auckland were registered for categorisation, with 1,868 of those confirmed a category. Locally (DTLB), 268 properties have opted in, with 79 given their categorisation. That gives you a sense of the problem and indicates that many are still waiting, as these processes are complex and rely on a limited pool of expert services. It’s important to remember that 30 September is the deadline for opting into the categorisation process so if you’re still weighing up on this matter, then keep that date in mind. It’s not far off.
In terms of future preparedness, the local board is close to adopting a renewed Local Board Emergency Response Plan. It’s clear, concise, and focused on the four Rs: reduction, readiness, response and recovery. We have community groups working now in Devonport, Takapuna, Sunnynook and Milford on local plans that will support a localised community response when the call arises. It’s grass roots community action that will deliver the first response in the case of a wide-spread emergency and we need to work better alongside the community to be effective in the face of a disaster. There has been whole system approach to improving the Auckland Emergency Management efficacy, and I can hand on heart tell you that if an emergency event happened today; the response will be far improved.
The DTLB has been very firm on its commitment to supporting activities that grow connectedness and neighbourhood support. Living in Auckland isn’t always easy and we seem to subscribe ourselves to fast-paced living where there is little time to actually check in on your neighbours. The pressures of the grind can result in easy frustration and diminish our ability to lift the spirits of those around us. Given Matariki has heralded a new Māori new year, it’s probably a good time to take stock and reflect on the role each of us plays in our collective wellbeing. Is there some way each of us can pay it forward? In tough times, those relationships will bring huge solace and support.
Other local board business has been spent checking in with our arts and culture partners and we’ve enjoyed presentations from the Devonport Museum, Lake House Arts, Depot Artspace, PumpHouse Theatre and our two community houses. We’re lucky to have such a breadth of creative and community organisations that are propelled forward by volunteerism, good management and serious passion. I know these groups are still bouncing back from the impacts of Covid and with the funding landscape shrinking, they’re having to work harder and smarter, doing more with less. So don’t forget to show your support by popping into an exhibition or signing up to a class; our district would be uninspiring and lacklustre without them.
In the capital works space, we’ve been discussing a new playground at Knightsbridge, which will be a dragon-themed, inter-generational community space designed in collaboration with local school students and our Asian community in Forrest Hill and Sunnynook. Playgrounds have come a long way in the last ten years or so and no longer are we replacing parts with plug-in and play plastic. It’s wonderful to be in a position to really meet the changing needs of our community. Over 50% of our population in the northern suburbs of Sunnynook and Forrest Hill are of Asian ethnicity; so creating spaces that support participation is important. We are certainly growing into a super-diverse city, and every couple of months, it’s our privilege to officiate at the citizenship ceremonies. Typically there are over 500 candidates from between 50 to 65 different countries. All these new New Zealanders, who see our benefits and our limitations, are grateful for the opportunity to be truly part of our society. It’s a heartwarming ceremony and a privilege of the job.

Toni van Tonder, Chair, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
Email: toni.vantonder@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz