The past couple of weeks, in fact months, have shown that our community is truly exceptional.
Thank you all, you’re amazing!
Petition presentation day at Parliament
After 3 weeks of petitioning and 3344 signatures later, Tatjana, Jane and Carla were Wellington bound last Wednesday to hand over our petition to Chris Penk on the steps of parliament.
Chris commended the community’s intentions and efforts on this petition.
And yes, he did wear his ‘Waimauku has a heart – it’s us!’ T-Shirt.
Just after 1pm we received the news that our petition was going to be read out in parliament at 2pm!
We attended question time from the public gallery, and the session indeed started with the reading of our and one other petition. We could see Chris from the gallery and he acknowledged us as the petition was read, and other moments that covered fast-track during question time.
Next step: the select committee will consider our petition at which time we will be providing further written feedback to the committee.
A very memorable and worthwhile visit to (a very cold) Wellington!
Turns out Waimauku has plenty of heart
When we were told that Waimauku ‘doesn’t have a heart’, we knew that didn’t sound like our community.
So, with the help of Smashing Promotions, ‘Waimauku Has a – It’s us!’ was born.
A huge thank you to the team at Smashing Promotions for helping us bring the idea to life, and to everyone who has already bought a T-shirt.
If you haven’t got yours yet, they’re available from our shop until 2 October, with proceeds supporting our cause.
Waimauku West ‘Pukeatua’ Fast-track Project Update
On the Waimauku West Pukeatua front, we’re waiting for the next stage of the application, the substantive plans, to be lodged. From what we understand, the applicant’s team is still working on the plans.
As soon as we have any news, we will update you.
Nationwide petition to remove out-of-sequence housing from Fast-track
A parliamentary petition has been launched, asking for the removal of out-of-sequence housing from the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, much aligned with our community’s petition.
Community groups from across New Zealand joined forces as the Communities for Planned Growth Network, including Waimauku and Kumeū-Huapai to launch this nationwide petition.
Check out this article (behind a paywall) in today’s The Press National Petition unites communities over fast-track growth.
Growth needs planning, growth needs time, growth needs to happen in the right place with the right infrastructure in place.
Fast-track should not allow housing developments to bypass council’s growth plans, which determine where future growth should happen. Council’s growth strategies are developed over years, taking into account issues such as flood risk, transport, schools, jobs, water, wastewater and roading infrastructure.
You can sign the petition here
UPCOMING EVENTS
Waimauku School Ag Day – 17 October 9am-12pm
Waimauku School are holding their AG Day on Saturday 17 October from 9am to 12pm.
It’s always a great day out and a highlight on our community’s calendar.
Come and see our young people present their hand-reared chickens, calves, lambs and goat kids.
There’ll be exhibits and community stalls. We’ll be there too, come have a chat to us.
Kumeū Meet the Candidates Meeting – 18 October 3pm
Kumeū-Huapai Community Association are hosting a Meet the Candidates event at St Chads Church on Sunday 18 October from 3pm.
Come along and hear directly from our Kaipara ki Mahurangi candidates on a variety of general and local topics.