We offer our congratulations to our cover star, local icon Jennifer Ward-Lealand Te Atamira. She is the 2020 New Zealander of the year.
A special meeting of the Waitemata Local Board (WLB) was held to make a final decision on the fate of the Western Springs pine forest. A surprising event occurred. Ngati Whatua submitted to the board that they had not been consulted on the resource consent application. After some spirited debate Sarah Trotman moved that the decision on the fate of the pines be deferred until further consultation had been undertaken. The motion passed four votes to three.
Most people know that Anne Malcolm retired last year, after 22 years of service to Ponsonby Primary. She’ll be sadly missed throughout our community.
Last month a crowd of 60 locals turned up to show their support for the renovation of the Leys Institute and Gymnasium which was peremptorily closed with one day’s notice to staff and library visitors. The buildings have been carefully monitored by council engineering staff for a number of years, but the closure came because the Leys does not in any way, shape or form conform with earthquakes, in the unlikely event of one hitting Auckland. However, we must now ensure that the library is repaired as soon as possible. Locals will just not tolerate talk of demolition or sale, nor leaving it empty to deteriorate.
Western Springs College held its official opening of the new campus. The PM was present and thanked Nikki Kaye for acquiring the funds for the rebuild when she was Minister of Education.
There is still no decision about the route of the proposed cycleway from Pt Chevalier to the city which will passes through Herne Bay. The final decision will be made on the route after a workshop between AT and the WLB.
Over the past few years Westmoreland Street West has been transformed into a new shopping precinct. We have just heard that Bauhaus Design will be opening next month. (MARTIN LEACH & JOHN ELLIOTT)