Editor's letter - August 2020

A few weeks ago our Mayor announced a suspension of the $1500 consent fee to install a water tank in a residential backyard.

Residents can collect rain water for their gardens or to wash their cars, taking some pressure off Watercare. However, it is still a nightmare trying to work through a 14-page application.

Saturday 19 September is fast approaching and New Zealand political parties are ramping up their publicity for a potentially ugly election contest. After all, new National Party leader Judith Collins is no shrinking violet and has a history of making outlandish comments often construed as extreme right.

The country has seen terrible events - the Mosque attacks, White Island eruption and Covid-19. Our PM has received international praise for how she handled these. Jacinda will certainly not lower the tone and will aim to conduct a clean election. Don’t miss our Auckland Central election candidates’ debate – Sunday 9 August. 4pm-6pm at Freemans Bay School.

The Ponsonby News team loves all kinds of design. So we asked six local furniture entrepreneurs to tell us their favourites off the shop floor.

We hope that the Government in its second term will give initiatives for people to buy electric vehicles (EVs). A good variety is now available and although initial costs are high, they are cheaper to run. Fast, plentiful charging stations are critical to allow for longer journeys.

The team loves a day out in Matakana. There are so many good things to see, do, eat, drink and buy.

We were shocked recently to hear traces of glyphosate being found in our most valuable export – Manuka honey. It’s high time glyphosate, declared by IPPS scientists as probably carcinogenic, be banned in New Zealand.

Diary Date: It’s Market day this Saturday and don’t miss ‘Light up Ponsonby’ on 5-9 August. Experience Ponsonby in a new way as we light up our streets and footpaths with interactive light installations and projections. (MARTIN LEACH)