Latest news with #Māngere-ŌtāhuhuLocalBoard
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Māngere Youth Turn Derelict Houses Into Jobs
A South Auckland leader says local rangatahi are transforming derelict homes into real opportunities, cutting waste and gaining valuable skills along the way. Tauanuu Nick Bakulich, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair, supports the work of the Ara Education Charitable Trust, which helps deliver local jobs, build youth skills and keep waste out of landfill. The trust receives seed funding from Auckland Council's Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund (WMIF), which backs projects that help achieve the city's zero waste goals. Through the construction skills programme, rangatahi deconstruct run-down houses, salvage usable materials and fully restore each home in about six to eight months. Once refurbished, the houses are resold and the profits fund the next rebuild. Tauanuu says the project supports sustainability and shows how old houses that might have ended up in a landfill now create real opportunities for young people. 'It aligns very well with our priorities. It's a programme that's been around for a while, and we've seen good success with students here in Māngere who've participated in it,' Tauanuu says. 'The first part is employment, which is really important for our young people. But it's also the education piece, understanding how much waste goes to landfill and what can actually be saved. "Those houses could have gone to waste or not been used at all. Now you've got young people working in them and putting them to good use instead of sending them to landfill.' Construction and demolition waste makes up more than 40 per cent of Auckland's total landfill volume. The Māngere-based trust proves that what looks like rubbish can become a fresh start and give new life to old derelict homes. Christine O'Brien, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board member, says the trust's work shows what local youth and council support can achieve together. 'I very much appreciate the Ara kaupapa and it's been great to see the Ara Rangatahi Pathways to Employment Programme on a firm footing in recent years,' O'Brien says. Through the home refurbishment programme, local rangatahi learn various skills hands-on under experienced tradespeople, she says. "I also love the fact that older houses are not demolished and added to our waste streams but are refurbished by the students. They then become great homes for people elsewhere in the country, sold on to them at no profit. Really a win-win-win.' Dr Sarah Redmond, Ara Education Charitable Trust General Manager, says council support has helped the trust invest in new tools and find ways to reuse tricky waste streams like outdated Hardie board cladding. 'Our young people become ambassadors for waste minimisation,' Redmond says. 'When something breaks down, whether here or at home, instead of thinking they'll chuck it in the bin and buy it new, they know with a bit of thought and effort they can probably fix it good as new.' Beyond houses, Ara's trainees get creative with every leftover scrap. Timber and materials are turned into furniture, plywood becomes letterboxes for community groups, and rimu and kauri are crafted into chopping boards and plaques for programme graduates. They even build weta motels for local environmental groups. Trainees de-nail timber for reuse and collect the nails for steel recycling, finding a use for almost everything that might otherwise go to waste. Mark Roberts, Auckland Council Senior Waste Planning Specialist, says the construction industry could recover far more resources with better practices. 'To make a dent in the enormous amounts of construction waste going to landfill, we need to support different ways of working and building,' Roberts says. As Auckland pushes towards its zero waste target, local leaders say community-led solutions like this show that young people can lead the way in changing the city's waste story, one rebuild at a time.
1News
27-06-2025
- Health
- 1News
'Dangerous spectacle': Health experts push for Run It Straight ban
Run It Straight is a "dangerous spectacle" that is harming young people and must be banned immediately, say Aotearoa's leading trauma clinicians. Three frontline medical professionals issued the warning in a hard-hitting editorial published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal. It follows the death of Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, who died during a backyard Run It Straight-style game. The editorial, written by trauma nurse Sarah Logan, surgical registrar Rachel Lauchlan, and general surgeon Dr Christopher Wakeman, calls on councils, schools, and sporting bodies to take urgent action to prevent further harm. "Run It Straight is not a sport. It is a dangerous spectacle that has already claimed a young life. It's continued promotion is medically indefensible and ethically unjustifiable." The unregulated challenge involves two people sprinting toward each other and colliding at full force, often without helmets. Social media clips celebrate knockouts and impact hits, but health experts say what they're really watching is long-term brain trauma unfold. "Even a single concussive blow can cause permanent cognitive, emotional and behavioural impairment, particularly in adolescents and young adults whose brains are still developing," the authors wrote. "Repetitive collisions of this kind increase the likelihood of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive degenerative brain disease." The health experts want councils to not allow Run It Straight events, schools and clubs to ban the practice, sports stars to stop endorsing it, social media platforms to remove harmful content, and public health campaigns to raise awareness of the risks. "We cannot afford another preventable death… Let this be the last death." In May 2025, Satterthwaite died after suffering a severe head injury. Also in May, at a Run It Championship League event at Auckland's Trust Arena, two participants were knocked unconscious, one suffered a seizure, and an estimated one in four competitors showed signs of concussion. The editorial also challenges claims that the events help build community pride and service saying. "Young men are pressured to earn respect through violence, and injury is glorified as a badge of honour. We must dismantle this idea. Real mana is not shown through unregulated impact, but through insight and true sport tactics, and lies in caring for oneself and others." There are at least two separate groups associated with Run It Straight-style events, the grassroots team led by Christian Lesa, also known as Charizma. There's a commercial competition called the Run It Championship League, which hosted the Trust Arena event in Auckland in May. Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanuʻu Nick Bakulich commented on the grassroots group who attempted to host events in South Auckland. "Our local board has made a stance with a recent event that was due to take place in Māngere, which we did not endorse," Tauanuʻu says. "This very recent death, tragic death, clearly outlines why we should be looking at banning such activity." Local Democracy Reporting asked Tauanuʻu how communities could better balance cultural pride, masculinity, and community spirit without compromising safety. "It's definitely not through an event like Run It Straight. There's lots of other opportunities out there for our people, playing a sport in a controlled environment, or even weightlifting, bodybuilding, body sculpturing, all very popular at the moment." Auckland Council confirmed it has not approved any Run It Straight events and said its permitting process cannot be used to ban them under current bylaws. "We are only aware of one event being held on council land, which was held at a South Auckland park without any council notification or endorsement," said Taryn Crewe, General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities. "If the organisers of Run-it Straight-type events had approached the council to seek a permit, we would be unlikely to approve it because of the serious health and safety impacts." The council is open to improving its processes as new sports evolve, to ensure risks are effectively managed on public land, she says. "It is always helpful when sports codes show leadership by calling out unsafe practices. Players have a huge influence as respected role models on how some of these activities evolve." Tauanuʻu says council systems are robust but warns informal Run It Straight events show why communities must stay alert and well-informed. "It's quite clear what our parks and reserves are used for. And this type of activity is certainly outside of those parameters." RUNIT Championship League and the Run It Straight owner and CEO, Christian Lesa, were approached for comment. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Scoop
27-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
'Dangerous Spectacle': Health Experts Push For Run It Straight Ban
Run It Straight is a "dangerous spectacle" that is harming young people and must be banned immediately, say Aotearoa's leading trauma clinicians. Three frontline medical professionals issued the warning in a hard-hitting editorial published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal. It follows the death of Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, who died during a backyard Run It Straight-style game. The editorial, written by trauma nurse Sarah Logan, surgical registrar Rachel Lauchlan, and general surgeon Dr Christopher Wakeman, calls on councils, schools, and sporting bodies to take urgent action to prevent further harm. "RunIt Straight is not a sport. It is a dangerous spectacle that has already claimed a young life. It's continued promotion is medically indefensible and ethically unjustifiable." The unregulated challenge involves two people sprinting toward each other and colliding at full force, often without helmets. Social media clips celebrate knockouts and impact hits, but health experts say what they're really watching is long-term brain trauma unfold. "Even a single concussive blow can cause permanent cognitive, emotional and behavioural impairment, particularly in adolescents and young adults whose brains are still developing," the authors wrote. "Repetitive collisions of this kind increase the likelihood of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive degenerative brain disease." The health experts want councils to not allow Run It Straight events, schools and clubs to ban the practice, sports stars to stop endorsing it, social media platforms to remove harmful content, and public health campaigns to raise awareness of the risks. "We cannot afford another preventable death … Let this be the last death." In May 2025, Satterthwaite died after suffering a severe head injury. Also in May, at a Run It Championship League event at Auckland's Trust Arena, two participants were knocked unconscious, one suffered a seizure, and an estimated one in four competitors showed signs of concussion. The editorial also challenges claims that the events help build community pride and service saying. "Young men are pressured to earn respect through violence, and injury is glorified as a badge of honour. We must dismantle this idea. Real mana is not shown through unregulated impact, but through insight and true sport tactics, and lies in caring for oneself and others." There are at least two separate groups associated with Run It Straight-style events, the grassroots team led by Christian Lesa, also known as Charizma. There's a commercial competition called the Run It Championship League, which hosted the Trust Arena event in Auckland in May. Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanuu Nick Bakulich commented on the grassroots group who attempted to host events in South Auckland. "Our local board has made a stance with a recent event that was due to take place in Māngere, which we did not endorse," Tauanuu said. "This very recent death, tragic death, clearly outlines why we should be looking at banning such activity." Local Democracy Reporting asked Tauanuu how communities could better balance cultural pride, masculinity, and community spirit without compromising safety. "It's definitely not through an event like Run It Straight. There's lots of other opportunities out there for our people, playing a sport in a controlled environment, or even weightlifting, bodybuilding, body sculpturing, all very popular at the moment." Auckland Council confirmed it has not approved any Run It Straight events and said its permitting process cannot be used to ban them under current bylaws. "We are only aware of one event being held on council land, which was held at a South Auckland park without any council notification or endorsement," said Taryn Crewe, General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities. "If the organisers of Run-it Straight-type events had approached the council to seek a permit, we would be unlikely to approve it because of the serious health and safety impacts." The council is open to improving its processes as new sports evolve, to ensure risks are effectively managed on public land, she said. "It is always helpful when sports codes show leadership by calling out unsafe practices. Players have a huge influence as respected role models on how some of these activities evolve." Tauanuu said council systems are robust, but warns informal Run It Straight events show why communities must stay alert and well-informed. "It's quite clear what our parks and reserves are used for. And this type of activity is certainly outside of those parameters."
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Love Your Maunga – Matariki At Māngere Mountain
Press Release – Tupuna Maunga Authority This special edition of Love Your Maunga will take place at the award-winning Whnau tea at the base of Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Mngere Mountain, and promises a day full of fun, mtauranga Mori, and connection with community and whenua. The Tūpuna Maunga Authority, with the support from the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, invites the community to the third and final of our inaugural 'Love Your Maunga' hāngī fundraiser event series on Saturday, 28 June 2025. The last of the 24/25 series in time for Matariki. This special edition of Love Your Maunga will take place at the award-winning Whānau Ātea at the base of Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain, and promises a day full of fun, mātauranga Māori, and connection with community and whenua. Paul Majurey, Chair of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, says: 'Matariki is an important time of the year. It is a time of reflection and remembrance. Marking this occasion on the Maunga is fitting, as these ancestral places hold deep cultural history and connection.' 'Love Your Maunga is dedicated to celebrating the intrinsic connections between people and place. These events unite mana whenua, whānau, community groups, and educators, fostering a deeper understanding and stewardship of the Tūpuna Maunga. It is encouraging to witness the growth of this kaupapa, supported increasingly by local partners, such as the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board and the Māngere Mountain Education Centre, amongst others' Majurey concludes. What's Happening? This final event in the three-part Love Your Maunga hāngī fundraiser series is the biggest yet, with even more activities and community collaboration: Community Hāngī Fundraiser – Delicious $15 hāngī with steam pudding and custard Kī-o-rahi Tāmaki – Traditional Māori game of skill and agility Harko Brown – Māra Hūpara and Kēmu Māori traditional play workshops Māngere Mountain Education Centre – Raranga (weaving) and Mau Rākau (traditional martial arts) workshops Kapa haka performances Auckland Libraries – Bilingual storytime and Matariki-themed activities Healthy Waters (Auckland Council) – Information stall on water care and sustainability E Tū Rākau – Waste education and support for a low-waste event From storytelling to sport, kapa haka to conservation, Love Your Maunga is an opportunity to experience the richness of Māori knowledge systems and honour the living legacy of our Maunga.
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Love Your Maunga – Matariki At Māngere Mountain
Press Release – Tupuna Maunga Authority The Tūpuna Maunga Authority, with the support from the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, invites the community to the third and final of our inaugural 'Love Your Maunga' hāngī fundraiser event series on Saturday, 28 June 2025. The last of the 24/25 series in time for Matariki. This special edition of Love Your Maunga will take place at the award-winning Whānau Ātea at the base of Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain, and promises a day full of fun, mātauranga Māori, and connection with community and whenua. Paul Majurey, Chair of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, says: 'Matariki is an important time of the year. It is a time of reflection and remembrance. Marking this occasion on the Maunga is fitting, as these ancestral places hold deep cultural history and connection.' 'Love Your Maunga is dedicated to celebrating the intrinsic connections between people and place. These events unite mana whenua, whānau, community groups, and educators, fostering a deeper understanding and stewardship of the Tūpuna Maunga. It is encouraging to witness the growth of this kaupapa, supported increasingly by local partners, such as the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board and the Māngere Mountain Education Centre, amongst others' Majurey concludes. What's Happening? This final event in the three-part Love Your Maunga hāngī fundraiser series is the biggest yet, with even more activities and community collaboration: Community Hāngī Fundraiser – Delicious $15 hāngī with steam pudding and custard Kī-o-rahi Tāmaki – Traditional Māori game of skill and agility Harko Brown – Māra Hūpara and Kēmu Māori traditional play workshops Māngere Mountain Education Centre – Raranga (weaving) and Mau Rākau (traditional martial arts) workshops Kapa haka performances Auckland Libraries – Bilingual storytime and Matariki-themed activities Healthy Waters (Auckland Council) – Information stall on water care and sustainability E Tū Rākau – Waste education and support for a low-waste event From storytelling to sport, kapa haka to conservation, Love Your Maunga is an opportunity to experience the richness of Māori knowledge systems and honour the living legacy of our Maunga.
