Latest news with #TarynCrewe
Newsroom
23-07-2025
- Business
- Newsroom
Auckland's new cemetery dead and buried
Auckland Council has withdrawn its bid to forcibly acquire land in west Auckland for its much-needed new cemetery to replace Waikumete – stymied by iwi consultation failures and possible fast-track housing. The council told Land Information NZ and the Environment Court this week it is abandoning its attempt under the Public Works Act to compulsorily purchase land at 1080 State Highway 16 at Reweti, northwest Auckland, for the urgently needed cemetery. A report to Thursday's policy and planning committee says the council expects some public criticism because of the costs it has sunk so far in trying to secure the site, the first choice of 45 on an initial list formed years ago. From a shortlist of five, the council has been trying to buy the land for almost three years. The report, by Taryn Crewe, the council's general manager of parks and community facilities, says there remains an 'extreme shortage' of burial space in the west of Auckland. Waikumete, at Glen Eden, is the country's largest cemetery but has paused sales of adult burial slots for two years. The Reweti and owner Halberd Holdings had first refused to sell, then objected to the mandatory deal under that act, sending the matter to the Environment Court. At the court, local mana whenua groups objected, complaining the council had failed in its duties to consult on the cemetery plan. Federated Farmers also objected. The last straw for the council seems to have been Halberd moving to apply under the Fast-track Approvals Act for a green light to build houses on the land, with backing from the mana whenua groups. The council report says once that was known the council offered to withdraw the application if Halberd declined to seek costs from ratepayers, an offer which was accepted. Officers accept the consultation with mana whenua groups was deficient and say that was not realised until too late, after the Public Works Act compulsory acquisition demand was made. This increased the risk of not securing Resource Management Act approval to enable a cemetery on the land – which had been picked after considering essential cemetery pre-conditions such as soil types, flood plains, gradient, groundwater levels and the proximity of streams and rivers. 'Council staff met with mana whenua over the past few months to try to resolve their objections, but were not successful,' the note to councillors says. 'Taking all relevant factors into account, particularly the good faith relationships with our mana whenua partners, the decision was made not to proceed.' The fact the new land use under a likely Fast-Track Approvals Act application would involve a 'large number' of residential dwellings also weighed on the decision to abandon. As well, delays caused by court action and RMA objections could impact the urgent need for more burial spots in coming years. 'Council staff remain committed to continuing good faith engagement with mana whenua partners and progressing the urgent need to acquire land for cemetery purposes in northwest Auckland.' The report does not say if the other four properties shortlisted back in 2022/23 would still be available and pursued. RNZ reported in March that Waikumete Cemetery had paused the sale of adult burial plots until 2027 – when an additional 800 burial plots are set to be created. It quoted Crewe saying if the Reweti replacement fell over, there were other options. 'If something happens along the way where we weren't able to purchase that particular piece of land, work has been done to identify other areas,' Crewe said. 'But they're not the type of property we want compared to this one, we'd had to go back to the drawing board again and start that process again with other landowners.' He said legal issues had slowed the acquisition of new burial land. 'From the 2022 decision with the committee we hoped we could have progressed things with a willing seller and willing buyer way quicker, but that's just the nature of the process.'
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- RNZ News
More vehicles tearing up sports and park grounds across Auckland
Damage at the Whakanewha Regional Park. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council There has been a spike in vehicles tearing up sports fields and parks across Auckland, making them unusable and costing thousands in ratepayers' money. Auckland Council said several sports fields have been targeted in the past month, with vandals in Manurewa and Ōrakei damaging grounds used by local clubs who play on the fields. General manager of parks and community Facilities Taryn Crewe said it is deeply frustrating. "It's disheartening to see behaviour that damages these spaces, especially when it means we have to divert funding from other projects-like planting, maintenance, or improving facilities-to cover repairs," she said. Damage to the pitch at Mountfort Park. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council Crewe said most of the vandalism happened in the wetter winter months, when tracks and fields were more easily damaged, and quieter conditions gave irresponsible behaviour better cover. The council also reported cases in local and regional parks where motorists were driving dangerously and at excessive speeds, with damage to bollards, chains and gates to restricted areas. Make-shift mountain jumps had also been made for bikes and scooters. One ranger reported incidents happening every night over the past week, according to the council. Damage to the pitch at Mountfort Park. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council Crewe said their teams took a lot of care in maintaining parks. "We really appreciate the community's support - whether that's reporting issues or just helping keep an eye out," she said. "When we all play a part, our parks thrive." Damage at the Whakanewha Regional Park. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council Auckland Council encouraged anyone who spotted illegal activity in parks and open spaces to report it to police, and to report any damage on walking tracks, fields and parks to the council. Police have been approached for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
