Latest news with #TāmakiMakaurauAuckland
Scoop
11 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
Forest & Bird Honours Six Outstanding Volunteers
Forest & Bird has honoured six long-serving members with the Tī Kōuka award for their exceptional service over a long period to the organisation and to conservation in their regions. New Zealand's largest independent conservation organisation has thousands of dedicated volunteers throughout Aotearoa and is celebrating these six for their passion and hard work over many years. The recipients say they are honoured to be recognised but add they would not have achieved anything without the teams of dedicated Forest & Bird volunteers they work with. David Cornick is the longest serving member of the Lower Hutt branch committee, joining it in 1991. He has been involved in some of the most significant restorations in the region, including Mātiu Somes and Mana islands, and Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve. He has also been a member of teams reintroducing rare native birds into these areas. 'David is a knowledgeable and passionate conservationist, a handy photographer, and a humble, hardworking contributor to so many of Forest & Bird's projects,' says Andy Mitchell, Lower Hutt branch chair. Another long-serving Lower Hutt member John Groombridge has been branch treasurer for a quarter of a century. John is also a long-time volunteer and organiser of restoration work on Mātiu Somes Island and a regular volunteer and organiser for other branch projects. 'John has been a solid contributor to the branch for almost 30 years, and our committee recognises his long service and the tremendous amount of mahi he has undertaken,' Andy Mitchell says. Christine Major has been running the North Shore branch-led Tuff Crater restoration's predator control programme since 2010. Christine has been central to the success of the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland project's predator control. She has been responsible for recruiting and training the baiting and trapping teams and liaising with the council, among many responsibilities. 'Tuff Crater requires a sustained coordinated predator control effort and Christine has been the main reason it has been a success,' Tuff Crater project lead Richard Hursthouse says. Another Tuff Crater volunteer, Paul Pyper, has been leading Thursday working bees at the project since 2016, a total of at least 280 events. Among his responsibilities, he liaises with and trains new volunteers, and works with adjoining landowners over access to control pest plants on their land. The North Shore branch has spent more than $300,000 on restoration efforts at the project and planted more than 28,000 native plants. 'Since Paul has been involved, we have planted 17,000 plants, much of which Paul has been part of,' Richard Hursthouse says. Peter Smith has been the Ashburton branch treasurer since 1996 and has also been a major contributor to other branch and community activities and projects. He played a key role in the establishment of the Ashburton Community Conservation Trust in 2007, which manages the Harris Scientific Reserve. He is still closely involved in management of the reserve, a significant Canterbury plains dryland vegetation site, and he is a strong advocate for conservation in the local media. Ashburton committee member Mary Ralston says the branch would probably not have been able to function without Peter's expertise and support, and that of his wife Edith, the branch chair for three decades. Eric van Essen of the Waitākere branch has been involved in the care of the Colin Kerr-Taylor Memorial Reserve in Waimauku since the early 1990s, where he is honorary ranger. He has created a halo project around the reserve to expand predator control with adjoining landowners. He has also been a regular volunteer at the branch's Matuku Reserve. 'Eric is the ultimate volunteer, willing and able but humble,' says founding chair of the Waitakere branch, John Staniland.
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
‘You'll be surprised': D-Day for Desley Simpson is drawing near
This is a transcript of Simon Wilson's weekly newsletter Love this City – exploring the ideas and events, the reality and the potential of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Auckland's deputy mayor Desley Simpson has announced ... that she is going to announce in early June whether she's
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Auckland Leans Into Stereotypes To Lure Kiwis This Autumn
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is flipping the script on familiar stereotypes with a bold campaign aimed at drawing domestic visitors to the central city this autumn and winter. Led by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), in collaboration with Heart of the City and the Karangahape Road Business Association, the campaign leans into clichés with a playful twist, inviting Kiwis to take a second look at what Auckland has to offer. 'The rest of the country loves to give us stick,' says Nick Hill, Chief Executive at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. 'We say, bring it on! Come visit. You'll find the stereotypes don't quite stack up, but our festivals, shows, art exhibitions and restaurants absolutely do.' With tongue-in-cheek headlines and vivid imagery, the campaign sets out to surprise and delight. Featured creative includes: • 'You don't have to be a food snob to eat like one' • 'Sure, it can get a little crowded here' (accompanied by a buzzing concert crowd) • 'This place is full of exhibitionists' (a nod to a lively art scene) • 'Of course there's drama in the big city' (with an image of an aerialist showing pure theatrical flair) Launching this week, the campaign will appear across out-of-home, social and digital channels in the key fly and drive markets. A vibrant colour palette and bold visuals ensure the campaign stands out not just visually, but in attitude. 'This is not a whisper campaign,' adds Hill. 'It's a shout from the rooftops that Auckland is alive and buzzing, even during the cooler months. We're telling our story loudly, and with a wink, through food, events, culture, and everything that makes our city centre so special.' Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck says the campaign is much needed, especially heading into winter. 'Domestic tourism is a vital part of our city,' says Beck. 'It supports our local businesses, keeps our events calendar thriving, and injects energy into the city year-round. This campaign is designed to capture people's attention and inspire more Kiwis to explore - or rediscover - the magic of our city centre.' Jamey Holloway, Karangahape Road Business Association General Manager says: 'We know Tāmaki Makaurau can sometimes get a bad rap, but this campaign is our way of saying, we hear you - but come take another look. K' Road is no stranger to pushing boundaries, and we're proud to be part of this collaborative effort to invite everyone to come experience the unique energy you won't find anywhere else in New Zealand.' The campaign, which costs $400,000, is fully funded by the city centre targeted rate (CCTR)– a special rate paid by commercial and residential property owners within the city centre to enhance the city centre, including 'visitor attraction and promoting the city centre'. A taste of upcoming shows and events: • NZ International Comedy Festival on now • Auckland Writers Festival (13 – 18 May) • Auckland Live Cabaret Festival, The Civic (3 – 15 June) • Auckland Art Gallery – A Century of Modern Art (Opens 7 June) • Full Metal Orchestra Spark Arena (26 July) • Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Origins Spark Arena (26 July) • New Zealand Fashion Week Shed 10 (26 – 30 August) • Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Civic (12 September – 4 October)
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Simeon Brown opens a cycleway! And Auckland Transport abandons safety plans
Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown (third from right) with Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson (centre) and other dignitaries ready to turn the first sod of the last stage of the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive shared path. This is a transcript of Simon Wilson's weekly newsletter Love this City – exploring the ideas and events, the reality and the potential of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown dug the first sod for a new cycleway last week. He seemed very excited, talking about the
