Latest news with #LocalBoard
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
'Run It Straight' event blocked in Māngere
Photo: runitstraight24 A 'Run It Straight' event planned for Williams Park in Māngere has been canned after organisers failed to secure a permit and a local board raised safety concerns. The event is a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich, chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, told Local Democracy Reporting that the board opposed the event on public health and safety grounds and confirmed no official application had been made to Auckland Council. "An event was scheduled at Williams Park Māngere [on Wednesday]. The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board opposes this event for reasons of safety, given what data is available as a result of brain and health-related injuries," Tauanu'u says. "This event did not apply for an approved permit from Auckland Council, nor a parks booking through the Auckland Council process. This event will now not take place at Williams Park, Māngere." Auckland Council confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting that Williams Park is council-owned, and that no application for an event permit or booking was received. Eli Nathan, Auckland Council's Head of Area Operations, said a permit is required events that meet certain conditions, such as involving more than 150 people, public safety risks, or the use of vehicles, power, or food vendors. Williams Park in Māngere, where a planned Run It Straight event was cancelled after causing concern from the local board over safety and permits. Photo: Photo / Facebook - Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich "For clarity, the council has not received an application for a permit nor a booking for the ground and therefore cannot comment on this event." Permitted events on council land must meet health and safety planning requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Nathan said event organisers unsure about their obligations are encouraged to contact the council for advice. "We are not aware of any contact being made by the organisers regarding a permit or booking." The Australian-based company, RUNIT Championship League, debuted in Melbourne in April and made its way to Auckland this month. A RUNIT Championship League spokesperson said they did not have any event booked at Māngere. "I believe who you are referring to is @runitstraight24 on Instagram." It is understood that @runitstraight24 is a separate social media account currently promoting and staging 'Run It Straight' events across South Auckland. In an Instagram reel posted last week, events were planned for Manukau Rovers on the 21 May and the Marist Saints on 22 May. However, last night on their Instagram account, a video was posted announcing that the South Auckland events were cancelled after local council and government intervened. "Tomorrow's show, Wednesday and Thursday at Rovers and Marist Saints has been cancelled," the video said. We tried to come back to the home of Run It Straight, but unfortunately, your councils and your parliament has actually called us in and said we're not allowed to run any on the local field. So, stay with us, we're still working on ways to get a field and bring a show to, you know, the home of the Run It Straight. We're coming. Let's go." The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board opposed the event, citing safety risks and data on brain injuries. Photo: Supplied / Facebook The group has been approached for comment. Health professionals have raised alarms about the dangers of 'Run It Straight' events, with some critics dubbing it the dumbest sport ever". AUT professor and sports biomechanics expert Patria Hume told RNZ's Midday Report on Tuesday that the sport ignores decades of evidence on head injury risks, calling it a "reckless and dangerous spectacle." The deliberate design to maximise impact is both irresponsible and scientifically indefensible, defying decades of research on head injury risks, she told RNZ. Tauanu'u has also expressed concern about the wider spread of these unsanctioned events in South Auckland and said he plans to speak directly with Manukau Rovers leadership. "I will be expressing concerns to the Rovers from the community that includes safety and liability," he said. "I would not think that this is the kind of thing that should be encouraged, given data on concussion and head-related injuries." He said that the board continues to support community events that are safe, positive, and follow proper processes, especially when young people are involved. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Safe Rail Bridges Coming For Glen Innes, Takaanini And Te Mahia
Press Release – Auckland Transport Three Auckland train stations where there have been dozens of near misses between pedestrians and trains during the past decade will have their pedestrian level crossings replaced by modern,accessible overbridges, Auckland Transport (AT) says. New pedestrian overbridges at Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations will improve safety and support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens. The Government and Auckland Council have brought forward funding to allow construction of the three pedestrian bridges to be fast-tracked, with work starting at Labour Weekend when the rail network is closed and continuing during the summer rail closure. From this week, AT is asking for feedback on the proposed bridge designs for Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations. Local boards onboard with plan to improve safety in their communities Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair Maria Meredith says it will be great to have safer access for the Glen Innes community. 'The City Rail Link will enable more efficient travel times from the Glen Innes station, but more importantly, the removal of the level crossing will also enable a far safer environment,' she says. 'By removing level crossing incidents, we'll have a more efficient and safer network for all users.' Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely. 'Many crossings were built back when there were less people and less trains operating,' he says. 'As our community grows and more people live near train lines, removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely with less congestion.' Manurewa Local Board Chairperson Matt Winiata says he is pleased to see AT progressing plans for the replacement of the pedestrian level crossing at Te Mahia Station. 'The new pedestrian bridge will allow safer access to and from the station platform from both Great South Road and Ferguson Street,' he says. 'This follows significant investment by the Local Board in the Te Mahia pedestrian plaza, transforming a train station with a once uncertain future into a notable transport hub for the surrounding area.' Safe rail bridges part of AT's plan to get ready for the City Rail Link opening Auckland Transport Director of Infrastructure and Place Murray Burt says the new pedestrian bridges will make it safer to access the stations and are part of a broader level crossing programme that will support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens. 'Every single incident at a level crossing has an impact that can be deadly or life-changing, taking a huge toll on train drivers and those who narrowly miss a collision,' Mr Burt says. Mr Burt says these three level crossings have been prioritised for replacement with accessible overbridges because of how busy the rail network is through those areas. 'Takaanini and Te Mahia stations have been prioritised because that section of the Southern Line is the busiest on the Auckland rail network with a large number of freight and passenger trains,' Mr Burt says. 'Removing the level crossing at Glen Innes Station is needed because it is the last remaining level crossing on the Eastern Line, which will have trains every five minutes at peak after City Rail Link opens.' Feedback wanted before AT finalises bridge designs The designs for the three bridges have been developed to provide good access to the train stations, improve pedestrian safety, and to deliver value for money for ratepayers. 'We now want to hear feedback from our passengers and local communities about what the designs will mean for access, connection, and safety,' Mr Burt says. This feedback will be used to finalise the bridge designs and to help with AT's plans to integrate the bridges and station access into the wider neighbourhoods nearby. Notes: The feedback period on the proposed bridge designs opened today and runs until 30 May. Have your say at Level Crossing Removal Programme | Have your say About AT's level crossings programme · Level crossings increase safety risks for pedestrians and people in vehicles and make travel time longer for both people travelling on trains and those wanting to cross the tracks. · Level crossings restrict train frequencies and have safety, productivity and accessibility implications on the road network, particularly when barrier arms need to be down longer. · AT, KiwiRail and NZTA are working together to remove or replace all remaining 42 level crossings in Auckland over the next 10-30 years. · The phasing of removals is driven by a range of factors including the frequency of trains, traffic delays, safety, available funding and future passenger growth in the years after City Rail Link opens. · Following the removal of crossings to support increased train frequencies when City Rail Link opens in 2026 the priority order of removals is: o Takanini – three new road bridges to replace level crossings. Funding has been confirmed and AT is beginning the detailed design, consenting, property acquisition and construction phase. o Inner Western Line and other high priority crossings on the Western Line from the 2030s when passenger numbers have grown. o Remaining Western Line crossings.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Safe Rail Bridges Coming For Glen Innes, Takaanini And Te Mahia
Three Auckland train stations where there have been dozens of near misses between pedestrians and trains during the past decade will have their pedestrian level crossings replaced by modern, accessible overbridges, Auckland Transport (AT) says. New pedestrian overbridges at Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations will improve safety and support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens. The Government and Auckland Council have brought forward funding to allow construction of the three pedestrian bridges to be fast-tracked, with work starting at Labour Weekend when the rail network is closed and continuing during the summer rail closure. From this week, AT is asking for feedback on the proposed bridge designs for Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations. Local boards onboard with plan to improve safety in their communities Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair Maria Meredith says it will be great to have safer access for the Glen Innes community. 'The City Rail Link will enable more efficient travel times from the Glen Innes station, but more importantly, the removal of the level crossing will also enable a far safer environment,' she says. 'By removing level crossing incidents, we'll have a more efficient and safer network for all users.' Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely. 'Many crossings were built back when there were less people and less trains operating,' he says. 'As our community grows and more people live near train lines, removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely with less congestion.' Manurewa Local Board Chairperson Matt Winiata says he is pleased to see AT progressing plans for the replacement of the pedestrian level crossing at Te Mahia Station. 'The new pedestrian bridge will allow safer access to and from the station platform from both Great South Road and Ferguson Street,' he says. 'This follows significant investment by the Local Board in the Te Mahia pedestrian plaza, transforming a train station with a once uncertain future into a notable transport hub for the surrounding area." Safe rail bridges part of AT's plan to get ready for the City Rail Link opening Auckland Transport Director of Infrastructure and Place Murray Burt says the new pedestrian bridges will make it safer to access the stations and are part of a broader level crossing programme that will support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens. 'Every single incident at a level crossing has an impact that can be deadly or life-changing, taking a huge toll on train drivers and those who narrowly miss a collision,' Mr Burt says. Mr Burt says these three level crossings have been prioritised for replacement with accessible overbridges because of how busy the rail network is through those areas. 'Takaanini and Te Mahia stations have been prioritised because that section of the Southern Line is the busiest on the Auckland rail network with a large number of freight and passenger trains,' Mr Burt says. 'Removing the level crossing at Glen Innes Station is needed because it is the last remaining level crossing on the Eastern Line, which will have trains every five minutes at peak after City Rail Link opens.' Feedback wanted before AT finalises bridge designs The designs for the three bridges have been developed to provide good access to the train stations, improve pedestrian safety, and to deliver value for money for ratepayers. 'We now want to hear feedback from our passengers and local communities about what the designs will mean for access, connection, and safety,' Mr Burt says. This feedback will be used to finalise the bridge designs and to help with AT's plans to integrate the bridges and station access into the wider neighbourhoods nearby. Notes: The feedback period on the proposed bridge designs opened today and runs until 30 May. Have your say at Level Crossing Removal Programme | Have your say About AT's level crossings programme · Level crossings increase safety risks for pedestrians and people in vehicles and make travel time longer for both people travelling on trains and those wanting to cross the tracks. · Level crossings restrict train frequencies and have safety, productivity and accessibility implications on the road network, particularly when barrier arms need to be down longer. · AT, KiwiRail and NZTA are working together to remove or replace all remaining 42 level crossings in Auckland over the next 10-30 years. · The phasing of removals is driven by a range of factors including the frequency of trains, traffic delays, safety, available funding and future passenger growth in the years after City Rail Link opens. · Following the removal of crossings to support increased train frequencies when City Rail Link opens in 2026 the priority order of removals is: o Takanini – three new road bridges to replace level crossings. Funding has been confirmed and AT is beginning the detailed design, consenting, property acquisition and construction phase. o Inner Western Line and other high priority crossings on the Western Line from the 2030s when passenger numbers have grown. o Remaining Western Line crossings. o Southern Line Papakura to Pukekohe – aligned with KiwiRail's four tracking.
NZ Herald
27-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Newmarket unit owner fined $7000 for feeding birds outside apartment
Rental appraisals were provided from mid-August, showing a reduced prospective rent return from his unit without the bird droppings being cleaned away. His evidence was that the property manager providing the appraisals would not rent the premises with access to the balcony because of the droppings. The evidence suggests similar concerns being expressed by other unit owners, the tribunal decision says. The body corporate arranged extensive cleaning last April that improved the condition or presentation of the building somewhat. But the neighbour said Watt's bird feeding had continued and the problem with accumulated bird droppings increased once again. The neighbour was unable to comment on the cleaning work Watt recently had done, which she says shows the bird droppings could be removed quite quickly and easily. Watt was told she had breached the apartment owners' rules by feeding birds, leading to an unsightly and unhygienic condition of the building and causing damage to common property paintwork. The body corporate wrote to her, although Watt told the tribunal because she was not conversant with email, she received only one of those notices, which she believes was in September. She was unable to recall whether that was a notice from the body corporate or its lawyers. Watt says after receiving that notice, she did modify her habit for several months by feeding the birds only outside the property on the berm, and she was told on good authority this was not a breach of the rules. She acknowledges, though, that after becoming concerned for the birds' wellbeing, she resumed her practice of feeding them in her courtyard. Watt must pay $5900 in legal costs leading up to the tribunal hearing, $575 for that hearing and a further $500 filing fee, resulting in the total award against her of $7031. The money was due immediately. The Herald has reported on bird deterrent system Symterra Pulse being used in New Zealand prisons and Auckland railway stations. Australia-based Peter McCarthy said birds damaged roofs and left droppings, causing problems for the owners. Inmates at some New Zealand prisons were feeding birds in the yards out of boredom or loneliness, McCarthy said. He cited the character Brooks in the film The Shawshank Redemption, who kept a pet crow. Auckland lawyer and ex-Kaipātiki Local Board member Nick Kearney has invested in Symterra Pulse, previously marketed as Flock Off.
