Latest news with #TorikaTokalau
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Frustration Grows Over Auckland Road Works ‘Mess'
Article – Torika Tokalau – Local Democracy Reporter Works on a Auckland street are expected to drag on due to delays. Motorists using a south Auckland road are fed up with road works, which are expected to drag on for almost two years due to delays. The Paerata Road culvert upgrade in Pukekohe started in April 2024 and was to be completed this spring, but will now finish in February 2026. Auckland Council is upgrading the stormwater culvert on the southern end of Paerata Rd, after extreme weather and Cyclone Gabrielle caused severe flooding to nearby properties in 2023. Resident John Lewis said there seemed to be no end in sight for the roadworks. 'I know it has to be done and I'm all for improving infrastructure but for someone who frequents the road, it's been really annoying that it's taken this long,' Lewis said. Pukekohe resident Marama Ratu said traffic was a mess and the potholes didn't help either. 'They've [potholes] just gotten worse,' she said. 'It's already slow going through there, then we have to swerve to avoid these huge potholes that just keep getting bigger … it's a mess.' She understood why the project was important but questioned its delay. 'They're saying it's going to be completed next year, that's almost two years of this spectacle. Surely, they could complete it sooner?' Council said the reason for the delay was because it chose the most traffic-friendly construction approach, which meant constructing the bridge in two halves. According to council, 17,000 vehicles cross the culvert every day. Council's principal delivery – special projects Leighton Gillespie said the bridge was being constructed in halves to keep the roads open. 'But [it] ensures continued access for all road users,' Gillespie said. He said the council opted for the most traffic-friendly construction approach for the project. 'While this means extending the overall programme duration, it allows us to maintain uninterrupted two-lane traffic flow throughout the works. 'This decision was made to minimise disruption for the community and local businesses by avoiding full road closures or stop/go traffic control.' Gillespie said they also encountered some unforeseen utility services that required relocation and coordination, which have contributed to delays in the programme. 'These challenges have now been resolved, but the associated impacts on time remain.' Council's upgrade of the stormwater culvert on the southern end of Paerata Road meant replacing the existing 1.8m x 1.8m box culvert with a 12-metre-long bridge across Whangapouri Creek. 'Fortunately, we have been able to progress downstream works while approvals were being finalised, helping to maintain overall momentum. 'We've received relatively few complaints about traffic to date, and we continue to adapt our traffic management in response to the needs of businesses and the wider community.' Gillespie said the work was important to help future-proof the stormwater network by reducing the frequency of flooding upstream, and the risk of the culvert overflowing. 'We will also be completing erosion protection and securing downstream slopes.' It was all part of wider stormwater upgrades in the area, to reduce flooding and support future growth, he said.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Resident Battles Auckland Council's ‘Ridiculous' Choice Of Berm Tree Criticised
Article – Torika Tokalau – Local Democracy Reporter An Auckland resident says authorities need to carefully consider the trees they plant on berms after her complaints of a leafy liquidamber planted outside her home fell on deaf ears. Papakura resident Sarah Thompson said she was surprised when she found that Auckland Council had planted a dwarf version of a liquidamber on her berm last month. A berm is the grassed area that sits between the road and either the footpath or the property boundary. Thompson was concerned about how big tree would grow. 'You could hardly pick a more ridiculous tree to plant on a berm,' Thompson said. 'They've planted them on alternate berms all down the street, and they said they want more shade and I take their point on that. 'But, they've managed to plant one on an incredibly shady berm, it's already got massive trees on there … they haven't thought this through at all.' Liquidambar styraciflua, commonly known as sweetgum, is a tall, fast-growing tree known for its distinctive star-shaped leaves, which change colours in the autumn. When matured, they can reach a height of around 20 metres, with an extensive root system. A dwarf version grows as tall as 3m. Auckland Council says the tree is known for its strong form, vivid autumn colour, and resilience in urban environments. However, Thompson said the trees grow to be huge. 'And it is deciduous with massive leaf fall that will clog the drains.' Thompson and a few of her neighbours wondered why another tree wasn't considered. 'A fruit tree would be nice and provide food for the local community, or a native.' She raised her concerns with council, about the lack of consultation with residents. 'We got a leaflet in our mailbox, on the same day of the planting, and the email address provided didn't work.' Several factors considered Council's Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology manager David Stejskal said tree species for street planting were selected carefully by council urban foresters. Guided by the Auckland Urban Ngahere Strategy and informed by a regional tree palette tailored to local conditions, they considered a range of factors, including space constraints, and the expected long-term performance of the tree, he said. 'While Liquidambar can grow to be a large tree over time, it is valued for its strong form, vivid autumn colour, and resilience in urban environments. 'Where appropriate, council uses smaller cultivars and applies root management techniques such as root barriers to reduce the risk of damage to nearby footpaths and underground infrastructure.' He said the Papakura Local Board, in its Local Board Plan 2023, held concerns that Papakura had low tree canopy cover of only 14 percent. 'Consequently, the Local Board is supporting an increase in the tree canopy through tree planting, especially in streets and parks,' he said. Stejskal said council welcomed community feedback on planting choices, and was happy to assess individual sites where there were specific concerns.
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Bottle Shops Caught Selling Alcohol To Minors
Article – Torika Tokalau – Local Democracy Reporter Eleven bottle shops and stores across Auckland have been caught selling booze to under-18s in the past bottle shops and stores across Auckland have been caught selling booze to under-18s in the past year. Black Bull Northcote, Simply Fresh in Hillcrest, Glengarry Ellerslie, Brew Royal Oak, Bottle O Mount Smart, Grand Food Mart in Orewa, Kowhai Liquor Centre at Warkworth, Wine and Spirits in Flat Bush, Forrest Hill Liquor Centre, Favona Liquor Wholesale and Unsworth Liquor – had their licences to sell alcohol suspended briefly for breaching the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The stores were caught during several controlled purchase operations conducted by Auckland Council's Alcohol Licensing Unit, police and the Auckland Regional Public Health Service, from last May to date. Auckland Council manager of licensing and environmental health Mervyn Chetty said there were clear expectations that anyone granted an alcohol licence will follow the rules. 'Selling alcohol to a minor is against the law,' Chetty said. 'It puts young people at serious risk of alcohol related harm including injuries and accidents.' Glengarry Ellerslie, Brew Royal Oak, Kowhai Liquor Centre, Black Bull Northcote, Wine and Spirits, Forrest Hill Liquor Centre, Favona Liquor Wholesale and Unsworth Liquor were suspended for 48 hours. Bottle O Mt Smart was suspended for 72 hours in March, while Simply Fresh in Hillcrest and Grand Food Mart in Orewa were handed seven day suspensions in April and January respectively. Another off-licence, Good to Go in the central district, was suspended for 21 days for a series of breaches. The store had no manager on duty, failed to give notice of manager appointments, had unauthorised sale, and sold RTDs at a grocery. The suspensions have all been completed, Chetty said. Controlled purchase operations are conducted to test compliance with laws against selling alcohol to minors. 'As all licence holders will know, suspensions are put in place for first-time offenders, however repeat offences may carry greater penalties which are set out in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act,' Chetty said. 'Every alcohol licence comes with rules and conditions to support the sale and supply of alcohol in a safe and responsible manner, which will help reduce alcohol related harm.' The suspensions were handed out by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA).
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Bottle Shops Caught Selling Alcohol To Minors
Article – Torika Tokalau – Local Democracy Reporter Eleven bottle shops and stores across Auckland have been caught selling booze to under-18s in the past year. Black Bull Northcote,Simply Fresh in Hillcrest, Glengarry Ellerslie, Brew Royal Oak, Bottle O Mount Smart, Grand Food Mart in Orewa, Kowhai Liquor Centre at Warkworth, Wine and Spirits in Flat Bush, Forrest Hill Liquor Centre, Favona Liquor Wholesale and Unsworth Liquor – had their licences to sell alcohol suspended briefly for breaching the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The stores were caught during several controlled purchase operations conducted by Auckland Council's Alcohol Licensing Unit, police and the Auckland Regional Public Health Service, from last May to date. Auckland Council manager of licensing and environmental health Mervyn Chetty said there were clear expectations that anyone granted an alcohol licence will follow the rules. 'Selling alcohol to a minor is against the law,' Chetty said. 'It puts young people at serious risk of alcohol related harm including injuries and accidents.' Glengarry Ellerslie, Brew Royal Oak, Kowhai Liquor Centre, Black Bull Northcote, Wine and Spirits, Forrest Hill Liquor Centre, Favona Liquor Wholesale and Unsworth Liquor were suspended for 48 hours. Bottle O Mt Smart was suspended for 72 hours in March, while Simply Fresh in Hillcrest and Grand Food Mart in Orewa were handed seven day suspensions in April and January respectively. Another off-licence, Good to Go in the central district, was suspended for 21 days for a series of breaches. The store had no manager on duty, failed to give notice of manager appointments, had unauthorised sale, and sold RTDs at a grocery. The suspensions have all been completed, Chetty said. Controlled purchase operations are conducted to test compliance with laws against selling alcohol to minors. 'As all licence holders will know, suspensions are put in place for first-time offenders, however repeat offences may carry greater penalties which are set out in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act,' Chetty said. 'Every alcohol licence comes with rules and conditions to support the sale and supply of alcohol in a safe and responsible manner, which will help reduce alcohol related harm.' The suspensions were handed out by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA).
Scoop
30-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Parent Calls For Better Playground Fencing To Stop ‘Runners'
Article – Torika Tokalau – Local Democracy Reporter The lack of fencing around a destination park in rural south Auckland, where 17,000 cars zoom by each day, has come under fire. After hearing the safety pleas from a local parent and principal, the local board has agreed to fence the whole of Te Pae Mahara Roulston Park. The upgrade of the historic Te Pae Mahara Roulston Park began last October, by Eke Panuku's Unlock Pukekohe High Level Project Plan. Once complete in mid-2025, Te Pae Mahara Roulston Park is expected to feature improved play facilities to cater for a wider age range. However, residents were unhappy that the playground on the corner of one of Pukekohe's busiest intersections, with a traffic volume count of 17,000 vehicles per day, was not going to be completely fenced. Valley School principal Roger Goulstone, speaking at the Franklin Local Board meeting on Tuesday, said barriers or fencing was needed to keep children safe. 'With the busyness there, and attraction of a new facility, it's going to quite a higher traffic area,' Goulstone said. 'With the high amount of families coming, they would like the security of a barrier going at least around the park to stop kids wandering from off … [It's] a very busy intersection.' The park, located at the corner of East St and Stadium Dr, is costing $1.5 million to upgrade. The local board considered three design options – initially going with the first option which included a 900mm-high wired fence at the top of the park, leaving multiple areas of the park with no fencing or gates. Option two included two additional gates with latches, including a sliding gate and a wired fence completely around the park. Resident Sam Ross said she was stoked the park was being upgraded but felt it needed to be safe and inclusive for all users. 'As a mother of two neuro-diverse children, I'm particularly concerned about the safety issue. 'My kids have a tendency to be runners as do a lot of autistic children, they're brilliant climbers so they can easily scale the fence as is.' According to Eke Panuku's overview of the project – the park was bordered by major arterial roadways that were expected to get even busier as Pukekohe grew, its website stated. The local board moved a motion to adopt option two for fencing – supported by five of its nine members. Member Logan Soole said the difference in design options was huge. 'They involve the addition of two more gates and extension of fencing,' Soole said. He said one of the main issues board members debated about was accessibility, and highlighted Auckland's only accessible playground in Weymouth. 'If we choose to retrofit later, it will cost more and the likelihood of that happening is not very high. 'The one thing I don't want to see is us opening this park, and something happens and it undoes all the good work that the Pukekohe Unlock programme has brought for our town.' Member Gary Holmes said they should upgrade the playground once, 'and do it right'.
