Latest news with #Ōrākei
RNZ News
7 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Desley Simpson leaves right-leaning Communities and Residents group
Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro * This story has been corrected to remove speculation as to why Desley Simpson left C&R Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson has broken long-standing ties with the city's right-leaning local government party Communities and Residents. The high-profile councillor has stood on the C&R ticket since she was first elected to council in 2016. But her picture was quietly removed from C&R's website, leaving Christine Fletcher as the group's only councillor. Sources familiar with the situation, who did not want to be named, told RNZ in December Simpson was no longer a member of C&R. When asked earlier this year, C&R president David Hay would not confirm Simpson had left. But Hay has now revealed to RNZ Simpson resigned 18 months ago, but they had not updated their website until recently. He said C&R has been accepting candidate nominations for an Ōrākei ward councillor, a position currently held by Simpson, and for an Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa councillor ahead of the local body elections later this year. The Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa ward has two councillors. C&R's Christine Fletcher and City Vision's Julie Fairey were elected to the roles in 2019. Hay said C&R would announce their candidate selections soon. Since news that Simpson was considering running for mayor of Auckland broke in January, she had been putting off confirming whether she would challenge her boss Wayne Brown for the city's top job. She earlier told RNZ she would advise the public of her decision by the end of May at the latest. Simpson has 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.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
McDonald's granted resource consent for 24-hour drive through in Ōrākei
Photo: 123rf McDonald's controversial resource consent application to build a 24-hour drive through restaurant in the Auckland suburb of Ōrākei has been granted. McDonald's plan to build a 24/7 restaurant at 152 Kepa Road has been met with fierce opposition from local residents worried about potential health implications, litter and traffic disturbance. Auckland Council earlier said it had received 381 submissions on the resource consent application and of those 331 were against, 45 supported the application and five were neutral. ... More to come
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Hāngī At The Grill To Mark Matariki
Press Release – SKYCITY Auckland SkyCity's The Grill will use an above ground hangi in its courtyard of its restaurant as part of a special, five course menu to celebrate the arrival of Matariki. On Wednesday 18 June, The Grill at Horizon by SkyCity transforms into the heart of Auckland's Matariki celebrations, with an unforgettable evening that blends storytelling, kai, and cultural immersion. The event's name, Te whāngai i ngā whetū, translates as 'feeding the stars', which is why hāngī is essential to the experience as it is the steam from the cook that is seen to give sustenance to the stars. Chefs Patrick Ikinofo and Kia Kanuta have created the dinner, drawing their inspiration from the Matariki star cluster. Each course is rooted in the whenua, gardens, rivers, forests, and oceans of Aotearoa, and honours the stars that Māori associate with the bounty of the natural world. The menu is a creative expression of the Matariki cluster, with each dish thoughtfully shaped by the stories carried by the stars, from the whenua to the moana, from the past to the promise of a new year. At 7pm sharp, the hāngī will be lifted by celebrated chefs Patrick Ikinofo and Kia Kanuta, marking a powerful moment of connection to Te Ao Māori. This unique event pays homage to our tūpuna through the ancient practice of hāngī, elevated, refined, and delivered with aroha. The evening's menu is a carefully curated tribute to the nine stars of Matariki, each dish designed to feed a celestial guardian. Chefs Patrick and Kia have partnered with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, tangata whenua of central Tāmaki, ensuring deep cultural integrity and storytelling is woven into every bite. 'It's tradition. It's education. It's generational knowledge on a plate.' Says Chef Patrick Ikinofo. Expect kai gathered from the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Pourewa Maara Kai (garden), ethically and sustainably sourced kaimoana, and a celebration of indigenous producers. Every element speaks to kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, and the values that guide The Grill's evolving kaupapa. 'This isn't just a dinner,' says Chef Kanuta. 'It's a chance to pause and remember those who came before us. To give thanks for what we have and to look forward together.'
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Hāngī At The Grill To Mark Matariki
SkyCity's The Grill will use an above ground hangi in its courtyard of its restaurant as part of a special, five course menu to celebrate the arrival of Matariki. On Wednesday 18 June, The Grill at Horizon by SkyCity transforms into the heart of Auckland's Matariki celebrations, with an unforgettable evening that blends storytelling, kai, and cultural immersion. The event's name, Te whāngai i ngā whetū, translates as 'feeding the stars', which is why hāngī is essential to the experience as it is the steam from the cook that is seen to give sustenance to the stars. Chefs Patrick Ikinofo and Kia Kanuta have created the dinner, drawing their inspiration from the Matariki star cluster. Each course is rooted in the whenua, gardens, rivers, forests, and oceans of Aotearoa, and honours the stars that Māori associate with the bounty of the natural world. The menu is a creative expression of the Matariki cluster, with each dish thoughtfully shaped by the stories carried by the stars, from the whenua to the moana, from the past to the promise of a new year. At 7pm sharp, the hāngī will be lifted by celebrated chefs Patrick Ikinofo and Kia Kanuta, marking a powerful moment of connection to Te Ao Māori. This unique event pays homage to our tūpuna through the ancient practice of hāngī, elevated, refined, and delivered with aroha. The evening's menu is a carefully curated tribute to the nine stars of Matariki, each dish designed to feed a celestial guardian. Chefs Patrick and Kia have partnered with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, tangata whenua of central Tāmaki, ensuring deep cultural integrity and storytelling is woven into every bite. 'It's tradition. It's education. It's generational knowledge on a plate.' Says Chef Patrick Ikinofo. Expect kai gathered from the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Pourewa Maara Kai (garden), ethically and sustainably sourced kaimoana, and a celebration of indigenous producers. Every element speaks to kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, and the values that guide The Grill's evolving kaupapa. 'This isn't just a dinner,' says Chef Kanuta. 'It's a chance to pause and remember those who came before us. To give thanks for what we have and to look forward together.'
