The Waitematā Local Board is committed to developing ‘Strong communities that are inclusive, vibrant and engaged’. The outcome of this is that “our communities are safe and healthy, with a strong sense of identity and connection. Children and young people are thriving and people actively participate in Waitematā’s civic, cultural and recreational life.”
The Local Board is updating the three-year plan in May-June and is interested in getting feedback on the future of the district. To see the Plan, go here.
Local Board Chair, Pippa Coom, and Member Richard Northey, hold the Community Development portfolio. Pippa also shares the Environment portfolio with Rob Thomas.
Youth Development
Keeping in line with 30-year the vision for Auckland as articulated in The Auckland Plan, the Waitematā Local Board is committed to “putting children and young people first.”
One third of the Waitematā population is under the age of 24 years, with nearly half of those aged between 20 and 24 years. The median age is only 30.4 years, much less than the national median of 38 years. The Board wants young people to have places where they can happily play and learn together while they are growing up. Young people told us that they want to participate in city life and would like a youth hub in the city centre.
The Local Board continues to work to communicate with young people and youth leaders and are committed to considering their views. They also support a youth-led action plan to ensure young people have the opportunities to enjoy a prosperous future.
Waitematā Local Board member Adriana Christie, holds the Youth sub-portfolio.
Waitematā Youth Collective
This is a collective of young people (12-24) providing a voice and perspective for young people who live, study, work, or spend time in the Waitematā community. The collective works hard to make sure the Local Board and other community stakeholders listen to young people on important issues in our community.
Keen to know more?
Send the Collective a personal message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaitemataYouthCollective or email us at [email protected]
Child Friendly Cities
The Waitematā Local Board has a particular focus on including the views, and upholding the rights, of children in their work. We are the first local board to register with UNICEF, and begin working towards accreditation with UNICEF as a ‘child friendly’ local board under their ‘Child-Friendly Cities’ framework.
Key outcomes for this project include establishing a Steering Group to achieve, monitor and sustain the UNICEF accreditation, deliver child friendly events, consultation and engagement opportunities, training for staff and stakeholders and a stock-take of current child friendly activities.
The local board is committed to promoting, integrating and increasing coordination of services for children.
Waitematā Local Board member Adriana Christie, holds the Child sub-portfolio.
Local food and gardening
There are an unknown number of formal and informal community gardens in Waitematā. The Local Board is keen to see more residents connecting due to opportunities created through food and gardening initiatives. It is also committed to support the connection of gardens across the local board area and the Auckland region to ensure the bets access to information and resources.
In the last financial year the Local Board provided support to over 11 food and gardening initiatives including supporting the establishment of three new community gardens. The Board is excited to have the support of Gardens4Health to assist them to maximise the potential of community gardens in their communities.
Kelmarna Gardens – 12 Hukanui Cres, Herne Bay, Auckland
Wilton Picnic Patch – 455 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn – behind Gypsy Tea Room
Grafton Community Garden – 50 Seafield View Road, Grafton (on the property of Grafton Hall of Residence)
Freemans Bay Community Garden – 52 Hepburn Street (adjacent to the Freemans Bay Community Centre)
Auckland Women’s Centre – Francis Reserve Community Garden – 4 Warnock Street, Grey Lynn
Feijoa Forest – Churchill Road (off Beach Road at the bottom of Constitution Hill).
Tangata Māra (The Peoples Garden) – 19 Newton Rd, Auckland
Te Maara – St Columba Community Gardens, St Columba Church – St Columbus Church, 92 Surrey Cres, Grey Lynn
Hauora Garden of Health and Happiness – 1 Ponsonby Road (at the back of Studio One)
