Arts Portfolio, Herne Bay Issues, Meetings/events attended & more. (originally submitted 24th April)

Arts Portfolio
I was very much looking forward to Pasifika and the Auckland International Arts Festival that
was cut short by Covid19. I am quite sure though that the creative community will play a
central role at building community as we come out of lockdown.

Herne Bay Issues

The Herne Bay Residents Group drew my attention in February to the number of street trees
that are under extreme stress with the drought, also how certain tree pits that allow easy
watering can help. I have committed to looking into how well trees are doing across the city,
with particular regard to new plantings. A meeting will be set up for the board with the
community facilities team to look into street management. Because of the Covid-19
Emergency this meeting is yet to happen but, as the drought continues, this issue continues
to be recognised as of high importance and I have introduced a Notice of Motion to support
investment in good water management in the May business meeting.
There have also been concerns around whether there needs to be a parking facility in
Westhaven or Herne Bay for people visiting the Northern Pathway which has been consulted
upon in the last few weeks. I respect their viewpoint but I also wonder whether a specific
parking facility is ideal and perhaps the focus should be on encouraging people not to drive
to the bridge to walk the Northern pathway so that there are carparks on the streets for
people who need them. I would welcome continuing the conversation from those in
agreement and disagreement with me.
As we return to level 3, construction activity returns to Herne Bay, as with other areas of the
city. There has been pressure to ensure that there will be safe physical distancing possible
in busy streets and AT has responded to this with some extra road allocation to pedestrians
and cyclists.
The importance of the Leys Institute has been reiterated by communities, as has been the
desire to enhance the St George’s Bay area. While funding will be reduced across the
council it is clear that these two projects are very important for communities.

Meetings / events attended

- 7 March - Silo Park Wynyard Edge Family Day
- 9 March – International Women’s Day Celebration Hosted by Zonta (here with award
winner Pania Newton)

- 11 March – The Local Board Plan Climate Change Workshop
- 13 March – Local Government NZ Auckland Zone Meeting
- 13 March – At the Auckland International Arts Festival Performance Limbo Unhinged
(complimentary tickets kindly given by the festival)
- 14 March – Symonds Street Cemetery Open Day

- 14 March – Black Ties at the Auckland International Arts Festival (paid my own way -
here with another audience member)

- 18 March – Lunch with the Panuku Board
- 19 March – Visit to the Wynyard Quarter
- 1 April – Zoom meeting with Karangahape Road Business Association
- 8 April – Zoom meeting with Karangahape Road Business Association
- 16 April – Zoom meeting with Karangahape Road Business Association
- 17 April – Zoom call to introduce resiliency workshop to BIDs
- 23 April – Zoom meeting with Karangahape Road Business Association
During the lockdown I have put more focus into supporting the local economy and am glad to support the roll out of a pilot programme of resiliency workshops through Waitemata. I am
shopping local online.

Conferences / member development

• Kura Kawana – Obligations to Maori

Disclosures
I am doing a phD in the Dance Department of the University of Auckland, studying the
potential roles of playful arts practices in coproducing the Playful City. I am a member of
Women in Urbanism, an occasional walking tour guide with Auckland Free Walking Tours
and a parent trustee on the Richmond Road School board. My husband is director of dog
walking company Fetch.
In the last month I have accepted tickets to Limbo Unhinged presented by the Auckland
International Arts Festival.

Finally
I am very pleased to report that the Waitemata Local Board advocated strongly for the
creation of more temporary bicycle lanes with Covid19 and AT has installed a number of
them through Auckland. In addition there has been strong advocacy to complete the CRL
and road projects and a number of “shovel-ready” projects have been put forward to be
considered by the government. Waitemata projects in the top ten included the CRL, the
downtown ferry basin and waterfront improvements. Environmental projects put forward
include urban farms for food security, restoration of the Hauraki Gulf and the increase of pest
control and tree plantings within and outside of Waitemata. I am very concerned about the
drought in Waitemata and the state of trees planted last year.
I am on Facebook and I have set up a website alexbonham.co.nz in which I discuss some of
the issues that are crossing our desks and give more information and links on engagement
with council. Julie Sandilands and I are leading a pilot “local government TV on Facebook”,
which aims to engage the community with issues that may matter to them – including a call
for more cycle lanes to enable movement during Covid19! Anyone living in Waitemata is
very welcome to get in touch with me. When we are out of lockdown it will also be possible to come and meet me between 10 and 11am at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market on the last
Sunday of the month.

Recommendation
That this report be received.