10 October - Planting at the Domain with International Consuls: a sign of peace amongst nations

11 October - Pasifika walking Tour Grey Lynn as part of the Heritage Festival, Attended a theatre workshop at the Basement for a new play

12 October - Supper with community stakeholders discussing the expansion of regenerative agriculture at Kelmarna Gardens.

13 October - Late night Art in the City Centre – Heart of the City – FAB FAB FAB

14 October - Attended Queen St Valley transport workshop at AT Viaduct. Really helpful to find out what is working and what isn’t. 

15 October - KBA meeting. Open Late. Artweek in Karangahape Road.

17 October - Enjoyed Civilisation at the Art Gallery in the nick of time

18 October - Helped at a bike survey at Grey Lynn market. The awesome Maurice from the KBA was on hand to deliver purchases to people’s homes (if they came on a bike!)

21 October - Attended Finance & Performance Meeting for Long Term Plan, Attended CLG meeting to discuss CRL station streetscape at Beresford Square.

22 October - Attended the City Centre Network meeting, Attended the KBA AGM, Attended Proudly Asian Theatre, Saw the new artwork in the Art Gallery based on real stories from the Australian bushfires earlier this year.

24 October - Completed an awesome course on organic gardening at Kelmarna Gardens

28 October - Went to the boil up at Open on Karangahape Road – a new community venture to support the homeless.

29 October - Attended the Rough Sleeping Steering Group meeting, Attended the Western Springs Pines Community Meeting, Attended Ngati Whatua meeting at the WLB offices

30 October - Attended MSD Auckland Labour Market Engagement Zui.

3 November - Emergency Meeting to adopt the local board plan and agree the Western Spring pines. I was one of three pushing for a community led ecological approach. The council recommended approach to restoration has prevailed. It is important now to ensure that the concerns of the community with regard landslips, fire and ecological damage do not come to pass. I am happy to support this mahi.

5 November - Attended the blessing of the Grey Lynn Changing Rooms. Look closely at the detailing and you’ll notice the flax motif, recalling the flax that would have been common to the area before the park was created.

Conferences / member development

21 October    Attended Resilience Day at the Ellen Melville Hall

Disclosures

I am doing a phD in the Dance Department of the University of Auckland, studying the potential roles of playful arts practices in co-producing the Playful City.  I am a member of Women in Urbanism, and a parent trustee on the Richmond Road School board. My husband is director of dog walking company Fetch. 

Finally

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!  Anyone living in Waitemata is very welcome to get in touch with me by email alexandra.bonham@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or in person at the Grey Lynn Farmers Meeting on the third week of the month between 9 and 10am (when at level 2 or under).