We all feel good when we do the right thing and recycle responsibly. By carefully sorting what can and can’t be recycled we are doing our bit for the environment, right?

Sadly, Aucklanders are being let down by Auckland Council exporting ‘mixed plastics’ to Asian countries, predominantly Malaysia and Indonesia, where they have to be properly sorted.

There, the only plastics that can be recycled - types 1, 2, and sometimes 5 - are separated. The unusable types 3, 4, 6, and 7 are dumped or incinerated. It is estimated that only 15 per cent can be recycled. In short, Auckland is exporting waste to other countries.

Greenpeace Aotearoa plastics campaigner Juressa Lee says that a Greenpeace investigation a few years back showed that significant amounts of that 'recycled' plastic was being dumped, buried, or burned at illegal sites in Malaysia with little concern for the health impacts on the surrounding communities.
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The government is taking steps to remove problem plastics over the next few years. Until then, will Auckland Council make changes that recover a valuable resource for plastic recycling industries, or continue to take the cheapest, easiest option?

​BirdCare Aotearoa is delighted to invite you to our inaugural Baby Shower.
 
BirdCare Aotearoa cares for all birds – native and non-native. Based in Green Bay, we are the largest bird rescue centre in Aotearoa by the sheer volume of birds who come through our doors. Last year, we admitted over 6,000 patients! We receive no government funding and rely entirely on community support.
 
Join us live on Facebook for our first ever Baby Shower, where we will show you around our newly revamped avian nurseries and introduce you to some of our youngest patients. You will have the opportunity to learn more about our centre and how you can support us to care for our precious feathered patients.
 
This event will be held October/November 2021, date TBC (dependent on lockdowns).
 
Follow our Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/BirdCareAotearoa  

The quality of Avondale College's musicians shone at the Auckland-wide KBB Music Festival, held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral and St Mary's Chapel in mid-August, with their four groups receiving multiple awards.

The Avondale College Chamber Orchestra were one of just four chamber groups invited to perform at Saturday afternoon's Gala Concert. The group received not only a Gold Award at the conclusion of the event, but also the award for the Best Work in an 'Other' Style for their performance of Bosse Nordin's Scottis. The group is led by itinerant teacher Mr Dave Snelling, but are self-directed in performance, with Year 13 student Chelsea Hong (violin) and soloist Irene Kim in Year 12 on viola giving strong leadership.
Also receiving a Gold Award in the jazz section of the competition was the Avondale College Big Band, led by Mr Mike Robinson. They, too, were invited to perform in the Gala Concert, where they gave a high-energy performance of Sing Sang Sung featuring Year 10 soprano saxophonist Ben Ridsdale and trombonist Jakob Elijas.

The Avondale College Symphony Orchestra, led by Avondale's Director of Music, Dr Julie Garner, received a Silver Award. Their repertoire included a breath-taking performance of The Prayer, featuring soloists Delores Lesatele and Dom Tupou, which was very well received by the audience. Also receiving a Silver Award was the Avondale College Stage Band, led by itinerant music teacher, Mr David Edmundson.
Congratulations to each student who performed in the KBB performances; the high standard attained reflects many, many hours of individual and group work in the months leading up to the competition, and the awards are well deserved!

Despite being in lockdown, our Glenavon community celebrated Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week – online.

This year’s theme was Fakakoloa 'o Aotearoa 'aki 'a e Ako Lelei, which means ‘enriching Aotearoa with holistic education’. It was so great to see the kids show pride in their own culture; they got dressed up in their traditional Tongan outfits, sung their Tongan national anthem, shared information about Tonga, and shared a warm message about staying safe while in lockdown. 

Photos supplied by Glenavon Hub

The felling of a historic Macrocarpa tree in Avondale at the start of 2021 saw heated protest action, which got nationwide media coverage. It felt like a step forward had been taken in tree protection, despite the felling of Big Mac. Elivra Twowbridge decided to make this the subject of her art project.
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She writes: “I was a first-year student at Unitec when I created The People of Big Mac. I wanted to memorialise the existence of Big Mac while also celebrating the people who came together to protect him for as long as they could. Big Mac is still part of the conversation about the importance of mature tree cover in Auckland, even if he is no longer with us. One of these days, there will be legislation to protect them, and I really look forward to when that happens”. 

Recently the Government announced the Three Waters proposals. I have been following this government approach and listening carefully to what is being proposed. I have also listened to other mayors and seen what other cities have done in their approach.  This opinion piece is a personal view after considering ‘what is on the table’.

While it appears some councillors support the government’s objectives in seeking to reform New Zealand’s three waters system, I don’t believe that this proposal should be at the expense of democracy and accountability to the people of Auckland. The matters at hand are about the accountability to our communities and those who have contributed to the existing system.

I have been contacted by constituents across Auckland with real concerns about the governance structure that is proposed by the government. The proposal would remove processes and systems that are in place now whereby Watercare is accountable via Council as a CCO to Aucklanders. That includes board appointments, structures, responsiveness, and reporting.  Watercare has to respond to Council’s Long-term Plans and the strategic direction approved by councillors.  Watercare reports to us, the people, and it should stay that way. After all, we own it; it is a public entity. Watercare’s board are accountable to the people of Auckland through the governance of elected representatives. ‘It should stay that way,’ is what I am hearing from constituents.

The proposed reform by government effectively removes Aucklanders’ governance authority and that is something that our community might like to consider as an option.  As quoted by the mayor, “Despite the fact that 92 per cent of the assets of the new entity would come from Auckland, and Auckland would have approximately 90 per cent of the population served by the new entity, Auckland Council could have just 35 per cent of the representation in the governance of the new entity and would have no direct input into appointing its board.”

Is this acceptable to our communities and our locals? I am being told ‘no’ by many. 

If a new entity is created and it doesn’t respond to the communities that it is meant to serve, and removes a mandate that we currently have to ensure our needs as Aucklanders are put first, then we need to question the process and change. 

Whilst some level of reform is needed, the current proposal needs more work and consultation. As stated by a number of constituents, ‘If this is so important, then let’s have a referendum’. 
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As your Whau Ward Councillor, I am interested in hearing from you about your opinion.

West Auckland is in a privileged position by being asked to think about possible change. In weighing up the decision to vote to remove the monopoly rights or not, the West Auckland community needs to understand what happens now and what a change would lead to.

Under the current settings, we have a community-controlled model for the responsible sale of alcohol in off-licence retail outlets and under tavern licences. A wide range of other providers can sell alcohol as well, including online retailers, breweries, cellar doors, bar restaurants, clubs, and cafes. We have the flexibility to introduce more choice in the current model.

We recently announced a partnership with Liquorland that will see four Liquorland outlets open and operate with Liquorland’s national promotional pricing and its core product range. This will give our customers even greater choice and introduce New Zealand’s number one Flybuys and Airpoints loyalty programmes to the stores. We can also upgrade, change, and improve hospitality offerings that we operate under tavern licences.

In the next 12 months we will significantly upgrade three venues, and there is a longer-term refurbishment plan in place for the rest of the hospitality portfolio. We are also actively pursuing new opportunities to increase our hospitality portfolio with modern pubs that are firmly focused on the future. We can work to control our operating costs to increase the profit we use to support community initiatives, which we are also doing.

It is easy to claim this debate is just about changing what happens. But it is really about choosing the kind of community we want to live in, and whether or not we want to create wider social benefits from our local businesses.

In the current model, what we are striving to deliver is a community where people can access alcohol for their enjoyment, but with some safeguards in place so that we don’t create, or exacerbate, alcohol-related problems. And we also share the surplus profits generated in our businesses back to the community.

So, what would change look like? You would be likely to see alcohol in supermarkets, and maybe some hospitality operators would explore the viability of new tavern-licenced venues in the community.
What you would also see is an explosion in standalone bottle stores.

A recent Radio New Zealand interview with Alcohol Health Watch noted that over 80% of alcohol in New Zealand is purchased from off-licences. Licence data shows that just under half of the 965 off-licences in the Auckland district licensing region are bottle stores.

In my previous role at Masterton Licensing Trust, I was informed by the then long-standing CEO and President of the impact from the loss of the region’s monopoly rights. Practically overnight, there was a significant increase in bottle stores and all supermarkets in the area applied for liquor licences which were approved by council. The profit from the new venues that opened went straight back to the large companies and owner/operators involved. Masterton outlets experienced a significant decline in sales and in the value that it could deliver back to the community.

There is nothing in the current debate, and nothing about West Auckland, that suggests we would experience a different outcome. In a climate where more questions are being asked than they ever have before about whether New Zealand’s alcohol sales regulatory settings are fit for purpose - to the point where the Minister of Justice himself has indicated the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 needs review - it certainly seems out of step to be calling for a more relaxed approach in West Auckland.

Removing the licensing trust model is an irreversible choice with long term consequences around access to alcohol and community benefits. It is a big decision, and one that we encourage the citizens of West Auckland to consider carefully, by listening to all sides of the arguments.

The current model is not perfect, but we are working hard to improve, and we remain steadfastly committed to our reason for being, which is to ensure the responsible sale of alcohol in West Auckland on behalf of the community, and the return of surplus profit back into the community.
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Allan Pollard, C.E.O. West Auckland Trust Services

The beating heart of the Whau arts scene is set to get a fresh injection of energy following the appointment of Janet Lilo and Jody Yawa McMillan to the Whau Arts Broker role.

Previously held by Melissa Laing for the past seven years, the role plays a crucial part in developing and funding arts programmes in the Whau, and is funded by Whau Local Board.

Janet and Jody are familiar faces in the Whau arts scene and have a wealth of experience, including Whau the People, a grassroots community organisation established to work with creatives in our backyard. They value the connections, creativity, and deep store of knowledge present in the Whau community.

Whau Local Board Deputy Chair Fasitua Amosa welcomes the appointment. “The arts broker role plays a significant role in the vibrant arts scene in Whau and has become something of an institution,” he says.
“So many amazing projects that give so much to the community have come about as a direct result of the broker position; the board knows how valuable it is. So, our thanks and best wishes go to Melissa for the wonderful work she has done, and congratulations to Janet and Jody; we can’t wait to see you get started!”

The new brokers are already in the role and are looking forward to the new adventure.

“We are both passionate about arts and have really seen the benefit that the broker role has brought to the area. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and getting exciting projects off the ground!” says Janet.
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Jody agrees. “It’s a really exciting time for arts in the Whau, so many creative projects and groups are everywhere and it’s brilliant that we will be in a position to help facilitate those projects and programmes.”
Visit artswhau.org.nz to find out more about the broker role and how to get your arts project off the ground in the Whau.

The Whau River Catchment Trust (WRCT) needs your help with planting native plants when we hit Level 2. Are you up for it?

We got off to a great start and managed to plant several thousand plants before lockdown. But we still have 15,000 to plant, and depending on rainfall, planting season finishes late October/early November. Planting too late can lead to heavy losses of young plants as they will not have had sufficient time to develop good root systems before summer.

Once we are at Alert Level 2, we will hold a community volunteer planting day each Saturday from 10am to 12pm, until the planting season ends. If you miss one event there is always another opportunity to join on another Saturday.

Every plant that you put in the ground plays an important role in the wildlife ecosystem. Whether providing food, shelter or even leaf litter, native birds, reptiles, and insects will all thrive with the habitats created by the plants.

Not only will you be helping nature, but you will also benefit from the outdoor activity. Fresh air and exercise are good for our wellbeing, physically, emotionally, and by lifting our spirits; just the therapy we need at times like these.

If you are keen to help, please email us at info@whauriver.org.nz and leave an expression of interest.
Stay safe and we hope to see you at Level 2.
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Justine Newnham
Whau River Catchment Trust

Have you ever broken your jaw?  If so, we know you went through a tough time as it healed. Eating would have been a challenge!

Imagine how a broken jaw in a bird must feel. Eating is impossible and unless the bird is admitted into a rehabilitation facility, it would not survive.

Thankfully, when a kererū arrived recently with just such an injury, our team knew just what to do. Its upper and lower jaw bones were broken on one side, probably from flying into a window or being hit by a car.  

The BirdCare Aotearoa team swung into action and performed surgery to help this beautiful bird. First an oesophageal tube was inserted into its stomach through an incision in its neck, allowing food and medications to be gently put directly into the bird’s stomach while letting the fractures heal. Next, the beak was taped together, helping the bones to heal in the proper position, just as a cast on your arm would. ​

Now we wait. Within a week, this bird’s fractures will have formed a solid callus that means we can remove the tube and tape. In the meantime, the kererū is resting comfortably in one of two beautiful incubators which were gratefully purchased with funds raised at an event at the Titirangi Theatre.

Here at the centre, we never know what will come in, and even through lockdown we have received between 10 and 20 birds daily. Our facility has undergone significant changes to make it a professional bird hospital, meaning our team is able to cope with most mishaps that befall our wonderful, feathered neighbours.

Baby Birds
During lockdown we have been preparing for spring and the influx of hundreds of baby birds. We do hope they can stay with their own parents as they really do the best job; however, if that is not possible, we are able to care for them here. If you find a baby bird and cannot see where it came from, please keep it warm and bring it to BirdCare Aotearoa. If you need to hold it overnight, do NOT feed it; instead, keep it warm, quiet, and comfy in a box lined with towelling, in your hot water closet. Bring it in as soon as possible in the morning, or take it to the nearest emergency vet clinic. 

Lynn Miller, CWR PhD
General Manager,
BirdCare Aotearoa