Letter to Manukau
Friday 4 April 2008
Issue 16
In this update
· Parliamentary News
· Top Temple
· Graffiti Bill
· Meet The Mayor
Contact me
This week we were witness to political history for Manukau.
For the first time, a sitting Manukau city councillor was sworn in as a member of Parliament.
Our deputy mayor Su’a William Sio became an MP to ringing applause from a packed public gallery.
Our community will have an outstanding new advocate in Wellington.
Next week, I’m going to Parliament for two days on behalf of our council and city.
I’ll see all the party political leaders and will let them know of our major requirements for government funding and
support.
I’ll be talking about graffiti legislation, liquor licensing law changes we want and funding for youth and sport.
The leaders will also hear about our transportation requirements, especially AMETI which is a package of major
improvements proposed for the eastern suburbs.
I’ll also discuss issues like Transpower’s proposed 400kv electricity line/pylon project which affects part of our city.
I’m hoping this visit and ongoing good relationships will see good results for Manukau in the years ahead.
Top Temple
Recently, I was privileged to be at the opening of the new Shree Swaminarayan Temple Complex in Wentworth Ave,
Papatoetoe.
It’s a marvelous building, which is the fruit of much hard work by many in our Hindu community.
In particular, it is the result of the efforts, inspiration and vision of Dr Kantilal Patel and his wife Ranjna.
The opening celebrations went on for seven days during which the temple hosted His Holiness Acharya Maharajshri
Koshalendra Prasadji.
The Maharajshri is the worldwide spiritual head of the Swaminarayan branch of Hinduism.
I found him to be very pleasant and erudite.
He hopes the new temple can be a place of transition for those shifting from Indian culture to New Zealand culture.
Those behind the temple project share that hope.
A good cross section of the wider community attended the opening at which there was an appropriate and comprehensive
Maori welcome.
Graffiti Bill
Manukau could get a jump on the rest of the country in dealing with graffiti.
Our Manukau City Council Control of Graffiti Bill could become law before the government’s proposed national
legislation.
We expect this might happen in two weeks time, before the national law by about a month.
It depends on progress of both Bills in the house.
If our Bill was passed first, a ban on the sale of spray cans to under-18s would apply in Manukau before anywhere else.
So would new rules around storage of spray cans in shops and other provisions to help fight graffiti.
I’m convinced both pieces of legislation will be crucial to helping us get rid of the graffiti that plagues our
communities.
The council is also finalising an extension of our own graffiti strategy. This will see a stronger focus on eradication
and prevention.
Hopefully it will be ready to be promoted in the next couple of weeks.
We will keep striving to ensure that Manukau is clean, tidy and proud.
Meet The Mayor
This week I’ll be at two public events where I’m happy to chat with anyone.
Saturday, 5 April, 2pm: Vaisakhi on the Square – Manukau Square, Manukau city centre, (the event runs from 11am to 5pm).
Wednesday, 9 April, 4pm – 6pm: Mayoral Town Hall Meeting. Christian Congregational Church of Samoa, Dawson Rd, Otara
Len Brown
Mayor of Manukau
ends