Letter to Manukau
Thursday 2 4 April 2008
Issue 1 9
In this update
· Royal Commission
· Randwick Park
· ANZAC Day
· Elim Christian College
· Meet the mayor
Contact me
Lettertomanukau
@manukau.govt.nz
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ROYAL COMMISSION
Last Thursday, our council signed off its submission to the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance.
There was a good and vigorous debate, with some councillors dissenting for a variety of reasons.
We made a significant change to the draft submission by deleting a reference to the winding up of the AECT Trust.
The council unanimously decided it was important to leave the trust in its present state.
We believe the best way forward for Auckland as a region is to have a strengthened Greater Auckland Council at a
regional level with three local councils.
The Counties Manukau community would be incorporated into a southern city.
I’m well aware our Franklin and Papakura colleagues have their own views and that there are many different ideas
favoured across the region.
I’ve always recognised there is a strong sense of pride in South Auckland’s local communities.
But given the Government’s goal of improving Auckland’s governance, the case for a three-city-model including a
stand-alone southern city is very compelling.
I’m looking forward to speaking to our council’s submission before the commissioners in the hope that our model is
closest to that which is finally recommended.
RANDWICK PARK.
I enjoyed a mayoral meet in Randwick Park during the week, supported by councillors Colleen Brown and Daniel Newman.
Randwick Park is on the eastern side of Manurewa, bordering the southern motorway.
Seven or eight local people turned up and we had a brilliant discussion.
Two women, whom I can best describe as community guardians, were very passionate about their area.
They were concerned about where Randwick Park was headed and wanted some long-standing issues relating to traffic
management, lighting and parks maintenance sorted out.
I’m hopeful meetings like these will strengthen our communities and help residents effect meaningful change in their
neighbourhoods.
We are going to arrange a meeting of all Randwick Park residents to deal further with issues in that community.
ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Day is tomorrow and it will be my first as the mayor of this city.
I’m looking forward to this day immensely and am humbled to be involved.
ANZAC Day unites us all in remembrance and respect.
In the past, I’ve worked with Otara community leaders to re-establish and build the Otara ANZAC Day parade and service.
I’ve noticed ANZAC Day ceremonies in our city are becoming ever larger events, with more and more young people
attending.
This year I’m going to the Papatoetoe Dawn Parade, the Otara Parade and Howick Parade. Then I'm having lunch at the
Howick RSA.
The timing of ANZAC Day parades in our city, especially at Manurewa and Papatoetoe, means I can’t be at all of them.
I hope to alternate my attendance at ceremonies in future years.
ELIM CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Over the last week I have been at the funerals of the seven young people from Elim Christian College who lost their
lives so tragically.
Teacher Tony McClean and students Floyd Fernandez, Natasha Bray, Portia McPhail, Tom Hsu, Tara Gregory and Anthony
Mulder are no longer with us.
These services, although extraordinarily sad, were, for me, a humbling yet uplifting experience.
The school, the council and Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre are planning a commemoration service on Friday, 9 May,
at a time to be confirmed.
I invite everyone from our city to attend this service out of love and support for the families of those who died and
the school that has been so brave in its grief.
MEET THE MAYOR
Mayoral Town Hall Meeting, Thursday, May 1, 4pm – 6pm, Nazarene Church, 180-182 East Tamaki Rd, Otara.
Len Brown
Mayor of Manukau
ends