August 2026: Chairperson's Report
Chair's report for August 2026
Chair's report for August 2026
Purpose of the report
1. To receive the chairperson’s update on recent activities, itemised by outcomes in the
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan 2023.
Executive summary
2. Items noted in this report are intended to be key highlights, not a full overview of all
activity.
Our People
3. I hosted the 10 August 2026 Citizenship Ceremony at Ōrewa College, welcoming people
from over 44 countries, with Deputy Chairperson Law and members from the Rodney
Local Board.
Our Community
4. I provided an update to residents at the 26 July Okura Residents and Ratepayers
Associations’ Annual General Meeting. This covered upcoming Auckland Transport
consultations and ongoing transport advocacy projects.
5. I attended and gave feedback, along with elected members from all over Auckland, to the
Community Facilities Network Plan improvement programme on 27 July 2026.
6. Members Parfitt, Bishop and I attended Rangitoto College’s Guiness World Record
attempt for the most high-fives in an hour on 31 July 2026. It was a good opportunity to
connect with the student leaders, staff and stakeholders and their attempt evidence has
been submitted and awaiting decision.
6. On 13 August 2026 I presented to Auckland Council’s Community Committee to request
the investigation, and implementation, of a social outcomes framework for all of Auckland
Council (including local boards) to better understand and evaluate the outcomes from
community investment, that is often more challenging and complex to measure.
Our Environment
7. Member Brown and I attended an informal Ōrewa sea wall and shared pathway opening
on 22 July 2026. It was an important opportunity to thank the several contractors and key
staff members who have contributed to this complex project.
8. It was a great turn out on 16 August 2026 at the Long Bay / To Oneroa a Kahu planting
day. As well as a significant group of local volunteers, we were supported by the Long
Bay Residents’ Association, Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, Restore Hibiscus and
Bays, Trash Free Taiaotea and Shore Friends (the new collective from the closed down
Rotary Browns Bay group).
Our Places and Economy
9. A range of Councillors, staff and Member Bishop and I were part of a O Mahurangi /
Penlink visit on 24 July 2026. The Weiti bridge section was extremely impressive and an
interesting insight to the delays given the soil instability problems in the area.
10. On 7 August 2026 I visited lower Wade River Road again with a resident and
representative from the Weiti Boating Club, along with an Auckland Transport engineer
to go over some of the safety and roading issues in that small but dangerous section of
road. Auckland Transport will be coming to the local board soon with feedback and
suggestions.
August board business meeting key reports to note
11.1. Transport reform: Transport governance arrangements
Under the Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Act 2026, most transport decision-making moves from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council on 1 October 2026, shared between the Governing Body and local boards. Staff recommend that local boards make transport decisions at their business meetings, adopt staff delegation Package B (medium restrictions) for routine operational decisions, and appoint a Transport Lead or nominated contact. Local boards are also asked to agree to amendments to the Auckland Transport bylaws and to give feedback on the Governing Body's in-principle allocation of responsibilities. The Governing Body makes final decisions on 22 September 2026.
Local board resolutions covered:
Governing Body decisions: Noted the in-principle decisions and provided feedback on the allocation of non-regulatory responsibilities and delegation of additional powers, using the attached templates.
Bylaws: Approved the amendments, but asked staff to clarify how street trading approvals interact with separate landowner approvals, to avoid duplicate or inconsistent processes, and to advise before 22 September.
Staff delegations: Approved Package B with conditions: formal reviews at six and 12 months, ongoing workload monitoring and reporting, better data on decision volumes ahead of each review, the ability to seek changes if problems emerge, and clear public communication on which decisions sit with local boards versus the Governing Body.
Governance arrangements: Confirmed transport decisions will be made at business meetings, and does not currently wish to pursue project-centred or sub-regional committees.
Consultation on delegated matters: Appointed the Chair and Deputy Chair to give the board's views to staff, after canvassing all members (by email if needed). It does not support dedicated transport leads, wanting transport to remain a collective responsibility. Any future lead role should be optional, clearly defined, decided by the full board and focused on coordination. Material must go to all eight members, and the transport staff member should make delegated decisions visible.
Further matters for the Governing Body and staff: Requested detailed workload modelling before the final decision, and noted concerns about meeting capacity, readiness for the 1 October transition, and staff recommendations lacking supporting data. It asked for transport-specific training for members, full workload and decision-volume data in future reports, and to be kept informed of the Remuneration Authority's consideration of the increased workload.
Auckland Council's Economic Development Strategy 2040 - seeking views on draft direction
Auckland Council is developing an Economic Development Strategy 2040 to guide economic activity across the council group. It sets a vision of Auckland as a leading Asia-Pacific city, built around six themes: a region that works, a network of distinct places, globally engaged and resilient businesses, experiences that attract, a future-ready workforce, and the Māori economy. It also sets out priorities for local economic development. The Governing Body will consider endorsing the strategy on 29 September 2026, and local board views will inform the final draft.
Local board resolutions covered:
Overall support: Supports the strategy's focus on productivity, resilience and prosperity, and its emphasis on local economic development.
Implementation: Wants a clear implementation plan and framework covering responsibilities, funding, timelines and measures of success, translating regional priorities into measurable local outcomes.
Growth and place-based focus: Wants greater recognition of high-growth areas like Hibiscus and Bays and their infrastructure needs, and a stronger place-based approach reflecting each local board area's distinct needs.
Local board role and resourcing: Wants the strategy to recognise local board-led initiatives and locally funded programmes (including its own business grants programme), active local board involvement in delivery, and increased resourcing and expertise, noting limited support in recent years. It supports local economic development brokers but wants clarity on their role, funding and outcomes.
Town centres and local jobs: Supports greater investment in suburban and coastal town centres, and wants a stronger focus on local employment so residents travel less for work.
Procurement and collaboration: Supports procurement that opens opportunities for local businesses, and greater collaboration between the council, local boards, business associations, education providers and community organisations.
Nature-based tourism: Wants explicit recognition of nature-based and eco-tourism as a visitor economy opportunity, including regional parks, DOC land, marine and island destinations (e.g. Tiritiri Matangi) and ferry connectivity.
Auckland Council submission on the Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill
Auckland Council is preparing a submission on the Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill, which would require a council's Governing Body to direct or supervise its chief executive. The Bill is written for single-tier councils and doesn't recognise Auckland's local boards, so staff plan to seek amendments reflecting the two-tier model. Submissions close 18 September 2026.
Local board resolutions covered:
Supports the submission's intent and its call for the Bill to recognise two-tier governance.
Asks for specific drafting proposals (e.g. amendments to section 41B) recognising local boards' statutory role, rather than a general request that the Bill "reflect" Auckland's arrangements.
Asks for a risk assessment of whether section 41B could narrow or override local boards' decision-making authority under the 2009 Act.
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