"amidst all the hype of economic potential and fears of environmental, social and educational harm, there has so far been little actual policy proposed by any political parties about how exactly New Zealand is going to handle this enormous force that is invading our lives."

The Spinoff@thespinoff.bsky.social · yesterday

If AI is about to upend everything, where’s all the AI policy?

Wondering where Auckland Council is investing your funding? Check out this quick explainer video and more. ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/your-rates-a...

How your Auckland rates support essential services

ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

New Auckland Council Committee appointments dropped!

Each week I’m providing a quick summary of the meetings and events I’ve attended as a member of the Howick Local Board (HLB). This is my report for last week, starting Monday 27 July.

This Thursday is our next Howick Local Board workshop. 📅 Thursday 6 August 2026 11:00-4:15pm (closed 11am-11:45am) 🏢 Howick Local Board Meeting Room, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga See the open agenda and materials here: aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...

🚌Eastern Busway project update for July 2026 Eastern Busway project update for July 2026 is here: e.at.govt.nz/campaigns/Ma...

Yesterday the Howick Local Board (HLB) had an open workshop on the Flat Bush community facilities. For many years the HLB has been fighting to secure the funding required from Auckland Council and in 2024 we successfully managed to secure $83M.

It's disappointing that yet again Government has ignored requests to ban the public sale of fireworks, ignoring the significant public demand for a law change. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

Government rejects calls to ban public sale of fireworks

The Government has decided not to ban the public sale of fireworks, outraging the SPCA and prompting one coalition partner to promise that will change after the election.

rnz.co.nz

Reminder that any political party trying to make it harder to vote is sending a clear message: they can't win on their ideas alone.

Last week the Howick Local Board accepted my members report for July. This is my fifth report for the term covering until 15 July.

Each week I’m providing a quick summary of the meetings and events I’ve attended as a member of the Howick Local Board (HLB). This is my report for last week, starting Monday 20 July.

On Sunday, some of the Howick Local Board attended a special service at All Saints Anglican Church, Howick to celebrate 35 years of their food bank providing for our community.

On Friday morning, Mayor Wayne Brown, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Hon Chris Bishop, Auckland Transport Chair Andrew Richie, and local MP Simeon Brown MP officially turned the sod for the final stage of the Eastern Busway project.

This Thursday is our next Howick Local Board workshop. 📅 Thursday 30 July 2026 11:00-5pm (closed 11:45am-12:45pm) 🏢 Howick Local Board Meeting Room, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga See the open agenda and materials here: aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...

Reminder... Any political party trying to make it harder to vote is sending a clear message — they can't win on their ideas alone.

📢Make sure we're working on what matters to you! The Howick Local Board is currently consulting on our draft local board plan - our three year strategy that drives what we do for you.

Each week I’m providing a quick summary of the meetings and events I’ve attended as a member of the Howick Local Board (HLB). This is my report for last week, starting Monday 13 July.

This Thursday is our next Howick Local Board meeting, where we make decisions that will impact our local communities. 📅12:00pm Thurs 23 July 2026 🏢Howick Local Board Meeting Room, Pakūranga Library Complex, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga Full agenda: aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/Meeti...

Mānawatia a Matariki! On Saturday we celebrated Matariki at O Wairoa Marae in Howick. Marking the Māori new year, Matariki is a time for honouring those we have lost, gathering together to give thanks for what we have, and looking forward to the promise of a new year.

Congratulations to Spain! ⚽🇪🇸 Completely outplayed Argentina, controlled the game and deserved the win. 🏆

Govt has announced that they are slowing down the delivery of their Roads of National Significance (RONS). But what does this mean for locals?

📢 Great news for Burswood - new playground coming soon! Recently the Howick Local Board granted approval for construction of a new playground for Burswood. This will be funded by Eastern Busway, as part of the compensation for impacts of property acquisition and construction.

Auckland Council is preparing for the possible arrival of the H5N1 strain of bird flu and what this could mean for Auckland. ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/07...

One for the birds: How Auckland is getting ready for bird flu

Auckland Council is preparing for the possible arrival of the H5N1 strain of bird flu and what this could mean for Auckland - here's what you can do.

ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

🏘️Update on Plan Change 120: housing intensification and resilience Due to central government legislation, Auckland Council is required to upzone and enable more housing across the city. This was previously under Plan Change 78 but has been replaced with Plan Change 120.

Space is sweet. www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

Space jam: astronomers detect ‘raspberry sugar’ on dust cloud in Milky Way

Detection of erythrulose shows compounds that are key to life can form in expanse between stars

theguardian.com

Once upon a time, these spaces needed care and attention. Now, they’ve had the refresh they deserve - creating welcoming places for our community to connect, gather, learn, play and thrive.

🚧Pakūranga Road and Rā Hihi intersection update Eastern Busway have completed the works to add an additional lane for drivers heading towards Howick. This opened early morning on Friday 10 July - photo supplied by the Eastern Busway project team.

Each week I’m providing a quick summary of the meetings and events I’ve attended as a member of the Howick Local Board (HLB). This is my report for last week, starting Monday 6 July.

Last week, members of the Howick Local Board were offered an opportunity to tour the Onehunga Community Recycling Centre and the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). I joined Deputy Kai Zeng and Members Adele White, Jack Collins, Luke Collings, and John Spiller on the tour.

Mānawatia a Matariki! Wishing you & your whānau a happy Matariki. Matariki Hunga Nui: Honouring those we have lost since last rising of Matariki Matariki Ahunga Nui: Gathering together to give thanks for what we have Matariki Manako Nui: Looking forward to promise of a new year