Waitematā Local Board News
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Waitematā Local Board Te Poari ā-Rohe o Waitematā
Waitematā Local Board includes the city centre and fringe retail and commercial areas (including Newmarket) and the inner-city residential suburbs (Westmere, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Ponsonby, Arch Hill, St Marys Bay, Freemans Bay, Newton, Eden Terrace, Grafton, Newmarket and Parnell.)
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Waitematā Emergency Readiness and Response Plan
Waitematā Local Board adopted its Emergency Readiness and Response Plan in December 2024
Four new Community Emergency Hub locations and three additional Civil Defence Centres have been added since the original plan was released
The plan summary is currently being translated into six other languages
The plan is available online and in libraries. Locals are encouraged to take a look and make their own household plan using the check list supplied.
Four new Community Emergency Hubs will be listed: Grey Lynn and Ponsonby Community Centres, Al-Masjid Al-Jamie (Ponsonby Mosque) and Holy Trinity Cathedral Parnell. These hubs are opened and led by community when they see a need, rather than official authorities. They are places where people can meet, support and help each other to look after their community during an emergency.
Three more Civil Defence Centres have also been added: Cox’s Bay Pavilion, Outhwaite Community Hall and The Cloud Event Centre. They are opened based on community need and are equipped to provide affected people with a safe place to shelter and access essential support services. Civil Defence Centres are managed by Auckland Emergency Management and staffed by central government agencies, welfare organisations and Auckland Council.
The local board has been collaborating with the City Centre Residents Group for input into additional Community Emergency Hub options in the central city area.
An information sheet specific to apartment dwellers can also be found on the Auckland Emergency Management website.
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Parnell Festival of Rose
Expressions of interest are now open for stall holders and food trucks wanting to be a part of this year's Parnell Festival of Roses on Sunday 9 November.
Date: Sunday 9 November 2025
Time: 11.00am to 4.00pm
Location: Dove-Myer Robinson Park, Parnell
EOI closure date: Friday 5 September at 5pm -
Regional Arts Grants
Two regional opportunities for arts funding are currently open for applications:
- Regional Arts and Culture project grants, closing 13 July
- Creative Communities Scheme, closing 17 August -
Regional Historic Heritage Grant
The Regional Historic Heritage Grant is now open for applications until 15 September.
There is also an online grants workshop to learn more about the grant and application process on 5 August.
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Auckland City Centre Rubbish and Recycling Guide
Due to city traffic, limited footpath space, pedestrian activity, and the lack of storage space in many properties, wheelie bins are not suitable for Auckland’s city centre. Instead, there’s a special bag collection for rubbish and recycling.
Auckland Council’s kerbside rubbish and recycling collection in the city centre covers Karangahape Road, Queen Street and the area bounded by Mayoral Drive, Albert Street, Britomart Place and Quay St. On Emily Place, collections are on the north side only.
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City centre opens up for more homes and jobs
Taller buildings and increased development capacity are on the way for Auckland’s city centre, following Auckland Council’s decision to accept recommendations that will help deliver more homes, more businesses, and better access to the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau.
The decision was made by Auckland Council's Policy and Planning Committee, which accepted in full a set of recommendations from the Independent Hearings Panel (IHP), an expert body established to hear public submissions and evidence on Plan Change 78. The IHP recommendations were based on extensive public input, expert evidence, and hearings.