Patumahoe & Mauku - Community Newsletter -August 2011

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  • PATUMAHOE & MAUKUcommunity newsletter

    More than 250 people braved the

    wind and the rain on Sunday 15

    May to come along and have a

    look at the Patumahoe/Mauku

    Open Day displays.

    Many an old friend was recog-

    nised and greeted with pleasure.

    Many thanks to Patumahoe

    Rugby Club for the use of the

    hall, and Patumahoe Volunteer

    Fire Brigade for helping out with

    the bouncy castle, and setting up

    (especially after having their

    awards night the previous

    evening).

    Open Day .. 15 May 2011Open Day .. 15 May 2011Open Day .. 15 May 2011Open Day .. 15 May 2011

    The information and comments

    provided by the participants on

    this day have been added to the

    information previously collected

    and will be used to create discus-

    sion documents and plans for the

    submission to Auckland Council

    next year.

    These documents will be available

    for review and comment as they

    are produced, and will be released

    to get community feedback.

    You can keep up with what is hap-

    pening in this project by visiting

    the Patumahoe Village Inc pages

    on www.patumahoe.org.nz.

    Community websites & NewslettersCommunity websites & NewslettersCommunity websites & NewslettersCommunity websites & NewslettersAuthors & contributors wantedAuthors & contributors wantedAuthors & contributors wantedAuthors & contributors wanted

    Open Day......................1

    Website/newsletterAuthors..........................1

    Patumahoe Bowling......2

    Whats On.................... 2

    Whakaupoko LandcareWalking Track.............3Rat & Possum census.4Chew Cards.................5

    Mauku Primary............ 6

    Patumahoe Primary......7

    Village signs.................7

    Patumahoe Tennis...... 8

    Business ads...............8

    Scout Hall project........9

    Akld Council ..............10

    LTCCP project ...........11

    CountiesPower..........................12

    Sponsors....................12

    Contact Us..................12

    Inside this issue:Inside this issue:Inside this issue:Inside this issue:

    Slowly but surely the website is taking

    shape. Thanks to those businesses

    who have supported us thus far.

    More people are getting involved as

    contributors and authors which gives

    the site a more diverse and truly re-

    flective community

    voice.

    Whakaupoko Land-

    care has now taken

    responsibility for the

    Patumahoe Village IncPatumahoe Village IncPatumahoe Village IncPatumahoe Village Inc Issue 2 August 2011Issue 2 August 2011Issue 2 August 2011Issue 2 August 2011

    from some of the local sports clubs

    and invite others to contribute.

    Free onlne pages are available for

    ALL non-profit community clubs,

    organisations and groups - along

    with access to our online calendar.

    If you are computer

    illiterate - dont

    worry -training will

    be provided to those

    who want it.

    environment and nature pages, and

    information about their projects and

    surveys can be found online. They are

    also co-producers of this quarterly

    newsletter. Check out pages 3-5 on

    their current activities.

    We have also received some notices

    www.patumahoe.org.nz

    www.mauku.org.nz

  • Although the Patumahoe Bowling

    Club is in its winter recess, you

    wouldnt know it by the activity going

    on at the club.

    After a number of years of general

    maintenance the club is undertaking a

    major renovation of the bowling green

    surface.

    This has required as many hours as

    the weather will allow of voluntary

    labour by the small number of mem-

    bers, most of whom are well into their

    retirement years, ably led by Lin

    Howe who has devoted many years as

    the Greens Superintendent.

    Work has been underway since the

    end of March, starting with the de-

    thatching of the green with many bar-

    rows of grooving removed only to be

    replaced with many barrows (approx.

    8m3)of soil which has been finely

    sieved.

    The first sowing of seed took place late

    April. It seems as though this was a

    signal for what seems to be almost

    never ending rain to commence. This

    rain has not been kind to the green

    and the result is more weed and toad

    rush than was expected.

    This requires manual removal so over

    the last couple of months it has liter-

    ally been head down, bottom up for

    many members. Although a seemingly

    soul less task, slowly but surely the

    improvement is being seen and the

    conversation is always interesting!

    A second sowing of seed has just taken

    place, so fingers are crossed for the

    weather to be kinder.

    Once the new growth is established

    the weeding will continue, and a main-

    tenance program will commence to

    ensure the green is up to playing stan-

    dard by October/November.

    The club will be grateful for any offers

    of help from members of the Patuma-

    hoe community.

    The new executive of the club, under

    the leadership of the President Pam

    Howe, decided to undertake this mam-

    moth effort to ensure that the commu-

    nity continues to benefit from this

    facility. The bowling club has a long

    and proud history in the district being

    formed in 1923 and producing many

    fine champion bowlers.

    This continues and currently the club

    Patumahoe BowlingPatumahoe BowlingPatumahoe BowlingPatumahoe Bowlingis proud to have a nationally quali-

    fied coach in Shirley Furniss, a sec-

    ondary school champion Dearna

    Howe and a Counties Manukau

    5years and under representative

    Penny Wakelin. The club is also

    very well represented and enjoys

    success in many centre champi-

    onships and interclub tournaments.

    The club has a great reputation for

    the welcome and support it shows to

    new members and visitors alike.

    It also hosts Line Dancing on a Mon-

    day morning at 10.00am and Indoor

    Bowls on Wednesdays (throughout

    the winter season) at 9.30am.

    Everyone is most welcome to join

    these.

    The club is looking forward to the

    new season with Opening Day

    scheduled for Saturday 10th

    September at 9.00am. Anyone inter-

    ested in taking part and/or learning

    more about bowling is most welcome

    to come along. The bowling season

    will run until 28th April 2012.

    Club days are Wednesdays and Sat-

    urdays, with 9 tournaments sched-

    uled for Tuesdays throughout the

    season.

    If sufficient interest is shown, social

    twilight bowls will be arranged be-

    tween December and March.

    Fundraising and an increase in

    membership is the main focus for

    the club this coming season.

    The first fundraising event, Let us

    Entertain You, will be a social af-

    ternoon on a Sunday in September

    (date to be confirmed) 2.00pm to

    5.30pm.

    Well known local musicians will pro-

    vide the entertainment, snacks will

    be provided and the bar will be open.

    Tickets, at $10 per person, will be

    available from club members or by

    contacting Pam Howe 09 235 3381

    or Penny Wakelin 09 236 4520.

    An event not to be missed.

    Pam and Penny are also the contacts

    for anyone wanting to give bowls a

    go, any offers of help with the green

    or sponsorship.

    Penny Wakelin

    Patumahoe Bowling Club

    Family is Everything seminarParenting Inc event

    Venue: Patumahoe Primary School HallDate: Thursday 11th August 2011Time: 7.15pm 9.30pm (doors open7pm).Price: Early bird tickets are available un-til 4 August, priced at $15 single / $20double.

    Tickets can be purchased online atwww.theparentingplace.com or from Pa-tumahoe School office, Liddells Phar-macy in Pukekohe or Deed Printing inWaiuku.

    For further information and details pleaseemail: [email protected]

    Patumahoe Bowling ClubSeason Opening DayDate: Saturday 10 Sept 2011Time: 9.00 amVenue: Patumahoe Bowling clubroomsThe bowling season will run until 28thApril 2012.

    Let us Entertain You, social afternoonDate: Sunday 18th SeptemberTime: 2.00pm to 5.30pm.

    Well known local musicians will providethe entertainment, snacks will be pro-vided and the bar will be open.

    Tickets, at $10 per person, will be avail-able from club members or by contacting

    Pam Howe 09 235 3381 orPenny Wakelin 09 236 4520.

    Patumahoe Tennis starting early October

    Night Tennis, Social tennis, PremierGrade and Junior coaching later in themonth.Contact: Glenn or Marion HunterPh 2363225

    ALL THESE AND OTHER ACTIVI-TIES CAN BE FOUND ONLINE BYVISITING THE whats on tab on the

    community websites.

    If you would like to add your event,please contact us.

    Details on back page.

    - 2 -

  • Whakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare News

    Working Bee

    On Sunday 29th May

    2011...

    about a dozen enthusiastic

    members of the Landcare

    Group spent a couple of

    hours with chain caws,

    scrub cutters loppers and

    spades cutting back the oev-

    ergrown gorse, wooly night-

    shade and blackberry to

    open up access to the wet-

    lands below Clive Howe

    Drive.

    Thanks to previous efforts of other members of the Patumahoe community in days gone by,

    the track had been formed with setps and planting of native trees. The taks ahead for the

    current project is to reconstruct the steps where necessary, plant additional native trees

    and clear away more of the unwanted vegetation.

    Gary Morriss, Whakaupoko Landcare

    Orignially posted on July 3 2011 www.patumahoe.org.nz Whakaupoko Landcare pages

    Excerpt from minutes of Patumahoe Village Inc - Thursday 28th July 2011A ndrew Sinclair reporting on Whakaupoko Landcare projects

    A successful working bee took place on the walking track at the back of Clive Howe. Gorse was removedand Dave Puflett has already coordinated native planting. Andrew Moor and Richard Davenburg fromAuckland Council came to view progress and are enthusiastic about supporting community initiativessuch as this.

    Proposal to continue this track to include a bush walk and connection to Henrys Bush (entrance currentlyon Hunter Road) will be investigated and pursued. One of the adjoining landowners, Scott Gavin, hasalready indicated that he is happy to discuss the creation of an accessway on his land to achieve this. Afinal stage may include a swing bridge across the bottom of the waterfall, but it is considered to be acomplete project with the connection of both bush reserves.

    Council staff also proposed that a meter to trace usage be installed. A small discussion on owner liablitiestook place, but it was considered superfluous until such time as council provided support and funding.

    Whakaupoko Landcare can be found online by visiting our pages on:

    www.patumahoe.org.nz orwww.mauku.org.nz

    Email: [email protected]

    Walking Track to Patumahoe wetlandsWalking Track to Patumahoe wetlandsWalking Track to Patumahoe wetlandsWalking Track to Patumahoe wetlands

    - 3 -

  • If you have bush, shelter belts and sheds then read on

    We have access to some new and amazing technology thathas recently been developed. It is so simple and yet ex-tremely effective. It is 3mm thick corflute (eg real estatesigns) cut up into sections 180mm x 90mm. Peanut butter isapplied and it is now called a Chew Card.

    They are placed low down on trees and fence posts for a week and by checking for bite marksyou can see what is around. It is that simple. initial results have surprised us with largernumbers than expected and also many ferrets right in our back yard.

    While it is not strictly a census it provides excellent information on areas to target for rat &possum control. Also as we will be using this tool annually, it will provide excellent trendinformation. This helps with planning pest control in the area and is a key part for accountabil-ity in being able to source ongoing funding for pest control. Chew Cards are proving anextremely effective tool and are already being used extensively by the Animal Health Board inthe war against possums and TB.

    Chew Cards - What can you do?

    Go to Wecks ITM in Patumahoe and take some free Chew Cards and nails that have already beencut up by Whakaupoko Landcare volunteers. (You will need enough cards to make up a linethrough any bush to set them at around 50m spacings. Also include around houses and sheds).

    Follow the instructions attached. Make sure you write your name and address on the card. Forfurther information visit www.patumahoe.org.nz in the Whakaupoko Landcare monitoringsection.

    Set out the Chew Cards for 1 week If you have access to the internet go to Google Earth and on a satellite map of your property

    identify with a locator pin approximately where your Chew Cards were located. Collect the Chew Cards, print off a satellite map and return them to Wecks ITM (or simply email

    to [email protected]). You can have a go at identifying the bite marks and click on theLandcare Research document which has excellent images of a full range of bite marks from a widerange of pests. www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/researchpubs/chew-card_a_guide_to_the_interpretation_of_animal_tooth_impressions.pdf

    If you have rats and / or possums sort them out. Contact Whakaupoko Landcare if you need anyassistance.

    Come along to an evening with an Animal Health Board Chew Card expert in early September.Time and date to be advised.

    We will transfer your results onto the Chew Card map on the website.

    This census will be repeated every 12 months.

    For further Chew Card information contact Andrew Sinclair, Ph 236-3647

    Whakaupoko August Rat & Possum Census /

    We need your help.

    Whakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare News

    - 4 -

  • Whakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare NewsWhakaupoko Landcare NewsChew Cards are a great tool for monitoring pests - simple and very effective.

    1. Materials & Baiting

    Chew Cards are made frrom 3mm thick corflute with theflutes parallel with the 90mm edges.NB: Cut the chew cards accurately with straight edges sothat the amount of bait in each card is uniform.

    Bait: Using smooth peanut butter is most simple. For aneven more attractive bait you can add 20% icing sugarand/or 10% dark honey. Whatever option you choose -stay consistent.Use 15-20 gms/ 10 cards / side = 2gms/side and 4gms/cardApply to only half of each side (so air not trapped).

    Spreading Bait

    Hold cards together and spread bait until all ends up insidecorflute holes. Wipe excess onto edge cards as they oftenend up with less. (Note holes of corfulute are always onlong side).Use a broad knife or even better - a paint scraper.The penetration of the bait should be 12 - 20mm and thiscan be checked by simply holding up the card in good lightand viewing. The spread of bait should be at least 50mmwide.

    2. Labelling and Location

    Label Chew Cards with eg. your name and individual cardnumber. Attach to trees/ fences etec, approx 30cm aboveground level using a 50 - 75mm flat head nail. Fold in halfand the top flap lleave at approx 45(NB: Avoid locating on fence lines with electric wires assome pests avoid electric fences).

    3 Spacing and places to locate Chew Cards

    In bush use 1 card every 50m and set as a path of best fit in terms of likely pest habitat and easeof locating. If the bush is wider than 200m then include additional lines approsimately 150mdistant from the first.

    Along shelter lines use a spacing of 100m In scattered bush ensure no bush is more than 100m away from a Chew Card Local Chew Cards close to rural houses and other buildings

    4. Timing

    Leave Chew Cards in place for 7 days (1 week) Choose a time of the year when feed levels are usually quite low. eg. July/August

    5. Interpreting, confirming and recording results

    Record locations on Google Maps (see below) As well as the excellent Landcare Research link, refer www.patumahoe.org.nz. Go to Whakaupoko Landcare Group Monitoring pages for more information and access to

    Google Maps.

    One full knife scoop = approx 15 -20 gms

    180mm

    90mmChew CardBait (on opposite sides)

    - 5 -

  • Mauku Primary SchoolMauku Primary SchoolMauku Primary SchoolMauku Primary SchoolThe transformation of Mauku School com-bines sustainability and fun in one design.

    The design and delievery of schools newgrounds has created space for rich sensoryinput and increased possibilities to be ex-polored by the schools 70 pupils.

    The new landscape reflects the passion andenthusiasm of our staff and students, sayasprincipal Angela Smith.Mauku Primary School is a country schoolwithin a few minutes of Pukekohe. With fiveacres of open space the connection to itsrural environment is strong and integral to theschool community.

    Last year, a school project for community gardens has resulted in planter boxes full of summer produce.

    The new landscape design has created colourful curves and a new courtyard, while accommodatingestablished and well-loved trees. Contractors Natural Habitats put together the design, overseen byGreenstone Group.

    :The old grounds didnt function cohesively. There was no link between the schools entrance and theoutdoor space around its four classrooms. Plus the cesspits were blocked, and drainage was an issue, saysNatural Habitats designer Mike Jack.By analysing the way the kids used their space we were able to design a landscape using spatial hierarchiesand transitional connections between area, to create a cohesive space with a range of functions, says Mike.

    The result is a design that integrates the entrance and classroom frontyards with the rest of the schoolgrounds and its surrounding area.

    We chose Natural Habitats because wewere confident with their initial plan,manner and their grasp of our require-ments and deadlines, says Angela.

    As the school has no maintenance staff,low maintenance was a priority. Sustain-ability was also a major design considera-tion. We rely on our students, teachersand the wider community to care for theschool says Angela.

    The landscape was installed over theChristmas break at the end of the schoolyear, and students returned to their newenvironment the new terms has seen kidsjumpin over the corokia hedges with re-newed vigour; there are fascincated by the little rock rivers (swales) and leaf shapes of the Pseudopanaxferox, Angela has said.

    If you havent yet visited.... go along to the school and have a look... but watch out for those jumping studentsnear the corokia hedges!Information provided for this article was published in the NZ Education Gazette

    - 6 -

  • Patumahoe Primary SchoolPatumahoe Primary SchoolPatumahoe Primary SchoolPatumahoe Primary School

    During recent meetings for PVI (Patumahoe Village Inc), the discussion on the

    necessity for a well considered village sign has been raised more than once.

    Many of you will recognise the changing design of the Paeroa L&P bottle shown

    at left - big, brown and imposing - but memorable!

    Not suggesting a local version - a oversized potato or spring onion might be a

    wonderful bounty when real, but can be an eyesore when made out of fibreglass

    and concrete. But a welcome to Patumahoe Sign that matches our environment

    would be ideal.

    There are two functions for any kind of welcome signs, which could be placed on

    the entrance roads to Patumahoe:

    1. Creating a noticeable entrance on the roads into the village is an established

    and proven method of slowing down 100km traffic before it enters a residential

    area. Traffic concerns are one of the main issues that have been raised during

    the last few months by residents.

    2. It creates a senses of place for those who live here, that can be designed to

    reflect the community and its values.

    If you have any suggestions or designs about signs for both Patumahoe and

    Mauku communities, please send them through to the design-challenged com-

    mittee of Patumahoe Village Inc, or better still, come along to the next meeting

    and present your design yourself! Email: [email protected]

    Parenting Inc seminar - Thursday 11th August 2011Parenting Inc seminar - Thursday 11th August 2011Parenting Inc seminar - Thursday 11th August 2011Parenting Inc seminar - Thursday 11th August 2011

    Searching for effective strategies to

    manage your family? Need new ideas

    for encouraging your kids to cooper-

    ate? A new parenting seminar

    promises to equip Franklin families

    with the right tools to help build a

    great family.

    The Hot Tips Family is Everything

    seminar is packed with practical ideas

    to encourage, inspire and motivate

    parents to make changes that build

    stronger and more confident families.

    Hosted by the Patumahoe Positive

    Parenting Group, the one-off event is

    open to the wider community, and

    takes place at Patumahoe School Hall

    on Thursday 11 August.

    Presented by Parents Inc CEO, Bruce

    Pilbrow, the event will cover a range

    of parenting areas, including hot tips

    for managing families and building

    relationships, building your childs

    confidence, raising a happy and re-

    silient child, understanding your

    childs personality and top tips for en-

    gaging cooperation. The seminar is

    designed to provide heaps of fun and

    humour and will be suitable for all

    parents of children from toddlers to

    18.

    You build a family the way you build

    a house, says Bruce, with good foun-

    dations of love and values, strong

    walls of boundaries and discipline to

    keep good things in and bad things

    out. And, most importantly, you put

    on a roof of parental 'mana' to keep

    the whole thing together. My aim is

    for parents to go home from this Hot

    Tips event with new skills and strate-

    gies they can use in their family im-

    mediately.

    Bruce will inspire parents with down-

    to-earth ideas on how to manage and

    grow their family. He says that a big

    part of good parenting is tailoring

    your parenting to fit each child.

    It's important that you understand

    your child's personality to build up

    their confidence so you can bring out

    the best in them, says Bruce. We all

    want our kids to be successful. This

    presentation will help to set your kids

    up to succeed in all sorts of ways; not

    just academically or in a career, but

    emotionally and relationally as well.

    Ron Gordon, Patumahoe School

    Principal and member of the Pa-

    tumahoe Positive Parenting Group,

    says the seminar will appeal to those

    with thriving families as well as

    those struggling to cope with partic-

    ular parenting challenges.

    Hot Tips seminars are fun, feel

    good events and Id encourage par-

    ents from all walks of life to attend,

    says Ron.

    Notes:

    Parents Inc. is a nationwide organisation

    of more than 60 staff and hundreds of

    volunteers who are dedicated to strengthen-

    ing and equipping parents with practical

    parenting tools.

    The Patumahoe Positive Parenting Group

    was formed by Patumahoe Community

    Church and Patumahoe and Mauku

    Schools, to bring positive parenting educa-

    tion to the community.

    For further information contact:

    Donna Davies, M: 021 804487

    Ron Gordon,

    Principal

    Patumahoe Primary School

    Village SignsVillage SignsVillage SignsVillage Signs

    - 7 -

  • July 2011 UpdateJuly 2011 UpdateJuly 2011 UpdateJuly 2011 Update

    The tennis season is starting again and the

    key dates are:

    Night Tennis for social tennis players

    starts in early October - we run night tennis

    on Monday and on Tuesday so take your

    pick. The teams are 2 men and 2 ladies, if

    you do not have a team, we can make up a

    composite teams. It is great night with 2

    doubles games of 30 minutes each game,

    starting 7 pm and finishing 9 pm. It runs for

    10 weeks before Christmas. Approximately

    70 people play, so it is a good way to meet

    new people in the area.

    Please feel free to contact Marion Hunter at

    2363225 for more information and she will

    put you on to the right person.

    Interclub Tennis starts early October for

    seniors and juniors usually runs for 10

    weeks and we start our club night each

    Wednesday at the beginning of October.

    All junior interclub tennis is on Saturday

    morning. Ages range from 10 years up-

    wards depending on the skill level.

    The premier grade play Friday night from

    6.30 to 9.30 pm.

    Counties Tennis has club teams in the Auck-

    land competition so if anyone is interested in

    playing doubles and combines in the Auck-

    land competition, please contact Glenn

    2363225

    Junior coaching will start in late October,

    early November for those junior keen to

    learn the game and progress their skills.

    If you want to buy a key to use the courts,

    please contact us. We insist on the right

    footwear, no bikes or skate boards and that

    you treat the facilities with care.

    Our 2 couches and 3 arm chairs are past

    their use by date in the club, so if you have

    a reasonable couch or arm chairs that you

    cannot sell, please contact us.

    Patumahoe Tennis Club

    Patumahoe Tennis ClubPatumahoe Tennis ClubPatumahoe Tennis ClubPatumahoe Tennis Club

    - 8 -

    As time progresses - more authors and contributors to the website and newsletter arebeing found and our websites reflect our diverse community more accurately.

    If you have a local business please consider supporting us by advertising on our web-sites..

    Cost is $100/yr and will provide you with an online page and/or a link to your own website Your ad can in-clude photos and logos..Contact Sandra Utatao 09 236-3042 for details or visit our site to submit your own

    listnig.

    Your business details will also be printed on our quarterly newsletter.

    In order to increase traffic, we offer free classified ads to residents. We will be promoting this feature overthe next few months. Take the time to post some of your own.

    . Please contact: [email protected] if you have any questions.

    www.patumahoe.org.nz

    www.mauku.org.nz

    Business sponsorship wantedBusiness sponsorship wantedBusiness sponsorship wantedBusiness sponsorship wanted

  • Many of you will be aware of the old church onMareretu Ave- the only public historic building leftin Patumahoe. It has a rich local history, doubled asthe first school (on a different site) and was built ofswamp kauri milled from a local farm.

    Since the Scout Movement (present owners/admin-istrators) has lapsed in Patumahoe, there have beensome efforts made by the Patumahoe EmergencySupport Charitable Trust (largely because the trusthas a protective infrastructure already set up) tonegotiate moving the church to a new site so thescouts can deal with the sale of their section.

    On 18 December 2006 the scouting Assoc. agreedto gift the church to the above trust .We understand the scouts intend to use the majority of the proceeds toupgrade the camp at Schlaepher Park , thus keeping the money in the local area and using it for communitypurposes, which continues the spirit of the original congregation/scout negotiation. They have also agreed inprinciple to contribute some funds towards the removal and re-establishment of the building on Clive HoweReserve.

    In the last few years the school has made use of the church as an extra teaching space, there has been thehappy occasion of a wedding, and the school has indicated it would like to continue using the churchkeeping in mind this may fit in with some other community activities (such as further weddings!) It isintended that it be registered with the Historic Places Trust.

    The use by the school breathes life and value into this old building, and it is great to think children in the 21stcentury will grow up and say I was taught in that old church.

    We have a copy of a letter from Greg Lowe, Parks officer dated 25th October 2006 , Ref R600/P03 that thecouncil agreed in principle to the relocation of the building onto the passive area of the reserve ,and havehad discussions up until very recently with Mark Balle (ex mayor) on the subject.

    Whatever the outcome of the present discussions about the proposed school carpark, the placement of thechurch in this area adjacent to the school needs to be factored in to the satisfaction of interested parties.

    We feel this is a community project with considerable legitimacy.

    However there are planning, safety and technical issues, discussions and negotiations with council andinterested parties still to be made in order to take this project forward. It is time for more of the communityto be involved.

    For further information, and to register your interest, with a view to an initial meeting in the new year, youare welcome to contact

    Kay or Bruce Carter 2363809 0274 366331 [email protected]

    Article originally published online in Nov 2010, www.patumahoe.org.nz

    Scout Hall relocation projectScout Hall relocation projectScout Hall relocation projectScout Hall relocation project

    Other suggestions received since this time have been for relocation to include a planted area -possibly a remembrance garden with connecting walkways and seated areas.

    Funding has been applied for to cover the relocation, connection and renovation costs. The exist-ing Patumahoe Village Community Trust is being used as the organisation for planning this project.

    - 9 -

  • Ten months into an amalgamated Auckland

    Council and there is still a lot going on.

    Patumahoe Village

    Patumahoe village is mentioned in the cur-

    rent discussion documents - Auckland Un-

    leashed - and the Local Board Draft Annual

    Plan. Both entries refer to Patumahoe as a

    growth node. PVI is attempting to have more

    added to this reference: if Patumahoe is to be

    a growth node, then we ask that council en-

    sure that extra growth is accommodated with

    considered planning and retention of current

    community values.

    Auckland Council - PlanningAuckland Council - PlanningAuckland Council - PlanningAuckland Council - PlanningFunding trends

    In terms of funding allocations and facilities,

    the current strategies for community facility

    spending seems to be heading towards

    multi-use facilities. Also, long-term more

    funding will follow transport corridors. In

    Franklin we need to ensure that all our

    district is served in this capacity.

    Rural villages

    There is some indication that Auckland

    Council recognises the need for each commu-

    nity to define its own values. Our project

    aims to fit in with this strategy.

    AUCKLAND UNLEASHEDThis is the 30 year big picture plan for theAuckland region. Once finalised, this planwill be used as a guideline for all the otherplans produced by council.Submissions closed for the discussion docu-ment on 31 May 2011.Formal consultation will take place untilOct 2011.

    Final plan to be inplace by early De-cembers 2011.

    UNITARY PLANAmalgamation of all the previous Districtcouncils has created anomalies in legisla-tion and District Plans.

    The Unitary Plan endeavours to integrateall of these plans into a cohesive wholewhile still identifying and protecing re-gional values.

    This plan is due to befinalised within eigh-teen months.

    LTP (LONG TERMPLAN)

    . . this ten year planaligns the AucklandPlan, key strategiesand other considera-tions into one actionplan defining priorities and budgets.

    A community submission to this plan is theaim of PVIs planning project. Next year isthe last time the LTP will be the LTCCP (LongTerm Community Council Plan).

    Submissions start in Sept 2011 and willbe adopted at the end of June 2012.

    LOCAL BOARDDRAFT ANNUAL PLANThis is the plan de-signed by our own Lo-cal Board after en-gagment and consul-tation with the com-munity. It is guided bythe Auckland Plan,

    and LTP and defines local priorities, pro-jects and budget allocations for the nextthree years. This plan undergoes a yearlyreview.Submission deadline for this plan is 4pm, 8August 2011. Hearings will take placefrom Sept and the plan will be adoptediat the end of October 2011.

    HAVE YOUR SAYAll these changes have meant thatthere are some areas that need to bedefined and that is where submissionshelp the council determine priorities.

    If you do not want to be involved withPVI, and want to have your voiceheard, make sure that you get involvedby making submissions to council.

    Visit the councils website and join thePeoples Panel.

    join our discussion forum - Village Voices

    www.patumahoe.org.nz www.mauku.org.nz

    - 10 -

  • VILLAGE GREENMany submissions and comments havesuggested the inclusion of a village greenon council/recreational land.Although all agree that this should be lo-cated somewhere central, the idea of a vil-lage green rangesfrom a grassed areawith vegetation, to apaved courtyard simi-lar to an Italian piazza.

    RESOURCESCost estimates for the creation of Auck-land Council range from 120 - 240 milliondollars. Also with Auckland estimated tohave 50% of leaky homes totalling over$20 billion in housing stock, the recent gov-

    ernment proposal ex-poses AucklandCouncil to $2.5 billionin repair costs.

    PLACEMAKINGAuckland plannersand designs are fo-cusing on a design as-pect calledplacemaking whichaims to provide communities with sharedspaces that promote engagement and so-cial activities along with the usual sportsand community services.

    PUBLIC TRANSPORTThe Transport Strategyhas changed with theNational government,who have given prior-ity to more road build-

    ing projects. This has meant that they arereluctant to support the public transportinitiatives proposed by the Aucklandmayor - Len Brown. Funding will be con-

    CONSIDERATIONSAlthough it is easy to produce wish listsof what we want, the time has comefor the community to define its priori-ties and values.

    Any LTCCP submission has to relate tothe final planning documents pro-duced - and take into account a vari-ety of other factors.

    LTCCP 2012 submission projectLTCCP 2012 submission projectLTCCP 2012 submission projectLTCCP 2012 submission project

    As you are no doubt aware, the changes in

    local governance has created an environment

    which is still in a state of flux.

    Due to the amalgamation of all the District

    Councils - all the planning documents used by

    ARC and those amalgamated councils are

    undergoing a review process. These different

    plans have been summarised on Page 10.

    This has meant that many different planning

    documents have been, or are being released

    for community consultation. This different

    documents relate to different levels of plan-

    ning - and to different timespans of applica-

    tion.

    Currently under review are the Draft Local

    Board plans. Submissions from the commu-

    nity will be accepted until 4pm on August 8th.

    These Local Board Plans are the planning

    documents that will define the way the previ-

    ous Franklin District will allocate priorities

    and funds for the next few years. This is an

    opportunity for all who were concerned about

    the amalgamation to have a look at what the

    Local Board has proposed - and suggest addi-

    tions or other priorities.

    Our Local Board have produced a 31 page

    document that can be downloaded, viewed at

    our local library or picked up from the coun-

    cil service centre.

    A copy of the submission made by

    Patumahoe Village Inc will be posted online.

    The success of a community design will rely

    solely on the amount of input we have from

    the community. We welcome any comments

    - and consider invaluable the input of those

    who have already done so much for our

    community.

    Along with community consultation we have

    had to ensure that we make submissions to

    lay the groundwork for any positive re-

    sponses from local government.

    Resources

    Cost estimates for the creation of Auckland

    Council range from 120 - 240 million. Also

    with Auckland estimated to have 50% of

    leaky homes totalling over 20 billion in hou-

    seing stock, the recent government proposal

    exposes Auckland Council to 2.5 billion in

    repair costs.

    - 11 -

  • CONTACT US:CONTACT US:CONTACT US:CONTACT US:

    email: [email protected] mail: P O Box 172, PatumahoePUKEKOHE 2344

    Visit our website:www.patumahoe.org.nzwww.mauku.org.nz

    Attend PVI AGM on 23 August 2010,7.30pm, dates can be found online underthe whats on tab

    Thanks to our sponsors!

    The publication of this newsletter and website is supported by the following businesses:

    Dannys Kiwi Bakery, Patumahoe Village Shops, Patumahoe ............................................................236-3290Patumahoe Preschool, 71 Mauku Road, RD3, Patumahoe ..............................................................236-3003Tania Loveridge Hair Design, Patumahoe Village Shops, Patumahoe ...........................................236-3735Counties Power.......................................................................................................................................0800-100-202

    Electricity Line Thefts Putting Families at Risk

    Thieves are continuing to target the electricity network in our area by stealing copper. They are

    mainly cutting and stealing Earthing conductors. Earthing conductors are there to ensure that in

    the event of a fault electricity goes harmlessly to earth. If they are missing there is a possibility

    that parts of a house, such as the plumbing, could be livened with potentially fatal consequences.

    It is costing Counties Power, which owns the power lines in our area, up to $50,000 a month to

    replace the stolen conductors. The thieves however can only expect to receive about $1,500.

    Lines have to be regularly patrolled so that gaps are quickly identified, and Counties Power are

    replacing stolen conductors with ones made of material with no scrap value.

    However, the main concern for the company is public safety. In certain circumstances people

    could receive a serious shock when they turn on a tap or use an appliance in their house. In

    other circumstances, there is a risk of electrical fires that could damage farm buildings and

    houses or a risk that stock could be electrocuted.

    The Police are working hard to catch the culprits but that is made more difficult because it is

    usually quiet rural roads that are targeted.

    In the end we all pay for the thefts as a result of increased electricity charges, and it is our

    families the thieves are putting at risk, so keep an eye out for suspicious activity and record

    vehicle registration numbers. If you see anything suspicious ring the police or Counties Power

    (0800) 100202 who can check if people working on the power network should be there or not.

    And remember treat all lines, conductors and power equipment as live.