Council selling stake in "Own Your Own Home" pensioner housing
Back in March, the Kaipātiki Local Board voted against the sale of council's portion of vacant "Own Your Own Home" pensioner housing and land, including some of the houses at the pensioner housing at John Bracken Way, Beach Haven (indicated in red in the attached map - the others are run by Haumaru Housing).
The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board passed a similar resolution opposing the sale of Council's stake in "Own Your Own Home" housing at Bardia Street and Bayswater Ave, and Danielle Grant and Ruth Jackson spoke to the Auckland Council Finance Committee on behalf of both local boards.
Despite this, the Finance Committee voted in favour of the sale at a closed-door meeting. 😠
While the confidentiality of this vote has now lifted, the voting record of each councillor isn't yet available. We also do not know who will be buying council's share in the houses and land.
NZ Herald article: www.nzherald.co.nz...
The "Own Your Own Home" scheme gave older people the chance to buy flats in small pensioner villages around Auckland at an affordable price, with council owning and give them the security of a life-long roof over their head. If they move to other housing, or pass away, council re-purchases them and then sells them again.
Despite the housing crisis, many units have been left vacant and un-maintained for years, setting the scene for their sale.
It is not known what will now happen with the houses, however council has stated that no current owners will be affected, only when the owners pass away or sell.
Attached is the resolution of the Kaipātiki Local Board, and a map of the affected houses at John Bracken Way, Beach Haven.
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori. Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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