Pakuranga and Howick Community Networking Meeting
Thank you to all those who attended the Pakuranga and Howick Community Networking Meeting held at Te Tuhi, on Friday afternoon.
We hope you found the meeting informative and worthwhile.
MECOSS' primary goal was to help increase understanding of the social services available within Auckland's, Manukau East.
There were many topics covered during the meeting and the speakers did an outstanding job of sharing their knowledge and expertise with you.
We especially acknowledge;
Neha Priya - Volunteering Auckland
Hiraani - Te Tuhi
Jenny Carter - Pakuranga Counselling Centre
Chris Barnard - Children's Day Expo & Family Festival
Maureen Julian-Miles - Beginning Experience
Lily Xu - Community Health Promoter
Cat Finai - Citizens Advice Bureau, Pakuranga-Eastern Manukau
Petter Passi - I am my own mentor
Nigel McConnachie - Sowers Trust
If you have questions for any of the presenters, please phone the MECOSS office on 9 533 3685 and we will put you in contact.
Rubbish bins:
Recycle collection tomorrow so put your bins out in the morning, It is windy out there and your rubbish is blowing everywhere? Are you human with a brain or just ST- - -D?
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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9% Yes! New Year, New Me
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21.7% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.3% Nah - not for me
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
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