Mission Bay water fountain to be switched back on
Mission Bay’s Memorial Fountain will be switched back on this weekend after 19 months as water restrictions in Auckland are lifted.
But Auckland Council is reminding people not to splash about in the fountain, which is a memorial for the nephew of late Auckland mayor Sir Ernest Davis.
“We are very fortunate to have this stunning memorial located on our waterfront,” Ōrākei Local Board chair Scott Milne said.
“That we are now able to turn it on again is great news, and something we are sure many will be pleased to learn because the fountain really is an attraction that visitors from all over the city come to see.”
The fountain was built in 1947 as a memorial to Trevor Moss Davis, the nephew of late Auckland mayor Sir Ernest Davis.
Ōrākei Local Board chair Scott Milne said visitors need to be considerate when heading to Selwyn Reserve.
“It I s also a good opportunity to remind people that we need to be mindful and respectful of the fact that it is a memorial, and not a splash pad or paddling pool,” he said.
The fountain was turned off in February 2020 as Auckland entered a drought.
It was turned on briefly in March for the America’s Cup finals, but has mostly been empty for the past 19 months.
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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Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
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.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
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."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.