LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WE NEED NEW COUNCILLORS WHO WILL ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THEIR COMMUNITY

Chris Darby and Richard Hills, Councillors for the North Shore ward, have repeatedly failed to act in the best interests of their community over the last 3 years.

In July, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board passed a vote of No Confidence in Chris Darby and Richard Hills on the Takapuna Central Car Park issue. This is serious and rarely happens.

● Darby, supported by Hills, has ardently supported the sale and redevelopment of the Takapuna Central Carpark since 2016 when he moved a Council resolution to sell the car park (supported by George Wood) BEFORE any consultation had occurred on what should happen to the site.
○ Takapuna will be left with a small town square
○ No convenient parking close to Hurstmere Rd.
○ A 400m walk from the new carpark to Hurstmere Green.
○ The local board was effectively sidelined during the process.
● Darby has consistently supported Panuku and its token consultation against the views of the local Board, as has Hills.
● In 2016, Darby also voted for adopting a long term budget which left out:
$54 million allocated towards the Lake Rd upgrade ($47m put back in after local board lobbying)
Nearly $16 million in funding for upgrades to the Bayswater and Northcote Ferry Terminals
A $3.5 million upgrade to the Takapuna Bus Station
● Darby also supported the reduction in budget to the libraries and a reduction in Council involvement in social housing.
● By contrast, Darby has supported the extravagant fit out of new headquarters for ATEED and upgrade of the old headquarters ($4 million). Hills has supported Business Class travel for Council staff.
And
● Darby’s tenure as Chair of the Planning Committee has been accompanied by increasing numbers of planning consents for developments that grossly exceed the Unitary Plan rules for height and coverage, which are increasingly meaningless.

Neither Darby nor Hills have been the advocates for the North Shore that we need. We do not believe they should continue to represent us.

We need new councillors and consider that Grant Gillon and Danielle Grant are worthy of support as they have a well-established and a proven track record of being highly responsive to local concerns.

Make sure you vote carefully in the election.

[Posted by Takapuna 2040 Inc (formerly Auckland 2040 who fought the Council on the Unitary Plan), a community organisation, not affiliated with any political organisation.]

More messages from your neighbours

2 hours ago

Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland

The Team from New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.

A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/

Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.

• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.

• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.

• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.

Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.

14 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.