A quick update on bush track upgrades
A quick update on bush track upgrades:
Birkenhead War Memorial Park Shared Path: Work to properly connect the two halves of the park will taking place from mid-January to June 2023. Final approval of the design for a new track from the pumptrack up towards the North of the park will be coming to the local board in February.
Chatswood Reserve Stage 1: Work should be taking place from mid-January to June 2023. This includes decommissioning the spinal track. The Local Board will be making a decision next year on funding stage 2.
Eskdale Reserve Network Stage 3: The Local Board will be making a decision next year on funding the tracks from Hiwihau Place and Domain Road.
Kauri Glen Reserve Stage 3: Work is currently underway on the new track and bridge to Raymond Tce/Tui Glen Road. The Local Board will be making a decision next year on funding stage 4.
Kauri Point Centennial Park: The Local Board will be making a decision next year on funding the renewal of tracks throughout the park.
Le Roys Bush Reserve: In late January, the tracks from Le Roy Terrace/Hinemoa Street and Glade Place will be renewed. There will also be minor work to the track from Valley Road, and replacement of the bridge at the western end of the sportsfield.
The Seaview Ave track is currently closed due to a slip and investigation is still underway on how to get this back open. The Fairfax Ave track is closed and currently scheduled to be renewed in 2025/26 (this may be able to be brought forward).
Shepherds Park/Hellyers Creek Stage 2: Work will begin in March 2023, starting with the lookout platform and track to the carpark.
Smiths Bush Scenic Reserve: The Local Board will be making a decision next year on funding a renewals of the boardwalk through the park.
Soldiers Bay Stage 1: The track from Island Bay Road will be upgraded from March to June 2023. The Local Board will be making a decision next year on funding Stage 2 which is a route across the bay to Kauri Point Domain. This project is to off-set the loss of public access to Kauri Park and Muriel Fisher Domain.
Tuff Crater Reserve Stage 2: Work should be taking place from mid-January to June 2023.
Witherford Scenic Reserve: The Local Board will be making a decision next year on funding the renewal of tracks and new drainage throughout the park.
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.
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