Students call on local board to fix open drain: South Auckland
Pupils from Papakura Normal School have appealed to the local board to fix an open drain along Walters Rd, which neighbours their school.
Kaige Chase, Gabriel Moaate-Minhinnick, Olivia Kim, Genesis Blakelock and Angelina Tuiono asked the board to take their concerns to Auckland Transport after incidents involving children walking to school.
"We realise this is probably about money but saving money in the old days has just stored up problems for today," they said.
The students told the board a six-year-old boy fell into the drain.
Another boy failed in his attempts to rescue him.
But a motorist intervened and pulled him to safety.
In another incident, a driver leaving the carpark opposite drove into the drain.
“The incident with the boys led to temporary fixes that involved some orange plastic fencing, but it just seems to have become a permanent solution," the students said.
"Now it is breaking down and probably ending up polluting our sea.”
The drain had become overgrown, with the school spending money battling gorse and weeds and building a large fence to keep students safe, they said.
The pupils urged the board to infill the drain to create more parking and drop-off zones.
Board chair Brent Catchpole said he was impressed with the amount of research that went into their deputation.
"These young people did not just come along to complain," he said.
"They gathered evidence, thought about the problem and even outlined possible solutions."
The board will refer the matter to Auckland Transport and Healthy Waters, asking for a quick response, he said.
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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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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.
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