Report from Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance
You will recall my last email was about the ridiculous quarter of a million dollar mirror Auckland Council erected on Thursday above O'Connel Street.
I am sorry to report that, over the weekend, the mirror cracked.
This is the same mirror that was supposed to cost $80,000, but blew out to $260,000. It's already broken.
Yes it’s cracked.
You can read the NZ Herald coverage (including our comments) here: Auckland's controversial new $260,000 mirror sculpture has cracked open less than a week after it was officially unveiled.
But a Council official says there’s nothing to see here…
Auckland Council’s Arts and Culture Manager Richard McWha said the cracks were "not unexpected and typical of many such art installations".
Mr McWha told the Herald that "After installation, there has been some minor separation between the brass and the substrate, most likely due to some expansion after initial exposure to the elements, resulting in what appears to be cracks."
What claptrap. Who erects a mirror 30 feet in the air expecting it to need repairing a week later? Did no one think it would be exposed to the elements?!
We’re encouraging our supporters to email Mr McWha and the Mayor.
Tell them what you think about your money being used for the mirror.
How do you feel paying higher rates and Phil Goff's new Regional Fuel Tax so the Council has money to waste on this sort of project? Email Mr McWha and the Mayor here.
send Them an email....
Thank you for your support,
Jo Holmes
Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance
www.ratepayers.nz...
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Goldco Antique Buyers in Auckland Region
WANTED WANTED WANTED:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antique • Jewellery • Collectables
The market for many antiques, collectables, vintage watches, artefacts, gold and silver items has been buoyant these past few years. So if you are considering selling any of these or similar items then our specialist buyers would like to make an offer.
Any items will be considered so please don’t be shy and visit one of our venues.
Large or valuable collections? Single items? Downsizing, moving or decluttering? Family not interested? or simply turning unwanted items into cash.
*Immediate payment made *No commission or waiting *Free no obligation appraisal *Onsite security *Please have your bank details handy
Whether you have a large and valuable collection or a single item of broken jewellery please take this opportunity to see us at a venue near you.
See us at a venue near you - See venues here:
Goldco Antique Buyers | Member NZNDA | website email: goldco@xtra.co.nz | Ph: 0800 105 228
Poll: Is Auckland’s economy improving?
The latest reporting from The Post suggests a wave of optimism for 2026. With interest rates finally heading south, businesses are feeling more positive. But for many on the ground, the real-world recovery feels a bit like a slow-moving commute on Auckland's motorways.
We want to know: Are you seeing signs of Auckland's economy improving in your industry or neighbourhood? Whether it's busier shops, new projects kicking off, or just a shift in the mood ...
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16.9% Yes
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65.6% No
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17.5% A little
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