A $45,000 boost will lead vital repairs and project management at Ngāti Ōtara Marae a cornerstone of the South Auckland community Environment and Parks Committee has allocated 2024/2025 Cultural Initiatives Funding to seven marae development projects The fund provides annual contestable grants for marae and Māori housing projects in Tāmaki Makaurau Manukau Ward Councillor Lotu Fuli says marae are such important cultural hubs for our communities here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland “That is why I am so happy to be sitting at the decision-making table to give the Ngāti Ōtara Marae the extra resources needed to really empower them I am confident the $45,000.00 will go a long way to help the Marae develop further.” The support and guidance provided by marae and their tight-knit networks throughout the Covid pandemic and in the 2023 weather events often made the difference for communities’ resilience is thrilled that the funding will be used to help find a more suitable space as well as upgrade materials “Ngāti Ōtara Marae holds a deep historical significance for Ōtara and beyond and it’s a place that resonates with so many of us this incredible marae is built on an old dump site dating back to 1950 which makes it a bit unstable for future developments The funding is a vital step toward revitalising this space and adapting it for the future We have an incredibly talented team that’s absolutely stoked for what’s to come,” says Pomare Houkura / Independent Māori Statutory Board member Glenn Wilcox emphasises the value of the Cultural Initiatives Fund for our communities “It’s great to see Auckland Council addressing a previously forgotten group of buildings and institutions that are particularly Aotearoa New Zealand and unique to our landscapes and communities Marae are not just buildings – they’re about people,” says Wilcox 2024/2025 Cultural Initiatives Fund grants approved: Kaipātiki Community Facilities Trust – He Oranga Wairua Marae Te Hana Community Development Charitable Trust Sign up for our Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board e-newsletter and get it delivered to your inbox each month. © Auckland Council 2025 All rights reserved For more information on what data is contained in the cookies, please click the 'Find out more on the Auckland Council website' button. To accept cookies from this site, please click the 'I Agree' button. Sign up for our e-newsletter and be the first to know about exciting events and news. We're installing new pipelines and connections along the local wastewater network to reduce wet weather overflows and cater for future growth. The wastewater network in Ōtara has a number of challenges. Due to population growth and rapid development, the network is reaching capacity. During heavy rainfall it can overflow into the local environment, streams and the Tāmaki River. To improve capacity, the project includes a new pump station and pipelines that will pump wastewater northward from the southern catchment area. By-passing the rest of the catchment will provide more capacity within the system. Additional underground storage at Billington Reserve will reduce overflows during heavy rain. Investigation works which are used to inform the final design, will be starting late September and are expected to take about three months to complete. Some of the investigation works will be in parks and reserves however the sites will be small and contained and are likely to cause minimum impact. Other investigation works will be carried out on private properties and in the road reserve. Impacted property owners have been contacted directly regarding potential access requirements. Any work required on the road reserve will be managed by a traffic management plan. Click the button to get in touch with the team Copyright 2024 Watercare. All rights reserved Manukau CityDeadline Sale (Unless Sold Prior)411106m²728m²Fully Renovated And Move In Ready!Welcome to your dream home Perfectly positioned on a generous 728sqm section 1.5-bathroom residence offers high-spec finishes and modern comforts all in an unbeatable location close to motorways Step inside and be impressed by the light-filled complemented by a brand-new designer kitchen featuring premium appliances Every detail has been thoughtfully updated from the luxurious bathroom with contemporary fixtures to the stylish new flooring The four well-proportioned bedrooms offer ample space for families of all sizes while the additional guest toilet adds everyday convenience the expansive backyard provides endless potential - perfect for kids Zoned as Mixed Housing Urban under the Auckland Unitary Plan with both stormwater and wastewater services on site and no flooding for future development opportunities (subject to council approval) this is a turnkey opportunity you won't want to miss or simply looking for a home that offers lifestyle and location this property ticks every box so call us now for more details or book a private viewing appointment before its too late based on a borrower’s individual credit assessment.Canstar's Most Awarded Personal LoanGet a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started A youth mentoring programme in Ōtara is helping to transform lives boost community connections and inspire participants to take on leadership roles The Adullam Boys Club appealed to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board for continued funding support is completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland and works as an assistant at Tupu Youth Library He recalled how he joined Boys Club when he was still in primary and learnt from the older boys in the club "The things that hurt deep for me were the little things I learned how to eat with my elbows off the table using a knife and fork Heta's experiences have inspired him to give back and become a mentor so he can impact people's lives "I truly believe if it wasn't for Boys Club community leader and presiding board member at Tangaroa College says the programme initially helped young people in four Ōtara areas - East Tamaki and Dawson Road- but has since expanded to the entire community As a mentor and leader of the club for many years Tusini-Rex emphasises its long-standing impact Each term focuses on specific themes: mentoring and practical applications through community events The club operates for four terms each year with meetings held at Tupu Youth Library in Ōtara on Fridays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm but the number grows to around 30 when they work with other youth groups the programme expands participants' perspectives through excursions Tusini-Rex recalls a memorable visit to North Head I've never been there with a bridge before." Some of the young people have never left Ōtara before Operating on an annual budget of $8000 to $9000 the programme also connects participants to social services and helps address challenges they may face at home or in their lives is now mentoring younger boys while studying a business degree at AUT "I've been coming since I was 14 years old It's helped me navigate my way around life The programme has provided stability for Ah-Mann especially as he faces personal challenges "That's probably the biggest thing in my life right now Ah-Mann says the Boys Club offered vital skills and trips to Devonport and North Heads I remember everything that I've gone through to Boys Club." Local board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said Karl and himself were influenced by the late Fa'anānā Efeso Collins "And so to see that you're continuing that in our local level And just the testimonies of our two young brothers here speaks volumes to that of the good work that you're doing." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air The trip was designed to broaden rangatahi views on education and encourage critical thinking A South Auckland youth hub is seeing an increase in its roll call as students seize an opportunity to catch up on their studies Many were among the most affected by Covid-19's interruptions to… Video A Pacific community leader is lauding the improvement of parks in South Auckland The police say they are seeing a reduction in crime in the Ōtara town centre driven by good relationships and programmes in partnership with the community Ōtara saw a spate of shootings last month… Audio Many say young people are the leaders of tomorrow Dr Will Flavell disagrees: "Our young people are the leaders of now." Local Democracy Reporting RSS Follow RNZ News Firefighters attend a blaze in Ōtara this evening Firefighters are responding to a large blaze in the Auckland suburb of Ōtara this evening The fire is burning in an abandoned building on Everitt Rd Photos on social media show thick dark smoke coming from the burning structure Local store owner Sanjay Patel said emergency services are on the scene ”I don’t even know how long it would have been burning I looked outside and I could see smoke coming out of the building I see there’s still smoke coming out right now,” he said Police said Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) are the main agency responding to the incident Fenz said they received multiple calls just before 5pm Four fire trucks are at the scene fighting the blaze The fire has taken hold in a 45m-by-10m abandoned building A company ignored requests to remove a pontoon and rubber fenders Stepping into a new community can be an exciting yet challenging experience The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board recognises the unique challenges that newcomers face and is dedicated to making their transition into the community as smooth and welcoming as possible Ōtara and Papatoetoe offer a vibrant community with a blend of culture Ōtara is known for its lively Saturday markets while Papatoetoe’s established neighbourhood is conveniently close to the airport and key shopping areas like Manukau City Centre and Hunters Corner The area is home to landmarks like Puhinui Reserve and Manu kau Noa Iho - Hayman Park destination playground with local teams excelling regionally and nationally the board has launched a comprehensive Welcoming Plan as part of the Welcoming Communities programme This initiative ensures that everyone who arrives is not only supported but also feels a genuine sense of belonging becoming an integral part of the dynamic and diverse Ōtara-Papatoetoe community Welcoming Communities is an international programme led in Aotearoa/New Zealand by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to assist councils and their communities to create more welcoming and inclusive environments for newcomers to their area The Welcoming Communities team met with iwi community stakeholders and service providers to identify opportunities and challenges for more successful settlement outcomes for newcomers Kaipatiki and Albert-Eden local boards are part of the Welcoming Communities programme which forms part of the wider Welcoming International programme which is a coalition of initiatives in six additional countries (United States Board member Li'amanaia Lorenzo Kaisara at one of the many citizen ceremonies in Manukau Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook For more information on what data is contained in the cookies please click the 'Find out more on the Auckland Council website' button Sign up for our e-newsletter and be the first to know about exciting events and news Police say a teenager who was reported missing from the Auckland suburb of Ōtara has been found safe and well Police earlier said that the 19-year-old was last seen in Otahūhū on Monday night and they were concerned for his safety However just after 10am on Tuesday police issued a statement saying he had been located safe and well and thanking members of the public who had provided information Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday New Zealand RSS Manukau CityAsking price $799,00031825m²$799,000 - MUST SELL NOW!First Home This spacious 824m² freehold site is a hidden gem waiting for the right buyer to unlock its full potential Whether you're a first-home buyer looking to step onto the property ladder a savvy investor searching for your next opportunity or a long term vision – this is your chance - Generous land size – 824m² means space to create - Prime location – Situated in a growing area with strong demand - Motivated sellers – The owners want it SOLD Call today to book your viewing before someone else snaps it up See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson With its vibrant yellow and purple colours and upbeat karaoke jams the 'Happy Tuk-tuk' at Ōtara Town Centre is spreading happiness and safety helping to create a more inviting town centre Owned by local advocate Swanie Nelson and run by the rangatahi of Ōtara it’s operated by The Community Builders NZ Trust and funded by the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board The Tuk-tuk was created to address safety concerns raised by the local board and its free rides have quickly become a favourite “The board is proud to fund this awesome initiative that is all about improving safety in a fun Deputy chair Vi Hausia (back right) catches a ride on the free happy Tuk-tuk from the Ōtara pool and leisure centre shares that the Tuk-tuk’s mission is all about spreading joy and positivity “The Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board wanted safety activations and we aimed to be innovative and creative The kaupapa is simple—bring happiness into the town centre welcoming town centre fosters a sense of community and wellbeing making people feel safer and more comfortable,” says Parima Rather than taking the typical approach of putting up signs to discourage drinking or antisocial behaviour 'How can the story they want to tell be brought into the town centre?’ “We wanted the Tuk-tuk to give the elderly a chance to get around and maybe even do their shopping,” he says and the team helped them with their shopping we always greet everyone and sometimes even take them through the McDonald's drive-thru for ice cream,” says Betham All smiles featuring a local NZ Māori warden Manukau ward councillor Lotu Fuli has taken a ride on the Ōtara Tuk-tuk  and enjoyed the service volunteers her time for the tuk-tuk bike service "I think just to help the community and bring a little bit of joy to the hood Even if we can just put like a smile on someone's face for the day." The Tuk-tuk bike operates Monday to Saturday and a local preschool have led to calls for more security patrols and community vigilance during the school holidays Secret Santa presents and tuck shop food were among the items stolen while the thieves left a trail of smashed windows and broken doors during the break-ins over the weekend The incidents come after vandals hit a number of playgrounds and parks around the area in recent months, sparking calls from a local board leader for more security patrols in the area said he was frustrated and disgusted by the break-ins particularly at the theft of Secret Santa gifts for the children you took the kids' presents - how low can you go?" The damage at Rongomai included seven smashed windows smashing double-glazed windows with hammers "We want to end the year on a high and not like this … it just kind of sucks." Johnson added that he hated the attitude of "it being just another day in South Auckland" principal Chris Bean said the break-in was the first since he began his tenure two years ago "I'm actually quite surprised it's happened because we are a school of the community and so we expect people would be respectful Damaged windows and doors would need to be replaced including food from the school's tuck shop Bean's message is clear: "Leave schools alone." Schools are there to serve the community and vandalism like this eats into already stretched budgets "It's money coming out of our operations grant which doesn't get spent on the students Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said the break-ins highlight the importance of better protection of schools especially during holidays when they are more vulnerable to vandalism and theft "We've raised this issue with our park staff and the police and I've asked for more patrols in the area but the best answers do lie within our communities." He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of this behaviour "If we don't have that wraparound service to our young people "They go and hang out in places at all hours of the night and do silly stuff that affects everyone else in the community." Apulu says the minority who are vandalising public parks playgrounds and schools are part of a bigger issue but we'll be pursuing this with government agencies and our community organisations to see if they know if they've heard on the streets who they are and what wraparound services we can give those kids." the presiding board member for Rongomai Primary School responded in a statement "It's disheartening that our Otara school was targeted We are calling on our community to help protect all schools during the Christmas period we are determined to end 2024 on a positive note ensuring our tamariki can enjoy their holidays and look forward to the year ahead." Inspector Rakana Cook confirmed police are investigating the weekend burglaries of two schools and an early childhood learning centre in Ōtara "This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting," the inspector said "This is an awful situation - a preschool has been left footing the bill for this crime and children are now without their belongings and educational resources." He describes the actions of the perpetrators as mindless and vandalising computers and learning equipment "The damage is estimated to be worth several thousand dollars." Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 Hautū (Leader) Te Tai Raro (North) from the Ministry of Education says "It is deeply disappointing to see incidents of vandalism impacting schools and early learning centres working hard to create welcoming and safe environments for their students "We've been in touch with both schools to offer assistance to repair damage to property We encourage school and early learning communities to remain vigilant to ensure they remain safe spaces for tamariki to learn and grow." Most early childcare centres are private businesses with their own insurance and security arrangements The ministry provides funding through operational grants to address vandalism to ministry-owned buildings and more information can be found here "It's also such a hard way to end the term really disheartening for our kids to come into school," one principal says Several Auckland schools have had their windows smashed and vehicles damaged in recent days Lynfield College principal Cath Knell spoke to Charlotte Cook Just days after a high school club finished their mural they discovered it had been covered in graffiti The Education Review Office says bad behaviour in schools has reached critical levels with teachers seeing fighting and vandalism every day The office is calling for national action to rein in the… Audio Teachers and principals around Aotearoa are doing it tough in the classroom as they struggle with changing and worsening student behaviour An Education Review Office report says disruptive and… Audio It has been a tough year for many businesses but many stallholders at a popular Auckland market are feeling optimistic that trade will pick up in the holiday season The Otara Market is one of the most popular in Auckland while also celebrating the community of the area Checkpoint went along to ask stallholders how business - and life - has been going for them cars lined the streets around Otara town centre crowds of people were checking out the fresh fruit and veges and enticing smells were coming from the food stalls who started his stall House of Delectables earlier this year after being made redundant from his job as a security technician And then they said 'oh you're redundant Mr Khalfey' I said 'what did I do wrong?' 'Oh it's not you it's the job.' That's where it all started Khalfey said he has had to adapt the curries that he and his wife sell to Kiwi tastes "I can remember the first time I came here I had saucy chicken and rice I just went home with the same amount of food Getting used to the palette of New Zealanders that is my challenge He was still doing some contracting work as a security technician and hoped business at the markets would pick up and bring in some extra cash over the Christmas period and in the New Year Eddie Davison sells sunglasses and jewellery at the market and said business had been slow over the past couple of years But he thought the media now needed to tell a more positive story about the economy "The inflation rate is now down again under 2.5 percent and interest rates are coming down on your mortgages I think the country and the people need to know that things are going to be okay And I think the media needs to do that job Hareesh Kika is a true veteran of the Otara Markets having sold flowers there for more than 30 years and now the children have grown up and I'm selling to them The flower-trade had been struggling as people cut back on their spending but at the market he was able to attract people with more affordable prices because of the cheaper rent Most of Kika's business in Otara came from people buying church flowers and he said they often spent more than they could really afford "I'm of the nature that I try to get them to spend less It doesn't make any business sense but it keeps it comfortable for me." Reginald Reti said he was living the dream "I sell steak and egg rolls at the Otara flea market It was my dream to actually sell steak and egg rolls and here I am today." For Reti the stall is a way to make some extra cash - something he will need to buy Christmas presents for all his kids This will be the first time I sit down and try to get something All the stallholders said the markets were a vibrant community event and showcase some of the best of South Auckland And they were optimistic they could build on that leading up to the Christmas period and the coming year Retailers are feeling more confident about their future even though many are still struggling to meet sales targets given the high costs of living and doing business There are signs some traders are relying on FOMO to pressure consumers to buy More NZers are snapping up pre-loved clothing as the cost of living bites and it is forcing local retailers to rethink Outstanding young leaders from Ōtara-Papatoetoe have been honoured at an award ceremony celebrating their contributions to local decision-making and community initiatives has been driving positive change in the community What started as a small initiative has grown into a key part of the board’s work programme empowering youth to shape their neighbourhoods the TOPS programme encourages youth involvement in decision-making and initiatives that impact their local area we nurture the next generation of leaders who will shape the future and ensure the sustainability of local governance for years to come.” Ōtara-Papatoete local board members in attendance: chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia Topou Folau and Li’amainaia Lorenzo Kaisara The recent awards ceremony was a festive occasion featuring nominations from five out of six local schools the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board recognises standout juniors from local high schools with awards and monetary contributions are invited to join the TOP Squad (TOPS) Youth Council Local board member Albert Lim (left) keeping up with the youth in an entertaining moment during the awards dinner A key moment at the event was honouring the late Fa'anānā Efeso Collins a passionate supporter of South Auckland youth Community Programme Delivery South Specialist Advisor for Youth “A well-presented evening for our future leaders TOPS put on an engaging evening where not only did they pay homage to community leaders those that have passed and those that had made an impact on their lives but also filled it with laughter and comedy This marks the beginning of another exciting year ahead with mentors and new and emerging talented young people from the community to engage the community.” Jzyah Strickland & Hinalagi Pue (Tangaroa College) Ata Raveora & Aaliyah Alofaifo (Papatoetoe High School) Stephaniya Parekura-Tekapo & Xavier Tasi (Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate) Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook Polyfest will remain in Ōtara for the 50th anniversary after the local board offered $64,500 to fill a funding shortfall but it means other community groups will miss out on support which began in Ōtara in 1976 to celebrate Pacific and Indigenous culture has grown into one of the largest Pacific festivals in the world Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said there was unanimous support at Tuesday night's local board meeting to keep the festival local Festival organisers requested $64,500 to ensure Polyfest happens in Ōtara for the 50th anniversary but [it is necessary] to ensure that Polyfest happens next year in Ōtara; otherwise they were looking at taking it to Takanini." the board's deputy chair Vi Hausia said keeping the event local was key "It's really important that we do what we can to support Polyfest being here at home Hausia also acknowledged the impact on other community groups that missed out on funding The groups had legitimate reasons for help and some did not have other funding options Next year's Polyfest has already received $75,000 from Auckland Council's Regional Events Fund Polyfest also has major corporate sponsorships but Hausia said there was still a funding shortfall "We were left with a hard decision to make which was to commit $64,500 to support Polyfest being held in our local board area." The funding covers a bond required by the Greyhound Track Club Hausia questioned the bond payment and described it as a "lose-lose situation" for them Apulu noted the challenge of navigating funding cycles Because the board's financial year ends in June and Polyfest is around April it's a matter of when the bond is no longer needed and if it will be released in time "If [the bond money] gets to us outside of the financial year then it won't come back to us as a local board; it will just go as savings to [the] Auckland Council "The sooner we know that the money's coming back to us then we can start planning how to use that money." He added there was a risk the money could be lost and not return to Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local board member Dr Ashraf Choudhary questioned the funding distribution and said it should have regional backing from Auckland Council "I'm really surprised they're asking us to put so much money from our meagre resources," Choudhary said "Have other local boards in South Auckland contributed anything?" Local board member Li'amanaia Lorenzo Kaisara said the significant contribution from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe should be acknowledged "It might mean that one of the stations has to be called the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Stage." citing the significance of Polyfest to the community "There is a far greater risk than $50,000 if a decision were taken that may lead to a decline or withdrawal of this application," said Dr and emphasised the festival's value to the community and its legacy "We have over 200,000 people who attend this "The people who started it 50 years ago will probably be proud of us for this decision to continue." - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air Pacific RSS A new plan is set to empower the Ōtara-Papatoetoe community to better prepare for and respond to emergencies The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Emergency Readiness and Response Plan created with Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) offers practical guidance to help residents and businesses stay safe before The plan responds to lessons learned from the devastating Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 which highlighted the importance of local preparedness and community support during emergency events It identifies the area’s top hazards and provides tips on reducing risk Developed through consultation with diverse community and faith-based groups the plan is designed to reflect the unique needs of the 98,500 residents in mind Printed copies will be available in libraries and community centres while a digital version will soon be accessible on the council website The Local Board Emergency Readiness and Response Plan provides information and advice for people living and working in the local area to get ready for and respond to an emergency It provides clarity on the roles and responsibilities of Auckland Emergency Management individuals and communities across the four Rs of emergency management: reduction A South Auckland community is left reeling after the town centre's seating area and playground were fenced off and dismantled to deter antisocial behaviour and public drinking Victoria Hearn is a volunteer and trustee of the Ōtara Gambling and Alcohol Action Group (OGAAG) an advocacy group that has been addressing alcohol harm and gambling concerns in the Ōtara Papatoetoe community for 20 years She was caught off guard on Wednesday afternoon and saw the playground in the morning I literally like I just took a couple of photos there this morning when I got into work early Because when you come in early and there's no one there And all that's going to happen is those guys are just going to pull out all those "And now they're just going to sit along the front of these shops And people I know just don't come into those shops because of the drinkers that are sitting there." She is disappointed over the removal of the playground and benches under the trees feeling gutted that while the root issue - alcohol consumption and antisocial behaviour outside the Ōtara TAB - remains unaddressed the community has lost valuable public space "A lot of our community has been advocating for it to be removed because of the drinking that happens next to it and at that seating But it's just the wrong way to go about it rather than getting rid of the drinkers." It's our kids that have lost out to a bunch of people drinking." Hearn laments the loss of the fenced-off area which she considered "the only green space in the town centre" and believes it could have been transformed into a family-friendly area Her concern is magnified as this was the only playground in the Ōtara town centre which she highlighted in a Facebook video posted by the OGAAG like already I've had people comment on Facebook saying that playground's a place where they can bring their kids when they're down here doing their shopping and things like that And I just think that we should be trying to put as much energy into getting rid of the liquor store and the TAB rather than the playground." Hearn lived in Ōtara for six years and says residents have indicated this has been a problem for over 20 years "There's also a really high number of our older Pasifika men and women who come there to socialise those social connections are really essential to their whole mental health and well-being they sort of risk that sort of social isolation and loneliness "And we know that there's a whole lot of people that come there and congregate there just to catch up with each other And then you have this other group that are wrecked at all by drinking alcohol there Local Democracy Reporting spoke to Ōtara residents Chloe and Joviani who wish to remain anonymous and who questioned "Why not get rid of the TAB?" after witnessing the playground's disassembly she said it was on the South side woke," of their surprise at the fenced area," Chloe says "I've reported this so many times," referring to the alcohol and men congregating in the area "And their comments towards most of the kids in that area We walked into the meat shop one day and my son got scared," she said highlighting the community's concerns despite the alcohol ban Only because there are heaps of men around here and there's kids like solo mums around here." When asked if her children used the playground Joviani said the playground has been there longer than they have I think most people have heaps of memories here said there were local concerns regarding the fencing around the playground and told Local Democracy Reporting in a statement: "We understand that many in our community have noticed and expressed concern about the fencing around the playground near Mr Meats and the seating area near Jasmine Nails and Spa "These changes have sparked a lot of discussion and we genuinely hear and appreciate the passion behind those concerns We've also received numerous queries and want to assure everyone that we are committed to keeping the community informed." He confirmed that dismantling the playground began on 29 January and is expected to be completed by the end of next week "The issue of anti-social behaviour has been a significant and ongoing topic of discussion and concern for over two years," he says "The current playground is being dismantled upgraded playground in a different location The board is committed to ensuring the space reflects the community's needs and desires "The project is part of a broader plan to promote inclusive play spaces and address anti-social behaviour through community engagement and activations." The town centre remains subject to a liquor ban and anyone found breaching this ban will face consequences But what about those who just want to cut back three-quarters of drinkers at Wellington's Courtenay Place were drunk on booze they'd bought somewhere else A trend away from alcohol for Gen Z is being replicated here in New Zealand A close look at wastewater has revealed which towns drink most there’s a powerful call for a new development to be embedded within our neighborhoods championed by Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board positioned just off Ōtara and alongside the Southern Motorway otherwise known as the power station place (old Transpower site) known as Plan Change 90 - where 4.4 hectares at 8 Spark Road will be turned into a new residential area including guidelines on transport and noise The board expressed strong concerns about major environmental impacts and the isolation from schools and the town centre due to its location “As those familiar with the area will know the proposed development site is cut off from the rest of Ōtara and the busy main arterial Highbrook route the expectation is now on the developer to work diligently to blend this new development with the Ōtara community Numerous submissions of opposition from around the area as well as from Highbrook and East Tāmaki were made Due to the cultural significance of the site Highbrook Precinct borders the Tāmaki River an important awa leading to the Hauraki Gulf (Tikapa Moana) and Waitematā Harbour These waterways were vital for iwi and hapū serving as traditional food sources and historical transport routes for coastal and island settlements Mana Whenua maintain a spiritual connection to the Tāmaki River and have ongoing guardianship (kaitiakitanga) responsibilities one of the oldest volcanoes in the Auckland volcanic field is located to the northeast of the precinct Go here to find out more about the key findings from the decision by the independent hearing commissioners Sign up for our Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board e-newsletter and get it delivered to your inbox each month Police are seeking information about a break-in at an Ōtara preschool where windows and property were smashed and items stolen Ōtara Community Preschool was broken into some time between 9am on Saturday 7 December and 6pm the next day Counties Manukau East area prevention manager Inspector Rakana Cook said nine internal windows were smashed and a microwave oven and computers were knocked to the ground "This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting." a preschool has been left footing the bill for this crime and children are now without their belongings and educational resources." Cook said the offenders seemed to be destroying property just for the sake of it Police had already spoken to a number of people who had come forward in connection to the incident but would now like anyone who had not yet spoken to them to come forward "We are working hard to identify and locate those responsible for this senseless crime." Cook said it was particularly disheartening for this to happen at this time of the year especially at a place where children should feel safe "Absolutely gutting this close to the festive season and the fact this happened at a facility that looks after our tamariki it's just absolutely disgusting," he told Checkpoint He said based on previous experiences from similar incidents it did suggest younger people could be responsible but acknowledged that was just speculation until an investigation was carried out and would remain closed until factors like insurance were addressed Cook said staff at the school were in fear of another incident occurring and emphasised the shock the offending had caused during the festive season "Just to have that fear of crime for the people that run the place especially as it happened coming up to Christmas and moving into that period where people should be enjoying themselves." Anyone with information can contact the police on 105 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and citing reference number 241208/6023 The stellar leadership of Ōtara-Papatoetoe youth and their role in helping to shape local board decisions was celebrated at an awards dinner the board’s Youth Council - the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Squad (TOPS) initiative has become a pivotal element of the board’s work programme with allocated funding of $30,000 encouraging young people to engage actively in community life “This initiative shines a spotlight on their needs and empowers them to take charge of the issues they care about Whether it’s participating in Anzac Day services or voicing their views on local matters the programme fosters a network of engaged youth who are actively shaping their community.” the local board awards local high schools with recognition and financial gifts Each school picks their standout juniors to receive these awards are invited to join the TOPS Youth Council where they can immerse themselves in youth activities “This drive leads to heightened involvement in civic life including voting and participating in community events.” Each nominee received a Civic Services Award badge and a small gift Last year’s recipients MC'd the night and presented awards with local board members The families and teachers of the successful youngsters were also honoured and closing remarks from the local board chair kicking off the journey for new members joining the TOPS whānau A key moment at the awards dinner was honouring the late Fa’anana Efeso Collins The celebration was postponed mourning with the Collins aiga who have been vital to TOPS since its inception “We’re thankful for the local board's backing amid national funding cuts and look forward to more collaborations with youth groups “We pay tribute to Fa’anana Efeso Collins for his enduring influence on our youth council and honour the legacy of those who’ve laid our foundation Thanks to the Collins aiga for their continued support demonstrating our shared dedication to each other’s growth.” Tribute for the late Fa’anana Efeso Collins Tasiryah Vaine-Moera - Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Hibiscus Tipene - Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Welcome and congratulations to all Awardees local board member Albert Lim with awardee Tasiryah Vaine-Moera from Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Manukau CityPrice By Negotiation533254m²703m²BIG HOME FOR A LARGE FAMILYThe owners of this stunning family home are relocating to Australia presenting an incredible opportunity for you to secure this fully renovated gem Visit our open homes or book a private viewing - this one won't last Sitting on a generous 703sqm freehold section there's plenty of room for the whole family to spread out The modern kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining and living areas this property also offers exciting development potential 703sqm freehold section (Mixed Housing Urban) Wheelchair-friendly for added accessibility Easy access to public transport makes commuting a breeze Don't miss out on this exceptional home in a high-growth area **CONJUNCTIONALS WELCOME FROM ALL AGENCIES** Disclaimer - This property is being sold by auction or without a price and therefore a price guide can not be provided The website may have filtered the property into a price bracket for website functionality purposes All prospective purchasers shall complete their own due diligence and satisfy themselves with respect to information supplied during the marketing of this property including but not limited to: the floor and land sizes Manukau CityPrice by Negotiation424112m²683m²Cashing Out and Moving On!Welcome to 48 Hamill Road 2-bathroom character home sitting proudly on a generous 683sqm freehold section - 4 spacious bedrooms and 2 contemporary bathrooms - A bright and airy open-plan living and dining area - A separate laundry space outside for added convenience With ample space for the whole family and room to add further value this home is a fantastic opportunity for first-home buyers this property invites you to become part of a diverse and lively neighbourhood Enjoy the opportunity to build connections and contribute to a strong sense of community with essential amenities and the popular Botany shopping mall just 10 minutes away Walking distance to BestStart Johnstones Road Kindy Te Piringa Ki Otara Kohanga Reo and Mayfield Primary School from shops and supermarkets to dining and entertainment Schedule your viewing today or come to the open homes Vendors are highly motivated to sell and are wanting to cash out and move one Disclaimer: All prospective purchasers shall complete their own due diligence Auckland Council advice and satisfy themselves with respect to information supplied during the marketing of this property made its way to the board’s September business meeting where the Ōtara Business Association (OBA) presented a petition to the board to not grant licences to the street vendors The view is that street vendors at Ōtara Town Centre are being accused of taking business away from legitimate shop owners who have higher costs and pay rates the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board is passionately dedicated to empowering street vendors in the area Rather than having them removed which is the present scenario the board has put a plan in place and is committed to see the entrepreneurs succeed The board has clarified that they do not have authority over license approvals and that street trading is a legal activity permitted under Auckland Council regulations One notable case highlighted in local media is that of Sāmoan street vendor Simona Lautasi who has been selling lamb buns (keke mamoe) at Ōtara Town Centre for the past year and a half Lautasi mentions that he is saving the money to support his family both here and in Sāmoa expressed concern that street trading is 'causing significant harm to ratepayers' in Ōtara Town Centre particularly affecting shop owners in the Council’s Business Improvement District (BID) programme “Shop tenants face heavy financial burdens from commercial rent These legitimate businesses are struggling to stay viable while street traders “Our goal is to see these vendors succeed in a legitimate way providing stable income for their families and helping them build a better future it’s an honest day’s work and we want to support their efforts in a way that truly makes a difference in their lives “I am proud that this board has a plan in place and we are committed to working together to create opportunities that enable our entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute positively to our community." The board allocated leftover funds from last year's budget to create a program supporting vendors Council officers are working to ensure these groups' licenses are up to date and exploring ways to further support their ventures The board is exploring the idea of partnering street vendors with Ōtara Kai Village (OKC) – a resident led initiative under The Community Builders NZ Trust - as a solution who help organisations engage with diverse Pacific communities and businesses is working with street vendors to assess their situation and address any barriers to their trading “I'm now working with the Auckland Council Street trading team to identify what the barriers are why have these permits been declined in the past The board extended an invitation to the OBA to collaborate more closely A South Auckland community is reeling after the town centre’s seating area and playgroundwere dismantled to deter anti-social behaviour and public drinking Victoria Hearn, a volunteer and trustee of the Ōtara Gambling and Alcohol Action Group (OGAAG), an advocacy group that has been addressing alcohol harm and gambling concerns in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe community for 20 years said there was no warning the area was to be removed I just took a couple of photos there this morning when I got into work early Because when you come in early and there’s no one there feeling gutted that the root issue – alcohol consumption and antisocial behaviour outside the Ōtara TAB – remains unaddressed but the community has lost valuable public space “A lot of our community has been advocating for it to be removed because of the drinking that happens next to it and at that seating But it’s just the wrong way to go about it rather than getting rid of the drinkers It’s our kids that have lost out to a bunch of people drinking.” Hearn lamented the loss of the fenced-off area which she said was “the only green space in the town centre” and believed it could have been transformed into a family-friendly area It was the only playground in the Ōtara town centre she noted in a Facebook video posted by the OGAAG “It’s been around for years, like already I’ve had people comment on Facebook saying, that playground’s a place where they can bring their kids when they’re down here doing their shopping and things like that And I just think that we should be trying to put as much energy into getting rid of the liquor store and the TAB rather than the playground.” Hearn has lived in Ōtara for six years and said older Pasifika men and women socialise in the area ”Those social connections are really essential to their whole mental health and wellbeing they sort of risk that sort of social isolation and loneliness,“ she said “And we know that there’s a whole lot of people that come there and congregate there just to catch up with each other And then you have this other group that are wrecked .. Ōtara residents Chloe and Joviani, who wish their surnames to remain anonymous asked, after seeing the playground being disassembled:“Why not get rid of the TAB?” “I’ve reported [men drinking] so many times,” Chloe said,“and their comments towards most of the kids in that area We walked into the meat shop one day and my son got scared.” Joviani said: “I think take [the TAB] down There are heaps of men around here and there’s kids like solo mums around here.” Chloe said her children no longer use the playground: ”They did Jovani added: “I think most people have heaps of memories here said there were concerns about the fencing around the playground and told Local Democracy Reporting:“We understand that many in our community have noticed and expressed concern about the fencing around the playground near Mr Meats and the seating area near Jasmine Nails and Spa “These changes have sparked a lot of discussion We’ve also received numerous queries and want to assure everyone that we are committed to keeping the community informed.” He confirmed that dismantling the playground began on January 29 and is expected to be completed by the end of next week “The issue of anti-social behaviour has been a significant and ongoing topic of discussion and concern for over two years,” he said “The current playground is being dismantled The board is committed to ensuring the space reflects the community’s needs and desires “The project is part of a broader plan to promote inclusive play spaces and address anti-social behaviour through community engagement and activations.” Sign up to The Daily H a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday Police and other emergency services were called to serious crash in Ōtara Emergency services were called to the scene of a serious crash in South Auckland this morning A police spokesperson said a car collided with a power pole on Gilbert Rd “Two people were transported to hospital with critical injuries,” they said “Traffic management is in place – it looks like traffic is being diverted at the intersections of Gilbert Rd and Lappington Rd Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. A company ignored requests to remove a pontoon and rubber fenders. Manukau CityPrice by Negotiation314100m²851m²Gem In Otara!!Yes!!v 851m2 (mol) of freehold land still exist - this property has to be sold PLEASE NOTE: Specified floor and land area sizes have been obtained from sources such as Property Guru They have not been measured by the Salesperson or Hills Real Estate Limited We recommend you seek your own independent legal advice if these sizes are material to your purchasing decision Manukau CityAsking price $979,00031794m²RC BC & EPA Approved for 6 Lots!A golden opportunity awaits This 794m² Mixed Housing Urban property has Resource Consent (RC,BCand EPA) approved for six lots Each dwelling includes one bathroom and one toilet Bring your creative development plans to life approved concept plans include a stunning brand-new three-bedroom 2.5-bathroom double-storey home—the perfect canvas for your dream build The groundwork has been done—Resource Consent is secured Act fast—your dream development starts here Call now to secure this exceptional opportunity See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Manukau CityPrice by Negotiation316655m²Renovated With Love & Move In Ready!Welcome to 18 Tyrone Street Boasting 3 generous bedrooms and 2 self-contained utility rooms this home offers flexibility for extended family Enjoy seamless indoor-outdoor flow with sunny front and rear decks • 3 spacious bedrooms – ideal for families or flatmates • 2 self-contained rumpus/utility rooms – perfect for extended family • Fully renovated – modern interiors with stylish finishes • Indoor-outdoor flow – front and back decks for entertaining and relaxing • Fully fenced section – secure and private • Ample parking – room for multiple vehicles Don't miss this affordable dream home – call now to book your private viewing They have not been measured by the Salesperson or Harveys Papatoetoe 07 May 2025 09:00311143m²842m²#THEDAY Two Homes Auction Next Week - Final CallOur owners had big plans for this property but life has taken them in a new direction and now it must be sold With a fresh facelift including new exterior cladding and paint leaving you with a move-in-ready home and a blank canvas for future potential 70A is being sold alongside 70B Bairds Road giving you the chance to secure two neighbouring freehold properties with massive potential that's over 1,600m2 of land and a rare chance to create a family hub This home sits on a generous 842m2 (more or less) freehold section providing ample outdoor space for the kids and all the essentials to move in and enjoy adds to the convenience and practicality of this property Whether you're starting your property journey 70A offers both comfort and potential in a sought-after area of South Auckland To be sold at Ray White Manukau (603 Great South Road Manukau City Centre) on "The Day" - 7th May 202 • Only 2 minutes to Highbrook motorway access Disclaimer -This property is being sold by auction or without a price and therefore a price guide can not be provided Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner. Based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Kim Anderson (aka Kim Can Draw) is of Māori and Singaporean Chinese descent. She says the Fellowship provides her with the “time, energy and resourcing” needed to develop a graphic novel. Written by teacher, translator & community leader Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata, the book is designed to introduce children to the rich cultural heritage of Samoa, conveying proverbs that guide family life, leadership, education, and the environment by drawing on a wealth of traditional wisdom that can appeal to younger readers of all ethnicities in Aotearoa. Headway is issuing a strong and urgent warning to whānau, schools, and young people about the deeply troubling ‘Run It Straight’ trend, a challenge gaining popularity among rangatahi that encourages participants to charge at each other in full-speed collisions. This is not a sport; it’s a direct assault on developing brains. This year, the weather played kind, offering clear skies and mild winds — a rare gift in the Tararua Range, which averages over 160 days of gale-force winds and 200 days of rain annually. The Commissioner will work alongside the Secretary for Education, Ms Ellen MacGregor-Reid, and other Ministry staff, who will remain actively involved in the negotiations. Their advice and expertise will be central to his decisions. From the return of a legendary cultural relay to a brand-new forest trail course and a kids' run that brings schools together in celebration of movement, this year’s event promises to be one of the most vibrant and community-driven editions yet. Manukau CityBy negotiation314645m²Realistic vendor wants to see an offer !An incredible opportunity awaits at this stunning 3-bedroom 2-bathroom home in the sought-after Otara area this home exudes modern charm and is ready for you to move in or rent out immediately The motivated vendor is ready to make a deal and is welcoming all reasonable offers Don't miss out on this golden opportunity to secure your future investment CURRENTLY RENTED OUT AT $775 A WEEK WITH TENANTS EAGER TO STAY LONGER THIS PROPERTY PROMISES A STEADY STREAM OF INCOME WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT (SUBJECT TO COUNCIL APPROVAL) Act fast and schedule your viewing today before this opportunity slips away See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson An Auckland teenager and woman have been taken to hospital with “serious to critical” injuries with police called to the property about 10.50pm A woman and teenager were subsequently taken to hospital Hato Hone St John said it sent two ambulances to the home “Our crews assessed and treated two patients both in a serious condition,” a spokeswoman said “One patient was transported to Middlemore Hospital and one patient was transported to Starship Hospital.” Police were examining the property this morning but said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident Photos from the scene show investigating police focusing on the home’s driveway Blood could be seen on the bonnet of a car Sign up to the Daily H Photo / LDR Mary Afemata A new housing development risks creating an “elite enclave” within South Auckland Highbrook Living plans to build a housing development at the landmark power station site on Sparky Rd Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board (OPLB) chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said the development could have significant environmental impacts cause traffic congestion and was far from schools and shops “The proposed development site is cut off from the rest of Ōtara and the busy main arterial Highbrook route,” he says “The board is concerned an elite enclave will be built disconnected from the rest of Ōtara," he said “[There is] no physical connection to existing people of Ōtara to be neighbours with This is going to be a multimillion-dollar housing development with million-dollar views to the river but with the back of Ōtara.” Auckland Council recently approved the developer’s plan Change request to convert 4.4 hectares of land from light industrial zoning to residential zoning This will allow for terrace housing and apartments The Highbrook Precinct project aims to revitalise the local power station area and address housing needs It will include regulations on transportation and noise The remaining site will maintain its existing business – light industry zoning and will not be part of the Highbrook Precinct the developer is expected to actively integrate this new residential project into the fabric of the Ōtara community The goal is to ensure that the development complements the existing neighbourhood and a shared sense of belonging,” the council release said Apulu says he would like to see the residents of this new development become integrated with the rest of Ōtara “The independent hearing panel seems to think the developer will create an integrated community to our shopping areas; ensure your development enhances the natural environment; come and join the rest of Ōtara.” Numerous opposition submissions were received from the surrounding areas Mana whenua were engaged in the process due to the site’s cultural and environmental significance to local communities Highbrook Living sent letters to 11 mana whenua groups with responses received from Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Four mana whenua groups requested cultural values assessments (CVAs) but only Ngāti Tamaoho submitted one before notification Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua opposed the plan change but withdrew its objection after resolving the issues with the applicant The Highbrook Precinct borders the Tāmaki River a significant awa leading to the Hauraki Gulf (Tikapa Moana) and Waitematā Harbour These waterways have historically served as vital food sources and transport routes for iwi and hapū in coastal and island settlements Mana whenua maintain a spiritual connection to the Tāmaki River and hold kaitiakitanga (guardianship) responsibilities for the area the precinct is situated near the Pukewairiki Tuff Ring one of the oldest volcanoes in Auckland’s volcanic field Highbrook Living did not respond to a request for comment Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air Just like the song 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas,' Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board are spreading joy and cheer this season with several Christmas events Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year it can also be one of the hardest for some That’s why the board and local community partners are working to ease that burden by offering free The festivities begin with the Senior Matua Christmas Party on 6 December, hosted by Te Puke ō Tara Community Centre a special event dedicated to celebrating the seniors in the community This heartwarming gathering is a chance to show love and appreciation for the older residents offering them a festive and joyful experience filled with care and connection Next up, the highly anticipated Papatoetoe Santa Parade Party, delivered by Papatoetoe Central Main Street Society will light up the streets of Papatoetoe on Wednesday 4 December The evening kicks off with a fun-filled kids’ park followed by the festive parade with lots of locals involved at 7pm and a concert at 7:30pm It's a delightful celebration for the whole family The Board is proud to be one of the key supporters contributing $28,000 to help make this event possible it’s the perfect way to end off the celebrations “The board is proud to partner with awesome community organisations such as the Community Builders NZ Trust to bring these Christmas celebrations to our diverse communities Thank you to all involved in serving our community this festive season.” Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area? Sign up for our Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board e-newsletter and get it delivered to your inbox each month.  Photo / SuppliedA South Auckland do-up fetched an impressive price of $625,000 at auction this week A developer fought off competition from a dozen other bidders to take ownership of the three-bedroom brick-and-tile property on Lawerence Place Ray White listing agent Jared Hards told OneRoof that the sale had been ordered by the High Court The house had been the subject of a family dispute and it had taken over 15 years and a long time going through the courts to get it to the point where it could be listed The 1960s home had been occupied until about three months ago The residents moved out so the family could clean it and prepare it for sale Hards said it had been a long and emotional process for the vendors but they were extremely happy with the outcome especially as it had surpassed their expectations - Bought for $750,000, sold for $490,000 - Auckland home takes massive hit at mortgagee sale - No address, no photos, no price - agent selling ‘mystery’ South Auckland house - ‘Yuck’ South Auckland home back on the market after unbelievable transformation The agent even admitted that he had only expected it to sell in the $500,000s because it was being sold ‘as is Better properties in the same area had recently sold for between $600,000 and $700,000 “It was a pretty decent sale given obviously the condition of the house but it had pylons and powerlines running over the corner of the section.” The powerlines made developing the site more difficult because new homes could not be built directly under them was marketed at investors “looking to add significant value” The home was in original condition and hadn't had anything done to it for about 20 years where is' condition and was marketed as a 'fixer-upper' that didn’t stop 15 registered bidders ranging from renovators developers and even first-home buyers who were getting a helping hand from their parents to get on the property ladder getting involved in the auction The auction at Ray White Manukau's auction room on Tuesday opened at $200,000 with eight people actively bidding There were only two buyers left fighting over it hit by the time it reached $550,000 “The guy who won it (for $625,000) basically just kept putting on bigger increments than everyone else The last one they were doing $1000 (bids) and he was doing $10,000 on top of them.” The new owner was a “buy and hold developer” who would either take the easiest option of renovating the front house and building something on the back of the property or bow it and put several houses in its place he just buys and holds onto them and rents them out.” The powerlines crossed over a corner of the section and added an extra complication for anyone wanting to develop the site Hards said High Court sales for standalone homes on freehold sites were rare and attracted a lot of interest when they did come up He believed the auction was a standout because people knew the vendor’s motivation and knew it had to sell “A lot of these sales where they know the vendors are going to sell The market was also starting to pick up a bit more - Click here to find more properties for sale in Auckland For years, Gabriel Tuporo’s feelings of resentment and helplessness grew as he watched his sister suffer physical abuse at the hands of her long-term partner. Then on Christmas Eve last year, as he happened upon the other man while driving down a residential South Auckland road an opportunity presented itself to confront him Things quickly escalated A dangerous game of cat-and-mouse ensued that ended with victim Hohepa Waipouri - on foot - being mowed down in the street by Tuporo behind the wheel of his red Suzuki Swift Now Tuporo - a 27-year-old father of two who has no previous criminal history - is likely headed to prison in the new year while Waipouri continues to suffer the after-effects of brain bleed and the weeks-long coma that resulted “Your mental health deteriorated as you ruminated about your perceived inability to keep your sister ... safe,” Manukau District Court Judge Sanjay Patel said earlier this month as Tuporo bedraggled after having walked to court in the rain The defendant wiped away tears as the judge outlined the circumstances of the serious assault “You plainly resented Mr Waipouri given your family had taken him in,” the judge continued “You felt he had betrayed the love and support that had been given by your family to him.” According to the agreed summary of facts for the case, Tuporo had been driving along Hills Rd in Ōtara around 6.35pm that evening when he noticed Waipouri and pulled a U-turn to confront him “about family harm matters” “What do you think you are doing?” Waipouri said as Tuporo got out of the vehicle and tried to get into a fight Tuporo responded by threatening to stab the other man with a pocketknife that he was holding After approaching Waipouri aggressively with the knife the other man ran and sought safety at a nearby dairy got back into his car and drove to the same dairy adding about 20 seconds later before driving away: “You wait Waipouri eventually left the dairy and continued walking down the roadway as he had been doing before the confrontation Tuporo spotted him again as he approached from behind crossed over to the wrong side of the road and drove onto the footpath,” court documents state “He struck the complainant from behind with the vehicle at speed The impact propelled the complainant into the windshield and caused him to go over the vehicle and onto the road.” He was initially charged with failing to stop and ascertain injury and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm which carries a maximum possible punishment of 14 years’ imprisonment But prosecutors agreed to withdraw that charge earlier this year - substituting it with a charge of wounding with intent to injure punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment The case against Tuporo had been strong from the outset aided largely by a recorded police interview citing years of pain and deep-seated hatred towards the complainant due to the latter’s violence towards the defendant’s sister,” the agreed summary of facts states “He said he panicked after the collision and drove home.” Defence lawyer Hannah Kim argued during the recent hearing that her client should receive a non-custodial sentence in light of the background to the offending his health issues and anxiety and the effect imprisonment would have on Tuporo’s two young children - including a 2-year-old with autism for whom he is the primary caregiver His time in jail before he was released on bail “gave him some real insight into the consequences of his offending” Tuporo “has done remarkably well” by enrolling in a non-violence programme He has been assessed as having a low risk of re-offending Crown prosecutor Annelise Chan acknowledged that a modest sentence reduction might be available for the effect a prison sentence would have on Tuporo’s children but she noted that the judge had already granted generous discounts during a sentence indication hearing in July She opposed any additional discount for “provocation” arguing that Tuporo’s actions did not meet the legal definition of having been provoked given that he was the one who initiated contact with the victim that night “We don’t dispute that his sister has been subject to family violence from the victim,” she acknowledged Waipouri was released from prison after having been sentenced for unrelated offending earlier this year and couldn’t be found for the hearing which has led to Mr Waipouri spending time in prison,” Judge Patel noted Court documents show he was charged with assault involving family violence contravening a protection order and threatening to kill In a victim impact statement submitted to the court in July Waipouri described spending two weeks in a coma at Auckland Hospital He had no recollection of the incident itself adding that his pre-existing fear of hospitals has been exacerbated by waking up in one without initially knowing why he has blurred vision at night and a loss of taste Judge Patel set a starting point of four and a half years’ imprisonment for Tuporo’s sentencing taking into account the extensive injuries suffered by his victim and the fact he used his car as a weapon “By the time of the interaction between you and Mr Waipouri .. you intended to cause him harm,” he explained The sentence was increased by three months to account for having fled the scene but then 45% in discounts were applied for his guilty pleas remorse and his prospects for rehabilitation announced during Tuporo’s previous sentence indication hearing put him at two years and four months’ imprisonment - four months past the cutoff point at which judges can consider swapping out a custodial sentence for home detention But Judge Patel said earlier this year that he would consider any other matters that came to light ahead of the December sentencing - including a psychological report that “You accepted you were not acting rationally,” the judge recently said noting that the now-finished psychological report said Tuporo was “experiencing intolerable pressure” and was “overwhelmed by anger” due to his inability to help his sister The judge allowed an additional 5% discount to account for his caregiver role for his children but agreed with the Crown that all other reductions announced earlier in the year had been sufficient and didn’t need to be lengthened The result was an end sentence of two years and two months’ imprisonment paired with one year’s disqualification from driving But before security took Tuporo away to begin serving his sentence his lawyer indicated she would like to appeal the decision since it was so close to the home detention cutoff point She asked for her client to remain on bail pending the appeal and the judge noting the delay that would be inevitable due to the holiday season Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand Haydn Christy was jailed in 2016 for 12 years with an 8-year minimum non-parole period Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board has urged Auckland Transport (AT) to support local board transport priorities for local investment in public transport It also called for equitable attention from AT and government agencies towards South Auckland in its response to the draft Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan (RTLP) 2024-2034 “This board shared at the hearing that it is important council push the government to support its priorities AT and the government will literally and figuratively be leaving South Auckland behind.” The board raised concerns about time-of-use charging and airport connections “This board also signalled that we do not support “time-of use-charge” as it will have a disproportionately adverse impact on people as well as many vulnerable parts of our communities Our people are car-dependent for several reasons The area is poorly served by the public transport network and congestion-charging will make it even more in-equitable for those living in conditions of high deprivation There are no-enabling factors to help people make a mode-shift.” “Connection to the airport precinct is vital for our communities and many more who are working and servicing the precinct this is why we advocated not to defer the final Botany Interchange Our people here in the south need to get to employment and young people need to get to study This rapid transit programme will improve travel choices and journey times for people in south and east Auckland The board supported measures such as free fares and monthly pass options to enhance the accessibility and appeal of public transport “There are many who are ‘working poor’ that don't qualify for a community services card therefore don't benefit from the usual subsidies Shift workers working at the airport and East Tamaki – the practical reality is that it is cheaper and effective to travel by car than face train and bus cancellations along with NZTA Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail are seeking to fund It proposes $63 billion worth of investment in transport over the next 10 years The statutory role of local boards within the development of the RLTP is to provide a community perspective Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board's advocacy efforts were prominently featured in the influential blog Greater Auckland, highlighting the board’s efforts on behalf of the community, and shining a spotlight on equity for South Auckland. Read about it here For details of the board’s agenda go here Patients in one of New Zealand’s most impoverished communities are so desperate to see a doctor they’re lining up outside in the cold hours before the clinic opens its doors patients said they can face lengthy delays if they’re not there early The clinic is owned by Tāmaki Health and its chief executive described the situation as “absolutely heartbreaking” and “gutting” said the queue had progressively got worse in the five years he’d worked there “The line just gets greater and greater even in the cold which breaks my heart To see my people sitting out here and you’ve seen the majority who are in the cold before seven o’clock are Māori and Pacific,” he said They get more unwell sitting out here in the cold” arrived when it was still dark with her own chair to make the wait on the pavement more comfortable “I really want to see the doctor about my pain in my back,” she said The Ōtara clinic’s walk-in option means no appointment is necessary “If we book the appointment and we are enrolled with another GP Salaina said staff are so overrun that unless you arrive early the wait to see the doctor can be up to five hours once inside “That’s why we need the Government to help, to add some more nurses and doctors to help the people.” arrived at the clinic with a walking frame and hobbled towards the queue He’d recently had knee surgery and was in pain He said it was “outrageous” people had to line up in the cold to get care were waiting outside when the Herald was filming but McIndoe said the line is normally much bigger Sonya Inifi took her place in the queue at 6.15am on behalf of her dad She said the wait times were “ridiculous” but even worse if you arrived late in the morning then you’re looking at like a five-hour wait and my dad’s sick.” She said it was obvious doctors and nurses at the clinic were under a lot of pressure Their staff (the clinic’s GPs and nurses) aren’t appreciated and they haven’t been valued (by the Government) for the work that they do She wanted more action from the Government “It’s one of the major things that need to be reconsidered McCann told the Herald the queue outside the Ōtara clinic was a symptom of the “significant challenge” general practice is facing. People are desperate to access healthcare,” he said The Ōtara clinic is categorised as a “very low-cost practice” – one that gets additional funding to reduce fees so its clients and an ageing population with more complex and chronic health needs Ambulance “ramping” – where patients are delayed getting to a hospital bed – is seen as partly due to poor access to primary care which plays a key role in early detection of problems and preventing serious illness GPs are also managing patients who need surgical intervention longer. McCann said the way GPs were subsidised by the Government was outdated – a concern backed up by several government reports commissioned by the last Labour Government We’re seeing a number of clinics close throughout the country We’re seeing a number of general practitioners just call it quits because it has got really hard,” he said “People are doing work in their own time after hours.” McCann said general practice wasn’t given the recognition it deserved when considering the overall health of New Zealanders and the functionality of the health system as a whole He said when general practice operates well it reduces pressure on hospitals but said GPs had faced “years” of underinvestment “If we have more upfront investment in primary and community care and earlier detection we stand a better chance of actually keeping people healthy; keeping people in their homes as opposed to in hospitals.” the Government offered a 4% increase on the amount a general practice gets paid per patient arguing a “substantive increase” was required He said Health Minister Dr Shane Reti had long “signalled” he wanted to invest more in primary care but those on the frontline were yet to see any significant action McCann felt the seriousness of the situation “went beyond the minister” and urged New Zealanders to demand more investment in primary care He said it was “great” the Government had put millions into funding cancer drugs but emphasised that it would not make a difference if the “front door” of the health system was broken “All of the investment in the best cancer drugs in the world [isn’t] actually going to make a difference to patients’ outcomes [if the cancer isn’t picked up early by GPs].” The National Party’s big health card before the last election was that it would build a new medical school in Waikato to boost GP numbers “I think we’re at the stage where no matter how many new medical student places there are at medical school we’re always going to be playing catch-up,” McCann told the Herald When the Herald visited the Ōtara clinic, one of its 12 doctors, Dr Niroshika Kotte Arachchige, had been called in to help on her day off because staff were overwhelmed. She and her colleagues see up to 350 patients a day and despite having a dozen doctors it was “still not enough”. “For example, today is my day off. But my roster manager called me and asked if I can help the queue because there’s not enough doctors. Two of our doctors are down with Covid,” Niroshika told the Herald. The week before, she was also called in on a day off and ended up working a 13-hour shift. She said her nursing colleagues were also “exhausted” and believed fixing primary care should be a priority if the Government was serious about trying to reduce the burden on hospitals. She also regularly did extra work outside of her normal hours. “I normally come one hour early to do my inbox and my paperwork. On top of that paperwork, we get a lot of [patients] discharged from the hospital to follow up.” Her greatest concern was her patients, some of whom had to be turned away even if they queued up early. “So sometimes those who wait for four or five hours have to go home at the end of the day without seeing a doctor.” Health Minister Dr Shane Reti told the Herald early-morning queues outside the Ōtara clinic were not acceptable. “I understand this particular practice may have faced challenges for some time, but of course that doesn’t make current queuing any more acceptable,” Reti said. He acknowledged “long-standing” pressure on primary care and said solutions for GPs and patients relied on recruiting and retaining more doctors and improving remuneration. Reti said the proposed new medical school would help keep more medical students in New Zealand, and in the meantime suggested greater use of healthcare assistants and technology to ease the patient and paperwork burden for GPs. The 4% pay increase for GPs included a provision which allowed practices to increase their fees to achieve a total boost in revenue of 5.88%, he said. The General Practice New Zealand chairman, Dr Bryan Betty, said the offer “does absolutely nothing to address the history of chronic underfunding”. Reti, who practised family medicine for 16 years in Whangārei, “sincerely valued” the contribution of his former colleagues but said no Budget could deliver everything all groups hoped for. Michael Morrah is a senior investigative reporter/team leader at the Herald. He won the best coverage of a major news event at the 2024 Voyager NZ Media Awards and has twice been named reporter of the year. He has been a broadcast journalist for 20 years and joined the Herald’s video team in July 2024. The Festival of Consent runs until Sunday with events including talks and a dance party. Heartless thieves have ransacked a South Auckland preschool ruining floors with paint and stealing valuable educational equipment Police said the Ōtara Community Preschool was broken into sometime over the weekend with vandals leaving a trail of destruction for those using the centre with property wrecked seemingly for the sake of it Counties Manukau East area prevention manager Inspector Rakana Cook said nine internal windows were smashed along with a microwave and oven and computers knocked to the ground Images from inside the centre show every room trashed with paint-coated footprints tracked all over the children’s bathroom floors and punch holes left in a wall “This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting,” Cook said a preschool has been left footing the bill for this crime and children are now without their belongings and educational resources.” Cook said the offenders acted in a mindless way and destroyed property seemingly for the sake of it “We are now asking for the public’s assistance for any information which may help us to hold this person “A number of people have come forward with information and spoken to police since this incident and we ask anyone who has not yet spoken to us to get in touch.” Ministry of Education Hautū (leader) Te Tai Raro (North) Isabel Evans told the Herald it is aware of the attack on the preschool “The centre has been extensively damaged and is currently closed as it is unsafe for operation,” she said “We have contacted the preschool to offer support and have suggested alternative services to whānau and caregivers while the preschool is closed.” Manukau CityAuction32380m²675m²11 years ago - NOW ON THE MARKET!Copy and Paste for Property documents and Auction forms: https://vltre.co/5bFEO0 This delightful property with three bedrooms and two bathrooms is ideal for both first-time buyers Situated on a spacious 675 square meter plot this property provides plenty of room for entertaining and relaxation Enjoy the comfort of a combined lounge and dining area The open-plan design creates a warm and inviting atmosphere with plenty of natural light flowing through The standard kitchen is equipped with an electric stove and rangehood A versatile rumpus room which can be converted back to the double garage provides additional space for play Three well-sized bedrooms offer ample space for rest The fully fenced backyard is perfect for children and pets to play safely while the level section provides a great canvas for gardening or outdoor entertaining The property has plenty of off-street parking and parking spaces for up to 2 additional vehicles which will be no issue for you and your guests Constructed of sold weatherboard and an iron roof it holds a lot of promise with good interior condition ready for you to move in and make it your own This house is perfect for busy families because it happens to be in a kid-friendly area and is accessible to schools You can enjoy the convenience of urban living while still having access to outdoor spaces This property will be auctioned on November 7th at 4:00 PM Don't miss your chance to secure this fantastic home in Otara Whether you're looking to invest or find your forever home 13 Tyrone Street offers a blend of comfort Contact me today to arrange a viewing and experience all that this property has to offer Police are investigating after two people were taken to the hospital with serious and critical injuries following an incident on Wymondley Rd Mairehau house fire: Firefighters battle two-storey house blaze 10 patients were assessed and treated by our crews in total Auckland commuters face a chaotic morning after two highways leading into the central city have been majorly disrupted by crashes NZ film industry faces uncertainty over US tariff ongoing decline in livestock numbers and questions over longer sentences reducing reoffending Reporter Sierra is at Magnificent Moa Day where experts are revealing their incredible 3.6 million year-old find Emergency services are attending the fire at a McDonald's on Pakuranga Rd Christopher Luxon holds a post-Cabinet press conference Air New Zealand's chief executive talks about the $490m Dreamliner retrofit and his job Victim of abuse is wanting a judicial review Goodman Group is upgrading Highbrook Crossing to add retail dining and public space to New Zealand’s largest business park in East Tāmaki where hip hop crews from all over the world are battling to see who’s the best and Parliament tackles alcohol and mental health The Coleman family has been melting down precious metals for more than 40 years This is the first time they've shared inside their multi-million dollar gold and silver operation The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking in the Newstalk ZB studio to talk all the big politicial issues Moana Pasifika beat the Highlanders 34-29 in Dunedin Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was joined by Deputy PM Winston Peters and Minister of defence Judith Collins to make a pre-budget defence announcement and 3D-printed limbs help child amputees in Gaza Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to be joined by Defence Minister Judith Collins and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters make a pre-Budget defence announcement Neighbours heard explosions as a fire ripped through a Mt Roskill house Mum pays tribute after Auckland bus stop killing Australians vote early and insurance companies brace for claims Megyn Cordner and Lucas Prince started their business from the back of a van in 2022 Andrew Che lost his life savings after sending it to the wrong account Barclays Bank has refunded his money after a prolonged battle for compensation Aerial footage reveals the scale of flooding across areas of Canterbury after a destructive weather system hit the region and prompted a state of emergency North Shore real estate agency chief responds to a Real Estate Disciplinary Tribunal decision Mark Mitchell provides an update on the state of emergency in Christchurch and Selwyn A possible mini tornado was spotted about Auckland Harbour as the latest band of wild weather hits the city Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded to more than 30 callouts overnight more Kiwis turning to methamphetamine and Drs are back at the negotiating table NZSA chief executive Oliver Mander speaks about CEO pay in 2024 Waiwhetu woman Julie Paterson heard 'a loud cracking' and saw a tree branch falling towards her during Wednesday's storm Heather Keats updates the powerful system battering New Zealand breaks down why Wellington is under a rare red warning with extreme winds and Local MP Hon Nicola Grigg speak to the media on the local state of emergency in Selwyn Gisborne locals and health workers marched to Heipipi Park where speakers highlighted what they say is a regional health crisis NZ Herald Live: Simeon Brown talks to media A tourist in the Philippines climbed into a crocodile cage to pose for a selfie The Ōtara shops playground has been pulled down for public drunkenness Reporter Richard investigates why leaders couldn’t kick them out and where kids can play now Ōtara Rugby League Football Club Incorporated is nestled in the scenic and iconic Ngāti Ōtara Park and popular Kolmar Charitable Trust in Papatoetoe Among fifteen sports organisations that will share $3.2 million in Auckland Council funding through the Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant these two play a crucial role in supporting over 20 sporting codes regionally Manukau Ward Councillor Lotu Fuli is pleased with the outcome and the final decision to provide three years of funding for two iconic sports hubs in the Manukau Ward “Councillor Filipaina and I were able to strongly advocate for more funding for Kolmar and the Ōtara Scorpions applying our specialist local knowledge to the decision making divided into $185,000 per year for the period 2024 to 2027 Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “Kolmar sits within the bustling Papatoetoe Recreation Grounds, a very popular and well used space. It is a key player in our sports and recreation scene hosting everything from bowling, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby, tennis, Olympic weightlifting, scouts’ group, girl guiding, and an outdoor fitness centre With a significant portion of the South Auckland community relying on these facilities this funding ensures that Kolmar continues to cater to local needs and the facilities remain a beloved and accessible resource.” A total of $75,000 has been allocated to the Ōtara Scorpions with $25,000 provided each year from 2024 to 2027 Apulu is adamant that it’s important to have the right mix of facilities in terms of type and location to meet the communities’ diverse needs and active lifestyles This beloved club is synonymous with Ōtara and has seen its team numbers soar The club supports a range of sports including netball it offers essential services like a laundromat With the board's recent funding for new facilities we’re thrilled to see continued support from our Councillors the council reviewed 37 applications for the fund The applications requested a total of $10,336,919 from the available funding pool of $3,208,126 An independent panel assessed the applications and recommended that 15 organisations receive an operating grant The full eligibility criteria and funding priorities are explained on the Auckland Council website     Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant allocations Auckland Hockey Association Incorporated / North Harbour Hockey Association Incorporated / Counties Manukau Hockey Association Incorporated North Harbour Softball Association Incorporated The Otara Rugby League Football Club Incorporated                                                   Total allocated Website intended for a New Zealand health professional readership aperrott@nzdoctor.co.nz Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber? Unlock this article by subscribing here. Hall discusses the evaluation of thyroid nodules which primarily aims to determine the likelihood of malignancy He then reviews the treatment of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Online is intended for a New Zealand health professional readership. Use of this site implies acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Statement New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Online is not a consumer medical advice service Consumers should seek advice from a health professional and not act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided Street vendors at Ōtara Town Centre are being accused of taking business away from legitimate shop owners who have higher costs and pay rates the local board wants to empower street vendors in the south Auckland suburb rather than get rid of them Samoan street vendor Simona Lautasi has been selling lamb buns for the past year and a half at the Ōtara shopping centre The Papatoetoe local lives with his daughter who helps him prepare the lamb buns known as "keke mamoe" which he trades at the Ōtara shopping centre throughout the week Lautasi said he is saving the money to help his family here and in Samoa It's street stalls like his that Ōtara Business Association wants local authorities to clamp down on Ōtara Business Association chair Amit Narchal said street trading is "causing significant harm to ratepayers" in the Ōtara Town Centre particularly to businesses within the Auckland Council's Business Improvement District (BID) programme The BID programme supports economic growth but issues arise when non-contributing street traders operate within its boundaries which already places a heavy financial burden on them "These legitimate businesses are struggling to remain viable The unfair competition makes it difficult for existing shop owners to sustain their businesses and discourages new retailers from setting up in Ōtara The Ōtara Business Association raised the issue of street vendors with the Ōtara Papatoetoe Local Board earlier this year The business association has asked the board to not grant licenses to the street vendors Ōtara Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said the board would rather support the vendors than get rid of them."We want them to be legitimate and provide income for their families or whatever else there are families that are really on the breadline we didn't want to look at it as an issue of trying to get rid of the families or the groups The board used leftover funds from last year's budget to set up a programme for vendors and see how we can support the entrepreneurs," he says The board has considered street vendors working with Ōtara Kai Village (OKC) as a solution instead of being in front of shopkeepers and supposedly taking money away from their shops is working with the street vendors to assess their situations and address any barriers to their trading "The problem they're facing is with a street trading team but you also need to get a street trading permit "I'm at that point now working with the Auckland Council street trading team to identify what the barriers are Auckland Council Licensing & Compliance manager Mervyn Chetty says the council knows the community has mixed views on street vendors at the Ōtara shopping center but this hasn't led to any licenses being canceled or not renewed "The council is currently in the process of reviewing a street trading licence application for a vendor at Ōtara Shopping Centre it is being reviewed against the relevant Auckland Council and Auckland Transport bylaws This includes an assessment of any impacts around public safety and nuisance," says Chetty The Ōtara business association will present a petition opposing street trading licenses for non-ratepaying vendors in the Ōtara BID to the board on Tuesday 17 September Mediawatch looks at a string of bad news about bad vibes in our big cities - with one in particular being singled out A slew of Stats NZ data showed food prices rose 0.2 percent in August on July A youth hub in Ōtara is empowering rangatahi Māori and Pasifika by taking them around the world The Ōtara Youth Hub is the first in Aotearoa to set up an initiative dedicated to Explore Traveller and Leadership (ELT) - a programme which helps young people travel the world The group have recently returned home from Asia after attending the Japan Youth Summit 2024 the theme of which was pioneering innovation for sustainable futures The four-day event covered topics like education It highlighted the importance of collaboration among young people for a better future The rangatahi coordinated with peers across different countries and time zones and prepared presentations for the summit Two of them won awards for their social innovation ideas and presentations "It was a proud and memorable moment of this trip" Nelson said she supports the programme to help get rangatahi out of Ōtara They managed to raise $16,000 towards their trip by selling special one-off Tino Rangatiratanga dresses and the Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board funded their return airfares home were chosen for the trip because of their involvement in Ōtara Youth Hub projects This was the smallest group they had taken on such a trip an Ōtara Ambassador with the Ola Squad Collective (Ōtara Leadership Army) organized by the Youth Break the Boundaries Foundation focused on tackling future challenges through sustainable development goals Salesa believes the summit was not just about addressing global issues but also about connecting with like-minded youth from around world She said the cultural differences were evident but praised the warmth and friendliness of the Japanese people toward tourists The most memorable aspect of her trip was the chance to meet other passionate young individuals from around the world and to deeply engage with Japanese culture an experience she said she would cherish forever Next year another group will travel to Istanbul More than 22,000 individuals in the region provided feedback with 2200 of those living in the south Auckland wards SectionsShowsVideoPodcastsWinMenuLIVE NOW PMN Niue531 PIThe RushNiu FMLatest bulletinPMN NewsRongomai Primary School was vandalised with seven windows damaged over the weekend Community leaders and education officials call for greater responsibility and support for vulnerable schools after recent break-ins and a local preschool have led to calls for more security patrols and community vigilance during the holidays while the thieves left a trail of smashed windows and broken doors during the break-ins last weekend Rongomai Primary School and Tangaroa College were burgled and vandalised over the weekend Pictured is a broken classroom window at Rongomai The incidents come after vandals hit several playgrounds and parks in the area in recent months sparking calls from a local board leader for more security patrols particularly the theft of Secret Santa gifts for the children You took the kids' presents - how low can you go?" The damage at Rongomai included several smashed windows Principal of Tangaroa College Chris Bean with Business Manager Katrina Hunter Bean says to those offending to leave schools alone Hunter says this behaviour is detrimental to the students taking away their resources “We want to end the year on a high and not like this … it just kind of sucks." Johnson added that he hated the attitude of “it being just another day in South Auckland” “I'm actually quite surprised it's happened because we are a school of the community and so we expect people would be respectful including food from the school's tuck shop Bean’s message is clear: “Leave schools alone.” He says schools are there to serve the community and vandalism like this eats into already-strained budgets “It’s money coming out of our operations grant "We’ve raised this issue with our park staff and the police and I’ve asked for more patrols in the area but the best answers do lie within our communities." says the root causes of antisocial behaviour and vandalism must be addressed "If we don’t have that wraparound service to our young people “They go and hang out in places at all hours of the night and do silly stuff that affects everyone else in the community.” Apulu says the minority vandalising public parks but we’ll be pursuing this with government agencies and our community organisations to see if they know if they've heard on the streets who they are and what wraparound services we can give those kids.” the presiding board member for Rongomai Primary School Tangaroa College's principal says the school is doing everything practical to ensure its safety and security “It’s disheartening that our Otara school was targeted ensuring our tamariki can enjoy their holidays and look forward to the year ahead.” "This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting," Cook says "This is an awful situation - a preschool has been left footing the bill for this crime and children are now without their belongings and educational resources." "The damage is estimated to be worth several thousand dollars." An Ōtara Community Preschool was broken into over the weekend you can contact the police online or call 105 You can also provide information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 Hautū (Leader) Te Tai Raro (North) from the Ministry of Education says “It is deeply disappointing to see incidents of vandalism impacting schools and early learning centres "They are vital parts of their communities “We've been in touch with both schools to offer assistance to repair damage to property We encourage school and early learning communities to remain vigilant to ensure they remain safe spaces for tamariki to learn and grow.” Most early childcare centres are private businesses with insurance and security arrangements The ministry provides funding through operational grants to address vandalism in ministry-owned buildings. More information can be found here. Auckland Council has abandoned the forced sale of an Ōtara house which has notched up a huge bill of $317,000 in unpaid rates and penalties after discovering the owner is dead The deceased owner’s relatives contacted the council after coverage by the Herald the compulsory court-ordered auction was abandoned after relatives of the property’s owner – Joseph William Leef – contacted council officials to inform them that Leef was dead a number of family members came forward – from as far afield as Australia – to help us fill in the blanks on the property’s ownership history and speak to us about managing it from here,” Auckland Council group chief financial officer Ross Tucker said “We are really pleased that the planned rating sale has now been stopped this month’s auction cancelled and we’re working with family members on next steps including liaising with the family on clarifying current ownership arrangements and how we might manage the rates debt against the property.” The 92sq m weatherboard home sits on a 693sq m section and has a CV of $950,000 The rates bill on the property has grown to $317,846.55 and is now the city’s longest outstanding debt No rates payments have been made on the home since March 2005 – more than 19 years The council said a compulsory sale was a “last resort” Officials went to great lengths trying to locate the owner or their family in order to come to a repayment arrangement that could avoid a forced rating sale Debt recovery action commenced in June 2016 and court action began later that year seeking what was then $46,000 in unpaid rates repeated attempts to serve notice on the property owner were unsuccessful the property became increasingly overgrown High Court charging orders were lodged against the title in 2019 The council applied to the High Court for a forced rating sale in May last year and the sale had been due to occur at Barfoot & Thompson’s CBD office on Wednesday Leef’s relatives are now negotiating a repayment arrangement and the sale has been cancelled as a result “Clearly this is a private matter for the family of Mr Leef so we’re taking care with sharing any further details we’re committed to working with them on a satisfactory resolution,” Tucker said the council was able to avoid taking “strong action” to recover unpaid rates and could instead work with property owners who were having difficulty paying The cost of living crisis had made it harder for many Auckland households to manage their rates bills Anyone concerned about paying their rates should contact the council to discuss available assistance “Rating sales are rare and an absolute last resort they are part of the council managing its obligations to be fair to all ratepayers and to continue delivering services for Aucklanders “Being able to stop this sale and work towards a resolution for those involved is certainly a great outcome.” The case would have been only the second time the council had sold a privately-owned home over unpaid rates with just one other successful compulsory rating sales since the supercity came into being in 2010 Charlotte Hareta Marsh lost her home of 20 years in a 2015 court-ordered sale after failing to pay rates for nine years she refused to recognise the authority of Auckland Council and claimed to have paid her rates instead to the “rightful land owner” – Arikinui o Tuhoe Marsh owed more than $12,000 in rates and penalties and nearly $3000 in court costs Asked at the time if the council was being mean-spirited forcing Marsh from her home over a $12,000 debt the council said it had to be fair to all ratepayers The late activist Penny Bright’s 11-year refusal to pay rates nearly cost her her Kingsland home in the months before her death Bright, a colourful protester who spent much of her life holding Auckland Council to account, had disputed and refused to pay her rates citing “the lack of transparency in council spending on private sector consultants and contractors” The council went to court to have Bright’s home forcibly sold to recoup tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid rates and penalties a deal was struck after Bright applied for a rates postponement which was accepted by the council and the forced sale proceedings halted In December 2021 the Herald reported the council was going after Freemans Bay cafe owner Dilip Rupa’s business and home due to his refusal to pay $350,000 in rates – the city’s then largest overdue bill It was applying to the High Court for a forced rating sale. Rupa would then have six months to pay the debt, or his family-owned business premises and jointly-owned Grey Lynn home could be sold at auction to recoup the arrears. Last month, the council said the Rupa matters were still before the courts. Lane Nichols is Deputy Head of News and a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry. Manukau CityAsking Price: $649,0003180m²177m²Urgent Sale - Presenting ALL Offers!This is your chance to own a fully renovated 3 bedroom 1 bathroom home that blends modern style with comfort and convenience Every inch of this property has been carefully updated vibrant space perfect for a growing family or the savvy investor With the charm and warmth of a home that's just waiting to be loved this home puts everything you need right at your doorstep Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this your new home sweet home For more info contact RUBAL SINGH on 021 333 350 or KARLEN ATHNAEIL on 027 777 8468 Disclaimer - This property is being sold without a price and therefore a price guide can not be provided Manukau CityPrice By Negotiation315130m²632m²Don't miss this gemThis is a tidy 3 bedroom home however it still has the potential for you to make you own mark So keep your hammer and tool belt at the ready Don't miss the large backyard with good space for the kids and your pets we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started.