The Rocky Horror Picture Show attracts hundreds

In Auckland, the Hollywood Cinema in Avondale was most famous for running The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Friday and Saturday night at 11.30pm from 1978 – 1988. A generation of Aucklanders grew up watching Janet Weiss and Brad Majors get caught out by Dr. Frank-N-Futer.

Last night hundreds of people flocked to Grey Lynn Park to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show all over again.  When Brad and Janet are caught in a storm- newspapers came out, when Janet sings, “There’s a light” – the audience lit up their cellphones, and, at the end of the creation speech – there were whistles, toast throwing, and people got on their feet for “LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN..”

A dozen or so people dressed up with the crowd cheering for “A Creation” (aka Peter) in gold shorts as their favorite.

MOVIES IN PARKS attracts thousands of people each year and is one of the most community minded events on our  calendar.  I am absolutely thrilled that local boards across the region could collaborate and claw the event back after it was cancelled last year by Councillors.

Movies in Parks is a celebration of our community and a way to re-connect people to our parks. The Rocky Horror Picture Show last night was a shining example of how that can be achieved. Despite the rain in the later half of the movie it was great to see hundreds of people staying and dancing in the rain.

Up Town brand launched

Some people call it Newton, others the top end of Symonds Street and the business association calls itself Eden Terrace, but not for long…

The Eden Terrace Business Association manager Garry Holmes and Chairperson of the Board Ron Harcus presented a new brand tonight (image to be launched).

The brand will be officially launched to its members first Business Breakfast Tuesday 16th April at Squid Row. And 2degrees CEO Eric Hertz will be the special guest speaker discussing how they captured one million New Zealand customers.

If you are a local business owner interested in attending please email the Business Association info@edenterrace.org.nz for more information.

Since the business improvement district was established, with comparatively small funding,  the organisation and its members have gone from strength to strength. This is a credit to the leadership of the board for its collaborative approach to improving the area.

As the Local Board representative on Eden Terrace it has been a pleasure working with local businesses and residents to see positive change occur in the area.

Construction commences on walking and cycling highway

On the 19th March construction will commence on our first walking and cycling highway in Cox’s Bay Creek.

The Cox’s Bay Creek Boardwalk will be closed for approximately 12 weeks while the dilapidated and wobbly 1.2 meter boardwalk is replaced with a 2.5 meter walking and cycling highway.

Cross Section: Coxes Creek Boardwalk 

Under the existing renewal project, the Cox’s Bay Creek boardwalk was set to be rebuilt to a 1.8m width from its current narrow span of 1.2m. But I am thrilled to see the local board being forward thinking and taking proactive steps to future proof the bridge for future connections. The Cox’s Bay Boardwalk is a vital link through Cox’s Bay which is heavily used by walkers, pushchairs and cyclists alike.

The widening of the Cox’s Bay Creek Boardwalk is part of a bigger picture to increase recreational opportunities within our community by improving links between neighbourhoods and open space facilities. With further improvements I see that the Cox’s Bay Reserve being connected with Hakano Reserve, Grey Lynn Park and the Western Cycleway into the city center, essentially a walking and cycling highway through Grey Lynn.

Friends of Symonds Street Cemetery

It was an impressive turnout last night in the Auckland Town Hall to discuss establishing a friends of the Symonds Street Cemetery.

Tucked away under the Grafton Bridge and straddled by K Road, the cemetery is one of New Zealands most significant heritage and cultural treasures. Left to rest are the former founders of New Zealand with one of the significant grave sites being Governor Hobson (in the photo). Last night I meet Martin Thomas who drove up from Hamilton and is a great descendant of the Stokes family of Stokes Road in Mt Eden. And Martin is just one descendant of over 10, 000 people buried within the Cemetery.

Over the next ten years the local board has committed $1.5 million to the restoration and protection of the park. However this is likely to be just a drop in the ocean and through a friends of group this can help generate the care and attention the cemetery desperately needs.

If you would like to get involved please phone the Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.

Dates for Movies in Grey Lynn Park

In my last blog I wrote about the return of Movies in Parks. I’m pleased to say that the Waitemata Local Board voted unanimously to support the events. Thank you to the 206 people that cast a vote on my Rob Thomas facebook page and the two most popular movies selected for Grey Lynn Park this month are:

• Avatar – 8pm, Saturday 16^th March, join the event with 124 people on facebook – click here

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show, – 8pm, Friday 22^nd March, join the event with 310 people on facebook – click here

So how did Movies in Parks return when the Mayor and Councillors cancelled the event this year? Read the full story in this month’s edition of the Ponsonby News, click here

Newmarket Park says goodbye to pests

Working in collaboration with local volunteers we have launched the first pest management programme in Newmarket Park.

This is an extension of the Dawn Curious programme that since July has caught 57 possums in the Auckland Domain. The Newmarket Park programme has 23 traps laid out across the park that are poison free. So dog owners can rest assure that dog walking continues to be a safe activity in Newmarket Park.

On Saturday, seven residents attended the initial training day which includes budding up with more experience volunteers to learn about trapping. The initial cost of $1,800 to establish the pest line and signage is money well spent that will support the volunteer initiative.

As the programme is implemented we expect to see a return of lizards and birds, like Tui and Piwakawaka  (Fan Tail), back to the park. In the long term, as the trees in Newmarket Park become more established this will provide further sanctuary for other birds like Pukeko.

If you would like to get involved please email david.bowden@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Greenways consultation closing soon

Left to right, Local Board Members Jesse Chalmers, Rob Thomas, Patricia Reade, Christopher Dempsey and Pippa Coom.

This is your last chance to get in your submission on the Waitemata Greenways Proposal before it closes 11 March. To find out more and provide feedback about the walkways and cycleways planned for your area, visit http://www.robthomas.co.nz/waitemata-greenways/

Barack Obama shares Teddy Goff

One of the highlights of my month was meeting US President Barack Obama’s Social Media Director Teddy Goff at the Air New Zealand breakfast.

After the breakfast I meeting with Teddy and learnt a few campaign tips that inspired millions of people around the world.

Thanks Teddy for visiting the world’s number 1 social media community – New Zealand.

Land acquisition for City Rail Loop

Submission on the Council’s planned acquisition of land for the City Rail Loop closes on 19^th March.

If you want to learn more about the Central Rail Loop visit the Auckland Town Hall, Wednesday 6 March 12pm-6pm or visit Auckland Transports website, click here 

 

Sarawia Level Rail Crossing Update

This week I meet with Auckland Transport to talk about the next steps in choosing a preferred option for the Sarawia Level Rail Crossing. This crossing is now Auckland’s number 1 priority after realisation that operational efficiency (train timetables) will not be improved without an upgrade to the crossing.

Auckland Transport plan to issue a community survey to residents this week to gather feedback. However, I raised my concerns that there is no formal process to allow residents to present their concerns to Auckland Transport, the decision maker and the implementer.

My suggestion to place the options on the 14^th May Waitemata Local Board agenda has been agreed. This will allow residents a forum to present and the Waitemata Local Board can make a recommendation to Auckland Transport.

If you would like to present please contact Prebashni.Naidoo@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Next Page »