Local-board funding decisions not taken lightly Opinion

For the last seven months, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has been planning its work programme with the understanding a 61 per cent cut to its locally driven initiatives budget was forthcoming.

This budget is only $1.35 million and is all the board has available to respond to community need for those living in Devonport, Bayswater, Belmont, Hauraki, Takapuna, Milford, Forrest Hill, Castor Bay and Sunnynook. We’ve worked alongside our funded partners throughout, and they have all worked to fortify their organisations, knowing since last December, that cuts were coming.

Working on such a reduced budget, the board had to take a long, hard look at what it had historically funded and how it could continue to deliver on the social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes it’s required to by law, in a more cost-effective way.

After the January floods, we learned a few things about community; and this was amplified in public consultation on the budget. First, we learned how critical our Community Houses are; veritable beacons of light when times are rough. When houses flooded in Sunnynook and people were in need, they went to their Community House to find support and help with recovery. When the community is strong and connected, they will be more resilient in times of crises. The board agrees it’s time we strengthen the spaces where communities gather.

Our local-board area has a population of approximately 60,000, 44 per cent of whom are migrants. One third (roughly) live on the Devonport Peninsula, while the other two thirds are in Takapuna North. There’s a heck of a lot of people we haven’t been reaching, and we haven’t always distributed our community development funding equitably.

Keeping that in mind, the local board community development strategy has pivoted. Instead of a top-down, event-led approach, we’ve created two community outreach roles that sit in Devonport Community House and Sunnynook Community Centre. These community activators will be out there, on the ground, agile in supporting neighbourhood-level connections, and responding to need as it emerges.

For instance, if a residents association wants to build their reach, or a migrant group needs support navigating the council grants programme, our activators will support them. We’re talking neighbourhood barbecues, welcome packs for new housing developments, supporting youth-led activities – grassroots community development. We’re excited about this shift and can’t wait to see what good things come of it.

We recognise that this change means the withdrawal of funding from our two community trusts – Devonport Peninsula Trust and the Takapuna North Community Trust. We respect and acknowledge the years of service and the contribution they have made to building community across the area.

With the change in community-development direction and in light of the reduced funding to the local board and ongoing funding constraints, funding the full operation of two charitable trusts is no longer something the board can do. We know this will be a blow to many, but we have faith that the two trusts can pivot their operations to continue to contribute to community. We give thanks to their governance boards and their staff, and acknowledge their commitment to community.

Change is difficult, we know this. This particular change was not made lightly, but it has been made for the right reasons. The approach is not only financially more sustainable, but it is also a move into best-practice community development. What we’ll get out of it are stronger and more resilient neighbourhoods across the whole local-board area, and stronger Community Houses that are there to serve us all.

Toni van Tonder, chair Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

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Trustees, staff, and many members of the community are still saddened and surprised to find that, after many, many years of partnership with Auckland Council and the, Local Board, the Local Board has withdrawn ALL funding for the Peninsula and Takapuna North Trusts, in favour of Community Activation Managers based at Devonport Community House and Sunnynook Community Centre. A very well attended public meeting held on 4 July saw unanimous support for the work of the Trust, and some hope that a way forward can be found. Email me if you would like to offer your support - nigel@dpt.nz

M Nawatia A Matariki Ki A Koutou

Enjoy your Matariki holiday with family and friends, and do think about joining the gathering in Windsor Reserve this Saturday 15th from 5pm, for a Matariki celebration. Devonport Market will be open on the wharf from 4 pm to 8 pm. Our celebration will include welcome, karakia, waiata, Indonesian dance, Community Kapa haka, possible Korean kapa haka group, local musician, lantern display, presentation of colouring in and ‘Find the Stars’ competition prizes, sharing, community.

LANTERN MAKING & HIKOI – JULY 1ST

A wonderful lantern-making day at Devonport Community House saw many beautiful lanterns constructed. Then in the evening, many gathered at Whare Toi for our hikoi to Takarunga – we had a beautiful evening on the summit. Zane Catterall welcomed everyone, Belmont Primary children sang and haka-ed their hearts out, children stepped forward and spoke of their favourite stars, we did a couple of waiatas, then we closed and walked down the hill again. A fantastic evening for one and all. Go to www.dpt.nz to see the events still to come.