Parking fees set to rise

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism

On Air.

Parking in Auckland will be more expensive from July 1 if an Auckland Transport budget plan goes ahead.

At the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on May 18, members gave feedback on Auckland Transport’s (AT) draft statement of intent.

Mayor Wayne Brown said parking fees needed to rise to match the market price.

“I don’t know why we are subsidising people to park in the city centre,” Brown said. He said there was also an issue with parking fines, which required government intervention in order to change.

“At present, the parking fines are less than the parking charge in some places.”

Cr Julie Fairey wanted to know what the

“When we prepare our budgets, we make assumptions around when any particular project will be completed – if a project is delayed by six months, those running costs won’t start to be incurred,” Mills said.

“It does give us savings compared to what we budgeted for.”

Fletcher said the choice to use delays could confuse the public.

“Does it genuinely represent a saving? I know what you are trying to present but is that the best way to express it?” increased revenue would be spent on.

Mills said the finance team would take on the feedback and see if they could be more clear on how savings were presented.

AT’s finance executive general manager Mark Laing said that AT currently had a $30 million hole in parking revenue.

“The increase is effectively plugging a hole in the budget. That is necessary to help us deliver on the $375 million hole in the council budget,” Laing said.

“We are reliant on that increase to actually help us deliver on our budget.”

Mayor Jepson said he was very disappointed in LGNZ, particularly over the Three Waters debate where council had to wait for Communities for Local Democracy to pick up the baton.

“As I see it, they have become more of a mouthpiece for government than for local councils,” he said.

“Councillors have made a commitment to carry out their roles and they don’t need LGNZ sitting there telling them what to think. Sometimes to make change you have to break out.”

Opposing the decision, Cr Eryn WilsonCollins said there were many facets to LGNZ’s role.

“We’ve dismissed their inward role –Kaipara is one of the smallest councils in the country and if we withdraw from LGNZ, it will disadvantage the district, elected members, staff and our resourcing,” she said. “The savings would have a very small impact on our rates but could cost us more money in services and products.

“It is short-sighted and will be isolating for us as elected members.”

Cr Rachael Williams said $48,000 was a lot of money and could be better spent somewhere in the community.

The decision was passed six votes to two. Auckland Council withdrew from LGNZ earlier this year and several other councils are currently considering their membership.

Former Matakana Four Square owner Damian Langley has been getting a warm welcome from former customers in his new role as the owner/operator of New World Warkworth.

“It’s good to be back,” he says. “We’ve got friends in the area and I know a lot of the local suppliers, so it does feel a bit like a homecoming.”

After leaving Matakana in 2017, Damian owned and operated a Four Square in the Coromandel township for four years and then a New World in Kawerau for 18 months.

Since taking over the Warkworth store on April 24, he has lost no time in making some subtle changes. His focus initially has been on the fresh fruit and vegetable section and giving the store some breathing space, so it is easier to shop.

“I’m keen to make sure we have the freshest and best quality produce available, and that it is appealingly displayed. Changes have to be gradual though, so customers don’t feel disorientated.”

As a seven day a week operation, New

World employs between 140 and 150 staff and getting to know the team has also been a priority. This has involved working on the floor every day including doing some early shifts in the bakery.

“It means that if needed, I will be able to jump in and help. But it also puts me in front of the customers, which is great and something that I really enjoy doing.”

Damian says while supply issues have improved, there are still gaps because of the January storms and the devastation of crops in the Hawkes Bay.

“If we don’t have it, there is a genuine reason and we will be working hard to get it.”

Damian says the next 12 months will be about improving some of the behind-the-scenes operations. He is introducing electronic ticketing so there are no pricing errors at the checkout and he will be upgrading the back-of-house refrigeration units to more environmentally friendly standards.

“But customers can rest assured that the things New World is recognised for –customer service, inspiration and a wide range of products – won’t change.”