Trail showcases peninsula

A walking and cycling trail, from Gulf Harbour to Stanmore Bay, designed to showcase Whangaparāoa Peninsula, is being developed by Business Whangaparāoa.

The 14km pathway will be mapped and uses existing pathways and roads and, in some places, the beach.

The association now has Hibiscus & Bays Local Board approval to place new signs and art installations on the route, as well as checkpoints where people can scan QR codes to link to the Business

Arts cuts defended

Whangaparāoa website and augmented reality (AR) adventures.

The business association will be responsible for maintaining the art installations and new signs.

Business Whangaparāoa business activator, Sarah Carr, says three artworks by local artists have been chosen, and funding to commission those is currently being sought. They also need approval for one site, which is on Auckland Transport land.

w June 13, 2022

With proposed funding cuts for arts and culture causing angst among community groups, Mayor Wayne Brown has pointed a way forward, saying a better integrated and sustainable approach to funding arts and culture is needed. In a press release on March 27, the Mayor said he has heard submissions from community groups as part of Auckland Council’s public consultation on the Annual Budget 2023/24. “There is no doubt that arts and culture contribute to Auckland’s economic and social cohesion, as well as promoting greater resilience within our communities,” Mayor Brown said. “I appreciate that community groups reliant on council funding need greater certainty, and for that to happen we must all work to achieve financial sustainability.” Currently there are multiple funding streams, spread across council, council-controlled organisations, and local boards. The Mayor said proposed reductions to these funding streams were among the only viable opportunities, beyond greater operational efficiencies, to achieve the cost savings needed. “We must be clear on what matters most to all Aucklanders, rather than immediately defaulting to further rates hikes or more borrowing.” He said arts and culture cannot be the sole responsibility of Council. “The question we should be asking is, how can we all work together to support arts and culture in ways that are more sustainable,” Mayor Brown said. Public consultation on the Annual Budget 2023/24 closed on March 28.