LETTERS & EMAILS

SPECIAL CHARACTER AREAS (SCAS) This letter is about the so-called ‘special character areas’ (SCAs), those native timber cottages, villas and bungalows that remain from Auckland’s first century of post-treaty settlement. Many people love to live in them, and some value their sustainability, while others see them as barriers to affordable housing, or as symbols of colonial oppression. I appreciate them for their intrinsic value as part of our built heritage.

On 18 August, among a raft of other plan changes, council notified Plan Change 78. It will, amongst other things, remove protection from a quarter of the last 21,000 so-called ‘special character’ houses with any protection. If people value them, then they should engage in council’s short 6-week ‘consultation’ period and make a submission by 29 September.

The Unitary Plan was created in 2010 to give effect to the Auckland Plan, the 30-year vision of Auckland which envisages another million people here. Growth was sensibly planned around and integrated with the infrastructure that would be required, from schools and roads, to pipes and parks. That Unitary Plan was completed in 2016 and the last of the appeals on it was only just recently settled. Until 18 August it provided for some 900,000 dwellings to be developed.

Now in 2022 it appears New Zealand is in a ‘housing crisis’. In response, the government put in place the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) in 2020, requiring further intensification of at least 6 storeys within walkable distances of the city centre and transport hubs. At the end of 2021 the government then passed the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act, enabling yet further intensification according to new ‘medium density residential standards (MDRS) which allow up to three dwellings of three stories on any site (without the need to consult neighbours).

The one basis on which such intensification might not occur is where there are ‘qualifying matters’, things which either government or council identify as reasons not to intensify in particular places. Council identified ‘special character areas’ as a ‘qualifying matter’. Then, rather than setting out to assess the unprotected ‘special character’ houses it knew from six years earlier to exist, it set about making up a methodology to justify reducing the currently protected areas.

Try as I might to impress upon Waitematā Local Board the need to protect SCAs, the board has deliberately refused to mention the words ‘special character areas’ in any of its submissions to or appearances before council’s planning committee on the matter, even though some 2.7 million dwellings are now enabled.

After decades trying to protect the heritage and character of the Waitematā Local Board area, I am exasperated that City Vision do not appear to care much for heritage and character, to the point of having to take sides on the matter. I am standing with ‘Communities & Residents’ in the upcoming local elections, and I suggest people seriously consider depriving City Vision of the monopoly it has exercised since the board’s inception. Allan Matson, Auckland Central

ERROR CORRECTION Last month I wrote about ZooDoos leaving the Auckland Zoo. I quoted the manager, Peter Jan, this is the correction: “Over 30 years, ZooDoos have recycled tonnes of waste, saving Auckland Zoo and Auckland ratepayers millions of dollars in tip fees. We bring in aged bark and coffee grounds to make our compost with 35% from manure of zoo herbivores.” Apologises Peter for getting the percentage wrong. Gael Baldock, Westmere WAITEMATĀ LOCAL BOARD I had intended to run for the Waitematā Local Board this year. I want to see greater accountability of our elected officials and bureaucrats. I have lived and worked in the Ponsonby and Westmere area for 15 years.

At this stage my citizenship process requires one final element to be completed. Unfortunately I have NOT been able to have this done in time for the close of candidate nominations. And so alas I will not be able to offer my services to the people of Waitematā this year. But please be assured I’m not going anywhere. I have always been actively involved in our community and will remain engaged as a good (almost and soon-to-become) citizen on local issues, standing shoulder to shoulder with you on things that matter to you. Puneet Dhall, Freemans Bay

REST IN PEACE JOHN ELLIOTT I have only just seen your reporting on the recent passing of John Elliott. I am very sorry to learn of this and extend to you and the rest of the staff at Ponsonby News my sincere and deep sympathy on his death. He was a real character and a person who was a great identity in Ponsonby for so many years. I well remember his visits here at the office when he would be delivering one publication or another of local news or items and would always stop for a chat and a catch-up. He was a great friend of Ponsonby and will be sorely missed.

I hope that his passing was peaceful. Ron Craig, Ponsonby

A MESSAGE OF THANKS FROM JOHN ELLIOTT’S FAMILY John Elliott’s family, Cait, sons Troy, Matt, Finn, and Theo, and sister Sally in Queensland, would like to extend our thanks to the Ponsonby News readers and community members who have marked John’s passing with lovely messages of condolence that have brought us much solace at this time. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement. It takes a village indeed and Ponsonby’s unique character makes it a special place to live and work. May the Ponsonby News continue to tell the stories of the suburb and its people for years to come in recognition of its founding principles – unashamedly local and parochial. Cait McLennan Whyte, Herne Bay.

PS: A message from John in the Bardo – get informed and get out to vote!

SO MANY MESSAGES OF LOVE FOR JOHN ELLIOTT

He was a most fabulous gentleman. A great loss for Ponsonby and will be missed.

It was a beautiful funeral service and wonderful to find out more about all John achieved over the years.

Thank you for sharing John’s story. What a lovely celebration of his life.

As a long term Ponsonby-ite I well remember my first Ponsonby News and always anticipated it’s arrival. Sending deepest condolences and kindest thoughts from Croatia.

Sorry for your loss, and that I can’t pay my respects. John was a fine man.

Opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media Limited & Ponsonby News.