Chair Margi Watson: Challenges and Opportunities for Albert-Eden
Chair Margi Watson with other City Vision elected members after the inaugural Albert-Eden Local Board meeting (from left, Emma McInnes, Jacqui Tay, Julie Fairey, Margi Watson, Christina Robertson, Michelle Thorp).
E ngā mana
E ngā reo
E ngā rangatira mā
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
Nga mihi nui to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for starting this evening in the right way. Tonight, I note that we stand on this land, which was your land, and just along the road from the 3,000 acres, the Tuku Whenua, that was gifted by your Tupuna and Chief, Āpihai Te Kawau. In 1840 he welcomed the Crown onto this land to create the city we now know as Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. So this place, of all places, is an important place for local government and for our local board to commence its new term. I also acknowledge all Māori and their unique place in Aotearoa, whether as mātāwaka or mana whenua, and we look forward to growing our relationship, honouring our Te Tiriti obligations as Treaty Partners, and delivering new and exciting projects alongside you.
Challenges of the last two terms were Covid and floods. Neither have really gone away, but the latter has triggered the need to think more acutely on how we plan our city, our climate action and our responses. Plan Change 120 went live for consultation today—share your views so the Mayor and councillors hear it and we can all plan for a city that is safe in the climate crisis, places development in the right places, protects heritage and the taonga that is maunga viewshafts.
More challenges sit on our horizon, being our leaky building at Epsom Library and need a permanent replacement for Point Chevalier Library, the amount of open space needed to cater to the growing population in our area, threats to our environment whenua and awa, our heritage, transport choices, and our community. But we have the opportunity to create a step change for the first time in fifteen years with fairer funding for our Local Board approved by the Mayor and Councillors earlier this year. And I look forward to that increased investment, along with the rest of the board.
People ask what is the most important thing in the world? ‘He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.’ Our community is what makes us special, unique and connected, whether it be through sport, culture, our reserves, libraries, pool and facilities, our town centres and our events. Those are also the four wellbeings of Local Government which are social, environmental, economic and cultural wellbeings. Let’s face it—that is all local infrastructure and public services. So if the Government moves forward with their proposed bill, all those activities will still be captured by the requirement to deliver local infrastructure and public services for current and future population. So our work continues.
My background is that I grew up in Epsom, schooled in Epsom and then lived in Greenlane, Greenwoods Corner and Sandringham before moving to Waterview where I live and have raised my family. Albert-Eden is my papakāinga and my tūrangawaewae.
I look forward to working hard for Albert-Eden. I thank the board members for your confidence in supporting me to be your chair. I look forward to working with all the newly inaugurated members to make it the best three-year term this board has seen.
So on to thanks. Thank you to Epsom Girls Grammar School for hosting us tonight (yes, I’m an old girl of the school, along with Kendyl) and to the Council and Local Board staff who made it all possible. Finally on behalf of the board members, I would like to thank all the guests who are here as witnesses to our inauguration, whether community group representatives, volunteers, MPs, staff, family or friends—we hope to serve you well!
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
