June 19, 2023
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Mahi toi unveiled
A mahi toi (artwork) for the AraTūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway project was unveiled at a dawn ceremony last week. It forms part of a series of artworks along the road, which reflect the history and values of mana whenua in the area. The two elements are a four-metre carved pou whenua and a stainless steel pouākai giant extinct eagle. The po whenua was designed and crafted by Wyvern Rosieur (Ngāti Manuhiri), while the pouākai is the work of Nathan Hull. The artwork is a tribute to Reipae – Tohitohi o Reipae Dome Valley takes its name from the Tainui ancestress Reipae. Reipae and Reitū (her sister) travelled on the back of a large pouākai and rested in the area on their way to Whangarei. The smaller carving at the foot of the pou reflects the lives lost on the old stretch of road. “Reipae is here to protect and guide the spirits of those who have passed away, and to comfort their loved ones,” Wyvern says. The artists who worked under Wyvern were Uenuku Hawira (Ngāti Amaru), Hokimai-Anahera and Rerekapua Rosieur (Ngāti Manuhiri) and John Antonovich (Ngāti Manuhiri). Special motorway feature starts on page 21. Coverage of last week’s official opening at www.localmatters.co.nz
Council applies brakes to Mahurangi growth Growth in Warkworth will be shunted back at least a decade if Auckland Council adopts a draft Future Development Strategy, which is out for public feedback until July 4. The strategy revisits the time frames for live zoning large tracts of greenfield land around the town. Council wants to delay development in
Warkworth, Wellsford and Algies Bay, Silverdale, Orewa and Dairy Flat until critical infrastructure can be provided. It has also marked some future urban zoned land for further investigation due to infrastructure constraints, emissions reduction and natural hazards considerations. Auckland Plan strategy and research general manager Jacques Victor says this
doesn’t mean that these areas cannot be developed in the future, but there needs to be a better understanding of the impacts on people and property. “Future urban (greenfield) land is an important part of the council’s overall strategy for Auckland’s growth and making sure people have housing choices available,” Victor says.
One Mahurangi has described the plan as “a shambles” (see story page 3) and the developer of Warkworth south says council will have a legal battle on its hands if it tries to implement unnecessary delays (see story page 2). With half a million more people expected to live in Auckland by 2058, council says continued page 2
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