Purpose
This is my final report at the end of six years as an elected member of the Waitematā Local Board. Having had the privilege of being elected for two terms to represent the central city and inner suburbs of Auckland I am not seeking re-election at this level.
At the 2015 opening of the Grey Lynn Park Greenway (l to r: Rob Thomas, Pippa Coom, Deborah Yates, Greg Moyle, Vernon Tava, Shale Chambers, Christopher Dempsey.)
I would like to acknowledge the skilled leadership of 2010-16 Board Chair Shale Chambers; his head for detail, prodigious memory and finely-tuned political antennae steered the board through many a political shallow and, as is so often the case with politicians so good at anticipating and avoiding trouble, his many achievements have not always been adequately recognised. I have also enjoyed working with 2016-2019 Board Chair Pippa Coom who is always conscientious, consultative, and has brought her characteristic fair-mindedness to the role.
I have enjoyed a great working relationship with our Ward Councillor, Mike Lee, for these two terms. He has very generously shared of his experience and wisdom over the years and I feel fortunate to have known him as a colleague and a friend.
At the 2014 Franklin Road Christmas Lights (l to r) Vernon Tava, Shale Chambers, Greg Moyle, Cr Mike Lee, Pippa Coom.
As well as covering the period from mid-August to mid-September 2019, as per my usual monthly reports, this report also serves as a summary of the past six years (2013-2019) overall. In this time I have held the following roles on Council:
- 2013-2016: Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee; Deputy Chair of the Hearings Committee; Lead of the Parks and Open Spaces portfolio; Heritage, Urban Design and Planning portfolio holder; member of the Fukuoka Garden Working Group; and, Local Board representative on the K’ Road Business Association
- 2016-2019: Lead of the Planning and Heritage portfolio; co-holder of the Transport portfolio; member of the Auckland Domain Committee; member of the Fukuoka Garden Committee; and, Local Board representative on the Parnell Business Association
- I was certified as a resource consent commissioner in 2014 and re-certified in 2017. Over the last two terms I sat as a panel member on five hearings. The most memorable of these was as a member of a five-member panel hearing the Kennedy Point Marina consent at Waiheke Island in 2017. This decision has survived appeals to the Environment Court, High Court and Court of Appeal; leave to appeal to the Supreme Court was denied in 2021.
Speaking at the final meeting for the 2016-2019 term of the Local Board | Photo credit: Adriana Christie
Vernon Tava 