By Chris Penk, MP for Kaipara ki Mahurangi
Working together for northwest Auckland
One of the great privileges of having been the local MP for this area was the opportunity to work alongside the community. There’s been no shortage of issues to tackle together!
Since 2017 (at first as MP for Helensville and then the re-named Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate), I’ve been fortunate to hear what’s needed from many residents, businesses, community organisations and local government representatives.
So I want to take this opportunity now to thank every Kumeu Courier reader who has taken time to raise an issue, offer an idea, share a concern or simply explain what they would like to see improved in our part of the world. And of course I’m grateful to this excellent publication for being so generous as to publish my updates, along with other news from across northwest Auckland of course.
Some of these issues have proven relatively straightforward but most have taken years of persistence and advocacy. And more remains to be done when it comes to almost all of them.
A good example is the long-running campaign for an additional high school in the Kumeu-Huapai area. This has been a priority for me for a number of years, and I was delighted when the Government announced that a new local high school will be established, adjacent to Huapai District School. Thanks to everyone who signed a petition, joined me at a meeting or got involved in some other way. Obviously we need to keep working to get it established. I will quietly support the next MP for the area with thoughts about its construction, school zones and timeframes.
Transport is another issue where we’ve made progress but we’re clearly not there yet. Congestion on State Highway 16 will reduce once those widening works are finally done (and they’re now funded), the Kumeu Bypass is constructed (and the “designation” is now in place) and we have improved public transport connections via a dedicated busway (the stations for which are being built as we speak).
As for flooding, this ongoing concern for many households and businesses needs constant clearing of stormwater facilities, along with an end to ad hoc development. Council is getting the idea now and we just need to ensure that complacency doesn’t set in, when it comes to the clearance activity that continues to be needed.
Progress into the future on all these issues will depend on residents speaking up, local organisations getting involved, councils and government agencies listening, and elected representatives making the case for our community. On that note, thanks again to everyone who has worked collaboratively with me - in my time as local MP - to contribute towards the progress that we’ve made.
And those who follow will have my best wishes and support, whenever needed, so that we can keep moving and finally get the job done.
Cheers, C.
