HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS WHEN AN ‘F’ WORD IS APPROPRIATE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO Five working friends from New World Victoria Park are AUCKLAND PLAN embarking on a challenge of a lifetime. In their forties and fifties, these friends are going to tackle the Oxfam Trailwalker Challenge 2012. At the end of March 2012, four will each walk 100km within 36 hours as Team New World Victoria Park. Number five will be the driving force behind them, feeding, pampering and consoling when necessary. The four walkers all took part in the Auckland full and half marathon as runners, something they would not have imagined doing one year ago. 40-50kg is a weight loss goal between three of the fatter friends, not easy to achieve when you work in the best supermarket in Auckland. The girls are in it for different reasons, fitness, fun, physical and mental health, but also to do a little good for others. Working in an environment with plenty of gourmet foods and amazing products, it has made us realise just how lucky we are. Another target for this group is to raise at least $7,500.00 for Oxfam, at the same time reaping the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The summer will be spent training and fundraising. There will be a book fair on 10 December and soon fantastic raffle tickets will be on sale, so look out for one of the girls at New World Victoria Park in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Jason Witehira, owner and operator of New World Victoria Park is the main sponsor and some of the wonderful suppliers and friends have been very generous in their donations. The girls are hoping to have a fabulous time, however, there are times when they sit and consider exactly what it is they have let themselves in for. At the end of the 100km the fit, fabulous, funny, friendly, forty and fifty something friends will have reason to sit back with a fabulous glass of wine and say ‘f...’ we did it. Follow them on Facebook and their website. Donations to the team can be made via the website www.oxfam.org.nz/oxfam_trailwalker. The team name is TEAM NEW WORLD VICTORIA PARK. They would like to thank the community and customers for their support in helping them to make a difference to those in need, also a big thanks to their fabulous families for their understanding and love. Look out for these five clever baskets stocking up for Oxfam 2012.
The Mayor has welcomed the overwhelming response to the Auckland Plan submission process. More than 2500 submissions have been received for the Auckland Plan and its supporting plans. PROVISIONAL TOTALS ARE: • Auckland Plan, 1700 (with final count expected to be 2000) • Economic Development Strategy, 80 • City Centre Master Plan, 200 • Waterfront Plan, 660 Auckland Plan submissions contained over 4300 points of feedback including references to the supporting plans. The Auckland Plan is subject to statutory consultation and public hearings. The Mayor says the enthusiasm with which Aucklanders have engaged with the process is fantastic. “It has always been about us collectively articulating our vision for Auckland. It is my responsibility to give a strong lead in this, but the input and wisdom of Aucklanders is essential,” says Len Brown. “There is no doubt that the Rugby World Cup and the completion of projects like Wynyard Quarter, the Art Gallery, shared spaces and Auckland Zoo’s Te Wao Nui meant Aucklanders began to recognise the city’s potential and encouraged them to engage in the consultation process.” THE TEN MOST POPULAR TOPICS INCLUDED: • making a quality compact city • the city centre master plan • transformation shifts • Auckland’s economy • the southern initiative • building enduring town centres and neighbourhoods About a third of submitters want to speak at hearings. Submitters can choose whether to speak at a formal hearing or informal workshop forums. The hearings panel will comprise all councillors. Two thirds of company submitters want to be heard and 25 per cent of personal submitters. The draft Auckland Plan will be finalised later this month and adopted in February, 2012. PN
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140 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2011
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