Dear all

Thank you for your support. Please find link below to a news article from RNZ and Newshub news bulletin summarising the community meeting with Kainga Ora on 11 April 2023 chaired by local MP Hon Dr Deborah Russell at Blockhouse Bay Community Centre.

RNZ news article

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/487795/we-just-feel-powerless-kainga-ora-rejects-pensioner-housing-on-gifted-land

Newshub News bulletin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D1XP3s17fs

Despite strong local resistance and call for reconsideration, Kainga Ora had decided that there will not be pensioner housing in this redevelopment on the land that was donated by Darby for senior citizens. Kainga Ora also do not believe they have a moral obligation to honour his wishes.

Other key issues such as traffic, lack of community consultation, infrastructure, impacts on local schools were also discussed in the meeting. With many questions unanswered, Kainga Ora considers that these are the responsibilities of Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Ministry of Education, local schools, not Kainga Ora's. Kainga Ora also considers that their community engagement was adequate.

With the above, Kainga Ora concluded the meeting with "this development is for you"

So

Let's show Kainga Ora what is a development for you.

Next step

1. Action: If you would like to send an email to Auckland Council with your concerns with this proposed redevelopment and push for public notification please email the following addresses. (Note: Kāinga Ora plan to submit their s92 Resource Consent by tomorrow so please do this ASAP)
   Jeremy Wyatt - Jeremy.wyatt@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
   Shivaani Gounder - shivaani.gounder@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
2. Meeting: Local resident Benji Nathan has reached out to National MP Mark Mitchell and they have had a very positive meeting today. There will be a Community Meeting next Thursday evening (20/04) at 6:45 at Blockhouse Bay Bowls Club (33 Terry Street, Blockhouse Bay) that Benji will run without Kāinga Ora. This will be to discuss the key issues we want changed in a united voice and the next steps we will take as a community. Mark has offered his support for our community to see Pensioner Housing in this redevelopment. He will be in attendance as will the National Candidate for New Lynn Paulo Garcia. If you plan on attending (or can’t but would like to leave a comment) please click the link and fill in the short form - https://forms.gle/hkunuJqNG3wPjTdw8
3. Media: Benji has been offered the following media opportunity for our community - 'A Moment in Time' tells the story of a small community, following a national news story, looking back on the past into the origin of the beloved long-time home to local elderly residents, and the story of the late philanthropist who donated it fifty years ago. We're looking to speak to the former residents of Marlowe Mews Pensioner Housing and/or people in connection to these residents. Their stories and memories of their old homes will play a fundamental role in exploring the history of the land and the late owner Roy Thompson. Also, if any of you out there knew Mr Thompson, we would really appreciate your stories and getting in touch with Benji Nathan (benjinathan00@gmail.com) -- these are gold to us and would help immensely in the development of the story. Please leave a comment, or send him a direct email.

And once again, thank you for your support. We will keep you posted with future updates.

Link below contains the poster for the 2nd Community Meeting (prepared by Benji Nathan)

https://1drv.ms/i/s!Al4jZ5aNSvwTgR25HFC5PBcZnHr5?e=enAOue