All things related to the hall, library, & gallery
Waiheke Local Board Meeting, April 21, 2021
The latest report on options for the Rakino hall come to the same conclusion as the previous one; the only viable solution with the available budget is to lift and shift the hall as in the image above. Don’t forget to have your say here.
Feature image credit Julianne Taylor.
I’m not that skilled in drawing things.
My vision for the hall is a double-storied building with multiple functionality, modular in design, prefabricated to minimize costs but clever and inspirational in design to reflect the uniqueness of the “rock”.
I’ve found this image.
Imagine this prefabricated box on a concrete base which incorporated ranch sliders to its three sides; which could be opened to the elements to act as a transport terminus and a sound stage for entertainment. Kitchen facilities could be incorporated at the rear. A smaller separate single level prefabricated box would incorporate bathroom facilities.
Remember I’m talking modular. Everything comes over finished and is craned to site. Foundation work only would be required being a concrete base.
The top level would jut out as depicted in this image, affording shelter. Windows would be incorporated above although as this level would be used as a library, a gallery and a reflection place, wall space would be paramount. A solar array would be incorporated. Water tanks would be behind. Generator facilities would be incorporated in the secondary structure.
Vehicular access would be restricted and the area dotted with seating, appropriate plantings and local art.
A dedicated sheltered walkway would lead to the ferry with arrivals and departures separated.
One could even imagine a café and a venue for a fishing competition.
This could well be applied to the Rakino Rate Payers Association and the hall where something finally seems to be happening after decades of the same old, same old, trust me I know what I’m doing.
Perhaps the turning point was when Barbara proposed; in the absence of leadership from the Chair, a motion whereby those present at the Easter meeting voted to retain the hall or seek alternatives for the existing structure.
Certainly not a majority vote, but voted by those who could be bothered to attend the meeting which should be a wake-up call to everyone.
There is no point complaining if you can’t be bothered getting involved…and…. accepting in a democracy the majority reaches a decision and those who dissent retire with dignity. We have the opportunity to influence change now. Grasp that opportunity. Get involved. What is being talked about by the Association isn’t particularly inspirational. I’m not sure the Association has a handle on the complexities that present.
The Rakino Hall serves two functions;
Fortunately, our civic leaders have provided the frame work for each;
In the case of transportation, the following documentation defines the way in which passenger capacity, functionality and operability is to be achieved in ferry Terminal design to meet customer expectations.
Rakino seems to fit into category one and as such this is what we might expect (copied with all spelling errors left as they appear);
4.1 Terminal Type 1 Unstaffed rural, suburban or urban wharf Type 1
Terminals are relatively low patronage Terminal locations but with the potential to grow over time. This potential growth shall be factored into the space planning of the Terminal design. Type 1 Terminals shall: • Provide full mobility access • Provide canopy, enclosed gangway or other suitable shelter structure for waiting passengers • Provide accommodation for at least 50 people with at least 10 seated 03 04 TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 DESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS 7 Ferry terminal design • Provide boarding platforms a minimum of 2 metres wide and 3 meters deep at standard freeboard heights of (900mm 1400mm, 1800mm) to provide near level boarding to the current ferry fleet and standard vessels specified under PTOM • Provide adequate fendering and mooring systems to allow design size vessels to safely berth in all weather conditions • Provide marine-grade non-slip surfacing resistant to scuffing by vessel gangways • Provide a safe passanger environment, fenced and gated to the fullest extent posisble to prevent accidential or unauthorised entry to water • Provide liferings and emergency ladders • Provide LED lighting to provide a safe level of brightness at all times • Provide full CCTV coverage for operational and passanger safety puposes • Provide a Public Adress system for customer service and safety announcements • Provide Emergency Help Points connected to the Auckland Transport Operations Centre (ATOC) • Provide Passanger Information Display screens (PIDS) showing real time service information • Provide AT WiFi connectivity • Provide for advertising screens to beinstalled by AT’s advertising partners • Provide AT HOP card validators (where AT HOP is utilised on services using the facility) • Provide Terminal name sign easily visible from land and water, Terminal location map and wayfinding signage to/from Terminal • Provide suitable shore supply for vessel layover incl. ducts and pipework for wash-down and multi-type/volt power connection(s) • Provide suitable storage facilities to meet ferry operator requirements • Provide litter and recycling bins • Provide timetable and customer information boards • Provide safety compliance signage • Provide cycle storage for a minimum of 10 cycles • Provide landside connections including shelter for bus services (where they are provided) • Provide car drop off point • Provide a means of closing the Terminal to public access after the last ferry service of the day.
In the case of community structures our civic leaders have provided this inspirational framework;
Community Facilities Network Plan (aucklandcouncil.govt.nz)
We are told;
Community facilities are an important part of realising the vision for Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city. They contribute to building strong, healthy and vibrant communities by providing spaces where Aucklanders can connect, socialise, learn and participate in a wide range of social, cultural, art and recreational activities. These activities foster improved lifestyles and a sense of belonging and pride among residents. The Community Facilities Network Plan (the network plan) provides a road map for how Auckland Council will invest in community facilities over the next 20 years
Toilets at the Hall
The Chair disclosed that AT was to upgrade the hall toilets; something I had not been aware of.
He suggested that exercise should be deferred pending a decision on the hall.
That makes perfect sense and suggests that AT recognizes (in part) its responsibility for Rakino’s transportation function.
A logical conclusion
Surely Rakino should simply give a fulsome thank you to our civic leaders…. we like what you’re saying and are happy to accept what you are offering.
Surely the cost should be borne by both Council and AT despite the confused distinction.
Surely any structure should be fit for purpose and inspirational but cost effective.
Surely any structure should become iconic within the Gulf, just as a simple phone box has become.
Surely everyone on Rakino should be coming up with ideas on what this new structure should look like and what function it should provide?
Here are the official RRA minutes from April 4th 2021. Enjoy!
https://www.rra.nz/assets/minutes/210406%20RRA%20Easter%20Meeting%20Minutes%206%20April%202021.pdf
Easter was our second showcase of the year at Our Rakino Community Arts gallery, and it kicked off with a community get-together organised by the participating artists on Good Friday. A big thank you to all the artists, and to everyone that turned up over the weekend to support their efforts! It was arranged at very short notice, so I was really impressed at how it came together.
We hope to be able to present another showcase for Labour Weekend, with more artists participating, and a dedicated space for Rakino kids to show their artworks too. I’m contemplating a Rakino logo/flag contest. Bellbirds with laser eyes coming to an inbox near me…
The fate and future of the hall has been in almost endless discussion over recent years, but matters look like coming to a head.
The RRA committee look close to making some decisions, and they are asking for feedback with a very tight timeline. I thought I’d help out by canvassing the community about what they want from public facilities, and encourage a bit of discussion.
We are told that saving the existing hall, library, and gallery / art space is not a feasible option, so now is a critical point to have your say.
In the past few years, here’s what the facilities have been used for:
*Wedding Venue
*Parties & Celebrations
*Library
*Art Exhibitions
*Studio space for artists
*Venue for visiting musicians
*Hang out area for the kids and other table tennis fanatics
*Community meetings
*Theatrical plays
*Shelter from the storm whilst waiting for the ferry
*Storage for crappy old furniture
It has been suggested that, due to budget constrictions, a new building could not have the same footprint, and that a dedicated library and art space would not be possible.
There are an increasing number of people visiting the island, so any talk of a smaller venue is foolish. We need to plan for the future, not ten years ago.
The council seems to be prepared to cough up around $300,000.
It must be noted that a show of hands at the RRA meeting showed strong support for the construction of a new building, because it was presented as a fait accompli.
Currently, the hall has a usable space of around 50 square meters, which is marginal as far as a functioning venue is concerned. The current proposal by the RRA committee involves demolishing the existing hall and replacing it with a turning circle for SUVs. The new building would replace the existing loos which is an additional zero meters above sea level compared to its current location.
Here’s an online survey for you to have your say. Log in and check the boxes for what you’d like to see from new community facilities, also please comment on this. I must stress this survey is not on behalf of the RRA, it’s informal but hopefully useful. The results will be passed onto the RRA committee. You have 3 weeks, so get amongst it! You’ll need to log in to vote.
I would encourage you to have a read through this first.. https://www.rakino.org.nz/2021/02/15/rakino-hall-future-options/
Chairman Clews has decreed the minutes will only be published through ‘approved channels’, so miscreants with ‘agendas’ can be excluded. Alas, discerning reader, he was referring to this website, because I had the audacity to publish what he felt was a less than flattering portrait of his conduct as Chairman in my Anarchist Amanuensis minutes, which you can read here.. https://www.rakino.org.nz/2020/10/28/rra-meeting-25-10-20/
I believe it was an accurate portrayal. The job of the Chair in a community meeting is to move the meeting along at a decent clip, ensuring protocol and procedure are attended to, and that the agenda is adhered to, not to use the position as a podium to bluster at reprobates who have displeased the chair.
Because I find the passing of motions very tedious, I’ve chosen to write a review of the meeting instead. I will publish the ‘official’ minutes if they ever get published on the official channel, because they are community property, and I know how to cut and paste. Aside from that a goodly portion of you lovely subscribers indicated it was something you wanted, so I want to hold to my promise. Happy days.
Here starteth the review:
I arrived fractionally late to the meeting, so missed the apologies. Alas, I have almost no idea who is officially on the committee, so I couldn’t tell if anyone was absent.
Almost immediately some long-building frictions surfaced. Kevin Wragge and Chairman Clews fro-ed and to-ed, with regard to matters of constitution and whether or not the RRA was adhering to it.
It wasn’t, of course, but that’s because subs haven’t been collected in a long time. Here is the constitution, if you would like to familiarise yourself with it. Parts of it make quite interesting reading, but more of that later… https://www.rra.nz/assets/RRA_Constitution.pdf
Stephen Thomas said the purpose of the RRA was to liaise with council, but having perused the constitution, I’d suggest it’s rather more than that, and some of it’s reason for existence may have wayside fallen in recent years.
The upshot was that most of the decent and long-suffering folks attending the meeting should not have been permitted to speak at said meeting because of clauses 6,7,8, and 9, but for some obscure reason this was waived. Alas! The meeting would have been considerably shorter if it had not, and we could have all enjoyed the lovely day instead, except for me, and maybe a couple of others who had paid subs, who may have felt compelled to stay indoors endlessly re-litigating meetings gone past.
But I digress…
Chairman Clews then decreed from the podium that the RRA minutes will only be published through aforementioned ‘approved channnels’, because of the aforementioned miscreants with agenda (me, the Anarchist Amanuensis). I have no agenda, of course, except to promote arts, culture, environmental and conservation values on our lovely island, but because I permitted Kevin Wragge to publish his concerns about the future of island facilities in an opinion piece on this website, with a careful preface from me, I apparently have an ‘agenda’.
To reiterate; anyone may submit articles for publication on www.rakino.org.nz including Chairman Clews, or any members of the RRA, for that matter. All I request is that there is nothing defamatory and no private emails submitted. This website exists to inform, educate, and promote community engagement and democracy. If you were at this point to glance at the RRA constitution, you would see that is part of their mandate, at clauses i, j, k, and l, but that’s okay, Rakino citizens will happily carry out those activities with no interference from the committee. We don’t holiday in a dictatorship.
I welcome your articles with open arms! It’s very time-consuming maintaining a website and trying to keep it fresh, something the secretary of the RRA will soon discover.
But I digress…
David Mahon then made his presentation with regard to the hall. This is a deeply contentious issue that has been re-litigated endlessly.
The upshot of David’s presentation was that we would have a smaller building with no separate space for the artists studios/gallery, and that the library could be down-sized to a cupboard.
There was no clarity regarding questions about budget, and no actual square meterage was hinted at.
We all accepted the oft-repeated stories about health and safety/maintenance issues/that the council won’t provide a community facility for ’17 people’, without any supporting documentation. As such, the majority of the minority attending the meeting all put up their hands for a new building, presumably to be constructed on a small footprint at the bottom of a crumbly cliff, but not until Barbara suggested a show of hands could be a good idea. Thank goodness for that suggestion, otherwise the repetitive re-litigation could have gone on for days. Kevin suggested an OIA was made with regard to hall costings. Chairman Clews concurred.
The most outrageous thing we were told was that Downer have not been doing the scheduled maintenance on the Hall complex as contracted, and to quote Chairman Clews, the trip out to Rakino to do maintenance has long been regarded as a junket.
If this is true, I would suggest the council take immediate steps to look into this claim and recover any costs due from Downer for failing to do their job. There does not appear to be any accountability, from anyone.
When the Anarchist Amanuensis took the hall proposal back to her compatriots who did not have the inclination to attend the RRA meeting, there was a righteous anger. A smaller facility is pointless; there will be no weddings at a tiny venue, no visiting musicians, no plays performed, no community arts, or holiday arts classes for your children. The library is a well-used facility. Never suggest to a community that you may downsize their library; it’s unthinkable! This would not happen in Auckland City, and should not happen on Rakino.
What there will be is a venue for RRA meetings, which will be perfectly adequate, because no more than 35 people ever attend them.
The community was invited to submit feedback, which I’m sure you all will!
Elisabeth reported on the baseline marine survey, the finding of kina barrens, sediment run-off, functionally extinct crayfish, and over-fishing. She spoke about Waiheke instigating a rahui on the collection of crays, scallops, mussels, and paua. The survey is still to be completed. We are still looking forward to the visit from Dr. Tim Haggitt to present his findings to the community. Regretfully ‘Walks, Talks, and Snorks’ had to be postponed a couple of times because of lockdowns and Cup racing, but fingers crossed this cool event can still happen at some stage. You can read about it here… https://www.rakino.org.nz/2020/12/19/walks-talks-and-snorks/
Please ignore the date; it’s awaiting a refresh!
Many thanks to Elisabeth for her succinct and to the point presentation, worthy of emulation.
The next topic to arise was the fire situation. At some stage there will be a meeting in town and on island to work on the creation of a community resilience plan in conjunction with FENZ. There was much reminiscing about fires gone past, and at this point I briefly started to lose the will to live. The Anarchist Amanuensis has asked a few times to be supplied with some fire safety prevention information to publish, but it’s yet to materialise. I’d love to publish some simple handy tips about prevention, and print them out to distribute to any interested bach owners and Rakino visitors who aren’t accustomed to island protocol around fire prevention and safety, but it’s still to be acted on, because no-one seems to have the time to supply them, despite education being what FENZ wants most of all.
Unfortunately all of the recent island fires have been due to carelessness which was preventable. Statistically we also have high rates of fire incidents if you consider the size of the island and the number of dwellings.
Les then provided the Dog, Dragon boat, and Delinquent report, which has become a recent highlight of RRA meetings. The BAD DOG that bit Les has been re-domiciled in the country, so good luck to all the hapless sheep out there. Apparently the juvies are out in force, driving cars underage, rampaging around on scooters, still playing at hood ornaments. At this point the Anarchist Amanuensis finally managed to shout over the top of the males of a certain age who enjoy dominating RRA meetings at volume and explain the Island Battleaxes including herself have had words with said delinquents but to no avail. The dragon boat racing hasn’t happened for a couple of years, and I believe Wayne and Carleen offered to take over the organising of the event. Apologies if I’m mistaken, but the good volunteers were sitting behind me.
Chairman Clews held forth for a bit.
Bev made her report in a good humoured fashion that is to be applauded, regarding the new no parking signs that everyone is wilfully ignoring. Please people, don’t park you cars there; it’s a hazard for pedestrians if you do. It’s also potentially an environmental hazard, and a Hank hazard.
Please be considerate. Bev is just trying to enforce the council rules, and she has no mandate to do anything other than to appeal to your better natures.
C C h f f a b.
We were supposed to nominate and elect officers, as per the sent out agenda, the relevant details cut and pasted here, however we didn’t get to 8, and 9 on the agenda…
“Agenda 10am Sunday 4th April 2021
Location: The Hall Rakino Island
1)Welcome
2)Apologies
3)Past Minutes See attached Finances and Correspondence ST to present a) Financial Report inc. Payments received / to be made , Cash Book status ST b) Subs Actions to get back on track c) Correspondence IN / OUT
4)Community Hall The hall maintenance is still a stumbling block. Present possible way forward on the hall but need to understand the community needs. DM to present possible options
5)Marine Survey Report. Due to Covid there has been a delay in getting on island meeting to present. EE to give update
6)Fire Capability for the Island. Need to discuss. Propose of the meetings with FENZ and the outcomes. Define best times to have community meeting both on the island and in city.
7)General Business
8)Nominations
9)Election of Officers
Meeting Closed”
Meeting closed at 11.54am. I was relieved to see Kevin Wragge proffer Chairman Clews a manly handshake on the way out.
Sadly there were no baked treats or cups of tea. The Anarchist Amanuensis left feeling angry and depressed, and narrowly avoided stepping in a pile of dog turds poised outside the hall. Happily she ran into a good citizen outside who shared with her a fabulous idea for an island event next Easter. Watch this space! 🙂
If I were to offer up one criticism of this meeting in my review it would be that we don’t get to hear from a variety of voices. This is because a few men of a certain age loudly dominate, and it’s very hard to find an opening to say your piece. It’s not good democracy in action. I’d like to urge everyone to have their say on the important matter of Rakino facilities. You can comment here, by logging in and scrolling down to ‘leave a comment’, and of course you should send your thoughts to the RRA.
Cheers all! (and credit to David Shrigley for his excellent Venn diagram)
It started off as a whim to get Anthonie Tonnon to perform on Rakino, and grew from there into a weekend of events and activities…
Proceedings kick off on Friday Jan 8 at 5pm with an art exhibition opening Upstairs at the Rakino Art Gallery. There will be a range of works to peruse and purchase, paintings, prints, woodwork, and jewellery, made by Rakino locals and Rakino friends. Join us for a celebratory glass of wine and nibbles. As always with island gatherings, feel welcome to BYO!
https://www.rakino.org.nz/event/rakino-island-art-gallery-exhibition/
10am till 12pm Saturday morning starts with a Rakino Nursery open morning with John MacKenzie on hand to advise and take orders for the coming winter’s tree planting. The baby trees are looking lush with lots of new growth. They’ll look even better planted in your backyard, and our burgeoning island wildlife will appreciate the gesture! Please walk down to the nursery via the track from the AT land on South Pacific Rd. https://www.rakino.org.nz/event/rakino-plant-nursery-open-morning/
1pm till 4pm Rewa Grimsdale will be holding a flax weaving workshop at 21 Woody Bay Rd. (Josh, Holly, & Billie’s house). Participants will have the opportunity to learn to prepare flax for weaving, and make a flax flower and loose woven kete. https://www.rakino.org.nz/event/flax-weaving-workshop-with-rewa-grimsdale/
I’m keen on this one; harekeke is a material there’s no shortage of on Rakino!
From 3pm till 5pm contemporary jeweller Mia Straka will be holding a talisman making jewellery workshop at 21 Woody Bay Rd. You can get a feel for her work here: http://www.miastraka.com/ Mia’s work is sculptural and thoughtful, and this workshop will probably suit ten year olds and up.. https://www.rakino.org.nz/event/mia-straka-jewellery-class/
8pm – Anthonie Tonnon begins his performance at the Rakino Community Hall. I really can’t emphasise how lucky we are to have him perform on Rakino. I can only urge you to purchase tickets here: https://www.rakino.org.nz/anthonie-tonnon/ because this will be a really unique experience. You can learn more about Anthonie here: https://www.anthonietonnon.com/
Sunday the 10th starts at a leisurely 12 pm with a flurry of activities. DJ Hudge, Bobby Brazuka, and Friends will kick things off down at Sandy Bay with Beach Beats. Koha and pizza deals available courtesy of Alf’s Woody Bay Pizzeria. https://www.rakino.org.nz/event/sunday-wind-down-with-extra-cheese/
Simultaneously Grace Carr-Shepheard will be on hand at 12pm to talk about the small changes we can all make to make our world a better place. https://www.rakino.org.nz/event/grace-carr-shepheard-talking-sustainability/
At 1pm, Hayden Smith from Sea Cleaners will be chatting about the amazing work Sea Cleaners do in our ocean environment. https://www.rakino.org.nz/event/conversation-with-hayden-from-sea-cleaners/
Drag the teens out of bed for these inspirational and informative chats down at Sandy Bay. Bribe them with beats and pizza!
| Day | Date | Depart Stanley Bay | Depart Downtown | Depart Rakino | Arrive Downtown | Arrive Stanley Bay |
| Fri | Jan 8/21 | 10.40am | 11am | 11.55am | 12.40pm | 1pm |
| Jan 8/21 | 6.50pm | 7.45pm | 8.30pm | 8.50pm | ||
| Sat | Jan 9/21 | 10.40am | 11am | 11.55am | 12.40pm | 1pm |
| Jan 9/21 | 3.15pm | 3.35pm | 4.30pm | 5.15pm | 5.35pm | |
| Sun | Jan 10/21 | 10.40am | 11am | 11.55am | 12.40pm | 1pm |
| Jan 10/21 | 3.15pm | 3.35pm | 4.30pm | 5.15pm | 5.35pm |
Sadly the event ‘Walks, Talks, and Snorks’ has had to be postponed due to America’s Cup racing. As soon as the Hauraki Gulf is no longer a four-lane highway, the event will be re-instated. It will follow the same format, however, so read on…
Saturday, January 16 and we have more treats in store! Walks, Talks, and Snorks is an eco fiesta on Rakino. We are very lucky to have a visit from scientists and enviromentalists Tim Haggitt, Tim Lovegrove, and Kerry Lukies, thanks to the efforts of Elisabeth Easther. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our birdlife, our marine environment, and our little blue penguins. Those with good swimming skills and their own gear have the opportunity to participate in a guided snorkelling experience with Tim Haggitt in Sandy Bay. For more details and links, visit https://www.rakino.org.nz/event/walks-talks-and-snorks/
