Waiheke Local Board visit to Rakino, and Hall update.

Preamble by Lisa West

The following account by Kevin Wragge is a report on the perplexing behaviour of a small group of people who purport to represent the Rakino community, most especially with regard to Local Board, and council officials. It refers to a meeting we were all excluded from, despite it being a very rare opportunity to engage with our democratically elected representatives from the Waiheke Local Board. It is also important to note that permanent residents were excluded, bar one.

I was alerted to this meeting ahead of time by the Chair of the Local Board who wanted to ensure I had been invited as I had expressed strong interest in attending previously. Both of us believed it was a meet-up available for community members to attend, so after becoming concerned the community weren’t aware of the impending visit, I let you all know of the meet-up.

I was then publicly uninvited by an RRA spokesperson and accused of spreading ‘misinformation’. To his credit, Mr. Kevin Wragge attended and was not intimidated into leaving, despite attempts by RRA committee members to do exactly that. Mr, Wragge has made the report following for the rest of us to enjoy.

If there is one thing that makes me righteously angry about this wasted opportunity for us to meet our democratically elected representatives it is the knowledge that the meeting was held in our red-stickered Hall, the Hall we are told has cameras installed, to capture any ingress by miscreants.

In the last few years anyone trying to organise an event for the community has had to impose on the generosity of others in order to find suitable venues; the Freckers for a presentation on kororā, Dylan, and Garth and Kate for the Lez Ball, Holly for the septic tank workshop, Harriet for hosting market days, and Bert and Natalie for hosting gatherings at their house, most especially meet-ups with staff from the Waiheke Resources Trust.

The notion that the RRA committee thought a red-stickered hall was the best place to hold a meet-up with Local Board and council staff is extraordinary when they impose exclusion on the rest of us, to the extent of boarding up the stairs to the safely locked art rooms before giving us the opportunity to get personal possessions out. Who, if anyone, gave authority for that action?

I’d like to finish on a positive note, and in agreement with Kevin. We are all on the same page; we desperately need a neutral community space to gather in on occasion. The community hasn’t been given a complete picture of the complexities to date, and that needs to be remedied urgently. As part of my submission on the Waiheke Local Board plan I’ve asked if the Rakino community can be updated regularly on Hall progress, by the Chair. Anything will be an improvement on what we currently get.

Kevin Wragge’s account of the meeting is below.

My meeting with the Board on Rakino with regard to the Hall with an end message to the Rakino Rate Payers Association and its committee.

I thought there may be some interest in my interaction with the Rakino Rate Payers Association (RRA) and the Waiheke Board when it visited Rakino on Friday the 17 ^th July 2026 at 10am.

Kylee Matthews the Board Chair had indicated in writing to a couple of Rakino parties who had expressed interest in attending a meeting with Local Board that a delegation would attend Rakino at the Boards initiative to assist in the decision-making process with regard to the future of the hall.

Kylee had previously stated that she believed the meeting would be open to the community, so the assumption was made that my attendance would be accepted, if not welcome.

I emailed the RRA and asked for the visit to be publicised in order to ensure rate payers could attend and learn at first hand why little or no progress had been made to have the hall rebuilt after many decades of talk and stagnation.

The Friends of Rakino Face Book page reveals the interactions that subsequently took place.

The RRA via its spokesperson Jude MacLachlan (JM) maintained the meeting was closed despite written correspondence to the contrary and insisted that no one from the community should attend.

As the Board’s visit had been signalled in advance I resolved to attend and travelled to Rakino on the Wednesday prior to ensure I could attend the 10am meeting. As has been said, Friday was not the best of days for participation and timing seemed to overlook that the Belaire ferry arrives at 11.20am on a Friday.

I went to the wharf in good time and greeted the Chair (CC) and Mr. Inglis (RI.)

Both were ashen and initially refused to acknowledge my presence.

In good time RI stated that it was essential that the meeting was positive and that was the objective of the day.

I agreed full-heartedly and suggested we also needed to establish the RRA’s entitlement to represent me and the community and asked him the number of paid-up Association members.

RI grimaced and with significant emotion and volume said he did not know.

I asked why he would not know and suggested that it could be concluded from the minutes of the last AGM wherein it was stated that $600 had been collected by way of subscriptions that the number would be in the vicinity of eight, including committee members.

RI howled that he did not know and then screeched, did you hear me, I don’t know.

CC smirked and commented that I had no idea, implying my assumption was wrong.

I responded that was the very point and RI should be ashamed of supporting this committee given his professional and business background.

CC then mentioned I had sent him over two hundred emails and one day he would take me to task.

I stated that I welcomed the day as it was my democratic entitlement to ask questions, demand answers, voice concerns and hold this entity to account.

CC also brought up a private matter in the public domain which I will not record for these purposes.

JM arrived and questioned my attendance and again stated to her entourage that this was a closed meeting. Natasha arrived by way of boat. I greeted her. I also acknowledged Stephen Wong when I caught his eye.

The water taxi arrived and I stepped forward to greet our visitors who unlike our committee are democratically elected.

I spoke to Chairperson Kylee Matthews to begin with.

I had previously emailed Kylee and mentioned the conflict with regard to the meeting, the Association, compliance with its Constitution and communication with the community.

Kylee acknowledged the confusion and stated that she would address the issue a little later.

I met Board member Mr. Eric Hillman and Mr. Mike Lee and mingled with support staff whose names I can’t recall, which is my failing entirely.

We entered the hall and took up seats as JM continued to question my attendance with those who would listen.

I immediately drew the meetings attention to the fact that the hall had been red stickered yet the meeting was taking place in a structure that was not available to the community.

That was acknowledged by Kylee, as was signage.

Introductions took place and JM queried who should chair the meeting given that it had been arranged by Council.

JM also stated that a tour of the Island had been arranged with vehicles at the ready.

JM passed the control of the meeting to CC who began speaking but was then assisted by someone suggesting that it might be appropriate for introductions.

JM took notes and explained that she had returned to the Association to help the Chair as a consequence of his health issue. She also mentioned that she had earlier resigned as a consequence of my emails imploring the Association to do as it should. These are described as bullying.

Kylee explained the confusion with regard to attendance which revolved around catering. JM asked with whom the correspondence was with and was dismissive of Kylee’s answer.

Nothing of significance occurred other than JM’s ongoing hostility toward me.

RI seemed to think it important that he refer to his house fire and architect Pip Cheshire who had been commissioned to undertake drawings for the new Hall build.

Mr. Lee mentioned the tremendous ecological change to the Island which was acknowledged by all and to which I commented that no one on the committee had participated in those plantings or indeed had shown little or no interest in the cause.

JM strongly objected and stated that she and a Mr. Lockhart had planted 400 trees and that I was once again wrong. I chose not to respond as I was of course referring to the planting of the Wallis Reserve, the West Bay track, securing funding for two ten-acre block owners and instigating the establishment of the nursery.

When I attempted to correct exaggerated, wrong, or erroneous comments, JM stated that it was not my right to speak. She sat alongside Mr. Hillman and when I did speak directed derogatory remarks to him in an undertone.

As this was an informal meeting Robert’s Rules of Order and procedural niceties seemed not to apply. I had noticed this bias at prior RRA meetings where speaking rights seemed to be selectively applied.

JM in particular seemed to be entitled to contribute at any stage and lamented how the community simply did not appreciate how much effort had been expended by the committee to resolve the hall impasse and mentioned that there was always the next hurdle to encounter such as the historic trust review and indigenous claims.

CC mentioned the Fire Shed and AT’s attitude to approval of the use of AT land where significant costs were sought.

He spoke with pride of the hundred per cent approval of those attending the presentation by architect Pip Cheshire and doubted that would ever happen at Waiheke.

When questioned, he stated that the fire shed had cost 50k although I do not believe that expenditure has been disclosed in annual accounts. The secretary should do so now.

He also mentioned fire equipment had been sold to him for one dollar within here.

I do not believe Association accounts depict the hall or the fire equipment as assets and that should be remedied immediately.

CC commented on a number of occasions that he understood my frustrations with the lack of progress and I took that as being sincere.

At this point Shane Hogg took the floor and some semblance of purpose began.

I am now in no doubt that Shane is on top of this project and all its complexities which have never been disclosed by the RRA who have explained delays as being attributable to Council finding yet another hurdle to prevent progress.

I will ask Shane to provide a summary of his presentation to ensure all are aware of the issues he is contending with but would summarize the situation as being multi-faceted which include not only the obvious funding constraints but issues with regard to ongoing reform and restructuring within Council.

These factors come to mind and are not exhaustive as I did not take notes. Indeed, this summary may not necessarily be accurate but simply draws attention to the complexities.

The building straddles complex public boundaries abutting the wharf with AT and Council negotiating distinct and conflicting legal and operational mandates over this foot print.

The hall consists of multiple parts (the hall, Kitchen/library and toilets) and is built on reclaimed land over two public land parcels.

Because the proposed facilities interface with transport infrastructure, AT to this time has exerted significant control over the land and its development and until now would not consent to the hall encroaching its land. Furthermore AT have refused to provide a terminus.

The rigid separation between AT and Council which has caused the developmental deadlock is being dismantled by way of the Local Government Amendment Act which seeks to dissolve AT’s independent authority.

The transition period is under way and once worked through will mean that land ownership and decision-making responsibilities will transfer to Auckland Council and the Waiheke Local Board.

I asked Shane if that meant everything is on hold until that happens and I think he agreed.

Shane spoke of inter-departmental participation which includes the Coastal Marine division as the hall sits on reclaimed land and is subject to severe tidal inundation and storm damage, Earthworks and sediment control, Structural Engineering and geo-technical input, Parks and Reserves, Heritage and Mana Whenua, Fire and Emergency, Hazardous materials, Vehicle manoeuvring, Health and Safety along with Civil defence, First Aid etc etc etc.

To remedy the crumbling bank would cost in excess of two million dollars which explains the set back that has been demanded.

This is as much as my little brain could take in and as such any negativity with my summary will fall on closed ears.

I then mentioned alternative sites which Shane was fully acquainted with and had considered in some depth.

The two alternative sites are road reserves with the right to occupy involved as construction is a non-complying activity. I believe that may change with the implementation of the Local Government Amendment Act.

JM seemed not to be aware of these complexities but did seek confirmation that the existing build would include a kitchen.

Mr. Lee was astonished with the inter-departmental mischievousness and questioned the veracity of many of the claims and requirements being sought and undertook to investigate further with material to be provided by Shane.

When I suggested that AT should provide a terminus and Council a hall on the other possible locations available RI claimed that was unacceptable as the community would lose its identity and soul or words to that effect.

I sincerely thanked Shane for his contribution and added that I had no recognition of all the issues that had been presented.

At one point a long-standing member of the community arrived and was offered seating.

I mentioned he was not a member of the Association to which JM responded he was welcome and was being invited to participate unlike myself.

I found that unnecessary and frankly nasty.

I spoke further with Shane and Mr. Lee outside and indeed apologized to Shane for my terse correspondence with him. I explained the disconnect between what the Association was saying and Waiheke Board minutes and was attempting to understand the process. He stated he understood my dilemma.

Mr. Lee and Board member Hillman invited me to come to the alternative sites and I decided to do exactly that.

I reluctantly agreed to participate in a few photo shots at the wharf and at the top of the Island.

Two groups formed around the fire house. One included Shane Hogg, Mr. Lee, Board Member Mr. Norm Robins and myself.

We discussed the site layout and its suitability as an emergency gathering point as opposed to the wharf which had limited access. I also suggested that although probably unnecessary the road could be re-routed to accommodate any structure.

The other group was entertained by the Rakino committee with CC starting the generator and sounding the siren.

Mr. Robins asked me what happens now to which I replied we don’t know and then adopted the Lance Corporal Jack Jones impersonation of “Don’t Panic” “Don’t Panic”.

The gathering wound up and my former detractor RI said with a smile, “You did well”.

I choked.

Mr. Lee stated that we need to get you on this committee to which I responded, not with this lot.

Shane had earlier provided me with a final draft of the build which is attached.

I suggest everyone carefully look beyond the pretty presentation at what is being offered for some millions of dollars. Notice a block wall which will not only obstruct views but will also make access to the ferry even more problematic.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the Hall rebuild but a consensus must be reached.
I hold the view that the current site has too many restrictions and limitations to erect a structure that meets the Island needs and that value for money will not be achieved.

I believe AT or what ever that ends up as should construct a transport terminus and a hall is built elsewhere for a fraction of the money and which would be more fit for purpose.

At the end of the day, I don’t care what happens as long as something happens.

Now to the point of all of this.

The RRA and the committee overlooks one very important fact.

Everyone is actually on the same page.

Everyone wants the hall saga resolved.

It’s not a them and us situation.

It’s not a psychological division between an “in group” being the Association and its limited members and “the others” as happened to me yet again at this gathering.

The animosity is shameful and must end.

I believe this committee should resign on mass and let someone else have a go.

Pip Cheshire’s design for the proposed Hall.

Proposed Hall Download

Revelations

This is republished from The Revelator, an excellent online resource of stories for anyone interested in the environment and conservation/restoration.

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The Seduction of Despair, the Persistence of Possibility

January 9, 2026 – by Rick MacPherson

Some mornings despair arrives before coffee.

Not dramatically, not like a crashing wave or a siren, but quietly, like a fog: soft at first, then everywhere. It shows up on my phone, in headlines, on social media: policies rolled back. Protections stripped. Science defunded. Expertise ridiculed. Species disappearing. A political climate that feels more handheld flamethrower than democratic process. And beneath all of that, the quiet exhaustion of living through cascading crises without a pause button.

It’s especially loud now, at the turn of the year, a time when we’re told to make plans, set goals, and imagine better futures. But imagining can feel dangerous when the world feels fragile. The idea of resolve can seem almost laughable.

Despair is seductive because it offers a strangely rational refuge: If everything is collapsing, then nothing is required of you anymore. And there’s relief — brief, dangerous — in imagining the story is already over.

But despair isn’t neutral. It doesn’t just describe reality. It shapes it. Despair hands momentum to the forces counting on our fatigue. To the industries that benefit when we withdraw. To leaders who flourish when we believe we are powerless. It masquerades as honesty. Underneath it is permission — not to feel, but to quit.

Why We Stay in the Work

There have been days — fieldwork days, policy days, loss-of-another-species days — when I thought: Maybe the wild world will outlive us. Maybe the most we can do is bear witness to the ending. But then I think of future generations forced to inherit a planet stripped of its complexity and wildness, and bearing witness feels too much like quiet betrayal.

And then something interrupts. A headline — quiet, almost buried — about wolves returning or a coastal ecosystem recovering faster than expected. A student’s email saying they never realized nature was part of their story too, even from a city block surrounded by concrete. A grainy livestream of coral spawning — imperfect, but undeniable evidence that life is still trying. A community cleanup that began with six hesitant strangers and somehow became a recurring ritual people now protect on their calendars. A message from someone I’ll never meet saying they felt less alone because I didn’t give up.

And then, perhaps most powerful, I sit in a folding chair at a community meeting. The room isn’t glamorous. There’s no dramatic soundtrack. People are tired. Some are angry. Some are afraid. No one knows everything. But they showed up anyway. And in that small, imperfect room, I remember: Despair isolates. Community builds momentum.

We Are Not at the End — We Are at the Fork

This is a threshold moment. The kind future generations will study — not because we were certain, but because the uncertainty cornered us into choosing who we were willing to be.

History is full of inflection points when the future could have veered toward collapse or reinvention. And in those moments, there were always people who refused to leave the page blank: people who showed up tired. People who acted without guarantees. People who believed — not because the outcome was certain, but because living without trying felt unbearable.

That’s us now. Not the first generation to fight for wildlife, rivers, forests, or ocean. Not the last. But the generation with the least time to hesitate.

So what do we do when despair feels stronger than resolve? We don’t banish it. We don’t pretend we’re immune. We learn to feel it — and then move anyway.

Here’s how we keep going — not perfectly, but sustainably.

1. Shrink the Horizon.

Not everything needs to be solved at planetary scale. When the global feels unbearable, go local. This isn’t evasion, it’s strategic retreat. When we successfully restore one stream, one prairie, one forest patch, one shoreline, we break the logic of despair that says our efforts are futile. We create our own momentum. Small work is not small if it moves the world forward.

2. Build Belonging, Not Just Awareness.

Loneliness is one of despair’s most reliable accomplices. Hope doesn’t thrive alone. Find your people — the conservationists, scientists, artists, kids, elders, divers, farmers, fishers, hikers, hunters, dreamers, pragmatists — anyone who still believes a living planet is worth fighting for.

Community transforms despair from a boulder into a load shared. Show up to talks. Host a nature walk. Make space for questions, grief, curiosity, laughter, failure, and trying again. Movements don’t survive because they are correct. They survive because they are connected.

3. Let Awe Recalibrate You.

Get on your belly at the edge of a tidepool and watch barnacles open, each one waiting for the right moment to feed as the tide breathes in. Watch ants rebuild a colony after rain. Follow animal tracks in the snow. Stand beside a river and notice its pull. Watch a storm build over a lake and feel how water holds mood and memory. Plant native grasses and discover how soil — quiet, unglamorous soil — becomes an ecosystem. Grab a map and trace the flight paths of migrating birds overhead. Watch a livestream of a loud, chaotic romp of giant river otters in the Amazon and feel how wildness doesn’t apologize for taking up space.

Awe doesn’t erase the grief, but it reminds us why grief exists in the first place: because we love something worth protecting.

4. Act Anyway.

Even when discouraged. Even when unsure. Even when afraid. Action is not the opposite of despair — it is the antidote that makes despair bearable.

Write. Vote. Volunteer. Donate. Protest. Teach. Repair. Create. Speak up in rooms where silence is easy. Hope grows where footsteps repeat.

5. Rest. Seriously.

Burnout doesn’t make you a martyr. It makes you absent. Rest isn’t quitting; it’s recharging the part of you that refuses to give up.

Even ecosystems rest: Seasons shift, fires reset forests, tides withdraw, storms spend themselves. Your rest is part of the rhythm, not a deviation from it. Rest doesn’t pause the movement. It preserves the mover.

The Persistence of Possibility

Here’s a truth: Despair is honest.

Hope is honest, too. The difference is that hope participates. Hope has calluses. Hope stumbles and keeps going. Hope is the quiet refusal to surrender the future. The living world is not gone. And neither are we. This story isn’t finished. We are still writing it… species by species, action by action, community by community.

So as we step into 2026, maybe the resolution isn’t flashy or tidy. Maybe it’s this: Show up. For the wild. For each other. For the future. Some days that will mean attending hearings. Some days that will mean protecting your rest. Some days it will simply mean refusing to say “It’s too late” even when despair feels convincing.

Hope isn’t something we wait for. It’s a discipline we practice.

And as we cross into this new year — with uncertainty in one hand and possibility in the other — we make a quiet, stubborn promise: We will not hand the living world over to despair. Not this year. Not while we are here. Not while there’s still something left to protect.

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King’s Birthday Weekend 2025

We set off to Rakino with a number of tasks to undertake; a rubbish audit, water testing with Bert, and penguin sign construction. We ended up achieving the first two tasks, making some progress on signage, and taking on a few extra jobs besides. All to the good; a roaring northerly extended our stay by a couple of days and we didn’t mind at all.

You can read about the rubbish audit here https://www.rakino.org.nz/2025/06/08/rakino-waste-audit/ and I’m confident Bert will report on the stream and pond testing in due course.
The penguin signs are a work in progress, so hopefully Matariki long weekend will see them installed, FINALLY.

The coolest thing that happened to me was sighting a live little blue penguin for the first time ever on Rakino. Usually I just document dead kororā, so I was really happy to finally see a young’un, hunkered down under a rock ledge in the vicinity of Maori Garden Bay. There are plentiful penguin tracks around the coast currently, with many double tracks heading out into the tide, indicating parents off fishing for the day. Please, dog owners, ensure your dogs are within sight and under control at all times.

I also got to photograph a kākā at John and Carolyn MacKenzies. Accounts over the weekend are of up to five of them skraarking around overhead, which is pretty exciting for a kākāphile like myself.

**A young female kākā with an admiring audience of tūī, and a solitary bellbird.**

A couple of weekend downers; the moth plant infestation has reached epic almost out of control proportions, and the pods are beginning to split. Land owners with moth plant are going to be removing seedlings for years to come, as will their neighbours. Here are the rules for moth plant on Rakino and Waiheke.. https://www.tiakitamakimakaurau.nz/protect-and-restore-our-environment/pests-in-auckland/pest-search/Araser

**Granddaddy vine which we collected a black sack of pods from.**

The second bummer was the burgeoning bloom of clay sediment out into Maori Garden Bay which exacerbated as the rain intensified. This was particularly heartbreaking for me, as it is in the same area as our little blue penguin sighting, and also the numerous penguin tracks we had seen the previous day. It’s unacceptable to cause this level of environmental damage on Rakino, and should have been anticipated and mitigated.

**Sediment in the stream prior to the bloom out into the bay.**

Generally an excellent week spent hanging out though, some tasty pizza dinners cooked by Kate as she refines her offerings in anticipation of the Bay Belle floating pizzeria, https://www.instagram.com/baybellenz/
and many sociable evenings spent with all our island friends. I can’t tell a lie though; the rubbish audit was way too much fun.

This is why we can’t have even nicer things…

This is Merf. She is my elderly cat, and she lives in Auckland. When I visit Rakino I can’t stay more than a few days, because she is my responsibility in town, and I will never take her to Rakino. Secondly because I’ve made a big noise about the madness of allowing cats to roam free on a predator free island, but firstly because ground-nesting birds visit our swamp.

I’ve heard the high decibel chirr-growl of a spotless crake lurking in the undergrowth behind the shed, and banded rails have been hanging around lately according to reliable reports. Aside from that we have a good number of copper skinks that make the undergrowth their home.

Other avian visitors that are prone to cat predation are the korimako and tui. Our callistemon are still small, but most days bellbirds drop in to enjoy the flowers at ground level, and tui take evening baths in the water bowl. This is basically a ground-based snack dispenser for a hunting cat.

Cats can be controlled by keeping them indoors and dressing them in a bewildering array of accessories; bells, glittery trinkets, rotating disco bibs, flashing LED lights, etc which will help protect our existing native species, but their very presence means we can’t get trans-locations of natives that are unable to self-introduce, at least not until we are cat free.

These are animals unable to self-introduce because they are poor fliers, or because they are lizards and insects, all of which makes them vulnerable to predation.

We are residents on an extraordinary resource for threatened native species; a pest free island which is being strenuously re-wilded with habitat-increasing regenerative plant species. Here are some nice things we could have if we left our cats on the mainland…

Raukawa Gecko – Woodworthia Maculata

Pacific Gecko – Dactylocnemis pacificus

**Another beaut photo courtesy of Nick Harker**

Chevron Skink – Oligosoma homalonotum

Forest Gecko – Mokopirirakau granulatus

Giant Weta

Tieke/Saddlebacks

Tieke!

https://www.gbiet.org/en24-giant-gecko-rediscovered

Unlike cats, these critters are all endemic to New Zealand, mostly only thriving on pest free islands, some still sadly in decline. Cats are permitted on Rakino at this point, but I regard the bringing of cats to a pest free island to be the same as taking your full daily bag limit of fish; just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should do it. Sometimes the rules are wrong. If we band together to let the law makers know the rules aren’t fit for purpose, then we can get the rules changed. A rule change would mean we could provide an island home for threatened and recovering species. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Special thanks to Nick Harker & Shaun Lee for generously letting us use their fabulous photos. You can view more of Nick’s images at the NZ Herpetological Society website.. https://www.reptiles.org.nz/

The feature image is an elegant gecko – Naultinus elegens, also a Nick Harker image.

Listen to Nicola Toki’s Critter of the week, the Robust Skink

Get thee to the AGM!

(or, We Need to Talk About Island Democracy)

The Anarchist Amanuensis will not be attending the AGM of the RRA this lovely sunny Sunday morning. Apologies in advance to anyone who might miss my hot take on the meeting, but I lost heart somewhat after the Easter 2021 meeting in which the majority of members who were ineligible to vote by dint of not having paid their subs voted to be allowed to vote. It was never made clear exactly who was eligible to vote; I know I was, as I had paid my subs unbidden, but these are simply minor details that mean nothing, unless you are concerned about adherence to the constitution of the incorporated society.

I also lost heart when I realised the ‘minutes’ of the Labour Weekend meeting of 2020 were not written up till March 27 of 2021, a matter of days before the Easter 2021 meeting. I guess this is because the only person taking minutes in 2020 was me. I guess that also means someone had to bodge together minutes from the agenda of the 2020 AGM, and my Anarchist Amanuensis ‘minutes’. This may seem inconsequential, but only if you are unconcerned about adherence to the constitution of the incorporated society.

This meeting a motion is to be passed by Chairman Clews with regard to changing the constitution. We are not advised what the motion is. The constitution says this:

ALTERATION OF RULES The Society may make, alter, amend or add to any of the rules at any Annual, Special or Ordinary Meeting of the Society after ten working days’ notice of intention so to do shall have been given to members.

This is awkward, because we were only advised of the agenda on January 28th.
It doesn’t really matter though, unless you are concerned about adherence to the constitution of the incorporated society.

You’ll get to vote for for new committee members at this meeting. The constitution says this:

Nominations in writing for the election of officers, signed by the nominee and his/her proposer, shall be in the hands of the Secretary in sufficient time to allow voting papers with the names of all nominees theron, (sic) to be in the hands of the voting members at least fourteen (14) clear days before the holding of the Annual General Meeting.

This is mildly inconvenient, given the voting forms were only sent out as an attachment on January 27. Don’t fret; it’s only significant if you are concerned about adherence to the constitution of the incorporated society.

At any rate, I wish you all a lovely meeting, and I hope you’ve paid your subs. It’s my fervent wish that some fresh enthusiasm is injected into the committee to take on the not inconsiderable challenges currently facing Rakino; our community amenities, our fire resilience, and our lack of representation on the Waiheke Local Board. Some fresh faces across the board are desperately needed.

Over and out,
Anarchist Amanuensis.

Preventing Future Pest Incursions

The current Darwin’s ant invasion has got me thinking about risks and risk mitigation.

With regard to keeping our environment on Rakino free of undesirable fauna, the risks of pests getting to the island are high, and the consequences are severe. The costs of the rainbow skink incursion were in the tens of thousands, and we can only cross our fingers and hope that the Darwin’s ant incursion can be dealt with swiftly.

I don’t know how the ants got to Rakino, but there is one vector we can eliminate. I know from experience when I have brought plants from Auckland to Rakino that Belaire is assiduous in checking they have been dealt with according to protocol in order to stop spread of Rainbow Skinks and Argentine Ants. I’m so paranoid about being ‘that guy’, that I soak my plants in buckets for two days solid before taking them to our island. Often the bio-security staff are down at the pier with the sniffer dogs too, which is excellent. All commercial transport operators moving goods or people to or among Hauraki Gulf islands will need to have a Pest Free Warrant also, which is a further protection.

The weak link is people with private boats who may not be aware of the protocols around moving plants from the Mainland to pest-free islands.

I’m proposing that we utilise the already excellent existing Rakino Nursery further; talking with John MacKenzie about the native plants we’d like to be planting, seeing if the range can be expanded even further. John does his best to eco-source seed for propagation, and the nursery has expanded recently, which means more trees grown on island, so no risk of incursions.

Of course, people also want to plant exotics, annual flowers, vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees, so these are also possible vectors of pest transmission if they are being transported to Rakino.

What do the gardeners think about having a couple of plant/seed buy, sell or swaps a year? Cuttings are easily taken from many of the pretty exotics that birds love on the island. I’m particularly thinking of the callistemons (bottlebrush) which are a magnet for bellbird and tui. They also pose a risk because of myrtle rust, and along with pohutukawa should not be transported to Rakino. We have to protect our big old pohutukawa as best we can. I’ve also got my eye on a number of beaut hibiscus that I’m keen to get cuttings from.. Seed collection is very easy with regard to annual flowers, and commercial seed packets are completely safe, of course. It could be a great theme for a market day.

Next year Rakino is 20 years pest free, so it’s unfortunate timing for the ant incursion. We are incredibly privileged to inhabit an island that is free of predators. It’s actually very rare internationally, and we shouldn’t take that status for granted. I suggest we come up with a framework to stop further incursions, and take responsibility to stop the potential risks ourselves.

I’d love some feedback, and further thoughts about this. 🙂

RRA Election time?

Is it time to review the function and performance of the RRA (Rakino Rate Payers Association)?

The objectives of the Association are set out in its Constitution.

At the Annual General Meeting candidates either volunteer or are persuaded to join the committee sometime later. There is no election process as is defined. Elected officers are those who volunteer for that role. Not much happens. There’s little or no communication with the membership. The Association doesn’t enjoy community support and more importantly respect. All fairly typical characteristics of any volunteer organization. Well-meaning. Volunteers doing their best, but is their best good enough?

In recent times things have been organized independent of the Association. We have enjoyed concerts at the Hall, the Nursery and at the Pizzeria. Yoga classes, art, weaving courses are all well received and supported. The community can make things happen if it has the will. Who needs the Association?

It does seem that decentralization will continue which questions the relevance of the Association and especially as it has seldom taken a lead or achieved much. The hall is but one example. Our emergency response capability is being withdrawn. The Association fiddles whilst Rakino potentially burns.

The Association is nevertheless essential as the body that represents us when dealing with say the Council. Council will only deal with the one voice. The problem with that one voice is that the committee is not democratically elected, doesn’t have a mandate on any position it takes, is seldom well informed and invariably reflects the opinion of the committee or some on it.

We have allowed this situation to occur. We don’t follow the prescribed process for the election of a committee and a Chair. We don’t give them a brief, a blue print for what we want for the Island, where we are going and how we want to get there. If we don’t manage change, it will happen regardless.

I believe the function of the Association should be three-fold;

To achieve representation on the Waiheke Community Board.
To represent the community with key stake holders and deploy expertise within the community for specific negotiations.
To develop a road map which reflects the communities needs and aspirations, coordinate a blue print and invite people to take on specific function, unhindered. Performance is measured by success.

The Hall is a prime example as to why there must be change.

After years of talk, Stephen Thomas came up with a scheme to move and redevelop the existing building which he costed and presented to the community both on and off the Island. His concept was well received and he was congratulated on his initiative. We were to be canvassed for our thoughts. A no brainer really. Unfortunately, covid aside, nothing has happened. More of the same and for the same reasons.

We were told at the last AGM that Council preferred a new build on which premise a vote was taken to do away with the old and bring in the new. A concept by the Association was presented with a few boxes and improved vehicular access. It has since transpired that Council did not express that preference yet a new design is being developed after Stephen Thomas presented his vision and the ink had almost dried. Stephen had broad approval for his concept and has the skill set, drive and contacts to make things happen. Local trades, professionals and merchants offered their support. Meetings brimmed with enthusiasm and suggestions as to how it could happen and how individuals could contribute.

Stephen should be given the job to resolve the hall fiasco once and for all. He has the qualifications to present a concept and costings to the Waiheke Board, get approval from the Board, facilitate funding and consents, negotiate with Auckland Transport as regards transportation issues and bring the community together to build with fund raising if necessary. No one else on the committee has those skills and frankly they have had decades to demonstrate their capabilities. A significant job for a lone individual but Stephen is a team player and can call upon expertise within the community to finally resolve something which has been on the drawing board for decades.

No more delays awaiting the formation of a committee, no more waffle and grandstanding. Responsibility delegated to someone who know what they’re doing. Job done.

What else does the community need? Here’s but a few thoughts to make my point.

Entertainment.

Lisa and Holly have shown to have the drive and passion to organize fantastic events with fantastic artists. They should be given carte blanche responsibility with an allocation of funds from the Association. The community should underwrite the associated costs and be willing to pay to participate rather than stand on the fringes and observe.

Sense of community

Why not our own flag, an Island logo, a letterhead, some merchandise that sets us apart. Let’s appoint someone with those skills, which may also include a programmer so that we can vote electronically on whatever design we prefer. The same program could be utilized at the AGM and at other significant decision times.

Other thoughts are; fruit trees along the berms, utilization of the land at the top of the Island for sporting events, a website which brings together all the other sites under the one umbrella, resolution of the mooring travesty, a welcoming committee for new owners, an information centre for visitors.

The possibilities are endless. Someone with a special interest or skill takes responsibility for a specific function after being provided with a broad outline of what the community wants.
Once again, answerable to us, not the committee which in time becomes largely redundant much as it is now but is no longer permitted to stymie innovative thinking or enthusiasm.

Thoughtful comment would be appreciated. The next AGM is over Labour weekend. Change is necessary now. I believe we need fresh blood on the Association. There are many talented impassioned people out there to make a real difference. I believe that needs to begin at the top.

Tieke!

North Island Saddleback

The North Island saddleback belongs to NZ’s unique wattlebird family, which includes the endangered North Island kokako, the extinct huia, and the likely extinct South Island kokako.. The decline of the saddleback began back in the mid-19^th century when their forest habitat began to be cleared, and they were predated on by introduced ship rats, feral cats, and mustelids. Their steady decline meant that they were near extinction in the 20^th century. The North Island saddleback was brought back from the brink by exhaustive work by DOC, and they now live on 19 islands, and their outlook for survival is very favourable.

Their vulnerability is due to the fact that they are often found hanging about at ground level. They are poor fliers, capable of clumsily negotiating short distances, but more often seen leaping from branch to branch. They are also bold and noisy, staking out territory fearlessly with displays of antagonism, dawn singing, and mildly threatening behaviour, such as grappling with the wattles of their foes, much like a 2am drunk.

Handsome birds, up to 25cm long, glossy black with a saddle of chestnut, and red wattles that dilate when in show-off display mode, they have all the panache of a smart-casual two-tone shoe, with a sharp toe and a medium heel! Their charming boldness and temerity enchanted early European bird fanciers as they are quite visible birds, and seemingly tame.

Maori legend says they got their bright saddle from Maui, who exhausted from his epic battle with the Sun asked the tieke to bring him a drink of water. The saddleback refused, so Maui swiped his still burning hand over his back as punishment, which gave him a blaze of bright plumage.

They nest near to the ground, in holes of tree trunks, in the crowns of ferns, or in epiphytes. Their fledglings can be spotted hopping about on the ground, building up wing strength. I wonder if humans had never arrived in NZ saddlebacks would be near flightless? I don’t know, but I do know that if the community continues to commit to not replacing our cats as they come to the end of their natural lives, tieke are a viable addition to our island population. We have sufficient habitat, and food for the predominantly insectivorous tieke to thrive.

A resident’s observations on our Hall complex.

My feedback for community hall, library, art room, mail room, emergency response storage, ferry terminal facilities.

I have carefully tried to list all of the uses of the island’s only community structure as it is important to keep all of these in mind while trying to decide how to move forward.

Moving forward is a key consideration, it would be a true shame to see the loss of any amenities as amenities are a rare commodity on our beautiful Motu. I am fortunate enough to have made this island my home and so am in a position to see how, when and why these buildings are used. I certainly don’t deserve more of a vote than any other landowner but do have better perspective than most and, with all due humility, expect to be listened to.

My strong feeling is that the existing, historic, structure needs to be preserved in some manner. While a new build may have advantages in terms of a reduction in short term maintenance requirements it (to my mind) will not provide the same facilities as does the current structure. I in no way trust that Auckland council will consider an increase in size or utility of the building(s). I am trying to remain logical about the situation but need to briefly say I can’t see how any new building would hope to have the same warmth and heart.

My preferred option would be to remove the hall/kitchen section and move it, raised .5 metres to secure it against surge tides, to the area seaward of the existing toilets. The jutting section of the art facility could then be mounted on poles and a small 1.2 metre concrete wall built on the Southern edge to further protect all structures. This would also provide a safe waiting area for humans and animals. The existing parking beside the bins would be designated pick up and drop off only thus becoming a safe turning area for vehicles.

As a final note I hope all due efforts have been made to consider the non internet savvy in our community. Of course there are limits to any form of communication but all must be consulted on decisions that affect all. Aside from the natural beauty it is the personalities of us all that make the island a special place.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Josh McCann

Opinion piece: Further thoughts on Rakino Hall developments…

Vladimir Lennon is quoted as saying “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”

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;

Transport
Community

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.

https://at.govt.nz/media/1982223/engineering-design-code-public-transport-ferry-infrastructure_compressed.pdf

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?