Category: RRA

Matters relating to the Rakino Ratepayers’ Accociation

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 HallDownload
Proposed HallDownload

The Rubbish Report

Reading the minutes of the Labour Weekend RRA meeting I saw that someone had brought up ‘rubbish’ as an issue. I’m still uncertain as to what the issue was, as no-one I spoke to could remember the specific details of the topic as it was discussed, so I guessed it was probably something to do with putting recycling correctly in bins and composting food scraps instead of throwing them out with household waste.


I put my hand up to look at the way Rakino-ites put our waste into the communal bins because I’ve had some unpleasant olfactory surprises over the years when I’ve gone to dump my own recycling/household waste after my island visits. I’ve also been perplexed at the sheer volumes of waste that Tom has to deal with after busy weekends, the perennial issue of dead and dying vehicles, and the annual consternation around inorganic collections.

After speaking to Kayleigh Appleton at Waiheke Resources Trust I had an enthusiastic online meeting with representatives from the Island Waste Collective on Waiheke, and the WRT. The discussion was wide-ranging, but the most useful things I took from it was the possibility of availing ourselves of a can crusher from Waiheke, and diverting cardboard from the waste stream going off -island into a community composting initiative. Waiheke Resources Trust would happily provide a composting workshop for interested Rakino-ites.

Keith Enoka, General Manager of Island Waste Collective put me in touch with Bret Dragt from Auckland Council, who sent through the Gulf Islands Waste Plan written in 2018 with input from the Rakino Community, and some useful tips for household waste reduction.

Regretfully we have failed to achieve the waste reduction goals as set out by ourselves.

Tom has done an excellent job on the rubbish contract, tidying up the previous shambles at Home Bay, keeping the bins clean and tidy, and generally cracking down on illegal dumping as far as it is possible, but bach owners, myself included, could be doing a great deal more.

This is the 2018 Waste Plan and Report as it relates to Rakino.

As you can see, the ambition was to achieve the aforementioned composting scheme and use cardboard brown waste on-island, but this hasn’t happened. The bokashi bins have also not been utilised to their full potential. It’s a lost composting opportunity.

Bret Dragt also provided this helpful guideline for waste reduction :

https://www.wastenothing.co.nz/council-collections/hauraki-gulf-islands/rakino-island/

Finally, here is the most recent waste reduction plan, out for community consultation now :

Waste_Plan_2024_FINAL_Document

As you can see, the same issues still exist, six years on. The C & D waste referred to in the document is Construction and Demolition waste, the removal of which is the responsibility of builders and householders at their own cost, NOT the council and it’s contractors.

The lowest hanging fruit we can deal with immediately is removing all food waste and cardboard from the waste stream.

I propose we avail ourselves of a community composting workshop via the Waiheke Resources Trust, for any bach owners or residents who want to become composting ninjas. Given that the proportion of green waste to brown waste (paper/cardboard) should be about 50/50 in a successful compost I believe we could eliminate cardboard from the piles of waste which travel off-island.
I’m happy to facilitate the organisation of a composting workshop.


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.

RRA Zoom catch-up meeting.

Hi all! Passing this on on behalf of the RRA committee. Grab yourself a beverage of your choice and join this meeting for a catch-up with your Rakino neighbours.

Zoom is very straightforward to use. Just click on the link below prior to the meeting and you’ll be prompted to download the zoom application. Follow the instructions on the screen, and Bob’s your uncle.

Links to the updated Hall proposals and financial accounts are included for you to download, and please give feedback via the email address provided. 🙂

Greetings to all residents and ratepayers of Rakino Island

We hope this email finds you well, in spite of the strange times we find ourselves living in.

As you’ll all be aware, Covid restrictions have hampered many aspects of our lives, including preventing us from holding our annual Labour Weekend meeting, the all-important AGM. But this is life in Covid times so we’re pivoting, as people do and offering a Zoom catch-up instead.

Date: Thursday 4th November 6pm.  Please refer to the following link to join the meeting 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89421237258?pwd=NGJJeFBQaGwzNFIwRjFwa3I2VktUdz09

Meeting ID: 894 2123 7258
Passcode: 131885

Please note: this is not an AGM, more of an opportunity to touch base, to connect and also to hear about a few important issues that concern our wider community.

One of the most pressing items of business would’ve been the Community Hall.

As most of you know, Auckland Council asked us for two proposals for the hall and, after consultation with the community a new build and a renovation of the existing building have been drawn up.

These are both provisional and nothing is set in stone, but they’re all about getting the ball rolling, and we’re obligated to send those two options to Council for this to progress so please assess the PDF attached to this email and provide your feedback. Which of the two do you prefer? Feedback required by 5pm Friday 12th November, by return email to this address...
rakinosubs@gmail.com

We will also find ways to share this information with those people who we know don’t have email.

Other issues of importance that we want to bring up include matters pertaining to fire-lords, fire safety, and firefighting.

The financial accounts are also attached for your perusal.

As soon as we’re able to meet in reasonable sized groups, hopefully by Christmas, we will schedule a formal meeting, even if it does have to be held under the trees at Sandy Bay.

Also do sing out if you’d like to join the committee, it will look good on your CV!

Viva Rakino!

Stay well,


The R&R Committee.

RRA Performance Report

Hall Proposals

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;

  1. To achieve representation on the Waiheke Community Board.
  2. To represent the community with key stake holders and deploy expertise within the community for specific negotiations.
  3. 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.

The Future of the Hall

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/

What do you want from a community facility on Rakino?
22 votes · 183 answers
VoteResults

Anarchist Amanuensis RRA Easter 2021 meeting ‘Review’, and thoughts.

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)

Wisdom from Yoda

Rakino needs you!

The Rakino Island community has a couple of pressing issues requiring urgent attention. One is the ongoing problem of the undermining of our Hall by the unrelenting sea, and the other is our limited capability to deal with the unfortunate event of a fire.

The RRA committee is voluntary, and the weight of fire-fighting and Hall issues are reasonably heavy burdens to fall on a small number of shoulders. They are also complex, and require input from experts, and a lot of consultation with Council, and FENZ.

It’s a problem in small communities that it’s hard to get people involved in committees and volunteering generally, because most people are busy, hate going to meetings, and if you volunteer to do something you often get roped in further and further till you just start resenting the whole thing and regretting your initial enthusiasm. Another problem Rakino has is that we don’t have representation on the Waiheke Local Board. It’s easy to get overlooked and by-passed. Things can feel futile.

For a long time, the burden has fallen to the same people in our community. That burden could be lifted and shared equitably if more people could spare the time to participate. When we work as a team, we are more likely to see a resolution to the pressing issues, as opposed to endlessly re-litigating them year after year.
Your informed opinion and skills matter.

Below is an appeal to the community to get more involved in Rakino issues, penned by Kevin Wragge.

This website was originally set up to disseminate information, and facilitate some on-line democracy, so whether or not you agree with Kevin’s thoughts, any feedback would be greatly appreciated and welcomed.

Lisa.

Fire and Emergency Service on Rakino is at a crisis point. Your community needs you…. Now!

Politics is a tough game.

It can be divisive, explosive and more often than not unproductive.

When we stand on the side-line it seems the answers are obvious to all but a fool.

Get involved….and it’s not that easy, or so it seems.

The Rakino Rate Payers Association (RRA) is a case in point.

Nothing much seems to happen. They don’t hold meetings. They don’t issue minutes. They don’t even collect annual subscriptions. The AGM is a bit of a yawn… a push and play. We nevertheless know that some individuals like the current Chair, Chris Clews has done more than most for Rakino. He always puts his hand up. He’s a good guy…. he has passion for the place. He describes himself as the top of the tree. He accepts responsibility.

Should we care that nothing much seems to happen? After all we don’t like change!

Should we simply be grateful that a few of our neighbours feel they can contribute to a better Rakino, join the committee and allow them to do what they do…until of course it impacts on…. you…me …the cat…a wood pigeon…whom ever.

I personally couldn’t. I need to achieve.

The really impassioned and irate seem not to debate a problem over a fence but go instead to the top……Local Member of Parliament, Council…DOC…. or like me recently, the Waiheke Local Board. We know who they are. I’m putting my hand up.

May I acknowledge that I’m a thorn in the side of all RRA committees. Its politics after all. My mantra is; do something…anything…but whatever is done…you’re accountable…to me…. you…the cat and the wood pigeon. Some things don’t really matter. Some things however have serious repercussion.

The critical thing that we need to understand is; Councils, the Fire Service want to chew the fat with a representative of the community and in our case the RRA. They don’t want dissent. They want one voice. They want things rubber stamped or in our case put on the back burner for year after year, ad nauseum.

This leads to a very important point…just one of many.

Fire and Emergency Services on Rakino

The RRA has been told;

The organisational risk associated with untrained community groups firefighting is not acceptable.

We cannot provide training to community groups who are not registered volunteers. This would require the establishment of a volunteer fire force on the island, including all the requirements such as medicals, guaranteed turn out and response, maintenance of training currency and skills that will take up to 3 – 5 years to obtain.

The reason I am asking is to clarify some of the points discussed particularly around risk reduction and education options given training of volunteers, medicals, police checks, currency training and time required to train a Fire Fighter did not appear realistic to the group.

 I need to reiterate we cannot expose untrained people to the risks associated with fire fighting or the operational risk to Fire and Emergency NZ.  

 I am happy to assist the Community in Fire Reduction and Education but cannot support any additional equipment to untrained and unqualified members of the public for Fire Response.

Should we care; damned oath we should care.

Are you aware that one Fire Lord has already been withdrawn from service?

Are you aware that the RRA, which doesn’t hold meetings, is in negotiation with Fire and Emergency Services and has ignored what is perceived as the risk to the community (you and me) and suggested some of us will be trained in good time? That’s the sum total of the RRA’s response…other than constructing a little shed.

Do you realize that Fire Services are saying the community should not be providing a first response but instead should await the attendance of trained personal from a Fire Station in Auckland which has that capacity at the time? One imagines they trundle down to terminal 3 at the Ferry Terminal and await the next Belaire ferry service…Wednesday though it may be.

We are expected to watch our property or that of our neighbour burn to the ground.

It seems to me that the focus is on risk, not of property but of people.

Fair enough but life suggests that in an emergency event, everyone will rush to help. It’s happened before and will happen again…unfortunately. It’s what we do.

I’ve got nowhere with the RRA or Fire and Emergency Services (and believe me I’ve tried) and in desperation have a approached the Local Waiheke Community Board to inform them of our predicament.

Its not for me to make decisions on behalf of the community but it seems to me that Rakino needs to establish an initial response of its own.

We need land on which to have all equipment in the one place out of the elements, a command centre, develop an emergency strategy, work out whether we could indeed meet the requirements of registered volunteers and receive FENZ support, purchase our own equipment, take control.

What do you think?

You may wish to;

Comment here.

Seek clarification from the RRA

Seek clarification from Fire Services; ‘Tawa, Dale’ <Dale.Tawa@fireandemergency.nz>

Express your concerns to the Waiheke Community Board Cath Handley (Waiheke Local Board) cath.handley@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

This is something that cannot be ignored. We must get involved but in a constructive manner.

Kevin Wragge