This month's newsletter is a bit later than normal - I've recently had my wisdom teeth removed so I've been recovering. After years of putting it off, I finally made the call to get them taken out. Thanks to the amazing team at Ti Rakau OMS, plenty of painkillers and my partner I'm much better, just in time for Easter! (so I can enjoy hot cross buns!)
As I write this we're celebrating Easter weekend and I hope everyone had a good long weekend. It's also Passover and Ramadan, a good reminder of the diverse community we live in. Together with ANZAC next weekend, April is a good time to reflect on our past, present and future.
It was sad to hear of the passing of local legend John Sato, whose humble and kind nature was an inspiration to so many. There was a beautiful tribute in the Times which captured the impact of his life on others. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
More revelations that Auckland Council finances are even worse than we'd been told are a frustrating reminder that the mismanagement of the first decade of the super city continues to cost us. With the latest climate change news from the world's top scientists showing we need to act now, council needs to act in a disciplined and urgent way.
I'll do my best to keep you up to date through my monthly newsletters. In between, stay up to date via my website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. As always, if there's something you want to hear about or know more, let me know.
Warm regards,
Damian Light
ANZAC services in East Auckland
Next Monday is ANZAC Day, an opportunity to pause to remember the sacrifices that many made.
Beachlands Dawn Service: 6am at corner of Wakelin Rd & Ealing Cres
Howick Dawn Service: 6am at Stockade Hill, Howick. Corner of Mellons Bay Road and Ridge Road, Howick.
Ōtara-East Tamaki Civic Service: 7.45am at 244 East Tamaki Domain, Carpark 1
See the full Auckland-wide list here.
Financial mismanagement costs Aucklanders more
More news has come to light about the terrible state of Auckland Council's finances. While the last few years have been a tough time for everyone, imagine how different Auckland would look if our elected representatives hadn't wasted the first 10 years of the super city on vanity projects and bickering.
Goff wasted $935k on a secret report for a waterfront stadium that we don't need nor can afford. Now he's selling our local parks to balance the books.
He and almost every councillor wasted millions on the Wynyard Tram, now they're cutting services because we have no funds.
They declared a climate emergency in 2019, then put up public transport fares again & again while approving plans that increased our carbon emissions. As he leaves, Goff finally proposes some real action but he wants more money to do it and still can't say what the impact will be.
When I bang on about the appalling financial mismanagement at council, it's not for nothing. This is what happens - it has serious, long term impacts on our city, our neighbourhoods, our community.
I love this city, I just wish all our councillors cared just a little bit more. A bit of professionalism and discipline wouldn't hurt either.