iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 19h

In addition to musical performances, there was a business showcase where locals showed off their unique products and services, made here and in Taiwan - great to see many East Auckland businesses and owners present. Thank you to Taiwan in Auckland for the wonderful event.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 19h

As one of our significant trading partners (including a free trade agreement), our economic and cultural connections with Taiwan run deep. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and also make new connections.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 19h

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential election in 1996, a defining moment in its transition to democracy. The right to self determination is one of the most fundamental, and while democracy is never easy or perfect, it's worth the effort.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 19h

Auckland Council was well represented by Councillors John Watson, Alf Filipaina, and Lotu Fuli who spoke beautifully, especially on the wonderful people who tie our countries together.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 19h

Happy 115th National Day Taiwan! Last night fellow Howick Local Board member Adele White & I joined celebrations of National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Pleasure to be by invited by Mr. Kevin Lin, the Director General of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Auckland.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

You can see more (including previous reports and other local boards) on the Auckland Council website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/about-auc...

aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

A reminder that while some roles are full-time (Mayor, Councillor, and Local Board Chairperson), Local Board Member are part-time and therefore often juggling other responsibilities. I was present for all business meetings and workshops.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

For some reason the reporting Governing Body is done as a percentage. I've asked why but never had a response. Absences may be due to leave, illness, bereavement or attending council business - specifics are not recorded & apologies are only noted for business meetings.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

As part of providing transparency, Auckland Council publishes the attendance for elected members at business meetings and workshops. Here is the Howick Local Board and Governing Body (Mayor and Councillors) attendance for July-September 2026.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Anyone planning an annual community event and would like to explore funding support, please submit an Expression of Interest. For more information, please email events@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Applications close: 30 October 2026 Apply here: aucklandcouncil.smartygrants.com.au/H_EventPartn...

aucklandcouncil.smartygrants.com.au

EOI for the Howick Event Partnership Fund 2027/2028 - Community Grants

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Historically there haven’t been many changes to the events in this fund or the amount, so we’ve asked staff to do a refresh. Community organisations & organisers are invited to apply for funding support for annual events to be delivered in the Howick Local Board area between Oct 2027 and Jun 2028.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Currently this fund is worth $135k and includes funding for large community events like Brit & Euro Classic Car Show ($31.5K), Pakuranga Rotary Club's Community Carnival and River Festival ($30K), and the Howick Santa Parade ($25k), as well as smaller community events.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This is designed to support established and emerging annual events that contribute to vibrant, connected communities and provide positive outcomes for our communities. Funding is allocated and paid annually, subject to meeting accountability and reporting requirements.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

We’re fortunate to have an amazing community who run events and activities across Howick, Pakūranga, Botany, and Flat Bush. The Howick Local Board has a non-contestable grant known as the Event Partnership Fund.

Image of an event with the words 'Event Partnership Fund, Supporting established and emerging annual events that contribute to vibrant, connected communities and provide positive outcomes for our communities. Expressions of interest close 30 October 2026'

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Reposted by Damian Light

Daniel Vernon @yeehawtheboys.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Don’t be left standing in the rain after October 25th begging for a second chance, enrol to vote now! If you like this comic, and want to support, grabs pre-order of my new comic book: danielvernon.bigcartel.com

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Yesterday I joined fellow Howick Local Board members Adele White JP and Krish Naidu to help officiate our Citizenship Ceremony. 319 new citizens from 35 countries, all New Zealanders.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

"We sincerely hope that the step that you have taken today will lead to the fulfilment of the hos and desires that Brough you to this country, and that many happy and valued years lie ahead of you as you continue your life's journey as citizens of this country."

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Feedback is open until 31 October – please encourage your family and neighbours to have their say so your community gets the playground you need. Howick Local Board will evaluate and review feedback in November 2026, before making decisions about the park in February 2027.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Park will include: 🛝 play options for all ages 🚶minor connecting pathways 🪑landscaping and seating. We also plan to keep some flat open space for an informal 'kick around' area. But it's vital that we build the playground that the community wants, so have your say!

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

🗣️ Have your say on next playground for Flat Bush! We know Flat Bush is under served by playgrounds so we've priortised a new one in Black Shed Reserve. This will provide play opportunities for Southeast Flat Bush (around Murphys Park Dr). akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/black-shed-p...

akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Black Shed Road Reserve neighbourhood park

This project is located in Flatbush. Have your say from 1 October - 31 October 2026.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

📅Wed 7 October: East Auckland Tourism Board Meeting 📅Thu 8 Oct: HLB workshop (aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...) 📅Fri 9 Oct: Celebration of 115th National Day of Taiwan 📅Sat 10 Oct: CRC Howick Village HOP (www.facebook.com/thehowickvil...)

aucklandcouncil.resolve.red

Resolve Public

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Meetings/activities planned for this week: 📅Mon 5 October: HLB Site Visits to prepare for Flat Bush facilities 📅Mon 5 October: Pakūranga Rotary AGM 📅Tue 6 October: Citizenship Ceremony 📅Tue 6 October: Learning Korean at Celebrating Cultures Pop-Up

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On Saturday, Member Jack Collins and I attended the Korean Day event as part of Celebrating Cultures. See more here: bsky.app/profile/dami...

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On Friday, Deputy Kai Zeng and I attended the 10th Birthday of Fulton Swim School in Burswood. Teaching over 1,000 students each week, it was wonderful to celebrate this milestone with the team making sure locals can swim.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On Thursday evening I attended an Organ Recital at All Saints Howick, as part of East Auckland Tourism’s WellFest. See more here: bsky.app/profile/dami...

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

🗣️ Engagement Work Programme: opportunities to engage with community we don’t often hear from, like youth. ⚠️ AEM Work Programme: to help promote our local plan, we’ve asked staff to explore fridge magnets. Find all the local board plans here: www.aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz/your-local/l...

aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz

Local Board Emergency Readiness and Response Plan

Take the first step towards emergency readiness. Check your local Emergency Response and Readiness Plan.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

🚌 Eastern Busway Project Update: most stages are well ahead of schedule and project is exploring opportunities to open early in 2027. Stage 5 (Whakamaumahara Guys Reserve) won’t be finished until later in 2027 as it started later.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

For Botany this includes Tarnica and Wayne Francis. Staff indicated the strategy may be ready for confirmation in December. 📑 Work Programme review: finished line-by-line review of current programme to identify anything we want more advice on before discussion next year.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On Thursday we had our HLB workshop (aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...) 🛝 Draft Play and Recreation Opportunities Provision Strategy: discussed 10 playgrounds staff have identified as opportunities – when they’re up for replacement, we may move to new location to better serve community

aucklandcouncil.resolve.red

Resolve Public

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On Monday I attended the Tūpuna Maunga Authority Hui 108 (maunga.nz/assets/hui-p...). Planting programme noted 34k planted across Maunga network May-Sept 2026. Adding to 253k planted over last 6yrs. Wonderful to see community involvement with record volunteers, including schools.

maunga.nz

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Each week I’m providing a quick summary of the meetings and events I’ve attended as a member of the Howick Local Board (HLB). This is my report for last week, starting Monday 28 September.

Weekly Wrap Up: 28 September 2026. What I've been doing as one of your Botany representatives on the Howick Local Board

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Celebrating Cultures is a two-week programme of free activities and events organised by Arts Out East, with funding and support from Te Tuhi, Howick Local Board, and Botany Town Centre. It runs until Sat 10 Oct - check out more opportunities here: www.botanytowncentre.co.nz/events/cultu...

botanytowncentre.co.nz

Celebrating Cultures Pop Up

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

There were traditional and contemporary performances, as well as activities to engage with, including an opportunity to try on some traditional Korean clothing. It was wonderful to see the community enjoying the different opportunities, and the community mural filling in!

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Part of Celebrating Cultures Pop-Up, this special day was organised by Korean Positive Ageing Charitable Trust to celebrate Korea's National Foundation Day (개천절Gaecheonjeol) which commemorates the founding of Gojoseon, first Korean kingdom in 2333 BCE.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On Saturday, fellow Howick Local Board member Jack Collins and I attended the Korean Day event at the Botany Town Centre.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

We also still need to close some sessions to protect sensitive information which isn't ready for public release yet. The decision to close workshops is made by the Chair, with advice from staff.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

‪As of January 2025, these are open to the public by default. While everyone is welcome to attend to observe open sessions, there is no opportunity for the public to speak or ask questions.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Workshops are informal sessions used to canvass issues, prepare local board members for upcoming decisions and to enable discussion between elected members and staff. We don't make decisions here - they're made at our monthly business meetings.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

🔴 Closed agenda 🚘Time of Use Charging shortlisted options and engagement approach (11-12noon): "material will not be released formally until November 2026" 🖼️ Public Art (2-3pm): "free and frank expression of opinions" 👥 Staff and member update (3-3:15pm) "free and frank discussion"

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

🟢 Open agenda (10-11am, 12:30-2pm) 📑 Final overview of draft Howick Local Board Plan 2026 (10-11am) 🌿 Pest Free Howick (12:30-1:15pm) 🚽 Howick public toilets - renewals, upgrades and future needs (1:15-2pm )

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

This Thursday is our next Howick Local Board workshop. 📅 Thursday 8 October 2026 10:00am-3:15pm (closed 11-12pm, 2-3:15pm) 🏢 Howick Local Board Meeting Room, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakūranga See the open agenda and materials here: aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal/meeti...

Howick Local Board Workshop
OPEN AGENDA // CLOSED AGENDA
Date: Thursday, 8 October 2026
Time: 10:00am
Meeting Room: Howick Local Board Meeting Room
Venue: Pakuranga Library Complex
7 Aylesbury Street
Pakuranga

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Well done to the @nzgda.bsky.social for their advocacy and support for this amazing success story.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Incredible to see our gaming industry pass the billion dollar mark! I remember celebrating $100M in 2017 and hoping to see it continue to grow. It's the perfect industry for NZ as it avoids the supply chain challenges and thrives on innovative people.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

"New Zealand's video game development industry has the wind in its sails, with the industry reporting more than $1 billion of revenue in the past financial year." www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...

rnz.co.nz

New Zealand's video game industry booming with over $1 billion in revenue

New Zealand's video game development industry has the wind in its sails, with the industry reporting more than $1 billion of revenue in the past financial year.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thank you to All Saints Anglican Church, Howick for hosting this special event, and East Auckland Tourism for their support.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This church was built in 1847, making it the oldest surviving church in Auckland. Funds raised from this event will go towards improving access to the building, ensuring it can be shared more with the community.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

As the organist of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, Dr Smith is well respected for his skill and experience, bringing the music alive with stories about the composers and their art.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Last night the historic Selwyn Church in Howick hosted a unique event, as we heard the organ come to life as part of the East Auckland Tourism WellFest. Expert organist Dr Philip Smith played music of Charpentier, Buxtehude, Bach, Vierne and more.

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Damian Light @damianlight.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This isn't hard to fix - shifting responsibility for local government elections to the Electoral Commission (as supported by the Howick Local Board, Auckland Council, and Local Government New Zealand) would be a logical solution and align with how parliamentary elections are run.

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