7 September 2019 - Update following AGM

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Dear Members and Supporters

I am pleased to advise that Direction Matiatia’s AGM on Sunday 18 August was a very positive and well attended meeting.

Your new Executive Committee is:

• Chairperson – David Smith

• Deputy Chairperson – Shirin Brown

• Secretary – Thomas Greve

• Treasurer – Roger Bryant

• Committee members – Joyce and John Hawkesby

It is great to have the re-engagement with Direction Matiatia of several ‘leading lights’ who were significantly involved in the Society’s establishment and the fight against the proposed marina at Matiatia.

 

Thanks to Brian Griffiths, Stephen Upton, Brendan Demchy and Darleen Tana for their contribution to Direction Matiatia and who stood down from the Executive Committee.  Thanks especially to Brian who has been Treasurer since the establishment of Direction Matiatia and while Stephen is leaving the Executive Committee, he has agreed to continue to manage our website.

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The key item on the AGM agenda was ‘Where to DMI?’  Following a lively discussion on the 3 Options contained in my AGM report, the following resolution was passed almost unanimously:

‘That DMI continues to exist and to be involved in the Matiatia Plan Project until it is completed and also until the Crown and Auckland Council led legal proceedings against Graham Guthrie to recover Environment Court awarded costs are completed.’

 

Thanks to all those members and supporters who attended the AGM.  Your Executive Committee is looking forward to exercising its wealth of knowledge and experience to advance Stage 2 of the Matiatia Plan and will keep you informed and involved with progress.

 

David Smith

Chairperson

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DIRECTION MATIATIA INC- 2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 18 August

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Dear Members and Supporters

 

The Direction Matiatia Inc 2019 AGM is on Sunday 18 August at 2pm in the Ostend Hall in Belgium Street.  The agenda and chairpersons report for the AGM can be found here

 

This is a critical AGM where the future of DMI including whether the organisation should continue or not and if so in what form and level of activity will be determined.  Please take time to read my report which canvasses 3 options for DMI’s future.  Integral to this is that if DMI is to continue then the coming vacant positions of Deputy Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer must be filled.   I also encourage you all to attend the AGM and participate in the discussion – Where to DMI?

 

I look forward to welcoming you to the AGM.

 

Regards

David Smith

Chairperson, DMI

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July 2019

 

The Waiheke Local Board approved the Stage 1 Mātiatia Plan and confirm next steps on transport and non-transport outcomes, testing of commercial opportunities, funding and development of the Stage 2 Mātiatia Plan. The Local Board approved the Principles and Outcomes for the development of the Matiattia valley following the Local Board Meeting, a project workshop and the stakeholders workshop held in May at Ostend Hall and attended by over 50 interested parties.

See full report here 

Meanwhile,  AT shared to news that NZTA have agreed to co-fund (within an agreed budget) the next stage of the business case process for the Matiatia Land-side transport network and infrastructure project.

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18 January 2019 - Update of Matiatia progress - Local Board press release

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Increased carparking and improved transport facilities could be on the cards for an iconic section of Waiheke Island as the first steps of a detailed plan are undertaken. A project team including Waiheke Local Board, council officers, Direction Mātiatia and Ngati Paoa representatives have begun collaboration towards a new future for Mātiatia. The Mātiatia Plan will be developed in two stages. Firstly, principles and outcomes and an overall plan will be delivered. Secondly, testing with key stakeholders and public consultation will take place on a more detailed plan. 

Waiheke Local Board Chair Cath Handley said developing the plan in two stages enabled the board to test whether the overall direction the project team was developing resonated with its community.

Ms Handley noted that Stage 1 sought to closely reflect the strong and clear feedback received on the 2017 Direction Mātiatia Inc. led survey.

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The headline findings of these surveys as reported and analysed on Direction Mātiatia’s website included that:

• 84 per cent of respondents wanted improved transport facilities

• 63 per cent said car parking should be increased

• 70 per cent supported limited development such as a visitor centre

• 80 per cent didn’t want any residential development, visitor accommodation or an events centre

• 88 per cent wanted green open space especially around the foreshore

• 79 per cent supported better protection of the natural environment and ecology

• 85 per cent of respondents knew that parts of the land at Mātiatia is sacred to Ngati Paoa.

Auckland Transport has allocated $15m in its 10-year plan for transport improvements at Mātiatia subject to the business case for this stacking up and getting the support of the NZ Transport Agency.

 

Ms Handley acknowledged that progress had been slower than the local board would have liked but that “it is important that we get this right and take both the collaborating parties and the community along with us, and that is why we are adopting a two-stage approach”

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​15 December 2017 - Progress with the project is continuing

Since the release of the initial community survey results back in August, DMI has reported to the Waiheke Local Board on the analysis of the 1,100 plus comments made under Questions 5 and 11 of the survey. Our report also included for consideration a set of ‘principles’ to guide the preparation of the plan and actions and timeframes to complete Phases 3 and 4 of the project. A completion date for the project of 15 June 2018 was also proposed.
 

The Local Board is planning to consider DMI’s report in February. At that time the Board expects to also have Ngati Paoa’s response to the Matiatia Cultural Values Assessment. It will also have the outcomes of AT’s Investment Logic Methodology workshops which involved identifying Matiatia related transport problems, identifying the benefits and costs of solving them and developing a business case of solutions to address the problems. Together with Auckland Council’s Plans and Places team’s offer to provide professional and technical planning resources, this will enable the Local Board to consider a suite of recommendations and other information integral to preparing the draft plan for community consultation.
 

In the meantime, it has been agreed that DMI release for the community’s information the analysis of the comments made under Questions 5 and 11 of the survey on our website here.

 

The released information package includes DMI’s overall analysis; an independent analysis from Lisa Henley of Stats Geeks (Appendix 1); and DMI’s categorisation of examples of comments into particular themes under Question 5 (Appendix 2) and Question 11 (Appendix 3) to provide a more ordered, easier understood and informed read. For those in the community who wish to look at all the 1,100 plus comments in their raw form they are also available under the About Us section.
 

Once again DMI and the Local Board thank all of you in the community who participated in the survey. It is very evident from the 806 responses received and the large number of comments made that achieving a long-term plan for the sustainable development and management of Matiatia is dear to the community.
 

David Smith
Chairperson, DMI
 

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1 October 2017 - Update

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 The AGM was held as scheduled on 17th August. The Executive Committee was nominated and appointed as detailed on the About Us page. The minutes of the meeting are also published on that page.

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DMI's focus in the last 12 months has been to follow the announced six phase plan for the cohesive development of the Matiatia valley. The first two phases out of six went smoothly but hit a hiatus from December to March owing to new members on the Local Board seeking clarification about the project and DMI's involvement plus the Christmas / holiday season. Some further issues arose again about 3 months ago re DMI’s role in conducting a community survey and held up that survey.

Therefore, progress in the first 6 months of this year had been largely limited to the Auckland Transport ( AT ) convened Investment Logic Methodology workshops on transport issues at Matiatia and preparation for the recent community survey which also involved consultations with the Local Board. We are still waiting for the results of consultation with Mana Whenua on the Matiatia Cultural Values Assessment.

 

The community survey conducted over June and July proved very successful in engaging the general community for the first time in the project. It was pleasing to receive 806 responses plus 70 pages of comments. Thanks to all those members of the Waiheke community who let us have their views on the future of Matiatia.

 

The next steps await the outcomes of the AT convened Investment Logic Methodology workshops. Hopefully something positive will come out of these workshops regarding transport issues at Matiaitia. Any project expenditure will be in the next financial year.

Secondly the results of Ngati Paoa's consultation on the Matiatia Cultural Values Assessment. We're not sure when this will be ready but it's hoped that community consultation on the draft plan will be completed this year.

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16 August 2017 - AGM

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The Direction Matiatia Incorporated Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 17th August 7:30pm at Catherine Mitchell Arts Centre. 

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AGENDA

* Welcome

* Apologies

* Minutes from the 2016 AGM / Matters Arising

* Chairperson's Report

* Treasurer's Report

* Election of Executive Committee Members

* Subscriptions

* Matiatia Survey - initial results update

* General Business

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16 August 2017 -  INITIAL RESULTS COMMUNITY SURVEY ON PLANNING MATIATIA’S FUTURE

 

Survey Results                    Summary of Themes

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The Waiheke community has expressed some very clear views on how Matiatia should be planned for and developed in the future.

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“Direction Matiatia received 806 responses including 70 pages of written comments to the survey undertaken on behalf of the Waiheke Local Board.  It is clear from this great response that many respondents wanted to not only ‘tick’ their preferences but also inform us of their views and ideas in writing on what should or not happen  on the Auckland Council and CCO owned land at Matiatia” said David Smith, Acting Chair of DMI.

 

The survey results were presented to the Local Board last week.  Both the Board and DMI are very pleased with the significant response received from the community.

The initial results package released here includes 10 bar graphs and their statistical summaries together with some overarching themes drawn from looking across the bar graph results.

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It is very evident that development of increased car parking facilities at Matiatia is ‘top of mind’ for many people.  However, other facilities which also gained solid support were: a visitor centre; improved keyhole pedestrian and transport facilities; and green open space around the foreshore.

There is little support for the developing facilities such as residential buildings, visitor accommodation and an events centre.

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Support for a cultural centre; space for light commercial activity; improved ferry terminal buildings; and recreational, historical and cultural activities all drew an inconclusive range of responses.

“What was exceptionally clear is that respondents see the protection of the Matiatia’s environment and ecology as paramount when considering any development there.” explained David Smith.

There was also high recognition that parts of Council / CCO owned land at Mataitia is Wahi Tapu to Ngati Paoa and other Mana Whenua.

 

Mr Smith explained that the 70 pages of comments, made under Question 5 relating to car parking and under Question 11 seeking free comment, have yet to be qualitatively and quantitatively analysed.  This will be done over the next few weeks and will add some refinement to the initial results released today.  Once this further analysis is completed and shared with the Local Board, it will be publicised together with all the comments.

 

Finally, both the Local Board and DMI are very grateful for the significant response from the community to the survey.  The views and ideas expressed are much appreciated and will greatly assist us in preparing a draft long term plan for Matiatia for further community consultation.

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11 July 2017 - Survey now closed

Thank you to everyone who completed. We received almost 800 responses and will now collate and publish results.

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14 June 2017 - Planning Matiatia's Future - community survey now open

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The DMI / Local Board Matiatia survey is now available. Please click here to share your view. We're encouraging as many people as possible to complete this short survey to inform about the possible options at Matiatia. There will be more surveys to gauge public opinion in due course. Please have your say. Hard copy versions are available from the Waiheke Local Board office, Waiheke Library, Shop the Rock, Ostend Markets, and Oneroa Citizens Advice Bureau with boxes for your completed forms. The survey will close on 10 July and we will publish the results at the end of July.

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30 May 2017 - Update

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In late April, Christine Gisby resigned as Chair of DMI. Christine has been at the helm of DMI since it was established in 2013. Christine's resignation is a huge loss to DMI. We will dearly miss her enthusiastic leadership, drive, initiative and deep community knowledge and connections. Without Christine's selfless leadership and commitment, DMI's successful win in the Environment Court and the raising of the necessary funds for the case, would have been all the more difficult. However, her immense commitment to all things that are the essence of Waiheke means that these attributes are not lost to our community, as Christine is throwing her energies into the  Waiheke Community Housing Trust for which she has been a key initiatior.  A big thanks Christine from DMI and best wishes for your new challenge on behalf of the Waiheke community.

 

Until the DMI AGM in July, David Smith will be Acting Chairperson of DMI and Brian Griffiths will take on the role of Deputy Chairperson in addition to his Treasurer role. 

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April 2017 - Letter from Chairperson - Matiatia Planning Project Update

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Well, with 3 months of 2017 gone already, it is timely that I provide a reminder about and an update on where things are with the Matiatia Planning project.

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To briefly recap, early in 2016 the Local Board asked DMI to lead the development of a strategic plan for council owned land at Matiatia.   This decision was reaffirmed by the new Local Board last November.  The new Board’s decision is available on this website.

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The aim of the project is to achieve a long term plan to govern the sustainable development and management of Matiatia for the community’s long term benefit and to ward off ad hoc development proposals such as the marina one.  It is being undertaken in partnership with the Local Board, Auckland Council and the relevant CCOs, Ngati Paoa

and most importantly the community.  DMI’s lead role is a neutral one. The strategic plan will be owned by the Local Board and the community.

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Progress to date has been the completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the project.  This involved a literature review, a review of existing plans and documents, a public information evening and an interested parties’ workshop.  The result of this work can be found in the Matiatia Strategic Planning Project Report here. This report identified four themes:

• Flow of people and vehicles

• Cultural values and heritage

• Ecological values and heritage

• Integrated planning

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A later report on a Values Workshop should be up on our website soon.  Building on the findings of the first report, the Workshop identified three strategic themes:

• The Matiatia experience

• Cultural heritage and values

• Ecology and the natural environment

I encourage anyone interested in more detail about the findings to date to have a look at the two reports.

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Phase 3 is now underway.  We are currently working with the key partners on how best to prepare a first draft of the strategic plan for consideration by the Local Board before it is released for wide community consultation.  There are two pre- requisites to this.  The first is that Ngati Paoa’s views are required on the Matiatia Cultural Values Assessment.  Secondly, the outcomes of AT’s business case and prioritisation process workshops are needed.  These workshops will be informed by the transport related problems identified in the Values Workshop report.  However, it is important that this long term strategic process is not confused with short term proposals such as the current one from AT to rejig parking arrangements at Matiatia.

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The outcomes of Ngati Paoa’s consultation on the Matiatia Cultural Values Assessment and AT’s workshops should be known in approximately 3 months.  It will then be possible to literally ‘put pen to paper’ and prepare the draft plan.  As I mentioned earlier, once the Local Board has approved a draft plan (Phase 4) there will be wide engagement and consultation (Phase 5).  Following consideration of the community’s views and submission etc, the Local Board will approve a final strategic plan by late September or early October (Phase 6).  Proposed projects to give effect to the strategic plan will then feed into the Local Board’s subsequent annual local plans and AC’s 2018 – 2025 Long Term Plan processes.

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In the meantime, I will continue to provide regular updates on progress and encourage all those interested in this exciting and very important initiative for the future of Matiatia to keep a watch on our website.

 

Christine Gisby

Chairperson DMI

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December 2016 - Press Release - Phase 3-6 Planning approved

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"Direction Matiatia is very pleased that the new Waiheke Local Board gave a ‘big tick’ to the continuation of the Matiatia Planning Project“ said Chairperson Christine Gisby.

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At its first meeting on 24 November 2016 the Board approved the report on phases 1 and 2 of the project; allocated up to $40,000 to Direction Matiatia Incorporated (DMI) to progress phases 3 to 6 of the project in partnership with the community, the council and mana whenua; and confirmed that all Board members will sit on the Project Management Committee. Local Board Chairperson, Paul Walden said “with the support of the Council and its CCO’s, mana whenua guidance and community input, we have an opportunity to develop a practical plan that will help parking and public transport, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment and cultural heritage at Matiatia”.

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The decision means that detailed work to develop a draft strategic plan for the council owned land at Matiatia can start in earnest.  This will draw upon the conclusions of the report on phases 1 and 2. The next step will include sitting down with Auckland Transport to confirm the internal processes required to progress the transport related improvements. Ngati Paoa will also be finalising their Cultural Values assessment for the area over the next few months.

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In summary, the key recommendations from the phase 1 and 2 report were:

• ‘The need to co-create the strategic plan in genuine partnership with stakeholders and our community is acute to ensure it reflects the wishes of the community, leverages the economic potential of Waiheke, preserves and retains the special cultural and ecological features of Matiatia, and is capable of being implemented with the support of those local government agencies that will provide the bulk of the investment funding for future infrastructure development.

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• To avoid the previous challenges of ad hoc and piece-meal development, the plan needs to adopt an integrated and holistic approach that will effectively future-proof the sustainable development of Matiatia in a way that recognises the interconnections and linkages with Waiheke’s villages and larger transport system.

 

• ​The plan should address the following priority themes:

- The flow of people and vehicles

- Cultural values and heritage

- Ecological values and heritage

- Integrated planning’

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“As we proceed, I want to reassure the community that there will be several opportunities and methods along the way for individuals, businesses, other groups and organisations to fully engage and participate in the plan’s development. Widespread participation and involvement is critical if the plan is to have strong support within the community for the long term sustainable management and development of Matiatia” stressed Christine.

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Once detailed procedural work on how Phases 3 to 6 will run is completed, DMI will outline this on its website and advise via social and local media, including when and how the community can input into the project.

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“The easiest way for the community and interested parties to keep up to date on progress and input opportunities would be to watch the DMI website for updates on the project and how to get involved’ said Christine.

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The full Phase 1 and 2 report is available here.

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