Meet the fascinating bunch running to represent a South Auckland community
Justin Latif | Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland
There’s a by-election happening in South Auckland and, as Justin Latif reports, you’d struggle to find a more diverse group of candidates.
What do a globetrotting singer, a record-breaking weightlifter, an ex-fisherwoman, a social media expert, a radio show host and an IT guy all have in common?
Not much, other than that they all want to claim the vacant spot on Māngere-Ōtāhuhu’s seven-person local board, for which postal voting is now open (ballots close at midday, February 17).
The need to prioritise sustainable tourism that enhances community wellbeing is the central theme of the Tourism Futures Taskforce report, released today. The Taskforce was established in May 2020 as an independent public-private partnership to consider the future of tourism. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash says the Taskforce report sets out .
1 week ago
The Government is investing nearly $9 million in four iwi-led projects in the South Island through its Jobs for Nature programme. Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has developed four strategic projects with Papatipu Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu as part of its biosecurity and biodiversity programme. “These projects will create enduring .
South Auckland turf wars: Is there an end in sight for Ōtara s gang problem?
26 Jan, 2021 10:36 PM
9 minutes to read
By Justin Latif, Local Democracy Reporter
The violent altercations that loomed large in Ōtara, South Auckland last year could return in 2021 if new gangs continue to challenge the Killer Beez control of the drug market, according to a source with close links to the gang.
Late last year there was a series of violent run-ins between rival gangs, including an incident where shots were heard outside a school, forcing pupils and teachers at Mayfield Primary into lockdown as a security precaution.
A gang turf war gripped the South Auckland suburb in late 2020, forcing a school into lock down and armed police to patrol the streets. Community leaders are now warning the cycle of violent retribution could continue in 2021, unless radical interventions are made.
Community workers in Ōtara, from left, Shardae Komene, Sully Paea and Judy Speight.
Photo: Supplied.
The violent altercations that loomed large in Ōtara last year could return in 2021 if new gangs continue to challenge the Killer Beez control of the drug market, according to a source with close links to the gang.
Late last year there was a series of violent run-ins between rival gangs, including an incident where shots were heard outside a school, forcing pupils and teachers at Mayfield Primary into lockdown as a security precaution. On November 24, police arrested an 18-year-old man and charged him in relation to the shootings.