Spring has sprung, and already the island is getting busy, with noticeably heavier traffic on the roads and already large numbers of visitors on the ferries. Fullers has continued to “navigate choppy waters” with delays in the rollout of their two new vessels, while Chris Darby’s petition to bring their ferry services back under the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) gathered nearly 6000 signatures.

 Fullers introduced their summer timetable on 14 October, at the same time renaming the locals’ lane a ‘residents’ lane’, which they say will be policed more stringently this summer. A week later they announced a hike in ferry prices of two percent for commuters and five percent for visitors, resulting in a storm of protest from users and local politicians.

Meanwhile, island residents, weekenders and volunteers continue their great work in conservation, environmental awareness and community engagement. At the end of August the island welcomed Natasha Beletzky to the role of  park ranger at Whakanewha, and the Volunteer Fire Brigade celebrated their refurbished fire station . Vector announced the installation of 80 EV smart chargers  in homes across the island, furthering Waiheke’s goal of becoming the world’s first fully electric island. To that end, Electric Island Waiheke is running EV trials with Waiheke families, businesses and individuals throughout November.

Te Korowai o Waiheke continues its battle  against pests and predators that threaten native flora and fauna. Members of Extinction Rebellion Waiheke planted 21 pohutukawa at Owhanake and on Tui Road . A team of Waiheke High students formed a wildlife protection programme (‘Join the Dots’) to protect endangered dotterels nesting on the school field.

Some longtime Waiheke conservation heroes were celebrated in the Gulf News for their tireless efforts in eradicating predators, planting, clearing and weeding . And a group of Waiheke Resources Trust interns launched a new waterway monitoring project at Onetangi, Palm Beach and Oneroa.

In early September Auckland Transport presented a new plan to reduce congestion at Matiatia to the Local Board, which was later rejected by concerned locals on the grounds that it was too disruptive to current transport patterns and operators, and was also perceived to favour tourists over commuters and local residents. The Board instead endorsed an amended plan that aims to deliver a safer environment for residents and visitors alike, and an improved bus interchange. AT was also in the hot seat over Waiheke’s new bus network, which many islanders are very unhappy about. 

In late September, Save Kennedy Point Inc was back in the Environment Court carrying on its fight against the proposed marina at Kennedy Point. And a large group of Waiheke students, teachers, supporters and caregivers marched down Ocean View Road on the 27th, joining 170,000 other New Zealanders striking for climate action.

Finally, congratulations to returning Local Board members Cath Handley (voted Chair again at the Board’s inaugural meeting), Paul Walden and  Bob Upchurch (Deputy Chair), and newly elected members Robyn Tucker and Kylee Matthews. It is great to see the “tried and trusted” stalwarts of the Local Board joined by some fresh new faces (including newly elected councillor for the Waitemata and Gulf Islands ward Pippa Coom).  We look forward to a continuation of the Board’s good work, and some timely new initiatives in the coming year.