Feedback on a proposed name for a walkway

We (WCC) have received four name suggestions for the pedestrian walkway from the Terrace to Boyd-Wilson field.

Potential names

Suggested Name and Meaning (provided by submitter)

Wahine Toa

Wahine toameans strong women - in recognition of the history of this pathway (site of men sexually assaulting women) to rise up against this negative aspect and give renewed strength and mana to the pathway and the people who walk on it- especially women.

Aroha

Aroha means love – Aroha incorporates Aro, the name of this precinct and turns this pathway into a positive space, strength in unity and connection with the community.

Kake Tonu Way

Kake Tonu is the whakatauki of Te Aro school. It also reflects the culture of the space as a learning hub and draws on connection between the School and University through the growth of learning and moving upwards in your education. On a more practical level the name works well as you are literally walking up stairs.

Te Ara Poutama

'Te Ara Poutama'. Poutama symbolises the steps up to gaining knowledge so links very closely with education and also the school whakatauki. It also links in when starting at primary and climbing the steps up to tertiary education. Ara is pathway.

Recommended Name:

We have reviewed the suggested names and recommend that “Kake Tonu Way” which translates to “Ever Upwards Way” is best suited to achieve the objective of creating a positive identity for the walkway which users can connect with.

Kake Tonu is the whakatauki of Te Aro school. It also reflects the culture of the space as a learning hub and draws on connection between the School and University through the growth of learning and moving upwards in your education. On a more practical level the name works well as you are literally walking up stairs.

If you have any comments about the preferred name, please let us know.

We will be presenting the proposal to the Regulatory Committee of Council on 21st June (time to be confirmed). 

Kind Regards,

Teresa Gianos

Advisor City Partnerships | Wellington City Council

P 04 803 8627 | M 021 227 8627

E Teresa.Gianos@wcc.govt.nz | W Wellington.govt.nz | |

My normal work hours are 9.30am-2.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Inner City Wellington calls for further funding to combat anti-social behaviour

In its submission to the Wellington City Council's draft Annual Plan 2017/18, Inner-City Wellington (ICW) supports the proposed $75,000 for a business case but calls for more funding in the next financial year to deal with the anti-social behaviour on city streets.

ICW suggests funding to combat anti-social behaviour should come from reducing the substantial allocation of $500,000 to a new public event celebrating Matariki and new winter outdoor events by 50%.  

Geraldine Murphy, Deputy Chair, says “the business case is investing in a long-term solution to ongoing homelessness, which relies on gaining operational funding for it to be implemented.  The suite of projects that are to be developed to address anti-social behaviour on our streets in the interim will have no additional funding in the 17/18 financial year, on top of no tagged funding in the past financial year. “

While ICW members value the arts and culture programme in the inner city and accept that these are a major attraction for many residents and businesses, they point out the inequality in the lack of funding for operational initiatives for those who are begging on our streets.  Geraldine Murphy says “there are already a number of annual Matariki events.  WCC could support those events with additional funding rather than establish a new one”.

ICW agrees that the ‘begging’ issue is complex, but disagrees with council's policy ‘to explicitly tolerate begging as part of the cityscape’ which, as acknowledged by council, has not been effective and has resulted in an increase in antisocial behaviour on city streets.

ICW supports the proposed funding for a business case into supported accommodation for those with ongoing homelessness and wants to ensure it has input given that a central city location is proposed.  ICW wants clarification of the reference to ‘Housing First’ as used in the draft Annual Plan.

Geraldine Murphy says “The Housing First initiative that is being implemented in Auckland with significant government funding, and the existing Peoples Project in Hamilton, are both based on a set of principles. ICW wants WCC to clarify whether it is implementing a ‘Housing First’ initiative based on these principles or something else.”

On a different topic, ICW supports the seismic building intelligence system to use sensors to get real time data to track change in building structures in an earthquake as data is critical to informed decision making.  Geraldine Murphy says “Funding for this should not come from special rating or owner and industry contributions.  This data contributes to a public good of better knowledge that everyone benefits from and therefore everyone should share the cost. Clarity is also required on how the collected data can be used by WCC.”

The full submission is available on ICW website.

For further information on this or other topics in the submission: Geraldine Murphy, Deputy Chair, 0274 507804

Councillor Pannett thanks outgoing Chair of Inner City Wellington

28 April 2017

Councillor Iona Pannett expressed the council’s appreciation and thanks to Geraldine Murphy, the outgoing Chair of Inner City Wellington (formerly Inner City Association) at their recent AGM and launch of the association’s new name, website and strategic plan.

Councillor Pannett acknowledged how Geraldine's dedication and commitment to representing inner city residents and businesses, along with her background as a policy analyst, had been invaluable.  

John Albertson, past CEO of the NZ Retailers Association will be taking over as chair, and Geraldine has agreed to stay on as deputy chair.

Along with the launch of the new name(Inner City Wellington/Te Reo Pokapū o Pōneke; the voice of Te Aro and Wellington Central), the organisation presented a new more interactive website www.innercitywellington.nz and outlined a three year strategic plan.

The new plans identify several upcoming projects, and members will be encouraged to become involved in areas that interest them.  Inner city residents, property owners, businesses and organisations are encouraged to log on to the website and send in expressions of interest or indicate areas of concern.

ENDS

A well deserved award for Geraldine.

Congratulations to Geraldine Murphy, our dedicated, hard working president who was last night presented with a 'community champion' award by Grant Robertson, MP for Wellington Central. We're sure you'll agree that Geraldine is very deserving of this award. Her commitment to representing inner residents and businesses is much appreciated by all!

www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/77785098/geraldines-a-community-champion