A City of Neighbourhoods

This “Meet the Team” series introduces the people who make up the leadership of Auckland Council’s new Transport and Infrastructure directorate. The Transport and Infrastructure directorate has been formed to integrate many of what were formerly Auckland Transport functions into Auckland Council. Steve Mutton, who is the director of this new team, introduces each of his leaders to our listeners.

In this episode Steve introduces Craig Mcilroy, General Manager of Healthy Waters – the people who ensure that Auckland’s rain events are managed to keep people, property and the environment safe.

As well as being a civil engineer, Craig is a keen horseman.

(0:00) Welcome
(0:45) Craig's story
(3:47) How Healthy Waters Contributes to Auckland
(6:48) What Craig Loves Most about His Job
(8:31) What Makes Craig Proud of His Team
(10:49) The Opportuinities of Integrating at Council
(13:06) What's Surprising About Craig
(15:47) An Example of Healthy Waters' Work
(19:18) Farewell

In this episode of the City of Neighbourhoods #podcast, we talk about the new AI assistant that makes it a breeze to report common problems around the region directly to Auckland Council 📱

Richard Jarrett, Director of Group Shared Services, joins us to talk about how the “Ask Auckland Council” assistant makes it quicker and easier for Aucklanders to report local problems, helping the council respond more efficiently and keep neighbourhoods clean, safe and well-maintained.

Since its launch in April, Aucklanders have used the new system ten thousand times to report problems like excess noise, illegal dumping, missed bin collections and roaming dogs.

Steve Mutton is Auckland Council’s new Director of Transport and Infrastructure. Steve has been chosen to lead the biggest organisational change in council services since the “supercity” was created in 2010. This is to give effect to Mayor Wayne Brown’s initiative to bring transport planning and delivery under the governance and management of Auckland Council.

Steve explains the scope of this change and why it will lead to better integration of infrastructure investments in our urban centres and neighbourhoods.

Developer Deep Dive: Wynyard Quarter by A City of Neighbourhoods

Frith Walker is Manager of Placemaking in the Auckland Urban Development Office. Frith has had an unparalleled impact on placemaking in Auckland. She’s been at the forefront of ensuring community-centric urban regeneration since Auckland came under single governance in 2010. Frith’s role has ensured urban design is soundly based on local culture, knowledge and preferences. The great success of Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter is just one testimony to Frith’s professional capability. She also leads programmes to keep precincts vibrant during the regeneration period. Her experience is sought after nationally and globally. In 2021, Frith was awarded the prestigious Place Leaders Asia Pacific - Place Leadership Award.

(0:00) Intro
(2:01) What is placemaking?
(4:24) What can we take away from Wynyard Quarter?
(6:37) Is it important to maintain a places' identity when placemaking?
(8:51) Frith's response to Ethan Kent's praise of Auckland
(10:19) What does "do, learn, do" mean in placemaking?
(12:33) What could we have done better in Wynyard Quarter?
(14:21) Frith's reaction to Graham Tipene's Waka Moana art installation
(15:37) How essential is art in the public space?
(18:34) Placemaking in a multi-cultural city
(20:57) How do we include immigrant communities in placemaking?
(24:18) How important is it to consider children in placemaking?
(27:06) The role of the public space in urban regeneration
(30:22) How do you make sure partner organisations play their role in placemaking?
(33:01) What is going to be the AUDO's role in reshaping Drury?
(34:43) How are we going to work with several stakeholders in Drury?
(36:09) Outro