In brief
SMOKEFREE SUCCESS
Dodavah Niko of the Pukekohe High School band Cadex was won the Smokefree Best Vocals Award at the weekend’s Auckland regional final of Smokefree Pacifica Beats in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Dorothy Winstone Centre at Auckland Girls Grammar School. Cadex won the People’s Choice Award. Blessed from Manurewa High School won the overall prize.
SCRATCH WORKSHOPS
Pukekohe Library is hosting Scratch workshops where participants can learn all about the fun and beginner-friendly programming language that is Scratch. The workshop consists of three hourlong sessions on a Saturday morning - July 1, 8, 15 - 9.30am to 10.30am. There is no cost.
GRANTS
Got a great project or idea that needs funding? Applications for local board grants for organisations in the Franklin Local Board area open June 26. The board support initiatives in arts and culture, community development, environmental and natural heritage and events.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
A new online tool for registering personal water craft (jet skis) being used in the Waikato region will be available from today from the regional council. ’’With jet ski use in the Waikato increasing in recent years, we want to make it easier for people to get their skis registered in a way that saves both them and the council time,’’ said Waikato Regional Council’s maritime services team leader Richard Barnett. The Waikato is one of a number of North Island areas that require jet ski registration. Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty also require registration. As long as a jet ski is registered with one of these authorities it will be able to operate in all four regions. The online service will be available at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/jetskis and the maritime services team is available to answer questions on 0800 800 401.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Feedback on Auckland Council’s 21 draft local board plans 2017 closes on Friday. Developed every three years, local board plans set the direction and the priorities local boards will focus on. The plans cover everything from local parks and playgrounds to sports facilities, town centre development, protecting the environment, community events and more. Local board plans also influence how local boards provide input into Auckland Council’s regional strategies and plans, such as the 10-year budget, and the way in which local boards work with other organisations for the benefit of local communities. Auckland Council’s General Manager of Local Board Services, Karen Lyons, said the draft plans are based on the ongoing feedback and ideas from people about what they most want in their community. ‘‘It could be more places to play sport, improving our parks, holding more free events, or any number of things that make communities better places to live,’’ she said. Go to shapeauckland.co.nz to have your say.