Papakura Local Board

👏We just wanted to say a huge thank you to the Papakura Marae Māori Wardens for everything they do to look after and protect our community, whānau, youth, rangatahi and tamariki. It was a pleasure to hear from them at our recent business meeting to learn about their incredible mahi, from attending hundreds of events, collaborating in emergency hub intiatives, participating in the child safety restraint programme, preparing for Christmas in the Pa and so much more. We're super proud to be supporting them and the positive difference they make in our community!

☀️🏡💧As we head into longer days with daylight saving starting this weekend, it's also a good time to start preparing for the months ahead.

With El Niño weather patterns expected to bring unpredictable conditions this summer, households, farmers and rural communities to check their homes, water supplies, properties and emergency plans before summer arrives.

ℹFind out how you can be ready: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/media-centre/2026/september/get-ready-2026/

💸Know a young person with big goals?
Our Papakura Youth Grants programme helps local young people aged 16 - 24 years take the next step towards their future, whether that's further education, trade or vocational training or leadership development.
Applications close 9 October 2026, so please share this with a young person you know who should apply: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/grants-community-support-housing/grants/grants-calendar/papakura-youth-scholarship-programme.html

💬And while you're at it, help shape the future of community grants across Auckland.
Whether you've applied for a grant before or are thinking about applying in the future, Auckland Council wants your feedback on your experience and how the grants programme could be improved. Find out more and share your thoughts: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/09/shaping-the-future-of-community-grants-in-auckland/

🪧Kia ora! We are so thrilled to see updated signage Te Kirikiri / Keri Downs Park, proudly displaying its dual name. Next time you're there, scan the QR code to discover the story behind its name and the connection to the area.

ℹMore about dual names in Papakura here: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/07/twenty-five-new-chapters-added-to-papakura-s-story/

📖Register below to hear stories about brave New Zealanders' who helped make history.

Join us as our speaker Brendan O’Carroll, explores the Long-Range Desert Group (LRDG), the legendary reconnaissance unit that operated deep behind enemy lines in the North Africa desert during the Second World War. Discover the remarkable role played by New Zealanders in the LRDG and hear the stories of the men known as the ‘Kiwi Scorpions.’

Saturday, September 19th at 11am

RSVP- [email protected]

⚠️Hey Papakura, here's a heads up from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Auckland about the upcoming two-week full closure of Drury southbound on-ramp.

The southbound on-ramp at Drury Interchange will be fully closed 24/7 for two weeks as part of the State Highway 1 (SH1) Papakura to Drury project, from 9pm Sunday 13 September until Monday 28 September.

For southbound motorists who would normally enter SH1 southbound at Drury, there are two alternatives suggested during this on-ramp closure. Motorists can either plan ahead and travel northwards to Papakura Interchange to enter SH1 southbound there, or detour southwards to Ramarama Interchange via State Highway 22 (SH22), Great South Road and Ararimu Road to enter SH1 southbound using the Ramarama southbound on-ramp.

This full closure of the Drury southbound on-ramp is required to install a new stormwater main under the on-ramp near Great South Road.

ℹFind out more: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic-bulletins?Region=Auckland

🖼️Looking for weekend plans? A brand-new exhibition opens at Papakura Art Gallery THIS weekend, from Saturday 5 September. Discover inspiring new art, support local artist and experience something new in the heart of Papakura. Details below 👇

Kaitiakitanga by Haare Williams opens at Papakura Art Gallery in one week!

Every year in early September, the kuaka (bar-tailed godwit) arrives in New Zealand from Alaska after an incredible 14,000 kilometre non-stop flight. The kuaka, alongside stories of taniwha, patupaiarehe and deities such as Papatūānuku, enrich our cultural and spiritual landscape, reflecting the concept of kaitiakitanga.

A Western conceptualisation of the world, based on capital wealth and neoliberal ideology, is only one way of understanding and structuring society. The extraordinary migration of the kuaka invites us to consider other possibilities, reminding us that Indigenous cultures offer different ways of understanding our relationship with the natural world.

Join us at 11am on Saturday, 5 September, for the official opening!

❗️💸Last call for local grants applications Papakura! The grants round is closing tomorrow, Friday 4 September, at 10pm. We would love to hear about your community projects and how we can help - so apply now! https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/grants-community-support-housing/grants/grants-calendar/papakura-local-grant.html

❗️💸There's still time to apply for our local grants, which close on 4 September 2026. We also have a youth grant round opening on 31 August and closing on 9 October 2026 to support opportunities for young people.

ℹ️See if your project is eligible and apply here for local grants: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/grants-community-support-housing/grants/grants-calendar/papakura-local-grant.html

💪More information about the Papakura Youth Grant here:
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/grants-community-support-housing/grants/grants-calendar/papakura-youth-scholarship-programme.html

📃These grants help boost local events and activities that benefit our communities and align with the priorities in our Local Board Agreement, as part of the Annual Plan 2026/2027.

💸Check out the many other investments we're planning to deliver this financial year:https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/content/dam/ac/docs/about-council/local-boards/papakura/papakura-local-board-agreement-2026-2027.pdf