New Kumeū Secondary School and School Upgrades | West Auckland Bus Shakeup

Kia ora {{first_name | Westie}},

Who else got shocked by that Emergency Broadcast last Sunday? Not me! I was the last in the room to get it!

As we are in the winter months now make sure to double check your gear and your car before heading out. Nobody likes getting caught out in the cold. :)

Here's what's happening:

How did you like the photo quiz last week? Everyone got it correct! This week’s is harder. Good luck!

53 Events and 11 Markets this week!!

- Adrian Domingo | Publisher

🏫 Massive School Property Funding A $160 million education fund locks in design work for a brand-new secondary school in Kumeū. It also includes massive upgrades for Massey High School and new classrooms and expansions in Avondale, Massey and Waitākere. Beehive

💧 Watercare Flags Infrastructure Pressure Points Watercare is releasing capacity maps showing exactly where Auckland's water networks are straining, which could delay new housing builds and subdivision approvals in high-pressure zones. NZ Herald

🚗 Peak-Hour Congestion Charging Planned for 2028 Auckland Council aims to launch time-of-use driving charges by early 2028 to tackle gridlock. Charging zones are still being finalized, with the City Rail Link expected to ease the transition. RNZ

🕊️ New Zealand Climbs to Second Safest Country Globally Despite international conflict hitting a historic high, New Zealand has risen to second place on the 2026 Global Peace Index, highlighting our high levels of societal safety and low domestic conflict. NZ Herald

💰 7.9% Rates Rise Confirmed from July 1 Mayor Brown highlighted this as the best way forward to protect core community services and local parks. The council avoided a 15 per cent hike by finding $106 million in internal savings. OurAuckland

🏗️ Council Weighs Plan Change 120 Housing Options Auckland Council is debating two density scenarios. One option focuses high-density housing heavily around rapid transit networks—including the western rail line—while protecting high-risk flooding zones. OurAuckland

🚧 Road Renovations Set Massive Record Across Region Auckland Transport has wrapped up its largest-ever annual maintenance blitz, repairing 483km of roads. This includes major resurfacing work on critical West Auckland corridors like Lincoln Road and New Lynn. Auckland Transport

🚌 Major Bus Upgrades Rolling Out Across West Auckland A massive public transport shakeup brings extra trips and 15-minute weekday daytime frequencies to Route 15 and 17, spanning Titirangi, Glen Eden, Laingholm, Hobsonville, and Whenuapai. Auckland Transport

🚴 New Bike Track for Withers Reserve A brand-new community bike facility is coming to Glen Eden to replace the old track at Kōwhai Reserve. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board is calling for resident feedback on the design by 31 July 2026. Facebook

🏆 Te Whau Pathway Wins Outdoor Access Award The multi-use path linking the Waitematā and Manukau harbors has won a prestigious national award, recognized for creating vital walking and cycling links across our West Auckland suburbs. Te Whau Pathway

Move Dance Co - Your favourite free Wednesday night French Jive energiser is moving temporarily to Kelston. No stress, no experience or partner required!
📍Te Pae o Kura – Kelston Community Centre

Hobsonville Food Park - New community food park in Hobsonville. It’s a massive outdoor foodcourt, currently 4 food trucks strong and growing!
📍102 Hobsonville Road, Mon to Sat 10am to 10pm

Cureway Physio - 50% off ACC appointments until July 31st, 2026, offering professional hands-on treatment and personalized recovery plans with no GP referral required.
📍8/357 Great North Road, Henderson

Click on your answer: Piha | Muriwai | Karekare | Bethels

Postmark is a free daily guessing game about New Zealand. Look at four photos, drop a pin on the map, and see how close you get. The fourth photo is historical, so you guess the year too. No apps or sign-ups required. Tons of fun too!

Brought to you by our friends at Postmark

View all road closures | View all Rail closures

🌿 Rongoā and Native Plant Giveaway
📍 Eco Hub, New Lynn | 10am-2pm Learn more
Celebrate native plants with a free seedling and expert insights into Māori plant-based healing. Learn how caring for these species can improve environmental health and attract local birds.

⚽ FREE Family Fun Day: Hungerball & Junk Play
📍 Kumeū Arts Centre | Sat 12-3pm Learn more
Enjoy a relaxed day of family-friendly activities, lawn games, face painting, and art at the Huapai Hub. Kids can also build with repurposed materials and test their skills inside an inflatable six-goal soccer arena.

🎪 FREE Circus in the Winter
📍 Western Springs Community Hall, Hall 1 | Sat 12-2pm Learn more
Join an interactive community circus session where you can learn new skills from professional tutors. Try your hand at juggling, hula hooping, and various props in this fun, drop-in workshop for all ages.

❄️ Free Whānau Winter Festival
📍 Hub West, Henderson | Sat 1pm Learn more
Enjoy free ice skating, face painting, and sensory winter fun alongside live music and local food trucks. Explore community stalls, build a custom bug hotel, and bring a can of food to support local families in need.

💃 Nana's Night Out with DJ Manchoo
📍 The Hangar, Henderson | Sat 6pm Learn more
Dress up in cardigans, slippers, or pearls to kick off DJ Manchoo's new Saturday residency at The Hangar. Enjoy RnB throwbacks, late-night drink specials, and entry discounts for anyone rocking a full grandparent costume.

🌟 Shreya Ghoshal Live - The Unstoppable Tour
📍 The Trusts Arena, Henderson | Sat 6:30pm Learn more ($)
Bollywood icon Shreya Ghoshal brings "The Unstoppable Tour" to Auckland for an unforgettable night of live music. This highly anticipated concert spotlights her extraordinary vocal precision and deep emotional resonance, delivering a masterclass performance of timeless Bollywood melodies.

🎻 Titirangi Folk Club Ceilidh!!
📍 Titirangi Beach Hall | Sat 7:30pm Learn more ($)
Enjoy a high-energy evening of traditional Scottish and Irish dance music with a live band and a professional caller to guide you through every step. Admission is $15 at the door (free for under 18s), and a light supper is provided at halftime.

📷 LIVE Day: Photography
📍 MOTAT | Sun 10am Learn more ($)
Explore the science and history of photography with hands-on activities like a scavenger hunt, cyanotype printing, and making your own camera to take home. Enjoy classic museum features including live music, the blacksmith's forge, and the iconic Lollyman.

👗 Clothing Swap
📍 Green Bay Community House | Mon 7-9pm Learn more
Refresh your wardrobe sustainably by swapping at least five quality clothing items for new-to-you finds while enjoying refreshments. Browse beautiful pieces from partner brand Everlasting, with all additional item purchases supporting their charitable initiative.

🍎 The Village Market Helensville Showgrounds
📍 Helensville | Sun 8:30am-1pm Learn more
Enjoy fresh local produce, artisan food, crafts, and live music this Sunday morning. The family-friendly event features free hair plaiting, hot coffee, and parking via a gold coin donation supporting local Scouts and St John youth.

🧺 Kumeū Monthly Market
📍 Kumeū Showgrounds | Sun 9am-2pm Learn more
A relaxed day out featuring over 120 indoor and outdoor stalls. The rain-or-shine event offers free entry and parking, delicious food, arts and crafts, and kids' activities, though a reminder that dogs must stay home.

That’s it! Hope the events list got you sorted!
See you next week!

Adrian Domingo - Publisher | West Auckland Digest [email protected]

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