Kyle Parker - Upper Harbour Local Board Member

22/05/2026

I got over 20 reactions on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉

04/05/2026

04/05/2026

Happy Star Wars day everyone

25/04/2026

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25/04/2026

ANZAC Day 2026 done and dusted. I've been up since 3am and represented the Upper Harbour Local Board at my usual 3 ANZAC services.

1. Paremoremo Dawn Service
2. Herald Island Community led Civic Service
3. Hobsonville RSA Service
4. Stopped in to Waimauku RSA just after that finished to check in with the Scout Group I'm a leader at.

Some possibly unpopular thoughts:

1. Good to see Ventia finally making an effort on the clean up prior to ANZAC services that I asked them to, BUT it wasn't very well executed so I'll need to follow up with feedback to clarify my expectations for future years.
2. As much as I missed them, it was a good decision by the RNZAF to avoid flyovers to minimize loss of fuel ATM with the fuel crisis. I was disappointed to see the club flyover dropping unburnt fuel to make white smoke trails. They obviously didn't get the memo about the fuel shortage.
3. All 3 services had a very different feel this year. Paremoremo speeches were incredibly brave and topical. Herald Island was very focused on looking after the wellbeing of the community and honouring people who stayed home to serve. I was highly disappointed that the new leadership of Hobsonville RSA chose not to put their paperwork in on time, chose not to acknowledge Auckland Council through elected members, and chose to turn their Service into a party political broadcast for the National Party. I'll follow up with them about this also on a different day to see how I can help them do what is right from now on.

12/04/2026

Ahiahi mārie, Auckland

It’s been a big day across the North Island with Cyclone Vaianu moving down the motu.

A huge thank you to our emergency services, Auckland Emergency Management, and all our roading crews who’ve been out in today’s weather keeping people safe. 💚

We’ll continue monitoring and responding to incidents overnight, and we’ll have extra staff in the control room tomorrow to support the recovery effort.

Auckland’s roads and public transport network are holding up well overall, though a few closures remain due to strong winds, fallen trees, and flooding in some areas.

You can find the latest updates here: http://spr.ly/6182B6076A

Please keep reporting fallen trees and flooding to Auckland Council on 09 301 0101 so we can keep everyone informed.

Pō mārie - stay safe out there 💚

12/04/2026

12/04/2026

I want to thank Aucklanders for listening to the advice and being prepared. While it appears very difficult to predict weather, being precautious is the best thing we can do.

Auckland is lucky. Although there have been power outages, we seem to have got off relatively unscathed. I know Great Barrier has copped the worst of the weather in the region but they’re well organised and have supported each other. They’re a great community.

However, we’re not quite out of the woods.

There may still be impacts throughout the day, with severe winds a factor depending on where this cyclone’s tracking. Be mindful of yourself and others when you're out on the roads.

Stay up to date with Auckland Emergency Management and follow the advice of emergency services.

I want to thank the emergency response team here at Auckland Emergency Management and up and down the country for their preparation for this work.

As we’ve learned from previous events, it’s better to take a sensible approach and be prepared.

I want to also acknowledge that other parts of the country, especially in Northland, Coromandel, Waikato and East Coast, which seem to have taken the brunt of the storm, have not fared as well and my thoughts are with those affected.

WB

11/04/2026

UPDATE 11/04 4.48PM

📌 Aucklanders are being advised to delay all unnecessary travel on Sunday due to the impact of Cyclone Vaianu.

📌 Auckland Harbour Bridge is most at risk of closure from midday Sunday, and surface flooding across the region could start to occur from late evening Saturday.

Check Harbour Bridge status: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/auckland

📌 If you do need to travel, please drive extra carefully and avoid areas where there is flooding. Take extra care in low lying coastal areas which are prone to flooding.

❌ Do not drive through flood water.

🚨 Call 111 If life is at risk. Visit www.aem.govt.nz for more information, including evacuation advise.

🚌⛴️ We expect further delays and cancellations to public transport as the weather impacts increase. Check the AT Mobile App or visit at.govt.nz for up to date information.

We are preparing for the possibility of road closures across the region. As road impacts such as flooding, slips, fallen trees or downed powerlines are reported, they will be updated on the following page for the Auckland region: https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/service-announcements/severe-weather-flooding-and-road-incidents-april-2026

❗ Report flooding
To report flooding happening now on roads or footpaths, phone Auckland Council: 09 301 10101

❗ If the flooding is on a highway or motorway, call NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Auckland Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on 09 969 9800.

****

We’re working closely with MetService New Zealand, Auckland Emergency Management and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Auckland as Tropical Cyclone Vaianu approaches.

🚌Public Transport

📌 Severe weather can cause delays or cancellations across buses, trains and ferries.
📌 Allow extra time for your journey.
📌 Check live departures in the AT Mobile app before travelling.
📌 Bus services that cross the Harbour Bridge may be delayed, detoured or cancelled if conditions worsen.

Check the AT Mobile App for up-to-date information or visit www.at.govt.nz

🚗 Driving
If you need to drive:

💚 Consider avoiding or postponing nonessential travel.
💚 If conditions deteriorate suddenly, pull over safely and wait for the weather to ease.
💚 Never drive through floodwaters - hazards and debris may be hidden beneath the surface.

For real-time highway updates, check: http://spr.ly/6186B6IlaK

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Get Ready
Make sure your emergency plan is up-to-date, including:

💚 Being ready to shelter at home
💚 Supporting friends and whānau
💚 Preparing for possible power outages

More information here: http://spr.ly/6187B6Ilaz

🚨 If You’re in Danger
If you or your property are at risk at any time, call 111 immediately. Natural warnings like rising floodwaters require urgent action.

11/04/2026

| "Some people in exposed coastal areas have also been encouraged to move early or make alternative arrangements if they feel unsafe."

Stay informed and follow RNZ's live weather blog below for all the latest updates as they happen 🔗