Kevin’s original post:
Kia ora, whānau
Over the past six months I have been engaging with the Wellington City Council in an effort to raise awareness and advocate for both the improvement of Wellingtons skateboarding facilities, and the provision and inclusion of skateable areas in our public spaces.
The past 15 years has seen no significant improvement made to the current facilities in Wellington and there are currently no plans for anything new for at least the next 10 years. Over this time we have also lost access to the only indoor ramps at Kilbirnie Recreation Centre, and we have lost many of our iconic spots due to redevelopment in the city which pushed skateboarding out of public spaces by use of “No Skateboarding” signs and using skate-stoppers and rough ground. All of this has contributed to our city moving in the opposite direction than what is happening in the rest of the world.
Hootie Andrewes at Treetops Skate Park — Wellington skaters’ favourite skate park. Community built and maintained. Photo by Kevin Francis.
While I would like to see this turned around I NEED YOUR HELP. Over the coming week the Wellington City Councillors are meeting to discuss the findings of a current ‘Skate Community Engagement’ survey and will decide to what degree they will take on board the findings. You can read this survey by clicking on the link in my bio [sic]. (You can find the report here.) The results of this survey clearly show that more needs to be done. However, I am told that unless people start writing to the councillors and pushing for more and improved facilities, then nothing significant is going to change.
PLEASE if you have ever been a part of and enjoyed the Wellington skateboarding scene/community in any way, over the next few days can you PLEASE lend your support by writing a letter to the Wellington City councillors at councillors@wcc.govt.nz
It doesn’t have to be a long letter, just state you want to see change and you want them to act upon the findings of the ‘Skate Community Engagement’ survey.
It doesn’t matter how young or old you are or whether you actively skate or not. Ask your friends, families, parents and partners to help. The more people that speak up the more our chances of being heard will increase.
Again PLEASE I can’t do this solely on my own. Please help share this message around.
— Kevin Francis
A “No Skateboarding” sign in a public space. Where is the plan for a place for skateboarding in Wellington City? Photo by Kevin Francis.
Kevin’s text was originally posted to his Instagram account.
