1545 days ago

Former Labour MP and North Shore councillor Jenny Kirk dies aged 76

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Former Labour MP and North Shore councillor Jenny Kirk has died after a short illness.

Kirk was the MP for Birkenhead from 1987 to 1990 and sat on the North Shore City Council from 1995 to 2001. She died on September 30 in Whangarei.

Kaipatiki Local Board member Ann Hartley was close to Kirk and said she will be missed.

“She was a very fine person, (who) always stood up for what she believed in, and it was a very tough time,” she said.

Kirk was an MP during a period where Prime Minister David Lange would introduce controversial economic reforms.

Devonport Takapuna Local Board chair George Wood said Kirk was instrumental in securing funding for the Northern Busway that today connects thousands of people from the North Shore to the Auckland city centre.

“Took me and the works committee chair to see Minister of Transport Mark Gosche one Saturday morning and the rest is history,” he said.

“(A) wonderful community worker.”

Kirk was recognised for her services to local body and community affairs and appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2002 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

She was born in 1945 and went to Westlake High School.

A cremation has taken place and a full service will be held when restrictions allow.

People have been asked to make a donation to North Haven Hospice instead of sending flowers.

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Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
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671 votes
1 hour ago

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10 hours ago

Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland

The Team from New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.

A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/

Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.

• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.

• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.

• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.

Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.

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