Community Incubator and Hub
When Grey Lynn 2030 formed in 2008 we organised around focus groups which pick up initiatives and projects to run with.
The Grey Lynn 2030 Trust continues to function as an umbrella group to help promote aligned projects and organisations within Grey Lynn and the wider Waitemata area.
Many of the focus group kicked off ideas that have developed into self-sustaining organisations such as the Grey Lynn Business Association, Grey Lynn Farmers Market, Grey Lynn Car Boot Market, Auckland Library of Tools.
Green Screen, started in 2013 and ran until 2018 – over five years. Social monthly movie nights that raised awareness. It ended with a change in technology -films were more easily available online. These films were very influential on our community “A Dangerous Future” in March 2018, “Bag It” in May 2018 and “A Plastic Ocean”
Our History
Community Gardens
In Grey Lynn we had three community gardens and many keen backyard gardeners. Grey Lynn 2030 had an active gardening group encouraging the production of your own food from your home garden or on public land. People exchanged seedlings and surplus produce.
Of these three comminity gardens only Kelmarna Community Farm still continues.
Energy focus group
The original Energy focus group has morphed into Electrify Grey Lynn. Home energy efficiency tips; information on solar community electricity, and community local planning initiatives. How to get your home and transport off gas.
Grey Lynn Business Association
We started the Grey Lynn Business Association which became incorporated and its own entity in September 2010.
Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market
The first Grey Lynn 2030 community meeting in 2008 was the catalyst for the Grey Lynn Farmers Market which is now an incorporated society with its own management committee.
Grey Lynn Urban Environment Group (GLUE)
GLUE was formed to provide feedback on the draft Auckland Unitary Plan 2013. Most of these members became the Grey Lynn Residents Group. The Local government group met to discuss how best Grey Lynn 2030 can work with the Waitmata Local Board and develop a positive working relationship.
Sew Grey Lynn
This group started in early 2018 and over 100 BYO Bags Grey Lynn were sewn by the team with more than 70 donated help businesses in the West Lynn and Richmond Rd retail areas become Plastic Bag Free. The group met once a month to continue sewing bags. This has now turned into A Stitch in Time which meets on the last Sunday of the month at the Grey Lynn Community Centre.
Traffic calming group
West Lynn residents have been looking at solutions to deal with traffic issues since 2009 The group hosted David Engwicht in 2009 and were inspired by his approach to making neighbourhoods safe and vibrant. In 2025 the current issues is now Safer Speed Limits. The government wants to change from slower speeds around schools back to 50 km.
Waitemata Waste away
Grey Lynn 2030 has been involved with many waste projects in the area. We originally called this group Grey Lynn Waste Away and then as our reach got bigger we became Waitemata Waste Away.
Wai Ora CRC – for many years we worked to have a local recyling centre in our area. In 2023 after 10 years of community work the Auckland Council facility opened opposite Western Springs Park. Wai Orea is managed by a West Aucland community group MPHS who also manage The Tipping Point at the Henderson Waste Transfer Station.
Recycling, eWaste, Food Scraps, plastic bag removal have been a continued focus of Grey Lynn 2030.
Follow our local waste initiatives on Facebook.
Trash to trade
Trash to trade was a community initiative which encouraged people to give upcycling a try. In conjunction with participating business associations, Grey Lynn 2030 worked with sustainable businesses and the education sector to encourage people to upcycle items that would normally end up in the landfill.
Water
Edgars Stream runs throught the suburb. Easily forgotten until Jan 2023 when it raged into life. The house closed to the stream is going to be demolished.
Native fish are found in the stream and community planting days have been held.
The Wellpark Streamers continues to work in the Wellpark Reserve.