In front of a record crowd of 5,923 fans at Sunday afternoon’s 2.30pm kick-off, the Phoenix overturned a first-leg deficit to claim a 3-2 aggregate semi-final victory and become the first New Zealand football club, men’s or women’s, to reach an Australian A-League grand final.

American striker Makala Woods delivered the defining moment of the club’s greatest day, scoring twice including the winner in extra time as Porirua Park erupted in celebration.

The result capped a remarkable rise for a side that finished near the bottom of the table just two seasons ago. Under first-year coach Bev Priestman, the Phoenix reached the finals for the first time in club history and now stand within touching distance of an A-League Women title.

Phoenix captain Mackenzie Barry said the achievement was difficult to put into words after the final whistle.

“We’ve been working for this for five years,” Barry told Sky Sport.

“I’m so happy, it’s hard to explain.

“It’s overwhelming and I feel so proud of this club. We’ve gone through it, we’ve had two bottom of the table and now we’ve been building up and here we are in the final.

“We’re creating a legacy. It’s hard for me to comprehend that we’ve made history, but it’s so amazing.”

Trailing 2-1 on aggregate after last week’s first-leg defeat in Brisbane, Wellington knew they had to attack early and they dominated possession through much of the opening half.

Despite controlling territory, clear chances were limited. Brisbane almost delivered a major blow when forward Daisy Brown broke through on goal, only for Phoenix goalkeeper Vic Esson to produce a crucial save.

That moment proved pivotal.

Minutes later, the Phoenix struck just before halftime through Woods after a slick move from deep inside their own half. Young midfielder Pia Vlok threaded a perfectly weighted pass behind the Brisbane defence and Woods calmly chipped goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln with her first touch to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.

The goal lifted both the crowd and the intensity of the contest.

Brooke Nunn and Manaia Elliott continued to create problems through midfield while Barry anchored a composed defensive performance at the back.

Wellington had opportunities to seal the result in regulation time, with Woods firing over from close range during a frantic second half.

The striker then came agonisingly close to winning the match in stoppage time. Her initial effort was saved by Lincoln before Woods recovered the rebound and struck the post with the final kick of normal time.

Extra time followed and the breakthrough finally came in the 102nd minute.

A defensive mistake from Brisbane defender Angie Beard allowed Woods to pounce inside the penalty area, and the American forward made no mistake, firing home the winner to send Porirua Park into celebration.

Brisbane pushed desperately for an equaliser but the Phoenix defence held firm as the final whistle confirmed one of the biggest moments in New Zealand football history.

The Phoenix will now face Melbourne City in Saturday’s grand final at AAMI Park in Melbourne. City remain the only side Wellington have not beaten this season.

Grandstand and temporary seating areas were listed as sold out on Friday, while embankment general admission tickets remain available from $10. The match kicks off, 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, at Porirua Park.

The Phoenix will return home needing a result after a 2-1 loss in Brisbane last weekend.

Wellington made the ideal start in the first leg, with forward Grace Jale heading home inside two minutes after a well-worked corner. The visitors had chances to build on the lead, including an effort from Makala Woods that struck the post and a header from Lucía León that drifted narrowly wide.

Brisbane responded quickly through captain Momo Hayashi before teenage striker Daisy Brown scored the winner midway through the second half.

Phoenix goalkeeper Vic Esson produced a series of key saves to keep Wellington in the contest, while defender Ellie Walker made an important goal-line clearance during a period of sustained pressure from the Roar.

Head coach Bev Priestman said her side had learned valuable lessons from the opening leg and backed the team to respond at home.

“It was a difficult game as we expected. We played a little bit into the way Brisbane played,” Priestman said.

“At the end of the day we switched off in moments and that’s what happens at the highest level against a good team.”

Despite the defeat, Priestman said the tie remained well within reach.

“It’s a one goal deficit. An early goal and the game’s back on and we’re at home.

“Now you learn a lot about people and players. The best teams respond and this is an opportunity to step up.”

The match at Porirua Park is shaping as one of the club’s biggest home fixtures in recent years, with the Phoenix targeting a crowd of about 6,000.

The winner on aggregate will advance to the A-League Women grand final.

The cameras, mounted on a council vehicle, began operating this week and are being used first around schools to detect illegal parking, including vehicles stopped on broken yellow lines, blocking driveways, or parked on footpaths.

Council says the rollout is about safety, particularly for children walking to and from school, and about keeping parking officers safe.

But the introduction comes as Porirua faces significant financial pressure, including a 17.5 percent average rates increase in 2024-25, rising infrastructure costs and a stated push in its Long-term Plan to increase revenue targets.

The budget for the technology was approved in the council’s 2024 Long-term Plan.

Nic Etheridge, council’s manager of policy, planning and regulatory services, said revenue generation was not considered when the council decided to fund and introduce the technology.

She said the council had not carried out financial analysis on fine income and had not forecast any increase in fees for budgeting purposes.

Etheridge said infringement numbers were likely to rise slightly at first, but were expected to reduce over time as compliance improved.

“The overall goal is to promote compliance, safety and fair access to parking,” she said.

The council says the system will cost $34,000 a year to operate.

However, the cost of procuring the service provider has not been released.

“The costs associated with the procurement of the service provider is commercially sensitive and is therefore not publicly disclosed,” Etheridge said.

That means residents do not know the full cost of introducing the technology, or whether any increase in enforcement could offset those costs through fines.

The council has also said the cameras could later be used for wider purposes.

“Down the track, LPR can be used for checking warrants of fitness and registrations and whether a car is stolen, along with data collection of parking and road use around Porirua, informing future decisions and city development by our transport team,” the council’s release said.

Council says the camera operates within the requirements of the Privacy Act, people’s faces will be blurred in images, and images will be used only for evidence gathering and enforcement.

“We’re embracing up-to-date technology which allows us to do a job safely, fairly and efficiently,” Etheridge said.

Asked whether LPR data would be shared with Police or other agencies, Etheridge said collection, use and management of the data would comply with the Privacy Act and Official Information Act.

In Porirua, the cameras are being used around schools for the first month before any wider rollout.

But questions remain over how the public can assess the value of the system when procurement costs are withheld, no fine revenue modelling has been done, and the council has already identified future uses beyond school parking enforcement.

The woman had been facing ongoing pressure from debt collectors after a vehicle loan grew to more than $30,000, including interest and add-on insurance products attached to the finance agreement.

The vehicle was purchased through Go Car Finance, which was withdrawn from the New Zealand market by parent company Solvar in 2024.

Within five months, the car was repossessed and later sold for about $3,000, leaving a significant outstanding balance.

Porirua Whānau Centre budgeting facilitator Christine worked with the woman as part of ongoing budgeting support and later advocated for a hardship write-off.

“She was very overwhelmed with relief,” Christine said after informing the woman the debts had been cleared.

Christine contacted the debt management company to request home visits from debt collectors stop before applying for a hardship write-off based on the family’s financial position.

At the time, the woman’s weekly expenses were higher than her income, with further increases expected in rent and power costs.

Support from the Whānau Centre, including food assistance, was also provided while the case was being reviewed.

The debt management company later agreed to clear three debts totalling $13,928.34.

Christine said the case raised wider concerns about lending practices and affordability checks.

“They’re supposed to do an affordability assessment, but they’re passing people who can’t afford it,” she said.

Leggett, now chief executive of Infrastructure New Zealand, said councils have a limited window to take charge of reform plans before change is imposed on them.

“Councils have three months now to grasp the nettle and change,” Leggett told Porirua News.

“This fast-track process gives regions an opportunity to come together, build scale, and strengthen their ability to deliver for their communities. They should take it.”

The Government has opened the door for councils to propose consolidation and reorganisation plans aimed at reducing fragmentation and improving efficiency across local government.

Leggett said councils needed to show leadership.

“Councils must step up. If they do not take this opportunity, there is a real risk change will be done to them, not with them.”

Born in Porirua and raised in Whitby, Plimmerton, Papakowhai and Paremata, Leggett first entered local politics at age 19 when he was elected to Porirua City Council in 1998. He later became Porirua’s youngest mayor in 2010 and served two terms with strong public support.

Leggett said structural change alone would not solve the challenges facing councils.

“You cannot expect better performance from local government without giving it the tools to succeed,” he said.

“Councils own around 35% of New Zealand’s public infrastructure but receive only about 11% of total tax revenue. That imbalance, which stands out globally, has to be addressed.”

Infrastructure New Zealand said the success of reform should be measured by whether it speeds up infrastructure delivery, improves housing supply and creates more affordable services.

“This isn’t about lines on a map,” Leggett said.

“The goal has to be faster infrastructure and transport delivery, more housing choice, stronger growth, and affordable services for communities.”

The organisation is also calling on central government to support councils that move quickly on reform, including through regional or city deals that could unlock funding and financing options.

Leggett said reform could also lead to broader constitutional change over time, with more powers handed to local communities.

“New Zealand is one of the most centralised countries in the developed world,” he said.

“Strengthening local government with greater scope and scale should prepare the way for more powers and responsibilities to sit close to communities over time.”

He also said councils needed to improve how they engage with residents during the reform process.

“Communities need to see themselves in these new structures,” Leggett said.

“Innovative approaches, such as citizens’ assemblies or other forms of public engagement, could play a role in building confidence and legitimacy for change.”

The Government’s reform process is expected to unfold over the coming months as councils consider whether to submit reorganisation proposals.

Waste and Your Workplace will be held from 8am to 10am on Thursday, May 7, at the Performing Arts Studio, Pātaka Art + Museum, 17 Parumoana St, Porirua.

The free Porirua City Council event will feature waste expert Kate Fenwick, who will share practical ways businesses can reduce waste and lower costs.

Registrations, refreshments and networking begin at 8am, followed by the presentation from 8.30am to 10am.

The seminar is open to all ages and free to attend.

The Phoenix made the perfect start in Brisbane, with forward Grace Jale heading in an early goal from a corner inside two minutes to give the visitors immediate momentum.

Wellington had chances to extend their lead soon after. Makala Woods struck the post after breaking clear, while Lucía León sent a header narrowly wide.

Brisbane responded quickly, equalising just over 10 minutes later through captain Momo Hayashi, who powered in a close-range header from a corner.

From there, the Roar began to take control. Goalkeeper Vic Esson produced several key saves to keep the scores level through the first half, while the Phoenix defence held firm, including a crucial goal-line clearance from Ellie Walker.

The second half saw Brisbane increase the pressure, with Wellington struggling to maintain possession in attacking areas. Esson remained busy, denying multiple efforts as the home side pushed forward.

The decisive moment came in the 72nd minute when a defensive error fell to teenage striker Daisy Brown, who finished from close range to give Brisbane the lead.

Wellington were unable to generate clear chances late in the match, with their attacking threat largely contained as Brisbane saw out the result.

Head coach Bev Priestman said her side would need to respond in the return leg.

“It was a difficult game as we expected. We played a little bit into the way Brisbane played.

“At the end of the day we switched off in moments and that’s what happens at the highest level against a good team.”

Despite the defeat, Priestman remains confident her side can turn things around at home.

“It’s a one goal deficit. An early goal and the game’s back on and we’re at home.

“Now you learn a lot about people and players. The best teams respond and this is an opportunity to step up.”

The second leg will be played at Porirua Park next Sunday, with strong local support expected and the club targeting a crowd of around 6,000.

With a place in the final on the line, the task is clear for the Phoenix. A win at home keeps their season alive.

Transmission Gully, south of the Pāuatahanui interchange, will have northbound and southbound lane closures from 6pm to 6am on Sunday and Monday nights.

At Tawa, the Takapu Road northbound on and off-ramps will close during the same period. Further northbound ramp closures are planned on Tuesday night from 9pm to 4.30am between the Westchester/Grenada Drive northbound on-ramp and Tawa interchange.

A northbound lane closure is planned near Kiwipoint in Ngauranga Gorge on Thursday night from 7pm to 4.30am for streetlight pole replacement.

In Pukerua Bay, northbound lane closures will be in place at the southern end of Coast Road on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7pm to 5.30am for paving. Stop/go traffic controls will also operate between Gray Street and Airlie Road from Monday to Friday, 7am to 5.30pm, for drainage work.

On SH59, a southbound lane closure is planned between Plimmerton roundabout and Airlie Road on Monday night from 7pm to 5.30am.

The Titahi Bay southbound off-ramp will close on Sunday and Monday nights from 8pm to 4.30am, with lane closures in place for training.

On SH58, work is planned at Judgeford between Moonshine Road and Flightys Road on Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 9pm to 4.30am.

At SH58 Pāuatahanui Bridge, west of Pāuatahanui roundabout, stop/go traffic controls will operate Sunday to Thursday nights from 7pm to 5.30am for the SH58 project. An altered lane layout remains in place day and night from Saturday to Friday.

Drivers are asked to allow extra travel time and follow temporary traffic signs.

The mural, created by Plimmerton artist Heneriata Te Whata, was recently installed in Ferry Place and blessed today by Ngāti Toa kaumātua Dr Te Taku Parai.

The project began when a group of rainbow rangatahi from Aotea College asked Porirua City Council for a mural celebrating their community.

Last year, students from Rainbow Aotea worked with council officers on the process and design brief. Artists were then invited to submit ideas through an expressions of interest process.

The students shortlisted two concepts before choosing the final mural design.

Te Whata said she included the hihi, or stitchbird, because of the way the sun catches the light on its golden wings.

She said the image symbolised lighting a path forward, something she felt diverse communities did for everyone.

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said it was pleasing to see a request from young residents, made through the Long-term Plan process, become reality.

“This has been a great collaboration between the council and rangatahi and we’re proud to have the mural now complete and adding rainbow colours to our city,” Baker said.

The My Walk in Wardrobe Sustainable Fashion Market will be held at Kai Tahi on Saturday 2 May from 10am to 2pm. Entry is free and the event is open to all ages.

Organisers say the market will feature around 40 stalls selling preloved, upcycled, vintage, handmade and locally made clothing, shoes and accessories. Items will cater to all genders and a wide range of sizes.

The event is part of a series running throughout the year, with additional dates scheduled for 25 July and 17 October at the same venue.

Shoppers are encouraged to bring cash, as some stallholders may not have eftpos, and to carry reusable bags. Colour-coded flags will help visitors navigate stalls, with green indicating size 18 and above, and red marking menswear or masculine styles.

The market is organised by My Walk in Wardrobe and aims to make sustainable fashion accessible while supporting local sellers and reducing textile waste.

More information, including how to become a stallholder, is available at mywalkinwardrobe.co.nz.