16 minute read
Devonport News
By Shaulyn van Baaren Devonport Business Improvement District Manager
Supporting Devonport
Shaulyn van Baaren.
Kia ora. I find it fitting that this May, Channel Magazine is celebrating Winter Style! With cooler evenings and chilly mornings, I’ve tucked away my summer wear in exchange for fluffy sweaters, cozy leggings, comfy boots and of course, my favourite toques – which is what Canadians call a beanie.
I am hopeful that the Trans-Tasman bubble will spark tourism to our shores, but the sad reality is that many of our businesses are still struggling and winter months tend to be slower in the village. Supporting local and sharing your favourite shops with non-locals is more important than it has ever been and there are a lot of incredible reasons to do so.
New season stock is arriving and shop windows in the village are decorated with the latest fashions and trends. From clothing and accessories to health and home décor, you need not look far as you prepare your family and household for the cooler winter months.
And what better way to do that than in attendance at a glamorous, chic and dazzling night of winter fashion and fun? Our local retailers are set to showcase the unique head-to-toe fashions, accessories and more that Devonport has to offer at Fashion on the Wharf 2021.
Taking place on Thursday, 20th May at 7pm, the evening will be emceed by Pippa Wetzell in support of Dress for Success, which provides professional attire to empower women to succeed in the workplace.
This event sold out weeks in advance last time, so don’t delay. With only 250 tickets and limited seating, grab your gal pals and scoop up your tickets today at www.devonport.co.nz. Ten percent of your ticket price goes to support Dress for Success.
Gentlemen, this is a friendly reminder that Mother’s Day is Sunday 9th May. As always, Devonport Flowers and Devonport Chocolates have you covered for the beautiful basics. And because we ladies know that we can sometimes be a little challenging to buy for… a ticket package to Fashion on the Wharf is guaranteed mum and partner approved.
Our hospitality businesses continue to make noise around Auckland with the likes of Vondel getting a shout-out in Metro Eats, Vic Road Kitchen and Chateaubriant being nominated for Denizen’s Hospo Heroes and a number of tasty new restaurants and cafés opening up to acclaim.
I recently caught up with “Sasee” and Kayoko Sawaki, owners of Danryu Japanese seafood restaurant. One of our “new kids on the block”, Sasee is an award-winning chef who has a dream: a dream that his restaurant will one day entice visitors from all corners of Tamaki Makaurau and beyond to Devonport’s shores to experience our beauty and his artistic cuisine. With reservations a must, Sasee serves up a culinary experience that will not be forgotten.
Until next time, stay warm my friends, — Shaulyn van Baaren
Devonport Community News for this month with Maria Teape, Devonport Community Coordinator, Devonport Peninsula Trust
Devonport events in May
Maria Teape.
Second Hand Records' farewell concert, an extravaganza of four top folk bands, is taking place on Monday 10th May at 8pm at The Bunker on Takarunga/Mt Victoria.
After releasing six studio albums, the blog, booking agent, record label, and indie-folk champion would like to go out with a bang. Featuring Albi & The Wolves, Fables, Looking For Alaska and You, Me, Everybody, this will be a special gig. Tickets are $25 and booking is essential. Phone: 09-445-2227 or email: realmusic@xtra.co.nz
Company Theatre presents 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof' by Tennessee Williams, directed by Sian Davis. A 20th century classic not to be missed, with a stunning cast and set! Set in the early ‘50s in a plantation home in the Mississippi Delta, it is the story of a Southern family in crisis, especially Brick and wife Margaret (usually called Maggie or "Maggie the Cat"), and their interaction with Brick's family over the course of one evening's gathering. There is also comedy and warmth as the gripping story unfolds. The season runs from 15th to 29th May at The Rose Centre – for more information on session times and to purchase tickets, visit: www.companytheatre.co.nz
The Vic has a great line-up of events this month including Seniors Morning Tea at The Vic, happening every Thursday morning, 10.30am – enjoy a film with complimentary morning tea. The Julie Lamb Outfit – self described as an eight-piece collaborative music family, coaxing kick-arse funky pop music into the multiverse – performs on Friday 21st May at 8pm. Get lost between the stories and the groove and find yourself in a high energy smile-a-minute space as The Vic’s Open Mic Nights continue at 8pm on the last Thursday of the month in the music lounge. More information on all The Vic’s events can be found on their website: www.thevic. co.nz
The Stanley Bay School Stampede is back! Happening on Sunday 30th May from 10am-1pm, challenge yourself on the 1.5km obstacle course for kids, adults and families, and then slip and slide into their giant mud pit! Starting and finishing at the school, do as many laps as you dare! There will be lots of fabulous spot prizes plus there will be an epic raffle. For more information, visit: www. lacticturkey.co.nz/stanleybaystampede.
The Devonport Historical Museum has something for everyone with displays, hands-on activities, wonderful models, local films and more. Located at 33a Vauxhall Rd, Devonport, the museum is open Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm, and Tuesday-Thursday from 10am to COVID-19 Recovery 12pm. For more info contact info@devonportmuseum.org.nz or phone 09 445 2661.
Ka kite āno,
Maria For our businesses and our community
Local Life
In Channel Magazine we love highlighting people in our community who make a difference. Two local Devonport Peninsula people, Kate and Lauren, have created ‘Local Life NZ’ a social media entity doing similar online. We love what they do, so we’re now collaborating with them to include their content in print – monthly in Channel Mag. These are recent pieces they’ve done on Don the egg man, Janet of Bear Brothers, and Glen from the Devonport Film Club.
Don
Don, who grew up on Oxford Terrace, first started delivering eggs to family and friends around Devonport more than 30 years ago. He hasn’t had a break from his deliveries in all that time apart from the two months of this year when Alert Level 4 forced him to close.
Towards the end of lockdown, Don’s wife Jenny said she wasn’t keen to start deliveries again, partly because of their age (former TGS teacher Don turned 78 this year), but also because it would give them more free time. Jenny was tired of sitting in the cold garage sorting the eggs — they couldn’t have a heater on otherwise the eggs would get cooked.
Then their grandson, who kept 1,000 hens, asked if they would sell his eggs. His are first grade eggs which meant they don’t have to spend Mondays sorting them. And more importantly, Don has been able to keep supplying his ever increasing band of loyal customers who love having his free range eggs delivered right to their front door every second Tuesday. — Don Petchell, Te Rata Family Farm
Janet
“As a mother, the hardest thing for me to accept about lockdown was the termination of both domestic and international travel, which meant that I found myself totally cut off from my two sons based in London and Queenstown for the first time ever, and with no idea for how long.
“I began drawing for the first time again in 40 years. Every day at the same time, I felt compelled to sit down and draw sketches of the two Bear Brothers bears dealing with their feelings during lockdown, and then posting the sketch on Instagram every evening. This daily narrative between the bears helped me feel connected not only to friends, family and Instagram followers but mostly to my boys. I began through this project to see lockdown as a gift of time.
“On the eighth day of the first lockdown it was my son’s 30th birthday in London. There’s something about birthdays with zeros.They’re a big deal, I don’t know why, they just are. I was feeling particularly low that day, so I went as I did every day of lockdown to my special spot at the top of North Head. There’s something about being up high, under an open sky looking out at the ocean that makes you feel connected. I somehow felt closer to him at that moment.” —Janet Bingham, Bear Brothers
Sales from the first two editions of Janet's 'Two Bears in a Bubble' book have enabled donations of $1,500 to the RSA and $5,600 to Women’s Refuge. The book is now in its third edition.
Glen
Where else in the world would you find a video shop that doubles as a drycleaner, where the racks of bunched wedding dresses and curtains are rolled away at closing every Friday, only to be replaced with shelves of thousands of films, each promising an escape from the drudgery of doing laundry? The Devonport Film Club (more commonly known as ‘The Video Shop’) is mostly just a place to talk about and celebrate film, but Glen, who’s owned and run the shop for the past three years, gets all sorts of requests. “Whatever anyone needs on the day (including drycleaning), I’m happy to try and help,” he says. “I think it’s important for me just to offer a simple alternative to everything else that’s out there. A place where people can interact within the community. To talk and share a love of film and have a shared OUR PLACE Stories of Local Life experience. That’s something I feel is integral to film. There’s comfort in a process for some people. So I’ll be here as long as people keep coming down.” Glen’s the kind of guy you’d want on your pub quiz team. He knows every one of the 12,000 film and TV shows in his carefully-curated collection and spends a lot of his week tracking down old and obscure films for his film-literate customers. Glen concedes that everyone has different tastes but says that one thing remains consistent — Devonport loves a good murder mystery. — Glen Cameron, the Devonport Film Club
If you have a story you would like to share or know of a local hero, contact Kate Dobbin & Lauren Lulu Taylor at hello@localifenz.com Follow Local Life NZ on Facebook and Instagram – @LocalLifeNZ OUR PLACE Stories of Local Life “We’re all in this together. Laura Foote u are a bloody legend!! Oh Hannah you really are wee shining light in this dark time for many. Keep glowing n growing you special woman you. Thank you Sam for your welcoming smile, a joke or song. You cheer up my day. Sam is such a delightful and special human being who goes out of his way to be helpful to everyone. Poems, politics, saving the world are but a few of his attributes. Love the Patriot, guess that makes me a Patriot! We as a family have been going there for around 25 years. Amazing how little we need and how much we have. Ron- I know this man and what a privilege that is. I have many happy memories of this lovely Vic theatre, used to visit in the late 50’s - early 60’s. I’m a big fan of Devon on the Wharf. Nigar is very welcoming and warm hearted. Nilesh & Dosa- They are just lovely human beings, love them. LOVE Paradox books! A wonderful selection of books and great service always and ambience. It’s not what you do that’s important ...It’s the passion you do it with! Thanks so much for the yummy croissants Alan. Can’t wait to claim the table again on Wednesday mornings. Sam is wonderful and my dog Ivy is absolutely besotted with him. Sam, you are a legend ... such a star and we hope you keep on shining your bright light. Thank you for being you.We love Whites. Legends. Brilliant ♥ lovely! Amazingly inspirational. Laura- a very special uniquely gorgeous being ♥ One of Devonport’s unsung heroes! Laura’s positivity is inspiring. Just simply the best! Love this all the way! The Pub looks (and is ) Amazing. Well said Ken. You’re a good man ♥ Some of my favourite people right here! Kate Walden Ben Walden Bill and Gerri, two big hearts. Making a huge difference and changing lives. ♥ ♥ Thank you Kashish & Sam, you’re both so friendly and helpful, every time I walk in I feel so welcomed. Wonderful...there are some great people out there… It just goes to show how valued you are in the community Josie. You provide us a happy place to come to.” OUR PLACE – STORIES OF LOCAL LIFE DEVONPORT LOCAL LIFE NZ Late in 2020 we published a book “OUR PLACE” featuring 50 Local Life stories from our community. The interest saw us sell out of the first two print runs so we did a third run. We still have a few copies left that can be purchased. If you missed out and are interested in a copy then email us at hello@locallifenz.com. The book is available for purchase at Paradox Books, Devonport for $30.
Foodie Finds with Lulu & Kate
Our first Foodie Find column takes us to a tiny enclave of France situated on Devonport’s Victoria Road where you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into a covered marché in a Paris arrondissement.
Bistro la Poste has really found its stride after encountering licensing issues and then the nightmare of lockdown shortly after opening its doors in December 2019. It’s boasting a new autumn menu, packed with seasonal hues of butternut squash, brown buttons, black garlic and brightly-coloured nasturtiums. One of the stand-out dishes among the entree offerings is the South Island squid à la plancha with parsley, celeriac coleslaw and chorizo.
Cooked over a very hot plate, Chef Yoann Charbonnier’s Squid à la plancha has been meticulously created to balance and bring to life the five key tastes that stimulate our taste buds: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami, the most pronounced in this dish being a wonderful creamy umami. The light flavour of the protein-packed squid is complemented by the full-flavoured fattiness of the chorizo shavings, while the celeriac coleslaw provides a crisp, punchy side with its mix of celeriac, lemon juice, nori powder and chorizo crisps. The chorizo-infused cream is topped with parsley oil. The dish’s crowning glory is a wafer thin tuile nest made from squid ink. Carefully selected, fresh ingredients and a clean, skilfully constructed aesthetic make this dish our new favourite find.
Bistro la Poste offers several enticing chefs menus and wine pairings and Maitre d’ Vincent Barois suggests pairing the squid entree with the Macon Villages 2018 French Burgundy. The menu also offers a range of vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options. The fish comes in daily from Leigh Fisheries - or ‘Lee Fish’ - which is recognised globally for its sustainable fishing practices.
Bistrot la Poste, 10 Victoria Road, Devonport 0624 For reservations: Call 09 963 9218, email bistrolaposte@gmail. com or visit their website bistrolaposte.com. Opening hours: Monday-Tuesday: closed Wednesday, Thursday: dinner only (5pm-late) Friday, Saturday, Sunday: open all day
Yoann Charbonnier.
We proudly stock MINX shoes, a kiwi brand making colourful and comfortable designer footwear!
ECHO DESIGNER BOUTIQUE
30 Victoria Road, Devonport www.echodesignerboutique.com • (09) 445 3300
Two Bears in a Bubble portrays life in lockdown as told by two bears living in Devonport, navigating the highs and lows of Alert Level 4. As featured on Seven Sharp, it is a beautifully illustrated keepsake to treasure, and be enjoyed by all ages - a must for every New Zealand family! As the anniversary of lockdown approaches, this book makes the perfect gift for your bubble buddies and loved ones.
Available in Bear Brothers Devonport store, and online bearbrothersdenim.com
WELCOME TO AKDENIZ RESTAURANT
Our Family-run business offers Traditional and authentic Persian meals freshly prepared by experienced chefs. Whether you would like a romantic dinner or lunch with friends and family, we offer delicious food and friendly service in a unique and beautiful setting.
Lunch is available 7 days. Dinner is available on Fridays and Saturdays. For booking, please call us on 09 6002125. 5/15 Victoria road, Devonport
(inside the Arcade, opposite the Devonport library) www.akdenizdevonport.co.nz Find us on Facebook & Instagram: @akdenizdevonport
An automated pool cover for swimming all year round!
Overseas holidays are out, but you can still invest in an automatic cover from Covers4Pools to turn your pool into your own resort pool – right through the year.
A swimming pool spells summer fun for everyone – and after the year we’ve had you will want to use it to its maximum this summer. Installing an automatic pool cover makes things super easy: maintaining, keeping it warm, clean and affordable.
Covers4Pools is a family business, run by Charles, Paulene and Shayne Olliver. They offer one of the most extensive range of automated pool covers in New Zealand, being the sole distributor for the internationally popular Coverstar Eclipse brand.
“Coverstar Eclipse covers can take the weight of an average sized person, offering complete peace of mind that your family is always safe around your pool,” says company manager Charles Olliver.
“Our new ‘Roll Out Roll Under Slatted Cover’ has quickly become a big seller for us. These covers feature a polycarbonate profile that actually heats the pool via the sun’s rays throughout the summer months and retains heat during the colder months, therefore extending your swimming season and substantially reducing your heating costs. We are proud to assemble these covers here in New Zealand.” Charles explains that automated covers also play a big part in reducing cleaning and maintenance by keeping unwanted items out of the pool. “They really are a game-changer. Our advanced covers keep dirt and leaves out of the pool and also eliminate up to 90% of evaporation. This avoids wasting thousands of litres of water and reduces chemical use by up to 70%.” Covers4Pools has good stocks of both Coverstar Eclipse Covers and Roll Out Roll Under Slatted Covers so will have one to suit your pool. They will come to your property and do a free measure and quote and provide advice on the best solution for your requirements. Do it today!
