35 minute read
North Shore History: David Verran
The second ‘North Shore Gazette’ 1971 to 1975, and other recent local newspapers By David Verran
Recently I wrote about the ‘Devonport Gazette’ newspaper, which was renamed the “North Shore Gazette’ in 1924 and ultimately ceased publication in 1948. However, the name North Shore Gazette Ltd. continued on in Devonport as a printing business and was later owned by the Weller family. In the late 1960s, Brian Giblin was part of the takeover of that business and it continued to operate as North Shore Gazette Ltd. until 1971.
The ‘North Shore Times Advertiser’ was published by Suburban Newspapers Ltd. which was owned by the ‘Auckland Star’. However, their newspaper rivals Wilson and Horton owners of the ‘New Zealand Herald’ wanted to compete for the lucrative North Shore advertising market by starting their own locally based suburban newspaper. That was to be called the ‘North Shore Gazette’.
Following the sale of the ‘North Shore Gazette’ name to Wilson and Horton, Giblin’s business was renamed Devonport Colour Printers Ltd. and later Devon Colour Printers Ltd. The latter went on to print amongst other material Paul Titchener’s seven volume ‘Beginnings’ series from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.
At first, Community Newspapers Ltd. printed and published the ‘North Shore Gazette’ on behalf of Wilson and Horton from 24 February 1971, but from late 1972 the newspaper was published directly by Wilson and Horton. Initially the newspaper was based at 95 Wairau Road but by July 1973 it had moved to 4 Silverfield off nearby Porana Road, with the editorial and advertorial staff based there. The newspaper itself was printed by Wilson and Horton on their big rotary presses at 149 Queen Street in the city. The newspaper was delivered free of charge on Wednesdays to around 33,000 households across the North Shore, as far North as Long Bay, Albany and Greenhithe.
However, the newspaper’s mixture of local news, contributions and photographs from local people, advertisements for local businesses and small classifieds lasted only just over four years. The last issue was published on 28 May 1975 (Volume Five, Number Nineteen) and that issue noted that henceforth the ‘New Zealand Herald’ was to offer a weekly regional section featuring the North Shore. There is a full run of bound copies at Takapuna Library.
A fortnightly rival to the ‘North Shore Times Advertiser’, is of course ‘The Devonport Flagstaff’, which dates from 22 October 1992. Its sister publication ‘The Rangitoto Observer’ dates from 15 March 2019. Our own monthly ‘Channel’ dates from July 2010, and I have been the history columnist for that since early 2011.
Other recent titles that have come and gone include the ‘Albany and East Coast Bays News’ (from February 2010 to September 2011, and for which I was also its history columnist), the ‘Aucklander’
AWNS_19131127_52_3.jpg courtesy of Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection.
(published by the ‘New Zealand Herald’ from 18 September 2003 to 6 September 2012, and which included a ‘North’ edition before going digital) and ‘Shore News’ (from 4 September 1987 to 1993 before being succeeded by ‘North Shore Week’ from 16 June 1993 to 11 August 1994). As with the above titles, visit Takapuna Library if you wish to see copies of most of these, otherwise visit Auckland Central Library. Most are available on microfilm.
Of course, access to such newspapers is vital when learning about the history of the North Shore. My research into the history of Devonport Museum has included annual reports, newsletters and minutes from that society, but I have also found that relevant articles in copies of the ‘North Shore Times Advertiser’ and ‘Devonport Flagstaff’ are essential reading. I am also talking with those currently or formerly involved.
By Sonia Thursby, CEO, Yes Disability
YES and I.Lead striving forward
Sonia Thursby.
The days are starting to look a little darker, colder and wetter, but that isn’t stopping YES and I.Lead from continuing to bring young people together to celebrate diversity, adversity, and just being youth with disabilities.
Last week was not only Youth Week, but it was also New Zealand Sign Language week. The Yes and I.Lead teams collaborated to put together a video to celebrate both occasions, acknowledging both through a presentation done completely in New Zealand Sign Language!
Our Pasifika Education Support Programme is still full steam ahead, and we’ve even added another day to our North Shore sessions! This means more chance to get to Shore Junction, get warm and away from the elements, and into your own element, whether it’s studying for your mid years, or just coming through to hang with friends. It’s not too late to sign up, just contact: sarah@yesdisability.org.nz for more information.
As part of Youth Week, I.Lead representatives Niah and Katie got to bring together some amazing young people with disabilities in a two-day event decorating cupcakes. Spread over two locations, young people with disabilities decorated their own masterpieces using cupcakes provided by our very own master baker, Katie.
We are also collaborating with the Office for Disability Issues, distributing a survey around changing the government department's name. As a recommendation created from the last I.Lead conference, participants thought the name was misleading, saying that it portrayed people with disabilities as issues, when we aren’t. We are looking for feedback from anyone and everyone, so contact us via social media or email to get a link to the survey!’
And finally, as we discussed earlier, I.Lead will be holding another youth with disabilities conference in Wellington this year! Be sure to visit ilead.org.nz to register your interest in attending, and for more information on what’s going on at Yes and I.Lead, and to join in on the action, contact us: ilead@yesdisability.org.nz
St Leonards Chapel and Gardens
Now that the trans-Tasman bubble is in place and guests can now make the trip across the ditch, we are seeing an increase in enquiries for weddings both big and small!
We are excited that we are now booking weddings for the coming 2021/2022 season. If you are planning your wedding and want a unique venue on Auckland’s North Shore, look no further.
The beautiful St Leonard's Chapel and Gardens are located in Wilson Home Trust’s grounds in Takapuna. This is a stunning venue to hold your wedding ceremony or civil union and is only 20 minutes drive from Auckland city. The architecturally designed, award-winning chapel is an independent non-denominational chapel. It can seat up to 150 guests and is also a great wet weather option to the gardens.
The historic garden lawns, sunken garden, rose gardens and pétanque court are perfect locations for your ceremony and provide wonderful photo opportunities.
For more information or to make a booking, contact Justine van Dam on (09) 485 3464 or email weddings@wilsonhometrust.org.nz website www.wilsonhometrust.org.nz Instagram: @thewilsonhometrustweddings If you would like to know more about the Wilson Home Trust and the other work we do, check out our website www.wilsonhometrust.org.nz or facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wilsonhometrust1/
By Sonia Thursby, CEO, Shore Junction
Pacific Education study sessions
Sonia Thursby.
Funding from the Ministry for Pacific People has enabled us to hold Pacific Education study sessions at Shore Junction. We have had an amazing turn-out for these sessions with on average 20 – 30 students attending in the afternoons. The relationships we’re building with the students are proving valuable and highly effective in seeing them grow, develop, and complete their homework.
After their initial session here, we had a discussion with the students and made an agreement with them that they must study and complete all homework before they come downstairs to enjoy Shore Junction facilities and eat.
This agreement means our youth workers and two tutors are upstairs engaging with them during their sessions. It is based on trusting that they’ve finished their homework and study before coming down. This has been really successful thus far and we’re seeing great engagement thanks to our interaction with them. This is reflected in conversations with their parents and their schools.
We feel that the success of this programme is the relationshipbuilding aspect of it. In order for youth to feel safe, engaged and comfortable enough to go upstairs, complete their homework and ask for help whenever they need it – especially in the Pacific community – we need to have mutual respect. This comes from building the relationship with them.
How much screen time is too much?
Mark Wilson.
Should we be alarmed by recent media stories about the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) research report which shows New Zealand's 15-year-olds spend more time on the internet than their peers in other OECD countries?
The 2018 PISA tests showed New Zealand teens were spending 42 hours per week online, well above the OECD average of 35 hours per week and 22 hours higher than in 2012 (source: John Gerritsen, Radio NZ).
Firstly, we need to appreciate that our current generation of students are the first to have grown up with the Internet, smart phones, and social media. We should not be surprised with these new findings around increased time online, as digital technologies are now an integral part of modern living, with youth expecting to be digitally connected anytime and anywhere. In other words, it is not going away. Just as the inventions of the printing press, radio and television were all disruptive to society, so too is digital technology.
Research also shows positive educational outcomes with gains in student engagement and achievement when digital technologies are used effectively in teaching and learning. However, such technology must be thoughtfully integrated into our teaching and learning through purposeful and supportive teaching practices.
Digital technologies enabled schools to operate with remote learning under the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown conditions. Students were able to connect online with teachers and other students using video conferencing with tools such as Zoom and Teams, and also continued their learning via online learning platforms like Canvas and Google Classroom. While many students enjoyed the flexibility of the school day, many students were also keen to return to campus for the socialisation with peers, engaging with the wide range of co-curricular offerings and more personal nature of learning face-to-face with teachers and with peers.
At Kristin School, we seek to support our young people through age and stage appropriate access and use. We support our students in developing their social and emotional wellbeing on and offline by ensuring there are dedicated times when digital devices are not available, including during our school camps. From our youngest year levels we engage our students in learning the foundations of digital wellbeing, learning to develop a balanced relationship with technology, while advancing the skills needed to manage themselves online in a safe, mindful, and principled manner.
Families can support their students by implementing a range of strategies around creating digital-free times at home, including eating at the dinner table without gadgets, wifi passwords provided after homework and chores are done, and not allowing devices in bedrooms at bedtime. We encourage families to talk with their children about what apps they are using, and what they are doing online and to collaboratively develop a plan for device use.
Screen time and digital devices is simply now part of our world, and we have the responsibility to equip our young people to be able to control and manage this, not to become slaves to them.
*Radio NZ, John Gerritsen, NZ teens among world's biggest internet users. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/442196/nz-teens-amongworld-s-biggest-internet-users
with Lindsay Knight
Bowls North Harbour teams medal at national inter-club sevens
Sometimes in sport the tournament was a there can be satisfaction remarkable feat. in even a narrow defeat Equally meritorious and that was the case were the achievements of with the Takapuna and Smith and her Takapuna Browns Bay clubs who team-mates in the pairs, represented Bowls Lisa Parlane and Anne North Harbour in the Dorreen. Selina’s only recent national inter- loss in a long campaign club sevens finals in which covered Harbour’s Christchurch. qualifying tournament,
Both clubs came the qualifying rounds in desperately close to Christchurch and then taking the major honours, post-section came in the with Takapuna’s women’s final. team finishing just behind In the critical singles Nelson to take the silver match she lost to Nelson’s medal and Browns Bay Jo Edwards, one of New just being beaten in the Zealand’s greatest-ever semi-finals to finish in women’s players, but third equal spot. only narrowly. Takapuna’s
But for a modicum Takapuna women's team won silver at national sevens interclub. manager-coach Graham of luck in a sport where Dorreen described her so much depends on that factor it could have been a rare North performances as “world class”. Harbour double. Parlane and Anne Dorreen were just as impressive and they, too,
In particular, the two singles players in each side, Browns Bay’s dropped only one match, with Anne’s immaculate draw play at lead Colin Rogan and Takapuna’s Selina Smith, had cause to ponder enabling Lisa to assert her wide repertoire of shots. the might-have-beens. They succeeded in the final but like Smith against Edwards the
The eventual winner of the men’s title was Canterbury’s four of Wendy Jensen, Robyne Walker, Adele Ineson and Connie Elmwood club, which in the final accounted for Stoke from Mathieson also incurred a narrow loss to a Nelson four skipped by Nelson. Yet in qualifying play Browns Bay beat Elmwood, another icon of the sport in Val Smith. becoming the only club in the entire tournament to do so. Overall Takapuna had played 44 games for just five losses.
And the crucial player in that result was Rogan, who won his So to come so close to national glory was obviously hard to take singles clash against Elmwood’s Kelvin Scott. But any chance of for the Takapuna ladies, as it was for the Browns Bay men. But as Browns Bay making the final went when against Stoke Rogan was Graham Dorreen points out, any disappointment has to be taken in well beaten by former world champion, Shannon McIlroy. the context of what was an extremely competitive event. Simply to
For Rogan the irony in that result came when Scott in the final make post-section play is a feat worth celebrating. lifted his game and enabled Elmwood to take the title by beating “They did themselves, their clubs and the centre proud,” he said. McIlroy. He also had no doubt that the national inter-club sevens was the
There was one other consolation for Browns Bay to ease the pinnacle of the entire New Zealand bowls calendar. frustration in coming so agonisingly close to making the final. “There is nothing better than playing with your mates and away Its fours line-up of Neil Fisher, John Walker, Lindsay Gilmore from home,” he said, adding that in all his involvement at bowls’ and Brian Wilson went through seven games in Christchurch highest levels, in Takapuna’s case he had not known a team spirit unbeaten, which considering the high standard of players in that had been more amazing.
Lester de Vere & Richard Stevens are probably the Shore’s leading Business Brokers. Born and bred on the Shore they represent ABC Business
Brokers in their home patch. They have spent many years in business themselves before taking on the role at ABC. Their passion is to 'help vendors transition through the sales process Richard Stevens and Lester de Vere and creating a win-win for both seller and purchaser' Lester is ABC’s No.1 Auckland Salesperson in 2018 & 2020 and being named ABC’s Trusted Advisor of the Year 2018. Richard awarded the Rising Star of the Year 2020.
ABC Business Sales report: First quarter trends
Demand is up significantly, supply of businesses for sale is down
Demand data points, such as signed confidentiality agreements by prospective buyers and website traffic patterns, are showing significant increases (>20%) compared to the same period last year.
Supply data points, such as new businesses listed for sale, are showing material decreases (<20%) both at a total market level and ABC level.
The excess demand and reduced supply characteristics of the current market have resulted in elevated prices for businesses in all industries apart from hospitality and tourism.
Signed confidentiality agreements completed by potential purchasers have increased by 24% when comparing March 2020 to March 2021.
Under level 4 lockdown in April 2020, there was a significant drop-off when uncertainty was at its highest.
Post April-20 enquiry levels accelerated to exceed the previous year and this is driven by the three key demand factors at play: • Returning expats, • Newly unemployed looking to business ownership to replicate lost income, • Low interest rates making business ownership a more attractive investment.
ABC has experienced a 24% drop in new business listings for the 12 months to March 2021.
In total, we have had 716 new businesses listed for sale for the 12 months to March 2021 vs 938 new listings for the corresponding period last year.
The lower North Island region (40%) and the South Island region (24%) have experienced the biggest declines. Both of these regions have historically had a high concentration of hospitality and tourism businesses which contributes to the reduction in business for sale.
ABC Business Sales' volumes for 12 months to March 2021 are up 2%. This is the result of a very strong market where the majority of businesses listed for sale are being sold. The last six months of confirmed sales are 36% up (235 vs 172) for the same period last year, with many businesses being sold at above asking price and getting offers within the first 10 days of the marketing campaign.
For the 12 months to March 2021, ABC sold 380 businesses vs 371 for the same period last year.
This is great validation that now is an excellent time to review your options if you’re in business.Always happy to chat. Cheers for now Lester and Richard.
Lester de Vere, 0274 599 773 or email: Lesterd@abcbusiness.co.nz; Richard Stevens, 021 375 149 or email: richards@abcbusiness.co.nz; Facebook: Lester de Vere ABC Business Broker / Richard Stevens ABC Business Broker Visit: www.abcbusiness.co.nz By Kesha Meredith of Schnauer and Co., Registered Legal Executive (Fellow), a friendly and empathetic legal executive with a background in trusts and a specialty for estate planning. With a huge variety of expertise across estates and trusts administration, Kesha has the fantastic ability to provide a smooth process for clients. She is passionate about working with families to help them get closer to their desired outcomes.
Kesha Meredith
Executor responsibility
If you are an Executor under a Will you are not only dealing with the grief of losing a loved one, but you now have the added responsibility of estate administration. The first thing to be aware of, is that Powers of Attorney cease to have effect. They cannot be relied upon to access bank accounts or pay expenses. Executors need to obtain legal authority to manage the estate. In many cases, this will require an application for probate.
It is the Executor's role to carry out the terms of the Will, arrange for the burial or cremation of the deceased, make a list of assets and liabilities, call in the assets, pay testamentary expenses and debts, pay legacies/bequests, distribute the residue of the estate to the persons entitled to benefit, hold assets on trust for the beneficiary, keep accurate accounts etc. Other considerations that may add to the complexity of managing an estate are blended families, Occupation Rights Agreements (ORAs), debts, contracting out agreements, trusts, businesses, foreign assets or claims against the estate. You should not act as Executor if you intend to personally challenge the estate.
Executors must deal with the estate assets with the utmost honesty and carry out their duty to act even-handedly between the beneficiaries. In doing so Executors must call in and realise all assets within a reasonable time frame – generally within one year (the “executor’s year”), although it may take longer in some circumstances.
The Executor should also ascertain what debts were owed by the deceased (including personal and estate taxes) and arrange for their payment from estate funds. The Executor may need to open a bank account for the estate and obtain an IRD number. The titles to property will also need to be changed into the Executor's names until they are dealt with in accordance with the Will. Executors may also need to hold and manage assets for the benefit of a beneficiary who has not yet satisfied the requirements for receiving their inheritance such as attaining a certain age or entering into a Contracting Out Agreement before receiving their inheritance.
Many people are also not aware that there is a six month nondistribution period following a grant of probate. This means the estate should not be distributed prior to the passing of this time to enable any potential claims against the estate to come to light. Distribution prior to the six months may render the Executor personally liable in the event that a successful claim is made against the estate. While it is not desirable, in limited circumstances, distribution may be made earlier, but only upon written agreement between the Executor(s) and beneficiaries.
While some estates are reasonably straight forward, life has become increasingly more complex and it is up to the Executor to deal with these important matters with the utmost care and skill. Having a legal advisor to guide you through this process can help alleviate the stress of the unknown. The team at Schnauer and Co are available if you would like to discuss this further.
Schnauer & Co, 1 Shea Terrace, Takapuna 09 486 0177 www.schnauer.com
Business continuity test for losses announced
Accountancy with Graham Lawrence of Bellingham Wallace.
Graham Lawrence.
A company’s ability to carry forward tax losses is set to become easier with details of a new business continuity test announced by the Government. The new test will allow businesses to obtain capital without the fear of forfeiting tax losses. This has been a common issue faced by businesses historically but has been highlighted by Covid-19.
Broadly speaking, a business must remain “the same or similar” to enjoy the use of the tax losses from previous years. The purpose behind the business continuity test (BCT) is to allow start-up and smaller businesses the ability to grow, be innovative, reorganise their structure, and encourage investment into these businesses.
Key features of the Business Continuity Test
The BCT will apply from the 2020-21 income year. It is a hybrid of the Australian and UK “same or similar business” tests for carrying forward tax losses. The test will allow companies to carry forward losses unless there is a major change in business activities.
To see if a ‘major change’ has taken place, there will be regard to the assets used in the business and factors such as business processes, use of suppliers, markets supplied to, and the types of products or services supplied. It is expected the changed and unchanged business activities will need to be compared and whether a change is deemed ‘major’ will be a question of scale compared to the operations of the entire business.
There will be limited exceptions where a major change will not result in a breach of the BCT. The following changes will be deemed exempt: • If there are changes to increase the efficiency of the business; • changes relating to a business keeping pace with technological developments; • change caused by the scaling up of business activity carried on by the company, including entering a new market for a product it produces or service that it provides; or • change caused by a change in the type of products produced or services provided by the company that involves the use of the same assets (except land), or that is otherwise closely connected with, a product or service that the company produced or provided immediately before the beginning of the business continuity period.
There will be a range of integrity measures put in place. Examples of these are as follows: • Changes in the use of land (as a business asset) will not qualify as a major change exception. • Losses able to be carried forward will be limited to those arising in the 2013-14 income year onwards. • The BCT will need to be met for at least five years after a shareholding breach under the existing test. • Dormant companies are excluded. • Australian-style anti-income injection rules and rules to prevent losses from being artificially transferred to associated companies will apply.
The BCT will not apply for carrying forward imputation credits and 66% shareholder commonality remains for offsetting group losses (preventing offsetting of pre-acquisition losses).
Initial thoughts
This is a welcome change as it means New Zealand companies that need new investment capital – not just due to Covid-19, but also start-ups and others – will not forfeit their losses if their business has not undergone a “major change”.
The BCT is an improvement on the test in Australia. It has the ability for businesses to invest in innovation, without triggering a major change breach.
As expected, there are measures to limit both fiscal costs (the BCT applies for the 2014 year and later losses only) and avoidance (e.g. the BCT test must be met for at least five years and the exclusions from the BCT for dormant companies and the major change exception, for land).
What you need to consider
There are two areas you may need to consider: 1. Businesses that have purchased a company from the 2013/2014 income year need to review the transaction in light of these rules. In some cases, there may be tax losses that can now be reinstated which were thought to be forfeited. 2. Vendors who are selling the shares in their business that have tax losses may need to consider obtaining a value to these tax losses as the purchaser may be able to offset these against future tax profits.
If you need further clarity on these two areas Bellingham Wallace would be happy to assist.
By Graham Lawrence (Director) and Hrisoula Lilley (Senior Tax Advisor) Phone: 09 309 7851, Visit: www.bellinghamwallace.co.nz
Tammy McLeod (BA LLB) is the managing director at Davenports Law and a trust and asset structuring specialist. Tammy leads the Davenports Trust Team and enjoys providing clients with advice and assistance on a broad range of issues involving the structuring and establishment of asset plans, interpretation of trust deeds, the management and administration of trust funds and trust disputes. An important part of Tammy’s practice is reviewing existing asset holding structures to ensure they achieve the needs and requirements they were established to meet. She is also experienced in Property (Relationships) Act issues and advises clients on both contracting out agreements and separation.
Tammy McLeod.
Lucy and Jim
Lucy and Jim had been in a relationship for a number of years. Jim had three children from an earlier marriage and they had one child together. For the first few years they kept their assets separate, then when they decided that this was going to be forever, they agreed to pool their assets and buy a home together. That extended to eventually a bach in Mangawhai as well.
Jim was CFO in a large company based on the Shore. When Lucy and Jim purchased their bach their lawyer told them it would be a good idea to think about putting their assets into a trust. He said that because of Jim’s quasi-director role and also the fact that he was potentially an officer of the company for Health and Safety purposes, it was wise to ensure that their assets would be protected in a trust. Even though Jim had more cash to put into the trust assets and also children from a previous relationship, the lawyer said that just one trust between the two of them would be fine. He said that they didn’t need to overcomplicate things.
He also went on to say that the cash going into the trust to purchase the home and bach should be lent to the trust. He said that while we no longer had gift duty in New Zealand, it was best to be conservative and leave the amounts going into the trust owed to each of Lucy and Jim. He said that this would mean in the event that they separated they would be able to get their original amounts out of the trust and he wasn’t a big fan of gifting anyway.
Lucy had a nagging thought at the back of her mind that this didn’t seem to be quite right. She wondered whether she should go and get her own independent advice, but didn’t say anything as she really wanted to show unity with Jim. But she did remember some friends talking about this and saying sometimes with blended families one big joint trust was not always a good way to go. She also wondered about whether she and Jim needed to do new wills, but the lawyer didn’t say anything, so she didn’t raise it. Lucy knew that she and Jim would be marrying soon anyway and she thought that would change things when they were husband and wife.
Once the estate planning exercise was completed, Lucy was owed $250,000 by the trust, being the equity that she had brought to the relationship and Jim was owed $1,050,000. Their wills remained the same and said that if one of them died, the other would receive all the assets and then once they both died Jim’s children and their joint child would share in all the assets. They had also did a memorandum of wishes advising the trustees that all assets would be held until they both died and then distributed to all the children equally. Sadly not long after the trust was established and after Lucy and Jim had marries, Jim had a massive heart attack. He was on life support for three days and then died. Lucy was devastated, but felt a sense of relief that they had addressed their asset planning position before they had got married.
Lucy went to see the lawyer that she and Jim had gone to. He seemed to be a bit blasé about the whole thing and one of her friends recommended she go and see a lawyer who specialised in asset planning and trusts.
When Lucy went to see the lawyer she was horrified to find that when she and Jim married, by law, their wills become null and void. This meant that Jim’s will was invalid and his estate would be governed by the Administration Act. Lucy was relieved for a moment because all of their assets were in trust, until she remembered that the trust still owed Jim $1,050,000 because the previous lawyer didn’t agree with gifting. Under the Administration Act this mean that Lucy would be assigned $150,000 of the debt owed by the trust to Jim as well as 1/3 of the balance and the remaining 2/3 ($600,000) would be owed to Jim’s children who could demand payment of the debt. This would mean that the trust would need to sell the bach to pay out Jim’s children and also pay tax on the increase in value given the brightline test rules. This was far from the outcome Jim and Lucy had envisaged when they first went to the lawyer for advice.
It is so important to seek specialist asset planning advice. Often people don’t think that their circumstances are complicated but there may be legal twists and turns that you don’t think of and that a specialist will be able to help you navigate.
Tammy McLeod, Managing Director, Davenports Law
09 883 4400 DAVENPORTSLAW.CO.NZ
Flowing ginger.
Ginger infestation. Ginger control on the Fairhaven walkway reserve. Barrels for composting wild ginger.
Do you have this pest plant in your backyard?
JUNE PEST PLANT OF THE MONTH: Wild Ginger
Pest plants, such as wild ginger and moth plant, are invading Auckland’s North Shore – your gardens and your nearby bush reserves. Controlling them when they are small is easy and cheap. If they are left to grow, they can spread across your property onto your neighbours’ gardens and to nearby reserves.
Auckland Council has recently introduced new rules that require people in some areas to remove some pest plants from their property, in order to protect our native biodiversity.
Wild ginger, also known as Kahili ginger, grows up to two metres tall with large wax-covered leaves. It forms dense, long-lived clumps that shade out the understorey and prevent growth of native seedlings and forest regeneration. It has red and yellow flowers that can produce hundreds of seeds.
Take action as soon as possible: • Report the weed using the EcoTrack.nz app. • Wear personal protection equipment, such as a mask and gloves. • Hand pull small infestations. • For small to medium sized stems, cut near to the ground and immediately paste a thin film of cut and paste Bamboo Buster on the cut stem - this can be purchased at most garden centres or hardware stores. Always read the manufacturer’s label for guidelines and recommendations. • For large trees, cut two rings 20-30cm apart around the base of the trunk. Remove the bark between each ring, then apply a thin film of
Bamboo Buster around the exposed part of the tree. The gradually dying tree will provide canopy cover for emerging native plants. • Talk to your neighbours and encourage them to take action too! • For more information and guides on weed control, visit restorehb.org.nz/resources-pest-plants/ • Download the Forest and Bird weed control guide at bit.ly/forestandbirdweedguide
There are several environmental networks across Auckland’s North Shore that support communities to recognise, report and remove pest plants and restore our native wildlife.
East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast – Restore Hibiscus & Bays: info@restorehb.org.nz, restorehb.org.nz/resources-pest-plants/, Facebook.com/RestoreHB Kaipātiki – Pest Free Kaipātiki: enquiries@pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz, pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz/pest-plant-resources, Facebook.com/ pestfreekaipatiki/ Takapuna – Pupuke Birdsong Project: enviro@takapunatrust.org.nz, Facebook.com/pupukebirdsongproject Devonport Peninsula – Restoring Takarunga Hauraki: pestfreedevonport@gmail.com Upper Harbour – Upper Harbour Ecological Network: upperharbourecology@gmail.com, Facebook.com/UpperHarbourEcologyNetwork For advice on chemical-free alternatives – Kaipātiki Project, community@kaipatiki.org.nz, kaipatiki.org.nz, Facebook.com/kaipatikiproject
This Pest Plant of the Month feature is a collaborative initiative between Restore Hibiscus & Bays, Pest Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society, Pupuke Birdsong Project, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki, the Upper Harbour Ecological Network and Kaipātiki Project. Building on Te Ao Māori principles of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga, these environmental networks bring our communities together to foster guardianship, care and respect towards our whenua, natural world and indigenous wildlife.
New Trust appointee Phil Taylor
Sandra Jacobs.
As we approach winter, Harold has not gone into hibernation; on the contrary, he and our excellent educators are hard at work in local schools, inspiring tamariki and rangatahi to make positive choices. Did you know, we are New Zealand’s most prominent health education provider, supporting the health and wellbeing of children for over 30 years?
We cannot offer this inspiring and essential service without the help and support of our trustees. This month we wish to introduce Phil Taylor, a recent appointee to the North Shore Trust.
Phil has lived on the North Shore for over 15 years, and with two children at Chelsea Primary School and a third at Birkdale Intermediate, the work of the Trust resonates with him. "The health and wellbeing of tamariki in our whānau is so important, and I'm excited to be getting involved in helping the Trust continue its great work," said Phil. "Although I grew up in the UK, I can remember the impact that health education has on you as you're growing up. I also believe the Trust's partnership with Anxiety NZ will provide a valuable addition to the curriculum."
Phil has 20 years of work experience in New Zealand and the UK as a chartered accountant and licensed auditor and specialises in banking and asset management. We're fortunate to have Phil's finance skills on our volunteer board.
Contact us: secretary@lifeeducationnorthshore.nz Visit: www.lifeeducationnorthshore.nz
By Bronwyn Bound, Sunnynook Community Centre Manager Greetings from Sunnynook Community Centre
Bronwyn Bound.
We are very excited that the playground/community space project is progressing so quickly. I have attached a photo as at 18th May 2021.
The steps down from the deck and open community space is almost complete. Then the play equipment will be installed around the perimeter. We are really looking forward to using this space in the July school holidays.
There has been a big push on the North Shore, and I believe Auckland-wide, to build ‘Resilient Communities’ to help in an emergency. We have received information from Auckland Emergency Management / Auckland Council and have put up a poster in the foyer of the Community Centre: In An Emergency – Stay Safe Stay Informed. This poster can be found on www.happens.nz.
A really big message is to know your neighbours. There’s strength in numbers. In an emergency, you can work with your neighbours to get through. Neighbourhood Support Groups bring local people together to create safe, supportive and connected communities. Join today at neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz or phone 0800 463 444.
All the best
Bronwyn Bound, Centre Manager
Check out www.sunnynookcomcentre.co.nz where you will find more information about the classes that are being run at the Centre. Email: office@sunnynookcomcentre.co.nz for more information or phone (09) 410 4902.
New community patrol car hits the streets
North Harbour Community Patrol doubles its patrolling to help keep businesses and neighbourhoods safe
North Harbour Community Patrol has doubled its patrolling. They’ve got a second patrol car on the road now thanks to their major sponsor North Harbour Hyundai, with support from Harcourts Cooper & Co and Benefitz as well as the community – with great efforts from local Bays sisters Erica Stanford and Alexis Poppelbaum.
When most are tucked up in bed, North Harbour Community Patrol (NHCP) volunteers are out on tasked missions from Waitemata Police, looking for suspicious activity or anything out of the ordinary. They help to identify stolen vehicles, patrol liquor ban areas and make sure our young people are having fun while keeping safe.
The North Shore is a huge area for one patrol team to cover - there are 37 suburbs from Okura to Northcote and out to Beach Haven and Albany. It was hugely challenging to effectively patrol the region with just one patrol car.
Last year, NHCP undertook a big fundraising effort to purchase a second patrol car. At the Murrays Bay wharf ‘Birdman’ event in 2020, two of their patrollers – MP Erica Stanford and Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Alexis Poppelbaum – took to the air with a make-shift patrol car. Yes, they flew to raise money for NHCP! "It didn’t win any awards for flying distance, but the community generously sponsored us to the tune of $9,000," said Alexis. "We also
The flying sisters, Alexis Poppelbaum and Erica Stanford at the Murrays Bay Birdman event. They raised $9000 for North Harbour Community Patrol.
North Harbour Community Patrol (NHCP) volunteers, Waitemata Police and supporters celebrating the new vehicle.
had a major sponsor North Harbour Hyundai come on board, along with Harcourts Cooper & Co and Benefitz. We want to thank the community and our three incredible sponsors for making our goal a reality, and for doubling our patrol efforts to keep our community safe." Support from North Harbour
As a Charitable Trust, the NHCP Hyundai, Harcourts Cooper & Co and Benefitz has assisted with NHCP's rely entirely on funding from grants new vehicle, doubling the fleet! and the generosity of the community to keep their patrol efforts going. They have 40 volunteers ranging in age from 21 to 71 and are always recruiting for more. If you can commit to four hours a month (they do both evening and day patrols) they would love to have you as part of the NHCP team.
Benefitz is the publisher of Channel Magazine.
If you are interested then email: nhcommunitypatrol.recruitment@gmail.com or visit www.northharbourcommunitypatrol.org.nz
East Coast Bays (09) 479 5956 www.forrests.co.nz
