DEVONPORT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: DEVONPORT NEWS UPDATE
By Shaulyn van Baaren Devonport Business Improvement District Manager
A Last Request from Shaulyn
Devonport Community News for this month with Maria Teape, Devonport Community Coordinator, Devonport Peninsula Trust Shaulyn van Baaren.
Alert Level 4 lockdown has come as a devastating blow to our local businesses, many of whom are still feeling the massive impact of last year’s lockdowns. My fingers are crossed that by the time you read this we have moved up alert levels, because this lockdown cuts so much deeper than businesses just being closed for operation. Retailers are completely unable to trade. Even those with e-commerce sites are unable to ship to customers, nor can they guarantee their willing supporters when that might change. On the 17th August, hospitality businesses and others, like Devonport Flowers had thousands of dollars in perishables onsite, and just six hours to make arrangements for them. Many opted to give perishables away for FREE. A generous gift to ease fears and put smiles on faces of locals, but still salt in the wounds for our business owners. Despite that, our owners and staff know that they are part of the team of five million and have again locked arms to be part of the solution to keep us all safe, healthy and happy.
This is my final article as BID Manager with the Devonport Business Association. It has been a crazy, exciting, whirlwind 18 months in the role; one that I’m honoured to have been tasked with. While I may be moving on to my next challenge, I am still a Devonport resident. This is my community and I will continue to champion its incredible beauty, amazing opportunities and unique businesses. When we are again safe to shop, then gather in groups and eventually get back to what is New Zealand’s “new normal”, our businesses will once again need their community to Support Local and Shop Local. I will be ready to take up the call. Will you? My hope is that you will, because shop local and support local are not just buzz words, they are crucial to the future and survival of our town centre as we know it. Kia kaha all - I will see you in the streets of Devonport. — Shaulyn van Baaren Visit: www.devonport.co.nz
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Issue 123 - September 2021 www.channelmag.co.nz
Devonport lockdown in September Maria Teape.
At time of writing, we are at the start of Level 4 lockdown, without a clear picture of how long it will last. We hope that during September, lockdown restrictions will be eased, but for now our regular programmes like Hōtoke/Winter Fun Preschool Play and Intergenerational Meet-ups are on hold until further notice. We will continue to plan for events happening a bit later in the year and have our fingers and toes crossed that they will be able to go ahead. Watch this space for information on the Bayswater Halloween Trail, planned for Friday 29th October this year, and annual favourite the Devonport Christmas Festival planned for Sunday 5th December. Raumati/Summer Fun Preschool Play mornings will of course also be starting from 2nd November, all going well! There are a number of volunteers on the Devonport Peninsula community who are willing to help with grocery shopping or pharmacy pick-ups for those in the community who are unable to get out or feel uncomfortable doing so. If you would like this kind of support, please contact one of the following people who will link you with a volunteer: • Jacki Fortune, Devonport Self Isolation Support Group: 021 515 532 or jackifortune@yahoo.com • William Neale, Connect Church Devonport: 021 105 3842 • Nicola Teague Grundy, Devonport Methodist Church: 021 274 1957 or minister@devonportmethodist.org.nz • The Kai 4 Communities team behind Kaitahi Dinners, are looking at how they can serve the community safely. Please reach out at hello@kai4communities.org if you know of groups they can support in the Auckland region. Age Concern Auckland are reinstating their Emergency Response Service, coordinating essential support to those older adults who need it. Anyone needing support can call Age Concern Auckland on 820 0184 or email ageconcern@ageconak.org.nz The support they can provide: • Shopping for and delivering essential groceries, including pet food • Delivery of face masks • Collection and delivery of essential prescriptions • Welfare calls for those who need a friendly chat. Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. Emission reductions and preparing for change. Join North Shore Councillor and Chair of the Environment & Climate Committee, Richard Hills, on Wednesday 8 September, 7pm at Waitematā Golf Club to learn about Auckland Council's plan to reduce emissions and prepare our communities for change. Follow the event on Facebook for updates on event venue or email Lance Cablk: lance@rth.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/events/6266019873438715 Noho ora mai, Maria
