6 minute read
Devonport News
By Shaulyn van Baaren Devonport Business Improvement District Manager
A Last Request from Shaulyn
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
Devonport Community News for this month with Maria Teape, Devonport Community Coordinator, Devonport Peninsula Trust
Devonport Maria Teape. lockdown in September
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
Community effort reaps rewards
The phrase ‘support local’ is more relevant than ever with the reality of the pandemic upon us once again.
For Harbour Hospice, supporting local extends beyond the generosity of those who have donated to its North Shore redevelopment project, with local business and other charities working together and sharing spaces for the benefit of the community.
Harbour Hospice Chief Executive, Jan Nichols, says it’s humbling to see everyone in the community rally around this vital Hospice project by offering spaces to enable its specialist teams to continue their work while construction at 7 Shea Terrace, Takapuna is under way. “Our incredible neighbours at the B:hive, Shore Junction, Vodafone and St John have very generously allowed us to use spaces within their own offices for meetings, day programmes and support programmes,” Nichols says. "And we have also been able to lease space at local lawyers Schnauer and Co for our local community, volunteer and fundraising teams.”
What’s particularly poignant about this is the integral role of Harbour Hospice across the community and the extent to which its new spaces and facilities will be utilised beyond patient care.
When finished, the new $20 million redevelopment will have multi-use spaces, including a training room which may be hired out, as well as being used for both health professional and community training. “This beautiful and serene space will have significant benefits for patients and their families, our inpatient and community doctors, nurses and support teams and the wider North Shore community,” Nichols says.
Before the temporary closure of the Takapuna facility, the North Harbour Rotary Club held its monthly Director’s meetings in its rooms, and over the past three decades it has hosted the Rotary Presidents’ meeting, which includes the presidents from all 12 North Shore clubs. Harbour Hospice also hosted meetings for the BNI Association. This collaborative and supportive environment extends beyond the hospice at 7 Shea Terrace, with Harbour Hospice sites in Hibiscus Coast and Warkworth/Wellsford also opening their doors to community groups and charities in need of rooms and space to undertake their work. These include The Cancer Support Group, The Stroke Club, the Grief Centre and many more.
“We’re really lucky to be able to offer this to other community groups and charities, and our new purpose-built facility in Takapuna will give us more opportunities to support both our patients, their families and the wider community,” Nichols says.
Rochelle and Brian.
Venue hire, facilities and full catering service for private and business events.
39 The Strand,Takapuna Beach, Auckland Phone: 09 489-6941 info@takapunaboating.org.nz takapunaboating.org.nz
