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 in October

Maria Teape.

It certainly is a relief to be in alert level 3 after a month of level 4 lockdown. Many local businesses can operate again and life feels a bit more normal. But we also need to maintain our high degree of vigilance and continue to keep to our bubbles as much as possible.

Our regular programmes like Hōtoke/Winter Fun Preschool Play and Intergenerational Meet-ups are still on hold for now. But we continue to plan for events behind the scenes! A lot of planning has been done for the Bayswater Halloween Trail already, but we have decided to postpone this event due to the uncertainty around alert levels as we head into October. The new date will be announced shortly – follow us on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date details. We hope to be able to start Raumati/Summer Fun Preschool Play mornings from 2nd November – Tuesdays at Windsor Reserve, Devonport and Thursdays at The Rose Garden, Belmont. We also hope to be able to hold Devonport Christmas Festival on Sunday 5th December.

Working with Devonport Library, Devonport Youth Forum has a youth art exhibition planned to take place at Devonport Library as part of Artweek Auckland, running from 9th-17th October. If necessary, this exhibition will move to an online platform that will be promoted by Devonport Library, Devonport Youth Forum and Devonport Peninsula Trust.

While we continue to keep to our bubbles as much as possible at alert level 3, there are a number of volunteers in the Devonport Peninsula community who are willing to help with grocery shopping or pharmacy pick ups…

While we continue to keep to our bubbles as much as possible at alert level 3, there are a number of volunteers in 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

Age Concern Auckland is also coordinating essential support for older adults who need it. The support they can provide is: • 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.

Anyone needing support can call Age Concern Auckland on 820 0184 or email ageconcern@ageconak.org.nz

Noho ora mai,

Maria