14 minute read
Talking Takapuna
Winter date ideas in Takapuna
Hear us out: winter is the perfect time to head out for a date. It gets dark early (so you don’t have to wait until some crazy late hour to set the scene), it’s cold out (facilitates cuddling and hand-holding while outside), there aren’t so many people out and about (those people are missing out), and the idea of a toasty warm indoor experience really appeals. We’ve done the rounds in town and found some of the absolute best spots for a romantic night out in the chill of winter.
The classic: dinner and a movie
It’s a classic for a reason. Show off your excellent taste by choosing a topnotch Takapuna restaurant, then settle in for a film. You’re never too old for a good old-fashioned cuddle in the back row. Monterey Lounge Cinema is where it’s at for deluxe flicks. In fact, you can have dinner at the same time - Monterey does a pretty fine pizza and snacks. If you’re looking for the full sit-down experience, try one of the many restaurants within a couple of minutes’ walk. We recommend Sake Bar Nippon for Japanese, Al Forno for Italian, and Fatima’s for a lively Middle Eastern meal.
The even-more-classic: dinner and theatre
Transport yourself and your date to a romantic age that pre-dates the silver screen. Well, sort of. The theatres in Takapuna are actually a pretty modern experience and always a jolly good night out, whether you’re catching a massive musical at the Bruce Mason Centre (hello, The Wedding Singer), or heading to The PumpHouse Theatre for a show put on by one of our many supertalented local theatre companies or touring troupes. Take your pick of any of Takapuna’s downtown dining, then wander down to the lakeside for your show at the PumpHouse. If you’re enjoying a matinée date, you’re in luck for a bit of amour. The PumpHouse is right next door to an excellent café, French Rendez-vous.
Dessert date: chocolate galore
Nothing says “I love you” like a whole menu of chocolate desserts. House of Chocolate Dessert Café & Cakery is open until 10 most nights and serving up an amazing selection of chocolatey goodness, including cakes, brownies, affogato, pudding, pie, waffles and a soul-melting Belgian hot chocolate that’s guaranteed to put a warm fuzzy feeling on any cold winter night.
Daytime date #1: beach & brunch
Who says you can’t enjoy a seaside stroll in the cooler months? Fools! There’s something unique and unbeatable about walking on the sand on a calm North Shore day, and as a bonus you can bring your four-legged third wheel along on the date. You’ll be wanting to top this off with a sit-down brunch with a view of the sea, which means Takapuna Beach Café is the place to be. If your “brunch” happens to be after midday, then you can get a hot meal with a view at Regatta Bar & Eatery or Franc’s on The Strand.
Daytime date #2: lava trail walk & coffee
Show your date you’re more than just a café cruiser, and take them for a scenic walk from Milford Beach to Takapuna Beach (or vice versa). This walk is known as the lava trail – its defining feature is the beds of lava rock, showing off a bit of Auckland’s volcanic history. Speaking of volcanoes, this walk gives you a pretty sweet view of the Hauraki Gulf’s dormant volcano, Rangitoto Island. At the Takapuna end of the trail, we recommend filling your KeepCup at Takapuna Beach Café. If you’re not up for walking the return trip, you can take a bus back from Hurstmere Road, where there’s a fine selection of local cafés.
Daytime date #3: shopping spree
Since we’re talking about Hurstmere Road, why not take a walk through our own little boutique shopping district and check out all that’s on offer. For a fashion trying-on session, stroll down the road to the likes of Augustine and Decjuba (for the ladies), Life For Men (for the gentlemen), and finish up at Michael Hill on the corner. For the indoor shopping date experience, we recommend heading to the retail haven of Shore City Shopping Centre, where you can put your feet up and have a bite to eat in between browsing the style shelves with your SO.
Talking Takapuna
The weather may still be cold and damp, but there are plenty of opportunities to keep warmth and fun flowing in Takapuna this month.
One of the gems of Takapuna, The Elephant Wrestler, underwent some great renovations last month and is definitely worth another visit if you haven’t been already! They are also the place to be this winter, with events like Drag Queen Bingo, Drag Queen Bottomless Brunch, Bottomless Beer, Bubbles and Fried Chicken and their new GET TRUNKED Golden Hour session on Saturday 13 August! Along with a fantastic new menu and of course your favourite refreshing beverages a-plenty, The Elephant Wrestler is Takapuna’s winter goto!
Keen for some summer beach vibes and views this winter? Regatta Bar & Eatery on The Strand is bringing the Amalfi Coast to you with their Malfy Summer Gin Bar-set up, featuring wicked tunes after 5pm every Friday, plus several Malfy goblet specials. Enjoy a taste of the tropics right here on Takapuna Beach at Regatta Bar.
Make sure you check out the Bruce Mason Centre website for all the upcoming shows and events on offer – and if you’re planning on heading along to one, why not make a night of it and head in to Takapuna early for a bite to eat, or head out after for some late night snacking?
Takapuna lends itself well to the perfect date night location – treat your significant other to a show at the Bruce Mason and dinner at one of the 150 different places to eat and drink!
Closest to the theatre are the likes of Taylors on Hurstmere offering tapas and easy sharing plates, as well as Nanam where you can find Filipino cuisine at its finest! Heading down Hurstmere there are local favourites like The Elephant Wrestler and Aubergine, with hearty, casual meals that definitely hit the spot, or Tok Tok for some delicious Asian fusion. Or if you’re after dinner and a view, head to Regatta Bar & Eatery, Tokyo Bay or Franc’s for the best views of Takapuna Beach, while enjoying some of the finest meals in Takapuna! We also can’t go past other gems like Madam Woo, Smokepit & Buoy, Nam Nam, Al Forno or Sake Bar Nippon, all in the heart of Takapuna.
Despite the lingering chill in the air, you still can’t beat a walk along Takapuna Beach to clear the mind, refresh the soul – and to meet all the dogs that also love the beach! Rug up warm, grab a hot beverage from one of the great cafés around, and head along the beach. If you’re a dog lover, you’ll be in your element meeting all the good boys and best girls frolicking around with their owners.
If it’s warming activities you’re after, check out Escape HQ for escape room puzzles, Thrillzone Takapuna for virtual reality and adventure games, Monterey Cinema for some relaxing escapes to fictional worlds, or shop up a storm at Shore City Shopping Centre!
There’s something for everyone in Takapuna, all year round – from outdoors, to dining, to retail therapy, dining and everything inbetween. Head in to Takapuna today!
Whatever you’re up to in Takapuna this Winter, we’d love to see it (or places and businesses you love to visit!), so please tag us: @ilovetakapuna when posting on social media and we might just reshare your snaps!
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER EVENTS IN TAKAPUNA
• 1-7 Aug: The PumpHouse: The Unexpected Guest by Agatha
Christie • 8 Aug: Bruce Mason Centre: Lisa Lorrell & James Harrison –
Morning Melodies • 13 Aug: The Elephant Wrestler: Get Trunked • 25 Aug: Bruce Mason Centre: Max Amini LIVE in Auckland • 28 Aug – 3 Sept: Bruce Mason Centre: APO for Kids – In Space • 30 Aug: Bruce Mason Centre: The Boss – Bruce
Springsteen Tribute • 2 Sept: Bruce Mason Centre: Afrikaans is Lekker • 7-18 Sept: The PumpHouse: The Campervan • 12 Sept: Bruce Mason Centre: Morning Melodies – Musical Classics • 14 Sept: Bruce Mason Centre: Kevin Bloody Wilson F.U.P.C
NZ Tour • 16 Sept: Bruce Mason Centre: The Bee Gees Night Fever • 17 Sept: Bruce Mason Centre: Hotel California – The Eagles
Experience • 24 Sept – 15 Oct: The PumpHouse: The Whale Rider by Witi
Ihimaera
Check out all the fantastic photos shared to us by fellow Takapuna lovers! Tag us @ilovetakapuna or use #ilovetakapuna on Instagram to share your pics with us.
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS: The Takapuna Beach Business Association appreciates the support of our Gold sponsors…
PLATINUM SPONSORS: The Takapuna Beach Business Association appreciates the support of our Platinum sponsors…
By Shore Junction’s Youth Development Specialist Josh Martin
We are a place of exploration
Josh Martin.
Shore Junction is a space where rangatahi can work toward their current goals, discover new passions and build on skills to support them in their futures. After discussions with rangatahi who come through the centre, we have worked really hard to create as many opportunities as we can for these young people.
We believe that it isn’t adults who know what young people want best, it’s young people! We have worked in consultation and a co-design process over the past two years to create bespoke programmes, activities and events for local rangatahi.
Thanks to this co-design process we’ve successfully launched the Shore Junction music label, created the world’s first interactive online youth centre on Discord, we’ve designed and built an arcade game unit from scratch, hosted national youth conferences, recorded and released rangatahi’s music on Spotify, and many other initiatives thanks to simple conversations with youth.
What we’ve heard recently from these chats with our members is that aside from fun activities and events, they’re very interested in learning other skills in order to gain employment opportunities while studying at high school and university.
Thanks to our incredible sponsors at Starbucks Takapuna and our very generous supporters from Shore Junction, we’ve been able to secure a commercial grade espresso machine for the young people. So exciting! Aside from its ability to create amazing coffee, this machine will serve as a tool to help educate youth on how to become a barista; a skill they can use to attain employment at any café or restaurant whilst studying.
We are really fortunate that our friends from Starbucks are coming into Shore Junction to train young people on how to become an incredible barista, and also generously supply us with product for the machine in order for us to teach them.
At Shore Junction we often talk about how humbled we are that we're able to offer so many opportunities to the youth of the North Shore but even more than that, we feel proud that we have the ability to equip youth with life skills to encourage them toward their passions and goals in life.
We will be beginning our barista classes in the coming months. Keep an eye on our Instagram (@shorejunction) for details and more information.
A month of hellos and goodbyes
Sarah Thorne.
We are saying both a "hello" and a "goodbye" this month. A big welcome to the Trust’s new Events Coordinator, Grace Samuelson. Grace has a wealth of community events experience and will be a huge asset to the Trust. Welcome Grace!
The goodbye comes from me. After five wonderful years working for Takapuna North Community Trust, I am moving on to a new challenge. From 22nd August, I’ll be working for ANCAD as their Community Development Lead. I’m thrilled to be staying locally and look forward to building new networks and connections across the wider North Shore. A big thank you to everyone who has supported me and the Trust over the last five years. The Trust relies on the amazing mahi of our wonderful local volunteers and community stakeholders to help make our area is the place where we all love to live. Thank you to you all. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou kātoa.
Pupuke Birdsong Project
Mangroves are very important ecosystems because they help to filter pollutants, trap sediment, and provide breeding grounds for fish and feeding grounds for some rare birds, such as the banded rail. Mangrove ecosystems are also habitats for invasive predators including rats and mice. Trapping and baiting in backyards close to estuaries protect the rare native birds, as well as native fish and invertebrates. If you’d like to make a difference in your community, a great place to start is by joining the team of volunteers who work with Pupuke Birdsong Project to deliver positive environmental restoration outcomes. This can be as small as borrowing one of our free rat traps or bait stations, or you can become involved on weeding and planting days. Head to the Pupuke Birdsong website or get in touch with Tabitha on enviro@takapunatrust.org.nz for more information.
Winter Fun preschool play
Free Winter Fun preschool play is running at local community centres on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am—12 noon. Follow our Facebook page Facebook/summerfunplay to be kept informed about indoor Winter Fun sessions or visit our website www. takapunatrust.org.nz to download a full timetable.
Where can you find out more about what’s happening? Visit www.takapunatrust.org.nz Facebook/Instagram @takapunanorthtrust Phone Sarah Thorne (Takapuna North Community Trust Manager) on 486 2098 or email: office@takapunatrust.org.nz
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Platypus has just opened in Shore City, adding yet another great option for shoppers at the popular Takapuna shopping centre. Platypus Shore City offers a unique range of women's, men’s and kids’ footwear and accessories from global brands. Channel Mag put these questions to the Platypus Shore City team in late July.
Platypus opens in Shore City
CHANNEL MAG: We have heard that people in Takapuna are excited about Platypus coming to Shore City. What made you decide to come to Takapuna?
PLATYPUS: We are excited to bring Platypus to Shore City, this will be our second store on the North Shore. We have a Super Store concept at Westfield Albany but identified the opportunity to grow our customer base within the North Shore and Takapuna is the perfect location. We believe you should be able to buy the biggest footwear brands anywhere, anytime and to Get Your Kicks no matter where you live.
CM: Tell us about what we can expect from the new store?
PLATYPUS: Platypus Shore City will be offering our range of global brands. No matter your vibe, our unique range of women's, men’s and kids’ footwear & accessories will match any aesthetic. Platypus is the go-to-brand for youth footwear, being the home to some of the world’s largest brands like Nike, adidas, Vans, Dr. Martens, Converse and more!
CM: Where else does Platypus have stores and what is the history of the brand?
PLATYPUS: Platypus Shoes was founded in Australia in 1998. In 2013 we opened our first New Zealand store in Auckland on Queen St, from there we have opened nearly 30 stores across New Zealand and 100 stores in Australia. Our plan is to continue expanding our store count throughout New Zealand. Platypus is owned by Accent Group Limited; the company was founded in 1988 in New Zealand.
We make it our business to deck out every single person who walks through our doors with the freshest footwear from all the biggest brands. But we reckon life goes beyond shoes. We believe it’s what you do in them that truly counts. We’re for the ones who dance harder, sing louder, and don’t care what anyone else thinks.
CM: What are the latest trends for Winter in shoes?
PLATYPUS: For Winter, Boots are trending across Dr. Martens, Timberland & Palladium. Platypus has the latest boots collection on offer that will get you through the colder months. Anything with a Platform sole will also be a crowd favourite. The Dr. Martens Jadon boot is a must have. We are also seeing high top sneakers from Vans Sk8-Hi, Converse All Star Hi as customer favourite for winter.
CM: Anything else Channel Mag readers should know about Platypus?
PLATYPUS: At Platypus, we don’t try to be anything but who we are; we're an avenue for you to tell your story whether you’re a trend setter, trend follower or an individual. We value your ability to create your own personal style.
Our Platypus Team Members are the ones who create the real magic in store. We attribute much of our success to our team members. They are the core of our business and represent everything Platypus stands for daily. The positive cultural that runs through our stores is something we are extremely proud of. Head into store to meet our amazing PlatyFam.
We will be offering a click and collect service from our Shore City store. Inspired by the magic our team create instore, we have challenged ourselves to provide our customers that very same experience online. With the launch of our new website, we will also be launching Platypus Kickbacks, a points driven loyalty program that rewards our customers when they shop at Platypus Shoes. Enjoy Rewards, Competitions, Giveaways and Member Only offers available for our Kickback customers. Head over to Platypusshoes.co.nz to experience it for yourself.
Visit: www.platypusshoes.co.nz
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