Gramworthy

Our round up of posts from local businesses on IG that we’ve double tapped (liked) and a Q&A with Sarah from Wonder and Wild.

Sarah Parker has lived in Devonport on and off for the last 30 years with her husband and two sons. She recently opened Wonder and Wild store on Barrys Point Road, a vibrant and stylish homewares store carrying a range of much-loved brands. After an early career as a buyer, Sarah started her own business 16 years ago developing a number of brands in homewares and retail. She says she loves the process of starting a business from nothing so has done it a few times. After a few years in hibernation (thanks to Covid), Sarah says she was ready for the buzz again and Wonder and Wild was born. Channel Mag asked Sarah about the new store and the role of social media in running a retail business. Channel Magazine: Tell us a little bit about your business and how it came about… Sarah Parker: It’s just a store full of things I love! It's colourful, eclectic Sarah Parker. and wonderfully wild. Think mix and match bed linen that you build up a collection of, plants that look gorgeous in your interiors and are definitely real (so many people think they are fake because they are in such good condition), and gifts for that special someone. I try to find things that are not stocked in every store and to create a space that will inspire you to try something new. CM: Is Instagram a source of inspiration for you? SP: Yes for sure…I spend a lot of time scouring social media looking at trends overseas, finding new products and getting styling ideas. I get most inspiration from overseas sites as they are usually ahead of the trends. I love following international retailers like Greenhouse Interiors in Australia or Merci in Paris. For plants, I love how Hilton Carter decorates his home with plants – that’s why we have quite a few of his books in store. For interiors, I love Justina Blakeney and The Jungalow for her eclectic style incorporating lots of plants. Locally, Evie Kemp is so much fun for her no holds barred decorating style in her constantly changing home in Auckland, and Alex Fulton for a more pared back but still colourful style. CM: Which other local businesses/artists do social media well? SP: I love our neighbour The Dog Den for cute puppies – can never have too many dogs on your feed! Another Barrys Point Road neighbour is Peg Creative. I have recently discovered them and I am addicted to watching the videos of them creating their laser cut masterpieces! CM: What can readers expect to see at Wonder and Wild over the next few months? What will the festive season bring? SP: Our bed linen shelves are groaning with a solution for every bed so it’s a perfect place to find something to give the spare room or the bach a refresh before the holiday guests arrive. We have so many great gift ideas in store and so many more still to arrive. The Christmas tree is loaded with decorations to buy, we’ve got stockings, Santa sacks and oodles of gifts. The Christmas music will be pumping and our Christmas elves will be wrapping up a storm….I can’t wait! @wonderandwildstore • www.wonderandwild.co.nz

We saw that new Takapuna homewares store, City Hall, stocks fazeek home! Perfect glassware for the festive season and beyond! @cityhall.store We spotted these cheese knives on local Devonport store Cosifantutte’s insta, perfect gift for the foodies in your life or summer entertaining. @Cosifantutte_devonport

For the tea lovers looking for a new blend or wanting Christmas present inspiration, the Tea Total concept store on Apollo Drive in Rosedale will be your happy place! The posts on Instagram make it look like an experience not to be missed. @Teatotalnz

By Simon Watts, North Shore MP Crime and the growing social crisis

Simon Watts.

Everyone should feel safe in our communities, but due to a huge increase in crime and no clear plan to address it, people on the North Shore are rightly concerned about their safety.

Our streets are becoming less safe, and ram raids are creating more financial and emotional stress for business owners and their employees who are already struggling. Since 2017, gang membership is up 50%, retail theft is up 32%, and violent crime is up 21%.

Businesses on the North Shore have been hit hard, with some ram-raided or robbed multiple times in recent months, all while they struggle to access support to install security measures like bollards to keep themselves safe. Since 2017, New Zealand dairies, supermarkets, and liquor stores have seen a 25.7% increase in victimisations. Despite this, police are making fewer arrests. There has been a massive reduction of 62.8 % in arrests for offences against dairies, supermarkets, or liquor stores.

Our frontline officers are true heroes and do their best with the available tools. The problem they have is leadership, and Labour isn't providing any. We need to put victims first, with serious consequences for offenders; instead, we've seen the repeal of the Three Strikes law, which saw the most serious repeat offenders put away for longer, all while crime in the community is increasing to unprecedented levels. Gangs are recruiting faster than the police, and the government has voted down ten bills National has proposed to keep Kiwis safe.

National is unashamed to say we're tough on crime and its causes. We'd ban gang patches and insignia in public, stop gang members from gathering in public and stop them from accessing guns. National is solutions driven, and we will back police by giving them a range of new powers to disrupt and crack down on gangs and crime.

National's Deputy Leader Nicola Willis has announced our social investment strategy, which would use early intervention to address issues in Kiwis' lives using data and analytics for targeted action. These actions will help us tackle the causes of crime as early as possible with a focus on outcomes.

This cannot wait, and people on the North Shore need a plan and a government that is solutions driven.

Since 2017, gang membership is up 50%, retail theft is up 32%, and violent crime is up 21%.

Simon Watts — Spokesperson for Local Government, Associate Finance and Associate Infrastructure. Email: simon.watts@parliament.govt.nz Call my office on 09 486 0005,

facebook: @simonwattsmp instagram: @simonwattsmp

“Thanks to you and your team for hosting our wedding in January. We had a great time, and theTakapuna Boat Club was an amazing venue. ”

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