Summer on the Shore

Making the most of Summer on the Shore

Across the Shore we’re spoiled with a wealth of regular activities at community centres, arts centres and parks – but there’s something different about summer: one-off events and activities that make summer special and offer enjoyment for all ages. There are still, of course, the beaches and parks, but for summer, try extending your horizons and take the family and/or summer guests to a beach or on a bush walk you’ve never been to. And don’t forget to take in one of the summer festivals or summer markets, or special events that are a shout-out to a real Shore summer. Read on for inspiration….

Pre-Christmas

Performances, carols, markets and more

Alice in Wonderland is on at TheatreWorks in Birkenhead, until 10th December. In this community theatre adaptation of Lewis Carroll's well-loved children's story, a group of performers seeks an Alice in order to create the well-known tale in Wonderland. As Alice's adventure unfolds, she encounters and grows to love the many characters involved.

The Santa Claus Show, a favourite at The PumpHouse since 1991, returns on 3rd December and runs right through to 23rd December. An hour-long tale that reveals the true meaning of Christmas. The last two Takapuna Sunset Markets take place in McKenzie’s Arcade on Hurstmere Road on Thursday 8th and 22nd December. Also in McKenzie’s Arcade preChristmas is the re:generate fashion market on Saturday 10th December – a cornucopia of vintage and modern preloved fashion and accessories for all genders and budgets.

At the Bruce Mason Centre on 8th December don’t miss the singing, dancing, family-friendly treat, ‘A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland’. Two star-crossed lovers twirl below the mistletoe as Irish musicians and dancers deliver a powerful mix of traditional tunes, ballads and carols. A night of storytelling, Irish charm and Yuletide entertainment.

The Market Collaborative arrives at Smales Farm in Taharoto Rd, on Sunday 11th December, and post-Christmas on Sunday 12th

The Santa Claus Show. Sunset markets.

Enjoying Christmas Carols in the Amphitheatre at The PumpHouse.

February. Make the most of the sun at this outdoor extravaganza of live music, incredible eats, and stalls stuffed with made-in-New Zealand specialties, fruit, vegetables, artisan food products and fresh flowers.

Check out the Browns Bay

Sunday Flea Markets. A very popular flea market that donates stallholder fees towards local community projects including Coastguard North Shore. Go along to check out the best second-hand offerings around from clothing, homewares and everything in between. Entry to the market is on Anzac Road opposite Countdown supermarket and it’s on every Sunday from 6am apart from the beginning of January (resumes after New Year from Sunday January 15th). Visit www.brownsbaymarket. co.nz for more info.

In all the excitement, don’t miss the Hauraki Electric Picnic, a fundraiser for Hauraki School on Sunday 11 December – a mini festival for all the community to enjoy.

The Albany Multicultural Christmas Festival & Market takes place in Albany Domain on Saturday 17th December. Live cultural and Christmas performances, food trucks, market stalls and active recreation and play areas.

After Covid-imposed abstinence, it’s time to share carols and Christmas cheer in the community. At Carols in the Park, at Albany Lakes Civic Park on Sunday 18th December, sing along to classic Christmas carols with a small orchestra and choir. Bring family and friends, a picnic, rugs and chairs and celebrate Christmas together.

Or, on the same day, head to The PumpHouse in Takapuna for an afternoon Christmas Market – lots of crafts, vintage clothing, and costumes on sale plus food trucks and entertainment – followed by the annual Christmas Carols in the Amphitheatre. The carols

• CHANNEL FAVOURITE •

Try Takapuna Beach Café’s award-

winning Gelato. What’s better than a stroll along Taka Beach? Doing that followed by a scoop of award-winning gelato of course! There’s an array of delicious dairy and non-dairy options to suit all palates. Visit the Beach Café at the North end of Takapuna Beach (22 The Promenade).

event usually sells out fast, so check The PumpHouse website and grab a ticket before they go.

In Hillcrest, head for the final Pachamama Latin Market of the year at Tienda Pachamama on Saturday 17th December, as it brings inimitable latino flavours and culture to the North Shore. No market in January as it takes summer break but back on the third Saturday of February. Last but far from least in the Christmas catalogue is End of the Golden Weather, a 10.30am beachside performance of a scene from Bruce Mason’s enduring tribute to summer on

Some of the crowd at End of the Takapuna beach on Christmas

Golden Weather 2019. Day. Bring a rug, low chairs, the whanau and a donation to Oxfam if you wish, and enjoy this enduring theatre piece that conjures up Takapuna from a time past. Wet weather venue is the Takapuna War Memorial Hall in The Strand.

But it’s not all shopping and celebration pre-Christmas. There’s also sport – or at least some sport. If markets and music aren’t your thing (or even if they are, and you’ve plenty of energy) sign up for Harcourts Cooper & Co Swim the Shore on 17th December with swim distances from 100m right up to the Full Taka (1km), the Cable Buoy (2km), and the 3.8km Narrow Neck to Takapuna race. If you’re not swimming, cheer them on with your mates and family, and celebrate their finish line achievements at Takapuna’s café and bar scene.

• CHANNEL FAVOURITE •

A brew and a quiz at Birkenhead

brewing. BBC is known for its delicious beer, residing in their 100-year-old Kauri Villa in the heart of Birkenhead village, it’s a favourite for locals and visitors alike. They reckon they’re the most dog friendly venue in Auckland so put it on your list if you’re after a cold beverage and a meal this Summer. They also run a popular quiz night each month, the final one for 2022 is on December 13th but they’ll be back in the new year. Visit www.bbc.kiwi for details.

New Year /January

Post-Christmas life might feel empty after all the pre-Christmas excitement and entertainment. Fear not. Markets, festivals and sports events continue right through summer.

Markets/Festivals

Takapuna Beach Summer Days Festival takes place on Saturday 21st January at Takapuna Beach. Bring the kids early for family entertainment and performances. (Watch the I Love Takapuna Facebook page for announcements on performances and activities.) Later in the afternoon, jam with a great line-up of quality Kiwi musicians playing crowd favourites.

The Food Truck Collective gathers in January and February for food truck feast nights on the Shore: Killarney Park, Takapuna, on Friday 27 January; Aitken Reserve, Torbay, on Saturday 28 January; Collins Park, Greenhithe, on Saturday 11 February; and Woodall Park, Narrow Neck, on Saturday 18 February. Assemble whanau and friends for music and entertainment, great food, and a craft beer pop-up bar. A real outdoor street food atmosphere.

Not quite the Shore, but close enough, and a great option for a summer day out is the Catalina Bay Farmers Market in Hobsonville, which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays, often with live music. (Check opening hours over summer.) Take the ferry to the CBD and connect with the Hobsonville ferry for a full day out. Plenty of options for eating and drinking plus time for an easy and interesting walk around the coast and back to the wharf before you catch a ferry home again.

The Food Truck Collective.

Bush and beach walks

Summer wouldn’t be summer on the Shore without visits to beaches for swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking or whatever water sports take your fancy. But don’t forget we have some fantastic bush walks as well.

The easy loop walk around Te Kopua o Matakamokamo/Tuff Crater (start in The Warehouse Way, Exmouth St, or St Peter’s St) has recently been upgraded with a boardwalk and gravel paths, as part of a longer-term plan to connect the walkway with the wider Northcote area. The walk offers unique views of the mangrovefilled salt marsh crater; abundant bird life has been augmented by planting and weed clearing by local businesses whose staff have “adopted” parts of the walk, and by the efforts of the Kaipatiki Local Board, Forest and Bird, local mana whenua, Council staff and local volunteer groups. If you finish the walk in The Warehouse Way, and you’ve still got plenty of energy, walk the short distance along Akoranga Drive to the entrance to Smith’s Bush. This is a short walk through well-established bush (look out for the magical creatures along the way) that emerges (or begins, depending on your entrance point) at the Takapuna Cricket Club – a convenient spot for a picnic on the club veranda if it’s a non-cricket day.

• CHANNEL FAVOURITE •

Visit Jean Sampson Reserve, Queen Street, Northcote Point

If you’ve got toddlers in your life, this is the park for you! The enclosed and covered area at Jean Sampson Reserve is located a stone's throw away from the Harbour Bridge and Northcote Tavern. It’s a little hidden gem. It’s got some great equipment for smaller children including a slide and sandpit. There’s also a track around the outside with wooden steps that kids can navigate themselves, or with an adult. It’s worth the trip and you can visit the Tav (we love the Tav!) for a meal afterwards! We have heard rave reviews about their new pizzas!

Wai Manawa/Le Roys Bush.

Kauri Glen is one of the Shore’s hidden gems, despite still being partially closed pending track replacement to protect the kauri. Start in Woodside Road and wander through a slightly scruffy lower area along the side of the Waiurutoa Stream to bush with kauri and taraire, and a lookout over a grove of nikau and young kauri. As with all other bush walks on the Shore, dogs must be on a lead. It’s not quite 5km return; if you want a longer walk, extend it by walking from the top of the reserve in Kauri Glen Road past Northcote College, across Onewa Road and up towards Birkenhead until you see an entrance sign to Wai Manawa/ Le Roys Bush. From here walk down to Little Shoal Bay, or through the bush to Birkenhead. Park a car at either end if you think a full loop back to your starting point might stretch the abilities or patience of your group.

We’re also spoiled for coastal walks. If you haven’t already, try walking the coast right around the base of North Head (low tide only); from Cheltenham to Narrow Neck; Narrow Neck to Takapuna (best started on an outgoing tide; or Takapuna to Milford (you’ll get wet at high tide, but accessible most of the time). Or head to Stillwater to combine coast and bush in a 6km out and back walk to Dacre Cottage.

• CHANNEL FAVOURITE •

Have a picnic at Windsor Reserve

in Devonport. We love sitting down in Windsor Reserve in Devonport with an early dinner during summer. Overlooking the harbour and city and with an amazing playground, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy takeaways from Fish Kitchen or pizza from Calimero further up the road.

Sports

In January summer sports get into full swing: • the Takapuna Beach Series – your Tuesday night swim, run or paddle-board fitness fix, right through until March 2023.

Distances for all ages and fitness levels, including for the kids. • It wouldn’t be the Shore without yachts and sailing. Wakatere

Boating Club at Narrow Neck offers a Waka Confidence four-day course (19-21 December) for 8-11 year-olds and more courses in January. Waka Adventure courses for 12-17 yearolds, and Waka Adults (18+) also run during January. Watch the website for details. Torbay Sailing Club also runs holiday courses, or Sunday courses over several weeks. Check out their website for details as they are posted. • The annual cricket Junior World Series takes place from 23-25 January at North Shore Cricket Club. Cricketers of all

abilities take part - first in, best dressed - anyone can play and get a chance to star. Players get selected into teams to represent the major cricketing countries of the world. But spaces are limited so register early. • Run Devonport! We know many

Channel readers are fans of the

Harcourts Cooper & Co North

Shore Run Series and the next event is on 22nd January 2023 around Devonport. The event is perfect for keen runners, casual joggers and those wanting an awesome, healthy day out with friends and family. Find out more at www.rundevonport.nz • Takapuna North Community

Trust’s programme of Summer Fun

Preschool Play in Milford, Caster Bay, Hauraki, Forrest Hill and

Sunnynook resumes after Christmas on 16th January. Check out the new Playball and Kangatraining programmes. Pop-Up Play offers beachside fun for younger families at Browns Bay Beach

Reserve on Saturday 4th February 2023.

Arts

Filling that post-Christmas lull is The Diva Show at the Rose Centre. It stars Vicky Pond with new songs, comedy skits, and send-ups. It’s on for just three days, from 29th – 31st December. Also at The Rose Centre, in January, Tim Bray Youth Theatre holds its ‘Hit the Stage!’ holiday programme. (See details on p74.)

Lake House Arts combines visual and performing arts this summer with ‘Era and the Carbonauts’ from 12th – 22nd January. Sometime in an indeterminate future, Era meets the mysterious Carbonauts, who send her back in time so she and her Carbonates friends and whanau can learn about reducing carbon emissions and through the power of kotahitanga, save the world. A sequel to last year’s ‘Era and the Kaitiaki’, ‘Carbonauts’ aims to inspire community initiatives around carbon emission reduction. Grae Burton, writer and director, and manager at Lake House Arts, promises “all new puppets, mask, song and dance with kids in the audience participating on stage”.

The PumpHouse also has plenty going on right through the January holidays: • 9th to 13th January –

Shakespeare in a Week – the popular school holiday programme for

Shakespeare buffs • 21st to 18th February – the twenty-seventh summer season of Shakespeare Shakespeare in a Week. in the Park. This year it features ‘Antony and Cleopatra’, and the hilarious ‘Merry Wives of

Windsor’. • 28th January – Jennifer Ward-Lealand leads a workshop for actors, directors and performers to learn how to stay safe while performing intimate scenes for film and stage

Visual arts venues maintain their programmes of exhibitions and are always worth a visit, especially over summer as you have some free time. The Depot Artspace in Devonport has two exhibitions pre-Christmas: Sarah Adam’s visual account of walking Te Araroa, and a selection of Ande Barrett-Hegan’s most recent paintings. On

9th December, the Depot welcomes well-known artist Judy Darragh to talk about ‘Being an Artist’ – offering insights into how she has successfully navigated and evolved her career.

Northart has its major exhibition of Pasifika artists, ‘[Windows Into] Modern Pacific Art’, right through December and until 28th January. At Mairangi Arts, ‘MAC Showcase 2022’, featuring artworks created by students and tutors in 2022, runs until 22nd January.

February Events and Activities

School’s back, but summer rolls on. Make the most of the golden weather with more summer events and activities:

Devonport Jets Runs. These fun runs and walks of 3km, 5km and the occasional 10km, stop for a Christmas break on 14th December, and resume on 1st February.

Takapuna Community Trust’s free Kids Athletics Series for primary- and intermediate-aged students gets under way for 2023 on Tuesday 14th February and runs for six weeks at Vauxhall Sports Reserve (4pm – 6pm). No need to book – just turn up and register on the day. Come armed with cash – a $2 sausage sizzle raises funds for Calliope Sea Scouts.

The 2023 Takapuna Beach Cup, takes place at Takapuna Beach over three days from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February. It’s the country’s premier waka ama festival with kayaking, canoeing and, of course, waka ama racing, fiercely contested by teams from around the country

The Cargo Plus Coastal Challenge, running since 2003, starts at Windsor Reserve in Devonport on Saturday 18th February. Run, walk, wade, and rock hop around the North Shore coastline (you WILL get wet!) in this one-of-a-kind event that shows how special the Shore is. Multiple course distances offer something for all ages, abilities, and levels of adventure. And don’t miss the fun and festivities at the finish line.

The Auckland Plant Market returns to Smales Farm in Takapuna on Sunday 19th February. Take botanical inspiration from indoor and outdoor plants, pots and macrame, plant stands and frames, plus botanical art from around 100 different vendors.

Later in the month, the Takapuna Beach Latin Fiesta provides another excuse to get down to the beach on 25th February.

The Takapuna Beach Cup is the biggest waka ama festival in the country.

This round-up is far from exhaustive – we’ve highlighted one-off events and special activities taking place over summer. Plenty of regular activities, exhibitions and events continue through December, and resume again in January or February after a summer break. More details about many of these are in regular columns in this month’s issue, and more will be highlighted in our February issue, so read on to find the full scope of things to do over summer.

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