Channel Magazine March 2023

Peel and Reveal - special Autumn deal

It’s peel and reveal time with our 'at home CURATED FACIAL in a box' especially designed with you in mind!

As the season begins to change and the weather cools slightly we thought it would great to put together a curated skin box just for you! Since autumn is the perfect time to slough off dry skin and prepare your skin for some hydration in the months that follow, a series of skin peels is the best way to achieve this.

This incredible limited edition box includes enough professional skin product for three at-home skin treatments. Using the exact ingredients we use in our clinic treatments, these at-home treatments will give you the lasting results you experience at your in-clinic appointment to keep your skin looking hydrated, smooth and refined as we transition into autumn.

Terry and Sarah’s step by step guidance through this treatment enables you to achieve in-clinic results from the comfort of your home. Treat yourself this autumn, or gift a Peel and Reveal at home treatment box for a friend or loved one.

Peel and Reveal at home curated facial in a box for three skin treatments for $150 - a saving of $210*

*Boxes available while stocks last!

Disclaimer: Do NOT use on broken skin or skin with active acne lesions.

QUALITY SERVICES with fantastic results

Le Visage is Milford’s preferred skin clinic, where you will experience the latest in advanced skin care. Our passion for skin has led to careful thought and consideration in choosing skincare products and treatment rituals that offer clients the best results, but are also kind to the skin.

ULTRACEUTICALS special offer for March - great value!

Receive an Ultra DualMicrofoliant 75ml valued at $99 when you purchase an Ultraceuticals Cream Mask.

Offer is valid for purchases of the 75ml mask range, including Ultra Purifying, Ultra Energising or Ultra Replenishing Mask. Available for a limited time only.

Auckland Live Morning Melodies

2023 – Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna 11am

Indoor Bowls - St Joseph's Church, Takapuna. 7.15pm

CHANNEL MAGAZINE COMMUNITY CALENDAR

March 2023

This Channel Community Calendar is published monthly for community events. If you would like to include your event please email details to: kim@channelmag.co.nz

Devonport Jets Run – Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, Devonport 6pm Rangitoto By Geoffrey Clendon – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 7.30pm

Exhibition of four Auckland-based visual artists, Robbie Fraser, Gavin Jones, Sharonagh Montrose and Garth Steeper - Northart, Northcote. Runs until 11 March, 11am-4pm.

Raumati Fun Tamariki Play –Belmont Rose Gardens, The Rose Centre, Belmont 9.30am

Rangitoto By Geoffrey Clendon – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 7.30pm

Indoor Bowls - St Joseph's Church, Takapuna. 7.15pm

Eskdale Restoration – with Kaipatiki Project – Eskdale Reserve, Glenfield

9.30am

Kids Athletics Series - Vauxhall Sports Reserve, Devonport 4pm

Book A Family History Librarian –Takapuna Library, Takapuna 9am

North Shore Music & Keyboard Club –

Takapuna Bowling Club, Takapuna 7pm

Harcourts Cooper & Co Beach Series –The Strand, Takapuna 5pm

Eskdale Restoration – with Kaipatiki Project – Eskdale Reserve, Glenfield 9.30am

Kids Athletics Series - Vauxhall Sports Reserve, Devonport 4pm

Harcourts Cooper & Co Beach Series –The Strand, Takapuna 5pm

Devonport Jets Run – Torpedo Bay

Navy Museum, Devonport 6pm

Raumati Fun Tamariki Play –

Belmont Rose Gardens, The Rose Centre, Belmont 9.30am

John Hanlon: Now and Then – The PumpHouse, Takapuna

Food Truck Collective Albany – Albany Domain, Albany 5pm

Indoor Bowls - St Joseph's Church, Takapuna. 7.15pm

Kids Athletics Series - Vauxhall Sports Reserve, Devonport 4pm

Harcourts Cooper & Co Beach Series –The Strand, Takapuna 5pm

Devonport Jets Run – Torpedo Bay

Navy Museum, Devonport 6pm

Huge Pop, Rock, Folk, Jazz & Country

Vinyl Record Sale – St Anne’s Hall, Browns Bay 9am

Educating Rita – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 7pm

Champagne + On the Shore – Mercedes-Benz North Shore, Takapuna

Devonport Jets Run – Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, Devonport 6pm

Huge Pop, Rock, Folk, Jazz & Country Vinyl Record Sale – St Anne’s Hall, Browns Bay 9am

My Year with Lorraine – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 11.30am

The Unruly Tourists – Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna 8pm

Raumati Fun Tamariki Play –Belmont Rose Gardens, The Rose Centre, Belmont 9.30am

Educating Rita – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 7pm

Genealogy Workshop – Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, Devonport 10am

Flock – B:Hive, Smales Farm, Takapuna 7pm

Raumati Fun Tamariki Play – Belmont Rose Gardens, The Rose Centre, Belmont 9.30am

My Year with Lorraine – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 11.30am

Indoor Bowls - St Joseph's Church, Takapuna. 7.15pm

Harcourts Cooper & Co Beach

Series – The Strand, Takapuna 5pm

Foil, Arms & Hog – Hogwash Tour –Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna

Devonport Jets Run – Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, Devonport 6pm Write your Family Stories Workshop –Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, Devonport 10am

Raumati Fun Tamariki Play –Belmont Rose Gardens, The Rose Centre, Belmont 9.30am

The Vic Open Mic Night – The Vic, Devonport 8pm

Rangitoto By Geoffrey Clendon

– The PumpHouse, Takapuna 7.30pm

Weekly Drama Classes (Ages 5-16) –

Tim Bray Youth Theatre – St Georges

Presbyterian Church, Takapuna 4pm

North Shore Home & Garden Show

2023 – Eventfinda Stadium, Wairay Valley 10am

Weekly Drama Classes (Ages 5-16)

– Tim Bray Youth Theatre – St Georges Presbyterian Church, Takapuna 4pm

Rangitoto By Geoffrey Clendon –

The PumpHouse, Takapuna 2pm & 7.30pm

Huge Pop, Rock, Folk, Jazz & Country Vinyl

Record Sale – St Anne’s Hall, Browns Bay 9am

North Shore Home & Garden Show 2023 –

Eventfinda Stadium, Wairay Valley 10am

Food Truck Collective Takapuna – Killarney

Park, Takapuna 5pm

Albany Community Market – Albany

Community Hub, Albany 12pm

Robyn Penn: Sentinels – Depot, Devonportruns until 28th

Auckland Arts Festival 2023: The Realists –Depot, Devonport - runs until 29th

Harcourts Cooper & Co Swim the Bridge

7.30am, Westhaven Marina

Vive La France – Milford Shops, Milford 11am

Milford Centre Fashion Show – Milford Shopping

Centre, Milford 3pm

Huge Pop, Rock, Folk, Jazz & Country Vinyl Record

Sale – St Anne’s Hall, Browns Bay 9am

Summer Spectacular – Browns Bay Beach Reserve, Browns Bay 10am

Willow Park School Gala – Willow Park School, Hillcrest 11am

The Big Drum Off – Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna

Food Truck Collective – Little Shoal Bay Reserve, Northcote 5pm

Weekly Drama Classes (Ages 5-16)

– Tim Bray Youth Theatre – St Georges

Presbyterian Church, Takapuna 4pm

Educating Rita – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 7pm

St Patrick’s Comedy World Tour 2023 – Kristin School, Albany 7pm

Educating Rita – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 2pm & 7pm

Hugh Pop & Rock Vinyl Record Sale –

Albany Village Community Hall, Albany

9am

Light Night 2023 – Depot, Devonport 5.30pm

Rangitoto By Geoffrey Clendon – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 7.30pm

North Shore Home & Garden Show 2023 – Eventfinda Stadium, Wairay Valley 10am

Discover Pupukemoana – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 9.30am

The Market Collaborative –Smales Farm, Takapuna 9am

Run Albany, Albany Lakes Civic Park 8am

Educating Rita – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 2pm

Turkish Market Day – Onepoto Domain Community Hall, Northcote, 1pm

Weekly Drama Classes (Ages 5-16)

– Tim Bray Youth Theatre – St Georges Presbyterian Church, Takapuna 4pm

My Year with Lorraine – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 11.30am & 7.30pm

The Unruly Tourists – Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna 8pm

North Harbour Club Ambrose Golf Day – Gulf Harbour Country Club

Weekly Drama Classes (Ages 5-16)

– Tim Bray Youth Theatre – St Georges

Presbyterian Church, Takapuna 4pm

Food Truck Collective Milford - Milford Reserve 5pm

My Year with Lorraine – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 7.30pm

The Unruly Tourists – Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna 2.30pm & 8pm

Harcourts Cooper & Co Shore to Shore Fun Run, Starts at Takapuna Grammar

My Year with Lorraine – The PumpHouse, Takapuna 2pm

The Unruly Tourists – Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna 8pm

For more details on Harcourts Cooper & Co sponsored events go to https://channelmag.co.nz/calendar/ www.cooperandco.co.nz

Your local real estate experts with offices from Devonport up to Snells Beach.

In my February editorial (written around January 24th) I alluded to the fact that summer must be on its way as we had just gone through a terrible patch of weather in January. Little did I know that things were to get much worse. Just a few days later Auckland experienced rain and flooding like never before. Then came Cyclone Gabrielle to make things worse for Aucklanders and particularly bad for many parts of the North Island. It is an understatement to say this has been a terrible period and our hearts go out to everyone dealing with the aftermath of these weather bombs.

I had heard about the community effort that went on in Sunnynook in the aftermath of the Friday January 27th floods. So, for this issue I enjoyed putting together the feature on their efforts. That area was hit particularly hard with many homes flooded. To see the community organise the flood recovery response so efficiently is a heart-warming story. I think you’ll enjoy that feature and my chat with Reilly Brown who led things.

In this issue our cover feature is a spotlight on Mahinga Kai, Oneoneroa’s newest stage of residential homes at Belmont. This wonderful new development in such a neat location by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Developments is taking shape, and these 16 architecturally designed homes that make up Mahinga Kai will be lovely

Publisher/Editorial/Advertising

homes to live in, offering a great North Shore lifestyle.

Easter and the holidays are early in April this year so we have included lots of Easter stuff and holiday ideas in this issue so readers can plan ahead.

Heather Barker Vermeer has put together an interesting feature on Waiwharariki Anzac Town Square – Takapuna’s new town square that is being developed between Lake Road and Hurstmere Road. It’s starting to look great. I am a firm believer that this will be a catalyst to ensure a strong future for Takapuna. It has been good seeing the place being very busy in recent weeks when the weather has been playing ball!

Some very positive news for Channel Magazine is that Heather is returning to a bigger role with the magazine. She is taking over as the editor of the magazine from the April issue. Heather is a local who loves the place and has been part of the Channel Mag crew in some form for almost a decade. The all-round positives she will bring to the magazine as the editor will be great for the magazine.

Have a great March – let’s hope the sun shines! Nga mihi.

Aidan Bennett, QSM Publisher, Channel Magazine Managing Director, Benefitz Email: aidan@benefitz.co.nz

Aidan Bennett, Phone 021-500-997, email: aidan@benefitz.co.nz

Advertising/Content Liz Cannon, Phone 021-204-3395, email: liz@channelmag.co.nz

Advertising/Content Kim McIntosh, Phone 021-419-468, email: kim@channelmag.co.nz

Designer Crystal Sharp - crystal@benefitz.co.nz

Online and Social Media Leanika Starbuck - leanika@benefitz.co.nz

facebook @channelmag | twitter @channelmag | instagram @channelmag | www.channelmag.co.nz

CHANNEL MAGAZINE is published monthly (on the first Friday of the month) by Benefitz, PO Box 33-1630, Takapuna. 09 477 4700, www.benefitz.co.nz. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers. For further details on the magazine visit www.channelmag.co.nz or contact one of our team detailed above.

protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without the prior permission, in writing, of the copyright owner. Colour transparencies & manuscripts submitted are sent at the owner’s risk; neither the publisher nor its agents accept any responsibility for loss or damage. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may occur.

Members of the Channel Mag team: Crystal Sharp, Aidan Bennett, Kim McIntosh, Liz Cannon.

OUR SPONSORSHIP FAMILY

NORTH HARBOUR CLUB AND CHARITABLE TRUST

North Harbour Club has Murray Thom for a glorious breakfast

Murray Thom was the guest speaker at the North Harbour Club’s BEN Breakfast held at Regatta Bar & Eatery on Tuesday February 21st. After all the rain, the beachfront venue proved a great spot for the 100-plus crowd to see the sun come up on a lovely summer's day. Murray Thom was named one of New Zealand’s top 10 entrepreneurs of the decade. He has had a remarkable career and has played a hand in the launch of many iconic success stories, including Personalised Plates, The Great New Zealand Songbook, The Great New Zealand Cookbook and Carl Doy’s Piano By Candlelight to name just a few. More recently he has launched Glorious Digital. He proved to be a very energetic and motivational speaker.

Desai Link, Bradley Pandy and Richard Ashton.

Alison Dymond, Sue Kohn-Taylor, Erin Marmont, Divya Pahwa, Andrew Hill, Mike Atkinson.

Barton Hoggard, Phillip Buys, Emmerson Foster, Prue Foster.

Murray Thom, Nick Farrelly. Murray Thom.

Scott McLiver, Aidan Bennett, Scott Garratt, Josh Dahlberg, Mike Atkinson. David McKeown, Joan Finlayson, Lesley Monk, Jenny Smith, Danion Puddle.

Bayleys Pro Am 2023 at Waitemata

Waitemata Golf Club in Devonport played host to the annual Bayleys Pro Am 2023 on Thursday February 9th. The club's greenkeepers put in some long hours getting the course up to scratch following the flooding. The field was treated to pizzas to start before tee-off at 1pm. The Jack Daniels crew were on hand to lift the spirits and the WellHung butcher had the barbecue humming. Other treats were provided by Zeden, Grins, Powerade, Scapegrace and Puhoi Breweries – a variety of refreshments! Participants and supporters enjoyed a light meal after the game with prizegiving to finish. There were lots of fantastic prizes! The big prizes went to the tournament Zeden Cider (winning team), and to Jake Meenhorst who was the top professional golfer, shooting 68.

Jonathan de Jong, Tony Bayley and Hayden Stanaway.

Gary McAlister, Tracey Salthouse and Hayden McCullam.

Robert Johnson, Tom Chandler and Stu Nicholls.

Chris Dilks, George Manaton and Matt Dilks.

Craig McGuigan and Ian and Matt Wallis.

Mike Hare, Stephen Bidwell and Paul Dunleavy.

Roger Wood, Brent La Franchie and Alistair Davidson. Mike Kearney, Sam Geange and Brian Dobson.

David Harrison, Steve Hollingsworth, Lance Tipping, Scott Tibbotts and Brad Westgate.

DEPOT Open Day, Devonport

DEPOT was delighted to celebrate its first open day at their Devonport premises on Saturday 18th February. The team has been busy behind the scenes upgrading their galleries and recording studios to better support the creative future of Tāmaki Makaurau. The inaugural open day was held to share these exciting developments with the community, friends, musicians, collectors, artists and creatives visiting beautiful Te Hau Kapua, Devonport to find out more about what the team at DEPOT does. Guests explored the unique arts ecosystem which includes gallery spaces, multiple recording studios and creative career programmes and met the team who make it all happen. With refreshments and entertainment provided by partners Chateaubriant, Toi Toi Wines, Four Pillars Gin and Hallertau Beer, a great time was had by all!

Open day guests.

Noah Page and Alex Twidle.

Lauren Woolf and Nadine Rubin Nathan. Emily Norton.

Sharon Jackson and Terehia Walker.

Nina Dyer, Vikki Edwards, Ranjeeta Sami, Amy Saunders and Mack Potter.

Upper Harbour Summer Garden Party

The sun came out just in time for National’s Upper Harbour Summer Garden Party. Locals from across the region and beyond enjoyed a magnificent afternoon at a Taupaki homestead, enjoying cocktails from the Finery range and Macleods Brewery craft beers. The wines were hand selected by Mark Markovina, of Markovina Vineyard Estate’s, private cellar.

Entertainment was provided by ‘Branded Pisces’, sisters Chamonix and Nataliya Brand from Takapuna Grammar, who between cello and acoustic guitar, covered a wide range of beautiful music, both covers and original compositions. Guest speaker Tama Potaka, recently elected as MP for Hamilton West, was introduced by

once held by the former deputy PM, Hon Paula Bennett. The afternoons proceedings were MCed

North Shore and lifetime gardening enthusiast. Auctioneer Stephen Theobald,

for a small but selective list of quality items. The day was such a success that it will

candidate

annual event calendar.

Cameron Brewer, Nationals

for Upper Harbour,

by Hon Maggie Barry, former MP for the

of Harcourts Blue Fern Realty, cleverly extracted amazing bids

go on Upper Harbours

'Branded Pisces' Chamonix and Nataliya Brand.

Jerina Corban-Banks, Elizabeth McGovern and Anna Casey.

Cameron Brewer, National candidate for Upper Harbour and Tama Potaka MP, Hamilton West.

Leigh Morrow and Jerina Corban-Banks.

Lesley Monk and Maggie Barry.

Geoff Gwynne, Jane Allan, Sarah Greenway.

THIS IS FOR ALL SENSES.

The stunning design delights the eye. Luxurious finishes invite your touch. 3D acoustic soundscapes entice the ear. And with its impressive range and extended battery life, the all-electric EQE opens new possibilities as it appeals to all your senses.

Experience the all-electric EQE at Mercedes-Benz North Shore, available from $132,100* driveaway.

*Advertised price is based on the standard specification EQE 300 and includes GST, pre-delivery inspection costs, warrant of fitness and registration. Excludes optional extras. Vehicle depicted includes 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, black with high-sheen finish rim flange, at an added cost of RRP $1,700 - only available in conjunction with AIRMATIC at an added cost of RRP $3,800.

Northart reopens after the floods

Northart team's clean and repair action after the Tāmaki Makaurau floods sees the reopening of the exhibition galleries on Saturday 25th February. We also acknowledge the significant impact the weather events have had throughout TeIka-a-Maui, and the long-term impact this will have on Aotearoa.

We're excited that our first exhibitions for 2023 bring you four Tāmaki Makarau based visual artists: ROBBIE FRASER, GAVIN JONES, SHARONAGH MONTROSE, GARTH STEEPER

Opening Preview: Saturday 25 February 2023, 2 – 4pm

On View: Tuesday 28 February – Saturday 11 March 2023

Northart (the only public arts & culture centre in the entire Kaipātiki area) invites you to have your say about Auckland Council's proposed budget cuts. Go to https:// akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/hub-page/ annual-budget-2023-2024 between 28 February and 28 March. We will also have paper versions available for you onsite.

Northart welcomes you to experience outstanding contemporary art practice from Aotearoa. For more information visit our Instagram & Facebook pages, and our website.

WHAT’S ON AT THE VIC

Northart Gallery, Norman King Square, Ernie Mays Street, Northcote. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 11am–4pm Keep up with our upcoming events and projects on our instagram: @northartgallery and our facebook: @northartnz, and join our mailing list on our website www.northartgallery.net

LIVE SHOW: The Vic Open Mic Night (Free entry)

Thursday 30 March, 8pm. Open Mic night is back this March! Our stage is open for poets, storytellers, musicians, magicians, word acrobats, pantomimes and everything in between. Get in touch with us at openmike@thevic.co.nz if you are interested in performing, or come along to support our shining stars on stage!

VENUE HIRE

Our screens are now available for private and group screenings on weekday mornings! With four different sized cinemas available, and a range of our current and upcoming titles, we offer a high-quality cinematic experience in a unique vintage setting. Please contact events@thevic.co.nz for enquiries

Membership and deals

Sign up for The Vic membership to enjoy discounted tickets, a chance to win prizes and a free movie on your birthday!

Jessica Pearless and Jonathan Organ, Co-Directors, Northart

Jessica Pearless and Jonathan Organ.

Top: Garth Steeper, Untitled (piers of prey) (detailed), oil on canvas board.

Right: Sharonagh Montrose, Landscape of the Mind 8.

Left: Robbie Fraser, The Young & Old Share Twisted Up Fingaz, 2022. oil & graphite on prepared canvas. 559 x 610mm.

Below: Gavin Jones, Mnemonic Tyranny #3 (RP/MT.03.2022), acrylic, vinyl tempera, linen. 30 x 25cm.

March music madness and more!

Get hyped for our March music madness as we kick off autumn with three sublime music events:

• 8th March: Journey to Dreamland – beautiful Macedonian music

• 9th March: John Hanlon: Now & Then – a relaxed evening lounging around with an iconic Kiwi songwriter

• 11th March: A Night of Beautiful Italian Music: From Opera to the Silver Screen with Soprano & Strings

One of Willy Russell's bestknown comedies, Educating Rita takes the stage from 15th – 19th March. An ambitious hairdresser from a small town is determined to better herself by gaining a higher education. An alcoholdependent university lecturer has lost his passion for teaching and life in general. When the two meet their worlds collide. Educating Rita draws on every emotion to produce a profoundly moving yet also hilarious two-hander.

My Year With Lorraine premieres at The PumpHouse the following week (22nd - 26th March). Two women, each with troubled home lives, connect through tutoring and learn from each other in this play about friendship, persistence, and growth. A new stage play by local award-winning writer, Tanya M. Wheeler. Based on a true story of tutoring, tough times, friendship, and lots of cake.

We are very excited to host an Auckland Arts Festival show in our outdoor amphitheatre on 26th March. Introducing a version of the classic tortoise and the hare fable into this wonderfully creative setting, Sugung-ga: The Other Side of the World tells the story of two animals from different walks of life –and the misunderstandings that arise from their encounter.

Pupuke Birdsong Project and Takapuna North Community Trust invite you to a fantastic free family day on Sunday 5th March 9:30am – 3pm. There will be theatre tours, kayaking, snorkelling, workshops and more. Discover the unique ecological taonga of Pupukemoana. Find out more here: takapunatrust.org.nz/discover-pupukemoana.

Ngā manaakitanga. See you at the theatre soon!

James Bell

BOOKINGS: 09 489 8360 or pumphouse.co.nz

DEPOT, Te Whare

DEPOT with Amy Saunders

Toi, Devonport

Amy Saunders.

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us for our first ever DEPOT Open Day in February. Our hearts were breaking for those who were suffering after the recent weather catastrophes but we felt it was important to still gather and take a moment to be together. A special shout out to all of you who joined DEPOT Collective to help us continue to support local creatives and to our wonderful sponsors Toi Toi Wines, Four Pillars Gin and Chateaubriant for the great refreshments. If you missed out, please pop in anytime to explore our galleries, music studios or find out more about our Creative Futures programmes.

DEPOT Sound

Depot Sound has supported the careers of many well-known New Zealand bands and musicians over the years. Now led by studio manager and audio engineers Noah Page and Alex Twidle we continue to foster emerging talent through collaborative production and quality engineering. Our two refurbished studio spaces are now set up for high quality multi-track recording, ideal for producing broadcast quality band recordings, podcasts, audiobooks, and mixing audio for video. And our rehearsal room is still the bomb if you want to make loud noise!

DEPOT Artspace

Robyn Penn: Sentinels

For Sentinels, Robyn Penn brings together two new bodies of work that are strikingly different in content and execution, but come from the same critical view of global current affairs centred around climate breakdown.

John Tiger Shen, Tèhlor-Lina Mareko, brunelle dias & Samuel O’Malley: The Realists

As part of Auckland Arts Festival (AAF), Depot Artspace curator and gallery manager Nina Dyer challenged four emerging artists to address what the art historical themes of Realism might look like in 2023 in a culture of radical transparency and photo apps. Don’t miss this show and be sure to join us for AAF Light Night 2023 on Saturday 18 March 5.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry. All welcome.

depot.org.nz

News from The PumpHouse from James Bell

James Bell.

Sentinels. The Realists.

Wicked finally hits the stage

5 years in the making

The journey to get Wicked to the stage began over five years ago. North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) has been working on the show and pre-production since early 2018 and now they are close to finally seeing the years of work hit the stage for a public audience.

Wicked tells the story of the land of Oz before Dorothy arrives. It focuses on the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good when they first met at school. It is a powerful story of friendship, love, and strength, and asks the question “Are people born wicked or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”

The team at NSMT has been hampered constantly by circumstances beyond their control while trying to get this to the stage. Covid, the subsequent lockdowns and arrivals of new variants saw two postponements, before a final cancellation in February 2022 when the country moved into the “red” setting. The cast has changed a little over the three years of rehearsals but the majority have been with the production since the beginning. They have worked tirelessly to rehearse the show many times over and it was because of the dedication of the cast and crew that NSMT decided to give it another go in 2023. The cast and crew came back together (again!) to once again work to bring the show to the stage. The first rehearsal back was an emotional affair as the last time they had all been in the same room was watching the press conference announcing the move to red and the subsequent cancellation of the show. A wake was held and many tears were shed as they farewelled the show they had put so much time and energy into. Seeing everyone again was heartwarming and the whole cast have just picked up like they hadn’t just had a year away

from it all! The team joke that after floods, fires, and plague, the only thing left is locusts and if needed we would get the country supply of Mortein in order to take care of those!

SkyCity is an incredible venue for such a huge production and they have been wonderful supporters of the production since day one. At SkyCity you have no bad seats, ample parking and options for dinner pre-show, all of which makes for a fabulous night in the Emerald City!

Community has remained at the forefront for NSMT and naming sponsor Barfoot and Thompson has been endlessly supportive of this aspect. Working with them and their connection to Starship will mean families from Ronald McDonald House will be able to see a preview of the show. Being able to provide an entertaining distraction to these families means so much to the whole team at NSMT. There will also be a signed performance for those who have hearing disabilities.

Wicked is a show that will entertain the whole family. It has excellent singing, dancing and pizazz. For those who are fans of The Wizard of Oz, it will answer some of those burning questions you have had over the years and do it while keeping your feet tapping. Tickets are already selling fast so you don’t want to wait to secure your place on the yellow brick road.

The Barfoot & Thompson season of 'Wicked the Musical' opens at SkyCity Theatre March 31st to April 22nd.

Presented by North Shore Music Theatre. Book now at www.iticket.co.nz Facebook wickedakl / Instagram @wicked.akl

Image supplied by Showbiz Christchurch.

Photo by Danielle Colvin.

What's on at the Bruce Mason Centre

Experience The Unruly Tourists, a brand-new irreverent work by New Zealand Opera which smashes all the stereotypes you think you know about opera. The show follows a young female journalist trying to forge her career when she finds herself in the middle of a media storm resulting from a group of badly behaved tourists who leave a trail of destruction on a local beach.

Part of the 2023 Auckland Arts Festival and written by the award-winning comedy duo of Livi Reihana and Amanda Kennedy (The Fan Brigade), this genre-defying comedy brings together a New Zealand cast and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in a re-imagined round theatre cabaret-style experience at Takapuna’s Bruce Mason Centre.

Expect raucous comedy, satire, action, and good old-fashioned Kiwi humour intertwined with soaring melodies and riveting chorus ensembles. This world premiere will spark conversation and debate long after the curtain falls. Don’t miss the limited season from Wed 22 to Sat 26 March.

Be part of the Auckland Live Morning Melodies community! The Morning Melodies series has been entertaining locals and visitors on the Shore once a month on a Monday for 22 years at the Bruce Mason Centre.

This heart-warming musical showcase has become a much-loved monthly event, featuring performances by renowned brass bands, jazz ensembles, musical theatre artists and performers. There is always a nice cup of tea or coffee and biscuits on offer when you arrive, and plenty of great people to meet to enjoy the music with.

So come along, make some new friends, and help build this great community. Tickets are just $7* per concert! (*Service fees apply).

To book tickets and find out more, head to aucklandlive.co.nz

Brass

AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL AUCKLAND LIVE MORNING MELODIES

AUCKLAND LIVE MORNING MELODIES

AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA

Exceptional Waterfront Redevelopment Opportunity

119 CHURCHILL ROAD, ROTHESAY BAY

A spectacular and unique opportunity has arisen to secure a superb large North facing waterfront site of just under 900sqm. The site is nicely elevated and flat in contour presenting endless options to completely redevelop or extensively renovate or re-clad the existing dwelling.

Astute, value-driven buyers or those wanting to build their dream home should seize the chance to secure this property in sought-after Churchill Road.

The home as it is offers an ideal layout for families with expansive living spaces, excellent accommodation and four-car garaging. The main living is on the first floor and benefits from breath-taking panoramic ocean views from the kitchen, lounge and dining space which is open plan. This flows directly onto wide North facing decks spanning the width of the upper level. There is a master bedroom on this floor with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, and this also offers fantastic views.

On the lower floor, you have three double bedrooms, a study plus a large

rumpus or second lounge. This space flows out seamlessly onto the pool area. The pool and rear courtyard benefit from great afternoon sun and are sheltered from prevailing winds.

Four-car garaging provides ample space for cars and boats and a large motor court offers plenty of off-street parking.

The home is non-cavity plaster and needs remedial maintenance or repair so essentially what is on offer is a land value opportunity.

Excellent school zones including Rangitoto College, Murrays Bay Intermediate and Murrays Bay Primary. Residents in the area love to stroll along the cliffside walkway to Browns Bay to the North or Mairangi Bay to the South with Rothesay and Murrays Bay Beaches in between. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CLOSE 4PM THURS 16TH OF MARCH 2023 (UNLESS SOLD PRIOR)

ANDREW DORREEN

Double Beach Frontage Opportunity Of A Lifetime

39 OCEAN VIEW ROAD, MILFORD

On offer for the first time in 45 years is a completely unrivalled redevelopment opportunity for an astute purchaser to secure one of the best landmark sites on Milford Beach.

Offering some 32m of water frontage and located on a prime elevated and flat site, number 39 Ocean View Road offers a true "land value" opportunity for families looking to come into this popular area and lock in one of the most sought-after positions along this stretch of coastline. Ocean View Road is regarded as one of Milford's best addresses. With a boat ramp at the end of the street, the new owners can have the bonus of "Sealegs access" just outside your front door.

The views are so expansive due to the width of the site, some of the best you will ever witness in this location. A major point of difference is not having an immediate North-Western neighbour providing excellent privacy and sun, especially in the afternoon. The

vistas extend North down Milford Beach, including the ever-changing entrance to the marina, to Castor Bay. To the East, framed views of iconic Rangitoto Island and further around to North Head a true 180 degrees - Superb! The site is oriented to face due North and presents endless development opportunities if one is going to improve the current dwelling or remove it altogether.

North Facing, Flat, Fee Simple Waterfront Land ripe for redevelopment. What an opportunity. You cannot get better than waterfront.

Contact Andrew Dorreen for your appointment to view.

FOR SALE BY TENDER CLOSING 4PM THURS 16TH OF MARCH 2023 (UNLESS SOLD PRIOR) www.precision.net.nz/ID #551056

Andrew specialises in marketing homes on the Golden Mile between Milford and Takapuna and around the waterfront. In the last six consecutive calendar years, Andrew has sold over $100 million each year, at an average of over $5,000,000 per property - one of the highest (in volume and average sale price) residentially in the Country. Whilst he is renowned for dealing with higher value properties, Andrew has also carved a niche within the seaward side streets in and around Milford and Takapuna, especially with the lock up and leave market. He sees a strong correlation between larger homes and the downsizer market assisting those vendors with their next purchase. If you are thinking of selling your home or purchasing a new one, please contact Andrew for a confidential discussion.

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

¾ cup cocoa powder

¾ teaspoon salt

2 eggs

½ cup butter, melted

¼ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup plain flour

Decadent Brownie Wedges

Never fight over the biggest piece of brownie again with these single-serve brownie wedges. Want a little extra texture in your brownie? Jazz up the classic recipe with chocolate chips or chopped nuts. We recommend eating them warm with a dollop of cream and a slice of strawberry on top.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160°C.

2. Mix together sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.

3. Whisk in melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

4. Fold in 1/3 cup flour until just combined.

5. Spray your Lodge Cast Iron wedge pan with cooking spray and sprinkle evenly with flour.

6. Fill each wedge with ¼ cup of batter. Smooth the top and bake for 28 minutes.

7. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before turning out.

Recipe by

Lodge Cast Iron

Shore ON THE Dining Out & Eating

The North Shore has a fantastic and diverse range of options to whet the appetite for dining out and eating in to suit all occasions, events and celebrations. Here at Channel we love 'Doing It Local' and we're proud to support our local hospo businesses in our monthly Dining Out and Eating In Guide. Enjoy!

Devonport

Akdeniz Bar Cafe Restaurant

Offering Persian and Mediterranean cuisine in Devonport Village.

5/15 Victoria Road, Devonport, 09 600 2125 www.akdenizdevonport.co.nz

Buona Sera Restaurant

Great Italian cuisine from great ingredients. Mangiamo - Let's Eat!

99 Victoria Road, Devonport, 09 445 8133 www.buonasera.co.nz

Cafe Hung Viet

Traditional flavours of Vietnamese cuisine brings authentic Hanoi meals to the North Shore. 101 Victoria Rd, 09 446 3368, www.cafehungviet.co.nz

Corellis

Great tasting home-style fare at a great price. 46 Victoria Road Devonport, 09 445 4151 www.corelliscafe.co.nz

DEVONPORT

Devon on the Wharf

A little slice of heaven for tastes of Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine.

1 Queen's Parade, 09 445 7012 www.devononthewharf.nz

Fish Kitchen

Extensive seafood menu plus their signature 'fish 'n' chips' - the best fresh fish in the best location.

1/1 Queens Parade, Devonport Wharf. 09 445 1777 www.fishkitchen.co.nz

Flying Rickshaw

Honest and simple authentic Indian cuisine. 97 Victoria Road, Devonport, 09 445 7721 www.flyingrickshaw.co.nz

Manuka Cafe and Restaurant

Mediterranean inspired cuisine and friendly customer service.

49 Victoria Road, Devonport, 09 445 7732 www.manukarestaurant.co.nz

Portofino Devonport

Very popular Italian Restaurant in the heart of Devonport Village.

26 Victoria Rd, 09 445 3777 www.portofinodevonport.co.nz

DEVONPORT

Signal Hill Restaurant

Serves classic NZ fare with an extensive drinks list in Devonport’s most iconic homestead. 24 Victoria Road, Devonport, 09 445 0193 www.signalhill.co.nz

The Patriot

Your Devonport Pub - owned by locals, for locals. 14 Victoria Road, Devonport, 09 445 3010 www.thepatriot.co.nz

Vic Road Kitchen

Serving up fresh, seasonal NZ produce in a rustic Mediterranean style.

57-59 Victoria Road, Devonport. 09 445 9797 www.vicroadkitchen.co.nz

Vic Road Wine Bar and Cellar

Enjoy a glass of wine from the ever-changing wine list, chosen from a selection of interesting New Zealand and International wines. 53/55 Victoria Road, Devonport. 09 445 0194 www.vicroadkitchen.co.nz

DEVONPORT

Calimero Devonport

Located in the heart of Devonport on Victoria Road, Calimero serves fresh, authentic pizzas seven nights a week.

A far cry from your average pizzeria, Calimero boasts an extensive menu of both authentic and more unconventional pizza options, taking flavours from cities around the world. Great taste, great value - check out the regular Tuesday specials. Order online at www.calimero.co.nz for your favourite pizza or try something new. Pickup and delivery options available.

163 Victoria Road, Devonport 09 445 2232

www.calimero.co.nz

facebook CalimeroPizza instagram calimero_nz

Khana

Khana serves fresh, authentic Indian food for the local community and visitors. Our menu offers a wide range of Indian specialties such as Butter Chicken, Goat Curry, Lamb Rogan Josh, Paneer Saag, Dal Tadka and many more. We use free range chicken, fresh hapuka, fresh vegetables and fresh spices. Curry bases and gravies are made in-house from natural ingredients and spices. Order easily through our online system for takeaways and delivery. We look forward to serving you.

161 Victoria Road, Devonport khana.devenport@gmail.com

09 445 1546 / 021 689 216

www.khana.co.nz

Vondel

Owner-operated eatery in Devonport. Serving vegan and omni eats alongside small batch wine, beer and spirit drinks. We hold weekly specials, along with wine makers' dinners, makers' markets and private events.

Sign up to our mailing list on our website to keep up to date with all goings on at Vondel.

Open Hours: Tues-Fri 12pm - late, Sat 10am - late, Sun 10am - 6pm 09 446 6444

hello@vondel.co.nz

www.vondel.co.nz

instagram Instagram @vondel_akl facebook facebook.com/vondelakl

Takapuna

Alforno Italian Restaurant

Delicious Italian and Mediterranean food cooked with passion.

34 Anzac Street, Takapuna. 09 488-0179 www.alforno.co.nz

Aubergine Restaurant

Premium European and Mediterranean style dining 129 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. 09 489 3104 www.aubergine.co.nz

Big Tikka

Indian cuisine… using bold flavours & reinterpreting classic dishes in a contemporary way. 458 Lake Road, Takapuna. 09 974 2241 www.bigtikka.co.nz

Botticelli Restaurant & Wine Bar

A popular Italian eatery, serving Takapuna for over 27 years

Anzac Street, Takapuna. 021 910 999 www.botticelli.co.nz

Burger Burger

Eat Street, 40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. 09 390 5348 www.burgerburger.co.nz

Catnapper Arms

A favourite local with great food with great daily specials

136 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. 09 486 6330 www.catnapperarms.co.nz

Dantes Pizza & Casa Pasta

Wood Fired Pizzas & sensational Pasta in the heart of Taka!

Eat Street, 40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. 09 486 3668 www.dantes.co.nz

El Humero

Traditional Colombian-style barbecue restaurantyum!

Eat Street, 40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. 09 489 9973 www.elhumero.co.nz

Florrie McGreals Irish Pub

The best place in Takapuna to have a beer, meet some old friends or make some new ones. Great food as well!

Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. 09 486 6330 www.florriemcgreals.co.nz

Francs Bar & Diner

Beachside diner smacks of fresh fish, crisp lager, flopping jandals and easy service from sunrise to sunset.

Main Beach, The Strand, Takapuna. 09 488 0016 www.joylab.co.nz/francs

Regatta Bar & Eatery

Your slice of Ibiza, right here on the Shore. Stunning sea views, premium beer, bloody good wine and fresh seafood.

Main Beach, The Strand, Takapuna. 09 488 0040 www.joylab.co.nz/regatta

Toni's Italian Pizzeria

Traditional, handmade, authentic and fresh. We love making pizza and especially love making people happy with our pizza! We make our delicious takeaways in Belmont, and proudly bring you our amazing Italian pizzas, salads and desserts. Order over $60 and get FREE delivery locally! (North Shore area from Takapuna to Devonport only. Applicable FridaySunday, 6pm-8pm).

View our full menu and order online via our website. Bellissimo! Grazie mille, Toni.

tonispizzeria.auckland@gmail.com

167 Lake Road, Belmont

09 962 6693

www.tonispizzeria.co.nz

Daily Bread

Daily Bread's freshly baked loaves and perfect pastries are made every morning at their Belmont outpost where their new sit-down menu, petanque court and kids' playground gives locals even more reason to visit.

If you don't feel like venturing out, try their new delivery option where you can receive all their baked goods delivered the next day.

Dailybread.co.nz

43 Eversleigh Road, Belmont 7am - 3pm daily

hello@dailybread.co.nz www.instagram.com/ dailybreadnz/

The Elephant Wrestler

Your larger than life local in the heart of Taka with an outdoor courtyard to boot. Selection of crafty beverages and food that’s undeniably Kiwi. Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. 09 489 8030 www.joylab.co.nz/elephant-wrestler

Tok Tok Kitchen

Always busy, a unique restaurant with Asian fusion cuisine near the beach.

129 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. 09 489 3988, www.toktok.co.nz

Tokyo Bay

Modern Japanese cuisine from kitchen run by experienced sushi master Mr Chikara Sato, a ‘fugu’ blowfish licensed sushi chef. Main Beach, The Strand, Takapuna. 09 390 7188 www.tokyobay.co.nz

Winner Winner Takapuna

Healthy, fast, fresh dinners or lunches with yummy chicken a focus!

16 Anzac Street, Takapuna. 09 486 0755 www.winnerwinner.co.nz

Smales Farm, Takapuna

Shake Out

Serving up a highly addictive menu of burgers, sides, shakes and sundaes – fast. Goodside at Smales Farm. 09 489 8223 www.shakeout.co

French Rendez-Vous

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (to be booked 24 hours in advance) with traditional French dishes like beef bourguignon and also lots of gluten free galettes and sweet crêpes. Located at the heart of Takapuna. Book at www.french-rendez-vouscaferestaurant.business.site

Or via our Facebook and Instagram accounts: facebook: FrenchRendezvousTakapuna instagram: @frenchrendezvoustakapuna

2a Manurere Avenue

– Right next to The PumpHouse, Takapuna 09 487 0009

Soho Thai

Taking the art of traditional Thai cooking and giving it a modern twist.

Goodside at Smales Farm. 09 972 2711 www.sohothaikitchen.com

The Grange Bar & Bistro

A favourite all-day bar and bistro. Making the most of the best & fresh NZ produce. Goodside at Smales Farm. 09 972 9060 www.thegrangetakapuna.co.nz

Northcote Point

The Engine Room

Since 2006, a neighbourhood bistro that is simply one of the best in NZ!

115 Queen Street, Northcote Point. Phone 480 9502 www.engineroom.net.nz

Clarence Rd Eatery

An all day cafe/restaurant in the historic building that includes Bridgeway Cinema. You’ll love it!

124 Queen Street, Northcote Point. 09 480 9600 www.clarencerdeatery.nz

Northcote Tavern

We reckon one of the best places for pub food on the Shore!

37 Queen Street, Northcote Point. 09 480 7707 www.northcotetavern.co.nz

Birkenhead

Abruzzo Ristorante Italiano

Authentic Italian cuisine as warm as the Mediterranean sun.

13 Birkenhead Ave, Birkenhead. 09 418 4202 www.abruzzi.co.nz

Birkenhead Brewing Company

Classic 100 year old kauri villa with a tavern atmosphere for true kiwi hospitality.

17 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead. 09 320 5055 www.bbc.kiwi

Blitza Pizza

Authentic Italian pizzas and mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine.

9 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead. 09 480 5006 www.blitzapizza.co.nz

Burrito House

Passionate about providing delicious and highquality Mexican food.

17 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 09 418 2095 www.burritohouse.co.nz

Chef Rasa Sayang

Finest authentic Malaysian food.

25 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 09 419 9788

Dutch Delight

A bite of Holland right here in Auckland - the only Dutch restaurant in NZ.

3 Birkenhead Ave, Birkenhead. 09 418 1390 www.dutchdelight.co.nz

TAKAPUNA

Jose's Cantina

Jose's Mexican food is compulsive and the margaritas are addictive.

12-14 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead. 09 218 6162 www.josescantina.co.nz

Thai Yum Food Hut

Authentic Thai food in Birkenhead. 23 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead. 09 480 6799 www.thaiyum.net.nz

The Curry Master

Experience Indian food at it’s finest.

18 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead. 09 480 7211 www.thecurrymaster.co.nz/birkenhead

The Good Home

Honest homestyle cooking at its best. 83 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead. 09 480 0066 www.thegoodhomebirkenhead.co.nz

The Junction Eatery

Fully licensed cafe and bistro, sourcing the best local produce. 39 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead. 09 480 8111 www.thejunctioneatery.co.nz

Moxie Restaurant

A much loved restaurant serving modern cuisine and setting high standards at Birkenhead Point. 82 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead Point. 09 419 9082 www.moxierestaurant.co.nz

Catch 21 Eatery

Takapuna’s latest eatery has just dropped anchor with plenty of sunny outdoor seating overlooking Hurstmere Green. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and coffee for dining in or taking away, the friendly 'crew' are all hands-on-deck to serve exceptional coffee, delicious staple café offerings and a number of seafood options, as well as a beautiful range of freshly made cabinet food. Top picks include their signature Open Lobster Burger, Seafood Chowder, and tasty Eggs Benedict. Catch 21 is fully licensed and provides a range of beer, bubbles and wine.

PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

Open Tues-Sun, weekdays 7.30am-3pm, weekends 8am-3pm.

Shop 8/33 Hurstmere Road

09 484 0005

www.catch21.co.nz/menu

Taylors on Hurstmere

Fantail & Turtle

CATCH 21

EATERY

Yellow Hour

Takapuna's friendliest little wine and tapas bar and everyone's favourite local just around the corner from the Bruce Mason theatre.

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV

Perfect for private parties, no venue hire! Veuve Clicquot happy hour 5pm to 7pm $85 per bottle.

$85 per bottle between 5-7pm daily

168 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna

taylorsonhurstmere@gmail.com

www.taylorsonhurstmere.co.nz

09 489 9510

Licenced Eatery

A bar & eatery founded on friendship, with an offering that acknowledges our independence and our appreciation of quality. Expect fresh & local craft beer, real ale & cider flowing from 15 taps, an on-site microbrewery, a wine list covering local and far away regions that are synonymous with varietal excellence, an extensive gin list enhanced with botanics fresh from our gardens, bespoke modern cocktails to sip late into the evening, and modern sharing dishes by Chef James Wheeler, with a focus on showcasing sustainable & locally sourced seasonal produce.

hello@fantailandturtle.co.nz

www.fantailandturtle.co.nz

instagram fantailandturtle

Mulan Malaysian Restaurant

Authentic flavours of South East Asia with homestyle Malaysian cuisine.

243 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead. 09 480 2806 www.mulan.co.nz

Primerose Thai Cuisine

Traditional Thai dishes known for excellent aroma, flavour and taste.

6 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 09 418 0555 www.primerosethaicuisine.co.nz

Tasty Tiny Thai Restaurant

Unique Thai experience with authentic dishes bursting with flavour.

52d Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 09 418 4999 www.tastytinythai.co.nz

China Hong Kong Cuisine

Tasty Chinese and Asian food.

64 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 09 480 1168 www.hongkongchinesecuisine.co.nz

Milford

Anokha Indian Restaurant

Long been a destination choice for Indian food lovers, specialising in North Indian Cuisine –authentic curry, tandoori dishes and freshly baked breads.

140 Kitchener Rd, Milford. 09 489 1499 www.anokha.co.nz

BIRKENHEAD

Cave À Vin

Natural wines and food to share – locals love this place!

146 Kitchener Rd, Milford. www.caveavin.co.nz

Jazzy’s Cafe & Pizzeria

Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner. Cafe style brekkie, Fresh HomeMade pizzas, delicious Sri Lankan meals and more!

5 Milford Rd, Auckland. 09 486 1582 www.jazzys.net

Langkawi Restaurant

Popular Malaysian local that has been here for around 25 years. BYO restaurant and also offers a range of well-priced wines.

122 Kitchener Road, Milford. 09 486 2700

Monthien Thai Restaurant

Popular Thai eatery in the heart of Milford. Real Thai real taste and best service!

142 Kitchener Rd, Milford. 09 488 0409 www.monthien.co.nz

Musashi Japanese Cuisine Milford

Serves everything you expect from your authentic Japanese restaurants but with a twist. Menu of Japanese cuisine, built around local taste and ingredients.

212 Kitchener Road, Milford. Phone 489 5977 www.musashirestaurant.co.nz

PYM's of Milford

The popular neighbourhood Milford Village bar & eatery. Excellent drinks selection with simple but great food.

154 Kitchener Road, Milford. www.pymsofmilford.com

MILFORD

Talay Thai Restaurant

Delicious authentic Thai cuisine. Using only the freshest ingredients with vegetarian, vegan options and Gluten free dishes.

83-85 Kitchener Rd, Milford, 09 489 9568 www.talaythai.co.nz

Stanley Avenue

Stanley Avenue is a relaxed, smart, wine bar and bistro where people can come and enjoy a light snack or sophisticated meal paired with an interesting wine offering.

52 East Coast Road, Milford, 09 410 0066 www.stanleyavenue.co.nz

Don Japanese Restaurant

Local Japanese that offers great service, a variety of authentic dishes with good drinks list to match.

1 Milford Rd, Milford. 09 379 2834

The Milford Cafe, Bar & Restaurant

For brunch, lunch & dinner. Classics, re-imagined and modernised – the best in fine coffee, wine and delicious food.

7 Milford Road, Milford. 09 488 9388 www.themilford.co.nz

Venice Italian Restaurant

A friendly local of Italian cuisine lovers passionate about cooking Italian food combined with a splendid collection of fine wines.

91 Kitchener Road, Milford, 09 486 4157 www.venicerestaurant.net

East Coast Bays

El Greco Greek and Italian Eatery

A touch of the Mediterranean in the Bays! – the locals try to keep it a secret, it’s good!

1 The Esplanade, Campbells Bay. 09 475 5772 www.elgreco.co.nz

Paper Moon

One of the Bay's favourite dining and drinking spots – for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks into the evening.

437 Beach Road, Mairangi Bay. 09 479 8872 www.papermoon.org.nz

Duo

Duo’s owners Sarah & Jordan's vision of a small neighbourhood eatery with breakfast and lunch available five days a week (Wed-Sun) & dinner three nights (Wed-Fri). Expect cafe classics as well as more contemporary dining during the day & an intimate bistro style menu in the afternoons & evenings with all the offerings showcasing high quality produce & artisanal products. Duo is fully licensed with a wine list that ranges from wild natural vino to a more conventional offering as well as offering craft beer and cocktails.

hello@duoeatery.co.nz

www.duoeatery.co.nz

instagram duo.nz

Bunty's Burgers

Bunty’s is Milford’s newest addition, a gourmet burger bar. Bunty’s specialises in smash burgers, in-house smoked pork and beef brisket burgers, and fried chicken. Vegetarians aren’t left out, with our popular eggplant & tofu burger and a Beyond burger on offer as well. Pair your burger with a creative range of sides, bites & salads, including plenty of gluten free options. We focus on using the freshest ingredients and make as much as we can in-house. There is a modern and adventurous wine list and Behemoth beers on tap. This ain’t your ordinary burger joint!

Open Tue-Fri from 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from midday. 89 Kitchener Rd, Milford

Montrose Cafe, Bistro & Bar

A Mairangi Bay local known for consistently good food and hospitality!

1 Montrose Terrace, Mairangi Bay. 09 478 9610 www.montrose.org.nz

Ristorante La Spiaggia

One of the best Italian restaurants on the Shore –Maria and Emilio never disappoint! 470 Beach Road, Murrays Bay. 09 475 5643 www.laspiaggia.co.nz

21 Days Bar & Brasserie

Named after the process of aging beef 21-28 days. Great food, some say best meat on the Shore! 37 Clyde Road Browns Bay. 0800 21 3297 www.21days.co.nz

Link Health and Fitness

The key to a healthier you, linking exercise, physiotherapy and reformer Pilates

Do you want to take control of your physical and mental well-being? Are you tired of waking up stiff, sore or feeling lethargic? Do you want to take your training to the next level and smash your goals?

Look no further than the comprehensive approach to fitness and rehabilitation offered by Link Health & Fitness. With a purpose-built 24/7 gym and the unique combination of personal training, reformer Pilates and physiotherapy, the team can help you achieve your wellness goals.

Our experienced team of physiotherapists, personal trainers and Pilates instructors understand the importance of the role that exercise plays in maintaining fitness, function and overall wellbeing. We appreciate that sometimes exercise and injury can coexist; that's why we combine a range of services that work together to give you the best possible results. Our memberships are designed to support you wherever you are in your health journey, with the flexibility to swap or combine our services as needed. With 24/7 gym access, you can work out on your schedule, not ours.

You should join us if:

1. You just want to work out in an awesome space, with great gear and good bathrooms.

2. You want to improve your fitness, mobility, strength or balance.

3. You want to feel good mentally and physically.

4. You want to try reformer Pilates in a small group with plenty of hands-on guidance.

5. You want a custom gym programme and/or Pilates programme to improve your athletic performance.

6. You have an injury that needs rehabilitation.

7. You want to start or continue exercising whilst knowing you have an experienced team of trainers and physiotherapists to support and guide you through your exercise journey.

8. Your GP has suggested exercise as medicine.

Don't wait any longer, take charge of your wellbeing by exploring how our unique link between healthcare and fitness can help you reach your full potential. Book your appointment, give us a call or stop by to speak with our team today!

Link Health & Fitness

Unit 17, 18 Link Drive, Wairau Valley 09 553 6565

hello@linkhealthandfitness.co.nz

www.linkhealthandfitness.co.nz

Scott and Jessica Macdonald.

Link Health & Fitness, 17-18 Link Drive.

In 2023 Kristin will celebrate 50 years since the founding of our school in 1973. It’s our opportunity to acknowledge the people and experiences that have shaped our school over its inspiring 50-year history.

Our school was founded by families, for families and we place huge value on the spirit, integrity, passion and diversity of our communityfrom our visionary founding families to our resilient, proud yet humble present-day students.

in.

Balance

By Claire Bellingham, Personal Trainer and Nutritionist Claire Bellingham.

Our lives are often built around maximising comfort and convenience. In the past we used to stand for most things whether it was going to work, the shops, the bank or connecting with friends. Now most things can be done from a seated position and most problems can be solved through delegation via a screen.

The last few years have jolted most people out of a sense of physical security. Covid made us aware of how precarious our health is, and that we cannot rely on an external entity such as the healthcare system to keep us well. Weather events have demonstrated that no matter how comfortable our daily lives are, it can all be swept away in an instant.

In a way we are returning to simpler times, back when we relied on our bodies and our wits as survival skills. Any of us might be required, at some stage, to personally navigate a natural disaster situation. It is possible we might need to get to physical safety carrying another person or an animal with us. It is also possible that our immune systems might be called upon to fight off an illness that cannot be treated with modern medicine. If your body would not currently withstand a call to action then it’s a good idea to start some behind-the-scenes preparation. When we consider physical fitness we often think of strength, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility. These are all important, but it’s also important that these components can be held together by balance.

Balance is the ability to control centre of gravity in relation to our body’s base of support. It requires the co-ordination of three types of information systems: visual, vestibular and proprioceptive. In order to remain upright, the sensors in our eyes, inner ear, muscles and joints send information to our brain about where the body is and where it needs to be. Studies have shown that results of one-legged standing balance tests are a strong predictor of longevity well beyond the obvious benefit of helping prevent falls. A healthy body requires our brains to be able to integrate information from many areas around the body. If the brain isn’t doing so well for balance it may also be struggling with the coordination of other important areas such as hormones and cardiovascular systems.

A sedentary lifestyle means these systems get out of practice, and our ability to balance is declining more rapidly than previous generations. But even if you spend a lot of time seated there are still many exercises you can do to improve your balance. Unstable surfaces such as the swiss ball, bosu ball and TRX require greater balance and core control than basic weight training. They build strength stabiliser muscles and enhance the relationship between the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. A Les Mills Body Balance™ class is another great way to work on centre of gravity management. Every time we challenge our balance in a different way, we’re creating fresh neural pathways to improve cognitive and physical efficiency.

The ability to balance improves daily functionality, reduces the risk of falls and potentially promotes longevity. Like many things in health, by the time you realise it’s important, it’s too late. If you currently have the ability to keep your balance then it’s something worth valuing and working to maintain.

Les Mills Takapuna, Rooftop Level, Shore City, Takapuna

0800 LES MILLS lesmills.co.nz clairebellingham.co.nz

claire@clairebellingham.co.nz

By Teresa Burns, Doctor of Audiology. Director and owner of Teresa Burns Hearing Ltd.

When’s the last time you had your hearing checked?

Teresa Burns.

World Health Organization guidelines recommend a hearing test at age 50 and every five years after that, up to age 65, then every 1-3 years.

Why is it so important to keep tabs on your hearing?

Hearing is essential for communication, safety, and health. New research links hearing loss to disabling conditions such as cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, clinical depression, diabetes, falls and heart disease. Your hearing is important to monitor and can be a good predictor of overall health.

You’d be amazed at how discreet, comfortable and high tech hearing aids are these days.

So, the big questions is – do hearing aids help?

Yes! But you have to wear them. They don’t work if you leave them in the drawer, and it’s a waste of your investment. You’d be amazed at how discreet, comfortable and high tech hearing aids are these days. And the best features (streaming to phones, rechargeable, different types of noise reduction) are increasingly available in several price points.

If you, or someone you love, seems to be having hearing problems – book in for hearing assessment. If hearing loss is confirmed, start with a free, no obligation two-week trial. The earlier you start the better, in terms of brain benefits, getting used to new sounds, management and cleaning.

Teresa Burns Hearing is an independent, locally owned practice, so we deal with all brands and help find the best solution for your individual needs and budget.

Call today for an appointment with Teresa Burns, Doctor of Audiology

(09) 475 9849. Teresa Burns Hearing Ltd.

Location: Inside the Health - I Care Centre 215 Wairau Road, Glenfield, North Shore www.teresaburnshearing.co.nz

New faces at Studio Pilates Takapuna

Sarah and Steven Pearson are the new owners of the popular Studio Pilates business in Takapuna. Channel Mag caught up with Sarah during February as they had just completed the purchase.

Channel Mag: Tell us a little bit about your background. What have you done prior to taking on this Studio Pilates opportunity?

Sarah: I have spent the last 10 years in the franchise industry as a learning and development manager. Steven is in the commercial construction industry specialising specifically in glass and facades across New Zealand.

CMAG: We understand you guys just got married. Life must be a bit hectic at the moment?

Sarah: We are a family of five, with two daughters at Westlake Girls and a miniature schnauzer Marley. We have lived on the Shore for six years now which we love. I grew up in South Auckland and my husband Steven is a proud Westie. Steven moved from the west in 2009 to play for the Takapuna Cricket Club and never left. We are very lucky to now reside in Murrays Bay. It has been a hectic period – getting married, buying a business, having surgery on a broken ankle (done on the Murrays to Mairangi Bay beach walkway) all within four weeks! We were lucky with our wedding, getting the one day of summer on the 20th of January this year which was tinny as we had an an outdoor wedding at Man ’o War on Waiheke.

CMAG: Why did you decide to buy Studio Pilates Takapuna?

Sarah: I started doing Pilates as high impact training was no good for my ankle; also much more appropriate for an aging body! The business structure, systems and processes of Studio Pilates impressed us. We had been on the lookout for a business opportunity for some time, Auckland traffic is not going to improve so something on the Shore was very appealing and when the Takapuna studio became available last year we jumped at the opportunity. Takapuna was the first international studio opened outside of Australia, the growth of the business into America and the UK makes it even more special to own the first international studio.

CMAG: The studio obviously has a strong following with the local community; what are your plans going forward with the business?

Sarah: Taka has a great loyal following. A huge part of this is the strength of the team and the relationships they have formed with clients over the last five years. We have the best instructors at the top of their game. The location certainly helps; it does not get any better with the beach and great local cafés a big favourite before and after classes. Like most retail areas Takapuna has been hit hard by the effects of Covid and it is evident by the amount of empty spaces around the shopping precinct. With the Hurstmere Road upgrade now complete and some exciting new buildings in the

pipeline we think the outlook for Takapuna is very bright and we are very excited to be part of the growth of the business community into the future. Like any business there are always opportunities for growth and improvement and we really want to focus on continually improving the experience for our clients, then they will tell their friends and family.

CMAG: What do you love about Takapuna and living on the Shore?

Sarah: We love being close to the water; we have awesome neighbours and amenities such as three great golf courses very close.

CMAG: Complete the following. After a busy business week we love nothing more than…

Sarah: … A beverage at one of our awesome Taka bars or restaurants with friends and clients or clients who have become friends. Saturday morning walks with Marley are a staple between Murrays and Mairangi Bay grabbing a coffee from Isaac at the Bay Bay Café on the way.

Studio Pilates: 33 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. Phone: 092174341, Email: takapuna@studiopilates.com, www.studiopilates.com/studios/takapuna/

Steven and Sarah Pearson.

… we think the outlook for Takapuna is very bright and we are very excited to be part of the growth of the business community into the future.

By Jane and Jeremy Bain, franchisees at Pack & Send Takapuna.

Wish international imports were easier?

Pack & Send Takapuna is your 'one stop shop' for all your international freight needs

Have you purchased something online from abroad and need to arrange a courier delivery to New Zealand yourself? Finding eBay shipping too slow? Our import services include collection from almost any part of the globe and delivery to your door here in New Zealand for a competitive price.

Some of you may experience difficulty getting a seller or sender to arrange shipments from overseas because they’re concerned about duties and taxes. Pack & Send can assist with any potential hassles!

Pack & Send know how to navigate this often challenging process. Onerous regulations and paperwork can make importing goods from overseas a difficult task. Our Import Courier Service will make these logistics smoother sailing for you or your business. We streamline the Customs clearance and other associated details and keep you up to date on your package’s whereabouts every step of the way.

We import documents, send and return passports: Yes, we can assist with visa and immigration documents pick up and return from overseas embassies. We have a dedicated and pretty unique service called ‘Send & Return’ just for passports and important documents.

Need an import freight forwarder? Importing goods to New Zealand with us can save you time and money compared to doing this yourself and arranging for a seller to export a product from the country of origin.

Pack & Send provides logistics solutions for large businesses as well as small-volume shipments. We ensure a safe and timely delivery of your freight at an even more competitive price than ever before.

When you need to import/export overseas to any country you can rely on Pack & Send's experience to package it and get it delivered, safely.

Pack & Send provides service, systems and packaging to make your freight experience as simple and smooth as possible. You don't need to open an account; they send anything, anywhere and take care of the hassles.

Pack & Send Takapuna open Mon – Sat, located at 77 Barrys Point Rd, Takapuna with exclusive and convenient parking outside. Ph 486-3355 or email takapuna@packsend.co.nz and let them make sending easy.

Living our values

Mark Wilson.

When American comedian Groucho Marx famously said, “Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others”, he was comically commenting on how many behaviours are not influenced by moral principles or good values.

Our values should be the principles or standards of behaviour that clearly reflect our judgement of what is important in life. If we profess certain values, then we should be practising them – we should walk the talk. It is during the tough times when our values are truly challenged. For example, you may claim honesty as a value but would you lie for someone if they asked you?

We must know our values, although as Jim Collins* advises if we have too many priorities, we actually have no priorities. At Kristin we have identified four core values we seek to live by and develop in our young people and community. These core values are set out in our school motto: To Progress with Vision, Integrity and Love. I am sure each school would hope behaviours demonstrated reflect their values. To help ensure we do, we will often stop and check that our response to a situation reflects our values. Especially when considering and implementing difficult decisions, we consider whether we are seeking to progress (e.g. grow and develop) in a way that is aligned to our vision (e.g. purpose), with integrity (e.g. being honest and acting justly) and in a manner that has love (e.g. compassion).

Well-known researcher and author Brené Brown** has written on shame, vulnerability and leadership. She challenges people to be aware of their own values, so we don’t forget what is important to us and how to act in the right way when we are in difficult situations. As Brené Brown says, it is often in the really tough times when our values are really tested, and when we know we are living our true values.

When joining a school, or any organisation or community, we need to ensure we understand and agree to the espoused values. Equally are those people we bring into our community willing to support and adhere to our values?

Research confirms that values are one of the key aspects parents look at when selecting a school as they represent the character a school aims to develop in their young people. You should be able to recognise a school’s values in the people who are part of that community – just as people will recognise your values based on what they observe and hear from you.

* Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great. Random House.

** Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead. Vermilion.

Jane and Jeremy Bain.

At Kristin we have identified four core values we seek to live by and develop in our young people and community.

Extend your summer in Takapuna

Your holiday doesn’t have to be over just because you’re back at work! Summer is still in full swing here in Takapuna. With sunny days, long warm nights and a heap of interesting activities to do close to home, grab your friends and family and keep the summer vibes rolling.

Hit the beach

Voted one of Auckland’s favourite beaches, Takapuna Beach is the place to go for fun in the sun.

With soft white sand, warm glistening water, and a lush grassy reserve with a super-cool playground for the kids – there’s no better place to relax, unwind and soak up the rays.

Pack a picnic, grab an ice cream, and enjoy these spectacular summer days at Takapuna Beach.

Take to the water

Nothing beats a refreshing dip in the ocean on a hot day, and Takapuna Beach is a safe and stunning swimming beach. It’s also the perfect spot for some on-the-water activities. Try something new and take a Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) lesson with Girls Get Out There. They’ll show you all the basic SUP skills so you can paddle safely and confidently. Or you could head down to Lake Pupuke and enjoy a windsurfing lesson with the team at Madloop. There are so many other fun ways to cruise the water in Takapuna including kayaking, boating, or a good old ocean swim.

Dine outdoors

With stunning sea views, sunshine and fresh air, outdoor dining in Takapuna is a real pleasure. There’s a huge array of dining options, with bars and restaurants covering all types of cuisines.

Whether it’s a quick snack to go with a bevy in the sun, a leisurely lunch or a full dining experience – come down after work or on your day off and treat your taste buds to some fine Takapuna hospitality.

Shop ’til you drop

For high-end boutique shopping, look no further than Hurstmere Road. Take a wander and enjoy the refreshing sea air while getting your fashion fix. Or if you want to cool down a little, head to the airconditioned Shore City Shopping Centre for a one-stop shopping experience with over 50 stores conveniently located under one roof.

Use your legs

Takapuna has no shortage of walking tracks for your weekend workout. And if you want to get in a bit of exercise for your fur friends too, why not organise a dog-walking date at Takapuna Beach. Your canine mates will love frolicking in the waves and chasing sticks in the sand. Or get your pedal power on and enjoy the sights of Takapuna from your bike. Cruise down to Devonport for the afternoon along the picturesque Takapuna to Devonport Path.

For more information on all the places to eat, drink, shop, entertain and treat yourself this summer check out our business directory, as well as all the awesome places to go and things to do in Takapuna.

SPONSORS: The Takapuna Beach Business Association appreciates the support of our Gold sponsors… PRINCIPAL

With stunning sea views, sunshine and fresh air, outdoor dining in Takapuna is a real pleasure.

Takapuna Beach Playground.

Windsurfing with MadLoop.

Regatta Bar, The Strand.

Shore City.

Credit: Auckland Council.

Talking Takapuna

Extend your summer in Takapuna this month, from all the amazing activities, shops and things to do – to the great events coming to Takapuna in March!

On Friday 17th March, celebrate St Patricks Day at Florrie McGreal’s from 8am. Fancy some mid-week drinks with colleagues or friends that won’t break the bank? Check out the amazing Happy Hour deals at The Elephant Wrestler from 4-6.30pm!

The Bruce Mason Centre has Morning Melodies series starting 6th March with Base Auckland Brass, and then welcomes The Unruly Tourists from March 22nd – a witty and unique Opera about a few tourists causing a raucous on Takapuna Beach a few years ago that you won’t want to miss!

We are also getting ready for our Easter Festival on Saturday 1st April in the new town square! Bring the kids to Takapuna for the day to enjoy this free community event featuring an easter activity trail, games, performances and a boutique, curated market from 10am – 3pm.

MARCH/APRIL EVENTS IN TAKAPUNA

• 6 Mar – Bruce Mason Centre: Base Auckland Brass – Morning Melodies

• 9 Mar – The PumpHouse: John Hanlon – Now and Then

• 11 Mar – Bruce Mason Centre: The Big Drum Off

• 15-17 Mar – The PumpHouse: Educating Rita

• 22-26 Mar – Bruce Mason Centre: The Unruly Tourists

• 22-26 Mar – The PumpHouse: My Year with Lorraine

• 28 Mar – Bruce Mason Centre: Foil, Arms & Hog – Hogwash tour

• 30 Mar – Regatta Bar & Eatery: Ladies who Lunch

• 1 Apr – I Love Takapuna Easter Festival

• 1-23 Apr – I Love Takapuna Easter Holiday Hunt

• 1-22 Apr – The PumpHouse: The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch

• 14 Apr – Bruce Mason Centre: Joanne McNally – The Prosecco Express

Check us out on socials and share your summer snaps! Tag us @ilovetakapuna or use #ilovetakapuna on Instagram.

the

#supportlocal

CREATIVE SHOTZ

Decorate your home with love, joy and memories to cherish, captured by portrait artist Judy Reinen. Exclusive wall and tabletop portraits made in Europe just for you. 022 302 8070 www.creativeshotz.com

COSI FAN TUTTE

The floral Anna Grace dress by Magnolia Pearl is an ode to femininity. An unfolding wonder of construction and creativity. Find this and many other beauties in store and online.

73 Victoria Road, Devonport, 021 247 2469

www.cosifantutte.co.nz

instagram

@cosifantutte_devonport

BEAR BROTHERS

Fox on the Run is Bear Brothers fresh new embroidery design for adults, and kids, teeshirts. See the full range of quirky characters in their Devonport store until April 31st. 61 Victoria Rd, Devonport 022 541 3554 bearbrothersdenim.com

SPERO CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR

Welcoming our autumn collection - Danika Blouse from Lemon Tree Design. Available in ginger and sage.

19 Mokoia Rd, Birkenhead 09 4199781 www.spero.co.nz

FLORIENNE

Make the most of summer flowers, autumn will soon be here. Treat yourself or someone special with Flowers from Florienne 60A Hurstmere Road, Takapuna 09 486 6438 www.florienne.co.nz

MASSAGE LINK

1 hour reflexology massage, $69 1 hour whole body massage with oil, $79 46 Clyde Road, Browns Bay, 09 218 9839 massagelink.nz@gmail.com facebook massage link (browns bay) instagram @massage_link

CITY HALL

Give any room an instant refresh and Scandinavian feel with Curve Hooks by Normann Copenhagen. A modern, oversized take on a classic hook design, available in four colourways; ash, walnut, white & blue. 406 Lake Rd, Takapuna @cityhall.store www.cityhall.store

WALLACE COTTON

Create a cosy, comforting home for the cooler months ahead with new bed linen, homeware, sleepwear and loungewear. Designed with love for you and your home, discover sumptuous fabrics and soft textures in moody hues and handpainted designs to make every day more beautiful. 156 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, 09 551 7767 www.wallacecotton.com

THE PHOTO STUDIO – GLENFIELD MALL

For all-inclusive photorelated services for all of your photography needs. Glenfield Mall, Level 3 09 217 2338 www.thephotostudio.co.nz

YARNTONS

Glerups are a sustainable functional footwear from an environmentally conscious brand. Birkenhead, 18 Mokoia Rd, 09 418 4011 Devonport, 9 Victoria Rd, 09 445 3479

www.yarntons.co.nz

CRAVEHOME

The sweetest accessories from beloved New Zealand brand, Sophie. Jewellery, scarves, bags and hats for every season. 30 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead 09 419 9535

www.cravehome.co.nz

the

#supportlocal

FIESTA BALLOONS

Celebrate a life or business milestone with personalised balloons that look good from every angle. For all queries and orders, please enquire via our website or via email. We can’t wait to hear from you!

09 214 9745 info@fiestadesign.co.nz

G1/10 Auburn Street, Takapuna www.fiestadesign.co.nz

facebook @FiestaDesignNZ instagram @fiestaballoonsnz

FITZGERALD TAYLOR

Boutique stationer, home of a thoughtfully curated selection of fine stationery.

Shop 2, 2 Queens Parade, Devonport fitzgeraldtaylor.co.nz

MILA SOLEIL

Bespoke furniture redesign, furniture transformation and decor. Original hand painting or high-quality transfers available. Free quote. Contact me now to discuss and book your furniture for an upgrade.

18a Ballymore Drive, Pinehill 027 777 4048 milasss007@gmail.com www.milasoleil.com

facebook Mila Soleil, instagram @millasoleil

THE SHEEPSKIN FACTORY

15% off* all products. Use code: SHEEPSKIN15 *Discount applicable to full priced items only.

9-5pm Mon - Sat, 10-5pm Sundays

34 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna 09 486 2679 www.thesheepskinfactory.co.nz

RESENE COLORSHOP

New Resene Blackest Black is Resene’s darkest colour yet, made using super fine black pigments for the ultimate in blackness. Available in durable Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen ideal for interior features and media rooms. Available from Resene ColorShops.

1 Auburn St, Takapuna, 09 489 1540

2 Tawa Drive, Albany, 09 414 6500

8 Croftfield Lane, Wairau Park, 09 444 4387

Champagne on the Shore for Good Cause

North Shore McDonald’s franchise owners Janie and Brent Wilson are encouraging their community to get behind the upcoming Champagne on the Shore event, raising much needed funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities® New Zealand.

The Wilson’s are well known for their generosity in the community supporting local sports clubs and venues such as North Harbour Rugby, Hockey and Netball, so it’s no surprise they are going all out to raise money for a charity that is close to their heart’s.

“This is the first fundraiser for RMHC NZ being held on The Shore and we need your help to give families with a child receiving hospital care what they need most — each other,” says Brent.

Champagne on the Shore will be held at the Mercedes-Benz North Shore showroom on Wednesday 22nd March. Tickets are available from $150 for an individual, or you can become an event sponsor by purchasing a bronze sponsor ticket where your business will be promoted on the evening and in the event booklet.

A night not to be missed, Champagne on the Shore guests will be treated to champagne, cocktails, and canapés paired with live entertainment, auctions, and more.

The event is strictly R18 and tickets can be purchased here https://champagneontheshore2023.raisely.com/#tickets.

RMHC NZ provides free accommodation and support to over 3,800 families per year who must travel for their child’s medical treatment, 15 percent of those needing accommodation are Auckland-based families.

This is the first fundraiser for RMHC NZ being held on The Shore and we need your help…

Brent and Janie Wilson.

#Gramworthy

Our round up of posts from local businesses on IG that we’ve double tapped (liked) and a Q&A with Alison and Fiona from @alfie_home_

Alison and Fiona, owners of Shore-based bed linen brand, Alfie Home, have been friends since their time at Takapuna Grammar, always sharing a love of beautiful design. After travelling and returning to the Shore, the former accountant (Alison) and communications specialist (Fiona) spent many an hour chatting about how they could work together. They saw a gap in the local market for distinctive bed linen and Alfie was born, a linen range with signature prints and colour combinations that imbue a timeless yet playful quality, transcending seasonal trends and allowing each piece to become a treasured favourite. Fiona now lives in Devonport with her husband Mark and their three children, Gus, Jimmy and Margot. Alison lives in Castor Bay with her husband Callum and their three children Violet, Rita and Fred. Channel Mag asked a few questions on their insta favs and found out about their new brand.

CM: Is Instagram a source of inspiration for you? Who do you recommend following and why?

Alison and Fiona: We are both very visual people and definitely love a good scroll! Not surprisingly, we follow a lot of accounts in the design and interiors space, but the ones we are most drawn to are those that are really true to who they are either as individuals or brands. We love @alice.lines for her beautifully curated feed showcasing endless examples of amazing New Zealand design. Wellington-based photographer @bonny. beattie is a maven behind the lens and we love her stunning photography of Aotearoa brands and homes. Australian interior design practice @arentpykestudio brings ALL the inspiration with their magical use of colour and texture. Online indie book store @booketybookbooks has a colourful, happy feed full of excellent book recommendations.

CM: Which other local businesses/artists do social media well?

Alison and Fiona: There are so many amazing North Shore creatives and businesses that we really enjoy following on Instagram. @cityhall.store is a top pick for its perfectly curated feed of special pieces for the home. @deborahmoss_art paints the most beautiful artworks and shares lovely snippets of daily life and works in progress. @thislittlebirdthreads inspires us with her commitment to slow fashion and her feed is full of amazing colour and pattern. @merani_clay is a must follow for her stunning hand-made ceramics. And for when we can’t visit IRL, @dailybreadnz gives us a visual hit with delicious images of their pastries, cakes and bread.

CM: What’s next for Alfie home?

Alison and Fiona: We have some exciting things in the works! We are working with our Tāmaki Makaurau-based screen printer and manufacturer to produce a new range of cushions with a beautiful new print. We can’t wait to reveal more. We’ve had some interest from retailers about stocking Alfie and we hope to pop it into a few stores so that people can experience Alfie’s beauty and softness in real life!

www.alfiehome.com • @alfie_home_ • hello@alfiehome.com

We’re already looking forward to the next regenerate markets in Takapuna, preloved clothing at its finest. @regeneratemarket

So many beautiful, printed dresses by NZ label, Wilson Trollope, stocked in Spero, Birkenhead right now. Take a look at their gram for all the lovely fabrics @speroclothingandfootwear

The sweet treats that Jess makes look amazing and her bakery has popped up in Takapuna on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 Northcroft St. @justjessboujeebakery

Alison and Fiona.

Singapore Gardens

I’ve transited through Singapore several times when visiting the whānau back in the UK, but I had never thought to stop over, until I heard about the Gardens by the Bay. While these gardens are nothing short of spectacular, they are just one (well three actually!) of the multitude of varied and beautiful gardens Singapore has to offer.

Singapore is traditionally known for shopping and business, and the famous Orchard Road is certainly not slacking there although it has some stiff competition from the stunning new Marina Bay Mall complete with indoor canal and gondola rides! However the last couple of decades have seen a concentrated effort to ‘greenify’ the urban areas of this tiny country.

Gardens by the Bay comprises three distinctive waterfront gardens — Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central. We visited the largest, Bay South, on our first evening in Singapore, and what an introduction! The Super Trees are gigantic sustainable vertical gardens, some reaching 16 stories high. By day they are beautiful lush structures filled with greenery, but by night they are lit up beautifully and seem to come to life during the ‘Garden Rhapsody’, a spectacular light and sound show.

We returned to Bay South the next day to take a proper look at the plants and flowers in daylight, and we were not disappointed! My only regret is that we didn’t have longer to explore the lesser developed Bay Central and Bay East with its beautiful city views. Along with the Super Trees there are more impressive structures amongst the flora of Bay South. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are huge buildings which are continually updated for different themes and events and are stunning to visit.

We had to visit the Botanic Gardens next. While not as showy and modern as Bay South, the Botanic Gardens are almost 200 years old and are the first and only tropical botanical garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The Botanic Gardens have been developed along four cores of heritage, the tourist belt of the Gardens, an educational and discovery zone; and, since 2017, the Learning Forest which is designed to integrate

with the Gardens' existing rain forest to form an enlarged forest habitat. We spent a very relaxing day wandering through the different areas and enjoying each aspect, although we had a little bit of excitement when we were warned of a black spitting cobra that had been hanging around the boardwalk we were resting on. Time for us to move on a little! Other areas of botanical interest include Mandai Zoo to the north, which boasts a 20,000 cubic metre biodome that mimics a tropical rainforest habitat known as the ‘Fragile Forest’. The Night Safari and River Wonders tours are also must dos. Raffles Hotel may well be famous for the Singapore Sling, but the gardens surrounding the hotel and the courtyard bar are also worth a visit. The beautiful lush foliage contrasts spectacularly with the bright white bricks of the hotel. Even Orchard Road is becoming more and more ‘plantified’, using bougainvilleas trained in pots to form hedging, with pockets of green spaces peeking out amongst the huge malls.

On our way home to New Zealand we made sure to spare a couple of extra hours at the airport so that we could experience The Jewel. The Jewel opened at Changi airport in 2019 and is a phenomenal feat. The Shiseido Forest Valley housed within The Jewel is one of Asia's largest indoor gardens, spanning five stories and approximately 22,000 square metres. At the centre of the Forest is The Rain Vortex, the world's largest and tallest indoor waterfall, standing at 40 metres high and an absolutely stunning sight to behold. On the top level of The Jewel are numerous attractions such as a hedge maze, topiary garden, canopy walk, and mirror maze. A perfect end to our visit!

Amanda Graham

Newhaven Gardens Ltd

Ph: 021 378969

www.instagram.com/newhavengardens/ amanda@newhavengardens.co.nz

www.newhavengardens.co.nz

Top tips from Amanda Graham, Newhaven Gardens. North Shore hedge trimming, garden tidy ups, planting, pruning and garden maintenance.

Amanda Graham.

Easter Procession on Takarunga Mt Victoria

By Christine Young

Easter traditions run deep. Some (Easter bunnies, eggs) are said to pre-date or overlap with the growth of Christianity, and refer to pagan rituals greeting the arrival of spring. In the Christian tradition, communities honour the Christian message and find their own ways of telling the story of Christ and involving their communities. On the North Shore, the six Devonport churches have, over the last nearly 30 years, developed a powerful and engaging way of reminding us all of the reason we celebrate Easter.

The annual Good Friday Procession started in Devonport in 1995 and has continued almost (Covid-excepted) every year since.

This year, Andrew Page, minister at Belmont Baptist Church for just one and a half years, has been thrust into the role of chair of the Devonport Belmont Ministers’ Association, and of organising this year’s event. He has the very real disadvantage of never having experienced the procession, but equally the advantage of the support of his fellow ministers and priests, and the knowledge built up over years by several of the church administrators.

“The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the centre of our faith,” he explains of the procession and the celebration of Easter. “In the procession we journey through these pivotal days in Jesus’ life, reflecting on and retelling his sacrifice for us in his death which displays the immense love of God, and the hope and power we encounter in Jesus’ resurrection.”

The Good Friday Procession involves all six Belmont Devonport peninsula churches: Belmont Baptist, Saint Margaret’s Presbyterian, Devonport Methodist, St Francis de Sales and All Souls Catholic, Holy Trinity Anglican and Connect. “In the past,” says Andrew, “the chaplains from the Navel Base have also been involved.” He’s hopeful that will continue this year..

The procession from starts at Windsor Reserve at 10am on Good Friday (7th April this year), with prayers, readings and hymns, before proceeding up Devonport’s main street to Takarunga. Before the procession reaches the mountain top, there are four further stops, each with a prayer, a reading that tells of the next stage in those pivotal days and hours of Jesus’ life, and a hymn. A booklet with the words of the hymns is produced so all can fully take part.

Andrew says the procession in some respects is similar to the Stations of the Cross, a 14-step Catholic devotion that has been emulated in many Wester church traditions. These 14 steps commemorate Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man, and refer to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. In both cases the ritual is for many a spiritual pilgrimage.

Devonport’s Good Friday Procession is open to anyone, and Andrew has applied for the necessary permits from Auckland Council and The Maunga Authority for up to 200 people to join in. Like the Stations of the Cross, the local event reminds those taking part of the betrayal of Jesus, and his subsequent crucifixion. At the last stop

The crowd completes the pilgrimage in showery weather.

Andrew Page, minister at Belmont Baptist church and organiser of the 2023 Good Friday Procession up Takarunga.

in the Procession, atop Takarunga, the final prayers and reading take place and hymn is sung, and a woman representing Mary Magdalene symbolically goes to an empty tomb.

As in all good traditions, tales grow around the event, the most notable being reported in The New Zealand Herald in 2018 when the heavy wooden cross, erected on the mountain and due to be collected at 3pm, simply disappeared. Auckland Council and the Maunga Authority denied any knowledge of the theft and the mystery seems never to have been solved, though there is a suggestion that a

caretaker removed it after it was damaged.

To add to the tale, this year, when Andrew went to retrieve the two large sections of the replacement cross (used once only, in 2019) from storage at Holy Trinity Anglican church in Devonport, it was found to have been a victim of that church’s clean-out as the parish emptied the hall in preparation for the renovations currently taking place.

Another cross will be needed.

Another task for Andrew to come to grips with as he learns of the history and local traditions built up around the event.

Rangitoto

Mount Victoria/Takarunga

Auckland

On the North Shore, the six Devonport churches have, over the last nearly 30 years, developed a powerful and engaging way of reminding us all of the reason we celebrate Easter.

The cross is erected at the top of Takarunga Mt Victoria.

School Holiday Fun on the Shore!

With Easter coming up fast at the beginning of April and coinciding with school holidays, there’s plenty to keep busy with on the Shore. Here’s a mix of organised activities, products, businesses and a couple of Channel Mag original ideas to keep you and the littlest people in your life (or yourself!) busy this Easter and beyond.

Visit Shore City for all the Easter décor goodies

We love the Easter collection that Bed Bath N’ Table at Shore City Mall in Takapuna stocks every year and their enchanting new Easter range for 2023 has arrived in store. Packed with beautiful decorations, melamine plates for smaller children and crockery for older kids and adults, your visit will have your Easter table and décor looking magical for your Easter celebrations.

Bed Bath N’ Table, Shore City Mall, 52-56 Anzac St.

Plan an Easter egg hunt at one of our local parks

At this point, the weather in Auckland can only get better and we reckon Easter is the perfect time to grab your choccy eggs, baskets and head to your favourite local park to do an Easter egg hunt. This can be enjoyed by kids (and adults!) of all ages and you can adjust the difficulty of your hunt to suit your little egg hunters. We suggest supporting local and purchasing your eggs, baskets and other goodies from Shore based retailers (we have some ideas further down this article).

For local parks to do your hunt, we love the following (some even have playgrounds too):

• Killarney Park, Lake Pupuke

• Mt Vic, Devonport

• Hinemoa Park, Birkenhead

• Marlborough Park, Glenfield

• Kennedy Park, Castor Bay

Marlborough Park, Glenfield.

Take the kids to Tim Bray Theatre Company’s The Lightkeepers Lunch at the Pumphouse, Takapuna

The Pumphouse Theatre delivers every time when it comes to entertaining kids' shows. This Easter and school holidays, don’t miss The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, an adventure story made for audience participation, featuring an operating lighthouse, a seaworthy vessel, and an enormous rescue at sea!

Based on Ronda and David Armitage’s three children’s books, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Rescue, and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Tea, this iconic Kiwi show will have audiences of all ages singing along, joining in the fun and marvelling at its mystery, adventure, and humour. On from April 1-22 and suitable for ages 5-10 years. Visit www.pumphouse.co.nz for details and tickets.

Stock up on all your Easter treats from our local chocolatiers and bakers

Whether you’re into chocolate eggs or hot cross buns with spiced fruit (or chocolate in your hot cross buns!), there’s something for everyone at our fantastic food retailers on the Shore.

Daily Bread already has their delectable sourdough hot cross buns instore to be bought individually or in a six pack. These come in both spiced fruit and chocolate, perfect for big and little kids!

Chocolate wise, we can’t go past House of Chocolate in Beach Haven and Takapuna and Devonport Chocolates in Devonport. Both will have their Easter treats in store from mid-March. House of Chocolate have their treats available online now at www.houseofchocolate.co.nz

• House of Chocolate: Located in the mall at 62-78 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna (also at 13- 15 Sunnyhaven Avenue, Beach Haven –takeaway only store).

• Devonport Chocolates: 17 Wynyard St, Devonport, Ph: +64 9 445 6001

• Daily Bread: 43 Eversleigh Road, Belmont

Stay n Play at Glenfield Mall

If you’re looking for something to do on Wednesdays with kids under five years old, Glenfield Mall’s Stay n Play programme may be just your ticket. Each week there are design activities, arts and crafts for the children. There are usually two or three different options at each session so there’s plenty of range and fun for everyone. Come on down, get crafty and parents and caregivers can have a free coffee.

It’s free and on every Wednesday from 10 am - 12noon. Corner Glenfield Road & Downing Street, Glenfield

NOTE: This is just a small round up on the Easter themed events and school holiday fun happening on the Shore as we go to print. Keep an eye out for more activities, goodies and events throughout March and April.

MP for North Shore

Daily Bread.

House of Chocolate, Half a Dozen Caramel Cream Eggs – $25.00. Devonport Chocolates.

Hundreds and Thousands Milk Chocolate Bar – $15.00

Authorised by Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

Jade dynasty

This bold kitchen design forms the centrepiece of a new-build home with an expansive floor plan for a family with two preschoolers. The clients' brief for their new kitchen was precise, says Kitchens By Design designer Marianne Gailer, an Elite Designer of the NKBA.

“Primarily, they wanted a warm and inviting feel, with lots of practical storage solutions, plus dedicated seating for family breakfasts and a scullery for Chinese cooking,” says Marianne. “They also wanted a wow factor 'feature' of some sort, and their preference was for an island, but were concerned about being seen while prepping food and cleaning up.”

Armed with this long list of requests, Marianne came up with a clever design, where the cooking, cleaning and preparation stations are located at one side of the kitchen space, creating an excellent work triangle for the ‘cook’ and at the other side, a space dedicated to casual seating and a ‘hang out’ for the kids, with toy storage underneath. The low built-in seating is a great spot for homework and snacking, and a double bi-fold door swings back to reveal the perfect breakfast and baking station.

The star of the show, however, is the island, with its hand-picked slab of jade marble framed in American oak and highlighted by LED lighting. This raised ‘block’ of marble hides the benchtop behind it, giving separation from the open-plan dining/living area. As a finishing touch, the designer specified mirrored toe-kicks to give the island a floating look.

The primary cooking area has been placed along the back wall to avoid onlookers. A matching jade marble splashback, along with integrating the fridge into the full-height cabinetry, gives the kitchen a seamless look, says the designer. The scullery behind the ‘secret door’ is where the Chinese cooking takes place. It has a second fridge, ample storage, with cooking and cleaning station, and a second bin next to the sink.

The experienced team at Kitchens By Design offers an integrated design-to-completion service. If you're looking for a new kitchen, please call (09) 379 3084 to make an appointment with one of their designers. Kitchens By Design's showroom is located at 3 Byron Ave in Takapuna. For inspiration, take a look at some fabulous projects at www.kitchensbydesign.co.nz

Grand homes require grand design – particularly when it comes to the kitchen, which sets the scene for the rest of the home’s décor.

Seamlessly integrating practical family living with exceptional design.

Aspirations and goals are still there, but … From the

Chair – Toni van Tonder

This week I was invited to speak to a community gathering about Local Board matters and discuss some of our great plans for the years ahead. Had I been invited as the new Chair of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board in October, just after being elected, I would have shared my list of aspirations and goals that I was eager to start work on. Bring back that Toni, the one that wasn’t about to be dealt a hand of unprecedented budget cuts, widespread flooding and a tropical cyclone. At the hui, I found myself in the room with some wonderful locals looking expectantly at me and I admit, I sucked the fun out of the place within seconds.

We’ve had a terrible start to the year, and to all those who have been impacted by the devastating weather events, our thoughts are with you. The DTLB area was badly impacted by the flooding with massive cliff-face erosion, homes under water and properties red stickered. On the North Shore there were 914 rapid building assessments for the floods, 103 for the cyclone and a total of 68 homes red stickered. It has been truly devastating for some, and I’ve met families who have lost everything – and I mean absolutely everything. I met one family from Sunnynook, a mother with two sons who told me of their swim over their 1.8m fence to safety, another who had to pass her newborn baby out the window to a stranger to be carried through flood waters. We have lost lives.

The cyclone too left folk without power for long periods of time and some of our most vulnerable people had to be relocated from homes that were no longer safe for them to be in. It has been hard.

What has been even more unreal however, has been the community response. Neighbours and community groups have leapt into action, providing food, welfare support, daily welfare checks, clean up crews, sharing important information and helping us, the elected members, understand the need on the ground so that we could respond in a coordinated way. Community is everything. With a city as big is Auckland, and an event that is so widely felt, it is unrealistic to expect a city council to have enough staff and resources to spread themselves across the city in response. The best response lies with us.

Sadly, at a time when we’ve been reminded of the importance of community, Council is proposing a range of spending cuts to present a balanced budget for the next financial year. I’m certainly

not one to point the finger, a Council budget is no different to the household budget and when our earnings don’t go up, but the cost of living does, we’re left with a budget shortfall to meet our usual daily needs. It’s time to tighten the belt. The problem for Council is that this shortfall is approximately $300 million dollars. That’s how much more we need to cover our operational costs to balance the books. Auckland Council must start doing things differently and the need to balance the budget is going to have some significant implications that you ought to know about.

Community is everything. With a city as big is Auckland, and an event that is so widely felt, it is unrealistic to expect a city council to have enough staff and resources to spread themselves across the city in response. The best response lies with us.

For us, the Local Board, those implications represent a reduction of 60% of the budget that we use to support our community groups and partners. At this stage, unless something shifts, we’re going to thank all the people who helped us out the most through the storm and flood response, by offering up a budget cut. I’m being quite blunt here, but it’s important that you understand what this means – our arts partners, our community houses, our restoration groups, our community co-ordinators, local events and our town centre support; these will all be impacted. Public transport fares will increase, parks will be mown less frequently, and bins will be removed. Our libraries may need to close one day a week. All options are on the table and if they weren’t considered, we’d be looking at a 13% rates increase like Wellington City. So now is a time for you to have your say.

The annual budget is open for consultation between 28th February – 28th March and I’m asking you to help us advocate for the things that matter most. If it means a slightly higher rates increase, is this something you’re willing to consider? The Local Board’s job is to present the views of their community to the Governing Body, so please participate in this consultation, it’s more important than ever that we hear from you. We need a balanced budget, and we need to hear how you think this should be achieved.

Toni van Tonder, Chair, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

Email: toni.vantonder@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Final note: My heartfelt thanks go to the following groups in our community who have supported us through the weather events and the clean upHauraki Corner Residents Group, Milford Rotary, NZ Defence Forces, 1st Devonport Scouts, Sunnynook Community Association, Sunnynook Community Centre, Sunnynook flood response team, Sunnynook Baptist church, Windsor Park Baptist church, Mayfield Sports Bar, Glenfield Greyhounds, Sunnynook Countdown, North Shore Islamic Centre, Sunnynook Scouts, Milford Residents Association, Milford Dads, Eddie’s Eels, Milford Marina, Milford Cruising Club, Milford WEEPS, Milford Rotary, Takapuna Rotary, Foodstuffs, NZ Rotary, Devonport Volunteer Fire Brigade, North Shore Rugby Football Club, Kai 4 Communities, 6th Squadron Air Cadets, Devonport Peninsula Trust, Castor Bay Residents Association, Takapuna North Community Association.

Toni van Tonder.

Presenting Oneoneroa’s newest stage, Mahinga Kai

16 architecturally designed homes built and ready in Belmont.

Nestled on the northern shore of the Waitematā harbour, the latest release of Belmont’s much-lauded Oneoneroa development is complete, with 16 brand-new homes ready and waiting to move into.

Named ‘Mahinga Kai’, this collection of stylish residences has been masterfully designed to offer the very best in high-quality, contemporary living and includes a choice of two, three and fourbedroom homes. These unique properties cater to a wide variety of lifestyles, from entry level buying right through to large and luxurious family homes.

Values-based and local developer

The first major Tāmaki Makaurau residential property development headed by local hapū, Oneoneroa is the outcome of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Properties’ vision to build premium quality homes and a strong, vibrant community. And as such, strong iwi values like kaitiakitanga (protecting the natural resources and taonga), whanaungatanga (fostering meaningful relationships) and manaakitanga (caring for each

other) are embedded in their approach as a developer.

The people of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have planted their roots deep in Tāmaki Makaurau for centuries. Here’s an opportunity for the astute buyer to plant theirs on the very edge of our city’s greatest taonga, the beautiful Waitematā harbour.

The story behind the names

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Properties have made it a priority to restore some of the original ingoa (names) in the area. Oneoneroa, known locally as Shoal Bay - oneone meaning ‘sand’ while roa means ‘long’. It refers to the long arm of the peninsula encircling the bay, and the familiar shimmering sandspit revealed each day by the outgoing tide. Similarly, the name Mahinga Kai is in reference to the natural resources in the local area used for sustenance, an acknowledgment of gathering and cultivating kai (food) that traditionally took place. In a modern-day context, the local area continues to provide for the community with the stunning beaches peppering the shore and bountiful green spaces.

The community

The first residents of this thriving community moved in following the first mandatory lockdown back in 2020. The community spirit has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a mix of people living in the twenty-six impressive and stylish homes. As a testament to the fantastic lifestyle on offer, all those who purchased properties in the initial stages are still living in them today. Young couples have grown into young families, with the next generation of Oneoneroa residents creating fond memories to look back on.

Premium design and quality build

Embracing Eversleigh Road and Lowe Street, the well-planned, northfacing location means that each freehold home is positioned for optimum light, sun and privacy, with some even enjoying expansive city, harbour, and bridge views. Reputable design firm, Context, was responsible for the impressive modern designs and unlike other terraced homes, these are only two levels, not three. Considered use of space provides generous, well-balanced proportions and plenty of storage.

A neutral palette of engineered oak flooring, wool carpets and bright white walls creates a relaxing, inviting ambiance inside. Kitchens feature high-quality Fisher & Paykel appliances and induction cook tops, and all bathrooms have underfloor heating. Keyless entry and heat pumps ensure comfort and security. All living areas flow out to fenced flat lawns and landscaped gardens, with the family homes enjoying large back yards with multiple alfresco living zones.

The location

The beauty of Oneoneroa is the opportunity to enjoy the exceptional benefits and appeal of a brandnew build, in an already well-established and much-loved area. Located at the heart of Belmont, the neighbourhood is within walking distance to popular beaches, reserves, local shops and eateries. Daily Bread Belmont is just around the corner on Eversleigh Road providing the perfect local spot to grab a morning coffee and pastry, and Takapuna and Devonport dining precincts are just minutes away.

Local amenities and schools

With Waitemata Golf Course, Belmont Park Racquets and Cheltenham, Narrowneck and Takapuna beaches a short ride or stroll away, residents have everything they need for weekends with the family.

Also nearby is Northboro Reserve, accessible directly from Lowe Street. It features a well-maintained public walkway that skirts the waterfront, providing the ultimate vantage-point for the city and Harbour Bridge, plus accesses Takapuna and Bayswater. Those with children will appreciate the exceptional school zoning, which includes Hauraki Primary, Belmont Primary, Belmont Intermediate and Takapuna Grammar.

Getting around

As an alternative way of getting around the area and to promote greener living, Oneoneroa’s homeowners receive a free E-Bike to explore their new neighbourhood and discover exactly what makes this lifestyle such a sought-after one.

With the Bayswater and Devonport ferries putting the CBD just 15 minutes away, and the Takapuna-Devonport bike path on your doorstep, Oneoneroa is ideally located for people seeking the best of both worlds.

For those who are in search of a unique community, a perfect location, and a modern lifestyle, Oneoneroa is the perfect place. Book your viewing today.

Michael Swarbrick – Licensed REAA 2008

021 888 133

oneoneroa@harcourts.co.nz

www.oneoneroa.co.nz

This collection of stylish residences has been masterfully designed to offer the very best in high-quality, contemporary living.

Amazing Asia

Discover the wonders of our favourite Asian destinations. The chance to discover new, exciting places, and create memories that last a lifetime. Embrace each unique culture, diverse history and taste of food delicacies.

Shore Travel is here to help you explore the world, your way. Travel on your own or choose from a variety of guided tours or all-inclusive cruises.

Vietnam and Cambodia: Cruise Vietnam’s stunning Halong Bay; wander the endless laneways of Hoi An’s Old Town and discover the many restaurants, galleries and shops; board a sampan or local cruise to explore the meandering canals of the Mekong Delta; visit the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels near Saigon. Explore Cambodia’s unique temples of Angkor.

Japan: Ancient traditions meet a world of modernity in a land of timeless beauty. Gain a glimpse into the Geisha culture of Kyoto, stroll along the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and sample local delicacies in Osaka. Visit during the spring cherry blossom season or when the autumn trees are a blaze of colour.

Bali, Indonesia: Rich in culture, Bali is famous for never-ending beaches, stunning sunsets, terraced rice paddy fields and ancient temples. Steeped in spirituality with warm, welcoming people. Be captivated by its beauty and charm. Take a cooking class, shop for

a bargain, chill for the day at a beach club, visit one of the many temples, surf some of the world’s most epic waves, or escape to a wellness retreat.

Thailand: Discover beautiful beaches surrounded by azure waters. Tempt your tastebuds with authentic Thai food. Shop at the colourful markets and admire stunning Buddhist temples.

Singapore and Malaysia: Discover exciting, bustling cities with grand temples, traditional street markets, designer retail hubs and fun family attractions.

India and Sri Lanka: Awaken all your senses with morning calls of the chai wallahs, smoke curling over the Ganges during a golden Varanasi sunrise and smell the rich aromas of simmering curry. Spot Bengal tigers in Ranthambhore or Panna National Park; hang with nomads in Jaisalmer, discover the ‘Pink City” of Jaipur, and visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Sri Lanka features pristine rainforest, ancient rock fortresses and extensive wildlife along with some of the most perfect beaches.

When it comes to travel, possibilities are endless. Shore Travel’s gift is curating experiences that unlock yours. Each aspect of your trip is tailored to fit your own world, ready to explore and be enjoyed. Enquire today: phone: (09) 489 2597 or email: hello@shoretravel.co.nz

When it comes to travel, the possibilites are endless. Shore Travel’s gift is curating experiences that unlock yours.

Bali, Indonesia.

Angkor, Cambodia. Halong Bay, Vietnam.

Vive La France is BACK…

Our annual French event is back better than ever on Saturday 11th March. The cost of closing the road is now so prohibitive that we have gone back to the format we used so successfully in the past: market stalls with lots of goodies from local businesses and some others, lining both sides of the street with plenty of blue, white and red. A French-themed location will be in the top half of the Kitchener Rd car park, a site that proved so popular at our Christmas in Milford event last November. French entertainers will fill the stage en François, while you select something to eat from our French food vendors. Learn to play or have a game of petanque with our local club, also in this area. So come along, enjoy some Milford hospitality, maybe pickup a bargain or two and enjoy everything we have happening on the day.

In conjunction with Vive La France, we have the fabulous Milford Fashion Show, starting at 3.00pm in the centre of the Milford Centre mall. There, our lovely models will showcase autumn dress and shoe fashion from our local retailers. And you can win a magnificent prize - a weekend away at a luxury resort with the use of a brand new Mercedes-Benz EQC electric SUV, PLUS you will also receive

$1,000-worth of vouchers to spend in the Milford Centre mall. To win, enter at the entry station in the centre of the mall, where you will see the magnificent Mercedes-Benz EQC on display courtesy of Mercedes-Benz North Shore. No purchase required, just fill in the entry form anytime between now and the Fashion Show. But to WIN, you must be at the show, as the winner will be drawn live.

SHOW

Your monthly update from Murray Hill, Manager of the Milford Business Association.

Murray Hill.

This is Pierre signing off, Au revoir

Madame Monique et Monsieur Pierre

Mercedes-Benz EQC electric SUV.

Devonport Glass – Your local glass specialists

When it comes to relying on a local business for all your glass requirements, the team at Devonport Glass are one of the very best. The family owned and operated business offer the highest quality supply and installation of a wide range of professional glass services at affordable prices.

Glazing Services include… Mirrors, Showers, Obscure glass, Reputties, repair of broken glass, Double glazing, Lead light repairs, Low E thermal glass, Safety glass, Hush glass. They will take care of all your glass requirements – new glass as well as renovations and repairs, including pet doors, splash backs and insurance work.

The Devonport Glass crew is a team of fully qualified and highly experienced glaziers who are passionate about providing a full range of glass window repair, replacement and installation solutions at very reasonable prices. You can rely on their prompt and friendly approach. They love what they do and they love happy customers who will recommend them to others. To them that’s proof of a job well done!

For new customers the process is very easy. For a free, no obligation quote for your glass, simply email the Devonport Glass team at devonportglass@gmail.com or give them a call on 021 148 1804. If you wish to you can also make enquiries via their website: www.devonportglass.co.nz

By Aidan Bennett

Local leads community-driven flood recovery

Often when disaster strikes, the community responds. This is happening all over the damaged parts of the North Island. Communities coming together doing extraordinary things as they endeavour to recover from what mother nature has thrown at us over the past few weeks. Close to home at Sunnynook – a local area hit hard in the flood of Friday January 27th – the community has shown considerable resilience. This resilience has come through leadership. Channel Mag’s Aidan Bennett talked to Reilly Brown, a Sunnynook local who stepped up to play a big role in the community’s response.

Reilly Brown and his family – that includes five kids – lives on the northern edges of Sunnynook Park and is very involved in the

community. He’s a coach at the Glenfield Greyhounds Rugby League Club that has its base at the park. He spent the best part of a decade in the Navy mainly working in the catering area. His most recent role before leaving the Navy was as a divisional officer working in the welfare and career progression space. These days he runs a hospitality company and is also a Naval Reservist – they call on him if he’s needed.

On that very wet Friday Reilly first got involved in flood efforts by helping his neighbour whose home was being flooded. As the rain came down, he realised things were getting serious.

As most will know Sunnynook Park has been redeveloped in recent years to play a part in preventing flooding. On Friday January 27th it flooded and overflowed – the rain was just too much despite the best

Bronwyn Bound and Reilly Brown.

Melissa Powell out door knocking.

Sunnynook Park under water.

efforts of city planners and experts. But locals believe the park did perform well, helping to avoid a larger problem. Reilly Brown believes that was the case.

On Saturday members of the Sunnynook Community came together for a meeting as volunteers at the Community Centre. Reilly Brown was at that meeting called via Facebook by Sunnynook Community Centre manager Bronwyn Bound and Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member and Sunnynook local Melissa Powell. Two local leaders who’ve played big parts in the flood recovery.

“Reilly was a Sunnynook community asset we didn’t know we had,” explained Melissa Powell. “On the Saturday after the floods, a few community members sat around a table and began to assess the damage and triage the need. To be honest, we were overwhelmed with the task ahead of us. Then, in walked Reilly. His experience in the military and emergency relief was invaluable. The Sunnynook Flood Response was rolled out so well because of Reilly’s leadership and experience.”

Bronwyn Bound says Reilly’s involvement gave everyone added confidence. "When Riley walked through the door to Volunteer and said he had previous experience with assisting communities in an emergency we all visablly relaxed and realised we could do this."

As a member of the armed forces Reilly had been involved with similar incidents before. He was at Lyttleton when the Christchurch earthquake struck and was in the devastated city during that harrowing initial recovery period. He was deployed to Kaikoura on HMNZS Canterbury after the earthquake there. He says those experiences, along with his training, provided him with an understanding of how to manage such a crisis.

“Our first priority in the plan was the welfare of the people,” says Reilly Brown. “Accommodation – a dry place to stay, food and clothing. We would have had around 50 volunteers on Saturday and Sunday who just door-knocked to check on people. From that work we could identify what was needed to assist. A spreadsheet of all the homes was created to manage the process. As well as homes in Sunnynook, homes in

Reilly Brown addressing volunteers.

Local Board Chair Toni van Tonder.

Flooding in Sunnynook.

Flood damage helpers.

Flooding on Sunnynook road.

Volunteers helping in Sunnynook.

neighbouring suburbs like Totaravale and Unsworth were also included.”

“The second part of the plan was devised to help affected residents to get their homes sorted. I have been astounded by the generosity of local North Shore people who have come to help, donated things and have supplied labour, trailers, utes, vans and trucks that have taken items to the dump.”

On day four the Glenfield Greyhounds Rugby League Club became the local base for donated clothing and right through the Sunnynook Community Centre served as the HQ for the recovery efforts and was where food was provided along with welfare relief.

“Melanie and Bronwyn worked overtime, using all their contacts to get action from all angles,” adds Reilly Brown. “They whipped up volunteers, local churches helped to cook meals, Countdown supplied food for meals – it was astounding.”

This community led phase carried on for a full week, seven days from Saturday through until the Friday. Help then started to arrive from

the authorities.

Reilly acknowledged the support of Auckland Councillor Richard Hills in making things happen. The mayor Wayne Brown visited, as did National Party leader Christopher Luxon and local MP Simon Watts and Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Toni van Tonder. The mayor, councillor Hills and chair van Tonder held a press conference at the Sunnynook Community Centre.

“The biggest thing is the community showed resilience and got together,” explains Reilly Brown, when asked about his thoughts on the flood response. “Most of the work was done in that first week without emergency support. The community came together to make it work.”

The work of Reilly Brown, Bronwyn Bound, Melissa Powell and all the others at Sunnynook was due to be celebrated with a Community Dinner being held at the Community Centre in late February. The aim was to share flood stories and enjoy a meal together. They certainly deserved it. Well done Sunnynook!

Reilly Brown and the Sunnynook team.

Christopher Luxon (left) visited Sunnynook.

Volunteers helping at the community centre.

Food donated at Sunnynook Community Centre.

Flood damage in Sunnynook.

We're with you, Auckland

By Natasha Geo, Takapuna North Community Trust Manager Natasha Geo.

Our thoughts are with those affected by the Auckland Floods. It's heart-wrenching to see the impact of natural disasters on people's lives. However, amidst this adversity, we're humbled by the incredible work of the volunteers who have stepped up to help.Their selfless dedication is truly inspiring, and a reminder of the power of community. We are so grateful for all that these volunteers have done and continue to do. Let's continue to stand together and support each other. We are here to offer any support we can.

Discover Pupukemoana - Sunday 5th March 9.30am – 3pm

TNCT and Pupuke Birdsong

Project are hosting a free, family-friendly, zero-waste awareness day at The Pumphouse on Pupukemoana (Lake Pupuke)! Join us and find out about the unique ecological taonga that is Pupukemoana and what we can do to help preserve and improve the lake’s water quality.

There will be plenty of opportunity to get out on the water with free guided kayaking and snorkelling tours.

Don’t want to get your hair wet? No worries! There’s lots to do onshore as well with guided walks through the reserve and Pumphouse, and displays about creatures of the lake.

We will also be running raranga (weaving) and poi making workshops – come have a go!

Don’t miss this chance to connect with our moana. Check our website for more details including how to register for workshops and tours.

Free lunchtime fitness sessions starting March

Looking for a fun and free way to improve your wellbeing and get active? Look no further than the free weekday fitness sessions in the heart of Takapuna! These sessions offer a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, get moving, and spend time outdoors. Activities include cardio training, pilates, and yoga, and are suitable for all fitness levels. Not only will you feel great after each session, but you'll also have a chance to grab some free giveaways. So come on down and join the fun – your body and mind will thank you! More details to come. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website.

We’d love to hear from you!

If you have any feedback on how we serve you or would like to share some ideas, please get in touch with us.

Visit our website www.takapunatrust.org.nz

Facebook/Instagram: @TakapunaNorthCommunityTrust

Email: office@takapunatrust.org.nz Phone: (09) 486 2098

Supported by:

Community resilience and the National Emergency situation and recovery

By Simon Ritchie, Marketing & Communications Lead Simon Ritchie.

With the devastating effects that have been experienced by many in the community we wish a speedy recovery to all and thank all responders for their incredible help.

Community resilience and the National Emergency situation. You can find information at this webpage link: https://www. resilientaucklandnorth.org.nz/aucklandfloodhelp on ANCAD's Resilient Communities Auckland North website, with key, collated information about Auckland's emergency flood situation and response. This page will be updated regularly, so check back when you need to. Information includes key contacts as well as information about: financial assistance/advice on your rights/ insurance/cleaning up after the flood/waste disposal (public and private)/pets/donations and volunteering/ethnic communities/ accessibility.

ANCAD Community Network meeting

You are invited to this network meeting for all, on March 23rd at 12pm. Venue: TBC. A light lunch will be provided. There will be a guest speaker at this event. Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity to share any announcements. RSVP to Sarah to register your attendance and for further information: sarah@ancad.org.nz (including dietary requirements).

LiiFT Aotearoa professional development

Governance Matters: ANCAD's LiiFT Aotearoa is pleased to be able to present this FREE, 10-part series on zoom, on specific topics around governance to benefit many community groups and NFP organisations. You can register for the next session, happening on March 7 at 6.30pm on Zoom, on the topic of The Legal Responsibilities of Boards, by going to ANCAD's dedicated training website at www.LiiFT.nz and save the dates for the remaining sessions too. Presenter Carol Scholes is a specialist consultant in the field of governance and currently serves on various boards and has been described as an "outstanding and knowledgeable presenter".

Resourcing Leadership in Times of Change is a FREE bimonthly Zoom meet-up for leadership and those with leadership responsibilities in the NFP community/organisations. Receive professional development around a 'Topic of the Day' from top, professional consultants/facilitators as well as connect and talk with other community leaders in break-out rooms. Topics will vary across the year. Discuss issues/topics of importance to you. The next bi-monthly will be held on April 27th at 10am, 23rd February, with presenter Hilary Star-Foged. To register head to www.LiiFT.nz.

For more about what ANCAD is doing and how we can help, visit www.ancad.org.nz facebook @ancad.org.nz instagram ancadinc

LiiFT Aotearoa www.LiiFT.nz

Phone us on 0800 426 223 or email info@ancad.org.nz

What’s Trending?

Get ready for the new season and shop all the Autumn trends at Glenfield Mall!

The Jumbo Corduroy Over Shirt. Featuring a thick corduroy fabric, this overshirt is the perfect casual variant for a jacket. Hop on the corduroy trend with this over shirt. $59.99 from Hallensteins.

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The perfect addition to your WFH space, your office on the go or even just your bedside table. The Collapsible Tech Hub will sure to be a life changer. The newest member to the tech collapsible family, it’s collapsible design makes it ultra portable. $19.99 from Typo.

What better way to open up a new chapter and set yourself up for success in 2023 than a beautiful new diary. Fantastic designs, that celebrate NZ bird life, stunning florals, and beautiful greenery. $21.99 from Paper Plus.

A Glenfield Mall gift card is the perfect present! Great shopping hours, over 25 eateries as well as over 100 different retail stores. With no expiry date, they will be spoilt for choice!

Award winning - Stay confident and fresh all day long with this aluminium-free natural deodorant. Its powerful key ingredients work to prevent odour and reduce sweating. $17.95 available from Farmers.

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Elevate your bedroom aesthetic with the Palila Duvet Cover Set. Featuring an intricately detailed design of wild animals and botanicals in a warm, minimal palette. Made from 100% cotton with a deep contrast reverse. $249.90 from Bed Bath & Beyond.

The perfect dress for a special event or maybe a nice dinner. This mini dress has a v neckline and puff sleeves. the bodice is designed to be flattering on a range of figures. $32.00 from Postie Plus.

AUTUMN FUN AMAZING

Saturday 8 th - Sunday 23 rd April 2023

KIDS! DO IT ALL THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Animal Riders

Choose your favourite animal

Thur 13th - Sun 16th April 11am - 3pm

Centrecourt

Bouncy Castle

Put a bounce in your step!

Sat 8th, Mon 10th - Wed 12th April

Mall hours

Centrecourt FREE

Face Painting

What design will you choose?

Sat 8th, Mon 10th - Tue 11th April

Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd April

Tue 25th April (Anzac Day) 10am - 4pm (1pm - 4pm Anzac Day)

Outside Farmers

Easter Bunny

Handing out Easter eggs and balloons

Sat 8th & Mon 10th April 11am - 4pm

Roaming FREE

Horizontal Bun

How far can you reach?

Mon 17th - Sun 23rd April

Mall hours

Centrecourt

PLUS WAX HANDS, ROAMING CHARACTERS AND MORE!

See our website or pick up a flyer from the Concierge Desk for full details.

A great range of sweet and savoury treats to go with your coffee!

Serious about seafood.

Fresh sushi perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Enjoy

Delicious sundaes, iced bubble teas, hot dogs & thick shakes.

Experience amazing street food from every part of Vietnam.

Since 1989, the founding year, the St Patrick’s Day Golf Classic Charitable Trust has applied funds raised at its annual golf tournament (St Patricks Day Charity Golf Classic) to benefit young people and quite often those in need. In 2003 the trustees announced the inception of its Fianna Scholarships. It was decided that each year it would provide scholarships which would enable two young year 11 and 12 people from the North Harbour region to undertake a three week Mind, Body & Soul course at Outward Bound at Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds. This course is well known to provide invaluable life skills which the founding trustees believed would contribute immensely to the personal growth of these youngsters.

The inaugural scholarship winners were announced in 2004. They were Courtney Miller of Westlake Girls High School and Paul Hellyer of Rosmini College. Every year since, two students – most often from the same North Harbour school – have received the scholarship and attended Outward Bound. In 2011, following the Christchurch earthquake, the Fianna Scholarships were awarded to four deserving students from that city.

The trust asks the selected school to pick the recipients, with the only criteria being that it is unlikely that family circumstances would enable the recipients to easily afford the course fees and air fares to Anakiwa.

During February, Channel Mag’s Aidan Bennett caught up with four scholarship recipients for 2021 and 2022. He put some questions to them about their Outward Bound experience. Liam Louden-Taylor (Westlake Boys) attended the course in January 2022, while Tyler Pulini (Westlake Boys), Ayesha Bhandari and Alex Craig (both Mahurangi College) attended in January this year, 2023.

Going to places they’ve never been

Four young North Harbour people tackle Outward Bound thanks to local charitable trust

Liam Louden-Taylor (Westlake Boys)

Liam is now 18 years old, is in his first year out of school and is currently working as a labourer (with ambitions to do a building apprenticeship), at Countdown and his family business. He lives at home with his parents and sister and has a keen interest in cars, particularly modifying his car in his spare time.

AIDAN BENNETT: Was it something that you were excited about or a little nervous about, or a bit of both? Did you have to think about going once you were chosen or did you jump at the chance?

LIAM LOUDEN-TAYLOR: To be honest when I first got offered the opportunity I had no clue what it was or what it was about! It quickly became a firm no for me, but after many family friends who had been on the course told me how great it was, it changed my mind and I became keen but very nervous.

AIDAN: Summarise your experience of the three weeks.

LIAM: The three weeks could arguably have been the best three weeks of my life. I met a great group of people who I became very close to during the time that I was there. It was the most physically and mentally

Liam (centre in blue) tramping at Outward Bound.

challenging endeavour I had ever done. It also opened up my mind to a whole new variety of activities and fun I could have. It was filled with camping, sailing, hiking, leaning how to survive, and much more.

AIDAN: What was your favourite part or task that you undertook during the three weeks and why?

LIAM: My favourite part would have had to be the way it drags you far out of your comfort zone, which sounds daunting but changed who I was once I had returned.

AIDAN: On a scale of one being easy and 10 being very challenging, where did this course sit for you on that scale?

LIAM: This course would have to be up there close to a 10 on how challenging it was. It is regarded as one of the most challenging things in New Zealand.

AIDAN: What did you learn about yourself on the course and how will that help you as a person in the future?

LIAM: I learnt how to be a better me, through techniques and activities the instructors got us to do, sharing with people on a pretty deep level. Learning what I was capable of and how that attitude that I gained from the course would continue with me for the rest of my life.

AIDAN: Would you recommend the course to others?

LIAM: Yes, one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Tyler Pulini (Westlake Boys)

Tyler Pulini is 17 years old and is in year 13 at Westlake Boys. He has two younger brothers, one being a quadruplegic. His hobbies include playing rugby, touch, tag, and Sevens which he plays for both Westlake and outside of school for other rep teams. He is in his last year of school and is a prefect for 2023. His plan is to become a professional rugby player or to work in a trade.

AIDAN BENNETT: Was it something that you were excited about or a little nervous about, or a bit of both? Did you have to think about going once you have been chosen or did you jump at the chance.

TYLER PULINI: Due to having no idea what Outward Bound was, I didn't really have much interest in the opportunity at first. However after a while when I got a better understanding of what this course was all about and what it had to offer, I just thought why not? I would say that I was a little

nervous just because I was stepping into unknown territory a bit, but other than that I was pretty keen to leave Auckland and try something new.

AIDAN: Summarise your experience of the three weeks.

TYLER: My experience of the Outward Bound course was crazy. It took me a while to adjust to the early wake-ups and the PT sessions in the morning but I got used to it. All the activities we did were amazing apart from the half marathon and the 14 hour tramps through the forest! But best of all was all the laughs, chats and connections you make with everyone just made you forget about home and everything else.

AIDAN: What was your favourite part or task that you undertook during the three weeks and why?

TYLER: My favourite part would be the manu sessions we got to do off the wharf because it's just such a fun activity to do especially when you pop good ones and everyone is like "oooooooo farr thats a good one!”.

AIDAN: On a scale of one being easy and 10 being very challenging, where did this course sit for you on that scale?

TYLER: I would say that this course sat on a 8/10 in terms of it being challenging which was a bit of a surprise to me because I thought the course wouldn't have much to offer me when it came to physical activity because I came from a sporting background and was already quite fit and strong. But to my surprise some of these activities we did were really physically straining especially the hikes with the packs on and the half marathon.

AIDAN: What did you learn about yourself on the course and how will that help you as a person in the future?

TYLER: What I really gained from the course was that I could feel I had developed more of a fixed mindset and was more motivated and focused on my goals and what I wanted to achieve, which is really important for me moving forward because I’m coming into my last year of school and I want to make all these rep teams and stuff. So I need to have a better mindset when approaching the things that I want so I can achieve my goals.

Tamaki Makaurau has been hit hard recently. Can you help?

Auckland Foundation has set up a fund to support the medium and long term relief for communities most affected by the recent extreme flooding and cyclones across our city. Are you in a position to support?

Head to our website today for more info.

aucklandfoundation.org.nz

info@aucklandfoundation.org.nz

Tyler Pulini (in red) at Outward Bound.

AIDAN: Would you recommend the course to others?

TYLER: Yes I would recommend the course to others because it's just such a great experience to isolate yourself away from the world and all the outside noise and just connect with a bunch of other great individuals, allowing you to discover things in yourself that you may not have known was there.

Ayesha Bhandari (Mahurangi College)

Ayesha Bhandari is 17 years old and lives in Warkworth with her mum, dad, brother and cat. She enjoys spending time outdoors as much as possible but also staying home with her cat. Ayesha also likes trying out new sports but says she might not stick to them for a long time. She is involved in the mediation team at school and says if there is an opportunity to help in the community she does. Ayesha plans on having a café business, becoming a lawyer – or both!

AIDAN BENNETT: Was it something that you were excited about or a little nervous about, or a bit of both? Did you have to think about going once you have been chosen or did you jump at the chance?

AYESHA BHANDARI: I was really excited when I first signed up for the Outward Bound Mind Body and Soul course and I didn't think much of it as I didn't really know what to expect. When I got to know about the whole course and how it's going be run, I was quite nervous because I felt as though I might not be able to keep up with the rest of the people there 'cause I am not the fittest and might get left behind but I am quite surprised I did quite well.

AIDAN: Summarise your experience of the three weeks.

AYESHA: My experience with the course was interesting, fun, exciting and slightly scary 'cause we did a lot of things that I had never done before or even heard of before. So it was a bit scary sometimes! It was fun because I enjoyed all of the activities we did but also because I met so many amazing people. They were just the nicest people I had ever met and were just so fun to be around.

AIDAN: What was your favourite part or task that you undertook during the three weeks and why?

AYESHA: I really enjoyed sailing because as a group we had a lot of bonding time, because we were sleeping, pooping, and eating on a 10-metre boat with 14 people. I also think tramping was also one of my favourite activities because I didn't think I would be able to go up and down these massive mountains for three days straight but I did and I was surprised.

AIDAN: On a scale of one being easy and 10 being very challenging, where did this course sit for you on that scale?

AYESHA: The course for me would be somewhere between 5 and 8 because all the activities we did were new to me but some were easy to learn, some were a bit harder and some of them were just about not giving up, such as tramping. It was the hardest part of the overall course for me.

AIDAN: What did you learn about yourself on the course and how will that help you as a person in the future?

AYESHA: Something I learnt about myself is that I am willing to take on challenges to learn and experience new things. This would help me in the future as I won't shy away from new challenges and keep on learning new things and gaining more knowledge as I go through my life.

AIDAN: Would you recommend the course to others?

AYESHA: YES! I think this is a great course for everyone as well as a great experience. They take away any form of distraction so I think people can really appreciate everything around them such as nature, the people and really focus and get into the activities and give their best. Therefore I would highly recommend this course to everyone. I also really wanted to say a big thanks to the trust for giving me the opportunity to go on the Outward Bound Course. It was a great lovely experience and I will remember it for the rest of my life.

Alex Craig (Mahurangi College)

Alex is a 17-year-old student from Mahurangi College. He was born in Portland (Oregon, USA) and lived there until he was three. From there his family moved to Playa Potrero in Costa Rica where his parents ran a small surf school for five years before they left to live in New Zealand. At school, Alex enjoys taking part in school theatre productions, and getting involved in school-wide house activities. Alex has been surfing since he

Ayesha Bhandari sailing at Outward Bound.

was born and still loves to surf down at his local beach. He also likes to spend his free time hiking, free diving, and reading. Alex intends to complete a BCom and a BA at either the University of New South Wales or the University of Sydney to hopefully lead to an acting/business career.

AIDAN BENNETT: Was it something that you were excited about or a little nervous about, or a bit of both? Did you have to think about going once you have been chosen or did you jump at the chance?

ALEX CRAIG: When I heard about this incredible opportunity I immediately jumped at it and was so excited to hear that I got it. I was a little nervous before the trip as I had never done something like this before, but overall I was incredibly excited.

AIDAN: Summarise your experience of the three weeks.

ALEX: Over the three weeks, I had the time of my life as part of the watch Kupe 697. I summited three 1300 metre peaks over a two-and-a-half day tramp. I got to white-water kayak two rivers and sailed the length of the Queen Charlotte Sound. I could feel myself getting stronger every day and loved the feeling of becoming a more physically capable person.

AIDAN: What was your favourite part or task that you undertook during the three weeks and why?

ALEX: My favourite part of the three-week trip had to be the sailing or the morning 3km runs. I used to sail as a kid with my grandfather, and sailing on the course re-ignited my love for sailing. We also got the incredible experience of seeing orcas, Hector's dolphins, and seals. I also love to run; the morning 3km's were so nice because the weather was cool and the sunrises were beautiful.

AIDAN: On a scale of one being easy and 10 being very challenging, where did this course sit for you on that scale?

ALEX: On a scale of one to ten in terms of difficulty, I would say the course was about a seven. I never found the physical aspect too challenging, which wasn’t to say it was easy. I just had pretty good fitness beforehand, but the mental challenge of the course was huge.

AIDAN: What did you learn about yourself on the course and how will that help you as a person in the future?

ALEX: It forced/allowed me to learn so much about myself, especially over the two-day solo. Over the course, I learned how to be so much more resilient in the face of adversity which is going to help in the coming years as I leave home and face the challenge of transitioning to adulthood.

AIDAN: Would you recommend the course to others?

ALEX: I would recommend this course to anyone who gets the chance. I learned so much about myself over the three weeks and had the best time. Going for this scholarship is hands down the best decision I’ve ever made, and I am so incredibly grateful to the people at the Saint Patricks Day Trust for funding my trip.

Alex Craig (crouching, left front) on the summit of Mount Baldy.

Squaring off: Takapuna takes shape

By Heather Barker Vermeer

Illumination and illustration, on the back of construction and collaboration, are heralding in a new era for Takapuna’s town centre. The completion of the new Waiwharariki Anzac Square moved a step closer this summer, with the opening of a section of the square providing a taste of what’s to come.

Running through to Hurstmere Road, part of the new zone recently opened to the public includes bespoke lighting featuring

Māori artwork, street seating, trees, planters, and paving. The site has been used for several temporary installations over the past few years, such as Takapuna Winter Lights, street table tennis, a pump track and more. This stage one of the wider Waiwharariki Anzac Square project was officially opened with a karakia whakawātea dawn blessing by mana whenua in late December, together with other key partners involved.

Celebrating the opening of stage one of Waiwharariki Anzac Square.

With more people set to move to the neighbourhood, we want to improve the street environment and create a vibrant place where people want to live, work and visit.

Kate Cumberpatch, priority location director for Eke Panuku.

“This was a great opportunity to see the start of what will become a wonderful new public space in the heart of Takapuna and acknowledge the mahi of everyone involved,” said Kate Cumberpatch, priority location director for project lead organisation, Eke Panuku, on behalf of Auckland Council. ‘’It’s exciting to see work on Waiwharariki Anzac Square progressing and see the vision, that has seen so many years of planning and work with our partners, start to take shape.

“The development of the remainder of this public space is progressing well. This project will have an important role in Takapuna’s future.”

The square, on the site of 38 Hurstmere and part of 40 Anzac Street adjoining Potters Park and Lake Road, aims to strengthen the convenience of connections within Takapuna and create a welcoming space for the local community and visitors to enjoy, Kate says, adding that new Waiwharariki Anzac Square is expected to be finished later this year.

“Once completed, Waiwharariki Anzac Square will provide a beautiful location in the centre of Takapuna for the community to come together to meet, relax, play, and celebrate. It will create a welcoming space for the community to spend time in, with space for concerts, markets and events.

“Everyone involved is eagerly looking forward to the full opening of the public space later this year.”

The gift of a name

Mana whenua gifted the name Waiwharariki to the square. Waiwharariki is the mana whenua place name for the area now known as Takapuna, the beach, and town centre.

In the mid-1800s, Waiwharariki was the name used for the settlement at the Shoal Bay headland within Takapuna. The name acknowledges the significant coastal flax wharariki that was

commonly found throughout the coastal rocks and waters endemic to that area. The wharariki plant was favoured and frequently used by Māori weavers to make tools, including kete and sleeping mats.

The name also respects a specific settlement that was established for Ngāti Pāoa. In 1849, following the death of Ngāti Pāoa chieftainess Rīria Takarangi, Governor Grey gifted Māori leader Patuone a life interest in 110 acres at Waiwharariki (Takapuna Beach).

Northcroft Street update

Bringing more people to the town centre to spend time in a safe, pleasant environment is the drive behind Northcroft Street having a facelift too. “We want to create an attractive and safe, peoplefocused environment to support the growth of Takapuna,” says Kate. “With more people set to move to the neighbourhood, we want to improve the street environment and create a vibrant place where people want to live, work and visit.

“Northcroft Street has an important role in connecting the centre of Takapuna, coupled with its potential to be a more pleasant and welcoming space for people living locally or visiting shops.”

Heavily dominated by cars, without allocated safe crossing points for pedestrians, and with little character, Northcroft Street has been under-utilised by locals and visitors alike for years. The development of the street was subject to public consultation, which wrapped up in November last year. A Devonport-Takapuna Local Board workshop is planned this month – March – to provide an update on the feedback received and discuss options for the concept design.

Already completed in Northcroft Street is the Toka Puia car park building, housing 420 short stay car parks, 84 bike parks, e-bike charging and changing rooms, which opened in 2021. Councillor Chris Darby, North Shore Ward Councillor and Planning Committee Chair, said it’s more than just a car park.

Partial opening of Waiwharariki Anzac Square.

“Toka Puia plays a key role in transitioning Takapuna for the future, reshaping it with people and wonderful public spaces in mind. Its flexible and multi-use nature are a special feature of this building, with its many bike parks, electric bike charging facilities, changing rooms and electric car share vehicles (with room to add more).”

Local cultural narrative is threaded through the naming of the building, with Toka Puia being gifted by mana whenua. It references the volcanic rock – ‘toka’ that the local spring (puia) originally flowed from.

The design and infrastructure of this building also reflects the original gas storage facility situated on site and built in 1915, with the golden lattice pattern that adorns the external facade paying homage to the patterns on the historical gas facility.

Foot traffic on Northcroft street is expected to increase due to wider development in the area.

“With more people using this street, the upgrade will support better walking and cycling connections and provide space for vehicles and car parking,” says Kate. Work will progress this year on the Northcroft Street upgrade, based on public consultation feedback and in line with input from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and other Auckland Council Controlled Organisations.

“The upgrade is part of the wider regeneration plan for a thriving Takapuna town centre,” Kate says. “It will be a celebration of Takapuna’s unique character, much like the completed Hurstmere Road transformation.”

Councillor Darby added, “Takapuna is a step closer to having the distinctive connected and thriving town centre it deserves, against the backdrop of Auckland’s best urban beach.”

Artists Wyvern and Hokimai-Anahera Rosieur, father and daughter, wove Māori cultural narrative into the design. Hokimai had this to say about the design…

"Waiwharariki is a space where families can come together and enjoy the town square but also it should make people stop and reflect as this whenua holds paramount history for Iwi Māori.

"The very modern and contemporary structures created within it needed to be able to reflect some cultural significance. In truth there wouldn't be enough surfaces to reflect the full history of Iwi Māori within this area, it was a very raw reality to learn, that was shared thanks to Eke Panuku and made this experience, for me, a real awakening.

"A collective of elements were expressed as important issues, but were also directed into a pathway that would showcase some cultural markers; taonga species and our current highlight of importance: our taiao.

"Being an artist, no matter our medium of choice, being able to weave the stories of whakapapa and timelines of events into patterns and designs is a beautiful reward in itself for Māori."

Officials at the karakia whakawātea blessing.

Illuminating the town centre.

New look Takapuna town centre takes shape.

OUR SPONSORSHIP FAMILY

By Stephanie Ray, director at Clean for Good

Cleaning your house ready for sale

Dear Readers,

Selling your home can be a hectic and stressful time; from dealing with real estate agents to getting your home ready for potential buyers, there are a lot of things to think about. As someone who is currently in the process of selling my own home, I understand this first-hand.

That's where Clean for Good can help. Our professional cleaning services can take one of the biggest tasks off your hands and help ensure that your home is looking its best for potential buyers. We understand how important first impressions are, and that's why we take care of everything, from cleaning your windows and floors to wiping down kitchen bench tops, bathrooms and even the ceiling to ensure there are no marks or fly spots. We'll make sure that your beds are made to perfection, your toilet seats are down and your front entrance is clean and tidy. We can even help with fresh flowers and ensure that your home smells great. By hiring Clean for Good, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is ready to impress potential buyers. We're here to make your life a little easier during this hectic time. So why not let us take care of the cleaning, and you can focus on the bigger picture of selling your home?

At Clean for Good, we offer a wide range of cleaning services, including weekly or bi-weekly cleanings, one-off cleaning, movein/move-out cleaning, and pre-sell/open home cleaning.

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• We are Living Wage-accredited and IMNZ-accredited employers

• We keep our rates competitive while delivering a very high standard of service

Stephanie Ray, Director 020

4010 2470

info@cleanforgood.co.nz

www.cleanforgood.co.nz

Look for our next column and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for even more hacks and a lot of freebies: instagram www.instagram.com/cleanforgoodnz facebook www.facebook.com/cleanforgoodnz

By Lewis Rudall, Master Electrician and Director at Lake Road Electrical Lewis Rudall.

Protecting your electrical system after flooding

If your home or business has been flooded and you suspect that the electrical system has been affected, it is essential to take proper safety measures before attempting to restore power or make any repairs. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Turn off the power: If you haven't already done so, turn off the main electrical switch or circuit breaker. This will help prevent electric shock and fires.

2. Assess the damage: Once the floodwater has receded, inspect your electrical system thoroughly. Look for any signs of damage, such as frayed wires, rusted electrical panels or water in the electrical outlets.

3. Call a licensed electrician: It's always best to call a licensed electrician to assess the damage and make any necessary repairs. They will have the knowledge and expertise to ensure that your electrical system is safe and functioning properly.

4. Replace damaged equipment: Any electrical equipment that has been submerged in water or damaged by flood water should be replaced. This includes circuit breakers, switches and outlets.

5. Have the system inspected: After repairs have been made, have the electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician. They can test the system and ensure that it is safe to use.

6. Consider flood protection measures: To prevent future flooding and damage to your electrical system, consider flood protection measures such as installing flood barriers or raising electrical equipment above flood level.

Remember, water and electricity don't mix and electrical hazards can cause serious injury or even death. Always take proper safety precautions and seek professional help when dealing with electrical systems after a flood.

If your property has been affected, it's important to assess the damage and take the necessary steps to repair and protect your electrical system. One of the most important things you can do is upgrade your switchboard. Lake Road Electrical currently offers $200 off switchboard upgrades plus 10% off the bill up to $500 for all other electrical work if you’re affected by the floods.

Let us know if we can help!

Lake Road Electrical is a family-owned business that specialises in residential electrical services.

To discuss your unique requirements with us call us on 09 242 2204 or message us through our website: www.lakeroadelectrical.co.nz

Text: 0291287494 or email: Lewis@lakeroadelectrical.co.nz

Stephanie Ray.

Recladding your home

‘Recladding’ – Everyone is talking about it but what is it and what are the questions our clients always ask?

What is recladding?

To re-clad means to replace any part of the exterior envelope of your home, commonly due to weather-tightness issues or for cosmetic purposes.

Can I renovate other parts of my home at the same time?

Yes you can! When you’re thinking about re-cladding your home, it is best to sit down with our skilled team and go over all the other details you’d like to change and what options you have available. We have in-house quantity surveyors who will be able to price your ideas and we hold close relationships with New Zealand's best architects and engineers who can help plan out your reclad and renovation.

What are the advantages of re-cladding?

There are several advantages to re-cladding your property

• It will result in your home being brought up to the current building code requirements

• It will mean you get a new Code of Compliance Certificate

• It is the best way to ensure all problematic areas have been fixed and eliminate any leaks (a lot homes built between 1997 and 2003 were built using untreated timber framing causing the underlying timber structure to rot and decay)

• It will likely re-establish the full value in your property (possibly even increase the value)

• You can modernise the facade to your liking making your property more saleable (if you decide to sell in the future).

What steps do I need to take to get my property ready for my reclad/ renovation?

To make the recladding process fast and efficient, there are a few steps you can take before the start date to ensure your project kicks off as quickly as possible:

• Remove any pictures, mirrors or other items hanging from the walls.

• Ideally remove all or as much of the furniture from the house as possible. If you are leaving furniture, move it all into the centre of the rooms and cover with old sheets or tarpaulins (If you don’t have any, we will do this for you.)

• Remove any valuables from your house (remember, you won’t have walls or windows for a while.)

• Try to have laundry, bathroom and kitchen counters clear of items.

• If you have curtains or blinds, our team can remove them for you, However- if you want a head start, we suggest doing this before the start date.

What happens during the first week?

During the first week, we will be getting the site ready for construction. This involves putting down any protective covering over carpets or wooden flooring, setting up the scaffold and, if required, getting the shrink wrap fitted to protect your home from the weather.

Can I live in my home whilst building work is being carried out on my re-clad?

As mentioned earlier – you won’t have windows and walls for a while. Your home will also be a building site, so it may be unsafe to live in. If it is only a portion of your home getting reclad – then it may be possible. However, it may be more comfortable and the construction process faster if you can find other accommodation during this time.

www.sorenovate.co.nz • office@sorenovate.co.nz

For more about us or our latest projects visit our website www.sorenovate.co.nz or follow and interact with us on social media instagram @sorenovate facebook @so_renovate

Kristin turns 50!

This month Kristin School celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Kristin is recognising this milestone with a special celebration for students, alumni and families who have been part of the school’s community and rich history.

Between Thursday 23rd March and Sunday 26th March, the school is hosting an extended weekend of events that includes a Gala Dinner, Summer Carnival, performing arts concert, grandparents’ High Tea, sports games and a special Chapel service.

Kristin is a school founded by families for families. It all started with a public meeting in 1972 when a small group of families came together with an optimistic shared vision for independent schooling on the North Shore. The closure of St Anne's School in Takapuna had left a vacuum for parents who believed that an independent education would best guarantee that every child's individual talents would be recognised and nurtured.

It was an ambitious and remarkable feat. Kristin’s founding parents worked tirelessly locating a site, raising funds, establishing a board and holding working bees to build the school.

The co-educational Kristin School opened its doors on the original Campbells Bay site in 1973, welcoming 62 students. Within five years this number had grown to 235 and the school moved to the current site

in Albany.

Today the roll has grown to more than 1,800 students from Early Learning through to Year 13.

The pioneering spirit of innovation that was the driving force behind Kristin’s foundation has remained an important part of the school throughout its history. Kristin was the first New Zealand school to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; a global curriculum focusing on inquiry-based learning. Today Kristin has the largest number of students following IB programmes in New Zealand with impressive results.

The Kristin Middle School is one of a few in New Zealand for students in Years 7-10. This model of schooling allows students to develop a better sense of belonging and purpose over these pivotal years of development, as well as providing leadership opportunities and a solid foundation for students heading into Senior School.

Though much has changed in 50 years, Kristin has retained its innovative, pioneering spirit and a strong sense of community. The 50th Jubilee weekend is an opportunity to honour all who have been part of Kristin’s unique story.

Kristin’s Foundation Principal Roy Munn with the Kristin School Bus, which became a familiar sight on North Shore roads (1974).

Kindergarten Teddy Bears Picnic (1988).

Kristin’s Foundation Principal Roy Munn and students planting a tree at Park Rise, Campbells Bay campus (1973).

Do you have children going into Year 7 or Year 9 in 2024 or beyond?

Don’t miss our upcoming information evening! Come and hear about our unique Middle School environment that sets us apart and keeps them together.

Thursday 16 March 2023, from 5pm

Register to attend at kristin.school.nz or call our Admissions Manager on 09 415 9566 ext 2324.

Scholarships are available to enable new students to join Kristin in Year 9, 2024.

Progress with vision, integrity and love.

A dedicated Middle School for Years 7-10. It’s learning evolved.

2023 Prefect Announcement

Introducing our Senior Prefects for 2023

From left to right:

JP Gerbes: Te Manutaki Māori, Henry Nicholson: Cultural Captain, Jake Fuyala: Deputy Head Boy, Jay Dunne: Head Boy, Vikram Varadarajam: Deputy Head Boy, James Cameron: Sports Captain, Alan Angelo: Academic Captain

We are delighted to have a strong and dynamic group of prefects representing their cohort with pride this year. We are confident they will lead the way with excellence. Our prefect team have achieved highly during their time at Westlake, both within school and at regional, national and international level in their chosen fields. They have been involved in a wide range of pursuits outside the classroom including our top achieving music ensembles, sports teams, debating team, academic council, charity council, kapa haka group, drama productions, peer tutoring and more. In his first address to the students, Head Boy Jay Dunne emphasised the importance of taking every opportunity available at Westlake. He also commented on the great friendships he has made throughout his schooling, many of whom will be working with him this year in the prefect team.

Westlake Scholars

Westlake Boys High School gained 204 Scholarships, with 27 of them Outstanding. This was the most of any school in New Zealand. We are very pleased to break the 200 mark for the third year in a row. This is a fantastic achievement for our students and a true testament to the hard-work and dedication they put into their studies. A big thank you to all teachers who influence these students to be able to do so well.

Scholarship Examinations are one step above the NCEA Level 3 curriculum. Only three per cent of the country’s Level 3 students are awarded Scholarships. Students who gain an Outstanding grade in Scholarship represent only 0.3 per cent of students. To celebrate the success of these young men, we held a Scholars Assembly on Friday 17th February to award their accomplishments. Our Premier Scholars and Top in Subject winners will also be invited to Parliament to receive their awards from the Prime Minister later in the year.

During our Scholars Assembly we

announced Hunter Haynes as our Dux for 2022 and our Proxime Accessit was Ethan Wang. Their accomplishments in 2022 were extraordinary and their names will be added to the honours boards where they will join the 60 years of top scholars who have come before them. Headmaster David Ferguson stated, “They are two of the most terrific, modest and likeable young men you could wish to meet. We are delighted for both of them.” Two of our teachers were also recognised in the Scholars Assembly. David Smale and Andrea Dawber have both have played a huge role in the success of our scholarship programme.

Top in Subject:

• Ethan Wang in German

• Jack Barnett in Art History

• Oliver Garner in Music

Premier Scholars

(Top 11 students in New Zealand):

• Hunter Haynes (Year 13)

• Simon Geertsema (Year 12)

Outstanding Scholars

(Top 51 students in New Zealand):

• Ethan Wang (Year 13)

• Hugo Chou (Year 13)

• David Choi (Year 13)

• William Jun (Year 12)

• Andy Tao (Year 12)

Archway and Pōwhiri Ceremony

We welcomed our new staff and students to Westlake Boys High School with our special archway tradition. All new staff and students walk through the Westlake Boys Waharoa (entrance way) only twice – once on the day they commence their secondary schooling journey and not again until their graduation day five years later.

TGS students excel in Scholarship exams

2022 was a very successful academic year for TGS students, which is highlighted by our wonderful Scholarship results. In total 40 students were awarded 57 Scholarships across 19 subjects.

Top Scholar

• Sofia Drew - English (at Year 12 in 2022)

Scholarship Awards

• Lachlan Jardine (2022 TGS Dux) awarded three Scholarships (Accounting, Economics, Classics) and one Outstanding in English (second year running)

• Pearl Nicholson (Year 12 also) awarded three Scholarships (English, Stats, Media) and 1one Outstanding in Health & PE)

To be commended

• Louis Fisher - three Scholarships English, Biology and DVC

Our International Baccalaureate students gained excellent results this year. Twenty nine percent of our cohort, gained more than 40 out of a total of 45 points. Among these, Victoria Johnson (below left) gained the perfect score of 45 points. Fewer than 1% worldwide attain at this level. Neve Mann Benn (below right) achieved a score of 44 points. These students and 270 more were congratulated in front of their senior peers on Wednesday 15th February at our Excellence Assembly. Held in Te Poho hall, the assembly recognised students who achieved at the highest level in their NCEA or IB courses in 2022.

TGS Athletics make history at Porritt Classic

A squad of TGS athletes competed individually, and as teams, at the Porritt Classic Athletics Meeting, held in Hamilton recently.

Senior students Jodie Nash and Sascha Letica teamed up with Year 9 Nadia Letica to compete as a three-person team in the Dianne Rodger 1500m Secondary School Challenge Trophy. This is the first year TGS has entered a team for this prestigious challenge.

The team's combined total saw TGS win the Challenge Trophy by a single point over Wellington East! Dianne Rodger, former two-time Olympian presented the shield that carries her name to the team.

Fifteen-year-old Kate Hallie gained third place in the Open Women's shot-put event, with a senior shot PB of 13.23m. Year 9 Connor Brady sprinted to first place in the U16 100m hurdles and finished sixth place in the U18 Men’s 300m hurdles. In both races, Connor was the youngest athlete in the field.

Congratulations to all our athletes doing TGS proud.

Year 10’s Sports Institute Camp

Prior to the start of the school year, the Year 10 Sports Institute cohort of 2022 set off to the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre in Tongariro.

Here they spend the week doing a range of outdoor activities that challenge their comfort zone, engage their strengths and weaknesses and most importantly, create environments where teamwork is essential. These activities included; scaling Mt Tongariro, rock climbing and abseiling on Mt Ruapehu, an 8m waterfall jump at Tawhai Falls, ziplining, caving, high ropes challenges and an overnight expedition planned and led by the students themselves. It was amazing to see our students thrive in such high pressure situations, particularly how supportive they were of one another. Many students surprised themselves with what they were able to accomplish, and have memories they are sure to hold onto for a long time to come.

For a list of all our 57 Scholarship winners please scan here.

Porritt Classic team Jodie Nash, Sascha Letica and Nadia Letica.

Top Scholar Sofia Drew being congratulated on stage by Principal Mary Nixon.

Sofia Drew. Tori Johnson. Lachlan Jardine. Pearl Nicholson. Louis Fisher. Neve Mann-Benn.

Rosmini College Prefects' Leadership Day 2023

On Friday 10th February, the 2023 Rosmini College Prefect team headed up to Shakespear Regional Park to take part in a very successful Prefects' Leadership Day. Team building activities in the morning were followed by Rosmini College’s Headmaster Mr Nixon Cooper congratulating the new leaders for being elected as well as explaining the opportunities they have this year.

Deputy Principals Mr Jon Dale and Mrs Rachel Peak alongside Assistant Principal Matua Kane Wilson then worked with these Year 13 students exploring not just what it means to be a prefect, but how these new leaders can best develop and utilise their skills for the benefit of the wider school.

Team building activities in the morning were followed by Rosmini College’s Headmaster, Mr Nixon Cooper congratulating the new leaders…

Mr Dale says proudly, “A special mention must be made of the positive attitude and comradery displayed throughout the day. Our prefects represented themselves, their families, our Year 13 cohort and our College exceptionally well. Overall, a very exciting start to 2023.”

Rosmini College Beach Volleyball Success

Over the Waitangi Day weekend, Rosmini College Year 13 students, Mateo Roa and Liam CampbellMauafu represented the school at the New Zealand Beach Volleyball Championships held at Mount Maunganui Beach.

After two days, competing in windy and hot conditions, Mateo and Liam made it into the Premier Final and gained a silver medal. This is Rosmini College’s best ever result in Beach Volleyball.

Beach Volleyball Championship.

2023 Rosmini College Prefects Leadership Day.

2023 Rosmini College Head Boy, Reuben Paul.

Prefects Leadership Day Archery. Prefects Leadership Day Kayaking. Prefects Leadership Day out on the water.

Students saw success in their 2022 Scholarship exams

Rangitoto College has once again received fantastic Scholarship results in the 2022 exams

These exams are designed to be one step above the NCEA exams and are awarded to only three per cent of the country’s Level 3 students. Students who gain an Outstanding in these exams represent only 0.3 per cent of the country’s cohort. Achieving an incredible result of 202 Scholarships with 20 at Outstanding, Rangitoto students have once again exceeded expectations after a difficult year.

Ashley Huddart and Sara Yavari had continued success in the exams, both achieving top Subject Scholarship Awards, meaning they achieved the highest possible grades in their exam in the country. Ashley achieved this for Statistics and Sara achieved this for Earth Space Science. These students built on their success from Year 12 where they gained more than four scholarships each. This year Ashley gained seven Scholarships and Sara gained six Scholarships.

Four of our students, Eliza Fergusson Dudding, Ashley Huddart, Jessica Wang, and Sara Yavari, gained an Outstanding Scholar Award which awards them $5,000 for three years while they

study—this was only awarded to 51 students this year. Remarkably, of the 202 Scholarships awarded, 32 Year 12 students gained 40 Scholarships, nine Year 11 students gained 10 Scholarships and one Year 10 student, Leo Wang, gained a Scholarship in Calculus.

In addition, Rangitoto College’s NCEA results continue to be exceptional. This is a reflection of our knowledge-rich curriculum and students’ commitment to their studies.

Level 1 achieved a 95 per cent pass rate with 82 per cent of students achieving a Merit or Excellence endorsement. There was further success at Level 2, with a 94 per cent pass rate and 74 per cent of students gaining endorsement at Merit or Excellence. Level 3 students achieved equally impressive results with a 94 per cent pass rate, 69 per cent achieving a Merit or Excellence endorsement, and a University Entrance rate of 87 per cent.

These results are a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our rangatahi and their kaiako. Rangitoto College is extremely proud and congratulates these students and all those involved in support.

7 Scholarships

• Ashley Huddart

6 Scholarships

• Jessica Wang

• Rihoko Suzuki

• Sara Yavari

5 Scholarships

• Eliza Ferguson-Dudding

• Jonathon Sun

4 Scholarships

• Atiya Hossain

• Zhinuo Huang

• Justin Kim

• Justin Park

3 Scholarships

• Isaac Chan

• Ming Ray Goy

• Lucas Hebberd

• Sun-Woong Kang

• Christine Lin

• Ella Lin

• Hanna Lin

• Ky Khon Quach

• Jiyoon Yeam

• Tyler Young

Rangitoto College kaiako guided our students to success in their Scholarship exams.

These rangatahi gained an incredible 202 Scholarships, with 20 at Outstanding.

Rangitoto College students stun with another year of inspiring International Baccalaureate results

Rangitoto College’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme has achieved incredible results in the 2022 exams, competing with those of IB-exclusive schools worldwide. Seventeen students received 40 or more points, putting them in the top 10 per cent in the world. In addition, Richard Li achieved a perfect score of 45 points, putting him in the top one per cent of students worldwide. This is the second year running that Rangitoto College has had a student achieve this phenomenal result.

For the third consecutive year, Rangitoto College achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in the exams, outperforming the national average of 89 per cent. The college also performed well above national averages with an average score of 37, which is 11 per cent higher than the world average. Seventeen per cent of our students also received an A grade on their 4000-word thesis-style Extended Essay which is an amazing accomplishment.

The IB Diploma is an academically challenging programme that strives to prepare students for the modern world. The two-year course runs across Years 12 and Year 13. It is internationally recognised as a top education curriculum.

We also congratulate our students who achieved the prestigious Bilingual Diploma: Bhanavi Micarelli (Italian), Stan Flagel and Frederic Pecqueux (French), and Rosa Sun, Kevin Pan, Eva Ruan and Tommy Huang (Chinese).

A gold medal haul for Rangitoto Beach Volleyball players at the New Zealand Secondary School Championships

Rangitoto College had 14 teams travel to Mount Maunganui over Waitangi weekend to compete at the National Senior Beach Volleyball Championship. Half of our teams gained top-eight placings in their Division 1 competitions and three of the four teams won gold. These results are unprecedented.

National titles were gained in the Senior Girls for Kaia Buckley and Kiana Stevenson, and in the Senior Boys for Ryan Jefferson and Juan Carlos Quintero. Both of these teams will compete at the World Secondary School Championships held in Israel later this year.

Rangitoto’s third national title goes to Alice Bell and Devyn Golaboski in Year 11 Girls. In Division 2 Senior Boys, Eric Oh and Mason Newby gained silver.

We are incredibly proud of these players as they always compete with integrity and pride, and all want to be the best they can be. They are fierce competitors, always demonstrating a superb standard of play and respectfulness to all involved. Thank you to the staff, coaches, and whānau for your continued support. You have all contributed immensely to our teams.

IB student Richard Li achieved a perfect score of 45 points, putting him in the top one per cent of students worldwide.

Kaia Buckley and Kiana Stevenson won the Senior Girls competition.

Ryan Jefferson and Juan Carlos Quintero won the Senior Boys competition.

Welcome to our 2023 International students!

We are delighted to welcome a large group of international students to Westlake Girls High School this year. We currently have 82 International Students studying in Term one and we are expecting this number to continue growing with new students arriving in March and July. We have students from a variety of countries including China, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Austria, Germany, Brazil, India, and Vietnam.

Our domestic students are enjoying being buddies to our new international students and are helping them settle into the school routine and life in New Zealand.

We are proud to introduce our three International Prefects for 2023.

Cathy Shin is from South Korea and says the various cultural events at Westlake Girls have allowed her to be open to many different cultures. “Studying in a foreign country as an international student can be challenging. My advice is to take part in as many activities, clubs, and sports as you can. Playing sports and being part of a team is a great way to make new friends. If you are feeling overwhelmed, do reach out to any of the prefects, teachers, or the international team. We are all here to help you. Most importantly, enjoy the experience and have fun.”

Phunatcha Pimolsri is from Bangkok, Thailand and says Westlake is a friendly environment, with a caring and understanding community

of teachers. “My advice to new international students is to open your heart to your new school, your new homestays, and New Zealand society. The international team and I are always here for you so don’t be afraid to talk to us, and your teachers. Join some of the clubs, make new friends and you will have some great experiences.”

Lubing Jiang is from Chongqing, Mainland China and says she loves how Kiwis relax during the weekends and spend time with friends and family. “Try to make new friends, don't be shy, just be confident to talk to others. You will find everyone will be happy to talk to you and make you feel welcome. If you have any questions or are having any problems, we are all here to help. Just be yourself, relax and enjoy high school life.”

2022 provisional results

We are delighted with our 2022 provisional results. “Our provisional results are testimony to the hard work of our teachers and students” says Principal Jane Stanley. WGHS also performed well in Scholarship exams with 52 scholarships awarded to 35 students in 19 different subjects.

We have students from a variety of countries including China, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Austria, Germany, Brazil, India and Vietnam.

Cathy Shin, Phunatcha Pimolsir and Lubing Jiang.

Successful start to the sporting year

North Island Club Rowing Championships 28th –30th January

We had a great weekend of racing at the North Island Club Championships held at Lake Karapiro at the end of January. Our squad of 47 achieved 2 D finals (top 32 finish), 6 B finals (top 16 finish) and 6 A finals (top 8 finishes). From our A finalists we came away with three medals - bronze in the women’s club eight, silver in the women’s novices four and a gold and North Island title in the women’s club four.

Sydney

Westlake Girls win bronze at the NZSS Beach Volleyball champs Blessed with blue skies and a scorching sun at Mt Maunganui Beach over Waitangi weekend, 138 teams from 40 schools nationwide were excited to compete in New Zealand Secondary Schools Beach Volleyball Championship after the event was cancelled last year.

Westlake Girls’ top Year 11 beach volleyball team of Kaia Tuuta and Sasha Warren performed impressively at the tournament to win bronze - their first national medal! In the senior grade our top beach volleyball team of Mackenzie Melville and Danielle Pattimore also made a good start tournament, going through the first day unbeaten and finishing in the top eight.

Brandolino’s

recent writing success

Congratulations to our Year 13 student Sydney Brandolino. Sydney entered the MindFood short story competition and her story was selected to be published in the March 2023 issue (on sale now).

Called 'Painting Corn Snakes' Sydney says "My inspiration was mostly 20th century short horror (mostly psychological) stories, in particular, Shirley Jackson's The Lottery. Short stories are, to me, such an incredible medium, especially since they force everything to be very condensed while still providing the same impact as a novel. I've always been fascinated by the concept of unreliable narrators as well and took some inspiration from films such as American Psycho, Fight Club, and Black Swan in order to portray a (spoilers!) disturbed narrator with a warped sense of reality. Although I adore writing horror stories, short or otherwise, I pinkie-promise it's all entirely fiction, and that I have no murder-y tendencies."

Sydney Brandolino.

Kaia Tuuta and Sasha Warren.

Mackenzie Melville and Danielle Pattimore.

It doesn’t have to be complicated

Barb and Roger had known each other since high school but hadn’t been in touch for a number of years. Barb had gone off to university and became an accountant and Roger had joined his father’s building company, completing his building apprenticeship. Barb met her husband at university, a dentist student who eventually became a successful orthodontist and Roger ended up marrying the daughter of a friend of his parents.

Skip forward 35 years and Roger’s wife had sadly died two years previously. Barb’s husband had left her for his hygienist. Roger and Barb re-connected at a dinner hosted by a mutual high school friend. Roger had three daughters in their early 20s. He had branched out with his father’s building company and they had now established their own development company and had several projects on the go at once. Their business affairs had become quite complex and there were multiple trusts and inter-entity guarantees involved.

Barb had come out of her divorce financially fine. She had given up her accounting career to look after the children from her marriage – two boys and a girl. This meant that upon separation her husband had to pay her an additional amount because of “economic disparity”. Barb’s parents had also recently died and not only did she have a freehold house and some investments as a result of her divorce, but she had also purchased a holiday home at Lake Rotoiti with her inheritance.

When Barb and Roger re-connected, they picked up on the mutual attraction they had had at high school. It wasn’t long before they were spending most of their time together and holidaying together. The kids were fine with it and pleased that their parents were now happy with their new partners.

the next generation, but what Barb and Roger really needed was a comprehensive relationship property agreement, setting out what their respective assets were, how they were held and what would happen in the event of not just separation, but also death. She said that too many people just focused on separation and ignored death and that the two scenarios were very different.

As Barb and Roger talked, they realised that while they wanted each other to be comfortable during their lifetimes if one of them died, they wanted to balance that with making sure that their children were ok and were able to get ahead in tough financial times. They also wanted to ensure that there were no fights within the families – they had seen this happen in friend’s families.

The lawyer recommended that they made sure that whoever they appointed as the executors of their wills and trustees of their trusts were appropriate people who wouldn’t be conflicted between the survivor of them and their respective children. She gave them good advice around using professionals and making sure there was a balance of interests. They talked about structures that would give each of them security but would also ensure that their kids were ok too.

It was important to each of them that they protected the assets they had acquired, for their children.

Barb and Roger both had their own lawyers but agreed to go and see Barb’s as she was an asset protection specialist. Barb’s lawyer congratulated them on addressing the potential issues early on. She said that too many couples either buried their heads in the sand, thought their children would be ok with what happened in the future or thought that their trusts would protect them.

She advised that trusts were still amazing asset protection vehicles and would do a great job of helping with the transfer of assets to

Blended families can provide situations that require quite complex asset protection structures. The key is to be like Barb and Roger and seek advice early. The longer you leave it, the more difficult it is to have the conversations and the more likely it is that children and others get involved and over-complicate the situation. There can be quite simple solutions to complex situations, but it pays to get advice from a specialist as to the best structure.

Tammy

09 883 3282

DAVENPORTSLAW.CO.NZ

McLeod, Managing Director, Davenports Law

Tammy

McLeod (BA LLB) is the managing director at Davenports Law and a trust and asset structuring specialist. Tammy leads the Davenports Trust Team and enjoys providing clients with advice and assistance on a broad range of issues involving the structuring and establishment of asset plans, interpretation of trust deeds, the management and administration of trust funds and trust disputes. An important part of Tammy’s practice is reviewing existing asset holding structures to ensure they achieve the needs and requirements they were established to meet. She is also experienced in Property (Relationships) Act issues and advises clients on both contracting out agreements and separation.

Tammy McLeod.

Roger and Barb agreed that it would be sensible for Barb to move into Roger’s apartment in Milford but they both agreed that they each had substantial assets that they each needed to protect.

Understanding Relationship Property.

The protection of assets that we have all worked so hard to acquire is an important consideration for most people.

Income, property, Kiwisaver, intermingled inheritances and gifts from third parties are all considered relationship property when in a de facto relationship — unless both parties have entered into a Contracting Out Agreement. Without one, relationship property would be shared equally upon separation, or even the death of one party, regardless of what anyone’s will said.

Know when your relationship is considered a de facto relationship under New Zealand legislation and protect your assets with a Contracting Out Agreement. Contact Tammy McLeod or one of her team for specialist advice.

09 883 3282

End of financial tax year

As the end of the tax year quickly approaches, now is the time to start thinking about preparing your income tax return. Filing your income tax return may seem like a daunting task, but it is important to file your tax return on time to avoid being charged a late filing penalty. With the right information and preparation, you can make the process hassle free.

We have highlighted below some key tax changes that have taken place that may affect you.

Trust reporting requirements

In order to increase transparency, the New Zealand government has implemented new disclosure requirements for trusts that generate assessable income, effective from the 2022 income tax year. Trusts that fall outside of the excluded trusts category will be required to furnish additional information in their annual income tax return (IR6). This includes financial statements, settlement details, beneficiary details, distribution details, and details of persons who hold the power of appointment to add or remove trustees and beneficiaries. The Inland Revenue Department has also issued various consultation documents regarding the new disclosure rules for trusts. The new disclosure rules are expected to impact up to 180,000 domestic trusts.

Interest deductibility limitation

Another change to keep in mind is the interest limitation rules. These rules will phase out the deductibility of interest expense against income from residential rental properties purchased prior to 28th of March 2022. From the 1st of October 2021 to 31st March 2023, the deductibility of interest expense will be reduced to 75%. For the 2024 income tax year, it will be limited to 50% of the actual interest incurred. This will gradually reduce to 0% by 1st April 2025. However, interest cannot be claimed for residential property acquired on or after 27 March 2021 unless an exclusion or exemption applies.

Other matters

Some other tax matters that should be considered are:

• Legal expenses: Review the legal expenses for deductibility that are in excess of $10,000.

• Repair and maintenance expenses: Ensure that the repair and maintenance expenses are not capital in nature. Capital expenses involve improvements to an asset, while repair and maintenance expenses relate to restoring or maintaining the asset's existing condition.

• One-off expenditure items: to ensure that they are deductible for tax purposes.

• Write off bad debts: Ensure that all bad debts are actually written off from accounting systems by balance date to be able to claim a deduction.

• Review tax treatment of income derivation to ensure it is recognised the correct income year.

General housekeeping

It is important to keep all your tax documents and records organised and easily accessible. This includes things like pay records, bank statements, and receipts for deductible expenses. By keeping your documents organised, you can make the tax filing process much smoother and reduce the risk of making errors or forgetting to report important information. By staying organised and up to date on the latest tax rules and regulations, you can ensure that your tax filing process goes smoothly and that you maximise your deductions and credits.

It is essential to seek professional advice if you are uncertain about how any of these changes may impact your tax obligations or if you need help filing your income tax return.

Provisional tax planning & tax pooling

If you're a taxpayer who pays provisional tax, you may be familiar with the challenges of estimating your tax liability for the coming year. If you overestimate your tax liability, you may end up paying too much in provisional tax, which can tie up your cash flow. On the other hand, if you underestimate your tax liability, you may be hit with penalties and interest when it's time to file your tax return. With GST, FBT and final provisional tax installment payments due shortly after the end of the tax year, it may be stressful to keep a healthy cash flow. Tax pooling can help a taxpayer free up cash flow and reduce compliance cost.

At Bellingham Wallace, our team is dedicated to helping clients navigate the tax system and ensuring that their returns are filed accurately and on time. We are available to answer any questions you have or if you require any specific advice.

Visit: www.bellinghamwallace.co.nz

Accountancy with Mike Atkinson of Bellingham Wallace.

Mike Atkinson.

In order to increase transparency, the New Zealand government has implemented new disclosure requirements for trusts that generate assessable income…

Alison is a real people person who successfully develops long-standing client relationships. She prides herself on her friendly and professional manner and believes in quality communication. By truly understanding her client's needs she is able to assist them to navigate the legal complexities in order to achieve great results.

Alison provides our clients with a wealth of both domestic and international experience as she leads our Property and Commercial team. In addition to working with residential property developers and individuals, Alison has extensive knowledge and experience in mergers and acquisitions, disposal of businesses, corporate governance, amalgamations, banking and private equity transactions. Through great client relationships and quality legal advice Alison loves to see her clients' succeed.

Alison Dymond.

Commercial leases and weather events

What happens when your premises are damaged or destroyed?

Friday, 27th January 2023 was a day that few in Auckland will forget in a hurry. It is usually the start of an eagerly anticipated long weekend – an enjoyable break from the start-of-the-year work routine. But this year was different and one which saw rainfall records for January smashed in what NIWA has described as a one-in-200 year event.

The significant weather event of 27th January caused many commercial premises to flood, some with sewage-fouled floodwater. The responsibilities of landlords and tenants when commercial premises have been damaged will be covered in your lease agreement – either an agreement to lease or a deed of lease. It is worth pointing out that if you have signed an Auckland District Law Society agreement to lease but have not formalised the lease agreement in a deed of lease, the provisions of the agreement to lease and the most current form of the Auckland District Law Society deed of lease will bind both parties as if the deed of lease had been signed.

Landlords are required to keep and maintain insurance cover for the building risks set out in the First Schedule of the deed of lease. These risks are for damage and destruction to the building by fire, flood, explosion, lightning, storm, earthquake and volcanic activity and is either for full replacement and reinstatement or for a set sum of insurance. When the premises are damaged or destroyed by weather events such as flooding, the cost of repairs to the premises and to the landlord’s fixtures and fittings (for example, carpets), is covered under the landlord’s insurance cover. When a claim is made under the landlord’s insurance policy, the insurance excess amount up to a maximum of $2,000 can usually be on-charged to the tenant. Damage to the tenant’s property will be covered under the tenant’s own policy of insurance.

If the premises or any part of them are completely destroyed or damaged so that the tenant is not able to occupy or use the premises as intended, the lease will terminate with immediate effect from the date of

the damage. However, if the premises can be accessed but the landlord decides within a period of three months from the date of the damage that the premises need to be demolished or reconstructed, the landlord can terminate the lease on one month's written notice to the tenant, with the rent and outgoings being discounted to a “fair proportion” from the date of the damage. This also applies where the premises have only been partially damaged or destroyed – a fair proportion of rent and outgoings is payable by the tenant from the date of the damage through to the completion of the repairs or reinstatement of the premises. Full rent and outgoings will kick back in after that point.

Unfortunately, the deed of lease does not clarify when premises are not able to be occupied or used as intended by the tenant, or, in other words, when the premises are untenantable. There are different factors that need to be taken into consideration when determining if the premises are untenantable or not – the actual damage suffered, the length of time to repair the damage (if the premises can be repaired), whether the tenant’s use and enjoyment of the premises has been substantially interfered with and the permanence of the damage – i.e. the portion of time the premises will be unusable versus the total lease period.

You may also recall that there was a lot of commentary during the Covid-19 lockdowns about what constituted a “fair proportion” of rent and outgoings. As every situation is different, it becomes a matter for negotiation between the parties as to what a fair proportion of rent and outgoings will be.

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, please do not hesitate to contact the Commercial team at Schnauer and Co Limited if you have any questions.

Schnauer & Co, 1 Shea Terrace, Takapuna 09 486 0177, www.schnauer.com

The Devonport Ex-Service Men’s Club 1927-1934

The New Zealand Returned Soldiers Association was formed on 28 April 1916, and soldiers returning from the First World War could join that Association’s Auckland Club in the central city. However, after a peak in 1920, the club’s membership declined and they had to close their Albert Street premises in 1923. The Takapuna ExService Men’s Club was the first ex-service organisation to be formed on the North Shore, on 18 May 1927.

Records of the Devonport Club date only from 9 September 1940, and for the earlier period there are mainly brief and patchy newspaper reports. The first publicly notified meeting was on 19 September 1927, at the Devonport Council Chambers, with a focus on relief work for unemployed returned soldiers in Devonport. Between 31 March 1926 and 31 March 1927, the number across New Zealand receiving Labour Department employment assistance tripled, and that number continued to worsen into the 1930s.

President William Esmonde Lennox Napier (1892-1952) and Secretary Harry Woolf (18971985) both featured in the advertisement for the 19 September meeting, which strongly suggests there had been at least one previous meeting for them to be elected to those positions. An article in the ‘RSA Review’ of August 2002 dates that initial meeting to July 1927, at Ford’s Tearooms in Victoria Road. Also said to be in attendance was Treasurer Alf Wilson (1893-1969) and nurse Margaret Elizabeth McComb (1885-1961).

Following the Devonport Club’s fundraising campaign in 1927, raising 100 Pounds, Devonport Borough Council subsidised the employment of twelve men for a week at Stanley Park. Takapuna Grammar School then offered a further subsidy for work on the school’s playing area.

On Thursday 3 November 1927, what was described as “the first reunion of ex-servicemen in Devonport” was held at the local Masonic Hall, with representation from the Auckland RSA and both Takapuna and Devonport Borough Councils. The event included toasts and concert items.

By David Verran

In May 1928, the Devonport Club organised a flag day to raise funds specifically for work for ex-service men in the borough, including for making a new sports ground. That flag day was held on Saturday 26 May and included a house-to-house collection across Devonport Borough and at a local rugby match, no doubt on Devonport Domain. That raised 31 pounds 3 shillings.

In May 1930, the national organisation subsidised the Devonport Club with 40 pounds for further local work for ex-service men, which included moving spoil from Kerr Street to unfinished work on Queens Parade. No doubt the Auckland Club wanted the Devonport members to affiliate directly with them, rather than to the national body.

The next time the Devonport club is noted in newspapers is for a dance they organised on Thursday 30 June 1932, and later in September 1932 for both a dance and boxing and wrestling carnival. There was then an annual meeting and dance at the Pirate Shippe in early November 1932. That November meeting confirmed the club’s revival in May 1932, suggesting the club had gone into recess from 1930 to 1932.

In December 1932, the Ladies’ Committee of the Devonport club organised a ‘flannel dance’ in the Devonport Parish Hall, with flags, nikau palms etc. The entertainment was by Bartley’s Pirate Shippe orchestra and the proceeds went to a Christmas cheer fund. The Committee President was Mrs E. W. Sharpe.

By September 1933, the newspapers were now reporting fortnightly meetings with around 80 club members and by the April 1934 Annual General Meeting, membership had increased from 78 to 160 members. William John Perkins (1888-1951) replaced Napier as President, Ernest Masters became Secretary and J. Lock Treasurer. However, a May 1934 newspaper report noted the abandonment of the club’s weekly dances and that only 95 out of 170 were financial members. The club also registered as an incorporated society in 1934, and annual financial reports from then on are at Archives New Zealand.

david.verran@xtra.co.nz

AWNS_19170727_34_6, courtesy of Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. The photograph dates from July 1917.

Invest in trees - they'll pay you back

What can add value of your property and provide protection from the sun?

What can lower your stress levels and improve health and wellbeing?

What is the largest living component of your local community, its ecology, amenity and the natural environment around us?

The answer to all these questions is of course – trees.

Trees also cool and clean the air we breathe, absorb atmospheric carbon and reduce energy use for heating and cooling your home. Trees stabilise land and help to intercept and absorb stormwater, as well and providing homes for birds, insects and other plants.

The numerous and important benefits that trees provide in our urban environments are well-known, but often overlooked. These benefits are increasingly important in our modern world, where climate change is having significant impacts on the lives of people and the pressures of modern life become greater.

Unfortunately, due to residential intensification and a lack of environmental controls, Auckland is losing a significant amount of its beautiful, diverse and irreplaceable urban forest. Now, more than ever, people need to think about the trees around us and find ways to maintain, protect and enhance the trees in our communities.

If you own a tree, you are responsible for its care and maintenance. You might need a professional arborist to provide advice on all aspects of tree care, from species selection and planting, through formative pruning and canopy work, to tree removal when necessary. Arboricultural specialists can also advise on tree hazards, caring for a veteran specimen tree and expert work like crown reduction, canopy restructuring, propping or cabling. Finally, an arborist should be consulted whenever work is planned within the root zone of a tree, or

where you have concerns about tree safety.

Make sure that your arborist is qualified, suitably experienced and fully insured. You wouldn’t hire a cowboy to be your doctor, plumber or mechanic, so why would you hire a cowboy to do tree work?

The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago, and the next best time to plant a tree is NOW, so what are you waiting for?

Brought to you by Craig Webb, Consultant Arborist www.craigwebbarborist.co.nz

Grow your Business through Networking

What Business Builders can do for you:

• Grow your business through word of mouth referrals

• Build a network of services and specialists that you can rely on

• Gain knowledge, advice and insights from your peers

• Be informed and inspired by our regular guest speakers

• Meet new people and expand your network

Flock to the B:HIVE on March 23rd

For an evening of inspirational female speakers and meaningful conversation

Our good friends at Smales Farm’s Fantail & Turtle are always involved in hosting and supporting great events. They’re at it again as the co-sponsor – with Sculpt Gardens –of a new initiative called Flock being held at the B:HIVE in Smales Farm.

Event organiser Claire

Talbot, of local Takapuna business Sculpt, says that Flock will be an evening of inspirational female speakers and meaningful conversation, with all profits going to the charity, Big Buddy.

"These will real stories, from real women,” explains Claire. "There will be intimate and small stories, big and bold stories, and everything in between. The hand picked speakers come from a variety of backgrounds, all with a story to share. Overcoming challenges, life lessons often with humour but always with a message.

"The aim is an evening when you will be inspired, entertained, maybe learn something along the way, but we know you’ll leave just a little richer. An evening that promises to be as empowering as it is warm."

Tickets only $25 and include a drink on arrival.

FLOCK – at B:HIVE, Smales Farm, Takapuna, Auckland. Thursday 23rd March 2023, 7pm. Tickets available through the Flock website - www.flocknz.org

It’s peaceful: Family’s view of refurbished North Shore hospice

Full services are now operating from Harbour Hospice’s newly refurbished North Shore site, with only $280,000 left to raise to fully fund the project. One of the first families to use its Inpatient Unit was the Aubrey family – Graham Aubrey shares his experience.

When Graham Aubrey met his wife Suzanne he was a young quantity surveyor in his twenties. Suzanne was joining his team at their office in Leeds, West Yorkshire as the boss’ new executive assistant. She was a breath of fresh air, he recalls – with red, spiky hair, a gorgeous smile and a bright, colourful wardrobe.

The pair clicked and went on to marry, travel the world and eventually settle on Auckland’s North Shore to raise their two daughters. But in 2020 Suzanne was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Suzanne did all she could to overcome the illness but in 2021 she was admitted to Harbour Hospice North Shore’s Inpatient Unit to be cared for in her final days.

Graham says what he appreciated most about Suzanne’s care in the lighter, brighter and more modern facility was the way that the nurses and doctors were upfront and honest with the family, taking their fear and uncertainty away.

"They would sit down and talk to us and give us a full understanding of what was happening and what to expect next, and they did it in a manner that was caring.

“It helped me mentally prepare myself – and the girls – for each sign of deterioration. It never felt like one moment she was there and the next moment she was gone. And once we knew Suzanne’s time was coming it seemed to lift a large weight from our shoulders. We were able to relax and enjoy the time we had left together.”

Harbour Hospice Medical Team Leader Dr Eugenia Romboli says it’s integral to build trust with families to assure them as much as possible.

“You can never assume how a patient and their family feels, what they understand about their loved one’s condition or the process of dying,” explains Eugenia. “So, you have lots of conversations with them to get to know their needs.

“It’s also really hard for people to come to us and say, ‘I’m struggling,’” she adds. “So even if they seem okay you ask, ‘Are you okay, are your children okay, is there anything we can help you with?’

“If we don’t ask, we don’t open the door for them, and they need that door to be open.”

Graham uses the word ‘peaceful’ to describe Suzanne’s time in hospice care. “I stayed every night, and the girls and Suzanne’s mum sometimes stayed too; even our dog was allowed to come in.”

The couple celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary at hospice, too, with the nurses bringing in cakes, crisps and pop so they could enjoy watching a movie together from Suzanne’s bed.

Graham is so grateful for the care Suzanne and the family received he has begun fundraising for Harbour Hospice. To support his efforts and help more North Shore locals access vital palliative care for their loved ones go to harbourhospice.org.nz/donate/.

www.harbourhospice.org.nz

By Sonia Thursby, CEO, Yes Disability

Starting the year with Aktive

The year is in full throttle now; YES and I.Lead have already been engaging with their communities and starting their projects again. I.Lead is all about communicating with the community, starting the year with a consultation with Aktive, discussing the ability to involve people with disabilities to be more engaged and active in recreational, competitive and social sports.

Aktive is about helping young New Zealanders interact with their sports organisations, breaking down barriers to enable opportunities for all young people to be involved. Collaborating with Aktive and its ideas fit well with I.Lead, enabling new opportunities for others to expand their skills.

Continuing to provide opportunities and removing barriers for young people with disabilities, I.Lead is providing a special opportunity for our young people. I.Lead has created a day for young people to be able to fill in their census forms for this year. This is due to the importance of having the census forms completed. Stats NZ is providing this opportunity for I.Lead to get our young people involved in the census, where previously a majority of the young people had their forms filled out for them without knowing the purpose of the census. Date and location is still to be confirmed for the event but keep an eye out on our website and social media platforms for updates.

YES has been invited to present Future Ready to New Zealand Disability Support Network. They are holding a hui with other organisations who also support people with disabilities. The hui is for other organisations to take away ideas and find the appropriate options that will benefit their clientele. Future Ready caters to young people who are transitioning from high school to the real world, whether that is tertiary education or the workforce. Future Ready is website that was developed by YES Disability and I.Lead, co-designed by young people with disabilities with the intention of creating a better transition experience.

YES had its first meeting with the Duke of Edinburgh participants for the new year, discussing the new opportunities they have for the adventurous journey and seeing their progress in the online record book. We are planning on going to Cambridge for a canoe adventure. This would be a new experience for our participants whether it’s the travel side or the canoe trip itself. We are aiming to expand the skills of our participants and provide them with the opportunity to be more independent.

For more information about the programs and our engagements Website- https://yesdisability.org.nz/ & https://www.ilead.org.nz/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ileadconferencenz Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/i.leadnz/

Wilson Home Trust looking after families

Although we are located in Takapuna, you may not realise that we support families with physically disabled children and young adults in the top half of the North Island from Turangi up to Cape Reinga.

We are very aware that many of the areas that we cover have been badly affected by the recent extreme weather events. If you know of someone who qualifies for the Wilson Home Trust support and is in need of some emergency assistance due to these recent weather events, please get them to contact us on 09 488 0126 or email info@wilsonhometrust.org.nz.

If you know of someone who qualifies for the Wilson Home Trust support and is in need of some emergency assistance due to these recent weather events then please get them to contact us…

If you would like to find out more about the Wilson Home Trust services and the amazing site, then we invite you to attend an Information session on Tuesday 14th March at 10.00am. Morning tea and a short tour will be provided.

Thanks for sending in your lovely photo of your new mobility dog Avery, who sounds like she is settling in well and being a great help to Maddy.

The next grant closing date for Equipment, Activity, Young Adults and Group grants is on Thursday 9th March and the next date after that is on Thursday 20th April. All other grants can be applied for at any time and will be responded to within three working days.

We are not taking any wedding bookings until early 2024 due to the planned construction on-site but the chapel is still available for small concerts and events. For more information, please contact Chris at 09 488 0126 or email ChristineJ@wilsonhometrust.org.nz.

If you would like to know more about the Wilson Home Trust and the work we do, please check out our website www.wilsonhometrust.org.nz or Facebook page

www.facebook.com/wilsonhometrust1/

Sonia Thursby.

By Shore Junction’s Youth Development Specialist Josh Martin

Shore Junction's new after-school Pasifika programmes

Younite ready and willing to help

Kia ora koutou.

We’ve all had a difficult start to the year with not one but two cyclones hitting the North Island within days of each other. We would like to express our hope that everyone is safe and well and recovering steadily from the storm. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you require extra volunteers as Younite members are ready and willing to help. Our community is our number one priority.

Despite the passing events, Younite held its first meeting for 2023 on Friday 10th February at Shore Junction. There was pizza and chatter about our favourite parts of the summer holidays as well as our excitement for the year to come. Everyone was determined to ensure that Younite continues to contribute to and encourage youth success in our community.

Many exciting and new opportunities have already been presented to Younite, such as holding a rangatahi event to get youth input on the Local Board plan. It is important that youth are aware of the three-year Devonport Takapuna Board plan as it impacts the spaces and groups youth are a part of in the community. Therefore, we believe it is crucial that we provide an opportunity for rangatahi to express their opinions and ideas towards this plan. The event will likely take place in late March at Shore Junction, and we would like to encourage all youth to come and participate!

We are also looking into an amazing opportunity with Lake House Arts on itd Nga Kitenga Hou initiative. We hosted our Rangatahi Creatives Exhibition at the Lake House last year which was a big hit, and we look forward to working together more in the future.

We’re excited to get Younite back on the road for 2023 to continue working towards our goals!

Please keep an eye out for our events and initiatives, and if you have any queries or questions, please feel free to contact us at younitechair@gmail.com.

Adriana Tobin, Younite Co-chair

If you ever have any queries or would like to contact us, please email younitechair@gmail.com.

Josh Martin.

As we enter the third month of the year, we are thrilled to announce some exciting developments at Shore Junction. In addition to the already awesome and varied programmes and events we already offer, we are proud to relaunch an initiative that is set to make a significant difference in the lives of our Pasifika young people.

Starting from term one and through term two, Shore Junction will offer new after-school Pasifika programmes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm-6pm. These programmes are specifically designed to provide tutoring and educational support for our young people in numeracy and literacy. This is an excellent opportunity for the youth in our community to receive quality academic support, which is so vital for their future success. We believe this programme will significantly benefit the rangatahi and set them on a path to achieving their dreams.

The Shore Junction team is incredibly excited about this initiative and the opportunities it presents for the youth in our community. We believe that this Pasifika programme will offer a much-needed intervention that can bridge some learning gaps and ensure that our young people are better equipped for their academic future. We are confident that our experienced team of tutors, educators, and staff will make a significant impact on the lives of our young people.

This initiative is just one of many that we are excited to bring to Shore Junction. At Shore Junction, we believe in the power of community, and we are committed to providing opportunities for young people to grow, learn, and thrive. Whether it is through our regular programmes or new initiatives like the Pasifika programmes, we are always looking for ways to make a positive difference in the lives of our young people.

We encourage all Pasifika rangatahi in our community to get involved with Shore Junction, and take up the support offered in this initiative. We believe that by working together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our young people and create a brighter future for everyone.

www.shorejunction.nz

Lisa Yuan and Adriana Tobin

Devonport Community News for this month with Nigel Bioletti, Trust Manager, Devonport Peninsula Trust

Devonport peninsula in March

It is to be hoped that communities throughout the country are given the resources they need, and a reprieve from any further weather events, in order that they are able to begin a very long process of getting back on their feet after the difficult to comprehend devastation of the past three weeks.

At a more local level, I think of those who have suffered from the weather events that struck Tamaki Makaurau/the Shore, and trust that they can overcome and re-establish homes, businesses, and the activities they and their families enjoy.

In that environment, it was somewhat reassuring that Devonport had established an Emergency Resilience Plan, which can be found on the Trust’s website home page: www.devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

Credit is due Alex Koppenaal, Commander of 6 Squadron Air Cadets, who opened the Air Cadets HQ in Narrow Neck, one of the Emergency Resilience Plan hubs, and stayed on site for much of Saturday 11th to the Monday, in case community members needed support in any way. Stanley Bay Club, another hub, was ready to open too if the need arose. Many generous offers of help were received, which was absolutely fantastic. The names and contacts of the good people concerned are being recorded for the future.

Auckland Council budget cuts, and consequential Local Board funding cuts are a serious concern for many organisations on the peninsula. It is extremely unfortunate that these organisations stand to suffer disproportionately from the cuts to the Local Board’s Locally Driven Initiatives Budget, and that the extent of these cuts, if they do happen, will not be known before these organisations need to have budgets set and employment organisation confirmed for the 2024 financial year. That said, the support and information flow from Toni van Tonder and the Local Board team to these community organisations has been very much appreciated. The Trust has organised two meetings to enable that information flow, and to enable a shared position statement to be developed by the affected organisations.

Events coming up:

• Tamariki Play – Tuesdays 9:30am at Windsor Reserve; Thursdays 9:30am at The Rose Gardens.

• Devonport Senior Forum starts for the year – Thursday 23rd at 2:30pm at Devonport Library.

• Rotary Kids Athletics – Tuesdays at 4pm at Vauxhall Sports Reserve (North Shore Rugby Grounds)

• Sandy Sundays – 12th March, 2:30 to 4:30pm at the Hauraki Road end of Takapuna Beach, and 26th March, 2:30 to 4:30pm at Narrow Neck Beach – beach art/sculpture, prizes, sausage sizzle, along with some nice Sunday grooves.

For information about the events and activities happening on the Peninsula, don’t forget that you can go to www.devonportpeninsulatrust.nz, and view (and possibly subscribe to) our e-news.

Support for the work of the Trust – the Trust is keen to grow its support for peninsula initiatives. If you are able to offer support in any way, please email me – nigelbioletti@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

By Richard Thorne, Devonport Business Improvement District Manager Richard Thorne.

Devonport village - A cool spot when it’s hot!

The unfolding news of Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastation has taken the edge off any celebration that Auckland’s summer may have actually arrived in the later half of February.

That said, Devonport was thrilled to celebrate with well over 1000 XRace competitors on the happily sunny Sunday, February 19. XRace is a fun-filled family event – where mum or dad team together with one of the kids and take on a course of mystery challenges that typically take 45 minutes to an hour to complete.

Event co-organiser Shane Hooks described it as a great gig on a beautiful day in an ideal environment, noting that many of the 1300 high spirited competitors arrived at Windsor Reserve via the ferry hours ahead of their scheduled start times, and fully enjoyed the magic of a fun day out in Devonport.

In other bright and sunny news, Devonport’s community artspace, situated at the end of Clarence St, has been enjoying a refurbishment with upgrades to the galleries and recording studios, plus rebranding. The changes were celebrated on the same weekend with the first annual DEPOT open day drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd.

For those who might prefer to sample the delights of our seaside village later in the day, perhaps over a cooling gelato or a drink, the popular free Saturday evening Flagstaff Green gigs have returned, with performances planned until the end of March. Kicking off from 5pm each Saturday evening a variety of excellent, and mostly local, acts have been enhancing the relaxed outdoor café and restaurant vibe that summer in Devonport offers. Grab a table with a street view and enjoy an enhanced cocktail hour, or two! Check our socials or devonport.co.nz/events for the upcoming schedule.

Devonport is YOUR seaside escape www.devonport.co.nz

Completing one of the XRace challenges.

DEPOT Open Day celebrations.

The Frank Talbot Trio in action.

Nigel Bioletti.

Do you have this pest plant in your backyard?

MARCH PEST PLANT OF THE MONTH: Madeira vine

This pesty creeper has reddish stems with small irregular 'warty' aerial tubers. The leaves are heart shaped, glossy, clammy to the touch, and arranged alternately on the stems. It’s flowering about now, with lots of slender, drooping, cream-coloured flowerheads about 18 cm long. Madeira vine forms dense longlived infestations that smother native plants and dominate the bush at medium to high canopy level. It can even topple small trees.

Take action as soon as possible:

• Pull out roots

• Collect all aerial tubers and send to landfill

• Put all cut vine in a securely tied black plastic bag and leave to 'cook' in the sun or send to landfill – madeira vine can regrow from fragments.

• For larger stems, cut near to the ground and immediately paste a thin film of MetGel on the cut stem – this can be purchased at most garden centres or hardware stores. Cut vines can be left to wither away in trees.

• Follow up will be required as it is incredibly persistent.

• Talk to your neighbours and encourage them to take action too!

• Report madeira vine on Council land to: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-it

There are several environmental networks across Auckland’s North Shore that support communities to recognise, report and remove pest plants and restore our native wildlife.

East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast, Restore Hibiscus & Bays info@restorehb.org.nz, restorehb.org.nz/resources-pest-plants/ Facebook.com/RestoreHB

Kaipātiki, Pest Free Kaipātiki (PFK), enquiries@pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz https://www.pfk.org.nz/pest-plant-resources Facebook.com/pestfreekaipatiki/

Takapuna, Pupuke Birdsong Project, enviro@takapunatrust.org.nz Facebook.com/pupukebirdsongproject

Devonport Peninsula, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki pestfreedevonport@gmail.com, Facebook.com/restoringtakarungahauraki/

Upper Harbour, Upper Waitematā Ecology Network (UWEN) info@upperharbourecologynetwork.org Facebook.com/ @upperwaitemataecologynetwork

For advice on chemical-free alternatives, Kaipātiki Project community@kaipatiki.org.nz kaipatiki.org.nz Facebook.com/kaipatikiproject

This monthly feature is a collaborative initiative between Restore Hibiscus & Bays, Pest Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society, Pupuke Birdsong Project, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki, the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network and Kaipātiki Project. Building on Te Ao Māori principles of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga, these environmental networks bring our communities together to foster guardianship, care and respect towards our whenua, natural world and indigenous wildlife.

with Lindsay Knight

Birkenhead pairs takes place but weather curtails other events

With the community at large, North Harbour bowlers have been preoccupied with matters much graver than any on-green activity.

But despite the unprecedented weather and inevitable disruption, a number of significant events have been played within the centre, notably the Harbour men’s and women’s pairs championships and the prestigious pairs tournaments run so successfully by the Birkenhead club.

There has been, however, one major casualty. For the second time within the past two years Bowls North Harbour’s open Masters tournament had to be abandoned before it had even started.

In 2021 the event became impossible because of a sudden Covid pandemic lockdown. And this year the brutal weather and widespread flooding forced another abandonment which was again unavoidable. This was especially tough for Harbour officials who had worked so hard organising this year’s tournament, especially in gaining a generous, new sponsor in Senior Trusts.

BNH board chair Robyne Walker said the decision to cancel was done given the best expert advice and Auckland’s state of emergency being extended for another seven days. Paramount had been the age of participants and their health and safety, plus to give an early warning for out-of-towners to cancel travel and accommodation plans.

Robyne added BNH would look at another five-day opportunity to reschedule the event.

Yet while early to mid-February was a nightmare for everyone in Bowls North Harbour, not forgetting those who suffered homes being flooded or green-keepers whose lawns were turned into lakes, there were some competitions decided, albeit in some instances in abbreviated form.

The Birkenhead men’s pairs title went to Black Jack international, Tony Grantham, who skipped Takapuna’s promising Jerry Belcher. They headed off the outstanding Helensville bowler,

By Lindsay Knight

Bart Robertson and his Auckland partner Steve Hoeft with Billy Fulton and veteran Steve Garelja from the Henderson club third.

Takapuna’s Lauren Mills and Lisa Dickson added to the national titles they gained in fours and in the sevens interclub in 2022 by winning the women’s pairs from Northland’s Sue Wightman and Ann Muir and in third place was Takapuna’s Trish Hardy playing with Waikato’s Debbie White.

Strong fields competed in each event for lucrative overall prize money of $6500, with each winning team receiving $1500.

In the women’s centre champion pairs Orewa’s Elaine McClintock and Kerin Roberts, each with a swag of centre titles to her credit, won a close final from in-form former Black Jack Wendy Jensen and her Takapuna club-mate, Trish Hardy, 21-17.

The centre’s men pairs reached the quarter-final stages, but again because of weather the final day had to be held over till this month.

Adding to the widespread despondency was the sudden death of Takapuna stalwart Beryl Macdonald, who up until the time of her passing was still a capable, competitive bowler belying her 81 years. Beryl started bowling at the Milford club in the 1990s, and won a centre title in the fours. Beryl and husband Malcolm then spent many years in Blenheim where she enjoyed considerable club and centre success.

Five or so years ago she and Malcolm returned to the North Shore, joining Takapuna. She quickly showed she had lost little of her touch when in a huge upset in the 2019-2020 season she and Karen Subritzky beat two great bowlers, and both at the time Black Jacks, Wendy Jensen and Selina Goddard. In recent years she had served as a club selector and, including the recent nationals, she had been one of the club’s best and markers. Visit:

Winners of Birkenhead pairs, women, with the cheque, Lauren Mills and Lisa Dickson.

Winners of Birkenhead pairs, men, Jerry Belcher and Tony Grantham.

Taking care of business

Corporate New Zealand is mirroring global leads, with business owners actively and creatively enticing employees back to the office and vacancy figures in preferred locations defying talk that the future of the office is in peril.

In its (Y)our Space 2022 insights report, Bayleys’ global real estate partner Knight Frank says while corporate real estate sentiment is generally still positive around growth fundamentals, hybrid working experiences have blurred the relationship between headcounts and required office space.

A-grade and prime office stock has fared well, with demand outstripping supply in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch according to Bayleys’ insights and data team.

“The flight to quality as occupiers seek higher amenity/ modern buildings to help draw staff back to the office and, in the case of Wellington, to address seismic risks with older buildings, characterises today’s office leasing market,” says Bayleys Commercial North Shore manager, Jayson Hayde.

“That movement to quality was apparent prior to the pandemic but has since gained momentum as business owners look to strengthen their position in the market from both a commerce and staffing perspective.

“While flexi/hybrid working models will still have a place as we cycle out of pandemic forces, quality remains the defining characteristic of the market and tenant mandates for sustainable buildings are bolstering this trend as stakeholders prioritise environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.”

This drive to quality has resulted in a two-step market whereby B- and C-grade properties are requiring savvy marketing programmes and higher incentives to mitigate weaker demand.

“Lower quality buildings are at greatest risk of persistent vacancies, with many landlords front-footing this and refurbishing buildings with a focus on revamped lobbies and end-of-trip facilities,” says Hayde.

“Many are working towards NABERSNZ accredited ratings, but in the interim, energy efficiency initiatives like LED lighting are bridging some of the gap."

The powerhouse

To November 2022, overall office vacancy across the key Auckland CBD precincts was 10.9 percent – up on the 10-year average of 8.8 percent.

High vacancy in areas such as the Anzac Avenue and Symonds Street education precincts, given the downturn in international student numbers, is dragging the vacancy average up.

Several of the precincts surveyed by Bayleys’ insights and data team show extremely low vacancy with the Wynyard Quarter at 1.5 percent, Britomart 3.1 percent and the Viaduct – where a number of existing office properties are being completely refurbished – at 4.9 percent.

Rents for premium office space have been rising in Auckland and look likely to keep increasing through 2023, while rents for secondary space will continue to soften.

Lloyd Budd, Bayleys' executive director Auckland commercial and industrial categorically dismisses talk that “the office has had its day”.

“While the global work-from-home experiment showed that when prescribed, business could continue remotely, it’s what was lost rather than what was gained that’s important here.

“Business owners are now acutely aware of the need to reestablish strong corporate loyalties and consolidating a culture of connection for high-performing teams.

“They want people back in the office, interacting face-to-face, and being optimally productive so office space needs to have a high level of amenity, be suited to collaborative work models, have strong sustainability credentials and be well-placed for commuting.

“Business owners are demanding flagship workspace that astutely positions them to attract and retain the best personnel.”

Budd says the four crucial office pillars – quality, amenity, sustainability and flexibility – are embraced by developers that know the office sector intimately and deliver world-class property.

“In committing to new-build high amenity space, firms like Beca, BNZ, and Deloitte have signalled that the office is core to business growth, productivity and staff retention/attraction.”

For further insights, get in touch with Bayleys North Shore. 09 489 0999 | northshorecommercial@bayleys.co.nz www.bayleys.co.nz/commercialnorthshore COMMERCIAL NORTH SHORE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Jayson Hayde.

Simon Gundry is a Devonport and North Shore identity, and character, who is known for calling a spade a spade. He is a director of contracting company Gill & Gundry, is an enthusiastic sailor (past crew-member of Ceramco New Zealand, Lion New Zealand and Shockwave) and is a life member of the North Shore Rugby Football Club. Simon was awarded a QSM for services to the community in 2013. More recently, he was inducted into the North Harbour Business Hall of Fame. He has been writing this thought-provoking column for Channel from the very first issue (over a dozen years ago!).

Summer weddings, bridge closures, abatement notices, 150 year celebrations and more…

This summer will go down as the summer that wasn’t. We’ve had torrential rain, we’ve had high winds, and we’ve had flooding but not an awful lot of sun.

I had a family outdoor wedding in Devonport on Friday 27th January, the day and night of the horrendous downpour. It was interesting to say the least. A family wedding that will never be forgotten. We’d put up a marquee in the back yard, and hired outdoor seating and tables. People arrived in their summer finery, and were lashed with wind and rain as they tried to come in the door. The poor bride, who had planned her entrance on the arm of her father, walking down the sunny garden path to meet her future husband, now faced a path six inches deep in water. However, everyone saw the funny side and rallied around, we drank margaritas and had a lovely evening.

Here’s a question. On Sunday, February 12th NZTA closed the Auckland harbour bridge from 3.45pm to 6am on Monday morning, due to high winds. The question is, what constitutes high winds, as I know quite well during that period the highest wind gust was 42 knots and the average was 23 knots. It was absolute madness to shut the harbour bridge. Then on Tuesday the 14th February there were gusts of 60 knots on the bridge and they didn’t shut it. We need to know what constitutes the reason for shutting the Auckland harbour bridge. Which brings me back to the knotty old question of why have we not had another harbour bridge or tunnel to cross our harbour since the original bridge was opened in 1959? It’s been talked about and talked about, but it just never seems to get off the ground. We waste so much money on projects that never get off the ground, and now they are talking about spending another $29 billion on a rapid rail to the airport. Madness. It’s time we stopped talking about cycle ways and all the nice to have things, and concentrate on basic infrastructure to keep the country moving. This insanity of the “Road to Zero” policy, when what should be happening is rebuilding our roads to make them safer.

In Brisbane, which has a population of 2.3 million people, there are at least a dozen crossing points on the Brisbane River. We have been badly let down by our so-called city fathers over the last years. The only one who had any vision was Sir Dove Myer Robinson in the 1950s and '60s.

During the height of the Cyclone Gabrielle storm, I noticed a little white Auckland Transport car sleazing around the streets of Devonport, giving out tickets. I stopped and asked the ticket giver what he was doing, and he replied he was checking on Warrants of Fitness. Goodness me, surely there were better things to do, and on a day when the wind was actually blowing pretty hard, schools were shut and everyone told to stay home if they can, then he shouldn’t have been out at all.

And, here’s another one for you. Two days after the horrific

storm I had an abatement notice for a construction site we have been working on. The abatement notice said that some erosion and sediment controls were present, but they were insufficient. Well goodness me, after that horrific cyclone and the deluge of water that occurred over the North Island as the cyclone passed over, there was erosion and sediment runoff everywhere. So again, some idiot from Auckland Council signing his name on stupid letters.

History will show us that there has been a failure of drainage over the whole of the North Island. Part of this problem with drainage in the city of Auckland is that what used to be a quarter acre piece of land had 100m2 of roof catching rainwater, and the rest of it went into lawn. Now because of this intensification of housing the same quarter acre has at least 500m2 of roof catching rain, virtually no grass and the antiquated storm water lines just can’t handle the outflow. This is happening all over the peninsula and over the North Shore.

Now, let’s not forget the North Shore Rugby Club Easter celebrations for its 150th year. There will be a big game against Takapuna, our favorite arch enemy, on Good Friday followed by a Gala Dinner on the Saturday night. Any former players, girlfriends, former referees and coaches please register and come along. It will be more fun than lying on the couch and watching crap television.

Let’s all hope we have a good drying out period of weather. The North Island certainly needs it.

Simon Gundry.

We need to know what constitutes the reason for shutting the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Which brings me back to the knotty old question of why have we not had another Harbour bridge or tunnel to cross our Harbour since the original bridge was opened in 1959?

By Simon Watts, North Shore MP Simon Watts.

Time to take on our cities hidden challenges

Unless you’re a geotechnical engineer or one of the other professionals that focuses on our cities hidden challenges there’s a good chance that February’s floods looked like a news story from another country.

For most of us, our understanding of the natural and man-made fabric that holds our cities together is limited to being told that we can’t build on more of our section or trim a pohutukawa that’s blocking our view. Floods in our streets, escarpments shorn of vegetation and sometimes houses, mountains of TVs and fridges at the local tip; all of that had an unreal and even foreign quality. That shock and disbelief is fully understandable, but it should also be seen as a warning that we all have to get involved.

There’s been much talk through last year about local government and central government agencies focussing on ‘core business’ and it has generally been safe to assume that traffic congestion, a housing crisis, or tackling lawlessness were near the top of our concerns. But it’s the hidden consequences of being ill prepared for weather patterns that now seem violently out of kilter that should have been gaining more of our focus.

This isn’t intended to be a political point that I’m making, but when I read about what the experts are saying we need to do to prepare for a climate that’s less benign, I see echoes in the Three Waters debacle.

In both cases, the electorate has trusted its representatives in Parliament and Council to look after the hidden challenges. But we are now seeing that all of us need to be engaged in the conversation to ensure what’s important gets dealt with. Three Waters is an over-reaction from central government to multiple infrastructure issues that that were ignored for too long. This is because we live in democracies, at a local and national level, and we expect our representatives to react to what we believe is important. For the most part that’s exactly what they do, which is why the hidden challenges get relegated.

I’m not suggesting that we should become as knowledgeable about the geology of a slope that’s stacked with homes as we are about travel times on Lake Road, but we do have to signal its importance to the decision makers. We have to take addressing hidden challenges as seriously as we want our elected representatives to.

And this is the critical point. Government action, whether it’s centrally or locally generated, should be a response to the popular will, that’s the point of democracy. Which means each of us has a responsibility to be aware of the challenges our communities face: the obvious and the hidden ones. Because the alternative involves relinquishing our ability to influence decision making, as in Three Waters, or having to pick up the pieces in a city that’s no longer as familiar as it once was.

Simon Watts — Spokesperson for Local Government, Regional Development, Statistics, Associate Spokesperson for Infrastructure, and Finance.

Email: simon.watts@parliament.govt.nz

Call my office on 09 486 0005, facebook: @simonwattsmp instagram: @simonwattsmp

By Kathryn Robertson, Takapuna Residential Bayleys Real Estate Ltd

Renovating? Do you need consent?

Kathryn Robertson.

Renovating and DIY is in our DNA, but it’s important to know when you do and when you don’t require Council consent for the work you are about to undertake.

All building work must comply with the current Building Code, and some building work will require consent. As the owner of the home, and prior to any renovating starting, it is your responsibility to establish when you need to take the formal route with Council (see https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for information on this). There is also the term ‘restricted building work’ – this relates to residential building projects that affect weather-tightness and a building’s structure. When work you are doing falls into this category, an LBP (licensed building practitioner) must carry out or at least supervise this type of work.

Ensuring any work completed on your home is consented is so important when it comes time to sell your home – buyers will find it almost impossible to obtain finance if unconsented work exists; it will become a price-sensitive issue (meaning the lack of consent will affect your end sale price) and it will lessen your buyer pool extensively.

Lastly, if you are on a cross-lease title, some renovations/additions require your flats plan (the diagram of your home’s footprint on page two of your title) to be updated. This is often overlooked and can be a problem for buyers and their lawyers at sale time if the title is declared defective. Talk to your lawyer about this one!

Kathryn Robertson, Residential Sales

M +64 21 490 480

Benefitz Fabric printing

For events and promotional use

One growth area for North Shore business Benefitz, publishers of Channel Magazine, continues to be the printing of fabrics for promotional use. This has come on the back of a major investment by the business in fabric printing and finishing.

“Printed Fabric is an extremely versatile option for producing promotional items for events and our customers love it,” explains Benefitz Director Dallas Bennett, who has led the company’s growth in this area.

“Very importantly the substrate is more eco-friendly than other options and the process becomes very sustainable when you throw in the fact that we are printing using solar power.

“Printing on Fabric also means that these items are lighter and more compact, meaning that transporting them around New Zealand and overseas for events is very easy. A 6 metre wide fabric media backdrop can pack down into a very small bag that is very easy to check in on flights.”

The obvious popular item that Benefitz

produces with printed fabric are flags. Traditional branded flags as well as teardrop flags and any other shape that is required can also be produced. These flags are finished and sewn, and come with the pole and base hardware as well as an easy to carry and transportable bag.

The biggest growth area in printed fabric is for Media or Event Backdrops for events.

“A printed Fabric Media or Event Backdrop is by far the easiest way to create an impressive backing for press conferences, product launches, corporate breakfasts, lunches or dinners,” adds Dallas Bennett. “We are producing lots of these every week, along with backdrops for exhibition stands.

“The digital Fabric printers we have use a dye-sublimation process with very good resolution so the colours are very sharp and vibrant. As good as you will get anywhere.

“These backdrops are very affordable and very easy to assemble. Just click together hardware frames and in most cases are a pillowcase shape that just slide over the frames. Very easy.”

These Fabric Backdrops can have round or curved corners, can be curved in shape or flat and can also be backlit if that’s required. Most are 2.3 metres deep and can range in size from 850mm wide through to 6 metres wide. They can really be made to any size.

Benefitz Fabric Prints created the Michelangelo Exhibition in Auckland in early 2022.

Benefitz Fabric backdrop at a Duco Events launch.

Benefitz Fabric backdrop for a FIFA Football World Cup 2023 launch event.

A recent 3x3 branded tent and flag supplied by Benefitz.

Recent projects that Benefitz have produced Fabric Backdrops for include the Rugby World Cup for Women held in New Zealand late last year; FIFA Football World Cup 2023 launch events, Duco Events launches and press conferences and North Harbour Club dinners, lunches and breakfasts.

Other printed Fabric items that Benefitz produce and supply include Hanging Banner Shapes (for above trade stands etc.), Display Counters and Tables, Throws for Tables and Branded Cushions. If it can be created from Fabric, Benefitz can do it.

“Our ability to print and finish fabric means that we can produce just about any promotional item that involves fabric,” says Dallas Bennett. “We love the stuff and the possibilities are endless. We are just in the process of further enhancing our capability with the installation of further new machinery and expansion of our finishing areas.”

Other items that Benefitz produce or source for events include big images on just about any substrate, flags, mesh banners, mesh fences, rigid panels, printed floors, tents and marquees, toblerones, inflatable arches and a whole lot more!

For more information visit: www.benefitz.co.nz

Want to meet people and be social?

Regular fixtures: Friday draw, dinners, quiz nights, Sunday afternoon music, Club Days

All ages welcome

Social and active membership

Social committee

New to the area? Come down and meet new friends

Time on your hands? Lots of opportunities to get involved

A recent 6x3 branded tent and flags supplied by Benefitz.

POWERED BY SOLAR

The Channel Crossword

Of course! • Set by Māyā (https://mayaofauckland.com/), each month for Channel. No. 84

Across

1 Headphones hold answer: foot long cloaks (7)

5 Glycol? It isn't contributing to disease (7)

9 Australian bird's Western companion has Periodic Table of the Elements (9)

10 Light a cat? (5)

11 Man of letters with piebald companion (7,3)

12 The singular of 28? (4)

14 Derailed - derailed like the female, perhaps? (8)

16 "Was it a car or a cat I saw?" (6)

18 Note from retired brick-carrier (3)

20 Irish descendant of timepiece may be found after a time? (6)

21 Cold war conflict unknown to 26's companion 6's sobriquet (8)

24 G-go left occasionally (4)

26 Heartless chopper can charm old Penny and cat (3,7)

28 24 found in knot-maker's cat (5)

29 Tiny fighter after dark on days not starting with 'S' (9)

30 The Manx oarsman who deliberately lost the contest (7)

31 Wrap's duck-walk (7)

Down

1 Pop and Deco style for crustacean? (7)

2 Prevent everyone from coming after 12s (9)

3 Ringer of pioneering aviator holding limb, left (5,5)

4 Mollycoddled - that is cuddled without force (8)

5 Contemporary charger hidden in fossil fuel (6)

6 Held up by unoiled cat? (4)

7 No bite from same alphabet as 24? (5)

8 Slim S-Shylock, perhaps (7)

13 Samoan pair adapt to sleep disorder (10)

15 Big bird opening for Elton John? (3)

17 Sound agenda with mud wrestling (9)

19 Plants take all the mourning apparel (8)

20 Should not put tip-off money by explosives (7)

22 Transfer agent with last two letters to river (7)

23 One who sees 6 by vessel (6)

25 Cat is cross with 28 and 6 (5)

27 About to argue for bird scared by a companion of 26 (4)

Solution to last month's crossword

This month's crossword will also be uploaded to the creator’s blog at: channelcrossword.wordpress.com There, Mãyã will kindly attempt to answer any questions or comments that may arise from the crosswords each month.