7 October 2022 Devonport Flagstaff

U-turn by council set to block marina plans

A plan to build a 119-unit housing develop ment on the Bayswater Marina reclamation suffered a major blow last week, when Auckland Council withdrew its support for the proposal.

blocks, council’s planning team said it had no choice but to reverse its prior recommen dation to approve the development.

planner on the project, Ila Daniels.

The lack of land allocated for marine ser vices in the development was a key reason for council’s u-turn, she told the hearing.

At the end of the 10-day hearing into the resource-consent application to build 92 terraced houses

27 apartments

three

Girl

The application failed to meet the criteria laid out in the marine-precinct zoning of the Auckland Unitary Plan – as clearly spelled out in the evidence by expert witnesses and lay submitters, said the council’s consultant

track

“Residential uses have been prioritised over marine activities,” which had led to her to reconsider her position, Daniels said.

Maori offered first chance to buy heritage building

Maori interests will be offered an initial op portunity to buy the historic former Devonport Borough Council building at 3 Victoria Rd.

If the building is not sold to mana whenua, it will be sold on the open market.

Auckland Council development arm Eke Panuku decided on the timetable for the sale last week.

“Mana whenua were consulted on the site during the rationalisation process,” a report to the Panuku board said.

Cultural-significance interest was noted as the site offered an opportunity for development for future generations.

“Eke Panuku will negotiate with mana

whenua via expressions of interest in the first instance.”

The property will go to market in November with the agreement of sale and purchase expect ed to be executed in March 2023 followed by settlement in June 2023.

“Current uncertainty in the property market may impact on the potential sale price, although this may be offset by the Devonport town centre being an established special character location to attract investment,” the report said.

The future of this property and its use has attracted much attention from the community and the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board over the years including some resistance to its sale.

• An inventory of the furniture in the building – council board tables, chairs, desks, clocks and other artifacts – has been compiled, though no decision has yet been made on what will happen to these. Some of the more historic items from the Devonport Borough Council days, such as the mayoral chain and chair, have already found a home at Devonport Library.

Eke Panuku says it is working closely with Auckland Council’s Archives Management team to safely relocate and store the heritage items. There will also be discussion with local-board officials and local institutions to gauge interest in displaying some of the items locally.

Worker injured, electricity cut in powerline accident

A worker was injured in an incident on a Lake Rd building site which left parts of Hauraki without power.

The man, who had been working on the roof of a three-storey terrace housing devel opment at 258 Lake Rd, was taken to North Shore Hospital last Thursday.

This was shortly after a loud bang echoed round the neighbourhood just after 10am.

The site manager for developer Auckland Construction Group said he was relieved to hear from the man several hours later.

“He’s okay. I got a text back from him to say he wants to get back and finish the job.”

The worker would need to be cleared by the hospital first, the manager said.

Work had been paused on site, pending clearance from WorkSafe and Vector. St John confirmed it was called at 10.05am. The patient was treated at the scene then transported to hospital by ambulance in a moderate condition. Vector restored power to the area shortly before midday.

Workers remaining on site in the morning had been isolating the area and clearing it, pending clearance, the manager said.

The worker, who has been with the com

pany for a year and a half, was finishing roof flashings at the front of the site at the time of the incident, the manager said.

“We had done all the required safety measurements,” the manager said, “It was an incident caused by the overhead powerlines.”

Worksafe later confirmed it was making initial inquiries.

Young paddler makes NZ team for world champs

Takapuna Grammar year 9 student Rosara Davis has been selected in the New Zealand Stand Up Paddling (SUP) team.

Rosara, aged 14, is a part of a five-person national team fundraising to head to the Inter national Surfing Association and SUP board World Championships in Puerto Rico at the end of the month.

All of the team members, aged 14 to 22, are from the North Shore.

New Zealand Stand Up Paddling president Steve Dunlop puts the Shore’s dominance down to the paddleboard-friendly local conditions.

“We are very lucky to have the Hauraki Gulf at our doorstep. Conditions are varied and ideal for paddle racing.”

He says the Shore group have benefited from growing up in a strong community of paddlers, with one of the country’s most competitive rac ing scenes, including Takapuna Beach Series.

Rosara is looking forward to representing her country. “It feels pretty cool to be selected but daunting at the same time,” she says.

She started young in the sport, sitting at the front of her father’s board while he raced, then entering her first paddling event at age seven.

Living in Hauraki, she makes the most of her accessibility to prime spots such as Takapuna and Mairangi Bay beaches, along with visiting

Lake Pupuke, to diversify her training.

She often just bikes or runs down to the beach. “I couldn’t imagine not living by the sea.”

As the youngest in the national team, Rosara is “really excited to go to a different county and compete against other young people and meet new people as well”.

The other team members are former West lake Boys High School pupils Fergus Dunlop, aged 18, and Josh Bilyard, 19; former Northcote College student, Maddie McCasey, 19, and Bri anna Orams, 22, from Torbay, who is a former world junior champion.

“This team represents the next generation of athletes and we have high hopes for them,” Steve Dunlop says.

Their chance to step up has come as current national women’s SUP champion (and Olym pic sailing gold medallist) Jo Aleh is occupied with sailing overseas, and while men’s distance champion and Takapuna local Ollie Houghton is also unavailable.

The paddlers train mornings and afternoons six days a week, racking up 15-19 hours in total.

To help offset travel costs, a Givealittle page has been set up, raffles run and goods donated by the business community for auction. Infor mation can be found on the team’s Facebook page.

Rosara with her idol, Olympic sailing gold medallist Jo Aleh, a SUP national title-holder

Ready to race... Rosara Davis and the other members of the national SUP team have been training hard ahead of the world championships in Puerto Rico

Welcome to Tam Dental

Dr. Shu-Jin Ee, BDS (Otago)

Shu Jin has decided to make the permanent move up to Auckland from the Bay of Plenty, where she has been a senior clinical associ ate at the practice Dr Tam was operating out of during her younger days The practice has a focus on minimally invasive, high tech dentistry, which is synonymous with our phi losophy of Function First featuring Responsi ble Esthetics, which is a philosophy that we preserve a maximal volume of healthy tooth structure for any procedure that we undertake

She has a keen eye for dental artistry both with composite and with smile design; she demonstrates true passion for dental education as “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”, and is a current prospect to the Executive Board of the New Zealand Acad emy of Cosmetic Dentistry

Shu Jin says, “I think the ability to be able to smile confidently makes a huge difference in someone’s life and those around them ”

She is currently accepting new patients with her start date being in late October, 2022

Dr. Belinda Hsu, BDS (Otago)

Belinda is an experienced, passionate clinician with a keen eye for detail Her treatment style is balanced and pragmatic, attentive and gen tle She has operated as a clinical tutor for the University of Otago Dental School, and has been published in the scientific literature She has a focus on precision, minimally invasive dentistry with a passion for achieving excel lence in function and dental esthetics

She is uncompromisingly honest, and pa tients enjoy her ability to educate them whilst simultaneously motivating them with only positive vibes She is a past Golden Egg Award winner of one of Dr Tam’s Skulpting Skool composite artistry workshop series, in which the top performer is recognized Her work and conscientiousness is unparalleled

Belinda operates out of both Devonport and Newmarket practices currently

Dr. Lillian Hsu

Lillian trained as a dentist in the University of Otago She has a gentle, caring nature and strives to deliver quality care and experience to all her clients She is patient and engages her clients in planning treatment to ensure their voices are respected She actively advances her knowledge and skills through continuing education and believes that everyone deserves a confident smile

Lillian moved to Auckland as a child and did most of her schooling in New Zealand She is fluent in English and Mandarin Out side of dentistry, Lillian enjoys music, reading, traveling and the outdoors

Lillian is a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, Auckland Dental Asso ciation, New Zealand Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the New Zealand Society for Anaesthesia and Sedation in Dentistry

Tam Dental Group is located at 2A Fleet Street. Phone 445 4574.

Young guns... Year 10s Abigail Goosen and Mischa Grotrain at Narrow Neck Beach, where they were the top female crew and 2nd overall regionally in the RS Fever class of the Auckland secondary schools fleet regatta, which Takapuna Grammar won. Team captain Dylan Forsyth (top left) won his class and Year 9 William Mason was second.

TGS Auckland champs sail into next challenge

A team of six sailors from Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) is competing at the national 420 championships this week after a larger group from the school won the Auckland fleet-racing regatta.

The regional success was on home seas at Narrow Neck Beach last month, with individual results across multiple sailing classes tallied to find the champion school.

With a 13-strong team, 11 of whom were juniors, TGS’s win was a standout. This is the second time it has taken the trophy, the first being in 2004, leading the school’s teacher in charge of yachting, Melita Tu’isi la, herself an accomplished sailor, to talk of a renaissance in the sport at the school.

“It is great to see TGS sailing back on track with the help of TGS’s new sailing coach Matt Mason” – a former America’s Cup sailor – she said.

Medallists at Narrow Neck were Year 10s Mischa Grotrain and Abigail Goosen, who were the day’s top female crew and second overall in the RS Fever class; Year 9 William Mason, second in P-class; and team captain and senior Dylan Forsyth, who won the Laser Radial class. Forsyth is currently ranked second in New Zealand for the Youth Laser 6 class.

The winning regatta team also included: Rye Brady, Claudia Pearce, Milla Hender son, Sienna Hawks, Jamie Kwong, Will Westgate, Namanh Nguwen and Matthew Kirk and senior Zach Nigh.

With big sailing names such Sir Peter Blake, Ralph Roberts, Gavin Brady, Cam eron Appleton, Chris Salthouse and Paul Snow-Hanson having gone through TGS over the years, they have plenty to aspire to.

Tu’isila said a new up-and-coming group

Higher rates negate lower prices

We are seeing some people holding off buying property in anticipation of lower house prices enabling them to enter a more affordable market BUT the problem is as interest rates rise [now say 5 50%] and property prices fall, if the purchaser is borrowing money they will find they can borrow a lot less than when rates were lower [at say 2 50%]

As a broad generalisation you could have borrowed @6 to 7 times your gross income, now it’s more like 4 or 5 times your gross income as the banks ‘test” rate has gone up towards 8% so for example a borrower on $125k with a $200k deposit could have borrowed $800k to buy a $1m property now that same property may be lower at $900k but they can now only borrow say $650k so still unaffordable!

Interest Rate markets look messy with Central Banks all hiking aggressively to counter their low rate madness and subsequent inflation we are on track for a 4%+ OCR which is likely to dampen demand and asset prices further for the next year or so!

of talented girls was emerging at TGS. As well as Grotrain and Goosen, another on the rise was Vivien Chung, who was unable to compete at regionals but is in the secondary schools 420 nationals which wind up at Algies Bay this Friday 7 October.

Chung’s impressive year to date has seen her make the New Zealand Youth High Performance Development Squad and the 420 national team after winning a national title. She also competed at the open world championships.

TGS entered this week with high hopes, having come third in the Auckland 420 teams events earlier in the year and gaining eighth place in the national Harken Keel Boat Championships.

Its nationals team consists of Chung, Grotrain, Forsyth, Mason, Kwong and Caleb Newton.

Bayswater developer forced into

in 25 years ago, with many battles fought over resource-consent abuses.

Developer Bayswater Marina Holdings Ltd (BMHL) has a week to put further submissions to the hearings panel of four commissioners. The panel will then make a decision.

But with the council pulling its support, backed by a mass of evidence – in particular that put by the experts employed by the Bayswater Community Committee and the Bayswater Marina Berth-Holders Associa tion – it seems rejection of the application is likely.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board also submitted against the project, with members unanimous in their call for pro tection of public space. Another concern was the need for more clarity about access for buses to the ferry.

Lawyer for BMHL Kit Littlejohn said it was never a good position as an applicant to have “sculpted” what was thought to be a good proposal only to have it heavily rebutted.

More than 600 submissions – most in opposition – were lodged on the application heard by commissioners Greg Hill, Karyn Sinclair, Ian Munro, and Stephanie Mead.

The primary purpose of the land was for marine activities and public access, she said.

In fact, valuation documents on the pur chase of land by BMHL owner and marina operator Simon Herbert from the Crown a decade ago showed discounts had been allowed because it was primarily considered to be marina-related land, not residential, she said.

BMHL was attempting to change the nature of the land use to solely residential, which by law should be done through a plan change not a resource-consent application, Stafford-Bush said.

Five marine-related businesses with a total of 15 staff operate on-site, offering work such as motor and outboard services, according to evidence put to the panel. One business – Motor Marine – had been at Bayswater marina for 22 years.

These services would all go under the BMHL proposal.

Community action… long-time Bayswater residents Paddy and Brian Stafford-Bush give evidence at the hearing held over two weeks in Takapuna, with people attending in person and remotely

Opposition centred on: the size of the de velopment; the lack of usable public space; the fact a lot of a 15m coastal reserve was taken up with car parks for berth-holders; a lack of provision for public-transport infrastructure; the safety and usability of boat trailer parks and the public boat ramp and the removal of marine services.

One of the last submitters, Paddy Staf ford-Bush, a long-time Bayswater resident and a former Devonport Community Board chair, summed up much of the opposition in saying the marina had been a source of con flict – “almost fisticuffs” – since it was put

A council-contracted economist, Greg Akehurst, said he had altered his position around the provision of services at Bayswater Marina since the start of the hearing. A “sustained demand for permanent services” was clearly evident, he said.

A transportation consultant to council, Gary Black, reiterated concerns around the viability of the width of trailer parks and safety worries for pedestrians and motorists around a well-used and sometimes crowded public boat ramp area.

Commissioner Ian Munro said one of the decisions commissioners faced was, if the application were to be declined, should they go a step further in giving clear directions of what needed to be included in a marine precinct.

rethink as marine needs sway planners

BMHL to look at possible changes

Bayswater Marina owner Simon Herbert said his company would carefully consider its position after the council reversal.

“It’s been a long hearing and people had plenty of opportunity to make their views heard. We have listened to what everyone has said,” he said.

The Bayswater Marina Holdings Ltd (BMHL) team would consider the evidence and any changes it could make to its devel opment application to address perceived shortfalls, Herbert said.

He dismissed any concerns about the future of the adjacent marina, where berth-holder licences expire in 2031. So too, does the lease for Auckland Trans port’s current ferry berthing, although AT is considering relocating ferries before then back to the old wharf on council land to the north east.

BMHL had a licence to occupy the marina for another 25 years, said Herbert.

“The marina is not going to go away.” Licences would be reissued to berth-holders when they came up for renewal, he said.

Talks under way on transport issues

The future of the main road into the Bay water Marina and allowing for bus services to the ferry terminal have been the subject of talks between BMHL and Auckland Transport, the hearing heard.

The two parties were working towards a memorandum of understanding (MoU) over the issues, an AT official told the hearing by Zoom.

The aim was to widen Sir Peter Blake Pde and its footpath and “give certainty” to the bus drop-off area, the official said.

Pensive… Richlister developer Simon Herbert considers the council turnaround

Community group and yachties happy at about-face

Bayswater Community Committee spokesper son Paddy Stafford-Bush said the community had “stood tall” against a proposal which had no interface with the marine environment.

She said marina owner Simon Herbert now had the opportunity to “be the hero of the community”, by putting aside a profit-driven development and consulting on a new proposal that delivered a work ing marina and residential precinct, with integrated public transport and community open spaces.

The community had always been led to believe that the land would be used for marina and public spaces, which was the purpose of the reclamation.

She asked why Auckland Transport had tried to squeeze all of the area’s public transport, parking and community-recreation facilities onto its small area of land, when the council could require the developer to vest roads and reserves.

AT and the council needed to form a strategic plan for a robust and resilient community resource –looking ahead to 2050 and 2070, she said. “Bayswa ter Marina could be the community’s playground and public-transport node for the future.”

A live-aboard community of around 80 people at Bayswater Marina is under threat from the housing application.

BMHL had told people living on boats that they would have to move out during the construction phase of the development due to health and safety concerns, one submitter told the hearing.

“It’s a real community…[many of whom] have been there for a long time.

“ love the marina, it’s a really nice place to live,” he said.

The community were not NIMBYs. “We are not fighting against residential but to keep the community goods that have evolved over the 25 years since the land was reclaimed.”

The committee is continuing to seek donations to help cover the cost of its expert witnesses and legal counsel.

Bayswater Marina Berth-holders Association committee member Paul Glass said the group hoped the developer now understood how special the marine precinct was to the community.

“Intensive housing can now be built almost anywhere in Auckland, but marina precincts are precious and irreplaceable spaces,” he said.

Live-aboards ‘told they’ll have to move’

By Rob Drent

The Flagstaff Notes

tion’s marine-precinct zoning in the Unitary Plan? Further, why didn’t the team of council consultants assigned to work on the project do research and investigation to the quality of those employed by the Bayswater Community Committee and the berth-holders association, and many other highly-qualified submitters?

One option might be a slightly higher de velopment, which takes up less land, allows more public space, marine services and full provision for ferries, bus circulation, the boat ramp and turning areas and parking for boat trailers.

The tide turned last week on the Bayswater Marina’s Holding Ltd (BMHL) proposed residential development – at least that’s how the Bayswater Community Committee is pitching Auckland Council’s withdrawal of support last Thursday.

While the application to build a 119-unit housing development on its reclamation is still live – in front of commissioners – the chances of it going ahead without major changes are slim.

The hearing has been adjourned for a week to give BMHL a chance to reassess its position and make further submissions.

The council u-turn came as something of a shock, but given the huge amount of oppo sition to the application perhaps shouldn’t be so surprising.

A generous person might say the council team listened to the evidence and should be praised for changing its recommendation. A sceptic would take a different view: that the council team simply didn’t do their job well enough.

Why didn’t the council get its head around what exactly was required to fulfil the reclama

While some questions were raised by coun cil in its original report regarding the boatramp safety and boat-trailer turning spots, too little attention was paid to the lack of marine services included in the BMHL application.

Given the massive reversal by council, I was left wondering about its competence in handling these large-scale applications. One of the problems is a lack of “skin in the game”. Almost all the experts used by council to review the applications were consultants, not council employees. Dangers exist when consultant planners can become too close to the planners for the applicants: professionals dealing with professionals. Having applica tions handled by full-time council employees offers better separation, and a clearer line that local authority has a role to act for public and public space as one of its priorities.

Although not mentioned at the hearing on Friday, I would be surprised if the change of heart by the council has not followed a legal opinion on the potential repercussions of a judicial review.

BMHL’s owner Simon Herbert has always said he is in for the long term in regards to the marina and the reclamation. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he has some form of “Plan B” up his sleeve.

I hope the hearing commissioners also give clear direction of what is expected from the marine precinct, to offer some clarity at least to residents who have spent the best part of three decades battling issues surrounding the marina and the land.

After a couple of weeks in charge of the 12-box south Dacre Park rat trap line I have mixed emotions when checking for kills. On one hand you want a result to get rid of rodents, but nothing in the trap could mean you are getting on top of the problem. And a problem there appears to be. The very affable and professional trap expert from Restoring Takarunga Hauraki, Nigel Hopkins, set up the line and dropped around a week later to show me how to check the traps and reset them.

The total that day was two rats and two mice. The next week I checked and five rats were caught. The following week another two. To some, checking traps is grotty work, but there’s something quite grounding about it. Thinking globally, acting locally – that sort of thing.

I’ve enjoyed my contact with Nigel and the whole set-up was quick and easy, with a get-things-done attitude.

I’m telling myself every rat caught must mean at least one bird added to local stocks.

AN AFTERNOON OF JAZZ WITH THE SOCIETY JAZZMEN Friday 14 October, 2pm

In celebration of the 2022 partnership between Ryman Healthcare and Auckland Live Morning Melodies, we are excited to bring you a fantastic concert at our village.

The Society Jazzmen formed in 1969, and features Bob Douglas, Art Cummins, Bert Penney, Ron Coleman, Owen Kneebone, and a guest saxman, together per forming toe-tapping jazz and sweet swing music.

With two original band members and over 250 years of collective per formance history, this concert is not to be missed!

A�ernoon tea will be provided.

This will be a Covid-safe event and RSVP is essential. Please call Dell on 0800 555 106 or Sco� on 0800 555 104 by Wednesday 12 October to secure your place.

WILLIAM SANDERS VILLAGE

7 Ngataringa Road, Devonport

rymanhealthcare.co.nz

spacious village villa

Native-plant nursery planned for Dacre Park site

A long-term native-plant nursery will like ly be established at Dacre Park by local environmental group Restoring Takarunga Hauraki (RTH).

The group has won the backing of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to lease a section at the southern edge of the park at 27a Lake Rd, Devonport, to provide a base of operations, including a nursery area.

RTH coordinator Lance Cablk put its case to the local board last month, seeking its approval as landowner.

At its final meeting of the electoral term, the board supported a 10-year lease on 819 sqm, with one 10-year right of renewal as recommended by council staff, subject to a public notification process.

Board members were unanimous in their praise of the work of RTH, which receives board funding for pest control and plant management across the peninsula, with the help of community volunteers.

Cablk told board members up to 25 members were on site at Dacre Park for some of its Tuesday nursery workdays. This supported wider work, including at nearby Achilles Reserve and the Waitemata Golf Club course, which has been a main focus of recent activity.

Council officers reported that the site, below Abbotsford Tce, had previously been unused and unloved, and the use by RTH was appropriate. Being on a raised dock, it was above the flood plain.

RTH had been looking for a site for years, Cablk said. This one was handy to the Clay Store community workshop, whose volunteers had made rat traps for RTH, and cut bamboo stakes used in its Matariki lantern-making programme.

Board member Trish Deans asked what permission process had been gone through for a container on site and was told council staff and North Shore United Football Club

Seedling central... The section of Dacre Park expected to be leased to Restoring Takarunga Hauraki

Garden

Proposed new community lease and landowner approval to Devonport Peninsula Trust at Dacre Park, 27a Lake Road, Devonport

Devonport 8/118 Vauxhall Road

Between Two Beaches

Larger than most apartments and in an outstanding location this property shouts opportunity along with a great lifestyle Come out of your new home and turn right to the sands of Cheltenham beach just 200m away or left to Narrow Neck beach 600m away Vauxhall shops with a home design store and cafes is only a short distance on from Cheltenham beach, grab a coffee for your morning walk or a bunch of flowers most Fridays from Cheltenham Milk Bar

golf is your sport, there is plenty of storage for your clubs with Waitemata golf course just a short trundle down A scot Avenue Bus stops in both directions are just a few doors away providing transport links to the ferr y and Takapuna With a lovely outlook and the city lights at night you can add value and make this a truly amazing apartment that you will love to come home to. The current owner has ver y happily lived here for the past 35 plus years, now it is time to reluctantly move on

Auction

Maria Stevens

Marissa Muirhead

De vonport 7 Huia Street

A Fine Vintage

Offering an expanse of living and entertaining space, with a tasteful blend of modern features, plus authentic Edwardian style, this magnificent and substantial Devonport residence sits proudly on the fringe of the centrally located Huia Street, and offers great views of the Waitemata Harbour and City Skyline beyond With enviable street appeal and a truly classical style, the property is set back from the road and accessed via a pleasantly landscaped front garden and welcoming veranda A single garage and at least two other off street parking spaces are provided, and there is a ‘child friendly’ west facing garden with sunny entertaining deck at the back of this generous 736m2 freehold plot This lovely residence has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious formal lounge and an additional expansive open plan living /dining area, plus solid wood kitchen There is a huge basement and workshop, which would make an ideal ‘work from home’ space or a ‘rumpus’ room. The property is close to all the amenities Devonport locals so much enjoy, including the CBD ferr y ser vice, all of Devonport’s fine boutique shops/restaurants, and great local decile 10 schools. This is truly a home of distinction and an idyllic family residence

Tender

Sat/Sun

October

It’s often the small things in life that become the biggest memories For people with hearing loss this

mean missing out on those little moments

Traditional hearing aids are designed to focus solely on speech in front of you. But your brain needs access to the full sound scene to work naturally.

New hearing technology provides access to the important moments that sound brings to life, presenting these details with balance and clarity

Clients have said, “This is hearing like I remember ” Come try it for yourself and hear the difference

Teresa Burns Doctor of

Speed-limit safety cuts confirmed for local streets

Lower speed limits for Devonport town centre and around busy side roads of Belmont, Narrow Neck and Stanley Point leading to schools were among those approved by the Auckland Transport (AT) board last week.

The lowering from 50km/h to 30km/h will be rolled out between December this year and March next year.

The reductions are part of the third stage of AT’s Safe Speeds programme, which covers more than 1600 roads across the region, or 19 per cent of AT’s network. The moves were consulted on between February and April.

Earlier Safe Speeds stages started around school zones, including Hauraki Primary.

AT says the programme is saving lives and preventing injuries. Its executive general manager of safety, Stacey van der Putten, says evidence shows speed is a factor in 70 per cent of injury crashes in New Zealand.

Where the programme was first intro duced in the Auckland region in mid-2020, fatalities fell 30 per cent over the following two-year period. Deaths on rural roads nearly halved, with serious injuries down by a quarter.

“Safe speeds are one of the most simple

and effective things, as a community, that we can do to prevent serious injuries and save lives,” van der Putten says.

Peninsula roads to get lower limits (along full length, unless otherwise specified) are: Belmont: Alamein, Harrison, Maleme, Montgomery, Seacliffe and Williamson Aves; School and Westwell Rds and Win scombe St. Devonport: Abottsford, Bartley, Flagstaff, Garden Tces; Anne, Buchanan, Bulwer Sts; Clarence St (for 160 metres southeast of Cal liope Rd and 250 metres northwest of Victo ria Rd) and Cowper, Fleet, High, Huia, Kerr, Lytton, Mays, Rattray, St Aubyn, Tudor and Wynyard Sts; Ewen Alison, Mozeley, and Patuone Aves; Calliope Rd (for 70m west of Victoria Rd); Kapai, Owens, Shoal Bay and St Leonards Rds; Victoria Rd (north of Albert Rd and south of 60m north of Calliope Rd); Hastings and Jim Titchener Pdes; King Edward Pde (between Victoria Rd and Church St); Queens Pde (between Victoria Rd and Spring St); and Marine Sq. Narrow Neck: Fraser and Wicklow Rds; Hamana, Hemi and Merani Sts. Stanley Pt: Cautley, Russell, Spring, Sum mer and William Bond Sts; Glen, Kiwi and Waterview Rds; Rutland Rd (between William Bond St and Cautley St); Patuone Pl and Roslyn Tce. Takapuna town centre is also covered.

Letter supplied with false address

A letter received by post was published in good faith in the Flagstaff of 23 September. We have since realised that the address supplied with the letter (4/17 King Edward Pde) does not exist.

The writer of the letter, which criticised local board member Toni van Tonder and the North Shore rugby and cricket clubs, also appears to have used a false name.

We would encourage readers not to be influenced by the contents of a letter submitted with false details.

We sent the letter to the electoral officer, whose office advised the letter and its publication did not breach electoral legislation. However, Flagstaff policy is not to publish unnamed letters or those under noms-de-plume. Rob Drent Editor, The Devonport Flagstaff

Correction on policy

Comments attributed to local board candidate John Maidment in the last issue from a Devonport meeting were made by another candidate, Adrian Tyler. These included a call for a four-day week for council staff. Maidment did not promote this idea, he spoke of his strong environmental background, and getting council and the community to engage to protect and enhance the area. The mix-up in speakers is regretted.

Barfoot &

N E W L I S T I N

Local volunteers are taking on the rats

I read with interest your note on the rat problem in Devonport and surrounds (Flag staff Notes, 9 September). Our volunteer group, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki (RTH), is committed to reducing the rat population on the peninsula and in our parks and re serves in order to protect native wildlife.

I know that other groups like the volunteer group from Waitemata Golf Club maintain good pest control systems as well. A big thank you to the gentleman along Seabreeze Rd for bringing the rat sightings to our attention.

In response, a volunteer added an addition al trap to the existing Seabreeze trapline to ensure this was addressed. I don’t believe that the long grass is to blame, but perhaps makes

the rats using the drain systems a little bolder, and possibly a little easier to catch. Spring is also a time when rats breed and do increase in numbers, so often increased movement and numbers are seen at this time.

Community members can get involved in our work reducing the rat population and increasing biodiversity by coming along to our regular Friday sessions in the Ngau Te Ringaringa eco-corridor or in the Oneoneroa/ Bayswater eco-corridor on Mondays.

In these sessions we release plants (clear any smothering growth), remove any pest weeds and plant any gaps. Already we are seeing a reduction in kikuyu grass growing in the shad iest places alongside the Kukuwaka stream, and we expect to see kikuyu steadily reduce as the shrubs and low native grasses continue to grow. A wet warm winter has seen considera ble growth in the plants and the predicted wet summer will also help plants to establish and canopy closure to begin.

Of course, we are always looking for new volunteers to host traps on their property or run one of the many traplines we have deployed: see rth.org.nz/traps

No-mow areas reduce emissions both from the cut grass and from the tools used to cut it, and they also reduce soil loss to the ocean, im proving water quality, and making the ground more resilient to both drought and rainfall events. Volunteers do not use any mechanical tools in the maintenance they do in our parks. We would like to see more no-mow or lowmow (once per year) areas in our parks as an other way of reducing emissions and increasing biodiversity, allowing insects, native plants and reptiles to colonise along these corridors.

Please visit our Facebook page or website and let us know if you are seeing rats, stoats or possums in our local parks and reserves.

Anne McMillan – Co-chair Ropu Kaimahi, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki

High-density housing development at Bayswater would cause chaos

I have been a resident of Bayswater for 44 years. The original proposal at O’Neill’s Point, Bayswater, was for a marina. Nowhere in it was there mention of high-density residential development. The commercial development was to be on a minor scale to serve the marina.

In February 2001 the council circulated among local residents a well-presented ques tionnaire seeking feedback as to how they saw the future of Bayswater reclamation.

The response was huge. An average of 80 per cent were in favour of more open space

and better ferry and bus facilities. Only 20 per cent were in favour of housing development.

Consider the effect on the infrastructure already stretched by infill housing.

Traffic at Belmont, on the corner of Lake Rd and Bayswater Ave, is now at capacity. And Lake Rd itself is already a big congested nightmare.

It would cause chaos.

Please, for all our sakes, introduce zoning which will curb this development.

Joe McCallum

Sports Briefs

Holiday skate event

A group of AUT students is hosting a day of skateboarding fun at Devonport’s Ngataringa skatepark. Professional instructors will be available at the event on Saturday 15 October. The initiative has been organised by ‘Little Skater NZ’, an entity developed by a group of AUT event-management students who were asked to put together an event partnering with Auckland Council’s Eke-Panuku. Group manager Gemma Moore said the event “aims to get kids outdoors and try something new”. Partnerships with skate schools Aroha Skate and SonSk8 helped to secure qualified instructors and equipment for the day. The event will run from 10am to 2pm, featuring music, games and a sausage sizzle.

Squash contender

Takapuna Grammar School Year 10 student Justine Pausch has been selected for the Auckland squash team to compete at the junior nationals, starting in Wellington today. Pausch, who plays for the Belmont Park club, is one of an eight-strong team who will compete over six days.

Archer on target

TGS Year 12 student Aleks Miernik set two New Zealand records in indoor archery competition. He competed last month for his Massey club in the young adult male bowhunter unlimited division of the Field Archery Association’s national event. Miernik top-scored in the standard-indoor round and the short-flint round categories.

Resident seeks action on Rata Rd flooding

A long-time Cheltenham resident has taken her frustrations at repeated flooding in Rata Rd to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, looking for their support in getting action from Auckland Council.

Sonja Yelich says over the 13 years her family has lived in the street, they and neighbours have experienced overflows onto their sections and into their cars and garages.

“It floods to the point we can’t park cars or they will get flooded,” she told the local board’s community forum last month. Rubbish bins tipped over and floated.

Problems existed along a 110-metre length of the road, Yelich said. “I’m lit erally begging for your help.”

Responding to questions from board members, she said the problem had wors ened over time.

Homes on both sides of the road, which is just back from the beach, had experi enced issues, she said. The road centre sloped down towards properties, causing overflows into garages where fridges and other items had been damaged.

Residents had resorted to sandbags and calls to the Fire Service in the middle of the night.

Yelich said she had been in regular contact with the council over the years, and investigations had been undertaken.

She had been repeatedly told that something would be done “next year”, but nothing ever happened.

“It’s stressful,” she said.

Flooding in May had covered the road. Even if residents did work on their own properties, as had been suggested, it would

not solve the problem of flooding from the road.

Yelich said she had been told that pipes on the street were too narrow.

Beachside properties opposite hers had given permission for pipes to run under their land, she said, but the council had not proceeded with resource consents.

“I want support to encourage this pro ject along,” she said.

Council officers had indicated to her nothing would be done before next winter.

Board chair Ruth Jackson and member Trish Deans said they were aware of similar infrastructure problems in other streets around Cheltenham, including parts of Matai and Tainui Rds, Oxford Tce and Arawa Ave.

Deans said parts of the suburb were recognised as a flood plain and at risk of coastal inundation in maps drawn up by the council in response to the National Policy Statement on Urban Density.

“It’s an issue we need to take further,” said Deans.

Member George Wood said the sad re ality of the situation was the council had little money. But the next board should adopt a strong position over the matter, he said.

Jackson, in receiving Yelich’s presenta tion, moved that local-board staff relay her concerns to Healthy Waters and other relevant council arms ot investigate the issue and then to report back to both the board and to Yelich on identified causes and potential solutions.

“I hope in November the next board will get a report back,” Jackson said.

Council v board divide an issue

The relationship between locals boards and Auckland Council’s governing body was a touchy topic when council candidates were quizzed at the final local election meeting, held in Milford.

They said they wanted more community buyin on the city’s future, but this ranged from calls for boards to get more decision-making power to implications some sitting board members were not representative of their communities.

Adrian Tyler said he wanted board members to be called local councillors to fit in with how the public sees them.

Governing body councillors Chris Darby and Richard Hills emphasised their experience and ability to deliver upgraded infrastructure, although Darby said he would like to see a review of the super city structure and more participatory democracy.

Challengers said close monitoring of council spending and culture was needed. Danielle Grant, George Wood and Raymond Tan spoke of value and a voice for ratepayers, with Grant saying information flow needed improving. Wood made several plugs for Wayne Brown as Mayor.

Concerns about rate rises, loss of town centre parking and public land came from an audience of just under 50 people in the final public meeting in the area. They may not have left with swayed minds, but the candidates argued their policy positions ably. (The seventh candidate, Tony Bunting did not attend).

Sick

Wait for the book – departing member

Signing off at the end of his one-term stint on the Devon port-Takapuna Local Board, Aidan Bennett joked that it would form a chapter in a future book about his life.

The businessman (pictured, right), who is the only current member not seeking re-election this month, was thanked for his service at the term’s final meeting. “I’ve enjoyed it,” he said, adding: “It’s been testy at times.” Bennett said he had learned how democracy worked in action and “how slow it is”.

The top-polling candidate last election, he chaired the board for the first 18 months of its three-year term, with Ruth Jackson taking over the hot seat mid-term in a pre-arranged deal. The deal reflected his strong support and Jackson’s leading a three-strong team, Heart of the Shore.

Bennett and Toni van Tonder were elected, on the A Fresh Approach tag. Van Tonder is seeking re-election under the same banner, this time along with four other candidates.

Jackson and fellow members Trish Deans and Jan O’Connor are again standing for Heart of the Shore, alongside two new candidates.

George Wood, who was elected as an inde pendent last time, is standing for the Commu nity and Residents ticket, with two teammates.

Jackson proposed the acknowledgment for Bennett, which was unanimously supported by the board.. Later in the meeting, during

Painting

members’ report time, Jackson talked about her own time on the board, as did deputy Jan O’Connor, who emphasised her 30 years in local government. Wood, also a long-server, touched on frustrations he hoped would be addressed by the new board. .

Jackson said both O’Connor and Wood, as the only sitting members elect ed last time, had supported her and the other three new members with the benefit of their experience.

The term, with its Covid impacts and many meetings held remotely, had been “weird”, she said. Jackson said she was proud the board had worked together to get action and funding for Wairau catchment anti-pollution work. Her own highlight was opening board workshops to the public.

O’Connor observed that no one she spoke to liked Auckland Council’s super city structure. Local boards mattered, she said. “Our historic identities must remain.”

Wood differentiated himself from Heart of the Shore by speaking in favour of replacing ageing community assets in Takapuna with new ones. “If we jstay where we are we are go ing to end up with a noose around our necks.”

He also raised questions about the direction of the Lake Rd upgrade and slow council rollout of dual parks naming, exposing what he said was a not very viable relationship with iwi.

Deans and van Tonder did not sum up.

Eyes on the prize in last ’tache to the polls

Candidates descending on North Shore malls, supermarkets, markets and pubs marked the final week of a closely contested local body election campaign. Activity on line stepped up as well, from paid-for place ments to opportunist postings and pleas for people to remember to lodge their votes.

For the most part, the round of public elec tion meetings were low-key, although with a strong undercurrent of frustration about how the council and its organisations, such as Auck land Transport, function and how the at-times polarised Devonport-Takapuna Local Board conducts its business.

One area where a change of direction should gain support is for a switch back to a designated polling day, as with national elections, or to online voting. The reliance on postal ballots or drop-offs seems a disincentive to turnout. One candidate said when they were leafletting in the suburbs, they found a pile of soggy voting pa pers in clearly infrequently cleared letterboxes.

Auckland Council has reported that in 2019, just 20 per cent of those aged 26-30 voted, compared with 61 per cent of those aged 7680. Established property owners will always be more likely to vote than those who may not have strong community roots, but making it easier for busy families and young people to have their say is vital to ensure more diverse representation.

Wily experienced candidates often win out, but keeping them on their toes with the injec tion of new ideas helps changing communities

develop. Whatever the outcome, all but the handful of candidates who didn’t bother elec tioneering at all deserve time to put their feet up briefly before taking on the challenge of representing us and/or turning their billboards into kindling.

Worst timing: Efeso Collins chose a bad week not to show up at the Milford Mayoral debate, citing double-booking. It came as main rival Wayne Brown was edging ahead in the polls and undecided locals had been hoping to hear from both men before picking the city’s leader. For those whose minds were made up already, it added fuel to the oft-heard claim that the super city has short-changed the North Shore.

Best contest: When effective current board members Danielle Grant (Kaipatiki) and George Wood (Devonport-Takapuna) combined under the Citizens & Residents banner to run for Auckland Council’s North Shore ward seats, it injected a clear contest of right v left ideas into what might have been a formality. Sitting councillors and committee chairmen Chris Darby (planning) and Richard Hills (environment) had to step up to defend their records.

Hardest call: Devonport-Takapuna Local Board seats are usually a shoo-in for candidates with a decent track record, supplemented by a wildcard or two with a good community profile. This time round, with multiple tickets standing, credible choice was wider. After picking their favourites, many locals were left debating to

whom their last few votes should go.

Straightest answer: Toni van Tonder (A Fresh Approach) and her team didn’t shy away from saying asset sales should be considered in some instances if the money could be better used elsewhere. In contrast it was “a die in the ditch” no from Ruth Jackson (Heart of the Shore). Both tickets want parks retained. But deciding on how to upgrade ageing assets such as the Takapuna Library and community buildings is clearly going to be one of the big divisive issues next term.

Keenest campaigner: The energetic Dan ielle Grant was everywhere and clearly wants a seat at the top table. Her enthusiasm was engaging, and while her C&R politics might not suit everyone, the mix of cost control, envi ronmental awareness and community advocacy gained her fans well beyond her Kaipatiki base. First-time candidates Zane Catterall and Mel Powell (A Fresh Approach) represented next-generation thinking from suburbs that could do with a voice on the board and Mike Single (C&R) and John Maidment (Heart of the Shore) were mature but not stale ideas-wise.

What happens next: A chair and deputy are normally appointed at the local board’s first monthly meeting, to be held on 15 November. This comes after board members go through induction into their $44,809 a year part-time jobs through a series of workshops on their roles and responsibilities. The chair is paid $89,114 for what is considered a full-time role, and the deputy gets $53,471.

24 Hour Towing

24 Hour Towing

Devonport Owned and Operated

Devonport Owned and Operated

Fleet Street,

Street,

Departing vicar’s focus shifts from flock to family

Come on in... Charmaine Braatvedt recalls Holy Trinity playing a big part in making her personally welcome as an immigrant to New Zealand

Charmaine Braatvedt’s days as the welcom ing face of Holy Trinity Church in Church St are fast running out for the popular minister.

On Sunday 16 October, she conducts her last service as vicar at the church she loves.

Braatvedt, who’s been known to refer to herself as the mother of a very extended family, is leaving her flock for family duties of her own.

She plans to spend time in her native South Africa, caring for her 94-year-old mother, who lives alone in Cape Town.

And although she knows she has made the right choice at the right time, she’s feeling the pain of the parting.

She has been the first woman vicar in the par

ish since the first Anglican church was built in the 1850s, taking over from Murray Spackman in 2008, after working with him previously.

When she arrived in Devonport with her family in 1992, knowing no one, Holy Trinity played a big part in finding her path into the community. She’s never forgotten the value of that feeling of being welcomed.

She and her medic husband Geoff had left South Africa with their young children for a stint in the UK, but were open to looking for another country to call home.

New Zealand seemed a good prospect, and they chose Devonport as a place to live, sight unseen. Their third child was just six weeks old.

Braatvedt recalls being very happy to find herself in this part of this world, despite the lack of family and friends at first.

“This church,” she remembers, “was a very safe place to me then. The church offers companionship, and that will always be an important role.”

She was a teacher by profession. When she had the opportunity to start working in her new country, she worked from home, one to one with children with disabilities.

She notes that she is well aware of the downsides of working at home that many have experienced in recent pandemic lockdowns.

Braatvedt found herself a niche as a layper

son helping Spackman.

She found being around the parish commu nity was a good fit for her and her interest in working with “people on the margins”.

She started a men’s group and a women’s group. And the day came when she wondered about her own future direction and whether a career change might be approaching.

“My husband helped me to work it out. He said he felt I had a calling which I should think about exploring.”

Anyone who knew her as a child wouldn’t have been surprised to hear that. “I have always had this fascination with the spiritual side of life, and since childhood I have always reflected on the source of all the beauty in the world.

“I remember as a child, my father gave me a little Wendy house, complete with furniture and little kitchen things right down to pots and pans. But I took all that stuff out of it because I knew I wanted to turn it into a church. And that’s what I did with it.”

With the full support of her husband and her then school-aged children, she embarked on three years of training at St John’s Theological College in Meadowbank, spending an entire weekend on campus each month

Ordained as a priest, she continued working with Murray Spackman until his retirement.

Many people in her parish and the commu nity by then knew her well. She was accepted as the first woman to hold the job.

“I felt trusted and I felt welcome. And If you feel like that you know that you can do so much more. I felt I could have a go and try new things.”

With hindsight, and many a project under her belt, Braatvedt says she is very conscious that as a woman she needed to know what she was about in her new role. But she says with a chuckle she’s also aware that there seems to be less tolerance of strong, capable women, than there is of men of the same ilk.

She takes with her many fond memories from time in the role, and of the little extras she initiated. For example, Valentine’s Day, when she decided much more fun could be made

R

WELCOME

of the date if people came to church in their wedding dresses, brought wedding photos with them, renewed their vows and later, celebrated with champagne and cake.

In recent years she decided more connection for some people was needed. To cater for this by providing a welcome place and companionship, she set up a conversation corner, with helpers, adjacent to a temporarily closed café. Like the Valentine’s Day event, it was a successful small initiative.

will be nearly ready for reopening and offering more of the support initiatives she envisaged.

As she talks about community support, she nudges a large box of groceries, like the many distributed by the church at a time of growing demand from families. It’s symbolic of the need she identifies in our communities.

“The new hall will be a real hub and an asset to Devonport. It has been a high point of my journey here to see this facility, that is fit for purpose, becoming a reality.

“There are so many opportunities for new things to happen here. It is new and modern and it sets us up for the future alongside this beautiful church, and that is exciting for all of us.”

Braatvedt says that while the packaging and the marketing of the church may seem outdated in modern life, “the product is still priceless”.

The church is more than a business, or a club, she says. “It is a family and a place where people can connect at the deepest level. Every one is trying to live a better life and everyone wants that very human connection.”

Braatvedt’s mother, Honey, used to make the journey to spend long sojourns with her family in Devonport. Her daughter has happy memories of the warm welcome she got from the community and the friendships she formed.

Braatvedt believes that recent times of Cov id and lockdowns have brought a new era, and even greater demand for community groups to provide support.

“The pandemic has definitely had social implications for people. Everywhere, I see a lot more people out there who seem to be lost, anxious and depressed. There is a lot of need in our communities.”

One of the highlights of her time as vicar at Holy Trinity has been instigating the major redevelopment of the church hall.

On the day she spoke to The Flagstaff, she was delighted to point out that the new roof had just gone on. And when she comes home to Devonport in the New Year, the building

K A

U N

Now that Honey is struggling with inde pendent living back in Capetown, Braadvedt expects she will be making the trip from Devonport to support her mother more often.

Is it retirement? She laughs. “The short answer is no.”

An interim priest, Warren Watson, will man age the Holy Trinity parish until a new vicar is appointed in six to eight months.

But Braatvedt says she will be putting her hand up to step in as a relieving priest in the diocese.

And then there is a very long list of things she’s always wanted to do if she had the time: the yen to study art history, do pottery and to learn te reo, But also a strong commitment to Holy Trinity and helping out in the parish she remains so connected to.

A H A U R A K I

FREE RAT TRAPS!

become

even a

backyard trapper

for

humanely and safely trap

protect

more volunteers

with

needed for traplines

local reserves and nga Tupuna Maunga.

signup

“The new hall will be a real hub and an asset to Devonport. It has been a high point of my journey to see this facility, that is fit for purpose, becoming a reality.”

Andrew Holloway

and

Bioletti

Community Events

Community

Community

Crawford

Catterall,

Francis

HŌTOKE/WINTER FUN TAMARIKI PLAY

FOR PRESCHOOLERS with Maddy – Tuesdays 9:30 am at Bayswater School there are only three or four more sessions Our thanks to Bayswater School for the wonderful support they have given us in running this programme

RAUMATI SUMMER PLAY

Starting Tuesday 1st November at Windsor Reserve, and Thursday 3rd November at Belmont Rose Gardens, and running weekly from then, with a break for Christmas/New Year If you know of pre schooler parents, please make sure that they do know of this free opportunity I am sure they and their children will enjoy the sessions outside in these lovely surroundings

HALLOWEEN

Friday 28th October from 5 pm to 7 pm in Bayswater This should be a great fun evening for the Peninsula community Register for the event at www devonportpeninsulatrust nz

LOOKING AHEAD

There have also been a number of conversations recently about how the Trust’s Community Events and environmental Restoring (RTH) work can be planned and carried out more collaboratively to further the aims of both Three Funding/ Programme applications have been submitted recently, which may result in new initiatives for the Trust I will keep you posted on any of these that come to fruition

SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE TRUST

Of course, the Trust is already partnering with the Devonport Arts Festival committee, and trying to raise funds in order to add more murals to the Art Trail Our Give a Little opportunity is still open if you are able to contribute toward installing a next mural Please go to givealittle co nz/fundraiser/ street art on the peninsula

Classifieds

ACCOMMODATION

4 bedroom furnished family villa 3 minutes walk from Cheltenham Beach and North Head, available 24.12.2022 to 10.1.2023.Mininum stay 7 days. Ideal for visit ing family or friends you are unable to acco modate around Christ mas time. Contact Sue 021 034 7388.

Central Devonport, Short Stay - 1 Bdrm ful ly furn private apt - all linen etc supplied - suit Single person/Couple. Views of Auckland city. Handy to all amenities and both Ferry and Bus services. Contact Colin 09 446 6640 or email balgray@xtra.co.nz

SERVICES OFFERED

Complete home main tenance by perfectionist boat builder/builders. In cluding rotten windows, doors, weather boards. Exterior/interior. We also do shingles and shake replacement. Call Duane 027 488 5478

FixIT Handyman - ex cellent work, practi cal budget, most jobs welcome, interior/ex terior free quote. Josh 021 261 8322.

SERVICES OFFERED

Healthy Home Cook ing Service www. NatureHaven.co.nz 0800 FREEDOM (373 3366).

SERVICES OFFERED

Need someone to feed your cat and other pets at your home while you’re away? I love an imals and would love to help you! I am 11 years old and live in Devon port. I charge $5 per visit. Each visit I feed your pet and can play with them for about 10-15 minutes each visit if they are com fortable with me. I also send you pics of them so you don’t miss them too much! I always visit with one of my parents. Devonport only please! Text/call: 021-270-7677.

Sash window repairs. Renew cords, adjust weights, balancing for even running- any problem with your sash window. Work done on Saturdays only. Hubert 021 274 4191.

WANTED

Night Carer Wanted. Wake over position. Fri, Sat and Sunday nights 10pm - 6am. There is also a vacancy for ca sual work, last week of October and 1st week of Nov, Mon-Fri same hours. Suit mature per son, pay $28per hour. Ph 09 4454693

WANT TO ADVERTISE?

Devonport Flagstaff Classified Advertising.

It really works. To make a booking please email us at sales@ devonportflagstaff.co.nz

Reporter (Junior through to Experienced)

Be part of an award-winning team that prides itself on breaking stories while also covering community activities and identities.

Daily news-gathering experience and good knowledge of the lower North Shore area would be a bonus for applicants. This is also an opportunity for a keen newcomer or someone returning to the workforce in the area to make a mark handling varied assignments in a small friendly newsroom.

An ability to cultivate contacts and sniff out exclusive stories is needed, along with taking simple pictures.

Expressions of interest to

Our two fortnightly newspapers publishing on alternate weeks are the Flagstaff focusing on the Devonport peninsula and the Rangitoto Observer on the wider Takapuna-Milford area. The area’s combined population of around 75,000, offers ample scope to report on everything from council to crime, arts and the environment and local sport and schools.

Mostly day work, with occasional night and weekend jobs. We offer some flexibility of working hours.

Over Christmas/New Year we shut down for a good summer break.

Live local. Work local. ShoreJobs.co.nz

Experienced Relievers

Are you looking to be valued? Want to be part of something special? We strive to enact our philosophy, which is bor n from relationships equal partnerships between children, caregivers, whanau, community, and the environment.

These relationships are established within a culture of kindness, through caregiving moments, rituals and our daily interactions.

We are privately owned centres and we are passionate about the philosophies of Reggio Emilia and Emmi Pikler

We are looking for qualified, registered and/or experienced early childhood teachers.

• Do you role model our values within their practice

• Can you be authentic, respectful and joyful

• Do you have some working experience with young children

Contact Yvonne on 0274879 116 for a chat to see if we have similar views on early childhood education, or email your CV to yvonne.groot@thelear ningspace.co.nz

Financial Advisor

Axiome Consultants is an investment management and financial advisory business serving high net worth individuals, family trusts and charities. We have been an independent/ fee only advisory firm from our formation over 18 years ago.

We have an opportunity for a client adviser, or aspiring adviser with an analytical background, to join our team working flexibly across all functions necessary to deliver best of breed client solutions.

We expect you will be degree qualified with experience in the financial advisory sector and possess the strong interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain meaningful client relationships. We have moder n offices in Devonport and will consider flexibility in hours or part work from home arrangements. The opportunity to progress your career with increasing responsibility to Director/ Partner level is available for candidates with the ambition to do so.

Please apply by email attaching your CV to Philip de Lisle: philip@axiome.co.nz

Experienced Seamstress

Devonport and Milford Drycleaners is looking for an Experienced Seamstress to undertake alterations/repair works on a part time basis (Wednesday Friday) in its Milford shop

Responsibilities

• Ticketing, checking and pinning of all garments/articles received for dry cleaning, alterations, repair works.

• Clothing alterations/repairs

• Fitting garments on customers to determine how the alterations should be done

• Communicating with customers to determine their specifications, needs, and preference

• Accurately measuring customers using tape measure/pins to ensure proper fit of garments.

• Customer service

Hourly wage: $23 $25

To apply please send an email to devonportdrycleaners@xtra.co.nz

Lake Rd overnight works for new gas mains to Devonport

Vector is installing new gas mains to im prove the safety and security of the gas supply to the Devonport area.

involves replacing older sections of the network with new pipes to improve safety and network

work requires the overnight closing of a section of the southern end of Lake Rd near the Fire Station. From 9pm until 5am,

the road is closed, with signs saying this is until 15 October. However a Vector spokes man told the Flagstaff the work should be done by the end of this week.

The work was planned to coincide with school holidays to minimise disruption with fewer cars on the road.

The 100m stretch being worked on is between Mozeley Ave and Ariho Terrace.

Tugboat to be surveyed as it sails on

The William C Daldy will be fully surveyed as options are considered for its future.

The historic steam-powered tugboat, which is docked at Devonport’s Victoria Wharf, was recently the subject of an emergency meeting, called to consider the feasibility of keeping the boat afloat in the face of rising costs and a dwindling pool of volunteers.

In the meantime, the Daldy will continue with its open days on the first Saturday of each month – timed to align with the Devonport Mar ket at the ferry terminal – and has ticketed public

sailings planned next month.Timed around Auckland Heritage Week, sails are scheduled for the first and third weekends of October.

A recently formed advisory group decided on a survey as a first step to establish the condition of the entire ship.

William C Daldy Preservation Society members want their help to develop a plan to ensure benign neglect does not claim a treasure of Auckland’s maritime heritage. They are mindful of the recent scrapping of the ferry ‘Kestrel’, another heritage vessel.

Mobile Car Cleaning

Travel around to people’s houses and clean their cars! Contract position Work as much as you’d like and any day that suits you

Ideally applicants must have an eye for detail, like to work outside, friendly, and can work efficiently

HAVE

are interested

083

Takapuna Grammar

Junior Achievers Breakfast Assembly

Last month we hosted the Junior Achievers Breakfast Assembly in Te Poho and were honoured to have alumnae and recent Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist Imogen Ayris as guest speaker talking about her rollercoaster of a year leading up

to, during, then after her amazing performance in Birmingham

The assembly was held to acknowledge the wonderful achievement of our students in the Performing Arts and Sports areas Ranging from

Black Tie Alumni Dinner Evening

Takapuna Grammar was pleased to host the inaugural Black Tie Alumni Dinner paying tribute to some of Takapuna Grammar’s most acclaimed alumni In particular, we were honoured to have Sir Stephen Tindall GNZM and Olympic Games Bronze Medallist Juliette Drysdale serve as guests of honour Tim Williams hosted a Q & A discussion with the founder of Genoapay Shaun Quincey and Lord of the Rings actor Bruce Hopkins about risk and adventure; the discussion provided insight into New Zealand’s business environment and how education as well as adventure can prepare oneself for life’s challenges Thank you to Leonessa our premier treble choir performed at the evening as well as the Prefect team and Senior Management for organising the Dinner The school is hoping to host this as an annual event over the next five years leading into our centenary anniversary celebrations in 2027

national sports success to regional success in art competitions, these students have excelled in various areas and it was wonderful to invite them up on stage to receive their special achievement certificates

INDIVIDUAL SPORTING SUCCESSES

Year 9 Rosara Davis has been selected by Surfing NZ & NZSUP to represent New Zealand in stand up paddle boarding Rosara will compete at the world stand up paddle boarding championships which will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico in late October.

Year 9 student Sam Frazerhurst has been selected for the Auckland Scholastics surf team to compete at the National Scholastics in Taranaki in the October school holidays Congratulations Sam and all the best for the competition.

Congratulations to Justine Pausch who has been selected for the Auckland Junior Squash team to compete at the Junior Nationals next month. This follows her recent trip over to Australia (with Saara Joukani Year 11) where they represented NZ in the national secondary school squash team All the best Justine!

Mischa Thomas has been competing in the Volkl NZ Freestyle Ski Series After a string of consistent performances Mischa finished first becoming the overall series champion in the Open Women category for 2022 Congratulations Mischa!

Year 12 student Aleks Miernik recently competed at the 2022 NZFAA Indoor Nationals. The event consisted of three competitions from which Aleks recorded two NZ Records for his division, Young Adult Male Bowhunter Unlimited The records were achieved in the IFAA Standard Indoor round and the NZFAA short Flint round categories. Congratulations Aleks!

Year 10 student Róisín Ward has been accepted an invitation to compete in the Australian School Games diving competition which will be held in Brisbane in late November Congratulations Róisín and all the best for the competition

Year 11 student Zach Nigh has been selected by Judo New Zealand to represent New Zealand at the Oceania Judo Tournament in Perth Zach will be the 2nd youngest and only member of his category in a team of 32 selected including the 3 Judo medalists from the Commonwealth Games Zach will fight on 31 October 2022 in Perth This is a fantastic achievement to have been selected to represent New Zealand Congratulations Zach!

We are very proud of Barney Gould who has been selected in the Climbing NZ Youth Team taking on climbers from all around the world at the IFSC World Youth Championships taking place in Dallas Well done Barney and all the best for the competition

Congratulations to Adeline Lee who competed in the World Tae Kwon Do NZ open championship held last month Adeline won gold in the U15 girls individual Poomsae (black belt) competition and Silver in the Teams Poomsae competition Well done Adeline!

Congratulations to year 13 student Samantha Korck who has been selected for the New Zealand Road Race relay championships which will be held in Christchurch in October Congratulations Sam and all the best for the event.

Obituary

Veteran dons wartime garb for big birthday

Wartime despatch rider was ‘a lovely man’

Local resident and World War II veteran Ron Child dressed as a wartime despatch rider as part of a colourful celebration of his recent 100th birthday.

A Devonport-based World War II veteran and centenarian, Ron Child, is being remembered fondly as a lively personality who had a zest for life.

The former serviceman who died recently, aged 101, cut a sprightly figure at his 100th birthday celebration in May last year, when he dressed in period uniform to attend a celebration at the RSA.

He was given a tiki tour of Devonport in a classic-car caval cade, chauffeured by local RSA members Michael Grieg and George McGregor, and welcomed to the RSA in Victoria Rd to the sound of bagpipes played by Joe McCallum.

Devonport RSA president Muzz Kennett said Child, who had kept well until a recent short spell in hospital, was toasted by members who gathered for lunch on Monday last week, after his death on 20 September. “He was a lovely man and a bit of character,” Kennett said.

After ascending the stairs, his arrival inside was announced by Chris Mullane: “Ladies and gentlemen, a despatch rider has arrived from the front! Please welcome Leading Aircraftman Despatch Rider Ron Child, previously Bombardier Ron Child of the New Zealand Artillery!”

The RSA plans to post an obituary online.

A Wellingtonian, who was born on 4 May 1921, Child moved to Devonport a decade ago with his wife, who later died. He became a regular at RSA lunches and club nights.

Continuing proceedings, RSA President Muzz Kennett gave the assembled family, friends and RSA members a detailed recount of Child’s military service. He initially served as a bombardier, but after a medical downgrading that prevented him serving overseas, transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, where he became a despatch rider.

His military service was initially as a bombardier in the New Zealand Artillery, though a medical downgrade prevented him from serving overseas. He transferred to the Air Force where he became a despatch rider.

Before a cake-cutting, Navy singer Rebecca Nelson sang a Vera Lynn medley in tribute. “It’s such a special achievement,” she says. “We don’t have many of our World War II veterans left, so to see one of them reach 100 is truly amazing.”

It was in his despatch rider gear, including goggles, that a memora ble entrance was made to his 100th birthday in a classic-car cavalcade. The Flagstaff photographed the occasion, for which he climbed the stairs to the Victoria Rd clubrooms. Navy singer Rebecca Nelson then serenaded him with a medley of Vera Lynn songs as tributes flowed.

Born on 4 May 1921, in Wellington, Child has lived in Devonport for the last nine years, relocating with his wife for a fresh start in 2012, though she sadly died soon after.

He has become an active member of the Devonport RSA, and is much-admired in the community.

Child told the Flagstaff he began celebrating his milestone decades from 70 onward and always liked to look ahead, so he was thrilled to reach 100. He is survived by three daughters.

“I feel so lucky to know someone with so much character and integrity,” says his neighbour, Christine First.

Quite a character... World War II veteran Ron Child dressed as a wartime despatch rider as part of a colourful celebration of his 100th birthday in 2021

For his part, the centenarian is thrilled to have reached the milestone. “I started celebrating my birthdays by the decade once I turned 70,” he says. “Then suddenly I was 80, then 90, and now 100. I woke up the next morning and realised, this is the first day of the rest of my life, and the first of a second century!”

He believes keeping a sturdy, forward-moving and positive outlook is the secret to a long life. “Young people today have a tremendous responsibility to pick the right course in life. As long as you keep looking ahead and grasp opportunities as they come, in the face of adversities, you will come out stronger.”

20 years ago from the Flagstaff files

• Heritage architect Jeremy Salmond joins a chorus of protest over the proposed demo lition of a late-1800s historic home owned by Lloyd and Caroline Sills, saying it would set a dangerous precedent. The house at 2 Buchanan St would be replaced by a new timber dwelling.

Counting his journey into his second century by the day, Child is “hell-bent” on doing as much as he can to squeeze every drop of joy and passion out of his life.

going up between 10 to 20 per cent over a year, with an influx of buyers arriving from Britain.

• Residents continue to fight Babcock’s planned floating dry dock at the Calliope Basin.

• Artist Julia Henderson is the Flagstaff inter view subject.

• The Devonport wharf shopping complex remains closed as the America’s Cup season arrives.

Time to celebrate... (clockwise from above) Centenarian Ron Child dressed as a wartime despatch rider for his birthday; in a classic Riley driven by Michael Grieg, with piper Joe McCallum in the back seat; and being serenaded by Navy singer Rebecca Nelson

• Geoff Allen’s play The Cray’s Return is one of six plays chosen from 50 submitted to Victo ria University for professional development.

• A property boom hits Devonport, with prices

• Ngataringa Bay Society chair Chris Darby attacks Bayswater Marina for allegedly

• Devonport’s Anglican Opportunity shop turns 25. It makes $60,000 per year.

• A new sign offering a ‘Welcome to Devonport – Auckland’s Marine Suburb’ is unveiled by signwriter Tom Smith and wife Felicity.

Landscaping in

Tēnā koutou katoa,

This month

excited to present, in partnership with

Lawrie

INFINITY: Exploring

Beyond

a panel discussion

into emerging technology

NFTs in the creative

Jump onto our website and sign up

spaces

limited and our last NFT event

Open-day stars attract next generation to athletics

In the gallery

thrilled to be hosting two exciting exhibitions;

Mélange a combination of paintings and cast glass from two local artists Harinder Rajpal and Susan Louie showcasing beautifully coloured and abstract geometric pieces

And a rare exhibition of traditional Chinese art by Guo Zhiming a highly regarded artist, showcasing serene watercolours, ink drawings and an 11 metre long traditional scroll painting

And lastly, if you are a creative wanting support in your career we have a few places left on our Wayfind Creative programme, so please get in touch or register

Commonwealth Games medallists Jacko Gill and Imogen Ayris chatted to visitors among the hundreds attracted to an open day at Takapuna Athletics Club last month.

Gill, who won a shotput silver medal in Birmingham in August, was thrilled to see the interest in throwing. Ayris, who collected bronze in pole vaulting, enjoyed the chance to revisit her younger days at Onewa Do main with the reward of a sausage sizzzle. “It tastes like summer,” she laughed.

The two medallists, who both attended Takapuna Grammar School and started their athletics careers at the club, aim to be back at world events next year.

Gill, 27, who lives in Devonport, has resumed training after returning from a successful season competing in Europe. Northcote-based Ayris, 21, who learned immediately after the Games that she had been jumping on a fractured foot, is now out of a moonboot and looking to resume running soon.

Other top-performing club members were also on hand at the open day, including Kate

Hallie, a 15-year-old from Devonport who is a standout shotputter at junior level.

She joined Gill showing youngsters how to throw, with both trained in the discipline by Gill’s father, Walter.

Para athlete age-group record-holder Sionann Murphy, 17, who trains with them, helped run an obstacle course, while under-18 nationally ranked runners Nick Davies and James Ford, both 17-year-olds from Devonport, acted as race starters.

Another drawcard was the chance for youngsters to be speed tested by Devonport community constable Glenda Peri, using a speed camera normally deployed to catch drivers pushing their vehicles over the limit.

Club president and Bayswater resident Dan Brady was “over the moon” at the openday turnout. While the club had weathered Covid well, with around 230 members, he said the goal was to build up to the roughly 500 it had in the early 2000s.

Club nights begin on Wednesday, 19 October, from 5.15pm. Details on the club website.

Caught on camera... Devonport community constable Glenda Peri clocks Adeline Crawford with her speed camera

Likely

middle-distance

Nick Davies (left)

Up and away... Caleb Wilson from Devonport takes off from the long-jump board

Gentle giant... Commonwealth Games medallist Jacko Gill with young Devonport resident, Rocco GawPhillips, and Zoe Smith at the Takapuna Athletics Club open day, where he spent hours encouraging youngsters to give shot put a go

Junior shotputting champion, Kate Hallie, 15, from Devonport, shows the way to Amelia Power

WHAT’S

Library

Tena Koutou Devonport,

Our first School Holiday Week for October is nearing completion We have had the first of our 2 holiday storytimes and an in house Diwali Craft Rhymetime And, we will have had our recycled seed paper session on Thursday Week 2 activities start with a second Monday Storytime with a Minute to win it Marathon session event following on the Tuesday, 11th October 10 30am Come alone, with friends or family to have some silly holiday fun What records will you make? What records could you break? On Wednesday, (12th October, 2pm) we have our Make your own Bug Hotel event

Be the architect for your backyard bugs We are very grateful for the Claystore for their expertise, wonderful support, generosity, and absolute willingness to share what they had with us

In addition, we have activity kits available at different times, our Scavenger Hunt, and our Auckland Libraries Beanstack Challenge, both available to do for the whole school holidays with chances to win some awesome prizes Our activities should help you tick some challenges off, to get you started!

On Sunday 9th Oct, 2 3pm, well known real crime writer, Scott Bainbridge, will be speaking about his newest book The Fix and other real life NZ crime stories he has written The Fix details an unbelievable Kiwi swindle and we hope to have some of the detectives who doggedly chased down the culprit at the event too Don’t miss this one! And, it’s free!

When next in the library ask about our other up and coming events on the horizon

When the holidays have finished, we will be resuming our weekday children’s programmes; our Rhymetime with stories on Tuesdays, 10am, Wednesday’s Lego Club, 3 30 4 30pm and Wriggle and Rhyme, 10am on Fridays We are so excited we will be able to offer these in person after so long A lot happening; much to do at YOUR local library, come in for a visit Noho ora mai

From the Devonport Library Team

In tune... TGS student Aisha Avers’ diptych contrasts a contemporary guitarist figure with a Japanese-inspired take.

TGS students win Hanly awards

Two senior students at Takapuna Grammar School have been recognised with a Pat Hanly Creativity Award.

Works by Aisha Avers, 17, and Raahi Gossage Krishnan, 18, won them the award, which is given each year to outstanding secondary school senior students in visual arts from across the Auckland region.

The students, who were nominated by their school, were thrilled to be chosen, with Aisha saying it felt great to be recognised at a higher level. “I’m thankful.”

The Year 13 student said art for her was a kind of meditation – “allowing me to clear my mind and focus purely on creation”.

The acrylic-on-paper work she submitted was a diptych, contrasting a contemporary figure playing guitar with a more traditionally Japanese-inspired take on the subject matter.

“Through this piece, I’ve tried to capture the ‘rhythmic’ or ‘other-worldly groove’ experi enced through music,” Aisha said. “I’m inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e prints for their pattern, composition, and stylised figures.”

Next year Aisha, who is half Japanese, intends studying a degree in design and anthro

pology at Victoria University.

Raahi, who is also in Year 13 and is looking at studying nursing next year, said it was an honour to win the award.

“Creating and making stuff is a fun escape from everyday tasks. So I take photography to get a break from rigid subjects where you don’t get freedom to express yourself.”

His image on silver halide paper was burned and the remains photographed. His teacher Francis Potter introduced him to the alternative technique and he found it a fun challenge .

The students were hosted at Auckland Art Gallery at a prize-giving evening last month, along with representatives from 46 other schools. As well as the award, the 88 winners re ceived items including vouchers for art supplies.

The awards, named for noted New Zealand painter Pat Hanly, were established in 2002 to foster young artists who show outstanding creativity, imagination and commitment.

Several other North Shore students were recognised, including Devonport-based Teddie Kohlberger and Jillian Aquino from Carmel College and Westlake Boys High School’s Sam Higgs and Joseph Pettigrew.

Transplanted Chinese master artist on show at Depot

Devonport’s Depot Artspace is hosting an exhibition of land scapes by Guo Zhiming, a noted painter of traditional Chinese landscapes who moved to New Zealand in 2003.

Gallery curator Nina Dyer said Guo was widely recognised in China as a master innovator in the field, but language had been a barrier to his engagement in the New Zealand arts scene.

“Mr Guo’s serene and generous energy is infectious, and he is delighted to be sharing his practice with local audiences,” Dyer said.

The gallery made contact with a Mandarin-speaking local to help with translation to allow Guo, to share with its staff the meaning behind a 12-metre scroll. It is included in the exhibition with ex planatory detail.

Entitled The Sun and the Wind Is Beautiful, the show is expected to elicit a lot of interest in the Chinese community and gives the wider public a chance to see Guo’s complex watercolours and ink drawings.

The watercolours are made with Guo’s signature finger-painting techniques to build fluid abstractions from which traditional land scape scenes emerge.

This merging of an unconventional method to deliver Chinese painting composition is what earned the artist his status in China, where a 60-year retropsective of his work was held at the Nanhui Museum in Shanghai in 2019.

His work is widely held in museums and galleries in his home country.

By looking to the abstract art of the West, particularly the Action Painting genre popularised in mid-century America, Guo’s body of work uses methods including spraying, coating, washing, shaking and dragging to achieve a desired effect on his canvases.

Guo was born in Shanghai in 1942 and has been painting since the 1960s.

He is honorary chairman of the New Zealand Chinese Culture and Art Centre in Takapuna, and involved in other Chinese arts groups.

SHOWING

COMING SOON

the Sentinel offers great security, close beach proximity, shops, cafes, restaurants and market

tandem carpark and storage locker in the secure basement with level access to your

VIEW | BY APPOINTMENT PREMIUM.CO.NZ/80321

PARKER

A WAT E R F R O N T A B O AT I N G PA R A D I S E

Secure your piece of waterfront paradise this is Omaha lifestyle living at its finest, with the lawn stretching down to absolute waterfront This single level home offers comfortable, modern, practical living and a big double garage with plenty of room to store all your toys with the tennis courts and golf club nearby These waterfront properties are rarely available

SAT/SUN

SMITH

OR BY