Iwi land sold for Belmont retirement village... p2
December 13 2024
Vauxhall Rd safety project scheduled for 2025... p23
Hauraki School pool opening photos... p24-25
Sell-off among options for waterfront council villas
Three council-owned heritage homes on Devonport Domain overlooking Torpedo Bay could be sold or leased long-term under classification options suggested by Auckland Council officials.
But attempting to remove the reserve sta-
tus of the land they occupy could also lead to it falling into Crown ownership, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has been told.
Two of the homes are leased to tenants; the other is empty and needs an estimated million-dollar upgrade.
A devolution of council decision-making means the homes have become the responsibility of the local board rather than the wider council.
Options regarding their regulatory status
To page 2
Love and Klissers at the Santa Parade
Christmas cuddles... James Klisser and Anneke de Bie with son Enzo Klisser at the annual Devonport Santa Parade. More pictures, story, pages 4-7.
Local board asks what it can do with houses on reserve
From page 1
have been thrown up by work towards a new parks management plan.
Officials told a local-board workshop last week that the board could propose to revoke the land’s status under the Reserve Act, but that it might consequently fall into Crown hands. Alternatively, council could reclassify the kind of reserve it was to allow different activities.
Reserve status would have to be lifted for the houses to be sold.
The board has asked for a report on its options to be provided at a 4 February workshop. “They’re being shifted into our portfolio and we need to know what we can do with them,” said board chair Toni van Tonder. “They’re a major liability for us and not serving any community benefit.”
With other expensive heritage assets to maintain and sufficient community space in Devonport, the board is wary of the cost of taking on three more buildings.
The three houses, one of which was once the domain groundskeeper’s cottage, are at
Future uncertain... 56 King Edward
Pde is one of three houses on land which could lose its reserve status
52, 55 and 56 King Edward Pde.
Along with the sale and leasing options, Van Tonder said having the houses as bookable baches could be one way of bringing in money to cover their maintenance.
Board member Gavin Busch suggested the possibility of retaining the houses as council assets, but with long-term ground leases making leaseholders responsible for maintenance.
Busch later told the Flagstaff ground leases had a precedent in council homes leased out around Cornwall Park. If some value could be extracted from the homes – with money returned to the board – it could be put back into other local heritage assets.
Devolution, promoted by the Mayor as an empowerment of local boards, was a case of “be careful what you wish for”, Busch said. It did not necessarily come with reallocation of adequate funds. Council had indicated that further budget cuts might be coming.
Busch said the situation contained many unknowns and the board wanted a much clearer idea about its options for the homes.
“We need guidance on their status,” Van Tonder said.
The Crown originally vested the area to the old Devonport Borough Council under the Reserves Act. If the board proposed to revoke reserve status, initial advice was that public notification would be required and the decision would rest with the Minister of Conservation, not council. Discussion with the Department of Conservation and iwi engagement would be required.
Iwi sells former Navy block to retirement-village group
Nearly 300 new homes will be created in Belmont on a 5.7ha site bought by Summerset Group for a retirement village.
The land off Eversleigh Rd, centred on Hillary Cres, was sold by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in a deal announced to the stock exchange last week that includes the iwi taking part-payment in Summerset shares.
“The sale price remains commercially sensitive. However, we are confident this is a positive outcome for our iwi,” said Grant Kemble, the chief executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s property investment arm, Whai Rawa. The iwi retains land at the end of Rutherford St, where it has further plans
for its ongoing Oneoneroa development. It has sold 42 private homes around the eastern end of the site.
Summerset told the Flagstaff it was extending into the area because of the high demand for retirement living options. The site had views and access to excellent local amenities in Takapuna and Devonport.
A spokesman said the intention was for a staged build of around 260 villas, plus further accommodation in care facilities. A village centre would be included.
Asked about public access to the coastal perimeter of the site or linkages to Hauraki, the spokesperson said this was to be con-
firmed as part of planning, design and consenting. Target dates were not yet available.
In announcing the development, Summerset chief executive Scott Scoullar said the village would be predominantly low-rise rather than apartment-dominated.
The freehold land purchase from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei was the start of a long-term partnership, he said. This included education and employment opportunities for hapū.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei acquired about 27ha of North Shore land in a treaty settlement. Kemble said the intention was always to sell portions of it as freehold, as had happened with Oneoneroa.
Devonport Publishing Ltd First Floor, 9 Wynyard St Telephone: 09 445 0060
Gold for Kate, as TGS athletes snare eight national medals
Takapuna Grammar School’s Kate Hallie closed her school athletics career by winning gold in the senior shot put at the national secondary school athletics championships on Sunday.
The Year 13 student from Devonport saved her best until the end of the competition, with a final throw of 14.98m.
Hallie also placed second in discus, claiming one of five silver medals won by a TGS team of six competing at Aorangi Park in Timaru from 6-8 December. Two bronzes rounded out the strong showing and all of the athletes made their event finals. Director of Sport Joshua Choice hailed the “awesome results”.
Connor Brady, a Year 10 student, collected four of the medals, competing in the junior division and underlining his rising all-rounder status. Three were silver: for shot put and the 100m and 300m hurdles, setting personal bests in each. He took a bronze in pole vault and placed fourth in discus.
Runners Sascha Letica and Asha Edwards, who train together, duelled it out to make two senior finals, including the blue-ribbon 1500m race. In the 3000m final, Asha claimed the silver medal and Sascha bronze; with Sascha edging ahead in the 1500m to take 5th place, one ahead of Asha.
Samantha Lathwood was fourth in the senior 100m and 5th in the 200m.
Year 9 student Alex Hallie made the junior shot put final, placing eighth. Like sister Kate, he is coached at Takapuna Athletics Club by Walter and Nerida Gill, parents of Jacko Gill, who went on from TGS to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
Kate Hallie has secured a scholarship to the University of Miami in Ohio next year. Sascha, who made the New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country team this year, is heading to the University of Connecticut.
Golden girl... Kate Hallie shows her champion style at New Zealand secondary school athletics nationals in Timaru, where she competed with (below, from left) fellow Takapuna Grammar medallists Sascha Letica (bronze) and Asha Edwards (silver), shown after their 3000m final, and Connor Brady who won four individual finals
All geared up for the parade… (clockwise from left) Alex and Sophie Weldon with daughters Sarah and angelic Charlotte; Iadea Mclauchlan and grandmother Tracey Watson await the parade; Ciska and James Craig-Cochrane; and lollies being distributed to sweet-toothed spectators.
a queenly visitor and the big man himself
Thousands of local residents attended the annual Devonport Lions Santa Parade and Dance in the Park, undeterred by drizzle and enjoying a record number of floats.
Harcourts took over running the event this year. “Fortunately, this year the rain didn’t dampen community participation,” said Devonport manager Matt Hunt. “In fact, it was the largest Santa Parade to date, featuring more than 40 floats.”
Prizewinning floats at the 1 December event were: Devonport Primary School, 1st ($500 voucher); Devonport Sea Scouts, 2nd ($300 voucher); and Devonport School Of Dance, 3rd ($100 voucher).
Quite a card... Queen of Hearts Diana Murray leads Santa through the crowds and (below) he meets Luna Leighton and dad Blair
The All Stars cheerleaders get some air.
Schools to the fore amid record turnout of floats
Snow flurries... The Devonport Primary contingent braves unseasonable conditions. Below (from left): Devonport librarians Anne Soper, Jicca Smith and Nicole Hielkema and (right) Tagbuster Trevor Williams.
Season’s Greetings
Hope the summer is a pleasant and leisurely one for all - it certainly feels like sentiment is improving for 2025 and that activity levels should continue to pick up particularly as we see the OCR head towards 3.25% (currently 4.25%) and fixed rates fall toward 5% (currently 5.99% for 6mths and 5.79% for 12mths) - am told though there is a lot of housing stock on the market and more listings to come as people come out of the woodwork looking to sell for various reasons... so we don’t expect prices to necessarily take off all of a sudden!
Thanks to those who have reached out to us for help with mortgage and other finance - we appreciate the business and the opportunity to help Have a greater summer!
Richard and Mike
Fun times... Stanley Bay School representatives and (below) Lynley and David Manners with grandchildren Elva and Dulcie Curren
Local maternity hospital fondly remembered 50 years on
The last baby born at Pentlands maternity hospital in Buchanan St has just turned 50.
Sarah James (now Dearlove), who was born on 26 November 1974, is in Fiji celebrating her 50th birthday.
The Flagstaff caught up with her parents, Tony and June James, who still have strong memories of the hospital where many generations of Devonport residents were born.
The hospital opened in 1925. Tony was born there in 1944.
June and Tony’s first child, Michael, was also born there in October 1973.
The family were living at 8 Lake Rd at
“We were treated like royalty and waited on hand and foot.”
Mothers were able to stay in hospital longer back then, in comparison to the fast turnaround in maternity wings today.
Sarah’s ‘last baby at Pentlands’ status was not lost on the wider world.
This Day, a nightly current affairs television show, came to do a story, with June interviewed by reporter Raf Irving.
The James went on to have a third child, Nicola, born at North Shore Hospital. All three children went to Vauxhall School, Belmont Intermediate School, and Takapuna
June herself became closely associated
Claim to fame… Sarah Dearlove, the last baby born at Pentlands maternity hospital, with her mother June James and June with husband Tony
Baby central... The former Pentlands, now a private residence
Devonport 34B Kawerau Avenue
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With magnificent Auckland harbour views and a right of way enjoying direct beach access, this extraordinary Arts and Crafts residence has been masterfully restored, refurbished and expanded over time. The 1424sqm estate savours a prime position on peaceful and prestigious Stanley Point and is enveloped within mature grounds and private gardens landscaped to reflect the elegance of the landmark home. A direct north south aspect also ensures there is al fresco space to enjoy during all seasons. ‘Anderleigh’ was built in the early 1920s by prominent architect Gerald Jones for Alex Harvey a titan of New Zealand industry. Many original features have been retained and enhanced with contemporary luxuries, and a floorplan conducive to modern living and entertaining. bayleys.co.nz/1470710
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Devonport 5 Stanley Point Road, Stanley Point
Two dwellings, one title, direct waterfront
789sqm
Price by Negotiation
View by appointment
Victoria Bidwell 021 947 080
victoria.bidwell@bayleys.co.nz
BAYLEYS
Gracing a 789sqm waterfront site, this unique property consists of two joined waterfront dwellings on one title. The main residence is an English style four-bedroom home retaining charming original character and set in a lovely garden, plus a three-bedroom apartment rented for $950 per week, connected at a lower level, ensuring both homes have stunning views. The homes are elevated above an established seawall which runs round the cove from Stanley Bay beach, a few private steps take you down to the sand. A garden room is utilised as a 'work from home space'. Consented plans allow for further enhancements to the home. This property offers significant upsides for a range of buyers. Beautifully positioned close to parks, school, village and ferry. bayleys.co.nz/1451677
bayleys.co.nz
789sqm
Price by Negotiation
View by appointment
Victoria Bidwell 021 947 080
victoria.bidwell@bayleys.co.nz
Astronomic fire-crew rescue after feline’s big climb
Astro the cat may not have been shooting for the moon but still gained plenty of altitude on a climbing adventure last week.
He climbed his owners’ 11-metre palm tree in Cowper St, was missing for hours and had to be rescued by the Devonport Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Jeremy Tapsell and son Louis heard their missing moggie meowing but didn’t know where he was. When Louis’ mum Lydia Cowpertwait got home and heard further meowing, she joined the hunt.
“We all searched for him,” she said. “That’s when Jeremy realised where he was. We estimate he was up there for nearly five hours.”
Astro, who has just turned one, has had other slightly less risky adventures in his short life, getting stuck up another tree in the garden.
“We thought he was stuck up the same tree again until we saw him all the way up in the palm,” Cowpertwait said. “It was quite a shock when we realised.” The family called the fire brigade who used a long extension ladder to effect a rescue.
Astro belongs to Louis and sister Ella, who along with friend Isla McDonald, who was visiting, were delighted to see him back on the ground. As an added pre-Christmas bonus, the brigade gave the children a ride in their fire engine.
Astro’s name seems to fit his sense of adventure. He has a sister called ‘Coco’ who so far she hasn’t required any emergency callouts. “Coco is much more cautious with tree climbing and would never have gone that high up,” Cowpertwait said.
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The right fluff… Louis Tapsell with persian cat Astro safely back in his arms after firemen lured him down, via a long ladder.
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Sold-out festival won’t cut access to public facilities
The public will retain access to the Windsor Reserve playground and toilets and Devonport Beach during the sold-out Sunsetter festival next month.
Promoter Highlife Entertainment says it is focused on keeping community assets open and having as little impact as possible during the 18 January festival.
Highlife director Adam Bennett said some traffic management would be in place, with a small number of car parks near the reserve closed, but that no roads would be closed.
Tickets for the 2500-capacity event sold out over two months ago, with strong sup-
port from Devonport, Takapuna and Milford patrons, Bennett said.
Others would be coming from across Auckland and the North Shore.
Festival buses would be bringing people from Milford, Takapuna and Hauraki.
Despite the event’s popularity, Bennett said there were no plans for a repeat this summer, but he wanted to make it an annual event.
Local food businesses Manuka, The Kestrel, the former Vic Rd Kitchen, Dulcie and two local catering companies would be set up in marquees selling food at the festival.
“The vast majority of food available will be from local businesses.”
Bennett, who lives in Hauraki, said the vendors weren’t charged a fee to be involved.
He said an aim for the event was to promote Devonport. It was hoped festival patrons would spend money at businesses outside the festival as well as within it.
Highlife Entertainment would be making a financial contribution to the Devonport Community House after the event.
Some of the staff from the house were helping out at the festival.
Folk Club mainstay steps down after three decades
Hilary Worsfold (pictured), a driving force behind the Devonport Folk Club and Auckland Folk Festival, has retired after 30 years.
Music and more specifically folk music became Worsfold’s focal point after she emigrated from the UK to New Zealand in 1967.
With the end of six o’clock closing, pubs had begun having live music, including folk artists playing songs she remembered from her school days.
The Devonport Folk Club had been established in a bunker on Takarunga in 1966. Worsfold, who was living in Balmoral, started attending its Monday night sessions regularly from the mid-1970s.
“I enjoyed it immensely. Someone nominated me [as secretary-treasurer] – I was terrified. I’d never been secretary of anything before.”
She found herself working closely on administration with the larger-than-life club and Auckland Folk Festival president, Roger Giles. The pair became friends and in the 1990s he asked her to move into his Cowper St home.
They never married: “We were like hippies really. Why muck everything up?” But they were together until Roger died in 2020.
With Roger around, dull moments were few and far between. Folk singers from all parts of the globe would often stay at Cowper St when playing at the Bunker.
Worsfold remembers a particularly memorable night when Roger and Irish folk singer Andy Irvine were “dancing around the kitchen in their underpants”.
A highlight was the club’s 50th anniversary in 2016, attended
by folkies from around the globe.
In recent years, Worsfold was determined Giles’ legacy would continue. “When Roger died, we had to keep it going. I was determined not to drop the ball.”
She has been unwell over recent months, but was looking forward to seeing the Wild Women play at the Bunker earlier this week and hopes to turn out regularly on Monday nights in the new year.
Ireland’s
ashes join late mentor’s beneath loquat
Devonport writer Graeme Lay recounts a fitting farewell for a fellow man of letters
Literary history was repeated recently when the ashes of the late Devonport writer Kevin Ireland (1933-2023) were added to those of the late Takapuna writer Frank Sargeson (1903-1982) at the Sargeson property at 14 Esmonde Road, Takapuna.
Members of the Sargeson Trust and supporters gathered on a damp Saturday afternoon to conduct a moving ceremony that commemorated both these renowned writers.
Frank Sargeson lived and wrote at the Esmonde Road property from 1931 until his death 51 years later. A young aspiring poet, Kevin Ireland was befriended and mentored by the much older Sargeson and in 1957-58 lived in an army hut at the rear of the property.
Here the young Ireland learned to live and work as a writer, with Sargeson next door as a living example of the craft.
After Sargeson’s death, his literary executor, Christine Cole Catley, set up the Sargeson Trust, whose aims were to preserve Sargeson’s house as a literary museum and support young writers in their careers. Kevin Ireland later became a member of the Sargeson Trust.
Several years after Sargeson’s death, his ashes were retrieved by Sargeson trustee Michael King, from the funeral company where they had been held since his cremation in 1982.
On a Tuesday in June 1990, several members of the Sargeson Trust gathered at the writer’s house and his ashes were scattered under a loquat tree at the front of the property.
Later, Kevin Ireland published a poem describing this event, calling it ‘Ash Tuesday’. (“We held your body in a paper bag no bigger than a bull’s scrotum and took turns jigging
you out under a loquat tree.”)
Late last month, Kevin Ireland’s widow, writer and editor Janet Wilson, brought Kevin’s ashes to 14 Esmonde Road. Present at the house were current members of the Sargeson Trust, including chair Elizabeth Aitkin-Rose, niece of the late Christine Cole-Catley. Members were there primarily to select the recipients of the Sargeson Writer’s Fellowship for 2025.
The rain abated and the Sargeson trustees and supporters gathered at the front of the house for a ceremony. Led by Janet, Kevin’s ashes were scattered in turn by those present, under the same loquat tree where his mentor Sargeson’s had been ‘jigged out’, back in 1990.
The symmetry of the event was very moving. After many years, Frank and Kevin were together again. Ashes to ashes.
Raising a glass... Sargeson Trustees (from left) Anna Jackson, Catherine Chidgey, Helen Woodhouse, Graeme Lay, Janet Wilson (Kevin Ireland’s widow), Bernard Brown, Sarah Shieff, Elizabeth Aitkin-Rose, Dave Veart, Jenny Cole and John Adams gathered for a ceremony commemorating two renowned writers
Back at Frank’s... Kevin Ireland (above) and his widow, Janet Wilson (right), scattering his ashes beneath a loquat tree at Sargeson House
PHOTO: MARTIN COLE
Devonport 09 445 2010
Major sponsor for the North Shore Cricket Club
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DEVONPORT 14 ALBERT ROAD
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Tracey Lawrence 021 1720 681
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47 ROSLYN TERRACE
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DEVONPORT 114 CALLIOPE ROAD 3 1 1 1 1
18 ABBOTSFORD TERRACE
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AUCTION
11:00am 11 Dec 2024 at 39
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Million-dollar safety project sparks concern
A $1 million pedestrian-safety project has been scheduled for the intersection of Vauxhall Rd and Tainui Rd – as requested by local residents – though some local politicians have misgivings.
Auckland Transport (AT) says the project due to begin mid next year will provide a traffic-slowing raised road table, a wider footpath by the Cheltenham Milk Bar and a new pedestrian crossing on Tainui Rd.
The build will require traffic diversions for up to two months.
The project update to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board last week followed public consultation on the project two years ago, after community lobbying for a scheme to make the area safer.
But board members expressed concern at costs and disruption to businesses. Two asked if the scheme could be pared back, by omitting the raised crossing.
Gavin Busch suggested speed bumps on Vauxhall Rd near Grove Rd and south of the shops might do just as well at slowing traffic for much less expense. Terence Harpur suggested these be trialled first, ahead of a bigger and more disruptive build.
Principal transportation engineer Jun Park said the area had a history of speeding and AT was responding to community interest in safety improvements.
While he liked the idea of a longer slow zone, he said the risk was that traffic would speed up again at the Vauxhall Rd shops.
He said the existing crossing was not to standard, being too narrow.
Raised tables had a proven track record of safety. “There’s good grounds to do such a drastic transformational project, given it’s got such high pedestrian usage.”
The community would be advised in the week before work began.
Chair Toni van Tonder said she and member George Wood were on the board last term when community members who had conducted speed tests called for safety modifications. This followed a serious injury to a cyclist who was hit by a car.
“Lots of people have had a near-miss there,” she said. She supported work being done, but wondered if the major expense of raising the road table might be avoided by using a coloured or textured surface.
While AT was at a stage of the project that it only needed to inform, not consult with the board, she said: “We would all sleep better at night if you considered some of these suggestions.”
Safety upgrade... Work planned for the intersection of Vauxhall and Tanui Rds next year will create a raised road table to slow traffic, a new pedestrian crossing and an expanded footpath outside the Cheltenham Milk Bar
Cool fun! School community enjoys pool opening
Refreshing dip… PTA members Nikki Horne (left) and Emily Somerville-Ryan enjoyed a plunge in Hauraki School’s new pool. Below: Pupils cheer on their peers competing in a house relay, the first competitive event to be held in the pool.
Hauraki School PTA members and parents joined pupils taking the plunge to christen the school’s new pool at an official opening.
The new 25-metre heated pool, along with new seating, shade cover, fencing and lane markings, was opened on 29 November, with speeches from principal Clarinda Franklin and PTA representatives as well as ex-pupils Monique Williams, a former Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer, and Doug Rule, the first person to swim in the school’s old pool.
Franklin said it was rewarding to have the pool finished after years of planning and fundraising to get the project over the line.
She hoped the pool would prove a great asset for the local community when a swim school opens in the new year.
PTA member Nicky Hall, who started the project, told the Flagstaff it was great to have the new pool finished “eight years later”.
The old pool, built in the mid-1950s, was demolished in April after the school had raised $500,000 to build the new one.
After the opening formalities, the school choir sang a specially composed song about the pool and students got to try it out with a house relay, won by East house.
To close the event, anyone in attendance was invited to jump into the pool.
Making a splash... (from top) Young swimmers enjoying themselves; Kirk Meredith, who has three children at the school, said the water was beautiful; Jo and Adam Bennett, under the shade sail and beside the seating which Adam helped fundraise for by putting on events such as the Electric Picnic.
20
years
• Community leaders and police promise crackdowns on Guy Fawkes at Cheltenham after several youths were arrested in a stand-off with police.
• The Devonport Arts Festival is canned for 2005 but thought likely to re-emerge in 2006.
• Sally-Anne Heath is appointed as the new Devonport Community Coordinator.
• Neighbourhood Watch is in disarray, with police losing contact with local co-ordinators.
• The North Shore segment of Te Araroa is launched by CEO Geoff Chapple and former elite runner Allison Roe.
• A Friends of Fort Takapuna group is
ago
from the Flagstaff files
set up to open the fort regularly.
• Devonport Community Board chair Mike Cohen proposes a limited liquor ban for Cheltenham and Narrow Neck beaches.
• Singer-songwriter Debbie Harwood is back in the charts with her first solo record, Soothe Me
• High winds gusting to 100 knots force the cancellation of the Fullers ferry service to Stanley Bay.
• Thieves smash down two doors and steal camera equipment worth $10,000 from the Flagstaff offices in WJ Scott Mall.
• New Zealand soccer chief executive Graham Seatter is the Flagstaff interview subject.
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• The clearing of the last buildings at Narrow Neck reserve is underway.
• The signalman’s house on Mt Victoria is set to become a writers’ retreat after a proposal put forward by the Michael King Writers’ Trust.
• Tennis courts at Mt Victoria leased to St Leo’s Tennis Club have fallen into disrepair and will be taken over by North Shore City Council.
• Matthew Vaea is named new North Shore Rugby Club premiers coach.
• Residents are being encouraged by North Shore City Council to dob in their neighbours after a number of coastal pōhutukawa trees are destroyed.
• A green route for cyclists is planned for the Devonport peninsula.
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Tēnā koutou, we are excited to welcome in the month of December with lots of great news including the re-opening of Clarence Street after being closed due to severe flooding in September. We are grateful to be open again and thrilled to be hosting three exhibitions across our spaces before the year ends!
Unfortunately, our recording studios won’t fully re-open again until February while we wait for replacement equipment to arrive. DEPOT Sound is a vital facility that has nurtured and launched the careers of many local artists, so we have launched a Boosted fundraising campaign to help recover some of the losses we have endured.
We would love you to help us re-build, allowing us to continue serving the community and supporting local musicians. Every little bit helps, so please visit depot.org.nz for more details of how you can be involved.
Meanwhile, we continue to support local makers through our 3 Victoria Road Gallery and Shop which is selling unique handmade art and objects from local artists and makers from across Aotearoa.
So, if you are looking for some special gifts this summer, please come and say hello and let us introduce you to the work of our local creative community. The gallery and shop will be open throughout the holiday period and is a great one-stop shop for all your gifting needs!
Visit depot.org.nz for more info and stay up to date by subscribing to our e-news!
Ngā mihi nui, Amy Saunders
Director | Kaiwhakahaere, DEPOT amy.saunders@depot.org.nz
NSCC women’s cricket team has first win since resurrection
North Shore Cricket Club’s first standalone premier women’s team in 21 years enjoyed their maiden victory late last month, besting their local rivals to do so.
North Shore took a 52-run victory against Takapuna in the Prichard Cup premier women’s 40-over competition at Onewa Domain on 23 November.
Local talent Rishika Jaswal, who recently scored a contract with the Auckland Hearts, led the way for Shore, scoring 76 in the team total of 192/8.
With the ball, spinner Jaswal kept the game under control, while Tash Wakelin and Jess Smith took three wickets each, helping bowl Takapuna out in the 38th over.
Shore’s last premier women’s team was disbanded ahead of the 2003 season. Last season, the club had a composite premier women’s team with Kumeu
Cricket Club.
Coach Johan Kirstein said in past years good local players had gone to play elsewhere. He hoped having a premier side would mean the club could retain local talent.
Many of the premier players are local, including captain Emily Handyside, who has returned to the club this year after playing for Auckland University last season.
The side’s goal for the season is to finish in the top three in both the 40-over T20 competitions, although the latter is “always a bit of a lottery”, said Kirstein, who is also the Takapuna Grammar School girls first XI coach.
The long term aim was to challenge for the title in two to three years while also developing players and having some picked to play representative cricket, he said.
Cycle-link hopes flicker faintly
Hopes of delivering a cycle link between Francis St and Esmonde Rd have been raised again, with Auckland Transport (AT) saying it has up to $10 million to call on for local cycle projects.
“I feel like Christmas has come early,” said Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Toni van Tonder on hearing the surprise news at a workshop update last week.
AT staff soon tempered the board’s enthusiasm by saying it did not mean it could fund the project, but that it had money that might be put towards the concept: $5 million from a climate-action targeted rate, matched by $5 million from Waka Kotahi – money originally set aside for wider Takapuna cycle projects that are not proceeding.
To get the ball rolling on reallocating its share, AT said it would seek community
input in the first half of next year from Devonport peninsula and Takapuna residents on their priorities for cycling.
Board members said these were already well-known, with the connection north from the peninsula at Hauraki having long been identified as a priority.
But AT said a local active-modes plan was needed to give it a community mandate to put to Auckland Council for permission to reallocate funding to a new purpose.
A business case would later need to be made to Waka Kotahi to seek its contribution.
AT said other smaller ideas could be around signage or delivering better cycle links in the Bayswater-Belmont area which had among the city’s most active uptake of children cycling to school.
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Trades & Services
13 December 2024
2024 Senior Prizegiving Major Award Winners
Bill An The Dux Cup Dux of the School
Connor Christensen June Spooner Award Proxime Accessit
Sam Mottiff June Spooner Award Proxime Accessit (IB)
Natia Taulaia Summa Cum Laude
Francheska Cruz Summa Cum Laude
Mila White Summa Cum Laude
Changning (Daniel) Li Summa Cum Laude
Academic Excellence Year 13
Academic Excellence Year 13
Academic Excellence Year 13
Academic Excellence Year 13 (IB)
Gavin Wu June Spooner Award 1st in Year 12
April Liang June Spooner Award 2nd in Year 12
Lucy McCann June Spooner Award Academic Excellence Level 2
Jun Hyeong Lee June Spooner Award 1st in Year 11
Charlotte Crotty June Spooner Award 2nd equal in Year 11
Audrey Coxhead June Spooner Award 2nd equal in Year 11
Matthew Kirk June Spooner Award Academic Excellence Level 1
Izzy Milne Spooner Cup Best School Spirit Overall in Year 13
Holly Sherlock White Cup All Round Effort and School Spirit in Year 12
Nathan Fry Cleverdon Cup All Round Effort and School Spirit in Year 11
Luke Burtenshaw 2007 Prefects Cup Recognition of Service as a School Prefect
Kiefer Holliday 2013 Legacy Cup Year 13 student worthy of Recognition for Service to the School
Phuoc (Owen) Nguyen The PTA Inspiration Award
Recognition of a student who has Persevered and showed Resilience to achieve Personal Excellence
Daniel Tepu Prentice Award For a student who has shown Significant Growth and Perseverance and continually sought Personal Excellence
Leo Dickinson Success Cup Special Education student who has Demonstrated Success
Philip Huang Daniel James Shield Individual excellence shown by a Special Education student.
Jessica Lusis Aroha Cup Special Education student who Demonstrated Strong Achievement
Aidan Simpkins Post Award Service to Kaupapa Māori
Mariah Parker Tony Steele Award Service to Kapa Haka
Eloise Thorne Argyle Award for Service Senior Leadership Award for Service
Anna Stevenson Argyle Award for Service Senior Leadership Award for Service
Thomas Bloom Argyle Award for Service Senior Leadership Award for Service
Dux of 2024
Bill An & Mrs Nixon
Kiefer Holliday
Izzy Milne
Luke Burtenshaw
Gavin Wu Nathan Fry
Connor Christensen
Jun Hyeong Lee
Francheska Cruz
WHAT’S ON @ Devonport Library
Maria Teape Community Coordinator
445 9533 | maria@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz
Meri Kirihimete
Merry Christmas everyone
It’s been a wonderful year together Devonport whānau. We have enjoyed every minute. We wish you all a very happy holiday. Ours is full of free crafts for kids and bookended by birthdays.
BENJAMIN THE CAT STATUE’S 2ND BIRTHDAY
Monday 16th December
He gives us all much joy so we are inviting locals of every age to make a birthday card for him to display in the Library.
DEVONPORT LIBRARY BIRTHDAY
Sunday 2nd February 2025
Beautiful Devonport Library will be ten years old! Expect a party!
TAMARIKI - FREE SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
MĀORI MOSAICS
Wednesday 8th January, 10 am Create mosaic kōwhaiwhai patterns inspired by Māori art.
NATURE CROWNS
Friday 10th January, 10 am Craft crowns from leaves, flowers, and recycled materials.
TOTE BAGS
Wednesday 15th January, 10 am Decorate your own tote/library bag.
ZOO VISIT
Thursday 16th January, 10 am Join the Conservation Learning Team from Auckland Zoo to connect with te taiao and taonga in our backyard.
FINGER PUPPETS
Friday 17th January, 10 am Craft felt finger puppets for storytelling fun.
FAIRY HOUSES
Wednesday 22nd January, 10 am Build whimsical fairy houses. DOLLS
Friday 24th January, 10 am Design dolls with popsicle sticks. Don’t miss the last week of Devonport Leisure Painters exhibition. Special thanks go to Lynda Betts of Bayleys for the little Tamariki Trees and Devonport Business Association for their Christmas tree. Hari Tau Hou – Happy New Year
Takapuna Grammar stalwart
Former Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) teacher Ian Lissette, who was one of New Zealand’s longest-serving teachers, has died aged 88.
Lissette taught History, English and Social Studies to thousands of students at the school between 1964 and 2013.
“Basically I was always happy here,” he told the Devonport Flagstaff in an interview marking his retirement.
“I got different promotions internally that challenged me. I love the Shore. I like the people at the school, and there are always the students,” he said.
Lissette knew he wanted to be a teacher since when he was at Hamilton’s Whitiora School.
He was keen on sports, playing rugby and cricket and swimming, but was also academic and musical. He graduated with an MA in History before heading to Auckland Teachers College.
When he arrived at TGS, the school had more than one thousand pupils.
Corporal punishment was the norm – and was not banned across New Zealand schools until 1990. TGS abolished it in 1981.
Lissette admitted to caning but appeared uncomfortable with the practice, preferring to impose detentions – which became the more acceptable form of student discipline.
Lissette was in charge of TGS swimming for 48 years and was still helping out with the school sports swimming day in 2013, the first year he didn’t take part in the staff relay team.
He also coached rowing, with the TGS Rowing Club naming a skiff Ian Lissette after him in 1992 for his contribution to the sport, which included involvement in numerous North Island regattas and the national Maadi Cup meets.
Lissette was involved in all aspects of school administration as well: as a dean,
Oarsome tribute... Lissette photographed by the Flagstaff on his retirement, with a rowing boat named in his honour
taught thousands over nearly five decades
Retiree’s return... Ian Lissette and wife Pat at the opening of the new TGS main block in 2020, and Lissette in his early years at TGS
staff representative on the school’s board of governors and ex-pupils association and finally as assistant principal.
Lissette oversaw the school’s relief teachers for many years, was a teachers’ librarian and took students on history trips to Waitangi and marae.
He was witness to many historic events at TGS: the start of NCEA and IB assessments and, when the Treaty of Waitangi became part of the curriculum.
He saw the arrival of staff support positions, student counsellors and careers advisors; the launch of the school’s special needs unit, the removal of chalk blackboards and the introduction of computers.
Lissette directed 13 school productions and at various times ran the school choir and chorale.
History, however, was always his first love.
“My belief is that everyone is interested in history. There are good stories in it, interesting people, interesting situations.
“What is the first question everyone asks? ‘Mum, where did I come from?’”
He retired from full-time teaching in 2001, continued teaching part-time and won a Multi-Serve National Education Award.
After his retirement, Lissette and his wife Pat spent much of their time travelling, a passion he enjoyed throughout his life.
Start your year with peace of mind. Book in for a full skin check.
Time for a village tidy-up and a show of pride Devonport
Where’s the pride in Devonport? It’s an embarrassment. Take a walk around our village and see the eyesores for yourself.
Our village needs urgent sprucing up to make it the most attractive and welcoming place to come and visit this summer.
I am calling on the Devonport Business Association, shop owners and caring residents to come out and do their bit to make our village the very best. This will attract more visitors
and tourists to come and shop and eat here. Please get a working bee organised quickly. We can do it!
Some examples. The post shop area is a very sorry sight right now with weeds and the ivy out of control.
The main street’s floral displays now need daily watering and dead-heading to survive. Water is vital. Some shops have lovely, colourful floral displays making their frontages
inviting. There are many other planters desperately in need of rejuvenating with fresh plants.
Devonport village is a unique, historic and beautifully sited marine village worthy of world attention, with the cruise ships coming thick and fast now.
Let’s make our village a delightful place we can really be proud of and show the world. Make them envy us!
Jean Pegler
By George, he’s got it
We note with deep-seated misgivings, apparent attempts by Toni van Tonder, to limit elected representatives to a maximum of three terms.
problem caused by council. It was most unexpected, reflecting more traditional values of service by elected members to their electorate.
ENROLMENTS FOR TERM 1 2025
Enrolment for Out of Zone Students for 2019
Enrolment for Out of Zone Students for 2019
Devonport Primary School invites applications for out of zone enrolments in Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for 2019
Devonport Primary School invites applications for out of zone enrolments in Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for 2019
Applications close: 17th Oct Ballot Date (if required) - 24th Oct
Devonport Primary operates an enrolment scheme, details are available from the school office. Applicationforout-of-zoneplaces, acrossallages,areinvitedforadmission from3Februarywithadeadlineof 2February.Ifrequired,aballotwillbe held, and parents notified on 3 February. Multipleout-of-zoneenrolmentballots maybeheldthroughout2025. If planning to enrol later in 2025. please contact the school as soon as possible to assist our planning.
Particularly when her efforts appear to be aimed at George Wood, who has been a stalwart defender of the North Shore community for many, many years.
George Wood to this household exemplifies empathy and concern at problems being experienced by residents. He extended ongoing support to residents of Anne Street with a
Most reassuring. If a representative is elected into office, then the community has made an informed choice, which has not been shackled by seemingly personally motivated constraints. It may be that there are elected members who don’t deserve your vote, but George Wood is not one of them.
Peter McNab
Write to the Devonport Flagstaff
Applications close: 17th Oct Ballot Date (if required) - 24th Oct
Please contact the school for application forms, or an opportunity to visit. 445 0183 office@devonport school nz www devonportschool nz
Please contact the school for application forms, or an
We welcome letters. Please limit to 300 words on local topics. Noms de plume or unnamed letters will not be printed. Email news@devonportflagstaff.co.nz or write to Letters, PO
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Surprise your family, friends, or team with a Colour Dash experience—a vibrant, fun-filled day for everyone.
Run, walk, or roll your way through a 1, 3, or 5-kilometre course, including funky obstacle zones! Start in white and become a moving canvas of colour as you’re showered in a spectrum of vibrant, eco-friendly powders along the way.
Then the fun continues with the Colour Carnival, featuring music and dancing, activities, and photo opportunities. BYO picnic or join us for a coffee, ice cream and sausage sizzle!
Individual Tickets*:
Youth (5–17 years): $23
Adult: $33
Under 5s FREE!
Team Passes*: 4 x Youth: $80 4 x Adults: $115
Family Pass*: Various options available.
How to Gift: Visit www.colourdash.co.nz to purchase tickets before 18 December and we will email you a digital voucher.
THE NAVY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
SAILOR OF THE YEAR – LMT(L) JOE MATAELE
A sailor noted for his professionalism, resilience and unwavering dedication to his Navy environment has been named as Sailor of the Year 2024.
Leading Marine Technician (Electrical) Joe Mataele is described as a highly motivated and respected engineer who has adapted his leadership style to tackle the rigours of being a Basic Common Training instructor for the Navy’s newest aspiring sailors.
Born in Wellington, LMT(L) Mataele grew up in Tonga and attended Tonga High School. On completion, he returned to New Zealand to pursue further education at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Double Major in Political Science and Organisational Management.
He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in July 2015. He completed his
LMT(L) Professional course in December 2020, which included qualifying as an electrician. He was promoted to Leading Hand in 2022 while in Canada, and has since completed his Petty Officer Development Course, at which he was awarded Top Student.
It is his qualities and work ethic as an Instructor at the Leadership Development Group (LDG) that have prompted his superiors’ nomination for Sailor of the Year. He had already been awarded Sailor of the Quarter for LDG in the first quarter of this year.
“LMT(L) Mataele embodies the qualities of an inspiring leader, positively influencing everyone he interacts with—recruits, peers, and his wider team,” says his citation.
“His professionalism, resilience, and unwavering dedication sets a very high benchmark for others to follow.”
Devonport Naval Base security reminder – for the safety of the community, please take care and remain outside the 60-metre perimeter of the Naval Base at all times. This includes when swimming, diving, kayaking, fishing and sailing.
Big bequest for Harmony Hall
A well-known former Devonport cafe owner left $10,000 for the Harmony Hall roof fund in his will.
Anthony Sanderson, who was a partner at Sierra, Manuka and Corelli’s before buying Corelli’s outright several years ago, died last month, aged 70.
Musician Chris Priestley, who was good friends with Sanderson, said Sanderson would come along to watch his Unsung Heroes shows at the hall and came to appreciate the venue.
When he knew he didn’t have much time left, he wrote the “substantial donation” into his will.
“He wanted to leave something for Devonport because Devonport was good to him.”
Sanderson was also a music lover who had several guitars hung up on his wall and was involved in music when he lived in his native Australia.
Priestley, who has been helping fundraise for the hall’s much-needed new roof, said the donation would contribute significantly to getting the project done. The work is expected to cost up to $100,000.
The hall received little funding from Auckland Council, so the donation would make “all the difference”, Priestly said.
A memorial service for Sanderson was held at the hall on 23 November. Priestley said it was an opportunity for everyone to share stories and reminisce about the generous person Sanderson was.
Cafe identity... Anthony Sanderson (above) at Corelli’s. Top left: Former Corelli’s chef Adam Sharples, former owner Ann O’Sullivan, current manager Chris Priestley and former waiter Andy Gilfoyle at the memorial service for Sanderson. Below: Sanderson’s siblings, Gaynor and Lyndon.
Visit the DEPOT Shop, Toi Toa and browse our stunning collection of art and objects for all your special gifting needs!
Proudly supporting local artists and makers from Devonport and across Aotearoa, we sell quality, handcrafted pieces that will be treasured forever.
3 Victoria Road, Devonport
Opening Hours: Tues–Sun: 10am–4pm Monday: Closed
Curtain falls on Bray shows as founder fights cancer
A decades-long children’s Takapuna Christmas tradition will end at the PumpHouse this month with the final performances by the Tim Bray Theatre Company.
The company is being wound up because its founder and artistic director is unwell with cancer.
Bray (pictured), who has written, directed and produced singalong children’s shows, is a nationally recognised pioneer in staging performances suitable for audiences with audio, visual and sensory challenges.
Through gift-a-seat arrangements with sponsors and supporters, including the local Becroft Foundation, his company has also provided access to live theatre for students who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience it. “We’ve seen Tim Bray Theatre lead the way. It’s been a role model in accessibility,” said PumpHouse business manager James Bell.
Bray himself was compassionate and inspiring, providing actors and technicians with paid opportunities and “knowing what the audience wanted”.
Bell said Tim Bray had been a big part of the theatre’s programme for 21 years, booking in for up to 16 weeks a year, making the company the theatre’s biggest customer. “He does four shows a year at the PumpHouse and then tours around Auckland.”
Depot seeks donations
A fundraising drive has been launched by the Depot to help cover the loss of revenue after flooding at its Clarence St premises at the end of August.
Depot director Amy Saunders said the damaged main sound studio was set to reopen in February. Insurance had covered most of the costs of roof repair, interior damage and equipment replacement, but income had been lost from cancelled sessions and postponed projects. This had left a gap, which she wanted to bridge to keep staff on and services going until the reopening.
“We’re asking for your help to bounce back and ensure Depot remains a hub for artists, musicians and our local community.”
Donations of all sizes would be welcome on the Boosted online platform.
Depot Artspace has reopened and a smaller studio is in action, with bookings open for future recording in the larger facility.
Meanwhile, the Depot hosted a successful auction for Harbour Hospice at its new leased gallery and shop facility at 3 Victoria Rd last week. Bidding on the ReDirected exhibition of paintings and prints repurposed by local artists raised $4000 for hospice, of that $2000 was in donations from artists from forgoing their cut of the sales.
Bell praised the company’s resilient “show must go on” attitude to the 2024 production, which opened last Sunday.
Bray said in a statement last week: “While we have conducted a diligent search for a successor, our chairperson, Peter Winder, aptly described the challenge as “trying to find a unicorn”.
His health challenges, including the need for ongoing chemotherapy, meant he did not have the energy or capacity for the essential handover and training required.
Bray is suffering from desmoplastic small round cell sarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer, more often seen in children. It is incurable, but he is focusing on managing its spread.
Trustees said the decision to wind up the company was made with “deep regret”. They emphasised it was not as a result of financial issues.
The near $2 million enterprise is the second-largest theatre company in the city by audience size, after the Auckland Theatre Company. Last year alone, 34,420 people saw its shows, with 7398 of them benefiting from the gift-a-seat programme.
Founded in the CBD, it soon expanded to the North Shore, with the PumpHouse becoming a favourite venue. It used Takapuna Football Club’s rooms for rehearsals.
Bray’s contributions to theatre – including being the first performing arts company to offer New Zealand Sign Language-interpreted performances – led to him receiving the Queen’s Service Medal in 2017. “We are immensely proud of our legacy and the joy we have brought to generations of children and their families,” Bray said.
Bell said the PumpHouse was looking at ways to continue staging children’s theatre and to fill scheduling gaps.
• The Santa Claus Show 2024 runs until 22 December. Book through pumphouse.co.nz
Christmas production The Santa Claus Show has become a North Shore institution.
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