14 June 2024, Devonport Flagstaff

Changing demographics: new figures released... p2

June 14, 2024

Prefab suggested for park changing rooms... p11

Graeme Lay on the Shore’s literary legacy... p26-27

Weekend parking fees floated for waterfront

Weekend parking charges are being considered for much of the Devonport waterfront.

Auckland Transport (AT) has raised the idea in letters seeking residents’ feedback on previously signalled plans for permit-parking zones, two-hour time-limited parking in side streets near the town centre and weekday

parking charges of $2 an hour on Queens Pde and Kings Edward Pde between Buchanan St and Church St.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Gavin Busch was surprised to learn weekends were now being eyed for paid parking.

Matariki on the menu

In workshops AT held with board members last year outlining its proposals, he said the focus was “definitely the weekdays”.

In letters sent out this month to residents in the affected zones, AT asks: “Would you support extending the operational days to

To page 2

Haere mai... (from left) Restoring Takarunga Hauraki coordinator Lance Cablk, Depot Sound’s Noah Page, administrator and kaitohutohu at the Depot Terehia Walker and volunteers Alfie Murray and Renee Price prepare for the serving of hangi at a Matariki event at the North Shore United Football Club last week. More photos, pages 16-19.

Ethnic minorities still climbing

Ethnic minority populations continue to rise in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area, results from the 2023 Census show.

The number of people in the area identifying as European dropped from 40,152 (69.3 per cent of the total) to 38,493 (66.4 per cent) between 2018 and 2023, a decrease of 4.1 per cent.

Europeans now make up just over twothirds of the population, compared with over three-quarters (75.9 per cent) in 2013.

Those identifying as Asian rose from 15,249 to 16,842 (from 26.3 to 29 per cent), a rise of 10.4 per cent, between 2018 and 2023.

Numbers rose also for those identifying

as Maori (up 12.9 per cent to 3603), Pacific people (up 17.5 per cent to 1695) and the Middle Eastern, Latin American and African category (up 22.8 per cent to 1812).

The 2023 Census found an increase of 1458 (6.4 per cent) in the number of dwellings in the local-board area, from 22,635 in 2018 to 24,093 in 2023.

The ‘usually resident population’ count for Devonport-Takapuna was 58,005, an increase of 30 people from 2018.

The first insights from the 2023 Census data were published on 29 May 2024, with further data releases to follow during 2024 and 2025.

The median age in Devonport-Takapuna increased from 39.4 in 2018 to 40.8 in 2023, reflecting the 60-plus age groups making up a growing proportion of the local population.

This was most marked in the 75–79 and 80–84 age groups, which increased by a combined 22.6 per cent (657 people). At the other end of the age spectrum, the number of under-10s declined by 12.9 per cent, a reduction of 864 on the 2018 count, while the 20-29 age groups were down by 633, a drop of 8.3 per cent.

AT aims to lift parking ‘turnover’, public transport use

From page 1

include weekends?”

AT says the aim behind its parking review in Devonport is to ensure availability and flexibility of parking options.

It wants to promote parking turnover for visitors, rather than allow all-day parking, and to encourage more use of public transport.

Some businesses hold concerns that workers from out of the area will find it increasingly difficult to find parking spots near their jobs.

Commuters who park on the waterfront or side streets and walk to the ferry will also be affected.

AT is planning two community drop-in sessions at the Devonport Library when people can find out more about the proposed changes, on Wednesday 19 June, from noon to 2pm, and Sunday 23 June, from 2-4pm.

Consultation through AT’s Have Your Say online process closes on 5 July.

After that, AT says it will consider

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feedback before coming back with final plans.

Introduction of any new measures could take up to five months, depending on factors including the number of parking machines to be installed and weather conditions.

“Once the community’s feedback has been considered and a way forward is decided, a clear date will be communicated well in advance of any changes being implemented,” a spokesperson said.

AT says it has had 13 requests for permit parking since 2018 and wants to gauge the extent of wider support for the approach.

Its surveys show some local streets are more than 90 per cent full in peak times, prompting the permit parking and P120 proposals.

“We might hear that some residents don’t want a resident parking zone, and if that’s the case, we need to understand why and consider whether a change is required,” the AT letter says.

Residents would pay $70 a year for a permit allowing them to park on the street.

They would also receive a book of 50 coupons, allowing their visitors to park for free, with extra coupons costing $5 each.

Those living on Queens Pde – which would switch from a 24-hour time restriction to P120 charged parking – would be able to use a residents’ permit to park on the side streets off Queens Pde.

Permits are not proposed for King Edward Pde residents within the charged zone, “due to availability of off-street parking”.

AT says those who most need the permits are in the streets in the proposed zone back from the waterfront, but it welcomes feedback on the zone’s boundaries.

The stretch of P180 free parking on King Edward Pde from Victoria Rd to Buchanan St near the Windsor Reserve playground will remain. Time-limited parking on the main shopping strip of Victoria Rd remains free as it is not covered by this review.

The fine for parking without paying will be $40. For exceeding a time limit, fines start at $12.

• Map of parking zones, page 37

Authorised by Hon Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

Huge tree poses risk after earthworks – neighbours

Residents living near a construction site on Handley Ave, Narrow Neck, are concerned a large, protected Norfolk pine has developed a lean during earthworks, posing a safety risk to people and properties.

The tree at the rear of 17a Niccol Ave appears to have tilted towards the large Handley Ave site formerly occupied by pensioner flats.

Resident Innes Asher, who lives at 17b Niccol Ave, is frustrated by the lack of urgency from Auckland Council and the construction company in response to residents’ concerns about the risk being posed.

Asher said she and other neighbours felt intense vibrations when a soil compactor was being used on the site on 9 May. “I thought a helicopter had landed right near my house.”

Following heavy wind gusts and rainfall in the last week of May, her neighbour had noticed the tree was on a lean.

Asher believes the soil surrounding the tree was loosened by the compactor, making it vulnerable to the subsequent high winds.

She contacted Auckland Council about the vibrations on 9 May, after which soil compacting appeared to cease at the site.

On 4 June, she told the council and the site manager company the tree had developed a lean. Work continued on the site but ceased on Monday this week after Asher emailed the construction company about her concerns.

A council compliance officer was assigned to the case after Asher made contact on 4 June, but she received no council updates until Monday this week, when compliance officer Ally Bradley told her in an email that

Tall timber... The Norfolk pine which residents fear could be toppled by high winds. Inset: Neighbour Innes Asher.

the matter had been “escalated” to a senior heritage arborist. “I anticipate that within the next few days they will undertake a thorough assessment of the notable tree and provide an update on the outcome,” Bradley said.

Asher is concerned the tree poses a serious risk of “damage to life and property”.

A northwesterly wind could cause it to topple onto nearby houses, while a southerly could cause it to fall into the construction site, potentially injuring or killing workers, she said. The Narrow Neck Playcentre was

also vulnerable.

One of her neighbours told her they were worried the tree might tip over during the night, killing them in their sleep.

The tree is listed on a council schedule of notable trees, meaning it can’t be cut down or removed without a resource consent.

Workers at the site told the Flagstaff to contact the council. Neither the council or Decho Group, which is believed to be the developer of the Handley Ave site, had responded to Flagstaff inquiries by press time.

Fourth ex-Takapuna Grammar athlete wins selection for Olympics

Bayswater kite foiler Lukas Walton-Keim was a late addition to the New Zealand Olympics team this week, after the Sports Tribunal upheld his appeal against his initial non-selection.

Yachting New Zealand was ordered to revisit its original decision, meaning Walton-Keim and Justina Kitchen will now contest the new high-speed Olympic class in France.

Walton-Keim, a three-time national champion, is the fourth former

Takapuna Grammar School student in the Games team, joining his partner, polevaulter Eliza McCartney, polevaulter Imogen Ayris and shotputter Jacko Gill.

When not competing overseas, Walton-Keim works in the family Wings and Waves business in Bayswater as an instructor. He was in France when his selection was announced this week. His mother Eva Keim was delighted at his inclusion in the team.

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Africa trip gives runner a boost

Takapuna Grammar School runner Sascha Letica has smashed her Auckland competition, winning the College Sport regional cross-country championships by more than half a minute after returning from the world championships in Kenya.

The 17-year-old said she brought valuable lessons back with her from her time at the World School’s Cross Country Championships in Kenya from 10-15 May, such as the value of a more aggressive race strategy.

Sascha finished 34th at the world champs, which also improved her fitness, due to the races being run at high altitudes.

She and her New Zealand teammates spent a week near Johannesburg, in South Africa, preparing for the higher altitudes.

She credits the high-altitude conditioning for her regional win.

Returning to New Zealand and sea-level in Auckland felt like being “flooded with oxygen”, she said. “It felt like it took less effort to work at the same speed.”

She won the senior girls race in 15 minutes and 16 seconds, beating the second-place finisher by 32 seconds.

Sascha said she noticed the African runners in Kenya ran with more confidence, putting themselves at the front of the pack even when they might doubt their ability to hold the position.

She implemented the strategy in her race at the Auckland champs, heading to the front and trusting her fitness to keep her going.

Going to Kenya was the first time Sascha had left the country since she was seven so airport security protocols were unfamiliar, leading her to repeatedly finding herself at security screening with a full water bottle.

“I got very good at drinking a litre of water in like 30 seconds.”

Sascha said another thing she noticed about the Kenyan runners at the world champs was their willingness to run in part-

Attack-minded... Sascha Letica recently competed in a ‘Night Cross’ 5km race in Hillcrest, placing fourth in an elite field including several top female distance runners

nership with others.

She planned to take that approach at the National Secondary School Cross Country Championships in Christchurch this weekend, where she’ll be competing alongside training partner and friend Asha Edwards, who came third in the intermediate girls division at the Auckland championships.

Year 13 student Sascha said she was planning to “go for it” in what will be her last shot at a secondary school nationals. She was aiming for a top-10 finish and had hopes of a medal.

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Sports Briefs

TGS duo win 29ers

Two Takapuna Grammar School students sailing for the Wakatere Boating Club have clinched the national 29er sailing championship. Year 11 skipper William Mason teamed up with Year 13 Giorgio Mattiuzzo to win the event in what is seen as a stepping-stone class. The duo won by four points in a tight competition held in the Bay of Islands over King’s Birthday Weekend. Light conditions meant only seven of a scheduled 12 races were held, with Mason and Mattiuzzo finishing no worse than fifth in any race. Next stop the world champs in Denmark next month.

B’baller off to World Cup

Takapuna Grammar School basketball player Bailey Flavell has been selected in the New Zealand team to compete at the under-17 World Cup in Mexico next month. Flavell’s selection comes during an impressive domestic season so far: she scored a career high 68 points in a premier school fixture against Rangitoto College and recently top-scored in a national under-20s tournament with 25.3 points per game, winning selection in the team of the tournament.

Squash star takes title

Takapuna Grammar School squash player Justine Pausch won the College Sport Auckland singles title last month, beating a familiar rival, friend Lucy Aspinall, in the final. Second-seed Justine just edged a tight fifth game to defeat her top-seeded opponent. The 16-year-old Bayswater resident said she’s now focusing on the New Zealand Secondary Schools Teams Championships in August, hoping to help TGS improve on its second-place finish last year. The school also hopes to retain its Auckland division-one teams title next week.

By Rob Drent

Latest Census data showing the median age for residents in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area has risen to over 40 has major implications for the peninsula culturally and in terms of council spending.

The upwards trend is only likely to become more pronounced due to the rising cost of buying or renting in the area. These population stats should have an impact on the way the council spends its money. With more people not quite so steady on their feet, should more be spent on footpaths, for example? Likewise, more should be set aside for social hubs such as Harmony Hall, which could do with some cash for a roof restoration. Public transport needs to improve to reduce traffic on Lake Rd: I know of some older residents who barely use their cars as they can’t face the stress of being stuck in the congestion.

The Flagstaff Notes

A few fans leaving the North Shore-Takapuna rugby derby on King’s Birthday weekend had decidedly worried looks on their faces when they spotted a traffic warden (above) ambling along Cambridge Tce. I wondered how many tickets he had issued. Just one, it transpires, for illegal parking after a callout from a resident whose drive had been blocked. It must be a hassle living near Vauxhall Rd sports ground on a day when a game draws thousands of spectators. Maybe it’s time to go back to the old-school supporters’ buses. A couple of those travelling from Takapuna would cut down on dozens of cars around the ground and contributing to congestion on Lake Rd.

One of the many joys of covering North Shore rugby over the years was catching up with the late Nev Meek, the club’s historian from 1956 until his death, aged 84, in 2019.

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Nearly 30 years ago, I’d arrive at the ground and Nev would be helping set up the ground, ensuring the corner flags and suchlike were correctly in place. In those early years, he strolled around; later, he had a stick, then a walking frame. But he always had his notebook handy, ready to note down details such as games played, points scored, substitutions made. We’d have a bit of a chat and Nev would often tip me off about what might be happening around the team. I never knew him to be inaccurate about anything or unkind about anyone, and he was always pleased to see the Flagstaff reports on the matches. He was a club man, of which Shore is lucky to still have quite a few.

Sometimes, going down to the footy club feels like going back in time to all the best things small New Zealand towns had to offer: an earthy honesty, with everyone working together towards the common good – an approach that is lost so easily in the big city.

A traditional Hairy Goats lunch was held prior to the recent derby. Life member, raconteur and after-match MC Simon Gundry was on the deck watching the reserves match, and I caught up with another life member, club captain Chris Tankard, on the sideline, who in turn was cajoling long-time committee member Laurie Margrain, who was inducted as a life member that night. These men have decades of association with the club. Gordy Stuart was made a life member after the match as well, following in the footsteps of his father, Jim, one of the founders of the North Harbour Rugby Union, who was made a life member in 1989.

It seemed to be a day of running into club stalwarts. While I was covering the match, Spy Kelly and I found ourselves speculating on the sidelines about Shore’s prospects for the year and how the players had bulked up through gym work over the decades. Nearby, several dozen kids were playing footy, totally oblivious to the main game. In a snapshot it encapsulated Shore and grassroots rugby. Spy smiled and said: “That’s what it’s all about.”

Vector blames flood on ‘rainfall’

Vector is sticking to its view that silt protection placed over a drain during street works on its behalf did not cause the flooding of Devonport Methodist Church’s childcare centre overnight on 20 May.

But the church still believes the flooding was likely caused by the street drain being covered by a silt sock and mesh covering which restricted waterflow into the drain.

After the publication of a story on the flood in the 31 May Flagstaff, Vector said an environmental scientist had investigated and determined the flooding was not a result of the silt protection, but because drainage was “overwhelmed by the rainfall”.

The environmental scientist’s report said drain protection had “very little impact” on the flooding and that the stormwater network appeared to be overloaded and backed up.

Drainage was limited by a low-angle 450mm culvert. “This flooding was the result of high-intensity rainfall, not construction activity in Owens Rd.”

Vector declined to release a full copy of the report to the Flagstaff.

Church administrator Robyn Holt said the scientist didn’t contact her for insight into the situation.

“I could have filled him in on all the history and told him how the drains were upgraded 15 years ago and have coped with more than that.”

She said due to no flooding having occurred during the Anniversary Weekend flood of

early 2023, or during Cyclone Gabrielle soon after, it was “highly likely that the covering of the drains has caused the issue rather than the inability of the drains to cope”.

Vector initially told the Flagstaff that silt protection was not positioned under a drain grate to avoid obstruction during heavy rain or floods, and that crews were instructed to remove silt protection each night.

After being sent a photograph (above) showing silt protection covering the drain the morning after the flood, it said the protection still allowed water to flow into the drain and that leaving the protection in place overnight was “acceptable practice”.

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‘Dream’ Bayswater Park options kicked for touch

Cheaper options will be sought for the replacement of Bayswater Park’s run-down sports changing rooms, after council staff put forward suggestions ranging from leaving them as they are to demolition and replacement with clubrooms at a cost of $2.7 million.

The cost of renovating the “not fit for purpose” wooden and concrete council-owned buildings that sit side by side at the east end of the park is estimated at $1.5 million.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board – which previously set aside $560,000 for an upgrade – sent council staff back to the drawing board to devise cheaper plans after seven options were outlined to members at a workshop last week.

The board also asked staff to meet again with leaseholder North Shore United, which a year ago told the board of the need for an upgrade to meet high park usage by junior and adult football players. In summer, the park is used for touch and cricket.

Board chair Toni van Tonder said the “dream scenario – building new changing rooms, toilets accessible from the exterior and storage facilities, plus a clubrooms equipped with a kitchen – was too expensive.

Without the clubrooms, a new changing facility was estimated to cost $1.9 million, board members were told.

Member Gavin Busch wanted to know why the existing buildings could not be gutted and fixed up more cheaply. “If I got a quote like that for a private project I would just laugh at it.”

Parks and Community Facilities staff wanted a steer on preferences to advance the project, with the hope of starting work next year. They said renovation costs were high, due to the very poor condition of existing buildings, which the football club inherited from a rugby league club.

Neither building was fit for purpose by modern standards, programme manager Neil

Dilapidated... A prefabricated building has been suggested as a possible temporary replacement for the Bayswater Park clubrooms

Atkinson said. Separate shower and toilet facilities were needed for men and women. At present, people entering the wooden building must pass an exposed communal shower area to reach toilets. A corner of the room where there was once a bar had a rotting floor, he said.

The concrete building next door was seismically unsound and would need further investigation and reinforcing. “It’s in a terrible state,” said Atkinson. “The more we’ve delved into it, the more the cost.”

One council idea of trucking in a prefab as a temporary changing rooms for around $400,000 found some favour with board members. A similar approach was taken at Freyberg Park in Browns Bay, where a portable building was expected to last more than 10 years. This would buy time to find budgets for a permanent solution.

Board members repeatedly expressed frustration at the high cost of council getting things done. The money they had tagged for the project has already been eaten into by the cost of council reports.

Council staff suggested just a standalone

toilet could be provided.

Van Tonder acknowledged the football club was still waiting for council work to be done on its premier grounds at Dacre Park.

She wondered if the council could pay to remove the old buildings at Bayswater and the club seek grants and fundraise to build under a new ground-holder lease, such as that under which the North Shore Rugby Club operates, owning its buildings on council land.

Rather than a top-down approach, she said staff should again seek the club’s ideas. Member George Wood wondered if a deal could be struck where the club contributed money to what the board had available. Busch favoured a partnership approach, drawing on skills from tradespeople in the community. The club had offered to help with construction work last year, but none of the council options before the board envisaged this.

Parks and Community Facilities northern manager Sarah Jones said staff would meet again with the club and report back to the board before summer.

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Songs, haka and hangi all part of peninsula

The Devonport peninsula is getting into the swing of Matariki, with community events kicking off at the beginning of the month and more to come before and after the public holiday on Friday June 28.

One of the biggest will be the Bayswater School Matariki Festival on Saturday 22 June, which runs from 3pm until late.

Art, music and film events are also on offer, with carving and weaving workshops at galleries and children’s activities at the library, Navy Museum and Community House.

About 80 people welcomed the start of the Matariki season with an evening gathering at the Devonport band rotunda on Saturday 1 June.

Karakia and a community kapa haka group featured, and representatives of community organisations outlined the activities they have planned.

Devonport resident and Navy marae manager Ngahiwi Walker explained the meaning of the major New Year event on the Maori calendar.

As darkness descended, stars strung along the rotunda were lit up, delighting youngsters in the audience.

Shops in Devonport are decorated with star lights, supplied by the Devonport Business Association, which is also running a children’s colouring competition with entry forms in cafes and restaurants this month.

Three days after the rotunda event, groups based at the Ngau-te-ringaringa community hub at 27 Lake Rd hosted more than 100 people, first at Restoring Takarunga Hauraki’s nursery and then for a hangi at North Shore United’s clubrooms. Ngataringa Community Gardens was also involved.

A planned hikoi up Takarunga on Sunday evening was called off due to a bad weather. More than 100 people took part in a hangi at the Community House, with around 200 gathering earlier for school kapa haka from

(from left) Joni Robinison, Claire Wall and Penelope Christie, were among the locals who donned their warmest jackets for the first Matariki event at the band

Stanley Bay, Devonport and Belmont Primary Schools and lantern making. Musical performances rounded out the evening.

After a fortnight’s lull, the programme resumes over 22-23 June, with that and the following weekend including child-focused activities.

Next month, the Rose Centre in Belmont

on 1 June

has set aside Saturday 7 July for day-time events, including a midday hangi and a movie.

The Depot Art Space is hosting an exhibition and workshops, as is the Lake House arts centre in Takapuna.

A leaftlet detailing all 18 local Matariki events is available at the Devonport Library, the Depot and the Community House.

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Star performers... Te Hau Kapua Kapa Haka Ropu, Devonport’s community kapa haka group, performing a waiata on the Devonport band rotunda

Jan Mason and Catherine Ross, who ran a harakeke weaving workshop at the Restoring Takarunga Hauraki plant nursery ahead of the hangi at North Shore United clubrooms, have recently started their own weaving group based in Bayswater.

Devonport residents (from left) Karan Sedelmayr and Elizabeth Anderson were among those sharing kai, as were mother and daughter Betty and Jicca Smith. Below left: Kelly Buckingham enjoying lantern making at the Community House, where more than 90 were created. Below right: Saffron and Arabella Thompson with their lanterns and parents Florence and Peter, at what was the family’s first Matariki celebration.

Striking a chord... Te Hau Kapua Kapa Haka Ropu, with New Zealand Navy cultural adviser Ngahiwi Walker on guitar, performed before the Matariki hangi was served at the North Shore United clubrooms. Below: Tucking in at a hangi held at the Devonport Community House last Sunday were (from left front clockwise: Heidi and Aila Ibbotson, Ryan Murray, son Declan, Oskar Ibbotson, Tabatha Murray and daughter Violet, and Leti Crawford.

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We need you!

As many readers will know, New Zealand’s media is undergoing massive change.

In the last couple of months, Newshub has confirmed it is canning its hourly evening news show and morning AM show in July; TVNZ has dropped Fair Go and its Sunday programme; Life and Leisure Magazine has closed.

In the world of community newspapers, The 50-year-old Howick and Pakuranga Times has shut down, along with the 100-year-old Wairoa Star.

The common reason for the media cutbacks and closures is declining advertising revenues unable to match rising costs. Newspapers across the country have faced print bill increases of 56 per cent over the last five years.*  (Our print bill has gone up $6000 per month during this time.)

At the same time, New Zealand companies are spending millions of dollars on Google and Facebook advertising. This money goes offshore, with massive impacts on New Zealand journalism and jobs.

Journalist numbers in New Zealand have dropped from 4000 to 1700 in the past 20 years.*

At Devonport Publishing, we employ nine people (full-time and part-time) across our two newspapers — The Devonport Flagstaff and the Rangitoto Observer. All live locally.

How long can community newspapers continue under the current model?

If the trends in advertising and costs continue, we are likely to run out of money — sooner rather than later.

On publication day, I see dozens of people — young and old — wandering around with the Flagstaff. It is read and valued as much today as it was when it was started 32 years ago.

Most media are now relying on donations or subscriptions in some form to survive.

I hope you are prepared to pay something towards the production of our newspapers.

Click ‘Become a supporter’ at the top of our website pages: devonportflagstaff.co.nz  Every little bit helps.

Please sign up for our email alerts for when the paper goes online and to get our weekly newsletter.

Finally, a massive thanks to our advertisers who continue to support us, and to those readers who have already made donations.

Rob Drent Devonport Flagstaff Owner and Editor for 27 years

Shore overpowers Takapuna in local derby

North Shore Rugby Club’s premiers comprehensively beat traditional rivals Takapuna 25-15 at home on King’s Birthday weekend.

After a bye last weekend, Shore remain unbeaten going into this Saturday’s home match against Kumeu.

Shore’s young players stood out, particularly Cam Howell at first five-eighth and Hunter Rice at fullback. Both made several slashing breaks. In the forwards, flanker Gene Garea and prop Sam Davies were prominent in a pack which shunted Takapuna all around the park. Shore seemed to ease off in the second half, however, letting Takapuna off the hook when the they could have put on 50 points.

Five North Shore players have been named in the North Harbour NPC squad: Davies, Tima Fainga’anuku, James Little, Rice and Manahi Tipoki.

• Shore vs Kumeu, Vauxhall Rd sports fields, 2.45pm on 15 June.

Offloaders… Shore lock Rex Pollock (left) and fullback Hunter Rice (right) look to get passes away. Below: Flanker Donald Coleman on the burst. Bottom left: Centre Jimmy Little executes a draw and pass.

Public urged to have say on AT plans

The Auckland Transport (AT) Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-2034 is out for consultation and feedback closes on 17 June.

The two main projects in the plan for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area are –Lake Rd upgrade:

This project is placed 58 in AT’s list of priorities. The project description states, “Corridor upgrade to improve active modes, safety. Intersection optimisation and support”. AT plans to deliver the $52.1 million project over five years starting with $1.1 million in 2026/2027.

Bayswater Ferry Terminal:

This $39.9 million project is ranked at 78, but commences 2025/2026, and the delivery takes place over five years. The project delivery description states, “New ferry terminal in

Letters to the Editor

We welcome letters on local issues that are not overly long. Noms-de-plume or unnamed submissions will not be printed

Email to news@devonportflagstaff.co.nz or post to Devonport Flagstaff, PO Box 32 275, Devonport

Support your paper for the price of a cup of coffee.

Go to devonportflagstaff.co.nz and click on ‘Become a supporter’

Bayswater to accommodate larger low-emission vessels and charging equipment and to address wharf arrangements in the Marina”.

The plan has other funding categories where funds could be available to complete the cycle/walkway from Francis St to Esmonde Rd.

In reading the Lake Rd project description there isn’t a lot of scope for alleviating vehicle congestion along this corridor. I urge residents to submit to AT on these projects.

Readers can go onto the AT web page and find the draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-2034 plan page. There is a link to the page to submit.

George Wood CNZM

Member of Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

Big sign unnecessary

The proposed sign for Victoria Rd (“Big sign mooted for Victoria Rd retaining wall”, Flagstaff, 31 May) may be wellintended, but I feel that the zeal of its propopents is totally misguided. The estimated cost of $50,000 is absurd, considering that it is totally unnecessary, and can be put to far better use. Visitors will come to our wonderful suburb simply because it has so much to offer. I hardly think it’s necessary to remind them that they are not visiting Devonport, Tasmania.

John Hall

Get up, stand up for heritage

As an old Aucklander and Devonport devotee I was alarmed that the boat ramp at the end of Spring St has been demolished instead of repaired by Eke Panuku.

This ramp, which has been there since before World War II, serves the boaties who have their dinghies in adjacent lockers and have their boats moored nearby.

The ramp also serves swimmers and fisherpersons in the area. No doubt it needed repair, but not demolishing. The next thing is the lockers will be emptied by not renewing the lease and demolished.

These people are a law unto themselves.

The same fate has been handed out to the boat cradles in Little Shoal Bay in Northcote – removed and demolished as part of the new parks plan after a lifetime of existence

and rights.

Many years ago I was recruited in Paradox Bookshop to join a group to save The Vic that was in danger of being demolished and turned into apartments. I wrote a poem and joined by a mime artist and others we put on a presentation for the North Shore Council. We got a standing applause from the mayor and council who said, “After that act, how can we agree to The Vic being demolished?”

If you stand up for your rights you can save precious parts of our heritage from being demolished by enthusiastic bureaucrats. Bob Marley had it right when he said, “Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights”. We need to make sure that our rights and heritage properties are not disappeared by stealth.

Frank Edwards

Upcoming Upston aims to down the Aussies Sport

Promising Devonport tennis player Neve Upston has been selected to represent New Zealand at an Australian tournament later this month, before heading off for a series of tournaments in Europe.

A product of the Ngataringa Club, Upston is one of three players in the under-13 boys New Zealand team for the Australian Tennis Championships on the Gold Coast.

The 13-year-old will play against some of Australia’s top players in a tournament which has teams from each Australian state, plus New Zealand, playing for the top prize.

The national under-12 singles champion said New Zealand hadn’t done well in the competition in previous years, so he was determined to help the side have an impact.

“We’ve never come first before and I’d like to be the first team to do so.”

Neve said selection wasn’t always a given and he had to catch up to players who had previously ranked higher than him.

“You’ve got to work insanely hard to get anywhere in any sport, so it’s been tough. I’ve made it [into the team] but I’ve still got a long way to go.”

Stepping up… Promising tennis player

After two weeks of competition in Australia, Neve flies to Europe for five weeks playing in tournaments in the Netherlands, Austria and Germany.

While the step-up in quality in Europe “will be huge”, he aims to finish well enough at the tournaments to qualify for Les Petits As in France early next year, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious under-14 tennis competitions in the world.

Many future top players have made their mark there, including Spanish great Rafael Nadal, who won the event in 2000.

“There’s lots of different levels as to how good you can be,” Neve said.

“You can be good here, then sort of good in Australia and if you’re sort of good in Australia you’ll be horrible in Europe.”

He has previously played in tournaments across Australia and Europe as part of a 2023 trip with the tennis academy he attends in Auckland.

He said that experience will help at the Australian tournament, while the added pressure of playing for New Zealand will raise the stakes.

“I know the condition my tennis needs to be in in order to win matches, but it’ll be tough, Aussies don’t give up so there will be some long matches.”

On returning to New Zealand, he will set his sights on winning the under-14 national singles title. Like many young players he has dreams of becoming world number one and a grand slam champion, but knows that even cracking the top 100 would be “huge”.

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Writers’ colony: The Shore’s lustrous literary legacy

In the first of a three-part series, Graeme Lay traces the roots of the North Shore’s long-standing popularity with writers of all stripes

“The North Shore is New Zealand’s literary capital.”

Who was the first to make this claim? Was it historian Michael King? Publisher Christine Cole Catley? Poet Kevin Ireland? Former Mayor George Wood? Author Tessa Duder? Certainly, Wood loved this putative title and made the most of it during his tenure as Mayor of North Shore City (1998-2007).

And King recorded: “There are more writers and poets per hectare on the North Shore – and always have been – than in any other part of New Zealand.”

Also, writer Tessa Duder has pointed out that, “The North Shore … values writers as eminent additions to its cultural identity, and is proud of them.”

Regardless of who first claimed literary capital status for the North Shore, what is indisputable is that the Shore has been home to many of New Zealand’s finest writers, from the 1930s to the present day.

On the upstairs floor of Devonport’s public library is a special set of shelves holding works by Devonport authors. Donated by Kelvin and Valerie Grant, and maintained by the Devonport Library Associates, these shelves are crammed with fiction and non-fiction works by local authors, dead and alive.

The library also displays oil portraits of two of Devonport’s most esteemed poets, ARD (Rex) Fairburn (1904-1957) and Kevin Ireland (1933-2023). In 1999, another poet, Michele Leggott, and Ireland, were both finalists in the poetry category of the New Zealand Book Awards. The two poets lived in the same street, Domain St, Devonport (Michele won).

Why did so many writers choose to live on Auckland’s North Shore?

In the past it was primarily for financial reasons. Writers were impoverished, and the Shore had holiday baches, cheap to rent. Today, the average weekly house rental price

in Devonport is about $900. That sum in the 1930s and 40s could have bought an entire freehold house and section on the Shore. Rentals were just a few shillings a week.

The Shore’s baches were surrounded by land suitable for the growing of vegetables and fruit, so a subsistence living could be made. There were snapper out in the Rangitoto Channel, pipi in the sand and mussels on the reefs. Fruit trees and gardens flourished, fertilised by seaweed gathered on the beaches after storms. There were a few baronial houses on the Takapuna waterfront, such as the Wilson mansion – of Wilson & Horton, publishers of the New Zealand Herald – but mainly the houses were modest and land plentiful and cheap.

The Shore was also a holiday destination for Kiwi out-of-towners. For example, in the 1920s the Davey family of Hamilton, the head of whom was town clerk Edwin Davey, holidayed every summer on the Shore, first in

a bach at Castor Bay, then on a plot of land in Esmonde Rd, Takapuna. Getting to the Shore from Hamilton for the Daveys was an all-day undertaking, involving taking a train to Auckland, a ferry across the harbour, then a launch along the coast to Castor Bay. Later, Mr and Mrs Davey bought a plot of land and a hut in a Takapuna cul-de-sac, Esmonde Rd, and the family of two boys and two girls spent their summer holidays there. One of those boys, Norris, in the 1930s changed his name and identity, moved permanently to the family’s land and became Frank Sargeson, one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed writers.

The Shore might then have been a backwater, but the shops, banks and offices of Auckland’s CBD were just a ferry ride away across the harbour. If you had a vehicle, there was a ferry that could convey you and the car to the city and back, though the average Aucklander didn’t own a car until much later.

In the time of the first Shore writers, most

Frank Sargeson at his home on Esmonde Rd

Shore roads were unsealed and transport was slow. To get to far-off Browns Bay or Torbay took a journey of some hours. Communications were laborious and time-consuming. Most people didn’t even have telephones. The East Coast Bays comprised a kind of frontier land, distant and isolated. And that suited the writers who lived there just fine.

FIRST WAVE: The first writers who came to live and work on the North Shore, arrived from the 1930s onwards. These were the North Shore’s literary pioneers. Frank Sargeson, Robin Hyde, Hector Bolitho, D’Arcy Cresswell, John Graham, ARD Fairburn, Anna Kavan, RAK Mason, Karl Wolfskehl, Allen Curnow, Ian Hamilton, Margaret Escott, Isabel Peacocke, Susie Mactier, Bruce Mason, Greville Texidor.

See the next Flagstaff, on 28 June, for Part 2: Savouring an ‘alternative lifestyle’.

Early Shore literary lights… (clockwise from above left) Robin Hyde, ARD Fairburn at his home on Kings Pde, Karl Wolfskehl, RAK Mason and D’Arcy Cresswell. PHOTOS COURTESY ALEXANDER TURNBALL LIBRARY / AUCKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Belmont Park tennis club championships

Jacqui Anderson took out the Belmont Park Racquets Club women’s tennis title for the 18th time last month, beating Vanessa Cutfield in a three-set final.

In the men’s singles, Drew Smith won his first title, beating Brady James in an amazing comeback after losing the first set and being 4-1 down in the second.

This year’s club championships were the largest ever held, with 132 players competing and 233 matches played across championship draws, plates and consolation plates.

The winners were –Men’s Singles Championship (Belmont Cup): Drew Smith; runner-up Brady James. Men’s Intermediate Singles: Fraser Brown; runner-up Hugh Smith. Women’s Singles Championship: Jacqui Anderson; runner-up Vanessa Cutfield. Intermediate Women’s Singles: Jana Malechova; runner-up Rosa Gonzales. Women’s Intermediate Doubles: Nicole Bremner/Hannah Mulligan; runners-up Julie Fausett/Trudi Hamilton. Mixed doubles: Helen Congdon/Brady James; runnersup Clive Melling/Jill Stoker; Women’s Doubles: Jacqui Anderson/Cath Hinds; runners-up Louise and Emma Welte.

Mixed doubles winners (from right to left) Helen Congdon and Brady James with runners-up Clive Melling and Jill Stoker

Six Belmont teams won their interclub grades in the 2023-2024 North Harbour competition. Winning teams: Men’s Singles 2 (Leo Li, Drew Smith, Benny Welte, William Michie, Jerry Yang, George Barton, Alexander Duranski). Men’s Doubles 4 (William Michie, Drew Smith, Alexander Duranski, Louis Yalland, Rock Steele Harrison Grimstone). Men’s Doubles 5 (Hugh Smith, Paul Jacobs, Kipa Rangiheuea, Brian Lawry, Stan Malcolm, Andrew Hill). Women’s Singles 3 (Kirsty McDonald, Kelly Atkins, Rosa Gonzales, Jana Malechova, Shiree Clifton, Emily Somerville-Ryan, Moira Cameron). Women’s Singles 4 (Samantha Steele, Donna Franks, Margo Angland, Juliet Dewes, Hannah Mulligan, Talia Cohen Wolf, Tamara Martin, Jo Hammer). Women’s Doubles 3 (Robina Morrison, Rachel Rogan, Deb Timmins, Natalie Neves, Barbara Nicholls, Camilla Campbell Cree).

Women’s champion Jacqui Anderson (left) with runner-up Vanessa Cutfield. Below: Men’s champion Drew Smith

Men’s Doubles champions… Drew Smith and Will Michie

Top juniors... (clockwise from top left) junior girls’ winner Abby Jenkins (left) with runner-up Imogen O’Rourke; girls’ doubles winners (from left) Isla Sweetman and Sasha MacDonald with runners-up Abby Jenkins and Laura Blick-Moroney; junior boys’ winner Connor Clifton

Junior Boys

U10 Singles: Luke Nielsen; runner-up Dani Condini. U10 Doubles: Luke Nielsen/Dani Condini; runners-up Oliver Whitely/Zac Everett. U12 Singles: Marcus Cutfield; runner-up Sam Nikolai-Denton. U12 Doubles: Sam Nikolai-Denton/Arlo Marmont; runners-up Toby Profitt/Jack McDonald. U15 Singles: Michael MacDonald; runner-up Tim Zhao. U15 Doubles: Michael MacDonald/JJ Blake; runners-up Archie Somerville-Ryan/Fletcher Gaylard. U18 Singles: Connor Clifton; runner-up Lukas Richter.

Junior Girls

U10 Singles: Isa Cutfield; runner-up Vida McNatty. U10 Doubles: Isa Cutfield/Ava Morreau; runners-up Vida McNatty/Liv Gibson. U12 Singles: Agnes Su; runner-up Mikaela Topolsky. U12 Doubles: Agnes Su/Mikaela Topolsky; runners up Ivy Cooper/Anja Burton.

U15 Singles: Charlotte Crotty; runner-up Amy Sluiter. U15 Doubles: Amy Sluiter/Natalja Burton; runners-up Charlotte Crotty, Claire Guo. U18 Singles: Abby Jenkins; runner-up Imogen O’Rourke. U18 Doubles: Sasha MacDonald/ Isla Sweetman; runners-up Abby Jenkins/Laura Blick-Moroney.

Winning junior interclub teams

U12 Girls A (Anja Burton, Mikaela Topolsky, Nicole Rossi, Agnes Su, Ivy Cooper). U15 Boys D (Archie Somerville-Ryan, Fletcher Gaylard, Mack Anderson, Luther Watkins, Hosea Teasia, Patrick Green).U15 Girls C (Lucy Bates, Emma Maddigan, Olivia Manning, Lily Waringholz, Lucia Boow). U18 Boys B (Connor Clifton, Ethan Clifton, Ryan Sinclair, Patrick Li, Lukas Richter). U18 Girls A (Imogen O’Rourke, Sasha MacDonald, Isla Sweetman, Laura BlickMoroney, Abby Jenkins, Sakura Fukui).

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• Escalating street violence in Devonport has included at least 10 random attacks, some with baseball bats, and one incident in which a man was threatened with a knife.

• Television personalities Kate Hawkesby and Karen Olsen drop into Jackson’s Muzeum to talk to Devonport Plunket nurse Rosemary Riley for the national launch of awards seeking tributes to Plunket nurses.

• Two Devonport houses scoop national New Zealand Institute of Architects awards: a home at 94 Stanley Point Rd owned by Chris Darby wins the supreme award, while 27a Rutland Rd, designed by Bruce Rotherham, wins the enduring architecture award.

• Plans are announced for a Friends of Women’s Refuges sculpture exhibition at Fort Takapuna.

• People advertising their cars for sale on Memorial Drive are blamed for creating a hazard by North Shore City Council and could be fined $40.

• All but three barracks buildings will be removed from the land at Fort Takapuna reserve.

• The high value of Devonport properties is putting heritage at risk, with villas and bungalows being turned into two-storey mansions with five-car garaging, says Devonport Heritage.

• Bed-and-breakfast owner Karin Loesch sleeps through the toppling over of a 100-year-old magnolia in her back yard.

• Former North Shore Cricket Club juniors chair Chris Mak is the Flagstaff interview subject.

Open Evening

Thursday 25 July 4.00pm & 5.30pm

COL Conference - Kia Rite

Last Friday, the Devonport/Takapuna Kāhui Ako held their annual conference at Takapuna Grammar School. The event saw the participation of nearly 300 teachers and staff from the seven schools across the Devonport Peninsula. The conference featured 22 workshops, all aligned with this year’s theme: ‘Kia Rite - Get Ready!’ These sessions aimed to equip educators with the necessary information, skills,

and resources to prepare students for adaptability and resilience in a rapidly evolving world.

The highlight of the day was the keynote address by Trent Hohaia. His inspiring speech took the audience on a journey through his personal experiences, emphasising the profound impact that teachers who truly connect with their students can have on their lives.

TGS Take Out Spanish Quiz Night

The Spanish Quiz Night held in the school library on 22 May, was a fun experience filled with atmosphere, excitement and competitiveness for 20 teams from various Auckland schools. Once the quiz began, we became more confident as between the four of us, our combined expertise consisted of geography, cultures around the world, pop culture and of course the Spanish language. We especially enjoyed the questions consisting of

flags and famous places within Spanish speaking countries, however we struggled when faced with questions about musicians and songs from various Hispanic cultures. Winning the competition was an honour but it wasn’t easy! Congratulations to Saint Kentigern College who took second and Northcote College who took out third place.

By Stirling Hall, Oscar Cordner, Jasper Fox and Barney Gould

TGS Athletes Dominating Across the Codes

In the College Sport Auckland (CSA) Individual Squash Championships

Justine Pausch took out Division one, Samuel O’Brien won Division two and Greer Lunjevich also claimed gold in Division three. In the CSA Cross Country Championships

Asha Edwards won bronze in the Intermediate girls while Sascha Letica, recently returned from representing NZ in Kenya, won the Senior girls race in a decisive 30+ second victory. Will Mason and Giorgio Mattiuzzo also won NZ 29er Sailing Nationals held in the Bay of Islands over King’s Birthday weekend. While on the snow our girls team claimed 1st in the CSA Snowboard Championships.

Congratulations to Year 11 student

Charlotte Crotty who won the APRA best lyrics award at the Auckland region Smokefree Rockquest (Solo/Duo Category) in late May. Charlotte’s original song ‘Beauty of it All’ is about learning to deal with the different types of people you meet and finding your

tribe. Charlotte plays the piano and the guitar and hopes to continue with songwriting and performing. She is also a member of Takapuna Grammar’s award-winning choirs, Leonessa and Chorale, who will be competing in the Big Sing Competition at the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday 19 June.

TGS Music Star on the Rise

Briefs

Filming mystery

A mysterious man wearing a balaclava filming locals around the Vondel restauarant and bar for around an hour on King’s Birthday weekend sparked a police call-out. The man appeared unresponsive to police questioning, then walked off towards Devonport Library.

GP’s farewell

A farewell for long-serving Devonport GP Erica Lauder is being held at the Devonport Community House on 16 June from 2-4pm.

Chopper removes pines from reserve

A helicopter was used to remove dangerous trees and foliage from Northboro Reserve in Belmont last week.

The helicopter took cut tree trunks and branches from the northern end of the reserve to the end near Hillary Cres.

Auckland Council arborists and ecological manager David Stejskal said three pine trees were removed, with the dead top of a further pine also taken due to it posing a health and safety risk.

The helicopter was used to move the trees due to “access limitations”, he said

Online or enquire takapuna@laserclinicsnewzealand.co.nz  or queenst@laserclinicsnewzealand.co.nz

Air lift... A helicopter hauling branches from Northboro Reserve last week

Top lensman’s rugby pics make world-award finals

Shot!... Brett Phibbs’ photo from a Black Ferns-Australia rugby test is a World Sports Photography Awards finalist Devonport photographer Brett Phibbs is a double finalist in the World Sports Photography Awards with two striking rugby images.

“They asked me to be a judge and I said, ‘No, I’ll enter,’” he told the Flagstaff.

The long-time press photographer has won numerous national awards but hasn’t previously entered the world awards.

One shot in contention in the rugby catego-

ry is of the Black Ferns playing Australia in a test in Hamilton. An image of a rugby field with a mountain backdrop is a finalist in the Venues and Views category.

Phibbs, a former New Zealand Herald chief photographer, these days works as a sought-after freelancer for international news-agencies and commercial clients.

Last month he was again named the coun-

try’s best sports photographer at the national Voyager Media Awards. He was overall Photographer of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and in 2021 also won the News and Sport categories.

Phibbs was pleased with his Black Ferns image of winger Martha Mataele diving to score with teammates celebrating behind her. “It’s hard to get action with stuff in the background as well.”

THE NAVY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER WELCOME ABOARD TO THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF TE TAUA MOANA O AOTEAROA

29 Junior Officer Common Training and 77 Basic Common Training recruits from 24/1 proudly paraded at the Devonport Naval Base on Saturday in front of whānau, friends and Royal New Zealand Navy leadership including the Acting Chief of Navy, Commodore Andrew Brown.

The Minister of Defence, Hon. Judith Collins, was the Reviewing Officer of her first military graduation since becoming Minister. In her speech she noted that the career of these officers and ratings in our Navy officially started today and that their whānau will have seen a significant difference from the civilians of four to five months ago to the officers and sailors in front of them today.

“Congratulations, to you on making the choice to become professional women and men at arms in service of Aotearoa New Zealand..As you continue this journey in the Royal New Zealand Navy do so knowing that you will make a difference in contributing to the security of our nation.”

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.

RAISE THE ROOF CAMPAIGN

Sell-out crowd laps up the blues at Harmony Hall

The ‘D-day for the Blues’ concert held at Harmony Hall on 6 June, the 80th anniversary of the 1944 invasion of Normandy by Allied troops, was a sell-out, with around 100 people attending.

Musicians included Neil Billington. Carol Bean, Peter Parnham. Steve Cournane, and Craig Bracken and the Flaming Mudcats.

• More than $50,000 is still needed for Harmony Hall’s new roof. An estimated $60,000 is needed to replace the hall’s roof, gutters and downpipes.

The hall is having a boom in usage, but a leaky guttering system on one side of the building is putting sound and musical equipment at

How you can help Join the Devonport Senior Citizens Association for $30 or donate to the Raise The Roof campaign. To join and/or donate to the Devonport Senior Citizens account: 12-3015-0574457-01

• Friday Night Live open-mic evening, 7pm. Hear and play music and singing. Bring a plate and BYO.

• Ukulele Monday Nights at 7pm.

• Sunday singing from 3pm. Lyrics on the large screen. Email dellgraham@gmail.

Shop Win Shop Win

com for song lists each week. Wine and cheese at 4 pm.

• U3A has guest speakers on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am. Join for $30 a year. Contact: Sam Luxemburg 027 802 3766.

Blues jam... Performers at the concert on the anniversary of ‘D Day’

Destination Devonport Parking availability

Changes are needed to manage the high demand for parking around your muchloved village

We want to ensure parking is wellused where everyone can easily find a space to enjoy Devonport.

We are proposing two sets of changes for your feedback – one is a new resident parking zone, and the other is new paid parking zone.

Come along to one of our community info sessions at the Devonport Library on Wednesday 19 June noon - 2pm or Sunday 23 June 2 - 4pm.

Your local knowledge will help us improve the proposed changes so there’s less congestion and frustration, and more availability and flexibility – and more time to enjoy everything Devonport has to offer.

Scan the QR code below or go to haveyoursay.at.govt.nz and search for Destination Devonport to find out more. Our online survey will be open until 5 July 2024.

or

Far North lockdown life helps inspire Kiwi-born

Life during lockdown in the Bay of Islands, adjusting to a slower-paced lifestyle and capturing small but meaningful moments, are at the core of an artist’s exhibition at the Rose Centre.

Bella Kimmel was born in New Zealand but spent her formative years in London, where being in an “epicentre of arts and culture” helped develop her interest in art.

She was visiting her grandparents on their farm in the Bay of Islands in 2020 when Covid hit, and lockdown soon followed. Having her stay extended to around eight months helped her see life through a different lens.

The slower pace of the Northland lifestyle helped Kimmel appreciate moments she wanted to capture on canvas.

The subjects of her 10 works on show at the Rose Centre include events such fishing with the family or picnicking on the beach. “I noticed things I hadn’t noticed in big cities, like everyday rituals and how special they are.”

The 23-year-old said the sentimental moments she captures in her work are common to a lot of families so people can project their experiences onto her work. “Even though these moments are personal to me, people can relate to them.”

She said the exhibition also has depictions of Northland scenery, as she had time there to “re-immerse” herself in nature, seeing how the landscape changed over the months and seasons.

Many local beaches also feature in the exhibition, as Kimmel has been living in Devonport since September last year, after completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the

Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, USA. She says she has a soft spot for Devonport due to relatives living here and to the peaceful atmosphere.

Devonport author Tessa Duder is a finalist for the 2024 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Nominated in the Young Adult Fiction category, her book, The Sparrow, is set in the early days of colonial Auckland, as seen through the eyes of a young girl.

At a discussion about the Penguin Random House title at the Devonport Library last year, Duder explained how research backgrounded the story, which includes early interchanges with Maori, and the staging of Auckland’s first regatta, which incorporated a waka race. This was held on 18 September 1840, before Auckland Anniversary Day was moved to January, partly due to its suitability for yachting.

Duder, best known for the Alex series of books, is up against some other big names as well as newcomers for the awards which are given in six categories.

The winners will be announced in Wellington on 14 August.

BOOK TICKETS ONLINE FOR: Emperor’s New Grove, IF, Garfield, Kingdom Planet of the Apes, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, HAIKYU! The Dumpster Battle, The Dish, Golda, Wicked Little Letters, Challengers, Late Night with the Devil, The Fall Guy, BadBoys: Ride or Die, The Way My Way, Joika, Rose Rosy Te Gulab.

Living local... Artist Bella Kimmel has lived in Devonport since last September. She has relatives here and appreciates the peninsula’s peace and quiet.

artist with ties to UK and US

Everyday moments... A beach picnic is among the subjects of paintings Kimmel is exhibiting at the Rose Centre

She said her studies in the US helped her learn new styles and techniques as well as the business side of art. Kimmel is taking on commissioned work, with enquiries welcome

through her website, bellakimmel.com.

• Bella Kimmel’s work is on show at the Rose Centre (open Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4pm) until the end of June.

Maria Teape Community Coordinator 445 9533 | maria@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

Mānawatia a Matariki

Welcome to Matariki in Devonport - Te Hau Kapua.

A new Matariki season was warmly welcomed on June 1st with a wonderful light show and waiata at the Band Rotunda. Benjamin the cat was dressed to the nines. Devonport Library is proud to be part of the awesome Matariki events that will be celebrated over the next few months. The full programme brochure is here in the Library. Pick one up to share with the whānau.

PIKI TE ORA

Sunday June 23rd, 2pm

Hira Nathan and Jessie Eyre will be in the library to celebrate Piki Te Ora, their beautiful new well-being journal for tamariki after the runaway success of Whakawhetai, Hira’s Gratitude journal which we launched last year. Both books are absolutely stunning, make perfect Matariki gifts and will be on sale at the event.

WASTEWISE ADVISORS

Tuesday 25th June, 11am–1pm

The WasteWise advisors will be here to chat to you about how to Love Food Hate Waste, and save money by doing more with the food you have.

JULIA GATLEY AND ROSE EVANS TALK

Tuesday 25th June 7pm.

The Watchers (M) 102min

Bad Boys Ride or Die (R13) 116min

Freud’s Last Session (M) 110min

The Garfield Movie (G) 101min

Copa ‘71 (E) 91min

Inside Out 2 (PG) 97min Previews 15&16 JUN

Despicable Me 4 (PG) 94min

Ka Whawhai Tonu: Struggle without

Devonport Library Associates will host a fascinating evening of conversation, with Julia Gatley, author of Architectural Conservation in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands, and Rose Evans, conservator. Oceania has some of the world’s most influential techniques, legislation and theories in cultural heritage management. Drinks 7pm. Speakers 7:30pm. All welcome. Koha appreciated.

THE PJS PROJECT

Keep kids warm in winter. We are now a collection point for this campaign. Accepting kind donations of new pyjamas, beanies, socks and slippers. Aroha, warmth and light to all.

MILFORD | 10B STRATFORD AVENUE

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MILFORD | 5E PIERCE ROAD

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A secure and sophisticated lock-up and leave lifestyle, minutes to the beach, lake, restaurants, cafes and village. The premium “end” townhouse, with extra space and privacy. Amazing entertainer’s kitchen, open plan lounge and dining, overlook a sunny north facing balcony plus there is a rear courtyard garden. Three levels, all with lift access. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, mid-level living (with powder room), double garage and two extra parks. Freehold title. Pets welcome!

premium.co.nz/80538

VIEW | SAT/SUN 1.30 – 2.30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT

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TAKAPUNA | 23 EWEN STREET

Superb Position with Development Opportunity

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R O B ERT MILNE 022 011 2494

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TAKAPUNA | 2402/3 NORTHCROFT STREET

Gateway To Spectacular Living | The Sentinel

Experience breathtaking 270-degree views of the majestic Waitemata Harbour, the Gulf, and the stunning city skyline—all from the comfort of your home! With Auckland at your feet, it’s hard to find a better view of our beautiful city. This fully renovated, spacious 124sqm (approx) two-bedroom sanctuary features a super-sized walk-in wardrobe, a separate powder room, and a laundry with built-in cabinetry. A spectacular grandstand for the potential America’s Cup in the City of Sails.

premium.co.nz/80534

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ALISON PARKER 021 983 533 OFFICE 09 916 6000