17 May 2024, Devonport Flagstaff

Pub sessions contribute to graphic novel... p5

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Helen Michell 021 210 3228

Interview: Actor Niwa Whatuira... p26-27 May 17, 2024

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Local MP’s signs breach bylaw... p11

peninsula primary school rolls suffer big falls

All but two of the seven primary schools on the Devonport peninsula have had their rolls fall in the last decade – one of them by 55 per cent.

Pupil numbers at St Leo’s Catholic School have dropped from 102 to just 45 since 2014. Ministry of Education figures show big falls

have also been suffered at Vauxhall School (down 34 per cent, from 287 to 189), Devonport Primary School (31 per cent, from 312 to 215) and Bayswater School (31 per cent, from 198 to 135).

Stanley Bay School’s roll is down 20 per cent, with a fall from 278 to 220 pupils.

The two growing schools are Hauraki School (up 10 per cent, from 428 to 472) and Belmont Primary School (up nine per cent, from 383 to 420).

Several of the school principals suggested high house prices were a reason for the fall

TGS Queen show a right royal success

Full noise... Māui Hitchens as Killer Queen and Takapuna Grammar School dancers in the school’s production of We Will Rock You, at the Bruce Mason Centre last week. Story and more photos, pages 38-39.

Lauder farewell date

A farewell for long-time Devonport doctor Erica Lauder is planned for 16 June. Organiser Alison Steiner (alistudynz@ gmail.com) is keen to hear from people wanting to attend to gauge numbers.

Squash junior at worlds

Belmont Park Racquets Club squash player Ella Lash has made the New Zealand team for the 2024 World Junior Squash Championships in Texas in July. Lash won the Australian Junior Open in Melbourne in April.

Parking plan progresses

Devonport locals will soon get the chance to have their say on plans to introduce a new free resident-parking zone and start charging for parking on selected waterfront streets. Auckland Transport hopes to launch consultation on or after 20 May. It first outlined the proposals in mid-2023 and initially planned to begin consultation six months ago.

Low rolls ‘allow smaller class sizes’ – principals

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ing numbers, as fewer young families could afford to move into the area.

All of the schools, apart from St Leos, had roll increases between 2004 and 2014.

Staff numbers and funding from the Ministry of Education are tied to the number of students a school has on its roll, with more students correlating to more staff and funds.

St Leo’s principal, Vimi Chandra, said her school, which employed three teachers, had not had to reduce its staffing. It had made up for decreased government funding with more fundraising.

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Devonport Primary School principal Beverley Booth said her school’s decrease over the past decade didn’t tell the whole story, as the roll has been up and down in recent years. “Prior to Covid, for example, the roll was growing,” she said.

Booth said donations, fundraising and international students had helped the school employ an extra teacher despite the lower roll. “We have not yet had to go through any restructuring as the roll has reduced gradually.”

Spare buildings at the school had been repurposed into new learning spaces due to them not being needed as classrooms.

Vauxhall principal Gary Lawrence said

lower funding due to a smaller roll hadn’t had any negative impacts. Fewer students meant there was more space and smaller class sizes.

Bayswater principal Marianne Coldham also mentioned the smaller class sizes allowed by a smaller roll but said numbers might grow in the future as people start to move into housing developments in Bayswater.

Ministry of Education operations and integration leader Sean Teddy told the Flagstaff that the ministry was not looking at the viability of any peninsula schools.

Teddy said there was no roll threshold that would automatically require a school to consider closure.

Hockey striker seeks spot in Junior World Cup side

Devonport hockey player Ruby Worrall has been picked for a Future Black Sticks under-21 wider squad and is setting her sights on winning a place in the final line-up chosen to play in a Junior World Cup qualifier.

The 21-year-old striker said she wants to improve her one-on-one finishing and general goal-scoring as well as her fitness to impress selectors before judgement day in November when the squad of 27 will be reduced ahead of the December qualifier.

Worrall isn’t short of mentors to help her with that goal, as her Hibiscus Dairy Flat Premier One club side has many seasoned international players, including recently retired Black Stick Olivia Merry.

Former Takapuna Grammar School first XI captain Worrall said Merry has already helped improve her defensive press, teaching Worrall to make herself look big and stare the opposition in the eyes to intimidate them, as well as how to direct the opposition to areas you want them to be in.

“As a striker, you’re the first line of defence so it’s important to have a strong press.”

Worrall has been playing premier hockey in Auckland’s top division for four years, adjusting to the physicality and speed of the women’s game.

“It was definitely a step up from school hockey.”

She was picked for the under-21 squad after impressing in an under-21 North Island vs South Island match in April which served as an informal trial.

Worrall has represented North Harbour teams since under-13 level, winning multiple titles including the tier-two women’s nationals in September last year.

The commerce and science student at the University of Auckland said she hoped in future to play hockey in Australia, Europe or both, with the long-term goal of making the Black Sticks senior team.

Shooting for selection... Devonport’s Ruby Worrall has made an initial national under-21 squad which will be narrowed down in November

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Pub provides pints plus inspiration for illustrator

A Victoria Rd pub became the workplace and a source of inspiration for a local working on his latest graphic novel.

Arthur Whelan, a lifelong Devonport peninsula resident, has spent the past two years creating the illustrations for Dust, a graphic novel about a traumatised Great War veteran sent to an Egyptian pyramid excavation in 1920 to uncover a mystery.

He painted some of his illustrations for the book at The Patriot, nursing a couple of pints of Kilkenny for an hour or two on his days off from his job is as a print producer for Stuff.

Fellow patrons looked on as he worked. “Over the years I’ve noticed that it’s not something you’d normally see in a pub and people will stop and talk about it,” Whelan said.

“They’ve made suggestions about colour and things like that which I’ve taken on board.”

Because he usually works from home,

Whelan likes to get out of the house for a change of scenery while he is painting.

The pub environment ended up rubbing off on Whelan’s work. He included elements of its decor, such as flags and paintings, into the background of his illustrations.

And The Patriot staff were so impressed by Whelan’s art they invited him to exhibit some of his illustrations in the venue’s former bank vault.

A rotating set of A3 prints from the novel are on display until the end of next week, alongside part-completed prints, showing how work on the illustrations progressed. Copies of the finished book will also be on hand.

Patriot owner Liz Sloan said she and staff members had been aware of Whelan working on his illustrations and wanted to do something that would let more people see his work.

Whelan first began illustrating in 1991, after returning home from a five-year stint

overseas. He ran into some comic-book artists and was drawn to the way graphic novels allowed the artist to be “the director of your own movie”.

“I’ve got a science-fiction universe in my art folder,” he said. “That’s quite a good feeling.”

Whelan previously created and published The Visit of the Spanish Lady, a graphic novel about loyalty and courage set in a small American town during the 1918 influenza pandemic.

The 58-year-old, who describes his illustrations work as a hobby, has two other graphic novels he plans to continue working on.

One is set in an ice age and the other is a science-fiction story set on another planet. Dust is self-published and printed by Broderick Printing in Glenfield.

Only 40 copies have been printed, some of which are available to purchase at Bookmark on Victoria Rd.

Portrait of the artist at the pub... Arthur Whelan at The Patriot with a copy of his graphic novel Dust and one of the illustrations he created for it

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No buy-outs on peninsula yet Cones blamed for fire-response delay

The first flooded-home buy-outs have been settled in hard-hit Wairau Valley catchment areas, but no offers have yet been made to homeowners on the Devonport peninsula.

Auckland Council data to the end of April showed assessments had been made on properties in Stanley Point (4), Devonport (3), Bayswater (3) and Hauraki (3), but none of the 13 met the threshold for a buyout offer.

In the north of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board (DTLB) area, 18 dwellings have so far been assessed to be in ‘Category 3’, triggering a buy-out offer. Fourteen are in Milford, four in Sunnynook and one in Forrest Hill. The owners of two of these have already accepted the voluntary deal; 10 others are considering valuations.

By late April, 240 DTLB homes were registered for assessment, having suffered damage in the Auckland Anniversary floods of 27 January 2023 and Cyclone Gabrielle the following month. Forty-four have been categorised so far.

The head of planning for Auckland Council arm Healthy Waters, Nick Vigar, said properties assessed to date had been relatively clearcut. The focus now was on the more-difficult cases, as well as a number of new sign-ups made this year.

Applications for assessment are open until the end of September. All those made in 2023 should be completed by mid-year, Vigar said. Of these, a total of 25 homes in the DTLB

area, including the 13 on the peninsula, were put in Category 1, meaning they were not considered of such risk to life in future floods or slips as to trigger a buy-out offer.

Under two other assessment categories (2C and 2P), the council or property owner becomes responsible for risk remediation. After satisfactory completion of this, mention of the issue will be removed from council files. No such assessments have been issued in the local-board area to date.

The Flagstaff is aware of several homes in Stanley Point and Bayswater where owners have opted to make their own arrangements, lodging planning consent applications for clifftop remediations. Other property owners are still unsure of their next steps. Some have chosen not to seek buy-outs, either staying on or seeking to sell their homes.

Vigar said some complex categorisations were held up by uncertainty over possible infrastructure solutions in the Wairau catchment. “Many homes awaiting categorisations here rely on this outcome, so we are working to get clarity as fast as we can, including exploring options with the government.”

• The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board is seeking council funding to support community initiatives to help people prepare and respond to emergencies. Emergency Plans are being worked on with Auckland Emergency Management. A Devonport plan is well advanced but yet to be distributed.

After a fire truck on a call-out was delayed by road cones on Lake Rd recently, Vector is looking at reducing the number of cones left out around its peninsula electricity-upgrade works over the weekends.

On the morning of Saturday 4 May, an appliance crewed by the Devonport Volunteer Fire Brigade was held up on its way to a callout in Takapuna, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member and brigade member Gavin Busch told Vector at a briefing last week.

With traffic channelled between cones on Lake Rd between Williamson Ave, and Bardia St, vehicles had no room to pull over to let the fire truck past. The appliance was stuck in the queue, delaying its arrival at what turned out to be a false alarm.

Busch told Vector staff the congestion was particularly bad at the weekend. By Monday, some residents had moved cones in frustration.

Busch secured a further meeting with Vector to talk through issues. With work being done on weekdays, he wanted Vector to ensure its traffic management contractors kept the roadway as clear as possible during weekends. The number of cones was reduced last weekend, but traffic was still slow.

Other issues he raised included a sign set up at the corner of Allenby Ave intersection with Lake Rd that had reduced visibility for vehicles turning into Lake Rd.

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MP’s signage must come down – Auckland Council

North Shore MP Simon Watts has been told to remove promotional signs from around the electorate because they breach a bylaw.

After investigating a complaint a reader made to the Flagstaff about the signs, Auckland Council has decided “that the billboards on premises/locations not associated with the office of the Hon Simon Watts are considered third-party advertising”, council compliance manager Adrian Wilson said.

The signs were therefore in breach of the 2022 signs bylaw.

“The council has requested that all such signs are removed,” Wilson said.

Watts’ office said the MP was travelling in the Pacific on government business but was aware of the issue.

Parliamentary Services was looking into the alleged breach, a spokesperson for Watts said.

Removal requested... Auckland Council says signs like this one on Winscombe St near Lake Rd are in breach of a bylaw

Former Takapuna imports help United claim derby

North Shore United beat local rivals Takapuna FC 3-1 last weekend to progress in the Chatham Cup – with two former Takapuna players helping them do so.

Takapuna took the lead during a scrappy, end-to-end first half at Allen Hill Stadium when a free kick delivered into the box was tapped in amid a scramble of players in the penalty area.

North Shore responded quickly when a corner whipped in by Ryan Singh – a key player throughout the match – was headed home by defender and captain Harry Lissington.

As half-time approached, Singh delivered another fine ball into the box, finding Josh Wells who, with a looping header, nestled it into the far corner giving Shore a 2-1 lead at the break.

Former Takapuna players Nick Petherick and Brandon Gashema, who switched allegiance to Shore seven weeks into the season, proved formidable opponents for their former side. Gashema’s pace and skill down the right wing caused the Takapuna defenders many headaches throughout the first half while Petherick’s pressing and relentless effort helped set the tone for Shore.

The match opened up in the second half, with both teams able to create more chances from open play.

Takapuna passed the ball around the North Shore midfield with ease but lacked quality in the final third to create clear-cut chances.

Shore punished their opponents’ lack of attacking threat when Oscar Garcia went on a brilliant run, beating multiple Takapuna defenders to score North Shore’s third goal and secure the game.

United head coach Dave Fahy said although he was happy with the result he’d like to see his side retain the ball better when they face Takapuna again in the league this weekend. “I just felt we went a bit long-ball, which is not us.”

This weekend’s match is at Takapuna’s Taharoto Park on Saturday 18 May at 3pm.

Derby action... (clockwise from above) North Shore United captain Harry Lissington (right) battles Takapuna forward Luke Allport; North Shore’s Oscar Garcia on the ball; a member of North Shore United’s coaching staff removes a flare that was thrown onto the pitch by home supporters after North Shore scored their third goal; Shore fullback Jack Gillum takes a touch.

Shore thrashes Silverdale as local derby looms

North Shore Rugby Club’s premiers beat Silverdale 85-0 last weekend, running in 13 tries in one of the side’s biggest-ever wins.

Winger Rory Taylor scored four tries and midfielder Tyler Beary two in the match played at Silverdale, which Shore led 61-0 at half time. .

Cam Howell kicked eight conversions and Hunter Rice two.

Shore and arch-rivals Takapuna are joint leaders of the championship table, with five wins each.

“It looked like we were going to hit 100 points at one stage but we didn’t score any points in the last 15 minutes,” Shore coach James Hinchco said.

“It was a good hit out for the boys… but we still made plenty of mistakes, which is something we will be working on.

Shore plays the other likely semi-final sides, Northcote, Massey and Takapuna, over the next three weeks.

Unbeaten... North Shore premiers coach James Hinchco

The Shore backline has been particularly impressive this season. “With Jimmy Little, Tima Faingaanuku and Tyler Beary, and Hunter Rice at the back, if we can get them enough ball we can beat anybody,” Hinchco said.

Little played his 50th game for the premiers last weekend,

Young forwards Kauri Enoka (20) and Gene Garea (19) were also developing well.

“They’ve both done a lot of work in the offseason,” said Hinchco, who coached the pair at Takapuna Grammar.

“Its great to see players come through from school to the under-21s and now the prems.”

• North Harbour rugby heavyweights North Shore and Takapuna are heading for a showdown in early June.

The two sides are so far unbeaten in five rounds. Takapuna beat Helensville 71-12 at home last Saturday.

Shore plays Northcote at Vauxhall Rd at 2.45pm this Saturday, which is the club’s Ladies Day, then faces Massey away the following week.

The first meeting of Shore and Takapuna since Shore’s triumph in the final last year is at the Vauxhall Rd grounds on 1 June.

The derby match usually attracts standing-room-only crowds.

Peninsula rugby product makes All-America side

Devonport-raised rugby player Hayden McKay has been named an ‘All-American’ of college rugby in the United States after impressing for his Mount St Mary’s university side.

McKay was the only player from his college team picked for the All America first team.

The All American first, second and third

teams are made up of the best division-one players from across the United States.

Since joining Mount St Mary’s in 2022, McKay has consistently been a top performer in the top tier of college rugby in the US.

The 20-year-old, who captains his college team, was also nominated for the Rudy Scholz Award, which is given to the best collegiate rugby player.

The open-side flanker represented the United States at the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy last year, winning the team’s MVP and scoring seven tries at the tournament. McKay also played a large part in Mount St Mary’s sevens side winning its first national title last year. His Mount St Mary’s teammate, Bastian Brunello, was named in the second All America team.

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By Rob Drent

Leaving New World the other day I bumped into Mike Cohen, the former Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member and Devonport Community Board chair who made a good point I hadn’t thought of about the council cutting funds from the Devonport Peninsula Trust. As a separate entity which received local-board funding, the trust was essentially a local organisation with some independence, allowing it to support and organise events which best suited the community. With its funding gone, yet another sliver of independence and local governance has been lost – the Devonport peninsula continues to be swallowed up by greater Auckland, Cohen argued.

The situation is only set to get worse under council proposals to amalgamate

the Devonport-Takapuna board, with Kaipatiki prior to next year’s council elections.

Does anyone else think the new signs with directions to Takarunga (pictured, right) and Maungauika are a bit large? I haven’t heard anyone complaining particularly that they or visitors to Devonport have been getting lost or having trouble finding the mountains. Two signs in the space of 50 metres now point the way to Takarunga. Sign pollution seems to be on the rise again.

Calls for North Harbour rugby teams to be included back in the Auckland competition grew louder after last weekend’s results.

It is good news that increased ferry frequencies to Devonport and Bayswater are coming in June.

I did find it surprising, though, that the timetables of buses meeting the ferries won’t link up for another month.

Surely the powers that be could have coordinated things to achieve a synchronicity that works for public-transport users?

In the premier grade, North Shore beat Silverdale 85-0 and Takapuna thrashed Helensville 71-12. With Glenfield, Navy and Marist dropping out of Harbour competition in recent years, and other teams significantly weakened, the competition has been reduced to three or four dominant teams.

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Likewise in college rugby, where Westlake has become totally dominant. Last weekend it beat Rosmini 41-8 for its 31st straight win in North Harbour competition. 0

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Air power: Peninsula riders and visiting top

Family fun... (clockwise, from above) Jamie (14), dad Wayne and brother Cameron MacDonald (12), all from Milford; Miranda Addy with daughter Sophie Addy (4), from Bayswater; and Eddie Taylor (3) with mum Fiona Burns and sister Ellie Simpson (11), from Belmont.

guns get Woodall Park party pumping

Around 60 riders and 200 spectators and supporters from all over Auckland attended the Party at the Pumptrack event held at Woodall Park, Narrow Neck, earlier this month. Photographer Kathryn Nobbs was there.

Flying high... Top riders showed their stuff on the Woodall Park track. Below: Brendan Smith with son Remy Smith (7), daughter Isla Smith (11) and partner Frances Smith, all from Bayswater

Rear view offered only the backside of Anzac Day ceremony

Your full Anzac coverage was a winner. Thank you. We in the large crowd had a perfect view only of the Navy lads and lasses, from behind.

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority’s intention to remove the smaller of the two topographical plinths on Takarunga is befuddling.

It’s a work of art with practical value. It shows detail that can’t be seen on the larger plinth. I often see visitors examining it. It occupies little space.

They made a wall, hiding all the great action you showed in our Flagstaff. I admire our RNZ Navy. I do wish the MC had been kinder about the war planes flying over: did they “interupt our ceremony”, or

New Zealand was the last significant land mass to be occupied by humans, and therefore has the world’s shortest built history.

It’s not going to get any longer if we pull out structures that reach the grand age of 38 years.

William McCartney

should we honour and include the RNZAF legacy? Many aircrew are on our memorial. In my day we gave thanks for all our fellow-service people.

John de Montfort

Dr Erica Lauder must rank as ‘the Florence Nightingale of Devonport’ and richly deserves a big thank you from her many patients and their families.

The Tubb Family

Bayswater ferry frequency boosted from June

Bayswater ferry usage is expected to bounce back from 4 June when operator Explore moves to a 30-minute frequency for peaktime sailings.

Although reliability has improved since Explore took over the route from Fullers last October, sailings only every 75-minutes led some commuters to switch to other modes.

The expanded service was announced by Auckland Transport last week, along with confirmation that the Devonport run, operated by Fullers360, would return from half-hourly to 20-minute sailings in the 7-10am and 4-8pm peak periods.

Introduction of the greater frequencies won’t be totally smooth sailing for many commuters, however, as bus services will not initially be adjusted to fit with the new ferry timetables.

AT said the extra sailings were made possible several weeks earlier than first signalled because of Fullers’ swift recruitment and training of enough staff to operate them.

Services were reduced last October to allow for more staff to be trained.

At the same time, Fullers ceded its Bayswater and several other contracts, including to Birkenhead.

AT director of public transport Stacey van der Putten said that though more work was needed to get ferry services back “at the level they should be” AT was thrilled to bring some back ahead of schedule.

Fullers360 marine manager Andy Johnson said he was proud crews were able to be upskilled with an accelerated training programme. Ten new skippers and 20 new deckhands had also been appointed.

North Shore councillor Richard Hills said getting ferry feeder buses on new matching timetables was the next focus. “Bus services unfortunately won’t match until July due to contracts and scheduling,” he said.

His fellow councillor Chris Darby said the increased Bayswater ferry frequency would be “a massive relief” for Bayswater and Bel-

mont ferry users, though there was still more to do to get ferry services sailing seamlessly.

His comments followed a weekend when cyclists complained at not being able to fit onto a Fullers service and of other trips being late.

Work was ongoing with Ports of Auckland and AT to limit the impact of disruptions caused by cruise ships ahead of the next sailing season, Darby said. Longer term, he said a solution would be to shift cruise-ship docking away from Princes Wharf, with new facilities for the largest ships at the end of Bledisloe Wharf, with others accommodated at the central Marsden and Captain Cook wharves.

Darby said it was often claimed cruises were a big tourism earner, but he remained to be convinced, with the claims of economic benefits coming from the industry itself.

“The last piece of the puzzle is understanding the merits of cruise tourism... defining it for Auckland and Aotearoa, rather than blindly accepting what floats into town.”

Any dog can bite!

Auckland Council launches campaign to drive down dog attacks on children

Yes, dogs can be sweet and loving, but they’re still animals which means they have natural instincts and can bite; the sweetest dog on the planet can be provoked into biting.

Already this year in Auckland, 12 attacks on children have been reported to the council; this is likely to be a fraction of injuries that occur as many incidents go unreported. In 2023 there were 783 claims made to ACC for dog-related injuries in children up to 14 years old requiring hospital treatment in Auckland alone; add another 300 for the 15–19-year-olds and that number rises to 1083.

On the North Shore, there were 144 cases of injuries in children up to 14 in 2023, representing a 63 per cent increase from 2019.

North Shore Ward Councillor Richard Hills says that while dogs are beloved members of families, the reality is that any dog can bite, and in some cases the instances are preventable.

“The numbers of dog bite hospitalisations of children in Auckland are really concerning, as are the numbers on the shore”, says Clr Hills.

Auckland Council recently added $5.9 million toward additional staff and kennel space in the animal

CONTACT US: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

FOLLOW US: Facebook.com/devonporttakapuna

management unit to help cope with increased demand on services.

“Our dedicated animal management staff are working hard to address dog-related safety, with teams ramping up their programmes of proactive work, including targeted desexing in high-risk areas, and increased education and behaviour change initiatives.” says Clr Hills.

“However alone this is not enough, we also need to be vigilant as a community, particularly when dogs are around children”, he says.

The launch of the council’s “Any dog can bite” campaign is a timely reminder to dog owners and families of their responsibilities, says Auckland Council’s Manager Animal Management Elly Waitoa.

“We all love having pets, but dogs can bite in a variety of situations, even playful or protective ways. Dog owners need to consider child safety, the protection of children and the risks of having dogs around children in both private and public spaces.

“Our Animal Management team has a proactive programme around responsible dog ownership and continues to educate adults and children on how to safely interact with dogs and understand dog behaviour,” she says.

Advice for dog owners:

• don’t allow dogs to roam beyond your property; their sense of territory expands and increases the likelihood of aggressive behaviour and attacks

• keep dogs contained or under control at all times

• de-sexing is important; a desexed dog is less likely to be aggressive and roam

• be extra careful with toddlers; they are more vulnerable because of their size, lack of understanding of risk and verbal instructions.

Toddlers and children should avoid:

• being around dogs, including puppies, without adult supervision

• putting their face down to a dog’s face, hugging or kissing it

• playing with a dog’s food, feeding bowl, toys or bedding

• wandering into neighbouring properties where there may be dogs.

Signs of a happy dog:

• low, wagging tail

• relaxed mouth that appears to be smiling

• soft and friendly eyes

• relaxed ear

• fur lying smooth

Signs of an unhappy dog:

• tail is stiff and up or tucked tightly between the dog’s leg

• lips are pulled back and showing teeth, could be barking or growling

• hard eyes that may appear black as pupils dilate

• ears folded back tightly in a defensive position

• hair on the back and shoulders standing

• rigid and uptight body

Reporting dog issues:

• Please call Auckland Council on 09 301 301 to report any dog issues, including roaming dogs. Reporting incidents at the time helps Auckland Council’s Animal management team to respond and investigate.

Rugby career closes as rising actor awaits lift-off

Homegrown star Niwa Whatuira

Hello, Hollywood calling! Well, maybe that call wasn’t for him this time round, but peninsula screen actor Niwa Whatuira is hopeful his big break could come soon.

The steadily rising performer in movies and television heard just last week he’d missed out on landing a role in an international production, but remains confident his acting career can take him onto screens worldwide.

“I was gutted last week to hear I’d just missed a role I went for,” beams the irrepressible Whatuira, sitting down to talk to the Flagstaff about life and two of his passions – acting and rugby.

“But next time it could be mine. I know I’m ready for something bigger.”

That “something” would take the 30-yearold beyond the busy filming schedule he’s already enjoying, living in locations all over the country, with plenty of demand for his talents.

Whatuira already feels lucky to be on a roll in a notoriously tough industry.

In recent years, his face and voice seem to be never far from our airwaves. One of his latest roles is in Rule of Mum – part of a five-part “motherhood anthology” on TVNZ – which depicts a ‘mummy’s boy’ and his interactions with a confident wahine. Whatuira’s other current film and television projects have overlapped with this production.

Meeting the Flagstaff, Whatuira is back on his beloved North Shore turf for a coaching session at the North Shore Rugby Club, the place that’s been his rugby home since well before the bright lights came calling.

But even as a very little boy his family life was full of action and drama.

Life started for him with his mother Sue Voorst and his two boisterous older brothers as an infant in the UK where his father, Ken, spent a decade with the British SAS.

While Ken was in the thick of daring and dangerous feats, little Niwa was acquiring

the British accent that would soon be lost when the small part-Māori boy and his family came home to New Zealand.

The family settled in Bayswater and the kids went off to Bayswater Primary School, then to Belmont Intermediate and Takapuna Grammar School. Dad also took them straight down to the rugby club.

“From my earliest memories, the family was heavily into rugby. I was down at the

“What I bring to the table is the authentic me, which is something different to race and culture. I could look at all sorts of roles in productions overseas.”

club kicking balls around from the age of about five. And my parents really encouraged us all the way.”

He remembers a busy, rowdy family life and childhood as he began to show the form on the rugby fields that would keep him in the top Shore teams for his age group.

As an adult, he’s played a lot of rugby for North Shore, captaining the premier reserves side.

Last year, he led the team to win the grade championship in a thrilling final.

Having played well over 100 games for the team, Whatuira then decided it was time to retire – but not to walk away altogether from the sport and club he has been so devoted to.

He is coaching Shore’s under-85kg team, and although he’s new to the coaching role, he says he’s finding it a great fit.

to another level.

“I didn’t think I’d find it that satisfying but I’m really enjoying it. And I’m enjoying sharing some of the life skills I’ve picked up.

“In the acting world you go through so much change all the time and you have to learn to live with it. I think I had my first midlife crisis at 17. You have to learn to be resilient and to pick yourself up. To keep going after what you want.

“My father taught us that. When you have a setback you have to get up and ask yourself what you are going to do about it. Off the field, there is plenty of that sort of stuff to talk to the team about.”

Whatuira recalls with a chuckle how he worked out a pathway for personal success as a very small boy sitting around the family dinner table.

“My brothers were bigger and better than me at most things. I knew I couldn’t compete at that level. But I was a talker and a performer. That’s the role I took in the family to sort of find my place. I was funny and I knew I could get attention by speaking out. So I did that.”

A teacher at primary school noticed he could talk and perform too, so cast him in the lead roles in school productions. He was hooked.

“I loved it. I loved playing characters. I think I knew then that was what I wanted to do.”

His affinity with drama grew, and at Takapuna Grammar he found a love of Shakespeare that broadened his acting experiences.

From school, he went straight to South Seas Film & Television School to begin his acting career in earnest.

His first break came straight out of South Seas, in 2014, with a role in the award-winning The Dark Horse, starring Cliff Curtis.

Curtis had by then made it overseas, playing many characters from a range of different cultures.

“It was very exciting to be working with

Letters to the Editor

Cliff, and [found it] pretty intimidating so early in your career.

“Mostly he stayed in character and I couldn’t tell how I was doing. But he acknowledged my efforts once we finished filming and getting that was good enough for me.”

Ten years on, Whatuira has – like most of his peers – had some quieter times, but his dream has come true.

Acting is his day job and the good roles have kept coming. His agents describe him as confident in anything from addressing corporates to reaching the youth market.

His show reels roll from goofy guy to buttoned-up butler or young romantic.

The voice reels that help him make a living cover ads for fried chicken, fancy cars, supermarkets and power tools.

He’s been in multiple productions, from web and television series to feature films including Maui’s Hook, Beyond the Veil, Good Grief and Cousins. Last year he made his debut in Shortland Street, as reformed bad boy Taz Brooker.

This year, he is in a comedy series set in the heart of the K’ Rd drag-queen world, The Boy, The Queen and Everything in Between

He’s looking forward to the release next month of movie A Mistake, in which he he’s part of a top cast including American actress Elizabeth Banks.

It’s a medical suspense drama where something goes horribly wrong on the operating table.

Every role is a challenge, he says, but once the film wraps and he is out of character, that’s where the intense emotional investment ends and it’s time to move on to the next job.

By the time the reviews start to come – no biggie, he says – he is probably shooting another story as another character.

“I don’t find the emotional side of becoming the character so hard. It’s getting the physical side of being them.”

Like Curtis, he doesn’t see himself as being always the Māori actor.

“Yes, those parts come, but what I bring to the table is the authentic me, which is something different to race and culture. I

could look at all sorts of roles in productions overseas.”

Whatuira says he is more than ready for that phone call that could take him anywhere in the world to join an international crew and a far greater audience.

“I feel like I’m in a rocket ship and it’s

all primed to take off. I’m ready to rock and roll. So let it come to me.”

Helping to keep him grounded is his wife, Millie, says Whatuira.

They married just last year. “She keeps me real and accountable and she’s with me all the way.”

Twin passions... Actor Niwa Whatuira is a devoted North Shore Rugby stalwart. Having captained the premier reserves to a North Harbour title last season, he this year switched from playing to coach the clubs under-85kg team.

Former North Shore rugby star was

Trevor Wynyard, a North Shore Rugby Club hero of the 1950s and 1960s who was often described as unlucky not to make the All Blacks, has died, aged 92.

Wynyard was a member of a family of rugby players dating back to the early days of the sport in New Zealand. His dad, Syd, and uncle Billy both played for Shore in the 1900s. Growing up near Narrow Neck Beach, Trevor went to Takapuna Grammar School initially, but later boarded at New Plymouth Boys High School, where he played in the first XV.

He excelled in many sports including tennis at the Vauxhall club, soccer and yachting.

But rugby was his great love, and he became one of Shore’s greatest players, able to play any position but settling on secondfive-eighth. Able to kick with both feet and a courageous defender, Wynyard made his debut for North Shore as a 19-year-old in 1951, when he also made the Auckland Colts and Auckland B sides.

In 1952, he was selected for Auckland A. But after the 1953 season, he departed on his OE to the UK and Europe – a trip that was to span five years.

Numerous rugby greats, including legendary coach Fred Allen, maintained Wynyard would have been Shore’s first All Black if he had continued playing in New Zealand without the overseas break.

When he returned to North Shore in 1958, he was good enough to be welcomed straight back into the Auckland side, playing six matches, including one as captain. He finished his Auckland career in 1960 and went on to coach the North Shore seniors in 1962 and again in 1966.

bling ‘Kiddie Kits’ children’s dress-up outfits.

In 1970, Trevor and Robyn’s vehicle was hit by a drunk driver. Both suffered bad injuries, with Trevor revived six times on the way to hospital. He spent six weeks on life support and then had to learn how to eat, talk, and even breathe properly again. However, his incredible fitness helped him recover to such

a degree that he became a B-grade squash player, ran marathons and enjoyed cycling and mountain biking. At 64 he cycled from Bluff to Cape Reinga to promote physical activity for retirees. At 76, he joined an Oxfam team for a fund-raising cycle tour through China.

• Information sourced from C’mon Shore! 150 years of North Shore Rugby Club.

A complete player… Trevor Wynyard in action for North Shore

Bike-lane separators to be considered for Lake Rd

With the $48-million Lake Rd upgrade shelved, cyclists have missed out for now on the cycleway improvements it included. Rob Drent spoke to Auckland Transport’s Adrian Lord about what’s still happening locally to improve cyclists’ lot.

Installing lane separators along the length of the Lake Rd bike lane – at a cost of more than $5 million – will be investigated by Auckland Transport (AT) later this year.

With the long-awaited Lake Rd upgrade on ice, AT is looking at other ways to make cycling safer, says the council-owned organisation’s head of active modes, Adrian Lord.

Separators along Lake Rd were “an idea at the moment”.

A detailed proposal would need the support of Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, and the public during consultation. It would also somewhat depend on how AT’s funding from central government shook down after September, Lord said.

The separators would cost between $1 million and $2 million per kilometre, depending on how they integrated through intersections, Lord said. Lake Rd is around 5km long.

Other potential projects being considered to improve the cycling experience included better signage on the green cycleway to the west of Lake Rd, including more information about nearby beaches, toilets and the like, which would be handy for tourists; and the possibility of improved bike parking at Devonport Ferry Terminal.

Electric bike usage was skyrocketing, with industry data showing 50 per cent of new bikes sales were electric, Lord said.

Electric-bike ownership tended to be

higher in affluent areas such as Devonport

“We are going to review the quality of our cycle parking over the next year,” Lord said. “Someone with a $5000 electric bike wants somewhere secure to lock it up... away from the sea air.”

The introduction of electric ferries on the Devonport-city route would be a huge improvement for Devonport bike users.

Sea trials start later this year with the service beginning mid-2025. The vessels can each carry 25 bikes, all indoors, with wider entrance doors and ramps for easier loading and unloading.

While the experience will be improved,

concre[ā]te is an exhibition that showcases large-scale mixed-media artwork crafted by the artist duo 2PARU, made up of Tui Kayoko Hirabayashi and Marie Hemo Titi Mapa.

Both artists draw inspiration from the ever-evolving cityscape of Tāmaki Makaurau and its seemingly ever-present civic construction.

Lord is slightly concerned that the more userfriendly boats will increase demand.

Lord confirmed the old-style footpath cycle lanes in Devonport were still operative for people cycling at low speeds. However, the rise of faster e-bikes meant the “shared space becomes less comfortable”, he said.

Cycle counts around Auckland are trending back to pre-Covid levels, AT says.

A sample of average monthly cycle counts on Lake Rd recorded 8686 cyclists in 2023, compared with 10,429 in 2018 and 8976 in 2013. Numbers of children biking to school were significantly higher on the Devonport peninsula than elsewhere in Auckland.

11 May - 22 June 2024

DEPOT Artspace

28 Clarence St, Devonport depot.org.nz

Floating ideas... Auckland Transport head of active modes Adrian Lord

Kia ora DCH Whānau!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual Swap Shop and to all our amazing volunteers who helped! With over 200 people attending, it proved to be another fantastic day of sustainable fashion shopping. Also, a massive thanks to Chiasso Coffee for keeping everyone fuelled during the day!

Ngā mihi nui,

Devonport Community House Team

What's happening?

BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION PINK RIBBON SHARED LUNCH AND RAFFLE!

THURSDAY 23RD MAY 11.45AM

Join us for a Pink Ribbon fundraiser shared lunch. Wear Pink! Amazing raffle prize -tickets can bought during the week and the prize winner will be announced at the lunch. We also have a devonportcomhouse fundraising page where you can donate anytime www.fundraise.bcf.org friends.

DEVONPORT COMMUNITY HOUSE YOUTH SPACE

OPENING TUESDAY 21 MAY 4PM!

For up-to-date info go to www.devonportcomhouse.com instagram/devonportcommunityhouse facebook.com/communitydevonport

Chiasso Coffee Roasters is proud to support Devonport Community House 20 Wynyard Street, Devonport, Auckland chiasso.co.nz

20 years ago from the Flagstaff

• Devonport Wharf’s future is cloudy with no one claiming responsibility for upkeep of the site. An expected sale to Subritzky Holdings has not closed and owner Bridgecorp is unwilling to comment on when a purchase might be finalised.

• Devonport Primary School pupils Cem Osturk, Jack Simpson and Donald Coleman meet visiting Blues rugby players Steve Devine and Daniel Braid.

• North Shore City Council is investigating the possibility of acquiring the accessway to a section of coastal land in Stanley Point which was dubbed one of Auckland’s bestkept secrets by Metro magazine.

• The trunks of six young pōhutukawa trees on Bayswater’s northern reclamation are snapped by vandals, sparking calls for a shakeup in the way reserves are policed.

• A public meeting over the proposed new

files

Bayswater ferry terminal is to be held at Bayswater School.

• Long-time resident and community volunteer Estelle Cassrels dies, aged 77.

• Navy peacekeepers are sent copies of the Devonport Flagstaff by Navy Chaplain Pauline Law to remind them of home.

• Soprano Clarrisa Dunn has a fundraising concert at Devonport Primary School.

• North Shore City Council revenue manager Tom Wong Kam, who is retiring after four decades in local government, is the Flagstaff interview subject.

• Painter Claire Williams exhibits at the Depot.

• Security cameras are proposed to curb vandalism at Ngataringa Park.

• Video Ezy in Belmont sponsors publication of the draws for Takapuna Grammar School sports teams.

Disc-golf course suggested for Ngataringa Park

Disc golf would be a great use of Ngataringa Park, a Devonport enthusiast for the growing sport believes.

Stephen Gardner took his case to set up a nine-‘hole’ course to a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board community forum this month.

He told board members the sport – which is played by scoring how many throws it takes to get a disc into a basket on a pole – would be well-suited to the area, offering an extra recreational opportunity on land that was not heavily used.

More people in the park area would also make it feel safer, he said.

Gardner explained that Auckland’s uptake of the sport was lagging behind other regions. Canterbury has 17 disc golf courses, Otago 12 and Auckland just 10.

The nearest are at Rosedale and Henderson. The game was free to play, he said, aside from the disc which could be bought for about $20.

Asked if he understood the park was boggy in winter and had restricted potential for new usage due to instability from a history as a former landfill site, Gardner said the Rosedale course was also boggy.

The game did not require much in the way of infrastructure, just tee pads, signage and baskets which did not need to be deeply implanted into the ground.

He said disc golfers were used to being secondary users of sites and would play under rules giving park walkers right of way.

The course circuit could also be designed in such a way as to have people throwing their discs away from paths, Lake Rd and the community garden. It would mostly use the

outer areas of the park, ringing the skate park.

Keen participants would travel to find a course, he said, citing the example of his wider family who liked to get together for tournaments. Having a course here could be a new attraction to draw people to Devonport. It would also be suitable for locals of all ages, and handily positioned near the William Sanders Retirement Village.

Gardner said he had sounded out the local Scout group, which said its young members would love such an activity.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for council to provide a free outdoor activity for the wider community,” he said. Set-up costs were estimated to be around $20,000.

Board members were mostly positive about the idea, but asked how it would be set up. Gardner said it would fall under the umbrella of the Auckland Disc Golf Club organisation. He would seek grants to meet start-up costs, but having board support would be a big help in this.

Board members urged Gardner to look further into securing grants and to speak with Rotary about any assistance it might provide, given its long history of supporting local initiatives, including the pump track at Woodall Park.

“It’s such a great use of the park and [with] minimal impact,” said deputy board chair Terence Harpur.

Chair Toni van Tonder asked council parks staff to report back on the feasibility of using the park and what the process would be for gaining approval to do so.

Van Tonder also suggested Gardner might hold sample events in spring or summer.

INTERNATIONAL EXCURSIONS

Premier Basketballers Tour of Japan

With the growing enthusiasm and participation in basketball at TGS, two teams embarked on a tour of Japan which saw our students play against top high school sides from Tokyo, Yokohama and Kyoto. The teams consisted of a number of the top senior side players, as well as some of our younger students who have shown promise through their junior campaigns in the previous year. The aim of the tour being exposure to basketball on the international stage, as well as the opportunity to celebrate a different culture and way of life whilst doing so.

In Kyoto, our students had the opportunity to stay in the dorms of Hieizan High School, which was nestled into the hillside overlooking the Greater Kyoto area. Here they received their first real exposure to the dedication and intensity that the local students had for their chosen sports, in which we saw local students spend 3-4 hours after school participating in their chosen club. Prior to game day, we were asked to lead a training session with the Hieizan girls and boys squads. Although there was a language barrier, basketball became our common

Languages Department Trip to Japan

The language trip to Japan was lucky enough to spend two weeks exploring Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. A highlight was experiencing a homestay with local families from Hieizan High School near Kyoto. Students immersed themselves in the language and culture during their stay participating in a variety of activities including cooking, flower arranging and dressing in traditional clothing. We also joined in with junior classes and experienced eating at their school canteen. We took a class in Kyoto’s traditional textile dyeing, with students making t-shirts, bags or hangings. It was a wonderful life changing experience that opened our students minds to a very different culture which is already showing its worth back in the classroom.

language, and some strong friendships began to form.

Our students were also able to experience the local beauty, cuisines, and history in the various cities we stayed in. This included a number of temple/shrine visits, some great ramen and some serious shoe shopping in Harajuku.

The tour was an absolute success, with our students buzzing from the excitement of what the world has to offer and the anticipation of the basketball season ahead!

Visual Arts USA Trip

The art trip to New York and Washington DC was an exhilarating blend of cultural immersion and artistic inspiration. We marvelled at iconic masterpieces in the Met, MoMA, the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art. One student captured our collective sentiment, remarking, “Seeing these artworks in person changed how I view art — it’s not just about technique, but the stories and emotions behind each piece.” The trip wasn’t just about sightseeing; it deepened our understanding of art’s role in society, sparking debates on culture, politics, and identity. The memories of bustling cityscapes, quiet museum corners, and thought-provoking conversations will continue to inspire our artistic journeys long after the trip’s end.

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North Shore Cricket Club prizewinners

North Shore Cricket club 2023-24 season prizewinners.

Senior : Female youth bowling cup: Isabella Watson. Female youth batting cup: Pippa Priddy. Bev Brentall Cup for best female all rounder: Raiha Jeory Reynolds. Grace Gooder Cup for female with the most wickets: Kennedy Scott. Hilda Thompson Cup for the highest score: Rishika Jaswal. Best bowling figures – female: Pippa Priddy. J. Finny Cup: Aidan Simpkins. Emerging players batting: Ollie Davies. Emerging players bowling: Alex Waldron. Third grade bowling cup: Cameron Norton. Third grade batting cup: Ashley Abraham. Reserve grade bowling: Angus Nicoll. Reserve grade batting: Nick Petherick. Knox Cup for the most male premier runs: Aditya Dhadwal. Vercoe Cup for most male premier wickets: Will Clarke. Eileen Henderson Cup for the most male prem/res wickets: Will Clarke. Mr Pickwick Trophy for the best premier fielder: Simon Keene. Dr Bennett Memorial Trophy for the best male all rounder: Will Clarke. Dacre Cup for the most promising senior male player: Rory Bessell. Winterbottom Cup for the most improved senior male: Aditya Dhadwal. Don Coleman Memorial Trophy for the first century: Aditya Dhadwal. Harry Pitts Memorial Trophy for the highest individual score: Ashley Abraham. Best male bowling figures: Josh Syme. Cam Maingay Memorial cup for turning a match around: Aditya Dhadwal. Ian Munro Memorial Trophy for volunteer services: Nelson Watson. Verdun Scott Trophy for sportspersonship: Ashley Abraham. Major Jacka Trophy for loyalty to club and captain: Ben Wall. BP Sommerville Trophy for NSCC cricketer of the year: Will Clarke.

Star performers... North Shore Cricket Club’s best senior male player, Will Clarke (above), and best junior player, Quinn McAlpine (below)

Junior: Nettleton Memorial Trophy for most promising year 8 player: Ryan Turner. Most promising girls u-13 hardball player: Sophia Lawry. Fairplay Cup: Taavi Jamieson. Sydney Ireland Trophy for best honest effort: Tom Newman. Rennie Cox Cup for u-10 most promising player: Hugo Stebbing. Antiquarians Trophy for u-11 most promising player: Aqeel Hamza. Franklin Cup for best all-round u-12 player: Oscar Jones. Best emerging girl u-11 hardball player: Isabella Crawford. Little league most promising boy player: Harry Penberthy. Little league most promising girl: Talia Bates. Little League Fairplay Cup: Otto Loveday-Rhodes. Chairman’s Trophy for best junior player: Quinn McAlpine.

Top contribution… Premier women players with Johanna Melhuish who received the Outstanding Contribution to Women and Girls at the Auckland Cricket Awards. Left to right back row: Pippa Priddy, Kennedy Scott, Johanna Melhuish, Orla Langdon, Issy Smith, Olivia Priddy, Jasmine Perry. Front (from left): Audrey Melhuish, Isabella Watson and Jemima Biss.

Tēnā koutou,

Please join us for DEPOT’s First Thursdays event series - debuting in June!

On the first Thursday of every month DEPOT will be hosting an event open to all, kicking off this month on Thursday June 6, 6pm with an Artist Talk by husband and wife duo Ngahiwi and Terehia Walker, who are the makers behind Poutehau Designs, and whose work we stock in our gallery shop, Toi Toa. They will be talking about their creative practices that centre around toi whakairo (Māori art carving). Check out the What’s On section of our website for more details.

DEPOT Artspace’s current exhibitionconcre[ā]te - showcases large-scale mixed-media artwork crafted by the artist duo 2PARU, made up of Tui Kayoko Hirabayashi and Marie Hemo Titi Mapa. Both artists draw inspiration from the ever-evolving cityscape of Tāmaki Makaurau and its seemingly ever-present civic construction.

The artists will be hosting a workshop in early June, so keep an eye on our website to register your spot!

DEPOT Sound is proud to present the fourth iteration of the North Shore Schools Songwriting Competition as part of NZ Music Month 2024. Check out our website for full competition info and find out how to win a professional recording session for your original song!

Visit depot.org.nz to stay in touch and subscribe to our e-newsletter.

Ngā mihi nui, Amy Saunders

Director | Kaiwhakahaere, DEPOT amy.saunders@depot.org.nz

RAISE THE ROOF CAMPAIGN

Top Irish musicians stop in at Harmony Hall after festival

A traditional Irish music concert will be held at Harmony Hall (4 Wynyard St) on 4 June at 7.30pm.

Musicians from Ireland – fiddler Dylan Carlos, flute and whistle player Órlaith McAuliffe and guitarist and fiddler John McCartin – will be appearing after teaching at the Ceol Aneas Irish Music Festival in Nelson. They play at Harmony Hall before travelling to Australia.

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:

Tickets are $30 on the door or through Under the Radar.

• 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 has been having a boom in usage, but a leaky guttering system on one side of the building is putting sound and musical equipment at risk.

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

• Ukulele Monday Nights at 7pm. Chord charts and lyrics provided.

• Sunday singing from 4pm. Lyrics on the large screen. Email dellgraham@gmail. com for song lists each week. Wine and cheese at 5 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.

Devonport homecoming for top folkie pair

Two of New Zealand’s best-known traditional folk-music artists will return to their beginnings when they play a concert at the Devonport Folk Music Club’s Bunker on Monday (20 May).

Beverley Young, who specialises in songs from British and Irish folk traditions, and her husband, blues singer and guitarist Alan Young, started their musical careers at the landmark club on Mt Victoria soon after it was founded.

“We used to play there every week when we started out,” Alan recalls. “But then we started moving around, and we now live out of town, so this concert will be a welcome return.”

Since those early days, the Youngs have played at folk venues and festivals all over Aotearoa and in Australia. Beverley has also performed in Britain, and Alan has taken his music back to its homeland, with performances in the United States.

Beverley’s singing has won widespread plaudits, including from top UK artists, who have heard her recordings or seen her performances. She has recorded three albums; one was judged New Zealand Folk Album

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Folkies revisit their roots… Beverley and Alan Young, pictured on stage at this year’s Auckland Folk Festival in Kumeu, are soon to return to The Bunker, on the slopes of Takarunga

of the Year, and the other two were finalists for the award.

She is an expert in folk harmony singing, and has worked with several a capella

groups, including Devonport’s Florabunda. She has also done vocal training workshops that have started many would-be performers on the road to public performance.

Alan is today recognised as an international expert on the early blues, which he discovered when he started playing music, and has been performing and researching ever since.

He is also a talented and versatile guitarist, playing in a variety of styles, including steel guitar and its blues relation, “bottleneck” slide guitar.

Like Beverley, he has won a Folk Album of the year title – “our two trophies are up there on a shelf at home, just above the cookbooks,” he says.

More recently, Alan’s interests have widened to include African-American gospel music, and he has written two award-winning books on the subject, both published by the University Press of Mississippi in the United States.

• Beverley and Alan Young in concert at the Bunker, Takarunga, Devonport, Monday 20 May, at 8pm. Bookings through Real Music at (09) 445-2227

Write to the Devonport Flagstaff

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 Box 32 275, Devonport.

THE NAVY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER FAREWELL TO THE CHIEF OF NAVY

The Royal New Zealand Navy farewelled Rear Admiral David Proctor last week in a Relinquishment of Command ceremony at Devonport Naval Base.

Rear Admiral Proctor handed over command to Commodore Andrew Brown, who will command as Acting Chief of Navy until a new Chief of Navy is appointed in June.

Born in Napier, Rear Admiral Proctor joined the Navy in January 1987 as a supply officer. His appointment as Chief of Navy on 29 November 2018 was notable for being the first non-combat officer to hold the post. Also notable was his nearly six-year posting, a result of all service chief and Chief of Defence Force appointments being extended during the Covid pandemic. His tenure has included the commissioning of the Navy’s largest vessel, HMNZS Aotearoa, and the Dive Hydrographic vessel HMNZS Manawanui, as well as the upgrades to the Navy’s two frigates, HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Te Mana.

Rear Admiral Proctor has often said of his 37 years in service that he would do it all over again.

“I have always had faith in my shipmates, comrades and leaders that the Navy and Defence Force will respond as best it can to any situation and move ahead positively – and in almost

every instance we have.

“As sailors, we should be confident we will overcome the challenges, deliver what the nation needs, and the mana of our Navy will be enhanced.

“I remain of the opinion that it is a great time to be in the Navy.”

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.

Rear Admiral David Proctor (left) passes the ‘Command Pen’ to Commodore Andrew Brown.

WHAT’S ON @ Devonport Library

Maria Teape Community Coordinator

445 9533 | maria@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

Tēnā koutou katoa

It’s cold isn’t it. Even Benjamin has his scarf on. Come and warm up by the fire and read with us.

THE LAST SECRET AGENT

Tuesday May 28th, 7PM

Hear the extraordinary tale of Pippa Latour, who parachuted into occupied France in 1944 and told no-one of her wartime bravery, not even her family. Jude Dobson worked with Pippa to write her memoir before she passed recently at age 102. Drinks and nibbles 7pm, speakers 7:30pm. Koha appreciated. This is a DLA event open to all.

! TUESDAY MAY 28TH !

From this date, holds will no longer be shelved alphabetically with your name on a paper slip. Your notification email and the Auckland Libraries app will have all the information you need to find your library items. If you need help, just ask us.

AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL

Come in for their books and the last of the programmes!

DEVONPORT COMMUNITY

LIBRARY BUS SERVICE

Thursdays 1:30pm-3:30pm

Are you or do you know an elderly person struggling to get to the Library because of mobility issues? A lovely volunteer driver will pick you up from your home, bring you to the Library for a cuppa, company and help with your books and take you home afterwards. $2 donation.

Do the fandango! Bruce Mason

Intense... Violet Castle performing as Commander

as Oz

on Takapuna Grammar School’s production of We Will Rock You drew 3200 people to the Bruce Mason Centre for four shows last week.

Musical director Lauren Raby said audience members clapped and sang along

with the jukebox musical’s Queen songs. “It really was a celebration of all the hard work that has gone into this show over the past few months.”

More than 300 students were involved in the production.

09

Book on (09) 445 3068 or tell Jicca.

NEW TERM-TIME TAMARIKI EVENTS

Wednesday 3.30pm

AFTERSCHOOL STORYTIME Wonderful stories for tamariki to enjoy together. First Saturday every month 2.30pm CRAFTERNOON! Making awesome things with recycled materials

Kia pai tō ra

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

Khashoggi, while Milla Rodrigues-Birch

watches

crowds rock to TGS show’s Queen classics

IF: Imaginary Friends (PG) 104min NEW

Joika (M) 112min NEW

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes (M) 145min NEW

Cinema Italiano Festival 2024 7-19 MAY

Joika (M) 112min with Director Q&A 19 MAY

The Big Bike Film Night 2024 Encore 19 MAY COMING SOON

Copa ‘71 (E) 91min 23 MAY

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (R16) 148min 23 MAY

The Garfield Movie (TBA) Previews 24-26 MAY

Red Mole: A Romance (E) 89min

with Director Q&A 26 MAY

Freud’s Last Session (M) 109min 30 MAY

The Garfield Movie (TBA) 30 MAY

The Vic Open Mic Night (Live) 30 MAY

Hitting the right notes... Ruby Jacobs singing as Scaramouche (left) while the Cactus Dance Company dances behind her; and Annie Hughes as Buddy

MILFORD | 10B STRATFORD AVENUE

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Nestled behind an automatic gate on a freehold title, this near new family home in Milford combines weatherboard and schist, featuring high ceilings, polished timber floors, and double-glazed windows. It includes a gourmet kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, a large island, and ample storage, opening to a sun-soaked private outdoor area. Comprising five large bedrooms, each with stylish ensuites, and a cozy living area. The fifthbedroom doubles as a guest suite or home office with separate access.

premium.co.nz/80558

VIEW | SUN 12 - 12.30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST | 29 MAY 2024 AT 4 PM

ROBERT MILNE 022 011 2494

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MILFORD | 5E PIERCE ROAD

Buy Me Now | Love Me Forever!

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VIEW | SAT 1 - 1.45 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT PRICE | BY NEGOTIATION

CAROLE THOMAS 021 539 553 OFFICE 916 6000

TAKAPUNA | 112/16 HURON STREET

Urban Sanctuary | Maison Apartments

This first-floor corner apartment is light and quiet, boasting a spacious deck that opens fully to capture stunning sunsets. Inside, find 76 sqm of living space with cityscape views, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. It includes dual secure basement parking. The design ensures privacy between bedrooms, ideal for flatmates or guests. Located in vibrant Takapuna, everything from beaches to supermarkets is just a walk away.

premium.co.nz/80557

VIEW | SUN 3 - 3.30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT

PRICE | $1,195M

ALISON PARKER 021 983 533 OFFICE 916 6000

TAKAPUNA | G02/8B LAKE PUPUKE DRIVE You Are My Sunshine | Garden Haven

Sunny garden apartment at Lake Pupuke Drive. Private, with one bedroom, modern kitchen, appliances, underfloor heating. Lounge opens to terrace, garden. Includes study nook, Astro turf, laundry, near amenities, beach, motorway access. Pet-friendly, with parking, storage. In Willis Bond development, ideal for pet owners. Blends convenience, style for discerning buyers. Unmissable opportunityl.

premium.co.nz/80540

VIEW | SUN 2 - 2.30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT

PRICE | BY NEGOTIATION

ALISON PARKER 021 983 533 OFFICE 916 6000