A MORNING WITH NIGEL LATTA RYMAN

from 10 February 2023 Devonport Flagstaff

staying local for novel writing getaway

Wednesday 22 February 10am

Join us for a morning with clinical psychologist and documentary maker Nigel Latta.

Nigel is an author and award-winning television presenter known for his critically acclaimed television series “Beyond the Darklands” and “Politically Incorrect Guide to…”.

Other projects include a documentary series which screened on TVNZ that investigated some of the important issues within our society including alcohol, education, sugar/obesity, poverty and inequality, crime and punishment.

Nigel will talk us through his career highlights in his usual thought provoking manner.

Refreshments will be provided.

Spaces are limited and RSVP is essential.

Call Dell or Scott on 09 445 0909

WILLIAM

Sanders

RETIREMENT VILLAGE

7 Ngataringa Road, Devonport

By Rob Drent

The way civil-defence emergencies are handled in Auckland needs close consideration – and probably an overhaul.

Auckland Council’s response to the rapidly emerging disaster on 27 January was sluggish and poorly managed. Gaps exist locally as well.

Areas such as Devonport used to have civil-defence coordinators, plans and clearly identified emergency centres at places like school and churches, where people could go for help or shelter when an emergency occurred.

With modern-day life increasingly controlled online and from a centralised council, these local touch points have been sidelined to such a degree they are virtually anonymous. Certainly they are underfunded and not publicised.

Superficially, the response across the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area seems to have been left in the hands of emergency services (dealing with immediate needs), local councillors and community board members, plus volunteers trudging the streets assessing damage and offering help, and community centres, such as Sunnynook’s, opening up to help an area in need.

It all seemed reactive rather than preplanned. What would have happened if the flooding had been even worse or, in the event of a tidal wave, if whole areas were cut off, for example?

Local government spending is being cut and I wonder if the no-doubt diminished amounts allocated to local civil defence is a false economy, which could cost lives.

Two men drowned on the North Shore during the recent floods. Could they have been saved by better ongoing messaging around the danger posed by flood waters?

As a tennis-playing journo, I’ve got to tip my cap to Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.

In the middle of a citywide emergency, with floods and slips causing homelessness and chaos, and the loss of four lives, Brown was annoyed he had to postpone a hit with his tennis mates (who communicate through a ‘Grumpy Men’ WhatsApp group) to update “drongo” journalists. Good on you, Browny, for calling getting your priorities right and giving the media a serve at the same time. I had to give up any thoughts of tennis that day too, as we at the Flagstaff were working to cover the story for our readers.

Some media figures – including Stuff’s CEO Sinead Boucher – seemed a bit miffed by the use of the term drongo.

I don’t really know what they are complaining about. Brown is a gift that keeps on giving. A bit like the gaffe-prone Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Brown will be a source of copy for as long as he stays in office.

His tennis remark is also gold for any drongo cartoonist looking for a quick line on the mayor, with the inevitable double faults, mishits and attempted smashes to come.

I can even imagine a Brown caricature complete with John McEnroe headband, mouthing the immortal words: “You cannot be serious.”

In the meantime, Wayne, I’m happy to fit a game of tennis in around my busy schedule. One grumpy old man versus another. Watch out though for my drongo backhand.

The reliability of the Auckland-Devonport ferry schedule has become so bad some users are getting back in their cars to ensure city-side appointments are met.

This is a shame as the ferry was once a bastion of regularity– particularly when the Kea was serving the route, chugging the 10-minute crossing like an old workhorse. For a variety of reasons – staff shortages at Fullers, the great catch-all: operational causes – 2023 has been particularly bad, just as tourists return in greater numbers.

On many occasions, several buses have been queued up at the Devonport ferry terminal waiting on late ferries, with frustrated drivers knowing that they are now running late themselves.

Ferry lateness or cancellations are now vying with Lake Rd congestion as the leading living-in-Devonport gripe. Social-media pages are full of it, but while it can be good to vent frustrations, as far as getting things done, it’s shouting in the wind. I don’t think the bureaucrats at city hall really pay much attention to clamouring online. It raises its head one day and then disappears into the ether the next.

Is it time then to establish a Devonport Ferry Users group to advocate for patrons and act as a conduit for the discussion of issues, ideas and improvements? It could be an independent group, like Devonport Heritage or even Bike Auckland, which both have a real say in how changes and problems are dealt with.

Auckland Transport has taken over the management of the service and seems to be placing a lot of faith in new electric ferries coming online, with more design-specific solutions to the Devonport-Auckland route. But this is at least a couple of years away.

A Devonport Ferry Users group (also covering the Bayswater route) could press for real action now.

Devonport 70 Seacliffe Avenue

Prime clifftop position - stunning harbour views

Classic 1956 original brick home on a block base sitting proudly on 1368sqm site offering huge potential. The cliff has been reinforced so it’s ready for you to renovate or demolish to build your dream home. The location is wonderful – you will love the beach lifestyle where you can wander down to Narrow Neck Beach for a swim plus your children will be able to walk to excellent schools close by. The generous lounge has big picture windows with sublime views to the sea and Rangitoto. There's a double garage underneath. Your family will live the dream here. So rarely available, this is an opportunity not to be missed.