Mother’s Day in Takapuna

Need to find that perfect way to spoil and thank that special Mum in your life? Takapuna has you covered. From gifts to relaxing opportunities, to treats and activity ideas, Takapuna has just the thing for every Mum this Mother’s Day!

game enough, get those toes out and into the refreshing water as you walk along. Trust us, even in the cooler temperatures, there’s nothing better!

Sweet treats and brunch

visit Cafe Botannix with their Mother’s Day specials and sweet cabinet treats!

Floral gifts

Gifts and surprises

Takapuna is home to some fantastic retail stores. Hit up Hurstmere Road for high-end fashion at Augustine, luxurious homewares at Wallace Cotton, something sparkly at Fifth Avenue, top quality activewear at Lululemon, top makeup and skincare at Mecca Cosmetica and the newest tech and gadgets at the Apple iStore.

If you’re still looking – head into Shore City Shopping Centre for more retail options, like clothing from Cue, amazing local art and gift ideas at Creative and Brave, all the board games, books and stationery at Whitcoulls, or amazing shoes and boots at Mi Piaci and Platypus, to name a few! (or if you can’t decide yourself, a Shore City gift card is always a good option!)

Spending time and activities

Sometimes all Mum wants is to spend some quality time with their family. So if your family is into games and puzzles, why not spend some time trying to escape at Escape HQ!

Or give one of Thrillzone Takapuna’s VR experiences or adventure games a go –there’s plenty to choose from! A simple takeaway coffee, sweet treat and walk along Takapuna Beach is always a winner too, take in some fresh air, say hi to the local canines on their walks, and if you’re

Takapuna is one of the best places on the North Shore to brunch! You don’t have to venture too far before stumbling on a number of great cafes and brunch places. Catch 21 serves up some delicious brunch as well as specialty seafood and burger options, or visit Seven Hills for a menu with a Turkish flair. For organic, vegan, allergenfriendly and a whole range of other delicious options, head to Street Organics on Byron Ave, JAM Organic Café or Leaf and Loaf.

Why not surprise Mum with a beautiful bouquet of sunshine, from the wonderful Florienne on Hurstmere Road. Featuring phenomenal seasonal bouquets, arrangements and creations, these masterful florists will make sure your mum feels special and loved with her beautiful arrangements.

Takapuna is also home to other spas and salons, like Forme Spa, Caci Clinic, Skintopia, The Face Place, Morgan and Morgan, Frenchie & Co, Rodney Wayne, Servilles, Oscar and Co – and so many more! (And if you don’t know what Mum would like, find out where she’d like to go and simply get her a voucher so she can choose!) Why not make it a whole package, and include a night’s accommodation at the wonderful Spencer on Byron Hotel. They have a range of rooms and packages available, plus a pool, spa and tennis court to make it Mum’s ultimate staycation!

Dinner and drinks

For some fine dining with beachside views, you can’t go past the Takapuna Beach Cafe – delicious food and beverages right on Takapuna Beach.

For Mums with a sweet tooth, House of Chocolate Takapuna is a must-visit, serving piping hot Belgium Hot Chocolate, coffee, handmade chocolates, waffles and desserts till 10pm. Or check out Majestic Tea Bar in Shore City, known for their extensive range of tea, delicious cabinet food and range of Belgian Waffles – or

Relaxation and treatments

Nestled in the heart of Takapuna, is a hidden oasis –Ikoi Spa, a Japanese day-spa that specialises in relaxation and rejuvenation. Ikoi Spa has a range of packages available from massages to their Enzyme Spa – a traditional Japanese deep-heating ritual tracing its origins back over 90 years.

With over 100 places to eat and drink in Takapuna, you’re spoilt for choice on where to take Mum for dinner this Mother’s Day (or any other day for that matter!). For the cultural culinary adventurers Tok Tok for delicious Asian fusion, Little Lamb Restaurant for amazing hot-pot meals or Tokyo Bay for Japanese finedining. For the best beachside dining, your first stop must be Regatta Bar & Eatery. For the more wholesome family scene, there’s The Elephant Wrestler, Franc’s Bar & Diner, Aubergine, El Humero, and Burger Burger.

For the Mum’s that love a range of tapas with their drop of choice, Taylors on Hurstmere and Hops and Claret are where you want to go.

Handy tip – don’t forget to book if you can, and do it ASAP, as a lot of places can get very busy!

Whatever you’re doing, however you’re celebrating, we hope you have an enjoyable day – and we wish all the Mums in and around Takapuna, a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Legacy Of Style

Claire Ackland has grown-up “living and breathing” the fashion business her mother Linda Savage bought in 2006.

Magazine Designer Clothing was then based in Takapuna, but has since shifted its flagship store to Milford and has a further 11 stores around New Zealand, along with an online business. Claire became its marketing and online manager three years ago.

This year, the approach of Mother’s Day has a new dimension for her, as it is the first time she will celebrate it as a mother herself, of baby Mila. “It will be a very special time for the whole family,” she says.

A place they enjoy gathering is Devon on the Wharf in Devonport. “It’s a beautiful location, where we often meet to celebrate occasions with our wider family.”

Whille in the village they enjoy browsing for books at Bookmark. “We are both avid readers,” says Claire.

One of the pluses of working with her mother is that each of them understands how the other thinks about evolving the business. A challenge is that work can become a 24/7 affair. “However this can also be seen as a positive as we are both so passionate about Magazine,” says Claire.

“I am very lucky to work alongside my

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Smart Role Model

Michaela Longstaff, founder of Milford-based Mikko Shoes, credits her mother Joanne Inger’s great sense of style as an important influence on how the business operates.

“Mum has always been a part of the process, from a guiding shareholder to helping with shoe selection, feedback and brand sourcing.”

Michaela says her mother’s look is also always so impeccably put together that “I can’t help but be influenced and guided by her”.

Mikko has grown from a local business to one having five stores throughout the country. In building it, the duo has learned to develop ideas independently, then refine them together.

This is made easier currently with Michaela back in the family home while her own flood-damaged place is repaired.

She jokes that maybe the best Mother’s Day present she can give this year might be “to give Mum some time to herself!”

Simple pleasures rather than a spend-up are the way they like to celebrate.

From page 11 mum and learn everything from her including her experience as a mother. Daily, I see the values I learnt during my childhood come through into the business. For her part, Linda says: “Spending time with my daughter is a joy. It has been so rewarding to see Claire grow into an amazing mother to Mila.”

To reward other mothers, they recommend a Magazine gift voucher as a good option or for people to check out its bags and accessories and full-size range of designer fashion.

Arazzo in Milford is a “must visit” for homewares and gifts, they say.

“We love wandering to the park with the kids to spend time on the rope swing or get fluffies with the cousins.

“It’s all about the grandkids for Mum these days.”

For Mikko customers looking for something special to give to the valued women in their lives, Michaela recommends coming into the store for inspiration.

People who try on a pair of new season’s shoes can enter a draw for a gift pack that includes a cute and colourful leather card holder from Ecco, a pair of luxurious cashmere socks, and shoe protection items.

For those wanting to support other local businesses, she says there are many other special and unique shops in the area with items mums would love.

“It might be a cliché, but flowers absolutely make my day, says Michaela. “And Lee at The Flower Place in Milford makes the most incredible bouquets so that would always be my go-to for gifts.”

But the gift of being together is the most precious. Spending time with her mother is, she says, “special, irreplaceable – and always filled with shoe chat”.

Pretty plan for flower fans

Community garden group Grow Forrest Hill is hosting a beautiful Mother’s Day activity. The child-friendly event, from 2pm to 4pm on 14 May, guides people on using locally grown foliage and blooms to make their own arrangements to take home.

Cup-cake decorating with edible flowers will also be held at the garden in Seine Reserve. Bring a vase and secateurs if you can.

Florist Melanie Stapleton, who founded her Cecilia Fox brand while living in Australia where it became renowned, is now settled home back in Auckland, and taking the event.

Time For A Tipple

Making memories and enjoying precious family time together is central to Tracey Hawes Mother’s Day plans -- but raising a toast or two is not surprisingly also on her agenda.

As general manager of marketing and trading at family firm Fine Wine Delivery, she has access to some choice tipples.

The business was started by her father almost 26 years ago, with Tracey signing on six months later. Her mother was at the time working elsewhere but soon joined them fulltime in the North Shore-based operation.

“Mum has covered many roles in the busi

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