Castor Bay tree in for some TLC

WHAT’S ON @ Takapuna Library

A large pōhutukawa with substantial branches hanging low over parked cars at Castor Bay Beach Reserve has been placed under active management by Auckland Council.

In coming months, it would be roped off and measures taken to stabilise it and tend to its health, council area operations manager Sarah Jones said.

“The tree in question is a heritage (notable) pōhutukawa.

“Due to the age and significance of this well-loved tree, work is under way to have the tree re-propped as a long-term retainment project.”

The council would work with contractors and engineers to ensure the work was done with care, she said.

The area would be mulched to help with the tree’s health.

“We will be installing signage explain- ing our process and highlighting the tree’s benefits and historical significance to the area,” Jones told the Observer.

In other work at Castor Bay, the council last month redistributed sand on the beach which had piled up against the seawall due to onshore winds.

Despite build-up being an ongoing issue, Jones said it was deemed necessary to try to spread sand lower down the beach to reduce the amount of sand blowing onto the road and into drains.

“Auckland Transport recently carried out a clean-up for that reason, so by lowering the sand we can reduce the frequency that these clean-ups need to occur.”

Sand was moved further down the beach towards the low-tide line

“We anticipate that current weather conditions will continue to build it up against the wall,” she said.

Takapuna beach grooming still on wishlist

Takapuna Beach Business Association boss and Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Terence Harpur says he will keep pushing for clean-ups of the beach.

He has again called on Auckland Council to look at criteria to clear seaweed from just the area in front of the playground and reserve to safeguard its attractiveness and condition at peak times.

Asked if redistribution of sand would be considered at Takapuna, as had been done recently at Castor Bay (see story above), a council spokeswoman said there were no plans for this. The situation was different, with Takapuna not suffering from the issue of windblown sand. “There is grass rather than a road next to the beach at Takapuna, which is better able to cope with windblown sand build-up.” said area manager Sarah Jones. Letters, page 17

Critics keen to front up on Amaia upsizing

Nearly half of the submitters on plans to massively expand the Amaia accommodation complex under construction on Esmonde Rd are ready to argue their case in person.

KBS Capital, developers of the former Harbourside Church site, have lodged a private plan change with Auckland Council to allow for 11 buildings up to 16 storeys high, compared with the original consent for two buildings capped at seven storeys.

Twenty-two of the 55 primary submitters, including the Takapuna Residents’ Association and Hauraki home owners, want to speak about their concerns, including scale and environmental impacts, when the matter proceeds to a hearing.

A date is yet to be set pending the availability of commissioners.

Meanwhile, an unrelated application was made last month to build seven terraced houses at 7 Esmonde Rd.

Exhibition: Stargazer

Angela Morton Room

Te Pātaka Toi Art Library

Level 1, Takapuna Library

10 February – 12 April 2023

Keri Hulme’s poetry has inspired two exquisite artists’ books on display in the STARGAZER exhibition – the awardwinning The Visionary, and The Silences Between (Moeraki Conversations) illustrated and published by Claire van Vliet of the Janus Press (USA). A community of artisans and artists produced these a-taahua responses to Keri’s poetry and STARGAZER shares materials and stories about how these pukapuka were created, including photographs, articles, and correspondence. These handmade, hand printed books are works of art and indeed The Visionary won the 1989 BNZ Art Award – a rare accolade for a book. The STARGAZER exhibition provides a unique opportunity to view these beautiful artefacts featuring Keri Hulme’s poetry.

Artist Beth Serjeant was involved in the production of both books and she will be on-site to discuss them on Saturday, 25 March 2023, 2.00-4.00 pm, in the Angela Morton Room. All welcome.

Free Creative Talks at The PumpHouse

Local environmentalist Tabitha Becroft is the first of six speakers taking part in the popular Creative Talk series at The PumpHouse Theatre in 2023.

Becroft has a long association with Pupukemoana and The PumpHouse, and will talk about the upcoming Pupukemoana Environment Day. Her talk starts at 7pm on 27 February.

Actor and playwright Tatiana Hotere is the next speaker on 3 April at 7pm.

The 2023 line-up also includes Malcolm Calder, producer of the popular Christmas Day performance of The End of the Golden Weather on Takapuna Beach, theatre makers Emma Bishop and local awardwinning crime author Lizzie Harwood.

Back by popular demand, Devonport historian David Veart will present about his new book Hello Girls and Boys – a tour of the toys, the crazes and playtimes and preoccupations of big and little New Zealand kids over the generations.

Athletics success

Several Takapuna athletes placed in the Poritt Classic at Hamilton on Saturday. James Ford was second in the mens 800m; Sionaan Murphy second in the womens shot put; and Sascha Letica (Takapuna Grammar) second in the girls 1500m.