22 November 2024, Rangitoto Observer by Devonport Flagstaff

Concreting ruins one of world’s best lava examples

Geologist rues ‘wanton damage’ to fossil field

Centuries-old lava flows on the coast between Takapuna and Milford have been severely damaged by concrete infill, prompting action by Auckland Council’s compliance team.

The flows are part of the Takapuna Reef Fossil Forest – which has been described as “one of the best examples of lava-preserved forest in the world”.

Around 60 metres of concreting has been done at the seaward edge of 19 O’Neills Ave Takapuna, beside the Takapuna-Milford coastal walkway.

Council’s compliance team has ordered the owners of the property to come up with an action plan to remedy the damage.

The Takapuna Reef Fossil Forest is protected in the Auckland Unitary Plan as an outstanding natural feature (ONF).

The damaged section “is one of the best preserved and most easily visible stretches of the outstanding natural feature,” said a report by volcanologist Kate Lewis, Auckland Council’s Natural Features specialist.

The owner of 19 O’Neills Ave told the Observer through an interpreter that he was finding a firm to remove the concrete and would send a plan to council as soon as possible.

The concreting had begun a couple of years ago to stabilise a

To page 7

Prime site... Geologist Bruce Hayward, who leads visits to the Takapuna reef fossil field, calls it an “irreplaceable natural treasure”. Left: Concreting over and between darker lava rocks.

Telephone: 09 445 0060

Email: news@rangitoto-observer.co.nz sales@rangitoto-observer.co.nz

Website: www.rangitoto-observer.co.nz

COMMUNITY

Newspaper of the Year: Runner-up 2022

MANAGING EDITOR: Rob Drent

EDITOR: Janetta Mackay

REPORTER: Lochlan Lineham

ADVERTISING: Candice Izzard

PRODUCTION: Brendon De Suza

Our team also works on the long-standing and award-winning Devonport Flagstaff newspaper.

NEXT ISSUE: December 6

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: November 29

WRITE TO US: We welcome letters. Please limit to 300 words on local topics. Noms-de-plume or unnamed submissions will not be printed. Email news@rangitoto-observer.co.nz

SIMON WATTS

MP for North Shore northshore@parliament.govt.nz simonwattsmp

Downsizers targeted for first high-rise on car-park site

Developer Willis Bond says it will launch sales of its Takapuna Central apartments early next year, with plans to break ground for the high-end build in late 2025.

“We really think the area deserves something special,” said the company’s senior development manager, Will Ellison, in giving a preview of what is to come.

The company has an agreement with Auckland Council property arm Eke Panuku for a five-stage development of sites around Waiwharariki Anzac Square.

Prices will start at $915,000 for a single-bedroom unit with car park in the 11-storey ‘Takapuna Central’ building going up first on the Anzac St car-park site.

The building, which already has council consent, will be topped by a four-bedroom penthouse and a separate shared terrace.

suites residents could book free of charge, aside from cleaning fees, for visiting guests. A wellness centre and gym would be on offer, along with pet-washing facilities, parking and storage. “We think it will be the best on the North Shore,” Ellison said.

Ellison was speaking at a Takapuna Beach Business Association function, held this month to announce winners of the Taste of Takapuna awards, of which Willis Bond was a sponsor. He said the development, initially expected sooner, had been four years in the planning. It would deliver 106 homes, most with two bedrooms.

The company considered Takapuna to be “a bit underdone with development”, Ellison said. Construction of Takapuna Central was expected to take 30 months.

Demand was expected from owner-occupiers. “The target market is downsizers – [people who are] a bit older... generally connected to the area. This will allow them to shift without going down in amenity.”

A feature of the building, designed by Architectus, would be a small number of

Wellington-based Willis Bond recently completed the Catalina Bay development in Hobsonville. It has also built in the Wynyard Quarter.

Future residential development in Takapuna was longer term and might include a hotel, Ellison said.

• Taste of Takapuna winners, page 9

Rooftop bar not opening until 2025

The opening of Takapuna’s first rooftop bar has been delayed by three months until the New Year. But the Takapuna Surf Club will definitely be operating for peak summer, says the developer of the building on the corner of Hurstmere Rd and Anzac St.

Elliot Knight of Knight Crawford said the two-storey renovation project was 95 per cent tenanted, with talks underway to find the right operator for the final downstairs hospitality site.

The three-month delay to the rooftop bar was because its operators, Five Fellas, had

been fully engaged with a city bar project, Queens, on the 26th storey of the Deloitte building downtown, he said. “But they want to catch some summer,” he said.

Meanwhile, Knight has plans to make over the Eat St laneway buildings he bought in July, having already introduced new tenants including Hanoi Haven.

An udon noodle bar was opening this week and the rear of the building will be opened up towards the town square. Upstairs he planned to develop a wellness and beauty hub.

Authorised by Hon Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

WBHS student gardeners help staff with planting

A gardening group at Westlake Boys High School has been helping the school’s gardener in his efforts to beautify the grounds with pockets of nature.

Tony Buckingham, who started as the school gardener two years ago, has been planting in areas previously occupied by artificial turf or bare dirt.

This year, the 74-year-old has had the help of the school’s gardening group.

The group, which has around a dozen members, had been left looking for a new outlet after its vegetable patch had to make way for a new school building at the end of last year.

The teacher in charge of the group, head of Chinese Daisy Huang, said she was pleased the students involved had been able to find a new purpose.

Most recently, the young gardeners have been helping Buckingham plant out an area behind the auditorium.

The mixture of natives and exotics were well-suited to an area which receives little sun, Buckingham said.

Natives are preferred for the planting, but care is taken that plants are suitable for the conditions in each of the different locations around the school.

Buckingham said he appreciated the help from the students, who were “enthusiastic” about the work.

He is a former student of the school, and previously held a variety of staff roles including sports administrator. He manages the first XI cricket side.

Team effort...

Top: Westlake Boys High School gardener Tony Buckingham and the teacher in charge of its gardening group, Daisy Huang.

Right: Gardening group members

Leo Fabricius (left), and Divit Shah

Extra floor viable for stripped and strengthened

A third storey is structurally feasible for the Takapuna Library’s redevelopment into a community hub – if the economics of a poptop stack up.

This was the message given to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board ahead of a vote next month on how to proceed with design briefs for the project.

Two options are on the table: reconfiguring the existing space to accommodate community groups; or adding an extra floor above the existing library on The Strand.

The board last week received advice from architects and Auckland Council staff on building assessments.

Staff also gave an overview of feedback from a recent public consultation, which found some residents wanted the library left as it is, while others had a range of ideas for ways of adding extra tenants and facilities.

The hub would include work and meeting space to rehouse community groups which the council has moved out of the rundown Mary Thomas Centre, which is being sold by council property arm Eke Panuku.

The groups are now in the Community Services Building, next to the library, but it is also in line to be sold, as part of council ‘optimisation’.

Board members welcomed news that a partial third-storey was an engineering option.

Council project leader Sophie Bell said just under 60 per cent of a total of 255 feedback submitters liked the idea of adding a third level. Those submitting against cited reasons such as cost and fears the library would be closed for longer.

Athfield Architects’ John Rennie said consultants’ advice was that a new level could be borne across around a third of the building’s

footprint, adding 500-600sqm.

“Initially we were quite sceptical,” he said. The library was a 1980s building with 1980s problems, but hollow-core construction could be retrofitted. “We need to test the economics,” he added.

Rennie said the library had good bones for transformation. It was well positioned and valued by the community. But it needed strengthening and had a low seismic rating of 35 per cent, just over the minimum allowable.

It also had leaks and building services were at the end of their design life. The roof, which had been built over the original roof, needed recladding, which would help lower running costs.

“The building will need to be stripped right back to the structural frame for strengthening,” Rennie said. Stripped out services would have to be restored.

Who knew? Library services valued highly in public feedback

Library services are top of the list of what people want in a combined community hub, along with a mix of quiet spaces and places for classes on subjects such as digital technology and other group activities.

Coffee was also frequently mentioned in community feedback, be that from an on-site cafe or a shared community kitchen where people could heat and eat food and drinks.

Council staff gave an overview of feedback from 255 online submissions, three community drop-in sessions and outreach to community groups over the last few months.

They mentioned requests for dedicated space for seniors and children, with library staff among those advocating a youth area. Room for events and exhibitions was wanted, along with a parent room. Submitters wanted a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Athfield Architects, which briefed the local board, recommended the look and feel draw on a connection to the sea.

Bay windows on the library’s seaward side were valued by users. Other architectural features of the building could be retained, but it would benefit from a better entrance and connection to The Strand and the plaza.

Tuesday 3 December 2pm

As partners of the Auckland Philharmonia, we invite you to join us for this exclusive afternoon of classical music with the Passione Quartet, hosted in the beautiful surrounds of William Sanders Village.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a harmonious blend of fine string quartet music and complimentary refreshments. You are welcome to bring a friend and discover village life for yourself.

Find out more at rymanhealthcare.co.nz/events

RSVP

Call Dell or Scott on 09 445 0909

Takapuna Library building

Complex connections to the neighbouring Community Services Building, including shared fire alarms, were another factor to be allowed for, but it was “definitely possible to cleave the two”.

Board chair Toni van Tonder asked if this would be more cost-effective than starting from scratch. Rennie assured her it was, and said it was also the more environmentally friendly choice, given most of the carbon was in the structure.

Deputy chair Terence Harpur said: “We will need to communicate it is a full strip-out, hence the cost.”

The cost is yet to be revealed. It should become clearer in the first quarter of next year when design briefs advanced, Bell said.

“We have to think about what happens through construction and if we need to lease space,” she added.

Plans for temporarily resiting the library during remodelling may include the Community Services Building.

Council staff have held workshops with library staff and community providers on their needs, such as for bookable spaces for community activities. This engagement continues.

The public feedback, which Bell said covered a range of ages – though skewing to older Pākehā – will be relayed in more detail for the board to discuss at its December business meeting.

Once design briefs are advanced under board direction, further public consultation on plans will be undertaken from March next year.

The board hopes to approve a final concept plan by June, before the next local body elections later next year.

Chair anxious over possible local board place in hub

The prospect of Devonport-Takapuna Local Board offices being moved into a hub at the library has alarmed board chair Toni van Tonder. “We’re optimising buildings for the community benefit and then taking space for ourselves – that worries me,” she said when the board was included in an Auckland Council list of hub tenants.

Office space for board staff and electedrepresentative meetings is currently leased

in privately owned premises next to the Takapuna Community Services Building on the Strand.

Should the lease not be renewed, van Tonder asked what might happen, saying community assets should not be sold “to provide for ourselves”.

Council staff acknowledged that they were “testing” whether the board could be accommodated in the hub. This had always been

option, said

said funding for council administration should be provided separately from that tagged for community use from asset sales. The board had undertaken to rehouse its existing community tenants, along with ensuring the library retained sufficient space. “I don’t want there to be a narrative out there in the community that we are shrinking the library space.”

Arch appeal... Takapuna Library’s distinctive frontage to The Strand

project leader Sophie Bell. Van Tonder

YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR

OPEN DAY

Be among the first to explore the newly completed Amaia Takapuna apartments!

Enjoy a guided tour, meet our friendly sales specialists, and get personalised advice from mortgage brokers onsite to make your home ownership journey even easier.

This is your chance to see these incredible apartments up close and experience the lifestyle that awaits.

We can’t wait to welcome you!

48 ESMONDE ROAD, TAKAPUNA, AUCKLAND SAT 23RD NOVEMBER 10AM - 2PM

Damage ‘compromises protected outstanding feature’

From page 1

landslip which had created a hole.

The work, which aimed to protect coastal walkers, was an attempt to do the “right thing, but was the wrong method”, the translator said.

Lewis said the area had examples of Pupuke volcano lava flows in cross-section, including important and rare examples of features called lava blisters and segregation vesicles, as well as tree moulds preserved in the lava flows.

Multiple damage to the site had occurred including:

• Concrete over the top of lava flows, in small lava caves, blisters and segregation vesicles.

• Cobbles cemented together on top of the lava flows, covering them so they can’t be seen.

• Concrete, and in some cases stones and shells, inserted into small lava caves, lava blisters and segregation vesicles.

“This damage has compromised both the physical and visual values for which the ONF was protected,” Lewis said.

For many decades, educators and scientists have taken thousands of students and national and international visitors to the fossil forest and cliff-lava exposures to show volcanological features, Lewis said.

The volcanic and lava-flow processes

Rough and ready... Examples of concreting over lava

they preserved and demonstrated provided important scientific evidence of the nature of Auckland’s past eruptions and the volcanic processes and hazards that may face the region in the future, Lewis said in her report.

“The damage caused by these unconsented works reduces the ability to decipher and appreciate what was a pristine example of a significant volcanic feature,” Lewis said.

Bruce Hayward, a leading geologist and author of Volcanoes of Auckland: A Field Guide, said the property owners along the section of coastline “cannot plead ignorance as the protected status for the feature is attached to their land titles”.

The fossil forest has been subjected to

Forrest Hill callout a damp squib

Suspected “gunshots” heard in Forrest Hill on Sunday evening prompted a major police callout involving the Eagle helicopter, but only fireworks were found at an address in Raines Ave.

Multiple police vehicles headed to the address and the Eagle hovered overhead after reports of what sounded like gunshots coming from the site around 8pm, a police spokesperson said. “Police attended and located fireworks at the address.”

damage over recent decades, he said.

“Some of the forest was destroyed in the 1970s, when the carpark at the beach was built over it, but that was before it had any protection.”

“But now it has protection, one would expect that it would be safe from this sort of wanton damage, akin to damaging an iconic tree like Tane Mahuta (an ancient Kauri in Northland’s Waipoua Forest).

“The fossil forest along this section of coast near the sewer has suffered damage now from four different adjacent landowners in the last 20 years, all of whom seemed to have no care that they were damaging an irreplaceable natural treasure,” Hayward said.

Locals back free parking in Milford

The Milford Residents Association says it will lobby to retain free town-centre parking to keep Milford vibrant, as Auckland Transport (AT) reactivates a parking study put on hold in 2020. Some residents have received multiple parking fines in recent months, with wardens using car-mounted cameras to monitor Kitchener Rd’s 30-minute time limit. The AT survey will look at parking usage, length of stay and ticketing issues, along with the possibility of introducing charges.

Rechargeable hearing aids for $1000

pair

*Price of $1,000 per pair includes GST and the government hearing aid subsidy for eligible customers

•

It was our great pleasure to announce the winners of our recent People’s Choice Awards, where members of the community were given the opportunity to cast their votes for their favourite places to eat and drink in Takapuna. We set a new record number of votes this year, with almost every hospitality business being voted for. Thank you to all of those in the community that took the time to vote! We can’t wait to bring it back next October and do it all again. If you haven’t visited these businesses, now’s the time! Head in to each of these amazing places to eat and drink in Takapuna and check out what all the fuss is about! You can also find a full list of places to eat and drink in Takapuna on our website: ilovetakapuna.co.nz

Tok of the town! Fusion restaurant triumphs again

Hurstmere Rd’s Tok Tok has won the annual Taste of Takapuna People’s Choice Award for the third time in a row.

The restaurant’s adaptation of Asian flavours for Kiwi tastes and its location overlooking Takapuna Beach are among the factors being credited for its sustained popularity.

General manager Gethin NeatheyCoomber said Tok Tok’s menu takes the best elements of Southeast Asian food and adjusts them for local palates.

“If we made things entirely Vietnamese, entirely Thai, some dishes would be quite spicy so [the kitchen staff] just find that balance.”

The food, drinks and atmosphere all combined to draw people to the restaurant.

He said an outdoor-dining extension owners David Dau and Minh Lu put in when they first took over the site had proven particularly popular.

It was the restaurant’s most-requested seating zone in summer.

“You can see the beach, you can see the sea from here. It gives people that sort of outside feel as well.”

Despite recent tough times for restaurants, Tok Tok remained one of Takapuna’s busiest. Business had picked up further with warmer weather over the past few weeks.

Around 7500 votes were received in the competition – run by the Takapuna Beach Business Association – this year.

Jam Organic Cafe, also in Hurstmere Rd, won two awards, best cafe and best coffee.

The cafe has had just over a year under new ownership.

Among the changes introduced by Meenu and Rahul Vashisht, who bought the restaurant in September last year, the biggest has been an emphasis on training

and policies for staff, with the goal of improving levels of service.

Meenu said the cafe now had more of a focus on staff connecting with customers throughout their visit, to provide a more welcoming and friendly experience.

The couple, who immigrated from Northern India over a decade ago, also own Akito Eatery on Waiheke Island.

The Best Drinks Award was won by the Elephant Wrestler.

Dodo Sushi won best takeaway, heading off the Flying Horse on the other side of Lake Rd, which had previously won the category for three consecutive years.

Threepeat... Tok Tok general manager Gethin Neathey-Coomber (left) with supervisor Inez Teixeira and head chef John Miao. Below: Jam Organic Cafe owners Rahul (left) and Meenu Vashisht.

COMMUNITY MEETING

Co-hosted by Hon Simon Watts, MP for North Shore and Dan Bidois, MP for Northcote

In conjunction with Castor Bay Ratepayers’ & Residents’ Association Inc and Milford Residents Association

Featuring guest speakers from Healthy Waters and a moderated Q&A session

Friday 6 December, 5.30pm

Milford Baptist Church, 3 Dodson Avenue, Milford

Roof damaged as digger topples

A large digger’s extendable arm crashed through the roof of a Trinidad Rd, Sunnynook home when the machine apparently fell off the back of a truck last week.

The digger and truck were on a neighbouring Tonkin Dr property when the accident happened overnight on 13-14 November.

A tenant of the damaged property, who did not wish to be named, told the Observer the accident had left the house unliveable.

He had not been home at the time of the accident.

A tarpaulin was covering the hole when the Observer visited.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member, Mel Powell, who lives nearby said the accident “could’ve been much worse” if that part of the house had been occupied at the time.

WorkSafe said it had sent an inspector to the scene on 14 November to make initial enquiries. At this stage there is no investigation.

From on high... Where a digger arm came to rest after the machine toppled over in Triton Dr, Sunnynook

Residents irked at slow going on issues

Castor Bay residents still want action on some longstanding requests, including a fix for the dilapidated former military barracks at Kennedy Park Reserve and reinstatement of stairs from the reserve to the beach.

“It’s been a rather frustrating year, due to slow progress on several issues,” the chair of the Castor Bay Ratepayer’s and Resident’s Association (CBRRA), Hamish Anderson, said in his recent annual report to the group’s annual general meeting, which drew about 40 attendees.

three years ago.

Anderson said while “positive engagement” from Devonport-Takapuna Local Board (DTLB)members and North Shore councillors was appreciated, council processes were protracted.

Decisions on the barracks at 139 Beach Rd were still awaited. “It’s been frustrating, to say the least, to observe how long it takes council to prepare and cost-up options for DTLB to then consider.”

Go to rangitoto-observer.co.nz and click on ‘Become a supporter’ at the top

Other ongoing concerns included water quality and provision of safe paths and crossings for pedestrians, along with the steps onto Castor Bay Beach which were requested

The DTLB is expected to receive a report on 139 Beach Rd next month.

Anderson said he hoped a phased approach would be taken to upgrading what “has come to resemble a demolition site”.

Authorised by Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

MILFORD | 6 MURITAI ROAD

Prime Seaward Side Residence | Muritai Road

Located in highly sought-after Muritai Road, this charming home is set on a 579sqm (approx.) freehold title and offers exceptional potential. This property presents a fantastic opportunity to enjoy as is, renovate or landbank / redevelop with the property being zoned ‘mixed housing suburban’. The existing home is well-appointed and offers multiple spacious living areas that effortlessly extend to a sunny, private outdoor space. There is a fully equipped kitchen which features an open frame and allows the kitchen bench to double as a serving bar. Comprising four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a guest WC, with a fabulous spacious master suite with an ensuite bathroom and a generous walkin wardrobe. Garaging for three cars with internal access, plus good off-street parking. Positioned on the north side of the street, the section is sun-drenched and private, with a gentle contour. After being owned by the same family for over 30 years, this is a rare and unique opportunity to secure a property in this tightly held, prime location.

premium.co.nz /80651

ROBERT MILNE 022 011 24 94

RobertMilne@premium.co.nz OFFICE 916 6000

RICHARD MILNE 021 770 611

themilnes@premium.co.nz OFFICE 916 6000

Big rig... Charlie Bailey’s 1985 Kenworth W model truck, which won the day’s Sponsors’ Choice award, is dedicated to a favourite film of his youth, Smokey and the Bandit (1977). The truck’s 13-metre long trailer has a western-style mural painted on its side. The model of Pontiac Trans Am parked alongside appeared in the movie as a decoy driven by bootleggers, played by Jerry Reed and Burt Reynolds, whose images are depicted on the truck’s rear doors (bottom left). Aucklander Bailey and wife Michelle plan to make the truck a camper for attending car events. The builder spent about a year stripping and rebranding the Australian import.

Mum’s the word... Sue Stanaway and son Matt Turnwald from Milford after the car enthusiast thanked his mother for her help organising

Takapuna Rocks

Hot rods and retro style rev up the beachfront

Takapuna Rocks roared back into town this month after a four-year hiatus.

The classic car and bike event, which raises money for charity, drew several thousand people on Saturday 9 November to check out more than 200 vehicles.

Ranging from restored vintage models to more contemporary pimped-up machines, they were parked along the Strand and in car parks overlooking the Takapuna Beach Reserve.

Music from bands, a pin-up competition, stalls and awards for standout vehicles added to the atmosphere.

Westlake Girls High School teacher and Forrest Hill resident Giesela Visser, who said she had a soft spot for Chevrolets, was one of about a dozen women who glammed up in 1950s style for the pin-up competition.

Car shows appealed because “it’s a really nice community to be part of”, she said.

Others echoed this, including a man who left Whangārei at 4am in a convoy of vehicles bound for the event.

Beneficiaries of the day were Takapuna youth venue Shore Junction and Yes Disability Resource Centre.

Retro razzle-dazzle... (from left) Westlake Girls High School dance and Spanish teacher Giesela Visser (aka Gizzy Galore), Hollie Henderson from Hamilton as Miss Polly Rose and third-time entrant and this year’s Miss Takapuna Rocks pin-up contest winner Sandra Strickland, from Wainui, who competed as Miss Sandy Dee

Chrome king... Trev Halstead’s 1951 custom-built Studebaker Starlite coupe captured plenty of attention. The resident of Rukuhia, near Hamilton, spent more than two years and $10,000 working on the import from the US and enjoys showing it at car events. This was his first time at Takapuna Rocks, during which he enjoyed the relaxed beachside vibe. The vehicle restoration specialist has seven Studebakers. He says the appeal is that they’re “different, and make great customs”. He has collected them since 1972 and has had the Starlite for seven years.

Local schools honour top sports achievers for 2024 Sport

Westlake Boys High School

All-rounder Tai Rhodes earned Westlake Boys’ sportsperson of the year award. Tai is a successful track and field athlete, winning the senior pole-vault title at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships in December last year. He was also a big contributor to Westlake’s return to softball success this year – his performances led the team to national and Auckland titles. He won top pitcher and most valuable player of the Softball New Zealand Secondary School Championships (division one). Tai has also played in the premier basketball team since he was in year 11. This year, Westlake introduced the David Ferguson Cup (in honour of the departing principal) for an outstanding all-rounder, which was won by Ezra Morgan-Tafea.

Westlake Girls High School

Basketball star Kodee Wiliams-Sefo took out Westlake Girls’ sportswoman of the year award. Kodee has impressed for the dominant premier basketball side, winning the Most Valuable Player award at the New Zealand Secondary School Basketball Championships as Westlake claimed their third national title in a row. Kodee impressed at the ISF World Schools Championships, where her strong performances helped Westlake finish third at the international

Class

of 2024... Sports stars (from left) Tai Rhodes, Kodee Williams-Sefo, Mathew Mihaljevich and Lani Rawle

secondary school competition. She was selected for the Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp, a basketball camp run by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) for 60 of the best high-school-aged players in the region. Kodee also plays for the Northern Kahu women’s team.

Rosmini College

Water polo gun Mathew Mihaljevich won Rosmini’s sportsman of the year award. He represented New Zealand at under-18 level, travelling to Australia, Spain and Argentina to play for the national side, including at the World Aquatics U18 Water Polo Championships in Argentina, where the team finished 12th. Mathew also helped his North Harbour side come third at the U18 New Zealand

nationals. Mathew also coaches junior water polo teams.

Carmel College

Lani Rawle won Carmel College’s sportswoman of the year award for the second year in a row. She continues to excel in volleyball, this year travelling to Australia with the New Zealand under-19 side to compete at the Australian junior championships, where the side came third. Lani and her beach volleyball partner Maisey Lendrum placed first in North Harbour, second in Auckland, fifth at the New Zealand Secondary Schools champs and third at the Inter-Provincial Beach Volleyball U19 Championships representing North Harbour. Lani also coaches a junior volleyball team and plays for the school’s premier netball side.

Takapuna batters plunder old rival’s attack

The Takapuna Cricket Club premier side took the spoils on the first day of a local derby with old rivals North Shore at Onewa Domain last Saturday, setting a first-innings target of 292 in the two-day Hedley Howarth match.

Takapuna took the game to Shore, with several batsmen scoring at a rate of more than a run a ball.

Opener Benjamin Beecroft got Takapuna off to a cracking start, hitting 83 off 75 balls.

Down the order, Michael Sclanders –an Auckland Aces player – was equally quick-scoring with 56 off 55 balls.

Cam Neal then scored a century – 102 runs off 79 – in the top Takapuna batting performance of the day.

Takapuna declared at 292 for 8, putting Shore in to bat for around an hour.

At stumps, Shore were 54 for 1 after 14.5 overs, with a lot of work to do on the second day, which is played tomorrow (23 November, starting at 11 am).

Shore and Takapuna went into the match both needing a win after mixed starts to the season. Shore lost both its first two matches, while Takapuna has won one and lost one.

Takapuna’s heavy hitting augurs well for the Auckland T20 competition, which starts next month, with Takapuna playing Howick away on 11 December.

being

Grab a pawtrait with Santa

Book a magical photo session with your dog and Santa at Petdirect Takapuna!

Capture festive moments with the jolly man himself and give your furry friend a Christmas to remember.

Dates:

Saturday 23 November

Saturday 30 November

Saturday 7 December

Saturday 14 December

Time & Location: Sessions available from 10am - 2pm Petdirect, 33 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this pawsome Christmas experience! Book your spot today and make this festive season extra special for your dog.

Good knock… Michael Sclanders hit 56 for Takapuna before

bowled by Shore’s Rory Bessell

PICTURE: ROGER BRITTENDEN

Students brush up on dentistry and other topics

Dental health and hidden cancer-linked chemicals were among topics covered by Takapuna Normal Intermediate School students in their recent inquiry projects.

Each year, year 8 students at the school look into an issue of their own choosing, then present their findings at an exhibition day.

The students are required to research their topic, talk to experts, advocate for their issue or participate in positive action in their community, then present their work.

The projects are the culmination of the International Baccalaureate (IB) primary years programme (PYP).

Teacher and PYP coordinator Courtney Dixon said the projects helped enhance students’ critical thinking and communication and time-management skills. They had to work to deadlines as a group and talk to a range of people.

Students Aida Thompson and Evelyn Goddard chose to research dental health, as they felt it was an overlooked factor in New Zealand healthcare.

In speaking to three dental-health professionals, they found 40 per cent of children don’t know how to brush their teeth properly, prompting them to run a class at Takapuna Primary School, teaching dental-health practices.

Aida said they designed the class around the main ways children process information, using a range of verbal and physical methods.

Nicole Bowen, Chloe Day and Joudy Sorour looked into youth drinking. They said it was interesting to find out that the normalisation of alcohol through advertising and sponsorships contributes to youth drinking.

Miriam Cowen and Grace Kennerley researched Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), some of which have been found to be carcinogenic.

Their survey found 88.2 per cent of respondents didn’t know what PFAs were, so they ran a workshop explaining what they were and how the dangers associated with them can be avoided.

Money matters... Financial literacy was the topic explored by (from left) Milo Wibowo, Leo Anderson, Josh Irvine and Declan Kamalie. Right: Miriam Cowen and Grace Kennerley looked into PFAs.

Project props... Aida Thompson (left) and Evelyn Goddard with their presentation about dental health. Below: Nicole Bowen, Chloe Day and Joudy Sorour looked at the impacts of youth drinking.

Plans hatched for path to relocated beach-access mat

Plans have been drawn up to provide a new site for a special beach mat that makes it easier for people with disabilities or with pushchairs to easily access the sand and water at Takapuna.

The beach mat which has been in place for two summers at the bottom of the Strand will be relocated, though likely not for several years.

This is because a path to the new access further north along the beach needs to be built first, at a cost of nearly $300,000.

The mat has proved a popular addition to the beach reserve, which features an all-abilities playground and special toilet facilities.

But it has suffered some under-cutting of the sand beneath in its current location, which is also very busy with people walking onto the beach.

It is expected to be rolled out daily at its “not ideal” location at the end of the Strand from early next month, said Yes Disability Resource Centre chief executive Sonia Thursby.

Auckland Council staff outlined the future relocation plans to Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members recently, explaining how a relocated mat would be accessed via an extension to an existing path.

The path would provide a more gradual slope than the steep incline users had to negotiate currently.

It would lead to an existing break in the rock seawall.

From this point, the mat could be anchored and unrolled across the sand.

Senior project manager Roma Leota said the work would likely extend to 2027.

Budgets for design and building would be spread over three years, the cost adding up to just under $300,000.

Board members urged staff to ensure the voices of local disability groups were heard

in a future consultation process.

They suggested adding a shower attachment for wheelchair users to the existing beach shower.

Council’s coastal team, which monitors sand levels, is involved in planning and had approved current project design ideas, the local board was told.

New route... An accessible pathway (highlighted in red box) is likely to be built on Gould Reserve at Takapuna Beach near playgrounds (shown in blue). The path will extend from the barbecue area by the car park at the bottom of the Strand across to a new beach-access point for users of the mat, which is rolled out during summer.

Trades & Services

i a l i s t R E N E G A R D E N I G

R E N E

g a r d e n s p e c i a l i s t

T r e e p r u n i n g

l i s t R E N E G A R D E N I G

T r e e p r u n i n g

H e d g e t r i m m i n g

T r e e p r u n i n g H e d g e t r i m m i n g

T r e e p r u n i n g

T o p i a r y

H e d g e t r i m m i n g

T r e e p r u n i n g

H e d g e t r m m i n g