23 June 2023 Rangitoto Observer

Page 11

Woof! Dog Day Out photo spread... p8-9

rugby stars back for playoffs... p10

Extra rate mooted to fund Takapuna hub

Levying a special local rate has been suggested by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board as a way to pay for a new combined library and community services hub for Takapuna.

The suggestion is a surprise inclusion in the draft Local Board Plan which is expected to be approved by the board this week, before

community consultation ahead of the document being finalised later in the year.

Board chair Toni van Tonder told the Observer the board wanted to gauge opinion on the option of a targeted rate, in its bid to deliver the best possible services in a growing town centre.

“Once we’ve got a steer that we’ve got a

mandate, we would ask council to investigate it.”

The amount a targeted rate might be set at and what area it would be levied on had not been discussed, she said.

The board would have to seek the approval of Auckland Council’s To page 2

Diverse line-up... Korean students from Westlake Boys High School perform a haka at a combined Westlake schools Korean Night, held to celebrate traditional Korean culture, while also embracing different art forms. An audience of more than 1500 attended this month’s event, held at the WBHS auditorium. They raised $2023 for Red Cross for flood relief. Girls fan-dance photo, page 15.

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governing body for such a rate.

Van Tonder admitted it would be a hard sell to convince the public that more should be contributed by ratepayers towards new community facilities.

But she said board members wanted to explore what facilities people wanted for the future and if they would be prepared to pay more.

“I’m pretty realistic – some people are feeling the pinch, but I hope some people will see the vision.”

This was to deliver an “uplifting” new central hub over several floors of a new building in Waiwharariki Anzac Square, partly funded by selling off other ageing community assets.

A hub would bring together the library and other modernised community and council facilities under one roof, as well as providing a home for the local board, to save renting commercial premises for its offices.

A model was the well-used Te Manawa community facility at Westgate, which also includes a library, public space, bookable rooms and a commercial kitchen.

The idea of a targeted rate was raised by the board at a confidential workshop.

A petition to save Kennedy Park’s heritage-listed military fortifications had more than 800 signatures by early this week.

The Castor Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association and the Kennedy Park WWII Installations Preservation Trust launched the petition after learning council officers had suggested sealing off the tunnels and demolishing an old barracks at the site, as one option in the face of its maintenance needs.

The groups say the facilities have been neglected for too long. They want them at least shored up, until a plan can be agreed.

No decisions have yet been made, but Auckland Council staff have been asked

Eke Panuku had earlier identified that rising costs created a funding shortfall in the relocation option it put to the previous board.

The last board, which was divided over the ‘optimisation’ plan, did not make a decision, instead calling for more information on options. These range from the status quo of having three main council buildings, all of which require upgrades; to leasing air rights above them; or selling for private development, one, two or all of the Mary Thomas Centre on Gibbons Rd and Takapuna Library and the Community Services Building on The Strand.

The leaky Mary Thomas Centre needs $300,000 spent on upgrades, including roof replacement. Tenants from its top-floor have been moved to the services building, which houses other community groups and the war memorial hall.

Van Tonder recognised the library was well regarded, but said it could end up in the shadow of apartment blocks. It would also require money spent on it in due course.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do the right thing for the town centre,” she said, adding: “If there’s no appetite for it, there’s no appetite – we would just have to work with what we’ve got.”

to report back to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. This is expected next month.

Board chair Toni van Tonder said she had raised with Mayor Wayne Brown the difficulty of the board’s maintaining heritage assets from its reduced budget. She wants a city-wide heritage fund to help.

Van Tonder was relieved council’s recently agreed budget meant rather than the board losing 60 per cent, or $810,000, of its discretionary spending for community purposes, it was down about 9 per cent to $126,240. But hard decisions still lay ahead. • Guided tunnel tours will be held for a gold coin donation on Sunday 9 July, 11am-2pm.

The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 2 June 23, 2023
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Flower power: Volunteer recognised for hospice work

A lifelong flower enthusiast and volunteer for Harbour Hospice North Shore has this week been recognised for her 15 years of service.

Milford resident Robin Baxter has been arranging flowers for display at the hospice in Takapuna for 15 years. She calls it a “hobby that serves a greater purpose”.

“We can brighten up people’s lives. It has a usefulness about it and everyone needs to feel useful.”

The greenery in the hospice lobby “softens the hard interiors” and makes the space feel more lively, which the staff appreciate, Baxter says.

Harbour Hospice times its annual recognition of volunteers to coincide with National Volunteer Week, which this year runs from 18 to 24 June.

It gave long-service awards to 125 volunteers for periods of service up to 35 years. Many of the recipients attended an event on 22 June at the Milford Cruising Club.

Hospice chief executive Jan Nichols said the awards were an opportunity to thank the volunteers for their “dedication, hard work and loyalty”.

The longest-serving volunteer is accountant Wilf Marley, who lives in the city but for 35 years has been helping the organisation, with budgeting advice.

Baxter says she became involved through the Takapuna Floral Arts Club, when another member was organising helpers. She put her hand up and never looked back.

She says her love of flowers started due to having keen gardeners as parents.

Bright and beautiful... Volunteer Robin Baxter with a display of bird of paradise flowers and an autumn-themed bouquet made for the Takapuna Floral Art Club

Growing up in Edgecumbe, Baxter would arrange the flowers for the church she attended. She maintained her love of flowers through her working years at the National Bank and ANZ.

She and the other hospice volunteers either purchase flowers themselves or try to source them from their own or other gardens.

The flowers are replaced every Monday by Baxter, to ensure the displays are always fresh.

“There’s nothing sadder than dead flowers. I’d rather have an empty vase than a

vase full of dead flowers.”

Her love of flowers doesn’t stop when she leaves the hospice. She still makes bouquets for her church, and did the flowers for her granddaughter’s wedding. Her most moving task was doing the casket flowers for a close friend who died.

Baxter said it was good to be able to bring some beauty and life to the sadness of the funeral.

Along with her volunteer work at the hospice on Shea Tce, she plays bridge twice a week and enjoys other creative pastimes that exercise the brain.

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Word on buy-outs still a way off

Auckland Council has begun contacting property owners about possible buy-outs of homes in badly flood-prone areas of the city, including the North Shore.

Local board chair Toni van Tonder says some buyouts in Sunnynook-Totaravale and Milford are likely, but the number of properties involved is expected to be relatively limited. Details are still being worked on between council and the government.

Flood relief trickles out

Rates relief was granted this month to 66 of 70 applicants with badly flood-hit homes in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.

Auckland Council staff said of city-wide rebates of $1.3 million, 20 per cent went to the north. Rebates cover full third- and fourth-quarter instalments. The fund is now closed, having paid out a total of 806 rebates.

The mayoral emergency relief fund, launched after the January floods and closed in early March, has so far made 69 hardship payouts from 84 applications lodged locally. It has a backlog of applications. City-wide, it has so far paid out $2m of a $3.7m fund.

Flood Fallout

Bodyline by Guy Body

Emergency exercise held in the city

Auckland Emergency Management staged a civil defence scenario last weekend, to better prepare community volunteers and leaders, after itself being criticised for its flood response in January.

Among those attending were board

member Mel Powell from Sunnynook and former board members Ruth Jackson and Trish Deans who are part of Takapuna and Devonport local response groups respectively. Powell said it was a useful session, but more community back-up was needed.

Briefs

Cup run comes to end

Takapuna FC were knocked out of the Chatham Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Melville United AFC last weekend. An own goal from Daniel Gleissner-Broom in the fourth minute saw Melville take a lead Takapuna couldn’t come back from, ending its hopes in the third round of the competition. Takapuna will look to bounce back in its Northern League fixture this Saturday, 24 June, against Eastern Suburbs. The match will be played at home on Taharoto Park.

The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 4 June 23, 2023
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Mudlarks... Volunteers emerging from the mangroves during a community cleanup of the flood-hit Wairau Estuary last weekend are (clockwise from top left): Bryce Scanlen, from Milford; Estefania Ruvaleasa who travelled to help girlfriend Heidi Aspell (standing) from Sunnynook; and locals Phil Brown, Norma Bott, and Viv Cole. Bott, co-chair of the Milford Residents Association, which, with Pupuke Birdsong Project, organised this second community working bee, shows an unusual find of an ornamental metal bird. Most waste collected – around 20 cubic metres – was plastic litter or treated timber washed downstream. Milford Mariners will barge out a large pile of timber left stacked near the creek, near Omana Rd. The Conservation Volunteers group held a beach clean-up earlier the same day, with plastics predominating.

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Officials back down on consents info

Auckland Council has done an about-turn on withholding resource consent applications, after pressure from local news media and Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member George Wood (pictured).

The consents have for some years been sent on by some board members to residents groups and the news media to alert them of any applications of wider public interest.

But council staff recently told board members they were sent the lists to help them carry out their duties “and it was not intended that this information be shared”.

Any member of the public, company or entity could subscribe to the weekly lists at a cost of more than $1600 a year, a staff member told the members.

Wood, who had previously passed on the lists, considered the instruction illogical. All council information was public unless there was a reason to withhold it, said Wood, who sought further clarification.

So did the Rangitoto Observer’s sister publication The Devonport Flagstaff, which called for the resource consents to remain freely available.

Last week, a council spokesperson said the practice had been reviewed: “The resource consents team have confirmed that the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board is able to share the list of lodged resource consent applications

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Wood was happy the public and residents groups would continue to be informed, but remained confused over why the ruling to ban circulation was issued in the first place.

Board chair Toni van Tonder said she was pleased the situation had been clarified, but noted that resource consents were raw applications which had not been reviewed by council and could be a long way from approval.

• Wood was also on the case last week over the board’s use of confidential sessions for some of its workshops.

Though previously a supporter of closed workshops, he challenged van Tonder on why the board, having chosen to continue an open-workshop policy of the previous board, was not applying it universally.

The session was the last of a series of budget workshops with staff. The matter will go to a business meeting, where decisions on workshop topics are made, at times with little debate. Before the workshop began, Wood said: “We’re supposed to do our business in the open.”

Van Tonder said in this case confidentiality was needed to allow for free and frank conversations. “We’ve been talking about stripping things back and now we need reallocations.”

Final decisions would be made at an upcoming open meeting, she said.

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Takapuna and Devonport snaffle bulk of board grants

Grants doled out to support community activities and events in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area are skewed in favour of groups based in Takapuna and Devonport, a check has found.

An assessment of allocations by the board last year has found northern suburbs received less than central and southern areas (see graph). “You can see there is some disparity,” board adviser Rhiannon Guinness said in presenting the data, which had been requested by the board.

The central area, centred on Takapuna and including Hauraki, did best, netting 44 per cent of $189,000 in funding. The vast majority went to groups based in the metropolitan centre or for events held there.

Close behind was the southern section, receiving 39 per cent of funding, for groups mostly based in Devonport. While a number of these groups service residents of the wider peninsula, including Bayswater and Belmont, the small Devonport town centre was a big beneficiary when compared with the northern board area, which includes the larger Milford town centre.

The northern area, including Milford, Sunnynook, Forrest Hill and Castor Bay, received just 13 per cent of funding.

The remaining 4 per cent of funding was to groups from the wider North Shore that provide benefits to people in the board area.

Board members said the report would prove useful for next financial year’s funding rounds.

“The information will help us be more directed,” said chair Toni van Tonder.

The slant towards the central and southern parts of the board was partly explained by these being well-established areas, with groups used to lobbying council.

In the case of Takapuna, deputy chair Terence Harpur, who is also Takapuna Beach Business Association chief executive, was quick to point out it was the biggest centre and also played host to organisations that covered the wider area, such as North Shore Budgeting Service,

DTLB Grants Share

Over several recent workshops allocating amounts of money under $2000, a tightening of future grants criteria has been signalled to deal with reduced budgets.

Repeat applicants in one year are likely to face more scrutiny than in the past. Groups were not ruled out from receiving a second small grant if money was available, but if they were already getting alternative board funding would be considered lower priority.

An Auckland Council grants adviser, Vincent Marshall, said grants to cover salary and travel costs are not allowed.

Nor are they meant to fund the likes of school or church groups, but board members plan to continue using their discretion over some fundraising events, such as the biannual Sculpture on the Shore, which also offer a visitor-attraction benefit or bring people together.

Auckland North Community and Development (Ancad) and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Board member Peter Allen said it would be useful to know the number of grants that did not get approved and if these mirrored the same geographic pattern.

Member George Wood said, based on population, the north was not getting as much, but it had fewer incorporated societies with a track record of making applications.

Member Mel Powell noted the northern region’s ethnic makeup, saying some cultures did not like to ask for money. Their participation needed to be encouraged. “We need to look with an open mind.”

Feedback used to shape the board’s draft Local Plan showed the community had environmental initiatives as a top priority, and this should be reflected in grants, she added.

Guinness told the board she had not looked at the split between grants for arts, community and sports purposes but could do so.

The board will emphasise support for activities that deliver wider community benefit, so the days of sports groups asking for money for limited-use items such as tennis balls or small coaching courses are over. However, applications for upgrades to clubrooms, such as with heat-pumps or dishwashers, are still allowed.

The board noted the high cost of traffic management plans (TMP) required by Auckland Transport, but because this was a factor for many groups staging events, member Gavin Busch urged against paying costs towards this, cautioning: “If we do for one, we do for all.”

Member Mel Powell said she would like events the board supported to include a “healthy choices” clause, so the likes of fizzy drinks and baking were not available, and for organisers to be made accountable around events being waste- and smoke-free.

Members also favoured a local-first focus, saying a number of groups from out of area turned up making slick presentations, but could often call on support from other avenues.

The board offers a range of grants from $500 to $5000. The next financial year will have two grants rounds, one in July and one in January.

June 23, 2023 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 7 become a volunteer bring your smile and feel good about doing good phone Julie Read 09 485 3536 harbourhospice.org.nz/volunteer
2021/2022 DTLB Grants Approved Grants: 76 Granted: $188,538.47 REGION Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage DT 11 $24,687.00 13% DT 31 $82,173.10 44% DT 28 $74,178.37 39% North Shore 6 $7,500 4% DT Breadown Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage Sunnynook 3 $7,080.00 4% Hill 2 $5,979.00 3% 5 $10,128.00 5% Bay 1 $1,500 1% DT Breakdown Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage Takapuna 30 $80,673.10 43% 1 $1,500.00 1% Approved Grants By Region Upper DT Central DT Lower DT Outer North Shore Upper DT Breakdown Sunnynook Forrest Hill Milford Castor Bay Central DT Breakdown Takapuna Hauraki Breakdown Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage 2 $3,792.59 2% 3 $12,420.00 7% 3 $10,000.00 5% 1 $695.00 Less than 1% 19 $47,270.78 25% 6 $7,500.00 4% Lower DT Breakdown Bayswater Belmont Narrow Neck Stanley Bay Devonport
Approved Grants By Area Upper DT Central DT Lower DT Outer North Shore Approved Grants: 76 Total Granted: $188,538.47 BY REGION Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage Upper DT 11 $24,687.00 13% Central DT 31 $82,173.10 44% Lower DT 28 $74,178.37 39% Outer North Shore 6 $7,500 4% Upper DT Breadown Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage Sunnynook 3 $7,080.00 4% Forrest Hill 2 $5,979.00 3% Milford 5 $10,128.00 5% Castor Bay 1 $1,500 1% Central DT Breakdown Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage Takapuna 30 $80,673.10 43% Hauraki 1 $1,500.00 1% Approved Grants By Region Upper DT Central DT Lower DT Outer North Shore Upper DT Breakdown Sunnynook Forrest Hill Milford Castor Bay Central DT Breakdown Takapuna Hauraki 28 $74,178.37 39% Shore 6 $7,500 4% Breadown Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage 3 $7,080.00 4% 2 $5,979.00 3% 5 $10,128.00 5% 1 $1,500 1% Breakdown Approved Grants Total Granted Percentage 30 $80,673.10 43% 1 $1,500.00 1% Upper DT Central DT Lower DT Outer North Shore Upper DT Breakdown Sunnynook Forrest Hill Milford Castor Bay Central DT Breakdown Takapuna Hauraki Upper DTLB Breakdown Sunnynook Forrest Hill Milford Castor Bay Lower DTLB Breakdown Bayswater Belmont Narrow Neck Stanley Bay Devonport Central DTLB Breakdown Takapuna Hauraki

Fans flock for furry friends’ fun and frolics

Takapuna’s Dog Day Out event on 10 June drew a big crowd to Hurstmere Green, where canines and their owners walked the runway. Stalls, live music and nutrition and training talks were also on offer.

Big bad woof: (clockwise from above left) Little Red Riding Hood with her labrador disguised as a grandmother; Boston the beagle caught mid-trick in a performance that earned him second-place in the runway event; Rocky and Amir Foalad enjoy a break from running a market stall; and appropriately named Acrobat goes up for a high five after performing a series of jumps.

The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 8 June 23, 2023

Ready to shine... Takapuna local Sarah Bullen comforts Bonnie the pomeranian cross with a hug before they hit the runway; Akira the Saint Bernard, with owner Tracey Shaw, comes in for a closer look at the camera; Hauraki resident Quinton Baddeley and German shepherd Billy take a break in the sun; poodle Harley Parker models a crochet outfit on the runway.

June 23, 2023 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 9

Takapuna stars return for season’s business end

Takapuna may have lost its second local derby to North Shore this season with a 25-17 defeat at home earlier this month, but the match saw a return of many of its stars.

Takapuna had Moana Pacifica players Fini and Lotu Inisi quickly back into the side after their super-rugby season finished. New Zealand sevens player Moses Leo, along with 2022 New Zealand Secondary Schools lock Tristyn Cook and former Westlake Boys High School XV captain, also played, along with top centre Jordan Hyland.

Shore won a closely contested match 25-17, though Takapuna was on attack for much of the second half.

Takapuna beat Helensville 57-13 last weekend in its final round before the playoffs. It has a bye this weekend and is likely to qualify in third place.

The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 10 June 23, 2023
Big guns, young gun... Brother Fini (above) and Lotu (below) Inisi are back from playing for Moana Pacifica, complete with their lookalike snowy hairdos; and (left) Tristyn Cook, the 2022 Westlake Boys first XV captain and fast-rising talent at lock, readies for action
Sport
Try time... Taufui Lolohea (left) runs in against North Shore; Tseard van der Mei on attack

Keep war memorial where it is

I read in the Rangitoto Observer that the location of the Takapuna War Memorial is under debate again (Observer, 26 May).

My involvement with the memorial stems from my time as the Takapuna Community Board chairman in 1999/2000, when it was designed and first installed on its current site.

The board’s decision to site it there was endorsed by the North Shore City Council and the RSA. Iwi provided the te reo wording on the memorial. The memorial architect did a very fine job. The design’s nautical theme suits this beach and sailing community. Furthermore, the memorial was designed to be relocated, but, in the entirety of its original form.

I believe that Auckland Council and Panuku have erred badly in not making the relocation of the existing memorial the central feature of the new Takapuna town square. They have

failed veterans and the community at large.

I believe that Auckland Council and the Local Board should ensure this unique memorial is preserved intact either in its current location or in a new location. That is necessary to keep faith with and honour the memory of all those whose names are inscribed on the memorial. Shallow commercial interests should not override what is right in their memory.

My personal opinion is that in light of the inadequacy of the square site for the memorial, it should remain in its original form and existing location.

I feel that the space available at the current site, if better utilised, is suitable for future Anzac Day commemorations, provided that sound amplification is utilised so that the proceedings are audible to all present.

Show pride in historic Kennedy Park

Over the years I have been taking my now 20-year-old grandson to different parts of Auckland to get him to know and love the city.

The trip he liked the best was when we walked from Castor Bay through Kennedy Park, with its splendid views and historic Rahopara pa site finishing at the barracks,

Write to the Rangitoto

gun emplacements and the deception architecture building.

He commented, “I learned a lot about World War Two I didn’t know before.”

Far from considering demolition of this significant piece of history, our council should show pride in it and promote it.

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

Do you know Patricia?

My Name is Winston Hills and I live in Perth, Western Australia.

I’m desperately searching for a lovely lady whose first name is Patricia and who is a lifelong friend of my brother, Frederick Maurice Hills. (Deceased)

I don’t actually know Patricia’s surname. I only know that she lives somewhere, possibly on a hill, in Takapuna or Devonport.

I don’t know her actual age either, but would respectfully say that she would be somewhere around eighty (80) years of age.

I ask that if anyone knows a lady with the first name Patricia who lives in the North Shore area, would they be so kind as to ask that person if she knows of Frederick Maurice Hills. (Pictured below.)

If you are able to find her, I would very much like her to make contact with me by my email, winstonhills2@bigpond.com or she can text me on +61 418 906 697 and I will give her a call.

I attach this photo of my brother Frederick holding our grandson that I hope is of assistance.

Thank you everyone in

June 23, 2023 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 11
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Former UN man flies Labour flag in local seat

The Labour Party’s recently selected candidate for North Shore has moved into the electorate, keen to familiarise himself with local issues ahead of the election this year.

And George Hampton believes his international experience at the United Nations, as a senior adviser with a focus on sustainable energy helping combat climate change, also has direct relevance to the challenges residents face here.

“People have told me they are anxious when it rains now,” he said.

Climate change was one of his motivators for getting into politics, along with equity issues. “Events this year have shown us how close we are to the tipping point.”

Hampton and his wife have relocated to Bayswater, with their four-month-old daughter, and are looking to buy locally.

Raised in Christchurch, Hampton has some family pedigree on the North Shore: his mother, Jennie, lived in Takapuna in the 1970s and started a local kindergarten and his grandmother lived in Devonport for 50 years, he said.

Despite spending much of the last decade overseas, Hampton sees his future in New Zealand.

The 41-year-old former diplomat and Fulbright scholar, who spent time as a teaching fellow at Columbia University and also studied at Harvard, is something

of a high-flyer to be running in a seat long viewed as safe for National. His selection was uncontested.

Hampton is also a co-owner of the Mr Whippy franchise in New Zealand.

Before being posted to Vienna, then New York, he spent time as a policy adviser to Helen Clark in the run-up to the 2008 election.

He also worked on her unsuccessful bid in 2016 to become United Nations Secretary-General.

He has other Labour Party connections, including through his aunt Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, a former Minister of Pacific Island Affairs.

Politics and social issues were on the menu for dinner-table conversation growing up as one of seven siblings, he said.

His father is prominent Christchurch defence lawyer Nigel Hampton KC and his mother worked in his father’s law practice.

“Mum and Dad always showed people compassion,” he said.

Although sitting National Party MP Simon Watts holds a comfortable 3734-vote majority, Hampton points out that Labour won the party vote in the seat.

His aim, he says, is to “give people who had a good long look at Labour last time a chance to do so again”.

Hampton said he is in politics for the long haul.

“We as a country are going to face a huge number of challenges in the next 20 years. I want to be part of a party that deals with that in a positive and optimistic way.”

TAKAPUNA | 17 EWEN STREET

Prime Freehold Opportunity

Located in sought after Ewen Street just a short distance from Takapuna beach sits this stunning 562sqm (approx) freehold section ready for development. The section is elevated, basked in sun, has a gentle contour, it’s own vehicle access and has the potential to capture gorgeous sea views. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build your dream home on a prime site this close to the Beach in a location that is tightly held. 17 Ewen Street is in the process of being subdivided. (Title to Issue)

June 23, 2023 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 13
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Hoping to make a dent in the National vote… George Hampton Est.1984
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WHAT’S ON @ Takapuna Library

Ruthless interrogation drives upcoming thriller at PumpHouse

A tense thriller by a successful New Zealand playwright is being staged at the PumpHouse Theatre later this month.

An Unseasonable Fall of Snow is a psychological thriller about an interrogation in which a ruthless investigator, Arthur, is determined to obtain a confession from the accused, Liam.

Director James Bell told the Observer the story keeps the audience guessing. “You never know what’s going to happen next.”

The play was written in 1998 by Aucklander Gary Henderson, whose works have been professionally produced in South Africa, Australia, Great Britain, Canada and the United States, as well as New Zealand.

His most well-travelled play, Skin Tight, won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1998

Exhibition:

Combined Cosmologies

Angela Morton Room

Te Pātaka Toi Art Library

Level 1, Takapuna Library

Until 27 August 2023

Beach Haven artist Pauline Thompson (1942-2012) was inspired by a deep knowledge of Polynesian history and mythologies and was a direct descendant of ‘Bounty’ mutineer Fletcher Christian and his Tahitian wife, Mauatua. Convinced that the spiritual pervades all of nature and humanity, Pauline’s vibrant paintings depict unexpected linkages between the everyday and the cosmic.

We are exhibiting paintings and artefacts associated with Pauline’s highly creative life in a show that coincides with the first retrospective of her work being held at Pah Homestead. Both exhibitions are curated by Peter Shaw.

School holiday fun

Come celebrate Matariki with Takapuna Library these school holidays! From the 1st to the 16th of July, there will be a range of free activities on at Takapuna Library for tamariki (children), all themed around the nine whetu (stars) of Matariki. You can sing waiata (songs), do arts and crafts, take part in our star scavenger hunt or paper plane competition, or add your hopes to our Wishing Wall. Check out our event schedule in the library or on Facebook.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY Kathryn Robertson

Residential Sales 021 490 480

Henderson, who for six years taught playwriting at Unitec’s School of Performing and Screen Arts, runs writing-for-theatre classes at the PumpHouse, teaching attendees how to craft 10-minute plays.

Christopher Raven will take on the role of Arthur at the PumpHouse, while Matthew Diesch will portray Liam.

Sinead O’Flynn is an understudy for both roles and will play either character in two of the six shows.

Bell said since Covid it has been important to make sure productions have good back-up for cast members. Actors used to be able to soldier on when they had a cold, but a Covid case could derail a whole show.

O’Flynn had the challenge of learning the mannerisms, traits, dialogue and blocking of two different characters, said Bell.

“It’s been interesting rehearsing it and seeing how the three different actors interpret the characters.”

The play is being put on by local theatre company Foolish Wit, which was started by Bell in 2015, with the goal of occupying the middle ground between community and professional theatre.

It aims to give opportunities to actors, directors and others to experience semi-professional theatre and transition into making money, Bell said.

The company shares all profits. It operates without a home base, so stores equipment in private cars and cupboards, and rehearses in either Takapuna or Milford, depending on what venues it can get access to.

“We’d rather put the money into the productions and doing a good job,” Bell said. • An Unseasonable Fall of Snow, 27 June to 2 July, at the Coal Bunker at the PumpHouse. Tickets at pumphouse.co.nz

The PumpHouse Theatre, Auckland 24 June - 15 July timbray.org.nz

E: Kathryn.robertson@bayleys.co.nz

The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 14 June 23, 2023 Arts / Entertainment Pages
by Tim Bray Auckland’s leading theatre for children
UNDER THE REA ACT
W: kathrynrobertson.bayleys.co.nz LICENSED
2008
Guy Fawkes Night II, 1982. Oil on canvas. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Ta - maki.

Fan girls... Students from Westlake Girls High School show their dance skills while wearing traditional costumes in a performance during a special Korean Night held this month. Drumming, classical music, martial arts and K-pop were among other performances.

Show back for Matariki

The play .co.nz is returning to the PumpHouse Theatre for Matariki, with a season running from 11-15 July.

The story follows three friends navigating their way through modern life, dealing with issues such as discrimination, relationships and connecting with te ao Māori. Find out more at pumphouse.co.nz.

June 23, 2023 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 15 Arts / Entertainment Pages
PH: 489 8360 PUMPHOUSE.CO.NZ The Magic Faraway Tree 24 JUNE-15 JULY Tall tales from an enchanted wood An Unseasonable Fall of Snow 27 JUNE-2 JULY A tense psychological thriller by Gary Henderson .co.nz  by Mark Wilson
JULY (Free/Koha Entry) Embark on a transformative journey this Matariki 48 Victoria Road | (09) 446 0100 | www.thevic.co.nz
SHOWING Elemental (PG) 102min NEW No Hard Feelings (R16) 103min NEW Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (M) 127min NEW The Flash (M) 144min NEW You Hurt My Feelings (M) 93min NEW Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (M) 154min Preview 28 JUN COMING SOON Country Cabaret (M) 109min 29 JUN Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (M) 154min 29 JUN The Last Rider (E) 96min 29 JUN The Vic Open Mic Night (Free entry) 29 JUN events@thevic.co.nz SPECIALS CHEAP TUESDAY ALL TICKETS $10 *EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS SPECIAL EVENT
PHOTO: YEAR !3 STUDENT ALISON FAN
11-15
NOW

TAKAPUNA

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TAKAPUNA

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Poetry in Design and Luxury

Verse is a new chapter in modern living, a collection of 14 elegant townhouses with lifts in Bracken Avenue under construction. • Option One: 4 bedrooms 196sqm (approx)

• Option Two: 3 bedrooms 191sqm (approx)

• Option Three 3 bedrooms 169 sqm (approx)

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The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 16 June 23, 2023 premium.co.nz | Fine Homes | Fine Apartments | Fine Lifestyles PREMIUM REAL ESTATE LTD LICENSED REAA 2008 | 916 6000 Est.1984

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