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.

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.

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.

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.

Tony Lewis

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,

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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.

Roger Hall

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