7 June 2024, Rangitoto Observer

Milford restaurant-bar wants tavern licence... p5

Flood victims still seek clarity... p8

Shore director’s ballet movie arrives... p20

Market eyes expansion – and Thursday evenings

The operator of Takapuna’s Sunday market wants to expand beyond Waiwharariki Anzac Square to Hurstmere Green, and also run food-focused Thursday evening events on the green.

Matt Jones, who has run the market since last September, told council property arm Eke Panuku of his expansion aims in discussions

about the renewal of his existing one-year lease.

Under existing terms, the market is limited to operating on Sundays in the central part of the square.

Jones wants to spread into the public space leading out to Hurstmere Rd and to set up over the road on the green.

He also wants to operate on the green on Thursdays between 5pm to 9pm, with an occupancy of 3pm to 10pm to allow stallholders to set up and pack down.

Eke Panuku briefed the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board about the requests at a wide-ranging workshop update last week on To page 3

With warmest wishes for winter

Lots to offer... Milford Primary School student leaders (from left) Sophia Fussell, Harper Wright, Viviane Beng, Phoebe Paterson and Emilia Kwan with some of the blankets, warm clothes and canned food which were donated in a winter charity drive at the school. Story, page 7.

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COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARDS

of the Year: Runner-up

MANAGING EDITOR: Rob Drent

EDITOR: Janetta Mackay

REPORTER: Lochlan Lineham

ADVERTISING: Candice Izzard

PRODUCTION: Brendon De Suza

NEXT ISSUE: June 21

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Observer team recognised at awards HON SIMON WATTS

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

The team behind the Rangitoto Observer and sister newspaper the Devonport Flagstaff won four prizes at the New Zealand Community Newspaper Association Awards announced in Auckland last month.

Devonport Publishing’s managing editor and veteran journalist Rob Drent was judged best feature writer and runner-up in the best senior news journalist category.

Observer editor Janetta Mackay collected the runner-up award in the best headlines category. The award which cited “clever word play” follows the Observer being named runner-up as best community newspaper last year.

Drent has owned and edited for 27 years.

Judges said Drent’s feature entry demonstrated a wide range of journalistic skills over a broad range of topics.

The Ashburton Guardian was judged best community newspaper for 2023.

Drent said it was always good to be recognised nationally in competition against bigger papers with larger budgets.

A 16-page liftout in the Flagstaff on the North Shore Rugby Club premiers victory over Takapuna in the 2023 North Harbour championship – in the club’s 150th year –claimed runner-up in the best feature/supplement category from entries published in 2023.

Drent’s winning feature-writing entry contained three Flagstaff stories and a fourth spread from the Observer’s extensive flood coverage, focusing on impacts in Milford. His news stories all ran in the Flagstaff, which

The tight-knit team behind the two fortnightly papers had expanded over the years, with the February 2019 launch of the Observer, he said. It now included 10 staff and contributors (Drent, Mackay, reporter Lochlan Lineham, sales manager Candice Izzard, along with production contractor Brendon De Suza, sub-editor Bevan Rapson, proofreader Graham Adams, and regular freelancers in photographer Kathryn Nobbs, writer Helen Vause and cartoonist Guy Body.)

“Everyone puts their heart and soul into the Flagstaff and the Observer and it shows in the end product,” Drent said.

“All our staff live locally and that’s what it’s all about really – local stories written by locals for locals.”

News team... Reporter Lochlan Lineham, Devonport Publishing managing editor Rob Drent and Observer editor Janetta Mackay at the Community Newspaper Association awards night

Westlake Girls basketball star back in black

Westlake Girls High School basketballer Zenthia Stowers (right) has been named in the under-18 Junior Tall Ferns side after missing out on national selection for two years.

Zenthia represented New Zealand at under-15 level but missed out on selection for the under-16 and under-17 squads before being picked to compete at the FIBA under-18 Asian Cup this month.

The 17-year-old was pleased to have the privilege of representing her country again. “I just continued to work hard on my game as a player and as a leader.”

Her selection meant she had to withdraw from the Westlake Girls side contesting the ISF World School Basketball Championship, due to a scheduling clash.

Representing New Zealand was too good an opportunity to turn down. “I’ve got a really good support system at Westlake and I know that they would’ve been more than happy to support me in this decision.”

The New Zealand team is aiming for a topfour finish at the tournament, which would earn qualification to the FIBA under-19 World Cup next year. “It’ll definitely test our limits but we’ll do our best to rise to the challenge.”

After the Asia Cup Zenthia will focus on the club nationals with North Harbour in July and going for a third straight national title with Westlake in September.

The year 13 student said in the longer term she would like to win a scholarship to play college basketball in the United States.

Westlake Girls alumni Rebecca Moors was also selected for the under-18 Tall Ferns squad.

Developers put back Takapuna projects Hoop

From page 1

its oversight of town-centre developments in Takapuna.

The briefing also revealed that, due to the economic slowdown, 12-month resource-consent extensions have been granted to two developers of major Takapuna projects – Willis Bond, which plans apartments on the Anzac St car-park land it acquired from Auckland Council, and McConnell, which plans a 37-storey build-to-rent tower for the corner block bounded by Auburn, Huron and Northcroft Sts.

Eke Panuku’s northern priority location director, Kate Cumberpatch, said “both are keen – but marketing and construction has slowed down”.

Development of the other sites bordering the square would take a longer time, she said. One of them, on the south-west corner by the bus station, is now being looked at for a basketball hoop. (see story at right)

Reaction from board members to Jones’s Thursday market idea was cautious, with several concerned this might hurt existing eateries if held weekly.

Member Peter Allen, who is a board representative at Takapuna Beach Business Association meetings (TBBA), said its members were against having a food-focused evening market because food trucks and stalls could damage businesses. “Takapuna doesn’t need that at the moment.”

Board chair Toni van Tonder said there were competing needs to consider. A night market was a good idea but monthly might be a better option to trial, she suggested. It could attract families who would not go to restaurants, but granting landholder approval to one operator might prevent others using Hurstmere Green for the likes of Christmas events. She wanted the operator to brief the board directly on his aspirations.

Eke Panuku said it was generally happy with how the Sunday market was going. Members agreed. Gavin Busch said quality had lifted, but he queried the pack-down times being taken to vacate the site.

Mel Powell said traffic using the service lane was sometimes a risk to pedestrians. Eke Panuku said it was looking at installing bollards to block the lane for safety during events on the square.

considered for town square

A basketball hoop is a likely addition to the southern corner of Waiwharariki Anzac Square, near Lake Rd.

Eke Panuku said it was considering an opportunity to install a hoop in conjunction with the Takapuna Beach Business Association (TBBA). The space would not be needed for development for some years, the council property arm told the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board last week.

“It’s an idea to activate [the square] at low cost,” said board deputy chair Terence Harpur, who is also chief executive of the TBBA. Harpur explained the plan was at its early stages and would need board approval. Court markings and an improved surface might be included. Chain link fencing would protect nearby buildings.

Board member Mel Powell said the idea was good, but there might be problems with noise at night. Member George Wood said checks should be made to see if there was resistance from nearby businesses. Board chair Toni van Tonder said the empty space needed to be used and a hoop was a great idea.

European numbers fall in Census

Ethnic minority populations continue to rise in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area, results from the 2023 Census show.

The number of people in the area identifying as European dropped from 40,152 (69.3 per cent of the total) to 38,493 (66.4 per cent) between 2018 and 2023, a decrease of 4.1 per cent. Europeans now make up just over two-thirds of the population, compared with over three-quarters (75.9 per cent) in 2013.

Those identifying as Asian rose from 15,249 to 16,842 (from 26.3 to 29 per cent), a rise of 10.4 per cent, between 2018 and 2023.

Numbers rose also for those identifying as Maori (up 12.9 per cent to 3603), Pacific people (up 17.5 per cent to 1695) and the Middle Eastern, Latin American and African category (up 22.8 per cent to 1812).

The 2023 Census found an increase of 1458 (6.4 per cent) in the number of dwellings in the local-board area, from 22,635 in 2018 to 24,093 in 2023.

The ‘usually resident population’ count for Devonport-Takapuna was 58,005, an increase of 30 people from 2018.

The median age in the area increased from 39.4 in 2018 to 40.8 in 2023, reflecting the 60-plus age groups making up a growing proportion of the local population.

This was most marked in the 75–79 and 80–84 age groups, which increased by a combined 22.6 per cent (657 people). At the other end of the age spectrum, the number of under-10s declined by 12.9 per cent, a reduction of 864 on the 2018 count, while the 20-29 age groups were down by 633, a drop of 8.3 per cent.

The first insights from the 2023 Census data were published on 29 May 2024, with further data releases to follow during 2024 and 2025.

Centenarian Cassino veteran finally receives long-service medal

A 102-year-old Castor Bay war veteran has been granted an unexpected extra medal after a long and distinguished service career.

Les Wright had the New Zealand Armed Forces Award and clasp presented to him at his home last month by the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell.

“He was probably a boy by the time I retired,” joked Brigadier (Rtd) Wright, whose 36-year career in the New Zealand Army came to a close in 1977.

Wright enlisted during World War II, seeing action as a gunner at Monte Cassino in Italy with the 30 Battery, 6th Field Regiment, New Zealand Artillery, three years later.

During preparations for the recent 80th commemorations of the landmark battle, the Army realised he was eligible for another medal, recognising officers of the regular forces who completed 15 years’ service and whose character and conduct have been irreproachable. The clasp recognises a further 15 years of good conduct.

In Wright’s time, officers did not get

local

long-service medals. “But it didn’t bother me. It was part of the rules and I accepted the rules as they were,” he said.

Long-service medals were instituted after he retired, with the eligibility further extended in 2020 to those who had served from 1952 onward.

Major General Boswell said it was a pleasure and a privilege to recognise Wright, whose World War II service included deployment to Japan, after which he headed home on Christmas Eve 1946.

During his time in the Army, Wright went on further overseas deployments including to the Middle East, Malaya (now Malaysia) from 1959-1962 and Singapore from 1970-1973. He was second in command of the 2nd/1st Battalion during the Malaya Emergency and commanding officer in New Zealand in 1962.

In recognition of his time in Malaya he was appointed a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1961, for distinguished service.

Better late than never... Les Wright received a long-service medal and clasp from Chief of Army Major General John Boswell

Former Silver Ferns skipper and Spark boss recognised

Two Milford residents, businesswoman Jolie Hodson and former Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson, have been made members of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Wilson (nee Harper) was part of the squad that won the Netball World Cup in 2003 before captaining the team to its first Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2006.

She retired from international play in 2007, following 79 test appearances.

Trained as a lawyer, she was prominent in

establishing the Netball Players’ Association, serving on its board from 2007 to 2023, which she chaired from 2017 to 2023. She spent time as its interim executive manager in 2015 and 2021. She was also a board member of Auckland Netball for 10 years.

Wilson is a familiar face commentating on netball for Sky Sport, for which her husband, former All Black and Black Cap Jeff Wilson, also works. They have two sons.

Hodson has been CEO and executive director of Spark New Zealand since 2019,

having held other executive roles, including CFO, from 2013.

She helped co-found On Being Bold in 2017, alongside a group of other businesswomen, aiming to inspire and empower women to succeed in business.

Hodson became convenor of the Climate Leaders Coalition in 2022, encouraging New Zealand businesses that account for nearly a third of Aotearoa’s GDP to do more.

She was named Deloitte Top 200’s Chief Executive of the Year in 2022.

Milford restaurant-bar seeks switch to tavern licence

Public opinion seems mixed over a Milford restaurant-bar’s application to change its alcohol on-licence to a tavern classification.

The Milford Motel, which opened near the corner of East Coast Rd and Shakespeare Rd in August last year, currently operates under a restaurant licence.

Restaurants are intended to be principally for supplying meals, while taverns chiefly provide alcohol and other refreshments. Taverns often provide entertainment such as live music.

When the Milford Residents Association notified its members of the application during its annual general meeting last month, some attendees expressed concern that a tavern licence classification would mean more noise, which they said could often be heard by residents up East Coast Rd.

But Milford Business Association manager Murray Hill told the Observer most people in the community supported the application and that only a small group of “Nimbys” were complaining.

The Milford Motel currently holds an alcohol on-licence and operates as a class 1 restaurant ,which allows it to have a separate bar area which can run in the manner of a tavern at least one night a week.

The application from BCR Hospitality

Limited to vary the Milford Motel on-licence says noise complaints have previously been made to council but all resulted in a finding of either “No Noise” or “Not Excessive”.

Council had conducted a monitoring site visit and found the noise levels were compliant, and the applicant’s own readings had found that the noise from the venue was within the required Unitary Plan limits.

A noise-management plan was in place and adhered to and the sound system had “limiters” installed.

The period for public objections to the application closes on 13 June.

If objections are received, an inspector is required to investigate concerns raised. The file, including the inspector’s report, is then forwarded to the District Licensing Committee (DLC), which will set a date for a hearing.

The DLC will make a decision on the application after the hearing is held.

When there are no objections, or any opposition from licensing inspectors, police or the Medical Officer of Health, the DLC makes a decision without a hearing being required.

The applicants did not respond by press time to a request for comment on their plans.

Licence change wanted... Milford Motel, viewed from East Coast Rd

1 June - 31 July 2024

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School pupils take the lead in charitable campaign

Milford Primary School students have collected blankets, warm clothes and canned food for a charity which provides them to children in need across the country.

Sixteen of the schools student leaders or kaiārahi made posters, talked to classes and wrote items for the school newsletter to raise awareness for the clothes drive they hosted last month, which brought in a vanload of goods for the Give a Kid a Blanket charity.

The organisation has been operating since 2015, aiming to relieve the effects of poverty by providing goods to keep people warm over winter.

The students spent two weeks raising awareness for the drive then collected the items over an eight-day period, organising the pickup schedules themselves.

Deputy principal Nicola Hewitt said that as well as providing a service for those in need the programme taught students how to be positive community members and gave them a wider perspective about the world. “You notice they become more community minded, which is important,” she said. “It’s a bit of an eye opener for some of them.”

The school has been doing the clothing drive for seven years, with students shaping campaigns to best meet the need identified by Give a Kid a Blanket.

Kind donations... Milford Primary School’s Olivia Yang with a vanload of goods for children in need

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Flood victims still pleading for clarity from council

A testy public meeting in Milford last week left residents not much the wiser about flood buy-out progress and infrastructure measures to protect their properties.

But it did emerge that some properties capable of being saved by council infrastructure work may be made eligible for buy-outs, due to the long wait owners would otherwise have to endure.

Auckland Council staff at the meeting attended by around 130 people were given the clear message that homeowners left in limbo wanted clearer communications and faster planning.

A general presentation recapping council’s approach to dealing with issues highlighted by the January 2023 floods was soon interrupted from the floor.

“We want to know what is happening in the Wairau Creek – for our homes and our children,” said one resident. Another said: “We’re talking in circles – this is the fourth or fifth time we’ve had a conference.”

Staff said the Wairau catchment was one of the most complex of 10 areas of focus across Auckland. Discussion continues with the government about sharing costs for major works.

Property categorisation was going “as quick as we can,” said Fiona Wright of council’s Tamaki Makaurau Recovery Office, which organised the meeting at the Milford Baptist Church.

Homeowners who applied last year for categorisation as a step towards buy-out eligibility should have heard back on timings, she said. A show of hands revealed 30 to 40 people were still waiting. Wright said their classifications should be done by June, with those who applied this year to follow. September is the deadline for applying.

By late April, 14 properties in Milford, four in Sunnynook and one in Forrest Hill had been assessed as Category 3, so qualifying for a buy-out. Of these homeowners, some have progressed to the valuation and acceptance stage (see story below).

Scores more homeowners want to know if infrastructure improvements might reduce future risk to their homes, making it safer to stay, before they decide on seeking buy-outs.

Konrad Heinemann from council’s Healthy Waters said because catchment work could take up to a decade, some properties in Milford that might fall into Category 2C (assessed as being fixable with public infra-

structure work) would instead be deemed to be in Category 3 – qualifying for a buy-out due to intolerable risk to life – to provide certainty to residents. The trigger would be a likely wait of two years or more.

Mitigation work in Milford would be among the earliest to start, Heinemann said.

Takapuna Golf Course is being scoped as a detention pond during floods, as are other areas. “We are looking at things like widening the creek. We may need to purchase other properties,” Heinemann said.

North Shore ward councillor Richard Hills said with works planning still ongoing, the council did not want to release detailed maps, given the impact on property prices.

Heinemann said he hoped to update the local board in July, but “we can’t share everything”.

He acknowledged that in time some properties may have to be compulsorily acquired.

One attendee called for more simple work such as drain-clearing to cut risk. Others were concerned that they might be spending money on their properties needlessly if they ended up being bought out.

The meeting took two hours, instead of the one hour scheduled.

Flood-risk property owner resigned to accepting buy-out

A Sunnynook woman awaiting a buy-out offer for her property says she just wants to settle, to end anxiety about future floods.

She expects her unit’s valuation very soon and hopes to sign off on it quickly. “If I don’t [take the council buy-out] who is going to buy it in the future? It’s going to be on the LIM,” she said.

If she opted to drop out of the process and keep the home, reinsurance on it – if obtainable – would be exorbitant. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, bought the unit near the bus station for her son, who has health and disability issues. He loves the location, but she says the risk of a reoccurence of the damage that resulted from the floods on 27 January 2023 is too great, due to the concrete water channel nearby.

She worried about elderly neighbours who are unable to clamber down to clear debris

from the waterway. With no clear plan on when infrastructure improvements would be made, residents faced a grim future of fearing rain, sandbagging doors and checking culvert levels in the middle of the night. “It’s not a nice way to live, and you’re already stressed,” she said.

Finding a suitable affordable home for her son is a challenge. After months of looking, she realised it might not be locally.

After a very slow start to the buy-out process, the woman was impressed with the thoroughness of a report done on her property. “I can understand why it took so long.”

She recently had an on-site meeting with a council valuer and a communications intermediary or ‘navigator’.

Council property arm Eke Panuku also sent an assessor to see if anything on her property might be repurposed.

She spoke highly of the council’s navigator service, saying having an assigned intermediary has been helpful. “Our lady was very empathetic.”

For older people, who were not internetsavvy or might be hard of hearing, she said the help would be particularly valuable.

The valuation she will receive will be based on an assessment of 95 per cent of the property’s value, the day before the flood. “If I disagree I can get a private valuer.” Council provides owners with $5000 towards lawyers, valuers or conveyancing fees.

Owners can opt out of the buy-out process, but cannot then opt back in.

The woman spoken to by the Observer sees moving on as the only realistic option. “Nothing has changed. If there was another four-hour downpour, the same thing would happen again tonight.”

Forrest Hill tennis rebuild starts

Work on the new Forrest Hill Tennis Centre building will begin on 10 June and should be finished by the start of summer interclub competition.

The centre’s old building was destroyed in the January 2023 floods.

The new building will have toilets and changing rooms as well as a lounge area and kitchen. Three courts will have new astro turf and LED floodlights, which means more courts available for interclub.

The remaining courts have all had the LED lights adjusted to maximise efficiency.

Flood Fallout

Building upgrades a boost for Wairau Intermediate

Flooring at Wairau Intermediate School left damaged by the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods has finally been replaced.

The school hall, computer suite, library, art room, hard-materials room and five classrooms were all flooded in January last year and have had to have new vinyl or carpet flooring installed, at a cost of $220,000.

The work was covered by a Ministry of Education grant.

In a series of other projects to modernise the school, new roofs have been installed on the hall and several other buildings, and the hall provided with new heating, curtains and lighting.

One of the school’s classroom blocks has been provided with new furniture and heating

among other amenities.

The work is covered under a $1.5 million property budget to be spent over five years.

Principal Yolanda East (pictured) said the renovated classroom block had been designed in a way that more improvements, such as glass sliding doors, can be added in future.

She said the next focus for the school is to analyse ways its infrastructure can become more flood resistant, so it can avoid having to do similar repairs in the future.

Classes had to be held in different spaces around the school while the renovations were happening. Having everyone back where they were meant to be had made the school feel more connected.

East said the school’s future was looking bright. In addition to the renovations, the school field, which hasn’t been used since 2021, is set to reopen this month.

The school roll has grown by 119 students to 354 in the past three years. “It feels like the school is in a really good place,” East said.

The roll growth has allowed the school to open two new classes. For the first time it has had to run a ballot for out-of-zone students.

East said having the hall finished meant the school could host events and hire the building out to other groups, bringing in more revenue.

“But also it builds connections in our community, so it’s great that we can now say the space is available again.”

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Upgrade completed... Wairau Intermediate School students (from left) Isaac Taylor, Omar Osman, Jeric De La Cruz, Kobe Salosagcol, Ethan Thacker and Rory Johnson in the school’s renovated classroom block

Decision on library hub could take another year

Final decisions on reconfiguring the Takapuna Library into a community hub could be nearly a year away.

As reported in the 24 May Observer, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board is looking at two options, both requiring an interior gutting, with the more ambitious version adding a partial third storey and roof-top terrace.

Members agreed at the board’s most recent meeting to proceed to a design and costing phase, setting a deadline of May 2025 to wrap up the decision-making process.

It emerged from questions to staff that a top-storey expansion to the existing library’s 3200sqm of space would need to be of limited size due to cost. Loading assessments would also be needed.

The board said a minimum of 300sqm of extra space was required, if its preferred option of another floor was to be progressed.

“It should be as big as possible,” van Tonder told Auckland Council property arm Eke Panuku which is managing the scoping and related asset disposal.

Discussions about raising money for the hub by selling other council property – the neighbouring Takapuna Community Services Building on the Strand and the empty Mary Thomas Centre around the corner on Gibbons Rd – were held in a confidential session.

The board has already agreed to sell the leaking centre to fund the hub’s design costs, but will vote later on disposal of the services building to fund construction work. It has $3.2 million from the sale of the former library at No 2 The Strand to put towards the project.

Costs of a necessary fix of the library’s roof and some joinery will be factored into the refit prices when these are presented to the board.

Scaffolding currently on the library is for leaks repair as part of basic maintenance.

Eke Panuku said if the board decided to

More than a library... An artist’s impression of what a new community hub, with an entrance onto The Strand, could look like

sell the services building, separating a section of roof shared with the library was feasible, as the buildings themselves were structurally separate. The basement public carpark would be retained, although a rethink might be needed on its exit by the Mary Thomas Centre. The hub entrance might be at the streetfront.

Interior plans would be designed to make more use of existing space. Lifts and stairwells would be moved and meeting areas and a community kitchen provided. Facilities such as the rooftop terrace could be hireable

would be consulted about their needs during the design phase, as would the community. “Their input is going to determine what goes into that building,” van Tonder said.

Planning would also reference a community-needs assessment done several years ago which found facilities duplication in the likes of kitchens and toilets across the three buildings. Tenants from the Mary Thomas Centre had been fitted into the Community Services Building and the idea is they will in time find a home within the new hub.

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Ready, set go... Takapuna Normal Intermediate School’s annual cross country race took place late last month with students lining up at the start line in age groups.

Braced for contact... Takapuna Rugby Club veteran Jon Elrick about to be tackled by North Shore’s Tyler Beary in the local derby match at Devonport last Saturday. Below: Shore’s Sam Davies and Takapuna’s Tristyn Cook square up off the ball. The young talents came through Rosmini and Westlake respectively.

‘Old man’ Elrick brings 20 years of know-how to young Takapuna side

Takapuna veteran Jon Elrick notched 20 years of premier rugby in North Harbour last Saturday – coming on as a sub in the second half against North Shore at Devonport.

Elrick (40) first played for Takapuna Premiers in 2004. Saturday’s 15-25 loss was his 238th match for the side.

The first five-eighth was delighted to be on the field at all. He was sidelined for 2023 with a ruptured bicep. This year, he has turned out for Takapuna premier reserves around half a dozen times, including on Saturday, also against Shore. The Takapuna reserves won that match 34-21.

After 17 minutes of the second half in the main match, Elrick was called on, with regular Takapuna first five Theo van Der Mei moving to fullback.

He was a link in a few plays, made some metres with ball in hand and sustained a couple of heavy hits.

“The players aren’t getting any smaller, that’s for sure,” he told the Observer.

Elrick said he hoped to add “experience and direction” to what is a young Takapuna

premiers side.

Shaking hands after the match, North Shore veteran Leigh Thompson greeted the slightly older Elrick with: “How’s it going, old man?”

At the other end of the scale, Takapuna’s rising young forward Tristyn Cook was playing his 14th match for the premiers.

Last week, Cook was named as a non-travelling reserve for the under-20 World Championship side which plays in South Africa from 29 June to 19 July.

Takapuna’s loss to Shore – unbeaten in 2024 – was a much-improved showing after recent defeats by East Coast Bays and Northcote, with some gritty play in the face of Shore’s dominant pack.

Takapuna was pushed off the ball in several scrums, but the smaller blue and gold eight never capitulated.

Shore was up 15-0 quite early in the first half and looked like running away with the match.

But Takapuna proved hard to put away, launching numerous counter-attacks and even scoring the final try just on full time.

Footballers return to domestic fray after China trip

Westlake Boys High School’s first XI football side placed 13th playing against top-level competition at an international secondary schools tournament in China last month.

Westlake beat schools from Uganda, Hungary and Saudi Arabia in the group stages of the International School Sports Federation Football World Cup held in Dalian, north-eastern China.

But a narrow loss against an English school meant they finished second in their initial group, so progressed to a group playing for places 9-16.

Westlake faced some tough competition, including a German side packed full of academy players for the SV Werder Bremen club where New Zealand football legend Wynton Rufer scored 59 goals.

They notched wins against Kenyan and

Belgian schools and had a narrow loss on penalties against the Germans.

Head coach Dave Wright said he couldn’t be more proud of the players, who went into every match “without fear” and trying to win.

He said the level of competition was “much higher” than anything they had faced in New Zealand. A mix of athletic and technically impressive teams challenged them throughout the eight days of competition.

Wright said the team had a police escort deliver them to their hotel on arrival in Dalian, and travelled to the event’s opening and closing ceremonies in a coach convoy while the road was blocked to public traffic. “They were treated like rock stars.”

The team also had time for sightseeing, visiting Beijing and the Great Wall of China.

Wright said goalkeeper Bill Cui, who is of Chinese heritage, was a massive help acting as the team’s “cultural guide”, helping them navigate Chinese customs, speak to locals and cross busy streets.

Being in camp for two weeks, training, travelling and living together would give them an advantage as they continue the domestic season, Wright said.

They have a hectic schedule ahead, having to catch up on missed league games by playing twice a week.

But Wright believes they should be well placed to add more trophies to the cabinet.

The Auckland and New Zealand champions began the season with three wins before departing for China, form they will hope to pick up again as they look to defend the Auckland Premier League schools title. On tour... Westlake Boys first XI players Bill Cui, Charlie Taylor, Damion Kim and Conall McLean at the Great Wall of China. Bill helped with translations on the trip, winning him a school Swan award.

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Sunnynook businesses keen to improve shopping area

Most Sunnynook businesses are keen on forming an informal network to improve and promote the area’s shopping centre.

Their interest was discovered in a Sunnynook Centre Review funded by $2500 from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to gain a better understanding of what could help local businesses, most of which are small and independently owned.

“Many of the businesses would like to see an upgrade to the town centre,” consultant William Keung from Werkits, a company which has done work for Auckland business improvement districts (BIDs), Heart of the City and the City Rail Link, told a board workshop this month.

His report followed face-to-face interviews with 18 of 22 business owners in March. Their stores were in the main shopping area, which shares the car park with the Woolworths supermarket, and the neighbouring small complex which is fronted by the Cheesecake Shop and owned by one landlord.

The main shopping area has a body corporate and quite a few of its landlords are overseas. It looked “tired”, Keung said.

Businesses told him their challenges included the current recession impacting sales, falling foot traffic and competition, including that from Woolworths.

Minor crime was a concern for some owners, while some said customers wanted more for less.

Keung said half of the business owners hailed from overseas, many from Korea. He considered they would benefit from more communications from the local board and said there was an appetite from them to have more community events in the area which could draw more shoppers.

“There’s an opportunity to look at cultural

events,” he advised the board.

The area already drew people to Sunnynook Park for sport and had a community centre at its heart, but more promoted and organised activities could also be of business benefit.

Keung said 12 of the businesses liked the idea of forming a collective to advocate for the centre. This included the local Woolworths manager, with the caveat he would need head office approval. Two businesses were against the idea and six undecided.

Council staff said it was not a big enough centre to warrant a more formal BID structure with council, which required a larger rating base and the formation of a business association.

Chair Toni van Tonder said the solution for the small town centre might be for the owners to form an informal consortium to share ideas, including those on beautifying the area.

The council community activator for the area might be able to offer help, she said. Member Gavin Busch said that role was to be a community rather than a business coordinator.

He cautioned against raising the wrong expectations.

Deputy chair Terence Harpur said there was a lot businesses could do to smarten up their own stores, despite absentee landlords. This included tidy signage and stands.

Member George Wood said he was concerned at the number of liquor outlets in the suburb and surrounds, compared with the likes of Takapuna.

The board thanked Keung for a report members said gave a good overview of the town centre set-up and asked council staff to connect with the businesses to foster a better flow of information.

Briefs

Ram raid in Takapuna

A 15-year-old was arrested last week by police investigating a series of aggravated robberies and burglaries on the North Shore, including the ram raid of Smales Farm convenience store The Hamper for the second time in weeks. He faced charges in the Manukau Youth Court. Police said further arrests could not be ruled out, with offending in suburbs west of the motorway also being investigated.

Digger damages gas pipe

A gas leak on Shakespeare Rd in Milford on the morning of 30 May was caused by a pipeline being hit by a Vector contractor’s digger. Authorities closed parts of Shakespeare Rd, Alma Rd and East Coast Rd while Vector crews isolated the leak. Repairs were completed that afternoon.

Firth house draws interest

Takapuna real estate agent Andrew Dorreen says the sale by tender of the Firth property at Black Rock has attracted multiple interested parties. He would not say if negotiations were under way with the sellers, who inherited the heritage-listed home. A fence at the property has since September blocked the popular Takapuna to Milford coastal track. Locals, including the Milford Residents Association which raised the matter at its recent annual meeting, hope a deal can be struck to restore access.

Cool fun

The annual Castor Bay winter solstice dip will be held at 7am on Friday 21 June. Hardy souls are advised to gather at the beach beforehand.

We need you!

As many readers will know, New Zealand’s media is undergoing massive change.

In the last couple of months, Newshub has confirmed it is canning its hourly evening news show and morning AM show in July; TVNZ has dropped Fair Go and its Sunday programme; Life and Leisure Magazine has closed.

In the world of community newspapers, The 50-year-old Howick and Pakuranga Times has shut down, along with the 100-year-old Wairoa Star.

The common reason for the media cutbacks and closures is declining advertising revenues unable to match rising costs. Newspapers across the country have faced print bill increases of 56 per cent over the last five years.*  (Our print bill has gone up $6000 per month during this time.)

At the same time, New Zealand companies are spending millions of dollars on Google and Facebook advertising. This money goes offshore, with massive impacts on New Zealand journalism and jobs.

Journalist numbers in New Zealand have dropped from 4000 to 1700 in the past 20 years.*

At Devonport Publishing, we employ nine people (full-time and part-time) across our two newspapers — The Rangitoto Observer and The Devonport Flagstaff. All live locally.

How long can community newspapers continue under the current model?

If the trends in advertising and costs continue, we are likely to run out of money — sooner rather than later.

On publication day, I see dozens of people — young and old — wandering around with the Flagstaff. It is read and valued as much today as it was when it was started 32 years ago.

Most media are now relying on donations or subscriptions in some form to survive.

I hope you are prepared to pay something towards the production of our newspapers.  Click ‘Become a supporter’ at the top of our website pages: rangitoto-observer.co.nz  Every little bit helps.

Please sign up for our email alerts for when the paper goes online and to get our weekly newsletter.

Finally, a massive thanks to our advertisers who continue to support us, and to those readers who have already made donations.

Rob Drent Devonport Flagstaff Owner and Editor for 27 years

Tour of award-winning play opens at PumpHouse

Actor Cassandra Woodhouse this month opens a three-month travelling season of the thought-provoking, one-woman courthouse drama Prima Facie at the PumpHouse theatre in Takapuna.

Woodhouse plays a defence lawyer in a sexual assault case whose emotions and experience come into conflict in the award-winning play written by Australian-British playwright Suzie Miller.

Rehearsals for the New Zealand Theatre Company production directed by industry luminary Michael Hurst, which opens next week, have brought Woodhouse back to familiar territory.

The Auckland stage and screen actress has strong North Shore connections, having raised her daughter in Northcote, and being a regular visitor to Takapuna, where her father lives.

“The beach, local cafes and the theatre draw me over there most days,” she says.

But for now, she is firmly focused on conveying the complex issues explored in Prima Facie

As writer Miller puts it: “When you take

Legal drama... Cassandra Woodhouse plays a defence lawyer in awardwinning drama

a character and show, rather than tell, someone what’s not working – it’s really easy to see it when it’s in a story context, and with a character that you really care about.”

That character is Tessa Ensler, who has

Muso

worked her way up from a working-class background to become a successful barrister.

As a defence lawyer she cross-examines witnesses and secures the freedom of men accused of rape and sexual assault, but an unexpected event forces her to confront the system she has believed in.

Prima Facie won Olivier Awards in the UK, including the Best Actress award for Jodie Comer, who subsequently won a Tony for the same role on Broadway.

The play has been made available in a recorded version to judges in Northern Ireland as a training tool.

New Zealand Theatre Company says it is honoured to be able to bring it to New Zealand audiences. “And continue the call to action that this story is demanding worldwide.”

After its six-night run in Takapuna, the production will tour other venues in Auckland and eight North Island centres, ending in Kerikeri in early September.

• Prima Facie is on at the PumpHouse from 17-22 June. Tickets from the theatre box office or at nz.patronbase.com.

taps into magic for new

Musician Mark Taipari – a familiar face gigging in North Shore bars – helps bring a combination of music and magic to the PumpHouse Theatre this Friday 7 June.

Taipari (right) has teamed up with illusionist Andre Vegas and magician Felicity Rogers to create Rock Magic, which combines glam-rock hits from the 80s and 90s, as well as some of Taipari’s original songs, with Vegas and Rogers’ acts. “It’s a spectacular show that just goes and goes,” he says.

The trio have previously created and performed a Neil Diamond-tribute show, but the latest production had “that hard rock feel”, Taipari said.

The illusions performed by Vegas, one of the country’s best-known magicians, helped create a full-on performance. “We’ve got dancing girls, we’ve got the illusions, the great costumes, the lighting, the pyro.

“It’s hard when you’re playing, actually, because you’re singing and watching this amazing stuff, trying to focus on what you’re doing.”

The trio got the idea to work together when on the bill of a variety show a few months back.

A professional musician for more than 40 years, Taipari grew up in Thames but has lived on the North Shore for the past four years. He plays both covers and his original songs

show

at local pubs and bars.

Taipari said he plans to grow Rock Magic, with hopes of taking it around the country alongside the Neil Diamond show and an INXS-tribute version the trio have also created. • Rock Magic is at the PumpHouse Theatre on 7 June at 8 pm. Tickets are $39 at pumphouse.co.nz.

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 Letters, PO Box 32 275, Devonport.

Prima Facie

Many challenges overcome in local director’s latest film

War, Covid, and a tight shooting window all presented production challenges for a North Shore filmmaker’s latest movie.

James Napier Robertson’s Joika tells the story of Joy Womack, an American dancer who won a contract with Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet, navigating her way through a world of pain and brutal competitiveness to become a prima ballerina at the company.

This week, the captivating story from the director of The Dark Horse comes to Takapuna. Napier Robertson (pictured on-set, above) will talk about the making of the film at a session on Sunday 9 June.

When he departed in 2022 for Poland, where the film was shot, Napier Robertson didn’t have a guaranteed way back into New Zealand as the borders were closed by Covid restrictions. Then Talia Ryder, who plays Womack in the film, came down with Covid, keeping her out of action for 10 of the 14 days set aside to learn the choreography. “I had some days when I’d show up and six of my head-of-department crew had Covid and were no longer able to work on the film.”

Napier Robertson, a former Takapuna

Grammar student, said so much budget had to go towards Covid-related costs that filming was cut to 27 days, an extremely short window for a feature. This meant 12-hour shoots, six days a week in the Polish winter, in temperatures as low as minus-15 Celsius.

On top of this, Russia invaded Ukraine three weeks into filming, to the distress of the production’s many Russian and Ukrainian crew members, along with the Poles, who themselves feared invasion. “That added a whole other layer of difficulty,” Napier Robertson said. “It felt almost like every day it was a minor miracle that we got through another day without a catastrophe happening.”

He said he was drawn to Womack’s story as an opportunity to explore the question “How far is too far for pursuing your art or your craft?”

It’s a topic that has been explored in films such as Black Swan and Whiplash, but Joika’s point of difference is it tells a true story. Napier Robertson said he attempted as much as possible to “reflect this real person who at 15 years old moved to Russia without speaking almost a word of Russian, with no family and

without knowing anyone there”.

His film showed the contrast between the beauty of ballet and the reality and hardships of trying to reach the highest levels within it.

Napier Robertson was first approached about doing the film while working on another movie which had production delays. He said he was vaguely familiar with the story so decided it would be a good idea to meet Womack in person. He was flown to Los Angeles and after spending three days with her was convinced to do the film. Womack herself choreographed the film’s ballet scenes.

The film also drew on the talent of Napier Robertson’s wife, Dana Lund, for its music. She also worked on The Dark Horse, winning a New Zealand Film and Television Award for her music. Joika’s post-production involved two Devonport residents, film editor Martin Brinkler and sound editor Nick Buckton.

Napier Robertson said he’s enjoyed seeing how the film has resonated with audiences and taking part in Q and A sessions. The 42-yearold is currently working on a television series about the cocaine trade in Sydney and writing the script for a new film.

SPECIAL SCREENING & Q+A with Writer/Director James Napier Robertson

Takapuna Beachside Cinema — Sunday 9 June at 5pm

Shot! Gun photographers display work in Lake

Ka-boom... Kathryn Nobbs (right) took this image of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s 21-gun salute in Devonport for the anniversary of the Coronation of King Charles. It is one of the images included in a North Shore Photographic Society exhibition, Capture Moment, at the Lake House arts centre.

Forrest Hill resident Kevin Chong is delighted his botanical image is being used as a ‘hero’ shot promoting an exhibition in Takapuna that is part of the Auckland Festival of Photography.

His still life of water lilies (opposite page) is among the works of around 30 members of the North Shore Photographic Society that have been curated for the Captured Moment show at the Lake House arts centre this month.

A range of styles is represented. “Anything from portraits to landscapes or abstract,” says society committee member Kathryn Nobbs – whose images of local events and people

regularly appear in the Observer.

She is showing two images, including a recent one taken in her home suburb of Devonport of a Navy gun salute.

Chong said the idea for his floral works was inspired by the visual possibilities of the purple flowers in a bouquet he bought for his wife, which he then later separated to depict as a still-life series of five prints.

He first joined the society of around 120 members, who range from amateur hobbyists to professionals, “many years ago” to talk to fellow enthusiasts about technical questions.

“I just wanted to learn more about photography,” he says.

Nobbs has been active in the group for four years and helps arrange its monthly workshops to expand members’ skills. “It’s for anyone with an interest in photography –even mobile-phone [camera] users,” she says.

Coming up this month is a session on photographing movement that Nobbs asked a Devonport black-belt martial-arts expert, Mat Iliohan, to model for.

A previous still-life workshop drew on the decorative expertise of a florist. Another session included a piper from the Navy Pipes and Drums Band and some Scottish dancers.

The society meets in Murrays Bay but has members from across the North Shore.

House show

Precision petals... Forrest Hill’s Kevin Chong (below) shot this striking study

It provides the opportunity for members to have works critiqued by experts.

Nobbs’s own motivation for joining, despite having already established herself as a photographer, was to learn more and to socialise. She says the show, for which works were selected by society president Anna Arrol, gave members the chance to display their varied skills. Arrol hopes it will encourage people of all ages to join, because like other community groups, the society is keen to rebuild membership post-Covid.

• North Shore Photographic Society exhibition at the Lake House Arts Centre, 37 Fred Thomas Dr, Takapuna, until 21 June.

BOOK YOUR OWN CINEMAS

Birthdays, School Events, Team Bonding, Social Events, Corporate Presentations, Fundraisers, Family Get Togethers.

BOOK TICKETS ONLINE FOR: IF, Garfield, Kingdom Planet of the Apes, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, HAIKYU! The Dumpster Battle, The Dish, Golda, Wicked Little Letters, Challengers, Late Night with the Devil, The Fall Guy, BadBoys: Ride or Die, The Way My Way, Joika, Rose Rosy Te Gulab.

SPECIAL EVENT SUNDAY 9TH JUNE 5PM

Q&A with Devonport Local James Robertson the Writer and Director for the hit film JOIKA. Check Times and book on our

NOW SHOWING

Bad Boys Ride or Die (R13) 116min

Freud’s Last Session (M) 110min

The Garfield Movie (G) 101min

Copa ‘71 (E) 91min

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (R16) 149min

First Thursdays Artist Film: Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present (M) 102min 6 JUN COMING SOON

The Watchers (TBA) 13 JUN Inside Out 2 (TBA) 97min Previews 15&16 JUN

Despicable Me 4 (M) 90min 20 JUN

The Road to Patagonia (E) 90min 20 JUN Lithuanian Film Festival 23 JUN

Ka Whawhai Tonu: Struggle without End (M) Preview 26 JUN

events@thevic.co.nz

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