ners for KBS say the new Takapuna 2 precinct proposed in plan change 85 is the best way to safeguard and enhance the sensitive coastline alongside the land.
second building would include 86 residential apartments. During the consenting process developer KBS Capital undertook a masterplan review of the land, which resulted in the plan change application prior to a stage three part of the development. Works could take 15 years.
In addition to the increase in size of the planned development on the 2.15ha site, plan
Westlake Boys reigns supreme in Blues
Coastal development up to 16 storeys in new plan
A massive development of 553 homes of up to 16 storeys is proposed in a private plan change for the old Harbourside Church site on Esmonde Rd, Takapuna.
Council has already granted consent for two seven storey buildings on the site: one for visitor accommodation of 164 studio units, 18 one bedroom units and four penthouses; the
rugby region Rosmini basketballers win big... p11 Ryman adds building to Takapuna village... p5 Local body election guide... p13-19 Issue 90 – Sep 16, 2022 Touch down... Westlake celebrates a try by Xiedin Urlich with five minutes to go in the school’s Blues-region final against Kelston. The 23-20 win put it in the national Top 4 finals. Story, page 9 F O R T H E S H O R E A uthoris e d; Darb y @pl .net
The private plan change was notified on 9 September and is open for submissions until 7 October. Documents for the plan are on the Auckland Council website.
Issue 1 – 15 March 2019DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY AN INDEPENDENT VOICEIssue 1 – 15 March 2019DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY AN INDEPENDENT VOICE Issue 1 – 15 March 2019DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY AN INDEPENDENT VOICE Takapuna, Milford, Castor Bay, Forrest Hill and Sunnynook Issue 1 – 15 March 2019FORTNIGHTLY AN INDEPENDENT VOICE
Squash masters champ
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 2 September 16, 2022
The meet-the-candidate meetings follow a series of sessions across the Devonport-Taka puna Local Board area, in which many of the 20 people standing for local-board seats got to put their case and answer questions.
Australian success
The Meet the Mayoral Candidates evening is on Monday, 19 September, at 7.30pm at the Milford Baptist Church, 3 Dodson Ave, Milford. The following Monday, 26 Sep tember, also at 7.30pm is a Meet the Council Candidates
Toilet demo
Auckland mayoral hopefuls will front up to local voters at a public meeting next week, while council candidates will do the same a week later.
Voting papers are posted to registered voters from 16-21 September, with voting between 16 September and midday on 8 October. Anyone posting their ballots needs to get them in the mail by 4 October. Voting papers can also be dropped to public libraries and council service centres.
Support your paper for the price of a cup of coffee. Go rangitoto-observer.co.nztoandclickon‘Becomeasupporter’atthetopofthepage.
Frontrunnersevening.forthe job of mayor are sit ting councillor and Labour-backed candidate Efeso Collins, cost-cutting crusader Wayne Brown, former Heart of the City boss Viv Beck and 2019 third-placed candidate Craig Lord. Sitting councillors Chris Darby, who chairs the Planning Committee, and Rich ard Hills, who chairs the Environment and Climate Change Committees are seeking
Big haul for hospice
Takapuna Beach Cafe has won recognition in the Icecream and Gelato Awards. Its double chocolate gelato was picked the nation’s best chocolate entry, in a category the judges said was hotly contested. The 2022 supreme winner was TipTop for its Kapiti Fig and Manuka Honey ice-cream, with the best boutique brand award going to Little ‘Lato.
Demolition work began last week on the fenced-off toilet block next to Potters Park in Takapuna. This includes asbestos removal. The block will be replaced for three or more years by a temporary two-cubicle facility. The issue sparked division among members of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and has been a talking point leading into the local body elections. Meanwhile, paving work will begin this month at the Hurstmere Rd entrance to the Takapuna town square. The work is due to be completed in December.
Briefs
Preliminary results are declared on October 8, with finalised results notified from 13-19 October.Anyone not yet registered to vote can do so, but only by arranging a special vote with an electoral officer, no later than 7 October. See votelocal.co.nz
Choice is narrower in the mayoral race and for the two North Shore ward seats on Auckland Council.
Harbour Hospice raised $405,000 from its recent annual Vintners’ Brunch and auctions. The fundraiser, in its 25th year, is the charity’s largest annual event and features more than 20 restaurants and wineries, including Takapuna’s Nanam. Money raised will support the centre’s work, including at its Shea Tce, Takapuna, headquarters.
Speed camera go-slow
North Shore Squash Club’s Suk Hee Kim won the women’s national 45-50 masters squash title in Hamilton last weekend.
Residents are invited to bring a written question, with the opportunity afterwards for one-on-one conversation over a cup of tea.
Local lick gets nod
Cameras recording drivers sneaking into the transit lane on Forrest Hill Rd are still not working, Auckland Transport says. The $433,000 project to monitor the lanes was meant to be operational in May, but supply chain delays meant all the parts had not yet arrived.
Running for their country, Westlake Boys High School students Alfie Steedman and Cameron Maunder have shown the best Australian runners their heels. The two attended the recent Australian Cross Country Championships in Adelaide, with Year 11 Alfie winning gold and Year 12 Cameron silver in their respective races. This backs up their successful season taking multiple medals in New Zealand competition.
Simon Watts MP forNorth Shore Authorised by Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn. 1Earnoch Avenue,Takapuna northshore@parliament.govt.nz 09 4860005 Your localMP, supporting youand our community National Party Spokespersonfor LocalGovernment and Associate Finance&Associate Infrastructure NEXT ISSUE: September 30 ADVERTISING DEADLINE: September 23 Telephone: 09 445 0060 Email: sales@rangitoto-observer.co.nz news@rangitoto-observer.co.nz Website: www.rangitoto-observer.co.nz Information in the Rangitoto Observer is copyright and cannot be published or broadcast without the permission of Devonport Publishing Ltd NZ COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARDS Best Community Involvement: 2021, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005 Best Special Project/Supplement: 2016, 2020 VOYAGER/CANON MEDIA AWARDS Community Reporter of the Year: Winner 2018 Community Newspaper of the Year: Finalist 2017 MANAGING EDITOR: Rob Drent PUBLISHER: Peter Wilson CHIEF REPORTER: Janetta Mackay WRITE TO US: Noms de plume or unnamed submissions will not be printed. Email news@rangitoto observer co nz 1st Rate Roof Care Roof Painting (with repairs). Roof lichen/moss treatment 0800 025 515 m: 021 579 371 e: ser vice@1st-rate.co.nz www.1st-rate.co.nz www.facebook.com/1strateltd/ Do you have moss or lichen on your Ro of ?
re-election, but this time face an alternative conservative ticket of Community and Resi dents duo George Wood and Danielle Grant, both of whom are on local boards, along with independents.Theevenings are jointly hosted by the Mil ford Residents Association and the Castor Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association, along with the church, which has provided the venue for such meetings previously.
Would-be mayors, councillors front up
Maggie’s mother, Greta, says the absorbing hobby is something her self-contained daughter, who attends the Age School, is learning a lot
Maggie has found jewellery before, but not with her metal detec tor. She spotted a greenstone necklace at the bottom of a swimming pool and handed it in.
She visits local beaches, parks and playgrounds with family once or twice a week, happily spending an hour or more scanning for buried
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 3
“With your support, I will stand up for your issues to shape the very best future for our place ”
Thefrom.threepence, points out Maggie, has a picture of then King George VI, not the Queen. As well as New Zealand currency, Maggie has found coins from Australia and the United Kingdom.
Authorised; Chris Darby, darby@p l.ne t
She has enough $1 and $2 coins to have a spend-up, but Maggie is more intent on accumulation. “I just like finding different coins,” she says. “I get a bit bored of finding normal coins.”
Her favourite is an 83-year-old New Zealand threepence, minted in 1939. “Whenever I find anything, I look at the date.”
“There’streasure.alot of bottle caps,” she says ruefully. More unusually, she also found a dog collar.
The Takapuna eight-year-old became interested in the sight of people using metal detectors on the beach, and says she “kind of asked for one”.
While the unwanted bottle caps go in the rubbish, the coins she finds are banking up nicely in a glass jewellery box she keeps in her bedroom. She found seven in one lucky day, and even her backyard has yielded a halfpenny.
Young detectorist on the hunt for buried treasure
For other would-be collectors, Maggie reveals that beneath trees is a good place to search, as are playgrounds, where coins spill fromAdultpockets.detectorists have passed on advice to the young enthusiast. Her mother says some of these passionate people spend up to $3000 on their machines, but for her and Maggie beachcombing is just a nice shared activity.
“Other parents might want to know that actually it’s good for a time-consuming thing.”
Metal detective... Maggie Paris, aged 8, with her haul of coins
Since receiving a detector for her birthday several months ago, Maggie has amassed a collection of 60 coins, and is determined to find more.
Greta, who found Maggie’s child-sized beeping metal detector online, notes that when summer brings more people to the beach lost jewellery finds might be more likely.
F O R T H E S H O R E VO T E
She also researches her finds online, and says: “If the threepence was 1935 it would be worth thousands of dollars, but not the 1939.”
Maggie Paris is coining it, thanks to her natural curiosity.
3.
Clinic DMK
Milford Shopping Centre is the place to be for all your spring shopping needs! Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at Dear Friends! Bring your gluten-free vegetarian and vegan friends along. They’ve got options for all! Prep your skin for summer with DMK Enzyme Therapy at FaceTime Skin Clinic, their award-winning treatment! Ready for lunch? Try Soy and Ginger’s delicious Japanese food that’ll have you returning for seconds! Time for shopping! Merchant’s Maraki Boot is perfect for all spring activities you have planned. Head to Mi Piaci and purchase their Magda Slingback Heel to create a dreamy leg-lengthening silhouette. End your busy day by trying Milford’s new restaurant, Tokki and their mouth-watering Short Ribs with black garlic jus and white kimchi! Want to learn more about the fantastic shops in Milford? the QR code to download our app or sign up to our newsletter at the footer of our website, so you never miss out on all things happening and businesses in Milford! Ginger Asian Fusion Mi Piaci Slingback Heel Merchant Bullboxer Maraki Boot Short Ribs with black Garlic jus & white Kimchi Skin Enzyme
5. Facetime
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 4 September 16, 2022
Therapy 6. Dear Friends Cafe Ricotta Hotcakes 1. 2. 3. 4. @MilfordShops @milfordshopsnz 5. 6. MILFORD in the PALM of your HAND Download the ‘Milford Information site” to your mobile phone: Option 1: Download the App called milfordinformationsite Apple phones from Apple App Store Android phones from Google Play Option 2: Scan the QR code below *Work with Apple & Android
4. Tokki
Milford Shops
1. Soy &
Magda
Scan
Restaurant 2.
The previously consented retirement village includes 89 apartments – 59 inde pendent-living and 30 assisted-living suites.
Additional care facilities in new Ryman building
Baldey said the Y’s plans included partner ing with local sports clubs to make better use of often-empty clubrooms to run some of its programmes. It asked the board for ongoing support, including for its youth development arm, Raise Up, which runs camps, sports and now well-being programmes, the latter in response to youth demand.
Auckland Council officers have recom mended the application be processed without public notification. The additional building was made possible through the purchase of several homes near the old fire station site.
An e-waste collection is being organised by Takapuna Rotary, with proceeds to support North Shore charities.
Items ranging from old computers and televisions to smaller devices, batteries and cables can be dropped at Abilities North Shore at 91 Hillside Rd, Glenfield.
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 5
The YMCA will be known simply as the Y and its local operation as Y-North in a grad ual rebranding, starting from late this year.
Rotary offers chance to electronicoffloadgear
An artist’s impression of Ryman’s new Takapuna retirement village now under construction. The mostly apartment-style complex will have views towards Lake Pupuke.
By Ryman standards, and compared with the scale of its William Sanders Retirement Village in Devonport, the Takapuna village is a boutique offering above Lake Pupuke.
Collection day is Saturday 24 September, between 10am and noon. Charges are $10 for a boot load, $20 for a car load and $50 for a trailer load. Polystyrene and cardboard will also be Abilitiesaccepted.willalso securely destroy a com puter hard-drive if asked.
The workshop accepts e-waste at other times, but normally charges $5 to $20 per item. The organisation provides work disas sembling unwanted items for resale or reuse.
Rotary president Geoff Pownall said he hoped locals would consider gathering items from family, friends, neighbours and workplaces to make it a bumper collection.
Founded in England in 1844, the Young Men’s Christian Association was set up in New Zealand in 1855, making it one of the country’s oldest charities. Basketball was pioneered as a
An additional three-storey care facility building is planned at Ryman’s new complex on Killarney St and Ander Place, Takapuna.
Why the ‘Y’ has shortened its name
Chief executive Julian Baldey told the De vonport-Takapuna Local Board at a briefing sesssion that it still respected its heritage, but feedback from young people was that a new name would make it more inclusive.
Dig this... (from left) Geoff Pownall, David Morrison and John Gould from Takapuna Rotary recently cleaned out the overgrown frontage of Takapuna Playcentre on Auburn Reserve, ready for fresh planting with native grasses. The group has a four-year involvement with the centre, helping lighten and brighten its once-overgrown grounds.
sport at an American YMCA in 1891.
Its main community centre servicing the North Shore is at Akoranga Dr and is a hub for basketball competitions.
Building work has started, with construc tion expected to be completed in 2024.
The group also runs recreation facilities and operates childcare, school, holiday, and seniors programmes.
Rotary is committed to supporting Abili ties, a non-profit society that helps provide work for people with disabilities.
The new building will include 45 care rooms evenly split for dementia, hospi tal-level and rest-home care. It is essentially an extension of the three- to five-storey retirement village already consented on Killarney St, which was the site of the old Takapuna Fire Station.
Family fun... Ready to start the Sunnynook September Marathon at Sunnynook Park are locals (left to right) Shiloh, Cassidy, Braxton and Jamiee Burns, with their dad James and dog Brodie
Marathon effort... Soriya Em from the Sunnynook Community Association with movie-inspired helper and son Borynt Em Ream, 13. They were among those who took up the sunny yellow launch theme of the marathon, which sets a 42km target across September. Organiser Em says 105 people are registered and others are clocking up the kilometres informally in daily walks or runs. Another participant (right) is community centre manger Bronwyn Bound with her dog Django.
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 6 September 16, 2022
Community gets behind Sunnynook’s fun marathon
Current seasons garments from World, Hailwood, Reper toire, Jane Daniels, Shoshamma, Loobie’s Stor y, Elle+Riley, Magazine and more will be showcased This event will provide the per fec t inspiration to st ar t planning your summer wardrobe.
This will be a Covid-safe event and tickets can be purchased from our village reception. Please call Dell or Scott on 445 0909 for more information.
WILLIAM SANDERS RETIREMENT VILLAGE
Sunday 25 September, 2pm
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 7
Tickets are $25 per person and are strictly limited.
7 Ngataringa Road, Devonport rymanhealthcare.co.nz
High Fashion High ea
A por ti on of proceed s will go toward s Ryman Heal thcare’s 2 02 1/2 022 chari t y par tner, Prosta te Cancer Found a ti on NZ.
Bring a friend and enjoy an afternoon full of fabulous fashion, spot prizes, goody bags and a delicious high tea
A booster will provide extra protection from a previous vaccination and help your immunity be stronger and last longer. And, by staying as healthy as you can, you help reduce pressure on our communities , businesses and the health sector.
Keeping up to date with your vaccinations is really important, even if you ’ve already had COVID-19.
Check your eligibility at Covid19.govt.nz or call 0800 28 29 26.
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 8 September 16, 2022
You can catch COVID-19 more than once. Boosters help protect you from getting very sick from COVID-19, ending up in hospital, and even death. Keeping up to date with your vaccinations is one of the most important things you can do to help protect yourself , your whānau and your community.
If you ’ve had COVID-19, you can get your booster three months after you tested positive Make sure you are up to date with your COVID 19 vaccinations
The First XV qualified for the Blues region final after going through its North Harbour 1A season undefeated. As champion, it faced off against the highly fancied winner of the Auck land 1A competition on 3 September.
• Westlake Boys finished as the thirdbest first XV in the country after beating Dunedin’s John McGlashan College 36-22 in Palmerston North on Sunday.
In the final, Kelston took an early lead through a penalty before Isaac Murray-Macgregor lev elled the scores soon after.
Out of my way... Prop Titera Bura was a powerhouse for Westlake, using his strength and tenacity to score his team’s first try against Kelston
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 9
“We’re absolutely delighted – it’s the first time in Westlake’s 60-year history that we have ever been ranked third in the country,” said forwards coach Rob Mildenhall, after the play-off for third and fourth.
The rugby future is looking very rosy at Westlake, which took 26 players to the finals weekend and looks forward to having all but eight return to the school in 2023.
In addition, the school’s under-15 side were runners-up in its national final several weeks ago, losing to Christchurch Boys HighFiveSchool.ofthe
Westlake first XV were selected for the Auckland Blues under-18 side on Monday: Tristyn Cook, Jack Lee, Elijah Rasmussen, Thomas Bradford, and James Cameron.
The semifinal match against Napier Boys High was a bridge too far for Westlake, who lost 40-17, but the side never gave up and had the better of the game’s second half.
A draw would have put Kelston through to the national finals by virtue of scoring the first try of the game.
Blues region win a first for Westlake Boys High
The pattern continued throughout the match. Kelston’s big forwards produced a try which was converted, then Titera Bura used his strength over several phases to break the Kelston de fences and score.
Sport
The New Zealand Secondary School side is due to be selected soon.
Captain Tristyn Cook put in a strong performance in a losing pack. Forward motion... Elijah Rasmussen charges upfield to take on a Kelston defender
A sense of belief grew, with solid defence and the Westlake backs using the ball to good effect. Murray-Macgregor scored a try just before halftime, giving Westlake a 13-10 lead at the break.
It was Westlake’s 14th appearance in the final, but until this year the intensity brought by various Auckland champions has prevailed.
But Westlake finished the match strongly with a couple of tries.
on for the last five minutes to create history.
Strong driving by Napier’s forwards set the platform for a 26-3 halftime lead, which blew out to 40-3 after 49 minutes.
The closest Westlake has come previously was in 2019, when it suffered a heart-breaking 17-19 loss to St Peters College, the team that Kelston defeated to get to the Auckland final thisWestlakeseason. approached its date with destiny with a sense of unfinished business. In a close pre-season game, Kelston had walked off the field before the end of the game when Westlake was dominating, apparently in frustration at refereeing decisions.
Playing with the wind, smart play was needed. Kelston used their athletic backs to test Westlake’s resolve, creating space out wide and scoring tries either side of a touchdown by Xiedin Urlich. With just over five minutes to go the scores were locked 20-20.
The win put the school through to the coun try’s top-four schools national finals – a first for Westlake.
After 13 times unlucky, this season turned out a charm for Westlake Boys High School when it won its first Blues region secondary schools rugby final, defeating Kelston Boys High 23-20 in a nail-biting game.
Step up Murray-Macgregor again, with a penalty to take the match 23-20. Westlake held
Rosmini footballers burst into top grade
Winding up its tournament to decide final rankings with matches against Auckland Grammar and Shore rivals Westlake, Rosmini ended the week in ninth place. The team is coached by old boy Callum Simmonds and managed by Bojan Stanojevic.
Rosmini College’s 1st XI football team has played itself into the Auckland Premier secondary schools grade for 2023, after this year winning the Auckland A1 title, just a year after ascending from the A2Thecompetition.school’sdirector of sport, Rhys Edwards, said next year would be Rosmini’s first season in the top flight since the 1980s.
This form against top sides bodes well for the future, says Wil liams.
Sick of Painting Windows? You need quality uPVC Windows Great Thermal & Acoustic Performance Talk to Roger, he ,s local. Roger White Parsons Ph: 021 277 roger@ecoauckland.nz0563www.ecoauckland.nz
It had been a standout season, he said, with the team going though unbeaten to top the league in round play, with 12 wins and two draws.
The team played in the recent National Premier Tournament in Napier after a play-off victory against Whangarei Boys High School back in June, putting it into another competition it had not been in for 36 Despiteyears.being low seeds, Rosmini topped its group with wins over Christchurch’s St Thomas and New Plymouth Boys, while drawing its final game against St Patrick’s Silverstream. It then lost its round of 16 tie against St Paul’s from Hamilton. But it went on to provide a huge shock by beating Auckland Premier League champions Sacred Heart, 4-2, in a repechage game.
Rosmini was also the highest-scoring team across all five senior divisions, with 72 goals.
Sport
On the ball... Rosmini 1st X1 captain Curtis Hughes heads upfield, backed up by Dan Acfield, who was the league’s top goal scorer this season, netting 28 times
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 10 September 16, 2022
A determined and physical Auckland Gram mar stayed in touch, lifting the pressure in the third quarter to force turnovers from Rosmini.
Rosmini College supporters celebrated with a rousing haka after the school’s victory in the final of Auckland’s Premier basketball competition.Afterleading 31-22 at half-time, Rosmini defeated Auckland Grammar, 60-54, to reclaim the title it last held in 2018.
In the final, Rosmini scoring was led by shooting guard Tom Beattie with 24 points. Small forward Charlie Dalton contributed 14 and centre Julius Halaifonua 11 points.
Coach Matt Lacey rallied the boys, with more motivation coming from the frenetic play of Dalton, who put his body on the line to lead the way with the match in the balance heading into the fourth quarter.
Grammar was up by five with three minutes remaining, but some hustle plays and clutch shooting from Rosmini turned the tide.
The teacher in charge of basketball at Ros mini, Ambrose Samuels, said the team was spurred along at Eventfinda Stadium by a large and loud support base.
Sport
Rosmini’s year to celebrate
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 11
“Rosmini even had the services of a sax player and a horn operator to keep the atmos phereSamuelslively.”said Beattie and Halaifonua got the team off to a good start at the offensive end, with the whole squad contributing stifling team defence.
Up for it... Julius Halaifonua scores again
The win came on the back of a regular season record of 12-2 and the dispatch of Rangitoto College in the semi-final.
Auckland champions... Rosmini’s winning team (from left), Mathew Lacey (head coach), Ambrose Samuels (head of basketball), Chris Johns (physio), Jameer Reed, Zion Anderson, Julius Halaifonua, Kian Durney, Josh Wyllie, Noah Johns, Kane Murphy, Lucas Schnuriger, Josh Batty, Tom Beattie, Charlie Dalton, Bartosz Jackowski, Anton Seuseu, Chris Wyllie, Nick Turpin (manager), Josh Kooiman (assistant coach)
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 12 September 16, 2022 STRONG, EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP RUTH JACKSON TRISH DEANS JOHN MAIDMENT BRIDGET THRUSSELL JAN O’CONNOR Authorised by Ruth Jackson, ruth@heartof theshore co.nz h e a r t o f t h e s h o r e n hz e a r t o f t h e s h o r e . c o . n z • Independent locals – not affiliated with any political party or interests • Protecting our parks and public places • Protecting and enhancing our natural environment • Open meetings for transparent governance • Getting the best value for your rates • Opposing asset sales that reduce services and bring no real local benefit • Advocating for better public transport • Upgrade – not sell & downsize – Takapuna Library and community hub • Sound governance and informed decision-making, not rubber stamping VOTES 5 FOR DEVONPORT-TAKAPUNA LOCAL BOARD
So how did the potential candidates do?
To page 14
The meeting was well attended for a lunchtime session, with around 50 in the crowd. For the local body aficionado it was made more interesting having candidates for both the Devonport-Takapuna and Kaipataki local boards on show.
The sitting candidates at Kaipataki – particularly Danielle Grant and John Gillon – seemed more measured than their Devonport-Takapuna counterparts: Gillon was confident enough to read out a list of his board’s achievements.
served two terms on the board, one as chair.
Toni van Tonder Terence Harpur Zane Catterall
Bridget Thrussell, a new addition to the Heart of the Shore ticket, kept to the party line of community engagement and priorities for the environment. She impressed as a po tentially thoughtful member of the board, but her soft-spoken delivery left questions about how she would handle the often-abrasive nature of board meetings.
John Maidment, another Heart of the Shore newbie, emphasised his family’s strong involvement in the Save the Takapuna campground movement and railed against the sale of public assets. Strong delivery,
AUTHORISED BY TERENCE HARPUR
But two minutes is all that’s generally offered, and so it was at the first North Shore candidates meeting of the 2020 elections, hosted by Auckland North Community and Development (ANCAD) at the senior citizens hall in Takapuna.
In order of speaking:
Peter Allen Melissa Powell
It’s grass-roots democracy in action, though it can seem more like a circus. The DevonportTakapuna Local Board candidates faced the public in the first of a series of meetings earlier this month, ahead of October elections. Rob Drent was there.
Local Body Elections
It was a stark contrast. The Kaipataki candidates were a diverse bunch, including three men in their 20s, Maori and Samoan people and also immigrants from Nigeria andTheSingapore.Devonport-Takapuna board can didates who turned up were generally a more uniform group, with only a couple of exceptions.It’sperhaps an indication of the population breakdown in the two areas. But the Devon port-Takapuna board has always struggled to attract young people into the political arena, with the exception of Joseph Bergin, who
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 13
Even to seasoned politicians it must be daunting. Two minutes to squeeze your CV, achievements, goals, gripes and ego into a presentation for an audience of voters – a potentially dangerous crowd who can spread your mistakes and stumbles quickly through social media.
Roll up, for the greatest show in local politics
VO TE FOR DEV ON PORT-TA KAP UN AB OA RD LO CAL LEADERS FUTURE FOC US ED www.afreshapproach.co.nz
Nothing came close from the Devon port-Takapuna board’s sitting members, perhaps reflecting divisions in the board this term and the one before. The friction seems never far from the surface. The bickering and sometimes childish grandstanding was this time illustrated by the usually calm George Wood, who complained his team hadn’t been offered enough prepared questions to answer.
• The meeting of candidates hosted jointly by the Milford Residents Association and the Castor Bay Ratepayers and Residents Assoication in Milford this week fell too late for our print deadline. A summary will be included in the next issue of the Observer.
Trish Deans, a sitting board member on the Heart of the Shore ticket, was arguably the star performer of the meeting. Under fire from North Shore Cricket Club for her stance over plans to redevelop the Devonport Bowl ing Club, she spoke with greater confidence than in previous pre-election meetings, on standing for the community and opposing the sales of parks and community buildings.
Peter Allen, a Fresh Approach newbie, has had contact with the local board and business associations through communications and event management. Emphasised the need to look to the future, an idea which appeared to go down well with the crowd without being exactly fresh.
Limited cash for new projects
and the Chinese Association attended.
Ruth Jackson, current board chair and leader of Heart of the Shore ticket, highlight ed her team’s opening up of board workshops (backed by the Ombudsman) as the “meat and potatoes” of community engagement, along with its unwillingness to rubber-stamp Auckland Council recommendations and reports. She said the ticket would continue to support parks, the Takapuna Library and community buildings. When questioned about living outside the board area, she answered with disarming honesty that her family had lived in the area for 120 years and the only reason she moved west was that she lost her job and had to sell her house. As the former editor of a local paper, she knew every nook and cranny and said her passion was without question.
Community centre manager Bronwyn Bound, who organised the meeting, said the Covid constraint on council funding was clearly spelt out.
She succinctly explained the threat intensi fication posed for local water and sewage infrastructure.
but he lost marks for going way over time and causing the timekeeper to almost break his stop-now bell.
Front and centre... Candidates at the Takapuna public meeting hosted by ANCAD early this month. Front row (from left): Ruth Jackson, Trish Deans, Bridget Thrussell and John Maidment. Behind: Toni van Tonder, Peter Allen, Melissa Powell, Mike Single and Zane Catterall.
Kevin Brett , Save Our Shore ticket leader, set the tone for his slot saying he
Sam Welsh, on the Save Our Shore tick et, was a little overawed by the occasion, becoming tongue-tied, but said he wanted safer roads and a better outcome for Bayswa ter Marina and its surrounding land. He will learn from the experience, though he seemed to be only given a minute to speak. Not helped by the added pressure of arriving late.
Melissa Powell, a new candidate for the A Fresh Approach ticket, used her time to positively highlight the need for child safety in an active community, support for new migrants, and a sense of belonging for all, including the increasingly ageing population of over 65s.
Mike Single , on the C&R ticket and even sporting a C&R rosette, has been self employed since 1984, in the aged-care and commercial-property sectors. He questioned the need for further intensification given the Auckland Unitary Plan is only six years old. His clear alignment with leader George Wood showed when he wondered about what would be achieved for better car movements in the Lake Rd plan.
George Wood, sitting board member and C&R leader, emphasised his track record of “being around local government for 24 or 25 years”. His scepticism over the Lake Rd upgrade and his view it needed two lanes each way with a transit lane for bus es, cycles and T2 cars resurfaced. He was the only candidate to single out another, criticising Toni van Tonder for her support of free public transport, a stance which he said was not supported by “our people of Devonport-Takapuna”.
Local Body Elections
Zane Catterall, on the A Fresh Approach ticket, brings a strong knowledge of Mao ritanga, and the environment (through his work with the Restoring Takarunga Hauraki) group. He’s a candidate who can potentially add diversity to the board, but somewhat bizarrely devoted half his speaking time to blessing the meeting, bemusing many in the audience. Born and bred in Bayswater, he wanted to build a better relationship with iwi and mana whenua and increase input from young people.
From page 13
Current Board member George Wood said the council’s renewals budget would allow for works already in the pipeline to proceed, but new spending was trickier.
A cash-strapped Auckland Council would have limited funds for new local projects Sunnynook residents were told at an election meeting on CandidatesMonday.allbutoutnumbered residents on a night when bad weather deterred some fromButgoing.representatives from local organisa tions, including the Community Association
For an opening salvo it was perhaps a draw between Heart of the Shore and A Fresh Approach, both of them shading George Wood’s Communities and Residents ticket, with SOS in fourth, but with both the latter tickets down on numbers at the meeting.
Toni van Tonder, sitting board and Tūpu na Maunga Authority member, and leader of A Fresh Approach, is a confident public speaker who competently summed up the team’s future-focused vision: building strong communities while supporting developing areas like Takapuna and upgrading infra structure like Lake Rd. She said decisions on any changes to Takapuna Library and other buildings would be based on reports and facts from council officers. (Interestingly, her ticket’s five candidates are all from different areas of the board: Devonport, Belmont, Takapuna, Sunnynook and Milford.)
was “bloody disgusted” there was a rat problem in Devonport. He was also dis gusted the Takapuna car park had been sold off, determined to protect heritage and was “watching” social housing. He did have the perhaps the best immediately do-able idea of the meeting: to reinvigorate neighbourhood watch groups as a counter to rising crime.
The independents who didn’t turn up are going to have to work hard for traction.
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 14 September 16, 2022
Candidates who did not attend the meet ing: Terence Harpur, Jan O’Connor, Gavin Busch, Tony Bunting, Kent Tregonning, Cherie Keiller, and Kurt Keiller.
A AAPPROACHFRESHMilfordresident of
We need competent, positive leadership and governance on our local board, with clear actions and less bick ering. I am a local with years of business and governance experience and a ‘get it done’ attitude. My priorities include clean ing up waterways and the environment, supporting local businesses and town centres, upgrading facilities, creating fun local events and activities, protecting our heritage, enhancing community wellbeing and sensible financial management. Vote for ‘A Fresh Approach’.
DEANSTRISH
SOS - SAVE OUR SHORE
SAVESOS OUR SHORE
SAVE OUR SHORE.
DoINDEPENDENTyougetsick of this council wasting ratepayers’ money? We owe $10 billion through voting in incompetent lifetime politicians. I don’t believe in rate rises above the CPI or any targeted rates increase that will force ratepayers to pay Threemore.
KEILLERCHERIE
Candidates for Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
Waters is a theft of ratepayers’ assets and should be rejected. Panu ku is set up purely to strip assets from ratepayers and needs to go. Vote Tony Bunting.
BUSCHGAVIN
A FRESH APPROACH
proud of the many things we’ve achieved. However, it’s the new housing intensification plans that will affect our area, and there are problems. These rules are not widely un derstood, and the problems will only be realised afterwards. Local flood areas are zoned allowing six-storey buildings, and Devonport’s character area devalued. I’ll advocate for better solutions.
CATTERALLZANE
BUNTINGTONY
Local Body Elections
A long-time member of our local sports and Rotary Club, as well as a board member of the TBBA and local Volunteer Firefighter, I am passionate about our area. We need a board that will work for our community, make better decisions around our roads, facilities and environment and provide competent governance. My background in business and involvement on company, charitable trust and school boards can support our board to work better for the community it serves.
I’m a fourth-genera tion local, committed to: Board workshops staying open to the public (we won’t lock you out); continuing the working group I instigated on Wairau Catchment and beach water quality (which helped secure additional funding) and supporting other environmental ini tiatives; more for our 15 to 25-year-olds; retaining and enhancing parks and public places for our growing population; and ensuring the Takapuna Library and com munity hub are upgraded not downsized.
C & R NORTH SHORE
HEART OF THE ofandcommunityI’mSHOREanexperiencedadvocateacurrentmembertheLocalBoard.I’m
HARPURTERENCE
Vote A Fresh Approach.
JACKSONRUTH
11 years and business owner with 20 years’ experience in event management and communications.
I grew up in Devon port. I have forged a successful career in finance, liaison between business and unions and have a responsible position in the energy sector. The destruction wrought on the Shore makes me sick. The unitary plan and threat to the heritage houses. rape and molestation of women, bashings and intimidation, horrific. 501s must be kept out and rates Votedown.SOS
BRETTKEVIN
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 15
A APPROACHFRESH
Kia ora, I’m Zane, born and bred in Bayswater and currently living in Belmont with my partner and two school-aged children. Bilingual, speaking both te reo Māori and English, I aim to improve the cultural competency of our local board. I have a background in community activation, relationship management, ecological res toration and tīkanga and kaupapa Māori. I know our local board area is ready for A Fresh Approach!
I have delivered an array of local events including the Puanga Matariki Celebrations and the iconic Christmas by the Lake. These events activate our community and green spaces. I will apply these skills and experience to bring back the vibrancy, community connection and economic opportunity in our area.
ALLENPETER
A former researcher for the late Sir Peter Williams QC.
SOS SAVE OUR SHORE. With sewage, polluted beaches, traffic mayhem, a de structive unitary plan, threatened heritage houses, open spaces sellouts, Takapuna car park, Bayswater Marina, 501s in our area, possible Takapuna library sellout, record crime, the rates ripoff, rape, home invasion, bashings, intimidation, ram raids, molestation of women joggers, car thefts, burglary – this is an SOS. SAVE OUR SHORE.
In their own words on the next three pages, the 20 contenders stake their claim for your vote
HEART OF THE SHORE
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 16 September 16, 2022Local Body Elections
Candidates for Local Board spaces from
Support your paper for the price of a cup of coffee. Go to rangitoto-observer.co.nz and click on ‘Become a supporter’ at the top of the page.
• 269 special votes were cast.
being sold out.
HEART OF THE CommunitiesSHORE and the council currently face many challeng es, including climate change, housing, intensification, failing infrastructure, congestion, and economic pressures, to name a few. More than ever, we need strong, capable, and dedi cated representation on the DevonportTakapuna Local Board.
ELECTIONFACTS
are not safe
plan is destroying and defacing your area Heritage houses are under threat Traffic problems are only getting worse Sewage is spewing onto your beaches Crime is out of control Rape, home invasion, bashings, intimidation, car theft, defacing of public property are all on the list • Takapuna car park sold out with the board’s approval. It’s time for the present board to be sent into retirement • We’ve got a rat plague and the board can’t even organise to get rid of a bunch of rats The rats are more organised than the board • The government wants to put 501 criminals from Australia into a 40 unit block in Belmont. This must be stopped • Stop three waters and no congestion charges (tax) • People who commit crime and violence in our area should not be allowed in our area Don’t sell us down the tube AUTHORISED CANDIDATE FOR SOS SAVE OUR SHORE
BRETT Cherie KEILLER Kurt KEILLER Sam WELSH Authorised by Founder of SOS Save Our Shore Kevin Brett, kevinwb300@gmail.com Tel: 021-168-5165. SOS SAVE OUR SHORE SOS Save our Shore is standing for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. The team is led by Kevin Brett a former researcher for the late Sir Peter Wiliams QC
Kevin
My extensive experience in business and social programmes ensures I will make an effective and positive contribution on the local board and the decisions it makes on behalf of the wider community.
SOS SAVE OUR SHORE
Bayswater Marina for example unitary
The
I’m standing for the local board to contin ue existing voluntary community work. I care about how we create a better, shared future. I’ve learnt that no in dividual or agency has all the answers and positive change comes from constructive dialogue. We own our city and share its natural environments – I’ll champion those rights. Council shouldn’t just hear ideas from the community, it needs to put that experience to use.
MAIDMENTJOHN
• 42,426 potential electors
In the last local government elections, in 2019, council figures for the DevonportTakapuna Local Board area show there were:
• Of those, 17,335 (40.9 per cent) voted, compared with a voter turnout of 35.3 per cent across Auckland.
SOS Save Our Shore From a fresh approach to the heart of the shore you are being sold out. The same old tired people are attempting to get their snouts back into the public trough. Your rate bills are through the roof. Your open
KEILLERKURT
• 1885 returned a vote on the last day.
(Note: Information not supplied by candidate. Taken from council election website.)
There are some important projects like upgrading the Wairau catchment and Milford Marina along with the revised plan to up grade Lake Rd. Lake Rd needs a greater emphasis on moving more vehicles along the corridor from Hauraki to Belmont than what is planned for at present. It is important that our community facilities and shopping centres are continually maintained and upgraded. Arts and cul ture centres must continue to thrive.
GEORGE WOOD
MCGREGORMICHELE
Achievements: New toi lets at Laketown Green, Milford and Takapuna Beaches, and many up graded playgrounds. Support: Business areas, events, sports clubs, heritage areas, parks, clean beaches, public transport, safe cycleways. Modernise not sell Takapuna’s community buildings and library overlooking our beach. Oppose: Sale of parks, government allowing three-storey houses with no carparking be built within all two-storey-zoned areas.
TONI TONDERVAN
POWELLMELLISSA
HEART OF THE SHORE
I’m Sam Welsh, a De vonport local.
I am a companyself-employeddirectorwith 40 years’ experience running business in the aged-care, mental health and tourism sectors, employing until sale more than 210 staff. I was a coach at the North Shore Rugby Club for 25 years and on the Board of Takapuna Grammar School for 12 years, supporting significant redevelopment. We need more common sense, pragmatism and busi ness experience on the local board and an ability to work to achieve meaningful results, supporting a firm belief in protect ing heritage and character.
SINGLEMIKE
THRUSSELLBRIDGET
A FRESH APPROACH
HEART OF THE SHORE
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 17
C & R NORTH SHORE
I’ve lived in Sunnynook for 18 years and I have had a 25-year career in health, youth and community development. I have many years’ experience in positive and effec tive community governance, research, evaluation and financial management of charities for children. Our team – A Fresh Approach – all bring current and relevant industry experience in business, charities, community development and environmentalism and we have valuable experience in the Covid recovery to offer.
Candidates for Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
Vote SOS – SAVE OUR SHORE.
SOS SAVE OUR SHORE
FocusingINDEPENDENTonlocalisation not globalisa
TREGONNINGKENT
NorthINDEPENDENTShoreresident and mum of three teenagers who attend local schools. Have volunteered on school PTA and have experience in a school office and Board of Trustees. Works in the legal community. I would be honoured to be a voice for everyday locals who are tired of being told what to do by bureaucrats. I believe in personal choice and accountablity.
I am standing because I want to make a positive difference. I support tree protection, quality open spaces, clean swimmable beaches and better public transport. I want to increase support for environmental volunteer groups. I oppose selling parks, public spaces and the Taka puna Library and associated community hub. I believe in open democracy and integrity. I will listen and do my best to advocate on your behalf.
A FRESH APPROACH
Local Body Elections
tion. I believe in building an environment where local businesses and the commu nity can thrive. I bring new ideas and a new approach coupled with a traditional New Zealand heritage for outcomes that benefit the local community. (Note: Information not supplied by candidate. Taken from council election website.)
Current local board member: I’m excited to bring a team of collabo rative, focusedfuture-leaders to the local board. We will make decisions to improve community facilities, making spaces accessible and safe. We will vote for the environment, activate and support our town centres, celebrate our heritage, respond to youth concerns, and advocate for safe and efficient travel choices. A mother of three, passionate about sports, highly respected and ready to deliver good governance.
C & R NORTH SHORE
We must protect our heritage, combat record crime and the unitary plan, fight the open spaces sellout and the threat to our heritage houses, not allow 501 criminals in our area, protect Takapuna Library and keep our rates down. Our way of life is under threat.
O’CONNORJAN
WELSHSAM
Local Body Elections of this council wasting rate payers’ money? We owe $10 billion through voting in incompetent lifetime politicians. I don’t believe in rate rises above the CPI or any targeted rates increase that will force ratepayers to pay Threemore.
A POSITIVE VOICE FOR THE SHORE
C & R NORTH SHORE
You deserve better, vote change: Stop wasteful spending, get Auckland moving, ensure safer communities and better management of housing growth and infrastructure. Listening to you and speaking up on your behalf is how I’ve served our North Shore Kaipatiki Local Board for the last nine years. I bring business and governance experience to decision-making. I’ll focus on issues that matter.
DARBYCHRIS
North Shore ward council candidates
HILLSRICHARD
The seven candidates seeking two places on Auckland Council give their reasons why 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.
GEORGE WOOD
Reducing police staff levels out on our streets and closing police stations must stop. Getting Council spending under control and keeping rate increases in line with the consumer price index is a priority. I’m determined to ensure our new harbour crossing will be multi-modal for cars and trucks, with provision to also bring rail to the North Harbour.
Make the Right choice – vote Danielle Grant for Council.
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 18 September 16, 2022
BUNTINGTONY North Shore Philatelic Society is holding its annual Stamp Exhibition 10am to 4pm, Saturday 1st October 2022 In the St. Joseph’s Church Hall, Taharoto Road, Takapuna. (Entrance to parking from 10 Dominion Street.) Refreshments available throughout the day Contact: nsps@xtra.co.nz | www.northshoreps.com Stamp Displays – Treasure Hunt – Raffles Stamp Dealers Free Information Children’s Area (Fun With Stamps). Entry is FREE! Loads to see and do!
I work with others to de liver positive outcomes and address your concerns. I’ve delivered: water quality improvements for Takapu na, Milford, Castor Bay, upgrades to our parks and record investment into our en vironment. Secured the Lake Rd upgrade, electric bus and ferry funding and pushed government to prioritise a new harbour crossing. I will continue to focus on com munity safety, protecting our environment, investment in infrastructure and planning for future generations.
DoINDEPENDENTyougetsick
GRANTDANIELLE
C & R NORTH SHORE
I will stand up for your issues to shape the best future for our place.
TANRAYMOND
Kia ora! After two terms on the Kaipatiki Local Board, I know that Auck land Council could be far more cost-effective and responsive to community aspirations by working with community and local businesses. So I’m standing for council to build a community partnership approach that will reduce costs and empower local boards and their communities. Help me make this happen by voting Adrian Tyler for Council. See my policies at www.AdrianTyler.co.nz
We welcome letters. Please limit
Addressing law and order resourcing must get the full attention of the new Council.
FOR THE SHORE
I have lived on the Shore for 25 years and do not support future rates increases without added benefits to residents. Through my current PhD research on optimising the value of public assets, I believe there is still untapped potential for economic growth and enhanced community well being on the North Shore. If elected as Councillor, I will work to ensure that new policies are evidence-based and transpar ent to the public.
Having led the Takapu na town square project, secured $50m for the Lake Rd upgrade, brought Fullers under regulatory control and delivered the Hurstmere Rd revitalisation, my goals now are to confirm rail to the Shore, transform public transport, review the Supercity, challenge spending, provide safe cycling and tackle climate action for our Withchildren.yourvote,
Write to Observerthe
Waters is a theft of ratepayers’ assets and should be rejected. Panu ku is set up purely to strip assets from ratepayers and needs to go. Vote Tony Bunting.
TYLERADRIAN
A new site for the war memorial will also need to be signed off.
Four options will be on the table, ranging from retaining the library on its current site to moving it and other services into a community hub in a new building in the Takapuna town square, with ageing existing facilities on The Strand to be sold.
Lobbying for enhanced bus and ferry ser vices to help encourage a return to pre-Covid usage levels is another area that would be best done in tandem.
But the board’s drawn-out meetings too of ten descended into noisy farce, points of order, late notices of motion, extended amendments and decision-making by bloc-voting and the chair’s casting vote. While a contest of ideas is a sign of a healthy democracy, not so the sort of behaviour from some members that would see most workers hauled to human resources to explain their raised voices, lengthy diatribes andIt’ssniping.aworry when six community-minded and well-intentioned people in a room can’t more often thrash out an agreed position in the best interests of those they serve.
While national politics divides on party lines, there’s more expectation that at the very local level, consensus might be found.
Local Body Elections
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 19
Securing positive changes today and investment for the next generation .
Looming issues and role constraints will test collaborative skills of next local board
It’s a worry when six community-minded and well-intentioned people in a room can’t more often thrash out an agreed position in the best inter ests of those they serve.
by Janetta Mackay
The joint approach worked well in prior itising water-quality improvement work in the Wairau Estuary this term, leading to the lifting of a permanent no-swim ban at its mouth to Milford Beach.
But those who sign up for an often-thank less task will still have much they can contrib ute — if they work collaboratively.
Calls for clean beaches, well-maintained parks and roads, and support for community groups – it’s the stuff of local government. Candidates promise assistance and voters expect delivery.
Another test will be how well members can work together to make the big decisions looming about how best to future-proof Taka puna community services, including its library.
Other contentious projects such as the $52 million Lake Rd upgrade and the Waiwhara riki Anzac Square development under way on the old central Takapuna car park are now largely in the hands of council-controlled or ganisations (CCOs) Auckland Transport and Panuku to progress – however much some in the community and on the board might wish otherwise.Boardfeedback on these projects can continue to influence the CCOs, but it won’t get far if it seems more intent on relitigating earlier decisions rather than refining pending moves, or on stepping from a governance role into operational matters.
Creating a climate for collaboration is a two-way street which in the last few years has felt more like a pile-up in a cul de sac.
It’s easy to blame at times high-handed CCOs for decisions on the likes of street “enhancements”, parking provision and cy cle-lane positioning, but these city-wide policy initiatives were never open for the board to determine. Better its members spend their time and influence to ensure adoption goes as smoothly as possible, while working more closely with North Shore’s elected councillors to bring the local voice to city hall.
Faulty connections were also traced and fixed in Milford, Takapuna and Hauraki, cur tailing illegal discharges. Work upstream in the Wairau Creek catchment continues involving the board’s counterpart in Kaipatiki to reduce industrial contaminants that flow to the sea.
The board as a whole successfully sup ported a series of attractive playground and toilet renewals across its area, with more in the pipeline, along with skatepark facilities in Sunnynook. It also dispensed grants to sport, environmental and community groups with broadSubmissionsagreement.on Auckland Unitary Plan draft changes helped reflect community con cerns, and will need to be followed up as the process continues.
Campaigning to date suggests passions are running strong, and any new board members may soon share the frustrations of what is a constrained role.
But with less money in Auckland Council coffers and growing demand for big-ticket spending to upgrade ageing infrastructure and cope with housing intensification, the ability to deliver even on the basics will test the six members who are elected to the De vonport-Takapuna Local Board next month.
Communications & Engagement Manager
The position will be a key part of supporting the Depot’s initiatives going forward Building new partnerships and enhancing our reach and impact This is a permanent position with flexibility around working hours and working from home We are looking for someone who naturally connects with people, has great organisational skills and has a strong sense of initiative and innovation
We are especially keen to find people available during the day both during school holidays and term-time, but ideally, you’ll be available for both daytime and evening work.
A full job description here: https://tinyurl com/depotartspace Send your CV and a cover letter to info@depotartspace.co.nz by 13 September 2022.
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 20 September 16, 2022
Box Office and Front of House
We’d love to hear from you if you have a love of the creative industries and arts sector, enjoy working with creatives in a fun and lively environment; have a background in communications, PR and/ or marketing and a strong grasp of the digital age and social media
You’ll be the welcoming face of The PumpHouse when people visit, responsible for providing a smooth, fun Front of House experience for patrons. Each shift will vary and may include selling/scanning in tickets, selling merchandise, answering questions, or helping people find their seats. You’ll also help us keep an eye on health and safety and the cleanliness of the theatre.
Over Christmas/New Year we shut down for a good summer break.
Mostly day work, with occasional night and weekend jobs. We offer some flexibility of working hours.
Experienced) Expressions of interest to rob@devonportflagstaff co nz Support your paper for the price of a cup of coffee. Go to rangitoto-observer.co.nz and click on ‘Become a supporter’ at the top of the page.
mark handling varied assignments in a small friendly newsroom
Live local. Work local. ShoreJobs.co.nz
Daily news-gathering experience and good knowledge of the lower North Shore area would be a bonus for applicants. This is also an opportunity for a keen newcomer or someone returning to the workforce in the area to make a
Reporter (Junior through to
To apply, email your CV and a short cover letter or email telling us why you’d love to join the team to info@pumphouse.co.nz
Be part of an award winning team that prides itself on breaking stories while also covering community activities and identities.
An ability to cultivate contacts and sniff out exclusive stories is needed, along with taking simple pictures.
You’ll need fabulous customer service skills, good computer knowledge, and a love of theatre.
This is a casual role, so you can pick and choose the shifts you want to work. Ideally, you’ll be available for two to three shifts per week. Each shift is about 1.5 hours and we pay $21.50 per hour plus 8% holiday pay As you’d expect we provide full training!
Our two fortnightly newspapers publishing on alternate weeks are the Flagstaff focusing on the Devonport peninsula and the Rangitoto Observer on the wider Takapuna Milford area
Depot Artspace is looking for an experienced and motivated Communications and Engagement Manager to join our team
The area’s combined population of around 75,000, offers ample scope to report on everything from council to crime, arts and the environment and local sport and schools.
We are looking for friendly, outgoing people to join our Box Office and Front of House team.
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 21 Tree Pruning Hedge trimming Garden maintenance Landscaping R E N E G A R D E N I N G a g a r d e n s p e c i a l i s t Contact Rene on 021 134 5604 info＠renegardening.co.nz Tree Pruning Hedge trimming Garden maintenance Landscaping R E N E G A R D E N I N G a g a r d e n s p e c i a l i s t Contact Rene on 21 134 5604 info＠renegardening co nz Tree Pruning Hedge trimming Garden maintenance Landscaping R E N E G A R D E N I N G a g a r d e n s p e c i a l i s t Contact Rene on 021 134 5604 info＠renegardening co nz Tree Pruning Hedge trimming Garden maintenance Landscaping R E N E G A R D E N I N G a g a r d e n s p e c i a l i s t Contact Rene on 021 134 5604 info＠ negardening co nz Tree Pruning Hedge trimming Garden maintenance Landscaping R E N E G A R D E N I N G a g a r d e n s p e c i a l i s t Contact Rene on 021 134 5604 info＠renegardening.co.nz Tree Pruning Hedge trimming Garden maintenance Landscaping R E N E G A R D E N I N G a g a r d e n s p e c i a l i s t Contact Rene on 021 134 5604 info＠renegardening co nz Tree Pruning Hedge trimming Garden maintenance Landscaping R E N E G A R D E N I N G a g a r d e n s p e c i a l i s t Contact Rene on 021 134 5604 info＠renegardening.co.nz North Shore based renovations, new builds, design & project management since 1985. Trustworthy licensed builders specialising in residential alterations/extensions, kitchens, bathrooms, tiling, re-cladding. Contact Alex Carey on 0274 660 666, or visit our website www.efd.kiwi Tony tony.gasperini@gmail.comDevonport,027TreeQualifiedGasperiniLocalArborist&TallHedgeSpecialist770-0099Auckland BROTHERSFENCEwww.fencebros.co.nz • FENCES • PERGOLAS • DECKS • WALLSRETAINING • PROPERTYFORCONTACTMAINTENANCEUSAFREEQUOTE 0800 336 232 Issue 1 – 15 March 2019DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY AN INDEPENDENT VOICE SERVICES OFFERED FixIT Handyman - excellent work, practical bud get, most jobs welcome, interior/exterior free quote. Josh 0212618322 WANT TO ADVERTISE? Rangitoto Observer Classified Advertising. It really works. To make a booking please email us at sales@devonportflagstaff.co.nz CLASSIFIEDS Trades & Services Phone COLINon 480 LOUNGESUITERECOVERYOUR5864 Call us for a free quotation and put the life back into that favourite chair or lounge suite AWARDFU RN ITUR E We guaranteeorkmanship Backed by over 35 years’ experience of quality preparation and painting ingdom 021 723 413 registered professional painters
Moreover, as you have indicated in a recent article, Auckland Council disregarded the advice from one of its own senior ecologists that a boardwalk across an inlet should not be built. That they chose to disregard this advice is especially disappointing as Auckland Council, in its Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy Plan, indicated a strong commitment to biodiversity and natural habitats.
Letters
Most of what I have seen is misinforma tion and spin. Where one accepts such blogs and posts have a very limited audience, unfortunately the deplorable style seems to have been adopted by a few acolytes in the local-board area. And other newcomers seem to have been inspired by this approach.
I have never seen such nasty, bullying and disgraceful behaviour before as I have seen this term where some members disrupt meetings and publicly attack the current chair using blogs and social-media posts.
further, Patuone Reserve is a public area, and as a reserve and a significant ecological area, the application for the walkway should have been a notified resource consent for the public to comment on. That this never happened is also very concerning.
Reach Milford/Takapunayourcustomerscost-effectively Contact the Rangitoto Observer for our rates and dates. E sales@rangitoto-observer.co.nz W www.rangitoto-observer.co.nz
Grant Gillon
The cavalier approach of the council in al lowing their workers to remove an additional 75 square metres of mangroves from Patuone Reserve beyond the consented allowance, and then seeking consent retrospectively, showed a serious disregard for a precious wetland. More than 90 per cent of New Zealand’s wetlands have been drained or filled so it is vital to maintain and restore those that are left for future generations.Lookingback
Mangrove removal shows disregard for precious wetland
Lyn Potter
Personal attacks have no place here
I am dismayed at the behaviour of some of our local-board aspirants.
I noted in the last edition of the Flagstaff that a ‘Trump Party’ attack advert was published. This is disappointing as I recall in the last election the Flagstaff refused an advert that it considered to be out of bounds. These Trump-style misinformation and personal attacks have no place in Devon port-Takapuna.Wecanalldisagree on policies, and long may that be so for democracy’s sake. But everyone who stands for local boards should be doing so for the community. Win or lose it’s how we play the game that triumphs in the end.
Westlake choirs hit golden note at Big Sing
Cantare choir from Westlake Girls High School won gold, as did Choralation, the mixed choir from both Westlake High Schools, directed by Rowan Johnson. VoiceMale from Westlake Boys High School was awarded a silver medal.
Along with its gold medal, Cantare, directed by Fiona Wilson, won the Tour Time Trophy for Best Performance of an Art Song for a Bach piece.
This year, seven golds were awarded in total, with Kristin School and Takapuna Grammar adding to the strong representation from North Shore schools which collected four of the golds.
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 22 September 16, 2022Arts / Entertainment Pages
Sound selection... Cantare choir leaders (from left) students Tessa Rouse, Gemma May, director Fiona Wilson, Madi Jagger, Nikka Caraig and Stella Ranginui at the Christchurch Town Hall
Westlake choirs have kept up their long record of national success, being awarded two gold medals at this year’s Big Sing Finale.
am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Thu22 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Wed21 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Tue20 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Mon19 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Sun18 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Sat17 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Fri16m 0 1 2 3 4 H L 11:31am 11:57pm 5:09am 5:31pm H L 12:17pm 5:53am 6:21pm H L 12:43am 1:06pm 6:40am 7:15pm H L 1:32am 2:02pm 7:31am 8:14pm H L 2:26am 3:03pm 8:30am 9:14pm H L 3:24am 4:03pm 9:33am 10:11pm H L 4:24am 4:57pm 10:32am 11:02pm am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Thu29 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Wed28 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Tue27 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Mon26 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Sun25 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Sat24 am 3pm 6 9 3 6 noon9 Sep Fri23m 0 1 2 3 4 H L 5:20am 5:44pm 11:23am 11:48pm H L 6:09am 6:27pm 12:08pm H L 7:54am 8:08pm 12:31am 1:49pm H L 8:36am 8:48pm 2:12am 2:28pm H L 9:16am 9:28pm 2:52am 3:08pm H L 9:56am 10:10pm 3:33am 3:49pm H L 10:38am 10:53pm 4:14am 4:31pm Milford / Takapuna Tides ©Copyright OceanFun Publishing Ltd www.ofu.co.nz
The Choral Federation event showcases the country’s top 24 secondary school choirs as picked from regional competitions. Choirs performed twice, with medals dispensed on judges’ marks, rather than an overall winner being named.
The Finale returned after a two-year gap due to Covid. It was held at the restored Christchurch Town Hall.
styleWearablemodelledcreatedstudentsandtheirownWorldofArts-fantasticalgarmentsshowcasingtheirskillsandimagination
WoW factor School
Kirsten Sewell (Year 9) in her outfit, Slither. Maya Goren and Julia Wilkins also represented Westlake Girls in the competition. The students worked from design briefs created in collaboration with the World of Wearable (WoW) Art team, which helped with judging.
September 16, 2022 The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 23Arts / Entertainment Pages
Emaraina Watts (above), a Year 10 fabric-technology student at Westlake Girls High School, in her costume entitled Pania of the Reef Reimagined. This won the best story-telling category at the Show Quest TOI Wearable Art competition for schools.
PH: 489 8360 PUMPHOUSE.CO.NZ The Whale Rider BY WITI IHIMAERA 24 SEPTEMBER 15 OCTOBER A modern classic of Aotearoa for the whole whanau. CREATIVE TALKS: Matthew Diesch 26 SEPTEMBER Discover the people behind the arts in this free event RSVP on our website 48 Victoria Road | (09) 446 0100 | www.thevic.co.nz NOW SHOWING Moonage Daydream (M) 135min NEW See How They Run (M) 98min NEW Official Competition (TBA) 114min NEW Ticket to Paradise (M) 103min NEW A Stitch in Time (M) 98min NEW Everything Went Fine (R13) 113min NEW Punch (R16) 99min NEW Northspur (R16) 100min NEW DC League of Super Pets (PG) 106min Previews 17 18 SEP Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (PG) 102min Previews 17 18 SEP Making a Meal of It by Sir Roger Hall (Play Reading) 18 SEP Always My Sister by Michelanne Forster (Play Reading) 18 SEP COMING SOON Avatar (2009) (M) 165min Rerelease 22 SEP DC League of Super Pets (PG) 106min 22 SEP McCurry: The Pursuit of Colour (E) 90min 22 SEP Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (PG) 102min 29 SEP events@thevic.co.nz SPECIALS CHEAP TUESDAY ALL TICKETS $10 *EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS SPECIAL EVENT We are operating under the Covid Protection Framework. For more information please visit our website.
EOI | 22 SEPT 2022 AT 4 PM UNLESS SOLD PRIOR
VIEW | BY APPOINTMENT
R D | 4 1 C R
Manifest your very best life, one back from Milford Beach in this luxurious bespoke architectural home designed by Gerrad Hall Completed in 2019, Gold Award Winner of House of the Year 2020, and many other National awards, there is much to be admired throughout this spectacular property Every detail inside and out has been thoughtfully planned 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, media room, heated pool and so much more
JELENA FREEMAN 021 65 65 63 | 916 6000
I L F
TA K
The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 24 September 16, 2022 p r e m i u m . c o . n z | F i n e H o m e s | F i n e A p a r t m e n t s | F i n e L i f e s t y l e s P R E M I U M R E A L E S TAT E LT D L I C E N S E D R E A A 2 0 0 8 | 9 1 6 6 0 0 0
This ultimate do up close to the beach is ripe for your renovation! North west facing for all day sun and 60 seconds to the beach down the walkway opposite, this is location buying #1! Surrounded by the Royalty of Takapuna Beach real estate, this is an entry level opportunity 3 bedrooms, 2 living area townhouse, constructed from block and cedar, the bones are definitely there to create something special
Takapuna Sands has been regarded as the ultimate beachfront resort in Takapuna for many years and tightly held This spacious light and bright end ground floor apartment has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a very generous terrace and garden area where you can relax and enjoy listening to the waves Two carparks and storage lockers are included in the secure basement and friendly on site managers are there to help
EOI | 28 SEPT 2022 AT 4 PM UNLESS SOLD PRIOR N D O E S N ’ T G E T B E T T E R ! | TA K A P U N A S A N D S
| 2 / 2 1 R
ALISON PARKER 021 983 533 | 916 6000
I G
VIEW | BY APPOINTMENT
A D | M
PREMIUM.CO.NZ/80313
PREMIUM CO NZ/80316
M O A R O U LT AWA R D W I N N I N G M I L F O R D B E A C H H O U S E
|
I
EOI | 4 OCT 2022 AT 4 PM UNLESS SOLD PRIOR A P U N A E W I T I AV E N U E M I D C E N T U RY B E A C H PA D
PREMIUM CO NZ/80317
I n t ro d u c i n g P R U D E N C E F O S T E R Prudence is passionate about real estate and prides herself on her local real estate knowledge spanning some 18 successful years. In that time she has developed an extensive network of clientele. Her experience has been across all ranges of homes and price points, from clifftop to waterfront properties, prestigious coastal estates and high end apartments. Prudence works hard to make the process as easy as possible for her clients and aims to facilitate a positive and enjoyable experience from start to finish. 0 2 7 4 8 6 7 7 8 3 | 9 1 6 6 0 0 0 PrudenceFoster@premium.co.nz | Licensed Real Estate Salesperson REAA 2008
TA K A P U N A | 7 / 4 7 T H E S T R A N D | T H E L O C AT I O
VIEW | BY APPOINTMENT
GERRY PETRIE 021923 352 | 916 6000
