devonportflagstaff.co.nz
September 11, 2026
Action still sought, five years on from fatal bike crash... p9
TGS designer wins at NZ Fashion Week... p11
Interview: GP Jenni and vet Neil Waddell... p24-25
‘Reckless’ council plan slashes local board spending A proposed “fairer funding” review could see $1.5 million cut from the DevonportTakapuna Local Board (DTLB) operational budget from 2028. The changes come from a new distribution model which would divide funding across Auckland’s 21 local boards with a formula determined 85 per cent by population, 10 per cent for “deprivation” and 5
per cent based on land area. Devonport-Takapuna has been hit hardest of all boards under the calculation based on the relatively low proportion of residents in the most-deprived categories. If the changes go ahead, organisations such as the Depot arts hub, Devonport Community House and Belmont’s Rose Centre could face massive funding cuts.
More than 40 projects and grants currently supported by the board’s operational budget are at risk. DTLB deputy chair Scott Macarthur said the proposed policy was “reckless” and “a disgrace”. He had emailed staff and councillors to tell them it was not fit for purpose. To page 2
Paws for thought
Furry friends... Hania Divers-Sidor and Matteo Limbach were among Vauxhall School pupils who dressed up for Book Character Day last week. More photos, pages 6-7.