Representatives of Devonport’s troubled Holy Trinity Anglican parish have met with a mediator, aiming to rebuild after the departure of dozens of parishioners due to changes in direction imposed by new vicar Chris Murphy.
“Vestry [the governing body of the parish] is taking the current circumstances at Holy
Trinity seriously and, with the blessing of the Bishop of Auckland, is seeking to address various concerns by appointing a mediator,” the congregation was told in a recent update from church wardens on behalf of the vestry.
The mediator would work initially with the vestry and “in time” with the wider church family and community.
“To that end, we met with an independent professional mediator to scope a restorative process with a view to rebuilding foundations and moving forward together with the Parish.”
The communication said: “It is fair to say that for some, the last few months have
To page 5
Home of the hits! TGS singers create online buzz
Crowdpleasers... Takapuna Grammar’s (from left) Zara Ahmed, Kaitlyn Darroch and Nina Sinclair with the prize their Leonessa choir won for Best Performance in Te reo Māori at the Big Sing Finale. The choir’s heartfelt version of “Te Iwi E” won media attention and thousands of views online. Full story, pages 38-39.
Mass haka on Windsor Reserve opens language week
Hundreds of schoolchildren from across the peninsula will gather for a celebratory haka performance on Windsor Reserve in Devonport next week.
The event, called a Haka Up, is similar to one that took place at Mt Eden last year, setting a world record for the number of participants.
For the local version, members of the community will gather at 9am on Monday 15 September to see tamariki from nine schools in action and then to join them in a rousing group performance of the Ka Mate haka.
The event falls in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: Māori Language Week.
Navy cultural adviser Ngahiwi Walker will lead the way, explaining actions and words.
Navy and have mokopuna at several schools – have helped drive Matariki events.
For Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (15-21 September), Terehia, who has been giving te reo classes at the Rose Centre, tapped into community connections to come up with a week-long programme, launched by the Haka Up.
Organised with administrative support from Auckland Council’s community activator, the events are:
Devonport Publishing Ltd First Floor, 9 Wynyard St
The Navy was involved in the Mt Eden Haka Up and Ngahiwi’s wife, Terehia Walker, came up with the idea of having a local event, recruiting schools to take part.
She said the purpose was about kotahitanga – unity – and encouraging people to give it a go, rather than being a numbers game.
But she expects up to 50 students from each school’s kapa haka group to come along.
“We may not get them all from TGS, because of exams,” she told the Flagstaff. “But I want to bring us together as a local little village.”
Each school will perform its own haka before the joint effort. Waiata for younger tamariki will follow at the Devonport Community House from 10.15am.
The Walkers – who have lived locally for the 40 years Ngahiwi has served in the
John GILLON
• Tuesday,16 September: personnel from the Navy marae perform kapa haka at the Navy Museum at noon.
• Wednesday, 17 September: a reo Māori art exhibition in neon by Terehia will be the backdrop for the chance to play word bingo and have a cup of tea at the Rose Centre in Belmont from 10am to noon.
• On Thursday, 18 September: Devonport Library hosts Matua Tameana leading waiata from 1-2pm. The session is suitable for all ages and timed for a seniors’ trip to the library in the Community House van.
• On Friday, 19 September: between 12.30pm and 2pm, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki (RTH) environmental group invites people to drop into its community nursery at 27a Lake Rd (near Allen Hill Stadium) to learn about Māori plant names from nursery lead Zane Catterall.
Information in the Devonport Flagstaff is copyright and cannot be published or broadcast without the permission of Devonport Publishing Ltd.
BIS hip-hop crew wins big-city bragging rights
Belmont Intermediate School’s hip-hop team finished second at the AIMS Games held in Mount Maunganui.
Forty-four hip-hop crews from New Zealand schools took part in the competition, with BIS finishing second overall behind Otūmoetai Intermediate, making them the top-ranked intermediate hip-hop crew in Auckland for 2025.
The dancers dedicated countless lunchtimes and weekends to rehearsals.
The set was choreographed, costumed and managed by Year 8 teacher at Belmont Intermediate, Emma Wildman, with assistant choreography from Harmony Wilson-Ngata, deputy head girl of Takapuna Grammar School, and Hanae Choi. Harmony also played a key role in leading
the crew on the day of competition, guiding and supporting the students through their high-pressure event.
Other top placings included: Sailing –1st place overall (Milla Holland & Zephyr Lane); cross-country – 3rd in the 12km mixed team relay; and gymnastics – Sophia Edmonds (gold medal) and Zac Ainsworth (silver medal).
Happy hip-hoppers... Back (from left): Lily Purdom, Minato Kai, Olive Henderson, Lacey Wilson-Moses, Fletcher McGhie, Zara McCroubry and Paz Vega. Front: Leon Xu, Grace Chen, Mia Gao, Isabella Fan and Eva Ledeneva.
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TGS athletes enjoy successful tournaments
Takapuna Grammar School runners, cyclists and a table tennis player were among the standout achievers over Winter Tournament Week.
The Year 9 running team of Fritha Matthews, Imogen Child, Indi Holland and Ella Blincoe won gold at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Association Road Relay Festival in Pakuranga, holding off tough competition to cover 10km in 36.16 minutes.
Consistently strong table tennis player Carrie Guo won the U19 singles at the sport’s national championships held in Hamilton. Her win in the final was a dominant 3-0.
Carrie was also part of the school team with Lucas Bryant and Philip Huang which finished eighth.
Along with her running gold, Imogen Child triumphed in cycling, storming to the summit of Mt Wellington to claim the under-15 Girls Hill Climb, one of the three stages of the Northern Tour competition. She placed third overall among the tour’s U15s.
In all, 136 TGS athletes competed in the first week of September in nine sports, the others being basketball, football, hockey, netball, rock climbing and skiing. For some top performers, trips to nationals will follow in the September holidays. This includes a number of the cycling team, who will attend their national champs in Palmerston North.
The TGS premier girls basketball team will also be at their national championships in that city. They played in the Zone 1 qualifying tournament at Takanini, placing 7th.
Among other notable results, skier Jack Craddock took second place at the National Youth Slalom Championships held at Mt Hutt. Allegra Smith was fifth.
Cyclist Iris Davis placed third in the Northern Tour’s U15 Individual Time Trial at Pt England. Imogen Child was sixth among
the U15s and Oscar Guyton seventh in the same age group, with Zara Hayward eighth in the U17s. Two hours later, the cyclists had to back up for the Hill Climb won by Imogen. Davis finished fourth in the Girls U15 grade. Leo Bannatyne secured the same placing in the U16 boys.
On day two, in worsening weather, only one race was held in the tour’s third stage, the Super Sprint Points Criterium. Iris Davis was third in the U15s.
When combined results were collated, Davis placed fourth overall, one spot behind Imogen Child. Oscar Guyton, Leo Bannatyne and Rosara Davis all finished 10th overall in their respective age groups, with Zara Hayward ninth in the U17 Girls.
In team sports, the Boys Football First XI were fourth in the tier-two Rex Dawkins Tournament in Whangārei. The Girls First X1, competing nationally, placed 20th.
The hockey Girls First X1 were eighth at the third-tier Chica Gilmer Trophy tournament in Tauranga. The Boys First X1 were 12th in the third-tier Johnson Cup.
Holy Trinity problems ‘won’t just go away’
From page 1
been an unsettling time. While The Flagstaff [reporting] and other issues have subsided somewhat, certain problems won’t go away simply with the passage of time and need to be addressed, not forgotten about or ignored.”
The “church family” would be informed at regular intervals about progress in the mediation process, and “how best to get involved at the appropriate time”.
More than 60 Holy Trinity members have left amid clashes over Murphy’s style,
theology and future plans.
Many were substantial financial contributors to the church, which this year faced a $60,000 financial deficit.
Some of the leavers took issue with Murphy’s leadership style, his move away from parish outreach and a more traditional interpretation of biblical scripture.
Approached by the Flagstaff for comment on recent developments, a spokesperson for the Auckland Anglican Diocese said: “Work is ongoing to address a matter of conflict within the parish, and we have no further comment to add.”
Top performers... Year 9 TGS road-relay runners (from left) Fritha Matthews, Imogen Child, Indi Holland and Ella Blincoe; and national under-19 table tennis champ Carrie Guo
By Rob Drent
Should a candidate’s age be an election issue worthy of a news story or is it simply irrelevant?
We had a bit of a discussion about it in our newsroom after someone in the community mentioned long-time Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member George Wood was “getting on a bit”. And indeed he is. (Me too, I’m 63 next year.)
Wood’s age is no secret – a Wikipedia page says he’s 79, having been born on
August 5, 1946. He’s the same age as US President Donald Trump.
As a journalist, I believe electors should have all the facts they deem relevant in front of them. Some would regard age as a factor in their voting, while most would consider it alongside Wood’s vast experience and community service amassed over 25 years in local body politics.
Age has generated interest in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board sphere before – at the younger end of the scale. Joseph Bergin campaigned on his youth and was elected to the board in 2010, aged 18.
Turnouts to local body election meetings have been good around the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.
While there is always a hardy, mainly
older, cohort interested in local politics, I hope the numbers at meetings translate into voting.
The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area has always been one of the highest polling areas in Auckland.
And at the last election, 43.4 per cent of eligible voters did so, an increase on the 40.9 per cent turnout in 2019.
Get out and vote this election, young people especially. And if you don’t vote, don’t complain about what council is doing in our community.
Wouldn’t it be great if our local turnout could push towards 50 per cent?
Recent talk about Devonport’s status as a heritage zone got former Devonport Community Board member and North Shore Cricket Club stalwart Roger Brittenden thinking about how Devonport is perceived by locals and tourists alike.
Years ago, he discussed the fact Devonport had no clear branding or identity to separate us from places like Ponsonby, Parnell and even Mission Bay. A former advertising guru, Brittenden decided “delightful” was the word that summed up Devonport, so he put some branding around it.
He sent a copy to the Flagstaff this week. What do readers think? Does Devonport need better branding and does this imagefeaturing the Esplanade Hotel fit the bill?
Secret to keeping up with the grandkids
Murray watched Harper setting up her toy cash register on the lawn with neatly arranged plastic vegetables in rows. “Grandad, you’re the customer!” announced the 4-year-old.
Secret to keeping up with the grandkids
Secret to keeping up with the grandkids
Murray watched Harper setting up her toy cash register on the lawn with neatly arranged plastic vegetables in rows. “Grandad, you’re the customer!” announced the 4-year-old.
Without hesitation, Murray dropped to the grass, ready for another round of shops. Later, he’d realise he’d been up and down a dozen times without even thinking about it.
Murray watched Harper setting up her toy cash register on the lawn with neatly arranged plastic vegetables in rows. “Grandad, you’re the customer!” announced the 4-year-old.
Murray watched Harper setting up her toy cash register on the lawn with neatly arranged plastic vegetables in rows. “Grandad, you’re the customer!” announced the 4-year-old.
Without hesitation, Murray dropped to the grass, ready for another round of shops. Later, he’d realise he’d been up and down a dozen times without even thinking about it.
Without hesitation, Murray dropped to the grass, ready for another round of shops. Later, he’d realise he’d been up and down a dozen times without even thinking about it.
Without hesitation, Murray dropped to the grass, ready for another round of shops. Later, he’d realise he’d been up and down a dozen times without even thinking about it.
At 56, Murray runs a successful business and maintains his property with pride. Between work, doing the jobs around the house, and keeping those hedges perfectly trimmed, he’s always on the move. But keeping up with his energetic grandkids, Harper and Archie, had started to challenge even this active grandad.
“I’ve always been hands-on,” Murray explains. “But those little ones are non-stop. One minute you’re playing shops, next you’re a patient at their hospital, then you’re a jungle gym. It’s a workout!”
At 56, Murray runs a successful business and maintains his property with pride. Between work, doing the jobs around the house, and keeping those hedges perfectly trimmed, he’s always on the move. But keeping up with his energetic grandkids, Harper and Archie, had started to challenge even this active grandad. “I’ve always been hands-on,” Murray explains. “But those little ones are non-stop. One minute you’re playing shops, next you’re a patient at their hospital, then you’re a jungle gym. It’s a workout!”
At 56, Murray runs a successful business and maintains his property with pride. Between work, doing the jobs around the house, and keeping those hedges perfectly trimmed, he’s always on the move. But keeping up with his energetic grandkids, Harper and Archie, had started to challenge even this active grandad.
At 56, Murray runs a successful business and maintains his property with pride. Between work, doing the jobs around the house, and keeping those hedges perfectly trimmed, he’s always on the move. But keeping up with his energetic grandkids, Harper and Archie, had started to challenge even this active grandad.
“I’ve always been hands-on,” Murray explains. “But those little ones are non-stop. One minute you’re playing shops, next you’re a patient at their hospital, then you’re a jungle gym. It’s a workout!”
“I’ve always been hands-on,” Murray explains. “But those little ones are non-stop. One minute you’re playing shops, next you’re a patient at their hospital, then you’re a jungle gym. It’s a workout!”
The small business owner noticed he was starting to feel it, old rugby knees complaining, that twisted ankle acting up after a day of play. He wasn’t sidelined, but he wasn’t at his best either. When his son dropped him some Koru FX cream, Murray was skeptical but curious.
The small business owner noticed he was starting to feel it, old rugby knees complaining, that twisted ankle acting up after a day of play. He wasn’t sidelined, but he wasn’t at his best either. When his son dropped him some Koru FX cream, Murray was skeptical but curious.
his
with his
Harper, on a family holiday.
The small business owner noticed he was starting to feel it, old rugby knees complaining, that twisted ankle acting up after a day of play. He wasn’t sidelined, but he wasn’t at his best either. When his son dropped him some Koru FX cream, Murray was skeptical but curious.
The small business owner noticed he was starting to feel it, old rugby knees complaining, that twisted ankle acting up after a day of play. He wasn’t sidelined, but he wasn’t at his best either. When his son dropped him some Koru FX cream, Murray was skeptical but curious.
“I thought, why not? If it helps me keep up with these kids, it’s worth a shot.” What impressed Murray was how natural it felt. No burning sensation or sticky residue – just a subtle warmth that absorbed quickly.
“I thought, why not? If it helps me keep up with these kids, it’s worth a shot.” What impressed Murray was how natural it felt. No burning sensation or sticky residue –just a subtle warmth that absorbed quickly.
“I thought, why not? If it helps me keep up with these kids, it’s worth a shot.” What impressed Murray was how natural it felt. No burning sensation or sticky residue – just a subtle warmth that absorbed quickly.
“I thought, why not? If it helps me keep up with these kids, it’s worth a shot.” What impressed Murray was how natural it felt. No burning sensation or sticky residue – just a subtle warmth that absorbed quickly.
The secret? Koru FX’s triple-action formula works differently than typical creams. Arnica starts working immediately to support comfort, while black pepper and rosemary oil creates gentle warmth that helps the ingredients penetrate deeper. The mānuka, peppermint and calendula oils then provide longer-lasting support throughout the day.
The secret? Koru FX’s triple-action formula works differently than typical creams. Arnica starts working immediately to support comfort, while black pepper and rosemary oil creates gentle warmth that helps the ingredients penetrate deeper. The mānuka, peppermint and calendula oils then provide longer-lasting support throughout the day. Koru Nutrition, the makers of Koru FX say, “The natural oils work synergistically – fast action from arnica, deep penetration from black pepper, and sustained support from New Zealand mānuka and peppermint. That’s why users experience both fast-acting and long-lasting benefits.”
The secret? Koru FX’s triple-action formula works differently than typical creams. Arnica starts working immediately to support comfort, while black pepper and rosemary oil creates gentle warmth that helps the ingredients penetrate deeper. The mānuka, peppermint and calendula oils then provide longer-lasting support throughout the day. Koru Nutrition, the makers of Koru FX say, “The natural oils work synergistically – fast action from arnica, deep penetration from black pepper, and sustained support from New Zealand mānuka and peppermint. That’s why users experience both fast-acting and long-lasting benefits.”
Koru Nutrition, the makers of Koru FX say, “The natural oils work synergistically – fast action from arnica, deep penetration from black pepper, and sustained support from New Zealand mānuka and peppermint. That’s why users experience both fast-acting and long-lasting benefits.”
The secret? Koru FX’s triple-action formula works differently than typical creams. Arnica starts working immediately to support comfort, while black pepper and rosemary oil creates gentle warmth that helps the ingredients penetrate deeper. The mānuka, peppermint and calendula oils then provide longer-lasting support throughout the day. Koru Nutrition, the makers of Koru FX say, “The natural oils work synergistically – fast action from arnica, deep penetration from black pepper, and sustained support from New Zealand mānuka and peppermint. That’s why users experience both fast-acting and long-lasting benefits.”
Murray applies it morning and evening, and sometimes after particularly active grandkid sessions.
Murray applies it morning and evening, and sometimes after particularly active grandkid sessions.
Murray applies it morning and evening, and sometimes after particularly active grandkid sessions.
“I tried it Friday night,” he recalls. “Saturday I was out doing the hedges, then playing doctors with Harper on the floor. Sunday I finally got around to staining
“I tried it Friday night,” he recalls. “Saturday I was out doing the hedges, then playing doctors with Harper on the floor. Sunday I finally got around to staining
“I tried it Friday night,” he recalls. “Saturday I was out doing the hedges, then playing doctors with Harper on the floor. Sunday I finally got around to staining
Murray applies it morning and evening, and sometimes after particularly active grandkid sessions. “I tried it Friday night,” he recalls. “Saturday I was out doing the hedges, then playing doctors with Harper on the floor. Sunday I finally got around to staining the deck. By Monday, I ordered my own Koru FX tubes.”
the deck. By Monday, I ordered my own Koru FX tubes.”
These days, Murray keeps Koru FX within easy reach: bedside table, office nook, and pantry.
These days, Murray keeps Koru FX within easy reach: bedside table, office nook, and pantry.
the deck. By Monday, I ordered my own Koru FX tubes.”
These days, Murray keeps Koru FX within easy reach: bedside table, office nook, and pantry.
These days, Murray keeps Koru FX within easy reach: bedside table, office nook, and pantry.
“With busy grandkids, you need to be ready for anything,” he laughs. “Yesterday I was a gorilla, a shop customer, and a climbing frame – all before lunch. Today Harper announced I’m going to be a horse. Bring it on!”
“With busy grandkids, you need to be ready for anything,” he laughs. “Yesterday I was a gorilla, a shop customer, and a climbing frame – all before lunch. Today Harper announced I’m going to be a horse. Bring it on!”
“With busy grandkids, you need to be ready for anything,” he laughs. “Yesterday I was a gorilla, a shop customer, and a climbing frame – all before lunch. Today Harper announced I’m going to be a horse. Bring it on!”
“With busy grandkids, you need to be ready for anything,” he laughs. “Yesterday I was a gorilla, a shop customer, and a climbing frame – all before lunch. Today Harper announced I’m going to be a horse. Bring it on!”
His take? “Don’t wait until you need it. Stay ahead of the game and make the most of the moments that matter.”
His take? “Don’t wait until you need it. Stay ahead of the game and make the most of the moments that matter.”
His take? “Don’t wait until you need it. Stay ahead of the game and make the most of the moments that matter.”
Koru FX is available in your local Life, Unichem or Independant pharmacy.
His take? “Don’t wait until you need it. Stay ahead of the game and make the most of the moments that matter.” Koru FX is available in your local Life, Unichem or Independant pharmacy.
Koru FX is available in your local Life, Unichem or Independant pharmacy
Koru FX is available in your local Life, Unichem or Independant pharmacy
Murray keeps a few bottles around the place for when he needs it.
Murray keeps a few bottles around the place for when he needs it.
needs it.
Murray
grandaughter,
Murray with
grandaughter, Harper, on a family holiday.
Murray with his granddaughter Harper, on a family holiday.
Murray keeps a few bottles around the place for when he
Murray with his grandaughter, Harper, on a family holiday.
Murray keeps a few bottles around the place for when he needs it.
the deck. By Monday, I ordered my own Koru FX tubes.”
Plan Change
New plan’s special-area exclusions ‘threaten
A Spanish-style hacienda could pop up between prized villas if pockets of Devonport lose their Special Character Area status, says Devonport Heritage co-chair Margot McRae.
She says 257 properties in eight clusters (see sidebar) are being dropped from the area’s historic heritage SCA overlay – “for no good reason at all” – under Auckland Council’s controversial proposed replacement plan change.
The reclassification put the whole area’s predominant and unique heritage character at risk, McRae told the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board last week.
When homes taken out of the SCA were replaced or renovated, they would not be required to meet its rules about compatible build styles, including set-backs from the street and being in character with the area, she said.
“We’re losing this harmonious look we are trying to get.”
She pleaded for a rethink to keep the SCA intact and also criticised the speed of the process and lack of clarity on the plan changes.
“It will not result in a good change for Auckland ... it’s not a good outcome for Devonport or Auckland,” McRae said. In some parts of the city, SCAs are being removed altogether.
Under the new plan, Devonport would become a blanket single-house zone, which council says offers greater protection and harmonisation than under its earlier proposed Plan Change 78 (PC78), paused after the Auckland floods of 202, in a city-wide rethink.
PC78 had the same reclassified pockets in Devonport of non-SCA properties, but zoned them for multi-unit higher density.
The new plan – which council votes on
Where SCA is lifted
The eight areas with a total of 257 properties set to drop out of Devonport’s Special Character Area for housing are:
• Part of King Edward Pde to the west of Church St and sites behind the Masonic.
• Part of Vauxhall Rd opposite the rugby grounds and the Beaconsfield St walkway.
• Parts of Mozeley Ave.
• All of Ariho Tce and the northern side of Empire Rd.
• Parts of Oxford Tce and Rata and Matai Sts.
• Parts of Wairoa Rd, Morrison Rd, Derby St, Cambria Rd, North Ave and Turnbull Rd.
• East Vauxhall Rd near Fort Takapuna.
• Part of Stanley Point, west from Second Ave.
on 24 September – drops that.
McRae told board members that applying the single-house zoning in the new plan to properties not covered by the SCA that was a mistake.
It would create an anomaly in an area which met thresholds of being of 75 per cent high character.
The “ridiculous” change would not create more housing, but it would downgrade the heritage area, she said.
Member George Wood asked McRae: “If there’s sausage flats built in the 1960s – you’re saying no change?”
She replied the SCA meant changes had to be compatible to the area. “You might now get a hacienda.”
Council’s manager of Auckland-wide planning, Phill Reid, told the board just one
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extra property, in Beaconsfield St, had been cut from the SCA under the new plan, with the rest being those assessed in 2021-22 as not meeting its threshold.
For Devonport Heritage, either plan poses a danger to character.
“It is better, yet it still undermines heritage,” McRae told the Flagstaff.
Objections the organisation originally made about the assessments and their impact still stood, she said, and were yet to be tested by hearings. Carried over to the new plan, they would need to be challenged anew.
Reid said the single-house zone would be a more defendable proposition to intensification than having mixed zoning.
Factors other than heritage could also be in play in single-house zoning, he said, pointing to Stanley Point where it might not apply for heritage, but was put back because of coastal hazard.
A key area McRae points to as being at risk of having its appearance greatly altered is a prime stretch of King Edward Pde.
The waterfront road already had empty sections, where potentially unsympathetic new builds in different architectural styles and materials might result. “Maybe some of the [existing] houses aren’t great, but it could be much worse,” McRae said.
Oxford Tce is another concern, with some properties there set to drop out of the SCA.
“It’s a lovely street of many heritage houses, but if you allow carte blanche it could be anything but.”
McRae hopes mounting pressure on MPs and councillors across the city may yet see changes to the new plan.
If the “ridiculous” Government-imposed capacity target of two million homes being enabled in Auckland was revised it could save all the sacrificial city SCAs, she said.
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Plan Change
Devonport’s harmonious heritage character’
Zoning colour code
Devonport and coastal strips on the entire Peninsula have single-house zoning (shown in cream) under Auckland Council’s latest plan. The peninsula is predominantly zoned Mixed Housing Urban (tan), allowing multi-unit builds of up to three storeys, with northern Hauraki and parts of Belmont zoned THAB (brown), denoting more intensive Terrace Housing and Apartments, up to six storeys. Mixed Housing Suburban (yellow) remains for some areas, capping homes at two storeys. Town centres and pockets of shops or businesses are shown in pink, with mauve and purple key to other business and Navy use.
What’s changed... The previous plan (left) shows the Special Character Area (SCA) overlay of Devonport (blue), with those properties council identified as not meeting its heritage threshold identified in tan, denoting that under Plan Change 78 they would have been Mixed Housing Urban Zone (MHUZ), where multi-units would have been allowed. The latest plan (above) has done away with the patches of MHUZ in Devonport, instead opting for a blanket single-house zoning. Within this zone, the same properties without an SCA overlay remain, meaning that while they cannot intensify, they have fewer design controls.
Extend density in Belmont, Hauraki – local board Plan Change
Allowing more intensified development immediately around the Belmont and Hauraki shopping centres by extending the Terrace Housing and Apartment Building (THAB) zone has been suggested by Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members in feedback to Auckland Council on its planning changes.
At Belmont, deputy chair Terence Harpur suggested the zone, which allows for building to six storeys high, should be considered for the eastern end of Bayswater Ave.
An extension of the zone south of Hauraki Corner on Lake Rd was suggested by member Gavin Busch. Much of Hauraki towards Takapuna is already zoned THAB because it falls in Takapuna’s walkable catchment.
The board was generally supportive of pockets of targeted intensification in the plan, but it wanted height boundaries and setback rules between zones allowing different building heights and for all builds over four storeys.
Housing in the Smales Farm bus station walkable catchment could also be intensified, it suggested.
Fast-tracked changes criticised but split board backs most of them COAST & COUNTRY
Speakers at a special meeting called to give local feedback to massive council planning changes for Auckland decried the hurried process and their difficulties accessing upto-date council maps showing areas to be intensified or rezoned.
At the extraordinary Devonport-Takapuna Local Board meeting last week, local groups invited to give their views included Devonport Heritage, whose co-chair Margot McRae speculated that the plan’s reclassifying of some special character areas to single-house zoning could stem from Housing Minister Chris Bishop wanting “to create a wedge on heritage”.
The peninsula is much less impacted by the zoning changes than many parts of the city, including the northern half of the board area.
But in Sunnynook, 10-storey builds are proposed near the bus station. Milford faces a big expansion in its six-storey Terraced Housing and Apartment Housing (THAB) zone. This will spread east of the town centre, between the sea and Lake Pupuke, through to Takapuna, where side streets off Burns Ave can have high-rise buildings up to 15 storeys.
Local board chair Mel Powell agreed with speakers concerned about the extent and pace of change. “I totally agree with you that this time process makes no sense at all.”
Powell said tight legislative changes driven by Bishop mean the chance for public submissions was likely to fall in a narrow window right before Christmas.
Board member George Wood said the whole process was “egregious” and cut out the little person. Other members took the view that they had to make the best of the hand they had been dealt to give any feedback.
Council planning manager Phill Reid said due to compressed timelines and the scale of change, maps had been late going live. The plan’s tougher consenting process would do some of the heavy lifting in what could be restricted or made , especially in flood zones.
With the exception of Wood, board members backed council’s intention to withdraw its earlier proposed Plan Change 78 (PC78), notified in 2022 (prior to devastating floods) to accommodate the Government’s 3x3 Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), in favour of a new plan which has to allow the same amount of intensification, but is able to downzone flood-prone areas.
Recommendations from the board included support for most aspects of the plan,, but it called for less height in Sunnynook and further downzoning in flood-hit areas in Milford.
Painting Devonport’s villas with care and craft
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CANTERBURY GOES NON-STOP IN THREE-MONTH LOGISTICS MISSION
HMNZS Canterbury has clocked up more than 16,730 nautical miles, or threequarters of the way around the circumference of the world, all while doing the mahi in the Tasman and South Pacific.
The ship returned to Devonport Naval Base at the end of August after four trips between Wellington and Northern Queensland to transport in stages more than 150 personnel, four helicopters and close to 35 New Zealand Army vehicles in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Canterbury also supported high-profile activities in the South Pacific, including a diplomatic visit to New Caledonia, support to the Fiji Navy’s 50th anniversary, support to the South-West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces meeting in
Suva and delivery of two of the Navy’s new uncrewed surface vessels to assist with Fijian Navy-led border protection activities.
Complement-wise, Canterbury on deployment is a ship in constant churn.
It maintains an average of 145 crewmembers, but this latest deployment has included over 700 movements of embarked force personnel, all of whom must be accommodated, fed and looked after. The ship’s bunk occupancy rates ranged from 39 percent to 81 percent during this time.
Outgoing Commanding Officer Commander Bronwyn Heslop hands over the reins to Commander Wayne Andrew this week.
“Canterbury is definitely the ship that ‘Can’,” says CDR Heslop. “It is the most useful, utilised ship, with an amazing group of people. It has been privilege to serve on board alongside such a fabulous team.”
Devonport Naval Base security reminder – for the safety of the community, please take care and remain outside the 60-metre perimeter of the Naval Base at all times. This includes when swimming, diving, kayaking, fishing and sailing.
VILLAGE
DAYS
HMNZS Canterbury enters Wellington Harbour.
More electronic road signs planned as AT aims for safety wins
Electronic road safety signs will be installed on Lake Rd near Takapuna Grammar School, among other Devonport Peninsula locations.
The area near the school had been subject to 17 speed-related crashes in the five years from 2022-25, Auckland Transport (AT) told the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board recently.
AT wants signs up within four months of finalising a priority list for up to 10 sites.
They will be similar to the existing sign on Lake Rd near Seabreeze Rd, which warns drivers about speed on the downhill stretch before the golf course.
Further suggested sites are on Bayswater Ave and near the Devonport Kindergarten at 43 Vauxhall Rd.
Each sign costs around $16,000. The board will be paying for them with money left over in a discretionary spend it is allocated from
AT, which has funded projects such as the new crossing at Narrow Neck.
A surplus of $120,000 to $150,000 is expected in this year’s Local Board Transport Capital Fund. Faced with having to “use it or lose it”, the board took advice that signage would be a good use of the funds.
Other sites being looked at are mostly in the north of the board area.
Board member George Wood doubted a sign near TGS would deliver desired safety results. He said a lot of speeding crashes happened in the early hours “and signs won’t fix that”.
But others saw some benefits in alerting drivers to take care, including at busier hours.
Member Gavin Busch, a volunteer firefighter, said he had attended crashes near TGS and offered to suggest to AT where he thought signs might be most useful.
Jingle in Park line-up takes shape
Shane Cortese and the 8-Track Band have been confirmed as the headline act for Devonport’s Jingle in the Park concert at Windsor Reserve on 6 December.
Broadcaster and Devonport local Toni
Street will MC the event, with further acts to be announced soon.
Jingle in the Park is on the night before the Devonport Santa Parade, Christmas Market and Dance in the Park.
&
Lake Rd ideas include clearway and lane changes
Auckland Transport is pushing on with some of its “quick wins” for Lake Rd traffic flow, including the design of lane rearrangements at the Bayswater Ave corner, where a clearway could end parking in front of shops during the morning peak.
The proposed Belmont clearway would run north to Corella Ave.
AT hopes to have this and several other fixes in place by mid next year, after reporting back to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board in November and undertaking public consultation in February.
The other changes include:
• Extending the two-lane northbound section of Lake Rd approaching Hauraki corner back to near Onepoto Rd.
• Optimising pedestrian crossing phasing and upgrading detection at the crossing outside Takapuna Grammar School, where removing P90 parking spaces is also being investigated.
• Installing signs on Esmonde Rd to warn drivers of Lake Rd journey times, with the ability to direct them to use Burns Ave to reach Takapuna town centre, instead of travelling via Lake Rd.
Other ideas AT is developing for delivery in the 2026-27 financial year include:
• Creating new lanes at the western end of
Williamson Ave – a right-turn lane to Lake Rd and a through lane to Bayswater Ave.
• Permanently removing parking between Egremont and Corella streets, where two northbound traffic lanes could be explored.
AT gave a recent update to board members on these proposals and others involving Esmonde Rd laning (see sidebar).
Some of the Lake Rd / Esmonde Corridor Improvements ideas discussed at a March workshop have been ruled out, at least for now. These include a right-turn ban at Bardia St, an additional southbound lane between Winscombe St and the Belmont shops, bus stop and route changes and signalising the Seabreeze Rd intersection.
Responding to calls to better coordinate traffic signalling at the Bayswater Ave and Bardia St intersections, AT said this was currently co-ordinated for each peak hour, but the timing would be looked at again once intersection upgrades were made at Belmont.
Cycleway wayfinding signs for the area are being scoped under a separate AT active modes project. As part of the Lake Rd project, in April it installed cycle lane delineator posts on Lake Rd near the Roberts Ave corner, to prevent cars queueing on the cycle lane. The posts are also in place in the southbound approach to the Belmont shops.
Shore cricket players step up
Seven North Shore Cricket Club players have been selected for higher honours heading into the 2025-26 season.
Rishika Jaswal enters her second season contracted to the Auckland Hearts, while Emily Handyside and Jess Smith mark their debuts. Shore women players Eve Wolland and Tash Wakelin continue with the Northern Districts Brave.
Men’s players Jock McKenzie and Simon Keene have again secured contracts with the Auckland Aces, with Keene earning selection in the New Zealand A side to tour South Africa.
• Four contracted players around the country went to Devonport Primary School: McKenzie, Handyside, Anna Browning (Otago), and Gus McKenzie (Canterbury).
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The Esmonde Rd bus lane to the motorway south may be turned into a T2 or T3 vehicle lane.
Options on how to do this are being considered by Auckland Transport, which says fewer than 15 buses an hour use the lane in the peak period.
Doing away with designated bus lanes is controversial, given it would put buses back into the general traffic flow rather than having priority passage onto the motorway.
How an extra lane of traffic might merge onto the motorway on-ramp also needs to be considered.
AT advised local board members that traffic modelling would be done in the next few months on the options seen as most feasible, with initial cost estimates to come.
The options are:
• Change the left lane at the on-ramp to a T2 or T3 to continue the lane.
• Add a T2 or T3 lane to the on-ramp, bypassing existing ramp signals. This would mean widening the existing overbridge.
• Create a bypass before the busway to allow the T2 or T3 lane to merge with the left lane of the motorway.
If an option is accepted, design work would be done this financial year, with traffic changes in the 2026-27 year.
AT is also keen to extend the westbound outer lane from Barrys Pt Rd for vehicles travelling towards Akoranga.
BAK
20 years ago from the Flagstaff files
• Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) is on a high after the government announces $9 million worth of new buildings at the school. It means most of the school’s 18 prefabs will disappear. Prime Minister Helen Clark is given a tour of the school by principal Simon Lamb.
• Former TGS head girl Juliette Haigh wins gold at the World Rowing Champs with partner Nicky Coles in the coxless pairs.
• The Vauxhall Rd sports grounds are due to reopen for summer after being closed for the whole year for resurfacing.
• The rising number of Devonport cafes leads tree feller Ross Tanner to complain to the Devonport Community Board about the “burnt toast” smell from the coffee roasting around the village, saying it is an invasion of personal space.
• The Electric Confectionaires – TGS students Rob Fenton, Jaisi Sheehan, Haddon Smith and Calum Gunn – win the national Smokefree Rockquest competition ahead of 600 other bands. They collect a $20,000 prize package and confirm they are already in talks with Sony about an album.
• A free rock concert at the Kerr St Artspace organised by the Labour Party’s Phil Twyford and featuring the Electric Confectionaires, Chris Knox and Mikey Havoc, is cancelled after concerns it could be seen as an election bribe.
• Devonport’s very own Tagbuster –Willy Williams – is run off his feet with calls from locals wanting him to clean up graffiti.
• The captain of the Fullers ferry Kea was in the toilet when it separated from Devonport Wharf, almost leading to several passengers falling into the sea when embarking, a marine investigation finds. Fullers agrees to instigate new safety procedures.
• Devonport has no evacuation plan in the event of a terrorist attack, flood or cyclone, North Shore City Council’s civil defence manager tells the Devonport Community Board.
• Vauxhall School’s Conor Clancy wins the North Shore Primary School speech competition with an entry called “The Grim Pointlessness of Life”.
• North Shore’s J8 White team goes through the 2005 season undefeated,
sometimes scoring more than 100 points – more than 20 tries in two 20-minute halves. Donald Coleman is the team’s top performer, scoring six to seven tries per game.
• Public consultation on resource consents for the construction of a new ferry terminal at Bayswater is limited to Bayswater residents, disappointing North Shore City Councillor Chris Darby, who wanted submissions opened to the wider population.
• Albert Rd is put forward as a pilot for street improvement programmes to solve problems around traffic flows, parking, bus stops and landscaping.
• Ron Matthews, who ran the Devonport Copy Shoppe, dies. He was well-known for his window displays and sense of humour.
• Five new pedestrian crossings are planned in a new master plan for Devonport. It will take the number of pedestrian crossings in Devonport to nine. Also planned is a “Palm Avenue” on Victoria Rd, from the sea to Flagstaff Tce.
• Peter Chevin, the new owner of Devonport Wharf, is the Flagstaff interview subject.
Geotechnical investigations begin for Devonport watermain upgrade
Watercare will begin geotechnical investigations in mid-September along the proposed 4.5-kilometre route for the planned $40m Devonport watermain replacement.
Watercare project manager Raj Unka says the new watermain replaces an ageing pipeline and supports future population growth.
“The Devonport 2 Watermain has reached the end of its design life after serving the community since 1960. It’s one of two major watermains supplying drinking water to Takapuna, Hauraki, Bayswater and its surrounding suburbs.
“The new pipeline will be approximately 450mm in diameter - 150mm bigger than its predecessor – and will stretch from the corner of Killarney and Auburn streets to the bulk water supply point near 95 Lake Road, Belmont.
“It will follow a revised route that avoids private properties and recreational parks, making better use of road corridors to support future maintenance access.
“It will operate alongside the existing Devonport 1 Watermain, which will remain in service once the new pipeline is commissioned.”
Although construction of the new pipeline is not scheduled to begin until early 2027, these early geotechnical investigations will help Watercare gain a clearer understanding of existing underground services and ground conditions.
Unka says the data gathered will also help refine the pipeline’s design and construction methodology.
“These investigations will run through to late November and include a range of survey and testing activities such as drone aerial surveys, topographical ground surveys, and potholing
on berms and roads.
“Temporary traffic management will be in place at various locations along the route to ensure the safety of both our crews and the public.”
Unka says once the geotechnical investigations are complete, the project team will move into the preliminary and then the detailed design phase.
“After these investigations, we’ll go back to the drawing board to finalise the pipeline route and develop the construction methodology.
It’s likely that further traffic management will be required to support this next phase of work. We remain committed to keeping the community informed as the project progresses.
“The geotechnical investigations are expected to continue through to late October.”
Turn up the volumes... (clockwise from top left): Belmont Primary’s Luke Rowland dressed as Stick Man; James Hick as the Wild Robot; and (from left) Maia Perry, Finley Johnstone and Coco Taylor (as Pippi Longstocking, Alice and the Queen of Hearts).
Support your paper for the price of a cup of coffee. Go to devonportflagstaff.co.nz and click on ‘Become a supporter’ at the top of the page.
Pupils from Belmont, Bayswater and Vauxhall primary schools dressed in a variety of creative and colourful costumes to mark national Book Week
Stories come to life... (clockwise from above): At Bayswater School, brothers Koby and Charlie Matravers were bugs from Brilliant Bugs, while cousins Te Ahorangi Motu, Fogaga Vaotuua Key, Zarna Rei and Laukaiva Vaotuua Key dressed as Dr Seuss characters; At Vauxhall School (from left) Jess La Franchie, Eddie Ison, Amélie Hilditch, Marlowe Moxham and Elijah Keenan were all inspired by the Harry Potter series.
HON SIMON WATTS
MP for North Shore northshore@parliament.govt.nz simonwattsmp
Authorised by Hon Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
Let’s Talk Impact
It is incredible what one blazer, one handbag, or one pair of heels can do
Thanks to your generosity, women across our communities are stepping into interviews and new opportunities with pride, confidence, and style; all made possible through your donations to Dress for Success.
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If you are still clearing space or have quality pieces to give, we would love to hear from you. We continue to collect women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories to support this meaningful cause
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Youthful ‘Pride’ on display at NSRC junior prizegiving
Award winners at the North Shore Rugby Club junior prize-giving (Key: MI – Most Improved player; MV – Most Valuable player; PA – Pride Award): J1 Hairy Goats: Harry Booker (MI), Blake Darragh (MV), Thomas Allan (PA), Jacques Chetwynd (PA). J2 Green: Hunter Waldron (MI), Tom Congdon (MV), Connor Reynolds (PA), Miller Jewell (PA). J2 White: Hugo Stebbing (MI), Charlie Christian (MV), Seb Peacocke (PA), Luke Colhoun (PA). J3 Hulks: Baxter Scott (MI), Victor Havranek (MV), Flynn Hunt (PA), Elliot Ashwin (PA). J4 Green Machine: James Brooks (MI), Corban Lumsden (MV), Ollie Gold (PA), Carter Smith (PA). J5 Warriors: Cooper Blucher (MI), Ryan Clark (MV), Janco Steyn (PA). J5 Nuggets: Ryker Hopwood (MI), Jack Metcalfe (MV), Cole Christian
(PA). J5 Devils: Aston Luxton (MI), Hunter Michelsen (MV), Flynn McLeay. J6 Hairy Goats: Alex Porter (MI), Cooper Job (MV), Tom Christian (PA). J6 Green Machine: Ezra Pretorius (MI), Lachie France (MV), Josh Craig-Cochrane (PA). U9G Kings: Philo Meredith (MI), Mila Anderson (MV), Lily Furlong (PA). U9G Tui: Lily Parkes (MI), Dani Ballard (MV), Maddie Doddrel (PA). U11G Red Rebels: Taylor Metcalfe (MI), Immy Manning (MV), Violet Wilkinson (PA). U11G Kahu: Isabella Lusty, Ciara Walker (MV), Mackenzie France (PA). U11G Wildcats: Freja Mallarkey (MI), Mila Kailahi (MV), Tessa Mulligan (PA). U11G Yellow: Annabelle James (MI), Maaike Clissold (MV), Paige Collins (PA). U13G Black: Alice Du (MI), Zoe Smith (MV), Olive Henderson (PA). U13G Blue: Olivia Bruce
(MI), Lacey Wilson-Moses (MV), Lucia Balgarnie (PA). U13G Gold: Nicole Garde (MI), Zoe Leggott-Lopez (MV), Catherine Sturgess-Taylor (PA). U13G Green: Quinny Yeoman (MI), Sophie Sickling (MV), Charlotte Robertson (PA). U13G White: Martha Duncan (MI), Mackenzie Burrows (MV), Chloe O’Neill (PA). U13G Red: Nella Jones (MI), Clementine Powles (MV), Charlotte Avery (PA). Trevor Lyall Cup (Fair play J5-J8, U9), Harper Crause; Roy Buchanan Cup (Fair play J1-J4, U11, U13), Clara McPherson; Gartside Cup (Most conscientious player in the club), Shay Legarth; Colin Harvey Trophy (The energetic player who is always in the game), Jake Tuck; MacKenty Family Award (Hardest working forward), Henry Ryder; Colin Parry Cup (Most loyal to the club), Harry Crankshaw.
True colours... Club mascot ‘Buck the Hairy Goat’ helps preside over North Shore Rugby Club’s recent junior prizegiving
ALBANY HEAT PUMPS
Devonport 09 445 2010
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Heritage champion lands among kindred spirits
After years spent fighting to conserve buildings in development-minded Queenstown, architect Jackie Gillies is a welcome addition to Devonport’s heritage-advocate firepower.
When heritage architect Jackie Gillies moved to Devonport she thought she was retired and done with work. But inevitably her passion drew her back in. Soon enough the pencils were out. Local heritage champions were delighted she’d chosen to make this village home.
She’d come with her husband, Warwick Goldsmith, from Queenstown, where she had a practice specialising in architectural conservation and a much-loved mud-brick home the couple had built in a quiet, stunning piece of the Central Otago landscape. For decades that part of the world was home, although she’d always had a yen for life in Auckland.
Gillies came to New Zealand in the early 1980s, a young architect from the UK looking for a change and new challenges.
She fired off applications for jobs far from home and when she struck a welcoming note in Southland, she was off. She was hooked when she found the office Christmas celebration was a three-day walk to Port Craig – not the stuffy sort of gathering she may have been in for back in London.
From that first job in Invercargill she set up her own practice, later establishing her business in Queenstown.
Old buildings and their possibilities excited her, rather than tearing them down to make way for something new.
Two things set her direction in those earlier years – she’d met her life partner Goldsmith, and by making a trip home to study again in the UK she had gained the extra skills and knowledge that would qualify her in heritage related work.
There was plenty that could be done, she and others believed.
There were possibilities for heritage preservation along with more urgent battles to fight.
In some ways, Gillies found herself in a lonely corner, outnumbered by those who didn’t share her vision.
Lady of the lakefront... Jackie Gillies has been credited with helping retain the heritage charm of Queenstown’s foreshore
She grins wryly as she recalls references to herself as “that bloody woman”. That perhaps hints at why the pull of Auckland might win her over in the end. “I was the oddity down there.”
In the late 1980s, as a newcomer to Queenstown, she began “poking around” the little old Williams Cottage that fronted Queenstown Bay. Built in the 1860s, it was
falling to bits when Gillies started to fall in love with what she’d later refer to as her first child.
Gillies formed the Queenstown Heritage Trust and began to have a voice and become an entity in the region as she threw herself into many projects involving at-risk heritage buildings.
To back the early Williams Cottage
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project, she made the ultimate rescue commitment through the heritage trust, raising $200,000 towards buying it and an extra $176,000 to restore it. Today it’s a working, tenanted building.
Later she would rescue the waterfront’s beautiful old bathhouse from imminent demolition.
The fortunes of the pretty landmark had declined since it was opened in 1912 for use as a public changing shed from which bathers could amble to nearby diving platforms for a plunge into chilly Lake Wakatipu. Later it had a new life as a tea room, but setbacks, deterioration and economics led to talk of demolition in the later 80s.
When it seemed no one else wanted to rescue it, Gillies took the opportunity to buy the building, restore it and move her architectural practice into it.
There were other projects in the vicinity that she either took the lead in or lent a hand with, including the makeover of the widely known Eichardt’s Hotel.
Many credit her with helping retain much of the built charm of the foreshore in Queenstown. With a small grin, she says it became pretty much “my waterfront”.
The list of heritage work grew over 30 years of repairing and conserving historic buildings, setting them up for a new, sustainable life. In 2009 she took the heritage award in the Southern Architecture Awards for her conversion of the historic Balfour Stables near Queenstown into a home.
What she did with the redundant stone stables is known as “adaptive re-use”, the win-win approach of finding a way to sensitively repurpose something old into a working, sustainable building.
In fighting the battle for our heritage buildings, she says research and a strong case are essential to carrying the argument if a plan proposing adaptive re-use is to resonate with the opposition.
It’s not just their character that makes heritage buildings worth developing. Refurbished buildings have only half the embodied carbon compared to a new-build project.
Some of the most sustainable buildings are the ones that already exist.
Gillies’ practice expanded as similarly focussed professionals joined her. But even with support, the battles never seemed to get less challenging.
The clamour of those who take a different view of what should happen with our heritage buildings grew louder.
The ever persistent and dogged Gillies
“The settlers here came to get away from their old countries and wanted to start something new. I think there is still a lot of that thinking here –that new is best.”
says the majority view is often that they should be bowled and replaced with new buildings that are considered to offer far greater gain. “Sometimes I wonder if the reason there is so little interest in the country’s heritage is that the settlers here came to get away from their old countries and wanted to start something new. I think there is still a lot of that thinking here – that new is best.”
At a time of life when retirement was
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beckoning, she and Goldsmith – a lawyer who came to specialise in planning – began winding down their affairs in the south and looked to starting over in a little house in Church Street, Devonport. Local media in Queenstown noted their departure at the end of 2022.
For Gillies, a piece of her heart stays in Central Otago. But she wasn’t resident in Devonport for long before finding her way to the front door of Margot McRae , a strong voice and active champion for all things heritage in the community.
She found a warm welcome and a project to get her teeth into. Gillies rolled up her sleeves just in time to make a significant contribution to the 100-page evaluation and report in 2022 on the Devonport Historic Heritage Area – Victoria Rd, Windsor Reserve and Marine Square. The report was prepared to support the proposal that this area meets eligibility to be identified as an Historic Heritage Area.
McRae says Gillies’ arrival has been “a godsend for Devonport Heritage”. She says Gillies was instrumental in having five Devonport historic buildings – The Mays Building and the Devonia Buildings in Victoria Rd, a house at 9 Mays St, Duder House in Church St and St Paul’s Church on Victoria Rd – retained on Auckland Council’s Historic A Schedule.
Gillies says she is happy to have found many more kindred spirits around her in Devonport and has loved being on a sharp learning curve to bone up on history here. “There’s much more support for heritage and more money up here.”
Quitting the day job has left her time to learn woodwork and tinker about in her little workshop.
There are opportunities aplenty, she says, for adaptive re-use of our old buildings. “I’d love to get my hands on the Bean Rock Lighthouse.”
Local Body Elections
Countdown on for candidates as community quiz them
Fifteen of the 20 candidates for six seats on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and three of the five contenders to be North Shore councillors fronted up in public last week, giving voters plenty to pick over.
The Devonport Community House local body election meeting was packed as it is every three years, with curious community members trying to familiarise themselves with new faces and decide if the old ones deserve another round.
Both board and council contests promise opportunity for change, with only three sitting board members and one councillor seeking to stay on from October.
Those looking to fill seats on the board offer a diverse range of backgrounds, although most of those standing for a board area that stretches north to Sunnynook are Devonport Peninsula residents. Gavin Busch is the only sitting member who lives on the peninsula.
Parochialism figured little in questions from the 100-strong audience and twice that number watching on a livestream. Future board funding and general services were more of a focus.
Lake Rd got a mention of course... In their words, pages 26-31
Timekeeper... Cliff Brown employed a bell and a hooter to keep candidates to their one-minute speaking slots, giving as he put it, a “polite ding” for a 10sec warning, then a “rude horn” instructing them to wind up
Outside issue echoes at local meeting
Board candidate Karin Horen was put on the spot when questioned about her pro-Israel social-media postings.
Devonport restaurant owner Sam Bratton challenged her over stories she had shared online, which he said were prosettler and anti-Palestinian, and included the inflammatory words of an Israeli general.
Horen, at first surprised, got to her feet to say, yes, she was born in Israel and “I am a proud Jewish woman”, adding she had children who were Maori and she wanted to represent the local board, not geo-political problems.
The candidate on the A Fresh Approach ticket continued: “Leave politics aside. I’m pro people coming into this country and contributing.” Horin wound up by saying she would be happy to have oneon-one discussions.
It was a smooth answer to a question she later said she expected, but didn’t explicitly answer.
Brown gives Grant a mayoral boost, but will it sway voters?
North Shore council candidate Danielle Grant has won a late endorsement from Mayor Wayne Brown to run as part of his Fix Auckland team.
Grant let the cat out of the bag at the public election meeting for local candidates held at the Devonport Community House on Wednesday last week, ahead of a release from Brown.
“Grant is exactly the kind of clear-thinking, action-oriented councillor North Shore needs,” Brown said.
He cited her proven leadership and com-
mitment to financial responsibility.
At the Devonport meeting, Grant made it clear she hoped to join sitting councillor Richard Hills at the council table.
She was seated between Hills and John Gillon, her colleague from the Kaipatiki Local Board who is also running for council.
Board chair Gillon and deputy chair Grant have worked well together on the board in the same grouping, but he is standing for council as an independent while she was under her own The Shore Choice banner before winning Brown’s endorsement.
In 2022 she ran for council unsuccessfully as a Communities and Residents (C&R candidate), finishing third behind Hills and Chris Darby, who is not running for another term.
Grant, who moved to Milford from Glenfield several years ago, has previously supported Brown’s priorities.
His backing for her will add extra interest to the five-horse race for two North Shore seats on council.
Grant and Gillon are also seeking re-election to the Kaipatiki board.
Local Body Elections
Humour and personal touch wins on clap-o-meter
Questions from the floor often elicit more interesting answers at election meetings than the standard inquiries about who the candidates are and what their goals are.
Such was the case at the Devonport Community House after the audience, having listened politely to sometimes predictable answers, got the chance to quiz their wouldbe representatives .
The curliest set-piece question posed by MC Josephine Richardson asked what the candidates’ priorities would be if they were forced to make budget cuts.
Some ducked for cover, with “there’s no easy answers” answers. Chorus-like, most mentioned protecting libraries and parks. “These aren’t extras, they’re the heart of our community,” said Kimberly Graham.
Community centres and grants, sports, the environment, transport and the arts were also backed, in roughly that order.
Throughout the night, the most applause went to those who showed a little humour or revealed something personal rather than tub-thumping.
Forensic auditor Kamini Schoonbee wanted to systematically test the numbers and break down advice, but having earlier revealed herself as a supporter of safe public space, community groups and art programmes, her approach seemed more measured than slash and burn.
Mike Single wanted a focus on rubbish and gutter cleaning. Kaumosi Opie said she would first push back and petition the mayor. “And then consult the community on what matters most.”
Taking the pulse also appealed to Neil
Zent and Gavin Busch, who said cuts had been telegraphed so community feedback and the Local Board plan was a guide, along with “looking for a little bit of fat”.
Lewis Rowe said as a businessman he knew how to cut out waste. Terence Harpur said board members should take advice but ask tough questions of staff and council should get multiple quotes from contractors.
“Why are we accepting a sinking lid?” asked Scott MacArthur.
Paul Cornish said user-pays was already impacting sports groups and it would have to be capital projects that were looked at.
Garth Ellingham said he didn’t think rates cuts were realistic given the need for council spending on infrastructure, and protecting natural assets. “The environment once gone is hard to get back.” Pete Cronshaw said he completely opposed cuts, having seen the impact on the media industry he worked in. “I can’t promise it won’t happen but I will fight to keep things past generations paid for, for future ones.”
In the only minor spat between candidates, George Wood took a potshot at Terence Harpur, saying the board’s biggest cut was when Harpur “instigated” not replacing former chair Toni van Tonder when she resigned in February. Harpur later took a dig at Wood for his time on the previous split board, when the Lake Rd project lost funding.
Both men pointed to the board now working with Auckland Transport to try to get some cheaper “quick wins” on the road, which prompted former board member Jan O’Connor to chip in from the audience with “Seen pigs fly”.
The most common questions from the floor were about board funding, decision-making and devolution.
A young man spoke against turning the Takapuna Library into a community hub, saying autistic children need quiet spaces. Trish Deans jumped into criticise the amount spent on scoping the library plan. Karin Horen said it would be great to replicate Devonport Library and youth spaces like Shore Junction.
Asked about getting more money locally from the government and whether consenting could also be done locally, Council Planning Committee chair Richard Hills said the first was a major work-on and the second wasn’t possible because of the Resource Management Act.
Like other incumbents, Hills has an advantage knowing the background to issues, but this year, some new faces are challenging for vacated elected positions.
The last question of the night came from a livestream audience member who noted falling local school rolls and asked what could be done to make the area more accessible to families. As with an earlier question from Devonport Heritage on what candidates knew about intensification plans, the responses were mixed.
Deans said housing was a key issue but intensification would not necessarily be a fix.
Wood said build-to-rent developments might be a way forward. Cronshaw said intensification without infrastructure was a nonsense and heritage was a treasure, but Scott MacArthur and Ellingham seemed more open to sensitive intensification.
Local Body Elections
Candidates on parade at Community House meeting
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board candidates were given 60 seconds to introduce themselves at the Devonport Community House on 3 September. In speaking order, here are their main points, along with replies to a later question about just what they would bring to the board:
Trish Deans spoke of her heritage advocacy, work on the Harmony Hall reroofing project and roles in community emergency planning and leading Grey Power North Shore. “I want to protect the things we value.” Notably, she did not mention her term on the previous board. To the next one, she hoped to bring “heart and head”.
Pete Cronshaw said he saw challenge and change on the horizon for Devonport, his home of 30 years. Wasteful spending and poor decision making were concerns and better infrastructure and safe footpaths were needed. After years in Lake Rd traffic, the broadcaster had decided: “It’s time to put Negative Nelly to bed and put up or shut up.”
Kimberly Graham spoke of her experience as an advocate for accessibility, sparked by having a son in a wheelchair. The Devonport resident said barriers to inclusion needed tackling: “I see things, a lot of things council and the local board miss.” Making sure everyone’s voice counted would be the focus of her contribution.
Terence Harpur gave his governance and business credentials and said as current board deputy chair he had worked collaboratively and fought funding cuts, which would be an ongoing focus. He would lead with integrity, collaboration and future thinking.
Karin Horen said her journey as a solo mother, cancer survivor, author and in various jobs had underscored the value of community. Being on the board was about legacy, protecting the environment, spending wisely and showing compassion.
Scott MacArthur said his work as a town planner, including in past roles at council and AT, meant he had a useful skill set. The Belmont resident wants better design standards and says he will bring a “can-do attitude” and advocacy to a board role.
Lewis Rowe, the youngest candidate, said he comes from a family of service, and wanted to provide this for all. Through his Belmont car business he said he sponsored community groups, sports and schools. Encouraging opportunities for youth would be one aim. “I want people to stay here, buy homes, build families and open businesses.”
Garth Ellingham introduced himself as a local who grew up loving the ocean and went on from Wakatere Boating Club to sail professionally and then work as an engineer. Realising he was lucky, he wanted to contribute. “It’s time for young people to step up.” Real value would come from protecting the beach, parks, community facilities and improving transport and stormwater, even if the job meant you couldn’t please everyone.
Paul Cornish spoke of his long involvement in sport in Devonport and desire to retain green space and heritage and to enhance the town centre – along with a cyclist’s wish to see the Francis St-Esmonde Rd link built. This was his second go at the board, after missing a seat in 2016, but he said he was aiming at “third time lucky”, counting for this purpose his father having failed to win a seat on a parish board in the UK. He wanted to “save the family honour”, he joked.
Mike Single played up his time on the board of Takapuna Grammar and rugby coaching. Running through professional credentials, the Bayswater resident said he had the background and skills to listen and advocate for deliverable outcomes. Standing up for and listening to the community needed to be done better.
Gavin Busch, an incumbent member, was keen to bring his experience back to the board. Budget cuts were a threat to work in progress. The Narrow Neck resident highlighted being a Rotarian, a volunteer fireman and his involvement in sports. Serving was a humbling experience, he said, citing the 2023 floods.
Kamini Schoonbee said after 17 years in New Zealand she wanted to give back. The small business owner and accountant said her skills would be in asking the right questions as the board faced the threat of cuts to its allocated spend. She valued the Devonport Library, Plunket services and the PumpHouse, all of which she had used.
George Wood, another incumbent, stood on his long record in local politics, harking back to the Northern Busway and other successful projects. The job was an important responsibility, requiring attending at every meeting and “being present, reliable and and doing the work for community everyday”.
Neil Zent, an engineer, said he offered the ability to deliver sustainable solutions, not just quick fixes. He spoke of having lived in Forrest Hill and Sunnynook for 26 years and having raised a family there. As a cyclist, he wants safe connected routes.
Kamosi Opie gained warm applause in saying her time going through local schools with “curly hair and brown skin” helped her as a young girl from Tuvalu find a sense of purpose, self-acceptance and belonging. After marrying into a Devonport family and raising her family in Hauraki, she wanted to protect the services – including arts and community spaces – that she valued.
• Karlene Reeve, Helena Roza, ,Mary-Anne Cooper, James Rohloff and Kent Tregonning were not at the meeting. Reeve (who was overseas) and Roza (who was unwell) lodged their apologies.
Local Body Elections
to the camera
Council hopefuls lay out priorities
Richard Hills said as a sitting councillor he wanted to continue his collaboration on the Governing Body, which had included convincing the mayor to halt funding cuts for environmental groups. Delivering water improvement and boosting ferry and bus services were other highlights. He would work against any future cuts to spending on water, flood remediation and the environment. Building relationships across the table and political divide was vital. Government kept 95 per cent of tax revenue, with just 5 per cent going Auckland’s way, yet council was expected to pay half for roading and faced taking 300 years to renew the city’s footpaths using ratepayer money. “We need them to come to the table.”
Danielle Grant emphasised her community links in addition to local-board service, including being on the boards of North Harbour Rugby, the regional gymnastics body and Westlake Boys. “My super power
is really collaboration.” Council needed to push back on Wellington and renegotiate expensive maintenance contracts. Community-based deliverers were best, and the role of boards needed upholding through devolving responsibilities to them. .
John Gillon pointed out that his parents lived in Devonport (his father Grant was a former local-board chair) and he attended Takapuna Grammar. He wanted action on Lake Rd, protection of heritage and no sales of parks. He highlighted that $200 million was collected in rates from the Shore, yet the DTLB faced a $460,000 “fairer funding” cut in an allocation that did not consider the assets it had to maintain. Stormwater was also underfunded. Too much power was delegated to staff, that should sit with elected members. He would work collaboratively and “put the North Shore first in all of my decisions”. • Eric Chuah and Helen Roza (unwell) were not at the meeting.
Infrastructure: speed up investment in flood protection and safe drinking water.
Sport and recreation: greater investment focusing on youth wellbeing, improved facilities.
Economic development: grow our town centres and increase local employment.
They said it...
“Being a councillor is just staying up to midnight answering questions on the community Facebook pages – it will probably get me divorced.”
– Richard Hills
“I moved to Belmont 20 years ago, or upper Devonport as I like to call it.”
– Lewis Rowe
“This neighbourhood is where I first learned to like myself.” – Kamosi Opie
“I’m hoping it’s third time lucky, for the family honour.” – Paul Cornish
“I see things, a lot of things council and the local board miss.”
– Kimberly Graham
Support Mayor Wayne Brown’s priorities to ‘Fix Auckland’: Stop Wasting Money, Make the Most of our Environment and Manage AT.
Down the line... Mike Single (left) speaks for C&R as other board candidates wait and while the eyes of the council candidates at right (John Gillon, Danielle Grant and Richard Hills) are drawn
Local Body Elections
North Shore ward council candidates
The five candidates seeking two places on Auckland Council make their pitch
ERIC CHUAH
INDEPENDENT
Greetings everyone. I live in Glenfield. Will ensure transparency/ accountability in contract tendering process and staff recruitment with appropriate systems of management implemented. ‘Reacting to situations with ad-hoc solutions resulting in long-term problems’ can be seen by the lack of preventive and preemptive flood mitigation measures in 2023, causing tragic unnecessary loss of lives in Wairau Valley. Auckland Council debt has increased $3 billion to $14 billion (3 years). Advocate for Auckland Futures Fund paltry 5.8% yearly to be reviewed.
RICHARD HILLS
POSITIVE LEADERSHIP FOR THE SHORE
I build strong relationships to deliver results – better bus services, record investment in environmental and water quality projects, neighbourhood upgrades, new ferries, and restored ferry reliability. I action your requests, supported our community during the floods and secured funding for buyouts and flood mitigation projects. I’m also working with government to stop inappropriate development in flood zones. Your support ensures a strong, experienced voice at council to protect our environment, improve local services, and invest in the infrastructure we need.
JOHN GILLON
PUTTING THE SHORE FIRST
Leadership, experience and commitment to the North Shore. Truly independent.
I will prioritise: cleaner beaches/streams; safer neighbourhoods; fixing Lake Rd and upgrading green route; retaining parkland; restoring slashed local board funding; improving park/facility maintenance; protecting heritage; increasing compliance enforcement; free public transport; keeping rates low. I will fight against: building in flood zones or where there’s insufficient infrastructure; breaching of Unitary Plan rules; congestion charges; downgrading roads to loose chipseal.
HELENA ROZA
ACT LOCAL: FOR REAL CHANGE | LOWER RATES
I’m Helena Roza, ACT candidate for North Shore Ward councillor. As a mum, wife and small business owner, I’ve built my life here from the ground up. The council has lost sight of fiscal responsibility, and rates are rising while wasteful spending continues. I’ll deliver real value by lowering rates, fixing roads and footpaths, keeping our beaches safe and backing local businesses. I’ll also defend property rights and push back on anti-car policies. Vote Helena Roza for Real Change.
DANIELLE GRANT
THE SHORE CHOICE
After 12 years on the Kaipātiki Local Board, I will stand up for the Shore while collaborating with Mayor Brown on the big issues.
We must control rates, fix infrastructure and manage Auckland Transport. I want to secure flood protection, grow our town centres for local employment and invest in school sports facilities for community use.
I live in Milford with husband Dave and our two teenagers. Having run my own business, I will make better decisions with your money.
ELECTION FACTS
In the last local government elections in 2022, council figures for the DevonportTakapuna Local Board area show there were:
• 43,567 potential electors
• Of those, 18,907 (43.4 per cent) voted, up from 40.9 per cent in 2019.
• 3132 returned a vote on the last day.
Local Body Elections
Candidates for Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
On the next three pages, 20 local-board contenders stake their claim for your vote
MARY-ANNE BENSONCOOPER
INDEPENDENT
I was raised in Devonport, Bayswater and later Milford. I am a local and I believe it’s my turn to take action on what us locals need and want. This is our local country and we must do our best for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and upgrade roads.
GAVIN BUSCH
C&R NORTH SHORE
I am a current local board member and proud of the work and advocacy I have undertaken in the last three years. With experience in governance, and as a financial adviser for over 25 years, I am active across our community within Rotary as well as a volunteer firefighter. I will work in your interest, our community interests, always pushing for the best possible outcome, not just any outcome. For a connected, professional and focused team making sensible decisions, vote C&R.
PETE CRONSHAW
INDEPENDENT
Our community is facing challenges and change. Cuts and closures are not the answer. Once we lose community assets – they are gone for good! My priorities are rates affordability, stopping financial wastage, better infrastructure, clean parks and beaches, protecting heritage, saving community facilities, reinvigorating our town centres and supporting local events and activities. I’m extremely proud to call the Shore home. A vote for me ensures independent decision making that’s driven by a vision for a better future.
KIMBERLY GRAHAM
A FRESH APPROACH
I’ve lived in Devonport for over 20 years, raising three children, including one with severe disabilities who uses a wheelchair. I work to advance accessibility legislation. I have contributed to Auckland Council’s universal design guidelines and, for Waka Kotahi NZTA, developed guidance to ensure three-wheeled cycles are included. I’ve also worked on trail accessibility guidelines. I want to bring this experience to the local board, champion active transport, and deliver safer footpaths, stronger public transport and inclusive facilities.
PAUL CORNISH
KEEP OUR OPEN SPACES
A resident for 32 years, I helped revitalise the Victoria Theatre and Devonport Squash Club, managed North Shore RFC for four years and continue to organise the Devonport JETS run. Community group governance is my forte and I now look to transfer my skills and energy to the local board. My priorities are easing road congestion, pushing back on housing development and improving seawater quality. Alternative cycling routes are needed as safer alternatives to Lake Rd.
TRISH DEANS
INDEPENDENT
My leadership is independent, transparent and financially responsible – focused on practical outcomes. We can protect what matters and shape a future we’re proud of. I’m committed to an urgent solution for the flood plains of the Wairau, Milford and Sunnynook, progressing the stalled Takapuna Library project, protecting our heritage and environment. As co-chair of Devonport Heritage, president of Grey Power North Shore and assisting many groups, I have built a reputation for building respectful relationships within the community.
TERENCE HARPUR A FRESH APPROACH
Current deputy chair of the local board, I am seeking your vote for another term. I bring expert governance and business skills, careful financial management and an evidence-driven approach to decisions. I am positive and future focused. My priorities include: securing more funding for our local area, improving transport, clean environment, sensible upgrades to facilities, supporting our economy, local events and activities, protecting heritage, enhancing our community wellbeing and ensuring people feel proud of our area. Vote ‘A Fresh Approach’.
GARTH ELLINGHAM
INDEPENDENT
I care deeply for this place. Growing up in Narrow Neck, the sea and community shaped my life and gave me incredible opportunities. As a professional sailor and civil-environmental engineer, I’ve seen firsthand the damage to our oceans and the cost of inaction. That’s why I started LUCKE Apparel, building sustainable solutions with transparency and care. I’m driven by the lack of progress to protect our beaches, push bold transport improvements and ensure spending truly benefits people and our environment.
KARIN HOREN
A FRESH APPROACH
Published author, entrepreneur and Mindset Coach with over 12 years leading cancer rehab initiatives. With a BA in Communication and Political Science, a Diploma in Psychology and Counselling, and a background in sales and recruitment, Karin brings lived experience and insight. A passionate paddle-boarder, solo mother, and twotime cancer survivor, Karin champions youth empowerment through outdoor activities, mental health, ethnic diversity, inspiring resilience, informed decisionmaking and connection to the coast and ocean. Six Ticks for A Fresh Approach.
Several chances remain to hear from local election candidates:
• Friday 19 September, 1-3pm: Grey Power meeting with mayoral and council candidates at Netball North Harbour, 44 Northcote Rd.
• Tuesday 23 September, 7pm: Mayoral and council candidates questioned on local
Local Body Elections
topics at a meeting organised by residents associations at Milford Baptist Church, 3 Dodson Ave.
• Sunday 28 September, 3-4.30pm: Localboard candidates quizzed on community, environment and arts at the Rose Centre, Belmont.
• Tuesday 30 September, 7pm: DTLB board candidates, hosted by area’s northern residents groups at Milford Baptist Church. Postal voting papers are being sent to enrolled voters between 9-22 September. Voting opened on 9 September and closes at noon on Saturday 11 October.
Meet and talk with the C&R candidates: Saturday 13th September Vauxhall Café – 9.30 to 10.30am and Devon on the Wharf – 10.30 to 11.30pm
Authorised by David Hay, 73 Carr Rd, Mt Roskill.
Local Body Elections
Candidates for Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
JAMES ROHLOFF
INDEPENDENT
As a Devonport local, I’m driven to provide my young family the same great community experiences and environment I enjoyed growing up here. I will push back at threats to heritage overlay and development of our green spaces. Once lost we will never get them back. With a degree in Psychology & Criminology, my career spans start-ups and publicly listed companies. I bring a creative approach to problem solving, finding “smarter” ways of working to maximise return on every dollar spent.
KAMINI SCHOONBEE
C&R
NORTH SHORE
I am a small business owner and an Associate Chartered Accountant with a postgraduate certificate in Forensic Auditing. I bring a practical, strategic mindset to problem-solving and take an environmentally conscious, common-sense approach to everything I do. Experiencing the 2023 floods first-hand showed me the pressures our community faces. I believe in making thoughtful, responsible decisions that balance community needs with long-term sustainability. I will advocate for resilient infrastructure, support community facilities and ensure ratepayers’ money is spent wisely.
GEORGE WOOD
C&R NORTH SHORE
Experienced. Effective. Committed to Devonport-Takapuna. With 24 years of elected public service, I deliver results. This year, in seven months, I’ve lodged 359 requests for service to Auckland Transport plus many for parks and public areas—fixing problems and improving our community. I’ll fight for fairer funding, push Lake Rd upgrades and demand storm water investment. I’ll also restore certainty on the Milford–Takapuna coastal walkway for permanent public access. Proven leadership, action and commitment—what the DevonportTakapuna area deserves.
LEWIS ROWE
A FRESH APPROACH
A proud local business owner and Belmont resident of 20 years, I am standing to bring a young and energised voice to the local board and continue to support the community I love. With real-world experience in common sense decision-making and value-for-money outcomes, I will listen, engage and work for you, our business owners and be a much-needed voice for our younger generation. Vote with your children and grandchildren in mind. Vote A Fresh Approach.
MIKE SINGLE
C&R NORTH SHORE
I am an active member of our community through sports clubs and coaching rugby and served 12 years on the TGS school board. I am passionate about our area. We need a board that will work with the community to promote sports clubs and encourage youth participation. We need more basketball courts and playing fields. We need better decisions on our environment, roads, public transport, footpaths and cycling tracks. With business and board experience, I bring governance and leadership skills.
HELENA ROZA
ACT LOCAL: REAL CHANGE LESS
WASTE
I’m Helena Roza, ACT candidate for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. I live and work locally, raising my family while running a small business. I’m standing to bring fresh thinking and financial discipline so ratepayers get real value. My priorities are protecting and improving public spaces, keeping beaches clean and safe and ensuring fair parking and accessibility in our town centres. Together, we can achieve practical and affordable improvements that respect our community’s character.
Vote Helena Roza.
KENT TREGONNING
INDEPENDENT
A Devonport resident, I have background in Civil Engineering and IT Telecommunications. As my children have now grown up, I feel it’s a good time to put some of my business knowledge towards helping the community. As a ratepayer I am concerned about the seemingly endless call to spend money without any consequence and ability to audit or validate what the money is being spent on. I believe we need to get back to basics.
(Note: profile not submitted, info taken from Council’s election website)
NEIL ZENT
C&R NORTH SHORE
Experienced graduate engineer with the ability to generate permanent solutions to local problems. Committed to preserving and enhancing our neighbourhoods, cut wasteful spending, keep rates low and fix the things that matter. Flood Risk: I will fight for long-term solutions. Lake Rd: I will champion more intelligent traffic strategies that integrate roads, buses and ferries into a cohesive system. Crime prevention: I will push for a return of the Community Constable. Proud resident of Forrest Hill / Sunnynook for 26 years.
Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer Call Matt
Landscaping Devonport
Garden design and construction
Whether you are planning a garden refresh or a full renovation, we can help with all the planning, construction and planting. Including decks, retaining, pergolas, paving and fencing. Everything outdoors! Call Steve on 021 345 694 www.naturalgardens.co.nz
• Electronic and mechanical lock installations
• New keys for existing locks
• Lock repairs
• Lock Hardware
John Bisset LtD
Merit students honoured in badge assembly
The outstanding achievements of our Year 12 and 13 students were recently honoured at the annual Merit Badge Awards Assembly. This event recognises those who’ve made a significant impact in their chosen activities or sports, showing exceptional leadership, dedication, and excellence.
Nearly 200 students received a Merit Award - an impressive reflection of their commitment and contribution.
Principal Mary Nixon encouraged students to wear their badges with pride.“The coveted badge honours your talents, commitment, service, and contribution to Takapuna Grammar. Per Augusta Ad Angustathrough difficulties to honour - is our traditional motto, and you have all lived up to it. ” Ten students earned the prestigious Gold Merit Award, an award for those who excelled in four or more separate activities or sports.
Orange Week - school donates more than 7000 cans to those in need
Takapuna Grammar’s annual Orange Week appeal saw the school community donate 7,020 non-perishable food items to Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai. One in five Auckland families faced food insecurity, so the support is more crucial than ever.
This year’s campaign was the most successful yet, filling two trucks with generous contributions of canned goods and meal kits. Auckland City Mission expressed heartfelt thanks, saying donations like these help keep their shelves stocked and doors open.
“We help people realise that there is always something to hope for, and there’s always somebody who cares,” Samara Tohilima, Street to Home Manager said.
TGS athletes impress at national tournaments
More than 120 TGS students competed in the NZ Secondary Schools Winter Tournament, representing the school in cycling, table tennis, hockey, football, basketball, netball, and rippa rugby. It was a chance to represent TGS with pride, and perform in front of selectors.
Notable results included a win for the Year 9 girls in the NZSSA road relay completing 10 km in just over 36 minutes. In cycling, Imogen Child won the U15 Hill Climb and placed third overall at the Northern Tour. Carrie Guo won the U19 Girls Singles title in table tennis, with the team placing eighth overall.
Jack Craddock and Allegra Smith placed second and fifth respectively at the National Youth Slalom Championships. The Premier Girls Basketball team placed seventh, and the Senior A Boys fifteenth at Zone 1. In football, the Boys First XI finished fourth, and the Girls First XI placed twentieth at Nationals. In hockey, the Girls 1st XI placed eighth out of 31, while the Boys 1st XI finished twelfth. Netball placed 59th at UNISS, successfully retaining B Grade status.
Leonessa’s Te Reo triumph draws national attention
Takapuna Grammar School’s allfemale choir, Leonessa, has captured national attention after winning the Best Performance of a Te Reo Māori song at the prestigious Big Sing Finale held in Dunedin. The powerful performance of "Te Iwi E" gained widespread media interest, with coverage appearing on Seven Sharp, in the New Zealand Herald, on Radio New Zealand, and across TikTok, where clips of their waiata gained traction.
The win follows the success of the mixed-voices choir TGS Chorale, which attended Cadenza and won a gold award. Musical director Lauren MacMillan is looking forward to welcoming new voices into the choir whānau.
“It's such a positive and inclusive programme, and we encourage everyone to get involved.”
Scan here to watch Leonessa perform Te Iwi E
Kia ora and Hello
Devonport,
Welcome to ‘Ask Mrs. N0ughty’, your monthly advice column where we answer all your most pressing waste questions!
Dear Mrs. N0ughty: What should I do with dead batteries? Signed, Lea Kage
Dear Lea Kage:
Great question, please don’t chuck them in the bin! All kinds of batteries, including those in vapes, can cause fires like the big one recently at Abilities in Glenfield. They can also leach dangerous chemicals into the soil if they end up in landfill.
To manage the risk, Resource Recovery Devonport has invested in a new collection unit for safe recycling of batteries. All batteries under 5kg can be dropped off at a price of $8 per kg, or $3.50 each for tool batteries.
Signed, Mrs. N0ughty
P.S. Give Bob a smile by telling him a cheesy battery joke, like this one: What do you call it when your battery is recharging? Re-volting!
Send your burning questions to community@ devonportrecycle.co.nz and let’s sort through this rubbish together!
Bookings open now for our Sept school holiday programme
Free outdoor sessions Sep 14th and 21st, 9:30am12:30pm
Collection chosen from 50 years of stories
Devonport author Graeme Lay has published more than 40 books and isn’t finished yet, with his latest collection out this month.
Beyond the Reef is a selection of 20 stories distilled from a half-century of short-story writing. They range across the South Pacific, an area of special interest to Lay.
Lay grew up in coastal Taranaki, which imbued him with a lifelong love of the sea that has endured in his travels and while living most of his adult life in Devonport.
Many of his books have been set in the Pacific Islands, and his three volumes of fiction based on the life of explorer Captain James Cook were best-sellers.
In a lively introduction to his latest book, Lay outlines his development as a writer, highlighting the influence of leading literary light Frank Sargeson, who lived for many years on Esmonde Rd in Takapuna and was mentor and supporter to many aspiring authors.
Beyond the Reef is dedicated to Lay’s lifelong friend and fellow Devonport writer Kevin Ireland, who died in 2023.
Pacific hand... Much of Graeme Lay’s writing has had a South Pacific backdrop
New Zealand’s media continues to undergo massive change with job losses in all sectors.
The common reasons for the media cutbacks and closures are declining advertising revenues and 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 Devonport Flagstaff and the Rangitoto Observer. All live locally.
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 home page: 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 Managing Editor
The Devonport Flagstaff
*Source: Koi Tū: University of Auckland Centre for Informed Futures. A position paper on New Zealand’s news media. Author: Gavin Ellis. Released May 2024.
HOW TO HELP US: Go
click to ‘Become a supporter’ at the top of the page
Sculpture works ‘offer awe and wonder’
At a function for Sculpture onShore held at the Depot Artspace last week are (from left) its general manager Dee Paranihi, sponsor Carmel Fisher and curator Sally Lush. Supporters mixed and mingled and received an overview of what the country’s biggest sculpture show has in store at Fort Takapuna from 8-23 November. Held every two years for the last 29 years, it raises money for Women’s Refuge and features works by leading artists and school children. The event is enabled by hundreds of volunteers and draws tens of thousands of visitors to its clifftop setting. Lush said this year’s range of works, from monumental sculptures to tiny pieces, was remarkable. “A day spent at NZ Sculpture OnShore offers awe and wonder to all who attend.” See nzsculptureonshore.co.nz.
Sculpture OnShore’s new chair, Devonport’s Paul Walsh with new board member Laura Dee
WHAT'S HAPPENING
at the Devonport Community House in September!
FREE Female Self Defence
Sunday 14th September 10am-11.30am
Gain confidence, develop boundaries & empower yourself in every aspect of your life while you learn to use your body and mind to the best of your ability to find safety in difficult situations. Come to one or both sessions. Each class you will be learning new skills and techniques. A perfect mother daughter activity. Suitable for females aged 7 years plus. For Bookings: FREE for International Women’s Empowerment Day https://events.humanitix.com/femaleself-defence-class-with-kauan-gracie
Dementia Carers & Chats
Thursday 18th September 12pm
Join us, alongside Dementia Auckland for a cuppa, a chat and a catch up with other carers in our community to find out what support is available. For enquiries and bookings email rixt@devonportcomhouse.co.nz
Nominate a Reo Māori Hero! It’s Mahuru Maori and YOU can nominate someone in your community who reminds you it’s cool to kōrero. They don’t have to be a fluent speaker, just somebody who keeps you motivated! Forms can be collected from the house or the Rose Centre before the end of September at 5PM.
Make sure to keep up to date with all our classes, workshops and events follow us on Facebook, Instagram or head to our website www.devonportcomhouse.com
WHAT’S ON @ Devonport Library
Tēnā Koutou Katoa
September and spring have arrived with the sun. We are especially delighted to be celebrating Māori Language and Auckland Heritage Festival this month. Please join us to craft, sing, learn, listen, chat, read, share and…enjoy.
FRIDAY 12TH SEPT 6PM - 8PM Ruth Shaw, The Bookseller at the End of the World
THURSDAY 18TH SEPT 10AM Reo Rhymetime
THURSDAY 18TH SEPT 1PM-2PM
Shared Waiata with Matua Tameana
FRIDAY 19TH SEPT 10AM Wriggle and Rhyme
SATURDAY 20TH SEPT 11AM-2PM Whānau Board Games
SUNDAY 21ST SEPT 10AM-11AM
Kōrero and Kemu (easy te reo fun)
SEPT 20TH – OCT 5TH School Holiday Fun
TUESDAY 23RD SEPT 10AM Flapping butterflies
THURSDAY 25TH SEPT 10AM Fizzing bath bombs
TUESDAY 30TH SEPT 10AM
Bead lizards
WEDNESDAY 1ST OCT 10AM
Superhero puppet show
THURSDAY 2ND OCT 10AM
‘Stained Glass’ bookmarks
SUNDAY 28TH SEPT 11AM-12PM
Bricks to Swans. Meet the Crown Lynn Museum curator
TUESDAY 30TH SEPT 6:30PM-9PM
Suzanne Lynch will be sharing her memoir
SATURDAY 4TH OCT 3PM-4PM
Teen Book Chat - bring a book you adore E hoa ma, ina te ora o te tangata
My friends, this is the essence of life
Waiata in te reo at national
A winning waiata has generated a week of excitement for Takapuna Grammar School’s top-performing choir.
First, Leonessa was announced as winner of one of the four prized special performance awards at the Big Sing Finale, contested by the nation’s 24 best secondary school choirs.
It received the Auahi Kore Award for Best Performance of a Piece in Te Reo Māori, at the annual competition’s gala final evening in Dunedin on 30 August.
“The girls were jumping and screaming and crying,” said TGS Head of Music Lauren MacMillan. “They left it all on the stage and it was really moving.”
Since then, Leonessa’s recording of the song, “Te Iwi E”, has created a buzz online, prompting TVNZ’s Seven Sharp programme to come calling last week to feature the success. By early this week, the video on YouTube had been watched more than 10,000 times. “The girls are excited by how many views it has got.”
MacMillan said the win was unexpected, with the 36-strong choir having more Year 9 and 10 singers in its ranks than in other years.
“We’re very proud.”
The young choir had worked hard all year
under choir director Elise Bradley, she said.
“The Year 13s were really pleased and happy because they have high expectations.”
The senior girls’ experience of performing at previous Finales helped Leonessa, said MacMillan, who was the school’s backstage organiser in Dunedin.
They had a busy week, participating in a schools’ concert before the competition began. Before that, to earn a place at the Choral Federation’s Finale, they won their way through regional qualifying rounds, which involve more than 8000 singers across the country.
A quarter of all the national finalists were from Auckland, and of that, six of the choirs were from the North Shore, underlining the choral strength of the region and the Shore in particular. From a total of six gold medals awarded this year under the event’s pointsbased judging, all went to Auckland, with three of those to Westlake choirs.
The Westlake medallists were WGHS’s Cantare and the combined Westlake choir, Choralation, both directed by Fiona Wilson, and WBHS’s Voicemale, directed by David Squire. He also directs Kristin’s Euphony choir, the other North Shore gold medal winner. Choralation and Voicemale also each won a special award.
showcase puts spotlight on top TGS choir
Audrey Coxhead, Leleia Parker and Audrey Melhuish in action during the choir’s performance.
Leonessa had to settle for a silver medal overall for its Finale performances of a required five pieces over three days. But MacMillan said given it was in rebuilding mode, this was a noteworthy achievement.
She credited the school’s overall director of choirs, Keani Taruia-Pora, who is on maternity leave, with expanding the choir’s repertoire with more Pasifika works over the last few years.
That predated a recent surge in popularity for Pasifika songs performed by choirs, which was sparked by the hit New Zealand
movie Tinā, which centred on a Samoan choir teacher.
Bradley had reinforced the use of te reo, and the winning song was one that had been gifted to her by the Wehi whanau. A family member helped the TGS girls learn action movements for their performance.
Use of waiata was also a wider school initiative, said MacMillan.
As singers, the girls were already open to the work needed to learn pieces in a range of languages. “They spend hours practising vowel pronunciation.”
Meanwhile, TGS’s mixed choir, Chorale, competed at Cadenza earlier in the month. This is a competition for the best of the upper North Island choirs that miss the cut to go to Finale. Chorale gained a Tui award, the equivalent of a gold medal. This showed the school’s depth, said MacMillan. It has two non-auditioned choirs, offering the chance for allcomers to sing: in mixed Nessamore or all-boy Raionaria. Leonessa’s next chance to show its quality live will be at the school prizegiving and Christmas concert.
Enrolment for Out of Zone Students for 2019
ENROLMENTS FOR TERM 4 2025
Enrolment for Out of Zone Students for 2019
Devonport Primary School operates an enrolment scheme, details are available from the school office.
Devonport Primary School invites applications for out of zone enrolments in Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for 2019
Applications close: 17th Oct Ballot Date (if required) - 24th Oct
SHOWING NOW
The Ballad of Wallis Island
Devonport Primary School invites applications for out of zone enrolments in Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for 2019
Application for out-of-zone places, across all ages, are invited for admission from 6 October with a deadline of 5 October. If required, a ballot will be held, and parents notified on 6 October. Multiple out-of-zone enrolment ballots may be held throughout 2025.
(R16)
How to Make a Killing (R16)
The Toxic Avenger (R16)
SPECIAL EVENTS & NEW RELEASES
If planning to enrol later in 2025 please contact the school as soon as possible to assist our planning.
Applications close: 17th Oct Ballot Date (if required) - 24th Oct
Please contact the school for application forms, or an opportunity to visit 445 0183 office@devonport school nz www devonportschool nz
Please contact the school for application forms, or an opportunity to visit. 445 0183
office@devonport.school.nz www.devonportschool.nz
Potluck - Live Comedy (E) 60min 12 Sep The Bad Guys 2 (PG) 104min
Hitting the right notes... Leonessa on stage at the Dunedin Town Hall for the Big Sing Finale and (opposite page, from left)
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