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May 31, 2019

Voyager Media Awards: Community Journalist of the Year Winner 2018 devonportflagstaff.co.nz

Mystery of musical seats around Devonport… p2

Firefighter Dan smokes opposition… p3

Interview: childcare veteran Val Morrison... p20

Parking meters under consideration for Devonport Parking meters outside the Devonport ferry terminal and in the town centre will be considered as part of an Auckland Transport (AT) investigation.

AT says its parking-design team is undertaking a study in Devonport to ensure parking restrictions are working properly for residents, visitors, workers, shoppers and

deliveries to the village centre. This will include: • An audit of all parking restrictions and for spaces To page 7

Going with the flow – bottled milk makes a comeback

Glass half full… bottled milk has returned to Devonport at the Cheltenham Milk bar with the help of Sue Story (above). Full story p5.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 2

May 31, 2019

Flagstaff editor recognised in awards

09 445 9800 Voyager Awards night… Members of the Devonport Flagstaff team and partners (from left): Jo Hammer, Rob Drent, Peter Wilson, Mika Wilson, Liz Brown and Jimmy Carrick Devonport Flagstaff managing editor Rob Drent was runner-up in the Community Journalist of the Year category at the Voyager Media Awards held on 17 May. Judges said it was a close-run contest between Drent and winner Torika Tokalau, of the Western Leader. Drent’s entry included stories on a major Treaty settlement affecting land in Devonport, a resident who ran down a burglar, the $21-a-ride cost of an AT Local trial and a feature on squash juniors Matthew Lucente

NEW ZEALAND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AWARDS Best Community Involvement: 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005 Best Special Project: 2016 Most Improved Newspaper: 2011, 2010 Best Young Journalist: 2014, 2012, 2013 Best Sports Journalist: 2018, 2017, 2016 Best Senior Feature/Lifestyle Writer: 2014,2017 Best Junior Feature/Lifestyle Writer: 2014 Best Headline: 2017, 2018 VOYAGER/CANON MEDIA AWARDS Community Reporter of the Year: Winner 2018 Community Newspaper of the Year: Finalist 2017 Devonport Publishing Ltd First Floor, 9 Wynyard St Telephone: 09 445 0060 Email: sales@devonportflagstaff.co.nz news@devonportflagstaff.co.nz Website: www.devonportflagstaff.co.nz MANAGING EDITOR: PUBLISHER: EDITOR: ADVERTISING: DESIGN: COPY EDITOR:

Rob Drent Peter Wilson Jodi Yeats Emelia Lake Brendon De Suza Jo Hammer

Information in the Devonport Flagstaff is copyright and cannot be published or broadcast without the permission of Devonport Publishing Ltd.

NEXT ISSUE: June 14 ADVERTISING DEADLINE: June 7

and Gabe Yam. Drent won the award in 2018 for work published in 2017 and has been a finalist in four of the last five years. Devonport photographer Brett Phibbs was nominated in four categories for work published in the New Zealand Herald and was runner-up in the Best feature/photographic essay section. The Whakatane Beacon, which is celebrating its 80th year of publication, was judged best community newspaper.

Musical-seats mystery The mystery of Devonport’s disappearing Victoria Rd seat has deepened, with the appearance of a bright-blue seat on historic Kerr Street, to the consternation of heritage advocates. Devonport Heritage’s Margot McRae noticed the seat a couple of months ago and contacted the local board, Auckland Transport and Devonport Primary School, but no one claimed responsibility for the stray seat. “There it sits, a refugee from somewhere else and no one knows how it got there. It is bolted to the pavement,” McRae says. “Devonport Heritage likes to see public seats fitting in with the heritage streetscape, and this one doesn’t. It looks like a leftover from a Takapuna bus shelter,” she says. McRae says she is bemused more than anything. “I think it’s quite funny that seats seem to be disappearing and appearing in such a random way in Devonport. “Is there a secret seat-stealer out there?” Auckland Council is not aware of a seat at this location. Neither has it found the

“Refugee” in historic street... the seat that’s appeared not far from where another mysteriously vanished seat that was cut from its bolts and removed from a small park at the corner of Kerr St and Victoria Rd.

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 3

May 31, 2019

Firefighter Dan blasts away the records

Hosing down the competition... Devonport’s Dan Brady outshone firefighting rivals from around the country, winning the North Island Firefighter Combat men’s title and breaking records in the national champs A Devonport volunteer firefighter has proven himself one of the country’s strongest, setting national records and taking out the title in a gruelling fitness challenge. Dan Brady won the men’s open division at this year’s North Island Firefighter Combat Challenge, then went on to break records at the nationals. “Dan’s a bit of a machine,” says station officer Warren Tucker. “He has basically got the brigade into it and led all the training and held us together as a team.” The competition involves climbing a three-storey tower, hitting an 82kg beam 1.5m with a sledgehammer, running a slalom course hauling a hose, and dragging a rescue dummy to the finish line, all while wearing full firefighting gear and using breathing apparatus. Brady trains for up to two hours a day, usually six days a week, sometimes training twice

3 Victoria Rd: empty for more than 300 days The old Devonport Borough Council Building at 3 Victoria Rd became vacant on 9 July 2018. It has now been unoccupied for 326 days. Auckland Council development arm Panuku is working through the future options for the building.

daily as a competition approaches. This year, he was nursing a lower-back stress fracture and slipped disc, which restricted training. It flared up after the regional competition, impairing him at the nationals, where he placed fifth overall, having finished third in the last two years. However, with teammates, he retained the national title and record for the men’s tandem, won the ‘co-ed’ tandem and broke the national record for the men’s relay. Nine Devonport firefighters competed and all were placed in the top 50 in the North Island competition in April, with Devonport-registered teams also going on to win the plate relay and championship relay titles at the nationals in May. “Devonport’s presence in the competition

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has skyrocketed and drastically increased the brigade’s fitness and strength as a unit, Brady says. In 2018, Brady and another Devonport firefighter, Scylla Magalhaes, competed in the world championships in the US, placing in the top 40 out of 800 competitors. In 2017, Brady made the ‘Lion’s Den’ at the world champs, joining an elite group who completed the 30m dummy rescue run in under 100 seconds.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 4

May 31, 2019

18a & 18b Argyle Road Browns Bay There’s only one way to describe these two north-facing, sunny, private and elevated houses: CHOICE... as in... spoilt for. If you’re looking for a home that’s five minutes walk from the beach, and five minutes walk from school, take your pick. Walk up the drive and go left or right. These two solid, weatherboard houses are virtually identical. Both are light and airy. Both have large open-plan living/kitchen/dining downstairs looking out onto decks and gardens. Upstairs in both, you’ll find two doubles and a single bedroom with a charm all of their own. These are garret style rooms with a high ceiling under the sloping roof. And, of course, there’s a decent family bathroom, too. The only real difference between these two houses is that 18a has the addition of an office downstairs. You could even buy both of these and rent one out. Or rent them both out. And you’ll have no problem doing that because current tenants would love to stay. On the other hand, if you’ve an eye for development, you could purchase the whole site (circa 1096 sqm zoned Mixed Housing Urban) and choose exactly how to make it work best for you. There are so many choices here, but don’t take too long making them. Features: Ideal for investors, private buyers or developers. 3 bedrooms (2 double, one single). North facing. Large garden/lawn areas with room for veggie gardens. Single garages with storage. Off-road parking. 5 min walk to shops and beach. 5 min walk to Browns Bay school

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 5

Glass action: Locals lap up bottled milk Milk in glass bottles has returned to Devonport after a push from local ‘greenie’ Sue Story. Northland-based Bella Vacca bottles its milk in glass and encourages customers to return the empty bottle and receive a full one for $4.50 – half the usual price. Story first learnt about the system from a grocer in Northcote who stocks the milk. “My brother bought me a bottle and I thought it was great,” she says. “I’ve gone up once since to get some but it’s too out of the way. I thought it would be great if we could get it in Devonport.” Story avoids plastic in her house wherever she can: composting, using bees-wax wrap instead of plastic wrap, and making her own mouthwash. “Plastic is drowning the world and it’s like what can one person do?” she says. “Well, I’ve discovered that you can do something – getting rid of all those plastic milk bottles.” Story took to Facebook to gauge interest from the community and was quickly overwhelmed with interest. She got in contact with a representative from Bella Vacca, who decided it was a good idea to come and talk to Devonport businesses. Arron Barnett from Cheltenham Milk Bar had been looking into selling bottled milk for a while, and decided that this was the perfect opportunity. He started stocking the bottled milk immediately and sold out of his first and second shipments within the same day. Barnett has had to order double the original amount of milk to keep up with demand, and is now selling out of around 56 bottles every two days. “Locals are really excited about it. When it’s not here they say, ‘bring it in, bring it in,’” says Barnett. “I’m quite chuffed about it,” says Story. “I Green message in a bottle... Sue Story and Arron Barnett at just hope it doesn’t get so popular that I can’t Cheltenham Milk Bar get any.”

Helping the kids out With property prices at these high levels, and incomes relatively low, it is difficult for many first-home buyers to save the 10% to 20% deposit required to purchase their first home. Parents with sufficient equity can help out, either by gifting any spare cash sitting at just 2% in the bank, or by using the equity they may have in their own property. This is, in effect, bringing forward any future inheritance the kids may be getting in any event at a future date. But it is more useful for the kids now if it means substituting dead rent payments for more effective savings by paying off a mortgage – so long as the mortgage payments are not materially greater than rental payments. The parents can even purchase a property in their own name without putting in any cash, using their existing house as additional security. The kids can then rent the property (maybe with friends) to service the mortgage and, over time, buy into it or the parents gift it to them – it’s just a way of getting into the property market sooner than later. Call us if you would like to discuss further, or for any other ideas and help we can give in securing property of any sort.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 6

May 31, 2019

HARCOURTS DEVONPORT Change Happens To Us All… ...it’s simply a part of life. And once you start looking at change as a great thing you’ll be amazed at some of the benefits that can follow. Change helps you grow, teaches you to be flexible, can challenge your values and beliefs, reveals your strengths, makes you more compassionate, breaks up routine and offers opportunities. Harcourts Cooper & Co Devonport Manager, Matt Hunt, says that in his 15 year’s experience in the Real Estate market the one thing that never changes is that things are always changing. Whether it is the current market, the approach required to achieve a great result for the client or the outlook of where the market is heading your Harcourts team are very much in tune with what is happening. “At Harcourts Cooper & Co Devonport we are all about change for the good so if you are looking for a new wopportunity, a new way of selling your home and a committed team to support you during the process we’d love to hear from you.”

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 7

May 31, 2019

Local-board ‘openness’ ditched for secret meeting

From page 1

Parking meters part of review

• Occupancy analysis to understand utilisation across different days of the week and times of the day • A survey to understand the key parking and loading issues faced by businesses • A review of any other transport projects that may have an impact on parking The study will provide a series of recommendations to improve parking management in Devonport. This will be reported to the business association and local board. Anne Street has for many years had residential permitted parking. “There are currently no plans for changes to Anne St, but the survey will look at parking in that area,” an AT spokesperson said. The Flagstaff asked AT: “Will part of the review include consideration of parking meters outside the ferry terminals? And paid parking in the rest of the Devonport CBD?” AT didn’t rule out the consideration of parking meters. “The review will look at all options to improve the parking operation and customer access in Devonport. There are no decisions made yet as the review hasn’t started,” the spokesman said.

support, they are the holders of the funds. I am happy with the way the meeting went last Tuesday. I’ve got a good working relationship with Auckland Transport. I am certainly not going to compromise how we are now getting along.” Board member Jan O’Connor said: “Although I was unable to attend, I would only have agreed to confidentiality if the purchase of private property was being discussed. “Otherwise the Lake Rd project should have been held in a public forum.” Board member Grant Gillon said the meeting provided a lot of information and was also an opportunity to meet new people handling the Lake Rd project. “I prefer the briefings to be in public as per the workshops. “But I am also not willing to boycott the briefings as I need to report back to the public. “I will raise the issue again with the Chair to determine the boundaries between workshops and meet-and-greet. But there are also many meetings hosted by departments and CCOs [Council-controlled organisaitions] in their own offices.” Board member Mike Sheehy said: “I understand what you are saying. “But we have been pushing Auckland Transport for action on Lake Rd and want to get the best out of them. And I mean pushing them. The problem is that when there are the public or media present, some members grandstand and badger the council officers, leading to a very poor outcome. If you want the best, you need the officers on

your side.” Board member Jennifer McKenzie said: “As I understood this meeting was requested by AT as they wanted to get feedback and brainstorm ideas without the public present. The presentation was then made available to us and was not confidential.” Board member Mike Cohen was not at the meeting, but said it should have been open to the public unless it involved personal issues or contracturual agreements

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A secret meeting over Lake Rd was held last week, with Auckland Transport (AT) officials once again avoiding public scrutiny. The meeting – on the subject of “Lake Rd Corridor Improvements: Detailed Business Case, May 2019” – was held with AT officers, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board (DTLB) and some council planners and staff. Auckland Council confirmed: “There was a closed-door briefing between AT, DTLB and planning staff in relation to Lake Rd that was kept out of public at the request of staff. This was agreed by the DTLB chair and deputy chair.” The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board is the only board in Auckland that holds public workshops. However, AT has never been happy with this arrangement and though AT Local presented to the local board in a workshop this year, AT workshop presentations are rare. AT’s recent non-appearance at a public meeting in St Heliers over contentious roading changes was widely cricitised by locals and public officials, including Mayor Phil Goff. Last Tuesday’s meeting seems to have divided the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. We asked board members for their views on the closed meeting: Board chair George Wood said: “I don’t agree that the media should be able to attend all and every meeting of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. “People with whom we talk want to say things in the knowledge that what is said will remain in-house if they want that to occur,” “The discussions with Auckland Transport on Lake Rd are at a critical stage – we need their

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 8

May 31, 2019

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Claystore deemed earthquake-prone One of Devonport’s oldest public buildings has failed earthquake testing and is a long way below current building standards. The Claystore – next to Allen Hill Stadium on Lake Rd – underwent an initial seismic assessment in late 2018. The survey indicated the building conformed to only 25 per cent of Auckland Council’s new building standard. Any building under 34 per cent is considered earthquake-prone. However, this does not necessarily mean the building is dangerous under normal circumstances. The consultant’s initial report recommended that a detailed assessment be carried out to confirm: • Whether the building is indeed earthquake-prone. If so, what the critical elements – the parts of the building – are that would need to be upgraded. • Indicative designs for the strengthening of the building. The full report is expected within the next three months. Auckland Council Manager Strategic Projects John Dragicevich said once council received the consultant’s full report, it will be peer-reviewed by technical specialists and, if necessary, the council’s Building Consents _ _ _ _ team. NGATI WHATUA ORAKEI

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Tēnā koutou katoa We’re delighted to have started construction on the first of our new houses in the Hillary development. Capri Construction are building 13 houses in Rutherford Street, Belmont, and their team, which includes a number of local contractors, are now busy on-site. This is an important milestone for us, as we have spent the past few years planning the development, gaining the necessary council approvals and preparing the land. So we’re very pleased to have reached the point where above-ground work is underway to help accommodate Auckland’s growing population. The first 13 houses include terraces, duplexes and one standalone dwelling, with a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses. Three of them should be finished before Christmas, and the other 10 completed in February 2020. In due course, they will be joined by another 25 houses in the Rutherford Street area, which will make up the first complete stage of the Hillary development. Pricing has yet to be finalised, but we will be kicking off a marketing campaign in about two months’ time. We expect interest in the houses to be strong, as they will suit a wide range of buyers, from families to first-home buyers to empty nesters.

Each house will have a Homestar 6 rating, featuring quality fittings and sustainable materials. Early expressions of interest can also be made by emailing whairawa@ngatiwhatuaorakei.com. It’s an exciting time for us and we look forward to sharing further updates with you. If you would like to receive this information by email, please register your details: wrl@ngatiwhatuaorakei.com

May 31, 2019

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 9

TGS students hope to educate as well as provide The link between poverty and women’s health worldwide is an under-reported problem because it’s a female issue, says 16-year-old local Kate McNish. Kate and her Takapuna Grammar School friends Olivia Miles and Jasmine Urquhart (both 16) have set up a sanitary-product donation box at Devonport New World. The girls are encouraging the community to add tampons or sanitary pads to their shopping lists and then drop the products in the box located near the supermarket exit. “In Devonport most people have the luxury of affording these items, but other people don’t,” says Kate. “The cheapest packet of tampons in the supermarket is around six or seven dollars.” The items donated will be passed on to The Aunties, an Auckland-based charity helping women affected by domestic violence. The idea emerged when the girls were tasked with a health class project that would make an impact on the community. “We want to make everyone aware that it’s an issue. They shouldn’t be taxed at all and they should be cheaper,” says Olivia. Kate says: Period poverty “is not an issue that’s spoken about because only women suffer.” The girls are also doing a school-wide drive, asking students to bring in sanitary products

Belmont Park squash players win NZ selection Belmont Park squash players Gabe Yam and Natalie Sayes have been selected for the New Zealand team to compete in the 2019 WSF World Junior Squash Championships at Kuala Lumpur, from 30 July to 9 August. Gabe has been in top form, winning the U19 Oceania, Australian U19, and New Zealand U19 championships in successive weeks. He has also made finals of PSA satellite tournaments and now has a senior ranking of 236 in the world. His U19 world ranking is 7. Natalie, a Takapuna Grammar student, has consistently played up an age group in competition this year, winning at U17 level despite being only 14 years old. Belmont Park Racquets Club squash coach Manu Yam (Gabe’s uncle) will manage the New Zealand team.

Raising awareness of women’s health issues… Kate McNish, Olivia Miles and Jasmine Urquhart to donate and will be asking Devonport busi- a permanent fixture. nesses to also CONTRIBUTE to the cause. “No one really educates us on period poverThe collection box will be at New World ty and we believe that sanitary products should until June 10, but the girls hope it will become be available for everyone,” Kate says.

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 10

The Flagstaff Notes Ardern said much the same in her speech, fresh from her Paris summit on social media. After a few weeks off Facebook in disgust that it had hosted a live screening of the massacre, Ardern too was back, even though she was leading a global charge for Facebook to introduce more moderation and controls.

By Rob Drent The police and council canning of multiple Anzac Day services around Auckland – including Devonport’s long-standing ceremony – was no better illustrated as overkill than by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s appearance at the Auckland Writers Festival this month. A little over nine weeks after the Christchurch massacre, Ardern featured in an early-morning session on a book about the 2017 election. My partner asked where the bag-checking and security was for those entering the Aotea Centre? It was a good question. Even Ardern’s diplomatic protection squad was invisible. It was an indication that life had returned to a kind of normal. I ran into Devonport-based columnist David Slack at the festival. He fessed up that he had returned to Facebook and Twitter, but only to promote his columns, he said.

Getting home late after the festival one night, it was raining when alighting the Devonport ferry, so we decided to catch the bus up the hill part of the way home. The cost – without an AT Hop card – was $3.50 for a ride from the ferry terminal to Victoria Superette, a distance of barely a kilometre. Even the bus driver seemed embarrassed by the price. “It should probably only cost a buck,” he said. No wonder the buses are practically empty, I thought. AT Local prices are pitched just lower so they are in effect competing with the casual bus user for transport to and from the ferry. A review by the government of the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) probably won’t see readers drop their flat whites in the mad rush to search out details. But it probably should. Devonport residents and ferry users are often berating Fullers for poor service and its late and cancelled ferries. Part of Fullers 360’s hallowed status is that the company’s Devonport and Waiheke routes enjoy special rights due to parliamentary legislation. The ferries are “exempt” from integration into a regional fare structure

May 31, 2019 and from performance-monitoring by Auckland Transport. Auckland councillor Chris Darby has advocated for a PTOM review, and transport minister Phil Twyford’s announcement last week will be welcome election-campaign fodder. I’ve long suggested Auckland Transport and Auckland Council take their responsibility a step further: rather than just supervise transport from on high, they should get their hands dirty and take back public ownership of the transport system, running the operations at cost as a true service to ratepayers. My $3.50 fare from the ferry terminal to Victoria Superette may become a distant memory. But no doubt these publictransport fantasies are just dream clouds in my own flat white. A lot is said about the progressive nature of today’s society righting the wrongs done to Maori, including the naming of places and pronunciation. But spare a thought for earlier generations. Researching a story for this issue, on the misnaming for years of Oliver Reserve on Kawerau Ave, I found that the street’s name was changed to Kawerau (from Princes) in 1976, after a Maori tribe with links to the area. The consensus of a meeting of residents was that a Maori name would be “more appropriate” for the locality. It was in the era of Devonport becoming the first borough in the country to introduce recycling and also proclaim itself nuclearfree. Patuone Ave, previously known as Cameron St, was also renamed around this time. Maybe in future, Devonport’s progressive stance on Maori street names will be noted as well. The increased use of Facebook by local body politicians continues. Last week, a secret briefing on Lake Rd progress was held between Auckland Transport and DevonportTakapuna Local Board. A couple of days later, board member Mike Sheehy was busily posting his take on progress. Not to be outdone, board chair George Wood was putting his spin on things a few hours later. The media and the public were not allowed to attend the meeting. But board members are happy to go public on what they thought had occurred. Democracy? The 2019 local body election is truly upon us, with mayoral candidate John Tamihere hitting the local streets over the last week: in Devonport last weekend, at the Takapuna market on Sunday and speaking with running mate Christine Fletcher at a packed meeting of Devonport Rotary at the Waitemata Golf Club on Monday night. Expect to see more of Tamihere as well. He told Rotary members that he will do well in the west and south, but DevonportTakapuna was a key area where he aims to pick up votes.

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 11

May 31, 2019

More new playgrounds planned More new playgrounds are planned for Devonport – but on a less grandiose scale, it seems, than the $1million Bean Rock structure about to be built at Windsor Reserve. Auckland Council has confirmed it has $385,000 to spend on renewing playspaces at Devonport Domain and Melrose Reserve. A survey was sent out to residents in both neighbourhoods early last week, asking for their feedback and design ideas. The existing playground at Devonport Domain was built and installed in about 1997. Public feedback will be passed on to council designers and a

draft concept then developed, said Auckland Council Head of Investigation and Design Rob Cairns. This concept will also take into account the play elements and activities created with the renewal of the playground at Windsor Reserve, and will be presented to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for consideration. “As this is in the early stages, we do not have an estimated time frame yet,” Cairns said. David Westwood, who lives near Devonport Domain, said the playground renewal was a waste of money, as it functioned well as it was.

Cycle bridge over Shoal Bay proposed Cyclists will be able to ride an off-road trail from Devonport all the way to the newly confirmed SkyPath if a proposal for a cycle bridge goes ahead. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has invested $1 million in developing an initial design for the bridge, which would run from the end of Francis St, across the Shoal Bay estuary to the Esmonde Rd site of Harbourside Church. The project would see the existing off-road cycleway between Devonport and Takapuna improved, especially through Northboro Reserve, the board says. Auckland Transport (AT) last week briefed the board on plans for improving Lake Rd. The New Zealand Transport Agency will pay half of the project’s $47 million cost. Following a staff resignation, AT has appointed a project manager, Rob Davies from Jacobs Engineering, and engaged Beca to develop a detailed business case. Following two public consultations, work is expected to start mid- to late 2020 and take five to 10 years. This year, the community will have a say on potential early improvements, such as a cycle lane on Bayswater Ave and intersection upgrades. The board wants Takapuna Grammar School to move its main entrance away from Lake Rd – vital to the development of the intersection between Eversleigh, St Leonards and Lake Rds.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 12

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May 31, 2019

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May 31, 2019

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 16

Letters

May 31, 2019

A toilet the cost of a new house: someone’s making a huge profit I read that installing a toilet in the ‘pocket park’ Lake Town Green (Flagstaff, 17 May), is estimated to cost between $235,000 and $250,000. Really? This, even when a sewerage connection already exists on the site. What a staggering amount! I’m sure it’s still possible to build an entire house for that. Yes there may be consent costs, but design costs? Toilets exist in parks the world over – including ones designed for toddlers and their caregivers. Perhaps savings can be made by utilising an existing design? And even with the best of materials,

I can’t see how a structure of just a few square meters could cost so much to build. Someone, somewhere, is making a huge profit at the expense of ratepayers. I have been lobbying Auckland Council for action to address drainage and tree maintenance at Stanley Bay Park (with limited success.) Stanley Bay Park was formed on reclaimed land in the 1920s, with funds from a targeted rate on locals and additional local fundraising. Almost 100 years later, it is still without a public toilet. Requests to council

for one, over many years, have been met with the reply that a toilet exists across the road at Stanley Bay Beach. So, generations of children and caregivers visiting Stanley Bay playground or fields for cricket or soccer have either had to trek across the road or “go in the bushes”. I thank the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for coming to the party for Lake Town Green users, but I think it’s time local government looked more closely at the costs of basic facilities like toilets in parks and asked if there is a way to provide them more economically. Then perhaps the peninsula could get two park toilets for $250,000. Janine Jones

Locals could fundraise to repair Bear Garden Wall In the UK there are thousands of ruins, which people flock to. The [Bear Garden] wall belongs to the adjoining owners and they own liability for it. About five years ago, some money was granted [for improvements to the wall], about $40,000 from memory, and they have an ongoing consent to repair, so they have got help.

Letters to the Editor Letters are welcome. They should be on Devonport-related topics. Nomde-plumes or submissions without a name will not be printed. Email to news@devonportflagstaff. co.nz or post to Devonport Flagstaff, PO Box, 32 275, Devonport.

I have a heritage home, but I don’t have the ability to ask council to help You would think with several million dollar homes owning/sharing the fence, they could put together $10,000 between them quite easily. We could have a Givealittle in the village... maybe a show by Paul Ego, Tim Finn or Lorde to help raise the money. Just one joke from Paul Ego is worth $10,000. Some people spent a lot of money trying to stop the Masonic Tavern being sold. But it was not a well-frequented place, hence the reason it was sold... some campaigners ironically did not even go to the tavern. We cannot expect council to be our banker all the time. I will start with $50! Graham Edwards

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Letters

May 31, 2019

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 17

Bouquets and gold stars A big bouquet to the Flagstaff – the little paper that can! Nothing happened when I first emailed Auckland Transport (AT) about the nonsensical Devonport Real Time Board (RTB). Soon after I wrote to the Flagstaff about it 22 (February), the times and route numbers were corrected, but sadly the destinations were made even more inane. I wrote again to The Flagstaff (19 April) and almost immediately the two Devonport “destinations” were removed, and Stanley Point was listed for the first time. Even more amazing, the Flagstaff of 17 May had a letter from an actual person at AT! So thank you Dave Hilson, AT Senior Service Network Planner – a gold star award to you for having Stanley Point listed on the RTB.

And a second gold star award for the decision not to move the Cheltenham Road bus stop. Things are happening, people are listening. So now Mr Hilson, could you take your twink to the village bus stop? It has been moved to the only section of footpath in the whole village that is dangerously unsuitable for a bus stop – extremely narrow, permanently blocked at one end, often blocked at the other end, and edged with giant rocks and spiky plants. It is difficult to manoevre a pushchair here, let alone a wheelchair. Please can we have it moved back to where it was safe to get off the bus? But hey – it’s wonderful to see more and more passengers on those buses! Miriam Beatson

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Maria teape Community Coordinator 445 9533 | maria@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

Winter Fun Preschool Play Tuesdays, starting 4 June until 29 October (including school holidays), 9:30am–11:00am The Rose Centre, School Rd, Belmont Toddler time to play with big toys, be active and make new friends. Sessions are casual/free entry, caregiver supervision required. For more info, visit www.devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

BaysWater school MatariKi FestiVal Saturday 15 June, 3:00pm–7:00pm Bayswater Primary School Festival under the stars, celebrating the Ma-ori New Year and our community’s diversity. There will be a mini Kapa Haka festival with several local schools, international cuisine, bar, games, live raffles, silent auction, crafts, lights and a bonfire! Nau Mai, Haere Mai! Contact Norah Wilson at Norah@bayswaterschool.nz for more info.

KiDs & teens MarKet Sunday 16 June, 1pm–3pm Devonport Community House, Clarence St, Devonport Kids aged up to 15 years can book a stall and become entrepreneurs for the day selling something they have made or second-hand items. Stalls cost $5 to book and need to be booked by 9 June – stall numbers are limited so get in quick! To book visit the Devonport Community House website: www.devonportcomhouse.com/events

DeVonPort MiDWinter sWiM Sunday 23 June, 11:30am registration, 12pm swim Windsor Reserve, Devonport Calling all midwinter swimmers! Come along in your best swimming costume and join us in celebrating midwinter at this iconic Devonport event! The dip in the sea will be followed by a free cup of soup for all swimmers and prize giving, plus sausage sizzle for sale. For more info contact Amanda 021 184 7271.

Devonport Peninsula Community eNEWS To receive the Devonport Peninsula eNEWS, a monthly email listing of community events, and other community notices, please email us at maria@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz With special thanks to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for funding the Devonport Peninsula Trust.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 18

Interview

May 31, 2019

Learning and play are big at Val’s Since Val Morrison founded her award-winning early-childhood centre in the 1980s, large-scale pre-school operations have become the industry norm. She tells Helen Vause why small is still beautiful.

Voice of experience... Val Morrison’s thinking is backed by research that points to small centres having better outcomes for children It’s nearly 40 years ago that Val Morrison “Research points to small centres having circumstances too. They really get to know established early-childhood education centre better outcomes for children,” says Morrison, their families.” Small is Beautiful is licensed for a maximum Small is Beautiful, with just a handful of foun- who is very aware she’s one of a dying breed, dation pupils at her home in Stanley Point. even though her thinking is supported by many of 20 children aged from two to five years. Sessions run every morning until after lunch. A This year, Devonport’s longest-standing ear- peers and parents. ly-childhood operation has picked up a Centre Her presentation to the summit was based maximum of six in the group stay through until of Excellence award for the third year in a row on a familiar theme: “We need government three in the afternoon. Three teachers are employed at the centre, from the sector’s national professional body, to regulate for much, much smaller centres, to Child Forum. fund in a way that recognises that 0–5 years is with daily input from Morrison. And although And owner-operator Morrison is proud to the most important phase in brain development she’s not as hands-on these days, she says the take her place this month amongst presenters at and to accept only the most suitable trainees to passion for the job hasn’t dulled. “It’s my dream to see small centres like the forum’s annual summit, to tell others about teach them. the tricks and trials of ‘Operating on a Small and “We need these graduates to be so well pre- this dotted around our communities in New Personal Scale’ at a centre that’s so highly rated pared to teach that the powers that be actually Zealand.” Children from at least 250 local families have by local parents and professionals in the sector. leave them alone to focus on teaching, rather Now in her early 70s, Morrison runs one of than having to produce a blizzard of paper for started their preschool days at Small is Beautiful. And among the parents walking up the path in the very few small operations still in business. inspection.” When she started in the 1980s, there were Job satisfaction at the quality of what they’re the morning, there are some who have memories seven small centres run by owner-operators in providing for young children has to offer some of being there as small children themselves. private homes in Devonport. All but two have comfort in the face of the low wages that small They’ve climbed the frames under the same big tree, played in the sandpit and probably listened closed and the early-childhood education/day- operations offer teachers, she says. care picture is very different. The last decade In a small centre like Morrison’s, teachers can to some of the same stories too. They remember has seen big-brand companies opening centres work exclusively with small groups or engage ‘Vals school’ as a happy little place. “It’s just so affirming of course to have my licensed for well over 100 children, who are one-on-one with children as needed in a quiet, alumni now bringing their own children here. then organised into smaller groupings to cater unhurried environment. for different needs and ages. “Staff are relaxed, engaged and observant. It’s lovely to see them and to know they have It’s a trend Morrison laments and one she says There is the sound of happy conversation, and such good memories and faith in us. Of course runs counter to the research that shows that small unhappy children can be given the support I remember them all. “It’s being part of a circle of life and part is indeed beautiful, or at least preferable – even if they need. the economics make the viability of little centres “Teachers tell me that they know every child of the heart of this community. Some of those no longer attractive to owners. at a deep level and that this extends to family parents of course made their first childhood

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 19

May 31, 2019 friends here, and now, as part of our widespread alumni and family network, they’re making new family friends as well, through their children. My families have a very supportive community, and of course we are proud to be part of that.” Morrison is the trusted keeper of a few family secrets, but says the decades have been remarkably mishap- and drama-free. On a typical day it’s a happy scene, where life just hums along. The worst that seems to have happened is the accidental escape of a bunch of bees in the music room. Or, on another occasion, a potential drama unfolded when three small boys, who tended to lurk outdoors to avoid tidy-up time, hatched a plan. When the tidy-up call came, they obediently raced indoors, seemingly to help, but after a headcount revealed their absence, were encountered halfway to freedom through a low back window. There’s always a first time, says Morrison, but that window is now more tightly secured to prevent any further attempts. Whilst she’s earned the gravitas that comes with decades in the business, Morrison says kids haven’t changed at all. Their lunchboxes are different though. She is now seeing some very healthy lunchboxes, which reflects growing awareness among parents about making careful food choices for children. She notes that mothers today are a different breed today than those in her early cohorts. “Women everywhere are under much more pressure at this time of their lives to work when their children are little. And there is also an expectation that they will be taking children to

many more structured activities. It adds up to much more stress. “In times when families had one car, you’d see mothers out strolling locally with pushchairs and young children. Now the children are much more often buckled into car seats, being taken somewhere to some activity.” Morrison wonders how much this shift matters and whether or not kids today are less fit and agile because they’re spending more time in cars.

“The childhood I value is unhurried and very simple, with the opportunity to play with others. It should be a childhood where there is the time for children to learn how to relate to others at their own pace and to learn resilience and problem-solving.” She says she’s very pleased to see current research making parents aware of the importance of unstructured free time for young children and the value of imaginative play. “The childhood I value is unhurried and very simple, with the opportunity to play with others. It should be a childhood where there is the time for children to learn how to relate to

others at their own pace and to learn resilience and problem-solving.” Morrison is pleased to point out that there are no screens among the equipment and resources at the centre – despite some pressure to incorporate technology for the kids. “I am confident I did the right thing in not introducing screens here. There is already more than enough of value for a child to be doing here. Why would you put them in front of a screen when they are deeply involved in imaginative play, or in a group game where they are learning to take turns or when they are climbing a tree and learning from all the skill that calls for?” She is full of encouragement for young colleagues and those considering a career in earlychildhood education, citing the job satisfaction – plus a willingness to put up with low wages. For Morrison, it’s been a dream career spanning half a century since she started teaching in South Africa, and continuing when she emigrated with her husband to Sydney. From her teen years, she’d often imagined that once she had her own children she would set up her own preschool, thereby combining her love for parenting and teaching under one roof. The family moved to Devonport where a great-uncle had once been a butcher’s boy, and Morrison saw the chance to realise her dream, opening her doors to local under-fives in 1981. She says she has loved every full-on day of it. At this stage she says she has no plans to retire – maybe she’ll think about just pulling back a little, leaving space for others to step up. “My frame will probably give up before my spirit does,” she laughs.

Presented by Auckland Live & Auckland Symphony Orchestra

Last N ght OF The Proms SAT 22 JUNE

Bruce Mason Centre Conducted by Peter Thomas

aucklandlive.co.nz

SUN 23 JUNE

Auckland Town Hall

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 20

Devonport 09 445 2010