H o w i c k & Pa k u r a n g a
WIN TICKETS TO THE POLO P2
SUNDAY MARKETS
AWARD-WINNING VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY – NZCNA
General 09 271 8000 Classified 09 271 8055 Delivery Enquiries 09 271 8000 Website www.times.co.nz
23 Years Selling East Auckland
Eric Koh Mobile 021 388 383 AREINZ
JH17554
E: e.koh@barfoot.co.nz www.barfoot.co.nz/e.koh
Red Shed
Palazzo
OUT NOW
www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz
Open 5 Days – Wednesday-Sunday
SUNDAY MARKETS Wedding - Birthdays
16 Jesmond Rd, Karaka Ph (09) 294 6687 E: eat@redshedpalazzo.co.nz
BOOK ONLINE
Weddings-Birthdays
eastlife.co.nz
Vol 52, No 5
KAT7406-V28
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Est. 1972
16 Jesmond Rd, Karaka P: 09 294 6687 E: eat@redshedpalazzo.co.nz
JH16684-V64
Library demolition P7
Times photo Wayne Martin
FEARS OVER DIRT BIKERS By CHRIS HARROWELL
A
serious crash involving a dirt bike rider and a car in east Auckland is prompting a concerned local couple to speak out about what they say is a growing threat to public safety in the area. Police closed off part of Middlefield Drive in Dannemora following the crash, which happened at about 4pm on February 1. A fire truck, police, and St John Ambulance paramedics
responded to the incident. The injured motorcyclist was taken to hospital for medical treatment. Police initially said the injured rider was in a critical condition but in an update the following day said he was in a stable condition. Enquiries into the crash are ongoing. The Times has spoken to a couple who live in Dannemora and who say they frequently hear dirt bike riders travelling around the area as well as motorcycles and
cars spinning their tyres at nearby intersections. They wish to remain anonymous to protect their safety. “It’s quad bikes, dirt bikes, they’re on the footpath, and on the wrong side of the road,” the woman says. “It was a matter of time before something like this happened and we are very grateful an innocent passerby wasn’t severely injured. “I believe it’s a very difficult problem to combat because they’re not in same area at the same time [as police].
Public Open Day
“We hear them at least weekly. It is a significant problem in the area and it’s definitely getting worse.” Her husband adds: “It’s a free-forall. It’s anywhere and everywhere and they’re doing wheelies into oncoming traffic with no helmets. “It’s a consistent problem and it’s unsafe. We can’t let our kids go out. “Imagine if children were on the footpath [at the time of the crash]. “It’s an ongoing issue that’s impacting the safety of residents who are law-abiding. “We purposefully moved to an
area with reserves and parks so our kids could walk around and go to the park, but they’re homebound now. We don’t let them around [outside]. We just don’t feel safe.” A group of more than 50 dirt bike riders travelled through east Auckland on New Year’s Eve last year. Following the incident police said such a situation poses a challenge to deal with due to safety for other road users and the riders themselves. Continued on page 5
THIS MONTH’S SPECIAL Cookies and Cream Gateau [ $77 $66 ] NOW
OFFER VALID : 01/02/2023~28/02/2023
SUNDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2023 Demonstrations, kids fishing competition, magic show, face painting, food, wine and beer tasting and more
ALL WELCOME
JH17729-v2
We are not just a Yacht Club
Come Join the Fun!! SEE PAGES 8-9 FOR MORE INFORMATION
DY0860
At Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Ara Tai Drive, Half Moon Bay
www.gateauhouse.co.nz Albany / Botany / Glen Eden / Glenfield / Henderson / Mt Eden / Newmarket / Queen St / Stonefields