13 February 2026 Devonport Flagstaff

devonportflagstaff.co.nz

February 13, 2026

Peninsula state-house sell-off continues... p2

Postal services axed at Hauraki Corner... p24

Wakatere Boating Club sails into next century... p34-37

Botched traffic management clogs Lake Rd for hours Auckland Transport has blamed drainage contractors for poor traffic management that clogged Lake Rd on Tuesday last week.

People reported journey times between Devonport and Takapuna of up to 1 hour and 40 minutes after the road was reduced

to one lane outside Takapuna Grammar School, forcing long Stop / Go waits.

Furious drivers said cones could have been set up to allow two-way flow.

AT told the Flagstaff that when it became aware of the congestion around 1.30pm its

team visited the site and shut it down, with the site completely cleared by 2.30pm.

But problems had begun hours earlier.

Some drivers got stuck in backed-up traffic twice, attempting to make return trips.

To page 6

Dairy family departs after 25 years

Days off ahoy... Devon Superette proprietor Matt Bhai, with daughter Arpita, who “was born into” the shop, is moving on after the owner of the Narrow Neck premises decided to sell up. Story, page 3.

February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 2

State house sales roll on in Devonport and nearby Kāinga Ora is continuing to sell social housing stock on the Devonport peninsula – with homes near Devonport Domain put on the market and one already sold.

The state housing agency owned two of the block of attached homes at 2 Domain St. One (2C) sold recently for $918,500.

Another (2A) is on the market through Bayleys Real Estate.

The sales follow a massive sell-off of Kāinga Ora’s Devonport peninsula properties last year including: • 16A Fraser Rd, Narrow Neck ($1,010,000) • 31 Philomel Crescent, Bayswater ($825,000) • 37 Egremont St, Bayswater ($810,000) • 59 Roberts Ave, Bayswater ($1,259,500) • 69 Roberts Ave, Bayswater ($928, 000) Going, going... The former state home at 2C Domain St, with 2A, which is on • 9B Kerr St, Devonport ( $900,000) the market, at right • 9C Kerr St ($1,350,000) • 9D Kerr St, Devonport $1,120,000) • 9E Kerr St, Devonport ($830,000) • 9F Kerr St, Devonport ($1,150,000) • 9G Kerr St, Devonport ($1,425,500) Wakatere Boating Club’s historic starting • 6 Moa St, Belmont ($850,000) tower at Narrow Neck Beach will be back in action this month as part of the club’s 100th Sales so far total $13,376,500. The money birthday celebrations. will go back into public housing but not, it A Heritage Race Day will be run on 28 seems, in the Devonport area.

February from the club’s Memorial StartThe Domain St properties have been used ing Tower, with a classic Le Mans-style as social housing since the 1940s. beach start for all club classes, including The two properties had been identified Frostbites – which were among the club’s for sale due to their “age, condition, earliest fleets. and location,” said Taina Jones, Kāinga The starting tower is a slice of history Ora Regional Director West and North dating back to the 1960s, and a memorial Auckland. to the members who served in World War Proceeds from all sales will be reinvested II. Their names are recorded on a plaque. into “warm, dry homes for our tenants”, Today, races are overseen from a comJones said. mittee boat, but for the Heritage Day Race Kāinga Ora owns just over 230 properties 2026, the signal flags will fly again. on the Devonport peninsula south of • Wakatere celebrates 100 years, pages Esmonde Rd, Jones said.

26-29

Tower power back for club centenary

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 3

Beach beckons as Narrow Neck dairy lease ends Matt Bhai has lived and worked 200 metres from Narrow Neck beach for 25 years but rarely got to go there with wife Yogi.

But that is all about to change, with the couple leaving Devon Superette on the corner of Merani St and Old Lake Rd on 23 February.

“One of the big things I’ll be able to do is go to the beach with my wife – with a seven-days-a-week business, one of us always had to be in the shop,” Matt told the Flagstaff.

As news spreads of the couple’s impending departure, customers have already been coming in to offer their best wishes.

The couple’s lease on the building came up and the owner decided to sell the property, Matt said. It’s highly unlikely Devon Superette will remain a dairy. “I’m really sad for my customers and really want to thank them for all their support over the years,” he said. “They are like family now – I’m going to miss them.”

After Yogita Patel and Himmat Bhai took over the dairy on 11 August 2001, arriving with baby daughter Paayal, they became known simply as Yogi and Matt. Second daughter Arpita “was born into the shop”, says Matt. The family became immersed in the community with the girls going to local play centres and Vauxhall Primary, Belmont Intermediate and Takapuna Grammar.

Seven days a week, from 7am until 9pm, the family worked at Devon Superette. The community gave their support in return, particularly when the dairy was targeted by a ram raid in 2014 and robberies in 2018 and 2019.

Swift action by locals led to police arresting four youths shortly after the 2019 armed robbery in broad daylight.

Shop stalwarts... Matt Bhai and Yogi Patel after their Four hooded and masked robbers, carrying a large knife and ham- dairy was targeted in a 2014 ram raid. Below: The dairy mers, had entered dairy around 2pm. When Yogi saw her husband often has queues outside during the after-school rush. trapped by a large man with a knife, she threw a heavy tape dispenser at the offender, distracting him and allowing Matt to escape.

The robbers destroyed the shop’s new cash register with a hammer, stole $435 in cash, and took about 40 packets of cigarettes from a cabinet. But they were soon caught after police were called and a neighbour pursued the robbers in her vehicle.

Meals and messages arrived in response to word spreading of the couple’s ordeal. “We felt really supported,” Matt said.

After leaving the shop and adjoining home, Matt and Yogi plan to initially stay with Arpita in Belmont. “There will be a lot of tidying up to do (around closing a business) for the first month, then I’ll have a rest and then look for something else to do,” Matt said.

Both daughters are spreading their wings: Arpita is studying property and commerce at the University of Auckland, while Paayal, a lawyer, has just moved to Sydney.

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 4

February 13, 2026

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 5

Seek and ye shall find fun in Windsor Reserve sun

Beat goes on... DJ Lewis McCallum didn’t have to do much to warm up a receptive crowd on a hot Sunday afternoon, with Windsor Reserve making a picture-perfect location for the Sunsetter Festival Devonport was pumping for the Sunsetter Festival, with many attendees spilling out from Windsor Reserve into local bars after the event.

The afternoon-evening music festival ran without major issues.

“It was fantastic to see so many locals out enjoying themselves and Devonport buzzing with life,” organiser Adam Bennett said.

Access to the playground and beach continued during the ticketed event on the reserve on Sunday 1 February.

“From what I’ve been told, many local bars and restaurants did very well from pre and after functions, which is great to hear because one of the goals of the festival is to provide positive flow-on economic benefits to nearby businesses,” said Bennett, a Hauraki resident.

Buses were put on from Takapuna and Milford to bring in some of the crowd of 2500.

Many were peninsula locals, including North Shore MP Simon Watts and wife Shannon.

Festival fences and portable toilets were packed down and removed on Monday.

Soaking up the sunshine... Rachael Bridger (left) and Nikki Ainsworth were The Devonport Business Association among the happy punters enjoying the day (DBA) is tracking the impact of such events “Devonport” sign was being finalised and and is keen to work with people bringing venues’ participation around Sunsetter.

Meanwhile, DBA manager Tabitha Cole- this would be ideal to have in place for futhem to the area, to amplify potential benefits. It helped promote local hospitality man said design of its planned large portable ture festivals to provide photo opportunities.

February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 6

‘Worst house’ in top street sells for under $2 million One of the worst houses in one of the best streets in Devonport sold for $1.86 million last week.

Regarded as a major renovation project, the 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home at 22 Domain St attracted strong interest at auction.

Built in 1915, the home’s May 2024 rating valuation was $2.1 million, with a land value of $1,550,000 and improvement value of $550,000.

Selling agents Marissa Muirhead and Maria Stevens of Harcourts said it was the strongest interest in a house they had seen in some time.

Around 70 groups had been through the property and 12 parties had registered for the auction.

“Everyone turned up in person or by phone,” Stevens said.

An architect had described it as the “last honest villa” restoration project available in Devonport. The house had been in the same family for the last 40 years, Stevens said.

‘Incorrect plan’ blamed for hours of Lake Rd tailbacks From page 1 Asked what went wrong, AT’s group manager road corridor access Tracey Berkhan said: “The work was an Auckland Council Healthy Waters (stormwater) planned job undertaken by Downer.

“While Downer has a global Traffic Management Plan, the measures they implemented were not appropriate for this type of work and the road.”

Berkhan said global approvals were used for cyclical/repetitive maintenance tasks performed by utilities and their contractors and the specific activities performed under global approvals were not “individually”

approved by AT. “In this case the incorrect global approval plan was installed by Downer.”

A corrective action plan had been requested from Downer and it was not allowed to continue work until AT was satisfied with the plan.

Downer had also been charged additional monitoring fees by AT for the call-out and for using an incorrect plan, she said.

Berkhan said Downer was also investigating with its operation team.

Among those who contacted AT to get action on the day were North Shore councillor Richard Hills, who fielded numerous public complaints.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board manager Trina Thompson also contacted AT when board members became aware of the congestion.

Hills said, “I’m very frustrated that it caused so much delay, but not as frustrated as all of you who had to deal with it.”

Traffic management of the extent imposed should be communicated well in advance if it was necessary, which it was not in this case where one-laning was not needed.

AT was left unaware of the problem initially, Hills said.

He expected better protocols would be put in place.

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 7

Retiree surprises Retiree surprisesmates matesat atgolf golf Perry thought he’d never play another round of golf. The keen golfer had been playing since age twelve, but at 66 his knees forced him to abandon the sport he loved. What started as switching from walking to a cart eventually became complete retirement from the game.

“The worst part wasn’t giving up golf,” Perry admits. “It was losing touch with my mates. We’d played together every week for fifteen years.”

After trying various remedies with limited success, Perry discovered Koru FX through a chance conversation with his neighbour.

“He saw me struggling in the garden and mentioned this cream his wife used,” Perry recalls. Quietly skeptical about the natural approach, he decided to give it a go.

Koru FX combines 16 botanical oils in a unique triple-action formula. Warming oils like black pepper help the ingredients penetrate, peppermint and eucalyptus provide cooling relief, while mānuka, arnica and calendula offer lasting support throughout the day.

“No chemical smell, just pleasant peppermint. And it absorbed quickly without leaving that greasy feeling,” Perry notes.

He began applying the cream to both knees morning and night. Within a week, he noticed significant changes.

“I was getting out of my chair without thinking about it,” he says. “That’s when I knew something was working.”

Three weeks later, Perry sent a text that stunned his golf buddies: “Anyone free for nine holes Thursday?”

“They couldn’t believe it when I showed up,” he laughs. “Thought I was just coming to watch.”

That first round back, Perry shot 44 for nine holes, respectable for someone who hadn’t touched a club in months. Word spread quickly through the group.

“The lads were asking what my secret was. Now half of them are using it too,” Perry says. “We joke that the pro shop should stock it next to the golf balls.”

He’s since returned to playing full eighteen-hole rounds, still using a cart but actively playing.

“My wife says I’m like a different person,” he admits. “Having that weekly game back, seeing the boys, being outdoors, it’s given me my retirement back.”

Perry now keeps a bottle of Koru FX in his golf bag alongside his tees and markers. The locally-made cream has become

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“Some guys carry lucky balls. I carry this,” he grins. “Though I suppose it’s more than luck when it actually works.”

When Perry played his favourite 18th hole for the first time, his approach shot landed six feet from the pin.

“Missed the putt,” he laughs. “But just being there to miss it felt like a hole in one.”

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 8

Tunnels campaigner renews push Martin Butler is continuing his crusade to have the tunnels at Maungauika investigated as the possible site of long-stored ammunition.

The campaigner’s new booklet The TunnelVision Project: North Head/Maungauika – What lies within? is being launched at the Devonport RSA on 19 February at 6.30 pm, when Butler will present new evidence and answer questions.

The publication follows Butler’s two previous books on the subject: Tunnel Vision and Tunnel Vision Refocused.

Multiple requests for investigations on Maungauika have been made to authorities and rejected since 2013. But another application has been lodged with the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, which Butler says is expected to deliver its determination by

28 February.

New evidence put to the authority includes a 2025 review by Linked Forensic Consultants Ltd, led by explosives expert Sean Doyle, which identified underground gases but said the testing conducted was insufficient to determine whether explosives were present. “The only way to settle matters decisively is by inspection,” the review said.

Official accounts have consistently maintained that no underground structures exist beneath the North Battery or nearby.

But Butler says there is evidence proving the opposite: deep excavations, brick-arched magazines, connecting passages, independent eyewitnesses recalling tunnels, lower levels, hoists, access points, and drive-in entrances.

Carpet rolled out for resident writers The Michael King Writers Centre has undergone its first major refurbishment in two decades.

The work, including new carpet throughout, upgrades to both bathrooms, a new rear deck and fresh exterior painting, was coordinated by the building’s landlord, the Tūpuna Maunga Authority (TMA).

Much of the work was done over the holiday period so it was finished before the arrival of the year’s first writer in residence

in early January.

With more than 20 years of books lining the centre’s library shelves, the carpet replacement became a major project, with each book being carefully removed, boxed, then returned once the new flooring was installed.

Former New Zealand Poet Laureate Chris Tse had a two‑week residency beginning 19 January Historian Dr Vincent O’Malley will soon take up residence.

Devonport 09 446 2030 Proud Sponsor Of North Shore Rugby Club

Devonport Devonport 22Devonport 22 Domain Domain Street Street 22 Domain Street 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 2

Tool time at the Devonport Devonport 0909 446 446 2030 2030 Claystore Proud Proud Sponsor Sponsor Of Of

09 446 2030 A tool marketDevonport isNorth planned at the Claystore North Shore Shore Rugby Rugby Club Club SponsortoOfbuy this month, giving localsProud the chance North Shore Rugby Club or sell gear.

The Great Devonport Tool Bazaar is on Sunday 22 February, from 8am to 2pm, with a “rain date” of 1 March.

Martin Ford, co-chair of the Devonport Community Workshop which is based at the Claystore on Lake Rd and is organising the event, says it is an opportunity for people to seek out a tool they have been hankering for or look to downsize their own collection.

Stall tables can be booked for $20 to sell items ranging from tools to building and hobby materials and plants. A sausage sizzle will be running.

Money raised from the day will help with the volunteer-run workshop’s operating costs.

It offers advice and guidance for community members.

Among community projects the volunteers have helped with are building pest traps and theatre set construction.

The workshop’s future at the Claystore has been up in the air, due to issues with the state of the heritage building.

Last year council staff told the board that cost estimates of $1.5 million for work on the building were likely to increase.

• To book a table at the tool market, ring Martin Ford on 021799389.

Devonport 09 446 2030 Proud Sponsor Of North Shore Rugby Club

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 9

Chinese students enjoy Stanley Bay immersion Stanley Bay School hosted 75 Chinese students and 11 teachers for a three-day cultural exchange last week.

The members of a visiting group from Wuhan Jingkai Foreign Language School were paired with local buddies, to gain an idea of Kiwi – and Stanley Bay – culture.

The international students were divided into three classes and taught by Stanley Bay School part-time teachers.

Their programme included science, art and drama, and included a nature walk and scavenger hunt around Ngataringa Bay to identify native species. After school they had a hit at Takapuna Golf Course.

Wuhan Jingkai, a private school, started in 2019 with 80 pupils and now has more than 5000 primary, intermediate, college-age and international students.

The visiting contingent spent a week in the South Island before coming to Auckland for the Stanley Bay immersion.

A large but undisclosed fee was paid to Stanley Bay and the visit had benefits for local businesses as well, with Five Loaves Café supplying packed lunches for the students, and Asahi providing sushi for the visiting teachers.

An official signing ceremony between Stanley Bay acting principal Helen Pelham

Black-spot surface upgrade planned Auckland Transport says it will improve the road surface around a crash-plagued bend onLake Rd in Hauraki in the next few months.

But it also says many of the factors leading to accidents there are out of its control.

The latest serious crash was in the early hours of 1 January, when a vehicle smashed through the bus shelter and into a rock wall.

The driver and sole occupant was seriously injured and later charged with dangerous driving and driving while over the alcohol limit.

In November 2024, a young woman passenger was killed in a crash near the shelter.

Michael Brown, head of road safety engineering for AT, said another five crashes had been recorded at the same spot since 2020.

Various factors had contributed, such as speed and driver impairment, or inexperience.

Elements like weather and time of day could play a role.

Because many of these factors were out of AT’s control, he said its focus remained on the road’s condition, its geometry, and ensuring that markings and signage created a safe and easily understood environment. “Following the fatal crash in 2024, Auckland Transport enhanced road markings and signage to encourage drivers to slow down.”

It now intended to expedite improvement to the road surface, by installing new improved surfacing in the first half of this year.

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Sister act... Stanley Bay School acting principal Helen Pelham with Wuhan Jingkai principal Ping Yan as the schools’ relationship was established and Wuhan principal Ping Yan was held on Wednesday, formally establishing a sister-school relationship between the schools.

Pelham said the partnership opens the door for future exchanges and ongoing interna-

tional connections. For Stanley Bay students it was an opportunity to learn about another culture while proudly sharing their own.

As one student put it, “It’s cool showing them how we do things here.”

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 11

Lawyers consulted over snagged skatepark plan Issues threatening a planned skatepark on Woodall Park will come back before the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board this month, following input from lawyers.

The board took legal advice in a confidential workshop session on 3 February, having decided in a split vote in December to put the project on hold pending more information.

Board chair Trish Deans has since said: “At the DTLB business meeting on the 24th February 2026 a report from staff will be presented and the matter will be fully discussed in the public arena.”

Deans told the Flagstaff the previous DTLB’s proposal for the skatepark to be sited on the grass area of Woodall Park did not comply with the park’s management plan.

“Clarifying matters with council lawyers has been extremely helpful. Auckland Council’s lawyers are assisting the new local board with the question, ‘Where to from here?’”

Interest in the board’s decision making is high, both from supporters and opponents of the skatepark, with former board chair Toni van Tonder, who championed it, saying the new board’s vote in December last year had effectively binned the project.

The delay came three months after the outgoing board voted 3-2 to proceed with design plans, with Gavin Busch and George Wood against, citing concerns about the site and compliance with the 1997 Parks Management Plan.

The duo were re-elected and in December were backed by Deans and her fellow new board member Garth Ellingham in calling for more advice from staff.

Returning member Terence Harpur and his running mate and new member Scott Macarthur, unsuccessfully sought to amend the motion to this effect, with Harpur saying design work and advice should continue in tandem with the long-delayed draft update to the park’s plan being finalised.

Delays would increase cost, he said, and were relitigating matters that had already come to the board in relation to a project which had gained very strong public support in an earlier feedback process.

Busch says complying with the park’s plan and gaining more certainty around the site and potential cost risks from its history as a rubbish tip are vital. He rejects claims the project has been killed off, but at the December meeting did raise the possibility of considering other locations.

Asked about the board’s commitment to Woodall Park, Deans said in a statement that all members of the DTLB agreed that they wished to proceed with a proposal for a skatepark “in the local area”.

The board, like any other landowner, had to comply with requirements of legislation and ensure its decisions were lawful, she said.

Her statement also referred to the site’s dump history. Deans provided an aerial photograph from 1967.

“Although the DTLB has received general advice about the contamination of the proposed grass area of the site, staff have not been able to provide a complete costing of the remedial work that will need to be done to guarantee the site is safe for use as a skate park. This is a chicken and egg scenario.”

Further information about the tip’s history had been sought and would be presented to the 24 February meeting.

“The DTLB must consider this unknown cost factor and take this into account in its decision.”

Skatepark advocate Dave Casey, who was dismayed when the project was put on hold in December, says he has requested speaking rights at the board meeting.

High-flying TGS volleyballers ready to join forces

Two Takapuna Grammar School students in the New Zealand Under-18 beach volleyball squad are looking forward to teaming up later in the month in senior national competition, after a summer in which they have already earned medals with other playing partners.

Nadia Letica and Isobel Tuttle are among four TGS students who play for North Harbbour, who have made the U18 squad of 16.

From this two women’s and two men’s pairs will be selected for the national age-group team to go to the Asia Championships in May, with a view to securing NZ qualifying spots for worlds in July. The others named in the squad last year are Caleb Wilson and Theo Andrade. All have been involved in summer camps, training and competition.

The girls, who are in Year 12 this year, both won medals in Volleyball NZ (VNZ) Beach Tour events in December and January. They were in separate pairs as selectors tested squad combinations.

Nadia also teamed up with a player from Rangitoto College to secure a big win at the inaugural VNZ Junior Tournament, held in Mt Maunganui late last year.

Squad members were then asked to play up in Senior Division 1 for the next Beach Tour event at Karapiro, where Isobel’s pair placed second and Nadia’s third. The tour moves to Auckland this weekend. For the next leg in Christchurch the week after, the girls took the initiative to enter as a pair.

They are a proven combination, having won gold for North Harbour at Interprovincial Championships and at College Sport Auckand champs. The schoolmates have other older sporting connections, dating to Belmont Intermediate days and from club athletics and rugby.

A final junior event will be held in Mt Maunganui on March 5, with the NZ U18 team announcement to follow.

Wilson and Andrade also bring good form into the selection.

The Beach Tour offers pathways for players to advance from school competition. The sport, both beach and indoors, is growing rapidly at secondary school level.

TGS had 18 students involved in agegroup Harbour representative teams at the beach IPC in January. Wilson won an U17 gold medal, Letica an U17 silver and Caue Dornelas,, an U17 silver medal in boys’ competition. TGS players also figured at the Auckland champs, played at the Mairangi Bay Beach Centre, in December, when Ivy Cooper and Saoirse Harrington won the Year 9 girls’ event and Nadia and Isobel the senior gold. Cash Gibson and Caleb Mako claimed bronze for Year 10 boys.

Indoor school competition is underway again, with the TGS players in the NZ beach squad back in action for that. College Sport Auckland Champs will be held on March Young guns... Nadia Letica (left) and 11-13, with secondary school nationals two Isobel Tuttle are both in the national weeks later in Palmerston North.

U18 beach volleyball squad

February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 12

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 13

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Double garage, off-street parking and landscaped garden complete this coastal retreat.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 14

Hornet zone extends onto Devonport peninsula The yellow-legged hornet red zone now extends into Hauraki, with the pests confirmed to have spread to neighbouring Takapuna.

Biosecurity New Zealand said last week that three small nests – one in Takapuna (with a queen inside) and two in Forrest Hill (without queens) – had been located and destroyed late last month.

Across the North Shore, a total of 49 queens, 51 nests and hundreds of workers of the aggressive wasp species have been detected and destroyed since the first sighting last October.

More finds of the distinctive yellow-legged hornets should be expected, said Mike Inglis, Biosecurity's Commissioner North.

Public sightings and trapping efforts were reinforcing its own stepped-up efforts, which include using radio tracking, along with trapping and ground surveillance.

With the spread coming closer to the

Facts missing in unexplained death Police are refusing to name a three-yearold boy found dead at a Kerr St address on January 3 or release the cause of his death, even though a post-mortem examination has been completed.

Last week police said the investigation was ongoing, but refused to let the Flagstaff speak to the officer in charge.

Police had previously asked for the public to come forward with any surveillance footage near the property on the day the boy was found around 11 pm.

Devonport peninsula, local environmental groups, who have been raising awareness among their members since last year, are urging extra vigilance.

The Takapuna detection was reported by a member of the public who spotted a hornet on a pōhutukawa tree on commercial premises on 21 January. Field teams visited the site where bait stations/open traps were placed. Another hornet was then discovered in one of these traps.

Further monitoring and observations led to the discovery four days later of the primary nest across the road from the pōhutukawa, in another commercial premises Initial efforts to find the hornets, .which are a threat to bees, centred on the Glenfield area and immediate surrounds. But an intense surveillance and trapping red zone was then expanded to an 11km area, including Takapuna.

To help prevent further spread, concerned Takapuna-based Pupuke Birdsong Project (PBS) and Devonport-based Restoring Takarunga Hauraki groups have been proactive since last year, encouraging people to make and monitor their own simple traps to aid official efforts. Biosecurity staff have also helped set up advisory stalls at markets, including in Takapuna.

A network of more than 1080 traps is now operating. No detections have been made outside the 11km zone, with fewer traps set in outer zones.

However boundaries for more intensive trapping might be adjusted as finds are confirmed from thousands of suspected sightings, many of which are of different wasp species.

• Information about hornets, including trap-making, is available on the Ministry of Primary Industries website.

Pesky pests bugged by new tech The radio tracking technology being used in the hunt for yellow-legged hornets has become a core tool in the eradication response programme. It involves attaching tiny radio transmitters to worker hornets to show the way back to nests.

“The trackers, which complement on-theground surveillance and public notifications, will become increasingly useful as summer progresses and hornets begin building larger secondary nests high up in trees where they’re less visible to ground searchers,” says Biosecurity New Zealand’s Commissioner North, Mike Inglis.

So far, it has enabled the detection of 10 nests, but use of the technique is expected to yield more.

“Once we have a transmitter attached to a hornet, we are typically locating the nest within a few hours.”

Inglis says staff capability with the equipment is growing rapidly, helped by practical advice from visiting experts in hornet management from the United Kingdom.

“We have located three secondary nests so far and after comprehensive planning, have successfully treated and removed them.”

He says finding more hornets is a sign the response is working and has led to it being scaled up.

People finding a suspected hornet or a possible nest, or with a clear photo should go online at report.mpi.govt.nz or call 0800 809966.

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From the Museum

February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 15

Sign of the times: When war prompted local safeguards In the first of a new regular column, Devonport Museum chair David Verran shares some of its treasures We have around 2000 photographs in our collection, along with around 4000 other items listed in our well-indexed database.

Some items are large – such as an old butcher’s block – while others are small ornaments. All have a Devonport (or surrounding area) connection. We also have 44 oral histories, along with old historically relevant DVDs, CDs, cassettes, and even video, and of course a library of books relevant to Devonport and the surrounding area.

The Second World War commenced on 1 September 1939. Acknowledging the threat of invasion, Emergency Precaution Schemes were developed at a regional level, including in the Auckland metropolitan area, and then for each individual local authority.

Devonport Borough’s Emergency Precautions Scheme dates from 17 July 1940. The Home Guard was separate from this, with the first parade of the Devonport Home Guard Battalion held on 7 December 1940.

Devonport Museum has amongst its collection a white enamelled sign with the lettering “E. P. S. Warden”.

This was donated to us in April 2015 and

is described as having been mounted on the Wynyard family home in Buchanan St. Measuring 23cm by 11cm, it is now a little rusty around the edges.

Devonport Borough was divided up into blocks and Buchanan St was in Block Five.

The Warden-in-Chief across the Borough was ex-officio the Mayor Hugh Ferry Wheir Meikle, while the sub-warden and deputy for Block Five, which covered what was called the Central Devonport Area, were respectively Colonel A P Carmichael and J Morgan.

Areas deemed likely to be bombed and shelled during an invasion of the Devonport area were the military installations on the two main maunga, along with Fort Takapuna,

Shop online this morning and get it delivered

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Devonport

the Naval Base and dock. Various aid posts were set up across Devonport, along with a detailed administrative framework.

As part of the regional effort, in April 1941 Devonport was to have one of three decontamination depots for gas poisoning.

From May 1941 it participated in citywide reductions in public lighting. This included street lights, lights used for advertising and those showing from public-facing windows of both houses and shops. Hence the phrase “put that light out!”

Please check if you may have items particularly relevant to the Home Guard and E.P.S., here in Devonport and related areas.

We are at info@devonportmuseum.org.nz

Monday - Sunday 9.30am-11.30am 12.30pm-2.30pm

Monday - Sunday 9.30am-11.30am 12.30pm-2.30pm 2.45pm-4.45pm 5.15pm-7.15pm

Monday - Sunday 7.30am-8.30am 9am-11am 12pm-2pm 2.30pm-4.30pm 5.30pm-7.30pm 7.30pm - 8.30pm

February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 16

Boys caught after wharf break-in Two Devonport peninsula teenagers who broke into the convenience store at the ferry terminal early last Tuesday were quickly tracked by a police dog and taken into custody.

Police were contacted around 6.10am by a member of the public who had seen the boys forcing open a roller door, then making off with various products.

“Units deployed into the Devonport area,

with a dog handler quickly on the scent and tracking the pair down,” Waitematā East Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant CJ Miles says.

The youths, aged 13 and 15, were both taken into custody without further incident.

The 15-year-old was due to appear in the North Shore Youth Court on a burglary charge, while the 13-year-old was referred to Youth Aid.

Imogen Ayris flies high in France Polevaulter Imogen Ayris has set a personal best of 4.70m in international competition in France. The former Takapuna Grammar School student, aged 25, cleanly cleared the height she has been targeting to win an indoor meet in Caen on 30 January.

Ayris made the finals at the 2024 Olym-

pic Games and last year’s World Athletics Championships, and won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Like fellow former TGS student Eliza McCartney, an Olympic bronze medallist, she aims to represent her country at further Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Briefs Columbarium opened A new columbarium – a repository for ashes – at St Francis de Sales and All Souls Catholic Church in Devonport will be blessed and opened by Auckland Bishop Stephen Lowe on Sunday February 22 at 9 am.

Badminton club returns Grammar Badminton Club is returning to its longtime home at Takapuna Grammar School, after several years when building work required it to relocate to Birkenhead College. The club, dating back to the 1970s, draws many of its members from the Devonport peninsula. It is one of the few community-based badminton clubs on the North Shore.

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 17

Devonport 09 445 2010

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Ready to be renovated this home sits on a generous 556m² north facing section at the end of a quiet cul de sac and will be a rare chance for the savvy buyer to add value.

A deceased estate - the family have made their decision and their wishes are clear.

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 18 Devonport Devonport 0909 445 445 2010 2010

Barfoot Barfoot & Thompson & Thompson Limited Limited Licensed Licensed REAA REAA 2008 2008

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This This character character filled filled villa villa is complete is complete with with a work a work from from home home office office and and a studio a studio with with ensuite. ensuite.

The The home home is perfectly is perfectly positioned positioned onon a 759m² a 759m² sunny, sunny, NW NW facing facing garden garden with with outdoor outdoor areas areas designed designed with with entertaining entertaining in in mind mind and and a large a large lawn, lawn, perfect perfect forfor children children toto play play in in this this most most amazing amazing setting setting under under a Pohutakawa a Pohutakawa tree! tree!

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Tracey Tracey Lawrence Lawrence 021 021 1720 1720 681 681

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Trish Trish Fitzgerald Fitzgerald 021 021 952 952 452 452

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 19 Devonport 09 445 2010

Barfoot & Thompson Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Major sponsor for the North Shore Cricket Club

NEW LISTING

DEVONPORT

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Set within one of Cheltenham’s most exclusive and tightly held streets.

6 Tui Street presents an exceptional lifestyle opportunity in a truly blue-chip Devonport location. Bordering the Vauxhall Reserve with uninterrupted views across the playing fields to Mt Victoria, and positioned on a full, flat, north-facing 759m² site. Cheltenham Beach and Torpedo Bay are both just a few minutes' walk away.

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AU C T I O N

VIEWING

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Sat/Sun 3:00-3:30pm

(unless sold prior)

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Trish Fitzgerald 021 952 452

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Tracey Lawrence 021 1720 681

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 20

Devonport 09 445 2010

Barfoot & Thompson Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Major sponsor for the North Shore Cricket Club

NEW LISTING

DEVONPORT

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BELMONT

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Trish Fitzgerald 021 952 452 Tracey Lawrence 021 1720 681

Set in the heart of everpopular Belmont, this beautifully modernised 1950s home delivers relaxed family living in a private garden setting.

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2:00pm 26 Feb 2026 at 39 Victoria Road, Devonport (unless sold prior)

VIEWING Sat/Sun 11:00-11:30am

Tracey Lawrence 021 1720 681 Trish Fitzgerald 021 952 452

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 21

Devonport 09 445 2010

Barfoot & Thompson Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Major sponsor for the North Shore Cricket Club

AU C T I O N

DEVONPORT

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Solid, sunny, brick and tile, extra large unit. Own garage, great location.

Close to popular Beach and Superb local schools, Here To Sell at Auction

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$895,000

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TENDER 2:00pm 5 Mar 2026 at 39 Victoria Road, Devonport (unless sold prior)

VIEWING Phone For Viewing Times

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 22

The Flagstaff Notes

By Rob Drent

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: We’re starting a home and garden project soon, how much difference environmentally does it make which kind of skip we use?

Signed, Bob the B. Dear Pete G.: It makes a big difference actually! Flexibins are made out of polypropylene (which is plastic), and only used once before they go to landfill. Skip bins are re-usable, plus if you hire one from RRD we will hand-sort the contents to make sure nothing goes to landfill needlessly.

Signed, Mrs. N0ughty Send your burning questions to

community@devonportrecycle.co.nz

and let’s sort through this rubbish together!

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Book on Humanitix

I have no firm statistics but suspect the Devonport Flagstaff readership would include a comparatively high proportion of people who regularly travel overseas.

Everyone in this cohort sees the highly accessible and efficient public transport systems of the world’s major cities.

I’ve recently been to Melbourne and the gulf between its public transport network and Auckland’s is vast. Trams, trains and buses were cheap and well used. Trams were free on the weekends. From casual observation, there appeared to be fewer cars on major thoroughfares akin to Auckland’s Dominion Rd or our own dreaded Lake Rd. All of Australia’s large cities have made great strides in recent decades – Brisbane in particular has raced ahead with new public transport initiatives, catching up on decades of road and car dominance.

Auckland can look forward to a major improvement. The City Rail Link is due to open in the second half of this year, with new stations developed around the city as a result. But progress has been glacially slow.

And some initiatives have gone backwards. Take Skybus, which used to have a North Shore service. With an airport bus leaving from Akoranga station, it was possible to bus from Devonport to Auckland International with just one change. This service went into abeyance during Covid and never came back. The current SkyDrive bus service from the Auckland CBD to the airport doesn’t quite work for Devonport residents. The airport service previously had a stop at the city ferry terminal, making the link extremely convenient for Devonport travellers. The current service starts from and returns to Sky City, which is a fair hike from the ferry with luggage.

Auckland always figures highly in worldwide “liveable cities” surveys, but it’s hard to see why considering the congestion and comparatively poor transport options.

Every former Aucklander I met in Melbourne had been more than happy to leave traffic behind.

Former councillor Chris Darby entered local body politics some 20 years ago with one of his campaign slogans promoting light rail to the North Shore. Darby tried hard, but when he left politics at the last election, little material progress had been made.

A combination of a lack of Auckland Council money or government commitment to funding improvements to the infrastruc-

February 13, 2026 ture of New Zealand’s largest city has left it lagging, not only in delivering new public transport improvements, but also long-planned initiatives as well. Yet the government seems to want to accelerate population and housing growth.

Yes, population is needed to provide the numbers for more public transport, but public transport is needed to service a larger population. They need to be seen in tandem and planned for accordingly.

All the infill happening on the Devonport peninsula is making an already choked Lake Rd even worse. Last week’s holdups were some of the worst residents had seen.

Local MP Simon Watts vowed to sort out Lake Rd as one of his political ambitions.

It’s election year Simon – the clock is ticking. Is it time to float the idea of a tram running the length of Lake Rd?

One of the great things about reporting on Devonport is its long history, with many groups and institutions now celebrating their 100th or 150th anniversaries.

This month brings Wakatere Boating Club’s centenary. Leafing through the club’s 50th year commemorative book, we found some great pictures and graphics, including a 1920s plan (above) for what is now Woodall Park.

The North Devonport and Vauxhall Residents and Ratepayers Association’s plan “in hand for beautifying of the beach and reserve at Narrow Neck” includes a children’s playground not far from where the existing pump track and proposed new skatepark are located.

It’s interesting that children’s recreation was envisioned for the site 100 years ago.

The New Zealand Herald has recognised a new suburb in Devonport – Ngataringa Heights.

The addition to Auckland’s geographical landscape was appended to a letter from Bruce Tubb, a well-known resident of the Ryman retirement home, who would no doubt have had a bit of a laugh at coining a new area.

What next, Hauraki Heights, Bayswater Harbourviews, Belmont Shores?

Do readers have any other local name suggestions we could send to the Herald?

February 13, 2026

Letters

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 23

Lake Rd rage: Massive delay causes stress and anger The total blockage of the northbound traffic on Lake Road for two hours on Tuesday was completely unnecessary.

It was caused by a Downer catchpit cleaning truck adjacent to Takapuna Grammar at a critical section where there is no alternative route.

This routine maintenance could have been scheduled at off-peak, similar to maintenance on the harbour bridge at 3 am – blame Auckland Transport.

If it does have to be done at midday, then a section of the road did not need to be closed. A rubbish collection with a similarly sized truck at the same time causes minimal disruption because the traffic self-organises itself around the truck.

No cones are needed. Blame government

regulations requiring cones for excessive caution.

If we do have to live with “traffic management”, it must be thought out properly. The manual control letting 10 cars at a time each way (I counted) interacted with the adjacent traffic lights, resulting in the side road getting full priority so there was no northbound traffic on Lake Road. The traffic lights should have been disabled as part of the traffic plan.

Blame the traffic management company for not managing the traffic.

I have worked on roads and motorways and understand the need for safe working.

The extensive reforms of local government were supposed to improve operations, clearly they have failed.

Kim Ollivier B.E. (Civil)

Hundreds endure unnecessary delay Tuesday 3 February. A sucker-truck is needed to clear a manhole on the berm about opposite the TGS field. The truck needs to be parked by the kerb. And probably a few cones to alert cars that it’s stationary.

But no. This enormous undertaking requires a Stop/Go single lane and hundreds and hundreds of drivers endure an additional

45 minutes on Lake Rd. AT told me they were sending someone to sort it. Hope they got there quicker than I did.

Can’t Auckland Transport manage a red flag for any traffic management plan which proposes a lane closure of any sort on Lake Rd? Rob Thexton

Likely stoat sighting prompts trap campaign in Ngataringa Park Four new stoat traps have been set up in Ngataringa Park after a “credible sighting” of the pest in the area.

Stoats are relatively uncommon in Devonport but travel and breed quickly and could pose a major threat to wildlife especially at Ngataringa Park, whose coastline supports endangered shorebirds.

The Devonport peninsula is also the final buffer between the mainland and Rangitoto, says Restoring Takarunga Hauraki programme leader Lance Cablk.

Four traps have been set in the Ngataringa Park area with stoat-specific lure.

Please report any stoat sightings to Cablk at lance@rth.org.nz or call 027 359 6722.

20 years ago from the Flagstaff files • Devonport Wharf is still owned by finance company Bridgecorp, six months after the announcement it was “sold” to property developers Columbard.

• Dozens of vintage cars and fans of art deco dress turned out for the Great Gatsby picnic at Windsor Reserve.

• Naomi Petersen swaps her job as a deck hand on Fullers ferries for a crew position on Greenpeace protest vessel Esperanza.

• Odessa Coleman (14) becomes the youngest exhibitor at the Depot.

• D e v o np ort b a n d t h e Electric Confectionaires were a star of the early acts at the Big Day Out.

• Eleven mature macrocarpas were felled at Bayswater Primary to ease overcrowding.

• Ticket prices for Fullers trips from Devonport to Auckland go up to $35 for a 10-trip ticket and $115 for a monthly pass.

• An In My Father’s Den gala evening is held at the Victoria Theatre.

• Charles Elton is pictured playing for South Africa against Pakistan in the junior world series at Devonport Domain.

• Sandra Damaris, who ran the Devonport Barber Shop for 20 years, is the Flagstaff interview subject.

Devo-Taka in 1hr 40min Today it took me (along with very many others) 1 hour 40 minutes to drive from Devonport to Takapuna, starting at 11.20am. This was because three men were working on the road and blocking one lane. Why were they doing this at peak traffic time? Don’t their bosses have the sense to get this work done late at night so that very few motorists would be affected? The stress on all the drivers must have been considerable, together with the extra cost it must have meant for many. Let’s get a response please.

Roger Hall

Why not work at night?

Having just sat in my car for over an hour to get from Esmonde Rd to Belmont I was wondering why these roadworks were not scheduled at night?

Bruce Tubb

Letters to the Editor

Letters are welcome.

Please limit to 300 words 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.

David Smart Independent

Financial Adviser

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p: 027 543 4455 e: david@davidsmart.co • Personal & tailored service • Call me for a confidential, no-obligation chat.

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Go to devonportflagstaff.co.nz and click on ‘Become a supporter’ at the top of the page.

February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 24

Postal services being axed from Hauraki Corner

Hauraki Corner is losing its postal outlet, with the shopping strip’s stationery store among 142 urban retail partners NZ Post is cutting adrift.

Valentine’s Stationer owner Andrew Cai says the decision puts his entire business at risk and he will likely have to close.

Customers were shocked to be losing the postal facility, probably from mid-June, he said. “It’s not good for the community.”

A woman in the store who did not want to be named agreed, telling the Flagstaff it was handy, had convenient parking and provided helpful service, such as assisting people to fill in forms. She preferred the security of dropping off parcels there, rather than leaving them out for couriers and risking theft.

“I’m sending a family heirloom today – I want to know it will get there.”

NZ Post announced the cuts to its network late last month. Locally, they also include the

loss of two post counters serving the Navy Base at Devonport from depots at 1 Queens Pde and on Jim Titchener Pde. Takapuna and Devonport retain their centres in Paper Plus stores. Milford town centre lost its service in October 2024.

Cai, aged 46, who bought the Hauraki store nine years ago, said he had put hundreds of thousands of dollars into his business.

Although he had diversified into computer repairs and had a Lotto counter, it was postal services that brought in 50 per cent of his trade. The father of two who lives in Forrest Hill says he will struggle to pay costs and rent or find a buyer. “I can’t get any dollars back. What will I do next?”

He says NZ Post should have sought public feedback.

His customers include people from Belmont and Narrow Neck, but most are from Hauraki. “They don’t want to go to Takapuna

or Devonport.”

The first inkling he got of change was last October when NZ Post asked stores if they wanted to remain in its network. He said he did, but in mid-January was told the Hauraki partner deal would end in mid-June.

NZ Post says changes in mail usage drove the latest cuts. Auckland loses 29 centres in all. To allow the network reductions, NZ Post secured agreement for a change in its deed of understanding with the government.

NZ Post general manager – consumer Sarah Sandoval said far fewer letters were being sent. “Customers now rely far more on NZ Post stores for collecting and sending parcels compared to letters.”

The network needed rebalancing to reflect this, she said. “Ninety percent of Kiwis living in urban areas will still be within four kilometres of a New Zealand Post store,” she said.

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 25

Takapuna Grammar leaders ready to help out others Takapuna Grammar School’s 2026 Head Prefects are Nathan Fry and Cami Crowther.

Both are said to bring strong leadership qualities and enthusiasm to the roles and share a commitment to supporting the school community.

Cami applied for the role after admiring the impact of previous leaders and hopes to help others achieve their goals.

A keen water polo and tackle rugby player, she also plays social basketball and is active in clubs including Enviro and UNICEF. This year she aims to inspire students to make the most of everything TGS offers and to help the Year 13 cohort enjoy a memorable final year.

Nathan continues a proud family connection with TGS stretching back to when his great‑grandparents were caretakers of the school.

A former TGS rower, Nathan now dedicates himself to music, performing widely at corporate and charity events. In 2025, he received an AIMES Music Scholarship.

Together, Cami and Nathan seek to foster inclusion, positivity and a supportive environment where all students can thrive in the Lead duo... Nathan Fry and Cami Crowther are TGS head prefects for 2026 TGS community.

Pic to come

TGS runner medals in U20 mile champs Asha Edwards (left), a Year 13 student at Takapuna Grammar School, took bronze in the Athletics New Zealand Under-20 Mile Championship.

She clocked a personal best time of 4.59.51 in the race, held as part of the Capital Classic meeting in Wellington on 1 January.

It was a close contest, with Asha closing a significant gap over the final 400m, then dipping on the line to get in the medals.

Coach Jared Letica said the race marked an encouraging return to form for Asha after a slow start to competition this year following a disrupted

summer season.

She withdrew from competing in the TGS singlet at the national secondary school athletics championships in December due to health and injury niggles that impacted her ability to train.

In mid-2025 she was part of the New Zealand Secondary Schools cross-country team, The year before, Asha claimed silver in the 3000m at the 2024 secondary champs and was a finalist in the 1500m.

She has been a consistent medallist at Auckland events for several years.

Junior Squash Open at Devonport Devonport Squash Club is hosting a Junior Squash Open from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 February, featuring some of Auckland’s top junior players.

The event is a warm-up for the NZ Junior Open in Christchurch in early March and will include cash prizes.

Enter via MySquash!

It’s a great opportunity for families to watch junior squash in action and discover a fast-paced, indoor racket sport that builds fitness, focus, and confidence.

Spectators are welcome — parents interested in junior squash are encouraged to come along and learn more.

Devonport Squash Club

69 Wairoa Road, Narrow Neck, Devonport

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 26

Interview

February 13, 2026

The professor, the poet and their long-distance love She had a career in the UK, he lived in Devonport, but Janet Wilson and the late Kevin Ireland found a way to make their late-in-life relationship work. Helen Vause reports.

One morning at the kitchen table, he told her he wanted a future with her. “Let’s get together,” he said.

With her life and work on the other side of the world, she doubted they could really become a couple. Besides, they were hardly spring chickens.

But Kevin Ireland wasn’t going to let Janet Wilson go easily.

The late, colourful and much-loved poet was then a widower in his seventies.

Wilson was a professor of English and post-colonial studies at the University of Northampton in the UK. As a New Zealander who frequently returned home, she had known Ireland for years before they became close.

His proposal in 2007 led to their late-life love story becoming a long-distance partnership.

Still grieving Ireland’s May 2023 death, Wilson remembers succumbing to the new scenario in which she, a busy, independent single academic in Northampton would take a chance on the charming, companionable and popular poet back in his Devonport cottage.

“For a moment I thought, no, it just couldn’t work between us. And I thought I had put New Zealand behind me. But he was very attractive and persuasive. We were happy and he was determined to make it work for us,” says Wilson.

Ireland made many trips to see her in the UK until she came home and married him in 2012. “It turned out that was the best thing I could have done,” says Wilson.

They were happy they had found each other. “We had our moments but we were happy.

He loved me. We loved each other. And that love made all the rest of it work out.”

For some years she continued commuting for long spells back to the UK, reuniting with her beloved husband for the New Zealand summers. Gradually, she also fell in love with his wider community and with Devonport.

She learned to inhabit her two worlds and says she felt very lucky.

When Ireland passed away aged 89, she witnessed an outpouring of love for him that cemented her understanding of the esteem in which he was held by friends and in literary circles.

Bereft, she stepped back into her professional world a couple of months after he died and back into her life alone as a UK-based academic. By then in her early 70s, she still carried a large workload and commitments to unfinished business on the other side of the world.

Going back to the UK soon after Ireland’s death was tough, she recalls, and she was no longer cushioned by the Devonport connections that had supported the couple, and

Cheers... Even in declining health, Kevin Ireland always brought some sunshine, says Wilson.

Wilson, at the end of Ireland’s life.

Few of those around her daily life were aware of Professor Wilson’s loss and grief.

Wilson, a leading scholar on the writings and life of Katherine Mansfield, is credited with helping to elevate the status of the New Zealand writer in recent years through her collaborative research and writing.

While based in the UK, Wilson, has published widely on Mansfield and has been a key figure in the Katherine Mansfield Society which was established in 2008 as interest in Mansfield and understanding of her life and work gathered momentum.

Mansfield, who died in France in 1923 at the age of 34, left New Zealand when she was 19. Until Wilson and other academics with an interest in modernists and post-colonial literature began to look more closely at her, she had occupied a lesser niche in literary history.

She’s considered to have been sidelined by some because she spent her working life far away from New Zealand.

Says Wilson: “I had once been of that view myself.”

As Mansfield has been repositioned as a figure in 20th century writing and more about her life, relationships and writing has been

revealed by researchers, Wilson has been a leading editor with the society set up to promote and encourage the worldwide study and enjoyment of her work. She has been an active contributor to the society’s events and correspondence with its membership.

Wilson grew up in Wellington and with a degree in English under her belt, she (like Mansfield) left the country as a young woman, looking for something that felt a better fit for her. She went to the University of Sydney, then to the UK and gained her doctorate from Oxford University. Her focus was on medieval literature and culture. “I was a medievalist,” she says.

Now an emeritus professor at Northampton, she talks about slowly reshaping her professional life. Which is how she comes to be sitting in her Devonport cottage wondering what to pack for a couple of weeks on a cruise ship sailing from Fremantle to Sydney. Wilson will be the guest lecturer on the cruise and for her five lectures hopes she can pitch it right to a large but unknown audience.

It’s going to be different, but sounded like fun when she signed up. If it works well with this audience – whoever they are – she thinks she will try it again, possibly on cruise ships

February 13, 2026

Interview

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 27

uncomplaining which I think is unusual for a man,” she chuckles.

“Somehow he was always able to bring some sunshine, even as his life got so much smaller.”

A book based on the many tributes paid to Ireland will be one of her next projects, Wilson says, noting that the sheer volume and substance of what was written at the time of his death will then be gathered in one place

for safekeeping.

Six months before Ireland died, she wrote on the Newsroom site: “He continues to hold a place in my heart not just for his sense of humour, his resonant, explosive laugh, but also his kindness and generosity of spirit, his capacity to articulate complex matters, his empathy and wisdom.

Such innate qualities never seem to age even though other parts of us begin to wear out.”

Setting sail... Janet Wilson at home in Devonport ahead of a stint in a new role as a guest lecturer on a cruise ship. Below right: The poet on a fishing expedition out of Southampton.

As she’s fine-tuning her diverse lecture series for this “try it and see” venture at a time in life when many are long retired, she’s optimistic. She doesn’t know how her sea legs will hold out but aims for full engagement with the role, offering to be available for chats with anyone interested in hearing more about her subjects as they cruise down the Australian coast.

She will be talking about Mansfield and the Bloomsbury group of British writers, artists and intellectuals of the same era. But she will also be touching on artificial intelligence and talking about other writers and their stories.

After her inaugural cruise, she leaves Devonport for a professional gathering in China before returning to the UK. She’s been invited to join a dialogue in China as the author of work on the pandemic.

For Wilson, her own return to New Zealand and refocus on our literary heroes is in part due to her relationship with Ireland and her days of commuting home to him for the New Zealand summers.

Covid and his declining health brought her back for much longer periods.

“He was always so generous and he was

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 28

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 29

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 30

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 31

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School News 13 FEBRUARY 2026

Head Boy, Head Girl and Prefects named in special assembly Fifty‑nine students ‑ including four head prefects ‑ have been recognised in a formal assembly attended by parents, teachers and the Year 13 cohort.

The 2026 leadership group is headed

by Head Boy Nathan Fry, Head Girl Cami Crowther, and deputies George Gaskin and Holly Shipkov.

Prefects are distributed across the five school houses ‑ Maia, Wehi, Ihi, Mana and Kaha ‑ and serve on committees such as Alumni, Cultural, Curriculum and Events. Their responsibilities include events such as prizegivings, lunchtime events, Matariki celebrations, Shave for a Cure, open days and the promotion of tikanga Māori throughout the school.

Nathan and Cami said they were excited about the opportunity to inspire students and help create a positive and inclusive school environment.

Cami said as Head Girl, she wanted to ensure students made the most of

what TGS offers and that the Year 13 cohort had a memorable final year.

As Head Boy, Nathan said he hoped to strengthen a culture of manaakitanga — encouraging kindness and supporting one another.

Principal Mary Nixon said she was looking forward to seeing what the new group would achieve.

She reminded all the Year 13s of 2026 that they were “all powerful

and unique.”

“You all play an important role ‑ you are tuakana (mentors) to all the other year levels, and through other leadership roles in Peer Support and vertical whānau classes you play a vital role,” she said.

She referenced author Robin Sharma, who said leadership is not defined by a title: “It’s about impact, influence and inspiration.”

2026 TGS Sports Council appointed The newly appointed Sports Council brings together 38 senior students who are passionate about elevating sport across TGS. The team ‑ led by 17 Year 13 students ‑ aims to encourage participation, boost school spirit, and help create a vibrant, supportive sporting culture.

The team ‑ all active in sport at school, club, or representative level ‑ will play a key role in major events such as Junior Sports Day, Athletics Trials, and Swimming Sports.

Beyond school they will take part in Sport North Harbour initiatives,

including the Harbour Student Coaching and Leadership Day at AUT North Campus, gaining fresh ideas

and inspiration to bring back to the school.

Peer Support Leaders welcome Year 9s to TGS whānau Our newest students have been warmly welcomed and prepared for school by the most senior members of the TGS whānau. Around 130 Year 13 Peer Support Leaders have been working with the 420 incoming Year 9s, helping them settle in, find their way around, and form new friendships.

Leaders guided their groups through orientation activities and Q&A sessions designed to ease nerves and build

confidence. Peer Support organiser Johan Kirstein said the programme helps Year 9s meet new people, understand TGS values, and begin their high‑school journey with a mentor they can trust.

The experience is equally rewarding for the Year 13 leaders, who strengthen their leadership skills, learn to work with diverse groups, and help ensure every new student feels included.

Congratulations to our new leaders!

February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 34

Wakatere Boating Club celebrates 100 years

Buoys club... Wakatere Canoe Club foundation members after a race in 1928 (from left): Ron Hunt, Bert Williamson, Sid Ivil, John Brooke, Warren Bond, Sid Lydford, Owen Probert, Bon Grut, Jack Hunt, George Kemp, Roy Lockwood and John Gordon.

Wakatere Boating Club, famous for its yachting prowess, started as a canoe club in 1926.

“Canoes were all the rage,” wrote founding member John Brooke in a 1976 booklet commemorating the club’s first 50 years.

“In their reds, blues, greens and yellows, they were all over the North Shore beaches.

It was therefore inevitable that a Canoe Club should be formed.”

Twenty enthusiasts met at “Eric Hood’s house” at 2 Arawa Ave and the Wakatere Canoe Club was born, Wakatere meaning “swift canoe” in Māori.

The first fleet were paddling canoes but by 1927 several sailing canoes were built and fitted with lee boards, masts and sails.

The club’s first annual regatta was held in March 1927.

Boats were built in the Narrow Neck Hall, which was later demolished.

Into the 1930s, club members began building “Wakateres”, fast, light boats around 14 feet long. Sturdier sailing dinghies followed, evolving into what became Frostbites – a class still raced today.

After World War II, members came back

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to the North Shore and “Frostbiting” really took off.

National contests began in 1946 and Wakatere Commodore Vern Douglas began an inter-secondary schools competition in 1953.

By the early 1950s, the club had grown to more than 250 members. A P-class initiative was unsuccessfully launched to junior members. “These did not prove successful, being too hard to build, difficult to sail off our stormy beach, and not suitable as a yacht’s dinghy,” Douglas recalled in Wakatere Boating Club 50 Years.

A steep decline in membership occurred in the mid-1950s, with the club being somewhat in the “doldrums”. Only seven or eight Frostbites were sailing, the clubhouse was ageing and its lockers were collapsing.

Three fathers – Rex Duder, Alan Walker and Spencer Wade – and their six sons came to the rescue, facilitating the production of the John Brooke-designed eight-foot Sabot. Six of the class were built at the Wade house and launched en masse in November 1955. Long-forgotten Frostbites began reappearing.

Within five years around 30 Sabots and 30 Frostbites were regularly racing. The club boomed again, boosted by the Sunburst, also

February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 35

designed by John Brooke, developed in the 1960s as an all-purpose dinghy, which became so popular it spread across the country.

In its second year at Narrow Neck the fleet had grown to 40 boats.

Fleets of 25 Frostbites, 20 Sabots and 40 Sunbursts were racing at the club by the 1970s. By 1974/75, Starlings and Javelins were added to the Wakatere options.

Crews and captains, although often young, were well trained and capable of handling major weather events.

On a 1969 “Gulf Islands cruise”, eight teenagers sailed safely home from the Noises “after sheltering there from a gale for several days”, Commodore Bill Hayman recalled in 1970. “Their four Sunbursts were all well equipped with adequate gear to cope with the situation, even if they did get rather hungry, while they showed good judgement in sheltering rather than pressing on as less experienced First fleet... Sailing canoes at Narrow Neck Beach before the first Wakatere sailors have often done unwisely.”

Canoe Club sailing race. Below: A shot from 1922, showing tents (at top • Were you one of the teenagers on the cruise? right) set up for a carnival before they were blown away by a cyclone.

Contact the Flagstaff (news@devonportflagstaff.co.nz). We would love to talk to you about your memories of the adventure.

More on Wakatere, pages 36-37.

What’s happening to celebrate centenary Friday 27 February: A quiz night at the Wakatere Boating Club from 7.30pm.

Saturday 28 February: Heritage Race Day. Commodore’s welcome 11am; racing from 1.30pm; Wakatere Anniversary Dinner, 7pm.

Sunday 1 March: Masonic Cup 100 – a favourite race around North Head to the inner harbour and back. Barbecue breakfast 11am; race starts 1.30pm.

For a full breakdown of events and how to purchase tickets go to the Wakatere Boating Club website (wakatere.org.nz).

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 36

February 13, 2026

A century on, co-founder’s family to the fore at club

Race-ready... A recent aerial shot of a sailing fleet on Narrow Neck Beach in front of the Wakatere Boating Club

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 37

with proud record of achievement The descendants of John (Jack) Brooke, one of the founding fathers of Wakatere Boating Club, will be out in force for the club’s 100th Anniversary celebrations.

Sons Don and Robert Brooke, daughter (and current club president) Judy Salthouse and grandson (and current club commodore) Greg Salthouse will have key roles making sure the anniversary weekend runs smoothly.

Greg recalls learning to sail in Frostbites with his “grandfather, Dad (John Salthouse) and Mum (Judy). The kids were crew.”

By the 1980s, Jack Brooke was in his late 70s and early 80s, Greg recalls.

“He could not see very well, so I was his eyes.”

After Frostbites, Greg moved on to Sabots and then as a teenager entered the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron scheme to learn to sail keelboats.

When he became a parent he returned to the club, starting children Chloe and Jake in Sunbursts before they moved on to Optimists.

Small boat racing had become popular in recent years, reflected in the number of national championships club members had won, Salthouse said.

“In the earlier years the club was producing good sailors who would crew in the Whitbread Around the World Races,” Salthouse said. The Whitbread was a pinacle

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Family affair... Wakatere Boating Club commodore Greg Salthouse is a grandson of club co-founder Jack Brooke of the sport in the 1960s and 70s. Prominent club Whitbread sailors included Simon Gundry and David Brooke.

Frostbites have disappeared as a class from Wakatere, but a Frostbite fleet from Taikata Sailing Club at Te Atatu was coming to Narrow Neck to race on the regatta day, Salthouse said. Around 20 club Sunbursts would take to the water as part of the celebrations.

A nursery for national and world champs The Wakatere Boating Club retains its family yachting vibe but has also produced highly competitive sailors over the past 25 years.

An analysis of the club’s honours board reveals 101 national champions since 2000 – boys, girls, men and women – across a huge variety of classes, from P-class, Optimists and Subursts to 29ers and kitefoiling.

Many have gone on to represent New Zealand overseas at world championships and the Olympics, including Paul SnowHansen who went to the London, Rio and Tokyo Olympics and Lukas Walton Keim

(Paris). Dan Slater won the OK Dingy worlds in 2018; Chris Steele won the World Optimists Champs in 2007 and the Splash World champs in 2010; George Lee Rush, won a Kiel Week 29er championship in 2022; and Logan Dunning Beck won world title trophies across multiple classes.

According to its Hall of Fame, from 1977 to 2000 the club notched nine national championships.

The massive haul since then is a reflection of the club’s commitment to coaching and mentoring its young sailors.

Opening on Friday 20 February from 67:30pm, Audrey Goggin & Anoushka Wallis-Lewis present ‘hā’, a collection of ceramic works and cyanotype prints which explore the life present within their materials. Join us for the exhibition opening for light refreshments and catch the Artist Talk at 6:30pm!

The DEPOT Shop | Toi Toa’s February Maker of the Month is Eva Kerer, a contemporary jewellery artist based in Whakatū (Nelson). Eva’s pieces celebrate the beauty of imperfections. She views the maker’s mark not as a flaw but as a distinct, personal touch that reflects the love and effort invested in each handmade piece.

DEPOT Artspace Ashleigh Zimmerman’s ‘Whare Ngaro’ continues in our central gallery until 28 February. Visceral, powerful and confronting, this large-scale photography exhibition addresses the kaupapa of infertility through a wahine Māori lens.

Visit depot.org.nz for more info and stay up to date by subscribing to our e-news!

Ngā mihi nui, Amy Saunders Director | Kaiwhakahaere, DEPOT amy.saunders@depot.org.nz

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 38

Arts / Entertainment Pages

February 13, 2026

Binney poster flies high in annual ‘pre-loved’ art sale A signed Don Binney poster for a defining environmental fight in Devonport is among items for sale in an annual local art exhibition that finds new homes for artworks.

The poster, showing Ngataringa Bay with a bird above and Takarunga as a backdrop, was used in a 1970s campaign that saved the bay from being reclaimed and turned into a marina and subdivision.

It is among works in the Lonely Arts Re-Loved exhibition now on at Satellite2 gallery on Victoria Rd. Binney and another well-known New Zealand artist, Pat Hanly, both did awareness-raising works for the trust formed when locals rallied against the Devonport Borough Council selling the bayside site, then a rubbish tip, to a developer. Binney’s carried the words: “Speak out ... or Ngataringa Bay will be destroyed by your silence.”

The land sale decision was overturned, but not without cost. The developer took successful court action and a payout was required for the council’s backout, which led to a levy on ratepayers.

A local re-sale exhibition has been going since 2015, beginning as Pre-Loved, Re-Loved when Satellite gallery owners Lynn Lawton and Linda Blinkco ran the Depot. At their dealer gallery, they have kept the tradition alive under the new name, both as an opportunity for people to on-sell art and for artists to benefit from resale royalties.

“The exhibition is something of a community event, with buyers enjoying the diversity of works, the chance of finding a treasure and of hearing stories about past ownership,” Lawton told the Flagstaff.

One “objet d’art” accepted for the exhibition was noticed by the daughter of the artist, who had carved two pieces “with one lost to the family – until now.”

Artists with works in the show include Robyn Gibson, Rob Tucker, Simon Kerr, Michael Kennedy, Louise Johnson, Sean McDonnell and Barry Cleavin.

Sculpture show helps mark Pride month

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Timed for Pride month, a sculptural exhibition celebrating the male form is on at Satellite2 gallery in Devonport.

The works in ceramic artist Paul Herbert’s The Private Members Bathing Club focus on gay male bathing.

Satellite co-owner Lynn Lawton says since working in the arts scene he and partner Linda Blinkco have always acknowledged Pride Week and are pleased to have brought regular exhibiting artist Herbert to their Victoria Rd gallery.

“We enjoy his thoughtfulness, diversity and quality of his practice.”

Lawton noted it was 40 years since the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in 1986 and that then North Shore National Party MP George Gair supported the Private Member’s Bill introduced by Labour’s Fran Wilde, in what was a conscience vote. Gair’s daughter, Linda Gair, is an artist, who lives locally.

• A rainbow of lights illuminating the Harbour Bridge to mark the city’s Pride Festival will be visible from the North Shore and run from 13 to 21 February, from 7pm for three hours. It is presented by Vector and Auckland Council.

February 13, 2026

Arts / Entertainment Pages

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 39

Young director calls on mates for Orwell adaptation Drama student Arlo Feeney is bringing the classic satire Animal Farm to the stage at the Rose Centre in Belmont this month – drawing on a coterie of former Westlake Boys High “schoolies” .

The George Orwell novella – which substitutes animals for historical characters in a biting commentary on revolutionary ideals turning to authoritarian rule under Stalin – is as timely today as when it was published in 1945, he reckons.

“As a play, it’s good for a lot of reasons.

It’s concise, great for a night out and it’s funny – but darkly funny so it leaves people thinking.”

Feeney first read the book years ago. “It really landed – it stuck out to me.”

Over time, its themes became even more apparent. Feeney is working from Ian Wooldridge’s stage adaptation, a script sparse in instruction, making it both a directorial challenge and open to stage interpretation.

Feeney has opted for a middle ground in costuming the characters, including Napoleon the pig, a role taken by Corey Snape, who like Feeney is a former Westlaker.

“They’re between animal and human,” says Feeney. “They’re in headpieces and tails and fur, but you can see the actors’ faces.”

This is the second play Feeney has direct-

By George... Arlo Feeney (left) is director and Sachin Subramaniam producer of a production based on an Orwell classic ed at the Rose Centre. A year ago he put on Clue, a dramatic take on the game Cluedo, which drew good audience support.

He is hoping for a similarly strong turnout for Animal Farm, partly from his widening circle as he looks to begin his second year of study for a BA in drama and media at the University of Auckland.

Feeney, who lives in Castor Bay, has been acting from a young age. His father Peter is

a professional actor. Sister Francesca, who is in her final year at Westlake Girls High School, has also been drawn to drama. She is among old school friends and acting community and university talent in Feeney’s cast of seven or eight key speaking roles and around a dozen extras.

Sachin Subramaniam, who went through school with Feeney, is his producer and helping with publicity.

The cast have been rehearsing since late last year, with the play timed to fit in with the tertiary break.

Feeney says directing his contemporaries is “definitely weird”, but is a good adjunct to his main focus on acting. “Directing is really good for diversifying my craft.”

It requires him to take a more authoritative position. “It’s fulfilling but you have to be really creative and keep tabs on things.”

Working with people he knows helps, as does being back in a familiar theatre.

The Rose Centre has been “super supportive”, he says, with the play being the latest to be staged under a scheme it has to usher in more young and diverse productions.

• Animal Farm at the Rose Centre, Belmont, 7.30pm from February 19-22, with a 2pm matinee on the final Sunday. Tickets $25, with discounts for four or more. Book at actorslab.co.nz.

Depot Artspace looking forward to 30th birthday

Depot Artspace is in planning mode for its 30th anniversary.

Director Amy Saunders says a programme of events will culminate in celebrations and a special exhibition towards the end of the year. This will acknowledge the past and look to the future, with fundraising activities also planned.

The arts hub is in good heart, she says, having had a busy summer at its 3 Victoria Rd gallery, where the introduction of a ceramic studio has proved popular with locals and visitors. At its Clarence St base, the sound studio is busy and the gallery back with exhibitions.

Saunders said a big boost late last year was securing ongoing Ministry of Social Development funding for its Creative Employment Programme courses.

This provides certainty for the next two years and will help 200 creatives towards employment.

A second scheme the Depot runs also secured Creative New Zealand funding for three years.

The certainty for staff was a relief and an endorsement of the courses, as well as helping with planning, Saunders said.

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February 13, 2026

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 40

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