14 March 2025, Devonport Flagstaff by Devonport Flagstaff

AT reveals hit list to tackle Lake Rd gridlock... p2

March 14, 2025

Centenarian still winning garden club prizes... p10

Interview: Doco pioneer Malcolm Ferguson... p22-23

Judge questions Bayswater breakwater closure

Bayswater Marina’s breakwater closure since December 2023 isn’t permanent, the marina company has argued in the Environment Court.

It had undertaken to review risks to the public annually, keeping the facility closed only for as long as there were no ways to

mitigate the risk to casual visitors, the company told the court in a hearing this week.

But Judge Jeff Smith – who visited the marina last weekend – said he struggled to understand how the exclusion wasn’t permanent, as the sign at the breakwater stated it had been closed for health and safety

reasons, without further explanation. “It is intended to dissuade members of the public from utilising an area that on the face of it they are entitled to,” he said.

Under its resource consents, Bayswater Marina Ltd (BML) was meant to keep the

To page 11

What a racquet! Tennis lovers hit the fairways

Tee time... Belmont Park Racquets Club tennis players Mary Harper (left) and Debi Topham were ready to enjoy the club’s annual golf day at the Waitemata course last week. More pictures, page 33.

Hit list of measures could ease Lake Rd gridlock

A hit list of quick-win options for Lake Rd traffic-flow improvements and motorway connections has been compiled by Auckland Transport.

They include lower-cost ways to ease Lake Rd peak-hour choke points, such as by adjusting traffic-light phasing at the Bardia St intersection.

A clearway at the morning peak in front of shops at the Belmont town centre is under investigation, to lengthen the merge area for cars exiting Bayswater Ave to the north.

And a T2 or T3 lane is being eyed for traffic merging onto State Highway 1 from Esmonde Rd.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members last week urged AT staff at a workshop to move quickly on the list.

“Every day people sit in traffic they get more and more frustrated,” said acting board chair Terence Harpur.

“If we can’t do the big project because of funding, let’s get stuck into the small changes,” said Harpur, wanting to see implementation within six months.

Hurdles to that goal will include AT’s requirements for further assessments of options, detailed design, securing budget and in some cases public consultations.

AT has previously been reluctant to initiate smaller Lake Rd projects, ahead of a wider upgrade, including some of the ideas it has on its list, which community members and elected representatives have previously suggested.

But any larger-scale Lake Rd project is now years down the priority order for lack of committed co-funding from Waka Kotahi, the New Zealand Transport Agency.

At the workshop, AT staff said advances in sensor technology had made it more worthwhile to consider traffic lights ad-

justments. But installing traffic lights at Eversleigh St was not considered justified at this stage.

The list of ideas AT is focusing on are primarily those that do not require expensive kerb changes.

Even for measures such as lane changes on Esmonde Rd, a return on investment had to be established, it cautioned.

Board members were keen to see widening of Lake Rd considered where footpaths were particularly wide, but AT said it did not have funds for such work.

Nor does it support ‘dynamic’ traffic lanes on the Lake Rd corridor, due to the heavy traffic flow in both directions, or consider a blanket right-turning ban off Lake Rd to be workable.

Board member Gavin Busch wanted AT to consider adding parking restrictions on one-side of Northboro Rd to its hit list, given the road was used by buses and as a major detour route from Lake Rd.

Busch, a volunteer firefighter, said congestion caused by a recent crash outside Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) highlighted the importance of Northboro Rd for emergency access to the peninsula.

Moving the bus stop on the corner of Eversleigh St closer to the main entrance to TGS will be considered. Members suggested this might be more effective than another AT idea of extending the existing bus-stop area, which gets crowded with students who have to cross the corner to reach it.

Board members also suggested AT’s desire to extend two-laning from Hauraki Corner south to Onepoto Rd be stretched further along Lake Rd towards the BP service station.

AT will report back to the board in a month.

Eight AT ideas

1. Esmonde Rd: Replace bus lane westbound onto motorway with a combined bus and T2 or T3 lane. Extend outer lane from Barrys Pt Rd towards Akoranga.

2. Flag journey times into Lake Rd on new signs.

3. Hauraki corner: Extend two throughlanes northbound to Onepoto Rd.

4. Crossing times: Optimise crossing phasing and upgrade detection systems at TGS to match stoppage times to pedestrian numbers.

5. Remove P90 parking outside TGS to aid cycle safety.

6. Co-ordinate lights at Bardia St and Bayswater Ave intersections.

7. Remove Lake Rd parking near Bayswater Ave corner to extend merge. Options range from the loss of just two spaces to a clearway to Corrella Rd. (Timeframe of up to two years to consult and implement.)

8. Cycle routes: Add signage to direct southbound cyclists off Lake Rd to Owens Rd and Victoria Rd. Possibly extend cycle lane between Corrella Rd and Egremont St.

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Pop-up venue’s tradie patrons spread the word

A backyard bar in Devonport has achieved international exposure.

T-shirts from The Rusty Nail of Stanley Point have been photographed around the globe, due to the travels of its clientele.

The backyard bar evolved from a renovation by builder Tony Timbs for clients Mike and Chris Henderson which started in May 2023.

As part of the work, a kitchen window was taken out, leaving a cavity. Timbs saw the potential to put in a leaner and The Rusty Nail sign above it as an afterwork drinking spot for tradies on site on a Friday afternoon.

When the replacement window arrived Timbs was ready to get rid of the bar.

“But Mike said “We can’t do that”, so we shifted it.”

With a few alterations and additions by Timbs and colleague Aidan Skelton, a bar complete with spirits dispensers and beer taps was created on a corner of the deck.

The Rusty Nail proved so popular with the tradies and Henderson’s mates, he had T-shirts made. So far more than 100 have been printed.

After Mark Eggleton of Devonport Electrical went to Europe in July and August last year and sent a T-shirt picture from Spain, similar pictures have arrived from multiple locations around the world for inclusion on the bar’s honours board

The bar has also been out and about in Devonport – being trailered over to Devonport Timber for the firm’s 2024 Christmas party.

And it has also been something of an inspiration for other Devonport drinkers.

Timbs says he’s seen backyard bars built across the peninsula based on The Rusty Nail design.

When the Flagstaff arrived on a hot sum-

mer’s Friday afternoon, four tradies were enjoying an after-work cold one.

But the bar’s days are numbered. It will be replaced by a spa pool in April.

How many drinks have been consumed at The Rusty Nail?

Timbs is unsure, but beer caps have been collected in a jar, and on the bar’s last day in operation a sweepstake will be held, with whoever guesses closest to the correct number of caps winning a dinner for two at Manuka restaurant.

Nailed it… Builders Aidan Skelton (left) and Tony Timbs at the Rusty Nail bar

Clues to a view: Bronze model back in place

Revamped... An aerial shot of the Takarunga tihi, showing the grassed area with picnic tables that has replaced caraccessible asphalt

COME & TRYrowing

TGSRC ROWING ‘BLUE’ SHED 17 MARINE TERRACE, BAYSWATER

TGS ERG SHED

TAKAPUNA GRAMMAR SCHOOL, ON WINDSCOMBE FIELDS NEXT TO LARGE SPORTS HALL

after authority’s mountain-top makeover

Upgrades on the tihi (summit) of Takarunga finished this week, with the return of a bronze topographical model of Devonport to a new platform next to a larger regional relief map.

New seating, paths and native planting were finished by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority (TMA) last month. An area remains fenced to allow grass to become established where asphalt from the former car-park was removed. The predominantly pedestrian space includes a wheelchair-accessible picnic table. The outdoor furniture features woven-style patterns.

Richard Tong, who lives at the base of the maunga and made the local relief map to commemorate the centenary of the Devonport Borough Council in 1986, was pleased to be able to restore the work.

Visitors were making good use of the seating when the Flagstaff visited, although one commented on the lack of shade.

The TMA’s aim was to create a more welcoming environment. Its chair, Paul Majurey, said the works were a major milestone.

“This project allows people to experience Takarunga in a way that respects cultural significance, and the vision set out by mana whenua and the authority,” he said.

Artist Arapeta Hākura played a key role in overall cultural design elements.

During the project, a VE Day memorial plaque was moved to the Devonport Primary School grounds.

Service-vehicle and wheelchair access up the roadway to the tihi remains. Access to the maunga continues for the Devonport Folk Club and Michael King Writers Centre and for others by arrangement.

Opposite the writers centre, the TMA proposes an upgrade of the two community tennis courts into a combined tennis and basketball space, with the addition of play equipment and toilets.

Restored... Maker Richard Tong with the bronze model of Devonport that he installed this week on a repositioned wood-clad plinth

By Rob Drent

For me, one of the joys of getting older has been having a grandchild on the go. I’ve been looking after grandson Nino (3 in April) every Thursday for the best part of a year.

Seeing the world alongside a toddler is revelatory. Trips to the West Coast lagoons, Auckland Zoo, Motat, a butterfly house, Auckland Museum and the like take on new dimensions.

Devonport? It’s an experiential lolly shop. Beaches, playgrounds, the North Head tunnels... there’s not a dull moment for a preschooler.

Here’s a quick guide to kill five hours within a few hundred metres: Devonport library visit (check out the Benjamin cat statue and carving outside; 10 am wriggle

and rhyme time followed by an hour of two reading books on elephant seats, drawing and creating shapes on the felt board).

Next stop, the Windsor Reserve playground, mostly focussing on slide, swings and sandpit.

Then the beach at the reserve: sandcastles, dragging pails of water to handmade swimming pools, jumping over waves from ferry wakes.

A quick inspection of the scooters by the wharf, then checking out the fishermen and, if we’re lucky, a few boats on the harbour.

Throwing sticks into the Windsor Reserve fountain rounds up this little circuit, which is washed down with a fluffy and a scone at Sierra. If there’s time, we might make repeat visits to the library and playground.

For a youngster and a grandpa, Devonport is a kind of paradise.

Traversing the village at a slightly slower pace does give you time to notice things that need work. Take the Bean Rock playground, for example. Two of the pieces of play equipment are closed, with no sign of repair. And Nino and I ran into problems in

the sandpit, where one of the buckets was missing, making the shipping of sand around to a new-found friend impossible.

Climbing up the bank of the Jeremy Salmond-designed toilets at Windsor Reserve, Nino asked what was under here?

Good point I thought. How many tourists would know that toilets were to be found here?

“Clock,” he announced as we went to the ferry building. I didn’t have the heart to explain that it was giving completely the wrong time (it later appeared to be working properly).

The demolition by neglect of two council-owned buildings off Lake Rd near the Claystore shows a lack of imagination and community engagement by Auckland Council. The cash-strapped council seems loath to repurpose old buildings for community use. Take the former Devonport Borough Council building, which stood empty for years before being sold, for example, The two Lake Rd buildings now on demolition row would have made a great home for the Restoring Takarunga Hauraki ecology group.

Strong support for new skatepark revealed in feedback

A heavy majority of public submitters on a planned new skatepark at Woodall Park support the proposal.

Of the 305 respondents to an Auckland Council consultation survey, 71 per cent were in favour of the facility, 24 per cent were opposed and four per cent were undecided.

But a lack of drainage at Woodall Park, noise, the loss of green space, the potential for antisocial behaviour and a lack of rubbish bins were among concerns raised by respondents. The viability of the site on a former landfill and a lack of confidence council could deliver the project on budget were also listed as concerns.

When asked for suggestions to address concerns, respondents proposed CCTV

Takapuna Grammar pool reopening soon

The refurbished Takapuna Grammar School pool is expected to be open in April or May.

A date is to be confirmed in the next couple of weeks, but is likely to be during term 2, which starts on 28 April.

The facility will include:

• A 33m x 13m deepened pool, with a ‘ring-beam’ design to provide a deep-end of 2m and shallow end of 1.8m.

• Heating by eight new heat pumps.

• Upgraded plant systems, including salt-water chlorination conversion.

• Changing shed upgrades.

• Pool lighting.

• Water polo goals, new swim lane ropes.

• Foundations to enable future installation of a roof.

The renovation will allow water polo training and some public access through squads and lessons run through the Devonport Swim Club.

cameras, more rubbish bins, planting to absorb noise, designing the skatepark in a way which encourages family use and is suitable for all ages, an alcohol ban and lighting so the area is safer at night.

The area is already subject to a night-time liquor ban.

Acting Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Terence Harpur said a 24-hour ban should “definitely” be considered.

A concept design for the skatepark, due to be finished by the end of the month, will be presented to the local board, council project manager Xavier Choi told a board workshop last week. Consultation on the concept design would either be done with the wider public via an online survey, or only with skaters via a drop-in session.

Choi said consultation with skaters would be a “quicker process” but it meant concerned neighbors and other interested parties will be left out.

The further consultation is planned for April. A business report with a detailed design will be presented to the local board for approval in July.

Resource consent will then be sought, with physical works “hopefully” starting in January 2026, Choi said.

Harpur and member Peter Allen said everyone involved, not just the skaters, should be consulted.

Member Gavin Busch had concerns that the feedback showed popularity for elements that the skatepark probably won’t be able to deliver, such as big half-pipe ramps.

Fight for cricket pride opens weakly

After losing five games in a row in the Auckland two-day cricket competition, North Shore premiers were hoping for a minor miracle to save their season last Saturday.

On day one at Devonport Domain, it didn’t happen – quite the opposite.

After Parnell scored 242 for eight declared, Shore’s batting collapsed.

The home side managed only a paltry 79 in their first innings and were in deep trouble at five for 53 at stumps in their second turn at bat.

In the first innings, Rory Bessell top scored with 16, with only three other batters making double figures.

In the second innings, Daniel Middleton offered some resistance, reaching 29 not out at stumps.

The second day of the match is scheduled for this Saturday at Devonport Domain.

A loss will mean Shore are relegated back to the second division.

saturday 15 march 12-6pm

thank you for supporting our fair! carnival rides, food & drinks, live performances, raffle, Beat the Goalie, Dunker, Candy Floss, Plants, prizes, toys & books, ...and more!

The 2024-25 season has been a rebuilding exercise for the premier side after some key retirements and the loss of promising players such as Simon Keane and Jock McKenzie to the Auckland Aces, ruling them out for most matches.

While the side has had some solid results in the Jeff Crowe one-day competition, intent hasn’t transferred into consistency in the two-day format.

Relegation is a major setback, as Shore battled for seven seasons in the second division to get back to the premier competition in 2019-2020. It won the premiership in the 2022-23 season, but has slumped into the relegation zone over the past couple of years.

Teams in division two can find it hard to attract top players who tend to want to play top-grade cricket, while existing players are sometimes are tempted to leave for other clubs playing in the premiership.

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Parking tickets soar as plate-scanners deployed

Auckland Transport (AT) pocketed more than $1.7 million in parking fines across the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area last year, with ticket numbers up by more than 40 per cent on the previous year.

The rise has coincided with the increasing use of cars with plate-scanning cameras to monitor parking-space occupancy times.

While Takapuna and Milford have been the worst-hit suburbs in the local-board area, business leaders are concerned about the number of parking tickets issued in Devonport.

Devonport Business Association board member Bruce Grant said, “there have been instances of punitive fines at silly times of the day.”

Board chair Michael Moughan said parking was in short supply. The need for

Two school fairs offer plenty of family entertainment on the Devonport peninsula over the coming fortnight.

Devonport Primary School’s Fair on the Hill this Saturday (15 March) will be followed by Belmont Primary School’s fair on 22 March.

Belmont Primary School’s PTA chair Georgina Bachelor said she was “pretty sure” departing principal of 20 years Bruce Cunningham will be up for a soaking at the

turnover was understandable, but businesses also needed parking for staff.

Moughan wondered whether a business parking permit might be an option.

“We’ve noticed an appreciable uptick in fines,” he said.

Across the Devonport-Takapuna Board area, revenue was collected across 43,640 parking infringements – a jump of 41 per cent on the 30,813 tickets issued in 2023.

Tickets were issued for 3469 infringements on Kitchener Rd, followed by Takapuna’s Hurstmere Rd (3276), Anzac St (2724), Byron Ave (2509) and Huron St (1776), an AT response to an Official Information Act request by the Devonport Flagstaff reveals.

Half of the tickets in 2024 were for overstaying a time limit, 38 per cent were for not paying parking fees and the rest for

‘Dunk Your Mate’ attraction to mark his last fair with the school.

The day will also feature the Battle of the Schools, in which around 200 year six Devonport peninsula pupils compete across a range of games.

Games, food and drink, an inflatable obstacle course, bouncy castle and rides on assistant principal Ali Levitt’s horse are among the other attractions.

Fair on the Hill will also have a range

infringements such as double parking.

Twenty Auckland Transport (AT) cameramounted cars, which scan licence plates to monitor the time a vehicle occupies a parking space, have been introduced across the city since 2019 – and to Devonport since late 2023 – making enforcement easier for AT. Five more will be in use by the end of April.

Patrol cars are deployed in Devonport around three days a week, doing an average of three patrols throughout the day, said AT’s head of transport and parking compliance, Rick Bidgood.

Support from parking officers brings AT’s coverage up to “about five days a week”, he said.

“We can also increase our presence when members of the community request our services.”

of attractions, including carnival rides, an auction, a high-end second-hand clothing sale and performances by the school’s kapa haka group and others.

Devonport Primary is raising funds for the upgrade of its pool and other school improvements. Belmont Primary’s fair proceeds will go to playground upgrades, changing the school pool from chlorine to saltwater and putting more shade around the grounds.

us at our open days and explore our lifestyle and care

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Centenarian gardener still growing strong

Gardening has always been a part of 100-year-old Dawn Avery’s life – from helping as a child in the vege patch on her parents’ farm in Northland to prettifying and making productive the marital property bought in Belmont more than 70 years ago and downsizing to a Devonport waterfront home where she tends succulents. “I’ve got them in pots, because I can’t dig any more,” she says.

Fellow members at the Devonport Garden and Floral Art Club this week marked the popular regular’s milestone birthday at the St Leo’s Catholic School hall with a cake, a bouquet and the gift of a potted purple orchid. Orchids are one of her favourite flowers, alongside roses. Avery’s birthday fell on 22 January, but due to family visiting from overseas, including for “a bit of a do” at the Devonport Yacht Club, the garden club had to bide its time to celebrate the occasion.

Committee member Laurel Norwell told her: “We love to see you coming, you contribute so much to this club.”

Avery, who puts her longevity down to genetics and a healthy lifestyle, also takes away her fair share of prizes – this month for presenting the best green arrangement and the second-best posy bowl from around 25 members attending. “It’s a good social time, with a very professional judge,” she says of the club’s appeal.

While she no longer drives, Avery told the Flagstaff she enjoys walks, with near neighbour Joan Hipkins, during which they check out local gardens.

Avery first shifted to Auckland for teacher training, then taught in Epsom. She and her husband, Fred, bought in Belmont in 1952. She used skills of painting and papering learned from her father to make the modest house a home. “I’m a very practical person,” she says.

The couple had two daughters – Meryl Walden, who lives locally, and Glenys who moved to the United Kingdom. Avery has six grandchildren. Before retiring, she worked at an inter-denominational Christian bookstore near the Auckland Town Hall.

On moving to Devonport, she was introduced to the garden club by a friend. Her lawn-free home has room for a small vege patch and she grows beans in a pot. She is not the club’s first centenarian. Member June Burnett, who has shifted into care at the Lady Allum village in Milford, is 101 in July.

The club is coming up to its own 80th birthday in the next few years. “It used to be husbands and wives back in the day,” says Norwell. These days, the membership of around 40 is mostly women of retirement age, but is open to all. It meets on the second Monday of each month. “I paid my [annual] sub today,” Avery says. • Garden club inquiries welcome to president Marybeth Carmichael on 027 3388199 or email maryecarmichael57@gmail.com

Cake and flowers... Dawn Avery’s birthday was fittingly marked by the Devonport Garden and Floral Art Club

Judge queries need for marina breakwater closure at all times

From page 1

breakwater open to public access. But it has remained closed since a drowning in the area.

This week’s hearing was of an appeal by BML against an Auckland Council abatement notice requiring a reopening.

Representing BML, lawyer Kitt Littlejohn said the company told council, after the breakwater was closed, that its intentions were to close it to the public for so long as there were no practicable ways to mitigate the significant risk of fatal injuries to casual public visitors.

He said the company advised the council it would update the risk assessment annually and require its advisors to investigate ways to make the breakwater safer for public access. If it found ways to legitimately mitigate the dangers it would look at reinstating public access, he said.

But Judge Smith said on a calm day in his view there was no risk to anyone. He had difficulty seeing why people would be excluded at all times.

He told Littlejohn that there was no intent for his client to open the breakwater even when it’s “fine, calm and safe”.

Bayswater Marina says council’s abatement notice is wrongly issued and should be cancelled. Council argues its abatement notice should be upheld.

A lawyer representing Auckland Council, Laura Bielby, said council accepted there were times and circumstances when it was appropriate for public access to the breakwater to be limited, but that the marina’s current closure of the breakwater was not authorised under the conditions on the resource consents.

Judge Smith’s decision was reserved.

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MP backs centre’s lease hopes

North Shore MP Simon Watts has thrown his support behind Resource Recovery Devonport’s desire for a longer-term council lease on its Lake Rd premises. Watts (right) toured the site last Friday, meeting (from left) the organisation’s general manager Richard Linthwaite, secretary Adam Benli and chair Andrew Cornwell.

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New football chief wants pro path for youngsters

Creating a development path to professional football for young players is one of the main goals for North Shore United’s new director of football.

“We are already providing something for the community, we also want to provide something for players who want to push themselves and be the best they can be,” Mauricio Rojas told the Flagstaff.

The club aims to implement a Talent Development Programme (TDP) this year in which footballers aged 13 to 17 go into a structured programme to develop technical skills, tactical understanding and physical fitness.

Players in the TDP, which other clubs across Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty also run, can be scouted by Auckland FC and progress into the professional club’s development centre or reserve side, potentially winning the opportunity to sign a professional contract with the A League side.

Originally set up by New Zealand Football to develop and scout players, the programme has been adopted by Auckland FC as its official youth development pathway.

The TDP has a set of requirements which include a consistent playing philosophy and coaches having qualifications to ensure it’s “up to the level it should be”, Rojas said.

Along with implementing the TDP, he also aims to grow the club’s membership, especially among girls and women, and build relationships in the community.

Originally from Colombia, the 48-yearold has been an academy coach at London clubs Crystal Palace, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers.

He was the Uruguay Olympic side’s team liaison officer during the 2012 games, working with players such as Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, and previously held the same role for Paraguay’s team at the 2008

U17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. After the 2012 games, he and his wife decided to leave England to give a better life to their children so decided to move to New Zealand.

Rojas’s jobs in New Zealand have included working as Hibiscus Coast AFC’s technical director and starting his own business before working as an assistant coach for North Shore’s first team last year.

Experienced... Originally from Colombia, Mauricio Rojas has been an academy coach in the UK and has worked with Uruguay stars Louis Suarez and Edinson Cavani

Takapuna Grammar rowers in the medals at two regattas

TGS rowers won two golds at the College Sport Auckland champs and a bronze at the New Zealand championships.

College Sport Auckland Champs: Gold – Novice Girls U18 quadruple sculls (Mackenzie Wagon, Chloe Franklin, Amelia Moy, Elsie Carryer, cox Maia Stebbing; coached by Sam Grant, Martin Sharrock and Summer Claridge). Gold – Girls U16 double scull (Milla McKendry, Stella Bradley; coached by Sam Grant and Kira Sharrock).

New Zealand Rowing Championships: Bronze – Men’s Intermediate coxed four (Charlie Tallon, Leon Boardman Hill, Leo Bacchus, Lucas Forsyth, cox Ashlee Bourke; coached by Adam Grant and Jamie Vuckovich).

Other TGS medal winners at the College Sport champs were:

Silver – Boys U15 double scull (Ben Young, Luke Hollingsworth; coached by Bill An and Sam Grant). Girls U16 single scull (Milla McKendry; coached by Sam Grant and Kira Sharrock). Girls U15 coxed four (Skye Grice-Douglas, Alexa Waterworth, Farrah Grice-Douglas, Sofia Cagney-Potts, cox Maia Stebbing; coached by Sam Grant and Kira Sharrock). Girls U15 octuple (Poppy Hawkins, Phoebe Hawkes, Ava Probst, Issy Peacocke, Chloe Franklin, Chloe Moseley, Mackenzie Wagon, Elsie Carryer, cox Aleisha Patel; coached by Sam Grant, Martin Sharrock and Summer Claridge). Girls U15 double scull (Sofia Cagney-Potts, Skye Grice-Douglas; coached by Sam Grant and Kira Sharrock).

Bronze – Novice Boys U18 double scull (Hugo Smith, Seb Tallon; coached by Sam Grant, Martin Sharrock and Bill An).

Gold-medal winners...

The TGS Novice Girls U18 quadruple sculls, (from left) coach Martin Sharrock, Mackenzie Wagon, Chloe Franklin, Amelia Moy, Elsie Carryer, cox Maia Stebbing and coach Summer Claridge.

Right: The Girls U16 double skulls (from left) coach Kira Sharrock, Milla McKendry and Stella Bradley.

Stingray left to rot in pool beneath Maungauika

A Devonport couple are frustrated that authorities haven’t taken away the rotting remains of a metre-wide stingray (pictured) from the old soldiers rehabilitation pool at Torpedo Bay.

Mark Middleton and Candice Izzard first saw the stingray while out for their daily walk at the base of Maunguika on Sunday 2 March.

It was still there the next day. A hook visible in its mouth led them to wonder if it may have been dumped in the pool by a fisherman.

Izzard then contacted various authorities, seeking to establish who might be responsible for disposal, including the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and Auckland Council.

The stingray’s corpse had begun to smell badly by the time they heard back by email from MPI on Wednesday last week.

Its incursion investigator – aquatic health, Rachel Hooks, said: “It’s likely the ray got stuck in the rock pool at high tide and was

unable to escape once the tide receded. Especially in this warm weather, a ray would have a difficult time surviving until the next high tide.”

They were invited to get back in touch with MPI through its hotline if multiple dead or dying rays were found but were told for matters of cleaning beaches, they should contact their local council.

The response continued. “Natural processes like this are often best left to continue as they would in nature.”

The couple hope council will respond and remove the ray. Like other locals, they sometimes take a dip in the pool, which is beyond the Navy Museum and Torpedo Bay wharf.

The pool was built in the 1880s by local resident Alexander Watson near his home. The house became a convalescence home for soldiers returning from World War I, who also used the pool.

“I’m unlikely to go swimming there in the next little while, it’s very smelly,” said Izzard, the advertising manager at the Flagstaff. She said she was also concerned about the lack of respect some fishermen showed for the environment. “We walk daily around North Head along the rocks, and almost every day we will find hooks, sinkers, fishing line, lures, plastic bait packets. It’s disgusting. They should be fined.”

The Flagstaff asked council if it was planning to remove the stingray. It said the pool was not in its area, suggesting it was administered by the Defence Force, who have been asked to respond.

Devonport 09

Perfect blend - Past and present

• An enviable prime location in the heart of Devonport Village;

Auction Thursday 20th March at 12.00pm In Rooms (Unless Sold Prior)

As advertised or by appointment

• Character home with excellent indoor-outdoor flow to deck/patio/garden;

• Family friendly street with tight knit community feel, kindy and after school care very close by;

• Everything is right on your doorstep;

• New World supermarket will become your local "dairy", so simple to pop in for a pint of milk;

• Quick and easy ferry service to the city, minutes' walk away;

• Swimming at the end of your street or sit under one of the many Pohutukawa trees to watch the ever-changing harbour view;

• A hidden gem - once you experience this location, you simply won't want to leave;

• Pre auction offers will be considered;

• Our investor owner says sell!

Jackie Mark 021 458 797

jackie.mark@harcourts.co.nz

Jane Hastings 021 735

jane.hastings@harcourts.co.nz

Lifestyle Haven with Harbour Views

Auction

Thursday 27th March at 12.00pm (Unless Sold Prior)

If you're searching for a fantastic lifestyle opportunity in a prime location, look no further! Nestled just metres from the vibrant village centre, this private two-bedroom home offers easy-care living in the heart of Devonport. Imagine enjoying peaceful views of the Waitemata Harbour and the city all from the comfort of your living areas! This light-filled 1980s home features an open-plan kitchen and dining area, seamlessly connected to a separate lounge with a sliding door for flexible living. Flowing effortlessly from the dining and living areas is a spacious, private deck - perfect for entertaining or unwinding while taking in the lovely views. Ideal for downsizers, investors, professional couples, city commuters, and those seeking a low-maintenance "lock-up-and-leave" lifestyle, this freehold property is a rare find in such a sought-after location.

Grant Speedy 027 4511 800 grant.speedy@harcourts.co.nz

Monika Bak 021 857 565 monika.bak@harcourts.co.nz

As advertised or by appointment cooperandco.co.nz/L32550542

Discover the charm and character of this exceptional family home. Perfect for both entertaining and relaxation, this residence offers a seamless blend of spacious indoor and outdoor living areas. Nestled on a sundrenched 835 m2 site, this magnificent home is quietly tucked away, providing a serene and private retreat.

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Monika Bak 021 857 565

Deadline Sale

Sunday 30th March at 4pm (Unless Sold Prior) View

As advertised or by appointment cooperandco.co.nz/L30849145

Perfectly positioned on a sunny freehold site, this beautifully rebuilt and renovated home enjoys a north-facing position with stunning sea views. The contemporary kitchen, with a gas hob and underfloor heating is the perfect space for entertaining, while the garage with internal access provides flexibility for additional storage.

Ben Potter 027 953 0210

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THE EXHIBITION

OF GIVING

19th - 21st March, 10am - 4pm | 33 King Edward Parade

Bayleys Devonport are proud to present The Art of Giving 2025, showcasing a curated selection of over 50 artworks by renowned artists available for sale. Proceeds for the event will directly benefit Cure Kids.

As part of the exhibition, we will be featuring a silent auction of pre-loved art with all proceeds going to the charity.

We invite you to enjoy the exhibition in the Bayleys Devonport office over three days, and take in the variety of special pieces in this collection.

We are truly excited about this opportunity to make a difference through art.

Proudly supported by In support of

Berth holders want boat-storage plan notified

The application to build a four-level boat storage facility with commercial services at the Bayswater reclamation should be publicly notified as it is a new application submitted with minimal consultation, says the Bayswater Marina Berth Holders Association.

Many questions are left hanging by the application, association spokesman Paul Glass said.

How a large, covered boat-storage facility would logistically operate in a location with “limited to no access to the coastal marine area” was one example.

Concerns existed over what ‘commercial services’ meant and would cover under the application, Glass said.

“Reference is made to ‘offices’. What else is proposed or likely to be anticipated as part of this development?

“All in all, there is little clarity in the ap-

plication, in both the plans and the report.”

Glass said Bayswater Marina Holdings Ltd (BMHL) had conveniently ignored that part of the Resource Management Act notification assessment which required Auckland Council to consider whether the proposal fell under ‘special circumstances’.

“This can include where there has been significant public interest in the site/proposal and/or other involvement in the site or development by way of planning participation – as is very clearly the case in this instance.”

An integral part of the proposal includes use of a public structure, the boat ramp.

BMHL had failed to undertake any consultation with any parties, including Bayswater Community Committee, Bayswater Marina Berth Holders Association or the Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club, Glass said. It had also chosen to leave

iwi engagement to the council.

BMHL had made it clear in its application that this is a new application, separate from the full residential development consent gained in November 2023.

However, it appeared to rely on this consent for servicing, access and parking arrangements and supporting construction methodology.

The question therefore arose as to how the specific proposal could stand alone and the effects it would have on the marina and carparking area without the remaining development being undertaken.

People should contact council in writing as soon as possible to request that the application be fully notified, Glass said.

The contact person is Warwick Pascoe (Principal Project Lead Auckland Council –Premium Resource Consents).

Local community spend could be slashed

A 40 per cent cut in community spending in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area is possible in the next financial year, Auckland Council financial staff outlined the scenario to shocked local board members at a workshop last week.

Council is warning the 21 boards across the city that cuts will be needed to keep within council’s overall planned spending for the 2025-26 financial year starting in July. Steep rises in operating costs while absorbing a decline in revenue from pools, leisure centres and venues for hire are behind the planned cutbacks.

For the DTLB, a big chunk of its expected discretionary spend of $1.3 million is at stake.

Council’s lead financial adviser, local boards, Sugenthy Thomson, told board

members $500,000 of its Local Discretionary Initiatives (LDI) budget was at risk of being cut.

Acting chair Terence Harpur said: “I’m furious that we are sitting here again fighting to keep the same level of [discretionary] funding.” It was not fair the board was being asked to take the brunt of the cuts locally, when it had direct control of just a small portion of what was spent by council in the area, he said.

An example was the council’s $9.6 million operating expenses in the DTLB area including a big chunk paid to contractor Ventia for parks and other maintenance duties, yet Harpur said members had never seen the Ventia contract and had no control over it.

Thomson said the Ventia contract was budgeted to rise $390,000 next year. Utility

costs were up by $160,000 and the operation of libraries up $60,000. A revenue drop of $210,000 for the Takapuna pool and leisure facilities is budgeted, as is a drop of $10,000 from venue hire. But leases are expected to bring in $70,000 more, she said.

The board was asked to consider three options for feedback: managing within funding with staff help; attempting to have budgets “recalibrated”, by getting a share of $35 million council is spending in the introduction of a new “fairer funding” model that gives more to 13 boards and pegs funding for eight others, including Devonport-Takapuna; or calling for more funding to be diverted from other areas of council to meet the increased costs. Board members indicated the options were either unpalatable or unlikely to be achieved.

Devonport 09 445 2010

DEVONPORT

26 ARAMOANA AVENUE

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This light-filled, lock-upand-leave gem on Devonport’s waterfront is an absolute must-see! Tranquil setting, yet minutes from the village.

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$1,230,000

VIEWING Sunday 11:00-11:30am

Trish Fitzgerald 021 952 452

Tracey Lawrence 021 1720 681

VIEWING Phone For Viewing Times

Kurt Piper 021 137 6450

3/53 MERANI STREET

If you're ready to step into home ownership and say goodbye to paying rent, this is your opportunity!

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VIEWING

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Trish Fitzgerald 021 952 452

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12pm 19 Mar 2025 39 Victoria Road, Devonport (unless sold prior) VIEWING Sat/Sun 12:00-12:30pm

Toni Gregory 021 044 3663

Alexandra Corbin 021 643 673

6/77 OLD LAKE ROAD

An opportunity for lowmaintenance living with elevated views from this top floor end unit, featuring picture windows overlooking a large yard.

barfoot.co.nz/906496

VIEWING Sat/Sun 12:00pm-12:45pm

Lance Richardson 021 796 660

Cathy Fiebig 021 383 149

A rare opportunity awaits at 4 Tainui Road, located in undeniably one of the most sought after neighborhoods.

barfoot.co.nz/906462

12:00pm 19 Mar 2025 Devonport Branch (unless sold prior) VIEWING Sat/Sun 2:00-2:30pm

Trish Fitzgerald 021 952 452

Tracey Lawrence 021 1720 681 AUCTION

2/28 NICCOL AVENUE

After 28 wonderful years, this cherished family home is ready for its next chapter. Enjoy as-is, or take advantage of the potential to add value.

barfoot.co.nz/907055

AUCTION

10:00am 27 Mar 2025 at 8-12 The Promenade (unless sold prior) VIEWING Phone For Viewing Times

Kurt Piper 021 137 6450

Pioneering film maker marks 90 years in style

Malcolm Ferguson has followed an amazing professional career with an enviable retirement, marking his recent big birthday at a series of soirées. He shares some stories with Helen Vause.

Five different parties to celebrate a 90th felt like a pretty good number to Malcolm Ferguson.

There were gatherings with family, and one for the neighbours around Tainui Rd, plus a surprise party down at the North Shore Croquet Club, where he’s a very popular regular.

But the last bash was a very different affair. In his lovely back garden, a large gathering of retired cameramen, sound operators and figures from film and television celebrated Ferguson’s life and times in film and documentary making here and all over the world.

Laughter could be heard over the hedges as these peers from the golden era of their business swapped some impressive work stories.

Ferguson loved every minute, and when he showed up on the croquet green the next day he was raring to go. “I don’t feel 90 and I don’t seem to get tired. I’m very lucky I sleep well.”

When you get to 90 with a life so colourfully lived, there are just so many stories,

but Ferguson was happy to settle down in his living room and reminisce on the highs and some of the tough bits too.

Born on 19 February 1935, he grew up one of five siblings on farmland bounded by the Pakuranga Estuary and near the Tamaki River. There were cows to be milked, plentiful veges from surrounding market gardens, a river to swim in and other country kids all around. Singalongs were held around the pianos in the homesteads of other big families, and there were the regular local dances.

And there were local girls, including the one he’d marry. He remembers when he was 18 riding his bike past tennis courts attached to a local church and seeing all the girls his age playing tennis there.

He promptly joined that church, headed for the tennis courts and there met Gwen Fulton. They married a few years later.

Ferguson started out in precision engineering in the early 50s, but his passion for photography lured him away as paid work in that field started to come his way.

His first job in moving pictures and film

came in 1955, and he soon moved on from engineering. Seventy years later, his CV and list of credits in the film industry are very long, covering his work both as a cinematographer and a producer.

His earlier work was more in commercials, shooting in just black and white and often employing his engineering skills to put together new equipment in a fledgling industry.

When the 70s brought healthy budgets for hiring crews and exploring the world, he was well established in the business and a go-to guy for shooting and producing countless documentaries and dramas.

A lot of it meant shooting overseas and Ferguson quickly acquired “a thirst to travel to little-known and exotic places”.

A love of learning about other cultures and people and capturing their stories was always an inspiration, he says.

Incredibly, he has worked on stories in over 40 countries.“Circumstances may differ but families and people prove to be little different wherever you go.”

Some of those trips stuck with him more

Sharp shooter... Malcolm Ferguson with one of the tools of his film-making trade.

than others. Getting up close to the suffering of some people in dire circumstances came with the job – on visits to leprosy colonies in India, for example.

He doesn’t talk much about Somalia, and the sights and sounds at one of the refugee camps where people told of their lives to visiting media people like Ferguson. “I’ll never forget when I first saw that place. We came over a hill and suddenly there was a city of little camp shelters where people were trying to live a life and just survive. There were 80,000 people there.

“While we were there, making our way around filming and talking to people, one of the doctors adopted a very young boy who was obviously in a very bad way. The next day we filmed the same child, wrapped in a shroud, being buried.”

Other times there were much happier endings to overseas filming sagas. In India for a long film shoot, he and his colleagues returned to find all the carefully numbered and stacked rolls of film they’d shot thus far on their project had been taken from their room. “Of course we went straight down to the management and complained vigorously. This was a serious loss. The next night there was the missing footage, right back where it should be. I guess they thought it might have been valuable stuff. ”

Once in the USA, the Kiwi cameraman learned he didn’t know much about those adorable little squirrels bounding all around. Trying to befriend one of the cute little creatures didn’t go at all well. “It ran straight up my leg and bit my hand.”

He laughs as he recounts what happened next: Concern about rabies brought the local sheriff running, the creature was captured and flown off for testing and Mr and Mrs Ferguson were ordered to hole up in a motel

and wait – “In case I started frothing at the mouth. Once they let us travel on we had to report to the sheriff’s office daily wherever we went.”

Other encounters with the locals in the USA were less painful. A grant award took him to California to observe film techniques. Getting up close on a set to famed actor and director Clint Eastwood was a valuable professional experience. He was very pleasant and helpful, Ferguson recalls.

“One night I had this really vivid dream about going to Russia and I rolled over and said to Gwen, ‘We must go there and we must interview Gorbachev.’”

The Soviet Union and the Icebreaker series he made there in 1987 for international distribution, was a career highlight, he says.

“One night I had this really vivid dream about going to Russia and I rolled over and said to Gwen, ‘We must go there and we must interview Gorbachev.’ Gwen probably told me to go back to sleep.”

But he was determined that dream was going to come true. It took two tedious years to get consent to be allowed into the country and to travel about, filming ordinary people

and telling their stories to the wider world. His crew, he says, was the first to depict so much of everyday life there. “It was fascinating just to meet the Russian people, to hear their thoughts and feelings first hand.” Ferguson travelled extensively around the vast country, spending eight months filming a series of six hour-long programmes.

On a later visit, an incident in Siberia produced a very unusual claim story for his insurers. In freezing conditions, a husky had urinated on the crew’s recording gear and the yellow stream had instantly frozen solid, apparently doing no damage. Later though, it thawed and trickled through, ruining the valuable equipment.

Later in his career he became a contractor and had more freedom choosing and initiating projects.

With their three sons grown, his wife, Gwen, started working with him and the couple developed businesses in their industry. After more than 60 years together, he lost Gwen to cancer five years ago.

He was nearly 85 years old when Gwen died. Around this time he discovered the North Shore Croquet Club. “It was a lifesaver for me,” he says “and I’ve come to really enjoy the game.”

With legendary energy, Ferguson has embraced club life off the lawns too, and in recent years has introduced a popular initiative: The croquet lawns can be a very hot spot on high summer days and he wondered if others might like to join him at day’s end – a time when plenty might be dining alone at home. Ferguson’s ‘Sundowner’ fixture proved a hit for all those croquet players who have joined him on the lawns on summer evenings and afterwards for a drink and a natter on the deck.

“Life’s pretty good,” he grins.

Behind the camera... Ferguson at different times during a long and adventurous career

Chartered Accountant

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Professionally qualified with CA (CA ANZ) or CPA and with 4-5 years+ current NZ experience is ideal, but a part-qualified individual or someone with strong technical experience will also be considered. We have modern offices in Devonport and a great team environment. We offer flexibility in the hours of work.

Please apply by email attaching your CV to Sheryl Beaumont: sheryl@axiome.co.nz

THE NAVY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER AOTEAROA RETURNS HOME

Devonport Naval Base welcomed the return of HMNZS Aotearoa last week, back from a seven-week deployment centred around a resupply mission to Antarctica.

The Polar-class tanker, which supplied fuel to Scott Base and the American McMurdo station, proudly displayed its ‘red nose’ on the ship’s bow, where the bull ring hole is painted red in recognition of crossing the Antarctic Circle. Ship’s company are entitled to become members of the Order of the Red Nose.

Aotearoa, the largest ship in the fleet, has an international ice-strengthened rating to handle the impact of floating sea ice.

While on deployment the ship was diverted to refuel frigate HMNZS Te Kaha and an Australian frigate off the coast of Australia.

The tempo remains high for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Te Kaha undertook monitoring of a Chinese Task Group near Tasmania, before continuing her route north to carry out drug interdictions in the Arabian Sea. HMNZS Canterbury is in the subantarctic islands supporting MetService, Department of Conservation and the 2025 Sir Peter Blake expedition.

Devonport Naval Base security reminder – for the safety of the community, please take care and remain outside the 60-metre perimeter of the Naval Base at all times. This includes when swimming, diving, kayaking, fishing and sailing.

Appalling tree-removal plan follows recent vandalism

The current destruction and vandalism of trees in Devonport is unacceptable.

The addresses provided below are only provided as a geographical reference to the destruction. There is no suggestion or implication that the residents of the addresses near or opposite this vandalism are responsible. The proposal to remove 19 pōhutukawa trees at Bayswater Marina is appalling. This is to enable the building of four-level dry-stack boat storage (almost 15m high). This will be built on the current car park. Visitor parking will be reduced to 22 spaces. This is a new addition to the development at the marina. Had this proposal and the tree removal been included in the original proposals the outrage and objections would have been greater than the already considerable number of objections that were received and, possibly, the development may have been

Court plan is great

Michael Lamb’s recent letter (28 February) criticises the Tūpuna Maunga Authority’s development of Takarunga’s tennis courts as overblown and costly. I recently saw colour plans of what is planned and was very impressed. There is much more to it than a simple tennis court refurbishment. I think it’s a great plan. Chris Lucas

Breakwater move pathetic

The appeal to go to court to deny public access to the breakwater at Bayswater Marina is a pathetic move. For Bayswater Marina Ltd to use the public safety act is a pretence for commercial gain. Many people have used this access to enjoy the walk and view the harbour and yachts. Alec Hill

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stopped. The developers believe it should be an unnotified application which would exclude our community being heard.

This corporate destruction of trees has me reflecting on recent vandalism of local trees.

A very large and wonderful old tree opposite 47 Church St has been poisoned.

Council planted a native on the berm by Balmain Reserve opposite 9 Oxford Tce. One day it was there, the next morning it was left lying beside its stump. This tree was sawn. The cut marks were visible. It required someone to carry a saw to the tree and deliberately saw it down.

Council has planted two replacement pōhutukawa trees on Queens Pde. One opposite 20 Queens Pde has been allowed to grow and is flourishing. Unfortunately, the trees planted opposite 17 Queens Pde have been broken off or chopped down on three

occasions.

There are numerous complaints that council does not do enough to beautify and enhance our suburb. It is disappointing that some individuals think it is acceptable to undo council’s efforts. What would our waterfront be without the magnificent trees planted by earlier generations?

Whatever your reasons, stop selfishly destroying the new plantings and the older trees. Look at the value and asset that earlier plantings have provided for the community. What would our waterfront be without the magnificent trees planted by earlier generations?

Rubin Levin

• In the BMHL application for the boat storage facility it says the pōhutukawa will be replaced by similar trees – Editor.

Hang your heads in shame, Bayswater Marina Holdings Ltd (BMHL). You are so fortunate to own such a beautiful piece of prime waterfront land, yet your latest plan is to build a huge, ugly four-storey boat storage shed on it.

Imagine Sydney, Perth or Queensland councils allowing a developer to build such an eyesore on their prime harbour land. It simply would not be allowed.

But it seems that ever since Simon Herbert got his hands on this beautiful piece of Auckland real estate, all he has wanted to do is wring the maximum return from it, rather than create what his PR people claimed at the time would be “a world-class marine village”. The opposite seems to have been the case with Bayswater and Devonport

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residents forced into constant battles to get BMHL to lift its design game.

What could be a world-class waterfront development seems instead doomed to become something better suited to some industrial area. Maybe the Auckland Council’s asleep-at-the-table Eke Panuku might step in and force BMHL to do better, but I doubt it.

Lift your game, BMHL. Hire some quality architects and create something Auckland can be proud of.

And shutting out residents from using the marina breakwater since December 2023 is yet another example of how little respect these companies have for local residents. Closed for safety issues? Pull the other one.

Duncan Robertson

years later

In a recent edition of the Flagstaff I note that you refer to Mt Victoria as Takarunga.

Have you joined the movement to turn New Zealand into the “Zimbabwe of the South Pacific”?

I am not impressed.

Terry Bracey

• In early 2020, after Mt Victoria and North Head were renamed Mt Victoria/ Takarunga and North Head/Maungauika by Auckland Council, we decided to refer to them as Takarunga and Maungauika and have done so since. We had a lot of support for the move and received no messages in opposition to it – until this one.

Rob Drent, Editor

Deposit account: warm evidence is cold comfort

For many months almost daily I have been picking up dog poo from my lawn and placing in into the waterfront council bins.

Finally I observed a dog emptying its bowels on my lawn so I sprinted outside to approach the owner who did not have the dog on a lead or wearing a collar with a registration tag.

I pointed to the dog’s deposit and said that her dog had left it. She stated that it was not from her dog but I told her I had observed it happen and offered to get a paper towel so that she could feel the temperature of the offensive item. She then agreed that it must

have been from her dog but did not offer to pick it up. I stated that she must do so and she collected a bag from her freedom camper van and used it with apparent reluctance.

I yesterday placed a ‘KEEP OFF’ notice on my lawn stating that it is not a dog toilet.

This morning a dog left a deposit (I have photos) 2.1 metres from my sign.

When I walk to the supermarket, I usually pick up five deposits on our side of Anne St, so many dogs are no doubt involved.

Do readers have ideas on why some dog walkers don’t pick up after their dogs and presume that residents would like the task?

Last year I placed some notices asking dog walkers to please help us to keep our street clean. One dog walker left full bags of dog poo on top of the black electrical cover box.

Any suggestions over behaviour modification tips I could use on errant dog walkers? Some are irresponsible and I don’t want to bother the ranger but will be delighted if dog walkers help us to keep our streets clean.

Wishing for cleaner streets for people who like walking.

Joy Mace

20 years ago from the Flagstaff

• The future of the Devonport Food & Wine Festival is uncertain with the withdrawal of major sponsor Diners Club.

• Thomas Coleman (4) is among 6000 who attend a Navy Open Day.

• Vandals attack waterfront gallery Art by the Sea. Owner Mike Geers is concerned a rise in graffiti and tagging around Devonport has led to more serious crimes.

• The Depot raises more than $5000 for Sri Lankan tsunami victims.

• Zaid Sulaiman and George Matthews take over the ownership of Wigmore Pharmacy.

• North Shore councillor Chris Darby criticises a Devonport Community

Board award for the “preservation” of Torpedo Bay Wharf, saying it was a complete rebuild not a restoration. Warning signs are erected at the wharf after safety concerns about children jumping off.

• Phoebe Borwick is named the winner of the Flagstaff’s annual short story competition by judge Kevin Ireland.

• Vista Linda, the new owners of the WJ Scott Mall, plan a major makeover.

• North Head and Mt Victoria are put forward for World Heritage status by the Auckland Volcanic Cones society in a move supported by the Devonport Community Board.

• The restoration of the historic Watson’s pool at Torpedo Bay is imminent.

files

• Four Devonport residents are selected for North Shore Civic Awards: Peter McQueen, Rod Cornelius, Rikki Morris and Rachel Dennyss.

• In a thrilling finale to the cricket season, North Shore premiers take seven wickets for 27 runs to beat Waitakere, so avoiding relegation.

• The Vauxhall Rd sports fields, undergoing a $300,000-plus upgrade, will not be ready for the start of the season.

• Takapuna Grammar student Phil Dominick prepares for the junior world snowboarding champs.

• North Shore Croquet Club stalwart Joy Fleming is profiled as the club celebrates 100 years.

• New builds and renovations

• Rewires

• Home network cabling

• Wall-mount TVs

• Home theatre

LocaL to Devonport

Call Peter Cairns for your free quotation

Phone 021 858 243 or 445 4675

email allsafe.electrical@xtra.co.nz

Painting & Decorating Specialists

Serving Auckland for over 35 years

Master Painter of the Year 2017

Interior and Exterior – New and existing, roofs, fences, decks and balustrading, wallpaper stripping, paint stripping, gib stopping, pressure cleaning. Accredited Lead-based Removal Specialists.

Office: 445 8099

email: info@bissetltd.co.nz www.bissetltd.co.nz

Andrew Holloway Floorsander

• Floorsanding

• Polyurethaning and staining

• Tongue and Groove repairs

• Serving Devonport since 1995

• Tongue and Groove repairs

• Serving Devonport since 1995

Please phone for a free quote Phone 027 285 4519

ahfloorsanding@xtra.co.nz

ahfloorsanding@xtra.co.nz www.ahfloorsanding.co.nz

Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainage, Roof Leaks

MAINTENANCE SPECIALISTS

Prompt courteous service

Fully insured for your peace of mind

Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer Call Matt

Landscaping Devonport

Garden design and construction

Whether you are planning a garden refresh or a full renovation, we can help with all the planning, construction and planting. Including decks, retaining, pergolas, paving and fencing. Everything outdoors!

Call Steve on 021 345 694 www.naturalgardens.co.nz

• Electronic and mechanical lock installations

•

• Lock repairs

• Lock Hardware

John Bisset LtD

Year 12 & 13 Excellence Assemblies & Top Scholars

Last month we celebrated a wide range of academic achievements from 2024. This included over 200 of our current students who achieved NCEA Level 1 or 2 with Excellence, IB1 with Excellence, or a Scholarship Award. During these assemblies we also welcomed back and celebrated our alumni from 2024 who achieved a Scholarship Award. It was wonderful to have these students back in school before they embark on their university careers.

Our Scholarship results were a particular standout in 2024. Only the

top 3% of 170,000 students across NZ gain a Scholarship. We saw an increase in achievement of 45% on our 2023 results. These results included:

Amelia Yamaguchi – Top Scholar Award, first in Scholarship Japanese

Daniel Wang – Scholarships in Chinese, Economics and English

Bill An – Scholarships in Accounting, History and Statistics

Mia Sheng – Scholarships in Calculus, Chinese and Physics

Wei Wang – Scholarships in Calculus, Chemistry and Physics

Crazy Sock Day raises funds for Rare Disorders NZ

Crazy Sock Day is a fun event which TGS students participate in every year. The event is for Rare Disorders NZ which offers a central starting point for patients and families affected by rare disorders. They help families, patients and healthcare providers find essential information and support groups.

Winners were selected by three different categories which were colour, design, and personality.

The winners were; 1st Madi Horne, 2nd Archie Gibbard & 3rd Sophia Yang.

TGS Student rediscovers wordaccepted by Oxford English Dictionary

Year 10 student Felix Conroy has been working on sonnets for the last few weeks in his English class. He discovered that the word 'sonnetary' was used once in 1877 in Scribner's Magazine and had not been added to the dictionary back in the day. He wrote an email to a representative of OED who has, after carefully considering Felix' request and doing more background research, agreed to add it to an upcoming version of the OED.

Well done Felix!

Coastal-route access path flagged for sale to Summerset

The reserve status of a public path leading to a coastal route in Belmont is likely to be revoked and the land sold to retirement-village developer Summerset.

But two other accessways to the coastal path stand to be enhanced under plans for the village on the former Hillary housing block off Eversleigh St.

To pave the way for Summerset’s development, Auckland Council plans to publicly notify its intention to revoke reserve status on a 47m-long, 3m-wide secondary accessway between 3 and 33 Hillary Cres.

If the revocation goes ahead, the pathway land would be sold to Summerset to amalgamate into its site. Parts of Hillary Cres itself will also likely be ripped up and incorporated into the village.

At a workshop update from council staff last month, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members said they wanted any proceeds from selling the pathway returned

for public use in the area. They have also flagged this desire to Auckland Transport for any disposal of sections of the Hillary Cres roadway it controls.

Board members have visited the site and say the development will be an asset to the area. It could also provide an opportunity to deliver on improving Greenway path connections on the peninsula.

Then chair Toni van Tonder said wide community benefits were wanted, “not just a quid pro quo” between council and developers.

Returning proceeds locally might help on the long-term goal to connect from Hauraki to Esmonde Rd.

Deputy chair Terence Harpur said: “The biggest thing for me is that the money stays in the local area.”

Staff outlined that the primary public accessway to Northboro Reserve from the top portion of Hillary Cres would be retained and

enhanced, as would the entrance to the coastal path from the bottom of Eversleigh St. Summerset proposes to build a 96m-long, 2.5m-wide boardwalk from the Eversleigh St accessway to connect to the coastal pathway, which runs around the northwestern edge of the site.

This would be bicycle and pram accessible, council staff said.

The Hillary Cres access would benefit from landscaping and undergrounding of overhead transmission lines, plus relocation of a power pole.

Board member Gavin Busch suggested that entry off Eversleigh St from Lowe St might be a better link to the reserve than from Hillary Cres.

Summerset is buying the retirement village land from Ngati Whatua Orakei’s commercial arm Whai Rawa. The iwi retains top portions of the old Navy housing site for its own ongoing housing development.

Access points... Auckland Council maps showing paths being retained from the former Hillary housing block (light blue) and another in between (purple) which is set to lose its reserve status and be sold to developer Summerset

Game, set, match... and round?

Belmont Park Racquets Club tennis players traded their racquets for golf clubs at their annual golf day at the Waitemata course last week, helping raise funds for the club’s planned new courts.

Awesome foursomes... (from top) Hauraki residents (from left) Steve Gulik, Ryan Lundy, Rob Snow and Hamish Gard; Alan Jones, Gordon Stuart, Al Davidson and Jamie Stuart; Dan Thomas, Geoff Topham, Peter Cook and Ross Iremonger; Angus Craighead, Hayden Rogers, Piers Faulkner and Daniel Collins.

Below: Ryan Lundy tees off.

Seasoned Asia hand returned to do good in region

Long-time Devonport resident Duncan Gray, who worked for World Vision in East Timor after a career in the logging and oil industry, has died aged 70, after a long battle with cancer.

Gray grew up in Taupo, attended Canterbury University and first went to Indonesia in the 1970s as a 23-year-old zoology graduate-turned-logging-manager, “knocking down the tropical rainforests”, he told the Flagstaff in a 2000 interview.

He lived in Indonesia for a decade, and spent more than 20 years working for both forestry and oil and gas multinationals, setting up supply lines and logistics as the region developed.

By the late 1980s, he had his own business running out of Singapore. He was one of the first Westerners to head into reopened Cambodia, where he established a foothold for an offshoot of British Gas.

In the 1990s, Gray branched out into the humanitarian sector. He supported the UN in

Oilman to humanitarian…

Duncan Gray

Cambodia and Somalia, “supplying people and generators and electrical support –everything and everything”.

One of the souvenirs he showed the Flagstaff was a “Danger Mines” – one of 274,000 he supplied to Cambodia, when mines were

one of the legacies of the Khmer Rouge era. By the mid-1990s, he had tired of Asia. “I realised I was never going to be Asian –you are always an outsider – every day you are asked where are you from and when are you going back.” He settled in a Jubilee Ave house in 1994 and worked as a property manager.

His work in East Timor was a kind of giving-back to an area he had a hand in exploiting as a younger man. “In those days I was a total hedonist, but since then I have mellowed a lot and looked more at the planet and basically how can I help to make things better. The only way I could have gone back was to do humanitarian work.”

He worked as a logistics coordinator for humanitarian aid for three months in 1999 and went back later to Asia working for World Vision rapid response teams in disaster zones there and around the world.

• A memorial service is planned for Gray in Devonport, with details yet to be finalised.

Speed limits near peninsula schools returning to 50km/h

Many speed-limit zones around Devonport peninsula schools will revert to 50km/h during May and June this year.

The current full-time 30km/h zones near Stanley Bay School, St Leo’s Catholic School, Belmont Primary School, Belmont Intermediate School, Takapuna Grammar School and Hauraki School will all be removed. More than 40 streets will be affected by the changes.

Streets directly in front of the schools or nearby (except Lake Rd) will have a 30km/h limit at the start and end of a school day. The new limits will apply once the speed-limit signs are changed. Auckland Transport must make the changes under a new government rule requiring local councils to restore speed limits lowered since January 2020.

Rudder robbery, assault

The Rudder bar in Hauraki – where an aggravated robbery took place around midnight on Saturday 1 March – was the scene of an assault four nights later.

A neighbouring business owner came upon a beaten-up man in the bar’s rear outside area in the early hours of Wednesday 5 March. Police told the Flagstaff they had taken a person at the premises into custody. The man found outdoors had received minor injuries. The charges the arrested man might face were not available by deadline.

After the earlier aggravated robbery – a man, aged 42, was arrested the next afternoon. Police say he was the driver of a vehicle connected to the robbery, which they spotted in Papakura. After a pursuit, a second person in the vehicle was apprehended and tasered. He subsequently died, which has prompted an independent police investigation.

The arrested driver was remanded in custody and charged in the North Shore District Court last week with two charges of aggravated robbery and two counts of crime with a firearm. One is over the Hauraki incident, the other for an aggravated robbery at a Wairau Valley bowling alley on 14 February. No-one was injured in the Hauraki aggravated robbery.

The Rudder bar declined to comment.

Enrich and protect your valuable asset with high quality painting by Kingdom Decorators

Kingdom Decorators has been operating on and around the Devonport Peninsula for over 40 years

Owner, Ross Kingdom built an extensive team of loyal, high quality painters, most of whom have been with him for more than 20 years

Ross offers a ‘one stop shop’ service from advice with colours, paint finishes through to scaffold and building repairs including project management where necessary

Existing paintwork often requires attention after 10 years or so and deferring maintenance can incur extra costs down the line

We have been so lucky with all our staff, they are courteous, friendly, helpful guys and always have a clean and tidy site. The harmonious singing is an absolute bonus!

Tēnā koutou katoa

It’s a little cooler. Is it already autumn? Too soon, too soon.

SEE HOW THEY FALL

Wednesday 2nd April 2025 6:30pm- 8:30pm.

Join MoaPress and author Rachel Paris at a book event celebrating this brand new domestic noir crime novel. Perfect Family? Perfect Weekend? Perfect Crime?. A gripping thriller of twists and turns. Wine and nibbles and books for sale and signing. Come and enjoy the hospitality.

AUCKLAND’S ANNUAL PLAN 2025/2026

Consultation is now open on Auckland’s Annual Plan 2025/2026 (annual budget). Share your feedback on the proposals by 11.59pm on Friday 28 March 2025 and help the council make decisions for Auckland. Feedback can be online or via the forms in the library.

MORE BESTIES COMING IN

Besties are extra copies of the most popular best-sellers. You have 2 weeks to read them and can take 2 out at a time. Plus no-one can renew them or reserve them ahead of time, so there’s no waiting, waiting, waiting and a much better chance they will be sitting on the shelf when you come in. Borrow, read, enjoy and pick another soon.

DEVONPORT

LIBRARY RUN

Organised by wonderful Community House folk. Share the library joy with older friends who struggle to get to us. A volunteer will come to the person’s home and bring them to the library for a cuppa and a chat. We help them find great books and magazines and they whisk them home again.

Every Thursday 1:30pm-3pm. $2 donation. Call to book (09) 445 3068.

Mā te wā

strokes... Sarah

GP finds art practice the perfect prescription

Spending time on her art at home in Belmont leaves local doctor Sarah Morrah feeling refreshed and ready to return to the complex and busy medical world. Her first solo exhibition opens at the Depot on 14 March.

Sarah Morrah uses art as a release from her demanding day job as a GP in Devonport, and in turn finds medicine’s multi-layered complexity influences her creative approach.

Interconnectivity intrigues her, be it the mind-body health interface or making layered collages or ceramic sculpture.

Around 20 of each medium make up her first solo art exhibition, Neural Bloom, on at the Depot 3 Vic Road from Friday.

She has previously exhibited jewellery, after having invested her first pay cheque as a junior doctor in taking jewellery-making classes nearly 20 years ago, then fitting in a diploma in jewellery manufacturing and design.

Balancing her passions has always been a juggle, but it is richly rewarding.

Morrah – who goes by her maiden name, English in her practice at Devonport Health – says being a GP has become increasingly complex and busy.

“Having a day off to be doing my art, I come back refreshed and happy to be there.”

These days Morrah works three days a week, starting early and finishing in time to hang out at home in Belmont with the two girls she has with husband Michael Morrah, an award-winning news journalist who was at TV3 and now works at NZME. Their daughters, 8 and 10, attend Belmont Primary School, with both being excited about their her mother’s upcoming exhibition.

The Depot show came about after she made a submission and was selected to exhibit.

“I’ve always liked the Depot and its community involvement,” she says. “I’m hoping local people will come to the

opening.”

She expects some patients will be surprised by her sideline, which she says she would love to focus further on, “if I win Lotto”.

Morrah, who comes from a family of GPs and grew up in Hawke’s Bay, says she was an arty child. “I made earrings at seven for my grandmother. She was the only one who would wear them. They were wire.”

But she gravitated to science subjects at

“I just get into that flow state and it’s a release for me.”

high school and was keen to maintain the family name in medicine.

At medical school in Otago, she and a friend fitted in a T-shirt printing course and a painting class, before her interest shifted to jewellery.

Sarah and Michael moved to Belmont around 12 years ago, after living in Wellington, then Ponsonby.

She began working in Dr Chris Dominick’s practice at King’s Store, before shifting with him to Devonport Health on Victoria Rd.

The area’s beaches, particularly nearby Narrow Neck, are a family attraction. Morrah, who loves to explore new ideas, also took up the chance to do classes at Bayswater Ceramics.

Working in clay is definitely a meditation, she says.

“I started off making pots, but then I just

decided I wanted to have fun and make some nerves.”

Hence twisted up coils of clay, which she explains as sculptures of synapses – the connections between nerves that information passes through.

One of the sculptures is called Tied up Intent

She previously took night classes on painting in watercolours, graduating to selling cards and canvases through her Instagram. A few years ago she paused this to focus on developing new work, which she describes as being contemporary floral still lifes with collage.

“I thought about the way our body and mind are connected.” Layering of memory is reflected in collage techniques that are intuitive and incorporate photography and watercolour pools.

In her GP work of back-to-back appointments, she likes to take a holistic approach – “explaining how our mind can affect our body and how what we do with it affects our mind”.

Patients are presenting with increasingly complex issues that are a challenge in a stretched medical environment, she says. “People are on multiple medications and living a lot longer.”

Taking time to explain how pain works and how the way we feel can amplify the pain is part of the job.

Morrah says for her art has proved a way to explore beyond the immediate.

“I just get into that flow state and it’s a release for me.”

• Neural Bloom is on at Depot 3 Vic Rd, Devonport, from 14 March until 26 April.

Check it out: Depot alumni stage studio fundraiser

It’s back to the future for local musicians in the band Racing, who perform in Devonport this month to raise money for the studio where their recording careers began as schoolboys in The Checks 20-odd years ago.

“We’ve used the Depot throughout. I used to go to guitar lessons there when I was 12,” says Sven Pettersen, now 38.

When the Bayswater guitarist learned Depot Sound’s studio was still struggling in the wake of equipment and income loss from a flood in August last year, he and singer Ed Knowles immediately offered to help.

“We just want other people to have the same chance we had. It’s important to the community to have a facility like that,” Pettersen said.

They suggested a fundraising gig with their four-piece, Racing.

On Saturday 15 March, they promise a “very danceable” night at the Devonport RSA, a venue they played a year ago.

“It’s a beaut place to play in,” says Pettersen, who laments the loss of other local venues such as the Masonic. “It’s such a beautiful old town and when there’s a gig it lifts the whole place.”

Supporting Depot Sound is a way to ensure creative talent continues to flourish in an area with a rich musical history, he says.

The Checks, who formed at Takapuna Grammar School, are very much part of that. Pettersen says before they went on to

tour nationally and relocated to the UK, it was the Depot that gave them an early break.

New Zealand music identity Rikki Morris was then running the “Bus”, the name they gave the studio at the time. He also recorded singer Gin Wigmore and The Veils there.

“He saw us in the supermarket and said he thought we looked like a band and came over and got us into the studio.”

At the time the five band members were 15- and 16-year-olds, wearing their sisters’ skinny jeans and op-shop shirts. “It was our first experience of recording. We just went in there like we were playing in the practice room at school,” recalls Pettersen.

The band, formed in 2002, won the Auck-

land regional final of Smokefreerockquest the next year and became bFM radio favourites. After gigging locally, they toured extensively and recorded three albums, plus EPs and singles, and supported visiting big-name acts, including REM, Oasis, The Killers and AC/DC. They won three New Zealand Music Awards.

The editor of music bible NME invited the then school-leavers to join the NME New Music Tour of the UK in 2005. After gigging over there, a four-album deal fell through and they returned home to New Zealand, disbanding in 2011.

Friends Knowles and Pettersen formed Racing in 2014. The band features Daniel Barrett on bass and drummer Izzak Houston.

These days Knowles lives with his partner and children in Parnell, but is a frequent visitor to his former home turf.

Racing toured both North and South Islands before Christmas, wowing crowds with well known songs like Run Wild.

“On a personal note we’d like to keep using the [Depot] studio, says Pettersen. “But this community also has a great history of music going way back and we just want other young people to have the same.”

Tickets for the gig, with support band CCTV, are $45 from Humanitix.com. All the proceeds go to the Depot. “We want to see all the old faces – and the young faces,” Pettersen says.

Back in town... Racing’s Ed Knowles (above) formed the band with fellow former Check Sven Pettersen (below)

Fishers reeled in by new play’s seagoing subject matter

Playwright and director Geoff Allen has cast his net wide with his latest production, a thrilling drama set in deep water.

He thinks the play Shark in a Boat, with its action centred on the sea, is the first of its type in New Zealand.

It is also attracting some newcomers to the audience in its run at the Rose Centre in Belmont this week.

“The fishing guys are really excited. It’s the first time they're coming along to see a piece of theatre,” he says of intrigued mates.

Allen says he has drawn on the tension of the film Jaws and his own family’s fishing pursuits to inform the interactions of characters on a fishing charter to the Three Kings Islands.

Inevitably, things go wrong, revealing their very different reasons for being onboard. “It’s a very physical play,” he says.

He’s written around 10 plays – not counting his nearly 60 children’s pieces, with Allen being well-known locally for running Devonport Drama, which he set up 23 years ago.

He has also managed the Rose Centre for the last three and a half years, and is enjoying its evolution into offering more art and community-focused classes.

Shark has given Allen the opportunity to cast some favourite actors against type,

including well-known local Suzie Sampson. “She plays a tough, hard-nosed Aussie skipper.”

They met years ago through Shakespeare productions. Young North Shore talents he has had his eye on are Meg Andrews and Max Easey, both of whom he got to know through PumpHouse circles, and Joseph Wycoff, with whom he has worked before.

“Because I work with such large casts

of kids, I just wanted to keep this simple,” he said.

He picked rather than auditioned his adult cast and kept to a short rehearsal schedule giving them input into refining the play.

A just-completed season at Pitt St Theatre in the city helped with fine-tuning before its Rose Centre opening on Tuesday. It runs until Friday 14 March. Tickets are available through iticket.co.nz.

SHOWING NOW

WANTED:

A reporter with several years’ experience to join the team at the Devonport Flagstaff and Rangitoto Observer fortnightly newspapers.

You will produce general news stories, as well as reporting on sports, arts and local-body politics, writing longer features, taking photos and generating news leads from community contacts.

Excellent opportunities exist to build on these skills to take on an editing, layout and management role.

Send CV and covering letter to Managing Editor, Rob Drent at rob@devonportflagstaff.co.nz

COMING SOON

All at sea... Shark in a Boat actors (from left) Suzie Sampson, Max Easey, Meg Andrews and Joseph Wycoff

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