1 August 2025, Devonport Flagstaff

Rates arrears climb sharply... p2

August 1, 2025

Peninsula primary schools cross-country... p8-9

Interview: Departing grocer John Ashton... p14-15

Local service cuts mooted as funding rejig bites

Cuts to local services – ranging from reduced library hours to fewer grants for community groups and higher fees for public venue use – are again on the council agenda.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board (DTLB) faces a $460,000 reduction in its

ed board members with options for finding savings or reducing spending, including:

• Cuts in library and pool hours.

• Reducing community grants.

• Reviewing funding for environmental groups, in particular.

• Mowing less frequently in parks and turning reserve gardens into bush.

• Hiked fees for commercial park use.

The DTLB is one of seven of the region’s 21 boards that will be worse off under the “fairer funding” model council has agreed

More glory... North Shore Rugby Club’s under-21s won their North Harbour final last Saturday, following up on the club’s third consecutive premiership the previous week. Full story in our 16-page liftout, inside.

Board baulks at environmental, town-centre cuts

For the current financial year its impact was delayed by councillors agreeing to a one-off transitional top-up for impacted boards. But they have now been asked to indicate preferred areas of savings for preparation of the next budget, which takes effect next July.

The final decision-making early next year on local priorities will be a tough sign-off for whoever is elected to the board in October.

But in September the current board is expected to firm up preferences.

Staff suggested savings could be made on library services within a council minimum service over six days and 44 hours a week.

Keeping only Takapuna Library or Devonport Library open and closing the other at certain times, such as evening hours or weekends is one way to do this.

More advice on this and off-peak Takapuna Pool and Leisure Centre usage data will be provided to aid decision-making.

Members said they had little choice but to look at the $200,000 grants budget. It was one of the few bigger discretionary

spends they had, with $800,000 tagged to the area tied up in the likes of council parks maintenance contracts over which they have no input. “That’s where some of the costs needs to come from,” said deputy chair Terence Harpur.

Staff ideas of reviewing the $160,000 in current funding for environmental groups

Restoring Takarunga Hauraki and Pupuke Birdsong Project, were given short shrift by board chair Mel Powell who said feedback showed the community rated the environment the top priority

A suggested downgrade of service levels for town centres, including Devonport, that would reduce frequency of cleaning and bin servicing was rejected. But reductions in park mowing, especially lower-use parks, and converting garden areas in reserves into lower-maintenance bush are on the table.

Member George Wood warned letting parks go could cause future costly issues with kikuyu grass and other weeds.

Members rejected new charges for sportsfield, use, but were open to looking at charging more for commercial usage of parks.

Revenue opportunities for boards are limited, with fixed community leases and strict regulations about signage on parks.

Commercial lease money for the likes of Narrow Neck Cafe on a reserve is returned to central council, despite the board being the landholder.

Harpur said this was wrong. Talk of council devolving responsibility to more-empowered boards was only talk when it came without the wherewithal to back up landholder decison-making.

Maintenance of its large number of heritage assets is another burden that falls heavily on the board in this area.

Targeted rates have been suggested by staff as a way to raise money for particular spending, but the process is protracted and the idea unpopular. Harpur said it might be acceptable if for a new long-term asset.

A council review is identifying assets boards might sell, but this offers little prospect of early budgetary relief.

Staff will return in September with more information to guide future budget debate, which Wood said was “pretty daunting”.

Local rates-arrears up by more than 30 per cent on 2024

Rates arrears on properties in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area have soared by more than 30 per cent in the last year, rising from $2.6 million to $3.4 million.

The number of properties affected is up nearly 20 per cent, from 837 in July 2024 to 998 at the same time this year, Auckland Council figures show.

Council head of rates, data and revaluation Rhonwen Heath said council knew the cost of living had increased for Auckland households “and rates bills might have become more difficult to manage, for many”. Properties were formally in arrears when

rates had not been fully paid by 30 June.

The council’s financial year has just ended. “Many rates arrears are often cleared around this time of year, therefore current figures are likely to reduce further,” Heath said.

Council could often work through payment plans to help clear rates, but as a last resort takes legal action.

If an owner has a mortgage, rates can be recovered from the lending institution.

Banks often communicated with their customers regarding a council notice of intention to demand payment. The issue was often resolved before court action was required.

In the last six months, “there were no Devonport-Takapuna properties with unpaid rates that progressed to court proceedings,” Heath said.

Anyone concerned about paying their rates was encouraged to get in touch with council. “We have a range of assistance available.”

In 2024, rates arrears were recovered from lenders for 1.38 per cent of all Auckland ratepayers (8588 properties).

Assistance available includes a government-funded rates rebate scheme and a rates postponement scheme for residential properties.

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TGS students take chance to shine at Winter Lights

Ruby Jacobs entertains at the Takapuna Winter Lights festival last weekend. She was among Takapuna Grammar School music and dance students who performed during the annual event, run over four evenings. The free festival attracted more than 60,000 people to Hurstmere Rd and Waiwharariki Anzac Square to enjoy light installations. After traffic and crowd issues last year, tickets for specific time slots were introduced, with 57,500 allocated, helping spread numbers from Friday and Saturday into Thursday and Sunday sessions. Late walk-ins led to the record attendance, said organiser the Takapuna Beach Business Association.

PICTURE: GRACE WATSON

Happy Birthday, Hanoi Haven

Takapuna’s Hanoi Haven celebrates one year of Vietnamese culinary excellence

Takapuna’s favourite Vietnamese eatery, Hanoi Haven, is officially one year young — and they’re celebrating the only way they know how: with flavour, fun, and a feast to remember!

To mark this delicious milestone, Hanoi Haven is launching an exciting new menu packed with bold, modern Vietnamese dishes that will have your taste buds dancing. From fresh takes on favourites to brand-new flavour bombs, it’s a whole new reason to fall in love with this local gem all over again.

And here’s the real kicker — for one night only, Hanoi Haven is throwing a birthday bash dinner featuring a special celebratory set menu, showcasing the best of their new creations (with

a few classics thrown in, of course). It’s the perfect excuse to gather your foodie crew, raise a spicy margarita, and toast to one incredible year of unforgettable eats. Seats are limited, so book now and get ready to party, Hanoi Haven-style.

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Belmont pupils fly the flags in parade

Around 200 Belmont Primary School children – almost half of the roll – represented 45 countries in the school’s annual parade of nations last week.

“It’s a great way for our children, teachers and community to learn more about the range of cultural backgrounds represented within our school,” said principal Peter Thorne.

No action on tree removal despite unanimous vote

Council staff have yet to take action to remove and replace two street trees that leave footpaths dangerously slippery and block drains on Anne St, Devonport.

“We make resolutions and expect they are followed through,” said Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Mel Powell, after Auckland Council staff told the Flagstaff they had yet to lodge a resource consent to implement the board’s unanimous decision in May.

Council Urban Forest Arboriculture and Ecology manager David Stejskal last week told the paper a resource consent had not been lodged. A consent is needed because the trees are more than four metres tall.

“Staff are still working with the local board to clarify the scope and feasibility of the project before any application is progressed,’” he said. Informal advice on budgets had been shared for “potential works”.

Stejskal said no formal technical reports had been prepared. “An update will be provided once next steps are confirmed.”

Asked whether progress would be made before local body elections ended this board’s term, he said: “That is currently uncertain. Timeframes will depend on outcome of further discussion and the board’s direction.”

Powell said the matter needed to be addressed so everyone could move on. She understood a $7810 budget the board allocated for their removal would be enough.

“It’s frustrating for us if the staff is just dragging it out until the next term,” she said. “We’ve grappled with this all term. It’s frustrating if that goes into a new term and essentially gets relitigated.”

Residents have long called for the removal of the trees. Council arborists wanted them retained.

Before the May vote, the Tree Council urged its members to petition to keep them.

Powell said she had personally anguished over supporting removal.

Earlier in the board’s term, previous chair Toni van Tonder used her casting vote to keep the trees when the board split 3-3. Peter Allen has changed his mind since, with Gavin Busch, George Wood and. Terence Harpur having supported removal throughout.

The board split after being told Healthy Waters was investigating stormwater work on the street which might have lessened flood risk, but that work is not proceeding.

In a bid to resolve the matter, Busch and Wood moved in May that the trees be replaced with natives. The motion was passed unanimously.

The lack of action since then raises questions about how much say local boards have in such cases.

Development suggestions draw public attention

Plenty of interest has been stirred in development possibilities for the Devonport town centre after a panel discussion attended by nearly 100 people last month.

Depot director Amy Saunders said town centre models had drawn extra visitors to its 3 Victoria Rd gallery.

The main model has now been moved to Devonport Library, where the local architects behind the exercise hope it will prompt further discussion.

A range of perspectives were presented by six panellists at the Provoking Architecture Devonport talk at the RSA on Sunday 19 July.

Greater intensification to enliven the village and a greater embracing of Maori heritage were among suggestions.

Devonport Heritage co-chair Margot McRae questioned the need for change, suggesting any framing that there was a problem to be fixed in Devonport was not valid. Its heritage was a strong suit to be cherished and protected.

Other speakers acknowledged the value of heritage, while welcoming ideas such as a higher local population and offering more affordable housing options in the area.

Local architects Julie Stout and Ken Davis, who arranged for fourth year Auckland University architecture students to work on the project, were thrilled with the turnout.

Stout said a steady stream of people visited the Victoria Rd gallery specifically to see the models.

“Generally, it’s been very positive, but

sometimes there’s been a bit of confusion.”

Models included greater building heights than are permitted in the town centre. These are currently capped at 9m (two storeys along Victoria Rd and 13m (three to four storeys) on the back streets, with the aim being to avoid dominance over heritage buildings or the compromising of maunga view shafts.

Stout said builds of up to four or five storeys were shown in some models to demonstrate possibilities that good design might achieve without undue negative impacts.

Students had been encouraged to test ideas to see if the area could accommodate greater heights. “It’s an exercise.”

She hoped discussions would continue in the community.

ALBANY HEAT PUMPS

Chilly plunge helps raise funds for good cause

Colleagues and friends joined Linda Simmons (in red cap) last Thursday morning for a dip at Duders Beach, raising money for the Kenzie’s Gift charity.

Founded by Devonport local Nic Russell in memory of her daughter Kenzie, who died from cancer at the age of 3, the national charity supports the mental health of young Kiwis affected by serious illness or grief. Simmons, a real estate agent with Bayleys, aimed to take the plunge every day in July and raise $50,000 for the cause.

New Belmont Park courts slated for

new year build after $300k grant

Three new tennis courts will be built at Belmont Park Racquets Club this season after a $300,000 Auckland Council grant towards the project came through last week.

The club now has nearly $500,000 towards the $650,000 project, with construction to start in January 2026 and finish by April that year, club president Graeme Norman said.

Around $130,000 of the project cost is lighting.

If the full amount couldn’t be raised, the club would proceed with the $50,000 of underground work for lighting first, and complete the above-ground work when money became available.

The new courts will be created on former Belmont Park Bowling Club greens which were transferred to the racquets club as they were no longer in use.

The project will mean the club has ten tennis courts. It plans to bring pickleball to the club at some stage, Norman said.

After several years out of the top North Shore competition, Belmont is hoping to field a Chelsea Cup team this season.

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Top young athletes shine in peninsula races

Close to 200 of Devonport’s up-and-coming running stars contested the annual peninsula primary school cross-country races at Fort Takapuna last Wednesday.

Results

Year 4 girls: Lillian Morgan (Hau)1; Sophia Walmsley (Dev) 2; Isla Snow (Hau) 3.

4 boys: Patrick McGuigan (Dev)1; Tom Misur (Hau) 2; Luke Nielsen (Bel) 3.

Year 5 girls: Harpur Bennie (Bel )1; Bel Tyler (Bel) 2; Aurelia Lane (Vaux) 3.

Year 5 boys: August Downer (Bel) 1; Leo Bodle (Bel) 2; Christian Martin (Bel) 3.

Year 6 girls: Isla Nielsen (Bel )1; Winter Dustin (Bel) 2; Margaux Sumner-Brown (SB) 3.

(Key: Bel, Belmont Primary School; Dev, Devonport Primary School; Hau, Hauraki School; SB, Stanley Bay School; Vaux, Vauxhall School.)

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Mate alongside mate… Belmont Primary had a clean sweep in the Year 5 boys race. Winner August Downer is flanked by third-placed Christian Martin (left) and runner-up Leo Bodle

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Year 6 boys: Aucktons Sudang (Hau)1; Viktor Havranek (Hau) 2; Hugo Nordstrand (Bel) 3.

They’re off… The starts of the Year 5 girls race (above) and the Year 5 boys (below)

Winning girls... (from top) Hauraki School’s Lillian Morgan (Year 4), Belmont Primary’s Harpur Bennie (Year 5) and Isla Nielsen (Year 6)

Hauraki heroes... Aucktons Sudsang (right) placed first and Viktor Havranek second in the Year 6 boys race

Board chair’s departure leaves just one of ruling faction to stand again

A new chair will lead the DevonportTakapuna Local Board after the upcoming elections.

In a surprise move, current chair Mel Powell is not standing for re-election.

She took the role after the previous chair, Toni van Tonder, resigned mid-term to move to Queensland.

Deputy chair Terence Harpur is the only sitting board member on the A Fresh Approach ticket of six candidates for the six board seats.

The group’s third current board member, Peter Allen, has also chosen not to stand for a second term. He says he intends focusing on his businesses.

environmental advocate Karleen Reeve; community advocate Karin Horen; and business owner Lewis Rowe.

Competition for the ticket includes the established Communities and Residents (C&R) North Shore group, which in late June announced a slate of six candidates, including sitting board members George Wood and Gavin Busch.

Mel Powell

Powell is returning to community development work. “It was a difficult decision to make and it has been a privilege to serve the community,” she said.

Flood recovery advocacy almost convinced her to stay, but she had decided her skills were better deployed in issues off the board, including homelessness.

A Fresh Approach won a 4-2 majority in the 2022 election, but was left with three members when van Tonder, who had been chair, stood down at the beginning of this year. Powell became chair on her departure and had the casting vote.

Despite losing three of its four successful candidates from three years ago, the group, which launches its campaign this week, says it aims to secure all six board seats.

The five candidates standing alongside Harpur are: town planner Scott MacArthur; accessibility advocate Kimberly Graham;

One of them, Devonport banker Phil McGivern, withdrew due to a new career opportunity and was replaced last month by company director and chartered accountant Kamini Schoonbee. Others on the ticket are company director Mike Single, who was the highest polling unsuccessful candidate in 2022; housewife and student Kaumosi Opie; and engineer Neil Zent.

Further candidates had until 1 August to register to run for board seats.

The next issue of the Flagstaff will carry the full list of contenders.

Candidates’ biographical details and election meeting coverage will run in an election feature ahead of voting. Postal ballots are distributed from 9 September and voting closes on 11 October.

Harpur, who is the Takapuna Beach Business Association (TBBA) chief executive, said the A Fresh Approach lineup featured community leaders with experience across varied fields. No decisions had been made around post-election roles should the ticket win control of the board.

The group was “proudly apolitical”, said Harpur. “We’re not tied to any ideology –we’re accountable only to our community.”

Fifth life-saver in village

A fifth defibrillator is being installed in Devonport village – upstairs at 9 Wynyard St. The defibrillator will be in the firstfloor foyer outside the Devonport Physio and Pilates premises. Defibrillators are already publicly accessible at Devonport Library, Devonport New World, Barfoot & Thompson and the Ferry Terminal. The Wynyard St building owners, Julie and Michael Gannaway, said they decided to install the device due to the number of members of the public accessing the building.

State houses sold

Two former state houses sold in Kerr St for a total of $2 million recently. A onebedroom unit fetched $900000, and a two-bedroom home $1,120,000. Kainga Ora is rationalising its housing stock across Auckland, with the collection of homes in Kerr St deemed surplus to requirements. A three-bedroom house is also for sale. Tenants are also being moved out of three other houses, to be sold later. Money from the sales will go towards new state-house builds.

Hotel fails warrant

The Esplanade Hotel failed its building warrant audit on 15 July but council says the infringements are minor and pose no public safety risk. Its field surveying manager for building consents, Jeff Fahrensohn, said the failure was “due to some relatively minor issues in relation to documentation, signage on smoke doors and adjusting a self-closer of one of the smoke doors.“These do not present a major safety risk to the public and the owners have been given reasonable time to address the issues.”

Stepping aside...

By Rob Drent

In tough economic times, it’s always easy to focus on the problems facing businesses. Devonport businesses are certainly not immune to the challenges, with hospitality and retail facing the double whammy of rising costs and decreasing sales as customers hang on to their dollars.

But of course there are wider ways of measuring the health of a suburb: looking at sports clubs and community groups, for example.

Both sectors are vibrant and thriving. Depot Artspace has expanded onto Victoria Rd, and the Devonport Community House and Rose Centre in Belmont are humming with a range of events, as is the Victoria Theatre.

Both tennis clubs are in rude good health: Ngataringa recently won Tennis Northern club of the year and Belmont Park is pressing ahead with three new courts. Auckland Council is looking again at development plans for North Shore United Football Club.

The redeveloped community gym at Devonport Squash Club has proved a great success. The North Shore Rugby Club and North Shore Cricket Club are a long way down the track to redevelop the former Devonport Bowling Club into a women’s facility.

The rugby club’s success as a community organisation was on full display during its finals weekend: hosting a crowd of more than 2500, offering food, beverages and entertainment for kids along with the top-drawer rugby. While other rugby clubs in the North Harbour union struggle to stay

afloat, North Shore is thriving. That’s despite its geographical isolation and the negative of some players having to negotiate Lake Rd to get to practices. Good management has been the key: a strong committee, with a mixture of old hands and young energy has made the club a true community asset, appreciated by senior and junior players alike.

While local government has become much more centralised under Auckland Council, clubs and community groups seem stronger than ever – with a sense of purpose and commitment that remains true to the spirit of Devonport dating back more than 150 years.

It truly is a village in a city. Local people are still running the show.

Another milestone is about to occur in Devonport with the retirement of John Ashton, the owner of New World for 25 years.

Being proprietor of the only supermarket in town is probably one of the most demanding of tasks: everyone shops there and has their own preferences and criticisms.

The store has 22,000 stock units, but it’s impossible to stock everything. I’ve always been impressed with the meat quality and in my drinking days found the craft beer selection was excellent, but would have liked more Asian condiments.

It was Ashton’s hands-on approach that set him apart. From his office on the second floor he could survey the whole of the supermarket floor, which he regularly did. I was in the office once picking up an advertisement when he spotted a shoplifter in an aisle. Security was quickly summoned. Ashton has been fastidious about cleanliness and hygiene standards. Customers would regularly chat to him in the aisles as he checked stock levels. It will never be known how much he gave away to schools and community groups but I suspect it’s in the millions. He never wanted to publicise how much he gave.

He was also generous to his staff, many of them new migrants who Ashton helped

gain work and residency. One from Russia became for a time Ashton’s right-hand man at the store, until he took over his own Four Square at Snells Beach – with Ashton’s help, I suspect.

If problems arose, Ashton dealt with them personally in his own – often very forthright – manner. An old squash mate this week recalled buying a sourdough loaf at the store and thinking it might have mice droppings in it. When he returned it, Ashton handled the issue personally. The offending material was found to be a piece of olive.

Ashton’s style of supermarket ownership will be difficult to replicate.

I hope the move to community use of Takapuna Grammar School’s upgraded pool – with access allowed to squads run by the Devonport Swim club – extends in years to come. There’s an opportunity for it to become a real community asset. I’m taking my three-year-old grandson to swimming lessons on Saturdays at the Kelston Girls High School pool at New Lynn. It is hooked up with a commercial operation, the Dean Greenwood Swim School, which from my experience is very community minded and comparatively cheap. It offers squad training at various times, swimming lessons for all ages and holiday programmes.

A small bouquet to Auckland Transport: after blocking off our street with cones but not doing anything, they are back, this time with a note through the letterbox explaining that the footpath is about to be replaced. Thanks for the advance warning, but I’m still not sure why there was a false start.

The new shopping block at Belmont with apartments above and behind is opening with a nice nod to the past. The Fresh Market fruit and vegetable shop has taken a spot in the development not far from where Bill Rimmer’s fruit shop served locals for decades.

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Devonport grocer checks out after 25 years

John Ashton remembers the day like it was yesterday – 25 September, 2014. Devonport New World at 6.30am. A heart attack.

“It happened so suddenly, I grabbed hold of the checkout counter, I thought if I went down I’d die.”

A quadruple coronary bypass followed and a time of reflection and change.

“I credit the heart attack with saving my life,” he says. “Fifty per cent of people who have heart attacks do not survive. It made me think about work-life balance.”

He changed his diet markedly and cut back his working hours. His days are now more like 7am to 3pm.

He exercises “365 days a year – on a spin bike in front of the TV”.

But Ashton never thought about giving up work. “You’ve had an incident that has

put you close to the other side, but you want to come back stronger and have a point to prove that you’re not finished yet.”

He carried on as the Devonport New World owner-operator for another 11 years. But 17 August is Ashton’s last day.

Nothing special is planned at the store.

“It’ll just be a normal working day,” Ashton says matter-of-factly. The store will close early, at 7 pm, so stocktaking and the like can be taken care of for new owners James and Claire Varcoe, formerly of Onerahi New World in Whangarei.

Ashton has just turned 72, and has clocked up 25 years at Devonport New World, having taken over from Blue Secker in 2000.

“I actually decided to call it a day when I was 71, but it takes some time to get things

sorted out.”

The new owners had to be found and the business handed over, but Ashton now looks forward to what the future holds.

“I wanted to have time to do some other things in my life, like overseas travel, family and social work.”

He and wife Jo are planning a trip to Europe, focusing on Greece, Italy and England.

In the social work sphere, Ashton is aiming to help the Little Sisters of the Poor in Ponsonby, a charity which receives no government funding.

Ashton was born and bred in Huntly, attending Huntly College. His first job was working in the “Ford and BMW car business” in Hamilton.

But he was drawn to people and retail. He bought his first grocery store in Paeroa in

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Moving on... New World owner John Ashton and wife Jo, who are leaving this month

1990, a Four Square with five staff. When the Flagstaff interviewed him last week, he could remember them all by name.

He bought the Morrinsville New World in 1996 and stayed there for 18 months before continuing his move up the Foodstuffs chain, buying the Matamata New World.

He recalls it was while he was in Matamata that supermarkets were able to extend the sales range to include alcohol. “I remember as a first step buying a beer fridge so I could sell cold beer to the tradies.”

His next move was to Devonport, buying the New World and a house just around the corner in Calliope Rd.

In 2000, the supermarket had 105 staff. That has grown to 132 full- and part-timers. The store carries more than 22,000 different stock units.

“It’s a lot to look after,” Ashton says.

In the early years Ashton was working six days a week, starting at 6 am and going through to 8 pm, changing the store to suit his standards and building his team. “They were heavy days.”

The store has been revamped four times during his 25 years, introducing major changes to the produce, butchery, deli, seafood, bakery and wine departments.

The supermarket lines have reflected changing eating habits.

“Free range and organic products have become very popular.”

Gluten-free items have increased to meet customers’ dietary needs, while craft beer options have mushroomed in the liquor aisle. Two years ago the store launched a “well-being” area of specialist food products.

Another innovation was the June 2021 introduction of pensioner discount day, offering seniors 5 per cent off on a Tuesday. It has grown so popular, customers come from Takapuna, Glenfield, Browns Bay, Auckland City and Waiheke Island.

“It was an instant hit and has become one of the busiest days in the supermarket,” says Ashton.

“What is wonderful about the day is that people come in for their shopping and also the fellowship. You often see people stand-

ing around talking.

“What’s so special about our local community is that everybody knows everybody else in Devonport.”

He remembers the Covid lockdown as “challenging for the staff” but adds that Devonport people “were very compliant and understood quickly the rules around social distancing.

“It was difficult times but I think everyone got used to it in the end.”

The hardest aspect as a store owner was the availability of stock: Covid toilet paper runs were one thing, but sudden sugar and flour shortages were taxing.

Ashton and Jo would often find themselves driving to Pack’nSave supermarkets in Wairau Park and Silverdale to buy as much flour and sugar as they could to keep Devonport New World supplied.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure and an honour to be a grocer to the Devonport community and to be involved in the different societies and clubs and fundraising events that Devonport New World has been able to help with.”

Ashton has always been coy about the amounts he has donated to the community over the years, and always refused to publicise any donations or their amounts in the Flagstaff advertising he ran in his early years.

However, he doesn’t bat an eyelid when I suggest the donations must have run into the millions over the last 25 years.

Publicity and promotion “should not be the reason” for donations, he says. “It is a gift to the community. It’s something I’ve done because I wanted to be involved.”

He believes that “all businesses, including local businesses, should have a social conscience”.

Ashton ended up moving to Milford to give himself a bit of separation from the store.

“I think about work on the way in and on the drive back I reflect on my day. Living around the corner was great, but it was too much of a trap to pop into work to finish something off.”

New World Devonport is well known for its staff coming from all over the world. Ashton has helped hundreds of recent immigrants from Russia, China, India, Ukraine, the Philippines and other nations to become permanent residents, leading to citizenship.

“They have a job here and get a start.” Recently he’s sponsored seven Sudanese students into New Zealand – “most of whom have worked at Devonport New World”.

Additionally, “lots of local kids have started their working lives with a job at the Devonport New World checkout or grocery department”.

Ashton wishes the new owners all the best and is confident he leaves behind a highly functioning store “with a wonderful staff”. He says he will miss the job but more so his interactions with the community: he still loves walking the aisles, talking to customers, hearing about their lives and what is going on in Devonport. “I’ve always been about the community.”

Ashton has seen the advent of upmarket food retailers such as Farro and online food services including Woop and Hello Fresh. The supermarket field generally has a more corporatised feel than in years gone by, but Ashton still regards his career in traditional terms. “I’m a business owner and a director, all those things, but the bottom line is I’m John Ashton. I’m a grocer. End of story.”

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North Shore ‘Pride’ sees off old foe to claim

A crowd of more than 2500 watched North Shore premiers beat Takapuna to win the North Harbour rugby title

A 33-15 victory for North Shore Rugby Club over Takapuna to claim its third North Harbour Championship in a row looks more comfortable on paper than it did in reality.

The match delivered true finals football with not an inch given by either side. At 2615 down late in the match, Takapuna were still in with a chance before a runaway try by Shore winger Rory Taylor put the game beyond doubt.

Takapuna were the underdogs, particularly in the absence of its Moana Pasifika players Sam Moli and the Inisi brothers Lotu and Fine. But they played with such determination Shore had to work hard throughout.

Shore had moments of dominance in the first half: one mighty shunt by the green-andwhite pack pushed Takapuna off the ball and seemed to herald the beginning of the end for the visitors. But the Takapuna forwards regrouped and mostly held their own against the Shore eight.

Takapuna seemed livelier at times, and were happy to chance their arm in counterattacks.

However, the well-oiled Shore machine absorbed the pressure in what was a comprehensive team performance.

Lineout throws were cleanly taken, tackles made and touch finders carved off territory, while errors such as knock-ons and turnovers conceded were virtually eliminated.

Well drilled and superbly fit, Shore wasn’t going away empty-handed in 2025.

The home side led 14-8 at halftime, but Takapuna scored straight after the break to

Shore eight set the platform

The Shore pack was never bested throughout 2025, and the final against Takapuna was no exception.

Congratulations to North Shore Rugby on your well-deserved win

1 Earnoch Avenue, Takapuna northshore@parliament.govt.nz 09 486 0005 simonwattsmp

From its rock-solid front row, led by Moana Pasifika Super Rugby player Sione Mafileo at prop, to its workaholic loose forwards, the eight set the platform for Shore’s explosive backs.

Two club centurions, lock Rex Pollock (113 games) and number eight and captain Donald Coleman (110), were on hand to nurture some of the younger players, such as flanker Liam Sturm in his first premiers season.

The depth of the Shore forwards was brought home when the home side could bring on prop and North Harbour rep Sam Davies when Vaivaihefolau Kailahi was injured and later introduce influential 100-plus game veteran Leigh Thompson to help see the home side home to glory.

Solid in the set pieces… (from left) Leigh Thompson, Rex Pollock and Liam Sturm prepare to secure more lineout ball

Focused and determined… Shore captain Donald Coleman leads his team onto the field for the final

Authorised by Simon Watts MP, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

North Shore Champions

record-breaking third title in succession

jump to a 15-14 lead.

No panic or jitters were evident from Shore, though, as it rolled out its heavy-hitting forward reserves bench of Senio Pulega, Naryan Strickland, Leigh Thompson and Liam Sturm. North Harbour prop Sam Davies had already entered the fray in the first half as a replacement for Vaivaihefolau Kailahi.

As the half wore on, Shore took on the look of true champions – unbending, committed and purposeful without being rash.

Tiny chinks emerged in the Takapuna armour, enough for Ned Pene to burrow over for a try near the posts, and Rory Taylor to score his second and a third near the death, with a clear run in from a Sturm pass against a rapidly tiring Takapuna.

Shore scored five tries to two, which was slightly flattering for the winners, but showed how well they took their opportunities.

Their effort was personified by captain Donald Coleman in his 113th match: he tackled and carried with his usual aplomb,

but with the patience of someone who wanted to be part of a historic win rather than just a few flashy breaks.

Lake Rd was clogged for hours prior to the premiers and premier reserve finals between Shore and Takapuna. Estimates put the crowd at between 2500 and 3000.

Whatever the exact figure, it was certainly one of the largest turnouts to a match at Vauxhall Rd. The enthusiasm of the boys and girls on the sideline, who massed around the premiers after the win, was a standout.

As has become a tradition, the Shore side celebrated at the Signal Hill bar and restaurant on the Sunday after the match.

Shore’s new mascot, Buck the Hairy Goat, can rest easy over summer, with the championship trophy safely back in the cabinet.

• Six North Shore players have played in all the last three championship-winning finals: Tyler Beary, Donald Coleman, Cam Howell, Brad McNaughten, Rex Pollock and Hunter Rice.

Forward power... Shore lock Kauri Enoka on the charge

SEASON STATS

TOP POINTS SCORER: Oscar Koller (128: 8 tries, 35 conversions and 6 penalties) TOP TRY SCORERS: Rory Taylor and Truman Cuff (9 each) GAMES BREAKDOWN Pool play: vs Kumeu, won 59-3 vs Takapuna won 48-17 vs East Coast Bays won 23-5 vs Mahurangi won 97-12 vs Helensville won 65-0 vs Silverdale won 85-0 vs Northcote won 41-10 vs Massey won 31-24 vs Takapuna lost 39-7 vs Mahurangi won 29-15 vs East Coast Bays won 47-12 vs Silverdale lost 15-16 (Shore finished top after pool play)

North Shore Champions

Mate against mate delivered wonderful occasion

It’s often stated that Devonport is “the cradle of New Zealand sport”. Apart from the 152-year-old North Shore RFC, here you’ll also find the country’s first cricket, soccer and (until the early 2000s) rugby league clubs.

Sailing, rowing, golf, horse-racing and tennis clubs were also amongst the first established in New Zealand.

We love our sport in Devonport and the North Harbour premier championship finals featuring, the union’s two best clubs, Takapuna and North Shore, was a wonderful occasion.

Like all sports, rugby has many celebrated rivalries and here in North Harbour it’s Shore v Taka, mate against mate, a superb local derby.

Whenever these teams meet only the foolhardy forecast the result. Since Harbour began in 1985, Takapuna, established in 1934, has been our union’s most successful club.

They have contested 25 premier finals, winning 13. During the 1990s they won on seven consecutive occasions.

When both clubs were part of the Auckland Rugby Union, Takapuna twice won the Gallaher Shield (in 1940 and 1980).

North Shore almost matches Takapuna’s results. We won the Auckland Championship in 1899 and since North Harbour began,

Looking back… Max Webb reflects on a day to celebrate

we’ve contested 21 finals, winning 10 premier championships.

The premier reserves curtain-raiser was for the Jim Stuart Cup, a fitting memorial of one of Shore’s and Harbour’s most hardworking members. Jim was North Harbour’s first president.

Taka and Shore’s premier reserve teams put on their best performances. North Shore, in this grade, is by far the union’s most successful team. They were determined to secure their 15th championship, but it wasn’t to be. Taka tenaciously held on for a 27-24 win to secure their fourth championship.

The North Shore premiers returned the favour in the main game.

Although Takapuna had secured a onepoint win during pool play, this time they weren’t able to contain Shore’s relentless forward pressure and hard-running backs.

Takapuna gave everything they had, but the best team on the day won their third championship in a row, 33-15 on the hallowed Vauxhall Reserve.

If you’re among those folk who are disillusioned by the formulaic professional game, Devonport was the place to be last Saturday.

These matches were a passionate celebration of our great game.

The huge crowd of boisterous supporters resplendent in blue and gold, or green and white, had a great time.

Thanks to both clubs and all who put in the hard work to organise the day.

We’re all grateful to the North Harbour Rugby Union for once again bringing the most important club games of the season back to where they belong, in the “cradle of rugby”, our amateur community clubs.

Max Webb

Co-Author Cmon Shore – 150 years of the North Shore Rugby Football Club

Ka mau te wehi

North Shore Rugby

North Shore Champions

Clincher… Rory Taylor shows a clean pair of heels for the late try which put the match to bed

Elusive… Shore’s Truman Cuff steps a would-be tackler. Right: Cam Howell lines up a sideline coversion. Below: Tyler Beary goes high on defence.

North Shore Champions

Shore triumph wins national exposure in test preamble

News of Shore’s championship win was broadcast to a national audience when Sky’s Joey Wheeler interviewed the club’s young J1 captain Jake Tucks in the crowd before the All Blacks-France test in Hamilton that evening. An impassioned Jake was surrounded by teammates and supporters, who took in the international as part of a Shore ‘Leavers’ tour to the Waikato.

Satisfied coach Hinchco credits

James Hinchco had double reasons to celebrate last week: not only was he involved in the coaching team that took the premiers to three titles, numerous players made it into the North Harbour provincial squad on his watch this year.

His own coaching future though is somewhat unclear.

“I’m in negotiations with my wife over that,” he said. “Undecided is a good way of putting it.”

Hinchco was an assistant coach under Rua Tipoki when Shore won the title in 2023, taking over as head coach for the past two years.

“I’ve loved it. It’s been awesome to be part of the group and the effort the wider club has put in has been amazing. It’s hugely satisfying to win three titles in a row, which has never been done before by us.”

However, he has a young family and the coaching commitment was hugely time-consuming. Whatever happens, “I’ll still be involved with the club in some way”.

control and ‘Buck

Broad shoulders... James Hinchco congratulates first-five Cam Howell as his daughter Solène enjoys the view from above

Hinchco was pleased the three championship wins had perhaps helped to win wider recognition for a number of top players, particularly captain Donald Coleman, who has been one of the best forwards in club football for a number of years.

“We put him at number eight this year, hoping it would promote him into a North Harbour frame, so it’s great he’s got there.”

Hinchco watched the final again last week on video and was impressed by the control and maturity of his side.

Runs’

“We built into the game, applied pressure and took our opportunities when they were there.”

The premiers had a great backline with the potential to score a lot of points, so it was tempting to get carried away and try too much too early in the game.

“We dropped a couple of games this season and learned from that.”

While it was an overall team win, Hinchco noted the contribution of locks Kauri Enoka and Rex Pollock. “They were massive for us, taking five or six lineouts against the throw.”

Fitness was Shore’s trump card. Pre-season, the team had asked trainer Dean Rice to set them the hardest programme he could, Hinchco said.

One of its staples was the “Buck Run” – from the club, up Maungauika, around the streets, up Takarunga, down Calliope Rd to the waterfront and then back to the clubrooms.

The hard work paid dividends. “We were the fittest team in the competition,” Hinchco said.

Matches were often close at half-time, but Shore would “blow out” in the second half. And so it transpired in the grand final, when Shore finally snuffed out Takapuna’s hopes in the last ten minutes.

North Shore Champions

NORTH HARBOUR NORTH HARBOUR

and

Hard fought...The North Shore premiers squad

supporters enjoy the moments after the final. The starting Rex Pollock, Ned Pene, Will Bason, Brad McNaughten, Cam Howell, Tyler Beary, Rory Taylor, Tima Faingaanuku, Sam Davies, Leigh Thompson, Liam Sturm, Manahi Tipoki and Jackson Savage.

Coaches and support staff – Coaches: Chris Davies, James Hinchco, Alan Pollock, Chris Davies and Jason Ross. Managers: Mike Warmington, Ball kids: Chloe O’Neill, Chloe Southwell, Nina Craighead, Rhiannon McAnally, Catherine Sturgess-Taylor, Rose Taingahue

CHAMPIONS 2025 CHAMPIONS 2025

starting XV were Vavaihefolau Kalahi, James Fairbairn Sione Mafile’o, Donald Coleman, (captain), Kauri Enoka, Faingaanuku, Truman Cuff and Hunter Rice. On the substitutes bench were: Senio Pulega, Naryan Strickland,

Warmington, Mike Simpson and Dan Featherstone. Trainer: Dean Rice. Gear: Ray Yeung. Physios: Natalie Parlane and Sophie Rhodes.

Swamped by the fans… veteran forward Leigh Thompson (centre) punches the air in celebration as the young Shore faithful engulf the winning side

Making history… Footage of young sideline supporters is captured by film-maker Colin

who is making a documentary about Devonport

Sideline support… (from left) Dani Ballard, Lily Parkes and Alice Delaney fly the flag. Right: official ball girls (from left) Chloe Southwell, Nina Craighead and Rhiannon McAnally.

McRae,

North Shore Champions

Loving it... Members of the North Shore squad and supporters celebrate as captain Donald Coleman raises the trophy

Right: Ardent Shore fans react as Ned Pene scores in the second half

HIGHER HONOURS

A strong contingent of North Shore players won selection in the North Harbour NPC squad for 2025. Sam Davies, Sione Mafile’o, Donald Coleman, Cam Howell, Oscar Koller and Hunter Rice were regular Shore players this season, while Australian Patrick Pellegrini of the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby franchise, who has registered with North Shore, and injured duo James Fiebig and Lochie McNair, were also selected.

North Shore Champions

Hardy veteran Pollock ‘might have one more’ in him

Shore veteran Rex Pollock says he’s undecided if he will play in 2026, but found the 2025 season was so enjoyable “I might have one more in me”.

The hard-carrying lock and lineout mainstay said the team was a great group. “Everyone put in the hard yards [in training] which allowed us to enjoy the footy.”

The coaching group of James Hinchco, Chris Davies, Jason Ross and his dad Alan Pollock had been together for the past two years, “which meant they could develop things over a period of time”.

Almost all of the players from 2025 were planning to return in 2026, said Pollock, who played his 113th premier game for Shore in the final.

Fitness was a large part of the Shore ethos and part of the reason his body “seems to be holding together” at the age of 32.

“[Trainer] Dean Rice can take full credit for that. He’s always there – off-season, pre-season and during the season – helping out the boys,” Pollock said. Shore’s gym was a “huge asset” for the club.

He described the third consecutive cham-

pionship as a great team effort “in a really tough match” that hung in the balance for 60 minutes.

The match was a hard grind up front, but the forwards were happy with their set pieces, which provided some opportunities for the backs – “who took them”.

He was happy the club and community could celebrate a three-year winning era that was rarely achieved.

Pollock first played for the premiers in 2015 and won his maiden championship in 2023. “We do not win them all.”

A captain’s knock and NPC selection for Coleman

Shore captain Donald Coleman has enjoyed a year of firsts: his first decent stint at number eight, first time as a three-in-a-row championship winner and first time picked in the North Harbour NPC team.

“It’s been just awesome,” the 27-year-old told the Flagstaff. “I wasn’t expecting to play for Harbour this year – I was just doing my thing.”

He remains committed to club success. “Winning the third championship in a row was just fantastic... I’ll be back next year and hopefully we can win four – or even five in a row.”

Coleman had his first full season as a premiers number eight after playing mainly at flanker and a brief stint at hooker. He was heavier and faster in 2025: going up from 9597kg to 102-103kg, but with his quickness sharpened by Dean Rice’s torrid pre-season programme. “I reckon number 8 suits my game – I can get my hands on the ball more and rugby seems to be shifting to having two number sevens on the field.”

Coleman played his 110th premiers game in the final.

Combative… it often took a few Takapuna defenders to stop Donald Coleman

Special moments... Rex Pollock in action during the final (left) and being handed his baby daughter Coco (11 months) by his father Alan, one of Shore’s coaching team

Exclusive: Butting heads with Buck the Hairy Goat

Congratulations on your first season as the Shore mascot. Were you surprised Buck the Hairy Goat would be so popular?

Not really. Everyone loves an old goat who stays faithful to Shore.

Given your esteemed position, did you do a lot of prep for the final?

I did actually. I was in the Shore gym with trainer Dean Rice on a regular basis. I do around 10,000 steps per game – more than some of our props – so I had to build up the fitness. Flexibility and balance are also important. Going for a gutser in the mud on the sideline in front of the Takapuna supporters wouldn’t be a good look.

How did you handle the barracking from the Takapuna fans?

In the second half, some of the young fellas were giving me a bit of a hard time. But I spotted a nice bit of grass on the pitch and bent over to check it out, which happened to give them a view of a goat’s hindquarters.

Tell us something the public doesn’t know about what it’s like to be a hairy goat. It’s as hot as Hades in the costume. Much more heat and I’d be in danger of becoming goat curry.

What was the highlight of the final? Obviously, the win. Shore is the pride of the Union! I loved being filmed by Colin McRae with all the young kids for the documentary on Devonport he is making. Obviously, a G.O.A.T. deserves its place in history.

You were supposed to have a half-time race against another mascot, but that didn’t happen?

I think I scared him off to be fair.

There’s rumour circulating that given your popularity, you are being targeted for a greater role at the club. Can you give us the exclusive?

Well some would say a couple of less handsome old goats, Chris Tankard and Simon Gundry, need to be put out to pasture and some fresh talent recruited for the after-match speeches. I’m open to offers, put it that way. The future is bright for Buck the Hairy Goat.

North Shore Champions

Forward dominance seals deal for Shore under-21s

North Shore’s under-21s beat Massey 26-20 at home to win the club its second championship of 2025 – but didn’t have it all their own way.

Shore was lucky to only trail 10-6 at the break, after an error-ridden first half in which they conceded more than half a dozen penalties and Massey twice crossed the line only to be called back for knock-ons.

However, with the stiff breeze behind them, the home team struck immediately after halftime, scoring the first of three consecutive tries while conceding only one penalty.

With powerful forwards Apai Ma’u Hinkes, captain Brodie Savage, James Fairbairn and Liam Sturm influential, Shore took control. Both Fairbairn and Sturm had played in the premier side’s championship win a week previously. Substitute Patrick Wring had an excellent second half, scoring a well-taken try and excelling on defence.

Just when it seemed Shore were running away with the match at 26-13, Massey scored a converted try with two minutes to play, giving themselves a chance of an unikely victory.

Shore stopped the rot, however, snuffing out Massey hopes with a dominant finish to end the season undefeated.

The winnng team: 1. Brodie Savage (c), 2. James Fairbairn, 3. Apai Ma’u Hinkes, 4. Clay Hasler-Ewins, 5. Kees O’LearyLodge, 6. Amalani Taiala, 7. Liam Sturm, 8. Ritchie Akolo, 9. Genesis So’oa, 10. Jackson Hayde (vc), 11. Dante Parata, 12. Liam Campbell-Mauafu, 13. Siaosi Lealifano. 14 JD Van der Westhuizen, 15. Eli Adlington. Substitutes: 16. Patrick Tousoon, 17. Tom Bradford, 18. Jake Rabarts, 19. Patrick Wring, 20. Neumi Tapueluelu, 22. Noah Tu’isila, 22. Antony Lamipeti.Coaches: Shaun Morrisey, Mark Manihera. Managers: Mark Nola, Mike Single, Gareth Williams, Linda Baxter. Trainer: Dean Rice. Physio: Alex Walters.

• Shore premier reserves were desperately unlucky not to win their final on 19 July. They lost 27-24 in a thriller, scoring four tries to three but being sunk by the boot of 41-year-old Takapuna veteran, John Elrick.

Big carries… (from top) Shore under-21s prop Apai Ma’u Hinkes takes on the Massey defence with Clay Hasler-Ewins in support; Liam Sturm gets his offload away; and (below) JD Van Der Westhuizen scores Shore’s final try

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Woodall Park skatepark decision put off amid rising costs

Sign-off on the council’s $1.1 million skatepark plans for Woodall Park has been delayed, with Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members calling for more information on the project.

New concept designs were to be approved at the board meeting last month, but the size and cost of the project surprised board members, who instructed council staff to report back with more detail.

“It seems to be taking up half the park itself,” said member Gavin Busch. “It’s a monster.”

Chair Mel Powell said: “We’re not in a position to make a decision on this because we have had no chance to ask questions at a workshop and not enough information.”

Increased costs on earlier estimates were an issue too, she said. If they were accepted, the board would need to look to trim its budget elsewhere.

Proposals presented by Auckland Council staff, revealed in the Flagstaff’s 18 July issue, are $165,000 over the $945,000 budget.

The skate facility is to be sited next to the BMX track, near the Devonport Squash Club and Gym. Although it has won plenty of support, it has also drawn concerns from nearby residents about noise.

Powell said before deciding on progressing the project to detailed design and

Awaiting sign-off... Local board members want more information on the proposed skatepark (above), shown in an aerial shot (right)

resource consenting in the second half of 2025 – with construction due to follow between January and April 2026 – more board consideration was needed.

If a workshop with staff could be fitted in, the board could make a final decision at its business meeting this month.

THE NAVY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

NEW COMMANDER OF REVITALISED FRIGATE

Devonport Naval Base welcomes its newest ship’s commanding officer, Commander Tuijo ‘TJ’ Thompson.

Commander Thompson, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hauā and Ngāti Pāoa, took charge of frigate HMNZS Te Mana during a change of command ceremony at Devonport Naval Base recently.

The frigate has come out of drydock, revitalised for operations after an extended maintenance period.

It’s Commander Thompson’s first time back to sea since 2018 when he was executive officer of the Navy’s other Anzac-class frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, before its lengthy upgrade in Canada.

“I remember at the time I was leaving after spending two years of my life on board, having built a home and a team of very talented people. It was a massive chapter in my career, closing at that moment, but you have to move on.

“Now, this feels like the natural progression, stepping into my new journey and Te Mana’s journey.”

Commander Thompson was born in Whangārei and educated at Te Aute College in Hawke’s Bay.

He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2003 as a midshipman, specialising as a warfare officer.

He takes the ship from Commander Chris Bone, a marine engineer appointed as Commanding Officer for the frigate’s extended maintenance period from June 2024 in Devonport Naval Base’s Calliope drydock.

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.

More Lake Rd jams loom during water-main work

Vital replacement of 4.5km of water main to Devonport will cause major disruption, requiring digging up sections of Lake Rd.

Watercare, which plans to start the work in early 2027, says roads along the planned route down the peninsula will be reduced to one lane during the installation.

“We’re strongly conscious of how disruptive this will be,” said Watercare relationship manager Ben Halliwell.

The work to replace the Devonport No. 2 water main will be staged over 18 months.

The existing 300mm pipe, built in 1960, is in poor condition. Pipe of 450mm will be laid, designed to last 100 years.

At a workshop briefing last week, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members were quick to warn Watercare of likely community outcry. “Your stop-go people may need to be there 24/7,” said board member George Wood, predicting that frustrated local drivers halted by traffic lights on one-lane stretches of road might ignore unmanned signals at quieter times.

The project follows electricity company Vector’s recent large-scale infrastructure upgrade on the peninsula.

Watercare would do what it could to minimise impacts, said its head of wastewater planning, Andrew Deutschle. Work would mostly likely be Monday to Fridays, possibly into Saturdays, he said. “But we know traffic flow is worst at weekends.”

Works would continue at night on high-traffic Esmonde Rd and Lake Rd to speed progress, while work near schools would be scheduled during the school holidays where possible.

Deputy chair Terence Harpur questioned the intended route of the water main, saying: “The disruption is not going to fly in our community.”

The line runs from Takapuna, where it connects into the main North Shore water main, travels south under Burns Ave and across Esmonde Rd to Hauraki, then follows Eldon St and Harley St before a block on Lake Rd. It takes Hart Rd, Purchas Rd, and Stone St, crossing Jutland Rd to head down

narrow and often congested Northboro Rd. From there it goes west into Eversleigh Rd and along Coronation St to Bardia St, from which it rejoins Lake Rd for the long stretch south to Devonport.

Harpur thought the pipe would be better to go from Esmonde Rd to Francis St, where works would be less disruptive than on Lake and Northboro Rds. The crossing point could even double as a bridging option between Takapuna and the peninsula, he suggested, combining a pipeline with a long-hoped-for pedestrian and cycle bridge above.

Member Gavin Busch also liked the idea of using the quieter Francis St route “instead of running it right round”. He suggested Watercare could look at taking the main through O’Neill’s Point Cemetery to Bayswater to keep it off Lake Rd for longer.

Deutschle said its “optioneering” had considered a number of scenarios before the route was presented. But staff would report back on members’ suggestions. A Francis St-Esmonde Rd link might face coastal consenting issues, he said.

Watercare was also constrained by the need to connect the water main into other services, especially along main road corridors.

Work would mostly be open-cut and cover, rather than drilling, due to the rigid nature of the water main, he said. Workers required

YOUR LOCAL

access to enough width to work in – up to 7m – hence the need to use a lane of road.

“It’s not a pipe we can put under private property – we need to be able to get access to it and it has to tie in with existing infrastructure.”

The Hillary Cres area where housing has been removed was being looked at for a works support space.

Watercare first signalled the necessity of replacing the main in a memo to board members late last year. The Flagstaff reported on the project in January, though details were then scant.

Next steps are site investigations and preliminary design this year, with the board to be given another update in January 2026.

Member Peter Allen urged Watercare to return with a breakdown on how long work on each section was expected to take. “I’d really like to see an alternative [route] and the costings around it,” said Busch.

Wood tried to tie down the project’s total costs, by asking if it was $100 million, then $200m. Halliwell said “not quite” to the latter number, adding it was not yet costed.

Project consents will be lodged in April next year, with detailed design to finish in August, and tendering to follow. Construction is set to start in January 2027 and finish in July 2028.

North Shore FUNERALS

NELSON & SUSAN

ELLIOTT

WHAT'S HAPPENING

at the Devonport Community House in August!

FIRST THURSDAYS AT THE HOUSE- JOIN US FOR OUR LAST ROLLER SKATING SESSION!

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Life Drawing with Sashsa Alba

Thursday 21 Aug-Sept 11th (4 weeks)

In this four week course, you will undertake a range of short and longer poses working directly with a life model. There will be a series of exercises in pencil, aimed at equipping you with the tools to develop a drawing from life. The course is suitable for all levels, from beginners through those with advanced drawing skills. Please note this workshop series is R18. For bookings www.humantix.com/ life-drawing-with-sasha-alba

Understanding Tantrums –A Talk for Parents & Caregivers

Wednesday 13th August 7pm

Join parenting coach and behaviour specialist for a powerful session on navigating tantrums with confidence and compassion. Learn why tantrums aren’t bad behaviour, what your child is really trying to communicate, and how to stay calm and connected during emotional outbursts. Rooted in neuroscience and real-life experience, you will learn a needs-based approach, which offers practical tools to shift the parenting mindset—from managing behaviour to leading with clarity, calm, and connection. Ideal for parents, carers, and educators. For bookings www.humantix.com/ parenting-workshop-tantrums

Wish for higher buildings at odds with Takarunga’s landscape primacy

Well done to Julie Stout and Ken Davis for promoting a conversation about future development in Devonport/Te Hau Kapua (Paved paradise ‘could kickstart regeneration’, Flagstaff, 18 July).

The architecture students’ work and the public talks have thrown up some interesting issues.

One thing that came through strongly is the need to promote more awareness of the Māori history of Devonport.

Thankfully the Tūpuna Maunga Authority is already developing this work on Devonport’s maunga.

But there is an inherent contradiction between the architects’ desire for higher apartment buildings and Takarunga’s position as the predominant landscape feature.

Takarunga and Maungauika are protected by the Height Sensitive Area overlay, which limits the surrounding buildings to no more than 9 metres and, in a few places in the town centre, to 13 metres. This keeps any proposed apartment blocks to 3 storeys.

However, the architects and their students argue developers should be able to break through this limit to enable four-,

five- and even six-storey development.

This would dramatically affect the relationship with Takarunga and the most tangible link to Māori occupation. It is fantastic to look up and still see the kumara pit terraces on the maunga.

The challenge I would like to see the student architects tackle is to design buildings that don’t infringe on the unique relationship of the maunga to the village.

At present, Devonport village is a largely low-scale cluster of buildings that allow the maunga to stand tall and preside over the landscape around it. (The name, Takarunga, actually means “hill standing above”.)

To allow tall buildings to break through those views would ruin the intrinsic relationship between the maunga and the township.

They can’t have it both ways – allow Takarunga to be supreme with its visual link to Māori history and break the protections to enable higher buildings.

We have to choose. I know what I would rather have.

Margot McRae, Devonport Heritage

Churches have a choice as times change

I was impressed by the Flagstaff article (18 July) reporting on the closure of churches on the Devonport peninsula, stating that six churches have been sold or demolished over the last 20 (or so) years, St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church being the latest to go on the market.

I appreciated seeing all the photos of the old churches we once knew.

I have very warm memories of being part of St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church in my younger days. It is sad this once vibrant community no longer has the membership numbers to be viable.

These churches once provided relevant places of belonging. However, in a time when fewer people feel the need for faith, and fewer still for institutional religious practices, their relevance has dwindled.

I have many happy memories of St. Margaret’s faith community. I met my husband at their youth group and, together with other members of the church, helped form an employment co-operative, which started the organic gardens beside the Devonport tip in the early 1980s.

Through the Reverend Ray Galvin, my husband and I joined the peace movement and protested nuclear ships entering our harbour.

Through the late Reverend Don Fauchelle, we were encouraged, prayed for, and blessed in our venture to work with

a mission in Calcutta, taking with us our young children.

These redundant buildings represent an era which, like it or not, we are saying goodbye to.

Spirituality these days is seen by many as something that can live outside of institutional religion. Community is also found in other ways, such as swimming, pickleball, golf, music, planting and restoration of our native flora, to name a few.

There are two broad trends in the Protestant church today – the conservatives, and the progressives.

With conservative theology there is a narrowing of the road to entry, and for progressives the road is widened. Many conservative churches these days feel the need to clarify their stance on LGBTQA+, often adding to belief statements the definition of marriage as being only for a man and a woman.

Generally, conservative fundamentalists are clear on who is in or out of their Christian faith, while progressive Christians are more inclusive and expansive in their world view.

With the apparent change in direction at Holy Trinity church, I believe it is facing a choice: either to remain expansive and inclusive, or to become narrow and conservative.

Margaret Allis

Letters

Let’s tie a ribbon on natives in Anne St

Residents of Anne St don’t wish to prolong the trees debate, but need to counter misinformation and inaccuracies of correspondents who have no daily experience of the health and safety risks posed by the two trees.

1. The danger to walkers, residents and those using mobility scooters is not caused by an uneven footpath but by the large fruit, seed heads and branch debris of the trees, which make the path slippery and dangerous.

2. The council overspends on cleaning the debris regularly but doesn’t want to have to waterblast the footpath every week (like it has to for the raised wooden path under the fig tree on Windsor Reserve). Residents do the council’s job weekly, clearing away fruit and leaf mess from the footpaths and drains.

3. The residents are, despite ill-informed comments to the contrary, tree-lovers, and have offered to pay for replacement natives. We have also suggested council arborists take seeds and cuttings from the two exotics if they wish to plant them in more appropriate parks.

4. Residents have been reasonable in their 10-year campaign to replace the pest trees.

5. Democracy has prevailed with a unani mous Devonport-Takapuna Local Board deci sion to replace the two hazardous trees. This followed a petition of all contactable Anne St residents, around 90 per cent of the street,

6. Let’s get together and tie a yellow ribbon on native replacements as soon as possible.

Craig Mark, John Harvey and Peter McNabb on behalf of Anne St residents

Gaza march a ‘positive experience’

My thanks to the people of Devonport for their support during the recent Devonport Out for Gaza march.

It was an overwhelmingly positive experience and has since generated further outreach from people wishing to actively engage on pushing back on Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

There are many ways to take action, and just one of them is Amnesty International’s website amnesty.org.nz/take-action, where we are currently hosting five petitions related to awful events occurring in Gaza and Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

In response to questions about our stance on Hamas and Palestinian militia groups, we have consistently condemned their brutal attack in Israel on 7 October and demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages. Amnesty International continues to document and condemn the on-going war crimes committed by all sides and urges all parties to commit to an immediate ceasefire as the first step to ensuring wide-ranging human rights abuses are halted and addressed and the abusers held to account.

Margaret Taylor

Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ People Power Manager

Write to the Devonport Flagstaff

We welcome letters. Please limit to 300 words on local topics. Noms de plume or unnamed letters will not be printed.

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TGS Rowers win awards here and abroad

Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club has been named Club of the Year, marking a historic first for the school and capping off a season of remarkable achievements here and overseas.

The accolade, awarded by Auckland Rowing, recognises the club’s success across national and international competitions, as well as its commitment to inclusion and development. Head coach Sam Grant said the honour

reflects the “hard work, dedication, and passion” of everyone involved.

TGS rowers claimed medals at the New Zealand National Club Championships, impressed at the Maadi Cup and North Island regattas, and represented New Zealand in both traditional and coastal rowing formats. The club also made strides in para rowing, supporting a neurodiverse athlete and contributing to national adaptive initiatives.

New holiday camps and intermediate

Millie Ison returns from FIBA China Camp heat-tested and inspired

Year 9 basketballer Millie Ison has returned from a high performance FIBA development camp in Shenzhen, China - where she trained six hours a day in sweltering 34-degree heat.

The 13-year-old was one of only two players selected from the Harbour region to attend the under-14 Asia-Pacific camp, run by Basketball New Zealand in partnership with FIBA. Despite the demanding conditions, Millie said she loved every minute of the experience.

Millie plays in the top Year 9 and premier girls’ basketball teams at TGS and is a Harbour representative player. Also back from China is alumni Bailey Flavell who has just played her third campaign with the Tall Ferns at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025. Bailey said she learned a lot during the challenging tournament. “Losing to Korea right on the buzzer was tough but overall we did well and our goal was to qualify for the next round and we achieved that.”

school programmes have opened the sport to more young people on the North Shore.

Adding to the celebrations, TGS alumni Toby Smith and Ollie Burton have won gold in the Men's Coxed Four at the 2025 British Rowing Club Championships in Nottingham. The pair were spotted proudly wearing their TGS caps, a nod to their roots and the club that helped launch their rowing careers.

Cultural Evening brings Te Poho to life

The rich cultural diversity of TGS was on display recently with the annual International Cultural Evening. The event featured performances by local and international students, showcasing music, dance, and traditional dress from cultures including Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Korean, Māori, and European.

The school hall, Te Poho, was transformed with colourful performances and plenty of enthusiastic applause greeting each act. Guests were treated to a selection of traditional snacks and drinks from around the world, adding a delicious twist to the cultural experience.

The evening was organised by the International Student Leadership Group who put hours into planning, coordination of performances, managing logistics, and promotion. These rangatahi (young people) showed outstanding leadership and collaboration, ensuring everyone felt welcome and included.

Millie Ison

Bailey Flavell

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20 years ago from the Flagstaff files

• Devonport Wharf sells to an unknown buyer, with potential buyer North Shore City Council missing out.

• A Trick of the Light, a play related to the Crewe murders in Pukekawa in 1970, is staged by Company Theatre.

• Dr Ian Symes leaves the Devonport Medical centre after 11 years, and 37 years as a GP.

• Infill housing on Bayswater peninsula is causing traffic congestion and more danger to pedestrians, according to North Shore City Council.

• An artistic memorial to Nicole Mace, who died after being knocked down by a car, is planned in Clarence St – at a spot where she operated a flower barrow for many years.

• Organisers of a youth concert at the Masonic Tavern battle to stage the event, due to licensing issues.

• Gossip columnist Bridget Saunders will

be one of the main speakers at a Devonport Heritage event.

• A permanent base at Bayswater for the Takapuna Rowing Club will be investigated by the Devonport Community Board.

• Historian Rod Cornelius outlines the history of the Waitemata Golf Club, which celebrates 100 years.

• The Depot is opening a new gallery for young creatives.

• North Shore Rugby Club Premiers finish fifth in the North Harbour competition, beating Mahurangi 27-21 to win the plate trophy for 2005. Utility back Luke Doddrell makes the North Harbour NPC side.

• Final decisions on whether North Shore City Council will buy the Victoria Theatre could be months away.

• Architect Geoff Richards is the Flagstaff interview subject.

Rainbow Warrior photo re-created 40

years later

Devonport resident Carl Smith marked the recent 40th anniversary of the sinking of the Greenpeace protest ship Rainbow Warrior with a re-creation of a family photo taken shortly after the ship was refloated in 1985.

The original shot captured the teenage Carl with his father Glen and another young relative, Glen McKellaig, beside the refloated vessel, which was destined to be resunk as a dive attraction.

The July 1985 bombing by French agents made headlines around the world. For the family in the photo, their visit became a lasting memory, passed down through generations and retold at sporting fixtures involving New Zealand and France.

On 20 July this year, Carl and his teenage son Hugo re-created the photo during an open day at the berthed Rainbow Warrior III.

“It’s not just a family story,” Carl said. “It’s about what the Rainbow Warrior stood for — peace, protest, and battling to do the right thing — and making sure our kids understand that legacy.”

Now and then... Carl Smith and son Hugo visit the Rainbow Warrior III last month (top) and Carl with his father and a young relative beside the Rainbow Warrior in 1985

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Tēnā Koutou Katoa

We Read Auckland has begun. Enjoy this month-long celebration of Auckland books and writers with wonderful book events across the city. See Auckland Libraries website.

WRA MEANS NEW BESTIES

Friday 1st August 10 popular books by Auckland authors will hit the shelves.

POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP

Sunday 10th August 2pm - 4pm with Vivienne Plumb. Finding magic in the everyday. A WRA Devonport event. Book via Eventfinda or at the Library Desk.

FALLS PREVENTION WORKSHOP

Tuesday 19th August 11am - 12 noon

Free practical tips. Just turn up.

NATIONAL POETRY DAY

Friday 22nd August 6:30pm

Another fabulous posse of local poets read their work. All welcome at this annual DLA event.

TE TIRITI KI TĀMAKI MAKAURAU — AN AR EXPERIENCE

Tuesday 26th August and Wednesday 27th August 2 - 4pm

Auckland Libraries and Waxeye Digital Studios have created an Augmented Reality (AR) experience. Drop in and have a go.

MĀORI LANGUAGE FUNDAY

Sunday 31st August 10am -12:30pm with Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Get info on their huge range of classes, play some easy board games, practice some Te Reo, share kai and a cuppa. Bring the whānau!. SCAM ALERT!

Tuesday 2nd September 10am -11:30am

workshop for seniors with Age Concern PLUS displays on the Michael King Writers Centre on Takarunga where so many favourite books are written. Devonport is a magic town of writers and books. Ma Te Wa - See You Soon

Ex-TGS duo part of successful national Youth Choir trip to Wales

Two former students from Takapuna Grammar School and five from the Westlake high schools were among members of the New Zealand Youth Choir judged Choir of the World in a top international competition in Wales recently.

TGS alumni Matthew Spooner and Tausala Faulalo were part of 50-strong choir being led for the last time by music director David Squire, who was named Most Inspiring Conductor at the Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen last month.

It was celebrated exit for Squire after a 15-year stint with the choir, which auditions 18- to 25-year-olds for three-year terms with the choir.

Squire’s eldest son, William, was part of the former Westlake contingent, and like Sam Nicholson, a past school music and culture captain.

Tarrosa and Alanah Jones.

The choir’s northern hemisphere tour included a successful showing at the European Choir Games in Aarhus, Denmark, where it won the Grand Prix of Nations in the Folklore category. Judges praised it for representing the spirit of Aotearoa, with a repertoire including waitata and Pasifika songs. The tour also included performances in Singapore and the UK.

Squire has a 30-year association with North Shore schools, which have a strong choral tradition, including at the Big Sing Finale, the pinnacle of national secondary school schools competition. This year, of the 24 choirs that have qualified from across New Zealand, six are from the North Shore.

TGS will be represented by its Leonessa choir at the event to be held in Dunedin at the end of the month.

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday August 27th

Doors Open 7pm Meeting Starts 7.30pm

Many roles make show work for budding actors

It’s not often a lead actor has it easy, but in The 39 Steps it is three other performers who have to carry the added dramatic load of each playing multiple parts.

Actor Francis Mountjoy as Richard Hannay certainly has to convincingly carry the audience in Company Theatre’s comedic take on the classic spy thriller, playing a man seemingly unwittingly caught up in an international espionage ring and a murder mystery.

But he is spared the quick-fire costume and character changes. These fall to Charlie Parker, who plays the story’s three leading ladies, and to Rebecca Scholtz and Jack Chen-Sinclair.

Scholtz, who grew up on the Devonport peninsula and attended Takapuna Grammar School, said the carousel of characters she plays are what drew her to audition for the role. “There’s not a lot of wasted time sitting around backstage.”

Parker was similarly drawn to the challenge. In her interactions with Hannay, she segues from frantic German woman Annabella, to hoity toity Englishwoman Pamela, to shy and put-upon Scot Margaret as the play progresses.

Scholtz takes the part of Clown 1, with Chen-Sinclair as Clown 2. They depict gangsters, policemen, salesmen, cleaners, milkmen and paper boys in quick succession.

“These actors are playing way too many parts and the audience is in on the act,” Scholtz says.

This theatrical version of The 39 Steps, comedically adapted by Patrick Barlow, won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2007 and has been a stage hit worldwide since.

Company Theatre, which begins its season of the play directed by Anthony Whitehouse at the Rose Centre in Belmont from 2 August, was drawn by the idea of a play which is part parody of an engrossing and well-known story.

The original novel was written by John Buchan in 1915 and made more famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film version. Remakes have followed.

For young actors Parker and Scholtz, who are both 24, the production is an exercise in versatility that is stretching them dramatically. “I thought it looked really fun and was interested in the staging,” says Scholtz. “It’s definitely demanding, but that’s what appealed.”

Constantly changing characters meant plenty of costume changes, ranging from just swapping hats to more elaborate transformations. From silly voices to quick-fire switches, it was more about breadth than depth.

Both women were involved in school pro-

Quick-change artists... Charlie Parker

and Rebecca Scholtz each play multiple roles in Company Theatre’s latest show at the Rose Centre ductions, Parker in West Auckland. She got back into acting about a year ago. “I thought it would really be fun to get back into it and make new friends and it’s been great.” With a background in dance, she is now thinking of taking singing lessons so she can get into musicals. “I’ve almost been typecast in the catty comedy roles,” she says, whereas with The 39 Steps there was more emotional intensity to her trio of women.

The campaign co-ordinator for animal rights group Safe says immersing herself in playing over-the-top characters has been a good counterpoint to work.

“I love what I do, but it can be really intense and it’s nice to get a break from real life and I hope the audience finds that too.”

Scholtz, who studied music and drama at TGS, went on to university in Wellington where she majored in theatre. Since then she has appeared in community theatre productions across Auckland and is eager for more. This is her first role for Company Theatre.

As opening night approaches, the cast is rehearsing three times a week.

For Scholtz, whose parents live near the Rose Centre, rehearsals have been handy for catch-ups.

“I probably will recognise some people in the audience,” she says.

• The 39 Steps directed by Anthony Whitehouse for Company Theatre, the Rose Centre from 2-16 August, including two matinees. Adult tickets $30, at iticket.co.nz.

(left)

Sense of community... Artists (from left) Kate Dutton, Anne-Marie Coghlan, Darnelle Louie and Jo Cliffe who work weekly on their projects at the Devonport Community House. Ceramacist Diana Poor was unable to join her art group friends for the photograph, but (below) is one of her forays into drawing, a portrait depicting her daughter Nikki.

Art-class connection develops into group show

A tight-knit group of women, mainly from Devonport, who met at art classes at the Community House have encouraged each other to show their works publicly.

They range from nationally recognised ceramicist Diana Poor – who has turned her hand to drawing – to some others whose art-exhibiting forays are at an earlier stage.

What the women have in common is a camaraderie forged when taking classes with Lucy Bucknall several years ago.

When she departed, the women kept the weekly group going to support each other, renting space at the Community House for sessions in which to create and converse.

“We all got on so well,” says Poor. “It was nourishing.”

It has also yielded Curious Assortment, a group show by the six artists soon to start at Satellite2 gallery on Victoria Rd.

As well as Poor, fellow Devonport residents exhibiting are: Darnelle Louie with paintings of the maunga from an earlier solo show; Stina Gibel Kornfeld, with installations; and Jo Cliffe, who has a mix of expressive works and postcards of local scenes; along with Kate Dutton and Anne-Marie Coghlan from outside the area.

When the group show finishes, Coghlan will mount some larger abstract paintings in the gallery for a further week.

The exhibition features several pieces from each artist, with Poor double-dipping, having been asked by the gallery owners to

add some ceramics as well.

After 50 years with her hands in the clay, she says being an artist can be lonely work. Trying new things with like-minded others is a way of stretching yourself that she highly recommends.

“You need to keep working on things to get the juices going,” she adds.

For Poor, exploring drawing was the choice. “It’s not something I would have done years ago.” But with more time on her hands and an established career supplying galleries and taking private commissions, she – like the other women, who are aged

from their 50s to their 70s – is branching out from the familiar.

Some of the group take classes in painting and sculpture at the Matthew Browne School of Art in Ponsonby. When they get together back at the Community House there is plenty to workshop. Recently, former magazine editor and author Lindsay Dawson joined them, but she is not showing.

“We all enjoy each other’s opinion and feedback and learning from each other,” says Poor. “We are quite varied in our styles, we offer different perspectives.”

Putting works out in the community they live in is something they say they are excited and nervous about.

They intend taking turns at stints in the gallery during the show, so they can answer the public’s questions.

Poor’s message to anyone wanting to give art a go is to throw yourself into it. Her group is a private one, but she says the Community House is a great place for the curious to start, with various public classes on offer.

“It’s really nice to tap into your creative side. Don’t judge yourself, just see what you can do.”

What she personally enjoys is the immersive experience: “How art just takes yourself out of yourself.”

• Curious Assortment group show at Satellite2, 7-17 August

Duo’s colourful prints promise to brighten winter

Artists Stacey Edgar and Steve Bolton have kept an eye on each other’s work for a while, and after comparing notes decided a joint exhibition in Devonport made sense.

“We were both working separately on stuff and realised we were working in the same medium and size,” says Bolton.

Their A4 format gel prints also share a similar colourful approach. They will go on display in the Stacey & Steve Show, opening this weekend at the Depot Artspace in Clarence St.

“Unknowingly, we were inspiring each other through our work,” says Edgar, who explains that she had been following online art postings by Bolton, whom she knew a little because he works next door to her and both are active in the local creative community. Seeing his work prompted Edgar to put more of her pieces out there, as she moves from photography into exploring printmaking.

Both artists have been in group shows previously, but say the synergies of working for several months on this joint show have made for a cool collaboration. They hope this fun element will be apparent to viewers.

“It’s a little bit of a darker, colder time of year and the prints are just beautiful – bright and vital and interesting,” says Bolton.

Edgar’s have a textural quality, he says. His show graphic sensibilities, from a background as a cartoonist. This came in handy for drawing caricatures of each of them to promote the show.

Bolton, a Devonport resident for 10 years, teaches art classes, including at the Community House, where he painted the mural on its frontage. He also works in an art shop.

For American-Okinawan Edgar, who lives in Hauraki after moving from Japan 11 years ago, work is on the Depot’s Arts Lab training programme and doing the Depot’s social media. “My work is really admin heavy and this [art] work is really cathartic,” she says.

As well as being able to immerse herself in creating, the exhibition is something of a launch from behind the Bingata Mama name under which she sells postcards and prints. “I felt really ready for it,” she says.

But the word bingata lives on. It is the Okinawan name given to the craft of using plants and seeds to stencil dye fabrics and has parallels in how Edgar uses organic layering in her imagery, incorporating found objects. She says people are interested in the process.

The gel plate prints are done on a rubber mat using acrylic paints. Some are mixed media, using linocuts and pastels. Bolton says the pair are looking into running a workshop in the technique.

Each artist is showing 20 small works and one large painting in the Depot’s front room.

• The Stacey & Steve Show opens on Saturday 2 August at 2pm and runs until 30 August, Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Depot, 28 Clarence St, Devonport.

SHOWING NOW

The Life of Chuck (M) 110min

Fantastic Four: First Steps (PG) 114min

Four Letters of Love (M) 109min

The Count of Monte Cristo (M) 178min

The House Within (E) 71min

Universal Language (G) 89min

Family Therapy (M) 91min

Smurfs (G) 90min

Superman (M) 129min

The Great Lillian Hall (M) 110min

Jurassic World Rebirth (M) 133min

SPECIAL EVENTS & NEW RELEASES

FIZZ - Live Comedy 1 Aug

Freakier Friday (PG) 111min - Advance Screening 6 Aug

FIRST THURSDAYS: Walking on Water: Christo (E) 87min 7 Aug

Thanks to our partners and supporters

Joint effort... Stacey Edgar and Steve Bolton decided to exhibit together after realising they were working in the same gel-print format

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