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Takapuna, Milford, Castor Bay, Forrest Hill and Sunnynook VERED FORTNIGHTLY AN INDEPENDENT VOICE Issue 1 – 15 March 2019
Issue 1772019 – August 21,1 –2026 TNIGHTLY DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY AN2019 INDEPENDENT VOICE AN INDEPENDENT VOICE Issue 1 – 15 March Issue 15 March
VERED FORTNIGHTLY
WGHS 16yo picked for Tall Ferns... p3
Issue 1 – 15 March 2019
AN INDEPENDENT VOICE
Live music returns to Shore Junction... p8
Local groups help homeless through cold months... p13
Cheeky parkers could win council blessing
“Pirate” parkers using an empty council-owned Sunnynook section as an informal park-and-ride facility may inspire an official move to formalise its ongoing use, and that of similar empty sites near the Northern Busway. The section at 145 Sunnynook Rd was left vacant when a house was removed
following the 2023 floods. Up to 18 vehicles have been seen parked on the site, on both the gravel and grass verge. Auckland Council general property manager Mace Ward said the council was aware of the informal parking arrangement. Conversations had been held among
council officials about the possibility of tidying the site and formalising parking arrangements. Discussions were still in their early stages, and dependent on funding, consents and local board views, but the concept could potentially be extended to other flood-prone To page 3
Book-character parade at Milford Primary School
Character building... Cavallo Bozzone (11) as Harry Potter, Thomas Varney (10) as Christiano Ronaldo, Bay Rigden (11) as King Kong and Max Rennie (10) as Jude Bellingham dressed up as book characters on Tuesday as Milford Primary marked literacy week and the reopening of its library which had been closed for two-and-a-half years.
The Rangitoto Observer Page 2
August 21, 2026
Turn Your Child’s Artwork Into a Beautiful Keepsake
Several thousand people are expected to attend this weekend’s North Harbour schools rugby final between Westlake Boys High School and Rosmini College. Both sides posted 50-point wins in their semifinals last weekend to set the stage for what should be an epic match. Rosmini beat Whangarei Boys’ 51-0 and Westlake accounted for Rangitoto College 55-5. Both sides scored nine tries in their wins. For Rosmini, Kayden Godbold, Izack Faonevai and Luchian Opperman all scored two tries, while Westlake’s Harper Wilson scored a double in his side’s win. Rosmini and Westlake have been the two top sides throughout 2026, dominating all their matches apart from the clashes with each other. Rosmini won the last match between the two, in July, 31-21 after trailing 21-0 and Westlake suffering two yellow cards. Westlake won the first clash, in May, 24-17. Rosmini will be hoping for a repeat of the July match, when they showed great Key figure... Westlake Boys star determination to fight back for the win. Matt Fleming will be hoping to play a Westlake will aim for a disciplined showprominent role in this Saturday’s final ing and top games from experienced players such as centre Matt Fleming and halfback • Westlake vs Rosmini, North Harbour Stadium this Saturday at midday. Levi Leith.
Top two set up tasty first XV final
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Unwanted goods ‘treasure hunt’ planned
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Secondhand Sunday – a kind of treasure hunt for used goods – is coming to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area this September, supported by the board, Sunnynook Community Centre and the Devonport Community House. Residents wanting to give away pre-loved items will register online, be included on a map of participating addresses and put a poster on their mailbox for the day. Items will be displayed on participating house-
holds’lawns on Sunday 20 September from 9am until 2pm. Those searching for items can follow a map available from 5pm on Friday 18 September, collecting whatever they want from the designated addresses. Devonport Community House community connector Jo Holsted said the idea was suggested by a member of the public, and both community centres ran with it. “If it works, we can make it a more regular thing.”
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 3
WGHS 16yo makes Tall Ferns Westlake Girls High School student Imani Rasmussen (16) has won selection for the Tall Ferns national women’s team, and is in Guadalajara, Mexico, with the side this week for a pre-Olympic Games qualifying tournament. Imani had only just returned from representing her country at the under-17 World Cup in Czechia, where the side came fifth – the best-ever result by a New Zealand female team at a World Cup tournament. She averaged 11.4 points and eight rebounds per game in the tournament. Previously, Rasmussen was named in the All-Star Five and the Defensive Player of the Tournament at the 2026 under-20 nationals in Porirua. Having flown to Mexico last week, the Tall Ferns’ first game was against Argentina on Tuesday this week, with another game against Brazil on Wednesday. The team’s final game is today (21 August), against South Sudan. Westlake Girls said it was “incredibly proud” to celebrate year 12 student Imani’s selection to the Tall Ferns. Imani has also been a netball star for the school, and was selected in consecutive years for the national secondary schools side before choosing this year to focus on basketball. Young gun... Imani Rasmussen in action for New Zealand under-17s in Czechia
‘Unauthorised use’ could lead to new park-and-rides near busway From page 1 sites where houses are being removed. “It is possible that any arrangement trialled at 145, if successful, could be extended to other properties on the north side of Sunnynook Rd once houses have been removed,” Ward said. Turning other sites into formalised parkand-ride facilities would ensure they were well maintained and provided value to the community before they might be required for a “Blue Green Network” project to help reduce flooding. “While the informal parking has not to date resulted in any significant health and safety issues, we acknowledge concerns regarding unauthorised use of the land and are continuing to monitor the situation and consider appropriate management options,”
Opportunity knocks... Cars parked on the empty site at 145 Sunnynook Rd he said. Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member George Wood said it was “excellent” that council was considering formalising the parking space.
“I am elated that it could happen. It could turn into formalised parking for commuters. Right now there are a huge number of people parking in the surrounding streets and having to walk.”
The Rangitoto Observer Page 4
August 21, 2026
MILFORD SHOPS NEWS
Your monthly update from Murray Hill, Manager of Milford Business Association.
MILFORD SHOPS NEWS
Your monthly update from Murray Hill, Manager of Milford Business Association.
Your monthly update from Murray Hill, Manager of Milford Business Association.
What’s new in Milford this month Yachting Action in Milford during October and November MILFORD SHOPS NEWS
fromvehicles Murray Hill, This month we welcome Cravehome to Come and welcome them – located on the Your themonthly draw,update see the on display in the Manager of Milford Association. our main street. It’s a store with a great main street, in the former premises of Arazzo. centre courtBusiness of the Milford Centre mall. This month the focus is on the major World Championship neighbourhood. Milford was severely impacted by the last emergency reputation, having been in Birkenhead Back for another year is our Track Day I was lucky enough to be invited to last year’s sailing event coming to our shores in late October and early - the major floods of the Wairau Estuary. Therapists for some time. Here’s how they describe promotion in as conjunction withnow ourhave premium event,Hub andatMandy I the have toCrawford sayCruising it was an exceptional November. Milford is becoming a bit of a yachting mecca we We an Emergency Milford Club, themselves: “Inspiring homeware and gifts”. and Matt Wain partner, Mercedes-Benz North Shore. Thisall experience, driving all types This of Mercedeshave the Milford Cruising Club on the beachfront reserve and which is kitted out with items needed in any emergency. will
Health ilford matters in Milford
Yachting Zealand also recently relocated its national be your of contact if youvehicles need assistance anyof typedifferent Cravehome isNew a contemporary homewares yearsince the event will be held at first the point Hampton Benz in a during variety weather has certainly taken ahas turn for the worse inThe Milford toallpremises in Inga Road. facility also includes of emergency. understand there could be best circumstances when Downs circuit in November, so getWe dad inEstablished storeheadquarters packed withRain, the finishing situations. was the G-Wagon y, light saving stopped. storms andtouches a lot This cooler. Luckily, their high-performance centre. is inaccessible so weofare currently working on forexperience 18 years draw and give himthis thisemergency awesomehub prize youEmergency need to beautify your home, gorgeous turning it 360 degrees on its Milford Resilience Group (MERG),the which was alternative sitelove as a backup hub. axis. Incredible technology. Just what gifts for the special treatsandforbeen his Father’s Or if you the own dy ted last year, hasones keptyou anlove eyeand on conditions ready Day gift. Osteopaths are Winner of Ski Tūroa promotion performance forthe you. tand up emergency hub at the Milford Cruising Club. vehicles – a benchmark of the you would expect from the automotive Congratulations to Bridget Agnew who won this fantastic promotion! Milford Emergency Readiness Group News Mercedes-Benz – bring your lovedprimary leader,healthcare which celebrated 140 years in tunately, ent Inside we haven’t to. Great communications went rangeThe you’ll findtoneeded stunning home design Thanks also the businesses involved –and Mercedes-Benz North Milford Business Association has a database of around 10,000 locals one shopping in Milford. While you enter business this(like year.GPs nd for the cyclone that was supposed to hit in early April, and practitioners inspiring handpicked home decor pieces. Shore, Pure Tūroa, Powderhorn Chateau, The Roof Rack Shop and and this together with the substantial databases of the Milford Cruising as t - pleasingBallistics to seeWake so many people preparing for the worst & Snow. Club and the Milford Residents Association will be your sources of and pharmacists), and are This neighbours month we welcome Cravehome to information David Schnauer, aDavid well-known local Schnauer, a If you are not already ing ng things away, checking on their and ensuring about emergency readiness in Milford. trained tobook provide evidenceour main It’s a store with a Milford has written well-known local Milford – Top Sales Town Centre on the Shore on the Milfordidentity, Shops newsletter, goa to milfordshops.co.nz and sign up in ns were cleared. Remember, if you want tostreet. get MERG great reputation, having been in called ‘Uncomfortable Economics’ where Milford identity, based diagnosis, treatment rehab A big thanks to all our loyal customers the panel at the bottom of the home page – ‘Subscribe toand Newsletter’. eces, make sure you are signed up to the newsletter of one Birkenhead for some time. Here’s he looks beyond election cycles and has written aResidents book Association once again supported us during the Similarly you can sign up on themusculoskeletal Milford hese local organisations: Milfordwho Business Association for all issues, not just bones! they describe short-term fixes,onand calls for‘UncomfortaCruising renewedClub newsletter. month ofhow August we were, themselves: yet again, Newsletter and also Thecalled Milford dford Shops), Milford Residents Association orasthe Milford "Inspiring homeware and gifts". national focus on the Top Sales Town Centre on the Shore. More information onsavings, what tohousing, doEconomics’ in an public emergency can be found on ACC accredited - no referral needed, and Souther able ising Club. Cravehome is aBath contemporary debt, productivity and long-term policy Checkout new stores, Bed & Table the website: aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz where he looks Easy Claim providers We wish all our Milford mums a wonderful Mother’s Day onmall – and with all the We discipline. He challenges both politicians plus Stellahomewares and Emma store in thepacked want to keep Milford connected in the next community beyond election day 10 May. If you haven’t already Toco got mum present, I’m sure finishing touches you need and citizens to out lift their sights Açaí &aFroyo in the Main Streetto beautify emergency, so look for our jointand communications. cycles and shortwill find what you need here in Milford. We hope you enjoyed your home, gorgeous gifts for the demand more from our economy. It was to new premises above Shore opposite New World. Recently moved term fixes, and Have a great October. you love and special two promotions we offered: A Weekendones In Matakana with a treats for you. launched at The Booklover, Milford at the calls for a renewed entrance Inside you'll find Matakana stunning home endHill, of July and isMilford available there and in 107 Kitchener Rd • vitalbody.co Milfordfor Emergency Group &Mercedes-Benz transportReadiness – thanks to Riverside & design Murray Manager, Business Association national focus and inspiring handpicked home decor pieces, . all good bookstores. Check it out – it’s aon I'mNorth pleased to advise theour Milford community that we now of have manager@milfordshops.co.nz • 021 950 463 • milfordshops.co.nz cedes-Benz a Shore – and social media promotion a savings, housing, Come and welcome them – located on the main street, in the former great read! a group up and running for when an emergency occurs in our � milfordshops � milfordnz youtube MilfordshopsTV cial day in Milford for a mum and daughter. public debt, productivity and long-term polpremises of Arazzo We’ve joined the Channel crew this month for their feature on icy discipline. He challenges both politicians Back for another year is our Track Day promotion in conjunction lth, Fitness and Sports. Milford has many businesses in these and citizens to lift their sights and demand with our premium partner, Mercedes-Benz North Shore. This year the gories, which you will find on our website, milfordshops.co.nz. more from our economy. It was launched at event will be held at the Hampton Downs circuit in November, so get e is a list of many of dadCruising in them: the draw and give him this awesome prize for his Father's Day Milford at thetoend of July AsThe the Booklover, cooler weather starts settle in, and it's a good Milford Milford Cruising Club Milford Club Motel Active Plus Milford, Audika, Bloom Hearing gift. Or if you love the performance vehicles – a benchmark of the is available there and in all good bookstores. • Everyone is welcome to attend! Locals are welcome you • Physiotherapy, Everyone is welcome to attend! Locals are welcome you corner. To help you stay healthy and protected, we NOW OPEN IN MILFORD • NEXT TO COLLEEN MURPHY •FLORIST Quiz Night every Tuesday. cialists, tic Body Haven Massage, Chiropractic Mercedes-Benz bringWarehouse, your loved one shopping in Milford. don't•need Check – Wednesday. it’s a great read! a boat to join us! it out don't need a boat range toChemist join–us! $25 Steak Night with sides every hemy nds, NZ,• City Fitness Milford, Eyewear Milford, Intuitive Hands, While enter the draw, seeinthe vehicles on display in the centre• Free quiz • $25nights Sundayevery Roast, Sunday from 3pm (until soldVaccine out). Thursday from 7.30pm Free quizyou nights every Thursday from 7.30pm 2026 Influenza ('Flu) - Availabl court of Thursday the Milford Centre mall. ge, hener Medical Centre, Life Pharmacy, Marvel Wellness Massage, • $15 from 4pm-6pm, Tuesday–Sunday. • Dinner onSpritz Thursday and Friday nights. Family-friendly • Dinner on and Friday nights. Family-friendly The 2026 flu vaccine has arrived early at Unichem Milford Phar THANKS TO FATHER'S DAY IDEA ord ord Acupuncture, Milford Dentists, Milford Family Dental, Milford atmosphere. atmosphere. make your vaccination quick and stress-free. All brands availab Milford Cruising Club ometrists, Milford Nutritional My Pilates • FridayLa15Mexicana May, 7pmWho - Serene Bolton singing • Friday 15 May, 7pmPharmacy, - Serene Bolton singingPlace, Milford Motel can the flu vaccine for and free?Sunday Everyone 65 years old an • Live music with brunch SereneatBoulton, Friday 21 August. • Weekend La get Mexicana, Saturday th Shore••Spine Clinic, OPSM, Resonate Health, Saensuk Thai • Sunday 10 May, 10am-2pm Mother's Day brunch. Bookingsearly helps r Sunday 10 May, 10am-2pm Mother's Day brunch. Bookings Quiz Night every Tuesday. pharmacists to checknights. eligibility. Getting vaccinated 11am-2pm. • FREE weekly quiz or Bingo, Thursday dy sage, Total Osteo, Milford, WildWednesday. & Well, and Vital Body essential. Email manager@milfordcruising.co.nz essential. Emailwith manager@milfordcruising.co.nz • $25 SteakUnichem Night sides every • Dinner sevenThursday days a week. • Restaurant open, and Friday evenings, from 5.30pm. eopathy • $25 Sunday Roast, Sunday from 3pm (until sold out). 2026 Covid Booster - Available • Family friendly, locals are welcome to visit and sign in as a guest.Now! Pym’s ofMilford Milford Live Music Pym’s of Milford Live Music Cruising Club • $15 Spritz from 4pm-6pm, Tuesday–Sunday. An updated Covid booster is now available. This booster contin Check15 their FB–page for more details. • •Friday WillSerene Vogel • Friday 15 May – Will Vogel • LiveMay music with Boulton, Friday 21 August. can book your COVID booster online, and walk-ins are welcome La Mexicana Milford Shopping Mall • Friday• FREE 22 May - Jake • Friday 22 May - Jake Pancho weekly quizPancho or Bingo, Thursday nights.
What’s new in Milford this month
What’s On in Milford – May 2026:
What’sWhat’s On inOnMilford – May 2026:2026: in Milford – August
What’s On in Milford – August 2026
…bring your loved one shopping in Milford. SHOP TO WIN While youA enter the draw, see the vehicles on • Weekend brunch at La Mexicana, Who can get the COVID booster for free? People aged 30 years • From•Runway Milford. Test driving the Mercedes-Benz Range to open, Restaurant Thursday and Friday evenings, from 5.30pm. at high risk. Those under 30 years may still be eligible, dependi Saturday and Sunday 11am-2pm. display in the centre court • Food Family friendly,Series locals are welcome to visit and sign in as a guest. • Made for Dad. Autumn Truck 2026 Autumn Food Truck Series 2026 •• Dinner daysMilford a week. • Check their FB pageReserve, for more 5pm-8pm details. • •Friday 22 May, Milford Fridayseven 22 May, Reserve, 5pm-8pm Father’s Day Track Day. of theMercedes-Benz Milford Centre mall. A Reminder For Pregnant Women Emergency Hub at up thewith Milford Cruising Club North Shore We've teamed
A Track Day
T H Eto M I LDad F Oand R Da B U San I N E S S A S S O C I AT I O N A PMilford P R E CShopping I AT E STwo TH E S–U3Pexciting P O R T activations O : to give you the chance win mate Mall important vaccines areFrecommended in every pregnancy experience at Hampton Downs, experiencing Murray Hill, Manager, Business Murrayawesome Hill, Manager, Milford Business Association • From RunwayMilford to Milford. diphtheria) - free inAssociation the 2nd and 3rd trimester, and Flu vaccine the Mercedes-Benz range. More information is manager@milfordshops.co.nz 021 950 463 • milfordshops.co.nz manager@milfordshops.co.nz • 021 950 463 •page. milfordshops.co.nz • Made for Dad.These •vaccines available on our Instagram and Facebook help protect both mum and baby, offering early GOLD I was lucky enough for to be invited to last year’s event, and I Follow @milfordshopsnz latest updates! � milfordshops �Day milfordnz youtube MilfordshopsTV � milfordshops � milfordnz youtubetheMilfordshopsTV • Father’s Track Day. vulnerable months. have to say it was an exceptional experience, driving all types of aUvariety different The best TE HCEI AT M IELSvehicles FT OHREDinSB U SO S FA: Ssituations. S O C I AT IO N A P P R E C I AT E S T H E S U P P O R T O F : I AT I O N A PMercedes-Benz PR PS PIONof RET Murray Hill, Manager, Milford Business Association was the G-Wagon of turning 360 degrees on its own 76 Issueexperience 168 - October 2025itchannelmag.co.nz
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August 21, 2026
The Rangitoto Observer Page 5
Castor Bay relieved to dodge intensification drive Castor Bay residents are tentatively satisfied with Auckland Council’s most recent planning tweaks. Castor Bay remained a suburban zone in the most recent “Plan 120” vote, which pleased the Castor Bay Residents & Ratepayers Association. Association president Hamish Anderson
said the area’s coastal and hilly nature as well as potential infrastructure and floodprone issues would make it a poor candidate for intensification. “It’s great that the council and local board have listened to our concerns.” The group was not anti-intensification. “Auckland needs more homes. But it
10-13 Sept 2026
needs more homes in the right areas,” he said. Anderson said reports from the council meeting were promising, but the association was still waiting for the updated planning maps to be released. “We won’t be 100 per cent certain until we see updated maps.”
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 6
August 21, 2026
WWII tunnels ‘should stay closed’
Owen Melhuish Your Local Mortgage Adviser 021 281 0405 owen@mortgagesupply.co.nz www.mortgagesupply.co.nz
Kennedy Park’s World War II batteries should be safeguarded with new structural posts but the historic tunnels ought to stay closed, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has advised Auckland Council. The tunnels have been closed for safety reasons since June 2025. Two investigations have looked at what works are required to reopen the tunnels, with the total cost coming to $553,412 – well over the board’s allocated budget of $54,000, it was told at a workshop last week. The battery roof post replacements have an estimated cost of $60,400. Board member Terence Harpur said the cost of reopening was a “huge amount of money for the board to consider”, although noted it would be a “great thing” for the
community to have access to. In an attempt to spread out the impact of the budget, board member George Wood asked if the works could be completed over several years. Project manager Roma Leota said most engineers would want to “do it all in one go”, due to the health and safety requirements associated with the project. Board member Garth Ellingham said there was no room in the budget to undertake the project. “I know it’s historically significant, but we don’t have the money.” Deputy chair Scott Macarthur recommended keeping the tunnels closed and maintaining safe access to the batteries by replacing the “make safe” posts.
Info sought on 12-home plan in Hauraki Several locals sharing concerns about an application for a 12-townhouse development in Hauraki have prompted North Shore Ward Councillor John Gillon to request an update from Auckland Council. The planned development is for 12 two-storey dwellings at 19 Francis St, on the corner of Charles St. A resource consent application has been lodged by Sentinel Planning. Gillon wants to find where the application is in the process, and whether the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has yet provided formal feedback. “I’ve also offered to meet with residents once I have that information, as then I’ll know whether it is too late for them to have a say or whether there is still time,” he said.
Simon Watts For
North Shore
Get in touch simon.watts@national.org.nz national.org.nz/team/simonwatts SimonWattsMP Authorised by S Watts, simon.watts@national.org.nz
August 21, 2026
The Rangitoto Observer Page 7
Triple bill of poets showcase work at Takapuna Library Three poets will be at Takapuna Library next Wednesday 26 August, 6-7.30pm, for “Poetry Day prelude” Shore Words. Nicholas Reid, Sheryl Coyle and Amy Marguerite will discuss and read their work at the event (held two days before Poetry Day) put on by Friends of Takapuna Library and MCed by another poet, Stu Bagby. RSVP to TakapunaEvents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Further upcoming Friends of Takapuna Library events at the library: • Milford’s David Schnauer will discuss his book Uncomfortable Economics on Wednesday 16 September. • Local Sarah Ell is one of two authors discussing their latest work on Wednesday 21 October. Her historical novel A Sky Full of Fire is set against the eruption which destroyed the Pink and White terraces in 1886.
• Authors Nina Nola, Kristen Phillips and Jan Jordan will discuss writing about their fathers at We Write Fathers on Wednesday 18 November. Nola’s memoir The Way to Spell Love is about reconciling herself with a father who struggled to express love, Philips’ Dad, You’ve Got Dementia tells of loving a father with dementia and Jordan’s Snorkelling the Abyss tells of her difficult relationship with parents who didn’t show love.
ELECTION MEETING FOR SENIORS FRIDAY 11 SEPT 2026
1pm-3pm, Netball North Harbour, 44 Northcote Rd MAJOR PARTIES OUTLINE THEIR POLICIES ON NZ SUPER & OTHER KEY SENIOR ISSUES
Winston Peters NZ FIRST
Chlöe Swarbrick GREEN PARTY
Te Pati Māori to be confirmed
Dan Bidois NATIONAL
Shanan Halbert LABOUR
FREE - and all welcome
Karen Chhour ACT
facebook.com/greypowernorthshore
Discovering the the beach beach in in retirement retirement at Discovering at last last Graham moved to the coast at 68 after a full career as a builder, dreaming of daily beach walks. Instead, he barely managed one short walk weekly. “I’d moved here for this,” he says, gesturing at the coastline. “But my knees weren’t cooperating.” His wife faced similar challenges. Their dream retirement was looking very different from what they’d imagined. “We just accepted this was our life,” he recalls. “Watching others enjoy what we couldn’t.” The turning point came when Graham read an article about Koru FX, a New Zealand-made natural cream. “I was skeptical,” Graham admits. “But I kept thinking about the life I was missing.” The natural, local ingredients convinced him. The cream’s 16 compounds create a triple-action formula: warming oils help penetration, peppermint and eucalyptus cool, while mānuka, arnica and calendula provide lasting support. “It absorbed quickly with a nice peppermint smell,” he says. “Deep warming followed by cooling that lasted ages. I noticed it working really quickly.”
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Within weeks, Graham’s beach walks became the new reality. His wife joined the routine, and they’re exploring coastline they’d only admired from afar. “Just enough to take the edge off. Once you start moving again, that makes the difference.” Word spread quickly. “Tomorrow I’m delivering bottles to a friend,” Graham laughs. “The irony, the guy who wouldn’t touch ‘natural products’ is now telling everyone.” “All those cynical months,” he reflects. “I’m grateful to have finally got here.”
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 8
August 21, 2026
Young bands rock Shore Junction
Sam Collins for North Shore
I’m looking forward to meeting as many people on the Shore as possible. Find out when I’ll be in your area here:
Get in touch sam.collins@labour.org.nz @samcollinsnz Authorised by Rob Salmond, 2 Gilmer Terrace, Wellington.
Takapuna Primary School Out-of-Zone Enrolments APPLY NOW
Year 0 – 2 ONLY in 2027 For further information and to complete an online application
www.tps.school.nz
Applications close Wednesday 14 October 2026 Ballot (if required) drawn Wednesday 21 October 2026. Results emailed within 3 school days.
Takapuna Primary School, 23 Auburn Street, Takapuna
On the bill... Estatica members (from left) Abby Allan (vocals), Ray Chai (bass), Hendrix Dickson (guitar), Fynn Bisschoff (guitar), Kento Woollerton (drums) Live music is back at Shore Junction in Takapuna tonight (21 August) with a “Stage 2” line-up of five up-and-coming bands performing in a free gig for 13-24-year-olds. Among the bands playing original material from 7pm to 9.30pm is Estatica, a group of year 12 and year 13 high school students who formed at the start of this year and practise regularly in Shore Junction’s rehearsal rooms. Bass player Ray Chai said the five-piece band came together after each of their former bands broke up. “Now we all agree that this is the best band that we’ve ever been in. Maybe everything happens for a reason.” He said Shore Junction (SJ) has mentored the band. “When we first performed at Stage 2 a few months ago, we were quite a raw band, but after mentorship from the team at SJ we have improved tremendously.” Estatica plays “everything in the ballpark of rock”, with inspirations including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Van Halen, The Beatles, Blink-182 and Led Zeppelin. Other acts performing include Gauge, making their live debut after practising at SJ, and Crying Ivy, an established band from Western Springs College. SJ youth worker and events coordinator Georgia Parker, who joined the team in January after eight years as Rockquest’s national publicist, says the Stage 2 gig is part of the youth centre’s programme to get youth
comfortable and skilled at live performing. It runs in stages, with “First Stage” being a workshop for ideas or new songs where bands can receive feedback. “Stage 2” offers relaxed, community-focused gigs where bands play sets of 15 or 20 minutes. “Bands can get some real experience playing live, try out new material and see what works ... the lineup can span all kinds of stages of development, and that’s the point. “Every band will be playing original material, and we’re stoked to give them all a low-pressure and celebratory place to play what they’re working on.” Young people not only attend and perform at the gigs, but help with facilitation. For this event, Parker says two rangatahi have been taking part in a programme on event management, putting together the run sheets, gear lists and working on event promotion. “On the night, other rangatahi will volunteer across the event, helping with pack-in and pack-out, running the door, assisting with sound and lighting and taking photos.” She says any young people wanting to come along can turn up to the gig for free, and just give their details as they come into Shore Junction for health and safety. Parker says the third part of the programme, “Upstage”, is coming later this year, when more developed acts can play longer sets.
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August 21, 2026
Fashion Week beckons for TGS textile students
Flax-inspired... Takapuna Grammar student Zoe Evans has woven sections of her entry in Fashion Week’s “Walk the Line” showcase
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In a saucepan, gently heat the cream over a medium heat until it starts to simmer. Remove from the heat, add the chopped chocolate and whisk until melted. Add the cardamom to the chocolate mixture, along with the cinnamon. Whisk the egg yolks into the mixture and then whisk in the mascarpone. Divide the mixture between small glasses and refrigerate for 4–6 hours or until set. Decorate with whipped cream and chopped pistachios. Call me on 021 839 674 and lets talk about your next move.
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Two Takapuna Grammar School students have been selected as finalists for Walk the Line 2026, a national youth fashion showcase held as part of New Zealand Fashion Week. Zoe Evans and Moon Nguyen are among 78 designers selected nationwide from 108 entries – a record number for the competition being held this Saturday, 22 August. Zoe is entering the competition for her second consecutive year. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Walk the Line again, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s designs on the runway,” she says. “It’s really cool to be a part of New Zealand Fashion Week.” Zoe has chosen the “Enchanted Earth” category for her 2026 entry, and has drawn inspiration from harakeke for her garment concept, both for what it means within Māori culture and to her personally. “Harakeke represents family, strength, support and togetherness, and I wanted to capture those ideas.” Sections of her dress are woven. “For me, the weaving symbolises the people who shape us throughout our lives.” Moon is entering the “Streetwear” category, and has crafted a jacket inspired by the hip-hop scene. She recently returned from a trip to the Hip-Hop World Championships in the United States, where her dance team Yung ID, based at a studio in Morningside, came second in its under-17 category. Moon says she wanted to make something hip-hop dancers might wear to a party. “It’s mostly upcycled clothing, I’ve used clothing from my closet and my family’s closet and leather from an old shoe company that closed down. There’s also a lot of patchworking.”
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In the patchworking, Nguyen was inspired Hip-hop hooray... by Atlanta fashion designer Nigel Xavier. Moon Nguyen’s jacket “He’s very good with patchworking, jeans is influenced by the and denim,” she says. music and dance The word “Consistency” covers the front world. side of her jacket. “Consistency is a very big Right: Moon with thing to me.” Takapuna Grammar TGS textiles teacher Deb Woodward says textiles teacher Deb the students have done a lot of work “over Woodward. and above” the typical school textiles programme to enter Walk the Line. “We’re really proud and wish them all the best.”
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News Backgrounder
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Support offered to help Shore homeless through winter Homelessness on the North Shore isn’t Orange Sky’s van kitted out with laundry Some of the diners come from communijust a summertime issue, even if it worsens and shower facilities was stolen a few days ty housing in Belmont, while others come during the warmer months. ago, and when recovered had been stripped from further afield. The Salvation Army’s Glenfield Com- of its washing machines and dryers, which De Paul House, based in Northcote, is the munity Ministries support around 15-20 will take time to replace. The charity North Shore’s only provider of temporary, homeless singles or couples in the wider ensured the service continued by taking transitional, and supportive housing. Takapuna area, says Kris Teikamata, a people’s laundry to a laundromat instead. It mainly serves families and senior support worker for the organisation. This St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) at St Jo- citizens who are homeless or in urgent number swells to around 35 over summer. seph’s Takapuna provides a similar service housing need. Many of those living on the street, in to Salvation Army Glenfield for a small but General manager Jan Rutledge says their car or in temporary homelessness on the housing are older people. North Shore can be quite “Fifty per cent of the people hard to identify because we support are aged 51 years it spans a wide area with and older,” Teikamata says. lots of bush and beaches. But she says the Salvation Some of the key issues Army has a high success rate are a lack of affordable of helping people into longhousing, supporting peoterm housing such as Kāinga ple living in crowded Ora or Haumaru. and unsafe places and It runs a weekly outreach connecting systems. service for homeless people “The North Shore is every Tuesday at its Kaipareally underserved in Help for homeless... Kris Teikamata (left) of Glenfield Salvation tiki Rd base. terms of social service Attendees receive a hot Army’s Community Ministries and Jan Rutledge of De Paul House delivery because we’re meal and a food pack, with shower and laundry facilities provided by charity Orange Sky. Access to a GP is also provided. Teikamata says people find out about the service through word of mouth and make their own way there, although the agency is working with Rotary to fundraise for a “navigator” position and a vehicle to take help directly to the homeless. The observations of another church group seem to vindicate the Salvation Army approach. Takapuna Methodist Church administrator Cathy Fraser, who talked to the Observer a year ago about homelessness on the North Shore, says the number of homeless frequenting the church area has declined since then, a reduction she attributes to the Salvation Army Glenfield service.
regular group of up to nine people. Vinnies chair Garth Clarke heard about the service provided by Salvation Army Glenfield and met with Orange Sky to see if it could work at St Joseph’s. “We started in February this year.” Every second Saturday afternoon, Orange Sky has provided its laundry and showering service at the St Joseph’s car park. Another charity, clothing provider Take 7, joins the sessions sometimes too. They offer each recipient seven items of new or high-quality used clothing for free. A meal is also part of the service, which Clarke says has become the main focus. “We promote it as a meal for the homeless, needy and lonely who would like a day out of the house.”
not perceived as having these issues, but there are pockets of real deprivation.” Rutledge points to one example of an elderly man who was living alone on a boat. He had all he needed to be eligible for social housing but lacked a GP assessment confirming he could live independently. Another example was a family living in their car. The father had work but was on a working visa and not entitled to support. “There’s a misconception that the people we support aren’t working but they are, often in poorly paid, casual work.” The agency has 43 transitional housing units and 21 social housing properties, including one house in Takapuna, 11 houses in Bayswater, and three “big sites” – two in Northcote and one in Belmont.
The Rangitoto Observer Page 14
Arts / Entertainment Pages
August 21, 2026
Sumptuous costumes help bring classic tale to life
Talented trio... The costume team for Company Theatre’s production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses: (from left) Liesl Zentgraf, Catherine Foster and Ciara de Hora.
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Company Theatre is bringing the famous French story Les Liaisons Dangereuses to The Rose Centre, with a talented costume team and impressive range of sumptuous garments to match. The 1985 play, based on the 18th-century novel, follows aristocratic rivals Marquise de Merteuil (played by Suzy Sampson) and the Vicomte de Valmont (Michael Hallows) as they scheme and manipulate the characters around them. Catherine Foster, a costume designer on-and-off for 40 years and Devonport author who writes on topics such as property, lifestyle and architectural design, leads the costume team. She is returning to her roots, having trained at the London College of Fashion and had a career in the British film industry during which she costumed Sid & Nancy (1986) and King Ralph (1991). Foster has taken two up-and-coming costume designers under her wing: Torbay Theatre’s Liesl Zentgraf and Devonport-based first-time costume designer Ciara de Hora, fresh from studying fashion at Victoria University. Costumes have been sourced from local theatres across Auckland, including Torbay Theatre, Dolphin Theatre and Titirangi Theatre. “We have some astonishing, amazing pieces,” Foster says. They have collected enough garments over two months to cater for at least two costume changes for each of the 10 actors. Some had to be altered to fit, or to be taken on and off
August 21, 2026
Arts / Entertainment Pages
The Rangitoto Observer Page 15
Top gear... Cast members in costume, Grant Zent as Chevalier Danceny and Josie Simmonds as Cecile de Volanges (above), and Richard Jones as the Major Domo and Suzy Sampson as the Marquise de Merteuil (right) “as quickly as a lighting change”. Zentgraf says a limited budget means the team has to be creative. “Because we are borrowing items, you can’t just cut something up to alter it, we have to mend and improve.” Several of the pieces were sourced from lead actress Sampson. She is a Company Theatre committee member and has been a director with the group, winning Outstanding Direction at the northern Performance Theatre Awards for helming last year’s sold-out The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. “Now I’m back to acting,” she says. Sampson says lots of her friends texted her enviously when she landed the role of the Marquise de Merteuil, who was memorably played by Glenn Close in the 1988 film of the tale. “She has some of the best lines in the play, she’s acerbic and incredibly intelligent.” During her directing days, Sampson decided to costume her cast of Shakespeare’s As You Like It in a French aristocratic style, and many of these pieces are now part of the upcoming production. “It might have been deep in the back of my mind, the thought that I would love to wear these costumes for Les Liaisons Dangereuses one day.” Other locals involved in the play include Rebecca Wright as Madame de Volange and Richard Jones as the Major Domo, along with production and stage manager Vettinia Ross and assistant director Rhema Sutherland. • Les Liasons Dangereuses, the Rose Centre, until 29 August. See companytheatre.co.nz.
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