Issuu

Takapuna, Milford, Castor Bay, Forrest Hill and Sunnynook DELIVERED DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY FORTNIGHTLY

Incumbents line up for election... p2

Issue 7 1 – 15 2019 Issue 21 March June 2019 Issue 1 –– 15 March

Westlake student wins another major prize... p3

AN AN INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT VOICE VOICE

Building heights to be restricted at square ... p6

Historic barracks could be replaced with replica Large-scale asbestos contamination and borer in a historic North Shore barracks building has raised the prospect of demolition and replacement with a replica. The asbestos at the Castor Bay building

was “friable” – dissipating into the air and to resemble a house in World War II to fool surrounding grounds, Auckland Council of- potential enemy spotter planes – was known to ficers told a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board be poor, but the extent of the problems was not. workshop last week. Asbestos in the roof space meant the whole The condition of the building – constructed To page 2

Community digs in to create urban sanctuary

Green fingers... Tabitha Becroft says Sunnynook Community Association has a vision for Lyford Reserve as an urban sanctuary for native birds. Becroft leads monthly working bees, including one on 15 June where volunteers planted 200 native trees. Photo: Keeley Watson. More on page 8

The Rangitoto Observer Page 2

June 21, 2019

From page 1

Asbestos and borer could force barracks demolition

Delivered to 10,000 homes DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY

New Takapuna-Milford paper hits the streets... p2

Issue 1 – 15 March 2019

‘Sacred’ pohutukawa trees turn into a menace... p4

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE

Fears locals short-changed by new town square... p7

Preserving coastal track no walk in the park The future of a hugely popular coastal People have been walking through Paul track between Takapuna and Milford is set to Firth’s garden since 2011, when a wooden be secured as Auckland Council negotiates bridge was washed away in a storm. with a property owner over purchasing his At that time, the council found it had never historic bach. been an official bridge and rebuilding would

require a coastal consent, which required approval from all affected landowners. Firth, now 74, withheld his consent because To page 3

Oarsome costumes make waves at Beach Series finale

In the pink… Jason Herriman was among entrants who got into the spirit of a retro-themed final night of the Beach Series summer races at Takapuna Beach last Tuesday. More pictures p12-14

from the Award-winning Team at the Devonport Flagstaff Devonport Publishing Ltd Level 1, 6-8 Milford Road Telephone: 09 445 0060 Email: sales@rangitoto-observer.co.nz news@rangitoto-observer.co.nz Website: www.rangitoto-observer.co.nz MANAGING EDITOR: PUBLISHER: EDITOR: ADVERTISING: REPORTER:

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Information in the Rangitoto Observer is copyright and cannot be published or broadcast without the permission of Devonport Publishing Ltd.

NEXT ISSUE: July 5 ADVERTISING DEADLINE: June 28

Delayed response... Kennedy Park World War II Installations Preservation Trust founder John Crews (left, and chairman Chris Owen have complained of council inaction since it bought the barracks five years ago

Incumbents line up for election battle Most of the current local body politicians serving the Devonport/Takapuna Local Board area are standing again in the October elections. North Shore ward councillors Chris Darby and Richard Hills have both confirmed they are standing for Auckland Council as independents. For the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, member Jan O’Connor is standing as an independent. Board chair George Wood is standing under the Team George Wood banner, alongside other sitting board members Jennifer McKenzie and Michael Sheehy. Ian Revell and Gavin Busch are also standing on the ticket. Question marks hang over local board members Mike Cohen and Grant Gillon. It’s believed Gillon might stand for both the

Outdoor showers get thumbs up Outdoor showers at the new Takapuna toilet block are wanted by 75 per cent of people who responded to council consultation on the project. Almost of 70 per cent of respondents also supported unisex toilets. Most people were happy with the redevelopment plans and site of the new toilet block, closer to the children’s playground at Takapuna Beach, Auckland Council officers told a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board workshop last week.

board and the council. He sold the Esplanade Hotel business a year ago, giving him more time for local body work. Gillon said he would make an announcement on his plans at the end of June. Mike Cohen said he doesn’t “see a strong reason to stand.” Three issues he was keenly involved in – the Takapuna Campground, Lyford Bush and the Shore Junction Youth Centre – had all been finalised or progressed to near completion.

The Unseasonable Fall of Snow

What’s On

roof would need replacement or remediation, and untreatable two-tooth borer was spreading through the joists and floor. The building’s electrics needed to be replaced, including the mains system. Its downpipes were also in poor condition and exterior paint was lead-based. A concrete chimney lacked steel reinforcing. The building would fail current earthquake standards. “In my opinion [the best course] is a demolition and rebuild,” council officer Brian Manly [Check?] told the workshop. Some of the heart rimu and kauri used in the floor could be “repurposed into a replica of the building”, he said. A budget of $900,000 is available to restore the building. Board member Grant Gillon asked whether this was enough. Manly said the $900,000 would be close, but demolition of the building would be extra. Replacing the roof alone could cost $50,000. But getting rid of the asbestos was expensive, Manly said. Testing of ground near the building for asbestos contamination had yet to be done. Officers would engage a heritage architect to get an idea of costs and fees for further work. Local-board advisor Tristan Cloustan said one issue was that the building had no current use, so a “service need” would be difficult to establish. • Council is also considering what to do with an asbestos-riddled building it owns at 18 Richards Ave, Forrest Hill. It was previously used as a Scout den and more recently by theatre groups.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 3

June 21, 2019

Prize-winning young writer embraces Bard-induced confusion An essay celebrating the confusion caused by Shakespeare has won multi-talented, Westlake Girls High School Year 13 student Xiaole Zhan yet another prestigious award. The Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand receives hundreds of entries from around the country for their essay competition every year. This year Xiaole came first equal for her essay “In Defence of Confusion – Love, Adolescence, and Shakespeare’s Zoo of Humanity”. This win closely follows the 17-year-old being awarded a publishing deal with Phantom Feather Press and taking first place in an international composition competition held by the Vancouver Chamber Choir. In her winning essay, Xiaole argues that being confused by Shakespeare is something to be celebrated. “No one can answer the big questions in life and that confusion should be celebrated. That’s one of the great things about Shakespeare.” She first studied Shakespeare in Year 9, but began reading his works outside of school time. “I explored a lot of his plays in my own time,” she says. “One of the main points in my essay was, because we aren’t given the freedom to celebrate confusion a lot of people just give up.” Xiaole was placed first equal with a student from ACG Parnell College, winning $350 and one year’s membership of the New Zealand Society of Authors. Her publishing deal was landed in January after she won the Editor’s Choice Prize in the Young New Zealand Writers Youth Laureate competition. Xiaole has already had over 100 pre-orders of her novella The Extinct and is preparing for the e-book to go on sale on Amazon. Her winning piece of choral composition, Aquatic Nocturne, was performed by The Vancouver Chamber Choir earlier this month. Xiaole is now working on a 90-second orchestral piece to enter in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra composition competition. She plans to go on to study neuroscience, creative writing and composition at university. A unique book launch Attar books

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Back by popular demand

Detail of 1870 watercolour of Devonport from North Head. Artist unknown.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 4

June 21, 2019

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 5

June 21, 2019

Fight against high-rises buoyed by court victory A resident fighting Auckland Council’s plans for high-rise buildings in Takapuna through the courts has had a significant win. In his original 2017 High Court action, Franco Belgiorno-Nettis included four sites that hundreds of residents had made submissions on. However, on legal advice, he narrowed the appeal to the Promenade Block behind the Takapuna Beach campground and a stretch of Lake Rd leading into the shopping centre from the south. Now the Court of Appeal has agreed with Belgiorno-Nettis that the Independent Hearings Panel should have provided reasons for zoning changes in parts of Takapuna. “The appeal has been a great success but the relief is not satisfactory, at least for the moment,” Belgiorno-Nettis says. The Independent Hearings Panel has been ordered to reconvene and provide reasons, but Belgiorno-Nettis had hoped it would have to review the zone changes. However, he says, it paves the way for other residents to contest zone changes in their suburbs. Provided with the Independent Hearing Panel’s reasons for a zoning change, they can then request an Environment Court judicial review. The Promenade Block is between Earnoch Ave, Alison Ave and the Promenade. The unitary plan zoning allows for three storeys around the edge, rising to seven storeys in the middle part of the block. Belgiorno-Nettis says buildings this height would shade the campground in the evenings. Lake Rd on the west side, between Bracken Ave and Byron Ave, is deemed a mixed-use zone and buildings can go up to seven to eight storeys. The opposite side of the road, near where Belgiorno-Nettis lives, is a mixed-housing urban zone, permitting buildings up to six or seven storeys.

Taking on city hall... Franco Belgiorno-Nettis says his court victory paves the way for others to contest zone changes These would create an unpleasant corridor and shade nearby homes, Belgiorno-Nettis says, adding his own home would not be affected. These parts of the plan are not yet operative, because of his court action. Belgiorno-Nettis is planning to seek a further hearing of his case in the Supreme Court. His earlier court action included the Takapuna Fire Station site, which a residents’ group was fighting to have included in neighbouring Killarney Park, and a strip behind Gould Reserve, where buildings up to

seven or eight storeys, now permitted, could shade Takapuna Beach. He says the Unitary Plan decision-makers rode roughshod over the wishes of Takapuna residents. “There was total disregard for the interests of the private submitters,” he says, while also taking aim at the characterisation of existing residents as “Nimbys”, using the acronym for Not In My Back Yard. “Calling them Nimbys was the way to shut them up. They are not Nimbys just for form, they are Nimbys because they don’t like what the council is trying to do,” Belgiorno-Nettis says.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 6

June 21, 2019

Building heights to be restricted around town square Building heights will be limited around the new Takapuna town square to allow as much sun in as possible. When selling off land on and near what is now the public car park at 40 Anzac St, Auckland Council will place legal restrictions on the size of buildings, says its property development arm, Panuku.. The exact size and heights of the restrictions and set backs from the square were not yet known, Panuku development manager Kate Cumberpatch told a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board workshop last week. However, to the north of the proposed square building heights could be limited to five storeys and to the west slightly less, she said. The legal restrictions on the buildings’ heights could be included in sales and purchase agreements and also be lodged against property titles, she said. Earlier, Richard Reid, an urban design consultant employed by the local board to review the options for the town square, had expressed concerns about the amount of shade new buildings could cast over the public land. Under the Auckland Unitary Plan, maximum building heights within 40 Anzac St – currently a car park and Sunday market venue – were between 9 to 11 storeys (36.5m), with buildings up to 24.5m (seven to eight storeys) and 36.5m surrounding it.

Building height restrictions will mean more sun, says Kate Cumberpatch If the maximum heights were built they would comply with the Auckland Unitary Plan. But that might not be the “best outcome from an urban design perspective”. Reid recommended the town square be located to the south of the existing Potters Park, “creating a beautiful spatial sequence, passing through the park to the square”. Panuku on the other hand has rejected the Potters Park extension in favour of what it calls a central square, linking Lake Rd with Hurstmere Rd, including a council property at number 38. Both concepts had been reviewed by planning consultants Isthmus, before coming up with the

Skateboard upgrade and three BMX tracks An upgraded skateboarding area at Sunnynook Park and three new BMX tracks in Forrest Hill and Milford are under investigation by Auckland Council. The Sunnynook skatepark upgrade would cost $750,000, council consultants Bespoke said in a report to a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board workshop. The report said new BMX tracks should be located at Seine Reserve, Forrest Hill (with a $75,000 budget); Marsh Reserve, Forrest Hill ($250,000) and Milford Reserve ($250,000). Sunnynook Park was well located for a surburban-level facility and the reserve had car parking and toilets, the report said. A final Bespoke report would be presented to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for recommendations.

central square preference, Cumberpatch said. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board was to consider Panuku’s final report on Tuesday, after the Observer went to press. After the board makes its recommendations, the town square proposals will be put to council’s environment and community committee for a final decision on 10 July.

The Rangitoto Observer Page 7

June 21, 2019

Fire station development a slow burner

Still standing... the former Takapuna Fire Station and its smaller predecessor (at left) await demolition ahead of the construction of a retirement village, which is expected to start next year A retirement village is still set to be developed on the site of the former Takapuna Fire Station, despite no work being done since the property was purchased in mid-2015. Auckland Council granted consent to developer McConnell Clearmont Limited Partnership in early 2018 for a five-storey, 96-unit retirement village, after an earlier notified-consent application for a larger facility was abandoned.

“We have been working through the design phase after the consent was slow to arrive,” McConnell Clearmont business development manager Charlotte Seath says. There is no date as yet for demolition, but construction is expected to start in 2020, she says. It will be McConnell Clearmont’s first own-brand retirement village. The developer has not yet registered the retirement village,

so has not started selling apartments, Seath says. The fire station was constructed in 1959 and an earlier 1952 fire station also stands on the property. The Takapuna Fire Brigade moved to the site from The Strand in 1952. The fire service sold the property to McConnell Clearmont for $14.3 million in 2015. At the time, it had a government valuation of $2.25m.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 8

June 21, 2019

$600K donation confirms youth hub’s future Youth innovation hub Shore Junction is expected to open its doors in the former RSA building in Shea Tce in early 2020, after receiving a $600,000 grant from Lotteries NZ. The centre for young people aged 13-24, had already been given a $1.5 million grant from Foundation North and a $123,000 grant from the Yes Disability Resource Centre organisation. Last week it was confirmed that the Lotteries grant, along with $300,000 of donations from the community, meant the project is close to its overall goal of $3.3 million in funding. Shore Junction community director Melanie Barr says it is about two-thirds of the way there. “We are financially on target. We’ve got some really great connections that said once we have got funding to let them know and they will gift us resources. So we’re in a much better position now.” Barr says that they plan to start building in October and have the doors open by February 2020, in time for the school and university year. The hub will offer various spaces, pro- Shore thing... An artist’s impression of how youth-innovation hub gramming and services to support innova- Shore Junction will look when it opens in the former RSA Building in Shea Tce tion, learning, well-being and creativity.

Ideas floated for ‘underused’ parks Five parks in Takapuna/Milford have been identified as under-utilised. They include Taharoto Park, Quarry Lake Reserve, Anakiwa Reserve, Bryan Byrnes Reserve, and Linwood Reserve, Auckland Council Officers told a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board workshop. Options for increasing patronage of the reserves included: • Anakiwa: develop a neighbourhood play ground. • Bryan Byrnes: build a series of fitness

stations. • Taharoto Park: build fitness stations in a circuit, or a more low-key calisthenics area; add a neighbourhood playground. • Quarry Lake Reserve: investigate a path alongside the lake to replace the current slippery track; create better links to North Shore Hospital so mobile patients can walk to the reserve and lake edge; consider a connecting boardwalk between the two halves of the park. • Linwood Reserve: extend the play-

ground; add a basketball half-court; provide fitness stations; develop a learner rider track around the perimeter. Officers will work further on the various options, which will be brought back to the Local Board and then go out for consultation. Board member Grant Gillon said he was slightly concerned about the under-utilised terminology. He didn’t want “under-utilised” to rebound as “unneeded” by a cash-hungry Auckland Council looking to sell assets.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 9

June 21, 2019

Keen team plants 200 trees on way to goal of 1000 this winter

Tree-mendous work... Sarie Marshall plants one of 200 seedlings A crew of 25 volunteers young and old planted 200 native trees in the first of a series of winter planting days in Sunnynook’s Lyford Reserve. Children from Sunnynook School joined members of Sunnynook Community Association, scouts and locals on Saturday, 15 June.

Planting a seed... Tyler Ropiha was among the crew planting trees at Lyford Reserve.

Lyford Reserve, sometimes known as Sunnynook Bush, is the largest block of bush in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area. “It is an important stop for birds in the North-West Wildlink and an excellent way for locals to get up close with nature,” the association’s Tabitha Becroft says.

Native trees were donated by Auckland Council and people from the community. Becroft organises monthly working bees focused on weeding, cleaning up the reserve, pest-control and, over winter, tree-planting with a goal of planting 1000 trees. The next planting day is 20 July, 9.30am.

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Letters

The Rangitoto Observer Page 10

June 21, 2019

Impressed with Observer, but...

Wee, the people and the need for a dog ban

of course, but being given such a disparate excess of space can hardly be described as even-handed journalism, in my opinion. Keep up the good work. John Shears Editor’s note: This was the second article on the topic and in the first we were unable to contact the bar owner to give him right of reply, which is only fair.

I have been able to read the last four or five of your new fortnightly newspaper and must say that I am impressed with the variety of news and photos and the standard of writing. Thank you. I was already familiar with the Devonport version, but it is great to get up-to-the-minute news of this area. I was just a little disappointed in the article on page 8 (Rangitoto Observer, 7 June), however. The headline seemed to be very promising, together with a photo of a local resident speaking against the requested extension of the licensing rules to allow 3am closing. The article was about 24 column centimetres but only 9.5 were against the increase to 3am, as the headline suggested. The remaining 14.5cm were statements from two bar owners with a vested interest in later closing hours. They are entitled to voice their opinions,

I read with interest your front page story on “barking mad” dog owners unhappy that their access to our North Shore beaches may be further restricted (Observer, 10 May). I’m part of the majority of beachgoers who hope that the sticky sensation under our bare feet is salt. It seems to me that most of the North Shore’s 35,000 dog owners exercise their best friend on weekend mornings on Takapuna and Milford beaches and many exceed the time restrictions. When others are about, they do scoop up the fecal matter, but unfortunately cannot control the urine. I’ve witnessed on numerous occasions dogs toileting close to young children playing in the sand. I’m sure if thousands of humans urinated on our beaches every morning and evening there’d be a huge public outcry. Our beaches are a great asset for all our residents, and particularly young families. Surely they must take precedence over incontinent dogs who shouldn’t have access at all during the summer.

Electoral topics The 2019 local body elections are likely to get many readers hot under the collar and provoke letters to the editor Such letters are welcome as long as they are on general topics. However, we will not print letters that are essentially campaigning for an individual or group. If you would like to book an advertisement, please contact sales@ rangitoto-observer.co.nz

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Letters to the Editor Letters are welcome. They should be on topics relating to Milford, Takapuna and nearby suburbs. Noms-de-plume or submissions without a name will not be printed. Email to news@rangitotoobserver.co.nz or post to Rangitoto Observer, PO Box, 32 275, Devonport.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 11

June 21, 2019

Blue-chip apartments could lose beach access Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 04 June 2019

Te Uru Tapu / Sacred Grove Concept Designs and Engagement Plan

No public meeting on grove options Hui will be held to explain Sacred Grove proposals to iwi, but a push for a public meeting for local residents was rejected by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. The board heard hui between council officers and five iwi groups would be held to explain the options to protect Sacred Grove, a group of pohutukawa on the Takapuna beachfront. Member Mike Cohen proposed the public meeting so experts could put forward the options for the land to set a platform for questions. Cohen voted for a public meeting along with member Grant Gillon. But George Wood, Mike Sheehy and Jen McKenzie voted against. Wood was concerned at the costs that would

be incurred with a public meeting at somewhere like the Bruce Mason Theatre. Cohen was disappointed that some money from a “million dollar project” could not be found for a public meeting. A cheaper venue than the Bruce Mason Theatre could easily be found, he said. “Democrary is worth it.” Council officers will instead hold informal public gatherings at the Takapuna Library and on Takapuna Beach to explain the options for the grove. Officers did not say how they planned to promote the meetings. But member McKenzie said they should be advertised in the Rangitoto Observer, which was gaining good readership on the North Shore.

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Page 50

Attachment B

Te Uru Tapu / Sacred Grove Concept Designs and Engagement Plan

Item 11

Attachment B

Item 11

Residents of some of Takapuna’s plushest apartments will lose direct beach access under one of two final options under consideration to protect Sacred Grove – a cluster of historic pohutukawa, All access to Sacred Grove would be closed under the option, which carries a cost of $1.1 million. All structures would be removed, including the existing boardwalk. The promenade lookout will be retained. Under this option, residents of the Rocks, Sands and Mon Desir apartments will no longer have access to the beach from their grounds via Sacred Grove. Option two sees the closure of access to the southern end of Sacred Grove, with the boardwalk also removed. However, access Maximum protection of grove… Option 1 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to the northern section of the grove leading 04 June 2019 to the stone lookout point would be retained as well as access to the promenade, lookout point and beach. This option would cost $965,000. Extensive consultation with Maori groups has been held, including a hui with 13 tribes and a site visit attended by five iwi groups. “Iwi favour preserving the area by closing it to the public and removing all infrastructure and returning it to its natural state,” an Auckland Council report to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board said. A further hui with iwi will now be held for feedback on the two final concept designs and to give an update of remedial work needed on trees in the grove. The final two options will also go out for More access… Option 2 public feedback. Informal meetings will be held in Takapuna to outline the options. A “These trees cannot be looked at in isola- vicinity of Sacred Grove were protected meeting will also be held with beachfront tion. All these [Takapuna beachfront] trees under the Auckland Unitary Plan. apartment owners. But council could not access trees on are very culturally significant to tangata Board member Jen McKenzie said al- whenua. private land which “was out of our realm”. though council was not responsible for “There is a boundary line but it wasn’t private property, pohutukawa on the apart- there hundreds of years ago,” McKenzie • Sacred Grove in history ment’s property should also be included in said. through the eyes of artists and discussions for protection. Officers said all the pohutukawa in the photographers, p16

Page 51

The Rangitoto Observer Page 12

June 21, 2019

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June 21, 2019

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 13

The Rangitoto Observer Page 14

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June 21, 2019

Long-time volunteer’s praises sung A North Shore society that has fostered the careers of performers such as Sole3 Mio has recognised a dedicated volunteer with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement award. Forrest Hill resident Alan Reekie, 78, has been presented with the award from the Performing Arts Competition Association of New Zealand in recognition of more than 30 years’ involvement with the North Shore branch. “The satisfaction is seeing those young performers trying to step onto the stage and make a living for themselves,” Reekie says. He gives ‘the Sole3 Mio boys’ as an example. All three of the acclaimed trio competed at contests organised by the North Shore Performing Arts Competitions Society, under Reekie’s watch as vocal convenor. Only one, Moses Mackay, lived locally, attending Rosmini College, while the Pati brothers, Pene and Amitai, were among the many students who come from across the city to compete in the North Shore contests. In the early 1980s, Reekie followed his wife onto the committee, going on to become vice-president in 1987, vocal convenor from 1998 until 2017 and then president from 1992 until last November. He is not a performer himself and says he ‘can’t read a note of music’, but his son is a musician and Reekie has developed an interest in opera and classical music. The competitions organised by the North Shore society offer children and young adults under 25 a chance to perform to an audience and receive a report from an independent adjudicator. The finalists in various categories, including piano, vocal, various types of dance, instrumental and speech and drama, go on to an annual national competition. Those who are placed nationally are likely to go on to careers in the performing arts, Reekie says. Reekie retired from accounting and management roles with Inland Revenue in 2009 and has enjoyed a second career pursuing his “twin passions” of the performance competitions and the PumpHouse, where he has been

Noteworthy... Alan Reekie at the Pumphouse with his award from the Performing Arts Competition Association of New Zealand secretary for the past 12 years. He was presented with his lifetime achievement award, the first given out for 18 years, at the Becroft Aria competition final at the PumpHouse on 3 June. Reekie says he likes to be a “backdoor person” and insisted on being awarded his certificate before the aria competition winner was announced, because it was the singer’s moment. After so much success, the society is facing an uncertain future, including not being able to

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 16

June 21, 2019

Item 11

t-Takapuna Local Board 019

Sacred Grove a key part of Takapuna Beach history

Attachment B

The historical significance of the Sacred Grove of pohutukawa overlooking Takapuna Beach is well illustrated in a trawl through old pictures and photographs.

A view of Takapuna Beach looking North, 1894, by Kennett Watkins

View of Takapuna Beach looking North 1853, Caroliine Abraham

The view of the grove looking South 1901

Sketch of Takapuna Beach 1923

The Rangitoto Observer Page 17

June 21, 2019

ADVERTORIAL

Family ties to William Sanders Turning 80 was a big factor and prompt for Waiheke couple Glennys and Grant Adams to start thinking about retirement living. The pair, particularly Glennys, have had close associations with the stunning suburb of Devonport. Because of that history the new Ryman location was immediately attractive. But Glennys admits there was another very special reason behind their decision to choose this village — Glennys is the great-niece of the village namesake, naval hero William Sanders. “I was absolutely delighted when I found out Ryman wanted to name the new village after him,” says Glennys. William, who was the only Kiwi to be awarded a Victoria Cross in a naval battle, died after

Grant and Glennys in downtown Auckland at the ferry terminal.

his ship was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1917. He was awarded the VC – the Commonwealth’s highest honour for bravery – as well as the Distinguished Service Order. “My grandmother Emily Keith, nee Sanders, was William’s only sister. She, William and their other

two brothers Charles and Walter were very close. “As I lived with Emily for my rst six years, William, or Uncle Willy as we called him, was very much part of my life.” While their apartment is yet to be built, Glennys admits that having some certainty for their future is reassuring.

“As one ages, thoughts naturally turn to what may be needed at the next stage of life’s journey and it seems that a retirement village oﬀers a sense of security. “It is also reassuring for Grant and I as we enter our 80s to know that there are diﬀerent levels of care available to us if required in the future.”

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 18

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 19

June 21, 2019

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 20

June 21, 2019

Play readings salute Takapuna’s newest knight

Art imitates life... A regular meeting at the Stone Oven inspired a Roger Hall play, which will be read at The Vic by the cast pictured above spired by Sir Roger’s own men’s coffee group that meets every week at a Devonport café. He is directing the play himself with a cast of seven Theatre Company actors. “I’ve loved directing and really enjoyed working with the Company Theatre actors,” he says. The cantankerous, opinionated and amusing characters are anxious about the effects of technology on their future livelihoods. McRae says play readings are a great fit for the Vic as they have a short rehearsal period and the actors read from their scripts. “It is a more direct and simple way to bring

How does it look across the ditch? The New Zealand sharemarket has been a top performer by global standards over recent years, but now it has been labelled by some analysts as the most expensive sharemarket in the developed world. The S&P/NZX 50 Index currently trades at a 40% premium to the S&P/ASX 200 Index, while the long-term average has been 2%. A like-forlike comparison between New Zealand and Australian shares reveals the average New Zealand share trades at a 15% to 20% Price Earnings ratio (PE) premium to its Australian peer, operates on a similar EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) margin, holds more debt and is marginally more capital intensive. While some of New

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live theatre to audiences at a really affordable ticket price”. The series has been made possible by a grant from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. Any profits will go to the VTT restoration fund. • Play-reading details: Taking Off, 4pm Sunday 23 June, directed by Janice Finn; By Degrees, 4pm Sunday 30 June, directed by Janice Finn; Book Ends, 4pm Sunday 7 July, directed by Roger Hall. Tickets $12.50. Bookings essential, at thevic.co.nz or ph 446 0100.

Pip Irwin Jenny Smith

However a mix of shares across various geographies can strengthen a portfolio of investments and enhance the risk versus return balance. Determining the appropriate mix of investments across asset classes varies depending on the individual circumstances of each investor. As Authorised Financial Advisers, we work closely with personalised clients to build a suitable portfolio of investments which meets their individual requirements. Forsyth Barr is committed to providing a full range of investment services to meet the varied

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Sources: Forsyth Barr Research. This column is general in nature and should not be regarded as personalised investment advice. Disclosure Statements for Forsyth Barr Authorised Financial Advisers are available on request and free of charge.

The life and work of Sir Roger Hall will be celebrated in a play-reading series opening at the Victoria Theatre in Devonport this month. Takapuna resident Sir Roger was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to theatre. The series of three play readings to celebrate his 80th birthday will now also be a celebration of his knighthood, with Sir Roger attending to discuss his plays and career. “Roger is the patron of the historic Vic Theatre and has made an enormous contribution to theatre in this country, not only with his plays but also through his advocacy for playwrights,” says Margot McRae, Victoria Theatre Trust co-chair. The first two play readings feature female characters and are funny and sensitive studies of human nature. Taking Off follows four Kiwi women who are given a new lease on life as they head off overseas. By Degrees looks at the experiences of four very different women who go to university as mature students. Sir Roger said he had more feedback about these two plays than any others he has written, because they struck such a chord with women. Both are directed by Janice Finn of Tadpole Productions and feature well-known actors Louise Wallace, Catherine Wilkin, Darien Takle and Anna Baird. The third play featured, Book Ends, was in-

The Rangitoto Observer Page 21

June 21, 2019

ADVERTORIAL

Fixed village fee for life RETIREMENT LIVING - INDEPENDENT APARTMENTS - SERVICED APARTMENTS -

THE RETIREMENT YOU DESERVE, IN A HAVEN THAT MAKES LIFE SO EASY It has been a busy and enjoyable eighteen months at Metlifecare’s The Poynton for resident John Thompson, who says the best things about life at the retirement village are the activities and the people.

A prime location John, 83, lived on a lifestyle block in Coatesville for 15 years. In October 2017, he moved into his two-bedroom apartment at The Poynton, where he feels right at home.

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Reassurance for family John says his family is happy with his decision to make the move to the village.

THE POYNTON 142 Shakespeare Road, Takapuna metlifecare.co.nz

Having visited many times, they’re impressed with what The Poynton offers John, and that he is living life to the full.

I’m not a long-time resident, but I’m a very happy resident in the eighteen months so far and look forward to many more years here. John, The Poynton Resident

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 22

June 21, 2019

Families star of Matariki show

Stack of art... Lake House manager Grae Burton (left) and staff Spencer Bellas, Colleen Pugh and Shiraz Smith with some of the artworks going on show in the Pou Toko Manawa exhbition Work from more than 50 artists will feature in a celebration of family this Matariki at The Lakehouse Arts Centre. Pou Toko Manawa is being curated by Maori artist Mere Clifford in collaboration with Creative Communities Auckland and the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. “Each artist received between one and three wooden panels made by Mere,” says Lake House manager Grae Burton. “They could create their own style of art

based on the theme, which is ‘celebrating family and connectivity to the Lake House Arts Centre’.” Clifford has decided to stack the panels on top of one another to represent a pou – a carved wooden post used to mark territorial boundaries or places of significance. Burton is expecting more than 60 panels of artwork ranging from wood-turning to pastel, paint and sculpture. “It really reflects our diverse community,”

he says. During Matariki, the Lake House will also be hosting Toi Roto Whakairo (‘Art of the Lake’), a live wood-carving exhibition involving six artists. All works will be lake-themed, and will remain on site to be enjoyed by the public. Pou Toko Manawa, 23 June to 6 July. Opening event 4pm, 23 June. Toi Roto Whakairo, 22 June to 20 July

The Rangitoto Observer Page 23

June 21, 2019

Auckland’s leading theatre for children

by MICHAEL ROSEN Illustration by HELEN OXENBURY | Adapted by TIM BRAY

29th June – 20th July Book now ph 489 8360 Or via www.timbray.org.nz

The Rangitoto Observer Page 24

June 21, 2019

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