A woman was found dead in the public toilets at the Hauraki Corner shops last week.
Shocked and saddened shop-owners told the Observer a cleaner found her body. Her death comes as the wider Takapuna area grapples with increasingly visible homelessness, as was covered in an Observer
backgrounder last issue.
With more people living on local streets, some with complex needs and mental health issues, community and church groups are attempting to raise funds to employ a “navigator” to help them connect with services.
Several Hauraki shop-owners said the dead
woman was homeless and had sometimes slept at the Hauraki Corner public toilets.
Police said they attended a sudden death on Jutland Rd around 7.45am on Wednesday 24 September. The death would be referred to the coroner. “There are no suspicious cir-
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Rocky, ‘denuded’ Takapuna Beach prompts call for council plan
Rocks littering the northern end of Takapuna Beach after a storm surge have split opinion on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.
With some members wanting the rocks removed and the sand graded, while others favoured letting nature run its course, the board finally voted 3-2 to seek a report from council staff.
Deputy chair Terence Harpur backed that motion, put up by George Wood and seconded by Gavin Busch, while board chair Mel Powell and member Peter Allen voted against.
Wood wanted advice and a plan to improve the poor appearance of the beach. Locals had told him this year was the first time they had it in such chronic condition.
had been reluctant to engage. “We’re always told it is a natural phenomenon.”
Busch said while you can’t argue with nature “at some point a plan is needed”. It was a prime location and “the beach for the North Shore”.
Harpur said he supported having the coastal team involved on options and wanted central council to put money into anything that was decided. “It’s a highly popular beach visited by many people from all over the city.”The beach was showing more underlying clay patches, he said.
Rocks that had previously been exposed only at low tide had been carried higher in a storm surge and the beach had been denuded of sand. He wanted the rocks gone, but said it “comes down to dollars”.
Armed with photographs of a sand-covered beach in 2018 and others showing it littered with rocks, he said there had been a distinct change.
“If this was taking place at Mission Bay there would be a public call for something to occur.”
Wood mentioned that in regard to a previous issue of seaweed piling up, council staff
Powell warned: “If you mess with Mother Nature she’ll come back and bite you on the butt.” Asking ratepayers to pay for rock removal and for sand, only for this to be washed out to sea, could not be justified, she said. The board would also face costs getting a report done.
“We’re not saying fix – we want a report,” replied Busch so options could be looked at.
Having just walked the beach with his dog, Allen did not consider the rocks caused any problems.
A report, when it is done, will be up to the new board to consider, probably not before summer, with Wood’s motion passed at the board’s final business meeting before this month’s local body elections.
• Election coverage, pages 11-13
Town centre bar wants later hours
Takapuna bar Cousin Scott’s has applied for a liquor licence renewal with extended hours, allowing it to remain open until 2am.
The American-style sports bar and eatery in Lake Rd currently holds a tavern licence to trade Monday to Sunday from 9am to 1am. It wants to change its allowed opening hours to 8am to 2am.
This would extend its closing time beyond that which applies at a number of other Takapuna town centre premises, for which 1am is the latest cut-off time.
Cousin Scott’s application is before the Auckland District Licensing Committee. It has been publicly notified for any objections, which need to be filed by 28 October.
Authorised by Hon Simon Watts, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
Toilet death: ‘what a terrible way for a precious life to end’
From page 1 cumstances at this stage,” a spokesman said.
The toilet block was taped off for the morning while a forensic examination took place inside. Police removed items, including some in large paper bags, from the women’s side of the concrete-block facility. They also sought CCTV footage from shops.
A shop-owner said she was shocked to learn of the death and while she knew little about the deceased woman, she had previously seen her take possessions in and out of the toilets, including a trolley which she thought was used to block the entrance.
Another business owner said a group of homeless men would sometimes congregate inside the 24-hour automatic laundromat in the evenings. This was a deterrent for people who sometimes used the laundromat to cut through from Lake Rd to the car park and shops.
He said the homeless did not have a noticeable presence around the shops in the daytime, but had become more noticeable seeking shelter at nights.
He put this down to the rise in homeless people living on the streets in Takapuna and thought some might be heading south for
Sad end... Police at the taped-off public toilet block at the Hauraki Corner shops car park, where a woman’s body was found last week
a quieter spot to rest. The business owner said the Hauraki shops drew local custom, but were quiet due to tough economic times.
Trouble was mostly limited to a few thefts, involving people running off with items.
Council spokesman Eloi Fonseca said no formal reports of significant issues at the Hauraki toilets had been lodged in the days before the death. But council had now spoken to police about the facility.
One of the community leaders seeking action over local homelessness, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Mel Powell, said the death was tragic.
“Imagine dying in a public toilet. What a terrible way for a precious life to end,” she said.
More homeless people would die if emergency housing was not available for them on the North Shore, she said.
‘Wonky’ new Shakespeare Rd footpath dug up and relaid
Auckland Transport says it doesn’t have a figure for the cost of fixing a botched footpath renewal on Shakespeare Rd, Milford, because the job is not yet complete.
Public complaints followed rough work on the busy stretch of footpath running from the Stratford Ave corner, opposite Milford Primary School, towards the town centre.
One resident told the Observer the footpath laid in early August was too narrow, wonky and had left dangerous trip hazards.
“I cannot believe the absolute incompe-
tence of either the brief or the contractors and would really appreciate knowing how this was able to happen,” she said, adding the actual concrete pour was good.
Other people flagged the issue to councillor Richard Hills, who also took up the problems with AT.
Asked about subsequent remedial work to dig up and re-lay the footpath and the costs involved, an AT spokesperson said:
“The contractor was not paid for the initial work, and Auckland Transport (AT) has not
received the final cost yet as this work is not fully complete. There is still a small section to be completed.”
AT said it noticed alignment issues with the footpath and instructed the contractor to
well contested with great viewing.
We will have screens up in the mall for the event and a special display from the Milford Cruising Club in the shop just inside the entrance from the Milford Road car park of over 100 years of sailing memorabilia from this local club.
the panel at the bottom of the home page – ‘Subscribe to Newsletter’. Similarly you can sign up on the Milford Residents Association Newsletter and also on The Milford Cruising Club newsletter.
A Class Catamaran World Championships
A Class Cataraman World Championships
More information on what to do in an emergency can be found on the website: aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz
Milford Emergency Readiness Group
The world yachting fraternity will be focused on Milford from the 7th to 16th November, as 60 plus sailors from around 12 countries compete in two classes – the traditional catamaran and the super-quick foiling catamarans. The competition will be fierce but friendly. I understand one team has commissioned a Finnish company to build six new catamarans for this event, each costing in excess of $100,000. So it’s going to be very well contested with great viewing.
Sailors and their boats will start arriving towards the end of October to get a bit of practice ahead of the event. During the event, the whole of the Milford Beach Reserve will be a spectacle, with the catamarans lined up around the edges of it. Come and see this special event in Milford.
Sponsor a Cat!
A big thanks to all our loyal customers who once again supported us during the month of August as we were, yet again, the Top Sales Town Centre on the Shore. Checkout new stores, Bed Bath & Table plus Stella and Emma in the mall – and Toco Açaí & Froyo in the Main Street opposite New World.
Schedule*
Friday 7 November: Registration and boat rigging
We want to keep Milford connected in the next community emergency, so look out for our joint communications.
Saturday 8 November: Pre-Worlds
Have a great October.
Sunday 9 November: Pre-Worlds racing and prizegiving and Worlds Opening Ceremony
Tuesday 11-16 November: Racing and Sponsored Event Opportunities
I'm pleased to advise the Milford community that we now have a group up and running for when an emergency occurs in our
Sunday 16 November: Prizegiving and Worlds Closing Ceremony
*Preliminary, other events being considered
Murray Hill, Manager, Milford Business Association manager@milfordshops.co.nz • 021 950 463 • milfordshops.co.nz � milfordshops � milfordnz youtube MilfordshopsTV
We will have screens up in the mall for the event and a special display from the Milford Cruising Club in the shop just inside the entrance from the Milford Road car park of over 100 years of sailing memorabilia from this local club.
If you’re local, have a business in Milford and you would to support this event, contact me at: manager@milfordshops.co.nz . For only $250 plus GST you can get your name on the hull of one of these cat’s and exposure in the shopping centre as we list the winners of each race on notice board in high traffic locations along with their sponsors.
Sailors and their boats will start arriving towards the end of October to get a bit of practice ahead of the event. During the event, the whole of the Milford Beach Reserve will be a spectacle, with the catamarans lined up around the edges of it. Come and see this special event in Milford.
Audience
Competitive sailors locally and abroad. Approx 75 boats
Male 75%, Female 25% 35-55 yrs
Primary audience - estimated 4,000+
Competitive sailors, Friends and families, Spectators
Schedule*
Friday 7 November: Registration and boat rigging
Industry partners, Sponsor partners, Media Volunteers, 40+ per day
Saturday 8 November: Pre-Worlds
Milford Emergency Readiness Group News
Sunday 9 November: Pre-Worlds racing and prizegiving and Worlds Opening Ceremony
Tuesday 11-16 November: Racing and Sponsored Event Opportunities
Sunday 16 November: Prizegiving and Worlds Closing Ceremony
*Preliminary, other events being considered
Audience
Sponsor a Cat!
Milford Emergency Readiness Group
Emergency Hub at the Milford Cruising Club
If you’re local, have a business in Milford and you would to support this event, contact me at: manager@milfordshops.co.nz . For only $250 plus GST you can get your name on the hull of one of these cat’s and exposure in the shopping centre as we list the winners of each race on notice board in high traffic locations along with their sponsors.
I’m pleased to advise the Milford community that we now have a group up and running for when an emergency occurs in our neighbourhood. Milford was severely impacted by the last emergency – the major floods of the Wairau Estuary. We now have an Emergency Hub at the Milford Cruising Club, which is kitted out with all items needed in any emergency. This will be your first point of contact if you need assistance during any type of emergency. We understand there could be circumstances when this emergency hub is inaccessible so we are currently working on alternative site as a backup hub.
Competitive sailors locally and abroad. Approx 75 boats
Male 75%, Female 25% 35-55 yrs
Primary audience - estimated 4,000+ Competitive sailors, Friends and families, Spectators Industry partners, Sponsor partners, Media Volunteers, 40+ per day
The Milford Business Association has a database of around 10,000 locals and this together with the substantial databases of the Milford Cruising Club and the Milford Residents Association will be your sources of information about emergency readiness in Milford. If you are not already on the Milford Shops newsletter, go to milfordshops.co.nz and sign up in the panel at the bottom of the home page –‘Subscribe to Newsletter’. Similarly you can sign up on the Milford Residents Association Newsletter and also on The Milford Cruising Club newsletter.
More information on what to do in an emergency can be found on the website: aucklandemergencymanagement. govt.nz
We want to keep Milford connected in the next community emergency, so look out for our joint communications.
Your monthly update from Murray Hill, Manager of Milford Business Association.
Swell time: Young Westlake sailors surge to victory
Westlake Girls High School sailors Bella Jenkins and Jess Handley (above) were crowned national girls’ 29ers youth champions after racing in big swells off Manly Beach last week. The pair finished eighth overall, well clear of the second girls’ team. Overall winners from the 80 competitors were Will Leech and Will Mason. The regatta took place in winds reaching 25 knots. It acted as a trial for World Sailing’s youth worlds to be held in Vilamoura, Portugal from 12 to 20 December. Jenkins and Handley had little time to rest after their success: they were soon on a plane to Adelaide to compete in Westlake’s team at the Interdominion trans-Tasman schools regatta.
Milford group has questions about major intensification plans
The Milford Residents Association wants to know why greater density of up to six storeys is being enabled between the Milford and Takapuna town centres under Auckland Council’s intensification plan for the city.
The query will be among its submissions when the draft plan, approved by council last week, goes through public consultation before Christmas.
021 281 0405
owen@mortgagesupply.co.nz
www.mortgagesupply.co.nz
The association is in favour of the “downzoning” and stricter building conditions in flood-prone areas, which are addressed under the plan. But co-chair Norma Bott said it would look closely at whether its flood-risk concerns had been satisfied and also at where new density provisions applied.
Intensifying westward between Milford and the Smales Farm bus station would seem to make more sense than having a Terrace Housing and Apartment Building zone in the opposite direction, she said.
The Takapuna Residents Association is yet to decide its position on the plan. Chair Steven Salt said the whole process felt rushed and an exercise in box-ticking. “When the consultation period comes round we might say something,” he said.
Planning Committee chair and North Shore ward councillor Richard Hills welcomed the 18-5 vote to advance the replace-
ment plan, to be known as Plan Change 120.
Although the Minister of Housing Chris Bishop has indicated an 18-month timeline before it comes into law, Hills said the building restrictions and stricter consent conditions to reduce flood risk would come into play much sooner.
The new plan, while not perfect, had rightly won strong support over council’s now withdrawn Plan Change 78 (PC78), which did not allow for downzoning. “I’ve been asking government for that since six days after the [2023] floods,” said Hills.
Council is able to better target government-mandated intensification to areas around transport hubs and town centres, where PC78 had to allow blanket 3x3 housing across the city.
Other plan changes locally include coastal character and hazard zones and pockets of downzoned housing in Castor Bay. But some local areas face major intensification – of up to 15 storeys in parts of Hauraki and residential Takapuna and up to 10 storeys in Sunnynook. The predominant housing zone across much of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area is Mixed Housing Urban, which still allows terrace housing.
Hills encouraged Aucklanders to give feedback to help further shape the plan.
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New swimming pontoons coming, but not by this summer
Milford Beach and a site in Devonport are firming as potential locations for new swimming pontoons.
Funding of $53,000 has already been set aside by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to investigate and install two new pontoons. A list of seven options was put to board members at a workshop last month.
However, a final decision and obtaining consents to install them is unlikely in time for summer.
Existing Castor Bay and Cheltenham Beach pontoons will be back in the water from Labour Weekend until Easter 2026.
Narrow Neck was “a no-brainer” for a new pontoon, said member Peter Allen, with others agreeing, provided the pontoon was sited away from the boat ramp. Milford Beach also had plenty of interest.
The Hauraki end of Takapuna Beach was on the options list, but with staff advice that
it was not recommended due to undersea cables nearby, and added issues of wave surge and rocks. Windsor Reserve in Devonport was also advised against due to a cable exclusion zone.
Nearby Torpedo Bay also had drawbacks, due to tides, a rocky seabed and being close to Cheltenham, which already had a pontoon. Duders Beach between Torpedo Bay and Devonport village was considered a possibility.
Deputy chair Terence Harpur suggested considering new options near Bayswater Marina, and at O’Neills Bay and Thorne Bay, north of Takapuna Beach, plus the Milford side of Lake Pupuke. Others said the bays weren’t readily accessible and that the weedy lake may be unsafe.
Gavin Busch threw in a left-field suggestion of a water slide at Windsor Reserve, where one was a popular feature in the 1930s.
Staff will report back in the new year.
New plan pending to fix damage to ancient lava
A new remedial plan to fix ancient lava flows on the coast between Milford and Takapuna, damaged by concrete infill, is expected to be lodged with Auckland Council in October. The council rejected an initial plan put forward by the property owners responsible for the damage. It is also conducting a wider investigation into the damage.
Last year council served the owners with an abatement notice requiring remediation. The flows are part of Takapuna Reef Fossil Forest, some 200,000 years old and considered one of the world’s best examples of lava-preserved forest. Around 60m of concreting was done at the edge of 19 O’Neills Ave Takapuna, by the coastal walkway.
Briefs
Hot topics on agenda
Future use of flood-damaged land and housing intensification are issues targeted for discussion at the next meeting of the Sunnynook Community Association on 9 October. Concerns about rubbish near the bus station are also on the list. Residents are welcome at the meeting at 7pm at the community centre, as the association continues its planned reactivation. Other topics locals have raised are lights, water pooling around Sunnynook Park, and parking issues near the bus station.
Milford kids’ market
A children’s market will be held at the Milford Senior Citizens Club hall, behind Milford New World supermarket, on Saturday 11 October, from 10am to noon. The aim is to give entrepreneurial youngsters an opportunity to try selling their wares.
Bike riders light up
A light-the-night bike rave will be held at Sunnynook Park on 11 October from 7pm. Open to all ages, the event will be centred on the playground next to the community centre. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bike lights, but organisers say a few lights will be on hand to share.
Discovering the beach in retirement at last
Discovering the beach in retirement at 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.”
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.”
Taste of Takapuna’s Must-Try Dishes
October is Taste of Takapuna month, a celebration of all the wonderful places to eat and drink in Takapuna. This year, we’re issuing a CHALLENGE: can you try all of these must-try dishes?
For every dish you try, we’re giving you the chance to WIN a $250 Takapuna dining voucher to help you try more of the delicious eateries our neighbourhood has to offer.
So what are you waiting for?
On your marks … get set … EAT!
HOW IT WORKS:
Below is all of the Taste of Takapuna Must-Try Dishes, and a downloadable list that you can save to your device. Each time you try one of the dishes below, you get another chance to win!
HOW TO ENTER …
1. Download the Taste of Takapuna: Must-Try Dishes list HERE (or follow along below)
2. Visit and order from any of the Must-Try businesses during October 2025
3. Enter online Take a picture of the dish, and upload it in our online entry form with your details … and you’re in to WIN!
Each dish = one entry, so the more dishes you try in October, the more chances you have to win!
SPOT PRIZES: Share your photo on social media, and tag us ( @ilovetakapuna ) AND the business, and you’ll ALSO be in the draw to win a weekly $50 dining voucher!
T’s and C’s apply. Entries open from 1-31 October 2025 only.
Check all the details here!
MEET THE MUST-TRY DISHES OF 2025:
Takimi Mazesoba
Mazesoba
The Place Hot Stone Bibimbap $23
The Plumm Cafe Chicken Waffle $29
It’s the local voice that ensures the services we need
It’s the local voice that ensures the services we need
Choosing a connected, capable, and experienced team for our local board is vital because their decisions directly influence our daily lives more than national politics. The DevonportTakapuna Local Board oversees matters such as parks, roads, footpaths, libraries, community facilities, and our local environment, while also representing community opinions to the Auckland Council and other relevant bodies. By voting in local elections, you contribute to shaping your community and making sure your voice is heard.
George Wood and Gavin Busch, current Local Board members, are passionate about making a positive impact in their community. Working together for the last three years, they have submitted over thirty Notices of Motion and submitted several hundred jobs for council. They supported and worked hard for the community during and after the 2023 storms, helping steer the DTLB Emergency Readiness and Response Plan, with George utilising his community connections and Gavin his personal experience as a Volunteer Firefighter. Further, they have consistently pushed for Stages 2 and 3 of the Wairau Flood Resilience project to be prioritized. Their dedication has motivated them to enlist four new committed candidates onto their Communities and Residents (C&R) ticket for this election. They are confident that their team will achieve superior outcomes across the community, even within a potentially more challenging financial
Authorised by: David
environment.
As a team, we will continue to support the Sunnynook Community Centre, the work of the Takapuna, Milford and Castor Bay Resident Associations, as well as the Takapuna Library and Community Se r vices building. Investing in our main centre and partnering with these community groups further strengthens the social fabric of our community
Upon election, we will continue to support our local sports clubs through helping maintain their facilities and collaborating better. The clubs are crucial for attaining positive outcomes
w i t h i n o u r c o m m u n i t y O u r community centres also play an important role, increasing funding and growing these further strengthens the social fabric o f our community, ensuring it remains vibrant, inclusive, and resilient.
A top priority for the team is to protect our beautiful and unique environment. We will keep investing in and helping to preserve its character, cultural heritage, and natural beauty, making sure that our community stays a vibrant, healthy, and inspiring place to live for years to come.
Working with Healthy Waters, we wil l k e e p w o rkin g t o impr o v e stormwater outflows to the sea and s t r e n g t h e n o u r n e t w o r k a s intensification pressures grow.
For too long, investment in our infrastructure has been delayed, and l o n g-t e r m de c i s i o n s h a v e b ee n postponed. In many areas, we now require substantial investment.
We will adopt a proactive and collaborative approach to improve and maintain these assets, seeking better solutions to achieve optimal outcomes.
Due to the reductions in funding allocated to the local board, expertise, networks, and financial literacy will be crucial to ensure that your rates are used wisely, rather than being diverted to personal projects or expensive pursuits.
The new team members bring a wealth of experience and dedication to our ticket. Mike Single, from Bayswater, a business director and “lifetime member” of North Shore Rugby, and formerly a member of the Board of Trustees at TGS, combines leadership with an alignment to local sports and community connections. Kaumosi Opie, a passionate youth advocate from Hauraki and a former TGS student now studying at Massey University, offers fresh perspectives and dedication to empowering young people. Kamini Schoonbee, a former forensic accountant now running her own business, will bring an analytical mind to the costings and operations of council projects. Lastly, Neil Zent, from Forrest Hill, brings his engineering expertise and innovative approach to the team, helping to develop lasting solutions to infrastructure challenges. Together with these individuals, George Wood and Gavin Busch will lead a dynamic six-member team committed to engagement, listening, and making sensible, competent decisions.
Hay, 73 Carr Rd, Mt Roskill, AKL
Meeting lineup... Mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni speaks to more than 80 people at the Milford Baptist Church last week, while fellow local body candidates wait their turn. From left: Richard Hills and Danielle Grant, each seeking one of the North Shore ward’s two councillor positions; mayoral hopefuls Ryan Pausina and Eric Chuah (the latter also standing for the ward); and the two other contenders to be councillors, John Gillon and Helena Roza.
No Brown, so council hopefuls come more into focus
At a candidates’ meeting in Milford, Janetta Mackay checks out what’s on offer
They say there’s no show without Punch, and when it comes to assessing the mayoral contenders, that was certainly the case at a candidates’ public meeting in Milford. In the absence of incumbent Wayne Brown, audience attention instead focused more on the close competition for the two North Shore ward seats on Auckland Council.
Credible candidates with contrasting styles make the race to be a councillor the most interesting to watch, come poll closing day on 11 October. It also gives local voters a clearer choice than in narrowing down the 20-strong field chasing six places on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.
The board results are likely to be something of a lucky dip, with the many candidates facing the challenge of gaining cut-through with voters. They got their last
chance in Milford this week (after this issue’s deadline), but it seems likely that both major tickets – A Fresh Approach and Citizens and Ratepayers – will again be represented on the board. Just don’t discount a couple of independents joining them.
At the first Milford meeting the week before, held with mayoral and council candidates only, Brown’s absence was no surprise. He hadn’t responded to his invitation from the joint hosts, the Milford and Castor Bay residents’ associations. This left three challengers — Kerrin Leoni, Ryan Pausina and Eric Chuah — to make debate-free pitches.
Leoni, a current Whau ward councillor, made the most of her chance to present herself as having a different leadership style and background than Brown. “I offer visible leadership, including in tough times, such as
the floods,” she gently jibed. She promised accountability in council and bringing contracts in-house. The speech, which outlined her varied skills, was similar to one she gave at Brown’s only North Shore campaign appearance at a Grey Power meeting the week before (see what he said over the page). Chuah, the self-proclaimed “no rate rise mayor” trotted out the same lines at both meetings, mostly repetitive talk of how council was failing to properly manage its Auckland Future Fund. Pausina stumbled through his schemes for drainage and building regulation, asking the audience “do you get it” and getting a firm response: “no”. Disappointingly, Leoni didn’t hang around to take questions. There were at times audible sighs when the other two stood to answer.
To page 12
Local Body Elections Briefs Pledges run the gamut with Shore seats at stake
From page 11
Of the five council contenders, attention focused on sitting councillor Richard Hills as well as John Gillon, Danielle Grant and Helena Roza, with Chuah, who is standing for both roles, having already had his say. Gillon, chair of the Kaipātiki Local Board, declared himself the only candidate independent of Wellington and mayoral allegiances. “I stand for the Shore,” he said, laying out a long list of things his board had achieved, from building bush walks to keeping rubbish bins and peppercorn leases. He pledged to oppose “fairer funding” cuts to local boards, asset sales and congestion charges and to seek sensible development, with infrastructure upgrades and tighter controls.
Grant, Kaipātiki’s deputy, who has won Brown’s endorsement and has National Party ties, played up her community links and Milford residency. “Every time it rains, don’t we feel it,” she said, talking of how she would use her connections to fight for flood infrastructure funding. She spoke of supporting town centres, volunteers and need for community development in a diverse board area, where half the community were born overseas. Her outgoing personality is a contrast to the more measured Gillon, and while they have worked together effectively at board level, she again made it clear she wanted to sit beside Hills at council.
Left-leaning Hills is standing as an independent, however, and wants a fourth term. He pointed to his record of being able to work with the mayor and having pushed government to secure deals for flood buyouts and downzoning in hazard zones. He pledged to fight on for flood remediation funding. He spoke of having delivered better public transport, including electric buses and more North Shore services, along with improved water
Wayne’s world... The mayor was the loudest voice in the room at a Grey Power meeting in Northcote on 19 September (above), but he skipped Milford, on his re-election campaign of limited appearances.
quality and retained environmental funding.
Act’s Helena Roza, who is also seeking a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board seat, wants lower rates and less red tape and an end to what she called a war on cars. She introduced herself as a Takapuna small business owner and Meals on Wheels volunteer.
Mayor gives nudge to all and sundry
Never one to mince words, Mayor Wayne Brown was in a take-no-prisoners mood at his only North Shore public meeting last month. Ever the contrarian, he first courted, then castigated some in the audience.
Acknowledging that, at 79, he fitted the demographic of most at the Grey Power-hosted meeting at Netball North Harbour, his initial tone was jovial, but time wasters and persistent questioners got short shrift.
From his war on road cones to standing up to Wellington and keeping Auckland rate rises lower than other metropolitan centres with his council efficiency drives, it was familiar stuff that mostly went down well, but there were also signs of Wayne the irascible turning into Wayne the urban realist.
Yes, there would be more cycle lanes, but cheaper ones, he said. Yes, targeted intensification was needed and yes, golf as Takapuna knows it might go for floodwater detention. “To those few golfers who play 18 holes, then go round twice.”
He name-checked “my mate Richard” [councillor Hills], showing he has come to value working relationships despite political differences. Climate-change action and public transport got ticks too. Danielle Grant, who won a late endorsement from Brown in her run for council, didn’t get a mention from the stage. But she lined him up for a photo opportunity later.
Mayoral opponents spoke too, but the format excluded head-to-head debates.
A Fresh Approach ticket severs ties
with ‘shocked’ candidate
A Fresh Approach has cut ties with its Devonport-Takapuna Local Board candidate Karin Horen, two weeks before polls close and three weeks after her pro-Israeli postings were first questioned at an election meeting in Devonport.
The ticket said its move, announced in a post last Friday evening, “acknowledged concerns raised by some members of the community”. It also spoke of security concerns for team members and their families.
Horen, who spoke at the Belmont meeting, told the paper it had been a “total shock” to be dropped. She said this was not discussed with her and she found out by message. She had not considered stepping aside. “I’m determined to keep going on what I started.” Posts she had made were “the past”. And some had been removed.
The Observer understands council staff raised the issue of protest risks, ahead of an election meeting in Belmont on Sunday. While the meeting passed without incident, a range of vociferous views have been shared on social media.
Horen (pictured) remains on the ballot paper, with A Fresh Approach saying she is standing as an independent. It is now fielding a ticket of five rather than six candidates.
When candidates at the meeting were asked to nominate their “super power”, she said hers was resilience. She wanted to bring this, empathy and action to the local board.
Horin told the paper she was getting support, but had received “hateful” messages. “As Jewish and Israeli we get a lot of hate.”
A Fresh Approach candidate Terence Harpur said the group had become concerned Horen appeared to have shared “numerous posts from far right sources”. It also fielded many complaints. Having repeatedly tried to talk to her, it acted on a values mismatch.
Briefs
Slow going on early DTLB voting
Local body voting is going slowly, with figures for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area showing ballots had been returned by 12.7 per cent of voters by the end of the day Monday.
Votes tend to come in mostly over the final 10 days, with the poll to close at noon on 11 October. People posting ballots need to get them in the mail by 4 October.
The DTLB has 44,318 registered voters. In the 2022 election, 43 per cent of those eligible voted — more than 3000 of them on the last day. The figure for the last term was considered a good turnout for Auckland boards.
Places you can vote in person up to the final deadline include council libraries, some transport hubs, including Smales Farm bus station, outside Woolworths in Sunnynook, Milford and Barrys Point Road, outside Whitcoulls in Milford, and at North Shore Hospital reception.
Board candidates warm up before final Milford meeting
Helena Roza had a wedding to go to, so turned up in a snazzy leopard print dress rather than her regulation Act Party bright pink jacket. Some of the Citizens and Ratepayers ticket sported matching T-shirts.
Mystery candidates Kent Tregonning and Mary-Anne Benson-Cooper were again missing in action from a public meeting, and Karleen Reeve was still overseas. Excepting them and Scott Macarthur – who has been at other meetings – it was a full turnout of 16 hopefuls for election to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board in Belmont last weekend. With print deadlines meaning this issue of the Observer is unable to carry a report on the final board candidates’ meeting in Milford this week, we wanted to catch the
flavour of their penultimate outing.
Before Roza headed off early, she recied staple Act Party policies, and a call for improved stormwater and water quality, echoed by nearly all speakers that followed.
The event’s themes of environment, arts and the community gave candidates the chance to expound on the need to plant more trees, safeguard beaches and open spaces, be a conduit for residents to council and support local groups and businesses.
It was predictable stuff, showing many candidates had more in common than makes for easy differentiation. Maybe that’s good for community governance, but for voters looking beyond personality (and outfits) to policies, it’s often little things that stand out.
Infrastructure: speed up investment in flood protection and safe drinking water.
Sport and recreation: greater investment focusing on youth wellbeing, improved facilities.
Economic development: grow our town centres and increase local employment.
Candidates being asked about their “super power” was a fun one to find variations on being a good collaborator or citing their professional qualifications. James Rohloff said decisiveness, Pete Cronshaw being a good listener and Kamini Schoonbee tenacity.
Policy-wise, Lewis Rowe made a clear play for youth, Kaumosi Opie for connecting young people with seniors, Kimberly Graham for accessibility and Paul Cornish and Mike Single for the sports vote, while engineer Neil Zent got specific on stormwater.
Questions from the floor are often set-ups, but the one asking about the board’s split vote not to replace departed chair, Toni van Tonder, won the audience clapometer for C&R’s view her seat should have been filled.
Support Mayor Wayne Brown’s priorities to ‘Fix Auckland’: Stop Wasting Money, Make the Most of our Environment and Manage AT.
Golden girls... Westlake’s national title winning basketball team with their trophy won last Saturday. They are: front row (from left): Sahara Katene, Charlotte Mawston, Lily Fotu, Emma-Kaye Schroeder, Brydie McMillan and Lucy Dawson. Back row: Katie Moors, Lauren Williams, Riley Sina’au, Mia John, Imani Rasmussen and Shyloh Udomsak.
Right (in action) is the tournament MVP Emma-Kaye Schroeder.
One, two, three, four: Victories see WGHS ballers soar
An unbeaten tournament run took Westlake Girls High School to its fourth national secondary school basketball title in a row last Saturday.
The premier side was dominant in defeating Hamilton Girls by 30 points in the final, played after a week of school holiday competition in Palmerston North.
A testing semi-final against Tauranga Girls, which Westlake edged 94-88, set up the storybook final. Sahara Katene scored 32 points in the semi.
The team, coached by Bronwen Davidson, assisted by Nela Fotu, surged to a 39-16 lead in the first quarter. It steadily extended its lead each quarter as the game
Heads Up:
progressed, ending with a 102-72 victory. Westlake, the top seed, becomes only the third school to win four titles in a row. The others were Church College and Mairehau High School some years back..
Outstanding efforts on court were recognised at the prizegiving, with co-captain Emma-Kaye Schroeder named Most Valued Player of the Tournament. She was also named in the Top 5 All Star tournament team, along with fellow guard Katene. Katie Moors, a Year 11 student, was selected as Defensive Player of the Tournament, indicating the pipeline of talent the school can call on in years to come.
The school’s director of sport, April Ier-
Small-scale dredging work in Rangitoto Channel
Port of Auckland will soon begin small-scale dredging off Rangitoto Lighthouse, with Heron Construction carrying out the work. This is part of a consented project approved in 2022.
Dredging is scheduled to begin in early October and is expected to take approximately one month, weather permitting. The material will help complete the Fergusson North perimeter bund.
Thanks for your understanding as we carry out this important work.
emia, said the team’s remarkable achievements reflected its dedication, discipline and excellence across the season. Before heading to nationals, it won the Auckland regular-season championship and then was unbeaten in the regional zone qualifier.
In the national final, both Schroeder and Katene shot 23 points each and Lily Fotu added 14 more in their outstanding games. Other strong contributions came from Imani Rasmussen, who shot 15 points and took 10 rebounds, with Moors adding 8 points and 18 rebounds.
Three of the team: Imani, Katie and Lily, are at the netball secondary school nationals this week.
Two Elricks honoured with club rugby prizes
The Elrick family featured in both the senior and junior 2025 Takapuna Rugby Club prize lists.
Evergreen Jon Elrick, the Premier 2 North Harbour Championship final-winning captain, took the prize for top senior points scorer with 165, while his daughter Jordan was named player of the year for the Girls Rip Rugby U-11 Silver side.
Senior prizegiving results:
Premier One Forward of the Year, Gage Jackson; Premier One Back of the Year, Finau Paea; Premier One Team Player of the Year, Jamie Winks; Premier One Player of the Year, Sofai Notoa-Tipo; Premier Two Forward of the Year, Chris Jones; Premier Two Back of the Year, Caleb Auvaa-O’Brien; Premier Two Team Player of the Year, Louis Schwarz; Premier Two Rookie of the Year, Snow O’Halloran; Premier Two Player of the Year, Emerson Kovacic; Under-21 Forward of the Year, Sione Lauvulo; Under-21 Back of the Year, Ryan Fleming; Under-21 Team Player of the Year, Henry Bremer; Under-21 Player of the Year, Aterea Thrupp; Under-85 Forward of the Year, Brayden Smith; Under 85 Back of the Year, Cam Holmes; Under 85 Team Player of the Year, Xavier Rangiwai; Under 85 Player of the Year, Dan Smith; Guerillas Player of the Year, Yuki Yoshimura; Under 85 Supporters of the Year, Kim and Mark Rutledge-Harding; Walker & Hall Cup (Team with the Best Club Spirit), Premier Two; Blair Trophy (Coaches of the Most Improved Grade), Casey Clark and Mark McPhee; Taharoto Cup (Highest Team in Club Competition), Premier Two; Cheesman Family Cup (Most Promising Player from All Grades), Alex Vaaia; Des Andrews Memorial trophy (team with the Best Defensive Record), Premier Two; Coburn Trophy (Best Perfoming Team in a Championship Round), Premier Two; Onewa Bowl (Player Scoring Most Tries), Sofia Notoa-Tipo (9); Murphy Trophy (Player Scoring Most Points), Jon Elrick (165); Firth Cup (Player With Highest NZ representation), Sofia Notoa-Tipo (All Black Sevens); Carters Cup (In recognition of Player for Services to the Club On and Off the Field), Toi Williams; Club Captains Cup (Outstanding Service to the Club by a Player or Non-Player), Craig Hewetson; Presidents Cup (Coach of the Year), Casey Clark; Davies Family Cup (Chairman’s Choice for a Player or Non-player showing Outstanding Qualities), Casey Clark; Managers of the Year: Graham Street/John Clark. Reg Headington Memorial trophy (Old Boys non player of the year), Will Crispin; Old Boys player of the year, Brandon Payn. (Junior results next issue).
The Doctors Sunset – New Name, Same Care
From 22nd September, our trusted local medical centre Sunset Road
Family Doctors will be known as The Doctors Sunset. We’ve refreshed our look and updated our space, but our same friendly doctors, nurses, and staff are here to provide the high-quality care you know and trust.
As part of our commitment to making healthcare more accessible for our community, we’ve also recently reduced some of our GP consultation fees for registered patients:
Ages 14–17 years: Now $50.00
Ages 18+ years: Now $62.00
For appointments or more information, visit www.thedoctors.co.nz/the-doctors-sunset or call 09 478 2878
Briefs
WBHS bags bronze
Westlake Boys High School’s premier basketball team took home bronze medals from the national secondary school championships last weekend. Having been pipped by competition winners Shirley High School in the semi-final stage, 90-88, the young team rallied to confirm their class by beating Auckland Grammar School in the playoff for third and fourth in Palmerston North. Shirley beat cross-town rivals Christ’s College, 94-81, in a come-from-behind victory to claim its first national title. Westlake’s Daley Pohio was later named in the All Star 5 tournament team.
Squash title winner
North Shore Squash Club’s Ryan Linton caused a major upset to win the national junior under-15 title at Henderson last weekend. Second seed Linton beat top seed Benji Jeffries 12/10 11/3 13/11 to take the championship.
Family support... Jon Elrick with daughters Ashley (left) and Jordan after the premier 2 side won their championship final against North Shore in July
Takapuna FC salutes the season’s top achievers
Emile McArthur won Personality of the Year at the Takapuna Football Club 2025 awards while premier team captain Connor Cahill-Fahey earned the double honour of Players’ Player and Player of the Year.
Men’s 1st Team prizes included: Top Goal Scorer and Young Player of the Year, Aoi Seto; Most Improved, Tyler Patterson; Outstanding Effort, Kerryn Friday.
U23s: Top Goal Scorer and Players’ Player of the Year, Saiga Otsubo; Young Player of the Year, Keshav Singh; Player of the Year, Matt Knight. Senior social teams – Argyle: Top Goal Scorer, Paul Masson; Players’ Player and Player of the Year, David Parfett. Gunners: Top Goal Scorer, Dan List; Most Improved, Paul Smith; Players’ Player, Jono Ross; Player of the Year, Logan Milicich. Ladzios: Golden Boot, Leon Phillips; Players’ Player and Player of the Year, Marc Leslie. Boca Juniors: the Boca Spirit Cup, Andres Aviles; Players’ Player, Mike Anderson; Player of the Year, Pablo Fuenzalida; Outstanding Effort, Brad Harvey and Nick Rzepecky. Prime Time: Top Goal Scorer, Bruce Chen; Players’ Player, Chris Wang; Player of the Year, Eric Wu. The Cavaliers: Cavalier of the Year and Top Goal Scorer, Grant Scaum; Players’ Player, Phil Derringer; Outstanding Effort, Mark Wells. Women’s Football: Division 2: Top Goal Scorer and Player of the Year, Rubi Perano; Most Improved, Libby Clinton; Players’ Player, Kaitlyn Chandler. Division 6: Top Goal Scorer, Alex Agnew; Most Improved, Madeline Farrell and Silvana Castagnoli Nunez. Players’ Player and Player of the Year, Hannah Jepson.
Club-Wide Trophies – Outstanding Effort, Bradley Hallford; Supporter of the Year, John Chandler; Personality of the Year, Emile McArthur; Coach of the Year, Gareth Martin; Women’s Contribution, Wendy Davies; The Herbert Harris Cup, Lynn Anderson; Youth Personality of the Year, Mark Armstrong; Youth Coach of the Year, Brooklyn Heath.
TFC Personality of the year… Emile McArthur (above) and top women’s contributor Wendy Davies (below)
Community activators building connection
‘one cup of tea at a time’
The work of council activators based at the Sunnynook Community Centre and Devonport Community House got a tick in a review, more than a year on from their controversial introduction – but greater clarity around the scope of what they do was recommended.
“They’ve become everything to everybody,” Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Mel Powell said at a recent workshop.
The two roles were created after the board decided to stop funding events through community trusts, including the Takapuna North Community Trust.
It opted for the new roles to focus more on building community connections. It also set aside $15,000 to review the change.
Consultants Point & Associates suggested the activators be renamed connectors, as the activator name suggesting their primary role was putting on events.
The review also recommended clearer job descriptions, so the roles were better understood, and funding guidelines.
The activators are able to dispense small grants, capped at $500, to facilitate community-building events and conversations.
Powell said the board had championed something new with the activators and also its Ethnic Plan.
Other boards were interested in the model, she said.
“We wanted a connected community and it has achieved that.
“They built trust one cup of tea at a time,” she said.
Board deputy chair Terence Harpur said he would like to see the activators able to work more with council communications teams to build awareness of what they did.
Member Peter Allen said the jobs were very people-centric and he worried about staff burnout. It was agreed that job descriptions and job aims should be refined to help with this.
Powell, whose final meeting in the chair was last week because she is not seeking re-election, said she wanted the roles funded through central council as board money was under pressure.
“We’re in a financial challenge and I don’t want to see these roles go.”
The northern activator’s job is held by Ruth Moloney.
Letters
Council dodges responsibility for trees
We think it appalling that residents of The Sands have to bear costs of over $130,000 to get permission and remove the fallen tree, let alone wait four years for council to give resource consent for the removal (“Fallen tree for the chop after residents’ long battle”, Observer 19 September).
The tree is from the Sacred Grove reserve which is the responsibility of council. Other
trees in the Grove also have myrtle rust and are rotten. For years the council has promised to maintain and make the trees safe, but we wait and wait and no maintenance is done. Sooner or later other trees will fall, maybe on the beach, maybe on people walking the beach. Will the council take responsibility for this? Dream on!
Tony and Rachel Lewis
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Meals made from scratch as you would in your own home, ready to heat in your oven or microwave Deliveries every Wednesday For information or menus please call Kate on: (09) 948 9101 or email:
Takapuna Q4 on The Boulevard, Smales Farm 09 486 1588 Mairangi Bay 429 Beach Road, Mairangi Bay 09 442 1266 Browns Bay 13 Bute Road, Browns Bay 09 478 5050
Old stagers show acting chops in PumpHouse showcase
Residents from three North Shore retirement villages took to the stage at the PumpHouse last month to share drama pieces they had been working on.
Around 80 people attended the afternoon performance of 12 works, involving about 40 performers. The actors were drawn from Northbridge village in Northcote, Lady Allum in Milford and The Orchards in Glenfield.
The Golden Age Actors Showcase was the brainchild of PumpHouse community engagement coordinator Mags Delaney-Moffatt, who in turn drew inspiration from a visit to Northbridge’s already established theatre group, which tapped into her expertise to develop their acting and performance skills.
She contacted other villages and offered workshops to develop their ideas. The John Stewart Booth Trust helped with costs.
Describing the showcase as a supportive way for talented performers to explore their love of theatre, she said works staged ranged from snippets of Grease to moving theatre scenes and self-written monologues. Lady Allum’s Pink Ladies added a dance interlude.
The result was an uplifting celebration of creativity, confidence and connection – proving that the joy of performance truly has no age limit, Delaney-Moffatt said.
Seniors go ape... Northbridge village residents Becky Britton and Saskia Charteris played orangutans in a piece written by Auckland Zoo volunteer Nan Inkson. It was presented as part of a PumpHouse Theatre showcase of performances by actors from three North Shore retirement villages.
Whodunnit...
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YOUR LOCAL
North Shore FUNERALS
NELSON & SUSAN ELLIOTT
The audience at the PumpHouse in Takapuna watches as an axe is wielded and a murder mystery unfolds. The play was written and acted by residents from The Orchards retirement village in Glenfield.
Quickfire schools show being concocted in 48 hours
A family-friendly musical performance is being staged by Westlake students to end the school holidays on a magical note.
Remarkably, the full-length production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr is being pulled together in just 48 hours, with the cast and crew devoting the final weekend of their break to producing, rehearsing and performing it on the evening of Sunday 5 October.
Around 110 students from Westlake Boys and Westlake Girls High Schools are involved, comprising a cast of 83 and others working backstage.
Carla Owen, acting head of drama at WBHS, is directing the show. She says it is one “where the students are very involved in the creative process”.
The idea came from another 48-hour production of Frozen initiated by several students to stretch their talents last year. “A lot more students are involved this year.”
Interest had been high, with an interview process and auditions last term to assign performer roles and other positions.
The leads got their scripts a month ago, so they could learn lines and songs, and planning meetings had been held. But the rehearsals proper would only begin on Friday, exposing the students to making fast
turnaround decisions to be ready for the curtain going up two days later.
“It’s a lot of fun, but also they learn. It’s all very on the spot and fast-paced,” Owen said.
The schools are known for their often award-winning combined annual performances of both a musical and a play.
These are meticulously staged and rehearsed over months. But the 48-hour model put the onus on students to work things out for themselves.
This stretched them creatively and technically, but Owen said the talent at the schools provided a great foundation.
Most of those involved had been in pre-
vious productions and were relishing the chance to step up. This included Year 12 student Nathan Davies in the lead role and Year 13 student Othniel Dones as the Genie.
The role of Jasmine is being sung by WGHS Year 10 Ece Dalgic, whose first part for the schools was in musical Mamma Mia earlier in the year, while she can also draw on a background in choir and orchestra.
The technical team is being led by Year 12 Reuben Hodgson and Year 13 Matthew Mclaggan, who have been involved in productions for several years. Hodgson is also the booth operator at WBHS, meaning he runs tech for school assemblies and assists visiting groups using the auditorium. Students are also managing costuming and two are assistant music directors with drama teacher Sonia Manson.
Owen, who has a background in musical theatre and has been at WBHS for two years, became acting HoD this term, after Nick Brown took a year’s leave to travel to England, where his daughter Katie Brown, a former WGHS student, is studying musical theatre after several years of taking lead roles in school shows.
SHOWING NOW
Holy Cow (M) 92min
The Smashing Machine 123min
The Teacher Who Promised
The Movie (G) 98min
The Ballad of Wallis Island (M) 99min
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (PG) 122min
Splitsville (R13) 105min
SPECIAL EVENTS & NEW RELEASES
FIZZ - Live Comedy (E) 60min 3 Oct
Daniel Champagne - Live Show 3 Oct
Taylor Swift | Release Party of a Showgirl 89min 4 & 5 Oct
The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Shadow Cast - Returns! 24 Oct
For more info on films & events go to thevic.co.nz
Auditions for the big Term 2 productions next year will be held in the last term of this year, with Westlake Girls taking the lead in steering the ship in Brown’s absence for a production of Pride and Prejudice. Owen will be involved in its choreography. She says a major musical is not planned, but expects the excitement and student enthusiasm around the upcoming 48-hour Aladdin Jr means something similar is likely on the cards for later next year.
• Aladdin Jr, 7.30pm, Sunday 5 October, at the WBHS auditorium. Door sales available: adults $20, students $15 and children under five free. Family passes (2 adults and 2 children) are $55.
Winter Lights a finalist
Takapuna Winter Lights was a finalist at a big Australian awards night for best activation by a trader association. The annual festival, put on by Takapuna Beach Business Association, was the only New Zealand event in the running for its category at the Mainstreet Australia Awards in Melbourne last month.
Starry musical night
Works from Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets will feature when the University Symphony Orchestra performs at Westlake Girls High School auditorium Saturday 4 October, at 7:30pm. The occasion will also be the première of Jake Runestad’s Earth Symphony. Tickets are free and can be reserved at eventbrite.co.nz, under Earth Symphony.
Jackie Clarke takes on five singing legends
Jackie Clarke is relishing the challenge of tackling a series of vignettes of famous singers interacting with everyday women in her next show, Songs for Nobodies.
The “play with songs” opens at the PumpHouse in Takapuna next week, with singer Clarke (pictured) – fresh from a national tour with musical Chicago – taking on all 10 characters. She will range through Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, Patsy Cline, Judy Garland and Maria Callas, and also act as five women whose lives briefly cross the singers’ paths. “They’re ordinary woman who have a chance encounter with a star,” she explains.
One of the vignettes is of a powder room attendant in New York who notices that Garland’s hem is unravelling and offers to fix it. The two get talking. “For the first time in her life she feels really seen.”At the end of the acted out interchange, Clarke transforms into Garland for a poignant song.
“I’m exhausted at the end of each day, it’s such a big challenge,” she tells the Observer in a rehearsal break. She isn’t impersonating the singers, but instead trying to capture their essence in her own voice. “I have an aspect of them in my voice, but I don’t sound like any of them.”
She enjoys winding up the show as Maria Callas. “She sang from a really emotional place.”
Clarke came across the play by Joanna Murray-Smith around 20 years ago, a few years after it was commissioned by the Melbourne Theatre Company. She didn’t feel ready for it at the time, but the 59-year-old says maturity and confidence have made her bolder. She credits production company Tadpole in helping her with this, saying its casting of her in Shirley Valentine around five years ago was pivotal in encouraging further acting roles. In discussions over Songs for Nobodies, the show seemed an ideal vehicle for her mix of talents.
Having friend Penny Dodd accompanying on piano is another bonus, as is performing again at the PumpHouse, where her choir, Jubilation, also turns out annually. “It’s the perfect size and vibe for these smaller shows,” she says.
Clarke aims to have fun with her work, and for the audience to equally enjoy the ride.
“I’ve got to the age where I don’t say no to myself anymore. I’m not after perfection, I’m after losing myself in the song – that’s what those great singers do, they completely surrender themselves to the song.”
• Songs for Nobodies, at the PumpHouse, 9-19 October, excluding Mondays and including some matinees. Adults $49, seniors $39, group concessions available. Book at pumphouse.co.nz or Ph (09) 489-8360.
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