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Promised Castor Bay flood fix delayed indefinitely

A stormwater upgrade to solve ongoing serious flooding issues in Castor Bay has been put on hold as work elsewhere is prioritised.

Concerned local residents want a commitment from Auckland Council to proceed with the plan to increase the size of under-

ground stormwater pipes taking water from the floodplain at the intersection of Castor Bay Rd and Beach Rd, to relieve disruptive flooding where the roads converge.

The Castor Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association (CABBRA) was promised the upgrade by council arm Healthy Waters

after the destructive January 2023 floods.

“Two-and-a half years on, we have now been advised the project is on hold because the preferred solution is not fit for purpose – or, as we read it, too expensive,” CABBRA chair Hamish Anderson told locals in a circular.

To page 6

Trio find bright side at flood recovery event

Looking ahead... Milford Primary School students (from left) brother and sister Asher (5) and Betsy Bott (7) and friend Hugo Page (5). They were among children who won small prizes at a session last month when residents brainstormed flood-recovery ideas. Stories, page 6-7.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 2

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HON SIMON WATTS

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August 8, 2025

Library funding ideas canvassed but remodelling plan remains in limbo Council staff have presented seven suggestions for raising more funds for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s over-budget plan to remodel Takapuna Library into a combined library and community hub.

These included a targeted rate, exploring build partnerships or seeking central council support from various sources – such as a sustainability fund that might pay for solar panels, or the Delivering Differently Programme, which supports merged use of council assets.

None, including selling assets, offers a quick or easy way forward, leaving board members, who earlier unanimously backed the library remodelling, in a bind. More so, when staff said they aimed to report back, but not until next year, after further scoping.

A new board will be in place by then.

“We’re a board that wants to get things done,” board chair Mel Powell had said at the open workshop last week, which moved from public debate to a confidential session for further discussions.

Residents at the meeting left unimpressed at the truncated first update since April.

Afterwards, Powell told the Observer it looked like now being a case of seeing what could be done with the available money.

She said the scope of the reimagined library-hub was “created by visionaries, and that’s really important to have, but in this [economic] environment it’s challenging”.

Adding a third level on the building was too costly, but the board remained commit-

ted to doing something, she said.

“Perhaps it needs a zhuzh up and a reconfiguration to maximise use of space. “We will probably not get a great aspirational design, but we will get some good results.”

Powell indicated a key topic of confidential discussion was the run-down Mary Thomas Centre (MTC), which the board resolved in June 2023 to sell to help fund library upgrades. Sale plans have been paused under council staff advice due to market conditions.

Selling the Community Services Building – in which groups from the MTC are now settled – was also intended, but advice in April was that the combined sales would still lead to a shortfall for major remodelling.

The latest scenarios staff presented were to proceed with just a light upgrade to meet minimum service level repairs, made up of structural, roofing, fire protection and services work, or to do a more significant upgrade, including internal reconfiguration, but not recladding or other changes to the building’s exterior, which the full project design proposed. Costings were not given.

The board’s desired full renovation remains on the staff list of scenarios, as does demolishing and rebuilding on the current library site – but without any clear way to find the necessary funds.

Powell said the library, while tired on the outside, was structurally fine. Her personal view was decisions on it “will probably transcend many a [board] term”.

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Community and church groups are drawing up a plan to tackle rising homelessness in Takapuna and across the wider North Shore.

Police, local board, business, church and community representatives have been meeting over the issue and related instances of anti-social behaviour.

Several trespass notices have been issued in Takapuna, near the library.

Albanyincluding Heat Pumps Numbers of homeless have swelled to

around 20, says outgoing local board chair Mel Powell, who next week intends to ask the board to approve $10,000 to go towards an attempt to help deal with the issue.

The aim is to set up a jointly funded North Shore “navigator” position on a 12-month trial to help people and create a directory of available services. The last emergency accommodation in Takapuna closed at the end of June, after Government funding cuts.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 3

Shore girl turns Chicago tough nut for first big role Forrest Hill resident Lily Bourne is thrilled to have snared one of the lead parts in razzle-dazzle musical Chicago, which began a national tour at the Bruce Mason Centre last week.

Twenty-three-year old Bourne is very much the fledgling performer among a notable cast that includes plenty of well-known faces, including Jackie Clarke, Joel Tobeck, Andy Grainger and Nomi Cohen, under the directorship of theatre maestro Michael Hurst.

“Now I’m in a room with them – it’s a matter of soaking up all their knowledge,” she tells the Observer.

She has found plenty of encouragement – “no question is a dumb question” – and also some cheering coincidences. She is working with another young actor with whom she made her professional debut in Fun Home at the Court Theatre in 2024, and with a choreographer whose work she has studied.

Bourne says people assume she’s a Shore girl, perhaps because of how seamlessly she has fitted into the relaxed beachy lifestyle here. But she grew up in land-locked Palmerston North.

After training at NASDA (the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art) in Christchurch, she has had stints in touring cabarets in Australia and on cruise ships. Once settled in Auckland, she laughs that “it seemed very appropriate” that the first job she booked was a cameo role on Shortland Street. She played an influencer peddling wellness products, caught up in a sub-plot about people coming to the clinic with worms.

With singing a strong suit, Bourne was eager for more musical roles so she auditioned for Chicago. She was thrilled to get a callback for what she thought was an ensemble role, but after performing prepared pieces she was asked to sing some Velma Kelly parts.

“I went, ‘oh my gosh, is what I think happening’?”

A few days later she learned she had won the tough-cookie role.

“It was the most incredible thing that has happened to me.”

She promises audiences will get to see a grittier, sexier version of the hit musical set in the 1920s. Taking it on the road will be her first chance to tour in New Zealand and she plans to catch up with friends in Christchurch before performances in Dunedin.

This week she is relishing the easy commute from Forrest Hill before the 12-show Takapuna run ends on Saturday 9 August. “It takes five minutes to get here,” she says. Bourne reckons the North Shore will remain her base, being so close to the city but a world away. Favourite spots include the beaches and Lake Pupuke.

As to next steps career-wise, she says Chicago has reinforced her love of musical theatre.

Short commute... Forrest Hill’s Lily Bourne in character for “That’s my one true love, my joy, what I want to keep doing.” Chicago, which opened a New Zealand tour in Takapuna

The Rangitoto Observer Page 4

Local Body Elections

August 8, 2025

Darby calls time as five seek Shore’s two council seats

Five candidates are competing for two Auckland Council seats in the North Shore ward Big field in race for local board roles in the upcoming local body elections – but Twenty people are contesting the six Harpur is sharing the A Fresh Approach three-term councillor Chris Darby is not seats on the Devonport-Takapuna ticket with Kimberly Graham, Karin among them.

Local Board, the same large number Horin, Scott MacArthur, Karleen Reeve The other current councillor, Richard Hills, as in 2022. and Lewis Rowe. is standing again, but Stanley Point resident They include the previously announced C&R’s current board members George Darby is bringing his council career to a close, six-strong tickets from the two Wood and Gavin Busch are running telling the Observer it felt like the right time groupings on the current board – A alongside Mike Single – who was last to go. “After 21 years in public service, my Fresh Approach and Communities and election’s highest polling unsuccessful council chapter closes – making space for Residents (C&R) – and former board candidate – and newcomers Kaumosi something new.” member Trish Deans, who is running Opie, Kamini Schoonbee and Neil Zent.

The other candidates for the ward revealed as an independent.

Others in the running are Act’s Helena when nominations closed last week were two A Fresh Approach is without board chair Roza and independents Mary-Anne Kaipatiki Local Board members, chair John Mel Powell or member Peter Allen, who Benson-Cooper, Paul Cornish, Pete Gillon and deputy chair Danielle Grant, along announced last month they weren’t Cronshaw, Garth Ellingham, James with Act Local candidate Helena Roza and standing again. Deputy chair Terence Rohloff and Kent Tregonning. independent Eric Boon Leong Chuah.

Gillon, Grant and Chuah are also standing “Positive Leadership for the Shore” banner. everything,” he said.

Among his successes he lists his role in for the Kaipatiki Local Board and Roza for • Darby was first elected to public office the Devonport-Takapuna Board. Chuah is as a North Shore City councillor in 2004. advancing Takapuna’s Waiwharariki Anzac When Auckland Council was created he had Square and Devonport Library. He cites the also standing for mayor.

Gillon, who leads the Shore Action board a term as Devonport-Takapuna Local Board lack of progress on an upgrade for Lake Rd team, is standing for council as an independ- chair followed, before he was elected as a as a disappointment. ent “Putting the North Shore First” candidate. Northern Ward councillor. He had two terms • The Observer will publish candidate Grant, who took a tilt for council under the as Planning Committee chair. Transport and profiles next month and cover candidate Communities and Residents (C&R) banner in urban design were among his key interests. meetings. Postal ballots will be delivered to “I’ve loved this work. Not every day letter boxes between 9 and 22 September.

2022, is going it alone this time as “The Shore Choice”. Left-leaning Hills is running under a was easy, but every day mattered. I gave it Voting closes on 11 October.

Back to the future ­— candidate produces own newspaper

North Shore local body candidate John Gillon has printed his own four-page newspaper distributed to letterboxes as part of his election campaign.

The North Shore Gazette started arriving in letterboxes in Sunnynook and Devonport last week. The paper features key issues affecting the North Shore ward along with Gillon’s potential solutions.

He said the initial print run for the fourpage glossy tabloid was 30,000, costing around $5000 – a substantial part of his campaign budget, which will also include

billboards and advertisements in the Rangitoto Observer and Devonport Flagstaff.

Ironically, the Gazette appeared at the

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start of the week in which the final issue of the North Shore Times was printed.

Gillon said he had previously used newspaper-style letterbox drops for the Shore Action ticket during campaigns in the Kaipatiki Local Board area, where he is currently board chair.

Standing for Auckland Council as an independent ward councillor this year, Gillon said the letterbox drops would primarily focus on other suburbs in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area, where he was less well known.

August 8, 2025

The Rangitoto Observer Page 5

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Flood Recovery

Castor Bay flood fix ‘not found yet’ From page 1 After receiving a council memo revealing the work was on hold, Anderson last month wrote to the Mayor and North Shore ward councillors raising “serious concerns” at the decision.

“When in flood, traffic is prevented from driving through the area and some residents’ driveways are inaccessible,” his letter noted.

Flooding was becoming more frequent, even when rain did not seem particularly Flood plain... the inundated Beach intense or prolonged, the letter said. Ac- Rd pedestrian crossing after heavy companying photographs show the Beach rain on 4 June Rd crossing inundated on 4 June. five-dwelling development at 76 Beach CABBRA has also questioned the possi- Rd as a contributing factor to flooding on ble impact from a new subdivision nearby. Beach Rd. “The development is required After a discouraging response from coun- to provide on-site stormwater mitigation, cil staff, it called for further explanation so it will not contribute to any additional from Healthy Waters, setting up a public stormwater flow.” Only a small portion of meeting this week after the Observer went its site was on the floodplain. to print.

CABBRA said it appreciated the complex Devonport-Takapuna Local Board mem- flooding issues in the Wairau, but wanted the bers were notified the project was on hold Castor Bay stormwater upgrade to be budglast month. Chair Mel Powell said this was eted for and put on a timetable for delivery. a surprise.

It also called for council to keep “a very She understood lack of staff was a rea- close watch” on development and do more son for the delay, with the Healthy Waters preventative catchpit maintenance. teams heavily involved in design for Wairau Ahead of the meeting at the Observation catchment flood remediation to reduce risk Post at Kennedy Park on 8 August, it said it in Milford. had won a commitment from Healthy WaThe board would continue to advocate for ters to increase catchpit cleaning from twice the separate Castor Bay work. a year to four times per year, with the extra Powell said the board had also been push- rounds to occur between March and June. ing for more Healthy Waters staff. Water Healthy Waters staff have committed to engineers were in short supply “There’s just explain to residents an overview of stormnot enough people resource.” water options investigated to date. But they For a complex 10-year project such as say no firm budget or timeline for the stormthe Wairau work, Healthy Waters would water work can be given because a solution struggle if it lost specialist staff. at an acceptable cost has yet to be found.

In a response to CABBRA, a “customer They say investigations will continue and issues adviser” for council chief executive residents will be advised should an effective Phil Wilson discounted the controversial solution be identified.

August 8, 2025

Creekside tenants uneasy as risks probed Residents of Haumaru’s Stratford Court pensioner units in Milford want more certainty about their safety and future, says Gloria Howe who has lived there, bordering the Wairau Creek, for 16 years.

“It would be better if we knew what would happen if we flood again,” she says. “The chances of it happening again are fairly good.”

The 79-year-old contacted the Observer after reading in the paper’s last issue that Stratford Court is one of the flood-hit Haumaru and private retirement villages on which Auckland Council is conducting risk assessments.

She said there had been little clear communication, beyond “PR”, from Haumaru. But she said assessors had been on-site three times since June.

She has concerns about where residents will end up if reports indicate serious ongoing risk. Haumaru’s board will make decisions once it receives council advice.

“I’ll have died before they widen the creek,” Howe says.

Stratford Court had knee-high flooding in January 2023. While this did not enter its 30 raised units, it lapped at steps to front doors. Howe blames the innundation for hairline cracks inside her flat.

“The creek came right up the back of the next row of units, but water also came rushing down from the street at the front,” she says.

Since the floods, six terrace houses have been built in Stratford Ave and another development is underway on the corner with Shakespeare Rd, opposite Milford Primary School.

At least four home-owners along Stratford Ave have agreed to buyouts.

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Flood Recovery

August 8, 2025

The Rangitoto Observer Page 7

Residents chew over Milford’s post-flood options Ideas from residents to make Milford a more inviting and resilient suburb emerged from a recent community flood-recovery session.

More than 60 people turned out to consider hundreds of public suggestions on how council might best use land from bought-out properties along Wairau Creek and otherwise enhance the wider area.

“I want to know what’s going on,” said one man, explaining to the Observer why he attended the Sunday afternoon session at the Milford Senior Citizens Club (MSCC) hall late last month. He found himself at one of seven tables for group discussion on different themes, where participants ranked suggestions into key recommendations.

His table’s theme was Next Generation, looking at ways to make the flood-hit area more family friendly and future focused. The ideas coalesced into a vision for a Milford Trail, to connect the sea and Lake Pupuke, winding along the creek bank, with pocket parks and off-road routes to safely get about and enjoy the suburb.

Trail activities could include nature walks connecting to more play areas, with exercise gear for adults. Art installations, planting days, community gardens and spaces to rest and for small events were also suggested, along with involving schoolchildren and cultural groups.

Other groups considered themes such

Brainstorming... Milford residents workshopping flood-recovery ideas as Be Prepared, Come Together, Bridge the Gap, and Grow Green – Stay Blue, in reference to council’s planned Blue-Green Network flood-mitigation scheme.

Many of the suggestions overlapped, with ideas to make people feel safer, more involved and more connected.

They were initially gathered over a month of community engagement events led by the Milford Residents Association and other community volunteers. Some local-body election candidates were at the session, where frustration at council communications and slow progress was also much in evidence from the initial feedback.

“Council needs to speed up the work on the wetland – we cannot afford to wait,” said one submitter. “We are just sitting ducks until further work takes place,” said another.

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Flood-mitigation work in Milford will be largely part of the as yet unfunded Stage 2 of council’s wider Wairau catchment scheme, so is several years away.

Stage 1 is wetland detention at AF Thomas Park in Takapuna, which aims to reduce risk to homes in Milford, but without tackling specific local creek concerns.

As some of the 139 homes bought out to date are removed from Milford – including some soon in Woodbridge Lane and others next year – empty sections will increasingly raise questions about what takes their place.

A council facilitator who led the workshop said the ideas for Milford’s future would be further refined so they could help guide elected members in future decision-making.

The local authorities’ big battle, however, is finding budget to deliver on proposals.

The Rangitoto Observer Page 8

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 9

Big Buddy brings in North Shore identity to helm charity Shaun Quincey, famous for rowing across the Tasman, has taken up a new challenge – chair of the Big Buddy charity.

Quincey, a Shore local who was schooled at Takapuna Grammar School, lives in Campbells Bay and runs a business in Takapuna, takes over from Travis Field, the owner of the Fantail & Turtle gastro pub at Smales Farm, who was chair of the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust for a decade and on its board for 14 years.

Quincey (40) had taken part in Big Buddy fundraising events over the years, but jumped at the chance to lead the organisation himself and make a difference to young boys’ lives across New Zealand.

As a father of two young boys – Mac (11) and Charlie (9), who go to Murrays Bay Intermediate and Campbells Bay Primary respectively, Quincey knows the gap which would be left if “I was hit by a bus or helicopter or something”.

“They do not want for much – but a lot of young boys aren’t so fortunate,” he said. “I wanted to be part of something that can provide boys mentors to help them make better decisions, manage their temper... someone to talk to when they face challenges.”

Quincey said he was fortunate to have good mentors in his father, step-father and members of the Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, which he joined as a teenager.

He became famous after completing a solo row from Australia to New Zealand in March 2010. His father, Colin, also rowed the Tasman the other way in 1977.

Shaun later became involved in the finance industry and currently runs Simfuni, a software company supplying products to the insurance sector.

Quincey has committed to the Big Buddy

Men who mentor... Incoming Big Buddy chair Shaun Quincey (left) is replacing Travis Field at the charity. chairmanship for three years and primarily wants to work on ways to finance the charity “so it can grow and survive”.

One of Big Buddy’s problems is proving its success statistically to potential corporate sponsors. “Having a massive input into a young boy so they become a more stable person who is not going off the rails is not headlining grabbing,” Quincey says.

Big Buddy was working on ways to quantify the impact.

In the meantime, Quincey encourages potential Big Buddies to come forward as around 60 boys at any given time are waiting for mentors.

Travis Field will continue to be involved with Big Buddy as a major partner, supporting fundraising events through Fantail & Turtle. The venue has raised more than $400,000 hosting long lunches over the years, with the next event lined up for October.

Field’s long involvement began after a friend with terminal illness arranged for his two sons to have a Big Buddy before he died.

He then became an advocate for its value.

“It’s such a simple but beautiful idea. A Big Buddy for a boy without a dad present.”

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

The number of properties affected is up nearly 20 per cent, from 837 in July 2024 to 998 at the same time this year, Auckland Council figures show. Breakdowns by suburb were not available.

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

Properties were formally in arrears when rates had not been fully paid by 30 June.

The council’s financial year has just ended.

“Many rates arrears are often cleared around this time of year, therefore current figures are likely to reduce further,” Heath said.

Council could often work through payment plans to help clear rates, but as a last resort takes legal action. If an owner has a mortgage, rates can be recovered from the lending institution.

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

In the last six months, no unpaid-rates cases in Devonport-Takapuna progressed to court proceedings,” Heath said.

Anyone concerned about paying rates was encouraged to get in touch with council. Assistance available includes a government-funded rates rebate scheme and a rates postponement scheme for residential properties.

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

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 10

August 8, 2025

Local service cuts mooted as funding rejig takes effect

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

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board (DTLB) faces a $460,000 reduction in its $1.7 million budget for the 2026-27 year.

Auckland Council staff last month presented board members with options for finding savings or reducing spending, including: • Cuts in library and pool hours.

• Reducing community grants.

• Reviewing environmental-group funding.

• Reduced cleaning and bin emptying in town centres.

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

• Hiked fees for commercial park use.

The DTLB is one of seven of the region’s 21 boards that will be worse off under the “fairer funding” model council has agreed to redistribute central funding away from an assets base to reflect population, the size of the area and needs.

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

The final decision-making early next year

on local priorities will be a tough sign-off for whoever is elected to the board in October.

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

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

Keeping only one of Takapuna Library and Devonport Library open and closing the other at certain times, such as evening hours or weekends is one option.

Officers will provide more detail on library cost savings and off-peak Takapuna Pool and Leisure Centre usage and charges.

Members said they had little choice but to look at the $200,000 grants budget, one of their few big discretionary spends, with $800,000 tied up in the likes of parks maintenance contracts over which they have no say. “That’s where some of the costs needs to come from,” said member Terence Harpur.

Staff ideas of reviewing the $160,000 in current funding for environmental groups Pupuke Birdsong Project and Restoring Takarunga Hauraki were given short shrift by board chair Mel Powell ,who said feedback showed the community rated the environment the top priority A suggested downgrade of cleaning and bin servicing in Takapuna, Milford or Devonport town centres was rejected. But reduc-

tions in some park mowing and converting gardens in reserves into lower up-keep native bush are on the table. Member George Wood warned letting parks deteriorate could cause future costly issues with weeds.

The board rejected new charges for sportsfield use, but were open to the possibility of charging more for commercial use of parks.

Revenue opportunities for boards are limited. Commercial lease money for the likes of Takapuna’s camping ground, Sunday market, beach cafe and the early childhood centre beside its pool, is returned to central council, despite the board being the landholder. Harpur said this was wrong.

Talk of council devolving responsibility to more-empowered boards was only talk when it came without the wherewithal to back up landholder decision-making, he said.

Maintenance of heritage assets is another burden that falls heavily on the board.

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

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

Staff will return in September with more information to guide future budget debate.

Comment: Local Board victors will face unenviable decisions

Funding cuts and council processes will be the big issues for board members to get their heads around after the local body elections.

They will also need to realise that after campaigning about funding pet projects or tightening the reins, enabling this is often out of their hands. Decisions made higher up the Auckland Council food chain determine most of what happens in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.

For all the talk by Mayor Wayne Brown

of empowering local boards, there is little sign of shifting decision-making their way.

With cuts required under the “fairer funding” model set to be implemented from mid-2026, board members chosen in October will be subsumed in inductions and a paper war of options and recommendations.

New members will enter the battle late and on an uneven playing field. When board meetings resume properly in February, budgets already workshopped with the current

board will be presented for debate and signoff. Their term will start having to decide on cutting community grants, delaying local upgrades and considering asset sales.

Useful advocacy can still be done, such as pushing for local democracy to be enhanced not straitjacketed.

But until that happens, is it any wonder getting voters to turn out for local body elections remains a hard ask?

– Janetta Mackay, editor

Your local newspapers – still serving the Shore The Devonport Flagstaff and The Rangitoto Observer are delivered fortnightly to more than 20,000 homes from Devonport to Castor Bay. Find the Observer also in Takapuna and Milford town centre street stands

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August 8, 2025

The Rangitoto Observer Page 11

Takapuna Winter Lights brightens chilly nights The Takapuna Winter Lights festival attracted more than 60,000 people to Hurstmere Rd and Waiwharariki Anzac Square. After traffic and crowd issues last year, free tickets for specific time slots were introduced, with 57,500 allocated, helping spread numbers from Friday and Saturday into Thursday and Sunday sessions.

Late walk-ins led to the record attendance last month, said organiser the Takapuna Beach Business Association. Takapuna Grammar School music and dance students performed during the annual event, which also featured musician Fazerdaze, street performers and more.

More pictures, pages 12-14.

PICTURES: GRACE WATSON

Winging it... Street performer Kea Dances in action during the Takapuna Winter Lights festival

Checking the view... Young vistors study an installation and (right) North Shore dad Jesaiah Igama enjoys a free pedalbike ride with son Jhunneil along Hurtsmere Rd

The Rangitoto Observer Page 12

August 8, 2025

Fairy good... The Friday evening performance by singer Fazerdaze (above) lit up the former Commons courtyard, drawing fans, including (left) a dance performer

Shine on... Special tours organised by a disability group, led by Terence Harpur (front row, in black shirt with blue collar), allowed for easier access at two quiet early sessions and wound up with a Duck Island ice-cream treat for all

August 8, 2025

The Rangitoto Observer Page 13

Dancing to their own beat... Silent disco-goers (above) donnned earphones for an audio experience that led four-year-old Felix (below) to go flat out

Noodle time... Spaghetti lights proved a popular photography spot, with some in the crowd dressing up for their time to shine

Family outings... Takapuna couple Ash and Brandon rugged up with young Veronica. Right: Milford parents Asif and Risvana with Arshan (4) and Liyana (10).

The Rangitoto Observer Page 14

Sparkling... Strikingly costumed students from Takapuna Grammar School’s ballet group included Edie Warman-Clough (left) and Iris Carins, who won over a young fan at the Winter Lights festival

Noteworthy... Accordionist Alex Smirnov (above) and singer Ruby Jacobs (above, right) were among other TGS performers at the festival

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

The Rangitoto Observer Page 15

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August 8, 2025

If you’re listing your house this winter.

Make sure you advertise it locally.

Contact your local agent to sell your property locally, marketing it in your local paper The Rangitoto Observer We deliver to letterboxes and are online so reach all potential buyers

Go to www.rangitoto-observer.co.nz

August 8, 2025

The Rangitoto Observer Page 17

Law change opens options for use of Takapuna club’s landmark building Takapuna Boating Club has secured the law change required to operate its historic Bayswater clubhouse on a more commercial footing, opening up options to make restoring it more viable.

“What happens next would be up to the boating club and the community,” said North Shore MP Simon Watts, who shepherded the change through Parliament. “The possibilities are now, for the first time in many years, truly open.”

Club commodore Wendy Baker told the Observer it was “brilliant” to learn the Auckland Harbour Board and Takapuna Borough Council Empowering Act Amendment Bill passed into law last week. “It’s been many years to get to this point.”

The club could now consider options for greater use of the near 150-year-old building, which needed restoration and revitalisation.

“This legislation ensures that we can restore the clubhouse and create a thriving community space,” she said.

Ideas for the building have included leasing some of it to generate revenue through a cafe or restaurant on the top floor and having rooms available for community use.

The club uses the building as a base for board and foil sailing at Bayswater, with tenants on its lower level only, but to date has been restricted to boating-related operations.

Baker said having a local facility governed by a law dating to 1923, rather than regional or local government regulations was complex and unusual. Previous commodores had pushed for change.

Watts picked up the club’s case after being elected to Parliament in 2020. After Devonport-Takapuna Local Board support, Auckland Council drafted a bill, allowing the case to go to Parliament.

Watts said he was pleased to have assisted in getting it on the Parliamentary agenda.

“While the drafters of the original 1923 legislation had good intentions, in practice, it has meant the clubhouse cannot secure the commercial income necessary to maintain itself, and without a law change, the clubhouse will remain underused and unmaintained.

This Bill expands the ways the clubhouse can be used, striking the correct balance in allowing some commercial usage, so long as the proceeds are used for the good of the community or to maintain the site’s built heritage.”

Baker said a club committee would look at funding opportunities and seek stakeholder and community input on ideas for the nearly 150-year-old building, which was barged to its site around 100 years ago and is remembered by older residents as the scene of community dances in the 1950s.

Reflective Milford artwork vandalised

Milford’s Reserve’s shiny spherical sculpture, Beacon (above), was vandalised last month, with scratching to the highly reflective surface upsetting residents. Staff from Auckland Council, which installed the sculpture in 2020, are working with artist Lang Ea on a repair plan.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 18

Sport

August 8, 2025

Westlake tops schools rugby ladder ahead of semis Westlake Boys High School – the dominant side in North Harbour secondary schools rugby in recent years – haven’t had things all their own way in 2025, but a 31-11 win over Rosmini last Saturday signalled they are still the team to beat when finals begin this weekend.

Westlake topped the Harbour ladder with 11 wins, a draw and a loss from 13 matches.

Rosmini was third, winning 10 matches, but crucially lost two matches to Westlake, last Saturday at home and 34-20 in June, along with one of their games against Whangarei Boys High School.

The season has been one of the closest ever, with second-placed Whangarei Boys and fourth-placed Rangitoto College having an epic battle last weekend before Whangarei won 19-18.

Whangarei ended the season with 10 wins, one draw and two losses.

Rangitoto, meanwhile, had eight wins – including a prized Westlake scalp on 12 Chalking another one up… Westlake beat Rosmini last Saturday for the June – and five losses. second time this season to reaffirming their favouritism for the North Harbour On Saturday, Rosmini was up 11-5 at halfsecondary schools rugby championship time, but as in the previous match between the schools, Westlake showed a clean pair of Padel operator given heels in the second half.

Coach Robin Mildenhall said they played lease for town square Padel courts are coming to Takapuna’s town “some exceptional rugby”.

He singled out two try-scoring Year 11 square in a deal struck between council and a players – winger Yisrael Tukania, who private operator.

Pacific Padel has been granted a three-year touched down twice, and centre Matt Flemlease for a site at the southern end of Waiwha- ing – for special mention.

The addition of former All Black and rariki Anzac Square, which is earmarked for School Caretaker/ Westlake old boy Luke McAlister as backs future commercial development.

Groundsman Playing surfaces will be laid from October, coach this year had proved a major coup, We are seeking a dedicated school with play due to begin in November. Padel, Mildenhall said.

“He is a tangible hero for the boys, and a caretaker/groundsman to join our team which has elements of tennis and squash, is great mentor.” at Hauraki School in Takapuna. This is one of the world’s fastest growing sports.

Mildenhall hoped for a big crowd at Westa fulltime role and involves maintaining lake for their semi-final against Rangitoto. the school grounds to a high standard Takapuna players win “It will be a great semi-final against quality and playing a vital role in ensuring the Harbour selection opposition.” school’s environment is safe, clean and well presented. Salary negotiable.

Takapuna Rugby Club has eight players in Rosmini travels to Whangarei Boys for its the North Harbour NPC squad this season: semifinal on Saturday.

For more details email Tristyn Cook, Jack Lee, Leka Tu’ungafasi, • The North Harbour secondary schools final principal@hauraki.school.nz Gage Jackson, Tamarau McGahan, Manu will be played at North Harbour Stadium on or phone 027 44 55789.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 19

Traffic snarls loom during water-main work Vital replacement of 4.5km of water main to Devonport will cause major disruption in Takapuna, requiring digging up sections of Burns Ave and Esmonde Rd. Watercare, which plans to start the work in early 2027, says roads along the planned route south from Takapuna will be reduced to one lane during the installation.

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

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

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

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

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

Works would continue at night on

high-traffic Esmonde Rd and Lake Rd to speed progress. Work near schools would be scheduled during holidays where possible.

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

The line begins in Takapuna, where it connects into the principal North Shore water main, and travels south from Killarney St, beneath Burns Ave and across Esmonde Rd to Hauraki. It then follows Eldon St and Harley Rd before a block on Lake Rd. It takes Hart Rd, turning down side streets to cross Jutland Rd and head down narrow and often congested Northboro Rd. From there it takes back routes before going up Bardia St to rejoin Lake Rd south to Devonport.

Harpur thought the pipe would be better routed from Esmonde Rd to Francis St, where works would be less disruptive. The crossing point could double as a bridging option between Takapuna and the peninsula, he suggested, combining a pipeline with a pedestrian and cycle bridge above.

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

Deutschle said a number of scenarios were considered before the route was presented.

But staff would report back on members’ suggestions. A Francis St-Esmonde Rd link might face coastal consenting issues, he said.

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

Work would mostly be open-cut and cover, rather than drilling, due to the rigid nature of the water main, he said. Workers required access to enough width to work in – up to 7m – hence the need to use a lane of road.

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

Watercare first signalled the need to replace the main late last year. It will begin site investigations and preliminary design this year, and update the board in January 2026.

Member Peter Allen urged Watercare to return with a breakdown on when and for how long each stage section would take.

“I’d really like to see an alternative [route] and the costings around it,” said Busch.

The project has not yet been costed, but Wood tried to tie down a likely total by asking if it would be $100 million or $200m. Halliwell said “not quite” to the latter number.

Project consents will be lodged in April next year. Construction is set to start in January 2027 and finish in July 2028.

New hospo helps lift Takapuna spending Spending for the first half of the year in Takapuna was up slightly, bucking trends across many other Auckland centres.

Hospitality was the big driver for the overall 3 per cent rise in town centre activity for the months January to June, when compared with the same period last year.

Bars, cafes and restaurants recorded a rise of 10.1 per cent in June alone, latest Marketview data shows. This was partly due to recent additions making their mark on the area, including Takapuna Surf Club, Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina, Benny’s Burgers and Cousin Scott’s, said Takapuna Beach

Business Association chief executive Terence Harpur.

In a time of economic uncertainty and with hospitality closures elsewhere, Harpur said Takapuna had turned challenges into trading opportunities. Added town centre vibrancy and increased investment in events and promotion had helped.

Spending across department stores and leisure rose 5.8 per cent over the six months.

Additions included activewear brand LSKD’s first New Zealand store.

Across all categories, average transaction value increased 2.6 per cent to $49.66.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 20

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 21

Boarding easier after Milford marina upgrades More women and families are out boating from Milford Marina since new floating pontoons were installed, its operators say.

The marina is three-quarters of the way through installing the pontoons in a multimillion-dollar improvements project.

Old static wooden pontoons and piles have been replaced with floating and steel pontoons sheathed with plastic that should last for generations.

Project manager Glenn Cupit said the new pontoons allowed people to walk straight onto their boats rather than having to use a ladder, which could be “precarious”.

“We’ve seen a lot of women and mums turning up for boating... it’s much better for families and kids as well.”

Health and safety was much improved by the work: lockable gates at the entry to each pontoon had been installed and they were finished with a non-slip surface.

The work started early last year. Pontoons A to D were finished, with work proceeding on F and G. It would finish by next year.

Alongside the work at Milford Marina, Auckland Council is making repairs to a public walkway damaged in the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods.

We need you!

New Zealand’s media continues to undergo massive change with job losses in all sectors.

Most media are now relying on donations or subscriptions in some form to survive.

The common reasons for the media cutbacks and closures are declining advertising revenues and rising costs. Newspapers across the country have faced print bill increases of 56 per cent over the last five years.* (Our print bill has gone up $6000 per month during this time.)

I hope you are prepared to pay something towards the production of our newspapers.

Click ‘Become a supporter’ at the top of our website home page: rangitoto-observer.co.nz Every little bit helps. Please sign up for our email alerts for when the paper goes online and to get our weekly newsletter.

At the same time, New Zealand companies are spending millions of dollars on Google and Facebook advertising. This money goes offshore, with massive impacts on New Zealand journalism and jobs.

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Finally, a massive thanks to our advertisers who continue to support us, and to those readers who have already made donations.

At Devonport Publishing, we employ nine people (full-time and part-time) across our two newspapers — The Devonport Flagstaff and the Rangitoto Observer. All live locally.

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Arts / Entertainment Pages

The Rangitoto Observer Page 22

August 8, 2025

Music lovers invited to take a trip on the Silk Road with

Double duty... Conductor Natalie Paine with the North Shore Concert Band.

She is also a professional French horn player in the Navy Band.

The North Shore Concert Band will take its audience on a musical adventure in its annual performance at the PumpHouse in Takapuna next week.

A Journey Along the Silk Road will have the band’s musicians work through compositions and musical influences from across half the globe, in a varied programme that nods to the historic trade routes that linked east and west.

Band secretary Fran Hutchinson said Silk Road explored beyond European concert traditions to include music from regions along the route, which connected the Far East through to the eastern Mediterranean.

It would still feature music people would recognise, including from the Russians, with Rimsky-Korsakoff’s Scheherezade suite on the programme as well as folk dances from Shostakovich. But Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Indian sounds will also be included.

Debussy sneaks in, not geographically, but in recognition of a piece he wrote based on Chinese musical structures.

Fun inclusions are a Bollywood-style piece complete with dancers and music from Disney’s Aladdin film. Movie fans might also be captured by the inclusion of music composed by Joe Hisaishi and used in the film My Neighbour Totoro made by Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli animation studio.

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Arts / Entertainment Pages

The Rangitoto Observer Page 23

community band Hutchinson said the band, which comprises around 30 experienced community musicians from across the North Shore and beyond, had enjoyed working on what was its biggest show of the year, suitable for all ages. It also plays at community events and retirement homes.

The band will once again be under the baton of Natalie Paine, who plays French horn in the Royal New Zealand Navy Band.

The Bayswater resident has served as conductor for the concert band for several years.

Soloist Courtney Braunert will feature on alto saxophone.

Hutchinson, who is herself a baritone saxophonist, said the band had an association with the PumpHouse stretching back through the venue’s 48-year history. It holds practices weekly in Birkenhead and performs at retirement villages and community events.

She says a concert band is like an orchestra without strings, being made up of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments.

Members enjoyed playing together to keep their skills up and to socialise.

“It’s such a buzz playing in a band when it all comes together. There’s nothing like live music.”

• North Shore Concert Band, at the PumpHouse, Sunday 17 August, 2pm. Adult tickets $25, book online at the PumpHouse.

www.takapunamovies.co.nz Facebook and Instagram @takapunabeachsidecinema

09 666 0714

Notice of Annual General Meeting

of the North Shore Theatre & Arts Trust (The PumpHouse Theatre) Inc. The AGM will be held at 6.30pm, Wednesday 20 August 2025 At The PumpHouse Theatre, Killarney Park, Takapuna.

Guest Speaker: Sir Roger Hall, co-Patron of The PumpHouse Theatre.

Notice of Motion: Proposed changes to Constitution and Rules.

In addition to the normal business of the AGM nominations are invited for Board Members.

All enquiries to Peter Burn Chairperson 021 265 9697 before Mon 11 August 2025.

www.pumphouse.co.nz Phone 09 486 2386

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ROBERT MILNE 022 011 24 94 RICHARD MILNE 021 770 611 OFFICE 09 916 6000

ALISON PARKER 021 983 533 HARRY RICHARDS 0909 916 6000 HARRY RICHARDS021 0210814 08144513 4513OFFICE OFFICE 916

TAKAPUNA | 13C DOMINION STREET Luxury Lock’n’Leave Living

MATAKANA | 241 SHARP ROAD Live a Life of Luxury

Brand new and freestanding, this luxurious 4-bedroom home in central Set on a one-hectare estate with panoramic views of Sandspit Harbour, this Takapuna is the last remaining in an exclusive enclave of four. With high-end elegant masonry home offers luxury, space, and privacy. Designed for large finishes, a state-of-the-art kitchen, internal lift, and double garage, it offers families, it features expansive living areas, high-end finishes, a swimming modern ease and elegance. Zoned for top schools and just minutes from pool, and a self-contained barn. Perfect for entertaining or retreating in style, everything, this is premium living at its finest – spacious, stylish, secure, and it’s a rare opportunity in a peaceful, picturesque setting. superbly located.

premium.co.nz/80754 VIEW | PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT PRICE | BY NEGOTIATION

HARRY RICHARDS 021 0814 4513 LUCY HAMILTON 021 057 8099 OFFICE 09 916 6000

premium.co.nz/90192 VIEW | PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT PRICE | $4,895,000

LINDA SMITH 021 470 175 ROB MATULICH 021 634 059 OFFICE 09 422 9280

premium.co.nz | Fine Homes | Fine Apartments | Fine Lifestyles PREMIUM REAL ESTATE LTD LICENSED REAA 2008 | EST.1984