2 April 2015 Devonport Flagstaff

April 2, 2015

Massive boost for Bayswater development… p3

Bunny wars boil over between neighbours… p5

Interview: choir leader Helene Piper… p18

Fight over waterfront land in another secret deal

Waterfront Navy-occupied land at Torpedo Public access to the waterfront is extremely Usually marginal strips on foreshore land are is being sold off in a confidential Treaty of constrained in the already agreed deal, the 20 metres.

Waitangi settlement, the Flagstaff can reveal. Flagstaff understands.

The Flagstaff understands that Auckland The sale amounts to around 6000 sq metres The Crown has agreed to a marginal strip Council has stressed the need for as wide a of waterfront land. around the land of only five to six metres.

To page 7

Cups runneth over at Fair on the Hill

Giving it a swirl… the spinning tea cups proved a popular attraction at Devonport Primary School’s Fair on the Hill last Saturday

Phil Clark

P 09 446 2125 M 021 940 041 E phil.clark@harcourts.co.nz

Peter Ayton

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Commanding Position – Devonport This 1970’s home has captivating views over the Inner Harbour and city, imagine waking up to that every day!

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 living areas and great garaging.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 2

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April 2 2015

Brown says Lake Rd fix could be on the agenda Mothballed improvements to Lake Rd shouldn’t be written off just yet, according to Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

A $54 million Lake Rd upgrade has disappeared out of council’s 10-year budget and then, more recently, wiped from its major works programme list.

But a mandate in favour of public transport in the almost 16,000 submissions on council’s ten-year budget, could swing Lake Rd back into the loop, said Brown, speaking to the Flagstaff

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Art for Vanuatu

after an informal tour of Devonport Library.

If “enhanced” public transport was the result, a motorway user charge or an additional annual 1% rate increase and 1.2 cents per litre fuel tax could free up money for local roading such as Lake Rd, he said.

“On the basis that we went for the enhanced budget, that would provide us with an extra 12 billion dollars over the next 30 years, which would enable us to not only deal with some of the regional work but also to grapple with some of the localised work like Lake Road, which we know is a matter front and centre for the residents of Devonport and Takapuna,” Brown said.

Brown did not commit to widening Lake Road, but said the best fix needed to first figure out who should share the road, “whether it’s buses, bikes or cars.”

“We will have a discussion over the next two or three months about how we might bring about the implementation of those new revenue streams,” he said.

A Devonport artist will donate 50% of the auction sale of a $5,500 work to the people of Vanuatu affected by Cyclone Pam. Ni’au Baskets, an acrylic on canvas by Julia Henderson, will be sold by silent auction starting 29 March 2015 at the Flagstaff Gallery (www.flagstaff.co.nz).

Bids will be accepted until 30 May 2015. The winning bid will be announced on 31 May 2015.

“My inspiration as an artist draws heavily from my experiences in the Pacific Islands. Their Devonport flora, fauna, people and cultures fascinate me market introduces and draw me to them,” Henderson said.

“The work I have chosen to auction is more home-grown food than just a representation of traditional coconut baskets of produce.

Devonport Craft Market is getting a tasty new “It is a reminder of what has been lost – crops look this April. and livelihoods, self-sufficiency and security,” After nearly six years of bringing hand-made she said. craft to Devonport once a month, visitors will now have the chance to buy locally grown and produced food as well.

Market Manager Sarah Thorne said: “Now specials April 1st - 11th the market has matured, we wanted to provide over a more rounded experience that will attract new visitors into Devonport and encourage them to stay and enjoy the village and all it has to offer.”

Customers will be able to buy from a small weeks !!!! selection of local, quality food vendors selling produce such as hand-made cheese, bread, olive WED - SAT|5PM - LATE |445-3185 oil and locally harvested fruit, as well as arts and 5 Clarence St, Devonport crafts direct from the makers. �eeeeeeeeeetttttteeeeennnnnnnnt The first Devonport Craft & Fine Food Market takes place on April 12 from 10am-2pm at Devonport Community House. Subsequent * Gourmet burger + markets will fall on the first Sunday of the chips month. +

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 3

April 2 2015

Two loved boys mourned by community

Jason Lee

Ben McNae

The sudden deaths of two young men has left the Devonport community in mourning.

Jason Lee died at his home in Clarence St on March 18.

A former Takapuna Grammar student, he was remembered at the Maadi Cup last week

by TGS Rowing crews, who wore black armbands in his honour.

Then on March 25 Ben McNae’s body was recovered by police after a search off Torpedo Bay. Police have referred both deaths to the coroner.

Search… the police launch and helicopter looking for Ben McNae at Torpedo Bay

Massive density boost for Bayswater Marina land The density of building allowed on Bayswater Marina land will be tripled under proposed changes to council rules.

Currently up to 10 % of Bayswater marina land can be built on. But under the changes this would increase to 35%.

Last Tuesday, Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan Committee recommended to the Independent Hearing Panel changes “to allow for an expansion of existing marinas into the General Marina Zone by up to 15% as a discretionary activity as well as “to allow for up to 35% building coverage on the landward side of the Marina zone.”

Under current rules, the expansion of

marinas is a non-complying activity and only 10% of marina land is allowed to be covered by buildings.

The recommendation was passed by a four-member delegation of the full committee. North Shore councillor Chris Darby, who is one of the four, says he voted against both of the recommendations, which passed with a three out of four majority. “The delegation is supposed to deal with urgent minor matters. An increase in building coverage from 10% to 35% is not minor and should have gone in front of the full committee,” Darby says.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair

Mike Cohen says he has major concerns about both recommendations and asked to speak at the committee meeting. “This is major. It weakens council’s future position and opens the door for more residential buildings in Bayswater. It should have been put to the whole committee to be questioned and examined with more rigour,” he says.”

Darby says he has no confidence in the Bayswater Marina precinct plan to fix the recommendation either. “This leaves the door open for development way and beyond of the status quo,” he says.

Darby says it is “very early but critical” days in the hearing process.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 4

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Police investigate bunny wars

Just days before Easter, a Stanley Point neighbours’ dispute over two rabbits boiled over, leaving four children mourning the death of a pet. Police are now investigating.

Maire Vieth spoke to both parties Sue O’Callaghan and her four children Henry (17), Lucy (14), Louis (12) and Martha (10) owned rabbits they keep in an open run in their unfenced rented property on Stanley Point Rd. Two houses down, Scott and Felicity Wilson like to grow vegetables in their garden and say that for the last three months the O’Callaghans’ rabbits have made that very difficult. After asking the neighbours repeatedly to contain the rabbits, Scott Wilson took matters into his own hands, catching one of them, Mimi, in a net and releasing it at Ngataringa Park, near Lake Rd. Two days later, the O’Callaghan children found Mimi there, dead after she appeared to have been mauled by dog.

Sue O’Callaghan, rabbit owner and tenant “One day Flopsy, our huge male rabbit, went missing. We have had him for four years. On her way to school the next day, my daughter Martha saw a notice that a rabbit was found on Glen Rd. I got Flopsy from there at around 9 am and brought him home. As I was taking down the notice, a woman told me she had seen someone shove a rabbit out of a car.

“I found it a bit odd. We keep our rabbits in a run and sometimes they jump over it and go to the neighbours but Flopsy never even crosses the road. There is no way he would have gone all the way to Stanley Bay School.

“About a month ago our neighbour Scott knocked on my door. He said I should get my rabbit out of his garden because it had eaten all of his lettuces. I apologized and he said that I should keep the rabbit inside our property. I went to the garden centre and bought a tub of garden lettuce plants and dropped them off with a funny note that said, ‘Sorry I ate your lettuces. Here are some more, Flopsy.’

“Next I got an A4 letter from Felicity telling me that I needed to fence in my garden. But I’m not allowed because we are renting, so I just left it.

“Another day there was a knock on the door and my son Louis answered it. It was Scott again saying that our rabbit was in his garden

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 5

April 2 2015

Selling or Buying , real estate s ow Rowan kn rt o Devonp

but when I got there, there was no rabbit there.

Then our female rabbit Mimi, who had been heavily pregnant, disappeared. We adopted her from a local woman and she and Flopsy were inseparable. We made notices and put them up all the way to TGS. “On Friday after school, I got a call from a girl who said she had seen our bunny alive at Ngataringa Park. We went there the next morning and the children found Mimi dead and bloody, probably killed by a dog. They just screamed and they are devastated.

“We brought Mimi home and buried her in the garden. Since it happened, Flopsy hasn’t moved. We found Mimi’s litter days later, barely alive. After Scott admitted to taking Mimi, I reported the theft to the police.”

Scott Wilson, neighbour and property owner “Well it’s a non-issue as far as I’m concerned.

They have so-called pets that they are supposed to be responsible for but the rabbits spend more time here than they spend at their place and we haven’t been able to have a garden.

“I went over on three occasions asking them to get the rabbits because they are eating our lettuce seedlings, stripped off the bottom bits off the kale and dig holes everywhere. She (Sue O’Callaghan) came over and left some lettuces on the front door step with a note saying: Sorry about your lettuces, signed the rabbit. So we planted those. Two days later, the rabbits are back and they have eaten everything she gave us to plant.

“We left a note in their letter box saying, look if you need some wire netting, we’ve got some that we can give you to help you contain the rabbits. No response.

“As a last resort, I caught one of them and I released it down in the park because nothing else has worked and I am just absolutely sick and tired of constantly chasing them out of the garden. This has been happening for three months now.

“The next minute, the other neighbour comes over with the boy and accuses me of killing the rabbit. (While Wilson admitted taking one rabbit to Ngataringa Park he said had no knowledge of the other rabbit ending up in Glen Rd.) “My whole thing is that it’s fine to have pets. I love kids to have pets but part of having a pet is being responsible for it and keeping it in your own property. Our

2

ElMOnT | 11a CorrELLa roaD

grandchildren have two pet rabbits but they are contained on their own property. If you rent a property and you can’t fence it, you have to have an animal that you can keep on the property. We don’t have pets because we don’t have a fenced property. We have plenty of cats and dogs come in here and poop, which we never complain about, but having rabbits here constantly is where we draw the line.”

The law Under council by-laws pet owners “must not allow caged animals/pets such as rabbits, ferrets and rodents to stray outside the property where the animal is kept.”

Residents also must not “keep an animal which is likely to be a nuisance or a threat to public health or safety”.

• Devonport Community Constable Jackie Strickland said: “Police have received a complaint regarding the theft of rabbits and this matter is currently under investigation.”

Police are also looking for the woman who saw the rabbit being shoved out of the car on Glen Rd.

Dog enters another Stanley Point Rd property and kills cat

A 14-year-old family cat was killed on a Stanley Point Rd property last Friday by a roaming dog.

Simon Bucherer said Amber was killed VIEW FROM THE PROPERTY “when a dog came into our back garden and VOnPORT | 96 VICtorIa roaD attacked him.” The attack took place at apuntain Hideaway - two unique Dwellings Renouf AREINZ GRANT SPEEDY mily villa resting high on the slopesRowan of mt Victoria, a self-contained office with extra rooms, proximately 10 pm.

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Funeral…From left to right, Martha, Louis, Lucy and Henry O’Callaghan bury their pet Mimi

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but it sounded more vicious. “ We investigated and saw a knee-high black dog with a red collar trotting out down the side of our house,” Bucherer said. Amber was “in a bad way” after the attack.

“We set off to the emergency vets in Glenfield but he died on the way.” Bucherer contacted the Flagstaff to alert residents to keep a watch out for the dog “who may do it again.”

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 6

April 2 2015

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 7

April 2 2015

Devonport Wharf bus shelter still on table A “bespoke design bus shelter “ outside Devonport Wharf is still referred to in Auckland Transport’s reports to the DevonporTakapuna Local Board. This is despite the fact that 75% of locals said they don’t want it.

At the same, Auckland Transport has had to make far-reaching project cuts, including its plan to review bike rack availability and motor scooter parking at the wharf.

Last December, Auckland Transport spokesperson Mathew Stewart said the bus shelter project was delayed due to “changes in funding availability” and that a “final decision” would be made this March.

From page 1

More coastal land sold off marginal strip as possible for the public.

The sale is for commerical redress of Maori land claims.

In a statement Conservation Minister Maggie Barry said: “I’m satisfied that the decision made on the width of the marginal strip will balance local community and iwi interests.

“It allows practical public access to the coast and recreational use of the strip consistent with the requirements of the Conservation Act 1987.

“It will be some time until the leaseback from the NZDF terminates and the strip is created. Until then the status quo continues,” Barry said.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Mike Cohen says he is not aware of any final decision. Cohen is strongly opposed to the shelter. “It’s one thing if people demand a bus shelter. Then I’m all for it. But here they have demanded no bus shelter,” he says.

“But after we have just spent a fortune on creating viewshafts (to the city), we should not put up glass that gets dirty and obstructs the view,” he says.

Cohen says he also wants the bus shelter at the back of Devonport Library gone as no one uses it. His requests for more transparent shelters outside Takapuna Grammar School have fallen on deaf ears at AT, he says.

Rowles rocks and rolls into Devonport for dinner date John Rowles is in Devonport “unplugged” for a dinner launch of his most recent album The Greatest Songs of All, which he recorded locally at DepotSound on Clarence Street.

The first of two Auckland concerts, Dinner with John Rowles takes place on April 25 at 7:30 pm at Number One Bistro, 1 Victoria Road. Rowles says he is off on a national tour afterwards.

Rowles says the acoustic rendition of 18 new and original tracks is a departure for him. “I wanted something new and fresh and so I tried something different,” he says.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 8

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April 2 2015

HANDSOME COMFORTABLE FAMILY HOME

24 Allenby Avenue, Devonport

You will love this handsome double bay transitional villa on a large section in sought after

Auction

Allenby Avenue enjoying a wonderfully sunny aspect. Character features abound in this substantial three bedroom home where entertaining is easy. A gourmet kitchen and family room open to an inviting salt water pool basking in all day sun perfect for family fun.

Expansive decking and landscaped gardens provide private alfresco dining areas and there is

12pm Thur 23 Apr 2015 (unless sold prior) 28 Northcroft Street, Takapuna View Sat 1.00 - 1.45pm Thurs 6.00 - 6.45pm www.bayleys.co.nz/1470099

Lynda Betts

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a separate dining and lounge opening to a verandah and grass for the kids to play. This safely B 09 487 0702 lynda.betts@bayleys.co.nz fenced property in excellent condition throughout has good parking and a garage and BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, DEVONPORT workshop. Located in a lovely street full of character homes close to the park, beach, ferry to

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the CBD and city, golf course, excellent schools and all Devonport has to offer plus it’s close to the arterial links for motorway access. You must see this great family home.

All companies within this composite are Members of Bayleys Realty Group

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 9

April 2 2015

Kitchens fit for kings and queens

Royale Kitchens has been established on Auckland’s North Shore for nearly 30 years, providing high quality custom-made kitchens and cabinetry solutions to a wealth of satisfied customers.

A new kitchen is an exciting but often daunting project, and you want to be sure of getting the best results possible for your budget.

Our free home assessment service allows you to meet one of our team in the comfort of your own home to discuss the options available to you. We listen to your requirements and make creative and sensible design suggestions, incorporating all the features your kitchen needs.

Whether it be a new home, renovation, beach house or rental, Royale Kitchens has a creative design to meet every customer’s style and budget – see our website for inspiration.

We have information on all of the latest trends and innovations to make your kitchen perfect for you.

With this information we will create a 3D computer image of your new and unique kitchen that perfectly suits your lifestyle. No readymade boxes here! Visuals and a quotation are provided for you.

We are more than happy to work with concepts that you may have from an independent designer, or sketches and clippings you have been collecting. If you have seen a style or design that suits you, please bring them along for us to use in the design process.

Once the final specification and design is agreed upon, our team of skilled cabinet-makers turn those plans into reality and complete the installation process themselves to ensure the highest quality is maintained throughout.

Experience dedicated personal service and attention to detail that really makes the difference to the “Heart of your home”.

Our showroom has a full range of material samples available for the cabinetry doors and panels, benchtops, handles and lighting.

Please drop by and take the time to view all the options and colours.

Devonport ownership Devonport couple Mathew and Kirsten Coles have owned Royale Kitchens for almost five years.

Mathew, a Brit, and Kirsten, a Kiwi, had been living in Guildford, Surrey when they decided to emigrate to New Zealand, settling in Devonport.

“I come from a manufacturing background and we were looking for a business in the kitchen and cabinetry sector that we could add value to.

With Royale Kitchens having been established on the North Shore for many years, this was an ideal opportunity.

The manufacturing side of the business has been expanded with the purchase of a brand new CNC machining centre and

Edge-bander, to ensure the accuracy and quality of every cabinet.

A new showroom was also installed, which is due for further expansion during this year too”.

The company offers a broad spectrum of kitchens, from modest to high specification. Royale Kitchens’ point of difference is that we work through the whole process in-house with our six staff: from 3D design to quoting, manufacture and installation.

This means we are not relying on sub-trades or outside contractors, resulting in increased accountability and adherence to project schedules, says Mathew.

In addition to kitchens, we also provide cabinetry solutions for sculleries, laundries, bathroom vanities and custom-made items.

Ca ll u s fo r y ou r free h om e a ss essm ent tod a y Hours of business: Mon - fri: 8am to 4:30pm, sat: 9am to 1pm, sun: Closed Alternative times by appointment

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 10

OPEN HOME

April 2 2015

OPEN HOME

Belmont 62b Eversleigh Road

Devonport 147 Vauxhall Road

The Easy Life

Deceased Estate - Renovate And Reap The Rewards

A beautiful home sitting pretty, away from the street, it´s a tranquil haven.

This is a G J Gardner modern contemporary, delivering all you could want for today’s living. This super home has a large open plan living opening to private wrap around gardens, four bedrooms, two modern bathrooms. The location is brilliant being handy to the highly respected Takapuna Grammar School that offers Baccalaureate courses and a variety of great schools.

This cute character double brick home was built in the 1930s. It is on a fantastic corner site of 592m2 and is just two houses from the well revered Vauxhall Primary School. The home is in need of renovation, and perhaps extension, depending on buyer´s needs. The location of the home is just perfect, positioned between two stunning beaches, Narrow Neck and Cheltenham. The property screams potential, so don´t procrastinate!

For Sale View Open

By Negotiation www.harcourts.co.nz/DP7663 Saturday 3.30 - 4.15pm

Peter Ayton & Phil Clark P 09 446 2109 M 021 336 300 M 021 940041 E peter.ayton@harcourts.co.nz E phil.clark@harcourts.co.nz Devonport

Auction View Open

On site, Sunday 12th April 2015 at 11.00am (will not be sold prior) www.harcourts.co.nz/DP7724 Saturday Only 11.30 -12.00pm

Jackie Mark & Jane Hastings P 09 446 2113 M 021 458 797 M 021 735 263 E jackie.mark@harcourts.co.nz E jane.hastings@harcourts.co.nz Devonport

OPEN HOME

Devonport 9a Handley Avenue

Devonport 41 Kiwi Road

Stunning Masterpiece

Character Bungalow On Kiwi

Like a work of art, creativity is often found in the fine detail and this home attests to that point. This award-winning design is situated close to picturesque Narrow Neck Beach, so all the amenities the seaside location offers make it a privilege and a pleasure to reside here. Visit this home to appreciate the thought and design that created such an exceptional home.

Located in one of Devonport’s favourite streets, this very appealing family character home designed for entertaining and functional living has been recently upgraded but maintains the integrity of its original features such as the inviting front porch, lead light glass windows and lovely beamed ceilings. To miss out will only leave you with regret.

For Sale View Open

By Negotiation www.harcourts.co.nz/DP7698 Saturday 12.00 - 12.45pm

Glenice Taylor & Gary Potter P 09 446 2112 M 021 943 021 M 021 953 021 E glenice.taylor@harcourts.co.nz E gary.potter@harcourts.co.nz Devonport

Contributor to realestate.co.nz

For Sale View Open

$1,225,000 www.harcourts.co.nz/DP7684 by appointment

Jenny Hinton & Anne Iremonger P 09 446 2126 M 027 773 1841 M 021 443 959 E jenny.hinton@harcourts.co.nz E anne.iremonger@harcourts.co.nz Devonport

www.harcourts.co.nz

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 11

April 2 2015

NEW LISTING

OPEN HOME

Devonport 9 & 9a Ascot Ave

Devonport 14 Cambria Rd

Affordable Leap - Two Properties - Deceased Estate

Motivation Plus - Vendor Has Purchased

9 Ascot is a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom 1940s home with open plan living.

Bright, light and sunny, it has the benefit of a sunny front garden and good indoor/outdoor flow. 9A Ascot is a 1 bedroom cottage built in the 1980’s with a rear garden. Both properties each have a garage and share a driveway. Each property will be auctioned separately. Potentially affordable buying within a high value street. The beneficiaries want these sold!

Jump at the chance of being the second set of owners of this beautiful rebuild/renovation. Three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, timber floors, high stud. Full of warmth and a wonderful ambience, entertainers will delight in the excellent indoor/outdoor flow through three sets of bi-fold doors to a sun drenched deck from the open plan designer kitchen, dining and lounge. Picture perfect in every way - be quick for this one!

Auction View Open

On site, Sunday 19th April 2015 at 10.30am www.harcourts.co.nz/DP7734 & DP7736 Saturday Only 10.30-11.15am

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NEW LISTING

Bayswater 42b Beresford Street

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Auction View Open

On site, Sunday 19th April 2015 at 12.00pm (unless sold prior) www.harcourts.co.nz/DP7732 Saturday & Sunday 12.00 - 12.45pm

Peter Andrews P 09 446 2105 M 0274 931 826 E peter.andrews@harcourts.co.nz Devonport

Contributor to realestate.co.nz

Auction View Open

On site, Sunday 19th April 2015 at 5.00pm (unless sold prior) www.harcourts.co.nz/DP7728 Saturday 2.15 - 3.00pm

Phil Clark & Peter Ayton P 09 446 2125 M 021 940041 M 021 336 300 E phil.clark@harcourts.co.nz E peter.ayton@harcourts.co.nz Devonport

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 12

April 2 2015

Len Brown’s informal visit to Devonport Library

Contemplating his future…?

Len Brown in reflective mood at the new circular window at the library

Of mice and men… Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chairman Mike Cohen (left) and Auckland Mayor Len Brown at the new library

Embattled Auckland Mayor Len Brown had not lost his sense of humour during an informal visit to the new Devonport Library earlier this month.

The Auckland Mayor had missed the February 26 formal opening of the new facility because a meeting on Ports of Auckland’s expansion into the Waitemata Harbour (which Brown supports) ran late.

During a tour of the building, he spotted the old Devonport mayoral chair and sat down. “It’s definitely solid. I hardly fit in it. It’s just waiting for the next Mayor of Devonport,” he riffed.

Brown chatted to a couple from Santa Barbara who had arrived on the Queen Victoria cruise ship. When they asked him whether he was Mayor of Devonport or Auckland, he said: “No, the whole shebang of Auckland.”

He introduced Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chair to the couple, saying: “This is Mike Cohen. He is the brother of Leonard Cohen.”

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 13

April 2 2015

NEW LISTING

Devonport 7d North Avenue

3

1

1

2

2

Deceased Estate - Over 75 Years In The Same Family Nestled discretely down the "private mews" from North Avenue, this beautifully maintained 1925 Kauri weatherboard bungalow sitting on its own 560m2 (more or less) freehold site, speaks volumes from 75 years of ´home and heart´ family living. From evening sunsets overlooking the Golf course or the garden courtyard and Gazebo for entertaining, or the lifestyle of local cafes, parks, beaches and schools, this single level home will instantly captivate you to just move in and enjoy as is. Alternatively explore the options for potential development this property may have. Discerning buyers seeking a private Narrow Neck location will recognize this once in 75 years as an outstanding opportunity!

Contributor to realestate.co.nz

Auction View Open

On site Sunday 19th April 2015 at 2.00pm (unless sold prior) www.harcourts.co.nz/DP7749 Sat & Sun 1.15-2pm, Wed 5.30-6pm Peter Restall P 09 446 2114 M 021 808 808 E peter.restall@harcourts.co.nz Cooper & Co Real Estate Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 14

Letters

April 2 2015

House beauty enhanced with removal of eyesore

Removed tree had been causing problems for years Fort Takapuna, Vauxhall Rd, by DOC in 2011.

The reason for this removal was the ongoing effect on the structure of the historic Naval Observation Post.

In my opinion, the Tainui Rd tree’s lack of form, resulting from pruning to protect power lines, detracted from the streetscape. Its age and threat to public and private amenities do not warrant its protection or any concern over its removal. I wonder that such concerns as expressed in your article appear to favour the protection of a 30-35-year-old wilding tree over a 100+-year-old dwelling. Houses of similar age to this tree are unlikely to be given such protection under our heritage rules.

I also note with interest that those with trees they choose to have protected under council rules are subsidised by our rates for tree maintenance. Would this subsidy be better spent in the community rather than on individuals?

Peter Nelson

My family resided at 38 Tainui Rd from 1975 until January 2014 and I am very familiar with the pohutukawa tree referenced in your article on 20 March 2015. This tree originated as a wilding sapling in the late 1970s. Over the last 20 years I observed obvious signs of the root system of this self-seeded tree disrupting underground services, paving and amenities at 36 Tainui Rd and neighbouring properties. This included Watercare funding remedial action to repair damage to the public sewer system outside of the property boundary. The tree’s growth also impacted on power lines resulting in the heart of tree being severely cut to accommodate these lines. This would have been a continuing problem as the tree continued to develop. Mature pohutukawa trees, such as those on the opposite side of Tainui Rd, can grow to 20m high with a circumference of 30m.

The consented removal of this tree parallels the removal of a 15m high pohutukawa tree at

“Never let the truth get in the way of a good story” the saying goes. It is a shame that Trish Deans provided only part of the story of the removal of a pohutukawa from a property in Tainui Rd and so gave the impression of an act of near vandalism.

The pohutukawa in question is believed to be self-seeded (possibly the progeny of my own large pohutukawa across the road) many decades ago - only a fool would have wittingly planted a sapling right on the boundary of a property and in such close proximity of one’s home.

Many of us who live in or regularly pass along Tainui Rd have watched over the years as the tree has had to be regularly pruned to allow for the passage of the power lines, creating a tree with no beauty or form (the photo in your paper has been taken after half of the tree had already been removed and so not illustrating the tree as it has stood for many years).

The truth behind the granting of permission for the tree’s removal is that for many years the roots of the tree have caused damage to both the driveway and the sewer lines of the property, issues the home owner has dealt with.

But when the roots of a tree begin to undermine the foundations of the house I think most of us would agree that ‘enough is enough’ and obviously the council concurred.

The house at 36 Tainui Road is one of the prettiest in the street and, far from the tree’s removal ‘changing the character of our streetscape’ as Deans claims, in my opinion the removal of this eyesore has had no negative impact at all, quite the reverse, highlighting the beauty of the house as it does.

Charlotte Millar

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April 2 2015

Letters

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 15

Privatisation era a sad time to be in public office I attended Sunday’s Save our Harbour protest with a great deal of sadness as it seems as if the public is being treated with contempt on this issue.

In fact, it is a sad time to be in public office as this corporatised council seems intent on privatising public assets solely for the purpose of some individuals reaping private profits.

Those on the North Shore are fuming over several examples where public land (including carparks and reserves) is being or has been turned over to private interests. Such proposals are dressed up in ‘community good’ speak and yet such good is available for only a very elite community. And it seems as if council is tired of the public objections to such schemes and is establishing a development company to fast- track consents and encourage the building of private assets on public land. One such example offered is where a community centre is surrounded by waste land. High-rise apartments, we are told, should be built on such spaces as it seems children running around on

grassy play areas is a waste. Consenting is problematic but why should a few Council ‘friends’ receive a fast track process when ordinary people wanting to build a kitchen (for example) cannot receive such attention?

The purpose of the new company is apparently to reduce risk to developers in risky situations, and to allow them to make a profit when the market is not allowing the desired margin. And the Port issue is just one in a line of recent examples of private gain from public space.

Who really thinks the proposed reclamation will remain for wharf use rather than being developed for elite apartments in the near future?

Council should not be in the business of development. It should not be in the business of underwriting risks for developers or to develop proposals to enhance such developers’ profits.

It is indeed a sad time for Auckland.

Dr Grant Gillon Local Board member Kaipatiki and Devonport-Takapuna

Chubby bald man in pink shirt on the loose with change To the “slightly chubby bald man in a pink shirt with a lady in a white T-shirt” who used the self-service checkout at New World on Sunday 22nd March at approximately 3.25pm - I have obtained your description from the security camera at the checkout terminal. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach my 9-year-old son a lesson in ethical behaviour and how to be a good and moral person. By choosing to put in your own pocket the small amount of cash I had hastily forgotten to collect from the machine

rather than hand it in to staff, or call after me as I hadn’t even left the store when you came upon the money, you have set a wonderful example of how to behave if you want to be a greedy and selfish person. Taking something that isn’t yours is theft, and if it isn’t yours you shouldn’t take it - that’s called stealing. A person of your age should surely know better, but you have done a great job of setting an example for my son that he aspires to be the exact opposite of.

Anna Papa

Library toilets inadequate Much has been said on the toilets at our new library. I agree they are particularly inadequate as are the ‘inconvenient’ beachside toilets originally built for use as changing sheds.

Travelling around the North Island this past week I had the opportunity and occasion to visit public toilets at Matamata, Tirau and Taupo.

The ‘conveniences’ at these locations were

all outstanding in as much as their suitable location, cleanliness, hand basins, modern electric and fast hand dryers, all making the occasion to visit an enjoyable one.

Wake up Devonport administrators, we must have one of the highest visitation numbers in New Zealand. Make it ‘convenient’ and comfortable for all please.

John and Wendy Cooper

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Carnival – Devonport library holiDay programme 7th april – 17th april Devonport Library’s Carnival themed holiday programme has activities for preschoolers to teens.

Including piñata making and competition, circus and clowning skills, learn how to salsa & samba, Frankentoys and more. Call into Devonport Library for further information.

the gooD life Workshops at Devonport Community garDen saturday 11th april Getting your garden started, hints & tips. $5.

Places are limited – email to book: devonportcommunitygarden@gmail.com

ngataringa organiC garDen eCo fest aCtivities sunday 12th april from 10:30am ngataringa organic garden, 27 lake rd Join in a variety of workshops including Seed raising - mini workshop, weeds as herbs and relaxation. For more info email: lise.milne@gmail.com

free squash at Devonport squash Club thursdays from 7:30pm, 70 Wairoa rd Take part in free squash games every Thursday at Devonport Squash Club.

Racquets & squash balls provided.

For more details contact Dietmar ph: 445 8839.

street get-togethers Devonport Peninsula Trust has some funding available to encourage neighbours to get together and develop neighbourhood connections. For further info please contact Maria on ph: 445 9533.

Devonport peninsula Community eneWs To receive the Devonport Peninsula eNEWS, a monthly email listing of community events, and other community notices, please email us at dportcomm@xtra.co.nz

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Letters

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 16

Flea easy on the ear Through your columns can I give a big thank you to the team at Devonport’s community radio station, The Flea 88.2 FM, for the great job they do.

After an injury confined me to bed a lot of the day recently, this amazing little radio station has been my lifesaver.

Of all the radio frequencies I surfed The Flea came up trumps, providing me with music, entertainment and news; even the advertisements, which I usually abhor, are

likable, not too long or too often. When I’d had enough of reading and television, tuning in to The Flea was there for me.

The music, from the 60s to 90s won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and I don’t listen 24/7, but just in case Devonport has forgotten the station’s history, can I remind readers that The Flea was started in 1999, and I am very sorry I didn’t tune in years ago.

Thank you The Flea.

Chris Eagles

Devonport needs to be proactive with cruise tourists Having just returned to Devonport (home) after a short cruise on Cunard, I read your article with interest. (Flagstaff, March 20) Part of what you say is true, cruise passengers don’t particularly spend much when in port, but there are a few more sides to the story other than the Auckland Council bias suggested.

On a bus tour, the tourists have just eaten (with food available 24/7). The tour picks up at and drops off at the ship - just in time for lunch/ afternoon tea etc.

Other than excursions sold by the ship, there was no local information for the independent traveller. What knowledge they do have is out of date. An example of this is when a friend on the Queen Elizabeth visited. We arranged to meet her at the Voyager New Zealand Maritime museum. The tour guide on the ship said it didn’t exist. It wasn’t marked on the small map

Disappointment over Trish Joughin room Our large new library is a show piece. Both the increase in space and its attractiveness to visitors make it ideal to display some of the history of Devonport and to recognise the people who have contributed to the development of Devonport into a place where community pride and involvement are important. It is early days and I am sure that the library staff will see a significant area given to the display of Devonport activities both past and present.

Further I understand that the designation of the area in the old library, known as the Trish Joughin Reading Room, was made when Devonport lost its status as a borough and was in recognition of the great contribution Trish’s leadership made in the way our community has evolved. It did not happen by accident or chance but because Trish and her fellow activists had vision. I am therefore disappointed that the new Trish Joughin room, unlike the original, is small and in an upstairs corner, and does not reflect the significance of this. In fact its inclusion in the new library seems almost a perfunctory gesture.

That the character of Devonport has been maintained and the quality of life here enhanced because of their work should be acknowledged.

Our library can inform and remind residents of our borough’s evolution.

Pat Ward

they were given. We had to resort to emailing photos of the streets and signage to confirm our meeting point.

Which leads to another point - cruisers look for free wi-fi because it is exorbitant on board. Many of the people on our ship were on round-the-world trips, elderly or American, or a combination of all three. It isn’t cheap to do and New Zealand is - in their eyes - very expensive.

The works at the wharf is not welcoming for tourists, the i-SITE completely useless (p15, March 20). There is no street map to point out places of interest; Devonport - you are not doing yourselves justice. Victoria Rd has a high proportion of restaurants – tourists want to see a “real” town. Elderly tourists get halfway up and can’t face the climb.

As a contrast, the ship had to make an unscheduled stop at Picton due to cyclone Pam. Not the most cosmopolitan place in New Zealand, but they managed to put on a small local craft fair. There was representation from the town at the wharf, handing out maps and badges – it was a nice touch as people were disappointed at not being able to see Akaroa.

And, yes, I saw people spending money.

Perhaps the Devonport Business Association should look at arranging tourist-friendly ways of promoting the village - rather than wait for (uninformed) tourists to “find their way”. You get a list of the cruise ships arriving well in advance – so get proactive and promote our village. Take the mountain to Mohammed. The extra effort may pay dividends.

PS I did do my bit to promote while on board.

V Stewart

April 2 2015

Cycling would alleviate slow moving carpark Your last Flagstaff issue was a cracker and a good laugh as well with a letter stating that, horror of horrors, cyclists were on Mt Vic and didn’t listen to sage words.

Well pardon me for pointing out that if town planners had allowed for the obvious we would have cycleways and cycle trails abound, leaving the Mount to walkers and goats alone.

But no, cyclists are made to feel bad as they might erode the volcanic cones of Auckland, something that time will do all by itself.

Fact is intelligent folk have decided that health or ecology or even economics make cycling in its many forms a great pastime.

Pedestrians and motorists can grizzle all they like, but cycling is on the grow, which was bleeding obvious to many, except the planners of our fine city.

If 20% of those who created the Lake Rd gridlock last Sunday, had cycled from the ferry or Takapuna then those from farther afield could have come and gone without looking like harddone-by Noddies in SUVs. There are even cycle lanes on Lake Rd, free for the use of.

That slow-moving carpark on March 22 was created by people all focused on their own convenience of parking feet away from an event that luckily is only ever so occasional.

On yer bike, I say.

Ian Ferguson

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Letters

April 2 2015

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 17

Many other options to car domination It is great news that there are no immediate plans to widen Lake road.

The only solution to traffic congestion is to have less vehicles on roads. If widening roads were a viable solution, we would have solved traffic congestion a long time ago. The problem is that drivers will use roadways up to their capacity. So if we make more roadway, it will immediately be filled up to the same level of congestion.

So the solution has to be using roadways more efficiently. Fortunately, mega-cities around the world have solved this problem already. We can learn from them; they all have great public transport and/or cycle facilities.

In such cities, vehicles are an unnecessary and costly hindrance. Few residents own private vehicles. If they do own a vehicle, they mostly only use it for trips outside the city. Other tranport options are far easier, faster and cheaper than driving a vehicle, so the residents are happy.

This is also great because vehicles, car parks and roadways are ugly, dangerous and an extremely inefficient use of energy and space; imagine Victoria Rd with widened footpaths and no cars parked on it - or as a pedestrian zone. How about New World carpark as “Devonport Square” with a fountain in the centre. Or Windsor Reserve without King Edward Parade splitting it in two.

Toll charge on Lake Rd for non-residents Enough is enough. Holding events such as the Weetbix Tryathlon at the end of a peninsula is criminally inconsiderate to residents. I work a 2pm shift in Ellerslie on Sundays - on Tryathlon day it took me an hour to get from Vauxhall to Belmont. Nor are these interlopers friendly or grateful types - one chap with two kids’ bikes on the back cut me off aggressively and not one of the long line of cars ahead of me on Lake Rd slowed to allow a hapless driver to exit BP Clifton. Much more serious is the issue of ill/ injured people being able to physically access medical attention.

Maggie Barry is completely impotent on the issue of widening Lake Rd, so for (mental) health and safety reasons, I suggest a toll, chargeable to all nonresidents.

Rosalie France

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor are welcome. They should relate to Devonport issues. Unsigned or nom-de-plume letters will not be published. Email letters to devonportflagstaff@orcon.net.nz or post to Devonport Flagstaff, PO Box 32-275, Devonport.

Of course, it is difficult to run a city without vehicles for deliveries, emergency services and busses etc. But without private vehicles, there can be fewer and narrower thoroughfares to access narrower service roads/lanes. Only professional drivers navigate the roads, so any congestion is just part of their job. And the roads are a lot safer!

Auckland Council is currently seeking feedback on its 10-year budget. This is a great opportuniy to take a break from complaining, share your opinion and influence council’s decisions.

If you are interested, here is my feedback: Do you agree with the proposed overall average general rates increase of 3.5% each year? In which activity areas do you think we should spend more or spend less?

Disagree. Do not increase rates. This perpetuates the housing crisis. Instead, tax private vehicle users.

Do you support the basic transport network or do you think we should invest more to get the Auckland Plan transport network that would address our transport problems?

Any transport spending should focus first on getting private vehicles off roads. That is the ONLY solution; Every successful large city in the world has great facilities for public transport and/ or cycling. In these cities, vehicles are an unnecessary hindrance, as well as an eyesore

and inefficient use of energy. Further, they contribute to global warming and the now certain and irreversible fact that the ocean will rise 30cm IN OUR lifetimes.

Instead of widening roads, close them to private vehicles and operate frequent public transport services, or turn them into cycleways.

Remove on-street car parks to make way for bus lanes or separated cycle paths.

Build rail networks instead of motorways.

If we decide to invest in the Auckland Plan transport network, how do you think Aucklanders should pay for it? A $2 charge each time people enter Auckland’s motorway system.

Do not tax all residents. Make it cheaper to use public transport than use/own a private vehicle. Reward those using public transport, and tax those using private vehicles.

Are there any projects or priorities e.g. cycleways or more bus lanes, we should focus on delivering as part of the basic transport programme or the Auckland Plan transport programme?

Cycleways and public transport; rail, bus, ferries, taxis...

Unfortunately the March 16 deadline for feedback on the 10-year budget has passed.

But the council seeks feedback all the time.

Search “have your say Auckland”.

Bevan Rudge

Let’s get positive about the library It has been a bit surprising, and sad to me, that so many residents of Devonport do not have a kind word to share about the new library. Opening day came with great anticipation for both my husband and myself to see what we would find inside. The first thing I noticed was lots of people in attendance checking out every nook and cranny and an excited ‘buzz’. Staff were smiling, actually beaming, and ready to help. We later overheard some teenage boys in a cafe across the street talking with each other excitedly about ‘their new library’, ‘have you seen it?’, ‘it’s so cool’.

In the old library, no one stuck around, myself included, as it felt tired and dreary to me: I would pick up my books and be off. Now, it is so wonderful to see groups of people who come into the library to have a seat, relax, and just visit with each other as they look around their surroundings and smile. It is with pleasure and pride that we bring our overseas friends and family to see our new library.

My husband and I share our time between America and Devonport and have done so for the past 11 years. The opening of the new library was perfect timing for my husband as he is involved with designing a neighborhood library in America. Almost daily since it has reopened, he has been to the library

to observe how the different sitting areas are being utilized as well as every detail in the construction, artwork, shelving and display units, ventilation, and general flow of the library. Photographs have been sent electronically to the others involved in his library project and there is excitement in all of their voices as they exchange ideas that the photos have inspired in phone conversations.

I don’t feel like the staff has heard enough positive comment about their fantastic, state-of-the-art library, certainly not from what they are reading in the Flagstaff Letters. Today I was in the library to return a book and pick up another. I told the woman helping me how wonderful the new facility is and that I was tired of reading and hearing all the negativity. I thought she might begin to cry as I let her know how much I enjoy the new facility.

Sure, everyone is entitled to their opinion, negative or otherwise. We are ratepayers like everyone else and we are extremely happy with what has been provided for our community, both the facility and caring staff. I can see that the kids are enjoying spending time their with their mums and dads by the energy they express and their excitement.

If you feel the same way, let the staff know next time you visit.

Mary Anne Evans-Frank

Interview

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 18

April 2 2015

Songs in the key of life

Joy of life… Helene Piper with daughter Liv

Devonport Community Choir director Helene Piper exudes a sea of calm. But behind the melodies it has been a rollercoaster after the premature birth of her daughter Liv. She spoke to Maire Vieth about the emotional tsunami an early arrival brings and the support she has received from the choir and the wider community.

It was a blue sky eruption. Helene Piper was six months pregnant with child number three when husband Kurt surprised her with a weekend away to celebrate their 11th wedding

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anniversary.

On October 5, the couple left their two boys Bjorn (almost 8) and Markus (6) with family and flew to Wellington. It was Helene’s first trip to the capital.

“We spent the whole day walking around Wellington. It was a beautiful day with a blue sky,” says Piper. She wasn’t feeling great but put it down to being pregnant and decided to have a lie down before dinner. “I woke up and had contractions about every three minutes apart – nothing painful but we called the hospital and went in to be safe.”

Piper was put on drugs and the contractions slowed down. The next day the doctor, on a hunch, picked up the life-threatening concealed placental abruption and ordered an emergency caesarean section. “Liv came out in the nick of time as I would soon have been in trouble too,”Piper says.

Liv was born on 6 October – 28 weeks and three days into the pregnancy. Her due date had been Christmas Eve. She weighed 1,165 grams. After a brief intubation period Liv was put on an oxygen mask and fed through an intravenous drip line into her belly button that later was moved to her leg. Then a feeding tube went into her mouth until her nostrils had grown big enough for it.

Through it all, Helene and Liv had to stay in Wellington while Kurt went back to work and looked after the boys in Devonport. They visited the girls only twice during the next month.

Liv was too fragile to hold. “At first I could only look at her and speak to her every few

hours,” says Helene. The baby stayed in a dark and womb-like incubator, protected from visual or tactile stimulation. “They say stimulation inhibits growth at that stage,” says Piper.

Minor baby milestones became huge triumphs. “When we introduced her to breast milk, it was one millilitre at a time,” says Piper, who expressed her milk every three hours so she would be ready to feed once Liv was ready for it, at four weeks old. She was first dressed when she was five weeks, taken off oxygen at six weeks, and off the monitor at eight weeks.

On Halloween, Liv, still in her incubator but now the equivalent of 32 weeks gestational age, and Helene were airlifted to North Shore Hospital. “I surprised the boys when I picked them up at Vauxhall School to go trick or treating that day,” says Piper. Liv stayed in hospital for six further weeks. “It was ten long weeks.

It felt more like a year,” she says.

Back in Auckland, life went back to normal, but with a twist. “It was grocery shopping, school pick-up, making dinner, putting the kids to bed and then heading back to the hospital at 8 pm to breastfeed again,” says Piper.

But the hardest time was when Helene caught a cold and was quarantined from the neonatal unit for a week. Kurt took over the visits and Skyped Helene from the hospital.

Developmentally Liv is exactly where she should be had she been born on Christmas Eve. But at 4.8 kg she is still small and light and not completely out of the woods yet. “The last three months in the womb are when babies get their

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 19

April 2 2015 immunity, so hers was very low when she was born. The doctors said she was lucky to have been born in summer,” Piper says.

“We have been told to expect to be in and out of Starship hospital this winter with her brothers being in school and bringing all those germs home. Immunization is critical, and she is not allowed to go to day care either,” she says.

One place Liv does love to go to is the Devonport RSA hall on Tuesday nights.

That’s where the Devonport Community Choir practices every week. “There are always hands available to hold her,” says Piper who was back at practice as soon as she returned from Wellington. “Having that one night a week away was really important to me even while Liv was still in hospital,” Piper says.

The choir had also given her long-distance support, sending weekly care packages to Wellington. “I got magazines, baby products, gluten-free snacks, creams, fruit. It was really special and really picked me up,” she says.

Piper started the Devonport Community Choir three years ago. Practices are free and people can come and go as they please, she says. The choir now regularly performs at community events and will again be part of this year’s ANZAC celebrations. It was out and about on the Devonport streets for last month’s White Night.

Anyone can sing, because “if you can speak, you can sing. The only difference between the two is that in singing you use longer notes and a wider range. Staying in tune can be learned and voice damage can often be helped,” Piper says.

Choirs have been part of Piper’s life as they are part of Liv’s. “My parents met in a choir and I came along with them to practices from a very young age. I remember observing the conductor’s hands and thought she was playing an instrument,” she says.

At a Rudolf Steiner school she learned to play the violin and cello until a teacher asked her to conduct the senior school choir. She went on to study for a Masters degree in singing and conducting at the Nordjysk Musikkonservatorium, in Denmark, graduating in 2006.

The Piper family during a Wellington visit from the boys, with proud parents Helene and Kurt and big brothers Markus (left) and Bjorn surrounding premature baby Liv Piper met her New Zealand husband while performing with a theatre group in Edinburgh.

Kurt was running a Scottish hostel and followed Helene to Denmark. “The rest is history,” she says. The couple lived in Denmark for three years. Kurt had to learn Danish and started a company painting houses but as a New Zealander didn’t like the long and dark Danish winter days.

The move to New Zealand in 2007 initially wasn’t easy for Helene either. She was pregnant, knew no one and could not find a job.

“My masters in choral conducting is a mixture between singing and teaching and is not recognised here, but I still hope that one day a local school needs a music teacher and offers me a class,” she says. Currently she conducts Vauxhall School’s choir of 40 children as a parent helper.

But since she moved from Forrest Hill to Devonport, things have been looking up and Liv’s birth has helped settle the family further.

“With my third baby, I am more relaxed. Now I know people, am part of the community, help

out at school. I will be stuck here forever and I love it,” she says.

Piper has married into a long-standing Devonport family. Kurt’s English grandmother Hazel moved to Grove Rd when Kurt’s mother Kaye was only a year old. Two years ago, Helene and Kurt built their own house only metres away from where Kurt grew up on Fraser Rd. The Piper’s garden backs onto Fraser Reserve, a small council park, where Helene has helped plant the Feijoa and citrus trees as a Devonport Community Garden volunteer.

“The reserve is not much used yet but I hope that the trees will one day make it a place for more people to come, pick apples and pears and have a picnic here,” she says.

As life with Liv is calming down, Piper is looking forward to two new milestones that lie ahead this year. In July, the entire family is off to Denmark for the first time. “Plus it has been twenty years since I started teaching, when I was 18. I will have to celebrate that in some shape or form,” she says.

"NORWOOD JETTIES" - PRIVATE WATERFRONT CEDAR TOWNHOUSE

3/63A Norwood Road Bayswater You will love living in this gorgeous low maintanence 1970’s cedar and brick waterfront townhouse, which embraces the ebb and flow of life in Ngataringa Bay. Recently updated there are three bedrooms on the upper level, the master with a balcony and views. Stylish living areas, wide deck and downstairs a seperate guest/ office space with a small sunny garden.

Double carport and room to park the boat and a private jetty for you to enjoy.

Auction

On Site 2pm Sun 12 April 2015

(unless sold prior),

View

Sat/Sun 1.00 - 1.45pm

Twilight Wed 6.00 - 6.45pm www.bayleys.co.nz/1470098

Prue de Bie M 021 521 242 prue.debie@bayleys.co.nz

Diana Poor M 021 065 0049 diana.poor@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, DEVONPORT LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

All companies within this composite are Members of Bayleys Realty Group

www.bayleys.co.nz

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 20

April 2 2015

Devonport 09 445 2010

AUCTION

Takapuna: Investor/Risk Taker Opportunity!

1/45 Byron Ave • Ground floor 2 bedroom apartment • Central Takapuna location • Modern open plan living, CV$540,000 • Fully fenced courtyard with lawn and decking • Tandem garaging with internal access • Easy walk to cafes, beach and shops • Full disclosure on building issues

Ron Sadler BCom, FNZIV M 021 613 546 A/H 09 486 0142 Devonport 09 445 2010

Mairangi Bay: WITH A VIEW TO THE FUTURE! 3/6 Sidmouth St An investment indeed! Just a few sites back from the beach front in what is a tightly held enclave, this substantial four bedroom Mairangi Bay townhouse is indisputably “Position Buying”. Priced at CV, this must surely be one of the most outstanding opportunities available! Call now to view!

Ron Sadler BCom, FNZIV M 021 613 546 A/H 09 486 0142 Devonport 09 445 2010 Toni Gregory M 021 044 3663 A/H 09 446 1023 Devonport 09 445 2010

Auction: 10:00am 16 Apr at Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna (unless sold prior) View: Saturday 12noon - 12.45pm www.barfoot.co.nz/541618

For Sale: $1,150,000 View: Phone agents for viewing times. www.barfoot.co.nz/541647

Takapuna Beachfront Apartment

Devonport Heavenly Family Home

2D/173 Hurstmere Rd Spacious beachfront 3 double bedroom apartment right in the heart of Takapuna.

Quality construction with share of amenities that include: heated swimming pool, sauna, gymnasium, secure undercover parking for 2 vehicles & a spacious storage locker. You will not regret investing in this beachfront location.

Ron Sadler BCom, FNZIV M 021 613 546 A/H 09 486 0142 Devonport 09 445 2010

For Sale: $1,349,000 View: Phone For Appointment www.barfoot.co.nz/537023

OPEN HOME

Linda Simmons M 0274 590 957 A/H 09 445 6337 Devonport 09 445 2010

For Sale: By negotiation View: By appointment. View VIDEO at www.barfoot.co.nz/532919

OPEN HOME

Glenfield 17 Noeleen St On it’s own 593m² freehold title this 3 bedroom open plan 1970’s early Award home which has been newly redecorated, boasts a second living area, office space, extra large double garage and oodles of storage.

Elevated to capture all day sun with large decks to capture extensive views.

74 Stanley Point Road Large family home in the most peaceful setting you can imagine. Perfect for toddlers, through teens and even for the grandparents to live-in.

Plus north-facing back deck and gardens, and close to the water... you will never want to leave. Easy access to city via Stanley Bay ferry.

Primary School nearby. See VIDEO on line.

Devonport 15 Cheltenham Rd Cathy Fiebig M 021 383 149 A/H 0800 248 245 Devonport 09 445 2010

Auction: 10:00am 9th April at Bruce Mason Centre, (unless sold prior) View: Saturday/Sunday 12.30pm-1.15pm www.barfoot.co.nz/540479

Cheltenham Treasure A truly spectacular opportunity to buy a large family villa on a corner site where two of the most sought after streets in Devonport meet.

From this point you can see 200 metres down the road to the sparkling waters of Cheltenham beach or looking up the road 250 metres to Torpedo Bay and the waterfront.

Cathy Fiebig M 021 383 149 P 0800 248 245 Devonport 09 445 2010

For Sale: By Negotiation View: Sunday 2.00-2.45pm www.barfoot.co.nz/538627

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 21

April 2 2015

Devonport 09 445 2010

Devonport 5/21 Queens Parade Panache on the Parade Style and location is what you get at this superb 2 bedroom apartment on Queens Parade. With waterfront views from the living areas and Mount Victoria views from the north facing deck, you can enjoy all that this easy care, solid and secure dwelling with garage has to offer. Just 2 minutes walk to the ferry.

Devonport 4 Flagstaff Terrace Ian Cunliffe M 0800 248 521 Devonport 09 445 2010 Carol Wetzell M 027 245 3392 Devonport 09 445 2010

Tender: Closes on 16 Apr 2015 at 4:00pm (unless sold prior) View: Sat/Sun 2.00-2.45pm www.barfoot.co.nz/541534

Devonport Mansion House This astonishing double brick and Welsh slate residence with swimming pool is positioned above the Devonport Reserve in a private and secluded central village location, has sea views from East to West, and a full length upper balcony to enjoy the majestic vista beyond. A truly majestic, regal and iconic home.

Ian Cunliffe M 0800 248 521 Devonport 09 445 2010 Carol Wetzell M 027 245 3392 A/H 09 488 7559 Devonport 09 445 2010

Tender: Closes on 14 Apr 2015 at 4:00pm (unless sold prior) View: Sat/Sun 1.00pm-2.00pm & Wed 6-7pm www.barfoot.co.nz/541087

AUCTION THURSDAY

Devonport 17 Calliope Road Enjoy the Good Life This Majestic Turn of the Century Edwardian Villa with a 300m² floor area has beautiful authentic style, plus a full 1,131m² of freehold land with north facing garden and swimming pool plus views of the Inner Waitemata Harbour and beyond. It will give you the most wonderful lifestyle Auckland has to offer.

Belmont 1/124 Lake Rd ~ HONK, HONK! Carol Wetzell M 027 245 3392 A/H 09 488 7559 Devonport 09 445 2010 Ian Cunliffe M 0800 248 521 Devonport 09 445 2010

For Sale: By Negotiation View: By Appointment www.barfoot.co.nz/538751

Lance Richardson AREINZ M 021 796 660 Devonport 09 445 2010

Auction: 10:00am 9 Apr 2015 at Bruce Mason Centre, (unless sold prior) View: Sat/ Sun 12.00 - 12.45pm www.barfoot.co.nz/541148

D L SO

D L SO

Devonport 48A Old Lake Rd Golden Opportunity at Narrow Neck A natural timber “Signature”home, built for a real estate professional for his own use.

Mature, level, right of way section close to beach, golf course, public transport and is in the Belmont Schools Zone. Great opportunities for further development and improvement. Early inspection advised.

Put your feet up and phone the boss, you have just found your golden goose! In fantastic condition, this closely held, 2 bedroom Brick and Tile unit is offered as a starter home or just an excellent investment! Perfectly positioned right beside the Belmont shops,close to Takapuna grammar. Call me right now to view!

Devonport 2A Sinclair St Ted Hill M 0800 248 526 A/H 09 445 3256 Devonport 09 445 2010

For Sale: By Negotiation View: Anytime By Appointment www.barfoot.co.nz/539750

It’s that old adage, that location is everything!

It certainly is if you’re wanting one of Devonports prime locations. Sinclair Street is a quiet cul-de-sac nestled only a short stroll to Cheltenham beach. The potential in this home is evident. This home is here to be SOLD! So don’t hesitate. Come and make me an offer!

Lisa McGeehan M 021 447 184 A/H 09 446 0640 Devonport 09 445 2010

For Sale: $1,090,000 View: Phone agent for viewing times www.barfoot.co.nz/537932

Letters

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 22

Too many fireworks nights driving residents crackers I’m going crackers about the crackers.

Last night (Wednesday 25th March) someone let off bangers at 11.15pm in Mays St and woke us all up on a school night. Boring.

This kind of all-year Guy Fawkes seems to happen about once a fortnight now, on the waterfront, up Mt Vic or in people’s backyards all across Devonport. A few months back the Devonport Yacht Club had hired out their rooms and there was a bang-boom at midnight, then at 12.30am, then a 1pm kaboom. Our household looked like ghosts

the next day through lack of sleep.

There are good times for a sparkle, like the cascade of flares off the Sky Tower after the New Zealand cricket win at Eden Park, which was exciting and fun.

I would like Devonport parents to not allow their kids to even possess fireworks outside of Guy Fawkes, and for anyone thinking of lighting fireworks for special occasions, please be considerate and do it before 10pm!

Bain Duigan

Cracks illustrate cracks in council work standards You can say what you like about the new library, but that carving hanging low over the front door is just idiotic at best. It looks as if you could crack your head on it.

Cracks seem to appear everywhere our council has been, either during the event or soon after. The multimillion-dollar wharf repair is already cracked to hell and little wonder. It is black and a stinking hot surface, rather than being a shell or sand-coloured pavement. But here’s the thing, there are no properly spaced construction joints, any fool can see that, and I’m picking the new crack injection works they are now trying to do to remedy the eyesore will be charged to us idiot ratepayers. The reality is the concrete is cracked for good, an eyesore, the wrong colour and the wrong structural engineer on the job. Any builder knows you can’t pour such big expanses of concrete without proper jointing. I guess our council will now claim it

is supposed to be crazy paving, done at a crazy price by crazy designers and builders.

I went to cross one of the $75,000 pedestrian crossings in town the other day, and I sunk down into the stainless drain cover on two of the crossings. They were already bent by the weight of vehicles by the looks of it… bent not cracked, but designed by the sort of crackheads council always chooses.

And finally on cracks… some say they love the new terminal crossing from the Esplanade – there’s so many pohutakawas and walls between the Esplanade and the terminal, I guarantee you that weed of a tree will crack up the entire pavement in good time. At least it’s consistent with the cracked-up way council do things. That view of the harbour reclamation on the other side will soon be blocked by big trees.

Ron Dykman

April 2 2015

Cheltenham dog owners attentive and agreeable We write in response to a letter from Noelene Browning in the Flagstaff March 20 issue, in which she queries whether dogs should be banned entirely from Cheltenham Beach.

We typically walk our dogs on Cheltenham Beach twice daily, observing the summer hours and all other restrictions. We are continually impressed with how well-socialised and wellbehaved Cheltenham dogs are, and find the dog owners attentive and agreeable. In our experience, if ever there is a potential concern, owners invariably snap on the lead and take control.

We note that during summer, dogs are already banned from the beach for eight-and-a-half hours every day, presenting swimmers plenty of available time. We understand and respect this regulation.

As Ms Browning noted, dog walkers far outnumber swimmers. Dog owners all pay rates, and pay additional dog registration and licensing fees. Accordingly, dog owners are entitled to the use of the beaches. It would be unfair to disadvantage many dog-owning ratepayers to privilege a few swimming ratepayers.

Finally, Ms Browning’s ban is presented as a Cheltenham-only arrangement, without suggesting Narrow Neck Beach or Torpedo Bay Beach be included. This indicates a view that Cheltenham is her “own, personal” beach, with other beach users to be excluded.

Sherry and Sandy Maier

Devonport 54 Stanley Point Rd Stanley Point Retreat This inspiring property of 1872 m² prime Stanley Point real estate is a unique and genuine find.

Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and mature native bush, this light-filled fourbedroom home and separate studio are bathed in all day sun. Wander down to the shores of Ngataringa Bay to BBQ or launch your kayak, paddleboard or kite surf without any parking issues!

Lovely harbour views extend over Ngataringa Bay to the Bayswater Peninsula, captured from both indoor and outdoor entertaining and living areas as well as the master bedroom. The separate studio makes a perfect home office or has a variety of other options. Car parking for several cars is available. This property has not been available since 1986 and it is ready for a new family to enjoy the serenity of living in this very prestigious area and street. Call me to discover more.

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Tender: Closes on 16 Apr 2015 at 4:00pm (unless sold prior) View: Saturday & Sunday 11:00 - 11:45am www.barfoot.co.nz/541594 Lisa McGeehan M 021 447 184 A/H 09 446 0640 E l.mcgeehan@barfoot.co.nz Devonport 09 445 2010

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 23

April 2 2015

Community weeders would suit Devonport Devonport’s long history of chemical-free weed control could do with a hand from a few green fingers, says Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Grant Gillon.

Gillon, who is also a member of Kaipatiki Local Board, says numerous small volunteer groups help council with keeping the bush reserves of that area free of invasive weeds.

“They also help with mangrove removal, pest trapping and manage the Kauri Dieback stations,” he says.

Volunteers could easily do the same on Devonport’s sports fields and reserves.

“It’s the same concept, whether bush or grass,” he says.

Such volunteers would make chemicalfree weed control more affordable for council, “because the expense of professional mechanical weeding is horrendous,” he says.

“I think if the community would be happy to do a bit, this could work here too.

Devonport has a reputation of strong community spirit and neighbourliness and the next step from protesting for something is

to help bring it about,” he says.

Schools could get involved as well. Gillon says helping to weed is not unlike picking up rubbish at local beach clean-ups.

“And it’s not just hard work. It’s fun too,” he says. Kaipatiki’s volunteers belong to a Green Network run by the Community Coordinator. “They do planting too and have barbecues every once in a while. It’s community development,” he says.

Roger Giles, who has single-handedly weeded much of Mt Victoria for years, is sceptical of Gillon’s idea.

“It will last about six months. We once had a group called ‘Friends of Mount Victoria’ and I was put in charge of them. They mostly argued about what was a weed and what not and on their Saturday meetings only two people would turn up for a few weeks and then disappeared altogether. I told council that I’ll carry on on my own,” he says.

Sharon Byron McKay, who has been leading the latest protest against chemical spraying in Devonport, did not want to comment.

Len Brown heads for scrap heap

A plaque that commemorated Mayor Len Brown and others opening Devonport Library is headed for the scrapheap.

Due to a council meeting on the port extension running late, Brown couldn’t make the official opening of the Devonport Library on February 26. Auckland Council confirmed that a plaque (costing $789) was prepared for the opening on 26 February, stating that the library was opened by Mayor Len Brown and Local Board Chair Mike Cohen, “However the Mayor was unable to make it to the celebration at very short notice, making the plaque inaccurate,” project spokesperson Mirla Edmundson said.

“Rather than create a quirk of history by installing an incorrect plaque, we are looking at other options to formally commemorate the opening ceremony in the building.”

“This is likely to be a series of large framed photographs hanging in the community room, telling the story of the – past and present A6 library POSTCARD PROOF – and including the recent visit of the Mayor and Chair Mike Cohen,” says Edmundson.

The plaque, which is no longer required, will be returned to the manufacturer for recycling (as scrap).

Local board firm up stance on non-chemical weed control A “strong submission” by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board in support of Devonport Toxic Action Groups’ protesting against chemical weed control signals a growing call for local control on the issue.

The board has requested the “continuation of the long-standing ban on the use of herbicides on its roadsides, parks, and with the inclusion of sports fields” and says it “opposes any Auckland Council proposed changes to the (local) historical non-chemical weed control policy.”

WHAT’S ON

FRIENDS OF THE HOUSE We are looking for volunteers for a range of activities at the House. Would you enjoy a couple of hours on reception one morning a week or helping out in our garden?

We are also looking for someone who would be interested in helping us provide some fun sessions on Monday mornings 9.30-11.30am for a wonderful group of young Devonport locals and their support buddies in our Children’s Art House. A very rewarding opportunity and yummy morning tea provided. Ph 445 3068 or email devonportcomhouse@xtra.co.nz for more information.

HOLIDAY PROGRAMME We have an awesome programme lined up for the school holidays: Dr Suess on the Loose, Drama with Yogi Kids, Jungle Wild and Crazy Day, Tee Pees Tents and Hunts Day, trips to Navy Musuem, movies and Inflatable World. For more info check out our programme online.

ART CLASSES IN THE HOLIDAYS Our Children’s Art House has lots of autumn arts and crafts to choose during the April holidays.

Painting, clay decorated pots and tiles. Check out the programme online for more info.

BADGE & LEI MAkING WORkSHOP Wednesday 15th of April Two sessions: 10am – 12pm and 12.30pm – 2.30pm

Gold coin donation, Open to the public.

Ages 5 + During the Easter School holidays visit the exhibition at the Depot Artspace and learn about the Cook Island soldiers who fought in WW1. Then create replica military badges, flower leis, remembrance poppy and hibiscus flower badges at the Community House.

Member of the Real Estate Institute of NZ .

Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

Real Estate Sales

Suffrage plaque Fixed Commission!!   $12,500 plus GST observes history   Job Number: 179763

 A plaque recalling Devonport’s Includes Advertising!

We are a new Realsigficant Estate company offering a simple cost effective alternative for selling your property.  voting history in woman’s will be erected near  19 Years Selling Locally   the library.  Information Website Flat fee commission of $10,000   The library site is believed to be one ofplus theGST  Which can save you thousands!! www.sellingsimply.co.nz   first where women voted in New Zealand in   1893.  Joe Martin The plaque will be be erected in the courtyard 0274 326 731 area that leads out onto the reserve. It will go up Mobile : 0274 326 731 when the landscaping work is completed in a joe@sellingsimply.co.nz joe@sellingsimply.co.nz   Selling Simply www.sellingsimply.co.nz   few months’ time. 

• There are NO up-front fees

• Extensive marketing coverage. Full signage, colour flyers - all included

32 CLARENCE ST, DEvONPORT Ph: 445 3068 | Fax: 445 6888 e: devonportcomhouse@xtra.co.nz

ON FACEBOOk DevonportCommunityHouse Proudly supported by

Catharina Andersson

09 446 2110 or 021 812 621 catharina.andersson@harcourts.co.nz

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 24

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 25

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North Shore cricket stumped at final hurdle

Wins for local rugby and soccer teams

The North Shore premiers cricket side failed in its promotion bid to the major championship – losing its last match, which saw Cornwall take out the Tom Hellaby Trophy.

Shore had been leading the second-tier competition for much of the season but a post-Christmas form slump saw it go into its last match against Waitakere leading by only one-and-a-half points. But it lost the game and Cornwall took first innings points against Eden Roskill to put it three points ahead of Shore for the season.

Both North Shore United soccer and North Shore rugby clubs’ top sides posted good wins last weekend.

Shore rugby premiers squeeked home against Silverdale 19-17 in its first match of the 2015 season, in which it defends the North Harbour championship title it won last season.

Meanwhile North Shore United thrashed Manurewa 4-0 in a Northern Division One clash.

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 26

April 2 2015

Trade Me bargains make Devonport history Historical bargains are being picked up on Trade Me by Devonport Museum.

Museum’s president Alastair Fletcher says it uses Trade Me “mainly to acquire early sketches and maps of Devonport. Just recently, we bought three early lithographs of North Head sketched from somewhere around Judges Bay in the city. We paid about $350 for all of them.”

They are in the process of being restored, he says.

Selling historic artefacts on Trade Me is a tricky business but the museum does it occasionally to free up storage space, says Fletcher. “People usually want a bargain and so often it is hardly worth our while. We recently sold a shoe cast but after paying the Trade Me fees we made about 50 cents profit,” he says.

New JP service starts this month The new public service provided by the Devonport and Belmont Justices of the Peace (JP) will be launched on April 20 from 12 noon untill 2pm at the Devonport Library.

Paddy Stafford-Bush and several other Devonport Justices will be present.

The aim is to make JP’s services easier to

Before selling any item at all, the museum as a rule first offers the item back to the original donor or his and her family. “Next, if it is a specialist item, we talk to the dealer at the Vauxhall Shops,” Fletcher says.

Trade Me comes after that. The museum is currently going through this process with some tools. “We have three timberjacks and a few planers and other tools that we no longer need,” he says.

The Anglican Op-shop has also been a source for historic treasures. “One of our members bought an early sketch of the Presbyterian Church there and donated it to the museum,” says Fletcher.

Until now, the museum has paid for acquisitions from its general funds but the committee recentlty applied for a Local Board grant to set up a small acquisition fund, he says.

Latest acquisitions at Devonport Museum Devonport Museum also gets regularly donated items from locals. Some of the recently arrived donations included: • an iron front wheel of old traction engine once used to anchor boat. Found under Marine Square, covered in shells.

• John Earnshaw’s files and records on search for planes underneath North Head will be available for research.

• Wedding dress of old Devonport family.

• Shed full of old radios going back as far as WW1, donated by owner of house on corner of Mays and Kerr Streets.

• Arithmometer, early calculating machine • Folding canvas wheelchair and matching folding canvas pram.

• Small Victorian doll head.

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“So any graffiti in the Devonport area can be reported to me at no charge to the caller,” Williams said.

Rebecca Leathem, from Devonport, won the Devonport Business Association Valentine’s prize pack, which included prizes from The Victoria Theatre, Devonport Flowers, Devonport Lingerie, Devonport Chocolates, SkinSense and The Esplanade Hotel.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 27

April 2 2015

Elworthy crowns academic excellence with entry to Duke Former Takapuan Grammar (TGS) head boy Harry Elworthy has won a prestigous scholarship to Duke University in the US, one of only two offered to New Zealand students this year.

It is the second time in six years that a TGS student has received the Julian Robertson Scholarship to study for four years at Duke in North Carolina. Claire Sorrenson, TGS Head Girl in 2008, headed to Duke in 2009.

Elworthy (18) achieved Distinction in several International Baccalaureate subjects and in 2013 won the NZQA Physics Scholarship.

By age ten, he had read Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything, which sparked his interest in science and physics, his chosen subject at Duke.

“I am keen to get into the theoretical side of physics because that is a hot topic right now with lots of research going into it. It’s something fundamentally no one understands yet and that intrigues me,” he says.

Elworthy was born and grew up in the US. He arrived in Devonport in 2007 aged ten. He says the community has helped him achieve in many ways. “My life has definitely changed living in Devonport. It’s such a tightknit local community and with my friends and the people I cycle with, it has been transformative for me,” he says.

Academically Elworthy has been lucky, he says. “TGS has been a great school for me.

They really looked after me and gave me all the help I needed. The people there are a big

part of me getting this scholarship,” he says.

TGS principal Simon Lamb says he is delighted for Elworthy. “Duke University is one of the top ranked universities in the United States, seeing many students competing for placement, let alone a full scholarship for four years. Takapuna Grammar School, the entire community, celebrate the recognition and wish Harry all the very best for what is an amazing opportunity,” he says.

The competitive cyclist says he also has a lot to thank the local cycling community for.

“Devonport’s cyclists are very accepting of new riders, coaching and helping them. That definitely made it easy for me to join and achieve in the sport,” he says.

Elworthy has won the ASB Young Sportsperson of the Year Award for Cycling in two consecutive years and represented New Zealand in the Under-17 team in Australia.

One of his physics internal assessments was on the optimisation of cycling pacing over a course of varying aerodynamic conditions.

He plans to continue competitive cycling in the United States.

Elworthy says he is stoked to return to the US to study. “I first heard about the scholarship from Claire two years after I arrived in Devonport and I learned a lot about it from the Sorrensons. So it was at the very top of my wish list for this year,” he says.

Going back to the US will be more of an adventure than a homecoming, Elworthy says.

Cycling discipline helped Harry Elworthy achieve scholastically “Devonport is definitely my home now and I do feel a bit like a foreigner going back to the States,” he says.

The scholarship includes four years’ tuition and course fees, room and board at Duke.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 28

DEPOT ARTSPACE CEILING CONSTRUCTION Until 8 April

Due to ceiling repairs the gallery will be closed until the 8th of April. Depot Artspace will also be closed over Easter 3 – 6 April.

There will be no artwork the in gallery but musicians will be able to access the brand new recording studio and ArtsLab artists are able to attend their meetings during that time.

Staff will still be available should you need to contact us, apologies for any inconvenience.

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS 11 April – 6 May Opening Saturday 11 April 10am – 4pm

MAIN GALLERY Lest We Forget the 500 Cook Islands Soldiers This exhibition commemorates the Cook Islands’ contribution of recruiting five hundred men from 1914 to 1918 leaving Rarotonga to serve for King and Country in the Great War. Join us for the opening ceremony at 10am where a ceremonial procession, led by the Devonport RSA and Te Ulu o te Watu, will march from Bartley Terrace to the Depot Artspace.

SMALL DOG GALLERY The Lost Men of Devonport The Lost Men of Devonport commemorates those men who left their homes in Devonport to fight during WW1 and who were among the 18,500 New Zealanders lost. This exhibition documents the effects on the community, as those left behind – the families, friends, work mates – experienced loss and adapted to the vast changes war made to their lives.

www.depotartspace.co.nz Monday 12pm to 5pm Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday 11am to 3pm 28 Clarence St, Devonport Ph 963 2331

April 2 2015

Devonport jumps aboard on wharf protest again

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 29

April 2 2015

Signs of the times… Astrud Morgan-Guthrie and Cameron Gibb (above left) are on the same page about the harbour expansion. Devonport architect Rachel Dodd is making her view known.

Dozens of Devonporters crossed the harbour by ferry to protest for a second time against Ports of Auckland’s plans to extend Bledislow Wharf almost 100m further into the Waitemata Harbour.

Local protesters approached the event determined to make a difference with a number of colourful signs.

Devonport’s Grant Alexander stood out for creating the slogan “MAKE LOVE NOT WHARF,” which captured national attention.

Alan Gibb said he had happily cancelled his Sunday sailing to come to the protest.

Opposite page top: Grey Power’s Bill Rayner represented the organisation in style, while former Labour leader David Shearer was in a pensive mood behind him.

Middle: Crossed arms spoke volumes… Former Devonport Community Board member Jan Holmes and current DevonportTakapuna Local Board member Dianne Hale.

Bottom left: Enthusiastic harbour swimmer Penny Bogduna says she fears more wharf and currents will “bugger up our swimming.”

Bottom right: Devonport architect Graham Allen takes a stance.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 30

April 2 2015

From TGS pages to Harvard Political Review Former Takapuna Grammar School Head Girl Mattea Mrkusic, who contributed to the Flagstaff’s TGS Pages in her younger years, is now the Multimedia Editor at the Harvard Political Review (HPR), the Ivy League university’s student political journal.

She recently interviewed Brandon Stanton (creator of the Humans of New York (HONY) Facebook photo blog) for the journal. The HONY blog features street photographs and interviews with ordinary New Yorkers and has more than 12 million followers. Mrkusic is a third-year student at Harvard, where she studies Government.

Mrkusic says she loves producing podcasts, shooting photo essays and conducting video interviews. “It’s an interesting challenge to craft political commentary through a creative medium,” she says.

“In December, as the East Coast cities mobilised during the days after the Eric Garner grand jury decision, I covered the Boston Black Lives Matter protests, interviewing protestors as they marched across Boston’s bridges and onto the highways,” she says.

The HPR was established in 1969, and is written and published entirely by Harvard undergraduates and is housed at the university’s Institute of Politics.

Flying high at Harvard…

Mattea Mrkusic

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A leaky roof is latest problem to beset Devonport Wharf.

While council is busily upgrading the first third of the wharf, photos of the leaking roof in this area have been forwarded to council officers.

While there appears to be no budget in the upgrade to fix the affected part of the roof, Auckland Transport is looking at repairing it from the general maintenance budget.

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 31

April 2 2015

Young soloists feature in first 2015 DCO concert The first Devonport Chamber Orchestra (DCO) concert of 2015 will feature two teenaged soloists – Gwyneth Nelmes (violin) and Stephanie Townend (viola) – in two concerti by Georg Telemann.

Gwyneth and Stephanie were participants in the Auckland String Quartet Summer School in January – an annual event that has been organised for more than 25 years by well-known Devonport violinist Brecon Carter. Several regular DCO string players also participated in the school and were so impressed

by Gwyneth’s and Stephanie’s playing that they asked them to perform with the orchestra. Coincidentally, both Gwyneth and Stephanie also played in the first Auckland Youth Orchestra concert in Devonport’s St Paul’s church in February this year.

Gwyneth first started playing the violin when she was five years old and has been a student of Dimitri Atanassov (past Concert Master of the Auckland Philharmonia) since she was nine. She has played in many chamber groups and orchestras, and also participated in several solo and chamber group competitions. Last year her group, The

Appalachian Octet, won the National Statham Award in the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest.

Stephanie is currently in her first year at the University of Auckland, studying Biomedical Science. She started learning the violin when she was seven, then swapped to viola in high school and has learned from Robert Ashworth (Principal Viola of the Auckland Philharmonia) ever since. Stephanie has been a member of the Auckland Youth Orchestra for two years and has taken part in a number of music competitions and summer schools. She is also a tutor for Sistema Aotearoa.

The DCO programme will also include two delightful concerti grossi

by English composer, Charles Avison.

Even though Avison’s works are not well known, some musicologists rate him as the “most important English concerto composer of the 18th Century”.

• The first DCO concert of the of the year is on April 12 at 2pm in Harmony Hall, Wynyard St, Devonport.

Admission is $10, and children under 12 are free. For more information about DCO concerts go to its website: http://dco.net.nz

Talented young soloists… Gwyneth Nelmes nd Stephanie Townend in concert with the Devonport Chamber Orchestra

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 32

Takapuna SchooL NewS

April 2 2015

Grammar APRIL 2, 2015

Celebrating culture through food Senses were mauled and taste buds cast into a frenzy at the glorious sights and potent smells that were the school’s International Food Day. This event was spearheaded by the new Head of Languages, Mr Jake Lamb. A range of different countries were represented in the form of mouth-watering foods from their cultures, highlighting delicacies from places such as Korea, Japan, China, Germany, the United States of America, France, Ireland and Spain. The different food items intended to give people an insight into food cultures from around the world.

Set up in an SL block corridor on a gorgeous Friday the 13th, the place was teeming with teachers and students from every year level, interested in what was on offer.

Sushi, dumplings, meat loaf, sausages, pasta, croissants and a magnificent pumpkin pie were just some of the culinary delights on show, making life hard for the students as they had to make the critical decision of what food item to purchase.

With each country telling its own story of their different food cultures, the stations thrived as they proudly put up magnificent food and were sold out within the first thirty minutes of lunchtime, marking the event a success. But what really determined the day’s triumph was the knowledge that each student who attended had experienced, just a taste, of international food cultures from all around the world.

By Maryanne ThaTcher

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 33

April 2 2015

Takapuna SchooL NewS

Grammar APRIL 2, 2015

Tena koutou nga whanau whanui o Takapuna!

Our Kapa Haka ro-pu (group) worked extremely hard over six weeks to get to the 40th ASB Polyfest Competition 2015 held at the Manukau Sports Bowl from 18-21 March.

Although a small ro-pu, our Kapa Haka team wowed the audience with their sharp formations and sweet voices, including a rendition of an old classic ‘Po-karekare Ana’ and a fierce haka from our two male members Liam Hill and Kacey Palusi.

Getting to this point was not easy, with three practices a week, including six hours every Sunday, and our group being plagued with sickness and injury. Despite the setbacks, our ro-pu carried themselves with mana and represented their school proudly.

It was a special year for our Kapa Haka group. Not only were we performing at the 40th anniversary of the competition, but the revered and former teacher of Ma-ori and Kapa Haka, Matua Boaz Raela, returned to New Zealand from Rarotonga, to support our ro-pu and the competition that he helped establish. The students were very excited to perform for their old teacher and mentor.

Looking to the future, we are aiming at expanding our horizons not only to perform at Polyfest, but other events also. Our group has-

been invited to perform and open the ‘Kauei Panu Mutukore’ Art Exhibition being held at the Mangere Arts Centre on 21 April. The exhibition is being held to honour and commemorate Cook Islands soldiers who volunteered and served in WWI. Our performance will pay homage to the relationship between Ma-ori and Cook Islands soldiers who served together on

the battlefield 100 years ago.

Thank you to all the staff and wha-nau that have supported our Kapa Haka this year. A special mihi also to our awesome tutors, Leilani Wikaira and Illyana Hepi, who put in hours of work to get our team on the stage this year.

Nga mihi nunui ki a koutou.

By Tehani Buchanan – hOD MaOri

Petanque numbers increasing Twelve students played with played with gusto and flair, as well as expertise, at the All Schools annual Petanque Tournament, held in Herne Bay recently. After practising on Mondays on the petanque terrains at the Wilson Home, they faced 33 other teams.

Apart from the competition, run by the Alliance Francaise d’Auckland, they enjoyed a French BBQ lunch and meeting petanque players from other schools around Auckland.

Our team won a fair number of games but a change of the usual format of the competition saw other schools winning the top three spots, with the Cup going to Rangitoto College.

By Tic SanDrine elliS

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 34

April 2 2015

Ramping it up – Scotty Brewer Skate Day Rail slides, ollies, kickflips, fakies, nollie flips and lot of air were on display at this year’s Scotty Brewer Skate Competition. The event, sponsored by Devonport Rotary, organised by the Devonport Community Coordinator and entered by many local kids, was this year part of the North Shore Skate Series run by Ultimate Surf & Skate Shop. Winners were: U13s: 1st Cato Dobbs; 2nd - Trey Franklin; 3rd - Tane Bray. U16s: 1st - Jakob Hayward; 2nd - Lochlan McKay; 3rd - Ben Gibb. Open: 1st - Sean Bone; 2nd - Stevo Cross; 3rd - Paul Skinner.

Skate action… The competitors (above right and below) kept the crowd entertained PHOTOS: Will Gibb

We are now again open for Thursday dinners from 6pm, with our limited-choice menu that changes weekly

Menu available on our facebook page, “The Officers Mess at Fort Takapuna” BOOKING ESSENTIAL For bookings call 09 445 6377 or go to theofficersmess.co.nz Also don’t forget Sunday brunches from 9am until 2pm for casual dining, no bookings required.

170 Vauxhall Rd, Devonport Ph 445 6377 www.theofficersmess.co.nz

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 35

April 2 2015

PORTOFINO SPECIAL - $35 THREE-COURSE MENU VALID APRIL & MAY

ENTREE Garlic Pizza Bread Fresh and hot Mozzarella Bread With mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce Daily-made Tomato Soup Calamari Fritti Fresh squid rings served with garlic, parsley and lemon Cozze alla Genovese Steamed fresh mussels in the shell, sautéed with garlic, rosemary, onion, wine and Napoletana sauce Fegatini Di Pollo Chicken livers with onion, mushrooms, garlic, sage and a marsala cream sauce

Parmigiana Lean escalopes pan-fried, flambéed in wine, topped with ham, asparagus, tomato, mozzarella cheese and grilled Marsala Gently sautéed in butter and mushrooms, flambéed in white wine marsala, with cream and parsley Pollo Cacciatore

Boneless breast of chicken served in a caper, olive, capsicum, garlic, chilli, onion and Napoletana sauce Chicken Pancake

Savoury pancake filled with fresh chicken, mushrooms and camembert, with a supreme cream sauce Calamari Luciana

Risotto Verde Sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, spring onion, pepper, capers, garlic and herbs

Pan-fried fresh squid rings served with capers, herbs, wine, a dash of cream and a Napoletana sauce

Spaghetti Bolognese “Just like mamma used to make”

Pesce Portofino

MAIN Fettucine Di Pollo Fiesta noodles with chicken, mushrooms, parmesan cheese and a cream sauce Lasagna Traditional Portofino-style lasagne Pepperoni Pizza Smoked ham, pepperoni salami, peppers, garlic and parmesan cheese Button Mushroom Pizza Avocado, mushroom, parsley, artichokes and feta cheese Bistecca Al Pepe Nero Succulent scotch fillet grilled to your request, finished with ground pepper, garlic, brandy and a creamy brown sauce *Not in conjunction with any other discount offers

Fresh market fish gently pan-fried with shrimp, champagne, and a creamy lemon sauce

DESSERT Brandy Snaps

A traditional favourite – caramel wafer pipes, filled with freshly whipped cream Chocolate Cheesecake

Exquisitely rich chocolate cheesecake topped with chocolate sauce Gelato Ice Cream

Ask the waiter for today’s flavour

Portofino

26 Victoria Rd, Devonport Phone 09 445 3777

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 36

Classifieds

April 2 2015

ACCOMMODATION

SERVICES OFFERED

SERVICES OFFERED

SITUATIONS VACANT

TUITION

Cheltenham - stunning luxury.

Fully furnished apartment. Steps to the beach. Short term/long term.

Phone 445 1118, 022 105 0712.

Classy 3 bedroom, 2 full bath, fully furnished Devonport house on Achilles Reserve near Narrow Neck. More information go to www.devonporttuihouse.weebly.com or www.sabbaticalhomes.com.

Ph: 445 7895.

Relatives visiting? Spacious garden studio with en-suite and kitchenette; minutes to Narrow Neck beach. Reasonable rates. Ph Pauline 445 6471.

Renovating orrelatives visiting?

Two/three bedroom home in Narrow Neck, with good off-street parking, to rent for up to four weeks in July. Ph 021 101 9695.

At Your Request Home Cleaning. Our local team is ready to deliver 5-Star services in your home for weekly cleaning, spring, moving or open-home cleaning.

Call Yvonne for a free quote 415 0028.

Gardener Available Qualified and experienced landscape designer. Enjoys getting his hands dirty. Good plant knowledge. Hardworking, reliable and creative with plantings. Contact Paddy 022 502 2122 or 446 6188 paddyvogt@gmail.comCEO

Acoustic and classical guitar, music theory. Fun, comprehensive, tailored to you! Devonport-based.

Michelle Birch, BMus (Hons) michellebirch@zoho.com, www. michellebirch.com.

Bookkeeping Service for small/ medium local companies. Let me help with your GST, PAYE and all monthly accounts. I can set you up with online accounting and work in my office or your home/office.

Phone Janet on 486 1222 or 021 661138 to discuss your needs.

Handyman. Mature professional in Devonport, Bayswater area. Repairs, painting, those jobs you just don’t have time to do. Free quote. References.

Ph. Brian 021 150 8898.

After School Nanny / Child Carer Required for two St Leo’s children (8 & 9) from late April.

Three to four afternoons per week, includes the use of a vehicle for school pick-ups and after school ballet (local) and optional full days in the school holidays.

A typical day would consist of arriving at the family home at 2pm to prepare the family meal, school pick up at 3pm, followed by homework and baths, finishing around 5:30/5;45pm. The ideal applicant would be mature, have relevant experience and a love of children and animals. For more information contact Megan on 445 1180 or 027 282 1379.

Caring and kind person required to look after our two well behaved old dogs (small) for a month in August - dog loving person needed. Remuneration neg. Ph 027 541 9557.

Carpenter/builder to work with builder on new top quality home in Devonport starting March/April.

Must be able to produce a very high standard of workmanship.

For more info contact John Harris 021 731 235 or harrisbuildersltd@ vodafone.co.nz

Stunning Cheltenham Beach Cottage, metres from the beach.

Available for short or long-term holiday accommodation. Beautifully refurbished, one bedroom, self-contained cottage with a private garden. Phone Rebekah 027 694 3933 or email devonportbeks@gmail.com

Bookkeeping services offered. Experienced with Xero and MYOB, all IRD returns.

Contact Sue on 445 6802.

Housewashing, prof. service, 10 years-plus experience, reliable and prompt. Free quotes, also decks, driveways, paths fences, roof moss treatments etc.

Phone Rod 021 390 800.

Builder available Small job specialist, repairs and maintenance. Skilled, reliable and local. Please phone Clive Melling. Hm 445 2485, Ironing: Professional, reliable, fast Mob 027 29 222 84. turnaround. Call Denise or Peter Cars wanted dead or alive. Top 486-1614/0223-552-350. dollar paid $360 to $1700 for any small car, $800 to $15,000 for L o c k s m i t h , D e v o n p o r t ’s vans, utes, HWD and trucks. Free o w n S c o t t R i c h a r d s o n . mob 021 976 607. retrieval 0800 3333 98.

To Let 4 bdrm 2 bath house. April 2015 to Jan 2016. Ariho Terrace. Curtains & Roman Blinds $730 pw. Ph 445 6208, email Free measure, quote and design advice. 20 years’ experience. m.f.robards@gmail.com Phone Sara 027 625 5844.

REST HOMES Decluttering You’ll love the Ascot House Retirement Home, feeling - declutter and become quality care with dignity in a organised. Call Angella at Gioia – friendly, family atmosphere. Phone 410 4166 or 027 224 8937.

Shona, 445 2518.

Devonport upholstery. Recover specialist. Antiques and contemSERVICES OFFERED porary styles. Recycling furniture AAA Window Cleaning, Free for 36 years. John Hancox, Telephone: 446-0372.

Quote ph David 021 368371.

Are your financial records in a mess? Do you want to get things sorted for the winter?

We can help! Call Rebecca on 445 6819 for a confidential, no-obligation chat.

G ro o v e K i t c h e n s , n e w kitchens, stove tops, German hardware, Garth Waring ph 021 397 863 or 476 7666.

Stonemasons, Landscapers. All terrain TATONKA crane truck.

Dave Milina & Barb Cooper.

W: sustainablelandscapes.co.nz, P: 0275 430 288, E: info@sustainablelandscapes.co.nz

Wood-Tech are specialists in creating custom-design kitchens - all over Devonport. See our website - or call 09 810 8136 - for a friendly kitchen consultation www.wood-tech.co.nz

Devonport Window Repairs.

Sash and casement windows, wooden doors. Rotten sills and window components repaired or replaced. General carpentry.

For your local window specialist. Phone Hubert Strang 446 6174 or 021 274 4191.

Diggadrain. Drain unblockers and drainage experts. CCTV drain locating. Repairs. New drains. 0800 your drain.

Gardening. Do you need regular help? No time for a tidy up?

Let me help. Experienced gardener. Ph Carolyn on 446 6517 or 027 292 8167 for a free on-site consultation.I

Art Classes @ Devonport Community House. Mastering Art - Thursday and Friday mornings. 9.30 -12.30pm $340 per term incl some mateials & refreshments. *NEW * - Art for teens - Wednesday afternoons 3.30 - 6pm $300 per term incl some materials & refreshments. suitable for ages 13 - 18 yrs.

Life Drawing - Wednesday evenings 7 - 9.15pm. $240 per term incl some materials & model fees, suitable for all abilities. Tutor Lucy Bucknall BFA Hons - over 20 yrs hands on experience in the art industry. Contact - 446 0389, www.lucy-bucknall.co.nz lucybucknall@clear.net.nz Devonport drama since 2002 Drama classes 8 - 18yrs Artspace on Mt Vic. gallen@clear.net.nz, 021 262 4907. TUITION Experienced Biology and Science tutor available for junior Science, NCEA Levels 1-3 Biology and Science, Scholarship, Green Superintendent required and Cambridge Biology. Email: to supervise our Greenkeeper devobiotutor@gmail.com or txt / at Stanley Bowling Club. Must call 021 073 6768.. have knowledge of maintaining Learn piano/keyboard. Lesgreen and recognising diseases. sons from $17.00. Private, Please call Brian: 021 609 555. Professional, Affordable, Hardworking part-time waiting Enjoyment for all ages. Competistaff required for busy Devonport tions, Practical, Theory Exams. restaurant. Contact jraos@me.com NZ Modern School of Music 0800-696-874.

The Roosters are a 9-piece special needs band who were established in early 2014. They are looking for sponsorship at the moment to help with the cost of outside gigs and equipment hire.

If you are interested in helping in any way please contact Kate McCollum on 021 028 36465.

TUITION Made to Move Dance! A dance school located in Devonport offering quality tuition in Jazz, Ballet, Adults classes and specialised preschool dance & movement classes. Contact Chloe on 021 292 0252 or visit www.madetomovedance.com Maths/Physics tutor wanted for two children in Devonport. Call Sue 021390697 Mathematics Tuition, Sensitive tutoring offered at all levels of the secondary school curriculum.

NCEA, IB and Cambridge welcomed. 97% pass rate in 2014.

NCEA 3 calculus specialist. ph Peter Ridge BE,Dip Tchg (sec) 445 2283.

Singing/instrument lessons in Devonport/Belmont. Vacancies available! Ph 376 4009 or visit www.singschool.co.nz Singing tuition. All ages. I will show you how to be better.

Pat Urlich 022 314 3001.

S L S S S w i m S c h o o l , 11 Evan Street, Belmont (off Eversleigh Road). Specialists in pre-schoolers. Phone 486 6728 for more info.

WANTED Christchurch gentleman looking to start over wants to buy house in Devonport. Happy to do up. Anything considered. Prefer private sale. Please phone Brendan 021 413 188.

Our family of five is looking to adopt a young dog. Please contact us should you be looking for a new home for your dog because you are moving overseas or have other changes of circumstances. Contact Maire at 021 776 057.

Real Estate

buying, selling, renting www.devonport.harcourts.co.nz licensed agent, REaa

CoopER & Co REal EstatE limitEd mREiNZ dEvoNpoRt

Have your say in Tomorrow’s Devonport!

The Devonport BID (Business Improvement District) is developing a Devonport Tourism Growth Strategy and Devonport Brand.

Sustainable tourism is defined by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as:

“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

If you live in Devonport and want to make a positive contribution to this strategic process for tourism growth management please email your name and contact details to Judy Grieve Devonport BID Manager: manager@devonport.co.nz by April 10.

Professional Services

April 2 2015

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 37

RECOVER YOUR

LOUNGE SUITE

DIRECTORY

We provide gentle, holistic chiropractic e m e n tcaresto enhance you and your family’s health and wellbeing.

FAX 07 578 3647

DIRECTORY DIRECTORY

a d v e r t i s

PHONE 09 308 7410

Caledonian Premier Tiling • Tile Installation • Existing Rapair-work • Certified Waterproofing • Guarantees SPeCialiSing in • Ceramic Tiling • Laundries • Stonework • Decks • Bathrooms • Waterproofing • Kitchens • Silicone Application

a putdthevlife e r t i s e m e n t s Call us for a free quotation and back into that favourite chair or lounge suite a d v e r t i s e m e n t s PHONE 09 308 7410 PROOF FAX 07 578 3647 Dr. Adrian Stocco ADVERTISEMENT PHONEThe 09Arcade, 308 7410 FAX445 078030 578 3647 Devonport

AWARD FURNITURE

Call Doug 09 446 0687 Mobile 021 187 7852

Here is the final proof for your advertisement in Phone COLIN on 480 5864

www.villagechiropractic.co.nz ADVERTISEMENT PROOF ADVERTISEMENT PROOF

is the final proof for your advertisement in HOME...... Jun-JulHere 14...issue.

Here is the final proof for your advertisement in

Red Dragon Reach your Computers Devonport Please proof, sign and proof, fax tosign Classifieds Please and fax toon Classifieds on (07) 578 3647 Peninsula(07) 578 3647 (07) 578 3647www.red-dragon.net.nz Providing IT support to Devonport’s home customers users and small businesses since APPROVED AD IS CORRECT AND2001 FINAL APPROVEDAPPROVED AD IS CORRECT FINAL AD ISAND CORRECT AND FINAL • Fast, reliable & cost effective cost-effectively.

• Windows computers & iPad Setup HOME 14...issue.

Please proof, sign and...... faxJun-Jul to HOME Classifieds ...... Jun-Julon 14...issue.

CHANGES

Interior Designer Interior Designer Interior Designer 09 445 1098 091098 445 1098 09 445 www.designworxnz.co.nz www.designworxnz.co.nz www.designworxnz.co.nz • Kitchen Design • Kitchen Design • Kitchen Design • Bathroom Design • Bathroom Design • Bathroom Design • Soft Furnishings • Soft Furnishings • Colour Schemes • Soft Furnishings • Colour Schemes Studio and Showroom • Colour Schemes 64 Vauxhall Rd Devonport

please write clearly

• Wi-Fi networking and ADSL broadband Contact the CHANGES please write clearly CHANGES please write clearly • New computers custom built (2 SETS OF CHANGES ONLY) • Repairs, Upgrades, Servicing Flagstaff for our • Virus & Spyware removal (2 SETS OF CHANGES ONLY) rates Get itONLY) right first time with a Microsoft Certified Professional (2and SETSdates.

OF CHANGES

devonportflagstaff@orcon.net.nz

Christopher Jones Ph 445 7810

Devonport’s Locksmith

APPROVED WITH CHANGES

APPROVED WITH CHANGES Signature

SPECIALIST IN PROVIDING APPROVED

• New keys for existing locks • Lock repairs

Signature • Installation

WITH CHANGES

Signature Date

Studio and Showroom

64 Vauxhall Devonport Studio andRd Showroom 64 Vauxhall Rd Devonport

Date

NEW PROOF REQUIRED

NEW PROOF REQUIRED

Interior / Exterior

NEW PROOF REQUIRED Residential

Commercial Live Locally If we do not receive your signed proof form within 24 hours, your Free Quotes /Quality Work

comprehensive home

PLEASE NOTE:

handyman services

advertisement will appear in the magazine as shown here. Bauer For all your painting needs Media does not accept responsibility for errors.

• Lock Hardware PLEASE NOTE: This is a Low resolution pdf file and not to be used as an accurate colour Contact Scott on to variations individual monitor display settings, If we do not receiveproof; yourduesigned proofinform within 24 hours, your the colours you Date

Coreymaterial.

Norton see may in differ the printed as Where 021 976 607 advertisement will appear thetomagazine shown here.accurate Bauermatching to specific colours is essential, please provide a CMYKHrs breakdown.

M 021 0220 5444 | After 550 4218 Media does not accept responsibility for errors.

445 3064

Thanks for your co-operation 72 Lake Road, Devonport This is a Low resolution pdf fileemail: and notcnorton@orcon.net.nz to be used as an accurate colour PLEASE NOTE: proof; due to variations in individual monitor display settings, the colours you may differ to the printed material. Where accurate matching to specific If we do not receivesee your signed proof form within 24 hours, your colours is essential, please provide a CMYK breakdown.

John Campbell answerphone/fax 445 4390 phone 027 246 5891

advertisement will appear in the magazine as shown here. Bauer Thanks for your co-operation Media does not accept responsibility for errors.

WE’RE BACK IN

This is a Low resolution pdf file and not to be used as an accurate colour

DEVONPORT proof; due to variations in individual monitor display settings, the colours you

see may differ to the printed material. Where accurate matching to specific Cleancolours Greenisisessential, delighted to provide have a CMYK breakdown. please relocated back to Devonport, Thanks yourcommunity. co-operation servicing thefor local Now located at The Old Post Office 1st Floor - 3/10 Victoria Road

Vision examinations Glaucoma checks Contact lenses and solutions Spectacle repairs Driver’s licence certificates

SALES, SERVICE & SUPPORT - PC’S, APPLE, LAPTOPS, iPHONES & iPADS

The Arcade 6 Wynyard St, Devonport

W: CGC.CO.NZ | E: KARL@CGC.CO.NZ TEL: 0800 622815 | MOB: 021 622815

Phone 215 9178

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 38

April 2 2015

Girls save birds from certain death

Bird lovers Molly Letham and Gerri Gibson saved six birds from a sticky end.

The ten-year-old friends were walking home from Devonport Primary School along a trail on Mt Victoria when they noticed three little birds stuck to a large specimen of the New Zealand native Parapara tree, just up from Flagstaff Terrace. The tree is commonly referred to as the Birdcatcher Tree because its extremely sticky seedpods frequently become lethal traps Bird lovers… Molly Lethan (left) and Gerri Gibson on Mt Victoria for birds.

“Two Waxeyes and one Fantail were hang- with her grandmother since she was two years escape but was covered in leaves and all sticky. ing upside down and sideways in the tree and old and witnessed the release of Kiwi, Takahe, He was mad as heck so we threw a towel over him and caught him and took him to the bird we thought they were dead,” says Molly (10). Saddleback and Dotterel before.

When they got back home however, they saw lady later,” Molly says.

Molly’s mother Rebecca Letham says freeing Mum Rebecca called Auckland Council and, the birds was tricky. “They looked so fragile that a full-grown Kingfisher had become stuck and I was afraid we would break their wings,” in the same Parapara tree. “He had managed to within days, the Parapara tree was cut down. she says.

Molly and Gerri snapped off the tree branches Maunga Authority’s speedy work with the birds attached and put them into a box, Management changes for Mt Victoria seem have been excellent. I took a guy called Rob when Molly’s younger brother Jake spotted two more further down the tree that needed freeing. to have led to speedy action on maintenance Mouldey around and I pointed out to him a number of jobs that I thought needed doing Gerri said she could feel the birds’ hearts beating. work.

Flagstaff Terrace resident Rebecca Letham and they are all either done or in the process They were taken to bird rescuer Sylvia Durrant, who removed the sticky substance with says she has contacted council twice this of being done,” says Giles. These include: the help of talcum powder and onion while month about work that needed doing on Mt the repair of a safety fence along Devonport surrounded by other rescued Tui, seagulls, blue Victoria, and both times she got a speedy Primary School, broken posts on the tennis response. “I tweeted them when the birds court, the steps and handrail down to Flagstaff penguis and Koreru.

The girls took the cleaned birds back to got stuck and when a bank fell down and the Terrace and an out-of-control Tacoma hedge Devonport and released them away from the steps were unsafe. Now the tree is gone and on the mountain’s border.

Giles is particularly happy about the fellthe bank is getting repaired. It’s been amazsticky tree. ing of the Parapara tree. “There is another “We did six good deeds that day,” says Molly, ing,” she says.

Long-time guardian of Mount Victoria one outside St Leo’s School and I have called who at age 10 is already an experienced bird Roger Giles has even more praise. “They council about it for years without any effect.” releaser.

She has been going along to Motutapu 

    Tips for trouble-free computing Red Dragon Computers 

    Q: On YouTube a notice tells me that I’m using an older version of Internet Explorer ‘that we’ll soon stop  supporting. Please update your browser.’ Is this necessary and if so how do I do it?         A: Yes, unfortunately the version of Internet Explorer that is supported on Windows XP is no longer able to display     a lot of websites correctly so they try and encourage you to upgrade your browser. However, it is not possible       to upgrade Internet Explorer in this case as Windows XP can only run IE8 - the most modern version of Internet       Explorer is IE11 ! Some might argue that this is a cynical strategy to get you to buy a new computer with a        new operating system on it.

Instead, what you can do is use an alternate browser such as Mozilla Firefox or    XP and can view all websites properly     Google Chrome. Both of these browsers run perfectly well on Windows    New Computers  and without issue.

Just Google it and you’ll get to the download sites for these.     Want a new computer with Windows 7     on it rather than Windows 8 ?    Q: About a month ago my laptop started to have connection problems and a number of calls to Xtra did  I  can build that for you, transfer your data     not throw much light on it except they offered to sell me a half-price router in case it helped although  and software and get it all setup.    on the face of it it wasn’t causing the problem. They tested the line and reset the router which tested  Take away the hassle, take away the stress!     Email me for a quote  OK. Currently I suffer from fluctuating signal strength and irritatingly my internet keeps getting     disconnected and needs manually restoring even though the box is ticked for auto connect.     A:  I have said it before and I will say it again – wireless networking is flaky, unreliable and extremely annoying,    as you are now fully aware!

Using a wired connection is infinitely preferable if possible.

I suspect that the   problem lies with your Router – but to be honest, it could be anything. It might be a fault with your laptop and    network device; or the networking software; or drivers….. Or it could be due to where you are using the laptop      in your house and the distance to the router. Or it could be electrical fields generated by meter boxes, cabling     or electric appliances. Or large metal objects, breeze block walls, plants, damp walls, microwaves, cordless    phones, video cameras, fluorescent bulbs, digital satellites, mirrors, aquariums, fountains….. and even other        wireless routers. How would you know !?!            Serving Devonport Businesses, Home Users and the Devonport Community since 2001 

445 7810

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

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The Devonport Flagstaff Page 39

April 2 2015

Tree house build keeps kids off streets – and iPads and TV

Construction site… Kent Davies (8), Freida Jewell (7), Oliver Jewell (9), Liam Harvey (6) , Mia Harvey (9), Hannah Oliver (9), Ben Harvey (4), Isabelle Congdon (4), Thomas Congdon (1), Jesse Jewell (4), Flynn Proffitt (5). Absent Eleanor Oliver (8) and Maia Congdon (6).

Building a striking tree house has kept a dozen kids off iPads, TV and playstations for more than a month.

Oliver Jewell hatched the plan one day when he was walkikng home from school with friends.

“We got some pieces of wood from the skip outside Nick and Marie’s house,” says Oliver Jewell (9) about recycling building materials from his neighbours’ home renovation.

After several weeks of building the threelevel tree house on Merani St is the result.

The kids have been using all of their fathers’ tools and “we haven’t played on our iPads or watched tellie,” Liam Harvey said.

Ever since construction began, Oliver’s mother Leigh said the Merani St kindergarten-aged children and primary school students “all run home from school, quickly and begrudgingly do their homework so they can head out to the tree and work on it some more.”

The mornings are similarly busy on the berm. “They get out there at ten to seven so they have half an hour on the tree before the walking school bus leaves,” says Leigh.

The tree is a mature guava outside the home of the Davies family. “It’s a great

climbing tree,” says mum Sharon Davies.

The parents have been hands off and letting the kids get on with it. “Every once in a while, one of us walks past and makes it a bit safer, but that’s it,” says dad Chris Jewell.

So far the only injury has been a little nail finding its way into a small foot, he says.

They are learning wider lessons as well.

“It’s great teamwork. We told them they could use discarded wood but not put nails into the tree, so they learned a bit about recycling and conservation,” says Sinead Oliver.

The tree house features a guava chute, a pen holder, small steps, a pulley system and three tables. On the area around the tree, the kids have also built a small counter to sell feijoas from the Davies’ garden (income so far is $1) and a small bike ramp to do jumps.

“We keep working and have meetings in the tree house,” says Oliver Jewell. Next on the agenda are roofing and sides, the kids say. A local roofer has donated a piece of roofing material. After that, they want to build walls.

Parents have seen numerous neighbours stop at the house and compliment the children. “No one complains, and only a box of gadgets has gone walkabout one night,” says Leigh.

Renovating or relatives visiting?

Two/three bedroom home in Narrow Neck with good off-street parking.

Short term rental available in July.

Ph 021 101 9695

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 40

April 2 2015

A U C TIO N

H AURA K I | 35 S Y D N EY S T R E ET H a u ra k i D i a m o n d As rare as a diamond, this superbly located property is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, supermarket, beaches and the highly acclaimed Hauraki Primary School. This 1960’s family bungalow is situated on a delightful 1012m², double road frontage corner site and is just ripe for redevelopment. There are numerous development options: leave as is and refurbish the existing house; develop the lot zoned for two good sized sites; keep the existing home and sub-divide a possible new section; or wait and develop the future three sites.

VIEW | MONDAY 2 - 3 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT AUCTION | ON SITE SUNDAY 12 APRIL 2015 AT 2 PM PREMIUM.CO.NZ | 60443

BRAD JOHNSTONE 021 779 904 BradJohnstone@premium.co.nz DEVONPORT: 445 3414 PREMIUM REAL ESTATE LTD LICENSED REAA 2008

WILL NOT BE SOLD PRIOR

PROUDLY NON-CORPORATE, YOUR BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS

19 ST AUBYN STREET

ld o s LAKE ROAD

148 CALLIOPE ROAD

SUGARTREE APARTMENTS

ld o s ASCOT AVENUE

GRANT SPEEDY 0274 511 800 KATHRYN ROBERTSON 021 490 480 PREMIUM REAL ESTATE LTD LICENSED REAA 2008

PREMIUM.CO.NZ | FINE HOMES | DEVONPORT 445 3414