COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARDS: BEST NEWSPAPER RUNNER-UP
DELIVERED DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY FORTNIGHTLY DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY
Dragon visits for Lunar New Year... p3
Issue 122 –1 February 16,2019 2024 Issue 1 –Issue 15 March 2019 March 2019 Issue – 115– 15 March
Diver has near-miss with jet ski at Takapuna... p5
AN INDEPENDENT AN INDEPENDENT VOICEVOICE AN INDEPENDENT VOICE
Snap! Unpopular Pupuke sapling vandalised... p21
House owners seek sale amid walkway standoff
The heritage-listed property where a fence has severed the popular Takapuna-to-Milford coastal track is being put on the market. Although talks over restoring public access across the Black Rock property were held recently, the owners’ decision to seek a sale has created even more uncertainty about the possibility of a reopening.
The surprise move was confirmed to the Observer by Alex Witten-Hannah, lawyer for the beneficiaries of the late Paul Firth, who for years allowed walkers to cross his land. Firth died in 2021. A local real-estate agent was instructed last Friday and the property would be on the market very soon, Witten-Hannah said.
Although the multimillion-dollar property has a prime position overlooking the sea north of Thorne Bay, an Auckland Council heritage listing protects the dilapidated extended 1940s bach on the site. The property, at 9 Kitchener Rd, carries a council valuation of $6.81 million, with To page 2
Waitangi wero for cleaner beaches
Haka for the moana... A challenge rings out to Auckland Council to clean up local beaches. It was led by Constable Joseph Wheoki, police liaison officer for North Shore, with Takapuna-based waka ama paddlers in support, including (left) former All Black and Kiwi Frano Botica. The haka at Takapuna Beach was performed during Waitangi Day commemorations on the beach reserve last week. Pictures, page 12-13.