456 days ago

Birkenhead, Northcote and Bayswater ferry services are ending as of 1 October!

John Gillon from John Gillon - Kaipatiki Local Board

This is terrible news for the North Shore. The Birkenhead, Northcote and Bayswater ferry services are ending as of 1 October, after Fullers decided not to renew the contracts, while the Gulf Harbour and Half-Moon Bay ferry services will only operate in peak times. There are no changes to other ferry services.

Auckland Transport are currently in discussions with an alternative provider, so there is a glimmer hope that the services will continue beyond 1 October, however they would likley be in a reduced form. If AT can't find an alternative operator, we will be without any service to those wharves for around 14-18 months. The first time we haven't had a Birkenhead service in over 100 years!
The only positive in this, is that Fullers have decided to end the contracts in order invest time in training up new skippers. Auckland is short some 13 skippers and 12 deck hands compared to pre-COVID, and it takes over a year for a new skipper to qualify. So after this period, the ferry services across Auckland should be in a more reliable state.

NZ Herald article: www.nzherald.co.nz...

In the meantime, users of the Birkenhead and Northcote ferries will need to travel by bus or car to get to the city. There is no direct bus route from Birkenhead Point, so bus users will need to transfer in Highbury. And with more cars likley to be on the road, we can expect to see added pressure on Onewa Road. There is no alternative route to the city for bikes, unless cyclists can get to the Beach Haven ferry.

Birkenhead to Downtown:
Route 917 from Birkenhead Wharf connects to the high frequency bus routes at Highbury shops which travel to Downtown via Onewa Rd.
Te Onewa Northcote Point to Downtown:
Route 928 connects to the high frequency bus routes on Onewa Rd.
Bayswater to Downtown:
Route 802 direct to Midtown (Peak only, Monday to Friday), or Route 801 to Akoranga Station where high frequency buses go to Downtown, Midtown and Ponsonby/Newmarket.

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28 minutes ago

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3 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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