Takapuna, Auckland

1143 days ago

Why should I update my will?​

Public Trust

Just like times change, so should your will – so it’s important to keep it up to date. ​

You’ve built a life around the things and people that matter most. An up-to-date will is the best way to protect your legacy and share it with the people you love. ​

If you last made… View more
Just like times change, so should your will – so it’s important to keep it up to date. ​

You’ve built a life around the things and people that matter most. An up-to-date will is the best way to protect your legacy and share it with the people you love. ​

If you last made a will back in the days of cassette tapes and telethons, it may be time for an update. ​
Find out more

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1164 days ago

Birkenhead Avenue T3 Lane and pedestrian crossing

John Gillon from John Gillon - Kaipatiki Local Board

From Monday 18th October to Monday 22nd November, Auckland Transport will be installing a new T3 lane on Birkenhead Ave between Recreation Drive and Zion Road, and a signalised mid-block pedestrian crossing near Waratah Street.
This proposal was consulted on in March 2019, and after concerns were … View more
From Monday 18th October to Monday 22nd November, Auckland Transport will be installing a new T3 lane on Birkenhead Ave between Recreation Drive and Zion Road, and a signalised mid-block pedestrian crossing near Waratah Street.
This proposal was consulted on in March 2019, and after concerns were raised about the T3 ending too close to Onewa Road, it has been pulled back to just before Zion Road.

Once completed, the T3 lane will be operative from 6:30-10:00AM Monday-Friday.

More info: at.govt.nz...

The project includes:
* Creation of a 400m South-bound T3 lane on Birkenhead Ave from Recreation Drive to Zion Road.
* Installation of a signalised mid-block pedestrian crossing to the North of Warratah St.
* Removal of existing pedestrian crossing outside 147 Birkenhead Ave.
* Changes to the lane configuration on approach to the Onewa Rd intersection to support the transit lane.
* Relocation of bus stop from outside 98 Birkenhead Ave to outside Birkenhead War Memorial Park.
* Installation of broken yellow lines along the western kerb from 80 to 90 Birkenhead Ave, as there won’t be sufficient road width to accommodate on-street parking.
* Removal of broken yellow lines outside 147 and 149 Birkenhead Ave.

A brief history of the project:
* March 2019: AT goes out for public consultation on the T3 lane, blindsiding the Kaipātiki Local Board and MP Dan Bidois, as the project had never been mentioned in numerous transport discussions.
* March 2019: MP Dan Bidois launches a petition against the T3 lane and gains over 1000 signatures.
* April 2019: The Kaipātiki Local Board gives conditional support for the plan, as long as two changes are made: That the general lane and the T3 lane both continue around the corner onto Onewa Rd so that vehicles aren't forced to merge prior to the intersection, AND that a clearway is installed along the new T3 lane outside of T3 hours.
* May 2019: The Kaipātiki Local Board is informed by AT that they had considered 4 other options to reconfigure the intersection and provide a much better outcome that would allow the T3 lane to connect into the Onewa Rd T3 lane, but had not put them out for consultation or advised the Kaipātiki Local Board before it gave feedback. Instead it had consulted on a cheaper solution with worse outcomes. See: www.stuff.co.nz...
* November 2020: AT confirms that the T3 is going ahead with minor changes around Zion Rd, subject to funding.
* September 2021: AT confirms that funding is confirmed and that construction will begin on 18 October 2021.

1144 days ago

Do police need to tighten the Auckland-Waikato border case cases rise?

Todd Niall Reporter from Community News

Kia ora neighbours, With Covid-19 daily cases in Auckland forecast to double, police won't say whether boundary controls have tightened since rural locals reported higher volumes of traffic on cross-boundary back roads. Read the story below:

1151 days ago

Were you there? 1960s photo of Auckland Star employees restored

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Auckland Stuff

A photograph capturing the staff at the Auckland Star in the 1960s has been discovered and restored.

Tony Lawson, 85, received the photograph from his friend Don Armitage, whose father Jack is pictured in the photograph.

“The photo came to me in a very poor condition,” he said.

View more
A photograph capturing the staff at the Auckland Star in the 1960s has been discovered and restored.

Tony Lawson, 85, received the photograph from his friend Don Armitage, whose father Jack is pictured in the photograph.

“The photo came to me in a very poor condition,” he said.

“However, my youngest daughter's close friend who is a graphic artist has done a few hours work on this and has come up with an amazing improvement.”

Lawson started working for the Auckland Star in 1964.

“In those days it was hot metal, as they called it, a line of type writers going like the clappers,” he said.

“The noise was something, it’s a wonder we’re all not stone bloody deaf. It was 1976 they were all gearing up to go into the computers.”

He estimates the photograph was taken in the 1960s.

Do you recognise anyone from this historic image?

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1144 days ago

Fresh posy

Min from Glenfield

Let me know if you need any fresh posies. I'm raising fund for my donation to UNICEF and Cancer Foundation, so I'm selling posies for $10 each and bouquet for $20 each.

Price: $10

1144 days ago

Super Saturday - today's the day!

Shorecare Urgent Care Smales Farm

Today's the day! ☀️💞
If you haven't had your 1st or 2nd COVID-19 jab yet then hop in your car, head to Smales Farm and join other Kiwis taking part in Super Saturday.
We're vaccinating 8am-6pm today at Smales Farm.

Vaccinations are FREE and no appointments are necessary!

Do… View more
Today's the day! ☀️💞
If you haven't had your 1st or 2nd COVID-19 jab yet then hop in your car, head to Smales Farm and join other Kiwis taking part in Super Saturday.
We're vaccinating 8am-6pm today at Smales Farm.

Vaccinations are FREE and no appointments are necessary!

Do this not only for yourself, but your friends, whānau and colleagues. It will take all of us working together so that we can have a safer community and get back to doing the things we love.

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1144 days ago

Kickstart your vegie patch

Yates

Join this supportive & fun online community, for local help to successfully grow your own vegies.

Yates are growing an online community of gardeners, and it’s free to join! Whether you’re just getting started, or an old hand – we can all do with help & support on the journey of … View more
Join this supportive & fun online community, for local help to successfully grow your own vegies.

Yates are growing an online community of gardeners, and it’s free to join! Whether you’re just getting started, or an old hand – we can all do with help & support on the journey of growing our own food.

Yates expert Sarah O’Neil will be on hand to help with problems too. Plus there are over $4000 worth of prizes up for grabs!
Find out more

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1144 days ago

Equifest is postponed to February 2022

Equifest

The equine world will be rearing to attend postponed equine festival Equifest, 4 – 6 February 2022. Join us for a celebration of Education, Competition, Shopping and Nightshows.

With more than 140 educational sessions, where else can you learn about all your favourite disciplines in one … View more
The equine world will be rearing to attend postponed equine festival Equifest, 4 – 6 February 2022. Join us for a celebration of Education, Competition, Shopping and Nightshows.

With more than 140 educational sessions, where else can you learn about all your favourite disciplines in one weekend?

So what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets and get ready to celebrate everything we love about horses!
Buy Now

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1144 days ago

Hobson Bay Adventure

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

Running along the coastline, shielded from the Waitemata by Tamaki Drive, lies the Hobson Bay Walkway. This urban adventure can be joined at a number of access points; from Shore Road and also via flights of steps that lead down to the bay from a series of Parnell streets. Some parts of the walkway… View moreRunning along the coastline, shielded from the Waitemata by Tamaki Drive, lies the Hobson Bay Walkway. This urban adventure can be joined at a number of access points; from Shore Road and also via flights of steps that lead down to the bay from a series of Parnell streets. Some parts of the walkway are tidal and require manoeuvring over sand and stones, silty mud or under low hanging bows of pōhutukawa. Other parts are approached over a series of formed paths and built-up wooden boardwalks.

I have been fortunate, through this extended lockdown, to have time to observe the walkway in more detail and am captivated by this natural world at our doorstep.

1144 days ago

Premium NZ kibble for cats

Brian Damon from The Paw Store Ltd

Discover the latest and best additions to our store!

It is our beloved feline's turn to be spoilt this weekend, so we're giving all you cat moms and dads 10% off our Addiction and Wishbone range of cat kibble. Sale starts today!

Use code FELINE10 at checkout. Sales ends Sunday, 17 … View more
Discover the latest and best additions to our store!

It is our beloved feline's turn to be spoilt this weekend, so we're giving all you cat moms and dads 10% off our Addiction and Wishbone range of cat kibble. Sale starts today!

Use code FELINE10 at checkout. Sales ends Sunday, 17 October 2021. We offer free shipping for all purchases over $75. Buy on subscription and save even more.

Shop on our website at thepawstore.co.nz... or click the Shop Now button. For more information about our products email us at sales@thepawstore.co.nz.

Thanks for supporting local.
Team The Paw Store

Price: $31

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1145 days ago

Mental health advocate wins $10,000 for work supporting first responders

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from North Shore Times

A woman has won $10,000 to go towards her efforts to set up a mental health homestead for first responders.

Takapuna resident Rebecca Nelson’s charity Te Kiwi Maia envisions a place where first responders can go to feel supported and access therapy.

The 33-year-old has been recognised in … View more
A woman has won $10,000 to go towards her efforts to set up a mental health homestead for first responders.

Takapuna resident Rebecca Nelson’s charity Te Kiwi Maia envisions a place where first responders can go to feel supported and access therapy.

The 33-year-old has been recognised in the 2021 Westfield Local Heroes community grants program for her work.

Te Kiwi Maia was born 18 months ago while Nelson was visiting the UK.

“I went to an establishment called Tedworth Health, a beautiful place over there where one of my dear friends actually went to get some help,” she said.

“It had everything you required as a veteran, music therapy, animal therapy, it had lots of art, and families could go and stay there too.”

Nelson, who is a member of the New Zealand Navy, questioned why similar support was absent back home.

She has teamed up with first responders like the army, airforce, navy, police, ambulance and firefighters to make it a reality.

“Our aim is to get a homestead or a working farm here in NZ, so there our people who are currently serving or are ex-service can go to get the therapy they require due to wounded injured or ill through line of duty,” she said.

While fundraising continues for the homestead, Nelson will start taking away first responders for a week of respite.

She is working with Massey University to create a programme that is based around people’s needs.

“A lot of veterans are relieved excited. I know there’s a lot of them who have potentially gone through stages of their careers where they would have liked to take some time out and to decompress from whatever the situation was that they witnessed,” she said.

“It’s about time, they’ve been saying, and they’re really glad that we’re collaborating to make this happen.”

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1145 days ago

Super Saturday vaccinations

Shorecare Urgent Care Smales Farm

You can't get more Kiwi than this 🐟 🍫
Swing by Smales Farm this Saturday, 16th October, for your 1st or 2nd COVID-19 vaccination and we'll sweeten the deal with a choccy fish 😋

We're vaccinating 8am-6pm this Super Saturday - protect yourself and your whānau against … View more
You can't get more Kiwi than this 🐟 🍫
Swing by Smales Farm this Saturday, 16th October, for your 1st or 2nd COVID-19 vaccination and we'll sweeten the deal with a choccy fish 😋

We're vaccinating 8am-6pm this Super Saturday - protect yourself and your whānau against COVID-19 and get vaccinated.

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1145 days ago

Victim Support needs more volunteers!

NZ Victim Support

Want to give something back to your community? How about volunteering with Victim Support? We’re recruiting new volunteers in your neighbourhood.

Volunteer Support Workers come from all walks of life, just like those who need our help. They make an incredible difference by providing support … View more
Want to give something back to your community? How about volunteering with Victim Support? We’re recruiting new volunteers in your neighbourhood.

Volunteer Support Workers come from all walks of life, just like those who need our help. They make an incredible difference by providing support and information for people affected by crime and trauma. Volunteers receive comprehensive training and support from our locally based staff.

Check out our website to find out more about volunteering with us at https://victimsupport.org.nz/support-our-work/about-volunteering, or have a chat with Sarah on sarah.binks@victimsupport.org.nz
Find out more

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1145 days ago

The Impacts of Climate Change on Insurance costs

Climate Insights

Our homes can be our greatest investment and protecting our homes against climate change has become more important than ever.

Our changing climate poses risks to our natural and built environments. Swiss Re in a global analysis of insurance risk said to “expect climate risks to raise global … View more
Our homes can be our greatest investment and protecting our homes against climate change has become more important than ever.

Our changing climate poses risks to our natural and built environments. Swiss Re in a global analysis of insurance risk said to “expect climate risks to raise global property premiums by 33-41% between 2020 and 2040”. The potential increase was deemed a direct consequence of our changing climate.

Our Climate Insights property report provides easily understood information on change to risks for your current or a future property. The report includes robust and actionable information for residential property owners, tenants and investors to enhance their property’s climate resilience.
Find out more

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1145 days ago

Update on Beach Haven Coastal Connection

John Gillon from John Gillon - Kaipatiki Local Board

Update on Beach Haven Coastal Connection:
Next week the Kaipatiki Local Board will be considering a number of long-awaited exciting projects, including Stage 1 and 2 of the Beach Haven Coastal Connection track upgrade!

STAGE ONE:
Stage 1 is for the upgrade of existing tracks throughout Shepherds … View more
Update on Beach Haven Coastal Connection:
Next week the Kaipatiki Local Board will be considering a number of long-awaited exciting projects, including Stage 1 and 2 of the Beach Haven Coastal Connection track upgrade!

STAGE ONE:
Stage 1 is for the upgrade of existing tracks throughout Shepherds Park. It can begin soon after it is approved, and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Stage 1 includes:
* Upgrade of most of the tracks through the bush in the North-Western bush area (shown in light blue and yellow),
* Upgrade of the loop path to an accessible standard (shown in yellow),
* Extension of the concrete path to provide accessible access to the lookout (shown in black),
* Safety upgrade of the lookout area, including a level viewing area and a new fence set back from the cliff-edge (shown in pink),
* Upgrade of the entrance to Hellyers Creek Reserve at the dip in Beach Haven Road (shown in light blue).

STAGE TWO:
Stage 2 is for the upgrade of tracks throughout Hellyers Creek Reserve. It can begin as soon as consent is approved, which is expected to be in March 2022 with completion by June 2023 (final maps still to come). Stage 2 includes:
* Upgrade of tracks to a step-free standard from the lookout in Shepherds Park, through Hellyers Creek Reserve around the coast to Beach Haven Road,
* Realignment of several sections to avoid wet areas and provide step-free access, including a boardwalk near the Lancaster Road entrance.

STAGE THREE:
In 2019 the Local Board consulted on several options for enhancing the Beach Haven Coastal Connection to provide a continuous link from Tui Park through to Witherford Reserve & Eskdale Reserve. Unfortunately due to COVID-19-related budget cuts, the funding that we had tagged to the project was pushed out until at least 2024/25 and is now referred to as Stage 3.

Below are the results of the consultation, however this may need to be repeated when the funding becomes available again:

* 28% - Do Nothing (option 1)
* 72% - Proceed with Option 2, 3, 4a or 4b.

Of the 72% who chose to proceed, the options were ranked as follows:

* 53% - Option 4b: Glulam bridge from behind Paragon Ave to near Lancaster Rd, and boardwalk from behind O'Donn Ave to Kahika Reserve.
* 50% - Option 2: Boardwalk between Shepherds Park and Tui Park.
* 42% - Option 3: Boardwalk between Shepherds Park and Tui Park, with a spur to Tui Park Beach.
* 35% - Option 4a: Suspension bridge between Shepherds Park near the football club to behind Paragon Avenue.

NOTE that the football club to Paragon Ave portion of Option 4a, and the Paragon Ave to Lancaster Rd portion of option 4b, are now redundant because alternative designs for these portions are being incorporated into Stage 2 of the track upgrades.

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