It’s Takapuna’s time - Wayne Mapp

THE MAPP REPORT with local MP Dr Wayne Mapp

It was great to hear that this new magazine was to make its debut. It covers the area between Devonport and Mairangi Bay, which largely matches the boundaries of the North Shore electorate. Its launch comes at a time of dramatic change for our part of Auckland.

On 9 October, we will elect the first Auckland Council, as well as the new Devonport-Takapuna Local Board (which will also serve Sunnynook, Forrest Hill, Castor Bay, Milford, Belmont and Bayswater).

The board will have six members, elected at large. This is a unique opportunity for us to choose highly-competent individuals with the passion needed to drive the growth and development of our communities.

Though the exact responsibilities of the Local Board will be decided by the new Auckland Council, I believe that the board will play a decisive role in the development of the North Shore. As well as dealing with libraries, parks and recreation, Local Boards will champion the much-needed development of our town centres, in Devonport, Takapuna, Milford and Mairangi Bay.

The Takapuna town centre is an excellent example of the untapped potential we have. In my opinion the area between the Takapuna Beach reserve and Hurstmere Rd is an unparalled development opportunity. It is situated on the doorstep of an existing urban precinct facing the best urban beach in the country, yet it continues to be used for car parking. For many years there have been proposals to redevelop this area to connect the town centre directly to the beach.

With a little imagination this could be a magnificent attraction. It could be a destination that would draw people from around the country. The success of the Takapuna Beach Café is an example of the type of development that could define Takapuna. With the energy of a focused and driven Local Board, in 10 years’ time Takapuna and our North Shore could rival Sydney’s North Shore.

Congratulations to Benefitz, with support from the Takapuna Beach Business Association, on this well-timed magazine initiative. Welcome to a new era for the North Shore community!

Dr Wayne Mapp is the local Member of Parliament for North Shore. First elected in 1996, he is currently the Minister of Defence and Research Science and Technology, and Associate Minister for Tertiary Education and Economic Development. Electorate Office: 15 Anzac Avenue, Takapuna. Phone 486 0005.