VIEWS FROM THE BEACH with Peter White

Ireland's final call

An overview of what is happening in Takapuna Beach from Business Association General Manager Peter White.

By the time this magazine goes to press the Rugby World Cup will be over and hopefully Kiwis will be rejoicing in a long awaited All Black victory.

The ABs certainly stamped their class over a hapless Wallaby side last weekend in the semi-final and go into the final as the favourites. However the French, as under dogs, have upset the All Blacks too often in past Rugby World Cup matches to be dismissed; hence the anticipation around Sunday’s game. In saying that, I expect a resounding win for our men in black.

Takapuna Beach certainly did well in adopting France as our second team. The majority of Kiwis wanted to see an All Backs victory, and who better to meet in the final than our adopted second team who spent all of their pool stages staying in Takapuna. During the knockout phase teams were allocated their training venues and hotels according to a draw made last year amongst team managers. This draw saw the All Blacks based at Takapuna for the Quarterfinals and the Wallabies for the finals, which again resulted in many visitors to our town centre. It was certainly pleasant listening to a variety of different accents and languages spoken around the town.

The RWC has had a marvelous effect on the country, portraying New Zealand in a positive manner to the rest of the world. We embraced the event and a carnival atmosphere endured, providing a most memorable tournament and proving us very hospitable hosts. In saying that few Takapuna businesses benefited by the RWC and most retail suffered, although some hospitality providers in Takapuna did extremely well. Both residents and tourists prioritised the RWC, spending large amounts to attend games and partaking in social occasions. Consequently there was little discretionary spend available; however should the All Blacks win the final there is a good chance that the purse strings will remain open and we will experience a strong Christmas trading period on the back of the positive mood of the nation.

I hope that you enjoy reading this edition of Channel and to see you in Takapuna Beach soon.

– Cheers, Pete White.

I described in last months “Views from the Beach” how I had been approached by the Irish team to work with them during the RWC, and that I would do so on the one condition that they took me to the final. Some would say that they therefore let me down losing to a very good Welsh team in the quarterfinals, however it was a real privilege to share a most memorable and exciting voyage with the team.

Kiwis and tourists the length and breadth of New Zealand gave outstanding support for Ireland. In Wellington we stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental where fans started gathering four hours before the game began and their singing could be heard in rooms many levels above the ground floor where they had gathered.

When the team left for the ground a crowd of over 1500 filled the hotel lobby spilling out into the carpark and surrounding street to encourage the team with cheering, singing and chanting. The route was lined with supporters wearing fancy dress, and most in green, making their way to the Cake Tin, providing a carnival like atmosphere, which turned electric once the game kicked off.

Unfortunately the Irish did not play to their capacity and were beaten by a better team on the day. The dressing room was a solemn place after the game, especially for players such as Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell, three all time Irish greats who would never again have the opportunity to participate in a RWC.

Players openly wept long after the final whistle, however, for me, watching a distraught player whose grandmother had died earlier in the day, helped to place the loss into perspective.

Upon our return to the hotel, three hours after the game had finished, the team was greeted by those same supporters, who clapped, cheered and tried to lift the spirits of “Their boys in Green”. New Zealanders can certainly learn a lesson from the Irish in this respect.

The Irish left on the Monday (granted a longer stay than most other teams who all left New Zealand within 24 hours after being eliminated, thus saving RWC organisers approximately $25,000 in food and accommodation charges per day) albeit it without 400kg of luggage which ended up being unloaded from the plane and freighted back to Ireland, to save a massive $45,000 excess luggage fee!

Beach Shorts

Takapuna Beach – Late Night Thursday

Jerry Clayton BMW is the latest Takapuna Beach business to open late on Thursday evenings. We are encouraging all retailers to remain open until 7.30pm over the Summer period to take advantage of the large number of people who visit Takapuna Beach after work during the daylight saving months and also the large crowds that the Takapuna Beach BNZ Night Markets are attracting.

Retailers open include all of the shops in Westfield Shore City and the many bars and restaurants in the hospitality sector of the Takapuna Strip; Chocolate Heaven (Who have recently opened a coffee and desert bar); Dick Smith Electronics, Caffe Massimo, Wildfire, Paper Plus, Noodle Canteen, Sals Pizza, Movenpicks, Sunnymart Liquor, Jenos Flowers, Takapuna Fish Shop, Hair Division, Korean Restaurant, Kyo Ya, Cotton on Kids, Beach Hut, Oscar & Co, Persian Rug, Frank Casey Takapuna, Chinese Restaurant, Sumo Salad, Florienne, Nando’s, Jesters, Starbucks, Home Fabrics, Sharzad Kebabs, Bakers Delight, Vanity, Flying Horse Takeaways, The Coffee Club, The BookLover, Morgan and Morgan and Hoyts Cinemas.

Takapuna Beach BNZ Night Market

Get on down to the market on your way home from work each Thursday evening from 5-9pm and check it out. The market includes stalls selling fresh fruit and veges, cheeses, olives and oil, smoked fish, wine, jewellery, gift ware, leather goods and much more.

Takapuna Christmas Carnival

Now in its fourth year, the carnival has gained a reputation as being a community event for the whole family and offers something for everyone.

In a departure from previous years, when the event was held on a Saturday morning, this years Christmas Carnival will be held in conjunction with the Takapuna Beach BNZ Night Market on Thursday 1st December from 5-9 pm.

Hurstmere Road will be closed for the evening and will host a Community Stage with non-stop entertainment featuring a variety of different, schools, clubs, cultures and organisations performing in front of large crowds by Hurstmere Green.

Santa will be welcomed to Takapuna – on stage at 6.30pm – and remain in the town centre to distribute lollies.

Buskers, entertainers, Walt Disney characters, children’s rides, face painters, bouncy castles and market stalls will be situated throughout the rest of Hurstmere Road and a number of retailers will be providing a VIP experience with drinks and nibbles for customers on the night. For further details go to www.takapunabeach.co.nz.

Jerry Clayton BMW North Shore Grand Prix

This ever-popular event returns to Takapuna on Friday 9th December. Racing starts at 5.30pm, concluding at 9.30pm and provides an opportunity for members of the public to get close to the action whilst enjoying the hospitality that Hurstmere Road offers.

Bike New Zealand has allocated the race New Zealand Criterium Championship status, thus ensuring the lineups in the elite races will include some of New Zealand’s very best cycling talent. The short criterium course takes riders along Hurstmere Road and the Strand, offering plenty of vantage points to take in the action every lap.

This is always a fabulous event attracting large crowds who indulge in a meal, coffee or drink from one of our many wonderful hospitality providers and enjoy the exciting racing which invariably brings a great deal of vibrancy to Takapuna Beach – a night not to be missed.

Why should you

shop in Takapuna?

The Takapuna Beach Business Association is working hard to attract destination retail and quality commercial tenants to Takapuna to complement our existing high quality members. Each month we highlight a Takapuna Business, which we believe, deserves the support of you our reader. This month we bring to you…

The face of Takapuna retail has now begun to evolve with The Mckenzies Project at 19 – 29 Hurstmere Road.

For those who have yet to notice the construction site in the middle of Hurstmere Road and the distinctive red and white banner that stretches across the front of the site, The McKenzies Project is the much awaited redevelopment of the previous stretch of discount stores.

Wiltshire Property Group, a local property investment company owned by Alan Wiltshire, acquired the site this year and has under taken the redevelopment to provide fashion and lifestyle shopping combined with contemporary indoor and outdoor dining and entertainment.

The site originally housed the iconic department store chain McKenzies that was founded by John Robert McKenzie, and established its first Takapuna presence in the 1940’s. The project continues the name of its historic occupant.

The new McKenzies combines tradition and quality with the latest trends in retail and hospitality environments. The result is a new central hub for those visiting, living and working in Takapuna.

To see more about the exciting changes in store for McKenzies please visit the website www.themckenziesproject.com

McKenzies, 19 – 29 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna.