VIEWS FROM THE BEACH with Peter White

A vision for Takapuna

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

In this month’s Channel we welcome to Takapuna the following new businesses – Mozaik Café, City Chic, Shamiana, Bed Bath N Table who have all opened in Westfield Shore City, and Nextbike, who will provide Takapuna commuters with an alternative means of transport to move around our lovely town centre.

I also present my vision for Takapuna, always a controversial assignment, however included for your evaluation and feedback.

On October 9th Aucklanders will vote for who will represent them in the new Auckland Super City. To help our community make an informed decision the TBBA has surveyed all candidates who are standing for Council in the North Shore Ward and for the Takapuna Devonport Local Board, on Takapuna related issues. 24 of the 27 candidates responded and those received can be viewed online (www.takapunabeach.co.nz).

I am pleased to advise that the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) were so impressed with the Park and Ride promotion that we did in Takapuna in relation to the South Africa versus All Blacks match at Eden Park in July, that they have agreed to provide free public transport to the All Whites versus Honduras match at North Harbour Stadium on October 9th, the Kiwis versus Kangaroos and PNG versus Great Britain Rugby League double header at Eden Park on November 6th and hopefully for the U2 concert at Mt Smart Stadium on November 25th. This is a huge opportunity for North Shore residents and could eventually mean that the public will be able to catch a bus from Takapuna to and from any major event held in the region. Many Takapuna bars, restaurants and cafes are putting packages together which will include match tickets, meals and pre and post drinks. For further details contact me at work on 489-1003, or by mobile 0274-778-485 or email peter@takapunabeach.co.nz.

Finally, with summer quickly approaching us, many readers will be thinking about getting their boats out and back onto the harbour. It is pleasing therefore to see that Council are now promoting alternative parking options for vehicles with boat trailers
at the Killarney Street Car Park upper deck.

I hope that you enjoy your read. Cheers - Pete

A vision for Takapuna

Peter White offers his vision for Takapuna’s future

I was recently asked to present to a local Rotary Group my vision for Takapuna. Articulating a vision is not an easy task – people formulate their own pictures in their minds depending on how they interpret the vision and from experiences often gained through travel.

When presenting this vision it is important to take into consideration, the following factors which have influenced that espoused.

Takapuna is a sub-regional centre; one of the town centres in the Auckland region designated by the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy to accommodate growth, by providing both jobs and high density accommodation. This immediately rings alarm bells with many people, as Kiwis have traditionally enjoyed their own quarter acre piece of paradise. However as the population increases and section sizes get smaller and smaller with infill housing and redevelopment, demand drives up land values and the only option to provide sufficient and affordable accommodation is to go up. Consequently it is important that sensible and appropriate district planning prescribes appropriate development embracing high quality urban design and aesthetics, significant public space, consideration of shading and wind, view shafts and means to mitigate the negative effects of intensification. (NB – The many desirable features that have attracted people to work in Takapuna – including its close proximity to the CBD, the home of the best urban beach in New Zealand, its strong retail and commercial sectors, its public transport provisions, its flat terrain making it accessible for people of all ages and abilities – are the very reasons that it has been designated to accommodate growth and thus, possibly, compromising this piece of paradise).
As already mentioned, Takapuna is the home of the best urban beach in New Zealand. It also lies on the shores of Lake Pupuke – Queenstown and Mt Maunganui rolled into one! These unique natural features make Takapuna one of the most special and desirable places in New Zealand, and as a consequence any vision and consequent future development, cannot compromise the quality of either the lake or beach, both of which need to be protected and improved.
Finally this is my personal vision and not necessarily one endorsed by the Takapuna Beach Business Association. So for what it is worth and taking into account the above factors my vision for Takapuna is as follows:-

Let’s start at the beach – the best urban beach in New Zealand, nearly 2km long, will accommodate all types of beach users. Those who wish to relax under a tree reading a book or sunbathe on the beach; those who wish to recreate swimming, walking, sailing, kayaking, fishing, boating; those who wish to participate in, or observe events, be they world sailing championships, the weekly beach series or a local scout troop’s raft race. Preferably, Gould Reserve will be larger, made possible by further council land acquisitions, or there will be a second reserve nearer the southern end of the beach.

The beach will be divided into commercial areas (where users can hire kayaks, or surf ski’s, learn to sail or surf, buy an icecream or suntan lotion or hire a deck chair or lounger) and non commercial areas where people can relax in a pleasant and peaceful environment.

A boardwalk will follow the edge of the reserve, or sand, enabling people of all ages and abilities to access the beach and experience the joy that able bodied people take for granted during their daily beach walks. The board walk would cover storm water pipes that collect road runoff (currently 23 storm water outlets drain onto the finest urban beach in New Zealand!) and pump it from one position (a wharf, about to be described) out to sea, rather than scouring the sand at regular intervals along the beach (which would be groomed daily to remove rubbish and seaweed).

The boardwalk would connect to the wharf, a 200m long extension of the north reef and created to mimic the surface of the volcanic rock reef. (This type of finish has been successfully applied at Kohimarama and St Heliers beaches.) The end result would be to create a natural looking structure to compliment (not compromise) the existing reef, providing a harbour offering full protection for light ferry operations (50-80 passenger capacity, low draft vessels), casual berthing and boat ramp users. There would be the potential to create a new point break at the end of the new breakwater and accommodate surfers who currently enjoy O’Neill’s reef. The sand would be replenished, and the reorientation of the beach would ensure that this sand was not washed away. The wharf would be a kiss and ride facility rather than one where parking is required. There would be limited passenger shelter provided ensuring unimpeded views of Rangitoto Island.

The wharf would provide a variety of uses – Public transport; Recreational amenity (walking, fishing, diving); Sheltered waters to allow boaties a safer facility to launch their craft; The sand replenishment of Takapuna Beach; Tourism and Conferencing opportunities; Connectivity by the sea (Access to other areas of Auckland, the Hauraki Gulf and outer islands).

Takapuna Beach is one of the most walked beaches in New Zealand and as an extension of this the coastal walk between Takapuna and Milford (surely one of the best in the world) would be made more accessible allowing a variety of walkers to view the fossilized forest, lava flows, expensive coastal houses and of course the wonderful views over the Waitemata. The Takapuna Beach Café, strategically positioned midpoint, provides a welcome rest spot to refuel and enjoy the panoramic views, excellent service and good company.

The National Ocean Water Sports Centre (NOWSC), by now built in The Strand, has been the catalyst to activate the beach edge. There is retail at ground level, a mixture of cafes and restaurants overlooking the beach framed by the pohutukawas of Gould Reserve with Rangitoto in the background. Three levels of accommodation sit above, with properties separated by areas of public space and walkways which meander through to Hurstmere Road, providing both a pedestrian and visual linkage between the main road and the beach. Street and park art and a mixture of eclectic shops ensure the short trip becomes an eventful journey. (A secondary benefit of the NOWSC, is that it has attracted to Takapuna a number of National Sporting Organisations who have set up their offices here due to the central location of Takapuna for the Auckland region, its proximity to the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health and as a consequence where their athletes train and the beachside environment helping to attract staff due to their propensity to use the beach before or after work to run, swim and walk. This in turn ensures that Takapuna enjoys a very small commercial vacancy rate).

Hurstmere Road (now a walking street) becomes a destination shopping centre, with retail providing a unique product and outstanding service that attract people from throughout the region. Commercial tenancies sit above the retail occupying two or three floors, with residential penthouse apartments capping the building overlooking both the mainstreet and beach. The mixed use nature enables retail to be sustainable with workers throughout the day and residents in the evening and at night. The town centre exceeds vibrancy, due to the population, buskers and street art, and has good public surveillance ensuring the safety of both visitors and residents alike. Those with disabilities find the CBD an attractive town centre to live, work or visit as its redevelopment, has taken into account the needs of the disabled (approx 17% of the population have some degree of disability).

The Takapuna Strip (400 metres of entertainment situated on both Hurstmere Road and Anzac Street between Killarney Street) and the Berkeley Theatre becomes a thriving entertainment, cultural and conferencing precinct, serviced by an international class hotel, an expanded Bruce Mason Centre (which not only provides outstanding shows and entertainment, but also the capacity to host large conferences and conventions) and the wharf providing an alternative transport mode and connectivity to the Hauraki Gulf, Gulf Harbour (and its international standard Golf course) and other parts of coastal Auckland.

Hurstmere Green has been redeveloped and provides a lunchtime retreat for workers. (Although many prefer to make the five minute stroll to the beach, take in the sea air, walk barefoot on the water’s edge or gaze into the crystal clear rock pools teeming with sea life), Cafes and sandwich bars line the green where many a worker can be found reading a book, or basking in the sunshine gazing skywards at fluffy clouds and bright blue skies.

The Civic Square, however is located in what used to be the Anzac Street carpark and connected from Hurstmere Road through a number of lanes – reminiscent of those found in Melbourne. The library has been relocated here, adjacent to the Civic Square which hosts public meetings and events and provides a direct link from Westfield Shore City and Lake Road through to Hurstmere Road and then via Hurstmere Green to the beach. Westfield Shore City has expanded into an area north of the Civic Square, adjacent to Anzac Street, and is a shopping mall that is easily accessed through its tenancies facing both the road and square and also internally to the mall. Westfield provides for the day to day shopping needs of the residents and workers of Takapuna, including a desperately needed supermarket, and compliments the destination shops found throughout the surrounding streets. Underground parking meets both the requirements of the development and that currently provided by the Anzac St carpark.

The southern end of The Strand is a hive of activity being the home to both the North Shore area office of the new Auckland Council, as well as the base for the region’s planers. Across the road in the old library sits the North Shore Exhibition centre, housing art collections rotated from the Auckland City Art Gallery and those in Titirangi and Manukau.

West of Lake Road is where the intensification of Takapuna occurs – high rise buildings, employing the very best of urban design and aesthetics, significant public space, consideration of shading and wind and view shafts. The density of population ensures that all residents and workers have access to reliable and efficient public transport (a mixture of bus, ferry and light rail- serviced by the third harbour crossing) decreasing the need for, and reliance on, private motor vehicles. An expanded Killarney Park on the southern shores of Lake Pupuke provides a recreational playground for residents, enjoying all day sun due to its north facing perspective. The tennis and bowling clubs have relocated to the lake side adjacent to the Pumphouse and recently completed aquatics centre, because of shading on their Byron Ave sites due to surrounding high rise developments. Large areas of parkland remain ensuring park users have room to relax, attend open air concerts or view events and activities on the lake.

The Korean Gardens built in Fred Thomas Drive have been the catalyst to form a multicultural Botanical Gardens forming a spectacular southwestern gateway to Takapuna, with Smales Farm Technology Office Park providing the gateway from the North west. A tram, or monorail, provides a link service between the Wharf, Hurstmere Road, Smales Farm, Akoranga Drive and Hauraki Corner (which is connected to Takapuna by “the professionals mile” – the section of Lake Road between Jerry Clayton BMW and Hauraki Corner – comprised of doctors, dentists and medical specialists occupying the bungalows and villas and ensuring a buffer between CBD and the surrounding residential area).

The success of The Department Store has seen the lane running between Northcroft and Byron develop into the North Shore’s version of High Street and has surpassed Newmarket becoming the fashion capital of New Zealand.

Takapuna has become a vibrant, self sufficient, exciting and desirable town centre, playing a major role in contributing to the Auckland region through the provision of jobs and accommodation, as well as a major influence on the GDP through its retail, commercial, conferencing and tourism activities. Its residents can experience the best in entertainment, dining, shopping and relaxation all within walking distance – In short it has become the premier place in New Zealand to live, work and play.