VIEWS FROM THE BEACH with Peter White
Rugby World Cup
An overview of what is happening in Takapuna Beach from Business Association General Manager.
What a glorious summer we have experienced, and although the majority of us have spent a lot of it at work, somehow working in Takapuna Beach still feels like we are on holiday.
Summer certainly reminds us all of how lucky we are to live, work, shop and play at Takapuna Beach. One of New Zealand’s most popular and beautiful beaches, Takapuna Beach, offers a lifestyle second to none. Whether we longingly look at the beach and gulf from our office window, eat our lunch on the beachfront, get our daily exercise fix by walking, running or swimming the beach, or shop with the sea breeze and sound of seagulls permeating the air, we have to agree that our town centre is certainly special.
With thriving Cafe and Bar, Hair and Beauty, Children and Fashion clusters complimented by a large range of other retail stores, Takapuna Beach has something for everyone. Council offers two hours and Westfield three hours free parking at its car parks and these are complimented by a plethora of free and paid street parking throughout the CBD, ensuring that visitors can always find a place to park within an easy flat walk to all parts of the centre.
I hope that you enjoy reading this edition of Channel and to see you in Takapuna Beach soon.
– Peter White.
Rugby World Cup
Takapuna has adopted the French Rugby side as their “second” team for this year’s Rugby World Cup. The French team will stay in Takapuna for 26 days during September and October. This is considerably longer than any other team will stay in any town centre in New Zealand during the event. We also expect to host a sizeable contingent of French journalists who will hopefully promote our beautiful town centre in their news reports. We would expect a large number of tourists to visit Takapuna and as a consequence need to present it in its best possible light and are considering hosting the following activities:
- A street Festival and Official Welcome for the French team.
- Busking and Street performances.
- Live Sites at a few places in Takapuna.
- Retailers getting behind the French e.g Window competition and dressing up as French shop assistants etc.
- A mass school Haka upon arrival at hotel.
- Tidying up the town centre and presenting it in its best possible light.
- Improved signage.
- Park and Ride to all Rugby World Cup events at both Eden Park and North Harbour Stadium (already secured, with Auckland Transport offering free travel to and from each Super 15 match played at Eden Park this year to help
build awareness).
We will establish a committee comprising representatives from the TBBA, local schools and rugby clubs, the North Harbour Club, and Council to ensure that Takapuna is the best host of any of the town centres in New Zealand and provide the French Team with a most memorable experience.
Hurstmere Green
Resource consent was granted for the Hurstmere Green redevelopment in December. However this has been appealed by Environment Takapuna who have objected to the removal of a number of trees. This appeal will not stop the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) shifting across the road to a redeveloped site across the lane from Postie Plus, incorporating the Fuji shop (which shifts to the old Vodafone site at 99 Hurstmere Road) and the vacant shop next door. Work is due to start in April and it is hoped that the VIC and toilets will be demolished by July. The TBBA is advocating that the redevelopment is fast tracked to tie in with the VIC relocation, and be completed before the French team arrives in Takapuna for the Rugby World Cup.
Takapuna Beach – the events capital of the North Shore - Takapuna Triathlon
Two time Olympic medalist, Bevan Docherty entertained the large crowds gathered in Takapuna when he defeated Kris Gemmell in a sprint to the finish line of the Contact Tri Series Takapuna leg held on Sunday 20th February. Large crowds gathered to watch a series of races that started at 7.30am and culminated with the Elite Mens and Women’s races which TV1 covered live; magnificently showcasing Takapuna and our beautiful beach, in a two and a half hour primetime package, and a week later in a one hour highlights package. The event received a great deal of praise from spectators, competitors and the Hurstmere Road hospitality cluster due to the exciting racing, fantastic atmosphere and many spectator friendly vantage points.
Takapuna Beach Business Association shifts to new premises
The Takapuna Beach Business Association has recently shifted its offices to 1 The Stand (behind Caffe Massimo and alongside Council). Our phone number has also changed to 09 215 4347 (This number automatically diverts to my mobile at no cost to either party).
Obituary – Brian Guy
It is with much sadness that we farewelled Brian Guy. Brian and his wife Jane developed and expanded Premium Real Estate into a successful boutique real estate group, and one of Takapuna’s flagship businesses. Brian cared about people – he gave generously to business, the community and family and friends. He had a passion from which was born Medic Aid, a Health Insurance Fund now part of Southern Cross. Brian was a devoted family man and his untimely and sudden passing is a sad loss to our community.
Auckland Planners commit to Takapuna
The foresight of two businessmen and the previous North Shore City Council was the catalyst to maintaining a workforce of close on 1000 council staff in Takapuna. Pi Capital directors Andrew Holliday and Ian Wills entered into a long term lease with the then NSCC enabling them to build onto the Council’s already impressive head quarters in The Strand and consolidate all of the Council’s staff in one building to achieve efficiencies for both the staff and customers.
A further 4,000 square metres, with associated extensive decks and car parks, was seamlessly added to the existing building providing 12,000 square metres of office accommodation for the Council. Common areas and facilities for the existing building were fully refurbished at the same time providing both a new extension and an as new existing building for the Council.
One of the initiatives that Pi Capital has achieved with the building is the only annex four green star design rating in New Zealand. Furthermore, The Strand is one of only a handful of properties in New Zealand to be seeking the second stage of the green star process, the four green star built certification, which it hopes to achieve in the near future.
The building’s Council office accommodation is complemented by 12 retail shops offering a diverse retail experience to Council staff and Takapuna customers alike. A feature of the building is it’s large plaza area in which is located the recently refurbished Caffe Massimo. Pi Capital intend to further develop this area so that it can cater for events including open air cinema.
Auckland Council have subsequently established Takapuna as the North Shore Area Office, home for the Devonport – Takapuna Board and also for Auckland’s Strategic Planners. This is significant in that these same planners will be responsible for the long term planning for Auckland. It is hoped that Takapuna features strongly in the plan, not only because the planners work here, but also because of Takapuna’s sub regional status, proximity to the Auckland CBD, wonderful natural features, tourism potential and ability to accommodate Auckland’s long term growth providing both jobs and housing.
Auckland Council‘s Manager of the Environmental Strategy and Policy, Ludo Campbell-Reid, is excited that his Department is based in Takapuna. “My staff advice me that it’s like working in a holiday destination – they have fabulous views, a beautiful beach on their doorstep as well as great shopping and hospitality options. Balanced with the once in a lifetime professional challenge of delivering on Mayor Len Brown’s vision of Auckland as the world’s most liveable city, motivation is certainly not an issue”
Why should you shop in Takapuna?
The Takapuna Beach Business Association recently received the latest Marketview report which showed that less than 6% of our catchment area spend (Shoppers living between Campbell’s Bay and Devonport, east of the Motorway) was in Takapuna (i.e. people residing in or close to Takapuna were spending 94% of their money in places other than Takapuna). The Takapuna Beach Business Association are working hard to attract quality retailers to Takapuna and each month we will highlight a Takapuna Business which we believe deserves the support of you our reader. This month we bring to you -
Bliss Reflexology
Imagine a place where you have no choice but to put your feet up and relax. Bliss Reflexology is the destination Day SPA offering Chinese traditional reflexology and Tui-Na massage to Aucklanders. With eight years history in business, Bliss opened branches in Newmarket, The Atrium in the city and Takapuna. It was New Zealand Herald’s editors’ choice of favourite Christmas gift and is the current service provider to the first class lounge of Air New Zealand at Auckland airport and has been since 2005, also recognised by Metro Magazine as The Best of Auckland 2010 under Best Spa Treatment Category.
The signature treatment Bliss Reflexology one hour session starts with a 15 minutes foot spa and neck, back and arm massage followed by a 45 minutes Chinese Traditional foot massage.
Bliss Reflexology - 111 Hurstmere Road (next to Premium Real Estate) open 7 days a week from 10am - 7.30pm. Ph 4894698 www.blissreflexology.com www.stonespa.co.nz
The Best Spa Treatment 2010 - Metro Magazine.
The Best Health Spa in Takapuna - TBBA 2009.
The first and only Japanese Stone Spa in New Zealand. NZ Herald editor’s choice of Favourite Christmas Gift. Massage service provider in Air New Zealand Koru Lounge.
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