VIEWS FROM THE BEACH with Peter White

An overview of what is happening in Takapuna Beach

An overview of what is happening in Takapuna Beach from Business Association General Manager Peter White.
Happy Birthday Channel!
Hasn’t the year gone so fast? It seems only a few months since we welcomed the launch of Channel Magazine, then only 60 pages and distributed to 17,500 people. Now distributed to 22,250 between Devonport and Murrays Bay, and grown to 132 pages, Channel is rated as a must read by many thousands of people.
This month we take a look over the last year and see what has happened in Takapuna during that time. We also feature local Law firm Simpson Western Lawyers, who were established in 1985 by Gary Simpson and Chris Western and have gained a reputation for being professional, approachable and providing efficient, effective and innovative solutions.
Last month we introduced a “Takapuna Experience” competition. Congratulations to Marianne Stevens who is the inaugural winner. Marianne nominated Pedman Spicer on Hurstmere Road and had this to say – “Very smart and clean shop. Their gel nails are much safer to use than others. I was also given a free pedicure as I was recovering from a cancer operation. I highly recommend Rosa and her staff.” Both Marianne and Rosa have won a $100 Bliss Reflexology Gift Voucher. Read on to see how you can win a prize flying a jet to any city in the world with Flyajet.
I hope that you enjoy reading this edition of Channel and to see you in Takapuna Beach soon.
– Peter White.

Takapuna Beach The Year in Review

In the first issue of Channel we announced that the Department Store had been voted number one new retail store in the world (it was later voted one of the seven retail wonders of the world by Conde Nast UK Travellers Guide).
Alan McMahon, Director of Research and Consulting with Colliers International advised that Takapuna had its lowest retail vacancy rate in 14 years (this has risen since, however over the last month many vacancies have been filled again with quality businesses – Habitual Fix, Staxs, Sals Authentic New York Pizza’s, Partners Life, Greenville Organic, Crossmark and Imentor & Decysis as well as expansions and relocations of Dick Smith Electronics, Bayleys Residential, AFT Pharmaceuticals).
Minister of Sport Murray McCully announced that Takapuna Beach (after having recently successfully hosted the World Splash Yachting Championships) was to become home to the $8.5 million National Ocean Water Sports Centre World.
The Takapuna Strategic Framework had just been released and with the sale of land in Albany, Council decided to accelerate the Hurstmere Green upgrade.
The French announced that Takapuna was to be their base for the RWC.
ARTA advised that it would provide park n ride services to the All Blacks v South Africa Tri nations test at Eden Park.
We welcomed the following new businesses to Takapuna - Bian Sushi , Macs Brew Bar, Raviz, Renkon, La Tropezienne French Bakery & Café, Next Page Please, Top Man, Penny Lane, Oscar & Co and Wallace Cotton.
In subsequent months Channel reported that Westfield Shore City completed an ambiance upgrade including their food court, new carpeting and lighting and the provision of comfort zones. Hue opened a branch in Takapuna, My Room shifted to bigger and better premises and Caffe Massimo completed a major refurbishment, re-siting itself to take advantage of its beach views and northerly aspect. Auckland Council announced that the Policy and Strategic Planning team would base itself at Takapuna, Brand Developers and Infotools also relocated to the town centre together resulting in an increase of 550 workers to Takapuna.
The TBBA hosted mayoral candidates over a number of months before Len Brown was elected in November (and has subsequently made many visits to Takapuna talking to business leaders, attending events, speaking at our Two Degree meetings, judging the Xmas Festival busking competition and hosting Mayor in the Chair).
Chris Darby was elected chair, and former TBBA chairman Kevin Schwass as Deputy Chair, of the Devonport – Takapuna Local Board, whilst former North Shore City Mayors Ann Hartley and George Wood were elected to serve as Councillors.
A number of Takapuna businesses gained recognition throughout the year. Servilles Takapuna hairdresser, Armie Aninion-Avillanosa was named hairdresser of the year, the supreme award at the NZ L’Oreal colour trophy awards. Colliers North Shore won the Colliers franchise of year award.
The following Takapuna Businesses featured in the Metro Best of Auckland awards 2010 – Stephen Marr – Women’s Hair Salon; Bliss - Spa Treatments; Off Wax - Wax; Takapuna Beach Café and Store - Ice Cream in a cone; Lucy and the Powder Room - New Beauty Fad; Black Box - Shoes and accessories; Wild Wheat - Breads; Kiwi Velo (Barrys Pt Rd) - Bike Shops; Lucy and the Powder Room - Spa Treatments; Body Tech (Smales Farm) - Gym; Body Tech (Smales Farm) - Workout. Metro Honorable mentions included – First Glass - Wine Shop; My Room - Wine Shop; Phoenix Cosmetics - Make Up; Marr Labb - Beauty Store; Takapuna – Market;
Also recognised was Marvell Grill as provider of one of Herald on Sunday restaurant reviewer Peter Calder’s most memorable meals of 2010. The Takapuna Beach Café and Store as one of the Weekend Herald’s best places to dine beside the sea and Takapuna Beach as one of the best Picnic sites. Pinot Plus and Jam received great reviews in Canvas.
Magascene sold the $13 million winning Christmas Powerball ticket.
The Takapuna Beach Business Association undertook a strategic review in December, shifted offices and adopted a new logo and imagery.
Over the last 12 months, Takapuna Beach reinforced its reputation as the events capital of the North Shore by hosting the Christmas Carnival, Sip & Shop, The NZ Body Arts awards, the State Beach series, Takapuna Triathlon (attracting 2.5 hours of prime time television on TV 1), Sailing, Outrigger and Thunder cat racing, the Coca Cola summer festival, Sail Auckland regatta, Beach Soccer, North Shore Coastal Challenge, Telecom changing sheds, Auckland Regional Dragon Boating Champs, Weekly City Nippers, Orca Swim Run series, the North Shore Grand Prix, the Saint Patrick’s Day Hurstmere Hooley, Massey and AUT Capping parades. Caffe Massimo hosted the Fashion Runway and Nathan Haines, The Department Store hosted Todd Selby and many Fashion shows, and Jerry Clayton BMW the X3 launch and Hospice fundraising auction.
Takapuna businesses were quick and generous in their support of the people of Christchurch after their devastating earthquakes. Caffe Massimo sent a shipping container and two truckloads of water to Christchurch within the first couple of days of the quake, and Image Me, The Department Store, Westfield Shore City and Penny Lane all held fundraising activities.
Last month we announced that a local identity has purchased a significant piece of Takapuna real estate and served notice on the cluster of $2 shops in Hurstmere Road, who all vacated their premises at the end of June.

Happy Birthday Channel!
We appreciate you informing your readers what is happening in Takapuna. It’s been a tough year for retailers, however Channel has had huge growth and success and the outlook for Takapuna looks similarly optimistic. We look forward to sharing many highs together during the next 12 months.

Experienced something special in Takapuna recently?
We want feedback on the good things that are happening in Takapuna. If you let us know you
could fly a jet to any city in the world with
Fly-A-Jet Takapuna.
The Takapuna Beach Business Association wishes to attract and retain the “Best” businesses to Takapuna. We will reward one reader each month, who nominates an exceptional business or member of staff.
The nomination can be for a product, service received or for an extraordinary experience.
Tell us in 50 words or less who, and why, you would like to make your nomination for, and both you and they could Fly-A-Jet to any city in the world with Fly-A-Jet in Takapuna (Each prize is valued at $195).
Send entries to peter@takapunabeach.co.nz or PO Box 33-713, Takapuna Beach 0740, by Thursday 14th July.
Fly-A-Jet is similar to the flight simulators that airlines use to train their commercial pilots, and its authentic replica cockpit delivers a total immersion, virtual reality environment. The 180 degree wrap-around visuals, high fidelity sound along with seat vibration all combine to bring the cockpit to life. You will actually believe you are flying a REAL Jet Airliner!
A great experience for everyone... Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a frustrated would-be pilot, a thrill-seeker an adrenaline junkie or a complete novice... there’s an experience to suit you. All without leaving the ground!
Fly-A-Jet: 466 Lake Road, Takapuna.
Phone 486-8193. www.flyajet.co.nz.

Why should you shop in Takapuna?
The Takapuna Beach Business Association are 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…

Simpson Western Lawyers

Simpson Western was founded with just 2 Partners in Takapuna in 1985. Since then the firm has gone from strength to strength and now has 9 partners, 7 solicitors, 5 legal executives and 14 support staff. They have a broad wealth of experience with specialist lawyers covering all aspects of law with an emphasis on business, employment, civil litigation, property and asset protection.
When the firm was established, the North Shore had many small branch offices of larger city-based practices. The partners of Simpson Western saw this as an opportunity to provide the residents and businesses of the North Shore with a local firm, that was committed to the North Shore, providing expert legal advice of the same calibre as some of the larger New Zealand firms but with a more personal and down-to-earth touch. Their concern is to ensure that their clients receive pragmatic, effective advice that works for that client.
The firm continues to grow and in September last year the firm opened a satellite office in Apollo Drive, North Harbour.
They are regular contributors to Channel Magazine and also have articles published in the Sunday Star Times. Partner Robert Clark is on the Executive of the Takapuna Beach Business Association.
Simpson Western Lawyers - Level 17, AIA Building, 5-7 Byron Ave, Ph 486 3058 - www.simpsonwestern.co.nz