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It’s great to see something proposed for the Takapuna carpark site. Apart from the one day of the week when the market attracts thousands to Takapuna, mostly from other parts, the carpark is a cold, souless heart.
But are Panuku’s three consultation options really the only available, selling… View moreIt’s great to see something proposed for the Takapuna carpark site. Apart from the one day of the week when the market attracts thousands to Takapuna, mostly from other parts, the carpark is a cold, souless heart.
But are Panuku’s three consultation options really the only available, selling 80% of the carpark to develop the remainder into a 1600m2 “town square”? You can do rough measurements based on Panuku’s “Current Consultation, Option 2".
It’s not easy to imagine how Panuku’s currently proposed “town square” will seem in 10 to 15 years time when Takapuna has grown as planned, more high-rises, a lot more people, better public transport. It’s approximately the same size as Federal Square in Auckland City.
At ground level, that square’s a welcome breathing space, a respite between some very tall buildings – just how Takapuna will develop perhaps?
Federal Square is not flat, it mostly serves to transit pedestrians - small groups of city workers chat and eat their lunch. If it was flat it could be the venue for a small public event, maybe a string quartet, not a 40-piece big band. I once saw a small film crew, shooting a TV commercial, completely take over the square, pedestrians threading between them. Federal Square, the same size as that offered by Panuku for Takapuna, is not big enough to be the beating heart of a vibrant Metropolitan Centre.
The flat paved area in front of the Aotea Centre is approximately 3000 m2.
It’s often “activated” with events. You can put a covered ice skating rink there and it still functions to transit pedestrians. It has an adjoining green-scaped area too, like Potters Park – a passive recreation area where refugees from apartments and offices can lie on grass or shade beneath trees.
Interestingly, the flat paved area in Aotea Square is similar in size to that suggested by Panuku in its July 2017 Framework Plan. You could roughly measure that as just over 3000 m2
Now, 12 months later, all Panuku says that can be created is a Town Square half the size, 1600 m2, not really a “square” more a transit strip.
There are positives in Panuku’s current consultation suggestions. The link from Lake Road through the new link to Hurstmere Road, Hurstmere Green and Takapuna Beach is great. And Panuku should be kept to their 2017 Framework Plan words, “carparking to be located below ground level”. But the current Town Square options are miserly. It’s not their final offer, it’s a negotiating position. The take-it-or-leave-it line is silly, Takapuna should expect more.
As a dear architect friend told me last year, "once public space is gone, you never get it back". For now, until there’s something better, I’m voting Option 3. tinyurl.com...
Does anyone know where I could buy fresh raw milk on the North Shore?
I like to make cheese and yoghurt.
Forget the motorists, police escort a mother duck and her ducklings across the motorway during peak …
Moa were the fast food of New Zealand's earliest settlers, before they were hunted to extinction, bu…
Hello All, there was a lady on here a few days back asking about a job in Customer service. The company I work at is looking for someone forto a permanent position. If youu are interested please PM me urgently. Thanks, Stephanie
Variety is the children’s charity, helping to create brighter futures for Kiwi kids.Visit your local The Warehouse store and support this great cause by simply adding a $2 Scratch card or $1 donation to your purchase helping Kiwi kids with a chance at a better life.
The Warehouse, partnering … View moreVariety is the children’s charity, helping to create brighter futures for Kiwi kids.Visit your local The Warehouse store and support this great cause by simply adding a $2 Scratch card or $1 donation to your purchase helping Kiwi kids with a chance at a better life.
The Warehouse, partnering with you for a better community.
We’re celebrating our community’s passion for conserving our history and creating new ways of bringing our past to life. If you’re involved in a heritage project – or know people who are – please apply now for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Heritage Awards. Applications close 5pm, … View moreWe’re celebrating our community’s passion for conserving our history and creating new ways of bringing our past to life. If you’re involved in a heritage project – or know people who are – please apply now for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Heritage Awards. Applications close 5pm, Friday 21 September.
Come along and enjoy a fantastically entertaining evening with Nigel Latta in support of Kenzie's Gift.
Happy, healthy, confident children is something all parents want… but getting there is sometimes a bit challenging. While we might be the same humans we’ve always been for the last … View moreCome along and enjoy a fantastically entertaining evening with Nigel Latta in support of Kenzie's Gift.
Happy, healthy, confident children is something all parents want… but getting there is sometimes a bit challenging. While we might be the same humans we’ve always been for the last hundred thousand years or so, the world itself has changed incredibly, and those changes are only going to speed up over the coming years. So how do we prepare our kids for living a good life in the modern age? In this entertaining, challenging, and thought provoking presentation Nigel will share insights gained over a career that spans over twenty years and has taken him all over the world in search of answers to all kinds of questions. He’ll cover everything from the parenting basics, to helping your kids plan for the future, and dealing with big issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. This is an evening full of real world solutions, for real world problems.
*Suitable for all ages… although there may be a wee bit of swearing.
Where: Westlake Boys High School | 30 Forrest Hill Rd | Forrest Hill
When: Wednesday 17th October | 7.30pm-9.30pm
Tickets: $25 | www.eventfinda.co.nz... | www.kenziesgift.com...
KNZ188223 Nigel Latta Event 1080x1080px - AUGUST 2018.pdf Download View
Hello families, are you looking for an on-call, reliable babysitter? I am a qualified and registered teacher and have over five years experience in working with children. I am first aid trained, fully licenced and I am available to babysit your children weekends and weeknights.
I am police vetted… View moreHello families, are you looking for an on-call, reliable babysitter? I am a qualified and registered teacher and have over five years experience in working with children. I am first aid trained, fully licenced and I am available to babysit your children weekends and weeknights.
I am police vetted and can supply this on request. I work at a local early childhood centre. Please let me know if you have any questions. In order to be transparent, I am a male and I understand this might not suit some families. My contact number is 0220440641. Thanks Jesse
Education Minister Chris Hipkins will soon decide on the future of Auckland's beleaguered Hato Pēter…
I often come across individuals who feel they are a like a YoYo on the wellness path. Things go right for a few months, then they fall off and try to get back on track again.
This is because our wellness habits are not set on firm foundations. I've spent many years taking individuals … View moreI often come across individuals who feel they are a like a YoYo on the wellness path. Things go right for a few months, then they fall off and try to get back on track again.
This is because our wellness habits are not set on firm foundations. I've spent many years taking individuals through the basic premise that sets a firm foundation after which Wellness no longer another thing to do, but becomes a by-product of simple decisions made on a daily basis.
If you are serious about getting on track and staying on track, let's talk. I'm offering 5 free Wellness Strategy Session each week for the month of September. Message me your e-mail address with a synopsis of what you have done in the past and the areas you need help with and we can set up a time. The session can be online via Zoom or in person at the clinic in Milford.
Auckland's SkyPath is fully funded by the Government, but Transport Minister Phil Twyford cannot say…
The only cure for the Real Estate Bug is more of it! Get a healthy dose on Tuesday 4 September at our Homeviews for Investors 2.0 workshop at the Devonport Library. FREE fun and priceless. www.eventbrite.co.nz...
It’s spring! The perfect time to blow off the cobwebs and make a change – and it all starts at Fairview’s Spring Open Day. Set in manicured grounds, our latest show homes are fully refurbished and staged ready for viewing – and for you to snap up.
Just pop in to take a personal tour of … View moreIt’s spring! The perfect time to blow off the cobwebs and make a change – and it all starts at Fairview’s Spring Open Day. Set in manicured grounds, our latest show homes are fully refurbished and staged ready for viewing – and for you to snap up.
Just pop in to take a personal tour of our lovely village and warm comfortable homes. Our residents will also be on stand-by to show you the wonderful activities on offer, including our art group and blokes’ shed, with snooker and croquet in the morning and bowling and cards in the afternoon.
Come see how Fairview could put a spring in your step!
Wednesday 29th August, 10am – 3pm.
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