The Takapuna Boating Club’s Bayswater building (at 17 Sir Peter Blake Parade) looks set to be restored at long last after local MP Simon Watts has played a significant role in getting a 102-year-old law changed through parliament. The boating club owns the land and buildings. The law was a key obstacle to the boating club being able to invest in the restoration. During my short three-year stint on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, this was an issue I was keen to see resolved. Unfortunately, the stumbling block was the Auckland Harbour Board and Takapuna Borough Council Empowering Act from 1923. The land upon which the Takapuna Boating Club’s Bayswater clubhouse sits was bought under this act. I talked to Simon Watts and Takapuna Boating Club Commodore Wendy Baker about this during August, just after the amendment to the act had passed.

Aidan Bennett: Simon, when did you first discover this problem existed that was preventing progress with this lovely old building?
Simon Watts: It was first brought to my attention in 2020. As a local, it was pretty obvious to me that something had to be done to change things. The late Ralph Roberts was very keen to see the building restored, and I worked together with him and others to understand the issue and find the solution. Once we knew the change required, we put things in motion to achieve the desired outcome. I’m sure Ralph would have been thrilled with our achievement.

In a nutshell, what has been the issue?
The land upon which the Takapuna Boating Club’s Bayswater clubhouse sits was bought under an Act of Parliament in 1923. As a condition of the purchase, the land could only be used for community purposes, such as boating, swimming and socialising, rules which were encapsulated in the old act. The act also stated the property could only be leased for nominal rent to clubs and societies not operating for commercial gain. The uses permitted by the act have, over time, become largely redundant with the swimming baths ceasing operation in the 1950s and the club moving to new premises in the 1960s. The stipulation that any use of the building may not be for private gain means the club is unable to enter into complying commercial leases with tenants who could provide the club with the income necessary to upgrade and maintain the building. Without any income, the Takapuna Boating Club couldn’t afford to maintain the building, and it fell out of use and is in a dilapidated state.

What had to be done to correct things?
The amendment marks a major milestone for the Takapuna Boating Club and the wider Bayswater community. This long-awaited legislation will now enable the restoration and revitalisation of the historic clubhouse, ensuring it remains a valuable space for both community and commercial purposes. This lifts outdated restrictions from the 1923 act, allowing the club to generate commercial revenue to fund much-needed repairs and ongoing maintenance for the nearly 150-year-old building. Previously, financial constraints limited restoration efforts, leaving the building vulnerable to deterioration. This will allow the club to make more than nominal rent – perhaps from a café – to reinvest into the building’s upkeep. The club would be a great spot to take the family on an afternoon for an ice cream or maybe a coffee.
The intent here is to enable, not to restrict further. The original 1923 legislation had good intentions, but without change, the clubhouse would remain underused and unmaintained. What happens next for the Bayswater clubhouse will be up to the boating club and our community. The possibilities are now, for the first time in many years, truly open.

Wendy, what does this mean for your club?
Wendy Baker: This is a defining moment for our club and the Bayswater community. The Bayswater clubhouse has long been a cornerstone of local history, and with this legislative change, we can bring it back to life while continuing to serve our community.
Takapuna Boating Club, established in 1920, has a rich legacy of fostering sailing, paddling, and ocean sports, hosting world-class regattas, and providing a home for local clubs and athletes. The amendment will allow the club to lease part of the building for commercial purposes, ensuring the financial sustainability necessary to maintain its historic structure.

What are the next steps for the club in relation to the building?
We will be establishing a Bayswater Restoration committee to oversee the restoration project. We intend to engage with local stakeholders and the community for input and will also be seeking funding opportunities and potential commercial tenants.

After so long, this must be wonderful news for the club.
Yes, we are incredibly grateful to Simon Watts MP, his assistant in parliament, Jack Bolter, Auckland Council and Devonport Takapuna Local Board (who supported the act amendment), and all our supporters who championed this bill and ensured its passage. Our past commodores, James Jordan and Andrew Snell, also worked tirelessly to see this happen. Their dedication has helped secure the future of this historic clubhouse. With the bill now passed, Takapuna Boating Club looks forward to revitalising the Bayswater clubhouse, creating a space that will continue to support sailing, community engagement, and social activities for years to come.

Well done to all involved in achieving this great outcome for the community.