The ongoing lockdown has meant that many of the activities and events the community had hoped to provide have had to be postponed or cancelled.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel, with the new Covid-19 Protection Framework hopefully coming into force early December. Until then, we will continue to deliver services online and would like to thank everyone who has supported our online offerings.

The latest advice received from Auckland Council has helped us determine that most of our events and activities can resume or occur at the Orange Alert Level. While the usual Devonport Santa Parade and Christmas Festival can’t go ahead, Santa will instead take a tour on his sleigh to bring some Christmas cheer, around the streets of Devonport and up to Belmont/Bayswater!

The tour is planned for Sunday 5th December, departing from outside Devonport Community House at 11am. Remember to look out for him in a street near you! More details of the tour route will be available at www.devonportpeninsulatrust.nz. Also if it’s red alert level, Santa will be at the Devonport Christmas Market on Devonport Wharf after his tour.

Make sure you pop along to the Devonport Christmas Market for Christmas goodies and gifts – 11am-3pm at Devonport Wharf – only if the Covid-19 Protection Framework is in place.

We are keeping fingers and toes crossed that our Raumati/Summer Fun Tamariki (0-5) Play mornings can start up when the programme resumes after the Christmas break from 11th January. Please follow Devonport Peninsula Trust on Facebook and Instagram to receive up to date information on this and other activities.

Other activities we look forward to bringing to you in the New Year, working with our community partners, are Folk in the Park on Sunday 13th February 2022, from 1pm-4pm at Windsor Reserve Band Rotunda. Also Kids Athletics starting 15th February at 4pm at Vauxhall Sports Reserve.

This month’s spotlight is on Ngataringa Organic Garden (NOG), a community garden located in the heart of Devonport, at 27 Lake Rd, Devonport (opposite the Recycling Centre). NOG is operated on a plot allotment system, with plot custodians responsible for the care of their plot and the garden as a whole. The NOG Committee oversees the running of the garden, and organises regular working bees, social events, and workshops. Contact NOG Committee Chair: Kerry Chamberlain chamberlainkp@gmail.com, or NOG Committee Secretary: Murray Vaile murray.vaile@xtra.co.nz, or through Facebook: @NgataringaOrganicGarden.

Mā te wā,

Maria