We made it, spring is here and there’s nothing like a brisk walk along Devonport Beach and King Edward Parade to lift the spirits and remind us that life in Devonport is sweet. With fairer weather just around the corner there’s plenty in the pipeline for Devonport. 

This month I’m very excited to announce that for the first time, Devonport is participating in International PARK(ing) Day Friday 21st. Over 20 carparks are being commandeered by our resident architects and businesses to be redesigned for something a little better than a car – human interaction. 

International PARK(ing) Day is a global movement that encourages dialogue around the need for greater, more dynamic and playful public space instead of a single car. This year the day falls inside Auckland’s Festival of Architecture so you can expect to see some innovative car parks all over Devonport, so come and play in our new village parks. 

We say 'Bags Not' in Devonport

This month I want to give a shout out to John Ashton, owner of our New World, who has been leading the charge on the banning of single use plastic in his supermarket. On 1st August, Devonport New World said ‘Bags Not’ and we’re delighted that more and more of our local businesses are following suit. 

Devonport was a leader in this debate four decades ago with the first comprehensive recycling programme in the country, which gave households a kerbside collection of specified recyclables; depot collections of bulky items; promotion of home composting and the provision of large scale composting for heavy section garden waste. 

Looking forward, we're all about art...

Devonport is known as an arts destination and this year there will be no denying it. We will once again be participating in Artweek Auckland to deliver GLOW@Artweek. Stunning light installations, designed to a zero waste zero budget brief by UNITEC School of Architecture students, will illuminate the village on October 12th and 13th, and our killer street party 'Friday after Five' will take place on Clarence Street on Friday October 12th. Two weeks later we’ll be enjoying our favourite local sculpture event NZ Sculpture OnShore, starting on the 2nd of November with its grand gala night. 

So grind your body into gear, shake off the winter slug, and come enjoy Devonport with us.