Building a Better Business Future for Takapuna
The vision for Takapuna’s future has been much debated lately. However one thing will always remain, and that is that Takapuna is a unique locale and arguably the best in the Auckland region to work, play, stay, dine and shop.
The opportunity exists for Takapuna to take up its position as a prestigious business, retail and hospitality hub with an enviable outlook and excellent amenities; there are few other places in the world where you could swap out your business suit for a wetsuit within the course of the business day.
Recognising the unique proposition that Takapuna presents, Takapuna Beach Business Association is standing strong in its support for its 638 members who provide employment opportunities as well as business, hospitality and entertainment services to the business and local community. Takapuna has also recently started to attract the attention of international visitors, including short visits from cruise ship passengers.
With a beachfront and stylish retailing precincts that now present a contemporary offering that reflects Takapuna’s ‘City Rhythm, Beach Vibe’personality, the Takapuna business community supports the evolution of Takapuna’s ‘interior’ spaces that have remained largely untouched for decades. At the forefront of this is the development of the 40 Anzac Street carpark site which will dovetail with the redevelopment of the gasometer site.
Takapuna Beach Business Association CEO, Terence Harpur, says the overwhelming support by members for the redevelopment of the site demonstrates the wider reaching commitment by members to the future of all of Takapuna and to creating a centre that blends the best of beach and business in a unique and exciting way.
The proposed development of 40 Anzac Street will offer locals, visitors and workers in the area a connected space with an attractive town square as its centerpiece; park space; and the opportunity for mixed use development to accommodate residential, commercial, recreation and hospitality services.
With the goal of connecting all of Takapuna with the beach, there is the opportunity for this area to become linked to the beach through laneways, just as Takapuna’s arcade areas have been. Terence regards this as a “uniting feature” of the development. The development also heralds a new era for the space as well as marking a significant milestone as a Council-led development initiative for the area, which for a long time has been driven by investor or privately-led development.
Events
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TBBA sponsorProfile
Saul Stevens, Zomer Café
Saul Stevens is general manager at Zomer Café in Takapuna. He’s originally from the UK where he completed an economics degree. He soon realised banking wasn’t for him, and went into restaurant management. He’s been in New Zealand for about three years; he started at Zomer in February 2017. We asked him a few questions about Zomer and its place in the Takapuna community.
CM: What are the most exciting things happening in the hospitality industry right now and how is Zomer responding?
SS: The drive for more sustainable practices and environmental responsibility is a great movement. At Zomer we’ve been working hard with all our local suppliers to ensure that all our ingredients are sustainably sourced; our takeaway packaging and coffee cups are all biodegradable. Also Keep Cups in cafés are a fantastic idea; if you bring yours into Zomer your coffee is $3! There’s also been a real push with “eat local” campaigns. We source a lot of our ingredients from the local area and food markets which in turn support the local community.
CM: Tell us about Zomer’s support for the TBBA and other activities around Takapuna.
SS: We try to do as many events as we possibly can involving and supporting the local community. You can usually find us serving up food at one of the TBBA’s events in Takapuna, which are a great opportunity for us to engage with the community. We’re big supporters of Takapuna Primary School; if there’s any opportunity for us to get involved with fundraising for them we are all over it, whether it’s giving them vouchers for an auction or putting on an evening function for the PTA. We’ve also done a lot of fundraising work for Hauraki School and Takapuna Kindergarten and you can find us at Forrest Hill Milford Football Club every Saturday morning serving up great coffee and breakfast to spectators and players. We are always on the lookout to help any other local charities or organisations with events or fundraising, so if you’re part of one of those organisations get in touch!
CM: What do you enjoy most about working at Zomer?
SS: The best thing about working at Zomer (and hospitality in general) is the variety; no two days are the same and I get to meet and chat to different people every day. Also working at Zomer means I spend my work day in a café overlooking the beach. And in Takapuna there’s a great community spirit from the other local café owners which is great.
CM: What’s your favourite thing to do in Takapuna?
SS: I have a 4-year-old son, William, so in the sunshine there’s nothing better than hitting the playground or the beach, then up to House of Chocolate for an ice cream.
Lisa Ayres, House of Travel
Lisa Ayres also arrived here from the UK. She landed in 2002 after spending a year travelling around Australia. Her travel career started when she left school, and in the UK she worked for Thomas Cook, managing her own branch. She’s been in the travel industry for the past 30 years, and is likely to be well-known to many, as she’s worked for House of Travel Takapuna for the past 14 years.
Channel Magazine: What are the most exciting things happening in the travel industry right now and how is House of Travel responding?
Lisa Ayres: Technology [changes]. House of Travel is leading the way in this area. With its online site, House of Travel App (the only travel provider with this facility in the whole of Australasia), customer voice programme, our marketing campaigns, amazing suppliers and product partnerships we are able to provide our customers with the best value deals, knowledge and experience to suit their individual travel needs.
CM: Tell us about House of Travel’s support for the TBBA
LA: House of Travel Takapuna has supported the TBBA for several years. We are Gold members and have been thrilled to be part of the “shop and win promotions” which have enabled Takapuna shoppers to win trips to destinations such as Hawaii, Macau and Fiji. I personally have enjoyed attending the TBBA meetings, getting to know the local businesses and keeping up to date with what’s happening and changing within Takapuna.
CM: What do you enjoy most about working in Takapuna, and at House of Travel?
LA: I absolutely love my job. Travel is my passion! Having travelled to more than 38 countries, in the past few years some of the destinations I have been fortunate to experience have been China, Myanmar, Japan, Vietnam, USA and Canada, Europe, India and the Middle East. I especially enjoy working for House of Travel and believe they are the best travel company in New Zealand to be working for as they have a fantastic Kiwi culture with the needs of their staff and customers in mind. Over the years I have developed some wonderful client relationships here in Takapuna, many of whom now feel like friends or extended family members.
CM: What’s your favourite thing to do in Takapuna?
LA: I love to walk – I usually get out during my lunch break and walk the beach across the rocks past the Takapuna camp ground. When I first arrived here, I remember sitting on Takapuna beach one summer looking out to Rangitoto, texting relatives in the UK saying “I’m on my lunch break, you will not believe where I’m texting you from right now – it’s so beautiful”.
