30 March, 2026

Flagstaff Notes

By Rob Drent

Many locals were surprised to learn that the supposedly cash-strapped Navy had paid $4.2 million to buy the renovated St Augustine’s church and hall on Calliope Rd.
Neither the Ministry of Defence nor Defence Minister Judith Collins’ office has been ready to throw any further light on the purchase, revealed by the NZ Herald.
We asked Defence: As this is now in the public domain, could we have any reports relating to the purchase? When did the transaction take place? Did it require approval of the Minister of Defence or Cabinet? What will the buildings – church and hall – be used for? Are there any further purchases in Devonport under investigation?
Defence responded: “For security and commercial reasons, the New Zealand Defence Force has no comment to make on this purchase.
“From time to time, the NZDF acquires land that adjoins or is proximate to Defence facilities to preserve future options and mitigate potential constraints on base operations.”
We went to Collins’ office, put similar questions and asked, given the government’s push to cut spending, whether the purchase was a good use of public money.
Collins’ office said it was an “operational matter” and referred us back to the Ministry of Defence.
Is this really good enough from either Defence or the minister’s office?
We have sought full reports related to the purchase under the Official Information Act.

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One of the Flagstaff team had occasion to renew their New Zealand passport recently, and was delighted at how easily this was done and the speed with which an application was processed and the new passport despatched. Unfortunately, the turnaround within a few days meant nobody was at home when the courier tried to deliver it, so the warm glow of one system working well was soon enough lost in familiar frustrations over a clunky courier operation. Typically, the passport was taken to NZ Post’s Albany depot – hardly a convenient spot for collection by someone in Devonport. Attempts to have it redirected using the NZ Post app were unsuccessful. And NZ Post no longer offers the postal outlet in Devonport as a collection point. Only a long wait on the phone to speak to a human eventually led to a redirection to the post outlet at Hauraki. The passport was duly delivered and picked up by the recipient. That’s the good news. Less positive is the fact that the Hauraki shop is one of the 142 urban retail partners from which NZ Post is withdrawing its services.
Yes, Woolworths Hauraki Corner is offered as another collection point, but the loss of other post-related services for nearby residents must disappoint many.

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Plans for a skatepark at Woodall Park are turning into a debacle.
The idea of moving the skatepark from its current location in Ngataringa Park has been mooted for the best part of a decade.
Various sites were considered before a grassy area of Woodall Park was chosen. Consultation was done and although neighbours objected, there was enough support for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to sign it off. However, complications emerged when it was found putting a skatepark on green space at the park fell outside what was allowed under its management plan.
Given the next incarnation is a new spot on the third tennis court and cricket nets near the Devonport Squash Club building, officers are recommending new designs and further consultation. As delays mount, so do the design and consenting costs, which are rapidly gobbling up the money set aside for the skatepark itself.
Residents are left wondering at the wastage of ratepayer’s money on what should be a relatively straightforward project.
Should the new location have been the first option in any case?

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North Shore Rugby Club’s prems sent out a message to other title contenders with a 62-12 thumping of Ponsonby in a final preseason match last weekend. Ponsonby are the reigning Auckland club champs and it was only the second time in the club’s history of 2000-plus matches that a team has put 50 points on them. Shore are gunning for a fourth North Harbour championship in a row. They have a bye in the first round, play Mahurangi at home on 4 April, and have their first big test visiting Takapuna on 11 April.