What’s Hot

Women’s Winter Fashion in Takapuna Go no further than Takapuna for all your fashion needs this winter. A sortie along Hurstmere Road and side streets proves there’s a wealth of women’s fashion choice along the main street strip and side streets. With garments arriving now, it’s time to ignore the continuing hot weather, and start to plan ahead for cooler days. Sophisticated and feminine fashion at Repertoire, at the intersection of Lake Road and Hurstmere Road, combines with styles that last beyond a single season. As the new season’s garments arrive, look out for tweed in every hue, and lots of gold, high necks and ruffles. Animal print leather augments still-popular animal print tops and skirts – and this season’s boots to the knee take

Town square brings Takapuna’s future closer Takapuna’s transformation has taken another big step, following a recent decision by Auckland Council to approve the layout of a large public town square. The new 3,200sqm town square will provide our town centre with a much-needed heart and place for people to congregate. It will be a place focused around people – where people share stories, quench a thirst, share food, celebrate milestones, and where kids can have fun! Repurposing the Anzac Street asphalt carpark area has not been without controversary. For nearly a decade, it has been a hot point of contention. However, multiple surveys of the public and business association members alike have consistently shown strong support for its redevelopment into a high-quality mixed-use precinct. The

The long lunch is something we often associate with the carefree days of summer – but not in Takapuna, where the year-round beachside vibe will have you feeling like you’ve taken a mini break from it all, even in the middle of winter. We’ve rounded up some of our top picks for a leisurely lunch, places where you can cosy up with warming food before a bracing stroll along the beach. Regatta The Strand, Takapuna With a laidback seaside feeling and a perfect vantage point to take in views of the water, it’s easy to relax in to a long lunch at Regatta. There’s a bounty from the ocean on the menu here, such as oysters; seafood chowder with toasted focaccia and seaweed butter; and

There’s lots going on at Takapuna’s “social kitchen” and “larger than life local” – The Elephant Wrestler. And lots more planned. Owner Steve Shute says the team has a really exciting summer coming up. New group dining initiatives will “make for some fun and affordable nights out”, and  2018 hit events like The Rib Joint Pop-Up and Lip Sync Battles will return. But before that, December is all about sharing. Menu items already proving popular are “Dragon Babies”, small plate selections, curated to be a fusion of Asian flavours. “You have to try the Coconut Chicken and the Pork Belly bites,” he enthuses. “Honestly, these are amazing dishes.” In January, you’ll find more new sharing menus (“great value menus designed for any style of light meal catch-ups”)

Zomer – a friendly local eatery Zomer is a true local eatery; a café that welcomes locals like friends, as well as catering to the many visitors attracted by the proximity of Takapuna beach. Matt Jacobi, barista, and manager Saul Stevens Manager Saul Stevens says not only is Zomer owned by Takapuna locals, it is also staffed entirely by people who live locally. Better still, it has a philosophy of returning 70% of profits to the staff, paid as a three-monthly bonus. “We’re not in a position to pay the living wage,” says Saul, “but we can do this.” As he points out, those extra dollars go back into the community in one way or another – and it means Zomer attracts and keeps a