Devonport's man spells it out

Aerial shot of Devonport. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Devonport residents are always able to put up a strong case to save a community amenity, whether it is the Victoria Theatre or the Masonic Tavern.

But the pending merger with Takapuna places new demands on community representatives, says Mike Cohen, who has been a Devonport Community Board member for 12 years. The board has been the maritime suburb's voice since its borough council was abolished in the 1989 reforms.

Mr Cohen, Devonport chairman for seven years, said the area from Devonport to Castor Bay of 57,000 residents, now served by 12 community board members, would soon be served by six.

"They are going to have to think in a different fashion and be fairly energetic if they are going to improve how they engage with communities.

"Devonport has street meetings with residents ... if local boards are going to sit in board meetings and hope people come along then it's going to be a failure ... When you hold a meeting of residents, you find out there is something else they have been trying for 10 years to get solved."

Mr Cohen is joined by 18 others in seeking six places on the new board, including his counterpart at Takapuna, Martin Lawes. Also seeking election are city councillors Jan O'Connor and Ken McKay (Independent) and councillors who are Shore Voice ticket members, Dianne Hale, Chris Darby and Kevin Schwass.