Welcome to our bumper 104-page July issue of Channel Mag. As I write, it’s a cold, late-June day with the heavens well and truly open – a proper winter’s day. But brighter things are coming, and July is a time we love, thanks to our annual Takapuna Winter Lights festival, featured on our striking cover.
As our cover story by Liz Cannon says, “There’s something magical about winter nights in Takapuna.” Winter Lights always seems to be blessed with good weather – let’s hope that continues in 2026 for this wonderful event, which drew a record-breaking 60,000+ visitors last year. Liz previews what’s in store from Thursday 30 July to Sunday 2 August – it’s a must for the whole family!
Paula Arblaster also embraces the seasonal theme with a lovely feature on cosy, comforting options across the Shore to keep the winter blues at bay. Our team has also put together a Q&A feature on winter fashion and style, chatting with a range of local retailers. We encourage you to visit in-store or shop online and support these fantastic businesses on our doorstep.
North Shore theatre lovers are in for a special night on Tuesday 11 August at the PumpHouse, as Phoenix Theatre marks 50 years since the first staging of Sir Roger Hall’s iconic Glide Time. First performed in Wellington on 11 August 1976, it captured the humour and rhythms of New Zealand life with unmatched wit, later becoming the hit TV series Gliding On. With tickets on sale now, Phoenix Theatre invites us to celebrate Takapuna local Sir Roger Hall’s remarkable legacy on this special night, when our most prolific and successful Kiwi playwright will be the guest of honour.
Congratulations to Pack & Send Takapuna, led by Jeremy and Jane Bain, long-time Channel Mag contributors, for again being named Franchise Partner of the Year, taking out the 2025/26 award. We love celebrating local business success, and you can read more in
this issue.
A fascinating discovery of a 100-plus-year-old scrapbook from the Takapuna Boating Club’s Ladies Committee caught the attention of sailor and recent North Harbour Business Hall of Fame inductee, Rod Slater. With his tip-off, Christine Young explored the album and uncovered the story of its creator, Maude Ward. Enjoy her interesting feature.
North Shore local Anthony Hurst knows how quickly life can change. In 2020, a flu-like illness turned into a fight for survival, leading to an induced coma, months in ICU, and a long recovery. Now, six years on and back on his feet, he shares his story with Channel's Liz Cannon, to raise awareness of sepsis – a time-critical, often misunderstood condition.
And yes, 'me ole mate' Gundry is back with a second thought-provoking piece on a stadium for Auckland. Love him or not, he always writes a thought-provoking column.
There’s plenty to enjoy in this issue and much more besides. Have a great July…
Aidan Bennett, QSM
Publisher, Channel Magazine
Founder and Managing Director, Benefitz
aidan@benefitz.co.nz
