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ShoreLines Magazine is a lifestyle magazine that highlights all the positive things happening in life and business in the East Coast Bays suburbs - encouraging locals and visitors to embrace the lifestyle we are privileged to have in the Bays!

12/06/2026

🚨 FINAL HOUR! 🚨 Last chance to have your say on rockpools!

MPI's consultation on proposed changes to intertidal recreational shellfish harvesting rules closes at 5pm!

If you've been thinking about making a submission, please don't assume others will do it for you. Decision-makers need to hear directly from the people who use and value our beaches, rocky shores, and coastal areas.

A submission doesn't need to be long or complicated. Even a sentence or two can make a difference. Pick the option right for you. Our local board supported option 3 and along with 13 other boards we helped ensure that Auckland Council's submission supported that too- it's the most restrictive option to support recovery and regeneration and make the rules really simple.

⏳ Consultation closes today at 5pm, 12 June.

Make your submission now before it's too late.

Easy fill out form: https://form.jotform.com/luellabartlett/mpi-auckland-coromandel-review

Consultation info:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/review-of-measures-for-shore-based-shellfish-harvesting-in-the-auckland-coromandel-area

Cards on the table: Connection is the real winning hand!At East Coast Bays Bridge Club, community, connection, and frien...
07/06/2026

Cards on the table: Connection is the real winning hand!

At East Coast Bays Bridge Club, community, connection, and friendship are always in play.

Established in 1967 and based in dedicated clubrooms on Lyons Avenue in Murrays Bay, the club is home to around 200 members, aged 16 to over 100, including one remarkable lady who is celebrating her 103rd birthday this year!

It's an impressive range. But perhaps more telling is what brings everyone together."Members enjoy our welcoming atmosphere," says club member Richard Buisson "It's a place to meet new people who often become friends, as well as to challenge yourself with a game that is both stimulating and rewarding."

Read more on page 10 of ShoreLines https://shorelines.co.nz/

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 6 JUNE 1996Thirty years ago, a milestone in Aotearoa's energy story began turning – quite litera...
05/06/2026

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 6 JUNE 1996

Thirty years ago, a milestone in Aotearoa's energy story began turning – quite literally – on the windy hills of the Wairarapa. Commissioned by Genesis Energy, the Hau Nui Wind Farm marked the country's first step into large-scale commercial wind generation.

Read more on Page16 of ShoreLines https://shorelines.co.nz/

St Mary by the Sea: an update on the Browns Bay proposalChurch releases open letter to address questions around potentia...
04/06/2026

St Mary by the Sea: an update on the Browns Bay proposal
Church releases open letter to address questions around potential relocation and community eatery.

By Lizzie Brandon

The proposed "replanting" of St Mary by the Sea from its current site in Deep Creek Road, Torbay, to the former ANZ building in central Browns Bay continues to attract considerable community interest.

ShoreLines first spoke with Reverend Dion Blundell at the end of March about the proposal. Readers can listen to that interview online or read both a summary article and full transcript of the discussion.

Listen to the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAjfgMyW1SI
Read the summary: https://shorelines.co.nz/2026/04/01/mixed-feelings-as-st-mary-by-the-sea-reimagines-its-future/
Read the full transcript: https://shorelines.co.nz/2026/04/01/mixed-feelings-as-st-mary-by-the-sea-reimagines-its-future/

Seeking an update on how the project may be progressing, ShoreLines contacted the reverend again in mid-May. Questions covered matters including:

• The future of the current Torbay site and whether community use remains part of sales discussions
• How the proposed Browns Bay operation may have evolved since March, including location, logistics, staffing, and financial considerations
• Whether a public meeting was being planned
• Whether partnerships with supermarkets or food rescue organisations remain part of the vision

A few days later, Monique Jonas, secretary to vestry, replied, advising that the Torbay site has not yet sold and supplying an open letter prepared in response to what the church described as "significant community interest" in its plans.
The letter notes that the church has received both support and criticism:
"We have received messages of support and encouragement and messages of concern. This open letter is intended to address the fear, uncertainty and doubt of some."

The letter also provides further detail about the church's proposed direction. According to the vestry, the vision is centred on addressing cost-of-living pressures while creating opportunities for community connection.

Key elements outlined in the letter include:
• A daytime café and evening social enterprise serving affordable meals
• Employment of local people and payment of a living wage
• Reinvestment of any surplus back into local community initiatives
• An alcohol-free environment intended to provide a safe space for families

One notable update concerns the proposed scale of the operation:
"We anticipate starting small, serving up to 250 meals per week in the first six months, with the goal of growing slowly to meet local demand."

The letter also includes a "commitment as neighbours" stating: "We are dedicated to being responsible members of the Browns Bay business precinct and residential community. Any concerns or unintended impacts arising from our operations will be taken seriously and addressed promptly."

Read the letter:https://shorelines.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-04-22-Open-Letter-from-St-Mary-by-the-Sea-Vestry.pdf

After reviewing the open letter, ShoreLines sought clarification on several matters that had not been directly addressed. The magazine's wish to report accurately and transparently was emphasised to mitigate reliance on speculation or third-party commentary.

In reply, the vestry acknowledged the interest in its proposal, but said:
"We want to provide relevant, accurate information that meets community needs. To that end, we have produced the open letter that I sent you last week. As you intuited, we are actively working through many considerations. When there are more updates, we will provide them.

"Speaking for myself, I am cautious about getting into too much correction of messages that have been put into the public about our plans. We are keen to have good relationships with the people of Browns Bay."
The church also confirmed that it has "declined the invitation to attend a BBBA-hosted public meeting".

ShoreLines will, of course, continue to provide updates as further information becomes available.

Check out the orginal post here: https://shorelines.co.nz/2026/06/04/st-mary-by-the-sea-an-update-on-the-browns-bay-proposal/

Homelessness isn't always 'other people' - What does "homelessness" mean to you?If you picture someone sleeping in a d...
02/06/2026

Homelessness isn't always 'other people' - What does "homelessness" mean to you?

If you picture someone sleeping in a doorway, wrapped in blankets with a shopping trolley nearby, it may be time to broaden that thinking. In Tāmaki Makaurau, rough sleeping accounts for only a small proportion of homelessness, an estimated 3 to 5 per cent.

Stats NZ defines homelessness (or "severe housing deprivation") as people who do not have access to habitable, secure, and adequate housing, including those without shelter, in temporary accommodation, couch surfing, or living in uninhabitable dwellings.

Read more on page 4 of ShoreLines - https://shorelines.co.nz/

Dear Neighbour. Welcome to our mid-winter issue!First off, I simply must mention Lexie, our gorgeous cover girl and a fa...
02/06/2026

Dear Neighbour. Welcome to our mid-winter issue!

First off, I simply must mention Lexie, our gorgeous cover girl and a familiar face at many Browns Bay events. Usually found keeping a watchful eye on her human, town manager Kim Murdoch, Lexi also has a remarkable talent for sniffing out the occasional tasty titbit… a perk of the job she takes very seriously indeed!

This wonderful photo was captured by talented local photographer Keerti Siag at the annual Dog Day Out “Pawtrait” photography event, proudly sponsored by Mehran Zariean, Geraldine Zariean and Neil Gorman of Barfoot & Thompson.

We also turn our attention to some more serious topics that are very much part of today’s social conversation: homelessness and men’s mental health. These are confronting issues, certainly, but important ones that deserve acknowledgement, understanding and thoughtful discussion. Thankfully, there are many compassionate people working tirelessly to improve quality of life for others, and sometimes even the smallest act of kindness can make a world of difference.

There has been a lot of talk around town about the replanting of St Mary by the Sea, Torbay, into the heart of Browns Bay business district and beach front esplanade. ShoreLines had the opportunity to interview vicar Dion Blundell, last month, if you missed this you can find the podcast at www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAjfgMyW1SI.
We will will continue to liase with Dion so keep an eye on social media for community updates. Further information can be found on page 18.

By popular demand Destination Dining is back this issue, with Hannah exploring some of the wonderful cafés and casual dining spots across the Shore. Do take a sneaky peek at pages 12–15 for a few delicious suggestions. You will find a mix of old favourites and some tempting new discoveries.

There are plenty of events to look forward to over the coming months too, including the Shop Local promotion organised by the Browns Bay Business Association. There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs, and entering couldn’t be easier. Simply support your local businesses, cafés or restaurants and pop your name in the draw. Frankly, shopping and dining out for the greater good feels like the sort of community service we can all get behind. Full details can be found on page 19.

And finally, we can all look forward to a couple of well-earned mini breaks with the King’s Birthday and Matariki long weekends arriving in June and July. It’s the perfect excuse to slow down, catch up with friends and family, and perhaps indulge in an extra sleep-in or two.

Till next time…

Kim

📢 ISSUE 49 OUT NOW! 📢Copies available at local branches of New World, Countdown and Pak'nSave Albany or read it online a...
02/06/2026

📢 ISSUE 49 OUT NOW! 📢

Copies available at local branches of New World, Countdown and Pak'nSave Albany or read it online at www.shorelines.co.nz

ON THIS DAY: 7 MAY: WORLD PASSWORD DAYWhy 123456 is not a secure online strategy!"Passwords are our first line of digita...
06/05/2026

ON THIS DAY: 7 MAY: WORLD PASSWORD DAY

Why 123456 is not a secure online strategy!

"Passwords are our first line of digital defence. But be honest. How many passwords do you actually use? And are they in any way complex or hard to guess?

Business Insider conducted research to determine just how vulnerable accounts are and discovered that 10,000 of the most common passwords allow access to 98 per cent of all accounts. In other words, most people use the same passwords, often for years at a time."

Read more on page 50 of Shorelines https://shorelines.co.nz/

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