Elisabeth Mealing at 24 Feb 2010 08:10

GREAT - coffee fantastic - who care's about waiting for coffee - it's Piha time.

James Truckmore at 30 Jan 2010 20:38

I think that this cafe is awesome, cant believe that people moan about waiting 5mins for coffee, its not like we are standing in the middle of the city.. This is piha! .. Sit back and relax! big ups piha cafe!

tony at 21 Jan 2010 20:34

i was so pleased when the cafe opened. however the owners need to realise that waiting 5 minutes for a flat white whilst the coffee maker chats to customers is NOT service.this happened on wed 20th jan

nicky at 22 Nov 2009 14:06

just had a cuppa at the piha cafe, was lovely!!

pablito c at 03 Sep 2009 11:46

what fantastic news, congrats to the cafe guys, we wish you all the best, I go home to NZ once a year and my first stop is PIHA, jet lagged or not, it is the place to get in touch with home. I cannot wait to buy a cuppa the next time I land, wooo hoo! fantastic idea! and about time

Wendy Johnson at 03 Apr 2009 12:22

hey just a comment,I noticed the big NO cafe below, I have no doubt the people involved with the cafe, wanting it there,are passionate about Piha and the environment, I live in a beutiful place that has not been changed or commercialised by having two cafe's and two other eating places with a population of 450. It provides a place of meeting and time out, cafe's are an experience, to sit and read a magazine, meet friends and make friends and these places are creating pleasure and a stress free place to spend time. something we all need.It will enhance the atmosphere not be a negative. let the people who live in Piha enjoy it, be proud that peole want to come and enjoy the beach,stay at beutiul accommodation and have a bloody coffee somewhere. Big ups to the Cafe yahooooooo.

wendy Johnson at 03 Apr 2009 12:12

Well done my gorgeous sister and congrats to you all at Piha from Culverden North Canterbury. Our local cafe owner here sends his big congrats. my sister is the best sis in the world and I can't wait to have a coffee with her at the cafe in Piha yay.

Shirley at 28 Feb 2009 08:27

Fantastic result. Looking forward to bringing friends for a winter walk along the best beach and then in the comfort of the cafe warming up with a real coffee and a bite of food! Well done suppoet group for not giving in.

deborah at 26 Feb 2009 18:34

Congratulations to all those who worked so imaginatively and positively with the YES campaign for a cafe in Piha. The good news travels fast - even as far away as Australia!

Sherry at 26 Feb 2009 11:31

OH YIPEEEEEE BRING IT ON. CANT WAIT. Well done to the "yes" campaigners.

Bobbie at 25 Nov 2008 16:19

The Environment Court Hearing is over. Judge Whiting said his written decision will be out by the end of January 09. :)

Josh Higgins at 19 Nov 2008 00:45

CAFÉ PLEASE ? Supporting a community is a great milestone. Seeing people from many back grounds coming together / being amongst one another can only contribute and provide an opportunity for all people to get to know one another. The presence of a café is only one means of providing the opportunity for us whom we have never meet before to mingle and be sociable together. The café will also contribute to the well being of the community whether it is to maintain the environment to supporting the local coast guard / life savers via local bodies and councils. I think greater understanding is needed to address the impact of the café in Piha, to educate those who feel uncomfortable about such a venture in their community. Get together and have a chat about it to assist you with identifying what the pros and cons are and how the negatives can be turned into positives to make Piha an even better place for all. Cheers and good luck???..

John at 17 Nov 2008 16:06

Piha does NOT need a Cafe. This would be just the thin edge of the wedge! Allow a cafe and then what next? An allowance to serve alcohol at the cafe? And then more commercialisation? And the existing village is busy enough, on a Summer's weekend day without adding to the traffic and the noise! And not to mention all that extra excrement - how are they going to deal with that properly? (Unless they serve us lots of servings of chocolate icecream from the desserts menu!!!) NO CAFE!

Resident at 14 Nov 2008 10:15

YES for the Cafe! Why is it really so bad...common people play nice - there is room for everyone! Why can't we get a decent coffee than that horid crap served at the shop from the filthy coffee machine and not to mention over priced! Also to be able to wander down the road for breakie than having to drive to Titters or the beyond on the weekend. No one should have the monopoly and that's the way it currently is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julia at 05 Sep 2008 12:54

Oh yes, I forgot to add something.Ms Coney says the vote for continuing the PO was 49 for,9 against,4 abstentions. Well, the Protect Piha Heritage People turned up with 22 proxy votes so had been drumming up business!!! If her figures are correct, then only 33 people were interested enough to go to the meeting!!!!The President was asked to split the vote, but wouldnt although he was asked to do so by a number of members, into 2 votes, "Continuing the over the counter Postal Services" or "Continuing just the Postal Boxes". The vote was not reflective of the feeling of the meeting. Anyway, the land is sold, the building has to go even if there is no cafe, so Ms Coney can write all she likes, but those are the facts. Why didnt she buy the land and give it to the community? Or maybe she could buy the building and put it on a squidgeon of her 7 acres.

Julia at 05 Sep 2008 12:36

In response to the comments made by the Editor of www.piha.co.nz, Sandra Coney, which you have posted on Village Voice, Sandra wasnt even at the meeting she is talking about. She is incorrect in saying it is only a few people who dont care if we have a PO or not because just yesterday I met a local I hadnt met before who said she never uses the PO and buys stamps in town and puts her mail in her mail box and she wasnt fussed if there was a PO or not. As far as Sandra Coney's crowing about the fact that the Piha R&R was the only R&R in NZ which runs a PO, that is because it is not the role of R&Rs to do so. It takes far too much time which should be spent on far more pressing issues in Piha. Get your facts right Ms Coney!

Bobbie at 04 Sep 2008 13:59

The date for the Environment Court Hearing where Protect Piha Heritage is challenging the ARC & WCC granting of Resource Consent for the people of Piha has been set for 10th November 2008.

Bobbie Carroll at 23 Aug 2008 20:57

PS 2002 Limited (Piha Store) have asked for leave of the Environment Court to withdraw from the proceedings. Click on my URL for more details.

Lynne Pillay at 22 Aug 2008 10:37

As MP for Waitakere I have deliberately not got embroiled in the "Piha politics" regarding the cafe. I believe it is very much a local issue. I am also a strong supporter of the local clubs which I think are very much part of Piha's community. I said I did not want to wear a badge promoting the Cafe and I maintain that position. I also acknowledge and support the right of people to campaign on both sides of the debate and to go through the appropriate processes (recognising it gets pretty robust sometimes!). I have always tried to have a constructive relationship with all groups in Piha and I will continue to do so.

Bobbie Carroll at 26 Jun 2008 11:16

Protect Piha Heritage's application for funds from the Environment Legal Assistance Fund has been DECLINED.

Bobbie Carroll at 21 Jun 2008 11:14

The WCC & ARC granted Resource Consent for a Cafe in Piha. Protect Piha Heritage (PPH) is taking an appeal against this decision to the Environment Court. The WCC & ARC ratepayers are paying for WCC & ARC to defend their granting of resource consent. I do not know who is financing Protect Piha Heritage although it is my understanding that they have applied for funds from the Environment Legal Assistance Fund - taxpayers money!!! http://www.mfe.govt.nz/withyou/funding/ela-information-guide.html

HifromPiha at 19 Jun 2008 20:17

By the way, who is paying for the opposition to the cafe?

HifromPiha at 19 Jun 2008 19:37

Hey all, I am one of those mums who actually live here, with my little boy. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to go with our kids and friends to somewhere that is not like a public bar? Or to be able to go ANYWHERE decent for a bite or cuppa during the day? Bobbie, you said on 13 March you don't want a supermarket... but wouldn't it be nice to have our general store, which is already here, actually earning its Council-granted monopoly? You know, stocking necessaries at a reasonable price for people who live here, instead of telling us to get *** when we ask? I'm sure the cafe would take the load off the Store so it can actually do what it is supposed to be doing for our community. My only concern is that the cafe will be filled with those nasty knockers onto their next bullying agenda, and we'll have to keep having their unpleasantness in our faces.

Bobbie Carroll at 18 Jun 2008 00:47

Yes: this McAssey person is rather unsavory. Described as 'vulgar' by one reader and I agree. I am not going to remove or edit him so folk can see for themselves what type of person he is. Just look at his website for a glimpse of where he is at.

Tracey at 17 Jun 2008 13:29

What an awful person this person below is. I have just been to look at his site and it is cheap and revolting. I thought Piha News was a community newspaper? Is he associated with it? We love your Village Voice Bobbie. Keep up your interesting an informative information - it keeps us city folks up to date with our special place - even our daughter in London reads it!

McAssey Spankey at 17 Jun 2008 01:18

if your sick and tired of the anger and pent up frustration and you want a good giggle and a light hearted offering of politically in-corectness as opposed to those who dont ever see a man in full erectness then come on over to the real piha www.pihanews.com peace baby and bobbie get a life will ya.

michael welsh at 20 May 2008 18:43

bobby i am very unhappy about how you have graffitied my wave on your website i think of my wave as a work of art so as you can imagine i am very angry and disgusted in you . let me know how you are going to fix this. michael

Manu at 09 May 2008 21:48

Yes! Give it a unique flavour suited to the special place that is Piha. Make sure it has good coffee and good vibes and it will attract the right people. All the negativity caused by some has the potential to cause far more damage to the community than a single cafe ever could. Let it be!

Bobbie Carroll at 09 May 2008 13:47

Life is strange isn't it? Today I walked into the Hardware Cafe in Titirangi. As I entered a customer, who saw my 'YES!' badge called out "I agree". Then who should I see inside? A Protect Piha Heritage (Cafe opposers) member sitting there! A real NIMBY !!!

Bobbie Village Voice Editor at 08 May 2008 21:52

For more comments on Cafe in Piha, that won't fit here, go to Village Voice (see Menu on left) or click on my name here to go to there :)

James at 28 Apr 2008 19:42

i have been goin 2 piha since befor i can rember and there has never been a cafe there and i dont think ever should be if you want a cafe go 2 ponsby or wat ever its not on tanks

EJ at 14 Apr 2008 20:47

It seems that if you live by the sword you die by the sword in Piha. The acrimony / actions from both sides of this debate is such that there is no longer any high ground available to either "side" in this debate. I do hope that everyone puts as much effort into healing the rifts in this community once this palava is over as they have put into fighting for / against the cafe... Having seen this community in action before, I suspect not.

Bobbie Carroll at 14 Apr 2008 12:40

Jacinda: So many people, myself included, hugely appreciate Fiona's community spirit. Her 'laughing gas' when I'm birthing kidney stones is invaluable. I have supported Fiona, on a personal level, for a long time and will continue to. It's not about this : its about making submissions, written and verbal, against a cafe then opening one yourself. That's all. Fi and I will continue to be friends for many more years I hope - there is NO hate campaign.

Jacinda at 13 Apr 2008 14:10

I'll be honest&admit my bias upfront-I'm Fiona's sister. I want to know where was this hate campaign when there was a coffee/pizza/deli running by the laundry in the campground? I cannot see the difference from the big wave & the coffee car Fiona operated (which I am sure many residents patronised).People are perfectly happy to take assistance from Fi in the form of her community works, i.e. first response/library. It disgusts me that people who supported her at her first birthday can turn around and make comments like this. Shame on you. Egg (coffee - what witticism!) on face? I think it is on yours when this blows over and you find you have lost a good friend.

Bobbie Carroll at 08 Apr 2008 09:11

Shame on you Protect Piha Heritage. Shame on you Sandra Coney and all your cohorts. ONE cafe in Piha for us, we live here, run and owned by locals - what's your problem city folk? It's people like you who are driving the productive people in NZ away. I will die protecting the Waitakere Ranges but people are important too. Shame on you all and Wayne Thompson for his continued bias reporting

Carol at 07 Apr 2008 11:50

I live in Takapuna but stay regularly with my family in Piha. I cannot get over the gall of Fiona Anderson, how she can stand there in her cafe with such a smug look on her face, surely knowing herself that she is such a HYPOCRITE,it is beyond me. The estimation of Fiona to those who thought that they knew her must have gone down considerably. I would be interested to know what the other members of PPH think of this. Is operating from the camp ground this way LEGAL? surely not, I'll have to enquire at WCC. Fiona I've read your submission re the cafe and heard you on newstalk ZB and consider you to be a huge dissapointment, not only to yourself but to the Piha community also.

Wendy at 07 Apr 2008 09:02

Thanks for doing this excellent blog Bobby. I live in Mt Eden but Piha is my second home. I read your Village Voice every day to keep up with this cafe debarcle and this time I have been pushed to respond. The cafe in the camp ground is unreal. I heard Fiona on 1ZB talking about how bad a cafe would be for her campers, how they couldnt afford to go there, how it would ruin the peace and quiet they come to Piha for etc etc and now she has done this. Did the Protect Piha Heritage group plan this? Maybe they are the real owners of it and didnt want any competition. How can she do it? More important, how can she look anyone in the eye anymore and who will ever trust her again. Short term gain, long term loss.

Rochelle Nelson at 02 Apr 2008 09:52

YES PLEASE! A cafe would be perfect, as the shops are never open and it's a mission to take food away with you would be way easier to grab breakfast at a cafe. What small minded people are saying no??? What is wrong with therse people?

Maggie - Long Term Weekender at 30 Mar 2008 16:57

DO AS I SAY- NOT AS I DO Having a pleasant Sunday brunch with friend in one of Ponsonby's MANY eateries (unable to enjoy such niceties at Piha) when I look up, and to my absolute amazement which quickly turned to gall who do I see - yes you guessed it - Sandra Coney and the one who follows her. . . . . CONTINUED

Maggie - Long Term Weekender at 30 Mar 2008 16:56

Well, Sandra if it's good enough for you to be able to enjoy such amenities (never worrying about the traffic congestion that ensues and the - oh! dear I say it - smells from such eateries) then why is it not good enough for others to have such privileges at Piha. To add to the amusement to myself and fellow Ponsonby cafeite - who should come to the same eatery ------ yes Mark Ellis!!! I'm sure, with the twinkle he had in his eye as departing the eatery, he also instantly recognised the hypocrisy of the situation !!! YES TO PIHA CAFE Long time Piha visitor.

dave guilleminot at 25 Mar 2008 16:20

hi there. i would like a long black with not much water and cheese and pesto bagel please i dont know where i will be seated yet....

Bobbie Carroll at 25 Mar 2008 12:06

Yea Right! There are 9 woman leading the 'Yes! Campaign for a Cafe in Piha'. We are busy working, managing our home businesses, volunteering and in between that and more enjoying our grandchildren. Where would we get the time, let alone inclination, to deface the very place we love so much?

Julia at 25 Mar 2008 10:45

I havent seen the signs yet, but I have heard about them and I have heard a stupid rumour is going around saying that the Pro cafe people did it to discredit the anti cafe people. Yeah Right!

Viv Tasker at 24 Mar 2008 15:59

How incredibly sad to see the mindless vandalism of signs out to Piha!! How lovely it will be to have a cafe to sit and enjoy a flat white, or a cuppa tea, whichever,and relax with my friends,bring on the cafe, and soon I say!!

Brian Webber at 24 Mar 2008 14:12

Just to applaud my son, Jonathon, for having the "GUTS" to speak out about the low life Grafitti artist who I am sure hasn't the same "GUTS" to name his or herself in the interest of all either for or against the CAFE.

Jonathon Webber at 24 Mar 2008 00:39

I just want to say a special thank you to the mindless anti-cafe supporters who in championing the cause of their own self interests have seen fit to vandalise the beach safety sign at the Karekare turn off by spraying "NO CAFE" all over it, to the point it can no longer be read. ***** COMPLETE letter can be read on Village Voice on this website - Blog owner

Sue at 19 Mar 2008 14:35

Our family has had a long association with Piha - now into the 4th generation. These days many of my trips are made over a weekend so I welcome the Cafe as a place I can walk to, sometimes with overseas friends, relax and have a meal prepared for us.

Margaret at 18 Mar 2008 09:30

It has been brought to my attention that Kath Dewar is standing for the Green Party in the next election. Kath will not be getting my vote if she continues with the frivolous appeal against the Piha cafe,what a waste of our rates, she is not representing us well at all. Why does'nt she concentrate on more important things of enviromental significance, say the War on Weeds or the Mining of the Seabeds. Get things in perspective Kath.

Tina Smith at 14 Mar 2008 15:09

Cannot be there for the hot cross buns but more than happy to buy a brick when they come available. Keep up the great 'yes' campaign.

Bobbie at 14 Mar 2008 09:43

Anyone wishing to join the Yes! Campaign group and be kept up to date please email us and we'll add you to our email list: YES4CAF@ATT.BIZ

Peter at 14 Mar 2008 05:58

I love my wife and I want her to have a cafe in Piha.My family have been coming to Piha for over 50yrs,we have a busy life in town and enjoy our weekends our here and often have guests staying.Because you can't get anything at the store for my wife it starts with Fri the shopping rush and cooking and cleaning all weekend. There is nothing we would like more than to stroll along to the cafe for a quiet, leisurely brunch. It would give my wife some time with our guests and we wouldn't have to rush around tidying up before returning to town."Go" the cafe Guys,all our friends are for the cafe. Well done to the "Yes" campaigners, we will be contacting you to offer our support.

Bobbie at 13 Mar 2008 23:36

Great sentiments Brenda : couldn't agree more :)

Bobbie Carroll at 13 Mar 2008 17:16

On a Thursday I wonder what the main opponents to a Cafe are doing. Have they been to a Cafe today? Living in Auckland City, Viaduct, Herne Bay, Pt Chev, or Wellington etc, they pop out here for a weekend here or there then go back to their city lives and facilities. How nice! I don't want a supermarket thanks not even a bank or petrol and to be honest I never use the Post Office BUT a Cafe, Yes! please. Oh: live in your ivory towers with bus stops every second block, where you have a choice of places to coffee or eat and waste tens of thousands of ratepayers dollars telling us we can't have ONE. You are truly unbelievable.

Brenda Walker at 13 Mar 2008 15:31

I think the PPH have forgotten their roots of hospitality and friendliness. Maybe they weren't lucky enough to experience this as part of their upbringing and maybe they haven't been lucky enough to be on the other end of a friendly community when they have travelled the world. I have and they are some of the richest experiences of my life. I want to give that back whether to locals or visitors to Piha. Come on Piha. Let's open our hearts to the world - and maybe even our pockets to help out the poor guys who have to fork out money of their own money to fight for something we want.

Brenda Walker at 13 Mar 2008 15:30

A big YES from me. Actually I dont think this issue of the cafe is splitting the community. In fact quite the contrary for me. After owning a property at Piha for 7 years, I feel for the first time a sense of community which I guess comes from grouping around a common belief. Community is why I back the idea of a cafe. Nowhere else in Piha provides that if you dont have children or haven't lived there for decades. So a very big YES from me. More to come. (Overran the allowable characters)

Yes Campaign for Cafe in Piha at 11 Mar 2008 19:43

EASTER SATURDAY The Yes for a Cafe in Piha campaigners are going to be on the Cafe Site, in Piha, Easter Saturday with lots of information, plans etc on the Cafe which has received resource consent from ARC and WCC. Come along and find out the plain truth about what is going to happen on site. Ignore the gossip and scaremongering. Hot Cross Buns will be there for one and all plus Easter Eggs for the kids. THIS is what the Cafe will be about. . Community, fun and good times for all.

julia at 11 Mar 2008 16:01

YES, YES, YES YES AND ANOTHER YES.