Safer Streets and Pedestrian Upgrades

Browns Bay continues to benefit from important infrastructure upgrades, with Clyde Road and Beach Front Lane roading and footpath improvements making it easier and safer for both motorists and pedestrians to navigate the town centre.

We have been asked why the pedestrian crossing outside Paper Plus has been moved. It is now positioned where surveys conducted by Auckland Transport show people are actually crossing. The three new pedestrian crossings, installed on existing raised tables at each end of Beach Front Lane and in the middle, at Phoenix Plaza, were long overdue and strongly advocated for by local businesses. We are delighted to see these changes are now in place. Thank you to everyone for your patience and continued support of local businesses while these works were carried out.

Events

Browns Bay has been buzzing with community events. Now in its fifth year, Summer Spectacular was once again a great success. Alongside the fantastic suppliers and entertainers who help bring fun and energy to Browns Bay, it was wonderful to see local businesses connecting directly with members of the public at the event. Despite windy conditions and the threat of rain, there was good attendnace, and we truly value the opportunity to celebrate and give back to our community.

A special thank you to event sponsors Mehran Zareian, Neil O’Gorman, and Geraldine Zareian of Barfoot & Thompson Browns Bay, along with the continued generous support of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board for backing this signature event. We hope you enjoy the photo memories.

We’re excited to invite everyone to our next event. Browns Bay Dog Day Out takes place on 19 April. We look forward to seeing you there for a fun Sunday of shopping, dining, and entertainment centred around our wonderful canine companions.

Welcoming New Businesses

We are pleased to welcome new businesses to town. Beached As Takeaways at 83 Clyde Road and Gold Crust Pies bakery and café at 76A Clyde Road (in Clyde Court) are currently completing fit-outs and will be open shortly. We also welcome Ziel Acupuncture, now open upstairs at 83 Clyde Road.

On a sad note, we farewell Meditaste and Emily’s Greek Kitchen and Café, and wish owners Emily and Donald all the very best in securing new premises on the North Shore. Their Grey Lynn location remains open.

As we celebrate new additions to our town, we also honour long-standing businesses that have shaped Browns Bay over decades. La Tropezienne French café and bakery recently marked 40 years of serving Browns Bay, with owner Louis continuing to deliver authentic French flavours at outstanding value. Longstanding businesses such as Ikes Emporium (43 years), Commodore Pharmacy, and Augenstein’s Jewellers & Watchmakers (each in Browns Bay for 37 years) remain an integral part of the town- remarkably, all under single ownership.

These businesses represent the enduring heart of Browns Bay, even as the town centre continues to evolve from a traditional retail hub into a vibrant destination for food, hospitality, and services.

Online Engagement

It’s important that we support one another, both in person and online. We recognise that everyone will form their own views, but we encourage you to approach information on social media with care.

From time to time, local businesses can be impacted by negative online commentary, which can have a real effect on our town centre. If you do have a concern or experience that hasn’t met expectations, we encourage you to raise it directly with the business first. Most businesses are committed to working with customers to resolve issues and find a positive outcome.

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, we have some exciting projects underway to support local businesses through the winter months and enhance safety in the town centre after dark. We look forward to sharing more as these plans develop.

In the meantime, thank you for continuing to enjoy Browns Bay and for choosing to shop and support local businesses.

First published and permission to post by ShoreLines magazine, Apr/May 2026, p.18