25 July, 2026

Documentaries find an audience at Beachside Cinema

Successful first year in Takapuna… Shaun and Helen Hayward of Takapuna Beachside Cinema hope to continue their involvement with Doc Edge

The Doc Edge film festival at Takapuna Beachside Cinemas may extend over the rest of this year, with screenings of the most popular films.
Doc Edge has approached the cinema about showing best-selling documentaries once a month.
Takapuna Beachside co-owner Shaun Hayward says several thousand people attended the festival during showings at Beachside Cinemas, as well as Capitol Cinema on Dominion Rd.
Audience members included first-time visitors to the cinemas, and the team received positive comments about the theatre experience, Hayward said.
Many documentary sessions sold out, and Q&As attracted viewers.
Popular films included two father-and- son stories: Finding Honk, a documentary following singing legend Hemi Pere’s son, Hayden, as he tries to find an estranged family member, and Unlikely Kin, which follows elder Hori Parata (Ngāti Wai) and son Te Kaurinui, who harvest stranded whales to honour whakapapa, and revive traditional medicine to treat kauri dieback.
Hayward says Takapuna Beachside Cinema is “definitely keen” to remain involved with the festival again. “It’s most likely going to be here again next year.”

Please consider supporting The Rangitoto Observer by clicking here: