Pakuranga teens take onPokemon
In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past fortnight, Pokemon Go is taking over the world.
The augmented reality smartphone application is sending thousands of users chasing the creatures all across Auckland.
And Mission Bay is bearing the brunt of the storm.
Mitchel Ter-Weijden and Caleb Forsyth travelled from Pakuranga mid-week in hopes of making some good catches.
‘‘We’ve only been here for 10 minutes and we’ve already caught heaps,’’ Ter-Weijden says.
‘‘It’s a great excuse to get outside to socialise and get of your comfort zone, it’s better than being inside all day.’’
Orakei Local Board chair Desley Simpson says tourist buses have even started showing up full to the brim with avid trainers.
‘‘It’s turning into a major phenomenon,’’ she says.
‘‘[Selwyn Reserve] gets a huge variety of use . . . we have quite a complex management system for our open spaces but we may have to look at providing some support if things get busier.
‘‘But I think for the businesses, this is an advantage.’’
Simpson says the real concern is people staying aware of their surroundings while playing, especially when it comes to crossing Tamaki Drive.
Poke´mon GO is available on iPhone and Android devices.