60 minute read
Health, Fitness & Beauty
With a focus of this issue being on Health, Fitness and Beauty (and fashion), we had to take a closer look at what’s on offer at the famous Takapuna Beach. We found no less than 36 local businesses! – so locals are certainly wellcatered for when it comes to looking after themselves and looking good! Make sure you ‘do-it-local’ for all your Health, Fitness and Beauty products and services.
Health, Fitness and Beauty at Takapuna Beach
Les Mills Takapuna
Les Mills has been an institution in the local fitness industry for decades and one of their most popular gyms is right here at Takapuna Beach. Les Mills Takapuna, who are also a sponsor of the TBBA, is perched on the top of Shore City Shopping Centre, right in the heart of Takapuna. Parking is no problem here, so why not drop in to try a functional workout in our outdoor space or throw a few punches in our boxing area? Whether you want to make the most of a motivational group fitness class, tackle a workout with your Les Mills personal trainer or smash your goals in our cardio or weights area, this compact gym has it all. Fantastic modern equipment, amazing world class classes, great online apps and features.
Les Mills Takapuna – Top Floor, Shore City Shopping Centre Visit: www.lesmills.co.nz/clubs/takapuna ALLFIT Takapuna
A new addition to Takapuna over the past two years, Allfit Takapuna is like brand new and on the corner of Lake Road and Como Street. With 770 sqm of gym floor, and two boutique studios, Allfit Takapuna brings the latest full range of state of the art Technogym fitness equipment, and boutique classes to the North Shore, all under one roof. With 50 of the latest Technogym cardio machines, including the award winning SKILLMILL, SKILLRUN, SKILLROW, and Group Cycle Connect spin bikes. Allfit Takapuna has 40+ classes per week in our group cycle and functional exercise studios. When it comes to weights, they have it all! From our express circuit weight machines to get you started, to plenty of benches and free weights for the advanced gym-goers. With plenty of nearby parking, bus stops right outside, Allfit Takapuna has the perfect location to keep your body in shape!
ALLFIT Takapuna – Corner Lake Road and Como Streets. Visit: www.allfit.co.nz/takapuna/
Les Mills Takapuna. Flex Fitness Takapuna
One of Flex Fitness’ newest clubs is in Takapuna! In Como Street located in the carpark that also serves the popular Citta Home Store. FREE onsite parking for all members makes Flex Takapuna one of the most convenient 24-hour fitness facilities on the North Shore! The Flex Takapuna team have you covered whatever your health and fitness goals are, whether it's resistance training; cardio; or functional training with world-class equipment from Hammer Strength, Eleiko, Arsenal Strength, Rogue and Life Fitness. You can work with their personal trainers to get the best support in achieving your health and fitness goals. As part of joining Flex Takapuna you will be able to take advantage of a free 30 minute induction session with one of their personal trainers and will have access to free introductory programmes.
Flex Fitness Takapuna – Shop 3, 10 Como Street, Takapuna. Visit: www.flexfitnessgym.co.nz/gym-locations/auckland/ takapuna/ Vision Personal Training Takapuna
Vision’s friendly studio’s are located in Huron Street. Their personal trainers are ready to coach and support you every step of the way. Vision’s holistic and personal approach to health and wellbeing allows you to achieve sustainable, long term results with small, easy steps. A Vision personal trainer will guide you through oneon-one personal training sessions designed to achieve your goals. Or you can join a community and raise your game! Their Group Training offering is great for those who like exercise amongst the energy of others and our group training sessions are suited to all fitness levels. They have their ‘My Vision App’ – your personal trainer in your pocket!
Vision Personal Training Takapuna – 17 Huron Street. Visit: www.visionpersonaltraining.com/our-studios/takapuna
ALLFIT Takapuna. Flex Fitness Takapuna.
Vision Personal Training, Takapuna.
Anytime Fitness Takapuna.
Anytime Fitness Takapuna
Anytime Fitness is located in the space that many with remember as Bin Bin Deluxe in behind the Elephant Wrestler on Hurstmere Road. At Anytime Fitness Takapuna their mission is to provide you with a total fitness experience designed to help you reach your goals. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t start and stop at the gym. It starts with a plan, which is why they offer solutions that incorporate fitness, nutrition and recovery to provide a 360 approach to your wellness journey. Enjoy a customised workout plan, 24-7 access to the gym, squeaky clean surfaces and equipment, along with 24-7 security to keep you safe while you make healthy happen.
Anytime Fitness Takapuna – 138 Hurstmere Road. Visit: www.anytimefitness.co.nz
Jetts 24-Hour Fitness Takapuna
Jetts in Auburn Street has become a fixture in Takapuna. Jetts aim is to inspire people to live a better life, by making fitness more accessible to everyone. With over 50-plus locations nationwide, 24/7 access and flexible membership options, you’ll be on track to achieving your health and well-being goals. Jetts has got your back with a range of memberships to suit your lifestyle including all-club access and personal trainers. Takapuna facilities include:- cardio equipment; changing rooms; dedicated stretching area; free wifi; personal training; pin loaded equipment; weights. With the Jetts App (free to members) you can achieve your fitness goals in the gym or at home, with guided workout plans and on demand workouts. The perfect companion to stay motivated, gain confidence and see results.
Jetts 24-Hour Fitness Takapuna – 7 Auburn Street. Visit: www.jetts.co.nz
BFT Takapuna (Body Fit Training)
BFT Takapuna is one of the newer fitness offerings at Takapuna Beach. It’s described as ‘the hottest new global fitness community". BFT uses science and technology to drive positive outcomes – at all fitness levels. They’ve incorporated scientifically proven training techniques aimed at reducing fat and creating lean muscle into a variety of 50 minute training sessions that are overseen by highly accredited coaches in a dynamic group environment. High levels of visual content showcasing their programmes are shown on multiple digital displays throughout the studio.
Body Fit Training Takapuna – 51 Hurstmere Road. Visit: www.bodyfittraining.com/takapuna/ Fu/nis EMS Training Takapuna
fu/nis EMS training is a new style of training and their Hurstmere Road Takapuna gym is the first kind on the Shore, and only the second in New Zealand. Their highly effective strength training regime gets you results within a fraction of time of a normal gym session. You’re in and out in 30 minutes. fu/nis EMS training was founded by Catrina Kuehler, whose passion for EMS training has seen her dream of opening studios across the country come to fruition, partnering up with Kelly Percy to open the Takapuna Studio in July 2021.
Starting out as a member in the city studio Kelly became so passionate about EMS training that she jumped at the opportunity to open the Takapuna Studio alongside Catrina in the middle of last year. Kelly, who has a degree in psychology, has always placed great importance on having a healthy mind, body and soul. A wife, mum of two, and business owner, Kelly’s busy lifestyle has always demanded systems and solutions that are fast and effective in producing results, so when EMS crossed her path, it was love at first sight!
Fu/nis EMS Training Takapuna – 178 Hurstmere Road. Visit: https://funis-emstraining.co.nz/
Kia Kaha Studios – Pilates, Yoga & Power Up
A Māori phrase that means “Be Strong”. The Auburn Street based Kia Kaha team believes strength comes from within and covers spiritual (heart), mental (mind) and physical (body) states. Kia Kaha Studios aims to assist people through the journey of finding their strength in order to continuously develop self-confidence, well-being and a healthy body. Kia Kaha exercise programs (including Pilates, yoga and PowerUp) focus on activating a variety of muscle groups and work to strengthen and lengthen the spine so that you can stand taller and improve your flexibility, balance and body awareness. They understand that everybody is different. With that in mind, they will always encourage you to challenge your limits but also understand your body, keep focused on technique and go at your own pace.
Kia Kaha Studios – 5 Auburn Ave, Takapuna. Visit: www.kiakahastudios.co.nz
Pilates Unlimited
Pilates Unlimited is a popular and wellestablished studio in Takapuna, being part of the community for over 20 years. It also operates as a training centre directly affiliated with Romana’s Pilates based in the USA. The studio is fully equipped with top-of-therange equipment from Gratz, imported from New York. This apparatus
Fu/nis EMS Training Takapuna.
Jetts 24-Hour Fitness Takapuna.
BFT Takapuna. Kia Kaha Studios, Takapuna.
Pilates Unlimited, Takapuna.
was designed by Joseph Pilates and used by his protégé Romana Kryzanowska and her teachers for decades. The Pilates Unlimited team believe that the work and the equipment go hand in hand. They are well-known for establishing a workout that their clients truly enjoy, with many having attended since the studio opened. Every individual receives a programme within the authentic system of exercises that is tailored to his or her needs and fitness level. One-on-one and classes available.
Pilates Unlimited – 18 Northcroft Street, Takapuna. Visit: www.pilatesunlimited.co.nz
Studio Pilates Takapuna Beach
Studio Pilates is based on the ground floor of the Partners Life building in central Takapuna. Their classes deliver an exhilarating workout experience. For many this becomes a new fitness obsession with high energy, inspiring classes, uplifting music in a luxe workout space. Get set for fast paced, intense, 40 minute classes that deliver incredible total body sculpting workouts to challenge you mentally and physically. Innovative video technology and world-class instructors focus on perfecting your technique. The science of sequencing plus ever-changing workouts keep your body guessing and give you the results you want. Fast.
Studio Pilates Takapuna – 33 Hurstmere Road. Visit: www.studiopilates.com
Flourish Yoga
Flourish Yoga is home to a wonderful community of yoga practitioners and teachers. Led by founder Emma Beattie, their teaching team are all handpicked for their passion and years of experience and look forward to welcoming you into their cosy studio space in Huron Street. After teaching for a number of years in Paris and London, Emma moved back to New Zealand with her partner and opened the Flourish Yoga studio in 2019. Flourish Yoga offers a wide range of yoga and mindfulness classes and are specialists in both prenatal and postnatal yoga. An intimate and supportive environment awaits you. Take their advice… Start, continue or deepen your yoga journey. Be the best version of you.
Flourish Yoga – 5 Huron Street, Takapuna. Visit: www.flourishyoga.co.nz
Golden Yogi
Golden Yogi is an upmarket yoga, health, and wellness studio conveniently located in central Takapuna – in a lovely purpose-built studio above Starbucks in Parkway Arcade. Their team of highly experienced teachers offer a wide variety of yoga styles to meet you where you are at, and take you where you want to go. Their purpose is to develop a conscious community focused on optimum health through natural lifestyle choices to merge the mind, body, and spirit. Golden Yogi offers a range of classes, events, wellness seminars and a natural medicine clinic. The blissful atmosphere is inspiring to help you cultivate a deep inner state of awareness, happiness, and health. The studio is open seven days a week and offers a flexible schedule with lots of classes each week for you to choose from.
Golden Yogi – Level 1, 46 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. Visit: www.goldenyogi.co.nz
North Shore Iyengar Yoga Centre
Founder and senior teacher Joy Sanders founded North Shore Iyengar Yoga Centre in 1996. They have recently moved to a new location – 15 Anzac Street in Takapuna. North Shore Iyengar Yoga Centre provides a relaxed, friendly and intimate environment with fully certified and experienced Iyengar yoga teachers. Joy and her team use props (bolsters, blocks, blankets, straps) where necessary to ensure students are correctly positioned and to minimise the potential for injury. They cater for all levels of experience and capability – from beginner to advanced. There is also pregnancy, injury recovery and restorative classes which assist motion and rehabilitation but without over exertion and harm.
North Shore Iyengar Yoga Centre – Suite 3, 15 Anzac St, Takapuna. Visit: www.northshoreyoga.co.nz
Studio Pilates, Takapuna.
Flourish Yoga, Takapuna. North Shore Iyengar Yoga Centre, Takapuna.
ikoi’s signature service. Our Enzyme Spa is a traditional Japanese deep heating ritual tracing its origins over 90 years.
Beauty and Spas at Takapuna Beach
ikoi Day Spa – 1 Huron Street, Takapuna Tranquil Japanese atmosphere; a wide range of health and beauty traditions; New Zealand's first and only Enzyme Spa.
Visit: www.ikoispa.co.nz
Haven Skin Spa – 33-45 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. Haven Skin Spa specialises in providing long-lasting solutions to skin concerns from a serene and relaxing environment.
Visit: www.havenskinspa.com
Forme Skin and Body Spa – 5/1 The Strand, Takapuna (entrance on Lake Road) New Zealand’s Favourite Day Spas For Rejuvenation & Relaxation
Visit: www.formespa.co.nz
Caci Takapuna – Parkway Arcade, 48 Hurstmere Road Passionate about delivering 'Skin Confidence’.
Visit: www.caci.co.nz
The Face Place Med Spa – Level 1/10 Northcroft Street, Takapuna Delivering the ultimate experience in non-surgical cosmedicine.
Visit: www.thefaceplace.co.nz
Healthway Massage and Therapy – Shore City Shopping Centre Chinese therapy massage, sports massage, reflexology, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, manicure & pedicure.
Visit: www.healthwayclinic.co.nz
Laser Clinics New Zealand – 15-17 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna Laser hair removal, skin treatments. Cosmetic injectable treatments.
Visit: www.laserclinicsnewzealand.co.nz
Rejuvenation Massage – Shore City Shopping Centre Specialists in traditional Chinese massage, hot stone, cupping and reflexology.
Visit: www.rejuvenationmassage.co.nz
Nails at Takapuna Beach
Kiwi Nails & Spa – Shore City Shopping Centre Five star service, relaxing atmosphere, high quality manicures and pedicures, SNS available, beauty treatments.
Visit: www.kiwinailsspa.co.nz
ProfessioNAIL Takapuna
– Shore City Shopping Centre The finest in professional nail care and personalised attention, using only the Kiwi Nails & Spa, Takapuna. best quality nail care products.
Visit: www.professionailtakapuna.co.nz
PD Nails – 94 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna Manicures, spa pedicures and a range of other services
Phone 09-486 6557 or Visit on Facebook
American Nails – 62 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna The place for everything nails in Takapuna
Phone 09-489 5898
Oscar & Co, Takapuna.
Hair Salons at Takapuna Beach
Oscar and Co – Level 1, 55 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna An innovative boutique salon. The Oscar and Co team are incredibly supportive, skillful and are absolutely driven to create beautiful hair and exceptional service.
Visit: www.oscarandco.co.nz
Servilles Takapuna – 488 Lake Road. Multi-award winning internationally acclaimed team of hair stylists.
Visit: www.servilles.com
Morgan and Morgan – 462 Lake Road, Takapuna Super-friendly team of dedicated hairdressers, here to give you the best in service and personalised care in a unique and relaxed environment that you’re completely comfortable in.
Visit: www.morganandmorgan.co.nz
H & Co – 5 Huron Street, Takapuna Passionate about making your hair the best it can be. Specialising in Balayage, blondes and natural looking colours that last.
Visit: www.handcohair.co.nz
Rodney Wayne Takapuna – Shore City Shopping Centre Dedicated to providing you with world-leading hairstyling, hair colouring and hair care products.
Visit: rodneywayne.co.nz
Vivo Hair Salon - 12 Anzac Street A supportive team that prides itself on its technical and creative prowess, and a relaxed, sophisticated ambiance.
Visit: www.vivo.co.nz
Frenchie and Co – 159 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna Covering all aspects of modern hairdressing and beauty services. Our hair stylists and beauty therapists are highly skilled with the creative vision and talent to deliver the best experience.
Visit: www.frenchieandco.co.nz
Bella Figura Hair Salon – 2 Killarney Street, Takapuna A new, upmarket, hair salon offeing a full service hair menu, specialising exclusively in Kerastase Hair Care and Loreal Colour.
Visit: www.bellafigurahair.co.nz/
Forever Blonde Hair Studio Takapuna – Level 1/1A / 10 Northcroft Street. Thier passion is creating the perfect blonde for you!
Visit: www.foreverblonde.nz
Hair Division – 446 Lake Road, Takapuna A family owned salon with a fresh aesthetic and comfortable atmosphere.
Visit: www.hairdivision.co.nz
For more information visit: www.ilovetakapuna.co.nz
Active Busy People!
With our focus on Health & Fitness we thought we would have a chat with a few prominent Shore people about how they combine a fitness regime with their busy lifestyles. We chat to well known Bays locals Jayne and Peter White, popular local board members Alexis Poppelbaum and Toni van Tonder, and real estate supremo Andrew Dorreen. Interesting reading...
Jayne and Peter White
Jayne and Peter love to keep heathy and fit, they talk to Channel Mag about their summer break, having fun with their family (including their 10 beloved grandchildren) and travel. The former gym owners are now semi-retired, but both keep active daily, and Peter is still involved in Rugby (management for North Harbour and working with international teams when they tour). The couple lead a busy life and give readers some good tips on creating healthy habits, enjoying exercise and more.
Channel Magazine: How’s 2022 going so far for you, have you had an enjoyable break and good start?
Peter: We’ve had a great break – the weather has been outstanding, and we have done a number of smaller breaks, including a wonderful staycation at QT in Auckland, cycling the waterfront cycleway from the Harbour Bridge to St Heliers and back, and attending the marvellous Michelangelo exhibition that Benefitz were prominent in facilitating. We also did five days in Taupo, a few days at Mangawhai and lots of time with the in grandchildren in Milford and Omaha. We have also got a South Island holiday booked in March doing the Lake Dunston Cycle trail and visiting the Catlins and Stewart Island. Jayne: These are certainly challenging times for everyone. We are fortunate that we are semi-retired and surrounded by eight of our 10 grandchildren (We have two living in Australia but were lucky enough to visit just before we went into lockdown). We had a trip to Taupo, a night in town visiting Art Exhibitions and my favourite shops, but mainly spent the break on the beautiful North Shore, at Mangawhai and Omaha.
CM: Have you made any life adjustments health wise with Covid19/Omicron and the pandemic?
Peter: Only the obvious, mask wearing, vaccinated and boosted, scanning and increased hygiene. Jayne: Covid-19 and Omicron has meant so many adjustments for people. Again, we are very fortunate, however wear our masks and try to stay as healthy as possible.
CM: What does your weekly health and fitness regime look like?
Peter: I have a split program but cycle at least 20 mins (rehab for a dodgy knee), stretch and self-massage with a massage gun every day. I weight train three days a week alternating with a cardio (swim and indoor rowing) and shoulder rehab three days a week. Jayne: I probably do some form of exercise every day, whether it be walking, cycling, stair running, resistance training and stretching.
CM: What do you enjoy about keeping healthy and what parts do you find harder?
Peter: I love being able to train with Jayne both structured and recreational. Whenever we go away, we try and hire a tandem bike (especially enjoy riding around the vineyards in Queenstown and Napier), we often go to the gym and cycle together and we especially enjoy being fit enough to play with grandchildren, things like the pool, beach, trampoline, climbing trees, being able to lift them onto playground equipment or swing them around and capable of getting onto the floor to play (and back up again!). As I've got older, I had to accept that I don't need to train as hard as I used to, and that flexibility is just as important as strength and cardio training. Jayne: I just love how keeping healthy makes me feel every day. We need to keep up with the grand kids and apart from cycling the big hills around the Bays, I’m still enjoying it all!
CM: Do you have any tips for Channel readers when it comes to creating healthy habits?
Peter: Find activities you enjoy – especially if you can participate (and make a commitment) with your partner or friends. Don't try to do too much, instead train regularly to establish a habit. Everything in moderation (food, drink etc) and don't beat yourself up if you slip up every now and again. Ensure you include flexibility, cardio and resistance training in your fitness regime. Jayne: Do things you enjoy and often. Grab a friend, go for a walk, a swim or cycle, try dancing or yoga. Do this in conjunction with a balanced diet. Eat lots of green, limit sugar and alcohol, additives and preservatives but, all while understanding that it really is ok to have cake or your favourite pizza, pasta dish sometimes.
Jayne and Peter White.
CM: Random question but are you team electric bike or oldfashioned pedal bike?
Peter: Old fashioned pedal bike, although have tried electric and will definitely get one later in life. Jayne: Pedal bike so far, however, I think I will get an electric bike eventually.
CM: What hobby keeps you busy and happy and why?
Peter: Family is most important. Jayne is very good at getting all of our kids and grandchildren together for family occasions and trips on a regular basis. I am still heavily involved in Rugby as manager of the North Harbour NPC team, working with International teams (Ireland and the French women's team later this year), and with a number of different programs with the New Zealand Barbarians Rugby Club. Jayne: Apart from fitness it is totally the grandies – makes me feel grateful and happy every day.
CM: My fitness and/or lifestyle goal for 2022 is to… Peter: Be able to continue enjoying activities with my wife and family.
Jayne: Continue to stay fit and healthy and having fun on the way.
CM: Random question but are you team electric bike or oldfashioned pedal bike?
AP: I know several older people who have purchased e-bikes and love getting around the Bays on them, where they wouldn’t have done so otherwise. Whatever works to get you out and about is a winner in my eyes.
Alexis Poppelbaum.
Alexis Poppelbaum
Alexis has been on the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board (East Coast Bays division) since 2019. She was born in the Bays, grew up locally and now lives in the area with her husband and two children under three. With a background as a political staffer, policy analyst and communications specialist, Alexis leads a busy life as a working mum and says she loves spending time outdoors. She tells Channel Magazine about her lifestyle and how prioritising her own health and wellness makes her a happy and healthy mum.
Channel Magazine: How’s 2022 going so far for you, have you had an enjoyable break and good start?
Alexis Poppelbaum: We had a very low-key summer staying local and enjoying some quiet family time, which was nice now that I’m back into the full swing of things at work.
CM: Have you made any life adjustments health wise with Covid19/Omicron and the pandemic?
AP: I do click and collect supermarket orders every week now. Aside from the obvious benefits, it also puts a halt to off-the-list treats coming into the house!
CM: What does your weekly health and fitness regime look like?
AP: As a working mum of two children under three years old, every week is different. I do have a Personal Trainer (Kelly Hebbink Fitness) who comes to me once a week which really helps.
CM: What do you enjoy about keeping healthy and what parts do you find harder?
AP: We like getting out and about as a family doing local bush walks but I find it really challenging to make time for my own regular exercise.
CM: Do you have any tips for Channel readers when it comes to creating healthy habits?
AP: I read somewhere recently that you should think of finding the time to exercise as a privilege, rather than a task. That mindset change has really been helping me.
CM: What hobby keeps you busy and happy and why?
AP: I’m really into growing my own fruit and vegetables. I get a real kick out of it and love watching my three-year-old eating straight from the garden.
CM: My fitness and/or lifestyle goal for 2022 is to…
AP: Keep trying to prioritise regular exercise – a happy healthy me is a happier healthier mum to my children.
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CM: Have you made any life adjustments health wise with Covid19/Omicron and the pandemic?
AD: We are a very health driven family, we all do regular exercise and keep active. Other than the mask wearing and general precautions we have to adhere to now with work and social life, we are pretty much living as normally as we can.
CM: What does your weekly health and fitness regime look like? AD: I go to the local gym 4-5 times a week to keep active and on the other days I run, often with a friend. I also play tennis on a Monday night and our interclub team has a casual hit with the coach on a Thursday morning followed by coffee at the local. Since the last lockdown, I’ve also started Wing Foiling (water sport)! This is my favourite, a new skill and great exercise at the same time. If I have an hour or so in the middle of the day and its windy, I’ll try nip off to the lake.
CM: What do you enjoy about keeping healthy and what parts do you find harder?
AD: Exercise and being healthy is really quite easy for our family as my wife Sarah is also on the same page. We find, even if away we will make time individually to go for a run or gym even when overseas. I guess a healthy lifestyle makes me feel fresh as work is demanding and often can be stressful with the load that comes with it, keeping healthy resets me so I find if I go two or three days without exercise, I’m craving it and feel the effects of not doing it.
CM: Do you have any tips for Channel readers when it comes to creating healthy habits?
AD: Find an activity or activities that you love or want to do. If you’re just getting started, do it with a friend or in the gym use the services of a personal trainer. Walk or run in fine weather, don’t battle when it’s raining or windy as it becomes unpleasant. Keep it fresh, keep it varied. If you go yourself, listen to a podcast on a topic you like or want to learn about it makes time go quickly.
Andrew Dorreen.
Andrew Dorreen
Andrew and his family enjoy keeping active, the busy real estate agent from Precision Real Estate, lives in Takapuna with his wife Sarah and two school aged children, Ruby and Jack. Andrew talks to Channel Mag about taking up wing foiling, his general approach to health and wellness and the importance of goal setting and taking time to enjoy life.
Channel Magazine: How’s 2022 going so far for you, have you had an enjoyable break and good start?
Andrew Dorreen: We had great break in Opito Bay in the Coromandel, staying with friends with plenty of fishing, beach time and just relaxing with the kids. We came back early January for work but enjoyed some down time in and around Takapuna which was great.
CM: Random question but are you team electric bike or oldfashioned pedal bike?
AD: Old fashioned pedal for me!
CM: What hobby keeps you busy and happy and why?
AD: I love playing tennis. It’s very social but can be competitive if you want it to be. After an hour, it’s a real work out. Wing foiling is great
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and now a passion of mine, there’s a great bunch of guys doing it of all ages and abilities. After a good session on the lake, it’s always followed by great topical discussion afterwards!
CM: My fitness and/or lifestyle goal for 2022 is to…
AD: Each quarter I do write goals down and love to tick them off. Lifestyle wise, I like to continue to coach my son’s rugby, water polo, sailing and in general making as much time for both children as practically possible with a highly time poor occupation! We are finally about to move into our new house in Takapuna after two years of construction so taking a moment and enjoying that is high on the list!
Toni Van Tonder
Toni is a Devonport resident and member of the DevonportTakapuna Local Board, she’s also a mum of three school aged children and wife to Pierre. Movement is an everyday part of her life; she loves how it makes her feel and says her grandmother has been a big influence on the way she views wellness. Toni talks to Channel Mag about the importance of starting simply with walking or pilates, keeping active even when lockdowns have cancelled a few regular classes like Yoga and also explains about taking up new activities like cross fit to keep her routine fresh and exciting.
Channel Magazine: How’s 2022 going so far for you, have you had an enjoyable break and good start?
Toni Van Tonder: We've had a fantastic break. I think we did a year's worth of adventuring in four weeks with hikes in Queenstown, surfing at Matauri Bay, swimming in Mount Maunganui and mountain biking in Rotorua. It was a fantastic time to switch off from all the noise and connect with my family. Even though we spent about six months stuck at home last year with one another, juggling work and school commitments meant we weren't always that relaxed. Am feeling revived now and our family time has been quality time.
CM: Have you made any life adjustments health wise with Covid19/Omicron and the pandemic?
TV: Not really. I've always been a pretty healthy and active person and I support my kids to engage in physical activity as much as possible. In lockdown, I missed my yoga but stayed active through running every second day. One thing my husband and I have taken up this year is Cross Fit at Sano Training on Barry's Point Road. The guys there run a slick operation and it's really fun. Weight training is a whole new thing for me. The palms of my hands are all calloused now, and we've been forced to remove our wedding rings as a result, so I'm not sure where it's going to take us!
CM: What does your weekly health and fitness regime look like?
TV: Monday night it's yoga, Tuesday morning up and down Takarunga three times and Tuesday night Sano Training, Wednesday it's a run, Thursday it's Takarunga again at 6am, Friday rest day, weekend one more run and a rest day. Probably looks a bit OTT but I'm a movement seeker and need to exercise daily to feel like I'm switched on and ready to go.
CM: What do you enjoy about keeping healthy and what parts do you find harder?
TV: I love fitness and feeling strong and well. My grandmother was an absolute role model. She lived in an apartment in downtown Mount Maunganui and every birthday she'd swim a length of the 20-metre pool for each year she had been alive. She was still doing this in her 80s. I'm definitely finding the weight training hard, but that's because it's new. I'll get there.
Toni Van Tonder.
CM: Do you have any tips for Channel readers when it comes to creating healthy habits?
TV: Just start. That's the only hard part. It'll take you about two weeks to realise you feel a million times better for doing some exercise. I started with lots of pilates, yoga, dog walking. These are nonconfrontational options for newbies and as you grow your fitness, you may find you can challenge yourself further.
CM: Random question but are you team electric bike or oldfashioned pedal bike?
TV: That's actually a great question! I have always been team electric bike because it's so fast and you don't break a sweat, can wear skirts and make up and not feel hot and bothered before work, but through lockdown I started cycling more and have found my cycle fitness and actually love being on a push bike. I haven't actually used my electric bike for six months, opting instead for the standard. I feel like I still need both though. We're a single car family and if I need to get somewhere quickly, the ebike is the answer.
CM: What hobby keeps you busy and happy and why?
TV: I do like listening to a podcast and walking our dog Scout on the beach.
CM: My fitness and/or lifestyle goal for 2022 is to…
TV: I don't have any fitness goals. Fitness is simply a part of my lifestyle. I don't aspire to be a champion or beat my time at anything, it's just the act of moving my body that makes me happy.
Martin Cooper
Martin Cooper is thoughtful and considered when it comes to his health and wellbeing. Mental wellness is just as important to him as his physical health and he does many different things in his daily life to create healthy habits. Martin’s the high profile Managing Director of Harcourts Cooper & Co, a leading Real Estate company on the Shore. Martin explains to Channel Mag about how he spent the summer, learning a new skill each year and prioritising wellness in his busy life.
Channel Magazine: How’s 2022 going so far for you, have you had an enjoyable break and good start to the year?
Martin Cooper: I had a great break full of connecting with family. We spent time in Queenstown where I grew up and we had four generations there from my grandson through to my parents so a nice summer really focused on friends and family. Work-wise, we’re in a changing market and it’s challenging because of the isolation created by not having our teams together as a result of Covid19. We had things like our Christmas and planning functions postponed. Real estate is such a people-business so we’re all missing the team and people I think.
CM: Have you made any life adjustments health wise with Covid19/Omicron and the pandemic?
MC: I am far more conscious of social distancing, I used to be a big hugger so I’m missing my hugs and I’m more aware of wearing masks, sanitising hands. I’m taking all the usual precautions and am fully vaxxed and boosted.
CM: What does your weekly health and fitness regime look like?
MC: I’m very strict on sleep, hydration and breathing and trying to be present. I mountain bike 4-5 times per week and that’s a great chance to catch up with thoughts and reflect on things, I also go to the Harcourts Cooper & Co run events like the Takapuna Beach Series, recently I did the Harcourts Cooper & Co Devonport Half Marathon. Well it was the five kilometre race but I did it!
CM: What’s important to you about keeping healthy?
MC: Mental fitness is important, filtering and concentrating on things I can control and not things beyond my control like economy, pandemic etc. To be the best I can be at managing those things I can control.
CM: Do you have any tips for Channel readers when it comes to creating healthy habits?
MC: My tip would be to have current and up-to-date written goals and aspirations. I recommend people manage their self-talk because people can be their own worst critic. I also take time to reflect on all the things I am grateful for often.
CM: Random question, but are you team electric bike or oldfashioned pedal bike?
MC: I have a place in Queenstown and in lock-up we have both pedal bike and e-bike and we also have the same set up in Auckland. I’m a Real Estate Agent so I have to be honest and the pedal bike is gathering more dust than the e-bikes!
CM: What hobby keeps you busy and happy and why?
MC: Well as I get older, each year I like to take on a new challenge so a few years back it was boating, now I have shares in a boat and can take it out. The latest challenge since Covid19 is wing foiling. So I have all the gear and been on Lake Pupuke, behind a jet ski on the foil board and now I’m figuring out how to do foiling and wing together so wish me luck!
CM: My fitness and/or lifestyle goal for 2022 is to…
MC: … Weigh in at 89 kilos!
By Shanan Halbert, Northcote MP. An economy that works for us
Shanan Halbert.
Overall our economy is in a good state as we start of the year and prepare for what might be some challenging months ahead.
However economic growth is not an end in itself. We’ve also had solid employment growth and 648 fewer people on main benefits on the North Shore at the end of the year, a 10% fall. Our challenge is to use our growing economy to ramp up practical assistance for businesses to grow and keep employing people, and deal with our community’s priorities.
We must continue to prioritise protecting our community from Covid, as well as help local businesses to survive the downturn. Working together we’ve have achieved near-universal vaccination coverage within the Waitematā DHB region. IRD’s Takapuna office has distributed more than $700 million in resurgence support to help businesses pay their basic costs. Wage subsidies have kept most workers attached to their jobs.
At the same time I believe it’s vital we’ve also kept our eye on making the right investments, building back better so our community can meet current and future challenges. That means investing in transport, better education, more warm and dry homes for local families, improvements at North Shore Hospital and real action to address the expected impacts of climate change.
The government has been working on all these challenges and there are signs of how this is benefitting us here on the North Shore. The Northern Busway extension to Albany is nearing completion; schools across my electorate are benefiting from capital investment to bring them up to modern standards; 1,700 homes are being built by Kainga Ora at Northcote; water infrastructure is being upgraded to future-proof the network and 120 new surgical beds and additional ICU capacity is being added at North Shore Hospital. In April the minimum wage increases to $21.20 an hour and benefits will also rise – money that will spent in our community.
In addition I’ve called for faster action on transport and to build the additional harbour crossing. So I was pleased to see that this is now included in integrated light rail network which will link to the cross-harbour tunnel on which consultation will start soon.
As a North Shore MP I’ve also heard from local businesses, especially from our hospitality sector, how difficult trading conditions have been, and I’ve been lobbying the Finance Minister for targeted support to see them through.
We also need better vocational training so local people are upskilled for local jobs, especially in sectors experiencing shortages like infrastructure, health and hospitality. The recently announced unemployment insurance scheme includes support to retrain when people lose their jobs because of redundancy or serious illness and we need that training over here on the Shore for them, and for young people getting skills for their first jobs.
I will continue to closely monitor our indicators of economic success. A good economy is one that serves all our community, both now in the face of a pandemic and in the future.
Email: Shanan.Halbert@parliament.govt.nz Call my office on 0800 222 007
facebook shananhalbertMP instagram @shanan_halbert
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KidzDoctor launches to help the health of our young ones
KidzDoctor is delighted to announce the launch of its online paediatric specialist clinic which aims to make specialist care more accessible to families on the North Shore and beyond. Channel's Liz Cannon chats to Dr Halima to find out more.
Channel Magazine: Congratulations on the exciting new launch of your online specialist clinic for children on the North Shore! Can you tell us the story behind your new service, KidzDoctor?
Dr Halima Maulidi: Thank you Liz, and yes of course! KidzDoctor is a new, fully online paediatric specialist service that I founded. Having worked in the public hospital system for over 22 years, I have gained considerable knowledge and valuable insight as an experienced paediatrician. It is important to me to have a platform to share my knowledge with the communities around me in the most accessible way possible.
Dr Halima Maulidi, CM: What triggered this new concept? Specialist Paediatrician.
Dr HM: While working in the public sector, I often met families who struggled to find or access private paediatricians causing them a lot of stress. Appointments were also challenging for some families who had to travel long distances, often having to bring other children along too. The issue resonated with me to such a degree that I started to make inquiries into opening a specialist clinic on the Shore. As you can imagine it was challenging to open a physical practice during lockdown, so the idea of a virtual clinic was born. There is significant potential in the field of telemedicine and I am extremely excited about this new venture.
CM: What is unique about KidzDoctor ?
Dr HM: The appointments offered are just like any other specialist appointment, except families will be interacting with me via phone or video from the comfort of their home, comfortably fitting the appointment into their busy lives. This allows families living in geographically distant areas to access specialist care. Although I recommend GP referrals, I accept self-referrals, further reducing barriers to getting specialist advice. KidzDoctor is committed to exploring and adopting technological and medical advances that will help drive further improvements to virtual health care delivery. KidzDoctor will support GPs with effortless access to specialist support with the potential to incorporate joint consultations.
CM: I'm interested to know more about the idea of 'telehealth'. Can you explain what it is and why it's becoming more popular?
Dr HM: The NZ Telehealth Forum defines telehealth as ‘health care delivered using digital technology where participants may be
separated by time and/or distance’. In more simple terms, I would define telehealth as healthcare conducted in a virtual space. Modern families are technologically driven and do not hesitate to incorporate innovation into their lives. Almost everyone has access to a smart phone, tablet or computer. The increased use of telemedicine during the various COVID-19 lockdowns showed us that alternative models of care can benefit patients and support health care providers in providing health care. This move to telehealth during lockdowns resulted in increased uptake and accelerated innovation in this field. After the first lockdown, a nationwide sample of GP practices identified several benefits of telehealth, with a high level of patient satisfaction and general acceptance that this will form part of the fabric of medical service provision in future. In published research, respondents mentioned the convenience of telehealth consultations in terms of saving time and money, reducing stress, travel and disruption to employment as being some of the key reasons for wanting to continue using telehealth in the future. Being online, families can access the service wherever they may be, including remote rural areas or overseas. Additionally, with concerns around the increase in the spread of COVID-19, virtual consultations will provide reassurance to those concerned about exposing themselves to potential infection.
Telehealth refers to health care which is delivered using digital technology where participants may be separated by time and/or distance.
CM: Can you tell us a little more about who you are and your background?
Dr HM: Sure! I was born in Zanzibar, an island in the Indian Ocean that is part of Tanzania. My maternal grandfather was a physician, and I would often sit at his consulting desk looking at medical textbooks as a child. This sparked an early passion and a thirst for medical knowledge and a desire to help people. Moving on a few years, I completed my primary medical degree in Tanzania, then undertook my postgraduate and specialist training in the UK and Canada. Eleven years ago, I moved to New Zealand to work at North Shore Hospital, and 'landed' in Milford, as I did not want a long commute to work. It was great to be able to walk or ride my bike to the hospital. My husband and I have remained in Milford ever since – we really do love it here! One of my favourite things is walking Milford Beach but coming from an island, I love anything to do with water including scuba diving, surfing and sailing.
CM: What other passions do you have that relate to your professional career?
Dr HM: That's easy – teaching, mentoring, and learning! I plan to incorporate teaching in my services portfolio by creating an educational YouTube channel where people can log in and post questions for potential topics. I am also looking forward to writing a monthly column for Channel magazine from April 2022. I am a bit of a nerd and love learning new things and taking on new challenges! As a paediatrician, I am deeply aware of and passionate about the impact of a child’s early life on their future health. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to use my expertise to support families during this significant period.
CM: What are the conditions that are suitable for telehealth?
Dr HM: By its nature, telehealth is suited to conditions where a full examination is not required. It is vital to stress that it is not suitable for emergency situations. There are several companies who are making advances in telemedicine options with remote monitoring, video and assessment which I hope to incorporate in future. In medicine, the most important part of making a diagnosis is the history. I will be using validated questionnaires for information gathering prior to the appointment, so time can be used more constructively during the appointment. This means that most of the common childhood conditions such as allergies, feeding issues, developmental concerns, behavioural issues including mild anxiety, sleep disturbances, continence issues, medication management, second opinions any many more are suited for telehealth. Having said that, there will be instances whereby I will have to use my professional opinion as to the suitability of a telehealth consultation to ensure that the best and most appropriate care is provided to your child. If I believe a different practitioner may be best suited for your child, I will be delighted to recommend an appropriate alternative provider.
CM: What services does KidzDoctor offer?
Dr HM: KidzDoctor serves children aged between 0-15 years.
CM: How accessible will KidzDoctor be?
Dr HM: KidzDoctor will be active Monday to Friday during office hours between 9am to 5pm. Special appointments can be arranged on Saturday mornings to accommodate working families and to minimise children’s time off school. I welcome any questions people may have. Queries can be sent via the form on my website or via phone. If you would like to book a consultation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I am truly honoured to be contributing to improving the health of children on the North Shore and beyond.
KidzDoctor is excited to be part of the telemedicine field and is committed to expanding the level of health care service options available to families on the North Shore and beyond. KidzDoctor will go live in March 2022.
Channel thanks you and wishes you every success, Dr Halima!
A Journey to skin health with the experts
When it comes to the health of your skin, don’t trust just anyone. With over 25 years’ experience, Skin Institute’s multidisciplinary clinics offer the highest level of expertise in skin health, veins and appearance medicine.
From your annual skin cancer consultation, assessing those tired achy legs which could be the result of varicose veins, or helping you to maintain healthy, beautiful skin no matter your age or lifestyle, they offer a range of treatments using the very latest technology.
Getting your skin checked is one of the most important appointments you may ever make. Moles and spots can change over time and it’s very difficult to distinguish the worrisome ones yourself; which is why each year a full body skin cancer consultation with one of the Skin Institute's experts can offer you peace of mind, or ensure that if cancer is detected it can be treated early – because early detection saves lives.
Skin cancer affects all ages, with over 80,000 people diagnosed each year in New Zealand. It’s a concerning statistic, but it is preventable with just a few key steps you should never skip over: stay in the shade as much as possible; wear long sleeves/trousers/skirt; pop on sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat; and include a high-quality SPF50+ sunscreen as part of your daily routine. If you don’t have a skin care routine – make applying sunscreen it!
However, if you do notice one or two moles or lesions on your skin that have you concerned, you can book a free spot check at Skin Institute; and if a biopsy is required, you can opt to have your results analysed and made available much quicker (in approximately three days) than through the public system (takes up to four weeks) for an additional fee at their private laboratory, SkyLab.
Did you know that varicose vein disease can start a long time before the veins become enlarged and twisted? The symptoms and related issues of varicose vein disease are varied and more common than most people realise. Because they are so varied and develop so slowly, these early symptoms can make varicose vein disease hard to diagnose, and therefore many people remain in the dark about the ongoing effects. The dedicated Veins team at Skin Institute can help you understand more about the symptoms and effects of varicose veins, and also offer free veins assessments which will help to determine if treatment is required. And the sooner the better, as varicose vein disease can be one of those “silent” health issues that sneak up unnoticed at the start as people rarely associate their symptoms with vein disease.
We all know that looking great makes you feel great and gives you an overall glow of confidence. So, if you’re concerned about those fine lines and wrinkles or want to volumise and define your facial features, you can book a consultation and the team will work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan that will help to achieve the best version of you. Offering a wide range of treatments from anti-wrinkle injections, dermal filler, and laser hair removal, to microdermabrasion, peels and skin needling with Dermapen4, the very latest in dermal needling technology to addresses a myriad of skin issues ranging from fine lines and wrinkles, to hyperpigmentation, scarring, enlarged pores and acne. Whatever your skin concern, Skin Institute can help.
Project Employ co-founders Sarah Dann-Hoare (second from left) and Diane Eaglesome with board members Terence Harpur (left) and Andrew Hill. Michele Brooke, Head of Takapuna Grammar School’s Learning Support (right), with student Amber Stevenson and former student Billy Lupton.
Introducing… Project Employ
Helping young people with disabilities gain meaningful employment
Leaving school and finding a job can be a challenge, but for young people with disabilities it can feel impossible.
Project Employ is a new charity based on Auckland’s North Shore, that helps young people with intellectual disabilities learn the skills they need to gain meaningful employment in the community. This group of deserving young people may have missed out on the opportunity to have a part-time job while at school but have the desire and ability to work – they just need a foot in the door.
“We know there is a real issue in our communities - a gap between school and joining the workforce, for young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and learning differences,” says cofounder of Project Employ and North Shore local, Sarah Dann-Hoare.
Project Employ Ltd. was founded when Sarah and co-founder Diane Eaglesome met for dinner in 2021 and talked about their shared vision to support young people with disabilities as they transition into the workforce. They realised that, together, they could make a real difference and would love to do that right here on the North Shore.
Drawing on their combined experience in disability support, community engagement, teaching and youth services, Sarah and Diane have set their sights on opening a café on the Shore where young Kiwis with intellectual disabilities can become work ready.
The charity is fortunate to have a strong board, advisors, ambassadors and supporters, all with a strong belief in Project Employ’s vision,
Terence Harpur, CEO of Takapuna Beach Business Association is proud to be a Project Employ Board Member and is encouraging everyone to get involved.
“All young people deserve the chance to carve their own path in life and gain meaningful employment, and it's up to us as a community to give those with disabilities the extra help needed to get there,” Harpur says.
Project Employ Training Café
The first Project Employ Training Café is set to open in 2022 on Auckland’s North Shore, where those with intellectual or learning differences can gain transferable work skills in an authentic, communitybased setting. Project Employ will provide a programme of skills and work experience in the café setting, so trainees become work ready in around six months.
Successful training cafés have become well-known internationally, setting up in libraries, art galleries, hospitals and town centres. In the UK alone, training providers are reporting that over 90% of those who have gained employment after the programme remain in their jobs for more than a year.
Takapuna Grammar School student, Amber Stevenson, is thrilled the Project Employ training café is on the North Shore’s horizon.
“I am excited because there will be a job coach to help me at the Project Employ Training Café. They will show me around and teach me how to be a professional in a café. I can practise the jobs,” says Amber, 17.
Through the Training Café, young people with disabilities will be equipped with the skills and experience they need to bring them to an equitable level with their neurotypical peers.
Head of Takapuna Grammar School’s Learning Support, Michele Brooke says students with disabilities or special learning needs struggle to bridge the gap between school and employment, and continually find that when they leave school, the world of work is often out of reach.
“The prospect of being able to offer some of my school leavers the chance to be part of Project Employ’s training programme is exciting. It is an opportunity sorely needed in what is currently an inadequately serviced sector,” says Brooke.
For 22-year-old Billy Lupton, a former TGS student, the Training Cafe can't come soon enough. "A job working with many different people would be awesome. I am good at being welcoming and friendly but I need to get better at time management, so I'm looking forward to learning some new skills with Project Employ so I can be successful with a job"
Support local
As a new charity, Project Employ needs community support to open its first Training Café. The charity is seeking generous New Zealanders to help bring this very special and important project to life, and be part of the founding structure of the Training Café.
“The community has the opportunity to join this initiative and be a part of creating change for young people who deserve the opportunity to thrive,” says co-founder Diane Eaglesome, who is also a North Shore local.
To find out how you can support Project Employ to get the North Shore’s first Training Café for school leavers and young adults up and running, visit www.projectemploy.nz/
By Claire Bellingham, Personal Trainer and Nutritionist Take time to put you first
Claire Bellingham
One of the greatest predictors of aging well is physical health, and one of the greatest predictors of physical health is staying fit. You can’t choose not to age but you can choose to age actively.
A commitment to active aging doesn’t mean an extreme regime of calorie slashing and body smashing. It means finding time in your schedule to accommodate healthy choices – a manageable mix of strength, cardiovascular and flexibility exercise partnered with a nutrient-rich diet. When you’re younger your fitness is often about vanity and performance, driven by aesthetics and ego. Active aging is less about how your body looks and more about how it functions.
There are many crossroads where people choose to take the path of active aging. Often people join the gym around age 40 when they become frustrated with their growing collection of niggles and ailments. Strength and endurance naturally decline, not improve, particularly if you have a sedentary job. People are often moved to change because they want to be able to take part in normal daily activities such as playing with kids.
If failing functionality doesn’t motivate a person to exercise, often the threat of immobility does. Bones and muscles lose condition as you age, making you vulnerable to sprains, breaks and degenerative conditions. Injuries and immobility are often the motivator for action. Arriving at the gym accompanied by your physio isn’t the optimal entrance but at least it can get you in the door.
People often join the gym because their doctor has warned them about impending catastrophe such as a heart attack or Type 2 diabetes. Many people have started taking their health more seriously due to the pandemic – this is not a great time to be needing hospital treatment. It’s up to you when you make the commitment to active aging. Some people act at the point of minor weight gain, others wait until they have a serious medical condition. Medical science has evolved to the point where we can live much longer than previous generations. But pills and procedures are better at improving the length of your life than the quality of it.
The reason most people give for not exercising regularly is their family and work commitments; it’s difficult to find time in your schedule when people rely on you. However, these are the very people you’d be letting down if you didn’t have your health. Taking the time to exercise on your own terms reduces the risk that you’ll be out of control of your circumstances later.
Once you’ve made the commitment to regular exercise you can enjoy a variety of benefits beyond being able to participate in your own life. Appropriate physical activity can help with sleep, stress management, appetite, cognitive function and emotional resilience. It’s no coincidence that older people who maintain physical fitness tend to be more positive and connected within their communities.
Aging affects everyone differently but it seems to be a lot kinder to those who keep their health and independence. You may not feel young but today you are the youngest you’ll ever be. Physical fitness gives you the best possible chance of vitality, independence and great quality of life.
Les Mills Takapuna, Rooftop Level, Shore City, Takapuna 0800 LES MILLS lesmills.co.nz clairebellingham.co.nz claire@clairebellingham.co.nz
By Sarah Thorne, Takapuna North Trust Manager Grow your own food and save money
Sarah Thorne
From mid-March, we will be offering two lots of free courses via Zoom.
One is for those with a backyard and one is for apartment dwellers. Over three fortnightly sessions, you will learn how to easily set up a vegetable garden, germinate seeds and how to look after your garden for the best results. You’ll receive a list of where to buy the best supplies within a budget and there’ll be an opportunity to ask questions as you go. We will also be launching a page on our website that will have links, tips and recipes for making the most of the food you buy by avoiding waste and saving you money. To register for these workshops and find out more, please head to www.takapunanorthcommunitytrust.org.nz
Summer Fun Preschool Play: Our Summer Fun preschool play continued in our local reserves during February. We have procedures in place to protect you and our staff, and we will continue to operate sessions while the risk is low. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page and website calendar for updates. Summer Fun Preschool Play is outdoors at our local parks and reserves on the North Shore and its free! It’s a fantastic way to meet others and for the little ones to explore and be active. Please note that under government requirements, all applicable attendees of preschool play must be fully vaccinated. We request that you sanitise and mask up. Follow our Facebook page or visit our website to find out about some great ideas for physically distanced entertainment and great parks and walks in our area. Facebook/summerfunplay/ Facebook/takapunanorthvillage
Pupuke Birdsong Project: Would you like to join us in getting rid of the rats and possums visiting your backyard? Set a trap in your own backyard to support local birds, and be part of the Predator Free NZ campaign! Predator Free 2050 is a government initiative announced in 2015, with an aim to eradicate possums, stoats and rats in New Zealand by 2050. In support of this initiative, Pupuke Birdsong Project has launched an ecological halo programme that focuses on removing introduced predators and pest plants in buffer zones surrounding important ecosystems. Pupuke Birdsong Project is based in the Takapuna North area (from Hauraki corner to Sunnynook), which is largely urbanised with small remnant native ecosystem pockets that are important habitats of our native wildlife and need our help to protect. Your help in ensuring our local birds have the best chance is essential. Contact us to borrow a free trap and get advice on predator trapping. If you are keen to find out more about how you can get involved in restoration and pest eradication projects in our local area, head to: www.pupukebirdsong.org.nz or join our Facebook page: Facebook/pupukebirdsongproject
Where can you find out more about what’s happening? Visit www.takapunatrust.org.nz Facebook/Instagram @takapunanorthtrust Phone Sarah Thorne (Takapuna North Community Trust Manager) on 029 201 2975 or email: office@takapunatrust.org.nz
Supported by:
What does it mean to ‘Incourage’?
Immerse Foster Care Agency’s exciting innovation uses the power of attachment to break cycles of adversity.
Ursula and George Elisara had fostered more than forty children before they co-founded the Albany-based Foster Care Agency.
Their own fostering journey began in 2003. “We got a phone call to take in extended whānau’s children,” says Ursula. “I was pregnant with our third child at the time, but we immediately said yes, absolutely. Bring them over.”
That first placement led to many more. They loved the challenge but found the training and support did not equip them to handle the complex behaviours they often encountered.
Driven by curiosity, Ursula began attending professional development opportunities to learn about the impact of early trauma on children’s development, and their subsequent behaviours. Roughly ten years into this journey they began thinking seriously about the need for foster parents to have better training and insights into trauma.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) became the evidence-based framework they adopted for working with children who come from hard places. “That answered a lot of questions and confirmed my personal belief that there’s always hope. It was once thought that a child’s personality and behaviours are set very early and couldn’t be changed after a certain age. But that’s not the case.”
In 2018, Immerse launched as a government-accredited foster care agency. Dedicated to improving foster placements, they offered a wraparound approach to help meet the needs of children, whānau and foster parents.
Utilising TBRI®, caregivers learn the tools to offer safe, stable, and healing homes. Before George became a TBRI® Practitioner, he thought he was a good father and foster dad. “It wasn’t until I started applying a trauma-responsive approach, that I fully grasped the magnitude of what happens in the brain and body of children when they experience trauma. This knowledge transformed my parenting and caregiving.”
Immerse’s initiative ‘Incourage’ is a wraparound approach for vulnerable mums and babies to live in-house with foster parents who nurture, guide, and support mums so they can, in turn, care for their own children. It’s one step closer to fulfilling the Elisara’s dream – “… to help create a transformed and transformational culture of care across Aotearoa”. Right now they’re looking for special couples willing to help in this cause.
Ursula and George know it works; they have personally provided this in their own home over the years. “It’s using the power of attachment to break cycles”, says Ursula. “There is nothing quite like the joy of being a part of helping a mother take her place in the world and successfully parent her young.”
Can you nurture her, so she can nurture her own? If you are interested in applying, email info@immerse.org.nz Or visit www.immerse.org.nz
Become Foster Parents
Mum & Baby Placements
Providing a safe haven
for mums & babies to grow & flourish
A ground-breaking initiative of Immerse is expanding.
This is a live-in role
Perfect for a caring couple You will be supported by the Immerse therapeutic team
INCOURAGE
immerse.org.nz 0508 FOSTER Find out more
This includes
comprehensive training, social work & psychologist support
Can You Nurture Her So She Can Nurture Her Own ?
Richard Cripps, Jane Fergusson, Michelle Gillbanks, Sue Gillbanks, Marianne Gailer.
The Dream Team
No other kitchen company can hold a candle to the team at Kitchens By Design regarding awards won, longevity in the business, and sheer value for money.
We all love our kitchens, and so we should. Your kitchen is the single-most-important room in the home – bar none. Not only does it help to feed us daily, but it also acts as the social centre for the family and the focal point of activity when entertaining. It really deserves its title as the ‘hub of the home’.
It’s no surprise then that when it comes to investing in a new one, we spend a crazy amount of time researching on our devices, long evenings sitting on the sofa buried in brochures and magazines, and countless lost weekends driving to every conceivable shop and showrooms, poring over everything from taps to tiles, and sinks to splashbacks. Much of this time and effort could be saved by engaging the services of a qualified kitchen designer.
During its 30-plus years in the business, Takapuna-based Kitchens By Design has designed and delivered over 10,000 kitchens and won more than 70 nationally recognised awards. Owner Richard Cripps, a cabinetmaker by trade and a well-respected member of the design fraternity, says that everything is just a collection of stuff without good design. And he's right. "Your new kitchen is going to outlive any trends that are currently floating around, so you need to think carefully about that. Don't get too caught up in what’s happening right now," he says. "Focus on the design. Design is your single most important consideration. Get the design right, and everything else will usually fall into place."
Richard is incredibly proud of his team and is keen to point out that all four of his designers are Qualified Designers of the NKBA - Designers of the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association. This is the highest qualification in the country, and they all regularly attend industry events to keep up to date with the latest in materials, appliances, style and ideas.
Kitchens By Design offers a comprehensive, concept-tocompletion process that ensures every client is involved and informed at every stage of the design-and-build process. Importantly, especially during these times of supply chain issues and skills shortages, the company has a well-established group of preferred trades and craftspeople, which guarantees timelines and quality. "We value every one of the hundreds of the satisfied clients that have come through our doors over the past 30 years," says Richard. “And the fact that many of those clients are now coming back into our showrooms and asking us to help design their next kitchens is testament to the quality of our designers and services we offer at Kitchens By Design.”
