49 minute read
AGE School
Developing academics and the arts
At AGE, once students have a strong sense of wellbeing, they are able to develop their foundation skills across the curriculum. Like other schools, we focus on building foundation competencies in literacy and numeracy but, just as important for us at AGE, are developing creative skills in the Arts.
The Journey of an AGE Learner
AT AGE, LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS TAKES MANY FORMS:
Play-based Learning
At AGE our learners develop their understanding of the foundation skills of Maths and Literacy each day through small group explicit sessions and play-based learning. In maths, explicit sessions are supported by the PR1ME Maths curriculum and our learners develop their literacy skills through Structured Literacy. Learners then take these foundation skills and apply them in their projects, play, and inquiry. It is during these sessions that our learners start to explore other interconnected subjects, often through creative expression.
Visual Arts
Developing art skills is about telling a story, honoring a craft, and learning techniques – but then making them our own. To connect, to share, to immerse… Art is a very powerful communication tool that enables us to share our cultural, social, emotional, and intellectual views with others. Our AGE learners grow to see themselves as artists, creators, and innovators.
During the primary years, we learn a broad range of painting, printmaking, digital media and sculptural foundation skills within the context of inquiry and passion-based learning. Explicit links are also made to both NZ and internationally renowned artist models and art movements.
Our more senior artists are supported to develop skills in critical art analysis and learn to see themselves as intentional artists – sharing their visions and stories in a personal, purposeful and impactful way. We learn that the ‘back story’ and the process of creating and reflecting is just as important as the finished product.
Digital Arts
Digital Art is another way for students to express themselves and showcase their creativity. School devices provide the platform to teach learners and to give opportunities to explore; even the most hesitant art student will find success as they use the various tools that aid and guide them through the process, while the undo button allows the learner to easily make and learn from mistakes. From novice to expert, digital art is an exciting and important addition to arts education.
Robotics
Our Junior High classes have enjoyed diving into robotics this term and using their creativity to learn about building robots and coding. Coding club is also a hit each Wednesday lunchtime engaging our learners.
AGE Outdoors – Getting creative in our natural environment
At AGE Outdoors, our outdoor programme based on our 80-acre farm in Warkworth, our learners get the opportunity to take part in creative arts within nature. This takes many forms that include whittling, painting with natural dyes, and weaving.
Arts Week
This term AGE embarked on a journey with the team from Dance Curriculum and the NZ Stage and Screen Combat School (NZSSCS) to learn some new creative skills for AGE Arts Week.
Thanks to NZSSCS, our children learned what it takes to put together a combat scene fit for the big screen, using professional stage fighting techniques! In dance, learners across the school worked hard over the week putting together individual and group dances that culminated in a dance showcase. We welcomed our AGE Whanau community into school to celebrate the children’s efforts.
At AGE, we believe that all of our learners are creators who have something important to share with the world, and art is a way to communicate this.
If you would like to find out more about AGE School, please contact
Lexus of North Shore Lunches stronger than ever
The North Harbour Club’s quarterly Lexus of North Shore Charity Luncheons are back stronger than ever with Covid-19 restrictions firmly behind us. These lunches have been inspiring members and their guests alike since the club was founded back in 1995.
The club’s most recent lunch, featuring Nick Mowbray of Zuru Toys, drew a crowd of over 400 people to the North Harbour Stadium – one of the venues used frequently by the club for these events.
Lexus of North Shore Charity Lunch attendees enjoy a delicious three-course long luncheon, networking opportunities, coupled with the presentation by the high calibre guest speakers. The events are a who’s who of the North Shore and North Harbour area. Importantly the Lexus of North Shore Charity Luncheons raise awareness and money for aspirational young rangatahi that are seeking excellence in their relevant fields be it Arts, Innovation, Music, Education, Sport and Service to the Community – the categories that make up the North Harbour Club’s annual AIMES Awards.
The North Harbour Club Charitable Trust has made over $3 million worth of AIMES Awards grants to young people achieving excellence since its inception. By attending club events, such as these lunches, you are contributing to these efforts by entering prize draws and buying superb auction items like an exclusive dinner cooked by celebrity chefs in your own home!
The next Lexus of North Shore Charity Lunch is being held on Wednesday August 24th, with the guest speaker being Dr Mark Sagar of Soul Machines. MC will be Toni Street.
About Dr Mark Sagar
Dr Mark Sagar is a double Academy Award winner for his role in facial rendering and motion capture data of movies like Avatar and King Kong. He was named New Zealand’s 2022 Innovator of the Year for his pioneering work in Artificial Intelligence. Dr Sagar is the Co-Founder and CEO of Soul Machines and Director of the Laboratory for Animate Technologies at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. Mark and his team are bringing technology to life, pioneering the creation of autonomously animated virtual humans with virtual brains and nervous systems. These systems are capable of highly expressive face-to-face interaction and real-time learning and emotional response, to create the next generation of human interaction with artificial intelligence. Soul Machines believe that in a more Digital World – Digital People can help you in millions of ways.
Dr Mark Sagar has a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Auckland, and was a post-doctoral fellow at M.I.T. He previously worked as the Special Projects Supervisor at Weta Digital and Sony Pictures Imageworks. He developed technology for the digital characters in blockbusters such as Avatar, King Kong, and Spiderman 2. His pioneering work in computer-generated faces was recognized with two consecutive Scientific and Engineering Oscars in 2010 and 2011. In 2019 Mark was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Dr Mark Sagar.
This will be a fantastic lunch! Tickets are $150 plus GST per person, or book a table of 10 for $1500 plus GST. Our luncheons are a sell-out so book early to avoid disappointment by emailing: events@northharbourclub.co.nz. For more details visit www.northharbourclub.co.nz
North Harbour Cub Innovation Summit
Thursday August 4th, 5pm-6.00pm – The B:HIVE, Smales Farm
Join us for a glance into how businesses are shaping the future at our North Harbour Club Leaders Innovation Summit. This FREE chat show-style Q&A session could be your ticket to the inside scoop on how to navigate and refine your business through security, data, and automation. Led by an Industry Expert panel including Sir Peter Maire, Steven Newman, John Scott, and this year’s AIMES Innovation Award winner Murdoch Thomson, and hosted by AIMES Alumni Courtney Davies.
The event will interest business leaders, or emerging leaders wanting to present ideas to add value to their business. It’s also a great event to network with the local business community and further your career. We encourage you to bring or send along young leaders in your business. This is a great opportunity for mentorship with some of the North Harbour and North Shore’s leading Innovators.
Once the Q&A session has wrapped, we will head over to the Fantail & Turtle for informal drinks and networking.
This is a FREE event from the North Harbour Club. Reserve your attendance by July 29th, including any guests you are hosting by emailing: events@northharbourclub.co.nz.
Accountancy with Mike Atkinson of Bellingham Wallace.
Research and Development Tax Incentive
Mike Atkinson.
Budget 2022 saw funding dedicated to the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI). With Callaghan Innovation Limited and the Inland Revenue Department working together to evaluate entitlement upon review, the RDTI operates as a tax credit to incentivise businesses and individuals who perform R&D activities that are carried out in New Zealand.
The most common inquiry concerning the RDTI involves interpreting what satisfies the necessary scope of an eligible core R&D activity. It is also important to note that any application can include more than one core R&D activity. The RDTI provides relief for those businesses or individuals who seek to resolve scientific and technological uncertainty while employing methodologies that follow a systematic approach.
For instance, when seeking to resolve scientific and technological uncertainty, there is an expectation that the competent industry professional operating within the same field of research believes there exists uncertainty of finding a resolution to any specific hypothesis.
There is also a need to explain why a business or the individual undertaking this eligible core R&D activity exists. The intent must be to create new knowledge and new and improved processes, services or goods. In extension to eligible core R&D activities, some activities that may not meet the necessary criteria of a core activity could satisfy the threshold for what constitutes a supporting activity. Supporting activities include those activities proven to support and deemed integral to the core R&D activity.
In relation to eligibility and beyond the scope of the uncertainty and systematic approach criteria, the applicant must incur a minimum cost of $50,000 during the calendar year. The applicant can claim back 15% to offset any pending tax obligation or to 'cash out' these tax credits if operating in a taxable loss position.
Interested parties often inquire about the excess use of tax credits when already applied to offset a current tax obligation and what is required for the business or individual to 'cash out' these RDTI tax credits.
The RDTI tax credits similarly operate to excess tax losses carried forward from one financial year to the next. If excess tax credits exist, these are carried forward and used to offset any future tax obligation.
When referring to the 'cashing out' of losses, this option only applies to businesses or individuals operating with a taxable loss for the year of the claim and who satisfy the broader refundability rules, for example start-ups. Regarding the broader refundability rules, a limit exists to the extent of the RDTI tax credits refundable to the amount paid in employment related taxes.
In so far as compliance and lodgment of a RDTI claim, there is a requirement to submit a general approval, following the first income year to which the application relates. A supplementary return is also required, along with lodging the business (or individual) tax return.
At Bellingham Wallace, we have assisted our clients successfully navigate what can often be a complex and niche area of practice. Given our experience, we understand what makes for a successful claim. Our team, led by Serjit Singh, are always ready to have a chat to establish if this incentive is right for your business activity.
Serjit can be reached on serjits@bellinghamwallace.co.nz.
Visit: www.bellinghamwallace.co.nz
Recently graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Laws and Arts. Anna has just completed her Professional Legal Studies and is set to be admitted to the bar in July this year. Family violence and employment rights
Anna Graham.
Family violence can impact many different areas of life, including employment. It is therefore important that we are aware of the rights and responsibilities in regard to family violence in the context of employment.
Family violence can be physical, sexual or psychological and encapsulates all violence in family and intimate relationships. Family violence is an extremely prevalent issue in New Zealand with research suggesting one in three women have been a victim of family violence in their lifetime.
The Domestic Violence – Victims’ Protection Act, which came into force on 1 April 2019, offers more legal protections at work for people affected by family violence. The Act also works to create awareness of family violence as both a personal and a workplace issue.
In general, employees who have been employed in their job for at least six months have the right to take up to 10 days paid leave for family violence reasons in one year. During those six months the employee must have worked either one hour each week or 40 hours each month. This leave can also be taken to support a child who is a victim of family violence, so long the child lives with you some of the time. This leave can help to alleviate some of the stress associated with family violence. Victims may use this time to reach out for help, move houses, support their children and take any other actions necessary.
Victims of family violence may also ask their employer for shortterm flexible work arrangements. For example, you may ask to work different hours or from a different location. These options can last up to two months and may only be refused if the employer cannot reasonably accommodate these changes. Employees must make these requests in writing and their employer must respond as soon as possible, at the latest within 10 working days.
Employees must give their employers notice as soon as possible if needing to take family violence leave. Somewhat controversially, employers can ask for proof that the employee is affected by family violence, unless the employee has a ‘reasonable excuse’. Employers can accept any type of proof that an employee is being impacted by family violence. For example, a report from a doctor or nurse, a letter from a support person, any police documents about the family violence etc.
Importantly, employers must not treat their employees negatively because they may be affected by family violence. This adverse treatment is unlawful under the Employment Relations Act and the Human Rights Act.
Having these kinds of safeguards in place ensures victims feel supported and are better equipped to leave abusive situations. They also work to establish healthier, more equal and supportive workplaces where employees are able to thrive.
If you need advice about anything in relation to family violence, be it employment rights, separation, property disputes etc., please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. We are available to support you through this difficult time.
Schnauer & Co, 1 Shea Terrace, Takapuna 09 486 0177, www.schnauer.com
Tracking education
In these pandemic times, we are questioning things much more than we ever used to before. This questioning is especially true for education and, in particular, schools.
Schools have always used data to track students' educational improvement. The problem is how to use this data and what does it tell us? For example, many people fixate on the headline figures of NCEA attainment. Schools are then judged by the percentage of students achieving at the various levels and how many students performed academically with excellence. The problem is that there are many other measures and ways to show the value added to a student's journey through school.
If we think about change and improvement in our education system, it would seem an ideal time to consider what types of data we should be looking at to assess student progress. At Kristin, we have always believed in and promoted a comprehensive, holistic education to get the best from students and prepare them for the world they will face after school. This belief means taking an approach that recognises a broader curriculum as essential to development. Academic excellence and achievement are only one part of a student's school experience. In addition, being involved in cultural activities, the arts, sport and recreation, service and leadership are all hugely important to the development of the all-around student.
At Kristin, we have devised a range of innovative ways of placing wider achievement at the heart of our curriculum. An example is our Dove Award, a three-tier programme that encourages students to be involved in the full range of activities offered inside and outside the academic programme. Students work towards the gold award, which requires them to participate in music, art, drama, dance, sport, community service, outdoor education, leadership and much more. Furthermore, in Year 10, all students participate in the Community Project. The project is a year-long process completed individually or in small groups that sees students taking action to make a positive change in their local community. They have a staff advisor who tracks their progress, and they also need to maintain a process journal, take action and then present their reflections on the impact their project has had on themselves and their target group. The community project teaches many different skills and neatly links with our Altruistic Leadership Programme. This programme sees over 20 leadership teams working with various organisations such as Ronald MacDonald House, The Salvation Army, Starship Hospital, Lady Allum House, and Mercy Hospice. As a result, our students learn that leadership is all about service and giving your time to others; it's not about position, title, or wearing a badge.
These types of opportunities heighten the school experience and allow those students whose strengths do not lie solely in the classroom the opportunity to excel. We know and are constantly reminded that the skills required for success in the 21st century are those of critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. Alongside these, our students need to learn relationship-building, strengths awareness, and selfefficacy. I would argue that these skills are best understood in the broader curriculum. At Kristin, we have shown that the opportunities mentioned above and others like community service and the Duke of Edinburgh Award can be essential for a holistic 21st century educational programme.
However, to return to my starting point, a similar vision from those responsible for education at the higher level is required to acknowledge the importance and value-added of the broader curriculum and ensure parity of esteem with academic achievement.
Dave Scott.
Tammy McLeod (BA LLB) is the managing director at Davenports Law and a trust and asset structuring specialist. Tammy leads the Davenports Trust Team and enjoys providing clients with advice and assistance on a broad range of issues involving the structuring and establishment of asset plans, interpretation of trust deeds, the management and administration of trust funds and trust disputes. An important part of Tammy’s practice is reviewing existing asset holding structures to ensure they achieve the needs and requirements they were established to meet. She is also experienced in Property (Relationships) Act issues and advises clients on both contracting out agreements and separation.
Protection and peace of mind
Tammy McLeod.
Paul and Beth had been married for 35 years. They worked hard all their lives and with their first grandchild on the way, were very much looking forward to retirement. The nest egg they had grown was recently added to when Paul’s mother died. The basic three-bedroom home that she had lived in since Paul was a child was now in a sought-after area. When it sold, Paul and his brother received nearly one million dollars each. With the current turmoil in the financial and property markets, Paul and Beth weren’t sure how to invest, so their money sat in a joint bank account.
Paul and Beth were looking to downsize. There were a lot of new townhouses being built and they liked the idea of having a “lock and leave”, low maintenance property for their retirement. So they put the family home on the market and signed off on the plans contract for a new build in a neighborhood close to their kids. The difference in the sale price of their home and the purchase of their new property got added to the joint account.
Sadly, only a couple of months after moving into their new home, Paul had a massive heart attack and passed away. Beth was devastated, as were their children. Beth joined an online grief forum and spent most of her days talking to people online.
As we’re always telling our young people - you have to be very careful who you chat with online. But it’s a message we all need to hear - especially when vulnerable.
Unfortunately, Beth became friendly with a woman in the grief forum who was there with ulterior motives. It started small: first she asked Beth for a nominal loan, which Beth gladly gave her. A few months later, another request came, this time for a larger amount. The original loan had not been repaid, but Beth liked her new friend and felt she had plenty. And on it went until Beth had lent this woman the best part of $750,000.
Beth’s children had no idea what was happening until one day her daughter was visiting and noticed a bank statement sitting on the kitchen bench. Not usually nosy, she glanced at the statement and saw several large withdrawals and a bank balance significantly less than what she thought her parents should have. She questioned her mother who became very defensive, but eventually confessed about her “friend” in the online chat.
Beth’s daughter swung into action, and the police were called. Some of the money was recovered ultimately, but the whole episode was hugely traumatic for Beth and her family. Beth was so rattled that she never really regained her confidence.
Could this have been prevented? The answer is yes.
On the face of it, there was never any real reason for Paul and Beth to establish a trust, but trusts do help protect vulnerable people. In this case, if the funds had been in a trust rather than a bank account, Beth would not have been able to make the payments that she did. The trust would have added a layer of protection.
Under the present law, if Beth had changed her will to leave her online “friend” all her assets, thereby disinheriting her children, her children would be able to make a claim under the Family Protection Act. However, there are current recommendations before parliament for changes to inheritance laws. If enacted, these new laws will take away the rights of children over the age of 25 to have a claim against their parents’ estate. As having a trust in place would protect families from this potential disaster, we believe it may result in a resurgence of trusts to protect family assets.
Your assets are worth protecting; consult a trust specialist for peace of mind.
Tammy McLeod, Managing Director, Davenports Law
09 883 3282 DAVENPORTSLAW.CO.NZ
JULY PEST PLANT OF THE MONTH: Agapanthus
Pest plants, such as agapanthus, are invading Auckland’s North Shore – your gardens and your nearby bush reserves. Controlling them when they are small is easy and cheap. If they are left to grow, they can spread across your property onto your neighbours’ gardens and to nearby reserves.
Auckland Council has recently introduced new rules that require people in some areas to remove some pest plants from their property, in order to protect our native biodiversity.
The purple or white flowers of agapanthus are visible from December to February and can be very beautiful to look at. However, they produce thin, papery, black seeds that spread in the wind and grow to form dense umbrella-like clusters with dark green leathery leaves, displacing other plants. They are particularly a problem in coastal areas, such as cliffs and banks, where they prevent native species from growing. The plant has white root rhizomes and can also spread from fragments of the root rhizome in contaminated soil.
Take action as soon as possible:
• Dig out small infestations, trying to remove most parts of the root rhizomes – agapanthus can regrow from rhizomes that are left in the ground. • For medium to large infestations, use a pruning saw, spade or another hand tool to cut the stem close to the ground. Quickly apply a thin film of MetGel or Bamboo Buster onto the cut stump or rhizomes. Alternatively, spray the freshly cut base with 250ml glyphosate green per 1L of water. • Follow up in three months to reapply herbicide and ensure all regrowth has died. • Dispose of the flowers and any rhizomes and roots in your rubbish bin to go to landfill, securely tied inside a plastic bag - to stop it spreading to other areas. • Stop pest plants invading again by replanting with non-pest plants (preferably native plants) once regrowth is no longer a problem. • Talk to your neighbours and encourage them to take action too!
There are several environmental networks across Auckland’s North Shore that support communities to recognise, report and remove pest plants and restore our native wildlife.
East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast, Restore Hibiscus & Bays info@restorehb.org.nz, restorehb.org.nz/resources-pest-plants/ Facebook.com/RestoreHB
Kaipātiki, Pest Free Kaipātiki (PFK), enquiries@pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz https://www.pfk.org.nz/pest-plant-resources Facebook.com/pestfreekaipatiki/
Takapuna, Pupuke Birdsong Project, enviro@takapunatrust.org.nz Facebook.com/pupukebirdsongproject
Devonport Peninsula, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki pestfreedevonport@gmail.com, Facebook.com/restoringtakarungahauraki/
Upper Harbour, Upper Waitematā Ecology Network (UWEN) info@upperharbourecologynetwork.org Facebook.com/ @upperwaitemataecologynetwork
For advice on chemical-free alternatives, Kaipātiki Project community@kaipatiki.org.nz kaipatiki.org.nz Facebook.com/kaipatikiproject
This monthly feature is a collaborative initiative between Restore Hibiscus & Bays, Pest Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society, Pupuke Birdsong Project, Restoring Takarunga Hauraki, the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network and Kaipātiki Project. Building on Te Ao Māori principles of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga, these environmental networks bring our communities together to foster guardianship, care and respect towards our whenua, natural world and indigenous wildlife.
with Lindsay Knight
Two local legends of bowls acknowledged
Another two greats of Bowls North Harbour, Birkenhead’s Ruth Lynch and Helensville’s Pat Robertson, were proclaimed legends of the centre at last month’s annual meeting/awards ceremony at the Takapuna club.
They joined those previously given the centre’s supreme playing accolade: the late Danny O’Connor, the late Barbara Kunicich, Marlene Castle, international umpire Jean Ashby, the late Ivan Kostanich, the late Carole Fredrick and the late Brett Turner.
For Ruth Lynch it was an especially significant and poignant honour for she was placed alongside her great friend and long-term playing partner, Carole Fredrick, at Birkenhead and earlier Sunnybrae and Glenfield.
Together they won many centre titles, with Ruth joining Carole on 25 and a fourth bar to her gold star awarded for five titles just a month after Carole’s passing in early 2020.
The pinnacle of their achievement together came in 2012 when they were skip and three respectively in an all-Birkenhead club four which won the national fours championship.
That was an especially memorable feat for increasingly in the past 20 years it has become virtually impossible for club combinations to win national championships against composite teams formed often by New Zealand players who not only play for different clubs but in many instances in different centres.
There was a reunion, in a spiritual sense at least, too, in Pat Robertson’s elevation to the bowling elite, for many of his greatest playing exploits were in partnership with his Helensville club-mate, the late, great Ivan Kostanich, notably their win in the 1984 national pairs championship in Dunedin.
In his own right Pat Robertson, who passed away in 2009, was a phenomenal player. Like Ivan, who won the national singles titles in 1977 and 1993, he was an accomplished singles player. In 1999 he was runner-up for the national title.
He won 16 centre titles plus another five Auckland championships, before the introduction of North Harbour in 1985, and one in Counties.
Unlike Ivan, he never became a Black Jack, but did represent New Zealand in an over-60s team in 1998 and which also included Ivan.
Pat Robertson.
At the Helensville club in particular he was responsible for launching a notable family dynasty with several of his close relatives, spouse, brother and nephews also high achievers in the sport.
His widow Thelma, with eight centre titles, was also a gold star badge holder, his brother Peter won two centre titles both with Pat, and a nephew, Peter junior, was three times a centre champion.
And another nephew Bart is showing signs of achieving the same legendary status within North Harbour as Pat. He has been one of the centre’s most dominant performers in recent seasons and already has a bar to his own gold star.
Generally, legendary status or being installed in a sport’s hall of fame is reserved for those who have passed on. But Gary Stevens, who heads Harbour’s legends voting panel, points out those still living can be so honoured and that has been the case with Ruth and earlier Marlene Castle and Jean Ashby.
Currently, there are two players still in their prime who have already secured their places among the centre’s greats. Browns Bay’s Colin Rogan and John Walker last month won Harbour’s open twofour-two tournament to add to their phenomenal records and the championship triples won earlier in the year.
Colin Rogan has an extraordinary 36 centre titles, or six bars to his gold star, while JOhn Walker, with whom he has shared so many successes, now has 27.
Ruth Lynch.
Visit: www.bowlsnorthharbour.com
Greetings from Sunnynook Community Centre
Bronwyn Bound.
Our AGM (Annual General Meeting) was held on Wednesday 8th June 2022. We presented our reports and then said a BIG thank you to Peter McNee who has now retired from our committee.
And a massive thank you to Constable Penny Rusbatch who has moved from the Community Constable role but is still working close by. Our committee members were all happy to continue which is wonderful and I thank them for their continued support, especially Simon Watson (Chairperson), Carol Lunjevich-Grigor (Secretary) and Samik Basu (Treasurer).
We also met the new Community Constable, Brent Stewart. He will continue to run monthly Crimewatch meetings – the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Sycamore Room at the Community Centre. There is no longer a Community Constable on-site at the Community Centre. If you need to report something that is not urgent please phone 105. If urgent phone 111.
We are running a holiday programme and youth programme during the school holidays (we are fully booked with a waiting list), so some of our groups e.g. indoor bowls, will be taking a two-week break during this time. Our evening classes (Zumba, North Harbour Rockers etc.) continue as normal.
Please check out our website for up-to-date information about our classes. We hope that everyone will be back in the Centre for the start of Term 3. If you would like to go on the online mailing list to receive our community newsletters please email office@sunnynookcomcentre.co.nz.
Kind regards
Bronwyn Bound, Centre Manager, Sunnynook Community Centre
Check out www.sunnynookcomcentre.co.nz where you will find more information about the classes that are being run at the Centre. Email: office@sunnynookcomcentre.co.nz for more information.
New space for community teams
With completion planned for next year, all three stages of Harbour Hospice’ North Shore redevelopment now have Council consent and work underway. The roof is currently under construction, thanks to a significant grant from The Trusts Community Foundation, and less than $1 million is needed to fully The project team fund the $20 million project. discussing signage.
One area of the redevelopment that Harbour Hospice is especially excited about is the space that will be utilised by its multi-disciplinary (MDT) and community teams.
Most Harbour Hospice patients are cared for at home during their final weeks and months of life and it’s the community nurses, family support and multi-disciplinary teams who play a huge part in making this Roofing works underway. happen.
The teams provide patients with social work support, counselling, cultural and spiritual care, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, complementary therapy, as well as nursing and medical care in New community and MDT base (previous basement). their homes or as outpatient care. The new space at Shea Terrace will include complementary therapy, consultation and clinical rooms, as well as a training room and rooms for programmes and support groups, and it will enable the teams to work together seamlessly to provide high quality holistic care for patients and their whānau/families.
Before Harbour Hospice patient Nicky, 79, became chronically ill with emphysema she’d been hugely active in the community, volunteering for local charities and enjoying meaningful interactions with others. But her illness caused her to become housebound and isolated.
A social worker from Harbour Hospice’ Family Support team helped connect her with others again – arranging for Nicky to begin attending Harbour Hospice’ day programme, where patients meet weekly to share company and kai/food. She arranged for Nicky to have her life story taken by a volunteer biographer.
Nicky began receiving regular counselling from a Harbour Hospice counsellor and now has a volunteer community visitor – all of which help her feel socially connected and part of the world again.
“I can’t say enough about hospice and my relationship with my social worker and all the staff and volunteers she has connected me with,” says Nicky. “These people listen to me and they care and I look forward to seeing them. They make me feel normal again.”
To find out more about the project and how you can help to complete it, email Capital Campaign Manager, Kate Thompson: Kate.Thompson@harbourhospice.org.nz or visit www.harbourhospice.org.nz/shore-project/
Duke of Edinburgh programme
Sonia Thursby.
After a long and busy May, it was good to ease up a bit before getting back into things for June. It was super exciting to be able to travel to Waiheke Island earlier this month with the Duke of Edinburgh participants for their qualifying Journey.
The participants ferried from Devonport, and viewed the art gallery before heading towards Wild Estate for lunch to energise themselves for archery and clay bird shooting. With the practice and qualifying journeys both done, the participants then focused on their individual activities.
Duke of Edinburgh Participants at Waiheke Island.
The Empowered Programme
After meeting face to face with Cam Calkoen and the Empowered Programme participants for the Auckland workshop in May, the second face to face workshop has been set. The workshop will be held in Queenstown and the theme is ‘Bend Perception and Remove Assumption’. Cam will teach the participants how to break through their barriers, using the tools and knowledge they do have, to their advantage. The workshop is scheduled for the 29th of July. Keep an eye out on our social media to get all the updates on the programme.
New Ministry launch
July 1st is a big date for the Yes team and the whole disability sector. It marks the launch of the new Ministry for Disabled People. Some of the I.lead committee members have been invited to perform at Parliament as part of the Pasifika element of the opening with Pati Umaga. The committee members will perform a dance, to represent the inclusiveness of young people with disabilities. The dance consists of Pacific cultures such as Samoan, Tongan, Hawiian and Tuvaluan.
Stay updated with our programmes and events through our social media and websites: https://yesdisability.org.nz/ https://www.ilead.org.nz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ileadconferencenz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i.leadnz/
The Wilson Home Trust supporting families…
with children and young adults with physical disabilities
For over nine years we have been receiving gorgeous homeknitted blankets from the Devonport Knitters that we have then passed on to our famillies with physically disabled children across the region.
We were thrilled to be able to thank this amazing group of women for their hard work and show our appreciation by providing a morning tea and a tour of the site. It’s turned chilly and we are madly trying to get the blankets to the families that need them.
We love getting photos of our grant recipients enjoying themselves. Thank you Rebecca for sending in your photo of you having fun at your gym classes.
It’s that time of year where we like to start planning something to look forward to for later in the year, so a reminder that we have holiday grants for our qualifying families. More information about the grants can be found at www.wilsonhometrust.org.nz
Our gorgeous St Leonards’ chapel is available for hire. This special facility is not only available for weddings but if you are looking for somewhere to hold a small event, concert or celebration, then please contact us or if you would like to come and have a look around please contact Justine on 022 1211 477 or email weddings@wilsonhometrust.org.nz.
If you would like to know more about the Wilson Home Trust and the work we do, please check out our website www.wilsonhometrust.org.nz or Facebook page www.facebook.com/wilsonhometrust1/
By Shore Junction’s Youth Development Specialist Josh Martin
Celebrating Shore Junction
Josh Martin.
Life is about moments and the sharing of those moments with people you love and care about. Over the past month, Shore Junction has celebrated a number of important moments with the rangatahi from around the North Shore.
June marked the first national celebration of Mātariki/Māori new year and at Shore Junction we went big with the support of Younite and the Shore Junction Youth Engagement Group (YEG). From kai (food), to harakeke (flax weaving), waiata (song), tākaro (games) and kanikani (dance) these young leaders did an amazing job celebrating while educating other rangatahi about the meaning and messages of the season. The highlight was being taught the history of Mātariki and why it’s so special for Māori. This holiday was important for us to celebrate, and as it’s the first time we are celebrating it, this sets the precedent for how we will continue to acknowledge Māori new year now and for many more years. It was a beautiful time indeed. Here’s to many more!. Mauri ora.
June is also International Pride month, in which we celebrated the wonderfully diverse young people who see Shore Junction as their safe haven week after week. From queer youth, trans young people and others on the rainbow spectrum; we celebrated all of them this month. We had a costume party with food and open mic nights, a viewing party for “Heart Stopper” and another queer film, and we had kōrero around queer history from around Aotearoa and the world. We also launched our queer youth advisory group, “Refraction”, who are part of the steering committee for anything to do with the rainbow community at Shore Junction. The future is bright! Happy Pride.
In July we are excited that we have so many amazing things coming up in Shore Junction’s Holiday Hangouts. From art workshops with incredible Pasifika youth artist Ercan Cairns, to dance workshops with Josh Cesan from IDCO, to Dungeons & Dragons tournaments, to 3D printing design and printing here at Shore Junction. To sign up or for more information keep an eye on our website www.shorejunction.nz or check out our Instagram @ shorejunction
Life is all about moments and we are so grateful that we get to share so many amazing ones with an impressive group of rangatahi from around the North Shore and beyond. We look forward to many more.
Pride Celebration in June
Genevieve Lai.
Kia Ora, I’m Gen (she/her), the journalist for Younite 2022, and I’m excited to be able to share our stories on this community-based platform. Younite has the youth at its core and we hope to create an open dialogue for our youth to lead and represent themselves through the opportunities we present.
Last month was June, a month of pride celebration. We want to not only embrace our LGBTQIA+ youths but also highlight the importance of their presence in cultivating a brighter, more inclusive space. They have been, and continue to be, proactive in our much-needed social matters such as the climate change strike. In fact, Lea (they/she), our awesome LGBTQIA+ representative of Younite, was one of the leaders of the school strike for climate in 2021!
Māori engagement is one of Younite’s focuses this year and we want to strengthen our roots with Aotearoa’s cultural narrative, which is why Younite was thrilled to be able to celebrate Matariki with our local community by hosting a family-friendly Matariki festival on June 23rd. Through the cultural experiences of flax weaving, Māori folktale story-telling and many more activities, we shared the beauty and significance of Matariki with those who attended.
We recognise the lack of opportunity for those who engage in artistic spheres within our community. Thus Younite is excited to not only bring to you ‘Markete Madness’, a Rangatahi creatives event in collaboration with the Upper Harbour youth council, but also grants for three creative-skills projects.
Markete Madness is set to be held on July 9th in our local Hurstmere Green park. There will be countless youth-led stalls showcasing their incredible talents and skills, with all profits funded towards CureKids. We envision this day to be one of celebration, unity and inspiration to elevate the youth talent of our Devonport-Takapuna community.
Our grants are targeted at supporting the projects of Devonport-Takapuna Rangatahi aged 14-24 to stimulate the development of their creative skills. There will be two individual grants worth $700 each and one group grant worth $1400.
If you ever have any queries or would like to contact us, please email younitechair@gmail.com.
Does commercial property have an advantage over residential?
Sean Parsons, Director at DABS, provides insight and answers to the question of residential vs commercial property investment
Like many classes of investment, property can go through cycles. Of the two forms of property investment, residential and commercial, residential seems the most prone to volatility. We appear to now be in a cycle where residential is facing headwinds and I explain below how commercial property has some significant advantages over residential in the current market and given Government policy settings.
Residential property has been subjected to significant tax changes in recent years which have been designed to make investment in this sector less appealing, and to tax capital gains. These tax rules are complex and the comments below are intended as a broad overview. Specialist advice should be sought before buying or selling investment property.
In 2015 the then National Government introduced the brightline test. This is a rule which imposes a de facto capital gains tax on residential property that is sold within a specified timeframe. The initial period was two years but this was extended by the Labour Government to five years from 29 March 2018 and to ten years for properties purchased on or after 27 March 2021.
There are some exclusions that apply for new builds, which continue to have a five-year bright-line period, and for a house which is not subject to tax if it was used as your main home during the bright-line period, the “main home exclusion”. Note that if you did not live in the ‘main home’ for longer than 12 months during the period, tax will apply based on the portion it was not the main home relative to the total ownership period.
There is no bright-line or other capital gains tax for commercial investors.
In addition to the capital gains tax there are rules that prevent residential property investors from claiming the interest on any debt incurred to purchase their properties. For properties owned before 27 March 2021 interest deductibility is phased out over the next four years so that from 1 April 2025 no interest can be claimed. For loans drawn down after 27 March 2021 there is no interest permitted to be claimed from 1 October 2021, regardless of when the property was purchased. For new build residential properties interest is allowed to be claimed for a period of up to 20 years.
If an investor incurs a loss from their residential rental activity, whether there is interest claimed or not, it is no longer possible to offset that loss against other forms of income. It is irrelevant if the property is a new build. Instead, the loss is ring-fenced to be carried forward, only able to be offset against other residential property income.
If you think this brief summary of the residential property tax rules seems complicated, you are dead right. Even worse, the detail within the legislation is so complex it is an absolute minefield to work through.
It is clear that the current Government has an agenda to reduce the price of residential property, to increase affordability for many. These new rules do not achieve that and the fall in residential property values we are now experiencing is mainly due to an increase in interest rates. These tax changes have only served to unnecessarily complicate residential property ownership.
Other blows against the residential investor are tenant friendly letting rules and healthy homes standards. These rules have resulted in higher costs for landlords and greater constraints on dealing with tenants, no matter how troublesome they may be. On top of all this, I am told by clients who are residential letting agents and property managers, that it has become increasingly difficult to find tenants for vacant property, despite the articles in the media about there being a shortage.
A loss from commercial property may be offset against other income. If ownership is properly structured then that loss may be used to offset income from associated entities, just as for residential in the good old days. Unlike residential property, depreciation may be claimed on commercial building structures and components.
The ability to claim full deductions and offset losses provides commercial property investors with a safety valve, meaning that when a loss is incurred they can receive a reduction in their overall tax liability compared to residential property investors.
Commercial leases are generally for much longer terms than residential. This can make planning and budgeting more straightforward. On the other hand, if a commercial property becomes vacant the process of securing a suitable tenant is usually longer compared to a residential property. Also, many commercial leases allow for operational expenses and overheads to be recovered from tenants unlike residential leases.
In summary, the ground has shifted, providing commercial property investment with a much more favourable tax environment, and more predictable cashflow than residential property investment.
Sean Parsons, Director, DABS.
For further information or to register your interest for our next syndicate, please contact us. You can also register your details via our website. Lara Weaver General Manager e. lara@dabsconsulting.nz m. 021 230 5989 145 Kitchener Road, Milford www.dabsconsulting.nz
Accelerating success.
For Sale
B3, 17 Corinthian Drive, Albany
Own and occupy your Office - High Profile Signage
Excellent opportunity to own your own premises, currently partially leased but can be sold vacant posession or with some holding income.
Features:
• 179 sqm plus allocated carparks • Secure office park in central Albany • Close to motorway access • Surrounded by excellent cafes/amenities
Contact the Sole Agents to view and/or for further information.
Modern air-con office with high profile signage facing motorway access Vacant Possession or own with holding income 179 sqm
Janet Marshall 021 684 775 janet.marshall@colliers.com Mike Ryan 021 402 775 mike.ryan@colliers.com
colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67019286
Colliers NZ Limited Licensed REAA 2008
Accelerating success.
For Lease
Level 1, 14 Piermark Drive, Rosedale
425 sqm modern office plus 20 carparks - Excellent Opportunity
Available to lease, modern air-conditioned offices with own amenities. Road frontage and generous carparking. Great value, this is a must view opportunity.
You won’t be disappointed.
• 425 sqm plus 20 Car parks • Excellent layout of open plan and meeting rooms • Own amenities • Excellent signage profile
Please call Janet Marshall 021 684 775 or Matt Prentice 021 464 904 to view.
colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67018419
Excellent signage profile
Below market occupancy Costs
Janet Marshall 021 684 775 janet.marshall@colliers.com
Generous Carparking
425 sqm Modern Office
Matt Prentice 021 464 904 matt.prentice@colliers.com
Colliers NZ Limited Licensed REAA 2008
Simon Gundry is a Devonport and North Shore identity, and character, who is known for calling a spade a spade. He is a director of contracting company Gill & Gundry, is an enthusiastic sailor (past crew-member of Ceramco New Zealand, Lion New Zealand and Shockwave) and is a life member of the North Shore Rugby Football Club. He has been writing this thought-provoking column for Channel ever since the very first issue (well over a decade ago!).
Shortest day's behind us... madness still all around us!
Simon Gundry.
I am writing this on the shortest day of the year. It’s one of the coldest days so far, absolutely bracing with a little southerly breeze adding to the chill factor, but the sun is out and apparently the ski fields are opening up in the South Island for all the Australian tourists.
I was going to get a flu jab but I see I have to pay for it, and at the moment it would stretch my budget too much. I do see that it is free for Māori and Pacific Islanders, which doesn’t make sense to me as I thought we all lived here under one flag as New Zealanders.
While I’m about this, I’m so sick of television advertising telling me how to spend my Matariki weekend, and I would love to know the budget the Government is spending on this propaganda leading up to the Matariki weekend. I’d also like to know the budget Waka Kotahi is spending on their Road to Zero road deaths (which we all know is an impossible goal), and why they keep on ramming this down our throats on national television, I don’t know. Maybe they should listen to these qualified race car drivers who have advised the Government that the money would be better off spent giving everyone defensive driving courses instead of wasting it on ads and light up zeroes. I’m so sick of this Government throwing money around like drunken sailors.
I see also, that last month, the Government handed out over a million dollars to some consultants and are still paying rent on an office building downtown that is directly related to the doomed multi-million dollar cycle bridge adjacent to the Harbour Bridge that some buffoon in national Government proposed and subsequently cancelled a few months later. We are still paying out millions of dollars for it. For goodness sake, when does this endless, senseless spending end?
Whiledriving from Devonport to Takapuna, I noticed the construction of a hideous timber paling fence on the corner of Lake Road and Roberts Avenue, where the pensioner units have stood for over 50 years. I have it on very good authority that the construction of fence will cost well over six figures. I have been told it is for the noise of Lake Road, but also I can see that it will add to the chill in that little valley of pensioner units, and will be a blank canvas for some budding graffiti artists, you mark my words. It’s sad to see that any early morning sun will now be wiped out for these residents.
It was so sad, a few days ago, to hear of the death of my great sailing mate Paul von Zalinksi. He was the cook on the first Round the World Yacht Race I did with Peter Blake on Ceramco New Zealand when we participated in the 1981-82 Round the World race. He was a unique character with a wonderful sense of humour. Paul did a great snow job on Peter when he said he was chef; we found out he was hardly a cook, let alone a chef. Paul cooked some wonderful meals on terrible days and some terrible meals on wonderful days. He was a wonderful celestial navigator, and great crew member. I was so privileged to have sailed with him for so many thousands of miles. He could turn an Irish stew into a chilli con carne by accidentally tipping a pot of pepper into the stew, when the top fell off. His recipe book was non-existent as he cooked the entire race by the seat of his pants. His stock answer was, when I complained that the food was crap, was “Go somewhere else tomorrow night, then”, when we were thousands of miles away from any land. Peter asked him to sail the next Round the World race we all did on Lion New Zealand, on the condition he never cooked again. It was a pretty sad day for me, as we have now lost three of the 12 crew members of that race, with Sir Peter Blake and Keith Chapman both passing away far too soon.
I see the Metro buses are still driving out of Devonport every half hour, collecting two or three people to deliver them to their homes in Stanley Bay or Narrow Neck. These huge diesel guzzling dinosaurs stamping their own huge carbon footprint. There must be a better solution to transport. Auckland Transport must have a look at this situation, it is pure madness.
I’ve noticed all the houses coming down, pending the development of multiple townhouses around the North Shore. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the glut in the market for these developments will pan out. Watch this space.
Just for your information, the North Shore Rugby Club will be celebrating its 150th anniversary next year, after the club played its first game in 1873. It is one of the oldest clubs in New Zealand, but is definitely the oldest club in New Zealand still playing on the original field on Vauxhall Road. The club is planning celebrations over Easter in 2023 and a hard-cover book will be published on the history of the club as part of the celebrations.
Ok, that’s about it for now. Keep warm, all of you, apart from the poor residents of the pensioner units in Lake Road. We’re on the uphill swing towards summer now.
Whilst driving from Devonport to Takapuna, I noticed the construction of a hideous timber paling fence on the corner of Lake Road and Roberts Avenue, where the pensioner units have stood for over 50 years. I have it on very good authority that the construction of fence will cost well over six figures.
News from Co Chairperson Phil Taylor
National Volunteer Week celebrates support that keeps Harold moving
Phil Taylor
This week is National Volunteer Week, an initiative that recognises the collective energy and mahi over more than one million volunteers across the country.
The theme for this Te Wiki Tūao / National Volunteer Week is 'Time to Shine' / 'He wā pīataata', and is an opportunity to celebrate local volunteers including Life Education supporters, friends and trustees.
Volunteer support allows star educator Jenni to deliver programmes on relevant issues such as vaping and cannabis use to our local tamariki. Last week, Jenni had the pleasure of visiting Albany Junior High School, and educating students with the help of Harold the Giraffe, our world famous mascot!
Keep an eye on our social channels (@lifeeducation_ northshore) to follow Harold’s latest adventures and see how our educators are inspiring our tamariki to make positive life choices.
Contact us: secretary@lifeeducationnorthshore.nz Visit: www.lifeeducationnorthshore.nz
By Kathryn Robertson, Takapuna Residential Bayleys Real Estate Ltd You're going to sell in spring?
Kathryn Robertson.
You need/want to sell your property, but you’re going to wait until spring to get on the market? Why is that exactly? It makes sense if you own an old, draughty villa with inadequate heating, no real sunlight, and the site has poor drainage, but for those of you with a warm, insulated home, winter is a great time to sell.
Although some houses are more appealing in spring, if your home has an effective heating system and gets good light, then what are you waiting for? Stock levels are currently low (again, a normal seasonal pattern), so why not get on the market before your competition; get the trees and garden overhauled and show your warm home off. Then you can be that cash buyer that’s ready to buy when most sellers bring their ‘spring’ homes to the market. Buyers love to see properties on a cold winter’s day too – it gives them confidence that what they are buying can perform when it counts!
1/16 Norman Road, Hauraki.
Stock levels are currently low, so why not get on the market before your competitors?
The most compelling reason, however, is that in this softer property climate with not so positive short to mid-term forecasting, it can’t be a bad strategy to get on the market sooner, rather than later. Importantly, you will enjoy less competition, which means your odds of selling (and maybe even selling well), are far more likely without having to compete with similar properties in your suburb.
