Our place: Zonta and Merchant Quarter plans

There is a group of West Auckland women who enjoy good company, fun, and providing support for other women who need a helping hand. And it would welcome new members.

Now celebrating its 100th year, Zonta is an international organisation that is committed to women’s personal development and leadership. There are over 700 ‘Zontians’ in 30 clubs around New Zealand.

The West Auckland group meets every second Monday at Lincoln Green for a dinner, starting with drinks at 6pm. Speakers have included health experts, the Prostitution Collective, health providers, educational experts, The City Mission, small business owners and a representative from the Police.

The group has raised funds for the Teen Parent Unit at Henderson High School (for a scholarship for a girl wanting a tertiary education) and also supports Family Action which supports women and their families at a refuge in Henderson. Other activities include supporting PADA (Peri natal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa), keeping girls in school in Madagascar and helping women who have fled Syria to set up businesses in Jordan.

Funds are raised through fashion parades, film afternoons, quiz nights and a variety of other fun events full of fellowship, a glass of wine and food.

Zonta is made up of women from diverse backgrounds who provide a global perspective on women’s issues. It is also a friendly group of women who enjoy the company of others with similar values, sharing their talents, having fun and developing leadership and speaking skills while helping other women.

To find out more and perhaps join the group phone Sue Devitt on 021 521 352 or 845 1920 or Pam Antill on 813 3375 or 027 351 0628

Discussions about the revitalisation of the sites at 14 – 22 Totara Avenue in New Lynn are continuing between Panuku and a development partner. (Panuku Development is a council controlled organisation (CCO) set up in 2015 to deliver urban regeneration.)

The OAG building (above), erected in 1925, was part of the original Totara Avenue shopping block and there’s been active community discussion about the site for a number of years after it suffered significant storm damage and fell into disrepair. It remains propped up to safeguard the public and protect the fabric of the structure.

A Panuku spokesperson says the vision for the Totara Avenue site is for a mixed-use development that will retain the OAG building’s facade in its design and include new residential apartments. To make the best use of the space in the meantime, it has been made available to local businesses and shoppers for use as a public car park.

No resource consents have been lodged for the site although it’s thought the development partner aims to do that mid-year. – Moira Kennedy

How do we prepare for a post-petroleum future?

Right now Australia is burning. Five million hectares has burned. Sydney has had dense clogging smoke for weeks. New South Wales has already lost an estimated 30% of its koala population.

It is not even peak bushfire time which normally starts in April.

Australia is not the only country to experience severe adverse weather patterns and consequences. The cause is clear, increased temperatures and changing rain patterns caused by climate change, just as predicted by numerous scientific studies.

We have got to the stage where school kids are lecturing politicians on the subject. We are clearly facing a climate crisis.

Phil Goff recently released the Mayoral Budget Proposal and included measures to address climate change. These include further tree planting, investment in a decarbonised Council fleet, and more funding for schools and adaption.

I believe that the proposal needs to go much further. It should encourage low emission vehicles, rapidly increase highquality cycling and walking infrastructure, encourage and support teleworking and help develop decentralised energy networks.

The last Council introduced special rates for water quality and environmental issues. These rates will raise $452 million and $311 million respectively over ten years. Most locals were very supportive. Maybe it is time for Auckland Council to propose an urgent Climate Change special rate.

The local board has completed the local Greenways Plan. It sets out a blueprint of how our walkways and cycleways could look.

But we don’t have the funding to do any more than a small proportion of the plan.

If we are going to be carbon neutral by 2050 then by 2030 the introduction of petrol cars into New Zealand’s fleet will be rare. Which is why alternatives to driving, including public transport, walking and cycling and teleworking will need to be nurtured as much as possible.

Council needs to be brave and urgently start investing in infrastructure to get ready for our future.

The argument for a dedicated fund so that we can get our city ready for a post petroleum future is I believe especially strong and especially urgent.

Greg Presland, Co-Chair Waitakere Ranges Local Board

Deciding what to do after finishing high school can be challenging, but ACG Sunderland 2019 head boy, Chase Leathard, had it tougher than most. A talented dancer and a top academic, Chase was offered two scholarships – a University of Auckland Top Achievers Scholarship and a oneyear scholarship to the pre-professional programme of the Melbourne City Ballet. “Having both academia and dance in my life has been amazing. However, it was particularly challenging when I got the call about the scholarship to the ballet company as I had to choose between a career in the arts or a career in medicine,” said Chase.

Medicine came out trumps and Chase will soon begin his first year of Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland, backed by a $20,000 scholarship.

Chase has set his sights on becoming a paediatric surgeon/specialist, and thanks to the thirteen years he has spent at ACG Sunderland, he believes he is wellprepared for the task.

“I started ACG Sunderland on the very first day it opened and I’m the first ever student to go through the school from Year 1 until Year 13. It’s been my home away from home for 13 years, and without the school and the teachers, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today.

“I’ve loved every moment of my time at ACG and wouldn’t take any of it back. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my years at school because of the nurturing environment ACG Sunderland has created.

“Because it’s a small school, students benefit from a lot more one-on-one learning and we form strong relationships with our teachers. I’m so grateful that my parents allowed me to attend such an amazing school for so long.”

If you’d like to know more about ACG Sunderland, its next Open Day is Saturday March 7, or visit sunderland. acgedu.com

VALENTINE’S DAY : A Fringe special feature feature: love is in the air

Valentine’s Day can mean many things to many people: roses, chocolates, special treats and romantic holidays are all part of the mix. How will you mark the day?

At Face & Body we think Valentine’s Day is a reminder to also take care of yourself. It’s a time to “give your skin some love!”

We acknowledge that love brings up emotions that can run the gamut from agony to ecstasy. Love can inspire us to accomplish some amazing feats.

Love can make you happier than you have ever been, sadder than you have ever been – it can elate you and deflate you.

We also can confirm, after 29 years of trading at Face & Body Titirangi, that skin, in particular disordered skin, can create exactly that same gamut of emotions in our clients.

We welcome everyone this Valentine’s Day to ‘Give their Skin some Love’ and take advantage of the ‘Valentine’s Day Special’ we are offering over February and March. Book two of these fabulously relaxing, smoothing, hydrating Skin Facials + LED Light treatments and we will gift you the third! Now that really is skin love, but only from Face & Body, at 298 Titirangi Road.

We are professional Skin Therapists, highly qualified and able to treat, with results, disordered skin that is dry, itchy, peeling, pigmented, scarred from acne or with active acne or excessive hair growth.

Don’t be shy – our clinic is for both men and women. ‘Give yourself some Love’ this Valentines Day.

Phone 09 817 4807 or visit www.faceandbody.co.nz.

FACIAL+ LED LIGHT TREATMENT SPECIAL

Book a 1.5 hour Hydration and LED Light Repair Treatment Facial in February.

This results-based Hydration Skin Treatment + LED light is valued at $99+$49 ~ $148 in total.

You will be astounded at the difference.

Be 0ur February Valentine ~ book 2 of these treatments in February and we will gift you the third in March for only $77 ~ you SAVE $71!

Now THAT is love.

Romantic getaways can come in many forms. At Helloworld Travel Henderson we have them all covered. Here are a selection of our favourite romantic places to stay in the world: Africa on a Safari: For the adventurous, experience an African Safari with your loved one staying in romantic luxury lodges in South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania or Kenya.

Bali, Indonesia: Choose between a relaxing beach front holiday stay in a luxury hotel in Seminyak or Nusa Dua, or for an authentic Bali experience, stay in an Ubud retreat for pampering – or book both options. Bali is an economical getaway that has something for everyone.

Bora Bora, Tahiti: The jewel of the South Pacific, Bora Bora is an internationally acclaimed honeymoon destination. You will be in awe of the soaring mountain peaks, turquoise lagoon and luxurious overwater bungalows. Maldives: A perfect spot for honeymooners, or a special anniversary, the resorts here feature spa and wellness retreats, numerous water sports, swimming with tropical fish and over-water bungalow accommodation options. Paris, France: This iconic city of love is a must visit for every hopeless romantic. Visit the numerous romantic sights, visit an art museum, or enjoy a coffee or cheese at one of the quaint street-side restaurants or pop a bottle of champagne under the Eiffel tower. Prague, Czechoslovakia: One of our favourite European cities for romance due to its inevitable charm. The architecture alone provides a beautiful background to any romantic holiday with many historic sights to visit during your stay. River Cruising: Not a destination, but a must do for a top quality romantic holiday. Drift along the rivers of Europe with a glass of wine enjoying local cuisine and visiting historic landmarks along the way. (Pictured below.)

Santorini, Greece: Favoured by many as the crowning jewel of romance in Europe. For the best experience, visit this island outside of peak season for fewer crowds and better accommodation deals. (Pictured left.)

Venice, Italy: Even with the huge numbers of tourists that visit this destination, it still popular for loved-up couples. To make the most of this city, stay on the island so you can enjoy the early and late quiet moments between day trip tour groups.

Contact the team of travel and cruise professionals at Helloworld Travel Henderson to help you plan your 2020 dream holiday.