Lizard News April 2023

L i z a r d Ne ws

L i z a r d Ne ws

FREE LOCAL NEWS... IN THE COMMUNITY

FREE LOCAL NEWS... IN THE COMMUNITY

New school builds start next year

By Matthew Farrell

The construction of two new schools in Ōmokoroa is expected to begin in early 2024 The start date closely follows news of the Council awarding the contract for a $23 5 million urbanisation upgrade of the previously rural Prole Road, to unlock the development of the schools and improve access to 2,500 future homes

The Ministry owns parcels of land on the corner of Ōmokoroa and Prole Roads, having purchased a dwelling at 12 Prole Road three years ago

The Minister of Education, Tauranga-based list MP Hon Jan Tinetti, says Ōmokoroa Primary School will initially provide 350 places for Year 1-6 students, with capacity to expand the roll to 550 Ōmokoroa Secondary School will initially provide 800 places for Year 7-13 students, with capacity to expand the roll to 1200

“I’ve been involved previously as a backbench MP, but I’m so proud to now make this announcement as the Minister after all the lobbying from the get-go This is so needed for the community It could have been so much more difficult, but Western Bay District Council has been fantastic,” says Minister Tinetti

Mayor James Denyer says it’s about providing the community with great facilities

“Local kids will be able to cycle to school A traffic mode shift will have a really important impact on congestion, as parents and buses won’t have to use State Highway 2,” he says

Community Board member Greig Neilson agrees it’s an important milestone

“For the past four years, our community has been pushing for this firm announcement from the government Right now, a roundabout at Ōmokoroa Road and four-laning of the highway to Te Puna can’t come soon enough,” says Greig

Estimates in the National Education Growth Plan originally projected the need for a new secondary school in the area by the end of the decade before locals petitioned and presented to a Parliamentary Select Committee to have the plans brought forward

Former resident, and high school campaigner Karen Loten, tells Lizard News that good things come to those who are patient

“The go-ahead for new Ōmokoroa schools seems to

have been a long time, but it needed the foresight of a few community-minded people to badger the Community Board, who in turn supported the need for the Council to set aside land and not be dictated to by developers

“With the support of a petition from the community and very up-to-date statistics and projections, the Ministry was left with no choice but to purchase the land

“A petition of 2,235 signatures does not seem huge, but it was virtually the whole of the over-16 population of Ōmokoroa at the time Cross-political party support was vital, with Todd Muller, our then MP, flying in to support the community team of three at the Select Committee The personal support of Jan Tinetti was also amazing,” says Karen

The Deputy Secretary of the Ministry’s Central area,

Jocelyn Mikaere, says the development of the new schools and student intakes will be staged over time with input from the Establishment Board

“The cost of the development will depend on final designs and staging requirements for the build, so we are unable to give an indicative costing at this stage Funding for the new schools will be drawn down through future budgets,” says Jocelyn

The Ministry of Education will call for nominations for the Establishment Board in the next couple of months One of the Board’s many jobs will be to work with the community and iwi to establish a new name for the school

Budget 2022 allocated funds for the planning and design. In October last year, the Ministry told Lizard News contractors were expected to be appointed in 2023

Minister of Education Jan Tinetti and Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer at the Ōmokoroa site following the announcement

PHOTO: Matthew Farrell

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Thanks to everyone for their patience while we do the mahi in the background

Raj Sumeran, Engineering and Special Projects

In the March edition of Lizard News, we printed three letters related to the subject of paths, walkways and cycleways. We approached the District Council for responses, and these have been provided by the Reserves and Facilities Manager

Pahoia to Ōmokoroa cycle/walkway: Once fully finalised, the Pahoia to Ōmokoroa shared path will be a really lovely path, and we can understand everyone ’ s excitement to use it

Annette Tootell

Tauranga City Libraries has an interesting archive collection about opera singer “Princess Te Rangi”, which was created by former Ōmokoroa resident Annette Tootell 1914-1990

Part of the collection contains an unpublished manuscript, and the library staff are keen to hear from anyone who may have inherited Annette’s copyright in order to share the resource more widely

Jody Smart, Tauranga City Libraries.

A concrete request

When the Ōmokoroa Road upgrade from State Highway 2 to the rail bridge took place a few years ago, the last few metres of the footpath on both sides of the road from the Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall to the rail bridge (40 metres) and from Goldstone Road (20 metres) was not completed I am presuming these works were included in the original budget of the project

The rough and loose metal surface, which now constitutes the footpath, is dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists alike, especially for parents walking their children to and from the existing play centre/kindergarten behind the hall

Cars park on the metal surface, limiting access for pedestrians, again creating a danger for those walking or cycling Ōmokoroa Road is very busy traffic-wise, which also adds to the danger to pedestrians and cyclists

The WBOP District Council has a responsibility to keep its ratepayers and citizens safe and, in this case, is failing miserably When can Ōmokoroa residents expect the “job to be completed?”

Ian Blunt, Ōmokoroa

Western Bay of Plenty District Council responds: The section of cycle/footpath on the south side of the Ōmokoroa Road Rail Bridge will be part of the proposed Ōmokoroa Road Urbanisation Stage 2 project (between Prole Road and the railway bridge) This project is currently being designed, and construction work is expected to start towards the end of 2023, a little later than planned due to design and funding changes We’re doing everything possible to complete the design of the project as soon as possible and get the construction work underway

In the meantime, we ’ ve been maintaining the loose metal surface to make it suitable and safe for pedestrians and cyclists It’s been a challenge, given the heavy rain we ’ ve experienced this year We’ll continue to maintain the loose metal path until we start the construction of the Ōmokoroa Road Stage 2 project and make the road and footpath safer for all users

It isn’t officially open yet, and there are some legal matters, such as access agreements with Kiwirail and private property owners, that we need to finalise These will take time but are necessary to ensure that users are safe and able to access whenua that belongs to other parties Our to-do list includes:

Finalise Kiwirail and private property easement agreements, Pahoia Road entry/exit improvements to make it safer, installation of etched balustrade panels and anti-slip deck tread on the bridge, Prole Road path to bridge surfacing, and signage

Regarding the Ōmokoroa bund and pathway around the Ōmokoroa Golf Course: We are similarly concerned about the erosion that’s been taking place along this section of the Ōmokoroa foreshore We’re currently working with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council on our options to address the erosion within the constraints of our resource consent and the Regional Coastal Plan

The recent storm events have unfortunately made the erosion worse, not just at this site but also at many others around the harbour margins We’re assessing these numerous erosionrelated issues and will need to prioritise what work happens first In the meantime, we encourage pathway users to be safe, stick to the path and avoid eroded areas

Nell’s Dell pathway: The record rainfall that the region has experienced since the end of January has certainly increased how much water has been naturally seeping from the reserve across the Ōmokoroa Road footpath.

We are investigating options for piping or diverting the water so that users can enjoy the footpath safely

Peter Watson, WBoPDC

Rare tree damaged

The recent storms resulted in the Ōmokoroa Tainui (a very rare native tree - Editor) losing a large branch at the upper path side While this is probably of no danger to the public, it may hamper mowing operations

Is there a chance a Council arborist could sensitively remove the branch and treat the damaged area to prevent rot from entering the wound?

Peter Maddison

A Council spokesperson tells Lizard News a site meeting for this work was held on Monday 20th March, and the work was assigned to a contractor

No

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Fosters targets August opening

By Matthew Farrell

In just four months, The Village commercial area is due to open to the Ōmokoroa community

Foster Group is thrilled at how the Tralee Street site is coming to life and provided us with an update of what’s happening on site The aim is to be open by August

Development Manager, Andrew Vincent, says they’ve been working relentlessly and made awesome progress since the start of the year despite tough weather conditions

“Our hospitality hub is pretty much all clad in, with just some final canopies to go on The external footpaths will be completed within the next month

“The structural seal is up on our fast retail building, so that’s going really well We have some amazing tenants including an artisan bread bakery, Turkish shop, Coffee Club, and also a local Pilates studio will be calling that building home,” says Andrew Coffee Club director Brad Jacobs says

their cafes are very well established in the Bay of Plenty region

“We’ve had great success there Bethlehem is one of our best-performing cafes I guess the continued growth in the whole region is very strong and Ōmokoroa will continue to grow with it The design is lovely It’ll be the heart of Ōmokoroa, no doubt, and a fantastic opportunity for one of our franchisees to have a really successful business,” says Brad

Andrew Vincent says the largest building, the professional services hub, has had a huge amount of progress with the roof on, the wraps on, and joinery going in

“You’ll see a big change in that building over the coming months And from a civils point of view, RZG, our local contractor, has done an awesome job in tough weather

“We’ve got the kerbs in and the roading all prepped for Stage One Over the next couple of months, you’ll get a feel of how the site is going to function and flow,” says Andrew

Ōmokoroa roundabout works to start in six months

By Matthew Farrell

We ’ re regularly asked by readers about progress and the timeline for the State Highway 2 intersection upgrade at Ōmokoroa An ‘interim’ roundabout is planned to improve safety after Tākitimu North Stage 2 missed out on government funding in June 2021

We’ve asked the following questions of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council General Manager of Infrastructure and Deputy CEO, Gary Allis, provides these answers

What’s happening in March/April with the project?

The State Highway 2 intersection project is fifty per cent through the preliminary design stage We’re currently working on integrating the preliminary design with the proposed Tākitimu North Stage 2 concept design The design work includes PowerCo and Council for the underground services Two houses have been demolished as part of the early works

Will anything happen after Easter, as the weather may become wet again?

Preliminary works may occur after Easter. These would be off the road and could include tree and vegetation clearing and services But this is dependent on getting agreement on the design

How is the timeline looking?

The timing is progressing according to schedule, with the final design planned for mid-year Site works are planned to begin in earnest from October 2023 The physical works contractor is in place

Is the $40m Crown funding announcement related to the $24.5m Prole Rd contract? Does the $7m Crown funding component of Prole Rd leave $33m for upgrades from the SH2 intersection to Prole Rd? Does Prole Rd need finishing before SH2 to Prole Rd starts?

The two projects have separate funding The Infrastructure Acceleration Fund covers the State Highway 2 roundabout, the Industrial Road roundabout and four lanes through to Prole Rd

Dog parks paws-itive step for Ōmokoroa and Katikati

By Alisha Evans Local Democracy Reporter alisha@thesun co nz

The Ōmokoroa and Katikati communities will soon have their say on dog exercise parks in their town

The proposed park locations are the Links View Drive Reserve in Ōmokoroa and Donegal Drive Reserve in Katikati

Councillors voted to progress to community consultation and confirmed the proposed locations at a Western Bay of Plenty District Council Strategy and Policy Committee on Tuesday 8th March

The parks would be up to 5000m2, fully fenced, have drinking water available, rubbish bins, dog poo bag dispensers and seating

Development of the parks will take place this year and next

Proximity to walking and cycling networks, nearby car parking and areas with limited neighbours were considered as part of the site assessment process, according to the report to council

In 2020, the council adopted a level of service for the provision of dog exercise parks in the district, agreeing to develop one in Te Puke, Ōmokoroa, Katikati and Waihī Beach

Construction of the Te Puke dog park will begin this year at Lawrence Oliver Park but will be done in stages because of increased costs

A $30,000 budget has been allocated for each park, but this could be increased through the council’s next longterm plan process

The parks would be funded from a mix of 80 per cent dog registration fees and 20 per cent rates

Councillor Grant Dally was in support but concerned with the budget

“The size of these dog parks being around the 5000m2 mark means that the fencing cost is far in excess of the $30,000 allocated,” he says.

“Being the first cab off the rank in Te Puke, we realise that this [increased cost] has delayed the development of our dog park

“If retrospective funding increases are put into these projects, then it would be nice to have some consideration for Te Puke’s park if it’s not progressed by other means ”

Kaimai ward councillor Margaret Murray-Benge was in full support of the parks

“With the development at Ōmokoroa

where you can just about touch each other’s walls, and people like to have animals, in fact, they perform a very social function for people, I think this makes very good sense, ” she says

“For the people of Ōmokoroa, I think they will welcome this Here’s hoping we can do it reasonably quickly ”

Mayor James Denyer says, “It’s good to see it [the dog parks] moving ahead, and I look forward to hearing the views of local residents ”

Community engagement will include

meeting with mana whenua and the community boards, as well as sending letters to the adjacent landowners, affected parties and community groups that use the sites

The council will also hold community engagement sessions in Ōmokoroa and Katikati

The dog park consultation will take place from mid-May to Mid-June as part of the council’s long-term plan consultation Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

Double win for Western Bay parks

Hūhārua Park in Te Puna and TECT Park have clinched prestigious Green Flag Awards for 2023

This is the first time Hūhārua Park has been recognised with a Green Flag and is the ninth consecutive win for TECT Park

Both are subregional parks and are jointly owned by Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City councils, with day-to-day operations undertaken by the Western Bay team

The Green Flag Award is all about recognising well-managed parks and green spaces It sets a benchmark standard for recreational outdoor spaces around the world

This year, 20 parks and open spaces around the country received the coveted award from Recreation Aotearoa

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer is extremely proud of the accomplishment

“Having two Western Bay parks judged as being amongst the best in Aotearoa is a real credit to our dedicated team, who do a phenomenal job of creating these amazing public spaces for all to enjoy

“These are both special spots in the Western Bay, and our thanks go out to TECT Park’s main sponsor, TECT, for their continued support of the park, as well as Pirirākau hapū for their ongoing involvement in ensuring the significant cultural heritage values of Hūhārua Park are maintained,” says Mayor Denyer

“It was also a fantastic time to mark these achievements as we came into Parks Week 2023, from 4th-12th March We held some special events to celebrate the week, and the vital role parks play in creating thriving communities ”

Tauranga City Council Commission Chair Anne Tolley says the phenomenal success of these subregional parks speaks to their importance to our com-

munities and to the efforts of all involved in their development and maintenance.

“They provide something very special for park users, and Tauranga City is thrilled to be part of this winning greenspace initiative We also acknowledge the importance of TECT’s contribution – it’s a key part of the winning formula, and on behalf of the community, we thank them for their continuing generosity,” Anne says

About Hūhārua Park

Hūhārua Park is a subregional park located at the end of Plummers Point Road, Te Puna Owned jointly by Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City councils, it provides recreational enjoyment for the wider sub-region community

Tangata Whenua Pirirākau hapū of Ngāti Ranginui iwi played a major role in the development of Hūhārua Park and has ongoing involvement in the historical and cultural maintenance of the park Walk through the carved waharoa (entranceway) and across the bridge to reach the Ongārahu Pā - one of the most wellpreserved fortifications in Aotearoa

The park is a popular picnic spot and is connected by the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway and includes a number of walking tracks and cultural sites

The Donegal Drive proposed location for the Katikati dog park PHOTOS: WBOPDC

The Ōmokoroa dog park is proposed for the Links View Drive Reserve with access from Western Avenue Kayelene Place and Links View Drive

Retirement villagers regenerating Kawerau

By Matthew Farrell

Acouple from Ōmokoroa Country Estate are taking reduce, reuse and recycle to another level; helping transform a community social project in Kawerau

With the support of management, when some vacated retirement homes are refurbished, Peter and Joke Gerritsen save the furniture, carpets and curtains to donate to the Konnect training and event centre A derelict intermediate school has been transformed after being purchased by Kawerau Bible Chapel

Water damage and vandalism have been repaired Old classrooms have become short-term emergency accommodation and much-needed shops, including a low-cost dentist

Peter and Joke say fellow residents and next of kin are very generous

“Cutlery, pots and pans, beds, bikes, dishwashers, even a mobility scooter,” says Peter.

“Mums have had to walk away from marriage breakups There are a lot of dysfunctional families Now there is a hairdresser training apprentices, giving people the opportunity to learn and get a job,” says Joke Among the donations have been more than 20 formatted old mobile phones so willing orchard workers can be contactable

Lynne Campbell coordinates a Country Estate knitting group Five years ago,

they used donated wool to support Women’s Refuge Since then, they’ve been supported by grants from The Centre op shop and have provided knits for Homes of Hope and those in need in Edgecumbe and Kawerau

“Last year, five of us made more than a hundred pieces, mainly beanies and sleeveless jerkins for toddlers The winters there are pretty cold, and they’re not wealthy areas, ” says Lynne

Janice Sutton manages the Konnect charitable trust and says they couldn’t meet community needs without Peter’s team

“Without their support and the time they spend driving resources here, we’d have nothing to give people in need We receive no government or iwi funding

“They are wonderful I can’t speak more highly of their commitment Donations from Ōmokoroa have furnished our respite housing accommodation They’ve donated clothes to people having hard times since the Edgecumbe floods

“More recently, we ’ ve helped flooded Wairoa, and Kawerau earthquake victims I’m like Santa Claus, but they do the grunt work It might be a lawnmower used to earn money to send kids to camp or a washing machine for a family without The knitting goes to a variety of people ranging from local schools to Vanuatu after the cyclone there,” says Janice Peter and Joke simply say it is a blessing to be part of meeting such needs.

Ōmokoroa Town Centre project update

For anybody passing our town centre site between Prole Road and Kaimai Views, you would have noticed some substantial changes over the past two months

Despite the challenges of a very wet summer, we are pleased with our progress and remain on track

Following the completion of our environmental protection set-up, we commenced the next stage of attending to geotechnical matters We are currently focused on removing un-

suitable ground materials that previous landowners had used to fill the original gully This area is being infilled with a pumice ‘blanket’, which will enable natural subsurface water movement A clay ‘ cap ’ will then be placed over the pumice blanket and then grassed over in preparation for the winter period

What is next? Stage 2 earthworks using engineered fill to achieve planned ground levels will primarily be undertaken during the 23/24

summer earthworks season. Environmental monitoring has been carried out regularly by local authority compliance staff Pirirākau, as mana whenua hapū, has also been undertaking cultural monitoring in conjunction with archaeologist Ken Phillips

We look forward to bringing you more updates over the coming months

Visit omokoroatowncentre co nz for more information Article supplied

L-R: Knitting team Barbara Kershaw Jeanette Craike Lynne Campbell Lynne Hamilton and Chris Conn PHOTO: Supplied

A pumice blanket is replacing unsuitable ground materials

PHOTO: Supplied

Te Puna hosts friends, whānau and fun

By Matthew Farrell

Te Puna is set to host 14 clubs from around the North Island for the Māori Catholic celebration of Easter from Thursday 6th to Monday 10th April

The Hui Aranga or Easter Gathering celebrates 77 years of life this year, after beginning in 1946 at Pukekaraka, Ōtaki

Māori travel to gather and celebrate the Catholic faith with waiata (sacred songs); kapa haka (action songs); poi (songs accompanied by poi action); whaikōrero (oratory); religious processions and Eucharist; religious discussion and quiz.

St Joseph’s Church in Te Puna was opened on 1st January 1900

It was built by Hōne Bidois and Werahiko Borell and was constructed from timber milled in Whakamārama

Everything at the Hui Aranga is competitive, from the choir and sacred solo singing to sports, including rugby, touch, netball, tennis, table tennis, and volleyball

There are three sections; mokopuna - toddlers to age 12, junior - teens to 21, and seniors - the open category Cultural events will be held at Te Puna Primary School, while the sports venue will be Māramatanga Park

Due to Covid, the annual mass gathering hasn’t been held since Taranaki in 2019 and has had to be replaced by smaller regional events

A club member of Te Puna Tauranga Moana Hui Aranga, Sarah Tangitū, says individuals come from everywhere worldwide

“The Hui Aranga is like Christmas It’s the one time that some come home A lot of whānau live in Australia

They come from Northland and Taranaki to Ruapehu and Whanganui, and Wellington to Hastings and Wairoa,” she says

They are expecting about a thousand people, just from the clubs

“For Te Puna, the kaupapa is significant because Pirirākau people whakapapa to the two French tūpuna that came out here and built the church,” says Sarah Tāpāraro Borell agrees “We are carrying on their mahi and their wants This has been handed to us growing up It’s about their mana, beliefs and goodwill They were great people, and the work they have done before us is still bringing our people together,” he says Sarah has been going to the Hui Aranga since she was ten

“The first time was 40 years ago I have been to every single one except the three prevented by Covid from 2020 to 2022 It’s one event you never want to miss You form relationships with people all over the country It’s a kaupapa everyone looks forward to

“It’s been hard to get everyone reunited and back in because of Covid Kids would get excited about the bus ride and travelling together For a lot of kids, it’s been a rare opportunity for them to leave Tauranga and to be in Taranaki or Whanganui insteadto live, eat and play together for five days,” says Sarah Tāpāraro says the Hui Aranga it’s whanaungatanga - kinship, a sense of belonging and family connections

“It’s getting to know your cousins That is what I love about it The sports, the kapa haka, the kaupapa and the religious processions every day between events,” he says

Sarah agrees the combination is what makes the kaupapa unique and special

An organiser, Tommy Wilson, says they are grateful to have the support of the community and key sponsors, without whom it would not happen

“The huge sports day at Māramatanga Park on Saturday - the cooking for 1,200 ppl - it’s a big mission The reward is the excitement and joy on the kids’ faces, especially the one hundred coming from areas affected by the floods,” says Tommy

Anyone in the community is more than welcome to spectate Day passes and information will be available at the school office To donate fruit or baking, email tommy@ttw org nz

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Sisters Numia (left) and Waiwhakaata Tangitū (centre) from Te Puna have been performing at the annual Hui Aranga festival since they were five years old as part of the Te Puna - Tauranga Moana Hui Aranga group PHOTO: Supplied

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Tall Poppy Omokoroa Easter Egg Hunt!

Grab your copy of the April Lizard News to be in to win a family-sized Easter egg hamper!

Match the Omokoroa business with an Easter egg number displayed at each of the locations Write the number in the egg below:

Once you think you have matched them all up, take a photo Like the Tall Poppy Omokoroa Facebook page and then send your photo through on messenger with the message DONE.

Winner will be drawn Friday 14th April and contacted via Facebook Messenger.

New trails are a treat Major roading upgrade for Ōmokoroa

By Matthew Farrell

Ahighly significant roading project is beginning, which appears to have been the final local ingredient required for central government to announce the construction timeline of two new schools in Ōmokoroa

The $23 5m Higgins contract paves the way for a long-planned dual-lane roundabout at the Prole Road intersection, also supporting the future Ōmokoroa Town Centre

It’s a major commitment to further infrastructure upgrades to support housing developments the District Council has been obliged by governments to plan for more than 30 years

The contractor immediately brought in machinery and pipes, following a blessing of the site by Pirirākau kaumātua Peter Borell

Prole Road will be transformed from a rural road to one fit for a future urban environment

It includes the reconstruction of 1 7km of road from Ōmokoroa Road to Waipapa River, new shared walking/cycling paths

on both sides, on-road cycle lanes for experienced cyclists, safe pedestrian crossings, and the roundabout It also means watermain and wastewater mains, power, fibre, stormwater, new street lightings and landscaping

Council’s Environmental Planning Manager, Natalie Rutland, says it will enable the development of approximately 2,500 new homes and help address the sub-regional future housing shortage

“These will be a mix of terraced housing, townhouses, apartments and standalone dwellings with section sizes to cater for different needs and wants We’ll also create a large open space area at the corner of Prole and Ōmokoroa Roads,” says Natalie Council is funding $16m of the project, with the remaining $7 5m secured through the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group It’s expected to be completed by early 2025

The District Council’s first Strategic Plan in 1991 identified Ōmokoroa for future urban growth The population is estimated to peak at 13,000 by 2050

By Matthew Farrell

Katikati’s mountain biking, horse riding and walking community have a much shorter commute to both peaceful and physically challenging tracks, now that Waitekohekohe Recreational Reserve is officially open

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer cut the ribbon beside key community contributors, horse trail expert Kirstin Symes and mountain biking lead Damon McLachlan

Ngāi Tamawhariua has supported the project for some time and gifted the name Waitekohekohe in 2020, acknowledging the ancestral name for the area and its relationship to spiritual waters, a sense of yearning, and climbing trees and vines

While Council owns the land and manages the park, it wouldn’t exist if not for a group of like-minded local volunteers The Katikati Recreational Park Development Group proposed the idea in 2018, and the community backed it in the 2021 LongTerm Plan The KKRPDG team has since developed the bike, horse and walking trails with Council funding

Damon first visited the site in 2017 and immediately saw the reserve ’ s potential as a mountain bike park with varied terrain, including a peak and drop down to a river valley

Since then, Damon has been working with contractors to build car parks and trails so everyone can enjoy riding closer than Waihī, Summerhill, or Ōropi

“Rob Metz and his excavator operator Rohan (who created trails at the renowned Redwoods) planned and built five trails for grade two to grade four riders They’re fast and flowy with great berms,” says Damon

Horse riders can enjoy 6km of trails, jumping and galloping tracks, plus corrals, a weather shelter and a wash-down station

Waitekohekohe is on the lower slopes of the Kaimai range, 15 minutes from Katikati There are separate car parks for mountain bikers at 360 Thompsons Track and equestrians at 252 Thompsons Track Dogs must be kept under control Visit waitekohekohe nz

Higgins has started works near the site of the new schools on Prole Road

PHOTO: Matthew Farrell

Mayor James Denyer meets a four-legged trail user

PHOTO: Sarah Rice

ANZAC Poppies on the Point

By Greg Taylor and Chris Dever ANZAC Convenors 2023

Plans are now well underway for the 2023 commemoration of ANZAC

Day on Tuesday 25th April The day will start with the Poppies on the Point Dawn Service at 6am at the Memorial Cairn in Ōmokoroa’s Crapp Reserve Enter from either the Domain and walk up the steps or come in from Gellibrand Place Please park courteously in adjacent streets If you are able, please park some distance away to give those less able easier access

Milo and ANZAC biscuits will be served after the service at the reserve If you would like to help by making ANZAC biscuits, as many of you have done in the past, please drop them off at TOLO before Monday 24th, or in the letterbox at 64 Ōmokoroa Road There could be some light entertainment and time for a catchup with old friends and neighbours.

The ANZAC Community morning service will be held in the courtyard of CHT Acacia Park on Hamurana Road at 11am

This will give residents the opportunity to be part of the ceremony from their rooms or come down and be part of the community The outside service will give those residents unable to attend the Poppies on the Point at dawn the opportunity to remember with their community

Could we please have some indication of names of Veterans likely to attend either service so we can suitably accommodate them, and also names of organisations or individuals wishing to lay a wreath?

Poppy Day will be on Friday 21st April

This is the NZRSAs main fundraising activity Donations collected on Poppy Day assist the RSA in providing the services to help improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for New Zealand’s veterans of all ages, many in our community, so please give generously

For further information, please contact anzac@omokoroa org nz or call Greg at 021 992446

We look forward to making 2023 another significant day of remembrance for Ōmokoroa

Anzac around the rohe

Mayor James Denyer will attend the Tauranga Anzac Day service and lay a wreath on behalf of the District Council, with Councillors due to attend services at Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa, Maketū and Te Puke.

Digging in to make a difference

By Matthew Farrell

An Ōmokoroa couple says they went to volunteer with the Hawkes Bay clean-up operation simply because they could

Digger owner/operator Lex Bacon and wife Sue sneaked through the closed Napier-Taupō highway as essential workers, with the blessing of roading crews last month

They were gone for nine days in total, with travel bookending seven straight days of on-site action They say the Esk Valley was the worst damage they saw, with six or seven metres of silt visible about 20 to 30km past the State Highway roadblock Most houses were red or yellow stickered, and they believe accommodation is the biggest long-term issue.

“Our accommodation was above that valley A school friend of Sue’s We worked at the Napier/Hastings end in apple orchards with up to a metre of silt

“A couple of yellows we helped strip The reds, you just stay out We worked to clear implement sheds to make space for people who had to buy everything they now need People have no clothes They had to swim from their homes without their wallets

“Everyone had a horror story of survival All similar, all equally awful As for

the looting, there was one couple who spent four days in their second storey with all their stuff The day they put it outside to dry, it was stolen, and the Police later arrested a Tauranga man, ” says Lex

“Another couple planned to sleep on lilos in the upstairs office of their shed, until six metres of water flooded in and left them clinging to their beds as rafts all night ”

Sue played camp mother, helping manage donations of food, water, juice, tea and coffee

One day they received a delivery of a hundred cheeseburgers

Lex and Sue took a couple of weeks to get ready to go, borrowing a 200-litre diesel transfer tank from Warren Turner of Ōmokoroa Bobcats - which was filled free of charge by Mike and Joann Deane at Challenge Neighbours, friends and family chipped in $1300 cash, including $250 from a Matakana Island donor

Lex worked with the “amazingly organised” Zeb Jackson Crew and says this “mystery girl” has put her heart, soul and life on the line to manage the group for a month

Lex says anyone wishing to donate to make a difference to the clean-up can deposit into 02-0719-0175223-005 or the Mayoral Relief Fund

Crime and incident report

By Senior Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh and Senior Constable James Muir

Burglaries

A Hyde Street dwelling has been entered on 1st March, and a JBL ‘boom box’, men ’ s perfume and a small amount of cash were stolen

At around 7am on 1st March a 4 8metre Stabicraft boat and trailer were stolen from a Minden property

A Prescott trailer with a cover was stolen from a Wairoa Road, Minden property on 4th-7th March

Sometime on Monday night 6th March, a shed was broken into on a Loop Road, Te Puna property and a Cub cadet rideon mower was stolen

During the hours of daylight on 8th March, a Youngson Road property had a shed broken into, and a 50 cc Yamaha motorbike, two chainsaws and various tools were taken

Clarke Road, Te Puna A male offender was disturbed in an implement shed on the property on the afternoon of 12th March He drove off in a grey Mazda MPV

A Stihl leaf blower was stolen

On 25th March a derelict building on Wharawhara Road, Katikati, was broken into, but nothing was stolen

Theft

1st March a petrol dive off at Caltex

Katikati

4th-5th March a vehicle was broken into under the Wairoa Bridge at Te Puna The vehicle had been left there after an accident

6th March a vehicle was broken into on Beach Grove, Ōmokoroa and clothing,

fishing lures and other items were stolen

7th March a silver and green child’s Avanti bicycle was stolen from the Skate Bowl area of Fairview Road, Katikati

7th March the theft of a wallet and phone from a vehicle parked in the carpark under the Wairoa Bridge The offender likely located the car keys hidden on the vehicle’s wheel The property for this vehicle has been located the following day by a Police patrol in Tauranga Charges are expected to be laid

9th March a parcel was stolen from the letterbox of a Matahui Road, Katikati address

9th March at 4 30am, a vehicle parked on Coppellia Avenue, Ōmokoroa, was broken into, and a radar detector, gym bag and sunglasses were stolen. The offender smashed a window setting off the car alarm

11th March a small wallet was stolen from a vehicle parked on Thompsons Track, Aongatete, during the day

Bottle of liquor stolen from a Te Puna liquor store

Other

3rd-5th March an attempt was made to steal a Nissan Caravan vehicle from behind BP Katikati

6th March an attempt has been made to break into a vehicle on Sentinel Avenue, Ōmokoroa

Found Property

Two alloy car wheels, a black tarpaulin and a backpack were found on Henry Drive, Katikati

Small tan purse with change located on Main Road, Katikati

Bluetooth speaker found in Katikati

An iPhone was found in Ōmokoroa

Oppo phone found

Unlawful taking of motor vehicles

A vehicle stolen from Tauranga was located crashed in Ōmokoroa after it was observed doing burnouts in the Fresh Choice carpark

On Sunday night, the 26th of March, a vehicle was broken into on Margaret Drive, Ōmokoroa and an unsuccessful attempt was made to start it On the same evening, an attempt was made to take a vehicle parked on Ōmokoroa Road

1974 Holden Kingswood stolen from SH 2 Whakamārama (see apprehensions) Continued on page 16

Armed Police in Ōmokoroa

Police executed a pre-planned warrant in Ōmokoroa to locate a person of interest. Eyewitnesses tell Lizard News there was a substantial Police presence, including seven or eight marked vehicles, as well as an unmarked car with two officers blocking Coppelia Avenue. One eyewitness says an officer told them the raid was drug-related

Photo: Supplied

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From page 14

Arrests and apprehensions

1st March a 23-year-old Whakamārama man was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol on SH2 Whakamārama.

4th March a 15-year-old Ōmokoroa youth has been interviewed and referred to YAS for robbery after another youth was assaulted and robbed of his shoes at the Ōmokoroa Skate Park

5th March a 33-year-old Welcome Bay man driving with excess breath alcohol in Ōmokoroa

7th March a 16-year-old male was arrested for preparing to commit a crime (theft of diesel) at Lockington Road, Katikati

8th March a 33-year-old male was charged with assaulting Police after we attended a family harm incident in Whakamārama

A driver was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol after being stopped on Ōmokoroa Road

A 26-year-old Tauranga man was arrested on 18th March after he was disturbed loitering on an orchard off SH2, Whakamārama He has been charged with being unlawfully on a property

A 59-year-old Whakamārama man has been charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship and threatening to kill

Property stolen from the vehicle parked under the Wairoa Bridge was recovered after a vehicle stop in Tauranga some days later Charges are expected to be laid

8th March a 37-year-old man of no fixed abode has been charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship twice, and threatening to kill, and assaulting a Police officer The incident oc-

curred in the Aongatete area The male has been bailed to appear in the Tauranga District Court on 17th May

9th March a 23-year-old gang member of no fixed abode was arrested near Paeroa after his vehicle was spiked The vehicle had been followed by the Katikati Police to its spiking location Earlier, the vehicle had been involved in a petrol drive-off in Tauranga and the theft of alcohol from a Te Puna store It had also failed to stop for a Police Highway Patrol unit in Aongatete The male has been charged with a number of dishonesty and driving offences and has been remanded in custody until 24th March The vehicle was impounded

10th March a 63-year-old Tahāwai man was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol on Main Road, Katikati

10th March a 33-year-old Katikati man was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol on Jocelyn Street, Katikati

11th March a 19-year-old Ōmokoroa man has been charged with disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence after a group confrontation on Ōmokoroa Road after 10pm

11th March a 56-year-old Tahāwai man was stopped, and his vehicle impounded He is now charged with driving whilst disqualified

A 29-year-old Tauranga man has been charged with burglary after a confrontation with the occupiers of a Te Puna Road address on the evening of 12th March The male was not known to the occupants, and damage was done to the address He has been remanded on bail until 19th April

A 61-year-old Te Puna man has been charged with cultivating a large number of cannabis plants after they were lo-

cated growing on the property during a visit on 13th March

Three boys aged 11, 12 and 13 are responsible for breaking into a vehicle on Main Road, Katikati on the 25th of March Two have been referred to YAS, and another is to be spoken to

A 33-year-old Whakamārama man was arrested and charged with unlawfully taking a 1974 Holden Kingswood vehicle which was for sale on SH2 Whakamārama on 25th March The vehicle was located at a Whakamārama address the following day

A 22-year-old Waihī man has been charged with driving offences relating to the speed and manner of his driving and failing to stop for a Police patrol on SH2 at Aongatete on 22nd March The man also had a warrant out for his arrest and was taken into custody

Wilful Damage

Two males were located at a local service station after a rubbish bin was set on fire

Two children were identified by police after tagging in Ōmokoroa

Following reports of a suspicious vehicle in the Minden area, it was stopped by police and the driver’s details were ob-

tained Inquiries are continuing

Window broken at the Tennis Club on Park Road, Katikati and also at the Katikati Primary School Police will be speaking with the children involved in the near future

General

Minden and Whakamārama are hot spots at the moment for rural burglaries. We have had some good sightings of suspicious vehicles come in Keep reporting suspicious persons or vehicles, please

We attended a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident where a driver lost control on a moderate corner and crashed into a barrier causing extensive damage

Another complaint where a person was scammed over a Facebook marketplace purchase The money was transferred, but the item purchased was never received

The public counter is open, but I would encourage people to keep on reporting crime and incidents online through the Police website or by ringing 105 unless it is urgent, in which case 111 is the goto number

If you see something, say something Call 111 if it’s happening now Call 105 if it is after the event

Lizard

Ōmokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade

By Ian Blunt Chief Fire Officer

March turned into a busy month for firefighters, responding 11 times, beginning with a call to an electrical fire in a machine on Old Highway Fortunately, it was out on arrival, and the building was ventilated

There were some minor callouts to private fire alarms or smoke showing

There were calls to two rubbish fires

One at Gull, where someone had ignited a bin of rubbish, and the other to a rubbish bin billowing excess smoke over neighbours in Ridge Drive were quickly extinguished by firefighters

From 7 30pm on the 26th, firefighters were called to an unknown fire on Turner Road, which was identified upon arrival as a large shed fire With gas cylinders exploding, firefighters used monitors from a distance to extinguish the fire This call had four fire trucks in attendance, plus a water tanker The following morning at 7 30am, a rubbish fire at Apata almost got out of control beside a shed and was extinguished by the team At 2pm, the brigade attended a

A fire on Turner Road required four fire trucks and a water tanker PHOTO: Supplied

smokey fire by Prole Road and, half an hour later, attended a utility vehicle which had crashed onto a safety barrier at Pahoia Four callouts in 24 hours

First Responders were again busy, being called out 21 times in March Multiple calls on four days throughout the month kept the team on full alert, especially on the 30th when four callouts were logged

Thank you to all the volunteers who manned the appliance and first response vehicle to help those in our community

Luckman leaves his legacy

W o r l d c l a s s

d e n t i s t r y y o u

c a n d e p e n d o n

A e s t h e t i c & g e n e r a l d e n t i s t r y

G u i d e d i m p l a n t s u r g e r y

By Matthew Farrell

Afounding member and former chief of the Ōmokoroa Volunteer

Fire Brigade, John Luckman, has died Lately, locals would have seen John on his mobility scooter and trailer, riding around selling hand-made macrocarpa toys and recalling yesteryear

A guard of honour stood to attention on Thursday 2nd March, between the hearse and the vintage Ford V8 ‘Gertie’ that John was so proud of

Daughter Wendy Griffin says a farewell from the brigade was her dad’s dream

“He loved attention The boys have done an amazing job today, and he would be so proud This would have made his day Gertie was Dad’s baby Everyone’s heard the story of how he wouldn’t let her be sold But now the stories will stop, and it’s part of history,” says Wendy

F u l l s m i l e m a k e - o v e r s

O n e - v i s i t c r o w n s

R e m o v a b l e b r a c e s

At the brigade’s 50th anniversary gathering in 2017, John told me he was living in Kōwai Grove in 1965 when his car burned out overnight

The blaze came very close to reaching the house and John said he knew then the area needed a fire brigade Two years later, the original brigade began, based in a shed where the old library is now located on McDonnell Street John was the deputy chief for the first year, before taking the lead himself for the next 12 years

John had returned to Ōmokoroa nine months ago after a 20-year retirement in Te Anau He remained independent and active until his last three days He was 92

A guard of honour for much-loved Ōmokoroa identity John Luckman

John s great-grandchildren aboard Gertie with Ross Leek

70 Years of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade

By Paula Gaelic Museum Manager

On Saturday 4th March, the latest exhibition was formally opened at Western Bay Museum in Katikati entitled “70 Years of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade ” As the museum is now contained within the old fire station, it is the perfect building to host this exhibition

At the opening ceremony, we spoke of the brigade’s early beginnings How, after the townspeople saw the Farmers building burn to the ground in August 1950, a group of men rallied to build the fire station and purchase the fire truck seen in the photograph The families of Alex Taylor, David Hume, Jock Mitchell, Jim Purcell Snr, Des Wilson and others were acknowledged for their contributions during those times

Commitment, dedication, courage and community have been the driving force behind the almost 200 past and present volunteer firefighters and members of the Katikati Brigade Volunteers make up approximately 85% of firefighters in NZ, with almost 12,000 people serving small towns and communities

The exhibition shows many facets of the local fire brigade: its history, diversity and inclusion, many Gold Star awards, the telegram of congratulations from Governor General Sir Keith Holyoake, double Gold Star Allan Evans, the training required, the great fire chiefs, the dedicated volunteers, both men and women that serve with pride, that answer the call, and deal with the 111 calls and ultimately to keep the community safe.

We then introduced other speakers, including Chief Fire Officer Hatete Joe Manukau He received his 25-year Gold Star Medal in 2011 and was New Zealand’s first Māori Fire Chief Joe received the Queen’s Service Medal for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community in 2018 Patron of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade, Ken Purcell, was then invited to speak Ken joined in 1959 and served for 37 years Seven members of the Purcell family have served as volunteer or career firefighters

Western Bay District Councillor Allan Sole then spoke ahead of Andrew Taylor of Taylor Brothers Transport, the exhibition sponsor and the museum ’ s platinum sponsor

We thank everyone for contributing to creating the exhibition and the commemorative booklet Everyone is invited to bring family and friends to enjoy the exhibition and help celebrate and honour these great people Ordinary people doing extraordinary things The exhibition will be on display until June Abridged speech notes

What they said

By Matthew Farrell

Hatete Joe Manukau: You will see why we remember and celebrate 70 years when you look at the exhibits passed down from ancestors We celebrate our partnership We move together as a community in unity It starts with history, our past, current and future members Brendan Gibbs is moving to Whanganui He’s attended more calls than anyone else, leaving a big gap to fill

Ken Purcell: In the old days on the 1953 Ford, our antics were enthusiastic We had a driver and eleven hangers-on, but there were never accidents In the 60s and 70s, there was better equipment and appliances as the scope expanded to vehicle accidents, alarms and medical events Katikati residents should be proud of this strong, efficient unit, providing a service oftentimes at the expense of members

Cllr Allan Sole: The community would struggle without you You save properties and lives You rescue people and put your lives on the line We should have pride in the people with the humanity to go and do the job without knowing what they are getting into

Alex Taylor: You have to admire the men and women who have given their time as volunteers to serve the district You are good people, and you deal with danger, trauma and emotions as you help keep Katikati safe

Paul Darragh Visual ar tist

Jess Lowcher Photographer

Julie Paama-Pengelly Tā Moko ar tist & creative

Matty Buxton Musician

L-R: Station Officer Craig Gray Patron Ken Purcell Station Officer Fire Chaplain Brendan Gibbs Taylor Bros Transport director Andrew Taylor Fire Chief Hatete Joe Manukau and Acting Fire Chief Jim Cooper PHOTO: Matthew Farrell

Ōmokoroa Neighbourhood Support

By Rachel Millard

Here in Ōmokoroa, we were very lucky that the recent weather events treated this area kindly The scenes of devastation around the country have been awful for lots of communities The Centre, at the very heart of our community, has been able to donate an amazing $20,000 to the Red Cross specifically to help out in Hawkes Bay An amazing contribution from our amazing volunteers These events highlight how important it is to know your neighbours Do you know which of your neighbours will struggle if we had an emergency?

Please take the time to get to know your neighbours

We have had reports of a guy door knocking, offering to wash the exterior of the house or clean windows It has been reported that this guy has no

equipment and does a poor job or no job at all Please be wary and check their credentials before agreeing to part with any money This guy is known to the Police and frequently moves from area to area Call 105 if you have any details to report

We have been working hard to get more members and now have a subgroup on Kaimai Views A big warm welcome to more than 70 new members this month

These groups can work hard together to share events as they happen, along with ideas to help prevent some of the crimes If you are not already a member, please email nsomokoroa@gmail com with your details

We are currently looking for street contacts on the following streets: Wai Huri Place on Kaimai Views Stingray, Anglers, Oyster, Ridge Drive (new part),

Big top-up for food bank

A street contact just needs to collect everyone ’ s contact details and keep

By Matthew Farrell

After an eight-year recess, Walnut Grove neighbours Warwick and Rina Francis brought back their Music in the Park concert to raise funds for Ōmokoroa Food Bank

A crowd of about 80 people enjoyed performances for about three hours on the afternoon of Sunday 12th March, raising at least $2000

With $50 notes flying, $896 50 was collected on the day, later topped up to $1000 by Lizard News and generously doubled with $1000 of match funding by Legacy Trust.

It’s hoped the cash will more than compensate for a recent burglary at the Ōmokoroa Community Church Food Bank, which has since beefed

them up to date If you can spare a few hours to gather this information in your area, please email nsomokoroa@gmail com

up its security

“People hear about break-ins and the Food Bank being robbed, but this is feelgood news Positive things do still happen in the community,” says Rina

Rina says after five years of gigs to raise money for muscular dystrophy, they had sold their PA gear and were kindly loaned the day’s equipment by Phil Brown of Audio Solutionz

“We are so grateful to Phil as this enabled us to do this 100% for charity, and we ’ re extremely grateful to Legacy Trust for matching the donations made by our very generous community - so much more than we anticipated and a fabulous result

The Ōmokoroa Food Bank account number is 03 0435 0458547 00

Ōmokoroa resident Jackie Bubb of the New Zealand Red Cross met Centre volunteers and talked about the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery as NZRC received a special one-off donation from the Trust The Centre says this discretionary grant won t impact on the amount given to local groups this year from op shop proceeds PHOTO: Matthew Farrell

Rina and Warwick doing what they do best

PHOTO: Supplied

Goldstone, Kōheru, Herring, Kahawai and Parore on Harbour Ridge

A blessing for Abbeyfield

By Matthew Farrell

Asite blessing has been held at a 2000m2 section of land in Katikati, purchased for the future construction of an Abbeyfield House.

Supporters and contributors gathered at 3 Wills Road on Saturday 4th March, including three MPs, the Mayor, two Councillors and the Community Board chair

The Abbeyfield model is to provide affordable rental accommodation, in a large family-style house, for those aged 65+ with modest or no assets - who wish to live independently, but in a supportive environment of companionship

Reverend Brendan Gibbs and Pastor Teresa Wynyard walked the crowd to each corner to bless the land before Abbeyfield Western Bay chair Carole Parker thanked everyone

“If you know any philanthropists, tell them how important this is Once the house is built, there are no ongoing operational costs, and it is affordable

on national super

“It is not-for-profit, non-denominational, and supported by a team of volunteers who take on the small jobs that make a house a home,” says Carole

Nelson-based Abbeyfield executive Susan Jenkins was there to congratulate the committee effort and thank the donors behind this milestone

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with your impressive group - on applications to government and philanthropic funds and trusts, for the capital grants and match funding we need to proceed - in this rather special community, with a strong social foundation,” says Susan

Tauranga-based Cabinet Minister Jan Tinetti acknowledged the volunteers “who just didn’t give up, on their amazing project of local ingenuity and such merit”

Mayor James Denyer says it’s great to see an awesome project have a base and get on its way, saying, “housing is an issue across the District, and we all wish you all the best ”

Work to begin on Katikati’s newest shared path

Work on a new 1 2km pathway connecting the Yeoman Bridge to Park Road Reserve was scheduled to start on Monday 27th March.

Once complete, it will provide a safe and picturesque 2 5m wide trail for walkers, runners, e-scooters, wheelchair users and mobility scooter riders to enjoy Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Cycleways Manager Scott Parker says the new path will make a fantastic addition to the growing walking and cycling network around Katikati

“This is already a well-used grass trail, but it tends to get soggy in winter, so we want to provide a path for people of all abilities to enjoy year-round

“Paths like this allow users to get to where they need to go easily, whether for work or recreation

“It also gives an opportunity for much-needed fresh air and exercise, as well as giving people a sense of in-

dependence, connectivity, and community - so it’s important we continue to expand our walking and cycling network,” says Scott.

The path itself will be tinted with a black oxide additive to blend in more closely with the natural environment, as well as being the most cost-effective colour option The final colour will be very similar to the existing esplanade concrete path section between the end of Park Road Reserve and Irwin Court

“When we asked the community for their thoughts last year, they told us that it was important for the visual impact of the path surface to be as minimal as possible, so we ’ ve selected a concrete tint that we think will help with these concerns

“As far as the path alignment goes, we’ll generally be following the alignment identified in the original feasibility study There will also be signage along the path-

way showing the alignment of each section ”

During construction, access to sections along the esplanade reserve will be unavailable at various times. Please check the signs on the temporary fencing to see if you can pass through safely or need to follow a recommended detour Matco, a local civil construction company, has been awarded the contract to complete the project

The shared path is expected to be complete by July 2023, weather dependent Council says it appreciates there will be disruption throughout the construction phase The surrounding area will be reinstated as the path is completed

This project has been on the cards since 2018, when it was included in the adopted Kaitkati-Waihī Beach Reserve Management Plan Funding has been allocated through the Long-Term Plan 2021-31 process

Reverend Brendan Gibbs and Pastor Teresa Wynyard

PHOTO: Matthew Farrell

Sewer overflows on the rise in Bay of Plenty

cidents in 2020/21 to 27 in 2021/22, a 440 per cent increase

WBOPDC utilities operations manager

By Alisha Evans Local Democracy Reporter alisha@thesun co nz

Heavy rainfall is being blamed for a 47 per cent increase in sewer overflows in the Bay of Plenty between 2020 and 2022.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) figures show there were 202 sewer overflows between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2022 This is up from 137 for the same period in 2020/2021

Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) had the highest percentage increase in events jumping from five in-

EJ Wentzel said many of the Western Bay overflows come from blockages caused by people putting things down a sink or flushing them down a toilet

This included fat or foreign objects like paper, wet wipes, and sanitary pads

There were 32 sewer overflow incidents between 1st July 2021 and 16th February 2023, of these incidents 10 were caused by blockages from fat and six from wipes or paper, according to WBOPDC data

Most of the 32 overflows occurred in Te Puke with 11 incidents, while there were eight in Ōmokoroa

Wentzel says, “A common source of overflows is from homes that have their stormwater connected to the sewer system This means that rainwater goes into

the sewer and can cause overflows during heavy rainfall ”

“We ask people to please only flush the three P’s - paper, pee and poo That way our pipes will stay clear and we’ll get far fewer sewer overflows,” says Wentzel

Reuben Fraser of BOPRC said discharges could also occur from stormwater infiltration and intrusion into the wastewater network, aging infrastructure, overloading due to increased development and illegal connections to the system

He said Regional Council worked closely with city and district councils to reduce the risk of overflows occurring

“There are clear expectations for maintenance and proactive management of networks as well as guidance on how to manage and respond to network overflows to ensure our communities are kept safe and damage to the environment is minimised ”

Fraser did not respond to the question of whether the number of overflows was acceptable.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

Western Bay storm damage bill could total $20m

By Alisha Evans Local Democracy Reporter alisha@thesun co nz

The cost of storm damage to the Western Bay of Plenty district will be between $15 and $20 million after Cyclone Gabrielle and severe weather in January swept through the region

There are more than 30 sites where major slips occurred as well as the bridge that was washed away on No 4 Road in Te Puke

Western Bay of Plenty District Council infrastructure general manager Gary Allis told the Projects and Monitoring Committee the damage assessment was still ongoing so the cost could be plus or minus 30 per cent

“Our biggest hit was the anniversary weekend [weather] event, not Cyclone Gabrielle,” he said “Gabrielle did cause some damage but in the scheme of it, for us it was minor, and compared to the rest of the country this area dodged a bullet ”

The cost of installing a temporary bridge at No 4 Road would be between $1 5-$2 million, building a permanent bridge would be $7- $8 million, with the balance in repairing the slips, said Allis

He said decisions would need to be made about the level of repair for some of the affected roads

Some of the roads damaged by slips included Wairoa Road, Ōropi Gorge Road, Old Kaimai Road and Te Puna Station Road Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

changes are required to protect and restore our freshwater

Why

Sadly, some of our rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands here in the Bay of Plenty are not in great shape They are being impacted by what we do and the changes we are making - urban development, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, water use, diversion, damming and so on Poor or declining water quality is a ecting the ecology, swimming and recreation, and ability to gather kai (food) and kaimoana (seafood)

Existing rules and regulations have not been enough to protect some of our lakes, rivers, streams and estuaries Bay of Plenty Regional Council need to make changes to the Regional Plan so that we can protect and restore our freshwater Te Mana o te Wai, the holistic approach to freshwater management will be at the centre of this decision making

To find out more head to boprc.govt.nz/freshwater

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Sewer overflows increased from 2020/21 to 2021/22 PHOTO: Sun Media

The slip on Wairoa Road Photo: John Borren/Sun Media

Three-year plan for northern harbour rivers

By Karen Smillie Project Parore

On 21st March, Project Parore launched its three-year strategic plan for catchment restoration between Aongatete and Athenree to a group of gumbooted supporters and funders The backdrop for the presentation was Rick and John Burke’s Pukekauri Farm in Te Mania catchment, a remarkable showcase for what 20 years of environmental stewardship can achieve The plan is anchored in a Jobs for Nature grant from the Ministry for the Environment, which has enabled Project Parore to employ its own team of environmental professionals to carry out restoration and protection work in the area Project Parore collaborates with farmers, orchardists, councils, iwi and volunteers on riparian fencing, native planting, fish passage restoration, wetland enhancement and pest animal and plant control on private and council land to restore the health of freshwater corridors and, ultimately the northern Tauranga Harbour.

The primary short-term goal is to meet the expectations of the Ministry for the Environment These expectations are expressed in thousands of native plants established, hectares of afforestation and wetland restoration; hectares of pest animal control established and regular biodiversity and water quality monitoring

Project Parore is also focused on growing volunteer numbers and capabilities

Awareness and involvement in caring for the natural environment have benefits not only for native habitats and wildlife but also for community well-being and resilience

The recent tropical cyclone activity has focused the group ’ s attention on catchments with a significant human population Project Parore will prioritise native reafforestation and riparian planting opportunities for the Uretara, Te Rereatukahia and Waiau rivers to reduce the future risks of flooding and silt downstream The Uretara is also earmarked as one of three hills to harbour wildlife corridors that Project Parore aims to develop.

Project Parore’s Chair, David Peters, told the attendees that “Our whole method of working is to find people who are motivated and share our vision Our team has the energy, tools and skills to achieve some great things, but we need willing partners to work with us ”

“We’ve come a long way but barely begun our journey We believe it’s possible to have sustainable and productive land use The environmental harm that has occurred over a mere 150 years may take that long again to fix, but we ’ re committed to doing it with your help”

Rotary updated on cyclone impact

By Nigel Williams

Phil Parker from Red Cross, Katikati, recently gave us his personal impressions of some of the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle He had returned from an eight-day reconnaissance trip to assess the needs of a number of heavily affected communities

The first stop was in Te Karaka, where many houses were devastated, with mud up to 2m deep The mud is a potentially serious health issue as it can be highly toxic, with domestic pets liable to spread leptospirosis

Gisborne city was comparatively lightly impacted

apart from water and electricity services damage The full scale of impacts was, however, obvious in the small, low-income town of Wairoa, where 115 houses had been yellow stickered Ninety per cent of houses there are apparently uninsured, which will make recovery a long, slow and difficult process for the inhabitants

Many of the 22 marae in the area are also likely to have suffered

One of the strongest impressions Phil got from his trip was the speed of the cyclone’s impact There was little warning that evacuation of homes was necessary, and

the mud-laden waters rose extremely quickly

Donations to the club’s Cyclone Gabrielle Relief Fund have reached $3,000

In other news, a 12-tonne load of scrap batteries has been despatched and will contribute more than $10,000 to club project funding

Some 15 gardens have been selected for the next Garden Ramble in November

The club plans to purchase a $1,500 Shelterbox ERK, which will go towards relief after the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Supporters and funders gathered to launch the three-year strategic plan PHOTO: Supplied

Ōmokoroa Menzshed –part of your community

An objective of the Menzshed is to become an integral part of the community After a little over a year, that is happening

On Saturday 4th March the Shed was invited to the whānau day on Matakana Island, organised by the Te Awanui Hauora Trust The members took along their knife sharpening machine, which had locals rushing back home to fetch their knives, and kept our man Andrew going non-stop for nearly four hours, only needing to stop due to the departing ferry

In the last month, thirty stoat traps have been delivered to the Whakamārama Pest Library, with a similar number on order from others in the community

The Shed is also working with a community project for bird hides in Cooney Reserve and developing a programme with Ōmokoroa No 1 School to have students learn some skills at the Shed to make some games for the school

It is also apparent that many families often find that they are left with a range of hand and power tools when a member of the family retires or passes away The Shed welcomes these families to bring the tools to the Shed, where advice will be given on what to do with them, who might be able to make use of them, and

how they could be made useful to the community President Mike Hayden says the Shed is not about old guys making things for themselves The Shed is an asset which the community can use, and it is pleasing to see this reaching out to a range of projects for members of the community of various ages and interests

The Shed is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning in Prole Road, and people who need help can call in and discuss their needs Article supplied

Running for MND

Three generations of the Raeburn family of Ōmokoroa will be running in the Rob Burrow Leeds marathon on 14th May this year to raise money for motor neuron disease Former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019 Since then, Rob and his family have campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to support other families living with MND

Tim’s father, David, was diagnosed with MND two and half years ago and there is no cure for the disease Tim’s Mum, Liz (74), Tim (52) and his children Anna (20) and Angus (19) will join other family members to run the marathon

Tim’s Dad, David, completed several marathons for charity previously in his life, and although not able to run this time will be there to cheer on his family Although Tim and Liz have completed marathons before, it will be the first time Anna and Angus have run this distance All money raised will go to MND NZ, to help with research into finding a cure A give a little page has been set up, and

any donations will be greatly appreciated

Shedder Andrew McWilliam with an audience on the knife sharpener at Matakana Island

Standing L-R: Angus Liz and Anna Raeburn will be cheered on by David (front)

Shedder Michael Galloway working on stoat traps PHOTOS: Supplied

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – WEEKLY EVENTS

Here are some of the groups and activities which happen regularly in the area. If you have a regular group you’d like to add to the list, please email liz@lizardnews.net or call

This is presented as a guide

We recommend you check with organisers beforehand

The Old Library Ōmokoroa (TOLO)

McDonnell Street 10am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday

Local history community information and art for sale Contact Alison on 021 294 9294

Dave Hume swimming pool in Katikati is open for the summer season Check times/sessions at www davehumepoolkk com or contact 549 1069

MONDAYS

Homewood Park Tennis Club 9am start

30A Park Road, Katikati New members welcome Email katikati tennis@outlook com

Ōmokoroa Playcentre Behind Ōmokoroa

Settlers’ Hall 9am-12 30pm

omokoroa@playcentre org nz

Pilates Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion 9 15-

10 15am Contact Claudia 021 192 7706

Katikati Bowling Club Combined Roll Up

9 30am Names in before 9 15am 2x4x2

format Coaching available 8 Park Road,

Katikati 07 549 0103

Fitness Fun Ōmokoroa Settlers Hall 9 30-

10 30am Contact Gloria on 021 139 2448

Scrabble at both Ōmokoroa Library and Pātuki

Manawa 10am Refreshments provided Free

Postnatal Support Group 10am-12pm

Bethlehem Birthing Centre All parents and caregivers of children under two are welcome

Starts back 10th Feb Phone 549 4522

Keep On Your Feet Strength and balance classes for older adults 11am-noon Ōmokoroa

Settlers’ Hall Sharnie 021 1118617

Western Bay Museum Guided Tour 11am

WBOP residents and ratepayers FREE 32 Main Rd, Katikati Ph 07 549 0651

Justice of the Peace clinic 11am-1pm at Waihī

Library, 40 Rosemont Street

Ōmokoroa Indoor Bowls 1pm for 1 30pm

play Ōmokoroa Settler s Hall Contact Ruth

Hamilton 571 1564

Scottish Country Dancing 1-3 pm St Peter s

Anglican Church, Beach Road $4 All ages, no partner required Call Douglas 021 0244 6099

Bolivia Katikati Christian Centre, Henry Road

1-4pm Some knowledge of canasta useful but

not essential Contact Christine Sherriff 549 5601 or 027 434 9842

Movie Matinee 1 30pm at the Arts Junction,

Katikati Tickets $10 Limited seats 549 5250

Bridge Club Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion

afternoons Call Lyn Chaston 022 165 0820

omokoroabridgeinvs@gmail com

Yoga for Men 5 15-6 30 pm Katikati

Community Centre Call Gerry 021 050 8419

IGIRLZ Fun adventure and learning for girls

8 - 11 6-7 30pm Ōmokoroa Community Church

Hall Call 548 2515

Yoga Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall 6-8pm Contact Mollie 021 177 8018

Pilates Mat class Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall 6-

7pm Contact Nicole 022 409 7109

Table Tennis Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall Seniors

(18+) 7-9pm $3 per single, $5 per couple Inc

supper White-sole shoes preferred Call Bruce Lauchlan on 548 1741

Social indoor netball term time at 6pm Apata

Community Hall - Pahoia School Ages 11+ $5 per night Beginners welcome Contact Kirsten 022 535 1530

ITF Taekwon-do at Te Puna School Hall

6-7 30pm Self defence, self confidence, fitness

First 2 weeks free George 022 437 4403

Cards 500 7pm at Ōmokoroa Bowling Club

$3 incl tea and biscuits Prizes/raffles monthly

Carpooling from Katikati available Call

Lorraine Taylor on 548 1404

Indoor Bowls 7pm at Waihī Beach RSA

Contact Grant on 027 475 0556

TUESDAYS

Social Tennis Waihī Beach Tennis Club 8 30/

9 am start All year Casual & new players

welcome Call Kevin 027 273 5655

Te Puna Quarry Park clearing, planting and weed control from 8am and from 1 30pm

Contact Shirley on 552 2707

Ōmokoroa Playcentre Behind Ōmokoroa

Settlers’ Hall 9am-noon

omokoroa@playcentre org nz

Te Puna Playcentre 9am-1pm term times only 225 Te Puna Road te puna@playcentre org nz

Te Puna Tennis Club casual tennis 9am start

Casual and new players welcome

Contact Catherine tptennisclub@gmail com

He aha ō whakaaro mō te Mahere ā tau?

What do you think of our proposed Annual Plan 2023/24?

Kia ora Western Bay,

We know things are tough for everyone right now – inflation, cost of living, recent severe weather events

We’re facing the same tough economic times But we’re working hard to suppor t our District, while ensuring we can continue to do the mahi that matters to you

Our proposed Annual Plan 2023/24 sets out how we plan to achieve this

Here's how you can join in the kōrero

Online (wānanga ipurangi)

For more information on the Annual Plan or to share your thoughts, visit: haveyoursay westernbay gov t nz/ annualplan

Hard copy (pepa mārō)

Feedback forms are available at all our library and service centres

Email ( īmēra)

Send feedback to: haveyoursay@westernbay gov t nz

or 021 506 855

Mainly Music Ōmokoroa Pavilion 9 30am in term times $4 per family Tamryn on 576 5387

Pahoia Creative Fibre Ōmokoroa Settlers’

Hall 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays at 10am Learn to spin, weave, felt, knit, crochet and more

Call Alison 022 0849 348

Tai Chi 9 30-10 30am Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall

Contact Marilyn on 027 630 4063 or Anne 548

0763

Keep on your Feet strength & balance for older adults 10 15-11 15am Catholic Church

Hall, 89 Beach Road, Katikati Sharnie 021 111

8617

Justice of the Peace clinic at Waihī Beach

Library 11am-noon

Waihī Beach Bowls at Memorial RSA Bowling Club Roll-up, names in by 12 30 for 1 o ’clock

start All welcome Bowls and coaching

available Contact 021 0220 4040, 027 863

1349 waihibeachbowls@gmail com

Ōmokoroa Bowling Club 12 30 to 4pm

30 Hamurana Road Beginners and visitors

welcome $5 Ph 021 255 6415

Katikati Bridge Club Katikati Memorial Hall

Lounge 1pm All levels welcome Contact

Estelle 021 187 1620 or Sara 021 999 806

Mahjong Circle 1pm at the Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion, Western Avenue Call Denise on 548 1385 or Margaret 548 2126

Wise & Wonderful Arts & crafts games and afternoon tea for seniors Pick up and drop off available in Katikati area 1 30-3pm at Katikati

Community Centre Gold coin Contact 549 0399 or info@katikaticommunity nz

Teen Advisory Board Plan, promote and implement programs and events for teens

Year 7 to 13 students 3 30-4 30pm during the school term at Pātuki Manawa Gentle Yoga at Ōmokoroa Settlers Hall

4–5 30pm One free trial class Contact: Karin 548 1787 or baysyoga@xtra co nz

Ōmokoroa Tennis Club 6-8pm Contact Sharon Parker on 027 261 9517

Ōmokoroa Indoor Bowls 6 30pm for 7pm play Ōmokoroa Settler’s Hall Contact Ruth Hamilton 571 1564 Katikati Toy Library 6 30pm-8pm at the back of the Christian Centre on Henry Rd,

WEDNESDAYS

Tennis Club 9am start 30A Park Road, Katikati New members welcome Phone Cushla 027 414 2587 Pilates Ōmokoroa Settlers Hall 9 15-10 15 Contact Claudia 021 192 7706 Community Tai Chi Waihī Beach RSA 9 30am during school terms Contact Trish 021 482 842 Knit & Natter at both Ōmokoroa Library and Pātuki Manawa, Katikati 10am Free Stepping Up free computer classes at Katikati Library Wednesdays/Thursdays Book on 571 8008 or www steppingup nz

Fitness League exercise movement dance for posture, strengthening & stretching All ages & abilities 10am Memorial Hall Katikati Phone Pam 549 4799 Ōmokoroa Artists Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall 10 45am-3 30pm $5 Contact Jill 021 408 660 or Facebook page: Ōmokoroa Artists

Adults Dance & Move 12 30pm St Peter’s Church, Beach Road, Katikati Many styles of fun dance Contact Gaye on 577 1753 or 027 274 8753 gayehemsley@gmail com

Katikati Toy Library 2 30pm-4pm at the back of the Christian Centre on Henry Rd, Katikati FB: ‘Katikati Toy Library’, text 027 551 5589 or E: katikatitoylibrary@gmail com

Grow On Seedlings Club Katikati Community Centre 3-4pm 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of month, term time Intro to gardening for children aged 6-10 years Call Janet 021 0236 7038

Western Bay Museum Guided Tour 2pm

WBOP residents and ratepayers FREE 32 Main Rd Katikati Ph 07 549 0651 Ōmokoroa Athletics Club 4 15–5pm (3–6 years) and 5 15- 6 45pm (7–14 years) at Western Ave Sports Grounds

Wrestling Katikati Primary age 5 30-6 30pm College age/seniors 6 30pm-8pm Bring a

COME TO PLAYCENTRE!

In person (ā kanohi)

Or come kōrero in person at one of our community information drop-in sessions:

• The Daily Café

3 Commerce Lane, Te Puke

Monday 17 April, 9am-11am

• Clarke Road Kitchen

7 Clarke Road, Te Puna

Wednesday 19 April, 9am-11am

• Flatwhite Café

21 Shaw Road, Waihī Beach

Friday 21 April, 9am-11am

Feedback closes 5pm, Sunday 30 April

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – WEEKLY EVENTS

Here are some of the groups and activities which happen regularly in the area. If you have a regular group you’d like to add to the list, please email liz@lizardnews.net or call

Diabetes NZ Drop-in group 10-noon 177a Fraser Street, Tauranga 571 3422

tauranga@diabetes org nz Justice of the Peace clinic 10am-12pm at Ōmokoroa Library & Service Centre Western Bay Museum Guided Tour 11am WBOP residents and ratepayers FREE 32 Main Rd, Katikati Ph 07 549 0651

Pilates Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall 11 30am12 30pm Contact Claudia 021 192 7706 Rummikub at Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd Katikati 1pm start, $3 per person

Te Puna Quarry Park clearing planting and weed control 1-4pm Contact Shirley 552 2707

Line Dancing Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall

Beginners 1-3pm Call Joce 021 486 265 Brick Club Afterschool LEGO sessions in Ōmokoroa Library 2 45-4 45pm

THURSDAYS

Beach Community Centre

9 30-11am Bats, balls, courts and nets

provided $3 per session Call Phil on 021 624 908

Ōmokoroa Playcentre Behind Ōmokoroa

Settlers’ Hall 9am-noon omokoroa@playcentre org nz

Tai Chi 9 30-11 00am Te Puna Memorial Hall

Contact David 027 222 2824

Tai Chi 9 30-10 30am Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall

Contact Marilyn on 027 630 4063 or Anne 548 0763

Katikati Embroidery Group 10am St Pius

Church, Beach Road, Katikati Call Edna

027 474 9946

Tai Chi for beginners Sports Pavillion, Western Ave, Ōmokoroa 10-11am Call Sabine

021 1388770 or tetzlaffsabine@gmail com

Preschool Storytime Read Sing Move at 10am at Katikati Library Caregivers, please stay with your children Free to attend Ōmokoroa Community Garden working bee

10-noon Hamurana Road, south entrance to Ōmokoroa Point School Weather permitting

ITF Taekwon-do classes at Te Puna School Hall 6-7 30pm Self defence, self confidence, fitness First 2 weeks free George 022 437 4403

Ōmokoroa Songsters Ōmokoroa Settlers Hall, term time from 7-8:30pm Contact Jan Murray 027 286 1552, Alison Badger 548 1544 Katikati Concert Band 7-9pm, Katikati Bowling Club We welcome all ages and experience Contact Eryl 021 404 163 Bridge Club Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion in the evening Call Lyn Chaston 022 165 0820 omokoroabridgeinvs@gmail com

Katikati Toastmasters Club Communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater selfconfidence and personal growth 7 30pm on 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursdays at Community Centre Beach Road Contact 544 5989

FRIDAYS

Social Tennis Waihī Beach Tennis Club 8 30/

9 am start All year Casual & new players welcome Call Kevin 027 273 5565

Friends of the Blade direct message the Facebook: Friends of the Blade or email noelenetaylor57@gmail com

Ladies Singles Tennis 9am at Ōmokoroa Tennis Club, Western Ave, Ōmokoroa Enjoy some competitive but fun games Line Dancing Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall General session 9am-noon Call Shirley on 548 1633

Ōmokoroa Playcentre Behind Ōmokoroa

Settlers’ Hall 9am-12 30pm

omokoroa@playcentre org nz

Preschool Storytime ‘Read Sing Move at 10am at Ōmokoroa Library Caregivers please stay with your children Free to attend

Justice of the Peace clinic 10am-noon

Bethlehem Community Church 138 Moffat Road

Justice of the Peace clinic 10am-noon Katikati

Community Centre, 45 Beach Road

Ōmokoroa Friendship Club Ōmokoroa

Community Church Hall 10am-12 15pm for $4

Morning tea and lunch provided Drop in or call

Lorraine Taylor 548 1404

Ōmokoroa Singles over 60s meet for friendship, coffee, outings, etc

Email omokoroa senior singles@gmail com or phone 021 627 107

Waihī Beach Bowls at Memorial RSA Bowling

Club Roll-up, names in by 12 30 for 1 o clock

start All welcome Bowls and coaching

available Contact 021 0220 4040, 027 863

1349, waihibeachbowls@gmail com

Bolivia Cards Ōmokoroa Bowling Club

12 45pm Contact Janet on

janetandwillie@kinect co nz or Linley on 218

7003

Katikati Senior Citizens Indoor Bowls

12 45pm at Katikati Memorial Hall Contact Chris 549 0958

Cards 500 at Katikati Bowling Club 8 Park Rd

Katikati 1-4pm $2 per person

Katikati Bowling Club Combined Roll Up

2 00pm Names in before 1 45pm Coaching available Social club day activities to follow 8 Park Road, Katikati 07 549 0103

Katikati Plant & Produce Market A&P

Showgrounds 3 30-5 30pm Contact Pauline

Van Rijen 549 2449

SATURDAYS

Junior Tennis Coaching at Ōmokoroa Tennis Club Members and Non-members welcome Visit omokoroatennis com for information and to book

Katikati Toy Library 9-10am at the back of the Christian Centre on Henry Rd Katikati

FB: ‘Katikati Toy Library’, text 027 551 5589 or E: katikatitoylibrary@gmail com

Friends of Cooney Reserve 9am Bring sturdy footwear and gloves, and tools if you wish

Contact Chris Cole (text only) 0274 545 586

Grow On Katikati 9 30-10 30 Pick up/drop off seeds and seedlings for community food resiliency Next to Katikati Community Centre growonkatikati@gmail com

Katikati Mini Kickers From 9 30am for children born between 2016-2020 Contact Caroline on 027 551 5589 or katikatifirstkicks@gmail com

Ōmokoroa Toy Library 9 30-11am behind the Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall omokoroatoylibrary@gmail com

Ōmokoroa Community Garden working bee

10-noon Hamurana Road, south entrance to Ōmokoroa Point School Weather permitting Western Bay Museum Guided Tour Noon

WBOP residents and ratepayers FREE 32 Main Rd, Katikati Ph 07 549 0651 Ōmokoroa Bowling Club 12 30 to 4pm 30 Hamurana Road Beginners and visitors

welcome $5 Ph 021 255 6415

Homewood Park Tennis Club 1pm start

30A Park Road, Katikati New members welcome Phone Michael 027 473 1540

Katikati Bowling Club Combined Roll-up

2 00pm Names in before 1 45pm Coaching available Social club day activities to follow 8 Park Rd Katikati 07 549 0103

Boomerang Bags Katikati Sew reusable fabric community shopping bags Txt Robyn on 021 158 4038 to join or donate fabric Every other Saturday from 9th April at Katikati College

Fabric Tech Room from 1pm Masks required Ōmokoroa Tennis Club 2-4pm Contact Sharon Parker on 027 261 9517

SUNDAYS

Athenree Homestead 360 Athenree Road

Enjoy the homestead and gardens ($5 donation for Homestead entry) Every Sunday, 11am-3pm from Jan–April athenreehomestead org nz Ōmokoroa Cricket 20 overs from 1pm every second Sunday at Western Ave BYO picnic FB: @omokoroacricket

Movie Matinee 1 30pm at the Arts Junction

Katikati Tickets $10 Limited seats 549 5250 Jam session Waihī Beach Hotel, 60 Wilson Road 4-7pm Everyone welcome

Year-round swimming in Ōmokoroa interest you? Contact Russell on 021 153 0767 or mothcork@gmail com for more information You are welcome to join us and swim for health and well-being

Sat 1st Car Boot Sale Katikati A&P Showgrounds 8-11am $10 or $15 with trailer Contact Carole on 027 457 9686 or abbeyfieldwbop chair@gmail com An Abbeyfield fundraiser Last one until spring

Sat 1st Katikati Street Party Live music, food, market stalls, kids entertainment Outside Katikati Info Centre 11am-2pm Free entry

Sat 1st Grow On Katikati Crop Swap Swap excess produce, seeds, seedlings, preserves, jams baking etc 1st Saturday of the month Garden shed beside Katikati Community Centre on Beach Rd, 9 30-10 30am Call Jizzy on 549 2337 or Marie on 07 9297906

Sun 2nd Adopt A Street Programme launch Register from 10am-1pm, The Arts Junction, 36 Main Road Adopt a street to keep clean of litter First 30 registrations receive a free plant courtesy of Project Parore Ph 07 549 5250

Sun 2nd Katikati Folk Open Mic 5pm every 1st Sunday of the month Blackboard (open mic) session at Forta Leza, 2656 Main Highway, Aongatete

Mon 3rd U3A Art Group 10am-noon every 1st and 3rd Monday at Waihī Bowling Club $2 Bring your own materials Contact Jose Jebb 027 457 0242

Mon 3rd Bethlehem/Te Puna Lions Club at Te Puna Community Centre Hall, Tangitū Road 1st and 3rd Monday evenings from 6 00pm Contact Colin 576 9110

Tue 4th Book Buzz Come and share your favourite reads with other book lovers 10am on the 1st Tuesday at Pātuki Manawa

Wed 5th Aongatete Forest Project working bee Top of Wright Road 9am-12 30pm 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning of the month Visit aongateteforest org/join

Wed 5th Waihī Beach FOCUS Group 10am at Waihī Beach RSA Interesting speakers, interesting conversation and of course interesting people Every 1st Wednesday

Wed 5th Kati Chat 10-11am at The Arts Junction Free event includes morning tea Learn about local organisations including Katikati Netball volunteering in Katikati U3A Creative Fibre and The Coffin Club All welcome

Thu 6th Ōmokoroa Peninsula Club 1st Thursday of the month, 9 30am, Ōmokoroa Community Church (excl Dec/Jan) Contact Geoff Gripton 548 1027 or Fred Hartley 548 1939

Thu 6th Katikati Blood Drive 9am-1pm at Katikati Memorial Hall Eat and drink beforehand Bring ID

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – APRIL

Sat 8th Katikati Moggies Market Second Saturday each month 9am to 12pm Katikati

Memorial Hall Your local monthly market Support local, buy local E: moggiesmarket21@gmail com

Sat 8th Patchwork Quilting at Ōmokoroa

Settlers’ Hall 9am-4 30pm second Saturday each month Contact Christine 027 280 1344

Sun 9th Katikati Psychic Cafe Katikati Community Centre, 45 Beach Road 2nd and 4th Sundays 9-7pm $10 cash 027 336 3896 for FB: Katikati Psychic Cafe

Tue 11th Ōmokoroa Photographic Society Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion Social Room All levels welcome 7-9pm on 2nd Tuesday of the month omokoroaphotoclub@gmail com

Tue 11th Katikati Creative Fibre 7pm on 2nd Tuesday of the month at St Paul’s, Mulgan Street $5 Email marparmail@gmail com

Wed 12th U3A Katikati monthly meeting 10am-noon in the Digital Hub next to the Library on 2nd Wednesday each month Guest speaker Paula Gaelic, Western Bay Museum Call Pam Mazoyer 021 104 2925

Wed 12th Ōmokoroa & Districts Lions Club 6pm at Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall on the 2nd Wednesday of the month Contact Keith and Rosemary Searle on 548 2117

Wed 12th Katikati Herb Society Every 2nd Wednesday at 7pm at St Paul’s church Contact Fiona 022 684 5178

Thu 13th Business Breakfast 7am-8am at Pātuki Manawa, beside Kaitkati Library All welcome Ph 549 5250 Speaker: Lindsey Rayner on Mental Health First Aid

Thu 13th Friends of Puketoki Trapping/checking every 2nd Thursday Meet at Leyland Road carpark Call John Budden 548 1180 or Terry Edwards 552 6222

Thu 13th Ōmokoroa Business Network meeting 9am on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month Details available at omokoroabusinessnetwork@gmail com

Thu 13th Katikati Genealogy Group 2nd Thursday, Presbyterian Church Hall, 1 Mulgan Street at 1 30pm $5 New members welcome Contact Jeanette 027 348 3259

Fri 14th Family Planning appointments 101pm and drop-in 1 30-4pm To book call 578 8539 Katikati Midwives Rooms 14 Jocelyn Street, Katikati Every 2nd Friday See familyplanning org nz

Fri 14th Bethlehem Night Market every 2nd Friday from 5 30-8 30pm at Bethlehem Hall Facebook: cnmbethlehem or contact Jen on 021 672 281 cnmbethlehem@gmail com

Sat 15th Katikati Tramping Club An easy 4-hour tramp around the Aongatete long loop Phone Pam 027 252 2779

Sat 15th Katikati Artisan Market 9am-1pm Chrome Cafe 3 Wharawhara Road Katikati

3rd Saturday of the month

Sat 15th Women’s Heath Workshop at Katikati Community Centre 10am-12 30pm

Lunch and drinks included Book by 12th April to val cheah@tautokomai co nz

Sun 16th Sunday Scribblers Working on memoirs Fun writing exercises to warm up 3rd Sunday of each month 11am-12 30pm Chrome Cafe, 3 Wharawhara Road, Katikati Contact Gaye on gayehemsley@gmail com or 027 274 8753

Sun 16th Katikati Folk Club Jam sessions 5pm 3rd Sunday of the month Informal jam sessions at Forta Leza 2656 SH2 Aongatete

Sun 16th Friendship Force Ōmokoroa Setters’ Hall 3rd Sunday evening of the month Ph Jonathan on 572 2091

Mon 17th U3A Art Group 10am-noon every 1st and 3rd Monday at Waihī Bowling Club $2

Bring your own materials Contact Jose Jebb 027 457 0242

Mon 17th Bethlehem/Te Puna Lions Club at Te Puna Community Centre Hall Tangitū Road Te Puna (Behind the Tennis Courts) 1st and 3rd Monday evenings from 6pm Contact Colin 576 9110

Tue 18th Book Buzz Share your favourite reads with other book lovers 10am every 3rd Tuesday at Ōmokoroa Library

Tue 18th Innovation Garden Club 1 30-3pm every 3rd Tuesday Waihī Beach RSA Contact 027 289 7674 or innovationgardenclub@gmail com

Wed 19th Aongatete Forest Project working bee Top of Wright Road 9am-12 30pm 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning of the month Visit aongateteforest org/join

Wed 19th Business After Five 5pm Hosted by Leveret Estate 2389 State Highway 2, Katikati

All welcome Ph 549 5250

Thu 20th Genealogy support Help with research into family history and DNA searches

Ōmokoroa Library 3rd Thursdays 10am Oneon-one help available at other times Contact Lyn on 027 259 6643 or lynevaughan@gmail com

Thu 20th Fun Mixed Doubles Ōmokoroa Tennis Club Western Ave Third Thursday of the month from 5 30-7 30pm

Thu 20th Café Scientifique at The Arts Junction, 36 Main Road, Katikati 7pm Free event All welcome Speaker: John Clements

Sat 22nd Katikati Lions Garage Sale 9amnoon at the containers behind Caltex, Main Rd Indoor & outdoor furniture, tools & more 4th Saturday Call David 027 549 0168

Sun 23rd Ōmokoroa History Group 2pm at The Old Library Ōmokoroa, McDonnell Street Guest speaker Roy Robinson, a retired

volunteer at Waiouru Military Museum

All welcome

Sun 23rd Katikati Psychic Cafe Katikati Community Centre, 45 Beach Road 2nd and 4th

Sundays 7-9pm $10 cash 027 336 3896 for FB: Katikati Psychic Cafe

Tue 25th Anzac Day

Thu 27th Ōmokoroa Business Network meeting 9am on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month Details available at omokoroabusinessnetwork@gmail com

Thu 27th Probus Club of Ōmokoroa 9 3011 30am at Ōmokoroa Setters Hall every 4th Thursday of the month Contact Wavyne 548 1233 or Jean 548 2239

Fri 28th On Point Coffee Club Coffee and a chat every 4th Friday of the month at 1 30pm at the Ōmokoroa Boat club Contact Lorraine Barnes on 548 2351 Everyone welcome

Fri 28th Family Planning appointments 101pm and drop-in 1 30-4pm To book call 578 8539 Katikati Midwives Rooms 14 Jocelyn Street, Katikati Every 2nd Friday See familyplanning org nz

Sat 29th Repair Cafe makers, fixers and tinkerers working to divert broken items from landfill 8 30am-noon the last Saturday of the month repaircafe@tinkd nz 148 Durham Street, Tauranga

Sat 29th Ōmokoroa Market 9am to noon Last Saturday each month except Dec Crafts, art, produce, bbq, plants, car boot, cafe and more E: omokoroamarket@gmail com

Sat 29th Taylor Bros Sheds and Studios Ramble Katikati and Waihī Beach 9am-3pm Tickets and info from The Arts Junction, 36 Main Rd Katikati

Sat 29th Ōmokoroa Colour Run Registrations essential via school fundraising co nz, then Ōmokoroa Point School All welcome, but limited numbers For more info email pta@omokoroapoint school nz

Sun 30th Pest Trap Library at the container next to Whakamārama Hall 3-5pm Last Sunday of the month

Sat 6th May Te Puna Harvest Market 12-4pm at Te Puna Memorial Hall All enquiries to tepunamarket@gmail com

Sat 6th May ‘We Mavericks’ play Kaitkati Folk Club 7pm open for 7 30pm start Members $20, casuals $25 The Arts Junction, 36 Main Road, Katikati

Thu 11th May Hearing support coffee group 10 30am at Arataki Community Centre, (Kingfisher room) Zambuck Way, Arataki, Mount Maunganui Soon in Katikati too Text (only) 021 264 1753

Slotcar Club Ōmokoroa to race club class saloons Controllers and cars will be provided for all drivers Contact Steve Wall on 021 163 2055 for dates/times

meetings and one-off events

effort has been made to be accurate, but please check information with event organisers

Sarah Campbell 021 707 060 sarah campbell@bayleys co nz

Focus on Katikati

By Fiona Powell Katch Katikati

Jazz Festival Comes to Katikati

Katikati is kicking off the Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival on Saturday

1st April with a Street Party This is a family-friendly event with roaming street performers, balloon artists and comedy puppeteers to keep the kids entertained while musicians play a selection of soulful music

The free Katikati Street Party event runs from 11am to 2pm with food vendors offering up a variety of tasty food and musicians positioned outside The Arts Junction, Museum and Cherry Court on the Main Road of Katikati If it’s wet, the event will move indoors to the Memorial Hall

Adopt a street

Sunday 2nd April is the launch of the Adopt a Street Programme in Katikati We encourage everyone to get involved – businesses, community groups, families and individuals – by adopting a street or area in Katikati and taking responsibility for keeping it free of litter Working together as a community, we can keep our streets and parks clean for everyone to enjoy

Come and visit The Arts Junction between 10am-1pm, register and nominate the street you’d like to adopt and receive your ‘Adopt a Street Pack’ of gloves and rubbish bags The first 30 people who register will receive a free plant courtesy of Project Parore

If you can’t make the launch date, head to www katikati org nz/adopt-a-street and fill in the online registration form Forms are also available at The Arts Junction, 36 Main Road, Katikati

The Katch Katikati team have adopted the area around The Arts Junction and playground for the Adopt a Street Programme

Adopted streets will be available to view on the Adopt a Street map at www katikati org nz

Ramble On

April already – and that means it’s the ‘Taylor Bros Sheds and Studios Ramble’ time Formerly the ‘Blokes and Sheds Ramble’ this year, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on Saturday 29th April from 9am-3pm

Over 15 sheds and studios in Katikati and Waihī Beach are opening their doors, giving you the opportunity of an exclusive peek at treasures, including hot rod repair and rebuilds, wood turning, vintage engines, military vehicles and even coffins Local artists, including Yana Meech, Colleen Tetley, Krystal Lynn and Trish Coates, are opening up their studios and displaying their art

Tickets and maps are $20 from The Arts Junction, 36 Main Road, Katikati and online at Katikati org nz

Treasures of Culture Exhibition

Western Bay Museum is pleased to announce that our next exhibition, Treasures of Culture, will extend to the Western Bay District community an exciting opportunity for people to share their personal treasures and stories as a way of celebrating our community’s rich diversity and honouring the traditions and stories of those who make this place such a vibrant and dynamic place to live

Interested community members are invited to share a taonga from their culture and provide an explanation of why this object is of personal significance For example, this could be tapa cloth, a piece of pottery or a hand-knit or woven garment that carries with it a close personal connection Whether small or large, old or new, people are invited to bring forward their objects (with a description of

why it’s precious) for consideration

A selection of the most interesting or unusual items will then be selected to go on display as part of the exhibition

The exhibition is set to open in July 2023, but we would like to invite community members to come forward now with their objects This process will close on April 30th 2023, so we can proceed to the next phase of exhibit planning

If you have an object that you would like to bring forward for consideration as part of the exhibition, please contact Museum Manager Paula Gaelic at info@westernbaymuseum nz or phone on 07 590 651 to make an appointment to come to visit and discuss your object

Western Bay Museum is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, and on weekends and public holidays from 11am to 3pm Article supplied

Awesome autumn holiday activities

This school holidays, the libraries have come up with some fun and creative activities There is something for all to enjoy, from craft making to clay modelling and LEGO building Bookings are required for some activities via eventbrite co nz (search ‘Western Bay Libraries’), or drop into your

local library in Ōmokoroa, Katikati or Waihī Beach, pick up a flyer and avoid missing out

There are free ‘Bunny Baskets’ and a ‘Flapping Bird Craft Kit’ to take home and make The April holidays colouring contest runs until 12 noon on Saturday 22nd April

Jacob Scott will play at the Katikati Street Party

The Katch Katikati team PHOTOS: Supplied

Henry s Rod Shop

Inaugural harvest market at Te Puna Hall

By Sue Clarke

The Te Puna Hall committee is holding an inaugural Harvest Market on Saturday 6th May from 12-4pm The idea for the market has germinated from historical harvest festivals, which are annual celebrations that occur around the time of the main harvest of a given region Given the differences in climate and crops around the world, harvest festivals can be found at various times in different places

The aim is to connect our community and celebrate the best of our area The market will feature local growers, talented artisans and people doing and producing wonderful things

In addition to live music and food vendors, we have all 3500 books from the now-closed Te Puna library to sell, which will be a great drawcard for book lovers Some of these books are still in their original packaging, as they never made it onto the shelves before the library doors were closed for good

In keeping with the Harvest Market theme, locals have been growing giant pumpkins for a competition, and there are other activities being confirmed for children

The hall committee are excited to

bring the Rustic Charm Travelling Farm all the way from their farm in Reporoa, with their friendly hand raised animals, to give children an interactive and informative experience at the market

Children can hang out with their animals which include alpacas, goats, calves, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs,

chickens, kune kune pigs, a sun conure colourful parrot and their special blue tongue lizard

The hours of the market, 12- 4pm, have been chosen to make it a place for lunch with Indian street food, dumplings, noodles, pork buns, a pizzeria and good old kiwi BBQ staples

The Fika ice cream cart will be there,

and you’ll also be able to grab a coffee to have with locally-made macarons

Crafts, plants, flowers and local produce will be for sale, so market-goers can enjoy the afternoon and stock up on weekend supplies

If you are interested in being a stall holder, then register via https://tinyurl com/tphhm

Angie’s Aspect Ōmokoroa History Group

By Angie Warren-Clark Labour List MP

It is great to hear that Ōmokoroa is receiving a new primary school and secondary school, with construction expected to start as early as next year! A high school was so needed, and this one will initially provide for 800 students, with the capacity to expand to 1200 Budget 22 allocated funds for the planning and design of the schools, and the Ministry of Education has worked in partnership with Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council Consultation with iwi, other schools, and the local community showed clear support for new schooling to manage the demands of Ōmokoroa’s growing population

The Ministry of Education will be calling for nominations for an Establishment Board which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023 When appointed, the Board will work with the community to develop the vision and values for the schools and determine how they will operate

Of course, this development is also key

to getting more cars off the road, working to ease congestion alongside the transport and safety improvement projects which continue to progress

To help with other bread-and-butter issues, as of 1st April, we significantly increased support for superannuitants, students, beneficiaries, and those on Working for Families Plus made childcare and after-school care more affordable for many families A couple on superannuation get $102 more a fortnight, while singles get $66 86 moreand remember, the Winter Energy Payment starts again on 1st May We also moved quickly to extend the fuel tax cuts and half-price public transport until the end of June

The recent extreme weather events have put further pressure on people across the country We’re committed to supporting Kiwis through the response, recovery and rebuild The latest numbers show that thanks to our careful management of the economy, New Zealand is well-positioned to tackle immediate challenges and to build back better, safer and smarter

By Chris Wright

April 2023 includes Easter, school holidays and ANZAC Make a visit to TOLO in McDonnell Street part of your month Do you have visitors here for Easter or the school holidays? Take them along too Haven’t yet purchased your own copy of the Ōmokoroa Farming Families book? Bring $45 00, and you too can read the details in the chapter on WW1 and WW2 Servicemen.

The Ōmokoroa History Group ANZAC focus this year is on World War One, with a display case of objects collected by Robin Hicks on display at TOLO This is backed by photographs, maps and illustrations from that war

There are also lists of the men from the local area who served in both world wars Please note that the names supplied are those who gave Ōmokoroa as the postal district of their next of kin This was a much larger area than the Ōmokoroa Point peninsula, also covering what is now called Plummers Point or Hūhārua, Pahoia, across to Old Highway, Whakamārama, and beyond Plummers

Point had the Ōmokoroa telephone exchange and post office, and the Ōmokoroa Railway Station was sited there, too (1928)

The store at Whakamārama was another focal point The Ōmokoroa Point area did not have its own ‘Ōmokoroa Beach’ postal district till the early 1950s when the Beach Store opened, and a telephone exchange was added

The History Group is indebted to Maureen and Norman Bruning for their research for what became the chapter on WW1 and WW2 Servicemen in the Ōmokoroa Farming Families book Requests for information were made to the NZ Army, Navy and Air Force and we are proud of the results Our records were greatly extended Details on each man ’ s period of service can be read there

The speaker at the group ’ s meeting will be Roy Robinson, who has recently retired from a volunteer role at Waiouru Military Museum, where he worked weekends with other volunteers readying all manner of machines for display Come along to TOLO at 2pm on Sunday 23rd April All are welcome

Kids will get to hang out and even feed some of the animals at the Te Puna Harvest Market PHOTOS: Supplied

By Todd Muller MP, Bay of Plenty

Todd talk Ōmokoroa Lions tertiary scholarships

Since I was a young boy, I wished to be an MP When I entered Parliament in 2014, I was determined to bring the best of myself to this special place. In the subsequent nine years, I have tried to give my absolute all for my community and my country

In all jobs, there comes a time when, if you are honest, you start lacking the enthusiasm and energy you once had After much reflection and discussion with those close to me and who know me best, I have realised I have reached that point I will not contest the next election

I cannot recommit to giving the National Party nor my Bay of Plenty community another full three-year term

Now is the right time for me to step down, pursue new challenges and allow a new National candidate with fire in their belly to take on the role of MP for the Bay of Plenty seat

I can’t deny this is a hard decision

Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis have completely reset the caucus, and I firmly believe they will provide tremendous leadership at a time of great challenges for our country come October Their support for me personally and professionally has been unequivocal, and I wish to thank them for their genuine values-based leadership

My journey in politics has been a stimulating, challenging and, at times, difficult ride However, I am thankful for it all I am a changed person through my parliamentary experience, and I hope adversity has broadened my understanding and care for the many forms of exasper-

Todd Muller

ation and inspiration that exist in our community

The times of most satisfaction were the quiet words to help locals navigate the often bewildering public service, successfully advocating for greater infrastructure and services for Tauranga and the Agriculture and Climate Change portfolios - the two underpinning pillars of our current and future society

I love my community, and I love this country It has been an absolute privilege to have been elected three times by the people of the Bay of Plenty electorate to serve them

I want to express my deep gratitude to my incredibly loyal party members in the Bay of Plenty electorate Your support and care for my family and I have been incredible What a ride we have been on with you all To my staff (present and past) in Wellington and Tauranga, thank you for all your hard work and care for our constituents I couldn’t have done it without you

Finally, to my family, thank you for your patience and support as I’ve served our community, often at the expense of time with you You are my rocks and I love you very much

By Shirley Miller Secretary

Two outstanding local students join a list of winners of the Ōmokoroa & Districts Lions Club Tertiary scholarships This year, the recipient of the Beryl Scott scholarship valued at $2000 was Hannah Power, who is studying towards a Bachelor of Science at the University of Otago

Alongside her interests in exercise and sports science, Hannah is committed to community volunteer programmes, especially those that involve outdoor physical activities She even has a gold award for more than 50 hours of volunteering in one year Working to save New Zealand’s endangered species is high on Hannah’s list of priorities Her chosen career path of conservationist aligns perfectly with this passion

Runner-up and recipient of the Precious Brothers scholarship of $1,500 was Maia Youard, who is immersed in nursing studies at Massey University, Wellington

Maia has a self-confessed love of absolutely everything about nursing She says, “commencing my studies at Massey University is a dream come true” Ōmokoroa Lions are proud to support these students and others in our community who deserve a helping hand

Applications for scholarships in 2024 open in November and are available to students from the Ōmokoroa district who have completed at least one year of tertiary education

The Lions Club is looking for more members If you are community-minded, want to help others and make Ōmokoroa a great place to live, please contact the president, Mark Ryan, on 021 244 4466 or email omokoroa president@lions clubs org nz

Maia Youard winner of the Precious Brothers scholarship PHOTO: Supplied

Exercising during pregnancy Ōmokoroa Community Board

By Nicole Dixon Mind

Your Movement Pilates

Congratulations, you are having a baby The benefits of exercise during pregnancy are huge It improves your overall fitness and helps you to maintain strength throughout pregnancy, reduces lower back pain and promotes healthy weight gain

Although, it can be daunting to know what is good for both you and your baby, and what perhaps is not such a good way to exercise

There are three major guidelines to remember while exercising during your pregnancy: Avoid overheating, especially in the first trimester Exercise in a room with good air conditioning or airflow

Avoid exercising outside on a hot day

Drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout. Signs of dehydration include dizziness and a racing/pounding heart Avoid standing still or lying on your back as much as possible

Another thing that is important to reflect on is, what is your current level of fitness If you are an extremely active person who exercises three to four times per week, including strength training,

running, and cycling, then there is no reason why you can’t continue this type of exercise

If you are new to exercise, you must remember to treat this scenario just like you would if you were just beginning any exercise routine Start with five minutes of aerobic exercise and ideally work up to 30 minutes of continuous movement

The current guidelines are 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week Ideally, this would be spread across four to five days per week

When choosing which type of exercise you would like to partake in, remember that your breathing, balance and joints will change throughout your pregnancy

You may need to avoid jerking high-impact movements and exercises that require a lot of balance Because your need for oxygen increases, you may need to take a few more breaks throughout your routine

When it comes to exercise here in Ōmokoroa, we have many choices, from walking around the peninsula to personal training sessions, yoga, and Pilates You might even find other expectant mums looking for an exercise buddy

Simply the best

By Pete Presland Chair

My oh my, so much going on which involves our community, which by default involves your Community Board

Welcome to the autumn proper So good to see some consistent sunshine and drier weather As a boatie, I have always loved autumn for the consistency of the weather In my nine-to-five role, I lead an insurance team at FMG Most recently, we have been tasked with the response to Cyclone Gabrielle For so many of our clients, the road back is a long one with a very uncertain future for many This is not my first rodeo, but it still serves as a personal reminder of how you cannot ‘ over-prepare ’ for such events.

In my Board role, I met with staff from our Council (WBOPDC) to discuss our level of preparedness for an emergency

In short, we are seriously under-prepared in terms of a Community Response Plan we can stand up in short order The goal of the plan is to have the community look after the community in an emergency To facilitate this, we need a Response Team who will activate our Emergency Centre We are in the early stages of planning an information evening for representatives of these teams; then, we will inform our community as to the nuts and bolts of the response plan It is always heartening for me to see the level of support our community throws behind such challenges With some planning, we will be well-positioned to cope as a community in the event of an emergency

Speaking of heartening experiences, I also met with the Ōmokoroa Community Policing Group, which includes our Community Patrol and Neighbourhood Watch teams They are a dedicated and well-organised Trust with the simple goal of making our community safe This is a key goal of your Community Board triennium To that end, in conjunction with the Trust, we will be putting together a business case to NZ Police for a permanent Police Officer based on the peninsula This will entail many steps, but one thing I know for sure and certain is when you stand in the way of our community and their desire to build something, you do it at your peril

The business case will include the evolving demographic of the community on the peninsula. With the rise in population, we will inevitably get a rise in anti-social behaviour As we develop new suburbs (imagine this, suburbs in Ōmokoroa), your Board is taking a close interest in what those housing developments look like In my opinion, we have not got this quite right to date Amenity values, consideration of how in reality, condensed housing interacts with human behaviour (parking, anyone) and timely maintenance of reserves created are among some of the matters your Board is closely looking at We are not lone wolves on this Indeed, there are correlations among all the themes I have chosen to highlight this day

More next month In the meantime, if you have anything you would like to raise with your Board on these matters or anything out wide, then drop me an email peter presland@westernbay govt nz

Break-in at food bank

We’d like to notify the community of a burglary which took place at the Ōmokoroa food bank during the last weekend of February

Unfortunately, there were quite a number of boxes stolen

This comes at a time when the foodbank is at its most busy, with new people moving in with relatives here in Ōmokoroa having to flee their flood-damaged homes We have supported numerous families over the past few weeks with food parcels

It is very sad that people take these measures and steal from a foodbank try-

Liza rd Ne ws

is a member of the NZ Community Newspapers Association

ing to help those in need at these very trying and difficult times

If you have seen or know of any details of this incident, please call the church office on 548 2515

The food bank donation bin at Fresh Choice has been empty over the past few weeks

We’d like to remind the community that they can contribute to the Ōmokoroa food bank by popping items in the bin at Fresh Choice or by delivering them to the Ōmokoroa Community Church Article supplied.

Winners are grinners, as Fiona ‘Ming’ Menzies of Ōmokoroa is crowned the National Women’s over 50 Disc Golf champion for 2023 Congratulations to Ming

A revolution in bowls

ŌBy Matthew Farrell

mokoroa Bowling Club is about to play host to one of the richest tournaments of its type in the country; the annual Junior Easter Classic

With five major sponsors, the tournament on April 8th and 9th carries $5,000 prize money for Year 1-5 bowlers

Tournament chair Scott Pickering says there is a full field of 32 triples teams entered, plus reserves for the matches on both grass and a highly-rated new synthetic green

“That’s 96 bowlers who will be spending their Easter holiday on this wonderful peninsula, coming from One Tree Point in Northland all the way to Levin and the Kapiti Coast We are delighted to welcome two

Hawkes Bay teams from Havelock North, teams from Foxton and Beach, and across Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Coromandel,” says Scott

Match convenor Bill Murphy has no doubt there will be future New Zealand representatives among those competing, saying, “they are here for this type of exposure and experience ”

Bowls NZ CEO Mark Cameron is even participating, as is Paul Hunter the manager of BoP Bowls, which administers 19 clubs from Taupō to Ōpōtiki and Katikati

Among those observing and prizegiving will be Gayle Melrose, a high-performance coach and BoP Premier team selector

Bill says the club has moved with the changing demographic of Ōmokoroa in the past three to four years

“Half of Ōmokoroa players are now Juniors, which means they have been playing for one to five years after starting with Twilight Bowls Twelve members of the club are now playing competitive rep bowls, and we ’ ve only ever had one or two in the past ”

An example of a recent Junior graduate is Caitlin Thomson, now in her sixth year and in the NZ Under20 team for this month’s inaugural Oceania Challenge in Auckland

Scott says there has been great local sponsor support, and they’ve encouraged participants to use local accommodation and hospitality options

A heart in tartan

By Matthew Farrell

The BoP Teachers and Judges Association are hosting the NZ U16 and U18 Highland Dancing Championships at Baycourt this July over Matariki weekend Dancers and their families come from all over the country to compete in this prestigious event

Scarlett Larman performed a Sword Dance at a Cultural Day held at Ōmokoroa No 1 School on Friday 31st March

She is a fifth-generation Highland Dancer, from her great, great-grandmother to her mum, Hayley Scarlett is taught by her nan, Christine Paul, who danced and runs a dance school locally in Te Puna Her great-grandmother, Freda Kerr, was a long-time resident at Ōmokoroa Country Estate Scarlett’s mum, Hayley Larman, says they embrace each chance to showcase the art of Highland Dancing

“Most little girls and boys don’t say “I’d really love to do Highland Dancing”, so the only way we can encourage the next generation is by sharing what Highland Dancing is ”

This is the first time the NZ U16 and U18 Championships are being hosted in Tauranga

Hayley says Isla MacFarlane, who has learnt from Christine since she was a wee lass, will be competing in the Under 18 age group this year, which is very exciting Isla has been a mentor to Scarlett and teaches her alongside Christine

“As you can imagine, running this

type of event is very costly, and our small committee has been tirelessly working to raise the necessary funds It would be great to raise awareness and awesome to hear from anyone wishing to make a donation to support the event,” says Hayley Christine’s email is cpauldance @hotmail co nz

Scarlett Larman performing at Ōmokoroa No 1 School recently PHOTO: Matthew Farrell

L-R: Bill Murray Scott Pickering and local rising star Jeff Meekings

PHOTO: Matthew Farrell

No point pussyfooting around

By Noelene Taylor

Cats - domestic, stray or feralhave been part of Aotearoa’s history since Europeans arrived Ships, including those of Captain Cook, had cats on the payroll as onboard ratters Settlers brought them for rat control as well as companionship Later, as rabbit numbers in the South Island grew out of control, cats were deliberately released along with stoats and ferrets in the 1870s to reduce the rabbit population As we know, that ended very badly for many of our native species

Feral cats are now a serious concern across Aotearoa New Zealand A feral cat lives in the wild and is not stray or recently owned or abandoned It is not so-

cialised and has no relationship with or reliance on humans None of its needs are provided for by humans

Being solitary, secretive and nocturnal, feral cats are very difficult to monitor, but Forest and Bird estimate there may be 2 5 million living in many different habitats This is about double the number of domestic cats, and in some areas, such as Canterbury, pest controllers fear they are at plague level Their origins as abandoned domestic cats show in their appearance; they are predominantly short-haired, with coat colour ranging across all of those seen for domestic cats: ginger, tortoiseshell, black, grey and tabby, perhaps with some white markings on the paws or chest However, the similarity ends there It is a free-living

cat, but its life is never easy It is often scruffy, affected by disease and very wary of people It may carry tuberculosis, ringworm, toxoplasmosis and parasites which not only shorten a feral cat’s lifespan but are also harmful to humans

Despite having a potential benefit to the environment by reducing numbers of rabbits and rodents around farms, feral cats living deeper in the bush have a major impact on native birds, bats, lizards, frogs, wētā and other insects Their survival in the bush depends on being expert predators, but they are also scavengers of dead carcasses In our trapping area around The Blade reserve, we often see evidence that cats have fed on carcasses of possums caught in traps

The Department of Conservation has a legislated mandate to control feral cats on public conservation land, and controlling cats is done as humanely as possible Forest and Bird and the Predator Free NZ initiative are committed to removing feral cats from all areas with high bio-diversity values

Removing cats can be a very difficult job; when cats were eradicated from Little Barrier Island to ensure a predatorfree island sanctuary, it took over four years to remove just 100 cats On mainland New Zealand, protection of the native species will need an environment where people, their domestic animals, pets and native species can co-exist Cat owners have an important part to play in this long-term protection of our native species

Aotearoa New Zealand has the highest

Whakamārama Hall regular events

Library

Thursdays 9am – noon (during term), and every third Friday 68 30pm

Visit whakalibrary librarika com to see our great range of books

A real eclectic mix!

PrESCHOOL PLayGrOUP

Thursdays 9 30-noon (during term time) This is a friendly, free group with a fantastic range of toys and great indoor and outdoor spaces

Email Dayna, on daynarowe83@hotmail com for more information

WHakamārama EmaiLS

Community news including lost and found animals, items for sale, excess fruit and vegetables, and rentals wanted

To receive these email Carolyn at rossroad@eol co nz

HaLL bOOkiNGS

Whakamārama Hall bookings are now available online

To check availability and to make bookings head to spacetoco com

Keyword Whakamārama Community Centre

rate of cat ownership in the world

It is increasingly common for owners to keep their cats at home to keep them safe and protect local wildlife Responsibly owned domestic cats have a place in our society, but feral or unowned cats do not Responsible cat ownership includes microchipping cats, desexing and limiting the number of cats per household It is increasingly common for owners to observe a cat curfew - keeping cats inside at home to keep them safe from fights and vehicle accidents A cat curfew, from at least one hour before dusk and an hour after dawn, will also help protect the many native species hunted by them

To abandon an unwanted cat in the bush is cruel Stray cats may become feral as their contact with humans dwindles, and in a wild state, they are vulnerable to death from starvation or disease

Predator control groups like Friends of the Blade are committed to removing pest animals, including feral cats, from the 300 hectares under their care because as predators are removed, bird species and numbers increase

The Friends of the Blade group welcomes anyone interested in joining Our corner of the bush is close to town, our volunteers are well-supported, and you will find a welcoming community of like-minded people If you are interested in joining a small and enthusiastic management group or our larger pool of equally enthusiastic predator control volunteers, contact us for more information by emailing friendsoftheblade @gmail com

Walk and talk in Katikati

By Karen Smillie Project Parore

ASunday stroll with an educational purpose was part of Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s recent ‘Parks Week’ festival Organised by Sharon Strong, Project Parore’s Katikati Environment Activator, the ‘Haiku Hīkoi’ (walk) was an opportunity to experience the beautiful Uretara river reserve and Haiku Park accompanied by fascinating commentary

Those who attended enjoyed a leisurely walk while hearing from Haiku committee members Sandra and Margaret, who shared their knowledge about the establishment of the Haiku Pathway

Renaturing Katikati volunteers who care for the banks of the Uretara gave an overview of the work they do, from native plantings during the cooler months

to the year-round task of managing pest plants and weeds, as well as pest animal control

The watery residents were not left out, with Keith Gregor explaining the spawning habits of īnanga (whitebait) and the importance of protecting and restoring their unique habitat along the Uretara river

Spot prizes were up for grabs for anyone who could identify some of the real bugbear pest plants, such as Taiwanese cherry, Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle Once pointed out, it was revealing just how prevalent and problematic these plants are The walk finished with ice cream for everyone

Anyone who would like to find out more about Renaturing Katikati or be kept in the loop for future events like this one can contact Sharon via email

kea@projectparore nz

PHOTO: Supplied

A feral cat caught on camera at Kaweka Forest Park, Hawke s Bay, where conservationists are trapping feral cats close to the river s edge to protect local kiwi and whio

PHOTO: ECOED/Save Our Kaweka Kiwi

After 18 months of trading, the Chrome Collective shop’s lease at Wharawhara Road is being cut short, so, as of Easter, they’re on the move The shop is moving online and will feature a huge collection of gifts and homewares made by entrepreneurs from the disabled community as well as local artists

Project Lead Fi Gudsell says the lease ending was unexpected However, the Chrome Collective will still be able to do what it set out to do, immerse those with disability into the community at events, in classes, and through volunteer work It also helps those with disability start micro-businesses and/or gain employment, help families access the support they need so they can all thrive and champion our local artists and producers

They also work alongside other community groups to make our communities fabulous places to live, work, and play

The last day the physical shop will be open is Thursday 6th April, and then wares will be available online through

By Hon Scott Simpson MP For Coromandel

The Minister of Education has confirmed that two schools will be opening in Ōmokoroa in 2026

There’s still a bit of work to do, but this is a positive step for families already residing here and those who will move to the area in the future An Establishment Board is being set up to work with the Ministry of Education and the local community to prepare the

chromecollective co nz After Easter, the collective will move into a new space in the Innovation Hub beside the RSA on Henry Road, Katikati The shop won’t reopen in the short term, but they’re looking at going to markets and setting up special events

Volunteer efforts will focus on the KaiGo Food Rescue community project located in the same Henry Road building KaiGo picks up left-over food from supermarkets and other food producers, brings it back to Henry Road, boxes it up, and distributes it to those who can use it There are all sorts of new skills to learn with weighing, packing, and computer tasks, just some of what the volunteers will learn

There is also the opportunity to go ‘gleaning’ – which involves picking fruit or vegetables For example, someone might have way too many pumpkins or a hedge full of feijoas and says, ‘they’re yours if you come and pick them’

Fi says the support from the community over the past 18 months has been

phenomenal “Often it’s the first time a customer has had the opportunity to interact with members of the disabled community Having an everyday conversation about everyday things can really break down barriers” She’s looking forward to continuing the work out in the commu-

Repealing Three Waters

schools for opening

In political news, National has outlined our plan to repeal and replace the Government’s Three Waters reforms We’ve listened to people’s concerns about losing control of local assets Our policy takes a more democratic and collaborative approach to the future delivery, maintenance, and investment of water services

‘Local Water, Done Well’ recognises that change is needed to ensure New Zealanders have access to quality water, but the

solution is not four co-governed mega entities which aren’t answerable to the public What this means for the Western Bay of Plenty is that the local council is accountable for the investment and maintenance of water assets Council needs to design a plan for the future of water infrastructure which is financially sustainable Their progress and compliance will be monitored by a new, independent Water Infrastructure Regulator within the

nity “The shop has been great We’ve all learnt new skills, made new friends, and discovered new superpowers But rather than waiting for people to come and see us in store, we can now get out and about in the wider community”

Article supplied

Commerce Commission

There is the option for like-minded councils to come together and pool their resources, but that is up to them and their communities Under a National Government, ‘Local Water, Done Well’ ensures that water stays in local hands

If you have any issue you wish to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to get in touch by either calling 0800 550 330 or emailing mpcoromandel@parliament govt nz

David Mackenzie with some of his hand-glazed pottery creations PHOTO: Supplied

Things you need to know before ‘the roar ’ and game bird season

If you ’ re a firearms licence holder, you’ll need to know about changes to the storage and transport rules for firearms and ammunition, and changes to the seven rules of firearms safety

Regulations were updated in February 2022, and to help Kiwis make sense of those changes, Te Tari Pūreke, the new firearms regulator, published a Secure Storage and Transport Guide

You can download a copy of the Secure Storage and Transport Guide from www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/firearms-safety

Storage and transport for firearms and ammunition, key points

Ammunition

All ammunition must now be stored in a locked container. You can now only store ammunition with firear ms in a gun safe that has a separate lockable compartment that has a different key than the key for the gun safe You must keep these keys separate And remember to keep those keys in different places, not on the same key ring or hook.

If your safe doesn’t have a separate lockable compartment, you need to store ammunition in its own secure storage container with a key, combination, or padlock, or in a stout locked cupboard

Transportation

If you ’ re driving to a hunting location, your firearm needs to be inoperable during your travel and, ideally, concealed from view This means removing the bolt or an essential part (or if that’s not possible, applying a trigger or cable lock), or transporting the firearm in a locked carry case

The ammunition needs to be separately and securely stored in a locked glove box or similar storage area, if practical.

And please, whatever you do, once you ’ ve finished using your firearm, lock it away Never leave any firearms in your ute, shed, home or vehicle unsecured at any time

The only exceptions to the firearms and ammunition transport rules are if you ’ re using the firearm on a farm for farm-related activities, or you ’ re doing legally-authorised hunting or pest control (such as a regional council employed pest controller) and the licence holder is in the vehicle or the immediately vicinity of the vehicle with the firearms in it

Make sure you read or download a free copy of the storage and transport guide to keep up to date with the details of the changes: www firearmssafetyauthority govt nz/firearms-safety/storagetransportation

Taking a break when you ’ re travelling with firearms

For those who travel with firearms to hunt locations, your inoperable and secured firearm can be left in your vehicle unattended, for example during a break in a journey, for up to 60 minutes. But you need to lock your vehicle and stay within the immediate area or vicinity of the vehicle and meet other conditions

Read the storage and transport guide for full details: www firearmssafetyauthority govt nz/firearms-safety/ storage-transportation

Under no circumstances can firear ms, ammunition or other ar ms items be left in a vehicle over night.

The seven rules of firear m safety have changed

Get ahead of the changes to firearms safety rules with the Firearms Safety Code

Buy the book from www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/firearms-safety and have it shipped to your door or download a PDF copy for free

Te Tari Pūreke and the firear ms registry

Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority is responsible for managing firearms in New Zealand.

We want to enable the legitimate use of firearms for feeding our whanau, conservation, farming and recreation while keeping our communities safe This involves making sure firearms licence holders are fit and proper to possess firearms and are meeting the obligations of their licence

New Zealand will have a firearms registry from 24 June 2023 The Registry is one of the ways Te Tari Pūreke is strengthening how firearms are managed in New Zealand

There will be no charge to registering your firear ms.

The new Registry will record how many firearms there are, and who has possession of them This will allow for more effective firearms regulation, provide better support to licence holders, and support Police in keeping our communities safe

Te Tari Pūreke will provide more details about the Registry and what it means for licence holders when the Registry Regulations are published. This is expected to be in late April/May 2023.

Firear ms licences online

Apply for a firearms licence and update your contact details online using MyFirearms: a secure, online portal available at www firearmssafetyauthority govt nz

For more infor mation on Te Tari Pūreke and any legislative or regulation changes that may affect you, go to www firear mssafetyauthority govt nz

All Mixed Up exhibition

By Lulu Harding Katikati Open Air Art

The Carlton Gallery has the pleasure of presenting ‘All Mixed Up’, a group exhibition by a small group of women who meet twice a month to share and inspire their love for art

These six women take inspiration from nature, their emotions and imaginations

They have all worked with different types of art and craft These include pottery, upholstery, porcelain art, spinning and using natural dyes, needlework, stained glass, folk art, macrame, woodwork, leather, cane work, and handmade recycled paper Working with all these different textures, colour, and even smells have an impact on their work

They have all been painting and exhibiting for many years, both locally and in other towns They are Margaret Robertson, Linda Cotter, Margaret Kneesch, Jane Nicolas, Julia Blackler and Carol Martin

This superb exhibition opens on Monday 27th March, and closes on Sunday 23rd April.

Any two of the artists will be in the Carlton Gallery, in the Arts Junction, 36 Main Road, Katikati, each Sunday in April from 10 30am until 12 noon

View the display Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10am to 2pm PHOTOS: Supplied

Local Katikati kombucha brewery scoops food producer awards

Alittle-known local Katikati kombucha brewery start-up has scooped three awards at the NZ 2023 food producer awards, announced on 21st March

In searching for a healthy alternative to soft and alcoholic drinks, Dr Bucha’s Living Drinks has been carefully crafting kombucha (a fermented tea beverage) with real fruit flavourings The difference with Dr Bucha’s Kombucha is the fruit flavourings are added directly to the bottles, which means although the drinks have a shorter shelf life than their competitors - the flavour is real and genuine The reactions from customers have been fantastic because they know they are getting a hand-crafted, locally-made product and keep coming back for more.

Dr Buchas Living Drinks Limited is run by a Katikati local husband and wife team, Fin and Donna McDonald They started 18 months ago and now employ five to six people locally, focusing on keeping things local and supporting the local community They purchase locallyproduced inputs where ever possible

with the aim of keeping money in the local economy They now attend eight or nine farmers’ markets a weekend and supply around 50 stores from Whakatāne to Auckland, focusing on supporting local independent stores Fin says, “Kombucha and low-alcohol drinks have seen a surge of interest as people focus more on their health We created a product that we liked first, and as it turns out, our customers like it too Kombucha can be a bit hit-and-miss, so it’s always a thrill when a new person discovers a healthy option where they don’t feel like they are missing out on their special drink We’ve seen quick growth and are now looking at expanding the brewery capacity further”

Dr Bucha’s Kombucha is available at the Katikati Produce market every Friday 3 30 - 5 30pm and at local stores such as Growlink, The Big Avocado, Orchard House Cafe, Common Ground Cafe, Parkland Produce and Beach Road Garden Centre We also offer free local delivery Visit www drbucha co nz for more information Article supplied

We Mavericks play Katikati

By Paul England

They pack mighty punches but bring songs to heal your scars Featuring only a foot-stomping Kiwi and a small-town Australian, the sound will be more than the sum of its parts on Saturday 6th May

Lindsay Martin’s masterful strings and vocals meet Victoria Vigenser’s magnificent voice in driving rhythms and an almost unbelievable connection With echoes of soulful Americana and Celtic roots in their gritty, evocative originals, it is powerful musicianship wrapped in a trademark tightness

Spotlight showcase artists for Folk Alliance International 2022, nominated “Best Folk Artist” in the 2022 Aotearoa (NZ) Music Awards and nominated Australian Folk Music Awards “Artists of the Year, Best Duo/Group/Ensemble” 2021 they’ve been on a steep rise to show and festival stages at home and overseas with no sign of slowing down With the duo’s debut, “Grief ’ s a Gardener”, they present connected and grounding origi-

nals in a show that will leave your tank topped up

Katikati Folk Club doors open at 7pm for a 7 30pm concert start Come early and get a good seat Remember, members pay only $20, and casuals pay $25 We accept Eftpos or cash As always, children are free

Before the show starts, treat yourself to a wine or beer from our cash bar During the break, grab yourself a complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits

For more information, check out www katikatifolkclub co nz

Katikati Kombucha Brewery is now at many local markets as well as many independent stores

PHOTO: Supplied

We Mavericks play Katikati Folk Club on 6th May

PHOTO: Supplied

Canoe slalom returns

Canoe slalom racing returned to the Wairoa River near Ruahihi power station on the last weekend of February after a number of years of absence Former national slalom rep and Ruahihi resident Jason Marra helped Kaimai Canoe Club and Canoe Slalom BOP set up a new course

A creek boat slalom race on Saturday afternoon was won by Whakamārama’s Tess Pateman and Isaac Sandman of Mourea As well as top regional paddlers from Tauranga and Matamata, Sunday’s canoe slalom racing included international paddlers from Germany, Hungary, France and Spain

Jazz yourself up

Get ready to swing into Easter with the Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz Festival

From 1st-10th April, the festival will feature exciting performances from some of the best jazz musicians in Australasia, including fantastic favourites and emerging new artists

There are lots of events and shows to choose from, with more than 200 talented artists from around New Zealand and abroad performing this year

Baycourt turns 40

Baycourt Community and Arts Centre is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a programme of art, exhibition and performance from 21st-29th April

A gala variety concert on the 21st will showcase four decades of community creativity with a visual and auditory feast of music, kapa haka, drama, comedy, and more

The celebrations end with a whānau

day on the 29th, with free guided tours behind the theatre curtain, plus face painters, balloon sculptors, roaming performers and food carts

Library of things

Tired of buying items that you only use once or twice a year, cluttering your home and contributing to unnecessary waste?

Join us in establishing the Ōmokoroa Library of Things (OLoT), a communitydriven space where people can hire household items they need rather than buy them outright

Whether you ’ re interested in managing the library’s inventory, fundraising for new items, borrowing from the library, or simply learning more about the concept of Libraries of Things, we welcome your involvement

For more information, contact Veronica at library of things nz@gmail com or call 021 578 840

Rural recycling

Following a survey of users, the hours for the fortnightly recycling collections in Omanawa have changed Residents can take their clean recycling on alternate Saturdays starting on 1st April, from 9am - 12pm at Omanawa Hall, 560 Omanawa Road

The mobile units are for rural residents who don’t qualify for kerbside collection services and have to travel a long way to get to a recycling facility

Residents can use the Antenno app to receive notifications of where the trailers will be each week (sign up for notifications about Te Ranga, Omanawa or Pongakawa) and also notify you if the next session has been cancelled for any reason

ADVERTORIAL

Ōmokoroa Property Ma na gement

Ōmokoroa Property Management has been operating in the Western Bay of Plenty for over three years now and continues to grow from strength to strength

Now a strong family business, the team incorporates Mary-Anne, her daughter Amey and daughter-in-law Manawa who are all REINZ-accredited property managers

Mary-Anne has over 20 years working in the real estate sector with 11 years in Auckland working for an award-winning Real Estate company as the Company Accountant and Manager of the Property Management Division Between the team, they have over 32 year s experience as landlords and over 25 years in the property management sector

While based in Ōmokoroa the team have branched out with properties from Pāpāmoa to Katikati and everything in between We are no more than 20 minutes from any property as Amey and Manawa live in Tauranga and manage those properties directly from home before travelling into Ōmokoroa each day

At OPM, we understand the importance of having a strict arrears policy in place, as often, landlords have funding for mortgages and/or repairs to cover

a

By John Collier Ōmokoroa Community Gardens

There has been much talk lately about food, its supply and obvious shortages, and there is growing concern about the cost

Yes, we could all lose a bit of weight, and we can always eat seasonally what is in abundance, but right now, everyone is reconsidering our relationship with our food and where we source it

I saw this week that lettuces are being offered at $7 each in the big markets, yet with a bit of planning, you can get 200 lettuce plants from a $4 packet of seeds and a bit of patience Allowing for slugs, pests and weather events, this would give you 150 plants (about $1000 worth of plants)

At the community gardens, we dig and weed and plant and sow to the rhythm of the seasons and the moon and the everchanging clouds and sunshine, in the certain knowledge that we know the provenance and nutrition and safety of what we grow and eat

As autumn develops, we are paying attention to our herb beds and thinking of all the calming plants we can grow Lavender for sleep, valerian for nerves and St John’s Wort for depression and anxiety The oldest gardens in the world have planted areas for cooking herbs and areas for healing plants, and for cosmetics

If you get headaches or migraine, feverfew might help, and if you suffer an

excess of gas, then parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme will all provide relief

And spare a thought for the common plantain, “the mother of all herbs,” written about in an Anglo-Saxon poem:

“Carts creaked over you; Queens rode over you

Brides bridled over you; Bulls breached over you

All these you withstood so you may withstand poison and infection ”

Come to the gardens and experience the calm and the healing, or if you want to chat, come Thursday and Saturday mornings and meet the volunteers

We also understand the importance of keeping on top of the ever-evolving changes in legislation, ensuring properties are compliant to protect everyone s interests

The industry is moving to full regulation with changes happening at the moment To get ahead of the crowd we are pleased that OPM is now REINZ (Real Estate Institute of N Z) Accredited According to REINZ we are the only accredited stand-alone property management company in the Bay of Plenty What this means is that we are regularly audited by an independent accountant, funds must be held in a Trust Account, and we must attend specific training each year

We aim for integrity, trust and excellent results, and we have an absolute commitment to the highest standards of business ethics and will manage your property as if it were our own

As part of our management services we supply a full Healthy Homes Assessment (at no extra charge to the landlords) So if you have a rental property, between Katikati and Pāpāmoa and would like it professionally managed, give the team at Ōmokoroa Property Management a call at 548 0808, and they ll look after you

Waihī Beach Menz Shed

By Bob Firth, Secretary

Very importantly, we have shed sign off by the Council, so we are now fully compliant A big thank you to Phil Bowyer for all the work he has done to gain this compliance certificate

Graeme Shirley has polished a brass sculpture for a member, and it looks great Just showing our diversity at the Menz Shed

Another watershed (sorry about the pun) event happening at the moment is the handing over of the completed and fully operational mortgage-free shed to four new Trustees

The building phase has been completed by the original trustees who had the vision and came together to com-

plete this job, and we thank Don Fraser, Brian Baynes, Don Oliver and Tom Wallace What a fantastic facility you have provided for us and the beach You are to be commended

The four new trustees will be named once all the documentation is signed, but in the meantime, Shed Manager Michael Bonnici is your go-to man should you have any queries

Here is his latest report:

“Last week, we finished off 35 DoC 200 rat trap boxes for Pippa Coombes Just the trap is to be fitted once Pippa has supplied them We also priced up 44 Victor trap boxes Once Pippa has funding, these will be made

“Lance is pricing up the cost for making a 7x3 metre Wharenui for the proposed community garden at the beach, also for Pippa

“We have had an enquiry from Mike

Hayden via the Waihī Community Forum to price up bench seats that would go around the rim of Martha Mine Also, for Mike, refurbishing some folding tables for the Waihī Lions Club

“We have a fencing job started, which will be finished by Tuesday next week

Also waiting on more fencing with the

next-door neighbour of the current job

These fencing jobs came about from the tornados that hit Waihī Beach recently

“Once approved, these jobs will total just under $10,000 of work There is some other work which is just in the discussion phase with Pippa and the Council,” says Michael

Ōmokoroa Business Network

By Matthew Farrell

The Ōmokoroa Business Network meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month

It is a casual chat over coffee among local owner-operators who are part of the small business scene There are no joining or membership fees

It’s a chance for fellowship and company, to catch up with one another and find out what’s going on for everybody Many of the participants are sole traders

The group has had several people holding it together and in a range of locations in the past few years, as individuals living locally and their self-employment situations change over time

The next meeting dates are 9am on 13th April, 27th April, 11th May, 25th May The venue is currently the Ōmokoroa Boat Club restaurant Skippers, which is open to all

For more information, email Diane Gill omokoroabusinessnetwork@gmail com

We

A recent ŌBN catch up

The Menz Shedders fixing a fence

PHOTO: Supplied

Some of the traps completed so far

PHOTO: Supplied

Ōmokoroa Photographic Society

By Gary Meynell

Our regular monthly get-together took place on Tuesday, 14th March, at the Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion Once we had a few preliminaries out of the way, all the images submitted for the evening were put up on screen one by one for critiquing

Tonight, one of our longer-serving members, Rachel Buer, took charge of reviewing the images Not only was she blown away by some of the images presented tonight, but we all were The quality of the images was amazing and just shows that the skill level is rising among the members We had some very creative shots put forward and show that our photographers are taking the time to put a bit of thought and creativity into their creations Shown here are a few of the ones put forward on the night

Steve Brown then took the stage and not only discussed the topic of ‘Bokeh’ but went to the trouble of bringing in some of his gear actually to demonstrate the technique For those reading this article who are not familiar with this,

Bokeh is the term used to explain the way a camera lens renders out-of-focus points of light In this instance, a string of fairy lights was hung up (no held up) behind our model, and photos were taken showing the model in focus and the multi-coloured lights rendered as coloured circles in the background Our thanks go out to the very beautiful Rachel Buer for being our model for the night and to Mr Andrew McWilliam for holding up the lights behind Rachel After holding up the lights for the period of the demonstration, Andrew discovered he had a few arm muscles in places he never knew he had Sorry, Andrew If you are keen to view this image, feel free to visit our Facebook page at Ōmokoroa Photographic Society Inc

One of the goals for this year was to hold a few more workshops and social get-togethers so our members can practice what they are learning, as well as get to know one another in a less formal setting With this in mind, we organised an outing down at Cooney Reserve to go over the techniques required to get the perfect exposure This outing took place

School Try-athlon

By Juanita Meder

Hosting the Apata Have a Go Tryathlon was a huge undertaking here at Pahoia School for our Tryathlon Committee Planning began last year, starting with lots of discussion and list-making The successful day was certainly testament to this dedicated group of people involved in the preparations and on the day itself

We could not have hoped for better weather for the large numbers of Tryathlon participants Our many sponsors helped provide each with a goodie bag and a smart red t-shirt as well as the opportunity to win one of the many prizes, including a shiny new bike and helmet

A huge thank you goes out to all the organisers, helpers on the day and generous sponsors, without whose help we could not have held such a successful event

on Thursday, 16th March, when seven turned up The numbers were perfect We had three experienced photographers turn up, along with three less experienced ones, and our model made seven The three experienced photographers spent one-on-one time with the less experienced This meant that our less experienced members had our undivided attention We experimented with

photographing a moving object and also got to visit one of the gardens of a local resident (and fellow photography member) whose property leads down to the reserve Thanks very much to Bruce for his hospitality

The Ōmokoroa Photographic Society meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7-9pm at Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion

Andrew McWilliam

Bruce Thomson

Christina Cleaver

Evelyn Hoddinott

Linda Williamson

Jeff Martin

Introducing the Kingsfisher Institute

Pitfalls of retirement living

By Dianne Arlidge

The Ōmokoroa Probus guest speaker this month was Karen Matheson An administration officer with retirement homes experience, Karen gave a very interesting account to those thinking about moving to a retirement village

As all our club members are retirees, this was a very apt topic

With her years of experience in the industry, she was well-versed in the trials and pitfalls of various villages In short, Karen’s advice was to do your homework.

She suggests you tour around and visit as many villages in your area as possible Sooner rather than later was her advice Your life could change overnight, for example, if you were to have a fall, a stroke or even dementia, so planning is desirable Include your family in the conversation so they will have an idea of what your wishes are when the time comes

Always keep in mind that if you decide you want to move from one village to another, it incurs a cost

You can lose up to 30% of your initial buying price 25% is about average So if moving out, there is no capital gain with quite a capital loss Some residents could be seriously out of pocket, especially if they have to pay maintenance on the previous place until it is sold

Check the maintenance fee and whether it is capped If there is an increase at any time after you move in, often, the residents will have a meeting about this to ensure the increase is justified.

One thing that often worries retired people is how much their children will lose in their inheritance when there is no capital gain after they have passed on Karen was adamant that no parent should feel guilty about this It is your right to enjoy the money you have earned in your lifetime to enable you to have comfort in your old age

Our passion is to restore and optimise brain function and to improve your health, general well-being, and quality of life

Over the years, we have researched the best programmes in the world and use these in combination for synergistic benefit to maximize the outcomes for those who come to us for help By embracing the brain’s neuroplasticity, we utilise unique visual and auditory neuro-development programmes that enable the rewiring of neural pathways to enhance and restore brain function

All our programmes are designed to enhance and increase learning potential, academic ability, and performance in all age groups

Intervention Outcomes

At the KingsFisher Institute, we have successfully intervened and helped a variety of clients: families and children (some autistic), adults with cognitive challenges, elderly with balance and coordination difficulties and an increased falls risk, concussion clients, executives and entrepreneurs with high-stress levels and also those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

We work holistically, involving parents and incorporate rhythmic movements and sensory-motor exercises to complement our neuro-developmental intervention programmes The body is as important as the brain, and we assess and address the mineral imbalance and

frequencies in the body that can contribute to a lack of optimal performance

Each month, we will post videos of client stories so, please visit us at www kingsfisher co nz

Meet the Managing Director - Yolinda

Bullians

My brain development work is clinically supported by more than 40 years of experience as a clinical pharmacist and mineral therapist This enables me to advise on medications, natural remedies, and detox treatments to further optimise health and functional well-being

My extensive experience with learning inabilities started over 30yrs ago when my son was diagnosed with severe dyslexia and ADHD at the age of 6 I obtained and used a home-based cognitive reading development programme to help him, with astounding results I went on to become a Master Trainer for the Centre of Dyslexia in South Africa, offering certified training programmes and training parents and teachers to deliver programmes at home and in schools Together my son and I worked really hard, and today he is a successful carpenter who obtained his qualification with distinctions

My husband, Andrew, grew up in New Zealand, and we returned in 2016 and moved to Ōmokoroa in November 2022

Contact us at yolinda@kingsfisher co nz

Article supplied

One of the criteria of a good village is care if your health changes It is wise to choose one with a care facility so you or your loved one can be cared for within the village at no further cost

So as Karen reiterated, “do your homework” and always get your lawyer to check the ORA (Occupation Right Agreement ) and EPO (enduring power of attorney) before you sign

Settlers’ Hall renovations

By Ellen Haynes Booking Officer

The Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall (OSH) Committee is engaging in a renovation of the Hall’s bathrooms, storeroom and Small Hall kitchen The required Council building permit has been granted, a local builder has been engaged, some funding has been secured, and OSH is in the process of further funding applications

There has been wide speculation on this topic, so we’d like to set the record straight As far as the toilets go, there will still be separate male and female toilets (all with separate cubicles), plus the addition of a unisex mobility/disability toilet At present, the Halls do not cater for users with mobility/disability or infant needs.

With over 1,000 hall users each month, these improvements are long overdue and necessary

The Committee is not planning to raise hire charges this year, and we will continue to keep our community informed

of any changes undertaken

The OSH Committee has engaged Angel Cleaning Services (a local firm) to undertake Hall cleaning We would also like to say a big thank you to Susanne and Ludi, both of whom have been instrumental in keeping our Halls looking spick and span

The Ōmokoroa Artists ‘Have A Go’ art workshops will be starting again on Wednesday, 3rd May from 9am until noon These workshops are aimed at people in our community (often complete beginners) to try their hand at different art types and techniques This has proven to be a great way to encourage people to ‘Have A Go’ and, perhaps, become new members of the thriving ŌA Group These public workshops are advertised via the ŌA’s FaceBook page as well as our local newspapers

Please don’t forget to check out our OSH website at www settlershall co nz We also have our own FaceBook page –please take a look to see our latest updates

Andrew and Yolinda Bullians PHOTO: Supplied

Winter swimming at Ōmokoroa

By Val Hector

So, you took the plunge and joined in the midwinter swim last June Exhilarating, wasn’t it? Why not now extend the challenge and swim through the whole year?

A small, diverse group of us continues swimming regularly regardless of season, and new members of all ages and

stages are always welcome It’s all very casual and friendly, and you do whatever suits you

Some of us enjoy a longer swim along the coast, while others keep a more gentle pace or prefer a little aqua jogging close to the shore. What we share is our enjoyment of being in the open water of our beautiful harbour

The mental and physical benefits of cold-water swimming are well documented

Each month brings its own pleasures - those cooler temperatures in July send a wonderful rush of mood-enhancing endorphins through your body Cold water swimming really is a pleasurable activity and adds a bit of fun and challenge to life Now is the perfect time to start You will find that as we move through autumn, you will adjust to the slowly cooling water temperatures

The group mainly swims from Hamurana Reserve or Domain Beach, depending on the wind and sun A daily text is sent out indicating the time of high tide, predicted weather and wind, and you can then come along if you choose to No obligations and no rules

Interested?

Contact Russell at 021 153 0767 or mothcork@gmail com for more information or to be included in the daily swimming text

Matahui School Boat Day

Matahui School students enjoyed a fantastic day at the Ōmokoroa Domain for the school’s annual Boat Day on Monday, 14th March

The Boat Day was started in 1989 by former teacher Brian Miller to provide the students with a hands-on learning experience that fits with the school’s progressive education philosophy

It’s now an annual tradition and has grown into a fun family day out for the students, teachers, and parents.

School Principal Mary Woods says it is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves in a supportive and encouraging environment

“At Matahui School, we believe it is important for children to test their boundaries and learn to take managed risks ”

The event saw children split into groups of mixed abilities and ages to participate in various activities, including kayaking, tubing, sailing (using an Optimist dinghy), and beach Olympics

“Everyone had so much fun, and it was great to see all the students working together and helping each other Our senior students act as leaders and mentors ”

Boat Day enhances students learning

by allowing them to try something different, work as a team, problem-solve, and learn persistence.

Matahui School is a small independent primary school in the Western Bay of Plenty that caters for students in Years 1

and photo supplied

Equus Coaching

Have you ever stood in a roundpen with an unknown horse, and nothing but your energy, your body language, and your perspective as tools to help you work out how to build a relationship? Or how to get the horse to follow you? If you ’ re thinking, “Why would I even bother to do this?” meet Kate Apanui, Certified Life Coach and Master Certified Equus Coach, who’s partnering with horses at Horse Haven in Katikati, helping people and businesses to create the results they most want

So how does this work? Equus Coaching is for anyone It invites you into interactions with horses that very quickly reveal your patterns You see, horses have a knack for behaving like the people and situations in your life - and the way you respond to a horse is typically how you ’ re responding to your life Horses show us the patterns of communication we hold and the perspectives we carry that create opportunities for us and equally keep us stuck Equus coaching gently shows you a pathway for moving forward

All Equus Coaching is done from the ground, there’s no horse riding, and for the most part, the horses aren’t attached to any kind of ropes The horses are free to make their own decisions So when you step into a round-pen with a horse and start asking her to move in a certain direction or follow you as you walk, her responses are honest, a reflection of your energy and your ability to communicate

If you can work out how to partner and lead a relationship with a horse - who doesn’t speak English and has his own

free will, then you’ll learn and know exactly how to create what you want in your life, your business, and your relationships Horses are very patient and wise teachers, not to mention a lot of fun

Kate has partnered with Michelle and Ekel and their large herd of beautiful horses at Horse Haven on Ongare Point Road in Katikati By appointment, Kate facilitates full-day and half-day workshops for groups, teams, businesses, couples and individuals She also facilitates shorter, 60-minute sessions for individuals who are keen to get their dose of horse wisdom

If you ’ re interested in learning more about Equus Coaching with Kate, you can contact her via her website or by email: hello@kateapanui com

Article supplied

Hamurana Reserve A regular swim spot

PHOTO: Val Hector

Enjoying a year-round swim

PHOTO: Carlos Snoeijing

The need to get the balance right through these tough economic times whilst minimising the impact on the community is the focus of Western Bay’s draft Annual Plan 2023/24

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is keen to hear from the community on its approach to managing its finances This is out for feedback until Sunday 30th April

Balanced approach to Council’s draft budget Nature Library and The Nest

“We are working hard to support our District while ensuring we can continue to do the mahi that matters to our community This means delivering on some projects that will not only keep up with improving our infrastructure but increase wellbeing and pride for our place given the community have communicated a clear desire for these projects through past kōrero,” explains Mayor Denyer

one of our community information dropin sessions at Clarke Road Kitchen, 7 Clarke Road, Te Puna on Wednesday 19th April, 9am-11am or Flatwhite Café,

21 Shaw Road, Waihī Beach on Friday 21st April, 9am-11am Feedback closes at 5pm, Sunday 30th April Article supplied.

In its draft budget, Council is proposing an average rate increase of 7 41 per cent

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer says the economic environment has changed since the 2021-31 Long Term Plan was adopted “We haven’t made this decision lightly given today’s economic climate and pressures facing our communities

We know things are tough for everyone right now But we want to be a Council that makes the right decisions and is committed to taking this District forward while balancing the needs of our people”

One of the ways Council suggests keeping the rate increase as low as possible is through the use of its General Rate Reserve This reserve is Council’s ‘rainy day fund’ It’s a fund, currently sitting at $5 1 million, that has accumulated through surpluses over previous years by working hard to deliver for our community without overspending

Using $1 6 million of this reserve would allow Council to strike the rate increase at 7 41 per cent Without using a portion of the General Rate Reserve, the average rate increase would be 9 07 per cent

The draft Annual Plan 2023/24 will see Council continuing to invest in our communities, with projects including improving pool access in Katikati; Reserve Management Plan projects; Te Puke-Maketū Reserve Management Plan; Wilson Park, Waihī Beach; Waihī Beach Library and Community Hub; Te Puke Wastewater Treatment Plant; and response to drinking water regulation changes

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer says, “We’re proposing to do the projects now as they won’t have an impact on the average rates increase due to how they are funded However, they will have a longer-term impact if we don’t do the mahi now ”

You can share your views on the draft Annual Plan online at haveyoursay westernbay govt nz/annualplan , at any of our Library and Service Centres in Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa, Te Puke or to the main Council Office at Barkes Corner

You can email your feedback, or register to speak at the Council Meeting on 4th May, via haveyoursay@westernbay govt nz, or come kōrero in person at

Nature School at The Nest has developed from a beautiful collaboration of like-minded wahine with a passion for the future of Mother Earth/Paptūānuku and for our future generations

Kas Craw (The Nest) and Kathy Broadhead (Nature Library) have been working together for over four years, providing unique experiences for local tamariki to grow, learn and connect to our natural world

We blend intentional experiences, free exploration, and play to support and develop the whole child and deepen their connection with nature, themselves and others

Each term, we have a focus, a recent one being ‘perspective’, a valuable lesson for children to understand their important place in the world and learn tools to support their social, emotional and mental well-being Another focus has been ‘nature ologies’, exploring scientific thinking, growing our curiosity by asking the big questions, investigating, collaborating and coming up with our own ideas and thoughts

Each day we incorporate yoga, includ-

ing breath work, movement and relaxation and the bigger concepts within yoga philosophy Through these intentional experiences, the children are developing their understanding of the world around them Growing to appreciate and respect nature and their place in it and with it

Our kaupapa is simple, ‘whakaute’ (respect) for ourselves, others and nature

Nature School is a one-day-a-week, interm programme for kids aged 5 to 12 years in small groups (ratio 1:9) We run an 8-week term on private property at The Nest Waihī Beach

We believe that nature learning and connections should be available to everyone, and we have a scholarship available every term at The Nest for one lucky child to join us If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact us telling us a little bit about your child, their connection to the natural world and why you would like them to join our nature school family

For more information and contact details, visit www thenestwaihibeach co nz Article supplied

By EJ Weller

Ōmokoroa Point School PTA is hosting its inaugural Colour Run on the afternoon of Saturday 29th April This is a fundraiser for new sports equipment for the school

To make this more of a community event, we have opened it up to all children in the area, but participants will be capped at 350, so prior registration is vital

The Colour Run is an awesome noncompetitive 2 6km course tracking around our beautiful peninsula, with five different coloured powder paint stations and water squirters along the way Your child can walk the course if they don’t want to run, and we do have an alternative course available without stairs which still includes colour

Spectators are welcome, and there are

Ōmokoroa Colour Run

lots of places to view along the course

Everybody is encouraged to wear white during the run to make the most of the colours Entry is free, although donations are appreciated as it is a fundraising event

Everyone is welcome to join in the activities and visit the food trucks at the school field after the run

We are fortunate to be sponsored by Brent Trueman from Bayleys, Clear Mind Accounting and Advisory, and Mobilitech Ltd

Entry is online through www school fundraising co nz Please select Ōmokoroa Point School as the school and General Community Entries as your class For further information, please contact pta@omokoroapoint school nz

The Colour Run will happen, rain or shine! We look forward to welcoming our local children and families to the event

ŌPS travel safe

By Sandra Portegys Principal

We want all of our students to arrive at Ōmokoroa Point School each morning

and get back home to you safely in the afternoon I have had to talk to some children about

the necessity of wearing a helmet when biking and scootering Please ensure your child has this necessary safety gear on before they set out each morning

NZSTA and Police advice is to always ride with your child if they’re under ten and then continue until you ’ re sure they have the skills and confidence to ride in traffic This is because younger children do not have an understanding of traffic and perceptions of speed and distance As our school is on a hill, bikes and scooters can get to quite a speed when descending We have had reports of students riding in the middle of the roads at speed when going down Hamurana Road and Tralee Street. If your child takes this route home, please talk to them about safe riding Our Year 5 and 6 students are taking part in our annual Kids Can Ride biking programme next term

It was lovely to have a past student visit us recently Holly Topp is a professional cricket player, currently playing for Northern Braves She will be heading to England on a professional contract for the northern hemisphere cricket season, playing for Ealing and Middlesex Holly came to do some cricket coaching with our senior students

Holly has just completed her science degree at Auckland University Staff enjoyed catching up with her and reminiscing

Happy school days to our graduates

“Although our time has finished here, our smiles will never fade, and we won’t forget the handprints left or the memories we made”

With the start of the new school year here at Minnows Kindergarten, we had to say goodbye to some of our wonderful children who are off on the start of their next learning journey of adventure to primary school

Starting school is an exciting step for children, and the positive transition helps foster their enthusiasm for lifelong learning Our teachers are a very important part of this transition; working together with schools, new entrance teachers, and families can help our children enjoy a great start to school

When the children at Minnows are ‘school ready’, we celebrate their time here with a graduation ceremony We have a beautiful kahurangi/korowai (feather cloak) that we place around the children’s shoulders to honour and acknowledge the fine qualities they take to their new school We share their learning journals, and they choose a story to be read out from them We talk with the other children about the things they will miss about their friends We say goodbye with our ‘Happy Last Day’ song

It is important to celebrate and share special events of significance such as this in each child’s life, and we love to do this at Minnows

Minnows are currently taking new enrolments for 0 - 6-yearolds, so please pop in to see us to talk about the benefits of a small homely ECE centre in the heart of Ōmokoroa with experienced and caring staff and teachers Call Nirmala on 021 1422 423 or 07 548 2040 for more information Article supplied

ŌPS old girl Holly Topp PHOTO: Supplied

Ōmokoroa welcomes kids and Katikati

By John Budden Convenor

Saturday 4th March turned out to be a beautiful day, with blue skies, flat calm seas and a gentle breeze for Ōmokoroa Boat Club’s Kids on Keelers picnic cruise

The owners of Caribbean, Diversion and Lochmara all reported to the 9am briefing and agreed on the course and location of the picnic at Motuhoa Island

Yachts were to load at the pontoon or have passengers ferried to them on the moorings

At 10am, the junior sailors and parents turned up, and lifejackets were issued

The families were allocated to the yachts, and the trip began

The voyage down the moorings to Te Puna was peaceful and only one hat (but no child) went overboard.

At Motuhoa, Richard and John K started to ferry crew to the island beach, assisted by Chappy and Andrew Morning tea and lunch followed as the young sailors fossicked, built dams and generally enjoyed the beach

while parents relaxed

After low tide, it was agreed to sail home under Genoa only to show how big boats move Lochmara jumped the gun, but Diversion and Caribbean were close behind

After the yachts were moored, we met in the Club for a yarn or two

Many thanks to all the skippers for bringing their yachts and the parents for their young sailors, and Richard and John for manning the RIB

It was probably one of the most peaceful picnics ever Thank you, everyone

On the weekend of 18th/19th March, Ōmokoroa Boat Club welcomed the Katikati Boat Club for a joint club sail day The Katikati team sailed down on Saturday afternoon and rafted up on the Ōmokoroa Pontoon Luckily there was space for the eight yachts involved

After dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, we had a briefing at 10am

The weather was very calm with a predicted breeze from the Northish The tide was ebbing, and the course was restricted to the main channels We started at Western D at Ōmokoroa Point, sailed

to Western C off Motuhoa, turned back to sail to Western G at Te Puna, turned about and back to Western C before the home run to finish at D

Ōmokoroa fielded four yachts; keelers Caribbean, Kōnini, and Goldie and the only trailer yacht was Piccaninny, a Tasman 20. They faced the eight Farr 6000s from KKBC, which were Cool Change, Alefa, Swallow, Goldie, Young at Heart, Summer Breeze, Vivace and LazeAlong

The mass start was something we from OBC have not seen for a long while The tide took a hand, but soon we were all more or less tacking down tide looking for a breeze that slowly filled in At the first turn, Caribbean led with Cool Change, I think just ahead of Piccaninny

With the wind more or less astern, both Caribbean and Pic hoisted kites to stem the tide back towards Te Puna The rest of the fleet followed and made a grand sight in the sunshine

Carib and Pic ghosted towards Te Puna until slack water gave relief Pic made the

turn first at Te Puna and reached back to C tack for tack with Carib nipping at her heels until the much larger keeler got a break, held one tack and forged ahead to turn for home with a handsome lead (shades of Hugh and Nelson applied)

Caribbean turned first at C, and with the tide, roared home first. Pic had a great reach to finish second

For OBC, Goldie finished 3rd and Kōnini 4th

We had agreed to see the KKBC yachts home as they were to sail on up harbour with the tide It was good to see all the KKBC yachts fighting hard in the strange location

The KKBC finishing order was Cool Change, Alefa, Swallow, Goldie, Vivace, Young at Heart, and Summer Breeze LazeAlong did not race but had a lovely cruise in their new yacht

It was a great day on the water, and thank you KKBC for the adventure in coming east We will be happy to see you again next summer

The beach party for kids on keelers PHOTOS: Supplied

Kids on keelers headed to Motuhoa for a picnic

By Sue Morgan-French

Ayearly feature of term one is school camps. Every year group has a camp; the Juniors one night away, the Jiddles two nights etc

The camps vary greatly, with most areas of the school alternating two or three camps through the years This year we had camps at Aongatete Lodge, Waihī Beach, Kauaeranga Valley Christian Camp and Ohukura Lake

Here are some insights from The Year 5 & 6 camp

Slingshot Paintball

Fire! I went and ambushed the enemy team Suddenly the enemy team was taking our loot, so I crouched down behind the big slimy tyres The enemy team hadn’t seen me at all Now was my chance I stood up and fired as fast as lightning struck - splat! The paintball had hit him Now was my chance to steal the rest of

By Alison Badger

No. 1 on camp

their loot, but then the enemy team took no chance of losing, so they were firing non-stop but quickly ran for cover behind the tyres. I was out of breath, but I continued to dodge paintballs and finally safely returned the paintballs to our base Finally, the war of the ages was over Covered in paint, and out of breath, our team had succeeded in victory I said to the opposing team, “good job, guys ”

By Miguell Ug, Y6

Kayaking

As I put on my life jacket, I silently looked at the colossal body of water, wondering just how deep it goes My legs were shaking, my heart was pounding, my breathing was unbalanced, and I was so nervous! I’ve only ever kayaked in a pool I hopped in the kayak, hoping I wouldn’t fall off The water in my kayak danced elegantly as I went further than ever! We all headed for the rapids; it was so fun going down them! Then all of a

sudden - plop! I fell off It was way colder than expected I thought that was the end for me Then before I knew it, I was back on shore. I found lots of cool rocks

that I dropped and never saw again I was so cold I felt like I was actually freezing, but then, “Okay, time’s up, guys, let’s go!” By Azaria Jordan, Y6.

The Old Library Ōmokoroa

Now that it seems we are not going to have a ‘ proper ’ summer, we can at least hope for a glorious autumn The mornings and evenings already have that special autumnal feel, and it won’t be long before some of us will be lighting the fire

But before then – our April display will feature the work of Katikati-born photographer Jeff Brown whose speciality is photographing superyachts - those fabu-

lous vessels that usually adorn the marinas of St Tropez or Bridgetown, Barbados, where fantasy takes over from reality How does a lad from Katikati find himself in this world of glamour and ostentatious living? Come and check out his wonderful photographs and learn a bit more We are also hoping to host an ‘Evening with Jeff ’ , but the date is not confirmed at the time of going to print, so keep an eye on our Facebook page for further information

ANZAC Biscuit Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup plain flour

1 cup sugar

3/4 (three-quarters) cup coconut

125g (4 oz) butter

2 tablespoons golden syrup

½ (half) teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1 tablespoon boiling water

Method

Combine oats, sifted flour, sugar and coconut

Combine butter and golden syrup, stir over gentle heat until melted

Mix soda with boiling water, add to melted butter mixture, stir into dry ingredients

Take teaspoonfuls of mixture and place on lightly greased oven trays; allow room for spreading

Cook in low oven (150°C or 300°F) for 20 minutes

Loosen while still warm, then cool on trays

Makes about 35

Yes, you read that right, TOLO is entering the 21st century with a web presence, FB page and other wonders of the technological universe We are also looking for someone to join our volunteers with the specific role of keeping our page updated No salary, but all the biscuits you can eat

In May, we welcome back the Ōmokoroa Photographic Club with another wonderful display using this underrated but fascinating medium The excellent

American photographer Ansel Adams said, ‘You don’t make a photograph just with a camera You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved ’ Not all artists use a paintbrush

If you would be interested in becoming a volunteer, pop in any day except Monday between 10am and 4pm and chat with the volunteer on duty Or call Alison on 021 294 9294 We’d love to see you

Quick cr osswor d

12 etar

rehcae ,tep 41 met ,e 1 ,etopiR 1 ,titu 1 ,tneceR 91 ,tce

taepeR nwoD: 1 ,laivo 2 ,iro 3 ,noior ,netf ,eviro ,emtuN

ssorcA: 1 ,teca 4 fo ,n 9 ,eore 01 ,tora 11 ,iil 21 ,evinno 31 noi ,etraeh 1 ,ele 02 ,ecir 22 ,enih 32 n ,eva 42 ,ytne 2

P u z z l e s c o p y r ig h t T h e P u z z l e C o m p a n y w w w t h e p u z z l e c o m p a n y c o n z

Wor dBuilder

7 LETTERS BELGIUM LONGING Good 13 Very Good 18 Excellent 22+

WordBuilder

How many words of three or more letters, including plurals, can you make, using each letter only once? No words beginning with a capital are allowed

There’s at least one 6-letter word

Funding boost for Bay of Plenty Age-friendly projects

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua of Katikati and Cycling Without Age Eastern Bay of Plenty Inc are two of twelve organisations to receive funding in the latest round of the Age-friendly fund.

The Office for Seniors funds grants of up to $15,000 for projects that promote the inclusion of older people and help cities and communities prepare for their ageing populations

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua received $9,195 towards creating a series of kaupapa Māori events for kaumātua and kuia from Te Rereatukahia, Ōtāwhiwhi and Tuapiro Marae - each of the events will have education, health and intergenerational aspects that kaumātua and kuia will get to learn about

Valarie Uilou, Operations Manager, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua, says, “A big thank you to the Office for Seniors for their support of our Te Roopu Whakatipu Kōrero (The Group of Nourishment Discussions) We are super excited and grateful to have received this grant This grant allows us to create the group for our kaumātua and kuia from the three different marae in our hapori (community) ”

Cycling Without Age Eastern Bay of Plenty Inc received $5,000 towards carrying out the International Cycling Without Age Movement by providing free recreational outings primarily for older, low-mobility residents and others socially isolated by illness and disability in the Eastern Bay of Plenty

Maureen Verstegen, President of Cycling Without Age Eastern Bay of Plenty Inc, says, “We were delighted to receive this grant It has enabled our new charity to train our volunteers so that they can deliver a safe and enjoyable service to older people and the disabled community Without it, we would not be able to start our programme in 2023 ” Office for Seniors Director Diane Turner says, “Age-friendly projects like these will help strengthen community connections for the future,”

“With the right planning and support, we can create agefriendly environments where everyone, regardless of age, feels valued, connected and able to actively participate in the community”

Ten other projects from across the country were also successful in this round of Age-friendly fund grants Article supplied

Ōmokoroa pink breakfast

Ladies of Ōmokoroa, join the fight against breast cancer by attending the upcoming Bayleys Pink Ribbon Breakfast

The morning promises to be a dazzling display of fun and laughter, all for a good cause It will take place on May 7th at the Ōmokoroa Golf Club, with the main event running from 10am to 12 30pm Guest speaker Dame Susan Devoy will share her personal experiences of courage and resilience which continues to inspire us all Golf lovers haven’t been forgotten; there’s a shotgun start at 8am for a round of 9 holes before breakfast

Guests will be treated to a welcome drink on arrival and a delicious breakfast spread, with sweet treats and coffee afterwards, supported by Ōmokoroa Fresh Choice, Steve Ling and his friendly team In addition, there will be raffles and auctions held throughout the event, with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ We are privileged to have Debra Leutenegger, Community Breast Health Educator in attendance, representing the Foundation

With the support of the Ōmokoroa Golf Club, Bayleys residential salesperson, local resident Sarah Campbell, is organizing this event to raise funds and awareness for

OMOKOROA CLEANING SERVICES

Homes, gardens, lawns, car valets

Glass,tile shower rejuvenation

Water blasting, painting

All enquires welcome Ph Ludi & Andrea 548 2657 | 021 070 0021

Just Cats Boarding Cattery

482 Esdaile Road, Pahoia Single rooms, no sharing, j t $16 per day

Ph 577 1993 or 027 233 2643

Casual Football

Every Wednesday at 7 15pm, a very casual kick around is held at the floodlit bottom soccer pitch of Western Ave, Ōmokoroa Anyone over 12 years is welcome, year round Call Hamish on 552 6427

PIANO LESSONS

Piano lessons

Tue - Thur

Ruru Piano Studio Robyn 022 065 8421 ruruinarewarewa@gmail com

• Herbal Medicine

• Nutritional Supplementation

• Lifestyle & dietar y inter vention

• Homeobotanicals & more

PH: 022 030 9209

E: dee@onestep co nz

Sewing alterations in Omokoroa 35 years’ experience Call Ann: 07 925 9004

Busy Beaver property care

Ride on & push lawnmowing Hedges & waste removal

Local with 16 years’ experience

Leon: 577 1993 027 233 2643

SITUATIONS VACANT

Respite Care Worker

Caregiver needed to provide support in your own home overnight for a young lady

• Part of a supportive team

• Good pay rates available via private IF funding

the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

Sarah says, “Breast cancer is a disease that touches so many families in Ōmokoroa and beyond, and this is an opportunity to bring our community together, and have a little girl time, celebrating life while raising money for a good cause ”

There has been an overwhelming response of generosity from businesses locally and surrounding areas John Darke from John Darke Interiors has generously donated his time to help revive your interiors, and Ingham Sears has also joined the effort by donating a Mercedes for a weekend The Recovery Room and other local businesses are joining the sponsorship team, graciously donating prizes and services We even have a Nici Wickes’ traditional Belling oven up for auction, the baby sister of “Miss Rose”

We encourage everyone to spread the word and get their friends and family involved in this fantastic cause Together, we can make a real difference in the fight against breast cancer To purchase tickets for the Bayleys Pink Ribbon Breakfast, please visit the following link bit ly/ OmokoroaPinkRibbonBreakfast , and don’t wait, get your ticket, we’ll see you there

COMPLETE LAWNS AND GARDENING

Lawn mowing, green waste bags hedging/ tree pruning, yard/garden tidy and large green waste removal Locally owned and operated, ser vicing Omokoroa and surrounding areas All enquiries welcome

Call Trent for a free quote: 022 333 2644

Aaron

P r e p & P a i n t

RPM DRAINAGE OMOKOROA

Drainage, driveway prep, house pad prep, general earthworks, auger drilling

Contact 027 365 5257 or reid@rpmdrainage com for a free quote

KGN Gardening for all your gardening, lawns, hedges and trees.

Give us a call/text for a free quote: 021 295 0134

• All training given

• Ideally 4-day weekend respite

• Police vetted Contact Jan for more information: 027 602 8596

Tractor/Machiner y Mechanic

We are currently looking for a capable Tractor/Machiner y Mechanic, for ser vicing and repair of tractors, mulchers/chippers, elevated work platforms and orchard & farm machiner y Located in Katikati Hours flexible

Please email your CV to bat@fleggbrothers co nz Or call Nick Flegg on 021 445 587 We would love to hear from you!

Looking for a low-cost option to buy/sell/trade?

Personal notices 50¢ per word, Business classifieds $1 per word.

Maximum of 40 words per advert

Photos/logos extra

Call 548 1200.

Now taking bookings for your next project

Call Aaron on 027 441 7296 or

Painter & Decorator aaronhook82@gmail com

painting plastering finishing

PLUMBER

Omokoroa local area only

Maintenance and small jobs

Phone Jason 021 241 9843

FIREWOOD

Supply all year round

Mix $100 00 cube

Gum $140 00 cube

Free deliver y Katikati town

Phone 549 2141 or txt 027 778 7301

DRUM INCINERATORS FOR SALE

44-gallon drum incinerators $35 each

Delivered between Katikati and Tauranga

Phone: 548 0823 or 0274 920 223

Essential oils and aromatherapy support for your health and wellness

Based in Omokoroa Contact Liz on omokoroaoils@gmail com mydoterra com/omokoroa

Commun ty folk who oin Whakamārama Cyberlink are emai ed news and events relevant to Whakamāramans, sent to more than 230 fam lies in the area Posts include: lost and found free stuff community road notices, requests for help positions vacant markets WBoPDC updates house rentals/s tters workshops neighbourhood watch stray stock etc

We also forward nfo from Ōmokoroa Cyber ink of general interest

Join up by ema ling: rossroad@eol co nz ask ng to be added to Whakamārama Cyberl nk

FIREWOOD

Hard wood

$125 cubic metre Delivered, Omokoroa area

John or Cathy: 021 063 9041

Members can share via Ōmokoroa Cyberlink community news and events to over 900 emails Recent posts include: lost and found free stuff requests for help pos t ons vacant new loca businesses markets WBoPDC updates house rentals/ sitters workshops and much more To join or send a post, email c y b e r l n k o m o k o r o a @ g m a i c o m with your name emai address and message, f required Thank you, R ck Peers

PUBLIC NOTICE

Justices of the Peace drop-in sessions

Mon 11-1 Waihī Library

Tue 11-12 Waihī Beach Library

Thu 10-12 Ōmokoroa Library

Fri 10-12 Bethlehem Community Church

Fri 10-12 Katikati Community Centre