Lizard News October 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

Chrome shines with open day promise

By Matthew Farrell

Throwing open the doors to show the community what disability in action looks like, Katikati’s own Chrome Collective recently held an open day at 13 Henry Road

From pathways to employment to engagement, inclusion, and social enterprise - the bubbling hub offered a chance to meet the team on a day of fun, learning, and good food on 30th August

Sharaine Steenberg says it’s about showcasing the work they do

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes on our newest projects and programmes, and it’s time to share them with the world We are open for business, up and running There are creative arts projects made here for online and market sales Workstations today include Thrive weaving and woodworking boards On Tuesday and Wednesday, groups will do social skills training That will become ‘Chrome Crew’, delivering the Thrive programme ”

Labyrinth for Lemonade is also welcomed aboard, an organisation working to support marginalised immigrant women in NZ one paper art craft at a time through community immersion

“We have T-shirt printing workshops planned on Thursdays in October

There’s our Will & Able refill station for eco-friendly household products produced by a company employing people with disabilities

“We have KaiGo for the rescue of food that’s good enough to eat but not to sell Gift cards, sewing, Boomerang Bags

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, there are Pacific Coast Technical Institute food technology classes in the commercial kitchen at OceanaGold’s administration building in Waihī, Future Moves NCEA

Level 2,” says Sharaine

Chrome Collective is looking for volunteers for KaiGo and for workshops, including needing a proficient individual to help teach sewing or other vocational skills, perhaps baking macarons in a brand-new oven

“And a shout out to John, who was our tour guide today He’s been a captain in our leadership programme, ” says Sharaine

Shelley Robinson says Chrome Collective brings together disability and environmental passions

“It’s about being involved and contributing to a sense of belonging We talk about Enabling Good Lives forums It’s empowering people to talk for themselves Some people don’t think disabled people are capable simply because

they’ve never been given opportunitiesbecause other people speak for them Moving from the former Chrome Cafe has helped us to do these things,” says Shelley

Sharaine says Chrome Collective is now working with the District Council to set up a community resource recycling centre like those in Raglan and the Seagull Centre in Thames

“We are prototyping workstations where we can have people create, repair and sell items ”

For Shelley, it’s moving back to the micro business model and preparing people for paid employment at the same time

“This is about choice and motivated learning, creating opportunities to make money in their areas of interest rather than lumping everyone together We’ve had about 80 people here today, most with disabilities, but who would have known that?

“KaiGo has redistributed 50 tonnes of food in 12 months, food prevented from landfill People with disabilities are feeding our community right now, ” says Shelley

General Election

The 2023 General Election is on Saturday 14th October Voting starts 2nd October

On election day, 14th October, all voting places are open from 9am to 7pm

You can visit the website vote nz to enrol online and find out which candidates you can vote for using an electorate vote in either Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Tauranga or Waiariki

To find out how your views compare to party policies, you can use the academically designed analysis tool at 1News co nz/VoteCompass to agree or disagree with 30 statements on subjects like health, education, the environment, and tax

NEWS & ADVERTISING

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Ōmokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade

By Ian Blunt Chief Fire Officer

Ōmokoroa Volunteer Firefighters have been called out 10 times in the last two months to a variety of different incidents Three minor motor vehicle crashes resulted in no serious injuries, although the car over the bank on Plummers Point Road had the potential for serious injuries Another three callouts to monitored alarms proved to be false alarms A fire in the wall and eaves of a dwelling in Plummers Point Road was extinguished by the Brigade before it spread, and a home-lit bonfire in Western Avenue was extinguished by the house occupants

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NEWS

CREDIBILITY

Our team of First Responders have, once again, been very busy, responding 40 times in the last two months Multiple calls on the same day really put pressure on our team members to respond This happened six times in the last two months, culminating in a four-call day; the last three calls followed one after the other, the same crew dealing with them all

The First Response team has now responded 180 times so far this year, hence the need for a large team to cover the demand Well done to all the team members

Congratulations to the Brigade members who organised and attended a very successful open day held at Western Avenue on 2nd September Please see Matthew’s photos in this issue of Lizard News

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Ōmokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade held a community orientated open day at Western Avenue on Saturday 2nd September in a bid to attract more volunteers - particularly as medical first responders

Between flaming hot safety demonstrations and sizzling sausages there was a vintage V8 engine and equipment for kids of all ages to try their hands at A medical demonstration tent and the brigade s new appliance were also on show PHOTOS: Matthew Farrell

Congestion charges for Tauranga?

“Technologically road pricing is viable for a city with the population density of Tauranga when considered relative to where it’s operated elsewhere in the world ”

By Alisha Evans Local Democracy Reporter alisha@thesun co nz

Road congestion charges are one step closer in Tauranga and motorists could pay $3 for a peak hour

6km trip from Bayfair Shopping Centre in Mount Maunganui to the city centre

If the charges aren’t introduced it would mean “ economic catastrophe and terrible wellbeing for communities,” a Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency staff member has warned

The commission decided to consult on variable road pricing (VRP), or congestion charges, at a Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday 4th September

Council structure planning and strategic transport team leader Alistair Talbot said the road pricing could be a “ considerable funding source ”

The SmartTrip Variable Road Pricing Study estimated it could produce $88 million in net revenue a year by 2035 and that would increase to $158m by 2048

The money earnt would be reinvested in the Tauranga transport network to create a better roading network, more efficient public transport services and better cycling and walking facilities

The study also showed the charges could lead to reduced congestion, more reliable travel times, reduced emissions and mode shift from people using cars to alternative modes of transport, he said

Congestion charges aren’t currently used in New Zealand They were first introduced in Singapore in 1975, and since then other cities including London and Milan have adopted the practice

A law change would be needed to implement road pricing but cross party support is growing and the Government has drafted legislation

Waka Kotahi and the council worked together on the study exploring the viability and impacts of VRP in Tauranga

Variable road pricing would replace the current tolls on the Takitimu Northern Link (TNL) and the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) Pricing would change based on the time of day and where people were accessing the road network from

One concept in the “high level” study showed the priced network would include the State Highway ring around the Te Papa Peninsula (SH2, SH29, SH29A), SH2 and TNL from Te Puna, and the TEL

There would be a charge for accessing the Te Papa Peninsula that runs from Greerton to Sulphur Point and includes Tauranga’s CBD, or entering the priced network of roads and a distance based charge as well

The concept suggested a peak charge of $2 for light vehicles entering the roads then a charge of 15c per kilometre For a heavy vehicle this would be $5 to access the road the 38c per kilometre

For a truck travelling along the TEL to the Port of Tauranga on Totara Street a journey would cost $15 under this concept Currently trucks pay a $5 60 toll for a one way trip on the TEL

Talbot said there were limitations with the study because it was still at the “proof of concept” stage and further technical analysis was needed

The road pricing scheme had the potential to impact “people’s equity”, for those on lower incomes, so the next lot of work would need to address that, he said

Waka Kotahi Strategy System Leadership Advisor Richard Hurn said, “The enduring transport challenge particularly for cities is actually geometry and by that I mean the physical space allocated to moving people in vehicles ”

Even in future if there was a decarbonised network of electric vehicle and possibly autonomous vehicles the problem of geometry remained, he said

“Road pricing is the most effective tool to address the challenge of geometry in the future ”

The study “significantly understated” what the price point would need to be in reality as well as the mode shift to public transport, said Hurn Although a “much improved” public transport service was needed, he said

Commissioner Stephen Selwood asked what the road network and congestion would be like given the current funding situation, if road pricing wasn’t introduced in Tauranga

Hurn responded, “Economic catastrophe and terrible wellbeing for communities and I don’t think that’s overstating it ”

Selwood was quick to point out the council was just consulting on the option for road pricing and investigating it further

It was “really important” the community understood the outcome of either proceeding with road pricing or not, said Selwood, a former chief executive of Infrastructure New Zealand

“I think the danger in any of these conversations, is that we always focus in on the toll or the price or the charge, and we don’t consider what it’s delivering ”

He described the current Tauranga tolls as “dumb tolls” because they don’t change

“What SmartTrip is about is changing that according to the level of demand The key benefit from a road user point of view, who is going to be paying the toll, is that they would get a faster trip, and so you start to get value for money instead of just paying a dumb toll ”

The council will consult on road pricing as part of the Long-Term Plan 2024-34 later in the year

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

Riley

If congestion charges are adopted SH29 and Takitimu Drive would become part of the priced network PHONE: John Borren/SunLive

LocaL phiLanthropist dies

Ōmokoroa philanthropist Chloe Wright has died A family statement on Sunday 25th September confirmed she’d passed away

The millionaire championed the rights of mothers and babies, and established several birthing centres including one nearby at Bethlehem - as well as sponsoring numerous childrens’ literacy initiatives

She and husband Wayne founded childcare chain BestStart, formerly KidiCorp, in 1996

poLice caution over scam

An email scam has re-emerged, referencing Police and justice

The emails claim authorities have searched the recipient’s computer, found illegal explicit material, and a warrant for arrest will be issued

Police say they are investigating the scam and no one should reply, or pay any fake fines, or share their bank details or passwords

arise sir Wayne

A knighthood has been awarded to former All Black coach, Sir Wayne Smith

The Waihī Beach resident was awarded Knight of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for services to rugby The Investiture ceremony took place in Auckland on Friday 8th September

Diane Martin of Katikati was to receive her previously reported QSM for services to the community on Tuesday 26th September, for a range of volunteer roles including ambulance driver, A&P committee, and at the museum, library archives and police station

Waihī Beach By-eLection

Nominations closed for the Waihī Beach Community

Board by-election on Friday 22nd September, at midday

At the time of writing, no nominations had been received following the resignation of Deputy Chair, Alan Kurtovich, in August

4 square changes hands

Katikati Four Square has changed hands after nearly 17 years

Peter and Sandra Jones took over the grocery store in December 2006, moving up the street to expand the business in 2009 It was given a makeover 18 months ago and they say the whole team have been appreciative of positive community feedback

“Thanks to all the fantastic employees we ’ ve employed over the years, for the support for us and our kids as they grew up in this amazing town,” they say

They’ll be heading off to run New World in Inglewood, Taranaki New owners Adam and Alyce Phimester have previously run Te Aroha Four Square piLes repLaced

close to failing

Contractors working for the District Council had previously removed the gangway to undertake the replacement of the aluminium decking in late August

strike a Light

Two piles were being replaced at the end of Ōmokoroa Wharf in late September, as they were very

This street light was spotted having a nap on Tuesday 12th September at the Lynley Park roundabout in Ōmokoroa

A contractor reacted speedily to move the hazard away from the footpath, and the pole was replaced soon after Credit for a job well done

shakeout coming

The national earthquake and tsunami drill is happening on Thursday 19th October at 9 30am You can sign up your whānau or workplace at getready govt nz to win prizes

The ShakeOut is intended to help us learn and practice the correct actions to take in an earthquake or tsunami to keep ourselves and the people we care about safe

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It’s Sprin g

And it’s time to Team Up with Tremains.

Selling your home represents a signi cant milestone in your life, making it crucial to approach it with care and precision At Tremains, we recognize that the moment you see the ‘sold’ sign is just one step on your path to the next chapter of your life Being an integral part of your life’s journey, we are committed to assisting you in achieving a successful home sale with our specialised care and unwavering attention, ensuring you attain the optimal results. To learn more, reach out to our local property experts today!

Katikati 07 549 3102 | Omokoroa 07 548 2550

Emma ElsmoreNannette Amos Michelle Currey

Angela Fowler Josh Beban Noel Benstead Janine Parker

Blending farm and garden at the Katikati Garden Ramble

Thirty-one years ago, MaryAnne and Rod Calver moved from their kiwifruit orchard to their farm on Lindemann Road so that they would have more room for their horses and to farm livestock Both MaryAnne and Rod have had a lifelong association with horses, and they had met a few years previously on the hunt field Sadly, their horses are now buried in a special place down the farm, and now their riding is all done on an electric tandem on which they have ridden most of New Zealand`s cycle trails, including the Timber Trail and the Kōpiko (East Cape to Cape Egmont)

When MaryAnne first came to Aberfeldy, the property had no garden, so she was able to create an ever-expanding park incorporating many trees and shrubs Rod is pleased that the garden expansion has ceased, but six

years ago, another 2 5 hectares of riparian planting all along their section of the Tahāwai stream was done mainly in natives, but it does incorporate some large English trees that were planted 30 years ago and also some redwoods at the lower end The farm had very high fertility, which has meant the tree growth alongside the stream has been amazing

MaryAnne will admit that initially, she planted too many trees and for at least 15 years, the garden has been visited annually by Brett Soutar’s staff from Short Back and Sides to remove trees and use their aboring skills to control the growth of the trees and shrubs

Aberfeldy has connections going back to the founding of the Katikati Settlement by George Vesey Stewart in the 1870s One of the seven big houses built in the Katikati area by Major General Stoddard was sold to Mrs Mary Gledstanes in 1879, the sister of George Vesey Stewart Rod has several newspaper clippings about this house, which was called Larkspur In 1881, Mrs Gledstanes held a ball at her house for which a description of all the ladies’ dresses was chronicled Sadly, the house burnt down in 1905 However, it has left its legacy of wonderful 150-year-old trees, including a Norfolk Pine, a Morton Bay fig, an olive tree and a very fruitful fig Also, the area has many wonderful old gum trees which would have been planted for shelter from the winds coming from over the Kaimais These old gums are the Calvers’ main source of firewood

MaryAnne’s garden can best be described as a rambling rural garden of many rooms which feature roses, magnolias, camellias, vireyas and hydrangeas underplanted with various perennials and clivias These are planted close to the house and pruned to maintain views and let the sun in

Leading away from the garden is a fine collection of Jury cultivars of magnolia of various ages, together with some related specimens of Michaelia and Gordonia In spring, daffodils cascade under silver birch trees Part of the garden’s beauty is in the vistas out over the farm, its

cattle, the riparian plantings and of the old Larkspur homestead site with its 150-year-old trees

The Katikati Rotary Garden Ramble is held every two years on the first weekend in November from 9am to 5pm each day and features both rural and urban gardens from Athenree to Aongatete This year, Kings Seeds will be open to the public on the Saturday, and ramblers will be able to purchase seeds and learn about this important Katikati business Many of the gardens will also have other attractions, such as arts and crafts, music and sculptures Tickets costing $30 for the weekend are available at the Katikati Arts Junction, at Grower Direct in Te Puna (cash only) or can be purchased online at www katikati org nz/katikati-garden-ramble

Katikati Rotary welcomes people from out of the area to come for the weekend Self-contained caravans and campervans can be parked at the Katikati Primary School or at council-designated caravan parks around the area Article supplied

•

• Aggregate supplies

• Ever ything you need for earthworks and landscaping projects

• From soil and stone, to boulders and bark

• Bulk landscaping supplies and deliver y

• Extensive range of trees, shrubs and vegetable plants

•

• Exotic birds

MaryAnne Calver in her garden which features in the Katikati Garden Ramble in November PHOTOS: Supplied

Village opening nears

By Matthew Farrell

Atruly outstanding development has been taking shape in Ōmokoroa since March last year, as the settlement goes from strength to strength

“From breaking ground, to the current juncture where we stand on the cusp of completion, the progress achieved has been nothing short of remarkable,” says Foster Group director Rhys Harvey

“Since the commencement of this ambitious project, countless hours of dedication, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment have been poured into every facet of the construction process We cannot wait to see The Village become ‘ your space ’ in Ōmokoroa,” he says

So far, 18 tenants have been progressing with their building fit-outs as The Village Ōmokoroa approaches its final form Kristine Aitchison, a publicist for the Ōmokoroa Business Network, says there’s a lot of interest in The Village at the moment

“It’s probably the most engagement the OBN Facebook page has had,” she says

Businesses have been starting to move into their new premises The list so far is Village Green gastropub, Ōmokoroa Artisan Bakery, a Turkish takeaway, Coffee Club, Studio May hairdresser, Kaimai Law, Bay Skin Cancer Clinic, Ōmokoroa Pet Vets, Mind Your Movement pilates studio, Majestic Nails Beauty and Massage, laundromat, Boutique Liquor, Indian food restaurant, Ōmokoroa Accounting & Taxation, Ōmokoroa Property Management, Your Real Estate, a fruit and veg shop, and VPT rebrands as Common Ground Gym

Village Green director Billy Emeny says they’re aiming to open in the second week of October “I’m very confident of that We’ve had some delays, but we ’ ve found solutions

“People have been popping in and talking to us about it at CBK in Tauranga, and we are really excited to be part of this community,” he says

A grand opening day for The Village is set for Saturday 11th November In the meantime, Foster Group will host the Ōmokoroa Business Network on Thursday 12th October

Ōmokoroa Community Board

By Peter Presland Chair

The following is an excerpt from my submission to Western Bay of Plenty hearings on proposed urban design for Ōmokoroa

In my role as an OCB elected member, I need to make the following observation regards urban development undertaken to date on our peninsula. In doing so, while they are my personal views, these sentiments are shared in broad context by my fellow board members and an overwhelmingly high percentage of ratepayers who have chosen to call Ōmokoroa Tūrangawaewae, the place where we feel empowered and connected In all my deliberations when considering any issue as a board member I come back to the question ‘how will this make Ōmokoroa a better place to live’, so more connected to our place

My experience is that the more recent developments in Ōmokoroa in terms of quality urban design can only leave you with the conclusion they sought to do the minimum in terms of what was acceptable as opposed to starting with what was best practice, what was right

Some of the decisions made to date have not aged well

As an example, we have Kaimai Views, at the time of development and ribbon cutting portrayed as an exemplar of excellence in modern urban design If that is the case then why within only two years are Council, Developers and elected officials beset with resident’s concerns and possible remediation costs for the sake of some additional review of the proposed development by independent experts in high quality urban design; stitch in time sort of thing

I believe in our mind that one should only scroll forward or back if it serves you right now Kaimai Views is not an exemplar, well at least not an exemplar of quality urban design, at least according to some of those who have chosen to make it their home It could be an exemplar of scrolling back but only if in doing so you challenge yourselves as key decision makers, ask yourself would you do anything differently

As a resident, as an elected official, as a ratepayer with skin in the game I urge those who can make a difference to seize this opportunity to pause and reflect on all further developments on our peninsula, apply your expertise to this window that presents to ensure our place is an exemplar of high-quality urban design

We are in your hands

Building fitouts underway on 25th September

PHOTO: Callum Farrell

abundant wildlife.

This tour is not just the Chathams it’s an 8- day fully immersive holiday experience enjoyed with 6th generation locals while staying on their working farm at the beautiful Awarakau Lodge. Experience for yourself the stunning scener y, cultural treasures, and intriguing histor y that these islands possess

First we travel along an abandoned railway line through tunnels in deep hidden valleys, to townships that time forgot. We then take a jet boat ride down the Whanganui River to a lost farm, where we stay at a deluxe retreat hidden in the bush for a further 2-nights

Starting from the depths of a subterranean wonderland in the Ruakuri Cave we then continue down the countr y to the rails of the Forgotten World Highway. We then go by jetboat down the Whanganui River to explore a bridge that goes nowhere! This 5- day tour then finishes up in the city of Whanganui

This 7- day tour starts in Nelson where we travel up to Collingwood for an adventure over Farewell Spit, one of the world’s longest naturally formed sandbars! We then spend 5- days floating in by boat to appreciate the lush native forest, golden-sand beaches and cr ystal- clear waters of Abel Tasman

Join

for high- octane aviation excitement this Easter! With a professional pilot as your Tour Chaperone and GOLD PASSES to this high flying event,

Crime and incident report

By Senior Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh and Senior Constable James Muir

BURGLARIES

Two burglaries were reported in Waikaraka Drive and Park Lane, Te Puna area Both were garden sheds, and a large quantity of tools were stolen

On 26th August at 5am, The Family Mart shop located on Main Road Katikati was broken into, and a large quantity of vape products was stolen A vehicle stolen earlier from Matamata was used during the burglary and was last seen heading north towards Waihī

A burglary was reported at a Whakamārama address There is a nominated suspect, and Police inquiries are continuing

We would like to remind people to take preventative measures against burglary, like locking doors and windows and reporting any suspicious activity

On 28th August, a residential burglary was reported at a SH2, Aongatete address A large number of animal pelts were stolen.

On 1st September, a burglary was reported at a residential address in Katikati A vehicle was stolen but was later found nearby by Police

At 3 41am on 8th September, CCTV recorded a male stealing a large ornamental corrugated iron goat from the garden of a Serenity Drive, Ōmokoroa property Enquiries are continuing

On 13th September, a burglary occurred at a residential address at The Meadows, Katikati A vehicle was entered, and a wallet containing various credit cards was taken Those stolen cards were used at various stores in the Western Bay of Plenty A white and green Scott mountain bike was also stolen

On 13th September, a garage at a Whakamārama Road property was broken into by forcing open a door Tools and a child’s homemade motorbike were stolen

Overnight on 13th September, two utility vehicles parked on Ruamoana Place, Ōmokoroa, were broken into, and a number of tools were taken

On 14th September, a garage was entered at a Tye Road, Katikati address, and a substantial number of cordless tools were stolen

On 15th September, a residential property on Barrett Road was entered, and a Nissan Tiida was stolen from the address THEFT

A shoplifter stole two bottles of spirits from the bottle store in Te Puna, and no vehicle registration was obtained.

A theft of property was reported from the Tuapiro freedom campsite

A vehicle has been stealing avocados from a stall on Ōmokoroa Road A registration has been obtained, and police inquiries are continuing

On 6th September, a courier parcel was stolen from the front section of a Park Road, Katikati address

On Thursday night 7th September, a Subaru vehicle parked on Wharawhara Road, Katikati was broken into, and a cell phone was stolen

On 13th September, a vehicle was broken into at a Boyd Street, Katikati address A wallet was stolen, and a stolen credit card was used in Mount Maunganui

Two vehicles parked at an Ōmokoroa address were entered, and a quantity of tools were stolen

Diesel has been stolen from a digger parked on Wairoa Road

A vehicle parked at a Polley Crescent address was broken into, and a radar detector, a Nintendo Switch, a bean bag cover and shoes were stolen

UNLAWFUL TAKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES

A vehicle involved in a car crash was stolen later that night from the Wairoa Bridge carpark The vehicle was a white Mazda Attenza

Overnight on 10th September, a van window was smashed at a Sargent Drive, Aongatete address

On the same evening, a vehicle which had broken down and was left on a driveway on SH2 north of Katikati was set alight and destroyed

ARRESTS AND APPREHENSIONS

21st August, a 30-year-old Katikati man was arrested for burglary at the Katikati Squash Club, which occurred on 26th July

52-year-old Tahāwai man was charged with two counts of shoplifting from Waihī Mitre 10 last month

23rd August, a 30-year-old Katikati man was arrested and charged with burglary to a Willoughby Road, Tahāwai tree nursery, where a number of trees were stolen

A 16-year-old Ōmokoroa driver had his car impounded for 28 days after causing issues at a local service station and doing a burnout when he left

25th August, a 37-year-old Katikati man was arrested for breaching his bail conditions

9th September, a 52-year-old Ōmokoroa man was arrested for breaching his bail conditions

9th September, a 46-year-old man of no fixed abode was arrested at Ōmokoroa and charged with threatening behaviour and four charges of shoplifting from various locations.

On 5th September, a 30-year-old Te Puna man was arrested for breaching electronic bail conditions

A 37-year-old Katikati man has been charged with the theft of a nail gun which was taken out of a vehicle parked at Athenree

A Paeroa man has been arrested and charged with wilfully damaging a vehicle and driving whilst disqualified at Katikati He has been remanded in custody

A 35-year-old Whakamārama man has been charged with breaching the conditions of a parenting order and wilful trespass

A 35-year-old male was arrested for assaulting a person in a family relationship He was also breaching his bail conditions and was held in custody

A 70-year-old Tahāwai man and a 52-year-old Tahāwai woman have been charged jointly with deception in relation to an alleged real estate fraud

CHECK POINT RESULTS

A 28-year-old male was stopped at a checkpoint and was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol and

Continued on page 12

From page 11 driving while disqualified

A 59-year-old Katikati male was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol and was suspended from driving

A 26-year-old male was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol

A 28-year-old Tauranga male was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol and driving while disqualified

A driver was stopped at a checkpoint and was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol His licence was also suspended for 28 days because of his extremely high results

A 66-year-old Katikati woman was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol

Drink and drug driving are known contributory factors in serious injury and fatal collisions Katikati police will continue to carry out random checkpoints targeting drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol

GENERAL

Police attended a minor two-vehicle accident on Beach Road

A road rage incident caused a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 2 Police inquiries are continuing.

A two-car motor vehicle accident occurred on Main Road Katikati, with no injuries and minor damage to both vehicles

A motorcyclist riding past an ambulance smashed its rear taillight by kicking it Unfortunately, no registration was obtained

A driver fell asleep and was involved in a single-vehicle accident, which nearly resulted in a pedestrian being struck by the vehicle Police inquiries are continuing

A vehicle was impounded for doing burnouts in Ōmokoroa

More Facebook Marketplace fraud offences were reported to the Police It is recommended that people do not pay people for property until it has been handed over

A vehicle was stopped on Ōmokoroa Road, and the driver was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol

On 1st September, a vehicle was stopped on Main Road Katikati, and the driver was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol

A vehicle was stopped on SH2 Bethlehem, and the driver was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol

A minor two-car accident was reported on State Highway 2, Te Puna

A vehicle was stopped on State Highway 2 at Bethlehem, and the driver was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol

A vehicle was stopped on Park Road, and the driver was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol

A vehicle was stopped in Katikati, and the driver was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol

Police attended a vehicle that crashed into a shelter belt on Pukekura Road, Katikati The vehicle was extensively damaged, and the woman was transported to Tauranga Hospital, where a blood sample was requested A 19-yearold associate who arrived at the crash site in another vehicle was processed for driving with excess breath alcohol and will appear in court

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

Ōmokoroa Point School

By Sandra Portegys

Ngā mihi nui whānau Term 3 has been quite active, with numerous students embracing the chance to participate in the activities and events available at Ōmokoroa Point School It has been fantastic seeing so many parents, volunteers and community members in our school supporting our students by coaching, managing, reading with students, transporting students, taking electives, supporting with kapa haka and lending a helping hand when needed It is the community involvement and support for our school which makes ŌPS a fantastic school

Next term looks to be just as busy Our upcoming events list is very full Some dates are still being finalised and will be added early Term 4 Please keep an eye

on this during the term

Thank you to Ōmokoroa Lions and Rotary Clubs for helping us plant the new garden at the front of the school

Ōmokoroa Lions have contributed $1000 towards the plants, and both clubs helped with labour The Rotary Club is a newly formed group This is the first time the two clubs worked together on a project This has made a big improvement to the front of the school. Our school roll is now 360 students

Lizard

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Rotary and Lions Clubs working together on the OPS garden PHOTOS: Supplied

Changes to Ōmokoroa Market

By Deb Bowden

Ihave run the monthly market in the Settlers’ Hall since April 2021 and felt that some changes might increase the number of stallholders as well as extend the opening times for customers to visit it

In response to the positive replies to my Facebook post about changing the Ōmokoroa Market, I have now started the process of doing so

There will be a changeover period until Christmas due to prior bookings in the hall, and from the New Year, we will be open twice a month on the first and third Saturdays from 10am to 2pm

If there are any groups or clubs wanting to get together to sell their combined excess fruit, veg, flowers, car boot or whatever, please contact me to book via omokoroamarket@gmail com

Already, there has been more interest

from food and coffee carts, flower vendors and other food product suppliers, so please come along each month to support your local vendors

I look forward to developing the market into an event you can look forward to attending each time

Ōmokoroa Market dates 2023

Sat 28th Oct 10am - 2pm

Sat 18th Nov 10am - 2pm

Sat 2nd Dec 10am - 2pm

Sat 16th Dec 10am - 2pm

Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall

We are what we eat

Ōmokoroa Community Garden

Everything is moving quickly in the gardens except for our slithering slugs and molluscs, who can sniff a seedling at five paces and devour it before you have blinked

The soil is warming up, and so are the gathering pests with threats of psyllids, cabbage whites and the latest invasive army worms that march and chomp through crops and gardens at alarming speed

What is to be done with the critters?

Here at the gardens, we aim for chemical-free, and poison-free control and the latest consumer magazine identified nine banned pesticides on our supermarket-purchased fruit and veges with the astounding observation that the only items with no pesticide residues were broccoli, capsicums, carrots, flat mushrooms, garlic and green kiwifruit

At the community garden, we avoid all poisons and are trialling eggshells,

awdust wood shavings and hand plucking to minimise the damage caused to our seedlings, and we are trialling a biological product that infects the army worm caterpillars with a bacterium that immobilises them without damage to anything else

With El Niño predicted for this summer, it is promising to get hot soon, and we are gathering rainwater and putting down layers of mulch to stop excess moisture loss

We are getting lots of visitors and lots of questions

This week’s suggestion: if you are short of garden space or don’t like digging, buy a cheap bag of compost, punch holes in one side for drainage, make a crosscut on the top, fold back the plastic and plant one zucchini or tomato plant, keep well-watered and you will have a huge crop all summer

Come along Thursday or Saturday mornings and have a chat or a weed or a cup of something, or just sit and enjoy the beauty

Sequestering seedlings from the slugs PHOTO: Supplied

Construction ready to start on luxury retirement village

Ōmokoroa Lions Club

Continued from September edition:

Ōmokoroa Country Club Director

Daryl Scott says there’s strong demand from across the country but particularly from Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Auckland retirees who want to enjoy a warm, relaxed coastal environment while still being an easy drive to the main cities We are also seeing strong interest from prospective residents who are currently based in rural areas and are struggling with access to medical services due to roading issues in those areas, mainly Coromandel and surrounding regions

“This development will appeal to retirees who are looking to live independently in a safe and supportive village where residents can enjoy a sense of community and belonging. Ōmokoroa offers wonderful lifestyle amenities, including golf courses, bowls clubs, beaches, and extensive walking and cycling trails The local Ōmokoroa Village

extension is nearing completion to include café, retail space, medical facilities and a supermarket In addition, the new Ōmokoroa Town Centre, only a short walk from the village, is currently under construction and will host a range of shopping options

“The first 60 villa sites are all prepped, grassed and ready for construction to get underway in approximately two weeks’ time,” Scott says “And we are continuing to plant the banks of the Waipapa stream to transform this natural asset into a recreational focal point within the village Boardwalks will soon be built along this 400m stretch of river for our residents to enjoy ”

Renowned architects Warren and Mahoney have been engaged alongside landscape architecture specialists Rough Milne Mitchell to bring this project to life. Scott says the new village is designed for active retirees who want to make the most of their new lifestyle

“Public biking tracks are woven all

around the edge of our property, and golf and bowls will be a big part of life here We’re going to have our own golf driving range and putting facility on-site, as well as an international-size four-lane bowling green and croquet lawn We’re excited to create a really unique, warm, relaxed, very high-quality retirement option here in the Bay of Plenty It will set a new standard of retirement living, well above what has been offered before ”

This will be one of the largest construction projects in the Bay of Plenty, and Scott intends to use local suppliers wherever possible “Once the village is complete, it will provide long-term employment for over 70 people We’re proud to be part of this vibrant coastal community, and we ’ re committed to supporting local businesses,” he says

Interested parties are invited to contact Ōmokoroa Country Club’s General Manager of Sales and Operations Ray Webber Article supplied

Are you new to Ōmokoroa and want to meet people? On Sunday 15th October at 4pm, the Ōmokoroa & District Lions Club will be hosting an infor mal meet and greet in the S ports Pavilion on Western Ave If you want to learn what the Lions do, please come along and chat with us All are welcome Light refreshments will provided, including homemade baking Registration is required for catering pur poses Contact Secretary Shirley on 027 917 2052

Now located in Bethlehem

With more then 10 years of servicing Bosch in the Tauranga region, we do recommend servicing your Bosch electric bikes at least once a year, or more depending on how much you ride

During spring is a great time to book in your bike for a pre-summer service Doing this will ensure your bike is ready to go when the sun comes out and the days are longer

• We specialise in sales and servicing of Bosch powered electric bikes

• We proudly carry the Moustache range of electric bikes

• Our range is from urban to rail trail, FS MTBs, plus cargo bikes

• Now in stock, 2023 Moustache bikes with the Bosch smart systems

To book your appointment

14 Guildford Place, Bethlehem 027 787 1577

Growing pains? We’ve got a plan for that. Check it out.

Here’s what you need to know about SmartGrowth 2023

We know things are hard at the moment, and that you ’ re not always experiencing the best of the Bay of Plenty lifestyle

There are frustrations Being stuck in traf c trying to get from A to B needing to plan the time and route of a journey to avoid traf c queues, and the uncertainty of housing – whether that s being able to nd a suitable rental or affordably buy a home

The catalyst for this current environment is that our subregion is growing rapidly, exceeding all growth projections This is putting incredible pressure on our roads and housing supply, and key infrastructure such as new roads pipes and parks are not yet in place

From Waihī Beach to Otamarakau, and everywhere in between, we remain one of the fastest growing areas of the country In fact, to accommodate the 300,000 people who will live here by 2050, we are going to need up to 43,000 additional homes

This growth will happen and it needs to be accommodated, which means it is essential that we work together now to develop smart ways to manage the impact this is already having – and will continue to have - on our transport, housing and climate

The SmartGrowth Strategy 2023 is our plan to help manage this growth

SmartGrowth is a partnership between Tauranga City Council, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, tāngata whenua and central Government (in particular Waka Kotahi – the New Zealand Transport Agency) Together we ’ re committed to the idea that we cannot simply continue as we are, but that we need to do things differently and plan to manage growth

The SmartGrowth Strategy considers how housing land infrastructure, transport, community development, tāngata whenua values and aspirations, and the natural environment must be looked at together to achieve effective and sustainable long term growth

Being proactive now means we can reduce the impacts on how we travel shape the options for where we live and how we connect with our community, and ensure we protect and enhance our natural and cultural environments

We will focus on:

people by 2050

Growth

300,000 Ensuring communities have everything they need planned in a coordinated way

• ensuring existing and future residents have access to a choice of homes and a range of employment opportunities, with good connections between them

• ensuring communities have necessary infrastructure such as good roads, water and power supply and easy access to shops, libraries, community centres, playgrounds and schools

• growth being planned in a coordinated way and future development being centred around identi ed priority development areas We aim to avoid developing ‘out’ through new green eld land unless this is in a planned growth area opting instead for developing ‘ up ’ through intensi cation, with townhouses or apartments

These issues are not easy to solve, as they require big budgets and multiple partners working together to achieve a collective goal and a commitment to supporting existing and future populations

The SmartGrowth Strategy is our plan to manage growth, and it is now available for you to read We would love you to provide feedback on the strategy and tell us what you think.

Share your thoughts with us before 5pm Friday 20 October via the option that suits you best:

• Online, wānanga ipurangi - head to our web page to check out the draft strategy –smartgrowthbop org nz/smartgrowth-strategy-2023

• Hard copy, pepa mārō – printed feedback forms are available at all council libraries and service centres There is also the opportunity to speak to your feedback with the political panel Please indicate in your feedback if you would like to do so, or by emailing the address provided below:

• Face to face, kanohi ki te kanohi

- Date: 4-6 December

- Venue: Council Chambers, Western Bay of Plenty District Council

- Email: haveyoursay@westernbay govt nz to register your interest

Ngā mihi, Andrew Turner, SmartGrowth Independent Chair

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 548

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

MONDAYS

Ladies Fitness Classes at 8am on Pahoia Road at the Cow Shed Gym - Anneli 021 077 5416

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

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

Table Tennis Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall Seniors

(18+) 7-9pm $5 per person Inc supper Whitesole 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 Hatha Yoga at Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion

6 45pm with Stefan Ph 022 477 3809, email

stefan@mlyoga co nz or visit www mlyoga co nz

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

MenzShed Ōmokoroa 7 Prole Road, Ōmokoroa 9am-1pm Welcome to just call in or email info@menzshedomokoroa org

Te Puna Tennis Club casual tennis 9am start

Casual and new players welcome Contact Catherine tptennisclub@gmail com or 021 506 855

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, Katikati

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

Te Puna Bridge Club at Te Puna Tennis Club 6 45pm start Contact Richard Comyn 027 552 0917 or richard comyn@gmail com All welcome

WEDNESDAYS

Ladies Fitness Classes at 8am on Pahoia Road at the Cow Shed Gym - Anneli 021 077 5416 Katikati Coffin Club 78a Prestidge Road (off Morton Road) 8 30am-noon $10 lifetime membership Contact John Russell afactor@xtra co nz or 027 281 7629

Kaimai Ramblers day tramp Good standard of fitness required, boots recommended Call Lisa 021 044 6449, or Kevin 021 0200 6306

Hatha Yoga at Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion 9am with Stefan Ph 022 477 3809, email stefan@mlyoga co nz or visit www mlyoga co nz

Homewood Park 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

FLexercise exercise, movement, dance, for posture, strengthening & stretching All ages & abilities 10am Memorial Hall, Katikati Phone Pam 021 11 77 170 Ōmokoroa Artists Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall 10 45am-3 30pm $5 Contact Jill 021 408 660 or Facebook page: Ōmokoroa Artists Adults Ballet/Plus 12 30 St Peters Anglican Church Hall, Beach Road Katikati Ph Gaye 07 577 1753 or 027 274 8753 email gayehemsley@gmail com

Katikati Bowling Club Combined Roll-up 1pm, names in by 12 45pm Coaching available Social activities to follow 8 Park Road ph 549 0103 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

$25

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

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

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 30am-

12 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-Intermediate 1-3pm Call Joce

021 486 265

THURSDAYS

Wedgewood St Free

entry All welcome Pick Up/Drop Off Service and shower facilities available 549 0399

Ōmokoroa Rotary meets fortnightly at 8am at

Ōmokoroa Boat Club Contact Bronwyn Carter on omokoroarotary@gmail com or 021 236 4623 or find us on Facebook

Yoga Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion 8 45-9 45 am and 6-7pm Contact Brooke 021 878 838

MenzShed Ōmokoroa 7 Prole Road Ōmokoroa

9am-1pm Welcome to just call in or email info@menzshedomokoroa org

Pickleball at Waihī 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 021 138 8770 or tetzlaffsabine@gmail com

Preschool Storytime ‘Read Sing Move’ at 10am

Brick Club Afterschool LEGO sessions in Ōmokoroa Library 2 45-4 45pm

Hatha Yoga at Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall 5 45pm with Stefan Ph 022 477 3809, email stefan@mlyoga co nz or visit www mlyoga co nz

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

Ladies Fitness Classes at 8am on Pahoia Road at the Cow Shed Gym - Anneli 021 077 5416

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 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

Waihī Beach Farmers Market 8am-12noon at Waihī Beach School Produce music kids’ activities Stalls $35 casual or $25 members

Weekly from 7th October to 27th April 2024

Contact info@waihibeachfarmersmarket co nz

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 MenzShed Ōmokoroa 7 Prole Road, Ōmokoroa

9am-1pm Welcome to just call in or email info@menzshedomokoroa org

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

1pm Names in before 12 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–March, and first Sunday of the month

Apr to Dec 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

29th Sept - 3rd October Katikati Artist Exhibition Katikati Memorial Hall

Sun 1st Katikati Folk Open Mic 5pm every 1st Sunday of the month Blackboard (open mic) session at Forta Leza, 2656 SH2, Aongatete

Mon 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd Book Buzz Come and share your favourite reads with other book lovers 10am on the 1st Tuesday at Pātuki Manawa

Tue 3rd Katikati Small Business Network 10am-11am at Squeeze Café Katikati Connect with other business owners while also gaining some invaluable support in an encouraging environment 1st and 3rd Tuesday Ph 07 549 5250

Tue 3rd Ōmokoroa Environmental Managers AGM at TOLO, McDonnell Street, 4pm Contact Chris Cole 027 454 5586

Wed 4th 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 4th Waihī Beach FOCUS Group 10am at Waihī Beach RSA Interesting speakers, interesting conversation and of course interesting people Every 1st Wednesday

Wed 4th Kati Chat 10-11am, The Arts Junction, Katikati Free event Discover what Katikati has to offer you Includes morning tea Ph 549 5250

Wed 4th Citizens Advice Ōmokoroa 1-3pm at The Old Library Ōmokoroa 1st and 3rd Wednesday No appointment required

Thu 5th Blood Drive 9am-1pm at Katikati Community Centre Eat and drink beforehand

Bring ID

Thu 5th 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

Sat 7th Spring Fling Car Boot Sale Katikati

A&P Showgrounds 8-11am $10 car boot $15

trailer Contact 027 4579 686 or abbeyfieldswbop chair@gmail com An Abbeyfield fundraiser

Sat 7th Grow On Katikati Crop Swap Swap excess produce, seeds, seedlings, preserves, jams, baking etc 1st Saturday of the month

Beside Katikati Community Centre, 9 3010 30am Call Jizzy on 549 2337 or Marie on 07 929 7906

Sat 7th Ōmokoroa Photographic Society open day Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion

Sat 7th Waihī Beach Lifesavers open afternoon 3-5pm at Bowentown Boating Club

Find out about the proposed emergency response hub

Sat 7th Healthy Pets seminar Waikato Uni Tauranga campus, 6 30-9 30pm with speakers on canine nutrition, behaviour and pet insurance $25 Book via www healthypets org nz

Sat 7th Comedy Stage Hypnosis Show Katikati Memorial Hall 7pm $25 ticket from The Art Junction An Abbeyfield fundraiser

Sun 8th Dogs Day out carnival at the Tauranga racecourse between 9am-2 30pm Doggy fashion show displays demonstrations and workshops www healthypets org nz

Sun 8th Plant Sale at Te Puna Quarry Park 10am-1pm Plus Devonshire teas and a Christmas wreath making demonstration tepunaquarrypark@gmail com

Sun 8th 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 10th Ōmokoroa Photographic Society Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion Social Room All levels welcome 7-9pm on 2nd Tuesday of the month omokoroaphotoclub@gmail com

Tue 10th Katikati Creative Fibre 7pm on 2nd Tuesday of the month at St Paul’s, Mulgan Street $5 Email marparmail@gmail com

Wed 11th AA/NZTA driver & vehicle licencing Mobile until in Katikati 2nd Wednesday of the month 9 30-12 45 / 1 154pm Enquiries to 0800 822 422

Wed 11th U3A Katikati monthly meeting 10am-noon in the Digital Hub next to the Library on 2nd Wednesday each month Guest speakers each month Call Pam Mazoyer 021 104 2925

Wed 11th 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 11th Katikati Herb Society Every 2nd Wednesday at 7pm at St Paul’s church Contact Jenny Ager-Pratt 027 309 9695

Thu 12th Business Breakfast 7am at Pātuki Manawa, beside the library, Katikati

Ph 549 5250

Thu 12th Friends of Puketoki Trapping/checking every 2nd Thursday Meet at Leyland Road carpark Call John Budden 548 1180 or Terry Edwards 552 6222

Thu 12th Ōmokoroa Business Network meeting 9am on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month Details available at omokoroabusinessnetwork@gmail com

Thu 12th Katikati Genealogy Group 2nd Thursday, Presbyterian Church Hall, 1 Mulgan Street at 1 30pm $5 New members welcome Contact Jeanette 027 348 3259

Fri 13th Te Puna Social Group from 1-3pm in the Te Puna Memorial Hall supper room 2nd Friday of the month All welcome

Fri 13th 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

Fri 13th Katikati Folk Club: Nairobi Trio 7pm at The Arts Junction Tickets $25, members $20

Sat 14th General Election day Go to vote nz to find your nearest voting place

Sat 14th Katikati Town & Country Market

2nd Saturday 9am to 12pm Katikati Memorial Hall Angie: katikatiartisanmarket@gmail com or call 021 203 9554

Sat 14th Patchwork Quilting at Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall 9am-4 30pm second Saturday each month Contact Christine 027 280 1344

Sun 15th Clean up bike racks at Waitekohekoe

Recreational Park 10am meet, BBQ afterwards Register info@katchkatikati org nz

Sun 15th 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 15th Show Me Shorts Film Festival The Sampler, 1 30pm, The Arts Junction, Katikati Ph 549 5250

Sun 15th Ōmokoroa Lions open day Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion at 4pm Come and find out what the Lions do in our community Light refreshments provided

Sun 15th Katikati Folk Club Jam sessions

5pm 3rd Sunday of the month Informal jam sessions at Forta Leza, 2656 SH2, Aongatete

Sun 15th Friendship Force Ōmokoroa Setters’ Hall 3rd Sunday evening of the month

Ph Jonathan on 572 2091

Mon 16th U3A Art Group 10am-noon every 1st and 3rd Monday at Waihī Bowling Club $2 Bring your own materials Call Jose Jebb 027 457 0242

Mon 16th Show Me Shorts Film Festival The Sampler 1 30pm The Arts Junction Katikati Ph 549 5250

Mon 16th Bethlehem/Te Puna Lions Club at Te Puna Community Centre Hall, Tangitū Road 1st and 3rd Monday evenings from 6pm Contact Colin 576 9110

Tue 17th Book Buzz Share your favourite reads with other book lovers 10am every 3rd Tuesday at Ōmokoroa Library

Tue 17th Katikati Small Business Group 10am-11am at Chrome Café, Katikati Connect with other business owners while also gaining some invaluable support in an encouraging environment 1st and 3rd Tuesday Ph 07 549 5250

Tue 17th Innovation Garden Club 1 30-3pm every 3rd Tuesday Waihī Beach RSA Contact 027 289 7674 or innovationgardenclub@gmail com

Tue 17th Katikati Youth Theatre for youth aged 12-30 Games, learning and fun Supper included Third Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm kkyouththeatre@gmail com

Wed 18th 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 18th Citizens Advice Ōmokoroa 1-3pm at The Old Library Ōmokoroa 1st and 3rd Wednesday No appointment required

Wed 18th Business After Five Hosted by Infinite Beauty 5 15pm Ph 07 549 5250

Thu 19th National ShakeOut day Find more info at getready govt nz to win prizes

Thu 19th Genealogy support Help with research into family history and DNA searches Ōmokoroa Library, 3rd Thursdays 10am One-on-one help available at other times Contact Lyn on 027 259 6643 or lynevaughan@gmail com

Thu 19th Fun Mixed Doubles Ōmokoroa Tennis Club Western Ave Third Thursday of the month from 5 30-7 30pm

Thu 19th Café Scientifique 7pm at The Arts Junction, Katikati Topic: Large-scale volcanic activity at the dawn of the Taupō Volcanic Zone All welcome Ph 021 85 99 29

Sat 21st Katikati Artisan Market 9am-1pm Chrome Cafe, 3 Wharawhara Road, Katikati 3rd Saturday of the month

Sat 21st Death Cafe 9 15am-11 30 at Ōmokoroa Boat Club 3rd Saturday of the month Contact Carol on 021 878 730 or find more information at www deathcafe com

Sat 21st Show Me Shorts Film Festival Award Winners 6 30pm The Arts Junction Katikati Ph 07 549 5250

Sun 22nd 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

Thu 26th Ōmokoroa Business Network meeting 9am on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month Details available at omokoroabusinessnetwork@gmail com

Thu 26th 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 27th 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 27th Katikati Folk Club: Jon Sanders 7pm The Arts Junction Tickets $25, members $20

Sat 28th Repair Cafe makers tinkerers and fixers working to divert broken items from landfill 8 30am-noon Last Saturday of the month repaircafe@tinkd nz 148 Durham Street, Tauranga

Sat 28th Ōmokoroa Market 10am-2pm Crafts, art, produce, bbq, plants, car boot, cafe and more E: omokoroamarket@gmail com

Sat 28th Katikati Lions Garage Sale 4th Saturday of each month May-Nov Behind Caltex, Main Road Katikati 9am till noon Tools, furniture, books, art and more Ph 07 578 1073

Sun 29th Exploring end of life Two workshops to navigate the complexities of end-of-life decisions Second session 5th November $160 for both sessions 1-3pm Presbyterian Church, 1 Mulgan Street, Katikati carolwalesnz@gmail com or 021 878 3030

Sun 29th Pest Trap Library at the container next to Whakamārama Hall 3-5pm Last Sunday of the month

Sat 4th-Sun 5th November Katikati Garden Ramble 9am-5pm rain or shine Tickets $30 from The Arts Junction

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

By Jackie Knotts

On Labour weekend, the Ōmokoroa Artists will be exhibiting work at the Settlers’ Hall This annual event gets bigger and better every year With a growing membership, there will be a big variety of work in scale, subject matter, media and price to suit all tastes in art

The Ōmokoroa Artists meet every Wednesday in the Settlers’ Hall to share ideas and expertise and have been an important part of the social fabric of Ōmokoroa for many years Members run workshops for anyone who would like to ‘have a go ’

Invited visiting tutors give members the chance to learn new skills and techniques There is no one way to paint and draw It depends on the artist’s intention, what it is they want to depict and the challenge is to find the best way to do this Like any creative endeavour, it is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration

Use it or lose it is the advice we are given as we grow older, and creative thinking and practice keeps the mind active and engaged For me, my art work kept me company after my husband died

The exhibition is not a competition to see who is the best artist It is a chance for members to share their work with a wider public For some it might be the first time they have exhibited their work Having the exhibition on Labour Weekend is an incentive to get work completed and no longer put off starting something you had been intending to begin for some time

The exhibition is open Saturday 21st October until Monday 23rd, 10am-4pm each day. EFTPoS will be available. In the small hall there will be artists demonstrations, outdoor art and activities for kids while parents look at the work in the large hall

Come along and support the local art group and enjoy looking at the work and maybe find something that you simply must buy because it fits a space in your home, or you love it so much you will somehow find a place for it

By Cllr Ken Shirley Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor

In many respects, we in the Western Bay are victims of our own success

We live in the country’s fastest growing subregion, with a population increase of over 85% in the past 5 years A further 200,000 people are projected to live here by 2030

This increase will require the building of 95,000 new homes and will result in an additional 227,000 transport trips per day We already suffer the worst housing affordability in the country based on price-to-income ratios, and rents are among the highest nationwide Many simply cannot afford to reside here, so they are forced to commute from Rotorua and Waikato townships

The designated urban growth areas are Tauriko Western Corridor, Papamoa Eastern Extension, Te Puke and Ōmokoroa An eventual population of 12,000 is planned for Ōmokoroa

Our basic sewage and potable water infrastructure is in a reasonable state to accommodate this expansion, but unfortunately, our roading networks are not Worsening traffic congestion is the

inevitable price that we will pay

The Takitimu North Link Stage 1 to Te Puna is under construction Both the Western Bay Smart Growth Coalition and the Regional Transport Committee recognise the importance of completing Stage 2 from Te Puna to Ōmokoroa earlier than is currently planned by NZTA

Kainga Ora now intends to provide funding for a temporary roundabout for the State Highway 2 – Ōmokoroa intersection, which will allow further highdensity housing to proceed on the Ōmokoroa peninsula

The funding models for our roads and other infrastructure are no longer fit for purpose, and in particular, fuel tax will increasingly fail to deliver the revenue required Significant and substantial change is inevitable

As a participant in many of the Smart Growth and UFTI forums, I am aware of the serious challenges of growth confronting the Western Bay sub-region and consider it important for the general public to be made aware of these challenges

Ken Shirley is Deput y Chair of the Regional Transport Committee

By Sharon Parker

Hey

Ōmokoroa Artists annual art expo Love Tennis: a big hit

Ōmokoroa What a fantastic day we had at our Love Tennis 2023 open day on 10th September Despite the cool and cloudy weather, the rain mostly stayed away, and we had an absolute blast

there,

Our courts were buzzing with excitement as kids and adults alike came to discover more about our awesome club The BBQ was sizzling all day long, expertly managed by our Club President, Andrew Dallas The ball machine got a serious workout Coach Pete was like a kid-magnet, dishing out fun tennis games that left the kids wanting more

A huge shout out to our amazing club volunteers who made sure everything ran smoothly They kept a semblance of order at the ball machine, rounded up stray balls, chatted with visitors, had a few hits, and answered questions about our club

We also teamed up with our Love

Tennis 2023 partner, the Tauranga SPCA, collecting cash donations and delivering them to the SPCA along with a big box of used tennis balls, which was a big hit with the rescue dogs Woof-tastic! If you missed out on donating on the day, no worries - you can do so at https:// www spca nz/donate

A big thank you to our generous sponsors, Bethlehem Butchery (best sausages in town) and Fresh Choice Ōmokoroa, for providing the delicious grub at our free sausage sizzle Yum

Our next major event is junior coaching with the awesome Coach Pete It runs on Saturday mornings during Term 4 and next year in Term 1 It’s only $30 per term for members and $100 for non-members Interested? Head to our website at omokoroatennis com to learn more and join our club That’s a wrap for now We can’t wait to see you back on the courts for some more tennis fun

Kid-magnet Coach Pete PHOTO: Supplied

Joanne Jordan with her horse painting

Sue Dark with her rooster painting

PHOTOS: Supplied

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

Alternative health hub Whakamārama quiz night

By Debbie Allan

Whakamārama Community Cen-

tre will be rolling out the red carpet on Saturday 4th November for their annual quiz night, but this year ’ s quiz will see a twist on the normal plot and feature an afternoon Kids’ Quiz as well as the adult quiz in the evening

A successful annual event, the Whakamārama Quiz Night sees teams competing in a quiz around a specific theme Past years has seen themes such as 1980’s, 1920’s, and a space theme The quiz in October last year was a real fiesta with a Mexican theme, with large Mexican sombreros and the team crowned best dressed team in matching cacti costumes

Each year the quiz brings the community together and attracts many teams from around the Bay of Plenty, and is a friendly competition where teams compete for prizes, including best dressed

quiz night

team and individual, and the crowning glory of Grand Quiz Champions This year we wanted to make the annual quiz inclusive for everyone in the community and will introduce a quiz specifically for the kids

This year ’ s quiz night with a ‘movie’ theme will see the return of popular host and quiz master, Gladass, and introducing Legoman as host for the Kids’ Quiz Both hosts will lead teams through a series of rounds of questions, testing their movie knowledge

Contestants will need to be quick and book early to secure their space through the humanitix website Tickets are available for both teams(maximum of eight per team) and individuals, with the option to prepay for food at the same time

The quiz night will have a cash bar for drinks and food, and is strictly no BYO

For more information can be found on the Whakamārama Community Events

Facebook page

By Kymberley Carter-Paige

Have you heard of the PHA? It stands for the ‘People’s Health Alliance’ and is a global organisation setting up alternative health hubs in communities where practitioners can work together to support the local community with a range of alternative health options

There is one just starting in Mount Maunganui, where the organisers have been donated a space that the practitioners share, and the community can come along and just have a chat about their health concerns whilst having the opportunity to explore alternative treatments to fit their individual needs

We are very lucky in Ōmokoroa as we already have therapists working from home, from BodyTalk, acupuncture, grief counselling, reflexology, vibrational therapy, and hypnotherapy, which I know of, but I am sure there are many more I would like to reach out to any alternative therapists who would be interested in coming together and working out how we could set up a community hub in Ōmokoroa

Please contact me if this is something you would be interested in, and we can arrange to meet and get the ball rolling I am sure our community would love to support us Please email me at a n x i e t y n o m o re n z @ p ro t o n m a i l c o m I look forward to connecting with you

The Mexican theme at 2022 s quiz had a great array of colour and costumes PHOTO: Supplied

By Fiona Powell Katch Katikati

Upcycled Christmas tree competition

The annual competition is back this year with a twist - entries must be designed for outdoor display with an extra focus on lights There are cash prizes up for grabs for originality, creativity and use

Focus on Katikati

of recycled materials Start getting creative now because the festive season will be here before you know it. Trees can be delivered to The Arts Junction on Saturday 25th and Wednesday 29th November For full entry details, email info@katchkatikati org nz

Show Me Shorts film festival

The popular short film festival is back

Carlton Gallery

Brendon Pooley: Realism Artist

Our next exhibition is by Brendon Pooley, who lives at Waihī Beach

Brendon has recently won third prize with his piece ‘Idyllic Waihī Beach’ in the Staedtler 2023 Artist of the Year competition The judges were very impressed, “A truly beautiful piece of artwork” He was the National Fine Art Awards winner August 2023

With a background in carpentry, engineering, and music, Brendon Pooley

in October at the boutique Junction Theatre, nestled within The Arts Junction, Katikati The event is a great opportunity to be entertained by seven or eight short films from New Zealand and around the world in each of the three screenings

Choose either a sampler of the festival entries on the 15th and 16th or the award winners on the 21st Tickets and info from The Arts Junction and website

Up the garden path

The first weekend in November (4th and 5th, 9am-5pm) is the much-anticipated Katikati Garden Ramble, hosted by the Rotary Club of Katikati This year, the iconic event features 17 beautiful urban and rural gardens to explore, many with refreshments, art and even live music on offer Grab your ticket from The Arts Junction, Katikati, along with the garden

views landscapes from a practical perspective

Light and reflections are important to him as they add mood, mystery, and an element of tranquil serenity

As a keen scuba diver, he has been inspired by the ocean ’ s beauty With the assistance of photography on and under the water (around the Hauraki Gulf and Taranaki’s Port), this has also contributed to his creations

Brendon has created scenes ranging from the Far North to Otago, using multiple mediums

He loves painting because it’s an expression and extension of himself, sharing with others this amazing creation of the tranquil ruggedness in which we live

booklet and map to peruse so you can plan your weekend of rambling, relaxation and inspiration

A hypnotic event

Abbeyfield WBOP’s latest fundraiser event brings hypnotist Ian Blaine to Katikati for an evening of hilarity on Saturday 7th October at 7pm Will you volunteer and become the star of the show when the hypnotist coaxes your imagination to become your complete reality or will you watch the show from the audience?

Grab your friends for this entertaining evening out in Katikati for just $25 while helping a great cause - the establishment of a local Abbeyfield House Tickets are available from The Arts Junction and website, with the event held at the Memorial Hall

Brendon’s work will be in the Carlton Gallery, The Arts Junction, 36 Main Road, Katikati, from 9th October to 5th November, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm

PHOTOS: Supplied

Citizens Advice Bureau comes to Ōmokoroa

The team from the Tauranga branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau is excited to share their expertise with people from Ōmokoroa and surrounding areas

Ōmokoroa residents are about to benefit from a world of knowledge and free, independent advisors getting a whole lot closer

The Citizens Advice Bureau is joining the Ōmokoroa community, running fortnightly drop-in sessions at The Old Library Ōmokoroa, near the Running Bird café on McDonnell Street starting in October

The new drop-in sessions kick off on

Wednesday 4th October and will take place between 1-3pm, repeating on the first and third Wednesday of each month

If you pop into the Old Library at that time, a Citizens Advice Bureau team member will be on hand to do what they do best - provide guidance and advice free of charge

The Citizens Advice Bureau can help with free, confidential, independent information and advice; making sure you know your rights, accessing services, and advocating for positive social change in laws and policies

They get many enquiries regarding legal and government issues, employ-

Te Pou Whakawhirinaki o Aotearoa

ment problems, tenancy and housing questions, consumer issues, social support services, financial and budgeting, relationship breakdowns – anything that people are facing, for which they need advice, support and information to feel empowered to take control of a situation Take advantage of this free service, which will be available on a drop-in basis – no appointments necessary, starting on Wednesday 4th October

Citizens Advice Bureau Tauranga is based at 367 Cameron Road; contact 07 578 1592 Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates

Article supplied

Ōmokoroa Boat Club summer sailing programme

By John Budden

This year we want to extend the skills of both parents and young sailors to fully utilise our six Sunbursts whilst beginners start off in the Optimist fleet

We aim to enjoy our sailing in safety now we have three RIBs plus maybe the Scout rescue boats

The junior programme starts on 7th October, meeting at the boat shed at 11am The following session is on 21st October also at 11am

The adult programme starts on 8th October, meeting at 10 30am A new (repeat) venture is midweek sail tuition for

Specialising Help bring back our native birds Join the Friends of The Blade volunteers and adopt a trap line CALL NOELENE ON 07 579 3908

adults in our Sunburst dinghies starting on Wednesday 11th October at 4 30pm again meeting at the Club Boat Shed Each sailor must have a life jacket that fits properly A waistcoat ‘vest’ is ideal (Burnsco or Sportcraft Marina supplies these) Sun hats and sun block to be worn at all times Wet suit or swimming togs, wind proof jacket, towels and/or warm clothes for after sailing to be brought each week Drink bottles are recommended A parent or parents must attend to help the Club and enjoy the sport with their children Feel free to bring your own sailing

dinghy but allow extra time to rig and we ask you to share crewing in your boat if we have large numbers attending Junior membership of the Club is $30 per annum Joining the Club will ensure the junior sailing programme continues and lets the sport grow Children of members sail at no cost but donations are welcome You can visit the club deck and Skippers after sailing Application forms and personal data sheets are available from the Boat Club I can be contacted either by phone on 548 1180 or by email at buddennz@gmail com as we will communicate by email only

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Pea Straw

Godwit - Ngā Kuaka - Festival

By Chris Cole Secretary Ōmokoroa Environmental Managers Inc

Last year, our first Godwit Festival was a great success Having learnt about the Godwits’ amazing journey down to New Zealand from Alaska, many pupils from Ōmokoroa Point School brought their friends and relations down to Cooney Reserve to take part in the festival During September and in prepara-

tion for this event, Festival organiser Chrissie Cleaver arranged a wonderful display at TOLO (The Old Library Ōmokoroa) of godwits and other unique birds which inhabit our lovely peninsula Many locals commented on how good it was

In conjunction with our local Council, Friends of Cooney have continued to transform the reserve Further areas have been cleared of noxious weed entanglements and replaced with hundreds of new plantings of native shrubs and trees The car park has been sealed, picnic tables installed, and a double toilet block was opened last month, much to the relief of its many visitors

Sunday 5th November is only a month away, and posters promoting this wonderful event are displayed in many places So, book that date into your diary and come down after lunch to join everyone for a great festival We have organised a sausage sizzle, and coffee and ice-creams should be available from local vendors

If you watch the skies, you should begin to see the first flights of godwits flying over our peninsula to and from their favourite sandbars near Cooney Reserve at the turn of the tide

By Alison Badger

Editor: Bar-tailed godwits have a 29,000km migration pattern from Ōmokoroa to eastern Asia, then south-western Alaska, including doubling their body weight for a one-week 11,700km non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean to arrive by mid-October

Find out more at www sciencelearn org nz

PHOTOS: Supplied

Colour my world at TOLO

October is when The Old Library

Ōmokoroa turns pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness, and we are delighted to feature an artist who uses vibrant colours to bring her creations to life Her intuition and connection to the earth illustrate a landscape where the tides rule the time, and the ocean brings a sense of wonder to her work

Meg Gaddum has been painting since

2019 at Ohiwa after a successful career in agricultural science and landscape architecture She grew up with artist aunts, uncles, and cousins dropping into her parents’ home for afternoon tea after a day of painting and sketching en plein air “My aunt gave me a French oil pastel set when I was 10 It was so special, and I loved using them The colours were wonderfully rich; they flowed onto the paper ”

Meg sees similarities between creating a garden and painting because of the im-

portance and use of line, form, shape, contrast, texture, light and the use of colour and its interaction are easily translatable, one to the other And who could not be intrigued by a work entitled ‘Dancing in the Elephants Garden’?

Meg will feature at the annual ‘Mocktails at 6’ at TOLO on Wednesday 18th October, sharing her recent experience of ‘Cycling Through Vietnam’ In addition, there will be a special guest making an extraordinary donation to breast cancer services

All donations received throughout October will be re-gifted to Breast Cancer Awareness to assist in further work into a cure for this destructive condition, which affects so many women ’ s lives

The Old Library Ōmokoroa (TOLO) in McDonnell Street is a gallery and craft co-operative with new displays every month Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm Come in and see what’s on offer, plus information about local groups and activities

Waihī Beach Surf Lifesaving

By Natalie Lloyd

Waihī Beach Surf Lifesav-

ing Club is having an open afternoon and Q&A session on Saturday 7th October, from 3pm to 5pm, at 2 Beach Road, Waihī Beach

People can come to find out about the Club’s programmes, what we do, our next intake, becoming an awesome surf lifeguard, and joining Junior Surf Surf Lifeguard Patrols commence Saturday 21st October at

Waihī Beach from 11am, and from 10am on Sunday 22nd

On Wednesday 20th September, Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc presented plans for a new emergency services hub, proposed to be built on public land at Bowentown adjacent to the Coastguard building This provided an excellent opportunity for the community to gain insights, ask any questions and hopefully address any concerns

Waihī Beach wearable art

By Victoria Menary

In the last week of term 3, Waihī Beach was treated to a spectacular Wearable Arts show The tamariki of Waihī Beach School have been working all year towards the show, creating costumes and learning their choreography

The theme of the show was hononga/connections

The children’s costumes explored their connections to their tīpuna (ancestors) and told the story of where and who they came from Each collaborative class group presented a segment of the show, using music and movement to showcase

their amazing costumes

Our year 0-1 classes recreated one of the pakiwaitara/stories they learnt this year about Tūhua/Mayor Island Their costumes represented the Tūhua and Pounamu people and sea creatures/children of Tangaroa

The year 2, 4, 5 and 6 classes based their costumes on the explorers of the Pacific, who journeyed to Aotearoa in their waka, using the stars, wind, tides and animal life to guide them Our year 3 classes focused on where their ancestors came from or objects that were important to them

The tamariki used the design process to plan, make and modify their costumes, using mostly recycled materials The kaiako/teacher in each class carefully selected the music and designed the choreography to help tell the story of the costumes The result was a wonderful show which allowed each child to shine on stage

We’re grateful to Chasing Light Studios www chasinglight co nz, who took the amazing photos of the event

Lizard

Year 1 students Lennox Morrison Jade Mortensen Kahn McRae and Theo Pride

Shaylah-May Geraghty and Ayla Bavage in their Pacific Voyagers costumes PHOTOS: Chasing Light Studios

By Kinsa Hays

The Katikati Art Group are holding their annual exhibition of members’ latest paintings in the Memorial Hall on the main road of Katikati Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October are the days to give yourself a treat and head over to the pretty town Have lunch at a café or one of the oldest venues in the Bay of Plenty, the Talisman Hotel

Our artists have excelled themselves in the variety, colour, style and excellence of their paintings A specific category this year is a silhouette There is a Viewer Choice category where you can pick the artwork you like the most from the whole exhibition You may even find a painting too lovely not to have in your home Prices are affordable, and all the paintings are original There are raffles and a money tree to chance your luck on Have yourself some time out and check out these stunning works Free parking is available behind the Memorial Hall

One of our artists, Christa Uys (pronounced ‘ ace’) has travelled a fair distance from Pretoria to be here amongst us in the Katikati Art Group Her daughter, already in New Zealand, encouraged her parents to join her in 2008

Christa worked with preschoolers from 2009 for nine years at Kindercare in Auckland She retired when she was 73 and moved to Katikati with her husband Cornelius, where they had a house built, and Christa established a garden, one of her loves She joined the Katikati Art Group in 2018

Back in Pretoria, she’d got into painting fabric with a group that painted tablecloths She found not many people use tablecloths in this country Luckily, she’d

also met a lady who had introduced her to oil painting Realism is her style of painting now Trees and mountains attract her, and she loves colour

“I’ve learned a lot here,” she says “New Zealand has treated us well We were welcomed from the beginning People are so nice I’ve had lots of tips from the artists, and I want to attend workshops to learn more ” She is putting some new works which she’s painted at home into the upcoming Art Exhibition Her subject is gumtrees, which she knows well Where she grew up, there was a plantation of them

In last year ’ s exhibition, Christa created a magnificent floral arrangement in the foyer I discovered she’d had a florist business in South Africa

The group ’ s annual exhibition will be held in the Memorial Hall, Katikati, from 29th September to 3rd October Come and visit the gallery when you ’ re in town

It’s on the side of the Hall and is open most mornings

Wool Puppies visit No.1

By Sue Morgan-French

As Pet Day fast approaches, we thought it was a good time to invite The Wool Puppies to our school

Bex Tasker of Positively Together trains horses, sheep, rabbits and chickens She works with children, teaching them how to get the best out of their animals using positivity

Bex came to our school with some of her sheep and dogs

We saw sheep jumping jumps, doing tricks and pushing a ball - all quite happily

Bex also talked to the children about how to behave around scary dogs and how to approach a dog they may wish to pat. The children loved the show, especially Barnaby, the sheep, responding to their chants of “Barnaby, Barnaby, Barnaby!”

Katikati Art Group s exhibition will be held in the Memorial Hall

Christa Uys PHOTOS: Supplied

By Gary Meynell

New people coming along to the club are a regular sight now, so that’s good to see We would like to welcome three new guests who visited us on club night – Greg Wesson, Margaret Smith and Liz Meyers

Our photography fundraiser is coming up next month on Saturday the 7th of

October, so mark your calendars We are putting on a family portrait session where you can come along and for a small fee of $20 get four family portraits taken, all with a different theme We will have four stations set up inside the big room next to the new library on Western Avenue, so come along and get some fun shots of the family We hope to see you

there between the hours of 9am to 1pm For your viewing pleasure, we enclose a few of the entries for our ‘rain’ theme this month. Although rain was amiss for most of the month, some of the members got creative with their shots, and, well, here they are

Free Funeral Guide

If you’d like to participate in a fun learning environment, then our next club night is 7pm on Tuesday 10th October at the Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion in Western Avenue I’m going to make this a short article this month, so we have room for as many of the lovely shots for this month’s theme as possible.

Rachel Buer

Jeff Martin

Steve Brown

Christina Cleaver

Ōmokoroa Family History Day

Family History Day was held on Saturday 2nd September, at Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall

The small hall was set up as the classroom it once was, with old desks and chairs, old textbooks, slates and chalk Our thanks to Paula Gaelic of the Western Bay Museum in Katikati for what was the central focus Ōmokoroa No 1 and 2 Schools and Ōmokoroa Point School displays, along with the very colourful Playcentre display, captured the interest of many Thank goodness school report comments have moved towards the more positive over the past century The main hall held displays of the

history of 14 of the groups who have been significant in Ōmokoroa over the years

Planning for this day had been the main focus of the Ōmokoroa History Group committee for the months leading to it Sandra Haigh, Community Heritage Coordinator and archival specialist based in Katikati suggested the outline of the day and worked to support our efforts Community groups were asked to display their history, aims, functions, etc

Council dealt with advertising, morning tea and lunch and the logistics of the day Council staff from Katikati and Ōmokoroa helped on Friday afternoon with setting up

the two halls and then packing away on Saturday afternoon For once, we could enjoy being part of the event instead of also having to bake, pour the tea, etc.

The community response was most pleasing, with more than 60 people present for the first session, when John Holyoake spoke of his family’s years in Ōmokoroa, his small but growing knowledge of this time and the banana box of information that awaited him A constant stream of arrivals throughout the rest of the morning and into the afternoon meant approximately 100 attended at least part of the day, which was pleasing considering the other community events being held on the same day

Chris Wright spoke of the varying triggers that lead people to an interest in their family history – from letters, diaries, family reunions, and even banana boxes of information

Chris Wright, Val Hale and Maureen Bruning described what went into the collating of the Ōmokoroa Farming Families book Descendants of those early families gave their memories of farming and school life, with some dressing up or acting out their memories. Sales of both ‘Ōmokoroa’ and the ‘Ōmokoroa Farming Families’ were pleasing, and more orders have followed subsequently

While the day involved a lot of work for members of the committee and for members of groups who needed to explore their own history, many of these displays will be shown in TOLO or will be set up again for the centennial of the Settlers Hall in five years ’ time For groups who were not asked or could not meet the deadline or who, like the Environmental Groups, already had their display planned to be set

up in TOLO that same weekend, rest assured that there is an ongoing need for groups within this community to safeguard their history for those who follow.

For inquiries or to purchase the book “Ōmokoroa Farming Families 1900 -1970”, please contact Don Cameron on 548 0655 These are still available from the Ōmokoroa Pharmacy and TOLO

Article supplied

Aims Games and Ōmokoroa No 1

Alot of people will have been following the exciting AIMS Games held in Tauranga recently Here is the view of one of our wonderful competitors Gem Gamble says, “From the 2nd to the 8th of September, the annual AIMS Games competition was hosted in Tauranga, with 373 schools and over 11,700 Year 7 and 8 students competing in it

The seven-day tournament is made up of various sports, from hip hop to canoe racing I got the amazing opportunity to be part of my school’s AIMS Games futsal (indoor football) team It was one of the best experiences of my life

I learnt many life lessons from this tournament, such as hard work, fair play, resilience and teamwork It was extremely fun playing other kids from all over the country, and relaxing and bonding with my team between games

Also, a massive thank you to all the coaches, managers, parents and supporters who contributed their time to training and overseeing all of Ōmokoroa’s athletes

John Holyoake (left) was keen to catch up with locals who knew of his settler family connection to the area John s family arrived to 150 acres after remaining in Hastings while Victor Holyoake built the homestead They cleared gorse and built a farm and milking herd from 1909 until selling up in 1914 the year after Victor s father visited The crowd heard about former Prime Minister Keith as a young man jumping out of school windows plus an appendix trip to hospital in Waihī and a boat trip to Tauranga Hospital John says he had no idea about the history of the area until after he arrived

PHOTO: Matthew Farrell

Our kauri in the Kaimai

By Peter Maddison

The kauri tree is one of the most known, beloved and respected of our New Zealand native trees This forest giant is amongst the longest-living and largest trees in the world The Kaimai kauri trees are important, as they are the most southerly naturally-occurring representatives of their species

A few specimens occur near the Rapurapu Track (south of State Highway 29), but the significant ones are found on the Tūāhu Track, west of Hot Springs Road

Amongst these is the giant Tūāhu, which has a trunk that is 13 metres from the ground to the first branch It is estimated to be over 1000 years old

The largest living kauri is Tāne Māhuta in Waipoua Forest, Northland It reaches a trunk height of nearly 18 metres and a total height of over 50 metres The trunk has a girth of nearly 14 metres and a volume estimated at 245 cubic metres; it is estimated to be 1500 years old Tāne Māhuta has a nearby shorter neighbour, Te Matua Ngahere, which has a girth of 16 metres and is estimated to be 2,000 to 4,000 years old - probably the oldest living tree in the world

The most naturally kauri remnant pockets are found in the Northland forests, with the significant kauri areas being found in the south Auckland, Waitakere, Hunua, the Coromandel forests and the Kaimai

Why are the Tūāhu Track and all tracks north of Thomson’s Track currently closed? Because of the finding of kauri

Dieback at Wharawhara

One special aspect of the kauri tree is its relationship with the soil below Like its podocarp cousins (rata, kahikatea, tōtara), the roots feed in the organic litter layer

near the surface In this litter layer, the roots feed on the organic matter derived from the falling leaf and branch material This is constantly decomposing, liberating acidic molecules, which contribute to soil leaching and the formation of a grey nutrient-poor podsol This acidic litter and the tannins released result in the build-up of large litter piles around the base of mature trees Because the feeder roots spread out in the surface layer - at least three times the drip line - they are liable to damage Since the kauri dieback pathogen (disease organism) is waterborne, it can be spread in mud on people’s boots

So ‘kia toitū he kauri - keep kauri standing ’

The kauri tree has the scientific name Agathis australis Agathis means ‘ball of twine’ in the Greek language, referring to the structure of the male cones; australis means ‘southern’ There are about 20 related species of Agathis found in Australia, peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Borneo to New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji (“dakua”) and even one species in Patagonia (southern South America)

The relatives of kauri are the Wollemia Pine (New South Wales) and the Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria) and its relatives Fossil Agathis remains have been found in Patagonia, dating about 64 million years ago, with a probable origin at the end of the Cretaceous Period, as the dinosaurs were dying out Article supplied

Editor’s note: New rules regarding growing kauri and managing areas adjacent to kauri forests are contained in the Biosecurity (National PA Pest Management Plan) Order 2022 A review of track closures was due after 10 weeks, on 29th September See www doc govt nz

MenzShed supporting young artists

By Peter Smith

Year 4 students (who are eight years old) at Bethlehem Primary School are in for a surprise this month.

After a class visit to Carmichael Reserve for inspiration, the children then completed paintings over a six-week period of the wildlife that they had seen The artwork will be a part of an exhibition at the school But then the paintings mysteriously disappeared

Teacher Rapua Tīmoti, as a surprise for the students, had secretly brought their artwork to the Ōmokoroa MenzShed for each painting to be framed, which was completed by Andrew McWilliam

Rapua gave a huge thumbs up when she picked up the work, and they will now go into the exhibition at the school to the delight of her students and be treasured by their families

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Andrew McWilliam at work framing the children s art PHOTO: Supplied

New farmers market for Waihī Beach this summer

Locals and visitors to the Western Bay are excited to learn that a new Waihī Beach Farmers Market (WBFM) will be starting this summer at Waihī Beach Primary School grounds starting from 7th October 2023 The market will be held every Saturday from 8am to 12 noon rain or shine

In response to demand for more locally sourced produce, a group of locals has teamed up with Waihī Beach Primary School to run a community-focused event where profits are donated back to the community In conjunction with the primary school, once per month, the market will host a kid’s market where kids can create a product and

experience the realities of running their own enterprise on a small scale

Waihī Beach Farmers Market Manager Bert van Heuckelum says, “We had heard from producers that the closest dedicated Saturday farmers market in the area is Tauranga Farmers Market For some, that is too far to travel, and there are many local producers from the surrounding area, including Waihī, Waihī Beach, Waikino, Paeroa, Athenree, Katikati, Whangamatā, and even Ngatea and surrounds that are looking for a place to trade locally-grown produce and primary produce

When we talked to the local community and retailers, they suggested that

Emma Prill’s Wunderboxes

Ōmokoroa artist Emma Prill is the featured artist for Tauranga Art Gallery’s first wave of ‘Wunderboxes’ This series will launch in late October as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival and follows Raumati - Summer Tauranga Art Gallery is excited to showcase the beautiful works Emma creates for our Tauranga Moana community There will be five boxes dotted around Tauranga CBD, waiting to be discovered by tamariki, with each focusing on one of the senses: see, touch, smell, hear and taste

Hidden throughout central Tauranga Moana, this thrilling trail begins at the new TAG Pop-Up Gallery Grab a map and brace yourself for an extraordinary journey of discovery

Emma has been taking workshops for children and working as an artist here in the peninsula for the past 12 years and is embracing the Wunderbox challenge “I wanted to link the boxes I have been given to work with Knowing how children love to explore, the five senses seemed the perfect focus to give to them I have been having a lot of fun thinking of Summer - Raumati through a child’s eye By doing this, it has also brought to light that we all have nostalgic memories in relation to summer

“I have been making ice creams to last, dipping strawberries in glitter, collecting dried cicada skins and monarch butterflies, and focusing on a sense of play, magic, and wonder in the mixed media works,” Emma says

Saturday would be the best day for the market so that locals and visitors can shop and enjoy the produce during the weekend ”

The WBFM aims to provide music and a place to sit and relax with good coffee, affordable breakfast options and easy, hassle-free parking Being on the school grounds, kids’ entertainment is covered, and yes, dogs and pets are welcome on a short leash The market will be perfect for those who enjoy their early beach walks and would like to grab a few essentials on the way home

The WBFM committee is a team of volunteers who live locally and are experienced farmers’ market business owners Our sole focus is finding locally sourced primary produce, vegetables, plants, meat, dairy, bread, baked goods and seasonal goods such as strawberries, blueberries and more Though the focus is on produce, there is some room for locallymade crafts, entertainment and treats for kids

The market will be held every Saturday from 8am to 12 noon, rain or shine, from 7th October through to 27th April 2024 It’s located at Waihī Beach Primary School grounds with free parking and access near the Community Center at 106 Beach Road, Waihī Beach

For anyone wanting to become a vendor - casual stalls are $35, and members $25 per stall

Visit www waihibeachfarmersmarket co nz to find out more, or email info@waihibeachfarmersmarket co nz Article supplied

Signage for the new farmers market is popping up around Waihī Beach IMAGE: Supplied

Emma beside a previous installation at Tauranga Art Gallery

Quick cr osswor d

Sudoku Wor d t

Wor dBuilder

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

Just how precious is Precious Reserve?

By Chris Cole – Secretary

Ōmokoroa Environmental Managers

Dozens of reserves scattered between Katikati in the north and Te Puke in the south are maintained by WBoPDC subcontractors Their main duty is to mow the grass, clear fallen trees, and treat noxious plants On the Ōmokoroa peninsula, groups of volunteers have banded together to enhance the beauty of three iconic local reserves Don Cameron and his team look after Gerald Crapp Reserve, Friends of Cooney under Chris Cole are working hard in this reserve, whilst Trish Winter has decided to do something about Precious Reserve These three entities form part of OEMI (Ōmokoroa Environmental Managers)

In June 2016 Shirley Dunford submitted a petition of 1007 signatures to Council to protect Precious Reserve from vehicle access to the beach She was a friend of Trish Winter Shirley passed away in 2017 and Trish continued working and extended the creative vision for the Reserve Last year Trish and Roger Goodman (Chairman, OEMI) successfully applied for a $22,000 Enhanced Environment Grant to beautify the boggy

overgrown drainage pond sitting in Precious Reserve With the money sitting in the OEMI bank account, after consultation with Trish, the design team at WBoPDC drew up plans to clear the pond, improve the flow of stormwater through the Reserve, and lay an attractive rock bedding along the stream course Full Circle subcontractors then got to work in August 2023 and did an amazing job The resulting visual impact of these improvements is quite wonderful

Friends of Kaimai Views got together earlier this year determined to improve their local environment and have joined OEMI as it is an Incorporated Society providing an umbrella of Public Liability Insurance and has Charitable Trust status OEMI has quarterly meetings, and its AGM will be held at TOLO on Tuesday 3rd October The public is welcome to attend

If you feel that one of the other many reserves within Ōmokoroa needs some TLC, and would like to do something about it, then do contact me in the first place You can make it just as precious to you as Trish Winter has made Precious Reserve precious for all of us now

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Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall

By Ellen Haynes

The Ōmokoroa Historical Soci-

ety hosted a ‘Family History Day’ in the Hall on Saturday, 2nd September This was a very well-attended event with displays set up around the Hall, which created a great deal of interest as well as guest speakers who passed on their considerable Ōmokoroa knowledge via some highly entertaining local anecdotes

In keeping with tradition, the Ōmokoroa Artists Exhibition will be returning to both OSH halls over Labour Weekend (21st to 23rd October) for their annual Art Exhibition This is an extremely popular and successful event, with most members (there are about 25-30 Ōmokoroa Artists) supplying between one and five pieces of art each All works will be for sale

Every year, there is a huge variety of exhibitions demonstrating art in a wide range of forms – corrugated iron, drawing, mixed media, watercolour, sculpture, cards, clay work and even surrealism is thrown into the eclectic mix displayed This expo is an excellent opportunity for artists to engage with the commu-

nity as well as showcase local art and artists

Once again, OSH will be one of the advance voting centres in our forthcoming 2023 General Election

You can view the OSH Advance Voting Centre dates and opening times via: www settlershall co nz > calendar You can also check to ensure you have all the information you need to cast your vote via the ‘vote nz ’ website, or email enquiries@elections govt nz or call 0800 36 7656 Election Day is Saturday 14th October 9am to 7pm in the Large Hall

The OSH Committee would like to thank Ōmokoroa Self Storage for their support in providing us with one of their storage units to keep the new items we have already purchased for our planned renovations later this year We will keep you informed about the progress

Lastly - don’t forget to check out our OSH website (www settlershall co nz) to make sure you keep abreast of all the activities we have happening over the coming months We also have our own Facebook Page – please take a look to see our latest updates

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OMOKOROA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGERS (OEMI)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING At The Old Library (TOLO) 7 McDonnell Street 4 00pm Tuesday 3 October 2023

OEMI provides an umbrella of Charitable Status and Insurance Cover to many voluntary groups working on our lovely peninsula They include: ANZAC Services (Greg Taylor 021 992 446), Crapp Reserve (Don Cameron 548 0655) Cooney Reserve (Chris Cole 027 454 5586) Kaimai

Views (Jane Cousens 027 474 5812) Omokoroa B rd Group (Chrissie Cleaver 021 071 7189), Omokoroa History Group (Chris Wright 548 0088) Omokoroa Library of Things (Ron Peers 021 578 840) Pest Free Omokoroa (Jose Law 548 0423) Precious Reserve (Trish Winter 548 0753), TOLO (The Old Library Heather Reynolds 027 477 6877)

If you are interested in the local environment or want to do something for your commun ty and one of these groups attracts your attention then please attend our AGM and learn more about our activities Chris Cole (027 454 5586) Secretary OEMI

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

Trish Winter and Full Circle contractors working at Precious Reserve PHOTO: Supplied