A proposal to enlarge a roosting area for shorebirds, which involves removing a 90-metre stretch of a popular coastal walkway in Snells Beach, has prompted a backlash from residents.
Auckland Council wants to relocate a picnic table at the northern end of the path at Boathouse Bay to the northernmost footbridge off Hampton Mews, and get rid of the concrete path in between.
This area would then be reconfigured, roped off and planted to give extra space for shorebirds such as godwits, dotterel and oystercatchers to roost above the beach. Information panels about the birds and the coastal ecosystem would also be installed at the new picnic table site.
Council’s senior conservation advisor Megan Young said Snells Beach was uniquely placed to improve the small area of remaining habitat for threatened and at-risk shorebird species that roosted there regularly.
“This opportunity is not available at most other local beaches,” she said. “The section of path proposed to be removed represents less than six per cent of the path along the Snells Beach shoreline.
“While the path provides recreational value for walking and cycling, our proposal also considers the recreation value of having shorebirds present for people to view and learn about, and the potential loss of that natural value if measures are not taken to preserve it.”
However, many residents are less than impressed with the idea, including Stan Armiger, who rides his mobility scooter
continued page 2
Snells Beach resident Stan Armiger believes birds and walkers can co-exist.
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Path removal plan prompts petition
to meet up with mates at the picnic table most days. He started a petition against the plan that has been signed by around 600 people.
“We all don’t mind the birds, it’s just the pulling out of the path,” he said. “Just fence it off – why rip the path up?”
Armiger said the picnic table had only been installed a couple of years ago.
“It takes them long enough to build something, now they’re going to wreck it. Why can’t they just leave it as it is? We all like coming down here, having a good conversation and looking at the birds.”
He maintains that if the path is taken away, it will just force people onto the beach, which would disturb the birds even more.
His petition also raises concerns over the cost of ripping up the path and disruption it would cause to people and wildlife, and says shorebirds have adapted to the present environment, supported by pest control and dog bylaws.
The proposal has also prompted strong reaction on local social media pages. Council’s decision to consent the Boathouse Bay development, which adjoins the birds’ roosting area, was brought up, with one person saying council wanted to take public reserve land to try to repair damage that it had caused to the environment.
Some thought that the local community giving up a small area of seafront would be a small price to pay to give the birds increased habitat, while others questioned where and how the idea had come about in the first place.
According to online council records, a draft proposal was first discussed by staff and Rodney Local Board members at a workshop in December 2023, but the item was designated ‘non-public’, meaning no press or public could be present.
It came up again at a workshop last September during an Infrastructure and Environmental Services programme update.
“The board was supportive of the project and approved continued scoping work along with community engagement,” a
Rodney Local Board spokesperson said last week.
The proposal was then publicised on council’s Our Auckland online media platform on November 21 and Megan Young gave a presentation on the proposed changes to the Snells Beach Residents & Ratepayers Association (SBRRA) on November 24.
Posters detailing the proposed changes were also erected along the affected stretch of pathway and beach.
Young said the “small, targeted consultation” was deliberate, to ensure people most affected by the proposal were reached.
“The proposal is not a ‘done deal’, but it’s important to clarify that the community does not have the final say,” she added.
“The Rodney Local Board will make the final decision, considering the community’s feedback as part of the process.”
She said it was also important to remember that the project was still in the proposal phase and, given the level of feedback so far, said staff would be reviewing it.
If the proposal were to go ahead, Young said funding would come from the local
board’s Regional Renewal and Demolition Work Programme, with $30,000 allocated for it in this financial year, 2024/25. She added that because access to the northernmost end of the walkway would not be legally restricted, just reconfigured, no changes would be required under the Reserves Act.
“In this case, the removal of the path will mean that walkers aren’t actively encouraged into this area as they are now,” she said.
SBRRA and Snells çonservation groups declined to comment on the proposal. The local board spokesperson said the project team would provide community feedback to members and discuss next steps in February or March, with a final decision anticipated at its April or May business meeting.
Feedback on the proposed changes can be emailed until January 31 to snellsbeachshorebirds@aucklandcouncil. govt.nz
For the birds – the proposal would see this section of coast path reclaimed for a roost site.
Contaminated waters mar summer
It may be summertime, but people need to be careful where they choose to cool off with some popular local swimming spots once again contaminated by algal blooms.
Auckland Council has confirmed there have been toxic algae outbreaks at Algies Bay (suspected to be the same algae as the previous two summers) and the Warkworth Cement Works, which also had an outbreak in November 2017.
The recent algal blooms have prompted health warnings from council.
General manager of engineering, assets and technical advisory Paul Klinac says there’s no need for concern about the algae, but advises people to avoid touching it.
“During summer, it’s common to see all types of algae blooms occurring. We are continuing to monitor and are ready to act, if required.
“In the meantime, if you see the slimy algae around the region, please avoid contact with it as it could lead to skin, eye and respiratory irritations. Keep an eye on your dogs, as
well, and ensure they avoid the algae.”
Council’s acting general manager of engineering, assets and technical advisory, Ross Roberts, says algal blooms can be caused by many different species of algae or cyanobacteria.
“Some are harmful and some produce toxins, but not all. The toxins produced and their effect vary greatly.
“The research on cyanotoxins and motor neuron disease mainly concerns BMAA (β-N-methylaminoalanine) in freshwater species. There is very little research on the presence/production of BMAA by marine cyanobacteria.”
He says the species of cyanobacteria currently blooming in parts of Auckland is Okeania spp., which is known to produce lyngbyatoxins that may cause respiratory, skin and eye irritation in some people.
“We are continuing to work with Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora and will update the public if any new information or advice becomes available.”
Usually packed with swimmers at this time of year, the quarry lake at the old Warkworth Cement Works is now deserted because of an algal bloom.
A council public health warning sign says potentially toxic cyanobacteria may be present and to avoid contact with the water including swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing or any other activity.
“We’re aware of an algal bloom at the Warkworth Cement Works and our staff have been to the site to place signage in the area and will continue to monitor the situation,” Roberts says.
“Auckland Council’s environmental evaluation and monitoring unit monitors for cyanobacteria at 13 lakes on a monthly basis, with more targeted summertime monitoring at five publicly accessible lakes (Rototoa, Tomorata, Pupuke, Quarry Lake and Wainamu).”
What you need to know
The beaches where the algae are present, including the beach at Algies Bay, remain open to the public, but Auckland Council advises the following:
• Avoid contact with the algae, including wading in affected areas, as it could lead to skin, eye and respiratory irritation
• If you feel unwell as a result of contact with the bloom, contact your doctor, or
The lagoon, or creek, at Matheson Bay is a no-go with the water quality not deemed safe for swimming.
Council Safeswim manager Holly Foreman says council is currently carrying out a water quality investigation in the area to identify sources of contamination.
“Due to the poor water quality recently observed, a long-term alert was issued for this location for the 2024/2025 summer while the investigation is underway.”
Safeswim began sampling in Matheson Bay in January 2019, initially at the beach only, but this was recently expanded to also cover the waterfall and lagoon.
“Thirteen of the 29 samples (or 45 per cent) collected from the lagoon have exceeded the swimming guideline (2003 Microbiological Water Quality Guidelines for Marine and Freshwater).
“This is well in excess of the 10 per cent frequency often used internationally as a threshold for poor water quality alerts. Eight of the exceedances have occurred after no or very little rainfall in the preceding 24 hours (i.e. under 2mm),” Foreman says.
call Healthline on 0800 611 116
Do not gather or take algae from the beach for things like using on your garden
• Keep dogs away from the algae and any decomposing material that could cause a reaction
Do not gather or consume shellfish from affected beaches.
Police stem teenage tide at Omaha celebrations over New Year
What a difference a year makes.
After feedback from Omaha residents that they were unhappy with the behaviour of young people there over New Year’s Eve (NYE) 2023/24, police responded with an increased presence at the popular beach resort this season.
Their proactive approach saw a significant drop in disorderly behaviour, destruction of property and violence, with only a handful of relatively minor incidents reported.
Warkworth Police Sergeant Mark Stallworthy says the tide of young people starts coming into Omaha from around December 27 and has gone out by January 2.
“Last New Year’s there was a problem with broken bottles in the carpark and large groups of kids roaming, but we didn’t experience that this year.
“From December 20 we had an increased presence and visibility in Omaha, so by the time New Year’s came around, the young
people were used to seeing us (which acted as a deterrent).
“They would say ‘hey Sergeant Mark remember me from last night?’ They were polite, good kids for the most part.”
There was a total of 12 officers in the policing unit on NYE, with a squad of eight from Rodney, and at least one patrol car in the area from December 27 to January 4, a minimum of nine shifts.
On NYE one youth was arrested, detained and later released for firing a roman candle firework into the crowd, which blew up at the end of its trajectory.
Stallworthy says there was tension on NYE, but there were police in the crowd and among the kids.
“Our role was to maintain law and order, keep the peace and get in early to prevent fights. We pulled people apart and took away the aggressor. We stepped in before it could kick off.”
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Stallworthy says there’s always going to be a few outliers when you’re dealing with such large numbers of young people, but it doesn’t negate the hundreds of youths who were well behaved.
The police dealt with breaches of the liquor ban by destroying the alcohol and issuing warnings.
“In general, there was no need to issue an infringement, we just asked them to tip it out. We poured out hundreds of litres of booze, but only handed out around 10 infringements, which is a $200 fine.”
Police worked side-by-side with Insite Security, a service which is paid for by Omaha residents.
“If there was a house party, for example, they could call us. They were another set of eyes and ears.”
Stallworthy says the Omaha ratepayers and residents, as well as shop owners, expressed how grateful they were to the police for the
• Consents
• Hearings & mediation
• Expert evidence
• Plan changes
• Planning advice, due diligence
did over
period.
“It was good for us, low key. In general people got on with seeing in the New Year in a respectful and good-natured way.”
• Land development & consenting strategy
Warkworth Police Sergeant Mark Stallworthy.
work they
New Year’s and the peak holiday
Matheson Bay
Warkworth Cement Works
People are advised to avoid the algal bloom at Algies Bay.
Taxidermied birds stolen at Tawharanui
An irreplaceable collection of taxidermied birds was stolen from the display cabinet inside Sanctuary Hut at Tawharanui Regional Park in the early hours of January 3.
The theft was discovered by a park ranger and has confounded people working at the park, many of whom can’t understand why the birds would be targeted, given they are such bespoke items that wouldn’t be easy to sell.
Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society (TOSSI) committee member and volunteer Lyn Hamilton-Hunter said it felt very strange.
“It’s a random thing to want to steal but there must have been reason for it. Someone has seen some value in it because there’s no way you would jemmy open the cabinet, which was locked, and take them otherwise,” she said.
“If you were being mean you’d just vandalise the display or throw the birds on the ground or in the bush. But they’ve actually been stolen – it feels planned to me; whether or not there’s a black market
for them I don’t know.”
The stolen birds included a kaka, kakariki, kotare (kingfisher), ruru (morepork), tui, banded rail, and long tail cuckoo. A kereru was the only bird left behind.
Hamilton-Hunter said there was a massive volunteer element to Tawharanui, in particular from TOSSI, who were all feeling the loss.
“The volunteers are the ones who created the display back in 2012. They’re the ones who look after the cabinet, and it’s very special to them. So it affects all these people that put in all that time and effort into the park.”
She says it would basically be impossible to replace the collection of birds.
“Because where are you going to find a kaka, or banded rail that’s died of natural causes? Those things took years for people to accumulate.”
Hamilton-Hunter would like to make a plea to the public for any information that could lead to the birds’ recovery.
“It anybody knows or suspects somebody might have these birds, or if they’ve been offered a bird to purchase or seen them for sale somewhere, please contact the police as we’d like to track them down,” she said.
Warkworth Police confirmed that seven native birds were removed from the locked display inside the hut (which is open to the public 24/7) and that a Scene of Crime Officer attended the scene.
“We’ve had some information from the public, but it hasn’t borne any fruit yet. It’s mainly been people who have their suspicions or are voicing an opinion, but there’s been no evidence to follow up on yet,” Warkworth Police Sergeant Mark Stallworthy said.
He added that the investigation was ongoing and would continue until the birds were recovered.
If you know anything about the stolen birds that could aid the police in their investigation, please contact Warkworth Police on 09 425 8109.
Local Board boundaries on hearing agenda
Proposals to change the Rodney Local Board boundaries to create two new rural subdivisions will be among the issues on the table when the Local Government Commission holds a hearing on Auckland’s representation proposal next month.
Local authorities are required by the Local Electoral Act 2001 to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years. A representation review addresses the total number of councillors there should be for the district or region and the way they are elected.
For Auckland, the representation review was held last year and also covered the membership arrangements for its current 21 local boards.
Auckland Council is recommending that the number of subdivisions in Rodney be expanded from four to five.
Instead of Wellsford (one elected representative), Warkworth (three reps), Kumeū (four reps) and Dairy Flat (one rep), the proposed new subdivisions are Northern Rodney, which is an expanded area based on Wellsford with two representatives, a smaller Warkworth subdivision with two reps, Dairy Flat (one rep), Kumeū (two reps) and Southern Kaipara (two reps). The names of the new subdivisions will be Northern Rodney and Southern Kaipara, replacing North and South Rural.
Aucklanders can expect to hear an outcome on the council’s proposal by April, allowing time for changes to be introduced before the local government elections in October. The hearing will be held on Tuesday February 4, starting at 9.30am, and will be livestreamed.
The livestream can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@ localgovernmentcommission-7779/streams
Caring for families in Warkworth and Rodney
Deciding where to hold your loved one's final goodbye? Your place or ours, your local hall, sports club, or maybe the beach.
We're here to help. Let's do it together.
Photo of the display taken the day before the theft: (top to bottom) kaka, kingfisher and banded rail.
The stuffed birds were taken from a locked display inside Sanctuary Hut, which is open 24/7.
Landfill appeals quashed
Te Rūnanga Ngāti Whātua and Forest & Bird have lost their High Court appeals against the Environment Court’s interim decision in December 2023 that consent for a huge new regional landfill might be granted if Waste Management NZ could resolve certain issues.
In a decision released on December 19, Justice Christian Whata said the appeals concerning the proposed mega-dump on 1000 hectares south of Wellsford, which can only be made on points of law, should be dismissed.
However, he made it clear that it wasn’t a straightforward decision and some aspects were only dismissed because they came after the Environment Court’s interim, rather than final, decision, and so were premature.
“It is only with the benefit of the deep interrogation of the decision, evidence and law, have I been able to reach that conclusion that each of the appeal grounds should be dismissed,” he said.
“The final judgment will nevertheless need to more clearly address how the competing tikanga ā-iwi positions are resolved and the basis upon which a ‘no material harm’ result is achieved, especially in relation to extent of river loss.”
Judge Whata added that the case had been complex and difficult.
“While the appeal grounds have been dismissed, and in some key respects the appeals were premature, there were also public interest aspects to these appeals, with several important areas.”
Landfill opposition group Fight the Tip: Tiaki te Whenua deputy chair Michelle Carmichael said they were saddened by the decision.
“Watching the case and the legal limitations that involved was frustrating,” she said.
“It felt like the burden of proof fell on the parties wanting to protect the environment to without any doubt quantify the extent
of negative impacts of the proposal.”
Carmichael said in the group’s view, the legal process went against environmental ideals “through balancing the rights of commercial enterprise to provide offset outcomes and perceived benefits, instead of absolute environmental protections”.
She added that the fact that Judge Whata had said key aspects of the appeals had been premature reinforced their frustration that the Environment Court had issued an interim decision in the first place.
“If that is the case then the Environment Court should not be permitted to cast interim decisions, which then only give the applicant the chance to remedy the failed parts of their proposal, without giving the chance for others to counter-argue that second-chance opportunity,” she said.
“Let’s hope the final Environment Court decision delivers a just outcome for people and the environment.”
Carmichael expressed Fight the Tip’s heartfelt gratitude to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua and Forest and Bird for appealing to the High Court and said the fact that their concerns were not upheld was “disappointing beyond words”.
The group could not make its own High Court appeal due to lack of funds.
Judge Whata added that because the appeals were dismissed there was no need to resolve an application by Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust to strike out the Ngāti Whātua and Forest & Bird appeals, but if it had been necessary, he would have dismissed it.
Te Rūnanga Ngāti Whātua and Forest & Bird were both contacted for comment but had not responded as Mahurangi Matters went to press.
Anyone wishing to support Fight the Tip’s court fund can donate to bank account 12 3094 0274048 00.
Antionette & Ted
YouSay
Jetty concerns
I am writing to express my concern regarding the proposed construction of a 20.2-metre long timber jetty, 10-metre long gangway, and floating pontoon on the narrow branch of the Omaha River, near Point Wells. This structure, extending over 30 metres into a section of the river that is only 50 to 60 metres wide is disproportionately large for such a location and raises serious environmental and recreational concerns.
The Whangateau HarbourCare Group (WHCG) has rightly highlighted the potential negative impacts on the Coastal Marine Area (CMA). The Omaha River and its surrounding ecosystems are delicate and already under pressure from development. A structure of this scale risks disrupting habitats for native flora and fauna such as roosting birds, including spoonbills and shags, as well as aquatic life, which are integral to the ecological balance of the area. Furthermore, the jetty would significantly hinder the passage and enjoyment of the river by recreational users such as kayakers and paddleboarders. With a structure extending more than halfway across the narrow waterway, these users would face restricted navigation, diminished safety, and a loss of the tranquil environment that makes this area so special.
This proposal seems to prioritise private interests over the public good, disregarding the shared value and purpose of the Omaha River for the wider community. I urge the relevant authorities to reconsider approving such a large-scale development in this sensitive location. Alternative solutions that are less intrusive and more environmentally sustainable should be explored instead.
Gareth Eyres, Point Wells
Public notification essential
My wife and I are residents of Whangateau Harbour and we truly treasure this beautiful place.
We welcome your feedback but letters under 250 words are preferred. We reserve the right to abridge them as necessary. Unabridged versions can be read at www.localmatters.co.nz/opinion Letters can be sent to editor@localmatters.co.nz or 17 Neville Street, Warkworth 0910
We were disheartened to learn about the resource consent application for a 30-metre long jetty and pontoon that will dominate the stretch of the Omaha River on which it will be located. We are grateful to Mahurangi Matters for bringing awareness of the application to the community, in your article of December 20.
The construction of such a substantial structure in this sensitive natural environment would have numerous adverse effects. These include impacts on the area’s natural character, aesthetic and recreational values, such as the enjoyment of kayakers and other recreational water users, and the displacement of birds that rely on this habitat for roosting and feeding.
Given the inappropriateness and significant impact of the proposed jetty, we believe Auckland Council should make the right decision and decline consent.
Furthermore, we consider that this application should be publicly notified. Any large private structure proposed for construction in the public Coastal Marine Area warrants a transparent process, allowing for local knowledge input and independent review of its potential adverse effects.
While the jetty may indeed enhance the enjoyment of the applicant landowner, this should not come at the expense of the community’s access and public enjoyment of the area, or the protection of our invaluable environment and wildlife.
Chris and Alicia Bullock, Whangateau
Opens the floodgates
Thank you for informing me about the planned undertaking to build a jetty on the Omaha River (MM, Dec 20).
The river is public space, so to occupy it in this way, for private use, only restricts the full enjoyment of it by everyone else.
And if we let someone do it, it opens the floodgates for many more such buildings and the privatisation of access to the water and foreshore.
It’s already a big problem in other countries, and becoming more and more of a problem here as well.
A clear message should be given to stop this selfish development now. Once those places are blocked, and built up, there is no going back to the natural New Zealand that Kiwis take joy and pride in.
This property adjoins the esplanade reserve with the derelict historic cream jetty.
The person proposing the new jetty would get a lot of brownie points to help restore the old jetty and reserve to provide access to the river for the neighbourhood, instead of building this intrusively big jetty just for their own private amusement.
I think if they just want a boat ramp off their property, that would be more reasonable.
I definitely think this application should provide for public consultation.
Rosmarie Krieg, Whangateau
Jetty plan appalling
I was appalled to read about the proposal for a giant jetty on the Omaha river (MM, Dec 20). The whole structure would extend over 30 metres into the river – half, if not more, of the channel. It would be a monstrosity and completely out of keeping with its environment.
For the planner to argue the effects would be “less than minor” is laughable. To make matters worse, the benefits of the jetty would accrue solely to the adjoining landowner. There is no public good, only the appropriation of a public amenity.
Richard Gerard, Whangateau
Rules need updating
Like many of your readers, I grew up in NZ appreciating and learning from our intertidal rock pool system. Many hours have been spent enjoying watching the interactions between a variety of species,
Spectators served
Tennis fans who missed out on front row seats for the recent ASB Classic should maybe consider heading to Matakana Tennis Club, where they clearly care about spectators being as close to the courtside action as humanly possible. What onlookers will do with their legs while watching the game is less clear, however.
while acknowledging the importance of this intertidal zone on the broader marine ecosystem.
As a resident of Army Bay for over 20 years, and visitor to the area for over 50 years, I am saddened when witnessing the mass gathering of marine life from our rock pools. Methods of gathering have changed markedly over the last five to 10 years in particular. While strict quotas are in place for the most commonly consumed shellfish, there is a daily limit of 50 per person for ‘all other’ forms of marine life. Given changes in the ethnical and cultural makeup of our society, all forms of marine life are now in demand. Small crabs, cats eye snails, starfish, cushion star, whelks, limpets, periwinkles and black nerite are now all fair game for the BBQ and soup pot.
At low tide on any given day, I will see hundreds of gatherers with buckets using scraping tools, chisels and piano wire to strip rock pools clean. Pools that were once abundant in a variety of marine species are now bare and devoid of any marine life. Needless to say, mass gathering of this type is having a destructive and irreversible effect on the intertidal zone. This has been a common practice on our beaches over a number of years and I am seeing little, if anything, done to restrict it.
A few years ago, a petition was forwarded to Parliament trying to get a section 186A (NZ Fisheries Act 1996) ban on our rock pools. This was a large campaign signed by over 3000 people and supported by local iwi, but was blocked due to funding issues and concerns over ‘customary rights’.
MPI receive large numbers of letters and calls from concerned citizens, but are constrained by current gathering limits and a small number of fisheries officers across the greater Auckland area.
I have recently expressed my concerns to Shane Jones (as Fisheries Minister), Mark Mitchell (our local MP) and continued next page
Viewpoint
Colin Smith, Rodney Local Board colin.smith@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Time to change the framework
In the year 2025, the ratepayers are still alive after being strong-armed into a council that was to be the model for all the other councils in New Zealand. It has a Mayor, a governing body, local boards, council-controlled organisations, and more boards that do not listen. It employs people with no experience, history or knowledge, and relies on preferred suppliers. These preferred suppliers have been employed for 30 years, self-policing, and in control of all the assets. Who is the responsible person for the work being signed off? The answer is no one.
After serving nine years on the local board, I have found this to be more than challenging. In fact, it has been downright frustrating to get commonsense outcomes from all the different council-controlled organisations, and departments within council. After hundreds of hours of feedback, submissions and consultations, we then watch council waste valuable time and money on outcomes that are very expensive and do not work.
The local people have struggled in the last 15 years to understand the deputation process to the local board, and work with the local board staff. Having said that, the Wellsford Subdivision has achieved the following.
• New toilets
• Centennial Park masterplan
• New playgrounds
• New paths
• Grants for events
• A new footbridge over the railway that has now completed three quarters of the Wellsford Greenways plan, with the hope of finishing the remainder in the next term
• Our drainage boards are back
• Some roads have been sealed
We have an election this year, and it is timely that Mayor Wayne Brown and Councillor Greg Sayers work towards a framework that gives the local boards more decision-making and the ratepayer more impact on what needs to be done. There is no room for cartels or politically-based teams on the local boards. The people need to sort out the best, forget the rest, and demand that the board work for the community, not the bureaucratic beast.
The Local Government Commission is about to equal up our representation with the equal number of ratepayers in each ward, giving the rural boards more voice. This means there will be two representatives for the rural areas, but the area has doubled in size. If this same formula applies to urban boards, this means the population is about the same whether it be rural or urban.
The number one issue for all people is roading and getting our roads sealed. For this to happen, all maintenance needs to be brought back to council, and expressions of interest need to go out to local contractors to deliver local work for local people. Council has already approved the Unsealed Road Improvement Programme (URIP). This programme has sat with Auckland Transport for nine years and should have sealed at least 400km of road. For example, there has been too much money spent on speed bumps at $500,000 a bump. A simple signal pedestrian crossing costs $50,000 and is far more practical and effective.
Lastly, I would like to thank you for your support in getting this work done and hope you have all had a good break.
Nicola MacDonald who has done some outstanding work with the Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust. I look forward to their respective responses.
As far as I’m aware, this is not a breach of customary right, as tangata whenua do not practice this form of mass, uncontrolled harvesting. It is also obvious that the current quota for ‘all other’ forms of marine life was set without this indiscriminate form of gathering in mind.
The current rules are not protecting our
marine life and need to be updated.
Mark Lenton, Army Bay
Rona Olsen (101 years old), Wellsford from previous page
Community garden
Thank you, Andrew, for keeping the [Wellsford] garden going so wonderfully (MM, Nov 25). I hope all the thieves get a tummy ache. The children love going down there to plant and I enjoyed my time at the gardens. Three cheers for Andrew and all his helpers.
Dear diary, looks like the lawn mowed itself again today
Love not lifting a finger.
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as at 11
Resort villa
development back on the market
An upmarket villa and spa resort development at Omaha Flats that was stalled three years ago looks set to get going again this year, albeit with half the number of units originally planned.
Instead of the 30 luxury villas advertised at the proposed NoMA Resort in February 2022, there are now 15 visitor units on the market with Bayleys, plus one more that will be used as manager accommodation.
The resort will also include a day spa, gym and swimming complex on land at the northern end of Matakana Country Park, off Omaha Flats Road, that is currently used as horse paddocks and major event parking. Matakana Tourism Group director Greg Robbins said the reduction in villa numbers had come about during the resource consent process, as the existing precinct plan that allowed the land to be used for visitor accommodation limited the number of people staying there to 60. However, with resource consents now granted, he said he was looking forward to getting the project started.
“It’s been a bit of a start-again exercise,” he said. “Based on how many villas we can get sold, that will largely decide when things happen, but we certainly hope to be underway with earthworks by next summer and can do other preparatory work before that.”
The unit title for each two-storey, twobedroom villa is being sold from $1.7 million plus GST. Owners will be able to stay at the resort for up to 180 days a year, with the accommodation let out at other times.
The revised numbers layout means each villa has a bit more space than before, with lot sizes ranging from 203 to 296 square metres, and a larger communal tropical
garden and barbecue area for guests to use. Robbins said interest in the new development was high, with several agreements already in place and inquiries from several potential spa/resort operators. He added that the resort would provide a valuable source of visitor accommodation between Matakana and Omaha, as well as the wellness centre, day spa and health club facilities, which would be open to the general public.
“This will bring a lot of work and muchneeded accommodation to the area,” he said.
Les Miller & Jackie Woolerton - Webster Malcolm Law
Matakana Country Park
NoMA Resort, which takes its name from ‘north of Matakana’, will be built off Omaha Flats Road.
$1.26m wetland project launch at regional park
The most ambitious wetland restoration project ever attempted at Tāwharanui Regional Park gets underway next month, with an open day on Sunday, February 2 to launch a $1.26 million fundraising campaign.
The scheme aims to restore eight hectares of wetlands that were drained nearly 100 years ago to create arable farmland on the main road between the park entrance and Anchor Bay.
Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society (TOSSI) says the site will eventually provide a link between existing wetland and woodland areas that can be explored on foot by visitors.
Committee member Lyn HamiltonHunter says when it is finished, the restored land will consist of an easily accessible mix of kahikatea swamp, and salt marsh, saline and freshwater wetland.
“Once completed, the main road to Anchor Bay will take park visitors through the middle of the wetland system, with linked tracks enabling people to also experience the wetland on foot,” she says.
“Unrestricted access to the park means donors and volunteers can watch their ‘living legacy’ mature over the next decade, following a three to five-year staged development.”
The restoration project was first announced two years ago during TOSSI’s 20th anniversary celebrations, after several years of work by members to come up with a major new project that could work in with existing farming operations and be supported by local mana whenua.
“Now, we are poised to get started,” Hamilton-Hunter says.
TOSSI’s on-site nursery is gearing up to grow the more than 100,000 plants that will be needed, with planting due to start next year.
“Volunteers will provide about a third of the resources, but we need funding to pay for the other two-thirds of the project –
Volunteers checking an existing drain for signs of life on the restoration land last year.
Photo, Lyn Hamilton-Hunter.
consent, earthworks and infrastructure –which totals $1.26 million,” she says.
TOSSI has chosen World Wetlands Day to launch its fundraising campaign, with a lunchtime sausage sizzle, a brief talk about the project and guided walks around the Mangatawhiri wetland, which was restored by TOSSI between 2007 and 2009. Supporters will be able to donate to the project on the day.
Hamilton-Hunter says the project is important, not least since 95 per cent of wetland habitat has already been lost in the Auckland region alone.
“In addition to providing unique habitats, wetlands mitigate the effects of climate change by acting as a buffer during extreme climate events and are very efficient at
carbon sequestration,” she says.
“There are many things happening both nationally and internationally that are beyond our control – this project is a local opportunity to contribute to a positive future for our environment, for our children, and for the unique species we share our island with.”
This will be TOSSI’s fifth wetland project.
“This is our most ambitious and will have significant impact on both wetland species and park visitors,” Hamilton Hunter adds.
The fundraising launch will take place at the Tawharanui woolshed on February 2, between noon and 2.30pm, with guided 45-minute walks of Mangatawhiri wetland (easy flat terrain) at 1.15pm, 1.30pm and 1.45pm.
Author John Bluck.
Book explores Kiwi identity
Mahurangi author John Bluck has a new book out next month.
Living on the fault line – Aotearoa New Zealand’s bicultural future follows the success of Becoming Pākehā – a journey between two cultures, which was published in 2022.
Bluck says that as he travelled around the country talking about his last book, he met many people uncomfortable with the name Pākehā and anxious about the future of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“That anxiety has translated into turmoil with our new coalition government’s policies on things Māori and a wider-thanever ethnic divide,” he says.
“Living on the Fault Line tries to address this crisis time, which is triggering Māori anger and Pākehā silence. It explores what a Kiwi identity might look like that keeps faith with Te Tiriti and why there is such a division between those who dream of a tiriti-based future, with shared language and entangled cultures and those who fear that future, branding it as unfair, unequal, imposed.” Bluck, speaking for and to Pākehā, makes what one early reviewer calls “an eloquent and impassioned plea for a Pākehā voice that is confident enough to join the debate about NZ’s future without being defensive about or disconnected from the history we have to own.”
Living on the fault line – Aotearoa New Zealand’s bicultural future is published by Quentin Wilson Publishing.
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Classics prepare to set sail
The traditional Mahurangi Regatta and beach picnic will be held on Auckland Anniversary weekend, on Saturday, January 25, at Sullivan’s Bay.
But this year’s event won’t culminate with the traditional prizegiving party at Scotts Landing, which has been a feature of the regatta for the past 20 years.
Organisers say there are insufficient funds to hire the jazz orchestra, not to mention the sound and lighting, wheelie bins and other equipment.
However, a scaled-back prizegiving for the yachties will still be held on the beach at Scott’s Landing after the races.
The regatta will, as usual, offer both waterbased and land-based events, timed to accommodate the high and low tide at the mouth of the harbour. This year, the tide will be low at around 11am and high around 5pm.
This means that the classic boats will start
gathering off Sullivan’s from 10am with the Parade of Classics around the bay starting around 10.30am.
An organiser says event timing is somewhat flexible, best described as “Mahurangi Time”.
“Some events such as the sand races may be expanded or deleted as dictated by the number and enthusiasm of the young entrants,” she says. “There will be short running races including three-legged races, age group races, sack races, and egg and spoon races. All participants will receive a certificate.”
The popular sandcastle competition has been shortened and simplified this year, so entrants and teams will have only one hour, from 1pm, to complete their masterpieces, and the judges will announce the top three placings at 2pm. The afternoon programme allows for swimming, paddling, and kayaking races followed by the traditional Tug o’ War.
The regatta promises fun on the land as well as the water.
Earle Wright “ ”
We’ve got to educate ourselves … see what we can do as a collective to restore the island. The aim is to bring the birds back.
The quiet campaign to protect a sacred spot and its birds
Sally Marden reporter@localmatters.co.nz
It isn’t birds you notice first when visiting Manukapua, a long sickle-shaped island of bleached white dunes just off the coast of the remote rural Kaipara community of Tapora. Though its name translates as ‘bird cloud’, after a lengthy drive down endless winding roads and a narrow, rutted track, then a hike through gorse and pampas scrub, it’s the vast open skies and apparently endless
sea that first strike you when you eventually emerge onto the beach.
Even on the low-lying tidal flats, it feels as if you can see forever, way past the steep island sandhills, across the vast expanse of Kaipara Harbour to Pouto and beyond.
Once eyes have adjusted to the brightness and scale of the place, however, and when you’ve walked (or waded, depending on the tide) several hundred metres over to the island itself, it soon becomes clear why Big Sand Island, as it’s also known, got its original Māori name.
Gathered at the northern tip of the isle on a sandy, shell-strewn spit are shorebirds, great drifts of them, all variously foraging, feeding, resting and roosting as the tide goes through its cycle of retreat and advance.
Thousands of bar-tailed godwits, dotterels, oystercatchers, terns, black swans, plus stilts, stints and wrybills, are among more than two dozen species that live on or visit Manukapua, including New Zealand’s most endangered bird, the tara iti, or fairy tern, which stays here over winter.
Unsurprisingly, this makes the island a
hotspot for ornithologists, environmentalists and conservationists, and DoC and Auckland Council staff oversee and administer several local wetland, reserve and conservation areas. But it’s the work being done by the local community that is the most important driver for protecting and maintaining Manukapua and the surrounding area. Blink as you drive through Tapora and you could miss it – just a small school, community hall and a handful of houses are visible from the road – but its farmers continued next page
and families are a tight-knit community who have long realised the importance of working together to look after their special corner of the Kaipara.
Twenty five years ago, the Tapora Land and Coast Care Group was officially formed in a bid to rid the wider Okahukura Peninsula of pests, such as possums, pigs and rats, and invasive weeds.
birds took off from the island that they blocked out the sun.
who died one year before.
“Five generations of her whanau came together to remember my Mum and to appreciate our many generations of ancestors that came from that island and Kaipara,” he said. “For a lot of them, it was their first visit to Manukapua.”
Since then, members have culled thousands of invasive animals and planted hundreds of thousands of native plants, all while trying to spread the word about the importance of Manukapua and the peninsula, not just as an important ecological habitat, but as sacred whenua and, according to Māori history, the birthplace of Ngati Whatua and Te Uri o Hau.
Coast care group chair Earle Wright, whose family have farmed in Tapora for 70 years and whakapapa to Pouto, says legend has it that when the first waka sailed into the harbour more than 700 years ago, so many
“It’s a totally different story today, though, which is why it’s so important to restore the Manukapua and encourage more birds,” he says. “We need to educate the public, but the first thing is we’ve got to do is educate ourselves on the needs of Manukapua, the birds and looking after the whenua there, and see what we can do as a collective to restore the island. The aim is to bring the birds back.”
To Wright’s mind, this means that locals and whanau getting out to see and learn about the birds for themselves is just as important as ongoing routine trapping and planting regimes, which is why he organised a group visit to the island for around 50 people in October.
As well as coast care group members, Tapora residents and DoC rangers, several generations of Wright’s own whanau joined the party. They were in Tapora to remember his mother, Wikitoria Wright,
Addressing the gathering before they made their way to the island, Wright’s nephew Haden stressed the importance of everyone maintaining their connection to the whenua that had been their home for generations.
“Consider this – how will your children and grandchildren be able to walk on the shores of Manukapua? Take it all in,” he said. “How are we going to be able to walk on our shores? How are we going to be able to access them? We are the ones who represent that legacy.”
As the group made its way through the shallows to the island’s shore, Violet Heke Perrett was waiting on the beach to perform a haunting karanga, the traditional Māori
call of welcome, and Haden performed a heartfelt haka, with both their calls echoing across the harbour and high into the dunes.
After a northward stroll along a tideline fringed with tiny, wind-blown white feathers, the group settled in behind a dune to make good use of a couple of hefty telescopes lugged over by DoC rangers Alex Wilson and Jenny Heath, a Tapora local who has a fierce pride in watching over the island and its traplines.
The flocks of shorebirds on the beach below soon cast their spell, with everyone from hardcore birdwatchers to those who wouldn’t know a seagull from a sparrow taking turns to observe the huge drifts of different species as they fed, rested or foraged about.
At one point, several thousand birds all rose as one, filling the sky and wheeling about with perfect coordination in an unfathomable, unanimous decision to find
continued next page
from previous page
a new spot. While they didn’t block out the sun, they still provided an unforgettable spectacle for the visitors and a reminder of why Manukapua is such a special spot. While all this may sound idyllic – and it certainly can be – the island and the wider peninsula, of course, face challenges.
As well as the usual animal and plant pests and predators, there are man-made threats here, too. The tidal flats and sand dunes don’t just attract nature lovers – some four-wheel drivers and dirt bikers love nothing more than to let rip on the sands, wreaking havoc on the birds’ habitat, nests and offspring. Fire is a constant risk, as well – memories of a damaging wildfire that took out 90 hectares of trees and scrub in the coastal conservation area on the peninsula in 2013 are still raw here – and a major change in land use, from small-scale agriculture to avocado growing on an industrial scale, present new environmental challenges. But Wright remains largely optimistic –
providing the community is allowed to lead from the front and necessary funding can still be found.
“There have been huge land use changes here in the last 10 to 15 years and we don’t know what it’s going to look like in another 10 or 15 years,” he says. “And Auckland will be on our doorstep as soon as they get the tar-seal down here. But we’re still here.
“We’re getting our own nursery going, growing our own plants and supporting our own community.
“It’s all about educating people, about the whenua and the birds, and focusing on the future.”
The 25th anniversary of Tapora Land and Coast Care Group and the official opening of its new native plant nursery will take place on Saturday, January 25 at Tapora Community Hall. Info: https://www. taporalandandcoastcaregroup.co.nz/
from previous page
Earle Wright
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Axe-cellent day at Puhoi
World class woodchoppers, the crowd and the weather all turned up for the Puhoi Axemen’s annual Woodchopping Carnival on January 11.
President of Puhoi Axemen Club Kaleb McDonnell said it was a long, hot event, but it was a good day out.
“We had a big crowd and they were in the shade, but the choppers weren’t. So it would have been hard going for some of those guys. We started at 9am and didn’t finish until 6.30pm.”
He said spectators enjoyed a hard-fought competition, especially the tree events and hot saws.
The Puhoi Axemen Club thanked sponsors, supporters and volunteers of the 2025 event, in particular The Puhoi Pub Hotel & Stables.
“Thank you for helping create one of the best woodchopping events in the country, thank you to all the staff that worked tirelessly prior to the event and during the day and night. We appreciate all your hard work.”
Standing open 12-inch winner, Josh Jackson.
Puhoi Axemen Club president Kaleb McDonnell on his springboard. Cleveland Cherry on the hot saw.
Callum Cradock knocks his block off.
Matthew Gower took first place in the underhand open 13-inch event ahead of his father John.
A good crowd turned out for the Puhoi Axemen’s annual Woodchopping Carnival.
Jason Wynyard Memorial Cup winners, from left, Peter Eyles, Mathew Gower, Cleveland Cherry and Morgan Bolstad, with Wynyard family members (front). More photos online at www.localmatters.co.nz
Enjoy free whānau events with Out and About
Summer just got a whole lot more exiting with a range of FREE whānau friendly events and activities taking place in Rodney.
The Out & About Auckland programme is generously funded by local boards, offering a range of free activities and events in parks, open spaces, and community hubs across the region.
The board has allocated $50,000 to support various activities, including Ako Hoe Waka (paddling in a waka), kayaking, the Girls NZ skate clinic, the popular Hungerball, adventurous nature play, Kiwi Bubble Soccer, junk play, pop up obstacle course, stand up paddle boarding, Circus in the park, pop up play, a kite day, and Wild Streets festival of play.
“The local board is proud to fund the programme for the first time after many requests from the Rodney community for free events that encourage play, active recreation and sport in parks and public spaces. The programme helps families come together and builds connections and belonging which is especially important in new areas like Milldale,” says board chair Brent Bailey.
The full schedules are on the auckland leisure website, but for up-to-date information and any changes to last minute schedules, follow facebook.com/OutandAboutAKL/
Rodney has a new tool to prepare for emergencies
A new plan is set to empower the Rodney community to better prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The Rodney Local Board Emergency Readiness and Response Plan, created with Auckland Emergency Management (AEM), offers practical guidance to help residents and businesses stay safe before, during, and after an emergency.
The plan responds to lessons learned from the devastating Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, which highlighted the importance of local preparedness and community support during emergency events.
Board chair Brent Bailey says that rural communities face a unique set of challenges when it comes to emergency readiness and have to be selfsufficient in times of crisis.
“Many residents live in remote locations and have experienced the isolation that comes with power outages and road closures during natural disasters. Our communities have shown their strength as neighbours come together, share resources and support each other when it’s needed most.
“This plan is for everyone and prepares our residents for a range of possible emergency events. It highlights the need for each household to have a plan and emphasizes the importance of local knowledge.”
It identifies the area’s top hazards and provides tips on reducing risk, preparing for emergencies, and navigating the recovery process.
Developed through consultation with diverse community and faith-based groups, subject matter experts, and key agencies, the plan is designed to reflect the unique needs of the Rodney area.
The local board supports the development of community readiness and resilience groups who have the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves and their families, and can respond quickly and effectively in times of crisis.
Printed copies will be available in libraries and community centres, while a digital version is available on the council website.
Green light for Te Hana playground design
The Te Hana Domain playground design has been given the green light by the community and Rodney Local Board.
The junior playground is due to be replaced in 2026 and will be rebuilt on the other side of Whakapirau Road, placing it near the car park and toilet, and on the northern side of the domain.
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Feedback from the local community, Te Ao Marama Cultural Centre and Te Uri O Hau Settlement Trust has been incorporated into the final design.
Rodney Local Board chair Brent Bailey is pleased that along with local feedback there are more opportunities for play including a loop path for young children learning to ride.
The larger playground will cater for toddlers through to tweens with new play equipment and a range of activities to keep everyone happy.
Play equipment will include senior and junior play modules, swings, waka see-saw, wheelchair carousel; and a fish-finder cultural activity.
Elevated grass mounds will create a visual connection to the cultural centre and the existing community garden will be redeveloped as part of the new playground.
Local board member Colin Smith, who represents the Wellsford area, says the playground upgrade will help address the shortfall of play options in Te Hana.
“The new playground is going to be a popular addition to the domain and very well-used by the community when it’s built.”
The local board’s Emergency Readiness and Response Plan offers practical guidance to help residents and businesses stay safe in an emergency.
Rodney Local Board members. First row: Michelle Carmichael, Mark Dennis, Geoff Upson, Louise Johnston (Deputy Chair). Second row: Tim Holdgate, Colin Smith, Brent Bailey (Chair), Ivan Wagstaff and Guy Wishart.
Girls skate clinics are taking place at the skatepark in Snells Beach.
New Rodney principal keen to build community connections
Rodney College students will return to school at the end of this month to find a new name on the principal’s door. After 11 years leading the school and 40 years in the profession, Irene Symes has retired.
“I want to find out what else I can do, and put my energy into, while I still can,” she said. “I have plans to travel around Aotearoa and abroad, volunteer locally in environmental projects where needed and make inroads on the huge pile of books that I’ve acquired over the years.
“I have had a very rewarding time as principal at Rodney College and will miss the students and staff hugely.”
Symes’ replacement is former James Cook High School deputy principal Laurence Caltaux, who will be officially welcomed with a pōwhiri on February 3.
Laurence was invited to introduce himself …
Your last position was deputy head of James Cook High School – what made you want to shift north?
There were both personal and professional motivations behind my decision to take up the role of principal at Rodney College.
James Cook High School has been a significant part of my journey, as it is not only where I served as deputy head but also the community where I was raised and attended primary and intermediate school. My mother still lives in Manurewa, and contributing to the community that shaped me has been really rewarding.
The move to Rodney College offers an exciting opportunity to bring my experience and philosophy to a new context – one that values close community connections and innovative learning pathways, integrates cultural perspectives and local values, demonstrates a commitment to excellence, and shares the belief in the power of schools to transform lives.
Do you have any connections in this district? How familiar are you with Wellsford and Mangawhai?
I have roots in this area – my grandparents farmed on Streamlands Swamp Road, and
my parents later took over the land before moving to Manurewa. Later in life, my father lived in Shelly Beach and Parakai, while my mother’s family was based in Whangarei. I’m excited to immerse myself in the Wellsford and Mangawhai communities, and to learn more about the area and what makes it so unique.
Can you give us a brief overview of your teaching career?
I started my teaching career at Liston College in Henderson, teaching English, religious education, and computing, before moving to Sacred Heart College in Glen Innes – first as head of computing, and later as assistant principal. Following this, I held deputy principal roles at Pompallier College in Whangarei, St Paul’s College in Ponsonby, and most recently, James Cook High School. Over the years, I’ve led a wide range of portfolios, including curriculum, pastoral care and operations, with several extended stints as acting principal.
Throughout my career, I’ve been focused on fostering inclusive, student-centred learning environments and leading schools through change and growth, with a strong emphasis on values and building culture. Outside of education, I spent several years in the corporate sector as a training manager and national learning and development manager, leading learning and development teams across New Zealand.
What do you hope to bring to the school in terms of learning opportunities and ethos?
I aim to build on Rodney College’s strong foundations by prioritising student achievement, community engagement, and a culture of inclusivity. Every student should strive for personal excellence, leaving Rodney College with Level 3 NCEA and University Entrance – whether their pathway is study, sports, arts, trades or employment. Achieving at a Merit or Excellence level should be the goal. Our school size means we can focus on individuals and know our students, which makes the difference.
I also want to bring a continued
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Laurence Caltaux takes over the reins of Rodney College this month.
commitment to resourcing and supporting staff to provide a well-rounded education, with opportunities for students to participate in leadership development, cultural activities like kapa haka and music, sports, and community service as part of their growth. Incorporating these into the junior diploma for Year 9 and 10 is something to investigate.
I believe schools enrol families, not just students. Engaging families – through coaching, work experience, sharing expertise, or simply sitting down for some food and a cup of tea – creates the partnerships that make a real difference. The values of Rodney College are really explicit and reflect what kind of community we want to be. I’ll encourage everyone, staff and students, to embrace our shared responsibility in making Rodney College a positive and rewarding place to learn and work.
Do you have any specific areas of interest in education?
I did a postgraduate certificate in applied practice (digital and collaborative learning) in 2014 and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary School Leadership through Victoria University in 2021. I’m passionate about integrating technology into teaching and learning where it adds value – data, as they say, is a great disinfectant, bringing clarity to what works and what doesn’t. I also have a growing interest in AI and its potential to transform many aspects of our students’ lives.
Equally important to me is culturally responsive leadership – ensuring every student’s identity, language and culture is celebrated and reflected throughout their education. Communities need to see their values represented in all parts of the school, and I’ll prioritise regular engagement to ensure we’re getting this right. Indicators like low attendance or achievement often signal when a community’s connection to a school needs strengthening, and addressing this is vital to fostering success.
What are your interests outside of school? Family is central to much of what I do. My wife Rachel and I met in school and are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this year. We have four children, all following different paths. Our eldest is a pilot based in Samoa, our second is starting her BSc Honours in neurology in Dunedin, our third is entering his second year of a property degree at Auckland University, and our youngest is beginning Year 11 at Green Bay High School. We enjoy spending time together, whether supporting their sports or connecting with extended family. My 96-year-old mother-in-law, Ruth, also lives with us, adding to our family.
Outside of family, I enjoy sports, fishing and music. Giving back to the community is deeply important to me, and I value opportunities to make meaningful contributions.
What would you like to say to the school community here?
I’m excited to join the Rodney College whānau and look forward to working closely with staff, students, and families to ensure every young person feels valued and supported. Together, we can build on the school’s proud legacy and create even greater opportunities for our students. I encourage the community to connect with me – I’m here to listen, collaborate and grow alongside them. I look forward to meeting everyone in the coming year. I would also like to acknowledge Irene Symes and the work she has done and wish her well with her endeavours this year.
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Pets Vets Corner
Pet of the Month
Tommy the Rooster
It was 4.45 on New Year’s Eve and the one remaining vet within the building was reflecting upon a busy 2024 and planning what he hoped would be a nice early night tucked in bed with a chamomile tea, when in through the doors came his final challenge of 2024, Tommy.
Tommy is a very handsome rooster. His owner had been away for less than an hour and returned home to find the henhouse in chaos. There was blood and mayhem, the source of which was Tommy, who had managed to almost entirely scalp his bright red comb. He was rushed into Warkworth vets, where emergency comb reconstruction surgery was performed, and he was able to get home just in time to celebrate the new year with the rest of the coop. It’s still early days but Tommy’s comb is healing beautifully, albeit with a slight bohemian tilt to it.
Vets: Jon Makin BVSc, Danny Cash BVSc and Associates
Phone 09 425 8244 (Warkworth)
Heirloom cucumber revival
The humble Port Albert cucumber has a new champion.
After a lifetime farming on a property west of Wellsford that has been in his family for 150 years, Gordon Levet has turned his attention to two heirloom vegetables –the Dalmatian climbing bean and the Port Albert cucumber.
For the uninitiated, the tasty Port Albert cucumber is about three times the size of an apple cucumber, has a long shelf life, is a prolific bearer and is never bitter. It came to New Zealand with the Albertland settlers and is famous around the Kaipara Harbour.
“I’ve wondered for a long time why this superior cucumber was not commercially available, so decided to do something about it,” Gordon said.
Last year, he produced about 60 cucumbers a week, which were sold at the Peach Patch on the Mangawhai Road, and at markets in Matakana and Whangarei. Gordon says plants will soon be available from Hammer Hardware in Wellsford, but his goal is to have them available in nursery and seed outlets throughout Auckland.
In his farming career, Gordon, now in his nineties, was involved mainly in breeding stud Romney sheep and farm forestry. He did a lot of experimental work in breeding sheep to be worm resistant, and in 2020 his 400 ram lambs overcame a worm challenge, without ever having been drenched.
Explaining why, at his age, he has decided to launch into cucumber production, Gordon says that it helps to keep the mind and body active.
“No matter how old you are, you need to have a mission to aim for and achieving success is always gratifying,” he says.
Waitangi event focuses on learning
Te Herenga Waka o Orewa community marae in Silverdale is holding a Waitangi Day celebration on Thursday, February 6 and the whole community is invited. The marae’s event organiser, Pip Speedy, says there will be a bigger focus on workshops and presentations this year, whereas in the past it was more about entertainment. The options include a treaty workshop by Coast Action Collective, as well as a Rongoa (traditional Māori healing) workshop. There will be arts and crafts /mahi toi – arts with a Māori theme, including weaving – supported by Estuary Arts Centre. A food truck will be on site. The event takes place at the marae, 2A Blue Gum Ave, Silverdale, from 10am-2pm.
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stage of this master-planned residential and lifestyle community in Mangawhai Central. Interest is high in the remaining lots in Stage 1D with prices starting from an affordable $370,000 and section sizes ranging from 512sqm to 3,142sqm (more or less).
With new roads and footpaths,
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Nearby Mangawhai Heads surf beach
Nearby Mangawhai Heads surf beach
Gordon Levet believes the Port Albert cucumber will sell itself once people realise its many qualities.
There will be fun activities for all ages.
Tapora family fun day moves to Anniversary Weekend
The tiny west coast community of Birds Beach is once again hosting the annual Tapora summer family fun day, this year during Auckland Anniversary Weekend, on Sunday, January 26.
In the past, the event has been held around the New Year holiday, but organiser Maggie Hunt says this year’s is a few weeks later to allow more time to organise everything and in the hope of the weather being warmer than over the Christmas holiday period.
As ever, the emphasis is on good oldfashioned games, races and activities, with all funds raised going to the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust.
baking and produce, Tapora merchandise and tickets for two huge raffles – the Premier Mega-Raffle, with premium prizes and vouchers, at $5 a ticket, or the SuperDuper Classic choose your prize draw, at $2 a ticket, or three for $5.
Hunt says she is still happy to receive prizes for both draws, and is also looking for volunteer help on the day.
“If anyone has anything to donate for raffles, no matter how small – vouchers, toys, cakes, books, produce, any goodies –all will be gratefully received.”
^To spend on STIHL accessories in-store. Offers apply on selected products only and are valid from 03 December 2024 – 28 February 2025 or while stocks last. Terms and conditions apply. See in-store or online at participating retailers for details. Prices shown are recommended retail prices only.
The ever-popular water slide will return, as well as a tug-of-war, rounders match, lolly scramble, sack race and lots more games and races, with prizes for everyone, plus a sausage sizzle, ice-creams and drinks.
There are also colouring competitions for all ages and a guess the number of lollies in a jar contest.
Meanwhile, the grown-ups can buy fresh
She says the range of prizes this year will be as diverse as ever, including two $200 vouchers for boat servicing from new sponsor Shore Marine.
The fun day will take place at Tapora Beach Domain from 11.30am to 2.30pm-ish.
Anyone attending is advised to bring cash, sunscreen, water, sunhats, chairs and shoes to cope with prickle grass at the domain. Info and donations: Contact Maggie Hunt on 021 271 5544 or maggie.hunt@xtra.co.nz
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New Ahuroa principal – man of Steele
Incoming Ahuroa School principal Wayne Steele has a pedigree that makes him the perfect fit for the role.
He’s a country boy born and bred, grew up on a dairy farm and has had the principalship at not one, but two rural schools – most recently, four-and-a-half years at Ruawai School, and before that, six-and-a-half years at Tangowahine School, near Dargaville.
Steele, who takes over from Terry Taylor as principal at the beginning of Term One (officially on January 28), says he was brought up in rural schools and loves the environment.
“If you think about a rural school, they’re often smaller and, therefore, you get to know the kids and the families really well. It’s definitely about those relationships. “Also, in a rural setting you can provide handson, authentic learning experiences,” he says.
This could look like school trips to local farms, planting vegetation along a riverbank, visiting a cheese factory, or a member of the community imparting their wisdom to the schoolkids.
“The local Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade might do a demonstration at the school, or one of the parents might come in and give a talk. We’ve got a dad who’s a pilot, who has shared his experiences with the senior kids.
“This type of learning is very cool.”
Steele relocated from Kaipara to Snells Beach with his family in 2024 and was Ahuroa’s acting principal at the end of Term Three, while former principal Terry Taylor was on sick leave, and then a fixed term teacher there in Term Four.
Now that he has the principalship permanently, what are his plans for the school?
“Terry and all the previous people involved with Ahuroa have done a great job.
“I had the opportunity to see how Terry was running things last year. I was able to pick his brain and see where he wanted the school to go, and whether that aligned with my thoughts, which most of it did.”
Steele says he’s looking to connect more with Mahurangi College, because that’s where most of the Ahuroa kids flow through to.
“We want to have more engagement with the college. The new (Mahurangi College) head girl for 2025 Tessa Berger is a former Ahuroa pupil so we’d like to get her to come and talk to the kids.”
Steele says he would also like to organise visits to the college for Ahuroa seniors so that the transition when they leave the school isn’t as daunting.
“Even if it’s just to suss out the physical space, because it’s a big change, you know, going from little Ahuroa School to Mahu College. It’s a big step up.”
Steele is keen to get behind the government’s new structured maths and literacy curriculums, which are being introduced from Term One this year, and “really get those pumping”.
“So that’s resourcing professional development for the staff and getting our teeth into a particular programme.”
Steele, who will do some teaching in the senior class, says there aren’t too many differences between his previous school Ruawai and Ahuroa – one area where they do differ, though, is the amount of government funding the school receives.
continued next page
Former principal steps down after rollercoaster ride
Retiring Ahuroa School principal Terry Taylor may have only led the primary for a relatively short time, but the positive impact he has made there will be long-lasting.
Taylor worked tirelessly helping guide the school through an almost unbelievable series of unfortunate events that included covid, Cyclone Gabrielle, power outages and ongoing flooding.
Taylor, who officially retires on January 27, says being a principal is a tough job at the best of times and that you’ve got to be mindful of how you manage your health in the role.
“Especially at a small school. There’s not as much resource and the buck stops with you. There’s way too many of us who burn out,” he says.
It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that the reason Taylor is moving on is because of a health scare he had last year, which required him to take “five or six weeks” of leave.
“When I came back I made the decision
that I needed to retire. I’m not that old, I’m 61, but the sort of health scare I had gave me a bit of a wake-up call.”
If anyone has earned an early retirement it’s Taylor.
When he first took over from Michelle Nell as principal at Ahuroa in Week Four, Term Two in 2022, the country was just coming out of covid, with border restrictions and vaccine mandates starting to ease.
“Covid had a huge impact on the community because it just stopped people getting together. And then when I started, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) had fizzled out and disappeared.
“I had three parents that had all started about the same time with their kids and I tapped them on the shoulder saying, ‘let’s get a PTA going’. And over my three years, I’ve watched the development of that.
“We started off slow and steady (but the PTA continued to grow). Earlier this year I was at a PTA meeting and there were over
a dozen people in the room, which is a lot for a small rural school,” he says.
In February 2023, Taylor then had to deal with the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, which closed the main road to the school – Ahuroa Road, between Puhoi and Ahuroa (MM Feb 23, 2023).
“People who were literally a 10-minute drive on the school bus couldn’t get to Ahuroa because the road was broken in between. From memory, we dropped 10 children from a school roll of only 60.
“We had to work through those storms, which had a huge effect. The community, and the PTA were the rock behind all that. The road is open now, but it’s still being worked on. You know, it’s still a rough old ride.”
About two months after Gabrielle, that’s when the floods started.
“Almost every time it rained, it flooded. The floods went on and on for us. Pretty much every week we’d have a flood.
“One Friday I was watching the tide and the
weather, but we’d made a plan. I’d already said to the parents, ‘make sure you’ve got your phone with you’. And sure enough, at about 10 o’clock in the morning, there was a river running down our driveway.
“It was almost high tide, so we knew within a short time we were going to be cut off. Luckily, I’d made up emergency beds and had food inside the schoolhouse, then at five o’clock, the tide went out, the water dropped and then we were able to get off site.”
The natural disasters certainly won’t be missed, but what is Taylor sad to say goodbye to?
“I’ll miss the children and the community, the kids in particular. It doesn’t matter who they are, what their characters are, they’re all beautiful people, even your tough kids. At the end of the day they’re all kids and they say the funniest things to you.
“That’s what you miss whenever you leave a school,” he says.
make an appointment with the school office office 09 423 6030
from previous page
“Under the old decile rating system (which was replaced by the Equity Index in 2023), we were a low decile at Ruawai, but we’re definitely not a low decile at Ahuroa so the school funding is very different, which makes life tricky.
“But we have a really strong PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at Ahuroa, and a tight-knit group of parents that drive it.
“The PTA does a lot of fundraising. We had a Christmas market at the end of last year and we’ve got a horse-riding event coming up – the PTA does a whole lot of things that really support the school,” he says. Steele says like other rural schools, Ahuroa is the hub of the community.
“It’s about getting engagement from the community. We have to have that relationship.”
2025 TERM 1
Start the New Year with Women’s Centre Rodney –“Rediscover Your Spark – Empower, Grow, Thrive”
For over 35 years, we’ve been empowering women to grow, connect, and embrace new possibilities. Whether you’re looking for personal support, creative outlets, or opportunities for growth, we’re here for you..
Visit Our Website for Registrations and More Info: www.womenscentrerodney.org.nz
Follow Us on Facebook: womenscentrerodney for the latest updates and happenings.
OUR OFFERINGS
Counselling & Support
Counselling provides a safe space to explore and address personal challenges, fostering growth and wellbeing. Fully funded** and subsidised sessions available for women. Appointments required
Drop In Mon-Fri 9.30am - 2.30pm
We understand that everyone faces unique challenges, and we’re here to support you with compassion and understanding. Whether you’re seeking guidance, a coffee and chat, or simply a moment in a safe environment, you’re always welcome. Feel free to visit us whenever you need a listening ear or a moment of peace GROUPS AND PROGRAMS
Explore our regular groups designed to nurture your growth and wellbeing. For more details, visit our website: WOW Move Up!
Navigate change, reconnect with your worth, and discover your strengths. Build lasting changes for a better life in a fun, supportive group setting.
Facilitators: Jo Nicholson & Bridget Farmiloe Young Mum’s Group
For mothers up to 24 years. Build friendships and explore strategies for raising healthy children. Childminding and morning tea provided. Facilitator: Sarah Woolford
Intro to Art Therapy
A 6-week taster of Art Therapy techniques. No art experience necessary. Facilitator: Heidi Downey Teen Art Therapy –OWL HUB WELLSFORD
Explore identity, self-regulation, and build confidence through creative expression.
A program helping young women build confidence and live their best life. Facilitators: Bridget Farmiloe & Sarah Woolford
PEER LED EVENTSCONNECT, LEARN AND THRIVE
“Being a SuperGran/SuperSkills Mentor is hugely rewarding. I’ve gained as much as I’ve given, working alongside incredible women from all walks of life.” –Talk to our Co-ordinator Michelle Kemp for further info
Our SuperGrans and SuperSkills mentors host fun, skill-building sessions every Wednesday and Friday on the following themes:
Nurture & Thrive:
Wellness sessions on wellbeing, navigating change, career mentoring, sustainable living, and financial wellbeing.
Stroll & Chat:
Gentle walks with great conversation.
Walk & Talk:
New this term! A more energetic walking session to get moving and connect.
Crafty Conversations: Thriving through Art & Creativity with hands-on workshops to boost creativity and wellbeing.
Cook & Chat: Cook together, share recipes, and engage in friendly conversation (child-friendly).
SELF-CARE SERVICES
Prioritise your wellbeing with our health and self-care services:
Holistic Pulsing & Massage: Rejuvenate with our massage therapies on Mondays by appointment.
Women’s Naturopath, Herbalist & Massage: Short naturopath and massage appointments for your health needs.
Free Legal Clinic: Legal advice available at our monthly clinics (appointments required).
Free Cervical Screening Clinic: With the Well Women & Family Trust team. Check our website for upcoming dates.
How to Get Involved Register for all events at womenscentrerodney.org.nz
Call: 0800 237 674
Email: info@womenscentrerodney.org.nz
Location: 10 Morpeth Street, Warkworth
Open: Mon-Fri, 9.30am – 2.30pm
Let’s make this the year of growth, connection, and empowerment at Women’s Centre Rodney. We look forward to seeing you!
Retiring Ahuroa principal Terry Taylor says he’ll miss the school community and the kids.
New Ahuroa principal Wayne Steele knows what’s required to run a rural school.
Protein is one of the must-have nutrients that keeps your body running smoothly.
Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, are necessary for building and fixing muscles, tissues, enzymes, and even hormones. Plus, it is essential for supporting immune function and keeps you feeling full for longer. Protein is an integral part of a balanced diet and a win for your overall health.
First up, protein is a superstar when it comes to muscle growth and repair. Whether you’re hitting the gym, recovering from an injury, or just living your best active life, protein is important. Foods like peanut butter or egg sandwiches are simple post-workout snacks to help your muscles bounce back and grow stronger.
metabolic health improvement, such as eating well with diabetes to help maintain a steady blood glucose level.
The good news is there are tons of tasty protein options out there, no matter your dietary preferences. If you’re into animalbased foods, lean meats like chicken, venison and beef are great choices. Fish, like salmon and tuna, are not only high in protein but also packed with heart-healthy omega-3s. Dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt bring protein to the table along with calcium. And let’s not forget about the versatile protein powerhouse of eggs.
Protein isn’t just about muscles, though –it’s great for your bones, too. While calcium and vitamin D often steal the spotlight when it comes to bone health, protein is equally important in keeping your skeleton strong and sturdy. Studies have shown that adequate protein intake is associated with a lower risk of fractures and osteoporosis, especially in older adults.
Protein is also essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism. Including protein in your meals, and snacks, helps you feel full and satisfied. High-protein foods reduce hunger hormones and boost the ones that make you feel full. This makes protein a valuable component of a diet aimed at
Explorer Kids
For those following a plant-based diet, there are plenty of delicious options. Legumes and pulses like lentils, chickpeas and cannellini beans are protein-packed and full of fibre. Soy-based goodies like tofu, tempeh and edamame are excellent choices as well. Don’t overlook nuts, seeds and whole grains like quinoa – they’re small but mighty when it comes to protein. And if you need an extra boost, protein powders made from whey, pea or rice protein can help.
Mixing up your protein sources is a great way to make sure you’re getting all the essential amino acids your body needs. Plus, it keeps your meals interesting and flavourful. So be sure to include a range of protein-rich foods in your meals and snacks – your body will thank you!
Got a story to tell? Let us know. Phone 425 9068 Email editor@localmatters.co.nz
Explorer Kids is a Sunday morning kids program that runs on alternate weeks at Warkworth and Matakana Anglican churches during our 9:30am services. We will be starting back in February 2025! For more information email children@warkworthanglican.nz or take a look at www.warkworthanglican.nz
Whether you’re new to church or just haven’t been in a while, you’re very welcome to come visit and check us out.
Play plan for Te Hana approved
Climbing towers, balance trails and a waka seesaw are just a few of the play amenities included in a new $1.8 million playground planned for Te Hana next year.
The design, which was approved by Rodney Local Board last month, will be sited near the carpark and toilets on the northern side of Te Hana Reserve, across Whakapirau Road from the existing play area.
The new playground will cater for toddlers to tweens, with swings, a wheelchair carousel, seating, shade sails, a picnic table and grass mounds. There will be new pathways connecting the playground to Te Ao Marama Cultural Centre, to the north, via the community gardens behind the GAS service station.
There will also be a loop path through the playground that can be used by young children learning to ride scooters and bikes. Board members heard that community feedback had largely been enthusiastic, though there were safety concerns over children crossing Whakapirau Road, due
to the number and speed of logging trucks using it to get to SH1.
Board member Michelle Carmichael also sought reassurance that there would be some kind of protective barrier between the playground’s loop path and the road.
“Is there some kind of perimeter fence or protection there to stop them from barrelling straight on through onto the road, if it’s someone’s learning to ride and they lose control?” she asked.
Council staff said that could be looked at during the detailed design stage and added that Auckland Transport would be asked to review the speed limit and signage on that section of Whakapirau Road.
The concept design also incorporates a second stage, which would add a skate ramp and 3-on-3 basketball court that could also be located on the northern side of the reserve, if and when extra funding became available.
The next step will be detailed design, followed by consents and tender processes, with construction planned to follow next year.
EARLY LEARNING CENTRE Reach Forward
At Reach Forward Early Learning Centre, we’re all about embracing the joy and passion for living and learning! Situated at 11 Falls Street, just off Elizabeth Street and directly opposite the Warkworth Police Station, our welcoming Christian-based early learning centre has been a part of the community since January 2019.
We proudly offer three age-appropriate learning spaces, each thoughtfully designed to provide a clean, engaging, and nurturing environment for children. Our centre features new and beautiful resources, an array of exciting learning experiences, and a team of qualified and friendly staff.
A Holistic Approach to Learning
At Reach Forward, we ensure that your child receives the best possible start in life through our well-rounded educational curriculum. Literacy is at the heart of what we do, supported by opportunities to develop numeracy skills, express creativity through art and music, and explore the world through science and discovery. Our learning spaces are carefully arranged to inspire and optimise every child’s educational journey.
The Under-Two Area
For our youngest learners, we provide a nurturing, safe, and secure environment. With a small class size of just ten babies per day, our excellent child-adult ratio ensures personalized care and attention. Your little one will thrive through daily exposure to music, rhymes, stories, creative play, and nature, fostering language, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Meet Our Passionate Team
Linda Ward, the owner, and Anette van Rooyen, our centre manager, bring a wealth of experience in opening and managing childcare centres. They are passionate about creating a high standard of care and education and are thrilled to serve the Warkworth community. Their enthusiasm and warm spirit ripple through the team, creating an inviting atmosphere where children feel valued and loved.
Come Visit Us!
We’d love to welcome you to Reach Forward Early Learning Centre. Feel free to drop in anytime – our friendly team will be happy to provide an information pack and answer any questions you may have.
Contact us today at 09 283 3433, email us at warkworth@reachforward.co.nz, or visit our website at www.reachforward.co.nz
Give your child the best start to early learning at our Christian-based centre! Everyone is welcome!
The new playground will be between Te Hana Hall carpark and the community gardens.
Hospital vibe didn’t happen by accident
By Elizabeth Bluck
A hospital stay these days is a daunting prospect, even if only half the headlines about the dire state of the public health system are true. I’d been awaiting surgery for six months, so a booking when it came last month was the best Christmas present ever. As a retired nurse, I thought I knew what to expect, but my anxiety levels were still high. Following reports of Health NZ’s endless restructuring and destructuring didn’t help. They didn’t even seem sure what to call themselves.
But the experience at North Shore Hospital overturned the doubts and fears of all the years. The preparation that began weeks before the operation was meticulous and detailed, and the orthopaedic surgery on the day went well. The skill and professionalism of the surgeon, anaesthetist and nurses was impressive and the care I received back in the ward, from nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orderlies, the tea man (not lady), reception staff and pharmacist was unfailingly courteous and encouraging.
I’m grateful for all that, but what impressed me most of all was the kind of culture the hospital has managed to create and sustain despite all the cutbacks, staff shortages and budget crises we hear so much about.
I know a bit about building work cultures, having worked in hospitals here and overseas, government departments, fish factories, newspaper offices, churches and schools. I know how hard it is to keep them safe, focused and effective, inclusive and accountable.
What North Shore Hospital has achieved didn’t happen overnight or by chance. It’s the end product of years of reviewing, refining and refocusing on what matters most. What they’ve ended up with is what I enjoyed last week. Having braced myself for an ordeal, I experienced a pretty well seamless experience that left me feeling reassured and hopeful. No small achievement in these troubled times.
The work culture they have built is a complicated affair. It includes a huge emphasis on staying safe and well informed about what’s happening to you medically, even how to complain if you have to. Just to be sure, a pamphlet about how to do that is handed out at reception as you arrive!
And the exercises post-op, the equipment I needed, the things I needed to avoid doing were all explained clearly and patiently, repeatedly if necessary.
Watching from my bed the staff coming, going, interacting without tripping over each other or colliding their trolleys and blood pressure machines was like sitting in a well-run airport terminal without the
Warkworth Medical Centre 11 Alnwick Street
Warkworth Phone: 09 425 1199
Snells Beach Medical Centre Unit 2, 347 Mahurangi East Road
WARKWORTH SNELLS BEACH
WE PROVIDE
queues. There’s a lot of moving parts to make this culture work efficiently when all’s going well. And when it’s not, the emergency protocols switch in rapidly. Happily I didn’t have to test them.
North Shore Hospital has achieved an impressive culture. But the best thing about it for me was not simply its efficiency and medical results. It was the atmosphere, the vibe it managed to create in the midst of all that technology and scientific complexity.
It could have been anonymous and formal, a recipe for fraught feelings and emotional unease. Yet the overwhelming impression it left on me was one of ordered calm and confidence. Professional and still personal. No one lost their cool, nobody treated a work colleague with anything less than respect, from the highest to the lowest on the pecking order. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing and if they didn’t, they’d quickly consult with someone who did. I can’t think of another institution where that happens so well.
And if all that is not enough, the staff that looked after me seemed to enjoy what they were doing and take pleasure from each other’s company in all its diversity – ethnic, gender, age-wise, 20-year-olds happily working alongside 70 plus.
If you’re ever worried about how well our radically multicultural Auckland is working together these days, drop into North Shore Hospital sometime and feel the vibe.
Elizabeth Bluck is a retired hospital and occupational health nurse living in Pakiri.
In brief
Permit needed for outdoor fires
Lighting outdoor fires without a permit has been banned throughout the region until further notice, as dry weather continues. Fire & Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) moved the whole of Auckland into a restricted fire season on January 16, meaning an authorised fire permit will be needed to start outdoor fires on the mainland.
Hauraki Gulf islands, including Kawau, remain in a prohibited fire season, meaning all outdoor fires are already banned. FENZ regional manager for Te Hiku (Northland, Whangarei and Auckland) Ron Devlin said there was a high fire risk throughout Auckland at present.
“While there is some rain forecast, this isn’t going to be enough to counter the effects of the recent warm, dry weather,” he said.
“Right now, we consider flammable vegetation such as mānuka, kānuka and grass, and forestry areas, as being particularly high risk, as these burn easily, spread fast and can be really difficult to contain.”
Anyone wishing to light an outdoor fire should visit www.checkitsalright.nz to find out what restrictions apply, or contact their local fire brigade.
No NYE festival at Ascension
With Highlife NYE festival moving from Ascension Wine Estate to Waiheke Island this summer, there was no big music festival in Matakana to see in the New Year. However, the Hidden Valley festival at Matakana Country Park went off without a hitch on December 27. Warkworth Police Sergeant Mark Stallworthy says Hidden Valley was a well-run event and the kids in attendance were well-behaved.
Competition winners
The winners of the Kumeu Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival tickets were Jared Kiel, Jim Lambert, Kathy Bass, Stephan Hall, Gillian Teirney and Kelley Jones.
NEW PATIENTS WELCOME
• Wide range of doctor and nurse led services including accident and medical services, immunisation, minor surgery, vasectomies, immigration, dive and insurance medicals.
• Wide range of visiting specialists.
Warkworth 09 425 1199 or
After hours free child & low cost virtual GP appointments available
Snells Beach
Phone: 09 425 5055
• Warkworth is open Monday to Friday 8am-5pm and Saturday 8am-12 noon.
• Snells Beach is open Monday to Friday 8am-5pm.
• Low Cost access for enrolled patients under 14 free, young people $13, adults from $19.50.
• Pharmacy, Labtest, Physio on site.
• Flu and Covid -19 vaccinations available.
Snells Beach 09 425 5055 for direct connection to the surgery or our after hours service.
Doctors • Kate Baddock
Stephen Barker
Bruce Sutherland
Amy MacBeth
Andrew Duffin
Jing He
Simon Tricker
Matt Couchman
Destinee Macleod
Christian Richelsen
Surgery at Unit 2/347 Mahurangi East Road
Surgery at 11 Alnwick Street
Elizabeth Bluck back home in Pakiri.
Body Fit Training - BFT
Body Fit Training, or BFT, is a welcome addition to Warkworth.
According to studio manager Jason Onslow, BFT is different and better than other gyms because it’s trainer-led and the classes are screenassisted.
Not to mention the BFT trainers use science-based programmes and technology to deliver maximum results for their clients.
“Importantly, your progress is tracked every step of the way – even your heart rate is monitored,” Onslow says.
“With branches worldwide, this is why BFT has become such a popular choice and a much-needed alternative to 24/7 gyms. Onslow, who has just bought a house in Rodney with his fiancé, says there’s nothing like BFT in Warkworth.
“Our training is backed by science and it’s proven we get results. We focus on strength and conditioning alongside cardio and recovery to ensure you get fitter, faster and stronger.
“All of our programmes are displayed on
big screens and there’s two or three trainers on the floor so you’re getting personal training, a kind of one-on-one session in a group setting. Everything’s set for you,” he says.
There’s a wide variety of 45 to 55-minute progression-based programmes available including cardio, strength, functional, core stability, plus many more, that are run in nine-week blocks.
“So you’ll increase your capacity and capability week to week. After nine weeks it rolls over to the next programme and you keep going.”
Onslow says what you pay for a personal trainer at a regular gym is anywhere from $60 to over $100 an hour, and that only covers one session.
“We’re at a fraction of that cost for a whole week and you get multiple classes. The only day we don’t open is Sunday.”
Onslow says the other thing that makes BFT “different, better” is that it offers a weekly membership with no contracts, and no joining fees.
Jason Onslow
Friends of Awa Matakanakana
Jackie Russell www.awamatakanakana.home.blog
Traffic light snapshot of water quality
How healthy are the streams and rivers around Matakana? And how could we improve the freshwater so we can confidently take a refreshing summer dip in clean water?
There are two large and picturesque rivers, and lots of swimming holes, in the Matakana catchment, but in many locations the water is regularly contaminated, either with nutrients or dirt or animal waste. Not ideal for a swim.
Every three months, Friends of Awa Matakanakana (FOAM) volunteers test water quality at 11 sites throughout the catchment. They identify what is living in the freshwater, if there are any contaminants, what is changing and in the longer term, what impact mitigation measures such as riparian planting and wetland regeneration are making. Auckland Council is notified if FOAM finds exceptionally high levels of pollution.
E. coli bacteria is present at almost every site, with many frequently exceeding the level deemed safe for swimming. The levels of sediment in the rivers and the element phosphorus, which causes weed and algal blooms, are very high. FOAM is investigating sources of these.
Volunteers assess water clarity and biodiversity, the number of freshwater critters living at each site, and what nutrients are present. Just as Aotearoa has unique native bird life, we have some unique river life, like freshwater limpets that glow in the dark.
Of the sites FOAM monitors, the better
ones are near the top of the catchment. The freshwater runs through private land and many of these landowners have fenced waterways to keep stock out of creeks, planted riparian strips, and protected existing native bush. All these measures help everyone in the catchment downstream and they also reduce flooding.
FOAM has developed a simple traffic light report to share its water quality findings with landowners and the community. The aim is to inform and empower people to make choices about the future of freshwater management and protection.
If it isn’t safe to swim in most of the beautiful Awa Matakanakana catchment, what else can people do during the summer months to enjoy the soothing surrounds of freshwater? Kayaking is an ideal way to explore the catchment because it minimises direct contact with potentially contaminated water and it is accessible for paddlers of all abilities. It is reasonably easy to depart from Sandspit, paddle upstream along the Glen Eden or Matakana rivers with a rising tide, and return when the tide turns. A return trip can be paddled in less than two hours.
Kids of all ages can have fun exploring under rocks in stream beds, dragging a net through the water to see what they can catch or wading into the shallows. All are adventurous and free activities that help us learn about nature without even knowing it. Just make sure you wash your hands well afterwards and please return anything caught back to its home. The critters work hard to keep our rivers clean.
water feature
A snapshot of FOAM’s water quality results, summarised over several years for most sites.
LAWA (Land Air Water Aotearoa) has swimming guidelines for rivers and beaches throughout New Zealand, but Matakana rivers are not included. For regular water quality traffic light
Household and Bulk Water Supply
updates of the Matakana Glen Eden catchment go to www.awamatakanakana. home.blog.
Note: FOAM’s information is not intended as a guide to safe swimming because presently, the data set is too small.
Matakana
After setting rainfall records in 2023, last year turned out to be one of the driest, and warmest, years for some time.
Dome Valley resident Stephen Beckett says the only drier year in the past seven years was 2019 when he recorded 1448mm, compared to 1527mm this year.
In Warkworth, last year’s annual total of 1062mm, was well below the average of 1467mm and well below last year’s total of 2309mm. Matakana rainfall recorder
Paul McGill says his records show that the average annual rainfall over the past five years was 1700mm. Last year, he recorded 1310mm.
Puhoi resident Steve Roswell recorded 1416mm last year. “A bit of a change from 2023 when the total was 2515mm,” he says.
dry year
For most of NZ, including Auckland and Northland, rainfall was 50 to 79 per cent below normal.
According to NIWA, 2024 was New Zealand’s 10th-warmest year on record, based on NIWA’s seven station series, which started in 1909. The average temperature was 13.25˚C, being 0.51˚C above the 1991-2020 annual average.
Of New Zealand’s 10 warmest years on record, eight have occurred since 2013.
NIWA says the ongoing warming trend observed both locally and globally is consistent with human-caused climate change. “It is largely driven by human greenhouse gas emissions.” Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels continue to rise, surpassing 420ppm at NIWA’s Baring Head monitoring station during 2024.
Summer SPLASH INTO
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Don’t drink and dive
Every year, alcohol consumption contributes to drowning fatalities and injury in New Zealand, particularly over summer and the holiday season.
Alcohol increases the risk of drowning and injury by impairing judgement, reducing coordination and delaying reaction time.
This is why Water Safety New Zealand and Alcohol Healthwatch have joined forces to raise awareness of the risk alcohol poses around water by delivering a simple message – don’t drink and dive.
Your Water. Our Passion.
Water Safety’s Daniel Gerrard says alcohol consumption may be a much more significant contributor to drowning fatalities and injury than has been identified in the past.
“The scale of how much alcohol contributes to drowning incidents in New Zealand is something yet to be fully understood. But we do know many drownings come down to a split-second bad decision.
“Taking any risk around water can be
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dangerous, and when you combine taking risks with alcohol – it can be fatal.”
Gerrard says a concerning trend year-onyear is people who enter the water without intending to – people falling into the sea on their way home from the pub or walking too close to the water’s edge.
“For 365 days a year we want to encourage Kiwis to make good choices around water – around public holidays the importance of knowing the risks of alcohol is critically important.
“Making conclusions on alcohol-related drowning is a complex challenge … what may not be so complex is calling time on our attitudes and behaviours around alcohol and water,” he says.
Executive director of Alcohol Healthwatch Andrew Galloway says on public holidays many people may start drinking alcohol earlier in the day, or drink in larger quantities.
“Staying alert to the dangers of mixing continued next page
alcohol with activities such as swimming, boating, or simply relaxing at rivers, beaches, pools and lakes is crucial to staying safe.
“Alcohol is a depressant drug, which impacts your brain and central nervous system’s ability to process what’s going on around you. Your ability to make a sound judgement when you are driving a boat, a jet ski, or deciding if it’s safe to jump into a river are completely impacted by even a small amount of alcohol.
“Think of getting behind the wheel to drive a car after consuming alcohol, but even broader. Most water-based activities don’t involve the additional risk of an engine – it’s the people swimming at night, swimming alone, or taking that extra risk to show off to the group of mates.
“Everyone can benefit from cutting down drinking, this is another good reason to limit drinking to be safe in and around the water.”
Every year we lose an average of 83 New Zealanders to drowning. More than 82 per cent of the people drowning in New Zealand are men
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On-site water testing and chemical balancing
Equipment supply, repair and installation
On-site water testing and chemical balancing
Equipment supply, repair and installation
The average blood alcohol concentration of males who drowned over the past 10 years with a positive reading of alcohol in their system was almost three times the legal driving limit
Research has found that alcohol is involved in between 30 and 40 per cent of drowning deaths, but the real number may be higher, as alcohol involvement isn’t routinely reported on in coronial examinations
International evidence shows that alcohol-related drownings are more likely to occur among males than females, and on public holidays than any other time of the year
It’s not every day you get the chance to go behind the scenes and step into the workspaces of some of Rodney’s most talented artists.
But from Friday, January 31 to Sunday, February 9 that’s exactly what you’ll be able to do on the Mahurangi Artist Studio Trail (MAST2025), which is back for another year.
The trail map boasts 48 artists and has 25 open studios of all shapes and sizes dotted about the area.
From purpose-built creative spaces to converted barns, garages, sheds and spare rooms, visitors have an open invitation and are welcome to visit them all at no cost.
The hub of the event, or ‘trail central’, is at the Warkworth Town Hall, which will host the opening night celebration on Thursday, January 30, from 6pm to 8pm.
The trail is becoming increasingly popular and has attracted a new wave of 16 artists, who have joined an already stacked lineup for 2025, with everything from
photography and mixed media to ceramics and silkscreen prints on show.
Organiser and artist Alysn MidgelowMarsden says the message is getting out that there’s loads of creative people around Rodney.
“It’s quite unique that you get to go in and see the studios, to actually see the mess that we work in half the time or see the materials and equipment we use, or talk to us about our art,” she says.
“You might go to a gallery or an art maker’s sale and see the finished works, but that doesn’t give you an insight into what the processes of the artist are.
“I don’t really get to talk to people about my work because usually it’s displayed at another location and I’m often not there. So it’s really exciting to show people what I’m doing and talk to them about what I enjoy and why.”
Midgelow-Marsden says trail central not only has artists running workshops for the
public, it’s also able to provide a space for art makers who haven’t got a permanent studio to show their work.
“That’s really taken off in the last three years since we’ve been using the town hall, and it’s a very popular part of the trail. It’s sometimes so full you can hardly get in.”
She says every year there are new artists on the trail so they always have something different to offer, even for those who have been on the trail before.
“Hopefully the spaces are a little tidier than we often work, but you never know.”
What to expect (source: Auckland Council) Meet the makers: step inside the studios and connect with artists as they share insights into their techniques and inspirations.
Live demonstrations: witness creativity in action with live demonstrations of painting, pottery, textile stitching, and other mediums.
Unique purchases: take home original, locally-
There will be opportunities to go inside a studio and meet the
made art, with options to suit all budgets. Explore Mahurangi: enjoy a day of art and exploration, discovering the beauty and charm of the local area.
Have a go workshop experiences: spend a little time rekindling your creative vibes through any of the workshop opportunities in painting, sculpture, ceramic, glass. Discover creative clay, posca and juice, creative re-vibe, and introduction to fused glass at the Warkworth Town Hall; have fun with stencils at the Women’s Centre; make creative upcycled art at Less Waste. Family friendly for all ages and free unless otherwise stated.
Event dates: January 31 to February 9. Times: 10am to 4pm (some studio opening days and times vary, please see brochure or website for details) Locations: 25 venues across Rodney. A full map is available at www.mahurangiartistnetwork.com. Free entry.
The Warkworth Town Hall is trail central and one of the most popular stops on the map.
artist.
People on the trail can have a hands-on experience.
Bob Marley memorabilia on show
Bob Marley super fan David Lawton has organised an exhibition dedicated to the legendary Jamaican reggae artist, which will run from February 3 to 7 at the Rodney Rams clubrooms in Whangateau, from 10am to 4pm daily.
Waitangi Day, February 6, would have been Marley’s 80th birthday so the show will be open longer on that day.
Lawton says he has collected enough Marley memorabilia over the last 40-odd years to fill a school gymnasium.
“We’ll have everything at the exhibition from photos, paintings and portraits to books, clothing and cushions. There’ll be old artwork, pieces I’ve created myself and art created by other artists.
“I’ve got an illuminated electric guitar that glows in the Rastafarian colours of red, green and gold, when you plug it in, of course. And there’s flags, badges, bandanas and patches –just anything to do with Bob Marley, really.”
Lawton says he first got into Marley’s songs back in the early 1980s when he was living in South Auckland.
“I used to socialise with some of the local island boys and we’d sit around and listen to his music.”
Lawton says he respects what Marley
Wearing his reggae regalia, David Lawton is a massive Bob Marley fan.
represented, stood for and believed in:
“That people should be entitled to have freedom, and respect and one another.”
Lawton wears his love of Marley on his sleeve – quite literally.
When Mahurangi Matters spoke with him, he was dressed in full reggae regalia – a tailored dressing gown that was covered top-to-bottom in Marley and Rastafarian patches, a Marley t-shirt and satchel, a Marley hat with badges sewn on, and Marley pants.
“I do have Bob Marley jandals but they only have pictures of him on the base,” he adds.
Paparoa A&P Show time again
Organisers of the historic Paparoa A&P Show are hoping they get some sunshine for the 148th event, which will be held at the Paparoa Showgrounds on State Highway 12 on Saturday, February 1, from 9am.
In 2023 it was an overcast outing with intermittent rain, while last year there were some seriously heavy downpours, which saw many stallholders pack up and go home.
Show secretary and indoor organiser Melinda Birt says it’s going to be third time lucky.
One of the longest-running agricultural and pastoral shows in the country, Paparoa has everything you’d expect, from equestrian and Western riding with team roping to sheep shearing, wood chopping and livestock competitions. The fire service will hold demonstrations and there’ll be more trade stalls than you can shake a stick or throw a gumboot at.
Judges will have their work cut out for them at the indoor exhibition with seemingly endless tables and displays.
“Where do we start? We’ve got fruit and veg, jams and preserves, baking, croquet, arts and crafts, dahlias, photography, and a children’s section. It’s the more the merrier when it comes to entries,” Birt says. She says vintage and classic car enthusiasts are in for a treat, with a huge heritage vehicle display, which is something different and new at the show this year. Over 50 vehicles are expected to roll up from car clubs and collectors around the
area – anything pre-1980 is invited.
There will also be food trucks, plus free kids’ rides with a bouncy castle, a merrygo-round and teacups.
“We’ll have the gumboot throw, and the 500-wheelbarrow race, which has become quite popular the last couple of years.”
All the schedule needs now is a bit of sunshine.
Gate opens 9am. Entry fees: Family – $25, Adults – $10, Children – $5 per child for the first two children. All others are free. All under 5s – free. North Kaipara Agricultural Association (NKAA) members – free.
SATURDAY, 15th FEBRUARY 2025 - 6PM
A huge heritage vehicle display is new to the show this year.
The Western riders are always a crowd favourite.
YOUR BAGS COULD FERRY UNINVITED VISITORS
Pests and weeds can harm our islands. Please check bags, clean gear and close food containers before travelling. Let’s protect our Hauraki Gulf. ourauckland.nz/haurakigulf
Altogether Greener. Altogether Auckland.
www.kaurimuseum.com
Book Reviews
A Language Of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
S.F. Williamson’s debut young adult novel was an addictive read. A dark academia fantasy, where dragon and humans coexist in a world on the brink of war.
It’s 1923 and the peace agreement between Prime Minister Wyvernmire and the British Dragon Queen is in place. Society has been classified into three classes, with a vast difference in privileges. The HumanDragon Coalition, aka the rebels, are fighting for fair rights for humans and dragons alike. Blood will be shed.
Seventeen-year-old Vivien has been shielded from the civil unrest. She is focused on her linguistics studies with the aim to be the youngest dragonic translator and keep her second class status. Life is turned upside down when her parents are accused of being rebels. Trying to save them from the death penalty, Viv unwittingly triggers the onset of war. She is coerced by the government to do research work at a remote facility with other young criminals. Here she meets Atlas, a young man who raises uncomfortable questions about the status quo. Soon it is a race against time to save their families and stay alive as the group gets pitted against each other.
With a slow burn romance, heartbreaking moments, action and ethical conundrums, this is a wonderful book for both young adults and adults. I am desperate to read the next instalment. Be aware that there is violence and elements of torture for younger readers.
by Abby Soffe
The Last Night Over Olso by Alix Rickloff
This historical novel displays in spades all that is fine about the genre. It’s largely about a real, but largely forgotten champion of humanity, combined with just the right amount of spice to jazz it up into an extremely readable offering. It could well become a bestseller.
The story is set in Norway and Sweden revolving around US Minister Daisy Harriman and her wayward, infuriating, unpredictable but somehow endearing goddaughter, as they navigate the unfolding German occupation during World War II.
Both are loyal to their own country, ones they love and the Norwegian people, but have very different ways of showing their bravery and resilience as they make their escape north, trying to help both government and royalty.
I especially admire the wordsmithing and the clever use of sparse language. It’s filled with both depth and insight and helps explain why, against the odds, an elderly but formidable woman was the right person for this task. The challenges both personal, private, small and large would be overwhelming to most, but not to our intrepid heroines.
The story travels at an enjoyable speed and is engrossing right to its satisfying conclusion.
By Barbara Leslie
Anglers lining up for Salty Dog fishing comp
Whether you’re a seasoned skipper or a land angler, you’ll have the chance to snag the big one and some prizes at the Salty Dog Social Club’s fifth annual fishing competition on Saturday, February 1. It had originally been planned for midJanuary but was rescheduled due to a timing conflict with SailGP in Auckland, held on January 18 and 19.
One of the competition’s coordinators, Jez Scull, says the popularity of the contest continues to surprise, with a great turnout last year of up to 30 boats out on the water and over 130 anglers taking part.
“We’re expecting a similar number this year,” he says.
“Initially it was for the social club, but we opened it up to members of the public. The main point of it is for people to have some fun and enjoy a family-friendly day at the Salty Dog Inn afterwards, from 4pm to 6pm.
“We’ll have a big sausage sizzle, bouncy castle, games on the lawn, face painting, kids’ prizes, spot prizes and lucky contestant prize draws whether you fished or not.”
The main event is a measure-andphotograph fishing competition, with photos of each catch emailed to Scull at officetsdsc@yahoo.com
To enter, it’s $35 per angler for social club members, $40 for non-members and $15 for juniors (aged 14 and younger), with part of the profits being donated to the Kawau Volunteer Coastguard.
Tickets, as well as competition packs, are to be collected from the Salty Dog Inn on Friday, January 31, from 5.30pm to 7pm, and the competition starts at 3am on the Saturday and finishes at 4pm.
There is no designated fishing area and anglers in the past have had just as much success dropping lines from dinghies in Kawau Bay as those using expensive rigs on launches out as far as Great Barrier Island, Scull says.
The Salty Dog Inn will host a barbecue for anglers from 6pm, with the prizegiving to be held at 6.30pm.
The major prizewinner will receive vouchers/product valued at close to $2000 for the longest snapper.
Other contest divisions, or categories, include female angler, longest snapper; junior angler, longest fish; longest trevally; longest kahawai; and mystery length snapper (minimum 40cm), which is selected at random.
There’s also the ‘best hard luck story’ division, which Scull says is a bit of fun.
“It’s about the one that got away. A couple of years ago, we had an angler get a kingfish to the boat and it jumped out of the net. We had somebody go out one year and they had forgotten their bait,” he says.
“So we ask people to email in their story, have a read and decide which is the most worthy of the prize.”
Scull says the competition, which has taken around nine months to plan, wouldn’t be possible without the support of its many sponsors, and in particular its major sponsors Mason Contractors and the Salty Dog Inn.
The Salty Dog Social Club presently has a membership of 90 people, fundraises throughout the year and provides donations to local charities.
If you would like to join, social club registration forms are available at the Salty Dog Inn or email officetsdsc@yahoo.com
Part of the profits from the fishing competition will be donated to the Kawau Volunteer Coastguard, seen here at the Salty Dog Inn.
Creating new Christmas memories
In 1862, when settlers left England to establish their “new society” in Albertland, they brought not only essential supplies, but also cherished traditions. Christmas in the “old country” was marked by open fires, frosty weather and snow. Trees adorned with wax candles, barley sugar, sugar plums, paper roses, apples and tinsel reflected customs popularised by Prince Albert, who introduced the tradition of decorating fir trees from his childhood in Germany. The settlers, who named their community in his honour after his death on December 14, 1861, upheld these festive practices. Victorian children eagerly anticipated Christmas stockings and handmade gifts, especially sweets.
In their new land, Christmas unfolded in the warmth of summer, a stark contrast to the winters they had known. Instead of snow, they found blooming roses, vibrant flowers and the scent of a semitropical climate. Adding to the wonder, pōhutukawa trees burst into bloom with their iconic red flowers, earning their place as New Zealand’s Christmas Tree. Stories of early celebrations are filled with nostalgia and reflections on Christmas in their new home. In a letter to the Daily Southern Cross on January 6, 1863, Henry Marcroft described their first Christmas as “the contrast of the season, weather, and circumstances was felt by all of us to be most complete”. The day featured a Sunday School festival with plum cake and tea, followed by a gathering in the Co-operative Association’s newly-opened store, adorned with evergreens and “V.R.” initials crafted from laurel leaves in honour of Queen Victoria.
One memorable story tells of Mrs Cray who, when asked by visiting Māori about Christmas, explained about the Christmas fare she was making and its traditions. To her surprise, a boatload of local Māori arrived the next day in their finest attire. Rising to the occasion, she stretched her Christmas feast to ensure all could share in the celebration.
On Christmas Eve 1862, Chief Manukau invited North Albertland settlers in Paparoa to his village for Christmas Day. They were warmly greeted, and a feast of pork, new potatoes, damper and tea awaited them.
After lunch, Manukau expressed hopes for ongoing friendship and proposed a shared feast the following year, which the settlers happily agreed to, promising to bring puddings while the chief supplied a bullock.
The celebration concluded with generous gifts of kumara, fish and pork from Manukau, with the settlers learning that it was customary to reciprocate such kindness when they next visited. The day after Christmas, the same settlers enjoyed their own picnic along the Matakohe River, complete with boiled pudding, pigeon pie and tea, savouring the festive spirit of their new home.
Happy New Year from all of us at the Albertland Heritage Museum.
Christmas Card
Druid’s Picnic Oneriri swimming race on Boxing Day 1919.
Rose Reid, Albertland Museum
Cream carriers Blackburn and Savages’ Christmas Party, Wharehine 1922.
Picnickers at Oneriri on Boxing Day 1903.
Support shines on summer art
Organisers of the annual Great Summer Art Exhibition, held at Snells Beach from December 30 to January 2, have wrapped up one of the most well-attended events in the exhibition’s 31-year history.
Proceeds from the art show benefit the Mahurangi East Tennis Club.
Normally, the exhibition is held at the Mahurangi East Community Centre, but due to the current renovations, it moved to the space next to the new Four Square.
Tennis club president Maureen Bernie says the new venue made all the difference.
“Being next door to the Four Square definitely impacted foot traffic, with around 700 people through the doors every day,” Bernie said. “We are very appreciative of landlord Denis Horner’s generosity and Four Square owner David Whyman’s support by offering discounted coffee for exhibition visitors.”
A total of 338 artworks by 126 artists were displayed, and there were 30 cash and carry tables. An estimated 2300 visitors attended over the three days, including 150 on the opening night.
Judges Elena Nikolaeva and Christine den Hartogh, from Mangawhai Artists Inc, described the standard of artwork as very high overall.
Bernie said that cash and carry sales and door donations were all higher than last year and 53 per cent of exhibitors sold something during the exhibition.
Snells Beach artist Jonathan Bourla won the Established Section, sponsored by Chemwash Rodney, with his picture Honour Guard. Mangawhai’s Jocelyn Friis was second. Whangaparaoa artist Cherry Wright won the Intermediate Section, sponsored by Withers & Co, and Finn Stevenson, of Warkworth, won the Emerging Section, sponsored by Summerset Retirement Village.
Shanti Marrow and Hayley Miller won the Mahurangi College Student Awards,
sponsored by Snells Beach Superette.
The judges presented Encouragement Awards to Richard Pound, of Snells Beach, and Val Hunter, of Whangaparaoa. Along with winning the Encouragement Award, Pound also sold two of his four exhibited works.
In a change from previous years, there was no separate photography category, so photography entries were included in all categories.
“The result was very successful with quite a different artistic style presented as photographic art,” Bernie said.
For the third year in a row, Shanna Olivier won the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by John Allen Law.
Bernie said the community support for the annual event was always very rewarding for the large group of tennis club volunteers who pulled it all together.
“There were lots of positive comments about the change of venue, the quality and variety of artworks, and for the continued efforts of the tennis club to support the art community. Many thanks to the judges, sponsors, volunteers and all the artists and visitors.”
The exhibition will return to the community hall at the end of this year.
Milky Way Glow Worm Cave
A destination like no other, hosting a diverse range of nature-based activities and environments including the Milky Way Glow Worm Cave and the Jurassic Walks. See NZ’s world-famous glow worms, pristine cave formations, stalactites, stalagmites and flow stones. Learn about the glow worms and geology of the recently opened Milky Way Glow Worm Cave. This is one of only a few caves in NZ where you can take photographs.
The Jurassic Walks, spread over 320 acres, has multiple tracks through the karst limestone and biodiverse native bush. Rock climbers can climb one of 3 climbing crags with many routes. Bike on the farm roads and meet the friendly farm animals.
Visit for the day or stay for several at one of our three tent or motorhome camping areas with cooking, toilet and shower facilities.
Established section winner Jonathan Bourla.
TTE DESIGNS
TTE DESIGNS
ThomasF.ErringtonDip.Arch.ARIBA
ArchitecturalDesigner PO Box 83
Warkworth
Designer P 09 425 0512
0512
0274 532 495
Ph 09 425 0512
09 425 0514
Fax 09 425 0514
0274 532 495
Mob 0274 532 495
APPLIANCE REPAIRS
A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/ Simpson dryers. Prompt service 021 168 7349.
CARPETS
CARPET ADVICE
Free Quote for Steam Cleans, Carpet Repairs, 35 years experience https://carpetadvice.co.nz/ Dwyane 027 499 7929
DRIVEWAYS
MAINTENANCE Grading, rolling & metalling for rural Driveways. No job too BIG or small. Contact Trevor tlc.trev@hotmail.com
DVDS & VIDEOS
DVD
VIDEOS TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Phone or txt Tetotara Video 021 777 385
Blue Skies Cleaning
Window Cleaning, Soft Bio House Wash, Gutter Clean, All Exterior Cleaning, Water Blasting, Roof Treatment, Local Professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849
COLLINS ELECTRONICS
HAVE YOU LOST CHANNELS? Or need your Freeview box tuned for the new channels? Freeview installations & new Freeview boxes for sale. TV repairs & installation, microwave oven repairs. Ph Paul 027 29 222 04
HOUSE WASHING - Soft Wash / Low Pressure / Chemical Wash Also Window Cleaning / Gutter Clearing / Decks / Concrete. Careful service, reasonable rates. qualitywash.co.nz 021 057 9743
SECTION SERVICES
Trees: BIG, small, difficult. Pruned. Removed. One off section tidy-ups. Hedge reductions. Insured. Experienced. Ph or text for a quote. Dom 027 222 1223
CLEANING Local professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849.
Classifieds
MOVING
Experienced Owner Operator 30 years. Single items Flat/ House lots. Silverdale based. Ph Gavin 0274 973 867
PEST CONTROL Eradication of rats & mice. Competitive Rates. Ph 426 2253 Ph 027 286 7321, www.noratsandmice.nz
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICE DESKS
A reminder to the public that the JP Service Desks are available as follows: Warkworth, at the Library Monday 10am – 2pm If there is a long weekend, it is the following Tuesday from 10am to 12noon Matakana, Cinema Complex Tuesday 11am-1pm Warkworth RSA Fridays 3.30pm to 5pm No appointment is needed. There is no cost.
At all other times there are plenty of other JP’s available in the Warkworth/Mahurangi Area, either in the Warkworth Community phone book, or on-line “find a JP”. Supported by Mahurangi Matters
LOOKING FOR COMPANION for an elderly or lonely relative? I'm not a cook, cleaner or a caregiver, but happy to visit several times a week as a companion. Please call Rose to discuss 027 478 1952. References available.
NETBALL RODNEY CENTRE
Thursday 20th February 2025, 7pm at the Netball Rodney Centre office in Centennial Park, Wellsford. For more information please email netballrodneycenter@ xtra.co.nz
FRONT-LINE WORKER ADIO WELLSFORD
PART TIME POSITION
ADIO Trust needle exchange in Wellsford is looking for a parttime staff member. Hours are to be determined.
We are a peer-based organisation and particularly invite people to apply who have a lived or living experience of injecting drug use. Empathy, maintaining confidentiality and a nonjudgemental approach to others is essential, as is honesty and reliability. Duties include distributing equipment and providing advice about harm reduction to clients. You must be capable of working unsupervised on a day-to-day basis. Induction and training will be provided to the successful applicant, and you will be supported by your manager based in Whangarei. If you think you would be suitable for this position please contact Colin Mexted, Operations Manager ADIO Trust on 021 156 8456 or colin.mexted@adio.org.nz for further information.
ADIO Trust is a charity and receives funding from Health NZ to provide a Public Health Service.
AIR BNB CLEANER
wanted for Matakana Retreat Lodge & Glamping 8-10hrs per week available immediately. Duties will include; training + weekly deep clean + occasional weekend turnover. Applicant needs to have flexibility with their time, available some weekends while in training & have reliable transport.
Phone Damon to enquire: 021 308 415
CNC MACHINIST
Warkworth, Auckland
ITSS Engineering seeks a selfstarter with programming and machining experience. Ideal for a qualified tradesperson ready to tackle diverse, challenging projects in a supportive environment.
Email: kent@itsseng.nz
Website: www.itsseng.nz
Join us and make your mark in precision engineering!
PART TIME SCHOOL LUNCH KAIMAHI
Required at Te Hana Te Ao Marama, Te Hana.
Up to 20 hours approximately per week. Some flexibility available with School holidays off.
Reliable and enthusiastic School Lunch (Kaimahi) ladies are required to prepare healthy school lunches for a Local School. Responsibilities include meal planning, food preparation, experience with ability to navigate around allergen requirements is important , excellent hygiene and maintaining a clean kitchen environment.
If you have experience in food preparation and enjoy working with others.
Please get in touch Virginia.
Warriner@wananga.ac.nz Or tehana@xtra.co.nz
Closing date is 3rd February 2025
PART TIME ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR
Required at Te Hana Te Ao Marama, Te Hana.
Up to 20 hours approximately per week.
Some flexibility available with regard to days and times per week.
Scope of work includes: administration of Xero accounting system; preparation of invoice; compilation of invoices for payment; IRD payments including GST and WT; backing and maintaining till floats; excel spread sheets; compiling monthly financial reports; provide assistance in preparation of accountability reporting; preparation of annual financials for accounting and auditing purposes. Prepare Annual Budget. Monitoring and recording Grant Funding; Costing quotes; Coding and costing stock. The applicant must be familiar with Xero accounting system and Payroll and be able to provide monthly financial updates to Trustees and be able to work alongside office admin. Please get in touch Virginia.
Warriner@wananga.ac.nz Or tehana@xtra.co.nz
Closing date is 3rd February 2025
Animals
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•
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Rachel Blackie, Wellsford Vet Clinic https://wellsfordvet.com/
Ear cleaning basics
Tis the season for pet ear infections, particularly in dogs. Why is that, and what can we do to prevent it? Prime suspect number one is humidity. Heat plus lingering damp (due to swimming, washing or just the weather) equals humidity, which sparks up an itchy yeasty overgrowth in the long ear canal of our furry friends.
Signs of yeast infections are brown sticky substance (exudate) visible within the ear, redness and behavioural changes. Yeast overgrowth in the external ear canal can be quite irritating or itchy, then a dirty great foot and set of claws goes in the ear to scratch it! Sometimes the ear is rubbed along the ground, introducing dirt and/or grass seeds, and even your pet’s own fur can be pushed down deep into the ear canal making the situation much worse. And so the “itch-scratch cycle” begins, which can lead to more serious problems if the ear canal isn’t cleaned. Some dogs, especially those with food allergies and thyroid issues, need their ears cleaned weekly just to prevent ear problems.
helping to control yeast overgrowth.
Prevention is always better than cure, and it’s fairly simple when explained with a diagram of the dog’s ear canal (which is similar to cats). In the accompanying diagram, we see a schematic cross-section of a dog’s ear. We are concentrating on the “external ear” structures:
1. the pinna (ear flap)
2. the vertical ear canal
3. the ear drum.
Between 2 and 3 is the horizontal ear canal.
To clean your pet’s ear canals, use a veterinary “ear cleaner” liquid (no script required) to loosen sticky build-up, while
Don’t leave animals in cars
A good method is to have treats ready and use them as required. Secure your pet, grasp the ear flap (1) with one hand and hold the open bottle of ear cleaner with the other. Invert and pour the ear cleaner deep into the vertical ear canal (2) while still holding the ear flap. Then put the cleaner bottle down, and use that hand to massage the vertical ear canal (felt as a tube on the side of the head) for one to two minutes. Then let go and let them shake their head, which helps get out debris loosened by the massage with ear cleaner. If the ears are particularly grubby and smelly, cleaning can be repeated twice daily for seven days, because then even the deepest of debris can be loosened by the cleaner and shaken out.
Signs of infection that require a vet visit are when your dog shows pain, either when ear cleaner is applied as explained, or when the ear is rubbed below the pinna (the ear flap). You don’t need a consult to collect ear cleaner for prevention, though. Looking for videos ‘how to use ear cleaner in dogs’ online can also be helpful.
The SPCA is reminding dog owners that it takes only minutes for an animal left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. A spokesperson says the temperature inside a closed vehicle in the sun can reach 50 degrees Celsius in less than 15 minutes. “Temperatures inside vehicles can rise rapidly, even when parked in the shade with the windows open,” they say. “If you must take your dog with you in the car, bring fresh water and a non-spill water dish for them, and take them with you when you leave the car. If you love your dog, don’t leave them in a car.” Dog owners can be fined $300 for leaving a dog in the car, and if the welfare impact on the animal is significant, owners can face prosecution. SPCA officers have the right to hand out infringement notices and fines to people who do this. Bystanders worried about dogs trapped in hot cars should call the police or SPCA on 0800 SPCA NZ immediately.
Kaipara dominates farmer comp
The odds of a local taking out the northern regional title in the 2025 Young Farmer of the Year competition are stacked pretty high this year, with five of the seven finalists coming from the Kaipara Young Farmers club.
Port Albert dairy farmer Kurtis Danks, digger driver Kate Hawkings, Wellsford bull farmer Jamie Hodges, Waipu dairy assistant Justin Mann and Tomarata dairy farmer Daniel Richards will all be competing in the annual farming skills contest at Helensville A&P Showgrounds on Saturday, February 1.
Several of the Kaipara finalists are already old hands at the annual FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition, which involves a day of up to 10 practical challenges, such as fencing, agronomy and stock judging, followed by an intense head-to-head agricultural knowledge quiz in the evening. There’s an added twist of domestic rivalry for two of the group this year, as Hawkings and Richards are not just club competitors, but partners as well.
The northern region currently has six young farmers clubs – Auckland, Bay of Islands, Franklin, Kaipara, Northern Wairoa and Whangarei. The remaining two northern finalists are Justin Ruygrok from Franklin Young Farmers and Jack Holloway of the Auckland Young Farmers club.
The Helensville event is first of seven regional finals that are running from February to April, which also include Junior Young Farmer of the Year and AgriKidsNZ contests for even younger would-be farmers. The winner on February 1 will go on to represent the northern region against six other competitors at the national grand final, which this year is being held in Invercargill from July 3 to 5.
The annual competition aims to raise the profile of agriculture among the general public, as well as providing an opportunity for young farmers to test their skills and gain knowledge about all aspects of modern farming. Info: https://www.youngfarmers.co.nz/ contest Kurtis Danks
Daniel Richards
Jamie Hodges
Justin Mann
Kate Hawkings
RODNEY PROUD SPONSORS OF
ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of
Fishing competition The annual Salty Dog Social Club Fishing Competition and Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, February 1. Competition packs can be collected from the Salty Dog Inn on January 31. For more information and to get an entry form, contact Jez on 027 410 5154 or email officetsdsc@yahoo.com with the subject line Salty Dog Fishing Comp 2025. The family fun day, including a bouncy castle, games, lucky dips & more, will be held from 4-6pm at The Salty Dog. The fishing competition prizegiving will be held from 6pm. All welcome.
Free summer sports Thanks to funding from Rodney Local Board, there are a number of free sports activities happening across Mahurangi in January and February. On the water activities include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and waka paddling sessions, while in parks there’s the chance to bounce around in bubble soccer, improve skating skills at skateboarding clinics or have a go at Hungerball. For details visit https://www.aucklandleisure.co.nz/out-about-auckland/
Bayleys business house tennis The Bayleys Business House 2025 season kicks off on Wednesday, February 5, and runs until mid-April. Matches are primarily held in Warkworth, with a few scheduled at Snells Beach. Games will take place each Wednesday at 5.45pm or 7.15pm. Full details, including the draw and schedule can be found at https://www.facebook.com/warkworthrackets
Wellsford colour run Get ready for a burst of colour, excitement, and community spirit at this year’s Wellsford Colour Run on Saturday, February 15. Fundraiser for the Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade. Hosted by Wellsford Plus, Lions and the Fire Brigade. For more information and registrations please visit https://barefootsport.bbtiming.com/event/592
New Zealand Diving Warkworth Upcoming Poor Knights dive charter and hammerhead experience charters open for registration for January and February. New Zealand Diving offers training for all divers, whether a complete beginner or interested in deep, cave or any kind of technical diving. A new wing of free diving, including hunting and gathering courses are now available as well. Instructors can offer tailored courses to suit requirements SSI & SDI. For a list of further diving events, visit https://www.facebook.com/NZDIVE/events/
Sam Woolford, LegaSea Project Lead sam@legasea.co.nz
Think before you toss
Fishers are being urged to think twice this summer before discarding fish frames and offcuts overboard in popular bays and anchorages. This often-unintentional act could attract unwanted sharks. You’d be hard-pressed to find a bronze whaler shark who would turn down a free feed of fish heads and frames. But that could have serious consequences, potentially putting the kids swimming, or your mates, at risk of being mistaken for shark food.
Shark scientists and conservationists have worked hard to improve the perception of sharks through education and awareness. After all, sharks are important creatures in marine ecosystems. But we are in their environment and they are the apex predator.
It’s human nature to feel alarmed at the thought of sharks where we swim. Thankfully, most common shark species in New Zealand are unlikely to attack unless provoked or near a food source.
Feed a family rather than feeding the sharks your fish heads and frames. Keep them on ice in the chilly bin and list them on the Free Fish Heads app within 48 hours. Free Fish Heads is an extension of the Kai Ika Project, which in the last five years has distributed more than half a million kilograms of fish heads and frames to local communities instead of it being sent to landfill.
The Free Fish Heads app makes it easier than ever to share fish heads and other fish offcuts with those who value these delicious parts of the fish. Simply register for free, put a photo and description of your fish heads and frames, and then wait for a lucky person to accept your offer.
If you’re desperate to gut or gill your fish while the boat is anchored, keep the offcuts in a bucket and tip it overboard on your way home, away from the shore.
A successful and peaceful day out fishing shouldn’t be tainted by a preventable shark attack. By not throwing your fish overboard and using the Free Fish Heads app, you can help keep your loved ones safe and provide a tasty meal for a human, not a shark.
Bronze whalers are smart, and equipped with the ability to learn and retain information. In particular, they are learning that boats anchoring in sheltered bays often offer an easy meal. This learned behaviour is increasing the chances of shark encounters.
Simply swimming or diving is unlikely to cause an incident. But if a boat near you is discarding fish heads and frames, the risk of a shark mistaking you for a snack increases.
To download the app, go to https://kaiika.co.nz/freefishheads/
To keep everyone safe, we need to be cautious and mindful about our actions while on the water. This summer is the perfect time to change old habits. Photo, LegaSea/Amber Jones.
See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/ for a full list of upcoming events
January
22 Kayaking, Algies Bay boat ramp, 11.30am. Free. Info & updates: Out and About Auckland on Facebook.
25 Tapora Land & Coastcare Group 21st Anniversary, Tapora Community Hall, 10am-4pm. Pōwhiri, nursery opening, market, lunch and tour. Info and registration: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/taporalandcare21 (see feature p15-17)
25 Mahurangi Regatta, Sullivan’s Bay, Mahurangi West, 10am. Classic yacht racing, children’s beach races, sandcastle competition, etc. (see story p13)
26 Tapora Family Fun Day, Birds Beach Domain, 11.30am-2.30pm. Fundraiser for Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust. Games, races, water slide, sausage sizzle, raffles, colouring competition and more. All welcome. (see story p23)
26 Puhoi Market, Puhoi Domain, 9am. Live music, local food and craft, antiques and collectibles.
30 Mahurangi Artist Studio Trail opening night, Warkworth Town Hall, 6-8pm (see story p34)
31-Feb 9 Mahurangi Artist Studio Trail, 10am-4pm daily. 48 artists and 25 studios open to the public. Trail Central at Warkworth Town Hall. Info and maps: https://www.mahurangiartistnetwork.com (see story p34)
February
1 Salty Dog Inn Fishing Competition, Snells Beach, 3am-4pm. Kids games, sausage sizzle, etc. 4-6pm. Barbecue and main prizegiving 6pm. Info and registration: Email officetsdsc@yahoo.com (see story and ad p37)
1 FMG Young Farmer of the Year Northern Regional final, Helensville A&P Showgrounds, 8am (see story p45)
1 Paparoa A&P Show, 2062 Paparoa Valley Road, 9am. Livestock, equestrian, shearing, stalls, etc. Entry $25 family pass, adults $10, children $5 per child for first two, all others free, under 5s free. (see story p35)
1 Stand-up Paddleboarding & Kayaking, Algies Bay boat ramp, 10am. Free. Info & updates: Out and About Auckland on Facebook
2 Wetland restoration launch & information, Tawharanui Regional Park, noon2.30pm (see story p11)
3-7 Bob Marley Exhibition, Rodney Rams clubrooms, Whangateau, 10am-4pm. (see story p35)
5 Retired Men’s Coffee Morning, The Coffee Club, The Grange, Warkworth, 10.30am. Camaraderie and chat with Men’s Rebus. You don’t have to be a member, strictly social. Info: Ron 422 3111.
6 Back Bar Jazz, The Bridgehouse, Warkworth, 6-9pm. First show of 2025. Free, all welcome
9 Kiwi Bubble Soccer and Hungerball, Shoesmith Reserve, Warkworth, 10am. Free. Info & updates: Out and About Auckland on Facebook
9 Waipu Car & Bike Show, Caledonian Park, 10am-2pm. Vehicle display, stalls, food, live entertainment, prizes. Entry $10, family pass $30. Info: Ron 021 992 445 or waipucarandbikeshow@gmail.com
15 Wellsford Charity Colour Run, Centennial Park, 9am. Fundraiser for Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade. 10km run, 5km walk and 5km run, plus food trucks, games and activities. Registration from $15. Info: Wellsford Colour Run on Facebook or https://barefootsport.bbtiming.com/
15 Stand-up Paddleboarding & Kayaking, Mathesons Bay, 10am. Free. Info & updates: Out and About Auckland on Facebook
15 Warkworth Holistic Health and Wellness Day, Bridge Clubrooms, 2 Alnwick St, Warkworth, 11am-2pm. Free mini-sessions and wellness information. All welcome. Info: www.wellnesshub.nz
15&22 Girls Skate NZ Skateboard Clinic, Snells Beach Skatepark, 2pm. Free. Info & updates: Out and About Auckland on Facebook
15 Matakana Opera Picnic, Ward Road, off Matakana Valley Road, 6pm. Info and tickets: www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz (see add p35)
16 Petrus Fourie, Auckland-based singer and guitarist, Tahi Bar Warkworth, 4-6pm
17 Warkworth Men’s Rebus, Shoesmith Hall, Warkworth, 10am. Monthly meeting and AGM. Are you retired, missing your mates and feeling isolated? This could be for you. All welcome. Info: Ron 422 3111.
18 Warkworth Quilt Club Meeting, Shoesmith Hall, 10am-2pm. Guest speakers, demonstrations, and help with quilting. Meets on the third Tuesday of every month. New members and guests welcome. Info: Jenny Warren 09 422 4046
24 Dave Flynn Celtic guitar journey, Whangateau Hall Folk Music and Social Club, Leigh Road, 7pm
List your event by emailing the details to online@localmatters.co.nz
Sunset Dinners
For the first time ever, enjoy full-service dinners under the twilight sky! Thurs, Fri, and Sat, 27th December – 7th February.
Twilight Walks
Experience the Sculpture Trail bathed in the golden light of twilight. Open late through summer!
Live DJs in The Row
Every Saturday, 4pm–8pm, enjoy live DJ sets bringing the perfect summer vibe
New Summer Shuttle!
Live locally? Get around to all your favourite venues this summer with the new hop-on, hop-off shuttle running on a set route, so you can relax and leave the car at home.
www.brickbay.co.nz/summer
All dressed up for club’s 25th
Warkworth Dressage Group celebrated its 25th anniversary last month and to mark the occasion ran a competition day at the Warkworth Showgrounds on December 22, which is where it all began.
A sub-branch of Dressage Waitemata for local riders, the club was originally founded in 1999 by life members Julia Fraser, Gillian Carline and Julie Barclay.
Subsequently, the first club event was held at the showgrounds in February 2000 – back then, the arenas were set up in a paddock, where the rugby fields are presently.
Warkworth Dressage Group president Diana Sonerson says they’ve still got a paddock, which they share with different equestrian groups, but it’s a bit more sophisticated these days and the club is still going strong.
“I was there at the first show as well. I’ve been a member right the way through, and president for about five years. I’ve seen the club change over the past 25 years but we’ve always been at the Warkworth Showgrounds.”
To celebrate the milestone, the club had 25th anniversary competition rosettes made up for the dressage.
“It would’ve been quite special to win one of those,” Sonerson says.
The event comprised mainly local riders but it had competitors from as far away as South Auckland and Kaiwaka.
“We had a normal show day, but then we stopped for a barbeque lunch with sausages and burgers, which we don’t normally do in dressage, you just carry on through.
“And we had our life members there for a cake cutting.”
Spot prizes were supplied by local businesses including PGG Wrightson Wellsford, the Farm and Lifestyle Centre in Warkworth, Advance Dairy & Pump in Wellsford, and Fosse Leather.
“The weather was great. It wasn’t too hot and the rain stayed away, so it was a good day.”
Sonerson says anyone can come and give dressage a go at the club, and on any horse – it doesn’t have to be a particular breed.
“People are still riding dressage in their late 60s and 70s. Our youngest rider at the anniversary competition day was only three or four.
“We’re not big enough to separate young riders from adults so all the age groups are competing against each other.
“And the kids hold their own against adults, I can tell you that!” she says.
