Mahurangi Matters_Issue 497_3 February 2025

Skywork gutted by council contract snub

Rodney residents weren’t the only ones feeling annoyed by a helicopter flying back and forth over their properties in December and early January.

Skywork Helicopters was also irritated by the chopper whirring overhead, but for a different reason – it wasn’t one of theirs.

The helicopter belonged to Christchurch Helicopters and was carrying out a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey on behalf of Auckland Council and the

University of Canterbury to capture data to be used for improving flood resilience.

Co-owner of Skywork Miriam Stevenson says her company could have done the LiDAR survey work if they had known about the job or been contacted by the council (and invited to tender).

“It’s a massive contract and it’s very disappointing not to be used – we’ve done this sort of work before, and we’re totally capable of it. Our pilots have all the

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ECO MIX LOW CARBON CONCRETE

experience and skills required to do it.

“These are the types of jobs that help local businesses stay in business. We employ local people, pay rates and often provide other services.

“We’re the ones that get called out to do the storm damage work like in Cyclone Gabrielle. For firefighting, we’re on call 24/7. So it was a bit disappointing when you go to work and you’ve got another helicopter flying over you.”

Stevenson says there’s probably a couple of other helicopter companies in the Auckland region that could have been asked to do the survey without going to the South Island.

“The camera mounted on the helicopter used for the LiDAR surveying is owned by the university.

“So the council has obviously established a relationship with them from doing other work, which is quite common. But I think

continued page 2

Skywork co-owner Miriam Stevenson (pictured at the Skywork base in Warkworth) says her company was more than capable of carrying out the LiDAR survey for Auckland Council.

February 3, 2025 – Issue 497

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We service

Skywork gutted by council contract snub

what if we went down there and did their work, imagine what would happen then.”

Stevenson adds that Christchurch Helicopters is a good company, and that the onus is more on Auckland Council, which gave them the contract.

She says transporting the helicopter up to Rodney would have cost Auckland ratepayers a lot more money than using Skywork, which has bases located at Warkworth and Tāwharanui.

“You’re probably talking about $15,000 to $20,000 extra cost to fly the helicopter up here from the South Island, plus all the emissions. Whereas you use a local helicopter company, you’re already here.”

Mahurangi Matters reached out to Christchurch Helicopters for comment but did not receive a response.

Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters asset lifecycle manager, Nina Sardareva, says Auckland is one of many councils across New Zealand working with the University of Canterbury’s Waterways Centre to establish a method for capturing LiDAR data in complex environments, such as valleys, terraces and floodplains.

“This will enable Auckland Council to capture highly detailed imaging and data that will be used to help enhance flood resilience in the future,” Sardareva says.

Fire destroys Warkworth’s little steamer

The classically designed steamboat Kotare burned to the waterline on Thursday night, January 30. The 23-foot wooden vessel, which has been a feature of the Warkworth Wharf for many years, is a replica boat, built about 20 years ago. Owner Daniel Hicks was on board at the time of the fire but escaped without injury. A bystander said other boats at the wharf, including the historic scow Jane Gifford, were not threatened. The hull of the Kotare was removed from the river the following morning and it is believed the damage may be beyond repair. The cause of the blaze has not yet been established.

“The University of Canterbury are national leader in this field. They work with Christchurch Helicopters to carry out this work as they have the instruments and tools required to do so.

“The university’s Waterways Centre is covering the costs of some of the data capture, analysis and development of the tools as part of this partnership work, as it will help further their research and development of the new procedure.”

Sardareva says once the procedure and

systems for capturing and using this data have been set up through this work with the university, council will “absolutely” look to commission local helicopter companies to carry out this work on their behalf.

“Before this can happen, we need to establish the process and develop the tools required to capture the type of data we need to, in our complex and challenging environments.”

More survey work is planned for early this month.

The flight path of the helicopter surveying the Matakana, Omaha, and Tawharanui areas. Image, Flightradar24.

Tāwharanui

Matakana

Snells Beach Dome Valley Point Wells

Algies Bay Kawau Island

The Kotare in better days.

Council cops it after dog poisoned at cement works

Matakana resident Mike Wood has expressed his frustration to Auckland Council for not displaying signage warning of a toxic algal bloom more prominently at the Warkworth Cement Works, after his dog was poisoned while swimming there.

Wood says he didn’t see the sign (that was later pointed out to him) when he arrived because it was over to the left as he approached the lake, and possibly some people were standing in front of it.

He only became aware of the possible contamination of the lake after he was approached by a member of the public, who asked if he had seen the Public Health Warning sign, saying that there may be cyanobacteria in the water.

But by then it was too late.

His dog Oscar, a huntaway/beagle cross, had already been in the water, swimming back and forth retrieving a frisbee thrown by Wood from the shore.

Wood says after his swim he took Oscar home and “he was looking really subdued”.

“He was drooling quite badly, which I’d never seen him do before. So I did some research online about cyanobacteria and what I read scared the pants off me – I discovered drooling is one of the symptoms of cyanobacterial toxicity.

“I took him to Paws and Claws (veterinary clinic in Warkworth) that evening and the vet gave him a whole lot of activated charcoal to soak up the toxins, then suggested we take him to the Albany Pet Hospital because they’re open 24 hours,” he says.

At the hospital, Oscar vomited up the charcoal in the carpark and seemed to “perk up a bit”, so Wood took him home.

That was a few weeks ago and since then Oscar has been “on and off”, which prompted Wood to call the council.

“I said to them there’s one sign for that whole area. One sign is pathetic, because you can access the pond from other directions, so there’s the very real risk of people not seeing the sign at all,” he says.

“I think if it’s that serious, the whole area should be taped off.”

Wood posted on social media “as soon as he could” to warn people about the algal bloom at the cement works and has received a lot of support.

“I think a lot of people are concerned there wasn’t sufficient warning.”

Wood says to make matters worse the number for council on the Public health warning sign at the lake was incorrect –it had the ‘03’ area code, which is for the South Island, instead of ‘09’.

Auckland Council licensing and environmental health manager Mervyn Chetty says council is aware of algal bloom at the Warkworth Cement Works.

“Our staff immediately went to the site to place signage in the area and have since continued to monitor the situation.

“At the time, two signs were erected. One at the entrance where cars drive in and the other by the water next to a picnic table.

Since then, we’ve arranged additional signage and replaced those with the incorrect details,” he says.

“Cordoning off the area isn’t feasible unless we look at closing off the entire park. In this instance, we have issued warnings on Safeswim and placed signs instead.

“We are continuing to monitor the algae blooms around the region and in the meantime, ask the community to report any sightings to council and follow our advice – you can find this on [council website] OurAuckland.”

When Mahurangi Matters visited the cement works on Friday, January 24, we saw two signs – one was to the right of the path as you enter the lake area beneath two other signs, the other was placed on the middle door of the public toilets.

Young people we spoke on site had seen the signs, but decided to swim anyway.

The Alcohol ban area sign by the carpark was far more visible.

A second warning sign is displayed on the middle door of the toilet block, on the right as you approach the lake.

Mike Wood says his dog Oscar was poisoned after swimming at the Warkworth Cement Works.

This Alcohol ban area sign is prominently placed by the carpark.

The Public Health Warning sign is displayed to the right of the entrance. In the background, a young man has just been for a swim.

Exhibition tells Auschwitz stories

Wellsford has been chosen as the setting for two major events to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

On Sunday, January 26, more than 200 people gathered in the town’s community centre to hear guest speakers that included Holocaust survivor, lawyer and educator Bob Narev, and educational and social activist Dame Lesley Max.

They shared their reflections on the Holocaust, antisemitism and their own experiences before lighting candles in remembrance of the millions of Jewish people killed by Hitler’s Nazi regime.

The event was organised by the Holocaust and Antisemitism Foundation, Aotearoa New Zealand, a charitable educational trust founded in 2012 by a Tomarata couple, photographer and media producer Perry Trotter and historian Dr Sheree Trotter.

The Trotters have also put together a powerful and haunting exhibition, Auschwitz. Now., which is running in the community hall at 267 Rodney Road in Wellsford until late February. Consisting of two rooms fully lined with black cloth, the first display is of large format photographs taken at Auschwitz in 2019 by Perry Trotter. The Polish death camp saw 1.3 million people, 1.1 million of them Jewish, tortured and murdered by Nazis during World War II.

The second room is lined with 28 black and white close-up portraits of Holocaust survivors, each of whom were photographed and interviewed by the Trotters, and whose individual testimonies play out on a continuous loop of three-minute videos displayed at the far end of the room.

Sheree Trotter says their work to record survivors’ stories began in 2008 on a trip to Israel, where they met Holocaust survivors living on a kibbutz who had been children during the war.

“Perry created their stories in three-minute videos, as we wanted to communicate with the younger generation and thought they might take the time to sit and watch a short video,”

she says. “Part of our concern is conveying the reality and history of the Holocaust to a new generation who have no interest, or don’t feel connected, and who might not want to read a book or watch a film about it.

“Over the years, we’ve interviewed more and more survivors, from New Zealand, Australia, the US and Israel, and that’s been the core of our work.”

The resulting exhibition has been staged in museums and galleries all over NZ, including the National Army Museum at Waiouru and in the NZ Parliament, as well as in Dubai.

Sheree says the timing of the exhibition’s Wellsford run could not be more pertinent, due to the recent rise in antisemitism around the world and here in NZ.

“Antisemitism has increased exponentially in NZ,” she says. “New Zealand Jews only account for 0.2 per cent of the population, yet reported hate crimes directed against the Jewish community have surged, accounting for 13 per cent of all reported hate crimes in Auckland alone, and 40 per cent of the physical assaults were on children at school.

“There’s so much ignorance around it, but unfortunately antisemitism has this gift for reinventing itself for a new generation.”

Trotter says with fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors left to tell their stories, it is vitally important to keep their experiences alive, to teach coming generations the dangers of hating people because of religion or race.

“Six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, including 1.5 million children. There are around one million children in New Zealand today – imagine no children in New Zealand! It’s hard for us to get our heads around,” she says.

Auschwitz. Now. is open daily from 10am to 5pm this month, though as it relies on volunteers, text 021 049 5787 to confirm times. Schools and community group bookings welcomed. Volunteer helpers also welcome.

Info: https://holocaustfoundation.com/ wellsford

www.webstermalcolm.co.nz

Les Miller & Jackie Woolerton - Webster Malcolm Law

Perry and Sheree Trotter have put together a remarkable exhibition that is powerful and moving.

Lest anyone forget – important testimonies have been preserved for posterity.

People came from as far away as Whangarei and Auckland for the Wellsford Holocaust Remembrance Day event.

Auschwitz. Now. is running at the hall next to Wellsford’s Church of Christ.

Puhoi pub given helping hand

The ongoing job of maintaining and preserving Puhoi’s iconic pub has been given a financial shot in the arm, thanks to a $50,000 grant from Auckland Council’s regional historic heritage fund.

The award was one of 21 grants totalling $530,000 in this year’s programme, which aims to encourage community involvement in the care of regionally significant historic heritage places.

Pub owner Bernie McCallion said the money would go towards repairing the hotel’s damaged verandah structure, and repainting the outside and roof of the twostorey building.

“This funding will make a significant difference in enabling us to bring The Puhoi Pub Hotel and Stables back to life,” she said.

“We appreciate council’s support and commitment to help the hub of Puhoi be used to its full extent, and allowing the verandah to be safe and secure for tourists and the community.”

The Puhoi pub was established by John Schollum, a Bohemian migrant who arrived in Puhoi in 1863 and opened The German Hotel in 1876, offering accommodation for both patrons and their horses. The current pub building replaced the original hotel in 1901 and it is believed the name changed to the Puhoi Hotel around the time of World War I.

The pub is scheduled as a historic heritage place under the Auckland Unitary Plan, recorded as “standing out as a local landmark due to its height and picturesque appearance”.

McCallion has owned the historic inn since 2020, when she bought it from Gillian Seymour, whose family had been landlords since 1962.

As well as it’s attractive whiteboard exterior, the pub is well-known for its vast collection of memorabilia that lines the timber walls of the bar, with everything from antique signs and tools to old bottles and bank notes filling every inch of space.

The grant will help with repairs to the pub’s picturesque verandah.

Have your say on changes to dog rules

Mahurangi residents and dog owners have just under three weeks left to have their say on proposals that include limiting the number of dogs that can be walked by one person and creating stricter dog access rules at several local reserves, beaches and regional parks.

Feedback on Auckland Council’s latest review of dog policy and bylaws is open until February 23, with a number of online and in-person sessions with staff and elected members, as well as online forms, email, post and phone options.

The main changes being proposed are limiting the number of dogs a person can walk at any one time to a maximum of six, of which no more than three can be offleash.

Council also wants to change dog access rules in 14 regional parks and 64 local reserves and beaches across Auckland.

Locally, this would mean limited changes at Mahurangi, Te Arai and Pakiri Regional Parks, most notably council falling in with an existing dog ban on Pakiri Beach already imposed by local landowners.

In addition, there would be more significant changes to dog access rules at four local reserves and beaches to prevent the spread of kauri dieback and protect vulnerable and endangered birds, as follows:

Parry Kauri Park, Warkworth – change from dogs being allowed off-leash to having to be on-leash at all times, to prevent dogs going off-track and spreading kauri dieback.

Snells Beach – change from dogs being prohibited on the beach north of Sunburst Reserve boat ramp during certain times/ seasons and on-leash at other times, to dogs being prohibited at all times, and onleash in all adjoining reserves, to protect endangered shorebirds.

Vera Reserve, Baddeleys Creek Reserve and Pigeon Place accessway, Baddeleys Beach – change from being off-leash to onleash at all times, to protect kiwi moving

into the area from Tāwharanui Regional Park.

Wonderview Road esplanade/coastal walkway, Leigh – reduce access from offleash to on-leash, to protect blue penguins nesting along the coastline.

Council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee chair, Councillor Josephine Bartley, said the changes aimed to strike a fair balance for everyone who used Auckland’s public places.

“The changes being put forward aim to keep a good mix of dog-friendly and dogfree spaces so there are places for dogs, and anyone who is not a dog person, to enjoy. This will also help to protect vulnerable wildlife, like endangered shorebirds nesting on our beaches, and kauri in specific places,” she said.

“This aims to respond to concerns in a way that’s fair and reasonable, without imposing unnecessary restrictions.

Ultimately, everyone should feel safe and welcome to visit Auckland’s parks, beaches and public spaces – this is at the heart of these proposals.”

Bartley added that she knew this was a topic that people were passionate about and testing the proposals via public consultation was key to making sure council had it right.

“If this is important to you, I strongly encourage you to have your say online, or at one of the many engagement events being held across the region,” she said. The proposals also intend to make council’s dog policy and bylaw clearer, including the need for any dogs classified as menacing and dangerous to be neutered if they move into the region, rules and exemptions for working dogs and dogs in vehicles, plus dog access rules for places such as council car parks and camping grounds.

The suggested changes had been shaped by early feedback from Aucklanders, interviews with groups and individuals with an interest in dog rules, and analysis

of relevant data, including complaints to council, animal management service requests and dog registrations, council said. For full details on the existing dog policy, the proposed changes, feedback options and engagement opportunities, visit https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/dog-policy-bylaw-and-accessrules or email dogsbylawreview@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Relevant dog rule engagement sessions

Please note that to attend any of these, registration is required at least three business days before each event. The online registration form can be found here: https://shorturl.at/TARAx

Feb 11

7-8pm

Online dog policy, bylaw and regional parks stakeholder session Feb 12

1.30-2.30pm

Have Your Say session, Rodney local dog access rules, Rodney Local Board Office, 296 Main Road, Kumeū

6.30-8pm

Online session on dog policy, bylaw, regional parks and local dog access rules. Staff will provide a short presentation and answer questions.

Dogs could be prohibited year-round from the beach at the northern end of Snells Beach.

The proposals want to change where dogs can be walked on and off-leash.

Community effort helps stem Mahurangi sedimentation

The most recent round of monitoring in the Mahurangi catchment shows positive trends in stream health.

The Mahurangi Land Restoration Programme (MLRP), a community effort aimed at delivering healthier streams, has partnered with more than 50 landowners and community groups over the past five years to tackle sedimentation, the thirdlargest threat to marine habitats.

An estimated 21,000 tonnes of sediment is lost from the Mahurangi catchment annually.

The MLRP is funded through the Ministry for the Environment’s Jobs for Nature programme, with a total investment of $6.515 million.

So far, funding has helped protect 47ha of private land, 13ha of public land and 15km of awa, with 299,561 native plants planted and 11km of fences installed. As the programme nears its end on June 30 next year, only $100,000 remains to be allocated.

The MLRP compares three types of stream environments – unprotected with no plantings (no mitigation), protected with stock exclusion and native plantings (mitigation), and mature native forest (reference).

Key findings show:

• Healthiest streams: Streams in mature native forests had the best water quality and highest diversity of aquatic life

• Positive impact of mitigation: Streams with protective measures like fencing and native plantings showed significant

improvements in habitat quality and insect diversity

• Room for improvement: Even simple land management changes can lead to noticeable improvements in stream health over time

• Resilient fish: Fish diversity was similar across all stream types, indicating resilience but potential for thriving with better habitats

• Water quality: Protecting streams from livestock and planting native vegetation helps reduce sediment and improve water clarity

Land advisor Holly Fleming says the MLRP’s achievements highlight the importance of community involvement in stream protection.

“Small steps can lead to healthier waterways and ecosystems,” she says.

“We encourage landowners in the Mahurangi catchment to apply for the last of the available funds by March 31, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.”

Info: Call or text Holly Fleming on 021 548 818. (See ad p10)

Sediment sensors measure total suspended solids while habitat assessments evaluate overall stream health.

Dr Merrin Whatley checking MLRP water sensors.

Clean sensor Dirty sensor

YouSay

Keep the path

Stan Armiger has made an excellent point (MM, Jan 20) – “If the path is taken away, it will force people onto the beach, which will disturb the birds even more.”

Every time I walk along the beach on this section of the coast path, the birds are happily feeding somewhere on the beach as the tide goes in and out.

On some very happy occasions, a little dotterel will hop over the grass to the path to say hello.

I look forward to watching the birds whenever I walk along this part of the Snells Beach walkway and I do not think the birds are disturbed from feeding under present circumstances.

The beach area is roped off during the nesting season and path removal is not going to stop local cats and those with dogs off leashes from venturing

into any roosting area.

We need to keep this path for all those who enjoy our birdlife, especially the godwits over summer.

Julienne Law, Snells Beach

Subdivision costs

Any chance to conserve an area for birds in the northern end of Snells Beach went with the development of the northern subdivision [Boathouse Bay] in that area, which took all the grass, altered the sand height and filled it with houses.

Slightly further south, residents watched as the big tree that herons loved was demolished, despite the efforts of a treedwelling protester who was eventually forced down.

The majority opinion on stealing reserve land to give to birds is unknown, but the costs of stealing reserve land for a

Council reporting project ends

Jannette Thompson Editor, Mahurangi Matters

Regular readers of this paper will have noticed that over the past three years, we have run many Auckland Council stories written by journalist Laura Kvisgstad. Laura’s position was funded by NZ On Air and involved a collaborative approach by local and regional news organisations, who did not have the resources to have a dedicated Auckland Council reporter. It started in January 2022 with a two-year grant from NZ On Air and was extended for 12 months last year. The project has now finished and its demise will create a void that will be difficult to fill.

When our local councils were absorbed

into the Supercity, the tyranny of distance removed our ability to sit in the chambers, hear debates first-hand and discuss the issues with councillors and staff.

Although we still cover the Rodney Local Board, few regional papers can spare a reporter for a whole day to travel to the city to cover the rest of council.

Therefore, it made sense to collaborate with and hire one reporter to cover council for multiple publications. This meant ratepayers could continue to see how decisions that affected their communities were being made and, particularly, how their local councillors were performing.

Laura’s ability to quote the debates in the chamber, so readers could see the views expressed by their council representatives,

belated ‘we love birds’ policy falls on Snells residents and ratepayers with permanent expectations of a bought-into lifestyle, and they should have the final say.

Mary Doymes,Warkworth

Nurses outstanding

I would have to agree with retired nurse Elizabeth Bluck. Her article about North Shore Hospital in the last edition was 100 per cent right (MM, Jan 20).

I have just come out of North Shore Hospital and was there for 10 nights. I had sliced my big toe and it got infected big time because I didn’t see a doctor straight away. The doctors, nurses and staff were amazing. I couldn’t have been looked after better.

The meals were amazing, good basic food. People that complain about hospital meals just annoy me.

George Winch, Matakana

In stitches

An unwitting sign writer for Vector gave motorists driving south on the main road through Hill Street a good laugh last week. The electronic display board at the notorious Warkworth junction was advising drivers of upcoming works and a detour. However, in thanking them for their forbearance, the hapless scribe conjured troubling images of potential accidents and ambulances, when they made a quite spectacular misspelling of ‘patience’ … (see story p14)

Santa says thanks

Now safely back at the North Pole with the elves, we would like to thank the children, of all ages, and parents for their generosity and hospitality while we sat outside The Photo Store in Warkworth prior to Christmas. Through your generosity, we have been able to donate $500 to the Child Cancer Foundation. Special thanks also to Leanne and Colin from The Photo Store. Be good and we will see you later this year. Santa and Mrs Claus, North Pole

made these councillors accountable. Her departure will mean there will be a lot less scrutiny of councillors and council decisions. It was unfortunate that politicians such as Winston Peters chose to politicise the funding, likening it to a bribe. Nothing could be further from the truth. NZ On Air took a hands-off approach, while still requiring us to be accountable for the funds.

We will do our best to cover council meetings online in future, but it will be impossible to replicate the same depth of coverage. Over the past three years, Laura reported on the Governing Body, its committees, Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs), advisory panels and the Hauraki Gulf Forum. Many of the stories she produced would never have seen the light of day without her coverage.

At the start of the project, our papers were reaching more than 130,000 homes and businesses in the wider Auckland area, as well as our online readerships. That’s a lot of ratepayers who will now be less informed.

A particular benefit of the project was the opportunity to provide readers with an iwi perspective, which had been almost absent from local authority reporting.

Laura looked for stories with a Māori impact focus and stories that raised the voices of mana whenua/mātāwaka at council. She did this by looking at issues raised by the Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB), council’s Māori impact statements and council aligned organisations discussing issues linked to mana whenua.

Viewpoint

Chris Penk, MP for Kaipara ki Mahurangi chris.penkmp@parliament.govt.nz

Cause for optimism

As we step into 2025, I want to share with you my optimism for the future of Auckland’s rural north and highlight the many opportunities in front of us. Yes, I’m very conscious that it’s been a tough few years for many and I don’t seek to downplay that for a moment. Acknowledging that reality doesn’t at all undermine the indications that we have the prospect of better times ahead.

Warkworth and surrounding areas have always displayed resilience, resourcefulness and community spirit. Older readers of Mahurangi Matters will have seen challenging times before, and recognise the signs of a nation and region coming out of a downturn.

New Zealand-wide, we can observe green shoots such as interest rates coming down, the inflation rate now under control (albeit with many prices effectively frozen at a high level) and slow-but-steady economic growth.

At a more local level, the north of Auckland is well positioned to lead the recovery. One of the key drivers of our economic growth will be the return of international and Kiwi tourists. A region with natural beauty, cultural heritage and unique experiences – from the Kaipara Harbour across to Mahurangi – will inevitably do well.

Our agricultural and horticultural sectors are also looking good. With global demand for sustainable and high-quality produce continuing to grow – whatever you might read about the possibility of tariffs being

used as a bargaining chip elsewhere on the globe – the sheer quality of local growers and farmers means we are collectively well positioned.

The elephant in the room is always infrastructure development, which has lagged behind in this area (and all around New Zealand, to be fair) for decades. With

+ MUCH MORE INSTORE!

50-60% o f f

summer on the big issues of this area and I look forward to seeing you around the place over the next 12 months.

Library pick-up system changes

Anyone struggling with Auckland Libraries new paperless pick-up system for collecting pre-ordered books should head to Warkworth Library on February 12. Until May last year, all pre-ordered items were put on collection shelves with a paper slip bearing the name of the person who had requested it, with all items arranged alphabetically by surname. That system was then dropped in favour of numbering the shelves and, instead of named paper slips, sending requesters an email telling them which numbered shelf their item would be on. Warkworth Library has now decided to run a special training session for people struggling with the change. A spokesperson said if anyone was still having trouble finding their books, they should go to the library on February 12 at 10am to learn more about how they can make it work for them.

5 0 %

SHOWER

Make a positive impact on your land and the Mahurangi Harbour by reducing sediment run-off. Apply for land restoration project funding (up to 60%) before 31 March 2025.

Project costs

MLRP funding up to 60%

Farmer contribution 40% (inkind / voluntary labour, cash or funding from another source)

Eligible projects:

Purchasing native plants and labour costs

Fencing materials and labour

Site preparation and maintenance

Setting up alternative water supplies

Mitigating stream bank erosion

Improving fish passages (fully funded)

Scan code for funding guidelines

Contact Holly Fleming to discuss your project and secure funding. Phone: 021 548 818. Email: hollyfleming@terrapura.co.nz

Mahurangi Land Restoration Programme

Average catch will net big fish prize

A public auction of prizewinning catches will mark the culmination of Warkworth RSA’s annual fishing competition, which takes place on Saturday, February 15.

Competitors have from 3am that morning to land a fish fit for one of several cash prizes on offer, with the weigh-in taking place from 2pm to 4pm in the RSA carpark. There’s a top prize of $1000 for the “average snapper” category, which involves all the snapper caught that day being weighed and the specimen closest to the average weight of all of them winning the prize.

Warkworth RSA Fishing Club president Eddie Watts says this is to help preserve snapper stocks by making sure competitors don’t just target the biggest or heaviest fish, and it leaves winning pretty much to chance.

“Generally, that average comes in at around 1.3 or 1.4kg. There’s no skill involved in going for the average snapper and it’s pretty fair on the fish, too, if we’re not taking the

big fish out all the time,” he says.

For the remaining categories, however, including kingfish, kowhai, trevally and John Dory, it will be the heaviest fish caught that wins the cash.

Once the prizes have been decided and distributed, the haul of fish will go under the hammer for public bids at 4.30pm, an event that Watts says is not to be missed.

“We don’t put a premium price on them, they’re all reasonably priced, so people can just buy some fish and have a good feed,” he says.

Entry tickets cost $30, or $10 for anyone aged 16 or under, and are available from Warkworth RSA or the new Hunting & Fishing branch at Kowhai Falls.

Proceeds from the competition will go towards funding the RSA’s veterans’ support services.

Info: https://www.warkworthrsa.co.nz/ fishingclub

Hoteo riverbed case resurfaces

Landholders and other interested parties along the Hoteo River are invited to attend a public meeting at the Wellsford RSA on Monday, February 10, starting at 7pm.

The evening is to discuss a case before the Māori Land Court, which seeks to determine whether the Hoteo riverbed is Māori customary land and, if it is, whose customary land it is – Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust is seeking an order that they are the guardians of the bed upstream of the Tarakihi Falls, while iwi Te Runanga Ngāti Whatua are claiming customary ownership over the entire length of the river.

The application for riverbed ownership first surfaced in December 2022, causing concerns among some private landholders that the claims might erode existing ownership rights. However, at a meeting in Wellsford in April 2023, environmental lawyer Richard Gardner said that the claims did not cover the water in the river, or the fish, but if they were upheld, then it did give parties a stronger interest in what was in the river.

The 28-kilometre river forms at the

confluence of the Whangaripo and Waiwhiu streams, north-east of Wellsford, and is a tributary of the Kaipara Harbour. It is used for numerous recreational activities including whitebaiting, as well as irrigation. In 2014, consented water extraction for the 405 square kilometre catchment was for more than 1.3 million cubic metres a year, or about 15,400 cubic metres a day.

Judge Miharo Armstrong, of Te Whānauā-Apanui, has issued an extension to landowners and interested parties to register their interest in proceedings by March 20.

A spokesperson for the Wellsford meeting says there are still a lot of people who are quite unaware of what is happening.

“We have approached a lawyer to see if they will liaise with the Crown on behalf of landowners to ensure that the landowners’ applications are done correctly,” she says. She added that one idea that would be discussed at the meeting was the formation of a landholders coalition.

The fish auction after the weigh-in is always popular.

Police

Sergeant Mark Stallworthy,

Mental health secondment

A year is a long time, so to I thought I’d start 2025 with a reintroduction. My name is Mark Stallworthy and I am the sergeantin-charge of the Warkworth Police Station. If my name seems familiar, it is because from 2018 to late 2023, I was also in charge of the Warkworth station. About a year ago, I took a year-long secondment on the North Shore, overseeing the Waitemata Police co-response team.

The co-response team is a police district initiative aimed at addressing what could accurately be called our mental health crisis. Over recent years, police resources have been increasingly involved in preventing harm to, and from, people in mental health crisis, so much so that there came a realisation that our front-line police were increasingly tied up assisting with mental health issues.

From time to time that left us unable to attend to our core duties of crime and crash reduction, community reassurance and the apprehension of offenders.

The co-response team is a small, specialised number of police and mental health workers working in a highly collaborative way, attending confirmed mental health crisis jobs. The result was freeing up our

police front line for true police work. Don’t get me wrong, the police front line will always be available for an emergency, even when that is due to someone being in mental health crisis. The difference is that we are now using trained specialists for mental health problems. A ‘horses for courses’ approach.

What was it like? I’ve been 19 years in the police and would describe the past year as probably the most challenging work I’ve done. Ultimately, it was very rewarding, particularly as I became familiar with the process. I won’t lie. Before I took this secondment I was guilty of frustration when dealing with the mental health system. I now absolutely appreciate what dedicated professionals those doctors and nurses working in this field are. I have witnessed the long hours they work and the care they give to often deeply troubled people. Certainly they make full use of the resources available to them and, after seeing a ‘year in the life’ first-hand, I have nothing but respect for the people who choose to work in this area of the health system.

I know that I’ve picked up some useful skills from my time away. I’m really looking forward to catching up with you all and doing my part to make Warkworth the safest town in New Zealand.

New fabric rescue sewing sessions

Mahurangi Fabric Rescue is starting regular sewing sessions at Warkworth Library, beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, February 4. The aim is to repair, repurpose or recreate garments and other fabric items, and to connect with and be inspired by other textile enthusiasts. Attendees can also learn new skills from an experienced tutor. Each session costs $7 and will run on every first and third Tuesday, from 9.30am to 12 noon. BYO project. Info: Contact Christine on 027 429 5370 or xtineolsen@gmail.com.

Community budgeting service smartens up image

An invaluable budgeting service that provides free financial advice for people around Rodney is now called MoneySmart. For decades it’s been known as Warkworth/ Wellsford Budget Service, a name that was often misconstrued by people who thought it meant the service was only available for residents from those two towns.

MoneySmart chairperson and financial mentor Maureen Bernie says people would look at ‘Warkworth/Wellsford’ and think ‘oh that’s not us’.

“We thought rebranding to something more modern and less location-based would invite more people to contact us. The objective is to attract and assist more clients, who are in need of, and will benefit from, this type of service.”

In 2024, MoneySmart secured funding from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) for the next three to five years (MM, Aug 5, 2024).

“With the support we get from MSD, we’re keen to ensure we provide a service across our area and the rebrand allows us to do that,” she says.

The makeover includes a sharp new logo and refreshed website, as well as a slogan that clearly communicates what people need to do financially: “Get rid of debt and be MoneySmart”.

“We’ve modernised our terminology more around being smart with your money, not just about incoming costs or budget advice. We’re pleased with how it all looks and how it reads.”

Importantly, MoneySmart is still a free and confidential budgeting service – that hasn’t changed.

And it’s available for people around Warkworth, Wellsford, Snells Beach, Matakana, as well as the surrounding areas, from Puhoi to Mangawhai.

Bernie, who has been involved with the service for around seven years, says there’s no specific demographic that they target – it’s

anybody who needs help with their budgets or with debt management planning.

“We have single people, we have couples, we have older people, and we have young families.”

She says MoneySmart mentors work oneon-one with their clients and can help anyone with debt issues, no matter the nature, size or complexity of that debt.

“Once we know weekly income and outgoings, working on a budget is the next step. Staying focused on keeping to that agreed budget can be hard, and it makes a

people.

New centre roof unveiled

The wraps are finally off, but it will still be a couple of months at least before the Mahurangi East Community Centre and Library reopen after extensive renovations.

The 40-year-old hall and library complex closed last April, displacing 60 groups that used the hall and forcing the library into a cabin in the tennis club carpark next door. Both facilities were due to reopen by the end of September, but a raft of unforeseen issues such as rotten roof timbers, inadequate fire protection and the need to rebuild internal walls led to delays and the budget being more than doubled, to almost $4.5 million.

Auckland Council’s acting manager for operations, Mike Feather, said last week building works should be finished by the end of March.

big difference to have someone you can talk to each week to help you keep on track.”

The goal is to enable its clients to become debt-free and build financial stability. MoneySmart clinics are in Warkworth and Wellsford on Tuesdays, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Financial mentors can also meet by appointment at your home.

Info: website https://www.moneysmart. org.nz/, phone or text: 021 423 788 or 09 423 7123, email  admin@moneysmart.org. nz, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ WWBudgetService/?locale=ms_MY

Want FREE budget

“Over the next couple of months, the building’s internal spaces will be transformed as we undertake a complete fit-out to finish the renewal,” he said.

“This has been a particularly big project that has required us to be agile and address unforeseen issues as it progressed.

“We appreciate the support provided from the local community and their patience throughout the rebuild, as we work to renew and improve this much-loved facility.”

Looking good: financial mentor Maureen Bernie hopes the MoneySmart rebrand will attract more

Before

Garden club gearing up for annual show day

Anyone who’s grown fantastic flowers or vigorous veggies this summer should head to Warkworth Town Hall on February 14 for Warkworth Garden Club’s annual show.

This will be the second late summer show for the group – in the past, members staged a rose and flower show in November, but moved it back by three months last year to broaden its appeal.

Show convenor Annette Sharp says it was a big change, but proved largely successful, with more exhibitors and a much wider range of flowers on show.

“It went well. There were still some roses shown, but it was the dahlias that really shone,” she says. “There were people there who’ve never exhibited before and it got us a few new members, too.”

The date change also meant that veggie growers got a look-in for the first time in many years.

“November’s not good for a lot of vegetables, so last year was the first time we’d had a vegetable class for a very long time.”

This year’s show will feature a brand new class, again with a nod to the event’s

timing, this time for preserves. There will be six sections – marmalade, jam, jelly, sauce, bottled preserves, and a pickle, chutney or relish.

The precise date of the flower show –February 14 – has also not gone unnoticed in this year’s schedule, with a class for A Valentine’s Arrangement in the General Flowers & Foliage section.

One of the nine trophies on offer has already been decided for 2025 – the Wilkinson Salver, which is awarded to commercial or community areas that make an aesthetic contribution to Warkworth.

The judges have picked two winners this year – the Mahurangi riverside light installation Te Hokinga Mahara – A Collection of Memories and the flower beds between Warkworth’s clock tower and information centre.

There are four show sections – Dahlias, sponsored by Withers & Co; General Flowers & Foliage (including pots), sponsored by Central Landscape Supplies; Preserves, sponsored by Life Pharmacy Franklins; and Fruit & Vegetables, sponsored by Paxton-Penman lawyers.

Within those sections, there are 36 individual classes: seven for dahlias, 17 for

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flowers and plants, six for preserves, and six fruit and veg.

There is no limit to the number of entries per person in each class, nor any on the size of any potted entries – if you can carry it, you can enter it, Sharp says – though all entries must have been grown (or made, for preserves) by entrants, except in the two floral arrangement classes.

As well as the cups and trophies, the exhibitor with the most points in each section will win a $50 voucher.

Entrants can register on show day – the town hall doors will open to exhibitors at 7.30am and all exhibits must be staged by 9.30am. Judging will take place behind closed doors from 10am to noon, when general admission will open until 5pm, with a prizegiving at 1pm.

There will also be plant sales and raffles, and admission costs $2, under 16s free.

Show schedules are available from  Mahurangi Matters, as well as Warkworth, Mahurangi East and Point Wells Libraries.

Info:  https://www.warkworthgardenclub. co.nz or contact Annette Sharp on 422 7766.

Two days of power upgrades

Vector upgrades in Warkworth will mean traffic detours and speed restrictions on some roads this Tuesday, February 4, and then again on Thursday, March 6.

Although electronic signs around the Hill Street junction mention works from February 3 to April 30, a Vector spokesperson said there were only two days of actual work scheduled at this stage.

Planned work includes the replacement of poles, wires and cross-arms to improve power supply reliability.

“Impacted customers have been directly notified about the planned outages to help them plan accordingly,” Vector said.

“Traffic management measures, including speed restrictions, will be in place throughout the work period to ensure safety for both residents and crews. Signs will also be used to inform motorists about the detour routes.”

Although the spokesperson could not name exactly which roads would be affected, they said any lane closures and detours would be clearly displayed on signs in Brown Road and Sandspit Road.

“We do also share information on the Warkworth community Facebook page when we can, to keep the general community informed.”

Warkworth Garden Club Annual Show 2025

Treat yourself to a lovely outing viewing the best flowers (in a riot of colour), plants and preserves that our gorgeous area has to offer!

Warkworth Garden Club’s Annual Show is being held at the Warkworth Town Hall on Friday the 14th of February. Open to public at 12 noon.

Better still, consider exhibiting! Do you have some gorgeous flowers, shrubs, fruit or vegetables in your garden that you’re especially proud of? How about some tasty homemade preserves?

Visit our website –www.warkworthgardenclub.co.nz to download a program for this wonderful day.

Society treasure Gloria Wilmot, left, and show convenor Annette Sharp are hoping for another stunning display.

These beautiful beds in Baxter Street have already won a prize.

Environment

Christine Rose christine.rose25@gmail.com

Defending our dotterels

There are only about 2500 endemic New Zealand northern dotterel/tūturiwhatu. They feed and nest on our sandy shores, with adults weighing only about 146 grams. Like their habitat, they are under pressure, so every life matters.

Through the deep of night, in rain, wind and storms, from dogs, cats and other predators, from the ignorant, careless and arrogant, hardy dotterel minders defend little tūturiwhatu against the odds. Sometimes they beat the odds, but sometimes the odds beat the dotterels.

So, at beautiful Waiwera spit (and elsewhere) over summer, dotterel minders have inspired and conspired to keep little eggs and chicks safe. Dotterel minders have fortified nests against storms and random high tides. They’ve retrieved apparently lost eggs from a mass of sea foam and just guessed which nests they were washed out from. The cold eggs looked abandoned, and the breeding season bereft. But amazingly, two dotterels hatched, a week or so apart. Little balls of fluff were nurtured by their parents as roaming cats cased the spit, wandering fisherfolk separated the chicks from their parents, and some locals thought that it was their right to wander through the breeding ground. The birds got separated by the high tide from their normal dry land resting spot, but the little chicks, with no webbed feet, swam against the current with their parents to safety.

Dotterel minders reported beautifully while on sentry duties – the light on the forest on the opposite bank, the sunset on

iconic Mahurangi Island at the mouth of the Waiwera estuary, nighttime incursions of those cats and dogs, paw prints, the bravery of the parents and chicks.

But at two weeks old, after much dedication and diligence from the Waiwera dotterel minders, and the dotterel parents, number one dotterel chick disappeared. Lost perhaps to a black-backed gull, one of several extra attracted to the area by a picnicker’s discarded burger and chips.

At this point, number two chick, an amazing survivor of an abandoned, flooded nest, is still alive, still monitored by the roster of dotterel defenders. Two oystercatcher chicks who also survived the same travails, also remain.

At Big Manly and Tindalls Beach, there have been no surviving dotterel chicks, as dotterels and oystercatchers have been predated and disturbed by beachgoers, pets and pests. At Snells Beach, dotterels have done relatively better this year, with five dotterel chicks successfully fledged, despite wandering cats and risky human behaviour. At Piha, on Auckland’s west coast, a fledged chick was killed by a dog, and at Waihi Beach, nests were deliberately trampled and eggs were smashed.

Dotterels are rarer than kiwi. It’s time Kiwis took more care of dotterels, with the Waiwera dotterel minders (and others) showing us the way. We might not beat nature (gulls!) but we have to learn not to be her enemy and to defend dotterels for the future.

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Vasman

Adoctor who has performed more than 8000 vasectomies in his career is bringing his expert skills to Warkworth this month.

Dr Jonathan Masters is the latest practitioner to join one-stop healthcare hub Mahurangi Health Collective in Neville Street, where he will be running his first clinic on Thursday, February 20.

Also known as The Vasman, Dr Masters runs weekly clinics in the city centre and hopes to provide monthly sessions in Warkworth, or even fortnightly if the demand is there.

During training in obstetrics and gynaecology he also did structured training in vasectomies so he could help couples who were looking for the most effective method of birth control.

“It is the contraceptive method of choice when your family is complete,” he says.

Dr Masters likes to be personally available to patients, whether for bookings or advice, and stresses that the vasectomy procedure is fast, fuss-free and, most importantly, effective.

“A vasectomy is 10 times more effective than any other form of contraception, other than abstinence,” he says. “The procedure is pretty quick – it only takes about nine minutes, is performed with a local anaesthetic, there’s no need for any stitches, and patients can drive themselves there and back on the day. The whole visit is usually 30 minutes, including information and instructions.”

And for anyone worrying about whether it hurts, Dr Masters says the only thing that might be felt is a quick sting when the anaesthetic is injected.

“Compare that to delivering a baby!” he says.

Kōwhai Coast Property Management

Kōwhai Coast Property Management founder Jules Wigley goes the extra mile – both literally and figuratively.

When Wigley and his partner decided to leave Wellington with their son, who was a toddler at the time, they spent five months travelling around the country researching potential locations to move to.

“We basically stayed everywhere in New Zealand – it was such a blast,” he says. They eventually decided on Rodney “because it ticked all the boxes” and relocated to their new home just outside of Matakana in early 2024.

Even before their road trip, the couple had regularly visited the popular rural town.

“When you live up here, you’re not just paying for the house. You get the beaches and the community. That’s why we decided to put our roots down.”

Wigley, who was a senior property manager

in Wellington for around five years, also goes the extra mile when it comes to his clients –that’s what his new company is all about. He says he wants to redefine property management in the Warkworth area including Snells Beach, Matakana, Omaha, Puhoi, Wellsford and Leigh.

“Property managers are the middleman between the tenant, landlord and contractors. Most will do some things really well but I want to do all things really well – go above and beyond, so that it’s a more rewarding experience for everyone involved.

“It’s all about customer service,” he adds. Wigley, who uses a flat fee model, says the positive feedback he gets from his client base means a lot to him.

“There is nothing better than when you have a successful landlord-tenant relationship and our job is helping create those. It’s as much about people management as it is property management.”

Jules Wigley

Dr Jonathan Masters

Jules Wigley

New book is love letter to old Little Omaha

Long-time Leigh resident Jo Evans has just finished and self-published his second book, The Early European Settlers of Little Omaha, which took him nearly four years to research and write.

You may be wondering where exactly Little Omaha is – well, this is the place name once given to the town and surrounding area now known as Leigh.

Evans says the locality is called the Village of Leigh on a map from 1858 and that the earliest mention of the name Little Omaha is about 1864. It became Leigh sometime in the early 20th century.

“The book will appeal to people who are either Leigh locals or visitors the area. If you’ve ever thought, ‘I wonder who the first people to stay in this house or live on this farm were’, then this is for you.

“Using the survey maps in the book you’ll be able to find the lot number, then go to the lot summary and find out who purchased it. With the names you can look up the story of a particular person or family, which is further on in the book,” he says.

Evans, who has lived in Leigh for more than 50 years, says his intention was to tell stories about the early settlers that he gleaned from different sources and put them all in one place.

He wanted to document how a community was “developed from the efforts of those intrepid families who risked much to carve out a new life in an alien place”.

“There was a lot of history that hadn’t really been published previously,” Evans says.

The meticulous daily diaries of settler Charles Septimus Clarke, which he kept from the age of 19 in England till his death in Whangateau aged 85, were an invaluable source of information.

“Clarke would mention a name, but often there would be no detail about the person and so I found it very satisfying to first check the property transactions and then

Jo Evans with a copy of his new book, The Early European Settlers of Little Omaha.

go to Papers Past (which provides digitised primary source material online) from the National Library of New Zealand.”

Evans was first inspired to write the book when the Leigh Library asked him to perform as Clarke, who founded the library in 1871 (MM, May 4, 2021), to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

“Because of my beard, they asked me if I would impersonate Clarke and tell the audience how, as Clarke, I came to set up the library. So I had to do some research in

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order to do that.

“That stimulated my interest and so I started learning about the various names of people and families that I wanted to find out a bit more about. It all happened from there.”

Evans says so far he’s put copies of the book in the Warkworth Museum, Warkworth Library, Leigh Library and Waipu Museum. For a copy of The Early European Settlers of Little Omaha, email Jo Evans at jo.hose. evans@gmail.com

Warmer weather brings increased risks to dogs

Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets away from highly toxic karaka berries and algal blooms this summer, and to contact their veterinarian immediately if they think their dog has swallowed them.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) encourages owners to walk dogs on a leash if toxic algae or karaka berries could be in the vicinity as both can make dogs incredibly ill.

NZVA head of veterinary services (companion animals) Sally Cory says at this time of year pets are spending more time outdoors and have more access to things that can harm them.

“Unfortunately, dogs are attracted to karaka berries and toxic algae because of the strong smell.

“Even small amounts can be dangerous, so if you think your dog has eaten karaka berries or toxic algae, call your veterinarian immediately and they will advise you what to do next,” she says.

The karaka tree fruits annually between January and April, dropping orange berries, which may be poisonous to dogs. Consumption of the berries by canines can lead to impaired neurological function, respiratory failure, and even death. Clinical signs can be delayed from between 24 hours and a week or more following ingestion. Toxic algae, also known as cyanobacteria, appears in rivers and lakes as black, green, or brown slime on rocks, and as brown or black ‘mats’. Symptoms can develop within 30 minutes and include panting, lethargy, muscle tremors, twitching, and convulsions.

Cory advises dog owners to keep an eye on information provided by local councils as signage may not always be installed at parks, rivers, and lakes.

Cuisine

Lauraine Jacobs www.laurainejacobs.co.nz/blog/

Summer beans

Anyone who had the foresight to plant beans in December will now be reaping the rich reward of daily pickings. There is nothing like tender young green beans, straight from the garden, plunged into salt water for about one minute and served up straight away with a spoonful of butter or a light drizzle of olive oil. A favourite way is to use fennel or lemonflavoured olive oil, which adds a lovely aroma to the beans. One of my favourite ways to cook beans is to cook them as the Greeks do, slowly simmering them for about 30 minutes in a mixture of chopped ripe tomatoes, a little garlic and oil, with salt and pepper. The beans become really velvety and tender, and although they no longer have the fresh bright green colour of blanched beans, they are so tasty. But if you want your beans to retain that bright green colour (especially if you’re making that old favourite Salade Niçoise), add plenty of salt and plunge them into ice cold water after one or two minutes. I have been buying my beans lately on Saturdays at the Matakana Farmers’ Market from Daryn of Salty River Farm. His stall has become one of the most popular to head to at the market and much of his fresh delicious farm grown produce is snapped up in the first hour. Luckily for many locals, it is also obtainable during the week at a few good food stores between Silverdale to Matakana. Daryn and his wife Louise have been growing greens, lettuces, veggies and basil both hydroponically and in the ground for almost 12 years at their farm on edge of the Kaipara Harbour.

Louise also has a great talent for sketching, and you can see the story of their farm, their stockists and many of Louise’s beautiful drawings and writings on the Salty River Farm website.

Louise and Daryn popped over this week for a casual barbecue dinner and brought their beans, already dressed and delicious. I have, with permission, adapted her recipe this week.

Incidentally, their packets of Baby Leaf Lettuce with Edible Flowers are a constant in my refrigerator, having first drawn my attention at the Outstanding NZ Food Producers Awards a couple of years ago where they gained a gold medal. Growers and food producers take note – entries for these awards close on February 5.

Info: https://www.outstandingfoodproducer.co.nz/

Make the dressing with the roast garlic ahead of time.

600g fresh green beans

8 rashers thinly sliced prosciutto (recommended from Salash Deli)

2 tbsp pine nuts

4 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves

Salt and freshly cracked pepper to season

For the vinaigrette

1 bulb garlic

4 tbsp good olive oil

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Slice the garlic bulb in half horizontally and drizzle with a little olive oil. Wrap in baking paper and roast in a small dish at 180˚C for about 20 minutes until it’s very soft, and set aside to cool. When cool, squeeze the pulp from the roasted garlic into a vinaigrette dressing jar. Add the oil, vinegar and mustard with plenty of salt and pepper to taste, shaking well. Keep aside until needed.

Top and tail the beans and quickly blanch in boiling salted water for about 30 seconds. Drain and place the blanched beans on a lightly oiled hot barbecue grill or frying pan. Once the beans are slightly blackened

(but still crunchy), set aside to cool. Lightly fry the prosciutto, adding a little oil if needed until it’s crisp and chop into small pieces. Toast the pine nuts in the same pan until lightly browned. Take care, as nuts tend to keep on cooking after they’re removed from the pan. When ready to finish the dish, place the beans on a serving dish and toss well with the garlicky vinaigrette. Chop the fresh basil and fold through the dressed beans with the prosciutto and pine nuts, reserving some to sprinkle on top. Serve at room temperature for best flavour. Serves six as a side dish.

A favourite summer way with beans at Salty River Farm, and a must for their Christmas table every year.

Salty River Farm Beans with prosciutto, pine nuts and roasted garlic

Garden open for good causes

Garden lovers will have the chance to explore a private horticultural haven and raise funds for two worthy causes in Puhoi this month.

Liz McLaren is opening her 10-hectare riverside gardens in Ahuroa Road on Saturday, February 15 to raise money for Puhoi Volunteer Fire Brigade and Slow Water Sea Scouts.

Visitors will be able to wander and explore orchards, native bush, river walks, a rose garden, expansive lawns and vegetable gardens. There are also plenty of specimen trees, a waterfall and a fish pond full of water lilies.

McLaren says people are welcome to bring along an afternoon tea or drinks and relax under the trees or by the water.

“All money collected will go to the Puhoi

Volunteer Fire Brigade guys and girls, and also to the Slow Water Sea Scouts,” she says.

“Both groups are manned by volunteers who do a huge amount of work on top of running their businesses, looking after their families and being on call, and this is a way for the community to recognise and celebrate that commitment.”

The fundraiser will be particularly timely for the sea scouts, as their inflatable boat was stolen late last year and, although the boat has been replaced, a new trailer to transport it is still needed.

“This is such a good cause, I hope people will come and support these wonderful volunteers,” McLaren says.

The gardens at 198 Ahuroa Road will be open from 2pm to 4pm and there is plenty of parking on site. Entry costs $5 per person.

gates open 9AM

There are 10 hectares of native bush, riverside walks and formal gardens to explore.

Gently does it with preseason training

While most of us are still trying to enjoy what’s left of the lazy days of summer, for anyone who plays winter sports, it’s already time to start thinking about getting fit for the upcoming season.

Team and league AGMs are being held, game timetables drawn up and training sessions scheduled, so starting some kind of preseason fitness routine should be front of mind for anyone wanting to be at the top of their game this winter.

However, care needs to be taken, especially for anyone who’s had a few months off with minimal exercise, as injuries can occur even before you’ve got back on the field.

Warkworth physio and director of Restore Physio & Pilates Victoria McKechnie says the risk of injury is at its highest during preseason training.

“Research has consistently shown that injury rates are at their peak when players return to training too intensely, too quickly,” she says. “Preseason is the time when your body is adjusting to the demands of sport, so it’s crucial to ease into it with care.”

McKechnie says while it’s smart to begin training sooner rather than later, that doesn’t mean players should dive straight into four or five days of gruelling gym sessions or 10km runs.

“In fact, doing that kind of thing often leads to burnout, inadequate recovery and mental exhaustion – all of which increase the risk of injury.

“The key to success is balance. Giving your body the time it needs to recover is just as important as the training itself.”

She suggest a simple approach at first, such as setting the alarm 30 minutes earlier and going for a light 20-minute jog or walk-jog two mornings a week.

“This small commitment will pay off significantly by the time the season begins,” she says.

Adding some kind of strength training is also important and can be an absolute game changer.

“Studies have shown that strength workouts can reduce sports injuries by up to 30 per cent and overuse injuries by as much as 50 per cent,” McKechnie says.

Research has consistently shown that injury rates are at their peak when players return to training too intensely, too quickly … ease into it with care.

Victoria McKechnie

“Adding a brief 20-minute strength session with dumbbells or kettlebells a few times a week can greatly improve your injury prevention strategy, helping to protect against those common calf, hamstring and Achilles injuries that often appear when you start running again.”

Alternatively, visits to the gym can aid here, though she advises getting professional guidance with any new training programme.

“Regardless of the method, you’ll reap the benefits with enhanced mood, increased energy, improved productivity and better sleep. For those with physically demanding jobs, strength training also reduces the risk of overuse injuries in the workplace.”

McKechnie says that with this measured approach to early training, season-ending injuries or nagging issues that can lead to costly visits to doctors or physios should be avoided.

“One last piece of advice, though – if you’re carrying any lingering niggles into preseason, don’t ignore them. Addressing minor issues early can prevent them from becoming major problems down the road,” she says. “A little attention now can save you from a bigger setback later.”

PROVIDE

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 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.

Warkworth 09 425 1199 or Snells Beach 09 425 5055 for direct connection to the surgery or our after hours service.

Destinee Macleod

Surgery at Unit 2/347 Mahurangi East Road

Surgery at 11 Alnwick Street

Victoria McKechnie says too much, too soon can cause early injuries.

Education

Karney Dawson, Principal Warkworth

School karneyd@warkworth.school.nz

Schools play a vital role in shaping future generations, providing a structured environment for learning, and social and emotional development. Beyond academics, they teach young kiwis discipline, teamwork and problem-solving, preparing them for future challenges. They also serve as spaces for cultural exchange, promoting diversity, inclusion and mutual respect. In this issue, we introduce a new regular column written in rotation by local school principals, where they have been invited to share their views on education generally, as well initiatives in their own schools.

Cultivating a culture of success

As we start a new school year at Te Kura o Puhinui/Warkworth School, I want to share my thoughts on something that is really close to my heart: the importance of building a strong and positive school culture. It’s something I have seen make all the difference – not just in academic success, but in the way staff and students grow, connect and shine.

At Warkworth, our culture is defined by our values – whakawhanaungatanga (relationships), manaakitanga (care and respect), ako (teaching and learning together), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship of whenua and environment). These are more than just words, they are the foundation of everything we do. They guide our decision-making and inspire us to create an environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed.

A positive school culture doesn’t just happen, it is created by fostering a unique environment of collaboration and teamwork. Warkworth is unique in that we have innovative, collaborative classrooms that foster spaces where ideas flow freely and students feel confident to take risks in their learning. Staff work as a team, sharing knowledge and strategies to bring out the best in every child.

This culture of collaboration enhances caring for one another, where challenges are met with teamwork, and where successes are celebrated together. We see it in the way students support each other, and in how teachers mentor and guide, not just their own classes, but every learner. In these innovative environments we create a sense of shared purpose and collective achievement.

Facial eczema survey

I find incredible motivation in educators like Hamish Brewer, who believes that school culture is the key to unlocking student potential. He talks about “radical love”, the idea that when students know they are cared for deeply, they rise to meet even the toughest of challenges.

It’s important that everyone feels seen, heard and empowered. Education isn’t about sticking to the same old methods – it’s about finding new ways to connect with students and inspire them to dream bigger. Brewer talks about creating a “culture of family” within schools, where students feel part of a community that truly believes in their potential. At Te Kura o Puhinui/Warkworth School, we strive to create a place where every student feels like they belong, where they know they are supported, not only by their teachers, but by their peers and the wider school community.

“It takes a village to raise a child”, this I truly believe. The support of parents, caregivers and the wider community is absolutely vital. At Warkworth, we’re so lucky to have a community that is willing to roll up its sleeves, believe in us and get involved. Whether it is volunteering, coming to events, or just having a conversation with us, these partnerships mean everything to our students’ and staff success.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi: With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.

We look forward to making this year one of connection, growth, and inspiration, a year where we live our values fully and make Warkworth School a place that truly shines. Here’s to an incredible year ahead!

Farmers who take part in an online survey this month could win one of two $250 meat vouchers. Beef + Lamb NZ is looking for 400 farmers to help them better understand the economic impact of facial eczema on farm businesses. The survey takes around 20 minutes and is open to any livestock farmers, whether their stock is affected by facial eczema or not, who have sheep, beef cattle, dairy cows, goats, deer, llamas or alpacas. Participants who take part before February 28 will go into a draw for a $250 Greenlea Meats voucher. Info and survey link: Email research@beeflambnz.com

FOOD RESCUE

How you can help?

• We are always keen to recruit new volunteers.

• Do you have fruit or vegetables going spare? We are able to distribute these very quickly.

• Perhaps a farm or lifestyle block owner could provide an animal, to supply meat for the food bank groups. Join us in supporting our community. Find out more by phoning Frank on 021 151 8989 Supported by Mahurangi Matters

Regular pool servicing and green pool clean ups

Regular pool servicing. Equipment supply, repair and installation.

On-site water testing and chemical balancing Equipment supply, repair and installation

POOLWERX

M: +64 02 1227 3104 E: hamish.blampied@poolwerx.co.nz

Chinese Medicine for Your Health

Acupuncture • Herbs • Massage

TCM Clinic @ Warkworth Andy 0220 789 514 andyinkiwi@gmail.com Riverside Arcade, 62-64 Queens Street, Warkworth ACC Provider

Taking a natural approach to sun protection

The schools might be back this week, but summer will hopefully carry on for a good while yet, meaning sun protection should remain top of mind for everyone.

In fact, protecting skin from damaging UV rays should be a priority year-round for Kiwis, not least because Aotearoa has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and it is by far the most common type of cancer diagnosed in the country.

According to The Cancer Society’s SunSmart data, nearly 97,000 skin cancers are diagnosed in NZ every year, with an estimated health care cost of nearly $184 million, as well as many more that go undiagnosed. By the end of this year, the total cost of all skin cancer treatment is expected to grow to $295 million.

Since more than 90 per cent of skin cancer is caused by too much exposure to UV rays from the sun, and UV radiation damage adds up over a lifetime, making sure skin is protected at all times should be a no-brainer.

For most of us, the fastest first step is to grab some sunscreen – in theory, a pretty straightforward act, but these days the number of different creams, lotions, sprays and gels can be a bit bewildering, as can the different claims they all make.

For one Mangawhai woman, the prevalence of skin cancer, the plethora of brands and the lack of natural sunscreens more than 20 years ago prompted her to venture into developing her own product.

Jules Bright wanted a 100 per cent natural sunscreen made from native NZ plants, something she was told was impossible at the time, but she was determined it could be done. After years of research, development, lab testing and certification, she came up with two Earth’s Kitchen EK SPF50 sunscreens, one for adults and the other for babies and children.

“There are two types of sunscreen out there,” she says. “Chemical sunscreen, the type most readily available, which works by being absorbed by our skin and, in turn, absorbing and breaking down the UV rays that hit our skin. There’s also mineral,

or natural sunscreen, made of naturally occurring ingredients like zinc and titanium dioxides, blitzed into tiny particles, which sit on top of the skin and act like a shield, deflecting damage instead.”

She was aware that ingredients in chemical sunscreens could cause sensitivity for some skins and also that active ingredients such as oxybenzone could act as a hormone disruptor and cause damage to coral reefs.

“I wanted to create a potent, effective 100 per cent natural brand, that shared the same aesthetics as the synthetic products, but without the harm, and made from our forests right here in NZ. Although I was told it was impossible, I knew it could be done, so I kept going … for 18 years.”

Bright is a former surgical nurse who turned her professional attention to studying natural remedies after a motorcycle accident in India in the late 1990s. Having been nursed back to health in record time using indigenous natural remedies, she

was inspired to find out more. She went on to gain diplomas in naturopathy, body therapy and medical herbalism, specialising in Rongoā, traditional Māori plant medicine, before setting up Earth’s Kitchen in Mangawhai.

Bright said the resulting EK sunscreens were invisible, non-greasy, smelled good and wouldn’t stain your clothes, but most importantly offered certified protection against damaging UV rays without potentially harmful ingredients.

“They meet the AS/NZS 2604 standard, FDA protocols and passed Broad Spectrum Compliance with flying colours, and our latest lab results came in at SPF65.8 and SPF63.8 after two hours water immersion,” she said.

“Your skin is your largest organ and what you put on it can be absorbed into the body. Just as you watch what you eat, it’s important to think about what goes into your body via your skin.”

Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap – rules to live by

The Cancer Society urges all New Zealanders to be SunSmart all year round, but especially from September to April

Slip on clothing

Slip on clothing that covers as much skin as possible, such as a top with a collar and long sleeves, trousers, or long shorts or skirts. Fabrics with a tighter weave and darker colours will give you better protection from the sun.

Slip into shade

Slip into the shade of a leafy tree, building or shade sail. Plan outdoor activities for early or later in the day when the sun’s UV levels are lower.

Slop on sunscreen

Slop on plenty of broadspectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30. An average-sized adult needs a

teaspoon of sunscreen for their head and neck, each limb and for the front and the back of the body. Apply 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours, or after being in water or sweating.

Slap on a hat

Wear a hat with a wide brim or with flaps covering the ears and neck. More people are sunburnt on the face and neck than any other part of the body.

Wrap on sunglasses

Choose close-fitting, wraparound style sunglasses. Not all sunglasses protect against UV radiation, so always check the label for the sun protection rating.

EK founder Jules Bright.

Netball courts spruced up in time for upcoming season

Rodney Netball players have something to celebrate at last, with Auckland Council carrying out $41,000 of improvements on four courts at Wellsford’s Centennial Park over the Christmas period.

The revamp includes resurfacing all four courts and marking up two courts for multi-use, complete with two new tennis nets and basketball hoops.

The former tennis courts at the top of the sports complex had been the subject of numerous concerns and complaints from players and administrators, following serious deterioration in the playing surface. This was compounded in October, when Netball Rodney was told that longawaited repairs were again being delayed by Auckland Council, due to budget constraints.

The news prompted a spirited and heartfelt deputation to Rodney Local Board by Netball Rodney committee members, Netball Northern reps and players from teams throughout the region, on behalf of the 700-plus players who use the centre every season (MM, Oct 28).

Netball Rodney president Kelly Ayres

said at the time they appreciated council marking up the old tennis courts for netball, but that was only ever a temporary measure.

“They’ve become a health and safety issue. We’ve used them for two years, but they have caused significant injuries,” she said.

Rodney’s acting area manager for parks and community facilities, Mike Feather, said last week the improvements were a temporary measure to address Netball Rodney’s safety concerns and to enable netball to be played safely over the upcoming season.

“A hard-court surface contractor was engaged to review and provide a temporary solution,” he said. “The temporary repairs should provide a surface for safe use for ball sports for up to two years.”

Feather said the $41,000 cost was being funded by Rodney Local Board’s asset renewal budget.

Netball Rodney expressed its thanks to council for getting the courts game-ready, as well as all its members for their support.

Netball Rodney’s AGM is being held on Thursday, February 20 at the centre’s office at Centennial Park, starting 7pm.

Auckland Council says the new temporary surface should be good for a couple of years.

WARKWORTH DENTAL

Wellness Hub welcomes all to wellbeing day

Want to learn more about energy healing, life path astrology, or Bioptron hyperlight?

If you’re not quite sure what any of that means, you may need to head to the Holistic Health and Wellbeing Day at the Warkworth Bridge Club on Saturday February 15, from 11am to 2pm.

Put together by the not-for-profit community initiative The Wellness Hub, it’s wholly about holistic health and working on wellbeing.

The free event (gold coin donations welcome) will feature health and wellness practitioners, showcase various modalities and therapies, and offer a complimentary 20-minute therapy session of your choice.

Organiser Pamela Harland says it’s a great antidote to modern life’s chaos.

“Holistic health may have its doubters, but we are not changing the status quo, we are adding quality, time and value to your wellbeing, for the local community. By combining connection and education, we can work together for your better health outcomes.

“It’s all about feeling good inside, treating the whole person instead of just the symptoms.”

She says the day isn’t just another event.

“It’s a vibe, a relaxed atmosphere, a movement, a celebration of what our wellbeing can be when we think outside the box.

“Our experienced practitioners will be available to share their wisdom and enhance your wellbeing, from calming your mind and easing your aches and pains

New Patients Welcome

· Urgent same-day/ next-day care.

· Short waiting times for bookings.

· Low-cost appointments for Community Services Card holders.

· Continuity of care.

· Acute Accident care.

· Travel consultations including Yellow Fever vaccines.

· Free Long-Acting Contraception insertion [conditions apply] enrolled and casual patients.

· Women’s health.

Dr Elspeth Dickson

MBChB(Hons), MRCP(UK), Dip Obst, FRNZCGP

Dr Steve Maric

MBChB, MRCGP(UK), Dip Obst, FRNZCGP

Dr Susanne Krueger MBChB, FRNZCGP

Dr Nicolas Thorburn BSC Hons, MBChB, DCH

Dr Daniela Fernandes MBChB

Dr Sophie Lines MBChB, DCH, FRNZCGP, FARGP MPHTM

to energising your whole body.

“Whether you’re a wellness warrior or just curious to try something new, the Holistic Health and Wellbeing Day has your name written on it. Find out about some new therapies for your health, happiness, and harmony.

“Don’t miss out – mark your calendar and come join us,” Harland says.

What to expect: Bodywork, gentle massage, Reiki and energy healing, bio-feedback scan, health coaching, breath work, mindfulness strategies, sound healing, Bioptron light therapy, life path astrology, and grief support.

Where and when: Warkworth Bridge Club, 2 Alnwick St. Saturday, February 15 from 11am-2pm. All welcome. www. wellnesshub.nz. Email Pamela Harland: wellhubmahu@gmail.com

Big-hearted volunteers sought

The Heart Foundation is looking for volunteer street collectors for its annual Big Heart Appeal, on Friday and Saturday, February 21 and 22. Each stint is two hours long and all proceeds go towards funding vital life-saving heart research. To find out more and volunteer, visit https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/get-involved/, email  bigheartappeal@ heartfoundation.org.nz or call 0800 BIG HEART (0800 244 432).

Holistic health advocate Pamela Harland says it’s about treating the whole person instead of just the symptoms.

Homebuilders

Gareth Pring, Family Support Worker www.homebuildersfs.org

A mentally healthy new year

New year is often cited as a time of promise and motivation. Setting resolutions can be appealing as we start the year with a clean state and fresh start. On the flip side, they can bring internal and external pressure, and can become restrictive over time. Goal-setting is often focused on improving areas of our lives such as physical health, relationships and finances, but what about prioritising mental health?

A healthy mindset enables us to make choices that boost, rather than reduce, our self-esteem, including:

• Taking time to reflect on people, situations and environments, and determining their influence on our happiness. This enables us to seek and make time for relationships and experiences that fulfil us

• Choosing activities and exercise that promote achievement and wellbeing, whether it be hobbies, sports and events that make us feel good

• Creating a sense of wellbeing that keeps us in the present and not ruminating on the past or carrying anxiety for the future

Personal achievement is often unseen and discrete yet holds great transformative power. A change in mindset, which allows for more self-compassion is an achievable first step.

Tips for making mentally healthy resolutions:

Make positive resolutions

Just a simple reframing of a resolution removes the pressure and potential for failure. For example, “I will eat healthier”, instead of “I will stop eating unhealthy food”.

Make your resolutions flexible

Flexibility allows you to be adaptable and responsive to life’s inevitable challenges. Busy periods, a hard week/month or sickness all have the potential to derail the best of intentions. Resolutions can start small and be revisited each month. For example, if you want to read more, then start with a resolution to simply start a book.

Make resolutions with self-kindness

When we don’t meet our own goals, we are often our own worst critics. Try to apply the same kindness to yourself that you would to a friend. If a friend didn’t achieve a goal, we would likely say something kind and supportive.

Try something new

New experiences outside of your comfort zone can be good for mental health. They can often make life feel interesting, lively and rewarding. This can be done in the form of specific goals, or by changing the way we already do things.

Get closer to nature

Spending time in nature is a great boost to mental health. A resolution that gets you out into nature will be a significant step towards healthy living. The Mahurangi region makes this a totally achievable goal. If getting out is difficult, consider bringing nature into your home.

Plan things to look forward to Making plans for things we enjoy can increase our sense of hope, which is important for our mental health, as well helping us cope with difficult situations. Whether they be big or small, try to make regular plans to do things you enjoy.

Contact Paul Brotherton 021 796 934 | myopilatesnz.co.nz | www.myoheathnz.com Level 2, 2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana. Through Matakana Cinemas Foyer. Myo Health Pilates offers an extensive range of classes. Group and private sessions are offered, utilizing all types of equipment to ensure a comprehensive and varied workout experience, whether you prefer contemporary or classical Pilates, the studio offers both, ensuring that each client can find a class that perfectly suits their needs and preferences.

SYLVIA RANDS : VOCAL VISION

Sylvia has over 30 years experience working with the Voice and Healing Sound to restore psychological and emotional balance and to activate personal creativity and vision. She can help you:

- activate your authentic voice - balance emotions & tune body

- release anxiety : get grounded - connect with soul purpose

sylvia_vocalvision@hotmail.com Four Elements Voice

Here at Omaha Beach Golf Club we know that regular physical activity is good for us, but why is golf so unique?

Research suggests golf helps to prevent 40 major chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and breast and colon cancer. It can also help reduce anxiety, depression and dementia while improving self-esteem, self-worth and selfconfidence. The pleasure of walking in fresh air, socialising and taking up a mental challenge by playing golf releases endorphins, natural mood enhancing chemicals in the brain, which make us happier and relaxed.

Soothe the Mind - being able to focus on the task at hand means the mind is less likely to drift to negative thoughts, making a round of golf the perfect way to unwind after a long day.

Community and Belonging - the golf course is an ideal setting to meet friends and family to enhance relationships.

Recovery - playing golf contributes towards an active, healthy lifestyle and can support people’s journey towards recovering after an accident, stroke, brain injury or loss of strength, coordination and balance.

Golf is a source of inspiration to be physically active for the enjoyment, social connection and wellbeing benefits.

Full article on https://www.golf.co.nz/health-benefits-of-golf

Includes: 3 x 18-hole or 6 x 9-hole rounds of golf, $50 bar tab rebate, and an NZGA Handicap for one membership year (if the member of this category decides to join another full playing membership category within 3 months of signing up the joining fee will be waived). Terms & Conditions apply*

North West

Mahu prems preseason heats up

On a muggy summer’s evening last week, the Mahurangi Rugby Football Club (RFC) premiers’ preseason continued with an intense training session on their home turf at the Warkworth Showgrounds.

The majority of the players from the prems’ successful North Harbour club rugby 2024 campaign, in which they made the semi-final (MM, Nov 25), were on the paddock, as well as their captain from last year, first five-eighth Cooper Rodden, who has retained the captaincy for 2025.

Preseason training usually starts in February, but kicked off on January 13 this year.

Mahurangi manager Mike Rodden says it’s never started this early before.

“But we want to get these boys fit. We’ve got some big units out there and they just need to be doing the work. We’re also training for the sevens, so it’s just getting everyone else along as well.”

Rodden says a personal trainer comes in for an hour-and-a-half on Wednesdays who puts them through their paces with the Bronco Test, a high-intensity aerobic assessment where you sprint to and from markers placed at 20m, 40m and 60m.

“When the boys have finished the bronco, they’re absolutely shattered, especially when it’s hot and humid like it is tonight. We’ve had players vomiting because they’re still getting back into it after eating too much over Christmas.

“Then they’ll train for another hour-and-ahalf after that.”

The intensity of the training, as well as the early start to the preseason, reflects the club’s desire to improve on last year’s success.

“The coaches put so much self-belief into

Mahu rugby is hitting the ground running with preseason training starting early.

these players (in 2024). It was like, boys you’re good rugby players. Back yourselves and trust yourselves. So we had a squad that believed in each other and believed in themselves and, yeah, made the semis. “Finishing top four last season was a great result. The aim now is to go one better and make the final,” he says.

The Mahurangi premiers first preseason game is at the Warkworth Showgrounds against Wellsford on February 28 – aka the Battle of the Dome.

Eye on the ball – Mahu RFC knows what needs to be done to make the playoffs.

Warming up for training takes on a whole new meaning when it’s the middle of summer.

Cooling off after high-intensity practice drills in the heat.

Warkworth Football salutes invaluable volunteers

Putting your hand up isn’t something you usually want to do in soccer, unless you’re offering to help as a volunteer, that is.

Like other community sports clubs, Warkworth Association Football Club (AFC) is largely run by volunteers – it simply wouldn’t be able to function without their immense contribution.

Warkworth AFC president George Moore says there are dozens of volunteers who work at the club.

“All of our coaches, team managers and referees – it’s all volunteers,” he says. Among them is Lucy Coory, who wears many hats at the club.

“I’m an assistant coach with the ninthgrade team, support the committee in the clubrooms on a Saturday, do admin and provide information about what’s happening with the teams, and run the barbeque.

“Plus, I’m helping out with the gear at the moment,” she says.

What does Coory enjoy about it the most?

“The kids; they love it. The smiles and their enthusiasm, they’re just having a great time. If you can make the practices fun for them, you can make the game days fun.

“We’ve got a little team that’s grown together over the last couple of years, so it’s really nice watching the development of the players as well.

“Also I get to meet so many people being around the club and volunteering. It’s incredible how many people you meet and say hello to.”

This year will be Coory’s second season with Warkworth and she has two boys who play for the club – Tama will go into grade 13, while Luca is grade 10.

“I try and fit in my coaching and training with when they’re down here. So that’s a

couple of nights a week and on Saturdays.”

Coory says it’s mostly parents who volunteer, but anyone is welcome.

“If you’re part of the community, and want to see the club grow, come down and help out with the kids and see what your community is about. This is where it is on a Saturday because we’re all here.”

Coory says with the increase in membership at Warkworth AFC, which has doubled over the past two years (MM, Dec 26), more coaches and managers are needed.

“So why not come and be a volunteer?” she says.

Eye on the ball: Lucy Coory is one of dozens of volunteers at Warkworth AFC.

Basketball booming for all ages

One of the hottest local sports in recent years has been basketball, which has exploded in popularity for school students and adults.

The game was given a massive boost in March last year with the opening of a new purpose-built sports centre at the Mahurangi Hope Centre & Church, off Mansel Drive in Warkworth.

The centre includes a full-size international basketball court with a sprung hardwood floor that is now home to Mahurangi Basketball Club and Harbour Basketball’s northern base.

Harbour operations manager Campbell Marsters says locals have taken to shooting hoops like ducks to water, with six men’s teams and 21 primary school teams playing by Term 2 last year, and much more to come in 2025.

“We’ve tweaked things to allow for up to eight men’s teams, eight mixed teams and 24 primary school teams this season [February to May],” he says.

“And we’re excited to launch an Adults Mixed Basketball League on Tuesdays, starting March 18. This league is designed to be social, inclusive and a great way to stay active.”

Each mixed team must have at least two women on the court at all times, which Marsters says provides a fantastic opportunity to get more women involved in basketball.

“Games last about an hour, making it a fun and manageable way to get in some court time,” he says.

The men’s competition kicks off on Monday, February 24, with team entries closing at 5pm on February 14. Player registrations need to be completed at least 24 hours before the first game.

The primary school leagues, which feature quick, 30-minute games, start on Monday, March 17 for Years 5 and 6, and Tuesday, March 18 for Years 1 and 2 and Years 3 and 4.

Harbour Basketball is also looking for volunteers to help run games, offering refereeing and coaching clinics for anyone who wants to get involved, from beginners to experts.

“Being a relatively new sport to the masses, there aren’t a lot of people who grew up with basketball the same way they may have done with sports like rugby and cricket,” Marsters says. “So, we’re always looking for people to get involved and help provide more opportunities for the sport to grow in the region.”

He adds that any schools looking to boost their basketball programmes should contact Harbour Basketball’s in-schools and participation manager, Cain Nuttall, at participation@harbour.basketball

Info: Mahurangi adult leagues:  https:// shorturl.at/ekG9y

Mahurangi primary school leagues: https:// shorturl.at/UNdG6

Refereeing: Scott Campbell at  officials@ harbour.basketball

Coaching: Mikey Graham at support. coaches@harbour.basketball

2024 Grand Final winners, Warkworth’s Cold Handles.

... as did the Warkworth Wildcats.

Winners are grinners – Matakana Warriors did well last season ...

Newbies, give squash a go

Anyone who’s ever fancied giving squash a go would be well advised to get in touch with Wellsford Squash Club ASAP, as its annual Business House competition gets underway on February 12.

The six-week tournament features teams of four, each of which should contain at least one beginner or player who is new to the game, playing 20-minute games.

Club secretary Edwina Came says coming in with a complete team is not essential, as individual entrants will be found a place in suitable teams.

“It’s a great intro to squash because it’s quite a casual competition,” Came says. “It runs for six weeks, so it’s a chance to meet other people and give squash a go. And for those who have played before, it’s a great opportunity to get back into it.

“It’s just a fun way to get going for the season.”

Individual coaching is also available for anyone keen to try the game, but maybe not in such a public arena as the business house competition.

The squash courts, which are next to Wellsford Golf Club, will be hosting several competitions this year, from annual events such as the Wellsford Open and Junior One-Day to the Northland Graded Championships, which will be held over a

weekend in May.

Then there are the regular club nights for all ages, which can range from kids as young as five up to veterans in their sixties.

“We’ve got a wide range of age groups, with specific club nights for each, so primary school age play on Monday, college students on Tuesday and, new for this year, we’re combining senior mens and ladies on Wednesdays, instead of having separate nights for each,” Came says.

“We’re bringing in mixed nights as we’re trying to make it more social. The whole family can be there, when the kitchen and bar are open.”

The two courts are always open at other times, so members can play during the day or at weekends by themselves.

Came says the club has been running for more than 50 years and currently has around 100 members, though new players are always welcome.

“Make contact if you’re new to squash, come and see us on a club night,” Came says. “We understand it can be quite daunting, but we have equipment available to borrow, you only need to come along with some sneakers – give it a go.”

Info: Email wellsfordsquashsecretary@gmail.com

and all

contact:

Captain: Lucille 021 234 7321 | lucille.martin77@gmail.com Secretary: Edwina 021 148 7402 | wellsfordsquashsecretary@gmail.com President: Mirna 021 544 229 | wellsfordsquashpresident@gmail.com

JUNIORS will start in school term 2, contact: Stu Oldfield 021 423 778 | stuartoldfield@ymail.com

The club has a strong social ethos.

Rite of passage for young Rodney cricketers

Two teams of 12 from Rodney Cricket Association, the Rebels (Year 8) and Renegades (Year 10), had the chance to follow in the footsteps of some famous Black Caps when they competed in the Hawkes Bay Cricket Camp (HBCC) last month.

The tournaments were held from January 5 to 8 and January 15 to 18 for the Renegades and the Rebels respectively.

Hosting teams from around the North Island, the cricket camp has been going since the 1970s and has been a rite of passage for players such as former Black Caps captain Kane Williamson.

Rodney Rebels coach Simon Ward says the tour wasn’t about winning trophies – it was more an opportunity to experience full format cricket.

“It’s the first time they’ll face more than 20 balls, the first time they’ll play on a grass wicket, and the first time they’ll play a game of longer than 20 overs. That’s why in your first year it’s super-challenging.

“And it’s the first time they’ll face the prospect of a first-ball duck. There’s no grace period (where you get to face a minimum number of balls before you can get out) like Saturday cricket.

“How kids will react to a duck is one of the

great unknowns before the tournament. There were undoubtedly some tough moments, but all of the Rebels handled the setbacks with grace and that sets them in good stead for moving into high school cricket,” he says.

Ward’s wife Christine Sheehy is the Rebels junior coordinator and says it’s about participation rather than trying to win a tournament.

“The side doesn’t get selected, it’s those who put their hand up first and say they would like to go. But it tends to be the keener and, therefore, better cricketers. It is a higher standard than regular Saturday cricket,” she says.

The Rebels had an intense schedule with five games in four days – a 30-over game on the first day, two 30-over games on the second day, a 50-over game on day three, and finally another 30-over game on the final day.

“That amount of cricket in four days for a 12-year-old is pretty full on.

“Their cricketing brains really develop and the improvement is quite noticeable when they return to Saturday cricket and play against kids that haven’t gone to the tournament,” Sheehy says.

Ward says for the Year 8 Rebels, playing a

50-over game is more like what they see on TV.

“It’s that excitement of playing in a 50over game, the one-day format – they can emulate their heroes.”

For the Renegades, now made up of Year 10 players, the tournament is also five games in four days, but the team plays longerlength matches, with a 40-over game, a 50over game, two T20s on the same day and then a 45-over game on the last day.

Sheehy says the Renegades team was started when the players were Year 8 and it was Rodney Cricket’s introduction to the tournament.

“Our son Tom Ward first heard about the HBCC in 2022 and got a group of mates together to enter the Year 8 tournament. The core of the team has stayed together for three years and comes year after year to play at the camp.

“They’re now 14 and 15 years old and it’s been a really great way for them to stay connected to each other, because some of them are at different schools now.”

This year the Renegades won every game.

“In the previous two tournaments they’d won one match total, but that never mattered because it was always about the fun they had

Top performances

Rebels

Five-wicket bag Tyler Potaka 53 runs (maiden half-century) Louis Ward 50 runs Henry Cunis (after getting close twice earlier in the week with 44 and 49 runs)

Renegades 91 runs, Zac Laing, Three half-centuries, Nate Cunis

and the growth. They’d never really focused on the result, which is pretty cool.

“But this year winning them all was really neat,” she says.

In contrast, the Rebels won their first match of the tournament “which was superexciting”, but they didn’t win the other four. Ward says all of their games came down to the last one or two overs.

“They were all very close, with only a few balls in it. The Rebels weren’t getting blown off the park.”

He says whether the teams are winning or losing, ultimately it doesn’t matter.

“The kids don’t even care by the end of the week. They probably do at the beginning, or some of them do, but by the end of the week they’re just like, ‘oh well, you win, you lose’. And then they’re off to the next thing.”

Craft your beachside lifestyle

Secure your dream section in the first 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 $399,000. Section sizes range from 512sqm and 3,142sqm (more or less) and include wastewater, power and fibre connections with parks, walkways, cycleways, and a pontoon on the estuary planned for the future. Titles are expected to be issued soon. All lot owners will enjoy a flat short walk to shops and amenities, with sensible design guidelines to protect your investment. Perfectly positioned between Mangawhai Village, Mangawhai Heads shops and surf beach with Te Arai Links and Tara Iti golf courses nearby. Book an appointment today for the lifestyle you deserve.

Secure your dream section in the first 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, tree-lined avenues, and services already in place, be quick to take advantage of these early bird prices with titles due out soon. All lot owners will enjoy a flat short walk to shops and amenities, with sensible design guidelines to protect your investment. Book an appointment today for the lifestyle you deserve. bayleys.co.nz/1153903

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Nearby Mangawhai Heads surf

Nearby Mangawhai Heads surf beach

Artist Impression

Young Rebels: the Year 8 cricketers got some runs on the board and loved competing at the Hawkes Bay Cricket Camp.

The Year 10 Renegades completed a historic clean sweep at the Hawkes Bay Cricket Camp.

Book Reviews

Safe Enough, by Lee Child

While short stories aren’t usually my first preference, I was pretty confident going into this book that it would be enjoyable. Lee Child has earned a certain credence that any of his titles will be quality reading. Safe Enough is a collection of 20 bite-sized morsels of fiction that Child has written over the last two decades. We meet a dodgy detective who frames the wrong man, a simple electrician who witnesses a domestic assault, a murder reminiscent of a Sherlock Holmes, a hostage at death’s door who tries to keep his captor talking, and a serial killer who only targets the dregs of society. Plus many other intriguing tales, providing snapshots of the complicated and often-times dark side of humanity.

Intriguingly, none of the stories are in the least way connected to Child’s most famous character, Jack Reacher. But at the very end, we do get one bonus short story collaboration between Lee Child and best-selling author Tess Gerritsen featuring their key characters. The perfect book for brief reading windows, that stays within the thriller genre; bedtime stories for adults.

Reviewed by Abby Soffe

A Thousand

Broken Pieces by Tillie Cole

A Thousand Broken Pieces is a heartbreakingly beautiful romance, which continues on from the conclusion of Tillie Cole’s bestselling 2016 novel, A Thousand Boy Kisses. Four years on and we find Savannah Litchfield struggling with the grief of losing her older sister, Poppy, to cancer. Unable to accept the loss and move on, her last resort is an around-the-world trip for teens who, like her, are struggling with significant personal loss.

A Thousand Broken Pieces is a touching story about rediscovering life after the loss of a loved one and finding peace when it seems there might not be any to be found. Cole perfectly intertwines the pain and anger of grief with the ache of healing and recovery, as the characters learn to let go and find themselves and each other. The cultures explored are described beautifully and are eye-opening on the subject of grief and remembrance, and the blossoming relationship between Savannah and one of her travelling companions is sweet and sincere.

This book is perfect for teens or older who love a ‘book-tok’ style romance and a story with themes of friendship, healing and moving on.

Reviewed by Jazlyn Jackson

Silver celebration for land and coast care group

More than 100 people made their way to the Okahukura Peninsula on Saturday, January 25 to celebrate the Tapora Land and Coast Care Group’s 25th anniversary and the official opening of its new native plant nursery.

After a powhiri at Tapora Community Hall, a number of speeches were made about how the organisation had started and its subsequent progress in pest management and planting over the years, not least by group patron and founding member Wally McConnell.

Then it was time to open the new nursery, Tipu Rākau (tree trunk), on land behind the hall, where hundreds of taonga species unique to the area are being grown from

seed to support replanting and restoration of local whenua.

The day-long celebration, which was supported by Te Uri o Hau and Auckland Council, also featured performances by Tapora School students, a hangi lunch and a guided tour of a new wetland walkway on group president Earle Wright’s farm, with environmental insights from Fonterra ecologist Ben Herbert along the way.

The day concluded with a well-earned rest and refreshments at the Tapora Golf Club.

Land and Coast Care Group secretary Natalie McConnell said the event had been a resounding success and exceeded all their expectations.

“It was a special time to reflect on the

group’s journey and to acknowledge the incredible mahi of our volunteers and community partners who have made it all possible,” she said.

“We are deeply grateful for the strong attendance from whānau, community members, supporters and sponsors. Their presence created a warm and connected atmosphere throughout the day, and so many people commented on how nice it was to be part of something that felt like an old school community.”

McConnell said feedback since had been overwhelmingly positive.

“It’s clear the event has reignited enthusiasm and energy for the important work we have ahead.”

A highlight of the day was the official opening of the group’s new nursery.

The day included a wetland farm walk.

Tipu rakau means tree trunk.

Ben Herbert, left, and Earle Wright.

We service: Puhoi to Paparoa and everywhere

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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

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TRIM & PROPER SOLUTIONS

Have you been affected by someone's drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help.

We welcome you to the Warkworth Family Recovery group confidential meeting. We meet at Vineyard Church Hall, 5 Pulham Road, Warkworth, every Wednesday from 7pm to 8pm. This meeting can also be attended on Zoom.

Please contact warkworthafg@gmail.com for more details or visit Al-anon.org.nz

Supported by Mahurangi Matters

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICE DESKS

SITUATIONS VACANT

ASSISTANT CARETAKER

We are seeking a dedicated individual to join our team, playing a key role in maintaining our school as a safe, welcoming, and visually appealing environment that both Warkworth School and the wider community can take pride in.

This is a varied position, working alongside our full-time Caretaker, and we are looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic setting and enjoys engaging with both adults and children. The ideal candidate will be positive, practical, adaptable, personable, and committed, with the ability to manage a diverse range of tasks and respond to the school’s changing needs. A “can-do” attitude, strong interpersonal skills and good time management are essential. Experience in building or maintenance would be an advantage.

Please note that this is a physically demanding role and requires a full driver’s license.

The position includes:

• general building maintenance

• general grounds and garden maintenance

• general cleaning and maintenance

• cleaning and sanitising when required

The deadline for classified advertising for our February 17 paper is February 12. Send classified advertising enquiries to design@localmatters.co.nz

Hedge trimming • Fruit tree & orchard pruning • Formative prunes • Stump grinding 020 4027 6200 trimandproper@outlook.co.nz

CLEANING Local professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849.

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Warkworth, at the Library Monday 10am – 2pm

Matakana, Cinema Complex Tuesday 11am-1pm

Warkworth RSA Fridays 3.30pm to 5pm No appointment is needed. There is no cost.

Supported by Mahurangi Matters

STATUS OF THE HOTEO RIVERBED

Supporters of the Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Whatua's claim for the Hoteo Riverbed a Māori Customary Land should register their names, address, and phone numbers to email hoteoriverbed@gmail.com by the 28th February 2025. Must be 18 yr & over.

• providing assistance when requested by staff

This is a part time position working 20-25 hours per week, hours and days to be negotiated.

The successful applicant will work under the terms and conditions of the Caretakers and Cleaners Collective Agreement and the rate of remuneration will be between $27 - $33 per hour, based on skills and experience. A police check will be required prior to appointment (and at 3-yearly intervals thereafter).

To apply for this role, download an application form from our website https://www.warkworth.school.nz/, and send with your CV and a covering letter to kima@warkworth.school.nz

Applications close: Friday, 14 February 2025 at 3pm

WALKERS URGENTLY NEEDED TO DELIVER THE MAHURANGI MATTERS NEWSPAPERS Runs available. Suit retired or school aged children. Contact 425 9068, admin@localmatters.co.nz

www.localmatters.co.nz

Mulching

Commercial/Rural & Lifestyle blocks

Tractor & large Tip trailer

Carting Soil/Bales & ad hoc jobs

Fencing

General

Rodney Otamatea Soccer Association AGM

Rodney Otamatea Soccer Association (ROSA) AGM, Wellsford RSA, Sunday, February 9, 4 pm. ROSA provides coaching, seasonal soccer competitions and fundraising across the Rodney district. Agenda includes discussing reports and changes, election of officials and general business, including Northland Football Club and societies’ changes. Info: Rodney Otamatea Soccer Association on Facebook

Top of the Rock is back

Kaiwaka Sport Association presents Top of the Rock 2025. Choose from 5km or 10km running/ walking route or free kids fun bike ride. Fundraiser with entertainment, prizes and more. Pakeho Road, Kaiwaka, Sunday, March 9, 9am. Entry forms from Kaiwaka Four Square or visit https://www.kaiwakasport.co.nz/top-of-the-rock/ Warkworth Hockey Club trials

Warkworth Hockey Club is holding trials on Sunday, February 9 and Saturday, February 15 for women and men. Times differ, but generally start at 4pm. Seasoned players, beginners or somewhere in between, all skill levels welcome. Trials held at Warkworth Hockey Turf, Warkworth Showgrounds. Register for trials at www.facebook.com/warkworthhockeyclub

Scottish dancing

The Silver Oaks Scottish Country Dancing Club will start Friday March 8 and meets every Friday at Shoesmith Hall, Warkworth, from 10am-12 noon. Cost $5 weekly. Dancing for the young at heart to keep bodies and brains working safely. Optional lunch in local cafe to increase the social links. Registered with the Live Longer, Live Stronger programme, endorsed by ACC. No partner needed. Wear soft-soled shoes and bring a water bottle. All welcome. Info: elainegold@xtra.co.nz

Mahurangi pickleball

The Mahurangi Pickleball Club plays at Hope Church on Monday and Thursday mornings, $5 per person, but first session is free. The game has elements of table tennis, badminton and tennis; suitable for all ages. Visit the Mahurangi Pickleball Club on FB or email pickleball.rodney@gmail.com

History

Wade, Warkworth & District Museum www.warkworthmuseum.co.nz

Museum fundraising drive

If you have been to Warkworth Museum lately you will have seen the results of the work that has been going on there for these last few months to upgrade the fire safety of the building. Some of our volunteers have been applying finishing touches, such as painting the new safety doors. Other volunteers are renewing display areas that have had to be changed, while others are carrying on with their usual jobs, helping with the daily running of the museum and its departments, as well as ongoing projects such as our digitisation project.

In earlier articles about the museum, I have mentioned that we are self-funded. The funds coming in from entrance fees, the gift and plant shops at the museum, and occasional talks that are held at the museum. Plus, of course, the Museum Op Shop, or as it is fondly known, the MOP shop, down in Baxter Street. There are other occasional fundraisers, such as raffles or a market stall at the Kowhai Festival. Donations, too, all help with the operational overheads.

For special additional projects we have had to look at other ways of raising funds.

Now we have the fire safety work almost completed, our next project is to install a small lift. This will improve access to the upstairs displays and textiles and archives departments. To help fund the lift project the museum has started a ‘give-a-little’ page.

https://givealittle. co.nz/org/warkworthand-districts-museum

Any assistance would be appreciated, thank you.

The museum likes to offer different exhibitions. This gives an opportunity for items not normally on display to be seen. At the moment we have the Wilson’s cement works exhibition and, previous to that, we had an exhibition of locally made items. We are also currently working with Te Papa to bring two mini-tabletop exhibitions –Clever Crustaceans and Colossal Squid to the museum later this year.

We look forward to seeing you at the Warkworth and Districts Museum through the year. There are some lovely walks in the Kauri Park to enjoy, also.

Catholics make their move

The new Holy Name Catholic Church in Matakana Road – formerly Ascension Wine Estate – was opened and blessed by the Bishop of Auckland, Stephen Lowe, on Sunday, January 26. The first service in the former winery and events venue followed a decommissioning and Mass of Thanksgiving for the old Catholic Church in Alnwick Street, Warkworth the previous evening. The Catholic diocese and Warkworth parish bought the new location in July last year. Future plans include running parish events, day retreats and community gatherings and, potentially in the longer term, a new primary school 10 to 20 years from now.

The Warkworth and Districts Museum has a hand-to-mouth existence, relying on activities such as the Kowhai Festival stall to help fund its work.

Lyn

Gardening

Andrew Steens

Selling your garden

Following on from my recent column about shifting house and taking my plant collections with me, I thought it might be useful to write on the planning involved in making a well-designed and well-presented garden an asset to your property sale, instead of a liability. By now the property should be on the market, have a look online and see what you think of the job I’ve done – 13 Harbour View Road, Point Wells. Firstly, I gave some thought to the structure of the garden and who the likely buyer might be. The price range in our area is not likely to attract many first home buyers, or property investors looking for a rental investment. At 1000sqm, the section is probably too large for elderly people looking to downsize.

The location is ideal, though, for mature buyers looking to move from the city. It’s also perfect for busy professionals with older children, as school buses stop nearby. So, a shrub-lined garden that gives lots of privacy, with gravel paths, bore-supplied irrigation system and raised gardens for ease of maintenance, lots of gravelled offstreet parking for extended family or older children with cars, a small but useful area of lawn for the dog or visitors’ tents, plus a productive vegetable garden, seems to fit the brief.

Trees and shrubs growing up against the house are a no-no in my book, as that is a guaranteed way of generating mould, rot and moisture issues. So, all gardens were established away from the house, mostly lining the edges of the property to add

Scottish Country dancers from Warkworth and Kaiwaka put on a grand evening’s entertainment for the Warkworth Oaks residents on January 25.

A traditional Burns’ night dinner was arranged to celebrate the Scottish poet Robert Burns’ birthday. Piper Bob Logan played as people arrived at the Southgate room. This was followed by the traditional piping in of the haggis with piper, haggis bearer, whisky bearer, sword and flag bearer. The address to the haggis was dynamically presented by Steve Goldthorpe, with all wearing colourful kilts in varying tartans. The haggis meal followed, with lemon chicken as an alternative and salads and desserts, prepared by the Scottish Country dancing community. Kaitaia Club chair Alex Duthie gave an amusing speech on Burns in the form of his immortal memory. A toast to the lassies was presented by Malcolm Black and the reply to the

RODNEY SEPTIC TANK CLEANING

privacy and sound reduction, with gravel paths between the garden and the house to improve drainage and avoid soggy soil underfoot, as the rich Point Wells peat is known to hold a lot of moisture after rain.

About a year ago, we had some large trees that were casting too much shade on the house removed or pruned, followed by some heavy hedge pruning. This gave time for regrowth before putting the property on the market, as well as producing a big pile of mulch – ideal to cover any bare soil and reduce weeds. Fortunately, I have an edge of mondo on almost all my ornamental gardens, which acts as a barrier to birds flicking the mulch onto the paths – it’s a huge time-saver.

Even after my extensive plant collection was removed to the new property, there was still lots of lovely foliage throughout the gardens. All I needed to do was to add some relatively low maintenance perennials, such as white hydrangeas, canna lilies and iresine, to fill the gaps and provide a pop of colour over summer and a few bromeliads and some heliconia to add a bit of dramatic effect. Most of these were planted in autumn so they had plenty of time to establish, thicken up and cover the beds by midsummer.

By late spring I turned my efforts to planting out any remaining gaps with annuals such as the vibrantly coloured coleus. Job done, aside from dead-heading, watering, mowing the lawn and keeping an eagle eye out for any weeds until the property is sold.

laddies by Alison Coates.

Wendy Ormond was a sparkling MC and entertainment was provided by Samantha Read (13), who danced the traditional highland dance of Seann Triubhas Willichan with precision footwork. Alison played some Scottish songs and the Scottish Country dancers showed residents a reel, Toast to the Mousies and a Strathspey dance, City of Belfast.

The evening ended with Auld Lang Syne. Scottish country dancing restarts on February 7 in Warkworth Shoesmith Hall, from 10am-midday. Evening dancing restarts in the old Masonic Hall on March 3, and is held every Monday, from 3pm7pm. There are also classes in Kaiwaka Hall on Wednesdays, from 10am-midday, from February 14 onwards.

New dancers always welcome. Info: Elaine on 027 432 0032. Contributed

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The traditional piping in of the haggis. Dinner and dancing were on the menu.

Scottish bard celebrated

Fundraiser keeps on trekkin’

Two days of riding through spectacular native bush and farmland overlooking the Kaipara Harbour are again being offered as the major annual fundraiser for Ahuroa Hall and School.

This year’s Ahuroa Horse Trek takes place on Saturday and Sunday, February 22 and 23, starting from the Berger family farm high in the Kaipara Hills, off Komokoriki Hill Road.

The trail wends its way over private farmland and through steep hill country, with expansive views in all directions and stunning harbour vistas.

Participants are well-fed throughout, with local volunteers providing home-made lunches halfway along the trek route,

plus a barbecue and woolshed party on the Saturday night, followed by a hearty breakfast for campers and riders on Sunday. The event usually raises several thousand dollars for Ahuroa’s hall and school.

Organisers say the trek is suitable for most riders, providing they have some experience, and children are welcome, so long as they are accompanied by an adult. Riders should bring their own wash down water for horses, although there is a stream at the campsite that can be used.

The full weekend costs $245 for adults (or $125 for children), with Saturday only priced at $145 ($75), and Sunday only at $105 ($55). To register: https://shorturl.at/ KZsUG

Opera picnic broadens appeal

Music lovers attending the annual Matakana Opera Picnic on February 15 will not only be able to enjoy the vocal talents of some of New Zealand’s best young professional singers, there will also be a more diverse range of music at this year’s concert.

There will still be plenty of operatic favourites, of course, but the programme for the 2025 picnic will also include musical theatre classics, plus a few torch songs and power ballads as well.

Auckland Opera Studio co-founder Stephen Fitzgerald said he was confident the decision to “change it up a little” this year would prove popular with the picnic crowd and make for another unforgettable evening of song.

“Along with the familiar opera, we’ve got brackets from Wicked, traditional Neapolitan and some of the great music theatre anthems from the 50s through to the present,” he said.

“We’ll give you our own versions of Sinatra, Presley, Bocelli, Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand, to name a few.”

Familiar faces returning to sing will be soprano Amelia Berry, bass-baritone Joel Amosa, tenor Ipu Laga’aia, tenor Ridge Ponini and baritone Alfred FonotoFuimaono, while up and coming sopranos Sarah Mileham and Jasmine Jessen will be appearing at the picnic for the first time. They will all be accompanied by renowned pianist Somi Kim, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London and member of popular chamber music ensemble NZ Trio.

As usual, the outdoor recital by Auckland Opera Studio singers will take place on a lakeside stage in the tranquil gardens of Simon and Robin Barclay’s property on the corner of Ward and Matakana Valley Roads.

Gates open at 4.30pm, with the concert starting at 6pm and running until around 9pm. BYO blankets, cushions, food and drink. Tickets cost $65, under-16s free. Info and bookings: https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/

Encore! Auckland Opera Studio singers are returning to the lakeside stage.

The Matakana picnic and concert take place in an idyllic garden setting.

The Ahuroa trek always attracts a good following.

www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/

3 Community Singing, Old Masonic Hall, next to Warkworth library, 5.30-6.30pm. No audition, no experience needed. Gold coin. Info: warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

3-7 Bob Marley Exhibition, Rodney Rams clubrooms, Whangateau, 10am-4pm

3-28 Auschwitz. Now. exhibition, 267 Rodney Road, Wellsford, open daily, 10am5pm. Check opening dates/times by texting 021 049 5787 (see story p4)

4 Warkworth Area Liaison Group meeting, Warkworth RSA downstairs meeting room, 7.30pm. All welcome

5 Retired men’s coffee morning, The Coffee Club, The Grange, Warkworth, 10.30am.  Come and join us for camaraderie and chat with men’s Rebus. You don’t have to be a member. Info: Ron 422 3111.

5 Warkworth Library Garden Group, Warkworth Library, 6.30-7.30pm. Monthly speakers, plant trading table and practical advice with like-minded gardeners over tea and biscuits.  Gold coin. Info: warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

6 Brain Charge Hour, Warkworth Library, 10.30-11.30am. Aimed at anyone who wants to improve their cognitive brain function with fun activities. Free. Info: warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

7 English Conversation Group, Warkworth library, 1.30-2.30pm. A safe and informal space to come and practice speaking English. Free. Info: warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

7 Chess Club, Warkworth Library, 3.30-5pm. Weekly sessions suitable for all ages and abilities. Free. Info: warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

7 Vineyards in the Village, Matakana Village, 4-8pm every Friday in summer. Matakana’s finest wines, live tunes and Italian pizzas by Bernardo at Italian in the Village. Info https://www.facebook.com/MatakanaWineTrail

9 Kiwi Bubble Soccer and Hungerball, Shoesmith Reserve, 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

9 Meet the Chief of Clan Matheson, Heritage School, Waipu Scottish Migration Museum, Waipu (vehicle access off Halifax Drive) 4pm-5.30pm. An opportunity to hear about Matheson heritage and meet Sir Alexander and Lady Matheson.

12 Book launch for Iain Gow’s third book The Priest Who Limped, Warkworth Library, 5.30-7pm. Copies of the book will be available, $22 cash only.   Info: warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

12 Libraries new holds system information session, Warkworth Library, 10amnoon. Info: warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz (see brief p9)

13 Matakantata Choir, Matakana Hall, 7pm-9.15pm. Bring your singing voice and check out the new songs for the mid-year concert. All welcome

14 Warkworth Garden Club Annual Show, Warkworth Town Hall, open to public 12-5pm. Info: https://www.warkworthgardenclub.co.nz (see story p14)

15 Warkworth RSA Fishing Competition, fishing from 3am, weigh-in 2pm, fish auction, 4.30pm (see story p11)

15 Stand-up paddleboarding & kayaking, Mathesons Bay, 10am. Free. Info & updates: Out and About Auckland on Facebook

15 Open gardens, 198 Ahuroa Road, Puhoi, 2-4pm. Fundraiser for Puhoi Volunteer Fire Brigade and Slow Water Sea Scouts (see story p19)

15 Matakana Annual Opera Picnic, cnr Ward Road & Matakana Valley Roads, 6pm. Tickets www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz (see story p38)

15 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 (see story p24)

15 Hugh Major double book launch, Matakana Hall, 6.30pm. Drinks and nibbles, all welcome.

15&22 Girls Skate NZ Skateboard clinic, Snells Beach skatepark, 2pm. Free. Info & updates: Girls Skate NZ Facebook

16 Petrus Fourie, Auckland-based singer and guitarist, Tahi Bar Warkworth, 4pm6pm

16 Dementia Friendly Sunday, Warkworth Library, 11-noon. For people living with dementia and their carers. A cuppa, a chat and an activity in a safe and friendly space. Free. Info: katherine.mitchell@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or 427 3920

SATURDAY, 15th FEBRUARY 2025

Omaha teen turns heads with 52kg tuna

When Omaha teenager Hector de Mornac landed a 52kg, 155cm yellowfin tuna with his grandad Patrick Macdonald on January 15, he also caught the attention of news outlets across the country and lit up social media.

De Mornac uploaded a video of himself reeling in the tuna to his YouTube channel Hector’s Gone Fishing and it attracted nearly 10,000 views in just a few days.

What makes his feat so newsworthy is that the 18-year-old caught the giant fish in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf, near Little Barrier Island, on a jetski – not to mention using a main line that only had a 50-pound (23kg) breaking strain.

The fight with the tuna, which at 52kg weighed over twice the capacity of his main line, lasted around 10 minutes and it went

on “three massive runs”.

“It’s lucky the line didn’t snap, I just had to play it for a while,” de Mornac says.

“At first I thought it was a small albacore or skipjack tuna and then when I tightened the jag and it was still ripping line, that’s when I realised it was quite big – it was pulling the jetski forwards against the wind and the waves.”

It wasn’t until the fish was circling around the jetski that de Mornac and his grandad saw the distinctive yellow fins identifying its species.

The pair used a gaff to pull it onboard and had to secure it in the footwell of the jetski as “obviously it was too large to go in the chilly bin”.

“The jetski is made for fishing and pretty stable, but when we were riding back to shore

(approximately 30 kilometres) I had to lean off to the side for 40 minutes to counterbalance the weight of the tuna,” he says. However, the story doesn’t end there – de Mornac then had to figure out how to weigh his catch.

“I didn’t want to break my fish scale, which only goes up to 23kg, so I used a normal scale. I weighed myself, and was 82kg, then stood on the scale with the tuna and I was 134kg. I just did the maths.”

From his research online he reckons it’s the largest yellowfin tuna ever caught from a jetski in NZ, but because he’s not a member of a club affiliated with the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council it hasn’t officially been recognised.

De Mornac says he encourages everyone, especially younger people, to fish.

“If there’s anyone local who wants to go fishing, check out Hunting & Fishing in Warkworth, they have all the gear, the team is super-nice, knowledgeable and always helpful. Catching your own food is amazing.”

None of the 52kg yellowfin tuna he landed went to waste.

De Mornac’s friends and family all have freezers full of tuna steaks, the head and wings were used to make a French dish called rillettes, and leftover meat between the ribs was scraped out and turned into sashimi.

“I chopped the tail off and I’m drying it out with some salt because I want to keep it as a souvenir,” he says.

You can check out the video of de Mornac’s fight with the tuna on his YouTube channel Hector’s Gone Fishing.

The one that didn’t get away: Hector de Mornac, right, and his grandad Patrick Macdonald with their 52kg tuna, which they caught off a jetski off Hauturu Little Barrier.