Mahurangi Matters_Issue 424_28 February 2022

Stubbs farm changes hands pages 4&5

Vaccination status compromises child’s health care page 6

All about animals pages 25-31

February 28, 2022

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Auckland Council planning Is there a problem?

A Ma h u ra n g i Ma tt e r s s e r i e s

Somewhere under this road are what’s left of the heritage setts that have mistakenly led to a heritage overlay being placed on Brian Leach’s property.

Pensioner asked to pay for Council blunder A Matakana couple’s bid to sell their property in Ward Road has foundered on an Auckland Council planning error that Council says could cost the landowner upwards of $10,000 to correct.

It was only when Brian Leach decided to sell the 18-hectare property he had inherited from his father that he discovered

it had a heritage overlay on it.

Thanks to the efforts of his granddaughter, they uncovered a document on the Council website headed Unitary Plan Operative that clearly referred to 2 Ward Road Matakana and 425 sandstone setts or cobblestones.

However, on the Heritage NZ register,

off the drawing board . . .

Graham SaweII

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

where the sandstone setts are listed as a Historic Place Category 2, the address is given as Matakana Valley Road with a legal description as a legal road, and no mention of 2 Ward Road.

“So why was this overlay ever attached to our title when these sandstone setts were never on our property?” Brian asks.

To add insult to injury, he says council contractors completely destroyed the sandstone setts more than 25 years ago.

According to his research, Brian says the early settlers built a single lane horse and cart track from Matakana to Smith Road, along what is now Matakana Valley Road, continued on page 2

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Pensioner asked to pay for Council blunder more than 100 years ago. A considerable part of this track was built with sandstone setts laid very close together to form a cobblestone all-weather roadway.

Over the years the track was widened with gravel to make a two-way motor vehicle road, but the cobblestones remained as a significant proportion of the whole roadway.

“I got a driver’s licence in 1957 and drove cars over those cobblestones for more than 30 years and can vividly recall how rough they were to drive on. If you got up any speed, the car would bounce all over the place.

“Obviously a grader could not smooth them out and if gravel was put on them, it just bounced off again after a few days.

“At some point in time, the former Rodney District Council must have declared these cobblestones to be items of historical significance.”

Brian says this rough cobblestone road remained almost unchanged up until 1993, when Rodney Council started to tarseal the road and, over the next few years, the entire length of Matakana Valley Road was widened and tar-sealed.

“The cobblestones were either ripped up or completely buried under the new tar-sealed road,” he says.

“You can imagine my surprise, then when land agents and prospective buyers began asking me why our title deed is encumbered with an overlay concerning

from page 1

historic sandstone setts.

“Last week (early February) I filled out an Auckland Council official complaint form on their website asking them to please explain and please remove this overlay.

They have acknowledged the email, but that’s all.”

When Mahurangi Matters asked Council how a person went about removing an overlay from their property, spokesperson Dee Sims said a private plan change would be required. For a simple project, the cost would be $10,000 while more complex projects can cost up to $30,000.

See also ‘We say’ and cartoon page 8.

Lucky escape for capsized crew off Kawau Five fishermen on a day out from Gulf Harbour to Kawau Island had a lucky escape when their six-metre boat capsized in rough seas on Saturday, February 12.

Despite all five being thrown into a heavy swell, the skipper managed to swim back under the upturned boat, find a distress call device and activate the alarm.

Kawau Volunteer Coastguard arrived on the scene soon afterwards and plucked three men out of the water, one from the overturned boat hull and another from nearby rocks. They were all taken to a waiting ambulance at Sandspit wharf and three of them were taken to hospital with suspected hypothermia.

Coastguard skipper Luke McCarthy said if they hadn’t been wearing lifejackets and had an SOS device, it could have been a very different result.

“They were very, very lucky,” he said. “It the conditions out there weren’t good, not good at all – it was pretty bumpy, especially round the other side of Kawau.”

The boat tipped over after being swamped by large waves when the men dropped anchor. The vessel’s skipper managed to stay with the boat and climbed on to its hull, but his mates were swept away in heavy seas. He then had to swim back underneath the boat to find an InReach SOS device, swim out again and activate it to raise the alarm.

The six-metre boat was swamped by heavy seas.

The NZ Rescue Coordination Centre alerted Coastguard after receiving the SOS signal and the Kawau crew were sent investigate just after 11am.

Within 20 minutes, Luke McCarthy and his crew had found the boat, rescued one angler on the upturned hull, another on rocks 700 metres away and the other three cold, exhausted men from the water.

He said he wasn’t sure why the men thought a day’s fishing was a good idea when there were two-metre waves, 25-knot winds and a cyclone forecast, but said at least they had the right kit.

“They were well prepared, all wearing lifejackets and that’s what saved them.

They also had a device to activate

and the skipper did a fantastic job in helping us locate his mates,” he said.

“This rescue had an extremely good outcome and my crew were ecstatic with the result.”

He said the incident was a timely reminder of what every boatie should do in case of emergency.

“Lifejackets – take them and wear them.

Tell someone where you’re going. Take two forms of waterproof communication and keep one on you, just in case. And if you’re in any doubt about the weather, don’t go,” McCarthy said.

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An artist’s impression of what The Kilns might look like over an aerial shot of 36 Sandspit Road.

Single house could be replaced by 50 on riverfront block Up to 50 homes could be built on land in Warkworth, between Sandspit Road and the Mahurangi River, if private plan change and resource consent applications get the go-ahead.

The Kilns development would be a mix of terraced and detached one, two and three storey housing off 36 Sandspit Road, with walking access into town via Millstream Place.

The property, which was sold in December 2020, is bordered by Sandspit Road to the north, creeks and extensive native bush to the east and west, and the Mahurangi River bank to the south. The block includes the three historic Coombes and Daldy lime kilns at the water’s edge, which developer Denis Horner says would be totally protected.

“We can’t touch them and we’ll provide public access through the development, off

the end of the road at the river end. It will be much easier to see them than it is now,” he says.

Horner also wants to retain all the native bush and the riverfront trees that hide the land from view of the town centre across the river.

“It will be totally behind the trees. You might get a peek from way back if you’re up on a hill, but we’ve put in fairly tight height restrictions because we don’t want

New Auckland valuations due for release Nearly 600,000 Auckland property owners will receive new valuation notices in March.

The new values will be based on the most likely selling price if the property had sold on June 1, 2021, and will be used to inform rates for the next rating year, starting on July 1.

The current average value for a residential (urban and rural combined) property for rating purposes is $1,435,000.

The new valuations cover all property types including, farm, lifestyle, commercial and residential.

The last valuation was done in 2017 and was due to be updated in October 2021.

However, it was rescheduled to December 2021 due to Covid-19, and then delayed again to March 2022.

Council spokesperson Isabelle Walker says the valuation is made up of three parts – capital value, land value and the value of improvements. It also takes into account factors such as property type, location, land size, zoning, floor area and any consented work for renovations, new builds or subdivisions.

“Council valuations do not reflect a property’s market value and should not be used for insurance, mortgage or marketing purposes,” she says.

Ratepayers have a right to object to their valuation if they do not believe it is accurate.

“As a result of the Covid delays, some ratepayers may not be notified of the result of their objection prior to receiving rates notices. Ratepayers can rest assured if their value is changed as a result of their objection, any changes to their rates will be backdated accordingly.”

The actual date for the release of the valuations is expected to be announced this week. Notices will be sent to all property owners and will also be available on Council’s website: www.aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/revaluation

people to be able to see it, and for privacy.”

He says he believes the site is right for such a development because of its proximity to the town centre and a general need for more housing in Warkworth.

“With it being so close to town, within walking distance, and with the growth of the town, I was just very keen to do a slightly more high density development,” he says.

Horner, who lives at Omaha, says he is also happy to work with the Mahurangi Coast Trail Trust group to provide connectivity with the river route section of its proposed Snells Beach to Warkworth walkway and cycleway.

A Kilns Project open day was due to be held on site last Saturday, February 26.

Auckland Council says planning staff are currently assessing the request to change the zoning at 36 Sandspit Road, which currently is residential – large lot and has one house on the 2.8 hectare block.

“A private plan change at this location was lodged last year and council planning staff are reviewing the request to assess whether further information is required to progress it under the Resource Management Act,” a spokesperson said.

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3

New player enters Warkworth development field The Warkworth property known as Stubbs Farm has sold for just over $50 million.

The bulk of the land lies between Viv Davie-Martin Drive and Hudson Road, and is zoned for housing, light industry, business, retail, parks and recreation, plus a network of proposed roads and pedestrian and cycle connections.

Under the new ownership, a retirement village may be added to the mix.

The property was purchased in December by a joint venture called The Neighbourhood North Limited (TNN).

The major shareholder is WFT Finance and Investment Company Ltd, in partnership with Arena Investors. TNN’s three directors are Todd Strathdee (Arena), and Wayne Wright and Wayne Leslie Wright (WFT).

The property was sold by Colliers after previous owners, Warkworth Holdings, was put into liquidation late last year owing $47 million. Strathdee was a director of Warkworth Holdings, along with Mangawhai Central developer Andrew Guest. The other directors were Kerry Hitchcock and Marcus Jacobson. A minority shareholder in the company was Arena Global, which Mr Strathdee is also associated with.

Speaking on behalf of WFT, Wayne Leslie Wright (Wayne Wright Jnr) confirmed the purchase. He says the initial site was Stubbs Farm at just under 50ha.

“We are also acquiring the neighbouring Middle Hill farm, which is another 20ha.

Those two properties are the extent of the development at this time,” Wright says.

He says WFT was approached about the Warkworth property by Strathdee after a separation with their (Arena’s) previous partner.

“We have worked with Todd on several occasions in the past and he knew we had the experience and capital to be a suitable partner in this development. We are particularly drawn to Warkworth’s proximity to the city and the growing trend for people to work part of their week from home while still having access to the city.

“Warkworth is a picturesque gem and we

Under the new ownership, a retirement village may be added to the mix.

Wright says present uncertainties make it difficult to put a timeframe on the development.

“Covid restrictions, consent delays, materials delays and worker shortages could all have a significant effect on the development timeline. However, simplistically, we expect this to be a four to five year project for all the consent, civil and other infrastructure works, with an overlapping housing and commercial build agenda that will extend longer.”

Wright says WFT believes the housing and additional commercial facilities presented by this development will add significant growth and opportunity to Warkworth.

“We hope the current residents of Warkworth will welcome us and I look forward to meeting the community as the project takes hold.”

believe its proximity to the wine areas, parks and beaches will be appealing to new home owners.

“The town also offers good synergy with our Silverdale retirement village and we may explore having another The Botanic retirement facility within the development.”

Wright says TNN is still exploring an appropriate name for the development, which captures the history and opportunity of the site and where its significance lies in the surrounding area.

“We are planning a mix of residential and commercial space. Most of the land will be used for housing and we expect in excess of 1000 new homes. However, if we allocate some of the land to a retirement village then adjustments will need to be made.”

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continued from previous page

BOP dynasty spreads to Warkworth Wayne and Chloe Wright, of Tauranga, are the patriarch and matriarch of The Wright Family, which includes five children and several grandchildren.

According to Wayne Jnr, his father started his entrepreneurial career when he was 19, mowing lawns in the summer and shovelling coal in the winter in Lower Hutt.

Around 1968 he went into partnership with a concrete retaining wall supplier based in Petone and bought out his partner the following year. He expanded that company into California in 1976 and across the US from 1986.

The retaining wall company success afforded him the opportunity to invest in multiple industries along the way including property development, earth moving, kiwifruit syndicates, furniture moving, telecommunications, meat processing, ferti liser manufacture, truck parts, computer programming, childcare, retirement villages and others.

In the early 70s, his development in Lower Hutt was the first property to make use of the new Unit Title Act. He has since been involved in developing a large range of properties, from single homes to subdivisions, hotels to apartment buildings, commercial parks and shopping malls.

Wayne Sr was awarded the Ernst & Young Master Class Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016.

Today, the family’s interests are divided into two areas – The Wright Family Foundation and the Wright Family Trust.

Wayne Jnr says the foundation

is one of New Zealand’s largest registered charities with more than $300 million in assets. It contributes millions of dollars a year across a wide range of community programmes. It is run by Chloe, who was awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit last year for her lifetime commitment to philanthropy, education and health.

The Wright Family Trust is the commercial arm of the family and oversees a range of investments.

WFT Finance and Investments Company Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the trust and is in the business of lending money to commercial ventures including property developments.

More recently, the trust has become involved in the retirement village sector through its subsidiary company, Senes Investments, and has partnered with local operators to fund, build and operate villages.

It is a partner in The Botanic, a retirement village being built in Silverdale which includes more than 500 residences. The Longridge Country Estate in Paeroa, which is also under construction, has more than 400 residences, and there is another project, still in the planning stages, in Riverhead which will accommodate more than 400 residences.

The trust also recently purchased the old Paeroa Racecourse which it intends to develop into a mix of residential, commercial and community services.

Wayne and Chloe’s five children have participated with supporting roles in both the foundation and the trust over the years.

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Mother’s vaccination status compromises child’s heathcare A Snells Beach mother is livid after her nine-year-old son was refused hearing care because they weren’t vaccinated.

Teacher Karlie Stanbra, who is currently on 12 months leave from Mahurangi College, says she and her family have chosen not to be vaccinated for a number of reasons and did not think it would greatly affect their lives. However, the mandates on schools, and introduced by businesses, sports clubs and so on were starting to bite.

“But I was under the impression that everyone could access healthcare. It seems that’s not the case. We are being discriminated against because of our choices,” she says.

Karlie explains that on her doctor’s advice, she made an appointment for her son to try to determine the cause of his deteriorating hearing.

“It is affecting his schooling, particularly now that teachers are mandated to wear a mask. We could have gone through the public system, but that would have taken time and we wanted to get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible.”

She made an appointment at a Southern Cross facility in Auckland city, but says she wasn’t asked about her vaccination status until she arrived at the hospital.

“When filling out forms in the waiting room, I ticked the ‘no’ box to the question, ‘Are you vaccinated?’ and 15 minutes later,

the receptionist says, ‘We’ve got a bit of a problem’.”

She explained that we had to have a negative Rapid Antigen Test result before we could see the specialist.

“I would have happily provided this if I had been told it was needed when I booked the appointment, but we weren’t. There was also nothing on their website.

“They asked us to wait in the car and, by this time, my son was pretty anxious and upset. Eventually, the doctor said he would do the test but drew the line at

“

be asked for proof of their Covid-19 vaccination status, but being unvaccinated does not deny anyone access to treatment within Southern Cross hospitals.

“A number of hospitals, including our Gillies Hospital, lease space to medical specialists and these consulting rooms are independent of the hospital,” White says.

“As such, we couldn’t comment on their business processes, including how they communicate with patients.”

Triton Hearing sales and operations director Tim Andrews says if patients don’t

The simple fact is that if we don’t request a vaccine pass from our clients, we cannot open Triton Hearing our doors in Orange or Red.

putting a camera down my son’s throat.

This meant we had to go somewhere else to finish the tests that needed to be done, including getting an X-ray. We went to Triton Hearing in Warkworth, but they also refused us because we were not vaccinated. I subsequently had a phone call from Triton and they confirmed that they are not seeing unvaccinated patients. There is nothing on their website that indicates this and, again, I should have been told this when I booked the appointment.”

Southern Cross Healthcare interim chief executive Chris White says patients may

”

present a vaccine pass, Triton continues to provide audiological care at home with virtual hearing care services, over the phone or video call, and with contactless support including hearing aid repairs.

“The simple fact is that if we don’t request a vaccine pass from our clients, we cannot open our doors in Orange or Red under the current Covid-19 Protection Framework,” Andrews says. “Triton, like most audiology providers in New Zealand, is a private company and not defined as healthcare or part of allied health. We are instead defined as a close proximity business.”

Andrews says it is part of Triton’s standard operating procedures to check if a client has any Covid-19 symptoms or is a close contact, and to inform the client about the requirements to present a vaccine pass, scan in on arrival and wear a mask at all times.

“We are obviously disappointed that, in this instance, these procedures were not followed completely and sincerely apologise for any distress caused.”

“It just isn’t good enough and it’s very wrong,” Karlie says. “It’s been traumatic for both my son and me, and my son has missed two school days as we’ve run around trying to get this sorted. I respect that businesses have protocols, but these need to be clearly publicised.”

Kaipara ki Mahurangi MP Chris Penk says he was highly disturbed to learn that at least one provider of health services in his electorate was turning away children on the basis that they were unvaccinated.

“I have been in contact with the Health and Disability Commissioner about this case,” Penk says. “We’ve received welcome confirmation that access to healthcare is a fundamental right and they’re helping to resolve the matter.

“It’s worth noting, however, that these kinds of issues are affecting many of my constituents and as a community it’s important that we all understand the legal and moral landscape.”

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Spirited exchanges at Kawau club meeting Around 50 people attended the postponed 2021 annual meeting of the Kawau Boating Club at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on Saturday, February 19.

The run-up to the event, which had been delayed several times due to Covid restrictions, caused ructions on the island, with a group of breakaway members, led by residents Lin Pardey and David Haigh, criticising chair Mike Maloney and questioning the legitimacy of how, where and when the AGM – and the club itself – should be run (Mahurangi Matters, Dec 8).

There was some division on the day, with fiery addresses concerning the committee and its constitution, and Haigh was among five new nominations for the committee, hoping to be elected as new chair.

In the event, there were two new elections to the committee – Beth Houlbrooke and Fendall Halliburton – and Mike Mahoney retained his position as chair.

Mahoney said in his report that the differing views expressed showed the passion members had, whether for keeping the club as a simple Kawau Island facility or progressing it with new events such as yacht races and a spring ball “My opinion is that unless the club progresses and responds to the wishes of the majority of members, then I struggle to see the reason for membership at all, other than acknowledging that perhaps the membership subscription is, in fact, just a donation to a community facility – even if it is a very special facility.”

Officers elected at the meeting were: Club captain John Whisker, chair Mike Mahoney, treasurer Annette Ridder, secretary Tom Coote, committee Bryn Sutherland, Beth Houlbrooke and Fendall Halliburton.

Houlbrooke said afterwards that common ground had been reached in acknowledging

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“I think we need to turn a page,” she said.

“There were some genuine concerns and I just hope they’ve got the confidence in the new committee. We need to do a bit of work to find common goals and aspirations. It’s a special place and we’re all very passionate about it.”

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WeSay

Admit the error

Matakana pensioner Brian Leach finds himself in an unenviable position (story page 1). His property is on the market, but buyers are being spooked by a heritage overlay on his title that seems to be the result of some sort of bureaucratic bungle.

Not only were the 425 heritage cobblestone setts never on Brian’s property, Brian claims they were destroyed by a council contractor 25 years ago. What’s left of them lies buried under Matakana Valley Road.

Now most of us, I’m sure, would feel this is a reasonably straightforward matter to put right. Council’s own Unitary Plan maps shows the heritage overlay for the setts (that no longer exist) along Matakana Valley Road and not on Brian’s property. Council employs heritage advisors so send one out to the property, examine the evidence and make the correction.

But wait a minute, let’s not forget we are dealing with the multi-layered and faceless bureaucracy of Auckland Council’s planning department here, which will never make anything simple when there is an opportunity to make it complicated.

Brian contacted Council earlier in the month, but the only response he has had so far is an acknowledgement that his inquiry has been received. Meanwhile, the sale of his property hangs in limbo.

When this paper asked about the process of removing an overlay from a property, we were told a private plan change would be needed and this would cost upwards of $10,000 depending on the complexity of the application.

As ridiculous as this might sound, there is increasing evidence that ratepayers are getting very poor value for money for the exorbitant rates Council is charging for planning services. This is particularly the case in the north, where planners are demonstrating little or no local knowledge, and even less understanding about the rural environment. Council planners charge $198 an hour for their services.

Compare this to the median hourly rate in NZ of $27.76 (Stats NZ, as at Jun 2020). It would be more than interesting to hear how Council justifies this level of extortion. What’s more, ratepayers already pay for these services through their rates so are virtually paying twice.

But back to Brian and his wife Margaret, who are being put through the stress of trying to sort their way through this.

Mahurangi Matters will be watching this story closely and providing updates as they come to hand. Let’s hope that Council does the right thing and does it soon.

See story page 1

YouSay

Contributions to Your opinion and Off the record are welcome, to submit email: editor@localmatters.co.nz

Climate stance criticised

Councillor ‘Nay’ Sayers latest opposition to the climate action targeted rate beggars belief! The responsibility for Climate Action is the responsibility of Central and Local Government, and every resident and ratepayer. The Rodney area with its extensive foreshore is particularly impacted by sea rise and ever increasing severe weather events.

Ken Cutforth, Snells Beach

Kindness of strangers

I want to publicly thank the people who came to our aid on the night of Monday, 17 January, about 9.30pm. We had a puncture when driving in our host’s car from Matakana Village (after enjoying a restaurant meal) to Snells Beach.

A local man came to our aid and went home for a larger jack, a couple in a dark-coloured ute (the woman was named Shelley and she had a young white coloured collie dog named Sky) stopped to help and a young woman guided me back to my car.

As the tyre could not be changed, both cars drove behind us to make sure we got to the Snells Beach house. Truly a very touching and kindly act for three seniors. I plan to make a donation to St John Ambulance in return.

Annie Guy, Katikati

Stop cosying up

I was extremely annoyed to read elected local board member Phelan Pirrie’s opinion piece (MM Jan 31) endorsing Auckland Council’s spending. He is clearly one of those complicit in supporting Phil Goff ’s budgets and direction setting.

What we need are elected members who are prepared to challenge what is clearly an under-performing Auckland Council. Those elected to office should be listening to the deep concerns ratepayers currently have about the misuse of our rates, not cosying up with the Mayor.

Catherine Ashby, Wellsford

Homeopathy efficacy questioned

I’m one of the sceptics referred to by Eugene Sims in his Health column (Feb 14) so I’d be very interested to see the “many excellent studies” he suggests support the efficacy of homeopathy. Perhaps he could post some links in a future column. According to an article in the Smithsonian Magazine, Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council assessed more than 1800 studies on homeopathy and only found 225 that were rigorous enough to analyse and a systematic review of these studies revealed “no good quality evidence to support the claim that homeopathy is effective in treating health conditions”.

Also, the NHS in England stopped funding homeopathy in 2017 due to “the lack of any evidence for its effectiveness”, a decision that was backed up by a High Court judgment in 2018 (www.nhs. uk/conditions/homeopathy/).

The NHS has also stated that “there’s been extensive investigation of the effectiveness of homeopathy” and that “there’s no goodquality evidence that homeopathy is effective as a treatment for any health condition”. Given that modern technology is now able to detect many very strange and unimaginably tiny things such as the Higgs Boson particle, surely there should be some scientific evidence of the mysterious “type of electric charge” that is supposed to “energise” the liquid. If there is, let’s see it.

Ian Docking, Warkworth

Auckland Council savings trickle in

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Funded by NZ On Air

It seems every cloud has a silver lining, even during Covid.

Auckland Council’s Value for Money Committee was told on February 17 that Council had reduced its spending by $70.6 million at the end of last year and was well on its way to meeting its target of $90 million in budget savings for the 2021/22 financial year. General manager of financial and business performance Nicola Mills said

however, it was becoming more challenging to find efficiency improvements.

“For instance, we saved $30,000 by mailing fewer rate notices,” Mills said. “But most of the savings have come from lower operating costs under Covid restrictions.”

In her report on the savings, Mills said the $6 million saved in the second quarter was achieved mainly because expenditure was less than what was planned due to cautious financial management, different ways of working during Covid-19 restrictions and delays in capital projects meaning

consequential operating costs would start later. As well, staff costs were less because vacancies had not been filled due to labour market conditions. There were some additional procurement savings achieved through contract negotiation.

A total of $1 million was saved from new ways of working under Covid-19 restrictions such as online Council meetings, which meant less catering and administration costs.

Cr Angela Dalton was concerned that finding savings opportunities was getting tougher every year.

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Viewpoint Colin Smith, Rodney Local Board colin.smith@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Add it to the list “Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise,” said Michael Jordan, six times MVP National Basketball Association, 14 times NBA all-star. In light of the above statement, how well does the Rodney Local Board compare?

Well, in 12 years we have: • Council controlled organisations that are building multi-million dollar busways running at a 50% loss, paid for

by Rodney ratepayers.

• Rail links and cycleways in Auckland central, funded by Rodney ratepayers.

• Water projects and sewer schemes for Auckland central, again funded by Rodney ratepayers.

Our Wellsford ward and rural community is paying increasing and additional targeted rates, yet receive minimal expenditure, by Auckland Council, to deliver safer roading and drainage. William Foster (MM Feb 14) was correct when he stated that local boards need to stop investing in services and assets which don’t have assured future cash flows and which we cannot service without rates increases or targeted rates.

It is time to get the fundamentals right and invest in roading infrastructure and essential services. Enough of the “blue sky” thinking and funding for non-essential “feel good” projects.

A 10-year Rodney district targeted rate for

road sealing, which amassed $121 million dollars, was re-appropriated for: • An extra 131 extra car-parking spaces for the Warkworth showgrounds, • Funding for extra bus services • New footpaths within the four subdivisions of Rodney.

Auckland Council also added 10 cents to fuel tax for Auckland roading projects, of which the rural community has yet to see anything. As an aside, Auckland Transport has done a good job collaborating with Wellsford Plus Projects Group, to deliver repaired footpaths to Wellsford, which has long been overdue.

Board chair Phelan Pirrie (MM Jan 31) talks about condensing complex issues down to binary ones. What is complex about wanting existing rates spent on safer sealed roads for our community? Reducing the speed limit ignores the real issue of inadequate funding for this most basic of infrastructure. Mr Pirrie supported this proposition when he stated that speed limits should not be used to delay proper road improvements or maintenance (Road Safety, MM Feb 14, p.22).

We need to get the fundamentals right and then everything else will improve.

Meanwhile, Wellsford still waits for a revamped new public toilet. Oh well, just add it to the list…..

Speed changes ahead Kaipara District Council’s recently approved new speed limits for the Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Hakaru areas will take effect within the next few months.

Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA) project manager Pete Watts says once NTA approves the recommended speed limits, work will start on installing new signage on affected roads. Once this is nearly complete, Council will amend its Speed Limits Bylaw as the final step in the process.

The changes affect more than 60 roads across the region. Some of the changes include: Baldrock, Black Swamp*, Coal Hill, Cove*,

Devich*, Garbolino, Kaiwaka-Mangawhai, Mangawhai, Tara, Tomarata and Oneriri* which will drop from 100 km/h to 80 km/h. *On some sections of these roads, the speed has been lowered below 80 km/h.

There have also been speed limit reductions made around schools and early childhood centres, with most moving to a 30 km/h speed limit during school hours.

The ongoing speed limit review is part of the Government’s Road to Zero National Road Safety Strategy, which will see a rolling review of speed limits on all local roads.

Read more columns online at www.localmatters.co.nz

Got council issues? ...

Say it to

Sayers

Online consultations available or book an in-person one-on-one

Greg Sayers – Rodney COUNCILLOR P: 021 285 9900 | www.gregsayers.co.nz

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Central’s Tips March 2022

The fruit and vegetable garden • In vegetable areas that you’re not likely to use this winter, sow a green cover crop such as lupins or mustard seed or a three-way blend of peas, oats and mustard. Once mature it can be cut and left on the soil to break down adding nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil • Plant out cabbage, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, tatsoi, pak choi, mizuna, spinach, silverbeet and spring onion • Edible flowers that can be sown: calendulas, violas and Iceland poppies • Place straw beneath pumpkins and melons as they ripen. This avoids contact with increasingly damp soil that can rot the skins • Sow parsley and coriander now • Save heritage tomato seeds by pushing the flesh through a sieve, then drying the seed and storing in dry paper bag • Forward thinking: get rid of weeds before they go to seed - this limits the ability for their seeds to invade the vegetable garden next year

The ornamental garden • Plant out autumn-toned shrubs and flowers to complement the autumn colour ahead: tawny-coloured NZ grasses, orange flowered daylilies and bright foliage shrubs such as heucheras and NZ coprosmas • New season’s spring flowering bulbs are available now, so choose from a brilliant range of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths • Grow a great lawn with seed from the Prolawn range and help it grow with Prolawn Turfmaster Starter fertiliser – lightly water the seed each day to aid germination • Trim hedges now for a crisp shape in the winter months. Where the plant roots have become exposed to the sun, add some Living Earth Garden Mix • Kowhai caterpillar – is the foliage disappearing on your prized kowhai trees? Spray with organic Bugtrol to stop the damage. Notching in young cabbage trees can be stopped this way – spray into the centre of the leaves

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Elderly swindler serves as warning to others A Warkworth business owner, who was swindled out of $760 by a man purporting to be a retired painter, hopes that by speaking about it publicly he can prevent other people from falling into the same trap.

Seafood n Eat It owner Kamal Prajapati says he trusted the man because he was old.

“I’ve owned fish shops in Neville Street for 17 years and this is the first time anything like this has happened to me,” he says.

“I don’t care about the money – you can always make more money – but I want other people, especially elderly people, to know that these sorts of people are in our community and they need to be wary of them.

“I have no doubt he will continue to try the same thing on other people.”

Kamal’s problems started when the elderly man came into the shop selling bogus raffle tickets. He saw Kamal was busy painting and offered his services.

“Given his age, I didn’t think he would be able to reach the high ceilings, but he said he had a gang of young men who worked for cash who would be able to finish the job for me. He quoted $2000 with 10 per cent up front. I gave him $200 and then I asked him about replacing the awning out the front.

“He said he would need to talk to his boys, then rang back 30 minutes later and said ‘yes’, he could do it.

“The next time I saw him I gave him $560 as a deposit for the awning. On the day he was meant to start painting, he left a message on my landline saying that one of the boys had an appendix problem, but they would be on the job the following day.”

That was the last Kamal heard from him.

The man left a mobile phone contact number and gave his address as James Street, Snells Beach, but attempts to reach him have failed.

Kamal contacted Warkworth Police, but they said it was not a criminal matter and

$15k break-in at Wastebusters

Kamal Prajapati with the worthless receipts given to him by the man who swindled him out of $760.

engage with a person or opportunity.

• Don’t trust unexpected contact. Scams most often come through cold contact, such as an unexpected phone call or email. Always take steps to find out more before considering any offers.

• Do your research. Use the internet to look into the names of people or companies who approach you.

• Resist demands to act quickly. Anyone presenting a legitimate opportunity will allow you time to consider your response. If you feel under pressure, take some time – or turn it down.

• Keep your computer virus protection up to date. CERT NZ’s website has advice for anyone wanting to improve their personal cyber security.

referred him to the Consumer Protection Authority.

Kamal is resigned to the fact that he has lost his money, but has posted a photo of the man on his shop counter in the hope that someone will recognise him so he can be stopped.

Millions scammed Scams cost trusting Kiwis millions of dollars every year.

The Consumer Protection Authority says whenever anyone is asked to make a payment or provide their personal information, they should stop and think, “Is this for real?

They offer the following steps to help protect yourself from scams: • Be suspicious. Scammers work hard to appear trustworthy, and it’s good to do some research or thinking before you

Info: www.consumerprotection.govt. nz/news-and-media/fraud-awarenessweek-2020/

A digger was badly damaged and cash, laptops, cellphones, walkie-talkies and point of sale equipment stolen when thieves broke into the community refuse and recycling centre in Snells Beach in the early hours of Friday, February 18.

At least three men wearing hi-viz gear drove a large truck through the gates at the top end of the Lawrie Road site around 1am and broke into Mahurangi Wastebusters’ office and pay station.

Director Matthew Luxon said the thieves were obviously targeting the digger, but when they couldn’t start it up, ripped out all the ignition and wiring and tried to hot wire it. When that didn’t work, the gang turned their attention to stealing anything they could from the office.

“We’ve only just reopened two weeks ago, so it’s a bit of a setback, really,” he said. “We’ve had to change the locks on all our plant and equipment, and we’re having to spend more time and money on security. It will put us out for a while, but we are still open.”

He said the cost of the damage and value of stolen items had been estimated at $15,000.

Luxon expressed his gratitude to the Little Digger Co, which supplied the digger and was doing all it could to help since the raid, and Matakana Glass, which had replaced the broken office windows free of charge.

Anyone who knows or witnessed anything concerning the break-in should contact Warkworth Police on 425 8109 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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In brief Rural power outages

Harbour jet ski speeds cause concern Concern for the safety of people engaged in non-motorised activities on the Whangateau Harbour has prompted the Whangateau Residents & Ratepayers Association to draft a discussion document recommending that the five-knot speed limit be extended across the whole of the estuary.

If the final draft is supported by the Rodney Local Board, it will mainly affect water skiing and jet skiing activities.

Committee member Elizabeth Foster, who authored the document, says the speed of craft in the harbour is both an environmental issue and a health and safety issue.

“The Whangateau Harbour is a very shallow, small (6.4.sqkms) and fragile estuary,” she says in the document. “It is a valuable place for breeding fish and invertebrates, which provide food for growing fish and other species.

“It is also a very popular and safe (or should be) place for swimming, snorkelling, paddle boarding and kayaking, especially for children.”

Elizabeth says the estuary is suffering from the pressures of increasing population growth and visitor numbers.

“As the harbour’s popularity increases, there is growing tension between motorised sport and other users. Currently, motorised activity is a dangerous free-for-all with an almost total disregard for maritime rules in existing five-knot areas.

“It is only a matter of time before someone is badly injured or killed.”

The draft document will be discussed at a Residents & Ratepayers meeting on March 8.

Elizabeth says the feedback she has received so far has been overwhelmingly in favour of the blanket five-knot speed limit, particularly from kayakers, snorkellers and swimmers. She has also had residents from Matheson Bay and Omaha asking that the ban be extended to include them.

In a public email discussion online, Board member Beth Houlbrooke pointed out that if anyone sees anyone breaking the rules then it is the police who should be called.

ALTOGETHER YOUR LOCAL COMMERCIAL

The current rules state: You must not exceed a speed of five knots (a fast walking speed) if you are: within 200m of the shore within 200m of any structure within 200m of a boat displaying a diver’s flag within 50m of another boat within 50m of a person swimming on a power boat if anyone has any part of their body outside the rails or edge of the deck.

You must be over 15 years old to operate any water craft capable of exceeding 10 knots, unless there is close supervision by an older person who is constantly within reach of the controls.

“They have the authority to enforce the maritime rules so dial 105. It works, they visited my bay a few weekends ago!”

EXPERTS

Many rural households were without power for up to four days after Cyclone Dovi, which swept across the country in mid-February. A spokesperson for Vector says that in severe storms with widespread damage, it usually takes several days to physically assess damage and restore power.

He says the delay in restoring power was driven by the sheer volume of damage the electricity network sustained across the region. “There could still be cases where individual households may have suffered damage to their service line, which is the power line that connects their house to the network,” he says. “These lines are the homeowner’s responsibility to repair and while our crews may be able to make some repairs to these individual service lines if they are straightforward, in most cases customers will need to contact their electrician to complete the repairs.”

Footbridges on track

The construction of two bridges and associated boardwalks in Kaiwaka could be open around March 11. Contractor Bridge It NZ moved its machinery from the north bridge to the south bridge two weeks ago and the installation of the abutments is underway. Both bridges are 24 metres long and 2.5 metres wide, and have been built as shared pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. The northern bridge provides access to McLean Park, while the southern bridge crosses the Kaiwaka River, near Oneriri Road. State Highway 1 sees more than 10,000 vehicles a day at this point. The footbridges will make it safer for pedestrians to cross the river providing an alternative to the current state highway bridge, which offers little separation between them and the traffic. The footbridges were funded with a $750,000 grant from the Provincial Development Unit.

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Barbara Hilden

New head for Kauri Museum

Got a few dollars to spare? The new patrol has many expenses to meet at this establishment stage and would welcome donations or sponsorship from local businesses or individuals. If you’d like to help, contact Kevin Lawton at leigh@cpnz.org.nz Members of the new Leigh patrol are shown some of the equipment which is typically carried in a patrol car. The trainer was Hibiscus Coast community patroller Gavin Whyte.

Leigh’s community patrol ready to roll The new Leigh Community Patrol starts this week.

This follows months of preparation, which has included recruiting and training volunteers, setting up premises and completing all the paperwork needed to be affiliated to Community Patrols of New Zealand.

Patrol leader Kevin Lawton says it is a credit to everyone involved to have reached this milestone.

“It’s been a team effort from an awesome group of volunteers. I’d especially like to thank Peter and Anne Scott, who have

provided us with the former Top Shop to use as a base, and made us the envy of just about every other patrol in NZ.” Leigh has a vehicle on loan to start the patrol, but hopes to soon be in a position to purchase its own vehicle, depending on donations and grant applications.

The patrol will cover the Cape Rodney area from just north of Pakiri to Matakana, including Matakana Valley Road, Whangaripo, Leigh, Matheson Bay and Whangateau. Patrols will be randomly scheduled, both during the day and at night.

“We believe by just having a presence in the community, we will be able to deter anti-social, and perhaps even criminal, behaviour,” Lawton says.

Leigh currently has just over 30 qualified patrollers, who will patrol in pairs for a few hours once a month.

The group would welcome enquiries from anyone who would like to lend a hand, either as a patroller or with some of the behind-the-scenes administration and fundraising work.

Lawton can be contacted at leigh@cpnz. org.nz

Canadian Barbara Hilden is the new director of the Kauri Museum in Matakohe.

Currently based in Vancouver, Barbara has been working for Puki Ariki Museum in New Plymouth since 2020, although the Covid border restrictions have meant that she has been working from Canada. Prior to this, she managed the Borealis Gallery in Edmonton, Canada, and was a collections consultant for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

Museum Board chairman Grant McCallum says Barbara joins the museum at a critical phase of planning and reshaping exhibition design and delivery.

“The Kauri Museum received $3 million of Provincial Growth Funds in 2020 for a makeover that includes creating a Centre of Excellence for people to have a deeper and stronger understanding of the significance of kauri,” McCallum says.

“Barbara brings considerable international and museology experience to the role and the Board was impressed with her vision for the future of museums and her focus on working with all our communities to tell our stories, as we chart a new path in a post-Covid world.”

Barbara and her partner Tom Long will move to New Zealand as soon as Covid border restrictions allow.

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Father and daughter team, Joy and Paul Moran

Tile Studio

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avigating Covid lockdowns and restrictions has been a challenging experience for new business the Tile Studio in Glenmore Drive, Warkworth.

The business is a family venture involving tiler Paul Moran, and his children Joy and Josiah.

“It’s been a bit of a struggle with opening restrictions and supply chain issues, but it’s given us the opportunity to start slowly and get our showrooms organised,” Paul says.

Joy, who has an interior design background, has had a lot of input into the layout of the showrooms.

“We’re using the walls in our three spaces to display some of our range,” she says. “It gives customers a much better appreciation of the texture and colour of a tile when they can step back and really see what it looks like.”

This has been especially important for the extra-large format range, which have become fashionable. Paul says they are mostly used in bathrooms but overseas,

there is a trend towards using them to build furniture as well.

The third member of the team, Josiah, is a tiler like his Dad, but is currently on a snowboarding holiday in Italy. Many of the tiles in the shop are from Spain and Italy, so Josiah is also researching the latest tile trends and products on the market in Europe.

“A couple of years ago, Josiah and I went to an international tile fair in Bologna. It was a valuable experience because we got see new product and what was trending.

We also learned that the jacks we are using for outdoor tiling are the best on the market, which gives us a lot of confidence recommending them to customers.”

Paul, who has been laying tiles for more than 30 years, says the Tile Studio is about giving people options and advice when they need it.

Joy adds that customers really are spoiled for choice. Whether someone wants a clean, consistent surface or something a little funky, there are tiles to suit all tastes and budgets.

M

eat lovers, particularly those who like barbecue, braai and low or slow smoked meat, will welcome the opening of Biltong and Braai Warkworth at The Grange.

For the uninitiated, braai is a South African barbecue method that involves grilling meat over hot coals.

Partners in the shop are Conrad Muller and Jannie Cornelesen.

Conrad says although the Warkworth shop will stock South African products, it isn’t exclusively a South African shop. There will be a wide range of fresh and frozen meats, boerewors, biltong, spices and barbecue accessories.

“We sell anything to do with barbecue – steak, ribs, chicken, pork rashers – and spices and meat rubs,” he says.

He makes four different wors, the traditional long South African sausage that is coiled into a round – the classic boerewors, kaas wors (cheese), cheese and jalapeno wors and sosatie wors – as well

as two different biltong flavours, plus cabanossi and droewors.

The Warkworth shop follows the successful opening of a shop in Orewa last year.

“With lots of our customers living up north, it made sense to expand to this new location. Our plan is to continue to grow and open more shops, but to always be small enough to pay attention to our customers’ needs.

“Although there will always be concerns about opening a new business during a pandemic, life must go on.”

All the dried products in stock and sausages are freshly made in the Biltong and Braai store in Orewa. In response to customer feedback, the range has doubled.

Conrad says many of the recipes have been developed through generations of trial and error.

“It all really started as a hobby making sausages and snacks for myself, family and friends and has just blossomed from there.”

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PROBLEMS WITH YOUR GUT? IMPROVE YOUR DIGESTION WITH A MARVEL HEALTH SCAN If you suffer from gut problems, many factors need to be considered to get to their root causes.

changes that cause chronic diseases of the gut.

It is not enough to investigate the stomach and intestines since gut diseases can arise from dysfunctions in other body systems. Furthermore, gut diseases can also occur from environmental factors such as food allergies, food additive sensitivities and exposure to mycotoxins, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals in our diet.

Diseases of the gut - the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas, and liver can cause digestive problems such as bloating and cramps, abdominal pain, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea and food intolerances.

Some of the hidden causes of these digestive problems are Small Bowel Intestinal Growth (SIBO), Sluggish Bowel Movement, Enzyme deficiencies, microbial infections, and chronic inflammation.

Chronic gut problems may even arise from dysfunctions in other systems that seem unrelated to the gut.

A damaged immune system will promote microbial overgrowth and food sensitivities. When the detoxification system becomes dysfunctional, toxins can build up in the pancreas and lymphatic glands and cause gut diseases.

Marvel health scan looks for underlying causes of digestive problems such as food allergies, microbes, nutrient deficiencies, and enzyme insufficiencies.

After the scan, the doctors and healthcare specialists at Marvel Health will study the report and recommend targeted sciencebased natural treatments and lifestyle changes to support the body’s healing.

The Diagnostic Scan Performed at Marvel Health is designed to identify diseases of the gut and their hidden causes. It detects harmful viruses, bacteria and parasites, nutrient and enzyme deficiencies, autoimmune diseases and many other pathological

Sweetappreciation

with chocolatebrown Congratulations to Vivienne Mickelson who was nominated by Pam Ellender for a gift basket from Chocolate Brown. Pam writes ...

“

Vivienne is the Librarian at Totara Park retirement village. Throughout a very difficult time of Covid and lockdowns she has always ensured the residents have plenty of reading material and made our library a pleasant and easy to use essential part of our Village. Vivienne is also an excellent archivist using her photographic skills to record life in Totara Park and many events over the years in beautifully presented albums.

”

Send your nominations to editor@localmatters.co.nz

Know someone who deserves a big “thank you” for their community spirit? Tell us and they will receive acknowledgement in Mahurangi Matters and an amazing hamper from Chocolate Brown, 6 Mill Lane, Warkworth. Send your nominations to editor@ localmatters.co.nz (subject line: Sweet Appreciation) or post to: Sweet Appreciation, Mahurangi Matters, PO Box 701, Warkworth. Kindly refrain from nominating members of your own family.

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| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

Your local : Tania Bennett...

021 267 1421 t.bennett@barfoot.co.nz

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Aidan cracks 102km running for Ronald Warkworth dad Aidan Smith achieved what would be impossible for most of us on the weekend of February 19, when he ran well over 100km in less than 24 hours along Te Araroa trail.

His epic journey started at Waipu at 7am on Saturday and ended in the wee small hours of Sunday morning at Moir Hill, just three km short of Puhoi village and his target of 105km. Aidan says after so long on his feet, including several unscheduled climbs over storm-felled trees in the Dome, he’d reached the point where there was nothing left in his tank.

“If I had gone on down through the Puhoi bush, I don’t think I would have made it.

Once we got to the top of Moir Hill, I was pretty done, so just carried on along the road until I got to 102km,” he said.

That particular milestone was significant, as it was the length of the Tarawera Ultra

Marathon that Aidan had originally signed up for, before he switched to the Te Araroa run when Covid restrictions caused that event’s cancellation.

He said the day had been incredibly challenging, but also really inspiring, especially when family, friends and even complete strangers came out to cheer him on, or even join him on his run.

“What was really difficult was trying not to think about how far I had to go all at once, because it was quite overwhelming, especially when I was feeling really, really exhausted,” he said. “And once we left Pakiri, it ramped up and just got so much harder.

“But there were a lot of people who came out to say hello,” he said. “There were guys who ran along with me, and the cricket club at Pakiri were cheering me on and calling out my name. That was incredible.

“The response from the community has

been pretty amazing, the amount of people who have got behind me.”

He also expressed gratitude to his partner, Emily, and other family members for running with him and being his support crew throughout.

“It was a really crazy day for me but as it progressed, it really turned into something that everybody was a part of, a real family effort.”

Aidan was raising money for Ronald McDonald House NZ, after he and Emily spent months in and out of Starship Hospital with their son Luke, who has had serious health issues since he was born two years ago (Mahurangi Matters, Feb 14). By the end of last week, his efforts had raised more than $16,000.

Donations can still be made at https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/runningfor-ronald

Keep going, Dad – young Luke giving Aidan some encouragement at Pakiri Beach.

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Wood and wine among one-day wonders

Karen Walters’ Sandspit studio will be part of a day looking at local woodcraft.

Feeling creative or hungry for knowledge, but pushed for time? Perhaps a One-Day Wonder is the answer – single day courses that are being run as part of Creative Matakana.

There are four events showcasing local products and crafts that still have tickets left and all take place in the first week of May. Olive oil comes under the spotlight on Monday, May 2, when New Zealand’s only international olive oil judge, Margaret Edwards, will hold a comprehensive workshop and tasting at Takatu Lodge.

Local winemaker James Graham will lead a tour of two private Matakana vineyards on Tuesday, May 3, before showing participants how to blend their own wine to enjoy with lunch.

The skills and talents of four diverse local woodworkers will be on show on Wednesday, May 4, with a self-drive tour to the workshops of wood sculptor Karen Walters, two furniture and homeware makers – WRW and Mark Lever – plus the Whangateau boatbuilders’ yard.

Finally, on Friday, May 6, gin expert and judge Sarah Tyler will hold a New Zealand craft gin tasting and demonstration, before attendees blend and create their own special gin.

Ticket prices range from $120 to $160 per day and all include lunch and refreshments.

Info and bookings: www.creativematakana.nz

For a full range of family medical care, including A&M services in an integrated system 24 hours a day, across our region, including public holidays

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Matakana

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Paparoa

1978 Paparoa Valley Road 09 431 7222 Open 8am-5pm, Tuesday & Thursday

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145 Mahurangi East Road 09 425 6666 Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Waipu

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11/7 Nova Scotia Drive 09 432 1190 Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

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77 Morrison Drive 09 425 8585 Open 8am-8pm, Daily

Wellsford

220 Rodney Street (Cnr. SH1 & Matheson Rd) 09 423 8086 Open 8am-8pm, Daily

Call 09 423 8086

February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

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Third time a charm for 50k in a day walker Orewa massage therapist Roger White will spend a day (around 10 hours) walking 50km in Shakespear Regional Park to raise funds for charity on March 26.

His chosen charity is TimeOut, which provides Kiwis with a terminal illness with the opportunity to have a short break with their family and create some memories to treasure. They do this by connecting them with holiday homeowners who are willing to donate time in their properties free of charge.

They have 140 holiday homes on their database, but with 50,000 holiday homes around NZ, coordination manager Kylie Hale says the potential is huge.

“TimeOut is on a mission to spread the word and get as many holiday homeowners on board as possible,” Hale says.

Meanwhile, the walking challenge is

something Roger is well used to – this is his third ‘50k in a Day’ charity walk. He walked seven times around Orewa Estuary in 2020 for Adults In Motion and last year completed 50km in Wenderholm Regional Park for the CYC Trust.

The 64-year-old says walking is his main form of exercise, but it’s also much more.

“I follow in the footsteps of the famous New Zealander A H Reed, using walking not only to remain fit and healthy, but also to get out and meet people and promote healthy living,” he says.

Info: www.facebook.com/50kinaday Holiday homeowners who might be prepared to donate a short stay in their property can find out more here: www.timeoutnz.org

Roger White is again in training for a 50km charity walk.

Isolation an increasing problem for Aucklanders

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Funded by NZ On Air

Increasing wealth and income inequality will be one of the major challenges facing Auckland over the next 10 to 20 years.

This is according to the revised Ngā Hapori Momoho, Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-2032, presented to Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee, on February 10.

First adopted in 2014, the strategy sets out an action plan for community and social wellbeing. Specific objectives include financial security and health outcomes; community leadership, access and participation; and resilience, sustainability and innovation.

Rainbow Advisory Panel member Max Tweedie, who presented the strategy to the committee, said Council needed to get out of the way and let communities do what they did best. To this end, the strategy recommended that communities be resourced directly.

Tweedie pointed to Proud Centres,

community centres designed by and for the queer community in Auckland, as an example. Proud Centres have organised 150 individual activities such as potlucks or performances to enhance community wellbeing.

The strategy also recommended more free events for Aucklanders.

Cr Fa’anana Efeso Collins, who is also on the Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel, said the report contained some challenging statistics. These included the growing income inequality in Tamaki Makaurau, the pace and scale of growth and social change, and climate change.

According to the report, more than half of Maori and 72 per cent of Pasifika families weren’t earning a liveable income, and close to half of those surveyed reported feeling isolated.

Cr Angela Dalton supported the strategy, but felt Council was limited by the tools available to provide help.

“Success for one community will look different for another,” Dalton said.

She also wondered whether the ways of measuring success were fit for Maori communities.

The committee also raised concerns about caring for the unvaccinated.

The strategy was adopted unanimously, and staff will report back to the committee with an implementation plan, monitoring/ evaluation framework and business case for additional investment in August.

In memory of Matt Warkworth Golf Club will be the venue for a new charity day being organised in memory of fallen police officer Matt Hunt next month.

The Matt Hunt Memorial Golf Tournament will be a three-ball Ambrose event on Sunday, March 13, with of prizes worth more than $6500. Organiser Michael Campbell says Warkworth was chosen for the new tournament as Matt had played at the club and it was close to where his mum Diane lives.

“Golf was a game that Matt loved and the golf course was a place he would connect on weekends with friends and family,” he said.

“This is a chance for friends, family, police and the community to come together and share a day of laughter and happiness as we remember Matt.”

Funds raised from fees and donations will go to Pilgrim Bandits, a charity that works with injured military and emergency service people to help them heal and overcome challenges, and which has named one of its programmes after Matt Hunt.

Info and donations: www.matthuntmemorial.com

Runners back hospice

Cargo Plus Coastal Challenge organiser Aaron Carter has done it again. On February 19, Carter raised more than $70,000 for Harbour Hospice by running 50 kilometres, from Waiwera to Devonport. Carter established the Coastal Challenge 20 years ago and has since raised more than $230,000 for Harbour Hospice. This month he ran with a group of supporters including Greg Shaw who, at 70, raised the most money – more than $11,000. “Greg was in hospital the week before and it definitely looked like he was not going to be able to do it,” Carter says. “But he convinced his doctors that they should let him, and he did! That really restores your faith in humanity.”

Donations are still rolling in. If you would like to help Aaron and his incredible team of runners raise an inspiring $80,000 for families who need hospice care, visit https://50kfor-hospice.raisely.com Every dollar raised helps provide specialist palliative care to those in the community who need it.

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME Doctors • Kate Baddock • Stephen Barker • Bruce Sutherland • Amy Mcbeth • Clinton Anderson • Andrew Duffin • Jing He • Mette Johannesen • Dekshna Poneswari • Simon Tricker

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• Low Cost access for enrolled patients under 14 free, young people $13, adults $19.50 (ACC costs differ).

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• Pharmacy, Labtest, Physio on site.

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February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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Homebuilders Stephne Carstens, Family Support Worker www.homebuildersfs.org

Starting school post lockdown

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Students and their parents are going through multitudes of feelings and emotions with the start of the new school year. The stress of school drop-offs and pick-ups, navigating schoolwork including homework, teacher/parent conferences and the financial costs of uniforms and stationery are only some aspects that parents are experiencing, while our young people experience these and more.

These stressors are enough for adults to figure out, so imagine how stressful it is for our young people starting school and adapting to the new ‘norm’. To make things more complicated, prolonged but necessary Covid-19 lockdowns have added to the existing pressures. For both adults and children, they can be experiences of family and friendship strains, fears of illnesses for themselves and their loved ones, or the loss of someone and grief.

These all challenge the individual’s ability to cope with the uncertainty that they have faced during this time.

When we move from red to orange to green there may be an element of anxiety when returning to more general social settings and re-establishing friendships.

Our emotional responses differ from person to person, some are comfortable in the lockdown settings, while others are not.

Not only do we need to be aware of our own signs of stress, we need to look out for young people by watching out for signs that things are not ok. The indicators to keep in mind are significant change or concerning behaviours, mood swings and listening out for what our young people are saying to us

and not dismissing it. By identifying any changes or new information that comes to light, we can then provide support by offering space, strategies and techniques that best suit the child.

We can use tips such as these to make our young people’s adjustment smoother: • Provide space to talk and be listened to • Identify the source of the fear • Build a sense of security by being prepared and informed about what is to come • Reconnect with old connections and build new connections • Acknowledge things they can control and things they can’t • Set up routines • Model coping strategies • Identify ways to express feelings • Be flexible, adjusting to the situations that arise • Enlist the teachers/educator’s support.

In these times when things are uncertain and unpredictable, you can find numerous organisations, services and websites that provide resources and ideas that would be helpful when the emotions become too big and overwhelming. At Homebuilders Family Services, our aim is to support families going through any transition or change so we can be part of building a strong and healthy community. Feel free to contact us on 09 425 7048 if you or your family would like any support during this time.

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| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

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Thanks for backing local businesses Thank you for buying local and supporting Auckland businesses as we transition into the new COVID-19 Protection Framework and enter the next stage of our COVID recovery.

Get the latest information at www.covid19.govt.nz

Marja Lubeck Labour list MP based in Kaipara ki Mahurangi marja.lubeck@parliament.govt.nz Authorised by Marja Lubeck, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

The years have added up for Angela Buckton.

Budget advisor sums up 34 yrs The Warkworth/Wellsford Budget Service’s longest serving member, Angela Buckton, has retired. She says that after 34 years, the time was right.

“My husband Ron’s health has not been the best lately and my role has mostly been supportive and providing a venue for bimonthly meetings,” she says.

“It’s very satisfying to leave the service knowing it is in good health with lots of hardworking volunteers. It has been a very friendly and happy group to belong to.”

Originally called the Wellsford Budget Service, it was started by Faye Costello who worked for the law firm Sellars in Wellsford.

Angela and Kathy Smith, the former owner of Copyworks in Warkworth, joined her shortly afterwards and underwent training.

The service operated from Faye’s home initially and Angela remembers people learning of the service mostly by word-ofmouth.

She remembers one case fondly.

“It was a young couple who wanted to get married but didn’t think they could afford it. We worked on a budget to make it happen and we are all still friends today.

“I always enjoyed the challenges of helping people get their financial affairs in order.”

Angela says her best financial advice is to recognise when you need help and seek out the support of the budget service.

“It’s so much more difficult for people today with so many enticements, temptations and so much credit readily given.

“In my day, you saved up to buy things, now it’s the other way around.”

The service remains free and currently has 17 trained financial mentors available to give budget advice and help with debt management. It helps around 80 to 100 people each year.

Coordinator Jo Walker says the service is sad to lose Angela, as she was a very dedicated and valued member of the team.

Info: www.wwbudgetservice.co.nz

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| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

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feature animals

Chelsea Gill

Neil Warnock

Next generation steps forward

Robin and Roger Dunn, pictured with Mini, are looking forward to turning their lifestyle block into a “mini Tawharanui”.

Retiring vet exchanges stethoscope for spade Getting your head stuck in the mouth of a Great Dane is a quick way for a vet to learn not to be too keen to greet an animal when it is sitting in a van and the owner is standing alongside. That was the experience of Warkworth vet Dr Roger Dunn, who retired last month after 40 years of caring for other people’s animals.

Roger says that while he will miss his fourlegged patients, it hasn’t all been plain sailing.

He has been bitten by horses, hit in the knee by a ram, knocked unconscious by a heifer, smashed over the head by a stag, and bitten and scratched many times by cats.

But he harbours no ill feelings because it was all just part of the job. He says the one thing he won’t miss is the middle of the night emergency callouts.

Roger’s retirement comes as the Warkworth Vet Hospital celebrates its first year at the Hudson Road location.

“I’m very proud of the new clinic,” he says.

“The modern design and state-of-the art equipment means we can give local animals the best care possible. When I moved to Warkworth 37 years ago and started with Bas Schouten, the former premises in Neville Street had only recently opened.

“The business was then the Warkworth and District Vet Club, with directors such as Shirley Jenkins and Dean Blythen.

Warkworth was still a service town for a predominantly farming area and the work reflected that, with regular farm visits for pregnancy testing, mastitis treatment, calving, dealing with worms, mineral deficiencies and so on.”

During the 80s and 90s, when farming was in flux, farmers experimented with a range of new stock such as goats, deer, ostrich, ferrets, rabbits and alpaca.

“We had to gather new knowledge to be able to treat all these various animals.

There was no internet, so it was quite a challenge.”

Roger says pets and animals on lifestyle blocks have replaced the farming stock, and attitudes towards animals have also changed. If a dog broke his leg, a farmer would ask how much it was going to cost to fix it before deciding to go ahead or put the dog down. These days the idea of not fixing the leg doesn’t arise.

Roger says he knew he wanted to be a vet very early in life. He grew up on a dairy and beef cattle farm at Omana, between Dargaville and Whangarei, and one day a

vet visited to attend a cow with a prolapsed uterus, a fatal condition if not treated promptly.

“I helped the vet by carrying water and so on, and when I saw him drive away, I said to myself, ‘Yeah, that’s what I’m going to do’.”

Roger believes a love of animals is imperative for any vet, but too much empathy can be a disadvantage.

“Sometimes you have to make hard decisions or help others to make those decisions. You have to be able to do that.”

Roger says obviously vets have to be extremely competent in the sciences, but also need to be able to work as part of a team and be prepared for hard work.

“You can be called out at any time of the day or night; the mobile is always on.”

Roger and his wife Robin, who taught in Wellsford and Tomarata, plan to spend their retirement turning their 11-hectare lifestyle property at Kaipara Flats into a “mini Tawharanui”. They are raising and planting thousands of native trees and plants, weeding and trapping pests.

Roger says retirement was made easier knowing he was leaving the clinic in the hands of a team of talented young vets.

Changes are afoot at Warkworth Vets in Hudson Road following the retirement of long-serving vet Dr Roger Dunn.

The remaining two partners, Jon Makin and Danny Cash, will soon be joined by Chelsea Gill and Neil Warnock.

Neil has been a vet for just under 10 years.

He grew up on a farm in Scotland so has been around animals his whole life.

“Rodney is a great place to call home,” he says. “In terms of my professional work, I’m a bit of a jack of all trades. I used to do 100 per cent production animal work but these days small animal work takes up most of my day. I really enjoy the variety that working with different species brings.”

Chelsea graduated in 2017 and started at Warkworth Vets a week later.

She grew up around animals and “thankfully” very tolerant parents who let her have a myriad of different animals.

“My favourite was a gorgeous golden retriever. I wish I could say something inspiring about why I wanted to become a vet but I actually just loved animals.”

Chelsea works as a mixed animal vet, but enjoys challenging, small animal medicine cases.

“I enjoy getting to know owners and their animals, and being able to help the animal. We’ve got an awesome bunch of clients who make this challenge easier and more rewarding. I’ve really enjoyed being in the new clinic for the past year and having purpose built facilities.”

Warkworth Vets are celebrating their first year at 27 Hudson Road, in Warkworth High quality veterinary care for all animals

Feel free to come and visit and see for yourself why we believe this to be the premier veterinary facility in the greater Auckland and Northland region.

Our hospital means even higher quality care for your farm animals and pets.

09 425 8244 | 27 Hudson Road, Warkworth | www.warkworthvets.co.nz OPEN: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-2pm | 24 hour 7 day a week emergency cover.

Vets: Roger Dunn BVSc, Jon Makin BVSc, Danny Cash BVSc, Justine Miller BVSc, Chelsea Gill BVSc, Sam Eaton BVSc, Jackie Nicholls BVSc, Neil Warnock BVM&S

February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

25

Countryliving Julie Cotton

admin@oceanique.co.nz

Ponsonby pooches get a taste of country life I had the joyful pleasure of babysitting my grand doggies over summer, a staycation for them on Ninny and Poppy’s farm.

Mr Banks, the French bulldog, and Miss Bella, the black pug, live structured city lives and come with all the accessories and rules that perhaps typify what many would call “Ponsonby Pooches”, a far cry from our relaxed and simple farm life. After a quick refresher course of said doggie rules and regulations, we waved our daughter goodbye, then sat the doggies down and decreed to them, “What goes on on the farm stays on the farm – got it?” I glanced at my husband and with a deep eyeroll and, with the mindset of a farmer, he began to question the sanity of dog owners had dogs sleeping in kennels/cages inside a house and forbade them to eat bones.

How on earth were we going to be the “coolest” grand Ninny and Poppy with all these bloody rules? So, in order to help facilitate the implementation of my “cool Ninny status” I decided I had to ditch the rules. This meant turfing out the sleeping cage and defrosting the biggest homekill leg roast I had so they could chew on it. Our first day trip off the farm was a calamity.

The doggie seatbelts didn’t work out as per instructions, so they went free ball in the back of the car the whole way to a friend’s farm and I could tell they lavished it. On the farm they let loose, and both ended up with a huge boot from a single steel fence hotwire (any lesson learned is a good lesson, right?).

Mr Banks fell into a historic old sheep dipping race and was rescued covered in slime and a foul stench. Stinky and slimy, hopping back in my vehicle was an option I had no intention of offering. Fortunately,

Mr Banks and Miss Bella.

our friends had a pig hunting dog crate on their ute, so we bunged him in there which proved to be such a novelty that Miss Bella wanted to ride in it, too! Back home and minus that ghastly big sleeping cage inside, bedtime arrangements proved slightly problematic. Whimpering beside my pillow at 2am turns out not to be a Footrot Flats dream, but more so a city dog with the intention of infiltrating my crisp bed linen with his moulting coat and doggie saliva – I don’t think so! Doggie

beds in the lounge with teddies and a bone were the better alternative. The strict confines of their city living weighed heavy on me – I was determined to give them the gift of freedom on our farm, but this came at a heavy price. Unwilling to open and shut doors every time they wanted to rush outside to the sound of stock and quadbike movements, I caved into open doors and a house full of flies. They became obsessed with the farm manager Corey and his working dogs, belting out the door with

every passing, barking and staunch, but oddly not leaving my section. Their actions made me laugh. I wondered what thoughts the working dogs had about these puff and wind city slickers.

I was given bold instruction not to take Miss Bella on my long daily walks.

Apparently she has breathing problems, the only rule I had every intention of sticking to. Then, one morning pre-dawn, I unwittingly mistook her for my black pug (her identical twin sister) and piled her in the car along with Mr Banks. It wasn’t until the sun rose and we were four-kilometres into my 12km walk that I realised I had grabbed the wrong dog. I started freaking, “Gawd, what if she dies?” How would I explain that misdemeanour? Unwilling to turn back, I decided to hedge my bets, so I sat Miss Bella down and explained that now was the time for her to “pull up her big pug doggie paws” and deal to the situation at hand, stick tight by my side and we will have this walk in the bag. She survived that walk and together we did it nearly every day for the remaining 14 days.

Leash and harness free, it proved their great love, a sensory and texture overload wrapped in almighty freedom. By the end of their stay, these Ponsonby pooches had gone rogue. Scented daily baths were replaced with a dip in the cattle trough after a roll in a dead carcass, their leopard print leads had collected dust and a brave new world was theirs. I miss having these crazy little toddlers around my feet. It is unclear to me if I had become the coolest Ninny, but along with the bones and the burger patties, I gave it my best shot. I can’t wait for them to stay with Ninny again – I miss them very much.

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| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

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Vanessa cardui | Painted Lady

feature animals

& Pets&Vets Corner Pet of the Month Roxy the Schnauzer

Photo, Krzysztof Niewolny

Have wings, will travel While Australian visitors have to spend time in isolation at the moment, one little Aussie traveller arrived at Mahurangi West last week – unannounced and unquarantined. Resident Isabel Harris was amazed to find an Australian painted lady butterfly in the garden. “I can only assume that the little thing was blown here in those howling winds we had recently,” she says. “Initially, I thought it was a NZ yellow, as it is about the same size, but when I checked in my butterfly book, I was able to properly identify it.” Isabel says the painted lady doesn’t survive in NZ, but the one in her garden was having a great time feasting on her native hebe.

Roxy was a boisterous 8 week old puppy who had been with her owner for 3 days when she suddenly became very lethargic. Within 12 hours she had been sick several times and wasn’t interested in her food. She was brought into the clinic early one Sunday morning for a variety of tests and ended up staying for almost a week on fluids, anti-nausea drugs and antibiotics.

Roxy had came from a breeder who had unfortunately forgotten to get her first vaccine done and she had contracted parvovirus.

Fortunately for Roxy, her mum and dad got her checked out so quickly and she responded very well to treatment so she made a full recovery. The following week a very happy and bouncy Roxy came in for her long overdue first parvovirus vaccine.

Not all puppies are so lucky and this disease can be fatal. The good news is that it can easily be prevented by a quick and painless inoculation. Auckland is currently having a high number of parvovirus cases so if you have just got a puppy or your dog hasn’t had it’s vaccines in a couple of years we would highly recommend a trip to the vets to get their immunity up.

Vets: Roger Dunn BVSc, Jon Makin BVSc, Danny Cash BVSc, Justine Miller BVSc, Chelsea Gill BVSc, Sam Eaton BVSc, Jackie Nicholls BVSc, Neil Warnock BVM&S

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27

Gary Diprose believes working with animals will help Springboard students.

Animals playing a vital role for more than visitors It wasn’t just 11 hectares of land and a collection of buildings that Springboard took on when the Snells Beach youth support organisation bought Sheepworld last year. There was also the small matter of several dozen different farm animals and birds that called the sheds and paddocks of the iconic Warkworth tourism attraction ‘home’.

Of course, there was a sizable flock of up to 60 sheep, but there were also rabbits, chickens, donkeys, ducks, emus, alpacas, pigs, deer, dogs, cows, goats, horses and a cat.

While the prospect of taking on and looking after a veritable farm-full of livestock might have been daunting to some prospective purchasers, Springboard’s Gary Diprose couldn’t wait. Not only did he grow up on a farm and immediately feel at home here, but he knows well how connecting with animals can provide a valuable tool in getting young people to open up.

“These animals are going to be heroes here,” he says. “They can ‘talk’ to humans in ways that humans can’t talk to each other, especially if there’s a brokenness of

spirit or a chip on the shoulder.

“And these animals here are beautiful.

They’re used to people and know how to interact with them.”

Diprose says just being out in a rural setting, walking in the bush and mixing with the animals will give staff and students a head start in communicating and creating positive change.

“We’re not talking to a kid in a classroom here, we’re saying let’s go for a walk and the nature of this place will do what’s necessary.

“This farm is their classroom, and that’s what motivated our team to buy this place.”

He plans to let Sheepworld evolve into a more hands-on farming experience for visitors, too, with more opportunities to get up close to the resident animals and birds.

“I want Sheepworld to build logically on what it’s been doing,” he says. “I see it becoming more like a running mini-farm that the public can come and see, where they can experience bunnies and lambs and piglets and chickens, and how to care for animals as well.”

As an example, Diprose wants to move the rabbits and chicken outside of their current indoor, closed-in hutches and cages and out into a more open air, free range setting, as well as starting a breeding programme.

Of course, Sheepworld’s famous sheep and dog show continues daily, with shepherd Leigh Blackler accompanied by her two faithful hounds Cruise and Griz, rounding up, sorting and shearing the sheep for up to 100 visitors at a time in the show barn.

The former farmer from Gore has been at Sheepworld taking care of all the livestock for three years and, according to Diprose, is amazing with the public.

Sheepworld also includes an eco-discovery trail, a footpath through native bush, wetland and streams that Diprose wants to extend up the hillside. He says the clearings and glades will make a natural outdoor classroom, not only for Springboard students, but for any school that would like to get their kids closer to nature and outdoor learning.

“It’s not just about Springboard, but the opportunity it can offer thousands of kids,” he says.

New signage on SH1.

Full steam ahead, but more help needed Since Springboard took possession of Sheepworld in October, Gary Diprose’s feet have hardly touched the ground as he and his team wrestle to adjust, align and amalgamate two very different operations in a brand new space.

“It’s been an all-out scramble to still run our programmes and get this place ready in a Covid space,” he says.

But the man who founded Springboard to help disadvantaged youth 20 years ago remains as positive and pumped with enthusiasm and ideas as when he first read that Sheepworld was for sale in Mahurangi Matters last May. In the few months since settlement, there has already been a raft of upgrades and new developments. On the visitor side, the cafe has been completely revamped and now continued next page

PROUDLY SUPPORTING SPRINGBOARD I’ve seen the work that they have done with our local youth and it is making a massive difference for our community.

Come on businesses, clubs and churches… let’s all get in behind Springboard!

Director, Grant Reddell

28

| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

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Leigh Blackler with Cruise and Griz.

The cafe has been transformed into a bright and airy space.

thank yo u

feature animals

The new entrance and shop.

to all our local supporters

Some of Sheepworld’s 60 sheep. from previous page

incorporates the entrance to the animal park and sheep show, as well as a new shop area, plus new signage on SH1. Meanwhile, Sheepworld’s former retail barn is being transformed into Springboard’s youth centre and classrooms, with new water tanks, power and wifi connections for the whole property.

However, with a huge amount of work still to do and only so many hours in a day, Diprose is under the pump and hoping volunteers can help to realise his vision of a space where young people can heal and train alongside, and as part of, an iconic rural visitor attraction.

He says the supportive response from the local community has already been momentous and humbling, but Covid restrictions are currently affecting everything from the number of visitors allowed in to preventing a grand opening event from being held.

“I know this is going to be a place that brings healing, restoration and hope and kids that can get into jobs. But we need solutions that we haven’t had before.

It’s about doing things in a different way, embracing volunteers from the community who believe in creating this space – whether it’s building, landscaping, planting, farming or mentoring kids.

“Right now, we just need to get it all to work and be sustainable, where Springboard and Sheepworld are each doing their stuff.”

However, Diprose remains convinced that Sheepworld is by far the best place for the heart of Springboard to be in future.

“We have been on a miracle journey. When we started, I was unpaid with 10 kids who no one wanted to know,” he says. “Last year, we were working with 271 kids. We were quite comfortable at Snells, but had outgrown it, so we we either had to put a lot of money in there, or dream and think big.

“When Sheepworld came up I just said, ‘yes please’. There’s a smorgasbord of opportunities this place can offer thousands of kids. This will be a property that will be such an asset to our community.”

COLIN SNEDDEN ELECTRICAL

Info: www.springboard.org.nz and www.sheepworldfarm.co.nz

your support means the world to our community February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

29

TOSSI Jackie Russell, TOSSI www.tossi.org.nz

proudly supports

We are super proud here at Northland Waste to be locals supporting locals.

We wish the Springboard team all the best with their new venture!

Measuring the success of creating a forest At Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary, two decades of planting native flora have been planned and evolved into a philosophy to establish foundation bush that enables natural re-forestation. Our volunteers are well-versed in monitoring germination rates in the on site nursery, predator controls and even the number of Duvaucel’s geckos scampering around in the bush.

However, there has been little more than anecdotal monitoring of the long-term success of winter planting days undertaken by hundreds of people every year.

We gaze at the patches of regenerating bush, pat ourselves on the back and say isn’t it doing well or alternatively, curse bare patches where rabbits have chewed seedlings to the ground. To achieve a more analytical understanding of the progress of native plantings, Steve Burgess and David Bowden, from Auckland Council’s Ngahere (Forest) programme, visited Tāwharanui in January.

The Council initiative has progressed from urban reforestation to investigating the success of current native planting schemes at Auckland regional parks. The results will help determine the potential for greater carbon sequestration in sections of regional parks that are already, or could be, retired from grazing. TOSSI volunteers were keen to learn more and armed with measuring tools, clipboards and enthusiasm, they joined Burgess and Bowden at last year’s planting site at Slip Gully.

Six patches within the gully were selected and each provided samples of the diverse growing conditions at Tāwharanui. There were ridgelines exposed to salt-laden winds, a formerly barren clay slip, sheltered gullies beside more established plantings, damp creek beds and open patches halfway up the hillside. TOSSI recruits and Council researchers marked each spot with a central

post, attached a five-metre line to it and manoeuvred around in a circle to collect plant data. Every plant was identified, measured to the nearest 10 centimetres with a bamboo rod and given a health score, from zero (dead) to five (thriving).With good teamwork, TOSSI inductees quickly picked up the methodology, ensured plants were not missed and data was accurately recorded.

On the ridgeline, where the wind and salt create tough conditions, it was heartening to see kānuka and mānuka doing well, some planted six months ago were already about 1.4 metres tall. However, tasty karamu (Coprosma robusta) were devoured by rabbits and some tōtara had turned up their toes where rabbits burrowed under the roots. Needless to say, the rabbit situation is being addressed at the sanctuary.

Interestingly, the seemingly inhospitable patch of barren slip already has some selfseeded natives. The same six sites will be monitored annually until a forest canopy is formed and the data will determine the effectiveness of planting methods and what changes, if any, are required.

Understanding how nature works and trying to emulate the interwoven processes is significantly more difficult than most of us realise.

A seemingly small change can impact on planting economics and may also affect the survival rate of maturing trees, for example, simply altering the planting space between seedlings by half a metre. The Ngahere (Forest) programme wants to know the revegetation process is translating into carbon sink forest and TOSSI wants to know its hard mahi is working.

Now our volunteers have the know-how, they can use the methodology to track future community plantings at Tāwharanui and they will have irrefutable stories to share with their grandkids.

Auckland Council researchers and TOSSI volunteers collect data to track the success of the 2021 planting season.

From left, David Bowden, Ngaire Wallen, Susan Gibbings (seated) and Steve Burgess.

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| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

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TI POINT

Last year’s winner Auckland artist Gina Ferguson with Wear ‘n’ Tear.

Call for wired inspired art Entries are open for the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award, which challenges artists to transform the iconic number eight wire into inspiring art.

Hosted by Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato and supported by the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, this year’s event will be judged by carver, sculptor, and multi-disciplinary artist Eugene Kara.

Last year’s winner was Auckland artist Gina Ferguson with Wear ’n’ Tear, a work that reflected on life during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gina says the initial idea came to her when she was thinking about the correlation between the way a fence delineates a boundary and the regional and international borders during the pandemic.

“These structures have become paramount in our response to Covid-19,” Gina says.

“This made me want to use wire and gorse in combination with soap. Using soap to clean and protect remains in our psyche.

“Once the soap is used up, the gorse barbs within it will scratch the skin so fundamentally our protection is lowered. I

also wanted to express the sense of loss and sorrow being experienced throughout this pandemic, so Wear ’n’ Tear also refers to the grief worn and the tears shed by many.”

Gina says submitting her work to the No.8 Wire National Art Award competition was “a hell of a lot of fun and a challenge”.

“My main advice would be to just do it. Enjoying what you do and having something meaningful to you to say in your work is a good place to start. Enabling the materials and processes to guide you is also fundamental.”

This year’s winner will take home $7000 in prize money. The runner-up receives $1000 and third place gets $500. There are also prizes for president’s choice and people’s choice winners.

Entries close on Monday, March 14, at 1pm and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on April 21. An exhibition of the finalists will be held at ArtsPost, 120 Victoria Street, Hamilton, from April 22 to May 23.

To read the competition criteria and access the entry form, go to www.waikatomuseum.co.nz/no8wire.

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Giant humanoids will pop up in Auckland as part of next month’s Art Festival.

Next market March 27, 9.30am-2pm

The market will be held on the last Sunday of each month.

The show must go on – Shona McCullagh remains optimistic, despite Covid cancellations.

Covid forces AAF to retract and rethink Auckland Arts Festival has fallen victim to Covid restrictions for the third time in succession, with more than 50 of its 80 events cancelled.

However, artistic director and Leigh local Shona McCullagh remains unbowed and is more determined than ever that the remaining events should go ahead for the sake of artists and audiences alike.

“I began on March 10, 2020 and March 19 was the first lockdown, so I saw the tail end of my predecessor’s festival go down with Covid,” she says. “My first one was 2021, which was heavily impacted because we’d just been put into another lockdown and we had to cancel the first week’s events, though we managed to carry on with a lot of pivoting and pirouetting measures. And now here we are in 2022 … it’s deeply saddening, but we know it’s the best way to keep everyone safe.

“However, the festival team and our artists are resilient and endlessly creative, and we will deliver a very special suite of safe events for our audiences in March.”

These include two Scottish theatre works, Lament for Sheku Bayoh and The Super Disability Roadshow, two world premieres – the play A Stab in the Dark and dance piece Waiwhakaata – Reflections in the Water – and the Siva Afi fire dancing festival, all of which move online.

Outdoor attractions include Fantastic Planet, the installation of giant inflatable humanoid figures in the Auckland CBD, Wynyard Quarter and a third surprise venue.

And poetry written by young people from high schools throughout Auckland, including Rodney College, will be

appearing on walls, billboards, bus stops and more as part of Spoken Walls: A City in Verse.

Shona says the pop-up poem venues will include Warkworth and Wellsford, and she remains committed to bringing festival events out from the city.

“Having lived here for 10 years when the kids were younger, I know about the spaces and the audience and I’m really committed to ensuring that we bring works to the Mahurangi region,” she says, although three events in Warkworth last year were not a huge success.

“Last year didn’t get a strong turnout, but you’re always learning – was the work not a good fit, did people know it was happening? But we always have a commitment to not just delivering a festival in the CBD. There’ll always be a loyalty from me to this area.”

She hopes arts fans will adapt to the alternative or online productions and events at this year’s festival, which runs from March 10 to 27.

“My hope now is it’s a chance for us all to ensure we’re supporting the artists. They’ve done it tough for so long now. Although online is not everyone’s cup of tea, I hope people will make the effort.”

But she remains optimistic.

“Artists love to create and perform, that’s never going to change and they’ll always find a way to do that. There’s some beautiful fresh thinking out there and we’ll see a revolution in delivery in the next five to 10 years.

“Creativity, like water, will always get through. It’s unstoppable.”

Info and tickets: www.aaf.co.nz

Major new market coming to Warkworth

A new monthly market is coming to Warkworth’s A&P showgrounds starting at the end of March.

The organisers are Mike Hynes and his partner Vanessa Willems, who already run the successful weekly Mangawhai Tavern Market.

He said they had been looking for a second site further south for some time when they spotted the A&P Society’s cattle sheds and grounds. After approaching the society and Auckland Council for resource consent, they were all set to open in November, when Covid struck again.

Now, the first market will be held from 9.30am to 2pm on Sunday, March 27, and will be repeated on the last, or fourth, Sunday of every month from then on.

“The site is ideal. It’s a great size, we have power, ample parking and use of facilities around the field,” Mike says.

The Warkworth Country Market will be three times bigger than the weekly Mangawhai sale, with 220 sites, including four free sites for community organisations and good causes. There will also be two music stages, with one for buskers and street performers, and 16 food sites along one edge of the grounds.

Mike says regulations mean that food vendors have to be vaccinated against Covid-19, but anyone else does not have to be vaccinated. However, everyone will have to scan in and wear a mask.

And he promised that the market would only accept quality items for sale, with the emphasis on local and NZ-made products, and no plastic packaging.

“We don’t do crap, we vet everybody who wants a stall,” he says. “We’ve got pretty high standards, so no ripped or shoddy gazebos and if you have a table, it has to be covered by a full length cloth.”

Stalls cost $50 plus GST. Info and applications: Call Mike on 021 247 6683, email info@warkworthcountrymarket.co.nz or visit www. warkworthcountrymarket.co.nz

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Sawmill Brewery + Smoko Room | 1004 Leigh Road, Matakana | Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 12pm - late | Sunday 12pm - 5pm 32

| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

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Chris Penk

Books

MP for Kaipara ki Mahurangi

Tracey Lawton

Here to help

Mala’s Cat by Mala Kacenberg ‘The incredible true story of survival in the shadow of the Holocaust’ announces the blurb on the book cover. Mala is finally telling the story of her young life, and it is both harrowing and heart-warming.

She grew up as a Jew in the Polish village of Tarnogrod, along with her brother and sisters. After Germany invaded Poland, Mala and her family struggled to find food and she was no longer allowed to go to school. Mala didn’t play by the Nazi rules and became adept at sneaking out of the village, always on the lookout for food for her family. Her older brother was shot, her parents and younger sisters were deported to a camp, and so she was left to fend for herself with just her cat for company.

The cat was both her beloved companion and, it seemed, her guardian angel. Mala tells us about sleeping in the forest, coming across rebels and German soldiers, as well as kind and generous locals who took her in. Mala was clever enough to pretend to be a Christian and got sent to Germany to work as a servant in a large house/restaurant, which was where she was when the war ended. She ended up in London after the war where she married and ran a B&B. This is an interesting read and at times I almost wondered whether it was aimed at younger readers as there is an honesty and simplicity to the writing but, of course, the content isn’t suitable for children. This is another timely reminder that we must always remember the atrocities of war.

365 Main Road, Huapai • chrispenk chris.penkmp@parliament.govt.nz • 09 412 2496 Funded by the Parliamentary Service.

Authorised by Chris Penk, 365 Main Road, Huapai.

NUKES

PAUL JONSON JADE RIVER UKES

One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner The main protagonist of Gardner’s new novel is Frankie Elkin.

Frankie is an alcoholic who is seeking redemption by travelling the United States searching for missing people, the folk who haven’t been found and are likely to be forgotten. In this story, a group of young men have gone to the woods for a stag weekend and the groom-to-be has gone missing. His father still organises a search party every year and refuses to believe that his son is no longer alive.

Frankie tags along with the group, hoping to help resolve the mystery. However, she is more of an urban expert and this hike is challenging in many ways. Frankie is a complex character and her irreverence and lack of pretentiousness was what drew me into the novel.

There is also quite a lot of tension that builds nicely and I didn’t guess ‘the guilty party’ until quite near the end. I read this while on holiday and it was perfect easy reading and I enjoyed it so much that I have now read the Frankie Elkin novel that preceded this one. If you like a clever crime/thriller, give Lisa Gardner a go.

Tickets available: Mahurangi Matters office jaderiverukes@gmail.com or www.thenukes.co.nz

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February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

33

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Work has restarted on a major redevelopment of the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. It involves building a new Science and Discovery Centre and relocating the museum’s nationallysignificant gum collection to a space where it can be better displayed.

The work is being funded by a $3 million grant from the Provincial Development Unit. It was awarded in 2020, as part of a multi-phase development of the museum, but work was delayed due to Covid.

Museum Board chair Grant McCallum says the work is the largest building redevelopment at the museum since 2007.

“Our project manager Adam Farrell is working not only on the Science and Discovery Centre, but also on an upgrade to the museum’s Gumdiggers Café, and a whole new area called The Forest Walkway,” McCallum says.

“The walkway includes a new addition to the museum, which will link the entrance through to the Volunteers Hall. The

roof on the Ross and Sterling Wing is also being replaced.”

Meanwhile, the Museum Board has appointed a new director. (See page 15) Pablo Garcia has been in the role as acting general manager as previous interim manager, Dawn Folkard, finished her contract in January. Pablo and wife Linda recently bought a property near Kaiwaka. Pablo has diverse managerial and commercial experience, and is already fully engaged at the museum.

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| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022 COLOUR PALETTE

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History Rose Reid, Albertland Museum www.albertland.co.nz

Mr Cray and the silk top hat Over the years, many items have been given to the Albertland Museum which remind us of those early settlers who came to Albertland 159 years ago under the leadership of William Henry Brame.

One, a man’s top hat made of black silk, came to the fore after it was found sitting in its original box, accompanied by a handwritten note which read, “This hat is over 100 years old and has been in the Cray family for years and used for dressups and concerts.” After some research, we found the hat was donated by the Ward family after a brief time as a ‘prop’ at the Wellsford Drama Club. Our volunteers began to think the hat had been on quite a journey over time.

On May 29, 1862, two of Shaw Savill’s finest sailing ships set sail together for Albertland – the Matilda Wattenbach, with 352 passengers and the Hanover, with 336 aboard. They were farewelled from the East India Docks in London by a crowd of 15,000 people all shouting and cheering, accompanied by bands playing and cannons firing. On board the Hanover was Charles Doudney Cray, from Southampton in Hampshire, accompanied by his wife Margaret (nee Wheeler) and their seven children. Like all the other men then, Charles would have been wearing his black silk top hat while the ladies wore their crinolines. Among the assorted baggage, boxes, trunks and household goods on board, his hat would have been carefully preserved until they reached their destination. After their arrival, the men soon realised that these hats were out of place in Auckland which was, at that time, just a small village with arum lilies growing in the gully where the town hall stands today, and

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fern and manuka scrub covering landmarks that are now busy inner-city roads.

With no transport organised from Auckland to Albertland, the settlers made their own way north. This journey would prove long and arduous. Some took a barge from Auckland to Riverhead to await transport by bullock team, which took them overland to Helensville, a difficult journey on muddy, rain-sodden tracks in early spring. From Helensville, the settlers boarded boats to take them to Albertland, where they made camp on the banks of the Oruawharo River. On the first Sunday after they arrived, the Rev. William Gittos came across from Oruawharo with a group of Maori and they all took part in a church service on the beach.

For the first few years, Charles owned a store in the new settlement but soon moved to land in Wharehine where he ran another store. His children married into other local families including the Grice, Day, Worker, and Levet families, to name a few.

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Unsealed roads and the serious health impacts

by Ralph Cooney

In the dry late summer months, driving along unsealed country roads usually involves clouds of fine dust from the car in front coating one’s car and creation of more dust for any car following. For most of us, this seems to be a tolerable price of living in beautiful but isolated locations.

About 40 per cent of the NZ road network in 2020 was unsealed roads (Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, IPWEA, 2020). Public discussions about country roads usually centre around the cost of resurfacing and, hence, often lead to anxiety about rate increases.

Historically, road dust has been considered just a nuisance. However, recently there is another important dimension to this matter that is attracting more attention in New Zealand and overseas: the health impacts for travellers and residents of inhaling road dust.

The Ministry of Health has published a 2019 report ‘Health Impacts of PM10 from Unsealed Roads in Northland’.

PM10 refers to dust particles less than 10 micrometers in dimension. These very small particles are more dangerous because

they can penetrate the human respiratory system more effectively than larger dust particles. PM10 dust particles are roughly the diameter of the very finest wool fibres and are 10 times smaller than the smallest thing a human eye can see. The monitoring data recorded as part of this report recorded 27 instances of exceeding the 24-hour national environmental standard.

One exceedance is permitted within any 12-month period.

The 2019 Ministry of Health assessment showed an estimated 0.6 cases of premature mortality per year or six cases of premature mortality over 10 years due to unsealed road dust. The total cost of all adverse effects assessed was between $1.2 and $3.8 million per annum in 2017 dollars.

The US National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted a review of specific health risks across several countries including USA, UK, Italy, Iran and China. This review includes the number of times a particular health issue is mentioned across official reports. The review found 17 studies that reported that exposure to road dust had adverse health effects on the respiratory system. These effects included asthma, as well as forms of respiratory carcinoma such as mesothelioma. This literature review

found studies that reported the components of road dust particles (including fine silica, various light and heavy metals and organics) to be associated with multiple health effects, in particular on the respiratory and cardiovascular system.

A methodology was developed by the NZ Government to help assist road managers to assess and prioritise dust mitigationrelated activities. This approach considers risk factors, including the nature, number and speed of vehicles, local weather conditions and topography and also sensitive residential, ecological and horticultural locations.

The conclusions were that firstly, as the NIH review above recommended, there is an urgent need for a more complete risk assessment of the effects of road dust on human health. Secondly, NZ should evaluate new international road surfacing materials. These new sustainable roading materials include recycled plastic pellets in bitumen, pyrolysis bio-bitumen from general waste, solar roadways and so on.

Road dust is something that country people have learned to live with, but there is increasing evidence it can have serious health implications.

Dr Jason Smith

Kaipara set for mining hearing Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith will represent Kaipara District Council at the upcoming hearing of two resource consent applications by McCallum Bros for sand mining along the Mangawhai-Pakiri embayment.

Council has opposed both consents.

McCallum has applied for resource consent to continue extracting sand from the seabed using a trailer suction dredge within the Coastal Marine Area, offshore from Pakiri Beach, along 10.8km of the shoreline.

The proposed annual extraction volume is up to 76,000m3 over any consecutive 12-month period, limited to a maximum of 15,000m3 over any consecutive 30day period. McCallum has also applied for resource consent to extract sand from between the 15m and 25m isobaths, along 10.4km of the Pakiri Beach shoreline.

The proposed extraction volumes include an annual average of up to 125,000m3 over any consecutive five-year period, and a maximum rate of 150,000m3 over any 12-month period. The company is seeking a 35-year consent for these activities.

KDC’s submission opposing both applications, pertains to actual or perceived adverse effects on the Mangawhai Sandspit’s form, wildlife habitat of nationally critical or vulnerable bird species, and on the local Mangawhai community.

A date for the resource consent hearing has not been confirmed.

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| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

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Wine Richard Robson, Matakana Winegrowers www.matakanawine.co.nz

Labour shortage threatens harvest Here we go again! Harvest is about to begin over the next month or so for grape growers around the region. The grapes are starting to change colour and soften, the birds are showing an interest in eating them, and the growers are watching the forecasts and the skies constantly – and praying for no rain.

It’s at this point I would usually go into a bit more depth about the weather and how it affects wine grapes, but I’m not going to in this article. We have more serious concerns for the upcoming harvest season, which is people. I was down in the Coromandel during January – peak season – and noticed a lot of restaurants were only open three or four nights a week. There were signs on every door asking for understanding as they were unable to find enough staff to offer their normal service. I’m sure there were businesses with similar problems up here, but right across the country there are also stories of orchards with fruit unpicked because of a lack of people to help with the harvest.

If Matakana were a larger grape growing area, we may have contractors with grape harvesting equipment, which reduces the need for people to pick grapes by hand.

These machines straddle the vine row and vibrate the trunk of the vine. This vibration runs through the entire vine until it reaches

the grape bunches, where the berries fall off the stems and into a hopper. However, as we are a boutique grape growing region, we are not set up for this type of grape harvesting, so we rely on hand picking, and for that we need people.

Hand picking is great as the pickers can very quickly check every bunch and discard anything that the winemaker might deem inferior, which leads to better quality grapes and the resulting wine. It is also appropriate for certain wine styles, including sparkling wine made by methode champenoise, and Chardonnay that is being made to age. Hand picking allows for whole bunch pressing, where the whole bunches are loaded into a press and not crushed and destemmed on the way there.

The idea is that the juice is quickly moved away from the grape skins once they break, minimising the extraction of bitter and oxidative components from the skin.

As Covid continues on its painful way, many winemakers are now looking for pickers. If you think you would be interested in picking grapes, or you know someone who might be, please email the Matakana Winegrowers by visiting https:// matakanawine.co.nz/contact/. You can also find us on Facebook under Matakana Wine Trail.

Local drop-offs for soft plastic recycling

Soft plastic packaging is now being accepted at community recycling centres at Lawrie Road in Snells Beach and Rustybrook Road in Wellsford. Clean and dry soft plastic packs, plus Tetra Pak cartons, are being recycled for free at both the Mahurangi Wastebusters sites. Info: www.mahurangiwastebusters.nz

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Like so many soccer teams this year, Puhoi is picking itself up and dusting itself down after two years of Covid interruptions.

One casualty is the men’s first and reserve teams which, after two years in the elite NRF conference league, have withdrawn from the competition due to the difficulty of attracting and retaining two full squads every week.

Puhoi football manager Troy Connolly said it was really disappointing, but the coach had taken the decision that the numbers simply weren’t there.

“You’ve got to have 32 players each week and that for us was just too difficult,” he said.

However, long-time Puhoi player Billy Fry is putting together a group of players from both teams to form a new side, with AUT Sports Coaching head Simon Walters on board as trainer.

“They’re just waiting to hear from NRF which division they can play in, probably

two or three,” Connolly said.

Puhoi is also fielding at least one masters over-35s men’s team, a division three women’s team and is currently in the process of mustering as many young players as it can for grade sides.

“Last year, we had Grade 9, 11 and 12 teams, but at the first muster last week we had very low numbers, so we’re hoping to get more,” Connolly said.

He said as well as players, Puhoi was also looking for coaches, managers and sponsors, as closure of the sports and community club had led to a slump in funding.

“We’re looking for sponsorship, whether it’s for kit, balls or new nets for the junior sides. Being shut for seven months over the last two years, we have lost a huge amount of revenue that we usually put back into the club and our football teams.”

Anyone who can help, or is keen to join any of the teams, should contact Connolly on 021 221 7886.

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Pickleball success Four Mahurangi Club pickleballers, based at Snells Beach, recently helped Auckland win the best overall NZ region in the inaugural Wellington Pickleball Cup. The event was held at the ASB stadium in Wellington. Sue Chittenden and Bev Billington played their part by winning the silver medal in the 60-plus ladies doubles, while Murray and Bev Billington took out the 60-plus bronze mixed doubles. Murray and Dave Sidders (pictured above) displayed a good combination for a creditable fourth placing in the 60-plus men’s doubles.

Hawks play memorial matches The Otamatea Hawks rugby team is kicking off the 2022 preseason with two important games – memorial matches in remembrance of two young players who each died far too young in tragic circumstances.

The first is the Jordan Kemp Memorial Game, when the Hawks will take on Old Boys Marist RFC on Saturday, March 12 at the Kaiwaka Sports Association field, with an 11am kick off.

A week later, the Kodi Foster Memorial Game will see the Hawks play Waipu

away at Caledonian Park for the Foster & McClure Family Shield, starting at 5pm on Saturday, March 19.

The matches are viewed by many in the team and wider community as the most important of the year and they always attract a good crowd.

Jordan Kemp died after suffering a head injury while playing for Otamatea in July 2014, when he was 17, while Kodi Foster was 19 when he died following a crash near Paparoa in November 2018.

Free golf Tapora Golf Club is introducing a coaching tournament for families in the area. The club is offering four free sessions with a professional golf coach (split over four weekends, potentially starting mid-March). New players will also receive a light snack and drink at the clubhouse after each coaching session and there will be a twilight tournament for the new players at the end of the programme. The coaching is for all ages. For more information or to register your interest, contact Katinka on katinka@34south.co.za Golf tournament Wellsford Golf Club is hosting a Masters 27 Hole Tournament on Saturday, March 12. There will be two men’s divisions and one ladies. $5000 prize table plus spot prize. Entry fee is $50 per person and limited to the first 100 paid entries. Vaccine passes required to enter the club rooms, but not required for the competition. Contact the club on 09 423 8385 ASAP to enter.

Puhoi Sports Club AGM The Puhoi Sports Club Inc AGM will be held at the club rooms on Thursday, March 3 at 6.30pm.

Anyone interested in being involved with the club is invited to come along. Volunteers and new committee members required.

Kiwi aversion training Tamahunga Trappers is running kiwi aversion training for dogs on Sunday, March 20 at Matakana’s Diamond Jubilee Park. Dog owners in Matakana, on Govan Wilson, Matakana Valley, Omaha Valley and Rodney roads are encouraged to book their dogs in.

Info: tamahungatrappers@hotmail.co.nz or phone Trish on 027 585 035.

Matakana Hawks Netball Club The club invites all new and returning players in years one to six to register now for the upcoming 2022 season. Games are played on a Saturday morning at Rodney Netball Centre in Centennial Park, Wellsford. Info: www.facebook.com/MatakanaNetball ToTalspan Rodney Indoor bowls 229 sTaTe HigHway Snells Beach indoor bowls will 1meet at the Snells Beach Community Centre on Monday, March 7 at 12.30pm. For more info, contact Pam on 425 6405. waRkwoRTH

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Northland 0800 55 66 00 www.flashman.co.nz

February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

41

LANDSCAPING & SUPPLIES | LOCKSMITH | MOVING & STORAGE | PAINTERS & PLASTERERS | PLUMBING | PRINTING | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | ROOFING | SCAFFOLDING | SCRAP METAL | SEPTIC TANKS

MASON CONTAINERS LIMITED CONTAINER SALES CONTAINER HIRE

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info@locksmart.co.nz www.locksmart.co.nz

371 Woodcocks Road, WARKWORTH • OPEN 7 DAYS! Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm Sat: 8am-4pm Sun: 9am-3pm

admin@masoncontainers.co.nz

REMOVALS

Since 1997

• Residential Specialists • Interior | Exterior • Plus Stopping & Skim Plastering

• Owner Operator • Local and Long Distance • Packing Service • Packing Materials

James Taylor 0275 489 104

Unit 1, 12 Gumfield Drive, Warkworth www.masoncontainers.co.nz

CraigthePainter

WARKWORTH

Warkworthremovals@me.com Warkworthremovals.co.nz

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021-858 524 | 09-423 After 8521 Hours Email: craigthepainter@xtra.co.nz

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Exterior/Interior/Roofs/Staining A quality touch Painting and Decorating. Interior 8' Exterior House Washing

11

luke.raphaella@gmail.com Ph: Luke 021 507 463

• Repaints & Restoration • Interior Lockwood home painting • Villa and Bungalow • Cedar restoration • Re-staining • Re-oiling • Roof Painting & Coatings • Deck & Fence • Plastering repairs • House wash and more ...

Husband & Wife team • harley.mcvay@xtra.co.nz

Harley 021 0220 8727

TRUE BLUE

All aspects of interior Plastering & Painting p Jason O’Meara 027 452 8952 e unstoppableplasterers@gmail.com

We offer the following services:

Plumbing drainage septic systems water tanks pumps & water filters jetting machine drain camera

GAS & PLUMBING LTD

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www.trueblueplumber.co.nz

UNSTOPPABLE PLASTERERS LTD

021 102 4561

tttplumber@gmail.com

P: 0272 761 761 E: info@wellsfordgas.co.nz

021 446 064 • New Roofs • Roof Repairs • Re-roofs • Roof Inspections Specialists in long-run roofing www.positiveimage.co.nz For any queries, please contact diane@positiveimage.co.nz

16A Flexman Place, Silverdale

For your safety we have: • Experienced Qualified Scaffolders • Full range of Equipment • Including Alloy Mobile & Builder’s Props

PHONE 0800 622 7929

OMAHA - SNELLS BEACH - WARKWORTH - MANGAWHAI Member of Scaffolding and Rigging New Zealand

42

| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

A great team you can trust

For a fresh approach in Property Management, with proven results.

Serving Puhoi to Ruakaka.

Sam 021 1966 391 / Shona 021 539 391 rentalsitn@bayleys.co.nz

Rob Campbell Northern Contracts Manager

0800 649 324 | 021 425 117

rob@rightnowroofing.co.nz MacJimray Septic Cleaning Services are the septic tank cleaning specialists in your district. www. rightnowroofing.co.nz Residential to commercial, fast, reliable, professional service at competitive rates.

.

Septic Tank/Grease Trap Cleaning Septic & Sewerage Treatment Systems

Buyers of: Copper • Brass • Aluminium • Lead • Steel Stainless Steel • Batteries • Cable • Machinery • Electric Motors • Cars • Car Removal. Pick up or drop off bins available

Don’t let your septic tank become costly - service it now!

Phone 0800 14 15 30 • 09 426 9150 35 Forge Road, Silverdale Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

SURVEYORS | TILING | TRANSPORT | WATER

• Rural & Urban Subdivision • Boundary Locations • Site Contour Plans • Construction Set-out

Hibiscus Tiling

LIBERTY SHUTTLES TOURS NZ & AIRPORT DIRECT

Rupert Mather 021 425 837 Graeme Smith 021 422 983 23 Bertram Street, Warkworth

Wall & floor tiling • Accredited Waterproofer Underfloorheating • Free consultations and quotations • 23 years experience

09 425 7393 admin@wwsurveyors.co.nz

Phone Darcy 021 482 308

(2007) Ltd

• Water treatment & Filtration • Pumps • Pool & Spas • Waterblasters 7days / 24hours Paul Harris

Moosome Concrete Troughs!

09 431 2211

Call Steve today 021 278 7427

M: 021 425 887 T: 09 425 0075 E: pumps4u@live.com

0800 278 288 | www.aquaworks.co.nz

sales@absoluteconcrete.co.nz

Household Water Deliveries mobile: 027 556 6111

Neale Stevens (owner operator) 0800 99 55 11 | 09 420 5366 or 021 447 455 libertyshuttles@gmail.com | libertyshuttles.co.nz

Pump & Filtration Services

ABSOLUTE CONCRETE

0800 747 928

• Events - golf, fishing and more • Other options on request • Discount for group bookings

Pumps & Filters Water Treatment Spa & Pool Shop Water Testing Valet Service Water Blasters Tanks & Sprayers 24 Hour Mobile & Workshop Service 31 Woodcocks Rd, Warkworth 09 425 9100 splashwater@xtra.co.nz

Shop hours Mon - Fri 8am-5pm Sat 9am-12pm

Classifieds AERIALS

REDDING ELECTRONICS Freeview Installs, Satellite Dish, UHF Aerial. Installation & Repairs. Ph Dave 09 422 7227 or 027 458 5457 APPLIANCE REPAIRS A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/ Simpson dryers. Prompt service 021 168 7349.

DRIVEWAYS MAINTENANCE Grading, rolling & metalling for rural Driveways.

No job too BIG or small. Ph Trevor 021 0225 5606 DVDS & VIDEOS

DVD

V I D E O S TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Phone or txt Tetotara Video 021 777 385.

HAIRDRESSING

MOBILE HAIRDRESSER Working around the greater Warkworth Region. Enjoy getting your haircut in the comfort of your home.

Call Rebecca 021 0825 8242 The deadline for classified advertising for our March 14, 2022 paper is March 9.

Send classified advertising enquiries to design@localmatters.co.nz

www.localmatters.co.nz

HOME & MAINTENANCE

SITUATIONS VACANT

CHURCH NOTICES

Blue Skies Cleaning

SHEETMETAL/STAINLESS FABRICATOR

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Window Cleaning, Soft Bio House Wash, Gutter Clean, All Exterior Cleaning, Water Blasting, Roof Treatment, Local Professional service.

Ph Pat 022-646-5849

COLLINS ELECTRONICS HAVE YOU LOST PRIME? Or need your Freeview box tuned for the new channels? TV repairs, microwave oven repairs, Freeview installations.

Ph Paul 09 422 0500 or 027 29 222 04

KIWI ROOTS Palm & Tree Maintenance, Removal,

Mulching, Stump Grinding and Hedge work. Free quotes.

Phone 020 4027 6200. www.kiwiroots.co.nz

WARKWORTH SHEETMETALS Ltd has a vacancy for an experienced Sheetmetal Fabricator skilled in all aspects of the trade, who takes pride in producing quality workmanship.

The work is varied and interesting.

Excellent rates and prospects apply for suitable candidate.

Phone Malcolm 09 425 7366 (work hours), email: wsm@helix.net.nz or call in 27 Woodcocks Road, Warkworth

WATER PUMPS - No water? Old cast iron pump? Sales Service & Installation. Work Guaranteed.

Ph Steve 021 278 7427 healthy@aquaworks.co.nz WINDOW CLEANING/ HOUSEWASH/GUTTER CLEANING Local professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849.

Holy Mass Timetable: WARKWORTH

Holy Name Church, 6 Alnwick Street Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 10.30am

PUHOI

SS. Peter & Paul Church Sunday: 8.30am

WE ARE HIRING! Are you interested in

working in the electrical industry?

Laser Electrical Warkworth and Silverdale are currently recruiting for a trainee to assist with the installation or verification systems, heat pump service work and general 09 422 3226 assistance. NoP:experience is necessary as training will be provided. This may lead to an electrical apprenticeship for the right candidate.

APPLY WITH YOUR CV and Cover Letter to b.fairgray@laserelectrical.co.nz 10% discount available to gold card holders

(proof to be shown to the electrician while on site)

E: warkworth@laserelectrical.co.nz | W: www.laserelectrical.co.nz Unit 1, 3 Morrison Drive, Warkworth

WATER FILTERS - Underbench, Whole house, UV & water spotting, Work Guaranteed. Ph Steve 021 278 7427 healthy@ aquaworks.co.nz

Phone 425 8545

www.holyname.org.nz

Hiring?

Advertise with Mahurangi Matters online www.localmatters.co.nz/jobs

GROUND SUPPORT FOR ARBORIST Casual with the potential for more. No experience needed just a good attitude, wants to learn & fit. Car licence required. Based in Warkworth.

Call for more info 020 4027 6200 www.kiwiroots.co.nz

Mahu Church is currently meeting in small groups. To join a group or for more information email david@mahu.org.nz. You can also watch Mahu Church and Mahu Kids on our youtube channel. www.youtube.com/channel/UCn3TwhZPUtuP08qwZPxoMEg or check our website for more details.

425 8861 | www.mahu.org.nz

Lowdown on litter

A new citizen science programme called Upstream Battle has been launched by Keep New Zealand Beautiful. The programme aims to identify the most common on-land sources and types of litter, using schools, community groups and individual volunteers to gather data that, in turn, will inform action to stop litter entering streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. An estimated 80 per cent of all marine litter globally starts its journey on land. Volunteers will be given training and provided with a resource pack. To learn how to join the campaign,

visit: www.knzb.org.nz/programmes/citizen-science/upstream-battle

February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

43

Here at Mahurangi College the year has started extremely well.

Students are happy to be back on site, and there’s a lovely positive tone around the school. Break times are wonderfully chaotic, with multiple basketball, volleyball and four square games competing for space, and students running around enjoying being kids.

Four of our students excelled in the NZQA Scholarship exams. These are the most challenging academic examinations faced by Year 13 students, with only 3% of students across the country successful. Congratulations to Guy van Egmond, who achieved scholarship in English and Drama; Marizanne Smit who gained a Media Studies scholarship; Talia Bentley who achieved a Biology scholarship; and Saskia Wigman who achieved scholarships in Biology and Geography. Her Geography scholarship was awarded at the ‘outstanding’ level. A wonderful achievement!

In fact, the entire Year 13 cohort of 2021 did extremely well, with 61% of students achieving their L3 qualification with either a merit or excellence endorsement. This is a new record for the College, and testament to the manner in which students coped with the disruption of last year. Well done.

During January our rugby field and surrounds were ‘sand-carpeted’, funded by a one-off grant from the Ministry of Education. This means that the field will now be ‘all-weather’ and available to students and sports teams 12 months of the year. The days of slogging through mud, that many ex-students will fondly remember, will be a distant memory! An artificial cricket pitch has also been installed, and an embankment created adjacent to the river, which will provide the perfect viewing platform for cricket. We have some keen cricketers, so it is great to support their passion in this way.

While the Covid shadow still hangs over all of us, we’re hopeful that the school year will be less disrupted than previously. Hopefully rapid antigen tests will soon be made available to schools to help us remain open for onsite learning.

Regardless, the resilience of staff and students to cope with whatever gets thrown at them is just superb.

Tony Giles - PRINCIPAL

YEAR 7 EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM WEEK As I write this, it’s the end of the first day of our Year 7 Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) week. As well as exploring their outdoor learning environment, this week provides a unique opportunity for our new Year 7 students to get to know each other - thankfully in the beautiful sunshine.

Today, some groups travelled by bus to Tāwharanui, where they helped out in the nursery and got to know about the bird their syndicate is named after, the Takahē. They learned about pests and also helped restore the “sand ladder” used by our wider community.

Another group of students spent the day at the Warkworth cement works, swimming, kayaking, sketching and learning about the history of the Warkworth area.

The third group spent the morning in the Marae participating in Whanaungatanga; learning about forming and maintaining relationships and strengthening ties between communities. Their afternoon was spent having fun on a water slide and enjoying the sunshine.

Our final group spent the morning learning about their syndicate’s section of the river bank within our school, and how they will help care for it over the next year. They then headed to the Mansell Bridge swimming hole where they learned water safety, tested the water, explored the river ecosystem and developed their rope tying skills.

Now it’s home for a good nights sleep, before doing it all again tomorrow!

(For more Year 7 EOTC week photos and details please check out our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram.)

Caroline Armstrong - HEAD OF JUNIOR FACULTY

Issue 01 2022

44

| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

YEAR 7 STEAM PROGRAMME All Year 7 students are taking part in a rotation programme through all the main areas of STEAM from Woodwork and Metal work, Textiles and Art, Music and Dance and Drama to Food and Robotics (page 1). Each session is 16 hours long. Students are learning the major skills required in each area based around practical work, so that they can pursue project based learning in Year 8. These programmes have started well for the year with students fully involved in their areas and beginning to produce some excellent projects, as well as gaining understanding and practice of the main skills related to their area. Our teachers are also excited about this new move in STEAM and are looking forward to assessing the success of the programmes later in the year.

Geraldine Healy - HEAD OF STEAM

Over 60 competitive swimmers from Year 7-13 entered our school competitive swimming sports. They proved to be some of the fastest, most skilled and determined athletes; breaking several school records across all year groups.

These records are available to view on our website.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING Our Year 13 prefect team went to Action Matakana to undergo leadership training with fun, interactive and team building excercises. It was a great day that we all thoroughly enjoyed; especially the obstacle course, which was full of difficult challenges. Each student took home valuable lessons, and strengthened peer bonds. It made us even more excited to be the school prefects this year!

Noah Barclay - PUBLICITY PREFECT / SCHOOL EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER

MITRE 10

ACHIEVER OF THE MONTH

AMELIA BURTON HEAD GIRL Academic Blue Level 1 Academic Blue Level 2 2021 Sports Blue 2022 Senior Netball Member New Zealand Secondary Schools Netball Training Camp 2022 Pictured with with Hannah McCarthy, Garden Centre Manager

Proudly Supporting Mahurangi College

Cnr Woodcocks Rd & Mansel Drive WARKWORTH Phone 425 8119 WWW.MAHURANGI.SCHOOL.NZ

www.localmatters.co.nz

February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

45

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One thing Covid hasn’t dampened is the enthusiasm of local children for surf lifesaving.

The Omaha Beach Surf Lifesaving Club has had one of its biggest membership boosts in recent times, with more than 500 members this season.

Junior programme coordinator Rachel Iversen says it is good to see so many families looking to get their children more educated around water.

“It has been a challenge operating under Red, but having a large beach and additional planning has meant that we can make it work,” she says.

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S

Wed Fri

Thu Sat

Mar Aug 44

3:09am 3:41am 9:35am 9:51am 4:21pm Tide Tide 3:37pm 9:59pm Times Times 10:24pm

Fishing Fishing Guide Guide Moon Moon

Mar Aug 55

4:35am 0.5 2.7 3:55am 10:45am 3.5 1.0 10:21am 5:14pm 0.5 2.7 4:22pm 11:14pm 3.4 1.2 10:43pm

7:09am 7:16am 7:56pm 5:39pm

Sun Sun

2:18am 8:36am 2:42pm 9:01pm

3:04am 9:26am 3:27pm 9:52pm

10:18am 3:49am 10:45pm 4:11pm

Mar Aug 88

12:45am 0.7 1.1 12:07am 7:06am 3.3 2.8 6:04am 1:05pm 0.7 0.8 12:32pm 7:29pm 3.0 6:29pm

11:11am 4:33am 11:38pm 4:55pm

Mar Aug 99

1:29am 3.2 1.0 12:49am 7:51am 0.8 2.9 6:49am 1:47pm 3.2 0.7 1:14pm 8:11pm 0.8 3.1 7:11pm

7:13am 7:12am 7:51pm 5:42pm

Best Best At At

BF

Wed Mon

12:04pm 5:17am 5:40pm

Mar Aug 10 10

1:33am 2:12am 7:36am 8:35am 1:58pm 2:29pm 7:56pm 8:53pm

7:14am 7:11am 7:49pm 5:43pm

Best Best At At

GF

3.1 0.9 1.0 3.0 3.0 0.6 0.9 3.2

Thu Tue

12:29am 6:03am 12:55pm 6:26pm

Mar Aug 11 11

2:21am 2:56am 8:29am 9:18am 2:45pm 3:11pm 8:46pm 9:36pm

7:15am 7:10am 7:48pm 5:44pm

Best Best At At

GG

2.9 0.8 1.1 3.1 2.9 0.6 1.0 3.3

Wed Fri

6:50am 1:20am 7:14pm 1:44pm

Mar Aug 12 12

3:40am 2.8 0.7 3:16am 9:26am 1.2 3.2 10:02am 3:54pm 2.8 0.5 3:37pm 9:43pm 1.1 3.3 10:21pm

7:16am 7:09am 7:46pm 5:44pm

Best Best At At

FG

Thu Sat

7:39am 2:09am 8:04pm 2:32pm

Mar Aug 13 13

4:26am 2.7 0.6 4:16am 10:47am 1.3 3.2 10:24am 4:40pm 2.7 0.5 4:35pm 11:07pm 1.2 3.3 10:44pm

7:17am 7:08am 7:45pm 5:45pm

Best Best At At

BG

Sun Fri

8:30am 2:56am 8:55pm 3:20pm

Mar Aug 14 14

5:12am 2.7 0.6 5:15am 11:34am 1.3 3.2 11:21am 5:29pm 2.7 0.5 5:34pm 11:56pm 1.2 3.3 11:43pm

7:17am 7:07am 7:43pm 5:46pm

Best Best At At

BG

Mon Sat

9:21am 3:43am 9:46pm 4:07pm

Mar Aug 15 15

Mar Aug 16 16

7:19am 7:04am 7:41pm 5:48pm

Best Best At At

BG

Wed Mon

Thu Tue

10:11am 4:31am 10:36pm 4:56pm

7:20am 7:03am 7:39pm 5:48pm

Best Best At At

BG

11:01am 5:21am 11:26pm 5:47pm

11:50am 6:14am 6:41pm

0.9 3.1 3.0 0.7 0.9 3.0 3.0 0.8

Mar Aug 18 18

2:04am 2:41am 8:25am 8:53am 2:29pm 3:28pm 8:53pm 9:30pm

7:21am 7:02am 7:38pm 5:49pm

Best Best At At

FG

Wed Fri

Mar Aug 17 17

1:42am 12:47am 1.0 3.2 1:21am 6:01am 2.8 0.6 12:34am 2.7 0.6 6:09am 7:50am 6:53am 2.9 0.6 7:42am 12:24pm 1.2 3.1 6:57am 1.3 3.2 12:12pm 2:22pm 1:20pm 1.1 3.1 1:45pm 6:22pm 2.7 0.7 1:00pm 2.7 0.6 6:31pm 8:25pm 7:22pm 7:21pm 2.9 0.8 8:09pm 1.1 3.3

7:18am 7:05am 7:42pm 5:47pm

Best Best At At

BG

Tue Sun

12:13am 7:10am 12:37pm 7:39pm

Mar Aug 19 19

3:45am 0.8 3.0 2:46am 9:58am 3.2 0.7 9:07am 4:33pm 0.8 3.0 3:12pm 9:35pm 3.1 0.9 10:33pm

7:22am 7:01am 7:36pm 5:50pm

Best Best At At

GG

Thu Sat

1:00am 8:09am 1:23pm 8:40pm

Sun Fri

Mar Aug 20 20

4:50am 0.7 3.0 3:28am 3.3 0.7 11:02am 9:50am 5:34pm 0.7 3.1 3:55pm 11:32pm 3.3 0.8 10:18pm

7:23am 6:59am 7:35pm 5:51pm

Best Best At At

GG

1:46am 9:11am 2:09pm 9:42pm

3.0 0.6 0.7 3.3 3.2 0.6 0.7 3.3

7:24am 6:58am 7:33pm 5:52pm

Best Best At At

BG

®

Best Best At At

BG

10:12am 2:32am 10:42pm 2:56pm

New First First Full Moon Quarter Quarter Moon Rise Rise 8:15am 3:42am Rise Rise 9:20am 4:39am Rise Rise10:22am 5:33am Rise Rise11:24am 6:23am Rise Rise12:25pm 7:07am Rise Rise 1:25pm 7:47am Rise Rise 2:25pm 8:21am Set Rise12:02am 8:52am Set Rise12:47am 9:21am Set Rise 1:38am 9:50am Set Rise 10:20am 2:34am Set Rise 10:52am 3:35am Set Set 12:54am 4:37am Set Set 5:41am 2:05am Set Set 6:46am 3:16am Set Set 7:51am 4:22am Set Set 8:58am 5:22am 1:28pm Set 2:13pm Set 3:05pm Set 4:03pm Set 5:05pm Set 6:10pm Set 7:16pm Rise 8:23pm Rise 9:29pm Rise 5:02pm Rise 5:44pm Rise 6:21pm Rise 6:53pm Rise 7:23pm Rise 1:01pm Rise 2:00pm Rise 3:06pm Set Set 9:00pm Set 9:26pm Set 9:53pm Set 10:20pm Set 10:50pm Set 11:23pm Set 3:21pm Set 4:14pm Set 10:36pm Set 11:44pm Rise 11:28am Rise 12:11pm Rise 7:50pm Rise 8:18pm Rise 8:46pm *Not *Not for for navigational navigational purposes. purposes.

Mick Fay 46

Tue Sun

7:12am 7:13am 7:52pm 5:41pm

Best Best At At

BF

RayWhite

Ray White SeaSea Watch Auckland Area Watch

Mar Aug 77

5:22am 0.6 2.7 12:01am 6:18am 3.4 0.9 11:49am 5:48pm 0.6 2.9 12:21pm 3.3 6:47pm

7:11am 7:14am 7:53pm 5:40pm

Best Best At At

BB

Mon Sat

Mar Aug 66

5:28am 0.5 2.7 4:39am 11:35am 3.4 1.0 11:06am 6:03pm 0.5 2.8 5:06pm 3.3 1.1 11:26pm

7:10am 7:15am 7:55pm 5:40pm

Best Best At At

BB

Sun Fri

The increase in members has led to an

increase on the sports side of surf lifesaving.

Last month, Omaha took its largest team of 32 athletes to Orewa to compete in the Auckland All In Carnival.

The under 13 and 14 athletes trained hard off season with club coach Daniel Grant, which has led to a marked improvement in skill level.

“We are also grateful to our parent and high school coaches who train our under 12 athletes as well,” Iversen says.

“Unfortunately, Oceans 22 the national junior surf lifesaving carnival which is held at Mount Maunganui annually, and is ‘the event’ on the calendar, was cancelled due to Covid.

“The northern regional competition was held over Waitangi weekend, but under the Red settings, it was restricted to the U14 and U13 age categories.

“Omaha came away with some great results with its small team of six boys and two girls. We were very proud of the performance of all the athletes under very tough conditions.”

Results: Northern Regions Junior Surf Lifesaving Comp Individual: Maia Iversen – U13 girls board race, 1; Fraser Walker – U14 boys surf race, 1, and boys diamond, 3; Alex Worth – U13 boys board race, 2. Teams: U14 boys board relay, 3; U14 boys board rescue, 3; U14 boys cameron, 2.

GG

Good Good Fishing Fishing

FF

Fair Fair Fishing Fishing

BB

Not Not So So Good Good

www.tidewiz.com www.tidewiz.com

www.tidespy.com www.tidespy.com

www.ofu.co.nz www.ofu.co.nz

Graphic Graphic supplied supplied by

by OceanFun OceanFun Publishing Publishing Ltd. Ltd.

Licensee Agent Snells Beach 021 544 769 E. mick.fay@raywhite.com W. https://mickfay.raywhite.com/

| Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

What’s on See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/ for a full list of upcoming events

March 5-13

NZ Seaweek. Marine conservation and educational activities, various venues.

Info: www.seaweek.org.nz

8

Women’s Centre Rodney Special General Meeting, 10 Morpeth Street Warkworth, 1pm.

9

Snell Beach Garden Circle Meeting, Snells Beach Community Centre, 1pm.

Guest speaker Trish Allen from Wastebusters. Sales table and competition entries. Info: Helen 425 5516.

SUPER SAUSAGE SIZZLE

10&11 Concertina Diary Creation Course, Studio 22, 22 Muncaster Road Snells Beach, 10am-3pm. $90 for a fun two-day course. Tutors, materials, lunch and refreshments provided. Info & booking: Jo-ann 022 3505 706 or Maureen 027 474 0001 10-27

Auckland Arts Festival, various venues and online. Info and bookings: www.aaf.co.nz (see story p32)

11

AAF Melting Pot, Mahurangi College, 7pm

13

Matt Hunt Memorial Golf Tournament, Warkworth Golf Club.

Info: www.matthuntmemorial.com (see story p21)

27

Puhoi Market, Puhoi River Park, 9am-1pm. Live music and great selection of goods, food and crafts. Dog friendly, cash only, vaccine pass needed. Info: Jenny 0204 020 6154 to book a $20 space.

27

Warkworth Country Market, Warkworth Showgrounds, 9.30am-2pm. Stalls, food trucks, entertainment, street performers and lots of fun! To join as a stallholder or performer, visit www.warkworthcountrymarket.co.nz (see story p32)

30

Emergency Services Thank you Dinner, Warkworth Town Hall. Organised

by One Mahurangi in appreciation of local first responders. Donations and volunteers sought. Info: Murray Chapman on 027 496 6550 or email murray@onemahurangi.co.nz

April 16

Easter Egg Hunt, Wellsford War Memorial Park, 9am-12pm. Music, coffee, food, free museum entry, museum activities, bouncy castles, spot prizes & more. BYO picnic blanket.

16

Matakana Beer & Food Festival, Matakana Country Park, 2-9pm. More than 12 breweries plus food trucks and live music. Info and tickets: www.matakanafoodbeerfest.com

List your event by emailing the details to online@localmatters.co.nz

RODNEY SEPTIC TANK CLEANING

PHONE 09 422 7166 OR 027 494 6370

IF YOU WAN T TO SUPPOR T M ORE LOCAL, THEN WHY NOT JOIN US !

Saturday 26th March, 10am - 2pm

next to Warkworth Butchery.

On the last Saturday of every month, we’re raising much needed funds for local charities and organisations—perhaps groups that would not normally get the exposure within the local community.

Over $6,000 raised so far!

Fur Friend Fund Raising Event Professional photo show with your bestie Come and join us to help raise funds.

Bernie

All donations for Photos and Sausage Sizzle will go to the SPCA

DOES MY SEPTIC TANK NEED CLEANING? Yes, every 2-3 years. Why? Because septic tanks are a filter. You clean your car filter and your water filters regularly and yet one of the most important filtersgets forgotten - your septic tank. Keep your environment clean and green.

www.localmatters.co.nz

LOOK OUT FOR US AROUND TOWN!

Coast & Country February 28, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

47

ROSA at crisis point over Covid rules One of the region’s biggest youth sports organisations, the Rodney Otamatea Soccer Association (ROSA) has effectively folded over Covid vaccine requirements for children.

President Rachel Rewi said she and her committee had resigned last week rather than enforce government restrictions and the traffic light system in the coming season.

“We’ve got no club president and no committee because nobody wants to turn away young kids and mums and dads over an injection,” she said. “Nobody is prepared to tell little kids they can’t play soccer.”

While some local clubs are trying to work in and around the rules, which do include scope for those with and without a vaccine pass to play outdoor sport (see panels), Rewi said division on the ROSA committee made that impossible.

“I tried to float it with my committee that we ignore it, but I needed complete consensus and there were two people who were very pro-Ardern and the vaccine pass,” she said.

“It’s terrible. Our kids are the ones who are suffering.”

ROSA organises grade and open soccer for teams of all ages from Wellsford, Mangawhai, Matakana and Kaipara, with Saturday matches played at the Port Albert football fields by hundreds of children every year.

Rewi said if someone else was willing to step up and take over, or if the traffic light restrictions reduced, that would be

welcome, but she was not overly optimistic.

And she added that other children’s sports clubs were also suffering, such as Tomarata tag, youth rugby and netball.

“The feeling I get from my members is that people are just exhausted from all this s*** going on in our country,” she said. “I’ve got no confidence in this government that they will do the right thing and let our kids play sport.

“My son usually plays soccer in winter and tag in summer, but he’s had four months of sport in 18 months.”

Rewi said she would give it until September and then if no one had been found to take over at ROSA, the club would be dissolved.

“I personally won’t go back, I’ve done 12 years now,” she said.

However, she is supporting Sports Zone, a new weekly children’s sports day that started at the Port Albert fields on February 20.

“We had our first one on Sunday with soccer and tee-ball (a variation on softball) and there were 60 to 70 kids out there,” she said.

“It’s just a family environment with kids playing sports. We’re not asking any questions, we don’t know anybody’s medical status. We don’t like this twoclass system, we’re just a blended bunch of people and we want to see our community rebuild. Everyone is scrambling to do the best that they can. We’re just there doing sports with our kids.”

Outdoor community sports

Outdoor community sport can go ahead at Red, with restrictions.

Anyone who would like to step up to help resurrect ROSA should email Rewi on rosa. northland@gmail.com. For info on Sports Zone, email mrrwconsulting@gmail.com

Brenda May Warkworth resident

With My Vaccine Pass unity

oor comm If a venue for outd w My Vaccine llo fo to s se sport choo s, only people Pass requirement Pass are allowed with My Vaccine to be there. the age of 12 Children under hs do not need nt mo years and 3 Vaccine Pass to to provide a My a vaccination th wi s enter place requirement.

100 people based There can be up to cing in a defined on 1-metre distan at any time. space at the venue multiple defined As there can be spaces, this means: ltiple groups of • you can have mu need to be 2 ey th spectators — her group, and metres from any ot running at once • multiple games 2 metres away — they must be . from other groups does not include it lim y The capacit staff at the venue.

Without My Vaccine Pa

ss If a venue for outdo or community sport chooses not to operate with My Vaccine Pass requirements, there can be up to 25 people in a defined space at the venue at any time.

For example, a game of cricket with 11 players each side can go ahead.

A group of spectat ors up to 25 people can be watch ing from the sidelines. Spectators should remain 2 metres apart from players.

They can be a mix of people with and without My Vacci ne Pass.

The limit does not inc lude staff at the venue.

Source: https://covid19.govt.nz/

Sincere thanks to everyone at Rodney Surgical for making my visit relaxed and stress-free.

Booked in for a small medical procedure, I was immediately put at ease by the friendly welcome and professionalism of the staff. To have access to some of the best specialists in Auckland, and short waiting times, makes Rodney Surgical one of the area’s greatest facilities.

My advice is to ask your GP if you can have it done locally.

Or ring Rodney Surgical direct.

The best surgeons offering you day care surgeries right here in Warkworth.

Ask your GP if your day care surgery can be done at Rodney Surgical.

www.rodneysurgicalcentre.co.nz • 09 425 1190 48 | Mahurangimatters | February 28, 2022

MODERN

• PROFESSIONAL• LOCAL

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