Bike boat seeks funding

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

The Matakana based business Hauraki Express is seeking support from government and Auckland Council to transport cyclists across Auckland’s waterways using purpose-built ferries.

At a Transport and Infrastructure committee meeting on April 20, Hauraki Express presented its vision to transport 1800 cyclists around Auckland daily.

Sales and service manager George Bourke said the ferries would be made with recyclable aluminium, be powered with electrical outboards and have capacity for 24 cyclists.

Budding brass players sought for scholarship

Warkworth Big Band is offering primary school students the chance to learn to play a brass instrument for free with a new oneyear scholarship.

Thanks to funding from Pub Charity and an individual sponsor, there are seven spots up for grabs to learn saxophone, trumpet or trombone.

Band manager Aaron Rodgers says this first round of scholarships will be based at Warkworth School and is aimed at students in Years 4 to 6.

Would-be young brass players were given a taste of what they might do when

Warkworth Big Band and reggae funksters

The Dirty Happys transformed a school assembly into a 45-minute concert just before the Easter holidays.

Rodgers said the show was intended to inspire students and give them a taste of what was possible with brass instruments.

“They loved it, the kids were just so into it,” he said. “We ramped them up a bit and played all our funky rock numbers that they could identify with.

“They could see trumpets and saxes played in a different environment than they’re used to seeing, playing funk, rock, reggae and dub music to show them these instruments are not just for a brass band playing on Anzac Day.”

Each scholarship includes free instrument rental and weekly lessons for a year, plus affiliate membership of Warkworth Big Band and ad hoc coaching and mentoring from band members.

Tuition is being provided by itinerant music teachers and big band members, Moana Lyndon and Jackie Niccolls.

Pub Charity has funded tuition for six scholarships, the band and donors are supplying most of the instruments, and friend of the band ‘Old Mike’ Read has donated an alto sax and a year’s tuition fees in memory of his late wife for the Myra Read scholarship.

Rodgers says the band has developed the scheme to help those who can’t afford private music lessons at primary school level and to encourage them to start playing instruments earlier.

“These instruments are all subsidised at high school, but we believe kids should be getting into playing music earlier, ideally from Years 4 and 5 onwards,” he said.

“We’re offering the scholarships to interest and encourage kids who can’t afford these instruments and lessons. It’s not a longterm sausage factory to get musicians for the band, it’s just to get them into music and kick-start the process.

“This is such a cool town for music, there’s so much going on, but we’ve got to get the schools and younger people into it.”

Rodgers said it was hoped to expand the scholarship scheme beyond Warkworth in future, and added that anyone who didn’t attend the town’s primary school but was keen on the scheme was welcome to get in touch. The band would also like to hear from anyone who may have instruments to donate.

Info: Email Aaron Rodgers at warkworthbigband@gmail.com

“Our concept is to use existing infrastructure operating between boat ramps, wharves and jetties where possible, with the goal of connecting cycle lanes,” Bourke said.

“The goal is to get people across the harbour as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

He said they were planning to service Waiheke, as well with primary pick up points being Bayswater, Birkenhead, Stanley Bay, West Haven, Hobsonville and Half Moon Bay.

Cr Wayne Walker asked when the company might be able to begin operations.

“How quickly could you put this in place given that there is a very quick turnaround, and you can build the boats yourselves?”

Walker asked.

Hauraki Express general manager Stuart Thomas said Legacy Boats in Whakatāne would be able to have the first of six boats finished by midway through next year. The company is asking council and the government for $2.65 million over four years to support the operation, with $750,000 sought in the 2024/25 year. Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi have been asked to report back to the committee on the proposal.

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