Mahurangi Matters_Issue 384_20 May 2020 by Localmatters

May 20, 2020

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Twin blessing bursts bubble blues In years to come, Warkworth twins Leah and Lexi Jollivet are unlikely to have much trouble identifying the historic event surrounding their entry into the world. They were born on March 26 – just hours after New Zealand went into an Alert Level 4 l ockdown in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19. Their dad, Byron, jokes that he and his wife Deb considered calling their girls Quaran and Tine to mark the occasion. Given the speed with which the couple had to come up with some names, it’s perhaps surprising that those names did not stick. On Deb’s arrival at North Shore Hospital for a delivery by caesarean, it transpired that Byron would not be allowed to stay overnight as planned in order to comply with new lockdown restrictions. Deb says she could not bear the thought of having her newborns identified as Twin 1 and Twin 2, and insisted she and Byron come up with

What’s inside

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Byron and Deb with Leah and Lexi.

suitable alternatives before Byron left the hospital. Although the names had not been considered previously, the couple quickly settled on Leah and Lexi. Both girls delivered safely, but Deb and Byron were unable to celebrate together for long, and their enforced separation continued following Deb’s

Board backs landfill? page 3

transfer to the Warkworth Birthing Centre. It turned out Byron could only stay at the unit with Deb if he could commit to being there permanently – something that proved impossible with two other children to look after. “It was a bit sad. When you have got twins, it’s something special, and Snells Algies wastewa ter pipe and outfall construction update

Improving the wastewater

Watercare news pages 14-15

network in Snells Beach

Watercare and our contractor McConnell Dowell started work in September 2019 to upgrade wastewater pipes and an outfall pipe from the Snells Algies Wastewater Treatment Plant. This upgrade will provide network resilience, protect the environment and cater for rapid growth in the Mahurangi East area.

FAST FACTS

and

630mm diameter

The estimated cost for the construction is

$39

million

Timeframe Open trenching Martins

Bay Road.

September 2019 to September 2020 An Auckland Council Organisation

RD Construction Master Tradesmen

and Algies Bay

The wastewater pipe will be

Open trenching along the public road In January 2020, works began on the 4.5-kilometre open trenching section, starting at Miller Way. Open trenching will progress along Martins Bay Road, onto Mahurangi East Road to Dawson Road. We have installed 1,435m so far, having to stop works during Covid-19 Level 4 lockdown. Traffic layout changes are in place while this takes place and we ask that you follow the rules to ensure the safety of our communities and contractors. Only green means go, and please stick to the speed limit of 30km/h.

continued page 2

May 2020

6.5km long

This project is part of a wider scheme. At a later stage, a new wastewater pipe will be laid from Warkworth to a new Snells-Algies Wastewater Treatment Plant. The route for this is still to be finalised. The existing Warkworth Wastewater Treatment Plant will then be decommissioned.

I really wanted him to be there,” Deb says. She says that a stay at the birthing unit was optional, but given that she had twins born four weeks premature, it was only sensible to stay two nights and benefit from the support of skilled midwives.

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2 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

Contact

Issue 384

Mahurangi Matters

PO Box 701, Warkworth 0941 17 Neville St, Warkworth 0941 General enquiries 09 425 9068 GENERAL MANAGER: Jannette Thompson gm@localmatters.co.nz

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NEWS: James Addis, editor 022 549 9801 editor@localmatters.co.nz Jonathan Killick 022 549 8271 news@localmatters.co.nz Sally Marden 425 9068 reporter@localmatters.co.nz ADVERTISING: Ken Lawson 022 029 1899 advertising@localmatters.co.nz Marc Milford local@localmatters.co.nz ACCOUNTS: Angela Thomas admin@localmatters.co.nz

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GRAPHIC DESIGN: Heather Arnold design@localmatters.co.nz Mahurangi Matters is a locally owned publication, circulated twice a month to 14,400 homes and businesses. Views expressed in Mahurangi Matters are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission of the editor is prohibited.

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Twin blessing

Toll for Puhoi to Warkworth?

from page 1

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is asking people to have their say on a proposal to toll the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway when it opens. The proposed toll and method of payment would be consistent with the Northern Gateway toll road, which is currently $2.40 for light vehicles and $4.80 for heavy vehicles. There would be a separate toll for each

“After that, I was very keen to get home.” Like thousands of others around the country, lockdown has delivered the Jollivet’s some economic blows. The couple were just weeks away from moving into a new house they’ve been building for three years, but Covid-19 put construction on hold – forcing the Jollivets to continue to pay rent and a mortgage on a new house, all while Deb, a teacher at Warkworth Primary School, was on maternity leave. But Byron says in other ways lockdown worked in their favour. Normally his work as a business development manager sees him doing a lot of travel, but during lockdown he was able to stay at home and get to know his two new girls better. Deb says it’s been nice to get to bond with the girls with just the immediate family around. “Sometimes when a baby is born you have lots of visitors and end up not getting that special time. But we have had that special time because of lockdown,” she says. Nevertheless, the couple say they had a hard time keeping up with their extended family’s demand for photos and videos, and had to set up two WhatsApp groups for sharing images – one for Byron’s side of the family and one for Deb’s. “People can get emotional if there are no new photos each day,” Byron says.

section of motorway. In addition to the toll, NZTA is simultaneously consulting on proposed lower speed limits on State Highway 1, between Sheepworld and Puhoi, to make the road safer for road users. The public consultation closes on June 15. Details of the consultation can be found online at nzta.govt.nz/about-us/ consultations. (see ad p10)

Rainfall figures for April 64mm

Mangawhai

53.5mm Wellsford

54mm

Whangateau

32mm

29.5mm Leigh

Matakana

Topuni

Takatu

Warkworth Kaipara Flats

37.5mm

48.7mm

37mm

34.2mm

45.5mm

Sandspit

Snells Beach

29mm

Algies Bay

Spotlight on Warkworth Highest rainfall day April 17 (13mm)

Year to date: 85.5mm Same time last year: 267.5mm

Latest: Last month’s rainfall at 37.5mm in Warkworth is the lowest total for April since 2010 when it was 21mm. It’s only about a quarter of last year’s April total of 142.5mm (26 per cent). * All figures collected by Mahurangi Matters. Do not reproduce without the permission of Local Matters Inc.

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Leaked submission fails to condemn Dome landfill Divisions have sprung up on the Rodney Local Board over its draft submission on Waste Management’s plan to build a super dump in the Dome Valley. In a leaked confidential document, authored by Rodney First Board member Danielle Hancock, the Board does not oppose the landfill. Instead, it seeks ways to mitigate the effects. Both Ms Hancock and Board member Beth Houlbrooke refused to comment on the feedback document, citing that it was confidential. “It will be made public at some point and I will be happy to discuss it then,” Ms Houlbrooke said. Asked why the document should be confidential in the first place, Ms Houlbrooke said she would need to get a legal opinion to answer that question. When Mahurangi Matters asked Ms Hancock whose views the document represented, she said it was obvious (the Local Board’s). Asked if Board members had, therefore, had input into the submission, she refused to comment unless she was given the name of the person who had handed over the document to Mahurangi Matters. Local Board members Colin Smith, Tim Holdgate and Steven Garner were also cautious about making comment, but agreed that the process the Board had followed in formulating the feedback was not ideal. At least one of the Board members felt the views represented in the document were probably only those of Council staff. “Some of it can be put down to the Covid-19 situation,” Mr Garner said. But when it was pointed out that the item was not on the agenda of a meeting set down for May 13 – 13 days before submissions closed – he agreed that it should have been. Plus, Mr Garner revealed that the Board had had four Zoom (online) meetings during the lockdown. Asked

if the Waste Management submission was discussed at any of these meetings he said, “I don’t recall”. Mr Holdgate said the feedback did not represent his views and the submission should have been workshopped via an online meeting. “This isn’t a resource consent for a shed – this is a major and very significant project for Rodney. I’ve made my thoughts clear that I am not in favour of it, but the Local Board feedback doesn’t represent that. “I realise that the independents on the Board would be out-voted by Rodney First, but at least we would have followed a democratic process.” Mr Smith, who represents the Wellsford subdivision, says he is having nothing to do with the Board’s submission. “I’m making an independent submission, but as a Local Board member,” he says. “I’m dead against the tip going in the Dome. But regardless of my views,

The Local Board submission goes against widespread local hostility to the landfill.

we’re elected members who are meant to represent the views of the people and that’s who we should be having the conversation with. If they say ‘no tip’ then I see it as my job to represent that view.” The Board’s submission covers a range of issues from waste minimisation and recycling demolition waste to groundwater contamination and surface water quality. It also supports the development and implementation of a suite of plans, such as a landfill

gas management plan, wastewater management plan, infrastructure management plan, earthworks management plan, threatened species management plan and a cultural values management plan. Auckland Council is currently seeking feedback on the resource consent for the landfill, submitted by Waste Management last month. Submissions close on May 26. Find out how you can have your say on the landfill. See story page 44.

Four lanes confirmed for Matakana link road The Matakana link road will be built with four lanes from the outset, instead of two proposed earlier. Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says Auckland Transport (AT) has developed a plan that will allow all four lanes of the Matakana link road to be built within the existing $62 million budget. “Building four lanes from the outset will ensure that the new road can accommodate growth in the Warkworth area, which is expected to see a population increase of 20,000 over the next 30 years,” he says. Matakana link road is a 1.35km link between State Highway One and Matakana Road. The route will provide an alternative around the frequently congested Hill Street intersection for traffic heading to and from Leigh, Omaha, Sandspit and Snells Beach.

An artist impression of the Matakana link road.

Rodney councillor Greg Sayers says the news is a win for the local area. Cr Sayers adds the new road will alleviate pressure on Hill Street when bulldozers move in to permanently upgrade the intersection. AT’s executive general manager of integrated networks, Mark Lambert, says AT is looking to have the road built in time for the opening of the new Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway. “Preparatory works started last week – prior to the main construction

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works – and involve lizard trapping and relocation, tree felling and service relocations on Matakana Road,” he says. The project will employ up to 120 staff over the construction period and the work will include provision for safe walking and bike riding. AT is also building a new bridge, which will involve the removal of vegetation and some replanting. Mr Lambert says AT will ensure that any wildlife in the area is relocated safely.

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YOU SAY Email letters to editor@localmatters.co.nz Gimme no shelter

WE SAY

It’s good to be back It is with a sense of great relief that we bring you this first post-Covid 19 lockdown issue of Mahurangi Matters. Relief that the PM’s high stakes gamble of throwing the country into lockdown with just 48 hours’ notice paid off and relief that we are still here to deliver the news to our communities. Not everyone will be in this happy position. This will be the end of the road for some businesses and many people are likely to find themselves redundant or working shorter hours for less pay. It’s going to be tough paying the bills for a while, but we are up to the challenge. We’ve already shown that by our united stand against the spread of Covid-19 and it has been amazing to see how local restaurants and cafes, as well as many retail outlets, have adapted quickly to offer contactless services. You all deserve a huge pat on the back. One of the big questions we face is what sort of normal do

Media’s role

On another note, it was with some interest that we observed the criticism of reporters who attended the daily Covid updates during lockdown. It says a lot about the public’s lack of understanding of what the media’s job is. In this day and age, when governments, councils and corporations employ an army of public relations professionals to put a positive spin on everything they do and say, the media has a vital role to play in unpicking those carefully crafted messages to find the

we want to return to? Admittedly, those of us who weren’t essential workers have had to learn to live with smaller incomes during lockdown, but our reward has been more time to relax, and to spend with family and on occupations we enjoy. Lockdown brought with it less congestion and road noise, less crime, less carnage on our roads and a lot of environmental gains. When the Government pushed the pause button on our lives, it gave us an opportunity to think about the lives we were leading and the lives we might want to live. Let’s not be too quick to jump back on the hamster wheel. The PM’s mantra throughout lockdown was ‘be kind’ – powerful words, despite their simplicity. As we pick up the pieces of our lives, I hope we will be both kind and patient, to one another and also to ourselves.

truth. It’s not a job for a lap dog. The reporters who doggedly questioned the testing regimes and supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) weren’t being annoyingly persistent because they couldn’t think of any other questions to ask. They were holding the PM, Cabinet Ministers, the Commissioner of Police and the health authorities to account. Thank goodness NZ has a free and independent media that can challenge the powers that be in this way, and long may it survive.

That said, this newspaper recently joined Press Patron, which provides a means for ordinary readers like you to support Mahurangi Matters in its role as an independent and local news gathering organisation. The money raised goes directly back into funding the journalism that makes this paper tick. Thank you in advance if you wish to contribute. You can access Press Patron via our website at localmatters.co.nz (you’ll find the link at the top of the page).

Retail volunteers needed Harbour Hospice Shops in Warkworth, Wellsford and on the Hibiscus Coast are looking for volunteers to help them reopen. The shops are supported by professional managers working alongside the volunteers to create a fun and relaxed work environment and shopping experience for customers. Volunteers can work their own hours – weekly, fortnightly or once a month on a Saturday. “Giving as little as three-and-a-half hours at a time will ensure we can keep delivering high quality care to patients and families in your community,” a spokesperson says. Info: Warkworth Wellsford, Lorna Lewis on 425 9535; Hibiscus Coast, Karen Little on 421 9180, or visit harbourhospice.org.nz FREE ON-SITE APPRAISAL OFFER Full report for tank water users

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Once again, we see the erosion of our green coastal reserves as evidenced by the article in your paper about the sun shelter to be erected at Sunburst Reserve, Snells Beach (MM March 18). It is really telling that Mr Phelan Pirrie, the Local Board chair, did not respond to your question when asked if he thought the community had been adequately consulted on the shelter. I live in Snells Beach and nobody asked me or my neighbours. I understand that about 5000 people live in Snells Beach. Who are these 280 people who thought it was a good idea to have a shelter? Are they members of the Kawau Fishing Club? Do they live in Snells Beach? If it took four years to collect these signatures, they clearly needed some persuading! I am afraid Gael Knight, of Kawau Fishing Club, is deluded if she thinks that the liquor ban is enforced by police at the beach. I can assure her it is not, and I agree with the residents who oppose it – this shelter will be a draw for those who flout liquor bans. She quotes the Council as saying that this shelter would not attract illegal night time activities, but does she have this in writing and how does the council substantiate this opinion? I sympathise with those residents who live in the vicinity of Sunburst Reserve, who I assume would much rather have native wildlife using the reserve at night. Why, oh why, do some people want to cover our green coastal reserves with more concrete and structures. I hope that if any other green coastal reserves are under threat, residents will be thoroughly consulted, and we don’t get another structure erected because a small minority think it is a good idea. Marilyn Owens, Snells Beach continued next page

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 5

“

Viewpoint Greg Sayers, Rodney Councillor greg.sayers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Time to slash costs Mayor Goff will be asking the public to support either a 2.5 or a 3.5 per cent rate increase. Four councillors, including myself, wanted a zero per cent option included, but we weren’t supported by other councillors (see story p9). Should Council to be dipping further into ratepayers’ pockets in a recession, particularly when so many individuals and families are under extreme financial hardship? The unemployment rate is going to be far higher than what we saw during the global financial crisis. That is going to further hurt ratepayers. Auckland Council’s historical financial strategy has been very different from most other councils. It has deliberately chosen to have most of its income generated from sources other than from rates. This is unusual. Most of its income is from non-rateable charges like levies, development contributions, user-charges and the fuel tax. Consequently, the imminent recession will mean millions of dollars in lost revenue. To compensate, Council will have to find savings. Auckland Council must reset its budgets and cut its cloth to fit its purse. Firstly, the Council must get leaner and more efficient. Because of having less revenue, it will have to find minimum savings of $400 million, even with a 3.5 per cent increase. It will need to save a total of $460 million with a zero per cent rate increase. To achieve these savings, Council will be proposing to cut, or delay infrastructure projects and will possibly cut some of our community services. Instead, I believe the bulk of the savings should come from internal savings in wages and the number of people employed by trimming back on nonessential services and improving productivity. However, services like libraries, rubbish collection and other core services must remain in place. Nevertheless, the majority of councillors are opposed, saying they don’t want to add to unemployment numbers. This isn’t equitable compared with the hard decisions the private sector is having to make. The Council wage bill is $911 million, yet we still can’t afford to get our roads sealed. In addition to internal savings, now would be the correct timing for Council to be borrowing because interest rates are low, especially if the borrowing is used to build infrastructure, thereby creating jobs and employment for local businesses during a recession. However due to huge past borrowings, Council has placed itself in a position where it would now have to break its borrowing limits. Unnecessary Council regulations also need to be cut. The time delays and the cost to do business with Council remain out of control. Council must to get back to basic core services. This is what is required for a genuine “we’re all in this together” response from Auckland Council.

I feel very fortunate to be a resident at The Oaks during the COVID-19 lockdown. I’ve appreciated the camaraderie of the village as contact with my family has altered tremendously during this time. Village staff have provided us with a positive and happy atmosphere.

”

Gay Greig

from previous page

Irony of ironies

and other respectful reserve users.

It seems lost on the residents of Sunburst Avenue why the Kawau Bay Boating Club felt the need to erect a sun shelter on the nearby reserve (MM March 18). For some inexplicable reason, many of the healthy shorefront pohutukawa planted by James Snell died or disappeared once “multimillion dollar” homes appeared. The irony seems further lost when the same residents complain about vandalism and anti-social behaviour after they’ve scared away motorhomes

Trevor McKinney, Warkworth

Grateful thanks I am a disabled person, and I would just like to give my sincere thanks for the help and sympathy I have had from the staff at our local New World supermarket. They have been so kind and helpful and everyone has been so friendly. Also the Lions volunteers who helped me with my shopping. Again, my thanks. Warkworth is a great place to live Lynda Maddock, Warkworth

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Sitting MPs line-up for new Kaipara ki Mahurangi battle Voters in the former electorate of Rodney will go to the polls in the September General Election and vote in either Kaipara ki Mahurangi or Whangaparaoa. The Representation Commission last month released its final report on the electorate boundary review, which started last October. The name Rodney has disappeared and voters on the Hibiscus Coast and Dairy Flat (from Hatfields Beach south to around Paremoremo) will move to the Whangaparaoa electorate. The remainder of Rodney and the southern part of the Northland electorate (Te Arai, Tapora, Wellsford) will form part of the new electorate of Kaipara ki Mahurangi, which also takes in the former Helensville electorate. The new electorate stretches south almost to Waitakere. Originally, the commission recommended that this new electorate be called Helensville, but the name was changed after strong public opposition. National MP Chris Penk, who entered Parliament in 2017 replacing John Key as the Member for Helensville, says he has taken advantage of the Covid-19 lockdown to talk over Rodney and Northland issues with fellow National MPs Mark Mitchell and Matt King. “It was obvious during visits prior to lockdown that considerable investment is needed to get the area moving from a transport perspective and enabling local jobs and growth more generally,” he says. “I’ll be getting out and about to see issues

The new electorate of Kaipara ki Mahurangi is about 85km from north to south and 2183.4km2 (excluding sea areas). It has an estimated population of 65,280 and the entire electorate is in the Te Tai Tokerau Maori electorate.

first-hand and meeting everyone once lockdown is over. “It seems many of the main local issues can be grouped together under the

heading of ‘infrastructure investment needed’.” Mr Penk says he will most likely have regular days based in areas such as

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Warkworth and Wellsford. “I’ll be able to hold constituent meetings in my mobile office – a converted horse continued next page

localmatters.co.nz

Marja Lubeck

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 7

Chris Penk

Jenny Marcroft

from previous page

float nicknamed ‘Natty’.” Labour’s Marja Lubeck, who is serving her first term in Parliament as a listMP, was confirmed as the Kaipara ki Mahurangi candidate in early March. She says the new electorate, which is larger than Rodney, will involve a lot more travel, but she is looking forward to getting to know the southern parts of the electorate around Helensville and Kumeu. Marja says from early discussions, some of the main issues in the south include trains to Huapai, the northwest rapid transit link and a secondary school in Helensville area. “Health and public transport are the main issues across the whole of Kaipara ki Mahurangi and, very likely, even more so influenced by the current Covid-19 developments. “Clearly, however, these priorities are likely to change as the impact of the pandemic will make employment and housing issues more important to residents, due to the flow-on effects of changes to employment and businesses. “The issues of climate change and environment will continue to be ones we need to ensure are also on the top of the list. In particular, the local ‘Fight the Tip, Save the Dome’ campaign has had my support from very early on and it was a privilege to present the petition to Parliament last year.” NZ First list MP Jenny Marcroft, who is also based in Rodney, is considering standing again, but due to the Covid-19 situation, the process of announcing candidates has been delayed.

She says one of the biggest campaign challenges will be getting to see people face-to-face, whether it’s door-knocking or debates at local community centres. “It may be necessary to set up virtual town hall meetings as an example of how we can engage with the community,” she says. “Holding normal debates just may not be possible unless we have eliminated the virus and although September 19 is only four months away, it’s too early to say what the protocols of the campaign trail will be.” Ms Marcroft says the impacts from Covid-19 will be the main focus of the election campaign. The NZ First focus will be on getting people back to work as quickly as possible and for those who need it, transitioning them into new opportunities. “One of the foundation principles of NZ First is to regain the economic ownership of our country. What this means post-Covid is that if we can grow it or make it at near competitive prices, then we will grow it or make it, use it or export it. “It is a policy of localism, supporting our local businesses and workers, local industry and adding value to our raw products. It’s in the party’s name – NZ First – which is about far greater autonomy for New Zealand.” The final electorates can be viewed at vote.nz where people can also check which electorate they are in. The General Election is set down for September 19.

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 9

Councillors lose battle for consultation on zero rate rise The Auckland Ratepayers Alliance last month identified four councillors who pressed for public consultation on a zero rates increase after it received leaked details of a confidential meeting. They were Rodney councillor Greg Sayers, Albany councillor John Watson, Howick councillor Sharon Stewart and Albert-Eden-Puketapapa councillor Christine Fletcher. The opportunity for a re-think of the rates increase came about as Council put together an Emergency Budget because of big changes to its original Annual Plan (budget) caused by the Covid-19 crisis. The original budget was already consulted on earlier in the year, but Council must now consult again as significant changes will be occurring. During Council’s Emergency Committee meeting on April 16, Mayor Phil Goff moved that several issues be voted on together. These included a broadening of Council’s rates’ postponement policy, suspending the accommodation provider targeted rate and public consultation on two levels of rate increase – one at 2.5 per cent and one at 3.5 per cent – and the potential impact of these options on Council services, projects and finances. An option to publicly consult on a zero per cent increase was excluded from the recommendation, even though the potential impact of a zero per cent increase on Council services, projects and finances will be included in the public consultation documentation.

During the meeting, questions arose as to how councillors could record that they disagreed with the decision not to consult specifically on the zero per cent option. In the end, all councillors voted in favour of the full set of recommendations, but the four councillors identified by the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance had their wishes noted in the minutes that they wished to have a zero per cent rate rise consulted on as well. Cr Sayers confirmed to Mahurangi Matters that he was among the four identified by the Alliance. “I simply wanted the public to get a fair chance to give their feedback on all the options available to them, especially since all the information about a zero per cent rate increase, will be made available,” he says. Cr Sayers acknowledged that people could indicate on the feedback form that they wished for a zero per cent rate increase but they would have to comment to this effect unprompted. It would not be as simple at ticking a “2.5 per cent” or a “3.5 per cent box”. Cr Sayers says the vote on what the actual rates increase will be will likely take place in mid-July. “A rates freeze would avoid putting an even higher financial burden onto ratepayers in the coming year, many of whom are now unemployed, are facing cuts in hours, or are losing their businesses, particularly in the local retail, accommodation, hospitality and tourism sectors,” he says.

Greg Sayers

John Watson

But Cr Sayers acknowledges that a zero per cent rates increase will result in a substantial loss in Council revenue. This could mean a 20 per cent reduction in Council staff and a reduction in Council services. Moreover, Council would need to eliminate unnecessary red tape and eliminate any activities beyond its core business. “Auckland Council needs to do the same as what every other business and household is doing right now, that is, cutting costs and getting back to basics,” he says. Cr Sayers’ sentiments were echoed by Cr John Watson. “Covid-19 will potentially bring about the biggest economic calamity to beset New Zealand since the Great Depression in the 1930s,” he says.

“There’s likely a huge dislocation in terms of employment and income for people, so the full gamut of options needs to be spelled out and clearly explained. I want the full range of options consulted on.” Cr Watson says he maintains this view even while acknowledging that Council revenues have plummeted due to Covid-19 and Auckland is already carrying a debt burden of $9 billion. Public consultation on the proposed rate increases will run from May 29 to June 19. Advertisements will alert Aucklanders on how to make their views known online. Following the consultation, input from Local Boards and decisions by the Council’s governing body, the budget is likely to be considered for adoption at the end of July.

works Design Manufacture Install Kitchens Wardrobes Laundries Cabinetry SHOWROOM & FACTORY

8am-4pm 12 Morrison Drive, Warkworth

09 422 2001

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10 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

localmatters.co.nz

Safe, resilient and reliable travel between Pūhoi and Warkworth Waka Kotahi is seeking feedback on two proposals along this transport corridor

Have your say Public Consultation 15 May – 15 June 2020

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is proposing a toll for the new Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and formally consulting on proposed lower speed limits for the current State Highway 1 between L Philips Road (SheepWorld) and Pūhoi. Before decisions are made, we want to hear from you. Find out more and make a formal submission at www.nzta.govt.nz/about-us/consultations

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localbusiness

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 11

Two more golf courses on the cards for Te Arai US billionaire Ric Kayne is a step closer to developing two more 18-hole golf courses south of Mangawhai. Mr Kayne has been granted Overseas Investment Office (OIO) consent to acquire 169 hectares of sensitive land at Te Arai South for almost $3.5million. The deal includes Ric and Suzanne Kayne’s Te Arai Links company taking a leasehold interest in 143.8 hectares and a freehold stake in 25.2 hectares of the 750-hectare Te Arai South Precinct, which was bought by Ngati Manuhiri as part of its treaty settlement. Most of that land is being retained by the iwi, with around 200ha of coastal land being set aside as a reserve. Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust chairman Mook Hohneck said the public golf courses would improve the value and the quality of the land, which is currently planted with pine trees for commercial forestry. “We bought some commercial interest as part of our treaty settlement, and we want to make the best go of it we can. It’s one of our strong investments,” he said. “We did sell some land, and some of that reserve contribution was for us to do commercial development, so Ric Kayne is building a couple of golf courses in there. We thought long and hard about it. We’re trying to turn it into something we can all enjoy.” In his OIO application, Mr Kayne said

Mr Kayne has consent to acquire 169ha of land at Te Arai South.

he intended to develop two links-style, 18-hole championship level golf courses on the land, together with a clubhouse and visitor accommodation, plus maintenance and water storage facilities. Mr Kayne claimed the development’s benefits to New Zealand would include the creation of 40 permanent full-time jobs, an increase in exports by at least $6 million a year by the end of 2022, the advancement of the New Zealand Government tourism strategy and at least $25 million of investment for development purposes. Te Arai Links would also carry out planting to protect indigenous animals and ecological management of the land, including on-site revegetation monitoring, ecological protection and pest and weed control, he said. Mr Kayne has said that with the existing Tara Iti course and the two new public courses, he wants to turn Mangawhai and Te Arai into a world golfing destination, and that he has been working closely with Ngati Manuhiri. The new golf courses and accommodation still need resource consent from Auckland Council.

CHANGING PLACES n

Wellsford-Warkworth Engineering The business formerly known as WW Engineering Ltd has moved to the former Ballance fertiliser works at 29 Centennial Park Road in Wellsford. The move allows the business to provide a more convenient service for northern Rodney communities, from Pakiri to Mangawhai. Along with the new location, the business has fittingly been given a name change to Wellsford-Warkworth Engineering. The new premises have half-an-acre of indoor space – enough to turn around a stock truck and trailer. “We can handle any engineering task from racks on a trailer and truck repairs, to structural steel beams,” owner Chris Buxton says. “We can also cater for just about any machining task. Around November and December, we usually do a lot of boat trailer repairs.” They can patch up common problems or will physically reproduce a damaged component when needed. Wellsford-Warkworth Engineering is also qualified to do heavy transport work to enable vehicles to pass their certificate of fitness (COF). With the growth of the north Rodney area, a lack of industrial premises means there will be a demand for new builds and engineering for them.

Chris Buxton

Chris says the new building means Wellsford-Warkworth Engineering can fulfil larger orders, including supplying housing developments with steel beams. The business recently supplied all the steel beams for a new funeral home in Warkworth. “If you want a full-length steel beam, we can usually get it in overnight,” Chris says. Wellsford-Warkworth Engineering will also soon sell off-the-shelf supplies, such as engineering bolts and steel cut to length. The signage is now up at the new site, and Chris says customers can look out for his company ute parked out front.

• Machining & Fabrication • Structural Steel MOVED TO 29 Centennial Park Road, Wellsford mobile: 027 283 6886 email: wweng@xtra.co.nz Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters.

localbusiness

12 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020 INTR ODUCING n

INTR ODUCING n

Utterly Marquee + Event Hire

Calibre Collision

Buying a party and event hire business, shortly before the Covid-19 crisis struck might seem like extraordinarily bad luck, but Andrew and Kelly Hamilton-Wallace have no regrets. Kelly says Utterly Marquee and Event Hire, formerly Warkworth Party Hire, has plenty of bookings for next summer already, and the couple is ready to help party organisers to put together events that comply with tighter regulations on gatherings, while still enabling everyone to have a great time. Kelly says it’s no problem if events necessarily must be much smaller and Utterly Marquee is just as happy to handle an event for 10 people as it is for one of 500. The business offers a one-stop shop for everything a host could need to throw a party, including cutlery, crockery, glasses, tables, chairs, flooring, chiller trailers and bars. It also has a wide selection of marquees that can seat anywhere between 10 to 360 people. Andrew also happens to be a carpenter. That means should, say, a bride see something that catches her eye on Pinterest, Andrew will very likely be able to make it for her wedding. “A lot of people want a certain kind of look for their event – perhaps rustic or bohemian and we are happy to do that for them,” Kelly says.

Increasing demand for quality vehicle repairs done quickly has led to Calibre Collision expanding north to Warkworth to set up its second branch. Owner and director Shanan Fuller is already well established in Orewa, but says the growth in North Rodney and demand from insurers makes Warkworth the logical spot for a new hi-tech, high speed repair and paint shop. Using the latest computercontrolled, robotic spray paint technology, the Calibre Collision team has transformed its Glenmore Drive premises into a state-of-the-art facility. “This will be the most advanced shop in the upper North Island, from Albany right up to Cape Reinga,” Shanan says. “We have robotic drying arms in the spray booth, which is the newest in the market in NZ. The drive-through spray bays have been designed by an aeronautical engineer, so there are a lot of bells and whistles, and we have a 3-D chassis measuring machine.” He says that with the robotics, Calibre Collision could put up to 60 cars a week through its spray bays and clients can expect much faster repairs than normal. “People are not going to have to wait up to three months to have their car repaired, and we’re hoping in some

Kelly Hamilton-Wallace

“We don’t want people to feel constricted to a standard party package. We want to help put on an event that the host envisages and give them lots of happy memories.” The other thing the couple is committed to is great service. Kelly says people don’t plan events during working hours, and she is happy to meet people in the evening to go over important details. She says it’s a real joy to participate in significant events in customers’ lives. “I love it when people send me photos of their event after it’s all over. To get something like that after a long day makes it all worthwhile.”

Let us help you create utterly wonderful memories.

Shanan Fuller

cases we can do ‘same-day’ turnaround. And it will be done to a very high standard, using some of the best paint products and systems on the market, with a lifetime limited warranty.” Shanan has been in the paint and panel industry since leaving school 25 years ago and has worked all over the world, including the UK, Germany, France and Australia. “I did an OE in 2008 and came home in 2014. I ended up working for Mercedes Benz in London and was transferred around Europe to different countries and I brought all the knowledge I picked up back home with me.”

Professional Auto Collision Repair Experts All insurance work | Private panel and paint All work guaranteed | Courtesy car

We can help with as much or as little as you need for you event. Marquees + Tables + Chairs + Glassware + Chiller Trailers + Spit Roasters + Custom Pieces hello@utterly.co.nz 021 774 199 | utterly.co.nz Morrison Drive, Warkworth - next to the VTNZ FB: @utterlymarquees | Insta: @utterly_events

2 / 2 Glenmore Drive,Warkworth | 09 422 2369 admin@calibrecollision.co.nz | www.calibrecollision.co.nz Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters.

localbusiness

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 13

CHANGING PLACES n

Briar Rose Flowers

The Beauty Den

Briar Rose Flowers has moved to a new location at number 5 Queen Street in Warkworth, in the former Kowhai Coast Jewellers. Owner Briony Batten expects that the new location will mean a few more romantic gestures in town with increased visibility encouraging impulse buys of flowers. “Every occasion you can think of is great for buying flowers, from weddings to bereavements, happy birthdays, get wells and Valentine’s,” she says. “Flowers are happiness in a bouquet – and they can get you out of a mess.” Briony’s hot pick for flowers this month are sunflowers wrapped in a bow for a bit of instant sunshine for $20. “It’s really a gesture to say you are thinking about someone.” Briony and her mother, Sally Taylor, still do things the old-fashioned way, hand delivering their flowers to Warkworth, Snells Beach and Matakana. Delivery is very affordable – just $10 in Warkworth itself and $15 for further afield. “I walk into a workplace and everyone there hopes the flowers are for them. There’s always a great reaction – both from the surprised recipient and the

The latest looks and techniques in beautiful eyes, lashes, brows and lips are now available in Warkworth at The Beauty Den in Lilburn Street, thanks to ex-New York hair and makeup artist Suz DeNeen. Having opened the Bardot and Brando hair salon nearly two years ago, Suz is now working solo and has added a wide range of permanent makeup and beauty enhancement techniques to her already extensive hair and and makeup repertoire. “Over the last two years, I’ve built up a loyal and awesome clientele, and am now doing more on the beauty side,” she says. “Originally, I was just doing hair styling here and doing the Beauty Den from home in Matakana, but now have moved everything into one place.” Every year, Suz has been heading back to the United States to train with some of the best in the business in Los Angeles, to keep her skills up-to-date with the latest beauty trends and techniques. She says this gives her the opportunity to learn about and practice her craft on a huge range of different people and skin types, which means she can offer a broader range of personalised looks to suit everyone’s requirements. “There is so much variation in the customisation of permanent makeup,” she says. “With eyebrows for instance, some people are wanting a

Briony Batten

rest of the staff.” While Briony has been growing the Warkworth business since she bought Maria’s Florist four years ago, her passion for flowers began in her grandmother’s shop when she was a child. Grandmother Bernice Flower started her flower shop in Maungaturoto in 1953 and Briony would spend her afternoons there after school. Briony is not just related to Flowers – her name is a Scottish variation on the Briar Rose, hence the name of the business.

eessed! B Impr Come and see us in our new store at 5 Queen Street, Warkworth. We can help you with all your floral needs. Ph: 09 425 9016

Email: florist@briarroseflowers.co.nz Facebook: @BRFlowersWarkworth Website: BriarRoseFlowers.co.nz Address: 5 Queen Street, Warkworth

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Suz DeNeen

higher arch or a change of colour, and some just want minor adjustments to fill in any gaps.” As well as permanent eyebrow enhancement, Suz offers permanent eyeliner; eyebrow sculpting and tinting; eyelash lifting and tinting; and the latest lip blush tattoo enhancements, which define the outer lip edge and add permanent subtle colour. She can also do tattoo removal, wedding and event hair and makeup and, of course, hair cutting, colour and styling. The Beauty Den is a warm and intimate space, featuring a wall full of lush, green houseplants. Suz says her aim is to make people feel comfortable and at ease, with relaxing background music to suit all ages and tastes. “I have clients aged from seven up to their seventies, and I play something they can all enjoy. I love music and hope to open some ears to some pretty cool beats.”

14 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

localmatters.co.nz

May 2020

Snells Algies wastewater pipe and outfall construction update Improving the wastewater network in Snells Beach and Algies Bay

FAST FACTS The wastewater pipe will be

6.5km long and

630mm diameter

The estimated cost for the construction is

Open trenching along the public road

$39 million

In January 2020, works began on the 4.5-kilometre open trenching section, starting at Miller Way. Open trenching will progress along Martins Bay Road, onto Mahurangi East Road to Dawson Road. We have installed 1,435m so far, having to stop works during Covid-19 Level 4 lockdown. Traffic layout changes are in place while this takes place and we ask that you follow the rules to ensure the safety of our communities and contractors. Only green means go, and please stick to the speed limit of 30km/h.

Timeframe Open trenching Martins Bay Road.

September 2019 to September 2020 An Auckland Council Organisation

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localmatters.co.nz

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 15

Snells Algies wastewater pipe and outfall construction

Tunnelling operations In March we commenced the 2km tunnelling section of the project from private farmland at Miller Way. Before this, some young visitors got a close-up look at the big tunnel boring machine (TBM) before it disappeared underground. Last year we visited Snells Beach School to carry out a naming competition and get the students to create some painted handprints for the TBM. “Starlight Piper” aka Piper was the winning name and the group of students had an opportunity to visit the construction site and see Piper in the launch trench complete with the handprints which had been turned into decorative stickers.

Snells Beach School students, L to R: Zoey Blackie, Autumn Howson, Max Mendez Baines, Laticia Levet and Milly Chase with Piper the TBM.

Tunnelling has progressed well, completing 1,036m of the 2km drive, progressing around 25mm/minute.

Works have also started in the marine environment, taking advantage of the settled weather, dredging the sea trench and TBM reception pit. At the completion of the tunnelling drive a diffuser pipe string will be towed from another location, sunk in place and connected to the tunnelled section of pipe.

TBM launch site, Miller Way.

Marine outfall dredging works off the Mahurangi East Peninsula.

To keep informed: Please email “sign me up” to Snellsalgiesoutfall@water.co.nz for project updates and traffic changes.

Any questions regarding the project? If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact: Celeste Rauner from McConnell Dowell on:

✆ k

0508 623 266 / 0508 MCD COMMS or via email: Snellsalgiesoutfall@water.co.nz

B Regular updates can be found by visiting www.watercare.co.nz www.watercare.co.nz An Auckland Council Organisation

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16 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

localmatters.co.nz

Savan’s Bakery

• Quality Food • Tasty Coffee NZ SUPREME PIE AWARD GOLD WINNER Open Monday - Saturday 7am to 4pm

56 Queen Street, Warkworth | Phone 09 425 8166 Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters.

withers & co

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 17

Long-standing accountancy firm enters new era It’s a new era for Withers & Co – the accountancy firm that has served the Mahurangi area’s business and farming community for more than 35 years. On the one hand, the practice has moved into brand new premises at 21 Neville Street, next door to its old office at number 23. At the same time, it bids farewell to founding partner Simon Withers, 79, who retired in April and who now plans to devote his energies to golf and managing his sheep and cattle farm in Kaipara Flats. Replacing Simon is new partner Todd Wilkin, who brings to the firm 20 years of experience in business strategy. Partner Grant Dixon says changes in technology meant Withers’ old office was bigger than needed. The new office is more compact but brighter, more modern and more open plan. “It’s a building that we believe will make the workplace a more enjoyable experience for staff and clients,” he says. Being able to serve clients more effectively will be critical in the world of Covid-19. “We will be helping make sure clients are aware and take advantage of all the government subsidies, loans and law changes, and of the bank assistance that is available,” he says. Meanwhile, Grant is sad to see the departure of his long-time colleague Simon Withers. Simon took Grant on as a junior when he left Mahurangi

The new office is brighter, more modern and more open plan.

College in 1982. Sixteen years later, Grant became a partner in the practice. Grant has a high regard for his former boss’s expertise – particularly in farm accounting. “Simon has been a mentor and friend. He will be missed in the office by both staff and clients,” he says. But Grant recalls Simon could be tough when he needed to be. On one

WITHERS & CO LTD CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

We are Chartered Accountants now operating from our new premises at 21 Neville Street Warkworth. We have two Partners and a further nine in our client support team. Our clients are varied and we are used to working with complex Companies, Trusts, Farming and Developers, Overseas Income and Investment Portfolios, and Rental Properties. We have been in Warkworth since 1969 and we have the experience and knowledge to support you and your operations.

Level 2 process at Withers & Co Ltd

Following the Government’s announcement we are glad to let you know that our office at 21 Neville St, Warkworth will be open from Thursday 14th May. Our hours of operations remain 8:30 - 5:00 Monday to Friday. Although we will be open so you can drop off files, we ask that if you would like to speak to one of the team that you make an appointment as we still need to ensure that we follow the Government’s level 2 protocols to ensure the safety

infamous occasion, a landlord of a client was badgering Simon about the client’s unpaid rent. Voices were raised. Eventually, Simon’s office door was flung open and the landlord scampered out. “Suddenly, Simon’s foot was seen connecting with the visitor’s rear end – assisting him out even quicker,” Grant says. “He was fair, but firm.”

of our clients and staff. We will be asking all visitors to sign in and leave a contact number to ensure that we are able to comply with the tracing rules.

Tax changes and updates

The end of May is nearly here, and this is year end for many of our farming clients. A reminder that our end of year forms are available on our website (www.withersco.co.nz). These provide a list of the information that we require to complete your end of year accounts. For those clients with 31st March balance dates, the team are ready to assist with this. There have been a few changes to tax rules and other items that you should be aware of: •There has been an increase in the provisional tax threshold to $5,000 • Temporary increase in the low value asset write off for assets that cost up to $5,000 • Introduction of the taxloss carry back scheme • Treatment of the wage

Grant Dixon

and leave subsidies provided in response to Covid-19 • Depreciation allowances on buildings • Introduction of the small business cashflow support scheme. Also a reminder that the Adult minimum wage increased to $18.90 per hour on 1 April 2020. If you need more information then please come and speak to us. Before taking advantage of any of these you should get professional advice and the team here at Withers & Co are ready to help. Give Withers & Co a call for help with your accounts, business advice, and all tax matters

Come and see us in our new premises at 21 Neville Street.

WITHERS & CO LTD

W o 21 Neville Street, PO Box 113, Warkworth | Phone: (09) 425 8599 | admin@withersco.co.nz | www.withersco.co.nzC Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters.

PO Box 113 Warkworth 0941 P 09 425 8599 E admin@withersco.co.nz W withersco.co.nz

withers & co

18 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

Farewell Simon Withers Innovation, Technology, Service, Satisfaction. ITSS OUR FOCUS

For all crane hire, structural and engineering work requirements contact MS Engineering. MS Engineering are proud to have been involved with Koen and the BBMK Commercial team for the Withers & Co project.

Call us to discuss! 0800 425 7116 • 09 425 7116 mse@mseng.co.nz • www.mseng.co.nz • 24 Morrison Drive, Warkworth

Simon Withers says he had two goals when he established Withers & Co in 1982. One was to never get behind with the client’s work and thereby never incur penalties from the IRD, and the other goal was to own the building the practice worked from. He achieved the second goal following the purchase of an office at 23 Neville Street and now with the new office at number 21. He says he achieved the first goal about 99.99 per cent of the time and adds that being a good accountant requires constant diligence. “You can’t take weeks off. If your clients ring up and something is really worrying them, they need an answer straight away,” he says. “And by being up-to-date, we got a good reputation with Inland Revenue. That meant they didn’t audit or pester our clients at all.” After more than 60 years as an accountant, Simon has witnessed many changes, particularly with the advent of software packages, which allow clients to produce balance sheets of their own at home. Accountants now focus more on analysis and strategy, taking advantage of tidy book work to inform decisions. “When I first started off in Warkworth there were a number of clients – particularly old bachelors – who would turn up with sugar sack full of

0 9 4 2 61 0 o r 0 2 1 9 0 3 5

papers, tip it out on your desk and say ‘go for it’,” he says. Nevertheless, Simon has a high regard for the high level of business acumen in the Mahurangi area and says he has enjoyed watching local businesses grow and become more efficient. Simon has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science and many of his earliest clients were farmers. As they prospered and moved on to better farms around the country, they continued to seek out his professional help. “It was very encouraging to receive a huge number of emails from clients on my retirement. I’ve acted for some of them for more than 50 years,” he says.

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withers & co

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 19

Welcome Todd Wilkin Accountant Todd Wilkin previously worked for Spark as head of group business performance and has worked for large banks in New Zealand and overseas on business improvement projects. His family recently returned from Qatar and bought a lifestyle block in Kaipara Flats, which Todd says will give his children the chance to “ride horses, ride dirt bikes and live a Kiwi life”. He says when the opportunity came up to join Withers, it was too good to pass up. “It’s a well-established professional firm, with a solid reputation and a great team of people. It ticked all the boxes,” he says. Todd says he has spent most of his career working on business transformation – developing strategy, advising management and devising business plans. “I’d like to bring my skills in these areas to our clients, particularly during these challenging times,” he says. Todd says the accounting world is becoming more complicated and business owners, farmers and individuals are being bombarded from all directions with increased

Architecture Residential Commercial Developments

AWARD-WINNING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

compliance requirements, complex information requests and a bewildering array of information from their accounting packages. “A good accountant is someone who can handle significant amounts of information, see the patterns and insights from this information and then explain that in clear terms to the client,” he says. “I will work with clients to take all the noise away, to allow them to focus on driving their business forward.”

Congratulations to Withers & Co on moving into their new premises.

We are proud to be involved with this

major

milestone

company’s history. 29 Nixon St, Grey Lynn

their

09 309 6032

c r e a t i v e a r c h . c o . n z

Countryside living at its best in Warkworth! Enjoy retirement living at Summerset Falls in this beautiful, relaxed environment alongside the tranquil Mahurangi River. As a Summerset resident, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of being part of a thriving Summerset community including easy access to village facilities and communal spaces, plus there’s support on hand should you need it in the future. At the moment, our gorgeous townhouses are starting from $599,000* and our range of serviced apartments are available from just $259,000.* Enquire today and discover for yourself why our residents love the Summerset life.

Summerset Falls, 31 Mansel Drive, Warkworth To find out more contact Steven Garner, Sales Manager, on 09 425 1202 or at warkworth.sales@summerset.co.nz

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Our first priority is to protect our residents and the vulnerable elderly in our community. For up-to-date information on our villages and criteria on visiting, go to summerset.co.nz/covid-19.

health&family

20 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

health&family

L I V I NG W E LL

Sue Robertson proves a lifesaver for trapped seniors Warkworth volunteer Sue Robertson discovered just what dire straits many seniors were in when she offered to do their shopping during lockdown. As an active member of Rodney Neighborhood Support, Sue was already alert to the needs of the elderly in her nearby streets and began picking up their groceries from the supermarket for them. She got even busier when referrals started pouring in from Age Concern, where she works as a service coordinator, and the Warkworth New World. They would alert Sue to elderly who were trapped and not sufficiently computer literate to undertake online ordering or pay for groceries via internet banking. Sue found herself making up to four shopping trips a day and delivering groceries all over the Mahurangi area. “I was delivering to people with diabetes and kidney transplants – people who were really health compromised,” Sue says. One English couple stranded in a family bach in Leigh had come to visit their daughter, who lived on the North Shore. They ended up cut off from the rest of their family, who were in separate bubbles. They had their flights back to England cancelled and had no New Zealand bank account to pay for shopping.

Another elderly couple Sue shopped for found themselves stuck in a bach on Kawau Island, after they were barred from returning to their retirement village in Auckland. Sue would deliver groceries to the ferry terminal at Sandspit for transport to them by boat. Often Sue paid for the groceries from her own limited funds until she could be reimbursed by Age Concern or the elderly themselves. Sue says she had to limit the number of shopping trips she made each day and the number of items purchased on each trip to 20, otherwise she would quickly have run out of money. Fortunately, Age Concern was generally able to reimburse Sue promptly. “They were trusting me that I am a good person doing it for the right reason, and I was trusting them that they were going to pay me back within 24 hours so that I could help someone else,” she says. Sue was also assisted by New World who allowed her to jump to the front of queues, and she was able to use a Rodney Neighborhood Support vehicle to make deliveries. “It’s just been an amazing experience for me because it’s opened my eyes to what issues people have had to deal with,” Sue says.

Sue emerges from New World with a trolley load of shopping for elderly trapped on Kawau Island.

The team at Rodney Surgical are really friendly, welcoming and attentive

Kerry Charlesworth Kaukapakapa resident

I had a colonoscopy screening procedure, which is really important if you are at risk of bowel cancer. I was very well taken care of during my visit. It’s also a bonus that there is no traffic and the facilities are nice.

My advice is to ask your GP if you can have it done locally or ring RSC direct.

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health&family

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 21

Homebuilders Suzanne Stewart

Open for business at level 2 by appointment only.

www.homebuildersfs.org

Moving out of lockdown For many of us, life as we knew it came to a standstill when the country went into lockdown. While it might not be true for everyone, some of the feedback from families has been an appreciation for having a period of time with reduced pressures. These have included, but are not limited to: • Getting the children up and ready for their respective day-cares/school • Getting yourself ready for work • Driving to school/work/appointments • Taking children to their respective after school activities/playdates • Social occasions/social pressures • Pressure to make decisions about purchases, be it lunch at work, material items, clothing, or items spotted by the children on a trip around The Warehouse, to name a few. Furthermore, this period of time has allowed us greater time with our partners and/or children and have required us to be more present and connected with them. Old school games and puzzles have been dusted off. Activity appears to have increased for many, with almost daily bike rides and walks. Moving out of Level 3 and into Level 2 potentially reintroduces these pressures. So, it’s a good time to re-evaluate, and see where you can possibly retain some of the benefits that lockdown has provided. Here are some ideas: • If getting your child to do homework causes nothing but stress and pressure for both of you, don’t do it. As you may have discovered during lockdown, your child can learn in many creative ways, such as through cooking, creating, building, reading, playing games. • If you’ve managed to successfully work from home, talk to your employer about the possibility of this continuing, even if just for a couple of days per week. • Keep up with the family time – games, walks, bike rides, movies, Tik Tok, whatever has bought you joy and connection through lockdown. • If life gets busy, there is nothing wrong with beans/spaghetti on toast for dinner (or anything else equally as easy). Other questions you might want to think about to help you re-evaluate and/or work out what you want to prioritise as we move into Level 2. • What in your life, or your child’s life, can you let go of? • What are the things you truly missed during lockdown? • What are the things you didn’t miss during lockdown? • What are the things you enjoyed the most about lockdown? We also appreciate that some families have found the lockdown period stressful; this may be due to strained relationships, children’s challenging behaviour and money pressures, to name a few. Equally, for these families, it may be time to reevaluate and this might mean seeking support to help address these challenges. Homebuilders Family Support Services are available to take new referrals from any family in the community requiring this support.

Phone: 09 425 7002 Email: admin@mahurangivision.co.nz Visit: 23 Neville Street, Warkworth

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GULL MATAKANA

GULL SNELLS BEACH

Caring for the locals who support us Sponsors of

Warkworth Food Rescue Thankfully our charity has been able to maintain its essential operation during Levels 3 and 4 lockdown, such that vulnerable families in our community have received the vital, and possibly life saving support they have needed during these times. The Warkworth Rotary/Lions Food Rescue, run in conjunction with Mahurangi district food banks, ensures that the panic and uncertainty is taken out of the equation for those in need. Local fruit growers continue to amaze us and we have been particularly fortunate, for example, to have received wonderful supplies of easypeel mandarins from our local orchards for distribution to needy families. We are especially grateful to Guy Vanegmond from Mahurangi College, who has stepped up during the recent lockdown to ensure that our rostered collections from New World and Countdown Supermarkets continue to happen, with the mandatory isolation of many of our older volunteers who have been unable to assist recently. Without the support of people like Guy, the Warkworth Food Rescue may well have needed to temporarily close down, at the very time when its service to vulnerable families was needed most. A big thank you. Stay safe and continue to be kind to one another. If you are interested in donating food: Call 0274 776 519 or email warkworthfoodrescue@gmail.com

Thanks to our locals supporting us, we are able to support our local community

GULL MATAKANA 09 422 7105

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GULL SNELLS BEACH 09 425 4092

health&family

22 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

Jacques massive weight loss cures seizures and headaches Warkworth’s Jacques Robinson realised he needed to make a change when he had a seizure while walking home and collapsed on the pavement. The next thing he remembers is waking up in an ambulance. “From then on, I had thunderclap headaches and could go for a week at a time without sleeping,” Jacques says. Doctors were stumped as to what was causing Jacques’ illness, but he puts it down to an unhealthy lifestyle with a poor diet and little exercise. Jacques says he was stressed out working two jobs – one as a baker at a supermarket and the other as a caterer. “Doctors put me on 25 medications and told me if I carried on, I would have diabetes.” “I freaked out and thought I would die by age 30, and I was only 23.” Jacques decided to turn his life around and started off slowly by going on walks in the morning. Last year, he joined the Fit Factory gym in Warkworth and started working with personal trainer Addy Garland. In the first five months he lost 30kg, and in the nine months since he began his programme he has lost 85kg. He lost two metres around his waist and has come down from a 7XL shirt to a large. “I can sit down next to someone I know and they won’t recognise me. The other day a guy I have known for two years introduced himself to me,” Jacques says.

Before and after: Jacques says old friends don’t recognise him since his transformation.

Jacques started with hypertrophy training. This meant doing lots of exercises with weights with a high number of repetitions. As he tired, he would slowly decrease the weight and continue until he became totally fatigued. After he reached a plateau with his progress, Jacques then switched to high-weight strength training. “Addy also helped me think more about what I was fuelling my body with, and I switched to whole foods and a plant-based diet.” Jacques’ new diet meant cutting out processed fast foods, refined sugars, meat and dairy. “It was a huge change, but I did it cold turkey.” Since making the switch, Jacques’ seizures have stopped, and he hasn’t

needed to take his medication. Jacques decided to make a career change as his job as a baker brought him too close to temptation. He is nearing completion of study with Fit Futures Academy to become a personal trainer and has started helping out at the Fit Factory gym. Jacques has 1400 followers on Facebook and 1000 on Instagram but says all of his growth has been organic, and he never set out to become famous on social media. “I started doing posts to keep myself accountable to the programme. It just grew from there. The other day, someone got out their car and stopped me on the side of McKinney Road to say that my journey had inspired them,” he says. “The same thing happened at a market

in Orewa, and it got me thinking that more people might also be inspired.” Jacques is writing a book about his journey, which will include tips and recipes for a plant-based diet, including sweet and savoury foods. “I just want to help other people. Thinking about what a turnaround it has been, I just wish I had started sooner,” he says. Jacques’ advice to those who want to get started on their own journey is to take things one small step at a time. “Don’t focus on how far you have to go, just set small achievable goals. Believe in yourself, and know that you will make it,” he says. “There will be days when you want to give up, and it’s at those points that you have to look where you came from and push through.”

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME Doctors • Kate Baddock • Stephen Barker • Bruce Sutherland • Amy Mcbeth • Clinton Anderson • Andrew Duffin • Jing He • Minja Bojic • Olga Fomchenko • Christina Petersen • Soren Blavnsfeldt

Warkworth

Medical Centre 11 Alnwick Street Warkworth Phone: 09 425 1199

Snells Beach Medical Centre Dalton Road Snells Beach Phone: 09 425 5055

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- Our Surgery at 11 Alnwick Street, Warkworth

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• Wide range of doctor and nurse led services including accident and medical services, immunisation, minor surgery, vasectomies, immigration, dive and insurance medicals • Wide range of visiting specialists • Open 8am-8pm Monday - Thursday and Saturday Mornings in Warkworth • Low Cost access for enrolled patients under 14 free, young people $13. Adults $19.00 (ACC costs differ) • Pharmacy, Labtest, Physio on site.

PHONE 24HRS 09 425 1199 or 09 425 5055

for direct connection to the surgery or our after hours service.

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 23

Close shave during lockdown

Opening hours Lawrie Road, Snells Beach 8:30am - 4pm Thursday - Saturday 9:30am - 4pm Sunday

Rustybrook Road, Wellsford

Details & price list at www.mahurangiwastebusters.nz www.mahurangiwastebusters.nz @mahuwastebusters 09 945 3980

VOLUNTEER WANTED Want to help your community? CAB Wellsford is looking Whether you’ve got trouble with your employer, landlord, family for men and women to join our team of volunteers to assist the people in your or anything elsetoin-between the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can community help them find solutions to their problems. If this sounds like help point you in the you right direction. Forsome example, ever something might like to give time to have give usyou a call. bought something a storePātai only to find outNot it is notAsk what Kāorefrom i te mārama? mai. sure? us. you were promised, and then told by the salesperson that it is not their CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU WELLSFORD problem? Well the CAB can help by1ensuring youWellsford understand Wellsford Community Centre, Matheson Rd, 0900 your 09 423 7333 or 0800 367 222 | Act wellsford@cab.org.nz www.cab.org.nz rights relating to the Fair-Trading and Consumer| Gaurantee’s Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-3pm Act. The CAB was established to advise the public about complex new rules put in place during World War II and to help trace missing relatives. It now exists in several countries including 16 volunteers right here in Wellsford covering from Puhoi to Brynderwyn. So if you need help or wish to make a contribution to your community please get in touch today!

“What I love about volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau is that every case is different and there is no better feeling then knowing you’ve helped someone through a sticky situation” – Callum, aged 28

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU WELLSFORD Wellsford Community Centre, 1 Matheson Rd PH: 09 423 7333 0800 367 222 Email: wellsford@cab.org.nz Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-3pm www.cab.org.nz

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6 Morpeth St, Warkworth | 09 425 8476 | www.warkworthdental.co.nz

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apply for up to $40,000. The remainder of the relief package includes $6 million for “high performance partners” such as olympians and sport organisations such as Netball NZ or NZ Cricket. It also includes $3 million to promote sport and recreation to those most in need, such as disabled persons or those living in deprived areas. In April, Sport NZ also affirmed it would continue to pay out $70 million worth of financial commitments to sport trusts and organisations across the nation through to June 2021. See aktiv.co.nz to apply for funding in the Auckland region or sportnorthland. co.nz for Northland.

For disposal of general rubbish, green waste, selected recyclables and reusables Level 2 contactless service & physical distancing applies

Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand’s “Shave for a Cure” fundraiser. She says this was more than her goal of $700, but she did not feel like pressing people too hard to contribute given the more difficult economic circumstances people were in because of the lockdown. In addition to the head shave event, Wainoni residents also came out on the street every Friday evening during lockdown to have a few drinks in honour of essential workers. “We’ve nicknamed our street “wine only place”, George says.

10am - 2pm Wednesday 10am - 2pm Saturday

CHURCH H ILL

George’s Dad experimented with a number of styles as the locks were removed.

Cash allocated to kick-start sport Sport New Zealand has allocated $25 million to provide short-term relief to local and regional sport clubs and organisations. This includes a $15 million community resilience fund for sport played at a local level. Sport NZ CEO Peter Miskimmin says the fund is vital for ensuring that sport at all levels remains viable and can resume as soon as possible. The fund opened for applications on May 11 and is being administered through New Zealand’s 14 regional sport trusts, including Auckland Sport & Recreation and Sport Northland. Sport clubs can apply for a maximum of $1000 while regional bodies can

Community Refuse & Recycling Centres

Opening hours

Half the fun of getting one’s head shaved to raise money for cancer research and show solidarity with those suffering from the disease, would likely be attracting a good crowd to watch. That might prove tricky during lockdown but the Swift family was more than equal to the challenge. George Swift, 22, elected to have her locks removed, her Dad did the shaving and her Mum texted all the neighbours in Wainoni Place, Warkworth, to bring a celebratory drink and come out on to the street and watch. Those living down the cul-de-sac have a reputation for being a close, tightlyknit community, so come out they did – though they took care to keep the required two-metres apart. They were treated to quite a show as George’s Dad, Marty, experimented with numerous different styles, including a mullet and a mohawk, before achieving a number “0” cut with the razor. George, a former hairdresser herself, says her Dad did a reasonable job, but she wouldn’t trust him to cut her hair again, unless she was once again going for an extremely short style. George raised more than $800 for

WARKWORTH DENTAL HE

health&family

24 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

Wellsford librarian cheers hundreds of lonely seniors during Covid-19 lockdown Wellsford library assistant Jessica Hallam found herself thrust into a new role of bringing comfort to lonely seniors during the Covid-19 lockdown. Although Jessica still had work to do during lockdown, including maintaining Wellsford library’s Facebook page, she was keen to do more. When Auckland library staff were invited to make welfare calls to over70-year-olds living on their own, as part of Auckland Emergency Management’s Covid-19 response, Jessica leapt at the chance. Jessica found herself making more than 400 calls over four days. With few seniors able to leave home, about 95 per cent of the calls were answered and could last anywhere from three to 15 minutes. “It was seven or eight hours a day sitting in the same place, making phone calls

My office has reopened and we’re ready to assist Marja Lubeck

Labour List MP based in Rodney 0800 LUBECK or 0800 582 325 marja.lubeck@parliament.govt.nz

Authorised by Marja Lubeck, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

www.flooringxtra.co.nz

Massive

one after the other,” Jessica says. Jessica says she did not feel like talking much by the end of the day, but says it was well worth the effort. “The pleasure of making these phone calls and making these connections, and knowing that you have made a difference in a person’s day outweighed the tiredness,” she says. She adds that librarians were under no pressure to conclude calls and could let seniors talk as long as they wanted. She says most seniors appeared to have the support they needed and were fond of talking up how helpful their neighbours and family members had been. Many seniors proved active and inventive in continuing to make connections. Some living in the same retirement village would delegate one of their number to turn up their music loud at a certain point each day, then everyone would step outside their individual apartments and dance. Those who appeared to struggle the most were those who had recently lost a wife or a husband. Lockdown only deepened their sense of isolation and loneliness. One recent widower broke down and cried as Jessica spoke to him. “I felt bad for reminding him of his situation, and I apologised. But he said, ‘It’s okay, I really appreciate the phone call’,” Jessica says. Some seniors needs were not quite so desperate. One gentleman was

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Jessica Hallam made more than 400 calls to seniors over four days.

disappointed he had not been able to buy any spirits. “He asked me if I had any hanging around and could I provide him with any? I had to say ‘no’, unfortunately I can’t,” Jessica laughs. Jessica says the seniors she contacted lived all over the Auckland region and their details were provided by the Ministry of Social Development. Librarians were given information to give to seniors about where to find extra help should they need it. Jessica was able to refer about 20 seniors who needed help with groceries to Auckland Emergency Management. Around 70 librarians in the Auckland region participated in the phone call scheme and between them made around 15,000 calls.

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 25 May/June 2020 Your essential property guide from Dairy Flat to Waipu

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WelcomeHome Welcome Home Barfoot & Thompson | Mike Pero Real Estate | Ray White | RE/MAX Realty Group

RAEWYN & KARLENE RAEWYN & KARLENE JONKERS

507 WAITOKI ROAD, WAINUI – AUCTION MAY 21 This distinctive freehold, four hectare country estate presents an astute opportunity for you to own a dress circle property featuring a lodge style home designed by Orange Architects; a residence set in private grounds with covenanted native bush backdrop. As you enter the home from the covered foyer, striking back the double doors into a spacious entryway with rustic American Oak flooring flowing through to the formal lounge, boosting 5.75m raking ceilings, you can’t help but be

MILLWATER

impressed by the magnificent gas burning schist stone fireplace with an ironbark timber mantle, perfect for cosy evenings. This home is ideal for extended family it is spacious and oozes quality,big timber beams -an entertainers dream. Outdoors, you are set for summer with easy care gardens, flat lawn and stunning views overlooking the natives that attract an abundance of wildlife. The internal garaging gives ample parking along with space for plenty more. This executive home is superbly positioned.

RAEWYN & KARLENE JONKERS Phone 0800 73 55 44 r.jonkers@barfoot.co.nz • k.jonkers@barfoot.co.nz

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The best journey takes you home. Let us help you get there!

Wellsford - 137 Worthington Road

Wellsford - 27 Worker Road

Space, Views and Location

You will love this three bedroom plus study home on a lovely north facing lifestyle

Sitting Pretty!

Centrally located, with an attractive street presence, this recently modernised

block on the outskirts of town. The substantial open plan lounge and dining area

home is currently configured with 3 double and 1 single bedrooms. The open

has great flow to the outdoors and has lovely polished floors, while the adjacent

plan kitchen and dining room together with the substantial separate lounge, enjoy

terracotta tiled kitchen features quality appliances and fittings. This attention to

easy access to the large wrap round decking area, delivering ample space for all

detail flows into the main bathroom. Substantial wrap-around decks overlook huge

your entertaining needs or just to sit back and enjoy after a hard dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, while

sweeping country views out to the distant horizon, accessed from both the lounge

contemplating any changes to the garden. The basement area has internal access

and master bedroom (which also enjoys an ensuite).

and is split into a single garage, an extra room and heaps of storage.

For Sale $795,000 Denise Pearson 027 303 6001 | denise.pearson@mikepero.com Web - www.mikepero.com/RX2332945

For Sale $598,000 Denise Pearson 027 303 6001 | denise.pearson@mikepero.com Web - www.mikepero.com/RX2332947

Kaipara - Lot 5 Bikerstaffe Road

Wellsford - 3/34 Totara View

Searching for a bush block? This 10.4ha block could be just what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking

Packed with potential, this cutie would suit downsizers or a solo person. This

Nurtured By Nature

Potential Plus!

for, with its abundance of native fauna. There is nothing better than sitting outdoors

1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one bedroom home is proportioned well. The original kitchen adjoins the

watching and listening to the bountiful birdlife. Approx. 7ha of lovely native bush,

open plan lounge/dining area which enjoys sliding doors to the covered deck. The

approx. 1.5ha of radiata pines and the balance in pasture. The property is in one

attached carport leads to a substantial laundry and storage space. Situated in a

title with a lapsed two lot subdivision consent, surveyors and Geotech reports.

small block of three units and within close proximity to the township.

These will all have to be resubmitted. If you are a person who likes to start everyday looking out at nature, you need to view this block.

For Sale $345,000 Denise Pearson 027 303 6001 | denise.pearson@mikepero.com Web - www.mikepero.com/RX2335686

For Sale $399,000 Denise Pearson 027 303 6001 | denise.pearson@mikepero.com Web - www.mikepero.com/RX2336577

Mike Pero Real EstateWellsford | 0800 500 123 28

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 29

Mike Pero Real Estate Mike Ltd.Pero Licensed Real REAA Estate(2008) Ltd. Licensed REAA (2008)

Kaipara - 5Kaipara Spinifex -Road 5 Spinifex Road 3

Home SweetHome HomeSweet Home

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been looking If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve for the been perfect looking holiday for the orperfect permanent holiday home, or permanent this may behome, it. this may be it. This property offers This allproperty you need offers to have all you fun, need relax to with have family fun,and relax friends, with family and friends, enjoy long summer enjoy dayslong andsummer the even days longer andsummer the even nights. longer summer nights. With a modern interior With aand modern open interior plan living, and this open home planisliving, inviting, thisspacious home is inviting, and light. spacious and light. Separated at oneSeparated end of the at house one is end a tranquil of the house and private is a tranquil master and bedroom private which master bedroom which opens out onto the opens deck,out complete onto thewith deck, a generous completewalk with in a generous wardrobe walk and ensuite. in wardrobe and ensuite. With two more double With two bedrooms, more double one ofbedrooms, which alsoone opens of which onto the also deck, opens and onto a the deck, and a large family bathroom, large you family can bathroom, be sure that youeveryone can be sure is catered that everyone for. Theisopen catered planfor. The open plan kitchen, dining and kitchen, living isdining a generous, and living light is filled a generous, space leading light filled onto space the large leading onto the large entertaining deck,entertaining which stretches deck,out which along stretches the length out of along the house. the length Partly of covered the house. Partly covered and private, it is the and perfect private, space it is the to enjoy perfect outdoor space meals to enjoy and outdoor sun-downer mealsdrinks and sun-downer drinks while enjoying a lovely while enjoying view of the a lovely sunsetview overofthe theBrynderwyns. sunset over the WithBrynderwyns. further With further entertainment in mind, entertainment step downinto mind, a large, stepprivate, down topaved a large, courtyard private, to paved fire up courtyard the to fire up the BBQ and party theBBQ night and away. party the night away. A high stud double A internal high stud access double garage internal will access keep your garage boat, willjet keep skisyour or other boat,water jet skis or other water toys safe and secure toyswhile safe and you secure are away. while you are away.

For Sale $735,000 For Sale $735,000 Alan Corkin 021Alan 906 Corkin 901 | alan.corkin@mikepero.com 021 906 901 | alan.corkin@mikepero.com Web - www.mikepero.com/RX2243019 Web - www.mikepero.com/RX2243019

A LIFESTYLE A LIFESTYLE CHANGE CHANGE BEGINS BEGINS WITH A WITH VISION A VISION AND AAND SINGLE A SINGLE STEP STEP Alan CorkinAlan Corkin m.021 906 901 m.021 w. 906 www.mikepero.com 901 w. www.mikepero.com

Mike Pero Real Estate Mike LtdPero REAA Real (2008) Estate Ltd REAA (2008)

Mike Pero Mike Real Pero Estate Real Mangawhai Estate Mangawhai | 0800 500 | 0800 123 500 123 May/June 2020

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Realty Group

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Northern Properties Ltd Drue Matich

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Vi Davidson

ADDRESS 11 Neville Street, Warkworth, AUCKLAND 910 OFFICE 09 425 0261

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34 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

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High Court delivers blow to independent north Rodney

Mahurangi Wastebuster’s Andre Brayne, left, with Chris Dyer.

Wastebusters re-open recycling The move into Level 2 Covid-19 restrictions means Mahurangi Wastebusters is now accepting recyclable and reusable items again at its two recycling centres in Snells Beach and Wellsford. The Lawrie Road and Rustybrook Road sites reopened during Level 3, but could only accept a limited range of rubbish and unwanted items, but there was still huge demand, according to director Matthew Luxon. He says the first week under Level 3 was as busy as Christmas, as a result of people having a good clear out during lockdown. “We had about twice as many customers as a normal week and, with extra health and safety requirements, we were flat out making sure people were staying safe while emptying their loads,” he says. “We’re delighted to be taking recyclables and reusables again now, albeit with contactless and physical

distancing protocols in place.” As well as general rubbish and green waste, Wastebusters currently accepts cardboard and paper, glass bottles and jars, food grade tin and aluminium cans, single use plastic containers (1 & 2); metal and whiteware appliances, timber, beds, tyres, e-waste, polystyrene, car and truck batteries, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, and they have recently added farm silage wrap to the list. Matthew says Covid has created significant challenges for Wastebusters, which wasn’t helped when its digger broke down and couldn’t be fixed. However, Chris Dyer of Matakana’s Little Digger Company came to the rescue with a new 5-tonne digger. “As a not-for-profit, Covid has really stretched our resources so we are extremely grateful to Chris and his crew for letting us use their little digger,” says Matthew. Info: mahurangiwastebusters.nz

The High Court has rejected an appeal by Northern Action Group to overturn a Local Government Commission (LGC) decision on the future of north Rodney. NAG’s appeal contested an LGC decision which refused to allow the northern part of Rodney to separate from the Auckland Supercity. NAG alleged the commission failed to properly consult with the community, failed to properly consider a proven “community empowerment model” proposed by NAG, and refused to consider a financial report prepared by private consultants, which showed that a north Rodney unitary council was not only viable, but had the potential to enable the area to thrive. But in a decision released last month, Judge Christine Grice rejected NAG’s appeal on all points. “Northern Action has not established a question of law nor pointed to any errors of law made by the commission,” the judge wrote. She added the commission provided an opportunity for the participation and consultation of local communities as it was required to do. “There was no public law duty to consult specifically on Northern Action’s proposal,” she wrote. NAG chair Bill Townson says the court has essentially ruled that the

commission was free to conduct its process in whatever way it saw fit, whether or not others perceived that was fair or reasonable. “All citizens who value their right to representation should be concerned that this decision further strengthens the status quo,” he said. “In Auckland Council that means tyranny by the majority over remote rural areas like north Rodney.” Mr Townson said now the only hope for an independent north Rodney would be a binding referendum, but currently NAG had no friends in Parliament who were willing to champion such a cause. “I would not bother with NZ First again. They have let us down already,” he said. Prior to the last General Election, NZ First promised a binding referendum on north Rodney, but abandoned the commitment following coalition talks with Labour. Meanwhile, Mr Townson vowed NAG would continue to press for improvements in the governance and treatment of the people of north Rodney within Auckland Council. “Clearly, we need greater devolution of authority, responsibility and management of council services to communities in the local area,” he said.

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Council warns cuts imminent as Covid empties coffers Auckland Council has been cutting contracting costs to meet the financial shortfall caused by Covid-19 and warns that non-essential services and construction projects could be next on the block. Council estimates that it will have lost $250 million in revenue for the financial year ending June 30 and that it will lose a further $450-$650 million in the following financial year. Applications for grants for community facilities, such as halls and sports clubs, have been deferred and were set to be reviewed during Alert Level 2 as Mahurangi Matters went to press. During lockdown, Council suspended 1100 contractors for operations such as public works, event operations and non-essential maintenance. This is estimated to have saved $100 million. But at the same time, Council has had to provide emergency relief to Aucklanders, including 26,000 packages of food and essential supplies. Tourists stuck in 14-day isolation have also benefited from 148 hotel rooms paid for by Council, while 17 rough sleepers have been homed in emergency accommodation. In a letter to Aucklanders, Council’s finance and performance committee chair, Desley Simpson, warns that the city will have to make some difficult financial decisions. About 60 per cent of Auckland’s revenue is generated outside of rates from sources such as dividends, public transport, parking, fuel tax and events – all of which have been impacted by Covid-19. Cr Simpson says the 2020/2021 annual budget the Council consulted on earlier in the year is now untenable and further consultation with the public for a new budget will be made in coming weeks. Meanwhile, ratepayers who can prove financial hardship will be able to defer

Mayor Phil Goff

their rates payment (due on May 28) until August 31 without penalty. Chair Simpson says instructions on how to request a deferred payment will be included in May’s rates notice. A financial update recently released by Council warns that it will have to reduce spending from $2.6 billion to $1 billion in the next budget in order to stay within its debt limits. The Council has to keep debt within 275 per cent of its revenue in order to maintain the city’s AA credit rating. The report says that Council also has access to $1.2 billion of funds from 10 banks on standby. These facilities are intended to provide liquidity in the event that the council is not able to access funding through the normal debt capital markets. However, the report concludes that cuts to spending will likely still be necessary. “The extent of capital expenditure reduction to maintain the debtto-revenue ratio at 275 per cent is substantial,” it says. “It would require many construction contracts to be cancelled and only delivering the most critical projects to maintain essential services and protect public safety.”

Lockdown training solution adopted by dog club A local dog training group has moved some of its activities permanently online following the success of a scheme launched during lockdown. Warkworth and Districts Dog Training Club set up an online beginner’s course for puppies and older dogs, plus a Facebook group, to provide a support and advice forum when Covid-19 forced classes to close. Secretary Gary Martin researched and tracked down a professional online course, similar in style and content to the Warkworth club’s approach to dog training, initially just for quarantine, but it has proved such a success that it is now being incorporated into the club’s activities permanently. “This time has given us an opportunity to review what training options exist out there and how we can do better,” he says. “We found some UK-based trainers doing dog sports who put together a programme which was far better than anything I could achieve, so we offered that during lockdown, with a Facebook group where people could ask questions, post photos, and so on.” Info: Facebook or at warkworthdogtraining.club/training/beginner-training Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters.

36 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

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Warkworth Museum is starting a collection of Covid-19 items and memorabilia to ensure there is a permanent record of how the pandemic has affected local communities. Museum manager Victoria Joule is calling for donations of photos, videos, artefacts, stories, crafts and objects relating to lockdown, so that in years to come, there is a clear picture of how Warkworth and surrounding areas responded to the crisis. “We want to create a picture of our community during the pandemic,” she says. “It’s important to keep a record of this time, because people will forget very quickly when life gets back to normal. “Everyone has a story to tell and we want to hear our communities’ experiences of life during the pandemic and lockdown. We want to safely store these objects and stories so that they can be shared and seen by our community in the future.” She wants to encourage people,

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businesses and community groups to all contribute items and memories to get as full a picture of what the impact has been on the local area. “We have records and information that mention the 1918 flu pandemic, as well as the later polio epidemic,” Victoria says. “Most of the material we hold has been donated to the museum by local families, businesses and groups, so our current aim is to collect material about life during the Covid-19 pandemic for future generations.” She says the museum is keen to receive items and material from children as well as adults. “We would like to encourage people to write down their stories, to keep a diary, take photographs or just send us thoughts, feelings and experiences from during the lockdown. ” Victoria is also looking for material relating to how Anzac Day and Easter were marked and celebrated during lockdown.

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 37

Vale Terrance (Thunder) Riley A house fire in Birdsall Road on May 2 claimed the life of long-time Whangateau resident Terry Riley who is remembered by many as ‘a rough diamond’. Farmer, fisherman, sailor, rugby player, painter and musician – he had a rough exterior that hid a surprisingly artistic and sensitive soul. Terry was the second eldest son of Brian and Val Riley, who bought their 260ha farm in Birdsall Road, including the 1910 kauri homestead and woolshed, in 1954. Along with his brothers Peter, Pat and Chris, Terry grew up helping out on the sheep and beef farm, set on steep clay country. One of his early pursuits was judo, often practising his newly-learned techniques on his youngest brother Chris, who remembers being ambushed on the way home from school and tossed around to look like a pretzel. Top grade rugby was also Terry’s passion, and he made many life-long friends from his Omaha Rugby Football Club days. He found school work a bit tedious, so pursued farming, attending Flock House Agricultural College in Bulls, before doing a bit of fencing. In his early 20s, he joined the crew of The Southwind, fishing around the Coromandel. Keen for an adventure though, he signed up as a deckhand with a family sailing a gaff rig sloop to Brisbane and New Caledonia, via Minerva Reef. Years later, he wrote a book about this voyage on Mapu II called ‘Singing Wind’, recalling how he arrived home broke and “skinny as a rake” . The sea was in his blood now and he converted a solid wood open lifeboat into an enclosed fishing boat, then bought the Kaha to crayfish around Little Barrier Island and later, the purpose-built steel cray boat Aquila. But wanderlust took him away again, this time to Aberdeen to see the fabled North Atlantic fishing grounds. He worked as a deckhand on 110ft trawlers around the icy Faroe Islands for some years. During this time, a trawler he was on was shipwrecked in a heavy storm and broke up on an offshore reef. Rescuers launched a rocket with a seat and rope called a Breeches Buoy and the crew was safely pulled to shore one-byone. After the sea escapades, Terry returned home to take over the farm from his father. Terry was a complex character who had a lifelong love of music and played, with varying degrees of

1945 - 2020

The Riley’s family home was destroyed.

Terry’s loyal companion Buddy was also lost in the fire.

ability, the bugle, trumpet, clarinet and piano. His family remembers a hot muggy night when he was working the noisy shearing machine handpiece on and off in the open tin woolshed, not far from the house. Around 1.30am the machine finally stopped. But five minutes later, the piano beside the wool press, burst into life with one of his favourite tunes, Blue Moon. Without any covers on the piano, the sound filled the shed, echoing all around the peaceful valley. Terry was also a keen collector of memorabilia, especially anything linked to the area’s early maritime history, and he was a great source of old machinery

parts, tools and equipment. His artwork – paintings or images etched on wood – represented his love of the sea and he often exhibited in local shows. He was a member of R.A.O.B. (Buffalos), Whangateau Cemetery Committee, Whangateau HarbourCare and Whangateau Residents & Ratepayers. He was never slow to lend a hand when needed, particularly to anyone down on their luck. Like his father, he was also always up for a good chin-wag over the car bonnet. He was an ideas man and was shearing his dogs to look like lions long before it became an internet craze. He also masterminded the ‘shin pad’ before any rugby protective padding was invented. It was a formfitted thin aluminium sheet, moulded around his shin bone, that slipped inside his sock. However, when the referee heard a metallic sound when the opposing team kicked Omaha’s hooker, Terry, in the scrum, he was ordered to remove them. Top level club rugby was a hard and physical game in those days, and many veterans suffered injuries as they got older. Terry had his hip replaced in later years and never fully recovered. Assertive and sometimes opinionated, Terry earned his nickname Thunder, because of his booming voice and intimidating size. He was married three times and had two other long-lasting relationships, but remained childless. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances in regard to the fire and Terry’s death has been referred to the Coroner, who will ultimately rule on the circumstances. Terry’s life will be celebrated at a gettogether at the Whangateau Hall on June 27.

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38 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

Pig hunting

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Countryliving Julie Cotton admin@oceanique.co.nz

Daniel Barlow and son Te HiriBarlow – strong men Daniel and son instincts. Tewith Hiriraw – strong men with raw instincts.

She charged at us with rage in her belly and a big brave heart. Why did she not turn and run away? Daniel had the dogs under his control and Te Hiri had a rifle on his back and a knife by his side. I had a racing heart, and no courage under fire. She charged and I pinned myself behind Daniel like a petrified barnacle. Cocooned inside prickly gorse bushes, this moment was a montage of deathly squeals, protective dogs and testosterone on fire. So, let us rewind. With only leopard print as camo, along with the knowledge I would be completely out of my depth, I enlisted the help of father-son duo Mr Daniel Barlow and his son Te Hiri to take me on a pig hunt. This has long been a rural tradition and

a story that needs to be told. In the first lot of scrub we disembarked with three GPS-tracked dogs and a pup in training. Like little kids in a lolly shop, these dogs were bursting with excitement as their noses sniffed the wind. Breeding, I am told, matters when it comes to hunting dogs and rest assured, these types could mix it up with any under command. Daniel gave the signal and the dogs bolted into the scrub, chasing the scent of a pig. Te Hiri followed, trudging through the mangroves and mud, after them. The sow’s piglets scattered as they tried to keep on her tail, however on this occasion she had outsmarted them. As we moved through the scrub trying to track her, Daniel filled my heart with

wonderful stories of a childhood spent in simplicity living off the land, void of material extravagance but rich in natural food provision. A decent sized pig can feed Daniel’s large extended family for a week. I find this selfless style of food provision by hunters heroic and independent, filling little tummies everywhere. We receive a text about a sighting of a large rouge bore in another location, so the dogs are called back and we move on. This area is thicker with gorse, and Daniel points out the tell-tale signs that pigs have been lurking around, including the decimation of an area of pasture. The dogs bolt, with Te Hiri sliding under the fence and belting after them towards the swamp. With barking dogs and a squealing wild pig in the distance, Daniel yells, “Let’s go!”. Sheesh! I take off after Daniel with a pumping heart, slippery boots, and a camera bouncing on my back. Piglets dart across our path. Through gorse we go and the sounds get louder and closer. Then like a scene reminiscent of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Revenant movie, there was Te Hiri holding this pig to the ground, rifle slung across his back … like Wow! Man, was I impressed. Then Te Hiri released her to grow her offspring and this is where my story started. So, for me pig hunting has an underlying narrative: little love stories that are underpinned by strong men with the rawest of instincts to provide for their families in the face of an ever-changing and unpredictable world. The organic way in which these families can survive in a crisis is deserving of our respect. They are not constantly adding to supermarket queues, for their skillset elevates them well above this. So, if this world starts turning to custard I am resolute. I will not be sitting next to a fava bean plant waiting for it to grow, I will be with that mob, the “hunter mob” and you will find me sitting with them by a campfire, getting fat.

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Op-shops will finally be able to move their stockpiles of winter clothing.

Shops brace for Covid clean out Second-hand stores throughout the district are calling for new volunteers to help them get running again as they face an impending deluge from lockdown clean-outs. The Harbour Hospice shops in Warkworth and Wellsford opened last week to a flurry of cabin-fevered shoppers. Retail services manager Maria Baird says shop teams have been working hard to prepare for a possible inundation of goods. She says many of the Hospice shop volunteers fit within the at-risk age bracket for Covid-19 and so the shops are looking for more to join their team. “We have some incredible younger volunteers who are eager to give back, learn new skills and get the volunteer recognition on their CV, and we’d love more to help fill this gap. “But, anyone with the time and passion to help would be welcomed with open arms.” In Warkworth, the shops are open from Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm, and the Wellsford shop is open Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 3pm. The hospice shop in Te Hana is not opening for Level 2. “People are welcome to donate at the open stores, but we’d love everyone to keep in mind that we’ll be working at a reduced capacity. If you can contact us before arriving at the store with donations that would be really helpful.” The store is unable to make pickups or drop offs in Level 2, however people can still register on the website for pick-ups of large donations to be put on a wait-list.

The Warkworth Community Shop was optimistic it will reopen in Level 2, depending if the shop can meet government guidelines. Co-owner John McEwing says the shop will initially have to restrict what donations it accepts. It already has winter stock that has been accumulated over months kept in storage. It now needs to be put on shelves. “Our stock room is already full. We will have to restrict donations to smaller items, such as bric-a-brac to begin with,” John says. All donations have to be cleaned and sanitised before being on the shop floor, which means it will take longer to process stock. The Mahu Community Trading Post is not intending to open until the country moves to Alert Level 1 and is not accepting any donated goods until then. “It would be a big ask for volunteers to come in and risk getting sick when they’ve done so much for the community,” coordinator Desiree Hoey says. “Many of the volunteers and the customers are within the at-risk demographic, and two- metre distancing would be difficult in the shop.” She says the shop is also eager to have young and healthy volunteers come forward to help get trading started again once the store reopens. Those wanting to help out can contact: Mahu Community Trading Post on Facebook or 021 0825 5917; Harbour Hospice, email volunteer@ harbourhospice.org.nz or see online story for form.

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Home delivery proves popular for butchers Local butchers may have been disappointed not to have been designated an essential service from day one of lockdown, but most have ended up enjoying aspects of being forced to trade in a different way. Warkworth Butchery owner Rob Lees says after initial uncertainty, he and his team have adapted well to the new normal and adopted new ways of serving customers, not least when home delivery was permitted throughout the district. “It gave us a means to trade again,” he says. “It’s about looking after people, so we’ve been happy to make the effort to go to them. We were gobsmacked at how far away some of the orders were coming from. I’ve been down to the north shore and up to Te Arai, Wellsford and Port Albert.” The service has proved so popular that the butchery will continue to deliver for at least one day a week. Its online click and collect service and phone orders will also carry on. “The feedback has been really good and it’s been a novel change for us as well, a different way of looking at the business,” Rob says. “We’ve been using the time really well, and we’re going to make a few changes in the shop. It’s been way more

relaxed; it’s all good.” The Matakana Village Butchery’s Matt Watts agrees. He is also planning to continue deliveries as well as a click and collect online service. “It’s been good, it was a good challenge tackling the new ways of working, and we’ve still got all our local customer base,” he says. “It was good to do work at our own pace, but quite a learning curve for us. Deliveries are not as easy as you think, you have to plan your route wisely and be careful with stock. But the change has been good.” Rob says the only real issues were at the start of lockdown when it was thought that butchers would continue to trade. “The worst thing about it was we were led to believe we could remain open, so we were quite stocked up and had informed a lot of people we would be carrying on with delivery or online at the start,” he says. “That was the biggest problem, but we managed to get rid of most stock and freeze a bit. “Now, it’s a whole different way of looking at it. We’ve been ordering to fill orders, not ordering to entice people in. Our sales are way back, but we get a lot of support for our shop. Restarting is a big thing for a butchery.”

Rob Lees at Level 3, when customers could pick up meat orders from outside the shop doorway.

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 41

Gardening Andrew Steens

Growing resilience

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These weeks of lockdown have been a boon for gardeners – loads of time to get into the garden and attend to all those jobs that have been waiting months or even years for you to get around to. Gardening itself has also been a boon for gardeners in these turbulent times – it is probably one of the best ways to get your mind off all the world’s problems, reduce stress levels and maintain physical health. Gardening also provides time to think. One issue I have thought about a lot recently is resilience – of individuals, of communities and of countries. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed a lot of weaknesses in all of these, from countries that have insufficient means to look after their citizens in times of crisis, or bureaucratic or political blocks that prevent them from doing so, right down to families and individuals who can’t go more than a few days without purchasing food from takeaway outlets or supermarkets, or struggle to make ends meet when circumstances change. Growing your own fruits and veggies is one of the most basic but vital skills that individuals can learn to increase their resilience. Benefits include improved physical and mental health, reduced food miles and food wastage, improved environmental conditions, lower weekly food bills, better tasting food, increased veggie and fruit consumption and more. The amount and diversity of what you grow is entirely up to you. Leafy greens, seed sprouts, microgreens and herbs are the easiest to start with. Pots of herbs, lettuce and spinach on a sunny kitchen windowsill or deck will supply nutrientpacked salad greens all year round. A few square metres of raised bed is enough to provide an ongoing supply of leafy greens for a small family. Add a frame for half a dozen snowpea plants and you’ll be eating these delicious treats all winter and spring. Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower are easy to grow and help boost your immune system. Add the various Asian cabbage varieties, and stir fries and soups will be a welcome addition to the winter table. Start with just one bed if you are a beginner or short on time. As that is filled, start another – that way your garden won’t get away from you. Fruit is also easy to produce, although the trees are more expensive and slower to start than veggie seed or seedlings. However, fruit trees will produce for many years with minimal attention. For those who are renting, planting in large pots or planter bags works fine for quite a few fruit crops. A potted lime tree will produce more limes than you will ever need. Once you get the basics right, you can move on to the crops that are harder to grow or take up more space or time to produce. A bed of asparagus takes a few years to grow but will produce succulent spears every spring for decades. Likewise, a clump of rhubarb comes in handy when you are looking for a quick dessert treat. Although potatoes don’t really make that much difference to your budget, the delight in fossicking around for new potatoes under the plants makes it more than worthwhile. With the addition of a small greenhouse, many crops can be produced nearly year round. God forbid that we ever come to a Level 4 lockdown again, but if we do, you won’t need to be panic buying or queuing at the supermarket again for fruit and veggies.

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42 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

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Doors might be open but heat still on for hospitality Local cafes, bars and restaurants were keen to get their doors back open as soon as Level 2 came in last week, but continue to face more pressures than most as a result of lockdown. Only the wage subsidy has kept many businesses afloat, as income disappeared while they weren’t allowed to trade, and many fear it will take months for life and takings to return to anything like the pre-pandemic normal. Owner of the Chocolate Brown and The Oaks cafes in Warkworth Susan Vize says it has been very challenging so far, and the challenges will continue. While they have continued making and selling some chocolates, and have been doing delivery and takeaway food and coffee from Chocolate Brown in Level 3, she says volumes are down by up to 90 per cent. “In this in between space it’s really hard to exist,” she says. “There are important decisions to be made now. We need to know what’s happening with that wage subsidy – is it going to continue after June 18? Because business won’t pick up overnight and that’s the challenge we face.” She says that once hospitality businesses open their doors again, landlords will be wanting normal rent payments, and councils have not reduced any fees or extended licences while they have been closed. Leigh Sawmill Cafe general manager Susan Kaiser was looking forward to

Susan Vize says the challenges for local cafes will continue.

opening up from Friday to Sunday in Level 2, but agrees that it will still put pressure on an already slammed budget. “We’ll maybe still do takeaways on Thursday, but we’re trying to keep our wages down as everyone has to be seated and served, and we need front of house, too,” she says. “We totally understand the precautions and levels of not contacting, but having less people in the venue and having to have more staff will be quite a leveller for hospitality. “There’s lots of uncertainty. We don’t

know what’s going to happen after the subsidy period ends, whether there’ll be another one. Without that wages subsidy, it definitely wouldn’t be worth it. If we didn’t have those wages covered, there’s no way we could do it.” She says the Sawmill is looking at how soon it can get live music gigs going again and has put a survey up on Facebook to assess local demand. “The majority of people are really keen to come out, and we have the space to do table service. But with a maximum of 100 people, including more staff?

Making money out of that … well, it’s going to be interesting.” On a more positive note, both women say it has been good to try new ways of working, such as delivering direct to customers, and having supportive staff and customers. “Staff have been great, doing over and above what they need to do,” Susan Vize says. “Most people have rallied and come in to do extra work for the business. It brings tears to your eyes. “And customers want to give you a big hug, they’re so pleased to see us - not that we can do that yet!”

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QUINOVIC WARKWORTH

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 43

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who needsinvestor, E: linda.otter@quinovic-warkworth.co.nz. advertising offer! Whether you’re an experienced Whether you are just starting out, or their

or if you’re just starting out, Quinovic’s an experienced investor, Quinovic’s investor Whether you’re an experienced property www.littlebarrierisland.org.nz We are so confident in our Care just and Return systems orproven if you’re starting out, can Quinovic’s proven Care and Return systems can give you the edge to make renting managed? We are so confident in our Care and Return systems can abilitieslockdown to market give you the edge to make it a real proven Under your property a real success. abilities to market Give them this give you the edge to make it a real ad and they will Life on Te Hauturu-o-Toi during lockdown was in many success. ways little different rental properties that Lyn Wade, Little Barrier Island Supporters Trust

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rental that from normal daily life on the island. The rangers and family properties on the island be eligible for 12 success. Leave it to the usually lead isolated lives. Visitors must have a permit to land and at times they experts, leave months of free willofprovide can keep the rangers busy with comings and goings,we so none that during FREE with us. Leave itcomment to the experts, leave it withLeave us. it toitthe inspections experts, leave it with us. lockdown. There are of course no shops, cafes or hairdressers. One rental advertising for your Whether you’re an experienced investor from the rangers during lockdown was the lack of man-made noise from aircraft Linda Otter and boats, which I think they have been rather property. orFRANCHISE if you’re just starting out, Quinovic’s OWNER enjoying. Due to the rugged nature of the island We LINDA OTTER Dueare to the rugged so confident in our Everything QUINOVIC WARKWORTH proven Care and Return systems can and the distance from medical assistance, many nature of the island FRANCHISE OWNER Shop 1, 20 Neville Street, managed for you! of the rangers’ normal duties couldn’t be carried abilities FRANCHISE OWNER to market give you the edge to make it a real Warkworth. out for health and safety reasons. A good chance, and the distance from PO Box 330, medical assistance, Call us now! success. properties that if the dubious quality of their internet connection rental Call us now to enquire! 0941 022 697 7921 Warkworth allowed, to catch up with office work, reports and many of the rangers’ M: 022 697 7921 we will provide FREE Offers like this won’t last *Offer valid forlong. any management agreement budget planning. T: (09) 973 5397 normal duties signed from 20 May - 30 June 2020. Leave it to the experts, leave it with us. E: linda.otter@quinovic-warkworth.co.nz and conditions apply. Food and other supplies are normally ordered via rental forTermsyour couldn’tadvertising be carried the internet and brought to the island by supply out for health and ship every three weeks if the weather allows, so property. LINDA OTTER QUINOVIC WARKWORTH safety reasons. they are used to planning with big shopping lists. However, a delivery just the day before lockdown FRANCHISE OWNER Shop 1, 20 Neville Street Warkworth QUINOVIC couldn’t supply all the groceries on their list due to supermarket shortagesWARKWORTH and before their next order came, three weeks later, they were using up some of the P O Box 330 Warkworth 0941 stock in the freezers and being creative with meals. But, even so, now better prepared Call us toNeville enquire! Shop 1, 20 Street Warkworth M: 022 697 7921 than most of us to sit it out. Offers like this won’t last0941 long. P O Box 330 Warkworth T: (09) 973 5397 The children do correspondence schooling from home, so no change there for them. They are very capable of finding plenty to do, be it making body lotions, M: 022 697 7921 Unlock your property’s E: linda.otter@quinovic-warkworth.co.nz. potential cakes or creating movies; reading or knitting; card games or metal work. With minor dewellings | visitor accommodation | no-one else about they had more space to walk about in thanT:most us, but still (09)of 973 5397 QUINOVIC WARKWORTH revegetation | new dewellings | wetlands limited to the flats only. E: linda.otter@quinovic-warkworth.co.nz. Some of you may have seen on Facebook the kiwi that strolled into the rangers’ Shop 1, 20 Neville Street Warkworth kitchen in broad daylight, breaching the rangers’ bubble. It was unfazed by the P O Box 330 Warkworth 0941 rangers, cameras and man-made surfaces. The ranger on Motuora also had a close encounter with a kiwi in daylight on the beach. M: 022 697 7921 E N V I R O N M E N TA L Perhaps we have all now had a taste of what life might be like on an isolated T: (09) 973 5397 PLANNING island given our own experiences these last few weeks. Some of us have thrived & DESIGN E: linda.otter@quinovic-warkworth.co.nz. and could probably manage a year or two on an island, but many of us are keen for restrictions to end and life to get back to normal. It has made me aware of the special sort of person you have to be to manage isolated conditions month after month or year after year. But, like us, the island rangers will still be chomping at the bit to be able to get back to the usual work that is required to care for our precious island taonga.

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44 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

localmatters.co.nz

Have your say on Dome Valley dump proposals – here’s how The deadline for submissions on the Dome Valley landfill is 11.59pm next Tuesday, May 26. There are two separate applications – one for a resource consent to develop the landfill on just over 1000 hectares of land south of Wayby Valley, and one for a plan change, which would see the zoning of the farm and forestry land switch from rural production to a special landfill precinct. Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers says it is vital that any submissions are made for both applications, as they are separate legal processes. However, he says there is no need to go into great detail at this stage. “The important point for people is that they should lodge a submission within the time frame for the plan change request and the resource consent, otherwise they run the risk of not having their submission heard,” he says. Cr Sayers says submissions simply have to state whether they support or oppose the proposals, and submitters can add topic headings for issues that they wish to address in further detail at the hearing later this year. “The detail does not need to be included in the submission,” he says. “Submissions in opposition can just state they oppose and could add generic reasons, such as the proposals are contrary to sound resource management principles; contrary to the purpose and principles of the Resource Management Act 1991; they conflict with national policy statements on freshwater management; or they are contrary to

Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, May 26.

the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Auckland Council Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.” Cr Sayers adds that submitters should clearly indicate that they wish to speak, which means that a hearing has to be held, and they should indicate that they are willing to present cases with others who have made the same or similar submissions. He also stresses that individual submissions carry far more weight than a petition, which may be viewed as a single submission, even if it has thousands of signatures. A Council spokesperson confirmed that submissions did not need to be highly detailed, but could simply outline any concerns held, and further information and evidence could be provided at the hearing, which is likely to be in October or November. Council can accept late submissions

up to the start of the hearing, though whether late submissions will be accepted is something the hearing panel will determine. However, Council staff have said they will support any late submissions made within “a reasonable timeframe” prior to the hearing. Submission guidelines Both applications are available to view and submit on via the Auckland Council website (see details right). Hard copies were available at local libraries and Council offices, but since the Covid-19 lockdown, these have been unavailable and Waste Management refused to extend the submission period until after lockdown ends. Council says that while these facilities are closed, requests for paper copies, or soft copies on a USB drive, by anyone unable to access the Council website will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Useful Links Info: Email unitaryplan@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or call 09 365 3786. For the Resource Consent application, go to aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/notifiedresourceconsent The landfill resource consent application link is called 1232 State Highway 1, Wayby Valley For the Private Plan Change application, go to aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/planchanges The relevant plan change is headed PC42 (Private) Auckland Regional Landfill Wayby Valley Answers to FAQs can be found online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Re sourceConsentDocuments/02BUN603 39589FAQ.pdf Anyone with any questions or concerns can contact the Council planning team on 09 365 3786 or email unitaryplan@aucklandcouncil. govt.nz Information provided by Waste Management can be found at wastemanagement.co.nz/my-region/ auckland/auckland-regional-landfill Submission guidelines from the Fight the Tip organisation are online on its group Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/SavetheDome All submissions must be received by Council by 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 26. Go online for more background on the landfill – localmatters.co.nz.

localmatters.co.nz

May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 45

No more landfills

hub of planning A hub planning excellence.

By Kevin Smith

Managing director of The Board The public has until May 26 to make a submission on Waste Management’s proposed new landfill in the Dome Valley. Kevin Smith, managing director of The Board, which represents waste-to-energy company USGIS in New Zealand, insists there are better options.

THE

A colleague made the point to me recently that if somebody dumped a bin of rubbish on an office floor, the solution – to throw earth over it – was not an adequate response. He was making the point, of course, that throwing earth over millions of tonnes of urban waste is equally nonsensical. It is time for bold leadership on the subject of handling urban waste. Dome Valley can indeed be saved from this “out of sight, out of mind” option. Waste should be eliminated, not buried. Waste that has been eliminated will not leach into our groundwater and become a breeding ground for all manner of dangerous pathogens and disease-carrying insects. To say there are better answers is an understatement. The new alternatives are just so much better. Technology is now available to transform urban waste into electricity, or high quality, low-cost building panels. All types of waste such as tyres, asbestos, hospital residues and packaging are being converted to productive use and creating new jobs. Waste no longer needs to be buried to stew away and threaten our environment for decades. There are more than 200 landfills throughout New Zealand. Some have caused alarm in recent months when wave action exposed old landfills to the ocean. The result has been plastic and other toxins entering the sea and doing well-publicised damage to marine life. New Zealanders, not only northern Auckland residents, are justifiably frustrated that some local authorities continue to consider landfills as the only option for the disposal of waste. It is particularly frustrating for those who are aware of technology which can, for example, effectively convert Auckland city’s daily waste of about 500,000 tonnes to something like 250 megawatts of energy – enough power to supply 100,000 homes. Alternatively, the same volume of waste could produce enough building panels for thousands of affordable, thermally efficient, cyclone-proof houses. If our Covid-19 experience has any silver lining, let’s hope it serves as the motivator to open our minds to new thinking, including abandoning the outdated notion of landfills. Redemption from the curse of landfills will be among the benefits. Not only can we avoid soiling the beautiful Dome Valley, we now have the opportunity to excavate every landfill across the country and turn the waste of previous generations into productive energy, housing and clean water for New Zealanders yet to be born.

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Briefs Have your say on Warkworth to Te Hana motorway Submissions opened this week for a notified consent for the Warkworth to Te Hana motorway. Key components include a four-lane dual carriageway, three interchanges, twin bore tunnels under Kraack Road, a viaduct over the Hoteo River and changes to local roads. The application and submission forms are available at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/have-your-say

Trustees for trail The Te Araroa Trail is looking for a trustee from Rodney to join the board of a new Auckland regional trust. Chief executive Mark Weatherall says there are six to eight positions available and the trust is looking for expressions of interest. Questions to mark@teararoa.org.nz or 021 132 4519.

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46 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

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ON THE LAND

Drought advice funding welcome, but wider support still needed A new government fund to help farmers through the worst drought in living memory is a welcome boost, but more help may be needed, according to the dairy industry. The 2020 Drought Recovery Advice Fund allows farmers to apply for up to $5000 to pay for advice to help them recover from the current drought and plan for any future water shortages. However, the fund is capped at $500,000 nationally. The money can be used for a wide range of droughtrelated business and technical advice, including stock water best practice, feed management systems, strategic and financial planning, sustainable land management and technical advice on soil, pasture or animal production. Dairy NZ welcomed the new grant, but says it highlights the need for long-term solutions and greater investment in water storage. General manager for farm performance Sharon Morrell says any farmers who need feed support should apply for the fund, as it is crucial to set up for winter and the 2020/21 season now. “It’s promising to see the Government starting to move in this direction with water storage schemes recently announced for both Northland and Hawke’s Bay – but what is really needed is a coherent and coordinated National Water Storage Strategy,” she says. Farmers can apply for funding by completing an online form and emailing it to the Ministry for Primary Industries by June 12. Info and application forms: Go to mpi.govt.nz and search for ‘2020 drought recovery’.

Sue Andrew picked some of her kumara flowers to share with neighbours.

Gardener amazed by flowering kumara Wharehine gardening enthusiast Sue Andrew could hardly believe her eyes when she spotted dainty flowers sprouting from her red kumara vine. She thought it must be some obscure weed growing underneath the vine. But after taking a closer look she realised the vine itself was flowering – something she had never seen before. After doing a bit of research on Google, she discovered that the tropical vegetable is not supposed to flower in New Zealand. Some Kiwi farmers have grown kumara for 30 years and never spotted any flowers. Sue suspects an unusually long, dry summer has prompted the flowers to emerge. The flowers are light pink on the outside and a dark, pinky red in the middle. They are about 3cm in diameter. Sue describes them as “very special”. To cheer up neighbours during the Covid-19 lockdown,

she alerted them to her discovery and dropped off picked flowers in local letterboxes. “I’m very proud of them,” she says. According to the New Zealand school textbook First Footprints, by Peter Adds and Bronwyn Wood, the failure of kumera to flower in New Zealand forced early Maori settlers to adapt their methods of cultivation. In the tropics, seeds from the flowers could be used to plant kumera. Once it had grown, it was eaten straight away, since it could not last in the warm, damp conditions. In the colder climate of New Zealand, instead of growing kumera from seed, Maori would use shoots from tubers, which had been carefully stored over winter. The practice was facilitated by the development of underground storage pits, sterlised by fire. This permitted kumara to remain alive and ready to sprout in spring.

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 47

GREENWOOD

On the farm

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Bev Trowbridge

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Water torture As the driest period since records began grinds on for farmers in our region, it is perhaps timely to return to the vexed issue of freshwater management. A recent review from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ, Our Freshwater 2020, paints a grim picture. From a farming perspective, the crucial points are that over 90 per cent of our wetlands have been lost, 76 per cent of our native fish are at risk, most of our rivers are polluted with nutrients, sediment and pathogens, and that herbicides are measurable in our groundwater. For anyone managing land and growing food outdoors, unless they are irrigating, rainfall is the main limiting factor on production – either too much or too little. As the climate heats up and rainfall becomes less If there’s anything reliable and more polarised – heading for wet seasons and dry seasons with an overall decline in this Covid-19 rainfall for the northwest of the country – we are looking at more difficulties for pastoral farming. pandemic has taught us, it is that we can’t So how do we grow food for export for our economy when the climate is squeezing us and the be complacent about impact of growing food is generating unacceptable our impacts on the environmental and social costs? One thing is for planet; they will sure, we cannot continue to ignore the problem and hope it will sort itself out. If there’s anything come back to bite us this Covid-19 pandemic has taught us, it is that and bite us hard. we can’t be complacent about our impacts on the planet; they will come back to bite us and bite us hard. So yeah, going hard and early, or at least not waiting until the last possible second, is perhaps a good mantra to apply here, too. The other lesson that we could apply is that of being kind and bringing the whole country along together. So these issues, although they are inescapably in our faces for us farmers, are equally shared by everyone in the country. We are all in this one together, too. So, I’m wondering if we couldn’t have a more imaginative response to help us collectively work through some of the practical solutions on a regional basis. Most of us in the farming sector work such long hours and are so financially stretched that we work in the business, not on the business. There’s not a lot of space for planning and blue-sky thinking, or spare cash for grand schemes or even small schemes most of the time. Many in the sector are also feeling pretty overwhelmed by the confluence of seismic issues and mental health is at an all-time low. The best thing we can do to help farmers right now is to give them the acclaim they deserve for being essential workers, working hard in the background without receiving much recognition or wage assistance in these traumatic times. What could be needed is some sector and government funding for catchment and sub-catchment facilitators to work through with individual farmers their options and new ways of doing things. This might include practical help to apply for grants and other financial assistance to implement environmental schemes that would benefit both the bottom line and the wider ecology. It depends, of course, on getting the right sort of practically focused folk into the work and having them properly supported and funded, but I’ve seen this approach work well to achieve the outcomes we all want to see for our families and the legacy we leave behind.

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48 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

Offshore sand mining at Pakiri up for submission A consent application has been lodged with Auckland Council to dredge two million cubic metres of sand over 20 years from the seabed at Pakiri. Kaipara Ltd has applied to renew its consent to extract 150,000 cubic metres of sand a year, from a depth local rivers and found two locations where there of 25 metres, offshore from the Pakiri-Mangawhai were exceptionally high bacterial levels. embayment. “We need more testing and possibly contaminant The consent was last granted in 2003 and will expire source tracking – with Council assistance – before in February 2023 if not renewed. we can reach any conclusions,” he says. The new application would reduce the consented FOAM has also noted elevated phosphorus levels in area for extraction from 636 cubic km to 44 parts of the rivers, which could come from fertilizer cubic km. use on farms or in horticulture, but could also be The application notes that Pakiri has been an due to natural sediment erosion. important source of sand because its ‘grain size “We have not found any significant nitrogen, but and textural characteristics’ are preferred by the have recently changed to using a more sensitive test construction industry in Auckland. and are starting to detect more,” Mr Evans says. Pakiri’s proximity to Auckland also means that the He says based on limited testing to date, rivers and sand can be efficiently distributed throughout the streams are showing some signs of land use runoff North Island. impacts, although it does not appear to be severe at The application says there is a continued growth in present. demand for sand from the Auckland economy, with Mr Evans says unfortunately there is currently 450kg of sand used for each cubic metre of concrete. extremely limited technical information on the meet of urban Call: 09the 411needs 9604 9604 catchments, which handicaps FOAM’s ability “Concrete is used to to make targeted assessments to determine the expansion, including residential, business and road the application says. possible source of sediments and the best options for Pconstruction,” A D DIIVVIISSIIOONN OOF FWW Y AYTATT TL ALNADNSDCSACP AE PSEU SP U LPIPELSI E S community involvement in riparian planting and Kaipara Ltd is based at Beachlands, in south-east Auckland, and also trades as Coastal Resources other initiatives. Ltd – a company which has been responsible for Things could be improved with a Council catchment 948 State State Highway Highway1616•• Waimauku Waimauku management plan, such as one being developed for replenishing 13 Auckland beaches since 1997. ( just after after the theMuriwai Muriwaiturn turnoff off) ) to the application, when .n Kaipara the Kaipara, which provides detailed information According z e te.nt zconsent .n sheld about the rivers, their ecosytems and developments applied for consent in the pe1990s, lipeliitse.n p p u u s s e ap for nearshore sand across the catchment. aannddsscca but applied for offshore w.l.lmining, ww w d mining consent after consulting with the public. To learn more about FOAM, email matakanakana2@ p e r a t e o continued next page gmail.com ned &

Matakana rivers appear to be in better shape than most.

Grounds for optimism after testing A group dedicated to restoring and maintaining healthy waters in the Matakana-Sandspit catchment area have painted a cautiously encouraging picture of the state of local waterways, in the wake of a damning report on the condition of waterways nationally. Last month, the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ released Our Freshwater 2020, which noted a huge decline in New Zealand’s freshwater eco-systems due to pollution from farming and urban development, changing waterways from their natural course and the inadvertent introduction of exotic species. The report drew attention to a 2017 study which showed that 76 per cent of native freshwater fish were threatened with extinction. But Friends of Awa Matakanakana (FOAM) says it’s monitoring of waterways gives some grounds for local optimism. For example, monitoring of macroinvertebrates (creatures other than fish) using the Wai Care Invertebrate Monitoring Protocol (WIMP) consistently reveals scores greater than 100 – indicating a healthy river for macroinverebrates at the time of sampling. No FOAM testing site consistently recorded a score of less than 70 – which would indicate underlying water quality problems. However, FOAM vice-chair Martin Evans says the group recently started conducting bacterial testing to assess the level of animal waste discharges into

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 49

Wellsford

Animals Olaf Klein, Wellsford Vet Clinic www.vetsonline.co.nz/wellsfordvet

Osteoarthritis in dogs The colder months of the year are fast approaching and the physical stiffness that we see with osteoarthritis is exacerbated by the cold, as well as prolonged periods of inactivity. Osteoarthritis is degenerative and is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). The degeneration affects all tissues that form the joint: the cartilage, the capsule and the underlying bone. The cartilage shows changes in the metabolism of its cells. These go along with changes in the actual make-up of the cartilage as its protein matrix changes. The fluid retention in the joint surface is reduced, which in turn leads to the loss of its Therapy is aimed elasticity. In the end, patches of cartilage disappear at slowing down and the integrity of the joint surface is lost, the underlying bone becomes sclerotic (hardened) and the degenerative the joint capsule thickens. All joints of the body process by reducing can be affected, but it is more obvious in the knees, inflammation ankles, elbows and shoulders. Predispositions for and helping the the condition range from joint injury to hip and elbow dysplasias (abnormal growth). cartilage to Anything that influences the normal structure of stay healthy for the joint will lead to osteoarthritis over time, and longer. the ageing process itself leads to degeneration of the joint tissue. The onset of lameness is gradual and not sudden as with an acute injury. Stiffness when getting up from resting, difficulties with jumping into the car or onto the couch, as well as reluctance to walk up stairs are the most common symptoms. Therapy is aimed at slowing down the degenerative process by reducing inflammation and helping the cartilage to stay healthy for longer. The mainstay to reducing pain and inflammation are NSAIDS, or non-steroidal, antinflammatory drugs. These are painkillers that reduce inflammation as well as pain, by blocking specific chemical pathways of the inflammatory process. This markedly improves the animal’s motivation to be active and with it the use of its joints. The cartilage gets compressed and decompressed again, like a sponge which in turn helps its nutrition. Weight control is another important tool to manage the physiologically appropriate loading of the joint. The diet itself can be enriched with antiinflammatory nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids or chemicals that are found in the joint cartilage itself, like chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine sulphate. There are a lot of nutraceuticals on the market that claim to have the magic ingredient in the right concentration and the appropriate chemical form. Research on the subject is ongoing, and there are reputable dog food manufacturers that have formulated motility diets that show merit. What is certain, though, is if you do not move, you seize up. Exercise (physiotherapy) and adequate nutrition provide a good way out of this Catch-22.

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from previous page

The application takes care to distinguish itself from the McCallum Bros’ controversial nearshore sandmining operation at Pakiri, which will also soon be up for consent renewal. Though it notes that the actual dredging of the seabed will continue to be done by the McCallum Bros’ vessel, the Coastal Carrier, on behalf of Kaipara Ltd. To extract the sand, a suction dredge is dragged 10km across the seafloor, sucking approximately 30cm of sand from the seabed. Friends of Pakiri spokesman Nick Williams says their incorporated

society opposes both nearshore and offshore sand mining. “The further out the better, but we want it all stopped. We are not convinced their science about the sand being replenished is right.” “Pakiri is one of the last pristine environments, and we believe there are better options for sand extraction,” he says. See aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/haveyour-say for the consent application and to make a submission. Submissions close June 4. Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters.

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Golf clubs across the district saw a surge of bookings and new membership applications as the country emerged from Alert Level 4, as players were keen to make use of reduced restrictions. Despite being open only to members, the Warkworth Golf Club had 84 players on the first day it reopened. Golf administrator Sue Hadfield said a number of visitors signed up for memberships on the spot just to be able to play. She said recent rain, along with an empty course, meant that groundskeepers had been able to catch up on maintenance and the course was in top condition. The Omaha Beach Golf club had to impose a two-game limit per member to ensure everyone got their turn. General manager Sue Jury said that within hours of their website opening, bookings came flooding in. Within two days, the whole Level 3 period was fully booked. The Omaha club cut down its usual capacity from 184 to 90 players to accommodate two-metre distancing. During Level 3, all clubs spaced out tee times between players by at least six minutes.

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Score cards and handicaps were temporarily banned, while holes had raised cups to prevent the ball from actually falling in. “There had been a lot of questioning from players about conditions placed on clubs, but once they were on the course they loved it,” Sue said. Like most golf courses, the Omaha Club restricted course bookings to members. “We wanted to make sure that the locals had their chance to play. It has been difficult for our mature members because golfing is their exercise and social time,” she said. Sue is hoping the clubhouse will be open again soon for events, although she expects capacity will be reduced to allow for distancing. She says inter-club competitions scheduled for after lockdown have been put on hold and national tournaments have been cancelled. “I have literally wiped my white board event calendar clean with disinfectant.” Visitors to golf courses across the district have been required to sign a register, which shows their time of arrival so that any potential transmission of Covid-19 can be traced.

EXCAVATIONS DRIVEWAYS FARM WORK DRILLING SITEWORKS RETAINING WALLS DRAINAGE MULCHING

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 51

All sport is to be non-contact until Alert Level 1 according to guidelines from Sport NZ.

Teams return to the field as lockdown restrictions ease the Warkworth Showgrounds. It has also been an unfortunate season for young players looking to make representative teams, with representative rugby tournaments being cancelled Meanwhile, New Zealand Rugby announced that the Super Rugby season will go ahead with a three to four week training period beginning in Level 2. Five teams will play each other at home and away over 10 weeks, with two matches every weekend. All matches will be played in closed stadiums. NZ Rugby says a decision on the All Blacks Steinlager Series in July against Wales and Scotland will be made in the coming days. The netball ANZ Premiership has also been given the green light to begin in Level 2, but as Mahurangi Matters went to press, no announcement had been made about community netball. Wellsford Netball Centre vice president Lynette Gubb says the goal is to have its season started before the end of July. Ordinarily, the season would have started by now and so Gubb is anticipating a shorter season, potentially of around six weeks, instead of the usual 14 weeks. The main issue is that younger players will be

Guidelines released by Sport New Zealand have allowed for training to resume in Alert Level 2 of lockdown and local clubs are gearing up for when competitions resume. The scramble to be match ready is especially acute for community rugby clubs as the start of Level 1 – whenever that may be announced – is likely to instantly kick off the two-week pre-season period. Mahurangi Rugby Club veteran Haden Kose says in the meantime training will be non-contact and distancing will still apply while players do drills on the field. As Mahurangi Matters went to press, the format of the rugby season was still a matter of speculation, however a delayed start is likely to mean some kind of reconfiguration. One possibility is that the Mitre 10 community club rugby season will run concurrently with provincial rugby, which would mean clubs could lose their top tier players. Another possibility is that the club rugby season will consist of only a round robin and forego the finals round. Kose says the main risk is that the rugby season could cross over into the touch rugby season in October, which could cause scheduling conflicts at

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looking to transition to summer sports such as swimming and tennis. Gubb is also aware that for smaller clubs the delayed season has meant they will not be able to play as gaming and trust grants have been put on hold. Hockey New Zealand has also confirmed that training can begin in Alert Level 2 with the competitive season possibly starting in Level 1. Warkworth Hockey club men’s captain Graham Buchs says its teams have been keen to resume trainings on Tuesday evenings in Level 2. “We have kept in contact with club members and have received no feedback that they won’t be returning to play once the season starts,” he says. The Northern Football Federation has announced that training can resume at Level 2 and the competitive season could begin as early as May 30. At this stage, guidelines from NZ Football suggest there can be up to 100 spectators, as long as all players and spectators document their name, number and address in a tracing record. Puhoi SC has announced four new signings to its first team over the lockdown period, suggesting there is a healthy appetite in the district to return to play.

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52 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

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May 20, 2020 Mahurangimatters 53

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Pākiri residents say there is still some educating to be done about the status of Pākiri Beach, after online arguments broke out about the right to access the beach during the Covid-19 lockdown. At the start of quarantine, a spokesperson for landowners at Pakiri announced on Facebook that local iwi had placed a rāhui, closing the beach until Alert Level 2 of lockdown. The announcement sparked an online furore from those opposed to the closure, which was reported on by media around the country. Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust deputy chair and local resident Ringi Brown said the closure had the support of the local community and was well respected. “A few people were doubtful and tried to go down for a surf or a walk, but on the whole people were good.”

Ringi says landowners decided to close access to the beach after visitors were coming up from as far as south Auckland. “The message from the government was don’t venture out if you don’t have to. People were not observing the lockdown by visiting the beach,” he says. “The council toilets were also closed and so people were using the beach as a toilet.” He says the Pākiri community wanted to protect its elderly residents, who have existing health concerns, and are most at risk of infection from Covid-19. There is a persistent misunderstanding among residents in the wider area that access to the beach is on Department of Conservation land and that the beach is publicly owned. In fact, the access way is located on land that has been privately owned for generations. It is known as Taumata A

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Some families have had to bear more than their share during the lockdown. If you live in the local area and lost someone dear to you during the Covid-19 pandemic, and could not hold a proper funeral, we invite you to send us a photo of your loved one and a few words to tell us what was special about them. We will print them over coming issues and there will be no charge. May it help to know that others care.

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Pakiri Regional Park

The 13.7 ha Taumata A block at Pakiri Beach is privately owned land.

block and extends from Pākiri River road down to the high tide mark on the beach. Public access to the beach has been permitted by landowners but has been closed on occasion. Some confusion over the beach’s status has stemmed from the fact that Auckland Council has established a regional park adjacent to the land. However, the park is yet to be developed and no beach access is currently available.

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Ringi says police were supportive of the closure and provided landowners with signs to mount on their gates. Initially, a roadblock had been set up on a public road, but was shifted back on to private property on police advice. Ringi says there will be a discussion among landowners and iwi about reopening access, and they are looking forward to welcoming people to the beach again.

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Pakiri residents and iwi say they were exercising their ‘customary rights’ by closing access to the beach.

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56 Mahurangimatters May 20, 2020

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Nina and Woody Bell are fundraising by selling firewood on Tamahunga Drive.

Children build their lockdown skate park While you’ve been in front of the computer in your pyjamas during lockdown, the Bell family in Matakana has been building a skate park in their driveway. Nina, 7, and Woody, 6, have been learning how to knock wood pallets into various projects in their garage with their dad, Reece. They’ve already built a quarter pipe, a ramp, a rail and a wedge out of plywood and pallets. So far all the materials have been collected and recycled from building sites, where Reece has worked making driveways.

“We try not to buy anything for what we build, using only rescued materials. All of this would have been thrown in the garbage,” Reece says. However, their latest project – a 5m wide and 1.5m tall half-pipe – will necessitate acquiring some extra supplies. Nina and Woody are fundraising for the project by selling sacks of firewood, as well as golf balls, for $10 at the end of Tamahunga Drive, at the intersection with Matakana Road. The firewood has come from felled trees from properties of family friends, as well as the odd bit of wood the kids

have picked up at the beach or in the bush. The children have been helping Reece to split and bag the wood and have been drawing pictures on the sacks including messages such as ‘keep warm’ and ‘stay safe’. The Bells have begun selling in earnest as restrictions have lifted and have plenty more wood for those interested. The ever-growing skate park that sprung up on Tamahunga Drive caught the attention of locals on their walks during lockdown. “A lot of the kids’ friends from

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

For further information and new enrolments, please contact any of our clinics Snells Beach Mangawhai 145 Mahurangi East Road 4 Fagan Place 09 425 6666 Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday 09 431 4128 Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday Matakana 74 Matakana Valley Road 09 422 7737 Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

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Phone 09 423 8086 for 24/7 urgent doctor service, 8pm-8am.

220 Rodney St (Cnr. SH1 & Matheson Rd), Wellsford

Matakana School have been asking if they can come around and try it out, and we’ve said sure – once lockdown is over,” mum Jodie says. The children have learned a lot of new moves on their boards since lockdown began, including drop-ins, tic tacs, ollies, 180s and fakies. Reece competed in skateboarding competitions when he was a child and decided the quarantine was the perfect time to pass on his skills to his children. Following practice in the driveway, Woody is planning to enter the junior category of the Mangawhai Bowl Jam next year.

Wellsford Birthing Unit Full 2 bedroom birthing and post natal care facility with your own LMC & Registered Nurses 24/7 in attendance. Birthing pool, *FREE baby car seat with admission. 218 Rodney St, Wellsford Health Centre, Wellsford • Enquiries Admin 09 423 6006 and through your midwife

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