Mahurangi Matters_Issue 483_8 July 2024

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” The slip is encroaching on to the road and there is no room for error. Someone will die here soon if it is not repaired.

Leigh fire chief Kevin Lawton

Treacherous slip not on AT’s priority list

A Leigh mother and her two small children are counting their blessings after the car they were travelling in left the road at a slip on Leigh Road, near Upper Whangateau Road, which locals say they have been complaining about for 18 months.

The mother was taking her two sons, aged four and six, to a doctor’s appointment on Friday afternoon, June 21, when one of the boys started to vomit.

Husband Tim Barry said his wife slowed to almost a standstill so she could hand a

bowl to her son, but in that moment of distraction, drove too close to the white line above the slip.

“There were no cones on the road to warn her and by the time she realised, the back wheels were going over,” Barry said. “The car rolled three times. The boys were strapped in and I have no doubt those safety belts saved their lives.”

Days after the event, Barry was still angry that it happened at all.

“If our community leaders are serious

about road safety and saving lives, rather than revenue gathering, this slip would have been fixed a year ago.”

Adding insult to injury, Barry rang Auckland Transport (AT) hoping to talk to someone about what had happened and the urgent need to fix the road, but couldn’t get any further than a customer service officer.

“I couldn’t even speak to a real person.”

An AT spokesperson said contractor Downer regularly reviewed all slip sites.

“The road in this location is considered stable and the slip is not affecting vehicle access,” she said.

“More than 2000 slips occurred on Auckland’s road network in January and February last year, and 800-plus sites needed additional repair work.

“Of the 826 minor and major repairs needed across Auckland, 66 per cent have been completed. This is made up of 36 per cent of major sites and 79 per cent of

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Treacherous slip not on AT’s priority list

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minor sites. In the north rural area, which includes Leigh, there were 326 sites, with 11 currently in construction. A total of 292 (90 per cent) have been completed.

“This slip is on the list of slips to be repaired this year. The design work is done and AT is currently confirming pricing.”

In the meantime, new delineator posts have been put up to alert drivers. Caution advisory signs will also be added for extra awareness.

The state of the road also drew the ire of Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Kevin Lawton, who attended the retrieval of the car.

“It’s disgusting that the road has been left in this state for the past 18 months,” Lawton said. “The slip is encroaching onto the road and there is no room for error. Someone will die here soon if it is not repaired.”

Barry said his wife was mentally feeling very fragile after the accident.

Busy road

The average daily traffic volume (weekdays) on Leigh Road in May this year was 2104 vehicles a day. But during Christmas holidays (December 2023), the average weekday volume reached 4379 vehicles a day.

“You just can’t escape the ‘what ifs’,” he said. “My wife keeps replaying it over in her head. It’s been pretty stressful for the whole family.” AT advised that it could not provide information on the number of complaints that it had received about the slip without an Official Information Request.

Huge SH16 underslip to be fixed at last

After years of accidents, including fatalities, and many failed temporary fixes, Waka Kotahi NZTA is set to fully repair a slipdamaged section of SH16 at Makarau –though not until next year.

Project manager Jamie Rowe told a Rodney Local Board workshop last week that a permanent solution for the 150-metre underslip between Basil Orr Road and Omeru Scenic Reserve was currently being worked on and construction should start by mid-2025.

The stretch of highway has been subject to speed restrictions and surface patching for several years, but the slumps and bumps remain.

Rowe admitted that previous attempts to fix the drainage, subsidence and cracked road surface “weren’t overly successful”, but geotechnical and hydrology teams were determined to find the right solution to the slip, which is still moving by up to

250mm a year.

He said making sure drainage was appropriate and deep enough to deal with inundation and ground saturation in and around the 20-metre deep slip was key to the success of the project.

The workshop heard that drainage work would be carried out first, followed by more expensive piling if that didn’t solve the problem. NZTA endorsement for the project is expected next month and the detailed design due to be completed by the end of the year.

Board member Geoff Upson, who has long campaigned to have the road repaired properly, said NZTA should consider fully closing that section of SH16 when the work took place in a bid to get the job finished as quickly as possible.

Chair Brent Bailey said it was good that something was finally happening.

“Where every farewell tells a beautiful story.”

“We hope that you’re able to get the funding to start the works as fast as humanly possible because we’ve had this for a long time,” he said.

Near neighbour Steven Law, who has persistently lobbied to get the hazardous stretch of highway fixed for years, said he had been told by a former geotechnical engineer that the slip was more like 35 metres deep, “so the cost and the job will be big”.

He added he was glad something was finally being done after 20 years of him trying and being largely ignored or fobbed off by various agencies.

“I believe that it was a problem to start with, soon after it was built in 1966,” he said. “In that time, millions of dollars have been spent patching, drilling, monitoring, and so on, let alone the cost from the traffic incidents. There have been three fatals in this time and a lot of (other) accidents.”

AT’s fix for Leigh Road after the recent crash. Within a week, one of the barrier posts had already been knocked over.

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Zero serious accidents on new motorway in first year

There has not been a single serious crash on the new Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway in its first year in operation, according to NZTA Waka Kotahi data. Between June 16, 2023 and June 17 this year a total of six crashes were reported on the new motorway, none of them involving injuries.

In 15 instances, vehicles hit median barriers – which NZTA said did their job of preventing vehicles from colliding with other vehicles, or from veering off the road. By contrast, over the 12-month period before the motorway opened, the thenstate highway between Warkworth and Pūhoi – now known as Pōhuehue Road – accounted for 29 crashes. Two of those were fatal, two involved serious injuries, five caused minor injuries and 20 had no injuries reported.

In the two-and-a-half years before the motorway opened, there were 105 crashes on the Warkworth-Pūhoi road.

Three were fatal, seven were serious injury crashes, 29 involved minor injuries and 66 were non-injury crashes. (NZTA pointed out that road traffic nationwide, and consequently the number of crashes, dropped during covid Level 4 lockdowns

after March 2020.)

The NZTA data is derived from the Crash Analysis System database. Figures for the new motorway apply to the section from Pūhoi Road to the Pukerito roundabout just north of Warkworth.

An average of 20,000 vehicles travelled the new road each day during its first year, roughly the same number as used the old route before the motorway opened.

But the motorway’s capacity to cope with heavier usage significantly decreased holiday traffic congestion, enhancing the connection between Auckland and Northland, NZTA said.

A peak of some 31,500 vehicles travelled along the motorway on December 27, and roughly the same number again on January 2. In the year prior to the motorway opening, the traffic peak recorded on the old Warkworth – Pūhoi route was about 27,500, on December 30, 2022.

“It’s great to see the contribution of this road towards reduced congestion and improved journeys across the north Auckland transport network continue,” NZTA portfolio manager Mark McKenzie said.

“It has proven to provide a resilient gateway

to Northland, as well as improved safety for all those who use the wider network.

“People are saving up to 20 minutes on their return journeys, with the road separating local traffic from traffic transiting through the area. This has eased congestion on the old SH1 and opened up access to popular destinations between the Auckland and Northland regions.”

NZTA added that the new motorway surface seal and drainage had proven to be resilient, withstanding a number of storms over the year.

The motorway project was a publicprivate partnership between NZTA and the Northern Express Group (NX2), which financed, designed and constructed the road, and will continue to maintain it for the next 24 years.

Non-critical works and quality assurance tests have been carried out over the past year, and finishing touches in the coming months will require some overnight closures. NZTA says these will be advertised in advance, via its website and

social media channels.

On July 1, jurisdiction for the old SH1 reverted to Auckland Transport. The 16.5km route between McKinney and Billing Roads was renamed Pōhuehue Road, an option approved by the Rodney Local Board at a meeting in May (MM, May 27).

Charter school founder sets sights on south Warkworth

An education consultant and former principal hopes to open a charter school for up to 120 Year 7 to 10 students at the old Ransom Wines site, south of Warkworth, early next year.

Alwyn Poole says the former winery in Valerie Close would be ideal for children, as well as for hosting events outside of school hours.

This would be the third charter school Poole has established – in 2002, he wrote a project-based curriculum model that resulted in Mount Hobson Middle School, where he was principal for 18 years. Two more schools based on the same system were later opened in south and west Auckland, following charter school legislation in 2012.

Poole, who lives at Dairy Flat, says Warkworth is the logical choice for the next new middle school, now that charter schools are back on the government agenda.

“The new charter school model is more about finding places where there’s a demand to what’s already being offered in the area,” he says. “Warkworth is a growing place and where people are seeing a need – people have already reached out directly to me.”

Poole’s teaching model splits the school day, with academic work in the morning and arts and activities in the afternoon, and there are just 15 students per class.

“We work on direct teaching of five subjects in the morning – English, maths, science, technology and social studies. There

are eight five-week projects a year and subject teaching is done in those thematic contexts, with each project covering all subject areas,” he says.

“Then in the afternoon, it’s art, music, physical education, community learning (field trips and guests) and community service.”

The cross-curricular projects cover a broad range of diverse topics, from architecture, animals or archaeology to Shakespeare, statistics and sport.

Poole believes this project-based model works far better for Years 7 to 10 than the current primary, intermediate and senior regime.

“The main aim is to get kids to the end of Year 10 in superb shape to excel in their

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final three years,” he says. “In the high school model, they’re often pretty jaded by the time they get to Year 12. This version gives students the opportunity to really get stuck in for their last three years.”

The new school would be fees-free and government-funded, which Poole says should be more than sufficient, not only to pay staff well, but to provide items most parents normally have to provide themselves.

“In the two schools in south and west Auckland, we provided uniform, stationery and IT devices,” he says. “That’s not a response to poverty. Although some families do need help, it’s more to take out the ‘micro-aggression’ children get during the day – it takes away the kid feeling stressed or

dreading the day because they think they’ve got the wrong socks or device.”

Although not finalised, Poole says the proposed Valerie Close location would be ideal for the new middle school.

“It’s a lovely site. We’ll also use it for weddings, conferences and concerts, which is something that schools don’t always do well, but it’s a resource that’s vacant most days after four and at weekends,” he says.

“There are nice deck areas and beautiful open spaces that are ideal for events and for children.”

If all goes to plan, Poole plans to open the Warkworth school in the new year. In the meantime, he is fielding enquiries from local families and potential staff. Info: Email alwyn.poole@gmail.com

The proposed school site is the former Ransom winery.

Poole has been a teacher, rugby coach, principal and BOT member. He writes regularly on NZ education in national media.

Pump track poses threat to pony club, board hears

If a proposed pump track is built at Matakana’s Diamond Jubilee Park, the local branch pony club will no longer be able to exist.

That was the blunt message to Rodney Local Board last month, when Nadia Sakey and Andrea Moore of the Matakana Pony Club spoke on how the Auckland Council-backed project would affect the organisation.

At present, the club has a non-exclusive licence to occupy the majority of the park –although several jumps are sited around the two-hectare space, it is open to the public and non-equine events can potentially be staged there.

The club surrendered its licence to occupy the rest of the parkland, 3400 square metres behind the tennis courts, for community use in 2020.

Although the pump track proposed by Matakana Community Group (MCG) would occupy less than half the back section of that piece of land, Sakey said the tar-sealed wheeled play track for bikes and scooters would take away critical parking for horse floats.

This was because the club was required to

run at least four open events each season to raise funds for district and national pony club levies, as well as for itself.

“Without the shared public space being available for event parking, the club cannot exist,” she said.

Sakey added that there were also health and safety concerns that meant collaboration was not possible.

“Wheels and bikes in motion at speed don’t really mix with young kids on ponies. Even the most well-trained horses spook at sound and the pump track will generate sound,” she said.

“The space is also used for kiwi aversion dog training.”

Sakey claimed that a pump track was not conducive to the space being used for open community use anyway.

“Is the demand for this pump track actually warranted?” she asked. “Has there been a public consultation to say that is what the youth of Matakana want and need?”

Although she conceded it was “a fantastic initiative” and acknowledged that Jubilee Park was the only green space in a rapidly changing landscape, but said the pony club

was growing in popularity and offered “an educational support system for kids”.

Warkworth member Tim Holdgate said pressure on pony clubs and a lack of recreation space generally was a growing problem throughout the region.

“Horses take a large area per person,” he said. “Have you looked at amalgamating with Warkworth and Wellsford? There’s a big lump of land up at Hoteo Hall that could be ideal, if you get in early.”

Chair Brent Bailey said the national NZ Pony Club Association, or regional Waitemata Rodney Area Pony Clubs group, should be lobbying Auckland Council for overall management guidance with regard to public pony club land and its wider use.

“There needs to be an agreement that accommodates both – the issue is there’s no general policy to inform us,” he said.

Michelle Carmichael asked if alternative venues for the pump track had been considered.

Moore said it would be great to work with the MCG to help them try to find an alternative site that would work for the entire community.

Transport turmoil

An apparently straightforward Rodney Local Board meeting to agree feedback on a 10-year transport plan last week descended into confusion after disagreements and the early departure of chair Brent Bailey. The problems started when it was found that there would be no public forum at the extraordinary business meeting to discuss the draft Regional Land Transport Plan. This was questioned by members, as Glen Ashton was present to give his views on unsealed roads.

Bailey said it wasn’t on the standing orders and he’d been advised there was no public forum.

Michelle Carmichael said there had been public forums in previous extraordinary meetings and, after a degree of toing and froing, Ashton was allowed to speak.

(At two previous extraordinary meetings, on May 1 and June 12, public forums had been on the agenda, but it wasn’t for the July 1 meeting. The board’s standing orders say the order of business for such a meeting should be limited to items that are relevant and the chair may allow public input that is relevant.)

Geoff Upson then put forward a lengthy and detailed amendment to the recommended feedback that included a number of specific projects, including replacing pavers in Wellsford and funding for the Matakana Coast Trail.

Carmichael said it needed incorporating into the existing feedback, rather than stand alone as a new recommendation, so members should work to do that.

Bailey disagreed.

“It’s poorly drafted, it’s full of political grandstanding, it actually doesn’t help,” he said. “What we need is to be concise.”

Mark Dennis went further, branding much of Upson’s contribution as “waffle”. Bailey maintained there was no time left to workshop the material, so adjourned the meeting and said he was leaving.

However, deputy chair Louise Johnston then stepped in to chair the meeting, members work-shopped the new material into their recommendations and voted to submit the amended feedback to Auckland Transport.

Les Miller & Jackie Woolerton - Webster Malcolm Law

The pony club uses the community space behind the tennis courts for event parking.

Matakana tennis courts

Community space and proposed pump track location

Matakana Pony Club

Catholic Church confirms its purchase of Ascension Winery

The Catholic Church’s purchase of the former Ascension Wine Estate has gone unconditional, after a consultation process found 85 per cent support among Warkworth parishioners who responded.

The 6.23 hectare property at 480 Matakana Road will become the new home of the Holy Name Catholic Parish, whose Alnwick Street and other local sites will be put up for sale in the coming months.

Settlement on the purchase will take place no earlier than November 29, the beginning of the church’s new liturgical year.

The Catholic Diocese of Auckland has not disclosed the price paid, although the Sotheby’s listing for the landmark winery, which was on the market for almost two years, was $7.5 million. In its consultation document, the parish said the cost of the purchase would be split between the parish and the diocese, with the parish share set at $3,083,584.

The document also said that the estimated value, based on CV, of the Alnwick Street property and vacant land next to the tiny Catholic cemetery near the Pukerito roundabout was $3.4 million.

The diocese said that during consultation, parishioners had opportunities to visit the site early last month, attend a forum a week later, and complete a survey which found 85 per cent of respondents in favour of the move.

“The winery property offers a wedding hall that will be adapted and used as a church with parking, good accessibility, and the capability to become a destination for Catholic weddings,” it said. “Under the proposal, the existing restaurant will be repurposed to provide hospitality for parish events, day retreats, community hire and as a space for both church and local groups to gather.”

The land now under vines will be set aside for future pastoral use, such as the building of a Catholic primary school – although

Ascension was on the market for nearly two years.

that was not likely for at least 10 years, depending on Warkworth’s growth.

The parish’s consultation document noted that its Mass count had grown from 178 in 2003, to 218 in 2013 and 232 in 2023, and cited Auckland Council projections that the town’s population could rise from 5000 to 25,000 by 2048.

Bishop of Auckland Steve Lowe, who took part in last month’s parish meeting and site visit, said it was heartening to hear parishioners looking positively to the future.

“Their bold decision to purchase the property gives them an exciting facility for the parish’s future needs and outreach.”

The diocese statement quoted Pope Francis, in declaring 2025 a Jubilee Year of Prayer, as saying: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”

The purchase of the former winery was an opportunity for Warkworth’s Catholic community to be “renewed in hope, trust and vision”, it added.

Wasting time?

It’s six years since officials from Waste Management NZ (WM) stunned Dome Valley residents with the bombshell news that they were planning to build a huge rubbish dump on their doorstep.

In 2018, WM hoped to start building the Wayby Valley tip by 2022 and begin trucking waste there sometime between 2026 and 2028, when its Redvale landfill at Dairy Flat was due to close.

In the meantime, of course, a series of lengthy hearings and court cases have stalled the bid so far, as local residents, iwi, community and environment groups, and even government departments have fought to have the plans denied.

The legal machinations will grind on this month, with appeals at the High Court against an interim decision by the Environment Court in December, as opponents vow to fight on (MM, Jun 24).

Regardless of where one stands on the siting of the landfill, the length of time it is taking to decide the matter does prompt the question of what happens when Redvale closes and a new dump has yet to be built.

WM maintains that there is a looming waste infrastructure crisis, with Redvale taking about half of Auckland’s waste now, but with “no long-term alternative for Auckland and surrounding regions’ waste”. Auckland Council seems far less concerned about the situation, saying it has looked at current landfills and confirmed that their “combined capacity will see us through to at least 2040”.

However, it does concede that it needs to look beyond then “with private waste companies who are planning infrastructure”, and points out that it has a proposed action “to consider options for a Resource Recovery & Waste Infrastructure Plan” in its latest draft Waste Management & Minimisation Plan.

With its own focus on increased and improved resource recovery, and increasingly rapid technological advances generally, we can’t help wondering if council, WM and the wider waste disposal industry should, after six long years, take a step back and ask themselves whether digging a mighty hole in a pristine, steep-sided valley, which feeds numerous watercourses to the Kaipara Harbour, really is still the best way forward in terms of managing waste in future.

YouSay

Footpath madness

Have you ever wondered what the actual cost of concrete footpaths are?

The Rodney Local Board allocated $24.07 million to design and construct 30 footpaths across Kumeū, Dairy Flat, Wellsford and Warkworth subdivisions. The project will result in 10 kilometres of new pedestrian access, significantly improving connectivity.

Yep…. $2.4 million per km.

I wonder what the true cost actually is. This is sheer madness. While we all support more footpaths, the price is beyond ridiculous. The Local Board has lost its way.

Michael Lorimer, Rodney

Rodney Local Board chair Brent Bailey responded: Our Rodney Local Board Transport Targeted Rate is delivering footpaths in areas that have high pedestrian and housing demands. The costs cover a lot more than just concrete paths. Most areas require significant drainage as the road corridors have unformed berms and drains. This work helps reduce flooding and improves conditions for walking and driving. In built-up environments, designers and contractors work closely with residents, businesses and schools to ensure continued and improved access. There are costs for earthworks, kerb and channel work, footpath construction, consents and traffic management. And that doesn’t include sites that need ancillary infrastructure like retaining walls and long footbridges. The projects are complex and being delivered to a high standard by Auckland Transport and local contractors.

Losing our identity

The article about the eight-week closure for bridge renewals (MM, Jun10) caught my eye. I first wondered where this closure was and then I read that it was on West Coast Road, Glennies Bridge and Stoney Creek Bridge, which are actually in the centre of

the Ahuroa district. But according to the published map in the paper, they are now called Makarau and the Makarau district extends as far as Ahuroa-West Coast Road. I’ve got to wonder why this is. I was raised in Ahuroa, went to school there and spent over 30 years of my early life there.

Ahuroa district, as I know it, extends three or four kilometres west of the fire station, then onto Araparera district, from there on to Kakanui district and then over the hill to the Makarau River and bridge, which denotes the start of that district.

Makarau is about a 25 to 30-minute drive from Ahuroa.

Is this the work of some demented, uninformed boffin in a high rise in Auckland? If so, then get it right – Ahuroa deserves better than this! Give it its full identity back.

I don’t know where our local board stands on this. Maybe they are unfamiliar as to the way things were and should be, or just disinterested.

Ahuroa as I knew it was a proud, hard-working and close-knit farming community, which I’m led to believe still mostly exists today.

Put a stop to this bureaucratic nonsense and give the area back its rightful name that it’s had for well over 100 years.

Mervyn Bayer, Snells Beach

Seawall irony

The irony of commissioner approvals for illegal structures on council land and the seabed (MM, Jun 24) is that the successful applicants caused the erosion they claim to be preventing by removing all natural coastal and marine vegetation to make pretty, sandy, sterile beaches adjacent to green lawns.

One does not have to walk far along the coastal reserve to see that where the

vegetation has been protected, there is no erosion and there is an abundance of bird and marine life. Rewarding environmental vandalism in this way will compromise the Auckland Council’s Coastal Plans to deal with sea level rise.

The sea will have the last word, however, as it rises and destroys these puny constructions and covers the adjacent land and properties.

Elizabeth Foster, Whangateau

Half a path

I am writing as a resident of Albert Street in Leigh. A situation that has taken place in our street – we were told that a footpath would be built and we were shown a printout of the path only going halfway up the road.

My neighbour and I immediately started ringing both Auckland Transport and Rodney Local Board, only to be told it was not their problem.

We emailed local council representatives but never heard back, and recently it was reported that the footpath in Albert Street Leigh had been completed. However, to the ratepayers who live at the top of the road, we feel that we have been let down, as we have to walk down the road to get to the footpath.

Clive Mathers, Leigh Rodney Local Board chair Brent Bailey responded: The Albert Street footpath in Leigh has been built with funding from the Rodney Local Board Transport Targeted Rate. The new footpath has been built on one side of the road and is used by the bowling club, to access the tennis courts, the walkway to Seaview Road and Leigh School, which is opposite. The footpath ends here because extending it further requires more extensive work and expense, owing to the steeper gradient along this section of the road and the impact this work will have on berms and driveways.

Viewpoint

Ivan Wagstaff, Rodney Local Board ivan.wagstaff@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Wellsford representation risk

I believe that together our communities are better and stronger. In our local area, more roads have been sealed this year than in the entire Auckland region combined! This remarkable result demonstrates the ability of our Local Board to work together with our councillor on improving our communities, and fostering connections among our people and towns. However, there’s a critical issue at hand – the proposed local board boundary changes. As a concerned member of our community, I want to shed light on the risks we face regarding our local representation. I want to share why I took an independent stand on this matter at our recent board meeting. Wellsford and Warkworth – and I don’t mean just the towns but our combined rural communities from Puhoi in the south to Te Hana in the north – currently benefit from four representatives. But if Wellsford becomes part of a new North Rural ward, there is no longer a guarantee of a local being selected for Wellsford, and we risk losing half of our representation. Imagine going from four voices advocating for our interests to just two – a potential setback for both business and community outcomes. Would you vote for this?

The proposed changes could lead to representatives from further south, unfamiliar with Wellsford’s specific needs, being elected due to higher population numbers in the south. This lack of direct connection and understanding could indirectly impact Warkworth as well. Representation isn’t just about lines on a map – it’s about addressing the unique

challenges faced by our interconnected communities.

Currently, the boundary defines Wellsford as closely tied to Warkworth. Economically, these two areas share resources and cost-saving measures, working together efficiently. Disrupting this synergy through boundary changes risks undermining the collaboration that benefits both communities.

Local knowledge is crucial for effective representation. Recent floods highlighted the importance of understanding the specific context and needs of rural communities. Having a representative who comprehends Wellsford’s unique challenges and advocates for its interests is essential. Our current model ensures that the voices of these communities are heard and addressed appropriately.

The existing structure amplifies our collective concerns. Losing this strong voice would be detrimental to shared interests. As a resident of a rural area, I’m acutely aware of our community’s needs. I’ll continue to advocate for robust representation, ensuring that rural voices aren’t lost in this debate.

As this issue heads toward consultation, I strongly support preserving the current model that is working for us and working well. Engaging with the community and voicing our opinions is crucial to finding a solution that benefits everyone involved. Let’s work together to ensure our communities remain well-represented and supported.

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Push to protect and prioritise vital Rodney roads

Rodney Local Board is making a bid to get vital transport corridors redesignated by Auckland Transport (AT) to protect them from excessive development and make them a priority for maintenance.

The idea came from Kumeū member Geoff Upson, who said on June 19 it was important to start a discussion now to safeguard vital routes in future, including local roads that were used as a detour when state highways were blocked.

“We are seeing urban development on main, important transport corridors, which we need to think about strategically,” he said. “We wouldn’t build houses on the motorway, so we need to ask the question, at what point do we allow 10,000 houses to be built on the side of a main road?

“And when the Dome Valley is closed because of a slip, or a bus has broken down, state highway traffic is going on local roads, so I think it’s important that we give those roads that act as an alternative route a higher level of consideration for maintenance and upgrades.”

Upson said the steep, narrow Matakana Valley Road was a classic example of this.

Wellsford member Colin Smith said Upson’s proposal should be supported.

“We’ve got to get this started somewhere, because we’ve got a massive land use change in Rodney,” he said. “The quarries at Whangaripo used to be for local work, now they’re used for the whole of Auckland. You’re looking at subdivisions going in all along that road and it’s bloody dangerous.”

Mark Dennis wondered if it was a waste of time for the local board, as roading was more of a regional issue, but Upson disagreed.

“We’ve got to start at the bottom and work our way up,” he said “I’m thinking about the people who have to travel across, through, past, around Rodney – we all rely on these roads.

“We need to keep houses and transport corridors separate.”

Members voted to request that AT designate vital transport corridors in the Rodney Local Board area, or connecting with it, as Regional Strategic Roads “to provide protection for road users into the future and provide a higher level of priority for maintenance and resilience work”.

Upson’s motion also said priority should be given to transport corridors with high traffic volumes or that serve as detour routes when the state highway network is closed or congested.

Chair Brent Bailey was alone in voting against the motion.

Lanterns light up Kaiwaka

600 people attended the

on June 23.

The afternoon featured a range of family-friendly events including a treasure hunt with around 200 lucky dip prizes and a hotly contested gumboot throwing competition. Cooper Jager won the under-6 years trophy, throwing 11.5 metres; Callum Alexander took out the 7 to 12 year olds’ trophy with an 18 metre throw, and Greg Campbell claimed the adult title with an astonishing 26 metre throw. Other competitions included three-legged races, egg and spoon races, and the wildly popular egg toss and catch competition.

The highlight of the evening was the creative lanterns, many of which were made at a workshop held on the day. First prize went to Amara Ashton, and prizes for most creative and for best kids lanterns were also awarded.

The light parade wound around Kaiwaka streets before returning to the pavilion, where Circus Kumarani performed a fire show.

Organisers thanked all the generous sponsors who had helped make the day a success.

Next year’s festival has tentatively been set for Saturday, June 14.

Design | Manufacture | Installation

About

annual Kaiwaka Lantern Festival held at the Kaiwaka Sports Association facilities

Photo, Juanita Long.

Photos, Pablo Garcia.

Conservationist honoured

Conservationist Sally Richardson has been awarded Forest & Bird’s prestigious Old Blue award for her environmental work over two decades and her contribution to Forest & Bird.

Richardson was chair of the Warkworth Area Branch for more than eight years until last year and was a long-time committee member.

She has also been a stalwart of numerous conservation projects, including the Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society, which she has chaired since last year, Pest Free Warkworth, the restoration of Kōwhai Park and the Sesquicentennial Walkway. Former Warkworth area branch secretary Raewyn Morrison said Sally was a powerful advocate for nature.

“Sally personifies Forest & Bird’s values and is a force for nature,” she said.

Richardson said she was honoured to receive the award, but added the key to her achievements was the people around her.

“It’s been so important to me to have people around me who are workers. Our teamwork means we have had some impressive achievements around this area,” she said.

Richardson retired from teaching last year after a half century career. She would often take children to islands in Hauraki Gulf such as Tiritiri Matangi and she led adult groups to Hauturu/Little Barrier Island and Whakaari White Island.

“I think it’s important to give people the chance to see what’s around them and what they can do to protect it. It’s all about advocacy; people only care about the things they know about.”

As part of her advocacy role, she organised winter talks and summer walks for the branch and has worked closely with communities, schools, agencies, iwi, media and businesses in her region.

She has been involved in the nursery at Tāwharanui, which propagates up

Long-time conservationist Sally Richardson.

to 20,000 plants each year, kiwi call monitoring and the monitoring and feeding of takahē. She has also been involved in species relocations, including kīwī, wetapunga and lizards.

In 2006, Richardson won a Royal Society Fellowship and spent the year promoting New Zealand reptiles. Twice a year, she takes a group of volunteers to the Chatham Islands, Rēkohu, to do conservation and gardening work.

She hopes her main legacy will be the education of students.

“I hope I’ve helped to open their eyes to nature and what needs to be done to remedy some of the unfortunate environmental mistakes our forebears made.”

The Old Blue award commemorates the last breeding female black robin, karure or kakaruia, which thanks to the work led by pioneering conservationist Don Merton, was saved from extinction in the1980s.

The only other Auckland recipient this year was Richard Hursthouse, from the North Shore.

Previous local winners include the late Dr Roger Grace and Neil Sutherland, of Leigh.

Enviro Expo delights visitors

Awareness of conservation issues and opportunities in the Mahurangi region were the focus of the inaugural Enviro Expo held at the Warkworth Town Hall on June 22.

Organisers estimate more than 150 people attended and the feedback they received was positive.

The family-friendly event was organised by Restore Rodney East (RRE) and The Forest Bridge Trust RRE facilitator Sarah Churchouse said attendees were excited about the interactive exhibits and enjoyed learning about the mahi taking place across Rodney and Kaipara.

A total of 30 groups participated.

The Virtual Reality (VR) station was a highlight, captivating people of all ages.

“The stunning cinematography allowed people to virtually swim with whales and shoals of snapper, providing a unique

underwater experience in the Hauraki Gulf,” Churchouse said.

“Blake NZ’s narrative conveyed the urgent need to protect our marine life to ensure the gulf thrives for future generations.”

Churchouse believes the expo was successful in encouraging families to discover ways to get involved, whether through waste management, composting, backyard trapping or volunteering.

One delightful surprise was a visit from a cuddly larger-than-life Kiwi.

“Families stayed for long periods of time, children were highly engaged, going from one exhibit to another, with so much to touch and feel and learn in one place. We know we hit the right note where technology meets the natural world and makes for a fun family event.”

Churchouse says the success of the event means it is very likely to be repeated sometime in the future.

Exhibitors were kept busy explaining their programmes to interested expo visitors.

Normally nocturnal, this kiwi was happy to break with routine to attend the Warkworth event.

The Forest Bridge Trust

Nikki Morgan, Marketing and Comms www.theforestbridgetrust.org.nz

Volunteers track kiwi calls

Volunteers across New Zealand are again lending their ears to the annual kiwi call count. Over several evenings, volunteers will listen to the distinctive calls of kiwi at designated listening stations. When kiwi calls are monitored consistently in the same locations over several years, it provides valuable insights into the trends in kiwi numbers and distribution. Are volunteers hearing more, fewer or the same number of birds compared to previous years? Are kiwi still in the same locations, or has their habitat range shrunk or expanded? Monitoring over time helps us understand how the kiwi population is faring and how their habitat may change.

With the recent translocation of kiwi to Maunga Tamahunga, we have a new population in our area and there is great interest in understanding their progress and movements. The Tamahunga Trappers have been monitoring the released kiwi using radio tracking, which provides valuable data on the population. However, that method can only be used for a limited time, after which the transmitters are removed and the primary tool for assessing population success becomes call count monitoring. Since we know the exact number of kiwi in the Tamahunga population, initiating call count monitoring allows us to establish a baseline dataset calibrated against a known bird count. It’s important to note that chicks born last year are not radio-tracked, so their dispersal (typically averaging 6km) is unpredictable. Therefore, having monitoring posts beyond the release site is essential. These juveniles will start calling when they reach maturity at around two to three years old. So what is an ideal outcome?

A ‘high density’ kiwi population typically registers around five calls an hour on average. Last year, Tāwharanui recorded an impressive average of approximately 11 calls an hour, indicating a densely populated area. This is why Tāwharanui is now a source for translocations and reintroductions such as at Tamahunga.

Kaipara Kiwi hosted its annual kiwi listening evening at Mataia in early June and the results exceeded expectations. In total, 117 calls were recorded across four sites in two hours, giving an impressive 14.6 calls an hour. However, achieving these targets can be a gradual process, often taking several years of concerted conservation efforts.

With the encouraging growth of the kiwi population across the Forest Bridge, our focus must shift to the protection and care of these precious taonga. Maintaining predator control measures and trapping networks is crucial for kiwi chicks to survive into adulthood. The solemn fact is that only five per cent of chicks born in the wild reach adulthood, due to predation by stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats and feral cats. Dogs pose another significant threat to kiwi. We urge dog owners to keep their pets on leads in known kiwi areas and to enrol their dogs in our 15-minute Kiwi Avoidance Dog Training. Visit our website to complete an expressions of interest form or email michelle@theforestbridgetrust. org.nz and we will let you know when a training session is scheduled for your area. Info: https://savethekiwi.nz/, https://tamahungatrappers.org.nz/, https://www.facebook.com/KaiparaKiwi/, https://www.theforestbridgetrust.org.nz/

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Pets Vets Corner

Pet of the Month

Varick

Varick is a stud male alpaca from a farm up north. His owner came home from a day at work to find him 3 legged lame in the middle of his paddock. His leg was very swollen and at an unusual angle, very obviously catastrophically fractured.

Fracture repair of any farm animal is fraught with risk and difficulty, and the reality is that many owners opt for euthanasia in the event of a catastrophic fracture. Varick’s owner was very keen that we try to save him though as he is a highly valued and much loved stud male alpaca.

He was transported down to us in a horse float which was unhitched and left with us to accommodate him post operatively. Surgery involved applying an external fixator. 6 large stainless steel pins were inserted through his tibia and attached to stainless steel support bars which were trimmed to size immediately pre surgically by the good staff at Warkworth Sheetmetals. The entire surgery took 3 hours and involved most of the staff at Warkworth Vets in one way or another.

Varick recently had his 6 week post op xrays and at this stage is progressing very well. We hope to have the hardware removed in another month, thereafter he will be back to the girls on the grassy slopes overlooking the Kaipara harbour.

Vets: Jon Makin BVSc, Danny Cash BVSc and Associates

WARKWORTH VETS

VETERINARY HOSPITAL COAST 2 COAST VETS

Phone 09 425 8244 (Warkworth) 09 423 7048 (Wellsford)

24 hour 7 day a week emergency cover Now open 8 am until 2pm Saturdays

Science Solar: a climate restoration promise

Emeritus

Professor Ralph Cooney ONZM, FRSNZ r.cooney@auckland.ac.nz

An editorial in the most recent Economist (June 20) explains why solar, an energy source that gets cheaper and cheaper, will make a leading contribution to the pursuit of zero carbon in NZ and across the planet. A silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell is a reproducible item. When the PV cell is exposed to sunlight, a surface charge develops which, when drawn off by an applied voltage, will generate about seven watts of electric power. This year, about 70 billion of these PV cells will be manufactured in the form of panels. They can be attached to almost any architectural structure as cladding to make the building energy independent. The ease with which solar cells can be reproduced, ensures that solar energy will become cheaper as time passes.

Scaled-up solar energy has been deployed in China and India as massive PV farms occupying up to 60 square kilometres of landscape – enough to power a city with clean, silent, sustainable energy. In Thailand, a PV array of 145,000 panels is floated on waterways to capture the solar energy during sunlight hours and then pumped off by turbines during the night. This type of water-based presentation is called a floatovoltaic farm and the cooling effect of the water makes the PV panels operate more efficiently.

According to the Economist article, over the duration of last year, solar energy produced about 1600 trillion hours of energy, which was 6 per cent of the global energy produced that year. During a single

day this year, the world is expected to produce about 700 times the quantity of solar energy produced in the year 2004. This astonishing rate of cheaper and clean energy growth will mean that solar energy will outgrow fossil fuel in any case.

A further advantage of silicon solar energy is that the technology continues to present a variety of opportunities for higher efficiency arising from improved materials and clever designs that capture more sunlight. We are also seeing parallel improvements with wind turbines, so the advantages of combining solar by day and wind by day and night will enhance both energy sources.

In the NZ context, the advantages of solar energy begin with a direct reduction in the cost of household power. The addition of solar panels and a battery to a home will add capital value to the property and will make that property more resaleable. Including a solar battery will enable the difficulties of power outages to be better managed without the need of dieselpowered generators and their associated health risks. Finally, using solar panels to provide power for an Electric Vehicle (EV) delivered via a home charger makes the EV cheap to run compared to petrol cars, petrol hybrids or even EVs powered by commercial fast chargers. This is even true when Road User Charges (RUC) are included, which has been demonstrated by Prof. Shaun Hendy in a recent report in the NZ Herald.

Dorothy Goudie

Former Warkworth retailer Dorothy Goudie passed away quietly at Waikanae Lodge on May 31.

Dorothy’s dress shop in Neville Street was an institution in Warkworth for more than 30 years, attracting customers from all over the North Island.

It started with $3000 worth of stock in a converted garage where Woolworths now stands, before moving further down the road to the premises that Harveys now occupies.

in those days.

The business weathered several economic downturns and Dorothy was always a strong advocate for Warkworth and its business community, joining numerous campaigns to reinvigorate the town centre.

Prior to opening the shop, Dorothy worked for the Warkworth Town Council, based in the Warkworth Town Hall, when Harry

Initially, it stocked a range of dresses, skirts and blouses, as well petticoats, garter belts and stockings, which were all a standard part of any well-dressed woman’s apparel

Dorothy is survived by her two children, Jane Embury and Paul Goudie.

A link to a Local Folk interview with Dorothy in 2012 can be found with this story online.

Warkworth

Sculptureum donation scheme set to boost local hospice care

The Matakana art and sculpture park

Sculptureum and Harbour Hospice have formed a 12-month fundraising partnership.

Until June next year, every Sculptureum ticket booked online using a special promocode will generate a $5 or $10 donation to hospice.

Sculptureum manager Tessa Hazel says choosing to support the charity, which cares for one in three people who are dying in the community, was an easy decision.

“When I was younger, a very close family friend of ours was in hospice care, and the incredible support our families received left a permanent imprint on me,” Tessa says. Harbour Hospice fundraiser Emily Thomas says hospice is incredibly grateful for this opportunity.

“We endeavour to support patients and their families in a holistic way so that they can focus on what brings them joy in life, and Sculptureum is all about bringing people joy.”

Meanwhile, Tessa hopes the partnership will encourage more people to visit Sculptureum, which has been ranked by Trip Advisor as the

fourth best attraction in Auckland.

She especially hopes families who are receiving hospice care will take up the opportunity.

“The gardens and galleries can be a real escape and allow you to be in the moment and forget about what you’re going through. There are minimal descriptors, so that people just enjoy the experience and make their own mind up about the art.

“The pieces we have are not your traditional paintings or pieces of art. Owners Anthony and Sandra Grant see so many things as art and they don’t like the idea of being constrained by rules about what art should look like. If it brings you joy, then it’s art.”

Sculptureum features curated gardens which are easily accessed by 1.4km of wheelchair-friendly pathways, and it also houses art galleries and a restaurant.

More than 800 pieces of art from all over the world are on display and the exhibitions are updated with new pieces every three months.

“You can experience a Picasso or Cezanne next to an inexpensive print, or see a sophisticated figurine by French sculptor

Goosebumps galore at midwinter swim

The weather cleared and the sea calmed for the annual Mid-Winter Swim in Leigh last month. Around 100 brave souls, including many children, took part. The starting whistle was blown by Betty Howell, accompanied by Averill Lovegrove, who are both in their mid-90s. Organiser Jan Scott thanked the community for its support of the event, which continues to grow each year. Leigh School and preschool outdid themselves with home baking, soup and sausages, and raised more than $1000. Leigh Community Patrol and Waste Free Leigh sewing group were also present. Scott says the regular Leigh swimmers group continues to grow, with people participating for both exercise and social connection. She thanked sponsors Pak’nSave and Goose Bakery.

terminally ill patients and their families.

Auguste Rodin grouped with a ceramic owl ornament you might find in your grandmother’s lounge. There is a stunning piece made from kitchen forks, and another from cable ties.”

To generate a donation to Harbour Hospice as well as receive a special discounted rate, book tickets online using the promocodes Hospiceadult or Hospicefamily at www.sculptureum.nz/

Fitness friends raise funds

The Breast Cancer Foundation is nearly $2000 better off thanks to Fitness Matakana members, who ran a special Pink Ribbon event on June 23. The fundraiser started with an RPM cycle class at 8am, followed by Body Pump and Body Balance classes. Participants could choose to attend one, two or all three sessions, and donate $20 to join. Gym owner Joy Earley said that breast cancer impacted many people, either directly or through acquaintances, which made the fundraiser especially significant. “It was rewarding to help raise funds and awareness for such an important cause,” she said.

Sculptureum manager Tessa Hazel is familiar with the work hospice does in caring for

New gallery adds a splash of colour to Queen Street

Art lovers will welcome the recent opening of the Saltwater Gallery next to Pets North in Queen Street Warkworth.

Owners Grant and Sally Marshall describe the gallery as a curated space with an eclectic mix of hand-picked prints and originals.

“We buy directly from the artists, many of whom we have known for years now,” they say.

The collection includes work by some of NZ’s top artists, including Dick Frizzell, Mark Cross, Jane Puckey, Jane Ballantyne and Richard Shanks. Both Grant and Sally also have work on display, with Sally’s paintings and Grant’s photographs.

“I’m what you would call a lazy artist,” Grant says. “I don’t have the patience for painting but I do enjoy photography.”

The gallery specialises in large format prints and can customise sizes if required. It is also opening on weekends.

“Buying art is a heart decision and normally it’s something that couples do together, so it makes sense to have the doors open when people aren’t at work and have the time to browse. Sometimes it can take numerous

visits before the purchase it finally made. We try to make the experience easier by offering a delivery service for the large pieces, which includes hanging the artwork if required.”

The Marshalls are no strangers to the area, having previously run galleries in Matakana and Orewa. Sally was also, until recently, the owner of Home Matakana in the village, but since its sale, her focus has shifted squarely to the gallery.

The couple is enthusiastic about Warkworth’s future.

“The town has huge potential and one of the best things is that it is now bypassed by State Highway 1,” Grant says. “It may not feel like it just at the moment, but it creates tremendous opportunity. With the river and bridge, and its authentic place as the region’s hub, it could become a town like Cambridge.”

They only blot on the horizon is Watercare. Grant says he is determined to fight any proposal to route the sewer through the town centre and will use his considerable experience in marketing and PR to make sure it doesn’t happen.

“It’s not our first rodeo, either!” he says.

Whether it’s muscular strain, sore joints, hip, back or neck

or headaches, pop into see Tim at Mahurangi Health Collective before the end of July and get your first session ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Tim has almost 30 years experience treating all ages, specialising in pregnancy and cranial osteopathy for newborns, but you will have to be quick – limited appointment times are expected to fill up fast!

09 834

Each artwork in the new gallery is hand chosen by Sally and Grant Marshall.

Libraries look to the stars for holiday fun

It’s no surprise that Matariki is the theme for this school holiday at local libraries, with free activities for all ages ranging from stargazing and yoga to racing robots and marine discovery.

Stretching, bending and staying still will all be on the agenda during two Matariki yoga sessions for kids, which are being run by Zuzana from Little Yoga at Warkworth and Wellsford Libraries this Monday and Tuesday, July 8 and 9.

The team from Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre will be at Warkworth on July 9 to talk about the role of snapper, kōura, kina and seaweed in the moana, or ocean, and the importance of marine protection areas.

On a similar theme, children can actually meet a mermaid on July 11 at Warkworth, when Auckland Council’s WasteWise team drop in to share games, activities and tips for going plastic-free.

Warkworth also has a visit from awardwinning local author Maria Gill on July 16, who will talk about the smallest thing on Earth and the biggest thing in the Universe, with plenty of fun star-themed activities as well.

Wellsford Library is running a Kahui Whetū, or constellation, competition. To enter, children can either use a library template or create their own star, then colour and decorate it, give it a name – the more fabulous, the better, organisers say –and drop it into the library by the end of the month.

To make it easier for entrants, the library is running two Kahui Whetū workshops on Monday, July 8 and 15, both at 2pm, with plenty of craft materials and art supplies on hand to help everyone make their own special star.

Sticking with the same theme, the library is running a session showing how to light up the stars with a home-made constellation projector on July 10.

Then it’s back down to earth on July 11 to take a special look at the Peter Gossage classic, Battle of the Mountains – Te Pakanga a ngā Maunga – with his daughter, renowned Pakiri artist Ra Gossage. As well as hearing the much-loved story, there’s a chance to make and decorate a model maunga to take home.

Meanwhile, with the Mahurangi East Library at Snells Beach closed for major renovations, staff are hoping young readers will help them to brighten up their temporary building in the tennis club carpark.

Entrants simply have to create a colourful picture or design on an A4 sheet of paper of what Matariki means to them and their whanau.

“We would like to put these pictures up on the outside wall of our temporary portacom that we are using as our library,” says a staff member.

What’s happening

and where ...

WARKWORTH

Monday, July 8, 10.30am

Matariki Yoga with Little Yoga Free, fun yoga session for kids by Zuzana from Little Yoga Warkworth. Limited space, so contact the library to reserve a spot – email warkworth.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Tuesday, July 9, 10.30am

Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre Experience Interactive session with the team from the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre to learn about the

Activities to keep the entire family happy these school holidays... and maybe a li le something extra for yourself!

332 Mahurangi East Road (09) 425 5821 snellsbeachpharmacy.co.nz

We go the extra mile to put a smile on your dial

importance protecting the mauri of our moana through the story of the snapper, kōura, kina and seaweed.

Wednesday, July 10, 10.30am

Paper Plane Extravaganza Design, fold and fly your own paper planes, as well as an aero-launcher. Aerodynamic testing sessions and prizes to be won.

Thursday, July 11, 10.30am

Meet a Mermaid Interactive drop-in session with the WasteWise team and a real-life Auckland Mermaid. Games, activities and tips for going plastic-free.

Monday, July 15, 10.30am

Love the Earth Storytime and Craft Special storytime featuring stories, songs, rhymes and a craft. Recommended for ages 2-7.

Tuesday, July 16, 10.30am

Look to the Stars with Maria Gill Local award-winning author Maria Gill will share fascinating facts, amazing quizzes, an eye-popping demo and fun star activities.

Wednesday, July 17, 10.30am and 2pm

Matariki Robots A race for Codey Rocky robots around the Matariki stars. Ages 6+, registration required: email warkworth. library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Thursday, July 18, 1.30pm

Weaving with Wool & Fabric Chance to learn to weave with a loom and make something to take home. Ages 5+, booking essential: email: warkworth. library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

WELLSFORD

Monday, July 8, 2pm

Kahui Whetū Workshop One of two sessions to make, decorate and name a star for the Kahui Whetū – constellation – prize competition. Craft materials and art supplies provided.

Tuesday, July 9, 11am

Matariki Yoga with Little Yoga Free, fun yoga session for kids by Zuzana from Little Yoga Warkworth.

Wednesday, July 10, 2pm

DIY Constellation Projector Make your

Thursday, July 11, 2pm

Battle of the Mountains – Te Pakanga a ngā Maunga Pakiri artist Ra Gossage will revisit this classic story by her late father, author and storyteller Peter Gossage, plus maunga model-making.

Friday, July 12, 2pm

LEGO Club Matariki-themed session with the library’s huge LEGO collection making Tukutuku – Maori lattice – panels.

Monday, July 15, 2pm

Kahui Whetū workshop One of two sessions to make, decorate and name a star for the Kahui Whetū – constellation – prize competition. Craft materials and art supplies provided.

Tuesday, July 16, 10.30am and 2pm

Matariki Robots A race for Codey Rocky robots around the Matariki stars. Limited places. To book a slot, email wellsford. library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Wednesday, July 17, 2pm

Winter Games Try-out session with Wellsford Library’s new range of games. Players get a star sticker for every new game played.

Thursday, July 18, 10.30am

Wishing Stars in a Jar Making paper wishing stars and decorating a wishing star jar. BYO jar (optional)

Friday, July 19, 2pm

LEGO Club Make and create session with the library’s huge LEGO collection.

MAHURANGI EAST

The library team at Snells Beach is running a Matariki art competition for two age groups – five to 12-year-olds and those who are aged 13 to 18. Entrants simply have to draw or create a colourful picture or design on an A4 sheet of paper of what Matariki means to them and their whanau.

As the main library is closed for building works, entries can be dropped in to the temporary library portacom in the tennis club carpark at 296 Mahurangi East Road from now until Sunday, July 21.

Info: www.aucklandlibraries.govt.

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Open: 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm Friday.

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Nutrition

Nicole Wilson, Registered nutritionist www.nutritionkitchen.co.nz

Takeaway alternatives

In our fast-paced world, it is tempting to opt for takeaway meals when time is short. However, frequent consumption of takeaways can lead to poor nutritional choices. Takeaway foods are often high in salt, fat and sugar, and low in vegetables. That’s not to say that there isn’t a place for takeaways, but when you are reaching for them more often than not – that’s when they can have a negative impact on our health. The good news is that there are numerous quick and healthy meal ideas that can be prepared at home, offering convenience, nutrition and variety. Here are some tips and ideas for quick, healthy meals instead of takeaways.

Plan ahead

Planning your meals in advance can save time and reduce the temptation to order takeaways. Spend a few minutes each week planning your meals and making a shopping list. This way, you’ll have all the necessary ingredients on hand and won’t be left wondering what to cook at the last minute.

Keep it simple

Healthy meals don’t need to be complicated. Focus on recipes with a few ingredients that can be prepared quickly. For instance, a stir-fry with vegetables and tofu or chicken can be made in under 30 minutes. Serve over brown rice or quinoa for a balanced meal. Save time and energy – grab a bag of frozen stir-fry veg, which are chopped and ready to go.

Use fresh and pre-cut ingredients

Many supermarkets offer pre-cut vegetables, pre-washed salad greens,

and even pre-cooked grains. These can be lifesavers when you’re in a hurry, significantly cutting down on preparation time. You can even do your own pre-cut vegetables – store in sealed containers in the fridge, they’ll keep for a few days.

Batch cooking and freezing

Batch cooking is an excellent strategy for ensuring you have healthy meals ready to go. Prepare a large batch of your favourite healthy dishes such as soups, stews or casseroles, and freeze individual portions. This way, you’ll have nutritious, homemade meals ready to heat ’n’ eat when you’re short on time.

One-pot meals

One-pot meals are a great way to save time on both cooking and cleaning. Dishes like chilli, pasta and casseroles can be made in a single pot or pan, reducing the number of dishes you need to wash.

Healthy snacks and sides

In addition to main meals, keep healthy snacks and sides on hand to round out your diet. Fresh fruit, yogurt, nuts and cutup vegetables with hummus are all quick, nutritious options. These can be great additions to your meals or healthy snacks to keep you satisfied between meals. Choosing quick, healthy meals over takeaways doesn’t have to be difficult. With a bit of planning, simple recipes and smart shopping, you can enjoy nutritious meals that are just as convenient as takeaways. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll also save money and have greater control over what goes into your food.

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Cuisine

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

Velvety smooth soups

Root vegetables are the bargain of the winter vegetable season, and the cold weather is when they’re at peak flavour. Potatoes and kumara are the usual favourites, but on a recent trip to Southland, I was introduced to the marvel of the swede. Talking with a local arable farmer, I had my misconceptions around this hearty vegetable dispelled. As kids, they grew up snacking and chewing on freshly unearthed raw swedes right there in the paddocks. So sweet, this farmer told me!

(Arable farming is a whole other story. In a nutshell, as New Zealand farmers, we are well regarded around the world for our mastery of pastoral farming, raising high quality beef and lamb on the verdant pastures of grass, clover, plantain, chicory and herbal, so we can claim all our animals are grass-fed. Alongside that there are farmers who devote their land to raising edible crops and these are our arable farms, growing grains for harvest, as well as swedes, carrots, parsnips and so much more.)

My favourite way with any root vegetable is to roast it, as the cooking process allows the natural sugars in the vegetables to develop and become much richer than if steamed or boiled. Dinner guests always request roast potatoes. The secret of the best roast spuds is to choose Agria as they have loads of flavour and are guaranteed to be fluffy on the inside while gaining a crisp exterior. For a perfect roast potato, peel your Agrias and cut into halves or quarters. Bring to the boil in salted water and cook until almost tender – over-boiled potatoes will become mushy. Have the oven ready at 190C and heat a little olive oil in the roasting pan before adding the par-boiled spuds with a couple of tablespoons of butter. Bake for at least an hour, tossing them occasionally so they’re evenly golden and crisp. Those swedes from Southland would be good, too!

Roasting root vegetables for a velvety soup will ensure maximum flavour. In this week’s recipe, I combine two of my favourites, carrots and parsnips, and then give the soup a little Pacific touch with the addition of coconut cream and a touch

6 large carrots

2 large parsnips

4 tbsp grapeseed oil

1 onion

6cm piece of ginger

1 litre of chicken stock

Small tin coconut cream (165mls)

2 limes

Salt and pepper to taste

Small pinch of sugar

Small bunch of coriander (or fresh parsley)

Set the oven to 190C. Peel and chop the carrots and parsnips and add to a roasting dish, tossing the vegetables in two tablespoons of the oil. Place in the oven and roast for 35 minutes until the edges are just starting to caramelise, and are softened and fragrant. Remove from the oven.

Meanwhile, chop the onion and peel and grate the ginger. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onion and ginger and allow to soften over gentle heat. Toss the roasted vegetables into the pan with the onion and stir well together over low heat for a minute or two,

Using a stick blender or a food processor, drain and retain the cooking liquid. Puree the carrot and parsnip mixture until it is smooth and silky with a cup of the liquid. Return to the pan with the rest of the saved liquid, and add salt and pepper to taste with a small pinch of sugar. Reheat gently and add the grated rind and juice of the limes. Add the coconut cream and bring to a simmer.

Chop the coriander, keeping aside a few sprigs for garnish, and stir this through the soup.

To serve, ladle the soup into heated bowls and sprinkle with a little freshly ground black pepper and a sprig or two

Carrot, parsnip and coconut soup with ginger, lime and coriander

Theatre brings clan leader to life

Over two consecutive weekends this month, the Otamatea Repertory Theatre (ORT) in Maungaturoto will take a step back in time to 16th century Ireland, presenting the story of one of that country’s most famous characters.

Written by Maura Flower, The Pirate Queen is the story of Gráinne O’Malley, a famous pirate and dynasty leader who resisted the English conquest of Gaelic Ireland.

“Gráinne O’Malley was one of the world’s most extraordinary female leaders,” Maura says. “This is the remarkable story of one woman’s quest for the survival of her people, amongst the social and political upheaval of the times.”

Performances of the two-hour musical will be held at 7pm on July 12, 13, 19 and 20, and at 2pm on July 13, 14, 20 and 21.

Maura says there are 37 youngsters in the cast, ranging in age from eight to 18, with about half of them teenagers.

Show director Peter Flower takes a break from rehearsals, with the lute he made for the show.

The production should appeal to all ages, with something for everyone.

“We have sword fights, ships, political intrigue, fine 16th century music and dance, Irish folk music – some in Gaelic – and dancing, rousing sea-shanties, wonderful singing, awesome costumes, great easy-to-understand narrations and a hint of romance,” she says.

Maura adds that ORT productions are renowned for their amazing lighting and production values.

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/thepirate-queen

Refurbished hall reopens

The Whangateau community will celebrate the return of its heritage listed hall with a celebration on Saturday, July 20. The 126-year-old hall has been closed since March for a major refurbishment, which included structural strengthening of the existing roof frame, the replacement of decayed timber and the installation of ‘tree oak’ heritage profile corrugated roof cladding, along with new porch canopies. Spouting and downpipes were also replaced, and leaks and damage to interior linings were addressed. The existing ramp handrails were also replaced.

Daffodil bingo

The $310,000 project was funded from Rodney Local Board’s renewal budget. The celebration on July 20 will start at 10am.

Organisers are hoping both Matakana and Leigh Primary Schools will participate with kapa haka performances, and there will be various old-fashioned races and games for children, a BBQ, cupcakes, craft activities and raffles.

The event will be a combined Whangateau Resident & Ratepayers and Whangateau Hall Committee event, and everyone is welcome.

The annual ANZ Daffodil Day Bingo Night will be held at the Warkworth Bowling Club, in Mill Lane, on Wednesday, August 7. Admission will be $25 per person, which includes nibbles on arrival, dinner and bingo. Tickets available from the ANZ Warkworth branch or call Charlene Morrison on 021 831488 to reserve a seat. Doors will open at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.

WINTER

Henry Wong Doe

After

Sales and prices warm despite winter’s chill

House sales across Auckland rose slightly last month compared to May, according to Barfoot & Thompson director Stephen Barfoot.

“From a price perspective, June’s trading was positive, with the median price at $1,020,000, hovering around where it has been for the previous three months,” Barfoot said.

“The median price was 2.5 per cent higher than for June last year, although the average sales price was more robust, edging up 4.5 per cent to $1,236,336.

“This is 12.6 per cent ahead of where it was this time last year. Both the median and average sales prices are now sitting well above the bottom of the price cycle, which was experienced in June and July last year.”

Sales numbers at 681 were down a quarter on those for last month.

“May was a standout month for sales and there is invariably a seasonal decline in sales as winter approaches.”

Barfoot said that sales in the first six months of this calendar year were well ahead of the first six months trading last year.

“This year, we have sold 4499 homes compared to 3513 last year, an increase of 28.1 per cent.

“With overall higher sales numbers and prices remaining constant, the market remains in recovery mode rather than going backward.”

A high number of new listings continued to hit the market (1506), and Barfoots had 5736 properties on its books at the end of June, nearly a third higher than in June last year.

“A feature of June’s trading was the strength of sales in the top price segments, with 61, or nine per cent of sales, being above $2 million, with 19 of these sales being more than $3 million.”

Taking their time

Independent agent Donna Wyllie says the one thing that has changed in the market is that buyers are no longer in a hurry.

“The fear of missing out is gone,” she says.

“Buyers are looking for completely finished

properties, as most don’t have cash left over after buying a property to do it up. The preference is for new with double glazing.”

Wyllie says the buyers she is seeing are a mix of locals moving house, some Aucklanders relocating and some first home buyers.

Barfoot & Thompson’s Warkworth branch manager Sara-Jayne Kingston believes there will be a flood of investment properties coming onto the market following the brightline rule change, which took effect on July 1.

“Investors who bought in the excitement of the post-covid period on low interest rates are now seriously hurting, with rates having trebled, while rents have risen marginally by comparison,” she says.

“This may not mean that vendors will get great results, but they will meet the market in order to stop topping up their investments.”

Kingston says the number of properties on the market in Warkworth with home and income options often surprises buyers.

“These types of properties not only provide an alternative income opportunity, but are often equipped with space for the boat, campervan and extended family to come and stay. With space becoming sparse in the city, buyers are pleased to find that there is real value for money in our region.”

Kingston says that having only recently taken on the role of branch manager in Warkworth, she has noticed that life in Mahurangi is about enjoying a slower-paced lifestyle.

“This may contribute to the fact that buyers take their time to make decisions as many of the properties are for sale by negotiation, rather than by auction as they are in the city.

“It’s also noticeable that most open homes are held on a Sunday only, as Saturday is reserved for sports, fishing and families.

“There isn’t the same urgency to get prepared to bid on a property, and the priority is given to taking the time to make the right choice for you. Currently, there is so much choice for buyers in the market, so waiting for a property that ticks all of the boxes, not just a few of them, is a luxury buyers can afford.”

Vendors facing up to home truths

In and around Wellsford, it’s a buyers’ market and vendors wanting to sell are having to face up to reality, according to Mike Pero owner Jon Standbrook.

He says there are two categories that are currently predominant – lifestyle properties and good value homes at the cheaper end of the market – but only one of them is really moving.

“Since Easter, lifestyle has been very slow, but the market in $500,000 to $600,000 homes, that’s where we’re attracting interest,” he says.

“The market is recognising that price is critical and vendors I’m dealing with in that market are in general listening to advice and, as a result, we’re getting results.

“But the lifestyle market is generally slow. There’s always a price where someone would be interested – we’re getting that little, odd flash of interest, but obviously fewer and further between than a year ago.”

However, that means there are some great properties at good prices for anyone buying, Standbrook adds.

“If someone’s after a property, there are some great properties there in the Wellsford district, particularly around lifestyle.”

He says normally a downturn in the market corrects itself relatively quickly, but this time is tougher.

“Normally, when you get a change, it unsettles the market and takes two or three

months to get digested and then everyone moves on, and life returns to normal,” he says.

“But this time we have been hit by so much, the timeframe it’s taking to digest and normalise is extreme, because there have been extreme events. It’s just human nature.”

He urges sellers not to focus on price itself, but the differential between what they’re selling and buying at.

“What people have to understand is that it’s very important to know where you sit in the market, remembering that you’re buying and selling in the same market,” he says. “You may have to sell a little bit cheaper than you want, but you’re buying a lot cheaper than you thought – it’s the differential between the price you’re selling and buying at, not the actual price.”

And he’s optimistic that things will start to move again early next year.

“Come the end of January, when we’re entering the traditional February-MarchApril period when the property market picks up, we’ll start to get back to some normality,” Standbrook predicts.

“People can be put down for so long and then that Kiwi character comes out and says let’s get on with life and just do it.”

And in the meantime?

“There are bargains to be had and negotiations to be had,” he says.

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Negotiation key to Snells sales

Snells Beach seems to be bucking the general downward trend, with the median sale price up 12.1% per cent over the past 12 months, according to realestate.co.nz / REINZ data.

Local independent agent Kate Symons says the average sale price for a home in Snells was $1.4 million in June, which saw seven sales go through and houses averaging 103 days on the market.

However, she adds that these figures were skewed somewhat by a single property that sold for $3.4 million after more than six months on the market; realestate.co.nz says the median figure for days on the market over the past year for Snells was 51 days.

Symons says the key to achieving sales at the moment is flexibility and a willingness to negotiate by all concerned. She cites the example of a “quintessential Snells Beach property” she sold earlier this year that was built in the 1980s, had been

well looked after and had had a bit of a facelift.

“It had the feel of a simple Kiwi holiday home with sea views and facing north with full sun,” she says.

“With the challenges that we are facing at the moment, I thought the best way to market this property would be via no price marketing and, after talking to the vendors, decided price by negotiation would be best, rather than excluding conditional interest under an auction campaign.”

The offer that the vendors’ ended up accepting was just above their price expectation, 30 per cent over the home’s rateable value and with a very short conditional period that was satisfied within a couple of working days.

“It goes to show that if you can get location, presentation and marketing exposure right, then there are still buyers out there,” Symons says.

Median asking v sales prices in Snells over the past year. Source: realestate.co.nz

Local sales ‘bouncing around’

According to Real Estate Institute of NZ (REINZ) data, there were 52 sales in the Puhoi to Mangawhai region in May this year, compared to 34 in May last year.

Of that total, 18 were sold in Warkworth, compared to nine in May last year.

The median price was $1,070,000, up from $880,000 a year earlier. However, the time to taken to sell a property was slightly longer – 64 days, compared to 62 in May last year.

The most expensive property to change hands in May was in Matakana and it sold for $4.15 million. The biggest bargain was in Ruawai, where a property sold for just $300,000. There were six auctions during May, three tender sales and the remainder were sold by

private treaty.

A REINZ spokesperson said the Mahurangi/ Mangawhai area saw a general gentle rise in prices between 2015 and 2021.

“There was a sharp incline through to a peak of about $1.2 million in early 2022,” she said. “From there, the median price has bounced around, generally in the $1m to $1.1m range.”

In terms of rural sales, there were 16 farm sales the 12 months to May this year, down from 20 farm sales during the previous 12 months. For the three months ending in May, there were 42 lifestyle sales, up from 32 in the three months ending May 2023. The median lifestyle price during this period was $1.15m, down from $1.2m in 2023.

Omaha among 20 ‘biggest loser’ suburbs

The average property value in more than 500 suburbs across NZ fell in the three months to the end of June, according to the latest data from the OneRoof-Valocity House Value Index. That’s up from 322 suburbs in the three months to the end of May. In the Mahurangi area, Omaha accounted for the biggest drop in property values, down $76,000. It was one of only 20 suburbs across the country where the average property value dropped more than $50,000 over that period. Mangawhai Heads recorded the biggest average gain in our area, up $105,000.

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Is Winter a Good Time to Sell or Should You Wait for Spring?

Market Activity

The first half of the year brought on a flood of new listings So many, in fact, that it marked the highest number of listings recorded in New Zealand over the last decade

Current Situation

Fast forward to July, and lot of old stock has turned over, and new listing numbers are low again as sellers are choosing to wait until spring

Winter Sales

Did you know that we sell just as many properties through winter as we do at other times of the year! So why wait, especially if you re selling and buying in the same market

Buyer Demand

Despite the common misconception, there are still plenty of buyers around and the market has stabilised to a certain degree With fewer listings available current sellers will have a distinct advantage over everyone else who is waiting for spring Just think how much competition you could have if you wait We have nearly sold out of stock and are in urgent need of new properties to sell in all price ranges

Market Challenges

While the market has been challenging, there are signs of positivity and improvement A good agent combined with an established brand and smart strategy, can make a significant difference in maximising the sale price of your property

Please get in touch with us if you are looking for some advice on your property

Stay warm and safe this winter.

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The graph summarises residential sales data for the Mahurangi/Mangawhai region for the three months ending May this year, compared to the three months ending May last year.

Townhouse 7, Henry Tayler Rise – Milldale

Silverdale

Split decision backs housing plan change

A divided Kaipara District Council has adopted a hearing panel’s recommendation to advance a private plan change to rezone 56.9 hectares of rural land east of Cove Road and north of Mangawhai Heads Road, to provide for hundreds of new homes on the town’s north-west fringe.

At a June 28 meeting, members voted by 5-4 to adopt the recommendation of the three-person panel, which found that Private Plan Change 83 (PPC83) would create a sustainable built environment, effectively integrating infrastructure, ecological issues, “sense of place” and transport choices.

Site owners, The Rise Limited (TRL), proposes a development of around 380 sections, with an average lot size of 600 square metres. Its application said it envisaged that the proposed plan change would “provide viable and sustainable residential development which integrates with surrounding residential uses and provides residential capacity and growth opportunities within Mangawhai”.

The area was signalled for future urban growth in council’s Mangawhai Spatial Plan.

PPC83 was notified on July 25 last year, with public submissions invited in August and further submissions in October. A total of 72 submissions were received. Some raised concerns about pressure on Mangawhai’s wastewater system, increased traffic congestion, ecological impact and potential flooding risk.

The panel, comprising independent commissioners David Hill and Justine Bray and Kaiwaka-Mangawhai ward Councillor Mike Howard, presided at public hearings at the Mangawhai Bowling Club in March.

Council said that conditions relating to the ‘Cove Road North Precinct’ development would be incorporated as part of any future resource consent processes.

Ahead of the vote, a council staff report said the option of adopting the panel’s recommendation avoided any actual and

Northern Sub-Precinct Existing road in or along the Precinct

Off-street shared path On-street cycle land

The Cove Road North Precinct Plan.

possible perceived council predetermination or bias, and would help protect council and ratepayers from any potential judicial review of the process followed.

The private plan change process is set out in the Resource Management Act 1991. The decision will be open to appeal to the Environment Court, for a period of one month.

The vote split the council, with Crs Howard, Gordon Lambeth, Jonathan Larsen, Ron

Manderson and Mark Vincent voting in favour of the measure, and Crs Ihapera Paniora, Eryn Wilson-Collins, Rachael Williams and Ash Nayyar opposing it.

Mayor Craig Jepson, a former TRL shareholder and inactive director, declared a conflict of interest at the outset of the process a year ago, and removed himself from any decision-making relating to the proposed project.

More: https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/the-rise

House prices drop in June

Any optimism shown by local property agents was dealt something of a blow last week, with CoreLogic’s latest house price index showing further declines or stagnation.

In June, average prices in Auckland as a whole were down -1.2% over the month to $1,263,937, taking the quarterly fall to -2.6% – the largest quarterly drop in prices since August.

Closer to home, CoreLogic NZ found the average property price in North Rodney was now $1,289,392, a quarterly drop of 4.5%.

The news was a little less bleak in Kaipara, where quarterly prices increased by 1.8% to an average value of $867,430.

CoreLogic NZ Head of Research Nick Goodall said the last 12 months in New Zealand could be described as “a dead cat bounce”.

“Inflation has remained sticky, particularly domestically, as the Reserve Bank of NZ has stayed true to its commitment of using monetary policy to bring consumer prices under control,” he said. “It looks as though interest rates could stay higher for longer, restricting borrower numbers and lending amounts.”

Goodall said Auckland’s price drop was “somewhat of a surprise, but likely a reflection of affordability challenges”, considering that the proportion of average income needed to pay a typical new mortgage in Auckland was now 55%, compared to just 43% in Dunedin. While prices might have dropped since 2022, it’s worth remembering that any decreases are coming from a very great height – the CoreLogic stats show that since the last market peak, in 2007, house prices in Kaipara had risen by 118.7% and in North Rodney by 114.7%.

Call for Watercare protest

Warkworth art gallery owner Rick Urban is urging retailers and businesses to ramp up their opposition to Watercare’s plan to put a sewer main through the town centre, or face the prospect of Warkworth becoming a ghost town.

Watercare is proposing to lay a pipeline through the central business district, to pipe sewage from new development in the north to the Lucy Moore pump station. If the project goes ahead, it is expected to cause major disruptions to traffic and parking for more than a year.

Urban, who has run the Hand & Heart gallery in Queen Street for eight years, says he doesn’t think people have quite grasped how serious the situation is.

“Most businesses won’t be able to survive,” he says. “Art galleries struggle at the best of times – it will be the end of my business.”

Urban hopes to use a creative approach to raise awareness. He wants businesses to fly black balloons and use comment stickers, displayed all over town, to encourage people to talk about the issue.

He is also thinking of Photoshopping plywood panels, covered in graffiti, over Queen Street shop fronts to graphically show people what the town might look like if the Watercare plan goes ahead.

“A petition on its own isn’t enough,” he says.

“ Seriously amazing to deal with. Made our move super simple”

move stress-free and joyful.

Urban hopes these protest stickers will be stuck up all over town.

“I’ve heard people say ‘oh, yes, it will be an inconvenience’, which just shows how poorly informed they are. People just aren’t feeling that sense of urgency that the decisions are being made now.

“I can’t see the banks staying, and how will the two supermarkets in town, survive if the streets are closed?”

Urban says Watercare should front up faceto-face with every business in town, so it realises what business owners are facing.

New build growth for Auckland

Census results show that changes to land use rules in Auckland, to allow for more housing per site, have sparked a surge in new housing, with 64,800 new homes built between 2018 and 2023.

Auckland Council’s chief economist Gary Blick says that’s “a remarkable” 11.9 per cent increase in new homes, compared to a 5.4 per cent increase in population.

“Even after recovering from the pandemicrelated population loss over 2020 to 2022, this confirms what we’ve seen in building

consent data and population estimates –Auckland has built a lot of homes in recent years relative to its population growth,” he says.

“The Unitary Plan has expanded how residential land can be used to allow for a greater variety of housing, providing more choices in housing type and location.

“However, Auckland housing remains expensive relative to incomes and policies allowing for even more housing will be vital to addressing this.”

Kaipara

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By Stephanie Paxton-Penman Paxton-Penman et al

Financing options for the elderly

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all in one way or another, and our elderly folk are not immune. Not surprisingly, we are hearing about more and more people who are, at the very least, considering taking on a reverse mortgage. So what are they, why would you and are they the only option?

A reverse mortgage, in simple terms, is where you borrow funds against the value/ equity that you have in your property. The amount that you can borrow is dependent on your age and the value and type of your property. You must be at least 60 years old and your property needs to be mortgage-free or close to it and not all banks offer them. A reverse mortgage frees up the equity in your property and you can use the funds for whatever you would like. However, they are not for everyone. Firstly, your loan accumulates interest, so depending on the length of your loan and given the interest compounds, by the time you sell your property you may well have lost a lot of money. Secondly, often quite significant fees are payable at the outset and while these are often added to the loan, they attract interest over the term. There are also restrictions, for example, you may not be able to rent out your home, or travel or move into care without firstly selling your home and paying back the loan. Put simply, they are costly. And there are other options. For example,

it may well be that selling your house and downsizing is a better long-term option, as your capital isn’t going to be eroded over time with the compounding interest. Perhaps your family could assist by purchasing a share in your property? Or perhaps home reversion products are something you could consider?

Home reversion products are relatively new in New Zealand, but they are common elsewhere in the world. Under this type of arrangement, you sell a portion of your home to the provider and, in return, they provide you with a lump sum payment or regular income. Under this arrangement you co-own your property with the provider, but you get the right to live in your home for the rest of your life. However, they too are not all rainbows and unicorns! For example, if you change your mind, you will need to purchase your property back at the then market value. Or if you do sell, you obviously don’t get the full benefit, as the provider will take their share. And like reverse mortgages, there are often hefty fees that need to be paid upfront. Financial commentators are often extremely critical of reverse mortgages and home reversion products, and caution that they should be a last resort. This may or may not be the case, but regardless, you need to be very careful about entering into these type of arrangements without first obtaining independent legal and financial advice.

Kaipara rates increases smoothed out

Kaipara District Council (KDC) has adjusted its Long Term Plan 2024-27 budget to smooth out the projected rates increase to around 8.9 per cent a year for the next three years. Council had originally proposed a programme that would have meant average rates increases of 15.1 per cent, 8.4 per cent and 3.4 per cent over those next three years. However, by agreeing steps that include reallocating portions of the roading budgets across that period, it has now been able to meet Mayor Craig Jepson’s commitment to keep average rates increases at just below 9 per cent a year. KDC chief executive Jason Marris said in late June that the changes did not affect council’s commitment to maintain and improve roading service levels. A council meeting in late July will formally set the rates.

There’s a new face at the helm of Wellsford’s Mike Pero office, with Jon Standbrook taking over from Denise Pearson after more than nine years.

He’s no stranger to the region, having lived in Puhoi for more than a decade, where he and wife Morag ran a successful business making mustards, chutneys and jams, and selling them at the Matakana Farmers’ Market.

Prior to that, his long and varied career included a spell in the British Army, landscape gardening, garden centre management and selling new-build homes. But after moving to the Coromandel in 2011, Jon gave in to a long-held desire to try his hand at real estate and it seems he found his calling – in eight years there, he was lead listing and selling agent for five

years, and second for the other three.

“I don’t regard myself as an amazing salesperson as such, but I get on with people, listen to what they want and combine that with hard work,” he says. “I think it reflects my enjoyment of people and passion for what I’m doing.”

Two years ago, Jon and Morag decided to return to the area and moved to Wharehine.

“We were ready for a change and it was like coming home,” he says. “Then Wellsford Mike Pero happened to be wanting to sell and it’s evolved from there.”

Jon says his aim is to provide “great service, good value and great results”.

“It’s about building trust,” he says. “Both vendors and purchasers are going to be treated fairly, transparently and with understanding.”

Jon Standbrook

Mike Pero Wellsford

Stephanie Paxton-Penman LLB (Hons) stephanie@ppetal.co.nz 17 Neville Street, Warkworth

DDI: 09 425 0968 | Phone: 09 425 7701

Auckland Office Level 5, 26 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD Phone: 09 912 8500

A slip on council land has kept Mangawhai surf lifesavers locked out of their clubhouse for more than a year.

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Work to begin on Mangawhai Heads Reserve plan

Kaipara District Council (KDC) staff are preparing a draft concept plan for the Mangawhai Heads Reserve – a move arising from discussions around the future of the surf lifesaving clubhouse, following last year’s slip on council land.

At a briefing held in Tangiteroria on July 3, council agreed to a process that will include public consultation on the medium- to long-term future use of the reserve.

Mangawhai Heads is covered by the Mangawhai Coastal and Harbour Reserves Management Plan (RMP), which states that no further development of reserves should take place before council approves a reserve concept plan.

The RMP’s vision for the Mangawhai reserves emphases “passive recreational activities while protecting and enhancing the natural environment and character”.

Under a working timeline, in August and September, the public will be invited to make written suggestions on how the reserve should be developed. Engagement events may be held, and there will be opportunities for mana whenua and user groups to meet with council staff.

At briefings in October and November council will look at the suggestions and consider a draft plan, ahead of community consultation in the summer of 2024-25.

After briefings in February and March where submissions will be heard and

amendments agreed upon, council will adopt the plan in April.

The process is separate to ongoing discussions between council and the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service (MHVLS) on the fate of its clubhouse, which has been off-limits since the abutting hillside collapsed after the 2023 Auckland anniversary rains.

After KDC ruled out including funding for the repair in its long term plan for 2024-27, MHVLS proposed that it be allowed to raise the estimated $1.7–$1.9 million needed for a repair itself. In return, the club wants council to agree to sign a 33-year lease, with the right to renew for a further 33 years (MM, Apr 15).

Council discussions on that proposal have also looked at whether it might be more cost effective to relocate the club from the compromised site.

At the July 3 briefing, some councillors suggested that the reserve concept plan and clubhouse issues be consulted upon as one, noting MHVLS’s desire for progress to occur quickly.

Staff noted that the clubhouse issue would be discussed during the subsequent publicly excluded session.

“We have a duty of care to the surf club,” chief executive Jason Marris said. “And our approach here would be to talk to them first, prior to talking about them in public.”

3 Dimensional Builders Ltd is a leading home building company dedicated to crafting exceptional residences in Warkworth and beyond. Established in 2005, we have earned an excellent reputation for our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With a team of skilled craftsmen and designers, we specialise in creating bespoke homes that reflect the unique vision and lifestyle for each client. From architectural design to construction, we ensure every client detail is meticulously executed, delivering homes that exceed expectations.

Serenity within reach of city

Anyone wanting to escape to the country should check out six lifestyle sections that have recently gone on the market in Puhoi. The one-hectare blocks are all on the south side of Sugarloaf Close, a new no-exit road that runs north-west off the end of Remiger Road up towards J Tolhopf Road. Each section is set on gently sloping land with a north-easterly aspect that looks out over a large area of covenanted native bush. Puhoi and lifestyle real estate specialist for Mike Pero Ian Bateman says Sugarloaf Close is just a few minutes’ drive from Puhoi village and the motorway, and not much more than half an hour from Auckland’s North Shore and CBD. “These are close to Auckland, but a world away. Why settle for a small section

in suburbia with close neighbours, when a lifestyle opportunity like this awaits?” he says. “Change your life and have space for the kids to be kids.” Bateman says the sections have been prepared to a high standard, with inset post and rail front fencing and matching gateways at the front, conventional sevenwire and batten farm fencing around the rest of the block, and electricity up to the boundary.

The asking price for each section is $695,000 for the Lots 9, 10 and 11 and $749,000 for Lots 5, 6 and 7 at the southern end of Sugarloaf Close.

Info: https://mikepero.com/real-estate/ auckland/rodney/puhoi/sugarloaf-closepuhoi-RX3989927/

Each of the neighbouring sections is one-hectare and fully fenced.

History

From tent to timber

It is difficult to fathom the emotions of the early settlers as they arrived at the settlement of Albertland in 1862, only to find a complete lack of basic shelter. For the fortunate few, a tent provided some protection. Others made do with a tarpaulin stretched over a frame of titree poles, while the less fortunate slept under the open sky on makeshift beds of springy bracken. This stark reality greeted the settlers after their gruelling journey through bush and muddy tracks from Auckland to the promised settlement.

Despite these challenges, the settlers worked tirelessly, felling kauri and totara, and cutting them into nine-foot lengths and reducing the timber to slabs using only wedges and splitting knives. They dug perimeter trenches, placed the slabs vertically, and rammed the earth back around them. Poles were lashed across the slabs with flax or rope to provide additional rigidity. Some huts had a ridge, others were ‘lean-to’ style, but almost all featured a solid thatch of nikau palm fronds for protection from heavy downpours. Some settlers added a bush chimney constructed from slabs and corrugated iron, while others made crude flues from tree fern cylinders plastered with clay, which eventually baked brick hard. Floors were a luxury and partitions rare. Suspended squares of sailcloth added a semblance of privacy. Robert Nicholson and his wife Ann arrived on the Hanover with their children Mary Ann, George and Edwin. They made their way to the settlement via the east coast to Mangawhai, along with fellow settlers, John Houghton, Dr James Bell and others. The boat they travelled on, the

Mangawhai. Robert and his family stayed on board, and on the return trip to Auckland, the captain made three more attempts to cross the bar www.albertland.co.nz

with the last attempt being successful. The party of settlers were conveyed to the Te Hana Landing by Captain Moir’s dray, and finally pitched their tent on their own land 14 days after leaving Auckland.

It was Nicholson’s dream to build a sawmill, but the land he was allocated was not suitable for this venture, due to the river’s shallow waters. Determined, he purchased land at the junction of the Topuni and Te Hana creeks, and a further 40 acres from Henry Brett. On August 28, 1863, almost one year after their arrival, the Prince Consort arrived at Port Albert with the machinery needed to build Nicholson’s sawmill. The whole district heard the siren which heralded the mills opening on November 24, 1864, and this marked the beginning of the construction of sturdier houses made from weatherboards processed at the mill.

Nicholson’s mill, the first mill in Port Albert, operated for 24 years before Mander & Bradley’s mill opened at Raekau. Nicholson employed many local men, which created cash flow for the struggling district. The settlers had found it difficult to find a market for their produce and money was in short supply. To help his fellow settlers, Nicholson accepted cattle as payment and would ship the animals to Helensville, where they were sold to recoup his money.

For the settlers, having a roof that kept out rain, shelving, cupboards, and an inside fireplace for camp ovens was a significant advancement. In their humble new homes were treasures from England – tables, chairs, books and musical instruments. The settlement began to flourish with 10 houses built in Market Street by 1866, thanks to the perseverance and ingenuity of settlers like Robert Nicholson.

until 27.08.2024.

Mindfulness

A great way for anybody wanting to improve how they respond in their day to day lives, especially if feeling low anxiety or depressed. It covers topics such as communication, mindfulness, emotional regulation and distress tolerance. The course runs for 6 Wednesdays from 9.30am to 11.45am.

Date TBC

Budget Bite$

A hands-on cooking class, we’ll be selecting low-cost family meals and will finish with a shared lunch. This is a great opportunity to learn some new recipes in a fun environment and meet others in our community. Date TBC

Eco

Budget Cleans

A morning to make affordable, bio-degradable home and gardening products. This will include laundry and dishwasher detergents, spray n wipe, toilet bombs, peppermint cream and garden bug spray, plus

Teen Behaviour and the Impact of Electronic Devices on them

We look at some of the brain and hormonal changes taking place in teens that influence their behaviour. Decision making, impulse control (or lack of!) and the reward pathway are areas we will discuss. As well as the influence of electronic devices upon teens and how they feed into potential addictions if not managed appropriately. Wednesday 14.08.2024 from 9.30am to 12pm.

Homebuilders Dad’s Group

As a group we will discuss and talk about our own unique experiences, things that have worked or not worked, and things we can work on. Some of the subjects we will cover are ways we communicate | parenting styles and techniques | sibling rivalry | child development | our core values | and more. Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm, 2.07.2024 until 23.07.2024.

Tay, tried unsuccessfully to cross the bar at Mangawhai and continued to head north to Whangarei Heads. Here, some of the passengers disembarked and walked back

down the beach to

Rose Reid, Albertland Museum

Nicholson’s Mill at the junction of Topuni and Te Hana rivers.

Home of Walter Payne built with weatherboards from Nicholson’s Mill.

Port Albert Post Office in Market Street built with weatherboards from Nicholson’s Mill.

recipes for many more DIY home products. Date TBC

Animals

Nena Nepia, Wellsford Vet Clinic https://wellsfordvet.com/

Parasite control for healthier animals

Effective worm control is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock, whether you own one or 1000 sheep. Parasites, including gastrointestinal worms, lungworms and liver fluke, can cause significant health issues if not properly managed. Poor growth or weight loss are milder consequences of parasites, but a severe burden can lead to significant scours, blood loss and death.

Here are some key elements of an effective worm control programme:

Rotational grazing: Regularly rotating pastures helps disrupt the lifecycle of worms by preventing the build-up of infective larvae. Grazing less intensely, so livestock don’t graze too low to the ground, is important because most larvae reside in the lowest few centimetres of grass.

Mixed-age grazing: Grazing young, susceptible animals with older, more resistant ones can reduce the overall worm load. Older animals typically have better immunity and lower worm egg excretion rates.

Cross-species grazing: Using cattle, sheep and horses to graze pastures alternately can help reduce the worm burden, as these animals are not hosts for the same parasites. The non-host animal will ‘vacuum up’ the worm larvae without being adversely affected by them.

Nutrition: Well-nourished animals are better equipped to handle parasitic infections. Ensuring a diet with adequate vitamins and minerals supports the immune system and enhances the overall health of the livestock. In some situations, a quality lick block can be enough, while others require supplemental feeding. Continuously grazed pasture alone rarely

provides a complete diet for an animal.

Shelter and hygiene: Ensure that stables and other shelters are well-ventilated and kept clean to prevent the build-up of moisture and manure, which can harbour parasites. Prevent stock access to ponds or watercourses and eliminate boggy areas in the paddock.

Drenching: With increasing emphasis on reducing drench use, it’s important to note that effective worm control can be achieved with less reliance on chemical treatments. This approach, however, requires better monitoring and strategic drenching.

Faecal egg count (FEC) monitoring: Regular FEC monitoring helps determine the worm burden and the efficacy of the current drenching programme. Collecting faecal samples and having them analysed by a veterinarian can show how many worm eggs are being shed in the manure, helping to decide if and when to drench.

Young stock: Young animals are particularly vulnerable to worms, due to their undeveloped immunity. Dualactive drenches, which combine two different anthelmintic compounds, are recommended to ensure a broad spectrum of action against various worm species.

Adult livestock: For adult animals, especially those in good condition, the use of strategic drenching based on FEC is advised. This targeted approach minimises the risk of developing resistance by avoiding unnecessary treatments.

Breeding stock: For pregnant and lactating females, maintaining a balance between effective worm control and minimal drug residues is crucial. Strategic drenching before critical periods, such as lambing or calving, can help manage worm loads effectively.

Wellsford CLINIC VET

Accounting for your future

Accounting shouldn’t just be about counting the beans and telling you what tax you have to pay. In our eyes, your success is our success.

That’s why we help you understand your business and advise you on ways to improve your business. That way you have the best chance for future, ongoing success. Call Ben today for a free consultation

Ben Carmichael 021 069 9746 Registered Tax and Business Advisor (RTBA) ben@cloudsoft.co.nz | cloudsoft.co.nz

Calling all young netballers

Mahurangi College’s Year 8 netball team is reaching out to the netball community to help it raise funds to attend the AIMS Games in Mount Maunganui in September.

The team and its supporters are organising a 7-a-side netball tournament for local Year 6 teams, including mixed Year 5 and 6 teams, which will be held at the Warkworth Showground courts on Sunday July 21.

Coach Alexa McDonald says it is hoped that at least eight to 10 teams will participate, although they can accommodate up to 16 sides.

“It’s going to be a fun day with netball games, a sausage sizzle, bake sale, ice blocks, hot chocolates and drinks for sale,” McDonald says.

“The tournament will not only serve as a fundraiser, but will also offer an excellent opportunity for primary school teams to experience 7-a-side netball, preparing them for the transition to Year 7, where this format is played.”

The Year 8 team includes 10 players from

various primary school netball clubs, including Matakana, Warkworth and Wellsford.

“They have been training diligently,” McDonald says.

“They compete in the Netball North Harbour competition held on Tuesday evenings. After four weeks of grading, we have proudly been placed in Grade 2 out of 12 grades. Additionally, we have started the season well with two consecutive wins.”

She says the fundraiser will help cover the AIMS entry fee of $800 per child, which includes accommodation, food, transport and other school-related expenses.

“Our goal with this fundraiser is to raise close to $2000 to significantly offset these costs for our players.”

The tournament will start at 9am and is expected to finish around 2pm. The cost per team is $70. Registration here: https:// forms.gle/P7wUcPmDaSN4GAEm6

Coaches and managers are asked to register their teams on or before July 12.

College teams won seven matches out of nine to take the trophy again.

Mahu continues winning streak

Mahurangi College has done it again, winning its fourth consecutive Hauraki Exchange multisport tournament at Hauraki Plains College in Ngatea on June 25 and 26.

Mahu scored an impressive seven wins in boys’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ football, girls’ hockey, boys’ and girls’ rugby, and netball, with only the girls’ basketball and boys’ hockey teams losing their games.

The biggest wins came in football, where the boys won 16-0, and boys’ rugby, where the score was 26-0.

There was also a dance group taking part in the two-day event, though this was a noncompetitive section.

Mahurangi College director of sport Adele Ball said this was the 62nd year that the Hauraki Exchange had taken place and it had been a great tournament.

“Over the past 13 years, Hauraki Plains College won the trophy for nine consecutive years. Now Mahurangi College is battling back and have won for the last four years convincingly,” she said.

Ball congratulated the students, and thanked staff and volunteers involved in the exchange, saying she looked forward to hosting Hauraki Plains next year.

Results: Basketball – boys 58-51, girls 1647; Football – boys 16-0; girls 5-0; Hockey – boys 1-7, girls 6-1; Netball 53-37; Rugby – boys 26-0, girls 34-29.

One member from each Mahu team was named by Hauraki Plains for their contribution during each game – they were: Basketball – boys, Spencer; girls, Rheg. Football – boys, Frankie; girls, Joy. Hockey – boys, Kieran; girls, Sienna. Netball –Juliette. Rugby – boys, Marco, girls, Lottie. Dance – Olivia.

The Year 8 team has its sights set on the AIMS Games in September.

REGISTER HERE

REDDING ELECTRONICS

Freeview Installs, Satellite Dish, UHF Aerial. Installation & Repairs. Ph Dave 09 422 7227 or 027 458 5457

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/ Simpson dryers. Prompt service 021 168 7349.

DRIVEWAYS

MAINTENANCE Grading, rolling & metalling for rural Driveways. No job too BIG or small. Contact Trevor tlc.trev@hotmail.com

DVDS & VIDEOS VIDEOS TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Phone or txt Tetotara Video 021 777 385

Blue Skies Cleaning

Window Cleaning, Soft Bio House Wash, Gutter Clean, All Exterior Cleaning, Water Blasting, Roof Treatment, Local Professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849

COLLINS ELECTRONICS HAVE YOU LOST PRIME?

Or need your Freeview box tuned for the new channels? TV repairs, microwave oven repairs, Freeview installations. Ph Paul 09 422 0500 or 027 29 222 04

HOUSE WASHING - Soft Wash / Low Pressure / Chemical Wash Also Window Cleaning / Gutter Clearing / Decks / Concrete. Careful service, reasonable rates. qualitywash.co.nz 021 057 9743

SECTION SERVICES

Trees: BIG, small, difficult. Pruned. Removed. One off section tidy-ups. Hedge reductions. Insured. Experienced. Ph or text for a quote. Dom 027 222 1223

WINDOW CLEANING/ HOUSEWASH/GUTTER

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

Classifieds

PRIVATE CAREGIVER

Experience caregiver provides quality and reliable home care, including elderly care, respite care, palliative care, sleepovers, companion driving and wellness services.

Please call Rebecca on 021 0825 8242

HORSE TRUCKS & FLOATS

REID EQUESTRIAN ENGINEERING, Wellsford. Float rebuilds, horse truck conversions, etc. Dog kennels made to measure. Quality work. Ph Ron 423 9666

IN MEMORIAM

Daphne Halkyard

15th May 1933- 25th July 2019

Amidst the evening swallow sweep

Atop a lofty mountain peak

Amongst the moors and the fens and the stone of her bloodland

Forever a part of the world that she roamed and the people that she touched And always, always held safely within my heart

Loved and remembered every day Damaris

PEST CONTROL Eradication of rats & mice. Competitive Rates. Ph 426 2253 Ph 027 286 7321, www.noratsandmice.nz PEST CONTROL

PUBLIC NOTICES

HIGHFIELD GARDEN RESERVE & DONKEY SOCIETY INC

Monday 19th August 2024, 4pm, Mahurangi East Bowling Club, 41 Hamatana Road, Snells Beach. There will a discussion on future planning plus reregistration of the Incorporated Society. ALL WELCOME. Secretary 022 131 6269

DOROTHY (DOT) ROSE GOUDIE

Passed away peacefully on Friday 31st May, aged 84, at Waikanae Lodge, in Waikanae. She was a long standing local from the Warkworth region having moved to Kaipara Flats from Whakatane in 1964. She moved into Warkworth in 1976. Dot, was best known for her women’s wear shop called Dorothy’s, in Neville St, Warkworth, which she ran from 1984 to 2017. She will be missed by her family and remembered by many people. The memorial will be held at the Warkworth Bowling Club, on Mill Lane, in Warkworth, on Saturday 3rd August at 2pm.” Please join us to remember an amazing Mum, Nana, Aunt, friend, and business woman.

MAHURANGI COLLEGE CLOSING DATE for 2025 ENROLMENTS

The deadline for receipt of all in-zone and out-of-zone enrolments is Friday 30 August 2024. Applications can be submitted online via our school website www.mahurangi. school.nz/enrolment or visit the school office for an enrolment pack.

WARKWORTH MUSEUM

AGM

1pm on Sunday 14th July 2024 at Warkworth Museum. All welcome, voting rights for Warkworth Museum Members only.

Environmental Coordinator Part-time

Join the Pest Free Mahurangi East Peninsula (PFME) initiative to preserve our natural environment.

Responsibilities:

• Community engagement and project coordination

• Manage stakeholder relationships

• Organise events and volunteer activities

Skills:

Strong interpersonal and organisational skills

• Broad experience in landscape scale predator control initiatives

• Social media and technology proficiency

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to chair@rre.org.nz

Help create a Pest Free Mahurangi East Peninsula!

PART TIME EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL MENTOR

The Warkworth Wellsford Budget Service is looking for an experienced Financial Mentor to join our team. This is a newly created paid position working from Warkworth, Wellsford or visiting clients on agreed set days, up to 16 hours per week. This may suit 2 people job sharing 8 hours each per week. If this sounds like you, please send your CV to Jo Walker, Service Manager by email admin@wwbudgetservice.co.nz Applications close on 26 July 2024. Supported by Mahurangi Matters

www.localmatters.co.nz

Learn more about board subdivision boundary change bid

There’s a chance to learn more and ask questions about proposed Rodney Local Board subdivision changes at an online Auckland Council information session Tuesday evening, July 9.

Board members voted in May to push for changed boundaries in a bid to give rural residents a bigger voice as part of Auckland Council’s current electoral representation review.

The move came about after lobbying from three rural advocacy groups – Northern Action Group (NAG), the Landowners and Contractors Association Group and Rodney Community Voices – who have been calling for better local board representation for rural ratepayers for several years.

The boundary model that board members ended up supporting was one of six options

drawn up and submitted by NAG, which council staff agreed was practical for Rodney.

If council’s governing body and, ultimately, the Local Government Commission approve the plan, Rodney will go from having four subdivisions – Wellsford, Warkworth, Dairy Flat and Kumeu – up to five – North Rural, South Rural, Warkworth, Dairy Flat and Kumeu.

This would result in the same number of elected members for North Rodney, but instead of one for Wellsford and three for Warkworth, there would be two for North Rural and two for Warkworth.

Council staff will explain more and answer questions from 6pm to 7.30pm at tomorrow’s online information session for Rodney and North Auckland. To register, go to https://bit.ly/4bsAviD

Proposed new boundaries.

The end of term two is always a busy time for Mahurangi students, and this year has proven no different. Students have been busy with all manner of trips, exchanges, events and activities, providing a nice counterbalance to the day to day classroom academic focus.

Our L1 Geography students enjoyed an action-packed three-day trip to Rotorua, where they had the opportunity to witness firsthand the implications of living in one of the largest geothermal cities in the world. Highlights included a gondola ride up to Mt Ngongotaha and a visit to Lake Tarawera, where students learned about the 1886 eruption and the destruction of the pink and white terraces. Throughout the trip, students learned about the delicate balance of managing geothermal activity. These valuable insights will serve them well in their end-of-year exam.

Our premier sporting teams competed against Hauraki Plains College last week, an exchange that we look forward to each year. This year HPC hosted us exceptionally well, and it was great to see previous relationships reestablished. Being billeted on a sporting exchange is a kiwi rite of passage, providing lasting friendships and memories for students. The exchange was won by seven fixtures to two, with wins recorded in Netball, boys and girls Rugby, boys Basketball, boys and girls Football, and girls Hockey.

Senior Outdoor Education students enjoyed a day at Snow Planet last week, putting their skills to the test and enjoying the challenge of staying dry.

Our Senior Ball was held at the Grand Millennium Hotel in central Auckland. This year the theme was ‘Viva Las Vegas’ and proved to be our largest Ball to date, with over 280 students in attendance. Thanks to all involved for making it such a memorable night. A special thank you to our Head Prefects Kieran, Sienna, Jackson and Miriama, and to Mr Neville and Mrs Jessop for their hard work and organisation. Check out our school Facebook page for more photos.

Congratulations to Jessica Matthews, Ruby Whitaker and Maggie Last who have won a placing in the Year 9-11 Play It Strange Youthtown National Songwriting Competition. Play It Strange has run for 20 years, encouraging young New Zealand songwriters to write, record and perform their own songs. Their 2024 Youthtown competition theme was “weaving the lives they lead.” Jessica, Ruby and Maggie now have the opportunity to record their original song “Wash it all away” in a professional recording studio, to be included in the Youthtown competition digital album.

More of our talented singer/songwriters, alongside Mahu bands ‘StereoVoid’ and ‘No Brainer’, entered the 2024 Smokefree Rockquest Northshore regional

event. The quality of their songs and talent was exceptional, with the bar set high across all the schools. Samuel Meyer (AKA FDaSavage) came away with ‘Rockshop Best Use of Electronic Assistance Award’. Well done to all involved.

Our L2 Construction Academy students have been super busy and now have wooden picnic tables and garden benches for sale. Please contact teacher Nick Booth via the school office for more information.

As I write, our Year 7-9 production Junior Madagascar promises to be a huge hit, under the direction of our drama teacher extraordinaire Mr Jonathan Dutton. The decision was made to run dual casts because so many students wanted to be involved. A number of senior students and staff are helping out backstage, so huge thanks to them. Performances will run on Thursday, Friday

and Saturday. Many thanks to Pub Charity who recently funded a new wireless communication system to help both school and community productions and events run more smoothly behind the scenes.

Enjoy your well deserved break. See you back here on Monday 22 July for the start of another epic term. Travel safe and stay well whānau.

Tony Giles, Principal

Proudly Supporting Mahurangi College

Cnr Woodcocks

Mansel

Pictured with Alec Gannaway Supervisor Ruby Darby

Marine

Sam

Woolford, LegaSea Project Lead sam@legasea.co.nz

A flawed solution

Kiwis spend a lot of time along our coastlines, whether it’s gathering shellfish to share with family and friends, casting a line out or enjoying the easy-going beach lifestyle. You may have also noticed that our marine environment isn’t what it used to be. Fish don’t come inshore like they used to. When was the last time anyone saw a boil up happening off the beach? Not to mention the multiple closures (rāhui) in place to try to combat the widespread depletion of cockles and pipis. So how is the government going to address the public’s ongoing concerns with declining biodiversity, fish abundance and water quality in the Hauraki Gulf? Establishing 12 new high protection areas (HPAs) will surely do the trick, or at least that’s the story we’ve been sold.

The Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill will be enacted later this year, now that the Environment Select Committee has made its recommendations.

Alongside the HPAs, the Bill provides for five seafloor protection areas and extensions to two existing marine reserves, including Goat Island. The Bill aims to restore the mauri (life force) of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. However, the proposed measures do not go far enough to achieve this goal.

Land-based run-off, sedimentation, destructive fishing methods and excessive commercial catch limits are just a few of the issues contributing to the decline in the health of the gulf. None of these will be addressed by implementing high protection areas that restrict families from gathering fresh kai moana.

Closing small areas off to fishing is simply

putting duct tape over a hole in a sinking ship. Abundances of shellfish and our inshore fish species will continue to decline without meaningful action across the entire Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Officials have sold the Bill as being the answer to depletion, but it couldn’t be further from the truth – it’s a dog’s breakfast on a silver platter.

The Bill fails to reflect what was originally agreed upon by environmental, recreational and commercial fishing stakeholders in 2017 in the Sea Change process, a plan initiated to guide the restoration of the gulf. The objectives included seeing the end of bottom trawling in the gulf and working together with local communities and mana whenua to develop localised solutions to depletion.

LegaSea has been vocal about the need to designate the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park as a Type 2 Marine Protection Area. This allows for 100 per cent protection from bottom trawling, dredging and Danish seining.

LegaSea, New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, New Zealand Underwater and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association continue to collaborate in advocating for more abundant fish populations and an integrated protection package driven by the community. We are not willing to settle for ineffective protection.

If we want our kids to grow up experiencing the joys of collecting shellfish and catching their first fish, officials need to devise effective strategies to address the root causes of depletion and loss of biodiversity. Councils need to stop land run-off and officials need to ban destructive and excessive fishing from the gulf. Closing a few selected areas to fishing is simply not enough.

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

8-13

Stencil, Silkscreen, Stitch, Charlie’s Gelato, Sharp Road, Matakana. Kids’ school holiday workshop, two sessions daily, 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm. Screen print your own designer t-shirt. Suitable for ages 9-14. $49pp. Info & bookings: https://www.iatextiledesign.co.nz/

9 Highfield Garden Reserve working bee, 9am. All newcomers welcome. Info: Ox Wightman 027 498 7214 or visit Donkeys at Highfield on Facebook

12-13 The Pirate Queen, Otamatea Repertory Theatre, Maungaturoto, 7pm. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/the-pirate-queen (see story p19)

13 Midwinter Christmas Charity Dinner, Wellsford Memorial RSA, 6.30pm. Wellsford Plus fundraiser with entertainment, auction, raffles, spot prizes and courtesy coach home. Tickets $60 from https://events.humanitix.com/wellsfordplus-charity-dinner

13 Planting Day, Rotary Grove, Shoesmith Street, Warkworth, 9am-12pm. Meet behind Warkworth tennis courts. Wear sturdy footwear, BYO spade and gloves if you have them. BBQ to follow. Info: Roger 021 153 0052

13-14 The Pirate Queen, Otamatea Repertory Theatre, Maungaturoto, 2pm. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/the-pirate-queen (see story p19)

14 Planting Day, Sesquicentennial Walkway, Warkworth, 9am-12pm. Meet at end of Pound Street, off Falls Street. Sturdy footwear required, please bring gloves, spades provided.

14 Wellsford Variety Club July Club Day, Wellsford District Community Centre, 1-4pm. Light afternoon tea. Bring a plate if you wish. $5, or $15 for two adults and two children. Performers encouraged. Info: Andrew 422 3424

15 Warkworth Men’s Rebus Meeting, Shoesmith Hall, 10am. Guest speaker. Retired and missing your mates? This could be for you. Visitors welcome. Info: Ron 422 3111

16 Warkworth Quilt Club Meeting, Shoesmith Hall, 10am-2pm. Guest speaker: Barrie Ashton from Warkworth Threads. Guests and new members welcome. Info: Jenny 422 4046

16 Upcycling Fun, Women’s Centre Rodney, 10 Morpeth Street, Warkworth, 10am12 noon. School holiday workshop for kids with Shelly from Tinker Design. Info & register: www.womenscentrerodney.org.nz/whats-on

19-20 The Pirate Queen, Otamatea Repertory Theatre, Maungaturoto, 7pm. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/the-pirate-queen (see story p19)

20 Whangateau Hall reopening celebration, 10am (see story p19)

20 Diabetes Self-Management Education, Totara Park Retirement Village, 9.30am-3.30pm. Free information day for Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. Family and friends welcome. Kai/refreshments provided. Register ahead for catering and health information. Info: Margot McDonald on 09 448 0019, 021 818 568 or email dsme@comprehensivecare.co.nz

20-21 The Pirate Queen, Otamatea Repertory Theatre, Maungaturoto, 2pm. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/the-pirate-queen (see story p19)

21 Planting Day, Puhoi River,10am. Meet at Domain Road carpark. BYO clean, sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, clean gloves and spade (if you have them) and a drink bottle. Info: Auckland Parks on Facebook

August

1  Back Bar Jazz, The Bridgehouse, Warkworth, 6.30pm. Free, all welcome

1 Forest & Bird Winter Talk, downstairs at Warkworth RSA, 7.30pm. Author Annette Lees will discuss her new book, After Dark. All welcome

3 Henry Wong Doe, Warkworth Town Hall, 4pm; presented by Warkworth Music. Members $30, non-members $40. Info: www.warkworthmusic.org.nz

4 Planting Day, Tāwharanui Regional Park, 9am-12.30pm. Follow signs for parking. Wear suitable clothing and clean, sturdy footwear. Gloves and spades provided. Planting followed by lunch.

7 ANZ Daffodil Day Bingo Night, Warkworth Bowling Club, 5.30pm for 6pm. Tickets $25, $10 of which goes to Cancer Society, and including nibbles and dinner. Available from ANZ Warkworth or phone Charlene Morrison on 021 831488 (see brief p19)

7 Wellsford Knitting Group, 1 Worker Road, 10am-12pm. First Wednesday of every month. Meet like-minded people who enjoy knitting and a chat. Tea & coffee available. Koha donation. Info: Anne 021 252 1819

11 Whisper Cove Planting Day, 10am. Meet at end of Kokihi Lane, Snells Beach. 11 Puhoi River Walkway Planting Day, Puhoi Domain, 10am. BYO clean, sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, clean gloves and spade (if you have them) & a drink bottle.

Midwinter dance Kaipara Flats Sports Club will host a Midwinter Muster Dance on Saturday, August 3 to raise funds for a sports club extension. There will be live music with Andy and Vaughn, raffles and auctions. Tickets $10 cash at the door. Doors open 6pm, music begins 7pm.

Social tennis Social tennis is played at Matakana Tennis Club every Wednesday evening from 6pm, weather permitting. All welcome.

Cricket development activator Northland Cricket is seeking development activators to deliver enjoyable, inspiring and inclusive cricket experiences in schools across Northland. Fixed-term and casual roles available. For a full job description contact admin@northcricket.co.nz. Applications close at midday on Wednesday, July 17. A cover letter and CV can be sent to robg@northcricket.co.nz

Midwinter Christmas Omaha Golf Club is hosting a Midwinter Christmas Dinner and Dance on Saturday, July 20 from 6pm. Dress in green, gold or red; $65pp. All welcome. RSVP: Christine support@omahagolf.co.nz

Touch committee Mahurangi Rugby Club is seeking a committee to run the touch module for the upcoming touch season. Without the committee, no touch will be able to be played. If you are interested in helping, please contact admin@mahurangirugbyclub.co.nz or call 027 247 1736.

AIMS fundraiser The Mahurangi College intermediate girls red hockey team is selling samosas to fundraise to get to the AIMS Tournament in Tauranga in September. Four flavours available: vegetable, lamb, butter chicken or spiced chicken. Orders can be collected from the Warkworth Showgrounds on Wednesday, August 7, from 4-6pm. Samosas will be chilled, and are to be stored chilled or placed in the freezer. Info & order: https://fundraising.surti.co.nz/team-red Bunnings rugby assist Applications are open for the 2024 Bunnings Rugby Assist. This season, Bunnings Rugby Assist is focusing on helping clubs upgrade facilities to make them welcoming for the whole community. Info & apply: https://www.provincial.rugby/bunnings-rugby-assist

Touch World Cup beckons

Three former Mahurangi College touch players, all in their 20s, will represent New Zealand at the World Cup in Nottingham, England this month.

Lining up in the Touch Blacks teams will be Tama Hawken, George D’UrbanBurgess and Mariana Winiana.

Hawken in the middle and Winiana on the wing will compete in the mixed open, while D’urban-

Burgess, also a middle player, will compete in the men’s open team, which will go up against the Philippines in the opening round.

Hawken says he was “over the moon” when selected for the team.

“It’s been my childhood dream to play for the Touch Blacks at a World Cup,” he said. “Normally I play rugby during the winter, but I stayed off the field this year to avoid injury.

“I’m really excited about competing against the best in the world and can’t wait to get over there.”

Hawken’s team is coached by Touch Blacks’ legend Peter Walters.

Preparation for the championship has involved training camps and following set training schedules, as well as a dietician-designed eating plan.

While Winiana is training in Dunedin where she is studying medicine, Hawken, a farmer, and

D’Urban-Burgess, a student, have been able to combine their training sessions in Warkworth.

It will be the first Touch World Cup since the 2019 event in Putrajaya, Malaysia, where 120 teams competed across 11 divisions for the prized winners medals. Australia dominated to retain its overall title as world champion nation, with the other medals being shared between New Zealand, Japan, Scotland, England, France, Cook Islands, South Africa and Singapore.

Hawken says when he and D’UrbanBurgess return from England, they will coach the Mahurangi College’s senior mixed team, starting in August.

“We all came through the college system, so it will be one way of giving back,” Hawken said.

The championship will be played over seven days and kicks off on July 15.

Mariana Winiana

Tama Hawken

George D’Urban-Burgess

Photos by Tyson Ball, Huhu Images and courtesy of Mahurangi College.