The continued and unmonitored release of untreated toilet waste into the Mahurangi River is the likely source of the highly infectious norovirus, which was found in the Mahurangi Harbour on Thursday July 25.
As a result, all Mahurangi oyster farms, which were already closed as a precaution due to earlier heavy rainfall, had the closure extended for a further 28 days.
Food Safety acting deputy director-general Jenny Bishop says commercial shellfish and the water they grow in are subject to strict monitoring testing to ensure that they are safe to eat before they can be harvested and sold.
Nine cases of norovirus have been found in the Mahurangi River in the last 18 months, and the latest positive test is yet another blow for local oyster growers who say deteriorating river water quality, and sewage in particular, is threatening their businesses.
They say that while their operations factor in intermittent closures after heavy rain, the increasing frequency of sewage in the river is the problem
Environmental health scientist Cameron Ormsby, who has been monitoring water quality in the Mahurangi for around 16 years, says oyster farmers are paying the price for Watercare’s lack of investment in wastewater infrastructure. Increased development means that rain, which would have once been absorbed into the soil, is now hitting impermeable surfaces and entering the stormwater system, a system that can’t cope.
While planning is in place to rectify this, the timeframe won’t help oyster farmers who are “getting smashed”. He says there are interim solutions, but Watercare is saying they are either too expensive or not feasible.
“Oysters are filter feeders, which means they are a high risk food,” Ormsby says.
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“It’s why there has been such a robust testing programme in place for the past 30 to 40 years. But the testing has been based on bacteria, not viruses.
“Contamination from sewage, that’s a whole different kettle of fish. Oysters can filter bacteria in three to four days, but viruses hang around.”
Since testing for norovirus started in 2021, positive results have been recorded in Dyers Creek, Pukapuka Inlet, Cowans Bay, Brownes Bay, Huawai Bay and Te Kapa Inlet.
Ormsby says anyone collecting shellfish recreationally in these areas after heavy rain is potentially at risk.
He says it seems “bonkers” that a multimillion dollar oyster industry is in this position because the regulator (Auckland Council) is showing no interest in holding Watercare to account.
“In other areas, if a water authority was discharging raw sewage into a river, they would be facing massive fines.”
Farmers who Mahurangi Matters spoke to say that they are near breaking point financially. Many had recently renewed their leases with Auckland Council, which had cost some individual farmers close to $100,000.
Matakana Oysters operator Tom Walters, who has worked in the local oyster industry for nearly 30 years and runs a popular retail outlet on Leigh Road, says closures are a fact of life and he normally holds a financial reserve to carry him through these times. However, the lease renewal costs had drained those reserves.
“I’m not set up volume-wise to be a wholesaler and I can’t afford to sit here with my shop closed. Although our testing regime is world class and transparent, these closures will mean a lot of customers won’t trust our oysters.”
He says the sewage overflows come on top a myriad of challenges, from warmer water to increasing silt loads, and he is seriously considering whether he can continue.
The ‘engineered overflow point’ (a white pipe) located in Elizabeth Street, is a known source
Mahurangi River oyster farm closures due to sewage spills
2021 – 18 days
2022 – 0 2023 – 81 days
2024 – 45 and counting
of sewage spills. Neighbouring businesses like the Curtain and Blind Specialists report seeing toilet paper in the stream and “a really bad pong” every time there is heavy rain.
Manager Carla Kilipati says it is a concern to see school students playing in the creek. Food Safety says people should not be concerned about shellfish they buy from shops or supermarkets. However, if anyone gets sick after eating shellfish, they should seek medical help and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.
Watercare is currently building a new pipeline, pump station, wastewater treatment plant and outfall pipe to cater for growth. As part of these works, it proposes to lay a sewer through the town’s main shopping centre, which many retailers say could be the death knell for their businesses. A decision on the final route is expected in December, but construction of the connection could still be two years away.
While the oyster farms are closed, one of the few jobs farmers like Tom Walters can do is to grade their oysters ahead of re-laying them when the farms re-open.
Government steps on expressway accelerator
The coalition government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, which could mean construction could start on the Warkworth to Te Hana section by late 2026.
The government wants a single expressway between Auckland and Whangārei built as soon as possible, and is proposing to build it as one project in three stages.
The first stage, from Warkworth to Te Hana, is the most advanced. It is already designed and has regional consent, and all appeals have been resolved.
Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency says of the 143 affected properties along the route, 74 have been purchased, and the remaining 69 property owners can expect to be contacted soon.
The 26km stretch will be four lanes, and will include an 850-metre long twin tunnel in the Dome Valley, a viaduct and three interchanges located at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana.
Initial funding in this year’s Budget has allowed NZTA to progress property purchases. However, no construction funding has been provided to date and the funding model will be confirmed through the accelerated delivery investment case later this year.
“An approach similar to that of the Pūhoi to Warkworth section could be an option for the Warkworth to Te Hana section,” an NZTA spokesperson says. “An open tender
will be used to seek suitable partners for its delivery.”
Transport Minister Simeon Brown says taking a corridor approach means NZTA will avoid multiple procurement processes.
“It will also deliver integrated design, construction, maintenance and operations across the entire Northland Expressway, and allow greater efficiencies through scale to deliver the project up to 10 years faster than traditional approaches,” Brown says.
The government will also consider changes to the Public Works Act to speed up delivery, but has not released further details.
NZTA says the RoNS connecting
Auckland and Northland will support economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, improve safety, support housing development, and provide a more resilient roading network.
This section of SH1 carries around 19,000 vehicles a day, of which 13 per cent is heavy freight traffic, much of it carrying logs.
“It currently lacks resilience and is subject to frequent road closures, has a high risk of death or serious injury, and doesn’t effectively support tourism, freight or connectivity,” Brown says.
“It [the expressway] will bring the resilience Northland needs to thrive after years of significant road closures due to severe weather events.”
High Court hears Dome landfill arguments
Opposition to a proposed mega-dump off State Highway 1, on the northern side of the Dome Valley, was heard in Auckland’s High Court last week.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua and NZ Forest & Bird are appealing the Environment Court’s interim decision released in December to conditionally grant Waste Management resource consent for the regional landfill. Court documents at that time revealed that a major factor in that decision was Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust’s support for the dump.
The trust, which initially opposed the landfill, did a backflip after securing a
deal with Waste Management worth $10 million, along with the promise of jobs and ownership of the 1010 hectare site once it was no longer needed for the landfill.
The 26 million cubic metre landfill will cover about 60 hectares of the site and is in the catchment of the Hōteo River and Kaipara Harbour. Opponents say the environmental impacts on the health of the harbour should outweigh Auckland’s need for a place to dump its rubbish.
The seven-day-a-week operation will generate around 300 truck movements a day through the Dome.
The week-long hearing in the High Court
was presided over by Justice Christian Whata and was due to wrap up when Mahurangi Matters went to press last Friday. No date for a decision is known. Meanwhile, Fight the Tip is continuing to appeal for financial support to help it stay in the fight. The group, which relies on fundraising and donations, did not have the financial capacity to appear in the High Court, but is supporting Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua and Forest & Bird. Organiser Michelle Carmichael says barrister Andrew Braggins is now working pro bono. Donations can be made to Fight the Tip Tiaki Te Whenua Incorporated, 12 3094 0274048 00.
Cyclone Gabrielle highlighted the vulnerability of the state highway network in the north, with floods and landslips, particularly at the Brynderwyn Hills and Dome Valley, cutting Northland off for weeks.
Richard Mayne on
AT is refusing to say who is responsible for the poor state of the road and how much it has cost ratepayers.
AT tight-lipped over decision to dig up sealed road
Auckland Transport is refusing to explain why it plans to rip up a road it sealed just three years ago and replace it with gravel.
It says repair work will start in Staniforth Road “in the next week or so”, where the road is in very poor condition. However, AT won’t say why the short stretch of road was tarsealed in the first place or how much it cost. It is also refusing to say how much will be spent returning the road to gravel.
Staniforth Road resident Richard Mayne says the sealing, although welcome at the time, turned out to be a gross waste of ratepayers’ money with potholes appearing within weeks of the job being finished.
Mayne has a background in civil construction and believes the rapid deterioration in the seal pointed to bad base preparation.
Numerous complaints to Auckland Transport (AT) about the potholes and subsidence on each side the road fell on deaf ears.
Mayne says AT tried to blame a resident for the delay in addressing what he says has become a very dangerous road to drive on.
“My wife had a close call with a rubbish truck and now refuses to drive on the road, and the postie is only delivering mail once a week because she says the road is
too dangerous.”
AT confirmed that the road was built on private property, following an historic misalignment. It follows a farm driveway rather than the legal boundary.
“There are many such cases where a road used by the public was historically formed in a different alignment from the surveyed paper road and the formal road legalisation then needs to be worked through with the affected landowners at a later date,” an AT spokesperson said.
Although the owner of the property is prepared to do a land swap so the road does not have to be moved to an easement a few
metres to one side of the current road, AT has so far rejected the offer to formalise the swap. Mayne claims it is also refusing to repair the tar seal until the property owner agrees to put in a drain [through their property] to a watercourse at the bottom of the hill. AT refused to answer questions about whether or not the contractor had been at fault for the quick deterioration in the road, and why it had taken so long to address residents’ concerns about the state of the road.
Mahurangi Matters has lodged an Official Information Act request about the Staniforth Road work.
Les Miller & Jackie Woolerton - Webster Malcolm Law
Resident
a sealed section of Staniforth Road that will soon be returned to a gravel road.
Win for unsealed roads
Residents on unsealed roads have had a minor win in the final Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) approved by Auckland Council last week.
The budget for unsealed road improvements will be $12.5 million annually for the next six years, with a further $50 million spent over the remaining three years of the 10year plan, resulting in a total spend of $125 million. Initially, council had budgeted to spend just $6.2 million and $6.4 million in the first two years.
The unsealed roads programme will focus on infrastructure improvements to withstand extreme weather events addressing surface works, safety, seal extensions and drainage conditions.
The RLTP sets out the transport priorities that Auckland Transport, the NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail are seeking to fund or partly fund from the National Land Transport Fund over the next decade.
Of the $63 billion Auckland hopes to secure under the plan, the lion’s share ($28 billion) will be spent on public transport and state highway improvements ($17 billion).
In a response to last year’s weather events, AT plans to spend $186 million over 10 years on:
• Restoring and grading surface water channels and road shoulders
• Scouring protection works for surface water channels and at culvert inlets/ outlets
• Removing and clearing debris from road carriageways, surface water channels and bridge abutment.
• Temporary protection measures such as bunding, covering of slip faces, crack sealing
• Cutting back of banks to retreat from underslips
• Stabilising slips with soil nailing, retaining walls, shotcrete, planting and hydroseeding
• Unblocking culverts
• Restoring damaged road pavements, footpaths, cycleways, kerb and channel and road drainage structures.
Nearly $13 million will be spent over 10 years on the installation of stormwater treatment devices on 23 priority roads to improve the quality of water run-off from the road network.
Hill slip repairs on schedule
Eight of the 10 slips on Matakana Valley Road have been repaired, with all 10 slips expected to be finished by December. Work includes constructing retaining walls to reinforce and prevent further slips occurring, stormwater improvements and resurfacing. Auckland Transport says the final slip, located near the waterfall on the Whangaripo side of the hill, required a re-design as the ground conditions weren’t as expected. The design process is underway and construction is expected to start later this year. A mix of traffic management including speed restrictions, Stop/Go and temporary traffic management will remain in place until the work is finished.
Mahurangi seniors look beyond school gate
By Sandie Foster Mahurangi College Gateway student
School life will come to an end for 145 Year 13 students at Mahurangi College soon. Deciding where their future lies after school is a big decision so with this in mind, the school will hold a careers evening this Thursday August 8 to help those who have not yet made up their minds.
There will be 46 stands with all eight NZ universities represented, as well as other tertiary institutions. There will also be advice from plumbers, gas fitters, builders and electricians to midwives, chiropractors, surveyors/consultants, IT, engineering, hospitality, lawyers, fitness, optometrists, supermarkets, and fishing and diving businesses. The defence forces, police, Springboard and Warkworth library will also be represented.
The evening is open to all students, their families, students from other colleges/ schools and anyone in the community. It will be held in the new gym and will run from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Student perspective
• When Johnny O’Flaherty leaves school he plans to become a refrigeration apprentice “because it pays well”. His goal is to become a certified refrigeration engineer, although his dream job was to
be a farmer. He liked the idea of sitting on a tractor to hoe soil and plant seeds.
Johnny says that when he’s 25, he sees himself broke and homeless on the streets because he says this is what happens to other people. To justify his reason he says, “If you expect bad things to happen, if something good happens you’ll be happy, if something bad happens you won’t be upset because you expected it to happen, therefore, you’ll never be disappointed.”
He did not want to go to university because he didn’t want a debt. “Plus, it’s pretty pointless if you can get an apprenticeship – you can always go to uni later on.”
He says he is prepared for the transition from school to work because he’s been to Silverdale Total Refrigeration for his Gateway work placement and worked there in the holidays.
In terms of things he’ll miss about school, he listed lunchtimes and morning tea breaks “because when you have a job you don’t have them and your lunch break is shorter”.
His advice for younger students was to find a hobby “because hobbies are good for self-development.”
Minister promotes remote inspections
The government is moving ahead on plans to allow building consent authorities to use remote inspections in a bid to make building houses easier and cheaper. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said building was too costly and time consuming, with costs increasing by 41 per cent since 2019 and Stats NZ data showing that it takes an average 569 to build a home – excluding the time needed to get consent. “A constant frustration getting in the way
of building is the cumbersome consenting system and building inspections which are carried out to ensure a build is compliant with the building code,” Penk says.
“Inspections are typically in-person which can lead to long delays as builders are forced to wait sometimes for weeks for a spot to be available which often means building work must stop in the meantime.”
Penk says the benefits of making remote inspections the default approach included
she sees herself as a successful nurse in a good hospital.
She says she feels good about leaving school and moving away from home. Waikato University was just a random choice but her decision to choose nursing was to help people. She says although she feels prepared, she is anxious about the theory side of the course and the possibility of failing.
She thinks the thing she will miss most about school will be her friends. Her advice to younger students is to enjoy life while also prioritising their studies.
• Kaycee Norton plans to have a gap year and travel. She says university never interested her and she’s not sure what job she wants in the future. But her dream job would involve travelling. By 25, she sees herself living life to the fullest. She is excited to leave school and plans to explore the world, learn about other cultures and see other places. Her first stop will be the United States. “My goal is to try to appreciate every moment and not take anything for granted.” Like Elaiza, she thinks leaving her friends will be the hardest part of leaving school. Her advice to younger students is not to worry so much about what they will do after school or stress about school work, but just enjoy it while they can and spend time with their friends.
lowering costs by removing the need for inspectors to travel to site, reducing delays with more inspections per day, reducing transport-related emissions and better record keeping.
Book winners
Nominate a Good Samaritan Mahurangi Matters is pleased to announce that the Sweet Appreciation promotion is returning with the muchanticipated re-opening of Chocolate Brown in Warkworth soon. If you know someone who deserves some delicious bespoke chocolates, let us know. We need their name and contact phone number, and a short statement from you (60-80 words) explaining why you think they deserve the chocolates. Send your nomination to editor@localmatters. co.nz or post/drop it in to our office at 17 Neville Street Warkworth.
CORRECTION
Immediate past president of the Matakana Pony Club Angela Robertson says she is not the Angela quoted in the story about the pony club in our last issue (MM Jul 22). She says she has never met with the Matakana Community Group about the proposed pump track.
• Elaiza Caige plans to go to university in Waikato to become a nurse, which she describes as her dream job. By 25,
Congratulations to Mary Galloway and Carol Everiss who won copies of Good Dogs.
I am pleased to report some good news which arrived last week as the Coalition Government announced we are accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Warkworth and Whangārei as part of our Roads of National Significance programme. As part of the NZ FirstNational coalition agreement, we promised to build a new four lane highway north. Like you, I share your frustrations following another dumping of rain that caused yet another closure of the Brynderwyns at the end of the school holidays. The Northland Expressway will combine three projects from Warkworth all the way to Whangarei, providing a desperately needed resilient link, removing our dependency on the Brynderwyns.
To accelerate the build process the entire project will be planned upfront with a single design stage, with the road being built in sequential stages. The first stage will build from Warkworth to Te Hana, this section of road is projected to increase New Zealand’s GDP by $497m.
The second stage will connect to the Port Marsden highway, bypassing the Brynderwyn Hills.
For locals who traverse the current difficult drive regularly, the Brynderwyn bypass will be a game-changer, removing the most difficult part of the journey, and providing four lanes of safer travel. The final stage will push the four lanes all the way to Whangarei, opening the city and port.
Thriving regions is a clear focus for New Zealand First across multiple policy areas. We have always known that investment in regional infrastructure will help our regions and communities grow. The new $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund, alongside safe transport networks are key to unlocking the potential of our regions. Across my media delegations as Parliamentary Under-Secretary I am also focused on the regions. While there’s been much coverage of the closure of Newshub and various news programmes on TVNZ, the challenges regional media are facing are no less dire and are at the forefront of my work programme.
I am concerned about the long-term future of our community newspapers, and have been visiting regional media organisations, both local radio and newspapers around the country as they are increasingly struggling in challenging economic conditions.
While it’s not the government’s role to prop up struggling media organisations, it’s through regulatory change that we are able to support the environment they are operating in. I’ve begun some work to assist Mahurangi Matters find a pathway to enable independent community newspapers to become sustainable. It would be a sad day for democracy if our local papers had to shut up shop. They tell important local stories, they capture local sports and other events that are not be covered by the larger network media entities. They are truly localism in action.
Me and My Dad photo comp
Father’s Day is fast approaching and to celebrate the occasion, Mahurangi Matters, with the help of some generous local businesses, is giving readers the chance to win their Dad a prize.
To enter, send your best ‘Me and My Dad’ photo to editor@localmatters.co.nz or drop it off at the Mahurangi Matters office 17 Neville Street, Warkworth. The photos* should show us why you think your Dad is a winner. Don’t forget to include details of who is in the photo, your name and a daytime phone number. All entries will go in the draw. The winners’ names and a selection of photos will be published in the September 2 issue of Mahurangi Matters
The first-place winner will receive a Stihl MS170 chainsaw and a kid’s toy
chainsaw from Stihl Shop Warkworth, a 22-piece socket wrench set from Warkworth Plumbing, and a first aid training course from Pro Med.
The second-place winner will receive a round of golf for two including cart hire from Omaha Beach Golf Club, a Huffer hoodie from Stirling Sports Warkworth, and a $100 voucher from STR Automotive & Electrical.
The third-place winner will score themselves a Secrid wallet from Warkworth Menswear, and a $100 Sculptureum family pass.
Entries close at midday on Monday, August 26.
*If emailing the photo, please ensure the resolution is between 700KB and 3MB
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Coastal strategies
change impacts address climate
Four draft Shoreline Adaptation Plans for Pākiri to Mathesons Bay, Ti Point to Sandspit, Snells Beach to Ōrewa, and Kaipara Harbour are expected to be released for a further round of community engagement and feedback next month.
Just under 1000 individual pieces of feedback were received during initial consultation earlier this year.
Auckland Council principal coastal adaptation specialist Lara Clarke says analysis of the feedback is currently underway, alongside ongoing engagement with local iwi, asset owners and managers, and technical experts.
The Shoreline Adaptation Programme includes plans for 20 coastal areas in Auckland, covering 3200km of coastline. They look at how best to manage council-owned assets and land – beaches, cliffs, harbours and estuaries –to respond to coastal hazards and climate change over the next century.
The plans will be based on four approaches:
• No active intervention – Let nature take its course without intervention. This strategy would be employed to coastal areas where council-owned land and assets are not exposed to coastal hazards or catchment flooding. It invests in hazard-risk management such as land stability, but does not invest in hazard protection structures.
• Limited interventions – Allowing for some maintenance to existing coastal defences, and ensuring assets are kept safe while accepting that processes like wind, waves and storms will change the position of the coastline over time. This strategy also identifies that some assets or uses such as footpaths, sports fields and carparks may need to be moved to manage potential risks.
• Hold the line – Defending council-owned assets and land from erosion and flooding, and preserving areas such as walkways and sports fields for their intended uses. This could involve building protective measures such as sea walls and planting dunes.
• Managed realignment – Planning for changes to the coastline and managing risks by moving assets, uses and infrastructure away from the coast and hazard-prone areas.
Initial community feedback identified the following themes:
Kaipara Harbour
• The importance of boat access to the harbour
• The natural environment is highly valued
• The value of the harbour for marine life including recreational fishing and gathering of kaimoana
• Enjoyment of the regional parks and the value these have to the region
Pākiri to Mathesons Bay
• High importance of water-based recreation like swimming and surfing
• Health of the moana linked closely to how land is managed, with concerns raised around land use impacting the quality of the coastal environment
• The value of coastal walkways to the community and visitors
• Concerns regarding changes in natural environment being observed, in relation to dune habitat, the abundance of wildlife declining both on land and in the marine areas.
Ti Point to Sandspit
• Recreation at the coast being an essential activity for families and residents, and this recreational opportunity
needing to be safe, friendly, accessible
• The need to provide areas for a diversity of use including family spaces and dog walking spaces
• Awareness of the challenges from inundation with low lying areas
• Access to the coast and harbour(s) being of high importance, including the provision of recreational coastal access and boat launching facilities
• Access to the harbour and to islands, in particular, being an important feature of the coastal infrastructure
• Value of the natural ecology and the need to provide for habitat for birds and other species, and provide for the needs of ecosystems within coastal spaces alongside recreational access and enjoyment for people
Snells Beach to Ōrewa
• Importance of coastal access (to and along) for all abilities
• Importance and value of wildlife
• Value of dunes and beach areas for recreation
• Community led environmental initiatives being important, recognised and supported
• Coastal erosion observed in many locations.
Council hopes that the Shoreline Adaptation Plans and strategies will avoid damage like this in future.
Matakana Village Preschool
The Matakana Village Preschool will reopen later this month with new owner Tania Goddard at the helm.
While this will be good news for parents with children aged from two to six years, it is also a “dream come true” for Tania.
“It’s always been my goal to provide a caring centre where children are encouraged to learn at their own pace and through the activities they find most interesting,” she says.
“No two children are the same and I want the centre to be a place that recognises and nurtures that individuality.”
The opportunity to set up her own early childhood centre presented itself when she and partner Grant noticed the building was empty, after the closure of the previous centre several months earlier.
While navigating the bureaucratic realities of opening her business, Tania has also enlisted the help of family to create an environment where her young charges will feel happy, safe and at home.
She has placed a special emphasis on the outdoor play areas, which include fruit trees, a garden and “real grass and mud”.
“I’m trying to include natural surroundings and nature as much as I can as these are the building blocks for imagination and creativity.”
Tania has engaged two experienced ECE teachers including one male teacher who will run a special ‘before school’ programme, in a dedicated space to the side of the main centre.
“It was just too good of an opportunity to
Tania says she has been heavily influenced by both the Montessori and Reggio Emilia Approach to learning, which she says take a more flexible approach to how children learn and the role of educators as guides.
Tania Goddard
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Mahurangi singer on world stage
A founding member of the women’s choir Luminata Voices, Jennie Argle of Kaipara Flats, is still buzzing after Luminata won gold at the World Choir Games last month. The games are the world’s biggest choir competition, with more than 250 amateur choirs competing from all over the globe. Luminata won the Champions Competition in the Women’s Chamber Choir category.
“It was so much fun,” Argle says. “I felt jittery and excited in the lead up to our performance. The awards ceremony and closing ceremony were exhilarating though. Imagine Spark Arena filled with thousands of fantastic singers from all over the world, singing along to a pop medley. It was magical.”
Argle was introduced to singing at a young age by her mother, Anne Waight (Verdonk), who was herself a “wonderful” singer.
“We would sing as a family group every
chance we got. My first proper choir experience was the North Shore Children’s Choir in 2001. My late sister, Tania Verdonk, was a singing teacher in Kaipara Flats about 15 years ago, where she started a children’s choir and women’s choir.
“In more recent years I have been lucky enough to perform with Voices NZ for some big projects such as Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and Mahler 3.”
Argle also sang with the Kowhai Singers in 2020, a project she undertook when Amy Cottingham was the director. She has been with Luminata for four years.
“We are a project based choir where we can sign up for projects independently from each other. Many of our members are music teachers and choral directors around Auckland.”
The choir’s next big engagement will be its annual Christmas High Tea concert in early December.
I am stopped every day by townsfolk who are concerned, frightened and angry about the Watercare issue. The question I hear most often is, “What can we do to help?”
Our engineers are working on the best alternative options, approaching the issue from a technical angle. Our legal team is preparing a challenge, ensuring we have that aspect covered. Additionally, we are seeking more publicity to apply pressure from all sides. We’ve had interviews with RNZ, TV One, and various newspapers, and we’ll continue down those channels until our message is heard.
What else can be done? A constant email campaign from as many people as possible to the Watercare Board would be effective.
The address is governanceteam@water.co.nz
(Attention: Geoff Hunt, Chairman). The messages need to be respectful – any abusive language will only harm our cause. We need to consistently communicate that, “Warkworth does not want your trenching option.” If we maintain this pressure, hopefully, they will understand that we will not simply roll over.
One Mahurangi will be producing a series of email templates that you can use as-is or modify to personalise your message. I must reiterate: keep it respectful.
A possible gathering one Sunday within
Granny flat discussion
the next month will be an opportunity for anyone in town or the surrounding districts to make signs and show Watercare how we feel about their pipeline route. I love the stickers Rick, from Hand of Heart Gallery, has designed, which say “Water don’t care.” This resonates deeply because their analysis shows they only care about 8% of the community impact. We need to hold them accountable and demonstrate that while they may not care, we certainly do.
Keep an eye out for dates and times for a gathering on Queen Street. It will be advertised in Mahurangi Matters and all community Facebook pages. The more people who turn up, the stronger our message to Watercare will be.
Letters have been sent to the Chairman and CEO of Watercare, informing them that Warkworth is not a town that will roll over and let them destroy our retail heart. We will fight until they engage with us to find an option that works for all of us. Can we win this battle? I honestly don’t know. But I do know that collectively, we will do everything humanly possible to achieve the least disruptive outcome for our town. Stronger together.
Auckland Council’s submission on a discussion document called Making it Easier to Build Granny Flats highlights its concern that waiving requirements for building and resource consents on granny flats could have unintended consequences. This could include limited oversight for environmental impacts, a lack of infrastructure funding for areas that could see growth and no oversight for building safety and quality. Mayor Wayne Brown added that council did not want to miss out on growth charges and [development contributions] where they were due, but “we also don’t want to inflict those charges on places where they (grandparents) are just trying to eat separately from the grandchildren.”
Jennie Argle was one of the 24-members of Luminata Voices who competed in the World Choir Games.
John Stephen Vale
Atrusted mate with a warm handshake was how John Stephen was remembered by family, friends and colleagues when he was farewelled at a service in Warkworth on July 22. He was also a man with an eclectic mix of interests, which was exemplified by the two guards of honour that formed at the conclusion of his funeral – one by police and the other by the Kaipara Flats Cricket Club. Regional park rangers in uniform also stood to attention as the cortege made its way from the hall to the waiting hearse, which was then escorted from the funeral home by uniformed police on motorcycles. John was also accorded an RSA tribute including the playing of the Last Post and Reveille, and the reciting of the Ode delivered in te reo and English.
Born in Brunswick House, Gloucestershire, the Stephen family emigrated to NZ when John was seven. They settled in the South Island’s Waimakariri district and John attended Canterbury Boys High School where he excelled at swimming, water polo and cricket.
Witnessing some unruly behaviour at a Rolling Stones concert apparently convinced him that he’d made the right decision to join the NZ Police Force, aged 19. After training at Trentham, he started his long and distinguished career on the
beat in Wellington. While in the capital, he served with Wellington CIB and the armed offenders squad. By the time he transferred to Taupo he was married to Maureen and had two small children, Sarah and David. In 1968, the family moved north to Warkworth, where the station in Falls Street was to become his second home until he retired nearly 35 years later.
John’s love of cricket saw him join the Kaipara Flats Sports Association, where he went from player to selector, club captain, president and eventually, Northland delegate, and Life Member No. 19. Obviously his dedication to his job parallelled his love of the game as immediate past president Ian Hudson recalled that John would sometimes play in his uniform when he was on duty. “We always knew when there was going to be checkpoint up the road because we’d see John switch from his favourite DB to orange juice.”
Current president Sam Ryburn described John’s contribution to the club as “immense”. “He became like a father figure to many of the younger members and was always there to point them in the right direction.”
John also had a lifelong interest in pest eradication, particularly in northern regional parks and on Kawau Island.
Ranger Phoebe Steele said it was impossible to quantify his contribution. “The people you have inspired, the trees you have planted and the animals you have protected – our regional parks are a better place thanks to you. Your contribution was immense.” Steele said despite John’s less than enthusiastic embrace of PPE – “getting him to wear ear protection or a helmet was a challenge” – he could always be depended upon to lend a hand where needed, from painting farm gates to chopping wood. “He was a very reassuring presence.”
RSA president Bob Harrison described John as a “good shot”, whether he was aiming a pool cue or a rifle. John was the RSA president from 2013 to 2019, and a Poppy Trust trustee until he died. “He was a good mate to a lot of people, a keen hunter and whitebaiter, and will be sorely missed.”
John passed away peacefully at Harbour Hospice on July 15, aged 79.
Science
Carbon capture and its problems
In the current climate impacts assessment from the NZ Government, it proposes to establish carbon capture (CO2) installations. What is carbon capture and is it important in the long journey ahead to zero carbon (ZC)?
The basic process involves capturing the primary greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, directly from the atmosphere or from other gases in industrial waste streams. CO2 gas is at the heart of atmospheric warming and is the root cause of the increasingly devastating climate change impacts that are reported daily on TV news.
There are two types of carbon capture in global discussions at present. One involves the progressive removal of excessive historical CO2 formed from burning firstly coal, and later natural gas (methane), since the start of the coal-powered industrial revolution, which started about 1850. The carbon emissions are currently 37 billion tonnes a year and the only successful commercial carbon dioxide trapping process is the Climeworks facility in Switzerland, which traps 1000 tonnes of CO2 per year. This would mean we would need 37,000 such facilities worldwide to return our atmosphere to its pre-1850 state!
The oil and gas industries in the USA have had several attempts to build a large scaled-up version of the small Swiss facility. These carbon capture facilities are referred to in that context as Direct Air Capture (DAC) plants. Their latest failure is the largest DAC plant ever built, which is
the Occidental Petroleum DAC facility in Wyoming. Occidental Petroleum were hoping to have a USA government offset agreement to enable them to continue operating but it has recently quietly abandoned this massive investment.
The second type of carbon capture, which is the one referred to by MBIE in its climate impacts assessment, is a much smaller type of plant usually attached to an industrial waste stream. It removes the CO2 gas from other gases emitted into the atmosphere and so enables the NZ industries involved to continue operating in a CO2 neutral mode. The only problem is that there are about 30 such plants in the world and only a couple of these are working. Recently, the EU as part of its climate strategy proposed installing such plants. However, according to the respected Nature News (2024), the EU was advised by both its own scientific advisors and by independent advisors that this type of carbon capture technology was not yet developed to a practical level. The NZ government would be well advised to abandon this attempt to permit CO2 emitting industries to continue operating and so contributing to climate warming. In conclusion, industries that generate significant CO2 emissions must avoid or eliminate those emissions. Invoking the deployment of carbon capture technologies that are well known not to have been developed yet will certainly be recognised as an evasion of responsibility both in NZ and among our leading trading companies.
Townhouse 7, Henry Tayler Rise – Milldale
Silverdale
Inclusiveness a hallmark of Warkworth choir
In 1984, following a combined Wellsford Warkworth performance of Haydn’s Creation conducted by Maurice Gorbey, Basil Kirker decided to call a meeting in Warkworth to gauge support for a community choir. The suggestion was that a carol concert might be held that Christmas.
About 30 people showed interest and, under Basil’s direction, they started rehearsals for the carol concert, which was performed in the Methodist Church hall on December 15. It was a great success and drew a large audience, standing room only.
John Cavender, from Wellsford, was the compere and a children’s choir from Leigh Primary School also participated, setting a pattern of children’s choir participation for many years thereafter.
The following year, the choir members joined singers from Wellsford and Orewa to perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah directed by David Lacey, with Basil acting as assistant director. This group performed four times with great success. Jennifer Kirker and Beverley Hicks were among a group of soloists for these performances. Such was the enthusiasm that Basil Kirker decided to formalise the choir. A small support committee was formed and what was to become Kowhai Singers was born. Basil continued to conduct Kowhai Singers
until the end of 1994. The choir tackled major works such as Handel’s Messiah along with mixed concerts of smaller works and the Christmas carol concert. From the Christmas concert, moneys raised were always given to a chosen charity.
In 1995, Peter Cammell took over directorship of the choir, conducting three concerts a year until his retirement in 2017 following a performance of Handel’s Messiah in Warkworth Town Hall. During this period, the choir experimented with many genres and themes, and became proficient in singing unaccompanied.
The traditional Christmas concert continued to be a feature. The great choral standards were interspersed with mixed concerts often of a lighter nature. Choir membership fluctuated throughout this period ranging between 20 and 45, but the concept of an unauditioned all-comers community choir continued.
Both these directors were keen to take the choir out into the community and small groups sang in the street at Christmas, in retirement homes and under Basil Kirker, they also sang several choral Evensong services at the Anglican church.
Resident accompanists have always been difficult to procure but the choir was well blessed with accompanists such as
Moira Atkinson and Joye Reeves for many years. Riette Fierrera was the last longterm accompanist while many others have assisted throughout the choir’s history.
Two concerts under Sola Tuo, five under Amy Cottingham, who had the burden of the covid period to contend with, and one with Susan Hayday as acting director, bring us to the present and the directorship of Ken Leech, who has now directed the choir for four concerts.
Ken says his vision for the Kowhai Singers is to provide the people of Warkworth and it’s the surrounding area with the opportunity to sing and perform the best choral music available at the highest possible standard.
Contributed by Bev Hicks
Singers celebrate 40 years
Warkworth’s resident choir Kowhai Singers will mark a milestone this month when it celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Former members and supporters are invited to join current choir members at an afternoon tea celebration at the Methodist Church Hall on Saturday August 10, starting at 3pm. The cost to cover expenses is $15.
The gathering will be an opportunity to
celebrate and share memories.
Rehearsals for the 40th anniversary carol concerts start on September 2 at the Methodist Church Hall, with performances on November 30, at Warkworth Town Hall, and December 1, at Leigh Community Hall.
The choir will perform three concerts next year and new members are always welcome.
Design | Manufacture | Installation
Current choir director Ken Leech.
The choir has always had a strong focus on participation, with members not required to audition.
Founding conductor, the late Basil Kirker.
Amy Cottingham, who conducted the choir from 2019 to 2022.
Grant helps balance budget service books
The Warkworth/Wellsford Budget Service has secured funding from the Ministry of Social Development for the next three to five years.
Service chair and volunteer Maureen Bernie believes this achievement is a result of the service’s strong past performance.
“We currently have 12 financial mentors and are actively recruiting two parttime employees and six to eight more volunteers,” Bernie says. “Each volunteer gives a minimum of four hours a week.”
The service works to delivery targets, which includes number of clients, number of client visits, overall impact on debt reduction and increases in individual financial capability. For 2024/25, the target is to attract 200 new clients and complete 750 client visits.
Bernie says the service has adapted as times, and local demographics, have changed.
“We are flexible and mobile, and can visit clients at home, if required, and our financial mentors can act as advocates with WINZ and creditors for debt management planning.”
The Warkworth Wellsford service is planning to rebrand this year to better reflect the area it covers, which is from Puhoi to Kaiwaka, Kaipara Coast Highway to Mangawhai. Warkworth and Wellsford remain the main hubs for walk-in clinics (Tuesdays 10.30am to 12.30pm).
The service works closely with a network of local support agencies for referrals such as Homebuilders, Citizens Advice Bureau, Women’s Centre, Mahu Vision, Loaves & Fishes Foodbank Wellsford, Te Whai Trust Mangawhai and WINZ.
Half of all referrals come from community connections.
“We want anyone who resides in our area to know they can reach out to us for free, confidential advice and support for advocacy, budgeting and debt management, or just simply to listen to their financial concerns,” Bernie says.
“Our engagement with a client can be as little as a single conversation to multiple meetings with ongoing check-ins over a period of months. A referral for a food parcel can and does often extend to a number of follow up sessions.
“We usually prepare a budget (a spending plan) that includes all known expenses for a year. With this, the client can see when and how much money they need to be put aside for future expenses such as Warrants of Fitness and rates. This also helps support applications to WINZ for additional temporary support and to creditors for payments reductions.
“Clients often come with the intention of withdrawing funds from their KiwiSaver under a hardship application. Many times, after gathering all income, expenses and
debt information, it becomes obvious that a KiwiSaver withdrawal will only provide a very short-term respite, there being more benefit from renegotiating debt repayments and seeking additional income from other sources.”
The service can be contacted on 021 423 788 or via its website: www.wwbudgetservice.co.nz
FUNDING ALERT!
Quakers celebrate 400 year anniversary
Quakers in the Mahurangi area joined an international celebration last month, marking 400 years since the birth of the founder of the movement George Fox. Warkworth spokesperson Jim Flewitt says the local Quaker congregation is small, but new members are welcome. They meet once a month in a room at the Mahurangi East Community Centre. He says that for many, the word Quaker conjures up an image of an older gent in a black hat espousing the benefits of Quaker Oats.
“In reality, there is no factual link between the two, although Quakers were responsible for setting up businesses such as the confectionary companies Cadbury, Fry and Rowntree, and the financial institutions Lloyds and Barclays,” Flewitt says.
Early NZ Quakers founded a presence in Nelson in the 1840s, bringing with them the core values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and sustainability.
“These values underlie work in areas such as social justice, prison reform, past and modern-day slavery. This work is still actively practiced today through Quaker engagement with local, national and global governing authorities.”
Flewitt says that the Mahurangi Quaker meetings are a time for mostly silent reflection. Quakers seek religious truth in inner experience, and place great reliance on conscience as the basis of morality.
Info: Jim Flewitt on 027 293 9414.
Funding offer
Community organisations in Mahurangi and Mangawhai who are involved in mental health and sustainable societies are invited to apply for a grant from the Bupa Foundation. Individual organisations will be able to access up to $10,000. Applications close on September 6. Info: https://bupa.good2givegrants.org/
Attention rural landowners and groups in the Mahurangi catchment. Time is running out to apply for funding that will cover up to 60 percent of costs for activities that help reduce sediment run-off to the harbour.
Funding is available for: buying native plants & labour fencing materials & labour site preparation & maintenance alternative water supply stream bank erosion mitigation fish passage improvements (fully funded)
An applicant's contribution can include in-kind / voluntary labour, cash, or funding acquired from another source.
Please contact Holly Fleming as soon as possible to secure funding through our programme! Mob: 021 548 818
Email: hollyfleming@terrapura.co.nz
She will arrange to meet you on-site, help you scope the project, and compile the information you'll need for your funding application. Scan the code or see our funding guide at www.ngatimanuhiri.iwi.nz/mlrp Don’t miss out! Limited-time funding
Budget service chair Maureen Bernie outside the Warkworth clinic.
TOSSI
Lyn Hamilton-Hunter www.tossi.org.nz
Kiwi are among us
We are incredibly fortunate to have a thriving population of North Island brown kiwi at Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary and surrounding areas. Our recent kiwi call count in May confirmed a stable population comparable to previous years. The birds are well distributed around the park and calls suggest the park is at capacity. In addition, populations outside the pest proof fence, on the Tāwharanui peninsula, are growing, with calls being regularly heard from Waikauri Bay to Buckleton Beach. The translocation of kiwi to Tamahunga including 10 birds from Tāwharanui has also been highly successful and the population is growing with successful breeding. So, they are out and about in our own backyard!
Some fun facts
Kiwi are monogamous, nocturnal and territorial. They are the only bird in the world to have nostrils on the end of their beak. They have whiskers, an excellent sense of smell and very good hearing, which helps them locate their food. They are omnivorous, dining on small macroinvertebrates, like worms and insect larvae, spiders, centipedes, crickets and wētā; berries, seeds and leaf litter. Their peak breeding season is June to November but they can breed at other times of the year and they lay one or two eggs per clutch and up to two clutches a year. The eggs are 124mm long and 80mm wide, one of the largest egg-to-body ratios in the bird world. The male is responsible for the incubation and the chicks fledge within seven days and forage straight away without any parental guidance.
The main threats are introduced predators, loss of habitat and car strike. According to
Save the Kiwi, about 50 to 60% of chicks survive to adulthood where there is consistent predator suppression, 90 to 95% die before reaching maturity where there is no predator control. The worst offenders are dogs that kill adult kiwi, particularly at night; stoats, weasels and cats, which kill chicks; and rats which compete for food and inhibit chick growth. How can you help?
Attend kiwi avoidance dog training and drive at night with more care around Tamahunga and Takatu Road. Keep consistently trapping if you already do and start trapping if you don’t. Keep your cats at home. Volunteer at the park to do a trap line and contact one of the many groups working hard in the kiwi zone outside the sanctuary – Takatu Landcare, The Forest Bridge Trust, Point Wells Group, Omaha 2020 Group. If you decide to head out to Tāwharanui to spot kiwi here are a few handy hints to make the experience fruitful: Go at night and have a red filter on your torch, a bright white beam can frighten them away; walk quietly and listen, noisy groups don’t get to see kiwi and spoil it for others; familiarise yourself with kiwi call sounds, the male and female are different and one of the morepork calls sounds similar. For further information, go to nzbirdsonline.org.nz/ northisland-brown-kiwi Info: news@tossi.org.nz
It’s
not just Aussies who like to go walkabout!
Point Wells homes and gardens on show
After a six-year hiatus, Harbour Hospice’s Homes and Gardens Tour is returning.
The bi-annual fundraiser was last held in 2018, then deferred due to covid.
“But it’s back by popular demand,” Harbour Hospice community and events fundraiser Emily Thomas says. “We’re thrilled to be bringing it to the community again with a fresh, new look.
Around 300 ticket holders will have access to some of Point Wells’ most beautiful homes and gardens on Sunday November 10.
The tour will include more than a dozen properties, reflecting various styles from contemporary to timeless and traditional. Thomas says the homes will offer inspiration and a rare peek beyond the curtains into some of the area’s most spectacular residences.
The Point Wells Hall will be used as a central hub where coffee and food trucks will be set up alongside stalls selling plants and Christmas cakes, silent auctions, raffles and more.
Retired Point Wells couple Rae and Gavin Hamilton are among those who have generously agreed to open their home for hospice.
Their home featured in the NZ House and Garden magazine in 2022, making them the “talk of the town” for a while, they joke. The couple designed their house seven years ago, with ease of mobility for Gavin top of mind.
Gavin uses a mobility scooter after suffering from polio as a child, then much later in life losing the use of his legs – the effects of post-polio syndrome (PPS). The couple needed a spacious single-level home where he could move seamlessly inside and outside to the garden.
They designed their four-bedroom home with extra-wide hallways and entrances, then used a draughtsman to bring their plans to life.
Before moving to Point Wells, the couple had lived in elevated homes with sweeping views, so having a beautiful garden became a focal point.
“I’ve never gardened in my life, but if you can’t have a view you need a nice garden,” Rae says.
Auckland landscape designer Aaron BellBooth designed the garden then Rae and Gavin executed his plan exactly with the help of local gardeners.
The garden is white-themed and elegant, filled with coastal rosemary, wisteria, hydrangea, camellia and more. Rae says they spend almost as much time outside as they do inside.
They agreed to the tour after a hospice representative spoke at the Point Wells gardening club.
“It is a way of giving back,” Rae says. “Hospice is an important part of the community and one day Gavin and I could very well need it ourselves.”
All proceeds raised from the homes tour will go towards hospice patient and family services in Warkworth and Wellsford.
Harbour Hospice is the only specialist palliative care provider in the area, caring for one in three people in the community who are dying, supporting them to live well in the place they call home with the people they love.
Tickets for Harbour Hospice’s Homes and Gardens Tour, sponsored by Barfoot and Thompson, go on sale online on August 20: harbourhospice.org.nz/event/homesand-gardens-tour/
Loyal Harbour Hospice volunteers thanked
Harbour Hospice celebrated its volunteers’ dedication with its annual Harbour Hospice Warkworth/Wellsford Long Service Awards at Tui House on July 31.
A group of 31 volunteers were recognised for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service.
Wellsford hospice shop volunteer Valerie Partridge was one of the two volunteers recognised for 25 years – the other being Warkworth hospice shop volunteer Elizabeth Clark.
Valerie says that she was “roped into” volunteering for hospice by a friend after moving into the area, but loved it so much she never left.
Valerie is on the counter at the Wellsford shop every Friday morning.
“I just love the companionship and getting to chat with the people who come into the store,” she says.
“When I started, most of the customers were locals, now they’re mostly people who are passing through to go up north for holidays.
It’s rewarding, it’s fun, it gets me out of the house and I feel humbled to be part of a patient’s journey. These are some of the reasons Harbour Hospice volunteers, like Valerie Partridge, cite for freely giving their time and energy to the charity over decades.
“One thing that has stayed the same, though, is that women’s clothing has always been a top seller.”
Valerie is proud to call herself a hospice volunteer.
“It’s such a great cause. There are people in the community who need it.”
Valerie is one of 1200 volunteers who support Harbour Hospice each year and in the past 12 months, they gave the charity more than 151,000 hours of their time. Many of Harbour Hospice’s volunteers can be found in its 17 shops, which raise onethird of the charity’s annual fundraising needs.
“Volunteers are integral to the delivery of hospice services,” chief executive Jan Nichols says.
“Whether they provide direct contact and care for our patients and families or contribute in our shops, kitchens, gardens, reception areas, through fundraising or flower arranging for us, or in other ways, their combined efforts make a real and tangible difference.
“We simply couldn’t do what we do without them and we are very grateful to each and every one of them for the time, energy and skills they give.”
Right: Rae and Gavin Hamilton’s home and garden will be part of the tour.
Health
Rachael Wilson, The Food Tree rachael@thefoodtree.co
Combating health misinformation
The internet has become a primary source of information for many, including those seeking advice on nutrition. However, the field of nutrition science is still relatively young, leading to a proliferation of misinformation online. A recent study highlighted that nearly 70 per cent of nutrition information available on the internet is false. This alarming statistic underscores the need for a more critical and holistic approach to understanding nutrition. Nutrition science, as a formal discipline, has only been around for a little over a century. While we’ve made significant strides in understanding the role of various nutrients in human health, there is still much to learn. The complexity of human metabolism, the interaction between different nutrients, and the influence of genetics and lifestyle factors all contribute to the ongoing evolution of this field. The internet is rife with conflicting advice and sensationalist claims about diet and health. From miracle weight loss solutions to the demonisation of entire food groups, the abundance of misinformation can be overwhelming. It can also lead to confusion, poor dietary choices, and even health risks.
One of the major pitfalls in the dissemination of nutrition information is reductionism. This approach simplifies complex nutritional concepts into single, often misleading messages. For example, labelling certain foods as “superfoods” can create the false impression that consuming these items alone can lead to optimal health. While foods like kale, quinoa and blueberries are indeed nutritious, they cannot compensate for an overall poor diet, lack of exercise or inadequate sleep.
MOTORHOMES
To truly understand and benefit from nutrition science, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach. This means considering the overall dietary pattern rather than focusing on individual foods or nutrients. A balanced diet that includes a variety of foods from all food groups, regular physical activity, and sufficient sleep are all crucial components of good health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is far more beneficial than relying on a few so-called superfoods.
Given the prevalence of misinformation, it is crucial to approach online nutrition information with a critical eye. Here are some tips to help you navigate the digital landscape:
• Check the source: Look for information from reputable sources such as registered dietitians, academic institutions and government health agencies.
• Be sceptical of sensational claims: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of miracle cures and quick fixes.
• Look for evidence: Reliable information is usually backed by scientific research. Check for references to studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
• Consult a professional: When in doubt, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional who can provide personalised recommendations based on your individual needs.
In conclusion, while nutrition science is still in its infancy, it is essential to approach it with a holistic mindset. Avoid reductionist thinking and be critical of the information you encounter online.
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Start your engines!
Among the classic cars on display will be these immaculately restored beauties, all English Ford convertibles. From left, Steve Paddison and his Mk II Zephyr, brother Les Paddison with his Mk I Zephyr and Neil Cremer with his Mk I Consul.
Vintage car owners will be revving their engines and heading for Matakana on Sunday August 25 for the annual Daffodil Day rally to raise funds for the Cancer Society.
An estimated 100 meticulously restored vehicles, from elegant pre-war models to iconic muscle cars of the 1960s and 70s, will be on display in the carpark beside Matakana School, from around midday onwards.
The event is a joint initiative of the Wellsford/Warkworth branch of the Vintage Car Cub and the Waitemata and North Shore branches.
Among the cars will be a newly-restored 1955 Mk I Consul convertible, believed to be the only Mk I Consul convertible on the road in NZ. Owner Neil Cremer, of Martins Bay, bought the car for $5000 in
Learning bike know-how
1995 and has been slowly working on its restoration ever since. He says it was a bit of “a basket case” when he got it but now it drives “beautifully”. It only returned to the road a few weeks ago.
Leigh’s Steve Paddison will be arriving in his luxury Zodiac Mk II Zephyr convertible, which was restored in Australia by the thenowner of Rare Spares. Paddison bought the car in Paihia around four years ago.
His brother Les will have his Mk I Zephyr convertible on show, which has the lowest mileage of any Mk I convertible on the road in NZ or the UK. It features original seats, upholstery and hood, and has just 37,000 miles on the clock.
Entry to the show is free, but donations will be welcome.
Last year’s event raised $3000.
The Learning Hub at Less. Waste, in Lawrie Road, Snells Beach, will be running a bike basic maintenance clinic with Kelvin Aris, on Saturday August 24, from 10am to 2pm. Kelvin, from Ecomatters Bike Hub, Pakuranga, is a passionate advocate for making the world better for bikes. The clinic will be an opportunity to learn the basics of keeping a bike in good working condition. Learn how to fix a flat tyre, clean a bike and keep brakes and gears tuned, or get advice on choosing a bike. This is a drop in session and no registration is required.
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Festival gears up for October
The team organising Warkworth’s heritage Kowhai Festival is gearing up for a bigger event than last year including the return of the popular markets.
The annual event in the town centre, which has been running for more than 50 years, will be held on Saturday October 19. Committee chair Melanie Marnet says it’s exciting to see the programme take shape. The theme will be vintage fashion through the decades. Festival goers will be encouraged to dress in clothing from their favourite decade whether that was the roaring 40s, the punk 70s or the disco 80s. As well as the market, there will be entertainment, food trucks and a special photographic display in the Southgate Room, upstairs in The Oaks.
“It won’t be as big at the 50th anniversary festival, but we are easing back into a bigger event post-covid,” Marnet says. “We need to keep to the festival to a size that is manageable with the resources we have.”
The festival programme is governed primarily by the number of people who are willing to help. Sponsorship is also a factor. The budget for this year’s event will be around $35,000 so the committee would welcome enquiries from any businesses interested in promoting their brand at the festival.
The day will kick off at 9am, with the market finishing around 4pm and entertainment and food winding-up at 8pm.
Marnet says it’s an exhausting job getting everything organised, but the reward is seeing the crowds enjoying themselves.
“The one thing we don’t have control over is the weather so we will just have to keep our fingers crossed in that regard.”
your dream outdoor
Anyone interested in taking a stall at the market can find out more and register online at www.kowhaifestival.co.nz
Pet of the Month
Molly the Morepork
Well, we’re not really sure of his or her name but when we were presented with an injured morepork, that was found at the edge of the road in the Dome Valley, our team decided we had to try and give it a fighting chance of survival. One wing was hanging down at an odd angle and careful examination and radiographs confirmed a transverse, midshaft fracture of the humerus, the uppermost wing bone. Wild birds of prey like Molly need to be able to fly in order to hunt so we decided to try and fix the fracture using a tiny stainless steel pin we inserted up the inside shaft of the bone to join the two halves together while it heals together. Molly was anaesthetised using a mask and anaesthetic gas, and came through the operation like a trooper.
Within a few hours she was happily perched on a branch in a cage in the hospital. Molly has now gone to recuperate with a local volunteer farmer who is experienced with moreporks and we expect the bones to heal together over the next 3-4 weeks, after which she will be released back into the wild.
Vets: Jon Makin BVSc, Danny Cash BVSc and Associates
VETS VETERINARY HOSPITAL COAST 2 COAST VETS
Arguably Mahurangi’s favourite band White Chapel Jak will be the finale act at this year’s Kowhai Festival.
Festival chair Melanie Marnet has a busy few weeks ahead of her as she rustles up sponsorship and volunteer helpers.
Cuisine
Lauraine Jacobs
www.laurainejacobs.co.nz/blog/
Be bold
Many households are finding seafood is off the menu as the price rises for many of the species of fish we have been accustomed to buying. But we don’t need crayfish, fresh snapper, John Dory and other luxuries as there are some delicious fishy bargains in the supermarket. Be bold and choose a ‘new’ fish for as long as it still glistening, the gentle frying may surprise you. Never overcook any seafood, as it dries out quickly to become chewy. There is nothing wrong with buying frozen fish for it’s a fish that has been caught commercially, miles out to sea, it was probably frozen on the boat and, when thawed, will be just as good as the fresh fish sitting in that display counter.
Right now, one of the most economic seafood meals is a feed of mussels. I buy mussels by the kilo, straight from the ‘wet’ display case in the local supermarket. Mussels are incredibly versatile and usually come in under $6 per kg. I have at least four ways I cook them at home, although a mussel in crispy batter at the fish and chip shop is still tempting.
A traditional bowl of mussels, carefully steamed in their own juices, is delicious, as long as you do not steam them any longer than it takes them to just open. Wash the mussels, pop them into a heavy saucepan with no more than a tablespoon of water and cover them with the lid. Within two minutes, they will start to open and their juices sink to the bottom of the pan. Take them off the heat immediately, and stir through whatever extra flavouring you want. I like Thai spices and coconut cream, or lemon juice and chopped garlic, parsley and onions. You can serve these mussels in bowls, with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious liquid from the pan poured over them. Alternately, when you remove the mussels from the heat, tip the juices into a bowl. Working very quickly, remove the mussels from their shells (kitchen tongs are good for this) and put them into the bowl of juice. Discard the shells and allow the mussels to cool in the juice where they will remain beautifully tender and plump. If they’re overcooked or dried out they become tough and almost tasteless. Once cool, I like to remove the little dark foot inside the mussel as it is chewy and tough.
Mussels like this can them be marinated and served with drinks. My favourite combination of dressing or marinade is chopped spring onion, coriander, juice of half a lemon and coconut cream. They’re also great in olive oil, lemon juice, parsley and freshly ground black pepper.
Best of all is to follow the procedure here to remove the just cooked mussels from their shells and make these best-ever mussel fritters.
1kg mussels in the shell
1 small red onion
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp chopped parsley
3 eggs
3 tbsp plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 lemon grated rind only
3 tbsp milk
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Olive oil (or grapeseed oil) and a knob of butter for frying.
First steam the mussels lightly and remove from the heat. Tip the juices into a bowl and working quickly with kitchen tongs take
the mussels from their shell and plunge immediately into the mussel juices. Allow to cool.
Chop the red onion very finely and cook gently in the 2 tbsp oil in a little frying pan until soft without browning. Add the chopped parsley and let this cool. If you can be bothered, remove the foot from each mussel – it’s tough – and discard. Chop the mussels very finely – I do this in my food processor.
Whisk the eggs together with the flour and baking powder to make a smooth batter. Stir in the onion, parsley, lemon rind, and salt and pepper together with
the mussel meat. If the mixture is too stiff add the milk to make it lighter.
Heat a little oil and butter together in a heavy frying pan and over gentle heat drop a good tablespoon of the mussel batter into the pan to form fritters. You should do this in batches of 4 to 5 at a time. Cook slowly and turn over when golden underneath (about 3-4 minutes) and cook a further 2 minutes. Place on paper towels and keep the fritters warm while you cook them until all the mixture is used. Serve with wedges of lemon or a lemon mayonnaise. Makes about 14 -16 fritters.
Best Ever Mussel Fritters
Traditional crafts showcased
Visitors to the Maungaturoto Country Club on Sunday August 18 will be invited to step into the vibrant world of wool and fibre, where tradition will meet creativity in a celebration of all things textile.
This is the third year the Kaipara Wool & Fibre Festival has been held and it is being repeated simply because it has been such a success, organiser Val Faulkner says.
“The festival brings together a group of talented creatives who are only too eager to share their craft knowledge,” she says.
A diverse array of stalls will showcase highquality sheep, mohair, alpaca and llama yarn, as well as a range of handcrafted goods. There will be demonstrations throughout the day, offering opportunities to learn about spinning, dyeing, weaving, knitting and felting.
Faulkner says the increasing opposition
to disposable or fast fashion has led to an increasing interest in slow fashion.
“A lot of people who care about the environment don’t want to be dressing in fabrics made from petrochemical fibre,” she says. “It amazes me how many people want to start their craft journey at the very beginning of the process by preparing their own fibre.
“This connection to the source deepens the appreciation for the craft and highlights the importance of sustainable and ethical farming practices.”
The country club is in Bickerstaffe Road and the festival will run from 10am to 3pm.
There will be a café on site and a gold coin donation for the carpark crew would be appreciated.
Info: FB: @kaiparawoolandfibrefestival
Summer fashion preview
Warkworth Rotary is repeating its successful charity fashion show on Friday September 20, raising money for the Women’s Centre Rodney.
Proceeds from last year’s Rotary on the Runway event helped the centre buy a new stove.
Convenor Cindy Bakewell says this year, Rotary will be raising money to help the centre buy a branded marque for use at community events.
The fashion show will be held at the Warkworth Town Hall, starting at 5.30pm.
“It’s a fun evening that will give the audience a sneak peek of what’s going to be in shops this summer,” Cindy says.
A range of outfits for all occasions and all ages will be on the catwalk, modelled by both men and women. Last year, the models ranged in age from their 20s to their 80s.
The clothing is being supplied by Coconut Gallery and Warkworth Menswear, and MC and music coordinator will again be Shot Bro.
“There will also be raffles with some great prizes,” Cindy says.
Tickets are available from Coconut Galley in Queen Street and the Women’s Centre
The fashion show was held for the first time last year and was such a success that the organisers decided to do it again next month.
in Morpeth Street. They cost $30 per person, which includes finger food and a glass of champagne on arrival.
Tickets will also be available at the door, if not already sold out.
History
Harnessing nature’s power
Man’s adaptability and efficiency has been a double-edged sword throughout history. Attempting to overcome monumental problems has encouraged adaptations and innovation, but such endeavours have sometimes resulted in less than desirable outcomes.
One such example has been the adaptation of technology and techniques by the early New Zealand kauri bushmen, enabling them to effectively transport enormous logs using only the power of nature. Two hundred years ago, much of the warmer north of New Zealand was cloaked in forest, above which the giant kauri, Agathis australis, towered. Much prized for the quality and beauty of its wood, the girth and straightness of its trunk, as well as the usefulness and beauty of its gum, the exploitation of kauri forests began, and the resulting materials extracted, shaped the development of Northland. By 1905, milling of kauri timber had reached its height, with only patches of less accessible bush remaining. By the 1990s, only four per cent of the bush cover remained. For those involved in the early industry, the sheer size of the logs made transportation a logistical problem. However, it was identified that kauri is the only New Zealand native wood which is buoyant and floats. The adaptation of Southern Hemisphere logging technology was modified to the New Zealand situation. Kauri dams were built high in the rugged hills of the bush especially to move the logs. Constructed from kauri timber, the dams were designed as barrier walls, to temporarily dam a stream. Through summer and autumn, trees were felled and skidded down to the cleared area, upstream of the dam wall. When the dam gate was
opened, the awaiting logs were guided through and liberated in the resulting flash flood of released water. The strong flow of water drove the hundreds of waiting logs downstream to the sea. ‘Drives’ were usually held in winter when there was plenty of water to move the accumulated logs. It was also common for the dams to be built, and released, in sequence along one stream, thus magnifying the force of the water.
Unfortunately, although the stream beds were cleared of debris many logs were jammed in the driving, and much timber was damaged as logs struck against rocks and tumbled over waterfalls. Despite this, the transportation
technique was effectively utilised.
It is still possible to visit a few remaining kauri dam sites in Northland, the Coromandel and on Great Barrier Island. The Department of Conservation says one of the dams in the Tangihua Range, near Whangarei, is accessible with an easy 20-minute walk, through regenerating forest.
The Kauri Museum at Matakohe also houses a scale-model of a kauri dam. In addition, the museum is the guardian of a collection of Tudor Collins’ photos, recording the kauri timber industry at the turn of the 20th Century.
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By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
Auckland Council is giving its network of Citizens Advice Bureaus including the Warkworth/Wellsford service more financial autonomy.
It is moving towards a bulk-fund model, allowing CABs to distribute the $2 million of council funding themselves. Previously, council allocated funds to each site based on reported operational costs.
Cr Christine Fletcher said the need for Auckland CABs was greater than ever.
“Rising unemployment, high interest rates, challenges to whānau – this bulk-funded model is going to give them the flexibility to be able to respond in an equitable way into the areas where there is the most need,” Fletcher said.
Speaking against the bulk-fund model, Cr Daniel Newman said some CABs had funding reserves based on previous funding strategies, and it was unfair that those bureaus would be expected to spend those reserves first before getting funding.
Cr Lotu Fuli said the more flexible funding model would lead to a more equitable distribution of funding.
“The Ōtara CAB really is in the heart of an area of high deprivation and is always operating on virtually nothing and they are always crying out for more help. Their volunteers also come from families of high need,” Fuli said.
Fuli acknowledged that some CABs had been banking funding.
“We were giving them year-on-year hundreds of thousands of dollars that they were just banking and not using for the purpose that they said that they were using it for.”
The committee voted in favour of the funding option; 18 to 2. Cr Daniel Newman and Cr Alf Filipaina voted against the funding model.
The opening of this kauri dam’s gates allow the rush of trapped water and logs to career downstream. The men who helped build the dam watch on as nature’s force takes hold. This photo is from the Kauri Museum’s collection. Accession No: 1996.6.37
Marion Walsh, Volunteer Coordinator, Kauri Museum www.kaurimuseum.com
Lobby group agitates for choice
A lobby group called Death without Debt has achieved one of its early goals, on the way to its vision of giving New Zealanders more choice and a stronger voice when it comes to funerals.
The organisation focuses on areas that family can potentially take on themselves including aspects of after-death care and paperwork, which can reduce the cost of a funeral.
Spokesperson Fergus Wheeler says four years of campaigning have been rewarded with the Department of Internal Affairs recently agreeing to make death registration forms readily available for the public to fill in, if they wish to.
Wheeler says this is a win because paperwork is a key area where family can do it themselves to save money. That also includes pre-cremation paperwork, which Wheeler says is a medical responsibility.
“Ultimately, Death without Debt wants doctors to stop automatically referring families to the funeral industry to complete official paperwork, and to instead do it themselves,” he says.
He says there is high demand for information on how to get more involved in creating an affordable, dignified funeral.
While many people are more than happy to hand the responsibility of a funeral over to the professionals, some either cannot afford that or would like to organise as much as possible themselves.
“It’s not just about the money. People love to come along and bring food and lend a hand. It brings people together and can lay down memories that help people process the death afterwards,” he says. “That’s why people are so interested in this. I have had a great response and reclaiming the last rights is a worldwide movement.”
Wheeler says it is key to get people thinking and talking about death.
“If you don’t arrive at the finish line with some semblance of order, then your chances of any DIY aspect to your funeral are reduced,” he says.
the tasks and practicalities involved.
They cover a wide range of topics from writing a Will to probate, funeral planning and advanced care plans.
“We want all after-death paperwork to be straightforward and improve the situation for everyone. Once doing parts of a funeral yourselves becomes more common, as it is in many cultures, there will be competition which brings down the prices for everyone.”
A workshop is expected to be held in a north Auckland venue in midto-late August.
Live stream
scams
The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand is warning New Zealanders about a new funeral live streaming scam that asks for money to view a funeral live stream.
Chief executive Gillian Boyes says scammers create fake Facebook pages then send friend requests to families and friends of the deceased with links to the scam sites. Users are asked for personal details including a credit card number to watch the live stream.
“It is sickening,” Boyes says. “We know many New Zealanders these days rely on these services when they can’t attend a funeral in person and for someone to take advantage of people in a time of grief is just really low.”
Boyes says that legitimate live streaming links are provided direct from the funeral home to the family and the costs associated with running the service are paid for by the family as part of the funeral bill.
“We are not aware of any legitimate live stream service that asks for money to view.”
The Funeral Directors Association says people should be on the look out for the following warning signs:
• Facebook or other social media friend requests from people you don’t know.
• A request to enter personal and credit card details in order to access a live stream. This is not required for legitimate live streams.
• Pressure to act quickly to view. Typically, live stream recordings remain available for viewing for up to a year.
They also warn that if you are not sure about a live stream link you should check with close family or view the link directly from the funeral home website.
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Protecting children’s interests
By WRMK Lawyers
Thinking about your children’s wellbeing is a natural part of being a parent. One way to ensure their future is secure is by appointing a testamentary guardian in your will. This trusted person will step into your shoes for your child if you are no longer there to make those important decisions.
A testamentary guardian does not take over custody of the child, but provides valuable input on major choices that shape your child’s life. Imagine them as a supportive friend who helps navigate big decisions about education (finding the right school), healthcare (important medical procedures), and where your child lives (moving to new towns or going overseas). Their role extends to helping preserve your child’s cultural identity, language and faith,
ensuring these values continue to flourish. Appointing a testamentary guardian is a straightforward process. You simply choose someone you trust, aged 20 or older, who is capable and willing to support your child. By naming them in your will, you officially appoint them as guardian until your child turns 18. You may only appoint one testamentary guardian. However, it is important to clarify that a testamentary guardian does not automatically take over day-to-day care of your child. Custody cannot be provided for in a will. This is typically handled through private arrangements with family or whānau or a parenting order established by the Family Court. However, appointing a testamentary guardian gives them the right to apply to the court to be the child’s day-to-day carer if needed.
Reassuringly, the court plays a role in overseeing guardianship. While a named guardian cannot decline the role, they can apply to be removed if circumstances change. Additionally, the court can appoint a guardian if deemed in the child’s best interests, and your wider family can initiate this process.
For separated parents, the appointed testamentary guardian becomes a joint guardian with the child’s other parent. Together, they make decisions for the child’s wellbeing.
Ensuring your children are looked after is one of the most important considerations when a parent is sorting their affairs. By planning ahead and naming a testamentary guardian, you can ensure your children have a trusted adult to support and guide them if you are no longer around.
Shuffling off this mortal coil in your own style
Most families and individuals choose a traditional burial service based around personal, religious and cultural preferences. Commonly, this leads to an in-ground burial, cremation or perhaps an environmentally friendly choice, which is time sensitive and where the body is placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud. Evaluating the costs, including the burial plot, casket, headstone, and ongoing maintenance, are also considerations. However, there are less traditional options available:
At home
Ever thought of burying a loved one at home? This is an option, providing the private land was used as a burial ground before 1 April 1965, when the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 took effect, or there is no public cemetery available within 32 kilometres of where the person died. If anyone is intending to bury a body on private land, they must first get permission from the District Court.
At sea
Burial at sea may be a fitting option when the ocean has played a special part in a person’s life or career. The Environmental Protection Agency administers the exclusive economic zone, which is 12 to 200 nautical miles off shore. There are five
designated EPA areas where burial at sea is permitted – the nearest one to Mahurangi is east of Cape Reinga. There will be special requirements, which a funeral director will be able to explain. It should be noted, however, that Māori consider burial at sea inappropriate. Scattering ashes in Auckland waterways and the Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata, Kaipara and Manukau harbours is prohibited.
The final frontier
Space burials involve sending a portion of a person’s cremated remains into space, providing a unique and memorable final resting place. The practice gained popularity with companies like Celestis offering services that launch ashes into orbit or even beyond. The concept appeals to those who have a strong connection to space and want their legacy to be part of the cosmos. While still a niche market due to costs and logistical challenges, space burials intertwine the final frontier with one of humankind’s most profound rituals. Ultimately, the right burial respects the deceased’s wishes and provides a meaningful way for loved ones to honour and remember them. A local funeral director says unconventional services do require a little more organisation and preplanning.
The Grief Centre o ers loss and grief support to youth, adults and families experiencing any form of significant loss, including through bereavement, relationship loss, redundancy, illness, and pet loss.
We provide specialist grief counselling online anywhere and have face-to-face counsellors available locally in Mangawhai, Waipu, Algies Bay, Orewa, Warkworth and Whangārei.
Increased council burial and cremation costs, 48 per cent higher than last year in one case, has seen the funeral industry publish guidance to help families better understand the options available to help manage the expense of a funeral.
Funeral Directors Association chief executive Gillian Boyes says that in addition to increased council costs, her members are faced with growing labour and materials cost increases, as well as compliance costs such as health and safety requirements.
“All this ends up increasing the financial burden of a funeral to our families, so we want to support people with information about what typical costs may be and how to have a conversation about options,” Boyes says.
Boyes says families often come to her members concerned about how they will afford a funeral. They may not realise there is not a set price and that the funeral director will work with them to individualise a funeral for their needs.
“What we really want to avoid is people thinking they have to resort to what they often call a ‘box and burn’.
“We know spending time with a loved one, remembering them with special words and even physical gestures such as carrying the casket all help people in managing their grief. But there are lots of ways you can do this in a more affordable but still meaningful way.”
Boyes says key tips for families working
with a funeral director include:
• Explain your needs and requirements and let them know of any budget restrictions
• Ask to see an estimate of costs and get advice on alternatives that might be available for each element, for example a cheaper casket, or flowers from your garden
• If you are pre-planning a funeral, ask if there are options in your area such as pre-purchasing a burial or ash plot. This avoids future council price-rises.
Boyes adds that if “shopping around”, families should make sure they are comparing like with like.
“One of our member standards is providing
a detailed estimate of costs and services so you can more accurately compare, but non-member firms may not offer this level of detail.”
The guide includes information about the financial support available and Boyes says it is disappointing the support to society’s most vulnerable families through Work and Income Funeral Grants remains so low.
“The financial burden for those communities is only being exacerbated by council cost increases which this year seem to be particularly high in lower socioeconomic communities.
The cost guidance can be found on the Association’s website here: https://funeraldirectors.co.nz/planning-afuneral/financial-matters/
When experience counts
There is a lot to think about when arranging a funeral and a lot of decisions have to be made at a time when people are often vulnerable and distracted by their grief.
The services and support of an experienced funeral director can make a huge difference.
Engaging with a funeral director, who is a member of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand, means the family can feel confident they are dealing with a service that has a commitment to upholding high standards of quality, expertise and integrity.
Besoul Funerals in Warkworth manager Lily Watson adds that a company that has a comprehensive service can help the family take care of some of the practical aspects such as offering support in liaising with hospitals, government departments, celebrants and clergy.
“This streamlines the process for families
during a difficult time,” Lily says.
“Understanding and respecting different religious and ethnic customs is also very important. There needs to be enough flexibility to ensure that families can accommodate their unique needs and preferences.”
Many companies offer pre-arrangement services with no obligation, which allow individuals and families to plan ahead, providing peace of mind knowing their loved ones will be taken care of in the future.
Families and individuals can also prepay for their funeral. The funds are held by The Funeral Trust, an independent body, with no affiliation to a particular funeral home.
Lily says funeral homes also need to be comfortable and accommodating with the availability of private viewing rooms and catering facilities, as well as a dignified hearse.
Specialist in: Land development General property
Wills & trusts Business
Elder law
John has been a local solicitor and identity for nearly 40 years. He has overseen the legal aspects of many land developments within every council district north of Auckland. He has had many dealings with all of the councils and continues to do so.
He values relationships with clients which can require a special insight into the future needs of growing families. Out of all these relationships comes vital information that he utilises to assist clients on their way.
Dominique is a qualified legal executive and has worked off and on with John for many years and she is now full time in the Warkworth office, except Tuesdays. Dominique can be contacted by calling my Warkworth office, 09 973 3665.
The Mystery of
the Money Tree
By Gordon Levet
In recent times trees generated money, not from milling or exports, but for companies that work for councils. This is a story of a single tree with a mystery twist.
I was driving from home to Wellsford on State Highway 16. Before entering the town there was a road works sign and a long length of road cones in the centre of the road. The line of traffic was at a stop. Two traffic management staff were present about 400 metres apart. On the side of the road were the contractors four large trucks, one with a crane. There were six workmen grouped together, probably discussing the strategy to be used on their mission, which was to prune one straggly bottle brush tree that had branches in power lines.
Other workmen were present working on a nearby home. They suggested that this tree should not be pruned but removed. They were told that this could not be done because it was on council property. Eventually, the tree was pruned slightly to ensure that the tree would have to be pruned every third or fourth year over its life time. The owner of the home nearest to the tree said the work took about half-a-day and he estimated the cost to be near $10,000.
This is why it had the label of a money tree, as it would continue to generate money for many years – money from our rates!
But what was the mystery? For this piece I decided to take a photo of this pruned tree, but mysteriously this tree was no more. On closer inspection, someone had pruned the tree just over half a metre above ground level. Whether this action was legal, I do not know. But, it was a sensible solution and will delay the next prune for at least 10 years.
The whole operation would have taken about 30 minutes, with only one labour unit, not the eight that were working for half-a-day – no waste of public time in stationary cars, no waste of fuel with four trucks and many road vehicles. In rural areas of the city, there would be many thousands of trees growing under power lines on roadsides. All have to be inspected and, if necessary, pruned at a huge annual cost.
Roads are 20 metres wide so there is plenty of room for the roads, power lines and trees to exist. Trees that tangle with
power lines should be removed, with many remaining for aesthetic value. This should be undertaken by workers with chainsaws without the huge costs of traffic management. Most of the road side trees are native with totara and manuka dominant.
Finally, I find it ironic that 50 years ago we rejoiced in having bulldozers and latterly diggers doing the work of 20 men, where we now have heavy machinery and many workers doing the work of one person. This is but one example of many showing the wastage of money, human resources and fossil fuels.
Landowners and council improve communication
The Landowners and Contractors Association (LCA) recently hosted an interactive forum with Auckland Council’s farm environmental monitoring team leaders. More than 50 local farmers attended, mainly from the dairy sector.
The meeting was the result of increasing concern over the format of farm inspections, the duplication involved regarding Fonterra’s inspections, the charges stemming from the inspections and the debt recovery methods imposed.
Senior regulatory and compliance officer James Hassall was present along with environmental monitoring officer Robert Laulala. A good introduction outlined council’s responsibility in regards to farm monitoring, particularly in and around effluent discharge, storage, feed pads, silage stacks and pits, as well as nutrient reporting.
Questions were raised over the timeframes expected for both nutrient reports and environmental reports not being in sync with fertiliser companies and Fonterra respectively, creating an even bigger workload and expectation on farmers.
Charge out rates came under the spotlight with hourly rates averaging $185 per hour plus GST, included in this is a portion of travel time from Auckland’s CBD. The qualifications of field staff came under scrutiny, as did the high turnover of trained officers.
Hassall explained the double up in fees as most farmers had received invoices back dated two years. This was apparently due to lockdown, again arousing further discussion.
Debt collection was suggested after 30 days of unpaid accounts, which most saw as totally unreasonable for a service they had never requested.
The meeting concluded with a far better understanding from each party and a commitment from council officers to enhance communication, work with the LCA towards better understanding of rules, and source a client survey as a means of improving procedures.
Contributed by LCA chairman, Brian Mason, waikauri1@xtra.co.nz
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Someone decided to take matters into their own hands, pruning the tree to within an inch of its life.
Animals
Several people have commented to me that fleas are a problem in theirs houses and it is the middle of winter. Fleas are obligate parasites, they need a feed of blood to survive, mini-vampires if you will. However, they don’t lay their eggs on animals, they hop off and then lay their future offspring in an environment where, once they hatch, they can find a new host to feed blood from. Hence, over-time your home can become a ready source of “newly hatched fleas” waiting for a blood carrying host. Then it is time to start regularly flea treating your animals.
Flea eggs hatch from vibration, hence regularly vacuuming your house can often hide a “flea infestation”. This can lead to the typically encountered, once returning home, “holiday flea infestation”. They were always there, but were just successfully removed by the vacuum cleaner. I can hear my wife saying, “See there is a reason to be clean…”
When I was a little kid, yeah, a few years ago, we only had flea powders and bora bombs to deal with fleas. And they stopped retailing bora bombs due to the toxic nature, but they were great for dealing with fleas. Over-time new successive generations of flea products have come on the market from topical applications to the new and improved systemic tablet formulations. There are even flea products which will work for 12 months (for a 12-month price). I normally suggest using a simple product every month, I have always found it easier to remember monthly dosing, pick a day
and stick with it. Should you find yourself a few days over, don’t worry, treat your pet and then again next month on your usual day. With the widespread usage of smart phones and all the “new and improved flea products” which all have extra days protection from five weeks up to eight months or longer, setting a reminder on your phone can be extremely useful. With my prolonged emphasis on “monthly products” you can probably read between the lines about my “tech savvy ness”, but there are really/rarely people like me.
All of the “new and improved” flea products all leave residues of the product, which fall off your pet’s coat in the environment where they hang-out, whether it is under the deck, on the old couch outside or even in their normal bed. These residues will also have an effect locally of the juvenile flea populations.
None of the available flea products kill fleas on your pets, they definitely “slow them down” and they do die, mostly within 24 hours of the flea ingesting the flea product, but it does stop them laying eggs and hence stops future generations of fleas. This is also the reason why you normally have to treat all pets regularly for six to nine months before your house becomes a flea free zone. Most of the pyrethroid type fly and spider products, for spraying around your home, are good at dealing with environmental fleas. Spray around skirting boards and across floor joints especially tongue and groove type old wooden floors. All the little crevices are great places for flea eggs to sit.
provide:
• Care for all your veterinary needs.
• Four dedicated Vets and friendly office staff, who deliver a comprehensive service.
• An after hours emergency service in Wellsford.
SCOREBOARD
Lifeguards needed
If you are over 14 years old, love the beach, are keen to learn new skills and support your community as a volunteer, Omaha Beach Surf Lifesaving Club needs you! Apply by August 12. For more information and to apply email ruthctanner@gmail.com
Tennis open days
Love Tennis Open Days will be held at both Warkworth Rackets and Mahurangi East Tennis Club on Sunday, September 8, from 10am-2pm. Both events are free and open to all. There will be prizes, games and much more. For more info visit Mahurangi East Tennis Club on Facebook or visit https://warkworthrackets.co.nz/events/
Quiz night
The Paparoa Tennis Club Quiz Night will be held at the Paparoa Sports Pavilion on Saturday, August 31, from 7pm onwards. BYO drinks, supper provided. Prize for the best Olympic-themed fancy dress. Raffles and spot prizes. Enter a team of six or register as an individual. $15pp. Pre-register before August 26 by phoning or texting 027 383 5194.
Bike maintenance
The Learning Hub at Less. Waste, in Lawrie Road, Snells Beach, will run a bike basic maintenance clinic on Saturday, August 24, from 10am to 2pm. Learn the basics of keeping a bike in good working condition, including how to fix a flat tyre, clean a bike and keep brakes and gears tuned. This is a drop-in session and no registration is required.
Chess club
The Mangawhai Chess Club meets at the Mangawhai Tavern every Wednesday evening from 3.306.30pm. Training and challenges from 3.30-4.30pm, friendly chess games from 4.30-6.30pm. Open to all ages and abilities. $10pp. Under 18-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. Info: Tina 021 689 988.
Netball survey
Have you or your child played netball in the last 12 months? Netball New Zealand is asking all players and/or parents of players to complete its 2024 Voice of the Participant Survey. The purpose of the survey is to understand people’s experiences with their netball clubs, schools, or centres and how Netball New Zealand can help them improve. Visit bit.ly/3LpiXcK
Underwater hockey wins gold
While all eyes have been on NZ’s Olympic athletes competing in Paris, NZ’s top underwater hockey competitors, including two current and four past Mahurangi College students, have been hauling in medals in Kuala Lumpur. They have been competing in the 6th World Underwater Hockey Age Group Championships winning gold in the under 19 men’s, U24 men’s and U24 women’s events, and bronze in the U19 women’s.
The local players were Thea Buick and Charlie Blampied in the women’s U19 team; Izaak Lees in the men’s U19 team; Charlotte O’Connor and Mackenzie Buick in the women’s U24 team; and Sam Twhigg in the men’s U24 team.
The four NZ teams were up against players from 11 other countries, and were defending wins in the United Kingdom in 2019, when NZ won three of the four titles and came third in the Under 24 men’s.
The victorious Mahurangi athletes were, from left, Izaak Lees, Sam Twhigg, Charlotte O’Connor, sisters Mackenzie and Thea Buick, and Charlie Blampied.
True Blue Gas & Plumbing, Peter Mahady
What does your company specialise in?
We specialise in plumbing and gasfitting installations, repairs and servicing.
How do you ensure your company stands out from the crowd?
Our customer service sets us apart from other companies because we genuinely want our customers to have the best possible experience. With over 35 years of industry experience, we know how important customer service is and we are committed to supplying stress-free, cost-effective solutions for our customers. You can rely on us for our accountability and quality workmanship. What skill sets do you and your staff bring to the industry which makes your company a good choice?
We employ experienced, registered local plumbers & gasfitters, with an in-depth understanding of their trade. We are proud members of Master Plumbers NZ and our work is backed by the 12-month Master Plumbers Guarantee.
What is it about this job that you find inspirational and/or motivating?
I chose plumbing as my career because I wanted a job that would offer daily challenges and I love the unique challenges that plumbing presents. Problem-solving and thinking outside the box motivate me, along with the satisfaction of seeing a project reach completion.
Buyers of: Copper • Brass
Aluminium
Lead
Steel Stainless Steel
Batteries
Cable
Machinery
Electric Motors • Cars • Car Removal. Pick up or drop off bins available
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
DVD
DVDS & VIDEOS VIDEOS TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Phone or txt Tetotara Video 021 777 385
HOME & MAINTENANCE
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 CHANNELS?
Or need your Freeview box tuned for the new channels? Freeview installations & new Freeview boxes for sale. TV repairs & installation, microwave oven repairs. Ph Paul 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
The deadline for classified advertising for our August 19 paper is August 14. Send classified advertising enquiries to design@localmatters.co.nz
&
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
CLEANING/
CLEANING Local professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849.
Warkworth Homecare company provides professional and reliable home care, including hairdressing and pedicure. Please call Rebecca on 021 0825 8242 HOME HELP
PRIVATE CAREGIVERS
REID EQUESTRIAN ENGINEERING, Wellsford. Float rebuilds, horse truck conversions, etc. Dog kennels made to measure. Quality work. Ph Ron 423 9666 HORSE TRUCKS & FLOATS
PEST CONTROL
PEST CONTROL Eradication of rats & mice. Competitive Rates. Ph 426 2253 Ph 027 286 7321, www.noratsandmice.nz
Wednesday 28th August 2024, 7.30pm. RSA, 1 Olympus Road, Wellsford.
Sec: Lize Van Schalkwyk 09 973 3565
Have you been affected by someone's drinking?
Al-Anon Family Groups can help.
We welcome you to the Warkworth Family Recovery group confidential meeting. We meet at Vineyard Church Hall, 5 Pulham Road, Warkworth, every Wednesday from 7pm to 8pm. This meeting can also be attended on Zoom.
Please contact warkworthafg@gmail.com for more details or visit Al-anon.org.nz
Supported by Mahurangi Matters
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICE DESKS
A reminder to the public that the JP Service Desks are available as follows: Warkworth, at the Library Monday 10am – 2pm
If there is a long weekend, it is the following Tuesday from 10am to 12noon Matakana, Cinema Complex Tuesday 11am-1pm
Snells Beach Community Church
325 Mahurangi East Road Friday 10am – noon
Warkworth RSA Fridays 3.30pm to 5pm
No appointment is needed. There is no cost.
At all other times there are plenty of other JP’s available in the Warkworth/Mahurangi Area, either in the Warkworth Community phone book, or on-line “find a JP”.
Supported by Mahurangi Matters
SITUATIONS VACANT
LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER AIDE FIXED TERM
A fixed term opportunity exists for an enthusiastic person to provide learning support to students at Rodney College. The position will suit someone with strong communication skills, is culturally aware and able to relate to and work with a wide variety of people.
This fixed term appointment offers 20 hours per week for terms 3 & 4. Start as soon as possible.
Police vetting is a pre requisite of employment.
Please send the completed application form, available on the website www.rodneycollege.school.nz, with your CV and a covering letter to: eo@rodneycollege.school.nz
ASSISTANT RETAIL MANAGER, GARAGE SALE HOSPICE SHOP, WARKWORTH
Assistant Retail Manager to help with overall running of Garage Sale Hospice Shop. Be an essential part of the team providing outstanding customer service to those who shop at and donate to Hospice. Role involves lifting and shifting furniture, sorting, merchandising, timesheets, cashing up, and leading and motivating the awesome volunteer team. You’ll also get out on the truck collecting donations and ferrying goods between stores. Extremely varied, physical and busy role, not for the faint hearted! Permanent hours working Tuesday to Saturday. Apply online: Assistant Retail Manager - Harbour Hospice tt.harbourhospice.org.nz/jobs
Applications close Sunday 11 August 2024
Gail, Dayne, Leanne and families would like to thank you all for the kind messages and cards, flowers, visits, baking and meals. We were humbled by the numbers who came to the funeral to honour Ray and to support us as a family. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement.
Term 3 has started with mild days (who can believe it’s August?) and the busyness for students that comes from juggling academics with sports and cultural activities, alongside the very full performing arts programme we run at Mahurangi College. By and large students manage well, although just to be sure, I included a little reminder during this term’s opening assembly that it’s ‘off to work we go’. (You’ll be glad to know that I did refrain from singing the Snow White version, although it was touch and go for a moment.)
After over a year of part-time jobs and fundraising, 14 students and two teachers from Mahurangi College left for Borneo during the July holidays. The aim was a World Challenge initiative where students give to a marginalised community and then learn about themselves, with a three day jungle immersion sleeping in hammocks and learning primary skills such as trap setting and cutlery making out of bamboo.
Our community initiative involved laying concrete at a new primary school hostel near Kudat, to save local children walking two hours each way to get to school. After preparing the area, students then mixed over 50 m2 of concrete by hand in sweltering hot conditions. With a bit of Kiwi know how, they boxed the area and screeded the concrete rather than just pour and trowel. The locals were highly impressed with this “new” method and the efficiency in which our
students worked. It was a very satisfying project and something all students could be very proud of. There was time during the trip to visit the Orangutan Sanctuary in Sepilok and enjoy a little snorkelling off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, before getting back on the plane to come home for Term 3.
Several of our current and alumni students have excelled on the world stage in recent weeks, especially in touch rugby and underwater hockey. The world UWH champs have been played in Malaysia over the last two weeks. We have had two current and four past pupils competing; Thea Buick, Charlie Blampied, Charlotte O’Connor, Izaak Lees, Sam Twhigg and Mackenzie Buick. Thea and Charlie, playing in the NZ Women’s U19 team, won bronze against Columbia. Izaak (Year 13 last year) competing in the NZ Men’s U19 team, played France in the final for gold. They came away with a 2-1 win. In the NZ Women’s U24 team, Charlotte and Mackenzie also won gold against France. Sam playing in the NZ Men’s U24 team, won gold in the final against Australia. Congratulations!
Textiles students have achieved stunning results at the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards 2024, the longest running fashion design awards of their type in New Zealand. Mahurangi College students achieved a clean sweep in the COLLECTIvE DeSIGN School Streetwear Award. Congratulations to Akira Manwaring who won this section; Lauren Batley, Runner Up and Zariah Welch,
Highly Commended. In the Macca Lodge UPCYCLED Award, Tara Williams was Highly Commended. A huge thanks to Ms Thalari.
In more fashion news, our junior STEAM students showcased their Wearable Arts at two performances last week. The entire show was student led, including the music, choreography, and the actual costumes. Different syndicates focussed on using different materials; some costumes were made entirely of paper and others entirely of wood. The imagination and creativity on display were fabulous! Congratulations to Ms Healey and the STEAM Team.
All manner of other events have taken place over the last few weeks. Senior EOTC students enjoyed their sea kayaking safari, our production of Junior Madagascar finished with full houses and rave reviews, our ‘Trees for Survival’
group were busy planting at Scandrett’s, while sports has been equally busy with zone days and winter competitions. Our ORS students went on a trip to MOTAT, as they are learning about transport in their topic studies. Our annual Dance showcase hits the stage in a couple of weeks. My thanks to all our dedicated staff, parents, coaches and other community volunteers for supporting our amazing students. Tony Giles, Principal
Proudly Supporting Mahurangi College
Cnr Woodcocks
Mansel
Pictured with Alec Gannaway Supervisor
Marine Starving snapper on our doorstep
Our snapper are starving … so why is the status quo okay?
While we “umm and ah” about why we are seeing skinny snapper with white mushy flesh in Northland, the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Plenty, there are some undeniable truths. Early reports last year linked the concerning condition to chronic malnutrition – our classic Kiwi fish is starving. Although those lab reports were informative, it left some gaping holes – why are our snapper starving and is there enough small prey species for them to eat? Fisheries New Zealand led an investigation into the possible causes that left us with more questions than answers. Their key finding can be summarised as, “It’s complicated and there is no single definitive cause.”
It’s not surprising, considering the various stresses the Hauraki Gulf is facing – landrun off, destructive fishing methods destroying the seafloor, and warming sea temperatures to name a few. One of the worrying findings was a significant decrease in phytoplankton within the gulf. Those tiny particles floating aimlessly in the water hold significant importance. Without enough phytoplankton, important bait fish species such as blue and Jack mackerel go hungry. And they’re a popular food source for snapper. Less phytoplankton means fewer bait fish, and dwindling availability of food for our snapper. The whys and hows behind the reduction in key food sources and phytoplankton was attributed to “recent weather patterns”. While the climate may be contributing to the problem, there was no mention of how human-related pressures are impacting our sensitive marine ecosystems. After more than a century of destructive
fishing practices and excessive catch limits, our snapper have been left in a fragile state. Wild stocks of green-lip mussels and scallop populations have collapsed, and bait fish could be next – all important food sources that have historically sustained snapper and other fish.
It doesn’t help that more than 10 million kilos combined of blue and Jack mackerel were harvested along the north-east coastline just in the last year. Yet, despite all of this, Fisheries NZ was bold enough to state in a press release that “commercial fishing does not affect the main food sources of snapper”. It’s frightening that a government agency responsible for sustaining our fish is in denial that decades of excessive bait fish harvesting hasn’t contributed to a loss of food for snapper. Especially when scientists haven’t investigated or ruled it out as a likely cause.
The ‘blaming the climate’ narrative fits well for Fisheries NZ as it gives them an excuse for inaction. However, it’s also a double-edged sword, providing the perfect reason for the fisheries minister to take a precautionary approach in reducing the amount of bait fish taken.
LegaSea will continue to work with the NZ Sport Fishing Council and other groups to put pressure on the Minister to conduct a stock review and lower commercial catch limits for bait fish stocks on the North Island’s east coast. But we can’t do this alone. We need your support. Subscribe to LegaSea to receive our detailed newsletters to keep informed. Leaving more bait fish in the ocean is a simple solution to combating further damage due to poor fisheries management. If a hardy species like snapper are starving, what species will be next?
See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/
6 Wardrobe Revival fundraiser for Warkworth Museum, Warkworth Bowls Club, Mill Lane, 1.30pm for 2pm start. Tickets $20pp, cash only
7 Warkworth Liaison Group meeting, Warkworth RSA downstairs meeting room, 7pm. All welcome
7 ANZ Daffodil Day Bingo Night, Warkworth Bowling Club, 5.30pm for 6pm start. $10 per ticket goes to The Cancer Society. Tickets $25pp including nibbles and dinner, available from ANZ Warkworth branch or phone Charlene Morrison on 021 831 488.
7 Retired Men’s Coffee Morning, So French Cafe Warkworth, 10.30am. Camaraderie and chat with Men’s Rebus. You don’t have to be a member, visitors welcome. Info: Ron 422 3111
7 Wellsford Knitting Group, 1 Worker Road, 10am-12pm. First Wednesday of every month. Meet like-minded people who enjoy to knit and chat. Tea & coffee available. Koha donation. Info: Anne 021 2521 819
8 Careers Evening, Mahurangi College, from 7pm. All welcome (see story p6)
9-11 Art in August, Southgate Room above Warkworth Hotel. 10am-8pm Friday, 10am-4pm Saturday, 10am-2pm Sunday.
9-10&14-17 Warkworth Theatre presents Two For One Plays: Last Tango in Little Warkworth and The Worst Day of My Life, Warkworth Town Hall, 7pm. Matinees 2pm on Aug 11&17
10 Kowhai Singers 40th anniversary celebration, Warkworth Methodist Church Hall, from 3pm. All current and former members and supporters welcome (see story p15)
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.
11 Wellsford Variety Music Club Day, Wellsford Community Centre, 1-4pm. Light afternoon tea. Bring a plate if you wish. $5pp or $15 for two adults and two children. Performers encouraged. Info: Andrew 422 3424.
17 Albi & The Wolves, Maungaturoto Centennial Hall, 7pm. Tickets $25 from https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/
18 Kaipara Wool and Fibre Festival, Maungaturoto Country Club, 10am-3pm. Free entry. Gold coin for the carpark. Info & tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/ kaipara-wool-and-fibre-festival-tickets-940118007267 (see story p23)
19 Warkworth Men’s Rebus Meeting, Shoesmith Hall, 10am. Visitors welcome. Info: Ron 422 3111
20 Tickets on sale, for Harbour Hospice Homes & Gardens Tour in November (see story p18)
23 Rodney College Open Evening, 5.30pm. Meet teachers & guided tour (see ad p31)
24 Restore Rodney East Casual Anniversary Get Together, Bridgehouse Warkworth, 6.30pm. All volunteers, local groups and stakeholders who work to enhance Rodney’s environment are welcome.
25 Vintage Car Club Daffodil Day rally, Matakana School carpark, from 11am onwards. All donations to the Cancer Society (see story p20)
25 Community Market, Snells Beach School Hall, Dawson Rd, from 10am-2pm. Craft & artisan stalls, sausage sizzle, home baking and entertainment
30 Pharos 2020 Launch, Brick Bay Restaurant, 6pm. An evening of fine wine, food and conversation. Info: https://www.brickbay.co.nz/winter-series
Warkworth scores women’s rugby pre-season game
Ahead of the opening the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) competition this week, Warkworth hosted a pre-season fixture between women’s rugby teams Harbour Hibiscus and Northland on July 21.
Referee Rebecca Stanaway says pre-season games are held at clubs around the region in order to engage with the community.
Before the Warkworth game, which Northland won 2219, training sessions were held for Mahurangi College and local club players.
“We take it to the clubs to bring some awareness around FPC and to allow players at those clubs to interact.”
Stanaway, a member of the NH Rugby Union and NH Rugby Referees Association boards, says interest in the game has “built up quite significantly” in the area in the seven or eight years that she has been involved as a referee. For young players keen to give it a try, the first port of call would be through the college, which has U15 and U17 teams playing on Monday nights.
Harbour Hibiscus’ opening FPC game on Sunday is against Otago Spirit, which beat the local team in the competition’s quarter finals last year, so “it’s a bit of a grudge match”. Named after the former Black Ferns captain, the FPC is the highest level domestic women’s rugby union competition in the country.
Stanaway says that after the women’s Rugby World Cup in 2022, there was a “massive explosion” of interest across North Harbour, with player numbers growing by around 20 per cent year on year.
Last year there were only two women’s premier teams, Silverdale and North Shore. This year the number has climbed to five – Silverdale, North Shore, Glenfield, Northcote, and the Massey and Kumeu MK Rangers. As next year’s women’s RWC in England approaches, Stanaway expects the growth surge to continue.
She says the commitment level of the Harbour Hibiscus players is huge. Some travel up to two hours one way for weekly training sessions at NH Stadium, coming from as far afield as Dargaville and South Auckland.
In addition to her refereeing and board commitments, Stanaway participates in Ako Wāhine, a programme bringing together women for education and development, with a strong focus on connection and community.
Established in 2019, it was the brainchild of former Black Fern Vania Wolfgramm.
Only three countries have won the women’s RWC since it started in 1991, with NZ taking the title a record six times. England won it twice, and the USA once. NZ is second, behind England, in the women’s world rugby rankings.
Mahurangi tennis invitation
A Love Tennis Community Day will be held at the Mahurangi East Tennis Club (METC), Snells Beach, next to Goodall Reserve, on Sunday September 8, from 10am to 2pm.
This is the third year that this nationwide event has been held at Snells Beach. The event is an open community day “bringing the community in - our club is a place for everyone.” Aside from the welcoming social element of the day, there will also be some great membership deals, for anyone wanting to sign up on the day, along with a free BBQ and fun activities for both adults and children.
Our award-winning club coach, Hugo Santo, will be running introductory games on court and the club ball machine will be in action for those wanting to test their skills. The Snells Beach School PTA has partnered with the event and will be
providing ‘coffee, cake and candy floss’, with all proceeds going to the Snells Beach Primary School.
This will be a fun day where anyone can give tennis a go for free. Everyone is very welcome.
METC is a growing community club which offers four social club days weekly, a range of social events throughout the year, free ball machine use (for members), annual club championships, inter-club (for those looking to extend themselves further) and expert coaching (at all levels) for both adults and children.
Make tennis your new passion, sign up for some great coaching and practice your new skills.
Contributed by Melanie Fergusson.
Tara Turner in Warkworth last month shows why she and teammate Kerri Johnson were selected for a NZ sevens performance camp last October, which included a two-day tournament with Black Ferns sevens coaches in attendance. Photo, Anna Thoroughgood.
