Mahurangi Matters_Issue 464_25 September 2023

Sayonara

The tsunami siren warning systems in Omaha, Point Wells, Whangateau and Waiwera, which were tested over the weekend, will be decommissioned by Auckland Council on December 1.

Council believes the sirens have reached their use-by date and are too costly to continue to maintain, particularly since they have become a magnet for vandals. There are 42 Meerkat tsunami warning sirens and two Barton Sounds sirens in Auckland. Most are in the Rodney and Waitākere wards. The two Barton sirens, both in Orewa, will not be decommissioned as they are constructed differently and are not being vandalised.

Head of response and recovery John Cranfield said that vandals had knocked out almost half the sirens in some areas. His concern is that communities will feel a false sense of security, believing that the network is working when much of it isn’t.

“It’s shocking,” he said. “We’ve put in antitheft screws and fixings, but it hasn’t made any difference. They are stealing the horns and council no longer has enough in stock to keep replacing them.”

Cranfield said when the sirens were installed in 2008, emergency mobile alerts were not available.

“There have been some significant changes over that period and mobile alerts are now our primary alert system. Even if someone doesn’t have a phone, their neighbour probably will. No system is totally foolproof.”

Council estimated that the minimum cost to get the Meerkat system fully back up and running would be around $215,000. But continued vandalism would mean that the maintenance costs would be ongoing. When the issue was discussed at a Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee meeting on September 5, Cr Ken Turner, who represents the Waitakere Ward, said it was not worth it.

“We are going to pay through the nose to

for tsunami sirens

The tsunami siren testing on the weekend will be the last, as Auckland Council moves to decommission the network in December. keep the network running – the cost-tobenefit ratio does not stack up,” he said.

However, Rodney councillor Greg Sayers opposed the decommissioning.

“The system shouldn’t be decommissioned without a replacement system being in place,” Sayers said. “It is a secondary form of alerting the public and, therefore, potentially lifesaving.

“Meerkat is a small company that’s closing down. A quick Google search and you will find there are plenty of other suppliers in New Zealand, and overseas, that supply

this type of technology.”

However, Cranfield said it was not a straightforward or fast process to switch providers. Replacing the Meerkats with the Barton sirens would involve significant cost, and many would possibly need resource consent.

However, he did not rule out sirens being part of a future emergency alert system.

He said council was currently developing a public tsunami alert strategy that would be consistent across the whole of Auckland.

He expects a draft strategy to be open for

public comment later next year.

“At the moment, we have got an inconsistent approach. Siren locations are not based on risk, they are based on decisions made by legacy councils,” Cranfield said.

Matakana Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Jeremy Gibbons said the Fire and Emergency service was also moving away from older technology, such as the sirens used at the Leigh and Warkworth brigades to call in volunteers.

“The sirens are gradually being continued page 2

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Evacuation maps revamped Sayonara for tsunami sirens

from page 1

decommissioned across NZ and being replaced with app-based technology,” he said.

He acknowledged that it felt like something was being taken away, something the community was used to, but the mobilebased emergency alert system had been used successfully at Muriwai, and other places, during Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Embracing some new technologies has its advantages.”

Gibbons said there would be an increasingly important role for Community Resilience Groups to remind people of their own responsibilities in keeping themselves aware and prepared.

When Whangateau Residents & Ratepayers Association chair Hugh McKergow was told that the siren network was being decommissioned, he said he was concerned council was putting people’s lives at risk.

He said it was inevitable that a tsunami would happen sooner or later, and that the siren warning system would be needed.

“Not everyone has a cellphone, plus cellphone coverage is not always reliable around here,” he said.

McKergow said the issue would be discussed at the association’s next meeting and the group’s thoughts would be conveyed to council in a letter.

Omaha Beach Community (OBC) group chair Chris Allen said the OBC was also unaware of the move to decommission the sirens. He said removing them would create a gap, although he acknowledged the need to take advantage of new technology.

“When people are in the water, they don’t have their phones. It will mean resorting to the old-fashioned method of shouting at them.”

He said the sirens also played a role in raising awareness.

“Even a half a metre surge can cause inundation and damage.”

The Point Wells Community & Ratepayers did not wish to comment until the group had been advised officially by council itself that the sirens would be decommissioned.

The Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee has adopted new tsunami evacuation zone maps. Auckland Council’s previous tsunami evacuation zone maps included three zones – red, orange and yellow. Red represented the highest risk areas while yellow represented the worst-case scenario. New modelling showed there was little difference between the orange and yellow evacuation zones.

Principal science advisor Angela Doherty said council had invested in new tsunami inundation modelling that gave council a clearer picture on the impacts a tsunami could have.

“The new modelling takes into account more detail about how waves actually behave within our harbours and as they approach our shore,” Doherty said.

“We have transformed those models into evacuation maps which show a greatly reduced area of inundation and tsunami flood risk across the region.

“Having just two zones cuts down the confusion as to whether people are in or outside of a tsunami evacuation zone.”

The new maps are expected to be implemented by the end of this year and Doherty said it would be followed by a communication plan to keep the public informed.

The revised two zone inundation map for Omaha.

The existing inundation zone map for Omaha.

Wastebusters prepares for Lawrie Rd reopening

After a two year closure and a multi-million dollar redevelopment, the Lawrie Road refuse and recycling centre at Snells Beach will reopen at the end of next month. Initially, it will just handle waste drop-off and recycling, but the site including the shop and education centre will be fully operational before Christmas.

Manager Mark Gane says the reopening will give residents options for how they can deal with their waste, with 20-plus different waste streams, to divert as much waste as possible away from landfill.

“A lot has been going on behind the scenes ahead of the reopening,” he says.

“It’s great to be able to offer the community options for their waste and recycling, and do our part in sending less to landfill through a new contract with Auckland Council.”

Council general manager for waste solutions Parul Sood said council was looking forward to a new 10-year partnership with Mahurangi Wastebusters to deliver convenient resource recovery services to the community, enabling greater diversion of material from landfills.

“Besides the usual services to recover and repurpose material, the centre also has an exciting space for education and raising awareness on waste issues,” Sood said.

The initial redevelopment cost $2.4 million, supported by the central government’s shovel-ready funding. Council spent a further $1.6 million to undertake further works to remediate, future-proof and make the site safer.

Gane says the entire drop-off area has been upgraded and sealed.

“The new purpose built 380sqm shed will

be home to our new shop, which will sell goods that can be reused or upcycled.”

The finished site will also include an Education Hub, set up in a repurposed classroom, for school students and the community to learn about recycling, including how to recycle properly, worm farms, composting and more. The composting service will allow people to drop off their organic waste/food scraps to be turned into compost, which will then be sold in the shop.

It is anticipated that the operation will employ five or six fulltime staff.

Gane says volunteers will still be needed to work alongside the staff.

“This is a wonderful and passionate community. Anyone who wants to volunteer can get in touch by emailing hello@mahurangiwastebusters.nz.”

Ti Point path fenced off as dispute drags on

An ongoing dispute between a landowner and Auckland Council has led to the popular Ti Point Walkway being fenced off for a second time in recent months, this time by council.

A solid wooden fence has been installed across the width of the track at the far end of the picnic area, just a few minutes’ walk from the wharf and carpark, with signs saying ‘track closed beyond this point’. Another wooden fence was erected further along the track earlier this year by Ti Point resident Shane Anderson where the path crossed his land, which he said at the time was a result of frustration with council over a lengthy title dispute. However, that was dismantled and removed to again allow public access soon after, although it was

unclear by whom.

Council facilities manager Michael Feather told a recent Rodney Local Board workshop that the new fence was erected by council in respect of a request to recognise a section of the track as private property.

“There is a section of the walk in dispute,” he said. “We have got assets encroaching onto his property, and it’s been a lengthy journey of several years. Until we can resolve that, we’re honouring his request.

“We’ve put a physical barrier up and a sign letting people know the track is closed past this point.”

Board member Ivan Wagstaff asked what the options were for bypassing the section of private land.

“It would be possible, but it would extremely expensive if we’re not successful with getting this pinch-point,” Feather said.

“We would have to engineer a quite significant boardwalk, there’s significant drop over rocks and it’s in a highly sensitive heritage area – it would be nothing quick and nothing cheap.”

Wagstaff said issues that dragged on for years needed to be avoided.

“If throwing money at it is the answer, then maybe we have to do that,” he said.

Feather said for now, council was trying to work with the property owner to find a workable solution for both parties.

“But for some reason we’ve been unable to find a solution yet,” he admitted.

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Calls for a dedicated arts centre for the Warkworth area were made at Rodney Local Board’s monthly meeting on September 20.

The idea was mooted by Tawharanui Peninsula artist Alysn Midgelow-Marsden during a deputation on behalf of the Mahurangi Artist’s Network (MAN). She told members they were looking for the board’s help with three things –promotion of the annual MAN Open Studio Trail in February, the possible use of the Local Board’s Warkworth office foyer and window to display artists’ work and, in the longer term, support to establish a permanent arts centre.

“We really believe this area would benefit from an arts centre as an outlet, facility and focus for local creatives,” she said. “We also feel an arts centre helps to reinvigorate a town and differentiate it. Warkworth needs to be a destination point and have a reason for people to come here, and arts centres are known to help with that.”

While Rodney already had two arts centres, they were both in the far south of the region, at Helensville and Kumeu, and not hugely relevant to local creatives, Midgelow-Marsden added.

She said ideally, a centre would be within walking distance of Warkworth town centre. Guy Wishart said it would be good if there was a council-owned building that could be repurposed, while Tim Holdgate said collaboration with other potential users might make it easier – the former women’s bowling club at Shoesmith and the old Masonic Hall were mentioned as possible examples.

Midgelow-Marsden added that if she won the lottery, the old Mahurangi Presbyterian Church, which is currently on the market for $2.35 million, would be “a wonderful, pie-in-the-sky place” for such a venture.

Chair Brent Bailey thanked MAN for its presentation and said working with the board to display art and promote the studio trail should certainly be looked at.

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Professional, cost effective, creative solutions to all aspects of resource management planning.

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A substantial fence has been erected at the far end of the Ti Point picnic area.

An important focus for the revamped centre will be waste education for the community generally and young people, in particular.

Transport hub near Pak’n Save disputed

The projected expansion of Warkworth will require significant changes to town’s transport corridors. Auckland Council is currently considering eight Notices of Requirement (NoRs) lodged by Supporting Growth, an initiative of Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi, aimed at protecting the land needed for eight specific transport projects. Together, the eight proposals will affect an estimated 19 full properties and parts of a further 217. Submissions were invited earlier this year, and hearings are scheduled for November.

In this edition, Mahurangi Matters takes a closer look at NoR1 – a public transport hub in north Warkworth and the northern end of an envisaged Western Link road.

Notice of Requirement 1 includes a public transport hub with park-and-ride facilities next to the old SH1, to the north-west of Pak’nSave.

It would ultimately replace the nearby interim Warkworth community transport hub, which Supporting Growth said was not large enough to accommodate the expected future demand. The controversial hub, which opened last year, was built by the Rodney Local Board using the Rodney Targeted Transport Rate and cost $3.7 million.

The new transport hub, which would also feature cycle storage parking, a bus layover area and provide for regional and local bus trips, would be on the corner of the old SH1 and the northern end of a new Western Link.

The Western Link is a proposed future corridor looping north-west from the intersection of McKinney Road and the old SH1, crossing Woodcocks Road at Evelyn

Street and Mansel Drive, and then curving north-east and ending where the old SH1 meets the new Te Honohono ki Tai (Matakana link) Road. Its northernmost stretch would run between the transport hub and the Pak’nSave site.

The aim of the Western Link is to offer an alternative north-south route to SH1 that will reduce the pressure on the existing SH1/Hill Street intersection, and also provide direct connectivity to Te Honohono ki Tai Road. Ahead of the November hearings, 10 submissions were received in response to the designation. Submitters include owners of nearby properties that are affected by the designation, companies with interests in the area, and community support organisations.

Middle Hill Ltd and the Tyne Trust own land that shares a boundary with the NoR1 designation. Their submission supported the designation, but called for “minor flexibility” on the alignment of the Western Link. It also wanted affected parties to be consulted on matters such as landscaping and design.

Patricia (Paddy) Sullivan said the location of the transport hub as proposed in NoR1 fell on land (27 State Highway 1) which her family had owned since 1974.

It was her recommendation that property owners that live on their property should be valued and respected, and given priority information at the inception of planning, not informed once the decision was made. She also proposed that the siting of the

transport hub be moved to the other side of the planned Western Link, and be located behind the Pak’nSave.

A joint submission from the Warkworth Area Liaison Group (WALG) and One Mahurangi Business Association also argued that the transport hub was poorly located, and should be moved to behind the Pak’nSave, where it would sit between the supermarket and a planned retail centre to the south.

Roger Williams, of WALG, said the current design would mean a busy road (the incoming Western Link) would run between the transport hub, and the Pak’nSave and retail centre.

The location WALG/One Mahurangi preferred would mean bus passengers would have the shops close at hand, and not have to cross a major road. Also, buses and other traffic could access the transport hub from Hudson Road, which would achieve a much safer circulation, with left turn movements only and no need for pedestrians to cross major roads.

More generally, One Mahurangi and WALG argued that while they supported in principle the need for NoRs for future designations, many of the proposals disregarded the disruption caused by the construction and the consequent loss of service. They said designations were generous in area, and there might be alternatives that would lessen the impact on affected landowners. “Wherever possible, the NoR should be reduced to the bare minimum to minimise alienating the land.”

Noting that the designated land may not be needed for decades, they said it was intolerable to hold off buying the land indefinitely. Improvements made by landowners should be included in eventual compensation agreements.

In its submission Foodstuffs, which owns Pak’nSave, said both its supermarket and the planned retail centre – for which resource consent has already been obtained, with work due to begin within the next six months –depended on customers being able to access the site in a safe and efficient manner.

Foodstuffs wanted the plan to include full access (left and right turns) between the Western Link and its commercial development. It also wanted the effects of construction to be managed to avoid adverse effects on its business activities.

P2W Services is subcontracted to manage and maintain the new Ara Tuhono Puhoi to Warkworth motorway for the next 25 years. The contract also includes Te Honohono ki Tai Road and roundabout.

P2W said in its submission the proposal would have an impact on its future operations, yet Supporting Growth did not consult with it during the NoR application process. It had concerns about the traffic predictions for the SH1/ Te Honohono ki Tai Road intersection, and said that the NoR as currently proposed would result in adverse traffic effects.

NX2 is the legal owner of land affected by the NoR, due to its lease from Waka Kotahi for the motorway. Like P2W, it worried that the proposal would lead to unacceptable traffic effects on the environment including delays, poor performance and worsened levels of service.

NX2 said the proposal would not be consistent with the Auckland Unitary Plan, Regional Land Transport Plan and other relevant documents. Watercare said in its submission that it was neutral on all eight NoRs.

A group called the Equal Justice Project also made submissions supporting all eight NoRs, on the basis that they would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing improved reliability for public transport and high quality walking and cycling facilities.

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LeighSchoolentry

Leigh crossing project could be dropped by Local Board

Long-standing plans to install a new pedestrian crossing in Leigh may be abandoned, following new research by Auckland Transport (AT) unveiled at a Rodney Local Board workshop on September 13.

Following strident community calls for a proposed raised zebra crossing to be installed in Hauraki Road next to Leigh School, instead of AT’s preferred site outside Leigh General Store, AT told members it had carried out a week-long pedestrian count as part of investigating such a move.

Results showed that nearly all the people crossing Hauraki Road, on weekdays and at the weekend, did so where AT wanted to put the crossing, with only 10 accompanied crossings outside Leigh School on a weekday, compared with 150 individuals crossing the road near the shop.

Project manager Rahul Gowtham said based on that, AT was recommending the crossing should be installed where AT wanted.

“Most people were crossing exactly where we proposed the crossing,” he said. “Moving it would be a major design change and would cost more.”

Gowtham said there would also need to be more investigation into how to address issues with driver visibility if members still wanted to site the crossing by the school entrance, on the brow of a hill, which would cost up to $15,000 extra.

He added that, if the crossing project did go ahead outside the store, the raised platform

would only be 75mm high instead of the original 100mm proposed, in response to concerns by boat owners.

Warkworth board member Ivan Wagstaff suggested that the project should be abandoned, since the school and community had clearly said they didn’t want a crossing outside the general store.

“The community have said they don’t want it, from the fire dept, the shops, the school – everyone said they don’t want it anywhere apart from up the road,” he said. However, having seen the pedestrian data, fellow Warkworth member Tim Holdgate said there was clearly still a need for a crossing for the whole community and he supported leaving it where AT suggested.

Wagstaff said he felt the $150,000 budget, which is from the board’s transport targeted rate, could be better spent elsewhere in Leigh.

Chair Brent Bailey said it was something for Warkworth members to discuss and decide upon.

“We either leave it where it is and carry on, or abandon it, and the Warkworth subdivision can decide, then a final decision will be made at the October meeting,” he said.

Warkworth’s third elected member, Michelle Carmichael, was away on leave when the workshop was held. With Wagstaff wanting to abandon the crossing and Holdgate in favour of installing it, she potentially holds the casting vote on the matter when she returns.

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Pedestrian counts on a weekday, illustrated, plus on Saturday and Sunday, showed that the vast majority of people cross the road in Leigh near the general store.

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YouSay

Kawau plan supported

In regards to your article Kawau Predator Plan Sparks Opposition (MM 7 Sept), as a permanent resident on Kawau Island I would like to share my views in support of the project. As referenced in the story, there is a loud voice opposing the project. However, I can reassure readers that there is an even larger number of islanders with quiet voices supporting the project. My reasons are that it will finally put a stop to the killing that has been occurring on this island for decades. Most households purchase toxins and traps to manage the rats, stoats and possums on their properties. Pohutakawa Trust has been culling wallabies for about 20 years and doing a great job of it. Brodifacoum is also used in bait stations by a number of islanders on large and small landholdings. Also, let’s not forget all the birds, chicks and eggs that get killed by rats and stoats on a daily basis. With complete eradication, the killing would stop.

I have faith in the professionals and scientists who have done the research. I have confidence that the methods recommended are best practice for today. No one likes the use of toxins but it’s the best tool we have in the toolbox for full eradication now.

I look forward to seeing the return of more native birds and bush. We can do our bit for climate change. With the return of a healthy understorey, we will reduce the amount of run off and slips in wet weather. In times of drought, it will reduce the risk of fire. The trees will also store more carbon.

We have a wonderful opportunity so let’s take it! We will be proud of becoming the largest inhabited pest free island in Aotearoa.

Nikki Porteous, Kawau Island

Roads not cycleways

Auckland Transport (AT) has a Cycling and Micromobility Programme to spend $600 million over 10 years on building 150km of cycleways around Auckland. That’s $4m/km. Major benefits to justify this are health and safety.

Sealing unsealed roads costs between $0.5m/km and $1.0m/km. Rodney has 650km of unsealed roads. That $600 million could seal all of Rodney’s roads. Major benefits to justify this are health and safety, plus improved community connectivity and farm transport.

Cyclists are involved in 10 times as many serious crashes as motorists. Shifting people off bikes and into cars can save lives. Since 2011, AT has added less than eight per cent to the length of regional roading in Auckland. Auckland’s population has grown by 16 per cent in that time.

In 2021, NZ had 899 vehicles per 1000 people – one of the highest rates in the world, reflecting our low density living spread across the country.

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) have grown by 70 per cent and Light Passenger Vehicles (LPV) by 27 per cent over the last decade. Light vehicles are 91 per cent of the fleet, but truck numbers have also grown by 26 per cent over the decade (and they are carrying much the same loads on average, but 28 per cent further).

Roads are the arteries of the country. They connect us – for work, for families.

Cycleways are nice to have, for recreational use, if we can afford them. But first … Auckland needs more, better, and safer roads.

Bill Foster, Leigh

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Wool donations

To the oh, so generous people of Warkworth and district, what a fantastic response to my request for wool.

Last Friday, 30 sets of baby clothes went to Auckland Hospital to answer a plea from the midwives, as the cupboard was bare. This winter had been tough for some families. Be assured, none of the wool you have donated will be wasted. If it isn’t used for baby clothes or crocheted blankets, it will be used to make puppy jackets for rescue centres.

And to the clever knitter who knitted some gorgeous cardigans, beanies and booties, thank you so much for your wonderful effort to help protect some precious babies from the cold of winter and spring. They are just beautiful. Thank you.

Sandra Haycock, Warkworth

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Vaping ban in open spaces investigated

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

Auckland Council will investigate a vaping ban in council-owned open spaces.

At the Regulatory and Community Safety Committee on September 5, members discussed the issue of vaping being an effective tool to help people quit smoking. Currently, vaping and smoking are banned in council-owned indoor facilities, but councillors want this to be extended to outdoor areas as well.

The decision came after Action for Smokefree 2025 representative Ben Youdan explained the tricky issue of supporting smoking cessation while trying to avoid rangatahi/ young people taking up a vaping habit.

He said that 10 years ago, wāhine Māori had the highest smoking rate in the OECD and some of the highest lung cancer mortality in the world.

“In the last two years, the daily smoking rate for wāhine Māori has dropped by onethird,” Youdan said.

He said that in 25 years of working in this field, he had never seen anything like it, and it was almost entirely a result of wāhine Māori switching to vapes.

“It is having huge disruption on probably one of the single leading preventable causes of health inequity but at the same time [we are] trying to ensure that it’s not getting into the hands of young people.”

He said new regulation around vaping needed better enforcement.

“We need reinforcement of the fact that these are products for adults,” he urged.

“They should be R21 unless somebody is a smoker but many of the vape shops have windows built full of paraphernalia that’s got nothing to do with vaping.”

Social Wellbeing senior policy manager Ben Brooks said council’s position was to support vaping as a quit tool but that it should not be used by non-smokers or rangatahi.

“By ethnicity, young Māori have the highest vaping rates. That is where we probably have most reason for concern,” Brooks said.

Independent Māori Statutory Board member Edward Ashby asked if Māori were being targeted.

“In terms of low hanging fruit, given the higher rates of Māori vaping, are we seeing a pattern of Māori rangatahi being targeted?” Ashby asked.

“Anecdotally, there are concerns from the community that there is proliferation around schools and marae,” Brooks said.

Viewpoint

Craig Jepson, Mayor of Kaipara mayor@kaipara.govt.nz

Open debate and the contestable forums

I recently viewed the documentary movie River of Freedom. It is a powerful presentation of the lead-up and the days of the Wellington demonstration. I attended the protest and am pleased I did. For me, the issue was about the imposition of vaccine mandates violating a moral principle that a person should not be forced or coerced into a medical procedure. In my opinion, the mainstream media did a poor job of impartially representing the protest and the motives of those who attended. This movie redressed that wrong as it fairly represents what I saw first-hand. There is, of course, a range of views about the mandates, and that’s great. Open debate and the contestable forum of ideas is a basic tenet of a democratic country. Kaipara Council, as with other councils, has public forum opportunities so persons can present topics they care about. I recognise this as an important function in a free society. It’s as close to the public square as one can get. I don’t always agree with the presentations, but I defend their right to make one. If the public have an interest, the opportunity to dial into our meetings on YouTube means they can discern and make their own minds up on the issues presented.

The freedom to express an opinion should be an enshrined right in a healthy democracy. What I have found particularly disturbing since being elected mayor is the orchestrated campaign of hate and intimidation that some run to silence those with an opinion they do not agree with. It’s sinister and dangerous. Fortunately, they

are a small minority, albeit it one with a disproportionately loud voice.

Freedom is an issue that extends well beyond our district and beyond our shores. Essentially the debate is about how far politicians should encroach into the lives of individuals and how much influence lobby groups like the United Nations and the World Economic Forum should have on our rules and regulations.

We were reminded of those effects recently when Nigel Farage, the leader of the Brexit movement, was “de-banked” for his political beliefs, as were others. Imagine being denied access to your own money because of your beliefs. Nowadays, even that most basic right is being threatened by those who think they know what’s best for you better than you do.

It is incredible that these issues are happening with barely a mention in our mainstream media. It is, therefore, not surprising that people are turning to alternative news channels like the Platform and Reality Check Radio who are prepared to debate issues that others dare not touch.

By all indications, the October 14 election is going to be a turning point for our country.

I hope ordinary Kiwis will send a message to Wellington that things do not end well for politicians who disrespect the views of others.

Views expressed in this column are my own and do not necessarily represent a consensus position of Kaipara District Council.

Communication needs improvement

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

Communication between rural communities and Auckland Council during times of emergency needs to improve, according the council’s rural advisory panel.

At its meeting on September 8, Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) presented the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan for feedback from the panel. Panel member Linda Potauaine said urban Aucklanders sometimes forgot how having no power could impact rural Aucklanders received messages during emergencies. No power meant no internet.

She said during Cyclone Gabrielle there was no water in West Auckland and Watercare put out a message on Facebook about a water tanker.

“Nobody took the water because nobody knew that the water tanker was there,” she said.

Principal of strategy and planning Kristen Spooner said it was a tricky issue.

“We do rely on that mode of communication a lot these days. There has been a suggestion of giving satellite communication to rural response groups,” Spooner said.

Council had also given consideration to letter drops or working with the local fire service.

Strong feelings voiced on both sides of Kawau pest plan

Auckland Council hosted the second of two open days at Sandspit Wharf on September 14, fielding questions on proposals to eradicate pests on Kawau, an initiative that is evoking strong feelings on both sides.

Proponents want to rid Kawau of wallabies, rats, possums and stoats, whose presence is blamed for serious degradation of the island’s flora and threats to its fauna.

“We had 13 people attend the first session and 22 people attend the second session with a mix of views. Attendees included residents and conservation groups,” council biosecurity team manager Lisa Tolich said. “The questions varied and we found it was mostly those looking for clarification and reassurance around the methods before submitting their feedback.”

A feasibility report found a small minority of landowners firmly opposed the plan, concerned about the proposed use of the toxin brodifacoum, the potential risk to pets, and the fact “a certain proportion” of the island’s weka and pāteke would die, due to secondary poisoning. The project

team said taking some into captivity off the island during the operation would ensure their populations were not jeopardised. The team discounted fears of potential harm to kiwi, saying “kiwi differ in their foraging behaviour and the population is not anticipated to be at risk”.

‘An ecological desert’

David Kingston, a Kawau landowner since the 1960s, strongly supports the proposal, saying that possums and wallabies had left parts of Kawau virtually “an ecological desert”.

“They won’t eat mānuka, so all that grew on the island was mānuka. They ate everything else. You walked the bush and it was devoid of anything green.”

Twenty years of effort to reduce wallaby numbers through shooting and toxins had borne fruit, and “we now have, in the north of the island, substantial regeneration”.

“Ten years ago, I had to go to Stewart Island to see a kiwi in the wild,” he said. “I now have kiwi at night, out my back door. I hear

them in the valley. That’s entirely because they have got somewhere [safe] to live.”

Kingston said he understood why eradicating wallabies was contentious.

“They’re quite a cute little animal and the grandkids enjoy them – you know, skippies hopping around – but I’m dreadfully cognisant of the damage they were doing.”

He said he tells people, “You’ve got a choice – do you want wallaby or do you want kiwi? You can’t have both”.

‘They die a horrific death’

Wayne Green, who has owned property in Schoolhouse Bay for three decades, opposes the proposal, having witnessed the effect of brodifacoum on wallabies, ducks and weka.

“They die a horrific death. Once they take the poison it starts burning up in their insides,” he said, adding that was the reason brodifacoum use was restricted in Britain and the US.

The Kawau proposal is to kill wallabies

through a combination of hunting and poisoning with other toxins, such as cyanide and 1080, while brodifacoum will be used against the other pests.

Green said foraging wallabies kept undergrowth under control, and without them wildfire risk would increase.

He understood the need to limit wallaby numbers, through culling that was already taking place. But he didn’t believe they were pests, or should be exterminated. Green was unimpressed by the proposal to take a small number of weka off Kawau during the operation.

“Do they know how many weka there are on the island? Thousands. I’ve been here for 30 years, and we listen to their song at night.”

Green said experts at the open day gave him a “sympathetic hearing”, but he also felt he was being brushed off with glossy photos of other islands where pests had been eradicated.

“Those are smaller islands. Kawau is a different kettle of fish.”

Auckland Council hosted two open days at Sandspit Wharf, to answer questions about the pest eradication proposal.

David Kingston

Wayne Green

Mangawhai gets lion’s share of new home consents

Over the past 10 years, well over half of the new dwelling consents issued for the Kaipara district each year have been in Mangawhai.

Mangawhai has accounted for between 58.1 per cent (in 2014) and 73.9 per cent (in 2020) of the total number of new dwelling consents issued by Kaipara District Council.

In 2020, 164 out of a total of 222 new dwelling consents were in Mangawhai.

In the first seven months of this year, Mangawhai accounted for 58 of 89 new dwelling consents (65.2 per cent). Consents include those for relocated dwellings.

Mahurangi Matters has reported (August 14) on a private plan change application for 218.3ha of rural land west of Mangawhai to be rezoned to enable the development of up to 600 residential lots.

While the proposed Mangawhai Hills project would be a significant development,

it is not the largest private plan change application to come before council, in terms of the number of houses envisaged. With the potential for 850 residential units, the Mangawhai Central proposal (private plan change 78) was larger, albeit on a smaller piece of land – 130ha off Molesworth Drive. When access roads are in place, that development could accommodate more than 1000 housing units as well as Mangawhai’s new business centre, according to a council spokesperson. Notified in April 2020, private plan change 78 went through the full process, including an appeal to the Environment Court, which the parties settled out of court last April.

The Mangawhai Hills proposal (private plan change 84) has been open for public consultation since late August 28, a process that ends on September 26. For more, see: https://www.kaipara.govt. nz/mangawhaihills

A view of some of the rural land proposed for large-lot residential development.

Photo, Mangawhai Hills

local folk

Jane Vuletic

Jane Vuletic and her husband

Jim now live permanently at the Providence vineyard on the hill above the roundabout at the start of Takatu Road. While locals will be very familiar with the view of the beautifully maintained rows of grapevines, most people will be unaware that Jane was one of New Zealand’s few forensic pathologists, a job which has taken her to several overseas destinations. She talked to Allan Barber about her career in this very specialised area of medicine …

Istarted at Auckland University Medical School in 1974 – there were 60 in the class, half of whom were women and all were there on merit. Some years into my course a family friend, surgeon and Matakana winemaker John Gillman, invited me to observe some operations at Mater Hospital. This sparked my interest in surgery and when I graduated, I decided to apply for the surgical training programme. At the time, there was only one female plastic surgeon and one female orthopaedic surgeon in the country. Due to the small number of training positions in surgery, two of us were assigned to the anatomic pathology discipline for three months, which dealt a huge blow to my ambitions of becoming a surgeon. To my surprise, I found pathology so fascinating, I realised I had found my true career choice and I decided to switch formally to the pathology discipline. I became New Zealand’s first female forensic pathologist when I was 32, after 11 years of study – five years getting my medical degree, one post-graduate year of surgery and five years completing the pathology qualification.

During the pathology training, there was an opportunity to spend a six month rotation studying forensic pathology, which specifically relates to conducting autopsies to determine the cause of death. I found this discipline of pathology particularly fascinating. When I had completed the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia exams, I qualified as an anatomical pathologist, which entitled me to work in a laboratory analysing tissue samples (in those days there were no exams in forensics in Australasia).

When I qualified at last, I needed a job and there were two positions available,

one at the Medical School in the Department of Forensic Pathology, which I accepted, working on the principle that I could always go back to anatomical pathology if I didn’t like it. One of the most memorable cases I had was Delcelia Witika, a two-year-old child who died from injuries from abuse. One of my daughters was a similar age when I did the post-mortem on Delcelia, so it had a big impact on me personally. There was a lot of interaction with police in many of the cases I was involved with over the years.

One memorable day I drove down to a crime scene south of Hamilton where a police officer had been shot and then after arriving home I was called out to the Awhitu Peninsula to another crime scene.

I remember going to crime scenes at all times of the day or night, without Google maps to guide me! One memorable day I drove down to a crime scene south of Hamilton where a police officer had been shot and then after arriving home, I was called out to the Awhitu Peninsula to another crime scene. Sometimes I would have to take my young daughters, Kristina and Margy, with me and leave them in the car while I was at a scene. Occasionally they would assist me, looking at skeletal remains of animals.

A highlight in my career was the opportunity to go to Phuket with the NZ Police as part of an international

operation following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. New Zealand and Australia had responsibility for managing the mortuary process, which was a small part of something hugely important. Postmortems are a small but essential element of the process of identifying the dead for the families. This also gave me an opportunity to work outside NZ, which provided variety and more of a career challenge. I then began to work for short periods of time in Tasmania, Adelaide and the Northern Territory.

In 2012, I had the opportunity to work in Australia full-time as a forensic pathologist at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with colleagues who were already good friends and, after discussion with the family, I took the job. This entailed several weeks on duty interspersed with long weekends back in New Zealand. The closed borders that came into effect during covid put an end to this. I now work for Communio as the clinical director. Communio is a contractor to the Ministry of Justice, providing coronial post-mortem services for much of New Zealand. I also perform post-mortem examinations for the Coroner for Northland at Whangarei Hospital.

I regard myself as an average Kiwi, but my parents always encouraged me to be independent, which gave me the determination to follow the lengthy qualifying process for a pathologist and make a success of my career choice as a forensic pathologist. My father was a science teacher at Takapuna Grammar, where my mother also taught home science classes in embroidery at night school to women with young families. She wrote a book and two embroidery magazines, which were published by the New Zealand Herald.

When I was seven, my parents took the whole family (my older brother, younger sister, younger brother and me) to the UK for a year, where my father taught at a school in south London. In the summer holidays we piled into a campervan and travelled around Europe, which opened my eyes to the wider world. I grew up believing I could do anything I wanted to and, when my father suggested I should study medicine, I applied for medical school. I recall being at Takapuna Grammar, where my sixth form teacher was well known children’s writer David Hill. He asked us talk to the class about our life ambitions, so I stood up and said I wanted to study medicine. I do recall one of the boys in the class saying that the place for women was in the home!

I am very grateful to my husband Jim, who has fully supported my career choice, particularly my decision to work in Australia, while our daughters have also been very supportive. Kristina and Margy now live with their partners in Amsterdam and Paris respectively, and we had the great pleasure of seeing them both on a recent holiday in Europe.

Jim was practising as a general lawyer in Glenfield where we lived, but at the same time he had a passion for the wine industry. When we first met, he was involved in the Antipodean vineyard, but we set up Providence vineyard and planted the first vines in 1990 with the first vintage in 1993. From the beginning, he strove to produce a red Bordeauxstyle wine, similar to Chateau Petrus. Providence has been a major influence on our lives and many of the people we have met through the wine world have become great friends.

Council ‘lost consent application’ in Point Wells seawall saga

One of the landowners who installed a seawall on Whangateau Harbour without consent says the issue should have been sorted out eight years ago, but Auckland Council lost his application.

Race car constructor Warwick Mortimer is one of three neighbours in Point Wells Road who installed seawalls on the shoreline almost a decade ago that are now the subject of retrospective resource consent applications.

He says in December 2021, council gave the householders a year to submit applications to stall an abatement notice served on them all, but he had already applied for retrospective consent back in 2015. When he contacted council about it, they admitted losing track of his file.

“I do things pretty bloody right and if I make a mistake, I put my hands up,” he says.

“I’m so angry about this whole thing – if they lost even part of it, they should have come back and said we’ve mislaid your application, but done it in 2015 or 2016, not when I contacted them last year.” Mortimer says he didn’t seek resource consent for the seawall when it was built in 2014 on the advice of a planner, but as soon he was contacted by council that year, he tried to do the right thing.

“I held my hands up and said we shouldn’t have done it, but we’re doing it to protect our land and the Queen’s chain (foreshore reserve),” he said.

“Council told us to put in a retrospective planning application, which we did in February, 2015.

“It went in with a planner’s report, engineer’s report, a condition assessment, iwi approval, surveys and we also put in a planting schedule, as per what we discussed with council at the time.

“We got a receipt saying we’d paid for it and we were told verbally ‘just get all this planting done and it will all come out in

Warwick Mortimer says people are welcome to walk on the foreshore reserve behind his seawall, and the land would be lost without it.

the wash’. They said it was just a formality.” However, nothing further was heard and, due to business commitments and frequent overseas travel, Mortimer stopped chasing, lost track and assumed no news was good news.

Now he’s having to make a second retrospective application due to the original file being lost – a process that, with all the expert reports and consultancy fees, he says has now cost him in the region of $250,000.

“While I’m totally okay with that at the moment, if it gets to cost much more money, I’ll sue somebody,” he said. “We put the wall in because we were losing so much land at the front. There wouldn’t be a foreshore reserve if we hadn’t done this, we’re protecting it.”

At a Rodney Local Board meeting last month, council staff recommended that, as owners of the foreshore reserve, members should decline approval for all three walls and said they should be removed. After much debate and two deputations, they deferred the matter for more information.

Mortimer said council’s view in its report to the board that “coastal erosion at this location is anticipated to be significantly slow” and “the risk of removing the existing structure causing significant increased rate of coastal erosion is low” was “bullsh*t”.

“And it’s not just one bull, it’s a whole herd of particularly angry bulls that are over-fed and have dysentery,” he added.

Council’s manager for resource consents north west, Ian Dobson, confirmed that Mortimer had lodged a retrospective

application for the seawall in 2015, but admitted that information had been lost.

“In 2021, the council’s compliance unit looked into this application and found it was listed as on hold while the council awaited further information from the applicant. Unfortunately, it appears that the finalised versions of information sought under the 2015 application had been lost due to an issue transferring information from the council’s legacy system to its current system,” he said.

“Council’s IT department is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of its system to prevent similar issues arising in the future.”

Dobson added that because of its “error”, Mortimer’s deposit fee on his second application had been waived.

It’s a whole herd of particularly angry bulls that are over-fed and have dysentery Warwick Mortimer

Sweetappreciation with chocolatebrown

Congratulations to the owner of Central Landscape Supplies in Warkworth Rob Elliott, who is this week’s recipient of a gift basket from Chocolate Brown. Rob was nominated by Vic and Marion Chasteau, who wrote ….

Recently, a truck driver of Rob Elliott’s landscaping business got stuck on our drive on Pakiri Hill. Unfortunately, he was at the wrong address. Rob came to the rescue and eventually they managed to pull the truck out. The very wet and muddy drive got churned up in the process and Rob promised to come and clear up the mess. He arrived the following day with a small digger and big load of metal and worked a day and a half, leaving us with the best drive we have had for ages. Thank you Rob! We recommend Rob and his work to everyone.

Send your nominations to editor@localmatters.co.nz

Know someone who deserves a big “thank you” for their community spirit? Tell us and they will receive acknowledgement in Mahurangi Matters and an amazing hamper from Chocolate Brown, 6 Mill Lane, Warkworth. Send your nominations to editor@ localmatters.co.nz (subject line: Sweet Appreciation) or post to: Sweet Appreciation, Mahurangi Matters, 17 Neville Street, Warkworth. Kindly refrain from nominating members of your own family.

Cafe, Gifts, Chocolaterie

Ph 422 2677

6 Mill Lane, Warkworth

Central’s Tips

October 2023

The fruit and vegetable garden

• Planting edible flowers with vegetables is a no-brainer - salads become more interesting, the vegetable bed looks pretty and the bees arrive!

Flowers to eat include nasturtiums, carnations, daylilies, rose petals and violas

• All the summer vegetables can go in at Labour Weekend – the soil temperatures are warmer, and the sunlight hours are increasing making it ideal for planting!

• Despite a year awash with rain, watering has become important: young seedlings and germinating seeds are in the top layer of soil which dries out first. Water daily and if it’s becoming dry very early in the season, place pea straw around the plants

• Protect young plants from spring winds with windbreak cloth. Or leave in some of the finished winter vegetables and plant young vegetables and herbs between them. Cold spring winds can be deadly to seedling establishment

• Liquid feed all seedlings at planting – it gives nourishment at the root area and helps get the plants off to a good start

• Tomatoes are especially fast climbing, so construct climbing supports to manage the growth and aid access to picking them

The ornamental garden

• Wage war on the weeds – actively removing or spraying them early in the season, leaves plenty of room for the desirable plants to flourish and reduces recurrent weed growth. Mulching around plants after weeding helps with this

• Fertilise established lawns with Prolawn Lawn Booster. Use a handheld spreader to apply the correct amount evenly. Lawn fertilisers should be watered in after application to avoid burning

• For a summer of flowers plant dahlia tubers, sow seeds of cosmos, hollyhocks and poppies. Daisies, perennial petunias and alstroemerias are all reliably long flowering and appear in garden centres now. Plant with Garden Mix

• Keep the garden healthy with foliar spray of Aquaticus organic Garden Booster. Apply early morning or later in the afternoon

• Rhododendrons and hydrangeas bloom from now onwards. Both plants grow as small or medium sized bushes and they come in a range of flower colours, so they’re a worthy addition to a garden

• Fancy some blossom? Most ornamental cherry and crabapple varieties are available now. Plant into Garden Mix or Nutra Soil, stake well and mulch around the new tree

CAB bounces back from funding scare

The Wellsford Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) plans to open a weekly clinic in Warkworth before the end of the year.

Chair Brian Wright told the annual meeting on September 11 that the decision to investigate the satellite clinic reflected the number of enquiries the office received from Warkworth.

He said three new volunteers were being trained and it was likely the four-hour clinics, once a week, would be held in the former Auckland Council offices in Baxter Street.

Wright reported on a busy and eventful year for the bureau.

Funding was a key issue when Auckland Council proposed withdrawing support for CABs across Auckland. The Wellsford office depended almost entirely on its annual council grant of around $40,000, which paid the salary of a part-time manager.

Wright said that while a concerted

campaign saw the funding secured until June next year, it came with the caveat that future council funding would only be provided if central government contributed 50 per cent.

“Wellsford is in the particular position where it straddles two local authorities –Auckland and Kaipara, where we run a clinic at Mangawhai,” Wright said. “About 13 per cent of our clients last month were from Mangawhai, so I’m not sure how Auckland Council will feel about funding that part of our service.”

Wright said another challenge this year had been the lack of volunteers. Later in the meeting, Barbara Leslie raised the issue of CAB making a small contribution towards volunteers’ travel costs, as she thought the rising cost of petrol might be a barrier to volunteering. It was agreed the board would discuss this suggestion at its next meeting.

Want more for your future

During the past 12 months, the bureau ran 133 clinics, offering CAB, Justice of the Peace and budgeting services, and responded to nearly 1000 enquiries, both over the phone or face-to-face. Enquiries ranged from legal and government issues to consumer, family and personal, and finance and benefit issues.

It partnered with Wellsford Loaves and Fishes to assist more than 200 families and CAB volunteers also assisted during the civil defence emergency at the start of the year, when the community centre served as a civil defence centre.

Since the appointment of Jingjing Yi as manager, the Wellsford bureau has played an important role in providing language support for migrants from Asian communities across NZ. Yi is a native Mandarin speaker, and former manager Janny Baker offers Indonesian and

support.

Hokkien

The annual meeting of the Wellsford Citizens Advice Bureau started with a minute’s silence for one of its founding members and most dedicated volunteers Susan Tomas, who died on July 16. She is pictured (left) cutting the cake with Louise Densham when the Wellsford CAB marked its 30th anniversary in 2016.

Former chair Eric Parsons, who has been volunteering with CAB since 2001, was made a life member. He is pictured with secretary Beth Graham.

CAB manager Jingjing Yi.

The 90th birthday of life member Louise Densham, who has been volunteering for CAB since the Wellsford service opened, was cause for celebration at the annual meeting.

Wastewater upgrade to be done in two stages

Work to provide a wastewater system to service growth areas north of Warkworth is still under investigation.

Watercare senior project manager Jacob Whitford says that following community feedback on initial options for the pipeline, Watercare has expanded its investigation to consider alternative approaches.

Whitford says the two options currently being explored are a pumped wastewater solution with a wastewater rising main or a drilled underground pipeline.

“While these options would take different routes, we anticipate both options would minimise the disruption to the Warkworth town centre,” he says.

Originally, Watercare had been looking at four options including running the pipeline down Queen Street.

Whitford says that to ensure Watercare is able to work in partnership with other proposed works in the area, and to minimise delays, the overall project has been split in two.

The first stage will involve the establishment

of a wastewater network extending from the Warkworth Showgrounds to Hill Street. Ground investigations are expected to begin later this year with construction likely to start mid-to-late next year.

“We are proposing a combination of a drilled and trenched pipeline installation along Great North Road through to Shoesmith Reserve and are working with Auckland Transport to coordinate works around the Hill Street intersection upgrade to minimise the overall community impact. This section of works will take about a year.”

The two route options for the second stage, from Hill Street to the new pump station in Lucy Moore Memorial Park, are still being investigated.

Whitford says he expects to be able to share more with the community and key stakeholders in the next few months.

“Until investigations are complete, and an option finalised, we are unable to advise details of time and construction methodology for this stage of the project.”

Dog attacks go unreported

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

Auckland Council animal management believes a staggering 80 per cent of dog attacks are not being reported each year. At a Regulatory and Community Safety Committee meeting on September 5, animal management manager Elly Waitoa showed how council reports (2015 and 2019) for dog attacks only accounted for about 20 per cent of ACC claims for dog bite injuries.

In the 2018/19 reporting year, 716 dog attacks were reported to council, while

3626 ACC claims for dog bites were lodged. She said the dog population normally increased by about one per cent annually, but since the pandemic, there had been a five-and-a-half to six per cent increase year-on-year.

“A study undertaken by the Starship Foundation found that Māori and Pasifika children are disproportionately represented as victims of dog attacks and children aged zero to nine years, in particular, receive head and facial injuries, because of their height.”

Waitoa encouraged councillors to engage with their communities on issues like registration and responsible dog ownership.

THE GARDENS APARTMENTS

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Regardless of your age or lifestyle, The Gardens Apartments cater to every discerning buyer. Secure entry through elegant lobbies, single-level living via elevator access from the basement garages to your private, elevated home. Open plan and light filled with floor to ceiling windows and stacker doors to generous outdoor living spaces.

Premium specification with luxury touches including Miele kitchen appliances, Grohe European tapware, composite benchtops, StoneCast basins, carpets, oak flooring, fully tiled showers and more.

As a resident, you will have access to an array of community amenities designed to enrich your lifestyle. Take advantage of the heated indoor swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, and sauna. Immerse yourself in the extensive gardens, complete with scenic walking tracks through native bush, or stroll to the golden sands of Orewa Beach.

Visit our vibrant development today to explore The Gardens Apartments Showhomes.

Pricing From: Single bedroom from $1,003,750 | Two bedrooms from $1,567,500 | Three bedrooms from $1,732,500

Contact us today on 0800 725 775 or sales@kensingtonpark.co.nz to speak to one of our Kensington Park Sales Specialists Sales Suite - 1 Parkside Drive, Orewa | Open 7 Days: 10am - 4pm

Democracy needs voters to vote

When General Election voting starts next week (October 2), voters in the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate will have six candidates to choose from, two fewer than in 2020.

The electorate has always been a National Party stronghold so it will be a surprise if anything much changes locally. Even in the last election, with the massive swing to Labour, National won the seat comfortably with 45 per cent of the vote, ahead of Labour’s 35 per cent.

But every vote counts because voting is possibly the most powerful way that ordinary Kiwis can signal to politicians what they care about and what issues they want the government to prioritise.

If local candidate meetings are any indication, Mahurangi voters are as concerned about cost of living increases as the rest of New Zealand. People are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet and they want the parties to spell out clearly their plan to address high grocery costs, escalating fuel prices and housing costs. As in any election, it can be hard to separate concrete policy from slogans. Health, education and law and order are also occupying people’s minds as they decide which box to tick on the ballot paper. Closer to home, local voters have been keen to learn how the parties plan to provide the infrastructure this area needs as it grows, often blurring the line between

central government and local government responsibilities.

One promise common to all parties is the commitment to continue the motorway network north, at least to Te Hana. But this is an easy promise when it’s not backed up by timeframes and any agreed funding plan.

In 2020, 86 per cent of eligible voters in the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate voted, slightly higher than the national figure of 81.5 per cent. But that’s still nearly 7500 people (655,094 nationally) who through apathy or ignorance are failing to participate in the democratic process. Voting is a privilege denied to many people in this world, so the message is simple: get informed and get out and vote.

Diverse venues open to vote this election

There are a range of alternative polling places this election that include marae, sports clubs and even supermarkets.

The Electoral Commission says it has worked with communities to put voting places in spaces that are easy to access for as many people as possible this year, which locally will include Pak’nSave Warkworth, New World Mangawhai and Puhoi Fire Station.

There will be four venues in Warkworth, two marae at Te Hana and Makarau will open, plus several new community and sports halls will be open for voting for the first time.

Voting starts on Monday, October 2 and people can cast their ballot at any voting place they choose. While many polling stations will be open only on election day itself, Saturday October 14, others will open on specific days, for a week or, in a few instances, for the entire voting period.

The Electoral Commission’s deputy chief executive of operations Anusha Guler says the new voting places are aimed at making voting easy for people going about their everyday business.

Info and map: https://map.vote.nz/votingplaces

Where and when to vote locally

Te Aroha Pā Marae, 2558 Kaipara Coast Highway, Oct 4

Pūhoi Fire Station, 52 Ahuroa Road, Oct 14

Mahurangi West Hall, 401 Mahurangi West Road, Oct 14

Mahurangi East Tennis Club, 296 Mahurangi East Road, Oct 7-14

Mahurangi College Hall foyer, 2 Woodcocks Road, Oct 14

Warkworth Masonic Hall,

3 Baxter Street, Oct 2-14

Warkworth School Hall, 35 Hill Street, Oct 14

Pak’nSave Warkworth, Hudson Road, Oct 2-14

Matakana Community Hall, 43 Matakana Valley Road Oct 7-14 Point Wells Hall,

5 Point Wells Road, Oct 14

Omaha Beach Bowling Club,

1 Northwest Anchorage, Oct 14 Leigh School, 22 Hauraki Road, Oct 14

Tomarata School Hall, 8 Pakiri Block Road, Oct 14

Wellsford District Community Centre, 1 Matheson Road, Oct 2-14

Te Hana Te Ao Marama Māori Cultural Centre, SH1, Oct 7-14

Port Albert Hall, 980 Port Albert Road, Oct 14

Tapora School, 1 Okahukura Road, Oct 14

Kaiwaka War Memorial Hall, Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Road, Oct 14

Mangawhai Beach School Recreation Centre, 34 Insley Street, Oct 14

New World Mangawhai Car Park, 83 Molesworth Drive, Oct 2-14

Maungaturoto Centennial Community Hall, 44 View Street, Oct 7-14

Paparoa School, 14 Franklin Road, Oct 14

Waipu Coronation Hall, 47 The Centre, Oct 2-14

Ultimate Care Ranburn, 7 Nova Scotia Drive, Waipu, Oct 6

The field

Brent Bailey, ACT NZ

Sarah Brewer, Democracy NZ

Zephyr Brown, Greens

Jenny Marcroft, NZ First

Chris Penk, National Guy Wishart, Labour

Note: Brenton Faithfull is no longer standing for NZ Loyal, after what he described as an “administrative issue”. He declined to comment further. In a video clip, party leader Liz Gunn said that Faithfull had been omitted from the final list as the result of an “administrative error”. The Electoral Commission now only lists three candidates for NZ Loyal – Gunn, and two others.

Open invitation

Mahurangi Matters invited all candidates contesting the Kaipara ki Mahurangi seat to submit a short biography of themselves and answer some questions relevant to the electorate. Only National, Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens responded. No correspondence was received from Democracy NZ candidate Sarah Brewer or ACT Party candidate Brent Bailey. Brenton Faithfull, who was announced as a candidate for NZ Loyal, but who is not on the final list of candidates, also did not respond.

Note: Non-political advertisements on the following pages of this feature do not represent an endorsement of any particular candidate

Standing in Kaipara ki Mahurangi are:

Chris Penk

Chris Penk is a husband, father to two young children and owner of a dog named Barkley. In what passes for “spare time” these days, he follows the fortunes of the NZ Warriors and the Black Caps. Chris completed his secondary education at Kelston Boys High School, then studied at Auckland University, gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree. He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2000, which included serving as an officer of the watch on the HMNZS Te Kaha He also worked at Government House as aide-de-camp to the Governor-General in 2003. Later, as a member of the Australian Defence Force, he fulfilled his dream of serving on submarines and was stationed in the Northern Arabian Gulf in late 2007. After his naval service, Chris completed his legal training, which culminated in his admission to the bar in 2010. He founded his own law firm before resigning to enter Parliament in 2017, representing the then seat of Helensville.

National MP Chris Penk is vying for a third term in Parliament, his second for Kaipara ki Mahurangi. He is the Shadow Attorney General, as well as National’s Senior Whip and spokesperson for courts and cyclone recovery, and associate spokesperson for justice. If National wins next month’s election, Penk says he wants to see the government tackle the cost of living crisis, law and order, and the economy as priorities, and he supports targets in health and education to get better outcomes. Apart from these national priorities, he says it is important to get infrastructure planned and built.

“Over successive governments, this area has been poorly served by the delivery of various infrastructure. The obvious one is transport, but also less obvious is extra classrooms in schools and good internet connectivity and mobile communications.

“In terms of transport specifically, Hill Street needs to be remodelled and rebuilt – and all credit to the local groups that have been working on this over many years – but we do need the funding to come through from local government to make it actually happen. I’d

like to think it will happen regardless of the election result, but from a local advocate pointof-view, I’m determined that it happens.”

National has already promised it will build the four-lane Warkworth to Te Hana motorway. On climate change, he says renewable energy generation presents a huge opportunity to reduce the country’s emissions.

“In terms of incentives to make this happen, we haven’t announced any policy in that space yet, especially in terms of large-scale projects. We’re keen to partner with people who can see the economic value of doing this. But we need to remove the road blocks in terms of consents, which can take 10 years before the project can get off the ground. The process is so cumbersome and costly at present.”

Penk says National is also keen to explore waste-to-energy.

“There are examples in NZ and overseas of plants that allow waste to be incinerated in a way that is clean, with energy generation as a byproduct. That’s obviously a winwin for the environment. Plus, in an area where a lot of people are concerned about the proposed landfill at Dome Valley, it’s an attractive prospect to get something of a waste-to-energy nature to replace the physical placing of waste in the ground.”

On managing the impacts of sea level rise and more severe weather events, Penk said people in coastal settlements where there is proven risk, need to be incentivised to move.

“If we’re saying at both central and local government levels that an area or property is to be a Category 3* that means that it’s a voluntary buyout, but the expectation is that people will move because it is not safe for human habitation.

“You need to have a fair compensation for people in this position. At the moment we don’t know what the current government is going to do in terms of Gabrielle – we’ve said that we would closely mirror what they are offering so people have certainty –but it might be that, for example, they pay out a percentage less than 100%, or a full percentage but capped at, say, $2 million.

“None of this is particularly satisfactory, and I do get that, but these are big and difficult questions for the country.

“The key thing is that we need a sinking lid policy whereby we don’t build in critical places. Secondly, when there has been a specific event, at least don’t allow that particular area to replicate that damage.

“The third phase is deciding whether or not to proactively move people out on the basis that a 1-in-100 year flood might happen

in 99 years from now, or nine years from now. We certainly won’t be in a position to buy out every $10 million property on the coast just on the basis that something bad might happen in the future.”

On the cost of living crisis and the role of community foodbanks, Penk says if local groups demonstrate the value they are providing – for example, a foodbank providing healthy meals means people aren’t drawing on health services because they are unwell, or truancy services because children are hungry and distracted – then there is a value beyond the social element that can be expressed in dollar terms. Penk says his conversations with people convince him that what people want right now is for the basics to be done well.

“They want the country on a solid footing in terms of being able to live and work and get by and feel safe. I think there is a lot of skepticism about politicians making big promises.”

High-risk (Category 3) residential properties: A category 3 property is one where future severe weather event risks cannot be sufficiently mitigated. In some cases, some current land uses may remain acceptable, while for others there is an intolerable risk of injury or death from flooding or unstable land.

Authorised by Chris Penk, 134 Main Road, Kumeu 0810.

Guy Wishart

Guy Wishart is a Kumeu local who is a Rodney Local Board member, awardwinning musician, science educator and a qualified horticultural consultant. Guy’s election pledge is to work on better infrastructure for an electorate that has seen large new urban housing developments without the corresponding infrastructure, such as roads, public transport and flood mitigation. As a member of Huapai-Kumeu Lions, Emergency Network and Kumeu Community Action, he has first-hand experience in understanding the key issues that concern locals the most. Other parties talk about developing large amounts of green space into housing, but a failure to spend on local infrastructure has already led to a deep sense of frustration for the residents of Kaipara ki Mahurangi. Guy is seeking election to build on the lasting local initiatives of the only current MP living in the region, Labour list MP Marja Lubeck, who is retiring after two terms in Parliament as a list MP.

Guy Wishart is stepping up to the plate for the Labour Party in Kaipara ki Mahurangi, following the retirement of Marja Lubeck, who lived in the electorate and was a list MP from 2017. Elected as a Rodney Local Board member in October, Wishart knows he has a hard act to follow in what is widely regarded as a safe National seat.

“Obviously I’m not running because I think I can win an electorate seat, that would be a very tall order indeed, I’m running to fly the flag for Labour, its policies and represent the party,” he says.

Wishart believes the biggest challenge facing the electorate is the rapid growth that’s been foisted on areas like Kumeu, Milldale and Warkworth, often without adequate infrastructure.

“Kaipara ki Mahurangi is changing very quickly. We’re going to have so much growth, it’s going to change immensely quickly.

“We’re getting massive new housing areas and there will be a strain upon the infrastructure almost immediately – water, power, wastewater, transport systems, and so on.

“Labour is pushing to get more medium or high density housing in the city, closer to existing transport hubs, and make Auckland a more intensive, efficient city, rather than allowing massive amounts of greenfield development.

“Auckland should be more centrefocused rather than pushing out to the margins, where there’s not only a deficit in infrastructure, but a deficit in facilities like recreation centres, pools and art centres.”

Wishart says continuing the motorway north from Warkworth to Te Hana motorway is one of Labour’s 14 key projects in its 10-year transport plan, even if it might not be first cab off the rank.

“It’s definitely essential to continue that. I understand that it will be a much more difficult road to build, but the one that’s there at the moment is really dangerous for your main State Highway and it has to be done, though it could be a very expensive job,” he says.

He adds that, contrary to occasional accusations, Labour is not anti-roads.

“That’s a weird narrative – Labour doesn’t hate roads, we all use them, but the bias towards roads being the only option is a limited way of looking at things. We need very strong public transport options as well, so we have a mix of projects.”

Wishart says that, unlike other parties, Labour is not shying away from bringing in an emissions trading scheme.

“Labour is looking at pricing emissions by 2025, National is looking at 2030. Climate change is not something that will wait for you to get your economic problems sorted out. In many ways it has to be the top priority, because it has the ability to destabilise your whole economy, in fact to ruin it if you let it.

“So the argument that we’re too small to matter and that, if we wait a while and get things sorted out economically, then we’ll get on to the (environmental) things we need to do, I don’t know that we have enough runway left to do that.”

He says he knows it’s coming at a terrible time for farmers, but something has to be done and everyone has to play their part.

“I know from speaking to farmers in our area, they know they need to change and they are progressive, top level farmers already doing a lot of the things they need to reduce emissions.

“It’s a terrible choice, but if the climate continues to change and cause problems, then we’re going to be paying one way or the other. If we can’t keep a sustainable agricultural industry happening because of huge storms, weather events and droughts,

the industry won’t be sustainable anyway, so we need to do something.”

Wishart says Labour would continue to invest in more police and tackling youth crime.

“The ‘Labour is soft on crime’ idea is frustrating because being hard on crime to National and Act means locking people away or putting them in boot camps, but the evidence doesn’t really support that.

“It’s a complex, societal problem and Labour is attempting to use a holistic approach by increasing the amount of police, doing some restoration for the victims and trying to find some way of helping youth to get out of that crime cycle and into something more productive.

“A lot of these problems could be solved by better housing, more jobs and higher pay.”

Wishart adds that if National were to be elected, its policy to overturn the foreign buyer ban would be disastrous, re-inflating an already sky-high housing market.

“That was the very thing that supercharged the market to begin with, along with immigration, so we’d be heading straight down that road again and, for a lot of young people, the thought that they might just be able to get a house is suddenly going to pull away again.”

Jenny Marcroft

Jenny Marcroft has lived in the Warkworth/ Matakana area for the past two decades. Her daughter attended local schools and is now studying animal science at Massey in Palmerston North. She is a former MP serving from 2017 to 2020. Prior to entering Parliament, she worked in the media for 30 years, mainly as a radio newsreader. She has worked at a primary health organisation supporting GPs in the Rodney region and recently finished a stint in the Auckland Mayor’s office as part of Wayne Brown’s transition team. She is a member of the Institute of Directors and recently became a certified Life Coach. She says she is passionate about the Kaipara ki Mahurangi region but also aware of the issues people here face. “I’m proud to be your NZ First candidate for the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate.”

How will your party improve life in Kaipara ki Mahurangi?

The proposed rubbish dump in the Dome Valley should not proceed as there are new modern solutions for waste that will better protect our environment than a landfill in an area with high conservation values. We support a waste-to-energy plant to be located in Northland as an alternative waste solution.

NZ First has always been a champion for seniors. We will ensure the age of eligibility for Superannuation (retirement age) remains at 65 years. We introduced the SuperGold Card in 2005, and expanded its benefits in 2017. We will fund residential care for our seniors which includes rest homes, dementia units, hyper-geriatric care and long-term hospital stays.

New Zealand First recognises the critical role of a thriving primary sector as the engine room of New Zealand’s economy as the earner of 82 per cent of our country’s foreign exchange. We will repeal the newly implemented ‘National Policy Statement” (NPS) to give farmers back their flexibility, adjust their activities and maximise economic value.

While the new motorway is fantastic, the state of our local roads continues to be a cause for much frustration and I’m

committed to working with Auckland Council to advocate for our region on this and other issues including ensuring we have the infrastructure necessary for the planned population growth.

Is NZ doing enough to respond to climate change?

The serious weather events we experienced earlier this year highlighted the need to do more to adapt to a changing climate. NZ First recognised the need to implement climate change adaptation measures while in government between 2017 and 2020. The Taradale stopbank was upgraded with the Provincial Growth Fund and was instrumental in protecting Napier from catastrophic flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle. The Matawii water storage dam in Northland was built following drought in Northland that saw Kaikohe run out of water. Building climate resilience is an import climate change response.

What are the three key issues that you believe should be addressed in the government’s next term in office?

The cost-of-living crisis, law and order, accelerating economic recovery.

Which parties could your party work with to form government?

NZ First has ruled out working with Labour or any political party that promotes separatism or co-governance.

The cost of living is the leading concern for many voters. What will you and your party do to help foodbanks and other community groups in this electorate as they struggle to meet growing needs?

A recent survey for the Retirement Commission found that 55 per cent of Kiwis are struggling to make ends meet. Supermarkets have had record profit years since and during covid. NZ First will tackle the greedy foreign-owned supermarkets charging more for groceries here than they do back home and we will remove GST from basic food, including fruit and vege, meat, poultry and fish. We believe this policy will help support families make

their household budget go further and help reduce the burden on local community groups who are stepping in to address a growing need.

Polls show fear of rising crime to be one of the top concerns for voters. How will your party assure New Zealanders that it can be trusted to manage this issue? We need to restore safety to our homes and streets. If you want safer communities, then let’s get more police doing their real job on the frontline. NZ First has a proven track record on addressing crime with increases to the police front line in 2005 and 2017 – the latter being 1800 net police – also establishing a national organised crime unit. We elevated synthetic cannabis to ‘Class A’, ensuring that suppliers face increased penalties, and ensured up to 33 per cent of the Proceeds of Crime Fund went into battling organised crime. Under New Zealand First, if you commit a crime and are part of a gang it will be law that it is an automatic aggravating factor in your sentencing. In addition, if you assault a First Responder – police officer, paramedic, firefighter or corrections officer in the course of their duty – there will be an automatic six-month minimum mandatory prison sentence.

Born and raised in West Auckland, Zephyr Brown whakapapa’s Ngati Whakaue and Ngati Pikiao from his maternal grandmother and Tongan from his paternal grandmother. He is an information and sustainability officer and shareholder in a $40 million turnover media company that employs 160 people. Ensuring the company’s security, the wellbeing of his colleagues and the sustainability of the company’s operations is what he does for a living. He believes in an Aotearoa where everyone has a voice and a democratic system where people understand that there is strength, not division, in that diversity. He is standing in Kaipara ki Mahurangi to promote the Green Party and its principles of ecological wisdom, social responsibility, appropriate decisionmaking, and non-violence. He believes that Green Party policies offer the most viable solutions to the climate crisis and ending inequity in Aotearoa.

How will your party make life in Kaipara ki Mahurangi better?

Our Climate Safe Communities plan will have towns with safe places for our children to play and move around safely; more green spaces that provide a place to relax and protect us from flooding; and be easier to get around on buses and trains, with services like free dental just a safe walk or bike ride away. Improved public transport (like trains to Huapai, bus ways on the north-west corridor) and increased roading maintenance are only possible if we can fund them. The National Party’s tax plan has a large pothole, the Green Party plan is fully funded and hole-free.

Is NZ doing enough to respond to climate change?

Over the last six years, the Green Party has done more to protect the climate than the past 30 years of governments combined. We have put in place the strongest climate plan Aotearoa has ever had, paid for by polluters. But climate pollution is not coming down fast enough.

Strong climate action means warmer homes that are more affordable to heat.

Authorised by H Howard 41 Jervois Road Ponsonby

Authorised by H Howard, 41 Jervois Road, Ponsonby

Moving from imported petrol to clean local energy (brought from power companies that we, the taxpayers, own 51 per cent of) can save families thousands of dollars per year. The clean car discount has given that opportunity to thousands of families already. Rolling that back robs thousands of others from the same opportunity to save money.

What are the three key issues that you believe should be addressed in the government’s next term in office?

Climate – the time is now to prioritise climate action that builds thriving communities that work for people and nature, the next government must pick up the pace and scale of climate action.

Poverty – it is at odds with our shared values of caring for each other that children are going to bed hungry; families are struggling to pay the rent or mortgage and keep their homes warm; and students are forced to skip meals to make ends meet. The money we need to support each other is already there, but successive governments have decided not to use it. This is a political choice.

Housing – we will build 35,000 new warm, affordable homes in the places people want to live with incentives for developers and long-term construction and supply contracts. Everyone on the housing waitlist will have a place to call home in five years. We’ll provide a government-backed underwrite so community providers can get on and build new homes.

Which parties could your party work with to form government?

We’ll work with any party that supports the continuation and advancement of our climate change policies, while ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community are supported in a just transition to a low carbon economy.

The cost of living is the leading concern for many voters. What will you and your party do to help foodbanks and other community groups in this electorate as they struggle to meet growing needs? Charities do amazing work in our

communities, but forcing people to rely on charity is a political failure. The Green Party’s Income Guarantee ensures everyone has the peace of mind that we will be able to put food on the table, have a safe place to call home, and live a good life – and we’ll pay for it with a fair tax system. Ninety five per cent of Kiwis will be better off under our fully-costed tax plan to broaden the tax base so that the top one per cent pay a fair share. See how our tax policy compares here https://bit.ly/greens-fair-tax

Polls show fear of rising crime to be one of the top concerns for voters. How will your party assure New Zealanders that it can be trusted to manage this issue?

Bill English said that “prisons are a fiscal and moral failure”. Spending $150,000 per year per prisoner is not a social investment and prevention is always cheaper than a cure. Housing insecurity and poverty are major factors in the causes of crime, and we need to address those if we want to reduce intergenerational crime rates. Giving families secure homes where they can put down roots into communities and getting kids out of poverty will see a reduction in the disenfranchised young men that we see in our youth courts.

No shortage of candidates

There are a total of 17 registered parties seeking the party vote in this year’s election, the same number as in 2020.

A total of 567 candidates (electorate and list) are standing. This compares with 677 candidates three years ago, but is similar to the number of candidates in previous elections.

There are 72 candidates on the party lists only, and 46 candidates for registered parties are standing as electorate candidates only. The gender breakdown is as follows: 329

male, 229 female, four another gender and five not specified. In 2020, there were 413 male and 263 female candidates and one gender diverse/not specified.

In the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate, candidates have been ranked as follows: Chris Penk is 18th on the National Party list, Guy Wishart is 71st on Labour’s list, Jenny Marcroft 5th for NZ First, Sarah Brewer 10th for Democracy NZ, Brent Bailey 58th for ACT and Zephyr Brown is unranked.

Authorised by Miriam Ross, Level 5, 108 The Terrace, Wellington

Antony 021 926 380 | AandJpainting@xtra.co.nz

Candidates face the music at Warkworth Town Hall

More than 150 people turned up at Warkworth Town Hall on September 13 to hear from seven candidates standing for the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate. On stage to face the crowd were sitting MP and National candidate Chris Penk, Labour’s Guy Wishart, Green Party candidate Zephyr Brown, Brent Bailey standing for ACT, NZ First’s Jenny Marcroft, Brenton Faithfull for NZ Loyal and Sarah Brewer from Democracy NZ.

Convenor Murray Chapman set the tone for the evening with a polite, but nononsense request for the audience to be civil and respectful.

“Tonight’s about policy, not personality,” he said. “And you have to have a question, not a statement. If you start getting into that, I’ll shut you down – it’s not necessary, and these people don’t need it.

“Just bear in mind these people are putting themselves out there like most of us wouldn’t have the courage to do.”

It certainly seemed to do the trick, as the exchanges that followed were goodnatured, with no heckling or booing, and all candidates being applauded by at least a section of attendees.

Each candidate was given four minutes to introduce themselves and set out their stall before more than an hour of questions

from the audience.

Most introductions were straightforward enough, though Sarah Brewer went a bit left-field by asking everyone to close their eyes while she took them “on a little journey”, reciting a poem called Soul Transformation – How Did We Get Here?

This appeared to be written from her perspective as a nurse, with references to the right to choose, Big Pharma, evidence and indoctrination, among other things. Hot topics with the audience included the state of the roads and whether Marsden Point refinery would be reopened and local bitumen production resumed.

Brenton Faithfull said NZ Loyal would certainly reopen the refinery, or get another one built, while Penk said having good roads was a safety issue, and National wanted to see local government make “good decisions” to achieve that.

Jenny Marcroft said local roads had been neglected for far too long and she wanted to “get back into the Mayor’s office” to make sure that happened. As chair of Rodney Local Board, Brent Bailey said he was more than familiar with the issue of poor roads and potholes, but there was insufficient money and a new way of funding was needed.

Zephyr Brown said more public transport would mean fewer cars on the road,

making it easier to maintain them, though he was in favour of sealing metal roads.

Guy Wishart said rising costs were another factor, as was bad weather, prompting the issue of how to make roads more resilient, and there were no simple answers. Other topics included whether the superannuation age would be kept at 65 – Labour, Greens and NZ First said yes, National and ACT would increase the age to 67, while NZ Loyal and Democracy NZ couldn’t guarantee anything, but would try – and whether a wealth tax was needed to stop today’s “crushing inequality”; Zephyr Brown said only the Greens had a concrete policy in place for that.

Candidates were also asked if they would have NZ leave the UN – Penk, Wishart and Brown said no, while expressing the importance of sovereignty, while Faithfull, Marcroft and Brewer said yes. One question that prompted widespread support was how candidates would look after the Hauraki Gulf, with all parties saying it was important, stressing their sustainability and conservation credentials and the Greens calling for a ban on bottom trawling.

There was also general agreement on the need to look at alternative waste disposal options, with the spectre of a massive new tip in the Dome Valley still looming.

There were some schisms in views on climate change, and what should be done about it, when Roger Williams asked what, if any initiatives would they wind back, such as bans on fossil fuel exploration and the clean car tax.

Faithfull prompted laughter from some when he said there was no evidence whatsoever of climate warming, claiming 98 per cent of scientists “agree with whoever is paying them” and green energy was a complete waste of money.

“And the earth is flat!” one member of the audience commented.

Penk said the ute tax was unfair when farmers didn’t have a realistic alternative, while Wishart said everyone needed to play their part and farmers needed help with that. Marcroft was against any emissions tax, while Bailey said the ute tax should go and he favoured more oil and gas extraction to boost the economy.

Brown said the Greens would roll nothing back, and using more clean energy was the only way to get lower power bills and cope with power blackouts.

There was general consensus as the evening drew to a close that it had been a congenial meeting with an audience that was interested and engaged – whether it changed anyone’s mind about who they vote for remains to be seen.

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Climate action at the polls

by Professor Emeritus Ralph Cooney ONZM FRSNZ

I predict that next month’s general election result will swing on familiar short-term issues such as the cost of living and law and order. However, looming on the not-sodistant horizon is an overwhelming threat: the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere from sharply increasing levels of carbon dioxide and methane (natural gas) from burning coal and petroleum.

How serious will climate change be for us, our children and our grandchildren? This question was recently answered in an authoritative 2023 study from Australia’s Monash University and published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health. There are several dimensions to climate disasters including exceptionally high temperatures, storms, floods, droughts, famine and conflict. The Monash study found that the death rate solely from exceptional temperatures will rise to five million a year, or about three times greater than Covid-19. Further, while covid deaths rose and fell within four years (2020-2023), exceptional temperatures associated with climate change will rise and rise until and unless humanity is able to reduce the rate of fossil fuel emissions.

While about 80 per cent of Kiwis are convinced that climate change is a serious threat, some of our political parties continue to disregard and dismiss this threat. So which parties have genuine climate policies in this election? A simple test of the credibility of party climate policies lies in the answers to the following questions:

• Does the policy accept and strengthen the Zero Carbon legislation demanded by the climate crisis the planet faces?

• Does the party policy have the potential to build on the strong platform of renewables projects already underway in NZ?

• Do the party policies extend the oil and gas exploration permits, which would inevitably contribute to accelerating the scale of NZ emissions?

In simple terms, the Greens, Labour, National, Pati Māori and The Opportunity Party have actual climate policies. The existing impressive renewables achievements, especially in solar, wind and hydro, are largely a credit to the Greens and Labour working together in coalition. National, which has yet to finalise its climate policy, has committed the party to preserving and protecting the Zero Carbon legislation, plans to deliver on climate change goals and to accelerate the development of renewables. Its promise to increase the number of EV charging stations is a valuable and timely move.

Ti Pati Māori has laid out a policy for tangata whenua to be at the forefront of future climate developments and has expressly rejected oil and gas exploration. I found The Opportunities Party climate policies, while limited at this stage, to be both believable and positive.

ACT appears to be planning to demolish existing international commitments and achievements, and to wind back the clock on climate remediation. Astonishingly, ACT plans to reinstate oil and gas exploration! The ACT proposal to cut politicians flights by 25 per cent is micro-tokenism.

NZ First has no apparent climate policy and the word “climate” does not appear in their Purpose and Principles website.

A final appeal to all serious parties: this may be an opportune time to seek a degree of bipartisan climate policy to seek for the nation some assurance of climate remediation progress in the middle to long term. Any illinformed politicians who deny or disregard climate policy need to be identified and marginalised in these elections.

The co-governance question

‘Co-governance’ refers to joint management in decision-making between the two Treaty of Waitangi partners, the Crown and Māori, both having equal seats around the decision-making table. Rather than shared ownership, it is about partnership in management and the process requires consensus between the parties.

• Co-governance has been in practice for more than a decade, in the form of Treaty settlements that created partnerships between iwi, local and central government to manage natural resources. For example, five iwi and the Crown manage the Waikato River Authority and Ngāi Tūhoe and the Department of Conservation share guardianship over Te Uruwera’s forests and lakes.

Māori wards in local councils are another example of co-governance

Enrolment update

and are becoming the norm – at last year’s local government elections, six of the 11 regional councils had Māori constituencies and 29 of the 67 territorial authorities had Māori wards.

• Co-governance is also a key part of the Three Waters reforms – the plan is for mana whenua to have equal representation with local councils in a governance group. This group would have high level oversight over a board charged with operational management, but no operational authority.

• Supporters see co-governance as part of the Crown meeting its Treaty obligations and/or as a way to interpret Treaty principles of partnership, participation and protection, acknowledging the nation’s colonial history.

• Opponents, however, say it is divisive and anti-democratic.

When electoral rolls closed on September 10, there were 3,480,699 people enrolled nationally, which is 90 per cent of the estimated eligible voters. If people haven’t enrolled already, it is not too late. The easiest way is online at vote.nz using a New Zealand driver licence, New Zealand passport or RealMe verified identity. From Monday,October 2 when voting starts, people can enrol and vote at the same time at any voting place, including on election day, October 14. Enrolment is compulsory. You’re eligible to enrol and vote if you are 18 years or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and you’ve lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life.

High-profile candidates in

race for Northland

The contest for the Northland electorate in 2023 features some high-profile candidates, and something of a re-run between the two politicians whose battle for the seat in 2020 produced the closest finish of any race nationwide. The electorate stretches from the top of the North Island to a line from the upper Kaipara Harbour across to Mangawhai, but excluding Whangārei and its environs. It covers the entire Far North and Kaipara districts, and parts of the Whangārei district. Northland is being contested by six candidates, including the two whose duel three years ago ended when the Labour challenger, Willow-Jean Prime, unseated the National incumbent, Matt King, by a mere 163 votes. Now defending her seat, Prime is again facing King,

although this time he’s running on the ticket of Democracy NZ, the party he established after the anti-vaccination/antimandate occupation at Parliament. In what has long been regarded as a safe National seat, Prime faces her strongest challenge not from King, but from National’s new flagbearer, Grant McCallum, a Maungaturoto beef and dairy farmer and former vice president of Federated Farmers’ Northland branch.

McCallum is 68th on the National party list and must win the electorate if he’s to enter Parliament. A September 12 poll suggests he will do this with ease, putting him at 43 per cent to Prime’s 18 per cent. Prime is number nine on Labour’s list, so would return to the Beehive even if National retakes Northland.

Prime, a former Far North district councillor who first entered Parliament as a list MP in 2017, serves as Minister for Youth and Conservation in the current government.

Another familiar candidate in Northland in Shane Jones of NZ First, who placed third in 2020 with 11.4 per cent of the vote. Jones, who held several cabinet posts in the Labour-NZ First coalition government in 2017-2020, is 2nd on his party’s list. Mark Cameron of ACT, fifth-placed in 2020, is also running again. The Ruawai

dairy farmer has been an ACT list MP since 2020, and on current polling, he will be back in Parliament after the election whatever happens in Northland, based on his high (7th) party list placing.

Given NZ First’s polling at press time, Jones also looks likely to return to Parliament, whether or not his party wins an electorate. Rounding out the Northland field is Greens candidate Reina Tuai Penney (24th on list). She is described by the party as a Mangamuka-based advocate for social justice and for climate change adaption policies.

Willow-Jean Prime (Labour)

Grant McCallum (National)

Shane Jones (NZ First)

Reina Tuai Penney (Greens)

Matt King (Democracy NZ)

Mark Cameron (ACT)

Four in tussle for Te Tai Tokerau

Te Tai Tokerau, one of the seven Māori electorates, covers the area from the top of the North Island to parts of north and west Auckland, and includes all of the Whangaparāoa and Kaipara ki Mahurangi general electorates.

Defending the seat is Labour MP Kelvin Davis, who took 55 per cent of the votes in 2020. Labour’s deputy leader and 2nd on the party list. Davis holds the Corrections, Children and Māori-Crown Relations portfolios in the current government.

Challenging Davis is Mariameno Kapa-Kingi of Te Pāti Māori (7th on list). Her party bio says she “specialises in iwi and hapū health and economic

growth”, with decades of experience in iwi social services and governance.

Also on the ballot is Hūhana Lyndon of the Greens (10th on list), who has worked in health, education and primary industries at operational and governance levels, including serving as CEO of Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust and the Ngātiwai Trust Board.

The fourth contender is Maki Herbert, a perennial Legalise Cannabis candidate. In 2020, the Auckland-born great grandmother placed third behind Davis and Kapa-Kingi, with 8.1 per cent of the votes. A referendum alongside the general election that year saw support for legalising cannabis fail by 2.3 per cent.

Will youth vote keep climbing?

How well political parties are engaging young voters this year will only be known once turnout statistics are available, but recent elections have shown a promising trend. Younger voters traditionally turn out in smaller numbers than their older counterparts, but in 2020, 78 per cent of enrolled 18-24 year-olds voted, up from 69.3 per cent in 2017 and 62.7 per cent in 2014.

The 25-29 age group also recorded a sizeable jump between 2017 and 2020, from 67.6 per cent to 74.4 per cent. Older age brackets saw minimal increases, although from a higher starting point – for example, 89.1 per cent of enrolled voters aged 65-69 cast a ballot in 2020, up from 88.2 per cent in 2017.

Young New Zealanders are affected by many of the same issues as older ones – the cost of

living consistently comes up in polls as the highest-priority issue, regardless of age. Elsewhere priorities differ. Climate is seen as a more pressing issue for younger voters, and the latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor found 18 to 34-year-olds more likely to mention housing affordability and less likely to cite healthcare / hospitals, than older voters.

While the major parties grapple over policies on youth offenders, those most obviously reaching out to young voters are the Greens and Te Pāti Māori.

The Greens are promoting affordable and healthy homes for youth, boosted mental health and social services, a liveable allowance for young people, and a voting age of 16.

Māori Party policies include reforming Oranga Tamariki and putting an end to state care for Māori children.

Kelvin Davis (Labour)

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi (Te Pāti Māori)

Hūhana Lyndon (Greens)

Maki Herbert (Legalise Cannabis)

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Foodbanks break records

The Warkworth Christian Foodlink recorded its biggest month ever in August, providing 160 food parcels, helping a total of 653 people in need – 336 adults and 317 children. Amid a striking increase in requests for assistance, that record looks set to be broken again in September. And 2023 is lining up to be a record year for the 30-year-old ministry – between January and August, it had given out 1069 parcels, reaching 4321 people. That’s on track to beat 2022, when 1247 parcels were handed out and 5278 people helped. Fifteen years of recorded figures show the dramatic growth in the number of people the foodbank has been able to help – from 750 in 2009 to last year’s 5278.

The foodbank’s Michelle Saleupolu said the rising cost of living was the main contributing factor to the hardship being witnessed.

“Pre-covid, a large portion of our clients would have been beneficiaries, but now we have many who are working, but still can’t make ends meet.”

Michelle said that with the high costs of food, power and petrol, many do not have spare money to pay utility or medical bills, for car repairs, or to replace whiteware damaged by recent power outages.

A typical food parcel may include tinned foods, dry staples, spreads, fruit and vegetables, meat, milk and bread, and basic toiletries. The foodbank can even help with pet food, if families need it.

The foodbank is managed by the Mahu Vision Community Trust on behalf of the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.

In Wellsford, the Loaves and Fishes Foodbank charitable trust also reported an increase in requests for help – up 60 per cent in just the last six weeks.

August saw the foodbank distribute 93 parcels, up from the usual monthly average of 50 to 60, said trust chairperson Karen Lennon.

People seeking help include those who had depleted their savings to get through, those who were working but not earning enough to make ends meet, and older people trying to juggle food bills with other pressing needs.

Like everyone else, the foodbank is itself affected by the rising cost of food as it tries to replenish its stocks.

“Our food bill’s gone up from $3000 to $6000 because of the increase in costs. A tin of baked beans we used to get for 90c is now $1.40,” said Karen. “It’s also difficult to ask the community for donations because we know that everybody’s stretched.” In addition to helping with food, the trust refers people to other agencies.

“Our philosophy is to support people to a sustainable future,” Karen said. “We help them through the rough patch and we get this other support around them – agencies that can help them with all the other stuff.

“The community is really supportive and the volunteers have dug deep,” she said. “We have a really cool group. It’s helping lots of people and that’s what we’re there for.”

Also experiencing a busy time, Te Whai Community Trust in Mangawhai said businesses in the area were providing generous support to help meet the need.

The trust’s Symon Hunter said New World’s Family2Family

campaign provided months’ worth of non-perishable items, “and we receive frequent donations from the local Four Square in Mangawhai Heads, as well as a few other organisations that have given a lot of support over the course of the year”.

“The need for support has increased dramatically this year due to significant weather events influencing people’s ability to be able to work and support themselves and the aftermath of significant flood damage,” she said.

The trust distributed 312 food parcels over the last 12 months, helping an average of 26 families each month. Last Christmas, the trust separately distributed 110 aroha baskets.

Lara Armstrong, Davina Monds and Jenni Marsh prepare for a busy day at the Warkworth Christian Foodlink foodbank.

Bryn, Rodney College’s canine counsellor

Wellsford’s Rodney College has a very special addition to its counselling team, a four-legged friend who has brought a touch of joy into the lives of students and staff alike.

Bryn, a two-year old Cavoodle, works at the school two or three days a week, mostly in the office of his owner and school counsellor, Kerry Jenner, although he starts his day near the entrance, welcoming students as they arrive.

“Sometimes a friendly, soft pat helps the students feel more relaxed to begin their day of learning,” Kerry says. Next up, it’s morning briefing in the staffroom, where Bryn does the rounds, sometimes offering a cuddle to any teacher wanting or needing one.

The real work begins in Kerry’s counselling office, where the way he relates to visiting students depends largely on their response to him.

“Some, he gives a gentle nose to the hand, some he cuddles, and others he will bring a toy to play. Sometimes a really sad student can break through to talk, by first laughing at Bryn who can be a little bit goofy,” she says.

“Other times, a student quietly interacts with Bryn, in silence, until they are ready to talk. Some students call by the counselling room just to have a pat and carry on with their day feeling a little happier, or calmer.”

Kerry says several students have discovered that if they start to dance, Bryn will stand on his hind legs and join in. If a

student doesn’t show interest, however, he takes a nap on his special bed until needed again.

“Over this year, many students have held him, and cried into him. He accepts this, and then tells them they will be okay by gently looking up, and leaning into them when they are ready. Being gentle with Bryn can also help deescalate angry students.”

Kerry notes that schools have traditionally been dog-free zones, so having a therapy dog at a secondary school is special. Even one initially reluctant staff member had acknowledged recently that “Everything goes better with Bryn!”

Bryn was recently a finalist in the NZ Top Dog competition, in both the Top Dog with a Job and People’s Choice division. In the entry blurb, Kerry wrote: “Many, many young people struggle with their mental health. In our area they are desperately under-serviced by support agencies. Bryn can’t diagnose ADHD (yet?), or run a restorative hui when things go wrong, but he can sense depression, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and does his part in the world to help.”

Bryn, who has been active at the school since early 2023, is himself re-homed with Kerry, having come from “a loving family who wanted him to live his best life”.

“His best life,” Kerry says, “involves being Rodney College’s therapy dog.”

Calling all cooks

A Masterchef-inspired cooking challenge will be held in Wellsford on Thursday, November 2.

The event, called The Great Big Rescued Food Cook Off, is a collaboration between Mahurangi Wastebusters, Love Food Hate Waste NZ and EcoMatters. It is designed to show how good food that might otherwise go to landfill can be used to create inspired and delicious dishes. The organisers are inviting teams of five or six friends, family or colleagues to enter. All they will need on the night will be their own picnic set (cutlery, cups, plates) and their favourite tipple, and the rest will be supplied.

“All the teams will strive to cook the most delicious meals using a mystery box of rescued food,” Jerusha Tucker, from Mahurangi Wastebusters, says.

“There will be spot prizes throughout the evening and the winning team will be rewarded with a hamper filled with waste-free goodies.

“As well, we hope contestants will learn important skills, not just to help with the household budget, but also to help protect our environment.”

Local food stores and supermarkets are encouraged to contribute old stock or cans off their shelves, and all food donations would be gratefully received.

“We would also love any waste-free prizes and vouchers from local businesses to go towards our hampers or spot prizes, and we will promote these businesses as sponsors.” The event will be held at the Wellsford District Community Centre. Doors will open at 6.15pm and cooking will start at 6.30pm sharp.

Although admission is free, there will be a donation box for local charity Northern Helping Hands.

Register a team at: https://events.humanitix.com/the-greatbig-rescued-food-cook-off-orewa-friday-10-november

More info: Email Jerusha at jerusha.eden@gmail.com

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

WARKWORTH

SNELLS BEACH

WE PROVIDE

• Wide range of doctor and nurse led services including accident and medical services, immunisation, minor surgery, vasectomies, immigration, dive and insurance medicals.

• Wide range of visiting specialists.

• Warkworth is open Monday to Friday 8am-5pm and Saturday 8am-12 noon.

• Snells Beach is open Monday to Friday 8am-5pm

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

• Pharmacy, Labtest, Physio on site.

• Flu and Covid -19 vaccinations available.

Doctors • Kate Baddock • Stephen Barker • Bruce Sutherland • Amy MacBeth • Clinton Anderson • Andrew Duffin • Jing He • Mette Johannesen • Simon Tricker • Montserrat Figols • Kara Stones • Matt Couchman

Surgery at Unit 2/347 Mahurangi East Road

Surgery at 11 Alnwick Street

Pip Beagley and Joanne Smart, from Love Food Hate Waste, held a similar event on the Hibiscus Coast. Pip is one of the organisers of the Wellsford event.

Roman Jones and Harper Nathan enjoy some cuddle time with Bryn.

‘Everything goes better with Bryn!’

Ahuroa nurtures next generation of

A pretend café in the school playground has morphed into the real thing at Ahuroa School.

Under the guidance of teacher Susan Morrow, the Tipsy Turvy Café operates on a Friday every three weeks and provides Years 2 to 4 students with a wide range of learning opportunities. Morrow says it is a great example of authentic, real world learning. The café sells cakes and biscuits to fellow students, teachers and even some parents. “The children are learning entrepreneurial skills and gaining financial literacy,” Morrow says.

This includes budgeting, balancing costs and profits, managing the start-up debt, managing credit by following up IOUs, marketing research, product design and redesign, visual merchandising and hospitality – catering, hygiene and customer relations.

The idea for the café was formed when Tayla Heath and Josie Taylor started mashing up fruit from their lunch boxes and selling them at a pretend café. Now designated

as the Head Bakers, the girls have also designed and made their own aprons and headbands by re-purposing men’s shirts.

Morrow says nutrition plays an important role in the cafe and the children are preparing food that is sugar free or uses sugar alternatives, such as dates and coconut sugar. Some of the ingredients come from local farms and the plan is to extend the menu with fruit and vegetables, some from the school’s own garden, in summer.

“As a school we are excited to see how motivated the children are and how their interest in their innovation is being sustained,” Morrow says.

“The principal, Terry Taylor, is very much aware that financial literacy is a new direction that is being explored in education, and has encouraged the children to learn about this.”

The money raised will be used to build a child-designed, purpose-built cafe. Future money raised will be used to support other student-inspired projects in and around the school.

“The cafe is exciting for the school and the wider school community. School whanau are very supportive and encouraging of the cafe team.”

Ahuroa School has an enrolment of around 65 students.

The café was inspired by the playground activities of Tayla Heath (left) and Josie Taylor. Also pictured on sale day is Kiara Hardie.

The students are learning many life skills by operating the café and there is no shortage of customers ready to hand over a gold coin in exchange for a homemade biscuit or piece of cake.

First Aid

Courses

Need a refresher?

Has it been more than two years?

Are you aware of your Health & Safety obligations?

Do you have two staff on site at all times with a current certificate?

We can help, our consultant is a Paramedic with over thirty years frontline experience. Choose local. Look into it today, tomorrow could be too late. NZQA: 6402, 6401 (6400 also available) Contact: simon.townsend@promed.ac.nz 021 478 655 | www.promed.ac.nz

Books

Tracey Lawton

None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

Alix is a popular London podcaster, living a seemingly golden life with her successful husband and two children. Josie lives in a shabby part of town, works part-time sewing at a repair shop, her husband is elderly and one of their daughters has cut all contact, while the other never leaves her room. The lives of these very different women collide when they are both out for dinner at the same gastro pub and they chat in the bathroom. Josie realises they are ‘birthday twins’ and sees a chance to tell the story of her life as part of Alix’s podcast. Before Alix knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life. But is Josie’s story real? Is Alix prepared to endanger her family for the story of a lifetime? As the cover says … ‘gloriously dark’.

Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night by Sophie Hannah

This is Sophie Hannah’s fifth Poirot novel and Agatha Christie fans won’t be disappointed. The tone and style of the novel is spot on, with Poirot and his faithful sidekick Inspector Catchpool invited to spend Christmas at a crumbling mansion on the Norfolk coast while solving the murder of a man in the local hospital. It’s December 1931 and as the family all gather at the house, Poirot and Catchpool are surprised by the undercurrents of animosity. The twist here is that the owner of the house is about to be admitted to the same hospital and he’s adamant he wants to solve the murder on his own. However, his wife is convinced he will be the next murder victim and she’s desperate to keep him safe.

Sophie Hannah is well known for her thriller novels and in this homage to Christie, she deftly keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Bookshop celebration

The Nook Bookshop in Wellsford is celebrating Bookshop Day with a talk and children’s colouring competition on Saturday, October 7, from 9am to 1pm.

NZ Bookshop Day was founded in 2015 by the Booksellers Association of Aotearoa New Zealand with the aim of celebrating the cultural importance of books and bookshops within communities.

The colouring competition will run throughout the morning, with the winner notified on Monday, October 9. At 10.15am, Beatnik Publishing founder Sally Greer will talk about the magic she uses to create books. The morning will feature a special prize draw and book discounts.

The Nook owners, Andrew and Rebecca Martin, say NZ Bookshop Day is a chance to shout about the great things a local bookshop brings to the community and celebrate with customers.

The bookshop has been an active part of the Wellsford community for many years, as Tina’s Bookshop for 19 years and, most recently, as The Nook. It supports schools, the library and other local organisations with donations and discounted books.

Homebuilders

Penelope Arthur, Family Support Worker www.homebuildersfs.org

Personality dimensions

Who are you on the inside? What makes you tick? Is the ‘you’ the outside world sees really accurate, or are you trying to fit into a box that’s the wrong shape? If we ignore our inner self and our own needs, we’re not likely to be content. People often spend time exploring their identity in young adulthood – ‘finding yourself’ it’s sometimes called. It is a time of new experiences, clarifying your beliefs, identifying your ‘tribe’ of compatible people, and figuring out your future direction. But we tend to get out of the habit of self-reflection.

One way of kickstarting a mental stocktake of who you are, what you value, how your mind works and what makes you happy is by doing a personality test. If we get more insight into ourselves, it can also help us understand the signals we may be sending out to others without even realising it. This might point the way to better communication, and help explain tensions and challenges in our dealings with the world.

One way of categorising personality was developed by Isabel Myers and Katherine Briggs during World War II, based on Carl Jung’s work on personality. It’s said to be the most widely used psychological instrument in the world: the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). (It costs money to do the test, but there are several similar free versions online). It’s a self-report questionnaire which focuses on four different dimensions of personality. These are:

• introversion/extraversion (does our

energy derive from the external or internal world?)

• sensing/intuition (do we focus more on concrete facts and experiences, or possibilities and relationships between ideas?)

• thinking/feeling (prioritising logic or emotions and values), and

• judging/perceiving (planning and structure versus flexibility and spontaneity in decision making).

The combinations of these four dimensions lead to 16 possible four letter acronyms signifying the 16 ‘types’.

Of course people are complex, and any such assessment involves huge oversimplification. The MBTI has been criticised as being too positive, or too vague, and people may get a slightly different result if they repeat it a few months later. But even if it’s undertaken in the spirit of entertainment, it can be enlightening, and a common reaction is “yep, that sounds like me”. It could be fun to try doing it with your family and see how you all mesh together (or not). You might learn something about your nearest and dearest, or at least have some interesting discussions. And it’s always nice to read about your strong points.

If you feel you are at a crossroads and want to work towards some changes in your life or family relationships, Homebuilders can help. You can reach us on 0800 100 037 or 425 7048, or message us via our website: homebuildersfs@org

Photo comp tests local knowledge

Who is this notable Warkworth local? If you know the answer, then you only have nine other faces to identify to be in to win $100 cash. Heritage Mahurangi is putting local knowledge to the test with a photo competition to mark the town’s 170th anniversary celebrations. Ten photos of 10 notable locals have been posted in 10 Warkworth shops. To enter, all you have to do is identify each person in each poster. Participating shops are:

Curtain & Blind (Elizabeth Street), Copyworks, Warkworth Menswear, Stubbs Butchery, Warkworth Information Centre, Warkworth Library, You Travel (Baxter

Street), Briar Rose Florist, The Photo Store and Paper Plus (photo is inside the store). Entries, with your name and contact phone number, can be left at the Mahurangi Matters office in Neville Street. The competition closes at 2pm on Monday, November 13. The first entry drawn with all the correct answers will receive $100 in cash.

2023 TERM 4 - WARKWORTH PROGRAMME

#Growth is this term’s theme and we have a range of activities/workshops on offer. We look forward to seeing you soon! Follow us on Facebook - womenscentrerodney and Instagram womenscentre_rodney.

UNLESS ADVISED, ALL COURSE/WORKSHOPS ARE AT HELD THE WOMEN’S CENTRE

Deeper Experience of Art Therapy

Monday 16 Oct-20 Nov, 10am - 12.30pm $30

Deepen your experience of Art Therapy by learning a layering technique that will help you to process and integrate feelings, thoughts and emotions. You will come away with one unique work of art. You don’t need to have any art experience to attend this 5-week course. Facilitator: Heidi Downey

WOW Move Up Programme

Thursday 12 Oct-30 Nov, 10am-12.30pm at Betty Paxton Room, Snells Beach FREE Discover your unique worth and strengths and how to use them and explore ways to make the changes you want that will last. We will help you develop a realistic plan – a way forward to keep building a better life for you and your family. Have fun and celebrate with other women in a supportive group setting.

Facilitators: Jo Nicholson and Bridget Farmiloe Young Mum’s Educational Programme

Thursdays from 12 Oct, 10am-12.30pm FREE

For mothers up to 24 yrs. Make friends and explore strategies for raising healthy, happy children. Some childminding and morning tea provided.

Facilitator: Sarah Woolford

Intro to Group Facilitation

Saturday 11 Nov, 9.30am-4.30pm $80

A one-day experiential workshop with our very own Heidi Downey who is a much sought after group work trainer and personal development facilitator. Perfect for those who wish to understand how to facilitate engaging workshops for small groups of adults. Facilitator: Heidi Downey

MentoringInfo and Volunteers Mentor Sessions

Tuesdays 17 Oct, 7 Nov, 21 Nov, 5 Dec, 1.30pm-2.30pm FREE

SuperGrans Rodney mentors run events that provide opportunities to enjoy conversation, laughter and creativity, renew energy and purpose, while learning new skills. Check out their sharing sessions below. New mentors welcome.

Coordinator Elaine Donaldson

Sharing Sessions

Every 2nd Wednesday 10am-12.30pm

COOK AND CHAT FREE

11 Oct Wonton Soup with Emma

25 Oct Indian Dishes with Silsa

1 Nov Upcycling Sculpture and Nibbles with Desiree and Shelly

8 Nov Vegan and Gluten Free dishes with Desiree and Deirdre

29 Nov Bliss balls and Xmas Treats with Deirdre and Glenda

GARDENING FREE

18 Oct and 15 Nov Centre Community Garden planting and maintenance

ConnectME Events

Local professionals volunteering their time to share their skill/talent/ knowledge with you FREE

If you’re interested in running a session please reach out. Co-ordinator: Ann Williamson

24 Oct Values and Vision with Paula Harrington

Thriving through Art & Creativity

Crafty Conversations

Fridays from 13 Oct, 10am - 12pm FREE

A peer support group where you can unleash your creative side while enjoying the company of others. Whatever your craft is, this is an opportunity to meet in a safe environment and connect with others to enhance wellbeing. Weekly Host: Elaine Donaldson with guest facilitators below.

13 Oct Flower Posies with Shelly

27 Oct Knitting – Cotton Dish Cloths

17 Nov Xmas Beading with Sue

1 Dec Xmas Decorations with Desiree

Clay Workshop

Sunday 15 Oct, 10am - 2.30pm at Kowhai Arts Centre $70

The class will start with an introduction to clay, making pinch pots, joining them. Followed by creating, decorating and texturing another sculpture using your new skills. Make something beautiful to take home. Facilitator: Emma Zhang

Harakeke/ Flax Weaving workshop

Saturday 28 Oct, 10am - 2pm $70

Learn basic flax weaving skills and basic customs (tikanga) from an experienced local weaver and create a waikawa basket.

Facilitator: Britta Conrad

Self-Care Gut Health : How to indulge in all the Christmas treats without gaining weight Tues 28 Nov, 4pm $30

2 hour workshop exploring why your gut microbiome is so incredibly important for your overall health and well-being.

Facilitator: Yvonne Gitt of Health Heroes Nz

Women’s Naturopath, Herbalist & Massage

Tuesdays by appointment, 10am - 2pm $20 per 15 min. Bookings essential Practitioner: Tania Burrows

Holistic Pulsing Massage

Mondays by appointment from 16 Oct $65 per hour. Bookings essential

Practitioner: Heidi Downey

FREE* and Subsidised Counselling for Women

Six sessions available. Please call the Centre to discuss an appointment. (* free for women with dependents under 18)

Drop In Mon-Fri 9.30am - 2.30pm

We know there are unique challenges for everyone and we are here to help you navigate them. The Centre is open 9:30-2:30pm and you are welcome to drop in for a chat, coffee, or to just take a moment in a safe space.

Volunteers

We are keen for volunteers to help us at the centre.

AA Group Meetings

Every Wednesday, 7.30 pm FREE Women’s AA Meeting - Held every week at the Women’s Centre. We welcome you. No booking required. Facilitator: Janene FREE Legal Clinic

9.30am– 10.30am monthly on a Friday. Bookings essential. When: 13 Oct, 10 Nov, 1 Dec, 15 Dec. Phone and in person appointments are available. Call or book via our website.

FREE Cervical Screening

Date TBA Call or register via our website.

History

Continuing to support our farmers through the generations

We offer our clients expertise to help them achieve maximum returns, by providing a range of national and international marketing options

Contact your local agent today

Robert “Biscuit” McLean 027 590 4829

Jasyn Yearbury 027 655 6551

Grant “Skin” McLean 021 775 848

Andrew Simpson 027 449 1228

Craig Couling 027 292 6828

Shane Wintle 027 666 6243

www.carrfields.co.nz/livestock

Wellsford Saleyards 1909

Licensed Auctioneers

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FAMILY SERVICES

UPCOMING EVENTS

Budget Bite$

Please join us for this free, hands-on interactive cooking class. We’ll make a selection of lowcost family meals and will finish with a shared lunch. This is a great opportunity to learn some new recipes in a fun environment and meet others in our community. All ingredients supplied & open to everyone! 9.30 to 1pm, 23 Nov 2023, at Methodist Church Hall Kitchen, Warkworth. Facilitators - Colleen Julian & Rehnuma Sharmin

Eco Budget Cleans

Join us for a morning to make affordable, bio-degradable home products. We will make laundry and dishwasher detergents, spray n wipe, toilet bombs, peppermint cream, air freshener and shake n vac. All ingredients are supplied and you will leave with a sample of all the products. A real way to save money, reduce plastic use & safe to use in the home.

9.30 to 12pm, 2 Nov 2023, at Methodist Church Hall Kitchen, Warkworth. FacilitatorColleen Julian

Mindfulness in Warkworth

This free informal course is a great way for anybody wanting to improve how they feel and respond in their day to day lives. It covers topics such as communication, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. Free onsite child minding available. 9.30 am to 11.45 am, 18 Oct 2023 (course runs for 6 Wednesdays ending 22 Nov 2023), at 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth. Facilitator - Angela Crabb

Bag of tricks – Parenting course

This five-week course is run in a relaxing and friendly environment and will cover the following topics: Dealing with feelings, gaining cooperation instead of using punishment, siblings without rivalry, problem solving and family meetings. Free on-site child minding available. 9.30 to 11.30am, 7 Nov 2023 (course runs Tuesday mornings for 5 weeks ending 5 Dec 2023), 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth.

Facilitator - Terry Healey

Teen Behaviour and the impact of electronic devices on them

This two-part programme is a look at some of the brain and hormonal changes taking place in our teens that influence their behaviour so that we can cut them some slack as well as ourselves, the parents, as we navigate these challenging years. Decision making, impulse control (or lack of!) and the reward pathway are areas we will discuss. Furthermore, we will look at the influence of electronic devices upon teens and how they feed into potential addictions if not managed appropriately. It will ultimately conclude with ways to work alongside our teens to support safe outcomes.

9.30 to 11.30am, 29 Nov 2023 & 6 Dec 2023, 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth. FacilitatorGareth Pring Out Here

It is not always easy for school-aged LGBTQI+ people to find safe and welcoming spaces to be yourself and meet others. Come along to Out Here! An informal afternoon with some games, activities, food, and conversation. Date & Time TBC please check our website, 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth. Facilitators - Penelope Arthur & Stephne Carstens

To register for any of these courses please complete the online registration form at www.homebuildersfs.org or call Homebuilders Family Services office on 09 425 7048 | 0800 100 037.

Annual Christmas gift drive – could we please have any donations of gifts dropped off by the Monday 18th December 2023 to Mahurangi Matters or Homebuilders Family Services.

Donated school uniforms are available free or for swopping at Homebuilders, 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth throughout the year.

09 425 7048 | 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth office@homebuildersfs.org | www.homebuildersfs.org

Hidden treasures

The intention of our Warkworth and District Museum is to preserve the local area’s history. When you visit the museum you will see wonderful displays of artefacts, machinery, clothing and much more from a bygone era. Changing displays are the perfect opportunity for fresh items to be put on show. Many items have been donated by local families whose ancestors were some of the people who made our district what it has become today.

What you see is only a small part of the museum’s collection. Behind the scenes, stored in hidden nooks, specialist rooms and sheds around the museum are fascinating items. Sometimes it is hard to imagine what they were used for, or how people managed to work or even walk in some of the garments. There is a special ‘wardrobe’ room full of fashions from the past, as well as a giant, hidden cupboard full of boxes of small artefacts from compasses to cameras and a workshop of old machinery. There are also areas for record-keeping and preparing displays. One of the least known areas, but perhaps the most important for history’s sake, is the special archives room. Here there are shelves full of boxes, which in turn are full of precious documents, books and photos. It is a treasure trove of information, giving a valuable glimpse into times past. There are diaries, legal documents, minute books recording dates, participants names and organisations roles in our community.

There are copies of newspapers, such as the Rodney and Otamatea Times or The Weekly News, which contain valuable information which, alongside the factual evidence of legal documents, minute books, dated and labelled photos and the like, give us a fairly good picture of life as it was.

As an example, the museum holds records relating to the Mahurangi Lime Workers Union, which it would seem was set up in 1901 to help sort out a wage issue. Included in the file are membership cards, a minute book and correspondence (both original and a transcript) to and from Wilson’s Cement Works. These items give names and dates and a record of the proceedings of the union.

The museum is now holding a photo competition of Heritage in Action, based on the ruins of the old cement works in Warkworth. Some of the photos from this competition will be archived at the museum and some will be part of the upcoming Wilson’s cement works display in November. They will record the state and usage at this moment in time. Entry forms are available from the museum’s website warkworthmuseum.co.nz and entries close on October 22.

When we record the minutes of a meeting or take a photograph of an event or local landscape today, we don’t think of it as recording history. But what happens today is tomorrow’s history.

“Walking together through the hard times”

Documents that date back more than 100 years are among the thousands of precious items held in the museum archives.

Lyn Wade, Warkworth & District Museum www.warkworthmuseum.co.nz

Coxhead Creek restoration

project starts

Armed with spades and gardening gloves, and wearing gumboots and raincoats, about 25 eager tree planters attended the inaugural planting day on Coxhead Creek, between Leigh and Whangateau, earlier this month. The planting marked the first stage in a project to restore the upper Coxhead Creek stream and, ultimately, improve water quality in the Whangateau Harbour. It is being driven by Whangateau HarbourCare and the Coxhead Creek Trust, with funding from the Rodney Local Board Healthy Harbours Waterways programme. The planting day was held on the property owned by the McArthur family, who have farmed in the area for 50 years.

They say they have witnessed the impacts of erosion over that period and are excited to be involved in a project to restore the land, and water quality. Part of the project has included fencing off five hectares destined for replanting.

“We think it’s a fantastic project, which just would not have been possible without the funding from the Local Board,” Ellen McArthur says.

Whitebait Connection Auckland coordinator Kate McKessar also took water

Ngāti Manuhiri

Navigating environmental change

In an era of rapidly changing environments, the profound significance of whakapapa (genealogy) and mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge) comes to the forefront as invaluable assets. These cherished traditions offer crucial insights, not only into our heritage, but also into our resilience in adapting to shifting landscapes.

Whakapapa, the intricate web of ancestral connections, and mātauranga Māori, the repository of indigenous wisdom, are the cornerstones of our identity. In the face of environmental transformations, these traditions provide invaluable guidance, reminding us of our unbroken connection to the land and our capacity to adapt to new challenges.

As we confront the consequences of climate change and shifting tides in our world, whakapapa emerges as a guiding star. It forges the enduring link between us and the whenua (land) and moana (sea), a bond that becomes increasingly vital in our efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Whakapapa imbues us with strength, resilience and an unwavering sense of pride, essential qualities for navigating the environmental challenges of our time.

Free entry to sculpture trail

Mātauranga Māori, the cumulative knowledge transferred through generations, becomes an indispensable resource. In a world beset by environmental change, this knowledge is a beacon of hope and understanding. It encompasses our profound understanding of the natural world, including our relationship with the land and sea. From the age-old narratives of taniwha in our waters to the traditional applications of native flora for medicinal purposes, mātauranga Māori equips us with insights and solutions to address the effects of environmental change, reinforcing the importance of preserving our environment.

As we grapple with the complexities of our changing environments, the relevance of whakapapa and mātauranga Māori becomes increasingly evident. They are not just historical artefacts but guiding principles, showing us the path to a sustainable future. In embracing and perpetuating these traditions, we honour our ancestors and ensure a legacy of environmental stewardship for generations to come.

Mauri tū, mauri ora –Stand together in life and wellness

“The results will set a baseline so we can see what changes as a result of the restoration project,” McKessar said.

Over the course of several planting days, the project aims to get around 3000 plants and trees into the ground.

Kids can explore the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail at Snells Beach free of charge on weekdays during this spring school holiday. For every adult who pays the $12 entry, from Monday to Friday until October 6, up to three children can accompany them for free. There are also free Young Explorers map guides to the trail, which features more than 60 sculptures by leading NZ contemporary artists. Info: Go to www.brickbaysculpture.co.nz

ARE OUR LOCAL SCHOOL EXCLUSIONS/ EXPULSIONS FOLLOWING A FAIR PROCESS?

A small team of researchers are working on a privately commissioned report examining exclusions and expulsions from our local schools. The report will focus on the processes being implemented, and the support offered for students who have been excluded or expelled from school. We would appreciate hearing from anyone – parents, teachers, caregivers, grandparents, or students who have been affected by exclusions and expulsions from Hibiscus Coast schools/colleges in the last 3 years. Your personal situation and circumstances will receive the utmost privacy and no identifying information about your situation will form part of the report without your written permission. It is intended that this Report will be a submission to a wider current Ministry of Education review set down for October. Please get in touch with M.P. Huxford QSM via merv@otsl.co.nz if you would like to contribute to this research.

Mook Hohneck, Chair, Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust www.ngatimanuhiri.iwi.nz

Harbourcare secretary Alicia Bullock gave Whitebait Connection Auckland coordinator Kate McKessar a hand with some of the water testing.

Sisters Ellen and Jo McArthur, with their niece Olivia Afeaki.

Ava Craw with a kōkopu found in the creek. samples during the morning.

More photos online at www.localmatters.co.nz

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Pet of the Month

& Gizmo

Pets Vets Corner

Gizmo came in to us after having an unfortunate accident at home. He presented with a very sore and nonweight bearing left front leg. Due to Gizmo’s exuberant personality we sedated and radiographed Gizmo’s leg and found he had fractured both his ulna and radius (both bones in his forelimb).

Gizmo needed a surgical fracture repair to mend the break, this was done by an orthopaedic surgeon who operates out of Warkworth Vets, Dr. Boet Vermeulen. His leg was bandaged for support and to aid in his healing. He has had post-operative radiographs which show his leg is healing very well and he’ll be back to running around in no time. Gizmo is no stranger to Warkworth Vets now as he comes in regularly for bandage changes and cuddles! All of the staff really look forward to his visits.

Vets: Jon Makin BVSc, Danny Cash BVSc and Associates

WARKWORTH VETS VETERINARY HOSPITAL COAST 2 COAST VETS

Phone 09 425 8244 (Warkworth) 09 423 7048 (Wellsford) 24 hour 7 day a week emergency cover Now open 8 am until 2pm Saturdays

Blue Light Rainbows End trip still a winner with local kids

Around 250 local students from Years 7 and 8 attended the annual Blue Light Fun Day trip to Rainbows End on Sunday, September 10.

Five buses took the kids and volunteer helpers from Mahurangi College, Wellsford School, Mangawhai Beach School and Otamatea High School for the popular day out.

They joined young people from Kaikohe, Whangarei, North Shore, West Auckland, Thames and Paeroa, while urban and South Auckland Blue Light groups attended on the Saturday. Generations of Rodney and Kaipara youth have enjoyed the annual trip, which has been running now for nearly 30 years. On hand at nearly all of them has been local Blue Light veteran and community youth coordinator Shane

Parlez-vous francais?

Gould, who said support and co-ordination from schools and police officers helped the annual excursion to run smoothly – most of the time, at least.

“Coordinating this event has its challenges, with late changes and ‘no shows’ keeping our adult volunteer supervisors busy on the morning of departure,” he said. “But over the years we have had very few incidents.”

Gould added that the fact that one trip included the announcement on the bus radio of the death of Princess Diana served as a reminder of just how long the fun days had been running – she died in 1997. This year, the Blue Light organisation is celebrating its 40th anniversary, while the North Rodney Blue Light branch has been running since 1992.

Info: Visit www.nrbl.org.nz

Calling all Francophiles – a French language book fair is being held in Warkworth this Saturday, September 30, at the So French café deli in Neville Street. French books in all genres will be for sale, including classics, thrillers, romance, historic novels and titles for children and teens. The book fair opens at 8am and there will be French pastries, cheeses, wines and an all-day menu available throughout. Info: So French on Facebook

Call Kirstie now!

From left, Mangawhai Beach School’s Finesse Drale, Elissa Cochrane, Emilia Pattinson and Ellsie McQuerry with Warkworth Police Youth Aid Officer, Senior Constable Katie Hawkins.

Mahurangi College students Riley Wood and Ethan King with Blue Light community youth coordinator Shane Gould, Sgt Rob Gormly of Police Youth Services North Shore (and former Mahu student) and North Shore Police Youth Engagement Officer, Constable Robin Cheong.

National and Labour are both promoting ways to encourage more Kiwis to move to electric vehicles (EVs), but differ over which incentives will be most effective.

National is pledging to invest $257 million over four years to increase the number of EV public charging points across the country to 10,000, while also signalling the scrapping of the clean car discount, arguing that people who can afford brand-new EVs don’t need to be subsidised by taxpayers.

The investment pledge compares to the Labour government’s 2023 budget announcement of $120 million for charging point infrastructure over four years.

New Zealand currently has around 1200 public charging points. National argues that a shortage of charging stations places limits on long-distance travel plans, and that prevents more New Zealanders from buying EVs. It’s also promising to eliminate the need for resource consents for charging points, to speed up the process and reduce upfront costs.

“Around 20 per cent of New Zealand’s total [greenhouse gas] emissions come from transport, so embracing EVs is crucial to delivering our climate change commitments,” National leader Christopher Luxon said this month. “However, Kiwis won’t switch to an EV if they are anxious about whether they will be able to recharge it when and where they need to.”

New Zealand is falling behind other countries in this area. The International Energy Agency reported that New Zealand had one charging point for every 57 EVs in 2021, the worst showing of 30 major countries. By comparison, the UK and Australia had one charging point for every 21 EVs, for the US it was 18, for China seven, and for South Korea just 2.6. The world average in 2021 was one charging point for every 9 EVs.

Labour contends that the high cost of EVs is the major disincentive, hence its support for clean car discount initiatives.

“The real thing is this: cost is a barrier

Incentives differ on major parties’ EV plans. Photo, Robert Linder/

for people to enter the market in terms of obtaining EVs,” Labour MP Tangi Utikere told One News on September 7. “What we’ve seen is that the clean car discount has really provided the opportunity for folk to enter the market.”

Major parties push EV uptake on the road feature

Another key peg of National’s policy is to end what it calls the “ute tax” – fees charged on higher-emitting vehicles – which it calls “unnecessary, expensive and fiscally unsustainable”.

“The reality is the scheme the government’s put in place taxes people who don’t have a choice – farmers and tradies – and gives massive subsidies to people who can already afford these vehicles,” National’s transport spokesperson Simeon Brown said on the same programme.

Brown predicted that EV prices would come down as scale of production increases, and said the role of government was to roll out the infrastructure.

For EV advocacy groups, both the boost to

International Energy Agency/Global EV Outlook 2022

charging points and the clean car discount are important policies.

Drive Electric, which calls itself the country’s leading apolitical, not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting the uptake of EVs, the roll-out of public charging infrastructure is “currently the number one priority for members”.

At the same time, it says its membership supports the clean car discount, because it is a policy that has demonstrated to significantly lift EV uptake.

“It is also reducing emissions. Since June 2021, the average emissions of newly registered vehicles in New Zealand have dropped 21 per cent.”

Unsplash

Is the future of motoring driverless?

By Nina Markham

Driver’s licences may not be required to operate autonomous vehicles (AVs) in New Zealand in the future, according to a report prepared by the Ministry of Transport (MOT).

However, the report, which discusses the future of self-driving vehicles in the country, also says the timeline for the development and roll-out of AVs remains uncertain.

“Compared to many other jurisdictions, New Zealand has taken a relatively ‘hands off’ approach [to proactively preparing for the introduction of AVs] to date,” the report says. “There are advantages and disadvantages to being an ‘early adopter’ or a ‘fast follower’, however, inaction poses significant risks.”

Research and development for AVs is a multi-billion dollar global industry. Investment comes from major automotive companies such as Nissan, Toyota and Honda, as well as non-traditional sources such as Meta, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft

and Google, and start-up ventures that can offer the necessary expertise and capital for AV development.

The various industry players are approaching the AV industry as a longterm economic investment opportunity and are operating across country borders with a focus on being the first to deploy AVs at a commercial scale.

Internationally, manufacturers are testing and trialling vehicles with varying degrees of automation. At the most advanced stages of AV development, Level 4 driverless taxi services are operating in pilot areas with fare-paying customers, and some countries have enacted legislation to allow the operation of Level 3 AVs on public roads. Policy makers in some countries, such as Japan, are thinking specifically about how AVs can help address growing social concerns such as providing mobility to an ageing population. Other countries are focused on the opportunities AVs might present for job creation, innovation and economic growth.

The report notes that AVs have the potential to significantly reduce road deaths

by eliminating the potential for human error – something that’s responsible for the majority of all car accidents. Self-driving vehicles also reduce fuel consumption.

The MOT report outlines three potential pathways for the future of AVs in New Zealand – ‘wait and see’, ‘balanced and iterative’ or ‘steering the course and enabling innovation’.

It also identifies challenges posed by AVs –namely, regulatory and ethical challenges. No laws are currently in place to restrict automated driving and it remains to be seen whether AVs will be an impactful technology, or just another passing trend. Despite barriers, Ohmio Automation, an Auckland-based self-driving bus manufacturer, has made some headway recently. In a demonstration in Queenstown earlier this year – the first of its kind for New Zealand – an autonomous shuttle bus operated on Lower Beach Street, an open public road that remained closed to general traffic. The Ohmio Lift shuttle can carry up to 20 passengers at low speed, while relying on GPS to map its journey. The shuttle is being hailed as a “last-mile

An Automated Vehicle (SAE Levels 3-5) is a vehicle that has an automated driving system, which means it can perform the driving task, in at least some circumstances or situations, on a sustained basis without human input. It is distinct from vehicles with automated features that assist the driver (SAE Levels 0-2) such as vehicles with blind-spot monitoring or cruise control technology.

Overseas carmakers and other companies continue to plan for expanded test fleets and limited trials of self-driving cars which includes the Waymo Jaguar all-electric I-Pace that has an estimated range of 386 kms.

transport solution”, perfect for busy city centres.

It is also equipped with cutting-edge safety technology designed to ensure passengers arrive at their destination safely and quickly. Sooner or later, it looks like AVs are set to play an important role in improving accessibility to public transport at least, particularly for people with disabilities, or anyone who otherwise isn’t able to walk, bike or use an e-scooter.

The full Ministry of Transport report is available with this story online at www.localmatters. co.nz

Tyre fire earns farmer hefty fine

A Kaiwaka man has been fined more than $33,000 for burning dozens of large tyres on a property, south of Kaiwaka, in early January last year.

Bernard Glen Stewart, the lessee of the property, appeared for sentence before Judge DA Kirkpatrick in the Whangarei District Court earlier this month.

Stewart had earlier admitted three charges relating to the incident – discharging contaminants into the air from the burning of tyres, discharging contaminants (the remains of burnt tyres) to land, which may have seen the contaminants enter groundwater, and discharging contaminants (the remains of burnt tyres) to land in contravention of the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland.

Judge Kirkpatrick’s sentencing notes reveal firefighters responded to a call from a neighbour about a fire on the property, which Stewart uses for grazing livestock. Firefighters found a smouldering pile with visible flames and smoke, an area of burnt material about 20 metres by 15 metres containing steel belts from tyres, as well as discovering the remains of 100 to 130 tyres, most of which were large radius and possibly truck or tractor tyres.

Large amounts of melted rubber and steel belting from tyres was noted along with some unburnt tyres, and about 13,600 litres of water were used to fully extinguish the fire.

Firefighters notified the Northland Regional Council about the fire and the council had also received complaints from nearby residents.

The court was told that when questioned by a council enforcement officer, Stewart said he had burned fence posts and wires, and general farm stuff, and that “a few tyres” might have been scorched.

A report by a council air quality specialist advised that burning tyres released significant quantities of hazardous air pollutants and produced large quantities of toxic oil, which can contaminate soil, surface and ground water.

In submissions for the defendant, his lawyer

stressed Stewart had been cooperative with the council, “was engaged in remediation of the property and had paid for cleaning the roofs of neighbouring properties to address the potential effects on them”.

The judge said the production of thick smoke with associated noxious fumes should make any person realise that burning tyres was unlikely to be a permitted activity.

He said options for disposal did exist.

“In this case … these tyres could have been disposed of at the Kaiwaka transfer station, some eight kilometres from the property, at a cost of $25 a tyre plus any transport cost.”

The judge said relevant mitigating factors had included Stewart’s cooperation.

“While he did not immediately take responsibility, his subsequent efforts at remediation and his previous good character warrant a (sentencing) discount of five per cent. I accept the submissions of counsel that his early guilty pleas justify a discount of 25 per cent.”

The judge said on that basis a total starting point of $47,500 for all three offences was reduced to $33,250.

That was made up of $20,000 for the burning offence and $6625 for each of the burial offences. Court costs were also added on each charge. Ninety per cent of the fines will be paid to the regional council as prosecutor.

Forty years of service for Gay at Matakana

As the weather starts to warm up and the weekend traffic builds, one local motoring hotspot will quietly be celebrating a special anniversary next month – on October 16, it will be 40 years since Gay and Mike Smith took over the service station and garage in Matakana.

Back in 1983, Matakana was a very different place – there were no boutique shops, galleries, cafes and cinema then. There was not much more than a timber yard, hardware store, the post office, store, pub, butcher, and the garage, of course

“We only came here for five years,” Gay says. “What’s now the Rusty Pelican was our workshop and the Rusty Tui was our house – we lived in there for 17 years. And we did oil changes and tyres where our shop is today, behind a big roller door.” While Mike looked after the mechanical side of things, Gay took on the petrol station and it has remained her domain ever since.

Petrol was 65 cents a litre in 1983, and Gay and staff used to serve every customer themselves from mechanical pumps. Not that they were exactly rushed off their feet – the first year’s annual turnover was under 2500 litres; nowadays, that’s more like a daily total.

“A car went past every half-an-hour and it could be an hour between customers,” Gay

recalls. “We used to have flocks of sheep coming through sometimes, when the farmers moved them around.”

Gay’s twin daughters, Liaine and Helene, were around 14 when she bought the garage.

“They used to play tennis on the road outside, it was so quiet. And our first employee, Gaye Rowland, and I used to sew ballgowns for the girls while we were sat in the office – we had time to do things.”

In those days, the petrol was the Atlantic brand and the station only opened for five and a half days a week.

“Gubbs bus would come out at 5.20pm, drop off all the parts for the workshop then we’d close up and reopen at 7am the next morning.

“There was no need for us to be open late then because people weren’t out – they worked in farming and horticulture and they were locals. If there was an emergency, they just rang us.”

The pace picked up in summer, though, when families used to decamp to Omaha and surrounds for the duration.

“We used to do seven days a week from when school broke up until the end of January. Those were the days when all the mums weren’t working and they stayed up for the whole of the holidays,” Gay says.

“It’s completely changed now, they’re really only here up to the first week in January.”

Initially, the service station only sold fuel, motoring accessories and oil, then the retail side slowly expanded to include drinks, cigarettes, fish bait and more. Everyone knew each other and there was a different way of doing business – Gay used to leave a hidden cheque for the petrol tanker driver as payment for each delivery and sales reps used to visit regularly. Now, everything is ordered, organised and paid for online.

“Customers used to bring us in all sorts of things, like fish and produce, and I used to let people have things from home, like baking powder if they’d run out, or I lent one lady a belt,” Gay says.

“There was one customer who used to regularly come in to get his copy of Trade & Exchange as I was opening up and he’d be in his immaculate car, wearing pyjamas, a tartan dressing gown and slippers.”

Of course, life slowly changed and picked up pace. The petrol station switched to Mobil (and inherited a canopy from the Warkworth site that’s still in situ today), the tyre shop closed and became a retail space, and Gay and her family moved to a house opposite the pony club.

“In 1998, we sold the workshop business and it moved around the corner. I had people wanting to sell stock feed there, another wanting to put in little boutique shops and another who wanted to open

a restaurant and I liked the sound of that – that became the Rusty. Though my accountant did say to me at the time, ‘Do you think Matakana is ready for a restaurant, Gay?’”

Since 2010, the business has been with Gull and Matakana has expanded to become a busy hub for locals and visitors.

“It’s not the same business I bought, sadly in some ways, but good in others,” Gay says. “We have people coming in now ... I saw their mothers pregnant with them and now they’re having children themselves!”

Gay says she’s lucky she’s always had the support of her family – the girls, son Bruce and her grandchildren have all worked at the service station in one guise or another, and Liaine is still a lynchpin in the business. “They’ve been amazing,” she says. “But nobody wants to take over, because it’s a seven day a week business. It’s very, very hard having a family business.”

When Gay does decide to retire, it will certainly be the end of an era in Matakana – not only for the service station itself, but for the dozens of community groups and organisations that she has supported over the years.

“I’ve always been into all the community activities,” she says. “I love giving and I love helping people.”

Gay Smith, centre, with daughters Liaine and Helene.

The current shop was at tyre bay in the 1980s.

Road maintenance backlog could take years to clear

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

NZ On Air.

Despite funding boosts, Auckland Transport (AT) says it will take years to catch up on road maintenance, which has been constrained over the past five years.

At a Rural Advisory Panel meeting on September 8, AT’s asset maintenance and renewals portfolio director Alan Wallace gave a frank overview of the state of Auckland’s roads.

“There needs to be a lot more investment –the roads are going backwards,” Wallace said. After a number of tight budgets, Auckland Transport’s (AT) road renewals has been given a $238 million budget with a $35 million approved over-spend – an increase of 30 per cent on last year.

Wallace said the storm events this year had “caught AT with its pants down” on road maintenance.

“We have got a backlog that is going to take five to 10 years to catch up on.” He cautioned about believing political parties who said they could fix the problem because it was a matter of funding, time and resources.

Rodney’s unsealed road maintenance also saw a funding boost from $2.4 million to $5.1 million. An additional $3 million was allocated for rehabilitating unsealed roads in Rodney, which is expected to address about 40 kilometres.

Rodney councillor Greg Sayers encouraged the panel to call for an increase in capital expenditure on the unsealed road network.

Panel member Jesse Brennan asked how AT prioritised rural road maintenance.

Wallace said details on road servicing were kept and AT aimed to do resurfacing every 10 years.

AT’s latest budget aims to have 400 kilometres or six per cent of sealed roads resurfaced this year, but Wallace said they should be doing eight per cent.

“Deferring the resealing could cost 10 times as much if you leave it – once it gets rough you will never get it back to what it was without a complete reconstruction,” Wallace said.

Chair Andy Baker said AT was not often the decision-maker over funding.

Baker said Auckland Council’s draft longterm plan would be out at the end of the year and emphasised the importance of funding AT’s capital works in the plan.

Gloomy outlook for petrol prices

Kiwi motorists can expect more pain at the pump in the coming months, with the AA predicting 91 octane petrol could cost as much as $3.50 by Christmas.

A range of global and local factors are blamed, including rising oil prices due in part to cuts from major OPEC producers Saudi Arabia and Russia. Brent crude oil reached $95 a barrel last week, its highest price since October. Add to that a weak New Zealand dollar, the closure of the Marsden Point oil refinery, and the ending of the 25 cents a litre discount on fuel excise duty and road user charges. The subsidies were extended several times before ending

on July 1.

Labour is proposing raising fuel taxes by four cents a litre each year for the next three, to boost funding for transport network improvements. National says it plans no increase, but also won’t cut fuel taxes. It also pledges to drop the 10c a litre Auckland regional fuel tax.

Last week, data from the Gaspy price app showed the average national price for 91 octane was $3 a litre. In the Mahurangi area 91 octane was selling for $3.04 at Gull Wellsford, $3.15 at Gull Snells Beach, and $3.19 at Z Warkworth.

Councillors shaky on target

By Laura Kvigstad,

Some Auckland councillors fear Auckland’s target of halving emissions by 2030 is unobtainable.

At the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee on September 7, councillors received its annual update on Te Tāruke-āTāwhiri, Auckland’s climate plan.

The plan, which was adopted in 2019, is sitting with just three per cent of the actions completed, 31 per cent on track, 52 per cent started but requiring more work, and 13 per cent not in progress.

Acting chief sustainability officer Lauren Simpson said there had been a modest improvement in progress on the plan.

“If we combine the actions on track and underway that gives us 86 per cent for this reporting year versus 85 per cent for the previous year,” Simpson said.

Currently, only the 2019 data on Auckland’s emissions is available, leaving everyone in the dark on the city’s actual emissions output. Councillors said the emissions graph of council’s present position, and where it needed to be, was starting to look like a cliff edge.

Simpson said there would be improvements in the lag time for emissions data with the 2020 and 2021 data sets expected to be available later this year.

Speaking to the graph, she said the steeper

Licence warning

the curve got, the more disruptive and costly change would be.

Cr Maurice Williamson said after running the numbers through some algorithms he found the chance of hitting the target of 50 per cent emissions reduction was less than 0.1 of one per cent.

“When will we make a decision that we cannot make that target and that a new one should be set, because quite frankly your chances of hitting the current target, even with quite catastrophic changes, are very, very low,” Williamson said.

Chief of strategy Megan Tyler said it was up to councillors and the mayor to decide if the target needed to change.

Cr Shane Henderson said it was not fair to assume that Auckland emissions were going up.

“I think the data needs to come in before we can make an assumption like that, especially when you consider 2020 when half of us were working from home anyway,” Henderson.

He said keeping emissions reduction front-of-mind in decision-making was an important step.

Chair Richard Hills said it sounded like some councillors were not game to take on the target but he was not keen to change it.

“The targets are based on what the rest of the world is supposed to be aiming for. Yes, it does look like a cliff but that is the reality – there is a lot of good happening and we just need to ramp that up.”

The AA is warning motorists to be on their guard against fake New Zealand driver licensing pages circulating on social media, creating hazards for unsuspecting victims. AA general manager commercial and product Roger Venn says often these pages may try to trick people into paying large sums of money for what they claim is a ‘valid’ New Zealand driver’s licence, or take a person’s details from a fake online application process. “We’ve noticed these fraudulent pages seem to target people who are unfamiliar with New Zealand’s driver licensing process and use stolen names and imagery from the AA or Waka Kotahi to imply legitimacy,” he says. The AA reminds people who are seeking or renewing their driver’s licence to only go through official channels. Getting a licence is not an online process, nor is it done through social media.

Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

TOSSI

Lyn Hamilton-Hunter www.tossi.org.nz

eDNA helps measure river health

eDNA testing, which is being done in streams and rivers in the Matakana area, is showing mixed results. On the positive side, testing shows that several nationally vulnerable, threatened or at risk species are present in the waterways.

These include four out of the five adult whitebait species – inanga, giant kokopu, shortjaw kokopu and banded kokopu –along with long fin tuna (eel), common, giant and red fin bullies, koura (freshwater crayfish), kākahi (freshwater mussels) and Hochstetter’s frog.

However, biodiversity indicators also show that three sites only have an ‘average’ score, with the lower Matakana scoring ‘poorly’. A biodiversity indicator is a measurement of the range and proliferation of different native flora and fauna. This means that finding only water fleas, sandfly larvae and tuna shows poor diversity. If mayfly larvae, kākahi, shrimps, caddisflies, dragonfly larvae, snails, pond skaters, bullies, tuna, koura and inanga are present, then the biodiversity score is much higher.

The testing is being carried out by Friends of Awa Matakanakana Catchment Inc (FOAM), a small community group that is monitoring and restoring the Matakana and the Glen Eden catchments, two of the largest rivers in Rodney.

Earlier this year, FOAM teamed up with The Forest Bridge Trust and Ngāti Manuhiri to apply to Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao, Open Waters Aotearoa programme for environmental DNA (eDNA) kits to help identify the range of life in our rivers. They received kits to sample the freshwater near the top and bottom of each river. eDNA describes the tiny traces of genetic material left behind by living things that pass through soil or water (source: EPA). Unique traces of DNA are shed from skin, scales, feathers, plant pieces, seeds, and poop when a fish, mollusc, mammal, plant or macroinvertebrate lands or passes through the water.

Water samples were collected using special kits that filter and trap the biological matter. DNA collected was extracted in a specialist laboratory to identify the molecules, which then revealed which species were present. DNA bar codes, known as sequences, have been collated on a national database for reference.

This database is extensive, but not yet exhaustive. For instance, at one of our

sites on the Glen Eden, FOAM found freshwater shrimps when searching for macroinvertebrates. The species were not on the database at the time, but they are now. A wonderful advantage of gathering data this way is that it is a non-invasive way to identify the biodiversity of a waterway with no stress caused to the creatures living in and around the water. Long term, if restoration of a stream is in progress, resampling can rapidly show the effectiveness of changes to the native flora and fauna. The results also revealed the presence of rats, so despite a large commitment to trapping across the region there is a way to go to reach pest-free 2050.

Most of the native fish species listed above have survived in the catchment, but with the threatened habitat and declining water quality, there is a high risk that we will lose these species. For example, kākahi are extremely sensitive to sediment, suffocating as the levels rise. FOAM has measured exceptionally high sediment loads in the Matakana. In addition, many of the native fish have a life cycle that requires travel between salt and fresh water. Poorly designed culverts and dams prevent them from travelling back upstream when they return from the sea, affecting population numbers. Restoring our freshwater streams and their terrestrial surroundings back to healthy ecosystems is not only good for the fish and the birds, it is significantly healthier for us all. One day, it would be amazing to have eDNA results that reflect this goal. If you would like to volunteer to do some monitoring, are a landowner on one of the rivers seeking support, would like to help or are just interested in the work we do, please contact us on matakanakana2@ gmail.com

More photos online at www.localmatters.co.nz

Seed giveaway

Mahurangi Matters in conjunction with Yates, has three Yates Heirloom Seed collections and three 140-year anniversary canvas tote bags to give away. Simply send an email to editor@localmatters. co.nz with Heirloom Seeds in the subject line to be in the draw to win. Competition closes at 10am on October 3.

Never too late to start growing your own

With the cost of living crisis continuing to bite, National Gardening Week (October 16 to 23) is shining a light on the multiple benefits of homegrown vegetables, which are cheaper, fresher and often have a higher nutritional value.

Yates spokesperson Fiona Arthur says getting started on a vegie garden is as simple as popping some seeds in the ground.

“Growing your own vegies is a neverending learning process and so much fun,” she says.

Yates is celebrating its 140 year anniversary, with a specially curated selection of popular, time-tested New Zealand heirloom vegetable and flower seeds.

“Handed down through the generations and trusted by Kiwi gardeners, the range includes old time favourites such as tomatoes, beetroot, radish, broccoli, lettuce and cabbage, as well as oregano and marigolds.”

Here are some gardening hacks for beginners:

• Clear plastic sushi or salad clamshell containers make great mini greenhouses for getting seeds started. Just poke a few vent holes in the lid, fill the bottom half with seed raising mix and sow your seeds. Add a little water, close the lid and place the container in a sunny spot.

• If you’re planting out seedlings in cooler temperatures, you can protect them

Floral feast for flower fans

A Floral Art design competition that featured work from members of 11 Auckland clubs drew a large crowd to Orewa Baptist Church this month.

Work by members of the Warkworth Floral Art Club made a strong showing – the club won the prize for the most entries and came third in the Club category. The show ran over two days, September 12 and 13, with works created and judged on the first day and doors opening to the public the following day.

The theme, which was ‘couture’, ensured the

from frost – and slugs or snails – by using 2L soft drink bottles. Take off the lid, cut off the bottom and push the bottle down over the seedling, into the soil. When the seedling, is ready to face the elements remove the bottle during the day and pop it back on overnight, until the seedling is mature enough to grow on its own.

• If you’re short on space, you can start a bag garden. Black soft plastic polybags can be placed anywhere, are inexpensive and are an economical option to replace rigid and heavier pots when growing vegies and herbs. Use bigger-sized bags, as smaller bags dry out faster in hot weather.

• Attract insect pollinators to your vegetable garden with colourful flowers. The more bees and butterflies you have visiting your vegies, the better your harvest will be.

• If you have cats in your neighbourhood make sure there isn’t any exasperating litterbox action in your newly-sowed areas by ‘planting’ disposable wooden forks or chopsticks into the soil, to discourage digging … or just a bunch of pruning offcuts pushed into the soil.

• Take advantage of sunny house or garage walls to grow tall tomatoes. Plant seeds in polybags and hang lengths of stretchy cotton plant ties from cup hooks under

entries were dramatic, bright, funky and colourful.

A section called High Society featured decorated handbags and shoes and Warkworth shone in this division, with their talented floral artists taking first, second and third places. These works were able to be pre-prepared, while the others in the show were created on site.

President Delwyn Lawrence said sweeping the category came about because the group was “very motivated” by one member who led a workshop and encouraged members to play and try things out.

the eaves. You can spiral wrap it around the main stems to hang up the plant, then gradually train it to full height. Even a tomato plant heavily laden with fruit will hang quite comfortably from stretchy plant ties.

• If you’re growing beetroot, there’s a good trick to maximise your results: soak the seeds in water overnight before you sow. When the seeds sink in the water, they’re ready. Each ‘seed’ is actually a cluster of 1-4 true seeds, protected by a corky outer coating.

• Double the life of your vegetables by sprouting them from scraps that may normally get thrown out, including lettuce, celery, bok choy, leeks, and onions. Simply place the cut base of the vegetable in an inch of water, place in good light and change the water every couple of days. Once roots have shown on the cuttings, the sprouted vegetables can be planted out in the garden, or transferred into pots, to grow on into new plants.

• Grow your vegetables from seed instead of seedlings. The math is simple – you get dozens more plants from a packet of seeds, for a fraction of the cost.

• Join a garden club or community garden and learn everything you need to know from the pros.

Although this was not a prize winner, this colourful work by Helen Potter was very popular with the crowd. Helen is 86 years old and is described as “a colour queen”. More photos online at www.localmatters.co.nz

Jenny Burton’s delicate work won the High Society section.

Gardening

Andrew Steens

Knowing your peppers

Peppers are essential to the cuisine of many countries, and with supermarket prices sometimes quite over the top, it’s worth knowing how to grow them. Among the chillies, cayenne, jalapeno and habanero are the most widely grown. Habanero chillies grow to 2-3cm wide and look like a little capsicum fruit with a pinched off end and are good for making into hot chilli sauce, as some heat is always lost in cooking. Cayenne chillies have the classic thin red fruit up to 15cm long. Only half as hot as the searingly hot habanero chillies, but their thin skins are good for drying and sprinkling. Jalapeno chillies are bullet shaped, usually 4-5cm long with thick skins that make them ideal for stuffing and roasting.

In the sweet peppers, often called capsicums, there are three main groups: bell, marconi and banana. Like the name suggests, banana peppers are shaped a little like a banana and often start out life coloured yellow, changing to orange or red as they ripen. Although sweet, they are nearly indistinguishable from a very hot type called Hungarian hot wax. I once had the unenviable task of tasting the fruit of 200 plants to find the hot ones after they were accidentally mixed up at planting. Also long and slender, but with deep lobes and sweeter taste, are the classic Italian marconi peppers. Bell peppers are the typical chunky capsicums that are found in every grocer. Mini bell peppers are also cute to grow, sweet and great for salads. Whether it is chillies or capsicums, the key to bountiful crops of peppers is a warm, long growing season, as it can take four months from sowing to first harvest. Once harvesting is underway they will keep producing until it becomes too cold, so the longer the growing season, the more fruit you will get. The ideal growing temperature is 18 to 25°C both day and night, so a little bit of trickery is required

to get a decent crop.

Start now by sowing the seed indoors on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse. As the roots fill the pot, progressively pot them up to keep them growing vigorously, but keep the seedlings inside until the soil in your garden is at least 10°C at 10cm depth at 10am. This easy to remember rule is the absolute minimum for this crop to thrive. In our region, this temperature might be achieved before the end of October, but in cold seasons it could be as late as mid-November.

Covering the garden with clear plastic or frost cloth cloches a few weeks before planting will help warm the soil, but leave the cloches on till the plants touch the plastic, so they get the maximum benefit. Up to four weeks extra growing time can be gained this way, which can make all the difference. Gradually acclimatise the crop to outdoor conditions by lifting the sides of the cloche on sunny days.

To keep setting fruit, peppers need to continue growing vigorously so plant in rich, fertile, well-drained deep loam soils with a decent base dressing of fertiliser. They are gross feeders, so further side dressings at regular intervals are needed once fruit has started to set.

Balancing growth with fruit production is the next trick to learn with peppers, particularly those with big fruit such as capsicums. All peppers start with a single stem which branches where the first flower (the crown bud) forms. This first bud should be removed and on weaker plants so should the next set of flowers to form. This allows the plant to develop enough leaves to support decent sized fruit. An overload can also be corrected by harvesting green, as ripening takes a lot of energy from the plant. At this stage they are often more pungent, but less hot. Once they ripen to red, orange, yellow or purple, according to the variety, the flavours are richer and hotter, but tend to be less pungent.

- Sugar Cane Palm

A variety of Clivia Colours - Excluding Greens

Quartet closes winter series

Warkworth Music’s winter concert series will wind up on Saturday, September 30 with a performance by the internationally acclaimed Calathea Quartet.

Formed in 2020 while pursuing postgraduate studies at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London, the group recently won the Historical Women Composers Prize at the Royal Academy of Music, performing Ina Boyle’s String Quartet in E minor.

The musicians are Claudia TarrantMatthews (violin), Eleanor Hill (second violin), Martha Campbell (viola) and Haydn Wynn (cello).

Their Warkworth concert will open with

the shining clarity of the first of Mozart’s Prussian Quartets. The programme will also include the evocative and lyrical writing of Aotearoa’s own Dame Gillian Whitehead, followed by Imogen Holst’s Phantasy Quartet, with beautiful modal harmonies and pastoral sound work. The concert will conclude with Dmitri Shostakovich’s gripping fifth quartet, a driving and dramatic work to close this exhilarating performance.

The Calathea Quartet concert is supported by Chamber Music New Zealand. It will be held in the Warkworth Town Hall, starting at 4pm. Admission is $35, or $10 for tertiary students and free for school students. Door sales are cash only.

Ukulele time in Mangawhai

After a five-year hiatus, the family-friendly ukulele trio The Nukes will play in Mangawhai on Friday, September 29. The band will be doing workshops, as well as performances, from 10am onwards.

At the helm will be Dave Parker, accompanied by his son Josh and Ben Collier on slide ukulele. Parker says this revitalised combination brings exciting new musical possibilities, as well as the enhancement of the original Nukes classics, with the harmony and humour that have always made The Nukes crowd favourites. The morning workshop is tailored for children aged six to 12 years who are

interested in ukulele, singing, percussion and dance.

“We will teach them a song or two. It will be great fun, engaging and inspiring,” Parker says.

It will be held at the Mangawhai Recreation Centre, in Insley Street. Tickets are $10 and bookings are essential. The workshop will be followed by a family show that starts at 11.30am.

Later in the day, a further public programme of workshops and concerts will take place. Tickets available from Bammas Surf Shop in Mangawhai or online at Eventfinda.

Members of the Calathea Quartet are from New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and England.

The Nukes will run workshops, as well as perform.

WARKWORTH’S FIERY PAST

By Bryan Jackson

Warkworth has suffered its fair share of fires over the years. Houses, boarding houses and shops have all been lost to fire, at considerable cost, but thankfully there have been no lives lost.

One of the most devastating fires destroyed five businesses on the morning of 29 July 1931. A lack of firefighting appliances was a serious handicap and losses were estimated at £4000. Other shops were threatened but, luckily, the wind carried the flames away. The shops destroyed were Elliot and Holden (solicitors), the Rodney and Otamatea Times, H. Roper (radio dealer and electrician), D. Izzy (tobacconist and bootmaker) and H. Stubbs (butcher).

Mr Izzy was able to save his hairdressing chair and a number of boots and shoes, while Mr Stubbs removed a quantity of meat and some fittings including a safe. The heat from the fire was so intense that paintwork on the Warkworth Hotel opposite blistered and the large pines were scorched. Insurance cover for the shops and their stock was £2970, falling well short of the losses suffered.

Some other early fires included the following:

• On 14 October 1887, Mrs Bowen’s store, on the corner of Queen and Wharf Streets, where Warkworth Butchery now stands, was burned to the ground at 11pm. Fortunately, there was no one on the premises at the time. Mrs Bowen’s stock was insured for £600 but the building, valued at £80 and owned by Mrs Such, was uninsured.

• On the morning of the 10 March 1890, the home of John Grange was destroyed. Mrs Grange and a nephew escaped wearing only their night attire.

• On 18 July 1897, a nine-roomed dwelling belonging to B. Sceats and valued at £450 was totally destroyed by fire. Luckily, there was no one in the house at the time.

• On 17 May 1912, a fire broke out in the wharf shed at 2am. A line of men used buckets to try to douse the fire, but it spread to a shipping company office, as well as the office of Mr

F. Civil. Timber, to the value of £90, was destroyed plus coal, manure, oats, drapery and a cask of tar.

• On 19 October 1914, fire broke out in a block of buildings in the centre of Warkworth at 11.30pm. Several shops were destroyed including Mr Craig’s tailor shop, Mr Dymock’s bootmaker’s shop and a cottage occupied by Mr J. Clayden, who owned the buildings. Mr Craig had his stock insured for £100, Mr. Dymock’s stock for £70 and the buildings were insured for £600. However, the losses exceeded the insurance cover.

• A six-roomed dwelling owned by the estate of the late John Hudson and occupied by Mr C. Bolstad was destroyed by fire at 4am on 9 March 1922. It was thought that embers from a fire caused the blaze. Luckily, both the house and furniture were insured.

• Mr J. Thornton’s motor garage and service station were destroyed in the early hours on 16 April 1930. A lack of water hindered efforts to douse the fire. Oxygen cylinders exploded and were thrown 100 feet into the air. Six motor vehicles, including two new ones, were lost in the blaze. Insurances covered £2500, but the damage and losses totalled £4500.

• On the evening of 17 March 1943, a fire broke out in the Warkworth Town Hall where the patrons, who were mostly American marines, were watching a film. The fire started in the operating box when the opening of a light shutter, on one of the projectors, caught fire. The fire was doused by fire protection equipment and, after 20 minutes, the movie resumed on a second projector.

Little remained after Warkworth’s great fire of July 1931.

Pasture survey invitation

Two farming industry groups are looking for Northland farmers to take part in a pasture management research survey. Beef + Lamb NZ and DairyNZ want to talk to livestock farmers to find out what support they need to continue to farm successfully in a changing and variable climate. “We are looking for 25 to 35 livestock farmers who would be willing to tell us about their experiences with forages and pasture management,” a spokesperson says. “We want to know about their experiences and suggestions for how Northland farmers can be supported to produce high quality forage for livestock.” Anyone interested in taking part should contact Kim Robinson on 027 433 9465 or  kim.robinson@agfirst. co.nz, or James Parsons on 021 2063 208 or james.parsons@agfirst.co.nz.

Help for hill erosion

Sheep poo needed for eczema research

Farmers are being asked to collect sheep poo samples for a new three-year study into facial eczema, a serious livestock disease for which there is currently no cure. The research is being carried out by Beef + Lamb NZ to get a more detailed picture of the disease’s prevalence and to see whether a warming climate is affecting its distribution.

Sector science strategy manager Suzi Keeling says Beef + Lamb NZ is looking for 350 farmers from 16 regions around the country to collect samples from October to

May each year.

Volunteers would be required to collect samples 16 times for each of the three years, roughly every two weeks, and from the same mob of sheep each season, although a different mob can be used each year.

“It’s as simple as taking a walk in a paddock, there’s no need to yard the animals,” she says. “Just scoop up 10 individual fresh samples from the ground.”

Farmers who submit all their samples will receive faecal spore count results as soon as lab testing is carried out, access to a monthly

updated map showing spore counts around the country, and a Prezzy Card for their trouble at the end of the season.

Facial eczema is spread by toxic fungal spores on dead plant material, especially rye grass, and it can cause photosensitivity, sunburn, liver damage or failure, or even death. Beef + Lamb estimates the annual cost of facial eczema to the New Zealand sheep, beef, dairy and deer sectors to be around $332 million.

Info and registration: www. cognitoforms.com/BLNZGenetics/ FacialEczemaThreeYearResearchStudy

Co-funding to help tackle erosion may be available for landowners in the Kaipara Moana catchment area. The Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) programme has added to the range of remediation work it can fund in hill country, in addition to its usual fencing and native planting work to protect waterways. Options include planting permanent or continuous canopy forests using native species or nonweedy, non-pine exotic tree species, such as eucalypts or redwoods; fencing and management to support regeneration of native forest; and space planting of poplars where some grazing is maintained. KMR can also help community groups, marae, iwi, hapū or other collectives with the cost of group engagement and coordination to plan and manage projects, such as meetings and planting days. Info: Go to https://kmr. org.nz/landowner-expression-of-interest/ or email hono@kmr.org.nz

Tiri 65 Floor Plan© G.J. Gardner Homes 2023

Volunteers who collect sheep droppings will get research data and a gift card.

Watercraft invited to pageant

Heritage Mahurangi will stage a commemorative journey on the Mahurangi River on Saturday, November 18 as a part of ongoing celebrations to mark Warkworth’s 170th anniversary.

The river pageant will commemorate the arrival by whale boat of the town’s founder John Anderson Brown in 1853. The event will include a flotilla of craft including steamboats and classic yachts and launches. In addition, the historic scow Jane Gifford will bring some 100

descendants of original pioneering families upstream together with VIPs. There will be displays, entertainment, vintage cars, machinery and food available in and around the wharf area.

Heritage Mahurangi chair Dave Parker says canoeists and paddleboarders are welcome to demonstrate their abilities on the water prior to the regatta, and there is still room for more classic launches to join the flotilla. Contact Dave 027 484 9935 or Daniel 021 187 3014.

Mahurangi education reunion

An informal gathering will be held over Labour Weekend to mark 160 years since formal education was introduced in the district. The get-together is part of celebrations marking Warkworth’s 170 year anniversary and will also mark 65 years since foundation pupils attended the former Warkworth District High School and 60 years since Mahurangi College was named. Heritage Mahurangi chair Dave Parker says no registrations are required and no fees. “We just want people to turn up at the Mahurangi College hall on Sunday, October 22, at 2pm, for a formal welcome and tour of college facilities, and get-together. The Bridgehouse has been booked for an ‘after function’. Please spread the word,” Dave says. He would also welcome enquiries from anyone prepared to volunteer their help on the day.

Holiday squash

Warkworth squash coach and Masters player Kaye Jackson is running a school holiday programme. The coaching is aimed at kids aged seven and over, with no prior skills required, and will be held at the Warkworth Squash Club on September 25, 27 and 29, from 9am to midday. On the agenda will be skills training, dodge ball, squash games and a mini-tournament on the final day. “The aim of the programme is to expose more children to the game of squash which has been scientifically proven to be the best sport for all round fitness,” Kaye says. “The beauty of squash, apart from keeping you fit, is you don’t have to worry about the weather – wind, rain, sunburn – as it is all inside.” The cost is $60 for the three mornings, or $25 for one session, and bookings are essential. Contact Kaye on 021 135 7574 or squashykaye@icloud.com

Indoorbowls Snells Beach Indoor Bowls meet in the Mahurangi East Community Centre, Hamanata Rd on Mondays at 12.30pm. Visitors and new members welcome. Info: Pam 425 6405. Athleticsregistrationsopen Registrations for the Warkworth Athletics 2023/24 season are open. The season begins on Wednesday, October 26 and runs every Wednesday evening at Shoesmith Domain. The club is in need of volunteers, contact athleticswarkworth@gmail.com Register for the season here: https://tinyurl.com/yp7dpanc

Juniortennisregistrations Registrations are open for Term 4 junior tennis with AceEm Tennis at Warkworth Tennis and Squash Club. Various lessons for different age groups held on a Monday and Thursday afternoon. For more info visit: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063970122581 or acem.helloclub.com/login

Warkworthgolf Warkworth Golf Club has a number of events happening in October.

Monday, October 2: 18 Hole Women’s Spring Pairs. $45 per person includes lunch. 9am shotgun start. Entries close September 25.

Wednesday, October 4: The first round of Business House, sponsored by The Bridgehouse. 10 weeks of 9 Hole Ambrose. Teams of 4. 5pm start. $350 per team or $315 if paid for by October 4. Dinner available after your round.

Sunday, October 8: The first round of Twilight. 9 Holes. Lots of prizes each week. $20 per person. $5 bar voucher. Tee times 1- 4pm. Stay for dinner $20. Children’s meals available $10.

Friday, October 13: 9 Hole Women’s Open Day. $35 per person includes lunch. 9.30am shotgun start. Entries close October 5.

For more information on any of these tournaments email: thedivot@warkworthgolfclub.co.nz

TomarataTag Registrations are open for team, senior, and junior players. Season starts on Thursday, October 12. The season will be split into two rounds – October 12 to December 14, and February 8 to March 21. You can register for one or both rounds. Links for registrations are as follows: Team registration: https://www.sporty.co.nz/tomaratatag/snrrego

Contact Dave on 027 484 9935 or email dh.parker@xtra.co.nz

Ph Pat 022-646-5849

Sudoku the numbers game

Biosecurity NZ changes its tune on caulerpa seaweed

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

If boaties come across the invasive marine weed caulerpa, they are being told to take it home and put it in the bin.

That’s the new messaging from Biosecurity New Zealand, which had previously told people to leave the caulerpa where they found it.

At a Hauraki Gulf Forum on September 11, Biosecurity New Zealand director John Walsh gave an update on the caulerpa infestations in the Hauraki Gulf.

“The infestation on Waiheke Island covers roughly 400 hectares – it is a large but very sparsely populated infestation, so quite different from the other large infestations we have,” Walsh said.

He said large scale suction dredging was planned for Great Barrier Island/Aotea shortly and a suction dredging trial was planned for Waiheke.

Hand pulling of caulerpa was happening at Kawau Island, but Walsh said the method had proved slow and would need to be reevaluated.

Forum co-chair Nicola MacDonald was concerned about what sort of public education, awareness and communications campaigns would be coming out ahead of summer, when more people would be in

and around the gulf.

“People can still enjoy the gulf, but we want them to be really aware of what to do if they bring caulerpa up on their fishing lines or their anchors, or even if they spot it while they are out and about,” she said. Walsh acknowledged the controversy caused by Biosecurity New Zealand’s previous messaging to leave caulerpa where it was.

Forum member James Sainsbury asked where the caulerpa went after it was taken out of the water.

Walsh said caulerpa from Kawau Island was going to a landfill while the caulerpa at Aotea Island would go to a safe site on the island

“It dies pretty quickly once you get it out of the water so we are just making sure that it is transported in a biosecure way and that it is taken to a biosecure location,” Walsh said.

The forum formally requested Biosecurity New Zealand to invest in a common geographical information system to ensure comprehensive, publicly available data to show the full extent of caulerpa.

The weather is definitely showing signs of a progress towards warmer months so it must be the end of Term three, but I’m still not sure I can believe it. That we have only nine full weeks of the school year left seems impossible, and yet our students seem more than ready for all that Term four brings. They’re engaged, productive and busy; which is why the year is flying by.

We had seven teams and eight individual athletes competing at the annual AIMS tournament in Tauranga, a new record for Mahurangi. The tournament is always a wonderful experience for our budding sports stars. All our students competed with distinction, enjoying success and achieving personal bests. Thanks to our wonderful coaches and managers, and to the parent helpers who made the week so memorable for our students.

Our Underwater Hockey teams have continued their successful results, with our Senior and Junior Girls winning gold, our Senior Open team taking silver and our Junior Open, bronze. At tournament week, our Open Girls and Junior

Girls continued their dominance, both winning national titles, a wonderful achievement. Our deputy head girl Charlotte O’Connor was named top girl of the tournament.

Charlotte (below) and Reuben Smith were also selected as recipients of the Pat Hanly Creative Award for outstanding creativity, imagination and commitment to the visual arts. They were both honoured at a gala event held at the Auckland Art Gallery alongside other top Auckland art students.

Our first Year 8 STEAM Wearable Arts Show was hugely successful, with students not only creating amazing costumes, but also choreographing dances and writing the background music. Held over two evenings, parents and whānau were wowed by the creativity, imagination and courage of our students as they showcased their talents. The students have worked all term on their outfits, with a recycled theme and a positive backstory. Congratulations and a big thank you to our teachers and all the behind the scene helpers.

Our two junior rock bands performed with distinction at the recent regional RockQuest, with ‘Sunday Rain’ winning the event with their original song, and taking out best songwriter. They will now progress to the national finals via a video submission. ‘Squealing Cymbals’ also rocked the house, with Ari winning the award for best drummer. A huge thank you to mentor, Mrs Logue.

Dancers from our Momentum Dance Company went to Palmerston North for the DanceNZMade Interschool National Dance Competition. The dancers worked incredibly hard all year to prepare for this competition, coming away with outstanding second, third and fourth national placing’s.

Congratulations to our alumni Mariana Winiana, Tama Hawken (top right) and George D’Urban-Burgess who have been named in the NZ Touch Blacks

Mixed team (Photo credit: Huhu images). We hope to reconnect with our alumni over Labour weekend, and look forward to reintroducing them to Mahurangi College as we informally celebrate 160 years of education in our district. Enjoy the holidays whānau. For a few helpful and practical study tips, have a look on the school website under Students/Parents. Take care.

Brenna Sullivan

Academic Blue for Excellence L1

Merit Endorsement L2

Performing Arts Prefect Executive Prefect

Netball Coach 2022, 2023

Lead in School Production

Outstanding Role Model

Pictured with Sarah Jenkins Operations Standards Manager

Tony Giles, Principal

Leigh bowls season underway

By Ian Bradnam

The Opening Day for the 2023/24 season was held on Sunday, September. 3 A roll-up started at 10am with the opening at 2pm. This was followed by a farewell to Karen Richfield, who has done a magnificent job for a number of years as house and bar manager. Unfortunately, ill health has forced Karen to give up her position in the club and we wish her all the best for the future. She was presented with flowers and petrol vouchers to allow her and husband Don to visit relatives in the South Island. The first club event of the season was the drawn pairs, played on Saturday, September 9. There were five pairs and all pairs played each other in hour-long games. Considering the adverse weather we have had, the green was in great condition, thanks to the work put in by greenkeeper Lance Michell. The winners on the day were Lance Michell and Ian Bradnam.

Coming up:

Saturday, September 30 – Cameron/ Penney Tournament

October 7 and 8 – Club Championship

Singles

October 21 and 22 – Club Championship Pairs

The Business House competition will return to Wednesday nights, starting before Christmas, then continue into next year.

At the annual meeting held in June, the following officers were elected:

Patron – Ron Perry, president Keith Greenwood, vice-president Robert McLean, junior vice-president Willie Sellars, secretary Ian Bradnam, tournament director Lindsay Duncan, treasurer Robert McLean, Northland delegate Robert McLean, greenkeeper Lance Michell. Committee: Arthur Gundy, Keith Brush, Scott Wilson, John Brooks, Symon Morrice, Staun Popham and Ross Braisby (co-opted).

Info: Ian Bradnam on 021 423 144

Marine Get trawling out of the Gulf

Ten years and three plans later, consultation is underway to reconsider bottom trawling and Danish seining in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

Remarkably, even with overwhelming public support, there is no option to eliminate these destructive fishing methods. For the environment, people living within the Marine Park and beyond, this short-sighted approach has alarming long-term consequences.

Recently, over 37,000 signatures and 7700 submissions were sent to Fisheries New Zealand from Kiwis urging the minister to ban bottom trawling, dredging and Danish seining from the gulf. Yet, our voices for a complete ban have been ignored. Instead, officials have devised ‘trawl corridors’, large areas where these destructive fishing methods can continue. These ‘corridors’ will be trawled more intensively because the amount of fish allowed to be harvested has not reduced. Sounds like a win for the industry, right? But what about the environment?

Officials have no plans to reduce the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or create incentives for the 22-trawl vessel fleet to scale back their fishing impacts. With a smaller trawl area, these destructive fishing techniques will intensify the damaging effects on the environment. Where is this pressure going to occur? On the edges of the Marine Park. Look out Leigh, Pakiri, Bream Bay and Coromandel, without a trawling ban intensive fishing is heading into your backyard.

Trawling destroys biodiversity on the seafloor that fish rely on for survival, which includes mussels, one of snappers’ favourite foods. In the 1960s, over 500km2 of green lip mussels were dredged from the Hauraki Gulf. Sixty years later and they still haven’t recovered.

To restore marine life in the Hauraki Gulf, we need to take pressure off the ecosystem. The obvious first step is to stop using destructive fishing methods. Officials need to start listening to our community’s concerns. Decisive action must be taken to prevent destructive fishing spreading into Bream Bay and the Coromandel.

In a classic piece of politicking, this process is timed to span the election period, placing the burden of decision-making onto the next minister. Fisheries New Zealand has presented four options for the trawl ‘corridors’, and public submissions are due by November 6.

Getting trawling out of the Gulf will set a precedent for the rest of New Zealand’s coastal fisheries so it’s important we remind the minister we have zero tolerance for destructive fishing.

A healthy marine environment is good for everyone. That’s why LegaSea is advocating for Option Zero, no more bottom trawling or Danish seining in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and a separate fisheries management area to prevent the pressure being displaced. You can have your say too.

If you want New Zealand’s coastal marine environment restored for future generations, please visit optionzero.co.nz

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

September

25, 27, 29 School squash holiday programme, 9-12 noon at the Warkworth Squash Club, run by Kaye Jackson squashykaye@icloud.com 021 135 7574 (see story p47)

26 Gold Connect, Snells Beach Baptist Church, 2.30-4pm. Every second Tuesday (the day you collect your super!). Creating opportunities to meet more locals. Afternoon tea, music, games, and lots of chat and introductions. Free. Info Susanna 027 476 7484.

28 Combined local museums talk, Warkworth Old Masonic Hall, 10.30am-midday. Three speakers from the Warkworth, Puhoi, and Albertland museums will talk about past events in their communities reflecting the themes of love, peace, and protest. Free. All welcome.

29 Omaha Golf/Matakana Fire Brigade fundraiser, Omaha Golf Club. The golf tournament will be a nine hole Ambrose, with a team entry costing $500, which includes a buffet dinner. Info: support@omahagolf.co.nz

29 French Book Fair, So French Cafe, Neville Street, Warkworth, 8am (see brief p34)

29 Matakana Night Market, Matakana Country Park, 4.30-8pm

30 The Nukes, workshop and concert, Mangawhai Recreation Centre (see story p44)

30 Calathea Quartet presented by Warkworth Music in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand, Warkworth Town Hall, 4-6pm (see story p44)

30 Spring Fiesta for Blue September, Wellsford District Community Centre, 5-11pm. Supporting Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade, Prostate Cancer Awareness & Wellsford Plus Santa Parade. Family event from 5-7pm. $5 entry, free burger, magician, and games. Adult event from 7.30pm-11pm. $20 entry. Two bands and cash bar. Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/spring-fiestafor-blue-septemb/997688524703512

30 Ultimate 80s Show, with Frisky Business, Warkworth RSA, 7.30-10.30pm. Playing David Bowie, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, Wham!, Rick James, Cindy Lauper, Pat Benetar, Eurythmics, Paula Abdul and many more. Tickets $30.

October

4 Warkworth Liaison Group meeting, downstairs meeting room at Warkworth RSA, Mill Lane, 7.30pm

4 Warkworth’s colourful past, Warkworth Town Hall, 10.30am-midday. Three talks from Heritage Mahurangi. Warkworth’s founding, and heritage buildings and landmarks, the life and times of local pioneering families, and early steamboat activity and historic vessels on the Mahurangi River. Free. All welcome.

4 Warkworth Men’s Rebus Club coffee meeting, Parsley Pot Cafe, 10.30am. Camaraderie and chat with Men’s REBUS. You are welcome to come and join us. You don’t have to be a member. It’s strictly social. Info: Ron 422 3111.

5 Back Bar Jazz, the Bridgehouse Warkworth, 6.30pm. Free, all welcome

5 Caring for people with dementia (the impact on the carer),Wellsford RSA, 11am. Talk by Paddy Sullivan from Age Concern Rodney

7 Bookshop Day, The Nook in Wellsford, from 9am-1pm (see story p30)

9 Mahurangi Trail Society AGM & presentation, Mahurangi East Community Centre, 7.30pm. Immediately following the very brief AGM there will be a speaker and brief presentation by the Mahurangi Trail Society chairperson. All welcome. Info: https://www.mahurangi.nz/whats-on/

12 Frances Dickinson talk - A Year in the Moana, Warkworth RSA, 7.30-9pm. Frances is a passionate freediver and conservation enthusiast who spent over 290 days in the moana capturing her own observations of the Big Omaha coastline. Frances is interested in setting up a rewilding project at Te Kohuroa – Matheson Bay to highlight the value of the marine species that live there and create a co-led, community kaitiakitanga initiative to protect the moana in her own back yard.

14 Election Day (see feature p17-25)

14 Warkworth Great Debate, Warkworth Town Hall, 7pm. Two moots - The world is not PC enough, and, manners are not sexy anymore. Fundraiser for Harbour Hospice. Tickets $35 from Harts Pharmacy, Warkworth Information Centre, Mahurangi Matters Office, or Hospice’s Tui House.

16 Low Vision Support Group, Summerset Falls Village, Warkworth, 1.30pm. All welcome. Info: enquiries@mcdonaldadams.co.nz

16 Warkworth Men’s Rebus Club general meeting, Shoesmith Hall, Shoesmith Street Warkworth, 10am. Guest and club speakers. Missing your mates? Why not come and join us. You will be made welcome. Info: Ron 422 3111.

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

Pearl of a day for bowls club milestones

It was a multiple celebration at Omaha Beach Bowling Club on September 10, when dozens of members past and present gathered for an extra special Sunday meet. As well as the start of the summer season, the club was also celebrating the 30th anniversary of its founding, as well as the completion and opening of a significant extension to its clubrooms.

President Christine Wilkinson said the light and airy extended social area provided a fantastic facility for the club, as well as for community groups looking to hire a meeting room smaller than the community centre next door.

“We were getting to the stage where we weren’t all fitting in, or we’d be inside and

visitors would be outside – it was difficult for everyone to mix,” she said.

“Now we’ve got this, it’s such a great facility.

It’s really given us so much more room.”

Wilkinson said the clubroom upgrade had been a real community effort, with local builder Affinity Homes doing the construction, club vice-president Frank Timmins managing the project and working on-site, and ITM Matakana supplying materials at a good price.

The bulk of the funding for the build came from Lesley Lawson, who joined Omaha when Rawhiti Bowling Club in Remuera was sold for development five years ago.

Rawhiti members received a portion of the proceeds, but they had to be invested in

bowling facilities and Lawson donated her share to the Omaha Beach club. The rest of the cost came from a Lotto grant and club fundraising efforts, Wilkinson said. There were just 17 members and a small shed when the club was founded next to the golf club at North West Anchorage in 1993, at a time when no houses at all had been built at the southern end of Omaha. Now, there are more than 100 members and a thriving timetable of social, championship and inter-club fixtures from Wednesday to Sunday every week, and new members are always welcome. More than 60 gathered at the opening day event, which featured a spit-roast lamb donated by the family of popular club

member Ivan Talich, who died in July, plus salads and rolls provided by Damian Langley and New World Warkworth, and a large cake decorated with the club’s logo, a scallop shell with a bowling ball for a pearl. Wilkinson said it has been a great day with plenty to celebrate.

“We had Graham Ward, who’s in his 90s, put down the first bowl, ex-president Warwick Spicer, who’s in his 80s, cut the cake, and we welcomed a major new sponsor, Heather Walton of Ray White Matakana & Omaha as well,” she said. Anyone interested in joining Omaha Beach Bowling Club or hiring the clubroom should go to https://omahabeachbowls. co.nz or email Christine Wilkinson at wilkinsonsmc@gmail.com

Omaha Beach Bowling Clubroom before, above, and after the extension.