Mahurangi Matters_Issuee 468_20 November 2023

Brynderwyn closure P3 & 38

Warkworth principal steps down P20

Summer splash P31-36

November 20, 2023

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Marilyn Jones is heartbroken that her view will soon be nothing but thousands of solar panels.

“I just cried all day – it feels like I’ve had my life ripped out from under me.”

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bination of solar lsford site based on “an ideal com Energy Farms says it chose the Wel ity to achieve a abil the and gird the ity to connect to resource, land area availability, abil low impact design”.

Residents living just west of Wellsford, around Prictor, Clague and Port Albert Roads, have been stunned to learn that they may soon be living next to a mega solar farm.

Energy Farms hopes to lodge a resource consent with Auckland Council this month to build a 76MW solar energy farm in Prictor Road, west of Wellsford. This will involve installing more than 182,000 sun-tracking solar panels over more than 260 hectares of farmland.

The company says this will generate

162,000 MWh of energy annually, enough to power 23,172 houses for a year. The site is just three kilometres from the Wellsford substation, where the power will be fed into the national grid.

While neighbours can appreciate the benefits of solar power, they are devastated at the impact it will have on their way of life, amenity and property values.

A neighbour, Marilyn Jones, estimates that more than 40 property owners will be affected, but says no-one to her knowledge continued page 2

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Marilyn Jones has been told that for security, an electrified chain link deer fence will be erected around the solar farm including on her boundary. The solar farm will start on the other side of the stock race seen above.

Solar farm shadow falls over Wellsford from page 1

had heard of the project until just a few weeks ago.

She met with a company representative last week and said she was saddened by what she learned.

“It’s a done deal – nothing we say is going to change anything,” she says. “But that won’t stop us fighting it.”

She says it’s ironic that she named her property Valley View.

“If this goes ahead, instead of green fields and trees, all I’ll see are solar panels.

“I worked in London for 10 years to put a deposit down on this property. I set up my business here – Wellsford Riding School – and thought this would be my home for the rest of my life because it was such a beautiful place.

“With the landfill and now this, it just feels like Wellsford is becoming a dumping ground for everything Auckland doesn’t want in its backyard.”

Jones is angry at how little notice or information neighbours have been given.

One neighbour, who faces the prospect of being almost surrounded by the farm, says

no-one from the company has contacted him and he only heard via a neighbour.

“The people who sold the two farms may have been given ‘offers they couldn’t refuse’ but for the rest of us, we’ve had hundreds of thousands of dollars knocked off the value of our properties with no prospect of any compensation,” Jones says.

Mike Pero real estate agent Denise Pearson said she couldn’t put a figure on it, but values would definitely drop. She added that it would also reduce the number of potential buyers.

“There’s always a lot of interest for lifestyle blocks, but I’d imagine only a handful of people would want to buy next to a solar farm,” she said.

The land is currently used for sheep and beef farming, which the company’s cofounder Todd Wilson says could continue under the panels.

He says Energy Farms is excited to be undertaking a large solar programme across the country in line with NZ’s 2030 zero net emission targets.

“At this stage, we are working with local

iwi and neighbouring parties to inform the resource consent process,” Wilson says.

“When ready, the consent will be lodged with council, and we intend for the process to be fully notified.

“The technical design for the solar farm has not yet commenced and will be informed by the outcome of any resource consent conditions.

“The second part to solar farm approvals is the Transpower grid connection process.

I wouldn’t expect Transpower to get to this project until next August and then expect six months of design and drafting of a Transpower Works Agreement, so [Wellsford] still has a long way to go before there is any certainty about the project proceeding.

“I’m happy to provide more information as the planning for the farm continues through the various stages with council and Transpower.”

According to the company website, it has contracted 770ha of land nationwide, to house more than 600,000 solar panels and produce some 700GW hours of energy a year, enough to power more than 87,000 homes. The first sites are Edgecumbe, Taranaki, Wellsford and Marton.

Energy Farms Limited was incorporated in June 2021 and has two directors – Steven Hawkins and Jibin Zhang.

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Warkworth’s landmark church changes hands Almost 150 years after it was built, the Mahurangi Presbyterian Church in Warkworth is changing hands, and will soon become the new home for the Mahurangi Vineyard Church.

The Pulham Road property was put on the market over the winter because the Presbyterians and associated community trust are moving to purpose-built premises, the Mahurangi Hope Centre, on Mansel Drive.

The 3096 square metre property on two titles – including the 19th century church, a hall with commercial kitchen, a fourbedroom house and outbuildings – was put up for auction in August, but was passed in as the reserve price was not met.

The Vineyard’s subsequent purchase is a significant move for a congregation that has been meeting at the Mahurangi East Community Centre in Snells Beach for three decades, led since 2008 by pastors Lyndon and Angela Reiff.

At that venue, every Sunday service has entailed setting up and packing down chairs and sound equipment, and then a swift exit afterwards to make way for other users of the hall. Midweek meetings have been held in a nearby leased industrial unit.

Lyndon says the move to Pulham Road will mean an end to all that – a permanent hub offering opportunities for services and events throughout the week, as well as community outreach programmes. He likens it to the excitement of buying a first home.

“There are certain freedoms that come along with renting but also certain liabilities as well; you’re at someone else’s whims. When it’s your own home, you open the doors, welcome anyone, and it’s 24/7 – not three hours on a Sunday, then pack it all away and do it again next week.

“Owning your own home isn’t the beall and end-all, but it does offer a level

The Warkworth property on two titles includes the historical church, hall, fourbedroom house and outbuildings.

of security and longevity, and the idea of thinking about the next generation.”

He says setting up in the historical church will allow Vineyard to create a welcoming, peaceful environment, an environment of hope which is “super needed in our world today”.

Recent rezoning and new medium density standards would allow the property to accommodate up to three houses of up to three storeys on each of the two titles, while a category B heritage overlay allows “the discretionary removal or alteration of church improvements”. Its sale could, therefore, potentially have led to a townhouse development, and brought an end to the church functioning as a place of worship.

Instead, Lyndon says, the fact that it can continue with the same spirit that it started with 150 years ago is really lovely.

The Vineyard family was told the news on October 29. On the same Sunday, the Presbyterian Church announced the sale to its parishioners, reportedly prompting

a reaction of joyful applause, Lyndon says, bearing testimony to the goodwill and friendship among churches in the area.

“Mahurangi Vineyard has been part of our community for over 30 years,” Mahurangi Presbyterian Church senior pastor Nick McLennan says. “As a congregation we are delighted to hand over our building to them, as we know it will continue to be in good hands as a place of worship for years to come.”

Vineyard plans to take up its new home in February. Although it may be a rather tight fit for the typically 200-strong congregation, Lyndon says the move allows for the possibility of holding more than one service on a Sunday. Since the sale went through, he says he has been feeling the weight of responsibility of carrying on what has been a 150 year legacy.

“We feel very humbled to be able to do that,” he says. “It also means we can get on doing what I think the church was always meant to do – to serve the community which it finds itself in.”

Paid parking plans driven out of town

THE

THE

Auckland Transport (AT) has backtracked that parking charges were a non-starter in on plans to introduce paid parking in the town centre.

Warkworth’s town centre after business “We had a meeting with them after their association One Mahurangi reiterated its workshop with the local board and it seems firm opposition to the idea. they’d got a couple of things wrong from AT’s parking design team had recommended our initial meeting,” he said. “They asked trialling the introduction of charges instead us if we were willing to compromise and we of time limits in a draft parking review of said no. The only way we would accept paid Warkworth that was presented at a Rodney parking was if all the retailers agreed and any Local Board workshop on October 11 money from fines came back to Warkworth (MM, Oct 23).

– if you’re going to ping people here, why shouldn’t the money come back here?”

The report’s assertion that One Mahurangi was at least partly supportive of the plans He said that towards the end of the prompted disbelief from Warkworth meeting, AT asked again if they would members, who said One Mahurangi had consider a small trial of paid parking. made it clear that they did not support “We just said no, not in a million years.” paid parking. Board member Michelle Chapman added that he still wasn’t sure how Carmichael said AT needed to go back One Mahurangi’s original views had been to the business association before any interpreted by AT as support for the plan. decision could be made, and a meeting subsequently took place on November 2.

AT parking designer David Martin confirmed last week that proposals for One Mahurangi manager Murray Chapman said they made it clear to AT paid parking in Warkworth would not be Logo Large Logo Small

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pursued – for the time being, at least.

“One Mahurangi were clear that they could not support a proposal for paid parking at this time and they felt that, as parking availability had improved since the opening of the new motorway, no changes were required,” he said.

“We agreed not to pursue any proposals for paid parking at this stage; however, in our email notes of the meeting, we noted that ‘in the world of parking management, paid parking is the natural progression when time restrictions are no longer effective, and it is probable that in the future we will table the suggestion again’.”

Chapman said parking charges were the last thing Warkworth needed.

“It’s tough enough doing retail in Warkworth at the moment and we certainly do not want to make it any tougher,” he said. “We need to be encouraging people to come into Warkworth and shop local, not put them off.”

A hub of planning excellence

Cyclone Gabrielle caused massive slips on the steep State Highway section.

Brynderwyns set for lengthy SH1 closure State Highway 1 looks set to be completely closed over the Brynderwyn Hills for two months early next year so Waka Kotahi can carry out further repair work on huge slips caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The transport agency said confirmed closure dates and detour routes would be announced next month, once funding recommendations and other processes were approved.

A spokesperson said the works would be timed to avoid peak holiday traffic, with February to April most likely.

“As we know January is a busy time for holiday travel,” they said. “The proposed closure will not take place in January and we will work around other key dates such as Waitangi Day and Easter.”

Closure would mean lengthy delays for drivers in both directions, as well as traffic chaos on local roads used as detour routes east and west of the hills. There were numerous instances of trucks getting stuck between Mangawhai and Waipu earlier this year, when the Brynderwyns were first closed for post-storm slip repairs.

Waka Kotahi said it was working to ensure alternative routes would be fit for purpose and would do all it could to make the process as pain-free as possible for motorists, Northland businesses and local residents.

“During this process we will engage with our partners, stakeholders and the community to ensure the work is carefully planned to minimise disruptions as much as possible.”

The agency added that the work was necessary to keep the Brynderwyns open and maintained in the short to medium term; longer term “resilience options” were still being considered. (see story p38) WARKWORTH OFFICE 27 Percy Street

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In brief Cannabis bust

A 49-year-old male appeared in the North Shore District Court last week charged with cultivation of cannabis. This follows a search warrant executed on November 14 by Waitematā Police at a residential address in Warkworth. A cannabis growing operation was uncovered and the man was taken into custody.

Dive shop raid Supporters gather at Springboard’s Sheepworld base for the annual fundraising dinner. Photo, Springboard

Supporters stump up big for Springboard Springboard’s annual fundraiser at Sheepworld on September 11 raised an impressive $230,000, that will help the community organisation in its continuing mission to support and impact the lives of at-risk youth.

The pledges at the Fund A Brighter Future fundraising dinner included $100,000 in dollar-for-dollar matched funding from Kennards Hire and Northwood Developments Ltd, general manager

Dan Gray says.

“It was a stunning evening, with over 100 people gathered to hear the amazing stories of change that our young people have journeyed,” he says.

Dan says the money raised will help Springboard to continue helping the young people of the community who need extra support, and hopefully give them the platform they need to make change, and move forward positively.

“The invitation to ‘be part of something big’ was overwhelmingly accepted by those who gathered on Saturday night,” he says.

“We are grateful to our amazing supporters.”

Springboard’s programmes include alternative education, transition to employment programmes, parenting courses, counselling and practical support, preventative mentoring and an intervention programme for young offenders.

Police are yet to make an arrest following a ram raid at the NZ Diving shop in Morrison Drive on November 4, “but are following positive lines of enquiry”. The thieves made off with more than $20,000 worth of stock, mainly spearguns, wetsuits, masks and buoyancy control devices (BCDs). Owner Neil Bennett says they knew what they were doing. “We’d only just taken delivery of new stock and that’s what they targeted. They were very specific.”

The raid involved two cars, including one car that had been stolen locally and later dumped in Helensville. It also followed a similar incident on a dive shop in the Bay of Islands. Police were provided with extensive CCTV footage of the raid, plus a witness was helping with their enquiries.

Controversial Leigh crossing axed by Rodney board The long-running saga of if and where Leigh might get some sort of pedestrian crossing has finally ended, with Rodney Local Board members voting to can the $150,000 project and spend the money elsewhere.

Over the past three years, the scheme has morphed from a simple kea crossing with temporary flags and barriers outside the school into plans for a full-scale raised zebra crossing outside Leigh General Store.

Originally part of the local board’s capital transport budget, the crossing project was switched to its transport targeted rate fund

last year, when Auckland Transport (AT) said budget cuts would otherwise mean it would be deferred indefinitely.

AT also shifted the site and structure of the crossing down the road, after it was found Leigh School didn’t meet Waka Kotahi safety guidelines for a kea crossing.

However, the revised design at the crossroads of Hauraki Road and Cumberland Street prompted a raft of objections from Leigh residents, who were unhappy with the new site and the raised platform crossing.

Those feelings were exacerbated when AT announced earlier this year that it was

planning to proceed with the revised design and site, despite residents’ objections.

Then, while looking at other options for taking the crossing back nearer Leigh School, an AT survey found that only 10 people crossed the road near the school entrance, compared with 150 crossing near the general store.

At the local board’s meeting last month, AT recommended that members approve its preferred design and location for a raised zebra crossing, but Ivan Wagstaff moved an amendment to not proceed with the project and reallocate the money.

“The majority of the users, the retailers, emergency services, the school board, have come to us and said we do not want this,” he said. “It seems we’re trying to force something on them that they don’t want.”

Tim Holdgate said he thought a crossing could still be of use to Leigh residents and visitors, while Michelle Carmichael wanted to look at the potential for pedestrian refuges instead of a full crossing.

However, the majority of members voted in favour of Wagstaff ’s amendment, with only Holdgate voting against, and Colin Smith and Louise Johnston abstaining.

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Auckland Transport lawyers address the hearings in Warkworth.

Hearings in Warkworth on route protection proposals Two weeks of public hearings on eight Notices of Requirement (NoR) designed to protect routes for future transport projects around Warkworth opened at the town hall on November 13.

The hearings opened with Auckland Transport (AT) the “requiring authority”, presenting its legal case for designations for the future transport corridors and upgrades.

Proposed new roads include a western link and wider western link, as well as a link road joining Matakana and Sandspit Roads. Proposed upgrades include work on Matakana and Sandspit Roads, Woodcocks Road and the southern portion of Old State Highway 1.

More than 230 properties are impacted, to varying degrees, by the designations.

The owners of some of those properties presented submissions during the hearings, along with other parties interested in or affected by the NoRs. Many submitters want council to either reject or amend the NoRs, to reduce the impact on their properties. Some are pressing for council to reduce the 15-25 year time lapse period that Auckland Transport is seeking for the designations to remain in

place. They argue that this will blight their properties for a substantial period of time, and also affect any development plans they may have.

AT lawyers contend that the time lapses are appropriate, given the uncertainty about when envisaged growth in Warkworth will happen, due in part to the economic and political climate.

The hearings are scheduled to end this Wednesday, November 22, after two days set aside for council’s closing statements and for AT’s right of reply.

After the hearings, council will make a recommendation as to whether or not each designation should be confirmed in the Auckland Unitary Plan – with or without amendments to the conditions – or whether they should be withdrawn.

Submitters may appeal council’s decision, and appeals will be lodged with the Environment Court.

Chairing the hearings in Warkworth is Richard Blakey, a planner and member of council’s hearing commissioner panel. The other panel members are Mark Farnsworth and Vaughan Smith.

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Targeted rate footpath progress

A number of new footpaths have been built, are being constructed or are due to be started soon throughout the Warkworth subdivision, a Rodney Local Board workshop heard on November 8. Former member Beth Houlbrooke, who is now Auckland Transport’s (AT) elected member relationship partner for north Rodney, provided an update on the latest paths funded from the Rodney Local Board transport targeted rate.

She said new paths had recently been completed in School Road, Wellsford and Pakiri Road, Leigh, while construction was underway at Leigh Road, Whangateau and Wech Drive in Warkworth. She said contracts had been awarded to Wharehine for paths in Point Wells Road, Ahuroa Road and Olympus Road, Wellsford and were being finalised for Albert Street, Leigh; Puhoi Road, Puhoi; Goodall Road, Snells Beach; and Rodney Street, Wellsford. Houlbrooke added that AT was hoping to award contracts before Christmas for a package of Kaipara Flats footpaths, in Kaipara Flats Road, School Road and Old Woodcocks Road.

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Stallworthy moves on

Officer in charge of the Warkworth Police Station Sgt Mark Stallworthy has moved to a new role on the North Shore. His last duty in Warkworth was providing a police presence at the 170th Anniversary parade on November 11. Sgt Stallworthy took up his duties in Warkworth just over five years ago. Senior Constable Hamish Buick will be in charge until a new station sergeant is appointed.

Photo competition

The organisers of Warkworth’s 170th Anniversary photo competition thanked everyone who entered.

Unfortunately, there was not a winner as no-one was able to correctly name all 10 photographs. The answers were: 1 Captain William Southgate, 2 Harry Bioletti, 3 Lucy Moore, 4 Rev. McKinney, 5 Tudor Collins, 6 Jack Keys, 7 Nathaniel Wilson, 9 Herbert Stubbs, 10 Anne Hartley.

Book winner Congratulations to Melanie Duplain, of Warkworth, who won a copy of Fishes of Aotearoa, by Leigh author Paul Caiger.

YouSay

We welcome your feedback but letters under 250 words are preferred. We reserve the right to abridge them as necessary. Unabridged versions can be read at www.localmatters.co.nz/opinion.

Letters can be sent to editor@localmatters.co.nz or 17 Neville Street, Warkworth 0910

Kawau support

My congratulations and support to Lloyd Lamberg et al for figuring out how to shave $4 million of ratepayers money off the cost of pest eradication on their island [Kawau]. Their counter-proposal is of particular interest in that it involves some self-reliance from the local population.

Perhaps it’s time council employees were rewarded for saving money, not wasting it.

They could start by consulting the locals before they propose expensive solutions.

Andrew Westaway, Orewa

Frittering away rates

In my letter in your September 25 issue, I drew attention to the money being spent on lavish cycleways costing more than roads, when our existing roads are in a disgraceful state of disrepair.

The Ministry of Transport household travel analysis of 2020 showed that the average Aucklander takes only 4% of travel trips by public transport and only 1% by cycle. The analysis shows that in response to the changing environment in Auckland (e.g living more remotely from the city centre), Aucklanders are travelling further within the same travel time by increasing their share of car travel at the expense of slower modes.

If Mayor Brown really wants AT to listen to the needs of Aucklanders, he should ask them to focus their attention on providing better, wider, safer roads to speed up travel times for both cars and public transport, and to cater for the parking needed at drivers’ destinations.

Spending four times what it costs to build roads on cycleways used for 1% of travel trips and narrowing roads to slow traffic and increase car travel times is hurting Auckland’s productivity, as well as frittering away rates monies pandering to the leisure time pursuits of Auckland’s ideologues.

The ministry report can be read here: https://www.transport.govt.nz/area-ofinterest/auckland/auckland-householdtravel-over-30-years Bill Foster, Leigh

Why do we accept this?

Geoff Upson’s viewpoint (MM Oct 10) was yet again eye opening as to how the ratepayers money is wasted, time and time again.

I wrote to him thanking him for voting against the council spending $600,000, yes $600,000, on a speed bump outside the college on Woodcocks Rd. There may be a need for a speed bump, that’s debatable. but how can anyone justify that expense if you can build a house for less?

Whoever is responsible for signing off

on such expenditure would not be doing it if it were their own money. Do we get companies to quote for this type of work or not? I suspect not.

It is simply handed out to the usual contractor, which at best shows council negligence and could be construed as criminal negligence.

How the costs are arrived at should be made public. If a speed bump is needed it should cost more like $200,000 and that is still excessive. Why do we the ratepayers put up with it? We should all write in to the councillors and complain, but sadly, apathy allows this stuff to occur.

Alan Sandrey, Point Wells

Seawall repetition

After attending the presentation at the Snells Beach Residents & Ratepayers meeting on another seawall by Auckland Council, on Monday .November 6, I will sum it up like this: Freud would call the Auckland Council action on the Snells Beach seawall the repetition compulsion: We feel driven to repeat mistakes from the past in the hope that, this time, the situation will work out differently. But it rarely does. To break free, you must identify the pattern.

The Snells Beach (third) same seawall will prove once again Freud’s statement to be true.

Chas Benest, Snells Beach

Te Pāti Māori ousts Labour in Te Tai Tokerau

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi

The final accounting in October’s general election saw Te Pāti Māori end Labour’s nine-year hold on Te Tai Tokerau, the Māori electorate that covers our readership area.

The counting of special votes saw Mariameno Kapa-Kingi of Te Pāti Māori oust Labour’s Kelvin Davis. Davis had an election night lead of 487 votes, but the final result flipped that, giving Kapa-Kingi victory by a 517-vote margin.

Although Davis was re-elected to Parliament on the Labour party list, he has stepped down as the party’s deputy leader, a post taken up by Carmel Sepuloni.

The Te Pāti Māori victory in Te Tai Tokerau was part of a countrywide trend that produced the party’s biggest caucus in Parliament – six MPs – since its launch in 2004.

Te Tai Tokerau covers the area from the top of the North Island to parts of north

and west Auckland, and includes all of the Kaipara ki Mahurangi and Whangaparāoa general electorates.

Final results gave Kapa-Kingi 10,428 votes to Davis’ 9911. The other candidates were Hūhana Lyndon of the Greens (4187 votes), Legalise Cannabis candidate Maki Herbert (1923 votes) and independent Paturiri Toautu (443 votes). Lyndon was elected to Parliament on the Greens party list.

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Back to work My greetings to you all, and for those of you who don’t yet know me, I’m a NZ First list Member of Parliament and have lived in Warkworth and Matakana for over two decades. with my daughter growing up here, alongside her cousins in our unique slice of Kiwi paradise. I’m an experienced second term MP with my party returning to Parliament following the general election, after being voted out three years ago. To return to Parliament is no mean feat. There was an extraordinary effort from party faithful to rebuild the party and undertake a grassroots campaign across the nation over the past two years.

My gratitude to all my local supporters and those in our wider region who voted for NZ First because you had a strong desire to change the direction of the country. I would like to acknowledge my fellow Kaipara ki Mahurangi candidates. who put themselves forward to represent their respective parties during the election campaign. Our local debates were generally respectful, well attended events and congrats to all the moderators who hosted local debates for enabling democracy at the grassroots to function well. Congratulations to Chris Penk in again being elected as the electorate MP. Politics is a contest of ideas, and the campaign trail can be a playground of robust and rowdy discussion. I was heartened to find mutual respect between the candidates and wish to thank them for that. After one busy Saturday night during the campaign that saw political hoardings smashed across the region, a bipartisan approach was taken to repair the damage.

Cheers to Zephyr Brown, from the Greens, for pitching in with his power tools to help restore order!

At the time of writing, we are deeply involved in coalition negotiations after the special votes were counted and the full effect of the vote was known on Friday.

November 3 – it was then we were able to proceed expeditiously. Winston Peters is leading our negotiations to secure meaningful policy gains in the formation of the coalition government.

NZ First campaigned on driving innovation in the funding of infrastructure that is based on timely delivery and building economic resilience into our communities. There is no doubt that infrastructure challenges bedevil many regions across the country and Mahurangi is growing quickly. The economic growth expected in our region will provide opportunity for local residents and business, and those outside the region will also bring value and money into our communities.

Coalition negotiations, in part, require a pivot from our unique party differences to party policy common ground that will enable a workable governing arrangement.

For example, in agriculture there’s a high level of alignment between the three parties to strip back unworkable regulations to get our primary sector pumping again. While this is a nationwide issue for our farmers, locally there will be benefits for our productive sector in cutting the red tape.

Over the next three years I look forward to working constructively with Mr Penk and advocating on your behalf to ensure the voice of Mahurangi is heard in Wellington.

First stop Wellsford for Santa and friends Santa’s starting early this year, with Wellsford one of his first stops for the town’s annual Santa Parade this Saturday, November 25.

The fun starts at 9am, when participants and spectators will start to gather at Wellsford Community Centre, where there will be a coffee cart, home baking, free face painting, a sausage sizzle, Mr Whippy, Christmas carols and more. The parade itself gets underway at 10.30am, when floats, vehicles and individuals will proceed down Matheson Road to Station Road and along to the old railway station, where they will turn around and retrace their steps back up the hill to the community centre for prizegiving and more fun.

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

7

Route protection proposals affect scores of properties The projected expansion of Warkworth will require future additions and upgrading to transport corridors around the town.

Auckland Council is considering Notices of Requirement (NoRs) lodged by Supporting Growth, a collaboration of Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi, aimed at protecting the land needed for eight transport projects. The proposals affect an estimated 19 full properties and parts of a further 217. Submissions were invited earlier this year, and public hearings are currently underway in Warkworth (see story p5). In the last four editions, Mahurangi Matters examined some of the issues raised with four of the NoRs. This report summarises the remaining four.

NoR5

Upgrading of a western section of Woodcocks Road, from Evelyn Street to the new Puhoi-Warkworth motorway (NoR2)

The proposal is to upgrade the road to an urban arterial, tying in with existing roads and widening existing intersections. The rural section of Woodcocks Road would be widened to a 24-metre, two-lane corridor with separated cycle and footpaths on both sides of the road.

Supporting Growth says its objectives include improving connectivity and safety, providing an efficient, resilient and reliable route, integrating with and supporting planned urban growth and the existing and future transport network.

Twenty-five properties on Woodcocks and Wyllie Roads are impacted by the designation. Supporting Growth is requesting a time lapse of 15 years, which means the designation expires only if it is not effected within 15 years of its inclusion in the Auckland Unitary Plan.

Several submissions responding to the NoR suggest an alternative route.

A joint submission from the Warkworth Area Liaison Group and One Mahurangi Business Association argues in favour of essentially a straight line extending from Woodcocks Road (roughly from where it curves northward Heights) E X Cnear L U S I VMason E

The map above shows the designated area for the proposed upgrading of Sandspit Road.

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The map to the left shows three separate route protection designations -- for the upgrading of a section of Woodcocks Road, the upgrading of a section of the Old SH1, and the northern end of an envisaged wider western link TH • TE W road.

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towards the motorway and a proposed future southern motorway interchange.

It says this more direct route would be 0.5 kilometres shorter to the proposed motorway interchange and industrial land. It would also avoid the need to upgrade the current one-way bridge to a more substantial structure, and allow for the possible development of a large Falls Reserve park. The one-way bridge could be retained and used for a walkway-cycleway to access the reserve and future park, the submission says.

The Ministry of Education is investigating a possible future school site at 100-138 Woodcocks Road. It says in its submission the proposed layout of NoR2 should be reconsidered since it “requires the acquisition of a significant portion of the ministry’s site”.

Upgrading of the southern portion of Old SH1, from The Grange to just south of Valerie Close, to an arterial corridor (NoR3)

The proposal entails the widening and upgrading of the road, including cycle lanes and footpaths, tying in with existing roads and intersections. Almost 80 properties are affected, including addresses on Old SH1, Campbell Drive, Fairwater Road, McKinney Road and Toovey Road. Supporting Growth seeks a time lapse of 15 years.

Submitters include owners of properties along Old SH1, zoned future urban, who say their future development plans will be hampered by their land’s inclusion in the designation.

Others are concerned about the potential impact of the proposed work on access to their properties from the road, or the designation’s close proximity to their homes.

Some submitters do not oppose the NoR but object to the lengthy time lapse, saying the upgrade needs to take place sooner, to provide safe and efficient transportation in the area.

Upgrading of Sandspit Road, from the Hill Street intersection to the eastern ruralurban boundary, with cycle lanes and

footpaths (NoR5)

The designation affects 29 properties, mostly addresses on Sandspit Road. A 25year time lapse would apply.

Again, submitters include landowners concerned about the effect the designations have on their properties, severing off portions, lowering their value, and impacting quality of life by reducing buffer distances.

The 25-year lapse period and the “blight” placed on the properties over that extended length of time also draws objections.

“We have been told that the timing of any decision to take the land will likely be some time in the next 20-30 years,” the owner of one affected property towards the western end of the route says in his submission.

“We have also been told that there is no realistic possibility of Auckland Transport purchasing the land until that decision is made. In the meantime, our property is unable to be developed and effectively unable to be sold. This is grossly unfair and will severely impact on the owner, both economically and psychologically.”

The northern portion of an envisaged wider western link road (NoR8)

The wider western link road (WWLR) is a proposed future ring road, beginning on the Old SH1 south of town near Valerie Close, and sweeping east and then north until joining Woodcocks Road near Wyllie Road, just east of the new motorway. It would also connect to a future southern interchange on the motorway.

NoR8 only deals with the northern part of this envisaged route, from Woodcocks Road down to the Mahurangi River.

Thirteen properties are affected, including addresses on Woodcocks Road, Wyllie Road, Valerie Close and Old SH1. A 20year lapse period would apply.

Supporting Growth says the southwestern area of Warkworth is the largest area of future urban zoned land in Warkworth, and a WWLR would provide direct access to this land and the associated residential, commercial and employment activity.

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www.localmatters.co.nz

November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

9

33kV sub transmission cable installation & Big Omaha Zone Substation.

All power to you and your community!

An update from Vector We know the severe weather in your area this year has been extremely challenging, and that your area is growing quickly. You may have questions about what Vector is doing to manage both of these dynamics. Our team has recently met with members of your community and we wanted to share the update with more of you.

•

Electric vehicle uptake in the Warkworth area is forecast and on track to grow more than 8 megawatts by 2032 – that’s about as much electricity needed to power 4,000 new homes!

•

Battery energy storage systems in Snells Beach and Warkworth South are being used to make sure power supply matches demand.

We’d like to assure you that our planning has anticipated additional demand on the electricity network, and we are well progressed to handle thousands of new connections.

We’re also working hard to mitigate the impact of severe weather causing outages. There are some inherent challenges with a rural network with one of the most significant being the impact of trees on our lines during windy weather. We have been asking for a change in regulations for years, to allow increased tree trimming to reduce the impact on our power supply.

•

A battery energy storage system was installed at Tapora to give customers in that area around 2-3 hours of electricity in the middle of a power outage.

•

A substation installed in Kaukapakapa in 2020 has helped to reduce the number of customers impacted when we experience faults of on our network.

Over the past five years we’ve invested more than $60m into the area, but as we face the challenges of decarbonisation and climate change the requirement for investment will continue. Here’s some of our activity:

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•

We’re in the final stages of laying a new underground cable, all the way from Wellsford to Warkworth, to boost capacity for the future, and increase reliability. This has been a huge project with $50 million invested over four years. Thanks for your patience with our crews, and the traffic management that’s required to complete the work safely.

•

We’ve built a new substation at Big Omaha so power supply is more evenly spread and fewer customers are attached to an individual line. This means, if an outage happens, not as many people will be affected as they have in the past.

| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

Vector’s role in the energy system is as your electricity distribution business – or lines company. The power goes from the generators to Transpower, then to us and we deliver the energy to your home or business.

“Huge amounts of careful planning and work has already been happening in your area to meet the changing demands of business and residential customers.

There’s a lot of exciting growth in your area, and with that means increased power demand. So, we’re making sure we’re always one step ahead.”

SIMON MACKENZIE, VECTOR GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

Christmas Appeal: Giving a sense of hope As Mahurangi Matters’ annual Christmas appeal picks up steam, partner agencies are calling on the community to throw its support behind the effort in response to significant needs this year.

Gifts and food items can be left under the Christmas tree at 17 Neville Street, between 8.30am and 5pm on weekdays until Monday, December 11. Women’s Centre Rodney, Homebuilders Family Services and Warkworth Christian Foodlink will then distribute them.

“Christmas is usually such an exciting time, but for many of our families who are already making difficult financial decisions and are feeling the added pressure of buying gifts, this year will be quite different,” says Women’s Centre manager Jo Nicholson.

“This is our opportunity to support our families to say yes. Yes, we can still have gifts and yes, we can celebrate Christmas this year – relieving the pressure and giving a sense of hope, which is often the best gift anyone can give at the end of a difficult year.

“Your contribution to our annual Christmas appeal helps ensure that each child wakes up with a special gift on Christmas Day – puts a smile on their face and helps their family to make their own precious memories.”

As was the case last year, families will receive a text from ‘Santa’s elf’ during the week of December 18, inviting them to come to the Women’s Centre to collect presents.

“It was a lovely buzz and the families loved actually selecting presents that suited their family,” Jo says. “And they wrote such beautiful notes of thanks.”

She says vouchers for local businesses are particularly good in the case of teenagers, when knowing what to buy can often be more difficult.

“We also love gift vouchers to local activities, as these are great for family outings, which often go on the back burner when money gets tight.

“Gifts need to be new, but they don’t need to be wrapped,” Homebuilders coordinator Quentin Jukes says. “It is great if parents can see what the gifts are, then they can choose something that will be right for

Warkworth Christian Foodlink request list: Biscuits Boxed chocolates Blocks of chocolate Candy canes Potato chips Christmas mince pies Coffee Tea Milo Biscuits & crackers 1.5 litre soft drinks Sparkling grape juice Raro sachets Juice Jelly Tinned fruit salad Mayonnaise Tomato sauce Onion soup mix Reduced cream Lollies

their child. Probably the group who are most at risk of missing out are teenagers, so any gifts suitable for this age group would be appreciated, too.”

Quentin says gift vouchers are a good idea, as parents themselves then get to buy a special gift for their child.

“We know how appreciative families are to have this support. You can imagine how it would be for a child on Christmas morning if they have a gift there for them, as opposed to a child having nothing.”

Warkworth Christian Foodlink, which is managed by the Mahu Vision Community Trust, hands out Christmas treat boxes, and has provided a list (above) of the items it includes in them. Gifts of these items would be appreciated.

Santa on his way to Mahurangi The centre of Warkworth will be filled with festive floats and fun next month, when the town’s annual Santa Parade takes to the streets on Sunday, December 3.

For the second year since the covid hiatus, the Christmas cavalcade will parade along its new route, starting from Baxter Street at 11am. Floats, vehicles and Santa himself will muster in Baxter Street, coming in via Percy Street, from around 9.30am, before the procession sets off along Queen Street. It will then turn into the Paper Plus carpark, go behind Bayleys, back along Queen Street, down Kapanui Street to the wharf and round the block again, before prizegiving at the wharf.

There will be prizes in four float categories – education, community and social groups, business and people’s choice – as well as spot prizes. The parade will be led

by Town Crier Dave Parker in his sports car, followed by a pipe band and police and fire vehicles.

Parade organiser Murray Chapman says the new route proved successful last year and was easier on participants and spectators, as it is more level and concentrates the action in the main street.

For anyone who can’t make the parade itself, Santa and Mrs Claus have graciously agreed to pay a couple more visits, to Warkworth and Snells Beach, to distribute some more festive cheer and perhaps the odd lolly or two.

On Monday, December 4, Santa’s sleigh will tour the streets of Warkworth, starting at 5.30pm from Mill Lane, before heading through town and back past New World, up through the streets to Pulham Road, then on to Woodcocks Road, over the river at Mansel Drive, down Hill Street, round the town via Queen and Neville Streets, and back to Mill Lane to end.

Then on Wednesday, December 6, Santa will be in Snells Beach, starting at the bottom of Kokihi Lane, before going along Mahurangi East Road, dipping into the residential streets on the east side along as far as Algies Bay, then over the west side to Dawson Road, before ending at the former Warehouse carpark.

Anyone keen to enter a float, walk or volunteer in the Santa parade on December 3 should email admin@onemanhurangi.co.nz Info: https://onemahurangi.co.nz/santaparade-2023/

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

11

Think 70 is the new 50 Just because your hair might be grey, doesn’t mean your life needs to be.

Today’s 70-year olds are the healthiest, strongest, and most mentally agile history has ever known. So Summerset Retirement Villages are designed for the active lifestyles of the youngest “oldies” there’s ever been. Join us at our upcoming Open Day at Summerset Falls and take a look for yourself.

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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Museum calls for digitisation volunteers Traffic calming A project that promises to help preserve hundreds of precious archival documents will start at the Warkworth Museum in February.

It is a collaborative project with Auckland’s Maritime Museum funded largely by NZ Lottery Commission and Pub Charity, and will initially involve the digitisation of material such as minute books, letters, certificates, maps and plans.

Museum manager Victoria Joule is thrilled Warkworth has been chosen as the first museum in Auckland to participate.

“We hold a range of archival primary material which relates to the people and development of our district,” Joule says.

“An increasing number of researchers and members of the public want access to this material and while visitors can view them at the museum, we are conscious that we are putting these unique treasures at risk of quicker degradation through handling them and exposing them to light.

“By creating digital images of the material, we can better preserve the originals while still providing access to the public. We’ve known this for some time, but lacked the funding, skills, knowledge and people to actually do it.

“So, we are very excited to be able to work with the Maritime Museum on the creation of a digi-hub which, through collaboration, is aimed at helping museums like Warkworth meet their digital goals. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

Maritime Museum representatives will be at the Warkworth Museum on December 6 to talk about the project and answer any questions from potential volunteers.

Project manager Heidi Schlumpf says the museum hopes to eventually involve all of Auckland’s 75 small to medium-sized heritage organisations in the digi-hub.

“We chose to start with Warkworth because its collection management system is very well set up and Warkworth has a strong maritime link, both through its shipbuilding heritage and the river,” Schlumpf says.

The digital images in Warkworth Museum’s

Heritage project volunteers needed

Warkworth Museum is looking for people to become involved in this project and hopes to create a couple of teams, which will consist of a photographer/digitiser and a cataloguer. The digitiser will conduct basic, bulk digital capture and the cataloguer will create and prepare the data/records to be matched to the digital images. There is also opportunity for new volunteers to help create administrative histories for the records to provide more context.

The Maritime Museum will provide full training and support, with the goal of building a volunteer digitisation team in Warkworth, applying best practice digitisation techniques.

This is a great opportunity for people in the community to become involved in a local heritage project and learn new skills. For more information, contact Victoria Joule at the

museum on 425 7093.

graphing Katherine Meeten photo ry. dia en ritt d-w a han The maritime Museum’s Digi Hub team, from left, photographer Katherine Meeten, digitisation and photography manager Andrew Hales and project manager Heidi Schlumpf.

collection will not be available online at this stage, but it will be a seamless step to make this happen once the museum has the resources available to do so.

The museum needs to raise $30,000 to buy the necessary equipment for the digi hub

project, and is more than halfway towards this target, following receipt of a $20,000 Pub Charity grant.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the project, visit: https://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/ behind-the-scenes-digitisation

package approved

Rodney Local Board has approved several new traffic calming and road safety projects to be funded from its reduced Transport Capital Fund, which was cut back as part of widespread Auckland Council budget cuts earlier this year.

Members had been told they could expect to receive $2,658,000 from Auckland Transport (AT) back in June, but that has since been cut by nearly $300,000 to $2,366,309 for the three-year term.

“The reduction in budget reflects the pressures on AT and our funding partners following the devastating floods of early 2023 and the roading repair bill, the reduction in AT’s overall budget as required

by Auckland Council, plus inflation and the rising cost of doing business,” AT said in a report to the board last month.

Members voted to allocate the money to seven separate projects, three of which are in north Rodney – the painting of a “red carpet” on the road going in to Puhoi ($11,835), the installation of speed threshold measures on Matakana Valley Road ($210,000) and $177,163 towards the construction of a pedestrian refuge on Mahurangi East Road, near Governor Grey Road, in Snells Beach.

The remaining budget went to projects in Huapai, Taupaki, Coatesville and Helensville.

A further $625,645 was allocated to complete and pay for projects already started or completed, including the new pedestrian crossing in Mansel Drive, Warkworth ($250,000), a new crossing outside Warkworth Primary School in Hill Street ($300,000) and traffic calming measures going into Point Wells Village ($67,311).

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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Rethinking how rivers run Freshwater advocate Tom Kay will talk about how river management has worsened the impacts of flooding and degraded the health of many NZ rivers when he addresses a meeting in Matakana on December 4.

The meeting is being hosted by Friends of Awa Matakanakana (FOAM) and Forest & Bird Warkworth Area, who have invited Kay to discuss the impacts of flood protection engineering on rivers and communities.

“Many of our stopbanks and other flood mitigation infrastructure needs expensive improvements to cope with this increased risk to communities,” Kay says.

“Ironically, the way these defences are currently constructed can actually increase the risk of flooding during large rainfall events.”

Landowners and residents in Matakana, Warkworth and greater Mahurangi community are invited to attend and share their experiences and thoughts about Awa Matakanakana and other rivers with Kay. “Working with nature to avoid disasters, and making room for rivers and other nature-based solutions can help us out of the problems we’ve engineered,” Kay says.

“Recent extreme weather, including Cyclone Gabrielle, has highlighted the vulnerability of our communities to flooding and brought into question our approach to river management and flood protection.”

Kay will discuss how this is made worse by the loss of wetlands and forests, and outline a new way of thinking about building resilience to climate change.

The meeting will be held in the Matakana Hall on Monday, December 4, starting at 7pm. The event is free but attendees are asked to reserve a seat at Making Room for Rivers at https://www.eventfinda.co.nz

Forest & Bird’s freshwater advocate Tom Kay, in front of the collasped Redclyffe Bridge near Hastings, will discuss approaches to river management and flood protection at a free community event in Matakana next month.

Wellsford fire 4WD vehicle fundraiser supported A Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade appeal got a welcome shot in the arm when the Brandt Group Thanks a Billion programme handed over a cheque for $10,000 this month.

The brigade is fundraising to buy a 4x4 operational support vehicle.

Volunteer Lyndon Baird said the brigade was hugely grateful to Brandt NZ. “It’s support like this that goes a long way to helping us serve the community and we are humbled to be chosen as a recipient of the Thanks A Billion programme,” he said.

The brigade has been fundraising for about four years to replace its van with a 4x4 vehicle that will make it easier for them to access isolated places such as farms, beaches and forestry. The new vehicle will have better locker space to carry essential equipment and will be able to be driven on a class 1 licence for medical callouts.

The estimated cost to buy and equip the new vehicle is around $120,000 and the brigade is about halfway there.

It has been a particularly busy year for

The Brandt Group, through its North Island John Deere dealership, has come in behind the Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade.

the volunteers, with 328 callouts already this year, compared to 274 for the full 12 months last year. The callouts were mostly for motor vehicle accidents, medical callouts and fires.

“The Wellsford Brigade assists in a range of rescue responses in a large area, from the west coast to the east coast, through to

Warkworth and up to Kaiwaka.”

It currently has 32 volunteers, but is always keen to recruit new members.

Training is held at the station on Rodney Street, on Tuesday nights, starting from 7.15pm. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to attend and see if it’s something they would like to be part of.

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

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Local board adopts Rodney Local Board Plan 2023 A focus on people and transport are strong features of the Rodney Local Board Plan 2023.

The three-year plan was adopted at a recent business meeting and chair Brent Bailey says the plan considers Rodney’s growing population and strong sense of community.

“In spite of the growth in our area, and our population predicted to more than double over the next 30 years, we still look out for and support each other.

“We’ve been severely impacted by extreme weather events, and we need to work together as a community for a way forward.

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“Our plan focuses on our local community, from disaster preparedness and recovery to supporting local procurement and building resilience within our communities.”

Another focus of the plan is Rodney’ transport networks. It can be difficult for the local board to secure adequate funding for road maintenance and public transport because of the sheer size of its geographical area and the small population.

“Solutions that are sensible for urban areas, don’t always fit rural ones.

Gravel footpaths and rural bus stops are a good example of this, which is why we are asking that Auckland Transport adopt the Rural Roads Design Guide,” Bailey says.

The local board will continue to advocate for funding to develop fit-for-purpose rural roads which includes investing $124 million towards Auckland Transport’s Unsealed Roads Improvement Programme.

“We want to see more funding ringfenced for roads so that at least 8 per cent of Auckland’s roads can be maintained and renewed annually,” Bailey says.

Rodney Local Board Plan 2023 will be used as the basis for the board’s work programmes and annual budgets

The local board will advocate to Auckland Transport to improve and expand bus services in new developments.

The plan also focuses on the local board’s transport targeted rate which will be used to investigate additional public transport options to meet community’s needs and includes: • Delivering safety projects for pedestrians and cyclists appropriate to the rural and semi-rural context • Investigating further provision and uptake of public transport to reduce congestion • Investigating the available options to deliver improved roading surfaces.

Bailey says people and transport are just two of the priorities in the plan which is a significant milestone that will be used as the basis for the board’s work programmes and annual budgets.

The final plan is available on the council website at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Rodney Local Board members. First row: Michelle Carmichael, Mark Dennis, Geoff Upson, Louise Johnston (Deputy Chair). Second row: Tim Holdgate, Colin Smith, Brent Bailey (Chair), Ivan Wagstaff and Guy Wishart.

More opportunities to engage Rodney Local Board holds monthly business meetings and open workshops alternating between Warkworth and Kumeū to enable more people to attend in-person.

Meetings are conducted once a month and workshops are usually weekly, on a Wednesday and normally between 10am-3pm.

The next meeting takes place on 29 November at the local board office, 3 Elizabeth Street, Warkworth. While the final meeting of the year is on 13 December at Kumeū Meeting Room, Kumeū Library, 296 Main Road, Kumeū.

The public input section is typically conducted at the start of the business meeting with each person allocated a few minutes to present.

You need to book in advance, so email the local board at rodneylocalboard@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

The Rodney Local Board office is in Warkworth.

People can attend meetings and workshops online and for the MS Teams link, they should also email the local board.

Future meetings can be found on the council website at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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The locked box was forced open.

Heartless thieves steal heart device Mangawhai Community Park, an option under council consideration for a future community hub. Photo, Andy Bruce

Mangawhai community hub back on track Council was required to demonstrate it had iwi backing, but ahead of its monthly meeting on October 25, iwi representatives from the west coast withheld support. They cited concerns about broader disputes with council relating to the termination of karakia to open meetings, the use of te reo Māori in council documents, and what they saw as the need for genuine engagement.

At the council meeting Deputy Mayor Jonathan Larsen then proposed proceeding with work on the Dargaville community hub, but reallocating the funding intended for the Mangawhai hub to other projects, in Kaiwaka and Mangawhai. His motion passed, but after the meeting Te Uri o Hau did not support the proposal, seeking more time for community engagement.

In the absence of iwi support, council announced it was returning to the original plan for the $4.04 million: for Mangawhai, where land will need to be bought for the envisaged hub, $3.02 million was earmarked for the purchase of land and designing of a hub. For Dargaville, where council already owns land for a hub, the remaining $1.02 million was allocated for design and preparatory work.

Mayor Craig Jepson said that although

Kaipara District Council will proceed with its predecessor’s plans for community hubs in Mangawhai and Dargaville, after its attempts to reallocate government funding to more immediate projects did not win iwi support.

The decision to build community hubs in the two centres was originally taken by the previous council, deploying funds from the government’s Better Off Funding, a package linked to the Three Waters (later renamed Affordable Waters) reform process.

The former council proposed to use $4.04 million provided in tranche 1 of the package for design and preparation work for the community hubs, and then to use an anticipated $12 million in tranche 2 funding to build them.

However, the Labour government cancelled tranche 2 funding before the election, while allowing councils to revise their plans for tranche 1 funding.

Seeking to reallocate the $4.04 million, council then compiled a list of alternative “immediate projects to benefit the community”, including work on the Dargaville Town Hall, Mangawhai shared pathway, and footpath projects in Pro po Maungaturoto and Kaiwaka. sed Str u

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it was disappointing not to receive iwi support for the reallocation, the funds would still be used to benefit Kaipara communities.

“While the new council would have preferred the funding to be used on projects that could be funded now, we know the community hubs have been long desired by the community,” he said. “This will allow us to get them shovel-ready and prepared for any possible future funding opportunities.”

Council said in a statement that each community hub could include a library, digital facilities, meeting rooms and a multi-purpose space for activities and events.

Council spokesperson Hayley Worthington said the land in Dargaville currently earmarked for a hub was in the council precinct, between the town hall and the RSA. In Mangawhai, a suitable location has not yet been identified, although one option under consideration is at the 34-hectare Mangawhai Community Park on Molesworth Drive.

“We will be consulting with the Mangawhai community around preferred locations,” she said.

Less than three months after a group of Mahurangi West residents bought a defibrillator for their community and visiting boaties, the life-saving device has been stolen.

Sometime on November 6, callous thieves jemmied open the locked case and took the device that was installed at the top of the Jamieson Bay boat ramp, at the end of Jamieson Road. Residents who had clubbed together to buy the $4200 defibrillator were gutted to find it had gone.

“How low can some thieves go?” one asked.

“What can you get for it – surely you can’t sell it on?”

The residents had paid for the device from a community fund.

“We thought let’s invest in a defibrillator – with all the boaties in the harbour, we’ve had a couple of incidents before where one was needed, and the nearest one is up at Mahurangi West Hall.

“I only hope nobody passes away because we don’t have the defibrillator any more.”

Warkworth Police Senior Constable Hamish Buick said the theft was “mindless”.

“It’s a very unusual offence,” he said. “I don’t know that there’s a ready market for secondhand emergency medical devices.

It’s only really useful to people in an emergency or maybe someone with a chronic heart condition.”

Jamieson Bay residents said they would now be considering whether to have a collection towards buying a replacement device.

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We would like your feedback on a proposed zoning change at Wellsford North West.

10am - 1pm, Saturday 9 December at Wellsford Community Centre

-For Consultation-

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Ellper Holdings Limited owns a large portion of land (approximately 87 hectares) between Worker Road and School Road in Wellsford – the land was previously known as the ‘Buckton Farm’. Ellper Holdings Limited intends to develop the land for residential purposes and is in the process of preparing a private plan change request to 03 Work In Progress rezone the land to enable this development.

The land is currently zoned Residential – Single House, Future Urban and Rural – Countryside Living.

Ellper Logo Small Holdings Limited is proposing to seek a Residential – Single House zoning and Residential – Large Lot zoning for the Plan Change Area. The Residential – Single House zone is proposed to cover approximately 28 hectares of the land and provide approximately 270 residential lots. The Residential Wo – Large Lot zoning is proposed to cover approximately 59 rk In hectares of the land and provide approximately 130 lots with an ProP L A N N I N G gre site size of 2,500m2. average s0s3 Ellper Holdings Limited considers there are significant benefits from urban development of the land. These benefits include:

Diana Bell - Manager | Planner Logo Horizontal www.localmatters.co.nz

• Efficient use of land in close proximity to Wellsford town centre and amenities • The ability to provide a high quality residential housing development • Provision of affordable housing and housing choice • Additional residential opportunities in a growing town • Identification of Significant Ecological Areas and protection and enhancement of ecological values • Provision for high quality connections, including walking and cycling connections, from the area to Wellsford Town Centre • Provision of a high quality green corridor through the centre of the site • Potential small neighbourhood centre zone.

The Auckland Unitary Plan allows for “precincts” to applied to an area within a zone to provide for local differences. Ellper Holdings Limited is proposing that a Precinct be applied to the Plan Change Area to enable the benefits outlined above.

diana@thepc.co.nz | +64 21 382 000 | www.thepc.co.nz November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

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Annual appeal for gifts to help Storybook event a walk in the park women and children open The annual Hestia Women’s Refuge Christmas gift drive for women and children affected by domestic abuse is again accepting new and unwrapped presents at a number of venues in Rodney and on the Hibiscus Coast.

Organisers say they understand that more families than ever are feeling the financial pinch this year, so people’s generosity is appreciated more than ever, not least since demand for the refuge’s support services continues to increase.

“In the last five years, Aotearoa has seen a steady uptick in family violence occurrences, with police recording more than 175,000 events last year, compared to 132,000 in 2018,” a spokesperson said. “On average, police receive 22 reports of family harm an hour.”

That harm is not confined to physical violence, but can also include verbal, emotional, sexual, psychological and financial control or abuse.

Hestia is looking for new, unwrapped gifts for all ages, from babies up to teenagers, as well as for mums, with cash and giftcards particularly welcome, as they allow families to choose what they would like – see panel for gift ideas.

Gifts are being accepted until Friday, December 15 at: • Westpac Warkworth • Ravish, Matakana • Neighbourhood Recycle, Matakana • Leigh Eats • Whangaparaoa Family Pharmacy, Stanmore Bay • Hestia’s Kowhai Tree op shop, Silverdale Info: Contact Claudia on 021 660362. To donate cash, visit https://givealittle.co.nz/ org/hestia For help and support, call 0800 321361 or visit https://hestiawomensrefuge.co.nz

Gift ideas

0-2 years

Clothes, plush toys, teething toys 2-5 years

Books, dress-up costumes, dinosaurs, dolls, Lego, wooden blocks, chalk, puzzles, play dough, toy cars 5-10 years

Action figures, arts and crafts, balls, colouring books, Lego, plush toys, trucks and cars, and crayons, paints and felt tip pens Teenagers

Body spray/wash, sports items, colouring books, pens and paints, Lego, skateboards, scooters, earbuds, nail polish, Bluetooth speakers, beach towels Mums

Slippers, body wash, candles, perfume, nail polish, aromatherapy oils, diffusers, weighted blankets, adult colouring books and pens Gift cards

The Warehouse, Noel Leeming, Kmart, Prezzy Card Also, wrapping paper and sticky tape are always welcome.

There’s a chance to enjoy a scenic stroll and be entertained as you go this coming Sunday, November 26, when a special Storyboard Walk will be held in Warkworth’s Lucy Moore Park.

The family friendly event is being organised

by Warkworth Library and Warkworth Lions Club as part of Lap the Map for Diabetes 2023, a national Lions’ initiative where walks and community events are being organised to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness of diabetes.

The Storyboard Walk will start at the library, where participants can read the first page of a storybook and follow directions to get to the second and subsequent pages that will be placed all around the park.

Warkworth Lions will also be running a sausage sizzle during the event, which runs from 10am to 12 noon.

In brief Have a heart

The Heart Foundation is looking for volunteer collectors for its annual street appeal, which will be held next February. A spokesperson says volunteering is a fun and easy way to make a difference, and all proceeds go towards funding vital lifesaving heart research. Heart disease is New Zealand’s single biggest killer, claiming the lives of more than 6500 New Zealanders every year. The appeal will be held on February 23 and 24. To volunteer, email bigheartappeal@heartfoundation.org.nz or call 0800 BIG HEART (0800 244 432).

Christmas pud fundraiser

Warkworth Rotary is making a big effort to raise money for the charities it supports by selling Rotary Christmas puddings. The club has set itself a target of $1000. Member Brian Tuck says the puddings are 700g and of high quality. “They make a great finish to a meal at any time of the year served with custard or cream,” he says. “They also make an excellent gift.” Price is $25. To order, email Brian at briant9910@xtra.co.nz or phone 021 102 1052

Veteran health Please do not donate items that represent any kind of violence, like guns, swords, knives and other weapons, or ‘trigger toys’, such as police cars with flashing lights.

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The Warkworth RSA will host a one-on-one clinic with RNZ RSA Support Service personnel on December 8, from 9.30am to 3pm. Veterans are invited to attend this free clinic to discuss any health issues.

Visit us on Facebook for daily notices at www.facebook.com/Mahurangimatters/

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A Lions club spokesperson says the walk will be a fun way to do something healthy, which is increasingly important.

“It doesn’t matter how far you walk or run, it’s about being involved, getting active and moving together,” they say.

“Diabetes New Zealand tells us New Zealand has a serious and growing type 2 diabetes problem. It is predicted that within the next 20 years, the number of people with type 2 diabetes will increase by 70 to 90 per cent.

“Allowing this to occur will have a hugely detrimental impact on the wellbeing of our people, but also on the sustainability of our health system and economy.”

Getting and staying active is one of the best things individuals and families can do to prevent or manage diabetes.

| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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Mangawhai

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Matakana

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Maungaturoto

138 Hurndall Street 09 431 8576 Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Paparoa

1978 Paparoa Valley Road 09 431 7222 Open 8am-5pm, Tuesday & Thursday

Snells Beach

145 Mahurangi East Road 09 425 6666 Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Waipu

11/7 Nova Scotia Drive 09 432 1190 Open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Warkworth

77 Morrison Drive 09 425 8585 Open 8am-8pm, Daily

Wellsford

220 Rodney Street (Cnr. SH1 & Matheson Rd) 09 423 8086 Open 8am-8pm, Daily

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It is home to its biggest tenant, Beyond Radiology, and is set to become a hub for a wide range of specialist radiology and medical services.

The facility is the brainchild of radiologist Dr Phil Clark, and is the third Beyond Radiology clinic – the others are in Auckland and Christchurch.

Phil’s vision was for a NZ-owned, clinician-led, five-star centre with the latest medical imaging technology, welcoming and accessible to all. Seeing it open recently was the fulfilment of six years of hard work and substantial investment.

Having lived in Gulf Harbour, and with family still in the area, Phil says it was important to him to bring these top quality services to the Hibiscus Coast.

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He is passionate about radiology’s role in healthcare, and says quality people, equipment and service is key. Beyond Radiology includes MRI with Artificial Intelligence built-in, showing a level of detail that Phil describes as “a gamechanger”. They also have the only CT scanner on the Hibiscus Coast. There is a dedicated breast imaging service including mammography, MRI breast scans and biopsies, image guided injections, Ultrasound scanning and X-Ray. The northern specialist centre includes medical specialists who work closely with the Beyond Radiology team, including orthopaedic surgeons, an ear nose & throat surgeon, musculoskeletal specialist and cardiologists, with more to come.

Phil says the service includes supporting Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ, by performing public hospital outsourced scans, allowing patients to have their imaging done locally.

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

19

Principal farewells Warkworth Primary When Cynthia Holden closes her office door at Warkworth Primary School for the last time on December 20, she will leave behind quite a different school than the one she started at in 2011.

During her 13-year tenure as principal, Holden has overseen a multi-million dollar redevelopment of both the junior and senior campuses, and the introduction of shared learning spaces.

“My passion has always been for teaching and learning – working with students, teachers and parents – but when I arrived and saw the state of the school buildings, I felt there was no option but to make a case to the Ministry [of Education] for better classrooms and facilities,” she says. “What we had was old, damp and mouldy.”

And so began years of negotiations and consultations until finally, construction on the junior campus started in 2015. This was followed in 2018 with the demolition of 10 classrooms on the senior campus, which were replaced with 14 new classrooms, along with renewed administration, library and resource spaces.

Holden says that while negotiations with the ministry led to some better outcomes in the design of the new spaces, the ministry wouldn’t budge on the issue of the split school.

“We wanted one campus, but that wasn’t an option they were prepared to compromise on.”

There is now capacity at the school for a roll of 1000, almost double what it was at the start of this year (585).

Holden paid tribute to the Board of Trustees (BOT) who supported the redevelopment plans, particularly Chris Murphy, who was the board chair during early negotiations.

She says one of the most satisfying remarks she heard at the time was from a former pupil who had been horrified that the old school was being demolished.

“When construction finished, they came to me and said how much they loved the school and how pretty it looked. It was

heartening to feel that we had moved the community with us through the transformation to a place where they could see the benefits.”

The introduction of shared learning spaces was also controversial and a few teachers even resigned rather than adapt to the new learning arrangements.

“I’d already taught in open plan classrooms so, in my head, I was very clear about the benefits, both for pupils and teachers. I bought in external experts in this field to talk about the research and the benefits of a collaborative approach.

“Shared learning spaces [where up to 100 children can be in an open plan classroom with four teachers] are much more conducive to teaching the skills needed in the ‘knowledge age’, such as communication, creative thinking and complex problem solving.”

Holden says one of the challenges principals and staff currently face is the lack of resources to cope with the growing number of learners with additional needs.

“That’s why the school has invested in learning assistance to support teachers, so they can focus on teaching.”

But Holden admits that what they are receiving from the ministry to provide care and support for children with deregulated behaviour is “a drop in the bucket”.

“All the schools between Albany and Wellsford shared an educational psychologist who worked one half-day a week, so you can imagine what the backlog was. But when that psychologist resigned, we were left without anyone for about a year. One of our students was on a waiting list for 18 months.”

The situation has improved temporarily with a one-off grant from the ministry, secured in July, which will fund a psychologist for five days. The Board of Trustees has agreed to fund a further three days, giving the school a total of eight days of counselling before the money runs out.

Holden believes the factors contributing to the increasing number of children with

Retiring principal Cynthia Holden.

challenging behaviours are many and varied. She says that anything that causes anxiety for the parents will transmit to the children, particularly relationship and financial issues.

“Split families and reconstituted families can pull children in multiple directions, and social media can give parents an unrealistic idea of what their lives should be like.

“Layer the impact of covid on top of all this and there are a lot of reasons why a lot of children are finding it difficult to settle, focus and learn in the classroom.”

Running a primary school the size of Warkworth is not for the faint-hearted with Holden regularly working 50 to 55 hours a week. She believes the time is now right to step aside and devote more time to

her own family, and a recently found love for the game of golf.

“Both my sons are in Australia, and I have four grandchildren in Perth. I’m looking forward to having more flexibility around when I can visit and how long I can stay.”

She adds that her golf handicap is 23.4 – and she would love to get it under 20.

“I feel I am leaving the school in a good place with a very capable team.

“The staff are incredibly dedicated and caring, and work hard to get the best learning outcomes for every child and acknowledge every child’s individual talent.

They make me very proud.”

Holden’s replacement is expected to be announced this week.

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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The Forest Bridge Trust Nikki Morgan, Marketing and Comms

RODNEY SURGICAL

www.theforestbridgetrust.org.nz

Local kiwi expansion The Forest Bridge Trust’s ecologist Dr Virginia Moreno has announced some encouraging results from her team’s winter kiwi monitoring efforts. She says there is clear evidence that kiwi populations are expanding at Mataia and Tāwharanui.

Both translocated populations have steadily grown in recent years, reaching high densities.

Although Tāwharanui’s predator-proof fence extends to the low-tide zone, there are always times when coastal access is possible.

It’s a vulnerability which can be exploited by pests, such as rats and mustelids (stoats, weasels and ferrets) entering the sanctuary, but also kiwi which are exploring the perimeter of the sanctuary.

In anticipation of kiwi dispersal beyond the park, The Forest Bridge Trust has intensified mustelid control in the buffer zone surrounding Tāwharanui and has encouraged local dog owners to participate in dog training for kiwi aversion. There have been several records of kiwi in the buffer zone and we wanted to investigate how many kiwi are living outside the park and how well they are doing. The results exceeded our expectations.

During the official monitoring season, 487 kiwi calls were detected at eight of the 12 acoustic recorders deployed up to six kilometres beyond the predator-proof fence. Several male-female duet calls were recorded, indicating active breeding of at least four pairs. One site had a relatively high call rate of 4.2 calls per hour, very close

MODERN•PROFESSIONAL•LOCAL

to the five calls per hour typical of highdensity kiwi populations. Additionally, the average call rate at three sites monitored since 2021 has tripled in just two years.

These results provide clear evidence that several kiwi pairs are living and breeding in the buffer zone, and we can expect this population to continue growing and expanding. With these promising results, residents in the Takatu Peninsula can anticipate seeing and hearing more kiwi in the coming years.

On the west coast, the news is just as encouraging. Monitoring of the buffer zone at Mataia has provided exciting indications of kiwi expansion. Acoustic recorders have picked up numerous calls at a site located east of SH16, revealing the growing presence of kiwi. Most astonishingly, a kiwi was detected by one of our monitoring trail cameras at a site in Makarau, nearly seven kilometres from Mataia.

With kiwi now extending their territories on both coasts and the mustelid-controlled bridge well underway, the dream of connecting the eastern and western kiwi populations is drawing closer to reality.

However, it is crucial to stress the need for ongoing trapping and dog control, even in areas where kiwi sightings have not been recorded. Juvenile kiwi are known to be intrepid wanderers, often covering several kilometres before settling down, and it is anticipated that several of them will be looking for new homes in the coming year.

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Get to the beach!

Can you feel it coming? Those baking hot days, blue skies and the smell of summer?

A fantastic way to spend fun, memorable times with the children, without breaking the bank, is to get to the beach. If you have a car, it’s cheap. If you take some drinks and food from home, it’s cheaper still.

Like many people, I have beautiful, dreamy memories of being at the beach when I was young. The first faint memories of being a toddler, my parent’s hands under my arms, lifting me over the endless shimmering waves as they break and surge up the beach. Of sitting in the shallow, sun-baked pools of water in the late afternoon once the tide has rolled out. Laying back in my own beach hot pool, staring up at the blue skies and the occasional seagull wheeling overhead. The afternoon feeling like it would last forever.

Sandcastles covered in shells, seaweed and driftwood. The tide rushing in and nibbling the family’s creation away bit by bit. To my child’s eyes, those sandcastles were massive, ornate dreamscapes. Looking back now, they were probably knee high and not that flash. But that’s one of the joys of being a child, the ability to imagine, make up stories and play.

The options are endless – trying to bury a still living sibling alive, their disembodied head poking out from beneath a mound of damp sand; dig a hole deep enough to see out the other side of the world; or get wet and roll in the dry sand to become a sand monster.

When I got older, there was the fun of swimming, floating and diving under waves, rolling around like a seal. Inevitably, getting slammed by a “big one” and having water shot up my nose and blasted into my ears. Throwing frisbees and kicking balls, rolling down sand dunes. Lying on your belly among the marram grass watching the tiny micro-life of little sand hoppers and spider things. Staring down at all that sand, trying to comprehend how many grains there are on just this beach.

When it comes to Christmas gifts, perhaps avoid the gifts that need batteries and give a big yes to buckets, balls, boogie boards, sun hats, sunscreen and beach towels. But most of all, make time to play and connect with each other and connect with this amazing planet we live on.

A few words of caution: Water is serious stuff. Watch the children with an eagle eye, swim between the flags and slip, slop, slap.

Campsite spaces still available As the Department of Conservation prepares to host some 60,000 campers over the summer, at more than 300 campsites across New Zealand, space is still available at a number of sites on Hauraki Gulf islands.

On Aotea/Great Barrier Island, as of late last week, campsites at Akapoua Bay, Awana Beach, The Green, Whangapoua, Harataonga, and Medlands Beach all had space available for bookings over Christmas and New Year.

Christmas/New Year sites are also available on Motatapu and Motuihe, both pest-free islands.

On Motuora Island, which is also pest-free, the campsite is full from December 25 to the end of the first week of January.

DOC reminds visitors who are heading to pest-free islands to check vessel and gear for pests before leaving the mainland.

DOC heritage and visitors director Cat Wilson says staff have worked hard to address the aftermath of last summer’s cyclone, which impacted some North Island campsites.

Efforts included repairing water infrastructure, rebuilding roads within the campsites, fixing bridges and culverts, repairing toilets and clearing debris and fallen trees.

The main impact visitors will experience as a result of last summer’s turbulent weather is reduced capacity at several campsites – Port Jackson, Fletcher Bay and Fantail Bay in the Coromandel and Uretiti Beach in Waipu.

“DOC’s campsites have long been a fixture of summer holidays for many Kiwis,” Wilson says. “Although a number are booked out over the busy two-week period, some still have space – and many do if you look to book in off-peak times.”

Bookings: https://bookings.doc.govt.nz/Web/

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400 homes planned for Wellsford

sting Structure Plan (nts)

Proposed Structure Plan (nts)

Another major new subdivision is being proposed for Wellsford, this time for 400 homes on the former Buckton Farm between Worker Road and School Road.

Auckland developer Ellper Holdings has bought the 87-hectare block and is planning to apply for a private plan change to rezone the land from rural countryside living, residential single house and future urban to purely residential, split between large lots and single houses.

The 130 large lots of around 2500 square metres would cover 59 hectares at the northern end of the land, while 270 single house plots would fill the remaining 28 hectares to the south.

The proposals also include a new church to the west of Watson Place, almost opposite Wellsford Cemetery, and a potential neighbourhood centre in the heart of the single house zone.

Road access would mainly be via three points off Worker Road, with another new road going in just past the former Wellsford primary school site. There would also be a reserve and cycleway running through the centre of the subdivision.

Ellper Holdings says there would be significant benefits to developing the land, among them the provision of housing choice in the growing town, including affordable housing; identification of Significant Ecological Areas and their protection and enhancement; and efficient use of land in close proximity to Wellsford town centre and quality connections between there and the subdivision.

Details of the Wellsford North West proposal will be provided at a public meeting at the town’s community centre on Saturday, December 9 between 10am and 1pm.

Ellper Holdings has one director, Neville Simmons, of Auckland.

Proposed Structure Plan extends to the corner of Worker- and Wellsford Valley Road

Fresh tree

fundraisers ready to go

Wellsford North Structure Plan

Lovers of real pine Christmas trees should be dusting off their decorations, as this year’s crop is due to go on sale from December 1.

Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade will again be selling trees in a range of sizes until December 16, or until the trees are sold out. They will be stocked and displayed behind the fire station on Church Hill from 9am to 6pm daily. Prices range from around $40 upwards and anyone wanting large trees should book in advance, as numbers are limited.

The brigade will also be wrapping trees for $5 to make transport easier and, new for this year, they will also have Rotary Christmas puddings for sale at $25 each.

This image shows the plan change we are proposed (north Funds raised will go towards buying a portable west) along side that proposed by the Wellsford Welding inflatable dam to carry water on the crew’s new Club (Wellsford North). ute to remote rural locations and scrub fires.

Northwest Structure Plan 296 School Road, Wellsford -For ConsultationSt John Mangawhai will also be selling trees 05 03/11/23 from a container at the ambulance station on Molesworth Drive, from 3pm to 6pm on chaired by commissioner Bill Smith, said islanders shouldn’t be penalised weekdays and 9am to 1pm at weekends. Large with local board members Louise for living there. trees will only be available in the first week of Johnston and Ivan Wagstaff, will decide “Mismanagement of the carparking December and need to be pre-ordered and on whether a licence should be granted paid for in advance. They will cost $110, while area will cause both businesses on to a contractor to charge for parking standard trees are $50.

Kawau and businesses in Sandspit to and, if so, what the rates should be.

There will also be limited numbers of Christmas close,” she said.

More than 100 people made tree stands and festoon lights for sale.

After hearing from more than a dozen submissions, with most generally in Meanwhile, Hammer Hardware in Wellsford will submitters, the panel sought advice favour of the reintroduction of paid again be selling trees on behalf of St John during from council staff about the preferred parking, although many had concerns shop opening hours, with the first delivery due that fees charged would be too high at the start of December – full details were not service provider and how any charges available as we went to press, but check Hammer for residents, especially those relying might be instigated fairly. They are Hardware on Facebook for more information. on a pension. expected to release a decision and Northwest Structure Plan

Work In Progress Plea for fair charges at parking hearing

er: Aerial obtained from Auckland Council website. ight Reserved by Transurban Limited

A deputation of Kawau Islanders appeared in Warkworth last week, when a hearing into the reintroduction of charges for parking at Sandspit Wharf was held at the Rodney Local Board offices in Elizabeth Street.

Parking charges were dropped at the carpark in 2020, when responsibility for managing the carpark switched from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council, which has since led to overuse at peak times and vehicles being left for long periods.

The independent hearing panel,

Long-time Kawau resident Lin Pardey

hold a public meeting early next year.

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In brief Candlelight carols

After several years absence, Carols by Candlelight will return to Warkworth on Friday December 1. The event this year is being organised by Warkworth Rotary as usual, in conjunction with Warkworth Big Band, and featuring the Warkworth Junior School Choir and the Matakantata Choir.

This is a free non-profit event organised for the children and community. BYO cushions seats; glowsticks and song sheets provided. There will also be a sausage sizzle

by Warkworth Scouts and a coffee stall.

The event will be held at Lucy Moore Park, starting at 6.30pm.

Santa’s pen at the ready

The hall is always packed with dozens of trees of every shape and size.

Dazzling tree display set to inspire again Is your tinsel looking tired? Are you bored with your baubles? Never fear – inspiration is at hand next month, when up to 70 different decorated Christmas trees will be on display at the Old Masonic Hall in Baxter Street, Warkworth.

The annual Treemendous Christmas tree event is being staged once again by the Lions Club of Kowhai Coast, whose members are currently busily designing and decorating a raft of different themes to display from Saturday, December 2 until

Sunday, December 10.

As well as the trees themselves, there is a wide range of other festive decorations, from soft toys and snowmen to wooden toys, wreaths and illuminated animals.

There is also a popular toy train that wends its way around the display space, as well as trading tables, raffles and regular visits from the jolly man in red. Santa will be there in his grotto from 2pm to 5pm from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 2pm on Saturdays, or by arrangement.

Treemendous is one of the Kowhai Lions’ main fundraisers of the year and organisers say that although it is a lot of work, it is always worth it to see the joy on young visitors’ faces.

Entry costs $3 for adults and $1 for children and this year, all proceeds will go to the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter service. The display will be open from 10am to 5pm daily, and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays.

Info: Call 425 0969 or 027 620 6006.

Kiwi kids writing to Santa can get a reply from the man in red himself, thanks to NZ Post this Christmas. Letters can be sent online or via the mail – to write an email to Santa, visit https://writetosanta.nzpost. co.nz/ or to send a hand-written letter, post it to Santa Claus, c/o Santa’s Workshop, North Pole 0001 by Friday, December 1.

“Make sure your name and address are written clearly on the back of the envelope, so Santa knows where to send a reply,” a NZ Post elf says. “And letters to Santa don’t require a postage stamp.” Santa’s helpers will deliver his reply from mid to late December, and if Santa is responding by email, he should reply within 24 hours.

NZ Post has been handling Santa’s Kiwi mail every Christmas for 25 years.

Orewa parade

The Orewa New World Santa Parade is on this Saturday, November 25, from 4.30pm.

Organisers are promising a parade featuring colourful floats, lively marching bands, cartoon characters and most importantly, Santa Claus. The parade will culminate in the Orewa Reserve where there will be carnival rides and food trucks, operated by the Rotary Club of Orewa.

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CREATIVE MATAKANA MAY 6-10, 2024 4 Still Life Painting 4 Greenwood Chairmaking 4 Indigo Dyeing: The Vat & Beyond 4 The Writer’s Tools 4 Painting: Intuition & Observation 4 Exploring Metallics in Textiles 4 Cold Wax with Ink & Charcoal 4 Photography: Seeing the Light CHARLOTTE THODEY: RADICCHIO

4 Making a Braided Rag Rug 4 Contemporary Calligraphy Operatunity singers promise to bring the magic of Vienna at Christmas to Warkworth.

Viennese whirl comes to Warkworth Town Hall A taste of Vienna at Christmas is coming to Warkworth next month, when touring concert company Operatunity brings a festive daytime show to the town hall.

Christmas in Vienna is described as an extravagant production featuring classic waltzes such as The Blue Danube, I’m in Love With Vienna and Vienna, My City of Dreams, as well as classic Christmas carols including Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Operatunity director and soprano Susan Boland says the show captures the romance, elegance and magic of Vienna at Christmas time, and is perfect for fans of concerts in the style of superstar Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu.

“We are thrilled to bring Christmas in Vienna to our audiences,” she said. “This

production is a magical ode to Vienna, a city renowned for its vibrant and rich cultural heritage.”

As well as Boland and Operatunity coowner John Cameron, Christmas in Vienna will star tenors Bonaventure AllanMoetaua, Karl Perigo and Derek Hill, and sopranos Kelly Lim Harris and Alex Foster, accompanied by pianist Paul CarnegieJones.

The show will be at Warkworth Town Hall on Thursday, December 14. Doors open at 10am for a complimentary morning tea and a chance to meet the singers before the concert starts at 11am. Tickets cost $39 in advance or $42 on the door.

Info and bookings: Call 0508 266 237, email bookings@operatunity.co.nz or visit https://www.operatunity.co.nz/

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&

Call for original artworks

Pets Vets Corner

The organisers of the annual Great Summer Art Exhibition in Snells Beach are calling for entries.

The exhibition, which is in its 30th year, is a major fundraiser for the Mahurangi East Tennis Club.

It will be held at the Mahurangi East Community Centre, from December 29 to January 1, and regularly attracts over 250 artworks from more than 80 artists. Club president Maureen Bernie says they are expecting similar numbers this year.

Work is accepted in a number of categories – established, intermediate and emerging, photography and Mahurangi College students.

There is also a Judges’ Encouragement Award and People’s Choice, decided by votes from exhibition visitors. This year’s judge is painter and former gallery owner Bill Harris, and Bayleys Warkworth is

Pet of the Month Urine trouble!

Sheeva has been coming to Warkworth Vets since she was a puppy, she has been a frequent flyer with us due to many conditions – the most recent being recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI’s). UTI’s can be caused by a number of reasons including conformational abnormalities and other medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney injury.

again the major sponsor.

The prize pool has increased to $4470.

All artworks will be for sale, with 20 per cent of proceeds and all entry fees going to community tennis initiatives, such as the Love Tennis free family event, and the maintenance and upgrading of club facilities.

The organisers are also expecting about 20 to 25 cash and carry tables with a diverse range of items for sale including large and small ceramics, ceramic/wood mixed media, resin and silver jewellery, wood and resin tableware, wooden platters and bowls, prints, original paintings, cards and leather wallets.

Artists can find out how to enter at www. mahutennis.co.nz. Entry costs $12.50 per artwork, with a maximum of four. The deadline to register an entry is Friday, December 15.

In Sheeva’s case she had a hooded vagina, or formally known as a recessed or hypoplastic vulva. This is where there is excess tissue covering the vulva. Because of this change in shape, moisture and heat are trapped making it a perfect environment for bacteria to grow in. It was decided she needed plastic surgery!

Prior to surgery Sheeva had a complimentary brazilian to help keep things sterile. An episioplasty was performed. This is where the excess fat and tissue around the vulva is removed, removing any areas for moisture and bacteria to hide. She now has a prominent vagina and hopefully no more urinary tract infections, leaving her free to enjoy the summer with her new designer body.

Crafts on show at Snells

The Snells Beach Craft Group held a successful exhibition at the Mahurangi Church on November 4. The exhibition included quilts, knitted items, aprons, bags, beaded angels, jewellery, felt Christmas gnomes, decorated china cups and saucers, and paintings. Group members are also preparing for the Matakana School Christmas Fair on December 1 (48pm) and the Snells Beach School Christmas Fair on December 8 (4-8pm). The group meets every second Tuesday of the month in the Snells Beach Community Church rooms, opposite the Mahurangi East Fire Station, from 1-3pm. New members are always welcome.

A spokesperson says no “Picasso skills” required, just a desire to be creative and have fun for a couple of hours over a cuppa.

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Science Emeritus Professor Ralph Cooney ONZM, FRSNZ

r.cooney@auckland.ac.nz

FOR ALL YOUR TIMBER, HARDWARE & BUILDING SUPPLIES

The future of cars and roads The emissions from petrol or diesel vehicles are currently responsible for about 10 per cent of the carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere. The transition of vehicles from petrol or diesel to hybrids, and then to full electric vehicles, is in full swing internationally, but especially in Scandinavian countries. The uptake in EVs in Norway has reached 70 per cent. This transition is sufficiently advanced in these leading countries that their governments are having to deal with the expectations of a post-combustion world. One example is that EV development has seen the production of expensive vehicles that are often too expensive for the average citizen.

Elsewhere in the world, including Europe, the public view cars in a more functional and inexpensive way. This dichotomy has resulted in very different market strategies for cars in Asia and the EU on one hand, and in the USA on the other. China and India have been intent on developing less expensive cars that are designed to suit ordinary citizens in large cities.

Intrinsically, EVs are much simpler devices than internal combustion cars because they have 100 times fewer moving parts and, hence, should be much cheaper to maintain and run. This is the reason that the new wave of inexpensive EVs will appear firstly in Europe, and then later in the USA. The cheapest EVs internationally at present are the BYD Seagull (US$10,000 new in China), Tata Tiago (US$12,000 in India) and in the USA, the Chevrolet Bolt (US$27,495). These cheap EVs are intended to be family cars used for urban

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travel in large cities.

The development of more compact battery technologies with longer range and greater safety characteristics is the subject of massive research and development by all major car manufacturers. Toyota promises that its next version of batteries will meet these criteria and provide a range of up to about 1500kms within three years. This is about twice the average range (700kms) of typical existing combustion cars.

Over the next decade or so, two major innovations will appear that will transform conventional vehicle transport. Firstly, e-roads will incorporate ground-level power supply through conductive rails or inductive coils embedded in the road. They will be able to charge all EVs as they travel and when they stop. This will be the end of range anxiety. Secondly, autonomous (driverless) vehicles are expected to appear around 2035, and these will have several important consequences, including a significant switch from private to public ownership.

Imagine that in about 2036, you hop into your car to go to work. The autonomous car will know, given it is a Monday, that you will want to travel to your workplace (unless you tell it otherwise) and will take you there, while you plan your tasks at work for the day ahead. Once it has delivered you to your workplace, it knows that it will not be required for several hours and so it will return home to park until office closing time, when it will pick you up and drive you home.

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Feedback sought on dam rules

Auckland Council is asking for feedback on its draft Dangerous Dams Policy, which sets out what it will do if notified of a dangerous, earthquake-prone or flood-prone dam in the region. The draft policy has been developed to meet the requirements of central government’s Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022, which will come into effect next May and will establish consistent minimum safety standards for dams across New Zealand. Under the new regulations, owners of dams over a certain height or storage capacity will need to confirm the potential risk their dam would pose in the event of failure, put in place dam safety plans and undertake regular dam inspections. Feedback must be submitted by Thursday, December 7.

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

Education/Te Kura We’ve made great strides in reclaiming respect and acknowledgement for Māori knowledge, te reo me ōna tikanga Māori (Māori language and culture) and this is evident in the prevalence of kura Kaupapa, as well as increasing rates of reo Māori learners and speakers (from 6.1% 2018 to 7.9% in 2021*). Yet it is easy to forget it wasn’t that long ago that Māori were punished for speaking te reo Māori and were actively directed towards careers of manual and domestic labour. With this in mind, we must do all we can to support a strong future for our people by building a solid cultural foundation and strong economic position that provides unlimited opportunity for our children.

Hīkoia te kōrero (walking the talk) is where it matters, and we’re making sure our tamariki have a good chance for success by working towards our vision of establishing a kura Māori education and hauora Māori facility within the rohe. Our focus is on securing the future wellbeing of Ngāti Manuhiri uri (descendants) and ngā rangatira apōpō (future leaders). The foundation of this kura will be deeply rooted in Ngāti Manuhiritanga, te reo

me ōna tikanga Māori, encompassing pūrākau (ancestral stories), tikanga ō ngā matua tūpuna (customs and traditions of ancestors), and ahurea taiao (environmental culture).

While literacy and numeracy skills are always the foundation of a good education, it is important to have a strong base in te reo Māori, too, in order to uphold our cultural values. Te Kura Māori Ō Ngāti Manuhiri will be a wharekura catering to students from Year 7 to 13. Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust is committed to advancing kaupapa Māori education, fostering cultural pride, and ensuring the future sustainability of our kura.

We advocate for solutions that are by Māori, for Māori, where we can flourish while embracing our cultural identity, language and traditions. We know one kura won’t achieve all our goals. However, it is progress that counts, and this is a strong step in the right direction for the next generation.

Mauri tū, mauri ora Stand together in life and wellness *Source: Stats NZ

Snells seawall repairs starting

Emergency work to repair and replace the storm-ravaged seawall and coastal path at Snells Beach is due to begin this week, Auckland Council says. The work will be carried out in two phases – firstly, construction of the seawall and reinstatement of the reserve land, which is expected to be finished by December 22, weather permitting. The second phase will be replacing the footpath, which is scheduled to start on January 8 and should be finished by the end of the month, again, if weather permits. The footpath will be closed parallel to the length of Sunburst Avenue while work is carried out, but the boat ramp will remain open.

Much of the stabilising work has been completed, but problems remain.

Ahuroa repairs stall reopening Unforeseen problems mean that Ahuroa Road will remain closed to through traffic for longer than expected, with Auckland Transport (AT) saying it now probably won’t open before the end of April at the earliest.

The long-term works needed to stabilise eight under-slips caused by the summer floods and cyclones were set to be finished

by February, but contractors were forced to down tools last month due to new geotechnical issues.

An AT spokesperson said although considerable progress had been made in stabilising slopes, the road was proving difficult to repair.

“Unfortunately, the underlying rock layer is substantially deeper than thought, which has required a review of design options and a temporary hold on work,” they said last month.

AT said it was looking at six new design options to find the most appropriate way of fixing the issue.

In the meantime, contractor Downer has started preliminary work that includes construction and piling operations, which AT warned could mean extra noise and traffic for residents.

“There will be an increase of heavy vehicle movement on Ahuroa Road as our

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construction teams carry materials in/out of site,” they said. “From time to time, there may be an increase in noise and vibration from plant machinery as work such as drilling and excavation is carried out.”

AT said it remained committed to the successful completion of the job, but could not say exactly how long that would take.

“We are unable to provide an indicative timeline until a design is confirmed,” the spokesperson said.

“There are many variables that determine how quickly we can complete work, including weather conditions and availability of construction materials. We will continue to keep the community informed with up-to-date information.”

AT was also planning to hold a local meeting last week to discuss access to Ahuroa School around the work site early next year, as the road is unlikely to be open during of Term 1.

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Chris Penk

Books

MP for Kaipara ki Mahurangi

Your local MP

Tracey Lawton

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff Set in America in the 1600s, this amazing novel is about a young girl who dares all to escape the settlement where everyone is dying from starvation or being killed by the native Indians. She leaves with little, and what she has is stolen. She runs because she has no choice, and yet she doesn’t know where she is running to, only what she is running from. This story is about nature, resilience, the power of love and belief in a god. As our young protagonist confronts the hardships at hand, she briefly dips back into memories of better times in England, where her mistress was moneyed and beautiful, and our girl was feted for her looks and intelligence. This is a fascinating glimpse into her previous life which is juxtaposed against her current situation of survival at all cost.

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Sugar Palace by Fiona McIntosh Sugar Palace is a light but well-written novel set in Sydney in 1925. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is under construction and Grace Fairweather, daughter of a local grocer, is dreaming about opening her own sweetshop. Alfie Sweeting is a young man, newly-arrived from London, who comes to work for the Fairweather family and his ambitions appear to make him a match for Grace. However, Alfie has a criminal past and doesn’t always make the right decision. So despite her growing love for Alfie, Grace has to decide if she’s prepared to commit herself to someone who doesn’t have the same values. This is a romantic story set in the Sydney of old, with the bridge being built, gambling dens, brothels and organised crime.

A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing This is a love story with a dark twist … Wes and Ivy have a longstanding on-again, off-again love affair, which is one of great passion, until it’s not. Their history is one of grand gestures and passion, which quickly turns to frustration and bitterness.

And so the cycle continues until Ivy, in a fit of pique, involves the police and suddenly Wes and Ivy have to work together to keep a determined detective from uncovering an accident that happened years earlier. Twists and turns keep things interesting and this is perfect summer beach reading.

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

29

Pest free moves into Mahurangi East

Northland leads housing market improvement

By Tim Armitage Chair, Restore Rodney East

A number of peninsula projects around Aotearoa-New Zealand have been successful in helping bring back native species.

Areas that have good bush reserves, as well as “pinch points” where fences or traplines can prevent or deter predators from reinvading, are great candidates for local groups to work together to turn these areas into pest free havens.

Restore Rodney East (RRE), with strong input from local groups and Auckland Council, has been researching the potential for the Mahurangi East peninsula to become another of these protected areas.

Over the past 18 months, we have been talking to residents associations, trapping groups, landowners, individuals and other partners and stakeholders to assess the level of interest in such a programme. In parallel, other large-scale initiatives, especially The Forest Bridge Trust, have been extending trapping footprints locally in conjunction with farmers and large landowners.

Overall, there has been strong support expressed for a pest free peninsula – the benefits are significant to the area, which is likely to extend north-south from Matakana Road through to Scott’s Landing and the new regional park, and east-west from Sandspit to the Mahurangi River.

The challenge is to understand what type of organisation, if any, would be helpful to achieve the objectives.

As an early step, we have commissioned environmental consultancy Boffa Miskell to undertake a study to help identify where trapping or other forms of predator control are already in place, and to understand where there are gaps where pests can move freely along the peninsula without barriers.

Two such gaps are now in the process of being closed – one at the Goodall Reserve in Snells Beach and the other at Algies

30

Algies Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association chair Brendan Chaffe (right) picking up new trapping equipment from Restore Rodney East chair Tim Armitage.

Bay, where trapping networks are being commissioned. The Goodall Reserve and nearby Te Whau walkway were open corridors for pests and having traps in place there is a big step towards preventing re-invasions. Thanks go to council and volunteers for their involvement there.

At Algies Bay, the residents’ association, led

by Brendan Chaffe, has recently received donations of traps from RRE, thanks to funding from the Rodney Local Board, in order to give them a running start.

Many other groups including at Sandspit, Snells Beach, Scotts Landing and Warkworth have been able to step up predator control coverage this year, thanks to generous grants

| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

from Predator Free New Zealand.

Once the conversations with stakeholders and partners (especially iwi) are more complete, and the gap analysis work is finalised, it will be time to look at what type of voluntary organisation might help drive collaboration and achievement of pest free peninsula goals. The options include the whole range from “do nothing” to alternative ways to create more coordinated pest free outcomes. We hope the momentum already underway continues and that there is ongoing community and stakeholder support for this initiative.

If you would be keen to volunteer to assist this initiative, please contact us at biodiversity@rre.org.nz

As the NZ residential property market shows signs of improvement, Northland leads the country in year-on-year growth in the number of properties sold (36.1 per cent), the biggest monthly decrease in days to sell (a drop of 23 days), and the increase in listing month-on-month (58 per cent).

The latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) monthly report on the situation nationwide shows more sales activity, more listings coming to market, fewer days to sell, and a sense of more confidence overall, year-on-year. In the Northland breakdown, 22 dwellings in the Kaipara district were sold with a median price of $735,000 in October 2023, compared to 13 sales with a median price of $665,000 in October 2022.

In the Auckland breakdown, 195 dwellings in the Rodney district were sold with a median price of $1,120,000 in October 2023, compared to 158 sales with a median price of $1,225,000 in October 2022. REINZ Chief executive Jen Baird said October showed a slow but steady improvement in property market activity, now that the election is over and NZ heads into more active months in the property cycle.

Extra cement works talk

Warkworth & District Museum has been forced to add an extra date to its Tea & Talk series on the old Wilson cement works. The museum is staging an exhibition on the historic landmark and popular swimming spot, and originally organised two special Tea & Talks by Brenda Yoxall to coincide with the display. However, both those quickly sold out, so another date has been added on Friday, December 1 at 10am. Entry costs $5 for the talk and morning tea and $7 for entrance to the museum and exhibition. However, advance bookings are essential – anyone wanting to attend must register by emailing warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz

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The Safeswim website now includes more local beaches, with more to follow.

Safeswim expands local beach coverage After months of what feels like endless rain, most people will be more keen than ever to get their togs on and head to the beach for some sun and surf this summer.

However, it pays to check conditions are right before committing to a trek to the coast, whether it’s the weather, wave height or water quality.

In the past year, Auckland Council’s Safeswim water monitoring website has expanded its reach and scope, making it more relevant for local beach-goers and more of a one-stop shop for beach information.

Pre-covid, only one or two beaches north of Orewa were included on the online realtime water quality guide and coverage was confined to the Auckland region.

Since late last year, however, the council has joined forces with several other organisations to make the service more relevant to more people, including Surf

www.localmatters.co.nz

Life Saving NZ and Northland Regional Council. This has resulted not only in more local beaches being included on Safeswim, but it also shows those that have lifeguard coverage, together with weather information, tides and a three-day water quality forecast.

In 2017, there were 84 Auckland beaches on the Safeswim site – now, there are 128 in Auckland and a further 70 in Northland, with more being added all the time.

Locally, Safeswim shows conditions at Snells Beach, Anchor Bay/Tawharanui, Omaha, Goat Island, Mangawhai Heads, Mangawhai Heads estuary, Langs Beach and Waipu Cove.

Auckland Council says more will be added in future, as and when regular water sampling and its predictive modelling allows.

“In addition to the sites currently on the website, there are over 90 sites that are

currently part of the Safeswim monitoring programme,” a spokesperson says. “We are collecting data from these sites with the aim of providing water quality information on the website, a process that normally requires more than 50 samples.”

Those sites include Sullivans Bay, Martins Bay, Algies Bay, Warkworth cement works, Sandspit, Buckleton Bay, Baddeleys Beach, Jones Bay, Point Wells, Matheson Bay Beach, Matheson Bay waterfall, Pakiri Beach, Lake Tomarata and Te Arai, with Algies Bay likely to be the next one to go up on the Safeswim website.

Safeswim uses simple colour-coded symbols to show whether water is okay for bathing – green for good quality and red or black for poor quality or potentially hazardous.

The site can also be used to alert the public to hazards such as dangerous wave or wind conditions, rip currents, jellyfish swarms or shark sightings.

Info: https://safeswim.org.nz/

Water quality is sampled regularly at many sites.

The website uses easy to understand symbols.

November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

31

feature summer splash

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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The Anchorage provides retirees with the option of mooring their boat at the end of their own backyard.

Rethinking retirement lifestyles on the water The image of a retirement home with walking frames stacked in the foyer is being turned on its head with the development of The Anchorage Retirement Village in Marsden Cove.

The latest homes that will soon come on the market include waterfront properties with their own marina berths, on their doorstep.

This is in addition to a private beach and boat ramp within the village, a cycling/ walking path to nearby shops, and a future

gym, pool, sporting facilities, café and bar.

The residences are priced from $800,000 for a two-bedroom garden villa to $2.2 million for a three-bedroom/two bathroom waterfront residence.

“This village, along with three others in Northland, Auckland and Coromandel, reflects Hopper Living’s commitment to innovative retirement living,” marketing manager Shana Hopper-McCully says.

“This environment provides a distinctive retirement experience for active retirees by blending a lifestyle of fun, leisure and scenic beauty.”

When completed, The Anchorage will have an estimated population of about 200 residents.

Hopper-McCully says the development team is currently redesigning some of the future stages to provide additional accommodation options including

The retirement village forms part of the Marsden Cove Waterways development.

apartment-style living, and hospital care.

“Additionally, we’ve enhanced the living experience by constructing a purpose-built medical facility adjacent to the village. This facility hosts a range of healthcare services including doctors, a dentist, a pharmacy, chiropractic and physiotherapy services.”

Hoppers is building a similar styled village in Coromandel, called the Moorings, located at Whitianga waterways.

Council grapples with Kawau waste disposal issue Kawau Island residents look set to lose their subsidised rubbish collection, as Auckland Council reviews its waste plan for islands in the Hauraki Gulf and moves towards a rates-funded system for all.

At present, Kawau householders have to transport their rubbish to Sandspit and dispose of it in bins in a gated enclosure, from where council collects it and takes it to landfill. They are not charged for this service, but are subsidised by ratepayers to the tune of almost $45,000 a year, or around $156 per eligible property.

Council waste planning advisor Elizabeth Driver told a Rodney Local Board workshop on November 8 that the Sandspit bin system was only ever meant to be a medium term solution and council was working with residents, mana

whenua and other stakeholders to find a solution to suit everyone.

“It costs a lot of money to provide a service to islands, and until now Kawau residents have not been charged for the removal of their rubbish from Sandspit enclosure,” she said.

“We’ve always talked about bringing in a charge, but one that is commensurate and fair with the service received.”

Driver said if the Sandspit collection service wasn’t subsidised, islanders would be facing bills of $1500 to $2000 a year.

In addition to the cost to council and other ratepayers, the workshop heard that only around half the rubbish at the Sandspit bins was from Kawau residents, with the rest being dumped illegally by visitors or businesses.

“It is challenging,” she said. “It’s very difficult to change people’s behaviour, where they are used to having free access to a free service, and I’m not talking about Kawau residents here, I’m talking about visitors and local commercial businesses.

“One of the things we need to do is make sure anyone using it is paying appropriately.”

However, she said there was a way to go in working out how exactly that would be done, and a fair way of doing it.

“We’ve looked at a number of different options for providing a service to Kawau.

What we’ve heard from Kawau is that they prefer collection from Sandspit – we’re just trying to balance that with Sandspit and mana whenua interests about where that

location could be.”

Board members offered several suggestions, including providing island residents with special rubbish bags or with vouchers that could be used at the nearby Lawrie Road recycling and transfer station.

Driver said everything would be considered over the coming months.

“We’re super-keen to hear all ideas to get a good picture of what we’re dealing with and will continue conversations with the board, local residents and mana whenua,” she said. “We’re open to all options.”

She added that meetings were being held with mana whenua and Kawau residents to make sure future solutions were acceptable to everyone and that a balance could be found.

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

33

feature summer splash

Runaway yacht at Omaha investigated The Auckland Harbourmaster is investigating the circumstances surrounding the stranding of a yacht on a sandbank in Whangateau Harbour during the remnants of ex-cyclone Lola late last month.

In the stormy weather and coinciding king tides, the yacht Chieftain broke free from a swing mooring at Ti Point and was blown down the estuary, before lodging on the sandbank, opposite the Omaha boat ramp.

En route, it allegedly struck another vessel moored in the harbour.

Chieftain’s owner Boyd Gunn declined to comment, but in Facebook posts he has denied that his aluminium yacht collided with and damaged another boat.

Local boat owners say Chieftain was moored unlawfully – at 76 feet (23.1 metre) it is significantly bigger than the 49.2 feet (15 metre) limit for swing moorings set by Auckland Transport.

During the storm that sent Chieftain down the channel, an 8.5 metre launch called Dawn Magic was at its mooring about 100 metres off the boat ramp. What happened next is in dispute, but Dawn Magic’s mooring line was snapped and it ended up lodged in mangroves on the Point Wells side of the waterway. The bowsprit was broken, a bow railing torn off and a section of the front deck lifted.

Asked about the cause of the damage to his boat, Dawn Magic’s owner would only confirm that his boat was taken to Lees Boatbuilders in Sandspit for repairs, and praised Greg Lees for his help in getting it off the mangroves.

Lees confirmed that a team had managed to wade out to the stricken Dawn Magic and manhandle it into deeper water, from where it was towed across the estuary to the ramp in Omaha. He said the boat needed “moderate, structural repair”.

“It had a significant impact,” Lees said of the damage to the launch. “It’s peeled the deck back like a tin can.”

Gunn wrote on Facebook that as Chieftain was blown down the estuary, he had

followed it “in extremely high winds” in a small outboard motor-powered dingy, accompanied by his dog, before boarding his yacht and casting anchor.

He said in the post that the mooring from which Chieftain had broken away was designed to hold a 22-metre vessel.

In fact, the 15-metre restriction applies to all swing moorings in the Auckland region.

Harbourmaster Andrew Hayton said he was gathering incident reports from the parties involved.

“It appears that the vessel was too large for the mooring it was on,” he said.

“We were not informed of her presence in Whangateau Harbour prior to her grounding.

“Once we have received the incident reports from those involved, we will make the determination whether to issue infringement notices or not.”

Gunn has made various attempts to try to dislodge his boat from the bar, although it was still on the sand when Mahurangi Matters went to press last Friday.

In an email sent to the harbourmaster’s office, a local boat owner raised concerns about what he called “amateurish” and potentially risky salvage efforts, including connecting a rope from the boat to a truck at the boat ramp. Attempts to pull the yacht off the sand were stymied as the rope broke each time, he wrote.

He also voiced concern about what would happen post-salvage, saying boat owners in the vicinity did not want the large yacht “anywhere near Omaha or Ti Point, where it could do further damage”.

In an emailed reply, the harbourmaster told the boatie, “Looking at the tides, the owner is probably going to struggle re-floating her anytime soon. We will continue to pay a close interest to what is happening with this vessel and will maintain close contact with the owner whilst continuing to refer him to a professional salvor.

“I know it’s very frustrating, especially for the locals and those whose boats have been

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The stricken vessel has been on the sandbank since late October.

Efforts to re-float the yacht have so far been unsuccessful.

damaged but, unfortunately, it’s likely to be a bit of a waiting game in the short term until the tide cooperates.”

Responding to the paper’s queries about

the attempts to get the yacht off the sandbar, Hayton said it was the owner’s responsibility to salvage the vessel without causing harm to others.

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POWER UP YOUR SAVINGS

Robin Wilks, Alister Murray, Eoin Harding and Ian Hamilton doing the mahi.

Oarsome challenge at the ready A challenging maritime fundraising event getting underway in coming weeks will see a four-person rowing boat make its way up the entirety of New Zealand’s east coast, and coastal towns in our area will be among the planned stops along the way.

Ian Hamilton, from the Invercargill Rowing Club, will join others in a quad coastal rowing boat, with the inaugural leg from Stewart Island to Bluff in early December. Then, in February, the epic Bluff to Cape Reinga quest will begin.

Rowing an average 40 kilometres a day – depending on weather and sea conditions, and allowing for spare and lay days – Ian and his crewmates hope to complete the journey by mid-July.

Stops in Snells Beach, Omaha, Leigh and Mangawhai are expected to occur around mid-June.

The rowers will be accompanied by a support boat, and experienced rowers from around the country are being invited to tag team along the way. Inflatable rescue boats from surf lifesaving clubs along the route will be used to swap rowers in and out between the rowing boat and support vessel.

The adventure aims to raise funds for four charities – Starship Children’s Hospital, the Child Cancer Foundation, Surf Lifesaving NZ, and Lions Clubs’ mobile skin cancer screening service.

“At selected landing points along the way, Lions Clubs NZ will arrange fundraisers in the form of meetups, visits by Olympic rowers, presentations to schools and the like,” Ian says, adding that well known

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rowers interested in taking part include 2012 Olympics gold medallists Joseph Sullivan and Nathan Cohen.

The mission’s progress will be tracked via a website currently being prepared.

Ian says the El Niño system that is expected to bring drier conditions will help, and the rowers are hoping that, come the East Cape, “a nice gentle south-east breeze will help push us up the coast”.

Ian and fellow rowers have embarked on more modest long-distance rows before, crossing the 37 km-wide Foveaux Strait in 2010 to raise funds for a new club shed, and rowing 98kms across the Cook Strait in 2016 to raise funds for Canteen, the support organisation for young people living with cancer.

A Rowing for Life Aotearoa NZ Givealittle page will be up and running in the coming days, and Ian says anyone wanting to support the effort can also get in touch, at ian.hamilton@xtra.co.nz “If everybody engages, as a true ‘Team of Five Million’ and with the support of media coverage, I’m sure that we can raise $5 million, simply $1 from each person lucky enough to live in New Zealand,” Ian says.

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35

feature summer splash

The Kawau Volunteer Coastguard responded to 109 callouts over the past 15 months. Photo, KVC

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When you’re looking for a relaxing holiday, not far from home Then look no further than Pakiri Beach Holiday Park.

One of New Zealand’s best beaches right in your backyard. Superbly located, overlooking the stunning white dunes of Pakiri Beach, there are plenty of activities to keep you and children occupied or you can just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of our location only 15 minutes from Matakana or 90 minutes from the heart of Auckland.

You will find accommodation to suit everyone’s style and budget. If you want stunning views and the ultimate relaxation, book the lodge or a beachfront cottage and watch the sunrise over Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) from the comfort of your bed.

If you’re looking for a fun adventure, book the riverside glamping tent, life long memories will be created in this beautifully appointed safari tent, complete with a wood fire, ensuite, and kitchen, the kids will love it.

As the summer boating season gets underway, Kawau Volunteer Coastguard (KVC) has advice for boat owners that could save them a ruined day on the water – and help to reduce the coastguard’s workload, freeing them up to focus on more serious emergencies.

Over the past 15 months, KVC crew have responded to 109 callouts and rescued or brought home safely some 278 men, women and children.

The volunteers have put in around 4800 hours of their time, equating to about 200 hours per crew member per year.

The jobs range from deadly serious – such as the rescue of five fishermen whose boat overturned off Kawau island in the summer of 2022 – to the mundane, including callouts to boats whose owners cannot start the outboard.

To help reduce the number of the latter type of callouts, KVC offers the following tips for boaties: • Make sure your battery terminals are clean and tight. Batteries with dirty or loose terminals are less likely to charge and will slowly run flat.

• Top up batteries regularly over winter.

Salt water and moisture can coat the top of the battery in a damp film that can cause a trickle discharge, leading to a flat when you venture out in the spring.

• Leaving petrol in a can over winter can lead to condensation and water in the fuel, which can then stop your engine.

Volatiles may also have evaporated and the petrol won’t work as efficiently. Put in new fuel at the start of your boating year.

• Similarly, diesel can be affected by “diesel bug” microbes that can cause poor engine performance. Repco and similar suppliers sell treatments for this.

• Always take enough fuel and two-stroke oil, if needed.

• Service your engine, check and change filters, plugs and oil.

• Check electronics and electrics, which salt water can damage. In bigger boats with cabins, using a dehumidifier over winter could help save you time for fault finding and money for repairs.

• Check your lifejackets: Even if they are solid, check that the stitching is good.

You don’t want them falling apart if you land in the water wearing one.

• Do you have an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) and if so, is the battery good?

• If your engine doesn’t start, remember a few basics. Is there fuel and oil? Is the engine in neutral? If your engine is turning over but not starting, leave it for five minutes in case you’ve flooded it.

Next, raise the engine so that the prop is nearly out of the water. This reduces back pressure on the exhaust and often helps the engine to start. This may seem obvious but, KVC says, “you would not believe how many times we go to a boat, put the engine in neutral, and it starts straight away”.

Finally, KVC encourages boaties to consider becoming members of coastguard. Annual membership is $130 a year, and members get coastguard services at no charge, whatever boat they are on. By comparison, coastguard services cost $350 an hour for non-members (although in an emergency or life-threatening situation, there is no charge).

If newcomers to membership specify the Kawau unit as being the recipient, KVC will benefit directly from the joining fee.

For more information, see: https://www. coastguard.nz/membership/welcometo-coastguard-membership/ or call 0800 BOATIE (262 843).

KVCG also has a Givealittle page, for oneoff or regular donations: https://givealittle. co.nz/org/kawau-volunteer-coastguard

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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WARKWORTH

MOTORHOMES

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

An exhibition of collaboration Warkworth Museum has just opened its exhibition of the Wilson’s cement story.

What an amazing collection. Follow the timeline from Nathaniel’s arrival in New Zealand as a child in 1842, around the time limestone was first being worked in the Mahurangi area. His early years as a shoemaker, through the development of Portland cement to modern times, with recent photos from the museum photo competition documenting the present state of the site, to the possible future of the cement works, with a small display from the Cement Works Warkworth Conservation Trust.

Over the last few months I have watched the planning and development of the exhibition by a raft museum volunteers from every aspect of the museum’s resources: Archives: providing photographs, newspaper items, diaries and books; Textiles: assisting with the mannequins and the appropriate clothing for the era; The men from the shed: building and painting the stands, providing muscle when needed; Artefacts: finding and providing items such as Nathaniel’s shoe-making last (a mechanical form shaped like a human foot) and workers’ memorabilia. And, of course, the display experts who planned, researched and pulled it all together, working many hours researching and sorting to create the comprehensive timeline, stories and

displays.

There has been wonderful cooperation from Fletchers, who hold many historical items relating to the works, and Golden Bay Cement, who have carried on the heritage from Wilson’s Portland Cement.

These companies have generously shared, gifted or loaned items for the display.

A magnificent 3D model of the works, created by a volunteer, gives some idea of how the works would have once looked with its many buildings and chimneys. Also how the raw materials worked their way through the site to the finished product ready to ship out to Auckland and beyond.

There are opportunities for interaction, whether it is adding a “brick” to the chimney or hunting for references to explosions or accidents at the works. The workers are remembered with group photos and stories, even some personal artefacts. Many of these workers became part of our local history with descendants in the area to this day. There are lists of workers names there, too, but if you know of any others or have any stories relating to the works or know who any of the workers are in the photos, the museum would love to hear from you.

Email: warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

37

Long lunch for women farmers

Brynderwyns closure would be ‘devastating blow’ for Northland transport and business The proposed closure of State Highway 1 for two months at the Brynderwyn Hills would be a devastating blow for transport operators and all of Northland, according to truckers’ group the National Road Carriers Association.

Chief executive Justin Tighe-Umbers said the 58 days the hills were closed after Cyclone Gabrielle had already cost an extra $62 million in transport costs, and a further shutdown could force some people out of business.

“Many transport operators and businesses are hanging by a thread and a two-month closure of the main arterial at the second busiest time of year would push some to collapse, unless they receive Government support,” Tighe-Umbers said.

“If it goes ahead, it would be yet another serious hit after a triple whammy of pandemic,

cyclone and economic slowdown.”

He said there was enormous frustration among transport operators, who had been calling for a Brynderwyn bypass for decades to no avail, and the organisation’s phones had been running red hot with calls from concerned members.

“They are worried about the safety of detour routes, many of which are potholed and not designed for heavy haulage trucks, and they are worried for their livelihoods,” he said.

“We understand this work must be done as quickly as possible before the wet season and we want the resilience works to be done once and done right, so the existing road stays open until the new bypass is built.

“But trucking operators are asking Waka Kotahi to find a better way to get it done without shutting State Highway 1 for

GREENWOOD

another two months.”

He added that one of the proposed detours, via Dargaville, would add 140 kilometres to the return journey between Auckland and Whangarei, driving up the cost to transport goods between Auckland and Whangarei by around 30 per cent.

“Many customers simply cannot afford to pay that much extra,” he said.

Tighe-Umbers added that the association would be calling for the re-establishment of a resilience relief fund to enable Northland businesses to claim support for transport and other cost increases.

“We are now seeing a real-world example of the pain and harm caused by underinvesting in our infrastructure,” he said.

“Real people end up paying the price in jobs, livelihoods and mental health.”

Rural women are being encouraged to get off the farm, enjoy a leisurely lunch and be inspired by a former Olympian this month.

With support from the Rural Support Trust, Beef + Lamb NZ is organising Refill Your Cup: Ladies’ Long Lunches at three venues across the northern North Island, including one at Abel Estate near Kumeu on Thursday, November 30.

The event has been designed to help bring rural women from across the region together to be inspired and make wider network connections, with drinks, nibbles, lunch, spot prizes and guest speaker Brooke Neal.

Neal played hockey for New Zealand for 10 years and competed at the 2016 Olympics and 2018 Commonwealth Games, where she won a gold medal. However, she also struggled with burnout, self-doubt, grief and chronic pain, until she took a step back to start her own business, practice daily mindfulness and become a yoga teacher.

Neal will share her experiences of how, by finding more balance in her life, her performance only improved and how she now inspires people to be healthier in their lives while pursuing their dreams.

Tickets cost $20 per person, $75 for four or $150 for a table of eight, and the event runs from 11.30am to 3pm.

Info and registration: https://beeflambnz. com/events/blnz-refill-your-cup-ladieslong-lunches

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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Gardening Andrew Steens

Make mine mulch Every indicator points to a windy, hot and dry summer this year, and our gardens are going to suffer more than normal. The excessive rainfall over the past couple of years has stressed out the root systems on many garden plants, leading to root disease and roots that are closer to the surface than normal. The most important step you can take now is to mulch your trees and gardens while the soil is still moist. I use just about anything I can get my hands on to use as mulch, with different products being used on different areas, depending on their characteristics.

We collect seagrass washed up on the beach after an easterly storm and lay this on the vegetable beds. Seagrass takes months to break down, so it is a good long-term mulch; don’t bother washing it as some people recommend, as the minimal amount of salt that it contains won’t harm your soil. A layer about three centimetres deep will keep soil moisture in and prevent most weeds germinating, while new plants can be planted through the layer into the soil below.

Another good source of mulch are tree prunings that have been shredded through my chipper. Woody mulches like this (or purchased bark mulch if you don’t have a chipper) are very good around fruit trees, as the woody matter feeds fungi and bacteria that are antagonistic to root diseases.

Again, a layer of at least three centimetres is beneficial, up to about five centimetres deep. Aside from moisture retention, disease control and weed suppression, a

woody mulch also provides a lovely layer of slowly composting material that tree feeder roots can grow into.

Grass clippings are a good source of mulch but, these need to be applied a little more carefully, as a thick layer of wet grass clippings can form a slimy anaerobic layer that prevents vital oxygen reaching the root system, potentially doing more harm than good. Additionally, grass clippings placed against the trunk can lead to collar rot.

Grass clippings are best applied in a more doughnut shape around the tree and no thicker than three centimetres at any one time. As the grass breaks down, it does add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil, which is a bonus.

Often, if I lightly prune something, such as a hedge or a shrub, and it’s too small to bother putting through the chipper, I’ll just spread the twiggy material directly under to act as an instant mulch. This works very well and saves labour but does look a little messy for a while. I’ll do the same with banana leaves, heliconia leaves and cannas.

For those with tidier gardens than mine, a bark mulch is ideal. Some of these are precomposted so will not take much nitrogen from the soil while they continue to break down. A raw bark mulch that has not been composted will take nitrogen from the surface layer of soil, which can lead to a short-term deficiency, although over time this tends to balance out. Overall, mulching is one of the most important jobs for a healthy, productive garden that is resilient to adverse conditions.

Central’s Tips December 2023 The fruit and vegetable garden • Assist eggplant flowers to pollinate – use a small paintbrush to transfer pollen between flowers. Eggplant flowers are pale mauve and droop downwards, so they’re uninteresting to the bees • A regular squirt of water over the bean plants is said to increase bean production. Picking regularly also encourages a bumper crop • It’s all in the staking – plant such as beans, tomatoes and cucumbers benefit from good climbing supports through the summer • Find out if your potatoes are ready by gently excavating from the edge of the mound. Early cropping potatoes are generally ready from now onwards • Thin apples and pears now to allow fruit to grow to decent size. Keep watered through the summer months

The ornamental garden • Christmas tidy-up in the garden: weeding makes the garden look great and focuses the eye on the desirable plants • Avoid clipping hedges and topiary as freshly exposed foliage will burn in the hot sun • Flowering agapanthus should not be left to go to seed. These plants colonise easily in Auckland at the expense of other more desirable options • Summer prune the wisteria, rambling roses and jasmine to maintain control as they grow extensively in the heat • Plant carpet thymes, prostrate muehlenbeckias and coprosmas as hardy groundcovers to keep the weeds at bay • Heading away? Move pots and baskets into shadier areas to reduce their water consumption, water and mulch them to tide them over

Nourish the garden for the summer ahead Warkworth swings to all that jazz

The joint was certainly jumping at Warkworth Town Hall on November 11, when a jazz, swing and funk party was held as part of the town’s 170th anniversary celebrations. The hall was transformed into a 1940s jazz bar, packed with people dressed to the nines and keen to take show off their moves. The music was non-stop, anchored by three swinging sets from the WBB Big Band, plus extra sessions from various ensembles playing trad jazz, 60s swing and cool funk tunes. Dancing standards were high, thanks mainly to a visit from members of a Whangarei swing club, whose expert moves kept everyone entertained.

WBB Big Band is the most recent incarnation of Warkworth Brass Band, which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year.

www.localmatters.co.nz

To make the plants sit up and look lush, try spraying or drenching with a liquid fertiliser over all the garden now. Our favourite is Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster which contains fish, seaweed and humates to deliver a great range of nutrients to the plants.

Spray before it gets hot or in the evening.

Central Landscape Supplies Warkworth 09 425 9780 • warkworth@centrallandscapes.co.nz Open 7 Days • 25-31 Morrison Drive, Warkworth www.centrallandscapes.co.nz November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

39

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Exterior/Interior/Roofs/Staining • Repaints & Restoration • Interior Lockwood home painting • Villa and Bungalow • Roof Painting & Coatings • Plastering repairs • House wash and more ... Husband & Wife team • harley.mcvay@xtra.co.nz

Harley 021 0220 8727 or 09 423 9012

November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

41

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• Rural & Urban Subdivision • Boundary Locations • Site Contour Plans • Construction Set-out • Drone Mapping Services

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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Classifieds AERIALS

PUBLIC NOTICES

REDDING ELECTRONICS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

Proposal to grant a community lease over land at Glenmore Drive Reserve

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

Auckland Council invites submissions or objections from persons about the proposal to grant a community lease over land at Glenmore Drive Reserve, Warkworth for the development of a community facility

DRIVEWAYS

Pursuant to the provisions of the Reserves Act 1977, the Rodney Local Board proposes to grant an agreement to lease (with draft community lease appended) to Bowls Warkworth Incorporated for 12,000 square metres (more or less) of land at Glenmore Dr Reserve, Warkworth, legally described as Part Lot 1 Deposited Plan 77687. The land is held in fee simple by Auckland Council.

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

MAINTENANCE Grading, rolling & metalling for rural Driveways.

No job too BIG or small. Ph Trevor 021 0225 5606

DVD

DVDS & VIDEOS

Any person wishing to make a submission in respect of the above proposal is required to lodge this in writing to Karen Walby, Community Lease Advisor, Auckland Council, Private Bag 92300, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142 no later than Monday 18 December 2023, 5pm. Alternatively, submissions may be emailed to Karen.Walby@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

V I D E O S TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Phone or txt Tetotara Video 021 777 385.

HAIR & NAILS

MOBILE HAIR & NAILS

Please state in your submission if you wish to be heard in person.

Working around the greater Warkworth Region. Offering hairdressing, manicure and pedicure services, in your home.

Call Rebecca 021 0825 8242

Any information provided to the council will become subject to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and may be released by council under that Act, unless a withholding ground under that Act applies. Submitters details may be provided to elected members for decision making purposes and may be included in meeting agendas that will be published on council’s website. Any submitter should state in their submission if the whole or any part of the submission is to be kept confidential and must indicate the grounds for the information to be withheld.

HOME & MAINTENANCE

Blue Skies Cleaning Window Cleaning, Soft Bio House Wash, Gutter Clean, All Exterior Cleaning, Water Blasting, Roof Treatment, Local Professional service.

Ph Pat 022-646-5849

Find out more: phone 09 301 0101 or visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

HOME & MAINTENANCE GROUND CARE SERVICE Tree-work, Hedges, Mulch Application, Garden & Section Tidy ups, & Greenwaste removal.

Call Mahurangi Groundcare 021 133 8884

Ph Paul 09 422 0500 or 027 29 222 04 WINDOW CLEANING/ HOUSEWASH/GUTTER CLEANING Local professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849.

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Sudoku the numbers game 1 3 8 7

2 6 3 3 1 4 5 8local, If it’s

MEDIUM

let us know!

9 1

NATHAN-PATUAWA, Manga PATUAWA, Lillian A RAHUI, John TOKO, Jamie WILLIAMS, Scottie Invalid voting documents Informal votes Blank votes

130 139 153 130 112 25 0 1

I therefore declare Manga NATHAN-PATUAWA, Lillian A PATUAWA, John RAHUI and Jamie TOKO to be elected.

ŌRĀKEI TAKIWĀ - one (1) vacancy: PIHEMA, Joe WITIKA, Tautoko Roy Kevin Invalid voting documents Informal votes Blank votes

107 21 3 0 2

I therefore declare Joe PIHEMA to be elected.

OTAMATEA TAKIWĀ - three (3) vacancies: MARSDEN, John A NATHAN, Deb RAUMATI, Tyrone STEELE, Brenda WARRINER, Virginia Invalid voting documents Informal votes Blank votes

159 186 174 111 181 31 0 2

I therefore declare Deb NATHAN, Tyrone RAUMATI and Virginia WARRINER to be elected.

SOUTH KAIPARA TAKIWĀ - two (2) vacancies: GLAVISH, Naida NAHI, Richard TUKERANGI, Margie Invalid voting documents Informal votes Blank votes

109 230 185 27 0 2

I therefore declare Richard NAHI and Margie TUKERANGI to be elected.

5

Have you been affected by someone's drinking?

Al-Anon Family Groups can help.

We welcome you to the Warkworth Family Recovery group confidential meeting.

We meet at 56 View Road Warkworth, Midwife’s Office every Wednesday from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. This meeting can also be attended on Zoom.

Please contact warkworthafg@gmail.com for more details or visit Al-anon.org.nz

41 25 4 0 0

I therefore declare Druis Kapu BARRETT to be elected.

Dated at Whangārei, 8 November 2023

Dale Ofsoske, Returning Officer Independent Election Services Ltd for Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICE DESKS Warkworth, at the Council Offices Monday 10am – 2pm Matakana, Cinema Complex Tuesday 11am-1pm Snells Beach, at the Library Friday 10am – noon Warkworth RSA Fridays 3.30pm to 5pm No appointment is needed.

There is no cost.

The deadline for classified advertising for our December 4, 2023 paper is November 29. Send classified advertising enquiries to design@localmatters.co.nz

Looking for a job?

More vacancies online www.localmatters.co.nz/jobs

Supported by Mahurangi Matters

CHURCH NOTICES

7 1

7

6 9 4

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the Warkworth area:

SOLUTION page 37

Mahurangi 425 9068 FILL IN THISMatters GRID SO THAT EVERY COLUMN, EVERY ROW AND EVERY 3X3 BOX CONTAINS THE DIGITS 1 TO 9.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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www.puzzles.ca

1

NORTHERN WAIROA TAKIWĀ - four (4) vacancies:

BARRETT, Druis Kapu NEPIA, Pat Invalid voting documents Informal votes Blank votes

Or need your Freeview box tuned for the new channels? TV repairs, microwave oven repairs, Freeview installations.

8 5 6

I declare the results of the election held on Tuesday 7 November 2023 for eleven (11) Board Members of the Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Trust Board to be as follows:

WHANGĀREI TAKIWĀ - one (1) vacancy:

COLLINS ELECTRONICS HAVE YOU LOST PRIME?

7 6

TE RŪNANGA O NGĀTI WHĀTUA TRUST BOARD DECLARATION OF RESULT OF BOARD MEMBERS

Warkworth Fellowship and Snells Beach Big Book Meeting Phone/text 0275 773 689 www.aa.org.nz | www.12steps.nz Supported by Mahurangi Matters

WANTED TO BUY TOOLS, paintings, ornaments, old cookware. Before you donate, call 09 422 6075

CATHOLIC CHURCH Phone 425 8545

www.holyname.org.nz

Holy Mass Timetable: WARKWORTH

Holy Name Church, 6 Alnwick Street Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 10.30am

PUHOI

SS. Peter & Paul Church Sunday: 8.30am

5 Pulham Road, Warkworth Phone 425 8861 www.mahu.org.nz Sunday Services 9am & 10.35am

November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

43

Sedimentation and erosion consultant Duncan Kervell.

Soil ecologist and technical adviser to the programme, Merrin Whatley, with Jo McVeagh, a lifestyle block owner from Mahurangi West.

Property owner Matt Wech.

Mahurangi West workshop addresses land restoration issues

By Allan Barber allan@barberstrategic.co.nz

Cowan’s Bay farmer Matt Wech recently hosted a group of mostly local landowners at an on-farm workshop, organised by the Mahurangi Land Restoration (MLR) programme.

The programme is funded by Auckland Council in collaboration with the Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust. Its goal is to improve the health of the Mahurangi Harbour and its waterways through reduced sedimentation run-off from both private and public land activities. It started in 2020 with an initial budget of $5 million.

Since then, more than 92,000 trees have been planted, 6.8 kilometres of fencing installed and 29 hectares of wetland created on private land and 55,000 native trees planted on public land. There are also initiatives like primary school education programmes, fish passage improvement ramps, Te Muri Regional Park stream planting to prevent erosion, construction site visits to monitor compliance, and the establishment of an unsealed road sediment run-off improvement steering group.

MLR works closely with landowners to help them prepare funding applications

to council to cover the cost of erosion and sediment control methods, such as fencing to protect waterways from livestock and seedlings for planting in carefully chosen sites. However, the cost of weed spraying for site clearance is currently not eligible for funding.

Duncan Kervell, an erosion consultant based in Whangarei, with substantial experience of the soil types in Northland and North Auckland, gave a presentation on how best to control sedimentation run-off by adopting a resilient toolkit of targeted treatments. The components of the toolkit include tree planting, wetlands, fencing off of gullies and streams, livestock exclusion, native regeneration, and good farm practice. He said all the ingredients for success – good science, funding, GIS mapping, engaged support and partnerships – were present in the Mahurangi district, although time was of the essence, especially with the loss of topsoil from heavy rain events like Anniversary Weekend and Cyclone Gabrielle.

He told the audience the soft rock in this part of the country was originally seabed, which was responsible for the soil structure instability, causing erosion of hill country, stream and riverbanks, and soil under pasture. This geological weakness means sediment run-off occurs with only four

millimetres of rain here, compared with 50mm in Canterbury. It is, therefore, essential to slow the erosion process with tree planting in the right places, whether permanent native afforestation, production pine forestry, or space planting of kanuka, manuka and totara, to maintain adequate pasture.

The introduction of kikuyu over 100 years ago has slowed the rate of sedimentation, while the amount of planting more recently has also helped. But heavy cattle on vulnerable land causes worse erosion and, while it is important to balance ecology with economic imperatives, there is limited time left to fix the problem.

Kervell estimates the rate of sedimentation to be 2.7 tonnes per hectare per year and at the present rate it will increase by 200 per cent in the next 60 years.

Matt Wech led a tour of his farm to explain how he has tackled the problem on his land and to point out the different areas of planting at various stages. He has planted 100,000 trees on 15 hectares, many of these from seedlings grown on the property.

Manuka and kanuka are the foundation trees because they grow quickly and, after a few years, provide sufficient light for other self-seeded natives to grow. These trees eventually grow above the initial planting.

Birds do a wonderful job of spreading

seeds, especially puriri, to complement the planned planting programme.

Farm consultant Rob Macnab gave a presentation on the need for all properties larger than 20 hectares to have their own individual Freshwater Farm Plan (FFP), which will become mandatory in the Auckland region by 2025. He reassured the audience their existing Farm Environment Plan will cover most of the FFP, but additional elements would include risk mitigation and catchment context plans, plus the requirement for the FFP to be certified and audited. All of this will come at a cost of up to $10,000.

The workshop concluded with an explanation of how progress of the Mahurangi Land Restoration programme is being monitored beside the action plan, to assess the outcomes achieved against the money invested on behalf of ratepayers. The structure in place to run the programme consists of the programme manager, technical adviser, planting manager and land adviser, all of whom are available to work with the landowners in the Mahurangi to answer questions, advise on initiatives and guide them through the process. The workshop was told that the health of Mahurangi waterways depends on landowners participating in this initiative.

Water Taxis

A Hidden Taonga in the Hauraki Gulf.

Wildlife • Shipwrecks • Mansion House and more

Adult $107 • Senior $100 • Family $297 • Child $54 • BBQ lunch - $33 Adult/ $20 child Mansion House has eftpos now.

Our return times are 2pm or 4.30pm.

REGISTER NOW: FREE FENCING FOR CYCLONE IMPACTED FARMERS

To get your free fencing, register at www.bit.ly/kaiparaFCC Or phone 028 2550 0838.

Sandspit Wharf, End of Sandspit Road, Sandspit, Warkworth 09 425 8006 or 0800 111 616 | info@kawauwatertaxis.co.nz | https://kawaucruises.co.nz

| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

Royal Mail Run Cruise

Departs Sandspit Daily at 10:30am.

Ever wanted to explore an island that has no road access? Want to learn more about the people living there?

This is your opportunity, with the Royal Mail Run Cruise!

Mansion House Cruise

The Rapid Relief Team (RRT) charity is offering free fencing to farmers impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Register by 23 November to pick up your free fencing bundle at Wellsford on November 30. Each bundle donated at our Farmers Community Connect event is worth $1,500. RRT understands farmers need a hand after a disaster, and has so far donated 73,000 fencing posts and 280 kms of fencing wire at four events.

44

Water taxis on the Hauraki Gulf at a time that suits you, 24/7. Our fleet of safe, high speed and comfortable Water Taxis are driven by professional skippers who have years of local experience. We operate a water taxi service and regular shuttle service to Kawau Island.

Departs Sandspit Daily at 10:30am.

Sir George Grey, the third Governor of NZ purchased Kawau Island in 1862 and began establishing a ‘Garden of Eden’ including transforming the old Copper Mine Manager’s house into an imposing mansion. Wander through the carefully restored Mansion House and admire the many artifacts gleaned from his travels through the Pacific, or marvel at the everyday objects of the Victorian era.

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Marine

TOTALSPAN RODNEY PROUD SPONSORS OF

Sam Woolford, LegaSea Project Lead

Trawl bans needed to save sea life We need to stop killing so much sea life.

What does a seafloor look like after decades of bottom trawling? It resembles a muddy, barren landscape unable to support the rich and diverse marine life it once harboured, so fish must go elsewhere to find food. But what if there is nowhere else to find food?

People have been trying to have trawling banned from the Hauraki Gulf for over 100 years. For a decade, LegaSea has been advocating the need to ban destructive fishing methods from coastal waters.

The main offenders are bottom trawling, Danish seining and dredging.

These methods have a common impact – they harm the seafloor. Bottom trawling and Danish seining involve dragging heavy nets or ropes across the ocean floor. And until the recent emergency closure, the Victorian Box Dredge was used to harvest scallops. The consistent use of mobile, bottom-contact fishing methods has left a trail of devastation in its wake, destroying shelter, food and ecosystems that used to cover the Hauraki Gulf ’s seafloor.

We trusted the Government would listen to the 84 per cent of New Zealanders who wanted destructive fishing methods removed from the Hauraki Gulf. No. Fisheries New Zealand’s recent proposals to create ‘trawl corridors’ will allow destructive fishing to continue. Their proposals simply do not meet the environmental standards expected today.

The devastation extends beyond the Gulf.

With no planned reduction in catch limits, Bream Bay, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty will likely see more trawlers in their waters as they shift out of the Hauraki Gulf. Amid the trawl corridor chaos, the Department of Conservation was

consulting on new legislation to create 19 new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Hauraki Gulf. The environment is deeply interconnected, making it difficult for anyone to consider the merits of the trawl corridors without knowing what areas may be closed to fishing.

You can’t tell me that two of the most important processes to happen in the Hauraki Gulf, occurring simultaneously during a general election, is not a coincidence. The significance of these matters was overshadowed by election fever, avoiding the attention of the public and media.

LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council developed submissions in response to the trawl corridor and MPA proposals. We urged decision-makers to take a holistic approach, combining fisheries management and marine protection.

We are promoting an alternative called Option Zero, seeking a ban of all destructive fishing methods in the marine park. We also recommend designating the Hauraki Gulf as a Type 2 MPA, allowing for 100 per cent seafloor protection from bottom trawling, Danish seining and dredging under the new proposed marine protection legislation.

On the west coast of the North Island, we can see the environmental benefits when trawling is banned in a specified area. Since 2008, the West Coast snapper population has more than doubled in size. Although we mourn what the Gulf used to be, we need to act now for the sake of our kids. Just imagine how abundant the sea life would become if destructive fishing methods were removed from our inshore waters.

Consistency pays off on greens The Leads and Twos singles event was held on Saturday, November 11. All players had only one life, which meant that on losing a game the player was knocked out of the event. The two players to reach the final were John Brooks and Symon Morrice.

Brooks, playing very consistent bowls, took out the title. Also during the afternoon, a number of younger guys turned up to bowl a few ends, as part of their stag do. Great fun and very entertaining.

The Business House Competition on Wednesday nights continues to be a busy night at the club. Last day of competition this year will be on December 6, with play resuming on February 7.

It looks like there will be a full field for the Lion Red Triples Tournament this Saturday, November 25, so another good day ahead.

A few other happenings next month

Algies Bay regatta

Trophy winner John Brooks.

include the Leigh Community Club Christmas Get Together at the Bowling Club on December 3 and the Club Christmas Get Together on Saturday December 16, which will include a cornerto-corner competition.

Our next club event is the handicapped singles on January 6.

Contributed by Ian Bradman

A two-day sailing regatta at Algies Bay, organised by the Centreboard Sailing Division of the Sandspit Yacht Club, will wind-up on Sunday, December 3. Yachts are competing in four classes, and both adults and juniors are competing. The Algies Bay Residents and Ratepayers Trophy will be presented for the Bic Skiff sailing, after the combined points tally of two days of racing. Racing will get underway shortly after 11am.

www.localmatters.co.nz

SCOREBOARD THE scorEBoArD ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of

sam@legasea.co.nz

SUPPORTING LOCAL SPORT FOR FIVE YEARS AND RUNNING

A round-up sports activities and events the district a Roundup ofof spoRTs acTiviTies ininTHe disTRicT Tennis club days The Mahurangi East Tennis Club at Goodall Reserve, Snells Beach, runs Club Days on Wednesdays at 9am, Fridays at 5pm, and Saturdays at 1pm. All games are social and non-competitive. Visitors welcome, $5 to play.

Omaha half marathon Registrations are open for the Omaha Half Marathon, which will be held on Sunday, December 3.

Enter online now or sign up on the day for an extra fee. Participants can do the Half Marathon, 10k Classic, 5k Fun Run, or the 2k Kids Dash. All routes begin at Taumata Road and finish at Rahui Te Kiri Reserve. The Half Marathon begins at 7.30am, the 10k Classic begins at 8.30am, the 5k Fun Run & Walk begins at 9.30am, and the 2k Kids Dash begins at 10.30am. Info: https://omaha.werun.nz/ Girls night The last Girls Night event for the year will be held at Point Wells Bowling Club on Thursday, November 23, from 6pm onwards. This month’s event will be a fun evening making Christmas baubles. Bring your own nibbles. The bar will be open from 6-8pm.

Fisheye Cup The Matakana Tennis Club Fisheye Cup competition will be held on Saturday, November 25, from 10am. The competition features mixed pairs playing 30 minute games. BYO picnic, drink, blanket, chairs, and water. Numbers limited.

Cheerleading All Star Infinity Cheerleading has a number of spots available in its Grade 1 introductory cheersport teams. These classes are for beginners wanting to start cheerleading. Free trials are available.

Info: https://allstarsport.co.nz/hibiscus_coast/ Kids surf lessons Aotearoa Surf is running a number of surf lessons for kids over the summer holidays. The ToTalspan Rodney programmes run over three days from 9.30am until 11am at either Te Arai Beach or Orewa Beach.

229 sTaTe Suitable for kids HigHway ages 7-plus and of1all levels and abilities. Various dates are available throughout December and January. Info: https://aotearoasurf.co.nz/ waRkwoRTH

pHone 09 422 3149

List sports news FREE by emailing editor@localmatters.co.nz

TOTALSPAN RODNEY 229 STATE HIGHWAY 1, WARKWORTH PHONE 09 422 3149 0800 TOTALSPAN (0800 868 257) WWW.TOTALSPAN.CO.NZ

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Family owned & Operated Kevin O'Malley | 021 2200 198 | www.omalleycontracting.com

November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

45

Photo, Derek Quinn

All hands to the pumps for Wellsford fire crew comp It will be soaking wet in Wellsford whatever the weather this Saturday, November 25, when a wild and watery competition for firefighters is held at Memorial Park.

Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade will be hosting the 2023 Northland Fire Brigades Sub-Association Waterway Day, overseeing teams from throughout the north as they prime pumps, haul hoses, hook up to hydrants and spray vast quantities of water at targets.

Senior station officer Trent Jones says the event is the start of the Waterway competitive season for brigades, with medals and trophies for the winning teams.

“It’s the lead-up to the provincial comp, which will have teams from King Country north, then there will be a North Island competition in January,” he says.

Waterway challenges involve physical tasks that relate to what firefighters do every day, but requiring extra speed, precision and teamwork to win. The competition has been running in various formats since 1885 as a chance to test crews’ hoserunning and pump-operating skills in a fun and competitive environment.

“It’s the bread and butter of firefighting, what everyone does – hose running, different ways of getting water from the tank to the targets and squirting water,”

Jones says. “It’s good fun and it’s very good practice.”

There are categories for teams of two firefighters and teams of four, with competitors coming from as far away as Rawene in Hokianga, and officials from Bay of Islands and Whangaparaoa.

Jones is expecting teams from four brigades, but is hoping a few more might yet join in.

“We’ve hosted before, not that long ago, and this year’s a bit lighter in numbers,” he says. “In the past we’ve had six to eight teams.”

Jones says the event is still open to individual firefighters and brigade teams, and he hopes lots of people will come to watch and even be inspired to volunteer by seeing them all in action.

“Anyone is welcome to come on down and have a watch, cheer them on and have a chat,” he says. “And current members of any brigade are welcome to enter and have a go on the day.”

The event gets underway at around 8.30am and will run until early afternoon.

Although it clashes with the Wellsford Santa Parade, Jones adds that the brigade will still be able to take part in both events, so no one will miss out on seeing fire trucks on display.

Bowling 4s crowned

The Mahurangi East Bowling Club at Snells Beach recently held its Club 4s Championships.

After five tight games, the men’s and ladies champions emerged – the men’s 4s were Dave Bartlet, Ken Withers, Gary Gibson and Rocky Harris, while in the winning ladies team were Annie Harris, Jan Boag, Karen Vassiere and Sheryl Innes. The November Twilight Social Bowls series started on November 8, with 30 teams participating in a fun-filled summer evening of bowls. The series runs every Wednesday night during November and March.

Teams wishing to participate should contact Jan Boag on 021 980 837. Pictured are the two winning teams.

Info: Contact Trent Jones on 021 524 537

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5:56am 7:02am 8:29pm 5:49pm

5:56am 7:01am 8:30pm 5:50pm

5:56am 6:59am 8:31pm 5:51pm

5:56am 6:58am 8:31pm 5:52pm

4:50am 2.8 3.0 3:45am 2.7 3.0 6:05am 2:41am 2.6 3.0 5:11am 1:42am 2.6 3.1 4:15am 3.2 3:18am 6:01am 2.7 0.6 12:47am 2:26am 2.7 5:12am 2.8 0.6 1:38am 4:26am 2.9 0.6 12:53am 3:40am 0.6 0.6 12:09am 2:56am 0.5 0.7 5:16am 2:12am 0.5 0.8 4:34am 1:29am 0.4 0.9 3:51am 1.0 3:06am 1.1 12:45am 2:20am 0.4 5:28am 0.5 2.7 12:01am 1:30am 0.5 4:35am 3.1 2.7 12:38am 5:09am 3:41am 3.0 2.7 6:10am 11:02am 1.0 0.7 9:58am 1.1 0.7 12:01pm 8:53am 1.1 0.7 11:11am 7:50am 1.1 0.7 10:17am 6:53am 1.1 0.6 9:20am 3.1 8:23am 3.2 12:24pm 7:30am 1.0 3.2 11:34am 6:42am 0.9 10:02am 3.1 3.2 10:47am 5:58am 0.8 9:18am 3.2 3.2 11:45am 8:35am 3.3 3.1 11:02am 7:51am 3.3 3.0 10:18am 7:06am 3.3 2.9 9:34am 6:18am 3.3 2.8 8:47am 0.9 7:59am 10:45am 0.7 1.0 11:35am 7:07am 3.2 9:51am 0.8 1.0 12:13pm 11:16am 5:34pm 2.8 3.2 4:33pm 2.8 3.1 6:10pm 3:28pm 2.8 3.0 5:20pm 2:22pm 2.8 3.0 4:31pm 1:20pm 2.8 3.1 3:40pm 6:22pm 2.8 0.7 2:50pm 5:29pm 2.9 0.6 2:01pm 4:40pm 3.0 0.5 1:14pm 3:54pm 0.9 0.5 12:29pm 3:11pm 0.8 0.5 5:50pm 2:29pm 0.7 0.6 5:04pm 1:47pm 0.6 0.6 4:18pm 1:05pm 0.6 0.7 3:32pm 0.8 2:45pm 6:03pm 0.6 2.9 12:21pm 1:57pm 0.6 5:14pm 3.2 2.8 1:07pm 4:21pm 3.1 2.7 6:31pm Tide Tide 5:36pm 10:33pm 1.0 0.8 11:32pm 0.7 9:30pm 1.0 0.9 11:35pm 8:25pm 1.1 0.8 10:45pm 7:21pm 1.1 0.8 9:54pm 3.3 8:13pm 1.0 9:03pm 3.3 11:56pm 7:24pm 1.0 6:37pm 0.9 9:36pm 3.0 3.3 10:21pm 3.3 11:07pm 8:53pm 3.1 3.3 11:25pm 8:11pm 3.1 3.2 10:41pm 7:29pm 3.2 3.1 9:54pm 6:47pm 3.2 3.0 9:06pm 10:24pm 0.6 1.2 11:14pm 1.1 7:25pm 3.2 8:16pm Times Times 11:43pm 5:59am 7:16am 8:17pm 5:39pm

Sun Sun Fishing Fishing Guide Guide

5:59am 7:15am 8:18pm 5:40pm

Best Best At At

GB

10:12am 8:36am 10:36pm 9:01pm

5:58am 7:14am 8:19pm 5:40pm

Best Best At At

GB

11:00am 9:26am 11:25pm 9:52pm

5:58am 7:13am 8:20pm 5:41pm

Best Best At At

GF

11:51am 10:18am 10:45pm

5:58am 7:12am 8:21pm 5:42pm

Best Best At At

BF

12:17am 11:11am 12:44pm 11:38pm

5:57am 7:11am 8:22pm 5:43pm

Best Best At At

BF

12:04pm 1:12am 1:40pm

Best Best At At

BG

12:29am 2:09am 12:55pm 2:37pm

Best Best At At

BG

3:05am 1:20am 3:33pm 1:44pm

Best Best At At

GG

4:01am 2:09am 4:27pm 2:32pm

Best Best At At

GG

4:53am 2:56am 5:18pm 3:20pm

Best Best At At

FG

5:41am 3:43am 6:04pm 4:07pm

Best Best At At

FG

6:26am 4:31am 6:48pm 4:56pm

Best Best At At

BG

7:08am 5:21am 7:28pm 5:47pm

Best Best At At

BG

7:48am 6:14am 8:08pm 6:41pm

Best Best At At

BG

8:28am 7:10am 8:48pm 7:39pm

Best Best At At

BG

9:08am 8:09am 9:28pm 8:40pm

Best Best At At

BG

9:49am 9:11am 10:11pm 9:42pm

Best Best At At

BG

10:34am 10:12am 10:58pm 10:42pm

Full New Last First Moon Moon Quarter Quarter Set Rise 3:47am 3:42am Set Rise 4:15am 4:39am Set Rise 4:45am 5:33am Set Rise 5:19am 6:23am Set Rise 6:00am 7:07am Set Rise 6:47am 7:47am Set Rise 7:42am 8:21am Set Rise 8:41am 8:52am Rise Rise12:08am 9:21am Rise Rise12:45am 9:50am Rise Rise 10:20am 1:15am Rise Rise 10:52am 1:41am Rise Set 12:54am 2:05am Rise Set 2:27am 2:05am Rise Set 2:49am 3:16am Rise Set 3:12am 4:22am Rise Set 3:38am 5:22am 1:28pm Rise 2:13pm Rise 3:05pm Rise 4:03pm Rise 5:05pm Rise 6:10pm Rise 7:16pm Set 8:23pm Set 9:29pm Set 10:36pm Set 11:44pm Set 12:44pm Set 1:41pm Set 2:38pm Set 1:01pm Set 2:00pm Set 3:06pm Set 4:48pm Set 5:58pm Set 7:09pm Set 8:20pm Set 9:28pm Set 10:30pm Set 11:23pm Set 9:43am Set 10:45am Set 11:45am Rise 11:28am Rise 12:11pm Rise 3:37pm Rise 4:37pm Rise 5:41pm Moon Moon Rise *Not *Not for for navigational navigational purposes. purposes.

GG

Good Good Fishing Fishing

FF

Fair Fair Fishing Fishing

BB

Not Not So So Good Good

www.tidewiz.com www.tidewiz.com

www.tidespy.com www.tidespy.com

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Graphic Graphic supplied supplied by

by OceanFun OceanFun Publishing Publishing Ltd. Ltd.

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| Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

What’s on See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/ for a full list of upcoming events

November 24

Tea & Talk: Wilson Cement Works, Warkworth Museum, 10am. Entry $12, including talk and entry to exhibition. Bookings essential: Email warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz

25

Waterway Day, Memorial Park, Wellsford, 8.30am. Hose and pump competition for firefighters, hosted by Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade. All welcome to watch. (see story p46)

25

Wellsford Santa Parade, 9am onwards. Parade begins at 10.30am at Wellsford Community Centre. Facepainting, baking, sausage sizzle, Mr Whippy, coffee, and more. Info: Wellsford Plus Inc on Facebook (see story p7)

25

The Grand Oaks Market, The Atrium, next to Warkworth Hotel, 9am. Household items, antiques, arts and craft. Cash only.

26

Storyboard Walk, Lucy Moore Park, Warkworth, 10am-noon. Start at Warkworth Library, Warkworth Lions sausage sizzle. Free. (see story p18)

26

Puhoi Village Market, 9-1pm. Live music, crafts, coffee, community plants and produce, tools, woodware and more. Dog friendly, cash only. To book a $20 space, email puhoivillagemarket@gmail.com

26

Silk dyeing with flowers, Nuku Studio, 132 Gibbons Road, Kaiwaka, 10am-3pm.

Using fresh, dried, or frozen flowers to dye on a silk scarf. BYO flowers and lunch. $98. Tickets & info: https://www.nuku.net.nz/

26

Driving Home for Christmas, Matakantata Choir, Matakana Hall, 4pm

28

Warkworth Ladies Rebus Club Meeting, Besoul, 3/12 Gumfield Drive Warkworth, 10am. Guest and club speakers. Last meeting for 2023. Info: Beryl 027 494 3387.

30

Christmas Night Market, Kaipara Flats Sports Club, 4-8pm. Stalls, food, bar and raffles. Fundraiser for sports club extension. Info and stall enquiries: Odette 027 676 8522

VISIT SEE OUR WEBSITE

OUR STORE OR

W E

C A N

D E L I V E R

Tea & Talk: Wilson Cement Works, Warkworth Museum, 10am. Entry $12, including talk and entry to exhibition. Bookings essential: Email warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz

1

Matakana Community Christmas Fair, Matakana School, 4-8pm. Craft stalls, food trucks, live music, entertainment, games and Santa Grotto. Info: Matakana Community Christmas Fair on Facebook

1

Carols by Candlelight, Lucy Moore Park, Warkworth, 6.30pm (see brief p24)

2

Diabetes education day, Totara Park Village, Melwood Drive, Warkworth. Free, but bookings essential: email DSME@comprehensivecare.co.nz or phone 09 448 0019

2

Point Wells Library ‘Buck a Book’ Sale, Point Wells Hall, 9am-12.30pm.

2&3

Christmas Gift/Art Extravaganza, Studio 22, 22 Muncaster Road, Snells Beach, 10am-4pm. Gifts by local artists Blair Fraser, Maureen Roke, Shelley Gray and Joann Farnell. All welcome.

2-10

Treemendous Christmas Tree Display, Old Masonic Hall, Baxter Street, Warkworth, 10am-5pm daily. Kowhai Coast Lions’ fundraiser with visits from Santa. Entry $3, $1 for children. Info: Call 425 0969 or 027 620 6006 (see story p24)

3

Warkworth Santa Parade, leaves from Baxter Street 11am (see story p11)

3

Centreboard sailing regatta, Algies Bay, 11am (see brief p45)

3

Driving Home for Christmas, Matakantata Choir, Warkworth Town Hall, 4pm

4

Making Room for Rivers public meeting, Matakana Hall, 7pm. Info: Making Room for Rivers at www.eventfinda.co.nz (see story p15)

4

Eat Smart/Feel Great Nutrition Workshop, Mangawhai Fishing & Boating Club, 6-7.15pm. Practical demonstration and sampling.

5

Gold Connect final meeting, Snells Beach Baptist Church, 2.30-4.30pm. ExAuckland Town Hall organist John Wells playing Christmas carols on piano.

Singalong and nibbles. Free.

Y O U R

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1.2kg Lamb Butterflied Leg 700g perla potatoes halved 1 1/2 cups (180g) frozen peas 150g sugar snap peas 150g snow peas, trimmed

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Brighton Bath Sheet $35.99

Coat hangers from $11.99 each

Apron Summer Road Trip $38.99

Tea towel Summer Road Franco Large Trip $14.99 Platter $79.99

Mint sauce 1 bunch mint, leaves picked 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tbsp caster sugar 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp warm water Preheat a covered barbecue grill on medium, I love my BBQ Liner no mess and easy clean. Cook lamb in covered barbecue for 12 mins each side or until cooked to your liking. Transfer to a plate.

Cover with If you care Aluminium foil.

Set aside for 5 mins to rest. Thickly slice.

BBQ Locking Tongs $44.99 BBQ Liner $23.99

BBQ lamb with pea salad and mint sauce

Meanwhile, cook potato in a large saucepan of boiling water for 10 mins.

Add peas, sugar snap peas and snow peas. Cook for 2-3 mins or until peas are bright green and tender. Drain.

Aluminium Foil 7 metre roll $14.99

To make the mint sauce, process mint, lemon rind, lemon juice, garlic and sugar in a food processor until finely chopped.

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DON’T MISS OUT! Offers valid to 24 December 2023 (or while stocks last)

6

Warkworth Liaison Group meeting, downstairs meeting room, Warkworth RSA, Mill Lane, 7.30pm

6

Warkworth Museum/Maritime Museum information workshop for digi hub project volunteers (see story p13)

7

Dementia Care & Power of Attorney, Wellsford RSA, 11am. Talk by Paddy Sullivan from Age Concern Rodney

7

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

09 423 9077 • sales@drummers.co.nz 225 Rodney Street, Wellsford 0900 Open Tuesday - Friday 9am - 5pm

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December 1

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November 20, 2023 | Mahurangimatters |

47

Photos, Anna Thoroughgood

170th celebration marked with military precision

Thousands of people turned out for the 170th Anniversary celebrations in the centre of Warkworth on Saturday, November 11 to mark the US troops presence in the town 80 years ago during World War II. The event was organised by Heritage Mahurangi and featured a military parade from Baxter Street to Winscombe Mall, a display of military vehicles, a flyover by

vintage planes and a Skywork helicopter, can-can girls on the balcony of the Warkworth Hotel and a performance by the Royal NZ Navy Band.

Earlier in the day, wreaths were laid at the cenotaph in Church Hill as part of Armistice Day ceremonies. Then military personnel representing all three services paraded through town, led by the Navy Band. Also participating in the parade

were students from Mahurangi College and Warkworth Scouts.

Heritage Mahurangi chair Dave Parker said he was overwhelmed by the turnout and was particularly pleased by the number of families in the crowd.

The day wound up with a Warkworth Big Band concert at the Warkworth Town Hall.

t r o pp u S THE FINAL & e m o C

SAUSAGE SIZZLE Saturday 25th November, 9am-2pm next to Warkworth Butchery

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

48 | Mahurangimatters | November 20, 2023

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