Hibiscus Matters_Issue 346_1 May 2023

Penlink toll decision released

Rocks provide emergency backstop on two Coast beaches

When contractors placed piles of large rocks in a line along part of Hatfields Beach two weeks ago, it had locals wondering who had given consent for it, how come it happened so fast, and why rocks were being used when Auckland Council has made it clear they are not its preferred option for Ōrewa Beach sea defences.

Enquiries by Hibiscus Matters ascertained that the work was undertaken by Auckland Transport (AT) under emergency provisions, to prevent further erosion. The grass reserve along Hatfields Beach eroded

almost to the highway in some places following Cyclone Gabrielle.

AT spokesperson Paul Thompson says there was concern that if things were left as they were for any duration, the bank with the trees and the road could have sustained serious damage.

“We had to act quickly to protect the road structure,” Thompson says. “For now this is a temporary solution to prevent more damage by high tides.”

He says rocks were chosen because they were there previously, along with a seawall

now overgrown and covered with sand. The rocks were supplied free of charge, but the work cost $180,000 in total – to be funded by Waka Kotahi and Council.

AT is not required to consult Council in advance of emergency work and now has around 100 working days to apply to Council for a retrospective resource consent.

Thompson says this process will determine how that structure is altered, and also whether it is extended further along Hatfields Beach.

Consultation with Council on what happens next began last week.

Council’s Resilient Land & Coasts general manager, Paul Klinac, who has been front and centre of work Council is doing about future protection of Ōrewa Beach, was part of those discussions.

He says he understands why people immediately asked about Ōrewa when they saw the rocks at Hatfields.

“The key difference is that we are talking about an emergency protection measure,

continued p2

Auckland Transport placed rocks on part of Hatfields Beach as an emergency measure to protect the road. The work raised tempers among some Coast residents, who asked ‘why not put rocks on Ōrewa Beach?’

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continued from p1

within a road corridor, as opposed to how the public use a public reserve on Ōrewa Beach,” he says.

He says Council staff first became aware of the rocks at Hatfields Beach when the public drew it to their attention.

He is clear that the rock structure may well change during the resource consent process that is now being discussed between AT and Council.

“AT are open to making changes that will make it more aesthetically pleasing and improve access,” Klinac says. “How durable the structure is, also needs consideration.”

“By the very nature of an emergency, the rocks are a quick fix,” he says. “If we have to rework it, to get it right, AT and Council are committed to doing that.”

Klinac says a similar emergency fix [dumping rocks] was considered on Ōrewa Beach years ago after severe erosion by Kohu St. That option was discounted because Council considered it had time to go through a process of consultation, design

and construction to best practice standards. That process led to the seawall that has consent to be built between Kohu St and Marine View.

“If there’s anything we’ve learnt from the

Environment Court process [for the north Ōrewa seawall], it’s that there is a high level of interest in what happens in Ōrewa. So consultation with the community is vital,” he says.

Rocks protect residents’ accessway

Meanwhile, a small section of Ōrewa Beach, in front of Marine Parade, is to have what Council calls ‘a small backstop rock wall’ put in. Residents of the Oceanside apartments and adjacent homes were concerned about losing Marine Parade, which is the only road to their houses, after severe erosion caused by recent storms (HM March 20). Rocks will be placed in front of the reserve there, and covered with sand. Last week Auckland Council’s area operations manager Kris Bird told the paper that hard engineering solutions like this are not the preference in managing the natural processes in coastal environments. “However, we need to ensure the integrity of the concrete right of way,” Bird says. “The placement of rocks will not be along the full length of the esplanade reserve, only in front of the small section that has experienced the worst erosion. Sand push ups will be completed in other areas of the esplanade reserve where there are no physical assets at risk.” Bird says contractors will also begin repairing the Council assets between Arundel and Remembrance Reserves to maintain access. “Some of the accessways onto the beach will be rebuilt, while some of the smaller access points that have been washed away will be removed,” he says. He says the work also includes repairing the boat ramps at Puriri Avenue and behind the Ōrewa Sea Scouts den in Arundel Reserve. Work is expected to start early this month.

Government says YES to Penlink TOLL

Transport Minister Michael Wood has decided that the O Mahurangi Penlink road – a 7km route that will link Whangaparāoa with the Northern motorway – will be tolled.

The decision comes more than a year after the public was consulted on the issue.

Waka Kotahi received more than 3300 submissions about the tolling proposal –these have not been made public.

In releasing the decision exclusively to Hibiscus Matters, Minister Wood said although Government is funding the construction of the road, it will cost $3m each year to maintain.

“The fairest option is for drivers who use the road to contribute to ongoing maintenance through tolls,” he said. “By using tolling, the community can be assured the road will be maintained to a high level, as that

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income will only be used for that purpose.”

Local Councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker opposed tolling, as did the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board.

Cr Watson said during the consultation process last year that Penlink should not be tolled if a congestion charge for entry to the city is introduced, as that, along with the regional fuel tax, would hit Coast commuters unfairly.

The Hibiscus & Bays Local Board told Waka Kotahi in March last year that unless there is a dedicated bus/T2 lane available from day one, drivers should not be charged to use the route.

The local board’s feedback said that without provision for public transport and a transit lane, there could be undue pressure on the Silverdale interchange, which is already at capacity. That would create inequities for

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drivers using the free route, because of the costs caused by distance and congestion.

Tolling of the O Mahurangi Penlink route will be electronic, via cameras in two places – near State Highway 1 and just east of the Weiti Bridge. A proposed third tolling point at the Stillwater interchange has been removed.

The initial toll for light vehicles passing through both tolling points will be $3 (peak periods) and $2 (off peak). Heavy vehicles will pay double that rate. Public transport operators and cyclists will not be charged. Travel between four other access points on the road will remain untolled to ensure it is free for vehicles that have no alternative route.

Early works are already underway, and construction of the route is expected to be completed in 2026.

IT’S SIMPLE AND IT WORKS BY DESIGN

Local board works for civil defence response

Last month, the Auckland Flood Response Review was released, detailing the shortcomings of Auckland’s emergency preparedness. Many of the findings (see Box) talked about the need for decentralising the response. Many in the aftermath of the Anniversary Day floods, including the Hibiscus & Bays local board chair, were vocal about being left out of the loop, and the local board is now working to improve that for when the next disaster hits.

Mayor Wayne Brown has said the recommendations in the report will be actioned by October 13, and tested with a scenario. Representatives of Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) told a meeting of local board chairs on April 17 that they are in the process of making changes and putting a new structure in place.

Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Gary Brown says he is concerned about what would happen if there were a Civil Defence emergency in the interim (between now and October).

Brown says the floods and cyclone showed that local responses need to be coordinated through local boards, who know their areas, facilities and issues.

He wanted to create a Civil Defence refuge at St Stephen’s Church in Whangaparāoa, and at the Salvation Army headquarters

Stanmore Bay February 2023

in Red Beach during the floods, but says he was told ‘no’ by AEM who opened one at Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre instead (because it is Council-owned).

“The Leisure Centre is in a flood plain, and when I pointed this out, they said they would arrange to evacuate people from there to higher ground if it was flooded, which is madness. You have to have a range of local places to suit the emergency – floods, fire, or earthquakes – and this area needs something accessible for people in Ōrewa and Dairy Flat/Wainui and for Whangaparāoa.”

“I was angry at the poor communication from AEM. We were forgotten on the Coast and that can’t happen again. We could have helped people in places like Puhoi and Dairy Flat – even though they

are in Rodney Local Board’s area, we are physically closer.”

Brown says ratepayers have been asking him how things will improve next time, and the short answer is that this area needs to go back to having local volunteers trained in Civil Defence, which the local board is currently working towards.

“We need to take the bull by the horns and look after our own areas.”

Editor’s note: There is no doubt that an independent report into Auckland Council’s performance in a Civil Defence emergency was called for. However, how much that report cost ratepayers is yet to be revealed as Council told Hibiscus Matters to request that figure under the Official Information Act. We have done so.

Landowner consultation to begin on future roads

The process of protecting a future transport network for Auckland, which Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport (AT) put out for public consultation last year, is about to get real for some landowners, who may be affected in Silverdale and Dairy Flat. Some of the routes that may be protected for the future network will affect private landowners, which Waka Kotahi Regional System Design manager Randhir Karma acknowledges can be distressing for them.

“We support all impacted landowners through the process, and know that the earlier a designation is chosen, the fewer people are impacted,” he says.

Waka Kotahi and AT will be writing to impacted landowners this month – this will include a map showing the draft designation boundary and the extent of potential impact. One-on-one meetings will be offered and Waka Kotahi says the outcomes of the investigations and engagement may affect the extent of the impact on private property.

Karma says that since the community was consulted last year, there have been some

Among the findings were:

changes. These include changes to the Wilks Road interchange to reduce effects on property.

A social impact survey is also underway to understand how the projects may positively or negatively impact communities and any required mitigation. This involves an online survey and interviews with selected property owners.

Once this work is completed, the project routes will be finalised and a notice of requirement will be lodged, expected to be later this year. This process is similar to a resource consent application.

Karma says the need to future proof transport corridors across Auckland is especially important in light of recent severe weather events.

Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport are planning transport corridors to allow for growth in the next 30 years. Thirty percent of that growth will happen in greenfield areas, which include Warkworth, Silverdale, Dairy Flat, Kumeū, Huapai, Whenuapai and Riverhead – and many of these areas are on, or adjacent to, flood plains.

Karma says while the lack of detail in a road designation is often difficult for people living under it, they can be reassured that issues such as flooding vulnerability will be designed for when the road network is constructed.

“Primarily it was our legacy roads that became overwhelmed and suffered damage [in recent floods],” Karma says. “Obviously it’s best when the road doesn’t flood in the first place and we saw examples of how well modern infrastructure coped with unprecedented rainfall.”

Once the notice of requirement is lodged, Auckland Council will formally notify property owners, who can make submissions and be heard at a hearing if they choose, as part of the decision-making process. If confirmed, an official designation is placed over the properties that fall on the route. Protecting the route does not guarantee funding for construction or identify what the roading corridor may look like – designations last 10-30 years, after which they lapse if the land is not acquired.

“Supercity planning for emergencies seems to have contributed to an optimism bias that Auckland Council’s size and systems could handle anything. • Rather than a model based on central planning and localised delivery, the Council’s emergency response was premised largely on centralised coordination and delivery of response. In the event, this weakened the localised intelligence flows that could have supported better targeted community responses.” • Many respondents [to the review] raised issues relating to the pre-storm state of the drains, culverts and soak pits that drain Auckland’s streets. Elected members reported receiving communications from constituents that drains were not being regularly cleared and that some soak pits appeared obstructed. We strongly suggest that a review of the pre-event condition of Auckland’s horizontal infrastructure be undertaken if this has not already been initiated. From our overview of eventrelated correspondence, including to the Mayor, there is considerable public interest in Council confirming that any maintenance issues have been identified and a plan of on-going maintenance is in place.” • The list of possible locations [for Civil Defence Centres] does not appear to have been well informed by local and community held information. Prior to Auckland amalgamation, detailed plans were held at local board level and perhaps better reflected local conditions, resources and partnerships. Some of this detail appears to have been lost when lists were revisited from a super city perspective” • “AEM appears to have acted throughout from a centralised service delivery model, when a more devolved response would have better aligned to the locations of displaced people and the available Civil Defence Centres. • “In future, it will be critical that Civil Defence Centres, while planned and tested centrally, are delivered locally, and through partnerships with community providers of all kinds. One of the factors slowing the CDC response on the critical night was the need not only to align Council logistics, welfare and buildings teams, but also the lack of available local knowledge to the AEM. A number of elected members had a good understanding of local conditions and options, but they struggled to know how to connect with AEM to offer suggestions. Their emails to AEM reflect considerable concern at the lack of alignment to community needs.” • “Another implicit assumption seems to centre on the value of centralisation, while in emergency management, a careful balance between centralisation of planning and localisation of service delivery seems likely to be necessary.”

Bus station disorder needs ‘whole community’ response

Residents concerned about youth disorder at the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station have taken to social media to discuss what should be done.

Incidents include alleged assaults, theft, intimidation of others (including bus drivers), and verbal abuse.

There have been issues reported with young people at the bus station since February, but Police say there was an escalation in the school holidays.

Waitemata North Area Prevention Manager, Snr Sgt Roger Small of Orewa Police says it is a real concern that people report issues on social media, instead of coming to Police.

He says Police became aware of one alleged assault at the station by seeing it on Facebook.

“It was not reported to us, and Police should be the first point of call,” Snr Sgt Small says.

He says Police are aware of incidents at the bus station and nearby shops, and know the group who are committing the offences.

“Generally the younger ones are being incited by older ones and it’s a small core group, not ‘an epidemic’,” he says. “They are being charged when we can – some are too young.”

Recently two males, aged 14 and 16, were put before the court in relation to an incident at the station. It is alleged that, on

April 20, two males approached two male victims and presented a weapon as a threat to hand over their personal belongings. Police took both alleged offenders into custody – they were to appear in the North Shore Youth Court on April 26. Police have increased patrols in the area, including at night. Those involved include the Community Constable, youth aid and general duty staff. Members of Police’s tactical crime unit are riding on the buses and the Community Patrol is driving through the station to report any issues they see to Police.

Snr Sgt Small says a ‘whole community’ approach is needed, but the first thing is for the public to call 111 (for serious issues such as assault or theft) or 105 (for general disorder).

Comments on social media include the need for security guards so that people feel safe– this is Auckland Transport’s (AT) responsibility.

AT spokesperson, Blake Crayton-Brown, says AT is working with Police.

“The safety of our services and locations is our top priority,” Crayton-Brown says. He says bus stations are designed to deter criminal behaviour with good sight lines, lighting, CCTV and help points where people can report issues. If the activity is reported via help points, live public address announcements can be made – “Behaviours usually change once perpetrators are alerted

to the fact that someone is watching, and responding,” he says.

“AT has extensive CCTV coverage across its main facilities, and images can quickly be shared with Police,” he says. “Transport officers can be deployed quickly to deter fare evasion and other anti-social behaviour.”

In addition, he says locations are monitored to detect known offenders and if need be mobilise security patrols or Police. If perpetrators are in school uniform, AT informs principals.

“If an incident occurs, the event report and images are followed up with Police through weekly liaison meetings. The shared intel has been effective in Police tracing perpetrators in the past.”

No charges – but changes afoot at park

The controversial proposal by Auckland Transport (AT) to introduce paid parking at park and rides across Auckland has been dropped.

The review of Auckland’s Parking Strategy began in 2021 and included public consultation last year. The parking strategy will be signed off by the AT Board this month but the final summary of changes appeared in a report to Auckland Council’s Transport & Infrastructure Committee last week.

Committee chair, local Councillor John Watson, says AT have listened to Aucklanders and deserve credit for that change of approach.

In the feedback, the proposal to charge at park and rides was strongly opposed by the public. The Hibiscus Coast Bus Station is one of the two largest park and rides in NZ – the other is at Albany.

Cr Watson says keeping park and rides free was “a real battle for a small group of councillors”.

“In my opinion, consideration of charges at park and rides was made from a standpoint far removed from the reality of public transport commuting in the outer suburbs. I am sure, if implemented, it would have actually discouraged public transport use. Auckland’s fares are, in normal circumstances, already high by international standards – the last thing you’d want to do is to add yet another charge to commuters wanting to catch a bus.” There will, however, be changes at park and rides. Hop cards will be required for entry into and out of the park and ride through a barrier system that can determine from the Hop card data whether the parker has used a bus that day or not. If they haven’t, they will be charged.

Cr Watson says that is entirely fair and reasonable.

“One of the complaints at Silverdale is that there are people parking in the park and ride who do not catch a bus. That’s not what it’s there for – the charging

and rides

regime will put an end to that practice and with it, parking that denies genuine bus commuters a space.”

Another change being advanced after the public consultation is a trial for a small number of paid pre-booked spaces (510 percent) at park and rides that will be adjusted according to demand. This is to enable people with appointments to get access to a limited number of parking spaces during the day – spaces that would otherwise have long gone through the commuter morning peak demand.

Cr Watson says park and rides have been an outstanding success in getting people out of cars and onto the bus and that recent improvements to the Northern Busway are making commuting from the Coast easier.

“We actually need more park and rides. This could be achieved through utilising existing council-owned parking that is not used during the day, such as at sports grounds, continued p5

More youth support needed Coast Youth Community Trust director, Olivia Huszak, says her organisation, which works with local youth, is aware of the problem. She says there are limited safe spaces for young people to hang out at locally, so young people create them themselves, often at the detriment of the rest of the community. She says a related issue is that young people missed three years of learning due to Covid-19, in terms of social skills and communication with peers. “Being on social media during that time normalised violent and abusive reactions to uncomfortable situations. Youth are in need of positive role models to learn new ways of dealing with those things.” In addition, she says cost of living pressures on parents and caregivers mean more time working and less spent with their children. Huszak says there is no one solution, and that the community needs to step up. “We need to see beyond the confronting behaviour and see young people for who they are –young people. Changing that behaviour means spending time with them.” CYC Trust runs a mentoring programme that connects adults with young people – one way to be part of the solution. At the same time, the Trust, and others working with young people locally, are aware that there are high risk young people who need support from trained youth workers. “CYC Trust is responding, and engaging with as many youth as we can. We need more trained youth workers, which means more funding. So, a not-soeasy solution is for our community to put their money where their mouth is and sponsor a youth worker.” (info at cyctrust. org.nz). “CYC Trust is about building resilient individuals and a stronger community, and with our community’s help we can achieve this.”

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Viewpoint

Gary Brown, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair gary.brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Creating a safe place

When you look at what the Hibiscus Coast community have endured for the past few months, I believe we have discovered what our community is all about. Groups have stepped up and helped many people that find themselves in desperate situations with damaged properties or not able to stay their homes. The work that was achieved by the local emergency services has been outstanding and I truly applaud their efforts over the months which was over and above their normal day to day services. With the lessons learned over the past months from the natural weather disasters, it has been mine – and I believe the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board’s – intentions to establish a comprehensive Civil Defence system for our areas to ensure that we don’t find ourselves (the community) struggling to get help organised. It is time to put a strategy plan into fruition so that all emergency services and community volunteers are ready at a moment’s notice to spring into action for our communities.

I have recently been contacted by many people regarding the situation at the Hibiscus Coast Bus terminal and the concern for the safety of people waiting to catch a bus. There appears to be regular harassment, threats, stealing of clothing and intimidation by young people who think it’s cool to act this way. Well, it’s not, and there are meetings taking place with Local Board members, Mark Mitchell and Police to find ways of stopping this occurring as we will not stand for this type of behaviour

Continued from p4 ...

thereby providing an accessible local transport hub especially on Whangaparāoa Peninsula. The other possibility is the construction of higher rise parking buildings at park and rides – but that would have to be a paying proposition.”

He says in future, with better bus feeder connections to locations such as the proposed new bus interchange in Stanmore Bay (via Penlink), people will be encouraged to use these more local and accessible connections to start and end their travel. Aside from the park and ride proposal, key

in our community. I know that the community requires zero tolerance and wants to see our bus terminal a safe place to wait for a bus. As chair of the Local Board it’s always an honour to represent Auckland Council at special occasions, including NZ Citizenship and also the Anzac Day ceremonies. I attended three services this year for Anzac Day and looking at the attendance of the community really emphasises how important these events are.

May it continue on for many years.

On a personal note, not long ago I was involved in a Flood Relief Charity Fundraiser at Paraoa Bar, Whangaparāoa, with a great line up of local talent, Sam Wilcox Brown, Velvet Tones, Rockstok Band, Rietta Austin, Jamie Vokes, Chet O’Connell, Stu J and also famous artists The Lady Killers (Suzy Lynch, Tina Cross and Jackie Clarke) and a special one-in-50-year appearance by Space Waltz with Eddie Rayner and Alister Riddell. The money raised will be given to a group to help those affected by the recent floods. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy our wonderful Hibiscus Coast.

changes in AT’s parking strategy include a focus on more dynamic space (changing through the day), undertaking a business impact analysis on parking changes and taking a lead from the needs of local communities when it comes to parking allocation. AT will now develop local parking management plans with communities.

Cr Watson says this process has been altered to ensure that local boards are included from the start, local needs are included, and the plan won’t proceed without local board endorsement.

everything done to perfection.

A funeral is a time for saying goodbye but also for reconnecting with friends and whanau. That’s why at Dils Hibiscus Coast, we put as much care into your reception as we do with every other part of the service. Our door is always open, so come by for a cuppa and discover the Dil’s difference.

It is time to put a strategy plan into fruition so that emergency services and community volunteers are ready at a moment’s notice

Mum’s war work remembered

I’ve been thinking about my mum for two reasons recently – Mother’s Day is coming up, and Anzac Day has just gone. My mother was in the Women’s Royal NZ Naval Service (Wrens) – although she never went to sea. Instead, she was one of a select group who operated a secret station from a remote farm in Rapaura, near Blenheim during World War II. All we ever knew about her wartime work as we grew up was that it involved morse code, that she was selected because she was a fast typist and that they all put on weight eating fresh cream and butter from the farm, which she felt guilty about as times were tough for most during the war. Mum was clear that the Defence Force was keeping its secrets close, and many years after the war, that was all she would say. I could tell though, that she was proud of whatever it was she did there, and that it had been an exciting part of her youth. She was released from that Oath of Silence by the Defence Force in 1982, a full 40 years after the station in Rapaura was set up, and just two years before her death. She, and several of the other Wrens, were interviewed, revealing what they had been up to. They learned Japanese Katikana code because they were identifying Japanese callsigns from stations or vessels. Their work was passed onto the Navy office in Wellington over a Scrambler telephone. It provided insight into signals from enemy forces that were near NZ shores. All of it was top secret – the farmhouse was enclosed with barbed wire fence with a locked gate and guard. An aerial was concealed in trees close to the house. It was important work – the caption on one of the photos of those Wrens reads “Had the Japanese High Command known about these Wrens and the work they were doing, there is little doubt that it would have put a price on each of their heads.” The station was closed in May 1944 but I am sure that the two years my mother spent doing that work were immensely important – to her and the others (some of whom became her lifelong friends) but also as a contribution to NZ’s wartime security. Terry Moore

Important rights

I can see where local board member Leanne Willis is coming from in her Viewpoint (HM April 17). We all need to be free to speak our minds and hear from all sides on issues in an open society, just as we are online. I think of Speakers Corner in New York, where anyone can stand and proclaim whatever is on their mind – factual or not – to whoever is passing by. However, just as there are online, I believe there need to be some restrictions that prevent hate speech and misinformation. In a way, the protestors at both those events mentioned by Leanne Willis in Viewpoint provided those checks and balances. The protests showed that there is more than one side to any subject and that all voices need to be heard – whether these are raised in protest or using a microphone in a rented hall. The way the protest was carried out, in both cases, was perhaps unfortunate but people were angry and felt threatened. We may not like what either group has to say, or the way they say it, but we need to protect the freedom to protest, as well as freedom of speech.

a united, peaceful and prosperous future, we must reject unelected, unaccountable, race-based power over our public assets and revenues.

Fiona Mackenzie, Stanmore Bay Thumb’s

up for BID

I would like to congratulate the businesses in Silverdale who have had the foresight to make the Silverdale BID a reality. I was one of the instigators and first chairman of Destination Ōrewa Beach We had a similar struggle in Ōrewa with the Ōrewa Business Association, back in the early 1990s, when we had to convince the businesses in Ōrewa to agree to the formation of Destination Ōrewa Beach. The humble beginnings have led to what you see now, with Hellen Wilkins, along with a capable Board, being able to successfully promote the attributes of Ōrewa, for the benefit of all businesses. Destination Ōrewa Beach now speaks with one voice, with credibility and strength, when dealing with broader issues, particularly involving Council matters.

Des Adams, Red Beach

Ōrewa options

garden planting areas that (on paper and for the first few weeks) suggested good investment. I now wonder ‘where next’ with remedial work and at what cost? The section of beach causing concern to all is the most heavily populated area for recreation that has been subjected to previous man-made interference with nature of a scale that cannot be undone but only worked with, which from my point of view still trends toward a rock wall continuance. I would also like our beach walkers to view the area directly after the Surf Club toward the estuary where the sand dune has been scoured into retreat in the same manner as at the domain. At the estuary there is a groyne protection to the river outfall, yet another beach protection used overseas but somewhat unsightly, though one gets used to man-made structures. I trust more will be forthcoming from our residents to ensure good ‘counsel’ going forward.

Colin Selfe, Red Beach

Money down drain

Blake Jamieson,

Ōrewa Sane and reasonable

I greatly appreciated Local Board Member Leanne Willis’ sane and reasonable Viewpoint column (HM April 17). There remains some hope for our country when people like her step up to defend our much undermined democracy and the essential tenets of free speech and one person-one vote.  For all New Zealanders to enjoy

My letter recently regarding the council’s proposals for Ōrewa Beach (HM March 20) were not only to express my current point of view – I’m open to re-education on all matters – but to elicit the views of others, hence my need to return to this page. Reference to Napier’s attractive foreshore gardens omits the fact that it has a black sand pebble beach and is not subject to windblown sand, which I note has destroyed the roadside

Our house was built in 1959 when the street had no mains water supply or stormwater drain. Consequently it was designed with a rainwater tank built in. Stormwater was thus buffered by the tank, with any overflow disposed of on-site via a soak hole and a series of swales. At a later date mains water was installed and residents given permission to discharge stormwater to the kerb. The owners embraced this modern ‘miracle’ and disconnected the rain water tank, and have since been saddled with ever increasing water bills. Given the immense volume of rainwater that

goes to waste from rooves each year, might it not be good economics to incentivise retrofitting storage tanks? Council already requires detention (buffer) tanks on all new housing developments to spread the increased load on the stormwater infrastructure. Retention tanks serve the same purpose as well as reducing reliance on reservoir supplies. Of course private water companies have no interest in us becoming self-reliant as they make money selling us water. If they were still publicly owned, their interests would align with those of water consumers.

Andrew Westaway, Hatfields Beach

Sand blows in

I took this photo on April 16 on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway near the BP Service Station in Ōrewa. It’s high time the Council is pushed into fixing the erosion of our coastline. Cyclone Gabrielle was bad but the regular winds we get on the coast are an ongoing problem with sand blowing all over the place. It does not take much intelligence to see that the areas of coastline which are protected by rocks are far less eroded than those that are not. If the large rocks are not available they could use Gabion Basket stone walls. I imagine someone in the Council may have suggested this in the past but it would have been drowned in a talkfest which would then be referred to a consultant. (And still nothing done). This

Mega-Council idea does not work. Bring back the Rodney Council!

Kevin Playdon, Red Beach

SH1 waste disposal

Anyone that travels between Warkworth and Ōrewa frequently would notice that the goat track that was formerly State Highway One, has become a disposal plot for hundreds of old discarded and damaged road cones, plastic hats protruding through the undergrowth and sprouting grass and pampas growths through the nose. On a trip from Warkworth to the Johnston Hill tunnels I counted over 200 abandoned and damaged cones in the scrub or lying in discarded useless positions on the road side – cones that Waka Kotahi staff leave behind and seemingly have no interest in recovering. Presumably there is another couple of hundy on the opposite side too. This is an unreasonable pollution of the roadway by Waka Kotahi staff – it’s a gross abuse of public owned land and would not be accepted by Auckland Council or Waka Kotahi if it was dumped there by members of the public. Maybe the Minister of Transport can talk to his CEO and remind them that they have a social responsibility to collect all of these waste items before departing work site.

John Griffin, Sandspit

Congratulations to Mia McCormick who won our Mother’s Day competition. Mia wrote: “As I’ve gotten older I’ve reflected on how well my mum did raising me on her own and putting up with my disappointing behaviour, but she never stopped loving me or accepting me for who I am. I’ve realised that she’s not going to be here forever. I am 18 and have autism and depend on my mum so much.” She won a three-course lunch and pamper experience for two at Silverdale Mall. Thanks to all who entered.

2181 East Coast Rd, Silverdale

new coffee place on the Coast, located outside Red Beach Surf club

Country Club tees up neighbouring course

The fact that Whangaparāoa Peninsula’s two golf courses are adjoining has led to a number of approaches, offers and much speculation over the years.

Also in the mix is that the Whangaparāoa Golf Club’s zoning was changed from open space to residential several years ago (HM May 2016). Although the zoning change was at the club’s instigation, it caused huge rate increases, along with offers from developers (HM Feb 19 2020) and recently that zoning was changed back to open space.

On April 18, Whangaparāoa Golf Club’s management committee advised members of a recent proposal from neighbouring Gulf Harbour Country Club. This included Whangaparāoa swapping its land for part of the Gulf Harbour golf course, plus a $5m lump sum.

Whangaparāoa Golf Club’s management committee advised members that it had voted to reject the proposal. Its reasons included past opposition from members to any sale of the land, and that the offer would leave Whangaparāoa Golf Club having to fund works on the course and new buildings itself. Club members who did not agree with that decision were invited to request a Special General Meeting so that the offer could be put before them formally, but members were happy with the decision.

In the meantime, also on April 18, Gulf Harbour Country

Club’s general manager, Peter Spiers, sent members a statement in an attempt to dispel rumours.

Rumours that all, or part, of the Gulf Harbour course could be sold for residential development have been circulating ever since the club was purchased by developer Greg Olliver in 2021.

A group called Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces Inc was formed last year to oppose any such plans.

Residential development on the Gulf Harbour course, which is zoned Open Space, would require applying to Auckland Council for a Private Plan Change – so far, no such application has been made.

Spiers’ statement to members says that selling the Gulf Harbour course is not being considered, nor is reducing it from 18 to nine holes.

However, the statement says there will be changes to the course layout which are currently being designed. They include a new clubhouse and practice area.

Both Whangaparāoa Golf Club and Gulf Harbour Country Club were approached for comment. Whangaparāoa’s management committee sent a statement, the relevant parts of which are in this story, and Gulf Harbour has not yet responded.

RSA feeling confident of better profitability

With $2m in the bank and its mortgage paid off from selling a chunk of land to developers, and membership and income both on an upward trajectory, the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA is feeling more confident about the future than it has for some time.

At an Extraordinary General Meeting on April 16, a majority of members present voted to withdraw $200,000 of that $2m capital to pay for long needed maintenance on the clubrooms at Vipond Road, and high operating costs. The club has a history of running at a loss, and if it continues to top up its funds from capital reserves, that money could be gradually whittled away. However, President David Newman says that is not going to happen on his watch.

He says there were probing questions at the meeting about why the $200,000 withdrawal was needed.

In response, Newman told members that the club had to spend money to ensure compliance with employment law and health and safety regulations – in effect, so it could stay open and trade.

Work on the roof, leaking pipes and rotting floor joists, was needed and ventilation upgrades are being costed.

“We have been dealing with a very run down, leaking and non-compliant building and it has been a long, hard haul,” Newman said.

The RSA has been making substantial losses for at least 14 years, and Newman says this is expected to continue this year, although the loss will be significantly less than previous years.

“When running a business, you must invest into that business and what houses it, otherwise customers won’t use the facilities. There are signs of change with current offerings and the fruits of that investment,” he says. Since the start of the year, more than 100 new members have joined the club, and the second week of April saw the highest turnover since Covid-19.

Newman says manager Mike Bishara and younger members on the committee are helping to turn the club’s fortunes around.

He says there is no intention to take any more money away from their investment capital.

Co-governance meeting promises fairness and facts

The May 6 meeting on co-governance at Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa community marae, organised following Julian Batchelor’s meeting on the same divisive topic in Ōrewa last month, has reached its capacity of 55 people. Co-organiser, Estefania Muller-Pallares, says fairness is the focus.

“There can’t possibly be a fairer event or discussion about co-governance than one that is organised collectively between supporters and non-supporters,” she says.

“Four panellists have been invited (two for, two critical or against), with one Pākehā and one Māori voice on each side. All have significant political or community roles and experience in co-governance.

“Although, as organisers, we differ strongly in opinion, we are committed to creating a fair event where all community members can ask questions of panellists with a range of viewpoints and experiences. This will be a fair, fact-based and true community

More speed drops ahead

discussion,” Muller-Pallares says.

The panellists who were confirmed as Hibiscus Matters went to print are Guy Wishart and Tau Henare. Wishart is a Rodney Local Board member who is involved with a number of community organisations including Kumeū Community Action and Huapai-Kumeū Lions. He is involved in a co-governance structure for Kaipātiki.

Henare is a former parliamentarian and Māori Affairs Minister who is currently an Auckland Council independent Māori statutory board member.

The event will include a pohiri/welcome, a Q & A section and an “open but moderated discussion”.

The meeting will be live streamed on YouTube on the event Facebook page here: https://facebook.com/ events/s/Ōrewa-community-discussionon-/1631933287268717/ allowing online viewers to ask questions and interact.

Residents have been standing on the brakes down Silverdale Hill and keeping their eyes on the speedo as they drive down Whangaparāoa Rd since speeds were recently dropped there by Auckland Transport (AT). Those changes were publicly consulted on (HM May 30, 2022) but seem to have snuck up on the public. More are in the wind, with the early stages of AT’s speed management plan 2024-27 brought to the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board meeting on April 18. Among its feedback, members asked AT to note that there need to be allowances to empower local boards to influence some details [of speed management] to better reflect the needs of the community and enhance overall safety. The local board supports a fixed speed reduction immediately outside all schools and asked AT how the community, schools and other organisations will be engaged and empowered regarding any proposed changes. A report will be provided to local boards to show how feedback has been used to help shape the final plan that goes out for public consultation. Public consultation is planned for mid-2023, with dates to be confirmed after the Regional Transport Committee approval of the draft plan. The AT report is available in the local board agenda - https:// infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2023/04/20230418_HB_AGN_11834_AT.PDF

Help design a new park in Ōrewa

Residents are being asked to help design a park that will be developed next year in Harvest Avenue, Ōrewa. Hibiscus and Bays Local Board set land aside for the neighbourhood park nearly five years ago, and Chair Gary Brown says a survey last year about the amenities residents wanted, received almost 150 replies. People got to choose their top three amenities, with a playground, picnic tables with seating, and shelter and shade leading the way. That information, and people’s feedback about current and future activities at the park, will shape the park’s design.”

Design options include three different layouts with activities for younger and older children, social areas with seating, an accessible trampoline and spin equipment, swings and open spaces. Along with equipment options, feedback on planting and colour themes is being sought.

Brown says residents are invited to a community event at the park with fun activities for the kids, and where they can see the designs, ask questions and give feedback.

“We want to hear people’s views on the features they would like included, if we have got the design right, or if there’s anything missing?”

Public feedback is open from 1-22 May.

Ways to have your say:

• Give feedback in-person at the community open day (86 Harvest Avenue, Ōrewa) on Saturday 6 May, 1-3pm

• View the design online and have your say from 1 May at akhaveyoursay.nz.

Whenua-roa/D’Oyly Reserve playground

Work has started to upgrade the playground at Whenua-roa/ D’Oyly Reserve which should be complete by the end of June.

The broken play equipment was due to be replaced through the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board work programme. Stanmore Bay School students and locals gave feedback on the new playground design. The playground caters for children up to 12 years of age and includes a play area for Taonga Takaro, a traditional Māori game where players jump as high as they can while catching an opponent landing in the same space as themselves.

The new larger footprint will have plenty of space for creative play, and other features include: swings and a rocker, a spinner (relocated from old playground) a roll runner and space planets, a climbing unit with slides, platforms and ropes, a wavy monkey bar, spider glider and tunnel net, a netball hoop, balancing logs, a planted maze and landscaping and a concrete path to connect to the existing path network.

This is the first park to have bilingual signage installed onsite with dual Māori and English names - Whenua-roa / D’Oyly Reserve. Whenua-roa is a traditional name for this area provided by mana whenua and means long stretch of land.

As part of Auckland Council’s Te Kete Rukuruku programme, launched six years ago, the local board has adopted Māori names to sit alongside the English names, for parks. Signage will be changed over time to reflect the dual names, but only as it gets old and is due for replacement.

The programme sees local boards partnering with iwi to share Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland’s unique Māori stories by adding names and the meaning behind them to local sites.

Silverdale War Memorial Park playground

Green, red and yellow is the colour palette that inspired the upgraded playground at Silverdale War Memorial Park, which reopened recently.

The diamond climber, tube slide and talk tube reflect the yellow, green and red colours of Silverdale United Rugby Club, whose young members love the playground. Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Gary Brown says the playground, tucked in behind the rugby fields, has been abuzz since it reopened.

“It’s great that community feedback helped shape the redesign. Improvements include a better line of sight, with the playground visible between the rugby fields, and a new footpath for easy access all year round.

Sustainability played a big part, with old play equipment refurbished from other playgrounds and a new nature adventure trail that includes the park’s fallen trees, old bollard posts and even seawall rocks. With junior players picking some of the play equipment, the playground has been busy ever since it reopened.”

The playground cost $250,000, caters for children up to 11 years and features include several swings, climbing equipment, toddler unit with shopfront, talking tube and timber seating.

Community Fun Day Saturday 6 May, 1pm-3pm, 86 Harvest Ave, Ōrewa

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board: Seated: Alexis Poppelbaum, Julia Parfitt (Deputy chair), Victoria Short. Standing from left: Sam Mills, Gary Brown (Chair), Jake Law, Gregg Walden and Leanne Willis.

Silverdale War Memorial Park playground

A netball hoop will also be installed at Whenua-roa/ D’Oyly Reserve playground

Manly firefighters step up to Sky Tower challenge

A group of 12 Manly volunteer fire fighters, with members aged from 20 to 59 years old, is taking part in this year’s Sky Tower Challenge, although finding time to train and fundraise has been difficult in recent months.

The event is on May 20. It involves climbing 51 flights of stairs in Auckland’s Sky Tower in full firefighting kit to raise money for Leukemia and Blood Cancer NZ.

Jade Wickman is one of three women in the Manly Skywalkers team. It’s the second time she’s done the climb for charity, and this time she, along with several other team members, will wear additional breathing apparatus – the mask means your lungs need to work harder on the steep climb.

Two of the team, Deon Holgate and Nathan Glen, have entered the tough Man of Steel category which requires climbing

an extra nine flights of stairs and wearing a heavy steel tank.

Paige Macdonald has also set herself a difficult challenge – she is taking on the big climb after giving birth just four months ago.

The fire fighters have had a busy few months following the storms, which

Jade says has hampered their ability to train together as a team, as well as their fundraising efforts.

However, they are all enthusiastic about the challenge.

“It’s cool to be part of an event that involves people from all over the country and is for such a good cause,” Jade says. “It’s also a humbling experience.”

To support the Manly Skywalkers, visit https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/ manlyskywalkers

Footy nights take off in Millwater

Coast Community Trust’s latest youth programme, the Footy Night Club, provides another fun option for young people during the weekend on the Coast. It is based on the Trust’s popular Ballers Night Club, which also uses sport (basketball) as a vehicle to develop a sense of belonging, build community and prevent harm.

Instead of basketball, youth are invited to play fun football games on a Saturday night at Millwater Hockey Turf. The initiative was spearheaded by 17-yearold Luka Brown, who is passionate about football.

Each night involves playing social five-aside football, pizza and a pep talk given by a community role model.

Community Programmes manager, Caitlin

Watson says The Footy Night Club has gained wide community support since it was run as a trial last term.

The Hockey Hibiscus Trust, which runs the Millwater hockey turf, provides the space at minimal cost for the programme. Its chair, Merv Huxford says the Trust is delighted to see the facility used by groups like Coast Community Trust.

“The multi-purpose facility provides the opportunity to play a variety of sports and is well set up for football,” Merv says.

Dominos Whangaparāoa is providing a year’s supply of pizza for both Ballers Night Club and Footy Night Club on Friday and Saturday nights.

Currently, up to 40 young people are participating each night, which has led to a commitment to keep The Footy Night

Club going for the rest of the year.

“We are excited to invite more youth to join us for some active fun on a Saturday night,” Caitlin says.

Getting ready to take on the Sky Tower stairs are Manly volunteer firefighters, from left, Nathan Lloyd, Shaun Gartland, Paige Macdonald holding baby Harvey, Janette Baird, Stephen Henshaw, Russell White, Jade Wickman – plus five others.

The Footy Night Club is for youth (aged 13-18) and anyone can join. Players are asked for a $2 donation per night. Info: www.coastcommunity.org.nz

Footy Night Club volunteers, from left, Thabo Mokoena, Caitlin Watson, Blair Humphrey, Josh Harold, Luka Brown, Joel Plummer.

Come and visit our open day on Thursday 11 May, 10am-1pm

Impressive urban coastal apartment living on the Hibiscus Coast

Did someone say brand new apartments? If you’re looking for a new home located just a kilometre from the beach at Stanmore Bay, Peninsula Pavilion Apartments is the high-quality development for you.

As an extension of Arvida Peninsula Club community, these 12 modern and spacious apartments are a mix of one and two-bedrooms, offering an urban coastal lifestyle surrounded by beautiful gardens. Independent living apartments for the over-65s at Peninsula Pavilion. If these apartments don’t suit your needs, we have a few beautiful villas that won’t last long.

Open Day 10am-1pm, Thursday 11 May. Call Norma on 021 246 2047 or email norma.vaz@arvida.co.nz to find out more.

441 Whangaparāoa Road, Stanmore Bay Visit peninsulaclub.co.nz

Big turnout for Coast ANZAC services

Hundreds attended local Anzac commemoration services including veterans, older residents and many young people.

Both the dawn service and 11am Civic Service at the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA in Vipond Road drew several hundred, and around 200 also attended the service at Remembrance Reserve by the beach in Ōrewa.

At Puhoi Reserve, which initially did not plan to hold a service due to the effects

of recent flooding, around 75-100 people gathered. And more than 150 took part at the Upper Waiwera cenotaph.

The RSA services included a march past of veterans and current servicemen and women, the No 5 (Rodney District) Squadron – Air Training Corps as well as Fire and Emergency, Hato Hone St John, and Police. There was loud applause from the public as they passed.

The traditional order of service, including prayers, the lowering of the NZ flag to the

Last Post, the reading of the Ode in English and Te Reo and the laying of wreaths was followed.

Many community groups, including Guides and local schools, were present. At Remembrance Reserve, Ōrewa Sea Scouts and children from local Primary schools and Colleges were a big part of the service, reading passages from the Bible as well as the Ode and leading the singing of the National Anthem.

Commander Frank Rands’ speech

emphasised that Anzac Day is not just about those who died at Gallipoli, but all current and former men and women of our Defence Forces.

“We remember on this day all those who fell in both World Wars, in conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam, Afghanistan and more recently in Ukraine,” he said. “We also remember those involved in current conflicts throughout the world and hope that common sense will soon prevail and peace will again abound in those theatres of war.”

From left, War veteran Richard Field and his hearing assistant dog Jet. Jet wore a purple poppy in honour of animals who served in war. A large contingent of Guides marched at the Vipond Road 11am service. Commander James Tayler wore his own medals (on his left side) and on the other the medals of his Great Grandfather, Jimmy Tayler, who served in the Army in the South African War and World War I. The Arkles Bay resident’s own medals are from his time in both the British and NZ Royal Navy, which included active duty in the Falklands, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, and the two Gulf conflicts. Tayler is now a Westpac Rescue Helicopter pilot. The large contingent from Hato Hone St John included 18-yearold Nate Whitfield of Stanmore Bay. The korowai (cloak) was presented when he was selected as National Cadet of the Year.

continued p14

From left, Taking on the role of piper at several local Anzac services was Maria Walker-Kinnell, aged 14. The Ōrewa College student has been playing the bagpipes for two years and is a member of the Hibiscus Coast Pipe Band. Ōrewa Sea Scouts turned out in force for the Anzac service at Remembrance Reserve, Ōrewa. The Puhoi service was well attended by locals and a large group of Puhoi volunteer fire fighters, Photo, Lorry McCarthy. The Hibiscus Coast Pipe Band at Upper Waiwera. Students of Wainui School lead the National Anthem at the Upper Waiwera service, without musical accompaniment, Photos, Lorry McCarthy

Creative recycling as Anzac poppies pop up

The familiar poppies sold by the RSA have been joined in recent years by some very creative versions, including knitted poppies and large ones made out of recycled materials. This year, these in particular drew our attention:

1. This display was placed on the grounds of Whangaparāoa College, by the main road, where it could be seen by the public. The poppies were made by Carolyn Howden for the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA and were created from trays that she bought from the local hospice shop and test pot paint. Photo, Andrew Peddie. 2. Paper plates turned into poppies by women from the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA were a big feature of the display at Coast Plaza in Whangaparāoa.3. Wentworth College used native foliage in the wreath laid at the RSA cenotaph. 4. Hibiscus Matters’ graphic designer Lorry McCarthy makes these large poppies from old vinyl LPs. This year she also made some purple ones which are in recognition of animals that served in war.

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Social outlet for seniors seeks support

A charity that provides a weekly get-together, activities and a meal for seniors in Red Beach and other locations, has launched a crowdfunding campaign and local volunteer, Marlene Crosby is urging people to contribute whatever they can.

North Shore Centres of Mutual Aid (CMA) has two of its biggest centres on the Coast – in Red Beach and Stanmore Bay. Every week, volunteers provide morning tea, activities to work the body and brain (such as exercises and crafts) and a cooked lunch. Transport is also provided, and this is vital to ensure as many older people, whatever their mobility issues, can join in.

Marlene Crosby has been a volunteer at the Red Beach CMA since 2005. She says the seniors who come to CMA love it, and are well looked after and cared for. She says it provides a social outlet and friendship.

“Volunteers look forward to it, and so do the members, some of whom have been coming for many, many years – including people in their 90s. CMA helps them still be part of life, by making it easy for them to get there and take part.”

CMA has been part of Auckland since 1961 when the first-day centre opened in Ponsonby. Since then, expansion has seen day centres opened across Auckland, with eight north of Auckland operated by North Shore CMA.

On May 1, North Shore CMA launched a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise $5000.

Support officer and centre supervisor, Kiri Beven, says the money will ensure the

charity can continue to help and support isolated seniors.

“Loneliness and social isolation in seniors are major risk factors for depression, they are also linked to long-term illness, cognitive decline, and dementia,” she says.

“Many of our vulnerable seniors lose access to their community once they can no longer drive. CMA provides that connection and friendship. We also provide support for families and caregivers and accommodate people in the mild and moderate stages of dementia and other age-related illnesses. This enables them to live with a better quality of life and in their own homes for longer.”

The crowd funding campaign runs from May 1-12. To donate, go to: https://givealittle. co.nz/fundraiser/help-us-raise-dollar5k-so-wecan-reduce-loneliness or www.cmans.org.nz/

Marlene Crosby

Navy course empowering women

Sixteen-year-old Ōrewa College student

Rachel Slacke has loved technology since she was at Dairy Flat Primary, where she was in the team that organised the tech for school assemblies.

At college, now in Year 12, she took this forward to being in the sound and lighting crew for productions and other events. When the opportunity came up to apply for the Royal NZ Navy’s School to Seas camp, she jumped at it. The programme, funded by the Navy, is designed for young women who are interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. It aims to empower them with confidence and curiosity about STEM-based careers in the Navy and wider marine industry. Included is the opportunity for Year 12 and 13 students to get hands-on experience with machinery, robotics, and electronics; plan and execute a real naval navigation exercise; use a bridge simulator; and develop resilience and leadership skills with workshops from women in leadership. Rachel was one of 30 students selected from 150 applicants to attend the weeklong programme, at Devonport Naval Base last month.

It turned out to be a window into future opportunities – as well as a once-in-alifetime experience.

“It has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” she says. “I honestly couldn’t comprehend how many jobs and

trades are offered with the Navy. It has given myself and others a way to help break the mindset barrier of ‘what you can’t see, you can’t be’. I loved being around strong female role models as well as hearing stories from current and past Navy personnel.”

Rachel spent six nights sleeping on the HMNZS Canterbury, in a cabin with seven other girls. “We lived as if we were part of the Canterbury crew: eating, sleeping, and completing tasks on board,” she says. Her favourite activity was riding and navigating the small rigid-hulled inflatable boat, which she describes as “almost like a jetski for eight people”.

“The adrenaline from the speed as well as jumping waves and crashing down with water hitting our faces was so exhilarating,” Rachel says.

But it wasn’t all fun and games. One of the most challenging activities was being in the Flood Room Simulator, where the whole room rocks back and forth to simulate a ship sailing through a storm while the operator outside the room creates gushing leaks. Those inside must stop the leaks, with minimal light

and water rising above their waists.

“Once we climbed back up the ladder, we did a count-off only to realise that one of our team members was still on the lower level, which had been prearranged by one of the operators. This was to show that during disaster control, people can get ‘injured’ and you need a strategic plan to save them as well as keeping yourself safe.”

Participants also completed the Defence Force Fitness entry requirement, which includes the beep test, dragging an 86kg ‘body’ over 15m in less than 30 seconds, and carrying a 20kg kettlebell weight over a course in less than 45 seconds.

“This was the minimum requirement, so it gave myself and others a great understanding of what fitness levels are needed to join the defence force!”

Other activities included team building, firefighting, and visiting the Six Squadron Air Force Team for a tour of their helicopters, flight simulation, and introduction to the Air Force. There were also talks from the Police and night manoeuvres with Coastguard.

Rachel says the divisional leaders, Courtney Glover and Simone Sheenhan, demonstrated and encouraged the values of integrity, courage, companionship, and commitment. “They brought young women who had never met each other into a strong team that formed friendships,” she says. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I would like to thank Lieutenant Commander Emily Kutarski for organising such brilliant opportunities and experiences.”

Importance of STEM

School to Seas project lead, Lieutenant Commander Emily Kutarski, says NZ’s STEM workforce has less than 30 percent representation of women. “Female students in NZ drop out of studying maths and science at a rate far higher than their male counterparts, and if they happen to also be Māori or Pasifika, that rate is even greater,” she says. “With global long-term shortages in the STEM workforce, we need to attract young women in order to sustain and grow our numbers both in the Navy and the wider marine industry.”

with ...

Rachel Slacke. School to Seas participants tackle damage control fire exercises. Photos, NZ Defence Force

Chinese parents invited to talk

Stanmore Bay mother of three, Cindy Joy, is bringing her experience as a parent, along with what she has learned studying Educational Psychology, to a talk at Whangaparāoa Library. Her talk aims to help Chinese parents prepare their children for preschool and school.

Cindy moved to NZ from China 16 years ago. She says Chinese parents expect their children to begin learning from preschool.

“There is a big focus on learning,” she says. In Chinese culture, education is one way to get a better future, so it is pushed and there are high expectations on the children. At Kindy they can be learning what would be Primary School stuff here.”

Her own children went through Playcentre on the Coast, where Cindy enjoyed the philosophy of parent-led learning.

Simpson Scott Gifts & Homeware

Owner of Simpson Scott Gifts & Homeware in Ōrewa, Emma Gustafson, says the eclectic mix of vintage, second-hand, upcycled and new items in her store reflect her love of beautiful things.

The store, which opened in February in Hillary Square, is an ideal space for shoppers to fossick around in.

Emma says opening her own business, after working in the corporate world of publishing and then raising three children, was a chance to indulge in “a guilty pleasure”.

“This has always been a dream of mine and I figured now was the time to do it,” she says. Emma enjoys the process of sourcing her stock – and selects everything herself. Some of the pieces, such as a cabinet full of crystalware, overflowed from Emma’s own

collection. Other items are sourced from overseas, or from local suppliers, second hand stores and markets. She loves to support local, which includes selling on behalf of customers who are downsizing or have surplus pieces. Although she owns the business, her parents have been supportive and are often in the store.

“It’s really a family affair,” she says. There have been challenges along the way, but Emma says positive feedback from customers has made her realise she’s on the right track.

“It was a leap of faith, and I know that it’s going to take hard work and time to establish – but I’m prepared for that. It’s been really positive to find that others love and appreciate the range of things in the store as much as I do.”

“Rather than all about learning to read and so on, it’s also about life skills to prepare for the future, making NZ students more independent,” she says. “For the first three years, the neurons need to connect in the brain, through play. Whereas from Chinese parents’ point of view they want more learning.”

Cindy says she will be talking with the parents who come to her talk about the differences between Chinese and NZ

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preschools and schools.

“Through my time at Playcentre, and my studies, I realised the challenges and differences in learning philosophies and expectations,” Cindy says. “I wanted to help by sharing what I’ve learned.”

“Every parent wants their child to achieve, but it should not be pushed too much in the early stages. Once I had my own children, I realised it is not about me pushing what I want onto them.”

Cindy’s talk, A Good Start at Preschool and School for Chinese Children, is on Saturday, May 6 at Whangaparāoa Library’s Pohutukawa Room, 10.30am-11.30am.

Pink Shirt Day, which is about coming together to end bullying, harassment and discrimination, takes place on Friday, May19, The goal is to make schools, workplaces, and communities safe, supportive, welcoming, and inclusive to all. The Mental Health Foundation official Pink Shirt Day tees are available for sale at select Cotton On stores and online now at https://cottonon.com/NZ/co/co-gifts/charity-gifts/. Net proceeds assist the Mental Health Foundation to deliver resources, activities and workshops that support schools, workplaces and communities to create safe environments. Mental Health Foundation chief executive, Shaun Robinson, says that by wearing a pink t-shirt on May 19, you’re showing a commitment to creating a kinder, more inclusive Aotearoa where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background”. Info: https://pinkshirtday.org.nz/

Emma Gustafson

Cindy Joy

Phil Pickford, phil.pickford@thinkdifferently.kiwi.nz

Hard news for men

This article comes with a warning – if you are a man, especially a “boomer” man, stop reading! I am about to impart some well researched knowledge and information that you don’t want to hear. So stop now!

Leadership effectiveness is without doubt the single most significant factor attributed to business success. This is not an opinion – it’s a fact that has been exhaustively researched, and confirmed, for decades. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about Fonterra, the biggest banks, or your favourite café along the Ōrewa strip – success comes primarily from effective leadership. So which people make the most effective leaders, and what are the characteristics that are important?

If you average out the characteristics of the leaders of the Standard and Poor’s 500 stock market index in the US (the 500 biggest US companies, in essence) you come to an unsurprising conclusion – white, male, 50, taller than 1.8m. I fear you will find a similar average over the NZX as well, but there is change in the air and for very good reason.

A recent global survey of 22,000 companies found that fewer than 5 percent of those companies had a female leader, and almost 60 percent had no female board members. However, when analysing the profitable companies in the sample it was found that increasing female leadership in a company across any leadership position by 30 percent, translated to a 15 percent increase in profitability.

Heady stuff for boomer men! More recent research has analysed the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women in the

workforce – in the first year of the pandemic 54 million women around the world left the workforce, almost 90 percent having exited completely.

The effect this has had on women in leadership positions, and resultant company profitability, is stark. Women leaders have more engaged teams and drive better job performance. They rank far higher than men in the crucial leadership qualities of wisdom and compassion, which allows women to do “the hard things” better than men – things like difficult conversations, negative performance reviews and managing the complex decisions that often had to come during the pandemic. So, women leaders in business were few prior to the pandemic, and even fewer after it, but there are positive signs in New Zealand, and locally on the Coast, that they are making a comeback – and our businesses need that to happen.

In my work with local leaders there is one area that we continually come back to – the importance of ‘soft’ leadership skills such as wisdom and compassion, but also the ability to foster collaboration, team performance and developing and mentoring direct reports. These skills can be taught, as long as our experienced leaders are prepared to listen and change their thinking.

Our workforce is changing as younger generations join it, their motivators are changing, what they care about is changing. Those soft skills help leaders, paradoxically, do the hard things better, such as engaging and motivating their people, and driving financial success.

“

Fears for native birds depicted in prints

Printmaker Valerie Cuthbert poured a lot of creativity, and a decent shot of anger, into the works in her latest exhibition at Estuary Arts Centre.

Called Song of Islands, the 26 works flowed from significant research that Valerie did, both while curating last year’s Predator Free 2050 exhibition and since. What she found out made her angry at the birds NZ has already lost, and somewhat despondent about the future of those currently on the endangered list.

One bright spot in the story is the role that islands such as Tiritiri Matangi, Ulva, and Codfish Island/ Whenua Hou play in protecting native species. She says her exhibition is in three stages, looking at the devastation and loss of the past, what species we have left and what could happen in the future.

All the birds are depicted in prints, both black and white and colour, made by Valerie in her Stanmore Bay studio. Although she considers the future for many native birds is bleak, Valerie says she also celebrates “the wonderful work being done by conservationists –which gives hope for the future”.

Song of Islands is on from May 2-27 at Estuary Arts Centre in Western Reserve, Ōrewa

Tetra Pak printing

Valerie has recently taken up what she says is “a craze” in printmaking that reuses Tetra Paks – containers used for milk and juices. After being cleaned and flattened, they can be cut into and printed off to make an image. The resulting lines are from folds in the packs.

Swap till you drop

The Hibiscus Coast Clothes Swap is back by popular demand. This will be the Coast’s third swap – a chance to swap clothes you no longer need with others. This time, Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste is facilitating the Clothes Swap with Drifter Coffee in Ōrewa. It will be held on Sunday, May 7. ‘Don’t Shop, Swap’ is the message behind the swaps. The textile industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation, consumes a lot of resources and often has poor conditions for workers. Which is why Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste’s Stef Muller-Pallares says that the more we can circulate clothing around the community and save it from landfill, the better. Attendees need to register so they can bring up to five items to the swap. Once people have registered, they will be sent an email with more details on how to bring clothes to the swap, what kind of clothes are acceptable and what to expect on the day. It will be an item for item swap – for example, bring in two and take two. Bring the clothes to Drifter Coffee in George Lowe Place Ōrewa from 10am–10.45am on Sunday, May 7 – the swap starts at 11am. This event is free, supported by Auckland Council. Registration essential at https://fb.me/e/zsGbD16W

Breast Cancer support

The Breast Cancer Foundation is encouraging everyone to get involved with its Pink Ribbon Breakfast fundraiser. It’s the Foundation’s biggest annual fundraising campaign. Last year 67,000 New Zealanders got together with their friends, whānau and workmates at events to raise vital funds for the Foundation’s work in education, research and patient support. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for NZ women under 65. Sign up or find out more at https:// pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz Also, this month sees start of the Walk 50k this May campaign. The walking challenge raises money for Sweet Louise which supports those with incurable breast cancer. It is designed so you can walk when you want, where you want. Create your profile, invite your friends, and start walking from May 1. Info: https://walk50kthismay.nz

Valerie Cuthbert says a lot of things about how birds were treated by the British in NZ made her very angry.

Best Bakes

Mechan van der Westhuizen

theflourqueennz@gmail.com

Chocolate cake with fresh fruit

This cake is moist, rich, and chocolatey. A great treat to spoil Mum with this Mother’s Day.

1½ cups soft brown sugar

3 eggs (separated)

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 cups flour

½ cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

125ml Canola oil

100ml boiling water

Icing: 250g cream cheese

50g butter (room temp)

3 cups icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

½ tsp almond essence

Pinch of salt

Food colouring (your choice)

Fresh fruit

Preheat oven to 180° Celsius. Grease and line three 15cm (6 inch) cake tins with baking paper. In an electric mixer on medium speed, whisk together sugar and egg white until light and fluffy, add the vanilla. This can also be done by hand. While the egg white is mixing, sift all the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl mix the egg yolks, oil and boiling water until just combined. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time, making sure all the ingredients are well combined. Fold in the egg white mixture. Do not overfold, as that will reduce the air in the mixture. Scoop the mixture into the cake tins, dividing them evenly between the three. Bake for around 30 minutes until risen and golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean. Once out of the oven, leave to cool completely before removing from the tin. While the cake cools, prepare the icing by beating the cream cheese and butter together until smooth, add the icing sugar, 1 cup at a time while the mixer is mixing on low speed (or mix by hand). Now add the salt, vanilla and almond essences. Whip for about three minutes on medium speed (or by hand) until light and fluffy. Colour the icing with your desired food colouring. Assemble the cake by placing 1 layer of cake on a cake board or plate and pipeing some icing on, then add another layer of cake and more icing. Top with the final layer of cake, decorating it with icing in a nice rose swirl or pattern. Add fresh fruit to round off your creation and

4 nights at the Shangri La in Fiji

Wednesday 31st May to 4th June 2023

Shangri La Fiji www sheevolves community

VIC CRONE

REDDY WENDY MCCARTHY

What’s on at Estuary Arts Centre this May

Coast Critters

James Dale, Zoology professor, Massey University j.dale@massey.ac.nz

by Andrea Hammond

of Islands”

by Valerie Cuthbert

The Members Gallery - new artists - new work

Cafe - Mary Jordan

Term 2 art classes

Available NOW estuaryarts.arlo.co/w/

Calm after the storm

Where I live, in Arkles Bay, the beach had the storm surge from Cyclone Gabrielle going into The Strand and into resident’s yards and homes. As they did everywhere else in NZ, the community pitched in and were up throughout the midnight high tide, sweeping out the debris and clearing the drains to minimise the damage. In the morning, the banks of the beach had eroded away, and the road was inundated with driftwood.

After the storm passed and the sky cleared, the ocean was remarkably calm. On that gorgeous morning a pod of four orcas came into Arkles Bay. They lingered there long enough for everyone to come out and watch in astonishment.

What an amazing sight to see these massive and intelligent creatures, while a crowd of weary onlookers watched. A lone paddle boarder, who remained amazingly calm, had an unforgettable encounter as the orcas approached her and then moved on.

There are only about 150 to 200 individual orcas in the waters around NZ. But they wander widely and so we are blessed with regular visits from them. Different orca populations around the world specialise in eating different types of prey. It depends on what’s abundant in the area and to a certain extent the different cultures of orcas: specific hunting skills passed on from parents and relatives.

The orcas in NZ are the only populations in the world known to specialise in catching stingrays and eagle rays. And that is exactly

what the orcas visiting Arkles Bay beach were up to that morning after the storm. This hunting behaviour often brings them close to the shore as they try and startle rays off the ocean floor.

They hunt collaboratively, scaring rays off the floor as a group and immobilising them with a fierce tail slap. Sometimes one orca will bite down on a ray and allow another one to come and eat it.

Hunting stingrays is not without risk, however. In 1998 a NZ orca was found in the Hauraki Gulf with multiple stingray spines deeply penetrating her body and postmortem analysis indicated the orca died from either blood loss or acute reactions to the toxins released by the spines. Nevertheless, given how stingray hunting is so prevalent in our local orcas, it is undoubtedly an overall successful foraging strategy.

But on that morning – after a summer of incredibly chaotic weather – what a beautiful sight to see up close. No matter how hard things get, there is always some solace to be found through frequent contact with nature.

214B Hibiscus Coast H/Way PH: 09 4265570

“Neurodiversity” Group exhibition of young people’s art

“Not quite Still Life”

“Song

Wrestlers hit the mat on Coast

NZ champion wrestler, Jake Sheehan of Stanmore Bay describes the Impact Pro Wrestling (IPW) event he is bringing to Paraoa Brewing in Whangaparāoa as “family friendly and action packed”.

Pro-wrestling is a show – a combination of sport and entertainment – where the bruises and injuries from hard landings are real, but the bouts are all about drama and being over the top.

Jake says he fell in love with wrestling when he saw an IPW show at the Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre when he was 11 years old. He started training when he turned 18 and is now NZ heavyweight champion.

At just 90kg, Jake says he’s right on the edge of ‘heavyweight’. He wrestled a 140kg opponent back in February, and won.

Jake is bringing around 12 male and female wrestlers to Pararoa, including his wife,

Amber Saint.

He is “a huge pageantry person” – right into the big entrances, masks and costumes. He likes to put on a professional show with high production values and wow the crowd.

“We make it as realistic as possible, without getting concussed or destroyed,” he says. “It is a show, but everything still hurts – we are in shape, and put our bodies on the line, but we are also entertaining the crowd.”

It is the second time he has organised a Sunday wrestling show at Paraoa and says the first one drew in just under 100 people.

“Venues like that can give people a taste of wrestling,” Jake says. “Maybe some will get into it like I did 10 years ago.”

The IPW Wrestling is on May 7. Tickets from Eventfinda.

Dr Peter Hall peter.hall@wh.thedoctors.co.nz

Alarm signals for the eye

When I examine an eye I never fail to be amazed by its complexity and beauty. The whole visual mechanism is astoundingly sensitive – in the right conditions able to detect candlelight at a distance of 2 kilometres and capable of distinguishing thousands of different colours. But of course, disease or injury to any of its structures can have a serious effect on vision and function. We recently had a series of patients with sudden visual loss and I thought it would be helpful to put the message out that this always needs urgent medical assessment. It is common not to realise the seriousness of the situation and therefore delay treatment, contributing to a bad outcome. So, some anatomy. Working back from the front of the eye, the surface is called the cornea, transparent and highly sensitive, as anybody who has a corneal scratch will attest. Then comes the aqueous humour, in front of and around the lens. High pressure in this area is the cause of glaucoma. The lens itself can become hardened and cloudy (cataract) – surgery for this was done in ancient times though I can’t say I would have volunteered for it. Then comes the vitreous humour, a jellylike substance which maintains the shape of the eye and shock-absorbs impact. It is common to see “floaters” in the vitreous, clumps of collagen which dart away if you try to look at them and are more obvious against a plain background. At the back of the eye is the retina, with its millions of rods

and cones that transform light into electrical impulses and transmit them to the back of the brain. The most detailed vision occurs in the central part of the retina, the macule. Gradual visual loss can be caused by cataract, changes in shape in the eyeball, macular degeneration and retinal disease due to diabetes. All of these are treatable and can be dealt with on a non-urgent basis. However, when vision changes abruptly (over hours, days or weeks) you should high-tail it to a doctor or optometrist as soon as possible.

In our series of cases, three had vitreous detachment. This occurs when the vitreous shrinks and pulls away from the retina. The others were due to acute glaucoma; a clot in the retinal veins; polymyalgia rheumatica; and leakage of fluid under the retina. Interestingly, none of them were due to retinal detachment which can be catastrophic unless surgically ‘spot-welded’ back as soon as possible.

Everybody should be aware of the alarm signals for retinal detachment: • The sudden appearance of many ‘floaters’ • Flashes of light • Tunnel vision • Blurred or disturbed vision • A curtain-like shadow over the visual field Patients with sudden visual loss are usually referred to Greenlane Hospital. People often have to wait there in the Emergency Department for many hours, but access to timely vision-saving treatment is one of the great bonuses of living in a developed country in the 21st Century and I personally am grateful for it.

Jake Sheehan (in red) is bringing the showmanship, and rough and tumble, of wrestling to Whangaparāoa. Right, These wrestlers will be among those featured in the show. Photos, David Fu

lnvisalign

Ōrewa netball fan meets idols

Young Ōrewa netballer Emmy Bailie won the opportunity to meet her netball Premiership idols at the Mystics v Pulse match at Trusts Arena last month, when she was named an ANZ ‘Future Captain’.

Eight-year-old Emmy, who attends Ōrewa Primary, experienced what it’s like to be an ANZ Premiership player when she led the teams onto the court for their game on Saturday, April 15. She got up close with the players, and caught the action from prime courtside seats. Emmy’s friend ,Ava Finch, was able to join her.

Emmy said the highlight of the day was meeting her netball hero, Silver Fern and

Mystics player Grace Nweke.

“Grace is my favourite player because she’s a shooter like me, and she’s also really nice,” Emma said.

She said although it was “nerve-wracking” walking onto the court in front of such a large crowd, she found the whole experience exciting.

“I play for my school team, The Hotshots, as a shooter. Being named an ANZ Future Captain was so cool because I’d love to become a Silver Fern one day.”

ANZ is giving 98 young netball fans, like Emmy, the chance to meet Premiership players experience the magic of a live game. Applications are open at ANZcourtside.co.nz

Ella Wang

Ella Wang

Mystics player Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Emmy Bailie, Ava Finch and Kelly Jury of the Pulse

Our best shot

This digital version of ‘Bleak House by candlelight’ won Roger Shearer best print of the night at the recent Hibiscus Coast Photographic Club club night. The challenge for members was to create a picture with light of their choosing – it could have been bright sunlight, moody grey light or, in the case of this image, candlelight. The picture was taken with a Sony Alpha 7 Mk3 using a long exposure of 30 sec at F11 with a Tamron 28-75 mm lens at 35mm. The next challenge for members is ‘to capture motion’.

Labour selects Estefania Muller-Pallares for Whangaparaoa

The Labour Party has selected Estefania (Stef) Muller-Pallares as its candidate for the Whangaparāoa electorate in the 2023 general election. Stephanie grew up in Whangaparāoa and has a Bachelor of Science and Level 6 Māori language certificate. She became a water applications engineer but currently works for several community and environmentally-focused organisations doing research, and planning community engagement and business strategies. She is on the Te Herenga Waka o Orewa marae committee and has held other significant community roles. Stephanie is well versed in politics and has been a strong advocate for increasing youth voter turnout during the past two elections. She says being given the opportunity to be the Labour candidate for Whangaparāoa is a great honour. “I am committed to not only seeing the continuation of our strong Labour government but also to uplift the voices, values, concerns and successes of our community into the political space. I’m proudly multicultural and multilingual, being of both pākehā/Norwegian and Catalan heritage. I understand the value of diversity and will be an advocate for all our diverse communities.”

The Botanic is the Hibiscus Coast’s newest, resort-style retirement village, designed to offer a great lifestyle surrounded by nature and world class

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What’s

on

...

To list events, email: online@localmatters.co.nz

4 Twilight market, Orewa Beach School, 280 Centreway Road, Orewa, 5pm-6.30pm. Handmade crafts, food and more! All welcome

6 White Chapel Jak Endless Summer Tour, Parāoa Brewing Co.,719A Whangaparāoa Road, 7pm–11pm. Tickets from Eventfinda

6 Kevin Greaves Family Trio, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Rd, Whangaparāoa,7pm-10.30pm. Pre-sales $12 (non-RSA members), $10 (RSA members). Door sales $15.

6 Community Open Day to give feedback on new park, 86 Harvest Avenue, Ōrewa, 1pm-3pm. The Hibiscus & Bays Local Board is designing a park for Harvest Avenue and wants feedback on the design. Come to the open day, or provide feedback online from May 1 at https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/

7 IPW Wrestling, Parāoa Brewing Co., 719A Whangaparāoa Road. Tickets from Eventfinda. (see story p23)

7 Clothes Swap hosted by Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste and Drifter Coffee. Swap clothes you no longer need at Drifter Coffee, Unit 1, 3 George Lowe Place, Ōrewa. Swap starts 11am. Free, but registration essential at https://fb.me/e/zsGbD16W (see story p20)

8 What is a Naturopath and how can they help you? A talk with four naturopaths at Whangaparāoa Library, Main Street, Whangaparāoa, 10.30am-11.30am.

10 Tony Blomfield, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Rd, Whangaparāoa, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry.

12 Triple Tribute Show – ZeCars, LeCure, The PretenderZ, Parāoa Brewing Co.,719A Whangaparāoa Road, 8.30pm-11.30pm. Three separate shows with the three bands’ most popular songs. Dress in your 80s/New Wave/Gothic best! Tickets from Eventfinda.

13 The People, Parāoa Brewing Co.,719A Whangaparāoa Road. Tickets from Eventfinda

13-21 Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, Centrestage Theatre, Centreway Road, Ōrewa. Book at Centrestage or www. centrestagetheatre.co.nz/

14 Mother’s Day Special – Buffet dinner and Elvis Show with Mike Cole, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Rd, Whangaparāoa, 4pm-7pm. $30pp aged 16 plus, $20 for 8-15-year-olds, including buffet meal, $15 without meal.

15 Smartphones 101 with Phil, Whangaparāoa Library Pohutukawa room, 10.30am-11.30am. Want help using a smartphone? Informative, step-by-step workshop that shows how to work your phone so that it can work for you. All welcome, no bookings required.

20-21 NZ Wingfoil Championships, hosted by Manly Sailing Club at Manly Beach. Spectators welcome.

20 Wedding dresses through the decades, Whangaparāoa College Auditorium, Delshaw Road, Manly, 3pm. Fundraiser for hospice. Showcasing over 30 dresses from the 1950s to present day –an afternoon of glamour on the “catwalk”. Tickets $39 from https:// harbourhospice.org.nz/our-events/

22 Nathan Wallis, neuroscience educator, presents Understanding your Brain, Building Resilience and Maximising Learning, Silverdale School, Longmore Lane, Silverdale, 7.30pm-9pm. Tickets from Eventfinda.

27 WBB – Jazz and Big Band Party, An evening of modern and traditional jazz, funk, pop and rock from four Auckland based jazz bands, Parāoa Brewing Co.,719A Whangaparāoa Road, 5.30pm9.30pm. Tickets from Eventfinda.

1-5 Harbour Hospice Art Exhibition and Sale, Estuary Arts Centre, 214B Hibiscus Coast Highway, Ōrewa. Ticketed Preview & Auction Night, June 1 and open to the public from June 2-5. Entry to the art exhibition by donation. Info: https://harbourhospice.org.nz/ourevents/

6 Healthy Eating on a Budget workshop, Hibiscus Coast Community House, Western Reserve, Ōrewa.10.30am, Tickets: $5, Eventbrite (all proceeds go to the community garden).

18 Community Planting day at Shakespear Open Sanctuary (more details to come at www.sossi.org.nz/)

Pharmacy Talk

with Tania Adams

Pharmacist at Unichem Manly

Osteoarthritis

It is referred to as the “wear and tear” arthritis because it happens when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time and by 60 years of age almost half of us will have osteoarthritis.

If you are suffering with osteoarthritis getting the right medication will be a large help in controlling your pain. The power of paracetamol can never be underestimated! Many people find that taking paracetamol on a regular basis helps keep the pain at a tolerable level. On the days that you have more pain, then further medications may be taken. Talk to our Unichem Manly pharmacists about a pain control medication plan so you can be in charge, not the pain!

Have you ever tried glucosamine for osteoarthritis? Glucosamine is the main building block for making joint cartilage. It is no surprise then, that clinical studies have shown that taking glucosamine increases joint cartilage and reduces joint stiffness and pain.

Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory spice that studies suggest decreases pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis without many of the side effects of anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs). Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric, however the curcumin content of turmeric found in your kitchen is about 0.1% whereas a good quality supplement contains around 95% to 98% curuminoids. plus not all curcumin supplements absorb well, so check with one of our experts at Unichem Manly Pharmacy about which product is best for you.

SAMe (pronounced “Sammy”) is a natural substance that is normally present in joints, but has been shown to be deficient in people with osteoarthritis. This is important, because SAMe helps to give cartilage its “gel-like” consistency which helps to cushion the joints. SAMEe has been used in over 20,000 patients in clinical trials and has been shown to be equal to or better than ibuprofen in relieving joint pain. Results could be felt in a week, but are more likely to take one month.

Omega-3 fats have not been studied in all forms of arthritis. There is some evidence that fish oils may help control symptoms of osteoarthritis although more studies are needed. Current research suggests omega-3 fats are certainly helpful for people with inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis with the added benefit of being good for heart and brain health.

There are many other ways you can help control the pain including acupuncture, T.E.N.S machines, heat therapy, even losing some weight (if you are carrying some excess). Extra weight on your joints increases the rate of degeneration, causing a worsening of pain. Every kilo lost takes 6 kilos of pressure off your knees. A more short term goal can simply be to get moving. “Use it or Lose It” is not only an expression, it is actually true! Make sure you get advice from a health professional about what sort of exercise would suit you.

An integrated approach to health means finding more out about you and your lifestyle in order to provide the best advise regarding your medicines, lifestyle changes and nutritional changes to help you with your health needs. Pop in for some quick advice or book with our nutritionally qualified pharmacists for a health clinic session on (09)424-7708.

Competition for young anglers hooked on fishing

Judging from the number of entries in Gulf Harbour Marina’s school holiday Kids Fishing Photo Competition, many local families were out on the water with their rods over the break.

A total of 125 entries were received, giving the three judges – Nicky Sinden, host of Addicted to Fishing, Estelle Clifford from MoreFM Rodney, and kids’ fishing social media sensation Gannett Girl – a difficult task.

Marina spokesperson Matt Pryor says initially there was one prize of a Burnsco tackle bag worth $100 on offer, but the team were inundated with so many fantastic entries, they ended up providing prizes to the ones judged to be the best three. The two other winners got new fishing rods, also from Burnsco.

He says it was fun looking through all the entries.

“There were big fish, little fish, weird fish, and pretty fish, but one thing that was consistent across the board was the huge smiles on the young angler’s faces,” Matt says.

The competition was the brainchild of

Marina team member Jo Davis (of Fish’n Chix fame), who Matt says is a selfconfessed ‘fishing fanatic’.

“This is the second time the competition has been run and given the level of interest, we will absolutely be running it again,” Matt says.