Hibiscus Matters_Issue 347_15 May 2023

Clear message from Law & Order meeting

Bingo gets the Drag Queen treatment

Hibiscus Coast Village resident Bob Richmond created this painting of King Charles III, which formed part of a coronation display at the village. “We felt we needed to celebrate the new king’s coronation, especially as many of us had been around for the coronation of his mother,” Bob says. “I’d already done a portrait of Queen Elizabeth for a Queen’s Birthday tea we had a couple of years ago, and started a small portrait of Prince William some months ago, so when Elizabeth’s reign came to an end, it seemed that the logical thing was to work on King Charles.” Bob describes himself as “not a rampant royalist” – what he finds fascinating are their facial expressions, “full of character, and kept secrets”. “The nice thing is that some people think that my painting actually looks like him!” Bob says. More local coronation get-togethers in this issue.

Co-governance debated again at hui

A community meeting to discuss the fraught issue of co-governance brought together people with strongly opposing views, but the majority of the 55 people present said they were there to listen and learn.

What emerged was the possibility of a cooperative form of governance that is already effective in some organisations, although it’s unclear how it might apply to central Government. Some favour more co-governance, especially when it comes to water and environmental management, while others want to stick with the status quo.

Key questions on people’s minds included what co-governance really was, and what it meant for one person/one vote.

The meeting at Te Herenga Waka o

Ōrewa marae was set up in the aftermath of protest action by marae members and others at Julian Batchelor’s divisive Stop CoGovernance talk in Ōrewa on March 18.

The four organisers of the hui had opposing views but agreed on the need for a fair and frank community discussion, free of protest.

The marae offered its premises in Silverdale.

The discussion brought together some who had protested at Batchelor’s meeting and others who went to hear Batchelor speak and were disturbed by what took place.

“Just getting to this stage is a giant step forward,” hui co-organiser Julian Joy said.

Organisers admitted it had been difficult to put up a balanced panel of people with differing views and experience to

answer questions. Ngāti Manuhiri, who were among the protestors at Batchelor’s meeting, declined to take part, as did a number of those against co-governance.

It was discovered that Tau Henare supports co-governance, when organisers invited him onto the panel thinking he was opposed, leading to a re-shuffle. Henare removed himself and Democracy NZ candidate Bill Dyet and co-organiser of Batchelor’s meeting, Darag Rennis, took his place.

“The elephant in the room”, as one participant put it, was the issue of trust. Anger still simmered over the confrontations in Ōrewa.

Fear of giving more power to Māori was clear from some of the questions raised

but in response panelist and Rodney Local Board member Guy Wishart said that was how it should be, and that one person/one vote doesnt take account of the Treaty of Waitangi partnership between iwi and the Crown. “One person/one vote is about electing representatives fairly,” he said. Wishart said there is a difference between equality (one person/one vote) and equity, which he said Māori do not have under the current system.

“If that’s what co-governance does, that’s not right,” Dyet said. “We cannot give more power to one group over another or we move towards apartheid.”

“If you have problems sharing power, it won’t

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Clockwise from top left, Panelists Darag Rennie, co-organiser of the Batchelor meeting, left, and Democracy NZ candidate Bill Dyet. From left, co-organiser of the event, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board member Jake Law and panelists Fiona Te Momo and Rodney Local Board member, Guy Wishart. Participants arrive at the marae. Before leaving the panel, former parliamentarian Tau Henare hinted his days as a politician may not be over. He is currently on Auckland Council’s Independent Māori Statutory Board. work,” panelist Fiona Te

said.

of

Sarah Bentley

M: 021 285 1898 sarah.bentley@harcourts.co.nz

called

“How it works, in my experience [at Kaipatiki ki Kaipara reserve, which is managed by co-governance] is you talk until you agree on a way forward,” Wishart said. “If you won’t be moved on your opinion, it comes down to a vote, but it’s about getting enough information to come to an agreement.”

What many did agree on, at least in part, was that the current model was not working.

Rennie described the oppositional aspect of Parliament as “like a group of toddlers”, and several described how Māori lose out under the current system.

But, as Dyet asked, was co-governance a form of separation then, with two authorities based on race?

Young people offered an answer to that

Karl Martinovich AREINZ

Harcourts Cooper & Co Real Estate | Licensed Agent REAA 2008 | Whangaparaoa Road, Manly

The hui • Marae protocol included a pohiri/welcome, introductions and shared food. • Questions were directed from the floor to panelists, mediated by Claire Turnham. • On the panel were Fiona Te Momo, Guy Wishart, Darag Rennie and Bill Dyet. • There was an open discussion among the audience at the end. • Organisers are open to holding a further meeting, if there is demand for it. Email teherengawaka@xtra.co.nz if you would like another hui.

question, including Mikaela Mātenga who said that Māori do not want to make decisions for Pākehā – the aim of co-governance, she said, was “to protect Māori interests”.

In closing the meeting, mediator Claire Turnham said co-governance was about partnership, which values trust, working together, compromise and agreeing a way forward.

“These concepts bring us together with love/ aroha to protect and care for each other,” she said. “This has been the beginning of a good conversation, finding a way to work together for the benefit of our community.”

After the hui, Wishart said that a standout for him was the number of young people present and that most people got to have their say. “We had a frank and honest discussion without people shouting each other down,” he said. “It was civil, and people listened to each other.”

Fellow panelist Rennie said it didn’t alleviate any of his concerns.

“I fundamentally disagree with the principle of co-governance,” he said. “But I was glad to be there and share my views. At least it provided the opportunity to hear both sides, free of protest.”

Momo,

Massey University,

She suggested it should be

‘co-management’ – a consultative process – as ‘governance’ rings alarm bells.

Police highlight need for better crime reporting

Police gave a public meeting in Silverdale on May 8 a clear message: “If you see or hear anything that may be related to a crime or a possible crime, report it.”

About 100 people attended the meeting at the Silverdale School, convened by Whangaparaoa MP Mark Mitchell, to discuss law and order. Also in attendance were local board representatives, Councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker, police and Auckland Transport staff.

Whangaparaoa police officer Sgt Brett Hanly said resources were deployed where there was a problem.

He said if members of the public did not report what they were seeing and hearing, then police could not build patterns of behaviour and this would impact what was prioritised.

A member of the audience said he was afraid to report the bullying and threats his son had encountered because of the threat of further violence.

Sgt Hanly said police were aware of this sort of intimidation and there were ways to give police information that did not identify the source.

Youth crime was the focus of much of the discussion, with members of the audience concerned about the fact that some of the perpetrators were as young as 13.

Mitchell said there needed to be a fundamental change in the way sentences were being handed out to youth offenders. He said if National was elected in October, it would re-introduce the mandatory sentencing law (three strikes) and establish a compulsory

Members of the audience felt that youth violence and anti-social behaviour on the Coast was escalating.

12-month long military-type camp for youth offenders, aged 17 to 25 years.

Police acknowledged that many youth were “lost” with no parental control or guidance.

“What we are seeing is an inter-generational problem – many of the parents of today were equally neglected by their parents and grewup in dysfunctional family environments,” Sgt Hanly said. “It’s complex and needs a carrot and stick approach.”

Several people talked about the need for “consequences” when young people were apprehended.

“Too many are picked up on Friday night and then back doing the same thing on Saturday night.”

Responding to a question specifically about safety at the Silverdale bus station, Sgt

See it, report it ...

Call 111 – If it’s an emergency or if it is happening now • Call 105 – For nonemergency events that have already happened and don’t need urgent Police assistance. • Call 0800 555 111 – Call Crime Stoppers anonymously when you know about a crime that has been committed, you suspect a crime is being planned, or any other activity you think is illegal. • Go online to: 105.police.govt.nz for non-emergency events that have already happened and don’t need urgent Police assistance. In person: Orewa Police Station, 4 Riverside Rd; open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

Hanly said social media had heightened concerns.

“I’m not saying there aren’t things happening there, but these are isolated incidents. It is safe – people can go there and get a coffee and use public transport.”

Two members of the audience spoke about separate incidents where their children had been assaulted at the station and on a bus, which in one case had led to hospitalisation.

Auckland Transport was asked to investigate manning the station 24 hours a day, installing a panic button and upgrading security patrols.

One person suggested that part of the problem was that there was too little for

youth to do on the Coast. This was swiftly rebuked by Cr John Watson and Mitchell, who said there was a lot of organised sport and the Coast Youth Community Trust and other groups were heavily involved in providing activities and mentoring for youth.

“The gap, or challenge, was parental involvement to get the kids engaged in these activities,” Mitchell said.

The Plaza at Whangaparaoa was also raised as a hot spot with reports of assaults and general anti-social behaviour such as spitting, urinating and kids setting fire to toilet rolls. “We need help with better detainment powers for security guards,” a member of the public said.

Auckland Council services handed to librarians

Ōrewa Library will provide the services currently available from the Auckland Council centre in Centreway Road, when the centre closes next month.

Council’s digital and customer services general manager, Jon Andrews, told Hibiscus Matters last week that service centres are being integrated into libraries because more people are accessing those services online, leading to less in-person demand.

He says the process began in 2020 and has also been a focus as part of Council’s current cost-cutting and efficiency measures. Eighteen of Council’s 24 service centres have already been moved into libraries. Ōrewa is in the final group.

Andrews says all the same services currently available at the Centreway Road service

centre, which currently include rates payments, general information and advice on Council-related problems, will be still available.

The responsibility for providing those services will now fall to librarians. Service centre staff have been consulted, he says.

“We recognise the positive contributions our service centre staff make to our communities and we are committed to supporting them through this transition,” Andrews says. “Where necessary and possible, we will be identifying and offering suitable redeployment opportunities as well as providing the training required to ensure [service centre staff] can succeed in their new roles.”

Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Gary

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Brown says he would prefer the services to be spread between both local libraries, rather than offered only at Ōrewa, as Whangaparāoa Library has more space and is more convenient for peninsula residents.

Labour list MP Marja Lubeck wrote to Council chief executive Jim Stabback recently, asking for the services not to shift.

“Removal of this service and the reassigning of service staff duties to library staff will be perceived by the public as a further downgrading of the services available to the community,” Lubeck says. “The need for face-to-face contact service centres was amply demonstrated during recent weather events. And while there is a belief that information is online, it is evident that many people struggle to access that.”

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Local board meeting rooms up in the air

With Council’s lease expiring at the Ōrewa Service Centre in July, it is still unclear where the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board, which holds its meetings and workshops there, will go. One possibility is Browns Bay, which Local board chair Gary Brown says could put a lot of people off making presentations to the board. Last week, Council’s local board services general manager, Louise Mason, said that council is looking to fully vacate the Centreway Road premises by end of August. “The local board has another meeting space available for use at Browns Bay, and we will assess and explore other meeting space options.”

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‘Operation Stoat’ begins again at Shakespear

A picture of a stoat, captured on a Shakespear Open Sanctuary thermal imaging camera a year ago, has recently given rangers and volunteers that sinking feeling again.

It took two years to eradicate the last incursion after a pregnant female stoat was discovered in the sanctuary in 2020 and gave birth there.

Stoats are a major threat to birds, especially species that spend time on the ground such as saddlebacks (tieke), kiwi and stitchbirds (hihi), all of which are resident within the sanctuary.

There are still a lot of questions around this latest incursion.

Open Sanctuary senior ranger Matt Maitland says the stoat (or stoats) appeared

on camera now and then over subsequent months, but there were few signs of its presence within the sanctuary. The signs they are looking for include scat (poo) and caches of dead birds.

He says there was a noticeable increase in camera shots of a stoat (or stoats) last month.

A stoat dog and handler were brought in, and managed to locate some scat, which has gone to the lab. Maitland says the key things the team are hoping to find out are whether this is the stoat that was not captured during the last incursion (related to the ones which were caught) and whether it’s male or female.

No caches of dead birds have been found.

The dog’s work also helped by honingin on three main sites in the sanctuary to

focus on in the search for signs of the stoat. Maitland says it’s also possible that the images captured were of different stoats –“if that’s the case, the sanctuary may be a bit leakier than we would like,” he says.

“One option is that it is the male we didn’t find last time, and it is going in and out of the sanctuary, looking for its own kind,” Maitland says. “Those questions are all waiting for those lab results.”

Hibiscus Coast mops up after more flash floods

Heavy rain on May 9 and overnight the next day caused flooding, slips and damage to homes on the Hibiscus Coast with parts of Whangaparāoa, Ōrewa, Puhoi and Dairy Flat again hit.

Auckland Council issued a local state of emergency and on the Coast, St Stephen’s Church in Whangaparāoa was on standby as a potential shelter.

The council offices in Centreway Road, Ōrewa, had to be abandoned and many schools and Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre were closed due to flash flooding.

Water sheeted down roads and concrete driveways, logs floated through Stanmore Bay stream and there were two landslips on private property in Manly.

Local emergency services were kept busy. Local fire crews, paid and volunteer, attended flooded businesses and properties including some on Ōrewa beachfront; they also assisted when a car in a Whangaparāoa carpark floated on thigh high water into another vehicle.

Driving became hazardous and many Coast residents were caught up in the weather trying to get home from work.

The first NX1 bus to leave the city after the emergency alert overcame significant challenges in getting commuters home. One passenger, Red Beach business owner Tania Cottew, says it took just over an hour and a half to get from the city to Smales Farm, with the driver diverting several times because of flooding on the bus lane. Just prior to this event, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown issued a press release that

stated Council needed leadership from central government on storm-related compensation.

“Affected Aucklanders want clear communication, direction, and leadership from central and local government to help them make decisions about where they live. People want to know who moves and who pays,” Mayor Brown said.

“When Council says ‘no’ to any building work or development at risk of flooding, that has to carry more weight. In many cases, where houses were allowed to be built in areas with a history of flooding and land instability, the lessons of the past had been forgotten, central government mandates had changed local building and planning rules, or Council’s position had been overruled, often in the Environment Court,” he said.

“Our current position is that Council is not a guarantor of private property interests, and we are generally not responsible for compensating property owners in case of loss due to a severe weather event or natural disaster.”

At the Governing Body workshop, the Mayor stated he would prefer that Council work with property owners, not on managed retreat but building storm resilience.

As the paper goes to print, the cleanup has begun and the State of Emergency lifted.

Top, Water sheeted down concrete pathways and flooded local parks. Photo, Nicole Saggers. Right, Stanmore Bay Skatepark. Photo, Mark Yela

Another stoat is appearing on the open sanctuary’s cameras.

Photo, Auckland Council

Mark Mitchell, Whangaparāoa MP mark.mitchellmp@parliament.govt.nz

Safety a key concern

We have had a challenging start to the year with extreme weather and rain that took out infrastructure and flooded homes and businesses. Many homes lost power for weeks and we had homes both yellow and red stickered. I’m proud of the way our community responded to support and help one another.

It became apparent to me very early in the first flooding event as roads closed, power lines came down and houses flooded, trapping residents, that both the central and local government command and control system was missing in action. This has been reinforced by the recent report headed up by retired police commissioner Mike Bush.  I want to acknowledge acting Police Area

Commander Roger Small, acting Police District Commander Inspector Matt Laurenson, Shaun Pilgrim and Don McErlich of Fire and Emergency NZ, St John senior leader Andy Everiss, and Faron Turner, from Surf Lifesaving NZ, for coming together and recognising very quickly that we needed a local response. The Silverdale Fire Station was established as a local command and control centre – St John had its mobile control unit there and Ōrewa and Red Beach surf lifesaving clubs had SAR teams, IRBs and rescue equipment based at the fire station. This provided a strong local response which meant the right people were at the right place, at the right time, when a hand went up for help.

Unfortunately, we are not immune to the crime wave happening across the country and I’m working hard with Police, Councillors, the local board and community to come up with local solutions to keep us safe. I have the Police portfolio in Opposition and will continue to put pressure on the Government and push solutions forward.

Recently, Destination Ōrewa Beach hosted a public safety meeting for local retailers and business owners (HM April 3). Inspector Matt Laurenson attended and received strong feedback in terms of rising retail crime, frustrations with the 105 reporting

line and under reporting of incidents due to a low level of confidence that there would be a Police response. Nationally, police are dealing with a 33 percent increase in violent crime, 41 percent increase in victimisations, over 500 percent increase in ram raids, a 61 percent increase in gang numbers and a 60 percent increase in mental health call-outs. They want to, and should, respond to a call for help but are often stretched beyond capacity.

An increase in disorder and assaults at the Silverdale bus station (HM May 1) has prompted me to call a public meeting to work on restoring order and making it a safe place to use public transport (see story p3).

I have been very busy dealing with housing issues in the electorate. Two emergency housing locations on Hibiscus Coast Highway in Ōrewa have been creating major social issues and, in my view, tying up too much Police resource. This is not acceptable on any level, and I am working with Government agencies to find a solution.

I have also been working closely with the Bonair Action Group in relation to the use of land Kainga Ora purchased in Bonair Crescent without any consultation with the community. We want to be able to provide for the housing needs of people in our community, especially for our children, but it has to be the right type of housing that sets up success for everyone and not a one size fits all approach that can import disorder and violence into a community. We saw this in Weir Lane with the arrival of the Mongrel Mob.

After a meeting in my office with Kainga Ora CEO Andrew McKenzie and the Bonair Action Group, the development was put on hold until much wider and deeper community consultation has taken place and a proposal that the community will support is identified.

We are in tough times at the moment and I am always available for anyone who needs any assistance, advice or help.

Hobbs Bay development moves forward

Hoppers Development, which is developing a subdivision at Hobbs Bay in Gulf Harbour expects that its resource consent application will be out in the public eye very soon. The original consent for the 13.43ha site at 3-5 Daisy Burrell Drive was submitted last year (HM August 8 and 22, 2022). It sought to create 89 lots, ranging in size from 715sqm to 3887sqm, which was not within the parameters allowed under the current zoning of Residential – Large Lot. Hoppers is working through changes with Auckland Council but in general says its plans have remained intact. Hoppers is seeking public notification of the application, and expects this to be notified around the middle of this month.

Pioneer Village open during reno

The Pioneer Village remains open every weekend from 10am–3pm although two of its houses, The Old Parsonage and the Neville Homestead, are closed for re-piling. The Treats and Treasures Craft Shop will continue to operate and has been moved from the Old Parsonage to the Frith Cottage adjacent to the Wainui Road carpark. The gardens and grounds and other buildings will be open as normal every weekend and bookings are being taken for special occasions and group visits during the week. Contact pioneervillage1968@gmail.com

Moving forward

The fact that the co-governance meeting at Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa marae in Silverdale was held the same day that a new king was crowned in London did not go unnoticed. For me, it highlighted how Aotearoa NZ is still working towards its own identity and independence, centuries after colonisation. And that those issues are still hot topics, made hotter in recent weeks by the differences of opinion about the coronation – and about the best way forward to improve governance so that it is more inclusive and fair for all. Although some Kiwis were partying with Britain, in this area at least they were relatively few and far between – some of them, from local retirement villages, feature in this paper. Younger people showed little interest. Most of our local schools had nothing special planned to mark the occasion – it indicates that, for many of them and their whanau, the occasion, while historic and impressive to watch, seemed to bear little relevance to this country and its people. By comparison, what stood out about the hui in Silverdale was the energy and excitement with which young people are moving forward with ideas for a new type of governance. Like everyone else, they are not sure exactly what it looks like yet but they believe, if it’s done right, it can heal the failings of the past and make NZ truly unique.

Terry Moore

Sausage rolls fire callout

Using a bit too much oil to cook sausage rolls brought three fire trucks to the Oranga Tamariki offices in Ōrewa recently. Staff were cooking morning tea, when smoking oil set off the fire alarm. This was not a drill, and three fire trucks attended. “The sausage rolls didn’t even burn,” one staff member said. “They were perfectly cooked.”

Hybrid popular with thieves

Hybrid cars have become so popular, that one has topped a list of NZ’s most stolen vehicles for the first time. AMI Insurance’s ‘most frequently stolen car list’, released recently, shows that the Toyota Aqua (aka Prius C) has stolen the top spot from the Mazda Demio, which is now number two. In 2022, the Aqua accounted for 11 percent of AMI’s vehicle theft claims, despite only making up 1.47 percent of the country’s fleet. AMI says theft claims soared to new highs in 2022, up 43 percent on the previous year. Auckland has the worst figures – it far outstrips other areas of the country for vehicle theft claims, with almost 3000 claims last year, well above runner-up, Canterbury, with 1214 claims. AMI says recovery of stolen cars is high, with 94 percent of all Aquas recovered and 93 percent of Demios, which the company suggests could be because the majority are stolen for joyrides or to use in burglaries.

YourOpinion

More than one vote?

Leanne Willis, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board member, says in Hibiscus Matters April 17 paper that she unequivocally stands for one person/one vote and that is the reason she is so opposed to co-governance. Strangely, she makes no mention of the fact that she was elected to the local board without that democratic principle being adhered to. I don’t see her complaining about the fact that in local body elections one person/ one vote is not followed. You can vote multiple times, albeit in different local board areas, if you own property. You get one vote in the area where you reside and, if you own property in different locations, you can vote in two, three, four or even more if you own a lot of property. Seems co-governance is not the only anti-democratic principle in operation in local governance, but then again, that is wealth determining how many votes you get, not race as claimed by many. Maybe Ms Willis might like to start a campaign on that, in her pursuit of one person/one vote.

Neil Anderson, Algies Bay

Editor’s note: This was checked with Council’s election team, and yes, if a person owns multiple properties in Auckland, they can also apply to enrol as ‘ratepayer electors’ enabling them to vote once for each property they own. However, they have only one vote for Mayor, one for a ward councillor and a single vote for every local board in which they own property i.e. if someone owns several properties in one local board area, they only have one vote for that local board. You are entitled to be a ratepayer elector only in respect of a property that is a rating unit under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

Eye on transparency

When a Local Board chair opens a meeting by apologising for a slightly late start because the Board members needed an informal catch up ahead of time, we know the move of various politicians to claim transparency as a key platform idea was always an idea to be mocked. So called business meetings are the rubber

all the comforts of home.

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stamp of a Local Board’s activities. The real work is done behind the scenes. Let us, as a community of voters recognise this and pour scorn on future politicians who will claim a Local Board or Council will never be transparent until it suits them.

John Davies, Ōrewa

Response from Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Gary Brown: We have those informal catch-ups for members to discuss what we have been doing in the week. It is not work-related and board issues are not discussed. Those catch-ups help create a stronger bond between members so that we can work together well. With open workshops we are among the most transparent of local boards.

New speeds ridiculous?

Surely I’m not the only one who thinks the new reduced speed limits between Ōrewa and Waiwera are ridiculous? I travel this road regularly and find the reduced limits nothing but a pain. To stick to 50 or 60kph down the hills means my foot is permanently on the brake. My husband says new brake linings will be needed soon. Crawling along at 50kph between Ōrewa and Hatfields, I find a small queue of cars builds up behind me – drivers itching to get past. I often pull over and let them go. Likewise, while sticking to 60kph from Hatfields to Waiwera, I feel I should have a sign in my rear window saying – ‘I’m just sticking to the speed limit’! Yes, there have been some nasty accidents on the road but penalising everyone doesn’t seem quite fair. There will still be accidents, judging by the speed some drivers are doing as they pass me sticking to my 60kph in the passing lane.

Shona Schroder, Ōrewa Editor’s note: I need one of those signs too!

Congratulations to Pam Boyce of Manly, who won a copy of So you Want to be a Nurse, by Chris Curtis, and also to Ian McLaren, of Arkles Bay, who won a copy of To Distant Shores by William Hammond. Thanks to all who entered.

Former Ōrewa College student, Able Weapon Technician Strachan

Sailor serves community and King

The pageantry of a coronation was uncharted waters for Royal NZ Navy Able Weapon Technician James Strachan. The former Ōrewa College student, now a weapons systems maintainer, was part of the 21-strong NZ Defence Force contingent that took part in the Coronation of King Charles III on May 6. He was among around 400 military personnel from up to 35 Commonwealth countries who marched alongside 6000 British personnel. Strachan is not the first member of his family to have close dealings with the monarchy, as his stepfather’s company did all the travel and security for the royal family. He said it was a privilege to take part in an event of that magnitude and importance. “It is something that I will remember for life,” he says. However, another highlight of his career was closer to home. The sailor was in Hawke’s Bay as part of the Defence Force’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle, where he was able to help save an adrift yachtsman during the cyclone. “Being able to help our community has been a highlight of my career. It makes me really proud,” he says.

Local villages toast new King

Above, Hibiscus Coast Village in Red Beach created a display to mark the coronation, but festivities will come later. The village will hold A London Night on June 8, combining the coronation and Kings’ Birthday. Residents will be encouraged to come dressed as pearly kings and queens, and there will be live entertainment with some ‘good old English tunes’ and an ‘old fashioned English meal’. Right, Botanic resident Brian Oakes leading the toast to the king.

Gulf Rise residents had high tea on May 4 to celebrate the coronation. Pictured on the throne with a suitably royal background are Mary Walker and John Salmon in celebratory regalia. Above right, Village maintenance person, John Rinkin, as chief waiter.

Youth Voice

Caitlin Watson, caitewatson@gmail.com

Giving youth a go!

For a school student in need of pocket money, maybe a school leaver transitioning into employment, a university student trying to cover the bills or a graduate starting off a career - searching for work can be a daunting time.

Wonder Lab

Tindalls Bay couple Sarah and Steve Pirie-Nally are excited to bring a new concept, the Wonder Lab, to Whangaparāoa.

The colourful, welcoming space is divided into areas to look after wellbeing in a holistic way – especially if you have hit a roadblock and want to imagine and create a new way forward.

It combines a wellness centre with coaching and support to help people connect, create and problem solve.

Yoga and pilates, as well as an infra-red sauna and ice bath, are in the mix as well as Normatec compression therapy boots and massage chairs. There are meeting spaces and a ‘design thinking lab’.

Sarah and Steve radiate positivity and wellness. They say helping people “access their own sparkle” is their superpower.

“If you are saying to yourself – ‘I wish I could…’, then Wonder Lab is a great place

to start,” Sarah says. “Maybe it’s re-imagining your money mindset, or your retirement plan, finding more balance in your life or hitting refresh with gentle exercise or meditation.”

“It’s a retreat, without having to leave the Coast,” Steve says.

At the same time, Wonder Lab accesses a global network that can help with creativity, problem-solving and discovery.

Steve spends a lot of time travelling and international connections are a big part of the Lab including overseas retreats.

The Lab is open to anyone, and you can become a member to take full advantage of everything on offer. Packages are designed for corporates.

Connecting with like-minded people, and helping others do the same, is important to Steve and Sarah.

“We want the lab to bring the community together to recharge and re-think”.

You’ve got to learn how to write a polished cover letter, put your best foot forward in a job interview and work with a CV that shows no real experience in the working world. It’s a tough task and one that requires a community of supportive employers that are willing to open up doors of opportunity to a younger generation searching in eager anticipation for their big break into an unfamiliar world Firstly, for young people it’s important to remember that there has to be a starting point, and sometimes it might not be all that glamorous. I can think back to my first job working in a warehouse placing barcodes individually on ballpoint pens. My nimble fingers worked ambitiously to beat my day’s total number of pens conquered in the hope of overcoming the monotony! Fortunately, locally, there are a number of starting points for work which are a bit more riveting than my first gig. You can be the friendly checkout operator at the local supermarket, deliver pizzas, referee sports games or get exercise packing warehouse orders!

However, on the other hand, the reality is that there aren’t so many open doors for university graduates looking to start in certain industries. This raises the point of the opportunity to grow the ‘knowledge

economy’ on the Hibiscus Coast to provide more open doors for young adults wanting to still have the privilege of calling the Coast ‘home’ and work locally. We shouldn’t have to lose these Coasties to the big smoke!

Another very real challenge to consider is that for many young people finding work can be a mammoth mountain to climb. We really do need to have employers willing to give our youth a go despite lack of experience. I can think of past employers saying ‘yes’ to giving me a go despite a very brief CV. I will be forever grateful for their willingness to invest in my potential, provide mentorship and embrace a brighteyed girl. I can think of others, whose ‘yes’ in the context of youth work, has quite literally changed the trajectory of their life.

So, while it may seem that the point of this piece is for you to remember the labour of love that went into your ballpoint pen, the real point of encouragement is for employers and managers to consider how you can invest in our local young people. Can you open a door to a youthful underdog who might need a bit of extra mentorship but will benefit enormously by having someone say “I believe in you”? Let’s make the Coast a place where young people have opportunities to thrive.

Sarah and Steve Pirie-Nally

Authorised by Mark Mitchell MP, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

We really do need to have employers willing to give our youth a go despite lack of experience.

Simple scheme connects students with better tech

Stanmore Bay’s Jonathan Morgan has a background in technology, but he says the idea that he could help students obtain the devices they need, only came up when he got a dog.

Walking his dog, Takkie, through Whangaparāoa College grounds, Morgan met another dog owner, teacher Jono Dempsey. While the dogs played, the owners talked tech.

When Morgan realised that many students were struggling because their devices could not run the software needed for their courses, he decided to do something about it. Using his network, he found companies that had old, working devices that they would happily donate. And so The Laptop Drop came into being.

That was a year ago, and recently came a milestone – the 100th laptop found its way to a student that needed it, free of charge. He says setting up and running The Laptop Drop has taken about one hour of his time per device. He connects the two groups and the devices are handed over direct.

Starting with two schools – Whangaparāoa College and Primary – around 12 now benefit from the scheme.

Morgan says the demand is unlimited.

“Not being able to afford the kinds of devices students need now to run certain software is a huge issue,” he says. What The Laptop Drop is doing is matching unwanted working devices with schools that reach out and ask for them.

“One company had 30 old laptops in a cupboard that it didn’t know what to do with,” Morgan says. “They could have been recycled or put in landfill, but they had a lot more use left in them. Giving them to a school was a win-win.”

He says it’s up to teachers what happens to the devices and how they are shared out to students, generally on loan.

The need from students is such that Morgan needs more companies to get on board.

Any company that has old, but working, devices is welcome to contact The Laptop Drop – it is particularly appreciated when those donations can be ongoing.

“Our ultimate goal is an ongoing relationship to continue to supply laptops to schools through a reverse marketplace.”

Info: www.thelaptopdrop.nz/

AT signals better ferry service

Auckland Transport (AT) says things will improve for frustrated ferry commuters. At the Transport and Infrastructure committee meeting on April 20, AT Integrated Networks general manager Mark Lambert said recent improved immigration settings for ferry skippers now allows Fullers to progress with overseas recruitment. He also suggested there will be improvement for bus services and, in September, expects service provisions may return to similar levels to before Covid-19.

Get sweating

The challenge has gone out to exercise/sweat for at least 21 minutes a day in June to raise money to support rainbow communities. Suggestions include walking, running, cycling, dancing – but how you do it is up to you. Sweat with Pride was created by the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa (formerly the New Zealand AIDS Foundation) to improve the lives of Rainbow Kiwis. The proceeds go to support organisations including those targeting mental health. Info: https://sweatwithpride.com/the-challenge

Jonathan Morgan has provided more than 100 laptops to students who need them.

Artists impression

Arran Point earthworks begin

Earthworks have started on a small subdivision on Arran Point Parade, next to Ōrewa River.

When the original plans for the subdivision were made public by Hibiscus Matters in 2021, there was significant opposition by local residents and Hibiscus Coast Forest & Bird – mainly because the proposal would have removed 192sqm of protected native bush to create eight residential lots.

The bush on the 1.32ha site is protected by Auckland Council as a Significant Ecological Area (SEA) because of its diversity, rarity and provision of bird migration pathways and buffers. The land is zoned Low Density Residential.

In response to the protest, developer J G Land revised its plans – its new plan, which gained resource consent in February, halved

the number of residential lots to four. The revised layout retains all the vegetation in the SEA and prevents the need for any work within the dripline of protected bush. Some (non-protected) bush will be lost – around 104sqm – but the developer is protecting other bush, leaving an additional 770sqm, to mitigate the loss.

J G Land director, Joel Giddy says the only earthworks required are those currently being undertaken on Lot 1, to create a building platform.

During the work, the consent required ecologists to check plants for lizards as per the Lizard Management Plan and if any were found, they were relocated further down into the bush area.

Because the site is alongside the river, the consent looks closely at sediment control

to reduce runoff. A range of erosion control measures had to be put in place before any earthworks began.

In the resource consent decision, dated February 24, the conditions include that the earthworks must not obstruct access to existing public footpaths, shared paths, berms, private properties, public services/ utilities, or public reserves. There must also be no damage to public roads, footpaths, shared paths, berms, kerbs, drains, reserves or other public assets as a result of the earthworks.

“In the event that such damage does occur, the Council will be notified within 24 hours of its discovery. The costs of rectifying such damage and restoring the asset to its original condition will be met by the consent holder,” the consent says. The resource consent decision is linked to this story at www.localmatters.co.nz w Backstories www.localmatters.co.nz

November 22, December 20, 2021; Jan 24, 2022, August 8, 2022

Promises to deal with O Mahurangi Penlink runoff

As part of building O Mahurangi Penlink, Waka Kotahi will construct three wetlands and an attenuation pond to reduce the runoff on Whangaparāoa Road generated by the new highway.

In an update on the project, Waka Kotahi says currently, water rises over the top

of Whangaparāoa Road during extreme weather events, creating traffic disruptions and safety issues.

“Downstream flows are also high,” the report says.

This runoff could increase once the new

road is built, and the wetlands and pond being built as part of the project will lessen the impact of that. The wetlands also provide water treatment.

Waka Kotahi says that its modelling shows that once completed, the new highway should not flood in the one-in-two, 10 or

even 100-year events as shown in the map above, providing a measure of resilience and ongoing connectivity for the local area. The results are adjusted for climate change up to 2121 and are subject to minor changes as the detailed design and final Auckland Council approval is worked through.

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

Maps, above show the 100 year event flood depth before and after it is built.

Artists impression view of development from Southeast

Overnight run for mental health

A group of Coasties, all from the construction industry, regularly run together. One of them, Michael Goudie, says it’s more than just an opportunity to exercise, it’s a chance to connect, talk, check-in, and support each other.

Manly fire fighters special night

The recent Manly Volunteer Fire Brigade Honours Night, held on April 29 at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, was especially poignant because of a special award for the brigade’s former Chief Fire Officer, Shayne (Tua) Kennedy.

Before he moved to the West Coast, Kennedy had a long history of volunteer fire service at Manly – his record for attendance at trainings was more than 99 percent. Kennedy received his Gold Star, recognising 25 years of service. Blue Watch also gifted him a Māori cloak which was hand-woven specifically for him. It includes a tāniko, the woven ribbon at the top of the cloak, that used gold thread to represent Kennedy’s Gold Star.

A guard of honour was formed by all the fire fighters as Kennedy and his partner arrived. The honours night is held every year to

recognise the hard work of brigade members. It included dignitaries from Fire and Emergency NZ, the United Fire Brigade Association Auckland Regional Fire Brigade Association and Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell.

The event was also an opportunity to come together as a unit, and concluded with the cutting of a cake and everyone dancing the night away.

Other award recipients were: Athol Conway (2 year gold bar, 52 years); Ian Thompson (2 year gold bar, 27 years); Dave Nyman (2 year silver bar, 19 years); Craig MacDonald (2 year silver bar, 17 years); Janette Baird (2 year silver bar, 7 years); Clint Robinson (2 year silver bar, 19 years); Darren Snaith (5 years of service); Jasmine Holgate (5 years of service). The Andi Jackson/Servimus Award went to Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tony Clarke.

“We all work in the construction sector, and the pressures of our jobs can be overwhelming at times,” he says. Recently, they decided to take on the American motivator Dave Goggins’ 4 x 4 x 48 challenge. It involves running four miles (6.5 km) every four hours for 48 hours straight (78km in total).

As well as a personal challenge, the group wanted to raise awareness and money for Mates in Construction NZ –an organisation that focuses on mental health and suicide prevention in the sector. It has a programme called The Mates that helps people in construction support each other and provide an environment that encourages positive wellbeing.

Michael says all the runners are well aware of poor mental health in their industry –construction has the highest rate of suicide in NZ, losing the equivalent of nearly one person every week to suicide, 98 percent of them men.

Between May 5-7, the five core group members – Michael, Craig and Max Goudie, Blair Price and Ryan Thomas –

were joined many supporters. At times more than 25 people were running or cycling with them, building morale, and pushing them to complete the challenge. Michael says the midnight and 4am runs on the second night were the toughest. “Our legs felt like bricks, acid reflux was real, and our energy levels were at an alltime low. But we kept pushing through, knowing that the breaking sunlight meant there were only two more sections left.” He says the high point was completing the final leg, by Ōrewa Estuary.

“Walking back to camp with everyone who had supported us along the way was an incredible feeling. Reflecting on the hundreds of messages of support and the cause we were doing it for made it hugely satisfying. The cherry on top was raising almost double our goal amount. We couldn’t have done it without the support of the people and organisations around us. We hope that our journey can inspire others to challenge themselves and seek support when they need it.”

The team’s Givealittle page, https:// givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/buildinghope-the-4x4x48-challenge-forsuicide has raised just over $9000. It is open until May 18 – and the runners say it would be great to tip that amount over $10,000.

Shayne (Tua) Kennedy, former Chief Fire Officer of the Manly Brigade, centre, wearing his kakahu/cloak. The cloak was gifted from Blue Watch, past and present. With him, from left, are Manly fire fighters Jannette Baird and Chris Morris, Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell and Jasmine Holgate. The Manly volunteer fire brigade in Number 1 dress uniform at Honours night.

The group with supporters at the finish line

2 Cobbler (9) 3 Occurrence (5) 5 Effortless (4) 6 Tombstone inscription (7) 7 Cake-making ingredient (6,6) 8 Stinks (5) 9 Melancholy (7) 10 Stood up (4) 11 Sea robber (6)

12 Flavoursome (5)

13 Ebbed (7)

14 Starch (7)

16 Repeatedly (4,3,4)

22 Quit (6)

23 Nightclub floor

Op shopping for homeware treasures

The Hibiscus Coast has many charity Op Shops supporting local community groups and churches. Here you can find good quality second hand homewares and furniture for bargain prices – whatever your tastes. Of course you are helping those organisations too, with every dollar you spend. Here are a few examples that we found in recent weeks:

Creating tomorrow’s heirlooms

One way to save money, and bring unique pieces into your home is to think about restoring furniture you may have inherited. Those items may be precious and hold great memories, but could also be in need of modernising to current tastes.

The same applies to furniture and other homeware items that you are not currently using, or discover in Op Shops –or even find left on the roadside.

Repairing and repurposing those pieces can create the beloved heirlooms of the future!

For inspiration, here are some recent transformations by Arkles

on Instagram).

A knack for knots: the rise of macramé

Damaged and needing some love, this telephone table belonged to the owner’s grandmother, whose name was Olive. In upcycling it, Vicki took into account the owner’s love of natural colours and added olive green paint in her grandmother’s memory. The cushion is reversible, with one side natural colours and the other more vibrant (this fabric is called Botanical Olive!).

Macramé has come back into fashion for its homespun good looks, artistry and practical applications around the home. The process involves using a range of knots to turn lengths of rope (traditionally cotton or hemp) into things such as plant holders, wall hangings and bags. One new convert is Jessica O’Bray, 33, originally from Whangaparāoa, who discovered a knack for knotting in lockdown in 2020. “I am a plant person, and wanted macramé plant holders, but didn’t have the money to buy them,” she says. She bought some rope and taught herself the knots using YouTube videos. Once she had learned the basics, she moved on to more complex designs. She says the rope can be hard to find in stores, and she purchases hers online. It has become a hobby she is passionate about. She has made pieces for friends and family, and also for charity fundraisers. Jessica hopes to one day turn her talents into a business and has also taught the craft to school children. “A lot of people are into it now, and selling at markets,” she says. “There are so many creative and practical uses for it – from plant and fruit bowl hangers to handbags, coasters and even cat beds.” She has a macramé facebook page - www.facebook. com/MacrameCreations2020

Jessica O’Bray taught herself macramé in lockdown.

Bay creative Vicki Pickles, (#curbside_picks

This was part of a bedroom furniture set that belonged to the owner’s great, great grandmother. Her son, a cabinet maker, made the set around 120 years ago and it has been passed down in the family ever since. The refurbishing gave it a new lease of life, and a special place in the owner’s office where it is used daily.

From wheelie bin to worm farm

A new project by Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste has repurposed old wheelie bins into worm bins for Silverdale School’s Garden to Table programme.

Garden to Table encourages children to grow and harvest vegetables, fruit and herbs in the school gardens, and then prepare and cook them in the school kitchen. This teaches them where their food comes from, promotes healthy eating and reduces waste.

Silverdale School’s Garden to Table team needed worm bins to help create nutrientrich soil for the gardens.

Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste’s solution utilised old recycling bins. When recycling bins reach the end of their useful life, they often end up in landfill. By repurposing them, this project reduces waste and extends the lifespan of the bins. Turning the bins into worm farms involved drilling holes in the sides and bottom for ventilation and drainage. A layer of shredded paper and compost was added to the bottom of each bin, followed by a layer of soil and compost (tiger) worms.

The worms break down the food scraps and create nutrient-rich vermicast and worm ‘wee’ for use in the school gardens. This repurposing of wheelie bins could also be done by home gardeners. In addition, Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste donated 20 food caddies to the school for collecting food scraps and other organic waste in, to add to the worm bins. Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste’s work is made possible by Waste Wise funding through Auckland Council and is also endorsed by Hibiscus and Bays Local Board.

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Silverdale School students are learning sustainable ways with waste

Disused wheelie bins make great worm farms.

Freewheeling cook

Sion Stavrovski

Chicken and black bean cob loaf

I used cooked chicken in this, as we had roast chicken leftovers from the night before. Chorizo sausages or sliced beef goes well too. Drain one can of black or red beans, make some gravy (I used one gravy sachet with one cup of water) and set them aside.

Slice the top off a cob loaf and scoop out the inside. Chop 1 onion (red if you can), 4 cloves of garlic, half a leek and 5 or 6 white button mushrooms. Brown them lightly over medium heat in a pan with olive oil, and after 5min, add the drained beans.

If you are using meat that needs to be cooked, pan fry it before you add the veggies and the beans.

Mix everything well over the heat, season with salt and black pepper (if you like it a bit spicy, add chilli powder or flakes to taste) and after 5min pour over the gravy.

Because I was using roast chicken leftovers, after 5min, I turned off the heat and added the chicken into the mix.

Cool slightly, then add some baby spinach leaves and mix together.

Cover the bottom of the cob with sliced cheese, pour over the chicken and veggie mix, add more spinach leaves on top and cover it with sliced cheese again.

Place the cob top back on, sprinkle olive oil over it and wrap the loaf in foil.

Bake in the oven for 15min at 190°C. When ready, cut the loaf into pieces and serve it with the Mediterranean salad (below) on the side.

Mediterranean Salad

This salad is super healthy, nice and easy to make and can accompany any protein-based meal or pie. You can take out any of the vegetables, and add your favourites, but what you must have is Virgin Olive oil, lemon and fresh herbs or dried oregano. I used green olives (pitted whole, or cut in half) but black olives are fine too; cucumber, cherry tomatoes, spring (or red) onion, fresh green paprika (capsicum is fine too), fresh basil leaves and mesclun salad. Please don’t dice the vegetables too much. Apart from the olives, the basil leaves and the mesclun salad, the other vegetables go with a ratio of 30/30/30. Take care, as the taste of olives and basil can be overpowering. Mix everything in a bowl, and dress with olive oil and lemon juice – just a little at first as you want to try it and adjust as you go. Remember, you can always add but can’t take out. Lemon can bring out all those fresh flavours, but you don’t want to make it too citrusy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Dress and season the salad 5min before serving.

Gardening

Dee Pigneguy mikedee@outlook.co.nz

Plant exploration and travelling flowers

The Wardian case, named after its inventor, Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, was an invention that transformed the global transport of plants in the 19th century. Ward discovered that plants growing within an airtight glass case could survive without being watered for a long period of time.

What began as a simple horticultural accident in Dr Ward’s home became one of the most valuable inventions, allowing early botanists like Sir Joseph Banks to transport new plant finds to England. By the 1870s the live plant trade was extensive, allowing plants to survive being transported great distances.

Gardeners have also used this idea when taking flowers any distance—visiting friends who have moved into a new home, patients in hospital, a new baby or even funerals. You simply soak the flowers (stems) overnight in deep warm water and in the morning place them in an airtight plastic bag, breathe into the bag and secure it tightly with a rubber band.

Science tells us that one of the basic principles of people-plant survival is that we breathe in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, a process reversed by the plant kingdom. Using our breath to sustain plant life is a useful secret when it comes to designing your own plastic bag travelling “Wardian case”.

If you are travelling any great distance, especially in hot weather, place the bag in a shaded or cool place in the car, and if you must stop overnight, place the bag in the

refrigerator or a cool dark place. This will all help your bouquet to arrive in top condition. When visiting people who have moved into a new home, I make gift-posies (tussie mussies). The stems are held together with an elastic band and wrapped in wet paper towels before being sprinkled with water and placed in the plastic bag, along with an extra breath of the life-giving carbon dioxide. I always include cuttings of herbs and scented pelargoniums, which allows for setting up a scented garden if the homeowners wish.

Ward’s simple invention transformed the world of plant exploration and international trade, and had a major impact on ecosystems we value today. For example, the establishment of mango (Mangifera indica) production in Queensland, also relied on the Wardian case, used in the late 1840s to bring grafted mango trees from India.

Today, plants are transported by air in temperature-controlled polyethylene bags.

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Driving change through licence support

Fee changes on the way

The Government has announced changes to driver’s licence fees that include scrapping re-test charges, increasing some fees and reducing others.

Transport Minister Michael Wood says the cost of tests on top of other cost of living pressures can make access to that all-important licence difficult for many people.

“The changes will ease pressure on households where budgets are tight, and also support more people into work as many jobs require a licence,” the Minister said.

From October 1, 2023:

The cost of sitting a learner licence rises from $93.90 to $96.19; sitting a restricted licence rises from $134.80 to $167.57; sitting a full licence drops from $109.50 to $98.96.

If you fail the test and have to re-sit, the cost is $96.19 (down from $139.60).

The process of getting a driver’s licence can be stressful, expensive and time consuming – for some those things prove too high a barrier.

Former Police officer Matt Wickens set up a course with Coast Community Trust this year to support people of all ages through that process.

Demand for that help was so high that it soon outstripped what volunteers could do, so the Trust partnered with the Ministry of Social Development, which is funding the course for six months.

Coast Community Trust community programmes manager, Caitlin Watson, says the help needed includes funding for ID documents and fees, navigating the process, plus encouragement and support. “We have helped people from all walks of

life,” Watson says. “From youth to people who have been on a learner licence for more than 30 years.”

One of the first through the programme was a father of a large family who did not have a copy of his birth certificate and was also struggling financially. The Trust supported him to get his learner licence, which Watson says was a huge win for the man and his family.

“As well as being able to drive, it helps with self-esteem and confidence, opens greater employment opportunities, more independence and a connection to society,” she says. “Sometimes multiple failed attempts, as well as being costly, put people off as they lose confidence. The mentoring gives that person someone who believes in them, and their potential.

“One client, aged over 50, told us being pulled over by Police was the best thing, because he got the support he needed to get a full licence. In some cases, being fined can contribute to that cycle of poverty.”

Most referrals come from local Police, as well as people who have been caught driving

unlicensed. There are an increasing number of referrals from community groups, too. Watson says the intention is to make this a long-term programme.

“This year to date 33 licences have been obtained. Our target is 60 within the next six months.”

College bus service standing room only

Towards the end of last term, parents of Whangaparāoa College students were complaining that a shortage of school buses had led to overcrowded buses and long waits for some. However, Bayes Coachlines, which operates the service, and Auckland Transport (AT), which contracts it to Bayes, have found work-arounds that they say will improve things this term. AT Metro Services optimisation manager, Richard Harrison, says options include combining two other routes that have lighter loads so Bayes can add a new bus and driver to the college route. AT is working through the timetable and costings and if it proves workable, the changes will be in place as quickly as possible this term. Both AT and Bayes say there is capacity on the public bus service which can also be an option for students.

Demand is high for a community programme that supports people to get a driver’s licence.

Green scene

Kate Hall

kate@ethicallykate.com

Navigating through sustainability

Googling a topic is always an insightful way to see what the world is trying to convince us of and which companies have the most budget to spend on Google ads.

When I googled ‘sustainable motoring’, this was no exception. I noticed three distinct themes and all three can teach us a lot about sustainable motoring.

The first thing I noticed on the page was several car brands boasting that their vehicles are the most sustainable option, especially their electric ones. The world is trying to convince us that sustainable motoring involves using cars with different engines and fuel types.

While I am a supporter of the shift to vehicles that run off electricity (the second article that pops up is one written by yours truly about electric cars!), they’re also not the answer. Electric cars are the poster child for sustainable motoring, but I don’t think they should be. Instead of asking the question “how can we make this car sustainable?” we need to be asking “how can we get from ‘a to b’ in the most environmentally friendly and efficient way?” The answer is often carpooling, public transport, walking, biking, or simply not going because you realise it’s

not a priority to transport yourself there.

The second thing you notice is the range of articles with sustainable driving tips. These include driving slower, changing gears sooner, keeping up regular maintenance of your car, checking tyres regularly, using particular oil types, and avoiding tapping the magic AC button whenever bearable. I love these practical tips; I only wish more people would take notice of them!

Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast

Finally, all Google responses acknowledged, both implicitly and explicitly, that transport is one of the biggest contributors to our carbon footprint. In Aotearoa New Zealand, transport accounts for approximately 17 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions. We need to think about sustainable motoring with a different lens, continue to develop the energy efficient vehicles that are in production, and ultimately reconsider our reliance on cars. Aotearoa New Zealand has one of the highest cars per person ratios in the world! I reckon all of us could reconsider the part we play in those statistics.

Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast

Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast

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Editor’s note: This is Kate’s final column for the paper. Many thanks for all your contributions, Kate.

Congestion charges come closer

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public

Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

Auckland Council staff have signalled that congestion charging discussions will be on the work programme in a matter of months.

Congestion charging is used to ease congestion, often in central city locations, by charging road users to drive on some routes in peak times. The aim is to encourage them to change the time, route or transport method by which they travel.

At Auckland Council’s April 20 Transport and Infrastructure committee meeting, Extinction Rebellion’s Mari Jay asked why after several “expensive, time-consuming, expert reports” have recommended congestion charging, it was not in the annual budget.

Cr Chris Darby said government is working through legislation that would enable congestion charging for Auckland. Infrastructure and Environmental Services director Barry Potter confirmed that congestion charging discussions would be brought to the committee in the next two or three months.

•Family/social occasions

• Medical/other appointments

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•Shopping trips

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•Scenic drives

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Mayor Wayne Brown, who was absent from the committee, has been a vocal opponent to congestion charging calling it “a distraction” [from the provision of reliable public transport] shortly after being elected last year.

In 2016, government and Council established the Congestion Question project and in 2020 a report under the same name recommended charging $3.50 at peak periods.

That report can be found here, www. transport.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Report/TheCongestion-Question-Report.pdf

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Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast

Watch out New Zealand – Drag Queen Bingo is coming to a town near you!

The combination of over-the-top Drag Queen inuendo and the good old game of Bingo has proved a hit overseas, and it is proving just as popular here.

Nick Kennedy-Hall’s alter ego, Anita Wigl’it, has already sold out Drag Queen Bingo events in Auckland and Hamilton, and the third is headed to Parāoa in Whangaparāoa next month.

Nick says while drag and Bingo may not seem an obvious fit, Bingo is enjoyed by all, and provides plenty of scope for naughtiness and fun (for a start, balls are involved).

“It’s a stolen idea – in the UK and USA it’s been a thing for many years,” Nick says. “Young people as well as old love

Win tickets

Drag Queen puts Bingo in the spotlight

Bingo because it’s easy and gets wildly competitive.”

Nick, who starred on RuPaul’s Drag Race Downunder, is also one of the owners of the Caluzzi Cabaret Drag Queen venue in Auckland, and recently created the dragqueenbingo.co.nz website with the idea of starting a travelling pop up show.

The evening includes three competitive rounds of Bingo, played for mystery prize packs, a drag show “and lots of laughs”, Nick says.

If it proves popular with Coasties, this wigged and gowned version of Bingo could be held regularly at Paraoa in future.

Drag Queen Bingo is on at Parāoa on Wednesday, June 21, 7pm-8.30pm. Tickets from Eventfinda.

Hibiscus Matters has one double pass to Drag Queen Bingo at Paraoa to give away. To go in the draw, ‘like’ Hibiscus Matters on Facebook and message us your name and phone number, mentioning Drag Queen Bingo; or drop an entry that includes your name and phone number into our office at 21 Florence Ave Ōrewa. Entries close Friday, June 2.

Homemade success sounds sweet

Piano tuner, singer/songwriter and musician, Nancy Howie, of Whangaparāoa, discovered a new string to her bow in lockdown – one that she made herself.

Nancy has been writing songs and playing instruments since childhood. She says her obsession with music began when she first heard a Beatles record at the age of five. A piano tuner by trade, she also plays guitar and bass.

Nancy, 33, had a creative spurt in lockdown which included arrangements of songs by other musicians. One of those arrangements needed a cello, and so she built one, using a fencepost, tin can and guitar string. The bow was made using a stick and nylon fishing line, treated with pine resin from a tree in a local park. “It worked, and made a good sound,” she says.

Once lockdown was over, she could get materials for building instruments from demolition yards and hardware stores. Her next creations used repurposed Matai floorboards and a winebox. As well as acoustic string instruments and drums, she made wind instruments such as an Ululophone, which is a recorder with the mouthpiece replaced with a membrane made from a balloon.

Nancy says the August 2020 lockdown was also a creative time that included making her own hurdy-gurdy – a Medieval instrument that features a wheel turned with a crank that rubs against the strings.

“The earliest versions were made centuries ago so I used those as a model and made one using Matai floorboards,” she says. Currently, she is building a large instrument similar to a harpsichord.

The need to build instruments always starts, for Nancy, with her songwriting – when she needs the sound of a certain instrument in her songs, if she doesn’t have

one, she builds it.

Fathom is her solo project, and she has released an LP and EP as Fathom, recorded in her bedroom, playing her handmade instruments.

She also plays with a number of bands –Isla and the Kindred, Rewind Fields and alternative folk band Tweed, which plays live at Whangaparāoa Library this month. Her work, made using this year’s Daphne Gretta Mary Stephens Community Music Scholarship, will also be debuted locally later this year. The scholarship enabled Nancy to write a suite of chamber music using the instruments she built. She will perform it at local colleges and retirement villages, first making videos in local parks playing some of the instruments, and then accompanying herself on another instrument live.

Tweed perform live at Whangaparāoa Library on Saturday, May 27. More info, see What’s On p31.

Working with amazing people, helping them to be the most confident version of themselves

“ ”

I love my job ...

Anita Wigl’it will host a fun Drag Queen Bingo night at Paraoa.

Nancy Howie started making her own instruments as a lockdown project and hasn’t stopped.

Health

Sheryl Takayama, Nutritionist sheryl@whyweightacademy.com

Winter helps weight loss

People often tell me that summer is the best season to work on improving your health or losing weight because warm weather, more time for outdoor activities and lighter food options seem to make it the ideal time to focus on health and fitness. However, my experience over the past 12 years has shown me that winter has a clear advantage when it comes to making changes and seeing results. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Less socialising: While summer may be the season for activities, barbecues and social gatherings, these events often involve alcohol and nibbles. Unfortunately, these extra calories and altered food decisions can hinder your progress. Winter, on the other hand, provides more time to stay at home and prepare simple meals without the distractions of social outings. This can make it easier to avoid late nights and all those extra calories.

Cold temperatures equals metabolic stimulation: A study released from Harvard Medical School last year showed that colder temperatures stimulate your metabolism, resulting in more calories being burnt and greater fat loss. This is due to a process called thermogenesis, which increases when your body needs to warm up from the cold. So, if you find yourself shivering, all that extra work your body is doing might work to your advantage!

• More sleep: Sleep is essential for both overall health and weight loss. A good night’s sleep is important for regulating

appetite, which is why we often find ourselves reaching for extra snacks when we’re tired. In winter, we tend to go to bed earlier and have more potential for sleep due to the cooler temperatures and longer periods of darkness. This will help us feel more rested, focused and less hungry throughout the day.

• Simple food: Home cooked meals are always the best, and winter provides plenty of opportunities for hearty soups and casseroles that are full of protein and vegetables. Just be sure to add some protein to your soups to make them more filling and nutritious. Chicken soup is a great option.

• Less running around: While we may not be able to exercise outside as much during winter, the bonus is that we can maximise our nutrition by spending more time at home. This allows us to have a structured routine and avoid eating on the run. While you can make changes to improve your health at any time of year, winter provides some unique advantages. Knuckle down, eat simple meals, get to bed on time and you will be feeling a whole lot better in body and mind by the time warmer weather rolls around!

... colder temperatures stimulate your metabolism, resulting in more calories being burnt and greater fat loss.

Donations hope to open more doors

This Hospice Awareness Week (May 15-21) Harbour Hospice is asking for support for its Open Doors programme, created so that people can benefit from hospice’s care much earlier.

Every second Wednesday, Hibiscus House in Red Beach becomes a hive of activity, filled with chatter and laughter as patients, carers and volunteers arrive and greet one another.

Music plays as they settle in to hear a presentation from a Harbour Hospice team member or guest speaker. Then it’s time for a discussion and the sharing of experiences before a meal is served.

This is what it’s like to part of Harbour Hospice’s vital Open Doors programme. Diane McNaughton, 75, began attending Open Doors in 2020 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, then her husband and caregiver Bob, 77, joined last year when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Matakatia couple say they love the fact that

everybody at Open Doors understands what they’re going through.

“We have a lot of empathy for each other and we really enjoy talking to each other; we have a few giggles,” she says. “It has helped me to cope better with my condition.”

A presentation about getting legal matters in order helped the couple plan ahead, Diane says. “And we’ve learned a lot about allowances, grants, and support services such as Age Concern and Senior Line.”

Bob says it is important that people have the time to sit down and talk with you, slowly coax out what is troubling you and maybe help.

“There’s a bit of emotion involved at times, and a bit of a hilarity – it’s a very peoplefriendly space,” he says.

Harbour Hospice chief executive, Jan Nichols, says too often people miss out on this programme, which is why it is the focus for fundraising this Hospice Awareness Week.

Wedding gown fundraiser

More than 30 bridal gowns will be on the catwalk in a unique Wedding Dresses through the Decades show this month. The show is a fundraiser for Hibiscus Hospice, and was put together by Women’s Fundraising Committee member Yvonne Payne, who is also a volunteer life story writer for patients.

She says “three years of conversations” have gone into the show including sourcing the dresses and gathering stories from the brides or their families.

She says weddings often come up when she is writing hospice patients’ stories.

“The idea for the show started when I was doing a biography for a patient in her 80s

and she was so excited telling me about how she convinced her parents that she could go overseas to meet up with the love of her life.”

Gowns from the 1950s to the present day will feature – the more recent ones modelled by the brides themselves and others by the bride’s daughters or granddaughters.

Some are the work of well-known NZ or British fashion designers, others were made by family members. Not all are white. Yvonne says the 2000s and 2010s in particular brought in a trend for different coloured gowns.

Every dress has a story, which Yvonne will delight in telling the audience about –

“The need for support programmes like Open Doors is becoming more urgent because people are living longer and experiencing more complex palliative care needs than ever before,” Nichols says. Harbour Hospice currently cares for close to 400 patients every day, and demand for palliative care across the region is expected to increase by 50 percent in the next 14 years.

“Open Doors has a profound impact on a patient’s quality of life,” Nichols says. “The programme is more than music, a chat and a meal. It prepares people for what lies ahead and encourages them to live well until they die.”

Nichols says that Open Doors is a “wonderful example of a community working together to look after its own”. Led by Day Group coordinator, Tina Perenara, who is a trained physiotherapist, volunteers transport patients to and from the programme or help facilitate on the day. Clinical and family support teams,

Bob and Diane McNaughton

as well as members of other community health agencies, give talks and the kitchen team provides delicious food.

“The role of hospice supporters and donors is just as integral because it’s their generosity that ensures programmes like these are possible,” Nichols says. Hospice Awareness Week runs from May 15-21. Donations can be made at harbourhospice.org.nz/donate/appeal and follow Harbour Hospice on Facebook to track other Awareness Week activity.

whether that’s about fashion, the wedding day or the bride and groom.

“The stories really bring each dress to life,” she says. “I’ve heard some hilarious ones – in one case, the mother-in-law went on

honeymoon with the couple!”

Wedding Dresses through the Decades is on May 20, at Whangaparāoa College auditorium, Delshaw Ave, Stanmore Bay, 3pm. More info in What’s On p31.

Yvonne Payne with her mother’s 1950s wedding dress which features in the show.

Freestyle champ off to Worlds

Teenage swimmer Zoe Pedersen of Little Manly is one of only seven competitors selected by Swimming NZ to contest the Junior World Championships in Israel in September.

Getting a place on the team meant meeting tough criteria, based on times, and Zoe trained hard to get there.

Her 50m freestyle in a time of 25:63 at the recent National Age Group Championships did the trick. She also won gold at the Age Group Champs for that event, along with the 100m fly and 100m freestyle.

In Israel, the 16-year-old will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle, and 50m fly. Zoe has been swimming at Northern

Arena in Silverdale since she was three years old, and joined Coast Swim Club to start competing when she was eight. There are early morning starts for the Whangaparāoa College student, who trains from 5am-7am at the pool, six days a week. Although she competed in Australia at the end of last year, as part of the Auckland team, the trip to Israel, and training camp prior in Dubai, will be next level and she is excited about competing at this top level in her sport.

She says she feels lucky to be part of Coast Swim Club, which is punching above its weight in competition and has provided top coaches like Steve Kent and John Gatfield.

THE scor EBoArD

SUPPORTING LOCALSPORTFORFIVE YEARS AND RUNNING

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HIBISCUS PETANQUE

Welcomes new members – come along and try this fun social sport. Club days are Tuesday and Wednesday 9am to midday and Sunday 1pm to 4pm at our terrains alongside Bowls Ōrewa, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Ōrewa. Phone John 027 489 4955 www.sporty. co.nz/hibiscuspetanque.

RUGBY REFS WANTED

Harbour Rugby is looking for referees. Give back to the game, keep fit, meet new people and have fun! People of all ages and abilities are required, and will be supported with full training and coaching. Info, contact Ryan Nixon (Rugby Manager: Referees & Match Officials) at ryan@harbourrugby.co.nz

TABLE TENNIS

Table tennis at Whangaparāoa Community Hall. Games on Mondays, 9am-12pm. Emphasis on fun and social play with tea and coffee included in the entrance charge of $2. All welcome. Info: phone Steve Chong, 027 442 1653.

FAST AND FURIOUS FOILING

Wingfoil NZ’s inaugural NZ Wingfoil Championships will be held May 20&21, at Manly Sailing Club in Whangaparaoa. The event will feature both Open and Social divisions. More than 50 wing foilers are expected to be in the fleet, creating a fantastic spectacle for spectators on the beach or on the water. There will also be foil brands showcasing their equipment. Info: www.manlysailingclub.org.nz/ or Instagram @wingfoilnzl

List your sports here FREE email: terry@localmatters.co.nz

ToTalspan Rodney 229 sTaTe HigHway 1 waRkwoRTH pHone 09 422 3149

ToTalspan Rodney 229 sTaTe HigHway 1 waRkwoRTH pHone 09 422 3149

ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of

Zoe Pedersen of Coast Swim Club will represent NZ at the Junior World Swimming Championships in Israel this year.

Despite a gutsy performance, Hibiscus Coast Raiders’ premiers were beaten by Bay Roskill at home, denying the team a promotion.

Raiders Premiers focus on Sharman Cup

The first home game of the season for the Raiders Premiers was also the team’s chance to qualify for the Auckland Rugby League Fox Memorial Premiership. It was a must-win game, and a vocal crowd of supporters turned out at the Raiders

Stanmore Bay grounds on April 29 to cheer them on. They were treated to a decisive win in the Reserves’ curtain raiser, and a strong start by the Premier team – at half time the score was 10-4 to Raiders. However, Bay Roskill came out strongly in

the second half and the final score was 3216 to Bay Roskill.

Head coach Anthony Swann says it was disappointing, but the Premier team will now compete in the Sharman Cup, second tier, same as last season. The top four in

that division at the end of the season again go into Fox Memorial Premiership qualifying rounds.

“The focus now is to win the Sharman Cup – something Raiders have done in the past,” he says.

HOME & MAINTENANCE

ALARMS SECURITY AND FIRE, MONITORING, CCTV, servicing & installation, all brands 027 553 3032 www.tdssecurity.co.nz

CARPET LAYING, CARPET RE-STRETCH, VINYL LAYING, CARPET REPAIRS

Over 30 years’ experience.

Contact Dexter 027 4956 436

DRAINLAYERS

For your drainage requirements. Certified drain layers. All Round Drainage Ltd: Ph/txt 0274 890 851 email jeff@ardnz.com

HANDYMAN

Odd jobs, gardening, painting & water blasting. Phone Nev 021 399 226.

HOUSE WASHING - SOFT WASH / LOW PRESSURE / CHEMICAL WASH

Also Window Cleaning / Gutter Clearing Careful service, reasonable rates. Phone 021 057 9743

Classifieds

PUMP DOCTOR

WATER PUMP & FILTER SERVICES. New installs for all your water pump requirements. Ph 0274 430 654.

ARKLES BAY PAINTERS/DECORATORS In the area for the area. Shane 021 0813 8481.

CARPET CLEANING, repairs and installation. Dwayne 0274 997 929.

HANDYMAN, RENOVATION SERVICES. Call John 027 441 9603.

PEST CONTROL, Flies, spiders, cockroaches, ants, rodents, wasps. Competitive prices. Ph 426 2253.

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

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

WANTED TO BUY

TO BUY, RECORDS/LP’S 09 428 1587 txt 0210 258 3437

DVDS & VIDEOS

VIDEOS TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Ph/txt Te Totara Video 021 777 385.

SERVICES

FURNITURE REMOVALS

exp Owner Operator 30 years. Single Items to Flat/House lots. Silverdale Based. Ph Gavin 0274 973 867

PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE

Based in little Manly. Massage for relaxation and

WORK WANTED

COMMUNITY NOTICES

60’s UP MOVEMENT, HIBISCUS COAST. Meeting 3rd Wednesday of every month, 10am, RSA, Viponds Road, Whangaparaoa. Outings 1st Wednesday of month. Ph Gloria 027 386 2339. All welcome.

HIBISCUS COAST STAMP CLUB Meets 2pm on 3rd Saturday every month at 22 Settlers Grove, Orewa. All welcome. Ph

HOUSIE AT BOWLS OREWA every Friday, 1pm-4pm. Lots of fun and great prizes. Ph 09 426 5937. All welcome.

OREWA SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB (55+)

Indoor Bowls: 12.40pm every Tuesday and Thursday - free tuition Cards: (500) 12.15pm every Tuesday. Scrabble: 12.15pm every Thursday. $2 (includes afternoon tea), Orewa Community Centre, Orewa Square. Ph Mike 426 2028 or 021 258 9808.

OREWA 500 CARD CLUB meets every Monday from 6.30-9pm at the Hibiscus Coast Community House. $5 entry. Ph Peter 021 704 440. All welcome.

ARE YOU A LOCAL, SMALL NOT-FORPROFIT GROUP providing help or support to our community in some way? Do you need funds for a project or service delivery? The HBC Community House donates funds to suitable groups once a month. Contact hbccommunityhouse@xtra.co.nz.

COLLECTING NEWSPAPERS Rather than placing your newspapers into the recycle bin, keep them for us at Orewa Lions Club, we are only too pleased to collect them from you. All funds raised from this venture go into the local community. Ph Harry 426 6629 and he will arrange pick up.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OLD CAR OR BOAT BATTERIES SITTING IN YOUR GARAGE, THAT YOU NO LONGER WANT? The Orewa Lions collect all old batteries and ALL the money received for them goes into the Child Mobility Foundation fund - a fabulous cause to support. So, if you want to get rid of those old car or boat batteries or any batteries (NOT the smaller AAA type batteries etc) then just give me a call and I will pick up and dispose of them. Info: www.lionsclubs.org.nz/Clubs/ Activities/Child-Mobility (you may well be staggered by what you see). Call Laurie 426 3122 or Frank 021 761 161.

FREE COMMUNITY MEAL at St Chad’s Hall 5pm last Sunday of each month. Just come along, corner Florence Ave & Centreway Rd, Ōrewa All welcome.

GOLDEN YEARS FISHING CLUB. Do you love fishing. Are you 50+. Don’t have a boat or want some company. Maybe a little mobility issue. We can help. Our club does weekly charters on Hauraki of Kaipara Harbours. Step on stop off. Even shore based torpedo expeditions. Come & join us for a great fishing experience. Ph. Derek 021 032 6878.

solved #9

59 Ego, 60 Snow, 61 Rotund, 62 Toe, 63 Occasional, 66 Rascal, 67 Tragic, 69 Convinces, 72 Scales, 73 Pulsating, 75 Pollute, 77 Lop, 80 Osier, 81 More often than not, 82 Creel, 83 Defect, 84 Postpone, 85 Leash.

DOWN: 2 Shoemaker, 3 Event, 5 Easy, 6 Epitaph, 7 Baking powder, 8 Reeks, 9 Sadness, 10 Rose, 11 Pirate, 12 Tasty, 13 Receded, 14 Stiffen, 16 Over and over, 22 Resign, 23 Cabaret, 24 Sincere, 25 Mayday, 27 Porcine, 28 Cajole, 30 Gaze, 32 Speck, 34 Press, 36 Dock, 38 Due, 42 Rusts, 43 Serious, 44 Airy, 45 Custom, 46 Mixed, 48 Cheesecloth, 49 Lessons, 50 Son, 51 Estuary, 52 Exotic, 53 Altercations, 54 Up to, 57 Orchid, 64 Albatross, 65 Parasol, 66 Replica, 68 Gourmet, 70 Non-stop, 71 Recipe, 72 Spiel, 74 Scrap, 76 Lance, 78 Free, 79 Anon.

11 YEARS+ TO DELIVER THE HIBISCUS MATTERS NEWSPAPERS

Hibiscus Matters is a fortnightly paper, pays good rates and you have 4 days to deliver. If you are fit, like walking and wanting to get paid for it ...

Contact Rosemary 021 0300 263 or email name, contact details & age to: hmdelivery@localmatters.co.nz

What’s on ...

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

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

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 Door sales from 2pm. (see story p24)

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.

23 BYO Board games. A chance for adults to connect over their favourite board games, Whangaparāoa Library, Main Street, Whangaparāoa, 10.30am. Will be held every two weeks during term time (next one June 6, then June 20).

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.

27 Alternative folk band Tweed plays live at Whangaparāoa Library, Main St, Whangaparāoa, 1.30pm. Their first performance at the library since Covid-19. Part of NZ Music Month. (see story p22)

27 Quattro, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Rd, Whangaparāoa, 7pm-10.30pm. Entry $5 for non-RSA members, free for members.

28 Megan Johnson, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Road, Whangaparāoa, 4pm-7pm. Free entry.

31 Ben Deverell, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Road, Whangaparāoa, 6.30pm-8.30pm.

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/

3 Dave Ewart, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Rd, Whangaparāoa, 7pm-10.30pm. Entry $5 non-members, free for members.

4 Andrew Crozier, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Rd, Whangaparāoa, 4pm-7pm. Free entry.

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).

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

17 Foxtail Rumble, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Rd, Whangaparāoa, 7pm-10.30pm. Entry $8 non-members, free for members.

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

21 Drag Queen Bingo! with Anita Wigl’it, Parāoa Brewing Co.,719A Whangaparāoa Road,7pm–8:30pm (see story p22)

24 Diabetes Self-Management Education, Hibiscus Coast Community House, Western Reserve, Ōrewa, 9am-3.30pm. Free information day for people with Type 2 Diabetes. You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to support you. Refreshments provided. Registration essential. Contact Margot McDonald on DSME@ comprehensivecare.co.nz

29–July 2 Puhoi 160th celebrations, includes a lunch, dance and church service. Info and tickets puhoibohemianmuseum@gmail.com or ph 027 211 0316.

See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/ for a full list of upcoming events

Pharmacy Talk

with Tania Adams

Protecting Yourself this Winter

This is the winter to be prepared! Our healthcare system is buckling at the seams, so it has never been more important to make sure that you stay healthy during winter.

Are you up to date with all your vaccinations? The flu vaccination is available free to all those over 65, to people with certain medical conditions and a number of other criteria. It is also available for a small fee if you do not meet the criteria and is well worth it! The COVID booster is also now available if it has been six months since your last booster. Unichem Manly Pharmacy have both vaccines available Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. You can even have them at the same time.

How about boosting your immune system naturally? Although there is still no magic cure for those winter viruses, there are things you can do to get your body prepared and defences activated this winter.

Top 5 Natural Supplements that may assist your immune system:

Zinc 1. supports your immune response and may aid your recovery from winter ills and chills. You can take a simple zinc test at the pharmacy to find out how much zinc your body needs.

Researchers have found that if your 2. Vitamin D levels are adequate this may have a protective effect against colds. Did you know that the amount you will need to take in the winter differs from in the summer? Ask one of our experts which dose is best for you.

Vitamin B6 3. plays an important role in keeping your immune system healthy. B6 can be taken on it’s own or as part of a B Complex vitamin. Some people are best to take Vitamin B6 in it’s active form. Find out which would be best for you from our experts. Research shows that if you regularly supplement your diet with 4.

Vitamin C you may reduce the duration of common cold symptoms. Initial studies indicate that 5. aged garlic extract may decrease the chances of getting a cold as well as reduce symptoms and duration of illness.

I often hear “I am one of those people who start with a cold, but then always end up getting even worse - what can I do?”. Colds cause excessive mucus to sit in your nose or chest which can lead to secondary infections such as sinus infections, asthma flare ups, bronchitis, tonsillitis, ear infections and even pneumonia. An oral vaccine, Buccaline, is available from Unichem Manly to provide you with protection for up to three months from bacterial complications of colds. It needs to be taken when you are well Speak with one of our pharmacists to check if it is right for you

What else can you do? Sleep is a natural immune booster! Research has shown that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as the common cold. If you are having trouble sleeping, come and see us for advice. Also, exercise can boost your immune system. Try to get regular, moderate exercise, like a daily 30-minute walk. It can help your immune system fight infection.

So come on Coasties, get yourselves prepared for Winter 2023.

Pharmacist at Unichem Manly

Strong start for Coast football in division one

The Hibiscus Coast men’s football team, which was promoted from the Northern Region Football League (NRFL) second division last season, is currently sitting in second place (by a single point) after eight games of the first division NRFL Championship. With six wins, two draws, and no losses,

they have 20 points, having scored 14 goals and conceded only three.

On Saturday, April 29, they played at home in Stanmore Bay versus Ngaruawahia United – a team that was also promoted to the championship for the 2023 season. It was an extremely hard-fought battle

played under difficult weather conditions. At the half-time break, the score was locked at 0-0 but with 21 minutes to play, Coast’s Trent Mayes headed the ball home from a corner.

The score stayed at 1-0 until the final whistle, and for a sweet week, Coast was at

the top of the league. However, their next game away against Fencibles on Saturday, May 6, ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Coast in second place.

Last weekend, they were at home in Stanmore Bay against Waitemata in the Chatham Cup, first round (results unknown as the paper went to print).

Standard Price $285 (+ gas used)

Trent Mayes heads in the winning goal in the at-home game v Ngaruawahia United.

Photos, Carla Newman, Jermacsz

Joshua Precious

Ethan Usher

Emmanuel Darkwa Tyler Agiovlassitis