YourOpinion

Win Tickets

Hibiscus Matters still has one double pass to Drag Queen Bingo at Paraoa Brewing in Whangaparāoa to give away. This over-the-top version of the game is coming to the Coast courtesy of Nick Kennedy-Hall’s alter ego, Anita Wigl’it. It is on Wednesday, June 21,7pm-8.30pm.

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.

Thanks young people

A big thank you to the young adults who came to my aid outside Ōrewa College on Saturday, May 13. My mobility scooter had a disagreement with a metal pole.

Geoff Bull, Ōrewa

Where’s the sand?

Many residents like to walk the beaches around our homes but after the recent weather events many of the beaches are bereft of any sand. Where has it gone?

The rocks are very slippery and indeed a few broken bones have already been experienced. I realise that Ōrewa Beach is the ‘poster beach’ of the area but Stanmore Bay beach deserves a mention too and to be cared for by our Council. The devastation is easily seen in these before and after photos.

Sandra Magill, Stanmore Bay

Auckland Council’s Resilient Land & Coasts general manager, Paul Klinac, responds: “Stanmore Bay beach is characterised by a relatively thin veneer of intertidal sand, underlain by shallow sandstone rock platforms. Stanmore Bay and neighbouring beaches (such as Ōrewa) have recently been exposed to a series of significant north easterly storms bringing strong onshore winds and high wave energies. In addition, the recent extended La Nina influenced weather pattern has increased the frequency of storm events that these beaches have been exposed to. During these events, sand is transported offshore from the intertidal beaches. In areas of thin veneer beaches such as the north western end of Stanmore Bay, this temporarily exposes the underlying rock platforms. The sand is not lost from these beach systems, rather it is sitting just offshore. During calmer conditions, the sand is transported back onshore and beach levels are restored. It is anticipated that the upper beach sand levels will recover, and the currently exposed rock platforms will be again covered during calmer conditions. The predicted end of the La Nina phase this autumn will also further enable the intertidal sand levels to better rebuild.

Recycling changes

I use quite a lot of those Tetra Paks, because the household drinks oat and other nondairy milks. I am not sure whether it’s best for the environment to take these to the recycling centre in Whangaparāoa Road, or put them in the Council recycling. I have tried to find out from the Council website where they go if put in the recycling, but had no luck. Can you help?

Toni Mills, Manly Editor’s note: This is a very timely letter, as it turns out Auckland Council is soon to stop taking Tetra Paks (tentative date July 1) in its kerbside recycling. Council’s Waste Solutions general manager, Parul Sood, says: “Although Council currently accepts liquid paper board (milk and juice cartons, of which Tetra Pak is the main brand) in kerbside recycling, this is changing very soon to align with the Government’s national recycling standardisation, which specifies what can and cannot be accepted for recycling. Unfortunately, this does not include liquid paper board.” • Whangaparāoa Recycling Centre takes washed and flattened Tetra Paks, free of charge. They go to Saveboard, which turns them into building materials –info: www.saveboard.nz/

Winifred McGreal turned 103 years old on May 15. She celebrated at Maygrove Lifecare Rest Home, where she has been a resident for the past year, with her daughters, other residents, staff and Maygrove Lifecare’s managing director. The rest home’s activities team put on two skits for her which included the piano and dressing up, and the chef made a beautiful cake and put on a spread for all to enjoy. Winifred has ix children, 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. She was an accomplished dressmaker and did a lot of other crafts as well. She still crochets and spends her time reading, attending holy communion weekly. Winifred also loves a game of bingo, still having a competitive streak and relishing the chocolates, which she wins on a regular basis. Care home manager, Diane Wilkins, says Winifred has a keen sense of humour, a sharp mind and is dearly loved by the other residents and staff alike. “Whenever you see Winifred, she is stylishly dressed and all items from head to toe must be coordinated,” Diane says.