Hibiscus Matters_Issue 365_12 February 2024 by Localmatters

Hatfields rocks rolled

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February 12, 2024

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The Treaty of Waitangi is a hot topic, and the Treaty Workshop by lawyer Roimata Smail packed out the wharenui at Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa marae on Waitangi Day. Smail said the current political discussions are creating a lot of interest, with people keen to learn more. Actor Taungaroa Emile, left, is pictured giving Tony Lawrence a copy of Smail’s new book Understanding Te Tiriti at the Silverdale marae.

Peninsula public transport studied The initial findings of the study underway into public transport on Whangaparāoa Peninsula acknowledge that while retaining the ferry, and adding an NX2 bus connection via O Mahurangi Penlink will cost more, it also offers the most resilient service.

It also indicates that retaining the existing level of services (including the ferry) carries

less annual operating cost than removing the ferry and extending the NX2 bus service via Penlink.

The study assesses public transport use and needs from different parts of the peninsula. It was initiated by Auckland Transport (AT) after strong public opposition to its plan to remove the Gulf Harbour ferry service, revealed in its Regional Public

Transport Plan (RPTP) last July. The information gleaned so far by Arup NZ (contracted to do the study by AT) was presented to the local board at its workshop on January 30. The initial findings acknowledge that the ferry not only provides “a competitive journey time” into Auckland city, but also offers a different transport experience to

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passengers. However, the findings, which use Census data, also note that “the city centre is not the dominant commuting destination from Whangaparāoa”, representing only 9 percent of total trips. Its figures indicate there were more commuters travelling to and from work within the peninsula (36 percent) as well as continued p2

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localmatters.co.nz Next issue: February 26, 2024 Book your advertising now General manager: Jannette Thompson gm@localmatters.co.nz Editorial: Terry Moore ph 022 019 6569 terry@localmatters.co.nz Patrick Goodenough ph 022 549 8271 news@localmatters.co.nz Advertising: Angela Gallagher ph 022 029 1895 sellit@localmatters.co.nz Leigh Cameron ph 022 096 8517 sales@localmatters.co.nz Graphic design: Lorry McCarthy hibiscus@localmatters.co.nz A division of Local Matters. Hibiscus Matters is a locally owned publication, circulated to more than 22,450 homes and businesses fortnightly: Pūhoi • Waiwera • Hatfields • Ōrewa • Silverdale • Millwater • Dairy Flat • Red Beach • Whangaparāoa Peninsula

continued from p1 high numbers heading to other destinations on the Hibiscus Coast, such as Silverdale (11 percent), Albany (17 percent) and the North Shore/other (27 percent). For those travelling for education, 65 percent of the journeys were within the peninsula. The report looked at door to door journeys from the junction of Stanmore Bay Rd and Whangaparāoa Rd, considering travel times to Wellesley Street in the city, Albany and Silverdale. It also assessed ‘accessibility’ to public transport from a number of points on the peninsula, including the Gulf Harbour end. Initially, four options were to be put forward for consideration in the study (HM December 11). These were: no change to the current services; removal of the ferry and better bus services (the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) proposal); no extension of the NX2 bus services and ferry retained; and a mix such as peak time ferries, weekend ferries and changes to the bus network (Option 4). The exact makeup of Option 4 is still

a n a o M i a M

Since Fullers360 started training new crew, last October, the timetable has been reduced to just one sailing in the morning and afternoon commuter peaks. It removed all services between 10am and 5pm.

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Why have we not relinquished the Fullers [Gulf Harbour] contract? Why are we not looking at equity as an issue?

Julia Parfitt

The Hibiscus & Bays Local Board wanted a fifth option in the mix, that includes an improved peninsula bus service and the NX2 bus extension via O Mahurangi Penlink, as well as retaining the ferry service and this has since been added as Option 5. In the past, when the local board has emphasised the need for both better bus services and more ferries, AT has said that there is a finite budget, which may mean

hard choices have to be made. Presenting the initial findings to the local board, Roddy Beynon of Arup stressed the importance of encouraging people to use public transport, which would require a frequent, reliable service. Local board member Julia Parfitt commented that providing a public transport service that is fair to all Auckland residents is also important. “There are some parallels between the Gulf Harbour, and Pine Harbour ferries, but the service at Pine Harbour is a lot more frequent,” she said. “Sealegs is operating a good service there. Why have we not relinquished the Fullers [Gulf Harbour] contract? Why are we not looking at equity as an issue?” Arup NZ is now working on coming up with a definition for Option 4, and completing its report. Its recommendations will be provided to AT, then there will be further public engagement before the local board is updated again. The presentation with its initial findings is linked to this story at www.localmatters.co.nz

More ferry sailings an encouraging sign

The news that two more sailings would be added back into the Gulf Harbour ferry timetable received a positive reception from ferry users.

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to be worked out. Under consideration are an all-day ferry service at 60-120min frequency, weekend ferries, a dedicated shuttle bus to connect with the ferry, and an NX2 bus connection via Penlink, but on a less frequent timetable.

However, Auckland Transport (which contracts the service to Fullers) says because that training is ahead of schedule, starting this week, there will be an additional 7.45am sailing from Gulf Harbour, and one leaving the city at 4.45pm – both timed to assist commuters. Both new sailings use smaller ferries, limited to 100 passengers. “As Gulf Harbour has been one of the

most affected services from the labour shortage we thought it was best to increase their scheduled sailings asap,” an AT spokesperson says. Ferry users group spokesperson, Tessa McGuire, says it is good to see changes being made, slowly but surely, providing flexibility to commuters. “The queues of traffic heading off the peninsula now that schools are back demonstrated what is needed, long-term,” she says. “We hope the improvements continue so more people can get off the road and on the water.” Cr John Watson describes the extra sailings as encouraging. “It improves the offering for customers who have stuck with this service through thick and thin, and hopefully signals a beginning

to the eventual restoration of this valued service,” he says. “The ferry provides the fastest commute to the city from the eastern half of the peninsula, which is why a couple of years ago it was carrying up to 16,000 to 18,000 passenger trips a month. With better weather, reliability and an improving timetable this year I would expect those numbers to climb back up.” Cr Watson encourages people to get back on the ferry, or try it out if new to the area. “It has been an outstanding success in the past and there has been unprecedented determination from this community over the last 12 months to see it on the road to recovery once again. A frequent and reliable ferry service is absolutely central to the success of an integrated and resilient transport network on the Hibiscus Coast.”

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Rocks removed from Hatfields Beach wall

A rock barrier built as emergency erosion protection at Hatfields Beach last year, does not yet have resource consent from Auckland Council, and some of it is being removed.

The wall was put in place by Auckland Transport (AT) 10 months ago, after Cyclone Gabrielle and other storms saw the grass reserve on this part of the beach eroded almost to Hibiscus Coast Highway. AT was concerned that if nothing was done, the bank, trees and road could have sustained serious damage. Rocks were chosen for the construction because they were there previously, along with a seawall now overgrown and covered with sand. Emergency work is permitted, but requires a retrospective resource consent from Council. Last week an AT spokesperson told the paper that due to the urgency of the work, no coastal engineering investigation was undertaken and “limited coastal engineering construction practices were applied”.

In the months since, a process has been underway between AT and Council to enable granting of a consent.

Key to this, is a detailed coastal engineering investigation that is now taking place to review and refine the design. This may result in changes to the wall. “Portions of the wall have been removed to enable coastal engineers to assess the best long-term solution,” the spokesperson says. The material that has been removed is being stockpiled, or used at other sites. At the time the wall was constructed, at a cost of $180,000, Council’s Resilient Land & Coasts general manager, Paul Klinac, said that the rocks were a quick fix, and if more work was needed to get it right, AT and Council would do that. “AT is open to making changes that will make it more aesthetically pleasing and improve public access,” Klinac said. “How durable the structure is, also needs consideration.”

Some of the rocks put along Hatfields Beach less than a year ago, to protect the road from erosion, were recently removed by Auckland Transport.

The coastal engineers will be on-site over the next few weeks and the AT spokesperson said their recommendations will ensure designs for any permanent

works apply current coastal engineering design and construction practices – with any resulting structure capable of obtaining resource consent.

Team effort floats stranded yacht When a yacht broke free from its mooring off Tindalls Bay in strong winds recently and washed up on the beach, a combination of maritime experience, pluck and community support saw it safely back in deeper waters the following day. It was quite an adventure for a boat that has seen many in its lifetime. Designed by Michel Dufour and built in France in the late 1960s, the Arpege 29 Maistral has some 100,000 nautical miles under her belt, or around five circumnavigations of the globe. She has a plaque on her bow marking the fact she rounded Cape Horn in 1994. Maistral’s owner was out of town when she ended up on the sand on February 3. However, Kevin Hill of Manly, who sold the seasoned offshore yacht to its current owner, stepped up, roping in a knowledgeable mate long in the maritime industry, Sean Patterson. “We knew we’d have a short amount of time to get it back into the water,” Kevin said. “A concern was the longer they sit there, the more they bed in, and the tides were dropping each day.” While they set up a series of anchors on Saturday a local man – also named Kevin – spent the afternoon digging a trench to facilitate the keel’s eventual journey back into the water.

On Sunday, when the winds had calmed down a little, a long halyard was attached from the top of Maistral’s mast to the back of a friend’s small motorboat. “Sean knows everything there is to know about the industry,” Kevin said. “He judged that Maistral was tough enough to grab her by the top of the mast and flip her over from one side to the other. She’s an offshore boat, she can handle being knocked over flat without any water getting in.” So Sean flipped her over, then proceeded to make his way away from the beach. The little fizz boat was pointing up into the air – zigzagging back and forth out of the bay. “Each time he zigged and zagged it created force that slowly, slowly started to make headway with Maistral. He basically pulled her off the beach – it was like watching someone being picked up and dragged by the scruff of the neck and back into the water.” “Then we borrowed a mooring and tied her up. She’s there, she’s happy.” Kevin said he had kept the yacht’s owner apprised throughout. “He was very appreciative, very thankful. It’s hard to be a boatowner on a mooring and not be in town. I told him when I sold him the boat I’d help him if he ever needed it.” In addition to the local who had singlehandedly dug the trench, others in

Concerned locals view the stricken yacht

the community also wanted to help. “We got all sorts of offers from people coming down. Do we need a digger? Do we need an extra mooring? That’s always the way. No-one likes to see a boat up on the sand, everyone likes the idea that it can be saved.” The same winds threatened to send another boat moored off Tindalls, an old concrete vessel, to the bottom, Kev said.

“She was taking on excessive water and sinking. The Harbourmaster came and pumped it out, while we got Maistral off.” Adding to the weekend’s drama, at one stage a boulder which Kevin described as the size of two Minis on top of each other, rolled down the cliff. “Fortunately, no-one was hurt,” he said. “And by the end of the weekend it was all back to normal.”

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Frustrated golf club neighbours get stuck in An Auckland Council decision on whether a boundary change application by the owners of the shut-down Gulf Harbour Country Club should be notified for public input is back on hold.

A council spokesperson said last week the application has stalled, for a second time, as more information from the owners is needed before a recommendation on notification can be made. Six months after the closure the future of the 89 hectare site remains uncertain. The boundary change application aims to enable the selling off of more than 40 per cent of the scenic course. Meanwhile, the continuing deterioration of the GHCC has prompted some residents to take matters into their own hands, getting out their mowers and tackling the waist-high weeds themselves. Given the hot, dry weather, many have voiced concerns about a potential fire hazard at the golf course. Fire crews visit from time to time to familiarise themselves with the terrain and available water sources. Another concern is a proliferation of moth plants, an invasive weed which flowers in summer. People walking on the course are

being urged to pull out any moth plant seedlings they come across. One local, who did not want to be named, said he saw an elderly neighbour using a push mower to mow a section of a fairway, but making little headway. He went to help, and over the next couple of days spent up to five hours, clearing about twothirds of the fairway. “Everyone’s complaining or sending messages to council, but it’s going nowhere. We decided to just get out and do it,” he said. Some residents have debated whether or not to hold working bees to tackle overgrown sections of the course, or looked into chipping in and getting a contractor, although this raises trespassing issues on the private property. On February 4, Fire and Emergency was alerted to a fire alarm at the property and dispatched two fire trucks. A spokesperson said it turned out to be a false alarm. Around the same time police received reports that a group of people had stolen items from the property before fleeing in three vehicles. Waitematā North area prevention manager Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small

said police later that evening observed two vehicles that matched eyewitness descriptions. The occupants were stopped and police found items in both vehicles matching the description of the stolen items. Police arrested both drivers and charged them with burglary. Small said investigations were underway to find the other people witnessed leaving the address. Council has reiterated that there’s little it can do, as its regulatory powers to enter, manage or maintain private property are limited. “We can certainly understand residents’ concern at the owner’s disappointing lack of maintenance,” licensing and regulatory compliance general manager James Hassall said. Compliance officers had visited the property twice, but found it did not raise significant health concerns or meet the threshold for breaches under the relevant bylaw. Hassall said council would continue to respond to reports of public health risks, while fire safety concerns should be directed to FENZ. “We hope the owner will heed residents’ concerns and take action to prevent the

Some locals are taking their mowers to the overgrown fairways.

property from falling further into disrepair.” The lobby group Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces is leading efforts to oppose any future residential development on the site, which a 2006 encumbrance protects as open space for 999 years. KWGS will be making a presentation to council’s planning, environment and parks committee in the coming days.

Reserve maintenance concerns Residents of a neighbourhood in western Ōrewa say council is not maintaining a reserve near their homes sufficiently, resulting in an overgrown eyesore that attracts pests and littering.

Council disputes this, however, saying the reserve is maintained in line with requirements. The reserve is on the corner of Oro Lane and Davey Crescent, in the Arran Hills subdivision nestled between the top of Grand Drive and State Highway 1. Dr Loy Fernandes, a dentist who lives near the reserve, said it’s mown on average only once every 12-14 weeks – unless a specific complaint is lodged. He said residents’ efforts to get council to maintain the site more often have been unsuccessful. Council bought the land from the subdivision’s developer in 2020. Fernandes said council only started doing any maintenance at the site after he drew its attention, two years ago, to the fact that its upkeep was council’s responsibility. “Ever since then, we have to keep reminding

them to mow the lawns due to presence of mice, cockroaches and even glass bottles,” he said. Fernandes said residents felt the grass should be mown every three weeks, not every three or four months which he claimed was now the case. He provided copies of emails he and other neighbours have sent to council, including to specific officials responsible for maintenance on the Hibiscus Coast. “As a resident, it’s disheartening to see this space, which should be a pleasant and well-maintained area for the community, neglected,” one neighbour wrote. “The residents have always been understanding of the occasional delays caused by weather conditions, but recurring delays are becoming a concern.” When Hibiscus Matters visited the site on January 25, the grass was unkempt and at least knee-high in places, although no litter was immediately evident. Queries were sent to council, and the next day, the site was mown. Sandra May, council’s manager area

The reserve at Oro Lane before and after the recent mowing took place.

operations Hibiscus & Bays/Upper Harbour, confirmed that the reserve is maintained by council, through a contractor. “The reserve is intended to be mown so the grass stays within an assigned specification of up to 125mm in length,” she said. May said that at times of year when grass grows quickly, visits are spaced every two weeks, but when growth rate is slower – at the height of summer and the height of winter – the grass does not require mowing as often. “This may explain a longer gap between services and could also be attributed to partial mows when the ground conditions are unfavourable, or no mowing at all if the scheduled service date falls in or after torrential rain.”

May said any decision to mow partially, or not at all, aims to prevent damage to the turf from the mowers and to ensure operator safety. She said the Oro Lane reserve had been mown six times in the last five months, and was next scheduled to be mown on February 14. Checks by council contractors in the last week had found no loose litter at the site. Asked about mowing schedules and standards across the city, May said council has varying specifications, depending on each location, which determines the frequency of mowing. Resource consents for the Arran Hills subdivision required the site in question, known as lot 803, to be bought by council for “recreation reserve” purposes.

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Viewpoint MP Mark Mitchell, Minister of Police, Corrections and Emergency Management & Recovery. mark.mitchellmp@parliament.govt.nz

Minister out and about I hope you all had a happy and safe festive season, and enjoyed time with family and friends in whatever corner of our stunning country you chose to be in. It was good to see our own slice of paradise bustling with so many people choosing to spend the holiday break on our beautiful coast. Our surf lifesavers do an incredible job at keeping people safe in the water, and I want to give them a big shout out for their work over another busy summer. I am very proud to be the Ōrewa club patron and support our surf lifesavers to do the valuable work that they do. It’s hard to believe we’re in February already. It’s been a big start to the year with my portfolios, which have seen me travel all over the country. I was in Westland a few weeks ago for the Metservice red alert for the severe weather they were getting down there. It was an opportunity to offer my support, and being on the ground I was able to meet with the local emergency response teams, and see first-hand the important work they do, many of them volunteers, in these emergency situations. As a country we are going to continue to have these weather events, and it’s important we’re ready in terms of resilience, readiness, and recovery. This is a large focus for me over the next few years in my emergency management and recovery portfolio. We’re still seeing a number of robberies

Arrests made as fake notes fail Quick reporting by retailers, and swift action by Police foiled attempts to make purchases using counterfeit bank notes at local stores. On February 1, three people were taken into custody following complaints from retailers in Ōrewa and Warkworth. Waitematā North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Roger Small, says forged bank notes had allegedly been handed to staff, with legitimate currency being handed over as change. “All the alleged offenders were sitting in the same parked vehicle in Warkworth, which we had identified as a vehicle of interest connected to earlier offending,” he says. “Of the five people in the vehicle, three were identified as having allegedly used counterfeit bills.” One had $1200-worth of fake notes hidden in her under garments. A 37-year-old man was to appear in the North Shore District Court last week charged with possessing a forged banknote and using a forged document. Charges are pending for two women, aged 33 and 25. www.localmatters.co.nz

in our retail sector across the country, and sadly our community is not immune. Recently I did a welfare check after a violent aggravated robbery at Michael Hill Jewellers in Silverdale that took place on January 28. I was really impressed with the staff who were very quick in their actions to move shoppers to the back and call the Police immediately. I also want to acknowledge the security personnel on-site who did as much as they could under the circumstances. Thanks to the immediate response by our local fire service and police the alleged offender was in custody within 20 minutes.

Recently I did a welfare check after a violent aggravated robbery at Michael Hill Jewellers. I was really impressed with the staff ... The Penlink road remains a hot topic on the list of local issues, and I will be continuing to track progress closely. All advice is in front of Transport Minister, Simeon Brown and Hibiscus Matters will report when there is any additional information. If you have any issues you need help with or topics you want to discuss with me my Ōrewa office is open and I look forward to seeing you all this year.

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LocalOpinion

Contributions to this page are welcome but letters under 250 words are preferred. We reserve the right to abridge as necessary. Unabridged versions can be read at www.localmatters.co.nz/opinion Letters should be sent to terry@ localmatters.co.nz or 21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa 0931. Note: We do not publish abusive or unsigned letters.

Up. Auckland’s Biosecurity Unit booklet on invasive species states that privet can quickly displace native species, including canopy trees, as it is very long lived. If you look up at the hills above Waiwera, this has already happened. I urge people to do something about this plant if they find it on their property. It was originally imported from China and in places such as the United States, where it has been allowed to flourish since the 1950s, it is reportedly out of control. I think it is a greater threat to our native bush than the wilding pine problem and it may already be too late to halt its spread in New Zealand. Dave Douché, Stanmore Bay (abridged)

Back to nature

The photos of Gulf Harbour golf course returning to nature (HM January 29) reminds me of a few other abandoned sites around here – in particular the one behind New World Whangaparāoa (on Ozone Road), which has trees establishing on it now. The one in Red Beach Road, on the corner of Albatross Road, where the funeral home used to be, is heading the same way. I notice the changes when I’m passing by and wonder at how fast these things happen. Warren Bain, Stanmore Bay

Privet everywhere

Driving around the Hibiscus Coast it is particularly noticeable this summer that we have a huge problem with privet trees, which are growing on many properties. It is only easy to spot at this time of year when the pale yellow/white flowers are out. During the rest of the year the dark green leaves blend in with the native trees. When the New World shops in Whangaparāoa were built approximately 10 years ago, unbelievably, the landscaper planted 13 privet trees in the car park. The main area of the peninsula that is affected with privet is within 2km of that carpark, so it is likely to be the source of the problem. Some people may find it an attractive tree to look at but, like all privet, the leaves and berries are poisonous to both humans and animals and reputed to aggravate allergic reactions in hay fever and asthma sufferers. The seeds are quickly distributed by birds. We noticed a small tree around 3m high on our property. It was easily cut down to ground level and we sprayed the roots with Round

Tiri support

Happy to see a Tiritiri Matangi column now in my favourite newspaper, Hibiscus Matters. We are frequent visitors to this jewel in the local crown and always see amazing birdlife, beautiful bush and come away inspired at what hard working volunteers can achieve for the environment. Thanks for supporting their efforts in your paper – I hope the columns encourage more Coasties to explore this sanctuary right on our doorstep. Carol Wells, Tindalls Bay

Congratulations to Debbie James of Hillcrest, who won a double pass to The Mockers and Greg Johnson gig at Parāoa Brewing, Whangaparāoa, on March 7. Thanks to all who entered. Tickets are still on sale at Eventfinda. Also to Sheryl Kiddle of Ōrewa and Andrew Crozier of Hatfields Beach, who each won a copy of Songs of the Beloved by Steve Beguely. Thanks to all who entered.

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Binfrastructure “robbery”

Not content with stealing $77 a year from me for a food waste bin I dont need (I compost food waste), Council now proposes to steal another $199 a year for an 80 litre landfill waste bin. I currently generate one green bag of landfill waste per month, which means I would generate six 80 litre bins a year, at a cost of $33 per collection. I will be subsidising high volume waste producers. What’s needed is a ‘user pays’ collection charge. And doesn’t it seem contradictory that Council is investing our money in a long term, capital intensive bin strategy when they have stated a goal for zero waste to landfill by 2040? Not when you consider that their goal is completely unrealistic (unless they build an incinerator) and so far into the future that they will all be out of office, and thus not be held to account, when it fails. Their zero by 2040 ‘goal’ is just virtue signalling whilst kicking the can down the road. Andrew Westaway, Ōrewa Auckland Council Waste Solutions general manager, Parul Sood, responds: In response to concerns about our strategy for reaching zero waste by 2040, we know this is a challenging goal, but Auckland is heading in the right direction. In the past six years, despite a growing population, we have seen the amount of waste we are producing across the region stabilise. Our focus is on working towards a circular economy, and one where we also use resources for their best and highest value for as long as possible. This is greatly helped by residents who work hard to minimise their own waste. For low waste producers we are looking at further options in the future, such as monthly rubbish collections at a lower price point. Council’s bin service is safer for the collectors and reduces health and safety concerns. We encourage residents to read the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2024 for the full picture and have your say when consultation opens on February 28. Editor’s note: Auckland Council has not yet set its targeted rate for rubbish collection. The figure quoted by the letterwriter is the amount that private company Econowaste charges for its 80 litre bins annually.

Edible gardens sought for trail The first ever Hibiscus Coast Edible Garden Trail is being planned for May, and organisers are looking for a few more gardens to include. The trail will provide an opportunity for gardeners to have a peek at each other’s plots and get new ideas and inspiration. The event is being run by Sustainable Ōrewa. Spokesperson Lena Kovac says edible garden trails are a great way of seeing what others in the community are growing, and could inspire you to start your own edible garden, or adapt what you are already doing. “The inaugural Hibiscus Coast Edible Garden Trail will showcase gardens from around our area, each with a different take on edible food growing, celebrating food sovereignty and resilience,” Lena says. Five more gardens are needed, all with a slightly different challenge – for example, gardening in a high wind zone, on a tiny section, with minimal budget/time or for the very young to the elderly. The Edible Garden Trail will be held on the weekend of May 4 and 5. This is part of a wider project linking with the Eastern Bays and Albert-Eden Sustainable Garden Trails. Info: www.sustainablegardentrail.org.nz/ If you are interested in sharing your edible backyard with your community (and organisers emphasise that it doesn’t have to be perfect), contact Lena, on kovac.lena@ gmail.com

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Have items that can no longer go in your kerbside recycle bin?

The local recycling centre can take many of the items no longer collected in Council recycling bins. Brendan Parris is the site manager.

Local centre crucial to recycling effort

New national recycling standards came into force on February 1, and locals wanting to keep recycling things that are no longer accepted in the Auckland Council bins are being encouraged to take them to Whangaparāoa Community Recycling Centre.

Only plastic (bottles, trays and containers) grades 1, 2 and 5 can be put in Council recycling now, along with glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard, tin, steel and aluminium cans. The plastic grade is shown by a small triangle with a number in the middle on the container. Many other types of plastics are still manufactured and in circulation, including numbers 3, 4, 6 and 7. Some have no numbers. Tetra Paks (used for alternative milks and juices) are no longer taken by Council either. This is where the recycling centre, at 637 Whangaparāoa Road in Stanmore Bay, can help. It accepts many plastic types for recycling for a small charge, including number 4 squeeze bottles. Large number 3 plastics used to make plumbing pipes go into their Marley Plastics Bag to be turned back

The Recycling Centre at 637 Whangaparāoa Road accepts most plastics for a small charge: • Polystyrene • Soft Plastics • Plastic Film • Plastics 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 • Some large plastic items like lawn chairs, laundry baskets, buckets • Plastic plumbing pipe. All items must be sorted, rinsed, lids off.

into plumbing pipes, and large number 5 plastics, like lawn chairs, kiddie pools, buckets and laundry baskets, go into the IP Plastics recycling bag to be made into crates. Liquid Container Board, (aka Tetrapaks) can be flattened, cleaned and brought to the centre. They go to SaveBoard which

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makes sustainable construction board. There is no charge for that service. The centre also accepts soft plastics and clear plastic film, which go to Future Post to be made into fence posts. Plastics without numbers, or items made of several types of plastic mixed together, will end up being landfilled. The recycling centre also accepts paper, glass bottles and metal cans for free. For a full list of items and charges, see https:// hibiscuscoastzerowaste.co.nz/wcrc or call into the centre, which is open Thursday to Monday, 8am to 4pm.

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Have your say on Auckland’s Long-term Plan Hibiscus Coast residents can make submissions on Auckland Council’s proposed Long-term Plan (LTP) when public consultation opens later this month. The LTP sets out the priorities and funding for council activities that are planned over the next 10 years. Along with financial and non-financial information is a local board agreement for Hibiscus and Bays which includes local priorities and activities for the financial year 2024/2025. Albany Ward Councillor Wayne Walker says it’s more important than ever that residents give feedback on the draft plan. “Everyone knows about the council’s tough financial situation and that big decisions will need to be made. That is why it’s vital for our community to have their say and help shape the plan for our community.”

facebook.com/hibiscusandbays

Councillor John Watson says there are proposals that will have significant impacts on both the Hibiscus Coast and Auckland region for present and future generations. “This time around Aucklanders really need to look closely at what’s being put up and see whether they agree or not.” Residents will be able to have say on key proposals, including: Creating an Auckland Future Fund – a council-owned regional wealth fund capitalised with the council’s remaining Auckland International Airport (AIA) shares and proceeds from any port lease agreement. Achieving a better return on investment from the Port of Auckland – through a 35-year lease of the port operations for an up-front payment of $2-3 billion (or) maintaining council ownership of the port operations. Releasing waterfront land from the Port of Auckland for public use. Making public transport faster, more reliable, and easier to use – with a weekly $50 cap on buses, trains, and inner harbour ferries. Refreshed fiscal and budget responsibility rules, including a range of cost savings.

Albany Ward Councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker

Keeping rates affordable – with a new target to keep rates rises within 1.5% of inflation from year-four. Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Gary Brown says the local board delivers key activities and services to the community and is always keen to hear feedback from residents. Feedback on the LTP is open from 28 February to 28 March. Have your say Feedback can be provided online, via email, by post or at a Have Your Say event: Coastival ‘24, Western Reserve, Ōrewa – 2 March. To find out more and give feedback, visit akhaveyoursay.nz/ourplan on 28 February.

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

Essential works to strengthen the Ōrewa Community Centre and replace the roof are in full swing with its reopening expected on 30 March. Built in the 1970s and located in Ōrewa Square, the building is home to Plunket, the Citizens Advice Bureau, available as a venue for hire and also hosts a wide range of community activities. The comprehensive work programme includes a new roof, emergency lighting and seismic strengthening of the building. New skylights are also being installed along with electrical work, interior painting, and asbestos removal.

Through the LTP, the local board will advocate for continued funding to support coastal projects along Ōrewa Beach.

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Gary Brown says the $990,000 programme of work and seismic strengthening ensures compliance with building code standards. “The centre offers many services and spaces that contribute to a real sense of community in Ōrewa. “While the work has caused some disruption to the community and those who use the building, we know that the result will be worth it and thank everyone for their patience as work progresses. “We look forward to delivering an improved facility that is fit for purpose and available for the community to use for many more years.” After the community centre is complete, work will start on the Ōrewa Library upgrade and library users will be able to access a temporary library set up in the community centre’s small hall as well as a mobile library bus parked outside.

| Hibiscusmatters | February 12, 2024

localbusiness

Rezoning process moves ahead on community hub site Auckland Council has opened for public submissions plans to rezone a councilowned site on Link Crescent, Stanmore Bay that has long been earmarked for a future community hub.

The proposal is to change the zoning of 8-10 Link Drive from open space–informal recreation zone to open space–community zone, “to provide for the future community hub building and activities on the reserve land”. It falls within a broader plan change (Plan Change 96), which seeks to rezone more than 30 parcels of land across the city to correct errors and anomalies or – as in the case of Link Drive – to “better reflect either its current or future use and development”. PC96 was notified on January 25, and submissions close on February 23. The former Rodney District Council first set aside the Link Drive site for a community hub in 2010. The Whangaparāoa Community Hub Trust, which operates temporarily out of leased space in Coast Plaza mall, envisages the building of a three-storey centre on the site, incorporating space for community groups, medical and counselling services, hot desks, lounge and cafe. However, in March 2022, the trust advised council through the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board that the land it had designated in its own local Town Plan as a future family centre was not zoned for buildings of a suitable size. (The current open space– informal recreation zoning applies to areas used for outdoor activities, and limits the scale of buildings and structures on the site.) Four months later the board adopted a resolution approving a local parks management plan but with several additions, including a request to amend

In business Michael Goudie,

michael@tandem.co.nz

“I told you so” Trust representatives John Davies and Lisa White with project planners and designers Willie Jacobsen, Justin Evatt and Neil Martin.

zoning for the Link Drive site to open space–community zone. Trust chair John Davies welcomed the latest development, and encouraged members of the community to write in support of the plan change, through council’s website. “Whilst two years seems a long time and has no doubt added substantially to the forecast cost of the building, we are delighted to know this plan is now making progress,” he said. “We look forward to eventually delivering a community centre that will not only be a heart for social services in the most concentrated population grouping in the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area but also a high ground public building that can double as an emergency event centre.” Once submissions on PC96 close, council will prepare a summary of decisions requested by submitters, which will be available to the public. A further submission period may follow and hearings may be held. Council must give its decision on the provisions and submissions matters within two years of notifying the proposal. Submitters can appeal council’s decision to the Environment Court. For more information and submissions: https://bit.ly/3OwZUPB

As a fledgling business owner, I find myself echoing the wisdom my father imparted over the years. The cliché “I told you so” has transformed from an eye-rolling retort to a sober acknowledgment of the truth embedded in his advice. Entering the realm of entrepreneurship reveals that, despite education or forewarnings, true understanding only dawns when it impacts you directly. The latest lesson on my entrepreneurial journey: cashflow. It’s the lifeblood of any business, the rhythm that can dictate the tune of success or failure. It doesn’t discriminate between a nimble startup like ours and a seasoned business with decades under its belt. Just ask the liquidators, who bear witness to the wreckage of those who ignored or underestimated the power of cashflow management. Cashflow planning, I’ve discovered, is not a mere suggestion; it’s a weekly discipline. There’s a certain universality to the principles that govern this financial ebb and flow. First and foremost, ensure your pricing is not just competitive but sustainable. Charging enough is not just about covering costs; it’s about building a foundation that withstands the inevitable storms. Equally crucial is the discipline of setting aside reserves. It’s not only a safety net; it’s a

Michael Goudie has been an Auckland Councillor, employee, board member of charitable trusts and now has his own business. He is also chair of the Auckland District Licensing Committee. Hibiscus Matters welcomes him as a new Business columnist – we think he will have many valuable thoughts and insights to share. His column will be bi-monthly.

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strategic move that affords your business the flexibility to navigate unforeseen challenges. As I delve deeper into this financial jigsaw puzzle, the importance of planning for outgoing expenses becomes glaringly apparent. Whether it’s rent, utilities, supplier payments or tax, every outgoing must be a calculated step rather than a blind leap. Communication, as with any successful relationship, is critical. Proactive engagement with clients, suppliers, and your internal team can provide early warning signals and foster a collaborative approach to problem solving. That is not just about transparency – it is building a network of support that can prove invaluable during lean times. The beauty of the cashflow conundrum is that you’re not alone in unravelling it. Seek advice from financial experts, accountants, or mentors who have weathered similar storms. There’s no shame in admitting when you’re out of your depth; in fact, it’s a testament to your commitment to steering your business towards success. In conclusion, there is no delight in saying “I told you so”, but an acknowledgment of the shared challenges in the world of business. Embrace the lessons, learn from the missteps, and above all, keep a watchful eye on that elusive, yet all-powerful, cashflow.

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193 countries and counting: meet the ultimate travelling man The travel bug has well and truly got hold of 53-year-old Ukranian Konstantin Liorek.

Recently he completed his goal of visiting all 193 UN member countries – the final one was Samoa. After that, he was briefly in Manly to stay with Ukranian friends Katia Shanti and Kyrylo Kucherov. Konstantin travelled widely at the end of the 1990s and early 2000s; he already had 120 countries under his belt when, in 2005, he met a Swedish man who had been to every country in the world. Although at the time, it was difficult because of visa requirements on a Ukranian passport, Konstantin was inspired and set himself the challenge of visiting all the UN countries. “Until then, I travelled because I love it, but once I had the goal, I started to plan.” The process has seen him fill up 21 passports. However, for Konstantin, it is not a matter of ticking off place after place from a list. He describes his adventures as “a deep dive” into each country’s culture, history, flavours and people. He speaks seven languages well, and can say ‘cheers’ in 56. “Visiting Paris is not France,” he says. “I visit all the regions, as they are all unique.” This includes all but five of the United States and 70 percent of Australia. His first overseas trip was to the UK in 1991. This also meant that when he left home, it was part of the Soviet Union, but he returned to an independent Ukraine. Konstantin’s work in sales, marketing and business development took him to the Middle East and former Soviet Union, but now he works online, giving him the ultimate flexibility. Of all the places he has been, Konstantin hearing says• FREE North 15-minute Korea is near the topchecks of his list

The process has seen him fill up 21 passports.

After 32 years of trying, Konstantin Liorek, pictured in Ōrewa, has become the second Ukranian to visit all 193 UN member countries. And he is not stopping there.

of favourites. “It’s unique – like travelling back to the 1950s,” he says. “There’s no internet, credit cards, Coke or McDonalds. You have a guide who is also a police officer, so it’s very restricted with not many foreigners. Very interesting and completely different.” How he travels depends on the country, and his circumstances, but he has backpacked, stayed in luxury hotels, been in remote areas in 4WD vehicles and on cruises – sometimes solo and sometimes • Prices to suit all budgets with family, friends or a group.

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Catching up with old friends – like the family in Manly – and making new ones, is also high on his agenda. He enjoys sharing his stories online via photos and video. Along the way, his achievement of visiting 50 countries in one-and-a-half years was recognised in the Ukranian National Book of Records. Konstantin says he is also working his way through another list, “collecting” territories which are not fully independent, such as American Samoa or Greenland. They will take him to 269 countries.

“That will be a cherry on the cake,” he says. “But I already have the cake.” Home is still Ukraine. He left in October 2021 planning to return six months later, but the Russian invasion prevented that. “My house and family was in an occupied area. That was one of the toughest days of my life.” His family is now safe in Germany. “I will go home as soon as the war has finished. In the meantime, I travel as long as my health, wishes, time and money allows.”

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| Hibiscusmatters | February 12, 2024

2/02/2024 10:30:37 am

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Haven for native butterflies with sting in tail Hibiscus RSA considers future

Linda Gates’ Stillwater garden is full of flowers, designed to attract and sustain butterflies.

The Yellow Admiral or kahukōwhai (yellow cloak). Photo, Linda Gates..

Hibiscus Coast Community RSA members have to consider how their club can go forward sustainably, at a meeting to be held later this month. In a summary report of the options circulated to members ahead of a February 25 Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), the current situation was described as “grim”. “Despite extensive investment in new products and services, the club remains in a substantial negative revenue position, month after month, even after stripping out essential investment in repairs, maintenance and capital expenditure,” the report said. “Paid membership of around 1100 compares well with the situation immediately prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, albeit with a marked decline in the number of service members. Efforts to attract younger exservice members have failed, as it appears they have with most other RSAs in the country.” At the same time, the summary notes that fixed costs like rates and insurance are on the rise, and maintenance of the ageing clubrooms is also expected to be a major expense in the coming years. There are two options that the members will consider at the EGM. The first is to sell the remainder of the club’s site in Vipond Road, either immediately or when property prices are more favourable. The developer who purchased a portion of the RSA’s land, at 20 Melia Place, has first right of refusal. Selling its land would require the RSA to find an alternative rental or shared base, somewhere on the Hibiscus Coast. A way to preserve the memorial wall at the entrance to the Vipond Road site would need to be worked out. The second option is to stay put, and try to limit losses as much as possible. President David Newman says whatever members decide, it may take a couple of years to implement the plan. His message to members last December was that this year’s focus is to cement in place a sustainable future for the club – one that enables it to offer all the benefits that members currently enjoy.

In particular, for the past five years she has created a home for the NZ yellow admiral butterfly, or kahukōwhai (Vanessa itea) –a species native to New Zealand, Australia, Lord Howe Island and the Norfolk Islands. Attracting them involved growing a patch of common nettles, also known as stinging nettles, which are the preferred food of yellow admiral caterpillars. The sting when you brush against these plants is something that puts people off growing them, with a resulting decline in yellow admirals. However, Linda says the nettles also have medicinal value when made into a tea, and can be tucked in a corner where there’s a bit of shade, out of the way. They can also be grown in pots. The yellow admirals quickly moved in and multiplied in her garden – they can lay 60 eggs at a time – and then began the job of protecting them from their main predator, paper and parasitoid wasps. Helpful here was the Moths & Butterflies of NZ Trust, which has butterfly ‘tents’ covered in fine mesh. Linda transfers caterpillars that are about to pupate into the tent, away from wasps, and later releases the butterflies into her garden. There they feed on flowering plants such as hebe, echinacea and lantana. She has also released butterflies in the wider area for the last couple of seasons in hope of growing the local population. Although yellow admirals can be common in urban areas, she has seen few on the Hibiscus Coast, unless people have nettles.

Linda Gates nurtures Yellow Admirals, among other butterflies, in her Stillwater garden.

Linda has grown swan plants to attract monarch butterflies for several years, but says the yellow admirals have added a new dimension, being a native. “I would really encourage people to look

for nettles, which can be bought online, and help this beautiful native butterfly to flourish on the Coast,” she says. Info: Moths & Butterflies of NZ Trust www.nzbutterflies.org.nz

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Progress with vision, integrity and love. 22/11/23 9:49 PM

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New Year priorities for Pest Free Project on Coast Forest and Bird’s Jenny Hanwell says the Hibiscus Coast Pest Free Project continues to progress well towards its vision of a safe haven for native species on the peninsula and surrounding area, cared for by the community.

to native trees and nesting birds. This year the project will be looking for residents in the Wade Heads area to host possum traps long term – one resident on Wade River Road caught five in her trap in the week leading up to Christmas.

Last year, the project reached milestones of 150 volunteers and more than 2000 predator control devices on parks, and it is currently very close to its goal of having 2000 residents trapping rats in their backyards.

• Increasing backyard trapping – there are now huge numbers of people who have ordered rat traps from the project, however it is vital to grow this number and ensure that all those who have traps set them regularly.

The number of rats, judging from the project’s monitoring, is the lowest it has ever been, with only 7 percent of tracking devices set last August showing rat footprints. Nearly all the schools in the area are involved in some way, and the team hopes to work with more young people this year. This year, the project has set a few priorities to ensure it continues to grow and increases its visibility in the community. To achieve this, more volunteers are urgently needed, particularly in these areas: • Adding more pest control lines to local parks – did you know that just over 100 parks have pest animal control carried out by Forest & Bird volunteers and staff in partnership with Auckland Council? Each year they remove 1000s of rats, plus possums, stoats and weasels.. Training is provided by volunteer coordinator Rhiannon Thomas, and there is a role to suit everyone. • More possum control in residential areas – in the last three years, possum catches and detections have reduced significantly, indicating that real progress is being made, with only one possum making it into Shakespear Open Sanctuary since May 2021. However, there are still pockets of bush where they are present and causing damage

The number of rats is the lowest it has ever been.

Although residents may never see a rat until it is in the trap, they are there. Traps can be ordered from www.forestandbird. org.nz/how-can-you-help-pfhc Community activator Andrea Dick is looking for volunteers to support this work by doing mail drops and signing up their neighbours to work together, to create a greater impact.

Meet Luke

• Connecting with youth – there are a lot of opportunities for young people to get involved in conservation work, gain work experience and really see a tangible difference. This year the Pest Free Hibiscus Coast team wants to work with local youth organisations to facilitate this, as well as encourage more Forest & Bird Youth programme members. • Connect people with the whenua – through a partnership with Ngati Manuhiri, and its events programme, Pest Free Hibiscus Coast is seeking to provide opportunities for the community to connect with the environment, incorporating the principles of Te Ao Māori and supporting people to stop and notice nature. The Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project is funded through grants and private donations, and is currently supported by ratepayers through Auckland Council and

the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. The project is seeking additional funding from businesses and grant giving organisations so it can continue its work. Info: email project manager Jenny Hanwell, j.hanwell@forestandbird.org.nz

The project has just taken on a fifth staff member to keep everything running smoothly, as recommended by last year’s Pest Elimination Feasibility Study. Luke Wafer is the new Field Support Officer and joins the team to maintain and extend the pest control and monitoring network and support volunteers. Thirty-year-old Luke has lived in Auckland all his life and his Dad has lived in Whangaparāoa for longer than that, so Luke knows this area well. He is an outdoors person, enjoying camping and hiking in his spare time. Having worked for Wildlands Consultants for the last two years, where he completed a Predator Free apprenticeship, he was keen to work for a community-based, not for profit organisation like Forest & Bird. Luke is passionate about protecting native wildlife through pest trapping and is looking forward to bringing his experience to the team and learning new skills.

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EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 23 represents C, so ﬁll in C every time the ﬁgure 23 appears. You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it in the appropriate squares in the main grid, and solve the starter word. Fill in other squares in the main and control grids with the found letters and look for the next word. Follow the word trail through the puzzle to its completion. www.codecracker.co.nz

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Purple poppies acknowledge animals’ war service

Screens compromise young people’s fitness levels

It took Kay Chilman of Stanmore Bay around two months to create this arrangement, with a process called ‘diamond dotting’. It is being raffled at the RSA as a Purple Poppy Day fundraiser.

The women’s section of the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA is hosting a Purple Poppy Day this weekend, in support of service animals, and everyone is invited to attend.

Purple Poppies recognise the role that animals, including dogs and horses, have played in conflicts around the world – something they still do today. Unlike Anzac Day poppies, Purple Poppy Day is not a street appeal but run by various RSAs if they choose. Women’s Section vice president, Kay Chilman, says the event they are holding on February 17 includes a talk by a serviceman from Whenuapai Air Base, who is bringing his dog, as well as raffles,

spot prizes, merchandise, entertainment and lunch. The event starts at 11am and tickets are $25 per person. The funds raised go to help service animals after they have been retired, or service people in need of help with an assistance dog. A nationwide trust has been set up for these animals. Kay says another aim is to get plaques on to any many memorial walls as possible, recognising animals that played a big part in the military during conflicts since World War I. “We hope people will come along, dress in purple if they wish, and support this very good cause,” Kay says. For tickets: phone Kay, 021 176 0362

Kiwi kids need to move more and sit behind screens less, and they need safer ways to walk and cycle to school, according to a global assessment of physical activity in children and adolescents, published late last year. The Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance compared 57 countries from six continents to assess global levels and trends in child and adolescent physical activity. New Zealand finished with an overall grade for physical activity of C+, recognising that only about half of the country’s children are achieving the recommended level of physical activity. Regular physical activity helps children and adolescents improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease. But the Alliance report says young people worldwide have formed new habits in response to the new normal – a screencentric indoor living society, exacerbated by Covid-19, global conflicts and severe weather associated with climate change. Aotearoa’s scored better than the global average primarily because of the high rates of participation in organised sports and physical activity. However, NZ had one of the lowest grades for active transport (D), with only five countries below it, reflecting a trend of low and declining active transport over the last decade. Denmark and Japan topped the table for active transportation. Denmark noted its comprehensive networks of cycle lanes and its government’s persistent efforts to

According to an international report, Kiwi kids are spending too much time looking at screens instead of outside playing.

implement safe routes to school as key contributors to its success. Research in Aotearoa with children, schools and whānau/families consistently showed the need for improved traffic safety to facilitate active transport. The report identified that there was a dearth of connected and safe cycling infrastructure across the country, resulting in extremely low rates of biking. In earlier research, it was identified that safe road crossings should be a priority and more signalised crossings and raised zebra crossings were needed to slow traffic down. Initiatives to improve driver behaviour were also essential – speeding, inattentive driving, red-light running and failing to stop at pedestrian crossings were all common. Unsurprisingly, overall physical activity was also lower for those in school years 11 to 13, at 47 per cent (C-), compared with around 60 per cent for their younger counterparts. It was noted that considering physical inactivity tracks from adolescence into adulthood, there was an urgent need to facilitate activity in ways that work for adolescents.

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Plant based choices easier to find Vegetarian and organic is mainstream now. Today, the excitement for many non-meat-eating foodies lies in plant-based (vegan) alternatives and sustainably sourced ingredients.

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Of course, many things on the menu at Asian and Asian fusion type restaurants have always been vegan, and there is usually smashed avocado on offer at cafés, but a more recent art (and science) has been creating plant-based/vegan alternatives for things like burgers and other dishes that are traditionally dairy, egg or meat-based, both savoury and sweet. All this creative cooking, and thinking outside the box, has vastly increased the range of what’s on offer for vegans eating out – and the Hibiscus Coast is no exception.

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Many local cafés cater for vegans, creating slices, cakes and other treats using alternatives to eggs and dairy. Among them are: The GoodHub Eatery in Ōrewa, which has a number of sweet and savoury vegan options including a baklava. Baklava are pastries with nuts, traditionally soaked in honey – some vegans don’t eat honey, which is why the chef came up with this alternative. At Two Spoons Food & Espresso Bar in Whangaparāoa, they often have inventive vegan baking and sweet treats in the cabinet, including Afghans, salted tahini choc cookies, peanut butter Twix, Bounty bombs and chia pots.

Most restaurants and cafés now have vegan options – if they are not on the menu, they will often prepare them specifically for you. And when it comes to takeaways, there is a wide range of vegan burgers and pies, items made with dairy free milks (very popular in coffee – soy latte, anyone?), and plantbased dishes that use chickpeas or other pulses, quinoa, jackfruit, tofu or banana blossoms. Hibiscus Matters checked out some of the options locally, which include: Boss Burger’s ‘Engine Room’, which gets good reviews from local vegans. It features a lentil patty, vegan cheese, beetroot ketchup and soyannaise. Burger Fuel’s Whangaparāoa and Silverdale outlets have two items in their ‘PlantPowered’ selection. Ōrewa Beach Fish and Chips has a vegan burger, vegan ‘fish’ made from banana blossoms, and vegan ‘scallops’ made from mushrooms. Falafel are now often found outside

traditional Middle Eastern style outlets – in Ōrewa, Someplace Else has a falafel burger and The Real Kitchen has tofu or falafel Hawker rolls among their vegan options. Parāoa Brewing has falafel bites and a cauliflower taco to choose from. Winners in last year’s Vegan Pie Awards went to vegan mince and cheese/cheddar pies made by two Silverdale bakeries – Wild Grain Bakery and The Baker’s Son Café. The Baker’s Son also has vegan buttery chick’n pies.

WIN this book

There is still time to enter Hibiscus Matters’ competition to win a copy of Healthy Kelsi Travel Kitchen (Bateman Books) – a recipe book by Red Beach resident Kelsi Boocock. The book features plant-based recipes inspired by Kelsi’s recent overseas travels (HM January 29). To go in the draw, ‘like’ Hibiscus Matters on Facebook and message us your name and phone number with Healthy Kelsi Travel Kitchen in the message. Alternatively, write your name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope and post or drop into Healthy Kelsi Travel Kitchen giveaway, Hibiscus Matters, 21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa. Entries close on Friday, February 16. The book retails for $49.99 and is available from book stores.

Grand Opening Valentines week Feb 12-18 Grand opening specials: 10% off total dine-in bill • All takeaway curries $15.99 Chef Roger, owner of India Village in Manly is bringing his talents to Gulf Harbour, with a new team and a multifaceted menu to delight your taste buds (or palette). Whether you sit on the patio and enjoy the gorgeous view of the Gulf Harbour Canal, dine in or have takeout Marina Bar & Eatery has you covered. The large menu has everything from authentic Indian dishes, pasta, burgers, pizza, fresh salad, kids menu and desserts all under one roof.

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February 12, 2024 | Hibiscusmatters |

Cuisine Lauraine Jacobs

www.laurainejacobs.co.nz/blog/

Just stuff it! Very good fresh produce drives inspiration. Farmers markets and good vegetable stores are bursting with summer bounty at this time of the year. Outdoor tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and corn are in their prime. I used to eagerly await the summer arrival of the aubergine, a princely vegetable that wears a regal glossy purple coat, but now we’re lucky enough to find perfect specimens year-round, thanks to clever shade house and glasshouse growers. The eggplant, as it is also known, comes in various guises and is treasured also in Japanese, Indian and Thai cookery. Those cuisines call for different varieties, which can be spotted in good stores. The smaller and thinner Asian eggplant, with varying hues from white to dark violet, is great in curries, while the little green globes that are vital in Thai cuisine are rarer. Whichever variety is called for, you will find that this is a very thirsty creature that soaks up every drop of oil that you feed it. And it’s also a vegetable that, unless thoroughly well cooked, can be very disappointing. However, treated properly it really is magnificent. Soft and fleshy, it also absorbs other flavours easily, which is why it is so good in Italian dishes with loads of garlicky tomato sauce, or in a splendid Indian curry. It absolutely must be cooked until meltingly tender and falling to shreds. On a culinary tourism trip to Sicily some years back, I attended a cooking class in a magnificent country estate where we stayed. We gathered very small ripe aubergines (melanzane in Italian) and it was my task to bring a large pan of olive oil to the boil and carefully simmer these delightful little eggplants until they were thoroughly cooked through and tender. They then went into an opulently rich sauce made from tomatoes, onions, garlic and loads of fresh basil that also took ages to make. It was salutary lesson for me in taking care to ensure everything was cooked perfectly if you want a perfect dish. If you want to avoid using so much oil (and it has become pretty expensive), a great way to cook eggplants is to slice them thickly and place in an oven dish lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and just a little olive oil and bake at 180˚C until they turn golden and almost mushy. They will be delicious. One of the reasons people are turned off eggplants is because too often they are not cooked long enough and, thus, become almost like eating a seasoned piece of woolly cardboard. This recipe, an aromatic stuffed eggplant, takes a little time. It’s truly worth it and can be scaled up easily if you want to serve more than just two. And if you’re catering for any of the dedicated vegetarians among us, then simply leave out the lamb.

Stuffed aubergine with summer vegetables and lamb mince I large eggplant (aubergine) 1 small fennel bulb or an onion 1 carrot ½ stick celery 5 tbsps extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp orzo pasta 200g lamb mince 1 heaped tsp Moroccan spice mix 3 tbsp freshly chopped garden herbs (parsley, sage and thyme) ½ cup tomato passata 3 tbsp crumbled feta 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 190˚C. Split the eggplant lengthwise, season with salt, pepper and 2

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tablespoons of the extra olive oil and bake until soft. Meanwhile, cut the fennel, carrot and celery into fine dice and gently fry together in a heavy based frying pan in the remaining oil until golden, stirring frequently. Separately simmer 2 tablespoons of orzo pasta in salted water until al dente. Add the lamb mince with the Moroccan spice mix and chopped fresh herbs to the golden vegetables and stir well to brown the meat. Tip in 1/2 cup tomato passata and the drained pasta and simmer together for 5 mins over low heat. Season well and keep aside.

Scoop the flesh gently from the tender eggplant, trying not to break the skin. Pile the vegetable and mince mixture into the eggplant shells. Chop the eggplant flesh and place on top of the stuffed eggplant and scatter over some crumbled feta and grated parmesan. This can be prepared ahead of time. When ready, bake for 20 to 30 mins at 160°C. Serve with a fresh garden salad of soft leaves and lambs lettuce. (Salty River Farm’s rocket and lambs lettuce, from the Matakana Market and selected stores, is a perfect accompaniment.) Serves 2.

What’s on at It's a Rosé EstuarySummer Arts Centre in February

at Brick Bay The annual Tutors, Staff and Student Showcase What's the best-kept secret of summer? Enjoying the new Brick Bay Rosé 2023 in Landscape painting by The Row, under a lush canopy of Pinot Gris David Stone vines.

The Monday Photography Due to be released Groupin early February, this off-dry, berry-kissed delight perfectly complements those warm, breezy The Member’s Gallery afternoons that you never want to end. Term One Art Classes Bookings and at brickbay.co.nz formore adults & children or call 09 425 4690. start Feb

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A one-day music festival featuring 11 local bands will be held this month in Matakana to raise funds for mental health. Rock4Reason is the brainchild of Primal AD lead singer Antz Sowry and Dirty Happys trumpet player Buck Rodgers and will be held at The Stables at the Matakana Country Park on Saturday, February 17, from 1pm to 10.30pm. Rodgers said the festival was aimed at bringing singers, musicians and DJs together to celebrate local talent, the spirit of community and the power of music to make a positive change. “We’re bringing together musicians from diverse backgrounds, from aspiring bands to seasoned performers, providing them with a stage to share their passion and creativity,” he said. “We’re starting off with folk, blues and light rock and going right through to punk, ska and heavy rock.” Stables owner Woody Richards has provided the venue free of charge, Omaha Construction is building the stage and all proceeds will be going to youth mental

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‘In the midst of winter, I found there was, finally allowed back to some of the closed areas of the Waitakere Ranges. We, and within me, an invincible summer. And all the other walkers we encountered back that makes me happy. For it says that no in the forest, sighed with relief at being matter how hard the world pushes against among real forest, real trees, yet again. We me, within me, there’s something stronger saw tomtits, swooping kereru, stick insects – something better, pushing right back.’ and giant kauri, many hundreds of years So wrote the French-Algerian existentialist old. philosopher Albert Camus. We tramped along the west coast and After a grim 2023, we really needed to camped in a hidden and secluded forested have an invincible spirit and an internal valley. We swam naked in a rocky river pool well of summer just to cope with the year. in the rain. We watched sunsets, wondered So once summer properly arrived, it was be selling theirmoisture work. on caves in the Creativity and cuisine come together at the at glistening time to stock up. Time to lay a store of Ōrewa Boulevard Arts Fiesta, which will be night, saw infinite in pooled Give it a go sessions reflections include tie dye (bring experiences, moments, laughter, adventure held this weekend, on Saturday, February water, oystercatchers bravely guarding along a t-shirt), pop up cards and printand some R&R to help heal the pain of the nests. During an overnight stay at Tiri, we 17. year, of the anthropocene, and to bank making. last drank pohutukawa nectar straight from some happinesswill resilience and The festivities take over theinvincibility Boulevard, Lunchtime, drinksandand snacksat are abundant flowers laughed our taken faces for the year to come. with the main road closed at 9am for set care of, with more than 25 food trucks covered with pollen. We saw takahe chicks, up, me, and that the event from 11am-5pm. For meantopen paddleboarding among of streetkororā food coming from around world, tuatara, ashore,the kiwi and leaping fish Destination in the warm rain in a Beach green including plant-based and gluten-free Organiser Ōrewa kokako skipping along the track. bay with up market north. says fringed there will be pohutukawa more than 150 Ioptions. grew a bumper crop of cucumbers, It meant jumpingrides off the pontoon and stalls, children’s (vertical bungy, gherkins, salad beans do andnot beetroot. Organisers ask greens, that people bring swinging on a rope from a tall tree with my rock climbing and water rollers) and The tomatoes are ripening, the blueberries dogs to the event, because it will be mokopuna into the Wenderholm estuary. entertainment on a stage, featuring mainly are almost ready. The sunflowers have crowded and hot. As parking will be at a On that special day, my little great-nephew provided beauty, andencouraged food for birds. My local bands. premium, locals are to walk, charmed the United Nations grannies of sweetcorn sweet.transport We harvested our cycle or takeis public to the event, Estuary Arts Centre has putabout together Wenderholm by toddling the some park compost pile for worm-rich humus that’s rather than drive. ‘have a his go’ Buzzy art activities and artists also towing Bee. I showed my will beloved given my garden a boost. My flower garden great-niece the magic of a pohutukawa tree. has been a delightful medley of larkspurs, We took friends sea kayaking. and mural candytufts, harebell and marigolds with Community makesI swam Penlink swam and swam along the Mahurangi gold. I’ve had time to forapottery, Estuary Arts Centre is inviting people togethertheir at themerry Arts Fiesta to contribute mural coast. We camped in the shelter of the for sketching, for catching up on overdue that will go on the fence along the front of the O Mahurangi Penlink work site across woolshed at Lagoon Bay. chores. Long daylight hours mean each day from New World Whangaparāoa. The temporary hoardings are to minimise the visual seems to last forever. After six years of closure, because of natural impacts of construction. The designs will be painted on a series of hoarding boards made disasters that killed people and destroyed There are more adventures still to come. of saveBoard, which is similar to plywood but made of recycled materials. The theme tracks and bridges, and management I’m building up my defences for winter. is nativeto flora and fauna disease, found around area, including Whangaparāoa, the responses kauri dieback we werethe project Invincibility is my aim. Weiti River and Stillwater. Local schools are also involved in the project, Waka Kotahi says. Once the work at the site is completed, the boards will be removed and may be retained by Estuary Arts or the artists, or upcycled through saveBoard. So if you are keen to help paint, then come down to the Ōrewa Boulevard Arts Fiesta on Sat 17 Feb and get stuckBay in. Waka Kotahi hopes to install the artwork next month. Lagoon

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A whole chilli experience If you do not eat spicy food, you are missing out on life. Spices infuse our dishes with both flavour and a fiery kick. Beyond the utter delight of a palate-tingling experience, indulging in spicy cuisines brings along a host of health benefits. But who cares about health – let’s focus on taste today? Disclaimer: I can only speak for Pakistani/Indian food because that is my whakapapa. Let us deal with a myth about spicy food. The belief in the Western world that “spicy” is an addition of a couple of tablespoons of red chilli powder. Which is not helped by restaurants who just add more chilli powder as you go from mild to medium to hot. People think that the journey through the spicy continuum is measured by your increased level of sweat, tears, discomfort, ultimately leading to a life altering visit to the toilet. If chilli powder is the only strategy to make your food spicy then you better get your intestines checked for holes in your next yearly physical. I am not bagging on red chilli powder. It plays a vital role in providing that burst of heat in your mouth, but I believe that it is a one trick pony. It needs to be in a team of spices to raise the overall flavour profile of a dish. You do not need a firestorm in your mouth. You need an endorphin induced, whole body experience. To improve the performance of the Blackcaps you just do not add three more Kane Williamsons in the team. You need performance improvements from all the players in the team. The same logic applies to a good spicy butter chicken. You don’t just add another tablespoon of red chilli powder, you need

to raise the levels of coriander, cumin, ginger, garlic, or any other ingredients you use in your recipe. I know what you are thinking. But what about our multicultural and multifaceted society? At the dinner table at home, two people might like some heat and others might not. You cannot change the whole base of a dish just to cater to two people. Well, it’s your lucky day. I have some solutions for you. Instead of using the recommended amount of chilli powder for a regular dish, you cook with 3-4 small fresh whole green chilli peppers. The operative word here is “whole”. Keeping the chillies whole restricts most of the heat to inside the chilli, but gives that natural fresh pepper taste to the dish. The heat fiends on the table can break open the whole green chilli pepper on their plate to liberate the seeds and get their hit. Others can just ignore the chilli peppers. I have employed this strategy to great success in my cooking and I have learnt from the best Pakistani chef in the world, my mother. The old school method of sprinkling some crushed black pepper on your plate works. You can also have Indian/Pakistani achar (pickle) on the side which adds a bit of sour spicy excitement to your dish specially with dhal and rice/naan. It doesn’t always have to be red chilli powder. I love you red chilli powder, but sometimes you overplay your hand, it is time to be a team player. For the fellow Coasties, go ahead, be adventurous and indulge in some spicy food. It will change your life.

Grants open for Sport and Recreation groups

Sports and recreation organisations that need help with day to day running costs can now apply for a share of $3.2 million through Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation Facilities Operating Grant. The three-year grant (over $1 million annually) is designed to support non-council operated sport and recreation facilities that help increase Aucklanders’ participation in sport and recreation. The grant can fund a range of running costs including unexpected, one-off maintenance or repair costs, long term maintenance, or salaries for caretakers or cleaners. Applications opened on February 12 and close on March 24. Funding decisions will be made by the relevant Governing Body committee in July. Info: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/grants-community-supporthousing/grants/regional-grants/Pages/grant-details.aspx?itemID=92 22

| Hibiscusmatters | February 12, 2024

feature.food‘n’fun – Valentines Day

The Ducky Derby has been making a splash in Ōrewa for 18 years.

Organisers promise a magical evening in a beautiful setting.

Splash out on a kindy derby duck Summer Magic casting a spell at It’s almost two decades since the Ducky Derby was first floated as a fundraising idea for Ōrewa Beach Kindergarten – and immediately it took off. The derby sees hundreds of numbered yellow rubber ducks released into Ōrewa Estuary at a starting point, so they can float to the finish line. The numbers represent tickets purchased by members of the public, with prizes for winning ducks. Excitement is high as families watch the ducks’ progress, hoping theirs is in the lead. Entertainment is provided alongside the estuary, by Western Reserve, including games for the children, food and live performances. The next event, on Saturday, February 24, will feature 750 little ducks and a small number of larger ducks, sponsored by local businesses.

All ducks are retrieved, often by Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving volunteers, after the race. The three main prizes for the winners of the Duck Race are a Luxury Getaway to Matakana donated by SsangYong North Shore, valued at $1100; 10 Pilates classes for two people, donated by Studio Pilates Silverdale, worth $580; and a $500 cash prize donated by Bake and Brew Ōrewa. Tickets to sponsor a duck can be purchased in advance at the kindergarten or on the day if they haven’t sold out. The Ducky Derby is sponsored by Matt Gilmour, Harcourts, Cooper & Co., and supported by Ōrewa Lions, Rotary and Gary Brown who MCs the event. All proceeds go directly to support the kindergarten’s activities and programmes – last year, $17,000 was raised. The event takes place on February 24, 9am-12 noon – see What’s On. Spend a fabulous, romantic Valentines evening at Vino Restaurant & Wine Bar. Enjoy delicious mediterranean food, sumptuous wines and friendly service. But make sure to book so you don't miss out! ... avoid the “why didn't you book earlier” conversation. Vino, per favour!

Wenderholm’s Couldrey House

Alfresco arias and medleys from musicals are on offer next month, when Music in the Garden returns to Couldrey House at Waiwera’s Wenderholm Regional Park.

The Summer Magic concert on Saturday, March 2 will feature light opera classics and popular standards from musical theatre performed by up and coming singers from Auckland’s Opera Factory, which has been training young operatic talent for 30 years. Led by soprano Emma Sloman, the Summer Magic line-up will include sopranos Jess Webber, Antonia Brightwell and Calista Ngati Au; tenors Mike Liu and Ivan Zhang; and baritones Campbell Ellison and Hamish Regan. Gates open at 4pm and all ticketholders will be able to visit Couldrey House free of charge between then and 5.30pm. The concert is the historic home’s major

annual fundraiser and starts at 6pm, running until around 8.30pm. As ever, concertgoers are invited to bring seats, rugs and a picnic to enjoy in the gardens as they listen to the performance, plus a torch for finding their way out when the show is over. Organisers say the outdoor concert is an unforgettable occasion and they encourage people to book tickets early, as Summer in the Gardens is always popular and usually sells out quickly. Tickets cost $45 for adults and $35 for Friends of Couldrey House, plus booking fees, while under-16s attending with an adult are free of charge. If March 2 is rained off, the concert will take place on Sunday, March 10. Info and tickets: www.eventfinda. co.nz/2024/summer-magic-music-in-thegarden/auckland/waiwera

looks forward to welcoming you this summer!

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Online Bookings: www.vinoorewa.com Ph 09 421 0032 • 4 Hillary Square, Orewa feature.food‘n’fun – Valentines Day

9/280 Mahurangi East Road, Mahurangi Shopping Centre, Snells Beach 09 425 5886 | littleandlocalbar@gmail.com | www.facebook.com/littleandlocal

TheShipAnchorRestaurantAndBar Ph 09 426 1539 | shipanchororewa.com

www.localmatters.co.nz

February 12, 2024 | Hibiscusmatters |

Our gorgeous gift shop is located in a tiny Victorian summer house in the grounds of Orewa House. Call in for a delightfully unique shopping experience. All natural skincare, candles, crystals, jewellery and other lovely treasures.

Our best shot Hibiscus Coast Photographic Club www.hcpc.org.nz

Open Friday to Sunday 11am to 3pm

498 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa | 027 618 1996

Local oysters + the best cocktails in Ōrewa! The Fat Oyster Bluff Long Lunch Thurs 7th & Fri 8th March 12pm-3pm • 3 course lunch $150pp Glass of Piper champagne on arrival Dozen Bluff Oysters Salmon Gravlax or Beef Carpaccio Black Star Eye Fillet or Blackened Market Fish.

Bookings essential. Non-refundable payment required at time of booking.

316A Hibiscus Coast Highway | P: 021 246 6015 contact@thefatoyster.co.nz | | thefatoyster.co.nz

This image by Agatha Lambert, called Walking in the Rain was chosen as champion image in our club’s monthly competition. It is a series of eight images combined into one. Agatha produces these ‘light painting’ images using a fibre optic brush and Sony Alpha camera. She creates them at home using a black back-drop, tripod, camera and remote controller. Each figure is shot separately using a fibre optic brush (drawing it in air to create the form) with multicolour LED light. The rain was also created using a fibre optic brush and the puddles with a homemade acrylic light wand. To make the umbrellas, Agatha used a sieve wrapped in butter paper and a coloured LED torch. All the images are merged with Affinity Photo software.

Changes to Auckland tsunami evacuation maps

New modelling shows the areas of Auckland at risk from damaging tsunami waves are less than previously expected. Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) has updated and simplified the region’s tsunami evacuation maps to reflect this change and make them easier to understand. Residents can put their address into the Auckland Hazard Viewer (link below) to see whether their home or workplace could be affected. The new mapping uses modelled earthquakes on fault lines around the Pacific to replicate how tsunami waves are generated and track across the ocean to our coastline. It takes into account how islands influence the path of tsunami waves, as well as how landforms on the coast and the shape of the seafloor influence the way tsunami waves behave. The maps use a two-colour system. The red zone shows the area needing to be evacuated in a shore and marine tsunami threat, when strong and unusual currents and dangerous surges at the shore are expected. The yellow zone shows the area needing to be evacuated where there is a land tsunami threat, where tsunami flooding is expected to affect inland areas. The Ōrewa and Whangaparāoa shorelines remain in the red shore and marine threat zone, with some inland parts also in the yellow zone. Tsunami warnings are published on the National Emergency Management Agency’s website and social media pages, on radio, television and news media, as well as on the AEM website: https://aucklandcouncil.maps. arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=81aa3de13b114be9b529018ee3c649c8

BOOK HEAVEN Whangaparāoa Methodist Parish

Pre-Loved Books and puzzles

Donations of books welcomed Mon-Fri: 10am-4pm | Saturday: 10am-2pm 76 Red Beach Rd, Red Beach | phone 426 5615 24

| Hibiscusmatters | February 12, 2024

feature.food‘n’fun – Valentines Day

Jeong Seol

Chickenara

orean fried chicken may share the same initials as a certain fast food American brand, but that’s where the similarities end. Chickenara, which opened in Ōrewa last December, serves chicken fried the Korean way – cooked fresh to order, with no food warmers in sight. Owner Jeong Seol opened two Chickenara stores towards the end of last year – the other is in Remuera. The name means ‘land of chicken’. “Fried chicken is hugely popular in Korea,” he says. “It is always cooked fresh, so it is moist and juicy inside, with a crisp outside.” Jeong says many people think of fried chicken as fast food, popular with young people, but Chickenara has something on the menu for all age groups including ‘mix

your own’ salads and rice. The batter has 19 ingredients and is designed to add maximum flavour. The range of sauces, which include soy garlic, hot spicy, sweet spicy and maple butter, are also made at Chickenara. The Ōrewa store, opposite New World, is boutique with a small seating area so that customers can dine in, or takeaway their order. Jeong says the store has had a very positive reception and reviews – “it’s a tight-knit community here, and they have made us very welcome,” he says. A customer review online sums up Chickenara’s point of difference, commenting on the quality, delicious taste and portion size as well as the friendly, helpful staff. “That is exactly what we are aiming for,” Jeong says.

Vineet Negi, left, and Nabbal Singh Pundir

Blue Mount Eatery

ucked away in Polarity Rise, Silverdale, is an Indian restaurant and bar that offers the authentic tastes of northern India, while also adapting dishes to cater to the Kiwi palate when required. Blue Mount Eatery is a family business. Chef Nabbal Singh Pundir is in charge in the kitchen, while his nephew Vineet Negi, also a chef, looks after front of house, which includes a licensed bar. The pair are from the Uttarakhand region of northern India – an area known for producing fine chefs, Vineet says. Nabbal has been a chef for around 30 years, half of which has been spent working in New Zealand. Both he and Vineet, who

trained in European style cooking, use their knowledge of the locals’ tastes to adapt their dishes to suit each customer. This even goes to the extent of offering two styles of that Kiwi favourite, butter chicken. Vineet says the less Westernised, authentic one remains the most popular, compared with the “deli-style” version. The menu also features seven kinds of Momos, an Indian dumpling – Vineet says Blue Mount Eatery is the only place on the Coast that offers these. Nabbal says everything he cooks in the restaurant uses fresh ingredients. The spices he uses are imported direct from India. “It’s the same food we eat at home, that we offer at our restaurant,” he says.

INDIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR

Home of Best Korean Fried Chicken & Salad

4 Moana Ave, Ōrewa p: 09 622 1200 Online: Chickenara Orewa UberEats: Chickenara

feature.food‘n’fun – Valentines Day

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7days, 1pm-10pm | 1H Polarity Rise, Silverdale | 09 426 5727 February 12, 2024 | Hibiscusmatters |

Coast wrestler Zac Hayle

Top wrestling action in Stanmore Hibiscus Coast wrestling fans have a treat in store at the Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre, with a major show to be held there on Saturday, February 17.

n experienced osteopath who has moved out of the Auckland for a quieter life in Snells Beach has opened a new clinic at the Mahurangi Health Collective in Warkworth. Tim Judd has been practicing osteopathy for nearly 30 years, but he doesn’t confine his care to manipulating aches and pains. “I treat each person holistically and the body as a whole,” he says. “I look for the cause of the problem, not just the problem itself, so I check related parts of the body and also take into consideration mental, emotional and nutritional states.” He believes that it’s important to teach people self-care, as well. “I try to encourage self-responsibility and educate patients as much as possible as to what’s happening in their bodies. I fix them, then give them the tools and

knowledge to look after themselves.” That might include teaching breathing techniques to manage stress, discussion of diet and nutrition, or recommending exercises that can be done at home, often via his customised stretching website. Tim specialises in cranial osteopathy for babies and is very experienced in treating pregnant women. For some persistent musculoskeletal problems, he employs Western medical acupuncture. “I believe it’s really important to develop a relationship of trust and respect with my patients, and good communication is vital,” he says. Tim is currently in Warkworth on Wednesdays and Fridays and his Auckland clinic for the rest of the week, but he hopes gradually to work mostly in Mahurangi.

· 28 years of experience as a family osteopath · Treating all ages and specialising in cranial osteopathy for newborns. · Experienced pregnancy practitioner. · Western Medical Acupuncture practitioner. · Minimal treatments for maximum results. · ACC registered, no GP referral required. Come in and see me at the Mahurangi Health Collective 18 Neville Street, Warkworth.

09 834 5191 | bodyworksosteo@gmail.com | timjudd-osteopath.co.nz

| Hibiscusmatters | February 12, 2024

Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast

F ra

nchi s

e Award

Open

Hibiscus Matters and Legacy Pro Wrestling have a double pass to this event up for grabs – but you will have to be quick. To go in the draw, ‘like’ Hibiscus Matters on Facebook and message us your name and phone number with Legacy Pro Wrestling in the message. Alternatively, write your name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope and post or drop into Legacy Pro Wrestling giveaway, Hibiscus Matters, 21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa. Entries close on Friday, February 16 at 9am.

Now

Win tickets

Supreme

Tim Judd Osteopath

Tim Judd

Stanmore Bay-based company Legacy Pro Wrestling is bringing some of the best Kiwi wrestlers to the Coast in its First Light lineup, as well as rising stars. The first Legacy Wrestling champion will be crowned after a six-pack challenge, which means there are no rules, and the first competitor to gain a pinfall or submission wins. Current NZ Heavyweight champion Spartan, the ‘Big Man’ Jamie Tagataese, Queenstown’s Cool Guy Sky, the ‘Deathmatch Reaper’ Rugged Vic Craig, the ‘Duke of Death’ Horus, as well as a wildcard entry will step into the ring for that main event and organisers are promising fans “a wild spectacle”. Other action includes the Wrestling Collectibles NZ Championship as

Wellington’s Ryan Zero takes on The Scene, AJ Murtagh. Matty Short will bring his crowdpleasing style to bear against The Fallen Angel Jackson Graves, in a grudge match after Graves cost Matty the WCNZ championship last August. Also on the bill are fast-rising stars Bobby Wisheart and the Mask of the Red Death Pariah and, in a tag-team showcase, Antony Khan and his hired muscle, Slim Kaisa, (collectively known as Khan Capital), will look to cement their position in the tag team scene by taking on the beloved Tommy Fusion and Hibiscus Coast local Zac Hayle. There will also be a special performance from NZ hip-hop icon Paki Dunn. Legacy Pro Wrestling general manager, Dan Wood, says he hopes to bring more shows to the same venue. Tickets from Eventfinda: www.eventfinda. co.nz/.../whangaparaoa-peninsula

2023

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Bookings essential, call Dave & Kathryn today: Ph: 09 428 4490 / 021 035 0431 hibiscus@drivingmissdaisy.co.nz www.drivingmissdaisy.co.nz Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast

Support the advertisers who support Hibiscus Matters

Health Tania Adams, Pharmacist

tania.adams@unichemmanly.co.nz

l a n o i t Na Day n e p O 17 Feb

Can you feel it, when your blood pressure is high? Is sea salt better than table salt? Here are six myths about heart health busted for you. MYTH #1:If you don’t feel any symptoms, then you don’t need your blood pressure checked. While 1 in 5 Kiwis has high blood pressure, about a third of people are undiagnosed. This is because most people do not feel any symptoms. High blood pressure is known as “the silent killer” because it can lead to heart attacks and strokes without the person being aware they even have a problem. MYTH #2: Heart failure means your heart has stopped beating. If you are diagnosed with heart failure, this means that your heart is having trouble pumping your blood through your body. This can cause you to suffer from things such as shortness of breath or swelling in your feet or ankles. This is a condition that can be managed with the help of your GP. MYTH #3: Sea salt is healthier than table salt. All salts are made from sodium chloride. The sodium in the salt can cause your body to retain fluid. This increases the volume of your blood and thus can increase your

blood pressure. MYTH #4: If your doctor checks your blood pressure, then you don’t need to check it from home. Blood pressure can fluctuate, so recording your blood pressure readings at home can provide your GP with valuable information to figure out whether you actually have high blood pressure and if you do, whether your medication is working for you. MYTH #5 If you have high cholesterol you shouldn’t eat eggs. Current research shows that eggs only have a small effect on blood cholesterol levels when eaten as part of a balanced diet. It seems actually how they are cooked (eg. fried in oil is not good) and what they are served with (eg. bacon) is more of a problem. The Heart Foundation NZ recommends eating six eggs per week as part of a healthy heart diet. MYTH #6 If you have heart disease, eat as little fat as possible. While this is true for low saturated, partially hydrogenated and trans-fats, other fats such as unsaturated fats in vegetable oils like avocado and olive oil are actually good for your heart. Fish Oil contains Omega 3s which have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease.

Hibiscus Coast Community Shop ~ HELP US HELP THE COMMUNITY ~

Our doors are open Metlifecare Open Day Saturday 17 February 10am–2pm We’re opening our retirement villages and can’t wait to welcome you. Come and explore, we’ll provide plenty of complimentary refreshments. For more information contact your local village or visit metlifecare.co.nz

Gulf Rise Red Beach Call reception on 09 553 6103 Hibiscus Coast Village Red Beach Call Kerensa on 09 421 9723

Quality donations are always welcome ... Monday-Friday: 9am-3pm • Saturday: 9am-12pm

For the full list of villages participating in National Open Day please visit metlifecare.co.nz

6986a-9-MLC-NOD-NORTH-LM

Heart health myths busted

Western Reserve, Orewa • Phone 426 3596 www.localmatters.co.nz

February 12, 2024 | Hibiscusmatters |

The festival will celebrate the role wooden boats have played in New Zealand’s history. Photo, Roger Mills.

Linda Parish on Toyshop providing an opportunity for women to experience sailing for themselves at last year’s WOWW.

Encouraging women to experience sailing In 2019 Yachting NZ launched the Women and Girls in Sailing Strategy with the primary objective of cultivating and growing a vibrant female sailing community. This resulted in a number of events hosted by yacht clubs to provide opportunities for women of any age to experience sailing, whether they’re completely new to the sport, would like to improve their skills or just have fun with other women out on the water. Last year Gulf Harbour Yacht Club joined in, holding a Women on Water Weekend (WOWW). A total of 120 women took part, from ages 15-81, and from complete novices to national champions. This year, the yacht club will again host WOWW, on March 15-17. Event manager, Sarah Morgan, says word has spread following the success of last year’s WOWW and a group of women is coming over from Australia to take part. The first day will focus on getting to know each other and familiarisation with the boats, plus an overview of what to expect over the two race days. On the Saturday night, participants can enjoy a buffet dinner and dance the night away. She says many local business are supporting WOWW with spot prizes and sponsorship. Registration is open now, and closes on February 23. Info: www.ghyc.co.nz/page/woww

Wooden boats take centre stage

Wooden boat enthusiasts from Mangawhai and Mahurangi will be among the guest speakers at the inaugural Auckland Wooden Boat Festival to be held on Auckland’s waterfront from March 1 to 3.

of her career. The historic Mahurangi Regatta will also be acknowledged with a short film of the 2018 event. Stevenson says the aim of the festival is to tell the story of Auckland’s maritime history from early Māori times through to today. “Each of the 100 or so boats that will be on display has an inter-generational story to tell. They were handcrafted in a time when we still made things with our hands. Some carried across oceans, some were traders serving communities up and down our coasts. They were our transport and our recreation. “Many of these boats are 100 years old or more. They have survived wars, depression, celebrations, anniversaries, disrepair and, thankfully, restoration. “This festival will be a celebration of the boats, their custodians, skilled craftsman, sailors and enthusiasts who laid the foundation of New Zealand’s maritime tradition, and the generations that followed them.” Organisers are still interested in hearing from any wooden boat owners who would like to be involved. For more information, go to: www.aucklandwoodenboatfestival.co.nz

Some of NZ’s finest wooden boats are expected to be on display including everything from A Class classic yachts to classic launches, working vessels, clinker boats, mullet boats and indigenous, Pacific and Asian craft. The programme will include a series of talks, short films, hands-on sailing opportunities, entertainment and a photographic display. “Wooden boats are in our DNA,” festival founder Tony Stevenson says. “We are an island nation, connected by waterways and boats are truly integral to our way of life. Wooden boats are that connection back to our heritage.” Speakers will include representatives of the Mangawhai Daring Trust, the group that is involved in restoring the 1860s coastal trading vessel the Daring. Kawau Island sailor and adventurer Lin Pardy will recount some of her voyages over the last 40 years. Pardy has a new book in the pipeline due to be published this year, the seventh in her cruising narrative series, and the 13th book

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Feb 16

Sat

Feb 17

Tide Times

1:04am 3.3 7:05am 0.7 1:32pm 3.3 7:34pm 0.6

1:57am 3.2 8:02am 0.8 2:25pm 3.2 8:28pm 0.7

Sun

6:53am 8:17pm

6:54am 8:16pm

Fishing Guide Moon

Best At

6:28am 6:54pm

Sun

7:21am 7:48pm

Tue

Wed

Thu

Feb 19

Feb 20

Feb 21

Feb 22

6:55am 8:15pm

6:56am 8:14pm

6:57am 8:13pm

6:58am 8:11pm

6:59am 8:10pm

2:55am 3.1 3:58am 2.9 5:02am 2.9 6:02am 2.9 12:29am 1.0 9:03am 1.0 10:07am 1.1 11:10am 1.1 12:08pm 1.1 6:57am 3.0 3:21pm 3.0 4:20pm 2.9 5:22pm 2.8 6:23pm 2.8 1:01pm 1.1 7:19pm 2.8 9:26pm 0.9 10:28pm 1.0 11:31pm 1.0

Best At

Mon

Feb 18

Best At

8:15am 8:43pm

Best At

9:10am 9:38pm

Best At

10:05am 10:32pm

Best At

10:58am 11:24pm

Fri

Feb 23

1:20am 0.9 7:45am 3.0 1:49pm 1.0 8:09pm 2.9

2:05am 0.9 8:29am 3.1 2:33pm 1.0 8:53pm 3.0

7:00am 8:09pm

7:01am 8:08pm

Best At

11:48am

Sat

Feb 24

Best At

12:12am 12:35pm

Sun

12:57am 1:18pm

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Feb 26

Feb 27

Feb 28

Feb 29

7:02am 8:06pm

7:03am 8:05pm

7:04am 8:04pm

7:05am 8:02pm

7:06am 8:01pm

Sat

Mar 1

Mar 2

2:45am 0.8 3:22am 0.8 3:58am 0.8 4:33am 0.8 5:09am 0.8 5:47am 0.9 12:33am 3.0 9:09am 3.1 9:46am 3.1 10:22am 3.1 10:57am 3.1 11:32am 3.1 12:09pm 3.0 6:28am 1.0 3:12pm 0.9 3:49pm 0.9 4:25pm 0.8 5:00pm 0.8 5:35pm 0.8 6:12pm 0.9 12:48pm 3.0 6:51pm 0.9 9:33pm 3.0 10:10pm 3.1 10:45pm 3.1 11:20pm 3.1 11:55pm 3.0

Best At

Mon

Feb 25

Best At

1:39am 1:59pm

Best At

2:19am 2:39pm

Best At

2:58am 3:18pm

Best At

3:37am 3:57pm

7:07am 8:00pm

Best At

4:17am 4:38pm

4:59am 5:21pm

1:15am 2.9 7:13am 1.1 1:31pm 2.9 7:35pm 1.0

7:08am 7:58pm

Best At

Sun

Mar 3

7:09am 7:57pm

Best At

5:44am 6:08pm

Best At

6:33am 6:59pm

First Full Quarter Moon Rise 1:48pm Rise 2:57pm Set 12:33am Set 1:20am Set 2:13am Set 3:12am Set 4:13am Set 5:14am Set 6:15am Set 7:14am Set 8:11am Set 9:08am Set 10:05am Set 11:03am Set 12:03pm Set 1:06pm Set 2:10pm Set 11:54pm Rise 4:03pm Rise 5:03pm Rise 5:56pm Rise 6:40pm Rise 7:16pm Rise 7:47pm Rise 8:13pm Rise 8:36pm Rise 8:58pm Rise 9:20pm Rise 9:41pm Rise 10:05pm Rise 10:32pm Rise 11:05pm Rise 11:44pm *Not for navigational purposes.

Good Fishing

Fair Fishing

Not So Good

www.tidewiz.com

www.tidespy.com

www.ofu.co.nz

Graphic supplied by OceanFun Publishing Ltd.

PHONE (09) 424 5556 • 671 WHANGAPARAOA RD, WHANGAPARAOA • SALES@GULFLANDMARINE.CO.NZ • WWW.GULFLANDMARINE.CO.NZ For the latest wind and swell information for the Auckland area go to: www.tidespy.com/?place=3005

PHONE (09) 424 5556 • 671 WHANGAPARAOA RD, WHANGAPARAOA • SALES@GULFLANDMARINE.CO.NZ • WWW.GULFLANDMARINE.CO.NZ 28

| Hibiscusmatters | February 12, 2024

Support the advertisers who support Hibiscus Matters

Coastguard Zane Bryhn, Coastguard Hibiscus crew chief www.coastguardhibiscus.org.nz

Hats off to dedicated crew The weather that was promised certainly delivered with light winds and sunny hot days which meant that the Waitemata Harbour was boiling with activity over the Christmas and New Year periods. Our Coastguard unit was kept extremely busy and was out on the water from December 26 through to January 14 every single day – that’s 20 days in a row! There was an average of four people on the boat with an average day of seven hours on the water – more than 560 hours that our crew has given to our community to keep people safe on our waters which I think is impressive. Add another 150 hours of off water activities, and it shows that we have an extremely dedicated crew of 40. In the first two weeks of January, Coastguard Hibiscus attended 29 incidents and used over $5000 worth of fuel. In amongst that we have also been fundraising by attending events selling Coastguard Lottery tickets. This is one of our main sources of funding to pay for training, fuel and equipment to keep our crew up to speed and safe. We are still waiting for our vessel, Hibiscus Rescue One to have the refit completed. Our best laid plans of having her back by Christmas didn’t happen due to further work needing to be completed, so we were lucky to be loaned a ‘bailment’ vessel by Coastguard NZ. These vessels were part of the Americas Cup Campaign and were afterwards donated by NZ Lotteries to

Coastguard NZ. This allowed our unit to continue out on the water. Most incidents we attend have excellent outcomes where both people and vessels are returned safely back to shore. However, on January 1 our volunteers were paged urgently to look for a person in the water. This is not the sort of page you want to get, but our dedicated crew were on the vessel and out of the marina within 20 minutes

Our Coastguard unit was kept extremely busy and was out on the water every single day ... from receiving the page. I am incredibly proud of the crew in the actions that were taken by them, and the professionalism shown. These incidents are luckily few and far between, however again our crew was paged urgently again on January 14 at 9pm for a similar incident and similar outcome. We are always looking for new recruits to join our unit so if you want to come and see what we are all about then feel free to email me at the address above and we can have a chat. We are always looking for people for a variety of roles. If you prefer to be land based, then we also have roles to support our unit. Stay safe out there and give us a wave if you see our crew out there.

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Loss of Fuel Tax funds will hurt Mayor Wayne Brown says Aucklanders will have to pay higher rates or miss out on major road and public transport improvements if the Government cancels the Regional Fuel Tax (RFT) this year.

Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, announced last week that the Government intends to enact legislation to repeal the Land Transport Management (Regional Fuel Tax) Act, with the RFT scheme ending on June 30, four years earlier than planned. A poll commissioned by the Mayor last November found that 44 per cent of Aucklanders want to keep the RFT, 26 percent were in favour of cancelling RFT projects, and 22 percent favoured increasing rates to make up the shortfall in funding. In a press release, Mayor Brown said while National is making good on their election promise, this will have unintended consequences unless the Government is prepared to foot the bill for upcoming transport projects. He says the cancellation of the RFT will leave a shortfall in transport funding for Auckland of $1.2 billion over www.localmatters.co.nz

the next four years. When the scheme ends on 1 July, there will be around $350 million of unspent money held in reserve. However, these funds will only be enough to complete the next stage of the Eastern Busway (including the Reeves Road flyover) and fund the purchase of electric rail units for the City Rail Link. “Council will have no choice but to pause any further work on projects funded by the RFT, including those already contracted, to see how we can fund them in the Longterm Plan,” the Mayor said. He said he is determined to keep rates under control and not pass the cost of those projects on to struggling Auckland households. “I’ve already proposed to cut spending on cycleways by $141.5 million and raised pedestrian crossings by $80 million. I’m quite happy to talk with the government about what else we can cut, but this is a problem that can’t be solved just by making cuts. “Auckland’s transport system is a mess and it’s going to cost a lot of money to fix. That money must come from somewhere.”

Don’t worry we’ve got you covered from just $158* per year ($13 p/month) you can have your own page on the Local Matters online Business Directory. For more information visit www.localmatters.co.nz/business-directory or contact online@localmatters.co.nz February 12, 2024 | Hibiscusmatters |

Classifieds DVDS & VIDEOS

CAN’T MAKE IT TO A HAIR SALON? No problem I can come to you. Qualified Hairstylist providing cutting and blow wave services. Please phone Julie 021 112 8015

VIDEOS TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Phone or text Te Totara Video 021 777 385.

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

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

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

MURRAY’S PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE SERVICE 26 years experience, based in Little Manly - off street parking. Experience essential oils massage for relaxation and wellbeing. Ph. 020 4116 7992.

HIBISCUS COAST COMMUNITY RETURNED SERVICES ASSOCIATION – NOTICE OF MEETING. Members are advised that an EGM will be held in the clubrooms on Sunday February 25, 2024 at 10am. Please note the club will open at 9.30am.

HANDYMAN

RECORDING STUDIO Vocals to backing tracks, original projects, vocal training & vocal PA hire. Ph Skimp 021 115 5233.

CARPET LAYING, CARPET RE-STRETCH, VINYL LAYING, CARPET REPAIRS Over 30 years’ experience. Contact Dexter 027 4956 436

Lose weight. stop smoking. anxiety and depression, confidence, self esteem. Ph 021 635 966 www.hypnotherapy2succeed.co.nz

ŌREWA LIONS BIG DIG COMMUNITY RAFFLE drawn on 20 January 2024. First Prize - ticket 2587 - Christine Evans. Second Prize - ticket 2866 - Toni McKenty. Third Prize - ticket 1491 - Val Pearce. The winners have been notified.

HOUSE WASHING - SOFT WASH / LOW PRESSURE / CHEMICAL WASH Also Window Cleaning / Gutter Clearing Careful service, reasonable rates.

LIFE COACH – FEEL STUCK? I CAN HELP Phone Steve 021 264 2506 www.hibiscuslifecoach.com

DRAINLAYERS

For your drainage requirements. Certified drain layers. All Round Drainage Ltd: Ph/txt 0274 890 851 email jeff@ardnz.com Odd jobs, gardening, painting & water blasting. Phone Nev 021 399 226.

Phone 021 057 9743

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Ph/txt Craig 022 182 2543

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 ADVICE, FREE QUOTE FOR STEAM CLEANS, Carpet Repairs-35 yrs Experience Dwyane 027 499 7929. PEST CONTROL, Flies, spiders, cockroaches, ants, rodents, wasps. Competitive prices. Ph 426 2253.

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COMMUNITY NOTICES 60’s UP MOVEMENT, HIBISCUS COAST Meetings are held 3rd Wednesday of every month, 10am at the RSA in Viponds Road, Whangaparāoa. Outings 1st Wednesday of month. Please note: First Meeting for 2024 will be 21st February. Ph Gloria 027 386 2339

$1000

JACKPOT

Played 1pm Every Friday, Clubrooms Bowls Ōrewa, Ph 09 426 5937 BRIDGE LESSONS Hibiscus Coast Bridge Club, Edith Hopper Park (off Ladies Mile) Manly. Starts Thurs Feb 29, 7pm-9pm, runs for 10 weeks. Suitable for Beginners or as a Refresher. All welcome. First lesson free. Please register with email and phone number phbcbridge@xtra.co.nz or ph 424 1252 (leave a message) or txt Helen 027 444 1066. BRIDGE LESSONS Ōrewa Bridge Club, Ōrewa Bridge Club, 121 West Hoe Rd. Tues Feb 27, 7pm-9pm, Thursday February 29, 9am-11am, Lessons run for 11 weeks. No experience needed, just a love for the game. Jenny 027 21 21 222, jengarry10350@ gmail.com orewabc@xtra.co.nz HIBISCUS COAST GARDEN CLUB View our Mini Flower and Produce Show on 19 February, Monday at Manly Bowling Club 56 Laurence St Manly from 9.30. Entry $3. Good speakers, good company, Trading Table & Raffle. Contact Zelma 424 4112. SINGERS WANTED TO JOIN HIBISCUS COAST SINGERS for our mid-year concert! Sing with us at a rehearsal and have a chat with our Music Director, Robyn, about becoming a member. No audition required — just bring your love for singing diverse music. Contact Robyn at 021 563 304 or coastsingers@gmail.com.

FRIDAY: Silverdale Rugby Club, every fourth Friday of the month, 4pm-8pm • SATURDAY: Silverdale Market, every Saturday from 8am-1pm, 7 Silverdale Street • SUNDAY: Ōrewa Artisan Market, Estuary Arts Centre, 9am-1pm • Ōrewa Beach Farmers Market, every Sunday from 8am-12.30pm, Ōrewa Square • Silverdale Night Market, 5pm until late, in the carpark underneath The Warehouse in Silverdale • Hibiscus Coast Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren Car Boot & Craft Market fundraiser, every second Sunday of the month from 10am-2pm, Lower Coast Plaza Carpark, Whangaparāoa.

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Shop 3, Silverdale Centre 09 421 1307 | 16F Link Drive Wairau Park 09 444 0244 | www.waitematabackcarebeds.co.nz 30

| Hibiscusmatters | February 12, 2024

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What’s on ...

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

February

5-18

Local Chinese artists exhibit their work at Whangaparāoa Library, in celebration of Chinese New Year.

Mark Benjamin, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry.

Wacky Wheels free event, Stanmore Bay Skatepark, 3.30pm5.30pm. A range of 1, 2, 3 or 4-wheeled wacky wheels provided, or bring your own. Fun for the whole family. Hosted by CLM community events, funded by the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board.

The Flaming Mudcats rock ‘n’ roll band, Dairy Flat Hall, Postman Rd, Dairy Flat, 7.30pm-11pm. Licensed bar, bring your own snacks. Entry $12.50 (cash only). Info: info@dairyflatlive.com

Hoedown with DJ Going Bananas, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6.30pm-9.30pm. Free entry.

Boulevard Arts Fiesta, Moana Reserve, Ōrewa, 11am-5pm. Market stalls and entertainment. Info: www.orewabeach.co.nz/whatson (see story p21)

Forest and Bird’s Big Birthday Bash – Celebrating 100 years, Te Haruhi Bay, Shakespear Open Sanctuary, 11am-2pm. Nature-themed activities and cake. BYO picnic.

Believe it or Not Quiz. Fundraiser for Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 6pm start. Shared tables of 10. Prizes to be won. Live auction. Entertainment from the Salty Dogs. Tickets from Eventfinda.

Purple Poppy Day lunch, supporting service animals, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 11am. Tickets $25 from Kay Chilman, 021 176 0362. (see story p17)

Pro Wrestling fight, Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre, 6.30pm. Part of a series to crown the inaugural Legacy pro wrestling champion.Tickets at Eventfinda: www.eventfinda.co.nz/.../whangaparaoa-peninsula (see story p26)

Junior Open Mic Jam afternoon, Dairy Flat Hall, Postman Road, Dairy Flat, 1pm-5pm. Door open and barbecue 12 noon. Entry $2, cash only. Chance for young bands to play live. Info: info@ dairyflatlive.com

Craig Hallen, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry.

Golf Fore Life Charity Tournament, Wainui Golf Club, Wainui. Fundraiser for Youth in Transition Charitable Trust. To take part, offer sponsorship or an auction item, phone Nick Schanschieff, 022 029 5671, or email nick@youthintransition.org.nz

Live with a Twist, Dairy Flat Hall, Postman Road, Dairy Flat, 7.30pm11pm. Dance the night away - jive, rock ‘n’ roll, boogie. Licensed bar, bring your own snacks. Entry $5 cash only. Info: info@dairyflatlive.com

Hibiscus Coast Grey Power Association Meeting, St John’s Catholic Church Hall Ōrewa, 1.30pm. Afternoon tea. Presentation from the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of NZ. Info: Simonne Dyer, ph 027 212 8322 or email b.sdyer@xtra.co.nz

Ducky Derby, Western Reserve, Ōrewa, 9am-12pm. Free family event with games and entertainment where 100s of yellow ducks race down Ōrewa Estuary. You can purchase a duck ticket for $10 at Ōrewa Beach Kindergarten, or visit www.facebook.com/OrewaDuckyDerby/

Dave Ewart, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm. Entry, $8 members, $10 non-members.

Chet O’Connell, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry.

Drag Queen Bingo with Anita Wigl’it, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, doors open 6pm, show starts 7pm. Three rounds of Bingo, drag show, lots of laughs. Tickets from Eventfinda.

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March

Summer Magic - Music in the Garden, Couldrey House, Wenderholm Regional Park, 6pm-8.30pm. Performance by Opera Factory. Rain day March 10. Tickets $45pp plus booking fees. Under 16s free. Tickets: Eventfinda. (see story p23)

Gerry Lee, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm. Entry $10 members, $12 non-members.

Mockers and Greg Johnson, Summer Sunset Shows, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 7.30pm. Tickets at www. plus1.co.nz/mockersgreg and Eventfinda. See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/ for a full list of upcoming events

www.localmatters.co.nz

53B Rawhiti Road, Manly Village Whangaparaoa Ph (09) 424 7708 Fax (09) 424 7427 www.unichemmanly.co.nz

Manly Pharmacy

Your local health professional February 12, 2024 | Hibiscusmatters |

Top: Hibiscus Tuakana. Clockwise from top left, AceTones band. Jarryth Notton on the sausage sizzle. Kereama and Trish Nathan. Puta (Island doughnut) made from scratch by Seli Falanai. Celine Littlejohn with kai moana. Jiggles the clown. The t-shirt stall spreads the word.

Positivity leads the way at local Waitangi celebrations

Waitangi Day celebrations at Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa marae drew a big crowd eager to enjoy entertainment and food – many also wanted to learn more about the Treaty.

The day, which focused on unity (kotahitanga), featured live music and performances, a range of kai including seafood and freshly made doughnuts, and plenty of things to keep children entertained. Families picnicked under

shady trees while listening to reggae and waiata from the AceTones. Politics largely took a back seat – Hibiscus and Bays Local Board members were there to attend a workshop by lawyer Roimata Smail, but also to spend the day relaxing in the sun with family. Smail has had 20 years’ involvement with Treaty cases before the Waitangi Tribunal and the courts. She acted for the lead claimants in the Hauora inquiry that led to

the setting up of the Māori Health Authority and is now acting on an urgent inquiry into the government’s plans to dissolve it. She said she is heartened by the interest in, and response to, her workshop as more people seek information about Treaty issues. Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa marae members were pleased with the turnout, as the event hadn’t been held for some time due to Covid-19 and flooding. The marae is becoming known for leading events locally

on Matariki, Māori Language week and Waitangi Day. Marae kaiwhakahaere (chair) Kereama Nathan says the Waitangi Day celebration was a way to unite on our national day. “Making it positive is important – and it introduced people to the marae who hadn’t been here before. We can’t change what is going on in the country, but we can choose what we do in this community to mark this important day.”

Serving the Hibiscus Coast for 46 years

ph 09 426 5351 Service specialists for:

192 Centreway Rd | orewacar@xtra.co.nz | www.orewacarservices.co.nz 32 | Hibiscusmatters | February 12, 2024