Hibiscus Matters_Issue 369_8 April 2024

Ōrewa Reserve seawall not in Council plans

Auckland Council has put its cards on the table for the future of Ōrewa Beach Reserve, and they don't include a seawall or the protected Norfolk pine trees on the shoreline.

At its March 26 meeting, the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board unanimously supported ‘naturalisation’ of the beachfront in the reserve, between the holiday park and Riverside Road.

A report featuring four concepts, drafts of which were shown to the board at a workshop last year (HM March 6, 2023), was presented with key differences being

the location of carparks and recreation/ play areas.

There is a rock revetment in front of the surf club in all the designs, with the remainder of the reserve having dune planting between the grass and beach. The elephant in the room at that meeting, the potential to protect the grass reserve with a seawall, was raised by chair Gary Brown, who asked how far the reserve would be allowed to erode. Calculations by Tonkin & Taylor show coastal erosion of between one-third and half the reserve, at different points along its length, by 2080.

Parks and places specialist, Matt Woodside, said the naturalisation approach means while you lose grassed reserve over time, you gain high tide beach.

He pointed to visitor surveys conducted in 2020, which indicated that the beach was the drawcard, together with recreational options such as the playground and basketball court, which would remain although likely to be moved landward.

Brown also said that the removal of the Norfolk pines would be unpopular with the public.

The report says initially the trees will be

retained, as they are in good health. Their roots are exposed after storms, but ongoing transfer of sand from the southern end of the beach to the north acts as a buffer. However, Woodside said that eventually the sand beneath the trees may scour out more, or other issues could occur, which might require removal of the trees for safety reasons.

With the trees gone, that edge of the reserve could be reshaped with dunes, reducing the requirement for the expensive

Coastguard Hibiscus celebrates the extraordinary rescue of Waiwera friends Charles Waterton (in maroon) and Trudy Atherton, centre. See story p3

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sand transfer process, Woodside explained. Sand transfer costs around $200,000 each time.

Resilient land and coasts general manager, Paul Klinac, said council’s belt-tightening and the likelihood of another protracted Environment Court process, were among the reasons that made building a seawall along the reserve prohibitive. However, he said resource consents would most likely be required for any works related to the trees and possibly supporting

which resource consents are needed would not be known until an agreed management response has been determined via the local board, after public consultation.

In the meantime, the four concepts are being costed and further analysed from a technical perspective before they are put before the public for feedback.

Klinac said council hoped that consultation will start around the middle of this year.

The final choice rests with the local board.

The report and designs are linked to this www.localmatters.co.nz

Liam 021555682 intrepid.eco

Natural examples

Naturalisation by dune restoration was implemented at the eastern end of Stanmore Bay, immediately following the January 2018 storms. This involved the removal of unconsented, legacy rock armour material that was exposed during the storm, reprofiling the eroded reserve edge to a safe gradient and replanting. Another example of dune restoration is the southern end of Ōrewa Beach, in front of the camping ground, which was established approximately 25 years ago.

Meanwhile, at the northern end of Ōrewa Beach…

The final design of the seawall to be built at the northern end of Ōrewa Beach, from Kohu Street to Marine View, was released by Auckland Council recently. It includes three ramps and five sets of stairs, including near Kinloch and Remembrance Reserves. The seawall and path are separated by a planted border and a fence. The wall will be built around the pohutukawa trees near Marine View and the trees’ roots protected with a boardwalk. Three contractors have been chosen to submit tenders this month. Currently the work is budgeted at $18.9 million and is expected to begin on site in June.

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Local hero honoured for health advocacy

Sally Walker of Stanmore Bay has fought a long, gruelling battle to shine a light on the grievous harm thousands of women like herself have suffered from surgical mesh injuries.

Late last month, Sally was named Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year, in recognition of her courageous advocacy.

Her award citation said her work continues to leave its mark, resonating with women worldwide who seek her guidance and assistance.

The award, one of seven categories in the annual Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, recognises an individual who has made a positive difference, demonstrating selflessness and determination.

The awards attracted thousands of nominations and the winners were announced at a March 27 event in Auckland.

“It was surreal – I was in total shock,” Sally, 74, said last week. “I’ve been severely harmed, but this journey was never about me. It was about the thousands of women around the world who are going through this.

“I’m grateful to Kiwibank and the judges. This has given women such hope.” With her family’s backing, Sally chose to

go public with her harrowing story about severe complications arising from surgical mesh implants. She has undergone a dozen operations including having her bladder removed, with resulting ailments including fibrosis of the lungs.

Her advocacy has helped to bring about significant changes in the healthcare sector. The government last August announced a pause on the use of surgical mesh for stress urinary incontinence in women, citing safety concerns.

Sally also provides help to more than 100 women, aged from 20 to 91-yearsold, facing similar challenges to hers. The support ranges from helping them with ACC and health and disability matters to “just being a voice on the phone”.

“Because of the intimate nature of the injuries, we have no idea how many [meshinjured women] there are out there, living in silence.”

Sally said affected women could lose trust, hope, intimacy, even their sense of identity, and in some cases marriages and relationships could disintegrate.

She praised her own family – husband of 55 years Paul, their three children and 10

Sally

grandchildren – for their steadfast support. Sally recalled her father telling his children that “if you really believe in something, you have to go for it”. Her mum, whose own mother was in the French resistance during World War II, taught her to “stand up for what you believe – don’t be pushed down”.

“They all thought I was just an old lady who would go away,” she said. “I was told that I couldn’t and shouldn’t – but I did. They underestimated me.”

Coastguard pulls off lucky rescue for Waiwera pair

Sharp eyes, and a fair dose of good luck, resulted in two lives being saved by Coastguard Hibiscus volunteers recently.

Charles Waterton of Waiwera, aged 88, and his friend, Trudy Atherton were fishing in Charles’ dinghy on March 2 when, in a split second, the boat overturned. The weather had rapidly changed from calm to around half a metre chop, with a strong offshore wind, catching the pair unawares.

Both are experienced sailors but wind and water conditions meant the best they could do was cling to the boat for dear life.

“We were the only boat within sight, and I thought it was all over,” Charles says, “but we remained cheerful. We were not panicking –but definitely thinking of our options.”

As it happened, a Coastguard Hibiscus crew – skipper Dave Tilley, Mark Wadman, Justine Gager and Jason King – was in the area, doing some training after a callout.

“As we got closer to Waiwera, Mark spotted something very low in the water,” Dave says. At that stage, it was around half- an-hour since the boat had flipped and only a few inches remained above water.

As Coastguard approached, they saw Charles’ hand in the air.

“I looked around and saw the orange boat – it was like an apparition!” Charles says. Rescue came just in time. Charles’ strength was ebbing, and Trudy was hypothermic.

“We got them out of the water fast, warmed and bandaged them up and headed back to land to a waiting ambulance,” Dave says. The crew went back for the boat, bailed it out and returned it, and its contents, to the lucky pair.

“We asked if we could do anything for Coastguard to show our gratitude, and they said they needed a search light,” Trudy says. The pair approached local businesses, including Jaycar Silverdale which gave them a discount on the light.

At a function on March 26, the light was presented to the Coastguard Hibiscus team at its Stanmore Bay base.

“These are two very lucky people,” Dave says. “So many little decisions led us to the right spot at the right time, but it could have been very different. It’s immensely satisfying for the crew – that kind of result is what we spend hours training for.” The

Walker: “I was told that I couldn’t and shouldn’t – but I did.”

dinghy is brought back to Waiwera by Coastguard.

Community faced with removal of derelict tug

Removing a tugboat that has been left to decay in the Weiti River has fallen to the community, with Restore Hibiscus & Bays and Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa marae hoping to raise the $10,000 needed. The vessel Wakatu, believed to have been built in 1962, has been in the river, originally tied to the bank, for around 2025 years. Her owner is unknown. Over the years, squatters have lived there but she has been considered abandoned for more than 15 years. The boat has settled into the mud, near Wade Landing Reserve, and Restore Hibiscus & Bays, which is involved in restoration of the riverbank, fears that as she breaks up and sinks, the pieces could pollute and obstruct parts of the river used for recreation.

Harbourmaster Andrew Hayton says they removed oil from the vessel around 15 years ago and will not be doing anything further, as the boat is not a navigational hazard. He says Auckland Council is aware of the vessel, and had it on the radar for removal for years, but does not have the budget to do the work. He says it needs to be dismantled in situ as it no longer floats, making it an expensive job.

Restore Hibiscus and Bays manager Kelly Meikle says when they heard this, they took on the project, with the marae, obtaining a quote for $10,000 to have it removed and

demolished safely.

“We have been told others have wanted it removed in the past, but no one succeeded,” Meikle says. “We are hoping this time we can get the job done – perhaps the cranes

Poor water quality kills fish

The discovery of almost 80 dead grass carp in Gulf Harbour’s canals last month dismayed residents, who are now offering to assist with improving water quality there. The section of canal where the dead fish were found borders Gulf Harbour Reserve and flows alongside Laurie Southwick Parade and part of Bella Vista Drive, out to Hobbs Bay.

Lack of oxygen in the water was identified as the culprit in the fish’s demise. However, there are two schools of thought as to what caused those low levels.

Auckland Council compliance manager, Adrian Wilson, says Healthy Waters staff and contractors removed the dead fish, while pollution officers investigated, concluding that the deoxygenated, green and smelly water resulted from natural causes. Oxygen levels in water are affected by things such as weed growth and how fast the water flows. “It could also have been due to a lack of food, or salt water in the canal, as these

grass carp can’t tolerate salt water,” he says. “The fish escaped from the upstream lakes during the floods in January last year.”

Bella Vista Residents Association secretary, Kerry Hart, says his discussions with contractors who were removing the fish indicated that turning the pump back on at the now disused Gulf Harbour golf course would increase the flow from those waterways into Regency Lake, upstream, with benefits along the whole system.

Hart says residents are keen to step in and look after the edges of the waterway near their homes and would also like to put more carp in there to keep weeds down.

“Volunteers from our residents’ group are prepared to help keep the weed under control around our estate, if council can help with equipment. We want the wildlife to flourish,” he says.

Council is following up with its Healthy Waters team and will then discuss options with the residents.

being used for Penlink could help? As time goes on, it becomes more of a hazard and the riparian area can’t be restored by the reserve until Wakatu has gone. It would be wonderful to one day be able to launch

kayaks from the reserve and paddle down the river.”

Donations are welcome to: https://givealittle. co.nz/cause/weiti-river-restoration-projectwakatu?ref=home&ref_code=donation_feed

D’Oyly wetland also low on air

Another local waterway, the wetland in D’Oyly Reserve, has also recently caused a stink due to low oxygen levels. Neighbours of this wetland called the paper last month to complain about the water being stagnant and this was confirmed when students from Whangaparāoa College did water quality readings there as part of their studies into stream health. Assisting them on March 26 was Restore Hibiscus & Bays restoration adviser (schools and community training), Julia Clavel. She says there is a scale for milligrams of dissolved oxygen per litre of water, with 6-9 milligrams being ideal. The water in D’Oyly Reserve was found to be below six milligrams. Clavel says there was also a weed called parrots feather present, which indicates low oxygen and raised phosperous levels. There were large numbers of introduced mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), which also thrive in stagnant water. Very few other creatures were found. Water clarity was also tested and found to be average for an urban stream. Council’s head of planning, Healthy Waters, Nick Vigar, says the situation will improve with more rain, as it is due to seasonal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen and aquatic weed levels. “During the dry summer months, the water level goes down,” Vigar says. “That means the water sits still for longer. Oxygen is added when the water is disturbed, so during low flows, oxygen cannot mix with the deeper water. Additionally, lower water levels allow aquatic vegetation to grow faster due to increased sunlight. The vegetation consumes oxygen at the surface of the pond preventing it from mixing deeper in the water. Generally, we would expect to see these conditions change as we move into winter with increased rainfall. We regularly check all our stormwater ponds to ensure that they are still operating as designed. Our team has removed parrots feather weed from this watercourse before and staff regularly check it with that in mind.”

An environmental group and the local marae are hoping to raise enough money to remove this rusty vessel from the Weiti River.

Viewpoint

Community gets results

Thanks goes out to you, the members of our Coast community and your tireless engagement in local political issues, making sure that your voice is heard.

While I am at it, I would like to thank the journalists at Hibiscus Matters for ensuring that we remain informed, in order to participate in issues like the ones referenced below.

Ordinarily it would be politically correct for me to stay out of applications or matters that are currently before council, but in this instance I think it is important for me as an individual member to speak out, as many in our community have to date.

As reported in Hibiscus Matters, the boundary change adjustment application for Gulf Harbour Country Club was before a duty commissioner who made the decision to publicly notify the application, against the applicant’s wishes.

As a local board – and as your resource consent leads and Hearing Commissioners in our own right – both myself and Julia Parfitt submitted strongly in favour of the application being put to public scrutiny, along with your ward councillors and members of Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces. This may not have been decided the way it was without public pressure and intense local interest that tipped the scales of the decision in the Coast’s favour. It will now be an expensive uphill battle for the

applicant to take away the golf course and open space.

Ferries – need I say more? Again, ward councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker, along with very motivated locals on the Hibiscus Coast Ferry Facebook page, have been instrumental in ensuring that ferry services have slightly increased rather than been taken away. This battle is not over to restore service levels but again you, the Coast community, need to be heard on this issue. The proposed Kainga Ora development in Millwater was another hot local issue that we received feedback on and opposed, along with the Bonair Action Group. It was likely cancelled for economic reasons but again I like to think that opponents’ very loud input had a correlation with the result.

Thanks to our MP Mark Mitchell, your local board chair Gary Brown and the Hibiscus Coast Community Patrol, along with vocal community advocates, security measures were put in place at the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station that resulted in a much safer place for our kids to catch the bus. It has also assisted our awesome local team of police to hold offenders to account.

My message to you as a community: do not stop. Your active engagement and support led to the positive outcomes referred to above and, as your representatives, we thank you.

AT survey focuses on parking in Ōrewa town centre

Auckland Transport is surveying businesses in Ōrewa about parking in the town centre, as part of a review that could result in changes to parking time limits, and possibly the introduction of paid meter parking. AT says the review aims to assess existing parking demand and supply, identify the parking and broader traffic problems and the location of these problems, and ways to address them. In consultation with the Local Board, business association and local businesses, it will then recommend short and long term measures to be implemented. “It is important businesses present their views, concerns, and ideas to help us understand how they use parking in the town centre, how they wish it to be prioritised and understand any issues,” AT parking designer David Martin says. “AT has also conducted parking occupancy surveys in the area.” Destination Ōrewa Beach is urging businesses to take part in the AT survey before the April 14 shutoff date. The survey covers issues like the number of employees each business has, their transport choices, and parking options for staff and customers/clients. The survey can found at: https://aucklandtransport. au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aahI8S53zZd8nEG More info from AT: 09 355 3553.

Sam Mills, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board sam.mills@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Rebus welcomes new president

The Rebus Club of Gulf Harbour installed Ken Daniels as its president on March 13. He succeeds Verna Harford at the helm of the group, which brings together retired men and women for social interaction. One of five Rebus clubs in Rodney, the group meets at the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club on the second Wednesday of each month. Visitors are welcome. Members

hear guest speakers, enjoy outings and dining out, and may join a walking group. Rebus (the name comes from REtired BUSiness) has its origins in the worldwide Probus (PROfessional BUSiness ) movement. There are scores of clubs across New Zealand.

Info: rebusgulfharbour@gmail.com

A local women’s club has received an international accolade for its work in Ōrewa and Whangaparāoa, and the wider community, in 2022-2023. The Ōrewa and Whangaparāoa Inner Wheel Club is one of 10 chosen from the 40 in New Zealand to be presented with a Presidential Citation. In 2022-2023 the club provided 2480 hours of voluntary work, $10,000 worth of items and $5000 in cash to various charities. Inner Wheel members work to promote friendship, encourage the ideals of personal service, and foster international understanding – and the citation honours the local club’s commitment to projects that improve the lives of marginalised individuals. Pictured is club president Vanessa Nesson with the citation.

rallied to support the performance, and Leba said she was so proud of the kids and their beautiful tribute for her girl at Polyfest. Their heartfelt rendition earned them overall second place, as well as second place in the Oceania Continent Award and second place in the Interpretation of the Theme Award.

Thanks to all who entered Polyfest tribute

Performances by local students at the recent Polyfest shined bright and were emotionally heartfelt, as well as earning some top placings. Pasifika students from Whangaparāoa and Ōrewa Colleges, Years 7 to 13, united to deliver a moving Fijian meke (dance) performance. The meke, called Na Raluve, was crafted by Leba Hennings as a tribute to her late daughter Joyous, an Ōrewa College Year 7 student who passed away last October at the age of 12, after a battle with cancer. Leba crafted a chant for the meke, with every word resonating with her daughter’s deep affection for Fijian language and culture.  Every student who knew Joyous, including the Hibiscus Coast Fijian community,

Gulf Harbour.

Congratulations to Jamie Tipene of Stanmore Bay, who won a double pass to see Skindred at Parāoa on March 28.

Some very caring pet owners must be behind this sign, spotted recently in Pinecrest Ave,

The group before the performance. Photo, Iman Makaola. Left, The Hennings family after the performance. Photo courtesy Polyfest

Rebus Gulf Harbour’s new president, Ken Daniels, centre, with committee members, from left, Jean McIntosh, Verneice Kilsby, Verna Harford, David Kilsby, Lynette Phillips and Nancy Hewertson.

Normalising end of life journey

Nothing in life is certain, except death and taxes, but most people are still reluctant to talk, or even think about, one of them.

Death, and all it entails, remains one of the last social taboos but three local women want to change that, with the launch of regular death café sessions in Whangaparāoa.

Kelly Townsend, Marama Winder and Helen Rutledge have organised the first session at Whangaparāoa Library this month.

Kelly and Helen are funeral celebrants, and Marama is an end of life doula.

The death café concept began in 2011 and is international – currently there are around 18,000 worldwide including 183 in New Zealand.

Kelly says the aim is to provide a comfortable space, with tea and cake, where participants can ask questions and share experiences in a fully confidential and respectful group.

“Death has been outsourced to hospitals and funeral directors, but the aim is to normalise it,” Kelly says. There is no agenda, it’s totally free and

not-for-profit, and Helen says each café is different, with people raising aspects such as euthenasia, what happens after death, living funerals (having a funeral while you’re still alive), near death experiences, and what they hope will be their legacy. Some people want facts and practical information. There can even be a little gallows humour.

The emphasis is on discussion rather than grief support or counselling

The emphasis is on discussion, Kelly says, rather than grief support or counselling.

“It’s very educational – and hopefully you become more comfortable talking about death.”

The first death cafe is on Sunday, April 21, from 10.30am to midday. All welcome –just turn up.

It is hoped that the death cafés will be held every two months from then on, at the library.

Hey council, there’s a problem!

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded

through NZ On Air.

Auckland Council is reporting a problem with its own Report a Problem interface with the public.

Report a Problem is an online portal where Aucklanders can report a range of issues from illegal dumping to roaming dogs and graffiti.

At council’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee on March 19 council staff said if multiple people reported an issue, they might receive a response that their report has been closed. Parks and Community Facilities general manager Taryn Crewe said this had created negative feedback.

Cr Chris Darby said he had been one of the people confused by the Report a Problem response.

“It’s not that personal,” he said. “It doesn’t say to me ‘thank you for your inquiry’ –you just get a number. It’s just a code and it’s from a ‘no reply’ email.”

He said it was not a customer friendly

tool and that it would be frustrating for Aucklanders to go through the process repeatedly.

Crewe added that when customers didn’t get the right response, it resulted in a phone call through the call centre, which council was trying to minimise. “We’re re-wording the message and will do some analysis to see whether feedback starts to improve.”

Fair winds for top marine trainee

Jay MacDonald of Gulf Harbour achieved the top accolade in the 2023 Marine and Specialist Technologies (MAST) Academy graduation last month, walking away with the “outstanding marine graduate” title.

Jay, who works at Gulfland Marine in Whangaparāoa, was one of 145 graduate apprentices recognised for their achievements at an event at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron on March 14.

Special awards were presented by Olympic gold medallist rower and America’s Cup yachtsman Rob Waddell, who also addressed the graduates and guests.

Born in New Plymouth, Jay went to school in Whangaparāoa, and enjoys spending time on the Gulf on the family boat.

“I love the sea,” the 22-year-old says. “I was always the one person who, if we were near to the water, I was always in it. My parents would be walking down the beach and I’d be running through the water.”

Following his marine apprenticeship, Jay says his next goal is to become a qualified Mercury outboard technician.

Gulfland Marine provides apprentices like him with a full range of skills – “boat rigging, fitting all the electronics, servicing, trailer work – we do everything and we learn everything.”

MAST graduates represent a range of industries including boatbuilding, composites, marina operations, marine systems engineering, outboard servicing, powerboat rigging, coatings and sailmaking. The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives of a number of marinerelated industries, highlighting what MAST says is “the interconnectedness and collaboration essential for developing skilled trades people in our sectors”. “It’s reassuring to know that the future of the industry is bright with such talent,” MAST chief executive Chris van der Hor says.

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In business

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Balancing business and friendship

Engaging in business with friends can seem to be the perfect mash-up of professional collaboration and personal camaraderie. After all, who better to trust and rely on than those with whom we share deep bonds of friendship?

However, the reality can be far more complex, as the dynamics of friendship intersect with responsibilities and expectations. I have found that doing business with old friends can be complicated, while forming new friendships through business is relatively straightforward.

One of the primary challenges I’ve encountered in doing business with friends lies in the blurred boundaries between personal and professional spheres. Friendships are often characterised by familiarity, informality, and ego, which can complicate matters when it comes to making tough business decisions. Striking a balance between nurturing the friendship and addressing the demands of the business can be a delicate and challenging task, and many of us have experienced instances where this balance has faltered.

Furthermore, the shared history and emotional baggage that accompanies friendships can further complicate business dealings. Past grievances, unresolved conflicts, or differing values and priorities may resurface in the context of business decisions, leading to resentment, misunderstanding, or even the dissolution of the friendship. The path of least resistance often involves

avoiding conflict or confrontation to preserve the friendship. However, this approach can hinder effective business communication and decision-making. Difficult conversations, such as addressing performance issues or negotiating terms, are often sidestepped in an effort to maintain peace. Unfortunately, this can ultimately undermine the success of both the business and the friendship. Despite these challenges, there are positive aspects to consider. Forming business relationships with individuals discovered through networks or connections offers distinct advantages. These relationships are often built on shared goals, mutual respect, and a clear understanding of each party’s roles and responsibilities in a business context. There is typically less emotional baggage and personal history to contend with, allowing for more objective decisionmaking and conflict resolution. Assessing the value each party brings to the table can be done objectively, and different strengths leveraged for mutual benefit.

Professional relationships tend to be governed by clear boundaries and expectations, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or crossed wires. Regardless of the relationship dynamics, keeping collaboration simple, minimising room for misinterpretation, and conducting tough conversations with respect, are essential in business. While the adage “don’t do business with friends and family” holds merit, there can also be magic in such collaborations, provided that boundaries are clear and honest.

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EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 23 represents J, so fill in J 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

Solution Page 26

A life of service

Centenarian Geoff Roberts sits in his Ōrewa home and reminisces with his wife, Joan, about a lifetime’s calling that took them as Christian missionaries to Japan and Taiwan before decades of “retirement”, serving at ministries across New Zealand.

After spending about 18 months in the army, Auckland-born Geoff joined the air force in 1945, determined to be a pilot. The dream was not to be, however, since the war was winding down and the air force was reluctant to train new pilots. Instead, he was consigned amid a spell of harsh weather to help out with crop harvesting in South Canterbury.

After the war, Geoff studied and later worked as a teacher in Wellsford, and then went to Bible College, preparing for what he thought would be missionary service in Papua New Guinea.

While praying one day, he felt God direct his attention to Japan, a country that had not been in his thinking at all. “I said, ‘If it’s to be Japan, You’ll have to give me love for the Japanese’ – and He did. In fact, I fitted into Japan like a hand into a glove.”

Geoff spent 19 years in Japan with WEC International, an organisation pioneered by C.T. Studd, an English cricketing great in the late 19th century who became a missionary in China, India and Africa.

Almost six years after Geoff landed in Japan in 1952, a young woman from New Zealand arrived.

Geoff knew Joan Halliwell well: While teaching in Wellsford years earlier, he had lived with her parents in Port Albert. Joan, the youngest of eight children, boarded in town during the week, while Geoff stayed at her parents’ home.

“It was very quiet during the week, but

when the eighth child came home on the weekend, it was anything but quiet!” he recalls. “We were like brother and sister, arguing over everything.

“I was a staunch bachelor and was determined I was going to be a missionary and wasn’t going to be derailed by romance. However, God had other ideas.”

After two years of language study – and courtship spent “visiting every mountain and garden in Kyoto” – Geoff and Joan were married in nearby Yokaichi. They had four children, three of them “made in Japan” and one in NZ. They also have eight grandchildren, mostly living abroad. Looking back, Geoff says, it was by God’s grace that he never got to fly warplanes in the Pacific. If he had fought against the Japanese it may have been difficult decades later to serve as a missionary in their country. In the military, he recalls, “we were taught to hate those guys”, a sentiment that was still prevalent in NZ when he paid his first

visit home after 11 years. He recalls being interviewed by a reporter who wanted to put words in his mouth about the Japanese people – things that he neither believed nor felt.

Geoff and Joan became fluent in Japanese, which helped them win acceptance in a society wary of foreigners. Joan laughingly remembers some of her Japanese English students telling her later that they had thought they’d never relate to her, because they had dark eyes and hers were hazel.

Geoff says he had to adjust his expectations of seeing hundreds of Japanese embrace Christianity. An evangelist later assured him that if there was one soul saved in any campaign, that was a success.

In Japan, the Roberts children were homeschooled, using the NZ curriculum. In 1971, the family moved to Taiwan, and they enrolled at an international school, where Joan taught.

Returning home after seven years in

Taiwan, Geoff served as chaplain at Massey University and Palmerston North Teachers’ College, then directed the Auckland-based NZ Evangelical Missionary Alliance before serving as interim pastor at churches in Auckland and Wellington. They moved to Ōrewa in 2001 and, still not ready to rest, held various leadership roles at Ōrewa Baptist Church.

After a bad fall in 2022, Geoff spent a year in Northhaven, but he pushed to be allowed to return to Joan, and was eventually able to do so last May. Six months later, he celebrated his 100th birthday at home. On a table in their lounge sits a copy of a memoir he was persuaded to write – “even if only for the kids” – entitled The Life of a Missionary

The book bears a subheading that seems to sum up Geoff and Joan’s lives – an excerpt of a poem by C.T. Studd: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Geoff and Joan Roberts spent a combined 26 years in Japan and Taiwan.

Think award winning lifestyle

At Summerset, we’re proud of what we offer, with our outstanding facilities, welcoming communities, and excellent staff.

Now there are even more great reasons to choose Summerset. We’ve been voted winner of the Reader’s Digest Quality Service Award, and Aged Advisor People’s Choice and Nationwide Group awards.

So, if you are contemplating village life, pop along to our upcoming Open Day at Summerset Milldale and take a look for yourself. Take a look through our stunning range of available* homes which are ready to move into now and view our 3D model of the site, along with plans and pricing. Plus, enjoy some sweet treats and refreshments which will be provided on the day.

Love the life you choose

Open Day

Thursday 11 April, 10am - 2pm

Summerset Milldale

50 Waiwai Drive, Milldale 09 304 1632 | milldale.sales@summerset.co.nz

*All Summerset homes are sold under a licence to occupy and are subject to availability. Summerset does not offer rental accommodation.

Artwork celebrating Whangaparāoa

Whangaparāoa College art students recently had the opportunity to observe and critique an artist as he painted a mural to be installed at the school. Over a period of six days, students saw artist Chris Dews’ mural take shape.

He describes it as a landscape representing “home” and the natural environment of Whangaparāoa, and celebrating the white heron (kotuku), whale and nikau, all of which feature in the college logo.

Art teacher Camilla  Copley, a friend of Chris’s, arranged for five art classes, from year 7 to 13, to see him in action and interact with him.

She says having an artist in residence during school hours enabled students to view the process from start to finish, and to quiz Chris about his working methods.

He began with a ‘plein air’ sketch from a friend’s house on Wade River Road facing south towards the city, and then scaled it up to mural size on a marine ply sheet.

“He was able to answer endless questions about his painting of the mural,” she says. At times he would paint an entire area before deciding it wasn’t working and then blank it out and start again.

“Learners were very disconcerted by this, as the areas he

deleted were very well painted. But this did show them how artists work and rework areas, to create a resolved artwork.”

Camilla says the students were intrigued by how efficiently Chris worked and how he was able to produce depth, creating the illusion of objects in the distance while bringing forward plants in the foreground.

Chris explains that his decision to relocate the heron had been a useful exercise because students could see that it’s important when having made a mistake to recognise and correct it.

“I love painting around anyone that age because they’re so honest. Kids will always be the first ones to tell you what you’re doing wrong. If you’re slightly off, they’ll let you know straight away if it looks like a bird or a whale. I wish more people were like that in real life.”

The mural, along with another created by students, will be installed soon on a wall at the college.

Chris, who recently also worked on a large mural at the new primary school at Milldale, grew up on the Coast and currently travels between Red Beach and Ōkato, Taranaki, where he’s working on a project.

“It was good to be back here, and bring it all back to where it came from.”

Last year’s performances of Les Misérables at Ōrewa’s Centrestage Theatre were sold out, and the show’s quality was also recognised at the Northern Area Performance Theatre Awards (NAPTAs) last month.

Centrestage scooped 12 awards, nine of which were for Les Misérables – Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Vocal Work by an Ensemble, Outstanding Sound Design and Outstanding Props Design. Les Misérables actors recognised were Barry McGonagle-Daly as Jean Valjean (Outstanding Leading Performer in a Male Role in a Musical), George KeenanDavies as Enjolras for Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Male Role in a Musical, and Emma Leon as Madame Thenardiér – Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Female Role in a Musical.

Cultural celebration at library

Live performances from many different cultural groups will add a pop of colour and vibrancy to Whangaparāoa Library this month, as part of Auckland Council’s World of Cultures Festival. The festival is designed to celebrate and bring together the diverse community. Performances at the library will include Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa Marae Waiata Choir, the Hibiscus Coast Cook Island community, Elyssa Zhang playing the traditional Chinese pipa, a Mexican folk dance group, breakdancing group Toprockers, Chilean dance group Kunza, and the Hibiscus Coast and District Pipe Band. There will also be food tastings and craft activities. The event is on Saturday, April 13, 1pm to 3pm.

This mural was created by artist Chris Dews for Whangaparāoa College. The process was also an interactive learning experience for students who watched the mural being painted and gave feedback.

First-timer makes world champs

Adam Corke of Red Beach entered the Ultimate Athlete obstacle course race last year so he could share the experience with his 12-year-old daughter; but, to his surprise, it qualified him for the world champs.

The former police detective spends a lot of time rock climbing and enjoys running, and this fitness and upper body strength helped him place fourth overall in the event and second in the 35-49 age group. He took a lot of positives away from Ultimate Athlete, but that wasn’t the end of it. A few weeks ago, out of the blue, he was told that he had been selected to represent NZ in the Obstacle Course World Championships in Costa Rica in August.

Although TV programmes like Australian Ninja Warrior (short course obstacle racing) are very popular here, and obstacle course racing is huge internationally, the sport is in its fledgling stages in NZ with only a handful of qualifying events, including the Ultimate Athlete.

“It was a total surprise to be offered a place on the team, but it is a great opportunity to publicise the sport and show there’s a pathway for Kiwis,” Adam says. The team may get a small amount of government funding, but the costs of getting to Costa Rica are

high. Rather than ask for handouts, Adam wants to earn his way by offering his ‘side hustle’ which is making presentations in workplaces, organisations and retirement villages on mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques.

He wants to dispel myths about the practice and expand awareness.

“My definition is ‘paying attention to what you’re doing in the present moment, without judgment’,” he says, adding that it’s very helpful when rock climbing and for obstacle course racing too.

“I practiced mindfulness for years to relieve stress, and my presentations look at how I applied it to my own life in a practical way.”

“I got into it because I met a couple of people at a key point in my life and that was a catalyst, so maybe my talk could be helpful for someone else,” he says.

The Obstacle Course World Championship 3km short course has 20 obstacles with plenty of overhead hanging moves, wall climbs, crawling through mud, carrying heavy objects and running up a ‘Ninja Warrior’ type warped wall. But he is not daunted.

“I have good people supporting me, and am preparing as best I can. I apply mindfulness principles, paying attention to my body and any niggles or

Gig supports cross country world run

Teenager Quincy Cutts of Manly wants to help his team bring a trophy home to NZ at the World Schools Cross Country Championships to be held in Kenya next month.

The 17-year-old is a member of the Westlake Boys team, which achieved second place in the Paris event in 2018.

The team has also won the NZ cross country championships, and the NZ road running championships as well as numerous Auckland titles over the years.

It was chosen by the NZ Secondary Schools Athletics Association as the boys school team along with Wellington Girls’ College, and a mixed team as NZ

representatives.

Quincy admits the 6-strong Westlake team will be up against some tough African contingents this time but says they have been “training non-stop since January” – which, for him, has included a fair amount of running in Whangaparāoa.

He has been cross country running for five years and it can be gruelling – he admits that often the best part is finishing.

The total costs for each runner heading to Kenya are around $8000 and to help raise this sum, Quincy’s father has organised a gig at Paraoa Brewing Co in Whangaparāoa, featuring his band Short Fat and Bald. The gig is on April 27. Tickets $25 from Eventfinda.

injuries,” he says. “The sport requires coordination, balance and natural movement as well as strength – so I am focused on all those things.”

To have Adam present his talk, and help him raise funds, email adam@stressreductionguy.co.nz

He also has a Givealittle page – look for ‘Please help Adam get to the ocr world champs’.

Info: www.nzosa.org/

Quincy leading the pack at the Potts Classic 3000m last year.

Rock climbing is a big part of Adam Corke’s training for Obstacle Course racing.

The DFlat Live Music Club has been going since 2010, attracting locals keen to hear live music – and sometimes dance. Cruise Nights were originally linked to classic car enthusiasts, and tend to lean to rockabilly, while the Stetson Club focuses on country music. The busy lineup this month includes Stetson Club live gigs every Friday night and live line-dancing lessons on April 15, 22 and 29.

Organiser Henk Landweer says punters can expect three, four or five piece bands offering a variety of sounds. There’s a small door charge which goes to the band, and a licensed cash bar with drinks at club rates. Patrons sometimes bring food along, and the barbeque and pizza oven may be fired up. The hall on the corner of Postman Road and Dairy Flat Highway is situated in a

small reserve and has a big deck and stage outside, where the occasional Sunday afternoon sees bands perform.

On the first Thursday of the month, an open mic/jam night is held, enabling musicians to meet and jam together. The next one is scheduled for May 2.

“Because promoting live music is important to us, we’ve also started the occasional open mic/jam afternoon on a Sunday, to make it easier for young musicians to come along,” Henk says. The next one is planned for May 19, and Henk encourages young musicians, and perhaps music teachers at schools, to get in touch.

Henk also heads a committee of volunteers who maintain the hall.

A group recently held a working bee, Henk says, with 16 people turning up over two days to waterblast the outside stage and deck, pour concrete for a new wheelchair entrance, paint, clean and carry out a variety of other maintenance tasks. More info: info@DairyFlatLive.com

Country rockers The Brendon Ham Band, with Marion Burns, bring their brand of “hardhitting rockin’-country music” to a DFlat Stetson Club session. Photo, Peter Fyers

Winter onesies wanted

Keeping babies warm and cosy in winter is a focus for a Mairangi Bay charity that has reached out to the Hibiscus Coast for help.

Chars Place is a resource centre for women facing unexpected pregnancy. For three years in a row, it has run a Onesies for Winter campaign, asking people to donate onesies for babies aged 0-2 years.

The snuggly little garments are passed onto Littlemore, which provides Middlemore Hospital patients in need with packages, including the onesies.

Chars Place resource coordinator, Nicky Waddell, says the need is “a bottomless pit”.

The first year, they reached their target of 100 donated onesies, the following year it was 300 and since the launch last month, they have already exceeded this year’s goal of 500.

That done, Nicky says they are aiming even higher.

“We want as many as possible – there’s no

such thing as too many onesies,” she says. “Every one donated means one more warm baby, and a warm baby is a healthier baby. That simple thing can have big spinoffs such as mum or dad not having to take time off work to care for a sick little one.”

Donated onesies need to be in good condition – with working domes and zips and no stains or tears.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean buying new. The garments can be found in op shops, still with the tags on, for $1 and Nicky says a friend of hers found merino onesies for $1 in ‘that place where everyone gets a bargain’.

Last year there was a low key collection point on the Hibiscus Coast, with a small number of locals and a childcare centre contributing, but this year it has ramped up, Nicky says. The local drop off point is in Red Beach. Please text Rachel Haythornthwaite, 027 334 5763, for the address and suitable times. Onesies are being accepted until April 20.

Swapping not shopping

Large scale clothing swaps are not only a way to revitalise your wardrobe, but also keep fabric out of landfill.

Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste has held three local clothes swaps since 2022 and the numbers that take part have increased each time.

The next one is coming up on Saturday April 20 at Whangaparāoa Community Hall. Doors open from 10.30am-11.30am so participants can bring in up to three items of clothing. Criteria are that they be in good condition – something you’d be happy to pass onto a friend.

Garments must be adult sizes, and larger

(plus) sizes are welcome and always in demand.

Everything is put on racks by volunteers, and, at 12 noon, people who have donated clothing can return to look through the racks and take the same number of things that they donated. Changing spaces are set up.

Helen Bakker from NEST will be there with examples of clothing repurposed by her group.

Co-organiser Sarah Williams says it’s always a sociable event, that champions affordability and reducing waste. Her figures show that between 41kg-52kg

Every onesie donated means one more warm baby

Once again,

of clothing found a new home at previous swaps.

Leftover items are donated to charities

including

the clothing swap will be held at Whangaparāoa Community Hall.

Love Soup Hibiscus Coast and the Hope Shop in Manly so they can continue to be worn and not thrown out.

Winter ball sports underway

Local sports fields, turfs and courts are starting to see some action as the winter season gets underway.

At Hibiscus Coast Football Club, the Men’s 1st and U23 (reserve team) kicked off on March 23, both taking wins. The club’s Premier Women’s first game was on Good Friday. The club has more than 1000 players registered so far, with teams still being sorted. The season starts for everyone (other than the Premiers and Reserves) at the start of next month. This year there will be a number of special events held, as the club celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Hibiscus Coast Raiders rugby league teams started play last weekend, with the Fox Memorial qualifiers. Raiders’ first game was expected to be tough, against the Pt Chevalier Pirates, current holders of the Fox Memorial Shield. The home game against Manukau Magpies, on April 13, is also expected to be a big day for the club. Both the senior reserves grade, and the juniors start on May 4. The juniors will include teams from U6-U12 as well as U14

to U18 girls teams from Northland. The club is expecting to have around 250300 players this season, which is similar to last year.

Silverdale Rugby Club’s Premier Men, Premier Development and Premier Women’s teams had their first games last weekend. The club is fielding six senior teams this season. The juniors, aged 5-13 years, start on May 4. More than 700 players have registered so far.

The hockey primary school winter competition begins on May 6. It is held at Hibiscus Hockey’s Millwater turf, coordinated by North Harbour Hockey. It offers hockey to any Hibiscus Coast schools that register teams in the Year 1-6 age group. Registrations are still coming in, but last year there were 13 teams in Small Sticks (Years 1 and 2) age group, 15 in the Mini Sticks (Years 3 and 4) and 19 in the Kiwi Sticks (Years 5 and 6) grade.

Hibiscus Coast Netball’s primary school games begin on May 14-16 at the courts in Edith Hopper Reserve, Manly.

Hockey brothers stick together

Ōrewa brothers Hamish and Ethan Greenwood are both playing for the Hibiscus Dairy Flat Hockey Club Premier 1 team this season – the first set of local brothers to do so in many a year according to club Life Member, Merv Huxford.

The boys started playing for the Hibiscus Dairy Flat club in the summer youth grade (under 13s) before stepping into senior club hockey. They worked their way up through the grades to make the top team alongside some of New Zealand’s top players. The boys have also represented North Harbour Hockey and coached a number of teams.

Hamish first played hockey in Year 8 for Ōrewa College, ultimately captaining the college’s First XI in 2020.

Ethan was at primary school when he began playing hockey. He later played under Hamish’s captaincy at Ōrewa College, captaining the First XI himself in 2023. Both boys say they benefitted from the facilities at Metro Park in Millwater, provided by the Hockey Hibiscus Trust, which opened in 2019.

Hamish says it is hard to develop your game when you practice on a tennis court, and the results that Ōrewa College achieved since the Millwater facility opened reflect

StarJam faces closure

love.

the team’s access to a better training facility. As part of the Duke of Edinburgh award they volunteered in the hockey field, including coaching youth hockey and turf maintenance at Metro Park. Ethan says it was nice to be able to give back and continue to grow the game.

The brothers are enjoying the season –their first game was a 5-1 win.

StarJam, a nationwide charity that uses music, dance and performance to empower young disabled people, is facing closure unless it receives urgent financial support. It has operated for 22 years, and opened weekly workshops in Ōrewa in 2022. In a press release last week, its chief executive, Gilli Sinclair, said StarJam is in a critical situation due to the escalating cost of living, increased operational expenses, and reduced funding streams. Without immediate intervention, StarJam will be forced to suspend its workshops next week, the release says. “This would have a devastating impact on the young participants.” StarJam launched an emergency appeal on April 2, with the goal of raising $100,000 to keep its programmes going. Info: email gilli@starjam.org or phone 021 1777 517. Donations are welcome via https://save-starjam.raiselysite.com/

Brothers Ethan, left, and Hamish Greenwood say having a hockey facility at Millwater helped them progress in the game they

Accessorise, accessorise

Men are accessorising more, and looking to spend money on high quality items that last longer, according to Berlin Clothing for Men owner, Kendal Halloran.

She says her Ōrewa store has been busy since Covid.

“With borders open, men are just as likely to be looking for things to wear in a different climate, so we never switch entirely to one season’s fashions,” Kendal says. Hats are flying off the shelf, in part due to shows like Peaky Blinders and The Gentlemen

Flat caps made by NZ company Hills Hats

come in styles such as driving caps, caddy caps, duckbills and cheese-cutters.

“Men of all ages are wearing them – it’s no longer about keeping a bald head warm!”

Leather accessories, including shoes, belts and bags are selling well, as are ties.

The store has a range of ties (including bow ties) in Liberty prints – pink tones are a new one in – that come with matching braces. More traditional males will be happy to see that they can dress in almost top to toe Swanndri as that brand continues to expand its range into pyjamas, footwear, underwear and bags.

Accessories such as a Liberty print tie, leather belt and bag, are in demand. Flat caps come in many styles, and are popular with men of all ages for style, as well as winter warmth. This season’s ties, made in NZ of the famous British Liberty fabric. All photos taken at Berlin Clothing for Men, Ōrewa

Health

Tania Adams, Pharmacist tania.adams@unichemmanly.co.nz

NZ leads the way

As a self-confessed pharmacy nerd, I was very excited to attend a pharmacy conference in Australia recently. The conference covered everything pharmacy, and what I concluded came as a shock. In provision of services to our communities, it turns out that New Zealand Community Pharmacy is well ahead of Australian pharmacies. New Zealand led the pharmacy based vaccination race with 22 pharmacists becoming vaccinators in 2011. Australia followed in 2014. By 2017, pharmacies in New Zealand were providing free government funded flu vaccinations to eligible patients. Australia began offering funded flu vaccinations in certain states in 2022. Today pharmacists in both countries deliver a host of funded vaccinations, helping to protect our communities against harmful diseases  South Australia just launched a service where patients with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) who are women aged between 18 to 65 years old, meeting certain criteria can be prescribed an antibiotic for that infection by a qualified pharmacist. Across the ditch in New Zealand, we have been offering the UTI service since 2012! In 2019, Unichem Manly Pharmacy and Manly Medical Centre fortuitously worked with an IT company on a basic solution to getting a prescription from a doctor to the pharmacy without the need of printing the prescription. Little did we realise that Covid-19 was just around the corner and in April 2020, the barely ready project

went live to over 700 pharmacies all over New Zealand to help a healthcare system in dire need. Australian pharmacies only receive on average 20 percent of their prescriptions electronically compared with around 95 percent that we get here on the Coast. I think it is a great service for patients and I am sure Australia will follow us on this eventually.

With GP’s workloads at an all-time high, it has become incumbent upon pharmacists to help out where we can. Helping the GPs with their workloads frees up their appointments for more complex or acutely sick patients. Newly available services in some pharmacies mean that specially qualified pharmacists can now prescribe antibiotics for strep throat, eye drops for conjunctivitis in as young as threemonth-old children, anti-viral medication for shingles and antibiotics for rosacea (within certain criteria). Australia does not have these services yet, but are working toward them. There are still areas where Australian pharmacy leads the way. IT systems and robotics, for example, appear more advanced. An electronic locker where medication is stored for pick up by the customer outside of the pharmacy hours helps provide better access to patients. The all-encompassing robot units that are a dispensary team all by themselves allow pharmacists to have more time to speak with their patients.

Overall however, I am proud to say that the quintessentially Kiwi innovation gene is providing well for New Zealand community pharmacy patients.

Electricity use through the day, and across the seasons

On a typical day, power demand in New Zealand generally follows a familiar pattern, with curves on a graph looking like the humps of a camel.

In the morning, when people are making breakfast and having showers before work or school, demand rises after lows overnight, and then sinks during the day before rising again in the evening, due to cooking, heating, lighting and bathing. Patterns tend to change during school holidays, and on weekend and public holidays.

Demand for electricity rises considerably in winter, although there are also variations depending on which part of the country you are in and your choice of heating, cooking and hot water heating options.

The average medium-sized home in NZ uses almost 8000 kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity a year (Auckland 7576 kWh, Wellington 7972 kWh, Christchurch 8131 kWh, Dunedin 8210 kWh).

In parts of the country where more homes are heated using electricity in winter consumption could be more than 20 percent higher than the average, while homes using wood burning fireplaces for heating could be 16 percent or more lower. As expected, power consumption tends to be highest on cold winter nights, when people are heating their homes and cooking dinner. But there can also be cases when summer consumption surges, for example during hot and dry weather, when many people are using air conditioners at home and farmers are irrigating more than usual. Transpower notes that in the decade from 2012 to 2022, demand for electricity in winter increased by 0.4 percent, or four times the average summer growth.

It attributes the difference in growth between the two seasons mostly to the increasing electrification of heating, and says this will likely continue as carbon prices push up the cost of fossil fuels.

NZ electricity demand during a typical day in June 2023 shows the morning and evening spikes.

New Coastie

Ed Amon edamonnz@gmail.com

Welcoming winter

My fig tree is shedding its leaves and my guava trees are starting to bear fruit. My tomatoes are at their wits end and I can see the bitter disappointment in all the birds’ faces when they find that there are no more peaches to nibble. Mornings are darker than my cat’s grey fur and the phrase, “it’s dark already” has started to become the mainstay of the evenings in our household. The heat pump is tested in its dual role, warming us during the nights and cooling us during the afternoons. Every year these are the signs that make me realise: summer is over!

Many of us were still pretending that it is the New Year. The end of summer marks the end of that hope and promise and makes us realise that it is already April. Yes, it is technically autumn but who are we kidding? In our heart of hearts we have accepted that it is winter and soon the air will become crispier than a bag of crisps and the ground as slippery as your local MP’s promises.

Here is the twist – I love winter. I embrace it every year like a long lost relative who brings hot chocolate and a warm hug. I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan where the summer goes beyond 40 degrees and the winters hover around the 30s. Growing up we used to visit my mum’s family up north in Lahore in winter where the weather was akin to a Christchurch winter.

I remember going for walks in the park with my cousins at the break of dawn right after

morning prayers. The rising sun lit up the frosty grass like fields of shimmering silver. We would run together on the grass to see who would slip and fall on their butt first. There was embarrassment for the ‘slipper’ and laughter for us all. The embarrassment didn’t last long because someone else would fall in the next round. After several rounds of laughter and bruised butts we would all go together to a shack and gorge on the breakfast of Naan Chanay, Lahore’s favourite breakfast of fresh hot naan from the clay oven and spicy chickpea and chicken curry.

In my hometown of Karachi, winter is welcomed with hopeful anticipation and joy. It comes in as a fresh breeze from the north which  cools us down from the highs of a scorching summer. The couple of days when the temperature does fall below 20 degrees, droves of people come out to drink hot tea and eat soups.

“It is cold today, let’s go out” used to be the general sentiment of my family.

Living in New Zealand I have come to love both seasons. Summer is the bright hope for the future and winter is my connection to the past. The future cannot exist without the past. One cannot be whole without the other. Aotearoa is perfect for me, due to the existence of Matariki. So as we hunker down for winter, I remember fondly those people and the times that have passed and am more grounded on the land that I live on now. Let us all embrace the upcoming winter in our own unique ways.

Enjoy a trip to the Warkworth Museum and Parry Kauri Park. Visit the museum, walk amongst the kauri trees, then enjoy an ice cream or bring a picnic to have in the grounds. Experience, learn, and discover Warkworth’s diverse history. See a variety of displays, including our latest exhibition on the Wilson Cement Works, a popular Warkworth landmark. Discover the stories of the people and events that have shaped the Warkworth district.

An affordable family day out. Worksheets are available for the children. Easy access with the new motorway … and plenty of parking.

Open 7 days (except Christmas Day) – 10 am-3 pm

Monday 15th – Friday 19th April.  10am – 2.30pm. Textiles Digitisation Week. Have you ever wondered how a museum digitises its collections ? Here’s your chance to find out!  Meet the digitisation team from the Maritime Museum who will be capturing stunning photographs of items from our incredible textiles collection. NORMAL MUSEUM ENTRY.

Friday 14th June. 10am.

Tea & Talk: Pioneers of the Mahurangi.  Dive into the captivating history of the early European settlers along the enchanting Mahurangi River.

ENTRY $10.  BOOKINGS

ESSENTIAL: warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz

Coast Clothes Swap

Saturday April 20

Whangaparaoa Hall

*FREE* Bring up to three items of clothing to the hall between 10.30am-11.30am swapping begins 12pm

For details and to register for this free event visit: Humanitix.com – Hibiscus Coast Clothes Swap

hibiscuscoastzerowaste.co.nz

Saturday 27th April. 10am – 2pm.

Remembering the Americans in Warkworth. Step back in time and witness the history of the United States Marine Corps in Warkworth as the Military Reenactment Society of New Zealand brings history to life at the Warkworth Museum. MUSEUM ENTRY BY DONATION.

Friday 6th September.  10am.

Tea & Talk: The Girls Mutual Improvement Society of Warkworth.

ENTRY $10.  BOOKINGS

ESSENTIAL: warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz

Adult $7 • Child $3 (6-16 years) • Child under 6 FREE Family $15 (2 adults + all Children) Open Daily 10am – 3pm Eftpos & Credit Cards accepted.

Warkworth Museum. Parry Kauri Park, Tudor Collins Drive (Off Wilson Road, Warkworth) | 09 425 7093

warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz | www.warkworthmuseum.co.nz

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

‘Winterising’ your boat Coastguard

By the time you read this we will have our beloved Hibiscus Rescue 1 back in service.

It has been a long seven months since we said goodbye to her for a major refit. The refit basically leaves us with a new boat and our crew cannot wait to get reacquainted with her.

It’s also the time of year when we need to start looking at winterising our boats. For those who don’t use their boat much over winter, there are things you can do to ensure safe boating when the season allows. A few simple steps to winterise your boat now, can save you a lot of aggravation and expense come summer.

• Probably the best way to ensure your boat remains ready for summer, is to use it regularly over winter! Remember to keep an eye on the weather (the Coastguard app, for iPhone or Android smartphone, makes it easy) if heading out.

• Look after your engine. Engines don’t like inactivity, so paying attention to the engine before laying your boat up is especially important. In fact, if there’s just one thing you look at before you lay your boat up, it should be the motor.

• Check the fuel: Left for any length of time, fuel can spoil through degradation or contamination (such as from condensation in the tank). If you’ve got a full tank when you go to lay up your boat for winter, consider adding a fuel stabiliser – or, if you have less than half a tank, drain it

completely before use in the summer.

• Now is a good time to give some love to the engine, in the form of fresh engine oil and by replacing the oil filter. Never hurts to also check the gearbox, or outdrive oil as well, if applicable. You’ll help remove contaminants that could cause issues after months of sitting around, plus you won’t have to worry about trying to sort out a service once summer rolls around.

• Where possible, make sure the batteries are kept somewhere warm and dry over the winter, on a trickle charger to keep them fully topped up (a cheap, low wattage solar cell can provide enough juice to keep your batteries topped up). Batteries left uncharged for long periods may need to be replaced completely.

This is the last column for the summer from Coastguard Hibiscus, but you can be sure we don’t hibernate for the autumn and winter. We are still on call every day of the week and you will see us out on the water continuing with our training to help keep you safe on the water.

Zane and Coastguard Hibiscus president Rachel Hessey with Hibiscus Rescue 1

Rotary reaches fundraising goals

Last month was a busy one for Whangaparāoa Rotary Club, which gave several local schools a helping hand. March 19 saw the organisation hand over football goals to Stanmore Bay, Gulf Harbour and Whangaparāoa Primary Schools.

Youth chair Dan Healey said Rotary asked the schools what they needed, and they collectively settled on the goals. The club raised more than $6000 and obtain the goals from Dairy Flat company Portagoals. The principals reported that the goals were in constant use from the moment they

were installed.

The club also held its annual charity golf tournament on March 23 and 24 at Whangaparāoa Golf Course. Seventeen teams of ‘fours’ played ‘best ball’ (or Ambrose) around 18 holes after a shotgun start. There were numerous raffles and spot prizes – the House of Travel team won the top prize.

The recipient of the $8000 raised was Red Beach School, to assist with its online maths programme, Matific, as well as safety mats for the high jump.

Celebrating the new goals are, from left, principals Matt Sides, Mel Crosbie and Kevin Cronin with Whangaparāoa Rotary youth chair Dan Healey, president Graeme Hills and board member Ian Hacking.

Congratulations to Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club’s Ramesh Lakmal for picking up the Laurie Schnauer Cup at the Auckland Cricket awards on April 3. The winner is voted for by Auckland club cricket players.

FANTAILS®

childc are Early Learning Centre Estate

• Located at 1669 Dairy Flat Highway, under 1 km from the Silverdale on-off ramps.

• Set in a rural lifestyle setting, nestled between farmland, it provides one of the largest landscaped outdoor spaces at a NZ Early Learning Centre.

•Leading edge, modern purpose built facilities with an environment that matches the quality of education and care provided.

Fantails Estate I 09 222 9001 I estate@fantailschildcare.co.nz

www. fa nta i Isch i Idea re. co. nz

The Rotary Club of Whangaparaoa would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2024 Rotary Charity Golf Tournament:

Kalani, left, and Kaiha Gilbertson collectively won five gold medals.

123 Tuition

Airey Consultants

Astute Health and Safety

June Grey Charitable Trust

Liquorland Whangaparaoa

(09)427 0090

(09)427 0090

Mainsail Bar & Bistro

MAYGROVEVILLAGE.CO.NZ

Brin Wilson Boatbuilders

MAYGROVEVILLAGE.CO.NZ

Bunnings Silverdale

Cabra Developments

Capture Land Developments

Cato Bolam Consultants

Clarkson Electrical

Dan Healey

Due Amici

Forrest Funeral Services

Forsyth Barr

Fruit World Silverdale

Hickeys Pharmacy

Hopper Developments

Horizon Surveying and Land Development

House of Travel Orewa

Hoyts Cinema

Ian McCormick

John White Architecture

Manly Unichem Pharmacy

Maygrove Village

New World Stanmore Bay

North Harbour Law

Pak‘nSave Silverdale

Paraoa Brewing Co

Paul Comerford

Picador Steak & Charcoal

Precision Site Solutions

Repco Whangaparaoa

Silverdale Asset Management

Stihl Shop, Silverdale and Browns Bay

Super Liquor Manly

Top Catch

Val and Roger Owles

Westpac Bank

Whangaparaoa Golf Club

The major recipient of funds is:

Red Beach Primary School

Brothers bag a swag of gold

Red Beach lifeguards Kalani and Kaiha Gilbertson, two of the club’s top surf ski paddlers, bagged five gold medals between them at the NZ Surf Life Saving Championships held on March 16 and 17 in Mt Maunganui. Kaiha took out the final of the U19 Men’s Surf Ski final in a tight finish. Moments later, Kalani (21) powered home to win the Open Men’s Surf Ski final ahead of a class field. A day earlier, Kaiha and teammates Laine

Creighton and Ashton Savage won the U19 Ski Relay event. Kalani emulated this feat, teaming up with Kade Scheib and Grant Clancy to collect the Open Ski Relay title. On the opening day of the Nationals, Kaiha paired with Laine Creighton to paddle home first in the U19 Double Ski event.

In total, the club bagged 22 medals – nine golds, seven silver and six bronze and placed sixth overall out of 47 clubs at the national championships.

Over 130 women, aged from 15 to 78, on 22 boats took to the water last month for a second successful Evolution Sails Women on Water Weekend (WOWW). The event, hosted by Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, encourages women to take up keelboat sailing in a supportive environment where they can meet fellow female sailors. Last year’s inaugural event saw 120 women take part. This time, participants included a team from Australia who skippered a boat owned by Gulf Harbour Yacht Club member, Peter Strathdee. Organisers say that the Australian crew is keen to replicate the WOWW model back home. Lyn Evans from Balmain Yacht Club said that hospitality, and close racing in challenging conditions, made WOWW well worth the trip from Sydney. The Australian crew is pictured on board Azure. Photo, Live Sail Die

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.

Open Friday to Sunday 11am to 3pm 498

Photo, Ross Malyon

Green scene

Stef Muller Pallarès estefania.mullerpallares@gmail.com

The food scrap debate

Almost weekly I see Auckland Council’s Rukenga Kai Food Scrap collection debated, critiqued, celebrated or complained about online or around me.

As someone who has spent years teaching kids about composting, recruiting businesses to divert food scraps, and being a backyard worm farmer and composter, it’s time to weigh in; diverting food from landfill to compost is always, always a good thing.

As of November last year, nine million kgs of food scraps have been collected through the Council service and last year the government committed to making food scrap collection available to all urban areas in NZ by 2030.

A common misconception is that food scraps break down in landfills. Organic material needs a specific level of oxygen (depending whether it’s an anaerobic or aerobic system), microbiology and temperature to break down. Therefore organics do not break down fully in landfill and instead create methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, much stronger than CO2. To add to that, a recent study by Love Food Hate Waste found that on average, 40 percent of rubbish in Auckland households’ weekly rubbish bins could be diverted from landfill and a big part of that is organics.

Food scraps are not waste, they are a resource, and we should be treating them as such. Landfills are finite holes in the ground and once they fill up, we look for more land to fill with our waste. Separating food from rubbish is one of the most simple, effective and impactful ways to combat climate change and reduce our emissions, especially if those food scraps are turned into compost and used to grow food, or fed to animals.

Our food scraps end up at an Ecogas anaerobic digestor (AD) where they are processed into fertiliser for farmland and biofuel to heat T&G Fresh glass houses. They leave Auckland on trucks that bring goods to Auckland and would otherwise be making the return journey empty. There are plans to build another AD in Auckland in the future. Ecogas holds a 20-year contract to process Auckland’s food scraps. This is currently the

best large-scale facility we have in the country but I would love to see more localised options like City to Farm and community gardens supported to expand and take more residential food scraps.

We pay around $70 for this annually in our rates. At the moment it is mandatory though there is support for an opt-out option in the future. Some of my rates also go to paying for libraries, a service that I do not use all the time but am happy to pay for. One of the perks of the council service is that it takes all food scraps, unlike worm farms and smaller compost systems. Many people, my household included, use a mixture of a home compost system and the council bins for things that would take too long to break down in a backyard compost, like fish and animal bones.

If we look at the waste hierarchy, reduction or avoidance of waste altogether is always the best option but if you have organic waste, then the best things you can do are: feed it to animals, compost it at home or locally, compost it at a central facility to make power or fertiliser (which Ecogas does), and then right down the bottom is landfill.

The majority of people do not compost and this service is a convenient, relatively cheap, option that will allow and encourage many people who have never separated their organics before, to start, which is a huge win.

If you can compost at home – wonderful, please do that. If you can’t but can compost locally, please do that. If the council collection service is the most feasible and convenient option, please use it instead of letting your valuable food scraps fill up holes in our earth.

Hibiscus Coast Community Shop

SAILING

Manly Sailing Club hosts the O’pen Skiff Nationals this month. It’s a three-day regatta, April 19-21, for sailors of all experience and skill levels, accompanied by a two-day Russell Coutts Sailing Foundation coaching clinic. Points racing, adventure sailing, beach games, fantastic prizes, spot prizes and more. A fun, engaging regatta. Info: https://raceroster.com/ events/2024/86110/2024-new-zealand-open-skiff-national-championship

LEAGUE

The Hibiscus Coast Raiders’ home game against the Manukau Magpies, on April 13, is expected to be a big day and supporters are welcome at the club’s Stanmore Bay grounds. The game is part of the Fox Memorial qualifiers for the season. Info: Hibiscus Coast Raiders on Facebook.

RUNNING

Run Millwater, Free, fun, friendly 5km community activity. What a way to start your weekend! Every Saturday, 8am-9am, meeting at Metro Park sportsfields, Millwater. Walk, run, jog, volunteer or spectate! All welcome. Info: www.parkrun.co.nz/millwater/

CROQUET

Ōrewa Croquet Club – Come and see if croquet is for you. Golf croquet is played Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Association on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Coaching programme and mallets available. If interested phone the club on 09426 3506 or Pixie 021 0249 5910 or visit 43 Hatton Road Ōrewa

ARKLES BAY PAINTERS/DECORATORS In the area for the area. Shane 021 0813 8481. A PAINTER, SEMI-RETIRED, local with 45 years experience. Ph Rob 021 1058 793.

CARPET ADVICE, FREE QUOTE FOR STEAM CLEANS, Carpet Repairs, 35 years experience Dwayne 027 499 7929. PEST CONTROL Eradication of rats & mice. Competitive Rates. Phone 426 2253 027 286 7321, www.noratsandmice.co.nz

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

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

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

DVDS & VIDEOS

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

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

TAROT & ASTROLOGY

CONSULTATIONS Available in Dairy Flat. Contact Ruby 020

71 Gazebo, 72 Wilted, 73 Hostel, 76 Stake, 78 Icing, 79 Yield, 80 Join, 82 Up to.

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

12 Stetson Club with Chet O’Connell and Band, Dairy Flat Community Hall, 4 Postman Rd, Dairy Flat, 7.30pm -11pm. Tickets from $10. All welcome

13 Tony Lewis as Robbie Williams – Guess Who's Back, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 8pm-11pm. Tickets Eventfinda.

13 Gardening with biochar, 216 Hibiscus Coast Highway, 10am-12pm. Hosted by Sustainable Ōrewa, presented by Betsy Kettle. Biochar can improve clay soil. Learn what it is, how to prepare it, and where to get it. Free event. Part of EcoFest. Tickets ecofest.org.nz/event/gardening-with-biochar

13 World of Cultures Festival, Whangaparāoa Library, 1pm-3pm. Live performances, food tasting and crafts (see story p13)

14 Visible Mending workshop, The Guru Knows, 1 Alice Ave, Ōrewa, 3.30pm. Bring pieces that need small repairs and learn skills to revive them, with visible mending techniques. Cost $45. Complimentary snacks.

14 Tony Painting, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 2pm-5pm.

14 Hoedown at the Ranch,

20

story p17 and ad p21)

21 Death Café, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am-midday. Tea, cake, share experiences and ask questions abut death and dying. All welcome (see story p7)

24 Joy Bells, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry.

25 Anzac Day services, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay – Dawn service, 5.45am-7am, Civic service 10.45am-12 noon. All welcome.

25 Anzac Day service, Silverdale War Memorial, Hibiscus Coast Highway (by the rugby club), 8.45am-10am. All welcome.

25 Ōrewa Anzac Day Service, Remembrance Reserve, Ōrewa commencing at 1pm. All welcome.

25 ANZAC Day music with Going Bananas, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 1pm-4pm. Free entry. What’s

Hibiscus Coast Painters

“Shaped by Geopmetry”

Denice Symonds

“Emotive Bloom” Sarndra Cowley

“My Dreamscapes” Arina de Lange Moore

The Member’s Gallery

April School Holiday

Stanmore Bay School’s Colour Blast on Friday, March 22 brought students, teachers and families together for an event that popped with colour. Parents and caregivers ran alongside their children and entered ‘the throw zone’ to release coloured powder or powder poppers/cannons into the air at the end of the obstacle course. The course started with a big waterslide, followed by hurdles, coloured steppers, hoops and tyres, pool noodle weaving, tunnels and a rainbow sprinkler as well as a bubble zone. The school raised around $14,000. The Colour Blast was a fundraiser for new seating and playground equipment.

Hale and Kate Rolston. Below, Stanmore Bay

Above, Silverdale Fire Brigade hoses Ōrewa students down after the Colour Run. Right, Too much colour was not enough for some Ōrewa students.

Photo, Lawrence Yang