Hibiscus Matters_Issue 371_6 May 2024

Coast’s first Paris Olympian confirmed

The world stage awaits Connor Bell, the Waitoki discus thrower who recently earned his spot in the New Zealand athletics team for the Paris Olympics – setting a new national record in the process.

On April 14, the 22-year-old broke his own national record with a 68.10 metre throw at a meet at Ramona, Oklahoma. The distance well exceeded the 67.20m mark needed to compete against the world’s best

in the Stade de France in August. That same competition in Oklahoma saw Lithuania’s Mykolos Alekna throw 74.35m, breaking a world record that had held since 1986. It was a reminder, if one was needed, of what Bell and other contenders face in Paris.

Bell knows the 21-year-old Alekna well and did not seem daunted at the prospect of his first Olympics when Hibiscus Matters caught up with him in Silverdale last week.

“The Olympics is a big deal – it’s the pinnacle event for athletics. But, if you take that out of the equation, it’s essentially the same competition as the World Champs. The same people will be there, the same activity, heaps of people cheering in the stands.”

The memories of his debut World Championships in Budapest last year are still fresh. Bell became the first NZ man to make the discus final on that stage, and

finished in tenth place.

After missing out – by two quota spots –on competing in the Tokyo Olympics, he is raring to go this year.

“I’m focused on having a really positive Olympics experience,” he said. “I’ll essentially be running my own race, focusing on the things that I need to do, to do the best that I can. That is what is going to result in the best possible performance.”

Waitoki thrower Connor Bell heads to his first Olympics.

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Training through May will be followed by travel to Montenegro to acclimatise before heading to Nice and then to the training base camp at Montpellier. The men’s discus qualification is scheduled for the morning of August 5, with the final two nights later.

“My approach is, we leave nothing in the tank. My goal is, first, to make the final, and then to do as well as I can.”

Growing up on his family’s 10-hectare lifestyle block, the young Connor attended tiny Waitoki School – he can still recite the names of every teacher he had – before moving from a school with a total roll of around 63 to a North Shore intermediate heaving with 1000 students.

It was a “tough transition” for a lad viewed by peers as a socially awkward “country bumpkin”.

“I had a hard time finding my place at

Northcross,” he recalled. “But towards the end of my time there I picked up a discus, and that’s where things took off.”

And take off they did. Bell joined Bays Athletics where “a wonderful woman”, Sasha Pilkington, fostered his passion for discus. He took the national under-17 title in 2017, and currently holds the NZ U-17, U-18, U-19, U-20 and open records.

Now, with Paris beckoning, when not training at the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health (MISH) in Rosedale, he can occasionally be found throwing at Metro Park.

“I love throwing at MISH, but to be 100 percent honest it’s a lot nicer to come out to the park at Millwater on a Sunday evening and chuck some discs,” he said. “It’s also a little more peaceful when you’re away from a training space with all that external

mental noise. I prefer throwing in places that make me feel super happy.”

Bell said a tibia injury from a dirt bike accident in 2021 was a setback but also helped him to adjust his perspective.

“It’s very hard to expect world-class performances when you’re depressed or sad or angry. Your mind’s not in the right space to perform really well.

“I’ve learned that my attitude has a significant impact on my performance. I’m getting great results now, but I’m not worried so much about doing well as I am about making the most of the opportunities I have. People do their best when they’re feeling their best.

“I love discus throwing,” Bell said. “But I also love where those performances take me – the places I get to visit, the stories, the memories and the life-enriching experiences.”

Golf course owner’s liquidation case postponed

An Auckland High Court hearing on an application to have the company that owns the derelict Gulf Harbour Country Club (GHCC) placed into liquidation is set to be heard on May 16, following a postponement granted on April 24.

GHCC, which was shut down at short notice in July last year, is owned by Long River Investments, the defendant in the High Court application brought by one of its creditors, Inovagen.

GHCC was bought in 2021 by property developer Greg Olliver, but later that same year Olliver was banned by the Registrar of Companies from being a company director for four years. As a result, Christchurchbased accountant Wayne Bailey assumed the sole directorship of Long River Investments and more than 20 other companies linked to Olliver.

It was Bailey who announced the sudden closure of the golf club, in a letter to members saying that efforts to make it financially viable had been unsuccessful.

The legal advisor for the lobby group Keep

Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces (KWGS) reported that, at the April 24 hearing, the defendant’s legal counsel told the court that outstanding debt on the GHCC land stood at $48 million.

KWGS is leading community efforts to oppose any future residential development on the golf course site.

An encumbrance agreed between GHCC and council in 2006 restricts the property’s use “in its entirety solely as a golf course and country club”, for 999 years. But the

covenant could be overturned through the courts, and the property developer’s purchase of the club, the subsequent shutdown, and an application to council late last year for consent to alter the boundaries – effectively splitting the property into two – stoked concerns that the golf course may be in jeopardy.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the hearing on Inovagen’s application to liquidate Long River Investments would be heard on May 16 at 10.45am.

Concept designs for proposed hub revealed

YMCA North presented draft concept designs for its proposed community sport and recreation hub in Millwater to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board on April 23, ahead of wider consultation.

YMCA North chief executive, Julian Baldey, said the vision was for not just a sporting complex, but a facility to bring families and communities together.

The hub is proposed for the southern end of Metro Park – south of the sports fields and stretching to the corner of Millwater Parkway and Longmore Lane.

The designs show two, two-level buildings linked by an open-air arcade and flanked by public forecourts. The buildings accommodate basketball courts, sports club pavilion, fitness centre, studios for dance, exercise and martial arts, a kids’ play zone, an adventure hub, function and meeting rooms, café, and spaces for health provider/retail tenants.

South of the buildings are a public skatepark, basketball half-court and outdoor court for netball or tennis. Parking will be provided to the east, with vehicle access from the end of Longmore Lane.

Baldey told the board the Y was aware of concerns that the proposed hub would be a “profit-making exercise”. But the charity saw the plan as one that would reduce reliance on Auckland Council for long-term grants, by making the building financially viable and sustainable, he said.

The Y had been approached by some sporting bodies that were keen to partner in the project, Baldey added. It had also asked Harbour Sport to oversee an impartial consulting and community

feedback process.

Baldey told Hibiscus Matters that before finalising the draft concept drawings, the Y would be listening to the community and key stakeholders, and ensuring they were fit for their current and future needs. It would also incorporate any changes from further

detailed design and feasibility work.

Harbour Sport would lead a public needs analysis, a process incorporating an online survey this month, followed by public meetings.

The Y prepared the concept designs with the support of grants funding from

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board and council.

“The local board was pleased to receive the update and looks forward to further updates after the Y has completed their public consultation phase,” board chair Alexis Poppelbaum said.

Local board outlines disapproval of government’s fast-track approvals bill

The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board made clear last month that it opposes the coalition government’s proposed Fast-track Approvals Bill in its current form.

In a document providing input to Auckland Council’s submission on the bill, the board said it recognised that the current consenting process could be lengthy and add time and costs to the delivery of projects, but voiced “serious concerns” about elements of the planned legislation. As currently drafted, the bill would give three ministers with development-related responsibilities (Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Transport Minister Simeon Brown) the power to approve infrastructure projects. Although

an expert panel would review and make recommendations on proposed projects, the final decision would be made by the ministers.

The government says the objective is to enable the efficient provision of largescale projects “with significant regional or national benefits”, by reducing the costs and time needed for consenting.

Environmental advocacy groups are spearheading opposition to the bill, which was introduced in the House under urgency on March 7. Public submissions to an Environment select committee on the bill closed on April 19.

To submit its feedback during the submission period, the local board’s position was formulated under delegated

authority by then chair and deputy chair, Gary Brown and Julia Parfitt on April 12. The board then received it at a meeting on April 23.

The feedback said the legislation would give unprecedented decision-making power to just a few ministers, who despite not having the requisite technical expertise could reject recommendations by expert panels. This would leave the ministers open to legal and political risk, including “potential allegations of predetermination or bias”.

The board said it was also worried about lack of opportunities for public participation in the process.

It said more clarification was needed on projects that would be eligible for fast-

tracking, and raised concern about a clause in the bill stating that a project would not be ruled ineligible just because it included an activity that would be prohibited under the Resource Management Act.

The board said further that the legislation could result in unplanned housing developments in future urban and rural areas outside the urban-rural boundary, and in “ad-hoc housing developments that ultimately lead to urban sprawl, poor outcomes and further unnecessary infrastructural costs to ratepayers”.

“There is already insufficient council and central government funding for the infrastructure required for existing livezoned greenfield areas in Auckland, and out-of-sequence development will only

Laiosha Stringer

Dr Sim Sood

Dr Reem Alhafidh

From top, view of the proposed hub, from Millwater Parkway. An aerial view of YMCA North’s proposed hub.

Plaza responds to angry parkers

Coast Plaza mall in Whangaparāoa has listened to feedback following its introduction of three hour (180 minute) restricted parking in its underground carparks.

Signs announcing the restrictions went up in late December/early January. However, enforcement only began last month, leading to a host of complaints.

Number plate recognition cameras were introduced to monitor compliance.

Comments on social media raised the visibility of signs, and the fines imposed for those who outstayed the 180 minute period, with many saying they would shop elsewhere.

The mall is managed by Murchison Group. Its director, Donald Reid, says Coast Plaza heard those complaints loud and clear and will extend the parking period to four hours (240 minutes).

He says complaints were generally from

customers, not business owners within the mall. However, he acknowledges that Coast Plaza has many health and beauty services who have longer appointment times.

“We don’t want to alienate shoppers or tenants,” he says.

Reid says parking restrictions were necessary to free up carparks and improve safety. This includes discouraging people, such as staff of neighbouring businesses and tenants of nearby apartments, from parking there all day, something Reid says was happening consistently.

They were also designed to deter car enthusiasts from congregating in the carpark and enable retail staff to park in the lower level (Level 1) carpark, freeing up more accessible parks on Level 2 for customers.

The number plate recognition cameras alert police to any stolen plates or vehicles.

Coast Plaza management invites anyone

The introduction of parking restrictions drew strong community opposition.

who exceeds the free parking time to visit the Centre Management Office on Level 2 (by the carpark) before they leave to request a one-off exemption. These will be granted “for valid cases”.

“We are disappointed that some customers feel they have been treated unfairly, that was never our intention,” Reid says.

Local parks set to receive Māori names

Auckland Council is recommending that nine Hibiscus Coast parks receive Te Reo Māori names.

At an April 16 workshop, Hibiscus and Bays Local Board members discussed with council’s naming lead, Dawn Bardsley, several dozen potential sites for the Te Kete Rukuruku programme, under which parks and places are named – or in some cases renamed – with either Māori or dual English-Māori designations.

Following feedback from the board, Bardsley told Hibiscus Matters that council was recommending Māori names for nine parks on the Coast.

They are: 36 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Silverdale, a reserve area between Pak ’n Save and John Creek; 86 Harvest Avenue, Ōrewa, a small reserve north of Grand Drive; a small reserve on Maka Terrace, Arran Point; a reserve playground and stormwater pond on Bonair Crescent, Millwater; Stillwater Reserve on Duck Creek Road; a reserve created in the new Red Beach subdivision, between Owen Chapman Drive and Taikura Avenue; and a park created in a new subdivision on Karepiro Drive,Whangaparāoa, which currently has a Māori holding name, taken from the adjacent road.

When considering the sites for naming, one local board member had been informed that “Karepiro” may be offensive to some as piro refers to a bad smell. That was something that may be considered by iwi when looking at identifying an appropriate name for the site, should it go forward for naming in June. The list also includes Hatfields Beach

reserve and coastal area. The discussions noted that the traditional Māori name for that area, Ōtānerua, was already used for a road, stream and reserve.

Finally, Metro Park East in Millwater. It was noted that Metro Park West – the reserve bounded by Butler Stoney Crescent and Bankside Roads – had been named Kawarau in a previous renaming round.

Bardsley said the local board was expected to make a final decision on the name changes at its June business meeting.

“We will then invite mana whenua to provide an appropriate te reo Māori name for each location,” she said. “If the park has an existing English name, the Māori name will sit alongside it as a dual name. Where the park or place has no current name, a sole Māori name will be recommended.”

Bardsley said that some Māori names had a

longstanding historical connection.

Te Kete Rukuruku provides an opportunity to learn more about them, and to “restore mana and mauri [life force] to our landscapes through the return of the language,” she said.

Research on current English names has been carried out, and Bardsley added that anyone who has historical knowledge of, or connection to, any of those names, is welcome to get in touch with council.

Established in 2017, Te Kete Rukuruku involves council, local boards and iwi working to restore original Māori names to areas, and to identify new te reo names with cultural, historical, ancestral, geographical or environmental significance.

As of last year, 460 parks had been named through the programme. Last year, one of seven parks across Auckland to have signs renewed to reflect the name change was Whanua-roa /D’Oyly Reserve in Stanmore

Local board greenlights Ōrewa library renovation

The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board on April 23 approved final plans for the comprehensive refurbishment of Ōrewa Library, including the construction of a mezzanine floor that will provide for meeting spaces. The board also approved an additional $1.8 million for the project, after it emerged that initial estimates had been significantly off the mark. (HM, March 25). A council spokesperson confirmed last week that the total budget required for the project will be $5.5 million, over the 2024-2026 financial years. Now that the board has approved the funding, council can complete the contract negotiation and confirm a contractor for the project, said parks and community facilities area operations manager, Sandra May. “This is significant step for the community of Ōrewa. The library renewal will deliver added value with additional space, and required maintenance,” she said. “We will be working with the library team to provide adequate time for the relocation of resources before works start, which is likely to be in May/ June.” Work is expected to last for about a year, during which time library services will be located temporarily at the Ōrewa Community Centre.

Ōrewa parking feedback

Auckland Transport (AT) says it received just over 70 responses from 54 Ōrewa businesses to its survey about parking in Ōrewa town centre. The survey closed on April 14 and covers issues such as the number of employees in each business, their transport choices and available parking options. The results will inform potential changes to parking time limits, and potentially the introduction of metered parking. An AT spokesperson says a key concern noted by businesses was “a perceived general lack of parking for staff and customers”. AT has provided business association Destination Ōrewa Beach with analysed and anonymised responses for it to share with the businesses. The Ōrewa town centre parking review is likely to be completed in July.

Martin bows out of development

business

Rick Martin, who has been a developer for around 30 years, says his days in the business are over.

Martin is well known on the Hibiscus Coast for a range of projects, perhaps most controversially The Nautilus apartments in Ōrewa which proved to have serious structural issues.

Martin sold the building he owned directly in front of The Nautilus, at 7 Tamariki Ave, to Optimal Fire and FR Coatings, who moved into the building in recent weeks. He had planned to develop the site, obtaining resource consent last year to demolish the existing building and replace it with a five storey block comprising 55 short-term visitor accommodation units (HM September 18, 2023).

One of Optimal Fire and FR Coatings directors, Andries Gouws, says the company will let that resource consent lapse.

He says the company, formerly based in Silverdale, is mainly comprised of locals and wants the Ōrewa building as a base for its operations. It hopes to fill the building with a cohesive mix of tenants.

“We are not developers, but the building gives us options for the future if we need them,” Gouws says.

Martin says he was pleased to sell 7 Tamariki Ave and, with it, bring his time as a developer to a close. He did not give details about what he plans to do next.

Viewpoint

John Watson, Albany Ward Councillor john.watson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Battles rage on

It was another impressive turnout for Anzac Day recently as the historical and cultural significance of this commemoration for our country continues to grow. And so it should, for as a small nation we’ve made a disproportionate sacrifice in wars. In WWI New Zealand’s population was just 1.1 million yet we lost a staggering 18,000 dead with 41,000 wounded. In WWII it was 12,000 killed and 16,000 wounded. On a per capita basis, our country’s losses were the highest in the Commonwealth and evident in every war memorial up and down the country.

My uncle enlisted in the RAF at 18 years of age. He was a bomb aimer in the Pathfinders. The one thing that weighed heavily on his mind, however, was the prospect of bombing civilians. He said ordinary German or Italian people were no different from his own in Scotland and he didn’t want to bomb them. As it happened this moral dilemma was never put to the test as his squadron’s targets remained military – marshalling yards, bridges, supply routes. His view had been formed during the Spanish Civil War in 1937 when the German Luftwaffe and Italian Aviazone Legionaria bombed Guernica in support of fellow fascist Franco. This was the first time the bombing of a civilian population captured global attention. It was met with international outrage, the death toll in Guernica estimated between 400 and 1600.

In 1939 Germany bombed civilians in the invasion of Poland and in 1940,

British civilians in the Blitz where 43,500 were killed in just nine months. Their ‘strategic’ intent was to terrorise the civilian populations and disrupt their lives.

Eighty-four years on from those dark days and there are wars where the loss of life and scale of destruction is reminiscent of WWII. In Gaza, two million Palestinians are crowded into a narrow strip of land, one of the most densely populated areas in the world. To date 34,000 Palestinians have been killed and 80,000 wounded according to Hamas figures.

Prior to this 1139 Israelis were killed in October last year, 764 of them civilians.

Two world wars over eight long years claimed 40,000 NZ service personnel with 57,000 wounded. In Gaza those horrific figures have been matched in just six months and are mostly women and children concentrated in the 365 square kilometres of Palestinian ‘territory’.

In the Ukraine, well over 10,000 civilians have been killed in the Russian invasion since 2022 while President Zelensky said in February that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had also been killed (both figures likely to be higher). The BBC recently confirmed the Russian military death toll at 50,000.

History condemns those responsible for the loss of innocent civilian lives, whatever race or creed, but in these instances, history might save its harshest judgement for the power brokers who have stood by and allowed the killing to continue despite the lessons of the past.

Centreway roadworks nearly done

There has been a diversion in place for Centreway Road in Ōrewa for several weeks while the road and pavement is renewed. Laying the third and final layer of asphalt requires a full road closure and can only happen at night. A definite date for this work had not been confirmed as this paper went to print, but was likely to take place on May 12 and May 13, between 8pm and 5am. The contractors apologise in advance for any disruption the work may cause.

Time to sign

NZ Sign Language (NZSL) Week takes place this week, May 6 to 12. This year’s theme is to encourage Kiwis to incorporate NZ sign language into their everyday life, whether signing to someone across the street, through a meeting room window or teaching children to sign. NZSL became an official language in New Zealand in 2006, alongside Te Reo and English. Info nzslweek.org.nz for info, resources, challenges, and activities.

LocalOpinion

Onesies success

Thank you for the beautifully written article in Hibiscus Matters (April 8) highlighting our Onesies for Winter campaign – it helped the campaign gain support. The campaign exceeded all expectations with more than 1300 baby onesies being donated. There were many wonderful contributions including some from an older gentleman who scoured op shops in his lunch break and an eight-year-old lad from the Hibiscus Coast who donated his own onesies that had been stored away. Every onesie means a warm baby and these have already been distributed via Chars Place and Littlemore. We are grateful for every donation which helps a baby in need stay warm and healthy this winter. We collect all year round, so contact Nicky Waddell (ph 027 940 4174) if you would like to donate. Clothing for babies aged 2-4 years, in good used condition is gratefully received.

Nicky Waddell, Char’s Place, Mairangi Bay

More thoughts on beach ‘naturalisation’

With regard to the story on council’s plans for Ōrewa Beach (Hibiscus Matters, April 8), we are already experiencing the result of nature when it comes to doing nothing – the roadside garden plantings decimated by windblown sand, residents’ gardens and driveways subject to sand drifts, kerbs, paths and stormwater culverts requiring regular cleaning. This situation does not occur where there is rock wall protection. The negative effects of windblown sand will be exacerbated with council’s current plan, which allows one third to half of that foreshore to be lost to the sea – a serious concern. Does that mean other areas of the Ōrewa Beach foreshore with gaps in the rock protection will also be left to ‘naturalisation’? The article also states that while the playground and basketball court will remain they will move landward. Presumably that includes the car park as the only rock wall protection mentioned is at the surf club, and do these relocations allow for the projected land loss? One other important issue not mentioned is ‘weather’.

The world is experiencing phenomenal weather changes and an added concern with this plan is the projected rise in sea levels.

Colin Selfe, Red Beach (abridged)

Editors note: The report and designs answer some of these questions. They were linked to the April 5 story online.

Great Anzac service

I would like to say a big thank you to the people who organised the Anzac service at Remembrance Reserve in Ōrewa at 1pm on April 25.  Every year there seems to be a bigger crowd. With the waves of the sea in the background, it gives the atmosphere a meaningful existence. The efficiency of the service conducted by Commander Frank Rands and all concerned was a great honour to all. Thank you to all involved for making the service great.

Nola Green, Ōrewa

Ōrewa Primary School students identify with over 50 countries, so during the last week of Term 1, the school’s cultural diversity was celebrated. Flags and maps were displayed and students learned about languages, history, food, customs and cultures from the countries represented in each classroom. The week finished with the students coming to school in their national costumes or wearing their country’s colours. The student leadership team led an assembly where the audience was entertained by music and dance from China, the Czech Republic, Scotland, England, the USA, Samoa and Fiji and where the whole school learnt a line dance. The school’s ESOL students held a shared lunch with traditional cuisine from the countries represented at the school. Deputy principal Anne Heath says it was great to see so much pride in the cultural diversity of the school’s community.

Congratulations from the palace for Ōrewa couple

Longstanding Ōrewa residents Valerie and John Martin celebrated their diamond (60th) wedding anniversary on April 18, and were delighted to receive a congratulatory card from King Charles and Queen Camilla. The couple, who were married in Blenheim in 1964, also received cards from the Prime Minister, Governor-General – and one from Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell, which Valerie described as especially warm and chatty. They have lived in Kensington Park for 14 years and will soon move into the newly-completed Ōrewa Sands retirement village, among its first inhabitants.

Three generations bungy-jump together

Silverdale resident Brian Mullan says when he asked his granddaughter what she would like for her 11th birthday last month, he did not expect her to request a bungy jump off the Auckland Sky Tower.

But that’s just what Georgina Coupe asked for, and on Sunday, April 28, three generations of the family took the 192m jump – Georgina was joined by her mother Emma and grandmother (Brian’s wife)

Margaret Mullan.

Brian says Georgina admitted to having her eyes closed until halfway down, but says she is now a confirmed adrenaline junkie.

In this, she follows Margaret’s lead – the 75-year-old has completed three tandem sky dives, jumped off the 233m Macao Tower, wing-walked on a biplane, abseiled off the Humber Bridge and taken the Nevis Sky Swing (300m).

Sky Tower bungy jumpers, from left, Margaret Mullan, Georgina and Emma Coupe.

Manly Fire Station steps it up for Sky Tower challenge

One of the biggest teams ever from Manly volunteer fire brigade – a total of 14 fire fighters – will take on the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge this month.

The challenge, which raises funds for Leukemia and Blood Cancer NZ, involves wearing around 25kg of firefighting gear while climbing 51 floors of the building –1103 stairs.

Several members will take part in the Firefighter of Steel category, which means they will carry a heavier steel cylinder and walk an additional nine floors of stairs.

As part of their training the team has been using the stair machine at Fitter, Faster, Stronger and taking part in gym classes, both in Level 2 gear.

They also had a carwash and walked up the escalator in reverse at Coast Plaza to raise funds.

The challenge takes place on May 18. To donate, https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/ manly-volunteer-fire-brigade

Among the fire volunteers who will take on the epic charity stair climb this year are, from left, James Cox, Jade Wickman, Janette Baird, Shaun Gartland and Russell White. Also in the team are Ben Burnett, Dave Nyman, Cerise Jordan, Glenn McDougall, Gwendolyn Hommes, Jarrod Oberto, Nick Pelikani, Shonali Walter-Rao and Steven Henshaw.

Last month, Manly volunteer fire brigade proudly noted two big moves forward in its history, welcoming its first female Acting Station Officer, Janette Baird. Her mentor, Station Officer Dave Nyman, is the first Māori Station Officer at Manly.

Change at the top for Hibiscus and Bays Local Board

It is all change for Hibiscus and Bays Local Board as Alexis Poppelbaum moves into the chair role and Gary Brown into the deputy role for the remainder of the current term.

Members have split the three-year term in half with a different chair and deputy for each and have divided the roles equally between the board’s two subdivisions.

East Coast Bays member Alexis Poppelbaum assumed the chair role from 29 April until October 2025. Hibiscus Coast member and outgoing chair Gary Brown moves to the deputy chair role vacated by East Coast Bays member Julia Parfitt.

Brown says, “It has been a pleasure to assist our communities and achieve good outcomes for them. I’m proud of everything we have achieved and excited about several projects set to transform the area for future generations.

“Significant projects include the Ōrewa Library extension, and Ōrewa Beach seawall and walkway, which are expected to start soon.

“I want to thank Julia for her fantastic contribution and her willingness to share her considerable knowledge and experience with other board members. I wish Alexis well as she steps into the chair role and look forward to working with her,” he says.

Parfitt says it is a privilege to work with board members, council staff and the community to progress projects that will benefit the area for many years to come.

Local board business meetings are open to the public and Poppelbaum will chair the next meeting which takes place in Browns Bay on Tuesday 28 May, 10am.

“The second half of the term looks to be exciting and challenging. We have several large projects starting and along with their delivery, we will focus on solutions that achieve the best possible results for our community,” Poppelbaum says.

Get ready for play at Edith Hopper

Edith Hopper playground in Manly is set for a $280,000 upgrade thanks to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board.

Deputy chair Gary Brown is pleased that local feedback along with new play experiences are being incorporated into the final design after 79 locals provided feedback on the proposal.

“Of the feedback received, the most popular activities asked for are climbing followed by nature play.

“Students at Whangaparāoa School created amazing drawings with their top wishes being jumping and spinning activities for the playground upgrade.

“Equally important is play activities that cater for youth and to integrate existing equipment in good condition into the upgrade.

“Finally, it is essential to consider play activities offered at nearby playgrounds such as Manly Park and Whangaparāoa School.

This approach ensures that local families have a wide range of play experiences and activities right on their doorstep.”

The play equipment will include:

• a cabin tower with large and small slides 7

• an inclusive carousel accessible for wheelchairs 9

• two swings one with belt and one baby swing 5

• a basket swing (existing) 8

• an overhead rope climber 6

• a trampoline 10

The design also includes existing shade trees 1 , seats 13 , a picnic table 14 , safety surfacing 4 , and buffer planting between the playground and car park 12 .

Over the next few months, the play equipment will be ordered, tenders finalised and awarded with the construction expected to start in October.

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

Alexis Poppelbaum and Gary Brown outside the local board office in Browns Bay.

Edith Hopper playground is getting a makeover.

Funds needed for licence help

Coast Community Trust urgently needs funding to sustain a mentoring initiative that last year helped 106 people to obtain driver’s licences, a task they might otherwise have struggled to achieve.

The programme received funding through Ministry of Social Development grants last year, but despite 2023 successes and the evident need in the community, its future was at risk unless funding could be secured.

According to the trust, an unlicenced driver when caught by police could enter a cycle of fines, increased poverty, a feeling of poor self-esteem and of being “in the system”.

“There are people driving without a licence who require the support and belief to start the journey towards driving into a positive future,” said Matt Wickens, a former police officer who established and coordinates the programme.

“By helping clients gain the correct driver licence, we hope they will feel a sense of achievement that in turn will help increase their self-esteem, employment prospects and connection to society, and make our communities safer.”

People requiring financial and practical support to obtain their licence are referred to the trust by community organisations and police. They may include individuals facing unemployment, learning difficulties

or mental health challenges.

The trust’s community programme coordinator, Caitlin Watson, said the initiative aimed to build a positive relationship with every client, helping them to prepare for theory tests, as well as driving lessons.

Boosting employment opportunities and individual wellbeing were among the key results, Matt said.

“One notable example involved a client referred to us by a prison rehabilitation facility. Through our support he obtained his licence, secured employment, exited emergency housing, and established himself within a church and the community, showcasing a remarkable turnaround in his life.”

In another success story, a middleaged man suffering from mental health challenges had been driving on a learner’s licence for more than 30 years. After police pulled him over and referred him to the programme, he overcame anxiety and lack of self-confidence and managed to pass the restricted licence test.

Caitlin said the trust was actively exploring funding to enable the programme to continue, but faced a difficult situation.

“Any assistance would make a significant difference in empowering people to make positive change in their lives and be equipped with life skills to increase employment prospects.”

Big achievement for big walk

Michelle Kerr, of Red Beach, has completed her trek up the South Island, knocking off the 1300 kilometre walk in 63 days, and in the process raising $8000 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBCNZ).

“I was walking for myself, for my mother who died of multiple myeloma when I was a child, and for other Kiwis diagnosed with blood cancers and their families,”

Michelle said after completing the South Island section of the Te Araroa trail (HM, December 11).

Among the highlights of the adventure was Stag Saddle, north of Lake Tekapo and the highest point on Te Araroa.

“My struggles through the valleys pale when I’m standing on the summits,” she wrote in her travel journal that day. “I love being out here!”

Waiau Pass, northwest of Hanmer Springs, was “a much talked-about, daunting section that holds a little anxiety in the

days leading up to it. But when the day arrives, it’s just another day putting one foot in front of the other, climbing over a large mountain to get to the next hut.”

The final day saw Michelle complete the last six kilometres, ending at Ship Cove in the Marlborough Sounds.

“As I flew back home to Auckland, I thought about what the future holds for us all. I hope the money raised while I was walking helps other families to be able to heal and see their dreams become a reality too.”

You can read more of Michelle’s journal entries on her Facebook page, “Mishy’s Long Walk – Te Araroa”.

She will also keep her fundraising page open for a few more weeks, and welcomes donations to LBCNZ, which supports blood and bone cancer patients and families: https://lbc-community-fundraising.raisely. com/michelle-kerr

The CCT mentoring programme includes driving lessons.

Photo, Zac Harris/ Unsplash

Michelle at the Mavora Lakes in Southland.

Summerset Milldale Open Days in May

Summerset Milldale is located close to Silverdale and the Whangaparaoa Peninsula in one of Auckland’s newest and most affordable suburbs, just 25 mins from the city. Once complete, residents will be able to enjoy a range of resort style facilities, offering the perfect retirement lifestyle, close to beaches, cafes and shopping – everything the Hibiscus Coast has to offer.

With a choice of two and three-bedroom villas available now,* our architecturally designed homes offer everything you need for relaxing or entertaining friends and family.

So Pop along to one of our upcoming Open Days to see 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. We’ll also have sweet treats and refreshments for you to enjoy. Love the life you choose.

Open Days

Every Thursday in May, 10am - 2pm

Summerset Milldale

50 Waiwai Drive, Milldale

Sales suite entrance on Te Taruna Drive 09 304 1632 | milldale.sales@summerset.co.nz

Artesian Solway Water

Ordering a tank full of water will be easier next summer when the new owner of Artesian Solway Water, on Sandspit Road, Aaron Barneveld, introduces new online services.

He also wants to give customers more payment options including ‘buy now, pay later’.

As a man with a young family, he says he understands how inconvenient it can be to run out of water unexpectedly.

“The technology we will be using will be very customer-focused,” he says.

“This will involve the use of dispatching software to provide clear communication when deliveries will be made, as well as opportunity to have Artesian Water monitor a customer’s tank levels so water can be delivered before the tank runs dry.

“It gives the customer peace of mind and makes it easier for us to plan deliveries.”

Barneveld is no stranger to the water business. He worked for Artesian Water when it was owned by Dave Wyatt more than 10 years ago and more recently, has been the operations manager for a large water delivery company based in Auckland. He is also a licensed builder, specialising in renovations.

Barneveld says he bought Solway because he believes the water it distributes is as good as anything found anywhere in NZ.

Top accolade for Coast chocolatier

A month after taking four gold medals, two silvers and a bronze in the Outstanding Food Producer Awards, Silverdale-based Foundry Chocolate was named bean-to-bar champion for its newly-released 70 percent dark chocolate made from cacao beans from the Ea Kar farming collective in Dak Lak province, Vietnam.

The announcement from the Outstanding Food Producer Awards judges on April 18 was the latest in a series of accolades for the small company founded by the husband and wife team of David and Janelle Herrick in Mahurangi West in 2018, before moving to new premises in Silverdale late last year.

In its first year of entry in the NZ Chocolate Awards, in 2020, Foundry Chocolate took home seven gold medals and was named NZ Chocolate Awards Supreme Champion. It won five gold medals in the 2022 awards, and last year won three gold medals at the Global Academy of Chocolate Awards in London.

“We are so proud of this result,” David said. “It recognizes the continual work we are doing with our craft and the amazing flavour notes possible from just two ingredients. To be recognized among so many other skilled New Zealand food producers, is very special.”

The winning chocolate bar, which Foundry Chocolate says has “tasting notes of silky crème brulée, buttery toffee and delicate woody spices”, is available at www. foundrychocolate.co.nz

Promotion focuses on Ōrewa services

“Because the water comes from a few deep natural artesian aquifers, it is tested every month to ensure the quality. It is always so clear and clean.

“And, the water is delivered in one of two stainless steel food-grade tankers to ensure it arrives in the best possible condition.”

A three-week promotion in Ōrewa this month aims to provide exposure and a boost to local service industries. Anyone spending $20 or more at any participating business will be in to win one of three prizes of $1000. The prize will not be given in cash, but go towards something which the winner may have been putting off for a while – anything from a car service or legal fees to a dental visit, hearing aids or a chiro or physio appointment.

“Times are tougher and sometimes personal services, professional services or medical treatments have been foregone,” says Hellen Wilkens, operations manager for business association Destination Ōrewa Beach, which is organising the promotion. The winner can arrange a service or appointment at any provider in Ōrewa, which will then be paid directly, in full or partial payment.

Aaron Barneveld

EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 13 represents N, so fill in N every time the figure 13 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

Village residents group pushes for fair crack of review whip

A national campaign pushing for fairer conditions for retirement village residents rolled into the region last month, with public forums in several Hibiscus Coast aged care communities.

The Retirement Villages Residents Association of NZ (RVResidents) is one of several organisations, including Consumer NZ and the Commerce Commission, that want to see major changes in the current government review of the Retirement Villages Act 2003.

RV Residents president Brian Peat says the current Act is unfair on a number of levels, including the fact that residents don’t know when they will get their capital back when they move out, as there is no set period for village operators to repay them. Residents can be left in limbo for months, or even years if their unit is not sold on.

“At the moment, there is nothing to say you’ll get your money back in a defined period,” he said. “Government officials have said there will be a defined period, we just don’t know what – they’re saying maybe six to 12 months and we’re saying ‘sorry, no’. We’re asking for 28 days. That’s a real critical aspect.”

Peat said other areas of concern were villages that continued to charge occupancy fees after residents had moved out, or even died; villages that charged residents for repairs and maintenance of fixtures and fittings owned by operators; complicated, non-independent complaints procedures; and non-standardised, tortuously complex occupation rights agreements.

He added that it was important that any changes to the Act resulting from the review applied to all current residents.

“This should be retrospective – every resident in villages should get whatever takes place; if not, that would mean 50,000 people would not get the benefits of the changes.

“When the Tenancy Act was reviewed, all landlords and tenants got the benefits –we’re just asking for exactly the same thing.”

Peat stressed that RVResidents had no gripe with retirement village living per se –it offered a great way of life for thousands of retirees – but purely with conditions enshrined in law that were weighted in favour of operators, rather than residents.

“Village life is not in question. We’re not talking about that, we’re talking about the Act. Our stance has always been we’re just asking for the same rights as tenants,” he said.

“We’ve never asked for anything but fairness, consumer protection and consistency.

“Operators say the current business model is ‘world class’ – I’m sure it is, but it’s not for residents.”

Peat said RVResidents was formed in 2007 and had really only been actively pushing for change since 2019.

“We had no input to the original Act and that’s sad. There was no consideration for residents at all – even a blind man could see that’s not fair,” he said.

Since the government’s Options for Change paper was published last August, Peat has been visiting retirement villages throughout the country to explain the Retirement Villages Act 2003 review.

“I’ve done 220 and I’ve got another 200 to go,” he said. “All around the north it was wonderful, the response we got was enormous.”

Peat added that there were wider issues at play than just the review, and he understood that things weren’t always easy for retirement village operators.

“The whole aged care sector is a complete mess and needs to be addressed,” he said.

“There’s no funding from government so I can understand they won’t be building if they can’t make a profit. It’s so sad, it all has to be sorted.”

The Retirement Villages Association of NZ, which represents retirement village developers and operators, was approached for comment by Local Matters, but did not respond.

Commission warning over misleading claims

Retirement village operators have been warned to up their game by the Commerce Commission over potentially misleading advertising claims and contract terms.

The government agency wrote to 12 retirement village companies at the beginning of the year, informing them that they could be in danger of breaching the Fair Trading Act and highlighted their obligations.

The findings were the result of complaints to the commission by Consumer NZ and the Retirement Village Residents Association of New Zealand (RVResidents), both of which have been campaigning for better protection for aged care community residents for several years.

Consumer lodged a complaint with the commission in 2021, alleging some villages were misleading people by claiming residents could easily transition from independent living to hospital care, known as continuum of care, when the contract small print differed. Meanwhile, RVResidents complained that clauses in some standard contract terms were unfair, including requiring residents to pay for repairs of operator-owned chattels, and operators having the ability to change

charges for village outgoings at any time, or alter a village’s facilities without offering a reduction in fees.

Both complainants said the commission’s response put the retirement village sector on notice and sent a strong signal that it must do better.

Consumer chief executive Jon Duffy said the 12 operators investigated ran 180 villages, the significance of which indicated that the whole sector was in urgent need of fixing.

“Many New Zealanders who should be enjoying their golden years find themselves at the mercy of village operators wielding unfair contract terms and making promises about providing higher levels of care in their advertising, which is at odds with the small print in their terms and conditions,” he said.

RVResidents president Brian Peat agreed. He said the entire sector needed to take heed of the Commerce Commission findings, adding that he knew of one major operator saying there was nothing to worry about, as it had not been one of those investigated.

“If that’s their attitude, they have serious issues to address. The commerce commission findings apply to every operator,” he said.

“While retirement villages offer residents a high standard of life and independence, there are many fishhooks in contracts and when misleading claims are also made by operators, that can not only sour the experience, but have significant financial consequences for residents and their families.

“We’re pleased the Commerce Commission has taken a firm line on operators with a clear warning that they need to change their contracts to be fair to residents and to ensure they’re not making misleading claims about their rights and options while living in a village.”

Local Matters approached industry body

The Retirement Villages Association of NZ for comment, but had not received a response by the time we went to print.

Brian Peat

Business

Phil Pickford phil.pickford@thinkdifferently.kiwi.nz

Struggling companies – what can you do?

We are seeing it far too regularly – our companies are in trouble. In New Zealand 97 percent of all companies can be described as small and medium-sized, with fewer than 20 employees. These companies are the engine of our country and our region. They generate wealth, they employ our people, they make our lives productive and allow people from all backgrounds and skills to enjoy the time they don’t work –on our beaches, in our cafés and in our stores. And a lot of those small companies are in trouble at the moment.

I have no wish for this to be a negative diatribe on company failure and despondency, but I can assure you there is plenty of that around. Times are tough. Inflation has had its effect and we are tending to close our wallets as a result. That affects those small companies that rely on local spending and activity. Revenues decrease and cashflow comes under pressure. Mismanagement is always identified as the prime reason for company failures, but when times are tough the margins between good management and poor management become very narrow. Some companies can be one bad decision away from failure, leaving no room for mistakes.

So what can business owners do, and what can we the community do for our local companies? Business owners need to react quickly to changes in market conditions. Speed and adaptability often don’t go together well – it can take time to change

effectively – but at times such as these it is essential to respond quickly. Diagnose issues with your teams; one brain will not be as effective as many. Don’t throw solutions at problems willy-nilly. Be sure of the problem first, and look at fixing the cause, not the symptoms. If your sales are decreasing, and you foresee further falls and a longer-term problem, you must cut your cloth to suit. You must decrease your costs immediately. Unfortunately that may mean job losses, especially in operational roles. If you make these moves quickly and effectively, you will ensure longer tenure of remaining staff. When cashflow is being affected it is imperative to talk with your bank at the first sign of a looming problem – don’t wait for it to materialise. Keep communicating with your accountant too. They can help. There are many articles and opinion pieces being published pushing innovation as the way to get through a business crisis. But quite frankly, you will not have time to come up with fancy and untried ideas. Spend that time instead being pragmatic and looking into the principles and foundations of your company – revenue, costs, stock, cash and staff.

As local residents, what can we do to help? Buy local! Don’t look elsewhere – we have plenty of shops right here. Use our local service companies, and let’s make sure those small companies, part of our community, survive to thrive when things come right. Because they will!

Regional park visits break records

A record 2.579 million visits to regional parks in Auckland were recorded for the first three months of this year, as people made the most of the fine weather to get into the outdoors.

It was the largest number of visits to parks ever recorded over the January 1 to March 31 period, Auckland Council said.

Shakespear Park recorded 223,153 visits over that period (107,199 in January, 69,405 in February and 46,549 in March) while Wenderholm accounted for 128,477 visits (62,961 in January, 41,902 in February and 23,584 in March).

Across the city, the most popular regional park was Muriwai, with 479,507 visits recorded (229,101 in January, 146,666 in February and 103,740 in March), followed by Long Bay, with 438,072 visits (188,904 in January, 151,548 in February and 97,620 in March).

“The record-breaking numbers of people visiting our regional parks show just how much Aucklanders and visitors to our city love to experience our stunning nature reserves, native bush and coastal areas,” said Cr Richard Hills, chair of council’s planning, environment and parks committee. He praised rangers, parks teams and volunteers for making the regional parks places where Aucklanders wanted to spend time, and where birds and native wildlife can thrive.

Auckland Council owns and manages 28 regional parks across Tāmaki Makaurau from Te Ārai in the north to Hunua Ranges in the south, covering more than 40,000 hectares.

Average monthly visitor numbers are calculated using counters at park entry points, and a formula that estimates the number of passengers per car.

Shakespear Regional Park, Whangaparāoa. Photo, Auckland Council.

Children’s drawings of play equipment included dinosaurs!

Playground refresh at Edith Hopper Reserve

The playground in Edith Hopper Reserve in Manly gets a lot of use, including as entertainment while siblings play netball at the nearby courts.

According to Auckland Council, most of the equipment has passed its use-by date and a plan to replace and renew the playground is underway.

The proposals were presented to the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board at its April 9 workshop, receiving a positive response from members.

Along with nearby residents, children from Whangaparāoa Primary School, which is close to the park, were also consulted and presented their ideas and preferences, along

with drawings. The children particularly asked for jumping and spinning equipment.

The work, which has a $280,000 budget, includes new equipment, drainage and edging. The basket swing and shade sail, which are more recent additions, are being kept. Night lighting will not be included.

The concept drawing includes a Netscape rope climbing structure, swings, a small trampoline, a tower with spiral slide, and an accessible carousel for spinning.

There is new planting as a buffer between the playground and carpark, which was requested in feedback.

Construction work is expected to begin in October.

Edith Hopper stream on naturalisation path

Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters division has developed a concept for the stream in Edith Hopper Reserve, Manly, which could be done in next few years. The project is funded through the Haumanu Programme from developer offset money. Principal delivery - special projects (Healthy Waters), Leighton Gillespie, says it is in the preliminary design phase, which at this stage includes the proposed removal of the concrete lined channel, creation of natural stream meanders to increase the stream length, cross vanes and root wads to manage stream bed erosion, a small wetland for a short, piped section and planting of the stream margins with trees to shade the water.

Every client that comes in from May 7-31 will go into the draw to win a set of tyres valued up to $1,000 – thanks to Bridgestone Tyres PLUS You’ll be in the draw for two $500 gift vouchers for Mechanical repairs from Dave Brock Motors & Tyres

Over $3,000 worth of giveaways and vouchers during the month of May 7-31 • Lucky dip draw for all purchases, repairs, service’s, tyres and WOFs • Colouring in competition for the kids (3-5 & 6-10 years)

Sausage sizzle May 7 from 10am-1pm

Tyres, vouchers and colouring competition all drawn on May 31

And we’re celebrating from May 7-31 with loads of surprises as a BIG THANK YOU for supporting us over the last 40 years! We would like to thank Bridgestone, Repco, & BNT for their continued support and donating prizes for this very special 40th birthday celebration.

Helping patients early is best

May 13-19 is Hospice Awareness Week, and Harbour Hospice is asking the community to get behind its campaign to help make life better for patients in hospice care.

“Everyone deserves access to a good endof-life experience, but many people reach us too late or not at all – and we need this to change,” Harbour Hospice chief executive Jan Nichols says. “Throughout the week we’re highlighting the importance of reaching those with a life-limiting illness earlier in their journey, so we can do more to support them to live well, in the place they call home with the people they love.” Harbour Hospice shops in Whangaparāoa, Ōrewa and Silverdale will invite customers to add an extra dollar to their purchase, as will some local supermarkets. Other businesses will support the campaign in various ways, with local construction company Youngman Richardson

pledging to match any donation online at harbourhospice.org.nz, up to $10,000.

“Harbour Hospice cares for one in three people in the community. But what few people realise is that the earlier hospice can be involved in a person’s care, the more we can do to help them,” Jan says.

Hibiscus Coast grandmother Elizabeth Apiata, 60, began receiving Harbour Hospice care in 2022 and says having that support has enabled her to spend more time with and draw closer to her family. Her daughters and mother care for her week-about with hospice support, and her brothers visit from up North, bringing her seafood, her favourite kai.

Elizabeth receives regular visits from hospice community nurses and attends the hospice Day Group programme, which meets once a fortnight for lunch and an informative talk. In addition to thriving on these catch-

Church celebrates centenary

Former ministers joined members of the congregation and community last month to celebrate 100 years since the Methodist Church in Waitoki first opened, in a building that had been transported to the site by horse and wagon.

A centennial service was held at the Waitoki Community Church on April 14, following a special dinner the night before. The previous weekend, nearby Waitoki School – which also began in the original church building in 1924 – marked its centenary. Among those attending the church celebrations were previous Waitoki ministers Pat Jacobson (1992-1997), Jacqui Cavit (2003-2007) and Val Nicholls (2009-2011).

Rev Andrew Gamman, who heads up Methodist outreach in the Waitoki and Wainui area, described Rev Nicolls’

message to the near-full church on the Sunday as a highlight of the weekend.

“She encouraged us to learn from the past, to live for today and hope for the future.”

According to a brief history provided by Rev Gamman, the area was a great source of kauri gum in the late 19th century, prompting the development of several settlements where small community buildings were used as both school and church.

By WW1 most gum supplies in the area had been exhausted, and the Horseshoe Bush district near Waitoki was left largely deserted. But as 20 families had settled in the Waitoki area, it was decided to move the unused church/school building from Horseshoe Bush to Waitoki, by horse and cart.

The relocated building opened its doors to school children on April 22, 1924, and

Elizabeth, right, with her daughter, Moana: “As a family we’re a lot closer now.”

ups with other patients and carers, the former registered nurse has had her life story written by a hospice volunteer, and enjoys massages from hospice’s complementary therapist and visits from hospice’s spiritual advisor and kaiāwhina.

“The Māori way is to have lots of people caring for you. I look at hospice and see that the hospice way is the Māori way.”

“Hospice is not just about dying,” Jan says. “It’s about being there for patients like Elizabeth, families and whānau to make those final years, months or weeks more joyful, not just less awful.”

For more information, and a list of local businesses supporting Hospice Awareness Week: https://harbourhospice.org.nz/event/ hospice-awareness-week

the inaugural church service was held the following Sunday, led by Rev William Bayliss. “One hundred years on and the Waitoki area is largely populated by lifestylers, many of whom commute to Auckland. The church quickly outgrew the little schoolroom and met for years in the community hall before

getting its own worship building.

“This, in turn, was replaced by the present Keith Hay building which was put on the site in 1975,” he said. “Long gone are the old pews. The church currently has an informal worship style meeting around tables and curated to suit worshippers of all ages.”

Leaders, past and present, at the celebratory cake cutting were, from left, Rev Jacqui Cavit, Rev Val Nicholls, Richard Small, Rev Sione Tesimale, Rev Andrew Gamman and Rev Pat Jacobson.

Dr Peter Hall hallpeter708@gmail.com

Autoimmune issues on the rise Health

Recently I was working in a part of the South Island that seems to have a high prevalence of autoimmune disease (AD). I can honestly say that I have never seen so many cases of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Grave’s disease (thyroid overactivity) and related conditions.

A literature search gave no explanation, reflecting the general uncertainty about the cause of these illnesses.

AD occurs when the body’s immune system malfunctions and starts attacking its own cells. Practically any organ system can be affected and there are scores of different maladies caused by this unfortunate “friendly fire”. Moreover, the incidence is increasing worldwide. There has been speculation that contributing factors are diet, air pollution, stress, lifestyle factors, climate change, chemicals and viruses, but nobody really knows. Likewise, the higher incidence in women is mysterious.

Vaccines can cause ADs but fortunately such reactions appear to be rare. However, longer term studies are required and a swathe of new vaccines need to be evaluated.

There is a definitely a genetic susceptibility and a tendency for ADs to come in clusters, so it is not unusual for a patient to have some combination of, for example, coeliac, thyroid and Type 1 diabetes, all at once.

Invertebrates, which have a much more basic immune system, don’t get AD, suggesting that a tendency to misfire is part of the price we pay for having highly developed immune responses. The rogue cells that attack our own tissues are usually mopped up in the thymus or the peripheral blood, but clearly that quality control mechanism is not perfect. But to the person with an AD, this is all rather academic. Most ADs have no cure, and patients can face a lifetime of debilitating symptoms.

Historically, all we had to offer them were blunderbuss immune suppressants like prednisone. While this gave significant relief, the long-term side effects were a major drawback – sometimes the treatment was worse than the disease. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, were a

significant step forward, as they could be targeted to specific conditions and helped to prevent progressive joint damage. But they still required specialist expertise and close monitoring for adverse effects.

They have almost unpronounceable names –have a crack at bevacizumab, for instance.

The real breakthrough came with the development of monoclonal antibody drugs. These can be chemically engineered to target practically any protein and so have broad application as immune suppressants, anti-cancer drugs, diagnostic agents, antivirals and even treatment of osteoporosis, migraine and macular degeneration.

As these drugs can be customised to any situation, there is literally no end to their potential. However, they have almost unpronounceable names – have a crack at bevacizumab, for instance. But, in short, if it ends in “mab”, it’s a monoclonal antibody. And cost is a factor, sometimes running into tens of thousands of dollars for a course. This means that in New Zealand these drugs have to be approved by a specialist and are subsidised only for the more severe cases or situations where therapeutic benefit is most likely. How to make the most cost-effective use of these agents is a matter of ongoing debate.

Hibiscus Matters would like to thank those readers who have taken up a membership on our website. Through your investment, and the support of advertisers, journalists can continue to professionally and responsibly cover the stories that matter on the Hibiscus Coast.

Over the coming months, we will be expanding the value of Premium memberships.

At present, members have access to all stories on the site, including breaking news, and get to read the paper online three days before the printed papers hit the street.

Relying on advertising alone to fully fund the paper’s production and delivery is not a viable option. Premium memberships are one answer, and we encourage you to join us in creating an economically sustainable future for Hibiscus Matters by becoming a PREMIUM MEMBER

Crossword conundrum

Disinclination to move (7) 9 Locale (4) 10 Meagre (6)

Moral tale (5)

Interlace (7)

Pungent sauce (11)

Portion (7) 20 Financial gain with little effort (4,5) 23 Estrange (anag)(8)

24 Exchange views on (7)

26 Merciful (7)

27 Calls in on (6)

29 Marzipan ingredient (7) 30 Reduce (6)

32 Warning device (5) 34 Synthetic fibre (5)

36 Scatterbrained (5)

38 German composer (4)

43 Carrying weapons (5)

44 Leavens (anag)(7)

45 Arduous (4)

46 Pedestrian tunnel (6)

47 Of birds (5)

48 With one’s defences down (3,5)

49 Fatigue (9)

50 Compel compliance with (7)

51 Compare (5)

52 Confidentiality (7)

53 Reducing the price of (11)

54 Gladden (6)

Fate (7)

Egocentric (7)

Long letter (7)

Debate (5) 75 Enthused wildly (5)

Contained (4) 78 Deep voice (4) 82 Regret (3)

© The Puzzle Company

Sometimes a nudge is all it takes

There’s a warm, welcoming place in Ōrewa for mothers with young babies to meet, and share their joys and frustrations and stories and tips over good coffee and home baking.

One Nudge Community Trust, a charitable organisation set up by New Day Church in Red Beach, has been in its Tamariki Avenue premises for about six months, and held a launch party on April 13.

Since November, its free coffee group on Thursdays, including during school holidays, has reached 60 to 70 families. Held in a large room set up with toys and cushioned areas for babies and parents, the coffee mornings are a highlight of the week for many, One Nudge director Katherine Claydon, says.

Some of the mums have met at the coffee mornings and then gone on to develop friendships outside, “which is what we’re trying to do – build real community”.

Social workers and Plunket nurses are sometimes on hand, and a massage therapist has begun offering mothers free massages.

“One of the mums told me, ‘I really look forward to Thursdays. I can get out of the house, have a safe place to go and people I can talk to’. It’s become a regular thing for many of them,” Katherine says.

“Meanwhile, I can hold their babies while they have a hot coffee, give back in a small way to those who are always giving out. It may seems like a simple thing, but it’s allowing them to just sit there and say, my baby screamed for two hours last night.”

Katherine, who struggled with difficult health issues with her own firstborn, says she knows how that feels. “Those days were very, very long. If I had something like this when I was a young mum, I’m sure I would have been able to cope much better.”

Katherine Claydon:

“One nudge in the right direction – maybe that’s all a person needs.”

The coffee group is just one – important – part of what One Nudge offers, as it aims to support and resource families in whatever way they need.

The focus is on cooperating with, rather than replicating, other organisations “already doing amazing things in the community”. But a gap around new parenting became apparent after Mum’s Clique, a Silverdale-based group working to empower and connect mums, shut down amid dwindling funding during covid (HM, April 4, 2022).

Katherine says the vision was born out of a desire for the church to do more for the community during the week.

“I don’t want to be walking out of the door after the service on Sunday and that’s it,” she says. “That’s not what we’re here for.

We’re here to look after our community.”

Families are referred in various ways,

Win treats 4 mum

sometimes from groups such as Plunket or Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

In emergency situations, One Nudge can help provide struggling parents with nappies, wipes or baby clothing and, and also refer them to other community groups.

In one of the programmes on offer, run through Parenting Place, parents and babies over the course of 30 weeks explore issues ranging from brain development to sleep and bonding. Katherine is doing a Positive Parenting Programme, a global initiative supporting parents of children with challenges like autism and ADHD.

As for the unusual name of the organisation, she says it attracts attention and initiates conversations.

“One nudge in the right direction, maybe that’s all a person needs – that little bit of support to get them to the place of feeling better.”

Hibiscus Matters is offering two readers a chance to win a selection of goodies for mum, supplied by local businesses. There is a first and second prize, with a total value of $700. To enter our Mother’s Day Giveaway competition, send us your favourite photo of your mother (or mother figure) and say briefly who you (and your mum) are, and why this is your favourite image. Email medium to high resolution jpg files to sellit@localmatters.co.nz. Copies of photos (no originals please) can also be posted or dropped into our office at 21 Florence Avenue, Ōrewa. Entries close at 10am on Friday, May 10, and the draw will be held on that day. Entries must include an email and phone number. Winners will be contacted by phone and announced on our Facebook page, and the winning photos will appear in Hibiscus Matters’ May 20 edition. Sponsors of the Giveaway include: Snowplanet, Longevity Wellness Centre, Matakana Palms, Coast Clinic, Café Manly, Foundry Chocolate, Unichem Manly, Unichem Weiti, Parāoa Brewing, The Archer, Pandora’s Closet, Better Tea Company, Due Amici and Hoyts.

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 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa | 027 618 1996

Local oysters + the best cocktails in Ōrewa! Mother’s Day May 12 Mum receives a glass of bubbles on arrival. Lunch & dinner (two sittings per service) Bookings essential

Taco Tuesdays for the month of May

Two Tacos $20 Frozen Margaritas $15

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ARTFUL LOVE A MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION

Craft Stalls with Handmade Gifts for Mom

Decision awaited on former Kauri Kids space

Options for the future of the former Kauri Kids Early Childhood Education space, in the Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre have been put before the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. They include leasing to a commercial, or community, organisation, mothballing, or even demolishing, that part of the centre. The former Kauri Kids space is on a corner of the building, adjacent to the Splash Pad and includes an interior and outside area. What happens to the vacant space was discussed at two recent workshops, with council staff recommending reincorporating the space into the leisure centre, as a place for health-related services. Another option, relocating the centre’s café, is not supported by council staff who say it would incur high

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costs for the local board.

Members asked for more detailed financial information about the options to help them make an informed choice.

Former chair Gary Brown said that any business would pay its own set up and fit out costs, and that a commercial operation that returns money to council would be a good idea.

Kauri Kids closed just before Christmas and deputy chair Julia Parfitt pointed out that it is being “mothballed by default” as it is taking time to move forward. Council staff will come back to the local board again with more information and it is hoped a decision can be made by the end of June.

New Coastie

Ed Amon edamonnz@gmail.com

Precious time with mum

When this paper’s editor, Terry, asked me to write about Mother’s Day, I immediately agreed. I thought it was an easy task. As I set out to write I thought I should do a quick calculation. My mother is 67 years old. She lives in Pakistan. I visit Pakistan approximately every two years for a couple of weeks. I spend that time hanging out with my family – and most of that time is with my mother. For the purpose of the calculation, I imagined that my mother would live to a ripe old age of 87 (I say a little prayer in my head that it needs to be more than a 100). Not bad. That is another 20 years. But as I continued my calculations, it dawned on me that I would get to see my mother only 10 more times!

My heart dropped, and I had tears in my eyes.Ten times is nothing. The person who brought me into this world is the bravest person I know. My father was in Saudi Arabia and then in the UK, working hard to create a better future for the initial years of my life. So she did it all by herself: nurtured me through a gruelling pregnancy, fed me, cleaned my poop (I was a poonami extraordinaire), taught me to clean my poop, walk, talk, eat, read, write –and even think. She was always on my side when I argued with my father about my career decisions. She is my biggest advocate on the planet.

I am such an idiot for taking her for granted. I am such an idiot for being lazy and procrastinating when I should call her

– sometimes for as long as two weeks. I am such an idiot for being impatient when she tells me about the mundane goings-on in the extended family. I am such an idiot for not taking her call because I’m watching an episode of Married at First Sight Australia (and tell myself that I will call after the episode, but then forget to do that). I am such an idiot for lying to her about how busy my life is when she complains that I don’t call her enough. If I’m watching Married at First Sight Australia, surely my life is not that busy! Only 10 more times that I’ll see my mother in person. I am such an idiot.

It dawned on me that I would get to see my mother only 10 more times!

All is not lost, however. I may not be able to visit Pakistan more often than I do because of financial constraints. But I certainly can improve on the frequency and the nature of my contact with my mother. I can easily give her more of myself, because she gave her everything to me. I will do it – that is my Mother’s Day promise. All of us who are fortunate enough to have a mother in our lives can improve on our engagement with her. I do not mean to tell you how to live your life, because relationships can be complicated. But come on! If you have time to watch Married at First Sight Australia, you have time to talk to your mum.

n a petite, tucked-away haven in Ōrewa, Melissa Giddy is fulfilling her passion for beauty, “making other women feel good about themselves, the natural way”.

Melissa, who grew up in Ōrewa, qualified as a beauty therapist with Honours in 2009. After working as a legal executive and medical receptionist, and years as a busy stay-at-home mum of three, she realised she had “unfinished business” and decided to return to beauty.

“My family is my absolute number one priority, and I still wanted to put them first, but do something that gave me the flexibility to do that.”

After temporarily renting space in a hair salon, she secured premises in Bakehouse Lane which with her husband’s help have been transformed into a sanctuary.

Amid calming scents and soft music, Melissa offers facials using only natural ingredients and products to nourish the skin from within, as well as waxing, tinting and mini manicures. When visitors leave feeling relaxed, revived, their skin glowing and happy, “I know my job is done”. Clients hail from all stages of life. When it comes to mums, being one herself, “I know that just having time out for yourself is special, and vital for our physical and mental wellbeing”.

“Bliss” was Melissa’s nickname growing up, given to her by a close family friend. As she works alone in her little salon, ‘Just Bliss’ was the perfect name for the new venture. “It’s just me here – clients know they’re going to get me every time. And it’s my goal that, by the time they leave, ‘bliss’ will be what they feel.”

Bliss

Melissa Giddy

Pink diamond for pink fundraiser

A one-carat round pink diamond valued at around $2500, grown in a lab, is being raffled at a local Pink Ribbon event to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

Local jeweller Greg Holland is providing the diamond. He says the jewel is 100 percent a diamond – there is nothing fake about lab-grown gems.

In nature, a pink diamond is very rare, its colour caused by intense heat and pressure in the earth around it.

In the lab, the same process takes place, with heat and pressure exerted to create a diamond with a pink blush, Greg says.

Gems created in this way are a growing trend, and considered more sustainable as no mining is involved.

Greg points out, however, that there is still a lot of energy consumed in creating gems via heat and pressure. The resulting diamonds, and other precious stones such as sapphires, are more affordable and, if cut well, can be stunning. Greg meets customers by appointment at CoastLab, so he offered the diamond as a raffle prize for the Pink Ribbon Brunch at Red Beach Surf Club on May 23, hosted by CoastLab CoWorking, Ali Butler - The Social Agent and The Lending Team.

The fundraiser, which includes a number of raffles supported by local businesses, runs from 10.30am12.30pm. Tickets, which include buffet breakfast, tea and coffee and one raffle ticket, from www.trybooking.com/nz/ events/landing/12187

Get your pink on

For the fifth year in a row, Ōrewa businesses are gearing up for this week’s Paint Ōrewa Pink, a local annual contribution to the Breast Cancer Foundation’s Pink Ribbon Breakfast fundraising campaign.

Organised by Michelle McAteer-Ross, who was herself diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, the event on May 9 will incorporate a silent auction during a breakfast at Oliver’s on Ōrewa Boulevard, overseen by Craig McNair

Last year’s special breakfast at Oliver’s raised $4000 for the cause – the café donated the total takings – while another $7000 was raised from the auction, raffles and donations from other businesses which offered various specials of the day.

In addition to this year’s Oliver’s breakfast, a growing number of businesses have climbed onboard over recent weeks, including Tasca, Cheek & Chong, Ship & Anchor, Shoreward, Semola, Niko’s, Thai Ōrewa, Liquorland, Charisma and Never Ending Books.

Michelle said while the breakfast was the mainstay, as Paint Ōrewa Pink has grown it’s given other businesses and supporters opportunities to get involved and contribute through the day, right until closing time on Thursday night. She encouraged the community to throw its support behind the event, which is important in raising funds and awareness, and promised a lot of fun.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner said the foundation was delighted that Michelle was bringing back Paint Ōrewa Pink for a fifth year.

“She is one of our major community fundraisers, having donated more than $30,000 since the first event in 2020,” she said. “As a charity that doesn’t receive any government funding, we rely on fundraisers like Michelle to work towards our vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.

“And it’s not just the money that makes a difference –it’s wonderful to see so many local businesses show their community spirit and do their bit to spread breast health awareness.”

Best Bakes

Mechan van der Westhuizen theflourqueennz@gmail.com

Mini banana choc chip pikelets

A quick easy breakfast or morning tea treat to spoil mum. Yields: 20 1Tbsp butter, melted 180ml milk

2 eggs

1tsp vanilla Pinch of salt

1/3 cup sugar

2 bananas, mashed 1½ cup self-raising flour ½ cup chocolate chips

Method Whisk together melted butter, milk, eggs, vanilla, salt and sugar. Stir in the mashed bananas. Sift in the self-raising flour, then add the chocolate chips. Mix well, to incorporate all the dry ingredients. Heat up a pan and lightly grease it, or spray with cooking spray. Scoop your mixture into the hot pan – try to form little circles. When you see the small air bubbles popping, flip them over and bake them on the other side until golden brown. Serve hot with butter, berries and golden syrup. These pikelets freeze well.

Mother’s Day Special ~ Complimentary Wellbeing Coaching session when booked with another service. (See website for services) Offer valid May 12-26, 2024

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Select committee hears gulf protection concerns

At least 20 fishing, environmental and community groups, many of them local, were in Auckland recently to make submissions to a parliamentary environment select committee on the Hauraki Gulf /Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill.

The Bill’s proposals include extending the marine reserve at Cape Rodney – Okakari Point (Goat Island), bringing in five new seafloor protection areas where trawling would be banned and 12 new high protection areas, which include parts of the ocean at Little Barrier Island, Kawau Bay, Tiritiri Matangi and the Mokohīnau Islands.

However, many people believe the protection proposals do not go far enough, since they would still allow commercial fishing in special ‘trawl corridors’ designated by Fisheries NZ, including unpopular and destructive methods such as bottom trawling and dredging.

One such speaker was Terry Creagh, of Ōrewa, who addressed the select committee twice as representative of several organisations, including the NZ Sport Fishing Council, the NZ Marine Research Foundation and the Warkworth Game Fishing Club.

“Our concern is that the proposed Hauraki Gulf Marine Bill does not go far enough, as 100 percent of the Hauraki Gulf should be designated a sea floor protection area,” he said.

“Mobile bottom contact fishing is the primary culprit for the decline of biodiversity, productivity and health of the marine park, yet the Bill still allows such destructive methods to continue.”

Creagh said the proposed high protection areas did not address the underlying causes

of depletion and loss of biodiversity, and those proposed for Kawau Bay and Tiritiri Matangi in particular would lead to little discernible drop in commercial fishing, while forcing recreational fishers out into more open water, causing safety concerns.

Creagh said there should be a special management area for these two locations instead, and said a community-led, holistic approach should be pursued, such as Ahu Moana, which combines mātauranga Māori and local knowledge with scientific data.

“Officials proposing tools that permit Māori customary fishing, while prohibiting all other sections of the community from fishing, will cause some major friction and incidents, which need not happen, as we are all New Zealanders wanting to fish to feed our families,” he said.

“Ahu Moana is a viable alternative that promotes community-based solutions to address protection and enhance marine life, encouraging mana whenua and local communities to work together, instead of dividing them.”

The Bill will have its second reading later this year.

Outstanding Ōrewa orienteers

A small team of Ōrewa College students did their school proud at the North Island secondary schools orienteering championships during the school holidays, walking away with a win in one event and a third place in the relay.

Competing against many schools’ considerably bigger teams, the four girls and two boys participated in individual and relay events held over three days at AUT’s Akoranga campus, Woodhill Forest and Riverhead Forest.

The top individual achiever of the six was Lacey Gornall, who came first in the year 7/8 girls’ individual race, a 3.1 km event in Woodhill on April 26.

A day later, Ōrewa College took third place in the junior boys’ relay in Riverhead Forest, an event featuring obstacles such as swamps, fences, streams – and numerous forested hills. Adding to that

accomplishment was the fact that, as the school group only had two boys, Year 9 girl Harper Tipene stepped in to lend a hand to her Year 9 mates Bruno Poly and Brooklyn Hope-Jensen.

The other two Ōrewa College representatives were Year 7/8 girls Roxy Hefer and Olivia Newson, who placed 13th and 31st respectively in the event won by Lacey. Bruno and Brooklyn also took 6th and 8th place respectively in the junior boys’ individual race at Woodhill, and Ōrewa College placed third overall in the “small schools” category (named for the size of the team, not the size of the school).

“It was an amazing three days,” team supervisor Laura Hope said. “All six students showed grit and determination and above all, amazing manaaki, showing great school spirit, and to take part in their school holidays showed true commitment.”

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The Ōrewa College team won third place in the junior boys’ relay event – from left, Brooklyn Hope-Jensen, Bruno Poly and Harper Tipene. Right, Lacey Gornall took top honours in the year 7/8 girls’ individual race.

Coast gets high energy tag team wrestling action

Following the wrestling action at the Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre in February, where Vic Craig became the inaugural Legacy Pro Wrestling champion, Legacy is bringing another live professional wrestling tournament to the same venue.

Tag Wars, a one-night tag team tournament, will feature eight teams. Names like Jamie Tagataese, Spartan, James Shaw, Hibiscus Coast local Zac Hayle, Kid Nova, Ant Khan, Superstar Troy Daniels, Matty

Short and Ryan Zero will be among those competing, together with a wildcard entry.

Plus, for the first time in a Legacy ring, the man-mountain Jayrilla will be in action.

Legacy champion Vic Craig, fresh from a tour of the USA over the WWE Wrestlemania weekend, will defend his title.

At the Leisure Centre event in February, Craig stole victory from fan favourite Horus, who now gets another swing at the title.

Tag Wars is on May 25. Tickets from Eventfinda.

Librarians walk the talk for youth

A group of Whangaparāoa librarians has signed up to Walk the Talk to help make a difference for young people who are struggling with their mental health. The challenge is to raise money for Youthline by moving your body for 31 minutes every day in May –this relates to the average time that young people reaching out to Youthline for support spend speaking with a counsellor online. The librarians would love to see members of the community sign up and participate in Walk the Talk themselves, or sponsor the Whangaparāoa Library team to help it reach its fundraising goal of $1000. Info and donations: www.walkthetalk.nz/t/whangaparaoalibrarians

Hibiscus Coast wrestler Zac Hayle is sure to be a crowd favourite at the Leisure

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CARPET ADVICE, FREE QUOTE FOR STEAM CLEANS, Carpet Repairs, 35 years experience Dwayne 027 499 7929.

ELECTRICAL WORK Installation/upgrade of switch boards, down lights, power points, ceiling fans, ovens and hobs. Spa power, EV charger power. All small jobs welcome. Ronnic Electrical Ltd 021 752 430

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TAROT & ASTROLOGY

CONSULTATIONS Available in Dairy Flat. Contact Ruby 020 410 70203.

HIBISCUS COAST FRIENDSHIP CLUB, Meet at Bridge Club, Edith Hopper Park, Manly, 4th Wednesday of the month, 10am for talks and coffee. Enjoy meetings, movies, outings and luncheons. Phone Peter or Jeanne 426 8675.

ACROSS: 1 Run a tight ship, 8 Insist, 14 Swain, 15 Insomnia, 16 Rissole, 17 Trace, 18 Low, 19 Smitten, 21 Intensity, 22 Stymie, 25 Adolescent, 27 Verbatim, 28 Engage, 31 Magnum, 33 Guessed, 34 Nickel, 35 Smug, 37 Ivy, 39 Cage, 40 Neatest, 41 Sustained, 42 Schools, 43 Amethyst, 48 On the sly, 52 Saved up, 56 Miserable, 57 Look for, 58 Fake, 59 Ass, 60 Deal, 61 Warren, 62 Chateau, 63 Daring, 65 Skewer, 66 Schedule, 68 Threepence, 71 Dither, 72 Mint sauce, 74 Tsarina, 76 Fur, 79 Naive, 80 Tonight, 81 Au revoir, 83 Silly, 84 Meddle, 85 Ready, steady, go. DOWN: 2 Unnamed, 3 About, 4 Inn, 5 Head, 6 Strengthened, 7 Issue, 8 Inertia, 9 Site, 10 Scanty, 11 Fable, 12 Entwine, 13 Horseradish, 14 Segment, 20 Easy money, 23 Sergeant, 24 Discuss, 26 Lenient, 27 Visits, 29 Almonds, 30 Lessen, 32 Alarm, 34 Nylon, 36 Giddy, 38 Bach, 43 Armed, 44 Enslave, 45 Hard, 46 Subway, 47 Avian, 48 Off guard, 49 Tiredness, 50 Enforce, 51 Liken, 52 Secrecy, 53 Discounting, 54 Please, 55 Domesticated, 64 Destiny, 65 Selfish, 67 Epistle, 69 Cunning, 70 Recipe, 71 Droll, 73 Argue, 75 Raved, 77 Held, 78 Bass, 82 Rue.

6:46am1.1 1:00pm2.9 6:54pm1.1 1:27am3.0 7:41am1.1 1:53pm2.8 7:51pm1.1 2:20am2.9 8:34am1.1 2:48pm2.7 8:50pm1.2 3:12am2.9 9:26am1.1 3:44pm2.7 9:46pm1.2 4:02am2.9 10:15am1.1 4:38pm2.8 10:37pm1.1 4:49am2.9 11:01am1.0 5:28pm2.8 11:23pm1.1 5:34am2.9 11:45am1.0 6:14pm2.9 12:06am1.0 6:17am2.9 12:27pm0.9 6:57pm3.0 12:47am1.0 7:00am3.0 1:09pm0.8 7:38pm3.1 1:28am0.9 7:44am3.0 1:50pm0.8 8:18pm3.2 2:10am0.9 8:28am3.1 2:31pm0.7 9:00pm3.2 2:54am0.9 9:13am3.1 3:13pm0.7 9:43pm3.2

7:08am 5:27pm 7:08am 5:26pm 7:09am 5:25pm 7:10am 5:25pm 7:11am 5:24pm 7:12am 5:23pm 7:12am 5:22pm 7:13am 5:22pm 7:14am

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

7 Fun with Phones, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Introduction to smartphone apps. Free event. RSVP WhangaparaoaLibraryEvents@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

7 Presentation by Matthew Wood, clinical exercise physiologist, on exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for heart event survivors. Hosted by Heartbeats. Hibiscus Coast Community House, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway (behind Estuary Arts Centre), 10am-11am.

8 Gotcha Covered (with Mark Benjamin and Dianne), Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry.

9 The Going Bananas Hour, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay, 5.30pm-7pm. Free entry.

12 Mother’s Day Music with Going Bananas, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 4pm-7pm. Free entry.

12 Mother’s Day High Teas in the Parsonage, Silverdale Pioneer Village, 15 Wainui Road, Silverdale. $25 per person. Bookings essential, ph 021 630 520 or email Pioneervillage1968@gmail.com

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

18 Naturopath Rachelle Turrell presents ‘Food as Medicine’, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. How whole foods can optimise health. Free event. RSVP WhangaparaoaLibraryEvents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

18 Retro 50s to 80s with Going Bananas, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6pm-9pm. Free entry.

21 How to Prepare for an Emergency, Whangaparāoa Library, 11am. With Auckland Emergency Management. Free event. RSVP WhangaparaoaLibraryEvents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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

24 Stetson Club with Midnite Special, Dairy Flat Community Hall, 4 Postman Rd, Dairy Flat, 7.30pm-11pm. Members $10 Non Members $12.50 Licensed cash bar. Bring your own nibbles. All welcome

25 Toucan, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7:00pm-10:30pm. Entry $8 members, $10 non-members, door sales only.

25 Tag Wars Pro Wrestling tournament, Stanmore Bay Pool & Leisure Centre, 6.30pm-9pm. Tickets from Eventfinda. (see story p25)

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

20-29 Get started on your Family Tree, family history introduction course at Whangaparāoa Library. Course runs on May 20, 22, 27 and 29 from 10am-12.30pm. Info: phone Garry Phillips 021 902 715 or email genealogy. training.nz@gmail.com

26 Hungry for Something Better (plant-based cooking) presentation with demonstrations and tasting, Ōrewa Convention Centre (Seventh Day Adventist Church), 123 Centreway Road, Ōrewa, 4pm. Cost $15 per person.

30 Drag Bingo with Anita Wigl’it, three rounds of Bingo, drag show, lots of laughs, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 7pm-9pm. Tickets from Eventfinda.

1 The Doors Live, Europe’s best Doors tribute band performs an epic Doors setlist, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 8.30pm-11.30pm. Tickets from Eventfinda

4 Naturopath Rachelle Turrell’s Improve & Reset Gut Health, Whangaparāoa Library, 11am. How to produce and maintain a healthy gut microbiome Free. All welcome. RSVP WhangaparaoaLibraryEvents@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

8 Jordan Luck Band Winter Tour, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 8.30pm-11.30pm. All the well-loved hits. Tickets from Eventfinda

9 Community planting day, Shakespear Regional Park, starting 10am. All welcome. The other community planting dates are June 22 and July 14. Bring clean, sturdy covered footwear, gardening gloves, a rain jacket, sunhat and sunscreen, water bottle and snacks. You can bring your own clean spade, but they are also supplied. Info: https://ourauckland. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/tags/planting/

14 Hell Freezes Over/Kiwi Eagles Experience, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 8.30pm-11.30pm. NZ’s premier international touring Eagles tribute band. Tickets from Eventfinda.

15 Winter Fabfest, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 2pm12am. Ten fine NZ bands. Put on your dancing shoes! Tickets from Eventfinda

16 Death Café, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Coffee, cake and open conversations about grief, death and dying. Free. All welcome

17 Age Concern’s Support for Seniors, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Detailing support services for older people. Free. RSVP WhangaparaoaLibraryEvents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/

Pharmacy Talk

with Tania Adams

Pharmacist

at Unichem Manly

Asthma Winter Checklist

In New Zealand over 570,000 people take medication of asthma. If you are one of the 1 in 8 kiwis suffering from asthma, it’s time to get prepared for winter. Why is that you say? Did you know that cold air can literally take your breath away?

Cold air and runny noses are major triggers for asthma flare ups Studies show up to 70% of asthmatics say their asthma triggered from a combination of cold air and exercise. The common cold can also prove troublesome. Research shows that more than 80% of colds suffered by asthmatics are associated with an increase in asthma symptoms.

Here is an Asthma Winter Checklist so you can get yourself prepared before the cold air hits.

Assess how well your asthma is really controlled by taking an Asthma Control Test. More than half of asthmatics in New Zealand suffer with uncontrolled asthma. Having your asthma under control means being to live a physically active life with little or no symptoms of asthma day or night. You can complete the test with your health provider or test yourself on-line at www.asthmacontrol.co.nz

Do you have an Asthma Action Plan in place? An asthma action plan is a self-management plan. This plan enables you to monitor your asthma symptoms and respond to any worsening symptoms by revising how you take your prescribed medication which in turn helps you to take control of your asthma. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting your own individualised Asthma Action Plan. Or see the

Asthma Educator at Unichem Manly Pharmacy Wednesday, 29th May.

Just call on 09 4247708 to book your FREE appointment.

Consider getting your vaccinations. Influenza and COVID vaccinations are available at Unichem Manly Pharmacy. Book on bookmyvaccine. health.nz Walk ins available on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Support your immune system naturally. Many natural remedies such as vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and echinacea may help to increase your immunity. Ask one of our friendly team which might suit you best.

Think about becoming smokefree. With such amazing health rewards and great support systems in place, becoming smokefree is certainly worth the effort. Did you know that our pharmacists are now able to provide subsidised nicotine replacement therapy without a prescription? If you are thinking of quitting, come and talk to us.

Treat allergies and avoid triggers. A trigger is something that makes your asthma worse. Knowing what your triggers are and undertaking to avoid them may well be key in keeping your asthma symptoms at bay. To find out what is triggering your asthma, take note of when and where you are when your asthma symptoms become worse and how severe they are. Allergies are also known to trigger asthma. Treating your allergy may also help decrease asthma symptoms.

If you have any questions about your asthma, our pharmacists at Unichem Manly Pharmacy would love to help you.

Record-breaking O’pen Skiff regatta a big win for Manly

Manly Sailing Club last month hosted a packed programme of O’pen Skiff racing and a two-day workshop for young sailors of the small, single-handed yacht class, attracting a record-breaking 88 sailors from across the country.

Sailors from the North and South Islands – and two from the Royal Bombay Yacht Club in India – took part in the Russell Coutts Sailing Foundation (RCSF) clinic and three days of racing. The club said it was the largest contingent ever to take part in an O’pen Skiff national championship in NZ.

Sailors took advantage of good winds and sunny skies to learn more about sailing the little vessels “fast and smart”, and had a shot at the beloved Bridge of Doom – a large inflatable goal post-shaped structure

with the “crossbar” lower than the top of the rigs, requiring some nimble handling to navigate without mishap.

Taking part were 24 sailors in the development fleet (for those with little to no previous race experience), 29 in the silver fleet (sailors with fundamental racing skills) and 35 in the gold fleet (experienced and confident competitors who previously competed in silver fleet racing and can perform in a range of conditions).

Racing days saw a mix of conditions –very light 6-7 knot westerlies building to 12-15 knots on day one; wet and woolly conditions on day two with 15-18 knot northerlies and big waves enlivening an exciting slalom course; and an 18-20plus knot southwest breeze on day three,

offering perfect planing conditions for the Sail GP-style reach start.

Manly Sailing Club’s own reigning U15 O’pen Skiff world champion, Ewan Brazle, won his third consecutive national title, while Elena Keall-Neches of the Paremata Boating Club in Porirua notched up her second nationals top finish in the girls’ division.

In addition to making friends and memories, other highlights on the programme for participants included a panel discussion led by former RCSF head coach Saffron Nixon, and featuring Olympians Jenny Armstrong and Kylie Jameson, and O’pen Skiff alums, iQFoil and WingFoil sensation Aimee Bright, and former top NZ ILCA 6 sailor, Maddie Rist. The discussion covered topics

ranging from building confidence to how parents can support their kids by creating a culture that promotes sailing as a “sport for life”.

A feast and quiz night was headlined by five-time Olympian, boardsailor Barbara Kendall, who shared her journey to Olympic glory, inspiring the next generation of sailors to have fun, persevere and believe in the impossible.

After a celebratory prizegiving, Harold Bennett – the principal race officer for five America’s Cups, and Manly Sailing Club’s vice commodore – closed the regatta, encouraging the young sailors to persevere in their journey, continue to raise the bar on sportsmanship, and not to forget rule number one – have fun.

O’pen Skiffs in action off Whangaparāoa. Above from top, Manly Sailing Club’s Ewan Brazle was first overall, and took his third consecutive national title. Navigating the Bridge of Doom. Photos, Jacob Fewtrell Media.