21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa, 0931 | ph 09 427 8188
Hibiscusmatters
Localmattersnz
issue: August 12, 2024
General manager: Jannette Thompson gm@localmatters.co.nz
Editorial: Terry Moore ph 022 019 6569 terry@localmatters.co.nz
Patrick Goodenough ph 022 549 8271 news@localmatters.co.nz
Advertising: Angela Gallagher ph 022 029 1895 sellit@localmatters.co.nz
Leigh Cameron ph 022 096 8517 sales@localmatters.co.nz
Graphic design: Lorry McCarthy hibiscus@localmatters.co.nz
In a rare move, Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson sent a strongly worded letter to the owner of Gulf Harbour Country Club stating the importance to the community of the encumbrance protecting that land as a golf course and country club for 999 years.
At this stage owner Long River Investments has not applied to alter or remove that encumbrance in order to develop its site.
Wilson’s letter, dated July 12, told Long River Investments that while council will follow due process if any application is made, “the purpose for which the encumbrance was entered into will be relevant, as will the interests of the broader community…”
Wilson told the paper last week that council undertakes its regulatory role in good faith when it comes to things like resource consents and plan changes.
“But we also have a role as a named party to the encumbrance and have to act as a leader in the interests of the wider community,” he said.
He said he is aware that there are differing views in the community about what should happen with the country club land.
“We can all see the need for clarity about that space and its future use. I am hopeful in the long term that we can find that certainty for the community. With intensification, the balance of green space is important.”
Lobby group Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces (KWGS) has been seeking assurances about the encumbrance from council since the country club was bought by developer Greg Olliver three years ago.
Spokesperson Howard Baldwin says they were pleased about the letter – “but at the end of the day, the property is still in private ownership”.
He says KWGS’ current focus is to make Ministers aware of the issues, in case Long River Investments seeks consent to develop the site through government’s proposed fast track legislation.
He describes Wilson’s letter as “a line in the sand”.
“The ball is in Long River’s court as to what they do next,” he says. “If all their attempts to get the land developed are frustrated, they may walk away.”
As the paper went to print, council had not had a response from Long River Investments.
The chief executive’s letter also stated that council needs to be reimbursed for the $200,000 plus that it paid to demolish the unsafe country club buildings following suspicious fires in May. Wilson said that the first step is to invoice Long River Investments, once all the costs are known, and if that proves fruitless, repayment will be vigorously pursued. Because the work was carried out under The Building Act, the debt can be placed as a charge on the property’s title (HM June 3). In May Long River Investments narrowly avoided being put into liquidation by the Auckland High Court – the debt in question was $20,000.
Meanwhile disturbances continue at the site, although not on the scale of the arson and vandalism seen previously. On Friday, July 19 the Manly Volunteer Fire Brigade quickly extinguished a small rubbish fire that was burning outside the greenkeeper’s shed. Fire chief Craig McDonald says there was no danger to any property. That weekend, on July 21, police were advised that a person had thrown an object at a vehicle. “One party has since been spoken to,” police say. “No injuries or damage were reported.” Police are conducting follow up enquiries into the incident.
The Auckland Council chief executive is not the only one who has been letter writing. Albany Ward councillor John Watson recently wrote to Transport Minister Simeon Brown in response to his statement this month that if Waka Kotahi NZTA recommends tolling, the government would support that userpays approach.
Waka Kotahi recommended the tolling of the O Mahurangi Penlink road to recover the costs of tolling infrastructure and ongoing road maintenance, and transport minister at the time, Michael Wood, agreed.
After Wood resigned as Minister last year, then opposition transport spokesperson, Brown said he would investigate whether or not that decision could be reversed. Information released under the Official
Information Act had revealed that Ministry of Transport officials told Wood that Waka Kotahi’s business case, consultation process and lack of public support, meant the toll proposal failed three of the four statutory tests under the Land Transport Management Act.
Cr Watson opposes the tolling of Penlink and says in light of the government’s recent stated preference for tolling, it was important to point out to the Minister that Penlink was a different case.
His three page letter dated July 19 quotes several passages from the Ministry of Transport’s advice, including that “… evidence in Waka Kotahi’s Tolling Scheme & Business Case Benefit Cost Ratios suggests ... society would be worse off if Penlink were tolled.”
“They came to this conclusion because the
effects of traffic diversion resulting from tolling would reduce benefits elsewhere in the network including reduced road safety gains, increasing emissions (through greater fuel use) and the net toll revenues being less than the cost of setting up and running the tolling,” Cr Watson says.
“In other words, it would cost more to administer the tolling than would be collected from the tolls.”
The letter also says that when the Labour government made the decision to fund Penlink, in 2022, the key driver was to enable substantial growth in Silverdale and Ōrewa.
“It is this catchment to the west that is the main beneficiary of this project, yet it is Whangaparāoa residents who are being asked to pay a toll,” Cr Watson says.
Urgent healthcare provision on the Hibiscus Coast has shrunk to just one local option with the closure of the urgent care service at The Doctors in Red Beach from August 1. (GP services are not affected.)
There has been some form of urgent care at the Red Beach practice for more than 20 years and the service, open 8am-8pm seven days a week, was the closest for anyone on Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
However, all Coast patients needing urgent care will now need to travel to Silverdale Medical, Takapuna or Northcross.
The Doctors is owned by Green Cross Health, which took over the Red Beach practice in 2017. Its medical regional business manager, Steve Crew, says the company has struggled to meet the staffing requirements of its contract with ACC for urgent care. He says they have notified ACC of more than 300 hours of urgent care closures this year alone. In addition, the contract requires radiology on site and Crew says Red Beach’s radiology has given notice.
Although The Doctors Red Beach was unable to meet its urgent care contractual obligations, Crew says it was Green Cross’s decision to terminate the contract. He says that was largely because of low numbers of patients presenting, making the service unaffordable. Crew estimates less than 20 patients were presenting daily during the week, and around double that in the weekends.
Urgent after hours care is open to anyone
who needs to be seen immediately, whether enrolled at a practice or not, and comes at a premium price of around $100 for an adult (non-ACC cases).
“The urgent care aspect of the business has been running at a loss over the last four years, which has the potential to place the rest of the business at risk,” Crew says. “Urgent care around the country is struggling and it’s a difficult time to get and retain good staff.”
He says closing urgent care services required re-deploying or disestablishing the positions of two doctors and six nurses.
“It’s sad for the Coast, but the great thing is that our GP practice can continue,” he says.
As the last remaining local practice with the ACC contract for urgent care, Silverdale Medical is assuring the community that it can “flex up with increased demand”.
The business is owned by a group of doctors who work in the practice, including Dr Alison Sorley, who is chair of the board and an urgent care physician.
She says patients seeking urgent care need to be aware that it could be busier with the closure of the Red Beach service. Patients are always triaged so they will be seen in order of severity.
Urgent care has been provided at Silverdale Medical for around 10 years and in that time Sorley says demand, and the severity of the problems people come in with, have increased.
She estimates that in winter around 70100 patients per day seek urgent care there,
and 40-70 in summer.
“People are arriving more unwell. They come because hospital emergency departments have long wait times, or they have put off seeing the doctor, couldn’t get a GP appointment, or are anxious about going to hospital,” she says.
Despite this, Sorley says staffing is not an issue as experienced GPs can work in urgent care clinics, as well as specialised physicians and nurses. Silverdale Medical also owns Weiti Creek and Millwater Medical – this provides a pool of 26 doctors, including seven specialist urgent care practitioners –by comparison Red Beach The Doctors’ has three GPs and had two urgent care specialists. Sorley agrees that urgent care clinics across the country are struggling, which she says is partly due to insufficient government funding.
“The ACC contract hasn’t quite kept pace with the high costs of running urgent care, but it’s not too bad,” she says. “We are not considering closing. We see the service as essential to enrolled patients and the wider community.”
Silverdale Medical is located in a building owned by Southern Cross Healthcare, which is currently reviewing all aspects of that property. Sorley says the practice has a long lease. Last week Southern Cross told Hibiscus Matters it expects to have more information about the property review by the end of next month.
For urgent medical needs, dial 111 in an emergency or seek urgent care from Silverdale Medical or Shorecare Northcross (both open 8am-8pm) or Shorecare Smales Farm (open 24 hours a day).
Minister David Seymour was in town last week to visit the Silverdale and Destination Ōrewa Beach business associations, Ōrewa College and Mighty Ape.
At Ōrewa College the Associate Minister of Education (Partnership Schools) sat down with Principal Wiri Warriner and the school’s senior learning team.
Seymour assured them that they could speak freely and that he had “no spies from the Ministry of Education” accompanying him on the July 25 visit.
He was told about flooding that requires the school to retreat from Ōrewa Estuary, as well as plans to build a 12 classroom double storied block which have been shelved a number of times.
“The Ministry told the school we needed more roll growth before getting the new classrooms, Warriner said. “We want to know the roll number we need to reach, before we get excited again about that plan.”
Seymour said he had had that same conversation about infrastructure multiple times with schools and there was about to be “significant change”, with work underway to change the structure of how school property is managed.
A review into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function began in March and was due to be delivered to Education Minister Erica Stanford by the end of last month.
Seymour also talked about the need to give schools more autonomy, including a plug for charter schools.
A tour around the school included a visit to Learning Support and some Year 8 classes. The Act Party leader got a warm welcome from a few students, who asked for autographs and handshakes – no cellphones at school meant no chance of a selfie. Seymour meets Year 8 Ōrewa College students.
Bike riders are again creating tracks through bush reserves, ignoring or removing council signs, damaging plants and upsetting some local residents.
The issue has again highlighted the need for more designated places for locals to ride, with a number of residents keen to see new tracks provided.
Two years ago, tracks made through Shuttleworth Reserve in Manly (aka Garroway Green in Shuttleworth Place) damaged the bush. Volunteers responded by planting around 100 native plants and Auckland Council erected signs explaining it is illegal to construct tracks in public reserves.
Manly residents Debbie and Murray Vercoe, who voluntarily control pests and weeds in Shuttleworth Reserve, discovered the latest damage on July 8 and reported it to police. Around 40 native plants were pulled out and others chopped down. A bike track around 30m long had been formed, with two jumps.
“We were gutted,” Debbie Vercoe says. “We spent two hours planting natives and tidying up the debris. I understand that bike tracks are needed, but not in a regenerating nature reserve.”
A similar thing is happening at Seagate Reserve in Red Beach. Council’s Hibiscus and Bays, Upper Harbour area operations manager Sandra May says residents near
that reserve recently alerted council to illegal dumping and the building of structures for bike riding.
She says council is aware of paths being created across a few Auckland reserves.
“This activity is not permitted, risks damaging and destroying vegetation and is a health and safety risk,” May says. “Our contractor will undertake a clean-up of Shuttleworth Reserve and carry out more planting. In the coming months we will install signs informing the public that planting is underway and that plants need support to establish.”
Not everyone is opposed to bike tracks however. At the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board meeting last week, Rachelle Collier presented a proposal for a public mountain bike track for Seagate Reserve.
She said she was suggesting Seagate Reserve because it is already being used by riders, but that a track could be built anywhere that council deemed appropriate.
“Council is already spending money ripping down the tracks the children make, so why not spend money building something safe for them instead?” she asked. “There is clearly a need.”
Local board chair Alexis Poppelbaum said council staff are looking into the issue but are aware that “reserves are for everyone”.
At the same July 23 meeting, Daniel Kelly
sought the board’s support for building a dirt jump park in Silverdale Memorial Park, behind the rugby fields, so local teenagers can extend their riding skills.
The issue of safe places to ride bikes off-road locally is something council is concerned about. Currently the only offroad bike tracks on council land are in Shakespear Regional Park.
“We plan to engage with neighbours of
Maygrove Lake in Ōrewa may be a stormwater treatment pond, but it is also an attractive lake, valued for its aesthetics by residents, who have been voluntarily clearing it of weed and debris for years. Those residents, members of Maygrove Residents Association, are hoping that the wet and difficult job will be largely taken care of in future by 10 grass carp, which will be released in the lake in the coming months. Fast growing introduced weed species, including oxygen weed, thrive in the lake. The carp feed on these, keeping the water clear.
Grass carp were first introduced to the lake in 2007. They were all washed away by floods until barriers were put in place before a further release in 2015. In 2020 Auckland Council cancelled its contract with the owner of those fish, and the contractor therefore removed them from the lake.
Residents association member Marie Walding has been helping look after the lake for a decade. She says getting carp back into the
lake since 2020 has required persistence on behalf of residents who live near the lake, in particular Jerry Paterson. Covid restrictions, and the need for Department of Conservation approval, also delayed the process.
Walding says without the fish present, around 40 volunteers have had to do major cleanups of the lake twice a year.
Some would wade in, clearing what they can and others work around the margins.
“We’d do it more often, but council would only pay to take the weeds away twice a year,” she says. “And some of it was too hard for us to do.”
Auckland Council senior Healthy Waters specialist Coen Ursem says this time council is purchasing, not leasing, the fish, which he says is a more economical way to maintain the lake.
“We will initially introduce 10 grass carp to Maygrove Lake,” he says. “As the lake is a stormwater treatment pond, the number of carp needs to be in balance with that stormwater treatment function.”
Once the carp have been released, the fish and pond condition will be monitored by council.
Acknowledging the work that locals do in regular clean-ups, Ursem says that important maintenance work is undertaken by council.
“Maygrove, like the other 300 stormwater ponds in north Auckland, are included in Healthy Waters’ maintenance programme,” he says. “Council’s maintenance contractor undertakes monthly inspections of Maygrove Lake, focusing on inlets, weirs, grills and removing rubbish. They take photos, report on vandalism and erosion. We also remove aquatic weeds that are impeding flows and or have been taken out by local volunteers.”
He says the fish are being introduced because council can see how much pride the locals have in the lake, and appreciates their voluntary clean-up work.
“The aquatic weed removal is mainly for aesthetic purposes, so it is not feasible or a good use of ratepayers’ money for contractors to weed the entire lake,” Ursem says.
relevant reserves over the next 12 months about park usage and how bikers and other park users can share these spaces,” May says. There are no new mountain bike tracks planned for Whangaparāoa. However, a plan to develop a pump track is in board’s current three-year programme and a relocatable pump track is shared between East Coast Bays and the Hibiscus Coast. It is due to return to Red Beach in spring.
Leanne Willis, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board leanne.willis@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
It’s easy to feel a bit cynical when it comes to certain council matters and community issues, and I, for one, have been guilty of such cynicism on a few occasions. Unfortunately though that sort of sentiment is a lot more widespread than you would hope.
Recent data from the Council’s own Citizens Insights Monitoring survey shows that only 18 percent of the community trust Auckland Council’s decision-making. It is important to remember however, that as local board members, our advocacy role has its limits.
Despite this, I was thrilled to receive good news for Gulf Harbour Ferry commuters at the latest Transport and Infrastructure Committee meeting. Auckland Transport confirmed that, thanks to progress in training the new ferry crew, the full ferry service (2023 timetable) will resume on September 9. There were many people, including myself, celebrating this announcement with a ‘happy dance’. This achievement underscores the importance of persistent advocacy. Kudos to the Hibiscus Coast Ferry Group (Gulf Harbour) Facebook group, who have tirelessly supported the ferry service and kept everyone informed about its return. Councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker have consistently spoken up, asking the tough questions, attending and speaking at community meetings, and refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer. My fellow local board members and I have
also been very vocal about the decline of this service that has served our community so well for much of the last 25 years, and one which also once had high patronage until it became chronically irregular and unreliable. I believe this service is essential and should not only continue but also expand to include weekend ferry services to and from the city.
In this respect we must definitely acknowledge the dedicated and loyal commuters who have supported the ferry service through difficult times. I’ve heard stories of last-minute cancellations causing chaos, so big kudos to you all as well for sticking with our ferry service despite everything.
From September 9 though, when the ferry service returns to 24 sailings per day, it’s crucial for the community to support it by using the service as much as possible. This ferry offers a quicker and more relaxing way to travel to and from Auckland. Super Gold cardholders can travel free of charge outside peak travel times, making it a perfect opportunity for an adventure on the ferry and a chance to enjoy beautiful views over a glass of wine. If you haven’t tried it, give it a shot!
Let’s make the most of this service and work towards taking it to the next level. Many in the community are eager for a weekend ferry service, and we’ve already achieved so much. Let’s continue to strive for more and work together for a brighter tomorrow.
Auckland Council is currently reviewing how it delivers its leisure centre services. Currently, some centres are run directly by Auckland Council (including the Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre) and others are operated by suppliers under contract. Council Pools and Leisure interim general manager Claire Stewart says the review is required by the Local Government Act. “For that process to remain fair, there are many things that we aren’t able to talk about publicly right now,” Stewart says. She says no decisions have been made yet about who runs which sites or services.” Cr Wayne Walker says that expressions of interest have been sought and the issue was brought to a confidential workshop last week. He says that the proposal could see the operation of all council leisure centres outsourced, that there were considerable concerns expressed by councillors, and they need more time to consider the staff’s recommendations.
As someone currently considering retirement village living, I enjoyed the story about sustainability at Hibiscus Coast village in Red Beach, and other local villages. I like to think I do my bit for the planet and was concerned that the amount of waste in places like that would be very off-putting. That information was very helpful to me and I appreciate the work your paper puts in to get those things out to the public.
Louise Burton, Army Bay
I hope that the stories in your paper recently about local young people, among them Charlie Thomas and Marie WalkerKinnell, have been well read by the community. Also the excellent column by Caitlin Watson. Young people seem to get a particularly bad rap around here, but in my experience (as a retired teacher) they are just like everyone else – many and varied and with a lot of positive things to offer. Perhaps we forget we were all young once.
Andrea Baker, Ōrewa
I read with interest the letter submitted by Bob Bicker of Gulf Harbour, regarding the apparently unnecessary resealing of his street recently (HM July 15). I live in Roberta Cres, Ōrewa, also in a cul-de-sac. We too had a perfectly sealed smooth road, until some weeks ago when it was dug up and a chip road put in. The new road is absolutely appalling and inferior to the previous road. We now have chip everywhere, in our gardens, gutters and cars, and stone chips on cars and stones lodged in car tyres, as the loose chip was not cleaned up in a professional manner. Additionally this new road already has holes in it which does not say much about the quality of the work undertaken.I cannot understand the logic in what has been done which, on the surface of it, makes little sense, so I was somewhat dismayed that Auckland Transport declined to comment on Mr Bickers letter. This arrogance is symptomatic of the wider issues with Auckland Transport. We the rate payers
who fund the salaries of those who make these decisions have a right to question what is being done on our own streets with our own money.
Karen Lewis, Ōrewa
Editor’s note: AT was approached for a response to this letter, but declined.
Unichem Hickeys Pharmacy in Ōrewa wants to thank the community for their generous donations of pyjamas for this year’s Jammies for June collection. The pharmacy received 247 sets of pyjamas –the most in their three years of collecting for this charity. The idea is to warm up winter for children in need. Staff delivered the pjs to the Middlemore Foundation at Middlemore Hospital on July 10. They go to Kidz First and the 76 primary schools that the foundation supports. The pharmacy is among a number of local businesses and organisations that support this charity each winter. Info: www.middlemorefoundation. org.nz/jammies-in-june
Prospective beekeepers or others interested in learning more about the fascinating little insect are invited to attend a workshop in August – national “bee aware” month.
The event will offer an overview of the techniques used to nurture bees as well as the cost and time requirements. Attendees will also be offered tips on making gardens more “bee friendly”.
Guest presenter Kim Kneijber has worked with bees for more than 18 years, is a member of the Rodney Beekeepers Club with a long-time association with Apiculture New Zealand, and lectures on the subject at Otago Polytechnic. She will cover issues such as challenges facing the bee population, hive maintenance and positioning, equipment required, pros and cons of beekeeping, rules and compliance issues and safety considerations.
There will be a working hive on site as well as a “bee friendly” plant section.
The August 25 event runs from 9.3011.30, at 1481 Kaipara Coast Highway, just north of Kaukapakapa. Numbers are limited so booking is essential: https://kaiparacoastplantcentre.com/https:/ kaiparacoastplantcentre.com/home/onlinestore/product-category/sample-product/ workshop-bee-25th-august-2024/
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
Auckland Council is considering whether to implement rules for walking multiple dogs (for example commercial dog walkers with many dogs on leads at one time) after a review found that they were overrepresented in incident statistics.
The issue was one of the findings of a review of dog management bylaw and policy endorsed by council’s Regulatory and Community Safety Committee meeting on July 2.
While the report said such incidents were mostly low impact, the representation was
disproportionate.
Dog walkers with multiple dogs made up 36 percent of aggressive incidents and 31 percent of chasing wildlife in shared spaces, the report said.
Chair Josephine Bartley noted that commercial dog walking was unregulated and wondered if a bylaw could help. Senior policy advisor Kylie Hill confirmed council would investigate whether or not it could add rules for walking multiple dogs, with one option being to potentially limit the number of dogs that one person could walk. Council staff will present a number of options for the bylaw at the end of the year.
Auckland Council is calling for dog owners to register their dogs or renew their registrations by August 1 to help pay for animal management, including a 24-hour a day response to dog incidents, and providing dog shelters. Its figures suggest that just under half (48.5 percent) of Hibiscus Coast dogs are currently registered. Dog registration is a legal requirement, but numbers are down this year, just as animal management services are in more demand. Auckland-wide, 41 percent of dogs were registered (as at July 11) compared with 63 percent at the same time last year. Last year, more than 50 percent of the dogs that ended up in council shelters were unregistered, making it difficult to reunite them with their owners. Auckland Council’s Animal Management manager Elly Waitoa says dog registration is a user-pays service – fees help cover the cost of keeping Aucklanders and their dogs, safe from dog-related nuisance and harm. Dog registration online www. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/register-your-dog/Pages/renew-registration-for-dog. aspx or visit a service centre. Dog owners who don’t register their animals risk a $300 fine and potential impounding of their dog.
Every Thursday you’ll find Valerie Field of Arkles Bay sorting bric-a-brac at the Whangaparāoa hospice shop.
She’s one of 37 Hibiscus Coast locals who was recognised last week for her dedication as a volunteer for Harbour Hospice at its annual Long Service Awards.
Valerie has volunteered for Harbour Hospice for 15 years and says it’s the camaraderie with other volunteers that keeps her going back, year after year.
“We like sharing the chatter, and you might see someone come in from the gym or that you know from somewhere else in the community,” she says.
For this role she works behind the scenes but if you’d met Valerie, aged 81, during the 1960s you would have found her centre stage with the spotlight directly on her. Valerie was a singer who, when she was 18, was performing alongside some of New Zealand’s most well-known entertainers including Bill and Boyd, Rama White, Luke Lawson, Peter Posa, The Rockets, and Tony Williams.
“We used to tour the North Island and perform at all these places and get packed houses. I was the only young woman in a group of 14 men.”
Later, Valerie moved to England where she became the South East London entrant in a 1967 competition called ‘Personality Girl’.
She joined operatic societies in Fulham and Putney and progressed from singing in choruses to taking leading roles in stage shows and musicals. Again, it was the camaraderie with her fellow cast members that drew Valerie back to the stage, time and again.
While her lifestyle today is quieter, Valerie says it is wonderful knowing she’s making a difference through volunteer work. She has also helped run hospice’s fundraising fashion parades.
Harbour Hospice chief executive Jan Nichols says volunteers are integral to the delivery of the organisation’s services.
“In the past year 1200 volunteers gave more than 151,000 hours of their time and because of their dedication we were able to care for 1330 patients and their whānau in our community,” she says. “Without volunteers, we couldn’t do what we do and we are very grateful to each and every one of them for the time, energy and skills they give.”
Sam’s Butchery in Silverdale has taken The Supreme Award in the ham category at the NZ Bacon and Ham awards, announced last week. The award was for the butchery’s Mini Champagne Ham. Ian Anderson from Sam’s Butchery said it was incredibly humbling to receive this accolade. “It’s a trifecta for us – we’ve previously won the Supreme Bacon and Supreme Sausage titles, and now we have the Supreme Ham. We are beyond thrilled and extremely happy.” Judging took place over three days, with a team of butchers and culinary experts inspecting and sampling bacon and ham products, all produced from 100 percent New Zealand pork.
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A rare NZ dotterel, obviously very sick, was rescued by an observant and caring local dog walker last month, nursed back to health by Auckland Zoo vets, and returned to Shakespear Regional Park.
Whangaparāoa resident Annaliese Booler was on her daily walk in the park on June 20 when she saw the bird, which did not move as she approached.
She saw that it was unwell, and its legs were banded, but at that stage did not know how rare a bird it was.
“I love birds and have rescued quite a few, but wasn’t familiar with dotterels,” Annaliese says.
Tucked into her jacket, the dotterel went home with Annaliese who then Googled the numbers on the leg bands. This put her in touch with DOC, which was very responsive and provided advice.
The bird was identified as a female juvenile named Okorowai which was banded ESU as a chick last March.
Annaliese kept Okorowai at home in a box until Auckland Zoo asked her to bring the bird in.
“The vet said the dotterel would have died if I hadn’t rescued her,” she says.
Emaciated, very weak and thin, the dotterel weighed just 98g. The zoo’s vet team provided rehydration, warmth and nourishment, to stabilise the bird.
X-rays, blood tests and faecal samples ruled out traumatic injury, though parasites were suspected, so the dotterel was dewormed.
Ongoing care included tube-feeding three times a day, until she began to feed for herself.
Okorowai was released back at Te Haruhi Bay, close to where she was found. On release day she weighed 118g.
Her progress is being monitored by local bird watchers, including Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society member John Stewart, who will update DOC and the zoo.
Stewart says the dotterel now looks fit and well.
“A great outcome,” he says.
The NZ dotterel is an endangered species with around 2500 birds surviving today.
If you see a dotterel or any wildlife in trouble please call 0800 DOC HOT.
When Anne-Marie Hopkins moved to a property in Waitoki last year, she quickly realised that possums were running the place.
Her land includes covenanted native bush, which means the property owner is responsible for pest control.
Anne-Marie’s approaches to local pest free groups revealed they had no capacity to help, so she did a trapping course, bought some traps and got started. The result is a catch of 91 possums in around nine months.
Anne-Marie says the experience revealed the need for a new pest free group to support and coordinate local efforts.
Together with Olaf Jones and Roberta Mek, she set about forming Pest Free Dairy Flat (which will also cover most of Waitoki) and this month began seeking more members.
“We want to bring more native wildlife back into our area,” she says.
Olaf has been a volunteer trapper with other local groups, as well on his Dairy Flat
property where he has lived for 10 years. He says whatever you do on your own land, possums and rats keep on coming through from the surrounding area and he welcomed the opportunity to get involved with the new group.
“We need a wider plan to tackle the whole lot,” he says. “I hope people will be prepared to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into it, as it’s very satisfying work.”
Already the group has more than 60 members. “Although there is a lot of trapping going on, on private property, it is not coordinated and there will be big benefits if we can get together and organise it more,” Anne-Marie says. “We want to better support the Northwest Wildlink corridor, a route followed by birds, which goes through Dairy Flat and Waitoki.”
A meeting is planned for the end of October.
To find out more, look for Pest Free Dairy Flat on Facebook or email pestfreedairyflat@ gmail.com
The shift to an Auckland Council-run rubbish collection is on its way, with the rollout planned for the Hibiscus Coast in September next year.
Meanwhile, the council is seeking local board feedback on its draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, and the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board had plenty of suggestions to make.
At its June 25 meeting, the board listed 31 points for council to consider.
It was noted at the meeting that the proposed change to a fortnightly household rubbish collection was proving to be a key issue. If adopted as part of the plan,
fortnightly rubbish collections would be rolled out around progressively from July 2026.
The local board supported the fortnightly collection of kerbside rubbish, once the food scrap collection is embedded.
Issues raised in relation to fortnightly collection include the volume of waste (potential need for larger bins) and odours relating to nappy/sanitary product waste.
The draft states that fortnightly rubbish collection is a proven way to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill as it incentivises people to minimise waste, compost at home or use the food scraps
service, consider things like packaging when making purchases, and recycle.
It says that cost savings from reduced collection frequency will be passed on to ratepayers.
To incentivise waste reduction, the larger the bin a household chooses, the bigger the cost. Currently the annual targeted rates charges for weekly rubbish collections start at $145.24 for the smallest (80L) bin, $174.77 for the 120L size and $290.09 for the 240L bin.
Should you select the wrong size bin, there is a $40 charge to exchange a bin for one of a different size. This covers the cost of
administration and the physical swapping of the bins. To help households during the transition to the council-run service, the exchange fee will be waived for households that wish to exchange their bin for a smaller size.
The local board’s feedback also supported resource recovery, including the potential development of a community recycling centre in Silverdale and the expansion of the existing Whangaparāoa Community Recycling Centre.
The plan will go to the council’s Planning Environment and Parks Committee for approval late this year.
Maj De Poorter, SOSSI info@sossi.org.nz
Winter is anything but slow or dormant at Shakespear Regional Park. It simply means that preparations have started for spring, with its explosion of life just around the corner.
Sixteen dedicated volunteers are servicing the hihi/stitchbird feeders with a sugar run three times a week. Ongoing monitoring shows that most of the hihi released in May are now using these food sources consistently. Earlier on, hihi nest boxes were checked and cleaned. A pleasant surprise was that many of them were also used as shelter by the Pacific gecko/ngārara pāpā. Kiwi call counts have been completed with around 30 people helping, spread over eight listening sites. As usual it was challenging to find nights with low wind (as it is hard to hear in strong winds) and no rain.
The data indicate that the little spotted kiwi/ kiwi pukupuku are active and well, with the average calls slightly higher than last year. With this month being the start of their breeding season, that is a pleasing result.
June and July are also key planting months, and fine weather brought out volunteers who did a great job. Families with small children, community groups and lots of other helpers enjoyed some winter sun while they added to the bush areas. And, of course, they appreciated the barbeques afterwards.
Planning ahead, the nursery already has dozens of seeds, collected around the park, germinating in trays for next year. We clean the pulp off the seeds, wash and dry them, then store them in the fridge until it is time to plant.
With a lot of ongoing care – potting, repotting, trimming, watering, monitoring for diseases – most seedlings will grow big enough to plant out next winter. However, some like mapou and titoki will need two years. In addition, kanuka and manuka are grown at the Botanic Gardens in Manurewa, from seed collected at Shakespear Regional Park.
A typical announcement of spring is the arrival of newborn lambs at the park’s farm. This usually starts in late July, so spring is already in the air. Just under 500 ewes have been expecting up to 800 lambs. Volunteers were busy last summer building more fences and moving one of the sheds to a better location. Recently we held an education evening for over 70 new volunteers who will help with any orphaned lambs. Shakespear Regional Park is a working farm so while we encourage you to enjoy these bouncy messengers of spring, we also respectfully remind the public to stay away from ewes and lambs.
The selection of a company to build the Orewa Beach seawall, from Kohu Street to Marine View, is still underway. The tender period closed in mid-May. Auckland Council engineering, assets and technical advisory general manager, Paul Klinac, says tenders are being evaluated and he expects a successful contractor to be chosen next month. The works, which were to have begun around now, or early next month, are now likely to start in early to mid-September, Klinac says.
Applications open next month for Auckland Council’s $500,000 per annum Waste Minimisation and Innovation fund. The fund has been used for things like compost bins in schools like Ōrewa’s Nukumea Primary School. The latest round also saw a weekly repair cafe, where things like appliances and laptops can be fixed, become a permanent fixture in Central Auckland. Repair cafes operate across the city from Pukekohe to Ōrewa but rely on volunteer availability. The Grey Lynn repair cafe, set up by the Auckland Library of Tools and Repair Cafe Aotearoa NZ, received a $32,800 grant to partly fund a co-ordinator’s salary and supplies for repairs. Any community group, school or business that needs support to start or expand a waste minimisation project is invited to apply. Applications open next month with applicants being able to apply for grants of between $1000 and $50,000. Info: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/grants-community-support-housing/ grants/regional-grants/Documents/waste-minimisation-innovation-fund-guidelines.pdf
Lauraine Jacobs www.laurainejacobs.co.nz/blog/
Root vegetables are the bargain of the winter vegetable season, and the cold weather is when they’re at peak flavour. Potatoes and kumara are the usual favourites, but on a recent trip to Southland, I was introduced to the marvel of the swede. Talking with a local arable farmer, I had my misconceptions around this hearty vegetable dispelled. As kids, they grew up snacking and chewing on freshly unearthed raw swedes right there in the paddocks. So sweet, this farmer told me!
(Arable farming is a whole other story. In a nutshell, as New Zealand farmers, we are well regarded around the world for our mastery of pastoral farming, raising high quality beef and lamb on the verdant pastures of grass, clover, plantain, chicory and herbal, so we can claim all our animals are grass-fed. Alongside that there are farmers who devote their land to raising edible crops and these are our arable farms, growing grains for harvest, as well as swedes, carrots, parsnips and so much more.)
My favourite way with any root vegetable is to roast it, as the cooking process allows the natural sugars in the vegetables to develop and become much richer than if steamed or boiled. Dinner guests always request roast potatoes. The secret of the best roast spuds is to choose Agria as they have loads of flavour and are guaranteed to be fluffy on the inside while gaining a crisp exterior. For a perfect roast potato, peel your Agrias and cut into halves or quarters. Bring to the boil in salted water and cook until almost tender – over-boiled potatoes will become mushy. Have the oven ready at 190C and heat a little olive oil in the roasting pan before adding the par-boiled spuds with a couple of tablespoons of butter. Bake for at least an hour, tossing them occasionally so they’re evenly golden and crisp. Those swedes from Southland would be good, too!
Roasting root vegetables for a velvety soup will ensure maximum flavour. In this week’s recipe, I combine two of my favourites, carrots and parsnips, and then give the soup a little Pacific touch with the addition of coconut cream and a touch of lime. Use this recipe as a base and feel free to experiment by substituting other root veggies. There’s nothing quite as comforting as a delicate but flavoursome velvety soup.
6 large carrots
2 large parsnips
4 tbsp grapeseed oil
1 onion
6cm piece of ginger
1 litre of chicken stock
Small tin coconut cream (165mls)
2 limes
Salt and pepper to taste
Small pinch of sugar
Small bunch of coriander (or fresh parsley)
Set the oven to 190C. Peel and chop the carrots and parsnips and add to a roasting dish, tossing the vegetables in two tablespoons of the oil. Place in the oven and roast for 35 minutes until the edges are just starting to caramelise, and are softened and fragrant. Remove from the oven.
Meanwhile, chop the onion and peel and grate the ginger. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onion and ginger and allow to soften over gentle heat.
Toss the roasted vegetables into the pan with the onion and stir well together over low heat for a minute or two, before adding the chicken stock. Bring to a gentle simmer for 15 to 20 minutes and remove from the heat.
Using a stick blender or a food processor, drain and retain the cooking liquid. Puree the carrot and parsnip mixture until it is smooth and silky with a cup of the liquid. Return to the pan with the rest of the saved liquid, and add salt and pepper to taste with a small pinch of sugar. Reheat gently and add the grated rind and juice of the limes. Add the coconut cream and bring to a simmer.
Chop the coriander, keeping aside a few sprigs for garnish, and stir this through the soup.
To serve, ladle the soup into heated bowls and sprinkle with a little freshly ground black pepper and a sprig or two of coriander.
EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 5 represents H, so fill in H every time the figure 5 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
A proposal for a new light industrial business centre called Silverdale West put forward by Fletcher Development and Fulton Hogan Land Development is currently going through Auckland Council’s private plan change process. For the proposed development to move forward the land must be re-zoned from Future Urban to Business-Light Industrial, which is what the plan change is seeking. If it is constructed as proposed, the more than 107ha site would include light industrial businesses, a possible commercial/ plaza space, new roads within the industrial area, pedestrian and cycling connections, along with stream and wetland plantings. The site, at 1636-1738 Dairy Flat Highway and 193 Wilks Road extends from the Silverdale motorway interchange. Its western boundary runs along Dairy Flat Highway and to the east it is bordered by State Highway 1.
Rodney Local Board deputy chair, and member for Dairy Flat, Louise Johnston is concerned at the amount of industrial businesses that have been sprouting up in Dairy Flat in recent years (HM July 1). She says this type of development should not be happening piecemeal as it may be at odds with the area’s Future Urban zoning, and will also impact the public transport network.
“I believe congestion will be a major issue on Dairy Flat Highway and through the Silverdale interchange if this goes ahead,” she says. “Additional traffic flows without any frequent public transport to the industrial zone could make it like SH16 through Kumeu – gridlocked. I don’t think Penlink will fix the congestion issue as the volumes of traffic just keep increasing.”
The Private Plan Change (PPC) application notes that transport upgrades will be needed both within the proposed development and the wider transport
network, and offers to cover those costs.
“If development occurs prior to the Council providing the necessary infrastructure upgrades, the applicants are capable and willing to cover those costs up front and will seek to enter into agreement(s) with Council to ensure implementation of all necessary infrastructure and that appropriate credits for those works are recognised,” the document says. “The PPC includes all necessary infrastructure upgrades as prerequisites to development
within the Plan Change area, ensuring that no burden associated with bringing the implementation of Silverdale West Stage 1 forward falls on the Council.”
The Private Plan Change was publicly notified on July 12 so the public can have their say. Submissions close on August 9. Info and submissions: www.aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reportsbylaws/our-plans-strategies/unitary-plan/ auckland-unitary-plan-modifications/Pages/ details.aspx?UnitaryPlanId=268
An assessment by Arbor Connect was requested by council to see if any trees on the site meet the criteria for inclusion as Notable Trees under the Auckland Unitary Plan. A listing on the notable tree schedule offers some protection from felling, as removing it would require resource consent. The report states that the majority of the trees within the site were considered to be between 41 and 60 years old, with some potentially up to 80 years old. Four exotic trees were noted as meeting the criteria for a notable tree listing – a silky oak, pin oak, Cooks pine and an English oak.
The cost of building a home in New Zealand dropped for the first time in at least 12 years, June figures reveal.
It was not a large drop, just 1.1 percent in the three months to June, but nevertheless, the decline marks a significant milestone according to CoreLogic chief property economist Kelvin Davidson.
The figure comes from the Cordell Construction Cost Index, which has tracked the cost to build a standard single storey, three-bedroom, two-bathroom, brick and tile standalone home since 2012. Davidson says the reduction in costs reflects a quieter period for the industry following completion of a surge in building
consents and the resolution of Covid-19 related supply chain disruptions.
“The downturn in workloads in the construction sector has eased the pressure on capacity and that has flowed through to reduced building costs,” Davidson says.
“Coupled with a slowdown in the growth of average hourly wage rates, the flattening of building material costs has also caused this reversal in the rapid growth of the past few years.”
He says the increased availability of established properties on the market is likely reducing demand for new builds too, giving home buyers more choice.
He suggests that softer demand for new
dwelling consents and less house building activity could mean flat or further falls to overall construction costs in the next few quarters of this year.
“The hope is that more stable economic conditions and lower interest rates in 2025 will help revive house building activity.”
QV CostBuilder spokesperson Martin Bisset says significant economic headwinds continue to blow, drastically reducing activity across the wider construction sector. He says for consumers, the upside is that there are fewer capacity constraints and less upward pressure on pricing.
“Contractors are having to put their best price forward to win work,” he says.
In addition, government recently proposed changes to the Building Act what are intended to make it simpler and cheaper to build (see story p17). This includes requiring building consent authorities to accept products that comply with specific overseas standards equivalent to, or higher than, NZ standards.
However, it is likely to be some time before that has any effect on the cost of building, Bisset says, due to the time it will take to implement changes to the Act and then obtain approval for the products.
The CoreLogic report is at www.corelogic. co.nz/reports/cordell-construction-costindex
Hopper Developments has been making good progress since the start of the year on turning the former Hobbs Bay farm site in Gulf Harbour into an 88-lot residential subdivision. The first sections are to be released at an open day on August 4. The development, called Hobbs Bay Estate, obtained resource consent last November. Earthworks began early this year and civil works for stage one started last month. The 88 sections range from 700 to 2000sqm and have direct beach access. Around half of the stage one sites will be available as house and land packages, with the rest as bare land.
Hoppers sales and marketing manager Shana Hopper-McCully says future development plans may include transforming the historic Hobbs Homestead into a café site or community hub.
Hoppers are also hoping to include a 300-berth marina, waterfront retail space, public boat ramp and beach (HM May
20). The company lodged an application for resource consent for the marina in May via the government’s pending Fast-Track Approvals Bill. That bill is currently at the select committee stage.
The August 4 open day is promoted as a chance to have a first look around stage one. The site will be open from 10am to noon. It is an active construction zone and requires certain health and safety measures to ensure visitors are kept safe. This may include wearing appropriate footwear, such as gumboots, abiding by the health and safety rules, and signing any suitable wavers before entering the development
The government is proposing changes to the Building Act to make it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent.
New construction data from Stats NZ released in April shows that it takes around 569 days on average for a home to be built after it receives a building consent.
“This means that once you account for the time it takes to issue a consent, it takes nearly 600 days to build a house in New Zealand,” Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.
“In the face of a housing and cost of living crisis, this is simply too long. Unclear and inflexible regulations add unnecessary time and delays to the build process.”
The changes proposed will allow builders to swap out comparable building products, in the event of a shortage, without having to submit a completely new building consent or wait until that specific product becomes available.
For instance, replacing one brand of a product such as plasterboard with a comparable product from a different brand, or putting a window where a door was initially planned.
Penk says this involves clarifying the definition of a ‘minor variation’ and introducing ‘minor customisations’ to the Building Act. This will provide more flexibility, which will help reduce delays and lower the cost of building and renovating.
“Building consent authorities will still need to assess building work to ensure it complies with the Building Code, but Kiwis won’t need to submit a new consent for minor product or design changes.
“This will also help increase competition for building products and give effect to the Commerce Commission’s recommendation from its market study into residential building supplies to remove impediments to product substitution and variations.”
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is working to prepare draft regulations to give effect to these changes before the end of this year. In the interim, MBIE is creating guidance material to support the understanding of the changes and how to use them once they are in force.
The changes are the latest in a package of initiatives designed to streamline the building process, which include moves to:
• Remove barriers for the use of overseas building products and require councils to accept products that meet international standards, which are the same as or higher than those in New Zealand.
• Bring forward a review of the earthquake prone building legislation and extend remediation deadlines by four years while the review is underway.
• Exempt small building projects under $65,000 from paying the building levy.
• Require councils to submit timeframes for building consents applications.
• Raise the height threshold for farm dam safety regulations from one to four metres.
An estimated 43,160 dwellings received a code compliance certificate last year, up 20 per cent on the year ended December 2022.
We’re excited to share our passion for building sustainable dream homes.
Here are four essential things to consider.
Whether you’re planning to build your dream home, develop your back lot, or embark on a large-scale residential or commercial project, land development involves many complex steps.
our planners are skilled at navigating it efficiently. We expedite paperwork, reduce delays, and keep your project on track.
At Stonewood Homes, we believe that your dream home should begin with a vision brought to life through innovative technology, expert craftsmanship and a commitment to sustainability. Our Design Studio, combined with state-of-the-art HOMEi software, offers a seamless, efficient and environmentally conscious way to transform your ideas into a tangible 3D model, helping to bring to life your dream home before construction even begins.
1) Strong project management is crucial. At Cato Bolam, our experienced directors and project managers are here to guide you through every step, from our initial meeting to managing the resource consent process. We handle the details so you can focus on your vision.
STONEWOOD HOMES design studio?
Cutting-edge technology
HOMEi software is a powerful tool that allows us to create detailed 3D models of your home design, allowing you to visualise different layouts, materials and finishes. This technology ensures that every aspect of your plan is accurately represented, giving you a realistic preview of your future home. This can significantly reduce the costs and time spent during the planning phase. This proactive approach also ensures that your project stays within budget, and enables an interactive fully transparent process.
4) The benefits of a multidisciplinary team can’t be overstated. Our team at Cato Bolam includes project managers, engineers, architects, planners, surveyors, and environmental specialists. This collaborative approach ensures all project aspects are aligned from the start, leading to smoother progress and fewer delays.
2) Thorough due diligence is essential. You must understand all aspects of your property, including the rules and regulations, site constraints, potential flood hazards, and soil contamination. Our experts at Cato Bolam will help with comprehensive due diligence checks, giving you the information needed to make informed decisions.
Expert and eco-conscious guidance
Cato Bolam’s integrated approach and comprehensive project management alleviate client stress from concept to completion. With our extensive expertise in land development, we will partner with you to bring your vision to life.
As owner-operators, we personally guide you through the design process with sustainability in mind, whether that be wool insulation, solar panels or simply a suggestion to adjust the measurement of a room to minimise the wastage in excess materials. With HOMEi software, we can explore many different ecofriendly and cost-effective designs and make realtime adjustments to meet your specific needs and preferences, while minimising environmental impact.
3) Expertise in resource consenting is a must. The process can be complex and time-consuming, but
Contact your local land development experts, Myles Goodwin and Michelle Bain, for an obligation-free discussion.
The government is moving ahead on plans to allow building consent authorities to use remote inspections in a bid to make building houses easier and
The idea is to use video-conferencing tools to inspect the work that’s been done, rather than having a building inspector turn up with a clipboard to the site. Tools like geolocation will be used to verify the places that the images were taken.
Building and Construction Minister, Chris Penk said building was too costly and time consuming in New Zealand, with costs increasing by 41 percent since 2019 and Statistics NZ data showing that it takes an average 569 days to build a home –excluding the time needed to get consent.
“A constant frustration getting in the way of building is the cumbersome consenting system and building inspections which are carried out to ensure a build is compliant
with the building code,” Penk said.
“Inspections are typically in-person which can lead to long delays as builders are forced to wait sometimes for weeks for a spot to be available which often means building work must stop in the meantime.”
Penk said the benefits of making remote inspections the default approach included lowering costs by removing the need for inspectors to travel to site; reducing
delays by enabling more inspections per day; reducing transport-related emissions; better record keeping and documentation; and reducing the time wasted by increasing flexibility for both inspectors and building professionals on the day of inspection. The government will release a discussion document later this year and provide an opportunity for councils and the sector to provide feedback.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop has this month announced his Going for Housing Growth policy which he says will flood the market with new homes. However, Local Government NZ is wondering how councils can afford it.
The policy is structured around three areas of change, or ‘pillars’, which government says will address the underlying causes of the housing supply shortage. These are: freeing up land for urban development, including removing “unnecessary planning barriers”; improving infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth and providing incentives for communities and councils to support growth.
The overall aim is to improving housing affordability by significantly increasing the supply of land that can be developed for housing, both inside and at the edge of urban areas.
This month, the government announced decisions on the first ‘pillar’, requiring councils to free up land for housing. These changes will be implemented through amendments to the Resource Management Act and the National Policy Statement on Urban Development, The changes include:
• Introducing housing growth targets introduced for Tier 1 and 2 councils, requiring them to enable 30 years of feasible housing capacity in their district plans, using ‘high’ population growth projections.
• New central government tools to monitor council compliance and a mandate to take action where there is unjustified non-compliance.
• Prohibiting councils from imposing ruralurban boundary lines in planning documents (but they can still have rurally zoned land).
• Investigating options to require councils to plan for 50 years of growth in their Future Development Strategies (up from 30) and be more responsive to private plan changes.
Formal consultation on the changes will occur early next year, with the first pillar requirements expected to be in place by the middle of next year.
Further decisions, including on Pillars 2 and 3, will be made later this year and next year.
Local Government NZ president Sam Broughton is quoted in industry publication Infranews as saying that while he welcomes the government’s commitment to housing growth, the lack of support to make it happen is a major concern for councils.
“Councils want more housing growth,” he says. “However, the logjam has happened because councils are not resourced to support the level of growth that we need. If we are serious about solving the housing crisis, we must change how growth is paid for.
“A 50 percent share of the GST revenue on new builds – as signalled in the Coalition Agreement – is a good place to start and it was disappointing not to see that commitment today. Rates alone simply can’t cut it.
“We are concerned at the increasing central
direction on planning that we’ve seen through successive governments, especially given this government’s commitment to localism. “If the government is serious about getting housing built, any changes should have both political consensus and buy-in from local government, otherwise we risk going through this all over again with the next change of government. Flip-flopping only costs councils and ratepayers.” Info: www.hud.govt.nz/our-work/going-forhousing-growth-programme/
Michael Goudie michael@teandem.co.nz
Recently, I was reminded of an old quote that serves as a good reset: “The pace of change has never been this fast, yet it will never be this slow again.”
This resonates with my experience over the last 18 months, as I transitioned from residential to commercial construction.
I entered the construction industry in the post-covid era that felt wildly out of control, with cheap money fuelling decisions made without long-term consideration.
Fast forward to now, and it’s clear that the only constant is the cyclical nature of our industry. What’s the opposite of drinking from a fire hydrant? It’s catching drips in a bucket. This is the reality we face as we brace for challenging times ahead, doing more for less and scrapping for whatever work is available.
A year ago, we realised that there would be no awards for growing the quickest, the fastest, or the biggest. Such growth would only add stress to an already fragile market. Our success today is due to strategic planning and a dedicated team willing to adapt and flex into any role needed. Despite the fact that times are undeniably tough, people are still making decisions, spending money, and building new
hospitality, retail and service shops in my area. Many believed that labour rates and material costs would never decrease, yet they have. The cost of construction is becoming increasingly competitive. Rates are negotiated, and the sector is no longer dancing to the subcontractor’s drum.
The flipside of this competitive pricing is that established construction companies, or subcontractors with mature relationships and insights, have an edge. They leverage their networks to gain opportunities. The game of winning work is getting dirty, but that is the nature of the beast in our industry.
In preparing for the difficult times ahead, our strategy remains clear: focus on strong planning, adaptability, and team cohesion. These elements are crucial for navigating the heavy headwinds we anticipate over the next year, testing our ability to survive and thrive in this environment.
The cyclical nature of our industry will always present both challenges and opportunities, and it is our readiness that will determine our success.
While the construction industry faces significant challenges, it is also ripe with opportunities for those prepared to navigate it with optimism.
ainlaying + Earthworks
Drainlaying + Earthworks
Drainlaying + Earthworks
Drainlaying + Earthworks
Drainlaying + Earthworks
Scott a’Beckett 021 027 95745 cott@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz
Scott a’Beckett 021 027 95745 tt@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz
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Scott a’Beckett 021 027 95745 scott@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz
Scott a’Beckett 021 027 95745 scott@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz
Scott a’Beckett 021 027 95745 scott@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz
18 years, ensuring
just like yours are well-covered – literally.
By
The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) has launched a new ‘Hire Boldly’ campaign to help boost the number of women entering the industry.
In 2015, women made up just one per cent of the number of people in BCITO apprenticeships. Although this has grown to just over six per cent, BCITO’s goal is to raise this to 10 per cent over the next 18 months. They plan to achieve this by focusing on addressing ongoing misperceptions about women’s ability to take on physical jobs.
BCITO director Greg Durkin says that reaching this goal will clearly signal the industry is moving forward and considering people based on skills and ability for the role, not gender.
“In the painting industry, where 24 per cent of BCITO apprentices are female, it is no longer unusual to see a woman at
the business end of a spray gun, brush or roller,” Durkin says.
“Despite the recent slowdown in resource consents and the pipeline of work for New Zealand’s building industry, it’s vital to ensure we have healthy numbers of new people entering the construction industry and building skills for the future.
“Encouraging more women into the workforce is not only a matter of equality, but a strategic move to strengthen our industry’s resilience. Employers play a critical role in shaping the future of construction.”
In a 2021 report for the Women in Trades Collective, almost half of respondents to the employer survey (48 per cent) agreed that hiring and supporting women tradespeople was a challenge because it would be hard to accommodate pregnant women in the workplace.
continued next page
Forty-six per cent also said they would find it difficult to hire women because the workplace can be physically challenging.
Women looking for work cited receiving questions from potential employers such as, “You realise there is dirt involved in this job?” or the outright statement, “We’re looking for a male.”
“When we have examples such as the BuildHERS project in Whenuapai, a fourbedroom home project-managed and built entirely by a female crew, it demonstrates how outdated or misinformed these perceptions are,” Durkin says.
“Women can do anything their male colleagues can do, and that’s what we hope to educate more employers about, to help the whole sector reach a goal of 30 per cent female representation by 2040.”
Review hiring practices
Ensure that job advertisements and recruitment processes are inclusive and free from gender bias. Consider implementing blind recruitment practices to focus on skills and experience.
Create supportive work environments
Develop policies and practices that support work-life balance and provide a safe and respectful workplace for all employees. Consider flexible working arrangements and mentorship programmes.
Promote training and development
Encourage and support female employees to pursue training and career development opportunities. This not only benefits the individual but also strengthens the overall skill set of the workforce.
Senior leaders and managers should actively promote diversity and inclusion within their teams. This includes addressing any unconscious biases and championing the benefits of a diverse workforce.
Durkin adds that employing more women in construction brings numerous benefits. By encouraging more women to join the workforce, employers can tap into a broader talent pool. A diverse workforce also brings varied perspectives, leading to innovative solutions and improved problem-solving.
“Women can offer new ideas and approaches that benefit the entire industry.
Companies known for their commitment to diversity and inclusion often enjoy a better reputation, which can attract top talent and improve relationships with clients and partners.”
Meanwhile, more inclusive workplaces also tend to have higher employee satisfaction and retention rates.
For more information, visit www.buildingwomen.nz
There are significant benefits to recladding your property, including financial, aesthetic and improving the value of your home –a healthier environment for you and your family.
We can use your plans or provide a range of full build options. With a great team of builders and designers we can fully project manage your entire job from start to finish.
If you are looking to sell your property it is important that you maximise the opportunity to get the best price. Buyers are looking more and more for properties where there is no work needed.
Twenty-five-year-old Ethan Sudarsana of Sudyscapes Landscaping recently offered a day of his time to help a deserving member of the community, free of charge.
He put the offer online, saying that a small act of kindness in these difficult times can make a real difference.
“I believe a clean outdoor space is essential for our mental and emotional wellbeing,” he said. “Amid the chaos and stress, having a neat outdoor area to retreat to can make all the difference. It could be the first step someone needs to get back on their feet.” He received around 20-30 recommendations of people who would benefit from his offer, and says choosing between them was so difficult that in the end he had to do it by random draw.
The lucky recipient was Annabelle Brun, who is in her 80s and was nominated by her Age Concern companion and friend, Marita Connelly.
Annabelle has no one to help with her garden, and has had a couple of falls there on slippery areas.
Ethan’s efforts in Annabelle’s Stanmore Bay garden on Tuesday, July 16 were supported by his friend Archie Blohm, who lent a hand for the day, Waitoki Nursery, which supplied plants, and mulch from Tree Solutions.
The work included making access around the property safer, creating and planting garden beds, putting down weed mat and mulching. He says the result is a low maintenance backyard that not only looks better, but is safer for Annabelle to spend time in.
Marita, who walked around the garden with Annabelle, says the garden has made her friend feel safer, more cared for and not forgotten.
“She was in tears when they were doing the work,” Marita says. “We need more people like Ethan in this world.”
Coast quilters are gearing up for their biennial club show and exhibition, an opportunity for people to see their work – and help them to give back to the community through support for Hestia Women’s Refuge Rodney.
The Hibiscus Coast Quilters’ Club’s August 17-18 show at the Ōrewa Community Centre will feature quilts displaying a range of techniques and styles, a display of heart cushions and quilts for charitable organisations, art quilts and more.
Meeting at the Whangaparāoa Community Hall, the club draws up to 50 women who gather to share their love for patchwork and quilting. A diverse group spanning ages and skill levels, it meets three times a month.
“Education and friendship are at the forefront,” the club’s Leonie Gubb says. “We offer regular demonstrations and classes led by both external tutors and experienced members, covering everything from basic skills for beginners to advanced techniques. Our aim is to cultivate a supportive environment where everyone can expand their quilting repertoire.”
Each year some 450 quilts and quilted heart cushions go to local charities such as the Hestia Rodney Women’s Refuge, Sweet Louise, Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren and hospitals in Auckland, offering comfort to those in need. New members are welcome. Info, contact: Leonie Gubb 027 253 6643 or hibiscuscoastquilters@gmail.com
Among the works in Estuary Art Centre’s annual Member’s Merit Awards exhibition, which starts this week, are pieces by Ōrewa artist Caitlin Johnston, inspired by the sea. Caitlin grew up on the Coast, with a love of painting and surfing.
She was in Panama on a surfing trip when she first began fixing up broken surfboards and using them as a canvases for her art. When those works sold, she decided to continue making them, as well as works on wood, on her return to New Zealand.
Her work has proved so popular at local galleries, and a recent exhibition at the Viaduct Events Centre, that she has become a fulltime artist.
From a modest garage in a flat in Ōrewa, Caitlin couriers her pieces to buyers all over the world. A number of local commissions have also come her way. Every day she spends walking by the sea or surfing when conditions are right.
“The ocean, and how we are drawn to it and connect with it as Kiwis is my inspiration,” she says.
Estuary Arts Centre’s annual Members Merit Awards will feature around 300 artworks by over 180 members. The judge is locally artist Ingrid Boot and there will be 11 merit awards on offer. The exhibition opens on Wednesday, July 31 and the awards will be presented at a function on August 2.
Uncovering family history is a voyage of discovery – who knows what fascinating things your forebears may have got up to or what famous or notorious people you could be distantly related to?
August is Family History Month and a number of events have been organised by Hibiscus Coast Genealogy to help people get started on that journey into the past.
The vice-convenor of Hibiscus Coast Genealogy, Garry Phillips, himself uncovered unexpected things when researching his daughter-in-law’s family history. After months of dedicated research, he discovered that Scotsman Robert Graham, the entrepreneur who
purchased land in Waiwera and built the original hotel and bathhouse there, was his daughter-in-law’s great great great uncle.
Among his exploits were an involvement in the Thames gold rush, developing Grahamstown to provide services for the growing mining population.
He became MP for Franklin, developer of the Lake House Hotel in Rotorua and owner of a large property in Ellerslie which eventually became the Ellerslie Racecourse.
The recession of the mid-1860s resulted in Graham selling many of his land holdings, including Waiwera and Ellerslie. His family homestead in Waiwera was moved, extended and renovated and is now historic Couldrey House in Wenderholm, open to
the public.
Robert died in Auckland aged 65.
This kind of research is something Phillips enjoys, and in addition his work for his daughter-in-law may have sparked an interest in another family member.
“Robert Graham’s entrepreneurial legacy turned out to be of interest to at least one of my grandsons,” Phillips says.
Family History Month events at Whangaparāoa Library include advice on Using the Family Search website, on August 3, and a Hibiscus Coast Genealogy Open Day on August 17.
For more information, see What’s On or visit the library.
Coastguard’s Big Swim fundraiser has seen participants all over the country nominate the distance they think they can swim this month, and ask their friends, family and colleagues to sponsor them.
One local who took up the challenge is 22-year-old Kayla Hyland of Whangaparāoa. Despite health challenges and undergoing multiple surgeries since the age of two, Kayla has swum 22km this month to support Coastguard. So far she has raised more than $2500 in the process. Kayla loves swimming, having learned as a child under the guidance of Olympic gold medalist Dean Kent at Northern Arena. In a small group of disabled children, she mastered her swimming techniques and also discovered a therapeutic connection with water.
Kayla’s mother Linda says she is very happy to see her daughter take on The Big Swim challenge with such enthusiasm.
Kayla Hyland of Whangaparāoa has been doing the hard yards for
“Swimming is more than just a sport for Kayla,” Linda says. “It helped her overcome physical challenges and made her more confident.”
Inspired by her family’s lifelong
membership of Coastguard, Kayla saw The Big Swim as a chance to support a cause while doing something she truly enjoys.
Money raised by all the swimmers will go towards training and equipping
Coastguard volunteers as well as fuelling and maintaining its rescue vessels. To support Kayla, visit https://bigswim.org. nz/k-hyland Info: https://bigswim.org.nz/
Tania Adams, Pharmacist tania.adams@unichemmanly.co.nz
Urinary incontinence, it turns out, is not a wee problem, but actually a very large one for many Kiwis. While some men do suffer from this, it is largely regarded as a woman’s issue given that it is six times more prevalent in females with 50 percent of women over the age of 50 suffering with incontinence. The cause is usually childbirth and menopause but it can also be caused by pelvic floor disorders and, temporarily, by urinary tract infections. Leakage can be anything from a few drops to a completely involuntary emptying of the bladder. However, any amount of leakage should be given attention. There are several different types of urinary incontinence, but 90 percent of women in New Zealand suffer from either stress incontinence, urgency incontinence or a mixture of the two. Stress incontinence is leakage associated with physical activity or increased pressure from actions such as coughing or sneezing. Urgency incontinence (overactive bladder) is leakage associated with a sudden need to pee. When a woman experiences stress incontinence, the bladder muscles and pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and pelvic organs are usually not functioning properly, so what can be done? Here are some lifestyle changes that you can try to improve your symptoms:
• Avoid drinks that irritate the bladder such as caffeine and alcohol. • Try something natural. Formulas are available that may help symptoms. Of note is a formula containing horsetail, crataeva and lindera aggregata. Research shows
that this combination may help to reduce the symptoms of incontinence including frequency, urgency and leakage. The studies indicate that it may strengthen and tone the muscles of the bladder wall, pelvic floor and sphincter as well as supporting the healthy connective tissue around the area that allows the bladder to fill properly and empty effectively. Products containing this particular mix of herbs take up to eight weeks to have a full effect. • Strengthing the pelvic floor muscles can help, but you will need to make sure you are exercising these correctly. Speak to a healthcare professional • Avoid constipation – increase fibre and water in your diet. • If you are very overweight, losing weight can help. • Stop smoking – smoking causes coughing which, in turn, can worsen incontinence. • Studies show that increased cardiovascular fitness can reduce incontinence. Start slow! There are disposable pads and pants available for different volumes of leakage. However, the latest, more environmentally friendly, option is much easier on the pocket – washable, non-disposable underwear for incontinence is available in many pharmacies. Some pharmacies also have pelvic floor devices to help strengthen the area. Check with the pharmacist to see if these would be suitable for you. For more advanced care, specialised women’s health physiotherapists can prove invaluable and of course your doctor can prescribe medication and/or provide a host of other medical solutions if necessary.
•
This may sound like a terrifying word, but it does not have to be. Field cancerisation refers to an area of skin that exhibits significant damage from lifelong exposure to UV radiation (usually from the sun). Over time, this exposure can lead to changes in the skin cells, making them more susceptible to developing cancerous growths such as Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) or Melanoma. While evidence of field cancerisation doesn’t confirm skin cancer, it strongly indicates an increased risk. Regular full body skin checks are highly recommended in individuals who have these changes. Signs of field cancerisation can manifest as irregular dark patches, dry and scaly pink areas, thickened and inflamed skin, or persistent sores that resist healing. These changes commonly appear on parts of the body most exposed to the sun, such as the face, scalp, neck, décolletage, and backs of hands, though they can occur elsewhere. The medical name for a spot that is red and scaly is Solar Keratosis or also known as Actinic Keratosis (literally meaning “sun” related “skin growth”) which are signs of pre-malignant DNA changes of the skin.
Living in Ōrewa, and wider Auckland, where we enjoy ample sunshine throughout the year means that many of us are at risk of developing these skin conditions. Statistics now show that 2/3 people will be diagnosed with a skin cancer by the age of 70. Fortunately, effective non-surgical treatments are available to address large areas of field cancerisation to proactively halt their progression before they necessitate surgical intervention. These treatments have shown success rates exceeding 90% in clearing affected areas. However, a challenge arises as many individuals who initiate these treatments fail to complete the full course, which can compromise effectiveness. At SkinSafe, we offer comprehensive support and treatment plans tailored to each individual’s needs. Treatment options include topical treatments that can be applied at home, freezing the lesions with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), chemical peels, and photodynamic therapy, which uses light to activate a photosensitising agent to target and destroy abnormal cells.
By raising awareness about field cancerisation and solar keratosis, my hope is to empower our community to take charge of their skin health. Early detection, regular skin checks, and sun-safe practices are key steps towards reducing the risk of skin cancer. Let’s protect our skin today to enjoy the sun safely tomorrow.
Dr. Rianda De Roe
BSLP MBChB FRNZCGP ACCSCMS DipCM
Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm | 18 Florence Ave, Ōrewa Clinic: 09 242 7546 | support@skinsafe.co.nz
Silverdale’s U85 team started the season focused on a championship win – something the U85s last achieved in 2019.
Team manager and front row player James Wilcock said after rebuilding last year, they lost in the semi-finals to old rivals Massey Maulers and came third.
“This year we have come back hungry for the win, with the team sticking together right through off-season and pre-season training,” Wilcock said.
wins out of 15 games this season, including the semi-final against East Coast Bays. The game, played at the Silverdale Rugby grounds on Saturday, July 20, was hardfought with the final score 24-8 to Silverdale. The win set the scene for a home final, which was played against Takapuna on Saturday, July 27 (after this paper went to print).
It was the first time that an U85 final had been played at home, so the club was hoping for a good crowd of local fans to
(Walk-ins – no appointment necessary)
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The flag of France, the ‘tricolore’, was flying from the flagpole and pétanque players, were decked out in red, white and blue on July 14 for the annual Hibiscus Pétanque Club’s Bastille Day tournament.
The event celebrates the sport’s French origins and, with a bottle of champagne up for grabs for the best-dressed, members donned their berets, fake moustaches and red, white and blue stripes. One player strung garlic around his neck, and another painted his boules (the balls used for pétanque) in red, white and blue stripes. Club captain Dave Robinson said a lot of work had gone into the preparations, as they welcomed and catered for around
36 teams from all over Auckland, and one from Tauranga, for the event.
The day was all about fun and gave the teams a good chunk of competition too.
The Auckland Chanticleer Cup team used the day for practice before next month’s tournament between Auckland and Wellington. The Hibiscus club’s Heather Matthews, and Chanticleer coach Michael Emerson won top honours.
Hibiscus Pétanque, based behind Bowls Ōrewa, is an up-and-coming club, Dave said. It is one of the largest in Auckland with 80 members, two competitive interclub teams and four national players. Helping it attract new members is the quality of the terrain it offers, featuring more than 20 pistes.
ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of
aRoundup of spoRTs acTiviTies in THe disTRicT
Badminton
A new session of social badminton is held at The Stanmore Bay Pool & Leisure Centre, on Mondays 11.30am-1pm. Cost is $5 per session. Bring your own racquet.
Football
The Hibiscus Coast Association Football Club has hosted the Clarrie Morgan 9th Grade Tournament for almost 30 years. It is named after the club’s founding member and will be held on September 15 at the club’s Stanmore Bay grounds. Teams attend from all over Auckland and beyond. A great opportunity to see young teams in action.
Run Millwater
Free, fun, friendly 5km community activity. What a way to start your weekend! Every Saturday, 8am-9am, meeting at Metro Park sportsfields, Millwater. Walk, run, jog, volunteer or spectate! All welcome. Info: www.parkrun.co.nz/millwater/ Ōrewa Croquet Club
Come and see if croquet is for you. Golf croquet is played Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Association on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Coaching programme and mallets available. If interested phone the club on 09426 3506 or Pixie 021 0249 5910 or visit 43 Hatton Road Ōrewa
ToTalspan Rodney 229 sTaTe HigHway 1 waRkwoRTH pHone 09 422 3149
List your sports here FREE email: terry@localmatters.co.nz
ToTalspan Rodney 229 sTaTe HigHway 1 waRkwoRTH pHone 09 422 3149
& MAINTENANCE
ALARMS SECURITY AND FIRE, MONITORING, CCTV, servicing & installation, all brands 027 553 3032 www.tdssecurity.co.nz
CARPET LAYING, CARPET RE-STRETCH, VINYL LAYING, CARPET REPAIRS
Over 30 years’ experience. Contact Dexter 027 4956 436
CAN’T MAKE IT TO A HAIR SALON? No problem I can come to you. Qualified Hairstylist providing cutting and blow wave services. Please phone Julie 021 112 8015
REMOVALS exp Owner Operator 30 years. Single Items to Flat/House lots. Silverdale Based. Ph Gavin 0274 973 867
HYPNOTHERAPY
Lose weight. stop smoking. anxiety and depression, confidence, self esteem. Ph 021 635 966 www.hypnotherapy2succeed.co.nz
HANDYMAN
Odd jobs, gardening, painting & water blasting. Phone Nev 021 399 226.
HOUSE WASHING - SOFT WASH / LOW PRESSURE / CHEMICAL WASH
Also Window Cleaning / Gutter Clearing / Decks / Concrete. Careful service, reasonable rates. qualitywash.co.nz / 021 0579743
WATER PUMP & FILTER
New installs for all your water pump requirements. Ph 0274 430 654.
ARKLES BAY PAINTERS/DECORATORS
In the area for the area. Shane 021 0813 8481.
Played 1pm Every Friday, Clubrooms
CARPET ADVICE, FREE QUOTE FOR STEAM CLEANS, Carpet Repairs, 35 years experience Dwayne 027 499 7929. PEST CONTROL Eradication of rats & mice. Competitive Rates. Ph 426 2253 Ph 027 286 7321, www.noratsandmice.nz A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/Simpson dryers. Prompt service ph 021 168 7349.
ACROSS: 1 Diagram, 4 Enterprise, 9 Abusing, 13 Away, 14 Hyphen, 15 Fathom, 16 Rulings, 19 Ammonia, 20 Lock stock and barrel, 21 Denial, 22 Tripod, 24 Sculpture, 29 Ministry, 30 Plaque, 31 Illicit, 35 Multiply, 36 Flawed, 37 Slag, 38 Affix, 39 Apt, 41 Rowdy, 43 Parade, 47 Perch, 50 Lob, 54 Pilot, 55 Keep, 56 Jabbed, 57 Inundate, 60 Sextant, 61 Pursue, 62 Onlooker, 65 Scratched, 67 Fierce, 68 Colony, 72 Sail against the wind, 75 Outlast, 77 Laundry, 78 Quartz, 79 Deadly, 80 Lime, 81 Prelude, 82 Balderdash, 83 Nightie. DOWN: 1 Drama, 2 Alarming, 3 Mayday, 4 Exhilarate, 5 Tunic, 6 Refused, 7 Ration, 8 Stock, 10 Bluebottle, 11 Stirrer, 12 Nugget, 17 Unfamiliar, 18 Knoll, 21 Dilemma, 23 Payslip, 25 Clumsy, 26 Willow, 27 Candid, 28 Libido, 30 Power, 32 Iffy, 33 Glut, 34 Care, 40 Privet, 42 Duet, 44 Adjust, 45 Amble, 46 Eyesore, 48 Random, 49 Henceforth, 50 Loam, 51 Brewery, 52 Bout, 53 Spouse, 58 Endangered, 59 Black Death, 63 Scrim, 64 Botanist, 66 Colonel, 67 Freezer, 69 Bazaar, 70 Stared, 71 Pollen, 73 Sauna, 74 India, 76 Theme.
9:20am3.0 3:09pm0.7 9:35pm3.1 3:39am0.8 9:58am3.0 3:46pm0.7 10:13pm3.1 4:17am0.8 10:35am3.0 4:24pm0.8 10:50pm3.0 4:54am0.8 11:12am2.9 5:03pm0.9 11:28pm3.0 5:32am0.9 11:51am2.9 5:45pm1.0 12:07am2.9 6:13am0.9 12:33pm2.8 6:31pm1.1 12:50am2.8 6:57am1.0 1:21pm2.7 7:23pm1.1 1:36am2.8 7:46am1.0 2:17pm2.7 8:21pm1.2 2:28am2.7 8:43am1.0 3:19pm2.7 9:21pm1.2 3:25am2.7 9:45am1.0 4:21pm2.8 10:20pm1.1 4:28am2.8 10:46am0.9 5:19pm2.9 11:16pm1.0 5:30am2.9 11:43am0.8 6:12pm3.1 7:18am 5:37pm 7:17am 5:38pm 7:16am 5:39pm 7:15am 5:40pm 7:14am 5:41pm 7:13am 5:41pm 7:12am 5:42pm
1 Essential for Boating – buoyancy aids and life rafts, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, near the ferry, 7pm-8.30pm. Industry specialists John Butcher and Grahame Brown discuss pros and cons and demonstrate personal floatation devices and a life raft. How to choose fit-for-purpose equipment. All welcome, entry $5 entry for non-members.
1 Hibiscus Coast Concert Band Open Rehearsal, Ōrewa College music room, Riverside Road, Ōrewa, 7pm-9pm. Come and play cool music with cool people. Looking for new players including brass instruments and oboe, but all welcome. Open to all ages. Email bronwyn@hccb.co.nz
3 Using Family Search, Whangaparāoa Library, 10am. How to use the largest free family research website. Free event, hosted by the Hibiscus Coast Genealogy group as part of Family History Month. (see story p24)
3 Dance Away with DNA, Paraoa Brewing Co.,719A Whangaparāoa Road, doors open 6.30pm, band starts 8pm. Live music experience raising funds for Harbour Hospice. Silent auction and raffle. Tickets $30 www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/ dance-away-with-dna-for-harbour-hospice/auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsula
3 Runaway Boys, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm. Entry $5 members, $10 non-members – door sales only.
4 DJ Night, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 4pm-7pm. Free entry.
5 Dying Matters Specialist Panel Discussion, Whangaparāoa Library, 12 noon. Specialist panel discussion with representatives from hospice, Age Concern, Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery, funeral directors, end-of-life doulas, The Legal Team, and celebrants. Free event.
6 DNA Kindergarten, Whangaparāoa Library, 10am. Using DNA to assist family history research. Free event, hosted by the Hibiscus Coast Genealogy group as part of Family History Month. (see story p24)
7 Mark Taipari, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry.
8 Dying Matters Specialist Panel Discussion, Whangaparāoa Library, 1pm. Panel discussion with representatives from hospice, Age Concern, Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery, funeral directors, end-of-life doulas, The Legal Team, and celebrants. Free event. Followed by drop-in stations for one-onone discussions, starting at 3pm.
10 Solid Gold 70s tribute band, Paraoa Brewing Co, Stanmore Bay, 9pmmidnight. Three-hour show featuring 1970s hits. Dress in your best 70s gear and be in to win a bar tab. Tickets $25 from Eventfinda or door sales $35.
11 Dying Matters Specialist Panel Discussion, Whangaparāoa Library, 12 noon. Panel discussion with representatives from Hospice, Age Concern, Auckland Memorial Park & Cemetery, funeral directors, end-of-life doulas, The Legal Team, and celebrants. Free event.
11 Hoedown, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 4pm-7pm. Free entry.
12 Winter Gardening with Ben (in Mandarin), Whangaparāoa Library, 10am. Home gardening guide for Mandarin speakers. Free event.
14 Mark Benjamin, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free entry.
15 Coasties Quiz Night and Music, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 5.30pm-7pm. Free entry.
17 Hibiscus Coast Genealogy Open Day, Whangaparāoa Library. Runs all day. Free event. Part of Family History Month. (see story p24)
17 Dave Ewart Jnr, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm. $5 members, $10 non-members – door sales only.
18 Death Café, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Conversations about grief, death and dying over cake and coffee. Free event.
19 Heal Yourself with Māori Medicine, Whangaparāoa Library, 11am.Discover Māori healing wisdom with Kendra Barr.
20 How You Can Recycle Right, Whangaparāoa Library, 11am. Brush up on your recycling knowledge as new national standards come into effect. Free event.
23 Talk by local author Pat Backley, Silverdale Pioneer Village, 15 Wainui Road, Silverdale, 11am. Tea/coffee in the Parsonage at 10.30 before Pat’s talk in the chapel. She will talk about her life and books. All welcome. Entry by donation.
23 Stetson Club with The Chet O’Connell Band, Dairy Flat Hall, 4 Postman Rd, Dairy Flat, 7.30pm -11pm. Members $10, non-members $12.50. Licensed cash bar. Bring your own nibbles. All welcome
24 Community planting day, Okoromai-Clansman Reserve, Army Bay, 10am-1pm. Hosted by Restore Hibiscus and Bays. Help restore a Significant Ecological Area. All welcome. Info: https://restorehb.org.nz/planting-days24 Community planting day, Okoromai-Clansman Reserve, Army Bay, 10am-1pm. Hosted by Restore Hibiscus and Bays. Help restore a Significant Ecological Area. All welcome. Info: https://restorehb.org.nz/planting-days
24 Back to the 80’s DJ Night, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 6pm-9pm. Free entry.
25 DJ Night, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 4pm-7pm. Free entry.
25 Beekeeping workshop, 9.30-11.30, 1481 Kaipara Coast Highway. Bookings essential: https:/kaiparacoastplantcentre.com/home/online-store/productcategory/sample-product/workshop-bee-25th-august-2024/
www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/ for a
Bevon-John
Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson was a very special guest at a Hibiscus Coast Raiders junior training last week, mucking in with the practice drills, signing autographs and posing for photos.
Still rehabilitating from an injury, Johnson said he hoped to be back playing in a few weeks.
However, he wasn’t going to let that stop him running around with the young league players. He couldn’t wait to take off his trainers - “I’ve brought my boots and I’m strapping up,” was one of the first things he said. “Make sure you don’t injure him, but go hard,” the coaches advised their players.
Johnson remembers the impact it had on him as young Raiders player when the Warriors development team played at the Stanmore Bay grounds.
He was clearly among friends and old acquaintances at the club and enjoyed interacting with the kids.
Johnson said when he was a junior, training and playing league was ‘the highlight of the day’.
He admitted it’s not like that now, after more than a decade at the top level of the sport.
“As you get older there is not that level of excitement but I get to throw a ball around for a living and that’s pretty cool,” Johnson said.
Three up and coming Hibiscus Coast cricketers will play for both the home team and Auckland this coming season. Right-handed batter Bevon-John Jacobs has secured a contract with the Auckland Aces. He trained at the Victor Eaves nets in Orewa as a youngster and last played for Hibiscus in the 2021 season, scoring 151 not out in a premier men’s game. His hard hitting ways started at school, where he got a cricket scholarship through Canterbury Cricket and Lincoln University. Jacobs made his debut for Canterbury Kings last summer and also scored 1000 runs for the Canterbury premier men’s team. He is returning to the Coast and will play for the Hibiscus Coast men’s premier team when not playing for the Aces. Also heading for big things are Kerien McClintock and Ryan Coetzee who were both named in the Auckland U19s. Both Ryan and Keiren were in the club’s summer series teams and youth development programme and club manager Gair McSkimming says he hopes their success paves the way for others to follow Last season Coast premier men and U17 teams were Auckland champions.
