Hibiscus Matters_Issue 379_26 August 2024

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Bridge build causes lengthy delay for Penlink

The completion of the vital bridge link for the O Mahurangi Penlink Road has been delayed by at least a year, Waka Kotahi NZTA announced last week. Cost overruns are also possible.

The project, which connects Whangaparāoa Peninsula with State Highway 1 at Redvale, was to have been completed by late 2026, but the bridge across the Wēiti River is now not expected to be completed until early 2028.

Without the bridge, the rest of the route, still predicted to be complete by late 2026, will be of no use to Whangaparāoa commuters.

Work on the temporary platform on the western side of the Wēiti River began last October – this was the first step towards building the bridge. Therefore, by the time of its expected completion, the bridge build would have taken more than four years.

The main reason given to Transport Minister Simeon Brown for the delay is

that the innovative extradosed bridge, a first of its kind in NZ, has been more complex to design and build than expected. This includes “complex interfaces between temporary staging and permanent works”.

Onsite ground conditions also proved to be different from what had been anticipated during the tender process. Lockdowns at the time of tendering meant bidders had limited access to the site.

Waka Kotahi’s update to the Minister says

that the project team is working to keep any cost increases caused by the delay within the allocated contingency.

The build is the work of the O Mahurangi Alliance, which consists of Waka Kotahi, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Aurecon and Tonkin & Taylor.

The alliance is undertaking a “cost to complete” process, informed by recently completed detailed design. This should be

The completion of a bridge across the Wēiti River, a key part of the O Mahurangi Penlink project, has been delayed by at least a year. Pictured is the temporary platform built to gain access to the eastern side of the Wēiti River channel. Photo, Tim Parris-Piper

21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa, 0931 | ph 09 427 8188

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completed in October, and the public will be updated at that stage.

All other work is still forecast to be completed late 2026, including the new intersections on Whangaparāoa Road near New World supermarket and the section from State Highway 1 to Duck Creek Road interchange.

Waka Kotahi transport services regional manager Stephen Collett says the bridge delay means that when the new alignment of Whangaparāoa Road is completed, the traffic signals on it will not be operational and a barrier will be in place to avoid access onto the road leading to the bridge. Traffic will continue to use Whangaparāoa Road.

He says Waka Kotahi acknowledges the disappointment this will cause the community.

“However, we can assure them that the team is working efficiently and continuing to explore initiatives to improve the programme,” he says. “We expect to have

more certainty on the implications of this delay in the coming months and will provide an update when we have more information.”

Councillor John Watson says while everyone knows it’s not uncommon for big transport projects to have delays, the reasons here – complexity of design and ground conditions – seem to have come pretty late in the piece.

“People have waited the best part of two decades for this project so it’s to be hoped their patience is not tested any further,” Cr Watson says. “The pressure is now on NZTA to ensure the 12 month delay is all there is as far as unwelcome surprises go and if possible, that some time is made up in the construction period ahead.”

A decision on whether or not to toll O Mahurangi Penlink has not yet been made by Minister Simeon Brown who told the paper last week it will be made “in the coming months”.

Channel closures

The Wēiti River navigational channel was temporarily closed while the staging platform was constructed and will be open by the end of this week.

• While the channel is open, vessels travelling upstream of the worksite will pass through a restricted navigable gap between the eastern and western sections of the platform • During working hours, as construction continues, loads will regularly be lifted over the navigable gap, requiring the channel to be intermittently closed for short periods • NZTA asks river users, including paddlers, intending to travel upstream of the worksite to stay in the middle of the channel and follow the guidelines and directions of the team. This is to keep river users safe and ensure no vessels pass beneath a suspended load • A second temporary closure is planned for later this year.

The two lane ‘extradosed’ bridge has proved more difficult to design and build than expected.

Development makes bad vibrations in Whangaparāoa

The residential development at Melia Place, Whangaparāoa, on land formerly owned by the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, has caused issues for nearby residents, who have experienced months of disruption.

Melia Development is developing its 1.826ha site, and has resource consent to build 59 townhouses there.

The little residential street was impacted initially by vibrations from a compactor, which shook the walls of the home owned by the Carlisle family.

Phil Carlisle says the compactor was only around 20 metres from his baby’s bedroom.

“The noise was horrendous, the shuddering caused pictures to fall off the walls and there are new cracks in our house,” he says.

He says the ongoing earthworks resulted in numerous calls to Noise Control. He also complained to Auckland Council, saying the contractor was working outside the hours permitted in the resource consent issued to developer Melia Development.

He approached the on-site team, but says the language barrier was a challenge and the problem persisted, with the earthworks also coating the outside of his home in dust.

Trucks three point turning into his driveway caused the concrete to split.

“The developer came around and said he would get us a free house wash, but that has not happened,” Carlisle says.

Auckland Council’s environmental monitoring manager, Robert Laulala, confirms that the council has received complaints from a neighbour relating

to issues including noise, vibration and construction traffic management at the site.

“We empathise with the complainant over these disruptions and have reminded the site manager of their consent conditions regarding hours of operation and noise, noting that we will take enforcement action if there is continuous non-compliance,”

Laulala says. “ We have encouraged the complainant to continue reporting excessive noise to council when it is occurring beyond consented hours.”

Ōrewa sheep killed in dog attack

Overnight on August 17, all five sheep that the Knox family had on their 1ha property in Ōrewa were attacked by dogs.

Trevor and Jo Knox were shocked and upset the next morning to find that three of their sheep had been killed outright and two so severely injured that they had to be euthanised.

“The bodies were scattered around the paddock,” Trevor says. “Clearly our sheep had been chased. They had been attacked around their faces and necks.”

It is the second time this has happened –around eight years ago, two of the Knox’s sheep were killed by a dog.

The couple has lived on their block in West Hoe Heights for 20 years and seen huge residential development on the hills and valleys around them, including around 400

homes to be built in Strathmill on their back boundary.

Trevor says as a result, the family will not replace their sheep, which were kept as “lawnmowers” and a friendly rural presence.

“Urban sprawl has meant it’s not safe for livestock now,” he says. “Every home that goes in potentially has a dog that could get through, or over, our fences.”

The family want to thank Brett Finlayson of Ōrewa Vet Hospital for coming out and euthanising the sheep. The team working on the Strathmill development, including Dines Civil, were also a great help, providing a digger and burying the sheep.

Animal Control officers could do nothing because there were no witnesses, Trevor says, but they took DNA from the sheep.

A complaint relating to vehicle access movement conditions in the consent, was also received, however Laulala says vehicle access conditions do not apply at the earthworks stage of development, so no enforcement is possible.

“Regardless, we have brought concerns about the movement of trucks along Melia Place and lack of road signage to the attention of the site manager.

He says council continues to monitor the site to ensure the site manager is meeting

their obligations under the Auckland Unitary Plan and the conditions of their consents.

Melia Development spokesperson Jackie Li says the company never wants to have unhappy neighbours to its sites.

“Our construction manager has been in regular contact with neighbours to resolve any concerns and will continue to do so out of goodwill going forward,” he says. Depending on the weather, the company anticipates completing the current civil work in the coming weeks.

Clockwise from above, earthworks at the Melia Place site. This steel stump grinding tooth was found in the Carlisle family’s backyard, having flown off when subcontractors were working nearby. The family was concerned that it would have been flying at some speed, and could have hit one of their kids. The subcontractor has apologised and said the matter was later raised in a health and safety meeting. The driveway broke when heavy trucks turned on it.

Trevor Knox says urban sprawl means the family won’t replace their sheep that were killed by dogs.

Campers permitted to remain at country club

A man who has been freedom camping at the shut-down Gulf Harbour Country Club for much of the past year, causing considerable angst among some Gulf Harbour residents, is there with the tacit approval of the site’s owner, Long River Investments.

Last week, Auckland Council compliance manager Adrian Wilson said although council has no powers to intervene in freedom camping on private land, council had been in touch with Long River Investments director Wayne Bailey noting the concerns of the community, and asking whether he would allow police to issue a trespass notice to those occupying his property or give permission for council to request this from police. That offer was declined.

Tim Stewart, who has previously freedom camped in Orewa (HM December 4, 2019), calls himself a permanent vehicle dweller –something that is not from choice – rather than a freedom camper. Currently there is one other person living on the site, but others have come and gone.

He moved his self-contained caravan, and boat, onto the carpark after the golf course closed and said it quickly became evident that the abandoned clubhouse was attracting vandals and thieves.

“At the start it was teenagers, but over time they became bolder – and older,” he said.

Over the following months, Stewart observed increasingly criminal behaviour. People would turn up, usually late at night, stripping the building of everything from equipment to windows and doors. Huge ovens were carried off and he remembered an incident when a couple of men had been busy unscrewing heavy glass doors when police arrived.

“It looked like a war zone up there some nights.”

He assisted police with information about

what he had seen.

Stewart said as more thuggish behaviour started occurring, he worried about his safety and that of his 11-year-old daughter, who sometimes stayed over.

At times people in vehicles or walking past would hassle the campers.

“We just wanted to be left alone,” he said.

At a recent public meeting called by advocacy group Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces (KWGS) Stewart spoke to some people about those concerns, but came away unsatisfied.

Meeting focuses on country club action

Around 150 people, the vast majority from Gulf Harbour, attended a meeting on August 15 to hear from the lobby group Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces (KWGS), councillors and local board members about progress in keeping the country club as a golf course.

The country club was closed by its owner Long River Investments a year ago and the site largely abandoned. Vandalism and arson followed, with Auckland Council stepping in to demolish the unsafe buildings.

KWGS spokesperson Howard Baldwin told the meeting that last month’s letter to Long River Investments by council chief executive Phil Wilson (HM July 29), which

supported the 999-year encumbrance protecting the land as a golf course, was a great step forward.

“However, we are not there yet,” he said.

KWGS legal adviser, Chris Geyde said the organisation is working on a number of fronts, including asking council to commence injunction proceedings against the owner on the basis that closing the course is a breach of the encumbrance. They are also attempting to liquidate another company, GHCC 2016 (director Wayne Bailey) which ran operations at the club and, KWGS says, owes former staff and members more than $100,000.

Councillors Wayne Walker and John Watson stated their support for KWGS campaign.

“No-one gives a stuff about our safety.”

Some contributors to the KWGS Facebook page have described people “squatting” at the club, talked about antisocial behaviour, and alerted police to an alleged “machete throwing” incident back in July. Police responded at the time, saying one party had been spoken to and that there were no reported injuries or damage.

Stewart said the language used online has been abusive and offensive, including terms such as “gypsies, grubs and lowlifes”.

At the public meeting, KWGS’ legal adviser Chris Geyde said in relation to the freedom campers that residents “need to keep the pressure on police for the logical conclusion that there should be a prosecution.”

The group’s spokesperson Howard Baldwin says KWGS actively monitors its social media and any post deemed intemperate or inappropriate is removed and followed up with the poster.

“The freedom campers on the privately owned golf course land are the business of the golf course owner, council and police. KWGS remains focused on reinstating the golf course and protecting the green space,” Baldwin says. “We advise residents to stay away from the freedom camping site and report any issues to police.”

Liquidation fails again

A second attempt in the Auckland High Court to place Gulf Harbour Country Club’s owner Long River Investments into liquidation has failed, after the company paid what was owed. The first attempt, in May, by Inovagen which operated the café at the former club, sought $20,000-$25,000. That amount was paid at the last minute. This month Auckland Council took Long River back to the High Court seeking unpaid rates of $25,804. Payment was received, and the liquidation application withdrawn on Friday, August 16. Council also sought an order for costs against the company of around $3000.In addition, it is seeking repayment of a much larger sum – costs of more than $200,000 associated with the demolition of the country club buildings which were rendered unsafe by arson. However, council is not planning to obtain that money through the courts. Last week, council’s compliance manager Adrian Wilson said that an invoice for those costs, a total of $244,631, had been sent to Long River on August 16. “The invoice states that this amount is due immediately, although as it is a large amount we will give them reasonable time to respond,” he said. “If it is not paid within a reasonable period, we will start the process of applying for a charge to be applied to the land following the process set out in section 129 and section 130 of the Building Act.”This allows the debt to be put on the property’s title, and it must be discharged before the land can be sold.

Residents packed into Whangaparāoa College auditorium to get an update on the fight to retain Gulf Harbour Country Club as a golf course.

Tim Stewart says he is living on the golf course carpark from necessity and just wants to be left alone.

Viewpoint

Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland Mayor.Wayne.Brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Thumbs up from surfer Wayne

It’s well known that I’m a keen surfer, so when I was approached about supporting a new surf park in Dairy Flat (HM August 12), needless to say, I was on board!

The proposal will bring significant benefits to our economy and introduces a world-class recreation opportunity for Aucklanders. I predict it will also have a wider appeal for tourism, which has been hit hard since Covid-19 and in the recent economic uncertainty.

To top it off, the park’s scale will mean Auckland plays an even greater role in the recovery of the tourism industry. Eventually the park will be able to host major global outdoor events in surfing, mountain-biking and skateboarding. It is my hope that the park will encourage more money into these extreme sports that Aucklanders love so much.

I’m keenly aware that the Hibiscus Coast is still picking itself up economically, and this not only offers another recreation attraction to boost hospitality, but also offers local employment and business opportunities. Much of this area is flagged for future growth, and the surf park could really help jumpstart the local economy, alongside existing recreational activities such as Snow Planet in Silverdale.

From an engineer’s perspective, it’s the smartest project I’ve seen in a long time. It will be heated all year-round using waste

heat energy from a Spark data centre. I know this is a large-scale project with complex engineering needs, but I am confident the engineering, design, and environmental matters will have been addressed through the streamlined consenting process. I understand this assessment has been very robust, and the applicant has worked hard to provide what has been required in environmental offsets. This includes the provision of infrastructure and conditions, which no doubt will be worked through as the development moves ahead.

It also has a strong environmental focus, introducing, at scale, solar technologies to power the lagoon along with the heat generated from the data centre, and includes other high-value blue-green spaces.

The park not only offers an inland and all-weather surf break for a growing professional sport, but it also brings together complimentary activities, such as visitor accommodation, and retail offerings.

I have seen the success of similar parks in California, Australia, and Spain, and like these other cities, Auckland will now be able to host surfing events where surfers can train in an all-weather environment.

Best of all, it didn’t cost ratepayers a dime, so I am very grateful to the private sector for pulling together and creating such a space.

LocalOpinion

A pleasure to watch

It is a real pleasure and great entertainment watching the artist at work at the northern end of Ōrewa Beach front. The digger driver and his mates are performing an artistic and creative display in reforming the rock barrier on the seafront. The art in selecting, examining and the precise placing of each particular rock is a joy to watch. I have to assume that, as this work constitutes maintenance and refurbishment of what already exists, it did not involve (as did the ongoing saga of the proposed seawall), long and expensive resource consent problems Nor the involvement of outsourced engineering consultants, commercial solicitors nor one council department taking another council department to court in an egotistical contest. Nor did it require an expensive report from independent commissioners that came up with highly debatable conclusions. One does wonder why the practical and, in my view, very acceptable solution being installed at the beach’s northern end is not being followed elsewhere along the beachfront. Perhaps it’s just too simple an answer and consultants miss out on their fees?

John Simons, Ōrewa (abridged)

Smooth operator

When I walked along Ōrewa Beach recently, I was fascinated to watch the very skilled machinery operator placing the stone blocks together to create the new wall. He alone appeared to do 90 percent of the creation. Choosing which block, twirling them around with a machine to get the right fit, and if it didn’t fit, throwing it away and getting another one. Absolutely amazing skill.

Dianne Hill, Manly

Flowers in favour

Further to the comments on the flower beds on Florence Ave (HM August 12), the rest of the beds along Centreway Road and Florence Ave were planted in shrubs, but that was prior to our moving here 12 years ago. Shrubs/native plants do not last that long without attention. So here’s  to more flower beds, as they are the only plantings being  tended to by the council.   Cherrie England, Ōrewa

Keep an eye out for daffs

The official Daffodil Day, where you can buy a daffodil in return for a donation, is on Friday, August 30 but the fundraising continues for the entire month. You can also buy fresh daffodils for yourself or as a gift. Info, visit https://daffodilday. org.nz/fundraise

All in a flap

Auckland Council will not be providing an after-hours book return slot at the temporary library at Ōrewa Community Centre, and says that most customers are satisfied with the situation. Extensive renovation at Ōrewa Library in Moana Avenue began on July 1. It will be closed for approximately 15 months, during which time the community centre provides limited services. Neither the building nor the children’s library bus parked alongside offers users an after-hours return slot. Hibiscus Matters suggested a solution – install a pet flap at a suitable height in one of the smaller glass panes, then once services move back to Moana Avenue, restore the pane at minimal cost to ratepayers. Megan Grimshaw-Jones, council’s connected communities lead and coach, said the Ōrewa team had explored the possibility of a returns slot, but found it to be “not feasible due to the structural load placed on glass, and the associated safety risk to customers and staff”. “In the meantime, most customers have indicated they are happy to return items during opening hours,” she said, adding that items could also be returned after hours at Whangaparāoa Library.

The Stillwater Raft Race team is proud to see the completion of the new Stillwater Community Pantry, pātaka kai, which it sponsored. It was installed a week ago in the village, by the noticeboards. The raft race team also got the pantry started with some staple items. It is supported by Love Soup, who recently added bread and fresh produce, and anyone passing by can donate and collect food items. As well as the community, it is likely to be a welcome stop for Te Araroa trail hikers. The pantry itself was built by The Hibiscus Coast Men’s Shed in Silverdale and joins a number of other community pantries around the coast, which support anyone in need with free food items.

Repair café visits Whangaparāoa

The monthly Repair Café, where the community can take broken household items to be fixed free of charge, has been popular since it opened in Ōrewa in 2023. It is operated by Doughnut Economics Advocates NZ (DEANZ) in association with Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste. Volunteers do the repair work, enabling people to keep and reuse items rather than throw them out and buy new ones. Next month, there will be a one-off Repair Café held at Future Whangaparāoa’s hub in Coast Plaza – this is in addition to the regular Ōrewa Repair Café. The idea is to provide the service in a more central location for peninsula residents. In addition, the service will be moving its Ōrewa base from the Hibiscus Coast Community House, back into Ōrewa Community Centre. Repair Café venues next month:  Saturday, September 7 – Hibiscus Coast Community House, 11am-2pm; Saturday September 14 – Future Whangaparāoa, Coast Plaza (next to laundromat), 1pm-4pm; Saturday October 5 (and thereafter monthly) – Ōrewa Community Centre, 11am-2pm.

Rats in rocks spotted by locals

The topic of rats “the size of cats” living in rock walls on Ōrewa Beach was raised at a local board workshop, with Auckland Council staff saying they would look into the matter.

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Gary Brown said that residents of Hibiscus Coast Highway had reported seeing very large rodents in and about the rocks by Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving Club and wondered whether they were encouraged to live there by the nearby rubbish bins.

Brown asked council park and community facilities staff who were at the meeting whether there could be a quick clean up –“after all, they breed like rats,” he said.

In response, council’s area operations manager, Hibiscus and Bays and Upper Harbour, Sandra May, said rock revetments provide an ideal refuge for rats, and that she had seen them herself in the past when visiting Ōrewa.

She told board members that council has had no recent complaints about rats near or on Ōrewa Beach.

Can you help?

Four months after losing his legs in a traumatic accident, a man on the Hibiscus Coast is stuck in a limbo of frustration in North Shore Hospital, unable to return to his lifestyle block because it is highly unsuitable for his new wheelchair. Specialists have approved his discharge, but despite the best efforts of family, friends and health agencies, a wheelchair-friendly home remains elusive. The 57 yearold is looking for a long-term solution, preferably in Ōrewa. If any reader can help, please contact Hibiscus Matters: news@localmatters.co.nz

“However, we will look into this and assess whether action is required at the site,” she said. “If action is needed, we will reach out to Pest Free Hibiscus Coast to understand how they can be involved in any efforts in managing rats at the site.”

She said there has been no noticeable increase in the amount of rubbish left in or by bins on Ōrewa Beach that the rats could be feeding on.

The recent removal of public rubbish bins included three taken from close to Ōrewa Beach, while 15 were retained.

“We have had no reports from our contractors in an increase in loose litter in the area following the removal of the three rubbish bins. During summer and over weekends the frequency at which our contractors empty bins near Ōrewa Beach and remove any loose litter is increased,” May said.

She also said that when the construction of the seawall between Kohu Street and Marine View gets underway it is likely to disturb any rodents living nearby.

Editor – Hibiscus Matters Matters

If you’re an experienced all-round journalist living on the Hibiscus Coast who would like to take the next step in their career, Hibiscus Matters is looking for an editor. Your role will require you to be a skilled writer who can produce accurate copy reliably and efficiently, and a competent photographer. We are looking for someone who is enterprising and inquisitive with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. You will need to be someone who embraces that no two days will be the same. This is a full-time position, which does require occasional weekend and evening work. To find out more about the paper and the stories it covers, visit localmatters.co.nz

Send covering letter and CV to: gm@localmatters.co.nz before 5pm, Wednesday September 4.

Crossword conundrum

The Grill House Buffet

An all-you-can-eat Asian fusion buffet with a family-friendly vibe is the latest addition to Ōrewa’s growing number of eateries.

The Grill House Buffet, in Grand Drive, is owned by Brian Bai whose experience in the restaurant business spans 30 years.

Brian began as a chef and moved onto owning and running restaurants in China. He has lived in NZ for around 10 years, and recently sold his restaurant in Auckland’s CBD.

He started The Grill House Buffet, which opened last week, after spotting a gap in the market in the growing area of Ōrewa North for a place with reasonable prices and fresh, Asian-inspired food. The restaurant can seat up to 80, has a licensed bar and a menu of affordable drinks.

A wide range of meat and seafood is on

offer at long buffet tables, along with soup, dumplings, salads, vegetables and desserts.

There are plenty of pre-marinated, cooked dishes prepared by The Grill House’s chefs, including roast duck, sweet and sour pork, curried chicken or butter prawn, to choose from. Diners can also select from the big range of raw meat and seafood and barbecue it themselves at their tables – each table has a state-of-the-art, high heat, but smokeless, grill plate in the centre.

There is something for the whole family, and that is exactly what Brian wanted to achieve.

“I wanted a place for local people to gather,” he says.

He is also keen for the business to contribute to community causes, starting with a recent donation towards the purchase of a new van for Ōrewa College.

Super computer for Silverdale

A ‘next generation’ super computer to be used for research by NIWA is to be housed in two data centres, including the one in Silverdale.

On August 13, Science Minister Judith Collins announced that $20 million had been spent on the biggest research computer in NZ, which will enhance NIWA’s work, including weather forecasting.

NIWA chief executive John Morgan said it represents an investment in NIWA’s worldleading climate, marine and freshwater science and advanced technologies. The new computer will have up to three times more generational power than its predecessor, allowing for higher resolution, more frequent processing and additional AI workloads, he said.

“With our nation increasingly disrupted by extreme weather events, NIWA’s new supercomputer will enable high resolution weather and climate forecasting 24/7, using data from weather stations all around

the world,” he said.

The computer’s new forecasting power will also be useful for the Department of Conservation, Morgan said.

As well as its impact on weather forecasting, Morgan said that the high resolution weather models enabled by the computer will also improve NIWA’s research on climate change.

“NIWA is the science lead in the international satellite mission (MethaneSAT) detecting global emissions of methane – including those from agricultural sources. But if it’s windy, the methane will be blown away from its source, so we need high resolution weather models to show us the origin of the methane. That requires huge computational resources,” Morgan said.

The super computer is also capable of tailored expansion to meet the supercomputing requirements of other science institutions – here and throughout the Pacific. The

Brian Bai

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Mixed response to Whangaparāoa uniform’s formal approach

The change to a more formal uniform has received a mixed response from the Whangaparāoa College community – some like the more upmarket look, while it has gone down badly with a large cohort of parents.

Since the new design was made public, on July 31, there has been a petition called “Stop the new Uniform” with almost 1000 signatures, angry letters to the school board and a string of email and social media complaints.

The new uniform includes a blazer and tie, white shirts and a woollen jumper. Concerns raised include increased costs, practicality, the environmental sustainability of the complete change (landfilling old uniforms) and the formality of adding a blazer and tie.

Principal Steve McCracken says the new uniform is both more formal and tidier – by comparison he describes the current look as “scruffy”. Sandals and hoodies are gone. McCracken says the main purpose of the refresh was to bring the school together – eliminating separate junior and senior uniforms.

“It was also to improve the pride that the community and learners have, and raise expectations,” he says. “If you look good, you feel good, you act good.”

Before the uniform design was unveiled, there was a survey of the school community, consultation with staff, and focus groups with students which, McCracken says, overall indicated the desire for a more formal dress code.

He says the design was finalised after the feedback was in, not before.

“We genuinely had no preconceived notions about the look, just the need to have one uniform, school-wide,” McCracken says. “The increase in formality was as a result of feedback.”

He says staff have been very positive about the refreshed uniform, as it aligns with the school’s desire to raise expectations and standards.

And while the criticism of the uniform has been vocal, McCracken says there has been a lot of support too from students, staff and parents keen to see a tidy up. The school board supports the changes.

The school has tried to roll the changes out in a way that will cause parents the least cost, he says.

As a result of complaints about the need for a tie and $180 blazer, the school last week adjusted the rollout, with the blazer now optional in 2025 but compulsory in 2026.

The parent behind the 997-signature Stop the Uniform petition, Gemma Bergin, has two children at the school and one starting next year.

One of her chief concerns is sustainability –she does not want to send the old uniforms to landfill and says her children will continue to wear them until they wear out.

She says the changes could more than double what she currently pays for uniforms, especially since she currently buys secondhand.

“I’m not throwing down almost $2000 on [two] uniforms when that could be food on the table,” Bergin says. “It will be a while before anything is available secondhand, and what about growth spurts?”

“I understand the desire to ‘lift the tone’ of the school, but there are bigger issues. What’s been done here is to load parents up with more cost, and a look that doesn’t suit the laid-back coastal vibe. You could change things up without completely ditching the old uniform – I am wild about that from an environmental and cost point of view.”

“I also can’t believe parents, and students

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especially, wanted more formality – we would like to see the survey results to prove that’s the case, but the school won’t release them.”

She would like the blazer and tie to be optional, the white shirts changed to something easier to clean and an alternative offered to wool.

A number of parents wrote to the board to express their objections and, as of last week, had not had a response.

Ōrewa College principal Wiri Warriner, who was previously deputy principal at Whangaparāoa College, says he fully understands the uniform’s role in “uplifting the mana” of the students and school in the community.

He says Ōrewa students wear the optional blazer from choice, especially on sports days and at events. There are blazers available to borrow if you don’t have your

own, and also a secondhand market. Warriner says when he was working at Massey High School, in 2016, that school went through a similar change to a more formal uniform. He says the main impact for parents was cost.

“We had that same feedback – we’re not a private school, why look like one? But our view was that we wanted the kids to look good.”

Uniform approach

Among other local colleges, only Wentworth has a compulsory blazer and tie. Ōrewa College’s blazer and tie are not compulsory, but worn for formal occasions. Kingsway College has a blazer and tie (Years 11-13) which are not compulsory.

Image L to R: Trish Ryder, Gianna Pfenniger, Christine Ross, Jill Ryan, Hayley Thompson

The new-look Whangaparāoa College uniform unleased a storm of protest.

Plan underway by new community resilience group

A new group of volunteers has formed to help support the Red Beach, Ōrewa, Hatfields Beach, Waiwera, Silverdale and Millwater areas in a civil defence emergency.

Called the Hibiscus North Community Resilience Group, it joins the existing Whangaparāoa Community Resilience Group, which covers the peninsula. The groups work with Auckland Emergency Management to create a local response in the event of a disaster.

Members Lynsey Ellis and Tracella Owens say their first task is to develop an emergency response plan.

The plans identify local challenges, such as impacts on the road network, and consider ways to work around those issues and keep people safe.

They are also looking at what local hubs could be used as refuges if needed. One that is already on the list is Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa community marae, in Silverdale (see linked story). The Salvation Army base in Red Beach, St Chads church and local schools are also being considered. Tracella says it’s important to encourage residents to prepare themselves for potential emergencies.

“The community needs to understand that council and civil defence won’t be knocking on your door to see if you’re ok. Emergency services probably will be, if the situation is dire, but you still need to have a plan for your own home in place.”

At present the group has around eight members and is looking for more.

“We will have plenty of volunteers in the event of a disaster,” Lynsey says. “We are looking for people prepared to meet regularly and help with the response plan and coordination efforts.”

the group because she, and others in her neighbourhood, was affected by last year’s floods.

Her property has a reserve in front of it which subsided into the sea.

“After that, I met with the Rodney Support group and realised there was nothing was in place for this area in case there’s another disaster,” she says.

Lynsey says once the plan is complete, likely to be a few months away, the group will look for funding for things such as generators and communication equipment. Info: www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=61561299764414

Marae goes solar for community support

The community marae, Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa, is taking advantage of the elevated position of its buildings, near Wade Hotel, to offer support to the community in a tsunami or flooding event. Marae kaiwhakahaere, Kereama Nathan, says in the last floods they opened their doors to the community as an emergency shelter, however they lost power for two days. “We realised that was a weak point, and although we could use generators, they can only do so much,” he says. The solution has been to put solar panels on the roof of the wharenui to power a battery system capable of providing power for 12 hours. The $46,000 project was supported with a grant from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. Kereama says that a reliable source of power will mean they can cook and share food, as well as providing heat and light for people who need shelter. He says as the marae is part of the new Hibiscus North Community Resilience Group, it is important to build emergency response capacity. “We want to make a meaningful contribution to the community’s resilience and safety,” Kereama says. The solar system is due to be installed over the next month.

Tracella, who lives in Hatfields Beach, got involved with

Pūhoi is one local area vulnerable to flooding.

Our best shot

Hibiscus Coast Photographic Club www.hcpc.org.nz

This is the club’s champion image from July. It was taken by Agatha Lambert, who says it was set up in her living room using a black backdrop, camera on a tripod and Sony Bluetooth remote control. “I use a black fibre optic brush lit by a torch with multi colour options of red, blue and green. I wave the fibre optic to mimic the motion of a ribbon dancer and try to fill up the frame so it’s a complete painting which took a bit of time,” Agatha says. This shot was the pick of several attempts. “One of the many interesting things about light painting is the results always vary.” Agatha also did minor post-processing to  brighten up the ‘dancer’ and clean up dust spots.

Laps for lungs ease the wheeze

Next month the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is raising funds with its Laps for Lungs challenge. Participants are invited to get moving, by selecting a challenge and obtain sponsorship to complete it. Options include activity/laps for 17 minutes a day for 30 days, one hour a day for seven days or one hour a day for 30 days. Info: www. lapsforlungs.org.nz

Sunday 6th October 10am-2pm Tours 10.30am & 12.30pm - Adults $10

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Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast

At Dils, our homemade sausage rolls aren’t just crisp and delicious, they’re also a familiar comfort when friends and family get together to share love and memories.

At Dils we put more care into every part of a funeral. Because it’s the details that make it perfect.

for beautiful funerals

Orchids and more in Ōrewa

Recently the annual Hibiscus Coast Orchid Society show, held in Ōrewa, began branching out to include other kinds of indoor plants.

Past-president Gaye Tatro says widening the range of plants last year was a huge success, buoyed by the increasing popularity of houseplants.

As a result, this year’s Orchid and Plant Show, on September 6 and 7, will include specialist growers of bromeliads and succulents, hoyas and more.

The focus, however, remains orchids – an enormous genus that comprises everything from the well-known phaleanopsis (moth orchids) and cymbidiums to scented varieties and those with delicate miniature flowers through to large, colourful and showy blooms.

The show sees members present their

best plants for judging by the NZ Orchid Society judges, and these are all on display. Members also grow plants for sale, which are always popular, along with the Tuckers Orchids stand, raffles and a posy table.

Growers are happy to provide information and tips.

This year the Hibiscus Coast Orchid Society is celebrating 40 years, and membership has remained stable over those years with a core of around 35.

“You don’t have to own an orchid to become a member,” Gaye says. “It’s about appreciating these beautiful plants”.

Entry to the show, at the Ōrewa Community Hall, is free. More details, see What’s On.

Info about the society can be found at: hbcorchidsociety on Instagram or HBC Orchid Society on Facebook.

Peninsula artists at Coast Plaza

Five Whangaparāoa artists have combined their talents in an exhibition to be held at Coast Plaza next month.

One of the artists, Nancy Murray, organised the show to highlight the wide range of work that locals are making. It includes portraits (both humans and pets) in oils and pencils, abstracts, landscapes and watercolours of peninsula landmarks.

Coast Orchid Society’s annual show.

The artists are Estuary Arts award winners Amanda Moore and Carla Sclanders; Steve Brown who recently opened his own studio

on the peninsula; Zengzhu Wen who grew up in China and now takes inspiration from NZ flora and fauna; and Nancy herself, an Army Bay art teacher who works in acrylics and oils in various styles, including contemporary.

Each artist is contributing 10-20 works for the show. All the work will be for sale, with 10 percent of sale proceeds donated to Love Soup Hibiscus Coast.

The art will be displayed in Coast Plaza, in the area by the supermarket September 3-8. Two artists will be on site each day, to chat with the public.

Many different kinds of orchids will be on display and for sale at the Hibiscus

Peninsula artists, clockwise from left, Carla Schlanders, Zengzhu Wen, Nancy Murray, Steve Brown and Amanda Moore.

Pest review commencing soon

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

An initial phase of public engagement on the next Regional Pest Management Plan for Auckland will start later this year.

The plan is created under the Biosecurity Act, using rules and powers under the act to coordinate pest management.

While the current plan won’t lapse until 2030, Auckland Council’s rural advisory panel was told this month that the process could be lengthy, so council was starting work early.

Biosecurity principal advisor Dr Imogen Bassett said upcoming engagement would be targeted on some specific issues, with broader consultation taking place further down the line.

The existing plan covers more than 300 pest (and pathogen) species including weeds, mammals such as possums and feral pigs, turtles, birds, kauri dieback disease, wasps and marine pests.

However, several new pests, such as exotic caulerpa seaweed, freshwater gold clam and new weed species have emerged since the current plan was drafted.

Bassett said Auckland’s changing climate, and evolving community perspectives, were altering patterns of risk and social views on some existing pests.

“We need to ask the general public about

these.”

Key topics in initial consultation will include:

• cat management, with a particular focus on threatened indigenous wildlife protection

• pest-free islands, peninsulas and the regional journey towards Predator Free 2050

• a clean anchor rule to help prevent the spread of exotic caulerpa seaweed and other marine pests

• freshwater pests, including freshwater gold clam

• pest management for climate resilience.

Panel member Alan Cole said a big issue for management was landowners not managing pest species on private land.

“Since the last plan came out, one of the things I’ve noticed is the lack of ability to police people on private land, particularly around woolly nightshade and moth plant,” Cole said.

Bassett said the early engagement would not look at that issue because the views were already quite clear.

“Woolly nightshade and moth plant are already widespread in our region so the cost to serve notices for this would be very high, like millions of dollars,” Bassett said. She said it would be a question for elected members if they choose to put more funding into compliance.

The initial phase of public engagement is expected to start in November.

We’re just down the road, but we still go further

world of research,

New builds take awards

Hibiscus Coast new builds have earned several top regional placings in this year’s Registered Master Builders House of the Year awards.

Gold regional finalists in the Auckland Northland Coromandel zone are a Milldale property that was named Regional Supreme House of the Year (under $1million), as well as homes in Millwater and Gulf Harbour. There are five silver award finalists, two in Silverdale, one in Ara Hills, one in Ōrewa and one in Milldale.

The Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition recognises the work of high quality builders and craftspeople across New Zealand. This year, the regional competition saw close to 300 entries across seven regions. The top 100 winners on points go onto the national final to be held in Auckland on November 23. Stark Building’s Milldale home is included in that list of national finalists, as are apartments in Sandringham, Auckland built by Silverdale-based company Maddren Homes.

This Millwater new build, by Madison Park Homes, won regional gold in the $750,000-$1million category. The 298sqm four-bedroom, U-shaped home is clad in cedar weatherboard and Sto Plaster. Judges noted that this “created an attractive convergence of angles, rooflines, textures, cantilevers and patios”. The interior features expansive kitchen and living spaces, a games room and a second wing with three bedrooms, family bathroom, laundry, powder room and double garage. The main bedroom retreat is upstairs and has a tiled ensuite with bath and double shower, walk-in robe and a private lounge.

Stark Building has made this 144sqm, light-filled Milldale house look far bigger than it is, with cathedral ceilings and white and pale wood finishes to create a spacious look. The judges praised its clean, pared-back style, great outdoor living, and street appeal. The home won a gold award in the Supreme House of the Year (under $1million) category.

Sentinel Homes earned regional gold in the New Home $1-1.5million category for this Gulf Harbour build. The house consists of three linked pavilions in vertical Eurowood cladding. The third of these is a double garage plus a one-bedroom apartment for guests with its own facilities. Outside there is a spa pool, lawn and barbecue. Judges described the home as meticulously designed for a family with young adult children. “There’s plenty of room for being together, but also private spaces for each person,” the judges said.

Health

Dr Peter Hall hallpeter708@gmail.com

Don’t stick your neck out

We expect a lot of our necks. Not only do they have to balance a bowling ball on our shoulders for 16 hours a day, but they tolerate the constant strain of our work and leisure activities, and safely protect the plumbing and wiring that connects the brain to the rest of the body.

It’s a hard job and symptoms caused by neck dysfunction are common in general practice. Firstly, what the biomechanics of the spine? The key element is that it works best when everything is in alignment. The cervical (neck) spine has a curve with the C shape facing backwards, the thoracic spine curves the other way, the lumbar spine reverses again and the sacrum yet again. The result is that perfect posture would mean the ear lobes are vertically above the “sit bones” when standing or sitting. The sit bones are not the buttocks, but the ischial bones that we feel when sitting up straight on a hard seat.

To test this, it is an interesting exercise to stand with one’s back and heels up against a wall and see if the back of the head is gently touching the wall or sitting out a few centimetres. Head forward posture may be due to thoracic spinal problems like osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, but more commonly it is a learnt postural problem due to computer and desk work, plus our recreational sitting positions.

I now see chronic head forward posture in all ages: kids due to time spent on devices, adults because of computer work and older people mostly from arthritis. This can

cause headaches, sometimes very severe and mistaken for migraine, sometimes just an ill-defined discomfort and heady feeling. Dizziness can also occur. In children, earache is not uncommonly due to a neck problem, though that generally comes as a surprise to both patient and parent.

On the whole, I blame the digital age. I spend most of my day at a computer and almost everywhere I work as a locum has terrible ergonomics. The correct height and seat plate position of the chair are critical. Especially for hot desking situations, where multiple people use the same workstation, it is important to be able to adjust the screen position and angle. Even moving the mouse to the non-dominant hand can balance out lateral tension in the neck. Also, people doing repetitive tasks, such as assembly workers, need regular breaks to unravel the tension caused by holding the neck in the same position for a long time.

Recreationally, people spend a lot of time with their spine in a complete C shape – pelvis pushed forward, upper back hunched over and neck flexed. We feel like we are relaxing, but the neck muscles are in a constant state of tension to hold that position. Being aware of this and compensating with some extension exercises came make a big difference.

For further advice, including postural correction and the importance of sleep position, I recommend Robin McKenzie’s excellent little book, Treat Your Own Neck Or, of course, see a health professional.

Hibiscus Coast Community Shop

What’s on at Estuary Arts Centre in August

Galleries: EAC Annual Members’ Merit

Come to one or both! Be inspired by guest speakers & discover why Escorted Tours are for YOU. Small group, like-minded travelers with the comfort of having a door to door Escort throughout!

Come and listen to an expert on Arctic & Antarctic cruises! Sarah has experienced both these majestic frozen landscapes firsthand (recently in the Arctic, with a fabulous Polar-bear story) and will help you navigate the many options

Merit winners: Sally Heritage, Amber Boyd (Youth), Christine Jurgeleit

EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 9 represents C, so fill in C every time the figure 9 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

Epic challenge underway for prostate cancer funds

Two Coasties are halfway through a Run 4-Life fundraising challenge that will see them run and cycle the distance from London to Auckland – all without leaving the area.

As of mid-August, Trevor Wallis, of Gulf Harbour, and Carly Webster have covered more than 11,300 kilometres – mostly on a treadmill and exercise bike but also on local roads – about the distance between London and Cairns in Queensland.

They began the epic trip on January 2, and are well on track to complete the 18,337 km distance before New Year’s Eve.

Trevor, 63, is a former Ōrewa police officer who has always enjoyed keeping fit. He is running the required distance for the challenge, and Carly, manager of Whangaparāoa Golf Club, mostly cycles.

They are fundraising for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Trevor’s father died of prostate cancer, during the Covid-19 pandemic, which he says was a huge motivation for the fundraiser.

“I’m also a member of the golf club where Carly is the manager, and some members there have been affected by prostate cancer too,” Trevor says. “I saw Carly training at the gym all the time, and we decided to put all that fitness to good use. We’re both from the UK originally, so that’s why the route was chosen. It was going to be just running, but we added the cycling to cover those kilometres a bit faster.”

Meeting the target requires covering the equivalent of 25km every day of the year. Carly cycles each day and Trevor fits the running in around his shift work commitments.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand and the

number one cancer affecting Kiwi men. More than 4000 Kiwi men are diagnosed each year and around 700 die.

“All these men deserve to live their best life, and hundreds of families do not deserve to have their loved one taken away too soon,” Trevor says.

Trevor’s father died of prostate cancer, which was a huge motivation for the fundraiser.

The pair use a spreadsheet to keep track of their progress, and staff at the City Fitness Whangaparāoa gym also do so separately, providing added assurance for funders that no shortcuts are being taken. So far, around $1200 has been raised by the pair.

To support Trevor and Carly: https:// fundraise.prostate.org.nz/fundraisers/ run4life/run-4-life

Check mate

The advice from the Cancer Society is to be aware of the symptoms and consult your doctor with any concerns. • If you have prostate symptoms such as problems peeing or blood in your pee or semen, see your doctor to get checked. Many conditions cause these symptoms, not just prostate cancer, but they should not be ignored. See your doctor to be sure. • Checks for prostate cancer symptoms normally involve a blood test, called the PSA test, and a digital rectal examination. • If you have a family history of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor. You may benefit from tests starting from around age 40. Having a family history does not mean that you will get prostate cancer, but it means you may be more likely to develop it. • Prostate-specific antigen or PSA is a protein produced by the prostate. The PSA test measures the amount of PSA in a sample of blood (a blood test). Many people have a high PSA level. A high level does not always mean there is cancer. • Making a decision to get checked for prostate cancer is different for everyone. Before making a decision, it’s good to know the benefits and risks of getting checked. Talk with your doctor about PSA testing and there is an online tool to help your decision making: kupe.net.nz Source: Cancer Society NZ

Carly Webster and Trevor Wallace

The value of talking

Vanessa Robertson found hidden treasure when she took the initiative and asked her father some probing questions about his life.

Her genuine interest meant he told her many interesting yarns, in addition recording 16 tapes of recollections, while in his 80s, for her.

“I always found his life fascinating, and over the years I got a lot of stories out of him,” Vanessa says.

The result was her recently published book I Asked, and He Talked – described as “an extraordinary story about an ordinary man who encountered major historical events and overcame personal hurdles as he traversed the 20th century”.

It is written in the first person, so readers can hear the voice of Vanessa’s father, Harold Lourie Robertson, who died in 2010 at the age of 92.

His mother died when he was a baby, and he was adopted out – “handed to two ladies at a railway station,” as Vanessa says.

There are tales of day-to-day life during his World War II army service in Italy, where he fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino.

“They aren’t the kind of war stories you find in a documentary,” Vanessa says. “He tells a good yarn and much of it is funny. It wasn’t all about the trenches. He was in Italy for three years and he learned to cook Italian food and went to an opera.”

For locals, a key point of interest is that Harold spent a number of years as a young man living in Silverdale in the 1920s.

Vanessa says her father loved Silverdale, and nearby Red Beach. At that time, he was living with his adoptive father, who owned the general store, and remembered a time when he rode his horse and was largely free

to do as he pleased.

“He delivered groceries from the store to the gum diggers in a horse and cart,” she says. “He had an adventurous time and talks about the kauri logging, Wade Hotel and having fun at the beach.”

They aren’t the kind of war stories you find in a documentary … he tells a good yarn and much of it is funny.

The book was written over several years, started while Harold was still alive and largely completed in 2022.

Vanessa says her advice to anyone is to take the time to ask questions of their fathers while they can. Not all will respond, of course, but many will.

Book Giveaway

“We often hear people say at funerals, ‘I wish I’d asked dad about his life’, and ‘men don’t talk about the war’. All you have to do is keep asking – ask specific things like ‘what were you doing when you heard the war had ended’, ‘where did you get your meals’, ‘what sort of food did you have?’

“Those memories and stories are important – otherwise they are lost, and we can still learn from them.”

Hibiscus Matters has one copy of I Asked and He Talked to give away. To go in the draw, ‘like’ Hibiscus Matters on Facebook and message us your name and phone number with ‘He Talked Giveaway’ in the message. Or, write your name, address, phone number and the name of the book you’d like to win on the back of an envelope and post or drop into Hibiscus Matters, 21 Florence Avenue, Ōrewa 0931. Entries close Friday, September 13.

I Asked and He Talked can be purchased from Wilson Scott Publishing, www.willsonscott. biz/wwii/i-asked-and-he-talked

A Hato Hone St John ambulance in Ōrewa clearly displayed the crews’ ongoing anger and frustration after pay talks came to a stalemate. Last week members of the NZ Ambulance Association and First Union withdrew their labour for the first four hours from the beginning of their shifts, on two days, Tuesday August 21 and Saturday August 24. The strike action, which was the first in St John Ambulance’s history, came after 19 months of pay talks with funders Health NZ and ACC broke down. The unions rejected St John’s current pay offer, and St John has said it cannot afford to improve the offer without more government funding. So far government has said it has no more money available.

Vanessa Robertson enjoyed uncovering all the details of her father’s life.

Men’s choir platform for musical fun

Music has been a constant in Leo Falasca’s life, including being involved with choirs and musical theatre growing up in Brazil.

For him, singing is about community –both bringing people together to sing, and potentially turning that into live performance.

Since he moved to New Zealand, six years ago, Leo, who lives in Ōrewa, has been working hard as a digital marketing tutor, but he says the time is now right to “spark that musical fire again”.

When his wife Carol joined the Muse women’s choir, he says he was a bit jealous, which is why he is now starting a men’s choir, also under the Muse banner.

He says men can gain a lot from singing together, as music has many positive spinoffs.

“Being in a group, you support, learn from, and challenge each other, as well as having fun,” Leo says. “Everyone has a role to play in the combined voices of a choir.”

“As I have found myself, we can become so stuck or focused on our family or profession with one goal in mind, and having an escape in music can be so beneficial.”

Any male of any age is welcome to come along, whether a trained vocalist or ‘shower singer’. Leo will be choir director, but also coach all the singers to be their best.

“If you want to develop your choral skills, or just enjoy singing, give it a try,” he says. “The idea is for the choir to provide a platform for a wide range of skills. The part I enjoy most is integrating people who were still learning because they were the ones where you can see the growth and changes happening. Hopefully we can take people on a journey and experiment.”

He says it could grow into concerts and shows for the community, if that’s what people want. “You can participate just as a hobby, or maybe we can look at singing on special occasions like Christmas or Father’s Day – anything to challenge us and help us learn.”

Leo says that men interested in joining the Muse men’s choir can expect to sing a diverse repertoire from musical theatre tunes and modern contemporary to traditional classics and hymns as well as soul and barbershop.

Men can expect rehearsals and performances to be fun, provide a social outlet and be a positive release.

“It really does get the endorphins going,” he says. “Men can expect to experience something new, taking their love of music to another level. I think choir members will find that they upskill in multiple ways.”

Choir practices start September 11. Info: email admin@museandcoacademy.co.nz or phone 0800 MUSE CO.

Gifts for dad

Matters is offering readers a chance to win a basket of goodies designed with Dad in mind. The four prize packages, supplied by local businesses, are valued at around $1800 in total and include a fishing rod and tackle box, Weber barbecue, beer starter kit and tools.

To enter our Father’s Day Giveaway competition, send in your favourite photo of your father (or father figure) and say briefly who you (and your dad) are, and why this is your favourite image. It can be any meaningful image – including a fun one!

Images (medium to high-resolution jpg files) can be emailed to sellit@localmatters. co.nz or copies of photos (no originals) can be posted or dropped into our office at 21

Avenue,

Entries close on Thursday, August 29, at 5pm and must include an email and phone number.

Winners will be selected on Friday, August 30, contacted by phone and announced on our Facebook page. The winner’s photo will also be in Hibiscus Matters’ September 9 edition.

Big thanks to our sponsors: Due Amici, Foundry Chocolate, Gatmans, Grow & Brew, Hibiscus Coast RSA, Liquorland, Life Pharmacy Orewa, Longevity Wellness Centre, Manly Village Barber, Marrow butchery, MorArt, Placemakers, Ship and Anchor, The Archer, The Chatty Barber and Top Catch.

Leo Falasca is encouraging men’s voices to be heard in a new choir to be based in Ōrewa.

Hibiscus

Florence

Ōrewa.

Happy Father’s day!

New Coastie

Ed Amon edamonnz@gmail.com

Fatherhood – nothing else matters

At the time of writing this, it has been a tough couple of days. My little eightmonth-old daughter has a cold which has resulted in a blocked nose. For adults the cold is usually a benign ailment which you get over in a couple of days with some rest and medicine but for my child it becomes a constant struggle to be able to sleep and eat. A blocked nose makes it extremely difficult to breastfeed which is the main source of nourishment. Consequently, she cannot sleep properly because we end up sucking the snot out of her nose multiple times so that she can breathe through her nose. Parents will know that clearing up a baby’s nose is no easy task. Imagine a giant shoving up an aspirator in your nostril for no reason as far as your understanding is concerned –you will vehemently fight back.

of making me a better father to my child. I am saying ‘no’ to sugar in tea, swatting my desire to get KFC on the way back from work, and taking the stairs instead of a lift, just so that my child will have a healthy father for as long as possible.

There is a new meaning to the tired phrase – ‘happy wife, happy life’. My wife is a superhero raising a child. I am Robin to Batwoman. My job is to support her in saving the world through our child.

As a father I am a total softy. My heart turns to mush every time my baby cries. I become teary eyed multiple times a day just seeing my baby struggle from a seemingly benign cold. Nothing else matters any more. Everything I do in the present or make any plans for in the future, the baby is number one.

Friends have told me that I need to find time for myself. Do the things that I love to avoid burnout and feel better. But why? I do not want to do anything else for myself. The joy that comes from wholeheartedly dedicating the rest of my days to my baby is unmatched with anything that I have ever done in my life. So why not do the thing that gives you the most joy?

Fatherhood is the greatest gift given to me by the gods. So, the things that I do for myself also have the underlying motivation

The joy that comes from wholeheartedly dedicating the rest of my days to my baby is unmatched with anything that I have ever done in my life.

Of course, my child is going to save the world! I understand that it is a self-centred point of view, but why should I care what anybody thinks? It is my job as a father, in conjunction with my wife, to provide a life to my child so that she is set up to save the world.

There is cause for a pause here. Am I going to pressure her like my parents to save the world? Pressure her to get straight As, to become a doctor, to have a good job? Am I going to put the weight of the world on her shoulders as it was put on mine? Nope. The fact that I have learnt the lesson of undue parental pressure gives me a glimmer of hope that I might be a good father to my baby daughter.

Masters trophy won by Rams

A trophy that has been hotly contested between two Masters rugby league teams for several years has left the Coast for the home of Rodney Rams Masters in Whangateau.

The Ray Inkersole trophy was contested on Sunday, August 18 at the Hibiscus Coast Raiders grounds at Stanmore Bay.

The hosts, and holders of the trophy for the past two years, put in a strong effort but the Rams were clinical in punishing their

Hibiscus Coast Raiders were celebrating last week after their premier reserves, pictured, won the premier reserves Sharman Cup Grand Final at home in Stanmore Bay on Saturday, August 17. In challenging wind and rain, they triumphed over Papatoetoe, winning 3612. The club thanks all its supporters who show up rain or shine throughout the season, and everyone else who helped make finals day a success. After going through the season unbeaten, Raiders premier team lost out their Sharman Cup semi-final v Ponsonby Ponies, 28-18 on August 10. Photo, Roger Reid.

errors, and although no scores are kept in Masters games, the winner was clear.

One unusual aspect of the game was the inclusion in the Rams of two ladies, which was a first for the competition.

Inkersole was a former Rodney Rams chair and the trophy recognises the fact that when Masters first started, Rams and Raiders played as a combined team under the name the Ram Raiders. It has been contested since his death in 2017.

The Ray Inkersole Trophy is always hotly contested by “the old fellas” of local league with all players putting 100 percent effort into the game. Photo, Roger Reid

ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of

THE scor EBoArD

SUPPORTING

aRoundup of spoRTs acTiviTies in THe disTRicT

Girls football

Hibiscus Coast Football Club invites girls from Year 0-13 to join its first ever Girls Only Summer Football. Gather your girls and their friends and form a team; whether they have played before, they’re at another club or new to football – register a team today! All age groups are five-a-side, eight players per team. Cost per team $320 of eight. Games on are Tuesdays during the afternoon/evening. Registrations close Sept 20. Season: Oct 22- Dec 17. Register: https://hbcafc.org.nz/summer-football/team-registrations

Women’s Challenge

The Pretty Tough Sheila Challenge is on Saturday, November 9 at Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Stanmore Bay. Teams of four. Register at: raiderssheilacomp@gmail.com

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.

Park 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: https://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 09 426 3506 or Pixie 021 0249 5910 or visit 43 Hatton Road Ōrewa

List your sports here FREE email: terry@localmatters.co.nz

ToTalspan Rodney 229 sTaTe HigHway 1 waRkwoRTH pHone 09 422 3149

ToTalspan Rodney 229 sTaTe HigHway 1

Māori team opens opportunities for Coast U9s

A group of three parents who wanted to give local children a chance to take part in a big Pasifika league tournament took the initiative and started a team themselves.

Jamie and Carlos Baker and Cam Tupaea are managers and coaches, as well as parents, of players in the Hibiscus Coast Raiders Club.

Jamie says the Auckland Mini-Mods Pasifika Rugby League tournament is an awesome opportunity for kids of Māori, Samoa, Niue, Cook Island and Tongan descent to represent their culture, while playing the game they love.

“Until now it was unheard of for teams/ managers/coaches of teams in this tournament to be from this side of the bridge, especially this far up the coast,” she says. “Our kids usually have to travel to West Auckland or even as far as South Auckland for training just to be part of a team representing their culture. This year we took it into our own hands to provide the opportunity for our Coastie kids to be

part of a team without the unnecessary travel.”

After a successful muster in June, the Moas U9 Māori team was formed. It includes three Hibiscus Coast players, with the rest coming from West Auckland.

Jamie is managing the team, while Carlos and Cam are coaching.

We have been working hard for the past few weeks, using the Raiders fields in Stanmore Bay as our meeting/training point and it has been great keeping it local.”

The team’s first tournament kicks off this weekend, on August 31 in Manurewa. This will be a Māori gala day where the Moas will go up against two other Māori teams. Next month, they will take on teams from the other Pasifika nations.

“We’ve started out small, but hope that over the years our team of Coastie kids progress and the hard mahi we are putting into it this year is seen, heard and draws in more kids and even more willing coaches and managers,” Jamie says.

8:15am3.0 2:05pm0.7 8:28pm3.1 2:31am0.8 8:53am3.1 2:41pm0.7 9:04pm3.1 3:07am0.7 9:28am3.1 3:17pm0.7 9:40pm3.1 3:43am0.7 10:03am3.0 3:53pm0.8 10:15pm3.0 4:18am0.8 10:39am3.0 4:31pm0.8 10:52pm3.0 4:54am0.8 11:16am2.9 5:11pm0.9 11:31pm2.9 5:33am0.9 11:57am2.8 5:56pm1.0 12:13am2.8 6:16am0.9 12:45pm2.8 6:47pm1.1 1:00am2.8 7:06am1.0 1:40pm2.7 7:45pm1.1 1:54am2.7 8:05am1.0 2:44pm2.7 8:48pm1.1 2:55am2.7 9:11am1.0 3:48pm2.8 9:50pm1.0 4:01am2.8 10:17am0.9 4:48pm3.0 10:49pm0.9 6:45am 6:00pm 6:43am 6:00pm 6:42am 6:01pm 6:40am 6:02pm 6:39am

1:27pm0.7 7:49pm3.1

The Moas, an U9 Māori league team, has formed to give more local youngsters an opportunity to take part in an Auckland Pasifika tournament. Photo, Roger Reid

Green scene

Jenny Hanwell, Hibiscus Coast Forest & Bird j.hanwell@forestandbird.org.nz

Celebrating nature’s champions

With the Paralympic games about to start this week, here on the Hibiscus Coast spring is already off the starting blocks. Did you know that we have some record breakers that visit us each year? The bartailed godwit/kuaka flies non-stop from its breeding grounds in Alaska all the way to New Zealand every September to spend the summer feeding? That’s 12,000 km and represents the non-stop longest migration of any bird – and they can be seen at Ōrewa Estuary and Okoromai Bay in Shakespear Regional Park. As you can imagine, they are thin and weak after that flight, and this species is declining due to habitat loss and predation, so dog walkers take care – I know I won’t be letting my crazy puppy anywhere near where they roost!

We are also fortunate to have the two largest species of native trees living here too – the kahikatea, New Zealand’s tallest tree, known to grow over 60 metres, and the kauri. They are both found in Ōrewa, especially in one of our most special reserves, Alice Eaves Bush where an 800 year old kauri can be found. The kahikatea likes wetland swamp areas, and many were cleared for farming, fortunately there are still ancient trees out there, living up to 500 years old. Māori used their berries as an important food source, and birds enjoy feasting on them in the autumn – providing we prevent possums from getting there first. Look out for their small orange cones in spring too. We all love it when sports people make a

childc are Early Learning Centre Estate

come-back, and in nature it’s no different. Out on local waters, you will find Aotearoa’s rarest mainland duck, the pāteke/brown teal. Found in the wetlands at Shakespear, they are vulnerable to predation, habitat loss and dry weather conditions that reduce food availability. However there is good news for these cute little dabbling ducks, as their population is now classified as increasing thanks to conservation efforts around the country. We can see evidence of that here with successful breeding at Shakespear, and a small group now becoming resident at Gulf Harbour Country Club –another reason for our community to protect this important green space.

In the race to flower first and attract pollinating insects and birds, the karo tree often wins the medal with its deep red, belllike blooms, followed closely by kōwhai, especially on Tiritiri Mātangi Island where the coastal variety planted there puts on a spectacular show much earlier than on the mainland.

What natural wonder will take the gold for you this spring?

Look out for our Forest & Bird talks coming up, starting with Dylan van Winkel on reptiles, on September 4, see What’s On for details. I would also like to acknowledge the exceptional work of retiring Hibiscus Matters editor Terry Moore in raising awareness of conservation issues, and supporting those of us working and volunteering to protect the natural environment of the Hibiscus Coast.

The Myth of Skin Cancer and Dark Skin: A New Zealand Perspective

One of the most persistent myths about skin cancer is the belief that people with dark skin are immune to it. While it is true that melanin in darker skin provides some protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, this does not make dark skin invulnerable to the disease. Unfortunately, this misconception often leads to delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes in Aotearoa’s increasingly diverse population. Skin cancer is typically associated with fair-skinned individuals of European descent, which is understandable given the high rates of melanoma in this demographic due to the country’s harsh UV exposure. However, this focus can overshadow the risks faced by other ethnicities in New Zealand, including Māori, Pacific Islanders and people of Asian, African and Indian descent.

The reality is that while darker skin offers some natural protection from UV rays – approximately SPF 13 compared to SPF 3 in fair skin – it is not enough to completely prevent skin cancer. Skin cancers in people with dark skin often present in less expected areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and under the nails, where UV protection from melanin is minimal. Despite the lower incidence of skin cancer in people with dark skin, when it does occur, it tends to be diagnosed at a later stage leading to worse outcomes. This is often due to the misconception that dark skin does not need to be protected from the sun, delaying both individuals and healthcare professionals from recognizing the signs of skin cancer early.

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In New Zealand where the population is becoming increasingly multicultural, it is essential to raise awareness that skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin colour. Public health campaigns must broaden their messaging to reflect this reality, encouraging everyone to engage in sun-safe behaviours – using sunscreen, seeking shade and wearing protective clothing. Regular skin checks should be a routine part of healthcare for all people regardless of their skin colour.

Ultimately, the myth that people with dark skin are not at risk for skin cancer is not only false but dangerous. By dispelling this misconception, we can promote earlier detection and better outcomes for all New Zealanders, ensuring that everyone has access to timely and culturally appropriate care.

Dr Talat Nur

MBBS, FCPS (General Surgery) Associate SkinSafe Ōrewa

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REAL ESTATE

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Ask Shannon Corbett on 09 906 3860 shannon.corbett@harcourts.co.nz for free advice. 20 years exp • 150+ homes sold • Award Winning • Harcourts Cooper and Co Licensed Agent REA 2008

HOME & 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

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PUMP DOCTOR WATER PUMP & FILTER SERVICES. New installs for all your water pump requirements. Ph 0274 430 654.

SEMI RETIRED BUILDER Decks, Fences, Pergolas. Quality work at a reasonable price. For FREE quote & design if needed. Ph/txt Craig 022 182 2543

Classifieds

ARKLES BAY PAINTERS/DECORATORS In the area for the area. Shane 021 0813 8481.

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

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

GARDENING, LAWNMOWING & WATER

BLASTING - looking for part-time work as I am my mother's carer. Ph 020 4104 2430.

PEST CONTROL Eradication of rats & mice. Competitive Rates. Ph 426 2253 Ph 027 286 7321, www.noratsandmice.nz

SERVICES

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

FURNITURE REMOVALS

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

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

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

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WANTED TO BUY

DVDS & VIDEOS

VIDEOS TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Ph/txt Te Totara Video 021 777 385.

LOST CAT

HIBISCUS COAST COMMUNITY RETURNED AND SERVICES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED AGM the 2024 AGM will be held in the clubrooms Sunday September 15, 10am. The club will open at 9am.

ESTUARY ARTS CHARITABLE TRUST AGM. Thursday September 26, 2.30pm. Any matters a member may wish to be considered at AGM to be received by the secretary by 4pm, September 12.

Crossword solution #39

ACROSS: 1 Glimpse, 4 Anticlimax, 9 Fantasy, 13 Easy, 14 Apathy, 15 Public, 16 Matinee, 18 Set, 20 Dictionary, 21 Unbroken, 22 Agape, 25 Scrape, 26 Fleece, 28 Itinerary, 33 Pampered, 34 Fracas, 35 Comfort, 39 Neurotic, 40 Bovine, 41 Hall, 42 Natty, 43 Edges, 46 Go like hot cakes, 53 Elect, 56 Ditty, 57 Weds, 58 Urbane, 59 Colander, 62 Jealous, 63 Spinet, 64 Epidemic, 67 Supersede, 69 Pester, 70 Pacify, 74 Alert, 75 Circular, 77 Cheesed off, 81 Aim, 83 Mongrel, 84 Queues, 85 Osprey, 86 Edgy, 87 Lectern, 88 Ventilated, 89 Admirer. DOWN: 1 Greed, 2 Insecure, 3 Expand, 4 Actor, 5 Toys, 6 Capture, 7 Imbibe, 8 Amigo, 10 Ajar, 11 Trigger, 12 Sleepy, 17 Diaphanous, 19 Feint, 23 Headlock, 24 Proof, 25 Strange, 27 Lard, 29 Trachea, 30 Spring, 31 Lament, 32 Critic, 34 Faith, 36 Frail, 37 Bung, 38 Flee, 44 Drivel, 45 Extol, 47 Obey, 48 Insipid, 49 Equine, 50 Orbit, 51 Condense, 52 Shower, 53 Eradicated, 54 Eddy, 55 Tyranny, 60 Cured, 61 Bite, 65 Aspic, 66 Disorder, 68 Upright, 69 Parasol, 71 Alcove, 72 Flaunt, 73 Geneva, 76 Cause, 78 Hoped, 79 Foyer, 80 Dear, 82 Most.

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email: online@localmatters.co.nz

30 Hibiscus Coast Grey Power Meeting, St John’s Catholic Church Hall Ōrewa, 1.30pm. Presentation by University of the Third Age (U3A), a society for seniors who want to keep learning. Afternoon tea and fellowship. Info: Simonne 027 212 8322.

31 Always Elvis with Mike Cole, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm. $5 members, $10 non-members – door sales only.

1 Father’s Day at Silverdale Pioneer Village, 15 Wainui Road, Silverdale, 10am3pm. Bring dad to explore the Silverdale Pioneer Village and Museum. Enjoy coffee in the Old Parsonage before exploring historic houses including the Old Forge Blacksmith Shop and pioneer tools.

1 Father’s Day with DJ Going Bananas, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay, 4pm-7pm. Free entry, buffet cost to be confirmed.

3 Joy in Every Season, Whangaparāoa Library, 11am. Sort your home space using Marie Kondo’s KonMari method with Celine Sumic. Free event.

3-8 Five Peninsula Artists group exhibition, Coast Plaza, 10am-5pm. (see story p14)

4 Tails & Scale – Reptiles of the Hibiscus Coast with Dylan van Winkel. A Forest & Bird talk for Conservation Week, Estuary Arts Centre, Western Reserve, Ōrewa, 7pm. All welcome. Free entry. Something for everyone

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

5-7 GLŌrewa free pilot showcase, 12 Florence Ave, Ōrewa, 11am-2pm daily. (see story p21)

6 & 7 Hibiscus Coast Orchid Show and More, Ōrewa Community Hall, Friday 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-3pm. Commercial growers of orchids plus many other plants. Free entry. Something for everyone. (see story p14)

7 Gerry Lee, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm.  $5 members, $10 non-members – door sales only.

7 Free Diabetes Education Day, Hibiscus Coast Community House (behind Estuary Arts Centre), Western Reserve, Ōrewa, 9am-3.30pm. Info contact Margot or Yulia on 021 818 568, email dsme@comprehensivecare.co.nz

8 Hoedown, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 4pm-7pm. Free entry.

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

12 Coasties Quiz Night and Music, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 5.30pm-7pm. Free entry.

13 Stetson Club with Shane & Shazam 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.

14 Repair Café, Future Whangaparāoa, Coast Plaza (next to laundromat), 1pm4pm. A one-off repair café visit to the peninsula (usually in Ōrewa). Volunteers fix household items free of charge. Donations welcome. (see story p6)

15 Learn Te Reo Māori, Whangaparāoa Library, 1.30pm. Free introductory class with Kendra Barr.

15 Death Café, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Conversations about grief, death and dying over cake and coffee. Free event.

17 What’s Your Story? Getting Started with Life Writing, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Unlock your life’s story with writer Jane Bissell. Free Event.

18 Dr Chris Benton’s Timing & Challenges of Establishing a US Moon Base, Whangaparāoa Library, 10.30am. Dr Chris Benton will discuss why and where on the Moon NASA intends to explore, how they intend to do it, and the challenges to be faced and overcome within the incredible timeline for its Artemis Programme.

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

21 Rockstok, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm. Cover charge to be confirmed – door sales only.

22 Ōrewa WinterY Festival, Moana Reserve, Ōrewa, starts 10am. Tonnes of snow, food trucks, entertainment and games. Meet Olaf and Elsa. Polar swim with spot prizes, around 11.15am.

26 Coasties Quiz Night and Music, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 5.30pm-7pm. Free entry.

22 NZ Walk of Fame star unveiling for Debbie Dorday, Ōrewa Boulevard, 3pm. Followed by a show at Centrestage Theatre, Centreway Rd, Ōrewa, 4.30pm. Tickets for the show $25.

28 Hibiscus Coast Comedy Night – Ben Hurley and Friends, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 7.30pm. Tickets from Eventfinda.

5 Talk by mental health speaker and educator Julia Grace, Ōrewa Baptist Church, 2 Loop Road, Ōrewa, 3pm-5pm. Hosted by Ōrewa Elevate Trust. Tickets $15 adult, $10 student. Tickets and information: www.elevateŌrewa. org.nz

Pharmacy Talk with

Tania Adams

Weight Loss

Whether it’s summer coming that’s got you motivated or something else entirely, now is always a great time to start thinking about weight loss for those of us carrying a few extra kilos (or more!)

With so many weight loss products and programmes on the market, which is the right one to choose? We believe that the key to a successful weight loss programme is one that can be tailored to you as an individual. You are unique! This means that each person requires a different approach. That is why at Unichem Manly Pharmacy, our weight loss programme is not a system but rather an individual consultation with you, where we build a personalized plan for you to follow. A plan that not only focuses on weight loss but also works with you to help improve your long term health and well being.

We’ve found that there are some fundamental elements to a weight loss programme that support success:

First and most importantly, a person who wants to make a changeyou! Making the decision to embark on your weight loss journey is the first and most important step.

A coach is another vital component to a successful formula. At Unichem Manly Pharmacy, we have qualified healthcare practitioners to help you make your plan. But more importantly they will be your support person to help you be accountable, meeting you on a regular basis to enable you to stick with that plan. They’ll share tips (how to maintain good eating behaviours) and strategies (e.g. how to curb those cravings) and monitor your progress.

Goals are also important. They help you to stay focussed and are especially useful on those hard days when temptations are everywhere and things get tough. Remember it’s not just about the number. What else do you want to achieve?

We’ll also look to see if nutritional support might assist you with your weight loss journey. Again, this is dependent on YOUR body. Some people need support with carbohydrate metabolism and/or health blood sugar balance, others need help with liver detoxification, nutritional balance or even gut dysbiosis. We also have a selection of VLCD diet shakes and meal replacement bars that we can use as tools. Let us help you find the best solution for you and your body and the best pathway to success.

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Medals for young lifesavers show promise for future

Young people were among the big winners of medals for local surf clubs Ōrewa and Red Beach this year.

The Surf Lifesaving Northern Region awards were presented at an event in Auckland on August 17.

The two clubs won a raft of medals across sport and support roles (see below) including Patrol Support of the Year, which went to Ōrewa’s Vicki Cunningham and Surf Official of the Year, won by Michelle Newton of Red Beach Surf Life Saving

Club. Ōrewa Surf chair Faron Turner took the Examiner of the Year gong. The Red Beach Surf Lifesaving Club as a whole won Surfcom Operator of the Year.

In addition, Ōrewa’s Renee Beckett and Chris McCarthny and Red Beach’s Jenny Readman and Sam Yeoman, were recognised with Service Awards.

Richard Rogers of Red Beach Surf Lifesaving received a Distinguished Service award.

Life Membership awards went to Trevor Keinzley and Dave Shanks, both of Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving Club.

of

of the Year,

Rookie

Finn Jordan, Ōrewa

U17 Sportswoman of the year Zoe Pedersen, Red Beach

Right, U15 Sportsman

the Year Dylan Blanchard, Red Beach – Photos, Ross Malyon

Left, U19 Sportsman of the Year Jasper Cornish, Red Beach

Left, Rae Kwan, Open Sportswoman of the Year, Ōrewa