Community group ramps up efforts for Ōrewa Beach reserve seawall
A community group has put forward an alternative plan, including a seawall, to counter the naturalisation process that Auckland Council proposes for Ōrewa Reserve beachfront.
The group, called Ōrewa Reserve Community Association (ORCA), formed in July and last month sent a report with
an alternative concept to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board.
It did this in response to the council’s four proposed designs, which were released in Hibiscus Matters in April (HM April 8 and March 6)
The naturalisation approach that Council supports means losing grassed reserve over
time, and gaining high tide dry beach. The edge of the reserve would be reshaped with dunes, reducing the need for the expensive transfer of sand as a buffer against erosion. None of council’s proposals include building a seawall or keeping the Norfolk pines on the reserve edge – once erosion makes those trees unsafe, they will be
removed.
All the current members of the fledgling ORCA group are Hibiscus Coast Highway residents, who live near the beach reserve.
Spokesperson Chris Carter says protecting the reserve from further erosion should be
The latest addition to the Hibiscus Coast Men’s Shed is cooking lessons, aimed at members who may have lost a partner and be struggling to cook, or just want to improve their skills. Pictured is chef and Men’s Shed member Joop Boumeester, centre, taking the first class on August 30. See story p13
21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa, 0931 | ph 09 427 8188
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the number one priority.
“Our plan is a way to preserve what we have for the future, for our grandkids. The reserve is too valuable to lose because of its popularity for recreation and its proximity to the township. If saving it means losing some dry sand beach, it’s a price we’re prepared to pay.”
Carter says it is the group’s gut feeling that 80 percent or more of local residents support a seawall.
“They don’t want to lose the reserve, the carparks or the trees. Without a wall so much of that reserve will be lost to erosion. We are fortunate – we are in time to do something about that. We were somewhat surprised that the local board supported the naturalisation concept, when there is little public support for that.”
Carter, an accountant, said while ORCA’s plan is uncosted, so are the options put forward by council at this stage.
He says while seawalls are expensive to build, the costs of naturalisation could also be costly.
“Council’s plans include expensive elements such as moving the playground, basketball court and carparks away from shore. We want to sit alongside them and ensure that when it comes to cost, eggs are being compared with eggs. We pay the rates. We just want the process to be open and upfront and for the full figures to be put on the table.”
ORCA’s Murray Coulter and Michael Baxter say they joined the group because they are very concerned that the option of a wall was removed, before public consultation on the plans even opened.
Coulter describes moving the basketball court closer to the road as “nonsensical bearing in mind how many balls fly around when there’s a game on”.
Baxter says that the options that Council put forward don’t meet the needs of the community.
He says the sand replenishment process increases the volume of sandy silt blowing
members, from
onto the road and into properties across the highway.
“We believe our plan would require little to no ongoing sand replenishment, which would also be a huge saving,” he says. Council was not prepared to comment on ORCA’s plan until staff are able to meet with the group. At this stage council does not have a date for opening public feedback on the Ōrewa Reserve proposals –something that had been expected around the middle of this year. However, Parks and Places specialist Matt Woodside says work on the development of future management options for Ōrewa Reserve continues, with emphasis on naturalising the coastal edge to build resilience to coastal processes and aligning the plans with the Shoreline Adaptation Plan programme.
“We’re aware that the Hibiscus & Bays Local
Board have received a report from a local community group and acknowledge the work that has gone into this,” Woodside says.
“It’s great to see the community is passionate and engaged – we’re looking forward to working alongside the community when consultation is open.”
In the meantime, ORCA wants a formal acknowledgment from the local board that they will put the seawall plan to council for consideration.
It also hopes to ramp things up, potentially increasing its membership, and starting a petition.
Info: https://sites.google.com/view/orewabeach-stop-sand-movement/home or email: chriscarter230@gmail.com
ORCA's plan is linked to this story at www.localmatters.co.nz
Seawall contract not yet awarded
As of last week, the selection of a company to build the Ōrewa Beach seawall, from Kohu Street to Marine View, was still underway, with a tender not yet signed. The tender period closed in mid-May. A month ago, Auckland Council engineering, assets and technical advisory general manager, Paul Klinac, said council was still negotiating the contract award and he expected to have a contract in place by early September. The works, which Council had earlier hoped to have underway towards the end of July, have been pushed out with a new start date not yet confirmed.
ORCA
left, Murray Coulter, Michael Baxter and Chris Carter.
Airport dives into public consultation again
North Shore Aero Club in Dairy Flat is seeking feedback on the refresh of its airport Master Plan with an open morning on Saturday, September 14.
Interest, among Dairy Flat residents in particular, will no doubt be high. Last time the Master Plan was released, in 2020, it coincided with an application for Airport Authority status to support the airport’s growth, which ended up being turned down by the Minister of Transport at the time, Michael Wood, after extensive public consultation, around 500 submissions, the formation of a lobby group and several public meetings.
Opponents of the move to get Airport Authority status were concerned about the potential impact on the community of any expansion of the facility.
Aero club chief executive John Punshon, says the club learned a lot from that process. “We listened and will approach it differently,” he says. “Last time we didn’t consult on our original Masterplan, and we probably should have.”
He says that approach will extend to any application made for Airport Authority status (now known as Registered Airport Operator status), which could be made next year.
Last time, public consultation on that
application was front-footed by the Ministry of Transport, as required under the legislation, but Punshon says this time the club will conduct a further round of consultation before any application is made.
... the bigger and grander plans to elevate the airport into part of the wider regional transport network are conceptual.
He says the Master Plan is an attempt to deal with the urbanisation that the Auckland Unitary Plan and related planning documents have earmarked to take place around the airport’s perimeter.
The document says there is very high potential for the encroachment of uses incompatible with the airport, right next door to the facility, curtailing its current operations.
With this in mind, the Master Plan says the aero cub is liaising with council, adjoining landowners and utility providers.
“Commitment remains from all parties to recognize the value of the airport,” it says.
Punshon says the new plan is a “tweaked and updated” version of the earlier one, but essentially similar, focused on issues of safety and use, and how the airport will interact in future with the community and environment surrounding it and continue to grow, remain relevant and sustainable. He says the “bigger and grander plans to elevate the airport into part of the wider regional transport network” are conceptual.
“The important thing is that this is driven by the changes around us,” he says. “We are 10 years down the track from the Unitary Plan and 15 years or more away from development on the doorstep, but we are seeing changes. We have the same uncertainty as the rest of the locals, so we are trying to safeguard our position and make the facility a more valuable resource for everybody. I appreciate not everyone sees the airport as a benefit, but we have to try and understand how to provide the most value overall.”
Consultation on the North Shore Aero Club’s airport Master Plan began last week with the circulation of flyers. There will be a drop in session at the club on Saturday, September 14, from 9.30am to 12.30pm so anyone interested can find out more.
Submissions can be made by emailing massterplan@nsac.co.nz or writing to the
New subdivisions asked for views on representation
Residents of new subdivisions such as Ara Hills and Milldale should be asked whether they want to be part of the Hibiscus and Bays or Rodney Local Boards, so that local boards incorporate communities with shared interests and facilities.
That is the view of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, which recently gave its feedback to Auckland Council on its current review of how local board subdivisions are weighted by population and communities of interest (called the representation review).
The council is required to regularly review representation, and this one must be in time for the 2025 local body elections. It looks at the number of councillors and local board members, as well as ward and local board boundaries.
Both Ara Hills and Milldale are currently governed by the Rodney Local Board, but Hibiscus and Bays members consider that residents of those areas could be more likely to attend Coast schools, shop on the Coast and use council facilities such as the
Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre and local libraries.
It has been advocating for changes to the boundaries to incorporate areas with shared facilities and interests, but those pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears.
Local boards receive revenue from council based on the population within their borders. However, member Jake Law, who prepared the feedback for the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, says its feedback was more about pointing out that some communities outside its boundaries, including Ara Hills and potentially Milldale, may share common interests and consider themselves Hibiscus Coast residents.
“We advocated for the Governing Body to consult with Ara Hills about how those residents feel on the issue, but that request was not included in the public consultation that went out recently,” Law says. “I’m not sure why that happened.”
He says the local board is following up by seeking a Local Government Commission review, which looks in depth at how
airport at 260 Postman Road, RD4 Albany, Auckland 0794.
Submissions must be in by September 29, at 5pm. The refreshed plan is at www. northshoreairport.co.nz/masterplan/
RSA faces huge decisions
communities are represented, and consults with the communities themselves.
“We want to know what those communities think, and for them to have a say on whether they feel anchored by Rodney or the Hibiscus Coast,” Law says. Whether or not that Local Government Commission review happens, rests with the Governing Body.
“Council is focused on the population numbers represented by local boards, but that can end up cutting communities with the same interests in half,” Law says. “We feel that communities with shared interests are more important than population alone and that council should consider whether it allows its representatives to vary in the numbers they represent in order to keep those communities together.”
The representation review’s Joint Governance Working Party will hear submissions on the issue, including local board feedback, for a decision by the Governing Body on September 26.
The Hibiscus Coast RSA’s annual meeting, on September 15, will present members with an opportunity to decide the long-term future of the club. Its ongoing financial losses have repeatedly put the local RSA in the position of having to contemplate changes. A confidential document called Options for a Sustainable Financial Future has been circulated to members ahead of the meeting. It includes the options that a sub-committee, set up to look at the issues, has come up with. They include staying at the Vipond Road facility, merging with another local club, relocating to a different space, altering or rebuilding the existing facility, and changing the operating model. Some of those choices were put to the membership at an Extraordinary General Meeting in February and the majority at that time voted to stay and change the operating model. President David Newman has since said that something has to change as, if current losses continue, “the end could come in 5-8 years”.
North Shore Aero Club chief executive John Punshon says the club will do things differently if it applies for airport authority status for a second time.
Mayor blindsided by bill to disestablish AT
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded
through NZ On Air.
A bill to disestablish Auckland Transport (AT) has been introduced to parliament, to the surprise of Auckland councillors and the mayor.
At Auckland Council’s Governing Body meeting on August 29, councillors approved Auckland Transport’s statement of intent. At the same time, New Zealand First was introducing a member’s bill to parliament, seeking to disestablish AT. The bill is in the name of Jamie Arbuckle, a NZ First MP and current Marlborough District Councillor.
In a press release, Winston Peters said that disestablishing AT would restore democratic control and accountability over Auckland’s
transport system, ensuring that decision making resides with elected representatives.
“Auckland’s transport system is in disarray with very little input or influence by the sitting Council,” he said, adding that AT has been “a failed experiment from the start”.
“It has held too much power, with insufficient accountability to the Council and to the people of Auckland. Aucklanders deserve a transport system that addresses their needs and is governed by those they have elected to represent them.
By disestablishing Auckland Transport, the Bill allows for the creation of a new council-controlled organisation, which will be subject to the existing provisions under the Local Government Act 2002.
“Every Aucklander should have confidence that their city’s transport system is being
managed with transparency and democratic integrity.”
Cr Mike Lee was the first to acknowledge the news at the governing body meeting.
He said that NZ First was working on the assumption that Auckland Council has a better way; a clearer idea on how transport should be administered.
Lee said it was the council’s responsibility to figure out a better and more cost-effective way to deliver transport, with better public outcomes.
Mayor Wayne Brown said he was surprised to hear of the Bill.
“I think it’s a response from the general uprising of people and grumpiness about AT. It is not something that I have pushed for,” Brown said.
“I think it was a huge error in judgement
that the biggest council in New Zealand is the only one that doesn’t set its own Regional Land Transport Plan. That was a mistake, and I have yet to hear anyone who says that we are wrong for trying to get control of those policies and directions.”
Cr Alf Filipaina said he was surprised that Peters had not consulted with the mayor or AT about the bill and asked the deputy prime minister to “stay out of our business”. “I am going to defend Auckland Transport for the work that they have done since I’ve been around this table because I don’t think it is that dire,” Filipaina said.
The bill must be drawn from the biscuit tin in order to be considered by Parliament. Brown said he would meet with the deputy prime minister to discuss the development and keep councillors updated.
Mayor rings changes on Auckland Council committees
By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter and staff
reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
Mayor Wayne Brown has ousted several councillors from their former roles and into new ones, as well as establishing two new council committees.
Brown said that the changes are to streamline decision-making and give councillors more effective oversight.
The changes were approved at the Governing Body meeting on August 29. They include local councillor John Watson losing his role as Transport and Infrastructure Committee chair but gaining a place on the Hauraki Gulf Forum. The transport committee has been renamed the Transport, Resilience and
Infrastructure Committee, reflecting a new oversight on physical resilience matters. Its chair is now Cr Andy Baker, who swapped his role on the Hauraki Gulf Forum with Watson.
Changes were also made to the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.
This was established at the beginning of this term of council and combined three previous committees into what some councillors called “a mega-committee”.
The mayor has now subdivided it back into three again – the Policy and Planning Committee, Community Committee and Parks Committee.
The governing body also voted to appoint Cr Maurice Williamson to the board of Auckland Transport (AT), replacing Cr Andy Baker.
At the August 29 meeting, Watson expressed disappointment at being shifted out of his role as Transport and Infrastructure Committee chair.
“There has been an opportunity for the Mayor to make widespread changes in transport – in a relatively short space of time we have had a new AT CEO and a new chair of the AT board. In fact, we have had an entirely new board, all seven members,” Watson said.
“We have had a committee of the whole dealing largely with transport and today that committee gets refreshed again. As far as the AT directors go, we are up to the fourth councillor on that particular merrygo-round. Some last a matter of months, some enjoy a little bit more longevity.”
He said feedback he received about the frequent changes at council suggested
there was a clear lack of direction and consistency.
Hauraki Gulf Forum makeup changed There are five members of the Hauraki Gulf Forum who are appointed by the Auckland Mayor. Watson’s recent appointment, joining existing member and fellow Albany Ward councillor Wayne Walker, will see two forum members coming from that ward.
Mayor Wayne Brown’s report to the Governing Body suggests that he would like to see some roles rotated regularly in order to use the varied experience of councillors.
Two appointments for the forum are yet to be confirmed with members from the Aotea Local Board and the Waiheke local board not yet assigned.
Spring is in the air, we have three skip bins to help out with that spring
The councillors who sit around various council committee tables has changed, following a mayoral reshuffle.
Viewpoint
Gary Brown, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board deputy chair gary.brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Coast concerns
A few months ago I was appointed to a steering group which included the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Alexis Popplebaum, Upper Harbour Local Board chair Anna Atkinson and deputy chair Uzra Casuri Balouch to come up with a plan to save the demolition of the North Harbour Stadium.
An extra working group was set up by the steering group and tasked with developing this plan, with a progress documentation and report to the Governing Body and the Mayor to be completed last month. This was done successfully on August 29 and now the steering group will focus on assessing the operational management options and implementing a two-stage process to enhance the stadium’s community and commercial value. Ongoing discussions with Tataki Auckland Unlimited and a detailed Expression of Interest process are planned to secure a new operator by the end of the fiscal year. Our main mission is to keep the North Harbour Stadium and Domain Precinct as is, exploring new management models starting next July, and evaluating ownership, funding, governance, and improvements by December 2026.
We received a great result from our presentation with support from the Governing Body for the future planning and it highlighted the importance of local collaboration. With the announcement of significant delays to early 2028 with the Penlink bridge, I find it unbelievable that the due diligence was not done correctly
at the time of tendering for the new design and build of this type of bridge. You would think that all the ground, geo tech, so called innovative design of the bridge that the unique specifications had been taken into account. We will have to wait to see what ramifications there are for this potentially expensive misjudgement.There has been talk about changes to the central Auckland ward boundaries so that they match the proposed local board boundary changes while still following the ‘fairness of representation’ rule. One of the ideas that I’m very supportive of there is changes to some local board boundaries, especially for the Hibiscus Coast to include Ara Hills and Milldale subdivisions.
Often you will hear advertising inviting people to move to these new subdivisions and enjoy the amenities of Ōrewa. However, the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board area does not receive the rates from those residents as they are currently outside our boundary. Let’s hope that there will be some research done to see if it’s viable to change those boundaries. There are plenty of local projects underway or about to start. They include Ōrewa Beach seawall, 86 Harvest Ave, Ōrewa new neighbourhood park, Ōrewa Library comprehensive refurbishment and renewing the playground at Edith Hopper Park. I know that these projects will benefit our community greatly making the Hibiscus Coast a greater place to live.
LocalOpinion Lastword
A fond farewell
After 17 years with Hibiscus Matters I am off to some new adventures.
Being editor of a community newspaper has been busy, challenging and rewarding.
I’ve met a lot of people from all walks of life and told their stories as best I can.
As well as all that feel-good stuff, the paper’s policy has been never to shy away from covering issues that may be difficult or controversial – if it is valuable for readers to know, we have gone in boots and all, always aiming for accuracy, fairness and balance.
Although there are many other publications now around the Coast, I believe that Hibiscus Matters’ point of difference is the work done by experienced journalists on behalf of the community – long may that continue.
Another key role of a community paper is making and extending connections. A good example of how that works is in an email I got recently, following a story we ran in August 12 edition about a new volunteer group called The Pickers. They collect excess produce from home gardens and re-distribute it.
The group’s organiser, Kayleen Martin’s, comments are summarised: “I want to thank you for the article. I am blown away by the response of donors and those wanting to volunteer. It is so much more than what I first envisioned: what started as a simple effort to salvage fruit, vegetables, and flowers to give back to the community has grown into something much more profound. For our produce donors, especially the elderly, it has provided a fresh way to engage with society, contribute meaningfully, and connect and chat with new people.
And for recipients, The Pickers are providing a much-needed source of fresh produce, and now plants. We even had an offer to re-establish a vegetable garden that the donor is no longer able to maintain. These contributions are making a significant difference in our community. Thank you again for giving this cause the kickstart it needed.”
Hibiscus Matters is being left in good hands and will continue its good work – in return, it needs and deserves support from advertisers and the wider community. If you think a community needs a newspaper, then remember that equally, a newspaper needs its community.
I look forward to seeing you around as I start a new chapter, and thank our team and delivery crew, everyone who has supported us with advertising, shared their stories and valued our content Mā te wā Terry Moore
Get on board
The return of a full timetable to the Gulf Harbour ferry service this week (from September 9) comes almost exactly a century after two Manly developers put on the first service to Little Manly. ‘Ted’ Brown was a lawyer and Laurie Taylor a dentist. They bought a large farm down on the flat at Manly from ‘Major’ Polkinghorne. This large parcel of land, estimated to be well over 360 acres, stretched from where the current boatshed is at the eastern end of the beach, right up to where Jim Lucas had his old BP garage (and then along to a point half way between Little Manly and Arkles Bay). It was a substantial land holding. At Manly, however, the land was not selling very fast in the 1920s. To aid the sale of their sections Taylor and Brown built a large wharf at Little Manly. This pier was an impressive looking structure which stretched right out into the bay. They also bought a launch called the Star of Manly to bring people up from Auckland. Unfortunately for them this steamer caught fire after six months and was burnt out. Thereafter they had to rely on the vessels of the Northern Steamship Company which sailed up to Little Manly and Arkles Bay on a regular basis. These steamers
also sailed up the Weiti River to Silverdale and the Wade Hotel. The ‘modern’ ferry era started in the mid-1990s when Ron and Wendy Dazeley put on a 15m catamaran from Gulf Harbour to the city on a twice daily basis. They had about 11 passengers a trip to start with and by the end of the first year were up at 35. Nearly 20 years on from those early beginnings – and with an upgraded timetable - patronage had grown to an impressive 18,000 boardings a month by 2019. With a chronic post-covid cancellation rate, however, and a reduced timetable that patronage plummeted in the last three years. Now the ferry’s back and so is the full timetable of 26 sailings a day. As with years gone by it’s now up to Whangaparāoa people to come back in numbers to support this service that is so valuable to our community.
Auckland Councillor (and keen historian) John Watson, Army Bay
Bridge fallout
How embarrassing! Waka Kotahi NZTA has forgotten how to build bridges. And how much they cost to build. How embarrassing for us too, whose rates pay for them. But it can’t be true. They’ve built hundreds of bridges. Saying it’s a new type of design doesn’t wash – they’ve had well over 20 years to study where the bridge is to cross the Weiti River and the design needed to do it. In fact they’ve already pushed out the timeline for O Mahurangi Penlink several times, allowing heaps more time to get it sorted. No, there must be other things afoot. Perhapswishful thinking - the delay is really to allow another lane to be added to the bridge? They may as well do that since, by the time its finished, it will be sorely needed. And making the whole highway four lanes, as it will obviously need to be from day one, just to divert traffic from SH1 away from Silverdale which is already congested for hours each day. Cost overruns and “complex
interfaces” indeed. What a lot of smokescreen nonsense. Waka Kotahi NZTA certainly knows how to fuel cynicism. And what does our MP Mark Mitchell think of this, yet another delay?
Gilbert Peterson, Manly Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell replies: “The previous government over engineered the design. It is really disappointing, as this has proven to be far more complicated than it needed to be, and now NZTA is working on fixing this.”
How hard is it?
Regarding the [Weiti] Bridge delay, and I say this seriously, the Romans could have done it, the Egyptians could have done it. How hard can it be? They built the Empire State Building in New York in 1930, in one year and 42 days. I’m an old retired builder and could “volunteer” my services. Just pay myself and my cat and dog and budgie $400 an hour for the next year, plus a bit for consultants and we could get the job done. Maybe Fletchers and Co. are beyond their use-by date, have lost their mojo and ability to get things done and the ratepayers pay and pay. We need an Elon Musk. Geoff Hansen, Hatfields Beach
Hibiscus Matters has a lot more plants in its new office, as natural light floods in. Ad rep Angela Gallagher spent a while pruning this one. It is a plastic plant.
Photos, courtesy Silverdale & Districts Historical Society
Delightful day for Dads
Local businesses came up with some amazing prizes, all with dad in mind, for Hibiscus Matters’ annual father’s day competition.
Entrants were asked to send in a favourite photo of their father, or father figures, and they flooded in with photos of dads doing all the things dads do – from taking the kids to the beach or playground, family celebrations, reading bedtime stories and even having their faces made up by their young daughters. Choosing our four winners was a very hard job. The winners were drawn, and prizes presented, on Friday, August 30 – in time for Father’s Day.
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A basket of goodies went to 84-year-old grandpa Peter McKinney of Ōrewa; the fishing rod and brew kit went to Duane Mutu of Manly; Nathan Samuels, also of Manly, won a Weber barbeque and Blair Outhwaite, from Little Manly won the Placemakers package, including tools. Hearty thanks to all our sponsors: Due Amici, Foundry Chocolate, Gatmans, Grow & Brew, Hibiscus Coast RSA, Liquorland, Life Pharmacy Ōrewa, Longevity Wellness Centre, Manly Village Barber, Marrow butchery, MorArt, Placemakers, Ship and Anchor, The Archer, The Chatty Barber and Top Catch.
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Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast
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Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast
We all have places that hold treasured memories. So if you have somewhere special in mind for a funeral, we do whatever it takes to make it happen.
At Dils we put more care into every part of a funeral.
Because it’s the details that make it perfect. for beautiful
Clockwise from top left, Peter McKinney, Nathan Samuels, Blair Outhwaite and Duane Mutu.
Ray White Carpenter Realty
Ray White Carpenter Realty is in growth mode, having recently opened a Silverdale office, then moved into the former Telos premises (on the corner of Milner Ave and Central Boulevard) and also taken ownership of the Ray White sales team in Manly Village.
This adds up to 17 salespeople under the Carpenter Realty banner on the Coast.
For owner Glenn Carpenter, the expansion is particularly exciting as it has allowed him to reconnect with his Hibiscus Coast roots.
Glenn’s father Ian owned the Skyline Garages franchise based in Ōrewa and then Silverdale, so Glenn grew up “a free range Coastie”.
“There was so much for kids to do –jumping off the rocks, riding bikes – all with minimal adult supervision,” he says.
Glenn started his real estate career aged 25, on the North Shore and 28 years later he couldn’t be happier to be back on the Coast. He has family still living here, and is now enjoying introducing his young children to the area.
“I understand from personal experience what entices buyers into property up here,” he says. “It’s still that free range lifestyle.”
Although recent years have been tough for realtors, he says that kind of market is the perfect opportunity to grow your business.
“Selling houses in a challenging market requires skilled professionals, so it’s easier to stand out,” he says. “In my quarter of a century selling real estate I’ve seen both boom and bust and am able to lead my team through all kinds of market conditions.”
Another milestone for community pharmacy
An Ōrewa business thought to be the Coast’s most long standing marks another milestone this month.
Ōrewa Pharmacy as it was first known in 1949, now Life Pharmacy Ōrewa, is celebrating its 75th birthday.
From origins on Ōrewa’s Hilltop, to Main Road Ōrewa and now by Countdown/ Woolworths, the business has always been a supporter of the community and its people, says owner Antony Wentworth.
“With literally hundreds of staff through its doors over this time there are endless stories and connections with the Coast and its people,” he says.
Antony, who has been at the store for more than 30 years, says he and previous owners Des Adams and Peter Rigg, all kept a strong connection with anything local.
“What was a small community town way
back has now grown a lot. We now live in a vibrant town that still has that awesome beach. While progress sometimes means giving up some of the peace and quiet, this is a fantastic community to be a part of.”
Antony’s wife Alyson also works at the store, and as happens with many family businesses, the couple’s three children have done their part too.
“We’ve always had great staff who, because they generally live locally, have real connections to customers,” Antony says. “Three of them have been with the business for more than 30 years. There’s always been plenty of fun and activity involved with our team, and the community who are the lifeblood of any local business.”
The store is celebrating its birthday for two weeks with daily prizes, giveaways and special offers.
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Glenn Carpenter
Antony Wentworth and his team at Life Pharmacy have 75 years to celebrate this month.
Youth Voice
Caitlin Watson caitewatson@gmail.com
The value of newspapers
In today’s digital age, where TikTok and Instagram play a big part as sources of “news”, it might surprise you to learn that many young people still turn to their local newspapers, online or paper version! Local news remains a valuable media source, offering unique benefits that go beyond what social media provides. Here’s why!
Local news is a pure source of news media that should be read and enjoyed by every generation. It helps bridge a sense of community and keeps us connected to what’s happening right in our backyard – whether it’s celebrating milestones like Bob’s 100th birthday, learning about council planning decisions, or cheering for local sports teams. These papers highlight the stories of our neighbours, raise awareness of local issues and contribute to a shared sense of belonging.
Keeping up with local news not only strengthens community ties but also inspires civic engagement. It can provide a historical perspective on how our communities evolve and change over time, helping us to appreciate our past and guide our future decisions. This engagement also inspires involvement in community service and local initiatives. Personally, I always get quite excited for the once a fortnight release of the Hibiscus Matters. Although increasingly people read it online, for me there is nothing quite like picking up a paper copy of a newspaper, and sitting down for a good read – a sensation that scrolling through videos or posts on a screen doesn’t quite replicate!
Each news media serves a purpose. While social media delivers news in bite-sized pieces and brings stories to life through videos and graphics, it can lack the space for the depth of analysis found in local newspapers. I have also found that the hands-on experience of reading a physical paper teaches me to pay attention. This sounds simple, but with living in a digital age of sound bites, and a never ending newsfeed of content, digital distraction is around every corner. Research even suggests that Gen Z’s attention span is around 8 seconds, similar to that of a goldfish! This highlights the importance of developing sustained engagement for being attentive and present in study, work, and our everyday relationships!
Digital distraction aside, in this column I ultimately want to pay a tribute to Terry Moore, the retiring editor of the Hibiscus Matters. As Terry wraps up an impressive 17 years of dedicated service, it’s important to recognise her contributions to local journalism. Terry has not only provided a platform for youth voices and issues but has also been a steadfast presence at community events. Her work has shaped a paper that many young people value and enjoy, celebrating our local rangatahi and empowering the next generation.
In honouring Terry’s legacy, we acknowledge the enduring importance of local newspapers. They remain a great source of community connection and civic inspiration, offering a depth of coverage that complements the ever evolving news world of social media!
Aimee Parangi
The flowers are coming out to say hello. Why don’t you?
The flowers are coming out to say hello. Why don’t you?
ready for a new season?
Open days Friday 20 & Saturday 21 September, 10am – 3pm.
ready for a new season?
Open days Friday 20 & Saturday 21 September, 10am – 3pm.
With plenty of gorgeous grounds to enjoy, there’s nothing quite like Arvida’s Peninsula Club at springtime. Join us at our open days and explore the beautiful gardens and properties, while enjoying a cup of tea from our friends at Tea Total and a cupcake (or two, we won’t judge).
With plenty of gorgeous grounds to enjoy, there’s nothing quite like Arvida’s Peninsula Club at springtime. Join us at our open days and explore the beautiful gardens and properties, while enjoying a cup of tea from our friends at Tea Total and a cupcake (or two, we won’t judge).
We’ve got a selection of villas and apartments waiting for you to view. These openings are a rare find, so don’t miss your chance to secure your spot.
We’ve got a selection of villas and apartments waiting for you to view. These openings are a rare find, so don’t miss your chance to secure your spot.
Call Cassandra on 021 371 826 or find out more at arvida.co.nz/peninsulaclub
Call Cassandra on 021 371 826 or find out more at arvida.co.nz/peninsulaclub
Bright bold and big fundraiser
Whangaparāoa School exploded into colour on Friday, August 30 when the school held its first ever Crazy Colour Fun Run.
Funds raised during the campaign were targeted at upgrading its outdoor facilities for the school and community.
Whangaparāoa businesses jumped in, with a wide range of sponsors supporting the event and a massive total of $92,000 was raised.
Students warmed up with Brett Fairweather of Jump Jam, and then enjoyed a run
through seven colour stations with obstacles. Each time the children progressed through an obstacle, they could add a splash of colour on their white shirts. Children could run with their buddies in the school and family members.
At the end the school community gathered on the field and threw an explosion of colour in the air, and it came drizzling down over them. It was certainly a colourful way to end a very successful event.
The school wishes to thank everyone who took up the challenge and got involved.
Ōrewa College honoured its ex-student Shaun Johnson’s 13-year NRL career, after the league star announced his retirement recently. To acknowledge Johnson’s achievements and contribution to the sport, students and staff were encouraged to wear Warriors clothing on Friday 30 August. College principal Wiri Warriner said Johnson’s remarkable career, marked by international recognition and accolades such as the Golden Boot award, has been a source of pride for the Ōrewa College community. “Shaun’s unwavering ambition to achieve sporting excellence is an inspiration to our students to keep working hard and reach for their dreams,” Warriner said.
Swimming lessons supported
Ōrewa Beach School received a $9629 grant from the NZ Community Trust which ensures all students can attend swimming lessons at the Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre. Principal Wendy Naidu says the programme, which teaches water safety and survival techniques, is of critical importance in NZ. “The lessons enhance physical fitness, build self-confidence and help address drowning statistics,” she says. The grant means the school can now provide equitable access to the lessons for every student. Some may have previously been unable to attend due to the cost of getting there and back – the school is 10km away from the Leisure Centre.
World record for Red Beach lifesaver
Fresh from winning U17 sportswoman of the year at Surf Lifesaving’s Northern Regional awards (HM August 26), Zoe Pedersen of Red Beach Surf Lifesaving Club has been the star of the SLSNZ Lifesaving World Championships held last week on Australia’s Gold Coast. As well as three silver medals, she achieved a world record in her 100m Rescue Medley heat in a time of 1:09:10.
NZ Dolphins turn 70
The country’s oldest diving club is casting its nets wide to find current and former members for its 70th anniversary celebrations next month. The NZ Dolphin Underwater & Adventure Club is based in Takapuna, but members come from far and wide to join in its organised dive, underwater photography and environmental clean-up activities, as well as mountain biking, tramping and travel. The 70th anniversary party is on Saturday, October 19 at Milford Cruising Club, with drinks from 5.30pm, dinner at 7pm and guest speakers Dave Moran, Keith Gordon and Fiona Tarlton. Tickets cost $45. Info and bookings: www.dolphinunderwater.co.nz
We’re just down the road, but we still go further
Summerset Milldale Information Day
Here at Summerset Milldale, we’re hosting an Information Day covering everything you need to know in order to make the move, and you’re invited.
Real Estate Panel, 10.30am - 11.30am: We’ll have a Q&A session with local real estate agents on what’s happening in the housing market. We’ll be asking all the burning questions that you want to know, so that you can have a plan for when the time is right for you to make the move.
Village Update, 11.30am - 12pm: Hear all about how our village has been progressing and what the plan is for the coming months.
Lunch & Village Tour, 12pm - 1pm: Enjoy some wonderful food before we take you around for a tour of our village and available homes.
Downsizing Seminar, 1pm - 2pm: Our Moving Specialist will cover getting your house ready to put on the market, tips and tricks for decluttering and storage, plus what to expect on move-in day when you join Summerset.
RSVP is essential. Get in touch by Tuesday 10 September to book your spot.
Information Day
Thursday 12 September, 10am - 2pm
Summerset Milldale 50 Waiwai Drive, Milldale
Sales suite entrance on Te Taruna Drive 09 304 1632 | milldale.sales@summerset.co.nz
Writer’s future perfect vision for UN
An Ōrewa author and lifelong student of global affairs has published two books set in a distant future in which governments cooperate for the greater good of the planet.
At a time when the United Nations is failing to curb conflicts across the globe, or deal effectively with everything from climate change to pandemics, Richard Rowley’s books seem particularly timely.
The first book is entitled The Agreement which, in Rowley’s imagining, is the entity that the UN has evolved into 150 years from now.
Governments agree to cede some aspects of national sovereignty “in favour of a unified global management system”. Like the UN, The Agreement is funded by contributions from member-states. Unlike the UN, it tightly controls the manufacture and use of weapons.
Meanwhile, those leading the organisation also “grapple with the complexities of personal lives and relationships, reminding us of the inherent humanity within even the most lofty echelons of power,” Rowley says.
A formative episode in the writer’s life was a meeting with President John F Kennedy.
“I was an American Field Service student, 18 years old,” he recalls. “It was on the East Lawn of the White House, about 1000 young people gathered. I was lucky to be chosen to meet him. He wanted to know about New Zealand.”
Soon after that meeting, the Soviet Union covertly placed nuclear warheads less than 800 kms from the United States’ coastline, triggering the most dangerous confrontation of the Cold War. Kennedy talked tough and the Russians backed down.
Back home the following year, Rowley recalls going to see The Manchurian Candidate, a just-released movie about the assassination of an American president.
“The next morning – the very next morning – the guys came into my room and said, ‘Guess what? The president’s been shot.’ And I said, ‘It was a good movie, but don’t have me on.’”
It was true, however: JFK had been shot dead in Dallas. Kennedy’s deft handling of the Cuban missile crisis inspired Rowley’s love for diplomacy and international affairs.
WIN the book
The Agreement is the first of a trilogy. Hibiscus Matters has a copy of the first two books to give away. To go into the draw, ‘like’ Hibiscus Matters on Facebook and message us your name and phone number with ‘Richard Rowley giveaway’ in the message. Alternatively, write your name, address and a daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and post or drop into Richard Rowley giveaway, Hibiscus Matters, 21 Florence Avenue, Ōrewa. Entries close on September 20.
Cooking the latest skill for Men’s Shed members
Members of the Hibiscus Coast Men’s Shed gathered at the shed in Silverdale recently to learn some cooking techniques from a chef who has had a lifetime of international experience. Joop Boumeester’s family in Holland, where he grew up, were the proprietors of pubs and hotels, and he was in the kitchen from a young age.
As a teenager he was apprenticed to a chef in a busy roadside restaurant where everything was cooked from scratch.
“I started with peeling vegies – you learn knife skills and how to preserve garden produce,” he says.
His four-year training also included a year at the Amsterdam Hilton cooking their international menu, and time at a Michelin star hotel restaurant where every dish had to be perfect down to the very last detail.
Split shifts took their toll and three years after qualifying as a chef, Joop was feeling burned out and headed off to Australia. He met his NZ wife in the Whitsundays and 20 years ago they moved to Auckland.
Joop is in remission from stage four cancer, and living a low-stress life is key. He joined the Men’s Shed to do woodwork. When they saw his CV, the sheddies quickly put him in charge of their new cooking lessons, designed to teach men basic cooking skills.
In the first session on Friday, August 30, Joop showed around 13 men how to make spaghetti Bolognaise from scratch (including making the spaghetti), along with a salad and desserts.
The shed hopes to hold the sessions regularly for its members.
Smiles for Men’s Shed gift
The Hibiscus Coast Men’s Shed recently put smiles on faces by donating hand-made play equipment to Kingsway Preschool. The items, a digger, truck and trailer made by Gordon Smedley, were handed over on August 28. They were well received, with kids lining up to have a go.
September blues
September is Prostate Cancer awareness month, with fundraising efforts all over the country focused on raising funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. There are many ways to get involved, including registering your Blue Do. Info: www.facebook.com/ ProstateCancerFoundationofNewZealand
Richard Rowley
EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 26 represents D, so fill in D every time the figure 26 appears. You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it in the appropriate
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Stream support flows out on Hibiscus Coast
A project designed to improve flood resilience for homeowners with streams on their property is being rolled out in Whangaparāoa and other parts of the coast such as Hatfields Beach.
A total of $100,000 has been allocated for the work by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. Through Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters (stormwater) division, that money has been given to environmental group Restore Hibiscus and Bays.
The resulting Green Your Stream project was trialled in the East Coast Bays earlier in the year (HM May 20), supporting the owners of private properties with the knowledge and resources to clear weeds from the streams on their land and replant the banks with natives to stabilise them.
The stated aim of Green your Stream was
“to bring those most impacted by extreme weather events together to undertake work that will benefit themselves and those downstream; decrease sedimentation; create a natural buffer to the sides of the stream; slow the water’s passage through the catchment, decreasing pressure on stormwater bottlenecks such as piped stream sections and culverts; and increase water absorption by improving soil”.
It also involved explaining to landowners that council sees managing streams on private property as the homeowner’s responsibility.
Healthy Waters told the local board back in May that the pilot was a big success, with more than 63 homeowners in Long Bay, Browns Bay and Murrays Bay signing up to take part, and the additional funding has now enabled a rollout on the Hibiscus Coast.
Residents are approached by Restore Hibiscus and Bays volunteers who will be door knocking at properties that have streams. They will be wearing the group’s t-shirts and can also leave information if no one is home. So far, a number of homeowners in Red Beach, Hatfields Beach and Arkles Bay are participating.
Restore Hibiscus and Bays manager Kelly Meikle says the door knocking goes on for months as it sometimes involves long conversations with homeowners to help them see their roles in caring for the streams on their land, and decreasing the flooding.
“These are people who were sadly the most affected by last year’s storms, so they often need to vent a little,” she says.
That process will continue until they have
recruited enough homeowners that want to follow through with planting the stream’s riparian margins next season.
She says the project also aims to educate homeowners about the impact on building structures such as fences in streams and overland flow paths.
“These barriers also impede waterflow during storms and residents who were impacted by last year’s flooding could consider installing fences with easily removable panels for when severe weather is forecast.”
The group has a map that identified relevant properties for Restore Hibiscus and Bays to visit. However, anyone with a stream on their land, or who lives on an overland flood path and has concerns about flooding, is welcome to get in touch, email info@restorehb.org.nz
This site in Arkles Bay has been made more resilient to flooding by the Restore Hibiscus and Bays Green Your Stream project. The site was previously covered with ginger which would have caused the water to back up. More sites on the Hibiscus Coast with streams running through them are being offered this information, support and planting. These will be among the areas targeted by the project, due to the flood data and presence of open streams.
Bringing your garden to life with natives
by Deborah Colson, Restore Hibiscus and Bays
New Zealand’s native birds, lizards and insects evolved alongside native plants during a period of 800 million years of geographical isolation. This led to a very high percentage of plants and animals that are found only in NZ (endemic) – around 80 percent.
Native birds are either insect-eaters such as the pīwakawaka (fantail), which catches insects on the wing and riroriro (grey warbler) which picks insects off plants; nectar feeders such korimako (bellbird), or fruit-eaters such as the kererū. Tūi and silvereyes are omnivorous, feeding on nectar, insects and fruit. Native lizards eat a variety of foods including plenty of small insects and berries. Wētā will mostly eat leaves of native plants but also some smaller insects. Pollenators, such as bees, feed on flowers.
To bring a range of native species into your garden, you need native plants and a variety of food types. Here are my suggestions for home gardens on the Coast.
Ground covers
Lobelia angulata (pānakenake) is a pretty groundcover which has a mass of small white flowers in summer provding food for pollenating insects, followed by purple berries for the native lizards. It grows well in the shade, and will tolerate some dappled light.
For a sunnier spot, creeping fuschia (Fuschia procumbens) works well. It has very colourful flowers (unusual for our natives), followed by red berries which provide food for native lizards.
Muehlenbeckia axillaris (creeping wire vine) is the groundcover version of muehlenbeckia. It thrives in full sun and has tiny flowers which feed pollenating insects, followed by the tiniest of berries which provide food for silvereyes and lizards.
Shrubs
Kakabeak (Clianthus spp.) produces stunning red or white flowers shaped like the beak of a kākā parrot. It does best in full sun, free-draining position. The flowers produce nectar which is very popular with tūi. If you are lucky to have a kākā visiting, they will also feed on the flowers.
Muehlenbeckia astonii is a highly divaricated (zig-zaggy) shrub which also loves full sun. The flowers and fruit are identical to that of M axilaris mentioned above. The grey warbler will disappear into the middle of this shrub and emerge with insects in its beak. The rare kakariki parrot, not normally seen outside sanctuaries which has been seen on the Hibiscus Coast recently, also feeds on the fruit of this shrub.
Small trees
Kōwhai trees (Sophora spp) come in a range of sizes, from shrubs to trees. They all produce fabulous yellow flowers (yellow is kōwhai in te reo māori) which are popular with nectar-feeders. Kererū feed on the foliage. Kōwhai has its own caterpillar called the kōwhai moth caterpillar. Don’t be tempted to remove these caterpillars – the tree will recover its foliage, and the caterpillers need to eat.
Karamū (Coprosma robusta) and karo (Pittosporum crassifolium) are common small trees which both produce flowers and fruit. Tūi love both. Karamū (like all coprosmas) are dioecious meaning that each plant will have either male or female flowers. Only the female plants produce fruit (orange berries) and require a male plant to be nearby for pollination. Karamū leaves are also a favourite food of wētā.
Mānuka is famous for its popularity with honey bees. The pretty white flowers will also bring monarch butterflies into your garden, and will host plenty of flying insects for fantail and grey warbler.
Large trees
If you have the space for just one big tree in your garden, plant a pūriri (Vitex lucens). Unusually, this tree has flowers and fruit all year round making it an important food source for nectar-feeders and kererū. If you are very lucky your pūriri could provide a home for the pūriri moth caterpillar which bores into the tree trunk, emerging as NZ’s largest moth some years later. Deborah Colson is an Ecological Restoration Advisor specialising in creating and restoring native habitat across the Hibiscus Coast. She is also the horticulturalist at Fernglen Native Plant Gardens in Birkenhead. She transformed her 800sqm section in Army Bay from lawn and weeds into a native haven brimming with life, by mulching over the lawn and planting hundreds of natives. Restore Hibiscus and Bays is a charitable trust which supports communityled conservation. Get in touch if you would like help to make your backyard a haven for nature – www. restorehb.org.nz, email deborah@restorehb.org.nz
Muehlenbeckia axillaris
Stellar fundraising for Stella
Ten-year-old Stella Burt of Stanmore Bay already has her work ethic sorted, and is happy to get stuck in and do the mahi that others may avoid.
Mum Pippa says she has learned that if you want something, you work and save for it.
Stella’s first effort began at the age of five, when she wanted to visit relatives in Spain and spent five years saving her pocket money, birthday money and doing extra jobs to fund the trip.
It was an amazing experience, something Pippa says that Stella appreciated and enjoyed even more because she had worked and saved hard for it.
The Whangaparāoa School Year 5 student now has the travel bug and is determined to return to Europe, as well as fund Grit Camp next year.
To make this happen, she recently started Bin Blasters – offering to clean rubbish and recycling bins, both domestic and commercial, for a small fee.
She says the idea of cleaning bins came about because she was looking to provide a service that people didn’t want to do themselves.
“Not many people want to clean gross things, and those rubbish and recycling bins can be gross,” Stella says. “Even when you rinse your recycling, they get smelly and dirty. There’s always that bit of ooze at the bottom.”
Her grandmother donated some cleaning products and Pippa bought a power hose.
Stella will be cleaning, drying and deodorising the bins, jumping inside to do so, if necessary.
She can do this as a one-off clean, or as often as the customer wants. The charge is $20 per bin, or two bins for $35.
Commercial bins are $70 each.
The goal is to save $300 for her school’s Grit Camp as well as the money to return to Europe, over a three year period.
To contact Bin Blasters, phone Pippa on 021 021 74772.
Stella Burt is getting her hands dirty cleaning the inside of bins to pay her way to Europe.
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Wise scheme for tyre dumping
A scheme designed to reduce the number of tyres that are illegally dumped began operating nationwide on September 1.
Called Tyrewise, it includes a free disposal service, which means tyre ‘generators’, like tyre shops, can have their end-of-life tyres collected for free, and the public can also dispose of up to five worn out tyres for free at collection sites around the country.
According to Tyrewise, around 40 percent of the 6.5 million tyres Kiwis use are recycled, repurposed or used as tyre derived fuel. The rest end up stockpiled, dumped, or in landfill.
In March, a tyre stewardship fee was introduced on all new tyres sold.
The fee is $6.65 (plus GST) for a standard passenger tyre, but varies depending on the type of tyre. There was also a disposal fee for old tyres.
The stewardship fee will continue, at the same rate as prescribed in the regulations, but from September 1, there are no disposal fees when your old tyres are left with a registered seller/fitter when you replace them. Up to five end-of-life tyres at a time can be taken to registered public collection sites for no charge.
Tyrewise is responsible for managing the free collection of end-of-life tyres from retailers and collection sites. The scheme has a target
of 80 percent of tyres recovered, for recycling or use in a new product, by its fourth year, and over 90 percent by its sixth year. The tyres will be delivered to registered processors and manufacturers for reuse/ recycling.
Some innovative uses of the old tyres are being found. Currently they include as a fuel, and incorporating the rubber into things like matting and sportsfield surfaces.
Auckland Council’s Waste Solutions general manger Justine Haves hopes the Tyrewise scheme will gain momentum and help prevent the dumping of thousands of tyres illegally across Auckland annually. “Between July 2022 and July 2024, over 32,000 tyres were illegally dumped on public land across the Auckland region. Now people can drop off their tyres for free, there should no temptation to dump them illegally, or pay someone else to dump them,” Haves says. According to council figures, in the 2023/4 financial year, only one illegal tyre dumping in the Hibiscus Coast area was reported to council (in Dairy Flat). However, it is possible that many such incidents go unreported. Council has said in the past that the large number of tyres thrown away indicates that the likely culprits are businesses.
Info: www.tyrewise.co.nz/ending-tyre-waste/
Caring for deck pays dividends
As the days get longer and weather warmer, thoughts turn to spending more time outside. One of the first things to take a look at is the state of your deck.
Stephen and Vanessa Newport have run their Ōrewa-based deck renovation and maintenance business, Deck Refresh since 2021.
Stephen says sustainability is at the core of their operation. This includes conserving water and avoiding the use of harsh chemicals.
“This approach ensures the safety of your family, pets, and environment while preserving the integrity of the wood and minimising the impact on the surrounding ecosystem,” Stephen says.
Their processes include using professional brushes to sand the deck and remove the top layer of the wood, including any trace of stain. The deck can then be recoated straight after
sanding without using water or chemicals.
Here are their 10 key recommendations for extending the life of your deck as well as keeping it safe to use and looking good.
1 Sweeping and washing your deck frequently will maintain its appearance and longevity. Properly removing dirt, debris, and spills helps prevent stains, while clearing leaves and twigs minimises moisture that can lead to mould and mildew growth. Keeping your deck clean and dry is essential for protecting the wood and its finish.
2 Use products compatible with your decking material when cleaning it. Harsh chemicals can damage wood and discolour it. Instead, opt for gentler, eco-friendly cleaning solutions that remove mould without harming your deck or family.
3 Given the harsh New Zealand sun, protecting your deck with a sealant
is crucial. It will enhance the deck’s appearance and safeguard the wood from water absorption and UV damage, helping to extend its lifespan. Regularly reapply oil or stain every 1-3 years, depending on your deck’s exposure to the elements.
4 While it may seem effective, pressure washing can damage the wood fibres and push mould spores deeper into the deck. Instead, consider using a hose with moderate pressure or a gentle brush for cleaning.
5 Ensure your deck has sufficient ground clearance to promote airflow. It’s also essential to regularly clean the gaps between the boards to prevent water from pooling and reduce the risk of rot and other moisture-related issues.
6 Regularly inspect your deck for signs of wear, damage, or rot. Early detection allows for prompt repairs, preventing minor issues
from becoming costly problems.
7 Use furniture pads under the legs of chairs, tables, and other items to prevent scratching and damaging the deck’s surface.
8 Placing feet or risers under potted plants on your deck allows air to circulate underneath and prevents moisture buildup and rotting.
9 Regularly lift and move items like furniture and rugs on your deck to prevent moisture buildup and rotting. This will allow the wood beneath to dry out and avoid discolouration.
10 The “beading test” is a simple way to check if your deck needs resealing. Sprinkle a few drops of water on your deck – if the water forms beads, your seal is still working. If it soaks in, it’s time to reseal.
Smartening up your deck can revitalise your whole outdoor space. These examples are the work of Deck Refresh.
Green scene
Maj De Poorter, SOSSI info@sossi.org.nz
Songs of spring
On the Shakespear Park farm, lambing has been massive, with 270 sets of twins, 70 sets of triplets, and the rest singles.
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A group of senior volunteers have been trained by Ranger Rae to complete a daily “lamb beat”, checking each paddock, identifying any issues, and providing support. This can include reuniting newborns with their mums, or caring for newborns that need extra assistance, including orphans. This year has been our busiest so far, with around 40 orphans coming into the programme. We have trained “lamb nannies” who can come to the park within half an hour of getting a phone-call. They will warm and feed an orphaned lamb individually for the first 48 hours and do regular health checks. After that, if the lamb is doing well enough, it will be entered into a bigger group. Our four pens contain lambs in progressing stages, from newborn to weaning, and they are moved along as they gain weight. This is a truly busy time, with volunteers working seven days a week until weaning. Meanwhile, birdlife has been thriving at the Okoromai Bay wetlands. Recent observations include hearing some of the more cryptic wetland birds, such as pūweto/spotless crake and mātātā/ fernbird. Korimako/bellbirds entertained bird watchers, and even some kōtuku ngutupapa /royal spoonbills were spotted last month.
In a happy ending, a young tūturiwhatu/
NZ dotterel named Okorowai, was released back at Shakespear at the end of July, after a period of rehabilitation at the zoo (HM July 29). On the beach in Te Haruhi Bay some of the regular pairs that have bred here for several years have reconfirmed their presence. It is reassuring to have at least four known pairs happily feeding on the low tide flats.
In the bush, the recently released hihi are doing very well. Thirty were identified at the last count. Nest box checks have seen a little “refurbishing” with sticks, but it is still a bit too early for actual nesting. Likewise, while a number of toutouwai/North Island
robins have started courtship feeding, no nests have yet been found. Hopefully it won’t be too long before this happens. Within our predator-proof fence, native birds live in a true sanctuary, but they need our protection much more widely. In our own backyards at home, breeding of tūī, pīwakawaka/fantail, riroriro/grey warblers and other native birds will start very soon. That makes now a perfect time to join a local backyard trapping project such as our neighbouring Forest & Bird communitybased Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project. If we all work together, there will be even more birdsong to enjoy everywhere.
Photo, SOSSI
Dordays reuniting at Centrestage
A lifetime on the stage will be celebrated when the latest Walk of Fame star is unveiled, for Debbie Dorday, in Ōrewa on Sunday, September 22.
If you lived in NZ in the 1980s and 90s you may remember Debbie, the high-energy, red-headed entertainer who owned a popular cabaret and famously delivered the tagline ‘See you at Burgundys’!
She has lived in Ōrewa for 15 years and been on stage for more than 50 – from her time as a child star in London to the Moulin Rouge, and 12 years at Burgundys in Parnell. Her talents include acting, singing, dancing and comedy, leading to appearances with the likes of Billy T James and Ray Woolf on TV shows. For the past 20 years Debbie has toured shows with Jim Joll, to retirement villages all over New Zealand. She says it is comedy and tap dancing that she loved best Although the bad feet that plague dancers meant she had to hang up her tap shoes years ago, Debbie will be singing and making the audience laugh at the A Star for a Star show to be held at Centrestage Theatre following the unveiling of her star. The show is also a chance for her to be onstage with her daughter, actor and dancer Jodie Dorday, for the first time in 20 years.
They performed together at Burgundy’s back in the day too, and will reprise some of those comedy numbers at Centrestage.
“We love working together,” Debbie says. “She is so talented, and the only one who can crack me up on stage.” Jody, who recently moved to Hatfields Beach, says they are very grateful to everyone at Centrestage – “we are so lucky to have that theatre” – and also to Gary Brown, owner of the Walk of Fame.
The star unveiling is on Ōrewa Boulevard on September 22 at 3pm, followed by the Star for a Star show at 4.30pm. All show proceeds go to fund the star, and to Centrestage. Tickets $25 from www.centrestagethreatre.co.nz or at the box office, open Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm or ph 09 426 7282.
WIN tickets
Hibiscus Matters has two tickets to Star for a Star, valued at $50, to give away. To enter the draw, ‘like’ Hibiscus Matters on Facebook and message us your name and phone number with A Star for a Star in the message. Alternatively, write your name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope and post or drop into A Star for a Star giveaway, Hibiscus Matters, 21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa. Entries close on Monday, September 16. Note: Winners will be notified by phone, so a daytime number, and email address, must be included with entries.
Badjelly glows in Ōrewa
Spike Milligan’s popular Badjelly the Witch seems an ideal fit with glow-in-the-dark puppetry – how better to bring those quirky characters and story to colourful life?
Making this happen has been a labour of love for the Ōrewa-based Glow Show Company, which has been working on the production for around three years, ever since it obtained the rights.
The script is an adaptation of the book by playwright Alannah O’Sullivan, with lyrics by John Cairney. Glow Show Company creative producer, Sarah Burren, says the glow show concept gave the company’s application for the rights a point of difference, and led to it being able to take the show to 30 locations, nationwide, including Ōrewa.
She has worked on five other Badjelly productions over the years, including one by Auckland Theatre Company a decade ago.
“I thought it would make a beautiful glow show because of the dynamic and highly visual characters,” Sarah says. Her enthusiasm was important, as it was Sarah herself who constructed all the puppets, as she had done for previous glow show productions. She worked with a scenic artist who did the airbrushing and an illustrator who drew the characters. They range from a 5m long dragon and 2.5m tall giant down to little characters like Dingle Mouse.
More than 20 people are involved in bringing the show to the stage, including six performance artists, puppet makers, musical director, graphic designer, sound technicians and more.
The show is told on a darkened stage with UV lights making the painted characters glow.
The Badjelly the Witch Glow Show has been touring the country since July. There will be two local shows only, at Centrestage Theatre in Ōrewa on September 25 at 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets Centrestage Info: www.glowshow.co.nz/
Debbie and Jodie Dorday
A small group of performers, is bringing Badjelly the Witch to glowing life. Photo, Lyndon Katene
Crossword conundrum #41
Penned (5)
Waterfall (7)
Broadcasted over the airwaves (11)
Birthday lights (7)
Flat (9)
Unexpected bonanza (8)
Glossy transparent paint (7) 26 Stringed instrument (7)
Weak and insubstantial (6) 29 Sets fire
© The Puzzle Company
Iron Maiden bassist plays Parāoa
Steve Harris, founding member and bassist of British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, is set to perform at Paraoa Brewing in Whangaparāoa this weekend, on Sunday, September 15, with his ‘side hustle’ band called British Lion.
The band will play the gig the night before Iron Maiden takes the stage at Spark Arena to a sold-out crowd of 12,000 fans. It’s the first time that British Lion has performed in NZ.
Promoter Paul Marshall says for heavy metal fans, British Lion offers a rare chance to see one of rock’s biggest stars up close and personal, in a small venue.
From Harris’s point of view, playing smaller venues allows him to reconnect with the club and theatre atmosphere of his early career.
Marshall says Harris formed British Lion to explore a different musical landscape, focusing on shorter, hard rock-oriented songs and experimenting with bass guitar styles.
The band’s other members are singer Richard Taylor, guitarists David Hawkins and Grahame Leslie, and drummer Simon Dawson.
Tickets from Eventfinda www.eventfinda. co.nz/2024/im-going-to-british-lion/ auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsula
WIN tickets
Hibiscus Matters has two double passes to British Lion at Paraoa to give away, but you will have to be quick as entries close on Wednesday, September 11 at 2pm. To enter, visit Hibiscus Matters Facebook page.
The People make semi-finals
Whangaparāoa College band The People were one of the 15 bands to advance to the semi-final of Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO), held on August 31 at the Concert Chamber in the Auckland Town Hall. SUSO is a prestigious youth music and dance competition and more than 1000 participants from more than 20 secondary schools around Auckland take part in one of the five categories: Solo Vocal, Group Vocal, Solo Instrumental, Band and Dance. Unfortunately, The People did not make it to the finals this year, but the semi-finals nevertheless provided a platform for the young band and an opportunity to be discovered, as well as valuable development opportunities and experiences as they build a career.
A band formed by a group of local young people earlier this year has already been making an impact, and will perform at Paraoa Brewing in Whangaparāoa this week, on Friday, September 13. Shallow Dive is made up of current students from Whangapāraoa College and Long Bay College, who are also former Stanmore Bay School students. They are a three piece alternative indie rock band who were RockQuest North Shore regional finalists this year and won the award for best use of electronic assistance. Shallow Dive is fronted by singer/bassist D’Angelo Maclaren who has grown up in a music and performance focussed environment, touring with his parents Pearl Runga and Justin Maclaren (Automatic80s), and influenced by his aunt, singer songwriter Bic Runga and uncle Andrew Maclaren (Stellar). Mitchell Baird is on electric guitar and Isaac Goswami on drums. Their musical influences include Bloc Party, The Cure, Interpol, The XX, Editors and WhiteLies. They are supporting last year’s RockQuest national semi-finalists, Christchurch band The E.C.H.O at the Whangaparāoa gig. There is no cover charge, and all ages are welcome, accompanied by an adult. First band at 8pm.
Your journey to wellness is guided by hands that heal and care, offering those seeking respite from pain and movement limitations. We believe in the power of personalised care tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or striving to improve your athletic performance, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Join us, and experience the difference, where every treatment is a step towards a better, more active you.
British Lion, a band that has Iron Maiden in its pedigree, will play in Whangaparāoa this weekend. Photo, John McMurtrie
Join
Structured
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of over
Sheryl Takayama, qualified nutritionist based in Orewa with 12 years experience.
www.whyweightacademy.com or email: sheryl@whyweightacademy.com
Nature
Garden
Play
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Health
Sheryl Takayama, Nutritionist sheryl@whyweightacademy.com
Sweet news on blood sugar
Pharmac recently announced they will be funding glucose monitors and insulin pumps for people with Type 1 diabetes, from next month.
This is fantastic news for the estimated 12,000 New Zealanders who could benefit from this funding in the first year, and a great step forward in the management of diabetes, which affects more than 300,000 New Zealanders (predominantly Type 2 diabetes), according to Health NZ.
As a nutritionist, I see many people who are concerned about their blood sugar levels, as they are told by their doctor that their blood sugars are too high and they’re at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Food is the most important thing impacting your blood sugar levels on a daily basis, and it’s not just what you are eating: when and how you eat is important too.
Here are some of the simple actions I recommend to clients, for optimal blood sugar balancing:
• Swap refined grains for whole grains: Cut back on white bread, pasta and rice and add more brown rice, quinoa and highfibre seed bread. Whole grains have a lower glycaemic index, which will slow down the release of glucose into your bloodstream.
• Increase fibre: Fibre rich foods slow down digestion and sugar absorption. Add high fibre foods like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, green leafy vegies, beans, nuts and seeds to your meals.
• Include protein and healthy fats with
every meal: Protein and fats digest slowly, which will slow down the absorption of carbohydrate-rich foods. Good options include meat, chicken, seafood, eggs, dairy products and tofu. Healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds will help keep blood sugars stable.
• Eat regular meals to prevent overeating: Intermittent fasting has become popular in recent years, but if you are waiting a long time between meals, then get too hungry and end up overeating, it will spike your blood sugar level. Instead, stick to a regular schedule of three meals per day, with a snack if needed.
• Stay well hydrated: Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day, as dehydration can lead to higher blood sugar levels.
• Make lunch your main meal of the day: Your digestive system is stronger earlier in the day, and there’s more opportunity to be active after eating, which helps bring your sugar levels down faster. A short walk within an hour of eating is ideal.
• Swap the after dinner snacks: If you enjoy a ‘sweet something’ after dinner, swap the biscuits for low-sugar options like dark chocolate (78 percent or higher) or yoghurt. One of my favourite snacks is unsweetened yoghurt with a tablespoon of sugar-free drinking chocolate – it tastes just like chocolate mousse!
As we move forward in managing diabetes, it’s important to remember the power of prevention. Being mindful about what, how and when you eat will have a positive impact on your blood sugar levels and overall health.
Gardening
Dee Pignéguy gardenerdee@gmail.com
Fermentation inside and out
However hard we try, we all produce food waste. What we do with that waste is important for the natural cycle of decomposition.
Do you put yours in a bokashi bin, compost it, put it out in council’s food scraps bin or down the insinkerator? All these have merit apart from the insinkerator, which in my view, wastes a potentially important waste product that could go back into our soils.
Living as we do in high energy, often wasteful homes, growing our own food and then transforming our food waste through various methods of decomposition provides the opportunity to return the carbon back into the soil where the plants will take it up again, completing the cycle of plant and animal life. All the atoms, not only in us, but in our vegetables as well, have been used millions of times before, because new life depends on decomposition and recycling carbon. Earth is really just a giant recycling plant where living things are re-made from the remains of dead things.
Gardeners spend a lot of time talking about the benefits of nutrient rich, bioactive soil. A plethora of microbes tend this healthy soil and thus a healthy garden. But what about the beneficial microbes that we consume? In that regard, gardeners are re-discovering the health benefits of fermented foods as a way to use their homegrown produce.
Fermentation is the link between gardening, vegetable growing, human health and food waste. Fermentation is a biological process in which sugars are used to generate energy for living cells without the need for oxygen. Fermented food contains beneficial bacteria that can feed your gut bacteria, and fermented food scraps work in a similar way when used as compost material. According to research, fermented food waste (such as
that produced in a bokashi bin), increases good bacteria – especially bacteria that can increase crop growth and make plants more pathogen-resistant while lowering carbon emissions.
More research is being carried out into how fermented food waste could help combat issues like plants diseases, and how turning food waste into highly nutritious soil additives could make cultivating food crops more eco-friendly.
In Japan there is some archaeological evidence to suggest people began fermenting berries there around 5000 years ago. Fermentation has been a subject of scientific study since the 19th Century. To scientists, fermentation was more than just a food process, it was a way to transform society and solve both environmental and resource problems. Today a visionary man, Koichi Takahashi, has founded a company called the Japan Food Ecology Centre that is piloting a unique fermentation method to transform leftover human food into high-quality pig feed. The facility makes a good profit off the 35,000 tons of food waste it processes into pig food, biogas and a nutrient rich agricultural fertiliser, each year.
Takahashi’s belief is that food waste comes with a massive positive planetary impact, and for this reason he did not take out any patents on the technology, allowing others to replicate his method. He hopes this technology will change society.
In our new age of technology, growing a garden can seem like a mundane chore. But consider, by planting a handful of seeds, you can create an entire vegetable garden. Now, all you have to do to complete nature’s cycle is to return the carbon back to the soil by composting, fermentation or simply digging the food scraps into the soil and letting nature work its magic.
Post-Operative Scar Management
Dealing with the removal of a suspicious lesion can be stressful, and the idea of a permanent scar can add to that anxiety. At SkinSafe, we understand your concerns about being left with a scar that serves as a constant reminder of your battle with skin cancer. While we can’t guarantee no scar formation postoperatively, we offer several techniques to minimise scar formation and soften existing scars, especially in cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face.
Scar tissue forms as part of the body’s natural healing response, which involves laying down fibrous tissue. This tissue looks different from normal skin, often appearing mismatched. The more tension on a wound, the more scar tissue the body produces to strengthen the wound edges and prevent it from splitting open. Our experienced doctors at SkinSafe use advanced surgical techniques to achieve the most cosmetically acceptable results without compromising the efficacy of the cancer treatment.
To further improve scar outcomes, we offer a service using botulinum toxin A injections. Injecting this muscle relaxant around the scar within two weeks of surgery reduces tension on the wound, leading to less scar tissue formation. A single treatment can last up to three months, by which time the wound has reached 80% of its final strength.
At-home treatments can also be effective in reducing post-operative scarring. Applying topical silicone gel and strapping the wound provides a sterile, moist environment that promotes healing and reduces tension. Following post-operative instructions and avoiding strenuous activity can also help minimise scar formation.
If, after several months, an unwanted scar persists, corticosteroid injections are an option to reduce the scar’s appearance. Scar revision surgery is considered if a scar remains unsightly after 12 months. Some areas of the body, such as the chest and back, are more prone to scarring due to natural tension. Additionally, genetic factors can make some individuals more prone to conditions like hypertrophic or keloid scars.
At SkinSafe, we take a tailored approach to post-operative scar management, to minimise the impact while also looking after your health.
Dr. Rianda De Roe BSLP MBChB FRNZCGP ACCSCMS DipCM
CLOSED FROM FRIDAY SEPT 6 UNTIL OCT 4
Our gorgeous gift shop is located in a tiny Victorian summer house in the grounds of Ōrewa House. Call in for a delightfully unique shopping experience.
All natural skincare, crystals, jewellery, fairies, unicorns and other lovely treasures.
Open Friday to Sunday 11am to 3pm
498 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Ōrewa | 027 618 1996
Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm | 18 Florence Ave, Ōrewa Clinic: 09 242 7546 | support@skinsafe.co.nz
Food waste – let the fermentation begin!
Father and son honoured in ARL Hall of Fame
Being inducted into the ARL Hall of Fame was an emotional occasion for the Coast’s Brian (Bluey) McClennan, who received the honour last month, on August 24. As well as his own entry into that rugby league elite, his late father Mike was also inducted – Bluey receiving that honour on his behalf.
“Our whole family went to the award night, which was great,” Bluey says. “It was a highlight to be inducted alongside my dad who I tried to be like my whole life. To be alongside all the people that are in that Hall of Fame – people I have the utmost respect for – was such an honour. They have all done so much for our game.”
The induction recognises the pair’s playing and coaching achievements over many years.
Mike was a fullback or winger, who the ARL Hall of Fame citation says could lay claim to the most astonishing one-
test career in NZ rugby league, his only international being the Kiwis’ 24-3 win over Australia at Carlaw Park 1971 when he played fullback. His career included playing in Auckland’s wins over Australia in 1969 and in 1971 and coaching St Helens and Tonga.
Brian played with the Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Mt Albert Lions, Northcote Tigers, and North Harbour Sea Eagles as well as Auckland. In 1990 he captained Auckland to a 24-13 win over Great Britain. Bluey was appointed Kiwi coach in 2005 when he guided the New Zealanders to a 24-0 win over Australia in the Tri Nations final. He went on to achieve success with the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League and also coached the Warriors in the NRL in 2012.
Bluey says some of his fondest moments have been playing/coaching at Raiders, and he is proud of the local club, and the people in it. He first walked into a Raiders
committee meeting after he and his wife built their first home in Stanmore Bay.
A year before he had captained Auckland to the win over Great Britain, so you can imagine the Raiders’ faces when he poked his head around the door.
“I said I was thinking of coming to play with their club, and they said yes,” Bluey says modestly.
Bluey says among the career highlights that he and his father were proudest of were their contributions to the Fox Memorial – the Auckland competition that Bluey considers still the iconic one to win. Bluey won five grand finals as a player and Mike six as a coach and one as a player.
Although Bluey says he has retired from coaching, he will always be available to the Raiders in any capacity.
“I live here, that’s my club and I will always be a Raider through and through.”
local resident, Eric
was also inducted into the ARL Hall of Fame on August 24.
He began playing rugby league for Glenora at the age of five. His career includes becoming a NZ Kiwi halfback in 1968. The following year, when Australia played the Auckland team at Carlaw Park, Eric scored the winning try – he was awarded Auckland player of the year. He also toured England and France in 1970 with the Kiwis in the World Cup competition. Eric was player-coach for the St George Club in Wellington and later the Wellington Rep team, as well as coaching U15, U17 and U19 Auckland reps.
In 1974 he suffered what could have been a career-ending injury, yet went on to be player-coach for the Auckland Waitemata Seagulls, eventually retiring from the game in 1978.
8:43am3.5 2:41pm0.2 9:06pm3.6 3:09am0.2 9:32am3.6 3:30pm0.3 9:56pm3.5 3:58am0.2 10:21am3.5 4:20pm0.4 10:47pm3.4 4:48am0.3 11:12am3.4 5:14pm0.6 11:39pm3.3 5:38am0.5 12:05pm3.2 6:11pm0.7 12:33am3.1 6:32am0.6 1:02pm3.1 7:13pm0.9 1:30am2.9 7:31am0.8 2:05pm2.9 8:18pm1.0 2:31am2.8 8:36am0.9 3:09pm2.9 9:23pm1.0 3:35am2.7 9:43am1.0 4:11pm2.8 10:23pm1.0 5:37am2.7 11:44am1.0 6:06pm2.9 6:24am 6:11pm 6:23am 6:11pm 6:21am 6:12pm 6:20am 6:13pm 6:18am 6:14pm 6:17am 6:14pm
Another
Carson of Red Beach
Eric Carson with his Hall of Fame medal
Carson inducted into ARL Hall of Fame
From left, Mike McClennan in action as Ponsonby fullback. Mike McClennan. Brian (Bluey) McClennan and his Mt Albert captain Steve Buckingham winning the Bartercard Cup.
Best Bakes
Mechan van der Westhuizen theflourqueennz@gmail.com
Biscoff truffle balls
Looking for the perfect party treat? You’ve come to the right place – these truffles are divine. Biscoff spread and biscuits are available at local supermarkets. Yields: 18
1 store-bought cake sponge of your choice or any leftover cake
50g chopped white chocolate
100g cream cheese
1/3 cup Lotus Biscoff spread, plus more for decoration
1 pack Lotus Biscoff biscuits, crushed Crumble the cake into fine crumbs. Add white chocolate, cream cheese, Biscoff spread and crushed Biscoff biscuits. Mix well until you get a nice soft dough texture. Roll the mixture into balls and place in
the fridge to set. Once chilled, melt some Biscoff spread in the microwave and drizzle it over the balls. Top with some sprinkles if you wish. Store in the fridge for up to 7 days, if they last that long.
Editor’s note: This is the final Best Bakes column for Hibiscus Matters as Mechan van der Westhuizen, aka The Flour Queen, is moving to Australia. Thank you for all the lovely contributions Mechan.
Bupa Northhaven Retirement Village
Enquiries over $640,000^
Affordable two bedroom apartments available now.
If you’re looking for a retirement village that feels like a village, not a retirement city, come and visit us at Bupa Northhaven. Our apartments are modern, light, and spacious, creating a comfortable, functional home that looks great and is a pleasure to live in. Embrace the lock up and leave lifestyle that apartment living offers.
• Fixed weekly fees
• Well designed, modern kitchen
• 24 hour emergency call system
• Care home located on site (subject to availability).
Contact Jo on 09 971 1506 or visit bupa.co.nz/northhaven for more information.
Bupa Northhaven Retirement Village 142 Whangaparāoa Road, Red Beach
^Price is for a licence to occupy under an Occupation Right Agreement.
TEAMWORK SCAFFOLDING
Residential Specialists Friendly professional & dependable service Free quotes available
John Drakeley p: 021 150 6994 e: teamworkscaffolding@gmail.com
Classifieds
LAYING, CARPET RE-STRETCH, VINYL LAYING, CARPET REPAIRS
Over 30 years’ experience. Contact Dexter 027 4956 436
HOUSE WASHING - SOFT WASH / LOW PRESSURE / CHEMICAL WASH Also Window Cleaning / Gutter Clearing / Decks / Concrete. Careful service, reasonable rates. qualitywash.co.nz / 021 0579743
LANDSCAPING/GARDENING
Small local landscaping business specialist in Push mulch mowing/ ride on mower with Weed eat Edges, Garden revamps weeding/ weed spray, tree/palm trimming, full/ overgrown section tidy, hedges, greenwaste/rubbish removal, Building work mostly everything including deck's, fences, retaining, Digger/Wtr work free easy no obligation quote no job too big or too small. Please call, text also WhatsApp 0210 887 8995 or email asap.lawmsandoutdoor. maintenance@gmail.com
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
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
ALARMS SECURITY AND FIRE, MONITORING, CCTV, servicing & installation, all brands 027 553 3032 www.tdssecurity.co.nz A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/Simpson dryers. Prompt service ph 021 168 7349.
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
PEST CONTROL Eradication of rats & mice. Competitive Rates. Ph 426 2253 Ph 027 286 7321, www.noratsandmice.nz
CASUAL DUTY MANAGER Must be able to work weekends. Pokies’ experience an advantage. Email manager@hbcrsa.org.nz
COFFEE MORNINGS in Gulf Harbour, every Tuesday during winter. Informal and open to everyone, come along for some light relief talking travel, technical, health, homecraft and just about anything. 10.30am-12pm, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, More info contact Mike 027 338 8248.
HIBISCUS COAST 60’s UP is a social group who meet the third Wednesday each month, 10am, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Viponds Rd. Speakers or entertainment. Trip outings the first Wednesday of the month. Ph Gloria 027 386 2339
HIBISCUS COAST SENIOR CITIZEN ASSN Meet every Tuesday for cards (500) and indoor bowls 12pm-4pm. New members welcome. $2 entry fee Subs $5. Orewa Community Centre Ōrewa Square Contact Val 09 963 8242 or Kathy 426 8770.
REBUS CLUB GULF HARBOUR meets second Wednesday of month, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, Laurie Southwick Drive, Gulf Harbour. Tickets $5 pp (incls morning tea and 2 tickets in our monthly door prize). Membership open to all who have or are about to retire. More info: www.rebus-gulfharbour.nz
107 Centreway Rd, Orewa. Enjoy meeting friendly people for morning tea, interesting speakers, dinners and outings. Please call Colleen Murray at 021 112 3409.
REPAIR CAFE – Want to volunteer?
Volunteers fixing household items for free (donations welcome). Orewa Repair Cafe, Oct 5, 11am-2pm, Orewa Community Centre, 40/46 Orewa Square. Nov 2, Dec 7 and onwards as above at Orewa Community Centre. Info contact: coordinator@ hibiscuscoastzerowaste.co.nz
THE PICKERS – Have you got an abundance of fruits, veggies, or flowers in your garden and hate seeing them go to waste? We will collect, redistribute, and repurpose your produce into the community at no cost. More info: www.ripple.net.nz/the-pickers or ph 027 647 5000.
ACROSS: 1 No great shakes, 8 Cinema, 14 Circa, 15 Strategy, 16 Sporran, 17 Vodka, 18 Tic, 19 Highway, 21 Enchanted, 22 Pledge, 25 Rheumatism, 27 Familiar, 28 Recite, 31 Deduct, 33 Dentist, 34 Fondue, 35 Snag, 37 Toe, 39 Free, 40 Enamels, 41 Serviette, 42 Yiddish, 43 Pedestal, 48 Synopsis, 52 Pounced, 56 Nostalgia, 57 Earning, 58 Meek, 59 Gun, 60 Hard, 61 Mettle, 62 Snigger, 63 Treaty, 65 Prefer, 66 Preceded, 68 Emphasised, 71 Beetle, 72 Hierarchy, 74 Playful, 76 Sue, 79 Sates, 80 Pit prop, 81 Dead heat, 83 Shove, 84 Censor, 85 Play hard to get. DOWN: 2 Ostrich, 3 Reach, 4 Awe, 5 Says, 6 Absentminded, 7 Epoch, 8 Conceal, 9 Navy, 10 Meddle, 11 Wrote, 12 Cascade, 13 Transmitted, 14 Candles, 20 Apartment, 23 Windfall, 24 Varnish, 26 Ukulele, 27 Flimsy, 29 Ignites, 30 Quarry, 32 Eerie, 34 Fetid, 36 Guess, 38 Silo, 43 Punch, 44 Deserve, 45 Scar, 46 Argued, 47 Bulge, 48 Stirrups, 49 Nightfall, 50 Pompeii, 51 Inept, 52 Pattern, 53 Considerate, 54 Denied, 55 Trigger-happy, 64 Reverse, 65 Persist, 67 Clipper, 69 Emulate, 70 Clothe, 71 Below, 73 Rural, 75 Yahoo, 77 Uses, 78 Idea, 82 Add. FURNITURE REMOVALS
RED BEACH COMBINED FRIENDSHIP CLUB Meet every 3rd Wednesday of month, 9.30am. Presbyterian Church,
Played
What’s on ...
September
To list events, email: online@localmatters.co.nz
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.
14 North Shore airport drop in morning, 260 Postman Road, Dairy Flat, 9.30am to 12.30pm. A chance to discuss the airport’s new Master Plan and make submissions. (see story p3)
14 Queen City Big Band in Concert, Centrestage Theatre, Ōrewa, 7.30pm. Presenting Ella, Ellington, Nestico & more. Tickets www.centrestagetheatre.co.nz
14 Gotta Sing Rock ‘n’ Soul concert, celebrating some unforgettable Rock n Roll and Soul classic hits, Red Beach Methodist Church, 76 Red Beach Road, Red Beach, 2.30pm. Tickets www.trybooking.com/nz/12992
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 will 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.
20 Foxtail Rumble, Dairy Flat Hall, 4 Postman’s Road, Dairy Flat, 7.30pm-11pm. Entry $12.50. Band playing 1950s and 1960s Rock’n’Roll, Licensed club bar, Bring your own nibbles, Cash only.
21 Sustainable Ōrewa and Nest Group Sip, Sew & Repair, Hibiscus Coast Community House, Western Reserve, Ōrewa (behind Estuary Arts Centre), 1pm-3pm. Bring textiles/clothing items and learn to repair or upcycle them. Free event but koha for repairs. Refreshments provided. Fundraising table of upcycled goods. Part of NZ Repair Week.
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.
22 A Beamafilm matinée screening of Whina, Whangaparāoa Library, 1pm. A biopic about the life of Whina Cooper. Free event.
22 Hibiscus Coast Softball Club Have-A-Go Day, Victor Eaves Park, Ōrewa, 10am-12pm. Free for all to experience the fun of softball.
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. (see story p21)
22 Have a go at Softball! Hibiscus Coast Softball club have-a-go day, Victor Eaves Park, Ōrewa, 10am-12pm. Free – experience the fun of softball. Register at www.hbcsoftball.org.nz/
25 Bad Jelly the Witch Glow Show, Centrestage Theatre, Ōrewa, 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets from Centrestage. (see story p21 and ad below)
26 Coasties Quiz Night and Music, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 5.30pm-7pm. Free entry.
28 Hibiscus Coast Comedy Night – Ben Hurley and Friends, HBC Community RSA, 43A Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay, 7.30pm. Tickets from Eventfinda.
28 Feng Shui Workshop – Balancing the Elements, Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club, 1pm-4pm. Learn the basic principles of Feng Shui and how to balance the five elements for your own home. Tickets $88pp. Tickets and info from touchofeastnz@gmail.com
28 The New Horizon Precious Memories Gospel Show, featuring New Horizon
Pharmacy Talk
with Tania Adams
Pharmacist at Unichem Manly
Hormonal Rollercoaster
We ask “How are you?”and “I’ve been busy!” is always the reply. Busyness is the new social status we all seek. But “busyness” is really a reflection of life’s priorities being slightly out of kilter. Women in their 40s and 50s seem to be the worst “busy” culprits. Putting everything and everyone else first before their own health issues.
But it is not ok to menstruate for 2 weeks out of four. Or have such extreme menstrual flow that you don’t want to leave the house. That brain fog and short fuse , the anxiety , the night sweats and what is with the gaining weight without changing diet or exercise!?! These are all signs of the hormonal rollercoaster that start on average at 42 years of age but can be earlier or later for many. These symptoms can start a full 10 years before “graduating” to menopause. It’s a stage of life called perimenopause.
“That
brain fog and short
fuse , the anxiety , the night sweats and what is with the gaining weight without changing diet or exercise!?! “
It is characterized by fluctuating changes in our hormones, often an increase in our oestrogen and a decrease in our progesterone However the changes are difficult to detect on a blood test since on any given day your level could be seesawing up or down. The best way to find out if you are in perimenopause is to keep a diary of your symptoms. Tracking these for a couple of cycles will allow you and your health care professional to see what is going on for you. Come and ask for a free perimenopause diary in store to make it easier.
Oestrogen is our “womanly” hormone. High levels cause breast growth and tenderness, increased fat storage particularly around the middle, increased mood swings, increased and or prolonged menstrual flow Conversely, low oestrogen can decrease sex drive and cause vaginal dryness. Progesterone is our calming hormone. It helps with sleeping, anxiety, and low mood, is a natural diurectic and most importantly keeps oestrogen at bay. Progesterone is often low in perimenopause.
If you are suffering with these kinds of symptoms, please do get help. There are many diet and lifestyle modifications that can ease symptoms, such as increasing your dietary fibre to flush out the “bad oestrogen (yes, there is more than one type) amongst other things. There are new and innovative approaches including natural therapies that can help with symptoms such as Metagenics O-lift which may helps with night sweats and hot flushes (this belongs to a practitioner only range, available from us).Sea buckthorn for example, may help with vaginal dryness. Prescription medications might be worth considering and can be discussed with our friendly pharmacists at Unichem Manly Pharmacy.
Women’s Health Clinic
For individual assistance with peri-menopause or menopause, book your appointment for only $30**
or call(09) 424-7708 (**valid until 30/9/24)
by Alannah O'Sullivan from the book by Spike Milligan
by Alannah O'Sullivan from
book by Spike Milligan
lyrics by John Cairney Song lyrics by John Cairney
Junior netballers thriving at Coast courts
The Hibiscus Coast Netball Centre in Edith Hopper Park, Manly, wrapped up its season on August 28 and 28, with its primary school aged players excitedly playing their final games.
The Year 6 finals, on Wednesday, August 28 were won by Red Beach’s 6/1 team. Primary games administrator, Teresa
Smeed, of North Harbour Netball was courtside that day, taking photos and encouraging the teams. The Hibiscus Netball Centre has been a satellite of North Harbour Netball since 2021, although day to day operations are run by local volunteers.
Smeed says the junior game is currently
the strength of the Hibiscus centre, which is well supported by local primary schools. This season, that included Year 1 and 2 teams for the first time. A total of around 50 teams took part, up to Year 6.
Smeed would like to see the intermediate students (Years 7 and 8) return to the local courts – she says many of the schools now
opt to send them to North Harbour to play, which is of course a lot further for local parents and caregivers to travel. After a short break, the courts will soon be in use again – the centre starts up its six-week social spring netball league next month. To register, visit www. netballnorthharbour.co.nz
There was plenty of energy and fun at the Year 6 finals at Hibiscus Coast Netball Centre in Manly. Teams can dress up a little for the final netball game of the season. Hair decorations and tutus were a popular choice. The Stanmore Bay teams were particularly colourful. (centre)